South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe will contest the Confederation of African Football presidency election next March, the South African Football Association (SAFA) announced Monday.
CAF presidency candidate and South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe made his fortune in mining
He owns Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been among the top 10 clubs in Africa for some years and completed a South African treble last season.
His decision raises to three the number of candidates for the top job in African football with incumbent Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast also in the race.
Ahmad said last month that he would seek a second four-year term after ending the 29-year reign of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou with a stunning 34 votes to 20 triumph three years ago.
Anouma, who was prevented from bidding for the CAF presidency in 2013 when a Hayatou-inspired move lead to a rule change that barred the Ivorian, announced his candidacy at the weekend.
Motsepe did not attend a media conference in Johannesburg where the announcement was made as he is in quarantine having contracted the coronavirus.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan made the announcement with South African sports minister Nathi Mthethwa also attending.
“He is the most appropriate person we could offer for the leadership of CAF. We do not want any compromise on governance or ethics in football,” said CAF third vice-president Jordaan.
The presidents of the Nigerian and Sierra Leone football associations, Amaju Pinnick and Isha Johansen, were in Johannesburg for the announcement.
Pinnick, who hinted last month that he might contest the presidency, confirmed he is not a contender and will back Motsepe instead.
A former CAF vice-president, Pinnick was fired by Ahmad after disagreements over the direction the Cairo-based CAF was taking.
Motsepe, a former lawyer who is married to a sister of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, became wealthy through various mining deals. AFP
The late businessman and socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure was buried at his mansion.... which will also be turned into a hotel
By Nyashadzashe Ndoro
Darlington Kadungure, a brother to the late flamboyant socialite Genius affectionately known as Ginimbi, who died in a horror car accident along Borrowdale Road in Philadelphia, Harare, Sunday morning, said the his brother’s Domboshava mansion will be turned into a hotel as per his wish.
Ginimbi to be buried at his mansion…. which will also be turned into a hotel
His father Anderson, also confirmed that Ginimbi will be buried at the mansion.
Ginimbi (36) died when his Rolls-Royce Wraith collided head-on with a Honda Fit while driving back to his Domboshava home in the company of Limumba Karim, believed to be of Malawian origin, Elisha and fitness trainer-cum-video-vixen Michelle “Mimi Moana” Amuli — who all died after being burnt beyond recognition.
They were all coming from Moana’s 26th birthday party at Ginimbi’s Club Dreams.
Ginimbi’s relative said his house will be turned into a hotel.
“You know with what has been talked about his wealth, (that he acquired it through unorthodox means), Ginimbi is on record saying no one would occupy his house. He told people that it should be turned into a hotel.
“He used to say he would want a mausoleum to be built for him such that he will always be remembered by many generations who would visit the hotel,” a family member told NewsDay.
Ginimbi’s father said his son is going to be buried at his mansion as per his wish.
“It was his wish to be given a befitting send off and he took his time to inform us how to fulfill it.
“Ginimbi will be buried at his homestead where he is expecting us to make it a resort place where locals and foreigners would visit.
“He told us to build a statue at the homestead and also wanted us to allow all his friends to witness the burial.
“Because of that we are expecting his body by Friday after postmortem carried and bury him Saturday.
“Mourners will be gathered at his father’s house to allow undertakers to prepare the grave.
“Family members and few others will be allowed to enter the gate to allow undertakers do their work without interference,” said Kadungure. Nehanda Radio
Hopewell Chin'ono and his defence team that includes Beatrice Mtetwa
By Nyashadzashe Ndoro
Incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has told the court that the essence of a tweet he is being charged with was inspired by the need to expose how corruption in the mineral sector is impacting negatively on Zimbabwe’s economic progress, Nehanda Radio can report.
Hopewell Chin’ono and his defence team that includes Beatrice Mtetwa
Chin’ono appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Monday, facing charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly tweeted that he had spoken with some members of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) who told him that gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya was going to be granted bail.
Rushwaya, Mnangagwa’s relative and former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) boss was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport after she was caught attempting to smuggle 6.09kgs of gold to Dubai worth over USD$300 000.
But Chin’ono’s tweet was confirmed after the state shockingly declined to oppose bail for Rushwaya. Magistrate Ngoni Nduna intervened and ordered the state to give reasons why they were not opposing bail.
That is when the state decided to oppose bail citing they had new charges against Rushwaya.
Speaking during a cross examination by his lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, Chin’ono accepted that the tweet was his, adding that the gold smuggling case was of national interest since millions of dollars are allegedly believed to be siphoned out of the country through gold smuggling.
