HARARE – Chapungu coach Tendai Chikuni believes a win over Yadah FC this afternoon at Rufaro Stadium in a Castle Lager Premiership match would be massive as the airmen look to improve on their position on the log.

The Gweru-based side are not yet out of danger despite sitting 11th on the log table with 25 points from 20 matches.

Chikuni’s charges have been far from convincing this season blowing hot and cold and risk going down if the trend continues.

The Midlands-based side can move level with ninth-placed Triangle on 28 points by defeating anarchy-rocked Yadah, who are still coachless following the suspension of coach Jairos Tapera, and Chikuni is under no illusions as to the importance of taking all three points.

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“For us it’s a big game. We need to look at ourselves and our position on the log table which makes it a must win for the team,” Chikuni said to the Daily News.

“That would be a massive victory for us. We have reached a stage where we cannot afford to drop points.

“We are coming to Harare determined to pick up maximum points. We haven’t been consistent lately and we are looking forward at improving on that.”

Chikuni, however, acknowledges that it will not be easy as Yadah are also desperate for maximum points.

“It’s not going to be an easy match. They want maximum points to improve on their position. They have brought in some good players recently and we are aware we are up against a good team,” he added.

“But we need to keep on working hard and keep on believing in ourselves. The good thing is that players and everyone knows what is expected of us. Morale is high and we are looking forward to a give a good account of ourselves.”

PSL Fixtures:

Today: Yadah v Chapungu (Rufaro, 1pm, SS), Black Rhinos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro, 3pm, SS), Bulawayo City v Harare City (Barbourfields)

Tomorrow: CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro), Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery), Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Shabanie Mine v ZPC Kariba (Maglas), How Mine v Dynamos (Postponed), Highlanders v Tsholotsho (Postponed)

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HARARE - CAPS United are planning to halt Ngezi Platinum Stars’ march towards the Castle Lager Premiership title when the two teams clash tomorrow at Rufaro Stadium.

The defending champions have had an indifferent league campaign after their participation in the Africa Champions League left them lagging behind with five games in hand.

Results have also been hard to come by for the Green Machine, leaving them lurking in the relegation zone but after picking up seven points from a possible nine in their last three league matches, belief is back in the Harare giants’ camp.

The Green Machine assistant coach Tostao Kwashi said they are looking to build on that recent good run as they prepare to host the on-fire log leaders Ngezi, who have won four of their last five matches.

On Wednesday, Makepekepe put in a wonderful performance to beat title-chasing FC Platinum 2-1 at Rufaro. 

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“It’s always good to win matches as it brings confidence and lifts morale of the players. And we are looking forward to build on that impressive win,” Kwashi said.

“But most importantly we are not getting carried away by that result because it’s another big battle against Ngezi.

“They (Ngezi) have been doing really well lately; so far they are sitting at the top of the table. They are a good side and we are expecting a gruesome battle.

“For us I think it’s a good challenge, we love challenges, we have been overcoming a lot of challenges in the past months.

“We have played big games; bigger than this one. We respect Ngezi, it’s going to be a tough game but we are up for it and we are looking forward to a good game, we are upbeat.”

Kwashi said they have a lot of respect for Ngezi and their coach Tonderai Ndiraya.

“We are expecting a difficult game against Ngezi Platinum Stars, who have a very good coach in...Ndiraya,” he said.

“There are no more easy games now especially in this second round of the season as everybody is playing for something.

“Others are playing to avoid relegation; others are playing for the title while others want to maintain their status in the league so there is a lot of difficult football to play.

“We have five matches in hand yes, but we are not looking at it that way, to us we have 19 league games that are left.”

Tomorrow’s match is going to be the last for Ronald Pfumbidzai in the Green Machine’s colours as he looks set to seal his switch to South African side Bloemfontein Celtic. 

Kwashi paid tribute to the departing Pfumbidzai as he embarks on a new journey with Phunya Sele Sele.

“He (Pfumbidzai) was a very big player for us. He has been scoring goals for us in both the Champions League and on the domestic front,” Kwashi said.

“I think he has six or seven goals and I have heard people talk about  him being Player of the Year so far and I also think Pfumbidzai should be up there as well.

“I heard people talk about Ocean Mushure but Pfumbidzai has been brilliant as well not only in the local league but in the Champions League which is the highest level of African football which is why these people at Celtic are buying him.

“So it’s a sad loss for us. He would have been a contender for that Player of the Year award if he had stayed for some few more matches. He has been helping us a lot and it’s going to be a huge blow to us.

“He was a motivator and don’t worry about what happened against FC Platinum, it was just passion, drive because he wants to win for his team and we want also to win so it’s just that everyone was just fired up for the game.

“But it’s water under the bridge now and he is looking forward to his last game against Ngezi Platinum Stars.

“But he has been a great player for us and we will miss him a lot and we wish him the very best to even go further and make it in Europe again because that’s where he belongs.”

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HARARE – Controversial artiste Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave has rebranded and is now calling herself the biblical Phoebe, a development that will see the veteran musician retracing her footsteps back to “serious gospel music” after wandering in the secular music dome for a while.

Phoebe is a biblical character found in Romans 16:1-2 and the narrative reads: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.”

Fungisai was also inspired by Zaoga’s Euna Guti teachings some time last year; she was expected to launch a new album My Healing Devotion yesterday.

“Fungisai has been my music business brand and Phoebe is now my music spiritual brand. It is synonymous with the Biblical Phoebe found in Romans 16 verse 1-2.  It means Pure and Bright. It was inspired by Guti when she prophesied into my life some time last year. Then, I didn’t believe her until the Holy Spirit moved like fire in my hands at the Today's Woman Conference last month.

“This album comes when I had given up on music. Just when I thought I was done with music, the Holy Spirit himself put nine songs in my heart and I couldn’t shut them in. It would have been a disservice to the Christian community. I am realising how elect I am as a Christian artist. I believe God chose me for a mission and now I understand why I have been a conqueror and glorious in all the trying situations of my music ‘career’ which I have since discovered to be a ministry,” she said.

A number of musicians in the world are synonymous with spiritual names for example multi-award winning American artiste Beyonce in 2008 released her third studio album Sasha Fierce which formally introduced her alter-ego Sasha Fierce.

The singer created the alter ego Sasha Fierce in an effort to separate her own shy personality from her stage persona and give herself the courage to be free and sexy while performing.

“I turn into Sasha. I wouldn’t like Sasha if I met her off stage. She’s too aggressive, too strong, too sassy, and too sexy! I’m not like her in real life at all. I’m not flirtatious and super-confident and fearless like her.

