WHEN former Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa withdrew from the rerun during the local football association’s election in December last year to hand his rival Felton Kamambo victory, a breath of fresh air engulfed the football fraternity.
Finally a leader with genuine and traceable football credentials had emerged and hopes were high that the local game had flipped a new page.
In his election manifesto, Kamambo, among other things, promised to right all the wrongs done by the previous Chiyangwa-led board.
But nine months on, Kamambo has turned out to be another version of Chiyangwa – that is if he has not already made the latter look like a genius football administrator.
In his manifesto, Kamambo deplored the then leadership’s penchant to suspend administrators who seemingly had a different view for what he referred to as “flimsy reasons”.
“My administration shall grant amnesty to all individuals suspended and banned from football since 2015 and shall ensure that all future disciplinary proceedings are conducted in line with the Zifa and Fifa statutes. We shall strengthen our judicial bodies so that non-judicial organs do not interfere with issues of a disciplinary nature,” he said in his manifesto.
Barely eight months down the line, the former Central Region boss’s reign has, however, been characterised by the wanton suspensions of administrators and individuals, something which had become an unwanted soundtrack of his predecessor Chiyangwa’s reign.
Less than one month after taking over at Zifa, Kamambo suspended his own deputy Gift Banda for allegedly reshuffling the Warriors technical team without the board’s consent. This case remains unresolved almost seven months since the suspension, while board member (finance)Philimon Machana has assumed the position of “acting vice-president”.
Since then, Chiyangwa’s former vice-president Omega Sibanda and board member Chamu Chiwanza have also been slapped with bans for various alleged transgressions and considering the trajectory local football has been taking, it might not be too long before there are many other suspensions in the near future.
The current Zifa administration has also targeted certain players in the Warriors set up, who are believed to have caused the stalemate over allowances and bonuses when the team was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, something which his predecessor also did during his tenure in charge.
Just like the Chiyangwa administration which promised to conduct a forensic audit as soon they were in office, the Kamambo administration also made it a priority.
“The forensic audit shall be carried out immediately after my assumption of the presidency of Zifa,” Kamambo said in his manifesto.
“The exercise, which shall not be a witch-hunt, shall however, interrogate the association operations and systems before a new football dispensation is rolled out.”
However, almost eight months into Kamambo’s tenure as Zifa boss, the association is yet to hold a forensic audit while very little if anything at all has been said in that regard.
The failure to conduct an audit of the debt-ridden football association comes at a time when the current Zifa board, just like their predecessors, have been facing allegations of mismanagement of funds.
“Funds of the association were deposited into individuals’ accounts. The secretariat’s functions were usurped as some individuals assumed roles of members of the secretariat,” Kamambo said in his manifesto although the same allegations are now being levelled against his administration.
One of the biggest criticisms during Chiyangwa’s tenure was against Zifa’s failure to invest in junior football.
Kamambo, on the other hand promised to invest a lot in community football by enlisting the services of retired footballers, administrators, referees, local authorities, institutions of higher learning, churches, private academies, uniformed forces, UN departments, ZOC, SRC, CAF and Fifa.
While it may be too early to judge the Kamambo-led Zifa in this regard, his board already appears to be expending a lot of energy on the endless boardroom wars while putting very little effort on football development.
Under the previous administration, issues to do with player remuneration always used to hog the limelight with Warriors players boycotting a sendoff dinner ahead of the 2017 Afcon finals after a standoff over allowances and bonuses.
Chiyangwa’s administration was also accused of doing very little to attend to the plight of the girl child especially in terms of remuneration, let alone the development of women football in Zimbabwe.
The same issues continue to stalk local football after the Kamambo-led Zifa board’s failure to manage issues to do with the Warriors’ allowances and bonuses at the Afcon finals in Egypt which resulted in players threatening to boycott matches.
The current leadership has also done very little for women football and only last week the team almost failed to travel to Zambia for a tournament because of the allowance dispute.
Zimbabwe national women’s team has embarrassingly failed to pitch up for their 2022 Olympic qualifier, second round, second leg encounter which was set for National Sport Stadium at 3 pm on Sunday.
The Mighty Warriors reportedly refused to play in protest over the outstanding bonuses from the COSAFA Women Championship held last month.
More details to follow….
Are these the last days of Emmersom Mnangagwa?
LIVE COVERAGE LOADING BELOW…
Chamisa uses a list of examples to warn Mnangagwa, Any dictator who assaults his own citizens their days are numbered… WATCH LIVE ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/XmxMESqxzB
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2019
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Are these the last days of Emmersom Mnangagwa?
LIVE COVERAGE LOADING BELOW…
Chamisa uses a list of examples to warn Mnangagwa, Any dictator who assaults his own citizens their days are numbered… WATCH LIVE ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/XmxMESqxzB
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2019
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Barcelona coach Enersto Valverde has admitted that his charges were “awful” in last night’s 2-2 draw with Osusana.
The Catalan giants, who were without the inspirational duo of Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, dropped points for the second time in LaLiga this season and also fell behind for the third game in a row this season, leaving the Spaniard unimpressed.
“We did not play well at all, we were awful,” the 55-year-old said after the game according to Reuters.
“They went ahead and we couldn’t get close to their area. Then we dominated the play in second half, we took the lead and had the game in our hands but they came back at us and levelled with that absurd penalty,” he added.
“We cannot afford to let a game like this one slip, we should have been more assertive on the pitch and kept on attacking,” explained Valverde.Soccer24
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The 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League took has taken a new twist after Chicken Inn beat fellow contenders FC Platinum to rise to the apex of the table.
The Gamecocks, together with Platinum and CAPS United, have their eyes set on the biggest club prize in the land and have exchanged blows countless times this season. In fact, all three have been to the summit of the table at some point in what could turn out to be the most unpredictable title race in recent years.
Makepekepe’s failure to collect maximum points against relegation-threatened Bulawayo Chiefs yesterday means Joey Antipas’ men leapfrogged them to the top on goal difference. Only two points seperate Chicken Inn and fourth-placed ZPC Kariba though and mathematically, the title race can be extended to a 5 team affair as Dynamos are still in with a shot numerically.Soccer24
LIVE COVERAGE LOADING BELOW…
Chamisa uses a list of examples to warn Mnangagwa, Any dictator who assaults his own citizens their days are numbered… WATCH LIVE ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/XmxMESqxzB
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2019
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ZANU-PF Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda has called on political parties to be tolerant and work together so that Zimbabwe becomes a middle income economy by 2030.
Speaking during the national clean up campaign held in Gweru recently, Matemadanda who is also Defence deputy minister, said working together brings about development.
“Political parties should know that unity and working together brings development.
“We can never go forward as a country when there are others who do not want to go forward,” he said.
Matemadanda said MDC councillors had been allowed to run Gweru City Council because they had won elections and their party and leadership should also let those that won in other areas do the same.
“The MDC should admit where they lost…they are leading us in this clean-up campaign because they won Gweru. This shows people are united and they should also acknowledge in areas that they lost,” he said in reference to the 2018 Presidential election which was won by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Defence deputy minister said when elections are finished, people should unite and start working for the country.
“We cannot be stopped from developing the country by one person,” he said.
Matemadanda said Zimbabwe had been milked dry during the First Republic but it was time to make amends by supporting the informal sector.
“Our economy should be people oriented and youths, women and vendors should be empowered.
“Vendors are now driving the economy and they should not be fought.”
Matemadanda said those calling on stay aways were non-governmental organisations who are paid in hard currency and vendors should ignore such calls as they end up not doing business on the said days.
He warned businesses that were profiteering saying they would soon take the suffering masses to have a showdown with the business owners.
Matemadanda, who is also Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general, also warned pharmacies and commuter omnibus operators who are charging exorbitant prices to stop the practice.-New Ziana
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ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that no rule of law has been breached in Zimbabwe during his presidency. Speaking to a Nikkei journalist during an interview during the just ended TICAD, Mnangagwa there is not even one incident where the rule of law has been broken.
Mnangagwa had been asked concerning a crackdown against demonstrators and how that could be the reason for sanctions by the US against Zimbabwe, and below were his answers –
A: There has been no incident where the rule of law has been breached. Not even one incident. We apply the rule of law; those who commit crime, the law must apply. You cannot have double standards where the rule of law (applies); if people funded by the Americans commit crimes, we should not touch them? No! Zimbabwe is a unitary State and our laws apply to every citizen, whether you are in the opposition or you are in Government or don’t belong to any political party at all. If you commit murder, you get arrested; if you commit corruption, you get arrested; any violent act, you get arrested. That is the rule of law which we observe
I would like you to quote an action where Zimbabwe has acted outside the rule of law, then I would like to hear that.
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A Mazowe man who was caught smoking marijuana allegedly tried to bribe police officers with $32.
Stanley Fundisi (36) was fined $500 by Concession resident magistrate Ruth Moyo and if he fails to pay, he would be behind bars for six months.
Prosecutor Kumbirai Nyamvura told the court that on August 29, Fundisi was apprehended by a team of detectives after he was found in possession of a twist of dagga and on their way to
the police station, he produced $32 in bond notes.
He gave one of the detectives the money, but the police officers did not release him.
-Standard
Own Correspondent| Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa says he does not personally own Econet, but is simply the largest single shareholder of the listed entity with tens of thousands of other shareholders.
Writing on his popular Facebook blog, Masiyiwa explains why some people struggle to see a business beyond a person.
He says Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is a publicly listed company, with tens of thousands of shareholders. Virtually every person who has a pension of any kind or insurance policy is an indirect shareholder as well.
“I have never personally held more than 50%, since (Econet) was listed. So I actually don’t own the company. I’m simply the largest single shareholder,” writes Masiyiwa.
He says while there are more than 5 000 people working at the company, he had never actually seen or met 98% of them, including many in senior leadership positions.
“(But) you will still find even media people saying of a public listed entity ‘the Strive Masiyiwa-owned business’. And some will even ask me to intervene on things I have no idea about, and should not be expected to know.”
Masiyiwa says the reason for this is because some people are “still trapped in a mindset of the #BigMan” which the He wrote about on his Facebook post.