It is confirmed that when Chin’ono was arrested last week, he was initially charged with disrespecting the Judiciary after he tweeted that the Chief Justice Luke Malaba was seen leaving the Magistrates Court when he was denied bail.
But during his detention at Harare Central Police Station, the police removed the charge including that of breaching bail conditions.
Chin’ono argued that they removed the other two charges because they realised Malaba would be asked to stand in the minor court answering to Chin’ono’s allegations.
“When the police arrested me at my house, they did not know why they were arresting me.
“They told me I had insulted the court and violated my bail. They removed a charge about Chief Justice Luke Malaba because it meant he would come and stand where I am.
“Even the boss of the NPA has accused the judiciary of corruption
“The person who was arrested has a history of criminal activities
“She (Rushwaya) comes from a very powerful family
“The President’s security was also involved
“You will be a stupid journalist not to be interested in that case.
“It was debated in British Parliament,” Chin’ono said.
He added, “I don’t think any competent court can convict me based on this malicious information.
“The Minister of Home Affairs confirmed USD 100 million worth of gold is being smuggled out of Zimbabwe every month. Money equivalent to running all our central hospitals for two years.”
When the state examined him, Chin’ono said; “there is no offense here there is malicious information.”
Chin’ono is already on bail after he was arrested on July 20 and charged with inciting violence in connection with 31st July protests against corruption in government, spent 45 days at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison before being released by the High Court.
The investigative journalist played a crucial role in exposing alleged corruption by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia and son Collins, the US $60 million Dax Covidgate scandal that saw the arrest and dismissal of former Health Minister Obadiah Moyo.
He was arrested together with opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume and MDC Alliance Vice Chairman Job Sikhala who have since been released on bail by the High Court in Harare. Sikhala attended court Monday in solidarity with their fellow detainee. Nehanda Radio
One of the teams racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine announced Monday its drug had shown 90 percent effectiveness against the illness, sending stock markets soaring and raising hopes of an end to draconian restrictions on movement.
An effective vaccine is seen as the best hope to break the cycle of virus surges and lockdowns endured across much of the world
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said tests involving more than 40,000 people had provided results that were a “critical milestone” in the search for a vaccine, as global infections soared passed 50 million — almost one-fifth of them in the United States.
Stock markets had already jumped after Joe Biden was called as the winner of the US presidential election at the weekend, and accelerated rapidly on the vaccine news.
Biden’s anti-pandemic strategy
An effective vaccine is seen as the best hope to break the cycle of virus surges followed by severe restrictions across much of the world since the Covid-19 first emerged in China late last year.
Tens of millions of people in Europe are currently living under restrictions preventing them from leaving their homes, and millions of business owners are enduring forced shutdowns.
– ‘Step closer’ –
Lockdowns and other restrictions have shredded the global economy but with few other tools at their disposal to protect vulnerable populations, politicians have felt their hands forced.
“We are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis,” Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.
The drug, being developed jointly with German firm BioNTech, is one of more than 40 candidate vaccines, but no other has yet made similar claims about its effectiveness.
The companies said they could pass the final hurdles for a US rollout later this month, and could supply up to 50 million doses globally this year and up to 1.3 billion next year.
The scientific community reacted positively to the news, with top US expert Anthony Fauci describing the the results as “extraordinary”.
But others pointed out that no information had yet been disclosed about the ages of the participants in the trial.
“If a vaccine is to reduce severe disease and death, and thus enable the population at large to return to their normal day-to-day lives, it will need to be effective in older and elderly members of our society,” said Eleanor Riley of the University of Edinburgh.
– Biden task force –
Outgoing US President Donald Trump was among the first to react, writing on Twitter: “STOCK MARKET UP BIG, VACCINE COMING SOON. REPORT 90% EFFECTIVE. SUCH GREAT NEWS!”
Biden quickly followed, congratulating “the brilliant women and men who helped produce this breakthrough”.
American voters handed victory to Biden at least partly because of Trump’s failure to rein in the epidemic — often refusing to back restrictive measures or even mask-wearing in public and repeatedly undermining his own experts.
Biden, who will not be sworn in until January, has already announced a taskforce charged with handling the virus, promising to be informed by science and experts.
– ‘Out of control’ –
The vaccine news will be of particular relief to people in Europe — the current focal point of the pandemic and the region subject to the most widespread restrictions.
Italy was edging closer to a full lockdown, with experts warning of a drastic situation in hospitals.
“I am afraid there is no doubt that the situation is largely out of control,” said Massimo Galli, head of the infectious diseases department at Milan’s Sacco hospital.