“What I feel onstage I don’t feel anywhere else. It’s an out-of-body experience. I created my stage persona ... so that when I go home, I don’t have to think about what it is I do. Sasha isn’t me. The people around me know who I really am,” Beyonce told the Mirror newspaper back then.

Meanwhile, Fungisai is not new to controversy.

She courted controversy for crossing from her usual gospel beat to Zimdancehall which is hugely associated with violence and disorder.

Back in the day, she was attacked in the court of public opinion for performing in night clubs such as the defunct Jazz 105 among others.

She was also quoted in one of the local papers saying she was not a church person among other controversial issues.

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HARARE – A star-studded cast of musicians is set to showcase their prowess at this year’s edition of Harare Agricultural Show scheduled to start tomorrow.

The list of artistes include Leonard Zhakata, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Andy Muridzo and Soul Jah Love among others courtesy of Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (Zas) in conjunction with 2 Kings Entertainment.

Zhakata will perform on Monday, Macheso on Tuesday while Chimbetu on Wednesday.

On Thursday Jah Prayzah will showcase before Muridzo who is billed to perform on Friday and Soul Jah Love will showcase on the closing day of the show.

Apart from musicians, this year’s edition of Harare Agricultural Show will see at least 25 traditional dance groups drawn from different genres sharing the stage.

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Cultural dance groups are being promoted by Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA) in conjunction with Zas.

Zimbabwe National Dance Association finance and marketing executive Nyadzisai Mirisawu said the traditional dances will be held at Smith Field.

“We are bringing cultural groups from virtually all the traditional genres including mbende-jerusarema, Zambian Nyau, Malawian Nyau, Mozambique Nyau, chimtali, chihodha, dinhe, muchongoyo and beni arinoti among others,” Mirisawu said.

“We are promising real fireworks throughout the show.”

Beni is a ceremonial dance which is performed originally by the Lomwe people from Malawi. The Lomwe people come from a place called Mangochi and the dance is dominated by men.

The dance was derived from the Scottish people during the colonial era in Malawi and their dressing depicts officers of the Navy as they crossed Lake Nyasa to places like Nkata Bay as transporters.

They use three drums with the lead drum controlling the dance movements. They use mostly their shoulders and the waist during the dance which is done in a circular motion and uses the right leg first in the movements. Sometimes women assist during the dance for encouragement to the male dancers.

The Harare Agricultural Show is running from tomorrow until Saturday under the theme Seed to Food: Innovate, Consolidate, Sustain.

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HARARE – Rookie Afro-fusion artiste Sam Dondo who recently launched his second album Game Changer will embark on his first ever international tour of Australia in November.

He will perform in four cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin alongside Jah Prayzah.

Dondo was ecstatic about the development.

“I was invited to perform in Australia end of this year. I will travel with my full band and I am determined to make an impact there,” the Impala Subway Crooners front man said.

Dondo commenced his musical journey last year when he launched his debut studio album Dyara Minamato at Alex Sports Club in the capital.

The launch saw big names in the local showbiz sharing the stage and these include Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Winky D, Suluman Chimbetu, Peter Moyo and Jah Prayzah.

Songs making his debut album include Zviuya, Kanganwa Nhamo, Dyara Minamato and Peka Uende among others.

In April, Dondo launched his second and latest album Game Changer at a local hotel and the event was shown live on national television.

On the other hand, Jah Prayzah once described Dondo as an artiste who has a bright future in the music industry.

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“I have collaborated with him on one song Zviuya Zviri Mberi and I really appreciate his vocal prowess and his capability to compose deep lyrics.

“If he maintains the standards then the sky is the limit for him in the showbiz,” said the Jerusarema hit maker.

This is not the first Jah Prayzah concert in Australia. In fact, he has toured a number of countries in the world.

Since the lanky Uzumba- born artiste shot to fame in 2009, thanks to his second album Sungano Yerudo, he has become one of the few local artistes who managed to scale dizzy heights in the music industry.

Some of his albums include Rudo Nerunyararo, Sungano Yerudo, Ngwarira Kuparara and award winning album Tsviriyo and Kumbumura Mhute, Jerusarema and Mdhara Vachauya.

However, Jah Prayzah insists that his success story did not come in an easy way as he believes the $7 000 birthday party he threw for his biological mother — Shirley Mukombe — in their rural home in Uzumba in 2012 had unlocked blessings he is now enjoying in the showbiz.

Shirley who was turning 57 then ran short of words to fully thank her last born child — Jah Prayzah — as she only said “mwana’ngu dai ndine chokukupa pane zvawaita ndaikupa asi kungoti handina, asi zvawaita zvihombe (My child I do not have anything to give you so as to express my gratitude to you for big thing you have done).”

With those few words, Shirley managed to transform his son’s life for the better, according to Jah Prayzah.

“There are some things we take for granted in life but they matter most. Before the event (birthday party) I cannot say things were fine for me at all.

“Now I am convinced that her prayer on that day has changed my life for good. Most of the women I met in my rural area after the party applauded the move saying “mwana’ngu birthday rawakaitira amai vako wakatoitirawo nesu, zvirambe zvakadaro” (my son you did not only honour your biological mother but us all) and that motivated me.”

“Now I belong to the public but whenever there is extra time I make it a habit to visit her and spend time with her,” said the Jerusarema hit maker.

Jah Prayzah went on to collaborate with international artistes such as Nigeria’s Davido on My Lilly, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz on Watora Mari and South Africa’s Mafikizolo on Sendekera among others a development which made him an international star.

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HARARE – An academic honed at a university in the United States of America is the last person you would expect to be at the forefront of reviving an ancient Ndau music instrument called Chimatende which was on the verge of extinction.

But that is exactly what Tafataona Mahoso is doing.  He has set up a company called Samawasika Heritage Products based at his farm in Mutasa District in Manicaland to manufacture the music instrument once prevalent in Ndau-speaking areas.

The rare music instrument, interchangeably known as Chinyamatende, Chidandari or Chimadandari, is made up of a squash calabash (dende or deze) attached to a bow by a tuning wire.

According to Mahoso, the Zimbabwe Media Commission chief executive officer, the extinction of Chimatende was largely a result of the colonial set-up.

“It had become extinct because, unlike the mbira, it was dominated by young men who later emigrated from the area (Ndau-speaking) under the influence of colonial forced labour, missionary conversion and labour migrations to South Africa,” Mahoso said adding:

“The Ndau areas were far away from Harare (Salisbury) where radio picked up and promoted the mbira.”

Mahoso’s company is currently making the Chimatende instrument in three sizes.

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“The munin’ina/muushi/walkman is the smallest size, the portable size which can be played while walking outside or herding cattle or goats.

