HARARE - Those who watched FC Platinum outclass Harare giants Dynamos on Sunday were left convinced that the reigning champions could be well on course to defend their Castle Lager Premiership title.

The platinum miners put up a flawless show en-route to a deserved 0-2 victory at Rufaro Stadium courtesy of a well-taken first half brace by reigning Soccer Star of the Year, Rodwell Chinyengetere.

After the match, even the hard-to-please DeMbare fans gave the Zvishavane-based side a rare standing ovation.

Pure Platinum Play had been in total control of that match from start to finish as DeMbare never had a sniff at Petros Mhari’s goal throughout the 90 minutes. Sunday’s win ensured FC platinum remained in second place on the log with 29 points and trail leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars by three after 12 matches.

Opinion appeared to have already favoured Ngezi Platinum Stars to win this year’s championship as they are yet to taste defeat but on Sunday, Pure Platinum Play showed the rest of the league they will not let go of their title without a fight.

Despite that polished performance on the afternoon that won them many more neutrals, Mapeza feels his side is still to hit top gear this season.

“I think we didn’t manage the game well. There were times when we gave them too much room and I think we need to go back and address those issues. We should be able to turn our dominance into more goals,” Mapeza lamented his failure to convert the numerous chances they created.

The reigning Coach of the Year was also full praise for Chinyengetere following the brace and wants to see other players contribute as well.

“Fantastic goals, even last season he was scoring goals for us. But my wish is for everybody to contribute something at the end of the day.

“Not only Rodwell, not only Mkhokheli but I want everybody to contribute and we will keep working hard and I think in the next games, we will rectify our problems then we will see how the season progresses.”

Mapeza also paid tribute to the DeMbare fans for their acknowledgement of the good football displayed by the platinum miners.

“I think it’s always great when people appreciate the good work you are doing. I think the supporters at the end of the day appreciated the way we were playing,” he said.

“That’s what we want in our football not only for me but everybody. People come to watch good football and it’s good when they appreciate.”

On what is shaping up to be a two-horse title race between his side and Ngezi Platinum, Mapeza feels it’s still early days and wants his charges to continue working hard as the season hurtles towards the halfway mark.

“I cannot talk of winning the league now. We still have so many games to go. There are still a lot of matches to play and I can’t talk of the title now. All the clubs in the league are a threat to us. I give respect to all the clubs in the league, there is no club I would say is a walkover. I give respect to each and every coach in the league. So I take each game at a time.”

Pure Platinum Play have a chance to maintain the pressure on Ngezi Platinum when they host top flight new boys Nichrut at Mandava Stadium tomorrow.

Fixtures:

Tomorrow: CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (NSS), Chapungu v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ascot), Harare City v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve)

Thursday: Herentals v Triangle United (NSS, 1pm), Yadah FC v Mutare City (NSS, 3pm), Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Black Rhinos v Dynamos (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Nichrut (Mandava)

Saturday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Harare City (Baobab),

Sunday: Mutare City Rovers v Triangle United (Vengere), Dynamos v Herentals (Rufaro), Nichrut v Black Rhinos (Ascot), Shabanie Mine v Bulawayo Chiefs (Maglas), Highlanders v Chapungu (Barbourfields), ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga), Yadah v CAPS United (NSS), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve).

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HARARE - Japanese J-African music superstars Iyco and Kaka Furaha put up a polished act at City Sports Bar in the capital on Monday which left the appreciative crowd begging for more.

The band members’ arrival at the venue generated a lot of interest as the audience was curious to hear what the artistes had to offer.

Accompanied by their manager, Tavonga Mafundikwa aka Ras Teekay, the band members took to the dance floor as they danced to some sungura music that was being belted by John Manyozo.

Already, the crowd had warmed up to their easy going attitude as they freely mixed and mingled with all and sundry taking several pictures along the way.

When the master of ceremonies finally called them on to the stage, the expectant crowd was already in a party mood and there were wild cheers as their manager was called onto the stage to introduce them.

The moment they came onto the stage, accompanied by their friends Faith and Brennan from Fabs fusion and Evicted’s Justin on drum, it was totally show time.

The group, which plays African- Japanese music opened their account with the mellow tune African Ciclidae and moved onto Tamba, a catchy and groovy dance song which set the stage alight.

The house was on fire and there was no stopping the band.

Then came Tuku Moja which means “united” in Swahili and they followed it up with another Swahili-inspired song, Hongera, which means (congratulations).

As they announced it was their last song, the crowd could have none of it and demanded they stay on the stage.

Master of Ceremonies Ndombele then kindly asked them to do Jah Prayzah’s rendition of Mdhara Vachauya and they obliged.

Iyco, the lead singer backed by Faith, did justice to the song and the crowd went wild.

Again when the band wanted to leave the stage the crowd still wanted more but since it was a jam session they had to pave way for other acts.

As they made their way out, the crowd duly saluted them and it was all smiles for the group as they went to mix and mingle with the happy crowd.

What a sweet farewell it was for the group.

City Sports Bar manager Mathias Bangure was impressed with the band and had this to say, “thank you my brother for bringing such a solid act to our bar. The way they collaborated with Fabs fusion was so amazing.”

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HARARE - Another bruising battle is looming at Telecel Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (Telecel) as company chairman James Makamba has furtively sought to eject one of his Empowerment Corporation (EC) partners and board member Gerald Mlotshwa.

This also comes as the grabby businessman is locked in a $2,8 million lawsuit with another EC associate George Manyere over 2015-2016 monies given to him as deposit for a major stake in the empowerment vehicle and securitised by his Kestrel Corporation (Private) Limited (Kestrel) shares.

“We refer to the letter dated 16 May 2018 addressed to you by… Makamba, in which he purports to withdraw the nomination of Mr Mlotshwa as a director of Telecel Zimbabwe Limited with immediate effect,” Mlotshwa’s lawyers Mushoriwa Pasi said in a May 18 rejoinder.

“It is our considered view that the purported withdrawal is invalid as it fails to comply with the provisions of section 175 of the Companies… which clearly outlines the procedure… for the removal of a director,” they said, adding “any other procedures outside the law were void and of no force nor effect”.

While Mlotshwa has made a strong argument that he “has not resigned from the board and was entitled to transacting the company’s business” until such a removal was legally sanctioned or sound, the machinations come as Makamba has decidedly moved to repudiate a May 2017 share purchase agreement and unilaterally seek to oust the former without an EC board meeting or resolution.

