COMMENT - Note to NewZimbabwe.com, if it is true that ministers suddenly came into a lot of money after they ascended into office, it is not 'a smear' or a 'smear campaign'.
MDC ministers face wealth probe
06/07/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
SEVERAL Ministers from the MDC formations face investigations over the source of their "sudden wealth" as part of a campaign by Zanu PF to discredit its rivals ahead of elections expected next year.
According to the weekly Financial Gazette newspaper, the smear campaign would target key figures such as Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Energy Minister Elton Mangoma as well as MDC leader Welshman Ncube.
Nathaniel Manheru, a blogger with the Zanu PF-leaning Herald newspaper who is believed to be Presidential spokesperson George Charamba hinted at the strategy last Saturday, warning: “The MDC has failed both the competence test and the integrity test.
"It wallows in countless scandals, its officials now numbering among the richest, especially by way of real estate. I shall have occasion to trace for the reader this property labyrinth traceable to MDC ministers who are hardly four years in their portfolios, on a paltry salary.
"Only then will it become plain that all the carping about Chiadzwa is but diversionary talk. The list is about ready. That is the beauty about an election season, is it not? No holds are barred.”
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said he was not aware of the planned investigations. But MDC-T spokesman, Douglas Mwonzora, said his party was aware of a plot by Zanu PF to manufacture allegations against its leaders.
“We know that Zanu PF is trying to manufacture stories against our leaders and it’s nothing new,” he said.
“The fact of the matter is that our deployees in government - our ministers, our deputy ministers, our Prime Minister, our Deputy Prime Minister - have done very well to improve the lot of the people of Zimbabwe.”
MDC vice president, Edwin Mushoriwa, said if anyone should be investigated over the source of their wealth it was the top leadership of Zanu PF.
“Some Zanu PF ministers are the ones who have been mentioned now and then in relation to corruption,” he said.
“The integrity of our people in government is unquestionable. Our councillors have never been found on the wrong side when it comes to corruption. All our Members of Parliament were never mentioned in the looting of the Constituency Development Fund.”
[Click on the label MDC Corruption at the bottom of this article. - MrK]
Several MDC-T councillors have been implicated in corrupt dealings especially in the allocation of land in their respective municipalities around the country as well as stripping councils of their assets.
Activists have expressed disquiet over the sudden wealth of MDC-T Ministers although insisting any corrupt conduct by party officials pales into insignificance when compared to Zanu PF.
Said South Africa-based activist and former regional spokesman, Sibanengi Dube, on his Facebook Wall: “Tales of the abrupt opulence of MDC cabinet ministers, councillors and mayors are dominating headlines in both the liberated and partisan media.
“The majority of ministers are accused of double-dipping in government coffers. Some are alleged to have been caught with their fingers in public cookie-jars. Some are said to be cutting deals in government offices.
“All these (allegations) have been easily dismissed by MDC characters as Zanu PF affronts to dishonour Machinjas. But the overt opulence of MDC ministers is not easy to dismiss.”
***
COMMENTS FROM READERS:
Svirimon Mutundashuga
The biggest problem facing most African institutes today is corruption. Its undisputable fact that corruption in Zimbabwe like any other African country is rampant and has since reached alarming levels. On a none partisan lines, I will certainly doubt the sanity of any person objecting nor defending either ZANUPF/MDC-T/N/M when it comes to scrupulous means of acquiring wealth in Zimbabwe.
MORGAN RICHARD TSVANGIRAI paid about 40 000usd for locadia, this year he has forked out the same if not more than for Elizabeth, He pays 1400usd/month to Loreta Nyathi Recently been to USA with all his family supposedly at his own expense. His salary is 1000usd/month.
GENERAL CONSTANTINE CHIWENGA (Salary 700usd/month before tax)-Last year he paid the mubaiwas 47000usd bride price for marrying shingie’s ex-wife. We even told that after marrying he moved into a 250 000usd house in the splash suburb of borrowdale.
ORBET MPOFU (Salary 800usd/month before tax)-He bought 30 houses on the same day in Victoria Falls and his unknown Trebor Khays with virtually no known form of core business bought ZABG for 23million usd. Recently he had a birth day bash worth thousands and thanks to 180 000usd that he splashed out to buy maize for the folks in his constituency.
THOKOZANI KHUPE (Salary 1200usd/month before tax)-Has 2 kids that she is paying almost 30 000pounds per year in British Universities.
Shall we talk about Chombo, Gono, Kereke,Biti, Chamisa. The list is long and one wonders where they getting the money from. Dear Electorates-let it be known to you that you duped and enriching others by voting any of the current politician into power. They have not promulgated any law that can improve the life of an ordinary Zimbabwe ever since the GNU was formed. All they did was to enrich themselves through COPAC and unending arguments to protect their own interest.
Labels: ELTON MANGOMA, MDC, MDC CORRUPTION, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Police probe Biti over missing US$20m
24/06/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter I Reuters
POLICE said on Sunday they had launched an investigation connected with finance minister Tendai Biti over the disappearance of $20 million at the closed Interfin Merchant Bank.
Biti told the Sunday Mail he was not responsible for the missing money, which was
part of a 2009 emergency International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility and
intended to help distressed manufacturing firms.
