Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THREE prison officers based at Khami Prison Complex have been arrested for allegedly stealing about $51,000 from the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) canteen.

A fourth officer is allegedly on the run.

The four allegedly siphoned the cash from the canteen where they were responsible for buying and selling of goods over a period of one year.

Sources from the prison identified the four as Alwerd Smuskwe, 43, Stanley Mashingaidze, 35, Edward Tabarira, 38, and Edson Manjekwa who is on the run.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango could not be reached for comment.

Sources close to the investigation said yesterday that the three suspects were detained at Pumula Police Station.

“The quartet was employed in the prison’s canteen. They were responsible for buying goods for resale. Between January and December last year, they performed several fraudulent activities where they would not remit profits,” said the source.

The source said one of prison officers even diverted $840 which was meant for salaries for general workers to his personal use.

“They were exposed following an audit report by the ZPCS in December. The audit revealed that they could have defrauded ZPCS of about $51,000,” said the source.

ZPCS regional public relations officer for Matabeleland, principal prison officer Garainashe Moyo said: “As you say, the issue is under police investigation so I can’t say much.”

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent—
TWO female police officers bravely fought off a knife wielding five-man gang that attacked a police base and tried to rape one of them. Licking their wounds, the gang fled from the base, near Amakhosi Cultural Centre in Bulawayo, minutes before reinforcements from the canine section arrived at the scene. The incident happened at about 1AM yesterday.

Police with sniffer dogs tracked down and arrested two of the suspects. A manhunt has been launched for the other three. Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango referred questions to national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi.

Chief Supt Nyathi could not be reached for comment as his cellphone rang unanswered. Police sources said three police officers, one male, were at the tent which is used as the base.

“When the five arrived, the male police officer was outside. Apparently unaware of his presence, they immediately attacked the women,” said a source. The source said a scuffle ensued as one of the attackers tried to rape one of the officers.

“The two female officers fought hard to keep their attackers at bay while the male officer called for backup at Bulawayo Central Police Station,” said the source.

“The raiders apparently realising they were coming out second best, fled into the bush and a few minutes later, the reinforcements arrived.” The male police officer, said the source, showed the dog squad the direction taken by the fleeing criminals.

“The dogs immediately picked the scent and two of the fleeing suspects were arrested,” the source added. It could not be ascertained yesterday why the gang raided the police base.

Following their arrests, the bruised suspects were taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where they are assisting with investigations. The Chronicle visited the police base yesterday and it was business as usual. Officers at the base refused to shed light on the matter saying only their public relations officers were allowed to speak to the Press.

James Matiza

Felex Share Harare Bureau—
FIVE National Social Security Authority executives sacked last year for gross mismanagement have to pay back more than $1,5 million they awarded themselves as loans and return their company vehicles. This comes as NSSA board chairman Robin Vela revealed that NSSA has come up with a proposed remuneration framework that will see a 25 percent reduction in monthly staff costs.

The proposed framework also focuses on reducing a litany of benefits for managers including allowances for holidays, education and children’s school fees. The five executives will also surrender other assets to the authority.

The Retrenchment Board has given NSSA the nod to retrench the executives in an arrangement that will see their commutable pensions and benefits compensating for the loans.

Vela said according to the retrenchment agreement endorsed by the Retrenchment Board, the managers now owed NSSA. “The Retrenchment Board has granted formal authority to retrench four of the ex-employees while the case of the other employee is yet to be finalised,” he said.

Vela said the mutual agreement was that the managers would be paid a severance package of one month’s salary for every year served.

He said the managers will pay back the loans they advanced themselves. Vela added that the managers would return company cars and other assets to the authority.

The five are James Matiza (general manager) and directors Shadreck Vera (investments), Patrick Mupani (finance), Tendai Mafunda (corporate services) and Bright Chidyagwai (ICT).

A forensic audit revealed that the quintet pampered their lovers with dubious loans and awarded themselves monthly salaries of more than $40,000 each. The retrenched managers also face prosecution.

“Further investigations are underway,” Vela said. “Once they’ve been concluded and we’ve consulted with the relevant stakeholders, we’ll be able to report back on the next course of action.”

Vela said the proposed remuneration framework was in line with the prevailing economic environment and was “equitable and fair to the authority and staff.” Vela said the new framework, if endorsed, would be effective beginning the second quarter of this year.

“It takes into account, the reduced contributions as a result of shrinking employment and aims to strike a balance between what we’re paying our staff versus our payouts to pensioners,” he said.

“In broad terms, the new framework, which is still to be finalised pending consultations with stakeholders, will result in a much needed approximate 25 percent reduction in gross monthly staff costs to the authority.”

He went on: “We’ve reduced a litany of benefits, such as holiday, education and child school fees among others, and their corresponding costs of administration. We’ve replaced company cars with expenses funded by the authority to an individual vehicle ownership scheme. The employer pension contribution has been reduced from 18 percent of basic salary to 7,5 percent in line with other government departments caps. Overall we’re moving towards more of a “cost to company” model of employment in line with modern global trends.”

The Matiza-led management made questionable investments of $100 million, including buying shares in poorly-run companies and properties at inflated prices.