Following an acquisition of the firm’s majority shareholding by Manyere’s Ecsponent Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (Ecsponent), which the Kestrel owner acknowledges, the Titan Law senior partner, ex-Brainworks Capital founder and Walter Kambwanji were appointed to the local empowerment grouping’s board, and subsequently Telecel in August last year.

With the deal set to be completed when Makamba returned to Harare in early December - under an arrangement amply facilitated by Mlotshwa and through an extra-ordinary general meeting called by the former Zanu PF provincial chairman himself - the transaction was held up due to political infighting in president Robert Mugabe’s government at the time.

Now, it would seem the ex-Thurlows supermarket operator is bent on taking full advantage of that lost momentum and external interference by withholding the Ecsponent share certificates, thus raising serious suspicions about his business ethic and way of doing things.

“In a desperate bid to hang onto Telecel, Makamba has initiated all these illegal moves to oust Mlotshwa from after a voluntary process in which he sold all his shares to Manyere and the lawyer. It is not only shocking how the man has chosen to trash and mess someone who was even looking after his family, but the behaviour - and stunt - reeks of bad faith and duplicity,” a source said.

“Apart from fixing the Telecel chairman’s legal issues, including outstanding arrest warrants, the Ktulu Nominees owner was even protecting the fellow... when tensions were brewing between the EC principals. And after his reported trip to South Africa last week, l don’t see him coming back to Zimbabwe where the likes of his aggrieved lawyer will be waiting to discipline him,” they added.

‘We may even see a scenario where Makamba could be extradited back to the country and, remember, this was a guy so used to abusing the fallen dictator and his wife Grace as an excuse for staying in self-exile in Johannesburg, and other foreign destinations.”

Besides fighting his presumed business partners, the flamboyant businessman recently put himself in the crosshairs of many government officials after being caught - on tape - savaging Information, and Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira and others.

In the same audio, Makamba is heard asking of how “he can make his Manyere debt disappear” and in remarks seen as “dangerous, and smacing of sinister motives”.

Amid swirling rumours that the controversial businesman might have skipped the border again - in a clear demonstration of the depth and extent of his problems in Zimbabwe - analysts say his “fraudulent May 16 letter could be his greatest undoing, and archilles heel”.

The development also comes as new information indicates that Makamba and another EC shareholder Jane Mutasa could be axed from the Telecel board to pave way for a thorough investigation into their ‘dubious record, and activities’ at the institution.

While the Kestrel owner was to be paid $13 million for his stake, the balance of the money was to be settled via legal fees - running into millions - and cash from Mlotshwa, and Manyere.

As such, Ecsponent not only managed to pay a $3,8 million deposit, but also committed to distributing some shares to a number of the founding EC promoters - and a set of decisions now under threat from Makamba’s self-serving, and expedient actions.

Even, though, the ex-radio jockey had agreed to settle the debt - in a move aimed at salvaging the deal - his defense has now changed to claims that Mlotshwa had “agreed to help him with the money and only him could make demands” from the embattled businessman.

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HARARE - The late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s child has been chucked out of school for failing to pay school fees, the Daily News can report.

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Chapungu……………......0
Ngezi Platinum…….. (0)1

GWERU - Ngezi Platinum Stars continued with their unbeaten run to extend their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership log to six points with victory over Chapungu yesterday.

Midfielder Walter Mukanga scored the all-important goal in the second half which saw Madamburo move to 35 points from 13 matches.

Tonderai Ndiraya’s side, who had never beaten Chapungu at this venue, are now six ahead of second-placed FC Platinum, who are in action this afternoon against Nichrut at Mandava Stadium. 

Ngezi came into this game on the back of a poor record against Chapungu having failed to win at Ascot in their last two attempts.

However, Madamburo would not be denied at the third time of asking as Mukanga did justice to a Michael Charamba cross on 66 minutes to ensure the visitors take home the three points.

Charamba, who had come in for James Ngulube a minute earlier, won possession on the right, and left his marker for dead before sending an inviting cross that found an on-running Mukanga, who hit the ball into an empty net.

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Tonderayi Ndiraya was elated by picking up three points, and finally beating Chapungu at Ascot.

“I am quite excited by the way we got a result today, it’s been a long time since we defeated Chapungu here, it’s always a difficult venue to come to and in our last  two visits, we were not lucky but today we got the three points” Ndiraya said.

Ndiraya downplayed the advantage his team has enjoyed lately of playing their games before rivals FC Platinum, who are now under be under pressure to win their game against Nichrut to keep the gap at three points

“I think it’s a bit early in the season, of course it gives pressure to play after your rivals and I’m sure the Premier Soccer League cannot start changing the fixtures now it’s still too early to start talking about that,” he said.

Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama refused to bury his head in the sand after the defeat and was delighted by his boys’ performance blaming the defeat on a lapse in concentration.

“It was just a lapse of concentration, I give credit to the winners and I also give credit to the boys for the performance, no one wants to come and watch bad football, you have to influence the boys to knock the ball around,” Dhlakama said.

The game itself was closely fought with Chapungu very solid and refusing to roll over easily and could have taken the lead on the stroke of half time when Bruno Mtigo was denied by the cross bar.

Ngezi found the going tough and had to dig deep into their bag, with the introduction of Charamba and Clive Augusto swaying the match in their favour as the Mhondoro-based outfit extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.

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Harare City………(0) 2
Shabanie Mine……0) 1

HARARE - Harare City continued with their fine run this season following a deserved victory which compounded Shabanie Mine’s woes in a Castle Lager Premiership match here yesterday.

Wilfred Muvirimi got City’s opener four minutes from the break before Shabanie Mine defender Nyasha Mpofu beat his own goalkeeper just after the hour mark under pressure to clear a Tatenda Tumba free kick to double their lead.

However, David Temwanjira ensured a nervy finish for the home side after he pulled one back for Shabanie with an easy finish after City goalkeeper Ryan Harrison had fumbled a Kibaki Dhlamini powerful shot from the edge of the box.

But in the end, the Sunshine Boys held on to their lead to secure their sixth win of the season which took their tally to 24 points and moved them one place up the log table to fourth place after 13 matches.

