Prophet Magaya

Fidelis Munyoro, Harare Bureau
ELEVEN witnesses have been lined up to testisfy against self-proclaimed prophet and founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries Walter Magaya, who is facing charges of rape, when his trial takes off at the High Court next month.

Magaya, who is accused of raping a 25-year-old former congregant will go on trial on February 20.

With a high profile and prominence in the national and international religious spheres, Magaya’s case will be closely watched by the media and those in the Christian circles.

According to the indictment, the complainant used to be a congregant at Magaya’s PHD ministries.

She allegedly accepted an invitation from the self-styled prophet to visit him and was shown around the house.

Magaya allegedly left the woman in a room inside the house and returned later naked.

It is alleged that Magaya raped the woman once.

After the offence, Magaya allegedly gave the woman $200 and she later reported the incident to her boyfriend in July 2015.

However, in November last year, the complainant sought to withdraw the charges claiming she was being threatened with unspecified action by unidentified people allegedly against the criminal trial of Magaya.

The prosecution refused to drop the rape charges prompting the clergyman’s lawyers referring the case to the Constitutional Court.

The application was granted.

The apex court will decide on the constitutionality of prosecuting a rape suspect following the withdrawal of a report by the complainant.

Granting the application for referral, Harare magistrate Mrs Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro, ruled that the Concourt should decide whether or not the decision by the Acting Prosecutor General to indict Magaya when the complainant confessed that the rape allegations were false violated his constitutional rights.

Apart from the Magaya rape trial, the High Court will this term alone hear 45 murder cases and one robbery case between this month and March.

The National Prosecuting Authority has since notified authorities in charge of prisons in Bindura, Marondera, Karoi, Mt Darwin, Murehwa, Kadoma, Chinhoyi and Mutoko to make arrangements and transfer the murder suspects held in their prisons to Harare prisons immediately.

Police have been advised to ensure that witnesses are available to attend court on time.

“The subpoenas for all witnesses for the cases set down for this period have been sent to you for distribution to the various police stations and for the services to the witnesses,” reads the notice to Deputy Commissioner General of Police (Crime) Godwin Matanga.

Meanwhile, the newly opened Masvingo High Court will hear 22 murder cases when the judicial year opens. The court was officially opened in May last year.

The first ever High Court to be opened in Masvingo in post-independence Zimbabwe is manned by two judges —Justices  Joseph Martin Mafusire and Garainesu Mawadze.

Masvingo became the third city to house the High Court after Harare and Bulawayo.

Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube

Prosper Ndlovu/Pamela Shumba, Chronicle Reporters
MENTAL patients at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo are developing scurvy due to poor nutrition.

The psychiatric hospital caters for about 2 000 patients and entirely depends on Government’s budgetary allocations, which have not been adequate over the years resulting in critical expenditure shortfalls.

Bulawayo MPs have since called for urgent Government and private sector intervention to address the plight of patients at the referral institution, which is also experiencing drug shortages.

Makokoba MP Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, who is also Minister of War Veterans revealed the outbreak of scurvy at Ingutsheni during a tour of milling companies by Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the city last Thursday.

“I visited Ingutsheni Hospital recently and patients there are developing scurvy because of lack of proper nutrition. Those people there hardly have meat in their diet,” said Rtd Col Dube.

“The patients there need our collective assistance so that they have good health.”

Scurvy is a chronic disease caused by severe lack of vitamin C in the body. Its symptoms are swollen, spongy and purplish gums that are prone to bleeding. Other symptoms include loose teeth, bulging eyes, scaly, dry and brownish skin and very dry hair that curls and breaks off close to the skin.

Pumula MP Cde Godfrey Malaba said delays in addressing the situation at Ingutsheni was regrettable.

“Ingutsheni Hospital does not only lack food supplies but critical drugs and medication as well. The welfare of patients there should be addressed urgently,” he said.

“Can you imagine a situation whereby one day mental patients escape from that institution and go into society? There would be serious chaos.

What about the plight of the workers who look after them in cases when drugs run out?”

Luveve MP Cde Ntando Mlilo also weighed in saying Ingutsheni also lacks drugs, which cripples service delivery. He urged Government and the private sector to seriously consider the situation at the hospital.

Acting President Mnangagwa then donated five tonnes of maize meal to the hospital that was sourced from Blue Ribbon Foods.

In an interview, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa acknowledged the challenges facing Ingutsheni Hospital saying he was working closely with Treasury to address them.

“The scurvy disease is being caused by lack of proper diet. Ingutsheni Hospital does not charge user fees like other hospitals. It, therefore, needs financial support from Government and well-wishers to maintain standards and keep patients in good health,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

“In December last year Treasury released $70 000 to buy drugs and enough food to upgrade living conditions at the hospital. The money was not enough but it assisted the hospital to calm down patients who were now attacking nurses due to shortage of drugs.”

He said funding was urgently needed to assist not only Ingutsheni, but other mental hospitals in the country too.

“We’re already communicating with the Ministry of Finance to remember the hospitals in the budget.

“While we’re working on sourcing proper funding from partners and well-wishers, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is providing mealie-meal to these hospitals. We will continue engaging our partners because the patients at these hospitals need good protein besides the maize they are getting from Government,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

Authorities at the institution have on several occasions appealed for donations from well-wishers to cater for the needs of patients.
Treasury has for the past few years been releasing inadequate funds to the hospital, making it difficult to efficiently run the institution.

Mrs Sylvia Utete-Masango

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Government has blocked a Bulawayo City Council resolution to surrender the running of all municipal schools to parents saying doing so is against the country’s education policy.

Instead, said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Slyvia Utete-Masango in an interview yesterday, if any transfer were to happen, it has to be to the Government.

