Defence deputy minister Victor Matemadanda has been taken to court by fellow war veteran, Amos Sigauke who is claiming $400 000 damages for criminal defamation.
Sigauke recently issued summons against Matemadanda, accusing him of soiling his character through a newspaper article published in a local daily in July this year.
He claimed Matemadanda accused him and his pressure group, War Veterans Pressure Group (WVPG) of being sponsored to destabilise President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
“The statements were made with the intention to defame plaintiffs and to injure their respective reputations. As a result of the defamation, plaintiffs have jointly and severally the one being injured the other to suffer, been damaged in their reputation and they have suffered damages in the sum of $400 000.”
“The statements by the defendant are wrongful and defamatory to the plaintiffs. The statements were understood by the addressees and were intended by the defendant to mean that plaintiffs are dishonest and without morale fibre in that they associate themselves with rapists. Additionally, the statements by the defendant were understood by the ordinary reader to depict that plaintiffs are engaging in acts to subvert a constitutionally elected government through unconstitutional means,” Sigauke said.
In the same summons, Sigauke is also claiming interest at the prescribed rate from the date of judgement to the date of full and final payment, as well as 10% collection commission in terms of the Law Society of Zimbabwe. The matter is pending.
BORDER Timbers Limited (BTL) posted a 751% increase in revenue to $48,96 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 driven by improved quality and output from its value-addition plants.
The increase was from a prior year figure of $5,75 million.
“Revenue saw positive improvement compared to prior comparable period mostly driven by improved quality and output from our value addition plants resulting in better average selling prices (ASAP) on lumber,” the company’s judicial manager, Peter Bailey said in the group’s trading update.
During the period, BTL recorded a net loss before tax of $11,65 million from a comparative 2018 profit before tax of $1,53 million owing to unrealised exchange losses.
“Loss for the year is mainly driven by unrealised exchange losses primarily from a foreign loan, the net unrealised exchange loss amounts to $31,42 million,” Bailey said.
Bailey said lumber production and sales volumes were down by 6% and 14% to 15 365 and 15 223 cubic metres respectively.
“Lumber production is lower compared to period prior year due to low production at the Charter sawmill caused mainly by machine breakdown and power outages. The low production had a knock-on effect on sales volumes as this resulted in lower sales compared to prior year,” Bailey added. Treated poles amounted to 2 621 cubic metres down from 3 004 cubic metres recorded in prior year while sales volumes also declined to 3 750 cubic metres from a comparative 4 011 cubic metres in 2018.
“Treated poles reflect a decline in production as focus was placed on specific orders that require re-sizing of stocks on hand. This is reflected in sales being higher than production as these sales were coming out of stock. Demand remains high within the region and an increase in both production and sales is anticipated within the next quarter,” Bailey said.
He said the company would remain under judicial management in the foreseeable future as discussion about the settlement and sharing of the US$25 million that was awarded to the company by an International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) tribunal have not been finalised.
The company was placed under judicial management in 2016 after failing to service debts to several financial institutions. After Public Accountants and Auditors Board has given the green light to report using IAS 29 which is a hyperinflation reporting standard, production of financial positions will be restated to factor in annual inflation and exchange rate position.
LAWYERS representing political activist Josphat Mzaca Ngulube have challenged the incarceration of the aspiring Bulawayo legislator who was last week jailed six years for public violence.
Ngulube was convicted on charges of burning three cars and property at a house belonging to Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial women’s league chairperson Eva Bitu during the violent January protests.
He was convicted alongside Fortune Masuku, Melusi Moyo and Otilia Sibanda by Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya.
Ngulube contested last year’s parliamentary elections as an independent candidate in Bulawayo South constituency before joining the MDC early this year.
His lawyer Nqobani Sithole said Ngulube was in “high spirits” despite his six-year conviction.
“He is in high spirits. We knew that regardless of his defence the probability of his conviction was high…he was prepared and not taken by surprise by the unfair conviction…otherwise, we are filing an appeal at the High Court against his unfair conviction,” Sithole told Southern Eye before visiting his client at Khami Maximum Prison.
