Saturday 21 June 2025 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaatWAaBadmi3bUGfI3K *THE HEADLINES* *Widespread Looting Of Parastatals ‘Alarms’ ED's Office…in same fashion the nation is alarmed by widespread looting by those close to power* *Mbofana: If civil servants must declare assets, then let’s start with the president and his ministers* *Bodies,Drugs Being Smuggled Through Beitbridge* *Lions Den farm invasion: A tale of lies, greed* *Drug Courier Dies In Hospital After Swallowing Evidence* *’Take full advantage of opportunities to improve your living standards’— Mnangagwa tells suffering youths* *Grudges to the Grave: Mugabe, Lungu, and Africa’s Crisis of Political Maturity* *Zimbabwe sets historic tobacco production record, eyes value-driven growth* *Tax evasion bleeds Zimbabwe economy* *13-Year-Old Girl Gives Birth* *Mthwakazi rejects the genocide interviews: No justice under the perpetrator's gavel: Fikile ka Malikongwa* *We are vindicated on health crisis: Nurses* *Wicknell Chivayo Buys Maybach and Range Rover Worth R9.9 Millon* *Chivayo’s riches: Celebrating corruption or entrepreneurship?* *Flamengo stun Chelsea in another big Club World Cup upset* *'Stupid, stupid, stupid' Jackson opens door for Delap* *Florian Wirtz: Liverpool win transfer race for Germany star* *Marcus Rashford planning Man United training return if no transfer* *Juve target Man Utd's Sancho* *Liverpool's frenzy of transfer activity does not extend to a move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, 25, with a deal for the Sweden not said to be imminent* *But Liverpool boss Arne Slot is interested in a move for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24* *Guehi will only move to Anfield if he is guaranteed to be starter* *Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana is attracting interest from Ligue 1 side Monaco, who are exploring the conditions of a deal for the 29-year-old* *If Onana leaves Old Trafford, Manchester United will turn to Atalanta's Italian goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, 24, to replace him* *Manchester City are open to letting Ilkay Gundogan leave the club this summer as Turkish side Galatasaray consider a move for the 34-year-old German midfielder* *Champions League winners Paris St-Germain have submitted a second offer for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi that totals £55m, but the Cherries value the Ukraine international, 22, in excess of £70m* *Tottenham have enquired with Bournemouth about the availability of 25-year-old Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo but are not proceeding with a deal at the moment* *Fulham are exploring the option of bringing back Joao Palhinha, 29, only a year after selling the Portugal midfielder to Bayern Munich in a £48m deal* *THE DETAILS* _*Widespread Looting Of Parastatals ‘Alarms’ ED's Office…in same fashion the nation is alarmed by widespread looting by those close to power*_ Senior government officials, including cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, and directors, are siphoning millions of dollars from state-owned enterprises by coercing them into funding luxury lifestyles, from high-end vehicles and overseas travel to DSTV subscriptions, gym memberships, and hotel bills. The looting spree, exposed in documents obtained by the Zimbabwe Independent, is draining already loss-making parastatals and worsening the burden on taxpayers — many of whom earn meagre salaries and are subjected to more taxes. The scandal has triggered alarm at the highest levels of government. The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has issued a damning directive, warning that the unauthorised expenditures are compromising corporate governance, undermining service delivery, and placing unsustainable pressure on public finances. According to the OPC’s Corporate Governance Unit, the abuse is now “widespread and systemic”, with ministries treating line parastatals as personal cash machines to bankroll perks, foreign junkets, and petty projects — all outside approved budget frameworks. This flagrant corruption taints the government’s handling of money — something that has been a red flag for many years. However, the crackdown marks a significant policy shift in government’s approach to curbing mismanagement and restoring accountability within its sprawling network of state enterprises, many of which are already under severe financial strain. “The Corporate Governance Unit has observed that an increasing number of state enterprises and parastatals are facing challenges with regard to increasing requests for financial and material support from their line ministries,” the document reads in part. In some instances, public entities were strong-armed into purchasing luxury vehicles for ministry executives, underwriting costly foreign delegations, or financing “social responsibility programmes” unrelated to their core mandates, all under the guise of inter-ministerial collaboration. “The requests for support from line ministries range from financial support, donations, payment of foreign and domestic travel costs such as purchase of airline tickets, payment of hotel accommodation, fuel, out-of-pocket allowances, travel and subsistence allowances, car rental,” the document further states. “Funding line ministry social responsibility programmes; payment of DSTV subscriptions; payment of club, gym membership; stationery; computer hardware and accessories purchases, and procurement of vehicles.” The directive invokes Section 23 of the Public Entities Corporate Governance (General) Regulations, Statutory Instrument 168 of 2018, which explicitly prohibits the misuse of public resources and holds executives and board members personally liable for unlawful expenditure. While the government previously issued a similar caution in 2019, this latest move signals frustration at the apparent intensification of the abuse, and a stronger appetite within the OPC to enforce legal and disciplinary consequences. The CGU warned in a circular dated June 17, 2025, that the proliferation of these requests now posed a direct threat to corporate governance, transparency, and public service delivery. Analysts say the revelations expose a deeper rot in Zimbabwe’s public sector governance culture, where state enterprises, already plagued by mismanagement, political interference and corruption, have increasingly been treated as cash cows for senior officials. “These payments are often requested by line ministries notwithstanding that line ministries funding is provided through the Treasury national budget as approved under parliamentary process with the assent of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” it states. “Board chairpersons, board members, chief executive officers and senior staff members of public entities are reminded that if these practices are allowed to persist, they will undermine good corporate governance, and stewardship of public resources across our public entities, and hence their financial performance and service delivery to the citizenry.” The regulation makes it clear: any executive, board chairperson or senior manager who acquiesces to these demands may be held personally liable. The statute places an obligation on all public entities to reject unlawful instructions and report them directly to the CGU for scrutiny. Zimbabwe Independent _*Mbofana: If civil servants must declare assets, then let’s start with the president and his ministers*_ The government’s recent announcement of a proposed amendment to the Public Service Act, which will compel civil servants to declare their assets, is a classic case of misplaced priorities, veiled in the rhetoric of transparency and good governance. It is yet another example of how the powerful in our country continue to deflect attention from their own unchecked corruption by creating an illusion of accountability—targeting the most vulnerable and impoverished in society, while protecting