Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe Limited has approached the High Court seeking to nullify the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s directive to shut down its EcoCash cash-in and cash-out facilities, saying the move was unlawful.

The company argues that the directive by RBZ is ultra vires Section 10 of the National Payments Systems Act (Chapter 24:23) under which it was made.

Cassava Smartech is represented by Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners and the matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

The bank banned all cash-in, cash-out and cash-back transactions, as the platforms had become tools to extort cash and cause price instability.

The central bank also warned banks, mobile payment system providers and other economic agents to ensure that the entire ecosystem operates within the confines of the law and enforce compliance.

However, the shutdown, Cassava Smartech is arguing in an urgent chamber application for a temporary interdict, will cause financial loss to the company and to millions of users.

Reads the application: “The directive by the defendant to shut down the EcoCash cash-in and cash-out facilities is ultra vires Section 10 of the National Payments Systems Act (Chapter 24:23) under which it purports to have been made.State media

Paul Nyathi|The International Confederation of Red Cross (ICRC) says that Zimbabwe’s prisons are now regarded as some of the best in terms of inmates welfare and human rights.

Speaking to journalists in Gweru last week, ICRC representative Mr Hilton Zvidzayi said Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service had implemented reforms prescribed by Red Cross in prisons during a training programme to improve the welfare of inmates.

Mr Zvidzayi said ICRC has since weaned ZPCS off its programme following full compliance by Government and prison authorities.

“Zimbabwe prisons are some of the best ones in Southern Africa. We engaged ZPS to improve on the welfare of prisoners and we are happy that we trained them and now they are on their own. We are very happy with the tremendous progress in prisons.

“We had access to every corner of prisons and we had one-on-one interviews with prisoners in the absence of prison officers or authorities. We also trained them on humanitarian law. As we speak in terms of food we have prisons such as Khami Prison which is now assisting other prisons in the country. We are happy that Zimbabwean authorities are very compliant,” he said.

The claims come at a time when the country’s prisons are crumbling at the seams, assailed by overcrowding and a critical shortage of medicines, food and other basics as the economically-crippled country battles to care for its inmates.

Convicts and wardens alike bemoan packed cells where running water is erratic and shortages of food, clothes and bedding prevail. Basic painkillers and antibiotics are impossible to come by, meaning prisoners risk dying from easily treatable conditions.

Prisoners have been seen bwearing threadbare uniforms in the prison’s male and female sections. Inside most prison cells, paint flakes off the walls and for bedding, prisoners have thin blankets on bare cement floors and the cells were infested with lice and other vermin.

The country’s 46 prisons were built to collectively incarcerate 14 000 prisoners, but hold more than 25 000 today.

At Chikurubi Prison, as an example, the men’s section houses 2 508 inmates, instead of the 1 360 it was designed for.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has condemned such “deplorable” conditions, which it said “exposes inmates to illnesses and psychological trauma”.

The body said, more than 100 prisoners have in recent years died of malnutrition-related illnesses.

Mr Zvidzayi said ICRC is also engaging Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Defence Forces on humanitarian law and protection of civilians.

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo and her team of commissioners have acquired firearms for personal security amid reports that they have been receiving death threats over high-profile graft cases they are investigating.

Last Friday, Justice Matanda-Moyo and her team underwent firearms training at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Shooting Range at Morris Depot in Harare before being issued with arms.

The ZACC chair said she had personally received incessant phone calls from members of corruption cartels involving cases of high-profile political figures under investigation and a firearm becomes a necessary self-defence weapon.

“I have received a number of calls from people instructing me to drop certain cases involving political figures and other prominent people.
“I still receive the calls with others threatening my life. Others were trying to influence me on how ZACC should operate, particularly telling me who should and should not be investigated,” she said.

The callers, Justice Matanda-Moyo said, complained about the investigation of certain individuals.State media

Watch video below. ..

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of The Nation Address is meaningless and devoid of key matters affecting the people of Zimbabwe.

“A SONA that does not address key issues facing the nation such as lack of electricity, water, fuel, non availability of cash, poor wages, human rights abuses, terror, abductions, illegitimacy and reforms is a waste of resources and an unprovoked insult.This invites us all to act,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of The Nation Address is meaningless and devoid of key matters affecting the people of Zimbabwe.

“A SONA that does not address key issues facing the nation such as lack of electricity, water, fuel, non availability of cash, poor wages, human rights abuses, terror, abductions, illegitimacy and reforms is a waste of resources and an unprovoked insult.This invites us all to act,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.

A ZANU PF activist asks: “By walking out (on Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday, what was achieved (by MDC MPs)? DISCUSSION:

By illegally walking into State House through killing 7 people on 1 Aug so to change election results, all shamefully announced on ZBC TV whole world watching, what did @edmnangagwa achieve? @BitiTendai @DavidColtart @ZECzim

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 1, 2019

ZBC management has met with MDC Alliance's National spokesperson,Honourable Daniel Molokele and his deputy Luke Tamborinyoka, as part of their familiarisation tour of all media houses in Zimbabwe. They have already toured Alpha Media Holdings.@GNyambabvu @InfoMinZW pic.twitter.com/tSXXsaHMad

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) October 1, 2019

By Own Correspondent- The Public Service Commission (PSC) has extended the biometric authentication project and mop-up exercise to October 31, 2019 as Government presses ahead with reforms to restore order in the civil service by flushing out ghost workers.

The project was supposed to be completed yesterday.

In a statement, PSC chairman Dr Vincent Hungwe said the postponement had been necessitated by the ongoing end of year examinations.

“Further to our previous Press statement published on the 22nd of September, 2019, the Public Service Commission in conjunction with its technical partner, would like to update our members and stakeholders as follows; the majority of the public service members have now been registered for the biometric authentication project and the mop-up exercise has been extended to 31st October, 2019.

“The extension has been necessitated by the ongoing end of year school examinations, which are being supervised by school teachers, some of whom are still to regularise their registration on the database,” said Dr Hungwe.

-StateMedia

Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday pleaded for time and patience to bring the economy back from the “dead”, as his government faces blame for surging inflation evoking dark days under Robert Mugabe.

Hopes that the economy would quickly rebound under Mnangagwa, who took over after Mugabe was deposed in a coup in November 2017, have faded fast with Zimbabweans grappling with acute shortages of fuel and electricity and soaring prices.

In a state of the nation address in parliament, boycotted by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which disputes his election, Mnangagwa acknowledged the economic crisis as well as the need for reforms.

Paul Nyathi|Speaker’ of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has vowed to punish opposition MDC MPs who walked out on President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he entered parliament building to give a state of the nation address.

“We need to respect our head of state…who, in terms of the Constitution represents the sovereignty of the people.” Mudenda said.

MDC  has a standing rule that it will not respect Mnangagwa as the President of the country and will walk out on all parliamentary sittings where he is present.

ZANU PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Matutu told MDC leader Nelson Chamisa that his MPs must snub the cars and allowances that they are getting form parliament.

“Chamisa, they did it again (your MPs) as expected but lm waiting on the day they will also surrender parliament vehicles and stop sleeping in hotels. The elephant will always move on and nothing will stop it.” Matutu said.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MNANGAGWA’S SONA

• Cash shortages – Government is conducting a gradual removal of arbitrage opportunities created through multi-tier pricing of goods by retailers.
• US$51 million set aside for the supply of various agricultural machinery under Command Agriculture.
• Government also working on a programme to avail animal dipping chemicals to improve general animal husbandry
• US$2.7 million grant from India for the upgrading of technology centers throughout the country.
• Zimbabwe recognized by the World Bank as having made considerable regulatory improvement in five areas measured on the ease and cost of doing business.

• ZESA to be restructured to eliminate corruption and improve efficiency
• Companies with own foreign currency free to procure own fuel through registered oil companies
• Government to roll out an electronic national fuel monitoring system to curb malpractices
• Public Enterprise Reforms
• GMB to demerge into strategic grain reserves and silo food industries
• National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ ) to be recapitalized to the tune of US$220 million
• New partnership programmes for Cold Storage Commission
• NetOne and TelOne to be privatized
• Partial privatization for Allied Timbers, POSB, ZUPCO, AgriBank and the IDBZ.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The Second Session of the Ninth Parliament is expected to continue with the re-alignment of various laws to the constitution. Some of the laws and bills under consideration include:

• The High Court Act, Labour Court Act, Magistrates Court Act, Police Act, the Public Finance Management Bill, Insurance and Pensions Act, Securities and Exchange Commission Bill, Mines and Minerals Amendment bill and the Gold Trade Act.
• The Precious Stones Act will be realigned to improve competitiveness of the local mining industry.
•  The Petroleum Act is expected to pave way for the creation of an enabling environment for the exploration of natural gas and mineral oil.
• The Electricity Act will see imposition of stiffer penalties for vandalism.

• Cyber Crime and Cyber Security Bill, Data Protection and the Electronic Transactions Bill will regulate the technology environment in order to protect users.
• Pension and Provident Funds Bill to ensure compliance with international standards and protect policy holders and pensioners.
• Medical Aid Societies Bill to facilitate the creation of a  Medical Aid Society Regulatory authority in order to protect members.
• Child Justice bill, Sexual Offences Bill and the Prisons and Correctional Services Bill are also expected to be tabled before Parliament during the Second Session

Watch video downloading below:

MDC Media Statement|The judiciary is a key cornerstone of any State.

Zimbabwe theoretically is a constitutional democracy where the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and any law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with the same is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency.

To this extent, the judiciary plays a key role of oversight in respect of constitutional compliance. Further, the judiciary plays a specific role in safeguarding human rights, and freedoms and the rule of law. The MDC thus respects the judiciary, and its importance in Zimbabwean society, despite the fact that once in a while, we differ fundamentally with the some judicial opinions expressed in court judgments.

