Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Developer dismisses land invasion claims -Newsday Zimbabwe

PUNGWE Chimurenga Housing Co-operative has dismissed allegations of illegal land invasions in Hunyani constituency, insisting that its operations are lawful and fully compliant with all statutory requirements.

The co-operative recently came under criticism from some Zanu PF officials and local leaders, who accused it of illegally parcelling out land near the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant and operating without the necessary approvals.

However, co-operative officials have described the allegations as false and misleading, maintaining that they possess all the required documentation and approvals for the development.

Responding to the allegations, Pungwe Chimurenga Housing Co-operative secretary Nyasha Kandenge said the organisation possesses all the required approvals and documentation for the land in question, known as the Remainder of Eyecourt.

“We have all the relevant documents and clearances from the responsible authorities regarding the land in question, the Remainder of Eyecourt,” he said.

“Our operations are above board and fully compliant with government regulations.”

Kandenge explained that the land forms part of the Eyecourt Subdivision and should not be mistaken for an illegal settlement.

“The area we are talking about forms part of the Eyecourt Subdivision and is known as the Remainder of Eyecourt.

“It falls within Hunyani constituency, while the larger portion of the subdivision is in Harare South constituency.

“Everything has been done in accordance with the law and with the knowledge of the relevant authorities.”

According to Kandenge, the co-operative secured approvals from key regulatory bodies, including Harare City Council, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Forestry Commission and other government departments.

“We have complied with all requirements from CAAZ, EMA, the Forestry Commission and other relevant institutions,” he said.

“These approvals were not issued overnight. They followed thorough assessments and consultations.”

Documents seen by NewsDay include correspondence between the co-operative and various statutory bodies, among them a letter confirming the numbering of residential stands signed by then acting director for urban planning at Harare City Council, Samuel Nyabeza.

Further documentation shows that on December 1, 2025, then chief director of spatial planning and development Shingirayi Mushamba, acting on behalf of the permanent secretary in the Local Government and Public Works ministry, approved the layout plan for the Remainder of Eyecourt.

A development permit was subsequently issued to Pungwe Chimurenga Housing Co-operative on December 2, 2025.

The co-operative accused certain individuals of deliberately spreading misinformation in an attempt to frustrate its operations.

“We are not land barons. We are legitimate land developers and we are not parcelling out land in the manner being alleged,” Kandenge said.

“In the Remainder of Eyecourt, we only have 34 residential stands for home seekers whom we could not accommodate within the main Eyecourt development.”

Kandenge also singled out Zanu PF Masango district war veterans chairperson Simbarashe Chimbi, accusing him of attempting to destabilise the project.

“It is unfortunate that certain individuals are trying to create confusion and tarnish the image of the co-operative,” he said.

“We believe that Simbarashe Chimbi is causing unnecessary chaos in the area while at the same time illegally parcelling out land.”

He added that the co-operative remained committed to operating within the law and would continue engaging relevant authorities to ensure transparency and orderly development.

Other co-operative members echoed Kandenge’s sentiments, expressing surprise at being labelled land barons despite having followed what they described as all the required legal procedures before commencing operations.

Kandenge maintained that the co-operative was established more than 20 years ago to facilitate organised housing development and provide opportunities for home seekers, rather than engage in unlawful land allocations.

He challenged their accusers to produce evidence supporting claims that it is operating illegally, insisting that all relevant documentation is available for inspection by the appropriate authorities.

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Source: Ponzi scheme ‘doctor’ extradited from UAE -Newsday Zimbabwe

A FAKE doctor, who allegedly posed as a victim of Berven Capital Ponzi scheme before duping real victims of large amounts of money, was yesterday arraigned before the courts after being arrested by Interpol in August last year.

Shepherd Chibaya was apprehended in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to Zimbabwe after he allegedly fleeced victims of Berven Capital Ponzi scheme of US$100 000.

Chibaya pleaded not guilty when he appeared before magistrate Francis Mapfumo.

He is being represented by Admire Rubaya.

Chibaya allegedly masqueraded as a doctor and faked his death.

He was issued with a warrant of arrest in March last year after he defaulted court and was arrested in Abu Dhabi.

 

 

Chibaya allegedly defrauded three people — Mary Norah Chiweshe, Stanley Joy Mashiri and Saimon Tawanda Mtandwa — of more than US$105 000 in the aftermath of the 2021 Berven Capital Ponzi scheme.

According to court papers, scores of people were lured into depositing money with promises of a 50% return within six weeks.

