Former ZANU PF Politburo member and Finance Minister Ignatius Morgan Chiminya Chombo has lost a bid to block Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, from subdividing his farm.
The Lands Ministry subdivided Chombo’s Allan Grange Farm in Zvimba, measuring over 3000 hectares, to accommodate other farmers including his ex-wife Marian.
High Court judge Justice Jacob Manzunzu ruled that the reasons for the cancellation of the lease given by the minister were valid and he also has the authority to act in the manner he did. Said Manzunzu:
<blockquote>
The role of the minister in the tripartite agreement was to make sure that the joint venture was approved by the government and such an agreement could not have intended to oust the role of the minister in managing the land reform programme.
For the reasons already stated in this judgment, this is not a proper case for the court to exercise its discretion in favour of granting the declaratory orders sought.
</blockquote>
The judge also slapped Chombo with costs on an ordinary scale.
Chombo’s ex-wife Marian joined the court proceedings through a court order in 2022.
According to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/chombo-loses-court-challenge-against-subdivision-of-3000-hectare-farm/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Chombo had been in occupation of the farm for over two decades after signing the 99-year lease on 14 November 2006. He was married to Marian at the time.
He sought a declaratory order for it to be declared that the Lands Minister could not cancel his lease outside the provisions of clause 22.1.
He also wanted an order that the reasons given by Masuka for the cancellation to be declared illegal and null and void.
In March 2018 Chombo entered into a tripartite agreement with an investor called Pepary Investments (Private) Limited (Pepary) and the government.
On 21 June 2021, the Lands Minister wrote a letter to Chombo informing him of his intention to cancel the 99-year lease agreement in respect of the farm.
The letter gave reasons for the intended cancellation and invited Chombo to make his representations, if any, to the minister on the matter.
On 13 August 2021, Chombo responded to the Minister’s letter and made representations requesting him not to execute his intention to cancel the lease agreement.
However, the Minister cancelled the lease agreement on 21 September 2021 which letter only reached Chombo on 17 January 2022 after the current application was lodged on 3 November 2021.
Chombo argued that the Minister acted outside clause 22.1 of the lease agreement hence his actions are illegal, null and void.
Marian and Masuka took an almost similar position in defending this application.
They argued that the application was overtaken by events, saying the lease agreement was eventually cancelled yet the application was based on an intention to cancel.
Masuka said Chombo would be offered a new security of tenure document for 500 hectares in line with the reasons for the cancellation of the lease which were articulated in the notice of 21 June 2021.
The High Court upheld the arguments by the Minister and said the tripartite agreement did not abrogate the powers of the minister as the Administrative owner of the land in terms of the law.
Chombo has since filed an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging a High Court ruling.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Chombo Loses 3000-hectare Farm Downsizing Court Case

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Marian_Chombo/">Marian Chombo</a> has asked churches to pray for the cholera outbreak to end. She made this request during a church gathering led by Bishop Andby Makururu in Chinhoyi. Chombo mentioned that her province has reported 15 deaths related to cholera so far. NewsDay quotes her as saying:
<blockquote>
There is cholera which is worrying us as a country and we need to pray for it. We need to follow what our Health ministry is saying about cholera. In Mashonaland West, we have some areas which have no water.
We are in the season of mangoes and mangoes are known for spreading cholera. Let’s practise hygiene to prevent the further spread of cholera. We have recorded almost 12 to 15 deaths from cholera in the province, and as a government we are coming to your churches to pray for the outbreak.
</blockquote>
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has reported that over 140 people have died and at least 7,000 people have been infected. The lack of access to clean water and poor sanitation have been identified as factors contributing to the spread of cholera. Harare has been particularly affected, with some suburbs experiencing water shortages for several years, months and or days. 
<h3>Causes, prevention and treatment of Cholera</h3>
Cholera is primarily caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water that contains the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water are key contributors to the spread of cholera.
To prevent cholera, it is important to practice good hygiene by washing hands with soap and clean water, especially before eating or preparing food, and after using the toilet. It is also crucial to drink safe, clean water and avoid consuming raw or undercooked seafood. Boiling or treating water with chlorine tablets can help kill the bacteria.
In terms of treatment, the most important aspect is rehydration. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) or intravenous fluids are given to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics may be used in severe cases to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Prompt access to medical care is vital, as untreated cholera can lead to severe dehydration and even death. Additionally, efforts to improve sanitation and access to clean water are crucial in preventing cholera outbreaks and controlling its spread.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwean Minister Asks Churches To Pray For The Cholera Outbreak To End

