HARARE - Jericho — the lion reputed to have taken over the family of Cecil the famous lion that was killed by American dentist, Walter Palmer, last year — has died at Hwange National Park.

He was 12-and-half-years old.

Though further investigations were still underway to determine the exact cause of his death, researchers have ruled out any kind of traumatic injury such as a gunshot, snare as well as wounds from fighting — naming natural causes and old age as reasons behind Jericho’s demise.

Previously, Jericho had been reported to be Cecil’s brother but it later turned out the two lions had only shared two prides of six lionesses and an estimated 24 young cubs.

Jericho, who became famous after an international outrage over the death of Cecil — who was being studied and tracked by the University of Oxford as part of a wildlife research, was found dead last week on Saturday, “under a Diospyros bush in the shade and did not appear to have struggled prior to death.”

“The carcass was intact with no sign of any damage caused by scavengers,” read a report prepared by Andrew Loveridge and Jane Hunt from the Hwange Lion Research Project.

“Jericho had been fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) collar on July 5, 2016. Data from this collar reveal the lion last moved on the 25th of October, four days prior to the discovery of the carcass.

“This suggests he died at around this date and this is consistent with the opinion of Dr Rees (veterinarian Rob Rees),” the Hawange Lion Reasearch Project reported.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers, together with the researchers, removed the carcass.

Meanwhile, the samples for post-mortem will be taken to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust laboratory for further analysis, if this is possible, considering the advanced state of putrefaction.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - An audit of Harare City Council (HCC)’s payroll and employment costs compliance has revealed that the local authority overpaid performance bonuses and retrenchment packages by more than $1, 6 million.

This revelation comes as the local authority has a five months’ salary backlog, with the lowly-paid staff mainly owed.

A letter to HCC by Local Government ministry secretary George Mlilo revealed that former town clerk, Tendai Mahachi, was overpaid by $67 900 in performance bonuses between 2013 and 2014.

It also indicated that director of human capital, Cainos Chingombe, bagged an additional $51 720, then chamber secretary, Josephine Ncube, took home an extra $61 720, director of health Prosper Chonzi took $37 544 more, retired director of water, Christopher Zvobgo, had an extra $37 660 while director of works, Phillip Pfukwa, was given an additional $9 480 in 2013 and 2014.

Acting finance director Tendai Kwenda was paid an extra $20 765 in 2014.

“Computation schedules for the performance bonus paid to each of the seven executive members availed to audit reflected amounts transferred to individual bank accounts through Real Time Gross Settlement on July 13, 2015 but the amounts which were later posted to the July 2015 pay sheet were inflated,” said Mlilo in the letter.

“This resulted in the executive members being overpaid by a total of $286 789,47. Appraisals for the seven executives with the final rating/points achieved by each member, which were then for the calculation of performance bonus for the year 2013 were not produced to audit for verification,” he said.

The ministry secretary also said the council resolution approving the payment of the amounts was also not produced to audit for verification.

Mlilo also mentioned that HCC paid unbudgeted retrenchment packages to ten executive members amounting to $6 251 million.

Of the 10 executives who received retrenchment packages, nine were overpaid and they included former housing director Justine Chivavaya, former finance director Cosmas Zvikaramba and ex-urban planning director Psychology Chiwanga – who each received more than $200 000.

According to Mlilo’s letter, former director of health Stanley Mungofa was paid $1,747 million, contributing the largest over payment of over $720 000 while the lowest overpayment was to Emmanuel Muza, formerly of City health, with $4 967.

“Retrenched executive manager, Gwindi Lesley, (grade 3) ...was underpaid by an amount of $16 272,49 of his retrenchment,” the letter said.

The audit indicated that Gwindi received a package of $530 493,71.

Mlilo said the way forward would be determined once the city had gone through the observations one-by-one and had given the local authority a November 30 ultimatum.

According to the audit’s report, seen by the Daily News, seven executive directors were paid $600 000 in unbudgeted bonuses in July 2015, with the council’s actual financial position for 2014 and 2015 reflecting deficits of $28 million and $33 million respectively.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - Opposition parties are upping the ante in their determined bid to force the government to institute much-needed electoral reforms ahead of the 2018 national elections, while demanding that Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Rita Makarau cease to hold two roles which they claim could cost them in the event of an election dispute.

Makarau chairs Zec on a part-time basis while holding a full-time position of secretary to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) — the appointing body for judiciary officials which also assigns and sets their conditions of service.

Opposition parties coalescing under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera), who are pushing for a raft of electoral reforms, said yesterday that they also wanted Zec’s secretariat to be reconstituted, claiming that it was packed with Zanu PF apparatchiks.

The spokespersons for the MDC and the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) told the Daily News in separate interviews that Makarau had to cease holding the two key positions because if there was an election dispute, it would be difficult for them to have a fair hearing at the superior courts.

“It has always been an anomalous situation for Makarau to be a Supreme Court judge and secretary to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), whilst at the same time she is the Zec chairperson. She cannot and indeed, should not have her legs in two baskets.

“Election results can be challenged and election disputes might even end up in court, where she is a member of the bench. This is not just clumsy, it is in direct conflict with the basic tenets of good corporate governance and international best practice. She has to choose one of the two. She can’t have it both ways,” MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said.

On its part, ZPF said Makarau’s “untenable position” was akin to her being both the match referee and the match commissioner in the current situation.

“The JSC has the mandate to constitute an electoral court which presides over poll disputes and she can create her mess at Zec and when people complain she can be accused of working to clean that through the Electoral Court,” spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire said.

“What we are saying is that she has to choose between the two posts. That is one of the major issues we have with Zec. Our lawyers under the auspices of Nera are working on a court challenge. We are of the view that it is a winnable court challenge,” he added.

Opposition parties have consistently accused Zec of being sympathetic to President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.

They also claim that the Zec secretariat, in its current form, is susceptible to manipulating the ballot as was claimed in 2008 when the national elections’ management body delayed announcing the results of the presidential poll by six weeks, after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai beat Mugabe hands down.

Under the Nera platform, opposition parties have been holding several peaceful demonstrations until police recently invoked provisions of the draconian Public Order and Security Act which outlawed such protests in central Harare.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - Former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s bid to lead the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) as it challenges President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF in the keenly-anticipated 2018 national elections could hit the skids after it emerged yesterday that she will be challenged by Margaret Dongo and others at the party’s elective convention.

At the same time, ZPF insiders also told the Daily News that Mujuru — who was hounded out of Zanu PF in the run-up to the former liberation movement’s sham December 2014 “elective” congress — is also facing growing resistance from disgruntled members who accuse her of sidelining party stalwarts Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo who have been relegated to the nondescript roles of elders.

The well-placed sources said there was a feeling within ZPF that Mujuru would — like how war veterans had recently described Mugabe — be “a difficult candidate to sell” for the 2018 polls because of her Zanu PF connections, especially if the mooted grand opposition coalition failed to materialise.

Outside such a coalition, the insiders added, Mujuru would have to fight war on two significant fronts — against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mugabe — hence the push by some senior officials to have the former Zimbabwe Union of Democrats president, Dongo, as the party’s worthy 2018 presidential candidate.

A fierce critic of both Mugabe and Zanu PF, Dongo had not responded to the Daily News’ enquiries for a comment by the time the newspaper went to print last night.

However, ZPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire — without mentioning names — confirmed that many senior party officials were bidding to fight Mujuru for the ZPF’s top post.