those with the most to hide. According to Information Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, the Public Service Amendment Bill will require public servants to disclose their assets to the Corporate Governance Unit as part of efforts to prevent conflicts of interest and promote trust in government institutions. On the surface, this appears commendable—until one considers that these same calls for accountability rarely, if ever, extend to those occupying the upper echelons of power. Why must low-ranking teachers, nurses, and police officers—many of whom earn less than US$300 a month—be the first to declare their assets, when the real rot lies much higher up? With such meager salaries that cannot even support a small family, what assets are civil servants realistically expected to possess? This policy reeks of hypocrisy and cynicism, especially coming from a government whose ministers and cronies are repeatedly linked to multi-million-dollar scandals without consequence. The truth is, civil servants in Zimbabwe have been systematically impoverished. Many have been reduced to surviving through so-called “side hustles.” Teachers sell sweets and biscuits to their own pupils. Nurses moonlight as informal traders. Police officers are forced to sell homemade pies and drinks to visitors at police stations just to make ends meet. These are no longer rare stories—they are a shared national experience. One doesn’t need to look far to witness the sheer desperation among our civil service. It is in this context that teachers’ unions such as the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) have been demanding a minimum monthly salary of at least US$1,260. This figure is not a luxury. It is based on the actual cost of living in Zimbabwe today—the price of food, accommodation, transport, school fees, and other basic needs. Teachers are not just demanding money; they are demanding dignity and recognition for the vital work they do in shaping the country’s future. Yet, rather than addressing these legitimate concerns, the government seems more interested in putting these already burdened workers under even greater scrutiny. The question that must be asked is: what does the government hope to achieve with this asset declaration exercise? Is it truly about combating corruption—or is it about creating a façade of reform while shielding the real offenders? Because, if corruption is indeed the target, then why are the most egregious acts of looting and plunder going unpunished? It was not teachers or nurses who were implicated in the infamous Gold Mafia documentary, which exposed high-level money laundering, gold smuggling, and the abuse of state institutions for private gain. Those revelations did not center on underpaid civil servants. They pointed squarely at the ruling elite and those closely aligned to them—individuals who wield state power, who are entrusted with public resources, and who, by virtue of their proximity to the presidency, seem untouchable. It is also not the rank-and-file police officers or soldiers who are involved in the opaque awarding of inflated multi-million-dollar contracts to shady contractors. These contracts, many of which bypass public tender procedures, have become a key conduit for siphoning public funds into private hands. And yet, despite clear evidence of abuse, there is rarely—if ever—any meaningful accountability. So again, why is the government not demanding asset declarations from ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries, and yes—even the president himself? These are the individuals whose access to public funds and authority over procurement decisions make them far more susceptible to corruption and illicit enrichment. They are civil servants too, are they not? Or is the law only to apply to the powerless? Zimbabweans have not forgotten how the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC)—a constitutional body tasked with investigating corruption—has time and again focused its energy on prosecuting low-level offences while conveniently ignoring high-profile crimes. ZACC will enthusiastically arrest a police officer who receives a $5 bribe from a motorist driving without reflective warning triangles. They will zealously hunt down a teacher earning $10 per pupil from conducting private lessons—lessons born out of necessity, not greed. But they will not dare investigate the political elites who approve and benefit from unjustifiable contracts, or those exposed for externalizing millions. Before zealously targeting teachers and nurses with asset declarations, the government should first address the glaring and persistent findings in the Auditor-General’s annual reports. Year after year, these reports have exposed shocking levels of financial mismanagement, unaccounted-for public funds, dubious procurement practices, and ghost workers on government payrolls. Billions of Zimbabwean dollars have been lost through systemic abuse and neglect in ministries, parastatals, and local authorities—yet hardly any meaningful corrective action has been taken. These reports are a goldmine of evidence for anyone genuinely committed to fighting corruption. Instead of fixating on underpaid public servants trying to survive, the government should demonstrate its integrity by acting decisively on these damning audit findings and holding the real culprits accountable. This double standard is not only unjust—it is dangerous. It erodes public confidence in our institutions and deepens the sense of helplessness among citizens. Zimbabwe cannot fight corruption from the bottom up. It must begin at the top. Accountability must be demonstrated by those with the most power and the most privilege. The government cannot in good faith ask the nation to believe in its anti-corruption crusade while shielding its own leadership from scrutiny. To be clear, no one is suggesting that low-level corruption should be ignored. Corruption at every level is destructive and must be tackled. But there must be equity in enforcement. There must be proportionality. The same urgency with which a poor civil servant is investigated must also apply to a powerful official suspected of awarding a US$40 million contract to a briefcase company. The teacher giving extra lessons to survive must be treated with the same scrutiny as the minister implicated in looting public funds. Until we reach that point—until asset declarations begin with those in the Office of the President and Cabinet, cascading downward—this entire exercise will remain a charade. It will not build trust. It will not stop corruption. And it will not lead to the development Zimbabwe so desperately needs. Real reform requires political will, not public relations. If the government is serious about accountability, let it start by opening its own books. Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 _*Bodies,Drugs Being Smuggled Through Beitbridge*_ A chilling criminal network, allegedly involving cross-border bus and lorry drivers, is working with corrupt law enforcement, customs, and health officials to smuggle undocumented human remains and illegal drugs through Beitbridge Border Post, one of Zimbabwe’s busiest crossings. Desperate families, unable to afford official repatriation costs, are resorting to these clandestine channels to transport deceased loved ones — often individuals who died in South Africa without proper documents. Bodies, disguised as regular luggage, are being loaded onto vehicles and waved through customs thanks to bribes paid to officials. An investigation by Check Point has revealed this morbid operation. Even more disturbingly, drug cartels are exploiting this practice, concealing narcotics beneath corpses to evade detection. The grim reality of this trade was highlighted at a recent funeral wake attended by this reporter. Misheck Musana, a 27-year-old Zimbabwean who died tragically in Johannesburg after crossing illegally, was repatriated through this illicit network due to his lack of documentation and burial society membership. A close relative, whose identity is being withheld, detailed the desperate measures taken to bring Musana home. This illicit commerce paints a stark picture of systemic corruption and a grave disregard for human dignity and national security, turning a vital point of entry into a haven for smugglers. “We had no money to process the papers and cover the transportation of the body,” she said, stressing the prohibitive costs that can soar up to US$3 000 for official repatriation from South Africa. “We hid his body in a bus trailer, and the coffin was wrapped with a blanket to look like any other luggage.” The family’s ordeal uncovered the mechanics of this grim trade. They paid US$500 to the transporters in Johannesburg. However, their journey was fraught with risk. “When customs officials at the border discovered we had a lifeless body without proper documentation, the transporters we used paid US$200 to let us go,” the relative revealed. In Harare, the deceased’s body was allegedly handed over to a funeral parlour working with the syndicate before being transported to Musana’s rural home for burial — all without the legally required burial order. Interviews with cross-border bus and lorry drivers revealed this grim practice has been well-established for years. One driver, identified only as Shutori, admitted to transporting human remains across the Beitbridge border since 2015, highlighting the deeply entrenched nature of this illicit operation. “It’s expensive to repatriate a body to Zimbabwe. The price for this illicit service can start from R5 000. Many Zimbabweans approach us to carry their relatives back home in our buses,” he said matter-of-factly. Sources said that this gruesome trade is fuelled by the exorbitant costs of official repatriation, which can reach US$3 000 (or R14 000 by road, R37 000 by air) for those without proper documents, compared to illicit alternatives as low as US$500. This makes the illegal route a desperate choice for impoverished families, particularly for individuals who died in South Africa without formal papers. Disturbingly, drug cartels are exploiting this practice, concealing narcotics within corpses to evade detection, with some even claiming individuals are being killed for this macabre purpose. Recent incidents corroborate these reports: in June 2024, three men were arrested at Beitbridge for smuggling pistols and Broncleer syrup hidden inside a coffin. Just two months ago, four cross-border transporters were apprehended for smuggling US$25 000 worth of drugs in an empty coffin using a fake burial order. As the Zimbabwean diaspora grows, the issue of repatriation is becoming increasingly complex. Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini has urged adherence to proper procedures, warning against dangerous shortcuts and confirming awareness of contraband, including hard drugs, being smuggled in coffins. Though no official complaints about body smuggling have been received, authorities are well aware of coffins being used for illicit transport. Asked for comment, Police said they are still compiling information from relevant departments. Herald _*Lions Den farm invasion: A tale of lies, greed*_ DANDRENNAM Farm in Lions Den, Mashonaland West province, which is at the centre of a dispute between offer letter holder Brink Bosman and Zanu PF activists, is surrounded by three hills. On the other side, wounds Angwa River, making it strategically positioned. Water for irrigation is in abundance, ensuring all-year-round farming activities. Bosman has been at the 578,54-hectare farm since 1980, bonding well with the community that derives its survival from employment and other amenities. A worker, who chose to be identified as Bigboy for fear of victimisation, said all was well until recently, when they started seeing people in the area trying to influence them to say that Bosman is a “bad and cruel farmer”. “They came with a narrative that the child who had died in 2022 was killed by Bosman, not by his driver [Douglas Zhanewo] as reported to the police then,” Bigboy said. Since then, the situation has never been the same at the farm as some Zanu PF members led by the party’s Chinhoyi constituency losing candidate in the 2023 elections, Thomas Chidzomba, occupied part of the farm without permission from the farm owner or the Lands ministry. They were arrested, but charges of assault and illegal occupation were dropped after a plea, citing that they occupied the land using the power of attorney given to them by former Information and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Kindness Paradza, now a commissioner at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. Investigations by NewsDay Weekender showed that at one time, three land reform beneficiaries —Paradza, former Mashonaland West governor Peter Chanetsa and Bosman had offer letters for the same farm. But the High Court, under case number HC/11155/04, ruled that Bosman was the bona fide owner of the farm. Paradza was later given an offer letter for Plot 3 and 4, Summerhill, on November 27, 2004, and Chanetsa was offered elsewhere in the province. “I was given an offer letter for this farm on 30 September 2004, after I surrendered title deeds for my other farm, Norman, which I surrendered under the willing-buyer willing-seller government programme,” Bosman said. On the issue of double allocation, Bosman said he took Paradza to court after he came armed with an offer letter on the same piece of land. “I took Paradza to court, that’s when I later learnt that Peter Chanetsa was also a beneficiary of the same piece of land, but I never saw him at the farm. Paradza was asked to leave after he was offered another farm,” recalled Bosman. The white farmer has invested in the farm for years, boasting of several farming equipment. Bosman said there was peace until early April when some people occupied part of the farm before reporting them to the police. What irked Bosman most was false accusations that he concocted a story with his employee to exonerate himself for the crime he “committed”. “My hands are clean. I never killed the boy,” he said. The deceased was found dead in a field at the farm after allegedly being run over by a tractor. Bosman said his enemies are behind all this to portray him as wicked so that they can take over the farm with the blessing of the misinformed community. “They want to pressurise me with false accusations to relinquish part of my farm,” Bosman said. But the father of the dead boy, Tichaona Moffat, still insists that the police did not do their job properly, as they did not take all the evidence gathered to court during the trial that cleared the accused, Douglas Zhanewo, the tractor driver at the farm. “The police were bribed and the case of my child was not properly handled. I am still waiting for justice to be done. “I still don’t understand why this case was handled by Chinhoyi traffic police officers instead of CID," Moffat said. Bosman is not fazed even if the case is to be reopened. “I don’t have any problem, but they need to also investigate the family because there is more to the story," Bosman said. Investigations by this publication also revealed that the woman who claimed to be the mother of the dead child, Tafadzwa Chineni, is a stepmother who stands accused by the community of ill-treating the deceased boy. When confronted by NewsDay Weekender, Chineni said a section of the community is wrongly accusing her of “killing the child” and dumping the body in the field. “Indeed, I am not the biological mother of Suarance and some people are accusing me of killing the boy before I dumped the body in the field, but it is wrong because I was at work at a nearby farm when the child died,” Chineni said. The murder case of Suarance was concluded in 2024 when it was established that the deceased had not been run over by the tractor as alleged under case number CHN/CD/1983/24. Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera said there is nothing wrong with reopening a case, as long as sufficient supporting evidence is provided. For the second time, the government, through the Lands ministry, has written a letter stating that Bosman is the owner of the farm. Whether the invaders will respect that and stay away from the farm remains to be seen. For now, Bosman claims that his rivals are using Suarance’s death to seize the farm, despite him being the legitimate owner of the thriving piece of land. Newsday _*Drug Courier Dies In Hospital After Swallowing Evidence*_ A suspected drug dealer reportedly swallowed a stash of drugs she had brought to deliver to a client after being cornered by police. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was rushed to Chitungwiza Hospital, where she died shortly after admission. Her death comes as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) intensifies efforts to combat drug and substance abuse across the country. In a statement released Friday evening, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of several people in connection with drug-related offences. The statement reads: The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified the fight against drug and substance abuse in the country. On 19th June 2025, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare acted on received information and arrested Josephine Tinarwo (55) at a house in Manyame Park in connection with unlawful possession of a huge consignment of Broncleer Cough Syrup. Josephine Tinarwo implicated Hezel Titya (39) and another suspect. On the same day, at around 2100 hours, the suspect was lured to Josephine Tinarwo’s residence. Sadly, upon arrest, the suspect swallowed some of the drugs she had come to deliver to Josephine Tinarwo. The suspect was referred to Chitungwiza Hospital where she passed on upon admission. Meanwhile, Grace Tagara (41), Betha Paakanengwa (31), Tadiwanashe Mandisodza (21), Patience Sithole and Rumbidzai Hlabiso (32) were arrested on 19th June 2025 at Mbare Cabins, Redwing Mine, Penhalonga for unlawful possession of dagga and Aliviador pills as well as selling beer without liquor licence. The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for supplying information in combating drug abuse and trafficking in the country. The public is urged to continue forwarding information regarding drug barons and suppliers through the National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197. _*’Take full advantage of opportunities to improve your living standards’— Mnangagwa tells suffering youths*_ PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwean youths to grab opportunities created by his government aimed at improving their standards of living. Officially opening the 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden this Friday, President Mnangagwa said through the government’s transformational and inclusive developmental policies, no child and no place was being left behind whilst the promotion of youths’ participation in matters that affect them at every level, from the village right up to the national level was being scaled up. “I urge you, our young people, to take full advantage of the opportunities that my government is offering, as we improve the quality of our living standards. “Since the advent of the Second Republic, there are evident results of the efforts we are making towards strengthening the protection, empowerment and development of children and young people,” Mnangagwa said. He highlighted that an increased number of children now have access to the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), with over over 1.5 million vulnerable children having access to quality education through the facility. The event also was an occasion for African youths to observe and commemorate the Day of the African Child, recognised throughout the continent on June 16, exactly 49 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa. Friday’s event a marked the Day of the African Child, which stands as a constant reminder for Zimbabwe and its government to the family unit, of the need to be responsive to the requirements and challenges faced by young people. Under the theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010, the day is aligned to government’s commitment to prioritise the rights and needs of children, wherever they live. “This annual gathering continues to be the hallmark of democratic expression, participation and inter-generational dialogue for the children and youth of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. “As we gather together with you, the youth of our country, we once again pay tribute to the young children of yesteryear, who bravely confronted the racist colonial and apartheid oppressive systems. “The historic bravery by that crop of young people should inspire you, the current generation, to fight for our country’s interests and that of Africa, to achieve greater successes across all sections of human endeavour,” added the President. Among some of the developments to improve the youth livelihoods, Mnangagwa said the launch of the Junior Parliament Alumni Network was a development worth celebrating. “The platform should ensure that the leadership nurtured in this august House remains a voice in national discussions concerning children and the youth. “The Alumni should serve as a think-tank and mentorship engine that prepares young people for the future ahead.” The government has continued to strengthen, expand and equip Vocational Training Centres across the country. _*Grudges to the Grave: Mugabe, Lungu, and Africa’s Crisis of Political Maturity*_ The news that former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will be buried in South Africa, rather than in his homeland, has prompted serious reflection across Africa. According to Lusaka Times, this decision, explained by the Lungu family as a preference for a private ceremony, comes against a backdrop of strained relations between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. The symbolic and political weight of this burial outside national borders cannot be overlooked; it raises fundamental questions about political tolerance, reconciliation, and leadership in contemporary Africa. Was the relationship between President Hichilema and his predecessor so irreparably broken that the late former president chose to turn his back on Zambian soil? While the family’s statement emphasised privacy and dignity, the broader public cannot ignore the undertones of alienation and political estrangement that have characterised Lungu’s post-presidency. His legacy remains contested, and his final resting place, far from the land he once led, suggests unresolved wounds within Zambia’s political culture. This moment echoes Zimbabwe’s fraught transition from Robert Mugabe to Emmerson Mnangagwa. Despite their bitter fallout and Mugabe’s ousting in the November 2017, coup, the late liberation icon was still buried in Zimbabwe. Mugabe rejected burial at the National Heroes Acre, a state-sanctioned site, and opted for his rural home in Kutama. In doing so, he resisted state appropriation of his legacy, yet he remained on the soil of his ancestors—a symbolic act of rootedness despite political betrayal. What do these episodes reveal about African politics and its relationship with power, death, and memory? Firstly, they expose the urgent need to decolonise our politics by reimagining leadership as a sacred duty, not a battleground of personal vendettas. In a decolonial and pan-African framing, leadership should be rooted in service to the people, and transitions of power should be embraced as a sign of institutional maturity. Political opponents are not enemies of the state; they are fellow sons and daughters of the soil, entrusted with different visions of national development. Secondly, Africa must move away from the politics of vengeance. A democracy where losing power