Crime Reporter
MDC-T deputy treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma, who was recently assaulted in Harare by youths allegedly aligned to party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, was on Thursday called for questioning by police as investigations into the matter continue.
Sources close to the investigations confirmed that Mr Mangoma reported at Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station. Mr Mangoma was accompanied by his two aides when he reported at the police station. Police said they were still investigating the case and no arrests had been made.

A police source said they recorded a statement from Mr Mangoma to help their investigations.

On Tuesday, Mr Mangoma reported the case at Avondale Police Station and the docket was yesterday transferred to the CID Law and Order Section.

“Mangoma indicated that he was attacked by the party’s youths,” said the source.

The youths allegedly attacked Mr Mangoma and youth leader Mr Promise Mkwananzi outside the MDC-T headquarters on Saturday.

Secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti reportedly escaped the mob by throwing himself into Mr Tsvangirai’s car, while another youth leader Mr Solomon Madzore had to beat a hasty retreat into the party headquarters.

“In his report to the police, Mr Mangoma said that he was assaulted by the party youths and we are now investigating the case,” said the source.

Last Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai claimed there was a “coup” plot against him and that some people wanted to “remove him violently” from his post.

Mr Tsvangirai made the remarks to a crowd that showed up for a rally in Glen Norah, Harare, that was supposed to have been a major show of public support for the embattled MDC-T leader.

Mr Mangoma, as have several other MDC-T officials, called on Mr Tsvangirai to step down after leading the party to electoral losses against Zanu-PF and President Mugabe in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2013.

Foster Dongozi

Herald Reporter
Journalists have congratulated President Mugabe on turning 90 years old yesterday describing him as a veteran pan-Africanist and freedom fighter.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) hailed President Mugabe for liberating the people of Zimbabwe from colonial bondage.

“The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, ZUJ, would like to congratulate President Robert Mugabe on his 90th birthday, which falls on 21 February,” read the statement.

“The President, a veteran politician, Pan Africanist, Freedom Fighter and former guerrilla leader has managed to attain a ripe age after playing a leading role in freeing the people of Zimbabwe from colonial and racist bondage.

“Congratulations, Amhlophe, Makorokoto.”

The Zanu-PF South Africa district also joined the nation in celebrating President Mugabe’s birthday.

In a statement yesterday, the district said: “Of particular interest to Zanu-PF SA and the diaspora membership is your astute, intelligent and charismatic leadership which has seen you fight two revolutions both of which were meant to bring total emancipation of the people from the twin evils of capitalism and colonialism.

“As Zimbabweans, we are inspired by your principled leadership and objectives to bring justice for your people, sovereignty for your people, recognition of independence of your people and their rights over their resources.”

The district pledged to support President Mugabe and his pro-people policies which have transformed lives of the once marginalised indigenous people.

This year’s birthday celebrations will be held under the theme: “Zim-Asset — Growing the Economy for Youths Empowerment and Employment”.

The celebrations will be held at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera today (Saturday).

Tendai Rupapa and Farai Kuvirimirwa
A Harare magistrate has ordered the immediate deportation of former United States Congressman for Chicago Melvin Jay Reynolds, who was convicted of overstaying in Zimbabwe.
Reynolds yesterday pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

Mr Mahwe ordered him to pay US$100 fine coupled with immediate deportation.

Failure to pay the fine, Reynolds would risk going to prison for five days.

Assistant regional immigration officer Mr Francis Mabika said they would comply with the court order and take necessary steps after checking how Reynolds would do.

“We are waiting for proper documentation from the courts. We will talk of deporting him after looking at what comes first. He might pay the fine and we will deport him afterwards.

“If he fails to pay the fine, we will deport him after he completes his five-day imprisonment term,” said Mr Mabika.

On the charge of possession of pornographic material, Mr Mahwe removed Reynolds from remand after a successful application by his lawyer, Mr Arthur Gurira of Nyamushaya and Associates.

Mr Gurira challenged his client’s replacement on remand on the basis that the State failed to produce a written authority to prosecute from the Attorney-General.

“In this particular instance, the mere fact that the accused is before this court and placed on remand, that on its own is a commencement of prosecution. Surprisingly, the State has not produced any written consent from the AG or his deputy as is required by the law.

