By Rex Mphisa

SIX people aboard a Toyota Quantum minibus were yesterday crashed to death in a head-on collision with a haulage truck at Sosonye River bridge along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway.

Only the driver of the truck survived the horrific crash, a kilometre from the Mwenezi River bridge.

Mwenezi civil protection chairperson Rosemary Chingwe said all six occupants of the minibus died on the spot.

“We only know the side (of the story) of the surviving (truck) driver at the moment and it is difficult to explain the cause of the accident,” Chingwe said.

“No one in the smaller car survived,” Chingwe, who is also the district development co-ordinator (formerly district administrator), said.

People who passed through the scene of the accident on their way to Beitbridge, said the mangled remains of the minibus were still trapped under the truck.

“It appears the smaller vehicle rammed into the front of the heavy haulage truck, which dragged it the whole length of the bridge before knocking off a pillar at the end and falling onto the riverbank,” a motorist said.

Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula were fruitless as her phone went unanswered.

Bodies of the deceased were taken to Neshuro District Hospital.

Accidents on the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, even up to Harare, are a common occurrence blamed on the poor state of the road.

Government has shelved dualisation of the road, citing foreign currency shortages.

Instead the government is upgrading the road and five contractors are on the ground.

The road will be widened to 12,5 metres from Beitbridge to Harare at a cost of $600 million, translating to slightly above a million dollars per kilometre.

Local contractors have been engaged in a move expected to save foreign currency and create employment.

BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE

BULAWAYO city fathers have advised ratepayers to engage private plumbers to attend to leaking and burst pipes because the local authority is battling manpower shortages.

This came to light yesterday during a water crisis meeting held at the Small City Hall, where residents hit out at council for failing to timely attend to leaking pipes, among other problems.

“We encourage community-based workers to engage private local plumbers to repair leaking pipes to save water,” said council engineering director Simela Dube, who pleaded incapacitation on the part of the council.

After the introduction of a 72-hour water-rationing regime, there has been an upsurge in burst pipes, blamed on ageing reticulation infrastructure.

According to council, as much as 90 water leak faults were received daily by the local authority.

Residents at the meeting were adamant that council had poor rapid response mechanisms to attend to water leaks, claiming for example BCC’s faults telephone numbers were always engaged.

Dube denied the charges before claiming that council was planning to launch an application that could make reporting water leaks easy for residents.

Residents advised council to adopt water conservation strategies in the face of dwindling levels at supply dams — and to embark on water harvesting projects and recycling of waste water.

BCC recently introduced a 72-hour water-rationing schedule after Upper Ncema Dam was decommissioned in July 2019, leaving the city with five out of six supply dams.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

SOUTH Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has waived immigration requirements for unabridged birth certificates, affidavits and other supporting documents for foreign children to enter that country.

Zimbabweans, among other nationals, travelling to that country with children, were being turned back at ports of entry for not having unabridged birth certificates and affidavits authorising them to travel with the minors.

The requirements first came into force in 2015.

The South African immigration requirement for an unabridged birth certificate, which names the child’s mother and father, or the equivalent thereof from their country of origin was said to be a means to curb child trafficking across the neighbouring countries’ borders.

However, Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi, in a statement said the requirement had been waived by his ministry.

“This improvement in our admissions policy builds on the work the department has been doing to contribute to economic growth and investment.

“As of Friday, November 8, 2019, foreign children can enter and depart the country without being required to provide birth certificates, consent letters, and other supporting documents relating to proof of parentage,” Motsoaledi said.

“It is significant that we have completed the policy changes in the week in which President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the second investment conference. We anticipate that this change will have a positive impact on tourism as we approach the holiday season.”

The requirement for birth certificates and affidavits was introduced at a time the neighbouring country was introducing a raft of strict measures to regulate the number of foreigners in that country.

Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals, who overstay in South Africa, are now banned for a period ranging from one to five years to enter the neighbouring country.

Over-stayers were all along allowed to re-enter South Africa and apply for permits and visas after being made to pay fines for the offence.

First-time and second-time offenders, who overstay for less than 30 days are banned for one and two years, respectively, while those that overstay for a period exceeding 30 days are banned for five years.

By Miriam Mangwaya

TWO war veterans in Chivhu were recently suspended from their association on allegations of selling State land without following procedure, resulting in fights among land seekers.

