Category: News Feeds

Nleya,
reported
missing
last
month,
was
last
seen
at
Redwood
along
the
Plumtree-Bulawayo
road.

Initially
deemed
a
suicide
after
his
body
was
found
hanging
from
a
tree
in
Figtree,
Matabeleland
South,
the
narrative
shifted
as
sources
revealed
Nleya’s
ties
to
the
military,
prompting
speculation
about
his
demise.

Speaking
during
a
parliamentary
debate
on
the
Death
Penalty
Abolition
Bill,
Senator
Sibanda
expressed
profound
grief
over
her
cousin’s
death,
which
she
described
as
a
murder
by
an
unknown
assailant.

“I
rise
with
a
heavy
heart,”
Senator
Sibanda
said.
“I
am
a
woman,
a
mother,
and
a
Senator
of
this
country,
yet
I
stand
here
with
a
cousin
lying
in
the
mortuary—Hilary
Nleya—whom
we
searched
for
over
two
weeks,
only
to
find
him
dead
in
Figtree.
He
was
murdered
by
a
person
we
do
not
yet
know.”

The
Senator
revealed
that
her
duty
in
Parliament
was
tempered
by
the
sorrow
of
planning
her
cousin’s
burial
in
Dombodema,
Plumtree,
on
Saturday.

The
Senator
expressed
her
grief,
stating
that
while
she
was
fulfilling
her
duties
in
Parliament,
she
would
soon
return
to
bury
her
cousin.

“I
am
here
to
serve
my
time
in
the
Senate
for
the
next
two
days,
and
in
three
days’
time,
I
will
go
and
bury
him.”

She
also
highlighted
the
growing
wave
of
violence
in
the
country,
lamenting
that
people—including
relatives,
parents,
and
children—are
being
murdered
by
unknown
assailants.

“Two
days
ago,
we
read
in
the
media
about
a
horrific
incident.
Someone
went
and
tied
the
door
of
a
hut,
with
people
sleeping
inside,
and
set
it
on
fire.
These
are
the
same
people
we
are
expected
to
forgive
as
a
nation.”

She
expressed
her
discomfort
with
the
idea
of
abolishing
the
death
penalty,
pointing
out
that
some
murderers
show
no
remorse
for
their
actions.

“I
am
a
law-abiding
citizen
of
this
country.
I
am
grateful
that
we
have
a
President
who
was
spared
from
the
death
penalty.
I
am
a
citizen
who
respects
the
law,
and
I
am
committed
to
the
abolition
of
the
death
penalty.

“We
remember
Geneva
Sibanda,
who
was
murdered
by
his
gardener
and
wife.
We
remember
many
of
our
friends,
colleagues—even
among
us—who
have
been
murdered
by
people
roaming
the
streets.
Some
are
known,
some
are
unknown;
some
are
in
prison
and
brag
about
killing
those
they
have
killed.
It
is
painful
in
our
hearts
to
say
that
sentencing
these
people
to
death
does
not
serve
our
country.
Killing
them
like
animals
does
not
matter
to
us.”

She
continued,
“People
will
die.
People
will
be
killed
by
those
we
show
remorse
to,
who
don’t
even
show
any
remorse
to
us.”

“It
is
so
painful
that
I
stand
here
defending
people
who
will
go
out
and
kill
their
grandparents,
or
their
mothers,
simply
because
there
was
no
food
to
cook
for
dinner.
They
will
kill
them
just
because
their
mother
failed
to
provide
food
for
them.
It
is
painful
to
spare
a
murderer
who
shows
no
remorse,
like
someone
who
kills
a
helpless
young
woman
walking
home
after
work
just
to
steal
her
bag.”

“When
they
realse
they’ve
been
seen,
they
kill
her
to
prevent
identification.
They
don’t
care
about
tomorrow—they
put
a
knife
in
her
heart
to
save
themselves.
There
is
so
much
pain
caused
by
these
murderers
that
we
are
still
defending
as
a
country.
We
will
keep
them
in
prison
for
years,
just
to
protect
them
from
death,
while
they
show
no
care
for
this
nation.
I
have
so
much
more
to
say
about
the
abolition
of
the
death
penalty,”
said
Senator
Sibanda.

