*Morning News: Tuesday 17 June 2025* *Headlines* *We Are Sick & Tired Of Earning Peanuts - Teachers Stage Protest Over Poor Salaries* *New Zimsec Bill Proposes Stiff Penalties For Exam Cheats* *Widow Sues Home Affairs Minister, Police After Husband Was Flogged To Death By Cop* *Mliswa's Arrest Unmasks Alleged High-level Corruption Ring In Mashonaland West* *Thief To Spend 10 Years In Prison For Stealing ZESA Armoured Copper Cables* *Togo Suspends RFI & France 24 For Three Months, Communications Authority Says* *Israel, Iran Trade Deadly Strikes For Fourth Day With No Signs Of Restraint* *Fans Found Guilty Of Hate Crimes Against t Vinicius Jr* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *We Are Sick & Tired Of Earning Peanuts - Teachers Stage Protest Over Poor Salaries* DOZENS of teachers under the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) in Manicaland, Monday, staged a protest over paltry salaries and poor working conditions. Since 2018, the teachers have been demanding at least US$1,260 monthly salary from the government. They currently earn around US$300, and many struggle to afford basic necessities like healthcare, education and accommodation. "We are sick and tired of the peanuts that we are being paid. It is high time we demanded our US$1,260 salary a month. "That money will be enough to take our children to school. We also demand basic education for all. "The elites have been able to take their children to universities out of the country. Our children are languishing in poverty; it is high time we make sure that our children are taken to quality education," said one of the protesters. They also demanded meaningful collective bargaining, the restoration of their three-month vacation leave, paternity leave for male staff, and improved conditions that reflect their professional status, saying they have had enough of poverty. Responding to the following call by President @OMasaraure Manicaland Province took to the streets today and petitioned duty bearers. The struggle is now being led from below. Teachers, Our Profession is Under Attack – It's Time to Fight Back! 12 June 2025 Fellow teachers, our… pic.twitter.com/DGfOo2v5Hv — Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) June 16, 2025 "We want collective bargaining that will speak to teachers’ issues, we also demand the restoration of our three months vacation leave, we want men to be sent on paternity leave. We have had enough of poverty; it is time we must be seen as professionals." This comes at a time when the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers have been staging weekly protests as part of their ongoing strike against poor salaries, which has reached day 63. *NewZW* *New Zimsec Bill Proposes Stiff Penalties For Exam Cheats* EXAMINATION candidates found guilty of malpractices, such as cheating, face up to five years’ imprisonment, while any institution convicted of widespread irregularities will be compelled to bear the cost of providing alternative centres in addition to its deregistration. Institutions where half the candidates are in breach of operating standard procedures governing examinations will be suspended and bear the cost of providing candidates with alternative centres. The new regulations are contained in the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Amendment Bill that was gazetted by Parliament recently. The Bill now awaits to be tabled before the National Assembly. While the Bill has several clauses aimed at reforming the board and improving operational efficiency, it is a clause that seeks to punish cheats that will draw the attention of many stakeholders. Clause Eight provides for additional offences under the principal law by listing acts of examination malpractices and the penalties they attract. Clause Nine inserts a new Section providing for the imposition of penalties on institutions for examination malpractices. Some of the offences include unlawful possession of examination material, altering a candidate’s original answer script and examination results. The above offences attract a fine equivalent to Level Seven or two years in prison or both. "Any person who forges, alters, offers, utters or disposes of any document, purporting to show that a person has obtained a result in an examination held by the Council, knowing the same to be forged or altered shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Level 14 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and such imprisonment," reads Clause Eight of the Bill. Zimsec defines examination malpractice as follows: "Any conduct committed by an examination candidate either intentionally or realising that there is a real possibility that such conduct may desecrate or undermine the integrity of an examination and which conduct will afford the concerned examination candidate an unwarranted advantage over other examination candidates." Over the past years, Zimsec has been grappling with examination malpractices, which include cheating, leakage of examination papers and impersonation of candidates among others. Clause