A self-styled prophet in Bulawayo was jailed for 3 months by the Western Commonage court after he pleaded guilty to stealing a congregant’s Nokia Lumia and selling it for $7 because he wanted “quick money.”

Givemore Mujeyi (23) of Paddonhurst suburb took Mr Shakemore Marange’s phone while they were at a prayer meeting at Marange’s home in Matshobane suburb under the pretext that he wanted to pray over it as it was the source of his misfortunes.

Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube heard how Mujeyi ordered Marange to wrap the phone in a white cloth before he put it in a spare bedroom and asked people not to open the room.

Mujeyi told the court that he stole the phone and sold it for $7 because he wanted quick money.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of theft and was sentenced to three months in jail. The magistrate said Mujeyi was not fit to perform community service as investigations showed that he did not have a fixed place of residence.

The prosecutor, Mrs Thembeni Mpofu said on Thursday last week, Mujeyi attended a prayer meeting at Marange’s home.

“During the meeting he asked Marange to wrap his phone with a white cloth and give it to him so he could pray over it because it was the reason why things were not going well in his life.

The court heard that Mujeyi put the phone in a clay pot, prayed over it and later asked to put the clay pot in a spare bedroom so that no one could see or touch it.

Marange said he could not believe he had been tricked by a church member.

“For about three days no one opened the spare bedroom. I later thought l should check on the phone since it had been three days and we had not heard anything from Mujeyi. When l got into the room there was no phone in the pot,” he said.

Marange confronted Mujeyi and he said he took the phone and sold it.

A police report was made and Mujeyi was arrested.

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has left Harare for Angola where he is set to attend the inaugural commemoration of the Southern African Liberation Day.

The day was declared at the Windhoek Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in August 2018. On the March 23, 1988, the South African Defence Forces launched its last offensive against the Angolan Forces and the Cubans a battle known as Cuito Cuanavale.-StateMedia

A Chinese owner of a warehouse in Southerton, Harare, watched in glee as her dogs mauled a female ZIMRA official and her colleague who had gone there to smoke out the smuggling of goods into the country, an incident which Zimra spokesperson Francis Chimanda has confirmed.

The Chinese lady, identified as Alice Wang, has since been reported to the police.

The Zimra officials who were driving in a branded car when they went and parked at the entrance gate and proceeded to knock.

“A team of Zimra employees visited a client’s premises on March 20, 2019 to conduct a routine verification,” he said.

“Upon arrival at the premises the proprietor of the premises opened the gate to receive the officers, and two of their guard dogs came out of the premises and attacked one of the officers. The officer suffered injuries on the leg and was taken to the hospital by her colleagues for treatment.”

However Wang denied reports that she set the dogs on the official, saying she regretted the incident.

“I didn’t set the dogs. We know each other so as I was greeting her, my dogs probably felt jealous and attacked her. That was a mistake and we went to Southerton Police and we also took her to hospital,” Wang told NewsDay.

She said they are into the business of making sheets and comforters.

Police at Southerton station confirmed receiving the report on Wednesday and said they later forwarded the matter to Mbare, since it falls in that jurisdiction.

NewsDay

A TOP medical pathologist in Bulawayo is at the centre of a messy abuse storm amid sensational revelations by his wife that he allegedly threatened to kill her.

The shocking details are contained in court papers in which Dr Rodger Kruger Chigangacha’s wife Tholakele Ncube filed at the Bulawayo Civil Court while seeking an interim protection order against him.

So dreadful were the threats that Ncube had since vacated their matrimonial home in Killarney suburb to stay with her parents in Barbourfields.

“I have been customarily married to Dr Roger K H Chigangacha for 20 years. We have four children together aged 18, 13, 11 and four years old. On 8 March this year, he physically abused me with fists, demanding car keys saying I should not drive as I wanted to reap where I did not sow.

“He violently chased me away from the matrimonial home on 8 March and took two of our children aged 11 and four.

“He later left the children at home without someone to look after them and he never returned. He sends me abusive text messages threatening to kill me. He also sent those threatening messages to end my life to my relatives.

