Chaos at high court as late Mujuru's second wife fights for share of the estate

Chaos at high court as late Mujuru's second wife fights for share of the estate

Saturday, 21 March 2015 / No Comments

Master of the High Court Mr Eldard Mutasa has given the late General Solomon Mujuru’s lawyers five days to submit a will the late veteran politician and national hero left in their possession. It emerged in a stormy edict meeting yesterday that Gen Mujuru left a will in which he named his lawyer, Mr Thekor Kewada of Scanlen and Holderness, as the executor of his estate.

Vice President Joice Mujuru’s lawyer Mr Addington Chinake yesterday told the meeting that his

client’s husband left a will. This was after children — the majority born out of wedlock — through their lawyers, had unanimously moved for the appointment of an independent executor of Gen Mujuru’s multi-billion-dollar estate. Gen Mujuru had four children with Dr Mujuru.

It also emerged during the meeting that Gen Mujuru was a polygamist, also married to Faith Mujuru nee Juta, meaning there are two surviving spouses. Ms Juta is mother to Tendai who is leading the fight to ensure that all Gen Mujuru’s children, including those he adopted, receive their share of the estate.

Ms Juta said she married Gen Mujuru on March 18, 1981 under the customary law and divorced him in 1993. The couple, she said, reconciled in 2008 at the instance of the Mujuru family. At the time of Gen Mujuru’s death, she said, she was staying at the family’s Ruwa Farm.

“We were staying as husband and wife until his death. It’s an open secret. I have witnesses to that, including Gen Mujuru’s eldest daughter Maidei here present,” she said. So far, 13 children were yesterday accepted to be Gen Mujuru’s on the basis of their birth certificates bearing the name of the national hero as the biological father.

All-in-all, the late General had around 20 children, with the other seven likely to be identified soon. Tendai told the meeting that the children were coming and would ensure that they were located. He hinted that all-in-all they could be more than 20.

“The deceased left a testamentary writing in that he approached Mr Thekor Kewada a senior partner at Scanlen and Holderness as the executor,” said Mr Chinake. The announcement drew the ire of the children who questioned why it took Dr Mujuru four years to notify the Master of the High Court of the existence of the document.

“Why are we here when there is such a document? The purpose of this meeting is to choose the executor and why wasting our time?” queried a lawyer representing one of the children, Tendai. Other children joined in and started accusing Mr Chinake of injustice and unfairness.

But the children continued with their barrage of attacks on the lawyer, who then threatened to leave the meeting.“May I be excused?” said Mr Chinake, leaving his chair to walk out of the meeting.He was stopped by the Master Mr Mutasa who insisted that he should not prematurely abandon the proceedings.

“But I cannot allow myself to be abused by these children. I have done my part in giving vital information needed in this matter.” After hearing submissions from all the parties, a resolution on the way forward was made. It is ordered that Mr Kewada submit to the office of the Master, a testamentary writing left by Gen Mujuru by Friday next week. The latest being at 4pm,” said Mr Mutasa.

“If he fails then the court will proceed to choose an independent executor of the estate.” Mr Mutasa said if the alleged will was found to be valid, it would be accepted. Once he receives the will, Mr Mutasa said the children would be shown the document and be given the platform to challenge it if they so wish.

The children requested the Master to treat the matter with urgency, arguing that most of the children were living in abject poverty following their father’s demise. Turning to assets, the children said their father had properties strewn around Harare, Bindura and Sadza.

Some of the major properties are houses in Borrowdale, Bindura, a shopping complex in Warren Park D, Trojan Mine, River Ranch Mine, Ruzambo Farm in Beatrice, Kulmic Investments and other various movable and immovable properties. The children hinted that after the death of their father, Dr Mujuru initiated the processes of transferring some of the properties. They asked the Master how he was going to deal with such conduct.

“That is the job of the executor to carry out investigations on everything that had been said in this meeting,” said Mr Mutasa. “If there is anything criminal, it will be dealt with accordingly. All that will come out during the executor’s investigations.”

On the paternity issue, Mr Chinake informed the meeting that it was a matter for the courts. Gen Mujuru died in an inferno at his Ruzambo Farm in Beatrice in 2011 and was declared a national hero. His estate is believed to run into billions of dollars.

