AN attempt to mislead the police by two men who alleged to be a gay couple backfired when the court fined them $100 or one month behind bars for deliberately supplying false information to a public authority.

A Harare court yesterday heard that Martin Tshuma (40) from Kuwadzana 3 and Misheck Mupinga (28) from Unit M, Seke had their statements recorded on September 30 this year indicating that they were "lovers" for the past year.

This was revealed after Mupinga had approached the police alleging that his friend Tshuma had sodomised him and statements were recorded from both of them separately and they confirmed that they were lovers.

However, on October 1 the pair changed their statements saying they wanted to fix each other by filing false reports.

Mupinga, who separated with his two wives, told the court that he made the false report because his friend wanted to take away his fridge - which he had bought for him on friendly terms - so that he uses the money settle his debt. Tshuma also denied having a homosexual affair with Mupinga.

ZIMBABWE is Ebola-free but remains on high alert for any potential outbreak of the epidemic sweeping across West African countries, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said yesterday.

Dr Parirenyatwa spoke as the Bulawayo City Council moved to allay any fears of an outbreak after its Health Services Department revealed that it was monitoring 30 people who recently travelled to West Africa to ensure they were free of the disease.

"There's no Ebola in the country. At least not yet, and I pray we never have it. We've, however, introduced a screening process at the country's borders and all ports of entry to make sure that we do not record a single Ebola case in the country. We identify people from countries affected by Ebola such as Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia and we record them and make follow ups so that we're sure they don't have the disease," said Dr Parirenyatwa.

The travellers, Dr Parirenyatwa added, are instructed to visit their nearest clinic every day for 21 days and go through some check-ups. He said symptoms of Ebola are almost similar to those of malaria and meningitis.

Bulawayo's Health Services Director Zanele Hwalima yesterday said all the 30 people they had been monitoring in recent weeks, as revealed by Chronicle yesterday, had tested negative for the disease after being screened for three weeks.

"All the people were cleared of Ebola. They were not suspects; you must not call them suspects. They were travellers who had gone to countries that have been affected," said Hwalima.

The incubation period for Ebola is 21 days and it was therefore necessary to check on everyone who has entered the country from any country that has been affected by Ebola. The 30 visited countries including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria which are all affected by the disease.

The assessment involves monitoring individuals over three weeks. Symptoms of the highly contagious virus include high fever, severe headache, vomiting and diarrhoea

"If no symptoms are detected, then they are cleared," added Dr Parirenyatwa.

The latest Ebola outbreak, first detected in March in Guinea, has killed more than 3,300 people, with the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention projecting that there could be up to 1,4 million cases of Ebola by January if the epidemic does not slow down.

Five men including two police officers and a prison guard have been remanded in custody for allegedly having taken turns to have sex with a 14-year-old school drop out who was doing community service at Chivi Magistrates' court last week.

The teenager, who quit school when she was in Grade 7 was serving community service for unlawful entry and theft. According to sources in Chivi, the Grade 7 dropout is too sexy that more men are likely to be arrested soon for taking part in having sex with her.

The five who have been arrested so far would allegedly call the girl while she was doing her unpaid work at the courts, lock her up in their lodgings and have steamy sex with her for periods of up to two days.

As a result, the abused girl absconded her service on numerous occasions forcing the court to change the place from where she was serving.

The five appeared before Chivi Resident Magistrate Francis Mapfumo facing charges of statutory rape (having sex with a minor).

Constable henry Washaya, Constable Edward Nyirongo and a prison officer Seargent Benson Muderedzwa all stationed at Chivi were remanded in custody by magistrate Mapfumo last week. The three were remanded at around 8pm as they were not supposed to spend more than 48 hours in custody without appearing before the courts. The other accused are a security guard at the Econet Booster in Chivi and an employee at Excel Supermarket.

The girl who was in Grace 7 last year at Madyangove Primary School drooped out of school at the end of last year. It is reported that some of her abusers, including Sgt Muderedzwa would lock up the girl in their bedrooms and have sex with her for up to 2 days.

The minor's mother who would look for her child during the said sex scandals however managed to locate her and the young girl narrated her ordeal to her mum before a report to the police was made.

Early this year, another police officer who was stationed at Chivi Police Station was jailed for 18 months after impregnating a young girl. The minor has since given birth.

In a country where nearly everyone is a prophet, Zimbabwe's ex-finance minister and MDC Renewal leader, Tendai Biti, has 'prophesied' that Zimbabwe is heading towards a virtual economic lockdown similar to the 2008 one.

Biti made the chilling prediction while addressing a Southern African Political and Economic Series (SAPES) discussion on Thursday. He said Zimbabwe needed dialogue sooner rather than later to unlock the economic malaise.