“We are happy with the jostling among party officials to lead ZPF because it shows that we are growing as a party and Mai Mujuru is not unhappy with that development because it is a Zanu PF mentality to treat ambitious people who want to contest for power as enemies.

“We are happy because it shows the strength of our internal party electoral processes and we hope that the most popular and competent leader will emerge from the congress. We will not tell our members who should or should not lead them otherwise there will be no reason for holding an elective congress,” he said.

This comes as analysts have said Mujuru and Tsvangirai are the best opposition combination to bring to an end Mugabe and Zanu PF’s long rule in 2018.

Both the MDC and ZPF are among the opposition parties who have coalesced under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera), which is pushing for far-reaching electoral reforms ahead of the much-anticipated next polls.

Mujuru and Tsvangirai signalled their strong intent to work together last August, in a move which analysts described at the time as “very significant”, when they took part in a massive demonstration in Gweru.

Describing the scenes then as “heart warming”, Tsvangirai showered praises on Mujuru for joining the MDC in its protest and public rally.

Another ZPF insider revealed to the Daily News that a “fervent campaign” against Mujuru’s presidency was well under way in the fledgling party, with Dongo’s backers said to be pointing to Mugabe’s former number two’s lack of bargaining power during coalition talks as her major weakness.

“The problem with Mai Mujuru being our candidate in 2018 is that she will only be acceptable to the electorate if she is not Tsvangirai’s rival.

“That is dangerous for us, not only because the envisaged coalition might fail, but also because even if it succeeds that fact alone takes away her bargaining power for the leadership of the coalition,” the senior party official said.

“Tsvangirai is aware that the electorate is suspicious of Mujuru and will only embrace her if they are together so he will use that to demand leadership of the coalition, knowing that he will have a field day if ZPF decides to go it alone by simply labelling us a Zanu PF extension and pointing to Mujuru not having left the ruling party voluntarily. He will tell Zimbabweans that had she not been fired she would still be in government and campaigning for Mugabe, hence our preference for Dongo who is known for being a long-time critic of the current status quo,” the bigwig added.

According to the ZPF’s constitution, the top five members of the executive, including the president, will be elected upon nomination by at least two provinces, with a candidate nominated by seven provinces declared the winner.

Dongo is said to have the backing of both Gumbo and Mutasa who, ironically, were sacked from Zanu PF at the same time as Mujuru for their loyalty to the former VP.

[GoogleAd]

Efforts to talk to the liberation struggle stalwarts were unsuccessful — although Mutasa told thousands of ZPF supporters in Dotito at the weekend that he was solidly behind Mujuru.

Still, Gumbo and Mutasa’s sympathisers want the two ZPF founders to be accommodated in the party’s National Executive Council (Nec). Their supporters blame other ZPF bigwigs who are also eyeing top posts, such as former ministers Sylvester Nguni, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti and Dzikamai Mavhaire for “putting Mujuru in their pockets” as they have allegedly sought to sideline the elders.

“Mujuru is no longer as accessible as she used to be before the interim leadership took over the reins. Gumbo and Mutasa used to be respected in the party given that they worked hard to give this project the feet on which to stand on, only to throw them away like they are doing right now saying they are old.

“Yet when they were building the party’s foundations nobody said they were old,” another senior official complained.

Under ZPF’s constitution, the Nec will be the highest decision-making body of the party and will comprise the president, vice president, party chairperson, secretary-general and treasurer-general.

Commenting on suggestions that he was targeting to be elected Mujuru’s second in command in a recent interview with the Daily News, Bhasikiti said he has, for a long time now, been linked with the post.

“People might be jockeying for positions in the belief that the convention could be held in October but I am not. Yes, I have been said to be interested to be the vice president but I am more interested in building the party structures, I cannot of course rule out latent jockeying for the various posts,” he said then.

Besides former ministers, other heavyweights in the party such as businessman David Butau and former war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda are also said to be eyeing top posts.

[Adz]

INFORMATION minister Christopher Mushohwe, who denies owning three farms, says a government-backed housing scheme offers hope to thousands of jobless youths who are clamouring for land to develop their own houses to own homes.

Mushohwe spoke to the Daily News yesterday as both the government and Zanu PF are under pressure from ruling party youths who are demanding land to build houses.

“My view is that government should seek to build houses for people with complete infrastructure in place, rather than giving them a stand which they must service and build.

“And in an economic environment like ours, where people are finding it difficult to put food on the table, building is not always the top priority,” he said.

The government has set aside land in Harare and Bulawayo for Zanu PF youths to build homes, although critics say this is an election gimmick ahead of the 2018 elections.

“We can build flats and enable our people to own homes. Obviously, such a programme would need government partnering with someone, but it’s the way to go,” Mushohwe added.

He spoke as claims swirled this week that he is among dozens of senior government officials who stand accused of being multiple farm owners, accusations that he says are “completely false”.

Still, some Zanu PF youths in  Manicaland say he owns three farms, including Kondozi, which they claim he got during the time he was provincial governor there.

“It is not the governor that allocates farms. That is the sole responsibility of the minister responsible for land. The only farm that was allocated to me was Kondozi Farm in 2006, which is 1 100 hectares and most of it is taken up by a mountain range.

“I don’t own any other farm, contrary to reports and those malicious allegations that have been repeated for some time now,” Mushohwe said, adding that the allegations that the Zanu PF leadership had abandoned youths and were not supporting them financially were also misplaced.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - The Meteorological Services Department (Met Dept) has warned that the current heat wave will persist in the coming days, with temperatures likely to sour above 40 degrees Celsius.

The department said the high temperatures, which started weeks ago, are forecast to range from 33 degrees to 43 degrees, countrywide, and advised that some moisture is expected to enter Zimbabwe soon, with rains expected.

It said although the ensuing rains were likely to cover the whole country, they will generally be light.

“It is also important to note that the combination of this moisture together with heat can trigger violent storms and is usually accompanied by hail and damaging winds,” the department warned.

Though generally light, there have been pockets of rains, which measured significant amounts, for instance Beitbridge recorded 14,8 millimetres (mm) of rainfall on October 2.

Other parts of the country that also received significantly higher rains were Rusape, Mutare and Nyanga with 30,28 and 25mm respectively.

Marondera, Chivhu, Wedza, Kutsaga, Chisengu, Buhera, Gweru, Kwekwe, Tsholotsho, Goetz Observatory, Masvingo Airport and Makoholi received rains ranging between 2mm and 12mm.

Despite the prediction of early and above normal rains this year, the Met Dept forecasts that Zimbabwe should be prepared for one form of drought or another.

The department also advised that in distributing inputs, small grains should also be part of the package.

In the 2015/2016 rainy season, Zimbabwe was ravaged by an El Nino-induced drought which has seen at least 4,1 million people being food insecure.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - Three lawyers have been deregistered by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) while six others face a ban from practicing following allegations of misusing Trust funds.

The deregistered three are Fiona Machekeche, Nyasha Muzuva and Mlamuli Ncube.

They were deregistered by a panel which comprised two High Court judges — Felistus Chatukuta and Joseph Musakwa — as well as two lawyers — Sarah Mukonoweshuro and Davison Kanokanga.

The trio was accused of abusing various amounts of money belonging to clients, resulting in complaints being lodged with the LSZ.