In fact, the scoreline could have been wider for City, who were by far the better of the two teams, but second half substitute William Manondo was twice denied by the upright towards the end of the match while Muvirimi was also guilty of wasting some good scoring opportunities.

The victory means City are now unbeaten in their last seven matches with their only defeat of the season coming in April against reigning champions FC Platinum away at Mandava Stadium.

The Sunshine Boys coach Mark Harrison said: “I thought we were a little bit tired today, to be honest with you. We had a tough game down there in Bulawayo at the weekend, long trip back, I think the guys were a little bit jaded.

“For 90 minutes, we controlled the game again, we played some good football at times but first half it was a little lethargic, no real penetration, we tried to change it at half time a little bit and second half was a little bit better, we opened them up a few times.

“In the end, we could have scored four or five I think. But overall, I’m happy with the three points, we have been going a few hard games now and we have got another two difficult coming. It’s not getting easier.”

For Shabanie Mine, yesterday’s defeat meant they have now gone for 12 matches without a win and their coach Takesure Chiragwi was at pains to explain what could have gone wrong at the Chinda Boys.

After 13 matches, the Chinda Boys sit second from bottom with a paltry nine points. Already calls for Chiragwi to be sacked are getting louder from the mining town of Zvishavane.

“Sometimes football results are cruel. When you think you are in the right direction, it goes the other way,” a dejected Chiragwi said after the match.

“We were playing good football and we were looking for an equaliser, we conceded an own goal and as a coach you can’t control that. I have done my part as a coach during the week trying to correct some mistakes that we were making and I expected the players to respond on the field to try and produce better results. But in football at times you have to admit and find a way forward.”

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HARARE - Warriors striker Knowledge Musona finally ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a four-year deal with Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht.

While reports were linking the former Kaizer Chiefs hitman with a move to Standard Liege, Anderlecht announced Musona’s signing on their official Twitter account yesterday.

“Welcome to RSCA, Antonio Milic, Knowledge Musona & Luka Adzic,” the Purple and White tweeted yesterday.

Musona had a fine season with KV Oostende last season, scoring 10 goals and making six assists in his 28 appearances for the Jupiler Pro League side.

It was thought that the 27-year-old Zimbabwean striker would join Standard Liege, but he opted to join Anderlecht instead.

Last week, Musona’s agent Mark Makaab of Prosport International hinted the possible Standard move in comments he made in the media.

However, Anderlecht are now owned by former KV Oostende chairperson Marc Coucke, who is a keen admirer of the Aces Youth Soccer Academy graduate.

Coucke and Anderlecht then made the move on the Zimbabwean with Makaab and the player finalising the deal yesterday just in time for the player to be unveiled together with his new teammates.

Musona had been at KV Oostende since 2018 were he scored 39 goals in 110 appearances for the club after joining from Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Musona heralds a list of stars that also includes Belgiam-based Marvellous Nakamba, Khama Billiat, Tino Kadewere, Costa Nhamoinesu, George Chigova and Evans Rusike among other players, who will be available for the Cosafa Castle Cup.

Also in the squad are England-based Tendayi Darikwa of Nottingham Forest, Macaulley Bonne of Leyton Orient and Admiral Muskwe of Leicester City, who have already heeded calls to play for the Warriors after featuring in international friendly matches last year.

Zimbabwe, who are the defending champions after winning last year’s tournament by beating neighbours Zambia 3-1 in the final, will begin their title defence in the quarterfinal stage after being handed a bye.

Chidzambwa’s charges will take on winners of Group B, who comprise Botswana, Angola, Mauritius and Malawi on June 3 in the Limpopo Province unlike in previous years where the Warriors had to start the competition in the group stages owing to poor form.

Group A consists of Madagascar, Mozambique, the Comoros and Seychelles with the winner meeting South Africa in the quarter-final. The other quarter finals pairings will see last year’s runners-up Zambia take on Namibia while Lesotho have been drawn to face Swaziland.

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CAPS United........................(1) 3
ZPC Kariba................................0

HARARE - Striker John Zhuwawu scored a brace and created the third to help CAPS United pick up their first win inside five matches with success over struggling ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premiership match yesterday.

Zhuwawu opened the scoring for United in the first half when he toe-poked a cross from Simba Nhivi.

He was also involved in the second goal scored from the spot by Denver Mukamba in the second half after he was pulled inside the box by ZPC defender Sylvester Appiah.

Zhuwawu completed his brace 12 minutes from time with a well-taken goal that meant the home side would move into sixth place on the log with 20 points from 13 matches.

In their previous four matches, United had lost to Chicken Inn and log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars while drawing with Shabanie Mine and Highlanders.

Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe was pleased his side had ended their four-game winless run to get their 2018 campaign back on track.

“It’s satisfying in the sense that, this is probably one of the few times we have scored three goals this season so I’m very happy. I’m also happy with the fact that we did not concede and after some changes it leaves you satisfied,” Chitembwe said.

“Overall, I think we still have a lot of work to do; there a lot of areas that we really want to improve on but today I’m happy for the boys. They have given us more of what we expected in the last couple of games.”

Following those poor results in previous matches, Makepekepe really started on the front foot as they hoped to pile more misery on the visitors, who had only two victories in their opening 12 matches.

United could have opened the scoring in the sixth minute when ZPC goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya failed to deal with a Joel Ngodzo corner kick.

Zhuwawu then opened the scoring for the home side when he ghosted ahead of ZPC Kariba defender Appiah to meet Nhivi’s cross in the 27th minute.

At the other end, CAPS keeper Prosper Chigumba was lucky to stay on the pitch when he handled Samuel Makawa’s goal-bound shot outside the box. Referee Philan Ncube only showed a yellow card to Chigumba.

At the start of the second half, Chitembwe was forced to replace Ngodzo, who picked up an ankle injury, with Mukamba.

The former Dynamos midfielder was on the score sheet in the 68th minute from the penalty spot after Appiah had pulled down Zhuwawu inside the box.

Zhuwawu completed his double in the 78th minute when he ghosted from the right before controlling Ncube’s cross with his right foot.

The Makepekepe forward then beat Mawaya with a low left-footed shot.

ZPC coach Godfrey Tamirepi lambasted his team’s overall performance but was particularly critical of their defending.

“This is one game I would like to quickly forget about. We have actually played better opposition than CAPS United and we have gone on to do well but unfortunately today; it was something else, our guys never came to the party,” Tamirepi said.