“Mukoma is the medium size which can be carried around and played from hut to hut or village.

“Samukuru or resident is the largest size meant for the young man’s gota (bachelor pad). It is recommended for use in chamber music or institutional music in one place such as the music school auditorium or studio,” he said.

Thanks to Mahoso’s efforts, the Chimatende music instrument is already claiming its space on Zimbabwe’s music scene.

“Chimatende is the instrument of the moment. Its debut concert appearance was at the 2016 Mbira Festival held at Prince Edward School on September 24,” said the veteran media regulator.

He believes the Chimatende has what it takes to be more widely adopted by artistes.

“As an instrument, it is versatile...playing more than four notes from only one wire divided into two...it can be played alone or with ngoma, hosho,magavhu and marimba.

“Chimatende is unique not only for its music, which integrates percussion and string features in one instrument but also for its aesthetic and philosophical significance as a bow and arrow converted through the gourd (calabash) to throw waves of music sound in the place of arrows,” Mahoso said.

Mahoso wants to see the land reform exercise being accompanied by a robust reclamation of the country’s cultural heritage.

“The movement to reclaim and redeem the soil has led to the movement to reclaim and redeem the cultural heritage based on the land...wood for the bow comes from Mahoso Farm...the gourds come from Gokwe,” he told the Daily News on Sunday.

Mahoso, though, is not the only prominent Zimbabwean academic who has been stung by the arts bug. We also have Gibson Mandishona, a leading research scientist and mathematician who was a guitarist for many jazz bands several decades ago.

Before independence, he worked for the United Nations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he led a 10-piece band made up of officials from different African countries.

This group also featured another Zimbabwean academic and former Finance minister Herbert Murerwa, who has a passion for jazz music and played drums.

This list of academics with a passion for the arts would be incomplete without Higher and Tertiary  Education minister Jonathan Moyo. Last year, Moyo revealed on his Twitter page that he took song-writing and guitar-playing courses at the University of Southern California between 1978 and 80.

The minister was the architect of non-stop jingles on State television and radio in support of the land reform. Moyo, who claims he has over a 100 unreleased songs, was the founder of the now-defunct Pax Afro; an Afro-jazz outfit which released hits such as Let it Play.

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HARARE – In what could be the party of the century, South African socialite Zodwa Wabantu will lead a cast of bevies on the Samba Night set for Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on September 7.

The girls party which will be part of the Harare International Carnival that will take place in Harare between September 1 and 10 with the popular Street party slated for September 9, will surely be a hit with many showbiz lovers.

On September 8, Zodwa will be a guest reveller at Harare’s Private Lounge, a home for adult entertainment where she will be just partying.

Zodwa has turned into some “idol” in Zimbabwe although her trade has also brewed controversy, especially the idea that she showcases without her under panties.

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Last month she visited Bulawayo’s Club Connect and had the venue packed to capacity, just to see the socialite who had gone there to party.

Local showbiz promoters Devine Assignments, like during past events will coordinate the Samba night evening event which will surely be one of the Harare International Carnival’s main highlights.

Zodwa will join other beauties from Cuba and Brazil for the Samba Night which was last held at the Private Lounge in Harare.

Devine Assignments director Biggie Chinoperekwei said he was delighted at the prospects of his company coordinating this outing once again.

“We have successfully hosted this event in partnership with Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and we are happy to do it again this year and because we think it might even be bigger than we anticipate, we decided to move it from Private Lounge to HICC.

“We are also happy that Zodwa is coming to grace this event which will include guests from Cuba and Brazil — we are also very eager to see how she will perform if thrown in a pool of equally attractive personalities,” said Chinoperekwei.

He added that before the Samba night those who would like to meet Zodwa at Private Lounge in Harare have the chance to do so. “She will be at Private Lounge for those who want to meet her and be close to her. She will be a guest like everyone at the bar, so it will just be everyone’s party. We hope our guests will receive her well because she is just a socialite who enjoys being among people.”

ZTA communications manager Sugar Chagonda was optimistic that Samba night will live up to expectation.

“This has always been one of the main highlights of the Harare International Carnival and we are glad with our partnership with Devine Assignments. The showbiz promoters have always partnered us and they have produced first-class showcases — so we are very confident that they will do justice to the programme,” said Chagonda.

The Harare International Carnival for this year is also blessed with a new sponsor — South Africa’s Big Time Strategic Group — that will power the event and bring all the international performers.

This year’s carnival is expected to feature 25 countries and local artistes who include Jah Prayzah, Winky D, Soul Jah Love, Suluman Chimbetu, Charles and Olivia Charamba.

Other artistes who will perform during the course of the event include rhumba maestro Werrason from DRC, Dr Malinga, Heavy K and Babes Wodumo.

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HARARE - Munyaradzi Chiwara’s solitary strike five minutes from time was all Yadah FC needed to collect maximum points in a Castle Lager Premiership match here yesterday.

Chiwara capitalised on some poor defending by the Air Force of Zimbabwe side before sending a powerful shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Yadah interim coach Thomas Ruzive was a relieved man after the final whistle.

“I’m very relieved with the win. These three points are very important to us especially at this stage of the season as we are fighting relegation,” he said.

“I’m very happy with the way the boys played and hopefully we will continue like this. This win gives us confidence going forward and we want to build on this win in our next assignments.”

Chapungu coach Tendai Chikuni, however, blamed the defeat on poor officiating.

“This is football and when you don’t convert your chances you are bound to be punished but at the same time there are several aspects that you also have to look at,” Chikuni said.

“When you look at a situation where sometimes the match is being controlled by the referees; if you look at all the injuries that we got today there was no protection from the referee.

“At the same time it’s not only about this game but we are looking at the games to come. The officiating was not on our side.

“On the tactical side we were okay but missed a number of chances.”

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HARARE - Zimbabwe junior tennis ace Kimberly Bhunu has made up her mind on what she wants to do.

The just-ended ITF 18 and Under South Central Circuit Zimbabwe Leg 3 tournament held at Harare Sports Club was her last competition she was competing in as a 16-year-old as she turns 17 this Tuesday.

With international tennis stars Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal as her role models it is quite easy to figure out what she craves for at this moment.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from Serena and Nadal. I want to turn pro in the future and that’s my target,” Bhunu told the Daily News on Sunday.

The former Alexandra Primary School and Dominican Convent student, who is now based in France, reached the quarter-finals of the girls’ section but unfortunately lost to Canada’s Largade Tiffany.

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“The games have been good, I enjoyed playing all the games looking forward to do the most as my eyes were set on going all the way and win,” she said.