Vela said a new general manager for the authority would be appointed soon. He said: “Two recruitment agencies have been appointed to conduct the search for a general manager and senior management team.

“Their brief is to scour the globe for Zimbabweans with integrity, appropriate professional qualifications and experience to take the Authority forward.”

NSSA management came under fire for splurging $2,5 million in the now defunct CFX Bank, $12 million on overpriced Star Africa Corporation shares, and $1,5 million on Africom Continental.

At least $45 million is locked in Interfin Bank, which is now under curatorship. NSSA also lost $11,2 million worth of property to local authorities for failing to develop them.

The institution also dished out “non-profitable” loans to parastatals such as National Oil Company of Zimbabwe ($3,1 million), Zesa ($9 million) and Cottco ($8 million).

Jah Prayzah (in passenger seat) remonstrates with police officers at the tollgate along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway yesterday

Munyaradzi Musiiwa/Bongani Ndlovu Chronicle Correspondents—
TALENTED contemporary musician Jah Prayzah, real name Mukudzei Mukombe, was yesterday arrested after allegedly fleeing police and Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara) officials at the Shurugwi Tollgate. He was allegedly driving an unregistered Mercedes Benz E320. Police Midlands Operations Coordinator Chief Superintendent Edmore Bakayidza confirmed the arrest.

“I can confirm that Mukudzei Mukombe (Jah Prayzah) was summoned to Gweru Central Police Station after he refused to pay for his vehicle registration licence and fled police and Zinara officials at the Shurugwi Tollgate,” he said.

The towering musician was asked to produce vehicle registration documents at the tollgate but failed. Zinara officials asked him to pull over and pay $20 for vehicle licensing for one term but Jah Prayzah allegedly refused and ordered his crew to remove the cone barricades at the tollgate and sped off before throwing a $2 note at the officials.

He was later stopped at a tollgate between Gweru and Kwekwe over the same reason. Jah Prayzah allegedly caused a stir as he once again refused to comply with police orders at the tollgate. He allegedly refused to return to Gweru Central Police station where Zinara officials had reported the matter.

The Chronicle observed Jah Prayzah, who was in the company of his band members Simbarashe Mhungu and Daniel Prosper Kapfumvuti, refusing to go to Gweru Central Police demanding that the police should provide him with fuel to enable him to drive about 20km back to Gweru.

He bragged that he was well connected and knew senior police officials among them National Police Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba. He said he would not comply with orders given to him by junior police officers.

Jah Prayzah made several calls to different senior police officers including Snr Ass Comm Charamba seeking to circumvent the Gweru police. Police had a torrid time trying to compel him to report to Gweru Central Police for fleeing police and tollgate officials. He complied after almost two hours when Chief Supt Bakayidza intervened and he paid the vehicle licence fee for one term.

Jah Prayzah yesterday declined to comment on the issue. “Ask the police about the whole issue,” he said and hung up.

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent—
A Midlands State University (MSU) Lecturer was allegedly brutally stabbed to death by her husband after she bragged about an extra-marital affair she was having as revenge for her husband’s infidelity. Netsai Ncube, 48, from the department of Agriculture, Livestock and Wildlife Management at the university died in hospital on Saturday after her husband, Fred Nyamhanga Shavi, 63, an Education Inspector with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, viciously stabbed her, leaving her for dead at the couple’s house in Southdowns suburb in Gweru.

Ncube died at Gweru Provincial hospital at around 2.30PM. Sources close to investigations alleged that Shavi had hired hitmen to kill his wife’s alleged boyfriend and bring him the man’s eyes as proof that he was dead.

The assassins allegedly slaughtered a goat and brought its eyes instead before making a police report. After allegedly stabbing his wife, Shavi fled to his rural home in Sanyati where he told relatives that he wanted to commit suicide.

Police arrested him in Sanyati yesterday. A woman who said she was Ncube’s sister declined to speak to The Chronicle, saying her father who was away, was the family’ spokesperson.

Deputy Officer Commanding Gweru District, Superintendent Elias Chivandire said Shavi might have had a misunderstanding with his wife on Friday night before he attacked her with an unknown sharp object the following morning.

He said police investigations were underway. “I can confirm that we’re investigating a murder case where a 63-year-old male from Southdowns low density suburb is suspected to have killed his wife by stabbing her with a sharp object in the head.

“It’s suspected that the man might have attacked his wife in the early hours of Saturday before he called his nephew Xmas Mutero of Msasa Park in Kwekwe and told him to go and check on his wife because he had attacked her.

“He also threatened to commit suicide,” said Supt Chivandire. Mutero, Supt Chivandire said, proceeded to the house where he found the gates and doors locked but forced open both the gate and door and found the now deceased groaning in pain while bleeding profusely.

He then contacted the Gweru Fire Brigade who provided an ambulance to ferry the now deceased to Gweru Provincial Hospital. Supt Chivandire said Mutero, however, did not report the matter to police but informed the now deceased’s son who then informed other relatives.

“The relatives then reported the matter at Senga Police Station,” he said. Supt Chivandire said after committing the crime Shavi fled to his rural home in Sanyati.