Justice Munhapa, who was the secretary for lands in the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association’s Chikomba district, and John Chinakidzwa, who heads the association’s administration, were suspended following an executive meeting held on October 22, which they snubbed.

Chikomba district war veterans association chairperson Joachim Chivandire could not confirm the development as he repeatedly said he was attending meetings.

But according to documents seen by NewsDay, Munhapa and Chinakidzwa have since been served with suspension letters pending investigations.

“The executive committee has resolved to suspend you with immediate effect on allegations of corruptly issuing, signing recommendation letters and allocating land without the authority of the executive committee and not following correct procedures,” the letters read.

The allegations also include misconduct and bringing the war veterans association’s name into disrepute.

Munhapa confirmed that he was on suspension, but refuted the allegations saying he had the necessary documents to exonerate himself.

Chinakidzwa could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was not reachable.

Last year at the Chivhu Magistrates Courts, a local white farmer, Craig Kenneth Campbell, was granted a peace order against Munhapa, whom he accused of harassing him in an attempt to grab Constantia Estate Farm from him.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

Two MDC activists in Mashonaland East died in a road accident on Sunday night when their vehicle collided head-on with another near Ruwa while on their way from Harare, where they had gone for a rally.

Paul Chikuni (34), a Marondera ward 1 branch chairman, died on the spot while Admire Takawira, who was driving the Honda Fit vehicle they were travelling in, was pronounced dead on arrival at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Another party supporter, who was in the vehicle, Moreblessing Maradza, escaped with minor injuries.

Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu (MDC) said the trio had gone to Harare to attend the rally which was banned by the police at the last minute.

Takawira, a former police officer, who was leading the opposition party’s security and intelligence portfolio in Marondera district, will be buried in Masvingo today while funeral arrangements for Chikuni are still in progress.

Chikuni had a pending case of obstructing course of justice before the courts after he and an MDC councillor, Charles Ngwena, allegedly barred three police officers from arresting a banana vendor.

The two allegedly told the police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa for organising an anti-sanctions march on October 25.

MDC Marondera district secretary spokesperson, Farai Nyandoro, said the opposition party had lost dedicated cadres.

“We are saddened as a party because of the demise of our comrades who sacrificed their all for the attainment of a better Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The most worrying thing is that their vision had been cut short courtesy of our roads which are in bad state. We have also lost four members within a short space of time, but their death is going to make our resolve even stronger in our quest to see to it that the (Zanu PF) regime is removed.”

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

GOSPEL songbirds Mary Mhiribidi Zinyimo and Agatha Murudzwa have collaborated on a new song Nokuti Makanaka, off the former’s forthcoming album that is set for release next month.

Zinyimo, who is based in Botswana, told NewsDay Life & Style yesterday that she was happy to work with Murudzwa as she was one of the artistes who have always inspired her.

“She has been on this journey since 2003 when I started listening to her music. I love her voice and I thought it was going to blend with mine. I respect her character and love to help others,” she said.

Zinyimo, who will release her new song on a local radio station, said she opted for radio because of its wider reach.

The musician said themes on her new album, Ndoshandira Mweya Wangu, were centred on exalting the name of God and dealing with life struggles.

“It is about my spiritual journey, the struggles in our lives and the way we live now. I am comparing the situation we are living in now to the way people lived in the Bible,” she said.

“I am inspired by the word of God, the love that God has for us, no matter our differences and individualism.”

The new offering, which was produced by Simba Mukonyo at Simz Records, will be launched in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The album carries the songs, Ndoshandira Mweya Wangu, Tambira Jehovha, Mwari Huyai Muone, Usadzvara Nyama, Ita Wega and Meso Nenzeve zveMweya (Zaoga theme).

BY FORTUNE MBELE

HIGHLANDERS coach Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh is furious with Zifa as he alleges that officials at the football mother body went behind his back to convince Prince Dube to join the Warriors camp before Bosso’s match against Ngezi Platinum Stars.

De Jongh said he had already made an agreement with Warriors coach Joey Antipas that Dube would fly to Harare tomorrow morning after the league match against Ngezi Platinum Stars today.

The Dutch national questioned the wisdom of playing league matches when the national team is involved in two important qualifying matches.

