BY BLESSED MHLANGA

A ZANU PF-aligned civic society organisation #308 has written to the Justice ministry, National Prosecuting Authority and the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) calling for an investigation into the conduct of Prosecutor-General (PG) Kumbirai Hodzi whom they allege has failed to discharge his duties.

The organisation, which is fronted by Eden Mandava in a letter to Hodzi, said the admission by the PG of the existence of cartels which he claimed were controlling the NPA, judiciary and police was a clear indication that he had failed to discharge his constitutional mandate.

Mandava is a national executive member of Zimbabwe Congress of Students Unions, a Zanu PF-linked group.

“Honourable sir, your admittance that truly cartels exist, that corruption is sinking the economy is a clear sign that in your capacity as the PG you have failed… we found it disturbing to hear that you alleged lack of co-ordination as a reason why corruption is growing yet the Constitution of Zimbabwe section 260(11) gives you the power to deal with these issues,” Mandava wrote.

The Constitution gives the PG powers to direct police to investigate any acts that might constitute a crime, with the view of establishing the facts and taking action.

“Direct the Commissioner-General of police to investigate and report to you anything which in your opinion relates to an offence or alleged or suspected offence and the Commissioner-General to comply with that directive,” the section reads.

#308 demanded that Hodzi tells the nation what action he has taken to ensure that he breaks the cartels other than singing about it.

“We kindly seek clarity on whether or not that was done before we take action as citizens of Zimbabwe against your words. This is because we found such sentiments as inciting the citizens of Zimbabwe to sympathise with you against all the other departments. We do not know whether you understand actions that can follow your sentiments and how such can be politicised,” the letter read.

Highly-placed sources said the statements by the PG have caused some discomfort in the corridors of power and #308 was being used as a front to send a clear message that he could be pushed out if he continued to be reckless with his speech.

Zanu PF’s politburo recently suspended its top youth executive leaders, Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu for alleging that cartels have captured government and critical institutions, allegations then cemented by Hodzi in Bulawayo. Zanu PF youth secretary, Pupurai Togarepi was also suspended for endorsing his subordinates.

Justice permanent secretary Virginia Mabiza said she had not officially received #308’s letter but became aware of it through social media.

“I have not officially received the letter maybe because I am out of office, but I am aware that there is concern over statements attributed to the PG, which he has also been on record denying of having said. We are yet to get to the bottom of it,” Mabiza said.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa on Monday said Hodzi’s statement exposed the anti-corruption crusade by President Emmerson Mnangagwa was nothing but a façade and rhetoric which will not achieve anything.

“The anti-corruption rhetoric is a mere facade designed to hoodwink Zimbabweans and the world. Over the past two years, the level of corruption and State capture has escalated to obscene levels. There cannot be sustainable prosperity when national wealth is in the hands of a few,” he said.

“It is a call to action when the country’s Prosecutor-General confirms that cartels have captured State institutions. This reflects a captured and compromised State and that the regime is not fit for purpose. Politics aside, we must now unite in this big fight against corruption.”

BY Richard Muponde

SEVEN police officers based in Marondera were arrested on Tuesday after they were caught red-handed by their bosses while receiving a bribe at a roadblock.

The cops were allegedly nabbed after taking an $18 bribe from a commuter omnibus crew in full view of their superiors.

Deputy Commissioner-Generals Stephen Mutamba and Elliot Ngirande, Commissioner Isaac Tayengwa and Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who is also the national police spokesperson, were travelling in an unmarked police minibus on their way to Odzi Mine when they allegedly caught their subordinates in the act.

One of the policewomen manning the roadblock with six others was observed taking a bribe of $18 from a commuter omnibus conductor.

She was immediately arrested and a search led to the recovery of undeclared $200 in her handbag, leading to the team’s arrest.

Nyathi yesterday confirmed the arrests while addressing a Zimbabwe Union of Journalists community reporting workshop in Harare.

“It was around 9am when we observed the female police officer being given money by a conductor of a commuter omnibus which had no proper documention,” Nyathi said.

“We had no option, but to arrest her and recovered $18 in her hands. We also searched her handbag and found another $200 which was undeclared. We later arrested seven members and they are losing their jobs.”

He urged journalists to help flag corruption issues and commended Alpha Media Holdings — the publishers of NewsDay, Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard — for highlighting the arrest of a 13-member anti-machete crack team last week for alleged extortion.