The State’s case, as presented by Jetro Mada, is that on January 14 at about 7am, Ngulube, acting in connivance with 100 others, unlawfully blocked the free movement of traffic at the intersection of Sizinda Road and Nketa Drive.
Mada said the crew accused Bitu of solely benefiting from taxpayers’ money and pushed her Ford Ranger out of the yard and set it alight.
“Accused persons went back into the yard where they had left a Nissan NP300 and a Toyota Vitz. They set alight the Nissan whose flames destroyed part of the Vitz. The Ford Ranger and Nissan NP300 were burnt beyond repair,” Mada said. Mada said the cars had a total value of US$95 000.
Zipra war veterans yesterday bemoaned the escalating levels of intolerance between State and non-State actors, which has bred violations of the rule of law, freedoms of association and expression in the country.
Zipra Veterans Association spokesperson Buster Magwizi told Southern Eye that his organisation was concerned about the current levels of intolerance which have resulted in violence.
“We appeal to the citizens and the State to exercise restraint on violence. We have noticed the escalation of intolerance, particularly between the State and non-State actors, with some organisations conducting meetings without informing the State and the State applying maximum force to stop such meetings, leading to violence,” Magwizi said, adding that the repressive government was infringing on freedom of expression and association and should relook at its stance.
Magwizi said such incidents tarnish the image of the country and will further deepen the political and economic woes.
Zipra’s remarks come in the wake of recent police attacks on MDC supporters at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare where their leader Nelson Chamisa was expected to deliver his Hope of the Nation speech.
Magwizi also said Zipra will hold its end of year general meeting in Bulawayo on December 1, during which members will take stock of progress made in efforts to push government to return Zipra and Zapu properties confiscated at the height of Gukurahundi between 1982 and 1987.
“Our meeting will be speaking a message of hope for the comrades. We will also speak about our engagement with the government on issues of our properties and Gukurahundi. You will remember that sometime this year we met President Emmerson Mnangagwa to discuss properties confiscated by the government in the 1980s, Gukurahundi and the non-vetted cadres,” Magwizi said.
“We will discuss the way forward on these issues.”
Zipra said government should vet 20 000 Zipra cadres who are yet to receive their benefits.
UP-and-COMING gospel musician Tatenda Chioniso Rushwaya recently launched a new entertainment website she believes will empower local female artistes as well as provide a platform for people to know more about African music.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style yesterday,Rushwaya said the website that mainly focuses on female artistes is set to empower women who have the desire to succeed against all odds.
“On this website, we worked hard to make sure it contains valuable information for our young female artistes. It will uplift us as women since we are looked down upon and society labels us as people who cannot stand up on our own. Let us show the world that we can do it and we are not limited by gender,” she said.
“Our goal with this new website is to provide fans, international and local promoters an easier way to learn about Tatenda Chioniso African music, new album launch, shows and also to allow them the ability to contact me for bookings and hiring on special events,” she said.
Rushwaya, who draws her inspiration from the Holy Spirit and Tariro neGitare, said her dream is to expand and make sure African music is on the map.
“The website is meant to maintain the African culture and tradition. The beauty about African music is that it uplifts even as it tells a sad story. African music must get more respect as it is like the origin of a lot of kinds of music,” she said.
“Among the new features, on the site include integrated social media icons for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to foster improved communication with our fans and even promoters. We will be constantly updating our content to make our clients stay abreast.”
Rushwaya has had a fair share of the limelight. She represented Zimbabwe in the World Choir Games which took place last year in July as part of the award-winning Choir Note2eton.
She also participated at the concert for change in Quelimane, Mozambique.
Police in Chinamhora have launched a manhunt for two suspects who allegedly pounced on female worshippers in Domboshava Hills and stole apostolic faith garments, among other items. The Domboshava Hills are being targeted by armed robbers who pounce on unsuspecting people visiting the area to worship and perform rituals.