“Your Worship, the written authority is a prerequisite for prosecution hence the law has to be complied with,” he said.

If a person is facing allegations of contravening Section 26(1)(b) of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, the State could only proceed to prosecute the accused if they have the authority to prosecute from the AG or his deputy because it is a prerequisite in terms of Section 26 (2) of the said Act.

Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira opposed the application arguing that prosecution had not yet commenced since the accused had not been asked to plead.

“The State is of the view that prosecution at this stage has not commenced. The accused was arraigned before the court on February 19 with allegations of contravening the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act. Your Worship, he has not been asked his attitude towards the charge whether he is pleading guilty or not.

“The State is not yet even in possession of the docket and the written authority will be acquired when the State opens its case,” she said.

Miss Mashavira said efforts were being made to have the written authority before producing a letter from the police addressed to the Censorship Board.

However, Mr Gurira objected to the production of the letter on the basis it was irrelevant to his application.

Mr Mahwe ruled in favour of the defence and ordered the State to stick to two things whether they had the written authority and if not, why they thought it was not important.

Miss Mashavira then sought for a postponement of the matter to Monday next week to allow the State to acquire the authority.

In his ruling Mr Mahwe said: “The State should have obtained the written authority and file it in the record. For compliance of the law, accused is removed from remand.”

On November 13 last year Reynolds entered Zimbabwe through Plumtree Border Post on a business visa valid until November 27, 2013.

Reynolds did not extend his stay in the country since December 10 and did not return to the United States at the expiry of his permit.

It was also alleged that Reynolds had pictures of naked men and women having sexual intercourse on his iPhone 4s.

Bishop Manhanga

Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Newspapers Group has appointed Bishop Trevor Manhanga to the group’s board. Bishop Manhanga is the presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe and becomes the 11th member in the Dr Charles Utete-led board.
The appointment is with effect from February 14 and the board would serve for the next five years.

The other board members are Mrs Doreen Sibanda (cultural expert and executive director of the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe), Mrs Karen Dube (dean of the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Lupane State University), Mr Terrence Hussein (corporate lawyer), Mr George Manyere (banking and corporate finance executive), Mr Felix Moyo (Director of Information and Public Relations at the National University of Science and Technology), and Ms Rejoice Nharaunda (a renowned entrepreneur).

Dr Utete took over from Dr Paul Chimedza, who won the Gutu South constituency seat for Zanu-PF in last year’s harmonised elections and was subsequently appointed Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care.

Only three members – businessman Mr Delma Lupepe, development consultant Dr Nyasha Madzingira and chartered accountant Mr Rungano Mbire – were retained from the old board that had three other members – Dr Chimedza, Retired Brigadier-General Epmarcus Kanhanga and Dr Munyaradzi Kereke – resigning to run for political office.

Rtd Brig-Gen Kanhanga subsequently won the Guruve North National Assembly seat on a Zanu-PF ticket and was appointed Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister, while Dr Kereke won the Bikita West National Assembly seat as an independent.

Bishop Manhanga, who worked for Barclays Bank between 1981 and 1982, has a Diploma in Bible Studies and Theology and a Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership from Cape Theological Seminary, South Africa.

He has been the presiding bishop for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe since 1993.

He once served as the president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, chairman of the Heads of Christian Denominations Zimbabwe, president of the Pentecostals Assemblies of Africa and chairman of the Ecumenical Peace Initiative Zimbabwe.

He also served on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation board that was dissolved recently and is currently a board member of the Joshua Nkomo Scholarship Fund and chairman of the public relations committee.

He is also chairs the Anti-Domestic Violence Council of Zimbabwe.

Children admire a billboard bearing a portrait of President Mugabe at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera yesterday. — (Picture by Munyaradzi Chamalimba)

Tafadzwa Ndlovu Herald Reporter
Marondera residents are ready to host the 21st February Movement celebrations at Rudhaka Stadium tomorrow, with youths expressing joy that they have been chosen to honour President Mugabe this year.
The celebrations are expected to be attended by more than 50 000 local and foreign delegates and supporters of President Mugabe.

