ZANU PF secretary for legal affairs, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana’s claim to a Glen Lorne property, which he had bought through the Sheriff of the High Court, has now come under scrutiny after Justice Clement Phiri cancelled the sale and allowed the property owners to lodge their objection to the sale in terms of the law.

BY CHARLES LAITON

According to court papers, Mangwana and his wife Pauline bought stand number 2157 Glen Lorne Township 30 of Lot 30 of Glen Lorne held under deed of transfer number 2280/2016 following a private treaty sale that was conducted by the Sheriff and paid US$260 000.

“The fourth respondent’s (sheriff) decision to declare first and second respondents (Munyaradzi and Pauline Mangwana) as purchasers and subsequent confirmation of the sale for stand number 2157 Glen Lorne Township 30 of Lot 30 of Glen Lorne is hereby set aside,” Justice Phiri ruled before cancelling the deed of transfer.

Prior to the sale, the house belonged to David and Kumbula Chiweza whose company, Watson Investments (Pvt) Ltd, had loan issues with CBZ Bank Limited amounting to US$207 203. However, when the bank took the Chiwezas to court, judgment was entered against the couple leading to the property being surrendered to the Sheriff for sale.

However, when the sheriff conducted the sale, Chiweza and his wife were not informed that their house was being put under the hammer and the couple did not have the chance to lodge an objection to it. It was only after the house had been sold that the couple became aware of what had transpired.

“The fourth respondent once again purported to notify and serve the applicants (David and Kumbula Chiweza) through Watson Investments to another different non-existent address being 13 Bargate Close Glen Lorne, Harare. Consequently, the applicants were never made aware of all these developments and they remained in the dark and helpless as events unfolded,” the Chiweza couple said.

“Also, of importance is that the property was sold by private treaty and not by way of forced public auction and the reason was for it to fetch a higher price… according to third respondent (CBZ Bank) valuation, the market value of the property was pegged at US$470 000 and forced sale value was US$307 000. In light of these valuation reports, the price of US$260 000 which was the price confirmed by the fourth respondent is not nearer to any of the above figures of actual valuations.”

The Chiwezas said it was clear there was a glaring irregularity in the way the sale was conducted.

A NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation catering for children with cancer and operates from Bulawayo and Harare, Kidzcan, has started a pilot cancer screening training project in Harare and Chitungwiza targeting nurses.

BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE

Kidzcan Zimbabwe director Daniel Mckenzie told NewsDay at a Food Lovers-organised cancer walk in Bulawayo, that the disease also affected children and urged mothers to be very observant of their young children.

“As a way of raising awareness, we have started training nurses; we started a pilot project in Harare and Chitungwiza, where we trained 440 nurses from all the clinics on early detection and screening. We want to bring the same programme to Matabeleland North and the rest of the country,” Mckenzie said.

He said cancer was not a common disease whereby one can get antibiotics for seven days and get treated. He said chemotherapy is expensive.

“Cancer cases in children are on the rise in Zimbabwe and what we want to do is raise awareness so that eventually (Health) ministry will incorporate child screening into the vaccination programme,” Mckenzie said, pledging to raise awareness in remote areas.

“If detected early, children with cancer can survive and, therefore, all mothers should be observant of their children,” he said.

“We are supporting 1 000 children and we have 35 in the ward at Parirenyatwa Hospital and we have about five at Mpilo Hospital and 50 that come every day as patients just to receive chemotherapy and go,” Mckenzie added.

The Kidzcan-Health ministry partnership allowed them to support children at Parirenyatwa paediatric cancer ward with bus fare and admission packs.

UNITED KINGDOM-BASED Zimbabwean Afro-pop artiste Tapfuma Charles Katedza, also known as Charlie Kay, has roped in songstress Ammara Brown in a track titled Campaign, which was released recently.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

The Ndokuda Wakadaro hitmaker told NewsDay Life & Style from his base that the song tells of the chemistry between Romeo and Juliet which leads one to do anything for the sake of love.

“Campaign is a song for love most definitely. The whole story behind it all captures the whole chemistry of that Romeo and Juliet fight and will do anything for your kind of love,” he said.