"Zimbabwe can only come out of its current disastrous economic state by having a national dialogue, which will ensure that a new people-centred economic blueprint is drafted. The economy is in a crisis and the solution is that there is need for a national dialogue. I am not pitching for the return of the inclusive government but let's find some convergence and write a proper economic document not the ZimAsset political document," he said.

ZimAsset is a policy document crafted by President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF party in the run-up to last year's elections.

Zanu PF said under the programme the government would reverse Zimbabwe's economic slide and create 2.2 million jobs for the thousands of unemployed people.

But a year after the election, Zimbabwe is in a free-fall with thousands of companies being forced to shut down. The banking sector is also in crisis as demonstrated by a fresh liquidity crunch.

The government last month said recent deals it signed with China and Russia would help breathe life into the comatose economy.

Biti however poked holes into the much-vaunted mega-deals arguing the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed by Mugabe and his government will not help turn the country's economy around because they "are not bankable".

"These shouts by Zanu PF of mega deals from China are mega lies as the MoUs are not bankable.  Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa brought a suitcase full of MoUs but they are useless. We need a new narrative in this country.  We need broad-based empowerment that is inclusive as the current one is exclusive" Biti said.

Biti added that the current infighting in Zanu PF was further affecting the country's economic recovery.

Zanu PF is battling serious internal divisions. Two rival factions led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are at each other's throats as they fight to position themselves for a strike at the country's top job.

The differences have of late burst into open warfare as the party heads towards a key elective congress in December.

Critics say the infighting has stalled efforts to deal with challenges on the economic front as leaders battle to outdo each in the succession fight.

"We are already in the middle of an economic crisis and the government is very weak at the moment, lacerated by infighting in Zanu PF.

"There is no revenue flowing in so we are a State that is in a crisis but the biggest crisis is the economy that is caused by leadership infighting in Zanu PF," Biti said to applause.

The Harare East lawmaker said he feared a return to the near implosion of 2008 given "Zanu PF's predatory response to the current socio-economic crisis".

Biti's assertions were supported by economist and labour expert Godfrey Kanyenze.

"We have an abnormality of a country that is limping on one leg and takes pride in limping ahead in that state," he said.
"There is no coherence in the country and reengagement is critical.  What is happening in Zanu PF does not bode well for economic development.  There is need for social cohesion," Kanyenze said. 

Scores of women dressed in mini skirts and tight fitting clothes on Saturday staged a protest march in Harare against the harassment subjected on women by touts.
 
For long women and girls who wear mini skirts or dress skimpily have had their clothes torn, been jeered at and have been embarrassed by touts who claim to hold the Zimbabwean culture in high esteem.

Although these touts have their own short comings and are known for being loud-mouthed and defecate at bus termini, they have subjected women to horrendous treatment and denied them their right to dress as they please.

The mini skirt march is the first of its kind to be held in the country and the women marched bravely with the protection of the police in protest and to send a strong warning to the touts to desist from hurling vulgar words at women.

Some of the mini skirts that were worn by the ladies during the march were too short that they fell short of covering the 'fanta thighs'. They were however long enough not to expose the most private part of their privates!

Other women took advantage of the march and exhibited their 'expertise' in rauchy dancing. Some women would even do 'seunononga', leaving men and hwindis with 'wild anacondas' struggling to maintain peace and order in their trousers.

Some dejected brothers who spoke on condition of anonymity said they had been hoping to see the Masalads, the Makedhas, the mazimhamhas-better known as 'dhafu koreras' etc donning skimpy outfits but lo and behold, they did not turn up much to the disappointment of the boys. Only the 'elderly' and some not so attractive ladies (no offence) turned up, some with babies strapped on their backs! Some even had trousers and track bottoms on, thus boggling the mind as to the objective of the march.

Women's rights lobby group Katswe Sistahood director Ms Talent Jumo said women and girls have been suffering for far too long, adding that touts had no right to sexually harass women.

She said her organisation will continue sending the message to the touts advising them not to treat women as second class citizens in their own country.

As the women marched they were given thumps up by some while others looked at them in disgust and called them names.

Some said wearing mini skirts is not part of the Zimbabwean culture, with others saying the march would encourage immoral behaviour which would ultimately fuel sexual harassment and abuse.

The march started at Town House and proceeded to the Market Square and Copacabana bus terminus.

Meanwhile, the 'message' that the ladies intended to send across to men, mainly hwindis and other unemployed city sun busking boys might have fallen on deaf ears as some men could be heard denouncing the girls who were dressed to kill, clad in material-saving skirts, or rather call them mini skirts.

"Trust me they will only wear this sh*t today because if they do it again tomorrow and pass through our rank tomuita kanyama kanyama (we will teach her a lesson). There must be a difference between a prostitute's dressing and a non-prostitute's dress code," fumes a local tout who only identified himself as Kodza.

