*FOR DAILY NEWS UPDATES* *_Join our Group:_* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAiZu0HQbS0w1lUez3v — — — — — — — — — — — *_MORNING NEWS | 15 FEBRUARY 2025_* *1.* Zanu PF succession battle – Why you must be concerned *2.* No child shall be barred from school for failing to pay school fees, not having a birth certificate — Government says *3.* Mutsvangwa avoids tackling Zanu PF factionalism head-on, claims vocal Geza being “used” *4.* Zanu PF councillor in trouble for defrauding vendors *5.* We need new cities *6.* Mutsvangwa claims Mnangagwa secured release of his son, Neville, from prison *7.* Limit the speed of all buses *8.* Beitbridge crash – Air rescue services in no show *9.* Empty stands, empty pockets – Can ticket price hikes save Zimbabwe football? *10.* Women lose US$30,000 in mukando scheme *11.* Zimbabwean man lands top South African job using fake papers *12.* Father of 2 stoned to death in row over US$0.50 *13.* Woman ordered to stay away from neighbour *_FULL ARTICLES BELOW_* 1. *ZANU PF SUCCESSION BATTLE – WHY YOU MUST BE CONCERNED* Should the current succession debate in Zanu PF be a concern for the church and the rest of the population, even those not affiliated to the ruling or opposition parties? The issue of succession in Zanu PF has always been a contentious one, often intensifying as the end of an incumbent’s term or retirement nears. We saw this during Robert Mugabe’s later years, when it became clear that leadership transition was inevitable. Some argue that this is purely an internal party matter, irrelevant to those outside Zanu PF or even to those unaffiliated with any political party in Zimbabwe. I strongly disagree with this simplistic view and offer four key reasons why this issue affects the entire nation. Succession in Zanu PF is linked to Zimbabwe’s democratic struggles. Zanu PF has historically operated under a “guided” internal democracy, where succession debates are shaped by the interests of the incumbent rather than by democratic principles. This pattern has influenced opposition politics as well, where leaders such as Morgan Tsvangirai and later Nelson Chamisa made succession decisions that were not necessarily rooted in party constitutions. The failure to establish strong internal democratic traditions — both in the ruling party and the opposition — reflects a broader national governance challenge. If the main political actors are not able to establish succession processes determined by their own laws, but by other factors, the citizens suffer the consequences of poor leadership. The role of the military in politics remains unresolved. The last time Zanu PF faced a major succession crisis, it was resolved not through democratic processes but by military intervention. Mugabe’s long-standing assertion that “politics leads the gun” was disproven when the army played a decisive role in forcing his exit. This underscores a critical national question: What is the role of the military in our political system? Each succession crisis in Zanu PF revives this unresolved issue, making it a matter of national concern. The succession issue also highlights cronyism, ethnicity, and tribalism. Zanu PF’s internal succession struggles often expose the dangers of cronyism, ethnic favouritism, and tribalism — threats that extend beyond the party and into national unity. Towards the end of his rule, Mugabe was accused of positioning his wife, Grace, to benefit financially and politically while allegedly favouring a Zezuru successor. In opposition politics, similar questions arose: Did Morgan Tsvangirai, before his death, instruct that Nelson Chamisa (a Karanga) should take over instead of Thokozani Khupe (a Ndebele), despite constitutional provisions to the contrary? These succession debates reveal a broader problem — appointments based on patronage, ethnicity, or personal connections rather than merit and constitutionalism. Then comes the problem of personalised politics. In both ruling and opposition parties, political loyalty is often tied to individuals rather than to principles, institutions, or policies. This personalisation of politics stifles open debate and discourages the development of strong, institutionalised governance. When political leadership is built around individuals rather than democratic frameworks, mediocrity thrives, and national progress suffers. You may ask, why does all this matter to the nation? For the reasons outlined above, Zanu PF’s internal succession challenges are not just party issues; they are national issues. How succession is handled impacts democratic governance, national unity, civil-military relations, and the quality of leadership in Zimbabwe as a whole. Addressing these challenges requires a national conversation, not just an internal party discussion. The Bible offers wisdom on leadership transitions. Consider Joshua’s transition from Moses: “Now it came to pass, a long time after