Among those that were also hauled before the tribunal was MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, Puwayi Chiutsi, Daniel Wapepuka Mhiribidi, Mercy Chizodza-Chineunye, Rosewitter Madembo and Auxilia Mangwaira.

While the rest of the lawyers are facing the ban based on allegations of misusing clients’ funds, Mhiribidi is likely to be deregistered in terms of the Mental Health Act.

The panel ordered that he be examined by two medical doctors following suspicion that he could be suffering from a mental problem.

Machekeche is accused of abusing $900 000 and Chiutsi $60 000.

Chineunye was suspended for three months while judgment for Madembo and Mangwaira was reserved.

Mwonzora and Chiutsi’s cases were postponed to December 2, this year. Over the years, the LSZ has deregistered lawyers for siphoning clients’ money.

In one of the cases, which resulted in Machekeche being hauled before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts recently, she is accused of stealing over $40 000 from her client. Machekeche reportedly pocketed the money after she had been contracted as a conveyancer by the director of Non-Ferrous Die Casting, Marvin Mbazima.

She did the conveyancing and change of ownership was effected into Tawanda Fambawaputa’s name but after all the deductions had been made to pay the agents and capital gains tax, Machekeche allegedly converted $42 187,85 to her own use.

HARARE - The United Kingdom (UK) has ruled out any involvement in a fresh bailout for Zimbabwe after suggestions that a mechanism backed by a high-ranking advisor to the British government could provide bridge financing for Harare.

UK’s Harare Embassy spokesperson, John Culley, yesterday quashed reports that former British minister, Peter Mandelson— chairman of Lazard International, a division of United States investment bank, Lazard, had suggested to Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, that Zimbabwe needs “encouragement, debt restructuring, and an injection of additional liquidity” to enable a smooth transition of power.

Culley told the Daily News that UK maintains its stance not to bail out President Robert Mugabe’s hard-pressed government.

“The short answer is no,” he said.

“We have been consistent and clear that we will not be providing any form of financial assistance to the government of Zimbabwe or organise a ‘bailout’,” Culley said.

Instead, he said “the UK is in support of Zimbabwe’s efforts to implement economic and political reforms committed to at Lima in 2015.”

The Lima plan — consummated in Peru last October — committed Harare to amortising its $1,8 billion arrears to international financiers for it to access fresh African Development Bank (AfDB) bridge funding before the end of 2016.

While the UK has backed the plan, it has expressed concern over continuing rights abuses at the hands of Mugabe’s regime, warning that if the current political unrest and crackdown continues, the deal would be off.

Last month, Zimbabwe paid $107,9 million to clear its IMF debt, after accessing its special drawing rights holdings held by the Bretton Woods institution over the past seven years, enabling government to clear its arrears to the fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust.

Subsequently, government was granted access to $91,2 million, held in an escrow account pending the settlement.

Besides the almost $110 million previously owed to the IMF, Zimbabwe also owes $1,1 billion to the World Bank and $601 million to the AfDB.

IMF suspended Zimbabwe’s voting rights in 2003 over policy differences with Mugabe’s government and payment arrears to the global lender.

The rights were restored in 2010, allowing the nation to participate in IMF decision-making again.

Culley said a couple of things must be put in place before fresh funding to Zimbabwe.

“Only once arrears have been paid off and a track record of reform is established, will Zimbabwe be eligible to secure new funds from the international financial institutions to support delivery of the reform process and to boost investment in vital infrastructure and human capital,” he said.

“These new funds will only become available if the shareholders of the international financial institutions agree.”

London has been at the forefront of powerful Western countries withholding financial aid to Harare as punishment over Mugabe’s policies, but has been generous with humanitarian aid.

This has hit the fragile economy hard, causing it fall into a painful recession this year.

Amid a torrent of rhetoric from London, Mugabe — Africa’s oldest leader who has held power since independence in 1980 — has protested that the former colonial power still treats Zimbabwe as its protectorate and seeks to maintain influence in the mineral-rich country.

This comes as government is grappling with a deepening cash crunch, forcing it to promulgate emergency measures on Monday to introduce bond notes, a surrogate currency that will trade at par with the US dollar, in a futile bid to ease a worsening liquidity crunch that has heightened panic in the domestic economy.

Culley said Zimbabwe needs fundamental reform of the economy, of public finances and expenditure, implement human rights and the new Constitution adopted in 2013 and protect the most vulnerable.

“It will all take time and require difficult decisions,” he said.

He also rejected claims that the UK is planning for a Zimbabwe transition phase.

“It is not our role to get involved in the discussions about who leads Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The most important thing the international community can do is set out a path to normal relations between Zimbabwe and the international community and do all we can to encourage Zimbabwe to follow it,” Culley said.

HARARE - Zanu PF is still reeling from the Norton by-election loss to independent candidate Temba Mliswa (pictured) with a witch-hunt involving the ruling party’s warring factions amid reports that bigwigs in the party with factional interests of succeeding President Robert Mugabe are pointing fingers at each other over the devastating loss.

Already, Team Lacoste, a faction pushing to have Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa replace Mugabe threw the first punch and accused Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere of imposing an unpopular candidate.

A fortnight ago, Mliswa delivered a deathly blow to Zanu PF after walloping the ruling party’s candidate Ronald Chindenza in a poll fraught with several irregularities but still the independent candidate prevailed.

Even after doling out stands, food hampers and other freebies, Zanu PF bit the dust in Norton, prompting the party’s authorities to launch a probe.

Thus far, unverified videos circulating on social media claim that Kasukuwere used Harare province political commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe to rig the primary elections in favour of Chindenza but Mashayamombe vehemently denied this.

“The audios were stage-managed because there is nothing involving the PC (political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere). People are claiming to have been sent to rig the elections but I was there and nothing of that kind took place. What is clear is that Team Lacoste is behind this onslaught,” claimed Mashayamombe.

Both Kasukuwere and Mashayamombe are linked to the Generation 40 (G40) faction that is rabidly opposed to  Mnangagwa’s ambitions to succeed Mugabe.

A columnist in the a weekly State newspaper this week hinted that Kasukuwere could be skating on very thin ice ahead of the party’s national conference that will be held in Masvingo next month.

The columnist, going by the moniker Bishop Lazarus, claimed that the ruling party’s defeat to Mliswa spells doom for Kasukuwere who is also the Local Government minister.

“They want to use Norton as a weapon against Tyson (Kasukuwere). That audio was only recorded after Temba had won the Norton election.

“We have had 15 by-elections and lost only once, that is expected. We lose as a team and it does not do us any good to blame anyone.

“I know many people in the party, mostly from the Lacoste faction, celebrated the loss to Mliswa and one then asks are these people still Zanu PF or they are no longer part of us. Are they for . . . President Mugabe or what,” he said.

A section of war veterans who has been backing Mnangagwa publicly celebrated Mliswa’s triumph and openly mocked Kasukuwere for the loss.

Kent University law lecturer Alex Magaisa wrote on his blog that Zanu PF’s shock defeat to Mliswa could be a boon for a faction that wants to annihilate the G40 camp.

“It must be noted that the Norton by-election was a microcosm of the bitter factional wars that have divided Zanu PF in recent years.  . . . it must be recalled that the seat fall vacant following the expulsion of Mutsvangwa . . . a staunch Mnangagwa ally. It is not implausible that the Lacoste faction did not have the motivation to support a rival faction’s candidate although it is far-fetched to say they actually engineered the defeat,” said Magaisa.