“I played pretty well despite bowing out of the third leg in the quarterfinal stage. It’s always nice to be here and what I like about these tournaments is that they are at home and feels really special to play in front of your home fans.

“I also get a lot of big players to play against so I enjoy that quite well because it also comes with a vast amount of valuable experience. This year I’m going to be playing more ITF events and my target is to keep on improving and see how it goes.”

Bhunu has gained a lot of experience and guidance from her elder sibling Valeria, who was awarded a scholarship to study at the ITF Training Centre in Pretoria, South Africa when she was aged only 11 years old.

Usually the centre only accepts players from the age of 13 and above.

“I have had to leave with the notion that people expect me to be like Valeria and I always argue that ideally, I would like to be better than her and I guess I’m getting there with each outing on the court,” Bhunu said.

“It’s good to have a sister setting the bar for you and I know she is also proud of my achievements as I try to map my way in the profession in my own different way.”

Tennis Zimbabwe vice present Biggie Magarira said it has been a good three weeks hosting the junior players from all over the globe.

“This has been quite a successful three-week tournament...it actually gave a chance to our kids to see some top class junior tennis...we also had some kids who were participating which was also some good experience for our kids for them to gain some ITF points,” Magarira said.

“This tournament can also assist our kids to play bigger tournaments using these points and also help them when they finish school to get colleges to further their education especially in the USA. These tournaments bring people from all over the world and it is that experience for our kids and valuable ITF points that we are looking for.”

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HARARE - Zimbabwean golfer Scott Vincent is in contention to win the European Tour Fiji Open International golf tournament after a four-under 68 at Natadola Bay yesterday.

Vincent is now on seven-under-par 209, some three strokes behind leader Wade Ormsby of Australia going into today’s final round.

“It’s been nice here in Fiji. I love it, it’s unbelievable. It’s nice to get a day with not much wind as well,” Vincent, who fired three birdies in the last three holes, told the European Tour website.

“I thought the scores were going to be a lot lower. I think that’s everyone’s expectation. It’s surprising that we don’t see many guys in the double digits but I’m happy with where I am.”

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Ormsby surprised even himself as his putter ran hot on the homeward stretch to take the outright lead of the tournament.

The 37-year-old fired a six-under 66 to finish the day at 10-under 206, one stroke ahead of fellow Australian Jason Norris who lost the tournament lead when he made a triple-bogey on the 16th hole.

“It was a bit of a surprise coming up the last. I hadn’t seen too many leaderboards for the day but obviously very happy with it,” Ormsby said.

“I didn’t think I would be in that position after seven holes, I was getting a bit frustrated but the putter started to get a bit hot so I started to move in the right direction.

“I think everyone who has played golf knows that when the putts start dropping you get happier out there.”

James Marchesani also finished strongly, making six birdies on the back nine in a round of 67 to move into third place, two strokes behind Ormsby at eight-under.

Scott Hend, one of four co-leaders at the halfway stage, shot an even-par 72 to be tied with Peter Wilson and Vincent at seven-under.

“I just couldn’t get the hang of the greens today for some reason. Hopefully that will come to me tomorrow,” Hend said.

“I might go and hit a few putts now and see what’s going on. We will just have a go again tomorrow. It was nice to finish with two straight birdies on 17 and 18 to get back to even par.”

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HARARE - Zambezi Cheetahs backline player Shayne Makombe hopes to one day break into the lucrative Pro 14 rugby league after signing for French Federale 3 side Rugby Club Compiegnois (RCC).

Makombe is scheduled to leave for France later this week to join up with his new teammates as they prepare for the new season which starts next month.

“I think it’s a good opportunity in terms of my rugby career. I’m not going into the top tier in France but I think it’s a stepping stone for me to work my way up and make a name for myself,” Makombe told the Daily News on Sunday.

“I’m really excited and I have waited a long time for this opportunity. It feels rewarding to get to this stage of my career and it obviously took a lot of patience and hard work to be where I’m at the moment.

“I spoke to the owners of the club and I was quiet happy with what they were telling me; their goals for the club, what they wanted to achieve and what they thought I could add to the team.”

For the past four years, the former Churchill Bulldogs captain was in South Africa where he was studying Human Resources at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN).

Although he was able to secure employment after finishing his studies, rugby was always the main calling for the 25-year-old.

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“I think my time in South Africa was really good in terms of my growth as an individual and it impacted my appreciation of rugby,” he said.

“I see it in the way I have become patient, I now understand the game better and the way I put more emphasis on my diet, training methods and so on.

“I think all the time I spent in South Africa is going to directly benefit me when I get to France because I now know how to handle myself professionally with the team and outside in terms of my attitude; the way I carry myself.

“To be honest there are a lot of endless opportunities for me and It will all go down on whether I will be able to maximise on them.

“I want to push myself to go high as I can get among their many professional leagues. Whichever league I end up playing, I just want to go high as possible.”

Makombe added: “That is the reason why I left my job to pursue a career in rugby.

“When I finally retire from playing, I want to look back and say I played to the maximum and I tried the best I could.

“I want to go to the highest level of rugby and in France the obvious goal will be to play for a Pro 14 club; that would be the cherry on top.”

The game in the northern hemisphere is very different from the game that is played down here but Makombe is confident he will adjust to the demands of Fedarale 3.

“I know of only Farai Mudariki and Tapiwa Tsomondo is also going there. Not so many Zimbabwean players in France but I think it’s also really good that I’m now going there; we could open doors for more local guys,” he said.

“There are, however, a lot of challenges that I have to overcome of which language is a big barrier but I studied French when I was at university and a little bit at school.

“I would imagine the language is going to be a challenge the weather as well and the idea of leaving everything I know behind to start a new life in France.

“France unlike most countries in Europe is slightly drier but it is really cold. Obviously the game is slower than what we are used here. For me I see it as an advantage because I get to bring speed into my team and give them a different dimension.

“I’m not really planning on changing my style of play but I’m going to work hard to try and export what I do best to make it an addition to the team’s dynamic.

“I’ve also been doing a bit of kicking and in terms of my training I just focused on getting conditioned to make sure that I have good strength to adopt.”

2017 is a big year for the Zambezi Cheetahs as they must reach the final of the Africa Cup Sevens to secure a place at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens finals in San Francisco, United States.

Makombe believes his move to RCC will not stop him from playing for the Zambezi Cheetahs.

“I have been involved with the Sevens in terms of the preparations to reach San Francisco next year and my move to France will not necessarily hinder my involvement with the teams,” he said.

“I spoke to coach Gilbert (Nyamutsamba) and obviously I have to settle down in France with my new side since I have just recently signed. We will be communicating with the club to see how they can fit my Zim Sevens schedule into their plans.