the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua was old, advanced in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: ‘I am old, advanced in age… Therefore, be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses…'” (Joshua 23:1-6) From this transition, we learn four key lessons: • The incumbent voluntarily facilitated the succession process, recognising that his time was up and making sure it was orderly. • The process involved broad consultation with key national stakeholders, not just a few members of the inner circle. • Succession was anchored in the law (constitution), ensuring legitimacy. • Unity was built on a shared national vision and the equitable distribution of resources. These principles could inform Zimbabwe’s succession process, transforming it from being a crisis-prone struggle into an opportunity for renewal and national progress. We pray that God guides us. Reverend Kenneth Mtata is the programmes director for the World Council of Churches *_-ZimLive_* 2. *NO CHILD SHALL BE BARRED FROM SCHOOL FOR FAILING TO PAY SCHOOL FEES, NOT HAVING A BIRTH CERTIFICATE — GOVERNMENT SAYS* The government has gazetted a new Statutory Instrument (S.I.), which prohibits schools from barring children from attending classes due to non-payment of fees or the lack of a birth certificate. According to S.I.13 of 2025 no child shall be denied access to education for failing to pay school fees or for not possessing a birth certificate. “Basic education is compulsory and, if the parents of the pupil cannot afford the tuition fees and levies at a government school, the State shall assist, within the limits of the resources available to it, in providing that education. “No pupil shall be excluded from school for non-payment of any form of school fees or levies,” part of the S.I. reads. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government also said that no head of a public school shall refuse to enroll a school-aged child solely because the child does not possess a birth certificate. “No school head shall exclude a child of school-going age from enrolment at a government school solely on the ground that the child does not have a birth certificate,” the S.I. added. Meanwhile, government also said in cases where a girl who is a pupil at a school becomes pregnant, the institution’s head shall facilitate psycho-social supportive services to the girl and parent and the girl may stay in school as long as possible before giving birth and return after recovery if she and her parents choose to do so. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 3. *MUTSVANGWA AVOIDS TACKLING ZANU PF FACTIONALISM HEAD-ON, CLAIMS VOCAL GEZA BEING “USED”* As the Zanu PF internal fissures worsen, party spokesperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa, on Thursday sidestepped the elephant in the room — factionalism. Zanu PF is currently divided, with one faction pushing for the suspension of the 2028 elections to enable President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030, while another believed to be backing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga insists on maintaining the constitutionally stipulated two-term limit. Neither Mnangagwa nor Chiwenga has publicly acknowledged the emerging factions. Addressing the media at the Zanu PF headquarters on Thursday, Mutsvangwa professed ignorance of the simmering tensions within the party. “That question is new to me. I am trying to focus on things which have consequences,” said Mutsvangwa when questioned by the media. National events have laid bare the fractures within the ruling party, with supporters displaying clear internal divisions. Recently two factions of Zanu PF supporters were heard chanting pro-Mnangagwa and another, pro-Chiwenga songs at Heroes Acre. Another faction of war veterans, led by the outspoken Blessed Geza, has been calling for Mnangagwa to step aside, accusing him of overseeing a corrupt government. Mnangagwa’s term ends in 2028, and he has stated that he will not run for another term, contrary to the sentiments of some of his supporters within Zanu PF. Without mentioning names, Mutsvangwa suggested that Geza was being used to further a certain agenda within the party to unseat Mnangagwa. “I have a lot of angst about the way he is being used by people who have a certain agenda. Comrade Geza, I do not know what other issues might be bothering you, but we, the war veterans, always remember… I wish he would not follow fools who are misleading him. I am deeply concerned about what is happening with him,” said Mutsvangwa. The factional battles within Zanu PF are reminiscent of the internal politics that rocked the revolutionary party, resulting in the ousting of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, who was replaced by Mnangagwa. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 4. *ZANU PF COUNCILLOR IN TROUBLE FOR DEFRAUDING VENDORS* Bulawayo’s ward 1 councillor Josiah Mutangi (Zanu PF) and his alleged accomplice, Janet Zhou, have appeared in court to answer to charges of defrauding 14 vendors after they allegedly collected US$200 from each of them on the pretext that they would allocate them vending bays in the central business district. Mutangi (49) and Zhou (44) were granted US$400 bail each by Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Mjanja and will return to court on February 27. The court heard that after promising the 14 vending bays, they failed to fulfil their promises. The court was told that in February last year, Mutangi and Zhou were at corner 5th Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street, where they misrepresented to Chishamiso Chihota and 13 others that they had unoccupied vending bays. The two allegedly received US$200 from each of the 14 complainants for the bays. After failing to deliver the bays, the 14 vendors reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Mutangi and Zhou. From the collected US$2 800, nothing was recovered. *_-Newsday_* 5. *WE NEED NEW CITIES* Following the ongoing Justice Cheda Commission of Inquiry into City of Harare financial management is a shocking and sad experience. The city is rotten to the core, no systems in place and no one in control. There is something wrong with the structure of local governance. Mayor Jacob Mafume looked like a rabbit flashed by a car’s headlights during the hearings. The man was flustered, bruised and above all reduced to a heap of incompetency, impotent mayor and only good at abusing his office for personal gain. Mafume did not know the address of his new home. He blamed his wife for the failure to comply with council’s building by-laws and had absolutely failed to make his executives procure an Enterprise Resource Planning software in more than five years. The lead investigator was sadistic. He kept making demeaning comments, made Mafume small and above all, tried to make the mayor look like a pathological liar. Mafume made things worse for himself by volunteering information that had not been asked. Mafume is in a pickle and he knows he is toast. The commission will have him for dinner. The city will be ripped and most likely an administrator will be appointed to rescue the city. Above all, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF would have achieved their goal of making the opposition look incompetent and corrupt. Zanu PF will regain the city that it has perennially lost in elections since 2000. However, that will not change the structure of local governance. It is the change in local governance that is needed. It is the implementation of the letter and spirit of devolution as enunciated in the 2013 Constitution. Local authorities need executive mayors, competent executives and knowledgeable councillors. They need autonomy in recruitment and dismissal of senior executives. The Local Government Board (LGB) should be disbanded. The central government should not try to have control of cities and towns through recruitment of senior council executives. This type of local government is seen in Cape Town, South Africa. I deliberately make this example for two main reasons — proximity to Harare and that both are opposition controlled. Oops, sorry, I had forgotten to say also a competent opposition. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has a clear process of identifying its representatives or candidates. More than 90% of its candidates are based on merit rather than popularity. Secondly, the DA knows and plans well in advance who shall be the senior executives in the city. It employs senior council executives primarily on two qualities — meritocracy and appreciation of its values/plan. The DA does not go into power to do the routine, but it does make an imprint, to change things and deliver. This has been helped by the law in South Africa. The South African constitution has devolution clauses. The Local Government Act is also clear that cities are led by executive mayors and their powers clearly defined. Executive mayors hire senior executives who are aligned with their plans and whose loyalty is solely on the appointing authority. South Africa does not have a LGB to hire or recommend senior executives for cities and towns. Councils have autonomy and responsibility. They cannot shift blame to a central government office for their failures. This is the norm in progressive societies. Most cities are run by executive mayors, not bureaucrats. It is elected representatives who make promises to the electorate and bureaucrats are there to serve. The world knows the mayors of New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Berlin and Cape Town more than the city executives. That should be the norm, unlike here where a town clerk masquerades as the face of a city. Public office should be made attractive to competent and qualified people and politics should be more about brains than