PROMINENT Bulawayo businessman, Mr Worthwhile Mugabe, has been dragged to court by his former girlfriend, Ms Volese Kaunda, over the upkeep of their seven-year-old son.

Mugabe who has previously been rumoured of having a large stake in Zvishavane-based soccer team, FC Platinum owns DSK Electrical group of companies, which is a major supplier of Mimosa Mining Company's products and service requirements.

In court summons, copies of which are in possession of our news crew, Ms Kaunda, who is employed by the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), is claiming $2 000 meant for the upkeep of their son. She further claims to be getting a monthly salary of $300.

The case which was set to be heard at the maintenance court on Monday, however, failed to take off as both parties failed to pitch up.

According to summons, the $2 000 is meant for rent ($300), food and groceries ($300), maid ($120), insurance ($160), medical and dental aid ($80), school fees ($330), uniforms ($80), casual wear ($60), pharmacy ($20), holidays ($500) and incidentals ($50).

Kaunda further alleges that Mugabe earns approximately $6,000 a month and is in a position to pay the $ 2 000 for the upkeep of their son.
 
"I, Volese Kaunda make oath and say that I reside at Lyncroft Road, Queens Park West, Bulawayo, that I am employed at NRZ … I earn $300 per month … Worthwhile Mugabe is the responsible person legally liable to maintain the under-mentioned dependents. He is a businessman and owns DSK Electrical group of companies that when he works he earns approximately $6 000 per month," reads part of the summons.

In the court papers, Mr Mugabe's address is listed as number 14367 Inteletsha Road, Selbourne Park, Bulawayo.

Mugabe refused to comment, claiming that he was not aware of any court proceedings that he had an obligation to attend.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I haven't been informed of any court proceedings that I was supposed to attend," he said.

When questioned further, with this reporter pointing out that this publication had a copy of the summons, Mugabe went on to hang up his mobile phone without responding. Efforts to contact him later became fruitless as his mobile phone then went unanswered.

However, when we contacted Ms Kaunda, she said they had decided to settle the matter out of court considering Mr Mugabe's "profile".

"We considered the sensitivity of the matter and decided to try settling this matter out of court. I cannot say much to you right now because it might jeopardise the process. Besides, I believe this is not anyone's concern at all but about me and Mugabe," Ms Kaunda said.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday hit back at First Lady Grace Mugabe after she railed against his sexual proclivities, with the MDC leader describing her as a property and PhD grabber.

Grace on Thursday blasted Tsvangirai at a rally in Chinhoyi, describing the former trade unionist as "satanic" and a "womaniser."

But Tsvangirai's spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, said Grace should first ask her husband, President Robert Mugabe, to explain the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s, before she starts hurling insults at him.

Referring to a prophecy delivered by charismatic preachers Emmanuel Makandiwa and backed by Walter Magaya warning against planned MDC demonstrations, Grace said Tsvangirai's defiance to warnings by men of the cloth was a clear sign that he belongs to Satan.

But yesterday the former prime minister said Zimbabweans have a constitutional right to demonstrate against "misrule" by Grace's husband.

"The problem with Grace is that she is not aware that Zimbabweans are suffering," Tamborinyoka said.

"Not every Zimbabwean can act with impunity as she does. Not every Zimbabwean can grab the whole of Mazowe and grab a degree at the University of Zimbabwe and get away with that."

Mugabe's wife has hogged the limelight in the past weeks after sensationally acquiring a PhD at the UZ in what critics have called "dubious" and "questionable circumstances."

Apart from stirring the hornet's nest through her controversial academic achievements, Grace's mercurial rise in politics has also caused a lot of discomfort in the ruling party after the party's rules and regulations were bent to accommodate her as the incoming Women's League secretary.

Reacting to her assertions that anyone who goes against celebrity preachers' warnings against mass action was "demonic", Tsvangirai said Zimbabweans were free to express themselves as guaranteed in the constitution.

"There is nothing demonic in expressing ourselves because not all of us are masters at grabbing things," Tamborinyoka said.

"She should tell her husband that what is demonic is the massacre of  20 000 people in Matabeleland provinces. She must tell her husband that what is demonic is to have a child with your secretary while your wife is lying on her deathbed."

A Binga prophet allegedly raped a fellow villager's two wives after luring them to his shrine following a 'false' prophesy about their looming family danger.

Prophet Peter Mumpande (36) from Lusulu is alleged to have prophesied during church services that the women would be befallen by tragic events, which included an accident involving their husband who was away in Bulawayo or his arrest, before inviting them for "special prayers".

According to reports, Mupande raped the two women who are in a polygamous marriage last year on separate occasions during bush prayers. He allegedly told them that sexual intercourse was the church's secret form of prayer.