He was ranked among the richest Zimbabweans with business interests cutting across almost all sectors of the economy.

Gweru pastor nabbed for possessing illegal ivory and croc skins

Gweru pastor nabbed for possessing illegal ivory and croc skins

Friday, 20 March 2015 / No Comments

A Gweru based pastor was last month nabbed in Gokwe together with three accomplices after allegedly being found in possession of ivory, crocodile skin and 30 live rounds of ammunition. Pastor Garikai Masunda of 72 Brunkanhurt plots in Gweru was arrested together with Chipo Bridget Tinago (29) of 92 Mutondo Street, Mufakose, Harare as well as Gerald Sinyoro and Tamuka Madavanhu of Gokwe.

Prosecutor Tineyi Tirigo told the court that on 12 February at around 3pm, a patrol team comprising Zimbabwe Republic Police and members of the Zimbabwe parks and Wildlife Management Authority were on joint operation in Chilimba area, Gokwe, where they received information that the four accused were allegedly involved in illegal dealings in ivory.

The team then carried out a stop and search operation where they found the four accused persons parked at a lay-by. Tinago was seated in the car while the three men were standing outside.

The team introduced themselves and requested to search the vehicle. They found an elephant task wrapped with a cloth. It weighed 1,3 kilogrammes and was valued at $306,25. During the search a plastic bottle containing 30 live rounds of ammunition of a 302 riffle was recovered underneath a mat which was in front of the passenger seat.

The accused persons failed to produce a licence for the ammunition upon being asked to do so. The four were taken to Siakobvu Police Station where a thorough search was conducted leading to the recovery of one crocodile skin valued at $1,500 in the boot of the vehicle. They also failed to produce a permit for possessing it.

The four appeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Sheperd Mjanja and only Madavanhu pleaded guilty to the charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act and the Fire Arms Act. 

He was slapped with nine years imprisonment for count one and 12 months each on counts two and three. Three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.The trio who pleaded not guilty will be back in court next week.

Zimbabwean women rewind to re-usables sanitary pads

Zimbabwean women rewind to re-usables sanitary pads

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Seldom do we have old inventions appearing in another part of the world as new phenomena, but enter re-usable pads, a thing that has been around since the beginning of time becoming fashionable in Zimbabwe. Re-usable pads, also known as washable pads, are intended to curb the use of newspapers and other harmful materials that many women turn to due to  lack of adequate funds to purchase sanitary wear.

While re-usable pads promote women’s sanitary health, they also pose a threat to the disposable pad market as they are functional for up to a year-and-a-half. Going for $1 for two, they are not harsh on the pockets of women who usually have to fork out $2 for pads or $5 for the more flexible tampons.

Researchers have revealed that the re-usable pads have high absorbency, are leak resistant and the material does breathe unlike the disposable ones that mostly use synthetic fibres such as rayon and plastic that are super absorbent and may even absorb moisture from the vagina increasing chances of severe menstrual cramps and infections.

However, despite their relatively cheap price, reusable pads will be a hard sell in the urban areas, with many vowing to stick to tried and tested products. Progress Tshuma (21) is a student at a local college. Re-usable pads are a new thing to her. Despite having been told about their advantages, she is still  not keen on trying them out.

“I would rather use a product I already know than try something new because I am not sure of its effects,” she said.

Just like with something new, there is also excitement for some — especially those that have had bad experiences with the commonly used pads. Most young women expressed concern over the washing part as they openly said they cannot stand washing their own menstrual clothes. However,  others are happy that someone has finally developed something more comfortable using material they are familiar with.

“I feel itchy every time I use cotton pads. At least with these new ones made of cloth I don’t feel any skin irritation,” said Bahle Sibanda who has tried the new craze.

Dumiso Dabengwa poised to relinquish ZAPU Post at congress

Dumiso Dabengwa poised to relinquish ZAPU Post at congress

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Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa is set to relinquish his current post at the party’s elective congress scheduled for August this year.

Well-placed sources said the party was planning to amend its constitution to create the post of national chairman for the former Zipra intelligence supreme.