Mashonaland East provincial acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Misheck Dendere yesterday said cases of armed robberies in the hills were on the rise and warned worshipers and ritualists to be extra cautious.
“We have been recording various cases of robberies in Domboshava targeting those who visit the hills for worshiping, among other reasons,” Dendere said.
“This week, two different groups of people were robbed of their valuables. We are appealing to members of the public who might have information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to alert the police. As police, we are warning those visiting the hills to be careful, especially at night and avoid carrying valuables.”
According to the police, on November 22, Barbra Mano (51) and Estella Kanhukamwe (27), all from Harare, went to Pasipamire village to worship.
It is reported that at around 9pm, two male suspects approached them and assaulted them all over the body using logs, demanding valuables.
The suspects then took 10 garments, two cellphones, two pairs of shoes and $27 and fled. The two sustained injuries and were referred to Makumbe District Hospital for treatment after they had filed a police report.
On the second incident, on November 23, Isaiah Madongorere (34), Tafadzwa Mtukudzi (40) and Farai Chimanga (28), all from Harare, went to the hills in Mungate village to hold prayer sessions.
At around 1am the following day, they decided to take a break and locked themselves in their vehicle parked at the foot of the hill.
While inside, the complainants were approached by a male suspect who told them that they were worshiping at a prohibited place. The suspect then produced a pistol and ordered them to lie down, took all their cellphones and ordered them to leave the place.
The complainants filed a police reports and no arrest has been made so far.
SUNGURA prodigy Romeo Gasa has described his latest album titled Tamba Iri Kurira to be launched tomorrow at East Point (Formerly Jazz 105) in Harare as a special project he would use to fundraise for various charities across the country under his Rome Gasa Trust Foundation.
The Extra Valembe frontman speaking to the media on Tuesday ahead of the launch said he decided to depart from the norm of pocketing proceeds from an album launch. This time he will channel all the takings from the event towards charity.
“Our album launch this Friday (tomorrow) is a bit special to us on behalf of the Rome Gasa Trust Foundation running under the theme Touching and Changing Lives. Unlike most album launches where artistes will be expecting to cash in from the fruits of their sweat and of course recover production costs, we have decided to give back to the community,” he said.
“As an award-winning artiste who has seen it all, my heart bleeds for the less-privileged, hence we have decided to channel all the proceeds from the launch to charity.”
Gasa said in line with the album launch theme, Touching and Changing Lives, they have decided to rope in artistes living with disability among them the visually-impaired street musician, Daniel Gonora, and Greatman.
“On the launch day, we are appealing to those with old clothes, toys and cash to bring and drop them in a container were all donations will be put. This album is an early Christmas present to my fans and the needy,” he said.
The Alick Macheso and Tongai Moyo-inspired singer said some of the songs on the seven-track album are Zino Irema, which he featured Botswana-based singer-cum-producer Dr Tawanda, Rudo Ibofu, Mukoma Zanda, Yellow Pop and Kudira Jecha.
He said after the launch of the album that was co-produced by Jabulani Ndlovu and Marcelo, he would take it to the people through a series of live concerts.
The Chinhoyi-bred singer released his first album Sungura Kompressor in 2007 before taking a five-year break due to economic challenges only to make a return in 2012 with the release of Simbi Hombe that was followed by Pin Code (a 2014 production), Mupedza Nyaya released in 2015, Bho Zvekuti (2016) and Code 263 released in 2018.
In politics, the youths are said to be the vanguard of political parties while in medicine I would put it that the junior doctors are the hummingbirds that bring life to central hospitals.
The current medical situation in our country can be described as deplorable, lamentable, regrettable or pathetic and this requires an urgent solution if a catastrophe is to be averted.
It is a fact that patients fret because of poor access to medical care due to unaffordability, doctors are also languishing in abject poverty because a majority of them cannot afford a decent meal at home. Some have resorted to walking from town to Parirenyatwa Hospital because of their tenacity to save patients.