It is in this respect, that we regret and find unfortunate the remarks of the Chief Justice on the rule of law as reported in The Herald edition of 30 September, 2019, concerning last week’s visit by the United Nations Special Repporteur, Mr Clement Voule, on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

It was reported that it was the Chief Justice’s opinion that the MDC’s lawyers approached the wrong courts and had an appeal against the decision of the police to ban their planned demonstrations last month.

For starters Mr Chief Justice, as a party, we have noted an appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of Justice Musakwa, which ruled that our application to the High Court to set aside the prohibition order issued on the 15th of August 2019 was unlawful. For a Chief Justice to pronounce a comment and make a judgment on an appeal that is pending before the same court is wrong, unprocedural and unprofessional.

The truth of the matter is that the MDC raised procedural issues against the issuance of the prohibition order, which can only be entertained by a review court, namely the High Court.

For instance, we pointed out that it was wrong and unprocedural for the police to issue a prohibition order late in the night, a day before the intended demonstration on the 16th of August 2019 when it was too late for the MDC to respond adequately.

Moreover, as the Chief Justice himself will know, over the years, parties, including the MDC have consistently and successfully applied before the High Court for an order, allowing the same to march and restraining the police.

Only last week, the very same High Court granted an application in favour of medical doctors seeking to protest against the abduction of Doctor Peter Magombeyi.
Besides, the Chief Justice will be aware that in respect of our notifications for Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare, which protestations were also banned by the police, the MDC did in fact appeal to the Magistrate Court.

Regrettably and as is common cause, the Bulawayo Magistrate Court dismissed our application. In the case of Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare, our appeals were not even heard. The Magistrate simply delayed or disappeared or avoided handling the applications.

The truth of the matter therefore is that the authorities in Zimbabwe have failed to recognise the right to freedom of assembly, the right to demonstrate peacefully guaranteed and codified in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

A prudent Chief Justice must avoid descending into the political arena. It is our strong view that the Chief Justice has descended into the political arena.

The Chief Justice must not use the law as a political battlefield.

The Chief Justice must not masquerade as a judge if he has a political agenda.

We implore him to resign from the bench and take up membership of Zanu PF so that we operate on equal terms.

We therefore ask the Chief Justice to consider his position and to protect the judiciary and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

In this regard he has failed and failed miserably.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson

Paul Nyathi|Tawanda Majoni, the national coordinator at Information for Development Trust has argued that president Emmerson Mnangagwa is a natural accomplice in Sakunda Holdings corruption.

Majoni claims that the president has strong ties with Sakunda Holdings chief executive officer, Kuda Tagwirei who is also an adviser to the president as he sits on the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC).

Majoni observes that Mnangagwa should not have engaged Tagwirei who was known to be corrupt even before the president came to power.

These remarks come when Sakunda Holdings is said to have abused US$3 billion meant for the Command Agriculture Programme. The Programme is being monitored and supervised by the President’s office.

Majoni is bothered by the fact that the government has renewed the command agriculture contract with Sakunda when evaluation for previous initiatives has not been undertaken.

It is, therefore, puzzling why Mnangagwa has decided to keep Queen Bee on his side, despite all the odds. Clearly, what Tagwirei is being accused of has an acutely negative effect on the president’s standing. The more prices rise, the less popular Mnangagwa becomes. It’s now becoming a hard sell to blame Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on sanctions. Because it’s clear that the likes of Queen Bee are responsible for that.

By implication, Mnangagwa is also responsible for the crisis because he is keeping bad company. As already said, if you are found dining with a thief, it becomes difficult to believe that you are not a thief too.

Jane Mlambo| The wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Mary is still suffering from a rare skin disease that plagued the couple since last year.

Mary who was pictured officially opening a new sewer plant in Borrowdale yesterday had visible wounds on her swollen hand.

This is despite that she and had her husband have spend close to six months in a Chinese hospital where the powerful retired army general is reported to be recovering from.

View pictures below….

Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwe’s main opposition lawmakers yet again walked out of Parliament as President Emmerson Mnangagwa presented his state of the nation address, a sign of the political tensions still gripping the country.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change party led by Nelson Chamisa says it does not recognize Mnangagwa, accusing him of rigging last year’s elections which they claim Chamisa won.

Mnangagwa made his State of The Nation Address as Zimbabwe reels from its worst economic crisis in more than a decade.

Hope greeted Mnangagwa’s rise to power when the late Robert Mugabe was forced out of office in a military coup in 2017, but now Zimbabweans are enduring shortages of everything including medicines, bread, petrol, cash and even water.

The economic collapse has led to weariness and disgust that often flare into street protests and government crackdowns in what was once one of Africa’s most prosperous countries.

Watch video downloading below:

Watch video below. ..

By A Correspondent| Cassava Smartech has approached the High Court seeking to “temporarily” stop the implementation of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s ban on all cash-ins, cash-out and cash-back facilities by mobile money agents.

The urgent application follows RBZ’s directive which is alleged to be a way to stop money laundering.

Cassava Smartech which is an offspring of Econet Wireless, runs ECOCASH, the largest mobile phone-based money transfer, financing and microfinancing service in the country.

Authorities accuse Ecocash agents of promoting and or participating in money laundering which has undermined the economy of the country.

Find below parts of the text of the court application.

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of The Nation Address is meaningless and devoid of key matters affecting the people of Zimbabwe.

“A SONA that does not address key issues facing the nation such as lack of electricity, water, fuel, non availability of cash, poor wages, human rights abuses, terror, abductions, illegitimacy and reforms is a waste of resources and an unprovoked insult.This invites us all to act,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.

Below is Mnangagwa’s SONA

By A Correspondent- In his state of the nation address, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended an olive branch to opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa adding that his party and government was happy with the progress made through POLAD.

Mnangagwa said government was happy with the progress made through economic reforms which was starting to bear fruit.

He said:

“The economic reforms we have embarked on are beginning to bear fruit. I am aware of the pain being experienced by the poor and the marginalised. Fellow compatriots, getting the economy working again will require time, patience, unity of purpose and perseverance.

I am happy with the progress being made under the ongoing Political Parties Dialogue and stand ready to welcome all political parties who contested in the 2018 Harmonised Elections, and are yet to be part of this forum.”

Farai Dziva| A political analyst Celestino Chavhunduka has claimed MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is a cursed man.

Chavhunduka argues that the fact that pigeons could not fly into the air at the MDC anniversary celebrations is a sign of bad omen.

See Chavunduka ‘s argument:

Politicians in Zimbabwe are extremely superstitious.

However some of the politicians who are superstitious try to hide behind the gospel when in fact they practice black magic behind the scenes. Superstition and belief in the Underworld in Zimbabwe was demonstrated by the bizarre rituals, accusations and counter accusations of witchcraft that surrounded former President Robert Mugabe’s burial.

On Saturday the 28th of September, 2019, Nelson Chamisa sought to do two rituals to confirm that he was Zimbabwe’s Chosen One. One was to light the “freedom flame” from a torch ironically supplied by Engineer Elias Mudzuri. The other one was to let 20 pigeons fly into the air. Last year during the 19th anniversary at Gwanzura both rituals spectacularly failed prompting VP Chiwenga to remark that the country’s spirits had rejected Chamisa. This time around Chamisa successfully lit the flame and excitedly mocked Chiwenga implying that the spirits had accepted his leadership.

However, it is the behavior of the pigeons at Rufaro when Chamisa tried to fly them that has set tongues wagging among Zimbabwe’s superstitious lot.

Six pigeons flew into the sky and went eastward out of the stadium, never toreturn. The other 14 pigeons stubbornly refused to fly resorting to pecking stuff in the stadium’s lawn.

This was a serious blow to Chamisa who was waiting for the spiritual confirmation of his leadership and political fortunes.The superstitious believe that the behavior of these pigeons was a bad omen for him. It signifies total rejection of the person seeking to fly them by the spirits. It is also believed that pigeons will behave that way if the person flying them has blood on his hands, uses black magic or is an immediate adulterer.

Whatever the case their behavior seems to signify Chamisa’s total rejection by the terrestrial world.

Further the six pigeons that flew away may signify that Chamisa’s controversial reign as MDC supremo may only be for six months. Since he himself substantive president in May it means his borrowedtime at the helm ends in October, 2019! After that he will fall into oblivion. That is why those pigeons never circulated and never returned.

Last year at Gwanzura the pigeons again refused to fly. He grabbed one and put it on his head giving an impression that it had landed on him voluntarily as a sign that he is the Chosen One. Ever since he has sought to use that picture in his internal and external campaigns.

However it is the behavior of one of the stubborn pigeons that was not noticed by many that have drawn the interest of the superstitious.

After refusing to fly, the pigeon left the ground on its own and flew straight to the VIP tent where the senior leadership of the Standing Committee were sitting. It perched on top of that tent. Could it be that Chamisa’s replacement was seated in that tent? Beware the ides of October. Dismiss it if you want.

By Own Correspondent| The late former president’s family snubbed burying their relative at the Heroes Acre suggesting fears that his body parts may be stolen.

ZimEye ran a poll to gather people’s views on whether it could be true that fallen heroes whose remains are interred at the national shrine may have their body parts taken for rituals.

Of the 556 votes cast, 69 percent believe that body parts are stolen from the Heroes Acre for rituals while 13 percent argue that this is not true.

While a total of 82 percent voted for and against the topic, 18 percent of the total voters preferred that they would rather not air their views regarding the subject under discussion.