“My left eye is permanently damaged as a result of the physical abuse he perpetrated on me. He brags about it and is refusing to give me money so that I undergo surgery. He no longer provides financial assistance for his children’s needs such as fuel for transporting them to school, school trips and it affects the children’s wellbeing. I now fear for my life and I am asking for a restraining order to be granted against him so that he stops abusing me,” begged Ncube.

She said her husband also spits at her and refuses her to socialise with other women.

Ncube further claimed her husband was also involved in an adulterous relationship with a former secretary at his surgery.

In her ruling presiding magistrate Rachel Mukanga ordered the top doctor not to physically, emotionally or verbally abuse his wife or threaten her in any way.

In 2014 Ncube once dragged former Amakorokoza actress Natasha Popova Sibanda to court accusing her of having an adulterous relationship with her husband. Ncube said Sibanda was in the habit of coming to her matrimonial house threatening her with marching orders saying she was now the doctor’s new and loving wife.

In response Natasha openly declared her undying love for the doctor saying Ncube should come to terms with the fact that they were now both Dr Chigangacha’s wives.

By Own Correspondent| The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has been ordered to pay Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe (HCZ) $30 million with interests for breach of contract after the pension fund cancelled a housing deal.

NSSA had accused HCZ representatives Adam Molai, Stephen Duggan and Alec Nyatanga of swindling the public pension fund of $16 million in a botched housing investment deal which they had terminated. 

But an independent arbitrator Peter Lloyd ruled that NSSA had no case against HCZ. He also ruled that the manner in which NSSA handled the matter was wrong hence, they must compensate the property developer $30 million plus interest and legal fees.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has left Harare to attend the inaugural commemoration of the Southern African Liberation Day that was declared at the Windhoek Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in August 2018.

On the 23^rd of March 1988, the South African Defence Forces launched its last offensive against the Angolan Forces and the Cubans a battle known as Cuito Cuanavale that redefined the politics of the region.

 More to follow:

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa reportedly defied advice from his security team and some of his party leaders who had advised him against visiting Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, which were devastated by Cyclone Idai early this week, highly-placed sources said yesterday.

At a meeting held at Richard Morgan Tsvangirai House (formerly Harvest House) on Saturday, MDC leaders were divided over Chamisa’s planned visit to Manicaland, with others expressing concern over his safety.

“There was debate on whether doing so (visit) now would take focus away from helping people because a good size of our structures will then focus on the president’s visit. Chamisa was, however, keen on that, but his technical team asked him to wait while they assess the feasibility of the visit,” a source told NewsDay.

Those against Chamisa going to Manicaland had insisted on the party deploying a high-powered delegation including vice-president Morgen Komichi, party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, MPs and other leaders, while they kept their president safe in Harare.

But the source said Chamisa insisted on going, saying people both within the party and outside needed moral support as well as aid, and that his safety was secondary.

“He told his security that he was not a coward and would not hide in Harare, while people suffered, insisting that as a leader he had to be at the front,” the source said.

As the MDC heads for congress in May, party insiders said if Chamisa had listened to the advice of his team his chances of retaining the presidency would have been “washed away” in the aftermath of the storm.

Against the advice of his technical team and security, Chamisa mobilised aid through other lawyers, party structures and partners before teaming up with Mwonzora, Komichi and another vice-president Elias Mudzuri to head to Manicaland province on Monday morning.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda could neither confirm nor deny the debate surrounding Chamisa’s visit. He only said: “President Chamisa has a team that gives him advice, he is not a one man band. He, however, has the power to override advice he receives.”

Chamisa’s tour in Manicaland ignited a social media debate with some accusing him of using the disaster for political mileage and photo opportunities, while his supporters commended him for providing leadership.

Spokesperson for the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T, Linda Masarira accused Chamisa of using dead bodies to gain political mileage. — NewsDay

By Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwean businessman Ali Naka has threatened to name and shame individuals who demanded and got paid $70 000 before going to Chimanimani after Cyclone Idai struck.