“They never shook away the BigMan idea developed when they were young,” he says, adding that this was not unique to Zimbabwe, but common across Africa.
“Many of us simply struggle to see institutions and corporate structures, and only see a person.”
Masiyiwa counseled that if Africa was to build businesses that expand continentally and spread globally, they needed to put away the simplistic understanding of how businesses are structured, and the rules by which they operate.
Strive Masiyiwa is the entrepreneur and billionaire founder of the pan African Econet group. He is a Forbes global influencer and a leading business mentor with 3,9 million active Facebook followers that he mentors through his regular posts.
Local model Pauline Marere (pictured) was chosen among the top 10 out of 56 models from across the world at the Miss Heritage Global in Accra, Ghana, last month.
The outgoing Miss Africa Continent was representing Zimbabwe at the pageant that took place in the West African country from August 10 to 22.
Alisa Miskovska, representing Latvia, was crowned the queen, while Ghana’s Eugenia Abotsi and Ayen Emily of Uganda were first and second princess respectively.
For Marere, it was a great experience and being placed among the top 10 means a lot to the Masvingo-based model.
“I feel excited and humbled at being placed in the top 10. I did not see it coming as the competition was tough and all the girls were perfect and deserving.
The top 10 girls were selected from 56 models and l being part of them, it made me really happy,” she told Standard Style.
“Obviously everyone anticipates getting the crown. However, being so close to getting it made me really happy and it made me realise that l had prepared very
well for this competition.”
At the pageant which drew models from South Africa, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Equador, Chad, Central African Republic, Uganda, Togo, Ivory Coast, the United
Kingdom and Ghana, among others, Marere appeared on television representing the country.
“The experience was amazing and l gained a lot from the other girls. I also got an opportunity to represent Zimbabwe on the TV show and pageant that will soon
be held in Lagos, Nigeria, and l would like to appeal to all designers within Zimbabwe to kindly assist me,” she said.
“So I am now preparing myself for the Miss Pan African queen. It is going to run from October 27 to November 15. I will also continue running my projects, which I have been doing in primary schools here in Zimbabwe together with the NECTZIM group.”
Marere encouraged girls to live their dreams and not to let anyone thwart what they believe in.
“Every dream comes true; one just has to work towards it,” she said.
-Standard
Suspected state security agents have allegedly been sending threatening messages to leaders of unions representing doctors in a bid to force the medical professionals to drop plans to go on strike on Tuesday .
Government doctors last week gave notice that they would down tools after they rejected a 60% salary increase offer.
Some doctors said they had been threatened with death, but vowed that the industrial action was going ahead as planned.
“They are threatening to kill us and we have been called several times to accept the offer they are extending to us as a salary increment although it is actually, a meagre stipend,”
said one of the doctors who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Health minister Obadiah Moyo yesterday referred questions about the alleged threats to the Health Services Board (HSB) chair Paulinus Sikhosana, who was not available for comment.
On Friday, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association acting president Peter Mugombeyi formally notified heads of government hospitals of the impending strike.
“This letter serves as a notice that starting from September 3 this year, doctors at Mpilo, Bulawayo United, Parirenyatwa Group, Harare and Chitungwiza central hospitals are not going
to report for work. We simply do not have the means to continue coming to work because the salary is not sufficient,” Mugombeyi wrote in a fresh notice to clinical directors and heads
of departments from the various hospitals.
He said the HSB’s unwillingness to engage had left them without any choice.
“Attempts to engage the employer have proved to be futile. Letters have been submitted and meetings have been attended through the bipartite negotiating panel to register the concerns,”
read part of the letter.
“No satisfactory agreement has been reached so far to insulate the doctors from the current high cost of living.
“To this end, it is within this reason that on the date stated above we will not report for duty until the salaries are adjusted to an interbank rate that is based on the market forces
of the day.”
Doctors last year embarked on an over-a-month-long industrial action, which they eventually abandoned after government made promises to improve their working conditions. Threats and
blackmail were also employed to force the doctors to go back to work.
The government last week gave civil servants that fall under the Apex Council a 75% pay increase despite demand for a 400% review. Teachers accused leaders of the Apex Council of
selling out.
Unions such as the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union and Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have rejected the salary offer.
The Apex Council, however, claimed that it signed the agreement after reaching an agreement with its members that included the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta).
But Zimta secretary-general Sifiso Ndlovu dismissed the claims saying they had asked negotiators from the Apex Council to report back to them before signing so that they could consult
their members about the government’s offer.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the Apex Council was being used by government to deny workers a living wage.
The least paid government worker now earns about $1 000 against their earlier demand of $4 750.
-Standard
A Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly raping his 17-year-old sister-in-law after luring her to a house in Mahatshula North.
The 27-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the juvenile — appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi last week facing rape charges.
He was remanded out of custody to September 10 on $100 bail.
Prosecutors said sometime in January 2017, the juvenile, who is being taken care of by the social welfare department in Harare, was invited to Bulawayo’s
Mahatshula South by her sister, who was pregnant at the time.
After her sister gave birth, the man lured the teen to a house in Mahatshula North. On arrival he asked the girl to clean his bedroom before pouncing on her.
During the act, he turned the volume of the radio to full blast and ordered the girl to take a bath after her ordeal. He allegedly abused her on many occasions until May this year when the girl told her classmates about the rape.
-Standard
ZIFA was last Friday plunged into fresh problems ahead of a crucial week for the Warriors and the Young Warriors after its official bank account was placed under a garnish order by the High Court and instructed to pay over US$500 000 to its former employee Lazarus Mhurushomana.
According to the garnish order, Zifa have until tomorrow to pay US$518 331,81 owed to the veteran former football administrator, who was employed by the local football association as director of administration.
“You are hereby instructed to deposit US$518 331,81 into the plaintiff’s FCA [foreign currency account] from the following account numbers held in the name of Zifa within 48 hours:
0181197610296101; 1811976/029210; 081197610292103; 081197610292104.
“You are instructed to deposit the money within 48 hours,” read the garnish order obtained by Standardsport.
Mhurushomana, who was retrenched in 2004, has for the past 15 years been battling unsuccessfully to have his severance package paid by the football controlling body.
After the two parties failed to agree on a suitable retrenchment package, Mhurushomana cited unfair labour practice and the matter was referred for arbitration.
Zifa was ordered to pay the former administrator his salary and benefits from March 2004 until agreement was reached on the retrenchment package.
The dispute spilled into the courts and after previous Zifa administrations failed to honour the debt.
The garnish order on Zifa’s bank accounts comes at a time the country’s football controlling body has been battling to secure air tickets for the Warriors and Young Warriors ahead of
their international engagements this week.
The Warriors and the Young Warriors are set to begin camp tomorrow as they prepare for the Fifa 2022 World Cup preliminary qualifier against Somalia and the U-23 Afcon qualifier
against South Africa respectively.
The Warriors play Somalia in Djibouti on Thursday while the Young Warriors face South Africa in Johannesburg on the same day.
Zifa president Felton Kamambo (pictured) yesterday questioned the timing of the garnish order, which he said was part of a ploy by detractors to destabilise their operations ahead of a
crucial week.
“It seems like it’s a deliberate ploy to handicap Zifa because we were planning to buy air tickets for the Warriors and the Young Warriors as well as paying the allowances for the
Mighty Warriors for their Olympic qualifier against Zambia,” Kamambo said.
The Zifa leadership last week received the backing of Fifa after the world football governing body turned down a request from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to remove the
football association’s leadership from office and replace it with a normalisation committee.
The SRC made a request to Fifa to remove the entire Zifa board over allegations of abuse of funds.
Fifa, however, noted that it was happy with the manner in which its funds were being handled by Zifa, saying the allegations made by the SRC against the local football board were not
sufficient to warrant Fifa’s intervention.
The world football governing body warned the SRC against taking any action, which could violate Fifa statutes that prohibit government interference in the affairs of its member
associations.
Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa will today address thousands of party supporters in Glen View South as his party moves to retain its parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of Vimbai Tsvangirai in May this year.
With Zanu PF winning the majority of by-elections held across the country Chamisa and the MDC are not leaving anything to chance as they are all out to close out the ruling party from urban areas.
Follow ZimEye for updates on the rally on our Facebook page.
The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has resolved to maintain pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government by mobilising its structures through regular rallies after the government blocked its planned protests.
Police last month blocked several MDC protests throughout the country citing security concerns.
The MDC’s top leadership met on Friday to restrategise and a communiqué to the party’s structures revealed that the opposition was not backing down on its confrontational stance.
“The party has resolved that the MDC will restore the people’s vote through constitutional and peaceful actions as informed by our goal to ‘win elections, attain state power through democratic, non-violent, constitutional means, and create a just, equitable, sustainable democratic Zimbabwe’,” wrote MDC secretary-general Chalton Hwende after the party’s national executive committee met in Harare.
“The party will endeavour to return the country to legitimacy, political stability and economic prosperity as informed by its five stages outlined in our transitional blueprint Reload.
“[We will] put political pressure through political advocacy and actions, genuine dialogue, transitional mechanism agreed and put in place, free and fair elections and prosperous
Zimbabwe.”
Hwende said the party would roll out rallies throughout the country, which would be cascaded to the village level.
“To ensure that this happens, the party resolved to carry out Reload rallies that will be cascaded down to villages throughout the country,” he added.
“We maintain and sustain our peaceful engagement that will allow all Zimbabweans to participate in their quest to free themselves from the albatross of the current regime.
“These actions must be people-driven and promote unity on common grievances.”
Chamisa rejected Mnangagwa’s 2018 election victory saying the polls were rigged. The Constitutional Court, however, threw out the opposition leader’s petition challenging the election result.
Hwende said the MDC would continue challenging Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.
“The party, motivated by its social democracy ideology, remains concerned by the national legitimacy crisis and will continue to put pressure on the regime to ensure that the challenges — corruption, unemployment, power and fuel shortages, lack of genuine political and institutional reforms, high cost of living and unaffordable prices of basic commodities— be dealt with once and for all,” he said.
