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Schoolboy collapses, dies during race

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An Upper Six pupil at Fletcher High School in Gweru collapsed and died at the school grounds during an athletics competition.

Tafadzwa Chirongoma (18) died on Friday afternoon and was buried at his rural home in Zvimba over the weekend.

Acting Midlands Provincial Education Director Reverend Tedius Matienga confirmed the incident but referred further questions to the police.

Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said Chirongoma collapsed at the school grounds.

“We are investigating a sudden death involving an Upper Six pupil called Tafadzwa Chirongoma who allegedly died while participating in a six rounds race at Fletcher High School in Senga, Gweru. We are waiting for post-mortem results,” said Insp Goko.

Sources close to the incident said pupils who witnessed the incident were still traumatised.

“Our students are still traumatised by the death of Tafadzwa. Up to now they are afraid to engage in sporting activities at the grounds,” said a teacher.

“He was one of my students ever since he was in Form One. I am puzzled as to what led to his death because all along we never suspected him of having any serious health issues.

“ It is a shocking matter to all of us at Fletcher High School.”

The teacher said the postmortem established that the schoolboy had a heart problem, but that could not be immediately verified. The Chronicle

Pakistan scrambles jets over “India violation’

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Pakistan’s military has accused India’s air force of violating its airspace, and says it scrambled jets in response.

Nuclear neighbours India and Pakistan have a history of conflict and diplomatic tensions (file picture)

Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted: “Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back. Details to follow.”

Indian aircraft “released [a] payload in haste… near Balakot”, he added.

There has been no official statement from India.

However, Indian air force sources confirmed to the BBC that strikes had been conducted.

Maj Gen Ghafoor tweeted that the “intrusion” had come three to four miles across the Line of Control, the border which divides India-administered Kashmir from Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

“No infrastructure got hit, no casualties,” he added.

The incident follows a suicide bomb attack on an Indian security convoy in Pulwama, in Indian-administered Kashmir, earlier this month.

What happened in Pulwama?

On 14 February, 46 Indian paramilitary police were killed in a militant operation there. It was the deadliest attack on Indian forces in Kashmir for decades.

The assault was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and prompted a spike in tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan.

Pakistan denied involvement, while India said its neighbour had had a “direct hand” in the attack, and accused it of providing sanctuary to the militants.

Both India and Pakistan claim all of Muslim-majority Kashmir, but control only parts of it. The nations have fought three wars and a limited conflict since independence from Britain in 1947 – and all but one were over Kashmir.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi should “give peace a chance”. He added that if India provided “actionable intelligence” regarding the Pulwama attack that proved Pakistani involvement, “we will immediately act”.

On Saturday, Mr Modi had called on Mr Khan to join India in fighting poverty and illiteracy, instead of the pair fighting each other. BBC News

Comedian Doc Vikela ties the knot

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Doc Vikela and Nyasha Mercy Kazuru
Doc Vikela and Nyasha Mercy Kazuru

By Tonderai Zvimba

Stand-up comedian, Doc Vikela, wedded his long-time partner Nyasha Mercy Kazuru at Buxton Farm in Harare this past Saturday.

Doc Vikela and Nyasha Mercy Kazuru
Doc Vikela and Nyasha Mercy Kazuru

Doc Vikela who met Nyasha in 2014 said he had set a good precedence for fellow comedians.

“This was a special moment for me and my partner. I had to honour my wife through this wedding and I believe I’ve set a great example for my brothers and sisters in the comedy industry.”

The wedding which was hosted by fellow stand-up comedian Prosper Ngomashi better known as, Comic Pastor, was well attended with his friends from the entertainment industry also in attendance. Among the personalities were veteran playwright; Daves Guzha, Gonyeti from Bustop TV, Boss Kheda of PO Box TV and musician, Trevor Dongo.

Dongo, Doc Vikela said was a surprise performer for his wife who likes his music.

“My wife is a big fan of Trevor Dongo so I decided to spoil her with a special performance from him. Madiz and Leonard Mapfumo also performed,” he said.

Doc Vikela said the wedding was a double celebration as the couple was also celebrating their fourth anniversary.

“The day on which our wedding day took place – February 23 is the same day I married my wife traditionally in 2015. So the wedding was also an anniversary which was special for us,” said the comedian.

The couple has two daughters with Doc Vikela saying their wedding has bonded them.