Gweru Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze confirmed that Ncube died at the hospital while waiting to be transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. Shavi allegedly told investigators that he had for a long time been fighting with his wife over infidelity issues.

A source close to the couple said Shavi once had sex with a girlfriend while his wife watched.

“Their marriage was on the rocks. Shavi brought a girlfriend home and had sex with her while the wife watched. The wife sought revenge by also having an extramarital affair and she told her husband about it. This must have angered Shavi,” said the source.

“Shavi hired people to kill his wife’s boyfriend and demanded the man’s eyes as proof. However the hired assassins slaughtered a goat and brought the eyes as proof.” The source said Shavi then murdered his wife. “Shavi wanted to kill both his wife and her boyfriend,” said the source.

Patrick Chitumba and Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Bureau
A SENIOR lecturer at the Midlands State University (MSU) allegedly committed suicide by drinking poison, a day after his alleged girlfriend, Netsai Ncube, was brutally murdered by her husband after bragging about their extramarital affair. Arnold Kapenzi, of Southdowns suburb in Gweru, who was the Executive Dean in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture and had worked at the MSU since its inception 17 years ago, died at Kwekwe General Hospital yesterday after taking a poisonous substance.

Kapenzi’s death follows that of his alleged married lover, Ncube, who was also a lecturer in his department.

Ncube was killed by her husband Fred Nyamhanga Shavi, 63, also of Southdowns suburb in Gweru after she told him of the affair she allegedly claimed was in revenge for her husband’s alleged infidelity.

Shavi was employed as an Education Inspector in the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry and allegedly hired assassins to kill Kapenzi when his wife told him about the affair.

It emerged yesterday that Shavi allegedly offered the assassins $1,200 to kill his wife’s boyfriend and paid them $600 as deposit for the job.

Kapenzi’s younger brother, Cornelius, yesterday said they were not aware of the circumstances leading to the lecturer’s death.

“We were advised last night (Sunday) that he was sick and we drove to Gweru. This morning (Monday), we received information that he didn’t make it. So we’re going there to meet with the doctor and the police in Kwekwe to ascertain the cause of his death,” said Cornelius.

MSU acting spokesperson, Mirirai Mawere, said the cause of death is yet to be established. Sources close to the family said Kapenzi took his own life hours after attending Ncube’s funeral wake.

Ncube’s brother, who identified himself as Munyaradzi, said Kapenzi had been to the funeral wake on Saturday. After leaving Ncube’s funeral wake, sources said Kapenzi went to his farm in Kwekwe where he allegedly consumed a yet to be identified poison.

The sources said he was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital where he died yesterday morning. Sources said Kapenzi and Ncube were known lovers in their faculty.

“I understand that Kapenzi is the one who made sure she got employed at MSU and they were known lovers,” said a fellow lecturer. It is understood that Shavi hired a group of gold panners from Lower Gweru to kill Kapenzi and paid them $600. The balance was supposed to be paid once the job was done.

Shavi’s friend, who declined to be named, said when the assassins received the money they reported the matter at Gweru Rural Police Station.

They allegedly slaughtered a goat and gouged its eyes intending to give Shavi on the pretext that they had killed Kapenzi. They allegedly called him, but he did not pick up his phone.

Ncube’s relatives, however, alleged that Shavi was abusive and promiscuous. They claimed that the couple’s problems started when Shavi allegedly impregnated three other women including Ncube’s 14-year-old younger sister, who lived with them.

A relative who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that Ncube was awarded a scholarship to go and study in the United States and her husband tried to stop her in fear of being dumped once she relocates to another country.

The Deputy Officer Commanding Gweru Urban, Superintendent Elias Chivandire, said Shavi would appear in court soon to face murder charges following his arrest in Sanyati.

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent—
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy was mauled to death while another 10-year-old child was left for dead allegedly by about eight vicious dogs in Masvingo’s Eastvale suburb. Success Kasanhayi of Shakashe Street was playing with four other children outside his parents’ house when the dogs belonging to Ahamad Amon and one Mukaratirwa pounced on him on Sunday at around 4 PM.

The dogs allegedly dragged Success into a nearby bush and mauled him all over the body, leaving him bleeding profusely. He was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital by one of the owners of the killer dogs, Amon, where he was pronounced dead hours after admission.

The dogs, which were roaming around the medium density suburb, allegedly set upon a 10-year-old boy, two hours after they pounced on Success. “When we were still seized with Success’ matter at the hospital, I received a call from home that my dogs had again attacked another boy. I then came back, only to find the boy writhing in pain with injuries on his hands and legs. I rushed him to hospital,” Amon said.

When The Chronicle visited Eastvale suburb at around 1PM yesterday police, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and officers from the department of veterinary services were hunting down the dogs.

By yesterday afternoon, they had tracked and put down four of the dogs. Success’ mother, Charity Mabhiza, 24, was distraught.

“I left my son at home playing with his friends while I went to buy some onions in town. My husband was at the shops,” she said. “On my way back, I met my husband and he instructed me to follow him without explaining where we were going. We then caught a taxi which was going to Masvingo General Hospital and when we got into the children’s ward, I was taken aback to see my son on life support.”