On September 14 the MDC said it would hold its 20th anniversary celebrations at Rufaro Stadium, which could be the largest gathering by the opposition party this year.
-Standard
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GOVERNMENT will begin procuring inputs this week and distribute them to farmers by the end of the month to enable them to timeously prepare for the 2019-2020 summer cropping season, which experts believe will receive normal rains.
More than 150 meteorologists from across the region who met for the 23rd Southern African Regional Climate Forum (SARCOF-23) in Angola last week indicated in a communique on Friday that normal rains are expected over the three-month period to December.
However, while other regions will receive normal to above normal rains, Zimbabwe, western Angola (Namibe province), Namibia, southern South Africa, Eswatini and Madagascar will have normal to below normal rains in the January-March period next year.
Treasury has already set aside a $3,6 billion kitty for agriculture, through which $2,8 billion is reserved for Command Agriculture (maize and soya beans), $780 million for the Presidential Input Support Scheme and $120 million for the Agriculture Input Guarantee Scheme. Of the total allocations to the sector, input schemes will chew up $1,9 billion.
In order to wean the sector from rain-fed agriculture, particularly in the wake of climate change, $178 million has been channelled to irrigation development. Agriculture, Lands, Water and Climate Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos told our Harare Bureau, Government wants farmers to plant crops early.
“Preparations for the upcoming season have already begun and this year we want farmers to plant early. As such, we are targeting to procure inputs for both Command Agriculture and Presidential Input Scheme by the beginning of September and hopefully start distribution by end of month,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos.
Command Agriculture — which has been extended to support “infant” farmers whose capacity was affected by last year’s drought — is set to put 210 000 hectares under maize production and 30 000ha under soya beans. Government, however, insists that only farmers with a traceable track record of repaying loans and producing high yields will benefit. The support schemes are specifically targeted to insulate farmers from high input prices being charged by suppliers.
“The allocation from Treasury was a good start, but we need more for us to succeed in our plans. These programmes are meant to cushion farmers from high prices being charged by suppliers,” said the Deputy Minister.
Farmers were already fretting over high input prices. Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) director Mr Jeremiah Tevera recently raised fears farmers would reduce the hectarage under production.
“Programmes such as Command Agriculture are always a relief to farmers, but those who do not benefit still need to make their own plans. And as it stands, farmers are complaining that almost everything is expensive and might have to reduce hectarage,” he said.
High interest rates being charged by financial institutions are also squeezing farmers, he said.
A snap survey by our Harare Bureau shows that most shops are selling a 50kg bag of Ammonium Nitrate and Compound D for about $250 and $220, respectively, while a 10kg bag of maize seed is going for $109. Following a severe drought, which rocked the country last season, Government is scaling up irrigation projects. Already 80 centre pivots covering 3 200 hectares have been installed, while an additional 80 more centre pivots are presently being set up.
Rehabilitation of smallholder irrigation schemes is also progressing. Cottco has already begun tapping the $213 million reserved for cotton inputs as farmers will begin receiving inputs under the Presidential Input Scheme soon. The company’s managing director, Mr Pious Manamike, said planting preparations are already underway. More than 200 000 hectares have been targeted for the cash crop.
-State Media
THE much-anticipated report on the Government-stipulated investigation on the conduct of Bulawayo City Councillors is out, with indications that some councillors’ conduct was deemed inappropriate and therefore not fit to be in office.
The Government in July deployed a five-member team to investigate circumstances leading to the attempted suspension of Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, by then Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and a clique of councillors. Mr Kambarami has since ceased to be a councillor and deputy mayor after the High Court in Bulawayo last week nullified his election.
The five, comprising senior officials including directors in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, interviewed the town clerk, Mr Kambarami, the mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni and other council officials as part of their investigations.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister, Cde Jennifer Mhlanga told Sunday News that the investigating team had delivered their final report to the Ministry.
“Yes, the team has completed their final report and have tabled it to the ministry, we will soon be presenting it to the local authority,” said Deputy Minister Mhlanga.
She, however, did not divulge details of the report adding, “when all the necessary procedures had been completed they will then also present it to the media.”
She said; “I promise you that you will also be given this report but as you would know there are some logistical issues that have to be completed before we make the findings public.”
However, sources who gleaned the report noted that it questioned whether some councillors were even aware of their mandate in the running of the city.
“In short it says some of the councillors are not fit for their positions. Recommendations were also made and it is up to the minister at the end to announce a way forward. Indications are that some councillors have to be suspended or fired paving way for by-elections,” said the source.
It is Mr Kambarami, however, who is likely to have been at the centre of the investigations as he together with Ward Four councillor, Silas Chigora attempted to eject Mr Dube from office taking advantage of Clr Mguni’s absence with Mr Kambarami assuming the acting mayor role. It, however, later emerged that when Mr Kambarami was purporting to be acting mayor, he was not as Clr Mguni was actually not on leave. The suspension was eventually overturned by Clr Mguni.
Following the skirmishes some residents in the city called on Cde July Moyo to appoint a commission to run operations in the city.
The councillors were said to be miffed especially by the town clerk’s refusal to let them interfere in the distribution of the $5 million ward retention fund as well as control the subcommittee on allocation of stands and premises.
Cde Moyo also reacted by blasting Mr Kambarami and his clique of councillors saying their conduct was not that of city fathers.
-State Media
THE use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Zimbabwe is still at its infancy as the country makes headway to ensure its populace make use of alternative energy sources instead of relying on grid electricity.
In an interview with Sunday News Business recently, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) petroleum and infrastructure engineer Andrew Gure said although usage of LPG has been on an upward trend since the organisation started collecting data in 2010, the figures were still very low.
“When we started taking figures I think we were at about 5 000 tonnes per year (in terms of LPG usage) and then we increased annually up to 2018 when we went up to something like 38 000 tonnes per year,” he said.
Eng Gure however, said usage of LPG was only concentrated in urban settlements culminating to the ratio of consumption per person in the country being at its lowest compared to other countries.
“We are still far from the benchmark of other countries (in terms of LPG use). We are talking of countries where the average usage per person is 10kgs (kilogrammes) per person. We are basically looking at the population versus the total LPG usage.
“There are people who are not using it at all so they then pull the average down. In countries where that ratio goes to 12kgs per person it means there is massive and widespread use by everyone even in the rural areas but here it is only concentrated in urban areas,” he said.
Eng Gure said the estimated usage of LPG in the country has plunged from about 2,5kgs last year to one kilogramme largely owing to lack of foreign currency by local suppliers to import the commodity.
“For this year so far I think we have only done about 15 million kgs per half year divided by 16 million people (country’s population) we have one kilogramme per person which has fallen because last year we were going at around 2,5kgs per person,” he said.
Uses of LPG include residential cooking, heating water and vehicle fuel. Propane-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) uses for commercial purposes include LPG applications like petrochemical feedstock, aerosol propellant, air conditioning refrigerant and as fuel for power generators.
Eng Gure said Zera was carrying out outreach programmes to promote the use of LPG throughout the country.
“We are moving big time in training and awareness that even the rural people should also see the convenience of LPG. It is clean, safe and instantaneous meaning that when you switch it on heat will be there and if you switch it off heat will be gone. So you also see that it’s economic unlike an electric stove that when you switch it off it remains hot, all that energy you would have paid for but you don’t need it. LPG is a very good form of energy to use so we are promoting that to people who are even in the out laying areas so that they also jump onto it hence its growth,” he said.
Eng Gure said Zera was also making efforts to train more LPG installers. The country has 35 certified LPG installers 30 of whom were trained by a South Africa-based organisation, LPG Safety Association of Southern Africa through a training course facilitated by Zera between 2015 and 2016 while the other five were trained in the neighbouring country through their own initiative.
Training requirements for installers are stipulated in Statutory Instrument 57 of LPG regulations section 19, which says that anyone who undertakes LPG installations in Zimbabwe must be certified by Zera.
-State Media
1)Problem with @daddyhope is making sweeping statements & pushing grand narratives.That pple like @daddyhope , Mutambara,Chamisa, Tsvangirai, Mahere, Mwonzora, Mujuru etc supported the coup doesn’t make all Zimbabweans book educated & not steetwise
2) At times it’s good to just admit that, with benefit of hindsight, one made bad judgement & took a wrong route than trying to drag everyone else into your error of judgement. Many did not support the coup, saw the folly of doing so & had historical knowlwdge about coups.
3)Many pple tried to warn those who suddenly saw,in the army, democratic allies, thus it’s condescending 4 @daddyhope to now want to equalise everyone bcaz he was stupid enough, despite his self-proclaimed esoteric erudition, to believe the army was staging a coup 4 common good.
(4) Many, including the MDC youths in Harare, @ibbo11455004, @freemanchari, @mtakagogoe, @DumisaniMuleya, to mention just but a few educated pple in the country, made very compelling arguments against the coup. @daddyhope shld just accept his mistake & stop insulting Zimbabweans
The opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa will today address thousands of party supporters in Glen View South as his party moves to retain its parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of Vimbai Tsvangirai in May this year.
With Zanu PF winning the majority of by-elections held across the country Chamisa and the MDC are not leaving anything to chance as they are all out to close out the ruling party from urban areas.
Follow ZimEye for updates on the rally on our Facebook page.
Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC is leaving no stone un-turned to retain Glen View South parliamentary seat with party leader Nelson Chamisa addressing his first rally in the constituency.
Zanu PF has been engaging in door to door campaigns but the MDC seems more serious to replace the late Vimbai Tsvangirai who died following a fatal accident early this year, with his brother Vincent in what promises to be a do-or-die fight for both parties.
ZimEye will live stream the MDC rally on Facebook.
Own Correspondent| Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa says he does not personally own Econet, but is simply the largest single shareholder of the listed entity with tens of thousands of other shareholders.
Writing on his popular Facebook blog, Masiyiwa explains why some people struggle to see a business beyond a person.
He says Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is a publicly listed company, with tens of thousands of shareholders. Virtually every person who has a pension of any kind or insurance policy is an indirect shareholder as well.
“I have never personally held more than 50%, since (Econet) was listed. So I actually don’t own the company. I’m simply the largest single shareholder,” writes Masiyiwa.