On the other hand, Mugabe is also blaming the party’s top brass for the Norton by-election loss and went further to brand Chindedza a “thief”.

However, Mliswa yesterday said Mugabe has a habit of harbouring thieves and that is why his party is on the wane as shown by his shock win in Norton.

“It is not about Ronald, he is an innocent young man. If a team loses it’s not the players you fire, it’s the coach.

“The political commissar is the one with the strategy of winning an election,” Mliswa said.

“I could have equally beaten any candidate. The president sent his entire team, including two vice presidents.

“If anything, the leader of that province is Ignatius Chombo, so Chombo must be answerable. There is no point for the president to be going after this young man. He is innocent. He doesn’t even understand politics. The president must be going for the big guys,” said Mliswa.

HARARE - Former vice president and now leader of the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF), Joice Mujuru, will hold a crisis meeting with senior party officials tomorrow, in a bid to try and heal growing fissures within her fledgling party.

The crunch meeting comes as insiders say Mujuru is set to be challenged as ZPF leader at the party’s planned elective convention, including by fiery war veteran Margaret Dongo, who yesterday denied harbouring presidential ambitions.

ZPF insiders have also told the Daily News that Mujuru — who was hounded out of Zanu PF in the run-up to the former liberation movement’s sham December 2014 “elective” congress — is also facing growing resistance from disgruntled members who accuse her of sidelining party stalwarts Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo, who have been relegated to the nondescript roles of elders.

Gumbo confirmed to the newspaper yesterday that ZPF leaders would hold a crisis meeting tomorrow, to try and douse the growing rifts within the party.

“People are free to talk and speculate. What we are facing are internal challenges which are not for public consumption  . . . we will resolve those issues internally.

“We are trying to improve the performance of the party. Thursday’s meeting will discuss the state of the party, its performance and the best way forward on the internal challenges,” he said.

It merged at the weekend that Mujuru will be challenged by Dongo and other senior ZPF officials at the party’s elective convention whose dates are yet to be announced.

However, Dongo dismissed the claims yesterday that she will challenge Mujuru for the party’s presidency, amid fears within ZPF that Mujuru would — like how war veterans had recently described President Robert Mugabe — be “a difficult candidate to sell” for the 2018 polls because of her Zanu PF connections, especially if the mooted grand opposition coalition failed to materialise.

Outside such a coalition, insiders told the Daily News, Mujuru would have to fight on two significant fronts — against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mugabe — hence the push by some senior officials to have the former Zimbabwe Union of Democrats (Zud) president as the party’s 2018 presidential candidate.

Another ZPF insider also revealed that a “fervent campaign” against Mujuru’s presidency was well underway in the fledgling party, with Dongo’s backers said to be pointing to Mugabe’s former number two’s lack of bargaining power during coalition talks as her major weakness.

“The problem with Mai Mujuru being our candidate in 2018 is that she will only be acceptable to the electorate if she is not Tsvangirai’s rival.

“That is dangerous for us, not only because the envisaged coalition might fail, but also because even if it succeeds that fact alone takes away her bargaining power for the leadership of the coalition,” the senior party official said.

“Tsvangirai is aware that the electorate is suspicious of Mujuru and will only embrace her if they are together so he will use that to demand leadership of the coalition, knowing that he will have a field day if ZPF decides to go it alone by simply labelling us a Zanu PF extension and pointing to Mujuru not having left the ruling party voluntarily.

“He will tell Zimbabweans that had she not been fired, she would still be in government and campaigning for Mugabe, hence our preference for Dongo who is known for being a long-time critic of the current status quo,” the bigwig added.

ZPF sources also said Mujuru was pushing to have an early convention, fearing that any delays would jeopardise her chances of continuing to lead the party, amid grassroots level concerns about the absence of former war veterans chairman Jabulani Sibanda from its public activities.

HARARE - The deadly factional and succession wars devouring President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF were once again laid bare yesterday when an angry Higher Education minister, Jonathan Moyo (pictured), accused Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa of using the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) to advance his presidential aspirations.

In an explosive statement that is set to shake both Zanu PF and the government to their core, Moyo also gave notice of his intention to sue Mnangagwa, Information minister Christopher Mushohwe and Information permanent secretary George Charamba — among many others — for smearing him.

An insider who spoke to the Daily News last night said the development was “one more nail in the coffin” of the bitterly-dived Zanu PF, adding ruefully that the former liberation movement had “long reached a point of no return and will never be the same again”.

In his hard-hitting statement, Moyo said instead of being an “independent body”, Zacc was now a vehicle for the furtherance of factional agendas as Mnangagwa battled to succeed Mugabe.

“On their own admission, as subsequently confirmed by … Mnangagwa, Zacc, in circumstances that are unclear, met with … Mnangagwa at least twice to discuss allegations that Zacc was putting together in relation to me.

“After these meetings with the vice president, commissioner Goodson Nguni claimed to various persons that the vice president communicated to them that my arrest had been cleared (ostensibly by Mugabe) when this in fact was not true,” he said.

“I have learnt, and it has been established that these meetings with the Vice President (Mnangagwa) are not meetings provided for by the law, and were intended to secure that the political ends currently being pursued by the vice president are advanced in relation to what has become public knowledge about the desire to secure a front foot in succession politics,” Moyo added.

This comes as the Higher Education minister has come under withering assault from Zacc and State media over hotly-contested allegations that he abused Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) monies.

The Daily News was not able to ascertain last night what Mugabe’s position is, with regards to his brawling lieutenants’ worsening succession wars, which are impacting negatively on Zanu PF, State institutions and the country as a whole.

However, the increasingly frail nonagenarian chastised his underlings last week, further claiming that the media were exaggerating the party’s seemingly unstoppable factional and succession wars.

But Moyo said bluntly in his statement yesterday that his current woes were allegedly part of Mnangagwa’s grand scheme to smear his reputation as a minister, MP and politburo member.

“It is clear from Zacc’s own records that the decision to effect my arrest was taken at the vice president’s office and subsequently rubber-stamped, if at all, by the commissioners,” he said, adding that such decisions were unlawful and open to challenge.

He also claimed that Zacc was being used in the ruling party’s ugly succession politics as a weapon to attack individuals who held divergent views on the country’s political discourse.

“The events manifest at Zacc in the past few weeks in relation to me are a culmination of a calculated political strategy to use the so-called ‘anti-corruption campaign’ as a political tool,” he thundered.

He also suggested that Nguni was the “emissary” of the Lacoste political faction at Zacc, adding that the Zacc commissioner had a “political relationship” with Mnangagwa.

Moyo, a former Information minister, also said State media were being used to malign him.

“It is clear from the Anti-Corruption Act that the chairperson of the commission, who by qualification, is eligible for appointment as a judge of the High Court, did not address the press conference nor did his deputy who happens to be the commissioner responsible for the media.

“How it happens that a constitutional body finds itself hijacked by one person who actually delivers a press conference in his personal capacity but purporting to represent the commission is a travesty of procedure and in fact is in itself corruption in the extreme warranting investigation by relevant authorities, including the police,” he said.

“It is against this background that has no precedence since Zimbabwe’s independence that, on advise, I have taken, and after wide consultations I have resolved to institute legal action against … Nguni, Zacc … George Charamba … Christopher Mushowe … Mnangagwa,” Moyo said, further citing Zimpapers, its editors and newspapers which he said had written and carried offending stories about him.