According to the latest council minutes, BCC revealed that it was going to hand over 29 primary and one secondary school to school development committees (SDCs) as part of measures to cut costs.

The 30 schools have an enrolment of 39 341 pupils, supported by 160 non-teaching staff who are paid by council.

BCC said the move to hand over schools to SDCs means that the committees would collect all fees and employ their own personnel.

But Dr Utete-Masango said the municipality’s decision was not practical.  “Why would they hand over to SDCs? SDCs are not permanent. If anything they should hand over to the Government not SDCs, that’s the policy,” said Dr Utete-Masango.

She said she could not comment further on the issue as council had not yet notified her ministry of its decision.

Last week, BCC said its plans to hand over schools to SDCs was necessitated by the Government’s insistence that the local authority maintains a 70:30 percent service delivery to salaries ratio.

It said if schools are handed over to SDCs, the collection of fees should improve.

“The advantage of such an arrangement would be the monitoring of fees payments. Under the present system, most pupils now complete their Grade Seven studies without paying anything and council has found its hands tied because of Government policies. Parents would be able to deal with each other at local levels in their respective communities.

“Council will however continue to construct schools in new and deserving residential areas as mandated by the Government and then hand them over to these committees for administration. Prior to that, council would construct and thereafter hand over the schools to Government,” reads the report.

— @nqotshili

Chronicle Reporter
ZIMBABWEANS trying to cross a flooded Limpopo River were among five people who died in an incident that saw five others being rescued, South African media reported yesterday.

News24 reported that bodies of two men were found in the Limpopo River near Beitbridge, while two women and three girls, aged between six and 10, were rescued in the same area on Thursday and Friday.

“It’s suspected that they attempted to enter the country illegally when they became trapped by the rising river,” News24 quoted Limpopo provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo as saying.

Those who died or were rescued have not been identified.

The women and children received medical attention before being handed over to South African Home Affairs officials.

With rains continuing to fall, the Limpopo police spokesperson warned people to be extremely careful when crossing rivers or streams, whether by foot or in a vehicle.

“The water on top might seem as if it’s flowing smoothly, but the strong current underneath can sweep away a person or a vehicle with ease,” warned Brig Mojapelo.

The Government has previously warned                                      people against crossing into South Africa without proper travelling papers or through undesignated points.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has also previously told young people to concentrate on their studies and shun the habit of travelling to South Africa illegally, saying there was nothing for them but death in the neighbouring country.

VP Mphoko, a former ambassador to South Africa, said he was speaking from experience as he had come across cases of young boys and girls who left school and ended up being exploited as sex slaves and homosexuals in South Africa.

“Don’t think there’s life for you across the border. In these books is where your life is, there’s nothing for you there. Concentrate on your education and not crossing to South Africa illegally,” said the VP.

“You pay omalayitsha between R1 000 to R1 500 to cross illegally. Those who don’t have the money, if you’re a girl, omalayitsha — upon reaching South Africa — will detain you at their house and tell their friends that they’ve a young girl.

“They’ll hire you out to their friends and by the time they recoup their money, you would have fallen sick and come back home in a coffin carrying flowers on your chest.”

The South African news channel said police divers on Saturday recovered the bodies of three boys who had drowned in ditches filled with water in the Giyani and Mankweng areas.

Search and rescue officials also saved a man who became trapped in a swollen river in the Dennilton area.

“The man was clinging to a tree in the fast-flowing river for a few hours before he was successfully brought ashore,” Brig Mojapelo said.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
FIVE people died on the spot while seven others sustained injuries when a truck they were travelling in collided head-on with a Munenzwa Bus at the 196km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.

In a statement, National Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the accident occurred on Sunday at around 2.50AM near Bubi.

She said the Munenzwa bus was going towards Beitbridge from Masvingo with 55 passengers while a Kia truck it collided with was heading to Masvingo with 11 passengers on board.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said all those who died, including the driver, were in the truck.

All the people in the Munenzwa bus escaped unharmed.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the injured passengers were rushed to Neshuro District Hospital while bodies of the deceased were taken to the same hospital’s mortuary.

The condition of the injured passengers could not be ascertained last night.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of five people in a road traffic accident which occurred at the 196km peg along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road on January 8 at around 2:50AM,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

“On approaching 196km peg, the bus driver attempted to overtake in front of oncoming traffic resulting in a head-on collision with a Kia truck. The Kia truck had 11 passengers on board. Five people from the truck including the driver died on the spot while the other 11 from the same vehicle were injured. Those in the Munenzwa Volvo bus escaped unhurt.”

She urged motorists to avoid overtaking on portions of the road which do not allow them to do so.

“They should take note that it is also dangerous to overtake at night when visibility is mostly affected. Police are also encouraging and appealing to motorists to plan journeys and where possible avoid travelling at night,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

@walterbmswazie2

President Mugabe meets his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, yesterday

George Chisoko, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday held fruitful discussions with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping in Beijing where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strong bilateral relations between the two nations as they exchanged notes on mega deals worth billions of dollars signed nearly two years ago.

The President was visiting China as part of his traditional annual leave which he combined with official business.

The two leaders discussed not only bilateral and global issues, but also took time to reflect on their relationship as leaders.

Yesterday’s meeting-cum-dinner lasted for close to an hour with President Mugabe and President XI placing emphasis on political and economic ties between Zimbabwe and China.

In an interview yesterday from Beijing, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China Mr Paul Chikawa said he had been impressed by the amity in which the meeting was held.

“The two leaders had occasion to review the relationship between them, bilateral relations and international issues. Remember that this is the third time the two are meeting following their meeting in August 2014 and in December 2015. They also met in South Africa at the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation Summit and have always enjoyed excellent relations,” said Mr Chikawa.