is tantamount to persecution undermines the very ideals of liberation and constitutionalism that many of our nations fought for. Retaliatory governance weakens public trust, discourages civic participation, and often results in the erasure of valuable historical memory. As Africans, we must nurture political cultures anchored in ubuntu—the ethic of mutual care and human dignity. Thirdly, these developments call for a renewed commitment to pan-African unity. The South African government’s quiet diplomacy and respect for the Lungu family’s wishes demonstrate the spirit of ubuntu and non-interference that other African states would do well to emulate. Political disagreements should not rob the dead of dignity nor deprive the living of their cultural right to bury kin in peace. The act of mourning must transcend partisanship; it must remind us of our shared humanity. Ultimately, these reflections return us to a painful question: has politics become so toxic that we now carry our grudges beyond the grave? If leaders cannot be assured of honour and safety in retirement, how can we expect younger generations to aspire to ethical public service? African leaders must rise above personal vendettas and cultivate a spirit of respect—even in disagreement. Only then can we truly reclaim African politics for Africans, shaped by values of justice, solidarity, and compassion. As pan-Africanists, we must resist the colonial legacy of divide and rule that continues to manifest in our leadership transitions. The land, as a source of belonging, memory, and spiritual continuity, must never be politicised to the point where it is denied to those who once served it. Africa needs leaders who build bridges, not graves, between generations. About the Author Garikai Chaunza (PhD) is a Zimbabwean journalist and Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University in South Africa. He writes in his personal capacity. _*Zimbabwe sets historic tobacco production record, eyes value-driven growth*_ Zimbabwe has reached an unprecedented milestone in its tobacco industry, surpassing its previous national production record with over 300 million kilogrammes of leaf tobacco sold since the marketing season began in March 2025. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), this achievement exceeds the 296 million kg record set in 2023 and has generated more than 1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue for farmers, marking a significant boost to the country’s agricultural economy. TIMB spokesperson Chelesani Tsarwe described the 2024 season as historic, attributing the success to the resilience and collaboration across the entire value chain. However, she stressed that future growth must transcend volume metrics, urging a shift toward greater local processing, improved farmer income, diversified export markets, and environmentally sustainable practices. The ultimate goal, she noted, is to ensure that tobacco production delivers more inclusive and long-term economic value. Zimbabwe’s progress aligns with its 2021 Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, which set an ambitious annual production target of 300 million kg and a broader vision of building a 5-billion-dollar industry by 2025. As one of the country’s key export earners, with major markets in China and South Africa, tobacco remains a vital economic driver, especially for rural communities. Authorities now aim to move from sheer output to a more integrated and value-oriented industry that benefits the nation more holistically. _*Tax evasion bleeds Zimbabwe economy*_ HUMANITARIAN organisation ActionAid Zimbabwe has bemoaned the high levels of tax evasion, saying this has a direct effect on the pool of funds meant for development in the country. Transparency International Zimbabwe has previously said the country is losing up to US$2 billion annually due to financial leakages and tax evasion, primarily driven by corruption and bribery of customs officials at ports of entry. Speaking on the sidelines of the national dialogue on financing for development, outgoing ActionAid Zimbabwe country director, Joy Mabenge, said tax evasion has adverse effects on the economy. "That impacts on what the government can collect and what they can then allocate for the public good, which is why the government itself can institute measures that can minimise leakages within the tax system,” he said. "It is not only about one willing to pay tax or willing to do the right thing. The government itself must institute measures that make it possible for them to plug the leakages that we see in the tax system." Mabenge pointed to issues of complicity by some of the government departments and officials in tax evasion practices. There have been reports of big corporations and politically-connected individuals evading tax, prejudicing the country millions of United States dollars in potential revenues. "There are high net worth individuals who splash money around, and we wonder whether they even pay tax to the government,” Mabenge said. "We do not know, we cannot speculate, but if all that money was to be appropriately taxed and the public gets to know that this money is being taxed and taxed for real and the money is going into public coffers and sponsoring and supporting the provision of public services, that would be a good thing. In 2021, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority completed investigations of 142 cases of tax evasion and recovered over Z$750 000 and US$8 million. Newsday _*13-Year-Old Girl Gives Birth*_ In a scene Helidrive National Air Rescue Service doctors pulled off a mid-air delivery after a 13-year-old girl went into labour inside a chopper en route to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). The teenage mother had been airlifted from Maphisa Hospital in Matabeleland South and barely seven minutes into the flight, the situation turned critical. “She started having contractions every minute, each lasting two minutes,” said heroic delivery doctor Marshall Kahari. “She was stable, vitals normal, and we were monitoring her closely.” Then came the shocker. “After another strong contraction, she reached between her thighs. I checked and saw the baby’s leg sticking out. It was a footling breech,” said Dr Kahari. With no time to waste and 1 000 feet above the ground, the airborne medical team swung into action and successfully delivered a healthy baby boy mid flight. The high stakes drama left the crew in awe as they cradled new life in the sky. Both mother and child are said to be in good condition. Herald _*Mthwakazi rejects the genocide interviews: No justice under the perpetrator's gavel: Fikile ka Malikongwa*_ The government of Zimbabwe has announced its so-called Gukurahundi Public Hearings, set to begin soon under the stewardship of none other than Chief Fortune Charumbira, a well-known ZANU-PF loyalist and unapologetic defender of the ruling regime. Let us be absolutely clear from the start: this is not justice. This is not healing. This is a state-sanctioned charade, a grotesque insult to the victims, survivors, and descendants of the Matabeleland and Midlands gukurahundi genocide. For the people of Matabeleland, this announcement is divisive by excluding the Midlands, the snnounce does not bring hope. It opens old wounds without offering balm. It reeks of arrogance, contempt, and calculated manipulation. It is an insult, and Mthwakazi must and will reject this genocidal spectacle masquerading as aimed at healing and reconciliation. The ruling gukurahundista elite, led by the very architects of the 1980s slaughter, now want to pretend they are facilitators of dialogue and healing. But how can the butcher wear a priest's robe and be taken seriously? How can we expect justice when the referee is the perpetrator, the witness is the victim, and the courtroom is the same state-sponsored torture chamber that silenced an entire region for decades? We will not be interviewed by chiefs, no, we