He said besides Zacc having no arresting powers, it had attempted on four occasions to arrest him at Zanu PF headquarters, his house, his ministerial office and at Parliament.

He also said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was also being used in the alleged plot to arrest him, further stating that some senior officers from the authority were part of the meeting with Zacc and Mnangagwa.

He said this had undermined the independence of the NPA, an aspect which he said had been exacerbated by the appointment of the acting Prosecutor-General Ray Goba.

He further accused Nguni and Goba of being convicted criminals, adding that their appointments had been administered by Mnangagwa.

“These patently unlawful appointments are not by coincidence but are intended to capture State institutions, and further a factional political cause by the use of individuals who are not fit and proper persons as willing weapons against perceived political opponents. In view of these matters, I am taking legal action against the NPA.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically state that the so-called Zacc allegations against me are false, malicious, political, tribal, factional and are an unjustified and illegal attack on my ministerial and parliamentary responsibilities as assigned to me by the appointing authority, His Excellency, the president. I have not committed any crime under any law,” he fumed.

He said he had donated bicycles to his Tsholotsho constituency using his ministerial discretion to address a need in the marginalised community, adding that, since his readmission into Zanu PF following the “coup plot attempt” which came to be known as the Tsholotsho Declaration, he had vowed to render his allegiance to Mugabe and would not be persuaded by anyone to deviate from that vow.

MOYO'S FULL STATEMENT

The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (“Zacc”) is established as an independent commission in terms of Section 254 and 256.

The independence of Zacc means that in the exercise of its Constitutional and statutory function, it is independent and not subject to the direction and control of anyone. Members of Zacc must not act in a partisan manner, and or further any interest of any political cause or factions.

Further, members of Zacc must be qualified to hold office in terms of Section 9 of the Anti Corruption Act. In relation to me, I have sought legal advice on the following matters with a view to seeking legal remedies:-

1. On their own admission, as subsequently confirmed by the Honourable Vice President E.D Mnangagwa Zacc in circumstances that are unclear met with the Vice President Mnangagwa at least twice to discuss allegations that Zacc was putting together in relation to me. After these meetings with the Vice President, Commissioner Goodson Nguni claimed to various persons that the Vice President communicated to them that my arrest had been cleared when this in fact was not true.

1. I have learnt and it has been established that these meetings with the Vice President are not meetings provided for by law, and where intended to secure that the political ends currently being pursued by the Vice President are advanced in relation to what has become public knowledge about the desire to secure a front foot in succession politics. The said meetings with the Vice President were a perpetuation of the conspiracy to smear and smudge my reputation as Minister and Member of Parliament and Member of the Politburo.

2. Zacc by submitting itself to the political machinery of Vice President Mnangagwa, I am advised that legally Zacc abdicated its constitutional duty to be independent and to protect itself and its members from furthering the interests of any political cause or faction. It is clear from Zacc’s own records that the decision to effect my arrest was taken at the Vice President’s office and subsequently rubber stamped if at all by the Commissioners. It must follow that this having occurred, the decisions and actions of the Vice President and Zacc are open to challenge and are unlawful.

3. The political relationship between Mr. Goodson Nguni and Vice President Mnangagwa is public knowledge, I need not say more. This relationship explains why the Vice President who is Minister of Justice caused Mr. Goodson Nguni notwithstanding his disqualification from appointment on account of his conviction in South Africa to be appointed a Commissioner in violation of Section 9 of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Act (“The Act”).

1. I must also express my disgust and dismay at this phenomenon and animal called state capture in as far as it relates to an organ of state such as Zacc abdicating its legal duty and surrendering it to a political and factional cause. The scourge of Institutions of State being captured, and being used as willing weapons to bludgeon persons holding divergent views on political discourse is unacceptable. This cannot go unsanctioned or unchallenged.

1. The events manifest at Zacc in the past few weeks in relation to me, are a culmination of a calculated political strategy to use the so called “anti-corruption campaign” as a political tool. While I abhor corruption, and have done everything to prevent the occurring of corrupt activities, it is totally unacceptable for state institutions such as Zacc to become a political appendage of the political strategy of a faction.

1. In Zacc, one character sticks out as the emissary of the political faction advancing the anti corruption campaign as a strategy, and this is Mr. Goodson Nguni.

2.3 In furtherance of his political cause and in violation of the Section 13 of the Anti Corruption Commission Act, and Section 255 of the Constitution, he personally attended to search and seizures at Zimdef offices without the statutory mandatory company of the police. By avoiding the police, Mr. Nguni did not want to subject his allegations in relation to me to factual and legal scrutiny.

2.4 Mr. Goodson Nguni beholden to his appointor and wanting to please his handlers addressed a press conference on the 13th of October 2016 in his personal capacity indicating that he was purporting to speak for Zacc as the Commission’s head of investigations committee but also indicating he was speaking as “Goodson Nguni”. At this press conference Mr. Goodson Nguni engaged in an unprecedented public lynching of a Government Minister and Member of Parliament and a Member of the Politburo. At this public lynching untested allegations were leaked followed by an equally unprecedented public media onslaught and lynching of my ministerial responsibilities, persona and character.

2.5 The public Media lynching in the Herald, Chronicle, Sunday Mail and Sunday News was particularly vicious and extremely malicious between the 7th of October 2016 to the 24th of October 2016. The contents of the various media reports published by Zimpapers in relation to this matter shows a complete disregard of the truth and a willingness and readiness to be used to advance a factional political cause.

2.6 Apart from repeating recklessly the false and patently unlawful and unprocedural allegations made by Nguni at his press conference, they invented their own including that I funded graduation demonstrations and that I likened myself to Robin Hood in cahoots with a one lacoste fellow whose twitter handle is @chamunogwa who on the 7th of October 2016 at 1644 hours, said that I am the Robin Hood of Tsholotsho in a tweet to which I responded I would rather be a Robin Hood than a cruel tribalist, murderer and UN identified cross border diamond thief. At no point other than in the construction of Zimpapers did I call myself Robin Hood.

2.7 It is clear from the Anti Corruption Act that the chairperson of the Commission who by qualification should be eligible for appointment as a judge of the High Court, did not address the press conference nor did his deputy who happens to be the Commissioner responsible for the media.How it happens that a constitutional body finds itself highjacked by one person who actually delivers a press conference in his personal capacity but purporting to represent the Commission is a travesty of procedure and in fact is in itself corruption in the extreme warranting an investigation by relevant authorities including the police.

2.8 It is against this background that has no precedence since Zimbabwe’s independence that on advise I have taken, and after wide consultations I have resolved to institute legal action against the following:

1. Mr Goodson Nguni as Zacc’s Head of Investigations Committee

2. Zacc

3. Caesar Zvayi (Herald Editor)

4. Innocent Madonko (Acting Chronicle Editor)

5. Sasa Mabasa (Sunday Mail Editor)

6. Limukani Ncube (Sunday News Editor)

7. Pikirayi Deketeke (Chief Executive Officer, Zimpapers)

8. Delma Lupepe (Chairman, Zimpapers)

9. Ray Gova, Acting Prosecutor General and Board Chairman NPA

10. Reporters from Zimpapers who wrote the offending stories

11. Zimpapers

12. George Charamba Secretary for Media, Information and Broadcasting Services

1. Dr Christopher Mushowe Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services

1. Hon. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa — arising out of unlawful meetings he held with Zacc and NPA Officers on this matter.