“At yesterday’s meeting, President Mugabe and President XI also discussed political relations which have been excellent dating back to the time of the liberation struggle. They further discussed economic issues covering all sectors such as ICT, energy, agriculture, mining and infrastructural development,” said Mr Chikawa.

He said there would definitely be movement in the mega deals Zimbabwe and China signed as the two leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to their implementation and success.

“There has been commitment at the higest level and what now remains is for the relevant players to convert the commitment into concrete deliverables. It is no longer a question of whether the deals are likely to move but rather an issue of the deals definitely moving.’’

Zimbabwe and China signed mega deals worth $4 billion in December 2015 covering the areas of energy, agriculture, mining and infrastructural development. This has seen Chinese firms going into partnerships and joint ventures with local companies as part of efforts to turn around the economy.

Some of the deals are at various stages of implementation and fit in well with the objectives of the country’s economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.

Yesterday’s meeting between President Mugabe and President XI served to confirm the strong ties between the two nations. China has supported Zimbabwe’s economic recovery efforts since the country adopted the Look East policy at the turn of the millennium.

Since then, China has been the biggest buyer of Zimbabwean tobacco and a key investor in the country’s agricultural sector.

At the Focac Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, President Xi pledged support of $60 billion to African nations, including Zimbabwe.

Mr Dan Moyo

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
THE new education curriculum is set to come into effect today, with schools in the Matabeleland region saying they are ready for the changes.

In separate interviews yesterday, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provincial Education Directors (PEDs) said they were ready to teach pupils using the new curriculum.

Bulawayo Metropolitan province PED Mr Dan Moyo said nothing was going to prevent them from implementing the new curriculum.

“Schools are opening tomorrow (today) and we’re ready to teach our pupils using the new curriculum. So far I’ve not received any news on challenges that may prevent any school in this province from doing so,” he said.

“We received syllabi for all departments and the only setback we may have is parents failing to pay fees on time. Our Grade Zero and Form One pupils even managed to get places in various schools and we’re ready for everything.”

Mr Moyo said although Bulawayo was in need of teachers to fill some places, his office was going to establish the exact number of teachers needed when schools open.

“We’ve been having inter-provincial transfers and some of our teachers have retired. We need to ensure these gaps are filled in the first weeks of the term before we can establish how many teachers we need in Bulawayo to fully implement the curriculum,” he said.

Mrs Boithathelo Mnguni, the PED for Matabeleland North province, said they were ready but had some vacancies.

She said the new curriculum was all about refocusing and thinking differently about how traditional subjects are taught.

“For example when teaching English language, we now want to ensure that pupils also develop their poetry and theatre arts skills which they will use even after school to make a living. The new way of teaching requires training so that teachers teach the general subjects focusing on how the same could be useful in sustaining the child,” Mrs Mnguni said.

She said they had made recommendations to the Government to hire more teachers.

“We’re ready and all our scheme books are in accordance with the new education curriculum. My only worry is that my early childhood development (ECD) pupils may fail to go to school given that many parents are now working hard in their fields,” said Mrs Mnguni.

“We need about 3 000 teachers; 2 000 trained for ECD, 400 for junior schools and about 600 teachers for secondary schools. If we could get these we would be 100 percent confident about implementing all facets of the new curriculum.”

She decried the fact that some parents were not prioritising the payment of school fees.

“Things are hard for everyone but we have those parents who deliberately choose not to pay school fees. Sadly our levy collection has been very low and that affects some of our planning,” Mrs Mnguni said.

Matabeleland South PED Mrs Tumisang Thabela said her province was also ready for the new curriculum.

“Am actually in a meeting with district education officers to finalise a few issues. Our school teachers have been trained and from our end we have done everything to make sure all goes well,” said Mrs Thabela.

“My only worry is the potential effect of rain, hailstorm and floods on school infrastructure and pupils since it is still raining. We hope parents will do their part and pay fees and ensure that our pupils are safe all the time.”

Meanwhile, parents yesterday said they had found the going tough to pay school fees due to the economic situation, hence they were resorting to loans.

In a snap survey conducted by The Chronicle, several parents said the current cash crisis had forced them into getting loans.

“My son is going to be in Form Four and I spent the whole festive season stressing over money. With no jobs it is a miracle that some of us made this day possible for our children who also need groceries, stationery and toiletries besides the school fees. I hope the school heads will understand the situation after paying more than 50 percent of the fees,” said one man who said his son learns at Dadaya High School.

Another parent who spoke on condition of anonymity said she had to seek the services of loan sharks to raise fees.

“My child is going to be in Form Three at Inyathi High and I had to do all I could to ensure that she goes to school after paying fees. I do not know how I will clear the debt but I am relieved that I managed to pay fees. These children must complement our efforts and make sure they excel in their studies,” said the parent.

@thamamoeCkd

Stunner

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
LOCAL rapper Stunner, real name Desmond Chideme, yesterday broke his silence, confessing to cheating on his wife Olinda whom he confirmed to be his “blesser” who buys him expensive cars and clothes.

In an exclusive interview with radio personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa on Facebook Live, the Dhaf korera hit maker, who broke down several times, also admitted to texting his ex-flame Pokello Nare.

A teary Stunner further claimed that Zimbabweans hate him but want to be involved in his personal life.

“On the real, people should just get out of my life . . . that’s what I want. I just want to do music, that’s all I’ve been doing. I don’t know why people hate me, I don’t eat at anyone’s house and I’ve never asked for anything. But Zimbabweans hate me and I know that for a fact,” he said.

Watch Video

It was the first time Stunner opened up on his relationship with his wife after last week’s drama which has earned them the moniker, “Keeping up with the Chidemes”.