However, misfortune befell him when the two women discussed the matter resolved to report the matter to the police leading to his arrest. But Mumpande who appeared before a Hwange court last Friday denied the charges saying the women had seduced him as they were sex-starved by their husband who was always away.

"Your honour, the complainants' husband was away in Bulawayo for a very long time and the two appeared to be sex-starved and they always enticed me to have sexual intercourse with them. I could not resist the temptation and hence we agreed with the complainants to have sexual intercourse," Mupande told the court.

He claimed that he had sexual intercourse with the first wife four times and the first time he gave her a bar of soap and a $5 note. He added that he did the same to the second wife and after the consensual act he gave her a black skirt and a $5 note.

"They did not tell their husband when he came home because the sexual intercourse was consensual. However, the two women decided to lie to their husband that I had raped them after I told them that I was going back to Bulawayo after staying with them for several months and they did not want me to leave them alone," he said.

The trial continues on 7 October with Mumpande proceeding with his defence outline.

The first Ebola patient diagnosed in the US is in critical condition even as nine others, who had been in close contact with him, have shown no symptoms for the deadly disease, Hospital authorities have said.

After previously listing his condition as serious, Texas Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan is now in critical condition, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital spokeswoman Candace White said on Saturday.

The US authorities said none of the people believed to have exposure to Duncan, including nine deemed to be at high risk, had shown any signs of Ebola infection.

The nine people who had definite contact with the Ebola patient - including family members, healthcare professionals - have been monitored and show no symptoms or fevers, Dr Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

"We have already gotten well over 100 inquiries of possible patients," he said.

"We've assessed every one of those and just this one patient has tested positive. We expect that we will see more rumours or concerns or possibilities of cases, until there is a positive laboratory test, that is what they are," he added.

The group was among 50 people being monitored daily, but the other 40 are considered "low risk," said Dr David Lakey, the commissioner of Texas department of state health services.

Health officials did not provide details on the location of those being monitored or where they interacted with Duncan.

The latest figure is a drastic reduction of a number that started at 100 after initial talks with Duncan and hospital officials.

"We will be looking very closely particularly at the nine individuals in the coming days, understanding that the peak period after exposure is about eight to nine days, but can be as long as 21 days," Frieden said.

Duncan was first sent home when he first sought medical care, leaving a four day span when he was sick and contagious while in contact with others, sparking concerns over how many others may have been exposed.

The first Ebola diagnosis in the US has raised concerns about whether the disease that has killed 3,400 people in West Africa could spread in the US.

Federal health officials say they are confident they can keep it in check.

US health officials were monitoring 50 people for Ebola exposure, 10 of whom are at "high risk" of the disease after close contact with the first diagnosed American patient.

According to the WHO, the Ebola outbreak has killed more than 3,400 people, mostly in Africa.

Prophet Walter Magaya, leader of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD), has pledged $20,000 towards the treatment of ailing former Studio 263 actress, Pretty Xaba.

Xaba, who took part in Studio 263 as Muvengwa's wife, urgently needs to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus.

She needs $10,000 to travel to India for surgery. So far, she has raised $2 600 through fund-raising efforts by fellow artistes.

"She visited the prophet on Wednesday and she was given a choice either to take $20,000 for medication in India or receive spiritual help and settle for local doctors. Now she is still in a dilemma," Talent Mango, a PHD official said.

Xaba has been wasting away due to her deteriorating condition which has been worsened by delays in accessing surgery owing to financial problems.

Two weeks ago, musicians and other artistes held a benefit concert at the Book Café in a bid to raise funds for Xaba's surgery.

Xaba's sister-in-law confirmed meeting Prophet Magaya to seek spiritual help in a bid to save the former Studio 263 actress.

Taonga Mafundikwa, co-ordinator of the "Lets Help Pretty Xaba campaign",  said they were still looking for funds and hoped by Monday Xaba would be able to fly to India.

She has been handed a plane ticket by the Affirmative Action Group.

"At the moment, nothing has materialised but things are looking good," Mafundikwa said.

"A lot of developments have taken place. I will have a concrete position about the Indian trip by end of today (yesterday) after meeting potential sponsors."

Xaba featured on a number of plays and dramas such as I Want A Dress, Coliwe, Xola, Everyone's Child, Studio 263 and Lobola among others.

ZIMBABWEAN women are demanding flavoured female condoms which are attractive, sexy and friendly to use as the current ones are considered too thick.

Makonde West legislator Jennifer Mhlanga told delegates at the World Female Condom Day in Chinhoyi on Wednesday that the female condom was not popular.

Mhlanga said the uptake of female condoms in Zimbabwe can be boosted through the introduction of flavoured types.

"I collected a bit of feedback for you PSI and partners. This is a funny one, the women were also asking for flavours. I did not know there was banana; I knew there was strawberry (for male condoms). They said they want these flavours too," Mhlanga said.