“I’m a family man. My family comes first and this wedding has just strengthened us.”

On his career, the comedian said he had a lot of projects lined up for this year adding that he appreciates the positive feedback his web series Special Class has been receiving.

“It’s amazing to see people appreciating local content. It motivates us to continue giving people the best of local content. Special Class season finale will premiere this Tuesday and it’ll be two episodes.

“Season two will premiere in April,” he said. The Chronicle

Large scale mining companies culpable in the Battlefield disaster

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battlefields

By Columbus Mabika

Large scale gold mining companies should be held accountable for the Battlefields mine disaster that left over 24 artisanal miners dead because they failed to obtain certificates of abandonment as required by the Minerals and Mines Act after they abandoned their unutilised claims.

battlefieldsPresenting a report titled “Gold Capitalism and Disaster Preparedness in Zimbabwe, A Preliminary Critical on the Battlefields Mines Disaster” in Harare on Friday, People and Earth Solidarity Law Network (PESLawyers) lawyer Mr Lenin Chisaira said the Battlefield accident exposes many hidden malpractices in the mining sector and in environmental integrity as many large scale miners are exploiting the nature of property rights in the gold mining sector.

PESLawyers is a non-profit making organisation of legal and policy researchers, lawyers and activists standing up for environmental, climate and economic justice in Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The role of large scale gold miners should be investigated for they are the ones who continue to retain these gold claims where many people have been killed,” he said.

“For instance RioZim owns over 200 claims in Mashonaland West which they cannot mine, at the end when they abandon these claims without applying for certificates of abandonment as required by the Mines and Minerals Act, artisanal miners and small scale minors take unauthorised entry,” he said.

Mr Chisaira called on the Government to provide adequate legal and environmental support systems to deal with the disasters and exploitation of artisanal miners and small scale miners by large scale mining entities.

He called on Government to look into the nature of property rights in the gold mining sector and ensure that disaster response systems are evaluated and adequately funded.

The report, Mr Chasaira said, has been forwarded to Government and relevant institutions and stakeholders in the gold mining sector, calling for an inclusive, free and open inquiry into the Battlefields disaster.

He applauded the contribution of artisanal miners and small scale miners to the national gold output.

“Artisanal miners and small scale miners’ contribution to the national gold out should not be taken for granted, statistics show that three quarters of gold delivered to Fidelity is coming from them,”

Mr Chasaira said PESLawyers will continue to work with relevant authorities in making recommendations aimed at improving the welfare of artisanal miners and small scale miners. The Herald

Ginimbi case deffered to March 21

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King Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure
Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure

By Prosper Dembedza

Harare businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, who is facing charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering, returned to court on Friday.

King Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure
Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure

Harare Provincial magistrate Mrs Vongai Muchuchuti Guwuriro deferred the matter to March 21. The businessman was recently granted $1 000 bail by Justice Tawanda Chitapi on the grounds that the prosecution case had irregularities.

Allegations against Kadungure are that between February 2009 and May 2016, his company Piko Trading Private Limited misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that it made total sales of $2 777 678, inclusive of Value Added Tax, when in actual fact the company had made $9 092 951.

To that end, Zimra suffered a prejudice of $417 940. Kadungure is also being accused of evading tax, with Zimra suffering a total prejudice of $3 468 949.

He was arrested in November last year at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts after appearing before the court in a different case in which he is being accused of duping Chegutu West National Assembly Member Cde Dexter Nduna and Ivon and Enos Gatawa of R1 535 000 in a pump supply deal. The Herald

Mai Chisamba Australia-bound

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Mai Chisamba at She Festival
Mai Chisamba at She Festival in the UK

By Tafadzwa Zimoyo

Television personality and social commentator Dr Rebecca Chisamba will take her popular show to Australia for the first time next month.

Mai Chisamba at She Festival
Mai Chisamba at She Festival in the UK

Hosted by Sydney-based baker Christina Muchenagumbo, Dr Chisamba will be holding two shows, one in Sydney on March 22 and another in Perth on March 30.

The shows will be themed “Morari naMai Chisamba”.

In an interview with The Herald Arts, Muchenagumbo said it was good time to invite Mai Chisamba to host a show because not only were people in the Diaspora missing her, but it was also about understanding the Zimbabwean culture.