“We were too slow, we couldn’t keep the ball, we gave room to a team that was resorting to kick and run football. For the first goal; there was loose marking and the goalkeeper never tried to stop the ball from going in.”

ZPC are now just two places above the relegation zone with 12 points from 13 matches.

TEAMS

CAPS: Prosper Chigumba, Justice Jangano, Valentine Musarurwa, Goodwin Goriyati, Carlton Munzabwa, Dominic Mukandi, Kudzai Nyamupfukudza, Joel Ngodzo (Denver Mukamba 47m), Milton Ncube, John Zhuwawu (Brian Muzondiwa 80m), Simba Nhivi (Peter Moyo 66m)

ZPC Kariba: Takabva Mawaya, Bornface Zuberi, Munyaradzi Kanyarimwe (Blessing Nyamuziwa 72m), Sylvester Appiah, Ian Nekati, Tawanda Munyanduri, Collen Muleya, Pride Tafirenyika (Simba Gorogodyo 50m), Samuel Makawa (Moses Demere 42m), Tawanda Nyamandwe, Talent Chamboko

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HARARE - Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has set aside $100 000 for the construction of a mother’s waiting home at Nyamuzuwe Rural Hospital in Mutoko, some 160 km north of Harare.

Together with Plan International, their implementing partner, the bank will fund the construction and equipping of the home in a project set to change the lives of families in Nyamuzuwe.

The mothers’ waiting home is part of the bank’s commitment to address pressing health issues faced by members of different communities and is set to directly change the lives of over 5 000 people in and around Nyamuzuwe.

Stanbic’s non-executive directors Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi said construction of the home was the bank’s way of complementing government’s efforts of improving access to quality maternal health services by pregnant women in Nyamuzuwe as well as to raise awareness on maternal neonatal and child health amongst the communities inclusive of men, women and children.

The ceremony was graced by officials from Health and Local Government ministries, traditional chiefs and members of the community.

Provincial maternal and child health officer for Mashonaland East, Admire Kuretu, Mutoko Rural District Council chairperson, Zano Kahuni, Mutoko District Administrator, Isaiah Mukamba and Chief Mutoko were also in attendance.

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HARARE - Listed retailer OK Zimbabwe’s profits went up by 174,6 percent to $16,6 million in the full year to March 31, 2018 from $6,1 million in prior year due to improved sales.

The group’s chairperson David Lake yesterday said the strong growth reported at half -year continued through to the end of the financial year.

“The group delivered a significantly improved performance over prior year in both sales growth and profitability. The growth in sales and increased profitability are attributable to product availability, successful promotions, continued focus on customer service, and tighter internal controls,” he said.

In the period under review, two new stores were opened in Harare while two others in the capital were closed in the last quarter as the group continued to rationalise its operations to improve efficiencies.

“OK Jason Moyo was expanded and refurbished, and the improved facilities in this store are generating meaningful sales.

Refurbishment work was also completed at OK Chegutu and the response from customers is pleasing,” Lake said.

The leading retailer’s revenue for the year improved by 23,4 percent to close the reporting period at $582,9 million, having increased from $472,4 million in the prior year. Profit before tax of $23,6 million was 165,6 percent up on prior year’s $8,9 million.

Lake noted that the group’s overheads growth was restricted to 16,6 percent which is below the revenue growth of 23,4 percent.

“Increases were attributable to, among others, staff costs, utility charges, bank charges and rentals. The cost lines that increased significantly were those corresponding directly with sales generated,” he said.

The supermarket chain group operated free of debt as internally generated funds were adequate for working capital and capital expenditure requirements.

“Capital expenditure for the year was $15,5 million, up from $10,9 million in prior year as the group continued with its refurbishment exercise to improve existing facilities as well as expand its trading footprint,” Lake added.

The OK Zimbabwe further indicated that his company, which plans to continue improving profitability through growing sales and managing its costs in the coming year, declared a final dividend of 0,51 cents per share.

The final dividend brought the total dividend declared for the year to 0,71 cents per share.

“The economic outlook is encouraging as the government is putting emphasis on economic resuscitation and growth.

“Refurbishment work will be carried out on a number of stores and expansion is planned in identified areas where the group presently is inadequately represented,” he said. — The Financial Gazette

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HARARE - ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, the parent company of EcoCash and Steward Bank, advised its customers and the transacting public on Tuesday that the Swipe into EcoCash service was available and there are no plans to discontinue it.

This was contrary to some media reports suggesting otherwise. “…the company wishes to reiterate that the Swipe into EcoCash service is up and running, and available for use by all customers,” a spokesperson for the company said.

“The company will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that all users of the service continue to enjoy the convenienceit brings them without any interruption”.

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HARARE - Former President Robert Mugabe, not for the first time, failed to appear in Parliament yesterday where he had been summoned to explain the missing $15 billion diamond revenue from the gem-rich Marange fields.

In 2016, Mugabe made startling claims that his government could not account for a jaw-dropping $15 billion that was allegedly lost through nefarious activities by players involved in the extraction of the gems in Marange.

The frail nonagenarian had been, for the second time, summoned to appear before the Mines and Energy portfolio committee to give evidence on his claims on $15 billion, which happened during his time as the country’s leader.

Mugabe was not present as the committee met to start the hearing at 9:00 am.

Speaking after two hours of deliberations, committee chairperson Temba Mliswa said the committee decided to postpone the meeting to Monday.

“In view of the time we have resolved that we will write to the former president to appear before us on Monday at 1400 hours, the committee is cognisant of the fact that nine o’clock was a bit too early to ask the former president, you should appreciate that when he was in office he would start Cabinet at 12 o’clock, we are not here to humiliate him,” said Mliswa.

At the height of the mining of diamonds, Mbada Diamonds, Marange Resources, Anjin Investments, Diamond Mining Company, Kusena and Gye Nyame were some of the companies which were involved in the extraction of the gems in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC).

The mining companies’ licences were not renewed after Mugabe made a claim that $15 billion had not been remitted to Treasury during the period the firms were mining in Marange.

In 2012, long before Mugabe alleged that the $15 billion had been spirited away, a watchdog group campaigning against “blood” diamonds had also released a damning report in which it alleged that more than $2 billion worth of diamonds had been stolen from the Marange fields.