Olinda took to Facebook Live to pour her heart out on her troubles with her husband’s alleged wondering eye.

She said the artiste cheats on her with teenagers and claimed that everything Stunner owns, including cars and clothes, were a result of her hard work.

Stunner, using the same platform, yesterday said he agreed to do the interview to set the record straight.

He confirmed cheating on Olinda but refused to shed light on the mysterious damsel he cheated with, saying he owes no one but his wife an explanation.

“I’m not here to say I’m correct. I’m here to say that yes what she said was true. I had a slight lack of common sense and I made a mistake. Yes I cheated and I’m not here to justify it, that it’s because I’m a man,” said Stunner.

“The two spoke to each other and they exchanged words and I’m happy that happened. But I’m here to say I cheated and I’m wrong.

“I don’t owe any explanation as to why I did it to the public, the only person I owe that to is my wife. By telling people out there it’ll look like I’m trying to find an excuse or a way out, but I’m not looking for that.”

Stunner rubbished his wife’s claims that everything he owned was due to her hard work saying he had a life before he met her.

“I’ve known my wife for close to a year. So people can’t think she has been buying all my clothes and some of the cars for less than a year. It’s just my wife’s reaction as she was angry and it’s fine,” he said.

Asked why he was still texting his ex-girlfriend Pokello whom he featured with in a steamy sex tape, Stunner said they have a normal relationship.

“I still speak to Pokello, she’s married, I’m married and we’re cool like that. It’s not one of those relationships where I say good morning or what, it’s just normal. I text her and even her husband (Elikem),” said Stunner.

On whether he and Olinda are still together, Stunner said a lot of people have been speculating about his marriage yet they have no idea what’s going on.

“We woke up in the same bed. How else can you be with somebody if you woke up in the same bed and sheets? People have been saying a lot and it’s unfortunate that there’s a huge public eye that wants to blow things out of proportion and those who really think without the wife he’s going to be nothing,” he said.

In all this, Stunner had advice for married men who have wives who are earning more than them.

“I encourage people to love their wives even if they’re earning more than you. Even if after this interview something happens next week and she says she no longer wants to be with me then that will be that. So I’ll go back home and cook because I don’t think she has mellowed enough to cook for me at this juncture,” he said.

@bonganinkunzi

Tanaka Mrewa, Court Reporter
A 28-YEAR OLD Bulawayo man allegedly raped his wife in a bush and then stabbed her after threatening to commit suicide.

He later rushed to the police station to report a false robbery.

A court heard that the man from Sizinda suburb drew a knife and stabbed his 19-year-old wife three times as they were walking home at around 11PM along Plumtree Road near Bellevue suburb last Thursday.

The suspect, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim pleaded not guilty to rape, attempted murder and supplying false information to the police when he appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya.

“Your Worship I was very drunk on the night. I don’t remember well what really happened or what I did,” he said.

The magistrate remanded him in custody to January 26 for trial.

For the State, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said last Thursday, the man attacked his wife as they were walking home from town and rushed to the police to make a false robbery report.

“Accused and complainant failed to get transport at the time of the night so they walked home. Accused suddenly dragged complainant into a nearby bushy area and demanded sex. He tore complainant’s clothes and raped her once,” he said.

“Accused told complainant he wanted to kill her then kill himself. He stabbed her twice in the head and once on the abdomen.

“He then went to Donnington Police Station to report that his wife had been attacked by robbers. Complainant told the police that it was infact the accused who had raped and stabbed her leading to his arrest.”

@tannytkay

Father Climax Dewa

Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
An Anglican priest at St Annes Parish in Pumula South suburb, Bulawayo, yesterday appeared in court for violating a peace order not to physically and verbally abuse his wife.

Father Climax Dewa (65) was dragged to court by his wife Mrs Doris Dewa after he allegedly threatened to axe her.

Mrs Dewa (38) applied for a peace order against her husband accusing him of physically, emotionally and psychologically abusing her and was granted the order in April last year.

Yesterday, father Dewa appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Ringisai charged with violating a protection order.

The court heard that at one time the priest told his wife that she was a gold digger and used unprintable words to insult her.

Father Dewa told the magistrate that his wife was disrespectful and was denying him his conjugal rights.

“She’s disrespectful and has become the new man in my house. She no longer treats me as her husband as was the case before,” said the priest.

He said he was not insulting her but was telling her what she was.

“I was telling her, merely calling a spade a spade. I only told her what she is and I stand by that,” he said.

The magistrate warned and cautioned father Dewa and advised the couple to seek counselling.

Prosecuting, Mr Tony Kamdyariwa said father Dewa violated a court order by physically and emotionally abusing his wife.

“On January 5 this year at around 1AM, the accused person and the complainant were in their matrimonial bedroom when the accused person started insulting the complainant. He said he does not stay with a gold digger. The accused person later threatened to axe the complainant. He failed to abide by the terms of the protection order which prohibits him from insulting the complainant who happens to be his wife,” said the prosecutor.

Testifying in court, Mrs Dewa said: “He chased me out of our house and told me never to come back from work. I left him sleeping at home at around 7AM. I am now scared of going back home.”

Mrs Dewa reported the matter to the police leading to her husband’s arrest.

@andile_tshuma

Fawcett Security guards reportedly rushed to secure the gold soon after the crash

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A PRIVATE-Jet that was allegedly transporting 22 kilogrammes of gold worth about $800 000,  yesterday crashed in Matabeleland North’s Bubi District.

The jet which had two people, probably the pilot and his co-pilot, crashed at around 2PM in Ward 19 in Kennilworth and the two escaped with minor injuries.

The identities of the pair could not be established yesterday.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) Acting Flight Safety Standards Director Mr James Danga confirmed the incident last night.