Naka has given the individuals 72 hours to return the money.

Speaking on Twitter, Naka said:

“Those who demanded and got paid $70 000 before going to Chimanimani, have 72 hours to return it to the State Coffers before we name and Shame.”

By Own Correspondent| The Ministry of Health said at least 326 000 men were circumcised last year, representing 90% of the target set.

Sinokuthemba Xaba, director of National Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in the Health ministry yesterday told a strategic review meeting that more should be done, particularly targeting the older generation to encourage them to get circumcised.

Said Xaba:

“In relation to the targets, our achievement for last year was about 90% of our targets and this was in excess of 326 000 against a target of 350 000 circumcisions.

“This is by any measure very good given the history of the programme when we started in 2009. We used to have annual figures of 2 000.

The previous strategy contributed to the rapid scale up of the programme, and this new strategy that we are unveiling today will set the pace for the new focus in the programme which is geared on transitioning this initiative to sustainability.

Sustainability in our HIV programmes is of critical importance as we need to ensure continued quality service provision, even in light of dwindling donor funding.”Newsday

More than 1,000 passengers are being airlifted one-by-one to safety from a cruise ship after its engines failed in stormy conditions.

Police said 16 people have been taken to hospital after being airlifted from the Viking Sky, three of them with serious injuries.

The cruise ship was carrying about 1,300 passengers and crew, including 200 Britons, when it send mayday signals off the west coast of Norway.

Those who have been rescued have spoken of the fear as they were taken on one of the five available helicopters getting them back to land.

Janet Jacob, one of the first passengers saved, told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK: “I was afraid. I’ve never experienced anything so scary.”

She said the winds were “like a tornado” and said she was praying “for the safety of all aboard”.

Video posted on social media showed furniture sliding around inside the ship and debris falling from the ceiling as it listed heavily to one side.

More from Norway

Those on board are being hoisted one-by-one from the deck and taken by rescue helicopter to a village just north of the town of Molde.

The boat will be towed there on Sunday morning.

An update in the early hours of Sunday morning (GMT) indicated about 230 people had been brought safely off the ship.

It is slow work, and continued through the night. Per Fjeld, of the joint rescue centre in Southern Norway, said the remaining passengers were not in any danger, and the rescues would speed up when there was better light and weather.

The waves were 6-8m (20-26ft) high, and the wind blew at 24m per second, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute said.

“It’s a demanding exercise, because they (the passengers) have to hang in the air under a helicopter and there’s a very, very strong wind,” witness Odd Roar Lange told NRK.

The storm was expected to last until at least midnight local time (11pm UK time).

A freighter with a crew of nine was also being evacuated nearby after suffering engine failure too. Two of the five helicopters had to be diverted in order to rescue them before returning to the Viking Sky.

The Viking Sky is anchored about 1.5 miles from land after the crew managed to restart one engine.

“We were having lunch when it began to shake,” American passenger John Curry told NRK.

“Window panes were broken and water came in. It was just chaos.

“The trip on the helicopter I would rather forget. It was not fun.”

A spokesman for Viking Cruises said: “The ship is proceeding on its own power and a tugboat is on site. The evacuation is proceeding with all necessary caution.

“A small number of non-life threatening injuries have been reported. Guests are being accommodated in local hotels when they arrive back on shore, and Viking will arrange for return flights for all guests.”

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are in touch with Norwegian authorities and stand ready to help any British people who require our assistance.”

The cruisemapper.com website said the Viking Sky was on a 12-day trip that began on 14 March in the western Norwegian city of Bergen.

Built in 2017, it belongs to Viking Ocean Cruises – part of the Viking Cruises group founded by Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen.

According to the company website its passenger capacity is 930.

-SkyNews

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has hired a luxurious private jet for his trips locally and regionally, with the Airbus A318-100 being kept on standby ahead of his trip to South Africa tomorrow.

The jet flew seven hours and 16 minutes from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday to be in position in Harare before Mnangagwa’s flight to Bulawayo on Thursday, remained in the country ahead of another foreign trip by Mnangagwa to South Africa tomorrow.

