Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Mutoko CEO, cllr in cemetery stand ‘scandal’ –Newsday Zimbabwe

MUTOKO Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer Reason Makore and a former councillor, Robson Jembere, have been implicated in a scandal involving construction of a commercial building in a cemetery.

Jembere was the local councillor before Batsirayi Chitiyo assumed office.

Chief Mutoko told NewsDay that he had since summoned Chitiyo to explain the desecration of graves in his area.

“Some graves have been violated and this is unheard of in our culture,” he said.

Makore said he did not have enough information on the allegation.

“I do not have enough information because I am not in Mutoko at the moment,” he said.

Jembere has also been accused of building a bottlestore in Chinzanga School grounds.

“The school has many grounds,” Jembere said when contacted for comment.

Last year, former council chief executive officer Peter Sigauke and town planner Enock Mukwekwe were each jailed for two years for selling residential stands they carved out of Chinzanga Beerhall yard and part of a bus terminus and pocketing US$12 000.

Murehwa magistrate Chiedza Gatsi suspended 12 months of the 36-month jail term for five years for both of them on condition of good behaviour and ordered them to pay back the US$12 000.

Contrary to their duties as public officers and without approval of the rural district council, Sigauke and Mukwekwe pegged three unnumbered stands within Chinzanga Beer Hall stand and sold them to Tinashe Mazarura, Gabriel Karimazondo and Trust Kachidza.

They pocketed US$12 000 from the sales.

Sigauke and Mukwekwe also unlawfully created three commercial stands at the old bus terminus and sold two to Econet Wireless and Zvisineyi Chitiyo, while the third remained in the council’s land bank.

Sigauke also allocated a stand to his alleged partner in crime, Mukwekwe, without a council resolution.

 

Source: Govt orders 14-day induction for cllrs –Newsday Zimbabwe

GOVERNMENT says newly-elected councillors will undergo a 14-day induction training starting today after being sworn in at their respective local authorities.

Local Government and Public Works ministry secretary Zvinechimwe Churu said this in a circular on Tuesday to town clerks, secretaries, and chief executive officers.

“Please be advised that the ministry is rolling out the first phase of the induction training as detailed in my letter of August 11, starting on September 7,” Churu said.

“The induction is expected to be concluded within 14 days. In the meantime, you can proceed to swear in the councillors of your respective local authorities in terms of sections 47 and 30 of the Urban Councils Act and Rural District Councils Act, respectively.

“You are advised not to have your first meeting until the induction is completed, bearing in mind that the main objective of the induction is to introduce all elected councillors to the local government system before they conduct elections for mayors, chairpersons and chairpersons of committees of council.”

Yesterday, newly-elected Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors for Bulawayo were sworn in by town clerk Christopher Dube.

The councillors endorsed former Education minister David Coltart as the city’s new mayor after he was reportedly imposed by CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa.

“As the CCC councillors, we are ready to start work even today since the city has a lot of things which need to be fixed as early as possible,” Coltart said.

Source: Mugabe stirs debate from the grave –Newsday Zimbabwe

Mugabe passed away on September 6, 2019 in Singapore, aged 95.

YESTERDAY marked four years since former President Robert Mugabe passed on, leaving behind an indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape.

Mugabe passed away on September 6, 2019 in Singapore, aged 95.

Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for 37 years, from independence in 1980 until his forced resignation in November 2017, remains a polarising figure even in death.

Critics argue that Mugabe’s rule was characterised by authoritarianism, corruption, economic decline, disregard for the rule of law, erosion of democratic institutions, and the suppression of dissent.

Political analyst Romeo Chasara believes President Emmerson Mnangagwa inherited a flawed governance system from Mugabe.

“Mugabe’s autocratic rule and economic mismanagement led to the decline of Zimbabwe. His disregard for the rule of law and suppression of political dissent stifled the country’s development.

Mnangagwa is just perfecting systems left by Mugabe and that is why we are having disputed elections,” Chasara said.

Mugabe’s supporters credit him for leading the country’s liberation struggle against colonial rule and advocating for the empowerment of black Zimbabweans through such policies as the land reform programme, among others.

Another political analyst Gibson Nyikadzino said Mugabe’s name would forever be etched in the annals of history.

“The name Mugabe itself is an idea that has refused to die and will not die,” Nyikadzino said.

