CNN News Report

CNN News Report

Sunday 7 June 2015

COUNTRYWIDE SCHOOL AUDIT AMIND FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

16:37
Government has deployed hundreds of auditors to almost all schools countrywide amid reports that headmasters and School Development Committees have embezzled millions of dollars meant for fees and levies.

The audits, which started 10 days ago, will cover over 80 percent of the 8 179 schools in the country, of which 5 805 are primary schools, while 2 374 are secondary schools.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora announced the audits at the official handover of refurbished classroom blocks by the Zimbabwe National Army at Harare High School last Friday.

He said most headmasters and SDCs had appointed themselves as procurement officers for the schools with the aim of abusing funds.

Minister Dokora said parents were willing to cooperate with schools in paying fees and levies, but headmasters and SDCs were not transparent.


“We want that 82 percent of the schools should be audited this year so that we enhance the levy collection process because we must account for what we get from the parents even if it is $1,” he said.

“When there is transparency, parents are quick to note that there is and they will cooperate. So, we have deployed hundreds of our auditors across the country.
“They (auditors) have been in the field for more than 10 days already, but most of the schools were not aware of the audits.”

Minister Dokora said headmasters and SDCs abusing funds were tarnishing the image of the education sector.
“It is very rare that I get invited to witness a fine piece of work like what has been demonstrated here at Harare High School where there is a drive for development.

“Where we go very often there would have been a problem where you are called for a meeting on allegations of misuse of school funds either by the headmaster who would have appointed himself as the procurement chairperson and the overall approval authority for the school or the SDC chairperson and his committee.”

Minister Dokora said there was need for proper accounting of money that would have been used to ensure that no one abuses fees. The audits are expected to expose the massive abuse of the funds, leading to the prosecution of those who will be found on the wrong side of the law.
Most school heads and SDCs have been discovered not to follow normal procedures when buying certain products.

Some of them loot funds by generating invoices with inflated prices of goods and learning materials they buy, while in some cases the school administrators use fake quotations.
Others work jointly with suppliers who pay them the difference after schools make their payments and some of the companies that schools purport to be dealing with are briefcase firms.

The National Association of Primary School Heads once called for school heads to undergo financial management courses to improve their capacity to handle school funds.

This was envisaged to curb the increasing cases of abuse of funds at most schools.
At Harare High School, Minister Dokora applauded the efforts by ZNA to create a conducive environment for learners, saying the refurbishment of the school blocks will go a long way in improving the education sector.

Under its community service programme, 30 ZNA artisans refurbished buildings at the school, including repairing of collapsed ceilings, flooring classrooms and attended to boreholes, all within five months.

Speaking at the same occasion, ZNA Chief of Staff Major General Sibusiso Moyo said it was the duty of the army to bring national security and develop the community.
“Education is important and our children are the future, so we should safeguard it,” he said. “The army is involved in various areas.

“When this school approached us we saw it fit to help them with our artisans for free. They just supplied us with the equipment needed and the work was done within a short space of time.”
Harare High School headmistress Mrs Priscilla Satande thanked the ZNA for the assistance. herald

MAGAYA TELLS VAPOSITORI : STOP IT

16:31
Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya yesterday launched the second part of his criticism of Vapositori sects, challenging them to stop operations because they are allegedly using evil spirits from the marine world.



Addressing congregants during the launch of his booklet in Harare yesterday titled: “Marine Spirits, Part 2”, Prophet Magaya said he was not against Vapositori sects, but the spirit behind their powers.

He said his intention was not to attack anyone, but to reveal the secrets of the marine kingdom which had caused unnecessary despondency in people’s lives.

“Being a white garment sect follower means you are supernaturally empowered to fail,” he said. “My intention is for all Vapositori operating with the powers of the marine to stop operating. If your gathering does not accept Jesus Christ and believes in marine resources like reeds, pebbles or if it uses traditional tools or it believes in totems it means it’s not a church, but a cult.”