“Then coming to the Bulawayo issue, the aircraft you are talking about came in on Thursday and has been here preparing to take the president to South Africa for the Sadc Solidarity Conference on Western Sahara, scheduled for 25-26 March 2019 in Pretoria,” Charamba said in an interview with The Standard.

“We booked the aircraft to be here until it brings back the president from the summit on Tuesday. If you were going to check, the aircraft is currently at the tarmac of the domestic flights and it is cheaper to hire the aircraft for days than to hire it on the day when the president wants to fly out.”

Since he took over through a military-assisted process in 2017, Mnangagwa has projected himself as a simple leader who wants to cut costs, but instead he has often used hired private jets for most of his foreign trips.

Last week he had to use a hired jet for a local trip to Bulawayo where he met civil society members, raising questions on his sincerity to tackle public expenditure.

Charamba said his boss was committed to cost-cutting and his officials were feeling the pinch.

“Let me pre-empt you; I know you would want to ask why not use scheduled flights for the president. Here is the tricky issue. One, it is very risky to do that for both the president and the airline. In this case, we are talking of a national airline which has one aircraft to service all its routes. If the president was to use a scheduled flight, it means that all the luggage in that flight will be opened and subjected to search by our security systems,” he said.

‘This inconveniences the reputation of the airline and the passengers. Also the passengers themselves will have to be subjected to those security systems and this definitely will lead in some people leaving the airline and it loses business. Also when the president is flying, he would fly in the business class and no one will be allowed there.”

Charamba added: “Just imagine you as a reporter you are supposed to fly to South Africa and you have bought your business class ticket and just because the president has joined the flight, you will have to move to the economy class. This will definitely lead to some people abandoning the airline. Remember the aviation business works on a patronage system and losing one customer is a big blow, which no airline would risk.”

“So we look at all those factors and if you are to look at the opportunity cost, you are bound to agree with us that hiring an aircraft for the president is much better than going through all those challenges. Key to this, the scheduled flight will have to change its time to suit the president. This is dangerous for any airline. Talking about the Bulawayo trip and the idea that the president could have used a scheduled flight, it meant that he would need to divert the Harare-Johannesburg route to go via Bulawayo. Do you think people were going to agree to that? So really let us be realistic when we discuss some of these issues,” Charamba said.

The deputy chief secretary also defended the use of private jets by Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi and other senior government officials whenever they fall ill, saying it was part of their conditions of service.

“This is part of conditions of service for the top three. Even ministers, if their conditions of service stipulate that they should be airlifted whenever they need medical attention at the expense of the state, it must be done. Even top civil servants, if their benefits include airlifting, there is nothing that we can do to change that, it is in their contracts,” Charamba said.

He, however, said if it was not an emergency, VPs and ministers should use scheduled flights as long as that does not compromise their safety and the country’s international image. — The Standard

By Own Correspondent- Local government minister, July Moyo has revealed chilling statistics following confirmation that a whole township in Rusitu Valley, Chimanimani was washed away by floods caused by Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Speaking in Mutare after receiving a donation of various goods worth $400 000 from Inscor Africa, Moyo, said:

“At first, we were saying we were missing 147 people, now it is turning out that we are missing people whose 147 houses have been destroyed. So it is no longer people, but households which have been destroyed.

In Rusitu (Valley), we had a police camp which was wiped out, we had Agritex officers who were housed there. We had some schools there. We had a school where we lost three teachers, the headmaster and 39 pupils. These are areas we frantically want to reach, but there are many others.

In Machongwe area they need to get food and there was a township that was completely wiped out. We do not know the number of survivors. We also understand that there were miners and we cannot accurately tell the number of those who perished there. The villagers are not able to identify those who were doing gold mining in the area.”

By Own Correspondent- A Gokwe police officer was arrested after he tried to drive out a car that was kept at a police station as an exhibit.

Brighton Sebata (25) based at Gokwe Police Station last week appeared before Gokwe magistrate Musaiona Shortgame after he tried to smuggle the vehicle that was meant to be used as an exhibit in public violence cases that rocked the country in January.