Efforts
to
obtain
a
comment
from
the
Zimbabwe
National
Army
were
unsuccessful,
as
the
acting
army
spokesperson,
Lieutenant
Colonel
Mungofa,
had
not
responded
to
inquiries
by
the
time
the
story
was
published.

Matabeleland
South
police
said
they
had
not
received
the
report.

The
Bill
seeks
to
align
the
Broadcasting
Services
Act
[Chapter
12:06]
with
the
Constitution
and
the
Public
Entities
Corporate
Governance
Act
[Chapter
10:31].
While
MISA
praised
efforts
to
promote
diversity,
inclusion,
and
equity
in
broadcasting,
it
raised
concerns
over
provisions
that
could
compromise
the
sector’s
independence.

In
its
analysis,
MISA
highlighted
several
commendable
aspects
of
the
Bill,
including
support
for
community
radio
stations,
quotas
for
inclusive
programming
incorporating
persons
with
disabilities
(PWDs),
and
measures
to
ensure
gender
balance.

“Provisions
such
as
utilising
the
Broadcasting
Fund
to
sustain
community
radio
stations
and
introducing
annual
calls
for
licensing
applications
demonstrate
a
commitment
to
fostering
innovation
and
expanding
the
broadcasting
landscape,”
MISA
noted.

The
inclusion
of
officially
recognized
languages
and
the
requirement
for
broadcasters
to
air
at
least
10%
of
content
in
formats
accessible
to
audiences
with
hearing
impairments
were
also
described
as
progressive
steps.

However,
MISA
flagged
several
problematic
provisions
that
could
hinder
the
Bill’s
objectives.
Chief
among
these
were
clauses
that
might
invite
political
interference
in
board
appointments
and
editorial
control
over
private
broadcasters.

“Provisions
allowing
the
President
to
appoint
the
Broadcasting
Authority
of
Zimbabwe
(BAZ)
board
members,
after
consultation
with
the
Minister,
undermine
the
board’s
autonomy
and
leave
it
susceptible
to
political
influence,”
MISA
argued.

The
organisation
also
criticised
the
practical
challenges
of
implementing
quotas
for
local
sports
content
and
ensuring
that
regulatory
processes
promote
diversification
rather
than
creating
bottlenecks.

Another
contentious
provision
is
the
linkage
between
motor
vehicle
licensing
and
radio
licenses.
The
Bill
stipulates
that
the
Zimbabwe
National
Road
Administration
(ZINARA)
and
motor
insurance
companies
can
only
issue
licenses
or
policies
to
individuals
holding
a
current
radio
license
or
an
exemption
certificate
from
the
Zimbabwe
Broadcasting
Corporation
(ZBC).

“Linking
motor
vehicle
licensing
and
insurance
to
radio
licenses
creates
an
unnecessary
and
irrelevant
connection
between
unrelated
services,”
MISA
stated.

To
ensure
the
broadcasting
sector
thrives
and
upholds
democratic
values,
MISA
called
for
amendments
to
safeguard
editorial
independence,
promote
fairness,
and
increase
transparency.

“Appointments
to
the
BAZ
board
must
be
conducted
transparently
and
publicly,
with
all
qualified
candidates
selected
on
merit,
free
from
political
influence,”
MISA
advised.

While
MISA
criticised
the
potential
for
political
interference,
it
commended
the
deliberate
inclusion
of
gender
balance
in
the
board’s
composition
as
a
progressive
measure.

Additionally,
MISA
welcomed
amendments
allowing
entities,
beyond
individuals,
to
apply
for
broadcasting
licenses,
as
well
as
the
recognition
of
community
radio
stations
and
PWDs
in
programming.

MISA
concluded
that
while
the
Broadcasting
Services
Amendment
Bill
makes
strides
in
promoting
diversity
and
inclusion,
significant
refinements
are
necessary
to
ensure
independence,
transparency,
and
the
sector’s
long-term
development.

“These
improvements
will
help
create
a
broadcasting
system
that
not
only
industrialises
the
sector
but
also
protects
the
rights
and
interests
of
all
stakeholders
in
Zimbabwe,”
MISA
stated.

HARARE
–
A
Harare
doctor
has
been
convicted
for
cyberbullying
after
he 
sent
an
email
to
his
work
colleague
he
labelled
an
unqualified
neurologist.

Lenon
Gwaunza
was
found
guilty
by
a
Harare
magistrate
Batsiraishe
Zishiri
after
a
full
trial.