The environment has become so bad that it now requires the government-doctor feud to an end.
While many may think that the issues raised by doctors are nothing, but a frivolity, the grievances need proper consideration if our nation is to move ahead.
For doubters, junior doctors offer some of the most important services in Zimbabwe and there is no alienation between central hospitals and them. They are thus both the stakeholders and stockholders of central hospitals to be frank.
A central hospital like Parirenyatwa has two important points of receiving patients, The casualty and emergency unit, and the outpatients department (OPD). The casualty department is supposed to receive emergency cases or cases that would have been referred from other medical centres while chronic or cold cases are seen in the outpatients department. In both places, it is the junior doctors (who include both junior and senior interns) who have a first touch on the patients. The initial assessment, examination and admission are all carried out by these juniors in consultation with their registrars or consultants. A lot of cases that present in the casualty department are medical and surgical cases that fall under the junior interns.
The phlebotomy and other investigations are done by junior doctors as patients are sent to the wards. Follow-up of results and presentation of patients during ward rounds is the prerogative of the juniors. So without them, life becomes a double tragedy to both patients and remaining staff. This would mean no casualty attention, no OPD attention, no laboratory follow-ups, discharges are impaired resulting in a serious burden on the nursing staff. It will be bizarre to see a specialist doctor in the casualty clerking patients, bleeding them and running up the stairs to follow up on blood results. Without these juniors, hospital function is delegated to a white elephant that has nothing to offer. Critics will tell you that junior doctors are just students or some unscrupulous elements, yet my own experience and knowledge tell me they are of great value and importance if health delivery service is to remain afloat.
It is unfortunate that government and its agents like the Health Services Board (HSB) see junior doctors as cantankerous interns who are always argumentative, unco-operative, yet they have genuine concerns.
In 1996, government fired striking doctors only to reverse the decision within a month after health delivery plummeted to unprecedented levels. In 2007, the then chief executive officer at Harare Central Hospital fired 60 junior interns for going on strike for more than five weeks.
The minister quickly reinstated the fired doctors and the conflict was resolved. Today, I hear that 448 doctors have been fired which is never going to benefit us as a nation, but is actually detrimental to the whole health sector considering the high morbidity and mortality associated with inadequate medical staff.
It is actually incredible to note that some of those in the firing line are actually renowned specialists who have helped everyone since time immemorial. Some served our dear Zimbabwe when they used to be the only ones doing specific operations. It should be noted that conflict resolution includes embracing conflict, talking together, listening, finding solutions, providing guidance and forgiving rivals.
If such steps are observed, it would not take time to solve the health crisis that has ravaged the entire nation. I believe dialogue that has mutual respect is the way forward.
Advertising for doctors’ vacancies will only work as a temporary measure as the fundamentals have not been corrected. We run the risk of cycles of incapacitation repeating themselves. Government and doctors should immediately find each other with sincerity as heavy-handedness does not help anyone. Together, we will build Zimbabwe!
Johannes Marisa is interim president of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioner’s Association of Zimbabwe. He is also into private practice. He can be accessed on doctormarisa@gmail.com
SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean singer Philani “Phitso” Mhlanga, who has since migrated from gospel to Afro-fusion said he had finished the production of his latest album, Chachigondora, that is expected to be released on the market any time soon. The Legacy Band frontman carved his musical career in 2014 as a gospel artiste before switching to Afro-fusion. NewsDay (ND) Life & Style reporter Winstone Antonio caught up with Phitso (PM) from his Mzansi base to get an insight into his musical journey and below are excerpts from the interview.
ND: How is life across the Limpopo in the wake of the recent xenophobia attacks?
PM: Life is okay though one would prefer staying in their home country. The xenophobic attacks are unfortunate and represent a very dark aspect of South African society. They have to learn to embrace African brothers and sisters as was the case with them during the apartheid era when they received solidarity from the entire African continent.
ND: You will be releasing a new album titled Chachigondora soon, can you share more details about the project?