Sebata awaits sentencing and was remanded in custody to 26 March after he was convicted following a full trial.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said parliament is set to discuss a Bill that will raise the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 years, at the same time criminalising the marrying off of minors.

Ziyambi told a local publication that the drafting of the Bill has been completed.

Said Ziyambi:

“The Bill is ready and we will be taking it to Cabinet soon. . .

Among some of the issues, the law will deal with is that court judgment which ruled that one cannot marry before the age of 18 — we have put it in the law.

The other issue the law deals with is Section 26 of the Constitution, which speaks about consent and we need to give effect to it. Effectively, it will provide the minimum age of consent.

We will also give full effect to provisions that children are not pledged into marriages.”-StateMedia

Effectively, the Bill will outlaw child marriages, which has been a very contentious issue in recent times. It will also take care of issues that have to do with gender equality, which we are aligning with Section 3 of the Constitution.

Statement By Boeing|We know lives depend on the work we do, and our teams embrace that responsibility with a deep sense of commitment every day.

Our purpose at Boeing is to bring family, friends and loved ones together with our commercial airplanes—safely. The tragic losses of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Lion Air Flight 610 affect us all, uniting people and nations in shared grief for all those in mourning. Our hearts are heavy, and we continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board.

Safety is at the core of who we are at Boeing, and ensuring safe and reliable travel on our airplanes is an enduring value and our absolute commitment to everyone.

This overarching focus on safety spans and binds together our entire global aerospace industry and communities. We’re united with our airline customers, international regulators and government authorities in our efforts to support the most recent investigation, understand the facts of what happened and help prevent future tragedies. Based on facts from the Lion Air Flight 610 accident and emerging data as it becomes available from the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accident, we’re taking actions to fully ensure the safety of the 737 MAX. We also understand and regret the challenges for our customers and the flying public caused by the fleet’s grounding.

Work is progressing thoroughly and rapidly to learn more about the Ethiopian Airlines accident and understand the information from the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders. Our team is on-site with investigators to support the investigation and provide technical expertise. The Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau will determine when and how it’s appropriate to release additional details.

Boeing has been in the business of aviation safety for more than 100 years, and we’ll continue providing the best products, training and support to our global airline customers and pilots. This is an ongoing and relentless commitment to make safe airplanes even safer. Soon we’ll release a software update and related pilot training for the 737 MAX that will address concerns discovered in the aftermath of the Lion Air Flight 610 accident. We’ve been working in full cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board on all issues relating to both the Lion Air and the Ethiopian Airlines accidents since the Lion Air accident occurred in October last year.

Our entire team is devoted to the quality and safety of the aircraft we design, produce and support. I’ve dedicated my entire career to Boeing, working shoulder to shoulder with our amazing people and customers for more than three decades, and I personally share their deep sense of commitment. Recently, I spent time with our team members at our 737 production facility in Renton, Wash., and once again saw firsthand the pride our people feel in their work and the pain we’re all experiencing in light of these tragedies. The importance of our work demands the utmost integrity and excellence—that’s what I see in our team, and we’ll never rest in pursuit of it.

Our mission is to connect people and nations, protect freedom, explore our world and the vastness of space, and inspire the next generation of aerospace dreamers and doers—and we’ll fulfill that mission only by upholding and living our values. That’s what safety means to us. Together, we’ll keep working to earn and keep the trust people have placed in Boeing.

Dennis Muilenburg
Chairman, President and CEO
The Boeing Company

By Own Correspondent- Bulawayo metropolitan province water woes are set to worsen amid revelation that the province received low rainfall during the 2018/19 season.

The city is already on a programme of strict water rationing with some parts of the metropole going for 72 hours without water.

Bulawayo’s senior public relations officer, Nesisa Mpofu said that the water rationing was introduced because of broken down infrastructure that was key in pumping water to the reservoir.

Said Mpofu:

“If you remember we did not introduce water shedding because of supply dam levels but because of our infrastructure which needed urgent attention for us to ensure our Criterion Raw Water Reservoir has adequate supplies.