will not tell chiefs our pain because they know everything. They can can write books about it and lay bare the atrocities committed in their places. They live among the people they know. Since they and Charumbira have been tasked to find out from the people, they may as will sit in a hotel and write a report from each chief. Finish and clara. We want to tell the nation and the world, not chiefs in a room alone facing a gukurahundista appointed panel. We reject this charade. This is not a process rooted in truth and reconciliation. This is a cynical, choreographed circus designed to sanitize the legacy of the state, whitewash crimes against humanity, and secure political legitimacy for those whose hands are still dripping with the blood of innocent civilians. Over 20,000 people , men, women, and children - were murdered. Thousands more were tortured, raped, and disappeared. And yet, no apology. No admission of guilt. No justice. Charumbira: Genocide Apologist-in-Chief Let's not mince our words. Chief Fortune Charumbira is a gukurahundista functionary, not an impartial traditional leader. His hands are tied to the party that orchestrated and defended the Matabeleland and Midlands gukurahundi atrocities for over 40 years. He is no more capable of delivering justice than a crocodile is capable of mourning its prey. To place him at the helm of this process is to spit in the faces of the victims and tell them their pain is not worthy of real redress. He is a wolf asked to mediate with the sheep he once devoured. How can any sane nation believe this is a step forward? Closed-Door "Public" Hearings: An Oxymoron The hearings are being conducted in camera - behind closed doors - with vague promises of security and confidentiality. This is not only cowardly, it is a blatant violation of the very principles of truth-telling and reconciliation. Public hearings must be public. Truth must be laid bare under the gaze of the world, with journalists, independent observers, and international human rights monitors present. Why the secrecy? What are they afraid of? That the truth might finally escape their carefully crafted narratives? That the victims' voices might pierce through the lies and reach the ears of the international community? Let it be known: the Matabeleland/Midlands genocide cannot and will not be whitewashed in secrecy. Our trauma is not for sale, and our silence is not consent. Resource Plunder in the Name of Healing This entire charade is also a cash cow for elites. Millions of dollars will be poured into travel allowances, logistics, venue rentals, consultancy fees, and public relations spin. Another looting spree in the name of the dead. Meanwhile, the people of Matabeleland continue to suffer. Schools are under-resourced. Clinics have no medicine. Roads are death traps. Water is a luxury. But somehow, the state has found the budget to stage a meaningless theatre of healing - while justice and reparations remain absent. Our Message Is Clear: BOYCOTT THE SHAM, BOYCOTT CHARUMBIRA We call on every victim, every family, every concerned citizen of Mthwakazi: Boycott this genocidal spectacle. Do not let your pain be repackaged as a propaganda tool. Do not stand before your abuser to explain how deeply he cut you - only for him to turn your tears into political capital. Go on with your daily lives. Feed your children. Build your communities. But do not participate in this insult to your dignity. When real healing comes - and it will - it will be led by neutral, credible, and internationally supervised bodies. It will be conducted in the open, with full media coverage, legal protections, and guarantees of justice and reparations. Until then, we say: NOT IN OUR NAME. No Healing Without Justice. No Justice Without Truth. No Truth Without Accountability. To Mnangagwa and his ilk: You do not get to absolve yourself by staging courtroom drama with your loyalists in judge's robes. To the people of Zimbabwe: Real peace cannot be built on lies. Real reconciliation cannot coexist with impunity. Real healing requires truth, acknowledgment, restitution, and justice. And to the world: We need you to witness this moment. The perpetrators of genocide are once again trampling the dignity of their victims. Their attempts to rewrite history with bloodied hands must not be allowed to succeed. We remember the Matabeleland genocide's gukurahundi atrocities not as a “moment of madness,” but as a calculated extermination of a people. And we will never accept healing without justice. Let them hear us loud and clear: MTHWAKAZI REJECTS THE GENOCIDE INTERVIEWS. We are the victims. We will not be silenced. And we will not be fooled. Fikile is political commentator. _*We are vindicated on health crisis: Nurses*_ THE Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) says President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent hospital tour has confirmed that the country’s health system is in a state of collapse and urgently needs intervention. The visit exposed the critical state of public hospitals, where nurses work under extreme conditions and patients suffer due to a lack of medicine, equipment and proper care. Mnangagwa this week visited Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe hospitals following growing public outcry and repeated calls from Zina, whose president, Enock Dongo, has been warning of a deepening crisis in the country’s health sector. The visit also came after Youth minister, Tino Machakaire, urged Mnangagwa to visit public hospitals and see the deteriorating state of affairs. Mnangagwa's visit was made without Health minister Douglas Mombeshora. For months, Zina has been speaking out about the severe shortages of medicines, lack of essential equipment, collapsing infrastructure and the dire working conditions that have pushed the country’s health system to the edge. Dongo said neglect by the government has plunged hospitals into disrepair, leaving citizens to pay the price through unnecessary suffering and avoidable deaths. "Public hospitals have no medication. Patients are told to buy their drugs or supplies — things that should be readily available. People are dying from diseases that are easily treatable. These are not deaths due to lack of medical knowledge or skill — but deaths caused simply by the absence of basic medication, equipment and resources," Dongo said in a statement. Newsday _*Wicknell Chivayo Buys Maybach and Range Rover Worth R9.9 Millon*_ Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo is back in the spotlight — and flaunting serious wealth — just days after denying allegations that he was improperly awarded a massive US$439 million contract to supply cancer treatment machines to Zimbabwean hospitals. Barely 24 hours after showing off a brand-new Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Chivayo added two more luxury vehicles to his garage: a Mercedes-Maybach S680 and a Range Rover P530 HSE. The combined value? A staggering R9.85 million (over US$540,000). The purchases were proudly announced by Vogue AutoMotors, a luxury dealership based in Sandton, South Africa. In their congratulatory message, the dealership called Chivayo a generous man with a big heart and dubbed him “Africa’s Giant of Generosity.” “Congratulations! @sir_wicknell our VVIPClient🍾🍾🍾🥂 Brand new Mercedes-Maybach S680🤩 Brand new Range Rover P530 HSE 🤩 The man with the biggest heart ♥️ now named Africa’s Giant of Generosity 🏆👏👏 and we couldn’t agree more 🙏👏 stay winning Wicks🏆” The flashy display of wealth sparked fierce debate online. Many Zimbabweans took to social media to question how Chivayo was funding his purchases, especially given the recent scandal involving the massive government tender. Others criticised his obsession with cars in a country battling poverty. Here’s a glimpse at what people were saying: @MimiNiMwafrika: Anyone who runs a legitimate business knows that you’d have to own a money printer to have so much free cash flow + an idiot of a finance manager! @mattiedziva: I have a question. Why would one person need more than 10 cars? Is it my poverty mentality? Some of the cars serve the same purpose. @Blessing_Museki: Nobody is going to convince me Wikinero is a bona fide businessman. @Nendangagumbo: This man is mentally deranged! What’s this obsession with cars? I wonder how many cars he owns now. This is sickening 😢 in a country where poverty rules. And most shameful is his business of corruptly getting tenders from the government. @StephenOfRep: For a country desperate for increased economic growth, one would have thought that those fortunate enough to have the means would put a priority on investing in the productive economy instead of just wasteful consumption. Poor #zimbabwe _*Chivayo’s riches: Celebrating corruption or entrepreneurship?