And the grim news kept on coming elsewhere, with Russia surpassed its record for daily infections again Monday, testing the government’s resolve after it said it would not impose a new lockdown.
Hungary is now one of the hardest-hit countries in terms of deaths proportionate to its population, and the government announced new national restrictions to come into force Wednesday.
In France, which has imposed nationwide stay-at-home orders and is clocking more than 40,000 cases a day, the central bank revised its expectations of the damage wrought by the curbs.
“Before the second wave, we thought the recession would be a little less than nine percent, we think today that for 2020 as a whole it will be between nine and 10 percent,” Banque de France chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau said.
Before the vaccine news emerged, the World Health Organization (WHO) once again warned against complacency over a disease that has killed more than 1.25 million people across the planet.
“We might be tired of Covid-19. But it is not tired of us,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. AFP
The MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has launched a 1 million voter registration campaign to boost the number of the main opposition’s balloters ahead of 2023 harmonised elections.
Nelson Chamisa addresses thousands in Harare
The party’s national executive council member Descent Collins Bajila confirmed at a meeting in Bulawayo.
“There were so many issues that were discussed but the key takeaway was the launch of the one-million youth campaign where we are looking forward to registering one million first-time voters. We want them to participate in the next election regardless of when it will come,” he said.
MDC Alliance youth secretary general Gift Ostallos Siziba in a statement listed six resolutions made during the launch of the 1 million voter registration
Nelson Chamisa addresses thousands in Harare ahead of the 2018 elections
“We held a successful MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Council in this city of kings this weekend- below are the key resolutions made:
1. Prepare for action- a radical mass mobilisation program to energise the base, organise communities and fight dictatorship.
2. Defend the people’s project with utmost precision.
3. Launch I Million Youth campaign in all Provinces as a harbinger of a radically different Youth Assembly.
4. Take the Youth Assembly back to the rural areas- Focus on rural Youth mobilisation, voter education and economic empowerment programs.
5. Initiate a Political education program as a grassroots class consciousness drive for young people.
6. Join forces with the progressive Youth Movements in and around Zimbabwe to form a formidable fight against military dictatorship in the country. Nehanda Radio
US President-elect Joe Biden Monday hailed as a cause for “hope” the news that a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90 percent effective — but warned of a long battle still ahead.
Joe Biden attends a coronavirus briefing on October 28, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware, with participants including two people he later named as co-chairs on his Covid-19 advisory board: Vivek Murthy and Marcella Nunez-Smith
“I congratulate the brilliant women and men who helped produce this breakthrough and to give us such cause for hope,” Biden said in a statement, adding that he received advance notice of the announcement on Sunday night.
“At the same time, it is also important to understand that the end of the battle against COVID-19 is still months away,” he added — stressing the continued importance of mask-wearing for the foreseeable future.
He spoke as European stock markets and oil prices jumped on the vaccine announcement.
Pfizer and BioNTech said that according to preliminary findings, protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses, and 28 days after the first.
The companies said they expect to supply up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020, and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
US President Donald Trump also hailed the news, calling it “great” on Twitter.
Soaring coronavirus cases across the world have forced many millions of people back into lockdown, causing further damage to ravaged economies.
In the US cases have been surging across the country in recent weeks. Trump’s defeat to Biden last week was blamed in part on his administration’s response to the pandemic.
Also on Monday Biden named the scientists who will lead his administration’s pandemic response, signaling his plans to prioritize Covid-19 from the outset.
The advisory board will be led by three co-chairs: epidemiologist and former Federal Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner David Kessler, former surgeon general Vivek Murthy, and Yale public health professor Marcella Nunez-Smith.
In addition, the board will have 10 members, ranging from immunologists and epidemiologists to biodefense experts and leading public health officials.
Among them is Rick Bright, the virologist who was ousted by the Trump administration in April from his post as head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the agency charged with developing a vaccine.
A month later he warned Congress that Trump had no “master plan” to fight the pandemic.
Covid-19 has left more than 237,000 people dead in the US, the worst death toll globally.
According to a Johns Hopkins University tracker, the number of new US cases has topped 100,000 every 24 hours for several days running, and is nearing 10 million in total — despite Trump’s claim the world’s biggest economy is “rounding the corner”.
Biden said the board will help shape his approach on the surge in cases across the country as well as ensuring a safe vaccine is distributed efficiently, creating a blueprint he will begin implementing on day one of his presidency.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will receive a joint virus briefing Monday in Wilmington, Delaware from their advisory team.
Biden will then deliver remarks on coronavirus and economic recovery. AFP
Veteran comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora has died. He was 47. Gringo who was admitted at Westview Hospital in Zimre Park died this morning barely a day after his doctor had to deny premature reports that he had died over the weekend.