“I missed out on the last World Cup due to my varsity commitments and the way I see it, this is my opportunity to push hard in training so that I make it into the final squad.”

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HARARE - To most football fans, Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro represents an ultimate “juju master” who deserves a place in the Zimbabwe Traditional Healers Association (ZTHA) council.

Chihoro, who celebrated his 61st birthday yesterday, is nicknamed “Nyoka” (snake).

Normally a snake in African culture is associated with the occult due to the reptile’s mysterious ways that many people do not understand.

A lot of Dynamos’ rivals have a strong belief that Chihoro is the reason behind the Glamour Boys’ dominance in local football due to his “powers”.

Since he was appointed in his role in 2011, DeMbare won four straight league titles and numerous cup competitions.

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Chihoro has also not helped matters as he sometimes performs unusual antics on the touchline that leaves no doubt in many people’s minds that he is indeed a juju master.

However, in an interview with the Daily News on Sunday, Chihoro said the allegations are a mere smear campaign by rivals, who have failed to knock DeMbare off their perch.

“There is nothing like juju in football. The only secret to success is training and if you don’t work hard then never dream of success,” Chihoro told the Daily News on Sunday.

“If you concentrate on juju at the expense of training, surely you will be dicing with failure. It’s something that I have become used to, people linking me with me juju.

“It’s actually shocking that in this day and age there are still people who believe in juju. Juju does not work at all in football because we should be winning every season.”

Chihoro went on to explain how his exploits during his playing days earned him the nickname Nyoka, which he claims is now being abused by DeMbare’s rivals to suit their agenda.

“When I arrived at Dynamos I was very skilful and made life difficult for most defenders such that my former teammate Shaw Handriade gave me the nickname Nyoka,” Chihoro said adding that: “It has nothing to do with this juju thing.”

Chihoro arrived at Dynamos as a fresh faced 14-year-old and went to on to distinguish himself by rising through the ranks.

At 18 Chihoro was already promoted to the senior team. Unfortunately for Chihoro, his arrival coincided with the era of George Shaya which meant he had to be content with a place on the bench.

He was then loaned out to KB Royals and later on Mutapa Royals before he went on to have a stint with CAPS United.

After one year at the Green Machine, Chihoro was forced to hang his boots following a recurring injury which he had suffered whilst at Mutapa Royals.

“At Dynamos there were a lot of good senior players and it was difficult to command a first team jersey,” he recalled.

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HARARE – Chicken Inn coach Rahman Gumbo (pictured)believes his side is primed for the Castle Lager Premiership title after grinding a 1-0 win over Black Rhinos to go top of the log table yesterday.

Skipper Moses Jackson scored the all-important goal for the Gamecocks in the 63rd minute to take their tally to 45 points after 21 matches.

Jackson took full advantage of some poor defending by Chauya Chipembere to head home the winner after Rhinos goalkeeper Stephen Chimusoro, who started ahead of Herbert Rusawo, had parried an earlier effort from substitute Obadiah Tarumbwa onto his path.

Chicken Inn now have a two-point lead over second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars, who have a tough away game this afternoon against champions CAPS United at Rufaro Stadium.

“Like I said before, we have got our own targets that we have set and we are still within our targets," Gumbo said.

“Today’s game, I think Rhinos played very good football, they gave us a good run for our money but at the end of the day we came here to grind a result and we got it.

“We are not superior to Rhinos, I think it was a balanced game. I think we took the chance that we got and that was the only difference. Rhinos missed some chances and I think that was the major difference.

“We want to see how far we can go; we just want to keep on collecting points. We are going for the championship and if you can get a result against a strong side like Rhinos it shows where we are going. We are making our statement very straight-forward.”

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It was, however, a harsh way to lose for Black Rhinos having done everything only to stutter in front of goal.

The army side was by far the better side with Benjamin Marere, Cliff Chitsamba and Lot Chiwunga all coming close only to be denied by either Gamecocks goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze or at times found their defence unyielding.

The defeat was Black Rhinos’ fifth in a row to leave them in eighth place on the log table with 31 points after 21 matches.

Their coach Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa said there is no need to panic for his side as they have enough games to turn around their season.

“The wheels are not coming off yet. The boys played very well, created a lot of chances but we couldn’t score, even the set-pieces that we got we couldn’t convert them into goals” Mutizwa said.

“Yes, we are very worried, this is our fifth defeat. We are going to work more on finishing chances that we are creating. We are going to keep on working hard to ensure that we get a win in our next matches.

“Today, we have played well, matched Chicken Inn in every department but just couldn’t get the goals. We are still looking at surpassing the 43 point mark to ensure that we are safe from relegation.”

Meanwhile, in Bulawayo, a last minute goal by Ismael Wadi was the sucker punch Bulawayo City needed to beat Harare City 1-0 in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Barbourfields Stadium.

Bulawayo City coach Mandla Mpofu was happy with the win.

“It is a game to celebrate after I personally as a coach had admitted that we were going to share and get a point,” Mpofu said.

“At times we need luck, we were lucky and scored in the last minute. But I think we could have scored in the first minute of the first half where Wadi should have put that one away.”

Harare City coach Philani ‘'Beefy’' Ncube was a disappointed man after the loss.

“We struggled in the first half but we improved in the second half. We failed to defend as a team in the last seconds of the game,” Ncube said.

“We were playing a team that was fighting from the onset up to the last minute. We think we had a better second half.”

Today

CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro), Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery), Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Shabanie Mine v ZPC Kariba (Maglas), How Mine v Dynamos (Postponed), Highlanders v Tsholotsho (Postponed)

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HARARE - Succession battles in Zanu PF escalated yesterday as it emerged that the confusion surrounding the burial of the late senior party official Shuvai Mahofa is being caused by the party’s warring two factions with one of the groups not keen on having acting President Phelekezela Mphoko preside over her burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today.

Zanu PF is split between two warring factions, Team Lacoste and Generation 40 (G40) and there were concerns that were raised by the former camp, to which Mahofa was a key member, that their own could not be buried by Mphoko who allegedly is sympathetic to the G40 faction.

Despite government’s intervention on Friday through Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo, who is also Zanu PF’s secretary for administration and subsequent declaration that Mahofa would be buried today, there was a flurry of activities in Masvingo as the disgruntled Team Lacoste faction tried to stop the funeral proceedings and wanted to push the burial to Wednesday.

The Daily News on Sunday has been told that one faction opposed to Mphoko is pushing the date to Wednesday so that President Robert Mugabe, who is away in South Africa for the Sadc summit presides.