Find below the final outcome of the poll:

Mugabe's family snubbed a Heroes Acre burial for the former president opting to bury him at his rural home in Zvimba in a tamper proof casket saying they feared his body parts may be used for rituals. Do you think that body parts are stolen from the Heroes Acre for rituals?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 30, 2019

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS AND THE OPENING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE NINTH PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE DR. E. D. MNANGAGWA

1 ST OCTOBER 2019 PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Vice President, Gen. (Rtd) C.G.D.N. Chiwenga; Vice President Col. (Rtd) K.C.D. Mohadi; Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate J. Mudenda; Madam President of the Senate, Mai M.Chinomona; Honourable Members of Parliament; Fellow Zimbabweans; Comrades and friends; Before I begin my address, I kindly request the August House to observe a minute of silence in honour of the late Founding Father of our country and Former President, His Excellency, Cde R. G. Mugabe who passed on, on the 6th of September 2019.

As we remember him, let us stand emboldened by the fact that we cannot change the past, but the future is in our hands. Mr Speaker Sir; My Government continues to take bold and decisive steps to open up and grow the economy for the benefit of all our people. The road map articulated in our Vision 2030, with the TSP as the key building block is being 3 systematically pursued. We are reforming our economy, we are reforming political space, and the very fabric of our society. I am encouraged by the nation’s positive response to the currency reforms which we have embarked on.

Government is equally pleased with the relative stability of the exchange rate over the past eight weeks. However, last week’s events of exchange rate manipulation, amounts to economic sabotage and should not be tolerated. We all need to adhere to the rule of law and foster discipline at all levels. We are determined to consolidate digital financial services which are contributing to the creation of financial inclusion by way of delivering banking services to previously unbanked and vulnerable groups of our population.

To further support the development of the financial services sector, Government has revived the issuance of treasury bills and bonds through the Auction system. In this vein, the RBZ has established Savings 4 Bond instruments to facilitate safe and secure investment for the public. In addition, measures will be put in place to establish the SMEs Stock Exchange, with a view to unlocking resources for SMEs.

Mr Speaker Sir; Government is fully aware of the challenges faced by the public in accessing cash, which has resulted in some unscrupulous traders selling cash in exchange for electronic money. Appropriate measures are being taken to address the cash situation, which include a gradual removal of arbitrage opportunities created through multitier pricing. I am pleased to highlight that the ongoing fiscal consolidation measures are already paying off.

During the first half of 2019, a budget surplus has been recorded. Such savings have enabled Government to meet essential unplanned expenditures in particular related to the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and supporting livelihoods for communities affected by 5 Cyclone Idai; social service delivery, cost of living adjustments for civil servants and the provision of social safety nets for the vulnerable members of our society.

Mr Speaker Sir; The sustained turnaround of our economy hinges on focused support for the productive sectors especially in agriculture, mining and manufacturing. The 2018/2019 drought has seen our agricultural sector registering a negative growth rate. Going forward, Government has set aside ZWL$1, 8 billion towards the production of strategic crops, such as maize, soya beans and cotton. Of this amount, ZWL$ 567, 4 million has been allocated for the provision of inputs for vulnerable households and ZWL$332 million to ensure the procurement of inputs for cotton production. A total of ZWL$968 million will augment the ZWL$ 2, 8 billion put forward by banks and the private sector to support the Command Agriculture Programme.

Let me hasten to state that, only those with a proven track record of delivering to GMB and repaying their loans will be supported under the Command Agriculture Programme. To strengthen our resilience to climate change, Government is encouraging communal, A1 and A2 farmers to grow traditional grains. The implementation of the irrigation development programme will also be accelerated.

A $60 million facility has been set aside for the rehabilitation of machinery under the Command Agriculture Programme. US$ 51 million has been allocated for the supply of various agricultural machinery from John Deere, some of which, are already being delivered. Meanwhile, Government will accelerate the consummation of a facility with the Government of Belarus for the importation of tractors, planters and combine harvesters.

To render inputs more affordable to our farmers, Government is putting in place measures to facilitate the duty free importation of fertilisers, targeted electricity subsidies and the local manufacturing of fertilisers, including the full exploitation of phosphates from Dorowa. Government is currently working on a programme to avail dipping chemicals and improve general animal husbandry practices.

Research by our institutions of higher and tertiary education towards the local manufacturing of foot and mouth disease vaccines, has begun with the support of Government. Mr Speaker Sir; The mining sector has continued to be a key source of export earnings, income, employment and the preferred destination for investment inflows.

During the first half of the year, the sector generated US$1, 3 billion, which constitutes 68% of the country’stotal export receipts. We will soon unveil a comprehensive strategy and roadmap 8 towards the attainment of a US$ 12 billion mining industry in Zimbabwe, by 2023. The attainment of this goal is achievable, with concrete green fields and expansion projects now at various stages of implementation.

Mr Speaker Sir; Our manufacturing sector offers immense growth opportunities through backward and forward production linkages. I am pleased to note that some companies are gradually increasing their production and exports. The introduction of a mono-currency system is also set to boost the competitiveness of our manufacturing sector. In addition, Government is scaling up its support to the sector through duty exemptions on raw materials and capital equipment, tax breaks and holidays for priority projects and other import management measures.

This thrust is anchored on the implementation of the recently adopted Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy and Local Content Strategy. 9 Mr Speaker Sir; To promote trade and exports, the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post and bilateral negotiations on the establishment of One-Stop Border Posts in Victoria Falls and Beitbridge are ongoing.

The introduction of smart technologies to speed up freight clearance at our border ports of entry will be speeded up. As Zimbabwe, we continue to play our part in advancing the SADC, COMESA and African Union economic development agenda. In partnership with the private sector, we envisage to derive maximum benefit from the operationalisation of African Continental Free Trade Area.

Our businesses are urged to take advantage of the scope that exists from Zimbabwe becoming a transport and logistics hub. This follows the commissioning of the Zimbabwe Walvis Bay Dry Port in Namibia, coupled with other confirmed bilateral investments. 10 Our SMEs, continue to face challenges of inappropriate technology and unsuitable work spaces. Government has since secured a US$2,7 million grant from the Government of India for the upgrading of eleven existing Technology and Common Facility Centres, located in the country’s ten provinces.

Additional stateof-the-art machinery for use in manufacturing activities of SMEs, are currently being installed. Going forward, Government is committed to support programmes to build appropriate work spaces for SMEs businesses. I am also pleased to report that, in line with Government’s policy to empower women entrepreneurs, the Zimbabwe Women’s Micro Finance Bank continues to disburse loans to clients throughout the country. Mr Speaker Sir; Government is accelerating the operationalisation of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency.

Furthermore, we have begun implementing Phase Two of the Ease of Doing Business Reform Programme. It is encouraging that Zimbabwe has been recognised by the World Bank as having made considerable regulatory improvements in five areas measured on the Ease and cost of Doing Business. This has seen Zimbabwe being cited as a country in the top twenty improvers in Doing Business.

Mr Speaker Sir’ Due to the impact of climate change, our economy is facing severe electricity supply challenges, owing to reduced hydro-power generation capacity at Kariba Dam. To address this state of affairs, we have now restored the cost reflective electricity tariff structure and increased power imports to provide the much needed short term relief. More innovative initiatives will be implemented to ensure stability in the sector. Meanwhile, ZESA will be restructured, to enhance efficiency.

I urge all of us to protect power installations in our areas. Initiatives must be developed at community level to bring to an end criminal activities which destroy these vital installations. The country has seen some stability in the fuel sector on the back of the introduction of cost-reflective pricing adjustments, coupled with the fuel procurement financing facilities structured by Government.

Companies with foreign currency are now permitted to procure their own fuel through registered oil companies. To curb malpractices in the fuel industry, Government will soon roll out an electronic National Fuel Monitoring System. For the long term, a comprehensive National Integrated Energy Resource Plan is being developed Mr Speaker Sir; The modernisation and rehabilitation of our infrastructure, in particular road networks, has resumed in earnest, with noticeable progress. Given that these are 13 key enablers to our national economic revival as envisaged under Vision 2030, we are determined to leapfrog the quality of our infrastructure across the country.

To date, a total of ZWL$2.5 billion, which constitutes 34.5% of total capital development, has been set aside for various transport, water, public amenities, energy, irrigation, social services and other infrastructural projects. The Hwange 7 and 8 Thermal Power Project, R.G. Mugabe International Airport Expansion, borehole rehabilitation and drilling, and the construction of the new Parliament Building projects are all well on course. Dam construction projects such as the Marovanyati Dam, Gwai-Shangani Dam, walling of Causeway Dam, among others, are also on schedule. The tourism sector remains on an upward growth trajectory, generating about US$1.3 billion in receipts. To accelerate this growth trend, robust strategies are being pursued to boost investments in accommodation 14 and conference facilities as well as widen our range of tourism products. I urge players in the sector to be flexible and adopt more competitive pricing regimes and to jointly market our attractions with partners from the region and beyond.

Mr Speaker Sir; Significant steps that have been realised in the implementation of the Public Enterprise Reforms, these include the: • De-merger of GMB into the GMB Strategic Grain Reserve and Silo Foods Industries • Recapitalisation of the NRZ, for which US$420 million has now been secured by the DIDG; • Recapitalisation of CSC, of which the approved strategic partner is already on the ground; • Unbundling of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ); • Approval by Cabinet of the roadmap for the privatisation of TelOne and NetOne as a single entity and • The partial privatisation of Allied Timbers, POSB, ZUPCO, AGRIBANK and the IDBZ.

Mr Speaker Sir; It is incumbent on us all to ensure that our nation grooms proactive patriotic young citizens capable of protecting their heritage. Through the ongoing Build Zimbabwe Programme, Government has mobilised thousands of young people, from across the country, to engage in voluntary work within their respective communities. Meanwhile, the Empower Bank continues to capacitate our youths through financial inclusion programmes and financial training workshops across the country. In the health sector, Government is implementing measures to revitalise the referral system by upgrading medical infrastructure and equipment in clinics, district 16 hospitals and central hospitals.

I wish at this juncture, to pay tribute to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Government of India along with other partners for their generous support towards the modernisation and revamping of our health delivery system. Mr Speaker Sir; We continue to engage and re-engage with the international community.