“We chose the theme ‘Morari naMai Chisamba’, because as much as we are discussing issues that are sensitive and pertinent it will be done in an environment that is fun-filled, it will be an elegant red carpet night, good food and good vibes,” she said.

Muchenagumbo who is more popularly known as Chrissy said Zimbabweans living in the diaspora have had experiences with depression, suicide, marital issues and domestic violence among others and it was of paramount importance that those issues are dealt with.

“As much as we have lots of services in the country to help deal with issues we thought as a community it would be ideal to have someone whom we can identify with to discuss this is a neutral environment,” she said.

She said it was time to get together as Zimbabweans under one roof despite religion, dialect, gender or colour because we all face the same issues and problems.

Some of the topics to be discussed include, ‘How to raise children in the diaspora maintaining our traditional values’, ‘Supporting families back home and how to do it with stressing oneself’, ‘Role change in the diaspora, women earning more than men’ and ‘Depression and suicide in the diaspora’ among others.

Muchenagumbo said there are panellists for both shows male and female.

“This is an event for both ladies and gentlemen who are 18 years and above. We have made the shows diverse because over the years we have seen ladies involved in a lot of groups and supporting each other,” she said.

She has been baking for seven years having been a self-taught baker. She said her passion was to make sure everyone tasted her cakes and also be able to make their own. The Herald

George Pell: Cardinal found guilty of sexual offences in Australia

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Cardinal George Pell has been found guilty of sexual offences in Australia, making him the highest-ranking Catholic figure to receive such a conviction.

George Pell is the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of such crimesPell abused two choir boys in the rooms of a Melbourne cathedral in 1996, a jury found. He had pleaded not guilty.

The verdict was handed down in December, but it could not be reported until now due to legal reasons.

Pell is due to face sentencing hearings from Wednesday. He has lodged an appeal against his conviction.

As Vatican treasurer, the 77-year-old cardinal was one of the Church’s most powerful officials.

His trial was heard twice last year because a first jury failed to reach a verdict.

A second jury unanimously convicted him of one charge of sexually penetrating a child under 16, and four counts of committing an indecent act on a child under 16.

Pell was swarmed by media and heckled by onlookers as he left a court hearing on Tuesday.

The Catholic Church worldwide has in recent years faced a damaging series of allegations relating to sex abuse by priests, and claims that these cases were covered up.

Pell’s case has drawn huge interest at a time when the Pope is attempting to address the scandals, including by holding a four-day summit in the past week.

What did the court hear?

Pell was in his first year as archbishop of Melbourne in 1996 when he found the two boys in cathedral rooms following a mass, the jury was told.

After telling them they were in trouble for drinking communion wine, Pell forced each boy into indecent acts, prosecutors said.

The court heard testimony from one of the victims. The other victim is no longer alive.

A jury rejected an argument by Pell’s lawyer, Robert Richter QC, that the allegations were fantasies contrived by the victims.

What has been the reaction?

In a statement on Tuesday, Pell’s surviving victim – who cannot be named – described the case a stressful, adding it was “not over yet”.

The man said he had experienced “shame, loneliness, depression and struggle” because of the abuse.

“Like many survivors it has taken me years to understand the impact upon my life,” he said.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said the conviction had “shocked many across Australia and around the world”, reiterating its vow to make the Church “a safe place for all”.

What has Pell said?

“Cardinal George Pell has always maintained his innocence and continues to do so,” said a statement issued on his behalf on Tuesday.

It said Pell looked forward the outcome of his appeal. He has been on leave from the Vatican since June 2017, fighting the accusations.

Why was the case kept secret?

Last May, a judge handed down a legal order which prevented any reporting of Pell’s trial and conviction.

It was designed to prevent a separate trial – which will no longer go ahead – from being influenced by the first trial.

The abandoned trial was to hear unrelated allegations – strongly denied by Pell – that he indecently assaulted boys in Ballarat, Victoria, in the 1970s. Prosecutors withdrew their case on Tuesday, citing insufficient evidence.

The collapse of the second trial led to the lifting of the publication ban. BBC News

At 46, King Peter remains an icon

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By Robson Sharuko

Peter Ndlovu, the greatest Warrior of all-time, turned 46 yesterday, in the very month when, exactly 15 years ago, he became the first captain to lead the national football team to victory at the Nations Cup finals.

Peter NdlovuThe country’s most celebrated in-field footballer, second only to Bruce Grobbelaar in terms of global appeal among the nation’s footballers, King Peter remains a celebrated figure in the game, 22 years after he waved goodbye to his time in the English Premiership.