And in a controversial move, the government subsequently replaced the mining companies with the State-owned ZCDC, which now exclusively carries out all the mining in the area.

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HARARE - Government yesterday issued a stern warning against deputy minister of Finance Terrence Mukupe after claiming the military will stop the mainstream MDC from assuming power even if it wins the forthcoming elections.

This comes as the international community is closely watching the next elections, due at the end of July, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said should be free and fair.

Mnangagwa, who became president in November after the military and ruling Zanu PF turned against Robert Mugabe who had ruled the country for 37 years, railed against Mukupe, who was quoted by a local daily saying the army that “snatched power from Mugabe” cannot hand the reins to “youthful” Chamisa, the leader of the MDC Alliance and Mnangagwa’s main challenger.

Reached for comment yesterday, Mukupe — who reportedly made the remarks in Mandara in Harare on Monday during a Zanu PF campaign meeting — said he never uttered the said words.

“People should be serious,  I never said those words,” Mukupe told the Daily News.

Former co-Home Affairs minister Giles Mutsekwa, a retired army major and MDC secretary for security, yesterday challenged the military to distance itself from the deputy minister’s claim.

“He speaks for the army…and says the army will not allow this. What the hell are we getting ourselves into?  Where are we going as Zimbabwe? It is unfortunate that this deputy minister is allowed to tarnish the good image of the Zimbabwe National Army.

“We in the MDC have always believed, and believe up to now that we have a professional army. We believe that the people who are serving in the army now are professional and we salute the leadership of the defence forces at the moment…

“Now, here is a wayward politician who is allowed to get away with murder by stating that this army, which everyone respects, will not allow the verdict of the people of Zimbabwe to stand supreme after elections. Zanu PF should bring this deputy minister to order.

“I also expect the army to distance themselves from the utterances made by ... Mukupe. It is their duty…to ensure that they protect their integrity and never to associate themselves with such reckless statements,” Mutsekwa said.

In a harsh reprimand to the former banker, government spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said the junior minister’s statements are “both reckless and unfortunate” and do not reflect government policy or the position of the country’s military which has been accused by the opposition of meddling in politics.

Khaya Moyo said Mukupe’s statement, “apart from being unconstitutional and therefore against the laws of the land” are contemptuous to Mnangagwa who has been preaching free and fair elections and has invited dozens of western election observers for the first time in almost 20 years after a period of strained relations.

“Hardly a month ago, the president warned against undermining the constitutional position of the security establishment through involving or dragging members of the uniformed forces into the country’s party politics and or activities.

“Through this directive, he unambiguously restated an iron-clad rule which ranks high among the pillars of our Constitution and which finds validation in the various Acts governing operations of various arms of the national security establishment.

“Consequently, any pronouncements which have the effect of undermining the supreme law of the land, and the authority of the commander in chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, or suggesting that our well respected security organs will act in a partisan manner in relation to the country’s politics, apart from being unauthorised, are unlawful, reckless, improper, uncalled for and thus totally condemnable,” Khaya Moyo said.

“Besides they imperil national peace and stability, and amount to a frontal challenge to the tenets and practices of democracy as understood and practiced world-wide.

“Read against our own environment and the impending polls, such pronouncements have the negative effect of raising doubts on government commitment to free and non-violent plebiscite, as well as to its readiness to respect and uphold the will of the people of Zimbabwe as expressed through their electoral choices and decisions.

“This is untrue and flagrantly runs against what...Mnangagwa has pledged and is determined to deliver both to the people of Zimbabwe and international community.”

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MUTARE - Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, pictured, has demanded the arrest and prosecution of local police commanders he claimed were integral members of the criminal smuggling syndicates.

Addressing Manicaland police commanders at Mutare Main Camp on Tuesday in his maiden tour of the province, Matanga said he was shocked to receive intelligence linking local top cops to rampant smuggling along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border that has been depriving the country of millions of dollars annually by facilitating illegal passage of second-hand bales of clothes.

The top cop who warned that the senior police officers, some of whom he said would even provide “escort services”, were “cruising for a bruising”.

“It is on record that smuggling is rife along the stretch of the Zimbabwe/Mozambique borderline. For some time, I have been trying to figure out why this is so; with the collective effort from other key stakeholders, why are we failing to make headway in ridding the society of this menace?

“The explanation I am receiving is dumbfounding, to say the least. It is beyond the realms of my imagination that amongst you, there are some who have the nerve to engage in despicable acts to promote smuggling.

“I’m told, some are integral members of syndicates and specialise in facilitating the smuggling of bales of second-hand clothing through provision of escort services and others act as the conduits for various contraband.

“Let me thus warn those that are engaging in such sordid acts that they are already determining their own fate. If they opt to remain aboard their corruption boat, they must know that they are cruising for a bruising,” Matanga said.

He ordered that they be promptly sniffed out and arraigned in criminal courts, arguing that this would give impetus to the anti-corruption efforts.

“As a province, you must give impetus to all existing anti-corruption strategies and a lot more that the organisation shall continue to devise to deal with corruption.
Let no dirt be swept under the carpet.

“You ought to move with haste in sniffing out all bad elements and ensure that they have their day in court. The organisation is much better off without them. Such uncouth elements are actually the spanners in our works,” Matanga said.

Essentially reading the riot act to a hitherto placid local command element of his organisation, the commissioner-general also accused some of his lieutenants of lacking spine in discharging their work, especially in dealing with political “bigwigs”.

“Earlier, I bemoaned the timidity that manifests in the decisions of certain commanders who quake in their shoes when some high-profile persons, especially the so-called ‘political bigwigs’ commit crime,” he said.

He said while he was not a “proponent of tyrannical leadership” he only had respect for “commanders who knew where to draw the line between firmness and leniency”.
“All, commanders, regardless of their level, must be too kind to a fault,” he warned.

He said the timidity and indecisiveness was also breeding indiscipline in the police.

“Some pockets of indiscipline emerging in the force can also be attributed to indecisiveness inherent in some commanders when dealing with defaulters in the same way they hesitate to take appropriate action against prominent persons when they break the law,” Matanga said.

He urged the senior cops to retain their authority and act swiftly and decisively on all acts of indiscipline and violations to the code of conduct.

Matanga also challenged the police to create “an environment that is conducive to the holding of free, fair, peaceful, credible and transparent elections”.

He said the police should have no tolerance for violence or instigators of violence.