The paper said Biti had transferred the money from the IMF into local bank Interfin, closed this month due to a liquidity crisis.
"Yes the money is missing. The money has disappeared but the investigators do not know what they are doing,” Biti told the Sunday Mail
“There was an agreement with Afreximbank which stipulated that Interfin would be the fund manager of the money.
“This was done to promote indigenous banks. The fact that Interfin was appointed the fund manager means that it was them who were handling the money and not me.
“I no longer had a say on how the money was managed.
“You should also understand that Interfin is now broke and it is not my business to explain how they got broke and how the money vanished,”
Assistant police commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena told Reuters on Sunday: "There is an investigation going on but I cannot give any details at the moment." Biti could not be directly contacted on Sunday.
Biti is a senior figure in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which is in an uneasy power-sharing administration with President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF. He is among MDC leaders bitterly attacked by Mugabe in recent months.
The $20 million, part of a $500 million IMF emergency package, had been at Interfin for a year without generating interest before it disappeared, the newspaper said.
The money had been part of $150 million allocated for agriculture and infrastructure projects. A further $142 million was used to pay off a debt to the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Fund and $110 million to ease a cash squeeze at the beginning of this year. The remaining funds are yet to be used.
Labels: INTERFIN BANK, MDC CORRUPTION, TENDAI BITI, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Shamva murder: Eight policemen arrested
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 00:00
Crime Reporter
SHAMVA Police Station officer-in-charge and seven other policemen have been arrested in connection with the fatal assault of a suspect at the weekend. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said the eight policemen were expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges.
He said the eight have since been transferred to allow investigations to take place.
“We are treating it just like any murder case. So there is no favouritism. We are going to carry out investigations until we finalise the case,” he said. Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said those who were beaten up were going for medical examinations to ascertain the extent of the injuries they sustained.
“As ZRP we respect the sanctity of human life and these officers have since been transferred from the station to allow investigations to take place,” he said.
Seven other people were also injured after police reportedly attacked residents of a Shamva mine.
This followed an incident in which the wife of the officer-in-charge, who was only identified as Inspector Shumba, had her wallet stolen.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the deceased has been identified as Luckmore Chivambu of Ashley Mill Compound in Shamva.
His body was taken to Bindura Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
Chivambu is believed to have died as a result of injuries sustained in the alleged assault.
Among the injured were 51-year-old Martha Chidzonga who sustained a broken arm and Shepherd Hudye.
The injured were taken to Shashi Hospital in Bindura.
Angry residents on Monday stormed the police station, demanding to beat up Insp Shumba.
Insp Shumba reportedly led armed policemen who assaulted workers at Canterbury Mine with batons accusing them of harbouring the thief.
Labels: WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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C0MMENT - One rape is one too many. However, if you do the math, if this number is somehow representative nationwide and throughout the year, 124 girls in 12 days, that is 10.333 per day, or 3772 per year. Zimbabwe has a population of 13 million, I presume that 6.5 million are women. So the random odds of being raped are 3772/6.5 mn, or 0.058%. Which isn't even 1/10th of one percent of all women in Zimbabwe. Just in case someone wants to spin this into an excuse to invade Zimbabwe.
124 girls raped in 12 days countrywide, say police
Friday, 16 September 2011 02:00
Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
ONE-hundred-and-twenty-four girls were raped in the first 13 days of this month countrywide as the crime rate soars, police have confirmed.
Police say murder cases rose from three per week to 12 during the pe-riod.
According to police statistics, be-tween September 2 and 13 this year, 25 murder cases and 18 armed robberies were recorded. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvu-dzijena yesterday confirmed the emer-ging trends.
"These cases were recorded be-tween September 2 and 13 this year and we are concerned by this sudden increase where we recorded 25 murder cases, 18 armed robberies and 124 rape cases of juveniles," he said.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena attributed some rape cases to negligence by guardians and parents who left juveniles in the custody of relatives and strangers for long periods.
"It is at this particular time that these girls are raped in most cases by persons who are known to the relatives. We appeal to the courts to mete out deterrent punishments to those convicted of such offences," he said.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the highest number of rape cases were recorded in Harare, Midlands and Mashonaland East provinces.
On the 25 murder cases, Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the level was unprecedented as normally four cases were reported a week countrywide.
"But this has multiplied three times the normal average per week. Mostly, some of these cases could have been avoided," he said.
Police attributed the surge in murder cases to drunkeness, petty arguments and economic hardships with people fighting over amounts ranging from US$1 to US$10.
He urged people to seek counselling from relatives or the police.
Harare recorded the highest number of armed robberies with nine, Bulawayo and Mashonaland East recorded two each, while Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central had one each.
The police spokesperson said robbers were targeting mostly taxis which then they use to commit crimes.
He urged businesspeople to desist from keeping large amounts of cash at home or their business premises.
Some thieves masquerade as police officers when approaching their targets.
"Even if they are wearing police uniform, they should ask for the police identification particulars, which shows the face of the officer, force number, rank, name, date of birth and international registration number," Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said.