He says while there are more than 5 000 people working at the company, he had never actually seen or met 98% of them, including many in senior leadership positions.
“(But) you will still find even media people saying of a public listed entity ‘the Strive Masiyiwa-owned business’. And some will even ask me to intervene on things I have no idea about, and should not be expected to know.”
Masiyiwa says the reason for this is because some people are “still trapped in a mindset of the #BigMan.”
“They never shook away the BigMan idea developed when they were young,” he says, adding that this was not unique to Zimbabwe, but common across Africa.
“Many of us simply struggle to see institutions and corporate structures, and only see a person.”
Masiyiwa counseled that if Africa was to build businesses that expand continentally and spread globally, they needed to put away the simplistic understanding of how businesses are structured, and the rules by which they operate.
Strive Masiyiwa is the entrepreneur and billionaire founder of the pan African Econet group. He is a Forbes global influencer and a leading business mentor with 3,9 million active Facebook followers that he mentors through his regular posts.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has begun removing all personnel seconded from the police and military in compliance with a recent Constitutional Court judgment.
Following the establishment of the NPA after the adoption of the 2013 Constitution, Government seconded officers from the security sector to shore up the office, which was understaffed then.
However, in February this year following an application by Zimbabwe Law Officers Association, the Constitutional Court gave the NPA 24 months to remove all security sector personnel from its employ.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told The Sunday Mail that the workers are being progressively removed from the NPA.
“We have a court judgement that gave the NPA two years to ensure that we remove the security sector personnel from the NPA.
“In compliance with that judgment, the NPA is starting to prepare for life after that.
“So, we are ensuring that while these people are still there, they integrate with new personnel who are not part of the security establishment,” said Minister Ziyambi.
“We had seconded staff from the ZDF when we started NPA. They gave us staff to set up the secretariat but pursuant to this judgment, we need to ensure that we conform with it.”
The Prosecutor-General has reportedly seconded staff to understudy the personnel in order to ensure a seamless transition.
Minister Ziyambi said Government is also working on amending the NPA Act to facilitate the appointment of at least two deputy Prosecutor-Generals.
The move is set to improve the office’s efficiency.
The amendment will be pushed during the next session of Parliament.
“The additional deputy(s) will assist efficient administration of the NPA and assist in heading several departments.”
ln February, Justice Antoinette Guvava ruled that it is unconstitutional to employ security personnel within the NPA.
Last year, the NPA recruited 102 prosecutors after Treasury had given them the greenlight to employ at least 120 members to address the critical shortage of qualified staff.
The NPA had been operating with 315 prosecutors, some of them non-degreed.
Owing to the increase in the number of courts across the country, the shortage of prosecutors has persisted.
-State Media
A Marondera man was left counting his losses after his car was stolen by armed robbers.
Mashonaland East police spokesperson, Tendai Mwanza, said Moses Maungwe (23) from Nyameni suburb was in company of his girlfriend, Princess Materere (20) of Dombotombo suburb.
The two were parked in a secluded place in the evening engaging in se_xual intercourse when robbers pounced on them.
At gunpoint the love birds were forced out of the car and ordered to lie on the ground ,before the criminals drove away with Maungwe’s car a Honda Fit and valuables.
The couple walked to the Police Station and filed a report.
-Online
Zimbabwe has expressed deep concern over growing attacks and threats on its nationals in South Africa since the beginning of the year.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa said threats of violence against Zimbabweans in the country escalated to alarming level in the past week, prompting officials to request an urgent meeting with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation officials (DIRCO).
A campaign by groups of South African truckers against foreign truck drivers has raised fears of xenophobic attacks, at a time violent clashes were witnessed in Pretoria during the week.
“The threats have further been accompanied by public written statements from some organisations calling for ‘a nationwide stoppage of all trucks in South Africa’ from September 2,” the Embassy statement said.
While the South African government has assured the representatives of southern African countries that security measures would be put in place to address their concerns, the Zimbabwean embassy has advised its nationals to take precautionary action to ensure their safety and protection of their property.
South African ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mphakama Mbete, said he was aware that some organisations plan to embark on a nationwide campaign against the employment of foreign drivers, but he could not give details.
“I am aware that there are some groups that want to go on strike. Our government is always concerned about these things because they hurt the economy,” said Ambassador Mbete.
He expressed confidence that the security forces will be able to ensure the safety and security of people going about their business.
“You might also be aware that today (Saturday) our Deputy President (David Mabuza) was at the Mpumalanga Agricultural Show, where he condemned xenophobic attacks or any such activities. In fact, the Deputy President actually encouraged Zimbabweans to come and exhibit their goods at the show,” Ambassador Mbete said.
Sources within the Zimbabwean consulate said a planned meeting between representatives of Southern African countries and DIRCO officials was postponed indefinitely, much to the dismay of Zimbabwean representatives, who had hoped to seek assurances on security.
Organisers of the planned nationwide strike are complaining about poor salaries and what they say is the unfair employment of foreign nationals by South African transport companies.
Earlier in March, a Zimbabwean truck driver was assaulted in a suspected xenophobic attack in Durban, in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa.
Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, confirmed at the time that the truck driver, Mr Tineyi Takawira, was admitted at King Edward Hospital after being stabbed.
Several human rights organisations have, in the past, urged the South African government to take urgent measures to protect foreign truck drivers from violence, intimidation and harassment. South Africa has had several cycles of xenophobic violence.
More than 200 people, mostly foreign truck drivers, have been killed in South Africa since March 2018, according to research by the Road Freight Association, which represents road freight service providers.
Groups of people claiming to be South African truck drivers have thrown petrol bombs at trucks and shot at, stoned, stabbed, and harassed foreign truck drivers to force them out of the trucking industry.
Many foreign truck drivers have lost their jobs, despite having valid work permits, or have been unable to return to work due to injuries or damage to their trucks. Some of the attackers claimed affiliation to the All Truck Drivers Foundation (ATDF), an association of South African truck drivers.
-State Media
DIVERSIFIED manufacturing concern, Schweppes Zimbabwe, has acquired a 25-year power generating licence that will see the company constructing and operating a one-megawatt solar plant at its factory in Harare.
In a public notice, Schweppes Zimbabwe, which produces and distributes non-carbonated beverages and tomato puree said the licence was issued by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) in July this year to facilitate power generation and supply of electricity to its operations.
“The licence will enable Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited to construct, own, operate and maintain a 1MW Schweppes Solar Plant, which will be located at 67a Woolwich Road, Southerton, Harare,” said the company.
The licence was issued in terms of Section 46 (6) of the Electricity Act (chapter 13:19). In light of the power challenges facing the country, Government has liberalised power generation to encourage new investments in the energy sector. Since 2010 to date Zera has licensed more than 70 Independent Power Producers. The projects, which are at various stages of implementation, range from hydro and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biogas.
Some of the electricity being produced by IPPs is being fed into the national grid to complement power generation and supply by the country’s power utility, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC). Zimbabwe is experiencing acute power shortage due to lack of investment in power generation projects in recent years.
As of Friday, ZPC indicated on its website that the country was generating a total of 726MW from all its power stations with the major plant, Kariba Hydropower Station producing a meagre 388MW against an installed capacity of 1 050MW.
Subdued generation capacity at Kariba has largely been attributed to low dam levels and ZPC has announced that the plant could be decommissioned next month or in October. Zimbabwe requires about 2 200MW to meet its economic needs.
EGYPTIAN football giants Zamalek, who suddenly went mum on their purported signing of Chicken Inn’s Brett Amidu, seemed prepared to break the bank for the services of the pint-sized midfielder.
Chicken Inn were not at liberty to reveal monetary figures of the North African club’s bid, Zamalek Eye, has reported that on 8 July the Egyptians sent an official US$100 000 offer to the former Zimbabwe champions. It was further reported that in terms of Amidu’s personal contract, Zamalek were prepared to fork out US$10 000 as the player’s monthly earnings. A superfluity place of residence and a car were offered as part of the pint sized midfielder’s packs.
With the Zamalek team list complete after the arrival of former Orlando Pirates gaffer, Serbian Milutin Sredojevi as the new boss to replace Khaled Galal who was fired last month following a defeat to arch-rivals Al Ahly, Gamecocks secretary-general Tavengwa Hara, said: “We agreed terms with Zamalek for Amidu but we will remain patient. We are a professional club and we are not very much comfortable in mentioning monetary figures concerning our players’ moves. We look forward to hear from them on the way forward. We might engage into fresh negotiations.”
It is understood that Zamalek have been tracking the attacking midfielder for some time now and Hara was set to travel to Egypt with Amidu for the official signing ceremony as their visas had been successfully processed through Egyptian embassy.
The paperwork of the offer which has the signature of Zamalek vice-president Ahmed Gala and Zamalek Eye watermarks further authenticates the player’s possible move that many local football devotees and pundits queried on social media circles.
A few months ago, the African football giants reportedly tabled a R23 million offer to Kaizer Chiefs for Khama Billiat and the player was set to receive US$450 000 as his annual salary. Zamalek’s sworn rivals Al Ahly were also reportedly trying to lure Billiat.
If Amidu (23) does complete the move, he will become the second Zimbabwean to feature in the highly-lucrative Egyptian league in recent times after his brother Abbas, who played for Entag El-Harby two seasons ago. He left after just one season to go to Saudi Arabia where he joined second tier side Arar FC last year.
Johannesburg — South African alcoholic drinks firm Distell is likely to hold off on further investments in Zimbabwe until there are signs it is tackling is deep economic problems, chief executive Richard Rushton said on Wednesday.
He had said earlier this year that if an opportunity arose to invest further in the country the company would look at it favourably, but since then soaring inflation, shortages of basic goods and foreign currency and other problems have worsened.
“It would take a brave individual right now to invest,” Rushton told Reuters by phone after the company reported that its full-year profits had dropped by 1,8% partly because of problems in the country.
While Distell is committed to the long-term opportunity the country offers, he said it wants to see an improvement in currency flows and a plan of action to address the issues Zimbabwe faces coming to fruition before it invests further.