“The Zapu constitution will be amended at the forthcoming congress to accommodate the post of chairman. The chairman will be in charge of party affairs while the president will be in charge of governance issues. We are going to have elections for a new president because Dabengwa will be deployed to the new portfolio,” said the source, who cannot be named for fear of breaching the party’s protocol. Some young Turks are already jostling for Dabengwa’s post. They include United Kingdom-based secretary general Ralph Mguni and South African-based businessmen, Dubizizwo Joli and Dr Frank Mbobo. Dark horses in the race to succeed Dabengwa also include Harare-based lawyer, Msonglwa Ndlovu and Retired Col Ray Ncube.

The post of secretary general is likely to be a two-way race between the late nationalist George Silundika’s son, Flexi, and another Middle East-based party activist.

When reached for comment, the party’s spokesperson Patrick Ndlovu, professed ignorance about the impending changes in the party. “I am not aware of those changes which you are referring to. What I know is that Zapu will be jointly holding its women and youth congresses on April 11 in Bulawayo. This congress is part of our preparations for the main congress which will be held in August,” he said.

Incumbent national chairwoman, Gertrude Makwila, is said to be seeking re-election at the congress while incumbent South Africa-based youth chairman , Future Musovele, is reportedly facing a stiff challenge from a Victoria Falls-based aspirant. The party is also set to change constitution to align it with the 50-50 gender policy. zimbabwean

Roman catholic priest and Nun embroiled in an unholy relationship

Roman catholic priest and Nun embroiled in an unholy relationship

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A Roman Catholic priest at St Charles Lwanga in Chimanimani is facing allegations of sleeping with a sister from the same centre in apparent violation of dictates of the church.
The illicit affair came to light after nude pictures and suggestive messages the lovebirds shared were leaked on social media.

Father Taurai Saunyama (30), who could not be reached for comment, is alleged to have slept with Sister Rukudzo Rosemary Nyamugunduru (22), who said the man of cloth only proposed love to her but she had turned him down. She denied ever sleeping with him, saying these were only rumours.

“Fr Saunyama proposed love to me on several occasions, but I never consented and the matter was put before the council,” she said. After being asked why she had exchanged indecent texts and photos with the priest, she was at a loss for words to explain.

She suddenly went offensive and threatened The Weekender, demanding to know who had leaked the pornographic photos.

“What do you need all that information for? It is none of your business. I demand to know the person that gave you those texts and pictures together with my phone numbers,” she screamed at the reporter.

The text messages and photographs were discovered by fellow sisters who requested not to be named.

In the messages, the pair would plot on how Sr Rukudzo would leave the house she stayed in with the other sisters to go to the priest’s house without getting fellow sisters suspicious.
In other messages, the pair would praise each other for being good sexual partners and at one time the priest warned the sister against having other men feast on her, claiming he was the only one who was entitled to enjoying the forbidden fruit.

 The priest also occasionally sent the sister nude pictures of himself, showing his erect organ.
The affair is alleged to have reached Mother Superior, Sister Evelyn’s, office in Mutare.
Contacted for comment, Sr Evelyn said she was not in a position to comment on the issue.

Some of the juicy leaked text messages exchanged between Fr Taurai Saunyama and Sr Rukudzo
Nyamugunduru:
Fr Saunyama: Mha** idzo dzinofanira kutambisirwa ini chete
Sr Rukudzo: Pane pandinombodzitambisa here ini kana kuti ndinotoedza kuti dzisafambe dzichitamba
Fr Saunyama: Saka usacheme-cheme nokuti be*** iroro ndinototi ndiris***
Sr Rukudzo: Nowadays u no longer want to go with me kuma out stations
Sr Rukudzo: Musi uye watakaenda kuchipinge ummmmm wakandigonera wena. U are sweetie. Tichaenda zvakare riinhi? Manheru ndouya here?
Fr Saunyama: Come kuno, unongobuda
Sr Rukudzo: Ndichaona kuti zvinoita here nhasi after maprayers asi nhasi handinyanyi kugarisa although ndiri kunzwa kukuda
Fr Saunyama: Unondiwana muoffice then tozopinda mubedroom. Thanx. Ndoda kuris**** be***
Sr Rukudzo: Hazviite sha bcz now ndichina amainini, zvakare ndikabuda navo ndoti ndiri kuenda kupi
Fr Saunyama: Jus going to sort papers kuoffice u tell them or check if u switched off lights and plugs and I will be right there naked for you
Fr Saunyama: Unoti pavanobuda vovasiya vouya ku office voga, after 1hr vodzokera kana voisa candle muoffice maSr Vale iwe uri mumachira neni
Sr Rukudzo: Yes I would love to come there and to be with u now bcz my body nids u now bt hakuna magetsi saka amainini vari kutoti ndokuperekedzai ndodzoka nemi saka ndazongoti ndozozviona mangwana zvatoramba
Sr Rukudzo: I will love u Tau. Maza** angu nebe*** zviri kuvava ndouya here
Fr Saunyama: Come kuno, unongobuda
Fr Saunyama: Thanx for cuming here I appreciate. Gdnyt ndaakurara.

