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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
NEWS

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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 NEWS

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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. NEWS

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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. NEWS

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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 NEWS

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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. NEWS

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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. NEWS

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PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe faces a possible UN backlash over the inexplicable disappearance of journalist-cum-political activist Itai Dzamara three months ago, The Standard can reveal.

Foreign Affairs ministry officials told The Standard recently that Mugabe has since ordered the opening of a file on Dzamara following pressure from the UN which wants answers.
“The Dzamara issue is giving people sleepless nights. There are a lot of theories about his disappearance but the problem for the government now is that the UN has demanded answers,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

“Some countries, particularly in the West are agitating for the issue to be discussed at the next meeting of the Security Council and General Assembly.”According to the official, there has been a flurry of communication between UN and Zimbabwean officials with the world body demanding answers on Dzamara’s whereabouts.

“They have demanded answers and the government at one time in a letter claimed Dzamara had been abducted in an MDC-T vehicle. However, that explanation was rejected by the UN because government could not explain how that information was obtained and what happened after the abduction,” the Standard was told.

While Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Joey Bimha flatly denied there had been any communication between Zimbabwean authorities and UN officials, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) official in Harare confirmed it.

“It is true there has been communication between the UN Human Rights High Commissioner and the Zimbabwe High Commissioner in Geneva [Switzerland]. That is the channel of communication. I am not quite certain about the nature [of the conversation] but that there have been some discussions about the issue, I have no doubt,” said the official.

But Bimha denied there had been any discussion over the matter.
“As far as I am concerned, there has not been any communication regarding that matter,” he said.
Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was unreachable.

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) chairperson Elasto Mugwadi seemed to confirm that indeed authorities in Harare had been taken to task by the global body over Dzamara’s disappearance.
“Not really directly but there have been discussions between us and the UN representatives in Harare and the UNDP officials in the country. The problem is there has not been a breakthrough on the case and it is difficult to say anything beyond what we said in our appeal that he should be released if he is in the custody of the state,” Mugwadi.

“However, the State also seemed not to know of his whereabouts. The UN, we expect, would have spoken directly with the relevant ministry and I remember in one of our meetings we suggested they also discuss with the police as regards the court order that required authorities to report progress on the investigation fortnightly.”

He added: “We suggested that they take the issue directly with those that have the obligation to comply with the High Court order.”

There have been suggestions that the government has been dragging its feet to the extent of being in “contempt of court” by failing to meet court demands to provide the two-week updates.
Efforts to get comment from the UN deputy regional representative Kathrine Liao in Pretoria, South Africa drew blanks.

Information minister Jonathan Moyo in an interview with BBC recently claimed Dzamara could have slipped through the country’s borders into another country, just like British citizens ended up in Syria despite tight security. Moyo said the issue of the activist’s disappearance “was obviously of concern to the government. People disappear every day… We have quite porous borders.” 

Sources also claimed Zimbabwe’s embassies across the globe and in particular in Britain have been picketed over the activist’s disappearance and government’s alleged lacklustre approach to finding him.

“Our embassies are under a lot of pressure, particularly in South Africa and the UK. There are demonstrations over Dzamara on a daily basis and the situation is bad in Britain because police in that country have given the demonstrators the greenlight to do as they please,” said the foreign affairs official.

A visiting US diplomat Steven Feldstein recently said the Americans wanted “the facts” on Dzamara’s disappearance as soon as possible.

Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru — expelled from government and the ruling party on charges of plotting to assasinate Mugabe — has also weighed in and urged her former boss to “concentrate on finding Dzamara” and focus on more pressing issues than on imaginary plots to kill him.
Dzamara, a journalist turned democracy activist known in Zimbabwe mostly for his “Occupy Africa Unity Square” campaign against Mugabe’s government, was allegedly abducted by suspected State security agents on March 9 after spending months agitating for the 91-year-old leader’s ouster.standard NEWS

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IN 2010 two sisters were accused of sleeping with a married man by an angry woman.
The two said the woman vowed she would organise a man for them so they could stop sleeping with her man. 