Mabhiza said she suspects that excessive bleeding caused her son’s death. The boy’s father, Grafton Kasanhayi, 30, said when he heard children screaming, he rushed to the scene but his son had already been rushed to hospital.

“It’s devastating but there is nothing we can do. But I feel the owners of the vicious dogs have a case to answer,” said Kasanhayi. Amon said he regretted the unfortunate incident. He said his dogs were last vaccinated four years ago and offered to have them put down.

“I want to testify that my dogs had not been vaccinated against rabies or any diseases for four years now. We last took them for vaccination in 2012. I’ve six vicious dogs and am keeping them for security reasons. I stay with my mother who is 94-years-old and she needs security since most of the time she’s left alone. Of late there are fuel thieves around and at one time I was a victim,” said Amon.

SPCA Masvingo provincial manager John Chikomo said if the dogs were not vaccinated, the owners should be charged by the police. “The owner of the six dogs told us that they were not vaccinated. That’s a crime on its own but it’s left to the department of veterinary service to write a report which will be used by the police to do their job,” said Chikomo.

He said the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the dogs had been locked inside the yard. Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident but said he was still waiting for finer details.

Elizabeth Tsuro Midlands Reporter—
THREE Kwekwe teachers have appeared in court accused of conniving to let their friend sit an O-Level Maths exam for his girlfriend. The Zideco College teachers, Canaan Gombe, Wellington Masiiwa and Courage Nyathi, whose ages were not given, appeared before Gweru magistrate Musaiona Shotgame for contravening the Zimsec Act.

The three pleaded not guilty and were remanded out of custody to March 11 on $50 bail each. Prosecuting, Munyaradzi Guvheya told the court that in November last year, the three connived to write a Zimsec Mathematics Paper Two examination for Gombe’s girlfriend, Lyn Chenesai Charumbira.

Guvheya said Gombe, who is a Mathematics teacher, approached Masiiwa and Nyathi who were invigilating and asked to see the examination paper.

“He went and wrote the paper and brought a draft answer sheet which he handed to Charumbira who then copied all the answers to her answer sheet using her own handwriting so that she would not be suspected,” said Guvheya.

The court heard that Charumbira accidentally attached the answers she was given by Gombe to her answer sheet and submitted it to the invigilator. Guvheya said the matter came to light when a marker discovered two answer sheets written in different handwritings prompting Zimsec to launch investigations that led to the trio’s arrest.

According to the Zimsec Act, any person who reveals contents of any examination material to an unauthorised person or anyone who seats or offers or attempts to present himself at an examination with the intention of impersonating another person faces up to one year in jail.

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent—
THE multi-million dollar Egodini Shopping Mall project was launched in Bulawayo yesterday and construction is set to start in two months’ time in a development that will create employment for city residents. Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and Terracotta Trading Private Limited (TTPL) officials held a joint press conference where they spoke about the project’s planned take-off following its launch in council chambers.

Councillors, residents, the business community among other interested players witnessed the launch. TTPL director John McCormick said the $60 million project would be undertaken in three phases and create more than 1,000 jobs during the construction period.

He said TTPL is fully funding the project and will only hand over the mall to the BCC after it recoups its investment. McCormick said the project would be completed in two-and-a-half years.

He said they are yet to conduct an environmental impact assessment among other consultancy work. McCormick said they would employ Bulawayo residents as they do not want to cause unnecessary rifts locally.

Another TTPL director, Ottis Tshabalala, said once council relocates kombi crews and vendors, construction would start.

“We’re working with council to get into the actual development of the project. We need to obviously relocate taxis to the venues identified by council. Once that’s done we will be ready to commence. There’s a time factor and we need to work in close association with taxis,” said Tshabalala.

BCC acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou said they would only relocate vendors and public transporters after the contractor moves on site.

“We had already sensitised them to the possibility of the move. We were waiting for these formalities to happen. We think all things being equal in a month or two we would’ve moved them depending on other things they (Terracotta) said they are still doing. We don’t want to move them and leave Egodini without any activity. Once the developer puts up things that need to be put together we will move them,” said Zhou.

She said during construction of the mall, commuter omnibuses would be stationed outside the Central Business District and would only come into the city to ferry passengers.

Zhou said some pickup points that had been identified include Lobengula Street and 2nd Avenue, Lobengula Street and 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street and 12th Avenue.

The acting Mayor, Councillor Gift Banda, said delays in commencement were caused by the magnitude of the project.

He said the tendering of Egodini Shopping Complex started at the end of 2011 and since then they have been engaging the winners TTPL on the best way to implement the project. Meanwhile, Bulawayo residents were happy with the launch.

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders’ Association chairperson Thabang Nare expressed satisfaction that vendors were going to be catered for under the new complex.

“From the presentation by Terracotta, we’re impressed by their attempt to include vendors in their designs. The vending bays they’re proposing will solve some of the problems that are being faced by vendors of unpacking and packing their wares on a daily basis,” said Nare.