We remain indebted to SADC, following the landmark resolution taken at the 39th Summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in August this year, declaring 25 October as the date for Member States to collectively call for the lifting of the illegal sanctions imposed on our country. Zimbabwe deeply appreciates this gesture of friendship and solidarity. The 74th United Nations General Assembly held only last week, offered us yet another opportunity to advance our country’s national interests, highlighting our journey of transition, reform and growth. Our participation at meetings under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Tokyo International Cooperation for African development (TICAD) was also in furtherance of this goal. At all these forums, conversations were frank, positive and productive. Zimbabwe and the European Union formally launched their dialogue in June 2019, under Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

Re-engagement with the Commonwealth is ongoing with the latest round of meetings having taken place on the sidelines of the recent 74th UN General Assembly meeting. Mr Speaker Sir; Allow me to now turn to the legislative programme which the Second Session of the 9th Parliament must pursue with renewed vigour. I commend the progress registered in the alignment of our country’s laws to the Constitution. This development will undoubtedly help further entrench democratic traditions, the rule of law and constitutionalism in our country.

The Second Session of the 9 th Parliament is expected to continue the alignment process by considering amendment to the High Court Act, Labour Court Act, Magistrates Court Act and the Police Act.

Mr Speaker Sir; The Public Finance Management Amendment Bill will be placed before this Parliament in an endeavour to align the current act to the constitution. In line with devolution, this Bill extends the scope of application of statutes to Provincial and Metropolitan Councils as well as local authorities, including the mandatory submissions of annual budgets and financial performance reports.

The Insurance and Pension Act will be amended to enhance good corporate governance while Securities and Exchange Commission Bill is intended to strengthen anti-money laundering legislation. The Bill to facilitate the appointment of the Deposit Protection Cooperation as the liquidator of all deposit taking institutions, will also be tabled. 19 The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill is expected to be re-tabled, while amendments to the Gold Trade Act and Precious Stones Act, must ensure that our mining industry is more competitive and in sync with global benchmarks. Government has noted with concern the emergence of monopolies as well as cartels which stifle competition and engage in unjustified price hikes.

While Government will not revert to price controls, we are nonetheless, in the process of reviewing the Competition Act in order to introduce deterrent penalties to combat such business malpractices. In the energy sector, the Petroleum Act will be amended to create an enabling environment for natural gas and mineral oil exploration and exploitation. The Electricity Act will see the imposition of stiffer penalties for vandalism and the theft of electricity infrastructure and equipment.

As the media legislative reforms gather pace, the Bills relating to Freedom of Information, the Zimbabwe Media Commission, Protection of Information, and the Broadcasting Services Act Amendments, must be expedited during this Session. In view of the fast changing technology, there is need to continue to research and develop new legislative and regulatory instruments to secure the country’s cyber space.

This Session of Parliament must therefore consider the Cyber Crime and Cyber Security Bill; and the Data Protection and Electronic Transactions Bill to regulate this field. The Pension and Provident Funds Bill, is designed to ensure compliance with International Standards. The ultimate objective is to protect the Policy holders and pensioners so that they fully enjoy their rights and benefits. The Medical Aid Societies’ Bill will pave way for the establishment of the Medical Aid Society Regulatory 21 Authority. This Bill seeks to ensure that Medical Aid Societies operate within the law as health care insurers, rather than doubling up as health care providers.

The Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, Child Justice Bill, and Mandatory Sentencing for Rape and Sexual Offences Bill, must incorporate acceptable customary norms, human rights standards and international best practice. Amendments to the Immigration Act will pave way for the establishment of a citizenship and immigration board as provided for in our Constitution.

Parliament will also be expected to consider the ratification of the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air and the Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking of Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition. The Persons with Disabilities Bill, which seeks to entrench the protection of the Constitutional rights of persons living with disabilities. The Private Voluntary Organisation Bill seeks to streamline and strengthens administrative procedures as well as improve the governance of the non-governmental organisation.

Mr Speaker Sir; The ongoing democratic reforms must entrench Constitutional rights and freedoms for all Zimbabweans. The culture of fear and violence must be uprooted from our societies. In line with this commitment to deepen our democracy, I have set up an Inter-Ministerial Task force to look into the Political, Electoral, Legislative and Administrative issues raised by the 2018 Election Observer Missions and indeed the Motlanthe Commission of Enquiry.

Mr Speaker Sir; The law must be a universal instrument of development. As such, the slow pace in this August House, which has resulted in a low number of bills passing through 23 Parliament cannot be allowed to continue. I, thus, challenge Honourable Members in their individual and collective capacities, to play their part in speeding up our parliamentary processes. #Equally, reports of mismanagements of public finances as exposed by the Office of the Auditor General, and brought before this Parliament, must never be condoned. Corruption retards our development, frustrates our ease and cost of doing business reforms and robs us of revenue.

Government will continue to strengthen institutions that help in the fight against corruption. We must rid our society of this corruption cancer, to this there is no going back. It is time to increase accountability and transparency. We must work hard and smarter to serve our people, they deserve better Let us be mindful that the Zimbabwe we all want, with opportunities and hope shall only be achieved through productivity, innovation, responsiveness, persistence, deliberate planning and disciplined focus.

We must, therefore, adequately prepare for the opportunities and challenges which are ahead. Our Vision 2030 envisages a Zimbabwe with a digital and knowledge driven economy. As such, we shall reinvigorate the implementation of the e-Government programme, as well as operationalise the National Data Centre, to foster digital capabilities across the entire economy.

Mr Speaker Sir; The economic reforms we have embarked on are beginning to bear fruit. I am aware of the pain being experienced by the poor and the marginalised. Fellow compatriots, getting the economy working again will require time, patience, unity of purpose and perseverance. I am happy with the progress being made under the ongoing Political Parties Dialogue and stand ready to welcome all political parties who contested in the 2018 Harmonised Elections, and are yet to be part of this forum.

With these remarks, it is now my singular honour and priviledge to table this State of the Nation Address and declare the Second Session of the 9th Parliament of Zimbabwe officially open. God bless you all! God bless Zimbabwe! I thank you.

The Uganda government has designated the red beret as official military clothing that could land members of the public who wear them in jail, a move that essentially bans the uniform of leading opposition leader Bobi Wine and his supporters.

Bobi Wine, a pop star turned politician who has announced he is running for president against longtime leader Yoweri Museveni in 2021, has made the red beret his signature, calling it a “symbol of resistance”.

However the beret, also worn by some soldiers, was included in Uganda’s first-ever gazette of all military clothing, which states that any member of the public found in possession of the items “is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life”, under section 160 of the 2005 UPDF Act.

“The dress code for the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Force) has been gazetted. The action was endorsed by the top organs of the army which also commended the dress committee for concluding the task assigned to it years back,” army spokesman Richard Karemire said in a statement on Monday.

“It manifests the commitment to define identity and outlook of a professional army as well as adhering to the EAC (East African Community) protocols,” he added.

According to the gazette dated September 18, the sale or wearing of any attire which resembles the army uniform is also banned.

Prohibited items, besides the red beret, include side caps, bush hats, ceremonial forage caps and camouflaged baseball caps.  

“It is prohibited to wear or use any decoration supplied or authorised for use by any member of the defence forces or any decoration so nearly resembling that decoration and likely to deceive the public,” the gazette said. 

‘Symbol of resistance’

Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has not yet commented on the new rules.

He formally declared his presidential bid in July at an event in the capital, Kampala. 

Wearing a red tie and red beret, a look copied by dozens of his supporters at the event, he said: “On behalf of the people of Uganda, I am challenging you (Museveni) to a free and fair election in 2021.”

Reacting to the new rules, a leading figure in his “People Power” movement – which he has yet to register as a political party – said they would not stop wearing it.

“We shall continue to wear the revolutionary red berets,” said youth leader Ivan Boowe.

-Aljazeera

Noticed a lot of attacks on me and @euinzim in twitter last weekend. As far as I am concerned those voices can continue shouting to each other in their echo chamber and we will continue to do our job.

— Timo Olkkonen_EU ???? (@TimoOlkkonen) October 1, 2019

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is set to undergo a major facelift with its chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba and fellow commissioners expected to be forced out by 2021 just in time for a neutral team to run the 2023 general elections, if the on-going Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) members get their way.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku, who is part of Polad, told NewsDay that Chigumba will not run the 2023 general elections, saying the entire commission will pack its bags by 2021.

“She (Justice Chigumba) will not be there in 2023, you can get it from us, she was appointed, she will have to resign or somewhat compensated, but 2023 elections will not be run by a chairperson who was appointed by the President. In the 2023 elections, the whole commission will be appointed by a body of politicians who are players. That is the reform that we want. We actually want the Constitution to be amended. To have a conference of political actors to endorse the commission,” Madhuku said.

The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC, among other civic organisations, has accused Zec of being partisan and aiding Zanu PF in elections, especially its handling of the designing and printing of ballot papers, allocation of polling stations and management of the voters roll.
Madhuku said Polad was concerned about Zec and was, therefore, moving to flush out problematic areas in the electoral management body.

“The second thing to change is to ensure that Zec is not only independent, but has to be seen to be independent so we are going to be changing the appointment process, the chairperson of the Zec must not be appointed by the President or the President in consultation with so and so; no, no, no,” Madhuku said.

“That person must be approved by a platform of political actors, so Polad is going to appoint the chairperson of the electoral commission of the 2023 elections; that will be a massive change. For you to be chairperson of Zec, you must get the buy-in of Polad and that is one of the reforms that we are going to put. The President can appoint all the other things, but not the people who run elections, that was the mistake of 2018.”

Inside Zec is the all-powerful logistics committee and a number of alleged former securocrats accused of pulling the strings in favour of Zanu PF, a party with strong military links. Madhuku said that committee will also be flushed out.