But the two never thought the man would be a hairy creature that only sucks their punanis without poking them! The two women, aged 28 and 31, live in Chris Hani in Mangaung.
They said they have been to pastors and six sangomas but the trouble has not left them.
The older sister, Nthabiseng van Wyk, told Daily Sun: “When the woman threatened us, we thought she was just bluffing.

“But a few months later the terror started, and since then it has never stopped despite how hard we try.” The sisters claim they never stole anyone’s husband and the woman was just jealous. 

They said they are Christians and their father is a pastor. “We consult sangomas because we are desperate. The evil creature comes at night and touches my punani.

“A sangoma told me the tokoloshe is trying to ruin my love life,” said Nthabiseng.
Masentle van Wyk said: “The tokoloshe always whispers in my ear: ‘Open your legs.’
“I have never stolen someone’s man but I am punished. 

“I don’t have a boyfriend – they all run away after having sex with me. We need a strong sangoma who will put an end to this.” Sangoma Ishmael Ntholeng said: “The sisters need to be washed with strong herbs by a powerful sangoma.

“They will never be in a relationship until they get help. They are cursed by bad luck.”daily sun NEWS

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A BULAWAYO company director, who was twice certified dead by doctors before he “resurrected” to find that his employer had already paid for his funeral expenses, has finally won a bruising 16-year legal battle to be reinstated by the company, Sunday News has learnt.
 
Nkululeko Mabhena, who was employed as the marketing director of PG Industries’ subsidiary, Zimboard Products (Pvt) (Ltd), had to endure a legal fight with his employers since 1999, challenging his constructive dismissal, salary and benefit arrears after the company reportedly took advantage of his ill-health.

He was reinstated to his position in December 2012 by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Lawrence Kamocha but the company failed to comply with the order and instead sought to retrench him.

According to court papers, PG Industries realising that Mabhena was refusing to be retrenched reportedly connived with Retrenchment Board chairman Francis Mafuratidze to forge the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare’s consent for Mabhena’s retrenchment.

After the purported approval, PG Industries deposited $10 000 in Mabhena’s account as a retrenchment package and offered him an old Mazda B1800 at book value.

However, Mabhena rushed to the High Court and challenged his retrenchment arguing that the retrenchment consent was fraudulent as it had not been authorised by the minister.
He also sought the arrest of PG Industries boss, group chief executive officer Hillary Munyati and human resources executive Caroline Mapupu for deliberately supplying the High Court with false information about his retrenchment.

Mafuratidze, the Retrenchment Board, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, PG Industries (Zimbabwe) Limited and Zimboard Products (Pvt) (Ltd) were cited as first, second, third, fourth and fifth respondents.

However, at the height of the case, the Retrenchment Board chairperson in November 2013 confessed in court that he had exclusively dealt with Mabhena’s retrenchment without the involvement of the minister as required by the law.

Mafuratidze confessed after Mabhena sued former Labour Minister Mr Nicholas Goche over the retrenchment approval.

Mr Goche reportedly distanced himself from the matter, the court papers reveal.
After all the drama, PG Industries was left with egg on their face after another Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Andrew Mutema, a fortnight ago, reinstated Mabhena to his position after ruling that his dismissal and retrenchment were unlawful.
Justice Mutema’s ruling put to an end an otherwise gruesome legal battle between Mabhena and his employer.
In his ruling, Justice Mutema pronounced that Mabhena’s retrenchment was null and void.
“The decision by the 1st and 2nd Respondent (Mafuratidze and the Retrenchment Board ) to hear and determine the retrenchment of Applicant (Mabhena) without compliance by 4th Respondent (PG industries) and Zimboard Products Private Limited with court order HB 25/2007 or judgment under HC1713/2009 reserved by the Honourable Mr Justice Kamocha be and is hereby set aside and declared null and void,” ruled Justice Mutema.

“The decision by the 3rd respondent being the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare to approve the applicant’s retrenchment and the consequent ‘package’ be and is hereby set aside and declared null and void,” he added.