The legislator said protecting one's health is a personal responsibility and women need to rise above patriarchal tendencies which have left many at the risk of contracting HIV.

"Women are taught to be submissive to their husbands from an early age thereby making it difficult to bring out sexual issues in the open but we want to say to women it is your right to demand that you use a female condom because it is your body you are protecting."I then got to know that it has become thinner but they were complaining about it being thick, I am not sure if they were talking about the older version or the new one. If it is not the new one, then it has to be sold as such a version."

National Aids Council District Aids Coordinator for Makonde, Yvonne Chavunduka said there was need to invest in educating women on the importance of using the product.

"There is a wide margin between the two condoms. You know that in a quarter, 258 000 male condoms against 12 000 female condoms are distributed. Those condoms are not demonic, we need to dispel myths surrounding the use of the condom," she said.

District medical officer Paradzai Mudzengerere said male acceptance of the female condom has proved to be a major drawback.

"I know one in every two women struggle to insert it but that can be overcome through consistence. Male acceptance is a big problem because men feel this is designed to give women power over the act," he said.

Zimbabwe has 1,2 million people living with HIV. And over 4,8 million female condoms are distributed annually, 3,2 million through hospitals and clinics while the remainder is distributed by PSI, according to statics.

Zimbabwean government has been asked to amend the Termination of Pregnancy Act so abortion can become every woman's option.

Jimmy Wilford, Saywhat executive director, said abortion was a reality that Zimbabwe has to face.

"If you talk to doctors in confidence, they will tell you backyard abortions are a reality," Wilford said at a law reform meeting last week.

"Even official statistics show that abortions are happening all the time. Unfortunately, these are mostly unsafe and have repercussions. This could be one reason why our maternal mortality rates are high."

Unicef estimates that 70,000 illegal abortions take place in Zimbabwe every year.

Wilford said girls and women should be allowed the option to choose whether to keep or abort any pregnancy.

"The ministry of Health actually introduced post-abortion care. If you look closely, it is about taking care of those youths aborting in the backyard. What we need to do now is to accept and give them safe options. Even if we do not allow it, those who are doing it backyard are always coming back into the system for corrective therapy and are chewing a lot of tax-payers' money. We should rather keep the principle and relax the policy. In South Africa, for example, they still have a lot of young mothers despite the fact that abortion is allowed."

Sarudzai Njerere, a partner at Honey and Blackenberg, said the reproductive system of Zimbabwean women is currently being treated like State property.

"Do we want children raising other children, because unwanted pregnancies are a fact? Are women uteruses publicly-listed entities? But the State thinks it does own them. It is said that although the Act has been amended six times, it was only to deal with penalties," she said.

Geoff Feltoe, a law professor, said the Act is a pre-independence law which provides for a very limited scope for termination of pregnancy in the modern world.

Sara Moyo, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) board chairperson, while concurring on the need to extend the Act, admitted that abortion is a controversial subject in Zimbabwe.

"The issue happens to be an emotional one, touching at the core of our values but given what is happening on the ground, some of the cases we relate to, we need to relax the law," she said.

Moyo expressed concern over several procedural barriers experienced by rape victims in seeking the legal right to terminate pregnancies from such occurrences.

She suggested that the Zimbabwe Republic Police rape desk should operate 24 hours while government needs to make services available everywhere.

"Sexual violence does not occur during working hours only. It happens round the clock and victims should enjoy their legal right to terminate and not be forced to conceive a child of a rapist," she said in apparent reference to Mildred Mapingure's case.

"Also, there are victims who may prefer and can afford to go the private route, but there are no known private sector institutions doing that at the moment."

A 15-YEAR-OLD Nkayi girl has told police that she lost her virginity when her boyfriend's 65-year-old father raped her four years ago.

Her boyfriend, whose name and age were not given in court as he has since fled to South Africa, is wanted by police for statutory rape, after he too reportedly had sex with the under-age girl.

The teenager said Gasa Ndlovu raped her when she was 11 years old. The girl infuriated her father for being in an affair at a tender age and he reported her boyfriend to the police.

Ndlovu appeared before regional magistrate Sikhumbuzo Nyathi facing rape charges. He is pleading not guilty to the charges. Th 65-year-old was remanded to October 8 when the trial continues.

Prosecuting, Masimba Saruwaka alleged that sometime in January 2010 at around 9AM, the minor girl was at a community garden when Ndlovu arrived intending to water his tomatoes.

"After exchanging greetings, the girl told him that she was suffering from a headache after which he instructed her to follow him as he had just treated another child for a similar ailment a few hours before," said Saruwaka.

The court heard that the girl followed Ndlovu for "treatment." The elderly man allegedly ordered her to remove her panties before he also undressed himself.