Mr Robert Maphosa of Marondera said, “I just moved from Bindura and I am happy that we are celebrating our President’s birthday in my new town and indeed it is a great honour.

“What pleased me most is that these celebrations have also brought development in our town because our city council has managed to repair our roads and infrastructure.” Miss Tendesekai Nyagonye said she was happy to be part of the celebrations.

“We are the youths and we have seen banners that show that this ceremony is meant for us through its theme, Zim-Asset — Growing the Economy for Youths Empowerment and Employment.

“This shows that the youth are being recognised in this country and have that power to drive a prosperous economy since we are the future,” said Ms Nyagonye. Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province Simbaneuta Mudarikwa said they were through with all preparations.

“Everything is now in order and we are also going to have over 500 schools performing here for President Mugabe’s birthday,” he said.
“We are celebrating a number of things; that is President Mugabe’s birthday, his achievements at Sadc and the African Union and the (2013) election victory.

“Tents have been pitched and the town has been spruced up with the stadium getting a facelift. We have established 20 water points and hired a number of mobile ablution facilities for the people.”

Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial youth chairman Cde Luckson Kandemiri urged all youths to attend the ceremony.

The 21st February Movement was established in 1986 to encourage youths to emulate President Mugabe’s selfless character and leadership qualities.

Herald Reporter
Pensioners’ pay date for this month has been shifted from February 26 to February 28, a Government official has said. In a statement, Civil Service Commission secretary Mrs Pretty Sunguro said Treasury had necessitated the shift of the date. “The Civil Service Commission advises that the ministry of Finance (Treasury) has moved the February pension pay date from February 26 to February 28,” she said.

Agriculture Reporter
Tobacco growers will now have their defective bales re-handled at the auction floors unlike in previous seasons when they re-sorted them on their own. Buyers reject bales for reasons ranging from their being wet, too dry or mouldy, among others. Tobacco growers yesterday complained about the new arrangement, saying they had a right to decide what to do with their rejected bales.

Mr Abel Matemai said the new system disadvantaged farmers as they had to wait for defective bales to be re-handled and sold.
“I have to spend more days camped at the auction floor waiting for a single bale. I should be able to choose to take my bales back home and bring them later but the auction floor officials are refusing to give us our bales,” he said.

Karoi farmer Ms Venna Chinoda said she was told to go and get a letter from the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board if she wanted to get her defective bale back.

“The arrangement is making our lives difficult,” she said.
Boka Tobacco Floors operations manager Mr Moses Bias said they received an instruction from the TIMB to withhold defective bales for re-handling on site.

“We are following the TIMB instruction to send rejected bales automatically to the grading shed. The farmer will have to sign another contract for re-handling and this is meant to avoid double-handling,” he said.

He said the arrangement was put in place after realising that some farmers were not re-handling rejected bales properly and these were subsequently rejected three or more times.

Tobacco Sales Floor managing director Mr James Mutambanesango said the arrangement was in the farmers’ interest.
“We would like to reduce middlemen. TSF does not re-handle the rejected bales but we have officials approved by the TIMB to do the task and we monitor the process,” he said.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri farmers could only get their bales back if they were not happy with the price offered.

From Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Villagers in Chikombedzi are appealing to Government to urgently build two new bridges along the Runde River after floods swept away the existing ones, isolating them from Chiredzi Town and the rest of the country. The villagers want Government to build bigger bridges at Chipinda and Chilonga.

Traveling to Chiredzi and Beitbridge is now a nightmare for villagers in southern Chikombedzi as Runde River burst its banks and buried all small bridges following heavy rains.

“Government should do something to help us because we have been virtually cut-off from the whole country by the floods in Runde River which buried all the big and small bridges.

“We need two bigger bridges that are not at the mercy of floods,’’ said Mr Helani Chauke from Sengwe.
Chiredzi South House of Assembly representative Brigadier-General (Retired) Callisto Gwanetsa said villagers in his area were now even finding it hard to acquire identity documents and to visit the health referral centre at Chiredzi District Hospital.