The company is striving to become Africa’s premier drinks brand via an ambitious expansion plan focused on the continent.
While this offers attractive growth prospects, it also exposes it to risks as it pushes into Africa’s tougher markets.
Reuters
The High Court in Ngunjiri Wambugu v Inspector General of Police and others (July 29, 2019) has directed the state to change or develop new law and regulations to ensure peaceful assembly, and to write Codes of Conduct for organisers of demonstrations. The purpose is to prevent violence, especially by making organisers legally responsible for any damage and injuries occurring during protests.
The petitioner had requested these following the 2016 IEBC demonstrations where he claimed the violence by protesters threatened the rights of members of the public.
The judgment recommends regulations with “prescriptions for demarcation of demonstration zones, responsibilities for clean-up costs, maximum numbers, consents of persons/entities adjacent to demonstration zones with appropriate penalties when they go outside the expectations of the law.”
NEGATIVE SIDE OF THIS APPROACH
The implications of the pronouncements and orders in this judgment potentially violate the right to freedom of assembly under Article 37 of the Constitution.
A demonstration zone is exactly what it sounds like: a designated area in which protesting is permitted, to the exclusion of other public spaces. While it may sound as though protects the right, in fact, it does the opposite by confining the exercise of the right to those spaces. It is akin to a ‘designated smoking zone’, where smoking beyond the designated area attracts state sanctions.
Similar proposals elsewhere, have been fought by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil liberties organisations, because their real effect, indeed, objective, is censorship and an unjustified limitation on the rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
Location is an important aspect of the right to assembly. The motive of a protest is to draw attention to the cause supported by the organisers and to convince others of the rightness of the cause.
This often requires that it not only be held in view of the public but also that it be in proximity to the object of the protest. For instance, a protest against MPs awarding themselves high salaries is more effective if held in front of the Parliament Buildings (or at least nearby).
Regulations demarcating demonstration zones would thus deny protesters the ability to reach their target audiences, rendering their assembly ineffective. Suppose, for example, that demonstrations were restricted to Freedom Corner (in Uhuru Park). People would only be aware of them if they came voluntarily to the park — totally defeating the purpose of confronting the public with a cause.
This, in addition to the judge’s proposal that consent of the persons/entities adjacent to demonstration zones be sought, constitutes unreasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of assembly.
The judge’s proposal that a maximum number of protesters be prescribed is unconstitutional since Article 37 protects freedom of assembly as a right that belongs to ‘Every person’. Placing a general cap on the number of people allowed to participate in a demonstration would be to deny some this important right.
BURDEN ON ORGANISERS
The judge proposes that “the regulation could specify the full organiser’s details which must be captured to ensure that in the event of loss of lives and destruction of property then they are liable.” Interestingly, the current Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2019 also seeks to impose upon organisers of protests liability to compensate for loss or damage during protests and imprisonment for as long as one year.
Holding protest organisers jointly liable for acts they may not have committed is an unfair limitation on the right to freedom of assembly. Its effect would naturally be to deter the organising of protests for fear of the possible penalties if damage occurs.
And it is not in line with basic principles of criminal law which are based on the actual fault of individuals since organisers would be held liable without their having any intention or having committed any actual criminal act.
While there is a need for regulations about protest organisers, the focus should not be to impose criminal liability on them but rather to guide their relationship and partnership with the police to effectively manage, and ensure peaceful conduct of public gatherings. Protest organisers are an important link between police and protesters, which is useful for negotiation to enable police to discharge their duty to facilitate assemblies.
Trying to ensure that demonstrations are held peacefully and to minimise loss of life and damage to property, as the judge notes, is not wrong in principle. However, we must warn against the tendency of the state to roll back on constitutional rights under the guise of ‘peace and security’. The late Justice Onguto observed the same in Eugene Wamalwa v Minister for State for Internal Security (2011):
“The machinery of criminal justice cannot be allowed to become a tool for the police (to) violate the constitutional rights of citizens. The invocation of the criminal law, in unsuitable circumstances or for the wrong ends must be stopped…”
In the Ngunjiri Wambugu case, the High Court justifies unreasonable state action to criminalise protests. Justice Makau seems to be prejudiced against protesters when he states:
“In this country, it is no longer a secret that demonstration, picketing, assembly have escalated from peaceful and unarmed gatherings to violent unruly and unlawful gatherings which end up clouding the real agenda for demonstration and in which every member of the gathering takes law into their own hands.”
ROLE OF POLICE IN VIOLENCE
This ignores the role that police officers play in causing or initiating violence during protests. In their report on the 2016 IEBC demonstrations, the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority observed that there was excessive use of force on demonstrators, serious injuries and deaths at the hands of police officers and occasionally, prison warders.
A new study published by the Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies, ‘Policing Protests in Kenya’, observes that the existing police structure, training and resources have had negative effects on their management of protests.
Specifically, it found that 72 per cent of police involved had never received any specialised training on public order control. The equipment available for public order control was also inadequate as reported by 60 per cent of the police officers surveyed.
Moreover, the study found that police attitudes and culture contribute to violence during protests. It found that 42 per cent of the police believe that an aggressive and overbearing culture is more useful in public order control. The study showed that police officers hold a negative perception that protesters are out to loot and damage property, which is adopted to justify the use of excessive force to disperse them.
What this reflects is the complexity of public order control where numerous factors are responsible for poor management of public gatherings, including the occurrence of violence during protests.
It is thus important that any policy or legal reforms capture this complexity by responding to an evidence basis, and include improving the capacity of police officers to manage protests. Essentially, the responses must not unfairly restrict the rights of or target protesters but rather ensure that police facilitate the right by responding appropriately and fairly to security risks.
As Marion Ogeto and Waikwa Wanyoike argue in their chapter in this study, “The police must be better equipped at crowd control, employing a much more disciplined and objective approach in policing to allow for better isolation of rogue characters in order to minimise compromising the right of those who have chosen and are practicing peaceful assembly.”
CONCLUSION
The state far too often uses ‘national security’ as a cloak to deny the fundamental right to assembly. The regulations proposed by the High Court in Ngunjiri Wambugu is a distressing instance where the court has justified state excesses under this guise.
The courts must be sure to guard against attempts to unjustifiably limit the right to assembly. To achieve this, judges ought to take a nuanced and elaborate assessment of each state attempt to limit the right in order to ensure that such restrictions do not impair the essence of the right.
The writer is a lawyer and researcher, currently working as Junior Researcher Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies.
AFP|Business people have become a target of both insurgents and the police in Cabo Delgado. The car of local businessman John Loca was attacked near Quelimane village, Mocimboa da Praia district on Tuesday (27 Aug). Loca and another person in the car were decapitated. And on Saturday (24 Aug) a young local Mocimboa da Praia businessman, Aly Nuro, was arrested by police, allegedly for links with insurgents.
The coastal area of Macomia district, just 100 km north of Pemba, has become a centre of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. The linked coastal towns of Mucojo and Pangane which were badly damaged by cyclone Kenneth in April are particular targets.
Four fishermen returning from the sea were attacked and beheaded Tuesday afternoon (27 Aug); they were employed by a trader, Momade Mansuli, who lives in Pangane. They were going home to their inland village of Nacotuco. A firth person was beheaded in Simbolongo, who was killed as he was cutting thatch for his roof. Both villages are on the road north of Mucojo, 3 km inland from Pangane and the sea.
On Monday (26 Aug) a villager in Ulo village in Mocimboa da Praia was killed.
On Friday 23 August, 5 people were killed in Nangade district in the far north of Cabo Delgado. Two were killed in Machava as they returned from spraying the cashew trees against fungus, and three were killed in an outer neighbourhood of Nangade town.
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has ordered general elections on October 23, as tensions rise with his estranged predecessor, Ian Khama, the man who put him in the top job.
Khama, whose father led the southern African country to independence, has accused Masisi of becoming an autocrat and threatening the country’s reputation as a beacon of stability in a troubled continent.
Masisi has called for “the holding of the 2019 General Elections to fill the 57 National Assembly vacancies and 490 local government vacancies”, Osupile Maroba from the national election commission said late on Friday.
The last date for nominations is September 26.
The country has been ruled by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) uninterruptedly since it gained independence from Britain in 1966.
This year the BDP will come face to face with the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Another BDP splinter group, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which is the brainchild of former president Khama, will also contest the elections in 19 constituencies mostly in the Central District, a Khama stronghold.
Khama ruled from 2008 to 2018 and handed power to his chosen successor Masisi after completing two terms – the maximum allowed by the constitution.
But he walked out of the party in May, saying: “The person who I nominated to be my successor, as soon as he took office became very autocratic, very intolerant and it has led to a decline in the democratic credentials that we have a reputation for.”
Since coming to office, Masisi changed several key policies adopted by Khama – the most high-profile being the lifting of the wildlife sports hunting ban imposed in 2014.
Botswana has the world’s largest elephant population with more than 135 000 roaming freely in its unfenced parks and wide open spaces.
Standard|Suspected state security agents have allegedly been sending threatening messages to leaders of unions representing doctors in a bid to force the medical professionals to drop plans to go on strike on Tuesday .
Government doctors last week gave notice that they would down tools after they rejected a 60% salary increase offer.
Some doctors said they had been threatened with death, but vowed that the industrial action was going ahead as planned.
“They are threatening to kill us and we have been called several times to accept the offer they are extending to us as a salary increment although it is actually, a meagre stipend,”
said one of the doctors who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Health minister Obadiah Moyo yesterday referred questions about the alleged threats to the Health Services Board (HSB) chair Paulinus Sikhosana, who was not available for comment.
On Friday, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association acting president Peter Mugombeyi formally notified heads of government hospitals of the impending strike.
“This letter serves as a notice that starting from September 3 this year, doctors at Mpilo, Bulawayo United, Parirenyatwa Group, Harare and Chitungwiza central hospitals are not going
to report for work. We simply do not have the means to continue coming to work because the salary is not sufficient,” Mugombeyi wrote in a fresh notice to clinical directors and heads.
He said the HSB’s unwillingness to engage had left them without any choice.