The Government has appealed to mining companies in Mashonaland West Province to assist in rescuing artisanal miners trapped underground after a mine shaft collapsed at Bay Horse Mine in Chegutu on Friday, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200017445/chegutu-mine-collapse-govt-appeals-for-help">reported NewsDay</a>.
21 of the illegal miners escaped death. Eight were rescued between Friday night and Saturday morning with four currently in hospital with varying degrees of injury.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo said 10 people have been confirmed dead, while four bodies have since been retrieved.
The bodies were taken to Chegutu District Hospital mortuary.
Addressing relatives of the trapped people, artisanal miners and Bay Horse community members, Chombo said:
<blockquote>
We are not sure of the number but we are told that 42 artisanal miners went underground, but the number could be more since some get inside the mine using undesignated entry points.
I want to thank the local community and fellow artisanal miners who reacted swiftly to rescue eight people alive and retrieve four bodies.
We are now seeking assistance from big mines like Zimplats, Golden Valley and Pickstone Mine among other mines to help in the search for miners still trapped underground.
The mines have expertise and other machines and equipment that could be helpful.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chegutu-mine-disaster-govt-ropes-in-experts/">The Herald</a> reported that Afrochine had by Saturday sent a team of electricians and mining technicians together with equipment to the mine.
The equipment included diesel water pumps to deal with rising water levels in the shaft and to crack a huge bolder.
Bay Horse Mine is a few kilometres from Cricket Mine in Battlefields, also in Mashonaland West Province, which collapsed and killed 23 illegal gold miners in 2019.
Chombo appealed to small-scale miners to be careful in their operations to avoid putting their lives in danger.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chegutu: Govt Appeals For Help To Rescue Trapped Miners

Ministerial statement on the Pomona waste-to-energy plant by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Marian Chombo.
<blockquote>
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
POMONA WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. CHOMBO): Allow me to submit this presentation before the House, which seeks to clarify the issue of the Pomona waste to energy joint venture between the Harare City Council and Geogenix B.V as follows:
The Pomona dumpsite has been in existence since time immemorial, including concerns around the hazards it poses, it had become an eyesore. 
Council in 2016 and 2019, tried to find interested investors to invest in Pomona dumpsite and received various expressions of interests including Geoginix B.V. 
Unfortunately, no bidder was awarded the contract for Pomona dumpsite.  In 2020, Geoginix resubmitted its proposal to City Council for a joint venture for the development of a waste to energy plant. 
The proposal was presented to ZIDA, a Government statutory body responsible for the promotion, entry, protection and facilitation of investment in Zimbabwe. 
Geoginix B.V is an internationally owned company, hence the need to follow laid down procedures as provided for by the ZIDA Act Chapter 14:37 which regulates the operations of foreign-owned companies.
ZIDA, in terms of Sections 34 and 36, forwarded the proposal to the Cabinet Committee on joint ventures who in turn presented the proposal to Cabinet for approval. 
It should be noted that Cabinet is the highest executive authority.  The Council which is a lower tier and an organ, has an obligation to implement the Cabinet decision, which they did when they resolved to enter into the contract in line with the Cabinet decision. 
On 3rd May, Hon. Markham, Combined Harare Residents Association, Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association and Centre for Alternative Development Trust filed a court application against the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, City of Harare and Geoginix seeking an order that nullifies the contract. 
It is also noted that a group of councillors have decided to cause disruptions on the implementation of such a lucrative venture which has many benefits including employment creation, power generation and refuse management.
It is imperative to note that the matter is now before the courts of law and is, therefore, sub judice, hence the project will continue as per the dictates of the contract until the court makes a determination on the matter.  I thank you.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://openparly.com/index.php/2022/06/11/pomona-dumpsite-deal-ministerial-statement/">OpenParly</a></h4>

Pomona Dumpsite Deal: Ministerial Statement [Full Text]