Labels: RAPE, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Gono unhurt in mystery farm blaze
29/08/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
POLICE say they are investigating a blaze which swept through Gideon Gono’s poultry farm early on Sunday, sending the Reserve Bank governor and his family scampering for safety.
The fire, coming just days after Vice President Joice Mujuru’s husband, Solomon, was killed in a mysterious inferno at the couple’s farm in Beatrice, will increase pressure on the police to provide urgent answers over the two incidents.
Police spokesman Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed an investigation was underway. Detectives have so far found no links between the two fires to justify a joint investigation, he said.
But a police source said: “One fire is an accident. Two fires in as many weeks on farms of such prominent personalities looks slightly suspicious in the eyes of the public, and detectives are under tremendous pressure to provide answers in the shortest period of time.”
Police were called to the peri-urban farm next to the governor’s Borrowdale Brookes residence in Harare just after 9.30AM when flames shot up in the warehouse.
Gono and his family were getting up to their breakfast on their farmhouse a stone's throw away from the burning warehouse when they were helped to evacuate by frantic workers.
Edson Gono, the governor’s brother and farm manager, told reporters on Monday that the fire had incinerated everything in the warehouse and swept through the farm office. No-one was injured.
The Harare Fire Brigade – heavily criticised over its handling of the Mujuru inferno where they arrived with no water – responded 45 minutes after the call but arrived with “little water”, the governor’s brother said.
He added: “Fortunately, we have a small dam less than 100m away from the warehouse, so the firemen had to unroll their hoses and connect them to a hydrant which draws from the dam and we thought problem solved.
“However, there was a power cut and we had to start our standby generator to provide power for drawing water out of the dam. Only then were they able to start putting it out, but it was three hours later.”
He was keen to stress that the Reserve Bank chief was not blaming the Fire Brigade.
“Performance is a product of training, technical ability, motivation and crucially resources at one’s disposal. A very well-trained, well-motivated individual can never accomplish anything if they are poorly resourced. The obstacles in the way to service delivery by our city firemen are too numerous ... their best equipment was bought in 1973,” he said.
He said they lost equipment and other imported accessories worth US$100,000 in the blaze.
He refused to speculate on the cause of the blaze, saying police must be given space to pursue their investigation.
“Forget about the cause, the question to ponder is: if, as is the case with many Zimbabweans, we did not have a little dam nearby for water supply; we did not have standby generators; we did not have workers around and it was at night, what would have happened?”
The governor’s brother said if the fire had been allowed to spread to fuel tanks next to the warehouse, the blasts “would have spread to the main house and car park”.
“The rest I leave to imagination,” he added.
Labels: GIDEON GONO, RBZ, TREASON, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Police quiz 23 over Mujuru death
Posted by By Our reporter at 23 August, at 01 : 27 AM Print
ZIMBABWE Republic Police have so far quizzed 23 people in connection with the death of Retired General Solomon Mujuru (66). The number includes three policemen. Gen Mujuru was burnt to death in his house last Tuesday at Alamein Farm and was buried at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday.
Sources close to the investigations yesterday revealed to The Herald newspaper that police were working “tirelessly” to investigate the case and were still compiling reports. However, the police are yet to announce the findings of the cause of the fire.
Several people including those at places where Gen Mujuru passed through on his way to his farm in Beatrice before the incident occurred, have been interviewed.
The three cops interviewed were those guarding Gen Mujuru’s farm on the day the fire broke out.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday confirmed that investigations were in progress.
“We have recorded statements from various individuals who could be witnesses and the police officers are among those,” he said.
Bvudzijena said he was not in a position to divulge the number of witnesses they had interviewed so far.
“I can’t give you the total number (of witnesses), maybe at the appropriate time. We are also still compiling the reports,” he said.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire could have been caused by a candle left burning in the house.
Joint investigations by security and other organisations including the force’s forensic unit and Zesa Holdings began last week.
The Zanu-PF Politburo member was alone at his farm, 60km south of Harare when tragedy struck.
His maid, who stays in separate quarters away from the main house, was among the first people to be alerted of the fire.
The farmhouse was extensively damaged. Nothing was recovered save for sofas and few other items. Police rushed to the farm and on arrival found the house engulfed by the infer- no. Police looked for Gen Mujuru in the house but to no avail. His remains were later discovered in one of the lounges burnt beyond recognition.
The Herald/TZG
Labels: JOICE MUJURU, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA, ZESA, ZRP
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Mujuru death: Police launch full-scale probe
Wednesday, 17 August 2011 02:00
Herald Reporters
POLICE have launched full-scale investigations into the cause of the fire that killed former Zimbabwe National Army Commander Retired General Solomon Mujuru (66) yesterday morning. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire could have been caused by a candle left burning in the house.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said joint investigations by security and other organisations including the force's forensic unit and Zesa Holdings were underway.
"So far, initial investigations reveal that the fire could have been caused by a candle lit by a domestic servant when lights went out. That position is not conclusive as we are still carrying out more investigations," he said.
The Zanu-PF Politburo member was alone at his Alamein Farmhouse, 60km south of Harare when tragedy struck.
His maid, who stays in separate quarters away from the main house, was among the first people to be alerted of the fire. The 18-roomed house was extensively damaged.