Lazarus Boora (centre) popularly known as Gringo
According to family members, Gringo was battling intestine obstruction and had a sitting discomfort, backache, hearing and talking difficulties.
Last year the actor underwent surgery for an appendix rupture before he relocated to his rural home in Rusape. He recently returned to Harare where had been staying with his wife and three children.
Local showbiz was yesterday plunged into mourning following the death of popular businessman and “party animal”, Genius Kadungure (pictured) in an accident along Borrowdale Road in Harare.
Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure
Kadungure, affectionately known as “Ginimbi” by his legion of fans, died together with his three friends — Limumba Karim from Malawi, Mitchelle Amuli (Moana) and another girl from Mozambique who was identified as Elisha.
Karim and Elisha had come for the weekend at Ginimbi’s house and when tragedy struck.
They went out for Moana’s 27th birthday party at Dreams Night Club and died while driving back to Ginimbi’s Domboshawa mansion.
The quartet died on the spot.
Ginimbi managed to briefly get out of the car but collapsed and died on the spot while the other three were burnt beyond recognition.
People from all walks of life gathered at the accident scene.
Condolence messages poured on social media platforms.
Prophet Passion Java who appeared like a rival to Ginimbi on Twitter, yesterday said he enjoyed cordial relations with the socialite and their “social media wars” were more of a game.
“My condolence to Ginimbi family. I lost my big brother today (yesterday). Death is not a good friend, whom shall I play with? I come to you with a heavy heart because of the passing of my partner, friend and brother. He has gone to be with the Lord. Some of you would think that me and Genius were enemies but we were friends. We would create content for the internet. It was all about drama. We could speak over the phone and I remember the conversation a day before my birthday and the wisdom he shared with me. I am deeply hurt, may God comfort his family. He was a hero, a great man,” he posted his video.
Local designer Richmond Mlambo of “Ric Chasers” designer fame who used to design Ginimbi’s outfit said; “never thought they would be a moment I would type RIP Ginimbi. Thank you for believing in me since day one, the plans you had for my champagne line in your club. Your mentorship and advice for my brand on how I should take it global, the people to work with and the people you linked me with. I am still in disbelief. Rest in Power my brother.”
Godfrey Bakasa (Vokal) said the death of his Moana and Ginimbi was disturbing.
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there and yet death is destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. You ran your race my friend. It was short and you but you played your part. Till we meet again Mitchell,” he said.
Musician Sulumani Chimbetu found it hard to accept Ginimbi’s death.
“It is so hard to process but who are we to understand and question God’s ways? In the end no one knows what tomorrow holds, let us love one another and stop wasting time on hurt,” he said.
Award-winning music producer Mac Donald “Macdee” Chidavaenzi posted; “May your soul rest in peace, oh young people. May God preserve our young people. The future is supposed to be driven by you,”.
United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur, Summer Rose who specialises in her perfume range posted; “Never in a million years did I expect to wake up to this nightmare. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you for everything baby-girl. I am so sorry. Rest in peace, I love you,” she said.
Businessman and one of Ginimbi close friends, Brighton “Bucks” Bako, described Ginimbi as a larger-than-life character.
“I’m totally devastated by Ginimbi’s death. I’m in pain right now as I just can’t believe that he is gone. Ginimbi was a just a man of the people… a larger-than-life character who was always there for everybody in good or bad times. Go well my good friend and May Your Soul Rest in Eternal Peace,” Bako said. The Herald.
Warriors striker David Moyo believes the quality in the team can help them pick at least four points in the upcoming back-to-back 2021 African Cup of Nations football qualifiers against Algeria.
David Moyo (left)
Zimbabwe face the continental champions in Algiers on Thursday before they host the same opponents at the National Sports Stadium four days later in Group H.
And the Hamilton Academical forward, who has been drafted in for the first time for a competitive fixture, believes the team has enough quality to defy the odds against the North African giants.
Algeria have gone for 20 matches without conceding defeat but the dreadlocked striker is convinced the quality in the Warriors fold is enough to break that impressive Algeria run.
“Firstly, I am glad for this selection in the national team. You know when you are a football player, you thrive to do as much as you can to help your team attain their goals but you also dream to be picked for your national team in the ultimate,” said Moyo, who plies his trade in Scotland.
“I have represented Zimbabwe just once in a friendly match against Morocco about half-a-dozen years ago.
“I am happy to be back in the team and I am grateful for the faith shown in me by the technical team.
“I promise to work hard, very hard to justify my inclusion in the team. I will give everything and leave everything on the pitch.
