*Morning News: Saturday 24 May 2025* *Headlines* *'Temporary Lecturers UZ Intends To Use Are Not Qualified To Teach High School’* *Another Coup Is Possible in Zimbabwe – Author* *EMA Cracks Down On Unlicensed Standby Generators* *Lake Chivero Water Poses Severe Cancer Risk, Study Warns* *Mum Jailed 7 Years For Killing Baby With Rat Poison Mixed With Milk* *Auxillia Mnangagwa Visits Paris Enroute to UK* *EcoCash To Change Name: Good or Bad Idea?* *Murambatsvina Hits Hundreds In Mabvuku* *16 500 Houses To Be Demolished In Epworth* *Scottland, Chicken Inn Match Abandoned After Penalty Decision Sparks Crowd Trouble* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *'Temporary Lecturers UZ Intends To Use Are Not Qualified To Teach High School’* Despite threats of termination of contracts, University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers remain defiant, cranking up pressure on government and the institution to increase, tenfold, their salaries to US$2,500 per month. The lecturers, who have been on industrial action for a month, are pressing ahead with picketing, vowing not to return to class until government accedes to their demand for an upward review of their paltry earnings. UZ administrators responded heavy-handedly, threatening to replace the striking lecturers, with reports indicating that the adjunct tutors would be earning US$3 per hour. The Association of University Teachers (AUT) spokesperson, Obvious Vengeyi, blasted UZ for failing to attract applications for the posts. “It is true that the University of Zimbabwe has hired ‘experts’ to replace the real experts, who are on a lawful and constitutional strike, demanding a restoration of their salary to pre-October 2018 rates, whereby a junior lecturer got US$2,250 per month before it was slashed to only US$230, which they are currently getting. “The so-called experts are hired as adjunct lecturers. That means they are not replacing the real experts. It was the university administration’s hope that they would get hundreds of them so that the university would return to normal business. “Unfortunately, the experiment failed spectacularly. The whole university failed to attract more than 10 across all its 11 faculties. All 10 are not qualified to teach at high school. They were pulled from the streets and from churches. It is a joke, to say the least,” said Vengeyi. Last week, UZ was further plunged into chaos after the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) staged a flash demonstration, demanding the return of lecturers. The students criticised the UZ administration for pressing ahead with examinations when they had little lecture time. The striking lecturers have disassociated themselves from overseeing examinations. Vengeyi said that the situation at UZ is dire and might deteriorate if the institution and the parent government arm —Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education — do not address their grievances. “The university is paying only US$5.50 per hour. It is not even enough for transport and lunch. The AUT, therefore, did not see any reason to interfere with their process. The situation at UZ as of today is pathetic. There are no classes taking place until we receive US$2,250. That demand must be met. “If that is not met, then there is no graduation this year. Block 4 should have started on Monday, 19 May, but it failed. Nothing is happening. Remember too that Block 3 failed. This means if the situation remains the same for the next week, this semester is off,” said Vengeyi. *Another Coup Is Possible in Zimbabwe – Author* A fresh political rupture may be brewing in Zimbabwe, and this time, it could be far more chaotic than the military-assisted transition that toppled Robert Mugabe in 2017. So warns respected Zimbabwean academic and author Blessing-Miles Tendi, whose latest book, The Overthrow of Robert Mugabe: Gender, Coups and Diplomats, peels back the layers of intrigue, fractured loyalties, and unresolved power struggles that continue to haunt Zimbabwe’s ruling elite. At the heart of his analysis is a chilling mystery that has long cast a shadow over Zimbabwe’s military establishment — the attempted assassination of Air Marshal Perrance Shiri in 2008 — and the implications it had, and still has, on the internal cohesion of the security forces. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who rose to power on the back of military support in 2017, is now facing growing dissent from the same constituency that helped him ascend: the liberation war veterans. This influential group, Tendi writes, has thrown its weight behind Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, calling for Mnangagwa’s resignation due to rampant corruption and economic failure under his watch. They also accuse him of attempting to overstay his tenure by plotting to extend his rule beyond 2028 — in violation of the constitutional two-term limit. While rumours swirl that the military may once again be ready to intervene, Tendi warns that unlike in 2017, there is no longer a unified command within the armed forces. Instead, lingering mistrust and factionalism — some of it rooted in the still-unresolved Shiri shooting — have fractured the upper ranks. Tendi reopens the file on the mysterious shooting of Perrance Shiri on 13 December 2008 — a moment he believes exposed deep internal fault lines within Zimbabwe’s military elite. That night, as Shiri drove alone to his farm along a dimly lit gravel road, he came under a hail of bullets from unidentified gunmen lying in wait. Despite being wounded, he managed to escape and reach a medical facility. What followed, according to Tendi, sent shockwaves through the defence establishment. Shiri’s confidant, Major-General Paradzayi Zimondi, was the first to arrive. But when another senior military officer turned up uninvited — seemingly aware of the assassination attempt before any public disclosure — suspicions deepened. The recovery