“Yes a private jet believed to belong to Central Air Traffic Services crashed this afternoon. Two people were on board and they sustained minor injuries.

“We don’t have much details on the incident yet but we’ve dispatched a team to the scene to conduct investigations,” he said.

Mr Danga said the jet took off from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo and was flying to Charles Prince Airport in Harare.

He could not immediately comment on the gold.

Bubi Ward 19 councillor Villian Nkomazana said he had been informed that a jet crashed in his ward and that two people who were aboard the plane survived with minor injuries.

“I’m not on the ground but I’ve been informed that a private jet crashed next to a baobab tree in village 13 in my ward,” he said.

A source at the scene said the two survivors told them that they were transporting  22 kilogrammes of gold from a mine in Matabeleland South to Harare.

“Soon after the crash, they contacted Fawcett Security company whose guards were at the scene in no time and after a while another jet came and picked up the two,” said a source.

Fawcett security company regional manager in Bulawayo declined to comment.

According to the source, a team from CAAZ and police had by last night started investigations to establish the cause of the crash.

Matabeleland North acting police provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Eglon Nkala said last night that he had not received information on the accident.

@winnie_masara

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
A TEENAGER from Bulawayo who sued her married ex-lover for deflowering her before ditching her after having previously promised to marry her has been awarded $2000 in damages.

Nataly Madziwa (19) sued Joel Moyo (32) accusing him of seducing her into having sex after promising to marry her during their relationship while she was an Upper Six pupil at Pumula High School in 2015.

In her lawsuit, she demanded $8 000 in seduction damages, saying her chances of getting married were diminished after she lost her virginity.

Madziwa said she only discovered that Moyo was married when she fell pregnant.

In his ruling, Bulawayo magistrate Mr Sheunesu Matova ordered Moyo to pay $2 000 for the lost virginity.

Madziwa’s lawyer Mr Bruce Masamvu told The Chronicle that the ruling was delivered on Tuesday.

“Magistrate Matova delivered his ruling yesterday and ordered Moyo to pay my client $2 000 for lost virginity. He did agree to most of our closing submissions and we’re expecting Moyo to pay us as soon as possible. So far he hasn’t communicated anything,” said Mr Masamvu.

“We’re simply going to issue him with a warrant of execution, a form of writ of execution used as a method of enforcing judgments.”

The lawyer emphasised that according to the law, a plaintiff who has been seduced may recover compensation for the loss of her virginity and consequent impairment of her marriage prospects.

Madziwa and Moyo fell in love in 2015 and the teenager said she was showered with gifts and money before the sexual act.

She said she felt embarrassed and humiliated after Moyo allegedly broke her virginity and impregnated her before breaching the promise to marry her.

“Sometime in 2015 while I was doing Upper Six at Pumula High School, the defendant (Moyo) proposed love to me and I accepted. On April 19, 2015, Moyo came to my home and picked me up. He then persuaded me to have sex with him,” said Madziwa.

She said Moyo broke her virginity after he allegedly lied that he was a bachelor.

“I was never married before and after deflowering and impregnating me, Moyo has taken away my pride as a woman and left me embarrassed and humiliated before my parents, peers and the community,” said Madziwa.

She said her ex-lover has through his actions reduced her prospects of having a “normal” future marriage.

“I lost my virginity and also my chances of ever getting married have diminished because I am no longer a virgin and again I have a child with the defendant,” Madziwa said.

She said despite breaching the agreement, Moyo has not shown any remorse for his actions.

Moyo, in his defence, said Madziwa was not a virgin when they engaged in sex. He also queried the paternity of the child and questioned the rationale behind Madziwa’s delay to inform him of the pregnancy.

“I really doubt the paternity of the child because Madziwa took eight months to inform me of her pregnancy. I was never married but I was actually staying with another woman with whom I have a six-year–old child,” he said.

@thamamoe

First lady Cde Grace Mugabe

Daniel Nemukuyu, Harare Bureau
POLICE have dismissed as false claims that First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe “grabbed” properties belonging to a Lebanese businessman, Mr Jamal Ahmed, saying the assets in question were duly placed under police guard as part of an investigation into an assortment of criminal allegations against the mogul.

Mr Ahmed on December 21 last year obtained an interdict at the High Court against Dr Mugabe, her son Mr Russel Goreraza and a top police officer Superintendent Kennedy Fero, whom he accused of unlawfully occupying and taking over his three houses.

However, the three respondents, through Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners, this week approached the court seeking discharge of an order granted in favour of Mr Ahmed by Justice Clement Phiri last month.

In a notice of opposition filed at the High Court on Monday, the lawyers attached separate affidavits by Superintendents Nyambo Viera and Kennedy Fero confirming the placement of Mr Ahmed’s property under police guard had nothing to do with the First Family.

Detective Superintendent Viera stated in his affidavit that he was investigating Mr Ahmed in connection with a number of cases involving fraud, theft, property acquisition, money laundering, purchase of minerals, and Exchange Control laws.

Police, according to Superintendent Viera, are also investigating a case in which the First Lady lost $1,3 million to Mr Ahmed.

To that end, police have deployed officers to protect the properties—two in Avondale and one along Harare Drive in Vainona—pending finalisation of investigations.

“We are unaware that the First Lady forcibly took over any property belonging to Jamal Ahmed. All we can confirm is that the properties are under police guard to facilitate investigations,” he said.

Supt Viera added:

“What is under investigation are allegations of theft, fraud, property acquisitions, money laundering, contravention of Exchange Control laws, his immigration status, purchase of minerals, loans he acquired and, generally, all those he might have done business with locally and the role each of the people might have played to facilitate his illegal activities.”

Police want to find out how Mr Ahmed acquired several properties in Zimbabwe in a short space of time.