“Attempts to engage the employer have proved to be futile. Letters have been submitted and meetings have been attended through the bipartite negotiating panel to register the concerns,”
read part of the letter.
“No satisfactory agreement has been reached so far to insulate the doctors from the current high cost of living.
“To this end, it is within this reason that on the date stated above we will not report for duty until the salaries are adjusted to an interbank rate that is based on the market forces
of the day.”
Doctors last year embarked on an over-a-month-long industrial action, which they eventually abandoned after government made promises to improve their working conditions. Threats and
blackmail were also employed to force the doctors to go back to work.
The government last week gave civil servants that fall under the Apex Council a 75% pay increase despite demand for a 400% review. Teachers accused leaders of the Apex Council of
selling out.
Unions such as the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union and Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have rejected the salary offer.
The Apex Council, however, claimed that it signed the agreement after reaching an agreement with its members that included the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta).
But Zimta secretary-general Sifiso Ndlovu dismissed the claims saying they had asked negotiators from the Apex Council to report back to them before signing so that they could consult
their members about the government’s offer.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the Apex Council was being used by government to deny workers a living wage.
The least paid government worker now earns about $1 000 against their earlier demand of $4 750.
The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has resolved to maintain pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government by mobilising its structures through regular rallies after the government blocked its planned protests.
Police last month blocked several MDC protests throughout the country citing security concerns.
The MDC’s top leadership met on Friday to restrategise and a communiqué to the party’s structures revealed that the opposition was not backing down on its confrontational stance.
“The party has resolved that the MDC will restore the people’s vote through constitutional and peaceful actions as informed by our goal to ‘win elections, attain state power through democratic, non-violent, constitutional means, and create a just, equitable, sustainable democratic Zimbabwe’,” wrote MDC secretary-general Chalton Hwende after the party’s national executive committee met in Harare.
“The party will endeavour to return the country to legitimacy, political stability and economic prosperity as informed by its five stages outlined in our transitional blueprint Reload.
“[We will] put political pressure through political advocacy and actions, genuine dialogue, transitional mechanism agreed and put in place, free and fair elections and prosperous Zimbabwe.”
Hwende said the party would roll out rallies throughout the country, which would be cascaded to the village level.
“To ensure that this happens, the party resolved to carry out Reload rallies that will be cascaded down to villages throughout the country,” he added.
“We maintain and sustain our peaceful engagement that will allow all Zimbabweans to participate in their quest to free themselves from the albatross of the current regime.
“These actions must be people-driven and promote unity on common grievances.”
Chamisa rejected Mnangagwa’s 2018 election victory saying the polls were rigged. The Constitutional Court, however, threw out the opposition leader’s petition challenging the election result.
Hwende said the MDC would continue challenging Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.
“The party, motivated by its social democracy ideology, remains concerned by the national legitimacy crisis and will continue to put pressure on the regime to ensure that the challenges — corruption, unemployment, power and fuel shortages, lack of genuine political and institutional reforms, high cost of living and unaffordable prices of basic commodities
— be dealt with once and for all,” he said.
On September 14 the MDC said it would hold its 20th anniversary celebrations at Rufaro Stadium, which could be the largest gathering by the opposition party this year.
THE much-anticipated report on the Government-stipulated investigation on the conduct of Bulawayo City Councillors is out, with indications that some councillors’ conduct was deemed inappropriate and therefore not fit to be in office.
The Government in July deployed a five-member team to investigate circumstances leading to the attempted suspension of Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, by then Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and a clique of councillors. Mr Kambarami has since ceased to be a councillor and deputy mayor after the High Court in Bulawayo last week nullified his election.
The five, comprising senior officials including directors in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, interviewed the town clerk, Mr Kambarami, the mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni and other council officials as part of their investigations.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister, Jennifer Mhlanga told state media that the investigating team had delivered their final report to the Ministry.
“Yes, the team has completed their final report and have tabled it to the ministry, we will soon be presenting it to the local authority,” said Deputy Minister Mhlanga.
She, however, did not divulge details of the report adding, “when all the necessary procedures had been completed they will then also present it to the media.”
She said; “I promise you that you will also be given this report but as you would know there are some logistical issues that have to be completed before we make the findings public.”
However, sources who gleaned the report noted that it questioned whether some councillors were even aware of their mandate in the running of the city.
“In short it says some of the councillors are not fit for their positions. Recommendations were also made and it is up to the minister at the end to announce a way forward. Indications are that some councillors have to be suspended or fired paving way for by-elections,” said the State Media source.
It is Mr Kambarami, however, who is likely to have been at the centre of the investigations as he together with Ward Four councillor, Silas Chigora attempted to eject Mr Dube from office taking advantage of Clr Mguni’s absence with Mr Kambarami assuming the acting mayor role. It, however, later emerged that when Mr Kambarami was purporting to be acting mayor, he was not as Clr Mguni was actually not on leave. The suspension was eventually overturned by Clr Mguni.
Following the skirmishes some residents in the city called on July Moyo to appoint a commission to run operations in the city.
The councillors were said to be miffed especially by the town clerk’s refusal to let them interfere in the distribution of the $5 million ward retention fund as well as control the subcommittee on allocation of stands and premises.
Moyo also reacted by blasting Mr Kambarami and his clique of councillors saying their conduct was not that of city fathers.
The minister further warned councillors to stop meddling in employment, procurement and allocation of stands issues saying Government will come down hard on city fathers found to be interfering in such matters which are the prerogative of council officials.
“I have been told that there are councillors who are interfering with procurement. The Procurement Act that has been put in place is clear about who ought to be doing procurement just as ministers are not doing procurement, councillors are not supposed to be involving themselves in procurement issues. This is the work of council staff and even the staff in order to make sure that heads of department also do not end up doing things that are wrong, there are special committees that are set up in each council that are responsible for procurement,” Moyo said then.
Zimbabwe has expressed deep concern over growing attacks and threats on its nationals in South Africa since the beginning of the year.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa said threats of violence against Zimbabweans in the country escalated to alarming level in the past week, prompting officials to request an urgent meeting with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation officials (DIRCO).
A campaign by groups of South African truckers against foreign truck drivers has raised fears of xenophobic attacks, at a time violent clashes were witnessed in Pretoria during the week.
“The threats have further been accompanied by public written statements from some organisations calling for ‘a nationwide stoppage of all trucks in South Africa’ from September 2,” the Embassy statement said.
While the South African government has assured the representatives of southern African countries that security measures would be put in place to address their concerns, the Zimbabwean embassy has advised its nationals to take precautionary action to ensure their safety and protection of their property.
South African ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mphakama Mbete, said he was aware that some organisations plan to embark on a nationwide campaign against the employment of foreign drivers, but he could not give details.
“I am aware that there are some groups that want to go on strike. Our government is always concerned about these things because they hurt the economy,” said Ambassador Mbete.
He expressed confidence that the security forces will be able to ensure the safety and security of people going about their business.
“You might also be aware that today (Saturday) our Deputy President (David Mabuza) was at the Mpumalanga Agricultural Show, where he condemned xenophobic attacks or any such activities. In fact, the Deputy President actually encouraged Zimbabweans to come and exhibit their goods at the show,” Ambassador Mbete said.
Sources within the Zimbabwean consulate said a planned meeting between representatives of Southern African countries and DIRCO officials was postponed indefinitely, much to the dismay of Zimbabwean representatives, who had hoped to seek assurances on security.
Organisers of the planned nationwide strike are complaining about poor salaries and what they say is the unfair employment of foreign nationals by South African transport companies.
Earlier in March, a Zimbabwean truck driver was assaulted in a suspected xenophobic attack in Durban, in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa.
Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, confirmed at the time that the truck driver, Mr Tineyi Takawira, was admitted at King Edward Hospital after being stabbed.
Several human rights organisations have, in the past, urged the South African government to take urgent measures to protect foreign truck drivers from violence, intimidation and harassment. South Africa has had several cycles of xenophobic violence.
More than 200 people, mostly foreign truck drivers, have been killed in South Africa since March 2018, according to research by the Road Freight Association, which represents road freight service providers.
Groups of people claiming to be South African truck drivers have thrown petrol bombs at trucks and shot at, stoned, stabbed, and harassed foreign truck drivers to force them out of the trucking industry.
Many foreign truck drivers have lost their jobs, despite having valid work permits, or have been unable to return to work due to injuries or damage to their trucks. Some of the attackers claimed affiliation to the All Truck Drivers Foundation (ATDF), an association of South African truck drivers.
State Media|GOVERNMENT will introduce a series of key economic interventions to anchor stability of the recently reintroduced Zimbabwean dollar, cognisant of challenges posed by low market confidence and limited foreign currency reserves to support the currency, a Treasury official said.
In a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Finance and Economic Development chief communications officer, Clive Mpambela, during a devolution conference hosted by our sister publication Business Weekly in Gweru on Friday, Andrew Bvumbe (finance permanent secretary non-accounting) said reintroducing the domestic currency had become inevitable.
Zimbabwe had since 2009 been using a multi-currency regime, largely dominated by the United States dollar until June this year, when it scrapped the system amid an acute shortage of the greenback to meet the demands of a much bigger economy.
Government contends that while a strong and stable US dollar had stabilised the economy, between 2009 and 2012, the currency had started to pose serious constraints to sustained rapid growth because it made Zimbabwe’s exports uncompetitive.
As such, Government made it a point under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) that it would institute currency reforms in order to address the growth constraints posed by a strong currency as well as challenges presented by its shortage.
“The economy had been using the multi-currency arrangement which constrained economic growth dynamics. (There also) was higher demand for foreign exchange, with transactions on the parallel exchange market attracting premiums on either the bond note, or RTGS$. A new and more competitive currency has to be the solution,” he said.
While the domestic currency was successfully restored, Mr Bvumbe said maintaining its stability faced the twin challenges of low confidence and little foreign reserves to support it.
In view of these hurdles, Mr Bvumbe said the solution lay in measures for sustained macro-economic stability, generation of adequate foreign currency reserves to support the currency, enhancing business confidence and attaining rapid economic growth.