Nothing was recovered save for sofas and few other items.
The maid said she was alerted by her brother who lives in the area whereupon she informed other workers and later phoned Beatrice Police at around 3am. Police rushed to the farm and on arrival found the house engulfed by the inferno.
Police looked for Gen Mujuru in the house, but to no avail.
His remains were later discovered in one of the lounges burnt beyond recognition. Police and pathologists removed the remains at around 11am.
Patrons at Beatrice Motel, where Gen Mujuru was last seen having drinks on Monday, said he left the motel at 7:30pm saying he was going to prepare for a journey to Beitbridge on the morrow.
His farm is approximately a 20-minute drive from the motel.
The farm has two entry points, which are guarded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and a private security firm.
The house is partially obscured by tobacco barns from the two guardrooms.
The guards reportedly only realised there was fire after hearing noise from the collapsing roof.
There was no power in the Beatrice on Monday from 7pm to 9pm.
Police from the CID and forensic units and Zesa Holdings officials had last night cordoned off the farmhouse for further investigations.
The death of Cde Mujuru proved a big test for the Harare Fire Brigade amid reports that the city dispatched fire tenders that did not have water.
Sources in the fire department, however, pointed out that even if the fire tenders had carried water from Harare, it would not have been enough to extinguish the inferno.
They said water sourced from a nearby dam was used to save part of the house.
Late yesterday afternoon, town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi said he was not aware of the reports, adding he was still to receive a briefing on the fire.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the farm yesterday as workers and relatives battled to come to terms with the tragedy.
Senior Government officials, including his widow Vice President Joice Mujuru and other family members, rushed to the farm in the morning when alerted of the incident.
Among those who visited the farm in the morning were Co-Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Phillip Sibanda, Commissioner of Prisons Retired Major General Paradzai Zimondi, Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation Retired Major-General Happyton Bonyongwe, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo and Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde.
Cde Sekeremayi described the death of Gen Mujuru as a sad loss to the nation.
"It is hard to believe he is no more. We came here early in the morning and I initially thought he was badly burnt, only to see charred remains on arrival. One of Zimbabwe's greatest sons is no more."
Cde Kaukonde said: "It's a tragedy for us in the province. We have lost our man and a pillar in the province. He tried to guide us a lot."
Cde Shamu said Cde Mujuru was a military strategist and commander par excellence.
"Cde Rex Nhongo's name was synonymous with the liberation struggle. This is a tragedy, which is difficult to fathom. His name is synonymous with the history of the whole liberation struggle. We have lost a military commander and a strategist par excellence.
"He was a very brave fighter and illustrious son of the soil."
Cde Gumbo said: "We have lost a resolute, gallant and committed cadre who contributed innocuously to the liberation struggle and to the economy of Zimbabwe. He was a farmer and businessman.
"This loss is not only to the Mujuru family, but also to the party and nation as a whole. We will miss his contribution in the Politburo."
Labels: ARMED FORCES, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA, ZANU-PF
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Mujuru death: Police launch full-scale probe
Wednesday, 17 August 2011 02:00
Herald Reporters
POLICE have launched full-scale investigations into the cause of the fire that killed former Zimbabwe National Army Commander Retired General Solomon Mujuru (66) yesterday morning. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire could have been caused by a candle left burning in the house.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said joint investigations by security and other organisations including the force's forensic unit and Zesa Holdings were underway.
"So far, initial investigations reveal that the fire could have been caused by a candle lit by a domestic servant when lights went out. That position is not conclusive as we are still carrying out more investigations," he said.
The Zanu-PF Politburo member was alone at his Alamein Farmhouse, 60km south of Harare when tragedy struck.
His maid, who stays in separate quarters away from the main house, was among the first people to be alerted of the fire.
The 18-roomed house was extensively damaged.
Nothing was recovered save for sofas and few other items.
The maid said she was alerted by her brother who lives in the area whereupon she informed other workers and later phoned Beatrice Police at around 3am.
Police rushed to the farm and on arrival found the house engulfed by the inferno.
Police looked for Gen Mujuru in the house, but to no avail.
His remains were later discovered in one of the lounges burnt beyond recognition.
Police and pathologists removed the remains at around 11am.
Patrons at Beatrice Motel, where Gen Mujuru was last seen having drinks on Monday, said he left the motel at 7:30pm saying he was going to prepare for a journey to Beitbridge on the morrow.
His farm is approximately a 20-minute drive from the motel.
The farm has two entry points, which are guarded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and a private security firm.
The house is partially obscured by tobacco barns from the two guardrooms.
The guards reportedly only realised there was fire after hearing noise from the collapsing roof.
There was no power in the Beatrice on Monday from 7pm to 9pm.
Police from the CID and forensic units and Zesa Holdings officials had last night cordoned off the farmhouse for further investigations.
The death of Cde Mujuru proved a big test for the Harare Fire Brigade amid reports that the city dispatched fire tenders that did not have water.
Sources in the fire department, however, pointed out that even if the fire tenders had carried water from Harare, it would not have been enough to extinguish the inferno.
They said water sourced from a nearby dam was used to save part of the house.