“For the avoidance of doubt the retrenchment proceedings conducted and concluded by the respondents jointly and severally be and are hereby set aside and declared null and void on grounds of procedural and substantive law irregularities, irrationality, bias and breach of applicant’s rights to a fair hearing in accordance with tenets of the Labour Act and laws.”
Justice Mutema also ruled that Zimboard Products (Pvt) (Ltd) issue Mabhena with a contract within 30 days and said the $10 000 paid to him under the purported retrenchment proceedings should be allocated towards his pay or salary.

PG Industries has already given him an office after the ruling.
In his evidence-in-chief, Mabhena said his woes started in 1999 but escalated in January 2004 when he was taken ill and admitted to Mater Dei Hospital battling for his life.
He said PG Industries and Zimboard Products (Pvt) (Ltd) refused to reinstate his medical aid and take responsibility for his medication.

“Mater Dei then stabilised applicant and transferred him to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) as a classical destitute and the hospital card shows that PG Industries and Zimboard Products distanced themselves from Applicant (Mabhena),” submitted Mabhena.
“Applicant was pronounced dead (twice) at UBH within the period 21st January and 22nd January 2004 and on hearing of the applicant’s demise PG Industries and Zimboard Products (Pvt) (Ltd) quickly paid out Z$10 million for applicant’s funeral expenses which they said was a donation as applicant had voluntarily resigned and was no longer an employee.”

Mabhena told the High Court that when he miraculously recovered, his employer connived with his wife’s relative, Jethro Siziba, and the then PG group legal officer to have his wife file an urgent Maintenance Court application falsely alleging that the Z$10 million was actually paid to Mabhena as his “terminal benefits following his voluntary resignation while in a coma”.

From there the legal battle heightened until its conclusion a fortnight ago.
PG Industries was represented by Shepherd Chamunorwa of Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners Legal Practitioners while Mabhena was a self-actor. sunday news
NEWS

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A CONGOLESE woman who was convicted for unlawfully entering the country, broke down in court as she offered to pay the presiding magistrate cash in exchange for her freedom.


Katulusi Nzuzi (43) told Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya that he should ask her to pay him, “just like what they did at the Beitbridge border post” when she got into the country.
“Please papa I beg you, just ask me to pay you right now because I cannot afford to stay in this country up to 8 June. I am sick and I left my medication back at home in Congo,” she said.

“Papa it is not my fault that I unlawfully got in this country. Actually what happened is that I gave my passport to a girl who is working at the border there, but she did not stamp it and then she said I should pay her to proceed with my journey.”

The magistrate had just remanded Nzuzi to tomorrow and advised her to seek legal representation, but this did not go well with Nzuzi as she questioned the magistrate how she could possibly get a lawyer when she knew no one.

Nzuzi had appeared together with her co-accused, Mutobo Kalombo (45) also from DRC, facing charges of unlawfully entering, or remaining in Zimbabwe without a permit, contrary to the law as defined in Section 29 (1) (b) read with Section 2 (a) of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02.
It is the State’s case that on 5 June detectives from Border Control Unit were on patrol in Bulawayo when they received information that a Shalom bus from South Africa was carrying illegal immigrants. The bus was intercepted and a search was conducted which led to the exposure of Nzuzi and Kalombo, who are Congolese nationals. The two’s passports were not stamped at the border post.

Detectives reacted to the information and arrested them.
In the same court, the State also alleged that on 4 June and at around 12pm immigration officials and police detectives who were in a joint operation received a tip-off to the effect that one Ibrahim Manyumba Diwoma, who is a Ugandan national, was operating a clinic for traditional methods of healing.

The team proceeded to his shop at Lobourne Building in Bulawayo and found him with patients who had paid for treatment.

Diwoma was asked to produce his work permit and he failed to do so, leading to his arrest. However, he had a valid residence permit and a Zinatha certificate.
Mr Tashaya also remanded him to tomorrow.sunday news NEWS

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PUPILS at a Bulawayo school whose parents have not paid fees have been spending the day in a fenced enclosure instead of attending lessons, Sunday News can reveal.
Officials at Sobukhazi High School are keeping the pupils at the enclosure which is popularly known as the “cage” until their fees is paid in full.