Health Reporters
MALARIA cases which had dropped last year are on the increase because of incessant rains received throughout the country in the past weeks. The Ministry of Health and Child Care yesterday said the cases had dropped to less than 2000 a week but have peaked to more than 10 000 cases a week.

The number of deaths increased to more than 20 a week compared to zero in previous weeks.
Weekly reports by Government show that the highest number of deaths and infections were recorded the week floods started.

During that week, 23 people died and 10 392 others were treated for Malaria and discharged.

The following week, Government recorded 16 deaths and 10 598 cases.

Manicaland and Mashonaland Central are the provinces mainly affected by Malaria.

Agriculture Reporter
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority has invited individuals and companies for partnership in production of food crops at its 14 estates that are lying idle. The parastatal has 21 estates with 98 000 hectares of arable land and an irrigable capacity of 19 000 hectares.

Out of these farms, only the one in Chisumbanje is operating viably.
arda acting general manager Mr William Mbona told The Herald recently that the parastatal was looking for partners willing to work with it to ensure the authority contributes more to the national economy.

“This is according to the national budget and policy guidance by the board and the ministry,” he said.
The parastatal is offering gross area of more than 42 300 hectares with potential arable land of more than 27 238ha and more than 6 500ha of already developed land. The estates on offer are Antelope, Sanyati, Mushumbi Pools, Muzarabani, Jotsholo, Balu (dairy), Kairezi, Rusitu, Nandi, Magudu Ranch, Ngwezi, Fair Acres, Doreen’s Pride and Nijo Farm.

Mr Mbona said the partnership would be on a 51/49 joint venture arrangement in favour of Arda.
“Potential partners should be adequately capitalised to not only provide working capital, but also capital investment which should include rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, replacement of estates’ outdated and broken down equipment and upgrading of estates’ interior road networks, among other things,” he said.

The partners are expected to build or renovate estates’ office buildings, factories and staff houses, establish value addition facilities for produce, and out-grower schemes as well as have social responsibility investments.

Interested companies and individuals are expected to provide a statement of financial capability and experience showing that they are qualified to perform.

Cde Mutasa

Senior Report
Some local youths have launched the Zimbabwe Global Initiative which is aimed at narrating the country’s true story which has for long been distorted by the country’s detractors.
The initiative is set to call for the removal of illegal sanctions which are causing suffering among the people.
Zimbabwe Global Initiative spokespersons Ms Rudo Zvobgo and Ms Rachel Jambaya said the initiative was started by a team of progressive Zimbabweans. “This is a great initiative by Zimbabweans who feel the Zimbabwean story has for far too long been told by foreigners who either lack a full appreciation of our circumstances or are on a mission to deliberately distort our story,” said Ms Zvobgo.

“That must stop and ZGI will see to it that it’s not business as usual. Zimbabwe is a wonderful country with a great president and it is our mission to get the real Zimbabwe known by people of all nations,” she added.

Ms Jambaya said they were proud of President Mugabe and they said he had been vilified unfairly and for purposes of isolating Zimbabwe. She said this had been tainting his legacy. “This must also be seen as a challenge to every Zimbabwean wherever they might be to take it upon themselves to tell the Zimbabwean story as we know it.

“Our hope is obviously that in the near future we will have changed perceptions about Zimbabwe and we can be able to move forward with our heads held high, confident about the future and know who we really are as a people and as a nation,” she said.

Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa is the patron of the Zimbabwe Global Initiative.
A fundraising dinner dance will be held at a local hotel in the city on March 14. Corporate organisations, stakeholders and other individuals are expected to support this initiative.

Last week, Government said the suspension of some sanctions by the European Union was meaningless as the economic embargo that cost the country over US$42 billion in revenue over the past decade largely remains in place.

The business community also said by keeping President Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe on the embargo list, the EU continued “stigmatising” the country and scaring away investors.

Captains of industry said the fact that the EU wanted to directly work with Government from 2015 rather than through NGOs was an indication that the two parties needed each other.

The 28-member EU last Monday suspended illegal sanctions on eight service chiefs, politicians and war veterans, except for the First Family.