Two of the Bill seeks to elevate the head of Zimsec from the title of "director" to that of "chief executive officer." Clause Three provides additional functions of Zimsec that include the power to deregister examination centres that do not comply with standard operating procedures. Clause Four amends the composition of the Zimsec board to strengthen its efficiency by appointing necessary and relevant skilled persons from audit, human resources, finance, information and technology or risk management that can efficiently execute its mandate. The board is now mandated to meet at least four times from three per year while the Council’s annual financial year will now end on December 31 and not June 30. The Zimsec Act was enacted in 1994, and since then, several gaps have emerged that need to be filled through an additional legal instrument to align the principal law with the various developments that have taken place to make it more relevant and applicable in the present day. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo is expected to table the Bill before Parliament for its first reading before the relevant portfolio committee embarks on public hearings consulting stakeholders on their views. The committee will then table its report in plenary before debate ensues and it sails through. *Herald* *Widow Sues Home Affairs Minister, Police After Husband Was Flogged To Death By Cop* The widow and family of the late Blessed Believe Juruvenge, who died after being tortured by a police officer at Ruwa Police Station, have written to the police boss and the Home Affairs minister notifying them of their intention to claim damages. Mercy Madenyika, the wife of the late Blessed Juruvenge, her mother-in-law Elipa Jimu and sister-in-law Mellisa Manyepa is the complainants on the notice served to Police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba. Manyepa also wants to sue for the pain, suffering and humiliation she suffered at the hands of the accused cop, Prince Ndavambi, who is facing a murder charge. The trio have engaged Paidamoyo Saurombe of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZHLR). "Mellissa Manyepa experienced severe physical pain due to the assaults inflicted on her by Ndavambi, and to date, she is still experiencing pain in her legs. "Furthermore, Mellisa Manyepa felt greatly humiliated by the assaults which were perpetrated upon him by Constable Ndavambi. "Mellisa Manyepa, Mercy Madenyika and Eillipa Jim were dependent on the deceased for their maintenance and sustenance. "The deceased was their breadwinner. The deceased was employed at Bakers Inn as a driver and also did welding and operated a tuckshop to augment his salary," wrote Saurombe in the letters served on the two. According to Saurombe, Juruvenge’s widow is presently pregnant. He said the death of Juruvenge at the hands of Ndavambi means that his clients have lost their source of financial support. "Furthermore, our clients are distressed and traumatised by the sudden and callous death of their husband, son and brother at the hands of Constable Ndavambi and are presently receiving psychological assistance from medical professionals. "Constable Prince Ndavambi intentionally and unlawfully caused the death of the deceased in that he continuously assaulted the deceased, realising the possibility that death would eventuate from the assaults but nonetheless proceeded with his assaults on the deceased. "In any event, Constable Ndavambi had boasted to the deceased’s sister, Mellisa, that the deceased was going to be put into a coffin, thus showing that Ndavambi had formed his murderous intent while he was assaulting the deceased." Saurombe also said the death of the deceased was due to the injuries sustained from the assaults perpetrated on him by Ndavambi. He said the murder of Juruvenge at the hands of Ndavambi was a violation of his sacrosanct right to life, which is guaranteed in terms of section 48 of the Zimbabwean Constitution. "Further and in the alternative, the Officer in Charge at Ruwa Police Station failed in his duty of care to ensure that police officers at his station and under his command do not use the police premises as torture chambers or to endanger the lives of members of the public and hence the breach of this duty of care negligently caused the death of the deceased. "The assaults by Ndavambi on Mellisa Manyepa and the deceased amount to inhuman, degrading treatment and excessive use of force. "You are vicariously liable for the damage and harm suffered by our clients because Constable Ndavambi was acting within the scope and course of his duties when he fatally assaulted the deceased and assaulted Mellisa Manyepa. "Further, the conduct of the police officers in question is a breach of the constitutional obligation of the police service to protect and secure the lives of Zimbabwean citizens as provided for in terms of Section 219(1) (c) of the Constitution. "Accordingly, please be advised of our clients intention to sue for the aforementioned damages in terms of the State Liabilities Act as read with