“Obviously Algeria are the continental champions and they have the form at the moment.
“It takes an out of the ordinary team to go for an incredible 20 matches without conceding defeat.
“That shows their class as a unit. They are a massive team and they have the pedigree and quality in their ranks.
“We know exactly what they are capable of doing and we are braced up for the challenge.”
Moyo, who is as comfortable playing as a centre striker, as he is as a winger, said Zimbabwe will be out to prove that the form book can be shredded after all.
“While Algeria’s current form is incredible, we remain confident as a team that we can squeeze a result both away and at home.
“Look, we have always done well against them even when the chips are down on our side.
“We are Zimbabwe and they know we are the Warriors, fighters.
“We have always made their lives difficult. When you look closely at our team you will realise that we have quality.” The dreadlocked player, who is making waves in the Scottish Premiership with Hamilton, said Zimbabwe has as many talented players just like their opponents.
“Who doesn’t know Khama (Billiat) the whole continent. We have the likes of captain Knowledge (Musona), Elvis (Chipezeze) , Marvellous (Nakamba), Nyasha (Munetsi) and all the guys around.
“We have that much-needed depth and we know what’s at stake.
“It might be a case of David versus Goliath as I see it and we are ready to pounce.
“No one doubts the Algerians’ pedigree. They are good, very good. They have big players who are dotted around the world’s biggest leagues.
“They have the talent in their ranks but I know we also have the quality and we can upstage them both at home and away.
“We acknowledge their quality but that’s where our respect for them ends, outside the field, when in the field, we are the Warriors and ready to die for the badge.” Algeria lead the standings in Group H on six points after two rounds of fixtures while Zimbabwe are second on four points.
Botswana, on a single point, are third with Zambia anchoring the standings without any points to their name.
Match days three and four were originally scheduled for March but the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to those plans.
The finals were supposed to be played next year in Cameroon but CAF have postponed the tournament by a year but the venue remains unchanged. The Herald.
Caps United boss Farai Jere at the Harare Magistrates Court
By Nyore Madzianike
The trial of businessman Farai Jere and two Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) engineers — Leonard Chisina and Freeman Kuziva — on fraud has been slated for January next year at the Harare Magistrates Court.
Caps United boss Farai Jere at the Harare Magistrates Court
The trio appeared before magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe on Friday where the State led by Mr Panganayi Chiutsi set January 21 as their trial date.
Jere, Chisina and Kuziva are charged for allegedly defrauding the power utility of US$3 566 878 in a botched supply of smart meters and accessories deal.
It is alleged sometime in 2016, Jere won a tender to supply 1 151 smart meters to ZETDC.
According to the State, key elements of the contract required that the factory acceptance test (FAT) be done at the factory where they are manufactured and that Helcraw Electrical was also to cater for flights, food and accommodation for the delegation.
The court heard that the meter specifications were 5amps base current and 120amps maximum current and head end system was to be a two-way wireless system.
It is alleged that Jere misrepresented to ZETDC that Secure Meters (Pvt) Ltd had a manufacturing plant for smart meters and had a head end system in the United Kingdom, yet there was none.
On November 24, 2018 three engineers Julius Mapipi, Tshuma and Chisina all from ZETDC and Freeman Chikonzo went with Jere to the UK to carry out the FAT.
While in the UK, Jere took the engineers to a warehouse with smart meters and not a factory, it is alleged and as a result the required standards were not met.
Further accusations are that on the meter specifications the engineers tested had a base of 10 amps and maximum current of 120 amps.
It is claimed that the meters were tested while connected to a laptop and again the tests on the head end system failed.
Jere allegedly produced a fake FAT report to the effect that the meters met the required standards by ZETDC and he asked the four engineers to sign the false FAT report.
Engineers Chisina and Chikonzo signed the false FAT report while engineers Mapipi and Tshuma expressed reservations as no test had been done, a court heard.
The State alleges that Jere asked Chisina to talk to the two other engineers after they initially refused to sign and later did so under duress.
He also alleges that Jere then made a shipment of 1 151 smart meters, which were delivered to ZETDC and it paid US$3 566 878,02.
Further allegations are that upon return into the country engineers Mapipi and Tshuma were removed from the project by Chisina.
ZETDC management allegedly requested all the engineers to complete a questionnaire on the test visit and Chisina and Chikonzo allegedly indicated that the test met the standards required while the other two indicated that there was no factory as specified in the contract but a warehouse.
In January this year ZETDC ordered an investigation and it was discovered that no FAT was done and resolved to remove all the meters supplied by Jere from their system resulting in the loss of US$3 566 878,02. The Herald.