Supt Viera indicated that police were looking for Mr Ahmed and requests for his extradition from whichever country he might be have since been sent through Interpol.

“While carrying out our investigations, which are advanced, we came to learn of the theft/fraud he perpetrated against the First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe.

“Coupled with all the other investigation material, we applied and got a warrant of arrest against this individual.

“We alerted Interpol to assist us in extraditing him from any country he might be residing (in), presumably Belgium, Dubai or Europe in general.

“With that red flag, we expect compliance from our colleagues in various countries where he may be to assist in bringing Jamal Ahmed to Zimbabwe to assist the police in their investigations,” reads the affidavit.

In her opposing affidavit, Dr Mugabe denied ever being served with the application that later culminated into an interdict order against her.

She argued that if the court had allowed her to present her case, it would not have granted the interim relief.

Dr Mugabe denied allegations that she forcibly took over the properties in question.

“I therefore deny forcibly taking over the said premises. Had the court heard our side of the story as respondents, there might have been no need to grant the interim relief as it did, merely to scandalise me and the institution of the Presidency,” said the First Lady.

“No one has stated, including the first applicant (Mr Ahmed), that he saw the first and second respondents commandeering matters at the houses concerned.

“To then direct that respondents were responsible for any misfortune that befell the first applicant is to say the least, being economic with the truth,” she said.

Dr Mugabe said she was out of the country when the said “invasion” took place together with Mr Goreraza.

She said Mr Ahmed and his lawyers, Mtetwa and Nyambirai, made malicious and defamatory statements against the First Family with an intention of causing political damage.

The Cessna aircraft at the crash site in Bubi District yesterday

Pamela Shumba / Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporters
A CENTRAL Air Traffic Services (CATS) aircraft that was transporting gold from Bulawayo to Harare on Tuesday crash-landed due to engine failure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) said yesterday.

The Cessna 206 aircraft, which had two people on board, crash landed in Kennilworth, Bubi District in Matabeleland North.

It was reportedly transporting 22 kilogrammes of gold worth about $800 000.

CAAZ acting general manager Mr Blessing Ngwarai said the pilot sent a distress signal after noticing that the engine had developed a technical fault soon after taking off from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport in Bulawayo.

“The CATS aircraft took off from JM Nkomo Airport to Charles Prince Airport in Harare and had two people on board. The pilot communicated that he had lost the engine and indicated that he would glide and find a reasonable and safe place to land.

“Air traffic at JM Nkomo Airport lost contact with the pilot and this triggered a search. The Air Force of Zimbabwe dispatched two aircraft and one helicopter to rescue the pair,” said Mr Ngwarai.

He said when the aircraft crash-landed, one person on board sustained minor injuries.

“One of the two people on board the aircraft sustained minor injuries. The two got assistance from the Air force of Zimbabwe personnel. They were taken to Harare and they’re safe,” said Mr Ngwarai.

He declined to comment on the gold that was being transported by the aircraft saying investigations were underway.

“As CAAZ we don’t inspect people’s cargo. When we respond to such incidents we look at what happened not the cargo. However, investigations are in progress and I’m yet to be briefed on the other details,” he said.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that there’s an aircraft that crash landed in Bubi District on Tuesday afternoon. The aircraft was transporting gold but I don’t have the value,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Villagers in Bubi said the aircraft flew a few metres above their homesteads before they heard a loud noise a few kilometres away.

Ward 15 village head Mr John Mutambo said they rushed to the scene and discovered that the aircraft had crash landed.

The village head said there was a pilot and a security guard on-board, but that could not be independently verified.

“We saw the aircraft flying above our homesteads and I thought it was rather too close. We heard a loud noise just a few kilometres away and we rushed to check what had happened.

“We found two men, a pilot and a security guard in the plane that had crash landed. The pilot explained that the aircraft developed a mechanical fault. We rushed to call the police at a nearby police base and when we came back we found an Airforce of Zimbabwe aircraft on the scene,” said Mr Mutambo.

A villager said when police arrived, they ordered them off the scene saying there was gold in the aircraft.

By end of day yesterday, the aircraft was still at the accident scene.

@pamelashumba1

@winnie_masara

Fishermen cast their lines in the ‘pool of death’ in Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
THE body of a man who has been missing since Saturday was found in Entumbane suburb’s Enkwalini “pool of death” yesterday morning.

Dozens of people have drowned in the pool over the years.

A young boy who was fishing, stumbled on Ngoni Savanhu (43)’s body floating in the pool yesterday at around 10 AM.

The late Ngoni Savanhu

The body had a rope tied to its neck, a scar on the forehead and several other wounds.

The deceased’s family said he had been missing since Saturday after he left the house at around 3AM, in an unusual move.

The deceased’s young brother, Mr Joseph Savanhu jnr said his brother was troubled.

He also described him as a very quiet and unpredictable man, making it difficult for them to tell what he was planning.

“He has been having serious problems of late after his wife left him with four children to take care of. He left home at around 3 AM, unlike him, and went away. We made a report to police on Sunday when he didn’t return home and today we were shocked to be told he was found dead,” said Mr Savanhu.

He said it was difficult to say whether his brother committed suicide or was murdered.

“We’re waiting for results of investigations to establish the cause of death. What we have been told is that his neck was tied with a rope,” said Mr Savanhu.

The deceased’s father,  Mr Joseph Savanhu said he was shocked and couldn’t comment on his son’s death.

A group of fishermen who continued with their fishing soon after the body was retrieved, said it was common to find a body in the pool of death.

“Suicides are now a daily thing here and we are not shaken at all. A young boy who was over that corner spotted the body and we called the police.