The footprints, which his magical left foot made on the football fields in the English Premiership, during his time as a trailblazing African footballer, leading such giants like Liverpool and Arsenal to coming knocking on the Coventry City doors to try and sign him, are still visible.

He is the first African footballer to feature in the re-branded English Premiership, opening the doors for such legends like Tony Yeboah, Jay Jay Okocha, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Lucas Radebe, Nwankwo Kanu and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Hardly a season of the English Premiership, which has transformed itself into the most watched sports league in the world broadcast in 212 territories with the and with the Manchester United/Liverpool game on Sunday broadcast in more than one billion homes and 190 countries, without the mention of King Peter.

A Premiership of mega-riches where West Bromwich Albion, who finished bottom in the last campaign during the 2017/2018 season, pocketed US$45 million, which was US$7 million more than the US$38 million which France took home for winning the 2018 World Cup.

Then, there were also the additional payments for television broadcasts (£1,016,690 for general UK rights to match highlights, £1,136,083 for each live UK broadcast of their games and £39,090,596 for all overseas rights) and commercial rights (a flat fee of £4,759,404) that also come into the coffers of the clubs.

There is also a fee based on final league position, £1,941,609 multiplied by each finishing place, counted from the foot of the table, which means that a team like Burnley, who finished in 16th place last year, received 5 × £1,941,609 = £9,708,045 merit payment.

That King Peter only played for a modest football club like Coventry City, during his time in the English Premiership, underscores the special quality of Ndlovu’s contribution to the world’s most popular football league.

“Ndlovu scored 43 times in 176 appearances for Coventry City between 1991 and 1997, often in crucial games and often spectacularly,’’ the club noted.

“He was nicknamed “Nuddy” by the Sky Blue Army who took the Zimbabwe international to their hearts:

Hat-trick against Liverpool, March 14th, 1995 — Some people would be daunted going into a tough away trip to Anfield. But not Ndlovu. He fired a hat-trick, the first by a visiting player since 1961, as City earned a famous win.

His first goal was a real poachers’ effort, arriving at the back post and firing past David James. His second was a confidently taken penalty. But his last goal was something special.

Picking the ball up from halfway he slalomed his way through the Liverpool defence before unleashing an unstoppable strike that drew applause from the Kop end.

Versus Aston Villa, September 28th, 1991 — In one of his first games for the club, Ndlovu became an instant hero as he scored the only goal of a passionate Midlands Derby against the Villa.

There did not seem to be much on when he picked the ball up, but his trademark dribbling offered him a sight at goal and he smashed the ball into the corner with the outside of his foot, sending Highfield Road into raptures.

Versus Arsenal, September 7th, 1991 — City made a habit of winning at Highbury in the early 90’s and Ndlovu announced himself in the top division of English football by scoring the winner on this occasion.

He nipped in to dispossess the defender, before showing remarkable composure to fire the ball past David Seaman.’’

Former Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini turned to Twitter to congratulate King Peter on turning 46.

“Happy birthday Sir Peter NDLOVU the (one) and only wish you many more and stay blessed and humble as ever, enjoy your born day,’’ he wrote.

Last year, King Peter took to Twitter to thank all the people who have believed in him in his football journey.

“I get a lot of tweets from people saying I used to be their favourite player,’’ he tweeted. “Thank you one and all. This makes me feel very honoured.’’

One of those who responded was his former coach at Coventry City, Bobby Gould.

“Nuddy, your footballing talent was of a very, very high ability and you were great person to coach,’’ Gould, who was the Coventry City manager between June 1992 and October 1993 when he resigned, responded on Twitter.

“Hope this message finds you in good health and good spirit, Love BG.’’ The Herald

Nigeria president takes early lead in election

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President Muhammadu Buhari has taken an early lead as votes are being counted in Nigeria’s general election, amid allegations of manipulation.

President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

Mr Buhari has won seven of Nigeria’s 36 states, while his rival Atiku Abubakar took two states and the capital Abuja.

As results came in, Mr Abubakar’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that there had been irregularities in the vote.

Party chair Uche Secondus called the count “incorrect and unacceptable”.

He said there had been an “attempt by the government and other agencies to manipulate the result”, but did not give any evidence.