3. National Prosecuting Authority

The National Prosecuting Authority (“NPA”) is established in terms of Section 258 of the Constitution, and like Zacc in terms of Section 260 and 261 it is bound by the same Constitutional obligations to maintain independence and not act in a partisan manner or further the interest of any political cause or faction.

By design, coincidence or otherwise, the NPA falls under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. In relation to the work of Zacc, in addition to other safeguards from abuse that the law has imposed such as the involvement of the police, the NPA is one such safeguard and must objectively in full independence apply its mind in relation to allegations pursued by Zacc. It is sinister for Zacc to attempt an arrest and it speaks to political mischief and a gross violation of the Constitution in that Zacc is expected to know better, that it does not have arresting powers and that where it suspects that there is a case of corruption it must engage the police to investigate the matter in accordance with the law.

3.1 In this connection, the NPA must satisfy itself that the peremptory provisions of the law in relation to allegations of corruption are adhered to in particular that the NPA cannot act on allegations of corruption as merely presented to them by Zacc other than if such action is to involve the police in terms of Section 259 (11) of the Constitution. In terms of Section 255 (3) the powers of Zacc are limited to recommending an arrest to the police who can only do so after carrying out an investigation.

Notwithstanding these clear indications of the law, Zacc on four instances attempted to effect an arrest on me at Zanu PF headquarters, at my residence, at my Ministerial office and at Parliament building and in all instances groups numbering between 5 and 10 officers were reported to have been part of this charade.

3.2 On its own admission Zacc states that the NPA was part of the investigation process and there have been reports that one of the senior officers in the NPA at the level of Director and above attended a meeting between Zacc and Vice President Mnangagwa where the decision to arrest and prosecute me was made when in fact none of the allegations had been brought to my notice.

3.3 The conduct of the NPA by taking part in the investigations of Zacc and taking part in meetings of a factional political nature and encouraging and or directing Zacc officers to exercise arrest powers which they do not have completely undermines the independence of the NPA in relation to allegations against me. I am also aware that this untenable situation has been brought about by the appointment of Ray Gova as Acting Prosecutor General which appointment at all material times was administered by the Minister of Justice who is also Vice President Mnangagwa. What is curious about the appointment of Gova like that of Nguni is that he too is a convicted criminal who was found guilty of dishonesty and defeating the course of Justice by the High Court of Namibia. The conviction disqualified him from practising law in Namibia and he was declared a prohibited immigrant.

3.4 These patently unlawful appointments are not by accident but are intended to CAPTURE STATE INSTITUTIONS, and further a factional political cause by the use of individuals who are not fit and proper persons as willing weapons against perceived political opponents. In view of these matters, I am taking legal action against the NPA.

3.5 Recent events in the country have put in plain sight the undesirability of persons from other agencies and organisations of Government being seconded to institutions such as the NPA. Section 261(3) of the constitution prohibits this.

The NPA therefore is improperly constituted to the extent of the participation of these officers who are active members of these organisations and have their allegiance to their parent organisations. Taken together with the disqualification of Gova and the open factional capture which is ongoing, it is clear that the NPA is illegally constituted in violation of the Constitution thus rendering its decisions since Gova’s appointment void ab initio.

3.6 In the light of the foregoing, the advise I have on hand is that these matters require urgent and comprehensive legal attention which I will be taking shortly.

3.7 For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically state that the so called Zacc allegations against me are false, malicious, political, tribal, factional and are an unjustified and illegal attack on my Ministerial and parliamentary responsibilities as assigned to me by my appointing authority His Excellency, the President.  I have not committed any crime under any law.

3.8 In particular, the computers, bicycles and motorcycles that I donated for distribution in Tsholotsho North were above board in the exercise of my Ministerial discretion to address a clear and present need in this marginalized and impoverished community. Further and in keeping with my standards of integrity on the administration of public matters, all monies rendered for funeral assistance by Zimdef which had been initially indicated as a donation and subsequently entered in the records of Zimdef books as a loan were returned by me in full notwithstanding the fact that there is a long standing practice within Zimdef to cater for such circumstances of bereavement.

3.9 I must also state that since the infamous Tsholotsho declaration involving some of the players in this matter, I on readmission to the Party Zanu PF in 2009 stated that I will render full support, allegiance and loyalty to my appointing authority, His Excellency the President Cde R.G Mugabe. I remain unwavering in upholding this principle and commitment.

3.10 It would be remise of me to not acknowledge and thank many of you that have come forward with evidence and information pointing to shocking and scandalous cases of high level corruption, theft and fraud and pillaging of state resources and assets by high ranking individuals and persons who speak against corruption during the day and practise it in staggering proportions at night thereby depriving not only current but future generations of sources of their livelihood. I want to assure you that I will treat this information in the strictest of confidence and will bring it to the attention of the relevant authorities at the earliest opportunity for swift action.

Hon Professor Jonathan Moyo, MP

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development

1 November 2016.

JOHANNESBURG - An investigation into South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has found evidence of possible corruption at the top level of his government.

In the report, former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela recommends Mr Zuma establish a judicial commission of inquiry within 30 days.

Mr Zuma is accused of an improper relationship with wealthy businessmen.

He had tried to block the release of the report, but dropped his court bid on Wednesday.

The president and leader of the governing African National Congress (ANC) has been dogged by corruption allegations for more than a decade, but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Police fired water cannon to disperse protesters who marched on Mr Zuma's main office in Pretoria to demand his resignation.

The 355-page report by former anti-corruption chief Thuli Madonsela is entitled "State of Capture" and is illustrated on its front page with a hand strung with puppet wires.

Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas is quoted in the report as saying that businessman Ajay Gupta offered him 600m rand ($44.6m; £36.2m) last year, "to be deposited in an account of his choice", if he accepted the post of finance minister.

Mr Gupta also asked him if he had "a bag which he could use to receive and carry 600,000 rand in cash immediately", Mr Jonas alleged, adding that Mr Zuma's son, Duduzane, was present at the meeting.

He was expected to remove key Treasury officials from their posts and advance the Gupta family's "business ambitions", Mr Jonas is quoted as saying.

The businessman has not yet commented on the report, but has previously denied any wrongdoing.

HARARE - Roger Woodward is the new chairperson of the Harare Rugby Association board after he was elected at last weekend’s Annual General Meeting held at Prince Edward School Cricket Pavilion.

Woodward, who is the Old Johannians Rugby Club manager, will supervise the rugby activities in Harare province until the 2019 World Cup when the new board’s mandate comes to an end.

[GoogleAd]

A member of the previous interim board which organised the elections, Woodward will be deputised by Paul Gosho of Mufakose Rugby Club while Police Defenders’ Crispen Katogu is the new secretary.

“It’s a great honour to be given this post though all I will be doing will be focusing the entire board’s efforts into building some credibility and structure into the game in Harare,” Woodward told the Daily News.

“I hope to encourage sponsors to invest in the game by instilling confidence in them by showing that rugby is well run.

“With the U21 League I hope to encourage school-leavers to keep playing the game and widening our talent pool.”

The OJs manager admitted that it will be a challenge to separate his association with his club and the provincial hat he is now wearing.

“It will be tough to balance the two as I have a passion for my club but I think my main focus will be the province as it will benefit the game as a whole in Zimbabwe and that is my main drive,” he said.

[Adz]

HARARE - The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) is on a collision course with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after the association slated the Warriors’ friendly international against Zambia the same day that the Chibuku Super Cup final is being held.

Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa confirmed on Monday that the Warriors will face Chipolopolo on Saturday in the build-up to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Gabon next year.

[Adz]

The move seems to have raised fierce dissenting voices as Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum are set to clash on the same day in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Baobab Stadium.

The Daily News has since established that the final will go ahead as scheduled as all the bookings for the match were done some months back while Zifa is also insisting on holding the match the same day.

What remains of interest is how coach Kalisto Pasuwa will assemble the squad to face Zambia on Saturday.

The match against Zambia is supposed to give Pasuwa an opportunity to prepare his charges for tougher assignments in Gabon.

However, Pasuwa will not be able to field his best players that will certainly do duty at the tournament in Gabon.

The Fifa international match calendar allows clubs to release players from November 7 to 15.

This means Pasuwa will not have at his disposal all international players as they will be involved in important assignments with their respective club teams.

Even on the local front, Pasuwa can also not pick his best side as the teams will be within their rights to withhold their players.

Czech-based defender Costa Nhamoinesu’s Sparta Prague will be in action against Bohemians on Saturday in a league match while Marvellous Nakamba’s Vitesse have a date against Heracles on Sunday in Netherlands.

Also, Knowledge Musona’s K.V. Oostende is also in action on Saturday against Anderlecht.

Those who ply their trade in South Africa will be involved in the Telkom Cup at the weekend, leaving Pasuwa with the option to use locally-based players allowed to take part by their clubs.

Asked for comment, Zifa acting chief executive Joseph Mamutse was at pains to explain how Pasuwa will pick players to for the friendly match.

“This is a matter that has just come up so we are still polishing on some of the issues,” he said.

“We are trying to organise and see the best way forward. For now, the game will be played on Saturday. We are yet to look into how the coach will pick players but we will give you the position.

“Maybe you can talk to Gwesela (Xolisani) he will give you more information,” he said.

Zimbabwe were pooled in a tough Afcon Group B alongside African heavyweights Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - South African First Division side AmaZulu have denied newspaper claims that they have sacked Zimbabwean coach Joey Antipas.

AmaZulu general manager Lunga Sokhela refuted claims by a Durban-based newspaper that Usuthu had hired Vladislav Heric to replace the Zimbabwean.

“We’re completely dumbfounded by the claim, and we’d like to put on record that the directors of AmaZulu, management and players are completely behind coach Antipas,” Sokhela said.

“The mood is very good at the club and we’re all fully committed to our effort as a club to fight for promotion under Antipas.”

Antipas has had an indifferent start to his reign in the South African second tier with Usuthu currently sitting in sixth place on the log with 13 points from nine games.

Under the former Chicken Inn and Motor Action coach, AmaZulu won three of their first four league matches.

However, the Durban-based side lost four matches on the trot before ending that poor run with a 2-0 win over Mbombela United at the weekend.

Antipas’ side now trail log leaders Thanda Royal Zulu by eight points as the season heads towards the midway stage. AmaZulu are however, just two points off the last play-off spot.

Meanwhile, South African First Division side Magesi FC have appointed veteran Zimbabwean Shepherd Murape to take over from Jackie Ledwaba.

“The club management has effectively appointed Murape as its head coach. He will start working with the team as from tomorrow,” Magesi announced on their Twitter feed.

[Adz]

HARARE - Property belonging to Dynamos and a number of their officials will be auctioned today in the capital to recover a $250 000 debt owed to CBZ Bank Limited.

According to a notice published in the media at the weekend, the property will go under the hammer at an auction to be conducted by LM Auctioneers in Southerton.

[Adz]

Dynamos board chairperson Bernard Marriot Lusengo, his late predecessor Richard Chiminya, former executives Farai Munetsi, Harrison Mbewe and Michael Ignatius George had their property attached.

Former club chief executive officer Casper Muzenda and ex-vice chairperson John Kanokanga, together with current president Keni Mubaiwa, were also named in the suit.

The Sherriff of the High Court attached moveable property from those mentioned above which includes deep freezers, television sets, microwaves, kitchen and dining suits.

Computers, radios, tables, kitchen units, sewing machine, cupboards, stools and printers were also part of the property which was seized.

Speaking to the Daily News last week, Mubaiwa said they had tried hard to offset the CBZ loan but they were weighed down by the harsh economic climate currently prevailing in Zimbabwe.           

“We were paying at least $10 000 every month to service the loan when we assumed office.

“We paid close to $200 000 but all the money was going towards the interest,” Mubaiwa said.

“As I said before, the economy is not performing well and we reached a stage where we could not pay that monthly instalment hence the attachment of the property. CBZ has records of our payments.”

DeMbare borrowed money from the bank to cater for their away trip to face MC Algiers in Algeria for an African Champions League qualifier back in 2011.

In 2012, DeMbare failed to pay back the loan resulting in CBZ approaching the High Court where they were granted a writ of execution to attach the club’s property and that of board and former executive members, who facilitated the loan.

Since then, the club had been fighting against the suit but Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku early last month upheld the ruling allowing CBZ to effect the writ.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - The Mighty Warriors’ fundraising committee has stepped up efforts to raise resources for the women’s national football team ahead of their participation at this month’s Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon by lining up a number of activities. 

With time no longer on their side, the Mighty Warriors, who are pitted against African giants Cameroon, South Africa and Egypt in Group A, are now expected to go into camp today at the Zesa Training Centre in Harare following the intervention of the fundraising committee.

[Adz]

Eager to ensure they pull all stops for the side’s participation in Cameroon, Sports minister Makhosini Hlongwane last month commissioned a strong team of women and men to assist in securing at least $300 000 needed for the tournament.

Some of the figures on the committee include Old Mutual Group Marketing executive Lilian Mbayiwa, CBZ Holdings executive Joel Gombera, Pride Khumbula who is the corporate communications and innovations manager at Rainbow Towers Group Limited.

There is also Busi Chindove from Zimplats, Darren Thompson of Open Minds, Lawrence Zvimbudzana from the Sports ministry, Francis Chimanda Telecel and Daniel Mackenzie.

Speaking at a press briefing on their progress since their commissioning last month, Mbayiwa, who is the chairperson of the fundraising committee, said they are on course to raise the money and will today have a fundraising dinner.

“We have an exclusive fundraising dinner that we have scheduled at the Rainbow Towers tomorrow (today). Tickets are available through the Sports ministry and the committee.

“We have received a lot of support and we already sold quite a number of tables,” Mbayiwa said.

“The second initiative that we have for this fundraising is a nationwide raffle entitled #GirlPowerZW. The promotion will be run in the next day or two.”       

Entry fees for the dinner have been pegged at $3 000 for the Platinum Table, $2 000 for the Gold Table and the Ordinary Package which costs $1 000.

The committee has also organised a raffle where a lucky winner will drive away in a brand new Datsun Go sedan.

Mbayiwa pleaded for greater co-operation between football and the corporate world.

“I believe there is an opportunity for everyone in the country to play a role in supporting the Mighty Warriors as they prepare for Cameroon. We have seen quite a lot of corporates who have come forward to support some of the initiatives that we have in place,” she said.

“We have also seen individuals who are coming forward to put efforts together and ensure the Mighty Warriors succeed.

“We need to raise approximately $300 000 that can allow the team to camp and prepare and also participate at the tournament.”

Mbayiwa added: “We have quite a short time for them to prepare so they can make a mark at the games that are starting earlier this month. As the chairperson of this committee, I am touched by the dedication that I have seen from the team.