“In Zimbabwe, he remains the glorious compass that gave direction to the nationalist cause through clear ideological expressions against colonialism, neo-colonialism and the advocacy of self-determination and self-rule.

“In Africa and beyond, his name will remain an essential part of our decolonial expositions.”

The country’s agro-based economy, once considered the “breadbasket of Africa”, suffered under Mugabe’s policies, with hyperinflation, unemployment and widespread poverty becoming prevalent.

The fast-track land reform programme, which was aimed at addressing historical imbalances in land ownership, has also been a point of contention.

Pro-Zanu PF analyst Terrence Nguni, however, said Mugabe’s leadership was crucial in asserting Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and challenging Western imperialism.

“His policies aimed to empower the marginalised and create a more equitable society. His land reform programme was a necessary step towards rectifying historical injustices,” Nguni said.

While Mugabe’s sympathisers argue that it was necessary to rectify colonial-era injustices, critics counter argue that the land reform programme was implemented haphazardly, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity.

Political analyst Pardon Taodzera said: “Mugabe’s legacy is marred by authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic institutions.”

The debate surrounding Mugabe’s legacy is not limited to Zimbabwe alone. Internationally, opinions remain divided.

Some African leaders still regard him as a hero who fought colonialism and imperialism, while others are critical of his autocratic rule and economic mismanagement. As Zimbabwe reflects on the fourth anniversary of Mugabe’s death, it is clear that his legacy continues to shape the nation’s trajectory.

“Regardless of one’s opinion on Mugabe, it is undeniable that his impact on Zimbabwe and the African continent as a whole is profound,” Taodzera added.

Source: ‘Don’t bring back deadwood to Cabinet’ –Newsday Zimbabwe

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa should not appoint political loyalists, but people with skills to deliver on his election promises, analysts have advised.

Mnangagwa was sworn in for a second five-year term on Monday.

After his inauguration, all eyes are now on a new Cabinet which Mnangagwa is set to appoint to lead the government for the next five years.

Political analyst, Rejoice Ngwenya, said Mnangagwa should appoint a Cabinet that is capable of balancing Zanu PF and national interests.

“A Cabinet capable of moderating and balancing factional fights is the one that is needed,” Ngwenya said.

Another commentator, Tendai Reuben Mbofana said Mnangagwa should appoint more technocrats to solve the country’s multi-faceted challenges.

“Mnangagwa should be bold in his new appointments to leave a legacy,” Mbofana said.

“He should appoint more technocrats who can deliver … His first term in office was not all that rosy.”

Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka is set to bounce back after being praised by Mnangagwa as one of the best performing ministers.

Following the heavy defeat of Foreign Affairs deputy minister, David Musabayana, in the Zanu PF primary elections, Mnangagwa is likely to appoint former diplomat, Noah Mangondo, who contested and won the Murehwa South constituency seat.

Information Communication Technology minister, Jenfan Muswere is reportedly set to be appointed Media, Information and Broadcasting Services minister, replacing Monica Mutsvangwa, according to government sources.

Source: SA shootout: 5 Zimbos among 19 dead robbers -Newsday Zimbabwe

FIVE Zimbabweans have been named among the 19 people shot dead in South Africa on Friday during a raid on suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) heist suspects, according to a list released yesterday.

The Zimbabweans identified at Tshilidzini Government Hospital are Khulekani Sibanda (42), Frank Moyo (43), Alexander Myambi (24), Simbarashe Malvin Machingauta (37 ), and Juliet Mugabe (27).

Machingauta is from Beitbridge’s Dulivhadzimu high-density suburb, and is believed to be the owner of the property raided by police.

Police also identified other victims of the shootout in which a policeman lost a leg in a 90-minute standoff with the robbers.

The rest of the robbers are said to be South African, although two are still to be identified.

Specialised South African Police Unit Hawks spokesperson, Matimba Maluleke, on Friday said the raid was an intelligence-driven project initiated in January in response to the spate of cash-in-transit robberies in Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

He said those killed were believed to be planning a heist in the Makhado area. “The suspects were about to leave the house to execute their mission when they realised that they were being monitored, and they started shooting at the team,” he said.

A Hawks officer, who was injured during the shootout, was rushed to hospital.

It is understood 11 firearms, ammunition, primed explosives, detonators, boosters, lead cords and raw explosives were recovered at the house.

Police have, however, been mum on the information that two domestic workers, believed to be Zimbabweans, were also killed in the raid.