The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Marian Chombo has claimed that Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka would soon be removed from her ministerial job in the impending cabinet reshuffle.
The deputy minister, who is the estranged wife to long-serving former cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo, made the remarks during an attack on Foya whom she accuses of “backstabbing” her.
In an audio recording that has gone viral, Chombo is heard chastising one Foya for “backstabbing” her in the just-ended provincial elections.
Chombo contested in the Tuesday ZANU PF provincial elections in which she was targeting the deputy provincial chairman post through the basket system. Chombo said:
<blockquote>
I know your stories Foya, don’t do that. You must know where your bread is buttered, don’t be used. Magaya is not going to help fix the land issue, and Mary Mliswa cannot help either to get that land you are seeking. It is me who was put into the President’s committee to deal with Zilawa.
Mary Mliswa doesn’t sit on that committee, besides, Mary Mliswa is soon going to be removed as Minister of State. If l tell you how we should move, you don’t want. You come to my house pleading that l fix the Zilawa issue, how can l fix it when you backstab me?
Zilawa is going to be turned into an A1 (settlement) at a meeting to be held the day after tomorrow, where l will make it pass, but how do l push for it when you incited people to vote against Chombo?
</blockquote>
Chombo who is said to be biologically related to Local Government Minister July Moyo, a close ally of Mnangagwa, was readmitted into ZANU PF at the inception of the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after she got the chop for associating with former Vice President Joyce Mujuru. 
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zanu-pf-elections-chombo-vote-buying-exposed/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Mary Mliswa Chikoka To Lose Her Ministerial Post - Chombo

Zimbabwe took delivery of 700 000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday night, 24 hours after 800 000 doses from the same supplier were delivered.
The consignment took the total deliveries to 6,76 million various jabs and allowing the accelerated vaccination programme to continue at a high level.
The vaccines, which were delivered by an Ethiopian Airways plane at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, were received by the Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Marian Chombo on behalf of the Government.
Chombo was accompanied by chief director Curative Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Maxwell Hove and other senior Government officials. She said:
<blockquote>
We meet again today; the Government has purchased 1,5 million Sinopharm vaccines of which yesterday we received the first batch of 800 000 vaccines, and today we have just received the last batch of 700 000 from China.
All this was procured by the Government of Zimbabwe with the initiative of our visionary leader President Mnangagwa.
We are also urging the private sector to help us with this initiative. Our motto is to leave no one behind.
We have to go down to the grassroots to reach everyone.
</blockquote>
Chombo also reminded people to continue adhering to prescribed COVID-19 containment measures.
On his part, Hove urged Zimbabweans to be vaccinated saying this would save the country from forming new variants in communities which might present authorities with another challenge.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/700-000-more-vaccines-arrive/">The Herald</a></h4>

700 000 More Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccines Arrive

Open Parly reports that only five female legislators excluding the Deputy Speaker officially spoke during Parliament’s Tuesday session.
This is in comparison to 20 male legislators in the National Assembly. This comes at a time when Mangwe legislator Obedingwa Mguni proposed the extension of Proportional Representation to beyond 10 years. The female legislators who spoke are Honourable Marian Chombo (Zvimba North), Ruth Labode (Proportional Representation, Lynette Karenyi (Proportional Representation), Rossy Mpofu (Proportional Representation) and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (Proportional Representation).
Open Parly also reports that  this means only 25 legislators out of a possible 270 earned their sitting $75 allowances today the rest who were present were paid for coming sitting.
<hr/>
 
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More: <a href="https://www.openparly.co.zw/only-5-female-mps-spoke-in-parliament/">Open Parly</a>

Only 5 Female MPs Spoke In Parliament On Tuesday 12 March

Ignatius Chombo’s former wife Marian Chombo wrote a letter to Zanu-PF seeking readmission into the ruling party.
Chombo is former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party (NPP) women’s assembly chairperson claims she was forced out of the party by her ex-husband and former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo. The Herald got sight of a letter written by Marian Chombo to the Zanu-PF Mashonaland West chairperson in which she applied to be re-admitted in the party. Wrote Chombo:
<blockquote>I hereby request re-admission in Zanu-PF party. I was forced out of the party by the former President of Zimbabwe when he publicly denounced me in front of thousands, who had thronged Chinhoyi Stadium in the run-up to the 2013 harmonised elections. Because of my differing views with my ex-husband, Dr I Chombo, facilitated my unceremonious expulsion from the party.
I believe in the Zanu-PF ideology and pledge to work hard for Zimbabwe under the guidance of this revolutionary party. With the new political dispensation ushered in by the so-called Operation Restore Legacy, the party is surely poised for positive growth.</blockquote>
Contacted for comment, provincial vice chairman Keith Guzah confirmed that they got the letter.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/chombos-ex-wife-seeks-to-rejoin-zanu-pf/">Herald</a>

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