brawn. This has been a missing ingredient in our politics and the love of the party leaders to be also candidates, thus blurring the line between party and representatives. This makes it difficult for the party to supervise its deployees or take decisive action against errant members. The opposition should have been the first to intervene by grilling its public representatives for failure to deliver basic services and having its books audited. It should also have censured or recalled its councillors involved in illicit land deals. The autonomy of local authorities, while guaranteed, should be clear when the central government can intervene. It is my humble opinion that the central government should only interfere when there is a complete breakdown in service delivery and if a council is in financial distress. Central government can also intervene if a council fails to get an audited financial statement in two years (24 months), as it cannot be allowed to continue existing without knowing its financial health. These interventions by the central government should be done in a transparent manner and a laid down process, not in an ad hoc or selective manner. More often than not, the central government has targeted opposition-led councils when the same rot is experienced in Zanu PF-controlled rural district councils. While the ongoing Harare commission has been a public spectacle, Zimbabwe should not lose focus of the goal — to improve public service delivery and responsible use of public funds. It should also be a big lesson to political parties that they need to find better candidates for public office, councillors knowledgeable and able to hold council employees to account. Besides the sideshows of possible dismissal of councillors and some senior executives, it remains important that Zimbabwe should relook at its local governance model and borrow a few things from other progressive countries like South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany or the United States on managing cities. The Local Government minister should move in to steer the devolution and Local Government Bills in line with Chapter 14 of the constitution. The people should have power to run their local affairs, but they cannot be allowed to be little tyrants. We need new cities. New in everything — quality of councillors, service delivery and council employees and above all, less government interference. *_-Newsday_* 6. *MUTSVANGWA CLAIMS MNANGAGWA SECURED RELEASE OF HIS SON, NEVILLE, FROM PRISON* Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said it was President Emmerson Mnangagwa who facilitated the release of his son, Neville, following his arrest last year. Neville was detained for illegal foreign currency trading during a raid at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Harare, on May 8, 2024. He was also charged with money laundering and violating the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act. Neville was granted bail by High Court Judge Justice Rodgers Manyangadze on May 31, 2024. He and his co-accused, Ellias Majachani and Simbarashe Tichingana, were each required to pay US$1,000 and surrender their passports. At the time of Neville’s arrest, Mnangagwa was out of the country, and Mutsvangwa attributed the arrest to Acting President Constantino Chiwenga. On 8 May 2024, Mnangagwa was in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit. Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Thursday, Mutsvangwa claimed that Mnangagwa was not responsible for his son’s arrest. He said: _President Emmerson Mnangagwa was not behind the arrest of my son, as some people claim. It is President Mnangagwa who released him from jail._ Mutsvangwa’s remarks suggest that President Mnangagwa influences the judiciary. Critics argue that there is a selective application of the law, with some individuals accused of corruption being briefly arrested and then released — a “catch and release” approach — while others languish in remand prison for over a year, only to be acquitted of the charges they faced. *_-Pindula_* 7. *LIMIT THE SPEED OF ALL BUSES* It was a sad day on Thursday following a road traffic accident that robbed 25 innocent lives of another day to live when a speeding bus driver rammed into an on-coming haulage truck in Beitbridge. The accident occurred just a few hundred metres away from Tshapfuche tollgate, 26km from Beitbridge. Witnesses blamed human error for the accident. Seventeen people died on the spot and eight others on admission at Beitbridge District Hospital. There was no need for speed for someone who had done about 550km of the 585km from Harare to the border town. After the long journey, all the passengers were hopeful that they would conduct their business and return to their respective homes safely. But that was not to be the case. President Emmerson Mnangagwa immediately released a statement. “The death of 24 Zimbabweans in a head-on