Late yesterday afternoon, town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi said he was not aware of the reports, adding he was still to receive a briefing on the fire.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the farm yesterday as workers and relatives battled to come to terms with the tragedy.
Senior Government officials, including his widow Vice President Joice Mujuru and other family members, rushed to the farm in the morning when alerted of the incident.
Among those who visited the farm in the morning were Co-Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Phillip Sibanda, Commissioner of Prisons Retired Major General Paradzai Zimondi, Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation Retired Major-General Happyton Bonyongwe, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo and Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde.
Cde Sekeremayi described the death of Gen Mujuru as a sad loss to the nation.
"It is hard to believe he is no more. We came here early in the morning and I initially thought he was badly burnt, only to see charred remains on arrival. One of Zimbabwe's greatest sons is no more."
Cde Kaukonde said: "It's a tragedy for us in the province. We have lost our man and a pillar in the province. He tried to guide us a lot."
Cde Shamu said Cde Mujuru was a military strategist and commander par excellence.
"Cde Rex Nhongo's name was synonymous with the liberation struggle. This is a tragedy, which is difficult to fathom. His name is synonymous with the history of the whole liberation struggle. We have lost a military commander and a strategist par excellence.
"He was a very brave fighter and illustrious son of the soil."
Cde Gumbo said: "We have lost a resolute, gallant and committed cadre who contributed innocuously to the liberation struggle and to the economy of Zimbabwe. He was a farmer and businessman.
"This loss is not only to the Mujuru family, but also to the party and nation as a whole. We will miss his contribution in the Politburo."
Labels: JOICE MUJURU, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA, ZESA
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Probe into Biti residence bombing intensifies
Tuesday, 07 June 2011 22:54
Herald Reporters
Forensic and bomb experts from the police and army have been to the house of MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti in Chisipite as investigations into the alleged bombing of his residence intensify. The circumstances surrounding the incident that took place on Sunday morning have raised more questions than answers to the investigators.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said the Police Forensic Unit and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit attended the scene on Monday.
"We are still carrying out investigations on the case and the Forensic Unit and the Bomb Disposal Unit went to his (Mr Biti's) house yesterday (Monday)," he said.
No details could be made available yesterday on what they had discovered.
Yesterday, more intriguing issues surrounding the alleged blast continued to emerge.
The Herald yesterday caught up with Mr Biti's gardener, Mr Gift Chitetere (20).
Mr Chitetere said he was alone at the time of the blast as Mr Biti and his wife were away.
The two maids, identified as Prisca and Revai were off duty.
According to Mr Chitetere, journalists from the private and international media started trooping to Mr Biti's house as early as 9am as news of the blast filtered through.
He said Mr Biti only arrived at his house more than 13 hours later despite being notified of the incident as early as 8am.
Also startling is the fact that a police report was made at Highlands Police Station almost 17 hours after the incident.
"I was sleeping in the quarters and I heard something like a gun shot at around 1am. I went outside to investigate and went to the wall and realised that there was a crack."
Asked why he went straight to the security wall, Mr Chitetere said: "I just suspected that something could have happened to it."
He said he then went to inspect the house before returning to sleep.
"I switched off the lights and at around 8 in the morning, I went outside and that's when I realised smoke on the walls.
"Whilst I was examining the wall, one of the (Mr Biti's) drivers, Danny arrived and I told him everything," he said.
He said Danny immediately phoned "mudhara" (Mr Biti) informing him of the incident.
"Soon after that we started seeing news guys arriving and they came and took nyaya dzavo before leaving. We spent the whole day waiting for him (Mr Biti)," he said.
Asked where his boss was at time of bombing, Mr Chitetere said, "I don't know where exactly but what I know is that he was in the country."
He said at around 6pm he later went and reported the matter at Highlands Police Station together with Danny.
"We came with police officers at around 7pm who started investigating the case. He (Biti) managed to arrive at around 9.30pm and took over everything," he said.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said nobody had been picked up for questioning so far. Police sources say investigations indicated that the matter appeared to be the party's grandstanding ahead of the Sadc summit on Zimbabwe this weekend.
The Sadc extraordinary summit is slated for this Saturday and would be held on the sidelines of the Comesa, Sadc and East African Community Tripartite Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Police sources said it was startling that an official report was made more than 17 hours after the incident.
The sources also claimed that chances were high that evidence could have been tampered with before the report was made. The bombing reportedly happened at around 1am on Sunday.
This is not the first time that Minister Biti has failed to report a case to the police in time.
In August 2009, Minister Biti was fined US$20 after he was involved in an accident and failed to report to police within 24 hours.
He paid an admission of guilt fine at Avondale Police Station.
The accident occurred on July 13 at around 11pm in Kambanji after the minister who was driving an official silver Mercedes Benz hit a bridge barrier along Outspan Road between Geydan and Milanzi Roads.
The vehicle was damaged and he did not report to the police as stipulated by the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13.11.
The accident was, however, reported 25 days later on August 7, 2009 after officials from the CMED demanded a police report when Minister Biti wanted the vehicle repaired.
On Sunday, there was no police guarding Minister Biti's house as a result of manpower shortages in the force.