“We are not worried about the security actors in ZEC, they will all be removed, that is what POLAD is all about. There are people who think POLAD is a play field and it has no teeth, they will see that POLAD has teeth. We are going to remove the entire thing, for the 2023 elections you must enjoy the confidence of POLAD, including those who will come in wanting to contest the 2023 elections and this must be in place by 2021. We must actually have in place a new ZEC,” he said.

While opposition parties have been blamed for sitting on their laurels and failing to push for electoral reforms only to raise their heads on the eve of the polls, Madhuku said between now and the next election, there must be work to ensure that the next election is free and peaceful.

Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN), which has since petitioned Parliament for electoral reforms, has also developed a tracker which will note all reforms, particularly those raised in line with recommendations made by electoral observer missions who observed the 2018 general elections.

Key among the recommendations captured by ZESN in a compendium of 100 recommendations is the transmission of results, fair media coverage and electoral malpractices.

Madhuku said all this will be dealt with as Polad moves to reform State-controlled media and public broadcasters.

“We want to have an environment where everyone has access to the public media, access to radio, access to ZTV because they are the most widespread, that must be done. In the last election, if you were not a Zanu PF candidate you got a maximum of a stage-managed interview where the ZBC interviewers would try to downgrade you as a politician, whereas the other player who is the President ED would be on television every day, that is the first thing to change.”

Chamisa’s MDC is pushing for demonstrations and diplomatic pressure on Zanu PF and government with the hope of ousting Mnangagwa before 2023 and replacing him with a transitional government that can wring in real reforms, but Polad is opposed to this move, saying only elections matter.

“Look, they (Zanu PF) have no clue, but we have no legal standing ourselves to remove them because people are put in place by the electorate, all we can do is facilitate the holding of the next election under different conditions. You cannot use the streets to remove the government of the day, in the same way you cannot use the military to remove the government of the day. The government of the day will have to be removed through a free, fair and legitimate election,” he said.

Zanu PF representative at POLAD and politburo member Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana said his party was unaware of any push to fire ZEC commissioners or reform the commission.

“I am not aware of any meeting that such an item was on the agenda. I have lots of respect for Professor Madhuku, but we have never had that issue on the agenda. If Zanu PF wants to reform ZEC, it will certainly not discuss that with the media,” Mangwana said.

-Newsday

By Nomusa Garikai| The shameless arrogance, hypocrisy and indifference of President Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF ruling elite is breath taking. 

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa will honour his promise and transfer the ownership of the Blue Roof Mansion to the Mugabe family, the Ministry of information has said in a statement,” reported Bulawayo 24.

“This is despite earlier statements by Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu that the Blue Roof Mansion will be turned into a museum.”

“Both Zanu-PF and Government are led by one Principal, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. His position regarding properties which are due to be transferred to the family of the late Cde RG Mugabe is that he will honour the commitments he made. Those properties will be transferred as planned,” said the Ministry.

Did President Mnangagwa not promise “zero tolerance on corruption” when he took over from Robert Mugabe following the November 2017 military coup? The picture of the grandeur and opulence Blue Roof juxtaposed with the grass thatched mud hovel where millions of Zimbabwe live in this day and age speaks volumes of the insatiable greed of the Zanu PF ruling elite. 

There is no other rational explanation of the source of the funds to build the Blue Roof other than corruption, especial when the mansion was built and paid for at the time when the Zimbabwe economy in a nose-dive decline due to gross mismanagement and rampant corruption. Zero tolerance to corruption, in my books means not only stopping the corruption but recovering the looted wealth and giving it back to its the rightful owners – the mud hut dwelling povo.

In 2016 Mugabe admitted the nation was being “swindled out of US$15 billion in diamond revenue”. He never arrested one swindler and never recovered one dollar’s worth of the loot. 

We know hive of diamond mining activity in Marange and Chiadzwa has continued 24/7 to this day and so too has the looting. In 2017 the then Minister of Finance, Patrick Chinamasa, told parliament government was still receiving 1/6 of the expected revenue from diamond mining.  

It is nearly two years since the November 2017 coup and President Mnangagwa too has yet to arrest one diamond swindler and/or recover one dollar’s worth of the looted diamonds. 

We are told Mnangagwa promised to hand over the title deeds of the Blue Roof mansion to the late dictator’s family and he is going to do so as a matter of “honour”! He also promised to the impoverished masses now living is abject poverty to alleviate their suffering by end this scourge of corruption and has no shame in letting the and the nation down. 

Indeed, Mnangagwa also promised the people of Zimbabwe free, fair and credible elections after 38 years of rigged elections. He want on to blatantly rig the elections, the regime failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll. And; to rub hot chilli in the eyes of the short-changed Zimbabweans; he insists to this day that the elections were free, fair and credible. 

Honour! There is no honour in Zanu PF ruling elite riding roughshod over povo, denying them their freedoms and rights including the right to a free vote and even the right to life. Zanu PF ruling elite rob the masses blind to build their palatial Blue Roof mansions and pay for the extravagant lifestyle. 

If there is justice in this world, then the corrupt, vote rigging and murderous thugs must be held to account for their heinous crimes against the people and the looted wealth recovered and returned to the nation. The Blue Roof mansion belongs to the nation, not to Zanu PF or the Mugabe family, and the people will decide what to do with it. 

By A Correspondent| Chief Zvimba has apologised to President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the Mugabe family’s decision to snub the National Heroes Acre and bury the late former President Robert Mugabe at Kutama Village.

The traditional leader said that there was unanimous agreement initially to bury Mugabe at the Heroes Acre with Chatunga and Tino expressing satisfaction with the decision.

Said the chief:

We are ashamed and we are deeply sorry for the loss that the Government incurred. Sorry for the inconveniences caused by the family.

There were rumours that President Mnangagwa even bribed Zvimba chiefs but nothing of that sort ever happened. I am pleading with the President to continue being the good man he has always been.

Mugabe was laid to rest at his rural home three weeks after his death. His family had accepted the government’s offer to build a mausoleum for him but had a sudden change of heart.

-StateMedia

HARARE -Fuel prices, which continue to rise in Zimbabwe every week, have failed to deter motorists from maintaining long queues at service stations where the commodity remains elusive.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on Monday announced yet another fuel price increase, pushing diesel to 12.42 Zimbabwe dollars per liter, up from 12.08 dollars per liter, and petrol to 11.76 dollars from 11.55 per liter.

The prices are based on an exchange rate of 9.5 Zimbabwe dollars to the US dollar and also take into account free on board price movements and the current duty regime, ZERA said on its Twitter handle.

Zimbabweans have experienced huge fuel price increases since mid-January when President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a general increase of more than 150 percent from 1.36 dollars to 3.11 dollars per liter for petrol and 1.36 dollars to 3.11 dollars per liter for diesel.

After another 50 percent price increase in May, prices have generally been increasing marginally every week. Authorities had anticipated that price increases would reduce the appetite for fuel among motorists, but lately these are largely being implemented to keep in tandem with losses of the local currency against the US dollar.

When the first massive fuel price increase was effected, the rate of the local currency to the Us dollar was 1: 1. Although the prices are generally rising every week, they remain among the cheapest in the Southern African Development Community.

However, some observers say that the increases remain the major drivers of inflation as producers and retailers factor them in when determining prices of commodities.

By A Correspondent| Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, said it is not possible for the police to guard every home to stop nocturnal abductions.

Responding to senators who had asked what the government is doing to stop the kidnappings, Ziyambi suggested that people involved in the abductions, both the alleged victims and assailants of bent on tarnishing the country’s image.

He said:

… these people who are claiming to have been abducted are not giving relevant information to assist the police so that the issues are resolved.

We are asking these terrorists and abductors if they could assist the country move forward by stopping what they are doing so that the image of the country is not tarnished. That way the country’s image may be rated better.

Reports indicate that dozens of people have been abducted since the turn of the year, with some of the high profile abductions being civic leader Tatenda Mombeyarara, satirist Samantha Kureya, trade unionist Obert Masaraure and Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) acting president Peter Magombeyi.

-StateMedia

ZIMBABWE’s doctors will Wednesday stage a demonstration in Harare over bad working conditions and meagre salaries.

The health workers, who downed tools a month ago, vowed they would not return to work unless their grievances were addressed by the government and have since pressed on with the industrial action.

In a statement released Monday, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said health workers want to return to their jobs but their employer has made it impossible for them to do so.

ZHDA remains committed to fighting for fair wages and better working conditions for all Zimbabwean doctors.

“We would like to make it very clear that as doctors we are not striking but we are incapacitated. The will is there but the means to execute them doesn’t exist,” the statement said.

“We remain hopeful that a sustainable solution will be found in the quickest way possible to resolve the impasse. Solidarity march from Parirenyatwa Doctors Bar on Wednesday 02 October 2019.”

The situation in public hospitals has worsened with patients losing lives daily as there is no medical doctor to attend to them.

Prison officers, police and army doctors moved into hospitals to help improve the imbalanced doctor patient ratio but this has barely helped the situation as the uniformed forces medical personnel constitute a very insignificant number.

Meanwhile, ZHDA acting president, Peter Magombeyi is currently receiving medical treatment in South Africa following his alleged abduction in which he was held captive in a basement, electrocuted and injected with poisonous substances.

Standard|Former first lady Grace Mugabe and ex-Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono reportedly had a massive fallout over the decision to bury the late president Robert Mugabe in Zvimba, it has emerged.

Mugabe, who died in Singapore on September 6, was finally buried at his rural home yesterday after weeks of haggling between his family and the government.

The 95-year-old former ruler’s family insisted that his dying wish was to be buried in Zvimba instead of the Heroes Acre, where the remains of most of his liberation war comrades were interred.

After an initial standoff, the government and Mugabe’s family agreed that he would be buried at the Heroes Acre where a mausoleum was already under construction.