Mahofa, known as the Iron Lady of Masvingo died on Monday last week and was declared a national hero, but what was supposed to be a mellowing reward was thrown into turmoil after it became clear that Mugabe, who is currently in South Africa, will not be able to take charge of the funeral at the Heroes Acre—something that will now be done by his deputy Mphoko.

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Zanu PF provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira could neither confirm nor deny reports that the family and Lacoste faction would have preferred someone else to be in charge of the funeral.

“As far as we know, officially the burial will take place tomorrow (today), that is the official position. However, the family was still requesting for a postponement of the burial because they are still waiting for some people who are out of the country to arrive,” said Chadzamira.

Asked whether the family or the province, known for pushing for Mnangagwa’s ascendancy and also holding a low opinion of Mphoko was comfortable with the acting president presiding over the burial, Chadzamira said it was not for him to comment.

“At last the family had agreed and as I speak the plane is on its way to Harare. I am not sure about who will preside over the funeral but it really doesn’t matter now,” said Chadzamira.

On Friday, Chombo told a press conference that they were some mischievous elements who wanted to confuse the situation.

“The family spoke about Saturday and moved it to Sunday. There could be some mischievous elements who were trying to confuse the situation, but the family and political leadership are at one that burial is on Sunday,” said Chombo.

Sources told the Daily News on Sunday that Mphoko will preside over the funeral something that will certainly cause discomfort among the Team Lacoste faction that would have preferred their own to be in charge.

Mahofa was a darling of the Team Lacoste faction, which is campaigning for Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe.

And rather naturally, she had no sympathisers among members of the Generation 40 (G40) faction who could be shedding crocodile tears following her sudden death.

At Mahofa’s funeral in Masvingo last week, suspected G40 officials were chased away from the Mahofa home by Lacoste members who accused them of plotting to poison people.

Mahofa was popularly known for her passion in dancing so much such that she collapsed while on the dance floor at one of Zanu PF’s gatherings.

Despite her advanced age and the fact that she was not really good at it, Mahofa never slowed down on dancing.

She was also part of a growing breed of Zanu PF politicians who owe their ascendance to influential positions to praise-singing for Mugabe.

Having presided over a fractious province, Mahofa’s death has divided opinion in Zanu PF over whether she deserves a place at the National Heroes Acre.

Her death comes less than two months after the death of renowned freedom fighter and musician, Dick Chingaira, popularly known as Cde Chinx, who was denied national hero status.

She is survived by four children and 27 grandchildren.

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HARARE - Millers have threatened to institute legal proceedings if Health minister David Parirenyatwa does not invalidate the food fortification policy, as health inspectors are threatening to arrest and shut down milling companies who do not abide by fortification guidelines.

In an August 16 letter to Parirenyatwa, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe(Gmaz) chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara gave the minister a seven-day ultimatum to invalidate the Statutory Instrument 120 of 2016 requiring all maize-meal, sugar, cooking oil and flour to be added with micronutrients starting July 1, 2017.

“It’s unfortunate that, despite explaining the challenges in executing this programme, you have remained intransigent. The mandatory fortification programme is asking for the milling industry to do the impossible.

“The law is being hurriedly enforced and has the potential to close down millers or reduce the capacity utilisation of the milling industry, which will consequently compromise national food security,” Musarara said in the letter.

“I regret to advise you that, in light of the foregoing, Gmaz will be making a court application within the next seven days seeking the invalidation of Statutory Instrument 120 of 2016.

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“Your health inspectors have started visiting millers threatening to arrest and close them down. It is now apparent that courts are now unavoidable as we have two choices; either to appear as the accused or litigants.”

He accused the minister of not listening to the concerns of the public regarding hurriedly implementing the policy without proper consultation.

“I make particular reference to our joint meeting of Sunday, July 18, 2017 at Mpilo Hospital that was attended by representatives of Johane Marange, Bulawayo United Residents Association and us.

“These two organisations, among others, form a critical mass market of our products namely maize-meal and flour in the Bulawayo province and the concerns they expressed are equally shared by the generality of citizens in Zimbabwe.

“Our application will be grounded, inter alia on the following; the results of your micro nutrient survey, which are not independently verified shows that the micro deficiency is dominant in the rural areas. But the products sought to be fortified are largely consumed in the urban areas b) maize-meal to be fortified is 95 percent supplied to urban areas.

“Rural areas account for 82 percent of the national maize-meal consumption. Your fortification programme excludes the rural areas and the selective application of this programme is as astonishing as it is unreasonable,” Musarara wrote.

Millers also pointed out that there were facing challenges of shortages of foreign currency to import fortificants and machinery.

“The Health minister is yet to negotiate for the exemption of custom duty and Vat on imported fortificants and machinery. The milling and baking industries have an aggregate outstanding Nostro currency liabilities of $87 million of shipments received and consumed as way back as August 2016,” he said.

They also list shortage of working capital by millers to fund mandatory fortification, no clear waivers, lack of technical support and threat to loss of employment as reasons to invalidate the whole fortification process.

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BULAWAYO - Police on Friday night arrested the leader of a new opposition party, the Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Fighters (ZEFF) soon after addressing journalists at the Bulawayo Media Centre.

He was charged with violating immigration laws.

The United Kingdom-based Innocent Ndibali who is in the country to drum up support for his party was taken away by plain-clothes officers from the Law an Order section while he was still at the media centre in full view of the journalists.

He was taken to the Bulawayo Central Police Station where he was detained for a night until his release yesterday morning.

He is set to appear in court tomorrow.

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“They took me to Bulawayo Central Police Station for intensive interrogations which lasted over three hours,” Ndibali told journalists soon after his release.

“They (police) were professional in their conduct and they were quiet forthcoming on my rights and explained things they believe went wrong in so far as contravening immigration sections since I used a British passport coming to Zimbabwe,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Media Centre chairperson Pamenus Tuso condemned the police for arresting their suspects at the media centre.

“While we acknowledge that it is within their right to conduct their duties wherever and whenever and arrest people for whatever reason anywhere and anyhow, we feel they must have arrested him outside the environs of the media centre,” Tuso said.

He said that was tantamount to intimidating journalists.

“We invite guests here from all over the world to interact with us and the police should not wait for our guest to pitch up here then they arrest them more so in our environs. 

“It will not be surprising if other political actors refuse to come to the media centre fearing arrest,” said Tuso.

ZEFF is one of the many opposition parties that seek to challenge President Robert Mugabe’s rule come 2018.

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HARARE - War veterans’ leader Victor Matemadanda, who is facing charges of undermining the authority of the president and causing disaffection among the defence forces, was yesterday granted $200 bail.