"Government said reports claiming that Finance Minister, Biti's house had been bombed were part of the MDC-T political grandstanding ahead of the Sadc Summit. Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity, Mr George Charamba, said the reports were riddled with a lot of inconsistencies rendering the story incredible.
EARLIER STORY
"This was a propaganda political petrol bomb so poorly done ahead of the Sadc Summit in South Africa. If the idea was to draw attention to Minister Biti and his party, then the MDC-T needs to be a little bit more inventive next time," said Mr Charamba.
Media reports had sought to blame the State, claiming that the police officer who guards the residence had left the property.
"This whole issue of a police officer being unavailable is nonsense. Anyone enjoying VIP police protection, including myself, one would know that of late the police have been overstretched by way of manpower,
they have been struggling to deploy because of serious transport handicap, thanks to Minister Biti who will not give them resources. Anywhere, I hear that the police officer at the Minister's residence had been taken ill and remedial action was taken immediately," he said.
Recent investigations by the police have revealed that MDC-T was behind some of the petrol bombings in and around Harare.
Earlier this year, a petrol bomb was detonated at Mbare's Siya-So market stalls in what investigations indicated was an attack by MDC-T youths.
In February this year, five petrol bombs were thrown at the Zanu-PF district offices in Mbare by the MDC-T again. The MDC-T supporters are also suspected to be behind petrol bombs, which were thrown at Harare Central Police Station and the CID headquarters in Harare.
Between March 15 and 25, 2007, four police stations in Chitungwiza, Marimba, Sakubva and Gweru were petrol-bombed by suspected MDC-T activists, resulting in serious injuries to two policewomen and damage to property. Police suspected MDC supporters were responsible for both attacks and arrested five suspects in connection with the Gweru attack.
They also attempted to blow up a railway line in Norton.
Presently there are factional fights within the MDC-T with supporters of Mr Biti and party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai involved in some skirmishes. Previous internal squabbles in the party even led to physical attacks on former senior members, Professor Welshman Ncube, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Trudy Stevenson.
Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, TENDAI BITI, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Police question MDC-T death claims
By: Nancy Pasipanodya
Posted: Thursday, September 23, 2010 5:51 am
ZIMBABWEAN police have dismissed claims that one Crispen Mandizvidza, who died in Harare yesterday, after being attacked by unknown assailants on Sunday was a member of the MDC-T.MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa claimed that Mandizvidza was one of their members and was attacked by Zanu-PF supporters in Mbare after attending Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac).
But chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said Mandizvidza's friend who reported the incident on Wednesday, said they were attacked when they were walking from work and were not coming from a Copac meeting.
Mandizvidza was a security guard, but it was not immediately clear if he was an MDC-T supporter.
The circumstances of Mandizvidza's death are not in line with MDC-T claims and police say they are treating the attack as a criminal act.
“We had a report at Mbare Police Station this morning that Crispen Mandizvidza, who is aged around 23, had died at a local hospital after succumbing to injuries he sustained after being assaulted on Sunday and investigations are now in progress,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said Mandizvidza’s friend said they were attacked on Sunday night on their way from work as they walked along Rakajani Street in Mbare.
No formal report was made to the police and Mandizvidza was taken to a local hospital for treatment but died yesterday.
“This then prompted the friend to make a report today (Wednesday) at Mbare Police Station and we have since launched an investigation on the case as the motive behind the murder is still not clear.
"We are starting our investigations from the report,” said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena.
There were mixed reports in online media over the incident.
A report by Sokwanele said: "Mandizvidza was one of 11 Mbare residents and .. MDC supporters who were assaulted by Zanu-PF youths on Sunday 19 September 2010 after attending a Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) meeting at Mai Musodzi Hall in Mbare..."
The same report also says: "Mandizvidza and Kuranga were targeted by the Zanu-PF youths as they escorted some visitors along Kawadza Street in Mbare, who had visited them at their residence."
Other reports claim that Mandizvidza was attacked at Mai Musodzi Hall.
Police say they are, however, treating the the murder of an innocent person seriously and are appealing to more witnesses to come forward.
Labels: COPAC, MDC, PROPAGANDA, SOKWANELE, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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PM under pressure over Makone
05/07/2010 00:00:00
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is reportedly under pressure to discipline Co-Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone following embarrassing revelations that she ganged-up with a Zanu PF colleague to interfere with police investigations.
Makone was named Home Affairs minister in the recent MDC-T cabinet reshuffle which the Prime Minister said was aimed at strengthening “the performance of the MDC-T in government and outside government, in order to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe”.
However, barely two weeks into her new portfolio, Makone has been accused by police of trying to intimidate officers into releasing Presidential Affairs colleague and senior Zanu PF member Didymus Mutasa’s son who was arrested on fraud allegations.
Makone is said be related to Mutasa.
ZRP spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena said the two visited police stations in Harare’s Mbare residential area and tried to get Mutasa’s son, Martin, released from custody.
Martin was arrested along with businessman Themba Mliswa for allegedly swindling a Harare businessman of shares worth US$1 million.
Makone has not commented on the claims but Mutasa dismissed the police allegations as “nonsense” saying he only behaved as any father would in similar circumstances.