The currency reform measures are part of a basket of targeted economic reform measures under the TSP’s whose immediate task is centred on macro-economic and fiscal stabilisation.
The two-year programme, which runs from October 2018 to October 2020, is expected to lay a solid foundation for attaining the overall goal of a strong, sustainable and shared growth.
Broadly, TSP entails measures for fiscal consolidation, stabilising the macro-economic and financial sector, implementation of quick win infrastructure projects to stimulate growth, introducing key policy and institutional reforms to transition to a private sector led growth.
Writing in the US publication Financial Times, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube last week said that achieving sustainable growth was inevitable without a local currency, scrapped in 2009 at the height of hyperinflation.
Following hyperinflation at the close of 2009, and to stem the instability produced by bad governance and fiscal ill-discipline, a mixture of other currencies — the US dollar, British pound, South African rand, the euro, the Chinese renminbi and the Botswana pula — became Zimbabwe’s media of exchange in place of the Zimbabwean dollar.
The Cambridge University trained professor of economics said while multi-currency had curtailed household price increase — its primary purpose — was now outdated.
“Dollarisation has acted as a break on Zimbabwe’s economic development as we are a country reliant on exports. The strong dollar stifled our competitiveness. Without our own currency, we have had no control of monetary policy.
“We have had no mechanism to stimulate economic activity — not exports, nor foreign direct investment — or to deal with downturns in international markets. That is why the Government must introduce its own new, and permanent, fiat currency,” he said.
The Treasury chief said the introduction of the Zimbabwean dollar was not a “political” decision, but simple economic and geopolitical necessity. He noted that Zimbabwe’s economic recovery would still depend on export-led growth.
Minister Ncube said to an outsider, it might appear puzzling that Zimbabwe had made the decision to reintroduce a local currency, given the amount of foreign currency to back the unit, this was necessary.
“Yet, with the US dollar strengthening over the years against the currencies of Zimbabwe’s major trading partners, exports were continually losing competitiveness. A fresh tranche of foreign exchange in the required volume and time-frame was improbable.
“Sooner or later, the current administration knew it would have to introduce a new, national currency. Prevarication would only place Zimbabwe in a weaker position. It was a choice between short-term turbulence now or far greater anguish later,” he said.
State Media|STREET demonstrations being organised by the MDC are not benefiting anyone, and Zimbabweans are too smart to be used as political tools, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
The remarks by Minister Mutsvangwa come after police foiled a series of MDC protests against the harsh economic situation in the country a fortnight ago.
In an interview at Kopa in Chimanimani, where she toured construction sites in areas that were ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this year, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government was fully aware of the difficulties Zimbabweans were enduring owing to ongoing austerity measures that are meant to revitalise the economy.
“Zimbabweans are mature. They fought for their independence and it was not easy fighting a strong enemy like the (Ian) Smith regime. It called for maturity. They have seen the Second Republic working hard to make sure that they change people’s lives.
There have been a lot of economic, social and political reforms which have been put in place by the Second Republic,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Zimbabweans, she said, are a hard working people who can see through the futility of demonstrations.
“All this (austerity) is aimed at changing people’s living standards, and the people of Zimbabwe are not eager for demonstrations. They realise that demonstrations will not bring any changes in their lives. They would like to work. You know that a lot of people actually run small enterprises, people who are self-employed and once you talk of demonstrations, that disrupts their economic activities and that does not put food on the table,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said President Mnangagwa’s administration was fully aware of the challenges facing the nation owing to the current austerity measures.
“The Government is fully aware of the austerity measures which are in place, they cause pain, but that is the only way to bring the economy of this country back on rail,” said the Minister, who was accompanied by Chimanimani East legislator Joshua Sacco.
“Zimbabwe had suffered for decades and it was time to build the nation,” she said.
“What President Mnangagwa is doing in the Second Republic is to make sure that we bring back the economy on rail. The transformation that is happening — a lot of those who are progressive, Zimbabweans who are progressive — can actually see what is being done by the Second Republic. As Zimbabweans, we should ask ourselves what demonstrations help us with.
‘‘Who are we doing it for? Why are we seeing some embassies involved in making sure that they are demonstrations?
“Demonstrations, do they help our people? Our people are very intelligent and smart to know what is good for them.”
THE family members of missing Baines Primary School pupil in Bulawayo, Tinomutenda Faith Mambewu, said they are still making efforts to find her and are putting together a reward for her safe return.
Tinomutenda went missing more than a month ago on her way from school with a fellow classmate. In an interview, her guardian Ms Marian Maphosa said the family was in desperate need for any information that will lead to her whereabouts.
“We are desperate for any leads to where she could be. We have been checking all possible places even with relatives to no avail. There have been suggestions that we must have a reward offered to anyone who may know anything. We are still to finalise on it though as a family,” she said.
According to Ms Mpofu, Tinomutenda who is her late sister’s daughter left for school and just vanished after that.
“Tino’s mum passed away years back and I have been caring for her. She went to school like she used to do every weekday at around 7am. As people who did not know whether the child went or did not go to school we had to go to the school and confirm if she had arrived.
Her class teacher confirmed that indeed she came to school but when they knocked off that was the last she saw her,” she said.
Ms Maphosa said the teacher also said after dismissing, she only remained with pupils who were practising music and those who were on cleaning duty of which Tinomutenda was not in either group.
Ms Maphosa said the following day, she checked again at the school and talked to those who were with her after knocking off.
“We went to the school again the following morning to try and gather more information. We looked for Tino’s friend and she said they were together after school and they walked home together. She said they parted ways in North End when Tino said she was going to pass by an uncle’s house and that was when she last saw her friend,” she added.
The family however, said there were no known uncles that she was supposed to visit in the area.
“Tino knew that she should not entertain strangers so I am shocked how she got into this. She has always been a cheerful child with no mood swings or anything of that sort,” she said.
Police in Bulawayo said anyone with information about the girl’s whereabouts may contact ZRP Sauerstown police on (0292) 200 960 or the investigating officer Constable Fortune Sigauke on 0773 642 352 or 0738 202 117 or the nearest police station.State media
THE Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira has hailed President Mnangagwa for his immense contribution to the health sector through sourcing medical equipment and medicine, a move that has improved service delivery in the sector.
In his keynote speech during a graduation ceremony of 107 registered general nurses (RGN) and midwives, at Masvingo General Hospital on Friday, Chadzamira said President Mnangagwa’s gesture showed that he was a listening leader and believed in action.
The President has sourced state-of-the-art medical equipment and medicines from India and United Arab Emirates for major referral hospitals.
“Furthermore, let us be inspired and encouraged by the personal intervention of His Excellency, the President Mnangagwa in sourcing medical equipment and medicines for our major referral hospitals. This intervention is a clear testimony of an action oriented, listening and hands-on leader, who has a desire to transform our livelihoods as Zimbabweans,” said Chadzamira.State media
STREET demonstrations being organised by the MDC are not benefiting anyone, and Zimbabweans are too smart to be used as political tools, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
The remarks by Minister Mutsvangwa come after the MDC unsuccessfully tried to mobilise Zimbabweans to rise against Government a fortnight ago.
In an interview at Kopa in Chimanimani, where she toured construction sites in areas that were ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this year, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government was fully aware of the difficulties Zimbabweans were enduring owing to ongoing austerity measures that are meant to revitalise the economy.
“Zimbabweans are mature. They fought for their independence and it was not easy fighting a strong enemy like the (Ian) Smith regime. It called for maturity. They have seen the Second Republic working hard to make sure that they change people’s lives.
There have been a lot of economic, social and political reforms which have been put in place by the Second Republic,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Zimbabweans, she said, are a hard working people who can see through the futility of demonstrations.
“All this (austerity) is aimed at changing people’s living standards, and the people of Zimbabwe are not eager for demonstrations. They realise that demonstrations will not bring any changes in their lives. They would like to work. You know that a lot of people actually run small enterprises, people who are self-employed and once you talk of demonstrations, that disrupts their economic activities and that does not put food on the table,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said President Mnangagwa’s administration was fully aware of the challenges facing the nation owing to the current austerity measures.
“The Government is fully aware of the austerity measures which are in place, they cause pain, but that is the only way to bring the economy of this country back on rail,” said the Minister, who was accompanied by Chimanimani East legislator Joshua Sacco.
Zimbabwe had suffered for decades and it was time to build the nation, she said.
“What President Mnangagwa is doing in the Second Republic is to make sure that we bring back the economy on rail. The transformation that is happening — a lot of those who are progressive, Zimbabweans who are progressive — can actually see what is being done by the Second Republic. As Zimbabweans, we should ask ourselves what demonstrations help us with.
‘‘Who are we doing it for? Why are we seeing some embassies involved in making sure that they are demonstrations?
“Demonstrations, do they help our people? Our people are very intelligent and smart to know what is good for them.”State media
STREET demonstrations being organised by the MDC are not benefiting anyone, and Zimbabweans are too smart to be used as political tools, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
The remarks by Minister Mutsvangwa come after the MDC unsuccessfully tried to mobilise Zimbabweans to rise against Government a fortnight ago.
In an interview at Kopa in Chimanimani, where she toured construction sites in areas that were ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this year, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government was fully aware of the difficulties Zimbabweans were enduring owing to ongoing austerity measures that are meant to revitalise the economy.
“Zimbabweans are mature. They fought for their independence and it was not easy fighting a strong enemy like the (Ian) Smith regime. It called for maturity. They have seen the Second Republic working hard to make sure that they change people’s lives.
There have been a lot of economic, social and political reforms which have been put in place by the Second Republic,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Zimbabweans, she said, are a hard working people who can see through the futility of demonstrations.
“All this (austerity) is aimed at changing people’s living standards, and the people of Zimbabwe are not eager for demonstrations. They realise that demonstrations will not bring any changes in their lives. They would like to work.
You know that a lot of people actually run small enterprises, people who are self-employed and once you talk of demonstrations, that disrupts their economic activities and that does not put food on the table,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.
TONDERAI NDIRAYA ran out of superlatives to describe his side’s poor show after Dynamos laboured to a goalless draw against TelOne at Rufaro yesterday.