*_ IN the beginning, there was Roger Boka, a man credited with championing tobacco farming by black farmers. The golden leaf was then a preserve for white commercial farmers. Boka constructed a tobacco auction floor, which was one of the largest in the world at the time, near Mbudzi roundabout, now known as Trababalas Interchange. Besides the auction floors, Boka owned a bank, United Merchant Bank. The businessman was rumoured to have wanted to tar the road linking his rural home in Chiendambuya from Headlands off the Harare-Mutare Road to Chikore, which borders Makoni and Mutoko districts. Then came Philip Chiyangwa, who many have described as a maverick and flamboyant businessperson. Dr Phil, as Chiyangwa is fondly known, has been into many ventures that include entertainment, boxing promotions, real estate and engineering. To his credit, Chiyangwa at one time brought to Zimbabwe the late pop star Michael Jackson. He, just like Boka, promoted black empowerment through the Affirmative Action Group. Chiyangwa’s Pinnacle Properties changed many people’s lives as they became proud homeowners. Today, Zimbabwe has Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo, whose generosity has divided opinion, locally and abroad. A showy character, Chivayo does not hide the fact that he has deep pockets. He has posted stuff that many would not want the world to know. Chivayo posts moments he has with powerful politicians, his shoe room, his wife, plush cars, in private jets or holidaying in places many just imagine in dreams. His list of Kodak moments he shared with the world includes pictures with former First Lady Grace Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Chivayo has been on a giving frenzy, handing out cars to musicians, pastors and comedians. Those given cars have thanked him countless times for transforming their lives. Some of his beneficiaries are already rich, but he blesses them as a way of showing his appreciation for their contribution to the nation or for how they impacted his own life. Boka, Chiyangwa and Chivayo have something in common. Growing up, odds were against them. They had to find their way to the top. At one time, the late Boka was a clerk, Chiyangwa was a vegetable vendor in Chegutu and Chivhayo was a clerk at a bus company. Many have scrutinised their sources of income. The three men publicly admitted to be top Zanu PF supporters. Their links to Zanu-PF heightened speculation that they may have been fronts for influential government officials. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name has been thrown in as the man behind Chivayo’s riches. This claim, Mnangagwa refuted when he had a meeting with the editors at State House in February. “Where could I find the funds to reimburse him?” Mnangagwa stated. “Instead of wasting my time worrying about someone who is using his own money, look into where you think I am getting the money to give Chivayo to distribute. “You can’t trouble me about a charitable person. Anyone should notify the police if their money was stolen.” Chivayo’s source of wealth has remained a mystery amid claims he is a tenderpreneur, feasting on government contracts. Chivayo’s riches and his benevolence have sent tongues wagging. Many have been suggesting that Chivayo should fund the Health ministry so that it is well-stocked and has medical facilities refurbished, instead of dishing out cars like confetti at a wedding. Others have been saying Chivayo is using national resources he is getting through corrupt tenders to dish out those freebies. Some of the reasons he has advanced for dishing out cars are astounding. Dancer Mai Welly got an Aqua for dancing at a Zanu PF rally. Actor Bhutisi (Admire Kuzhangira) got his share for his Ishe vanoseka zvavo prophecy. Chimurenga musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo and cleric Eunor Guti, wife of the late Zaoga founder Ezekiel, have turned down Chivayo's "gifts". The opposition and some Christians have raised concerns when some people they thought would not accept these gifts did the unthinkable, as they took their cars. Are people justified in lynching Chivayo? Is it genuine criticism or are people just seeing a soft spot to vent their anger? Critics say Chivayo could be benefiting from his proximity to power. They refer to the audio in which he declared that Ndakachibata kuti dzvii (I am in charge) as evidence that he is riding on the coattails of influential people in society. Backers, however, say Chivayo could be behaving like any rational being who uses opportunities to the maximum. The Christian world is not as clean as we all think because proceeds of corruption, dirty deals and fraudulent activities are finding their way into the church’s collection basket, they claim. Where money is concerned, caution and morals are thrown out the window. Ministers and MPs demand their service vehicles even when the country is faced with severe droughts and diseases. Chivayo's backers cite cases where opposition lawyers chose to represent Zanu PF officials in courts. Responding to accusations of being a fraudster, Chivayo posted on social media that he has not committed any crime. This was after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) was said to be investigating his wealth. Chivayo suggested that the probe was motivated by jealousy. “What is painful is you’re going to car sales and asking about [Toyota]Aqua cars bought for the members of the apostolic sect,” Chivayo said. “Why don’t you just say: 'Mr Chivayo, can the programme for Aqua car also include Zacc?'” Chivayo has threatened to spend even more money on members of his sect. “I have not committed any crime. I know in your eyes, everyone with wealth is a thief,” he said. “I am begging you not to harass members of the apostolic sect. I said this year, US$3 million is theirs and you have irritated me. “I am putting aside another US$400 000 for a further 50 Aquas. Newsday *SPORT WITH IGNITE MEDIA ZIMBABWE* _*Flamengo stun Chelsea in another big Club World Cup upset*_ It took only six minutes for Chelsea's Club World Cup campaign to be thrown into serious jeopardy on Friday. While leading Flamengo 1-0 in the Philadelphia early-afternoon heat, the Blues were closing in on becoming the first team to book their place in the round of 16. Plans included an extended training camp in Miami as they honed their preparations for a sustained assault on the competition's latter stages and the £97 million first prize that would be a welcome boost to Chelsea's balance sheet. And then, just after the hour mark, everything changed. The lead given to them by Pedro Neto's well-taken 13th-minute strike evaporated as Bruno Henrique and then Danilo converted from close range to turn the game on its head, before Nicolas Jackson got himself sent off for an idiotic challenge on Ayrton Lucas. Wallace Yan added a late third to give Flamengo a win they thoroughly deserved both on and off the pitch, as a combative and dynamic display was mirrored by the passion and fury of thousands clad in red and black stripes predominantly gathered behind the end that brought them such second-half joy. This was a performance that