13 Feb 2017 – MUTARE – A 33-year-old man from Kadoma, last week lost valuables including an I phone, work suits and cash when people in the car he had boarded turned out to be robbers some 17 km before Checheche growth point in Chipinge.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident and appealed to the members of the public to assist with any information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects.
“We have a case of Norman Moyo who was robbed in Chipinge but no arrests have been so far and we are appealing to members of the public who might have any information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspects to report to the nearest police station,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
Moyo, who was travelling towards Chipinge, boarded a white Honda Fit, whose registration number could not be established, at Save business centre in Chiredzi.
There were three other people in the car including the driver.
The driver stopped the car before Checheche and one of the men in the car ordered Moyo to surrender his goods before striking him in the abdomen with a heavy metal when he resisted.
The victim lost an I phone S5, a bag containing seven pairs of work suits, a wallet with US$160, his driver’s licence and a power bank. He was later taken to St Peters Hospital by a passer-by.local

Tinomutenda Midzi

13 Feb 2017 – MUTARE – Christopher Holland (62) of House number 130, 2nd Street, Mutare, last week lost property worth US$20 000 to two armed robbers that attacked his home.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, called for the public to be vigilant and avoid such incidences.
“It is sad that valuable goods and money were lost. We are doing all we can to catch the robbers and anyone with information should report to the police. In cases like these, the public should be alert and make sure that all their doors are closed at night to avoid robbery cases,” he said.
Holland was watching TV in his house around 18:30 hrs with his door open when the intruders, who were putting on face masks, pounced.
The robbers were also armed with a pistol and a machete. They demanded money while threatening to kill the frightened Holland who then surrendered US$1 100 in cash to save his life.
The robbers tied him up and proceeded to his bedroom where they took an Asus laptop, Samsung cellphone, jewellery and an FN 25 pistol before leaving the place.
The victim got untied by his house maid and a report was made to the police but nothing had been recovered by the time of writing.local

Upenyu Chaota

13 Feb 2017 – The United States has expressed concern over the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and urged government to respect the rights of all citizens as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
In a statement released last week, the United States embassy slammed the “unwarranted arrest and continued detention of pastor Evan Mawarire and the incarceration of pastor Phillip Patrick Mugadza.”
“The United States government unequivocally believes in the basic right to freedom of speech and calls on the government of Zimbabwe to respect the human rights of all Zimbabwean citizens which are enshrined in the constitution.
“We believe that the basic right of Zimbabweans to freedom of speech – be it in public, through print media or social media – should be protected within and outside Zimbabwe’s borders,” the statement reads.
The embassy called on the government to respect the rule of law and legal due processes as provided for by the constitution.
“We fear these recent actions will further limit the right of Zimbabweans to exercise their constitutionally protected freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, which are similarly protected under Zimbabwe’s international human rights obligations and are core values of any functioning democracy,” the statement reads.local

Tatenda Shunyai

13 Feb 2017 – MASVINGO – With the support from Fredskorpset Norway (FK Norway), child rights advocacy group, MyAge Zimbabwe has gone on a youth exchange programme called Action for Youth Sustainable Environment and Empowerment (AYESE) which focuses on strengthening youth leadership skills and youth participation in Zimbabwe and Malawi.
The programme is about developing skills and attitudes that young people need for positive development.
The exchange programme is also in partnership with Network for Youth Development (NFYD) Malawi.
This initiative has created opportunities for six young leaders; three males and three females from Malawi and Zimbabwe.
The first round of the exchange period, which is six months long and a further two months of information work, will see MyAge Zimbabwe hosting three of those from Malawi with NFYD Malawi hosting the three from Zimbabwe.
The two months of information work will see the participants implementing best practises while using the experience to make a difference in communities.
MyAge Zimbawe director, Onward Chironda said he was humbled by the support of stakeholders especially FK Norway.
“This is a great initiative and this involvement helps young people to add value to their lives and their societies.
“Positive development occurs when young people get opportunities and the support to contribute to society in a way that is valued and respected,” said Chironda.
Farirai Mukumba, Farirai Zingwanda and Heather Masimba are the participants who travelled to Malawi for the exchange program.
These participants pledged to be champions of young people’s socio-economic rights by identifying opportunities for advocacy at local, national, regional and global level.local