The launch of the booklet comes after Prophet Magaya received scathing attacks following the launch of Part One of the booklet early this year.
In the Part One booklet titled “Marine Spirits, Mweya Yemumvura”, he claimed that the Apostolic sects’ powers were derived from spirits that reside in the “marine kingdom” and that they do not believe in the Bible.

He also claimed that Apostolic sect preachers had a tendency to threaten congregants with death. ACCZ executive president Johannes Ndanga, then accused Prophet Magaya of launching “unrestrained and unprovoked attacks” against them and also accused him of being possessed by demons.

They also claimed that he had snakes in his anointing oil. In the new booklet launched yesterday, Prophet Magaya names and explains all the tools used by the Vapositori and the reasons behind.

He explained why he thought the apostolic sects refer to one man as men (Madzibaba) and one woman as women (Madzimai).

“Everyone who worships in this white garment shrines is addressed to in the plural sense regardless of their age,” he said. “They are very correct to advise you that way because the moment you become a follower, several spirits are drawn into your life.”

Prophet Magaya took time to defend the use of anointing oil, wrist bands and other tools, saying it was not about the spirit behind them.

“It’s not about what you are doing, but what matters the most is about the spirit you are using,” he said. herald

FIGHT FOR HURUNGWE : ELECTORAL COURT SITS TODAY

16:27
THE Electoral Court will today hear an application by ousted former Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman Temba Mliswa in which he is seeking postponement of the Hurungwe West by-election. The by-election is scheduled for Wednesday.


Mliswa is standing as an independent candidate in the by-election. He claims the army is intimidating his supporters. Justice Tendai Uchena will hear the matter which was brought to the court under a certificate of urgency last week.




Sixteen by-elections are scheduled to be held countrywide.Mliswa accuses Zanu-PF and the party secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo of enlisting the services of the military to instil fear.


“These soldiers are moving around threatening people perceived to be loyal to me with assault
and death if they continue supporting me or vote for me on the election day,” he said.
Mliswa, who claims to be in possession of video evidence to prove his fears, stated in his papers that Cde Chombo addressed several campaign meetings in company of his rival Cde Keith Guzah at which he issued threats against his supporters.

“There is widespread fear among the voters in Hurungwe West to such an extent that a free and fair election is now impossible,” said Mliswa. He further stated that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and its chairperson Justice Rita Makarau refused to take corrective measures against the unlawful actions of Zanu-PF, Cde Chombo and Cde Guzah, who are also listed as respondents in the matter. Mr Mliswa said in view of the obtaining situation in Hurungwe West constituency, he had no option but to approach the Electoral Court for relief.

He wants the court to defer the by-election until the environment is conducive for the holding of a free and fair election.

“Given the refusal of the first (Zec) and second (Justice Makarau) respondents to perform their constitutional duties to ensure a free and fair election, only an order in terms of the draft order will remedy the situation,” said Mliswa.

Zec and its 10 co-respondents were still to respond to the court application.

MAID LOOTS EMPLOYER'S HOUSE

16:19
A NTABAZINDUNA housemaid who was on the job for just three weeks, allegedly stole property worth $2,000 from her employer. 

Gamuchirai Dhave yesterday appeared before magistrate Marylene Mtshina charged with theft. Dhave pleaded guilty to stealing clothes from her employer, Zhuwana Ncube, but denied stealing the other items that were listed.

She was remanded in custody to today for judgment. The court heard that Dhave stole a Huawei cellphone, a Samsung tablet, six water glasses, two ladies shoes, Reebok takkies, two pairs of jeans, two bum shorts, track bottoms, two school satchels, a charger, two dresses, four t-shirts, a jacket, a skirt, braids, pants, perfume, cutex, blouses, a tooth brush, a hair scrunch and some sweets.
Prosecuting, Kudakwashe Jaravaza said on May 16 at around 1900hrs, Ncube arrived home from her farm and found Dhave gone without telling anyone.

“She proceeded to her bedroom and discovered that her clothes were scattered on the floor and on checking she discovered that some clothes and other items were missing,” said Jaravaza.