The EU, US and African Union have all expressed concern about delays and logistical problems with voting on Saturday, but no independent observers have suggested fraud.

Mr Buhari, a member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) party, is seeking re-election but faces a strong challenge from Mr Abubakar.

Each party says the other is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) to influence the vote, which was initially scheduled for 16 February but delayed at the last minute.

Mr Buhari has promised to build on his accomplishments in office so far, while Mr Abubakar, a business tycoon, has accused the president of wasting his term.

Whoever wins in Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy faces a range of problems including power shortages, corruption, security threats, and an economic slowdown.

What are the allegations?

Final results are not expected until later in the week. But Mr Secondus has criticised the initial tallies, saying the government was using “impeachments, manipulation, incarceration” to influence the outcome.

In turn, the federal government accused the PDP of trying to “scuttle the polls” and prompt a constitutional crisis.

The initial vote was postponed early on Saturday 16 February, five hours before polls were due to open. Voters were also choosing members of the House of Representatives and Senate.

Most of the country was calm but there were reports of attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist militant group in the north, and voter intimidation and attempts to steal ballot boxes, especially in the southern states of Rivers, Lagos, and Anambra.

A coalition of civil society groups reported that a total of 16 people were killed around the country – fewer than in previous elections.

Two people were arrested in Lagos after a group of armed young men attacked voters, eyewitness Ralph Onodike told the BBC.

“What they were saying was that if you were not [voting for the ruling party] APC, you’ll be attacked,” he said.

How does the election work?

The candidate with the most votes is declared the winner in the first round, provided that person gains at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s states. There are 73 registered candidates, but Mr Buhari and Mr Abubakar have dominated the presidential election.

Both are from the mainly Muslim north of the country and both are in their 70s, while more than half of Nigeria’s 84 million registered voters are under 35. BBC News

Rev Chivaviro pays tribute to Tuku on new album

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Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro
Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro

By Yeukai Karengezeka and Victor Maphosa

Gospel musician Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro has penned a tribute song “Tinyaradzei” in honour of the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi. The song is part of his latest album “Excellence”, which was launched last week.

Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro
Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro

“This is an emotional song for me and it’s a special dedication to my late musical mentor Dr Mtukudzi.

“He is a man whom I consulted way back in Kwekwe before I started my musical career and he was always there to support me,” he said.

During the new album launch, Rev Chivaviro performed his collaboration track he did with Tuku titled “Handinyarare”.

The “Ebenezer” hit-maker also called on stage an up-coming jazz musician Tawanda Magunde who is Tuku’s protégé, Magunde’s performance dazzled Tuku’s widow, Daisy who also graced the occasion.

He took fans the down the memory lane with yester year hits,” Hear Me Lord” and “Dzikama”.

Other songs on the six-track album include three hymns, “Tora Zita Rake”, “Mweya Wangu”, and “Mufudzi Ndiye Jehovah”.

Wife to Rev Chivaviro, Juliet Chivaviro also launched successfully, her debut album titled “Perseverance”. The albums are being sold by Zimpapers vendors across the country.

Mai Chivaviro’s album reflects diversity as it incorporates different types of beats which appeals to all age groups, most of the tracks are praise and worship tunes.

The track “Pindai Jesu”, features Mai Mtukudzi and Mai Manyeruke while “Topembera” features Bethany Pasinawako- Ngolomi and Mai Mhere.

Other songs include “Wauya Wauya Mucheki”, “Perseverance” and “Tichanoimba Hosanna”, among others.

In an Interview with The Herald on the sidelines of her album launch, Amai Chivaviro said she met a lot of ups and downs in her course of life, which contributed to her composing the songs in the album “Perseverance.

“Perseverance is an album which I recorded after encountering a lot of situations in life, I used a lot of phrases in the album which I believe will contribute in changing someone’s life for the better spiritually,” she said.

She said she featured other female artists in her album as a way of encouraging others to unite and sing for the Lord and also to support their husbands’ missions of preaching the word of God through music.

Guest of honour, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Reverend Solomon Zwana said the two albums were well polished and would bring accolades for them.

He said the two albums will bring a change in their music ministry and industry at large.

“Today we are celebrating results of hard work and focus. The titles of the albums reflect a deeper story pointing to game changing in your music ministry,” he said.

The two albums were auctioned for $2 000 and were bought by Goodness and Mercy Ministries founder Prophet Freddy who is also a musician. The Herald

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