The development was a dose of good news for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies whose other vocal wordsmith Energy Mutodi remains behind bars following his arrest on similar charges nine days ago. 

However, after weighing the State and defence counsels’ arguments during bail hearing yesterday Harare provincial magistrate Elisha Singano ruled that Matemadanda was a proper candidate for bail.

“It is the courts’ considered view that the accused is a proper candidate for bail since he has cooperated with investigations so far,” Singano said.

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Matemadanda was given bail on the grounds that he deposits $200 at the clerk of court, resides at his given address, report once a week at Gokwe Police Station and does not interfere with State witnesses.

The State had opposed bail arguing that the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general would not only abscond but would interfere with State witnesses who were set to give evidence against him.

The State, led by Prosecutor Fransisca Mukumbiri, also opposed bail on the grounds that Matemadanda is facing “serious offences which are a threat to national security”.

“The accused has a propensity to commit a similar offence as he has a pending matter of a similar nature,” Mukumbiri argued.

However, Matemadanda’s defence counsel Muzokhuthula Mbuyisa of Mtetwa and Nyambirai contended that Matemadanda had been granted bail for the earlier offence he was arrested and had religiously followed the bail conditions to the effect that he has been removed from remand.

Mbuyisa also argued that the State’s case was unfounded and mainly bordered on their opinion, to which Harare provincial magistrate Singano later agreed while handing down his ruling. 

“Suffice to say that the investigative officer confirmed that the accused voluntarily surrendered himself to law and order section with his legal team. This shows cooperation,” said Singano.

“He went on his own to the police after being phoned and such conduct by the accused tips the scales in his favour. In fact most of the grounds by the State are general in nature like for example the seriousness and overwhelming evidence against the accused. The defence has argued that the State already has the material in its possession in the form of the video, so there is nowhere that the accused can tamper with evidence,” Singano ruled.

“More so on the witness that were present (at the press conference) the State had ample time to record the statements from witnesses that is from the 11th until the arrest on 16 August.”

Sinango said the State’s claim that the matter was “serious” and a threat to national security did not hold water as it was not coupled with strong evidence.

The defence counsel immediately made notice that they would be making an application to challenge the grounds of their client’s arrest.

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HARARE - In what is turning out to be a bad month for Zanu PF, another key figure for the ruling party George Rutanhire passed on yesterday.

Rutanhire’s death comes hard on the heels of the passing on of minister of State for Masvingo Province Shuvai Mahofa and also at a time when the nation is grappling with the alleged poisoning of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa while also trying to come to terms with the diplomatic storm that was caused by First Lady Grace Mugabe when she allegedly beat up a young woman in South Africa, recently.

Rutanhire, a veteran of the country’s liberation struggle, who has been a key figure of the ruling party in Mashonaland Central province and also a politburo member, passed on in the early hours of yesterday.

Mashonaland Central minister of State for Provincial Affairs Martin Dinha confirmed to the Daily News on Sunday Rutanhire’s death and indicated that they will request for his conferment with national war hero status, the highest honour in the land, hitherto a preserve for Zanu PF loyalists.

“We have received the sad news of the passing on of...George Rutanhire at Karanda Hospital in Mt Darwin in the early hours of today with shock and disbelief. He has been unwell for some time and we are advised by his wife that he succumbed to renal failure .

“On behalf of Mashonaland Central Province I wish to convey my deepest condolences and sorrow to the Rutanhire family and the whole nation of Zimbabwe at the untimely death of this gallant and heroic son of the soil. Undoubtedly the province will be making a request to the party and government  for conferment  of a befitting hero status. His heroism and selfless dedication to the liberation of Zimbawe and post independent contribution is without doubt, illustrious. We grieve at this great   loss as we still have fresh tears and are we mourning  yet another daughter of the soil  Shuvai Ben Mahofa. Cde Rutanhire was an animator and composer of revolutionary songs, a  charismatic commissar and ideologist who the party had rightly chosen to lead the Chitepo Ideological College. As minister of State for Provincial Affairs I shared a lot with him and he gave me invaluable lessons and advice and at one time him and his wife saved me from imminent death after some people had conspired  to poison me at a function in Mt Darwin. I am personally pained by his death,” said Dinha.

However, like most Zanu PF officials, Rutanhire was not without enemies.

Early this year, he ruffled a few feathers when he claimed that former vice president Joice Mujuru, who now leads the National People’s Party (NPP) was a sex monger during the war who caused the death of many war veterans, allegedly because of her sexual indiscretions.

Rutanhire, who was at one time a legislator for Mt Darwin and a deputy minister was set to head the Chitepo Ideological College, and in the past was at the forefront of exhumations of what were claimed to be former freedom fighters buried in mass graves.

He was a rather willing tool for Zanu PF and was often used as a propaganda fool to set the “record straight” by the ruling party apologists, often popping up to defend President Robert Mugabe’s role during the liberation struggle.

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HARARE - Zimbabweans have reacted angrily to First Lady Grace Mugabe’s brush with the law in South Africa where she faces charges of severely assaulting a 20-year-old model, Gabriella Engels she had found with her sons at an upmarket hotel in Sandton, on Sunday.

Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme believes that while conflict is inevitable, violence is not.

“Reacting violently to a conflictual situation shows that someone is unable to respond in a non-adversarial manner to a conflict.

“That this violence was perpetrated on a young lady by a fellow woman betrays Grace as a misfit and unsuitable to hold public office.

“She is not fit to hold the women’s league portfolio in her party or to hold the esteemed position of a mother of the nation.”

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Saungweme said Grace is a very conflicted woman trying to run orphanages yet she has no respect for rights of young women.

“As a nation we must be very afraid that someone like her, who can’t manage such a simple situation of a young lady found with her sons has political ambitions to hold public office in our dear country.

“This incident is such a scandal, a criminal offence that must be a final nail in her moribund and tumultuous dumpy political career founded on vehemence, character assassination of opponents and venomous and unhinged circumlocution spews.

“This must just seal her fate, politically. Zimbabweans whether Zanu PF members or not, must never negate their duty of care for the nation by electing Grace in any public position,” said Saungweme.

Social commentator Farai Maguwu believes Grace lives in her own world.

“She overrates herself and her rights know no limits. She will remain like that till her political immunity which comes by association to President (Robert) Mugabe crumbles.

“I have listened to her speak many times and have failed to locate a mother in her. But the big question is if she can brutalise that innocent girl in her own country what does this tell about human rights in Zimbabwe?”

Media practitioner Nigel Nyamutumbu said Grace’s utterly odious assault on a defenceless young woman not only exposes her true character as a violent and boisterous person but also shows that all her supposed philanthropic work is disingenuous.

