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Source: Show love and care to returnees: President urges churches – herald

Wallace Ruzvidzo in MVUMA

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has implored churches to continue spreading the message of love and care for returnees from South Africa.

In a speech read on his behalf by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri to thousands of Johane the 5th of Africa International Church Annual Convention here yesterday, the President emphasised the need to welcome those returning from abroad with warmth and kindness.

“As we implement the reintegration plan for the returnees, the Church must continue to preach the word of hospitality, love and care for one another. Let us continue to welcome our fellow brothers and citizens from the diaspora,” he said.

To reinforce his call, President Mnangagwa quoted extensively from the scriptures.

“Romans 12 verses 9-13, says ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good, be devoted to one another in love . . . Never lack in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord . . . Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’ In addition, 1st Peter 4:9-10 also says, and I quote, ‘Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms,” he said.

Since the exercise began on May 28 to support citizens affected by anti-migrant protests in South Africa, Government has repatriated more than 21 000 Zimbabweans, while an estimated 56 832 others have returned through self-repatriation arrangements.

President Mnangagwa commended the church’s ideology for aligning with the Pan-African socio-economic pillars of liberation, independence, self-determination, sovereignty and integrity.

“Let us continue to stand firm and proclaim never again to be constrained by the yoke of colonial bondage. In doing so, I challenge the Presiding Archbishop and the church leadership at large to speed up the implementation of the plans for empowering the youth and women,” he said.

“Local entrepreneurship, wealth creation and economic emancipation, as well as prosperity driven by our own people, is the last frontier which we must harness towards complete independence, unity and integration of the African peoples.”

He implored the church to continue rolling out empowerment initiatives.

“Proverbs 14 verse 23 says, ‘All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.’ Let us all put our hands on the deck, create value in our crops, livestock, goods, services, business and families. I commend you for setting up Ruvheneko Trust, which is empowering women and the youth with skills, providing start-up kits, scholarships and business mentorship,” he said.

When women and youths are empowered, families and the nation are assured of a brighter future, the President said. “This is what Vision 2030 demands of us — Production and productivity, across all sectors of the economy, from the household level, village by village, ward by ward and district by district

“In His sovereign will, the Almighty created us to work, gifted us to produce and called us to be fruitful and multiply. We must, therefore, pursue scalable and lucrative ventures. Iwe neni tose tine basa (You and me have work to do,” he said.

President Mnangagwa also commended the church, which has since established branches in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, the United Kingdom and the United States, for expanding its work within and beyond the African continent.

The accelerated implementation of National Development Strategy 2, he added, signified the Second Republic’s resolve towards improving Zimbabweans’ quality of life.

“Under the Second Republic’s devolution and decentralisation agenda, we are reversing lop-sided development. Each village, ward and district must be developed by those belonging to that area, leveraging our God-given natural resource endowments,” said the President.

He said the country was looking forward to yet another bumper winter wheat harvest.

“This will go a long way towards securing national food security and sovereignty.

“Going forward, as we prepare for the 2026/ 2027 summer cropping season, let us stay guided by the assurance of the Almighty God, in John 14 verses 13 to 14, which says, and I quote,

“‘And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

“You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.’

“We have the confidence that if we approach the Almighty, He (will) act on our petitions.

“Through praying and interceding for our country Zimbabwe, we must ask for blessings over our country and for the adequate rains, so that we till our land and continue to have the food to feed the nation,” he said.

The Government welcomed the role which the church plays as a critical, strategic and dependable development partner.

“On the social front your prayers sustain and uplift communities. The moral discipline you promote through the pulpit, builds families and societies, while entrenching peace, unity and social cohesion.”

The President also highlighted that the Second Republic was deeply concerned by the surge in violent crimes including murder cases.

He urged the justice delivery system to deal decisively with the scourge.

“The right to life is overarching in the Bill of Rights set out in our national Constitution … Law-enforcement agencies and stakeholders in the justice system, including our competent courts, must deal decisively with perpetrators of such and other crimes.

“To the church, prophetic and elders council of Johane the Fifth of Africa in general and the Presiding Archbishop Andby Makururu in particular, I call upon you to remain vigilant.

“Pray for peace, unity and development, for the rains, for us leaders in Government and pray for the prosperity and success of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said the President.

The ZANU PF-led Government and the church, he said, would continue to fellowship together, remain united and inspired towards realising national development aspirations.

“May the season of prayer ignite production and high-impact results, anchored on innovation, hard-honest work and greater collaboration across all sectors,” said President Mnangagwa.

Archbishop Dr Andby Makururu congratulated President Mnangagwa and his Government for the passing and subsequent gazette of the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3.