He said the duet was a dream come true after having expressed his desire to work with Ammara two years ago.

“When I first met Ammara, I remember telling her that one day she will have no choice, but to work with me. I’m a huge believer in timing and it was only a few months ago, due to busy schedules that we actually managed to record the track,” he said.

He said his desire was to use music to tell the Zimbabwean story through music on the international scene.

“I’m exporting my music to the international scene via my Zimbabwe and African people. There is so much that the world doesn’t know about us and I hope to play my part in being a voice for Zimbabwe and Africa through my music,” he added.

He said his music was a mirror image of his life experiences and Campaign came from the heart.

Charlie Kay has done several collaborations with local artistes, including Gemma Griffiths and Nox Guni.

Born in Zimbabwe, he moved to the UK together with his family at the age 17 and has had a passion for music since childhood.

Government last week said it had cancelled the US$400 million deal contract with the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG)/Transnet to recapitalise the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). NewsDay Business traces the timeline of events.

By Tinashe Kairiza

October 16, 2017: DIDG is awarded the tender to operate the NRZ as a concession and recapitalise it to the tune of US$400 million over 25 years.

Feonirich Investments LLC of Dubai attempts to submit its bid despite failing to satisfy the bidding process.

February 21, 2018: President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissions a consignment of rolling stock.

Late 2018: DIDG engages Afreximbank to co-fund, arrange and syndicate the US$400 million as the Mandated Lead Arranger (MLA) for the DIDG’s proposed NRZ recapitalisation project.

March 2019: Zimbabwe and South Africa commit to clear obstacles stalling implementation of the NRZ project during the Binational Commission presided over by Presidents Mnangagwa and Cyril Ramaphosa.

August 6, 2019: Afreximbank and DIDG sign an MLA agreement and conclude an indicative term sheet, whereby Afreximbank would fund up to US$100m from its own facilities and syndicate from international and regional financial institutions the balance of the US$400 million.

August 30, 2019: DIDG, accompanied by Afreximbank regional director, Humphrey Nwugo and technical team provide their detailed submission which demonstrate that they have the capacity to fund and roll out the NRZ recapitalisation project.

September 2019: The NRZ board resolves to approve the DIDG funding and implementation proposal backed by Afreximbank and referred the transaction to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance for approval to sign the JV agreement

September 2019: The DIDG funding and implementation proposal is presented to Treasury for approval.

September: Mnangagwa meets with Afreximbank president Benedict Orama on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York urging the continental bank to release the required funding to revamp Zimbabwe’s dilapidated rail network.

October 3: Mnangagwa announces that funding for the NRZ recapitalisation deal had been secured by DIDG, paving way for implementation to commence during his State of the Nation (Sona).
October 16: In a dramatic turn-around, Cabinet terminates the DIDG bid and retenders the project.

The local sporting family yesterday woke up to the heart-breaking news of the death of athletics legend Artwell Mandaza, who died at his rural home in Chiweshe.

By Sports Reporter

The former sprinter died at the age of 73.

His demise comes barely four years after his wife passed away.

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) announced the passing on of the former athletics great, who once clocked a world record equalling 9,9 seconds in a 100-metre race at the South African Bantu Championships at Welkom in 1970.

“It is with deep sense of sadness and sorrow that we have received the news of the passing on of one of our greatest ever athlete ever to emerge from our beloved country Artwell Mandaza, who passed on earlier today. Mandaza made an indelible mark during the pre-independence era, where he distinguished himself as a highly talented athlete who went on to become a sprint specialist and champion of that time. Artwell though he was retired, was one of the first inductees of the Zimbabwe National Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, alongside such other athletes like George “The Mastermind” Shaya, Nick Price, Dave Houghton, among others. This was in recognition of his immense contribution to the role he played in athletics and sport in general,” SRC said in a statement.

“The sport sector, in particular athletics, is now poorer without Artwell as it had gained immensely from his experience and exposure over the years. On behalf of the SRC, we would like to convey our deep sympathies to his family, beloved ones and the athletics family at large. May his dear departed soul rest and anchor in eternal peace. We shall forever cherish his contributions to the growth and development of athletics in Zimbabwe.”