Parents and pupils, who spoke to this publication expressed their displeasure over the development, saying this had been going on for more than two weeks, with about 30 pupils being locked in the “cage” daily.

“What I understand is that all pupils who owe the institution have not been able to attend lessons. They would spend the whole day inside a cage until their mates dismiss. We are concerned because these affected pupils include some who are preparing for their final examinations.

“I think this is clear cruelty but you never know because institution policies differ from one institution to the next; we end up asking ourselves if the institution is going to educate only those who are capable of paying fees,” said one parent, who declined to be named.
When our news crew visited the institution on Wednesday last week, some pupils were inside the cage with a security guard monitoring the situation.

Pupils, who were once affected by this policy said the school officials did not allow their parents to make payment plans.
“I have been in the cage ever since schools opened and I now fear that by the time my parents manage to pay my fees in full, I will fail to catch up with the others,” said a Form Two pupil who was in the “cage”.

“I was once in that cage for some days last week. If you are put inside there, whether you have a genuine case or not, you are not allowed to go to the classroom for lessons. I was released after my parents had fully paid my fees. However, my friends have been forced by the situation not to come to school,” said a Form Three pupil.

Approached for a comment, Sobukhazi deputy head, a Mr C Ndlovu, was evasive and denied ever locking pupils in the “cage”.

“I am not allowed to talk to the Press and for your own information how do you think we can do such a thing. You reporters have a tendency of targeting Sobukhazi High of all these schools. You are probably doing this story for your own benefit. What I can tell you is that some students come to school in the afternoon, when they arrive before their lessons start we put them in the cage so that they do not disturb those who are already in class,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Mr Dan Moyo were fruitless as his phone went unanswered.

In a telephone interview, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora said he had not received any reports about the issue.

“I do not know anything about that. Honestly, in this age it is not a good thing to do such a thing to students especially for failing to pay fees. However, it is possible to have them put in a fence if they do not have infrastructure to accommodate them while waiting to attend lessons,” he said. sunday news NEWS

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My problem is self-inflicted and I regret it. I really don’t know how to come out of this one.
We have been married for 10 years now and we have two sons. When I married her she was a non-drinker so each time I had an alcoholic drink I would persuade her to take a sip or two.

To begin with she hated booze because of the sour taste. I would go out of my way to buy sweet wines for her. I enjoyed kakufara nekakushereketa kaaiita kana adhakwa, little did I know that I was inviting real problems into my home.

Mai Chisamba, kana ini ndakamudzidzisa handinwe zvakadaro. She is always drunk and always drinking. I tried to talk to her and she said “wakandidzidzisa ndiwe so don’t complain”.

I regret and I feel sad. Last week I was disturbed when one of my kids said “tiendesei kwagogo, mama vanogara vachingonwa doro”.

At times she wakes up during the night to just have a drink. I spoke to her tete vakatopindurawo rough kuti zvedoro chikoro chekumusha kwenyu, isu takapereka mukadzi wako asingadhakwe.

Deep down I want to send her packing but I feel guilty since it is because of me that she has gone to waste. Please help me save my marriage and family, ndarumwa nechekuchera.

MAI CHISAMBA RESPONDS
Thank you for writing in. When a problem or something disturbs the kids then it should be attended to promptly. Naturally many kids are attached to their mothers but in your case they prefer gogo to amai, that’s very sad.

Too much of anything is no good. I don’t want to judge you because no one has a right to do that unless it is in court. So many couples in the comfort of their homes eat, drink and do so many other things.

Vamwe vanoroorwa kana kuroora vasingadye chimwe chinhu asi vozonochionera mberi. I think your wife is abusing alcohol and there is no excuse for that, this has nothing to do with whoever introduced her to drinking.

She just is irresponsible, she must think of her health and her family. I also think tete’s answer is off track; culturally her role is to put things right no matter who did what. Does this mean she is going to sit back and watch this girl’s life go to waste? Shame on her.
I may be wrong but your wife’s condition sounds like an addiction and this may be very dangerous. Waking up from her sleep to get a drink is absurd.