The arrangement, however, changed dramatically last Thursday when Mugabe’s body was taken to Zvimba for burial.

It has since emerged that Grace accused Gono of trying to bribe chiefs from Zvimba to support the government’s plans to bury Mugabe at the Heroes Acre.

At some point, Grace threw out the traditional leaders from Mugabe’s Blue Roof mansion in Harare where his body was kept until his burial.

She allegedly accused them of taking bribes from Gono and a tycoon with close links to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Gono refused to comment on the matter, saying he did not want to be involved in the Mugabe family disputes

“How do I get involved in those issues? Please keep me out of it,” he said. “I don’t want to be part of that, leave me out.”

Leo Mugabe, the former president’s family spokesperson, played down the rift, saying the perception that Grace was fighting with the chiefs was due to “miscommunication”.

“It’s an issue of communication,” he said. “The chiefs had not been told of the alternative burial arrangments otherwise they would not have opposed it.

“Speaking to the chiefs, they said their decision was made without knowledge of the alternative.”

Former Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa, who is also Mugabe’s relative, admonished the chiefs for meddling in the family’s affairs.

Gono was instrumental in negotiations between the government and Mugabe’s family that yielded the mausoleum option.

He was also one of the people that negotiated Mugabe’s exit when he was toppled by the army in November 2017.

Meanwhile, Harare mayor Herbert Gomba has revealed that the government at some point feared Mugabe would be buried at the Blue Roof.

Gomba said although they never got a request from Mugabe’s family to carry out the burial, state security agents made several enquiries about the alleged plan.

“We did not have direct communication from the former first lady or the family, but I can tell you we continually had to deal with state agents and government officials who kept asking if we had issued a burial order to allow Mugabe to be buried at Blue Roof,” he said.

“That is a residential area and not a cemetery and town planning is very clear as to where we keep our dead. It was not going to happen at least not under our watch.”

A source said there were some members of the Mugabe family that toyed with the idea of a Blue Roof burial.

“The idea was to then have a museum at the property,” a source said.

“This would allow tourists a chance to visit the home of the former president while allowing the family to make money and fund a trust that they want to set up.”

Mugabe’s family say he died a bitter man because of the way he was removed from power by his lieutenants.

NewsDay|Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is set to undergo a major facelift with its chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba and fellow commissioners expected to be forced out by 2021 just in time for a neutral team to run the 2023 general elections, if the on-going Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) members get their way.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku, who is part of Polad, told NewsDay that Chigumba will not run the 2023 general elections, saying the entire commission will pack its bags by 2021.

“She (Justice Chigumba) will not be there in 2023, you can get it from us, she was appointed, she will have to resign or somewhat compensated, but 2023 elections will not be run by a chairperson who was appointed by the President. In the 2023 elections, the whole commission will be appointed by a body of politicians who are players. That is the reform that we want. We actually want the Constitution to be amended. To have a conference of political actors to endorse the commission,” Madhuku said.

The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC, among other civic organisations, has accused Zec of being partisan and aiding Zanu PF in elections, especially its handling of the designing and printing of ballot papers, allocation of polling stations and management of the voters roll.

Madhuku said Polad was concerned about Zec and was, therefore, moving to flush out problematic areas in the electoral management body.

“The second thing to change is to ensure that Zec is not only independent, but has to be seen to be independent so we are going to be changing the appointment process, the chairperson of the Zec must not be appointed by the President or the President in consultation with so and so; no, no, no,” Madhuku said.

“That person must be approved by a platform of political actors, so Polad is going to appoint the chairperson of the electoral commission of the 2023 elections; that will be a massive change. For you to be chairperson of Zec, you must get the buy-in of Polad and that is one of the reforms that we are going to put. The President can appoint all the other things, but not the people who run elections, that was the mistake of 2018.”

Inside Zec is the all-powerful logistics committee and a number of alleged former securocrats accused of pulling the strings in favour of Zanu PF, a party with strong military links. Madhuku said that committee will also be flushed out.

“We are not worried about the security actors in Zec, they will all be removed, that is what Polad is all about. There are people who think Polad is a play field and it has no teeth, they will see that Polad has teeth. We are going to remove the entire thing, for the 2023 elections you must enjoy the confidence of Polad, including those who will come in wanting to contest the 2023 elections and this must be in place by 2021. We must actually have in place a new Zec,” he said.

While opposition parties have been blamed for sitting on their laurels and failing to push for electoral reforms only to raise their heads on the eve of the polls, Madhuku said between now and the next election, there must be work to ensure that the next election is free and peaceful.

Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn), which has since petitioned Parliament for electoral reforms, has also developed a tracker which will note all reforms, particularly those raised in line with recommendations made by electoral observer missions who observed the 2018 general elections.

Key among the recommendations captured by Zesn in a compendium of 100 recommendations is the transmission of results, fair media coverage and electoral malpractices.

Madhuku said all this will be dealt with as Polad moves to reform State-controlled media and public broadcasters.

“We want to have an environment where everyone has access to the public media, access to radio, access to ZTV because they are the most widespread, that must be done. In the last election, if you were not a Zanu PF candidate you got a maximum of a stage-managed interview where the ZBC interviewers would try to downgrade you as a politician, whereas the other player who is the President ED would be on television every day, that is the first thing to change.”

Chamisa’s MDC is pushing for demonstrations and diplomatic pressure on Zanu PF and government with the hope of ousting Mnangagwa before 2023 and replacing him with a transitional government that can wring in real reforms, but Polad is opposed to this move, saying only elections matter.

“Look, they (Zanu PF) have no clue, but we have no legal standing ourselves to remove them because people are put in place by the electorate, all we can do is facilitate the holding of the next election under different conditions. You cannot use the streets to remove the government of the day, in the same way you cannot use the military to remove the government of the day. The government of the day will have to be removed through a free, fair and legitimate election,” he said.

Zanu PF representative at Polad and politburo member Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana said his party was unaware of any push to fire Zec commissioners or reform the commission.

“I am not aware of any meeting that such an item was on the agenda. I have lots of respect for Professor Madhuku, but we have never had that issue on the agenda. If Zanu PF wants to reform Zec, it will certainly not discuss that with the media,” Mangwana said.

Newzwire|The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has banned cash-in and cash-out transactions on mobile money. But, by announcing the ban without bringing a solution to the cash crunch, central bank officials are reminding us of what they are; firefighters that miss the real problem for the symptoms.

On Tuesday, RBZ announced that it was banning the withdrawal and deposit of cash on mobile money platforms, as well as cash-backs by retailers, a response to high charges levied by agents taking advantage of the shortage of cash.

“Notable activities include the buying and selling of cash through mobile money agents at high rates above the approved charges for cash-in and cash-out with some economic agents not banking cash sales under the disguise of cash-back services,” the central bank said in a statement.

RBZ says these platforms are “distorting the pricing of goods and services”. However, while it is true that agents have been taking advantage of the cash crisis, it is also true that this is a symptom of central bank’s own failure to manage money supply.

EcoCash, the country’s largest mobile platform, was set up on September 29, 2011, partly as a response to the cash crisis.

“With critical shortage of US dollar notes, the Econet system will completely eliminate the need for any notes for purchases below US$20,” Econet said at the time.

Eight years later, and because RBZ has still not found a solution to the cash crisis, authorities have now ripped out one of the key functionalities of mobile money that made it a success.

It is true that many EcoCash agents were taking advantage of the crisis, charging big fees for cash. EcoCash recently had to cancel the licences of 4,000 agents. Now, with this latest measure, all 50,000 agents are out of business. It is true, EcoCash itself could have been more proactive. Still, these things happen because greedy people will always take advantage of a crisis left to fester.

As Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa said recently, solve that crisis, and they have no loophole to exploit.

In his monetary policy statement earlier September, RBZ governor John Mangudya admitted as such. He said the “failure to get cash is undermining the confidence in the local currency, as well as forcing economic agents to resort to the illegal transactions in foreign currency and to selling cash at a premium”.

And what did he plan to do about it? He promised to “inject additional notes and coins on a gradual basis, to support productive (sectors) and lessen the inconvenience caused by physical cash shortages to the transacting public”.

He said he wants to keep the level of cash in circulation at between 10% to 15% of broad money supply, in line with what regional economies do.

So, what’s stopping him?

The story of RBZ’s failure to sort itself out is told in its own numbers. In June – and these are the latest numbers available from our data-allergic RBZ – broad money supply stood at $14.78 billion. Of this figure, just 3.19% is in cash and coins. In total, there was $510 million in bond notes and $87.6 million in bond coins.

Total deposits stood at $14.3 billion; the $600 million odd stock of cash is just a fraction of the money available.

RBZ would like to tell us that this small amount of cash in circulation is part of a deliberate plan to contain money supply. In truth, they have done nothing of the sort, as the IMF pointed out recently. In fact, by RBZ’s own stats, between June last year and June 2019, broad money grew 70%.

There are other numbers that show how far behind the curve the RBZ is; the total value of mobile and internet based transactions was $9.67 billion in June 2019. Compare this to cash-based transactions, which were valued at $724.76 million in the same month.

EcoCash has handled over $78 billion since launch, and accounts for 98% of all mobile money in the country. It takes up the bulk of electronic transactions; by volume, mobile money currently makes up 82% of all payments. Moves to shift how it works will have some impact on the economy.

The premiums charged by mobile money agents hurt the poor the most, and had to be dealt with. However, they are symptom of a broader crisis; the cash crisis, rising inflation and the government’s failure to deal with these problems decisively. That is where the solution lies, and not in rash regulations, bans and orders that do little to solve the underlying problem.   

– This was first published here by the Newzwire

Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Monday confirmed the arrest of former National Employment Council for Engineering Council secretary-general Pumulani Musagwiza.