Bulawayo United Residents’ Association (BURA) chairperson Winos Dube said the project gave hope to the unemployed through job creation.

VP Mnangagwa

Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
There has been another break-in at Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs offices at the New Government complex.

More to follow

Colin Kanonge and Tafadzwa Mushunje leave the Harare Magistrates Court

Thandeka Moyo and Fungai Lupande
OTHER than murder and rape, it was the most heinous crime a 24-year-old girl could be accused of: using a syringe to draw her own HIV infected blood and injecting a two-year-old boy, the son of her new boyfriend with another woman.

In an instant, Harare model Tafadzwa Mushunje’s life was turned upside down after she was arrested and charged with deliberately transmitting HIV to the toddler and assault for allegedly making the boy drink her urine.

Her face was plastered on the front pages of newspapers and sent around the world on the internet.

Except it was all not true! Yesterday, Mushunje left the Harare Magistrates Court a free woman after the Prosecutor General’s Office withdrew charges following the release of medical tests showing that neither she nor the child was HIV positive.

Mushunje was arrested after the boy’s mother, Sihle Tracy Harry, went to the police claiming that she had left the tot with its father, Colin Kanonge, who was in the company of Mushunje. The boy had been returned to her with “strange marks”.

She told investigators that she had received information from a friend, pointing her to a link on a notorious and highly defamatory sex and sleaze website called Musvo Zimbabwe, which claimed that “Mushunje assaulted the child whenever his father left the minor with her.”

The website added: “When the father was away, Mushunje drew HIV infected blood and injected the child… She beats the child saying return to your mother and makes him drink her urine.”

It was after reading these claims, said prosecutors, that Harry — who describes herself on the internet as “a Nyasarand (someone originally from Malawi) and not a mukharadi (mixed race)” — linked the report to the marks on the child.

Astonishingly, police went on to arrest Mushunje even before they could establish if indeed she was HIV positive, and that she had indeed infected the child with the virus that causes AIDS.

No other evidence, including the syringe allegedly used, or injection marks on the child, was produced for prosecutors before charges were filed.

The Prosecutor General’s Office could still have declined to lay charges, but the case went to court where it collapsed spectacularly yesterday with Mushunje being left to pick up the pieces — her name and reputation well and truly in the dump.

Top Harare lawyer Jonathan Samkange last night told The Chronicle that Mushunje was entitled to sue the girl’s mother for malicious prosecution to repair her reputation. “She has a right to sue for damages that will compensate her for the mental torture she went through before she was acquitted,” Samkange said.

“Stories which have been generated about her must have forced her colleagues, family, friends and relatives to look at her with horror thus she is entitled to psychological and psychiatric treatment fees.”

Samkange said the case was not a prima facie — accepted as guilty until proved otherwise — and Mushunje could now sue whoever initiated the prosecution.

“Somehow, the police and the prosecutor can’t be sued as they’re not experts or judges to have stopped the matter from going into court,” the lawyer added.

First lady Cde Grace Mugabe

Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
FOUR Zanu-PF provincial youth chairpersons yesterday distanced themselves from a shadowy group calling itself the Save Zanu-PF Campaign that insulted party leadership including First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe at a press conference in Harare last month.

In unsolicited interviews, the chairpersons from Cde Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North), Cde Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Cde Khumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo) and Edmore Samambwa from Midlands said they were not linked to the organisation that also insulted Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

The declarations by the youth leaders came after President Robert Mugabe at the weekend castigated attacks on the party leadership including the First Lady by some “misguided Zanu-PF youths” saying such lack of discipline would not be tolerated in the party.

Speaking at his 92nd birthday celebrations in Masvingo last Saturday, President Mugabe said the Youth League would be supported in censuring those found on the wrong who should be kicked out of the party.

Zanu-PF secretary for youth affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi on Tuesday told The Chronicle that a committee had been set up to deal with the said youths in a process that could see the expulsion of some youth leaders from the party.

The Save Zanu-PF Campaign, fronted by suspended provincial chairpersons from Harare, Godwin Gomwe, Mashonaland Central, Godfrey Tsenengamu and Mashonaland West, Vengai Musengi, claimed that the four chairpersons, who were not at the press conference, were part of their organisation and cause.

However, Cde Nkomo said: “I would like to distance myself from a Press conference addressed by the so called Save Zanu-PF Campaign. I don’t know what they stand for and I was really shocked that my name has been linked to that grouping.

“I was in Esigodini, more than 500 kilometres from Harare, when that press conference was held.”

Cde Nkomo said all along he has been working towards mobilising resources for the recently held 21st February Movement celebrations.

“Besides, I know the laid down channels to air grievances within the party. I also want to declare that the entire province is behind the leadership of President Mugabe and we’re one of the most peaceful structures in the country.”

Cde Mpofu also said that he was not part of the organisation adding that he was not even aware of their structure.

“As a patriotic party member, I’m well aware of channels to use when we have grievances. I understand that someone went there purporting to be acting on my behalf but I had no input in this animal called Save Zanu-PF Campaign and the organisation of that press conference. I know nothing about it,” he said.