“Bring to book all perpetrators of political violence, even those who merely instigate violence or intimidation.

“You must apply the law non-selectively. Hakuna muti unoera demo (There are no sacred cows),” he said.

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Zanu PF lauded for not  forcing people to rally

MUTARE - In A development that marked a clear departure from former president Robert Mugabe-era tactics, Zanu PF turned a corner by hosting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rally at Sakubva Stadium on Saturday without frog-marching vendors and forcing closure of business to boost numbers at the gathering.

It was business as usual in the central business district with many locals oblivious of the presence of the Zanu PF leader in the city as the party dumped its hitherto stock-in-trade mobilisation tool — coercion.

In Sakubva, only the second-hand clothes flea market was closed as it lies right at the entrance of the venue while the fruit and vegetable market and second-hand shoe markets operated undisturbed by the event.

This, however, did not prevent genuinely curious locals as well as Zanu PF members from packing the stadium — although the numbers were not as outrageous as Mugabe’s youth interface rally which had people from across the province after months of mobilisation and busing.

While there were some people from outside the city it was clearly its district leadership and not distraught and disoriented villagers as they came by bus.

Zanu PF aspiring candidate for Mutare Central Nancy Saungweme, whose prospective constituency was hosting the rally, said while she was nervous about mobilisation, they would not coerce people to attend.

“I’m nervous because the president is coming into my constituency and that at very short notice but no, we are not going to close down people’s businesses or compel anyone to attend the rally. People are genuinely excited at attending the rally.

“If there is any disappointment it is for the short notice because people really wanted to mobilise well to give (him) a rousing welcome.

“But then this is not a properly scheduled rally but something that was just squeezed in at short notice because the president was around on government business,” Saungweme said before the rally.

A snap survey by the Eastern News showed a lot of excitement by residents for the party had respected their right to freedom association.

“This is an exciting development. I hope the party will continue to respect people’s rights to free association by not disrupting their economic activities to try to shore up their numbers during rallies because if anything, that was making them very unpopular with urban voters,” James Vheremu, a vendor, said.

Another vendor said while she felt that her return onto the sidewalk had been facilitated by the party, she could not avoid the lure of a Saturday morning business opportunity for the rally.

“I may not have gone to the rally but the party has my full support, especially that it now respects that Saturday is a particularly good day for some of us to do business,” Memory Mabwe, another city centre vendor, said.

Vendors at the Sakubva vegetable market said they had been told to continue with their business but encouraged to also attend.

“We are really excited about the economic benefits of doing business on such a day because all these people are going to give us business and we hope it will stay like that throughout the campaign period,” a vendor who declined to be named said.

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All set for Miss Tourism Manicaland finals

MUTARE - Miss Tourism Manicaland finals contestants are set for a boot camp to prepare them for the finals which are pencilled for next week.

Fifteen finalists from across the province and its tertiary institutions have been short-listed for the June 2 finals at a local hotel.

The pageant is being run by former Miss Zimbabwe Caroline Marufu-Buwu — its 2018 provincial licence holder — who said recently that the models would go for the grooming camp from May 29 to 31.

The boot-camp is designed to give the models an appreciation of some of the province’s tourist attractions and enhance their understanding of the sector as they would be expected to market it both to domestic and international visitors.

This is part of the event’s rebranding to give it maximum leverage in the promotion of the province’s often under-marketed tourist attractions.

Miss Tourism Manicaland winner will be the brand ambassador for the resort province and the organisers’ emphasis is on having a beauty with brains to carry the responsibility.

“This pageant will help to thoroughly scout for beauties with brains who will be true ambassadors of the beautiful Eastern Highlands region that has the potential to be the leading tourist destination in the country,” Marufu-Buwu said.

The former beauty queen said the modelling showpiece is set to exhibit the province’s unique cultural and tradition blend and diverse people’s history.
Marufu-Buwu said pageants were effective tourism marketing vehicles.

“Beauty pageants are also great way of exhibiting the country. We’re tapping into beauty pageants to market the destination,” she contends.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) initiative is expected to give the province a marketing boost as it battles for international visibility.

Eastern Highlands hospitality concerns recently slammed ZTA over what they deem is its bias towards marketing Victoria Falls ahead all other tourist attractions across the country.

Local players believe the region has world-class attractions that if marketed can match and even surpass the success the western region where Victoria Falls is a flag bearer.

In Mt Inyangani, it has the highest mountain in the country, Mtarazi Falls — at 750 metres is the tallest waterfall in the country with its skywalk and zip line, Chimanimani Mountains which are the only quartzite mountain range in Africa, Vumba with over 420 bird species has the best bird-viewing spot on the continent and Gairezi River has arguably the best fly fishing environment in the world.

There is also Leopard Rock’s 18-hole golf course, white water-rafting in Nyanga, the only trout fish breeding spots, the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls, Chirinda tropical rainforest’s big tree and valley of giants, Nyanyadzi’s Hot Springs, Vimba Forest in Rusitu and its unique birds and the magical Honde Valley among many other natural wonders across the resort province.

These are only the few widely known attractions with visits to any of these revealing much more treasures.

That Chimanimani Mountains used to attract the second highest number of tourists after Victoria Falls during the country’s peak period in 1999 is testimony enough that the region is being undersold.

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HARARE - Three MDC party members who engaged in violence during the just-ended primary elections appeared in court on Tuesday.

John Katiyo, 44, Girisoti Mandere, 47, and Gift Chihambakwe, 50, appeared before Harare magistrate, Edwin Machera, charged with assault.

They were not asked to plead and were released on $100 bail each, pending trial. As part of their bail conditions Katiyo, Mandere and Chihambakwe were ordered to continue residing at their present addresses and not interfere with witnesses until the case is finalised.

Prosecutor Ropafadzo Bosch alleged that on Sunday, Katiyo and Mandere were conducting MDC primary elections for councillors at Fundo Primary School, Kuwadzana Phase 3 in Harare, when the complainant (name not supplied) approached Mandere and asked him to allow a party member identified as Mhashu to enter the polling station.

It was alleged that an argument ensued between the parties and Katiyo refused to allow Mhashu to enter the polling station.

He reportedly grabbed Mhashu by the collar and pushed him away before Mandere also joined in. They were later restrained by other members and the case was reported to the police, leading to their arrest.