There was a point where we had dropped to one metre but now we are improving to above two metres, of which the recommended level is seven meters.

For now, we are working round the clock for the level to get to above seven metres, after that, I am sure we will be able to supply water to all our residents without the need to shed water.

As we strive to do this we, however, continue calling on our residents to continue using water sparingly so that we manage to contain our consumption levels.”StateMedia

By Own Correpsondent- A whole township in Rusitu Valley, Chimanimani was washed away by floods caused by Cyclone Idai last weekend, a senior government official has said.

Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo on Saturday said initially, an estimated 147 people were recorded as missing before it was established that at least 147 households had been wiped away by the cyclone induced floods..

Speaking in Mutare after receiving a donation of various goods worth $400 000 from Inscor Africa, Minister Moyo, said:

“At first, we were saying we were missing 147 people, now it is turning out that we are missing people whose 147 houses have been destroyed. So it is no longer people, but households which have been destroyed.

In Rusitu (Valley), we had a police camp which was wiped out, we had Agritex officers who were housed there. We had some schools there. We had a school where we lost three teachers, the headmaster and 39 pupils. These are areas we frantically want to reach, but there are many others.

In Machongwe area they need to get food and there was a township that was completely wiped out. We do not know the number of survivors. We also understand that there were miners and we cannot accurately tell the number of those who perished there. The villagers are not able to identify those who were doing gold mining in the area.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The Special Anti Corruption Unit is investigating circumstances around a botched US$100 million deal to supply the country’s major public hospitals with modern equipment.

The Unit, established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is investigating the deal which was reportedly entered into several years ago.

However, to date nothing has been delivered to hospitals although governments has continued making payments.

The Minister of Health and Child Care confirmed that investigations were in progress.

Head of the  Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu), Thabani Mpofu said:

“The Minister of Health (and Child Care) Dr Moyo has indeed contacted the Special Anti-Corruption Unit and we are in the process of constructing an action plan on the information he has provided.

I cannot divulge the nature of the information provided to the unit as it has to be passed to various law-enforcement agencies for a full investigation, but I can confirm, in light of information received, remedial action will be taken.”

Established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Special Anti-Corruption Unit is housed in the Office of the President and Cabinet to improve efficiency in the fight against all forms of graft and to strengthen the effectiveness of national mechanisms for the prevention of corruption.

Some of its overall objectives include to improve efficiency in the fight against all forms of corruption and to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of the national mechanisms for the prevention and fight against corruption in accordance with the anti-corruption strategy said Presidential spokesperson George Charamba.

By Own Correspondent- A state media report claimed that a team of investigators from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) last week submitted an adverse report to Parliament on 16 candidates that applied to be commissioners exposing allegations of fraud and corruption of the said candidates.

The report dated March 21 2019 was delivered to Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda’s office.

Overall, 133 candidates applied for the post, which fell vacant after the resignation of the Dr Job Wabhira-led commission on January 31 this year.

The 16 candidates include Denford Chirindo, Dr Catherine Muchechetere, Christina Fundira, Boyana Ndou, Dr Nanette Silikhuni, Dr Onesmus Nyaude, Smile Dube, Never Katiyo, Albert Mandizha, Geoffrey Nyarota, Tshuma Mehluli and Caroline Chigumbura. Rabson Mpofu, Theresa Mutabeni, Angeline Guvamombe and Edmore Veterai also make up the list.

The unnamed Zacc officers claimed in the report that “the presence of these nominees diminishes the integrity of Zacc in line with the song of the New Dispensation of fighting corruption”.

They also claimed that “without proper diagnosis of these “corrupt” nominees, Zacc can’t fight it. It will remain a dead horse waiting for vultures to devour it”.

According to a report by the “concerned officers of Zacc”, Denford Chirindo cannot possibly be considered because he served on two previous commissions, which all failed to deliver.

“He (Chirindo) served in the commission from 2009 to 2019. This amounts to 10 years of service, but no significant results were produced in the fight against corruption,” reads part of the letter.