Musagwiza was nabbed on fraud charges after he allegedly seized the organisation’s car and a pharmacy. ZACC spokesperson, Commissioner John Makamure said:

We have arrested Musagwiza Pumulani the former secretary-general for National Employment Council for Engineering on four counts of fraud.

He fraudulently transferred two vehicles of the organisation to himself and one vehicle to the former chairperson. He also transferred the organisation’s pharmacy to himself.

He will appear in court tomorrow. Vehicles are all valued at $247 000. He is detained at Mabelreign Police Station.

The arrest comes among revelations by ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo that she and her team of commissioners have acquired firearms for personal security amid reports that they have been receiving death threats from unknown people over high profile graft cases under investigation.

On Friday, Justice Matanda-Moyo and the commissioners underwent a firearms training at the Zimbabwe Republic Police shooting range at Morris Depot in Harare before being issued with arms.

In an interview, Justice Matanda-Moyo said she personally received incessant phone calls from members of the corruption cartels involving cases of high profile political figures under investigation and a firearm becomes a necessary self-defence weapon.

“I have received a number of calls from people instructing me to drop certain cases involving political figures and other prominent people.

“I still receive the calls with others threatening my life. Others were trying to influence me on how ZACC should operate, particularly telling me who should and should not be investigated,” she said.

The callers, Justice Matanda-Moyo said, complain about the investigation of certain individuals.

Despite the threats, Justice Matanda-Moyo said, she will soldier on and fight corruption to the end.

“As ZACC, we investigate all cases without fear or favour. The fight against corruption is a sacrifice and there is no going back,” she said.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said Zimbabweans were peace-loving people but a firearm was a necessary defence tool against the violent characters.

“If someone decides to be violent he or she must be met with self-defence that is equivalent. “Firearms become necessary for ZACC commissioners,” she said.

The arrest of Musagwiza by ZACC follows those of high profile individuals, among them former Tourism Minister Priscah Mupfumira and former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

Paul Nyathi|CHIEF Zvimba has apologised to President Mnangagwa over inconsistencies in the burial arrangements of the country’s late founding father former President Mugabe, who was laid to rest at his rural home in Zvimba on Saturday.

In an interview, Chief Zvimba’s spokesperson Gibson Jenami said the new arrangement came as a shock to them since it was made by the family.

“Since the death of the late former President Mugabe, chiefs were at the forefront of working with the bereaved family and the Government on burial arrangements,” he said.

“It was traditional leaders and the family who requested the Government to prepare the place where he was supposed to be buried. After we had agreed, we went to the national shrine to identify the burial place, together with Chatunga and Tino. Everyone was satisfied with the burial place.

“Let me make it clear that President Mnangagwa never forced anyone to bury the former President’s body at the National Heroes’ Acre. He urged them to find a place of their choice to bury him. Zvimba chiefs, Chatunga and Tino Mugabe were at the forefront and settled for the hill top at the national shrine.

He added: “The problem emanated last Friday when we learnt that Mrs Mugabe wanted the remains of her late husband to be interred at their Blue Roof residence but the idea was shot down.

“I want President Mnangagwa to know that in any family there are disputes and he must find it in his heart to forgive them.

“We are ashamed and we are deeply sorry for the loss that the Government incurred. Sorry for the inconveniences caused by the family. There were rumours that President Mnangagwa even bribed Zvimba chiefs but nothing of that sort ever happened. I am pleading with the President to continue being the good man he has always been.”

He said the national shrine was the most appropriate place for the burial of the former President.

“The chiefs had settled for the National Heroes’ Acre, since the former President spent most of his life as a nationalist,” he said.

The apology comes after Mnangagwa was rumoured to have met with the traditional leaders from Zvimba in the discussions around the burial of Mugabe and allegedly bribed them with ten thousand dollars each to have them agree to get Mugabe buried at the National Heroes Acre.

The revelation was made by former ZANU PF heavyweight Jonathan Moyo.

Said Moyo, “Instead of going to mourn with them, he’s summoning the chiefs of the bereaved to his office to bribe them with $10K cash bundles and promises of cars for the corrupt purpose of getting them to defy Gushungo’s now known declaration to rest next to his mother at his ancestral home!”

Reports said the delegation pledged full support to Government arrangements and programmes.

The meeting which is said to have lasted for under an hour took place at the Mnangagwa’s Munhumutapa Offices.

1/2 In a sad development, a 11/2 year old toddler died in Gwelutshena after he crawled and fell into a tin of boiling water. The toddler’s mother had removed the tin from the fire and disaster struck while she was outside the kitchen hut performing other household chores.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) September 30, 2019

2/2 In Byo a 3 year boy fell from a bed onto burning charcoal (mbaura) which was on the floor & sustained facial burns. He later had difficulties in breathing & died a few hrs after the incident. We urge parents to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of children.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) September 30, 2019

Harare judge Justice Owen Tagu has postponed to Thursday the matter in which water rights advocacy organisation the Community Water Alliance Trust (CWAT seeking an order to compel President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare the water crisis in Harare a state of disaster.

At High Court, Justice Tagu is presiding over the hearing of an urgent application filed by @ZLHRLawyers on behalf of Community Water Alliance Trust seeking to compel central Govt& @cohsunshinecity to make provisions to supply water to residents in Harare.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) September 30, 2019

The judge said the postponement was to allow lawyers from Attorney General’s Office to seek further instructions on representing President Mnangagwa.

CWAT which is being represented by Denford Halimani of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said despite the calamity of the water crisis, President Mnangagwa had inexplicably not exercised his powers to declare a state of disaster, which would allow for the intervention of central government and donor support to avert a foreseeable imminent disaster.

Justice Owen Tagu has postponed to Thursday the matter in which water rights campaigners are seeking an order to compel President Mnangagwa to declare the water crisis in Harare a state of disaster to allow lawyers from AG's Office to seek further instructions on representing him

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) September 30, 2019

State Media|ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo and her team of commissioners have acquired firearms for personal security amid reports that they have been receiving death threats from unknown people over high profile graft cases under investigation.

On Friday, Justice Matanda-Moyo and the commissioners underwent a firearms training at the Zimbabwe Republic Police shooting range at Morris Depot in Harare before being issued with arms.

In an interview, Justice Matanda-Moyo said she personally received incessant phone calls from members of the corruption cartels involving cases of high profile political figures under investigation and a firearm becomes a necessary self-defence  weapon.

“I have received a number of calls from people instructing me to drop certain cases involving political figures and other prominent people.

“I still receive the calls with others threatening my life. Others were trying to influence me on how ZACC should operate, particularly telling me who should and should not be investigated,” she said.

The callers, Justice Matanda-Moyo said, complain about the investigation of certain individuals.

Despite the threats, Justice Matanda-Moyo said, she will soldier on and fight corruption to the end. 

“As ZACC, we investigate all cases without fear or favour. The fight against corruption is a sacrifice and there is no going back,” she said.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said Zimbabweans were peace-loving people but a firearm was a necessary defence tool against the violent characters.

“If someone decides to be violent he or she must be met with self-defence that is equivalent. “Firearms become necessary for ZACC commissioners,” she said.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said all the other commissioners were now armed after taking up the firearms training on Friday.

“Corruption is a complex issue and the moment you try to fight cartels, they will be having their own people on the ground to harm you.

“The other commissioners have also acquired firearms for security,” she said. 

This comes at a time ZACC had fired warning shots and arrested a number of high profile figures since the appointment of a team of new commissioners.

ZACC revealed that it was investigating more than 200 cases of corruption-related crimes emanating from a varied spectrum of the economy and arrests will be effected soon.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said her Commission was out on a mission to aggressively fight corruption and was different from other previous bodies given that it was now headed by a judicial officer.

Speaking after her swearing in at State house in Harare recently, Justice Matanda-Moyo vowed to thoroughly investigate all cases without fear or  favour. 

State Media|Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told journalists after yesterday’s Cabinet briefing that the decision to ban cash-in, cash-out and cash-back transactions was motivated by the desire to reduce the burden on citizens who were needlessly losing value for their money.

“The feeling here was that on the cash-in, cash-out transactions, there was an implicit exchange rate that was applying because of the discounts that these agents were applying; discounts as high as 55 percent or 60 percent on RTGS balances.

“That’s what (brought) that directive from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. That is what it is trying to deal with, to make sure that it (discounts for cash) does not become yet another rate,” said Prof Ncube.

He said the country was going back to multiple exchange rates and the RBZ ban seeks to try “to close that gap”.

“Then over time, obviously cash in circulation will be increased; so we should expect that to happen,” said Prof Ncube.

Economist Mr Persistence Gwanyanya said the reaction by RBZ on the cash-in, and cash-out transactions “was ostensibly driven by the need to restore sanity in the financial services sector”.

“Given the RBZ’s primary duty to ensure price and financial services sector stability, the intervention of RBZ is unsurprising as our enterprising population was increasingly abusing the cash-in, cash-out facility by selling cash at exorbitant rates of up to 60 percent.

“However, what is more important is to understand the drivers of these unscrupulous behaviours for more effective policy intervention.

“We expected RBZ to concurrently increase the cash in the economy to recommended levels of 10 percent to 15 percent of money supply, which is also the desired level RBZ indicated in the recently announced Mid-Term Monetary Policy Review,” he said.

With the current money supply level of around $15 billion, cash in circulation should be between $1,5 and $2,25billion.

Presently, there is about $600 million cash in circulation, which Mr Gwanyanya said was “way lower than the required amounts”.

“Whilst it may appear obvious that RBZ should simply increase cash in circulation, the issue is a bit complicated as the leadership has already indicated that the bond notes and coins are on their way out, with new currency coming.

“So it’s illogical to increase the amount of money that is being phased out, which speaks to the need to expedite the new currency that was spoken about by the President himself,” said Mr Gwanyanya.

Paul Nyathi|GOVERNMENT has withdrawn orders issued three months ago banning the private transportation of grain within the country.