Justice Charles Hungwe

From Abel Zhakata in Mutare
DELAYS in finalising criminal cases at the courts paint a bad picture of the justice delivery system and becomes imperative to continually review and refine processes aimed at speeding up trials, a High Court judge has said.
Speaking at the official opening of the legal year of the High Court in Mutare yesterday, Justice Charles Hungwe said criminal trials are a fundamental component of the justice system.

“In Zimbabwe, as in many other countries, delay remains a key issue for policy-makers and practitioners who value efficiency and effectiveness as critical outcomes of the criminal justice system.

“Delay has become the benchmark against which criminal justice performance is measured.
“This is for a good reason. Delay, among other things, may be responsible for increasing community disillusionment with the justice system and decreasing satisfaction with the law.

“Delay affects everyone, the accused who might or might not be guilty, the victims and their family who have been aggrieved by the offences against them and the community who demand justice, safety and protection,” he said.
Justice Hungwe gave several reasons that cause delays.

“I will attempt to examine the reasons for which criminal trials in Zimbabwe fail to proceed on the set down day.
“The rationale of such an inquiry is that matters that fail to proceed as scheduled contribute to backlog and delay, both of which consume significant criminal justice resources.

“Moreover, delays in the criminal trial system may result in adverse effects, not the least of which is the anguish endured by the victims of crime, their families and the community demanding protection from criminal offenders.

“When a matter has been set down for trial, the prosecution would have undertaken all the preparatory work which is triggered by an arrest up till and appropriate date has been allocated.

“An element of delays in the finalisation of the matter begins to creep in as soon as a suspect is arrested,” said Justice Hungwe.
He said of those matters that fail to proceed to trial, a significant proportion are finalised either because the matter is withdrawn before plea by the prosecution or the accused tenders a plea of guilty at the last moment.

In either event, the matter is finalised by means other than that originally intended, he said.
He also proffered several remedies to minimise delays.

“In order to improve trial delay, there is need for renewed commitment to development of innovative methods of addressing the four key priority areas which may be broadly identified as follows; improving the quantity, quality and timeliness of information sharing and communication between the investigating authorities, prosecution, defence and the court,” he said.

Promoting earlier discussion and consideration of a guilty plea with the defendant would also help reduce delays.
Justice Hungwe is the subject of a possible judicial enquiry after Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku wrote to President Mugabe in terms of Section 87(3) of the Constitution explaining the allegations of misconduct being levelled against the judge for failing to sentence a man he convicted of murder with actual intent in 2003.

Cde Jacob Mudenda

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
SPEAKER of the National Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda has bemoaned the limited academic qualifications of some legislators, saying this contributes to their failure to grasp key parliamentary processes.
He said this while addressing students from the National Defence College at Parliament Building last week.
The students were drawn from the ZNA, AFZ, ZRP, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance and the President’s Office. “To be an MP, there is no basic academic or professional qualification requirement.

“They come by popular vote. The only requirement is that you should be over 18 and be a registered voter. So, you get people who are so popular for some reason and come to Parliament but they do not have the basic academic tools to understand some of the Bills,” he said.

“Some of the Bills address complicated and technical issues and they get lost (during debate).” Cde Mudenda said Parliament administration was in the process of crafting a strategy to capacitate parliamentarians so that they make informed debates in the House.

“We are in the Eighth Parliament now and we are seized with the idea of paying attention to bills. If you listened to my acceptance speech, I indicated that we shall not be a rubber stamp Parliament and it is my intention that we shall not rubber-stamp Bills.

“We have just come from Mutare where we have concluded a framework of our strategic plan and one of the things is to enhance capacity of MPs to interpret what the intended laws are all about. We will enhance our research portfolio so that when MPs are not well informed about that particular Bill they will be advised from a researched paper so that they will be able to adequately debate on the Bill,” Cde Mudenda said.

The strategy is expected to be completed by the end of March. Observers have criticised Parliament for failing to properly play their oversight role due to the incapacities of some legislators.

Minister Mavhaire

Hebert Zharare and Felex Share
Government has resolved to fire PowerTel Communications’ chief technology strategy expert Dr Dennis Magaya and his team, after realising he was not bringing “any value” to the struggling Zesa Holdings’ subsidiary, the Herald can reveal.
Energy and Power Development Minister Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire said the fate of Zesa Holdings chief executive officer Engineer Josh Chifamba, whose contract was extended by six months, would be left to the new board set to be appointed soon.