collision between an Urban Connect bus and a commercial haulage truck, along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway this morning, left me horrified and heart-broken,” he said. “Fellow Zimbabweans, our nation does not deserve this at all, let alone experiencing such a bloody incident at the beginning of the year. “We have to do all that is possible to curb this unjustified loss of life. I, therefore, appeal to all motorists to exercise extreme caution on our roads, for the sake of both fellow road users and themselves.” Mnangagwa reminded all arms of government responsible for ensuring safety on the roads “to work around the clock and invoke all legal means and powers available to them, to reduce and subsequently put an end to such carnage”. Hence at this stage, the respective road regulators must play their part, especially tightening the screws for public transporters, particularly on the issue of speed. Government in 2023 issued Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, which said all public service vehicles have to be fitted with a speed limiting device so that such vehicles will not exceed 100km/h. In January last year, government again reiterated the issue of speed limiters on public buses, saying all manufacturers had to fit the devices on new coaches as well as have devices that can be retrofitted on buses already on the road. Two months ago, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi complained about bus operators tampering with speed limit devices saying it was a criminal offence. In such cases where there is tampering of devices, the Road Motor Transportation Act, under Section 17(1)(b), grants the Commissioner of Road Transport the authority to suspend an operator’s licence if there is evidence of disregard for the terms and conditions of their operating licence. This can be one way to deal with malcontents. The other is to send to jail the drivers who tamper with the devices, going by the word of their employers. "We are committed to providing safe travel to our customers. Where such behaviour is suspected, we urge the public to report any errant drivers and they will be disciplined,” one of their employers stated. We also urge the speed limiter manufacturers to produce durable gadgets. Some of the public transport operators say they are facing difficulties with speed limit devices, claiming they are prone to malfunction. “The truth is we are tired of changing the speed limit devices,” one of them was quoted in the media as saying. “We were told where to buy them, but they only work for two to three days.” Several videos have been taken and posted on social media of speeding buses, but it seems no action has been taken against the errant drivers. In 2023, police recorded around 1 200 road accidents involving buses, a 15% increase from the previous year. Forty percent of these accidents were attributed to speeding. *_-Newsday_* 8. *BEITBRIDGE CRASH – AIR RESCUE SERVICES IN NO SHOW* Government’s air rescue ambulances were in no show when they were needed the most as Beitbridge District Hospital was stretched to the limit following Thursday’s national disaster which claimed 25 people. Ten seriously injured people among the 56 attended to at the Beitbridge Hospital were transferred by road, enduring 200km and 321km to Gwanda and Bulawayo, respectively. Sections of that road are extremely difficult to navigate. Twenty-five people died on Thursday morning — 17 on the spot and another eight on admission at Beitbridge Hospital — when an Urban Connect bus was involved in an accident with a haulage truck about 25km outside Beitbridge along the Harare road. “This is when we hoped to see the air rescue ambulances at work. If not at such a disaster, when then? Some of the things said are just deceitful and embarrassing,” said a Beitbridge resident. Beitbridge Rural District Council and Beitbridge Municipality altogether contributed 120 litres of fuel for ambulances to ferry the injured. In 2023 soon after the arrival of the choppers, government said operationalisation of air medical rescue services within Zimbabwe’s public health system was expected to be “up and flying” by end of last year, starting with six helicopters across four provinces. Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora told journalists during a handover ceremony of Russian donated cholera commodities at the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) that they had trained some pilots for medical air evacuation. “This is where they should have come. Where else or it’s for a special type of people,” said the Beitbridge resident. Zimbabwe’s leadership has been criticised for their seemingly carefree attitude towards the health sector hit by a mass exodus of trained personnel to other countries citing poor remuneration and hostile working conditions in backward environment. Meanwhile, Beitbridge District Hospital was stretched to its limits on Thursday when it handled 56 victims of the accident. “Some nurses who were on night duty did not knock off,” a senior nurse said. “We were overwhelmed since we are short-staffed.” Calls by locals to have the hospital upgraded to allow more staff have been ignored by government. The hospital mortuary, designed for 12 people, was stretched and some bodies were laid on the floor. The hospital, apart from Beitbridge’s 90 000 people, caters for a transit population of 14 000 people using Zimbabwe and the region’s busiest port at Beitbridge. *_-Newsday_* 9. *EMPTY STANDS, EMPTY POCKETS – CAN TICKET PRICE HIKES SAVE ZIMBABWE FOOTBALL?