section 70 of the Police Act [Chapter 11:10), the sum of which is to be computed in and furnished to yourselves in the Summons commencing action," read the letter. *NewZW* *Mliswa's Arrest Unmasks Alleged High-level Corruption Ring In Mashonaland West* Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, was dramatically arrested by a contingent of 12 armed Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Sunday. The outspoken politician claimed his arrest was linked to his persistent exposing of corruption by Mashonaland West officials, Commissioner Taonei Nyazema and Minister Marian Chombo, regarding alleged illegal mining activities in the Sanyati River area. Mliswa, whose organisation Cubs Den Consolidated is undertaking a government-approved river rehabilitation project, claimed his detention was a direct retaliation for exposing a "clandestine criminal cartel" engaged in illicit mining, shielded by bribes. He was subsequently released following the direct intervention of the ZRP Commissioner General, who pledged a thorough investigation into the unfolding saga. Writing on his X handle, Mliswa claimed the cartel is involved in illegal mining activities by certain Chinese entities in the Sanyati region, operations he said were detrimental to wildlife and a tourism program in Rengwe Conservancy. According to Mliswa, Cubs Den Consolidated, has been undertaking river rehabilitation efforts in the Sanyati area with a permit from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). He alleged that these legitimate efforts clash with "secretive transactions" undertaken by Commissioner Nyazema and Minister Chombo. Mliswa accused the officials of accepting a US$150,000 bribe to protect illegal miners who he claimed were degrading the river through unchecked excavation. He further suggested that a lifestyle audit of Commissioner Nyazema would expose financial discrepancies, given the alleged construction of a "grandiose residence" beyond his salary. A formal complaint lodged by Cubs Den Consolidated with Brigadier General Ndlovu, Chairman of the Mashonaland West Joint Operations Command (JOC), dated June 5, 2025, details further incidents. The letter alleges a "personal vendetta" by Commissioner Nyazema against Sabhuku Mliswa and consultant E. Kandira, leading to persistent interruptions in their Sanyati River rehabilitation program. "The crux of these arrests is centred on a personal vendetta that Commissioner Nyazema holds against Sabhuku Mliswa and Mr Kandira," the letter stated. The complaint states that on June 4, 2025, ZRP Magunje, led by Sergeant Mazavara, raided and arrested three individuals, Posewet Mereki (Rengwe Conservancy Caretaker), Boniface Siyawamaya (Operator), and Pardon Taputai (Operator), who were opening access roads for the rehabilitation. Cubs Den Consolidated asserts that a letter from EMA authorising the rehabilitation had been shared with the JOC on May 28, 2025, rendering the arrests an "unpleasant surprise." The letter to Brigadier General Ndlovu also claims that Commissioner Nyazema demanded a US$70,000 payment from Kandira to allow Cubs Den Consolidated to continue their rehabilitation work, which Kandira reportedly refused due to its illegality. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that a Chinese mining group, Leisure Fresh (Pvt) Ltd, managed by Farai Rusike, was allowed to operate in the Sanyati River without interference after allegedly paying a fee of "close to USD150,000" to Commissioner Nyazema and Minister Chombo. Cubs Den Consolidated attached what they termed a "bogus permit" issued outside EMA’s authority. They also claim police officers were seen protecting assets of Leisure Fresh (Pvt) Ltd even after their removal from the site. In a letter dated May 19, 2025, from the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to Minister Chombo, it was confirmed that Cubs Den Consolidated’s request to undertake rehabilitation works on the Sanyati River within Rengwe Conservancy was approved by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on December 1, 2024. The letter states the project will serve as a "prototype project for developing a national river rehabilitation framework and template" and will be implemented in collaboration with EMA and other stakeholders. A previous complaint from Cubs Den Consolidated to the Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe, dated April 14, 2025, also highlighted concerns. It detailed the "malicious arrest" of an assessment team member on April 4, 2025, by Karoi Police while setting up temporary cabins in Rengwe Conservancy, with no mining or rehabilitation work being conducted. This earlier complaint also "highly suspected" the involvement of Minister Chombo, Commissioner Nyazema, and Superintendent Kezias Karuru due to their "prior resistance to the project." Following his release, Mliswa stated that the ZRP Commissioner General intervened, clarifying that the organisation "does not operate in the burgeoning manner instigated by Mash West Officer Commanding, Commissioner Nyazema." Mliswa, however, voiced