The irregular appointment of Dr Magaya and six other people, in defiance of a State Procurement Board (SPB) resolution, saw the power utility losing over US$2 million for the past two years in salaries and allowances to the expert and his team.

Sources close to the goings on at Zesa Holdings also revealed that Eng Chifamba was unlikely to survive the chop as he stood accused of conniving with the PowerTel board to rope in Dr Magaya in defiance of the SPB directive.

Minister Mavhaire, yesterday told The Herald that Dr Magaya’s “honeymoon” with the parastatal was over.
“We are firing him and his people. We are following the correct procedures to deal with him and we are almost done with the issue. In a day or two me will have finalised the matter,” Minister Mavhaire said.

“In this case there are no replacements because these people were of no value to the parastatal. They had their honeymoon, taking money from the institution but this has come to an end.”

Minister Mavhaire accused Eng Chifamba and the PowerTel board of conniving to engage Dr Magaya and his team irregularly.
After being engaged to develop PowerTel’s business strategy between January and September 2012, Dr Magaya produced a strategy document, but the PowerTel board, including Eng Chifamba, applied for condonation to go straight for the implementation without going to tender.

The SPB turned them down and asked them to go to tender.
PowerTel then went to tender with Dr Magaya’s RubieM Technologies as one of the applicants.

The SPB told them that RubieM could not be part of the tender after which the PowerTel chairman Mr Francis Chirimuuta and Eng Chifamba unprocedurally transformed the tender into an employment contract.

Said Minister Mavhaire: “The bottom line is once the SPB says no to a tender then it ends there. But, in connivance, the chief executive (Eng Chifamba) and the board decided to say they could not employ someone to implement a strategy done by Dr Magaya.

“They then employed him as a consultant to circumvent the SPB but the conditions were not for consultancy but for a full time worker. Dr Magaya, realising that, went and took five more people and they started getting special salaries.”

Dr Magaya’s contract started with a salary of US$14 000, increased to US$26 000 and a bonus of US$13 140,59 every month translating to US$469 687,08 in 2012.

The figure rose to US$525 441,12 last year and this year he was supposed to receive US$532 512,12.
His colleagues, who include engineers Shadreck Chuma, Farai Mudyanyama, Maxwel Chiwara and lawyer Shingirayi Gova, got US$9 000 each monthly.

Minister Mavhaire said Dr Magaya “strategised” to cheat Zesa Holdings’s subsidiary. “His strategy failed as they have not made any change to the subsidiary. Had they been given a few months they would have brought down PowerTel on its knees because they were the only ones getting paid while others could go for time without salaries,” he said. “What is sad is that Dr Magaya, Eng Chifamba and the board knew they were breaking the law. The strategy he implemented failed but because the three parties had connived, it was difficult for them to fire him.”

On Eng Chifamba’s contract, Minister Mavhaire said: “The appointment of the chief executive is the responsibility of the board but the board’s term expired before the expiry of Eng Chifamba’s contract.

“We extended his contract by six months but the new board will dismiss him or re-engage him though we feel he has served his time.”
Meanwhile, Minister Mavhaire said Zesa managers, who had been dismissed or transferred over flimsy allegations during the time of Energy and Power Development Minister Mr Elton Mangoma were being reinstated.

He said Government had realised the workers had been victimised and transferred without being tried, while others were unilaterally fired.

He said the sad thing was that those fired were replaced by some engineers that had relocated to neighbouring countries. “There are no cases against them and procedure was not followed,” he said. “The former Minister (Mangoma) found the system intact and now was putting his own people. We are now reversing that and putting people where they should be.”

Dr Magaya refused to comment when contacted by The Herald yesterday.
Zesa Enterprises managing director Mr Tererai Mutasa and PowerTel managing director Mr Samuel Maminimini, Zimbabwe Power Company’s Noah Gwariro are some of the people that had been reinstated.