He
was
remanded
out
of
custody
and
now
awaits
sentencing
on
December
20.

Gwaunza
apologised
for
what
he
did
to
his
colleague,
a
Dr
Andrew
Mataruse
stating
that
it
was
not
his
intention
to
bully
him.

The
state
proved
that
Gwaunza
sent
an
e-mail,
copied
to
other
doctors
saying
Mataruse
was
not
a
qualified
clinical
neurologist.

The
State
said
the
generated
message
by
Gwaunza
stated,
“I
was
volunteering
at
Pari
and
I
have
from
immediate
effect
relinquished
that
role,
so
I
will
be
unable
to
supervise
Dr.
Mushawarima.

“Secondly,
Dr.
Mushawarima
is
a
fully
fledged
neurologist
who
doesn’t
need
to
be
supervised
by
myself
or
by
Dr.
Mataruse
who
isn’t
a
clinically-trained
neurologist.

“However,
council
feels
it’s
in
Dr.
Mushawarima’s
interest
that
he
is
supervised
by
someone
who
has
never
seen
the
entrance
of
a
neurology
training
centre.

“Please,
by
all
means,
go
ahead.
I
will
not
be
involved
in
that
circus.”

The
State
said
the
statement
was
false
and
his
conduct
was
criminal
and
intended
to
degrade
Mataruse
by
questioning
his
credentials
despite
having
knowledge
that
the
qualifications
were
obtained
from
reputable
international
universities.

Mataruse
is
one
of
the
specialist
physicians
in
Zimbabwe
and
has
many
post-graduate
qualifications
including
MMed
Medicine(UZ),
Fellow
College
of
Physicians
(Eastern
Central
Southern
Africa
College
of
Physicians),
Master
of
Science
in
Clinical
Neurology
(University
College
London),
Specialist
Certificate
in
Clinical
neurology
(Royal
College
of
Physicians)
and
Fellow
of
the
European
Board
Neurology.

He
supervised
Gwaunza
during
his
senior
registrar
year
of
2020
after
being
appointed
to
do
so
by
the
Medical
and
Dental
Profession
Council
of
Zimbabwe.

In
his
ruling,
the
magistrate
said
Gwaunza
does
not
deny
making
the
statement
which
was
found
to
be
false.

The
court
said
Gwaunza
knew
that
his
statement
was
false
because
he
was
supervised
by
Mataruse
and
also
had
knowledge
of
his
qualifications.

The
court
also
said
only
the
council
for
medical
practitioners
was
qualified
to
state
whether
one
is
trained,
registered
or
not.

In
mitigation,
Gwaunza
told
the
court
that
he
is
serving
the
community
by
engaging
in
volunteer
specialist
work
at
Mpilo
Hospital
and
sending
him
to
prison
would
deprive
the
patients
of
his
service.

This
recommendation
was
made
during
a
post-budget
meeting
held
on
December
3,
2024,
which
included
key
stakeholders
such
as
the
Ministry
of
Mines
and
Mining
Development,
parastatals
like
the
Zimbabwe
Mining
Development
Corporation
(ZMDC)
and
the
Minerals
Marketing
Corporation
of
Zimbabwe
(MMCZ),
and
civil
society
organisations,
including
the
Zimbabwe
Environmental
Law
Association,
ActionAid,
and
the
Centre
for
Natural
Resource
Governance.

Metallurgical
laboratories
are
essential
for
assessing
ore
quality
and
optimizing
metal
extraction
processes.
The
absence
of
a
government-owned
facility
has
raised
concerns
among
legislators
over
the
potential
undervaluation
and
mismanagement
of
minerals
before
export.

During
the
session,
MP
Remigious
Matangira
expressed
dissatisfaction
with
the
underfunding
of
the
mining
sector
in
the
2025
National
Budget,
stating
that
the
limited
resources
hinder
the
Ministry’s
ability
to
deliver
on
its
mandates.

“The
current
budget
allocates
34.5
million
ZIG
against
a
bid
of
40
million
ZIG.
Legislators
have
repeatedly
raised
concerns
about
improper
mineral
accounting
before
export.
Establishing
a
metallurgical
laboratory
is
crucial
to
prevent
undervaluation
and
mineral
leakages.
Coordination
with
weighbridge
systems
managed
by
the
Ministry
of
Transport
is
also
necessary,”
he
said.