Ncube then made enquiries and managed to track down Dhave and found her in possession of some of the stolen items. The recovered items are worth $555. Dhave told magistrate Mtshina that she only stole the clothes.

MAN STABS SCHOOL BULLY, EIGHT YEARS LATER

16:14
AN imbiber from Gutu who fatally stabbed his former schoolmate over a bullying incident that occurred eight years ago when the two were still in school, was on Friday sentenced to 25 years in prison by a High Court Judge. 
Tinashe Mwazha, 23, of Jimu Village under Chief Nerupiri had pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared before High Court Judge, Justice Francis Bere but the judge, sitting with assessors Samuel Mutambe and Joseph Mushuku, found overwhelming evidence and convicted Mwazha of murder with actual intent.

Justice Bere sentenced him to 25 years in jail. Mwazha fatally stabbed Alfred Murwira of Ndawi Village while the two were drinking beer at Mudzamba Bottle Store. He accused the now deceased of having bullied him while they were at school together eight years ago.

Passing sentence, Justice Bere said had it not been for the fact that Mwazha stabbed Murirwa while they were drinking beer, he could have sentenced him to death.

“In the absence of extenuating circumstances, cases of this nature would attract a death sentence. However, the court has considered that you had had one too many and there is no evidence that the intoxication was a deliberate ploy to gain ‘Dutch’ courage. The court also accepts your youthful age and immaturity.

“It’s also considered that you were deprived of proper counselling given that you lost parents when you were still young,” said Justice Bere.

Mwazha first fought with the now deceased before they were separated by one of the patrons. He later followed Alfred and engaged him, pretending to be remorseful of his earlier action. That is when he stabbed him.

The Judge said human life was very special and should be preserved at all costs.
He said Mwazha had given a ‘cosmetic apology’ so as to give the now deceased a false sense of security.

“You gave the false impression that you wanted to resolve your misunderstanding amicably when you approached the now deceased so as to take him by surprise. You had a premeditated plan to kill the now deceased. People like you should be kept out of society for long periods,”said Justice Bere.

He said barring the rigours of prison life, Mwazha would return to society more mature and reformed after serving sentence.

Mwazha was represented pro deo by Jackson Mpoperi of Saratoga and Makause Legal Practitioners.

Prosecuting, Takunda Chikwati said on December 8, 2013 at around 10PM, Alfred was drinking beer with colleagues inside Mudzamba Bottle Store at Mukundi Business Centre.
“Mwazha then approached Murwira who was standing by the counter and poked him with a finger in the face over a previous grudge. He accused Alfred of having bullied him when the two were still at school some eight years back. An altercation then arose between the two and it degenerated into a fight,” said Chikwati.

The court heard that the fight was stopped by one of the patrons, Michael Tsangi of Mukundi Business Centre who took Mwazha to his house.

“While in the house alone, Mwazha stole a knife from one of the rooms before sneaking out. Mwazha approached Alfred and his brother, Innocent, who were already on their way home. Mwazha then requested to speak to Alfred under the guise of wanting to resolve their dispute amicably. Alfred complied and Innocent remained behind. Unbeknown to Alfred, Mwazha had armed himself with a knife,” he said.

The court heard that Innocent walked away from Mwazha. After about five minutes, Innocent followed the two only to find Mwazha assaulting Alfred.
Chikwati said Mwazha sat on Alfred, pinning him down facing up.

He said Innocent then intervened and managed to stop Mwazha from further assaulting his brother.

The court heard that Mwazha left the scene and Innocent escorted his brother home without realising that his brother had a stab wound on the left side of the abdomen.
Chikwati said while on their way home, Alfred, who was groaning and was in excruciating pain, collapsed some 500 metres away from the scene of assault.

Alfred was rushed to Cheshuro Clinic by a fellow villager, Virimai Ndawi where he was referred to Gutu District Hospital.

He died on arrival at the hospital and his body was taken to the hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

The postmortem results show that Alfred had died due to internal hemorrhage, secondary to a stab in the spleen. chronicle

REGISTER WITH ZANU PF TO GET FOOD, SAYS MNANGAGWA

12:39
VP Emmerson Mnangagwa says hungry villagers must register with Zanu PF structures to get food assistance.