Cde Mpofu said they would never go against anyone appointed by President Mugabe either in the party or the government.

Cde Samambwa said: “While we know the people who organised that press conference as those members who were suspended for various intransigencies, we want to make it known that we’ve no association with that group.

“As a province, we’re also not part of members who insult leaders on social media networks. We’re a disciplined youth who follow the leadership of President Mugabe.”

Cde Nyoni, who also called in separately, echoed his colleagues’ sentiments saying: “I want to categorically state that I was, I’m not and will never be party to an organisation that calls itself Save Zanu-PF Campaign. I’m a loyal and disciplined member of the party and would never take part in any activity that either puts the name of my party into disrepute or denigrates party leadership.”

Lloyd Gumbo Harare Bureau
THE government has directed the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to slash the price of maize from $23 per 50kg bag to $15 to enable the majority of people affected by the El Nino-induced drought this year to buy the staple grain.

The government, meanwhile, says it will continue to distribute maize for free to vulnerable families across the country. The country has stocks enough to feed the nation for the next three months, with more maize deliveries expected before the current reserves run out.

This was revealed by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira in the National Assembly yesterday during a Questions Without Notice Session.

“We’re aware as government that the price of maize at the GMB was high at around $23 per bag. We’ve asked that the price be reduced, so we agreed in Cabinet yesterday that the price must come down to $15 per bag for households. That’s for households and not business,” said Mupfumira.

Earlier in the day, Mupfumira and her Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development counterpart, Joseph Made assured Zanu-PF Members of Parliament who attended a party caucus meeting at the Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare that the government had put adequate mechanisms in place to ensure no one starves.

Zanu-PF Chief Whip, Cde Lovemore Matuke, said the two ministers assured them that the government was now seized with distributing the food to all the communities across the country.

Cde Matuke added: “They said they’re going to have committees at district level that are going to deal with distribution of food. The programme is ongoing. The MPs needed to be updated on the current situation so that they can take the same information to their constituencies.

“There’s a lot of maize which is coming from abroad to ensure that everybody will be able to receive adequate food.”

President Mugabe last month declared a state of disaster to allow for mobilisation of resources to mitigate the effects of drought – induced hunger facing the country. The government subsequently appealed for food assistance from both local and international partners to the tune of at least $1,5 billion to cater for about 3 million vulnerable people.

Fred Nyamhanga Shavi

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
A MINISTRY of Primary and Secondary Education inspector who allegedly murdered his wife who was a lecturer at the Midlands State University (MSU) has claimed that he killed her in self-defence.

Fred Nyamhanga Shavi, 63, appeared for initial remand before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga for the alleged murder of his wife, Netsai Ncube, 48, a lecturer in the department of Agriculture, Livestock and Wildlife Management at the MSU.

Shavi, of Southdowns suburb in Gweru, was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to March 16.

According to Shavi’s warned and cautioned statement, he alleged that Ncube brought “an object” into their bedroom as he slept between 2AM and 3AM on February 27 intending to attack him.

He did not name or specify what the object was, but prosecutors described it as an iron hoe.

Shavi alleged that Ncube attacked him first, before he wrestled the weapon from her.

“Early Saturday, between 2AM and 3AM, Netsai woke up saying she was visiting the toilet. After a while and as I looked up through the bedroom door, I noticed that she was holding an object. On entering the bedroom, she proceeded to where I slept and swung the object intending to strike me. We wrestled and I managed to get the weapon and struck her and she groaned,” said Shavi.

He said he then ran away from the scene leaving Ncube alone and bleeding.

Shavi said he visited his mother and relatives in Sanyati.

“I left home fearing for my life as my brothers-in-law were known to be violent. Later, I phoned Xmas Mutero to go and check on Netsai’s condition and possibly take her to hospital. I voluntarily handed myself over to the police at Sanyati Police Station,” he said.

Shavi also alleged that the couple had a history of marital problems centred on infidelity claims.

“On the night of Friday 26, 2016, Pastors Tapera and Mutero had held discussions with Netsai on the marital problems between me and Netsai as I was emotionally stressed.

“These related to her affair with Prosper Mabhuro which had been going on for quite some time resulting in her not coming home sometimes and to my former wife Grace Muchadenyika whom she thought I was having an affair with and she indicated that she was bitter,” said Shavi.

He did not say anything about Arnold Kapenzi, a lecturer at the MSU who allegedly committed suicide amid claims by his friends that he had an affair with Ncube.

The friends said Kapenzi panicked after his alleged lover was killed by her husband.

Prosecutor, Lloyd Mavhiza told the court that Shavi struck Ncube three times on the head using an iron hoe and fled the scene. Ncube was dead by the time she was taken to hospital hours later.

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
BULAWAYO police warned yesterday they would do anything it takes to protect their officers from attacks, including shooting to kill.

Assistant Commissioner Christopher Gora, the second in command in the province, spoke after two police officers were hospitalised — one shot with a catapult while another had a finger bitten off by a suspect in separate incidents.

Yesterday, two men who were part of a gang of five were jailed for seven years each after a brazen raid on a police post during which they attempted to rape a police officer.