The court heard that Chihambakwe was also at the polling station and assaulted Didymus Makochekanwa and Ronald Manjera by striking them on the face.

It was alleged that they had political differences.

The State has lined up independent witnesses to testify in the cases.

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HARARE - Service stations in most parts of the country are still struggling to secure adequate fuel to meet demand, resulting in long-winding queues at pump stations with the product in stock.

A survey by the Daily News has shown that a number of service stations around Harare and elsewhere have run dry and their workers were busy turning away motorists.

It is becoming a common sight, seeing motorists pushing their vehicles to nearby pump stations or leaving them by the roadside after running empty. It is now being feared that the shortages could ignite a black market for the product, resulting in price increases and upward pressures on inflation.

“It seems we are going back to the time of fuel shortages when we used to spend our time waiting for fuel in queues,” said one motorist, Tapiwa Chabata.

A Kombi driver who only identified himself as Tatenda said he was now keeping precautionary fuel stocks at home so that his business does not get affected by the shortages.

“History has taught us that in Zimbabwe nothing should be taken for granted,” he said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Sifelani Jabangwe told the Daily News on Tuesday that industry has been negatively affected by the shortages.

“As industry, we are losing a bit of time in queues but the fuel is there and we know the problem is coming from (increased demand); it’s an indication of growth. The amount of fuel which was adequate previously is no longer adequate now, which means there is economic growth,” Jabangwe said, while calling on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to increase the amount of foreign currency allocated towards fuel imports.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) chief executive officer Gloria Magombo, recently told the Daily News that suppliers were finding it difficult to meet demand for fuel and this was contributing to panic buying and artificial shortages that are emerging throughout the country.

She said the demand for fuel has increased significantly, also affecting supply demand balance since the coming in of the new dispensation with demand of petrol increasing by over 20 percent and that of diesel by over eight percent in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. Magombo said Zera was working around the clock to address the obtaining crisis.

“The status of supply needs to be updated later in the day as we expect it to improve as necessary steps are being taken to address the supply demand balance,” she said.

Magombo also disclosed that the increasing prices of fuel at pump stations was a result of a global rise in crude oil prices and the fact that at present, the country had suspended ethanol blending, which helps suppress costs.

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HARARE - MDC Alliance presidential candidate and leader of the main faction of the MDC, Nelson Chamisa, has come under fire for not condemning the abuse of sacked former  deputy leader, Thokozani Khupe, who was insulted by hordes of party supporters outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Khupe, who has refused to acknowledge Chamisa as the bona fide leader of the country’s main opposition party, on Tuesday was humiliated by MDC thugs who referred to her as hure (prostitute) during the Supreme Court hearing of an appeal by the rival faction to stop her from using the party’s name and symbols.

A large cross-section of Zimbabweans — including politicians, lawyers, and rights defenders — yesterday launched a withering attack on Chamisa for failing to condemn the incident — bringing back unwanted public scrutiny on the MDC Alliance leader who has had to endure bad publicity in recent weeks.

Researcher and director of the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute, Pedzisai Ruhanya, slammed the intolerance displayed outside the Supreme Court which he said had exposed the kind of people surrounding the MDC leadership.

“The tragedy with political miscreants is that they say of their opponents what they really are. This explains the behaviour of political hoodlums who abused Hon Khupe. The fact that they are all that dirty does not mean she is.

“She becomes all that undesirables when she disagreed with the riff ruffs but when they acted in common purpose she was not. The idiots and misguided MDC hoodlums have no case and should be put to order.

“These morons should not be allowed to define the opposition but it happens when leadership abrogates its duties and gets surrounded (by) foul-mouthed surrogates. Hon Khupe remains smart, an achiever and yes a beautiful leader and mother whatever the glue sniffers say!” said Ruhanya.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed disappointment at the harassment of Khupe which it said should be condemned by the Chamisa-led faction.

“#Zimbabwe’s Opposition #MDCAlliance should discipline party youths who yesterday booed & harassed @DrThoko_Khupe outside the Supreme Court in Harare. Sexism, violence, & harassment of political opponents must stop. @nelsonchamisa @DMwonzora,” HRW director for southern Africa, Dewa Mavhinga, said in a tweet on micro blogging site, Twitter.

Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni suggested that Chamisa should publicly address Khupe’s humiliation.

“This can only be handled by our party president coming down firmly on these elements. It is damaging our brand. My personal apology to Dr Khupe,” said the forthright out-going Manyenyeni.

Spokesperson of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Madock Chivasa, said while politicians should differ, no one deserved the public humiliation and insults that were hurled at Khupe on Tuesday.

“When you disagree with their empty politics of violence and hatred you are a CIO (Central Intelligence Organisation) operative, a Zanu PF plant or a whore.

“When they sit on the same table with Zanu PF like at Independence Day celebrations or during the inclusive government it’s a strategy and everyone must clap hands for them. I know elections will humble you and come back to your senses that Thokozani Khupe can never be an enemy or a whore whilst Zanu PF murderers are the ones that you can at least sit in the same tent with celebrating independence!” railed Chivasa.

MDC treasurer general, Chalton Hwende, in his personal capacity, said it was regrettable that Khupe was subjected to abuse by party supporters.

“I have noted, with profound sadness, videos from outside court which show individuals dressed in MDC colours singing sickening songs denouncing Ms Khupe.

While it is true that the MDC draws its support from the same human pool as Zanu PF, most MDC supporters will find the intolerance exhibited outside court today (Tuesday) contrary and alien to the party’s guiding beliefs. We must disagree, peacefully and on principle, because our party has greater ideas, not by debasing our opponents using the language of intolerance,” said Hwende.

On Tuesday the Supreme Court directed the High Court to hold a trial to determine whether Khupe is entitled to use the name of the party and establish if there were now two MDC T parties.

Chamisa and Khupe are embroiled in a bitter leadership wrangle that emerged after the death of MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai on February 14, this year.
Khupe is steadfastly refusing to accept that Chamisa is the bona fide successor to Tsvangirai.

The party’s leadership squabble has been raging on despite the popular Chamisa having been unanimously endorsed as presidential candidate in this year’s make-or-break elections by the MDC Alliance.

The MDC’s national council — which is the party’s highest decision-making body outside congress — endorsed Chamisa as the party’s president, although the gathering that made that decision is being contested by Khupe in the main.