But the allegations have sparked outrage in the MDC-T’s national executive with some members urging Tsvangirai to reprimand Makone.
Others called for her resignation, insisting the allegations “brought the party into disrepute”.
"We discussed her (Makone’s) conduct (last) Friday as the national executive and we agreed that she should explain what transpired. We feel she has let our party and the people down," one national executive member was reported as saying.
Still, other MDC-T members were skeptical over the prospects any action being taken against Makone because of the enormous influence she and her husband wield over the party.
Makone and husband, Ian, are said to be key allies of the MDC-T leader.
The family is also among the party’s major financiers.
Meanwhile, although Mutasa denies any wrong doing, police have refused to back down from their allegations.
Mutasa claimed he only visited the police stations to find out why his son had been arrested.
“As a father I have the right to visit my son, especially when he has been arrested,” Mutasa said.
The Zanu PF politburo member also complained about the state of the police cells where martin was held, claiming conditions there were worse than under Ian Smith’s settler regime.
Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, THERESA MAKONE, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Biti faces negligent driving charges
By: Zim Independent-tzg
Posted: Monday, March 29, 2010 3:23 pm
FINANCE minister Tendai Biti who survived a horrific accident on Tuesday evening could be charged with negligent driving amid reports that preliminary police investigations show that he was to blame for the crash.
Sources close to the investigations told the Zimbabwe Independent yesterday that the preliminary probe showed that Biti's vehicle could have encroached into the lane of the on-coming truck.
Police national spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena, yesterday said the police would not disclose their investigation to the media "just yet".
Pressed to say how the public would get to know the circumstances surrounding the accident given that it involved a public figure, Bvudzijena said that would depend on the outcome of the investigations.
"It will depend (on the outcome). If there is anyone to be prosecuted over the cause of the accident, then it may go to the courts and the public will know," Bvudzijena said.
Biti was driving his 4X4 Toyota Hilux Vigo Twin-cab when it was sideswiped by a trailer of a haulage truck at the 99km-peg along the Harare-Bulawayo road.
The impact spun the car, turning it to face where it was coming from before it landed in a ditch. The vehicle is a complete write-off.
The truck belonged to Miclak Transport of Chegutu and was being driven by Knowledge Gavaza.
The driver escaped unscathed.
Gavaza spent Tuesday night in police cells before being released on Wednesday after police said it was still inconclusive that he had caused the accident.
Police traffic evaluators were yesterday still gathering evidence from the scene of the accident and our source said they had collected samples of skid marks and the road surface.
"Every detail, no matter how minute, is needed to establish or disprove any suspected attempt on the minister's life," a source said.
"The samples have been taken to Harare where forensic tests will be carried out. Initial findings however indicate the minister could face charges of negligent driving. It appears his car encroached into the lane of the haulage truck."
Biti emerged from the accident without any visible injuries but MDC-T party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa was quoted as saying the Finance minister was complaining of chest pains.
An official from the MDC security department said they would not rely on police investigations alone but would carry out their own probe.
Zim Independent-tzg
Labels: CAR ACCIDENTS, TENDAI BITI, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Zim activists sue state for $500m
CHENGETAI ZVAUYA | HARARE, ZIMBABWE - Oct 02 2009 09:58
A prominent Zimbabwean human rights activist and eight others are suing the government for $500-million after terror charges against them were dropped because they had been beaten and tortured, their lawyer said.
Harrison Nkomo, a lawyer for activist Jestina Mukoko, said on Thursday that the national police commissioner, intelligence minister and several police officers were among those being sued for the abduction, wrongful arrest and torture of Mukoko and the others.
Mukoko is seeking $250-million of that settlement, he said, adding that the rest would be split between the other activists.
The country's Supreme Court granted the activists a permanent stay of prosecution on Monday because their constitutional rights had been violated.
Mukoko testified earlier this year that she had been tortured and assaulted in jail. The defendants appeared with bloodied, swollen faces during court appearances late last year.
"It is their prerogative to pursue any legal recourse with regard to any perceived violence they allege may have happened," said police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena. "The police will also advance and argument why they can't be held liable for anything done to Jestina and the others."
Thursday's announcement was made at a press conference hosted by the group Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights. Mukoko attended the conference but did not speak.
The organisation's director Irene Petras also called for Attorney-General Johannes Tomana to resign over his "unethical and partisan" conduct during the activists' trial.
Tomana dismissed the call and told the Associated Press that his officials had been professional.
Accusations that Mukoko and the others had been plotting to overthrow Mugabe had been widely denounced as trumped up and politically motivated. [by the MDC - MrK]
Mukoko was taken from her home in early December and held at an undisclosed location until being jailed December 23. She was freed on bail in March, only to have a Harare magistrate revoke that in May, prompting international criticism.
Some analysts saw the decision to drop charges as a new willingness by judges loyal to President Robert Mugabe to meet demands for reforms.
Mugabe formed a unity government with former opposition leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in February.
Tsvangirai said the case undermined the coalition and called for the dropping of charges against all activists and for attacks against opposition members to be stopped.
Petras said she remained concerned about seven activists from Tsvangirai's party whose whereabouts are unknown.