Ass Comm Gora said police were “not punch bags”, as he vowed tough action on any members of the public targeting law enforcement agents.

“Police aren’t punch bags, they’ve lives to protect, they’ve families to protect. They’re only but human beings who’ve the same constitutional rights like any other Zimbabwean,” Ass Comm Gora told The Chronicle.

He added: “Police are at work not because of a calling, like prophets. Ours isn’t a faith calling, but a job like the next person’s, deserving the same respect and safety at work like you would demand for yourself and your family.

“If one wants to kill my officers, they’ve a right to self defence. Anyone who thinks police are an easy target should stop it. The State has armed these people for a reason. Just as we talk about more resources for the police, you must also be aware that we presently have enough baton sticks and guns. We’ll react, and I really want to promise every criminal out there that they don’t want to test our resolve.”

The catapult attack occurred in Suburbs on Monday, and no arrest has been made although police are looking for two suspects.

Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube, the acting Bulawayo police spokesman, yesterday said the officer who lost a finger was attacked outside Hillside Shopping Centre last week on Sunday.

“He was trying to arrest a wanted person. The suspect fought with the officer, biting off his finger and injuring him on the head,” said Asst Insp Ncube.

He said the suspect was later arrested.

Asst Insp Ncube said on Monday, two men armed with catapults attacked officers who were on night patrol in Suburbs.

“Our officers observed two men who were pushing a car wheel. The officers tried to engage the two but were attacked with a catapult and one of the officers had to be hospitalised,” said Asst Insp Ncube.

Last Friday, five men armed with knives attacked a police base near Amakhosi Cultural Centre and attempted to rape a female officer, while his colleague was robbed.

Two of the men were jailed seven years each by Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove yesterday. Three others are on the run and Ass Comm Gora said “every police resource will be deployed to track them down and bring them to account”.

Thumani Sibanda, 33, of Makokoba and Bhekimpilo Khumalo, 31, of Pumula South arrived at the police post at around 11PM on February 26 and said they wanted to report a case of robbery.

Two officers — one male and one female — were manning the post. Upon entering the tent, the gang asked the officers to light a torch since it was dark. They further asked if the officers had guns, alleging that the purported assailants they wanted arrested were armed and dangerous, said Jeremiah Mutsindikwa, prosecuting.

On being told that the officers were not armed, the men produced knives and two pairs of handcuffs and attacked them. The court heard that one of the officers, Admire Kasi, fled but the gang caught up with him and frisked him of $20.

The female officer was dragged into the tall grass where the gang cut her trousers using knives, stripping her naked.

She resisted their attempts to rape her, holding out long enough for back-up to arrive. Sibanda and Khumalo were apprehended while the other gang members fled with the woman’s $5 and a necklace.

Police say they are looking for Tawanda Moyo, Mbonisi Ncube and Menzi Dube in connection with the crime.

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
GWAMBE Secondary School in Bulilima District is holding onto November 2015 ZIMSEC Ordinary Level results for pupils over a textbook which parents say was allegedly misplaced by a teacher.

Disgruntled parents who spoke to The Chronicle said school authorities had ordered each child to pay $5 to get their results. The school had only one copy of the missing Agriculture book.

Makabongwe Tshuma, whose child’s results have not been released, said pupils were not allowed to take the textbook in question home as there was only one copy. “The Agriculture teacher misplaced the textbook and now we’re being ordered to pay for it. Our children weren’t allowed access to that book as the whole class had one copy. Now we’re being forced to pay for that book and to make matters worse, they’re withholding results to get us to pay the money,’’ said Tshuma.

He said he had paid his child’s school and examination fees and his child was entitled to the results.

Another parent, Siphile Ndlovu, said guardians of former O’Level pupils were shocked when their children were turned back without collecting results – denying them an opportunity to advance to A’ Level.

A senior official at the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the textbook went missing during the second term but the teacher only reported the matter during exam time. He said it was procedural for pupils to replace missing school property. He claimed that each pupil had been ordered to pay $2 and not $5.

The official said 27 pupils sat for O’ Level exams last year and only about 10 had paid the required $2 and collected their results.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora says it is illegal for schools to withhold exam results, and some schools have since been forced to release them after threats of legal action.

Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
A FIRST time teenage mum endured a hellish four-day ordeal at Luveve clinic in Bulawayo after she was detained for failing to pay $80 in maternity fees.

Takudzwa Bheja, 17, from Magwegwe North suburb, was only released after her family managed to raise $30.

Bheja said being detained at clinic was the most traumatising experience she has ever gone through.

“It’s very disturbing because you see others coming and going, leaving you behind. There’s nothing you can do there but sit and look after your baby. It’s so painful to come from a poor family,” said an emotional Bheja.

Bheja’s stepfather, Harunashe Nyoni, said: “What happened is that after falling pregnant, she fled to Nyamandlovu where she has been staying and only came back here on Tuesday. She hadn’t been registered anywhere, so the clinic was demanding a $30 registration fee and $50 maternity fees but we didn’t have the money.”

Nyoni said his daughter went into labour on Friday and gave birth early Saturday morning without complications but the clinic staff said they could not release her without the money.