“I was happy to see an article about those Chegutu police officers who extorted from miners. This is what the media should do. Those police officers have lost their jobs. As police, we promise the public that if you report any corrupt activities by our officers, the long arm of the law will catch up with them as we don’t tolerate rogue elements in our rank and file,” Nyathi said.

He also appealed to the media to have trust in the police as they recognise the fourth estate as an important partner in policing issues.

“We can’t do our job without the journalists. It’s a reality as you do some of our jobs. You are doing it consciously or unconsciously. In that regard, we should continue to interact with you the media,” Nyathi said.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe allegedly received funding from Zanu PF to destabilise the MDC Alliance and oil her party activities including the legal battles towards the 2018 general elections, party insiders have revealed.

Former party spokesperson Linda Masarira, said during the time she was at the helm of the party, she got to discover that Zanu PF was funding activities of the MDC-T through Khupe, who had failed to win the leadership battle in the MDC.

“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF,” she alleged.

“We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story.”

The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, has been accusing Zanu PF of funding projects to destabilise the party and even withholding financial resources in what opposition secretary-general Chalton Hwende said was a scotched earth policy by the ruling party.

Masarira was fired by the party for wearing regalia of the ruling Zanu PF party ahead of that of her own party at a time Khupe was leading other opposition entities at the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad).

“I just wanted to show people that we are being forced to fight over nothing. Zanu PF was funding the MDC-T and I asked questions. They did not want the questions I asked. But you can see from the events (Polad) that are happening now, that they were just a project,” Masarira said.

Insiders confirmed that Khupe received money from Zanu PF for campaign material, fuel and legal fees for court cases against Nelson Chamisa’s MDC in a grand scheme to give the ruling party an upperhand in the elections.

The source said there was discontent in the party because the only person who appeared to be benefiting from the liaisons with Zanu PF was Khupe, while other members were getting nothing.

“There is no grassroots activities in the MDC-T all you see is Khupe and inner circle going to Polad receiving allowances and travelling around the country, this has left many who believed in the party unhappy,” a source said.

Another source said then vice-president Obert Gutu left the party because he was being forced to use his money to fund programmes of the MDC-T, while Khupe was getting money from Zanu PF and not declaring it and just using it to fund a lavish lifestyle.

But party secretary-general Nickson Nyikadzino dismissed the allegations by Masarisa saying the party had not received money from Zanu PF.

“We have not received any funding from anyone. We do not wish to receive funding from anyone except ourselves. The only funding that we have received is the 48 000 votes which we got from the people of Zimbabwe and we wish to remain an independent democratic party set up to serve the people of Zimbabwe,” Nyikadzino said.

Zanu PF also dismissed Masarira’s allegations as “utter rubbish”, saying the party had its own challenges as it was struggling to fund its own activities.

“That is utter rubbish. I am the party’s secretary for finance and I can tell you that we have not funded any other party,” Zanu PF secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa said.

“We are struggling to finance our own party. Where would we get money to pay other people, and we have no appetite to undermine anyone or any party. The MDC is doing a good job undermining themselves. How can a party just have one policy to bring sanctions against the people.”

The MDC has insisted that Polad is a grouping of “Zanu PF lite political parties” and they will therefore not join the dialogue which they allege is not genuine.

Already two opposition leaders Brian Mteki and Ambrose Mutinhiri have rejoined Zanu PF since Polad started and the revelations by Masarira leaves Polad’s reputation hanging.

By NQOBANI NDLOVU/SINDISO DUBE/SIBONGINKOSI MAPHOSA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa (pictured) has said he would patiently wait for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to come to the negotiating table, adding that any other options available to him came with dire consequences.

Chamisa has disputed Mnangagwa’s legitimacy since the release of the heavily contested July 2018 presidential election results. While the two have said they are willing to talk, they differ on the nature of the dialogue to solve Zimbabwe’s never-ending socio-economic and political crises.

Mnangagwa is currently having talks with fringe opposition parties under the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) forum, a platform Chamisa dismisses as a “Zanu PF choir”.

In December, former South African President Thabo Mbeki was in Zimbabwe to ostensibly break the ice, but Chamisa told journalists at the Bulawayo Press Club on Tuesday
evening that Mnangagwa was the one delaying the dialogue process.

“I have tried to help but I have hit a brickwall, all I have to do is be patient. I could have taken the hard and tougher route in dealing with this matter, but I know the consequences that come with being hard, so I will wait,” Chamisa, who claimed Mnangagwa was “not answering Mbeki’s calls”, said.

Turning to the performance of party councillors and legislators, Chamisa admitted corruption was rife in MDC-run councils before warning that he would wield the axe on councillors and legislators accused of corruption and other improper conduct.