“It’s not very difficult for us to get things done because the people are self-driven and I am confident that our efforts will succeed.

We are also very grateful to PricewaterhouseCoopers who are the financial administrators to manage budgets funds disbursements from all our fundraising activities.

“This really shows that all the money that is coming will be well managed and well disbursed.

PricewaterhouseCoopers managing partner Tinashe Rwodzi assured all those who want to sponsor the Mighty Warriors that their money will not be misused.

“PWC are coming in as independent professional fund managers. We have allocated a very senior accountant who is a senior manager of PWC — Nyasha Patsanza — to look after the funds,” Rwodzi said.

“We have also opened a separate account with CBZ bank exclusively to handle these funds.

“Part of our mandate is that we will be given the power to sign and authorise any disbursements that are out of that fund.

“Our disbursing of that fund will be linked to the approvals of the committee or when applicable the approvals or funding agreement from a particular or specific funder.

“Therefore, our responsibility here is to make sure that no money leaves the account without the specific authority of either the committee or a specific sponsor.

“Also that the money goes to exactly where the committee has approved or where the funder or sponsor wants it to go.”

[Adz]

HARARE - Shabanie Mine could bounce back into the Castle Lager Premiership if they defeat Zvishavane rivals FC Platinum Under-19 this Saturday at Maglas Stadium.

Although there is still confusion over which promotion format will be used, Shabanie will win the Zifa Central Region Division One League if they get three points during this weekend’s derby.

[Adz]

The Chinda Boys are currently on 63 points and five ahead of second-placed Ivan Hoe from Kwekwe.

The former Premiership side cemented their place at the top of the log last weekend courtesy of a 2-0 away win over Gweru United at Wilson Stadium.

Shabanie coach Tendai Chikuni said he is never shot of belief that the championship is certain.

“We are just approaching this match just like any other and after travelling a long distance to where we are right now, I would say I leave it to the players to maintain the momentum they have exhibited this whole season and deliver,” the former FC Platinum coach said.

“It’s not going to be an easy match given the rivalry between the two clubs, I have crossed the great divide to join Shabanie from FC Platinum but I won’t be reading much into my time with Platinum as I have a new home, a new mandate and a new vision.

“Shabanie is a bigger brand and I’m grateful for the support that we have received from our fans, who have ensured that the stadium is packed every time we play as well as a lot of well-wishers who have helped with financial resources to aid our campaign.”

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - The Mighty Warriors will take on Banyana Banyana in a friendly international next Wednesday at the National Sports Stadium as the two sides prepare for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).

Both sides have been pooled in a tough Group A together with hosts Cameroon and Egypt for the tournament which runs from November 19 to December 3.

The two sides last faced each other in May in a closely-fought friendly match ahead of the Rio Olympic Games where the Mighty Warriors fell 0-1 to the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana at the Makhulong Stadium in Johannesburg.

After struggling to get financial support in preparation for the tournament, Mighty Warriors players began trooping into camp yesterday after the intervention of a fundraising committee.

Wednesday’s friendly match presents Shadreck Mlauzi and Vera Pauw’s sides with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the continental showcase, and to assess other players who have not been regulars in the senior women sides.

This is the Mighty Warriors’ latest friendly match in their preparations after clashing with Egypt in September.

There is still a lot of work that needs to be done ahead of the AWCON 2016 tournament considering the side lost a lot of valuable time.

Zimbabwe’s corporate world has joined forces to grow an even bigger fundraising campaign seeking to raise $300 000 for the Mighty Warriors for lodging, meals, and transportation en route to the multiple camps and while in Cameroon.

[GoogleAd]

HARARE - Donald “Spanner” Teguru is deep in sleep when he is suddenly woken up by a knock on his door just before 7am.

The Ngezi Platinum Stars winger is still recovering from an intense training session from the previous day but he has no choice but to drag his weary body as the knocks get louder.

As a professional footballer, Teguru usually has late starts to his weekdays as training with the rest of his teammates begins later in the afternoon so it is a bit unusual to expect company at his home this early.

[Adz]

When he finally makes his way to the door, he is surprised to find a young four-year-old boy Tapiwa on his porch.

To Teguru’s surprise, the young boy is one of his biggest fans, who immediately requests an autograph and a picture with his hero.

“I never expected to be answering knocks on my door from such a young fan that early in the morning,” Teguru tells the Daily News.

“It really touched me because I never imagined I would be a role model for young children when I began my football career.”

Teguru’s early morning encounter with this young fan is testament to how his career has blossomed quickly inside a period of 11 months.

At the start of the year, he was virtually an unknown entity in Zimbabwean football having only featured in the second-tier league with Twalumba FC.

However, the 22-year-old had caught the eye of then Ngezi coach Clifton Kadurira during the two teams’ duels in the Northern Region Division One League.

When Ngezi won promotion into the top flight this year, Kadurira made Teguru one of his first signings.

Although their debut season has had its ups and downs, Ngezi can finish the year with some silverware as they take on FC Platinum in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Baobab Stadium this Saturday.

Winning the country’s premier knockout tournament against an established side like FC Platinum, who are still in the league title race, will be a big achievement for Ngezi in their first season in the top flight.

“Obviously, it’s like a derby match but we want to win this competition at all costs,” Teguru says.

“Our fans will come in their numbers since we are at home and it will be nice to give them something to celebrate at the end of the final.”

It has not been an easy ride for Ngezi to get to this final as they initially struggled to cope with the demands of top flight football.

The Zimplats-owned side only won two of their opening 10 leagues games before they roped in former Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya to take over while Kadurira was relegated to the role of assistant.

Under Ndiraya, results slowly started to improve while a few additions like Walter Mukanga, Kelvin Bulaji, Partson Jaure and Criss Mverechena were made to bolster the squad.

Safety from relegation was achieved some weeks ago as they currently sit in mid-table with only two games to go which gave them impetus to concentrate on the Chibuku Super Cup.

In the same period, Teguru has also shown the promise which led to Zimplats sanctioning his signing from Twalumba.

Bamboozling past defenders with some silky dribbling skills, the forward is now Ngezi’s most influential player with all their attacks going through him.   

“Our problem at the start of the season was that we didn’t have any belief in our own abilities and winning matches proved difficult,” Teguru says.

“However, we now have a new-found confidence which has helped us a lot to go into matches against any opponents without fear. Ndiraya also made a few good signings which has given us a lot of depth.”

Ngezi’s belief can be clearly seen in the two high-octane clashes they were involved in against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.

The first was a Castle Lager Premiership match at the end of last month which was decided by a contentious last minute penalty when Ngezi defender Talent Chamboko pulled down Bosso striker Ralf Matema inside the box.

Erick Mudzingwa stepped up to convert the spot-kick and give Highlanders a 2-1 victory.

Three weeks later, Ndiraya’s side was back at Emagumeni for the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final but this time around they returned to Mhondoro Ngezi smiling after Liberty Chakoroma’s penalty secured a precious 1-0 win.

“We went into the semi-final high on confidence because we had given them a lot of problems in the league game,” Teguru says.

“Highlanders are a good side but we never gave them much respect because we now have quality in our team. Every player knows their role and we now fight until the end.”

It is a similar approach Ngezi are going to use in Saturday’s final against FC Platinum and Teguru has every right to feel optimistic because it has been a winning formula.

[GoogleAd]