The powerful-striding sprinter from then Mangula Mine, now known as Mhangura, rose to stardom before the country’s independence by becoming the fastest man in Rhodesia.

He held national records in 100m (10,3secs), 200m (20,8secs) 400m (46,8secs) and 400m hurdles (52,18secs) from 1969 to 1976.

On the world map, he was ranked among the world’s top 100 on six occasions.

For his dazzling efforts, Mandaza was chosen as the nation’s Sportsman of the Year for 1970 and was also presented with the John Hopley Memorial Trophy to make him the first African to be honoured as the country’s supreme sportsman.

Sadly, he never competed at the Olympic Games.

LOCAL gospel artiste Josh Kawara, popularly known as Psalmist Josh Kays of the Aripano fame, is set to unite gospel artistes at the highly-anticipated Worship Night in Harare next month.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

The Worship Night slated for November 9 at Unveiling Christ Ministries will also feature some of the country’s finest gospel acts of Olinda Marowa-Ziwenga, Wenyasha Chingono and Liberty Mutasa.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style recently, Psalmist Josh — who is co-ordinating the event alongside 3Shot Entertainment, Irimayi Mhondera and Nyasha Munenge — said the event was inspired by the desire to unite Christians in worship under one roof.

“We are expecting a full house. Our greatest expectation is to see people coming to spend quality time in the presence of the Lord. We want to inculcate a culture of worship in people and so we expect a full house immersed in the Glory of God,” he said.

“We have not hosted any concert night before this one. This is our first and we are expecting a certain level of uniqueness in terms of everything.”

Marowa, who is currently riding high following the release of her latest offering Yahweh, is also expected to grace the occasion.

“It’s a night where we are looking forward to lift the name of God high and ensure people get blessed through our ministration. Worship romances the heart of God, telling Him who He really is and not asking anything, but glorifying His holy name,” she said.

The event will also be graced by fellow gospel artistes, such as rising artiste Jonah Chivasa and Denzel Malaki.

As the light dipped in the huge hall, the audience went silent, in anticipation of the performance by the hundreds of young pupils lining up three rows in front of Beit Hall at Eaglesvale Junior School in Harare.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

The event, held last Tuesday, was like no other, a music fete to remember the music icon Oliver Mtukudzi who died in January this year, and it was these hundreds of Eaglesvale pupils who were to lead the event in song.

The crowd, largely made up of parents and children, awaited in huge anticipation as the choir conductor made the countdown.

Their first song was a choral version of Tuku’s Tiregererei track and the mass choir effect enhanced by the walls of the hall, permeated through the entire arena, creating an aura of spiritualism so deep that one would have imagined Tuku was listening from the heavens.

The children’s voices were almost like angels, high notes soaring over the clouds, graceful notes dancing on the staves as they sang for Tuku.

There was a deep track that carries a powerful social message about the suffering of the people and the plea for divine intervention and forgiveness from our ancestors, Tiregererei on a choral tip sung by beautiful innocent voices. This sounded so much like a plea at a time when Zimbabwe is facing economic difficulties.

And this is what Tuku was all about, an artiste whose music always carried deep and sometimes hidden messages of the social, economic and sometimes political issues of the time.

To perfect the line-up, the children sang Pindurai Mambo next, another powerful prayer in times of trouble, and befittingly followed it up with Help Me Lord.

It did not end there as the children went to sing cover versions of Tuku’s songs in different styles and by the end of the concert, there was no doubt, Tuku’s spirit lives on. The commemoration by Eaglesvale just managed to reaffirm the immortality of Tuku music and its effect in Zimbabwe and outside.

The mesmerised audience, who included Tuku’s daughter, Sandra, sang along and applauded throughout the concert.

Far from the music, a painting of Tuku was auctioned for ZWL$6000, also affirming Tuku’s influence in all forms of art.

BY RUTENDO MATANHIKE

INDIAN ambassador to Zimbabwe, Rungsung Masakui has urged Zimbabwean politicians to set aside their long-running political and ethnic differences and pursue a common developmental agenda for the country.

Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of a unity walk in honour of Indian icon, Sardar Patel, who was instrumental in the integration of the 500 princely States into the Indian country it is today, Masakui said Patel promoted unity among the Indians.

“This unity walk is remembering the work done by Sardar Patel who was instrumental in the joining of India as a country that it is today. He emphasised the advantages of the States joining into India and from then, we have been celebrating Patel’s agenda in promoting that we stand together in unity despite our differences as a people,” he said.

“India has a lot of people from different ethical backgrounds, but this walk signifies that we are a united people who are pushing for the same result, which is to see India develop as a nation and at the same time strengthen its relations with other countries.”

Masakui emphasised that politicians in Zimbabwe ought to unite in the face of adversity as they shared the same goal which was to see the country prosper.

“In India, we have many political parties which contest during elections. However, when the elections are done, the goal is to make sure that the country’s leadership proves to be united despite their many differences,” the Indian envoy said.

“Politicians in Zimbabwe must work together as they share a desired goal which is to see Zimbabwe developing.”

Zimbabwe’s two main political parties, Zanu PF and the MDC, have failed to put their heads together to solve political and economic problems faced by the southern African country.
The Indian Patel remembrance day falls on October 31.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

Mutare City Council’s finance director Blessing Kapuya’s office was on Thursday last week allegedly broken into and there are fears that important council documents might have been stolen, NewsDay can reveal.

Council spokesperson Spren Mutiwi yesterday confirmed the alleged break-in, saying police were now investigating the matter.

“Yes, there was a break-in at the finance director’s office, but at the moment, we don’t have finer details. We need to find out what was stolen or not stolen because the finance director was not around on Friday, so he is the one who is going to see what was stolen, so the best day to get full details is on Monday (today),” he said. “The Criminal Investigation Department CID) department visited the scene on Friday to carry out their investigations.”

But council sources said the so-called break-in could be an inside job to conceal abuse of council resources.

“This is a white collar crime by management and the theft of crucial documents was pre-planned to coincide with the absence from duty of the finance director,” a source who refused to be named said.

“Cases of management making double fuel claims are so rampant and this purported break-in is a way of destroying incriminating evidence.

“Recently, all councillors and town clerk Joshua Maligwa received allowances to attend the late former President Robert Mugabe’s funeral in Harare, but there are reports that some councillors did not travel even after receiving fuel and money for the trip.”

Maligwa could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has called on all Zimbabweans reeling under the yoke of Zanu PF’s maladministration to rally behind his party’s call for wholesale political, electoral and economic reforms, saying he had decided to lead the campaign for the good of the nation and not for his personal gratification.

Addressing belated MDC commemorations of the International Day of the Girl Child at the party’s headquarters in Harare on Saturday, Chamisa said the struggle for change was not about him alone.

“The issue is about the people of Zimbabwe. It’s about the women of this country, it’s about the citizens of Zimbabwe. Even if they remove me or eliminate me from the matrix, they will not have eliminated the will of the people, it is the will of the people that matters,” he said.

The MDC accused the Zanu PF-led government of getting into power through a stolen vote and refusing to reform critical laws for fear of reforming itself out of power.

Often accused of failing to respect women, Chamisa said he viewed the girl child and women in particular, as the backbone of his party and the economy.

“The backbone of this party is women. They are the drivers and the engine. The party has met and it’s stronger because of them,” he said.

The opposition leader said his foes were trying to use the gender card to weaken his party structures in the same way they attacked his predecessor, the late Morgan Tsvangirai.

“They insult me in the same manner they did my boss and/or leader Tsvangirai. For me it’s lessor, but for Tsvangirai it was worse. Maybe they attack me less because I am still young and want me to grow,” he said.

Chamisa has come under attack by former party members, including MDC-T vice-president Obert Gutu, who accuse him of being power hungry and determined to get into office even through the back door.

“They are power hungry, they don’t even have the interests of the people at heart and want to use street demonstrations to get to State House, they must forget. That won’t happen,” Gutu said recently in apparent reference to MDC’s planned mass protests.