Last month, the party suspended Bulawayo’s ward nine councillor, Donaldson Mabutho over suspected links to the Central Intelligence Organisation.

Chamisa said MDC councillors and legislators would be compelled to sign a lifestyle code of conduct as a deterrent against engaging in graft while in office.

“We can’t be the same with Zanu PF which we are trying to bring down,” Chamisa said.

“We are actually enforcing a new rule within. All councillors and MPs must sign what is called the real change code of ethics and values which says one is not allowed to benefit from where they are stationed.

“I know in Africa we say a goat eats where it is tethered. A goat is also slaughtered where it is eating from. Those who are abusing power should be dealt with accordingly and we won’t hesitate showing them the exit. We can’t have people abusing power at council and parliamentary levels; this is unlike us as a party which is an agent of change.”

He said all local authorities under his party’s leadership would also be subjected to integrity and accountability tests.

“If people have information where they feel our councillors and mayors have crossed the line, they must not hesitate to phone our hotlines and we throw them out because we are not Zanu PF where corruption is celebrated and is a religion,” Chamisa said.

“We are MDC but you also understand the tendency of councillors is to mimic and copy Zanu PF because they have set the standard of leadership and I have told our councillors that our duty is to make sure that we become centres of excellence and also become sources of a difference in our politics.

“Going forward, I have said within the party, certain elements have to be subjected to interrogation and inquires so that we maintain standards. So there will be no sacred cows.”

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

THE Local Government ministry has emphasised the need to capacitate the State’s disaster management division, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), and other agencies to prevent continued flood-induced loss of life and property.

This comes after flash floods hit Binga, Matabeleland North province, destroying homesteads and killing one person despite the Meteorological Services Department (MSD)’s earlier warning of violent storms.

Last year, the CPU, was blamed for poor disaster management after it allegedly failed to take measures to prepare for and reduce the effects of Cyclone Idai, which killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands in the country.

Acting secretary for the Local Government and Public Works ministry Christopher Shumba in a statement yesterday said the CPU which has dispatched tents to Binga flood victims, needed to be capacitated to timeously respond to such disasters.

“Long-term measures include capacitation of all civic protection organisations such as the Airforce of Zimbabwe, sub-aqua unit and department of civil protection with all-weather equipment in order to timeously respond to the vagaries of climate change,” Shumba said.

Zimbabwe is not spared the effects of climate change disasters such as drought and flash floods, which have become commonplace, taking lives and destroying property and infrastructure.

In April 2019, human rights’ activist Khumbulani Maphosa petitioned the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to investigate the CPU after accusing the disaster management agency of incompetence; omission and failure after Cyclone Idai hit the country.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Matabeleland North province Richard Moyo and the Binga District Residents Association (BIDRA) have appealed for assistance to meet the emergency needs of flood victims in the underdeveloped district.

“We have organised tents to shelter the families, but what is also needed is food, clothing and blankets. Our immediate task is to save lives and ensure they have some form of decent shelter and other amenities,” Moyo said.

BIDRA secretary-general Moffat Mutale added: “We have also joined hands with other independent groups to assist government in the mobilisation of the required basic needs of the victims, in particular clothing and food.”

By SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

THREE Zanu PF legislators in Mashonaland Central province have been accused of stifling the police’s crackdown on illegal gold miners and machete gangs.

The countrywide police blitz, dubbed Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere, has seen over 1 000 illegal miners and machete gangs arrested.

Police sources in Mashonaland Central said efforts to arrest illegal miners were being frustrated by legislators Patrick Dutiro (Guruve South), Campion Mugweni (Mazowe North) and Remigious Matangira (Bindura South).

They accused Dutiro of mobilising illegal miners to cause havoc and illegally mine at Eureka Mine. Contacted for comment, the MP said he only tried to intercede in a dispute between the police and illegal miners.

“I conducted a meeting with villagers because there is bad blood between the local police and villagers. So my meeting was for them to engage the police and mine owners so that they reach a consensus,” Dutiro said.

It is further alleged that Dutiro was capitalising on the incident to gain political ground ahead of the forthcoming Zanu PF district co-ordinating council (DCC) elections in Guruve, where he is reportedly eying the chairperson’s position.

“My meeting was genuine. I am not campaigning as alleged because my ground is already even,” he said.

Mugweni is accused of previously working with the management of Mazowe Mine to extract gold ore while using his constituency-branded vehicle.