Hundreds of pro-democracy activists went missing in the wake of Zimbabwe's disputed elections in March 2008. -- Sapa-AP
Labels: HUMAN RIGHTS, JESTINA MUKOKO, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Zim cops continue to get world recognition
Herald Reporter
SENIOR Zimbabwean police officers continue to receive world recognition by being appointed to top United Nations posts in Africa and Asia.
The appointments are in addition to the regular participation of Zimbabwean policemen and women in UN peacekeeping missions the world over.
Since May 2006 a senior assistant commissioner and three assistant commissioners have been appointed to head UN missions in Africa and Asia.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said the officers were appointed after undergoing a rigorous recruitment process by the UN involving police officers from around the world.
He said the vacant posts were first advertised among police organisations around the world and candidates meeting the required standards undergo the selection process.
"ZRP officers continue to receive recognition from the United Nations through direct appointments by the world body besides the usual participation by the many officers in peace-keeping missions around the world.
"Over the years, four officers of the rank of Assistant Commissioner and Senior Assistant Commissioner have been appointed to UN posts in Africa and Asia," said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena.
Snr Asst Comm Clement Munoriarwa was the first senior officer to be appointed as Mission Planning Co-ordinator for the UN Mission in Khartoum, Sudan.
Asst Comm Crowd Chirenje took up the post of Planning Officer and is assisting the Africa Union mission in Somalia (Amison) in planning and mobilising resources for the police component of Amison.
Asst Comm Chirenje was appointed in July 2007 and is based in Addis Ababa.
Asst Comm Apolonia Munzwerengi served as the Vulnerable Persons Co-ordinator in East Timor and completed her two-year contract last year.
She had served as a peacekeeper in the same country for one year.
Asst Comm Munzwerengi is the Officer Commanding Police National Traffic.
Senior Staff Officer Press at Police General Headquarters, Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba left the country last month after being appointed Operations Co-ordinator in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (Unmil).
"Asst Comm Charamba’s appointment is her first stint with the United Nations," Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said.
The UN continues to request for more Zimbabwean officers to undertake peacekeeping missions in different parts of the world in recognition of their professionalism and competence.
Labels: POLICE, UN, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA, ZRP
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Hunyani bridge 'bombed'
Reuters
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:25:00 +0000
ZIMBABWEAN police said on Friday there had been an attempt to blow up a road and rail bridge on one of the country's major highways near Harare. Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said in a statement: "There was an attempt to bomb the Hunyani rail and road bridges along the Harare-Bulawayo route last night. Both bridges suffered minimum damage and remained intact and useable."
"Investigations are in progress. Security forces remain on high alert."
He declined to comment on possible suspects and the motive for the attack, or whether it was linked to political tension in the country.
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change called on their supporters to end political violence in the country earlier this month.
The two parties began power-sharing talks in July following President Robert Mugabe's re-election in a widely condemned June poll, boycotted by the opposition.
Reuters
Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, MDC VIOLENCE, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Police station bombed
Crime Reporter
Police recovered two unexploded bombs on the first floor of the CID Headquarters at Harare Central Police Station after a bomb detonated at the station on Saturday night. Chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commi-ssioner Wayne Bvudzijena said the Zimbabwe National Army Bomb Disposal Unit recovered the bombs from the first floor of the old wing which now houses the CID.
On the floor are several offices, including those of the Homicide Section, which deals with cases such as murder and armed robbery and is responsible for hunting down hardcore criminals.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the first bomb, which exploded at around 6:45pm on Saturday, damaged 13 offices at the police station.
According to forensic experts, the bomb had been placed in a kitchen, which bore the brunt of the explosion. No one was injured in the blast, said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena.
He said the Police Forensic Section and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit yesterday combed the area and recovered the fragments of the detonated explosive and two live bombs.
"Also recovered were pieces of safe fuse used to detonate the bomb," Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said. He said investigations were still continuing.
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena also commended the Harare Fire Brigade, Police Canine Section and the ZNA Bomb Disposal Unit for their swift response to the blast.
Yesterday morning, Inez Terrace and Kenneth Kaunda Avenue had been sealed off while armed troops helped guard the building.
Forensic experts were still searching for more clues while the Harare Fire Brigade was on standby as detectives searched the area to make sure that there were no other explosives.
Among security chiefs who inspected the site yesterday were Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga and Police Deputy Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.
Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, MDC VIOLENCE, POLICE, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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Security beefed up at police stations
Ralph Nkomo
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:57:00 +0000
ZIMBABWE police have tightened security at all police stations and camps countrywide following the recent explosion at the Criminal Investigations Department wing located at the Central Police Station in the capital Harare. Police Chief Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena issued a statement saying security measures had been beefed up at police stations and camps.
Some of the security measures in place include the banning of private motorists from parking their cars at police stations overnight for safekeeping.
Snr Asst Commissioner Bvudzijena also confirmed that investigations on the bombing earlier this month were still in progress and said a number of officers at Harare central police station have been questioned in connection with the explosion at the beginning of this month.
The Zimbabwe National Army bomb disposal unit recovered unexploded bombs from the first floor of the old wing of the Central Police Station after the bombing attack. The wing houses the CID.
Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, POLICE, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA
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