Instead of blaming yourself day in, day out take her for therapy, that’s what she needs right away.

In the meantime put your foot down that no alcohol shall be kept in your home. Persuade her and help her to drink water, juice or some hot beverages whenever she feels like having a drink.

She needs your support; she can’t go through this alone. You are an interested party because you want to see the good results, so you have to work towards that as well.
Kubasa kwavo kana pane wavanogona kumboshanda naye munyarikani muunzei so that she does not drink at work.

Remind her that she has a name to protect. Excessive drinking is not good for health either. It’s a very sad scenario but if you react now I think she can be assisted. When you do this tell yourself that you are doing this because she is your beloved wife and mother to your children, siyana nezvekuti ndiwe wakamudzidzisa.

I hope it’s only alcohol she is now addicted to nekuti mazuva ano zvawanda. I wish you all the best. NEWS

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THE slain body of a Mutoko woman continues to lie in limbo a week after she was doused with petrol and burnt to death by her jilted lover.

Mashonaland East police spokesman, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the chilling murder case. Information gathered yesterday indicate that Chiedza Muchemwa (25) was on Sunday last week burnt to death by her ex-boyfriend Susupence Kapondora (34) after he allegedly sneaked into her bedroom, doused her with petrol and burnt her to death after she had refused to reconcile following a break-up.

The incident occurred around 10pm at her Kotwa residence in Mutoko where she was a teacher at Chingamuka Primary School. More details of the heinous crime are yet to be established as the police are still investigating.

But speaking to The Sunday Mail, one of Muchemwa’s relatives opened up on the events that led to her death.
“Chiedza and Isaac had been dating for about six months until she decided to end their relationship due to his wayward behaviour. At one time, soon after their break-up, Isaac followed her to Harare and took her phone after he failed to persuade her to take him back.

“She refused and on Sunday last week, he went and bought himself a can of petrol before proceeding to her house,” said Paul Masarirambi, the victim’s uncle said.

Meanwhile, mourners are still gathered in Mabelreign, Harare and are complaining about the high funeral expenses as they await post-mortem results before burial. NEWS

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Two former Cabinet ministers and 35 senior Government officials are being investigated for wrecking State assets worth millions of dollars, including top-of-the-range vehicles.


If negligence is proved, they will be ordered to replace the property or pay for repairs.
Ex-ministers Elton Mangoma (Energy and Power Development) and Tapiwa Mashakada (Economic Planning and Investment Promotion) are scheduled to appear before a board of inquiry, charged with damaging Government vehicles in road accidents between 2009 and 2010.

That inquiry is led by the Economic Planning Ministry, which Mr Mangoma headed as minister in 2009 before being succeeded by Mr Mashakada in 2010 when he was assigned to the Energy portfolio.

The vehicle allocated to Mr Mangoma, a Toyota Prado, was taken to a local garage after the accident but has never been repaired.

And 35 senior officials will answer to various charges, among them driving Government vehicles without licences and damaging them in road traffic accidents.

Section 12(b) of the Public Finance Management Act (Chapter 22:19) — read with Treasury Instruction 2302 — mandates ministries to investigate State property damage or loss.
A board of inquiry should be convened within seven days of an accident and the details forwarded to the accounting officer within 21 days.

The accounting officer will then escalate the matter to the relevant ministry’s Permanent Secretary who will, in turn, order the individual responsible to replace the property or pay for repairs.

In her 2013 audit report, Comptroller and Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri said there were indications of “lack of control over management” of Government assets and this would continue to cost authorities huge sums.

“Boards of inquiry for Prado TCE-390 and a Peugeot 406 registration (number) AAO-8296, which were involved in accidents in 2009 and 2010, respectively, were not conducted.
“. . . Boards of inquiry should be done within stipulated time-frames by properly constituted board committees as per internal management circular No 1 of 2007.”

The Economic Planning Ministry indicated that a board of inquiry would investigate Messrs Mangoma and Mashakada.

“Boards of inquiry for Prado TCE 390 and Peugeot 406 registration (number) AA0 8296 had not been conducted as at September 30, 2013.