of bullet casings and cartridges from Zimbabwe Defence Industries, a state-run arms manufacturer, indicated that the shooters were likely insiders. Yet no one was ever arrested or prosecuted. For Tendi, this marked the start of a new era of paranoia, distrust, and rivalries within the military — cracks that remain today. Tendi argues that the events surrounding Shiri’s shooting offer a lens into the current power dynamics at play. While Chiwenga is said to enjoy support from certain quarters of the security forces, he does not command universal loyalty. Unlike in 2017, where there was a consensus to remove Mugabe, today’s climate is marked by multiple centres of power, personal vendettas, and unhealed grievances. “The military no longer speaks with one voice,” Tendi writes. “The very idea of another coup raises the spectre of a fragmented intervention — less disciplined, more violent, and potentially open to foreign influence or civil unrest.” The implication is stark: should another coup attempt emerge, it could be messier, bloodier, and far more destabilising than the last. Tendi’s new book contends that Mugabe’s removal was never the clean break it appeared to be. The failure to reconcile or even investigate past betrayals — such as the Shiri incident — has created an unstable foundation for Zimbabwe’s future leadership. With discontent rising and the economic crisis deepening, Zimbabwe stands at a crossroads. The fractures laid bare by Tendi’s research suggest that any move to unseat Mnangagwa could tear through the very fabric of the state, unless decisive steps are taken to restore cohesion and constitutional order. As Zimbabwe marks eight years since Mugabe’s fall, Tendi’s warning rings clear: another coup is possible — but this time, it may not come with a triumphant march through the streets, but a dangerous lurch into the unknown. *EMA Cracks Down On Unlicensed Standby Generators* The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has called on businesses to comply with air emissions regulations by licensing their standby power generators or face possible fines. According to the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27), any standby generator with a capacity of 5KVA or more must be licensed. In a statement, EMA Harare manager Leon Mutungamiri said that generators emitting pollutants must be licensed to meet air quality standards under the Act. *Lake Chivero Water Poses Severe Cancer Risk, Study Warns* The mismanagement of Lake Chivero, Harare’s primary water source, is endangering the lives of millions, according to new research which reveals that the lake’s water now poses cancer risks up to 15 times greater than those associated with HIV. Years of unregulated discharge of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff have transformed the lake into a hazardous chemical mix. In December 2024, the government imposed a fishing ban on Lake Chivero following the unexplained deaths of four white rhinos, three zebras, several wildebeests, and large numbers of fish, believed to have consumed contaminated water from the lake. Professor Hilda Matarira, a Chemical Pathologist at the National Health Laboratories and Parirenyatwa Hospital, under the University of Zimbabwe’s College of Health Sciences, has been monitoring the water quality of Lake Chivero for nearly 25 years. She said: We have researched water quality in Lake Chivero since 2000—nearly 25 years ago. The lake’s contamination is rising each year. Microcystins from blue-green algae are cancer-causing and kill people at rates 15 times higher than HIV. This algae chokes the lake of oxygen, leading to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms. Lake Chivero is a crucial water source for Harare, Chitungwiza, and Ruwa. Microcystins are a class of toxins produced by certain cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. These toxins are cyclic peptides that can be highly toxic to humans and animals, primarily affecting the liver. Exposure to microcystins can occur through ingestion of contaminated water, consumption of affected fish or shellfish, or direct contact during recreational activities like swimming. Professor Matarira further warned that relying on borehole water, often considered a safer alternative, may not provide a viable solution. She said: We found 100% E. coli contamination in some boreholes. Heavy metals and nitrates from the lake are serious concerns. Boiling water only kills bacteria—it does nothing for heavy metals. Recent studies show that late rains may wash more chemicals into groundwater. However, her most serious warning relates to the consumption of fish—a key source of livelihood for many communities living around Lake Chivero. She said: The worst thing about these particles, besides their consequences in the water, is that while you are unaware, the particles pierce everything—every organ in a human being, animal, whatever. They are one of the major causes of cancer. Some families and even pets are being affected by this pollution. High mercury levels are present in the fish, and unsuspecting consumers are at risk of heavy metal poisoning. *Business Times* *Mum Jailed 7 Years For Killing Baby With Rat Poison Mixed With Milk* GWERU – A 21-year old Mberengwa woman has been slapped with a seven year jail term for killing her baby by lacing her milk with poison in 2023. Felistas Mpofu was jailed by the Gweru High Court which she told that she opted to kill her baby because she was unable to look after her. The court sentenced year to seven years in jail after taking into consideration that she was a first offender. The High Court also took into consideration that she was going through a difficult time when she committed the offence. Mpofu killed her baby in March 2023. Her child’s death was initially treated as suddenly death but an investigation was launched after a good Samaritan who had assisted sensed a foul smell from her belongings. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) proved that on March 3 2023 Mpofu arrived in Mandava Township, coming from her rural home. “Later that morning she laced milk with rat poison (an organophosphate pesticide) and fed it to her 7 month old daughter using a feeding bottle. “Having no place to sleep, she approached a Good Samaritan in Mandava, seeking overnight accommodation,” the court heard. She was provided with a place to sleep. Throughout the night, the baby cried persistently, and in the morning, the Good Samaritan suggested taking the baby to the hospital. The baby later died at Zvishavane General Hospital, and the matter was initially reported as a “sudden death” pending investigations. When she went back to collect her belongings from the Good Samaritan’s home, the Good Samaritan became suspicious when she noticed a foul smell emanating from the offender’s belongings. She then discovered the feeding bottle containing milk with a strong chemical odor, which she handed over to the police. A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals subsequently confirmed that the child died from the ingestion of a toxic substance. Mpofu informed the court that she killed her child as she had no means to look after her properly. “A tragic story that underscores the urgent need for mental health support, parenting education, and protection of children at all levels,” said the NPA. *Auxillia Mnangagwa Visits Paris Enroute to UK* PARIS, France – Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s visit to Paris, France—where she has been hosted at the opulent Palais de l’Élysée by French First Lady Brigitte Macron—has sparked criticism back home, with many questioning the practicality and benefits of such diplomatic gestures in the face of worsening economic conditions in Zimbabwe. Invited as the Guest of Honour for UNESCO’s Africa Week celebrations, Mrs Mnangagwa used the opportunity to discuss issues such as women’s empowerment, education, health, tourism, and child protection with her French counterpart. However, critics argue that these discussions lacked concrete outcomes and were more symbolic than substantive. “There is nothing to show for these high-profile meetings except photo opportunities and vague promises,” said one political analyst. “While citizens are grappling with inflation, drug shortages, and a collapsing public health system, the First Lady is busy exchanging pleasantries in Paris.” The First Lady also praised France’s support for restoration work at Great Zimbabwe and the Matobo Hills—projects facilitated by UNESCO. Yet, some observers questioned why local heritage sites require foreign intervention at all, pointing to the government’s misplaced priorities and chronic underfunding of cultural and development sectors. “The praise for France’s role in restoring our heritage sites underscores how little we are investing in our own history,” said a heritage conservation expert. “It’s embarrassing that foreign agencies are doing what our own institutions should be leading.” The trip has reignited debate about the role of unelected figures like First Ladies in state affairs, especially when their international engagements lack transparency or measurable outcomes. As Zimbabweans continue to endure daily hardships, critics argue that symbolic diplomacy abroad offers little relief to the challenges facing the majority back home. *EcoCash To Change Name: Good or Bad Idea?* Zimbabwe’s leading fintech company, EcoCash Holdings, has announced plans to change its name to TN CyberTech Investments Holdings Limited. This strategic rebranding is proposed to pay homage to banking pioneer Tawanda Nyambirai, whose initials will now grace the company’s new identity. *Shareholders Set to Decide on Transformation* The proposed change will be put to vote during a virtual Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for June 13. Investors are encouraged to participate in this pivotal decision that could reshape the company’s future trajectory in Zimbabwe’s competitive tech and financial landscape. Company directors emphasise that this transition represents far more than superficial rebranding. The move strategically aligns the organisation with its expanding technological ambitions while honouring its foundational roots. The board’s circular to shareholders outlines the profound meaning behind the proposed name: “TN represents innovation, dignity, industry, faith, originality and humility” – core principles that have defined Nyambirai’s three-decade career in finance and law. Joining Banking’s Elite Namesakes This rebranding positions the company among prestigious financial institutions globally that bear their founders’ names, including J.P. Morgan, Barclays, and Wells Fargo. The TN CyberTech identity signals both respect for heritage and commitment to future-forward digital solutions. Implementation Timeline Pending shareholder approval and regulatory clearance from the Registrar of Companies, EcoCash Holdings’ directors have been authorised to complete all necessary legal and administrative steps to enact the transformation. The change promises to reshape the company’s market perception as it expands its technological capabilities. The business sector awaits to see what decision will be made on the EGM. Whether the company will change its already established name or not is yet to be seen. *Murambatsvina Hits Hundreds In Mabvuku* Hundreds of families in Donnybrook Chizhanje, Mabvuku, face imminent eviction after the government issued a directive ordering them to vacate the area by the end of the month. The eviction has reignited fears of a return to Operation Murambatsvina, the 2005 mass demolition campaign that left over 700,000 Zimbabweans homeless. The land in question is claimed by Shelter Zimbabwe, a private land developer suspected of having long-standing ties to top ZANU PF politicians. Shelter Zimbabwe has accused so-called land barons of