regret that the Commissioner General is "encumbered by the erratic behavior of Propol Nyazema," whose conduct, Mliswa asserted, "tarnishes any aspirations the organization may have towards maintaining professionalism." Cubs Den has formally requested an immediate criminal investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) into the alleged conduct of Minister Chombo and Commissioner Nyazema. "We kindly request that an immediate criminal investigation be conducted by ZACC since Minister Chombo is a high-ranking government official and Comm Nyazema is a senior ranking official in the ZRP who has repeatedly hinted to his close allegiance and protection by Commissioner General Mutamba. "The criminal nature of their conduct which involves bribery, corruption, intimidation and land allocation without the requisite signatures requires a thorough criminal investigation by ZACC. ZACC provides the independence required to bring criminal and corrupt actions of Minister Chombo and Comm Nyazema to light," the organisation stated. *nehandaradio* *Thief To Spend 10 Years In Prison For Stealing ZESA Armoured Copper Cables* A 32-year-old man will spend the next 10 years behind bars following his conviction of theft of armoured copper cables used in electricity transmission. Accused person, Armstrong Trust Nsingo of Wedza appeared before Zvishavane Magistrates Court facing a charge of stealing armoured electrical copper cables belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). Court heard that police officers, acting on a tip off, raided Nsingo’s residence around lunch hour. A search of the premises led to the recovery of several lengths of armoured copper cables and cable armour wire stashed under his bed. In total, the loot included four pieces of 10m x 7 x 2 core copper cable, an 18m x 2 core cable and 100 metres of armoured copper wire. *NewZW* *Togo Suspends RFI & France 24 For Three Months, Communications Authority Says* Togo has suspended broadcasts of French state-funded international news outlets RFI and France 24 for three months, its communications authority said on Monday, accusing them of a lack of impartiality and rigour. The suspension comes as tensions are rising between the West African country's leader Faure Gnassingbe and the opposition. Gnassingbe received in May a powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers which has no fixed term limit. Two opposition parties - the Democratic Forces for the Republic and the National Alliance for Change - called this move a "constitutional coup" that could extend his rule for life. RFI and France 24 have been covering opposition protests against the new constitution that created Gnassingbe's new role. "A number of recent broadcasts have relayed inaccurate, tendentious and even factually incorrect statements, damaging the stability of republican institutions and the country's image," Togo's communications authority said in a statement. In a joint statement, both outlets reaffirmed their commitment to journalistic principles and said that their management was willing to clear up any misunderstanding with the authority. *Reuters* *Israel, Iran Trade Deadly Strikes For Fourth Day With No Signs Of Restraint* Israel has attacked civilian targets in Iran, striking a hospital and an Iranian state TV building as intensive strikes exchanged by the two countries rage for a fourth consecutive day, with the military confrontation between the longstanding enemies showing no sign of ending. After those attacks late on Monday, Iranian state TV reported that a new wave of drone and missile strikes had begun, targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa. In Haifa, all refineries and subsidiary companies were shut down following the impact of an Iranian missile, with three killed in the strike, the Israeli Bazan oil refinery company said. A live broadcast on the Iranian TV station captured its most famous presenter on air saying a missile was incoming and scrambling away as an explosion took place and debris flew through the air. There are reports of casualties among journalists in the building. The strike came after a warning Monday from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said: "The mouthpiece of Iranian propaganda and incitement is on the verge of disappearing". Katz later confirmed the Israeli military carried out the attack. In response, late on Monday, Iran issued warnings for Israeli news channels. "Iran has issued an evacuation warning for the N12 and N14 channels of Israel. This order comes in response to the hostile attack of Zionist enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran’s broadcasting service," Iranian state TV said. Iran also said Israel targeted a hospital on Monday in the country’s west, condemning it as a "war crime". "Farabi Hospital in the city of Kermanshah in western Iran was targeted by the Israeli regime’s aggressive attacks," said Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that "attacking hospitals alongside attacks on residential areas is a gross violation of international law and a war crime". Video footage published by local platforms and verified by the Sanad fact-checking agency shows bloodstains, indicating casualties from the strike. Israel has repeatedly bombed hospitals and medical facilities in the Gaza Strip during its 20-month-long military campaign in the Palestinian territory, despite those being protected under international law. Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah after the Israeli attack, according to Iranian media. pic.twitter.com/01vbD5vPEG — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 16, 2025 Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that three Iranian Red Crescent Society workers were killed by an Israeli strike during rescue operations in Tehran. Iran’s Fars news agency also reported on Monday that an Israeli attack targeted a military base in western Tehran. Iranian media also reported explosions in eastern parts of the capital, which comes after the Israeli army issued a threat to parts of Tehran after bombing several areas of the city on Sunday. Iranian media reported that air defences had been activated in western Tehran. Katz had threatened on Monday that "the residents of Tehran will pay the price – and soon" for killing Israeli civilians in Iran’s overnight missile attacks. Earlier, Iranian attacks on Israel on Monday morning killed at least eight people and wounded dozens, officials reported, while Tehran said Israeli attacks overnight hit military and civilian targets. Little prospect of ending hostilities The ongoing attacks, started by Israel on Friday and followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes, pushed the death toll in four days of open conflict between the foes close to 250. Raised rhetoric emanating from both countries following the exchange of strikes suggested that there is little prospect of the hostilities halting soon, with the risk of an escalation into a wider regional conflict looming. Iran announced it had launched some 100 missiles and pledged further retaliation for Israel’s sweeping attacks on its military and nuclear infrastructure, which have killed at least 224 people in the country since Friday. In Israel, state broadcaster Israeli Army Radio reported that eight people were killed – five in the central part and three in the port city of Haifa. That takes the total death toll in Israel to more than 20 since it launched air attacks on Iran four days ago. Some 300 others are reported wounded. A branch of the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv sustained "minor damage" as a result of the attack, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said. On Sunday, Iran said Israel had struck oil refineries, killed the intelligence chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and hit population centres in intensive aerial attacks. *Al Jazeera* *Fans Found Guilty Of Hate Crimes Against t Vinicius Jr* Four people have been handed suspended jail sentences after being found guilty of committing hate crimes against Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The quartet were found guilty of hanging an inflatable effigy of Vinicius Jr over a bridge near Real Madrid's training ground in January 2023, shortly before Atletico Madrid's Copa Del Rey match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. A banner above the effigy read: "Madrid hates Real". Three of the group were sentenced to 14 months in prison, while one was given a 22-month sentence for distributing images of the act online. However, the sentences have been suspended after all four signed a letter of apology to the Brazil international, Madrid, La Liga and the Spanish football federation (Rfef). The sentence included a restraining order preventing the quartet from coming within 1km of Vinicius, his home or Real Madrid's training ground, as well as a blanket ban on attending La Liga or Spain national team matches. According to Real Madrid, 14 people have now been convicted of racist attacks against the club's players. "This criminal conviction comes in addition to the several already handed down in recent months for racist insults received by Real Madrid players at the stadiums in Valladolid, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and Madrid," the club said in a statement. "Real Madrid have joined its player in prosecuting this case, and in many others currently underway, and will continue to work to protect the values of our club and to eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport." Vinicius Jr has regularly been the victim of racial abuse since joining Real Madrid in 2018 from Flamengo. The Brazilian, who has made 316 appearances for the club, was subject to racist chanting by Atletico fans during a La Liga match in September 2022. The 24-year-old was targeted again later that month during a match against Real Valladolid, with five people later being handed suspended prison sentences. In December 2022 - one month before the effigy was put up - Vinicius urged La Liga to act on banning those found guilty of racist chanting from attending matches. *BBC*