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When the scheme collapsed, victims were desperate to recover their savings.

 

 

Chibaya exploited the situation by pretending to be a victim as well, positioning himself as leader of a victims’ group.

He allegedly formed a group in which he pretended to help the victims to recover their money and was subsequently selected to be chairperson.

The court heard that in 2020, Chibaya approached Chiweshe and misrepresented to her that he could assist her to recover her money.

He allegedly made her believe that US$200 000 was available from her investment, but he needed US$58 000 to be paid to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) which was refundable.

Chiweshe allegedly raised the money and gave it to Chibaya believing that she was dealing with a professional.

It is alleged that after a few days, Chibaya went on to misrepresent to Chiweshe that the money had been released by Zimra, but he had been intercepted by police detectives who wanted US$13 000 to release the money.

She handed the cash to Chibaya, who promised to bring her money that day.

While Chiweshe was waiting for her money, Chibaya lied to her that he had been arrested by a police officer for failing to pay his debt of US$1 800.

Chibaya allegedly used another WhatsApp account and purported as if he was the police officer who had arrested him and wanted his money in order to release him.

He directed Chiweshe to give the money to taxi driver Innocent Kavhura.

Kavhura was given US$1 780.

Chibaya demanded a further US$3 200 which was allegedly supposed to be paid to a lawyer for his release and Chiweshe managed to pay the amount.

Chiweshe paid an additional US$27 000 for the purported release of her money until Chibaya became evasive.

Mashiri paid US$850 towards the recovery of his US$3 200, but Chibaya became evasive after receiving the money.

Mutandwa allegedly paid US$2 000 towards the recovery of his US$30 000.

Chiweshe testified before magistrate Mapfumo, narrating how Chibaya conned her of her money.

The matter was postponed to June 17 for continuation.

Heather Muokoto appeared for the State.

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Source: HCC targets non-performers as middle managers sign performance contracts -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE acting town clerk Warren Chiwawa has said performance contracts signed by middle managers are meant to be used daily to monitor teams, spot problems early and fix them before they grow.

Chiwawa on Tuesday oversaw the signing of 2026 performance contracts for middle managers.

The move follows earlier signing in March by mayors and town clerks and head of departments, and it is framed as a critical step towards speeding up service delivery and raising standards across all departments.

Chiwawa described performance contracting as a practical tool to align daily work with the city’s goals and plans.

He told the managers gathered for the ceremony that they occupied a crucial position in council structures.

As the bridge between policies set by senior leadership and work done on the ground, middle managers oversee teams, manage resources and turn plans into visible results for residents.

“When middle management performs well, the whole city benefits. In other words, you are the engine room of this organisation.

“These contracts are meant to be used daily to monitor teams, spot problems early and fix them before they grow,” he said.

“Success will not be measured by documents signed but by real, visible improvements in service delivery across Harare and by compliance with minimum service delivery standards.

“The signing signals that accountability in the capital is no longer stopping at the top.”

Chiwawa said the measures showed that council was serious about accountability.

“Good performance will be recognised and poor performance will be addressed.”

He also added that the council was working to make procurement and other administrative processes faster so that managers had tools and materials needed to meet targets.

Mayor Jacob Mafume, who also addressed the event, reinforced the call for accountability and urged managers to modernise the city’s operations.

“You are the face of the city because you interact directly with residents and stakeholders, and that interaction must reflect a modern, efficient Harare,” Mafume said.

He emphasised innovativeness, removal of manual systems and full functionality of the ERP system, noting that systems worldwide are electronic and there can be no excuse for poor service delivery.

Mafume also highlighted that prepaid water meter installation was underway and urged residents to co-operate with the city to make the rollout work.

The 2026 contracts are tied directly to legal obligations.

They reflect the minimum service delivery standards set out in Statutory Instrument 170 of 2025 and SI 69 as updated in 2026.

The new framework also carries clear consequences for non-performance.

The Local Government ministry can direct penalties for councils that fail to meet standards.

Those penalties range from written warnings and suspension of travel to downgrading of council status and dismissal.

Those standards are mandatory and set the basic level of services Harare must provide, including water supply, roads, waste collection and public lighting. By embedding these requirements into individual contracts, council is linking personal responsibility to the city’s compliance targets.

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Source: Army says not aware of anonymous pamphlets -Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) stated yesterday that it was unaware of pamphlets allegedly strewn across the grounds of several military barracks in Harare during the early hours of Tuesday.

Images of the pamphlets — reportedly authored by disgruntled soldiers protesting poor working conditions and proposed constitutional amendments — were widely shared on social media.