“These two vehicles were being used by two former Ministers of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion. The ministry has written to Parliament, seeking guidance on conducting the boards. Now the new ministry (Economic Planning) is handling this issue.”
The audit also revealed that the Lands and Rural Resettlement Ministry was yet to investigate 27 cases dating back to 2007.

In one case, an acting head of department based in Bulawayo was car-jacked on August 28, 2008 while driving a Government vehicle. It was discovered that he had neither a driver’s licence nor authorisation to drive ministry vehicles.

His bosses attributed their failure to investigate to inadequate resources. sunday mail NEWS

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Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya has embarked on a multi-million dollar venture under Planet Africa, which focuses on mining and construction.


The company has already begun constructing 1 500 upmarket cluster homes in Harare and will partner international investors in mining, construction, water and sewer reticulation, and street lighting, among others.

Prophet Magaya told journalists at a PHD business expo and home project launch in the capital yesterday that, “Planet Africa is there to facilitate investments for whoever wants to partner us. We have financial support from various institutions who are keen on investing in our projects.
“. . . I am able to manage both business and the spiritual so I assign those with business acumen to lead the business side of things while I focus on the church.” Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Principal Director Colonel (Retired) Joseph Mhakayakora yesterday launched construction of 236 cluster homes in Prospect suburb. The project is mainly funded by sponsors of PHD’s television channel, Yadah TV. Rtd Col Mhakayakora promised more land for the initiative as it was in line with Zim-Asset.

“Out of the 300 000 housing target outlined in Zim-Asset, I know that today we have launched a project in which we subtract 236 houses.
“The ministry’s role is to facilitate construction of houses and if you want more land, we can give you and like what (Local Government) Minister (Ignatius) Chombo would say, we charge just a little.” NEWS

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Two Chivhu men who were nabbed with 72 stolen cattle at one of the accused’s farm will on Tuesday next week stand before Chivhu magistrate Archie Wochiwunga facing stock theft charges.

Pascah Sengende and Taperesu Chivavava first appeared before Chivhu Area Magistrate on May 21 this year before the matter was postponed to Tuesday next week after the accused’s lawyer requested time to study the case.

According to court papers, the duo was arrested by Chivhu police after being found in charge of a huge herd of cattle which they failed to account for.

It is reported that when police details went to Murezi area, investigating stock theft cases, they bumped into one Pascah Sengende’s kraal at 481 Lancashire, Chivhu and found 72 cattle, which Sengende failed to account for.

After being questioned it is alleged that Sengende implicated Chivavava of Plot Number 10, Hebron farm, Chivhu as his accomplice leading to his arrest.

It is reported that police impounded the cattle which were driven to Morrison farm, near Chivhu town where stock theft victims were invited to come and identify their stolen cattle.

It is alleged that the duo had developed a scheme whereby they stole cattle from other farmers in Chivhu or beyond and would keep the loot at Sengende’s farm, pending sales to butcheries or individuals.

Peter Declerk Johannes of Zininga farm, lost 10 herd of cattle during the night on June 11 last year which were driven to Sengende’s farm at Murezi.

The 10 cattle were positively identified at Morrison farm by the owner.

In another cases, on September 15, 2014, Notice Hokonya, manager at Blighnaught farm in Chivhu lost 16 cattle, which the duo allegedly drove to Sengende’s holding farm.

On May 3, this year the accused allegedly stole again four cattle from Brighnaught farm and drove them to Sengende’s holding farm.

The farmer lost 20 beasts to the stock thieves. Of the 20, 16 were positively identified, including two which had already been sold to one Tonderai Mataruka, a Chivhu farmer.
It is reported that after stealing the beasts, the duo would rebrand the stolen cattle with JJ branding marks for Chikomba district.

Chivhu police have recovered the branding iron bar. Forty-two cattle have been positively identified by some farmers out of a total of 72.

Police are pursuing some leads on other potential holding sites of stolen cattle. George Mukototsi represented the state. NEWS

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A British woman has been given a two-week prison sentence for being too loud in bed.

NEWS