Mr Tsvangirai

Takunda Maodza and George Maponga
The violent confrontations that have characterised MDC-T infighting have spread outside Harare, amid growing indications that party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is fast losing support in official structures.
In Masvingo, party youths said almost the entire provincial leadership is anti-Tsvangirai and they allegedly seized a car from executive members believed to be aligned to MDC-T deputy treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma, who has become the face of the leadership renewal calls in the opposition. Mr Mangoma and youth leader Mr Promise Mkwananzi were two weeks ago assaulted outside MDC-T headquarters in Harare as Mr Tsvangirai watched, while another youth leader, Mr Solomon Madzore, had to flee into the building to escape the mob. Party secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti survived by scrambling into Mr Tsvangirai’s car.

Mr Tsvangirai’s support in party structures is waning, and in Masvingo — a province in which they fared particularly badly in the 2013 elections —the executive has reportedly moved to delete the “T” from the party’s name. The “T” appendage is in reference to “Tsvangirai”.
The provincial executive — led by Mr Wilstaf Sitemere — allegedly also agreed to erase Mr Tsvangirai’s face from the party logo. On Friday, a mob allegedly seized a party Isuzu truck bearing a logo without Mr Tsvangirai’s face from Masvingo provincial youth chair Mr Oliver Chirume and provincial administrator Mr Aleck Tabe, whom they accused of sympathising with Mr Mangoma.

A camp aligned to Mr Tsvangirai, and led by district chair Mr Murangwanwa Chanyau and his spokesperson Mr Gibson Murinye, is using the car.

“The youths accuse the entire provincial executive of being behind Mangoma but what angered them even more was the removal of Tsvangirai’s face from the party logo on the vehicle and the changing of the party’s name by deleting the ‘T’,” said an MDC-T official in Masvingo.

An anti-Tsvangirai group recently met at Nyika Growth Point and plotted Mr Tsvangirai’s ouster.
MDC-T provincial secretary Mr Tongai Matutu accused the party members who seized the vehicle of being “attention seekers”.

“I am not sure whether the youths have returned the vehicle or not but I have not seen it yet so maybe they still have it. In any case the issue of what happened, where and by who should have been left to the party’s security department,” Mr Matutu said.

Herald Reporters
Veteran journalist and the former MDC-T director for policy implementation, William Bango has died. He was 62. Bango died from injuries sustained after the Isuzu truck he was driving collided head-on with a Toyota Raum near Dema Growth Point along the Chitungwiza-Wedza Road.

The driver of the Toyota Raum died on the spot while a passenger in the same vehicle and Bango died on the way to Chitungwiza Provincial Hospital.

Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, said the accident occurred around 2pm near the 43km peg along the Harare-Wedza Road.

Bango’s Isuzu was travelling from Chitungwiza to Wedza while the Raum was coming from the opposite direction, said Chief Supt Nyathi.
Bango joined The Herald soon after independence as a cadet reporter and worked on the newspaper for several years and later moved into other areas of journalism before entering politics.

MDC-T president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, said the party lost a loyal cadre.
“He was involved in an accident today (yesterday) afternoon and died upon admission. Mr Tsvangirai has since paid his condolences at his residence and as a party we feel grief for someone who served the party with loyalty. He was the founding spokesperson in 2002 until he was a director before his retirement from the party structures,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

Mourners are gathered at number 48 Adylinn Road in Marlborough.

Herald Reporters
A non-governmental-organisation from South Korea has donated computers to Chitungwiza Central Hospital to enhance the institution’s administration. Food for The Hungry International donated 14 full sets of computers and accessories to the hospital. Mrs Kim Heesoon Kim, the organisation’s co-ordinator who also serves as a nurse at Gangnam Severance Hospital in South Korea, said the donation served to honour their relationship with the health facility.

“We have a good relationship with Chitungwiza Central Hospital. We help people and we work together. Since our organisation is here in Chitungwiza we feel that it is our responsibility to make it whole,” she said.

Chitungwiza Central Hospital operations director Mr William Machiridza expressed gratitude towards the organisation for its effort to assist them, saying this would improve the major hospital’s administration.

“We have been experiencing problems in data capturing and research at our outpatients and casualty departments and these computers will go a long way in addressing exactly that. We therefore appreciate the gesture by the South Koreans,” he said.