ZDF public relations director, Colonel Hlengiwe Dube, told NewsDay that the military was not aware of the developments before requesting that further questions be submitted in writing.

The anonymous document, titled Operation Code Named: People’s Army, was reportedly distributed at various sites, including the Commando Regiment, 2 Presidential Guard Brigade, Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks (KG6), Dzivarasekwa Barracks, Manyame Air Base and both the Zimbabwe National Army and Air Force headquarters.

Within the pamphlet, the authors — who claim to be members of the security services — accused senior political and military figures of neglecting the welfare of rank-and-file soldiers while enriching a wealthy elite they referred to as zvigananda.

The writers lamented deteriorating working conditions while a privileged few live lavishly.

“Our conditions of service are pathetic. We need decent salaries, accommodation, uniforms, buses and vehicles — not handouts,” the letter read.

The authors further accused military leadership of prioritising the protection of wealthy and politically-connected individuals at the expense of ordinary soldiers.

“Why are serving members deployed to protect zvigananda?” they asked. “You are busy dividing the army by paying some through unofficial channels.

“You have destroyed our special forces and elements of the Presidential Guard, recruiting them into retirement to protect zvigananda.”

The anonymous authors also alleged that soldiers, having endured years of hardship, should not be expected to view improvements in welfare as personal favours from political or military leaders.

These developments come amid reports of growing disgruntlement within the security sector over perceived attempts to dilute military powers through Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3).

Retired Vice-Air Marshal Henry Muchena voiced the concerns of some retired generals, arguing that CAB 3 is being driven by a clique seeking to protect ill-gotten wealth.

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Source: Bribes rock Mnangagwa term extension plot -Newsday Zimbabwe

FRESH allegations have emerged of large sums of money changing hands to influence voting in the Senate regarding the controversial Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB3).

Impeccable sources claimed that some Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators were paid up to US$10 000 each this week to support the extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term proposed in the Bill.

Debate on the Bill, which proposes a raft of changes to the 2013 Constitution, began last week and MPs are expected to decide its fate this week.

Among the most far-reaching proposals is a two-year extension of Mnangagwa’s presidency, which would also see the removal of the direct election of the President.

A week ago, former army generals and senior civil servants, represented by Retired Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena, claimed they had evidence that all legislators would receive bribes of up to US$50 000 from a prominent businessman.

While the Bill is expected to sail through during voting in the National Assembly, where Zanu PF enjoys an unassailable majority, the ruling party is short of three senators in the Upper House.

Some legislators said the ruling party was still not certain about the voting pattern in the Senate and that this could explain the heightened use of money.

Sources said the US$10 000 “bribes” were delivered early this week through a senior official in the faction led by self-imposed CCC secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.

These alleged bribes follow growing opposition within the CCC of the Bill, specifically regarding the extension of presidential term limits and the scrapping of direct elections for the head of State.

In a surprise turn of events, Tshabangu’s camp previously indicated it would withhold support until Zanu PF agreed to certain demands.

However, some CCC MPs aligned with the controversial interim secretary-general have since defied the party position by openly declaring their support for CAB 3 during National Assembly debates.

On Tuesday, Susan Matsunga, the Budiriro North MP, shocked her party colleagues with her effusive praise for Mnangagwa while supporting the Bill — a piece of legislation that has divided Zanu PF.

Matsunga argued that Mnangagwa should be granted more years in office due to the infrastructure projects he implemented such as the Trabablas Interchange.

“If we look at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport . . . we can see that there is modernisation there because of the development that is happening,” she said.

Notably, Matsunga has been a prominent beneficiary of borehole drilling programmes led by Mnangagwa’s adviser Paul Tungwarara.

Meanwhile, Tshabangu’s spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, dismissed the allegations that CCC legislators were paid to support the Bill as “petty”.

“To reduce the high-stakes theatre of constitutional negotiation to a petty transactional smear is an indictment of our public discourse,” Mlilo said, adding that the camp was negotiating for substantive changes rather than offering unconditional support.

“We are not voting cows,” Mlilo insisted.

“Zanu PF must pay in the currency of genuine, sincere and meaningful concessions in the national interest.”

He argued that in its current form, the Bill is “unworkable” and that Parliament should not be used to “blindly implement Zanu PF conference resolutions”.

While several opposition MPs continue to publicly oppose the Bill, accusing its supporters of facilitating a Zanu PF agenda, Tshabangu’s camp maintains that its engagement is focused on securing structural political reforms.

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