“Some people have drowned while being baptised while others have committed suicide by throwing themselves in the pool,” said one of the fishermen.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed that Mr Savanhu’s body had been retrieved from the pool.

She said investigations were underway.

“We are calling on people to desist from taking their own lives even when they’re having problems. It’s important to engage other people who can assist,”said Insp Simango.

— @winnie_masara

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from Lupane District in Matabeleland North province used a machete to circumcise himself after succumbing to peer pressure.

Matabeleland North provincial medical director Dr Nyasha Masuka said the teenager sustained injuries and was rushed to St Lukes Hospital for treatment.

He said the incident occurred last week and the teenager was admitted to the hospital for two days.

Dr Masuka said the boy who completed Form Four last year, was being mocked by his friends who were saying he was not going to attract girls because he was not circumcised.

“It seems the other boys were laughing at him for not being circumcised so he used a machete to circumcise himself and he injured himself in the process.

He was rushed to St Lukes Hospital where the health staff circumcised him,” said Dr Masuka.

He urged youths not to be pressured into making decisions that could endanger their lives.

Dr Masuka said he did not understand why the teenager tried to circumcise himself when voluntary male circumcision teams visit his home area regularly.

Lupane district medical officer Dr George Mature said the latest circumcision exercise was conducted in the boy’s area last month.

He said the boy comes from an area with diverse social groups hence it was difficult to penetrate.

“He comes from an area bordering Gokwe, Lupane and Binga and as such the area has different ethnic groups. After attempting to circumcise himself he was rushed to Kenyandavu Clinic which called an ambulance and rushed him to St Lukes Hospital,” he said.

Dr Mature said other patients at the hospital were shocked at the boy’s bravery. “The patients who were admitted with him were wondering how he managed to do it. The good thing is that he wounded the outer layer of the foreskin. So we had to keep him at the hospital to monitor him as he had used a clinically inappropriate tool so we were worried that it could have caused an infection,” said Dr Mature.

He said the boy was discharged after two days.

— @nqotshili

Pensioners queue to withdraw their payouts at a Bulawayo bank in this file photo

Tinashe Makichi, Harare Bureau
THE Government has directed the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to increase monthly pension payouts to $100 in the first quarter of this year and gradually raise this to $150 by the end of the first half.

NSSA is paying out $60 which has proved to be inadequate for pensioners.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira told our Harare Bureau this week that NSSA had been given a task to seriously consider improving the welfare of pensioners.

“We understand there are several investments which were made by NSSA in the past, some of which failed to materialise while others are doing quite well.

“However, as Government we are of the opinion that the $60 which is being paid out to pensioners is not enough and something must be done to address the situation,” said Minister Mupfumira.

“We’ve since given a directive to the NSSA board to come out with strategies to generate funds which will ultimately see the authority increasing the pension payout by March 31, 2017. This has to be done because pensioners’ welfare should be a priority,” said Minister Mupfumira.

She added that the payouts should be increased to $150 by the end of the second quarter.

Minister Mupfumira said in pursuit of the new investment strategy, the authority would push for board representations in all the areas it was investing in.

“We have seen that NSSA has been losing a lot of money in investments where they just invested and never bothered to monitor.

“Therefore, it’s high time that there must be a representation of NSSA in boards of all investments which they made,” she said.

NSSA’s investment portfolio includes money market, property, short and long-term investments in associates and subsidiaries as well as land inventory and deals referred to as “other investments”.

Following the directive by Government, NSSA has been reviewing its investment portfolio and  will be taking a decision to either dispose of non-performing assets or consolidate its interests in appropriate vehicles.

Minister Mupfumira also said NSSA would actively invest in deserving national strategic projects and the private sector.

“It’s quite critical that NSSA invests in deserving projects and private sector companies because by doing that we will be creating further employment that will boost pension contributions,” she said.

In pursuit of improving convenience, reducing costs and leveraging technology, NSSA has begun a campaign to migrate pensioners to mobile payment platforms.

Econet Group CEO Douglas Mboweni

Samantha Chigogo, Harare Bureau
ECONET Wireless has reversed its data tariffs hike after it emerged that it was the only mobile operator in the country to have complied with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) floor prices that set data bundles at a minimum of $0.02 per megabyte.

Some mobile operators, including the Government-owned mobile operator, NetOne, had not yet effected the new tariffs as they were reportedly in the process of engaging POTRAZ seeking a downward review of its latest tariffs.

The reverse came after the Government suspended the mobile data tariff increases with immediate effect and ordered Econet Wireless to reimburse affected parties.

There has been a backlash from mobile phone users who felt cheated by the mobile operator.

In a statement yesterday, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe said reversing the price hike was a necessity until deliberations with POTRAZ had been finalised.

“While continuing to engage POTRAZ concerning the data floor pricing directive, Econet Wireless is reverting to the old data tariffs,” reads part of the statement.

“It became apparent after implementing the POTRAZ directive that Econet Wireless was the only operator which had complied with the data floor pricing.”

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe admitted to having disadvantaged its customers as other operators were yet to comply with the directive.

“It’s clear that, for whatever reason, the other operators had not complied with the directive and therefore, there can never be a level playing field when our customers are the only ones being affected by this position,” the statement said.

Some mobile phone users who spoke to our Harare Bureau felt relieved by the suspension of tariff hikes, but expressed concern over the string of confusion surrounding the introduction of new policies that are imposed without full consultations at the cost of customers.

The regulator told mobile operators to set the floor price for traditional voice services at $0.12 per minute, while the floor price for data was set at $0.02 per megabyte.

Econet Wireless advertised that according to the new tariffs, the cheapest data bundles (5MB on a standard connection, plus another 5MB available on WiFi), would have cost $0.50, while $1 would buy 10MB plus the bonus 10MB on WiFi.