ISIS recruiting fighters from South Africa

ISIS recruiting fighters from South Africa

Monday, 2 March 2015 / No Comments

Durban – The self-proclaimed Islamic State is recruiting South Africans to join its cause. And some have already made the caliphate their home. Independent Media has obtained a step-by-step guide on how South Africans can travel via Turkey to the caliphate’s headquarters in Syria. The document is available online via a micro-blogging platform, but can only be accessed with a password. It includes details such as how to book flights, accommodation, what to pack for the journey, who to contact once you reach Turkey, how to contact “your agent”, and how to make your way to IS-controlled land. The organisation has captured large parts of Iraq and Syria. It also has operations in Libya, Egypt and other parts of the Middle East. It aims to create a society based on a fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law. The UN has declared IS a terrorist organisation after several beheadings of foreign prisoners and attacks on non-Muslims. Independent Media has previously reported on claims that some South Africans have joined IS. This week, we used social network platforms to track down two South Africans who claimed to have joined the group. One claimed to be from Port Elizabeth and the other from Joburg. Using the pseudonym Abu Hurarya Al-Afriki, 18, one of the men said he had been living in the caliphate for two months. A second man who identified himself as Abu Layth Al-Hindi, 25, joined the caliphate a month ago. Both have set up social media accounts to help South Africans wanting to join IS. Al-Hindi said life in the caliphate was tough at times. “But by the will of Allah, you can overcome anything,” he said. Al-Hindi said access to the caliphate was becoming more difficult. “Now we have a new rule called tazkiya. You have to give the state a guarantee that you know and completely trust the person you are bringing. If it is found that the person is not trustworthy or that the person is a spy, then both you and the person will be beheaded.” Al-Hindi said anyone planning on hijrah (migration) to IS would have to do so at their own expense. “However, once you get here everything is provided for you. You are given all basic necessities, you are placed into a job if you would like to work and you won’t have to deal with the nonsense that people put up with in South Africa. It is the life that every believer wishes to lead.” He claimed he was aware of 11 South Africans living in IS, but Independent Media has no way of verifying this. “We all get to know each other here. “The English speakers generally meet and discuss where they are from.” The name Al-Afriki means someone from Africa. “It is my duty to guide and assist people to the khilafah (caliphate). I have already been contacted by nearly 100 South Africans wanting to join us,” said Al-Afriki. “Guidance from Allah made me join the Islamic State. As a Muslim, you will lead a life full of honour. The attraction is simple. We just want to live under Islam. We don’t want to see evil, vice, gambling, nudity, prostitution, music, murder, deception, uncleanliness, streets reeking of faeces and a host of other evil and filth which exists in the Western world. “The khilafah does exactly what Allah has told us to do. It is not permitted for a Muslim to live amongst the disbelievers in their lands; it is only rightful for a Muslim to live in an Islamic state, governed by the laws of Allah. The disbelievers are governed by man-made laws. “Life here is like life in the time of the Messenger. We live the same way in which his companions lived. It is necessary for Muslims to have a leader, a caliphate and power for Muslims to establish Islam and its complete control over the world,” he said. Both the men said their job was to encourage and guide other South Africans to the caliphate. They said it was better than living in South Africa or in a Western country. “The attraction is simple. We live the life we want to lead under Islam and by the guidance of the holy Qur’an. Muslims who do not choose this life are misguided and they are not just non-believers, but they are sinners,” said Al-Hindi. “As a Muslim, you would lead a life full of honour; therefore I encourage my brothers and sisters to join me in the khilafah.” Al-Hindi said that although they are asked to surrender their passports upon arrival, they were also allowed to leave the state at any time they chose. “If you want to leave, you have to go to the border office and collect your passport. They will take you over safely,” he said. Al-Hindi said those who entered IS were provided with a home if they had come with their family or spouses. If a woman entered the caliphate on her own or with friends, she was placed in a special guesthouse with widows and other unmarried women. Once in the state, all expenses are taken care of, including medical care. Women are placed into jobs, as nurses, receptionists or in a special media department where they promote IS in articles to attract more people to the IS. “Women don’t even need to work because the monthly stipend is sufficient for them. But if they choose to work, they can do so,” Al-Hindi said. He said there were added benefits. “When you get married you get a special gift from the state. All newlyweds get a gift of $1 000 which is equivalent to R11 500. Which country in the world does this?” he said. He said children were well cared for. “They can go to school and learn. “They get a normal education just like one would get in a Western country, but obviously guided by the principles of Islam. Our women and children are not deprived like most people think,” he said. “You will live a life far better than those who live in the West. The time is now for you to join us, before it is too late – the doors are slowly closing. “And, to the Western world, I have one message for you: ‘Die in your rage.’”

