February 2014

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe’s stinging remarks that ex-Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) chairman Godwills Masimirembwa had solicited for a $6 million bribe allegedly fell apart after a police probe exposed numerous inconsistencies in the Ghanaian investor’s story, the Daily News can reveal. Until Thursday’s shocking admission by the 90-year-old Zanu PF leader that his…

HARARE – Former Air Zimbabwe (Private) Limited boss Peter Chikumba, currently in custody over fraud charges, has appealed against a Harare magistrate’s ruling denying him bail. Chikumba, 59, is jointly charged with Grace Nyaradzai Pfumbidzai, 49, who was the struggling firm’s legal manager and company secretary. Together they are accused of fraud and corrupt abuse…

HARARE – Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has instituted an investigation into salaries and allowances paid to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Authority (ZBC) bosses and directors to ascertain whether they paid taxes in full. The inquiry by the tax collector follows the placement of the public broadcaster’s top management on forced leave by Information minister Jonathan Moyo and…

HARARE – Police yesterday stormed Harvest House, the MDC headquarters in central Harare,on the prowl for youths who allegedly assaulted party deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma last week. Douglas Mwonzora, MDC spokesperson, who is also the legal representative for the wanted persons, told the Daily News that the police had a list of seven youths who…

MUTARE – High Court judge Justice Charles Hungwe has bemoaned delays in criminal trials, saying it was wearing away public confidence in the country’s criminal justice delivery system. Officially opening the 2014 legal year of the Mutare Circuit yesterday, Hungwe said criminal cases were increasing. He said delays in their completions “may be responsible for…

HARARE – A Harare magistrate has denied bail to an MDC activist who allegedly assaulted MDC deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma at the party headquarters, Harvest House, last week. Magistrate Tendai Mahwe remanded James Chidhakwa, 31, in custody to March 10. Prosecutor Sharon Mashavira alleged that on February 15, Chidhakwa of No. 9 Knight Bruce in…

HARARE – Jailed Robert Martin Gumbura’s wives have begged the Administrative Court not to ban their church, the Independent End Time Message Ministries. Documents from the Administrative Court — led by Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president Archbishop Johannes Ndanga, top police officers, lawyers and judges — show that three of Gumbura’s 11 wives made…