PM: My forthcoming album is a very important project for me because it will be my first production after I changed my genre from gospel to Afro-fusion. This new genre has challenges because people or fans try to put you in the shoes of legends in which one cannot easily fit. This new album is also important in the sense that it is going to change my life and behaviour as this type of music requires one to be well-disciplined and focused as some people link the type of music with the late music legend Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s music. The focus then is on making sure that the fans can get sense, inspiration and meaning from this new album.
ND: You declared that you have rebranded, what triggered this?
PM: When I was singing gospel I had a certain group or part of society that this music targeted and that is those who are of the Christian faith. Therefore in order for me to reach all facets of society I have decided to rebrand to Afro-fusion music so as to encompass everyone regardless of religious beliefs.
ND: Have you collaborated with other artistes?
PM: Not yet, I have not done any collaboration, but in the future yes they are plans to do so.
ND: What is your take on collaborations?
PM: For me collaborations are okay. However, the problem now is people are just focusing on making money out of collaborations. For instance, if I want to do a collaboration with a widely-known artiste in Zimbabwe they always refer you to their manager and upon approaching the said manager they may demand a certain amount of money that I may not have. Or they will argue that the artiste they are managing signed a contract with a particular studio which I might not be able to afford in terms of payment.
ND: There are issues of beefs in the music industry, do you hold an beef with any artiste?
PM: No beef with any artiste. Having beefs is for immature people.
ND: Who inspired you into music?
PM: The late sungura maestro Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo inspired me to get into music. But I also like Josphat Somanje’s music, it is his music that I am listening to nowadays more than any other musician in Zimbabwe.
ND: As an artiste, what is your strength?
PM: My voice is my strength. My strength is how I compose my music
ND: Off the stage, who is Phitso?
PM: Phitso is just a businessman who is into transport. Some call me boss while others just refer to me as Phitso. Yeah that is me Philani Mhlanga. I am a person who believes that failure is not an option. I just have to achieve whatsoever I want, no matter the challenges, no matter the obstacles, I keep on pushing. So perseverance is what has led me to release this album.
ND: What has been your most embarrassing moment?
PM: The most embarrassing moment was the day when I was live on social media, Facebook for an interview with a certain lady whom I will not mention. My fans who were watching that interview started questioning why I was doing an interview with that lady.
Probably they did not like her personality, so after reading such comments I felt embarrassed, but that is now water under the bridge.
A SHOE left behind at a crime scene sold out a Chipinge traditional healer who broke into a friend’s house and stole a vehicle gearbox and money, leading to his incarceration for an effective two years.
Vitalis Masarira (25) of phase 5 Checheche Growth Point had pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry, but was convicted by Chipinge magistrate, Joshua Nembaware.
He was sentenced to 30 months in prison of which six were conditionally suspended. He will serve an effective two years.
In mitigation, Masarira begged the court for a non-custodial sentence so that he would continue with his trade as a traditional healer.
“Your worship, may I be given a non-custodial sentence because my clients are looking for me. They don’t know that I am in custody, I am a traditional healer,”Masarira said.
However, Nembaware opted for a custodial sentence, noting that he breached the trust which had been bestowed on him as friend by the complainant.
“Your moral blameworthiness is very high. You are facing a serious offence. You also stole from your friend, betraying the trust that was placed in you by your friend and you are not even remorseful,” Nembaware said.
Prosecutor Sesekedzai Mayera told the court that on October 26 at about 8am, the complainant, Clever Sithole — who is Masarira’s friend — left his home locked going to a nearby business centre.
He left his Honda Fit gearbox in the house.
Masarira went to the house and forcibly opened the door. He stole the gearbox and went away unnoticed.
Two days later, Sithole came back home at around 7am and discovered that his house had been broken into and his gearbox was missing. He also found a shoe which was left in the house which resembled that of Masarira.
He made a police report saying he suspected Masarira, who was then arrested, leading to the recovery of the gearbox valued at $10 000.