He also commended Government for ensuring that the repatriation exercise of those coming from South Africa is seamless for both Zimbabweans and those in transit to their respective countries.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri was accompanied by several senior Government and ZANU PF officials.

The post Show love and care to returnees: President urges churches appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Council audit exposes double stand sale scandal – herald

Vusumuzi Dube Deputy Radar Editor

A CITY of Bulawayo internal audit has exposed an unlawful double sale of a residential stand in Selbourne Brooke, while also implicating the city’s Housing and Community Services Department for supplying inaccurate ownership information that auditors say compromised council processes, damaged the local authority’s credibility and exposed it to litigation.

The findings, contained in a confidential investigation report commissioned by the Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, following a complaint by one of the claimants, conclude that Stand Number 14328 Selbourne Brooke was sold twice by the same private developer to different buyers despite a valid earlier agreement, with council officials later issuing ownership information that contradicted the municipality’s own records.

The investigation was triggered after Dr Innocent Batsani Ncube wrote to Clr Coltart in October last year alleging that another party had begun constructing a house on his stand.

According to the audit report, investigators reviewed council housing files, the municipality’s BIQ accounting system, housing policies, legal documents and High Court records before interviewing council officials, lawyers, the developer and competing claimants.
Continues on www.sundaynews.co.zw

The audit established that Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products (Private) Limited purchased the Selbourne Park land from the City of Bulawayo in 2005 for residential development, with the understanding that the developer would service the land before allocating the stands to residents already on the city’s housing waiting list.

Investigators found that on May 29, 2012, the developer, through Bard Real Estate, legally sold the stand to Dr Innocent Batsani Ncube and his wife, Mrs Zanele Ncube, for US$16 000.

The report states that the purchase price was fully paid through three instalments before the City itself signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the couple on June 6, 2012.

Council also opened a municipal rates account in their names while the couple subsequently submitted building plans, obtained approval and began constructing a house, reaching box level before later selling the property.

“Audit concludes that full rights, title and interest to entitlement and liabilities in respect of Stand Number 14328 Selbourne Brooke . . . evolved from Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products P/L to Innocent Batsani Ncube and Zanele Ncube,” the report states.

The investigation further established that in September 2019, Dr Ncube and his wife sold the stand to Mr Lloyd Chitiyo for US$30 000 through Ken Estate Agents.

Although auditors noted that the sale was never communicated to council as required under the Memorandum of Agreement, they concluded that the transaction had indeed taken place after examining the relevant agreements.

However, the report says the dispute escalated dramatically six years later.

Despite the existence of the 2012 agreement, investigators found that Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products again sold the same stand on June 13, 2025, this time to Mr Bothwell Chenjerai Nhire for US$34 000.

Auditors said they found no evidence that the first agreement with Dr Ncube had ever been cancelled.

The report states that during interviews, the developer’s managing director, Mr Robert Mhlanga, admitted that two agreements of sale existed for the same property.

Investigators also established that the developer later formally wrote to council requesting condonation after acknowledging what it termed an “administration error.”

Significantly, auditors discovered that this was not an isolated incident.

“The said administration error was not peculiar to Stand Number 14328 Selbourne Brooke . . . the same scenario had occurred on several other properties, all of which had also ended up before the High Court.”

The audit’s most damaging findings, however, relate to the conduct of council’s Housing and Community Services Department.

According to investigators, lawyers representing the developer wrote to council in July 2025 seeking confirmation of ownership of the disputed property.

The department responded that Mr Bothwell Nhire “is the only registered owner” of the stand.

But auditors say that statement was directly contradicted by council’s own records.

“A search by Audit in the City’s BIQ system indicates Innocent Batsani Ncube and Zanele Ncube as the property owners. Therefore, the response from the Department of Housing and Community Services was not a factual statement. The same response was later used during the litigation process,” reads the report.

Investigators also established that on the day the developer concluded the second sale agreement with Mr Nhire, council itself simultaneously entered into another Memorandum of Agreement with the second purchaser despite an earlier council agreement already existing with Dr Ncube.

The report says that when Dr Ncube’s lawyers later sought clarification from council over the apparent double sale, the department claimed that the original agreement signed in 2012 had never been returned to council for filing.

Auditors rejected that explanation.

They pointed out that council had already created a rates account in the names of Dr Ncube and his wife, making it difficult to reconcile the department’s position with its own administrative records.

The report is particularly critical of the department’s handling of ownership information.

“Based on evidence presented above Audit concludes that the Housing and Community Services Department presented inaccurate information to the Chamber Secretary’s Department which information was communicated to external stakeholders.