"He then raped the girl once. She did not reveal the matter to anyone as she had been threatened by the accused," said Ndlovu.

In his defence, Ndlovu said he only knew that his son was in a relationship with the girl.

"The girl's father told the kraal head that the two children were in an affair, which they both confirmed. After that he then asked for sponsorship for medical expenses for his daughter and that is when my son left for South Africa, I was shocked when I was later arrested for rape. I don't know anything. I'm innocent," said Ndlovu.

EIGHT people, among them three infants, were killed when a Mercedes Benz they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck at the 271km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road yesterday.

Witnesses told of a horrific moment as three of the victims who were trapped in the wreckage burned to death while motorists watched helplessly.

The Mercedes Benz was reportedly travelling towards Gwanda from Beitbridge with eight people on-board including the driver, while the haulage truck was travelling from Bulawayo to Beitbridge.

The incident occurred at around 3pm but the police only got the report two hours later. Police officers close to the investigations said the driver of the Mercedes Benz tried to overtake in the face of oncoming traffic resulting in the head-on crash.

"Indications are that the driver of the Mercedes Benz tried to overtake another vehicle. Unbeknown to him there was a truck travelling in the opposite direction resulting in the head-on collision. The two vehicles caught fire on impact. Two men who were in the truck escaped unhurt," said the source.

When the news crew arrived at the scene, bodies of the dead had already been ferried to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary.

Both vehicles had been reduced to shells. Several empty beer bottles could also be seen in the wreckage of the Mercedes Benz. The two vehicles had also blocked the road, forcing police officers to divert traffic to avoid another accident.

Witnesses said the driver of the smaller vehicle was spotted earlier in the day drinking beer in Beitbridge and died while holding on to a bottle of beer and the steering wheel.

"When we arrived here three people from the Mercedes Benz had been seriously burnt. The driver was still trapped in the wreckage holding on to a beer bottle and the steering wheel," said a woman identified only as Susan.

Another witness said: "Three of the victims were trapped inside the Benz. They were screaming as they slowly burned to death. There was nothing anyone could do to assist them."

Police officer commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Patrick Majuta could not be reached for comment last night.

The accident comes a few months after 20 people were killed when a Mercedes Benz Sprinter they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a Hino truck about 80km along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road near Lion and Elephant Motel.

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been sucked into a vote-rigging scandal following Saturday's controversial election of Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda to post of provincial chairperson.

About four MDC-T Bulawayo districts were reportedly barred from attending the Saturday provincial congress, where Tsvangirai was personally accrediting delegates.

The elections that saw Banda polling 707 votes against 213 for Senator Matson Hlalo, his main challenger, were marred by violence, allegations of vote-buying and reports of ballot-stuffing.

Losing candidates dismissed the results as a sham, a sad day for democracy and vowed to challenge the outcome, before accusing Tsvangirai of personally accrediting delegates to tacitly rig elections in favour of Banda.

"It was just a repeat of what they did during our last congress in Bulawayo, where they rigged the elections in favour of Gorden Moyo (ex-Bulawayo MDC-T chairperson)," a fuming Hlalo said yesterday.

"They have done it again. They rigged again as was expected. It's a loss for democracy, a sad day for all party members who believe in democracy. How can the election be legitimate, when four districts were barred from attending? We always (MDC-T) talk of being rigged, yet we are specialists in rigging."

The Lobengula, Makokoba, Bulawayo East and Magwegwe elected districts members were allegedly barred from voting.

Swithern Chirowodza, the election agent for Hlalo added that they will contest the results, as the whole election process was shambolic and rigged in favour of Banda.

"The elections were rigged. The accreditation was not done according to the set guidelines and the fact that Tsvangirai was personally accrediting delegates is reflective of the level of rigging. We are not accepting these fake results. It was a sham election. The total vote cast is also reflective of ballot-stuffing, and confirms our suspicions. The vote does not tally with the number of delegates as at confirmation process. A total of 1 390 are said to have cast their votes yet we had only 700 confirmed delegates," Chirowodza claimed.

Banda yesterday downplayed vote-rigging allegations, saying it was "unfortunate that the losing parties will resort to lying to tarnish the vote process".

"There is no winner or loser to this election. It's just that people, delegates, decided to choose someone to lead them for a certain period. People should accept the results so that we move forward as a party ahead of the 2018 elections. We need to come together, unite as a party against our common enemy Zanu PF. It's unfortunate that losing parties will resort to allegations."

Dorcas Sibanda and Albert Mhlanga, the Bulawayo Central and Pumula legislator were elected unopposed as deputy chairperson and organising secretary respectively.

Lesego Daniel, the controversial pastor of Rabboni Ministries in Ga-Rankuwa, has said that he "makes the news" while adding that he does not live a life of luxury on the back of his congregants.