“During his term of office, he was involved in a legal battle with employees, where he fought against the award of already existing benefits.

Christina Fundira — also a former commissioner — is accused of having a penchant for foreign trips during her tenure, some of which were not approved by Cabinet.

She is also implicated for looting fuel from Zacc. She would get as much as 700 litres of diesel per month. This behaviour is criminal and needs to be investigated.”

Another ex-commissioner who is being rejected is Dr Catherine Muchechetere, who stands accused of attending a training course in Hong Kong without Cabinet approval together with another ex-commissioner Farayi Mashonganyika.

The latter is, however, not seeking reappointment.

The aggrieved Zacc staffers also say Boyana Ndou, a former senior police officer who is seeking another term with the same commission, should be investigated over his role in the previous Zacc finance committee.

Another former commissioner Dr Nanette Silukhuni allegedly covered up cases involving ex-Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo.

“All his (Dr Chombo) cases were shelved because of Silukhuni’s influence as a commissioner. Her application to re-join the commission should be treated with the full contempt it deserves,” added the letter.

Separately, Dr Onesmus Nyaude, who was once tasked with rebranding the crime-busting body, stands accused of flouting procurement regulations.

The letter also raises reservations on the candidature of former Daily News Editor Geoffrey Nyarota, who they claim was once investigated by the Zacc.

Similarly, Smile Dube is facing the same allegation.

Former Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer commanding Matabeleland North province Edmore Veterai’s nomination is being contested over alleged corruption cases.

Further, Mehluli Tshuma was once investigated under CRB 309/13, while Caroline Chigumbura was allegedly caught up in a storm at NMB over alleged fraud.

On Angeline Guvamombe, the report says: “The last promotions she (Guvamombe) did in the police should be investigated.”

The letter also condemns Rabson Mpofu as unqualified to be a crime-buster because of his “questionable” history with the police minerals department.

Former Grain Marketing Board boss Albert Mandizha is not spared either over alleged abuse of farming inputs.

The Zacc officers also had no kind words for Theresa Mutabeni.

“She is a retired Assistant Commissioner in police who was in charge of Grace Mugabe’s security. Due to her close association with Grace Mugabe, she was undeservedly promoted to that rank.”

Clerk of parliament, Kennedy Chokuda could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.

However, procedurally, Parliament will investigate the allegations against the Zacc nominees before the public interviews.-StateMedia

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa will continue hiring expensive private planes when he is travelling until the government gets him a dedicated presidential jet or until the country has a functioning national airline.

This is the message coming from Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba who was responding to questions on why Mnangagwa was using expensive private jets. Mnangagwa recently hired a US$12 500/hour private jet from Dubai in order to travel to Bulawayo. He has also received criticism for hiring a one of a type US$74 000 per hour Swiss Luxury jet.

Charamba went on to justify why senior government officials get treatment outside the country when they are sick saying that it is part of their conditions of service. Below is an excerpt of Charamba’s interview with Xolisani Ncube (XN) of The Standard,

XN: So for how long are we going to be hiring private jets for the president, Cde Charamba?

GC: Until such a time we have a presidential jet or a functioning national airline with a fleet of aircraft. At the moment, our economy cannot sustain the purchase of a presidential jet. Imagine what would happen if the president decides to get a presidential jet. Definitely it would cause an uproar. So until such a time when our economy can sustain the purchase of a presidential jet or we have a national airline with many aircraft, we shall always resort to hiring of private jets. The idea to buy a presidential jet is part of our plans in the long to medium-term, but for now, our economy cannot allow us to do that.

XN: You have explained well on the presidential jet and why the state hires, how about the VPs (vice-presidents), why not use scheduled flights? We have seen them being flown using hired private planes, at whose cost?

GC: This is part of conditions of service for the top three. Even ministers, if their conditions of service stipulate that they should be airlifted whenever they need medical attention at the expense of the state, it must be done. Even top civil servants, if their benefits include airlifting, there is nothing that we can do to change that, it is in their contracts.

-Standard