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HARARE - The battle between former vice president Joice Mujuru and step-children of her late husband retired general Solomon Mujuru over a Borrowdale house has taken a new twist after the widow approached the High Court seeking to retain the property.

In the application, Joice cites the executor Stern Mufara, Master of the High Court, Smartvest Wealth Managers (Private) Limited and the late general’s 12 children as respondents.

Joice, who is represented by Gloria Sithole, is seeking an order barring the sale of the property to pay off creditors, claiming the house at number 95/96 Hogerty Hill, Harare, is her matrimonial home.

Mufara had set in motion a move to sell the house to Smartvest Wealth Managers to pay off creditors, but Joice is challenging the decision.

She also wants Mufara to be removed as executor of her late husband’s estate.

“In this application, I am seeking the following order declaring the following: an order declaring the property known as Stand number 95/96 Hogerty Hill Township, Harare, was the matrimonial home between applicant (Joice) and her deceased husband Solomon Tapfumaneyi Ruzambu Mujuru.”

She is further demanding: “An order declaring that the property devolves onto the applicant as surviving spouse in terms of Sections 3 and 3A of the Deceased Estates Succession Act (Chapter 6:02)”.

Apart from these demands, Joice also wants the High Court to declare an agreement of sale entered between the executor and Smartvest Wealth Managers null and void.

“It is evident that the agreement of sale has to be set aside because it was born out of unlawful conduct on the part of the first respondent and second respondent because of their failure to act after I had informed them that I was no longer consenting to the sale of the property,” Joice said in an affidavit.

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HARARE - Zimbabweans are against the death penalty and would want it abolished, a research done by the Mass Public Opinion Institute in partnership with Mai Sato of the University of Reading has revealed.

It said 61 percent of Zimbabweans are against the death penalty, while 41 percent thought it should “definitely” be kept and 20 percent feel it should “probably” be kept.

However, when confronted with case scenarios, a majority of Zimbabweans opposed the death penalty in five out of six cases.

“Support for the death penalty is not entrenched, 92 percent of Zimbabweans considered policies other than ‘more executions’ to be most effective at reducing violent crime. Eighty percent of those Zimbabweans who expressed support for the death penalty would be willing to accept abolition if it were to become government policy,” reads part of the survey.

The research was commissioned by The Death Penalty Project, in partnership with Veritas.

It observed that public knowledge about the death penalty was limited with 83 percent of Zimbabweans unaware that the country has not carried out any executions in the past decade.

Forty-five percent did not know that the method of execution in Zimbabwe is hanging.

The research said there has been a significant shift away from capital punishment in recent years, globally, with an ever decreasing minority of countries continuing to retain the death penalty.

More than two thirds of the world has now abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.

“The trend towards abolition has been especially pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where Guinea, Benin, Madagascar, and the Republic of the Congo have abolished the death penalty for all crimes in the last three years alone. A total of 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have now abolished capital punishment entirely,” the report said.

“Despite the fact that Zimbabwe has not carried out an execution in over a decade, its retention of the death penalty in law continues to mark it as an outlier in the international context.”

The research added that Zimbabwe has not executed anyone in over 12 years.

“Even though Zimbabwe has not executed anyone in a long time, the death penalty remains lawful punishment: prisoners are being sentenced to death, and executions could resume at any time. Amnesty International reports that 11 people were sentenced to death in 2017,” it said in part.

”At the end of the year there were 99 people under sentence of death in Zimbabwe, although at least 16 prisoners who had been on death row for more than a decade have since had their death sentences commuted by President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa.

“The severe mental stress caused by long periods spent awaiting execution on death row has been recognised as a cruel and inhuman punishment under international law, as long as the death penalty remains in force those on death row will continue to suffer.”

There has been widespread condemnation of the death penalty among world rights groups, with former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon famously remarking that “the death penalty has no place in the 21st century”.

More than 160 member states of the UN, with a variety of legal systems, traditions, cultures and religious backgrounds, have either abolished the penalty or do not practice it.

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HARARE - Former Cabinet minister Samuel Undenge claimed in court on Tuesday that charges being levelled against him in court were politically-motivated to taint his reputation.

The ex-Energy and Power Development minister is facing criminal abuse of office charges.

He was represented by Alec Muchadehama and Dumisani Mthombeni when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya for continuation of his trial.

The State is alleging that on January 14, 2016, Undenge gave a directive to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to engage Fruitful Communications run by television personality Oscar Pambuka and politician, Psychology Maziwisa, without going to tender.

Deputy chief secretary (Modernisation) in the President’s Office Ray Clinton Ndlukula who testified against Undenge on Tuesday said the former minister breached set procedures and authorised a contract that prejudiced the State of $12 650.

Conversely, during cross examination by Mthombeni, Ndlukula said Undenge could not have authorised the payment because it was not the duty of the minister but that of ZPC’s chief executive officer who doubled up as the Zesa Holdings’ subsidiary’s chief accounting officer.

“I put it to you that you are a political appointee and came here to paint the accused person in bad light to impress your authorities and anyone else behind his arrest,” Mthombeni said.

“You are equally aware that the permanent secretary, group chief executive officer and ZPC chairperson were involved in this procedure at some point but never raised any objections at the material time.

“My client was simply made to append a signature to a letter that came from then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa which was used by Maziwisa and Pambuka to attain the said tender.”

According to the State, Maziwisa and Pambuka are director and media executive, respectively, at Fruitful Communications.

Sometime in January 2016, Maziwisa and Pambuka brought a letter to ZPC from former Energy minister Undenge directing the company to work with Fruitful Communications at intervals of six months per engagement.

During that month, Maziwisa and Pambuka entered into a verbal agreement with ZPC which was represented by Noah Gwariro, the company’s managing director, and Fadzai Chisveto, its public relations executive, to do publicity work.

The court heard that on February 12, 2016, Fruitful Communications hosted a ZimAsset conference at Miekles Hotel where Undenge was the guest of honour and the event was covered by the national broadcaster.

It was further alleged that on March 8 Maziwisa and Pambuka, intending to defraud ZPC, presented to Chisveto an invoice claiming they had hosted various programmes on ZBC, National FM and Power FM.

Maziwisa and Pambuka claimed that Fruitful Communications had caused the programmes to be aired on radio and television and claimed $12 650.

The duo was paid $12 650 and prejudiced ZPC the full amount, and nothing was recovered.

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