So unapologetic was he that he yesterday told some of his followers to eat the flowers used to decorate the podium.

"Eat this one," said Daniel to one of his ushers. The woman ran to the flowers her pastor was pointing to and started chewing off the heads of the daisies and the leaves.

Others started running to the stage to get a taste of the flowers. At first the woman refused to share but Daniel told her to welcome others to also take part in "what the Holy Spirit was doing".

Soon the whole stage was filled with people chewing away at the flowers.

"I'm making news," Daniel said standing over his congregation as they fought over the flowers.

Daniel, who seemingly enjoys riding in the turbulence of serious controversy last week made his undoubtedly reasoning capacity-lacking congregants drink petrol, after he claimed that it tastes 'sweet'.

"It tastes like pineapple juice," he controversial pastor claimed.

In YouTube footage, members of his congregation are seen clamouring desperately to have a drink of the petrol as the pastor preaches and encourages them.

Members of the church exclaim how "sweet" and "nice" it tastes, comparing it to "Iron Brew" and "pineapple juice".

A couple of them beg the pastor to "please give us some more".

Rabboni Ministries grabbed headlines earlier this year when it emerged that the congregants had been convinced that eating grass would help them "to get closer to God". Tens of both male and female church members, some well facially presented good enough to be managers and owners of various companies, were seen grabbing and eating grass during a church service. But a week later the internet was awash with reports that most of the church members fell sick and vomitted while others suffered stomach pains after eating grass.

One fact for sure that My Zimbabwe News can bet it's last dollar on is that before the end of this month Pastor Daniel would have pulled yet another shocker, unless obviously if the South African government intervenes to save the poor souls!

Lovemore Mlambo, a prominent businessman from Makwasha suburb in Zvishavane collapsed and died recently while allegedly having sex with a small house, it is reported.

The 'deadly' girlfriend who is reportedly highly mobile when having sex with a man has been identified as Venencia Moyo. The 'sexually gifted' woman confirmed that her married boyfriend died during sex.

"What you heard (that her lover died during sex) is true, but he was not feeling well. Anyway who are you? If you are his relative then let's have a face to face discussion over it," she said.

Sources said Mlambo lied to his wife that he was going to Harare for some orders for his shop which is at Mandava business area in Zvishavane. The cheating man then went and hooked up with Moyo, his girlfriend.

The prominent businessman is said to have taken Moyo to a bushy area near Old Eastlea in Zvishavane and while there he is suspected to have suffered a heart attack.

Sources said the two had steamy sex for two massive rounds. It is reported that during the third round, Mlambo collapsed and fainted. Reports are that the married man requested his girlfriend to bring him some water and raise alarm with guards working in the area.

The alleged sexually sweet girlfriend did as instructed but found her married lover dead upon returning to the "accident" scene.

BUSINESS almost came to a halt in the city centre in Harare yesterday morning as people stampeded to catch a glimpse of protesters who took to the streets to demonstrate and voice their concerns against touts who harass women in miniskirts, especially at commuter omnibus ranks.

Dubbed "Mini-skirt march", the demonstration attracted about 200 women dressed mostly in mini-skirts and shorts to protest against the continued harassment of women and girls considered to be "dressed indecently."

Scores of bemused onlookers could be seen taking pictures and videos of the marchers using their mobile phones and tablets.

In their typical style, rank marshals, commuter omnibus drivers and touts followed the marching ladies.

"Haa aya ndiwo mahure manje," they shouted.

But some could be seen retreating as many of the mini skirt marchers were not dressed to their expectations.

However, others followed to Town House where the marchers later gathered.

But sadly and not surprisingly, touts shouted obscene words and called the women prostitutes. They heckled the women as they boarded commuter omnibuses back to their respective homes, forcing police to intervene.

The march, which was organised by a Women Rights lobby group, Katswe Sistahood, started at Town House before moving to Copacabana and Market Square bus terminuses.

The marchers were carrying different placards with messages criticising touts for harassing women at various bus ranks.

Katswe Sistahood director Talent Jumo said the march was a success as many women joined hands to denounce harassment by touts.

"We seek to reclaim our constitutional right to move freely in an independent country. We are happy that many women joined hands to denounce female harassment by these touts. We denounce the unbearable acts of humiliation and harassment by these touts and rank marshals at different bus terminuses in the country as ladies have the right to dress in any fashion of their choice," she said.

Cecilia Dengu, who was part of the march, said men should respect the way women chose to dress.

"We cannot say we have enough freedom when some parts of the city are no- go zones for women. That is unacceptable and must come to an end," Dengu said. I must not be afraid of dropping off at Copacabana because mahwindi [touts] will harass me, but I must be free to drop off where I want."

The march was however denounced by some touts.