Contacted for comment, Mugweni said: “Wherever that car is seen, it has nothing to do with you. It will be doing party business.”

He, however, declined to respond to reports of his alleged links with Mazowe Mine management.

The MP is also reportedly canvassing for support ahead of DCC elections.

In Bindura, Matangira is accused of funding machete gangs who were allegedly robbing illegal miners of their gold ore at Kitsiyatota.

Matangira refuted the claims, saying he was also a victim of machete gangs.

“That is very nonsensical. How can I fund MaShurugwi when I have been victimised by the MaShurugwi as a small-scale miner myself. I lost my mines at Mukaradzi in Mt Darwin, so labelling me in such a manner will be unfair,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zanu PF youths in the province said they were not happy with the on-going police blitz against illegal panners and machete gangs, which has seen thousands of them arrested, particularly at Mazowe Mine, where people from all walks of life were earning a living.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

SAINT-Gobain Construction Products Zimbabwe yesterday launched a US$1 million plant in the capital set to produce 15 000 tonnes of tile adhesive per annum while operating entirely on solar power.

The company is part of a €42-billion-turnover French multinational that develops, manufactures and distributes materials and building solutions for construction, transportation, infrastructure and industrial applications.

“Let me say, as the Saint-Gobain family, we are very excited to launch the weber plant which, at its maximum capacity, will be producing 15 000 tonnes of tile adhesive per year. As a company, we pride ourselves in providing high quality solutions that deliver comfort and convenience in homes and industry at large,” the company manager David Zimano said yesterday.

Zimano highlighted that the company envisages to export within the region so as to generate the much-needed forex.

“We are particularly proud that the weber plant is environmentally friendly as it is solar powered. This plant is 100% off grid and is able to fully function 365 days a year on solar energy. As we thrust towards sustainable industrial production and taking heed to government’s call to preserve the much-needed foreign currency, we look forward to exporting to Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, which are our traditional markets,” he said.

The company is a leader in the manufacture of lightweight building materials and manufactures energy-conserving rhino board for all lining applications. The Zimbabwean operations were founded in 1959 as Gypsum Industries. The business changed its name to BPB Gypsum in 2003, then to Saint-Gobain Construction Products Zimbabwe in 2018.

He said the company has taken an active role in the community through participating in various corporate social responsibility projects.

“We also have trained a number of people mainly our young people from the built environment departments in technical colleges namely Belvedere Teachers College, Msasa Vocational and Kushinga Phikhelela to mention, but a few in the correct application of Saint-Gobain materials. These skills have empowered a lot of youths and most of them are running self-sustainable projects as well as employing other people,” he said.

Industry and Commerce permanent secretary Mavis Sibanda applauded the company for using local raw materials which is in line with government policy.

“I am informed that Saint-Gobain acquires almost three quarters of its raw materials locally which resonates well with the implementation of the Zimbabwe national industrial development policy and local content
strategy.

Utilisation of local resources will grow our value chains and presents growth opportunities which government hopes companies such as Gobain will take advantage of,” she said

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

FORMER War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has slammed the suspension and silencing of Zanu PF youth leaders who spoke out against graft, adding that the named cartels should prove their innocence and source of wealth.

Zanu PF suspended youth secretary Pupurai Togarepi, his deputy Lewis Matutu and national political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu after they accused businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Billy Rautenbach and Tafadzwa Musarara of running cartels that were bleeding the economy.

Speaking to journalists after delivering a public lecture at the Solusi University campus in Bulawayo on Sunday, Dube said he was of the opinion that suspending the youth leaders was not the answer without the named cartel leaders proving their innocence.

“Personally, I was a bit disappointed that there is still some restriction on what people can say. I always have respect for young people who do something about what they think is not right. We should not hinder them from free thought,” Dube said.

“These people, who have been said to be cartels, are there. Let them defend themselves. Let them say we are not cartels. Let them say we have not caused any hardships on the Zimbabwean economy.

“Let them explain that they acquired their wealth the right way. Then those young men, who have accused them, should also come forward and prove their allegations. I think that will be the right way.”

The naming of the cartel leaders by the youth leaders came as no surprise as a number of Zanu PF officials and businesspersons with links to the ruling party have been accused of graft before but there has been little appetite for arrest and prosecution — even during the days of the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Where there have been arrests, issues of factionalism — not new in the ruling party — have come up.

“I am expressing my personal opinion not that of the party which I belong to. The so-called cartels should be given a chance to cleanse themselves and prove they are not as bad as the youths alleged. They must explain the source of their wealth,” Dube said.