He was speaking in Tsholotsho today as he campaigned for Information Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo. Mnangagwa said the government had secured maize from neighbouring Zambia to cushion communities that are facing starvation following the poor rainy season.

The matter of acute food shortages was brought to the attention of Mnangagwa and also Phelekezela Mphoko by Prof Moyo at a briefing held prior to a rally at Mbiriya Primary School in the district.
 

Mnangagwa, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Food Security called on the public to register with government and Zanu PF party structures to ensure that they receive the needed assistance.


During the briefing, Prof Moyo told us that one of the most critical problems here is hunger because of poor rainfall. I want to assure you that no one is going to starve,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said the information on the needs of the people would be relayed through the government or party structures and then the government would distribute the maize accordingly.

The two VPs called on the people to rally behind Prof Moyo in Wednesday’s by-elections.
“We came here to Tsholotsho with VP Mphoko, it didn’t just happen but we were sent by President Mugabe to share with you the people of Tsholotsho his wish that you support Prof Moyo that we put as our candidate. Those are the words of the President,” said VP Mnangagwa. He said his own wish was for Tsholotsho North to return to Zanu-PF after many years of political orphanage.

VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is a united country under the leadership of Zanu-PF uniting PF ZAPU and Zanu-PF after the signing of the Unity Accord.
“That one family has been ruling this country from 1980 to today, why then don’t the great children of this constituency want to be represented by a party that has been ruling since 1980?
“MDC came and didn’t rule, even today it’s not ruling and tomorrow it won’t be ruling,” said VP Mnangagwa. Do you want to be with those that rule or those that don’t? Your grievances go to the rulers or the ruled? I trust that all of you want your grievances to go to those that rule because that’s where decisions are made.”

VP Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF had sent Prof Moyo, a member of the highest bodies in the government and party to carry their aspirations.

“You need a representative who sits in the Politburo and Cabinet like Prof Moyo then you know your grievances will be attended to. You were disadvantaged for many years, why do you want to continue to be disadvantaged. I say no.

“We must come together, work together and we must be united as a people and march together forward. The problems we face, we face together, the good things that we have, we have together as a people and Tsholotsho North should not be found outside the rulers,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said the only way of preserving the country’s heritage was through voting for a party with a history of liberating the country.

VP Mnangagwa said the government had selected Victoria Falls and Bulawayo as Special Economic Zones where big global companies willing to relocate will be invited to manufacture in Zimbabwe.

“When they (companies) come, we’ll gain employment, skills and technology from such companies. These big companies already have established markets, all that they want is space for relocation, produce products and sell to their markets,” he said.
VP Mnangagwa said the government was building Victoria Falls as a financial centre for the country.

He said the government had since got maps indicating where diamonds could be found in Matabeleland North and is engaging companies to exploit the mineral.
VP Mnangagwa assured the villagers that Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere would ensure that all the ten wards have boreholes to mitigate the shortage of the precious liquid.

During the rally, Mphoko pledged to build a classroom block for Mbiriya Primary School and sponsor a choral music competition to the tune of US$1000 in which the national anthem will be the set piece.
 

Mnangagwa on the other hand pledged US$5000 for the development of the same primary school.

MAKARAU : WE ARE READY FOR WEDNESDAY POLLS

12:03
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says preparations for Wednesday’s by- elections to be held in 16 constituencies across the country are on course with the bulk of the necessary material now awaiting onward transmission to the relevant polling stations.
The National Assembly by-elections will be held in accordance with Section 239 of Zimbabwe’s constitution. ZEC Chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau said preparations are going on smoothly and most of the logistics are now in place while ward and constituency election officers have undergone the appropriate training.

More than 400 000 people have registered to vote, translating to an average of at least 25000 people per constituency.

Justice Makarau said 104 candidates from 11 political parties and some independent candidates will be contesting for the National Assembly seats in various constituencies.
She noted that results of the by-elections are expected to be released by midnight of election day.