* For years, gate receipts have been the lifeblood of Zimbabwe’s top football clubs. However, rising costs and dwindling attendances due to poor performances and uninspiring football has seen big clubs such as Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United struggling to attract crowds. The big clubs’ financial troubles are well-known. Just this past week, Highlanders needed businessman Wicknell Chivhayo’s assistance to settle a debt while Dynamos players went on strike over unpaid salaries. Highlanders has however, fared slightly better in terms of attracting fans compared to Dynamos and Caps United but the numbers are nowhere near what they were in the past. Dynamos, with their loyal supporters in Harare and Highlanders representing the vibrant Bulawayo community, have long been a source of pride for their respective fans. The clubs must however, innovate if they are to survive the challenging landscape. Can these clubs once again attract huge crowds to their games such that they can sustain themselves from gate takings? The other alternative is to increase gate charges. While this might seem controversial, several reasons suggest it could be a viable option for the three clubs with the largest followings. Firstly, ticket prices in Zimbabwean football have remained relatively low compared to the costs of running a professional club. It is US$3 for regular entry and US$5 for selected games. With rising costs of transport, equipment and player salaries, the gate charges are simply not enough to cover these increasing expenses. Football is a product and like any other product as prices rise in the market, the cost of watching a game should also increase. A modest increase in ticket prices could help bridge the financial gap and ensure clubs have the required resources to survive. An increase in the prices of tickets could enable authorities to improve facilities at stadia. Improved seating facilities, enhanced security and other modern stadium facilities could result in large crowds attending games. Clubs could also explore introducing VIP packages or premium seating for those seeking a more exclusive experience. However, increasing gate charges must be approached carefully to avoid alienating fans, particularly those already struggling to raise money to attend matches. A gradual increase and fans engagement could help mitigate any potential backlash. Clubs could also consider offering discounted tickets for students, children and pensioners to ensure as many people attend matches. *_-Chronicle_* 10. *WOMEN LOSE US$30,000 IN MUKANDO SCHEME* About five women, who claim they were deceived into making contributions towards a savings club, widely known as mukando, are crying foul after being duped of US$30 000. They are part of group of 23 women. Sources claim one member was admitted to hospital after she developed complications as she struggled to adjust to the reality that she had been duped of all her savings. The women agreed to have a savings club and contributed to the club from January to December 28 last year. They were supposed to share an amount close to US$30 000 but club leader Ruthy Charlie Mufundisi only provided US$1 200 for sharing when the savings matured. Ruthy is said to be working with a colleague whose name is Dunior Shahari. The case has since been taken to the Small Claims Court where it is set to be heard today. One of the women, identified only as Edna, lost US$4100 in the scheme and has taken the case to court. Sources claimed Ruthy has been evasive since the day she produced just US$1200 for sharing when the members were expecting to share US$30 000. The sources said she issued an apology, but it was not accepted by her colleagues. “The plaintiff (Edna) is claiming US$4100 from defendants arising from Mukando which was supposed to have been reimbursed in December 2024, in terms of what was agreed,” read the court papers. “The defendants have benefited out of nothing, which is clear lawlessness. “Plaintiff was introduced to the second defendant by the first defendant, the defendants were on a mission to deceive and deprive plaintiff the sum of US$4100. “Despite several demands, the defendant refused, neglected to pay leading plaintiff to approach this honourable court for payment of US$4100 plus costs of