Matemadanda attacks Chamisa at Gweru clean up

ZANU PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda yesterday turned a national clean-up campaign in Gweru into a platform to attack the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, saying the opposition party should acknowledge defeat in last year’s general elections.

Matemadanda, who was invited to the podium as one of the speakers, took the opportunity to lecture the opposition on the need to accept defeat and embrace development.

“As Zanu PF, we should not be ashamed to accept that in Gweru (urban council), we were beaten (by MDC) 18 to zero,” Matemadanda, who is also Defence and War Veterans deputy minister, said.

“But when MDC won all the 18 wards there, other political parties, including Zanu PF, accepted the result. I want to say to MDC, you should also acknowledge where you are defeated.”

Matemadanda added: “When a party is disgruntled over election results, it has a right to approach the courts, and when the courts rule that you have been defeated, know that you have been defeated twice.”

He said the MDC should move away from the elections mode and embrace unity to bring development to the country.

“When you acknowledge defeat, this can only bring progress and development to the nation,” he said.

“There is need to understand that where you see a Zanu PF MP, MDC has been defeated and where you see MDC, Zanu PF has been defeated. Political players should learn that only unity can bring development.”

But Gweru deputy mayor and MDC councillor Cleopas Shiri hit back at Matemadanda telling him that the opposition was there to keep a check on the ruling party.

“To Mr Matemadanda, I want to remind you that each political party has a right to do what they do in their own house,” Shiri said, while giving the vote of thanks.

“We are there for checks and balances (on the ruling party).”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa had initially been announced as guest of honour, but did not pitch up after opting to observe the clean-up campaign in Domboshava, just outside Harare.

Earlier, roads leading into the city centre had been barricaded, while vendors at the venue of the clean-up, Kudzanayi bus terminus, were stopped from operating their stalls, having earlier on been ordered to vacate the rank before end of business on Thursday.

Hundreds of Zanu PF supporters, clad in the party regalia, coming mostly from rural areas in the province, stormed the venue, much to the ire of those from the corporate sector, religious organisations, tertiary institutions, civic society, schools and government departments, who had came to attend the function.

During the introductions of guests, Midlands’s provincial administrator Albiot Maronge had to be reminded to acknowledge deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri after he skipped him from the list.

— NewsDay

Gokwe man axes wife,attempts suicide

A 51 year old man from Gokwe fatally struck his wife with an axe after he allegedly caught her pants down with another man before attempting to commit suicide by downing a pesticide.

Simbarashe Chidaushe is now battling for life at Gokwe District Hospital where he is admitted under police guard. It is alleged that Chidaushe of Munakira village under Chief Njelele in Gokwe South caught his wife, Chiedza Mpofu, having sex with another man when he unexpectedly returned home from a nearby township.

Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Joel Goko said the incident occurred on Tuesday at around 3PM.

“The accused, Chidaushe arrived home from Masoro Business Centre. It is alleged that he found his wife the now deceased, Mpofu, with another man in their kitchen hut,” he said.

Insp Goko said the unidentified lover fled, leaving Mpofu at the mercy of her husband.

Chidaushe allegedly dragged his wife to their bedroom, took an axe and struck Mpofu once on the neck before attempting to commit suicide

“Mpofu fell to the ground while bleeding profusely and subsequently died on the spot. Realising that he had murdered his wife, Chidaushe immediately took a cotton pesticide in an attempt to take his life,” he said.

Insp Goko said the matter was reported to police by fellow villagers. “Mpofu’s body was taken to Gokwe District Hospital Mortuary and Chidaushe is admitted at the same hospital where he is receiving treatment,” he said. Insp Goko said Chidaushe is under police custody and will appear in court once he recuperates.

“We appeal to the public to desist from violence and always seek counselling whenever there is misunderstanding. We do not condone murder as well as domestic violence over whatever reason,” he said. The Chronicle

Drama at Nembudzia police station

There was drama when police from Nembudzia Police Station fought and disarmed their counterparts from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Gokwe after they tried to arrest an officer implicated in illegal mining

The police officer was arrested for illegal mining, together with six other illegal miners at the Zenda mining area before he was released under unclear circumstance.

According to sources, one Constable Mahachi, attached to Police Internal Security Intelligence unit at Nembudzia Police Station, was arrested after he was found illegally mining together with other six illegal miners at Chigumba Mine, Mutukane, Nembudzia area, which belonged to a Rigan Chigumba.

After the arrest, Mahachi was, however, released under unclear circumstances. The other six, appeared at the Gokwe Magistrates’ Courts on June 17 this year, but the matter could not kick-off after they demanded to be jointly charged with Mahachi.

The six were then interviewed by CID Gokwe officers, and revealed that they were part of a syndicate allegedly run by ZRP Nembudzia Inspector Julius.

They alleged that Inspector Julius at times offered a police vehicle and other equipment used in mining and they would share the spoils.

CID Gokwe received information to the effect that there were other members of the ZRP who were illegally mining at Chigumba Mine, despite the mine operations having been stopped by the Mines ministry over a dispute between Chigumba and one Mashayamombe.

The detectives then reacted to information and went to the mine without notifying CID Nembudzia. On arrival at ZRP Nembudzia to arrest Mahachi, Nembudzia Officer-ln-Charge Inspector Julius then ordered his subordinates to disarm the CID officers.

The source told NewsDay that Julius then complained that the CID Gokwe had come into his jurisdiction without notifying him and accused them of conducting a witch-hunt. He allegedly then freed Mahachi and ordered the CID officers to leave, after handing back their firearms.

The detectives returned to Gokwe without Mahachi.

When contacted for comment, Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Ethel Mukwende referred this paper to Inspector Joel Goko, whose phone was not reachable.

NewsDay