raises multiple questions about Chelsea and head coach Enzo Maresca. He started with Reece James in midfield and Cole Palmer stationed on the right flank. There was an irony to Palmer speaking about coveting his new No.10 shirt yesterday, only for Maresca to then ask the 23-year-old to vacate the corresponding central position where he is most effective. It contributed to a disjointed display in which Palmer struggled to impose himself, amassing just 15 touches and three completed passes in the first half. Palmer ended up with 32 touches and the ignominy of an 82nd-minute substitution when Chelsea were down to 10 men and chasing the game. "We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and the future," Maresca said following the defeat. "Now we have one more game, we will try to win." But Jackson will draw more of the criticism. He was on the field for just four minutes as a second-half sub and touched the ball only once when lunging in late right in front of Salvadorian referee Iván Arcides Barton Cisneros. Jackson was sent off at Newcastle in early May in a similarly foolish act that threatened to derail their hopes of Champions League qualification. Chelsea survived without him to hit their target back then, but Liam Delap will be taking centre stage against Esperance Sportive de Tunis back at Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday to ensure the Blues' safe passage from Group D. It would be speculative to look too far ahead, but the probability that Chelsea won't top the group is now very real and, all things being equal, they could face Bayern Munich in the last-16. Such a game would represent a major early test of the team's credentials to win a competition the club's owners view as particularly important, not least because of the cash on offer. On this evidence, however, Chelsea don't look up to it. Like other managers coming to the U.S. at the end of a long season, Maresca has spoken of the need to rotate and balance trying to win with managing minutes and preparing for the 2025-26 campaign. It is a difficult balancing act, but one he must do better with. This was a wake-up call, an introduction to the tournament proper with the majority of 54,019 fans against them backing a spirited team who looked hungrier and more motivated. There is time for that to change, of course, but things just got significantly harder for Chelsea. _*’Stupid, stupid, stupid' Jackson opens door for Delap*_ On the day Liam Delap made his first start for Chelsea, Nicolas Jackson's response was to get himself sent off four minutes after replacing his new rival in the striker department. Jackson was dismissed on his 24th birthday after a late, studs-up challenge on Flamengo defender Lucas Ayrton at the end of a disastrous six-minute collapse where goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo cancelled out Pedro Neto's early strike. Wallace Yan rounded off the scoring with a late goal as Flamengo beat the Blues 3-1 in the Club World Cup. It was, after all, his second red card in four matches and he is now suspended in two competitions - the Premier League and Club World Cup. It means Delap will likely start the next match - an important clash against Tunisian side ES Tunis - and the opening game of the Premier League season at home to Crystal Palace. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is anticipating a longer ban as he suspects Jackson's red card for such reckless foul could rule him out of the competition. When asked about the sending off, he said: "It happened against Newcastle and today. I am not 100% sure it's a red card compared to the Newcastle one. "It's a little bit of a bad moment for Nico. The red card has nothing to do with Nico's future... Nico knows in both games it was not good for the team." Jackson apologised on Instagram while both defender Marc Cucurella and Maresca revealed the striker said sorry in person to his team-mates after the match. 'I'm so angry at myself' Jackson issued a statement on social media less than two hours after the match had finished. It read: "I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. "Another red card... and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. I still don't fully understand how it happened. "Six minutes changed the game," he said. "In the second half, we started better compared to the first half. But we conceded two goals in two minutes and then the red card. It changed the dynamic. They deserved to win. Jackson criticised for 'stupid mistake' One of Jackson's long-time critics is former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who featured on the TV broadcast of the game on Dazn. He said: "[It's an] unbelievable, stupid, stupid stupid mistake, I don't know what is going through his head. You come into the game at 2-1 down and your team needs you and he does that. "He did that at Newcastle, a very important game we needed to win to get to the Champions League. You can't keep making mistakes. I don't care what his frustration is, it is massive club, Chelsea Football Club. "If you are annoyed that Delap is going to be the competition with you, if you are a big player you have to embrace it. We can become successful together as a team. "Maresca must ask do I still trust this guy or do I stick with the player I brought into the football club, Delap? If he doesn't trust him then it is time for Delap to start the game. _*Florian Wirtz: Liverpool win transfer race for Germany star*_ Liverpool have broken their transfer record for the signing of Germany international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, the club announced on Friday. ESPN previously reported the deal to be worth a total of £116 million ($156.27 million) -- it includes an initial £100 million payment with £16 million in add-ons. Wirtz has signed a five-year deal with the Premier League champions, a source told ESPN. His shirt number is expected to be announced later in the summer. _*Marcus Rashford planning Man United training return if no transfer*_ Marcus Rashford is planning to return to training with Manchester United next month if a deal to leave Old Trafford has not been agreed, sources have told ESPN. United are listening to offers for the England forward this summer, along with Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho. _*Juve target Man Utd's Sancho*_ Serie A club Juventus are interested in signing Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer, with Italian champions Napoli also among the suitors for the 25-year-old England international who spent last season on loan at *Liverpool's frenzy of transfer activity does not extend to a move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, 25, with a deal for the Sweden not said to be imminent* *But Liverpool boss Arne Slot is interested in a move for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24* *Guehi will only move to Anfield if he is guaranteed to be starter* *Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana is attracting interest from Ligue 1 side Monaco, who are exploring the conditions of a deal for the 29-year-old* *If Onana leaves Old Trafford, Manchester United will turn to Atalanta's Italian goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, 24, to replace him* *Manchester City are open to letting Ilkay Gundogan leave the club this summer as Turkish side Galatasaray consider a move for the 34-year-old German midfielder* *Champions League winners Paris St-Germain have submitted a second offer for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi that totals £55m, but the Cherries value the Ukraine international, 22, in excess of £70m* *Tottenham have enquired with Bournemouth about the availability of 25-year-old Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo but are not proceeding with a deal at the moment* *Fulham are exploring the option of bringing back Joao Palhinha, 29, only a year after selling the Portugal midfielder to Bayern Munich in a £48m deal*