“Her shameless act is an indictment on the legacy of Mugabe  — who despite his several flaws remains a Statesman — and by extension she has embarrassed the entire country and one hopes she will be held accountable for her actions,” added Nyamutumbu.

Social commentator Rejoice Ngwenya said: “The question really is: is the so-called ‘loving mother’ not beating up her orphans at Mazowe in the name of discipline? Her behaviour and her demeanour during rallies show she has a high propensity to abuse people.

“I wonder how her body guards, aides, cooks and gardeners are treated! How a woman with such an emotional short fuse can co-habit with children and care for the disabled is a mystery. She is not mother or leadership material.”

Legislator Jessie Majome believes this is all an absolute, utter disgrace.

“It betrays her lack of internal values of care and concern and casts doubt on the sincerity of her ‘philanthropic’ ventures.

“Her reported brutish conduct places the organisations she leads into disrepute and is a national embarrassment to no end.”

Majome added that the government’s claiming immunity for her is not only a scandalous waste of State resources “but cements us as a lawless State if it is not accompanied by a plan for our National Prosecuting Authority  to prosecute her here at home since she enjoys no such immunity here. The State mustn’t abuse diplomatic immunity to secure her impunity.”

Political activist Tabani Moyo said the recent episode has exposed her wiring.

“Why does a whole first lady or anyone for that matter believe in such a show of force? It exposes that behind the bravado, she is an insecure person, who believes in inflicting pain than reason.

“It also says a lot about the levels of impunity in this country that is yet to be documented. If we had the institutions stronger than persons in Zimbabwe, we would have seen the correct measure of punishment mating her, but as usual, she had a trail of violence allegedly orchestrated over the years including grabbing properties, assaulting and insulting anyone holding dissenting views.

“This is simply a matter of showing to the world without any form of scapegoat of her true wiring.”

Commentator Hopewell Chin’ono said what happened in South Africa reflects the real Grace Mugabe, “temperamental, unmeasured and disrespectful to rules and laws.

“It is a true reflection of how the Zanu PF elite conduct business, they have no sense of parameter and they will do anything regardless of consequences because it's them.

“The world has seen the impunity with which Grace and her husband rule Zimbabwe with an iron fist. It shows that her talk about women’s rights and violence is nothing but a political charade.”

Political activist and actor Silvanos Bhanditi said Grace is a violent person.

“The way she even talks at rallies and bullies people at public events, one is not surprised at all by this incident.

“I am so worried about the safety and treatment of kids at her orphanage because other countries with rule of law would send inspectors to check on these kids at that orphanage.

“Even the treatment of workers at the orphanage and Gushungo diaries should be checked. I won’t be surprised of these workers are being constantly harassed or beaten.

“Violence doesn’t happen once it is a process that occurs everyday. It’s a very dangerous addiction which needs counselling. Actually one wonders if our president is safe in Grace’s hands considering his age. He might also be a victim.”

Morgan Tsvangirais’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said the debacle in SA exposes Grace for the hypocrite that she is.

“For starters, even if she were to attempt to justify her behaviour on the basis of the morals of her children, it must not be lost on Zimbabweans that this is an immoral woman who snatched ...Mugabe when his wedded wife, Sally, was suffering from a kidney ailment. The hypocrisy stinks to high heavens.”

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HARARE - While foreign universities are portrayed as havens of quality education  compared to those in the country, Zimbabwean students in Northern Cyprus are going through hell.

Instead of the island being a paradise it has turned otherwise with parents complaining that their children are suffering attacks and abuse from the Turks, language barrier in lectures, and high expenses making their stay horrible.

There are about 4 800 Zimbabwean students who are in Cyprus — which is under Turkey — with reports that some went through agencies that promised non-existent scholarships.

This also comes as the Zimbabwean parliament has reported that Zimbabwean students there are turning to crime as they try to eke out a living.

In an incident that showed the extent of the troubles these students are facing, Macmillan Nyamukondiwa is battling blindness following racially aggravated assault.

Friends and family of the 27-year-old had to open a GoFundme page to help raise  £10 500  for an operation to restore his sight.

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Nyamukodiwa left Zimbabwe for Cyprus in 2016 where he was currently studying towards an M.Sc. in Information Systems at Near East University in Northern Cyprus.

In June this year, Nyaukondiwa was attacked by Turkish assailants but his friends of Turkish origin were left unharmed. 

He was unlucky because stitches from previous corneal transplant came off and this threatened vision in his right eye.

“Doctors in Cyprus stitched up his eye in a medical surgery and put him on antibiotics but unfortunately this was in vain.

“The diagnosing doctors have recommended a corneal transplant in a highly-specialised eye centre as it is not a straightforward case. At present, Macmillan only has five percent of his vision. As a family we are in the deepest of despair following these events,” the GoFundme page which has also met half of the required amount read.

Nyamukondiwa is not the only student who has appealed for crowd funding, several other students are also turning to the page to help them finish their studies on the island as their parents in Zimbabwe can no longer afford.

One parent of the students studying at Cyprus International University told the Daily News on Sunday that if she had a choice she would withdraw her son from the university.

“It’s now late because a year has already gone by, but I am not even settled. I am always forking out money, to make  sure my son lives comfortably because the landlords are rough and they are always getting them harassed by the Turkish police,” the parent who, however, could not say her name to protect her son’s  identity said.

“You know agents here paint Cyprus as this paradise but it’s not, our children are suffering on that island.  And they say lectures are in English but not all of them are, it’s a few lecturers that can speak English. They also say that you can use United States dollars but that’s not the case, they use euros so everything becomes expensive.”

Another Zimbabwean who had gone to study in Cyprus will spend the next seven years in prison after being convicted of drug dealing in the country as he sought to earn a living illegally.

This also comes as officials in Cyprus are seemingly facing a torrid time with Zimbabwean students studying in the island country that have turned to prostitution and trafficking of drugs in a desperate bid to survive as they are living on the fringes of poverty.

Parliamentary portfolio committee chairperson on Foreign Affairs Kindness Paradza has since approached the ministry of Foreign Affairs with the view of sending a delegation to investigate the full extent of the crimes being perpetrated by Zimbabweans.

“Three Zimbabwean students were recently arrested, one has been given seven years’ imprisonment over drug trafficking,” Paradza told the Daily News on Sunday earlier.

“Some went there with false information and because of that they started involving themselves with drugs, in prostitution, others are marrying other nationalities for convenience. Some have been arrested for drug trafficking.

“So we have approached the ministry to send an official delegation there through Turkey because Cyprus is under Turkey.”

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