Reason Majanga, a rank marshal at Copacabana said they were not going to tolerate women who walk in public places semi-naked.

"We have schoolchildren who come here on their way to and from school. When they see such dressing from their sisters, what will they learn? We whistle and boo them so that the youngsters will know that such type of dressing is not tolerated in public," he said.

Rueben Kasirori, a tout at Market Square rank, said the police should not have allowed the march to go ahead.

The Founder and Leader of United Family International, Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has scoffed at statements aligning him to ZANU-PF following his recent prophecy on bloodshed as a result of mass action.

Addressing followers during yesterday's sermon, Makandiwa said no amount of money can buy him. He said if anyone thinks that these political parties can buy him, he or she is lost and he does not have a price tag.

Makandiwa's prophecy followed announcements by Morgan Tsvangirai that his MDC-T party, would soon hold street protests to pressure the Zanu-PF government to address the country's economic crisis.

The prophecy was seen by some of the media and society as a way of trying to pre-empt the protests with Tsvangirai also declaring he does not make political decisions based on prophecies.

Speaking in the usual 'religious riddles' to hordes of his church members during a service at the City Sports Centre in Harare yesterday, Prophet Makandiwa said those who write against his prophecy on the mass protests know fully well that they will lock themselves inside on the day.

He said it was up to the people to make proper judgment concerning the prophecy and that he had been taken aback by the insinuation from some quarters that he had been bought to prophesy.

A fortnight ago, Makandiwa  who is now playing second fiddle  after being 'displaced' by Magaya of PhD Ministries, discouraged people from joining street protests being called for by the MDC-T, saying they would result in bloodshed and cause confusion in the nation.

"If someone writes anything about what I say, let them put their pictures and let them be at the forefront that day. We do not want people who write something and stay at their house, do not lock your door on that day. Lets see you on the day and you be the first. A person just writes anything, but on the day it happens he will not be anywhere near the scene," he said.

Prophet Makandiwa said his prophecy had positives for all Zimbabweans of different political persuasion.
 
"Whatever it is, if you were good listeners you would understand that I was prophesying from a prophetic point of view. I said positive statements from whichever angle, from the MDC point of view and from Zanu-PF point of view. The way I presented the prophecy is that if you can listen from any angle you can make proper judgment. There is no party under the sun that can buy this man. If you think I can be bought at this stage, its because you do not know the person you are talking about. I have never been given a farm or a stand. Everything I have, I have bought," he said.

Prophet Makandiwa said if indeed he was in alliance with the devil as some were saying, there was no way he could prophesy against bloodshed.

"When prophecy is coming, lets say what I am saying here is bloodshed and people are going to die, every Satanist would want that to happen," he said.

"I do not know when the devil became born again. We see disaster and avert it – what are we doing? We are not opportunists, we are prophets."

Prophet Makandiwa said he was not looking for support from other preachers.

"I do not even expect other Men of God to defend me," he said. "You can only defend when you hear from God yourself."

Prophet Makandiwa said he could produce DVDs from as far as 2010 when he started making prophecies on the mass protests, with the latest being on June 17 this year.

He said the problem with some people was that they were waiting to criticize every prophecy.

"You tell people this is going to happen, but they say if he has power why not stop it," he said.

"When it happens they will say what does it help if he says something and it happens. If you stop it they question the prophecy. They say he prophesied a lie."

Sexy Angels front lady Beverly "Bev" Sibanda has apologised to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader Walter Magaya for all the stunts she has pulled against the celebrity preacher.

Bev's manager Harpers Mapimhidze said they regretted every bad thing that ever transpired between them and Magaya.

"He is a man of God, everyone knows that. What took place is just unfortunate but we apologise for everything that has ever happened. You know at times we, as people, make decisions that we end up regretting but we are apologising. We are human and at times we do things we regret at the end. As Bev's manager, I apologise for everything that she has ever said or done to Magaya. He is a man of God and we cannot mess with him," Mapimhidze said.

Mapimhidze said he is certain that there will be less talk coming from Bev regarding Magaya.

"I spoke to Bev especially with issues to do with what she was saying in the media, we agreed that she would stop and that she would leave him alone. At times, I would not know what would be taking place, only to read it in the papers. I have had serious talk with her regarding what she says in public and her conduct with other people. At the end of the day, anaMagaya vanhu vane zvinhu zvavo, so you can't mess with them, you might need their help in the future," he said.

Since joining and leaving Magaya's PHD Ministries, Bev has launched a series of attacks on Magaya, who has largely remained quiet amid a barrage of attack.

Earlier, Magaya helped Bev start a retail business, renting a shop for her and giving her money to start up the business.

In less than three months, she said the shop was not generating enough money and that she would rather go back to dancing.

She accused the prophet of trying to woo her with a car and money.