Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ): Old and Worn United States Dollar Notes (21.12.2020)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resslement, Hon Dr A.J. Masuka, on Enchanching Production, Productivity and Profitability on A2 and A1 Farms 18 December 2020 (18.12.2020)

Zimbabwe: Citizens’ Manifesto Statement on the International Human Rights Day (10.12.2020)

Opinion: Biti maybe “damaged some calm” but didn’t assault anyone

This delict is committed when a person unlawfully and intentionally applies force to the person of another or has threatened to do so in a manner that inspires a reasonable fear of immediate danger in the mind of the person threatened” (Professor G. Feltoe – ‘ A Guide To The Zimbabwean Law Of Delict, 2018).

Tendai Biti on the 30th November 2020 called out Tatiana Aleshina at Harare Magistrate Court. Where he called her: “You Tatiana you are stupid, very stupid, stupid. Stupid idiot”. Which by all definitions shouldn’t be an offence or deemed as an criminal act. It was an act of foolishness from Tendai Biti and he should apologize maybe. However, to be charged with assault over this is just ridiculous.

What is even more striking that uttering these words was enough to get Aleshina hospitalized. That he pointed fingers and shouted out these words. He didn’t touch her or act with vile force. He was maybe angry and was out of bounds with his emotions, as he uttered those words. Still, that is not an assault by definition.

If you feel threatened by these sort of words. Then you shouldn’t even work in a Court or be part of the Justice system. It will get much worse from here. The man showed his frustration and only retorted in a manner, which he should apologize for, but not be charged with anything.

To call a person “stupid” and a “idiot” shouldn’t be a criminal offence. Unless, the authorities are thin-skinned and lack moral judgement. Because, if this is deemed enough to do so. Then, everyone in the nation better be prepared for assault charges. Every kid and every child, heck every teen and every partner have uttered these words at one point. Where you have called your friend “stupid” or your colleague an “idiot”. Because, at the heat of the moment you have realized that they acted “dumb”. Therefore, charging him for calling Tatiana that is using a school-yard argument in court.

He didn’t put her life in danger, he didn’t touch her or threaten her. Tendai might be loud in the heat of the moment, but that doesn’t justify the charges against him. Biti should just say “sorry” and Tatiana should move-on. Unless, she is always afraid and nobody has ever stroke a high note around her. Which I doubt, as a Chief Operation Manager in a Property Firm. She must have heard much more derogatory language from contractors, than what Biti said on the 30th November.

Yes, she could be shaken and humiliated. That is all natural, as you would stumble on the humble and wouldn’t expect to be called out in the setting of a Court. However, that doesn’t say that Biti actually assaulted her. Neither, was these words intimidating. It was more a quick slur and bad manners.

If this is deemed as an assault. Then it takes a school-yard argument to the courts. There will be much more cases and the courts should be filled with kids, youths and managers calling people out. Who hasn’t called people stupid and showed some bad manners?

I am sure most of the public has done so at one point. Unless, your a holy saint, the Pope or someone holier than thou. Alas, if Tendai Biti … is charged and serving time over this. Then there should be plenty of more similar cases. Because, the Courts should start answering to pleas of civilians everywhere who has called people “stupid” since that is enough to get charged with “assault”. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-Alliance) – Communique on 26/11/2020 National Standing Committee Meeting (26.11.2020)

Malawi: Government statement rejecting the notion that Prophet Shepard Bushiri was on President Chakwera’s Plane (16.11.2020)

The Bushiri Escape is straight outta of a movie..

Sometimes things are to good to be true. There are some stories that sounds like fiction, but is still happening in real life. In this instance, the story of Prophet Shepard Bushiri is one of those.

Yes, the man is the definition of a pastorpreneur, who set up churches like a business. The man is using the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) and the Prophetic Channel as his company, which he profits massively from. This is the hustle of the man and his family. Both in Malawi and all the way to South Africa.

In South Africa, the authorities has charged the pastor for money laundering. The pastor has gotten bail with some strings. However, for some obvious reasons he has still been able to flee. Not by the plane of the President of Malawi. Who was passing by on a brief working visit. Even if there was speculations about that.

There are more likely ways he has done it. As he has been part of a Car Thieving Enterprise or a Syndicate who exports stolen cars from South Africa to Malawi. In this instance he fled through the borders together with sophisticated thieves. Straight out of a movie. “Gone in 60 Seconds – Bushiri Edition”. A road movie gone totally wrong.

Yes, a pastor/prophet should hang out with thieves, sinners and the lower class of society. That is to show interests in their plights and their needs. Also guide them to a better life and redeem themselves. However, if he joined these criminals. He most like entertained and bribed himself out of it all. Yet, again continuing to do illegal stuff to get away from money laundering charges. That is not repenting, but adding more sins. “Thou shall not sin” instead more “thou shall sin”.

Prophet Bushiri is in a league of trouble by doing this. He might been able to string along the flight, the ability to cross the borders and enter Malawi. However, why does he has a connection to thieves selling illegal imported vehicles? Is the reports true that he got a diplomatic passport? Why does a prophet have a diplomatic passport? Why did the judge accept the conditions of the bail? Is it true that the judge of this case is a member of his ECG church in South Africa?

Because, there are so much going on. The Malawi government haven’t entertained anything. While the South African authorities now have to issue orders and negotiate an extradition of Bushiri from Malawi to return for prosecution and face the charges on him. While he might have caused more counts of criminal cases as a fleeing suspect and involving himself with other criminal activity. This is all not good look on a pastor. Who is supposed to look holier than thou.

Prophet Shepard Bushiri only looks more guilty by fleeing and being a fugitive running away from the law. This is not the message and the thing that should haunt a prophet or a “Man of God”.

The way he fled and by the means of doing so… should be a movie. Also a lesson in how not to run a church and use the donations to the “works for God”. Because, this seems illegitimate and insincere at best. When he goes with criminal syndicates to be able to flee from a Court Case. That is what I am seeing…

Prophet Bushiri should know better, but he used his station and possible laundered money illegally out of South Africa back to Malawi. That is something he got to answer too and address in the Courts. Not run away, because that suspects his ill intent and also his guilt.

He needs to be brought back to South Africa and face justice. His not above the law. The man could have used his ministry for good, but instead sponged on it. If he was sincere and honest. The man would have stood tall in the Courts and not fled with a bunch of thieves. Peace.

 

Zimbabwe: Press Statement from the Office of the President and Cabinet (12.11.2020)

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR): State in Abortive Bid to Ressurect Mugabe 2010 Insult Case (09.11.2020)

Zimbabwe: ZRP Harare Central – CID Law and Order – Hopewell Chin’ono – Warned and Cautioned Statement (November 2020)