The flip flopping government gave the greenlight to individuals and corporates with free funds to import any quantities of grain into the country to complement Treasury efforts in ensuring adequate food reserves.

Minister Shiri revealed the new guidelines while responding to questions during a Senate sitting session in Harare last week.

This was after MDC Senator Elias Mudzuri had sought clarity on Government policy regarding sustainability of small stock industries such as piggery and poultry.

Just three months ago, government announced new regulations banning private sales and requiring all maize to be sold to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), in a move that was designed to try and control prices of mealie-meal.

The regulations, published under Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019, also banned the transportation of more than five bags of maize except when making deliveries to the GMB.

According to the SI, the export of maize was to be the preserve of the GMB and the police were empowered to seize maize where breaches occurred, with individuals falling foul of the new legal requirements facing up to two years in prison.

The SI gave the GMB the power to reject any maize delivered by a person other than a producer or a contractor.

“No person or statutory body or company or entity shall sell or otherwise acquire any maize from any farmer or producer other than through the GMB,” the regulations read.

“A person who acquires any maize for use as seed shall not use or dispose of that maize for any other purpose unless with written permission of the GMB.”

The SI also said only five bags of maize with a weight of 50kg or less each could be transported from one province to another, except when making a delivery to the GMB.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister, Retired Air Chief Marshall Perrance Shiri, announced dumping of these regulations saying that those intending to import grain can obtain the required licensing from relevant authorities.

“All those who want to import grain are free to do so, be it for domestic consumption or resale. It is up to the individual. Import licences can be secured from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. There is no limit to the amount of grain you can import into the country,” he said.

“One will actually be complementing Government efforts by importing grain. If there is anyone who intends to import, they are most welcome to do so and they can approach AMA for the necessary licences.

“Licences can easily be availed so that those with free funds can actually import grain into the country.”

The country needs an estimated 800 000 tonnes of maize imports to cover the gap up to the next harvesting season.

The country, whose national grain requirements stand at 1,8 million tonnes, will be importing the bulk of the maize from Southern African countries. The National Railways of Zimbabwe has already started bringing in part of the grain consignment imported from Tanzania.

The Minister explained that all Government efforts regarding grain imports were informed by the fact that the country did not get enough cereals or grain last season due to drought, hence the need to prioritise allocations.

“As a result, Government has had to put into place arrangements for the importation of grain. The grain that is being imported shall be for human, livestock consumption and other industrial uses.

“Government is one such buyer and supplier of cereals, there is nothing which stops all other players in the industry from importing their own cereal requirements,” Minister Shiri said.

He noted that while Government was seized with grain allocations to those in critical need for human consumption, farmers could access some spoilt grain from GMB, which may not necessarily be suitable for human consumption but could be used as livestock feed.

Sen Mudzuri had argued that farmers were unable to access grain for purposes of animal feed at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots.

The Upper House discussed the urgent need to also prioritise stockfeed and noted in particular concerns over livestock death mainly in the southern parts of the country. Members suggested that Government sets aside a portion of grain reserves to assist the livestock sector, which is a critical arm of the economy.

Farmers were also urged to embark on an exercise of harvesting hay and using it to supplement the requirements of cattle feed.

Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDC is set to pull another stunt on President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he goes to parliament for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and official opening of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament today.

The SONA will be the third by President Mnangagwa in his capacity as the Head of State and Government.

In previous occasions the MDC legislators have refused to recognise him as the legitimate President of the country.

The first time he came to parliament, the MDC legislators refused to stand up when he made his way into parliament resulting in them being kicked out of the house by the Speaker of Parliament.

On the second occasion, the legislators walked out on the President as he started presenting his State of The Nation Address.

The MDC claims Mnangagwa is not the rightful President of the country as they accuse him of rigging the last elections. The party claims that their leader, Nelson Chamisa won the elections and is the legitimate President of Zimbabwe.

Both the official opening and the SONA will be done during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate at Parliament Building in Harare.

Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda, said all was now set for the SONA by Mnangagwa.

“Preparations for the SONA and official opening (of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament) are at an advanced stage. We look forward to a flawless event as we have activated our systems to ensure everything goes well,” said Chokuda.

“The SONA and official opening mark the beginning of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament. We expect His Excellency, the President to review the state of the nation over the last 12 months and to outline the legislative agenda of Government for the next 12 months,” he said.

The SONA and opening of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament is expected to be attended by members of the judiciary, service chiefs, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, civic society members, and captains of industry, among other dignitaries.

In his address, the President is expected to outline policy direction and the legislative agenda of the Second Session.

President Mnangagwa is expected to spell out the legislative agenda by outlining the Bills set to be presented in the coming Session.

The opening of the Second Session marks the end of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament, which saw at least 15 Bills out of 30 being presented.

At least 30 Bills were expected to be tabled in the First Session of the Ninth Parliament.

Movers of the Bills will have to seek Parliament to reinstate outstanding Bills at the stage they were by the end of the First Session.

Five Bills were passed by Parliament and two of them were signed into law while the other three are awaiting Presidential assent.

Laws that were assented to are; the Shop Licence Amendment Act and the Tripartite Negotiating Forum Act; while the Consumer Protection Bill, Microfinance Amendment Bill and the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, are awaiting assent.

The TNF Act establishes the Tripartite Negotiating Forum that brings together Government, business and labour in a formal setting to discuss pertinent issues affecting the economy with the aim of preventing clashes that characterised relations of the three in the past.

The Shop Licence Act reduces bureaucracy in the establishment of businesses including creation of electronic platforms for application for business licences while the Consumer Protection Bill seeks to protect consumer rights from unscrupulous businesses bent on profiteering at their expense and provides them mechanisms to seek recourse.

Paul Nyathi|President Mnangagwa yesterday rushed in to dispel Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu’ s obvious untimely declaration that the party will repossess properties registered under the party but belonged to the late former President Robert Mugabe including the magnificent Blue-roof Mansion.

Mpofu prematurely announced that the properties would be turned into museums to fund raise for the party certainly without Mnangagwa’s authorisation.

Sensing a nationwide furore on the move, Mnangagwa immediately issued a statement dispelling Mpofu’s threats. Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF, was determined to transfer the title deeds of the imposing Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale and a Mount Pleasant property to the late former President Robert Mugabe’s family.

President Mnangagwa set the record straight.

“I was in a meeting with President Mnangagwa today (yesterday), who advised me that the party will transfer title deeds of the two properties to the family as promised.

“Nothing has changed on party’s commitment to transfer the two properties,” said Dr Mpofu.

Mugabe, who died on September 6 in Singapore, was declared a national hero by Zanu-PF but his family indicated that he wished to be buried in Kutama, Zvimba, in Mashonaland West Province. He was buried on Saturday.

Recently, the Mugabe family spokesperson Leo Mugabe confirmed that Zimbabwe’s late founding father did not own both the Blue Roof mansion and the Mount Pleasant house occupied by Mrs Bona Mugabe-Chikore.

“The issue of properties is being handled by the President. He is handling the issue to ensure the family is safe. I was told by President Mnangagwa that the party will help to transfer the title deeds of the properties to the former President’s family,” he said.

Mr Mugabe said Zanu-PF owned the land on which the two houses were constructed.

“It’s so funny (that) the party (Zanu-PF) is the one that bought the first house in Mt Pleasant and the land for the Blue Roof property. It leaves the former President Mugabe without a house in Harare,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said they were doing the paperwork to transfer the properties to the Mugabe family.

Government has stipulated a $6 000 fine for anyone found pricing goods and services in foreign currency, with a view to stopping the price madness on the market where some traders continue to wilfully violate national regulations to price in local currency.

This follows the promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 212 of 2019 Exchange Control (Exclusive Use of Zimbabwe Dollar for Domestic Transactions) Regulations 2019. The SI was published last Friday in terms of Section 2 of the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05].

According to the regulations, failure to pay the prescribed fine will attract an extra $100 daily for each day of default.

The extra charge will run for 90 days before the accused is committed to civil imprisonment.

However, for crimes regarded more serious, defaulters will be fined a cumulative fee of $1 200 per day over 90 days, over and above the $6000 fixed fine in the event they fail to comply with the law.

The new regulations regulations make it illegal for one to pay or to receive payment in foreign currency in any domestic transaction.
It means that it has become a civil offence to pay or receive payment in foreign currency.

The SI further expands the circumstances where such receiving or paying in foreign currency is unlawful.
It also says quoting, displaying, charging, soliciting for payment or receiving payment for goods, services, fees or commission in any other foreign currency is an offence.State media

GOVERNMENT has lifted the ban on private grain sales and granted the nod to individuals and corporates with free funds to import quantities of their choice to complement Treasury’s efforts in ensuring adequate national grain reserves.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, briefing journalists after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, said those intending to do so can obtain required licensing from relevant authorities.

“All those who want to import grain are free to do so, be it for domestic consumption or resale. It is up to the individual. Import licences can be secured from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. There is no limit to the amount of grain you can import into the country,” he said.

“One will actually be complementing Government efforts by importing grain.

“If there is any who intends to import, they are most welcome to do so and they can approach AMA (Agricultural Marketing Authority) for the necessary licences. Licences can easily be availed so that those with free funds can actually import grain into the country.”

The intervention comes at a time when Zimbabwe has suffered reduced yields as a result of drought experienced last season. The country needs an estimated 800 000 tonnes of maize imports to cover the gap up to the next harvest and Government has assured the nation that no one will starve.

The country, whose national grain requirement stands at 1,8 million tonnes, will be importing the bulk of the maize from Southern African countries.State media

Farai Dziva|
The Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda has received briefings from a lot of diplomats on the need for an inclusive national dialogue, it has emerged.

“He is well aware that in the absence of Chamisa and Mnangagwa smoking a peace pipe, things will get worse and could lead to instability in the country,” a government source said.