“One of the senior nurses at the clinic told us that they didn’t care even if she stayed for three months as long as she doesn’t pay at least $30 she wouldn’t be discharged”, he said.

A source at the clinic said it was procedural that no one is discharged without paying the $30 registration fee.

“Last week we had four nursing mothers who were detained for failing to pay maternity fees. One was short of $3 and her relatives had to look for it in order for her to be discharged,” said the source.

Comment could not be obtained from Bulawayo’s health director Dr Zanele Hwalima who was said to be in a meeting.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights regional manager Lizwe Jamela said it was unlawful for the clinic to detain anyone over non-payment of fees.

“If someone fails to pay you don’t take the law into your own hands, you’ve to follow proper legal procedures.

“Unlawful detention is a violation of the constitution’s right to freedom of liberty,” said Jamela. The country recorded 19 maternal deaths, six of them in Matabeleland provinces, in the first two weeks of 2016 amid fears by gender activists that more deaths were going unreported.

Among the major causes of maternal mortality are lack of access to health services and economic challenges.

Matabeleland South proportional representation MP, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, said expectant mothers will continue to die at home as long as health institutions demand payment for services.

Elizabeth Tsuro Midlands Reporter
TWENTY-THREE illegal Ethiopian immigrants are facing deportation.

Soldiers stumbled on the immigrants sleeping in a bush near an army camp in Redcliff.

Mulumen Mentose Kelbore, 35, and 22 of his countrymen appeared before Kwekwe Resident Magistrate Taurai Manwere charged with entering the country through an undesignated port of entry. They all pleaded guilty and were remanded in custody to March 9 for sentence.

Prosecuting, Moreblessing Gadze told the court that on a date unknown but during the month of February this year, the Ethiopians were enroute to South Africa.

“On March 1, and at a bushy area near one Air Defence Regiment Camp, in Redcliff, Brigadiers Madya, Nyakwima and General Chiunza from the Zimbabwe National Army who were on patrol came across the accused persons whilst they were asleep in a bushy area near the regiment camp,” said Gadze.

Gadze said the soldiers approached the 23 men, interviewed and searched them.

The court heard they discovered that they were illegal Ethiopian immigrants.

“Of the 23, six of them had passports which were last stamped at Kenya Immigration Border Office on February 1.”

Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council has turned down an application by the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) to purchase Thokozani Flats where 32 prison officers reside.

The BBC has instead resolved to implement a court order to evict the prison officers.

The local authority and the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs have been locked in a protracted 14-year wrangle, which resulted in the council cancelling the lease agreement over non-payment of rentals by the occupants. BCC leased out the flats to the Ministry in April 1967 before it rescinded the decision in November 2001 over non-payment of rentals.

In November last year, the High Court granted an eviction order in favour of BCC to evict the 32 prison officers from the flats over $25,000 rental arrears which has since ballooned to $49,000. The ruling by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere follows a court application by the local authority, the owners of the residential flats comprising 32 units.

According to the latest council minutes, ZPCS made an application to BCC to purchase the flats following the court order evicting them from the same. The ZPCS said accommodation near the Bulawayo Prison was hard to come by.

Simela Dube, the director of engineering services, suggested that ZPCS be sold land so that they develop their block of flats instead of purchasing the Thokozani flats from Council. The housing and community services department has already written an eviction order on 32 flats at Thokozani Flats.

From the deliberations, council resolved to re-affirm its previous resolutions to evict prison officers and take possession of the flats.

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
MORE than 400 families at Badminton Farm in Nyamandlovu were yesterday left stranded after their homes were razed by the Sheriff of the High Court.

A Chronicle news crew observed scores of villagers wailing hopelessly, saying they have nowhere to go.

The villagers said Chief Deli settled them on the farm in 2011.

One of the victims, Molly Ndlovu, 68, said she did not expect such treatment in independent Zimbabwe.

She said she fought for the country’s liberation and was stranded with her 85-year-old sister she looks after.

Two resettled villagers were arrested while trying to stop the Sheriff from setting fire to their homesteads.

The families have since filed a court application at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an order stopping Badminton Block Company (Pvt) Ltd from evicting them from the farm until the Minister of Land and Rural Resettlement Douglas Mombeshora had secured alternative land for them.

The villagers alleged Chief Deli claimed the land was under his jurisdiction and he had powers to settle people.

“The applicants and their families consequently settled on the farm and established a livelihood thereon. We went on to build structures and shelter on the land and we also engaged ourselves in various agricultural activities to support our families,” said Mkandla, one of the villagers.

The villagers said Badminton Block Company did not serve them with court papers, resulting in it obtaining an eviction order under case number HC938/15 granted in default.

They said they only became aware of the order when Badminton Block Company sought to execute it with the assistance of police.

The villagers said they have since made a request to Minister Mombeshora to have the farm gazetted in terms of the law.

Badminton Block Company, in its opposing papers through lawyers Webb, Low and Barry, said the land occupied by the applicants was its private land held under deed of transfer number 5096/90.

The company argued that Chief Deli had no lawful authority to allocate the land.