illegally subdividing and selling housing stands to desperate home seekers. The developer argues that the settlements violate the Regional, Town, and Country Planning Act, and insists that the land was never approved for residential use. According to residents, the evictions come after years of uncertainty and broken promises. Many purchased their stands from politically connected land barons operating under the guise of community development. These middlemen, often protected by ruling party officials, sold the stands without formal title deeds or municipal approval. *16 500 Houses To Be Demolished In Epworth* More than 16 500 houses in Epworth built on land designated for schools, hospitals and industrial areas face demolition, with affected residents set to be resettled in other parts of the sprawling suburb through densification initiatives. This development also coincides with revelations that over 200 houses have been built on land reserved for Harare Drive, while irregular settlements are estimated to comprise over 100 000 houses, as land barons wreak havoc in the Harare Metropolitan Province. The startling revelations came to light during a workshop held yesterday, where local authorities in Harare Metropolitan Province were required to present updates on their draft master plans to Minister Charles Tavengwa ahead of formal submission. In his presentation, Epworth Local Board Spatial planner Mr Pardon Chibuwe said over 16 500 people had illegally invaded land and settled themselves on areas reserved for public facilities. “One of the findings from the total study that we carried out for the Epworth Master Plan, is that we have an estimated 16 500 people who are settled in areas that we are saying are and use conflict areas. “What we mean by that is we have areas that have been planned for other industries which are industrial, we have schools, we have hospital sites, we have say clinics and all that.” Mr Chibuwe blamed land barons who are masquerading as genuine land developers for the illegal parcelling of land. “So those areas have been invaded by illegal land developers, which now poses a challenge on behalf of the local authority especially to do with how are we then going to locate these people, where are we going to put these people.” He, however, said the local board was planning to regularise those settlements through densification, which would involve some evictions. “To solve some of these issues, we have proposed densifying areas of conflict that can absorb some of this population,” Mr Chibuwe said. “Through densification, we aim to reduce the size of stands in those areas we have identified, and we also want to promote densification by building up (vertical development) structures that will accommodate more people.” He further disclosed that Epworth has approximately 2 500 stands, with an average size of 3 00m², earmarked for densification. It also emerged that Epworth no longer has space for a cemetery, industries, schools and churches due to land invasions. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume echoed similar sentiments, saying the city was running out of space and looking forward to solving the issue through densification. “We are also going to discuss building densification. We are going to build higher. The city cannot be as short as its mayor; it needs to grow vertically. “So, we’re aiming to ensure our city features high-rise buildings. We’re also exploring industry expansion, as well as enhancements to education and health facilities.” While the Harare Master Plan is yet to be finalised, Mayor Mafume hinted last December that the city planned to demolish 5 000 houses, which he said was just a small fraction of the over 100 000 houses built in illegal settlements across the city. “The irregular settlements number over 100 000 houses in and around Harare. The illegal houses will soon outnumber the legal rate-paying houses of Harare. The 322 000 households we bill foot the bill for everyone,” Mayor Mafume posted on his X account. “These are built on schools, clinics, open spaces and sports grounds. We stopped because of elections and the SADC. Children are forced to travel 8 km to school. Clinics are non-existent. Houses are flooding. It has to be corrected.” Herald *Scottland, Chicken Inn Match Abandoned After Penalty Decision Sparks Crowd Trouble* The highly anticipated Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match between Scottland and Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium on Friday, 23 May, was abandoned in the 90th minute due to crowd trouble after the hosts, Scottland, were awarded a penalty. The match was still 0–0 when the penalty was awarded, and the Chicken Inn players did not take kindly to the decision and refused to allow play to continue. After some dispute, preparations were underway for the penalty to be taken when objects began raining down from the stands. Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard then refused to continue, fearing he might be struck by the missiles. Police were called in to disperse the crowd, and the match was eventually called off. In a statement, PSL Communications and Media Liaison Officer Kudzai Bare expressed regret over the incident and said the matter would be dealt with in accordance with PSL Rules and Regulations. Said Bare: The Premier Soccer League wishes to advise its stakeholders that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Scottland FC and Chicken Inn FC, which was played on Friday, 23 May 2025, at Rufaro Stadium was abandoned. We await the Match Commissioner and Referees’ reports on this matter for determination in accordance with the PSL Rules and Regulations. Furthermore, both Clubs will be requested to submit written reports on the events that transpired. The PSL regrets any inconvenience caused to its members, stakeholders, and partners. No further statement will be issued until all relevant match reports are received.