Green Bomber training to be re-introduced to all youths in Zimbabwe

Green Bomber training to be re-introduced to all youths in Zimbabwe

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President Mugabe has expressed concern over the youths of Zimbabwe whom he chastised for being involved in immoral behaviour and rampant abuse of drugs and other intoxicating substances. Speaking at his 91st birthday celebrations in Victoria Falls yesterday, Matabeleland North Province, President Mugabe said there was a need to have moral empowerment advocacy. "Our party and Government shall continue to monitor and evaluate all our policies. However, the youth should take advocacy and conscious action for behavioural change. They should shun all forms of immoral and life destroying behaviour and conduct," he said According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care about 10 percent of Zimbabweans are mentally ill and most of these are youths who following the abuse of drugs and other harmful substances get mentally unstable. On the issue of corruption the President said the youths had to shy away from the scourge. "Corruption should be avoided, in addition to having the ambition to do great things for the nation and their families hence we discourage in the strongest terms the increase of the use of drugs, alcohol and other intoxicating substances," said President Mugabe. This, he said, led to the abuse of other younger children by the drug using youths. "Without discipline surely our youths will be doomed, we want moral empowerment advocacy. We want that teaching which comes out of Christianity to be real to be practical," he added. The President said youths in the country should strive to be leaders of tomorrow by attaining an education. In light of this a psychomotor skills ministry was introduced recently in the country with the President saying there should be one Vocational Training Centre in each district that will see youths advancing their skills. He said Africa’s population has been described as a useful population and the scenario in our own country testifies to that as our own youth were victims of corruption going on in companies. "Young people have just like us, suffered from sanctions, the imposition of sanctions has disabled the capacity of their elders. Now their elders were placed in high positions, however, they could not earn maximally in their positions so they could not provide as fully as they might have desired," said President Mugabe. President Mugabe said the Government recognises the role played by the youth in development and nation building. He said Parliament had now ratified the African Youth Charter as well as reviewed the youth empowerment policy. He encouraged youths to study hard and acquire an education and also hands-on skills like agriculture, carpentry and building. The President also castigated the education system by saying it was too academic and lacked the other aspects that made students able to fend for themselves outside formal academic education. The shift would see the review of the education curriculum which will see the education sector churning out employers not employees. The President also announced that plans to make the National Youth Service mandatory were under way as it was one of the ways to improve moral uprightness among the young people. "The National Youth Service aims to inculcate discipline in young people, patriotism, selflessness and self-sacrifices so we want to enhance our National Youth Service dream. It is very important and we would want to get to a stage where every student will have gone through national service training at Ordinary Level and we want to build resources towards that gradually," said the President. The National Youth Service is a programme of the Zimbabwean Government for Zimbabweans of ages 10 to 30. Its stated purpose is to transform and empower youths for nation building through life skills training and leadership development. The service also serves to instill in young Zimbabweans a sense of national identity and patriotism.