court.” Contacted for comment, Ruthy said: “There are some who even posted this issue on Facebook and handisirini ndakaenda nemari, taitamba mukando, tichikweretesana. “I had my own debt, just like any other member which I failed to pay on the agreed day of sharing the money. “I acknowledged that I was going to pay them their money and we have some affidavits which I signed, which indicate that ndinenge ndichivapa mari on such dates. “Vamwe end of this month, March, April zvichidaro. “Kune vamwe vane chikwereti vasiri inini, vanopihwawo neivavo, inini ndine vandakasainira navo. “We agreed after ndavaudza kuti zvinhu zvangu zvanga zvakaoma on my side, chikwereti changu chandinacho. “We went to the police vakachinja nyaya and ivo vanga vanyoresa kuita kunge ndakaba, changu changa chitoriwo chikwereti chakaita mainterest achakaita, ndikatadza kudzosa ndikauya neUS$1200. “I am not owing 23 people ka inini, I am owing those I have affidavits with,” she said. *_-Herald_* 11. *ZIMBABWEAN MAN LANDS TOP SOUTH AFRICAN JOB USING FAKE PAPERS* A 33-year-old Zimbabwean man, Kudakwashe Mpofu, was arrested in South Africa for allegedly forging a permanent residence permit to secure a senior position at the North West Development Corporation (NWDC). Mpofu was taken into custody by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit and has been charged with fraud. He was denied bail when he appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court, as the State argued he was a flight risk and could evade trial. His case has been set for trial at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court on March 19, 2025. According to investigations, the NWDC advertised the position of Asset Manager at its Mafikeng head office in March 2021. Mpofu applied for the job, submitting all required documents, including a fraudulent permanent residence permit. On 1 May 2021, he was successfully appointed as the Asset Manager. Two years later, on 1 June 2023, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the organisation. “It is alleged that in March 2021, the North West Development Corporations advertised a position of Asset Manager based in the Head Office in Mafikeng,” said NPA North West spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya. Following his arrest, authorities uncovered that the permanent residence permit Mpofu submitted was never issued by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs. The State also presented an affidavit from a Home Affairs official confirming that the document was fake. This is not the first time Mpofu has had a run-in with the law. In 2024, he was charged with fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act. *_-iHarare_* 12. *FATHER OF 2 STONED TO DEATH IN ROW OVER US$0.50* A man from Harare’s Mufakose suburb was stoned to death on Thursday night during a row over US$0.50, police said. Mike Sallimon, 33, was the victim of a vicious attack by Bison Manyade, who was angry over his share of the day’s takings working as a kombi tout near the Lyton flyover in the suburb. The murder is the second violent killing in the working class suburb in just days after a man stabbed his mother 19 times over a petty domestic quarrel last week. Christina Paulos, a relative of Sallimon explained: “Bison was not happy after he was given US$4 instead of US$4.50, the amount that was given to Mike. “He started throwing stones at Mike and the guy who paid then for touting insisting that he was the one supposed to get the US$4.50. “Mike has left two children and we are really saddened.” Inspector Lovemore Chakanza of Harare police said they had launched a murder investigation. Residents have planned a protest on February 2 over rising drug abuse which they say is behind the murders and other crimes in the suburb. In December last year, a five-year-old boy was murdered by his mother’s lover under unclear circumstances. *_-ZimLive_* 13. *WOMAN ORDERED TO STAY AWAY FROM NEIGHBOUR* A Harare woman has been barred from visiting her neighbour after the former accused her of harassment and assault. Rodney Nhapi told Harare Civil Court Magistrate Ms Meenal Narotam that he fears for his safety and that of his children due to Tanyaradzwa Chigumbura’s actions. “She came to my house, threw stones at my windows and hit my children. We had to look for another place to stay,” Nhapi said. “This woman came to my house with six men and beat me up,” he said. “She says I am promiscuous and claims that l influence her husband to spend nights away from home,” he said. However, Chigumbura denied the accusations. “He is the one who beats me up and I have scars on my wrists from the beatings,” she said. “l even tried to get a peace order against him but he has been evading the police to avoid signing the documents and appearing in court,” Chigumbura said. Ms Narotam granted the peace order in Nhapi’s favour and prohibited Chigumbura from visiting his residence. *_-Herald_*