Zimbabwe take on Botswana in a Group H Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the National Sports Stadium on Friday before they travel to Zambia for a match against the hosts on Tuesday.

The Highlanders gaffer said Fifa rules about the international break must overrule those of the local league and must be enforced by the country’s football governing body (Zifa).

“Fifa rules are clear that when an official qualifying game is being played, there are no games to be played. This is not good for football. It is also very strange that I agree with the coach (Antipas) that after the Ngezi game Prince would travel and the manager or some people in the office go behind my back and call Prince. How is it possible that Zifa does not follow Fifa rules? Zifa can say that no games are supposed to be played?” De Jongh quipped.

The Highlanders mentor said he tried to get clarification from Zifa chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse but without joy.

“I called the Zifa CEO (Joseph Mamutse) yesterday (Monday). I know him very well and I told him and he said he would come back to me but I think his airtime got finished because he did not call back. Every country in the world is free and only Zimbabwe isn’t,” the Dutchman said.

He said he had been made to believe that the Warriors were not training today as Antipas would be with his club Chicken Inn at Trojan Mine for the league game against Mushowani Stars while his assistant at the national team Tonderai Ndiraya would be with his Dynamos at Ascot Stadium against Chapungu.

Another Warriors’ assistant coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s Harare City host TelOne at Rufaro Stadium.

De Jongh said he was hopeful of a positive result against Ngezi Platinum.

“So we play tomorrow and Prince is not available. He is with the national team now. We will try to come out with a good result. We have respect for the opponents; they are on position five on the log table and there is two points’ difference between us and them. It is not going to be easy because they are a good team with good players. We are in good spirits. We have other players that are available,” De Jongh said.

BY MOSES MATENGA

At least 12 top executives have resigned from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) in protest over alleged interference, endemic corruption, harassment and threats from some board members.

The officials, from different departments including finance and tolling, administration, information communication technology, audit, among others, have joined several others who have resigned from the organisation citing interference, among other problems.

Sources said those who resigned include Simpson Mandizha (administration), Tanyaradzwa Mandisodza (finance), Wilfred Chiroodza, Anyway Mudodo (finance manager), Hazel Tlou (finance tolling) and Daphne Charamba (finance tolling).

Others are Vikani Lulamani (finance tolling) Muthetheleli Mpofu (finance tolling, engineer G Kufa (management), Gift Kanotangudza an ICT manager, Shadreck Matengabadza (audit manager) and company secretary Mathlene Mujokoro.

“Morale is at its lowest. The environment is bad. People are resigning every day and you wonder what kind of a company is run like that. Hearings were done and the committees found the involved people not guilty. The CEO, claiming to be working under instruction from the board, overrides that. What is that?” the source privy to the details asked rhetorically.

“Quite a number have resigned and it is now an everyday thing. People are frustrated and there is a feeling that things can’t continue like this. They know that if they are accused of anything, processes are manipulated and they will not win so they are opting out. The situation is bad.”

Zinara board chairman Michael Madanha was not answering calls last night, but is on record accusing those making all sorts of allegations against his board of being “thieves” unhappy with the cleansing process.

The Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Trade Union yesterday said the situation at the roads authority was worrying and accused Zinara acting CEO Saston Muzenda of overriding decisions of a disciplinary committee comprising three managers and two workers representatives.

“Information at hand shows that Muzenda has a clear instruction from his board to dismiss employees regardless of disciplinary hearing outcomes. We are aware of the plot to dismiss long-serving workers and replace them with new employees. In this regard, ZIMRATU will not let Zinara cruise on the arbitrary path. We are going to defend our members and expose all the lies and misrepresentation,” ZIMRATU general secretary Lovemore Ngwarati alleged.

NewsDay has it on good authority that the committee found most of the workers not guilty and ruled that they should return to work.

But Muzenda allegedly refused to budge.

“One of the reasons why some of the workers were fired was based on reports from Univern, but it was established that, for example, some government vehicles have two number plates. This was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police after their vehicle was captured passing at a tollgate,” the source said.

“During the hearings, it was also established that one of the vehicles was part of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s motorcade and the committee found the accused person not guilty. The acting CEO, however, wrote that the workers should be found guilty regardless.”

Muzenda was not reachable yesterday.