Matangira
also
criticised
the
Ministry
of
Mines’
vehicle
shortages,
which
impact
mine
inspections,
dispute
resolutions,
and
the
prevention
of
mineral
leakages.

Despite
requesting
70
vehicles
for
2025,
the
Ministry
was
allocated
funds
for
only
22,
with
insufficient
budget
for
vehicle
maintenance.

The
Ministry
of
Mines
initially
requested
2.1
billion
ZIG
for
its
operations
but
received
only
664.7
million
ZIG,
equivalent
to
31.5%
of
its
requirements.
This
allocation
represents
a
smaller
percentage
of
the
national
budget
compared
to
the
previous
year,
despite
the
mining
sector
contributing
nearly
70%
of
Zimbabwe’s
export
earnings.

Matangira
pointed
out
disparities
in
program
funding,
noting
that
the
Policy
and
Administration
program
received
more
funding
than
Mining
Development
and
Management,
which
generates
significant
revenue
for
the
Treasury.

“To
unlock
the
full
potential
of
Zimbabwe’s
mineral
wealth
and
align
with
global
sustainability
standards,
it
is
critical
to
address
funding
gaps,
particularly
for
the
metallurgical
laboratory
and
other
operational
needs,”
he
added.

HARARE
–
A
fire
swept
through
the
Zimbabwe
National
Army
headquarters
in
Harare
early
Sunday,
causing
“extensive
damage”
to
buildings
and
property,
an
official
said.

No-one
was
hurt
in
the
blaze
at
the
army
complex
housed
at
Josiah
Magama
Tongogara
Barracks,
formerly
KG6,
army
spokesman
Colonel
Alphios
Makotore
said.

The
cause
of
the
fire
is
being
investigated.

Makotore
added:
“The
incident
occurred
in
the
early
hours
of
December
15,
2024,
at
around
2:50AM.
Fire
fighters
were
dispatched
and
managed
to
contain
the
blaze.
No
reported
casualties
at
the
barracks.

“Investigations
into
the
cause
of
the
fire
will
soon
be
launched.
The
ZNA
will
continue
giving
updates
as
more
information
becomes
available.”

Presidency
spokesman
George
Charamba,
writing
on
X,
said
“damage
to
buildings
and
other
valuable
property
was
extensive.”

HARARE
–
A
Zvishavane
man
lost
US$15,000
to
Harare
con
artists
who
stole
the
money
from
him
using
a
common
hoax
known
in
Shona
as
“chadonha”.

In
the
trick,
scammers
drop
a
bunch
of
bank
notes
in
the
path
of
their
victims
who
do
not
notice
the
bait
at
first.

When
the
victim
picks
the
cash
in
the
belief
they
were
lucky
to
stumble
upon
some
money,
they
are
then
confronted
by
the
scammers
who
deceptively
claim
they
had
seen
it
first.

In
the
ensuing
exchanges,
the
victim
is
then
lured
to
a
secluded
place
on
the
pretext
they
were
going
to
share
the
money
and
that
is
where
one
loses
both
the
bait
money
and
their
own
cash.

The
victim
in
this
case
is
one
Luckson
Daka,
aged
43.

One
of
the
suspects
involved
in
the
scam,
Wellington
Nhiwatiwa,
46,
appeared
before
Harare
provincial
magistrate
Isheanesu
Matova
charged
with
fraud.

Nhiwatiwa
challenged
his
placement
on
remand
and
was
expected
back
in
court
on
Thursday
for
ruling
on
his
application.

Takudzwa
Jambawu,
representing
the
state,
said
the
incident
occurred
on
November
19
this
year.

Nhiwatiwa
and
seven
other
suspects
who
are
still
at
large
approached
Daka,
who
had
just
got
down
an
Inter-Africa
bus
from
Zvishavane.

They
dropped
a
bunch
of
fake
notes
wrapped
in
a
plastic
in
front
of
him.

The
court
heard
that
they
managed
to
lure
Daka
to
the
Harare
Kopje
mountain,
saying
they
were
going
to
share
the
money
with
him.

“While
at
the
Kopje,
another
group
of
five
men
appeared
pretending
to
be
police
officers,”
read
court
papers.

They
reportedly
took
US$15,000
which
was
in
complainant’s
satchel
and
vanished.