“Audit notes and concludes that such lack of due diligence in providing information to external stakeholders compromises the reliability of City processes and erodes the reputation of the City,” reads the report.

The investigation also uncovered alleged violations of council building regulations.

Auditors found that after purchasing the stand, Mr Nhire demolished the existing structure and commenced constructing a new house.

However, the report states that the new owner only submitted building plans several months after construction had already started.

Council subsequently instructed him in writing to stop all construction until the plans had been approved.

Despite that directive, investigators who repeatedly visited the site found construction continuing, with the building eventually reaching roof level while approval was still outstanding.

In its overall conclusion, the audit delivers a scathing assessment of both the developer’s conduct and weaknesses within council administration.

“According to the evidence presented above, Audit concludes that Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products P/L sold Stand Number 14328 Selbourne Brooke twice, which is unlawful.

“The audit further concludes that the supply of inaccurate information by the Department of Housing and Community Services erodes the City’s reputation.”

Among several recommendations, auditors urged the city to strengthen record management systems, accelerate the digitisation of housing records and integrate them with financial records to improve verification before information is released.

The report also recommends the introduction of stiffer penalties for illegal construction, advised that Dr Ncube pursue criminal and civil remedies through the police and the courts, and called on council to implement any court orders arising from the matter.

The post Council audit exposes double stand sale scandal  appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Universities should prioritise practical solutions over publications – herald

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Reporter

THE Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Simelisizwe Sibanda has challenged universities to move beyond producing academic publications and instead focus on generating practical solutions that drive industrialisation, create industries and transform communities.

Speaking at the official opening of the Sixth Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) International Research Conference last week, held as part of the institution’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, Deputy Minister Sibanda said institutions of higher and tertiary education must increasingly be judged by their impact on society and the economy rather than the volume of research papers they produce.

The conference is being held under the theme, “The Technology–Enterprise Nexus: Partnering for Innovation, Rural Industrialisation and Community Impact.”

“Research institutions must no longer be judged solely by the number of academic publications they produce. Rather, they must increasingly be measured by the solutions they generate, the industries they create, the communities they transform and the livelihoods they improve,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.

He said universities should continue evolving from centres of knowledge generation into engines of innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial development in line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 aspirations.

Deputy Minister Sibanda said the Second Republic, under President Mnangagwa, had placed science, technology and innovation at the centre of national development through the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which integrates teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation.

He commended CUT for embracing the Government’s vision through initiatives such as its Innovation Hub, Agro-Industrial Park and various Strategic Business Units, which provide students with practical learning opportunities while contributing to economic development.

“CUT has become synonymous with practical innovation. Its Innovation Hub continues to nurture ideas into commercially viable products and services, while its Agro-Industrial Park demonstrates how research can strengthen food security, value addition and agro-processing,” he said.

Deputy Minister Sibanda said universities have a critical role to play in advancing rural industrialisation through research that addresses challenges in agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, water resources, information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence and climate resilience.

“Research must not remain confined to laboratories and conference proceedings. It must find expression in factories, farms, clinics, schools, industries and communities where citizens experience tangible improvements in their quality of life,” he said.

He urged researchers to pursue collaborative and multidisciplinary research that responds directly to Africa’s developmental priorities while contributing to global scientific advancement.

“The dynamics confronting humanity today, including climate change, food insecurity, public health threats, unemployment, digital transformation and sustainable energy transitions, cannot be meaningfully addressed by isolated institutions or nations working independently. They require multidisciplinary collaboration, cross-border partnerships and shared knowledge,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.

Addressing students, the Deputy Minister challenged them to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship instead of waiting to be employed.

“Be innovators rather than imitators. Be creators of industries rather than passive seekers of employment. Become solution providers capable of addressing the complex challenges facing our communities,” he said.

Deputy Minister Sibanda reaffirmed Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for research excellence, technology transfer, intellectual property development and university-industry collaboration.

He called on industry and development partners to deepen partnerships with universities, saying stronger collaboration between academia, industry and Government remains essential for innovation-led economic transformation and the attainment of Vision 2030.

The conference has brought together researchers, academics, industry leaders and policymakers from Zimbabwe and beyond to explore how technology, research and enterprise can be harnessed to accelerate innovation, rural industrialisation and sustainable community development.

The post Universities should prioritise practical solutions over publications  appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

CAIRO, Egypt — Egyptian authorities have refused to let a cruise ship carrying roughly 2,000 mostly LGBTQ+ passengers dock at Alexandria, just days after Turkey blocked the same vessel from two of its ports.

Passengers aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, chartered by the U.S.-based LGBTQ+ travel company Atlantis Events for a 10-day sailing from Athens to Venice, learned early Thursday that the Alexandria stop had been canceled as organizers scrambled to find an alternative port. Many had reached the eastern Mediterranean overnight, only to find their route altered by the time they woke up.

Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell told passengers in a letter that the company had been informed that morning that the ship had been denied entry into Egyptian waters and would not be able to call at Alexandria. He noted that a similar itinerary had sailed without incident the previous year, adding that organizers were surprised by the decision. Around 1,200 shore excursions, including visits to Cairo and the Egyptian Museum, had already been booked through local tour operators.

As with Turkey’s earlier decision, Egyptian officials offered no public explanation for the denial. The ship’s tracking data showed it changing course in the early hours of the morning, and it was ultimately rerouted to Chania, on the Greek island of Crete, before continuing on to Kotor, Montenegro.

The Alexandria stop had only recently been added to the itinerary as a replacement after Turkish authorities in Aydın Province, where the port of Kuşadası is located, canceled planned calls there and in Istanbul, saying the group did not align with “the structure of our society and our moral values.” Campbell called that decision unprecedented, telling CNN that “the reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group,” and said he was troubled by the idea of a country choosing which tourists it will and won’t admit.

Egypt does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relations, but rights groups and regional commentators note that LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently prosecuted there under public morality and sex-work statutes, with police known to search for targets through social media and dating apps. That legal structure allows authorities to act against LGBTQ+ visitors without ever having to state a reason on the record — as appears to have been the case with the Scarlet Lady.

Legal experts note passengers have little recourse. Cruise contracts typically give operators broad discretion to alter itineraries, and foreign governments generally hold wide authority over who may enter their ports and territorial waters, regardless of how discriminatory the underlying motive may be.

The ship, carrying roughly 1,860 passengers and 1,139 crew members, including Broadway star Patti LuPone, reached the port of Souda in Crete on Friday morning, where passengers were given the chance to take shore excursions before continuing toward Montenegro.

Neither the Egyptian nor Turkish government has issued a formal statement addressing the LGBTQ+ makeup of the charter as a factor in either port denial.

The post Egypt Denies Entry to LGBTQ+ Cruise Ship Days After Turkey Also Turned It Away appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

CAIRO, Egypt — Egyptian authorities have refused to let a cruise ship carrying roughly 2,000 mostly LGBTQ+ passengers dock at Alexandria, just days after Turkey blocked the same vessel from two of its ports.

Passengers aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, chartered by the U.S.-based LGBTQ+ travel company Atlantis Events for a 10-day sailing from Athens to Venice, learned early Thursday that the Alexandria stop had been canceled as organizers scrambled to find an alternative port. Many had reached the eastern Mediterranean overnight, only to find their route altered by the time they woke up.

Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell told passengers in a letter that the company had been informed that morning that the ship had been denied entry into Egyptian waters and would not be able to call at Alexandria. He noted that a similar itinerary had sailed without incident the previous year, adding that organizers were surprised by the decision. Around 1,200 shore excursions, including visits to Cairo and the Egyptian Museum, had already been booked through local tour operators.

As with Turkey’s earlier decision, Egyptian officials offered no public explanation for the denial. The ship’s tracking data showed it changing course in the early hours of the morning, and it was ultimately rerouted to Chania, on the Greek island of Crete, before continuing on to Kotor, Montenegro.

The Alexandria stop had only recently been added to the itinerary as a replacement after Turkish authorities in Aydın Province, where the port of Kuşadası is located, canceled planned calls there and in Istanbul, saying the group did not align with “the structure of our society and our moral values.” Campbell called that decision unprecedented, telling CNN that “the reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group,” and said he was troubled by the idea of a country choosing which tourists it will and won’t admit.

Egypt does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relations, but rights groups and regional commentators note that LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently prosecuted there under public morality and sex-work statutes, with police known to search for targets through social media and dating apps. That legal structure allows authorities to act against LGBTQ+ visitors without ever having to state a reason on the record — as appears to have been the case with the Scarlet Lady.

Legal experts note passengers have little recourse. Cruise contracts typically give operators broad discretion to alter itineraries, and foreign governments generally hold wide authority over who may enter their ports and territorial waters, regardless of how discriminatory the underlying motive may be.

The ship, carrying roughly 1,860 passengers and 1,139 crew members, including Broadway star Patti LuPone, reached the port of Souda in Crete on Friday morning, where passengers were given the chance to take shore excursions before continuing toward Montenegro.

Neither the Egyptian nor Turkish government has issued a formal statement addressing the LGBTQ+ makeup of the charter as a factor in either port denial.

The post Egypt Denies Entry to LGBTQ+ Cruise Ship Days After Turkey Also Turned It Away appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.