Last year, South Korea also donated to the Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Chitungwiza Town Council.

Health Reporter
A global programme on maternal and child health implemented in the country for the past three years has renewed its commitment and intensified its efforts to reduce pregnancy-related illnesses and deaths for another three years. Announcing the new commitment in Harare recently, Maternal and Child Health Integrated Programme chief of party Professor Rose Kambarami said they would now expand their scope from Mutare and Chimanimani to other districts in Manicaland province.

Prof Kambarami said with funding from USAID, health institutions in seven Manicaland districts would receive training on emergency obstetric care, and mothers would be encouraged to deliver in health institutions.

“Although the country’s maternal mortality ratio is improving, we shouldn’t be complacent because we have national targets to achieve in 2015,” said Prof Kambarami.

She said for that reason, there is need for partner organisations to re-double efforts to reduce numbers of women dying during childbirth.
“Focus should not be on developing new strategies but should be on accelerating existing strategies,” she said.

Under the new commitment, USAID availed US$15 million.
In partnership with the Health and Child Care Ministry, the programme focuses on increasing access to high-quality health services for mothers, babies and children.

US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bruce Wharton, “Through the provision of financial and technical support, the US government is committed to working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to save the lives of Zimbabwe’s mothers, newborns and children,” he said.

Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa applauded the partnership, saying it has contributed to a reduction in cases of mothers who die while giving birth.

“We appreciate USAID/MCHIP’s collaborative approach and are excited for our good relationship to continue through the extension of the new three-year award that USAID and MCHIP have just signed,” he said.

According to the 2012 National Census Report, Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality ratio has declined from about 10 women dying every day to about five.

Minister Dokora

Moleen Machingura Herald Reporter
Government will not subsidise examination fees for Ordinary and Advanced Level this year but the average O-Level candidate will pay less than a total of US$10 more for the whole exam and those writing three A-Levels will pay just US$6 more.
The subsidies were low, just US$1 for each O-Level subject and US$2 for each A-Level and Zimsec fees will remain the same, at US$13 a subject at O-Level and US$26 a subject at A-Level. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora told journalists in Harare that examination fees for all levels remained unchanged but candidates would pay extra money.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to advise the nation that the Zimsec O-Level and A-Level fees which were at US$13 and US$26 respectively in 2013 have remained the same for 2014,” he said. “While candidates in 2013 paid US$12 and US$24 respectively, with the government subsidising US$1 at O-Level and US$2 at A-Level, in 2014 the candidates will pay the full amount of US$13 for O-Level and US$26 A-Level,” said Minister Dokora

Zimsec Director Mr Esau Nhandara said examination fees for practical subjects also remained unchanged. He said Zimsec had set May 23 as the registration deadline for November 2014 O-Level and A-Level candidates.

Josh Chifamba

Herald Reporter
Zimbabweans have called on Government to suspend Zesa Holdings chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba for his involvement in the PowerTel Communications saga that saw the subsidiary losing over US$2 million in two years after irregularly appointing  chief strategist Dr Dennis Magaya to head PowerTel Communications in defiance of a State Procurement Board resolution.

People who spoke to The Herald said for conniving with the PowerTel board to irregularly engage chief strategist Dr Dennis Magaya to implement a turnaround strategy, Minister Mavhaire should suspend Eng Chifamba.

Minister Mavhaire yesterday stuck to his guns saying Government had already made a decision on the issue and it was final.
“We do not run Government through The Herald,” he said.

“We told you we are doing our investigations and you want us to use WhatsApp or the Internet to operate. You are a different Herald these days. Give us a chance to do our duty. Chimbotiregerai, chimbotisiyai vanhu veHerald.”

He added: “By what you are doing, you are forcing the President (Mugabe) to appoint a board at your pace yet we have told you that we are still consulting.”

Mr Tinashe Tiki of Borrowdale said the whole scam was “stinking illegality” and there was no logic in retaining Eng Chifamba.
“Eng Chifamba is part of Dr Magaya’s henchmen and they are both liable as culprits.” Another Herald reader, Mr Roy Munyoro said Eng Chifamba played a leading role in bringing Dr Magaya and should be axed together with him.