The highest amount of data bundles one would get (2.5GB plus, 2.5GB bonus on WiFi) would have cost $50.

The cheapest data bundles had been set at $0.50 and would come with 10MB of data plus a 10MB bonus.

Subscribers used to pay $2.50 for a month’s access of data bundles, which would have only purchased 80MB plus an extra 80MB on WiFi, according to Econet’s new tariff  regime.

Florence Phiri

Tanaka Mrewa, Court Reporter
ONE of the two Bulawayo maids who allegedly stole $28 000 from their employer wept uncontrollably in court yesterday pleading to be released on bail as conditions in remand prison were unbearable for her.

Eunice Mabhena (50) and Florence Phiri (43) allegedly stole the money from their employer, Mrs Permian Macheka, in October last year.

Mrs Macheka of Hillside suburb had allegedly sold 52 head of cattle to raise the money.

The two have been in remand prison since October 28.

Bulawayo Magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushowe yesterday further remanded the pair in custody to February 3.

Phiri yesterday wailed in court as she pleaded to be remanded out of custody.

“Please Your Worship, may we be allowed to go home. Jail life is difficult. May we come to court from our homes,” she said in-between tears.

Phiri, who initially pleaded guilty to theft saying she had used part of the money to buy her husband a car as a Christmas present, yesterday recanted her earlier statement and denied knowledge of the vehicle.

“Your Worship I only took $5 500. I used              $1 800 to buy a car as a Christmas present for my husband. I don’t know who took the rest of the money.

May this court please remand me out of custody,” said Phiri during her initial court appearance last October.

However, yesterday she denied knowledge of the motor vehicle and asked to be remanded out of custody.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Vhingirai, testified that a Hyundai Excel was recovered at Phiri’s rural home as per her initial statement.

“Your Worship the accused person is now just trying to distance herself from her statement. She is the one who told us about the car. We found her husband driving it. He confirmed that accused bought it for him,” said Sgt Vhingirai.

The other maid, Mabhena, through her lawyer Mr Vuyile Mpofu of V J Mpofu and Associates, maintained her plea of not guilty.

Mr Mpofu said the police were not thorough in their investigations and had allowed Mrs Macheka to interfere with investigations.

“Complainant was with the police officers all the time investigations were being done. She went with them to Mabhena’s house. She even took her to the toilet away from the police officers and searched her. Her husband is the one who told police officers that the serial numbers on the money recovered matched those of the money that had remained in the briefcase.

“None of the officers verified that. You have agreed that if police involve civilians, especially complainants in investigations, there could be a possibility of attaining biased results,” he said.

For the State, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza said investigators found Mabhena with $700 while her alleged accomplice Phiri was found with $100 of the stolen money.

He said Mrs Macheka sold 52 head of cattle and kept $28 600 in her bedroom.

“On October 19, complainant added  $2 400 to her $28 600.

“On October 24 she realised that $28 000 was missing and she made a report to the police.

“Phiri was found in possession of $100 and Mabhena had $700 and the serial numbers of the notes tallied with those of the stolen money,” said Mr Jaravaza.

— @tannytkay

Councillor Collet Ndlovu

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
A WOMAN from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo was yesterday morning found dead with several stab wounds on the face and body in a suspected rape and murder case.

A resident stumbled on Mrs Ivy Sibanda’s body at about 8.45AM in a bushy area between Hawkflight and Hlalani Kuhle stands.

Mrs Sibanda, a member of the Zaoga church who is thought to be in her late 30s, is suspected to have been raped and murdered on her way home from a church service on Thursday evening.

Churchmates described her as a God- fearing woman.

Mrs Sibanda’s body was found in some shrubs near a road.

She had allegedly agreed to meet her husband after the church service, but she did not show up.

Her husband, identified only as Mr Sibanda, is alleged to have waited for her at the agreed spot and when she failed to show up, he allegedly called her, but her phone was not being answered.

On the same night, some residents are alleged to have heard a woman screaming near the spot the body was found, but no one went to investigate.

The Cowdray Park community was shaken after waking up to the horrific scene of Mrs Sibanda’s half naked body with several stab wounds on the face and neck.

When The Chronicle arrived at the scene yesterday, police were examining the body, while scores of residents and motorists watched in shock.

Her undergarments were torn while her bruised body was in a pool of blood. Her cellphone, which was still at the scene, was still ringing at intervals.

Some of Mrs Sibanda’s churchmates and residents wept as her body was being carried away by the police.

Zaoga Church Cowdray Park District coordinator, Mr Medicine Paradza, expressed grief over the incident.

He said it was a painful experience for the Sibanda family and the church.

“Mrs Sibanda was a member of our church and close to my family. We used to drop her home every evening after church but yesterday we had visitors and we didn’t manage to go to church.

“I got the shocking news this morning that she had been murdered and her body was found near the road. I can’t believe this. I don’t understand why somebody would do such a thing,” said Mr Paradza.

He described Mrs Sibanda, who has left behind her husband and three children, as a God-fearing woman who never missed church services.

Mr Paradza said the Sibandas were a happy family.

Their youngest child is said to be less than two years old, but the ages of her older children could not be established immediately.

Ward 28 Councillor Collet Ndlovu said Mr Sibanda got worried when his wife failed to show up as agreed.

“Mr Sibanda started getting worried when his wife didn’t show up. He kept calling her but her cellphone went unanswered until he went to the police to make a report. A report was made to the police after Mrs Sibanda’s body was found in the shrubs on the roadside,” said Cllr Ndlovu.

He said there were criminals terrorising residents in the area and appealed to the police to increase patrols, especially in areas that have no electricity.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango could not immediately comment on the matter.

—@pamelashumba1