Ndiraya’s second reign at DeMbare came full circle yesterday when he met TelOne, his first opponents back in April when he took over from Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe.
It was Ndiraya’s 18th game in charge, 130 days after taking over the Dynamos hot seat and after yesterday’s draw, which was DeMbare’s ninth since the gaffer was unveiled on April 25, the former Ngezi Platinum Stars coach lashed out at his players.
Under Ndiraya, DeMbare have not lost at Rufaro and have now garnered 30 points out of a possible 54, which translates to a 55 percent success rate.
DeMbare are now on 33 points, five behind new log leaders Chicken Inn who stunned defending champions FC Platinum 2-1 at Mandava yesterday.
However, Ndiraya thinks those statistics are not a true reflection of his team’s performance.
“Yes, statistics show otherwise, but performance-wise, we are not consistent at all. Today we win, tomorrow we draw,” bemoaned Ndiraya.
“I think we were just bad today (yesterday) from the onset. From the first whistle, the team just failed to come to the party. We were not ourselves.
“Maybe fatigue was affecting the team, we have played three games in seven days. Honestly if you ask me to name the man of the match, I wouldn’t find one. It was a bad day in the office,” Ndiraya said.State media
Zimbabwe has expressed deep concern over growing attacks and threats on its nationals in South Africa since the beginning of the year.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa said threats of violence against Zimbabweans in the country escalated to alarming level in the past week, prompting officials to request an urgent meeting with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation officials (DIRCO).
A campaign by groups of South African truckers against foreign truck drivers has raised fears of xenophobic attacks, at a time violent clashes were witnessed in Pretoria during the week.
“The threats have further been accompanied by public written statements from some organisations calling for ‘a nationwide stoppage of all trucks in South Africa’ from September 2,” the Embassy statement said.
While the South African government has assured the representatives of southern African countries that security measures would be put in place to address their concerns, the Zimbabwean embassy has advised its nationals to take precautionary action to ensure their safety and protection of their property.
South African ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mphakama Mbete, said he was aware that some organisations plan to embark on a nationwide campaign against the employment of foreign drivers, but he could not give details.
“I am aware that there are some groups that want to go on strike. Our government is always concerned about these things because they hurt the economy,” said Ambassador Mbete.
He expressed confidence that the security forces will be able to ensure the safety and security of people going about their business.State media
A ROMANTIC gesture by a Cowdray Park woman who asked her partner to join her for a bath earned her a beating from her husband who accused her of disrespecting him.
On Friday last week Mavis Muleya (34) invited her husband, Washington Mphini (42), to bath with her.
“I collected hot water from the fire and went inside the house. I asked my husband to bath with me. He followed me and closed the door,” said Mavis, as she narrated her ordeal at the Western Commonage courts this week.
Mphini bashed his wife with fists all over the body several times using fists, accusing her of disrespecting him.
He denied the allegations in court but he was convicted at the close of the trial.
Mphini was fined $100 (or 30 days in prison) by magistrate Stephen Ndlovu.B-Metro
HILARIOUS or ridiculous, you decide!
If you’ve been with the same person for a long time, the smallest annoyances can suddenly seem insurmountable.
And that’s how seemingly trivial things can sometimes be the spark that leads to two people finally separating.
In a matter yet to be heard at the Bulawayo Customary Court, a man from Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo is seeking divorce after suspecting that his wife was cheating on him because she was constantly calling out her ex-lover’s name during sex.
For Felix Dube, his wife Nombulelelo Moyo’s habitual actions of repeating her ex-lover’s name when in the throes of passion may seem like the sort of blunder which is better suited to a bad film.
This came to light when Dube filed for divorce at the Bulawayo Customary Court claiming his wife always calls out her former boyfriend’s name whenever they are making love.
In his suit he stated that there was no love anymore between him and Moyo reiterating that their customary marriage had irretrievably broken down and there were no prospects of a restoration to a normal relationship.
The main reason being that his wife was constantly shouting another man’s name while the action was going on.
“I am customarily married to Nombulelelo Moyo and our union has irretrievably broken down as I suspect that she is still dating her ex-lover because, whenever we are in bed, she calls out his name.
“As a result there are no prospects of restoration to a normal relationship because we now have irreconcilable differences which render the continuance of the relationship impossible. As a couple we have also lost love and affection for each other,” read the papers in part.
He further claimed whenever he confronted her about the issue; she became violent and started verbally and physically abusing him.
Dube, who said he would take care of their two children‘s upkeep upon the dissolution of their marriage, wants to have their property mostly household items and livestock to be shared equally.
Moyo’s response is set to be heard when the parties appear in court.B-Metro
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Government has warned pharmacies that are overcharging clients or selling medicines in United States dollars that they risk losing their operating licences.
Unscrupulous pharmacies are overcharging customers through pegging prices on prevailing parallel market rates of local currency to the US dollar.
This has led to decline in uptake of medicines, raising fears that some patients could be defaulting, which may complicate their medical conditions.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said Government would soon be checking for compliance to pricing of medicines at all pharmacies.
“We are going to be checking on all private pharmacies to ensure that they are all adhering to the approved prices. We do not want a situation where people are overcharged, where there is a continuous hiking of prices of drugs and at the same time we also want to advice retailers that they should not charge in foreign currency.
“We have heard that there are some who are still charging in foreign currency, that has to stop immediately. The law says we pay in Zimbabwean dollar and that is what we have to adhere to. All those who are charging in US dollars are doing an illegal act and we will not hesitate to withdraw licences of those who continue to do unlawful acts,” said Dr Moyo.State media
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The general trend is that younger children need more sleep and naturally, should be allowed less screen time compared to adults.
Gone are the days of the good bedtime stories and a cup of warm milk before sending kids to bed. These days parents find it easy to give kids smartphones to watch some bedtime shows.
Those that grew up when grandparents, aunts, uncles, mothers and fathers told folktales are privileged. Those moments remain cherished. Remember going to your grandparents’ house for the holidays or going to your rural home, all the stories told around a fire. It was wonderful.
There was real human interaction.
I used to love reading Sunrise
readers and Uncle Arthur ’s bedtime stories before going to bed. I owned very few of the volumes but borrowed a lot of them from the library. I think most people my age or older could say they had a healthy childhood.
I got messages from concerned parents who were responding to last week’s column on digital addictions and how they affect child development during the week. I then felt that the issue could be the subject matter for this week too.
Most parents who communicated with me had interesting confessions to make. They know that too much gadget time is not healthy but it keeps sanity in the household. On the surface, screen time appears to get the job done as a pre-bedtime ritual for getting the little ones to sleep as it helps them to relax, unwind and most importantly, keeps them happy.
Unfortunately, a growing body of research is proving that screen time before bedtime is detrimental to your child’s sleep.
The most obvious way in which screen time disrupts your child’s sleep is that it pushes back bedtime for your child. Children love the moving graphics, the cheerful music and the seemingly endless on-demand entertainment they get from the screen and as such will give up their sleep for more screen time.
When screen time is unsupervised or curfews aren’t strictly imposed, children end up pushing their bedtime back.
It keeps your child alert and awake way longer than he or she should be.
Even if curfews are strictly enforced, the very nature of engaging in screen time will make it harder for your child to fall asleep. First of all, content that keeps your child engrossed also keeps their brains alert, way too alert for sleep. Besides fuelling them with adrenaline, screen time also messes with the expression of the sleep hormone in your child’s body.
Screen time before bedtime doesn’t only keep your child up late at night and make it harder for them to fall asleep, it also heightens your child’s risk of developing insomnia, a sleep condition in which sleep disturbances are experienced over a prolonged period of time, often lasting more than a month.
We all know how difficult it is to function when we are running low on sleep. Our focus and alertness falters, and we can’t make ourselves move faster than a snail’s pace. For children, however, the signs that they aren’t sleeping enough can be a bit different, not all sleep-deprived children behave like walking zombies. Sometimes, unusually high levels of energy akin to hyperactivity is the result of not getting enough sleep.
When children don’t get enough sleep, they can be a lot less physically active and end up spending more time engaged in sedentary activities. Sleep deprived children who engage in considerable amounts of screen time also tend to have poorer dietary habits such as eating more junk food, which contributes to the problem of obesity as well. While obesity itself may not be that serious a problem since children’s bodies are in a state of development, being obese can put your child at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is a growing health epidemic among young children in recent times.
A lack of sleep is often associated with depression, anxiety and other mental health orders, not just in children but in adults as well. This is because quality, restorative sleep is extremely important in alleviating mental stress as children experience stress too and are perhaps more sensitive to its effects. Children who don’t get enough sleep are often unmotivated, uninterested, irritable and even aggressive.
A short attention span and trouble concentrating are side effects of not having enough sleep, so naturally this could lead to problems with academic performance. Children who stay up late on their devices will tend to be sleepier in classes and this affects their ability to learn and recall information.
Ultimately, less screen time is always better as it will help your child get more quality sleep. No matter how old your child is, quality sleep is of utmost importance to ensuring good physical and mental health.
The most obvious way to help your child get more sleep is definitely by limiting their screen time. For babies and toddlers, avoid exposing them to screen time as they are still young.
For children in pre-school and primary school, imposing screen time curfews is extremely important.
Children are very impressionable and mimic what most adults do. Whatever habits you want your child to embody, be it sleeping early or spending less time on screens, you must exhibit it first. So, put away your smartphones and laptops at home, or at least don’t use them in front of your child and keep to the TV curfew limits that you designated.
At the end of the day, getting quality sleep is important for the child’s well-being. Screen time is playing an increasingly bigger role in the lives of our children and we should take active steps to protect them from its disruptive effects.State media
By Farai D Hove |There was not a word about the missing hundreds of millions of US dollars money meant for command agriculture yesterday, as the deputy minister for Agriculture announced that his ministry wants more.
The figures were publicly disclosed during a parliamentary session last week.
“The allocation from Treasury was a good start, but we need more for us to succeed in our plans. These programmes are meant to cushion farmers from high prices being charged by suppliers,” said Deputy Minister Angelis Haritatos.
He continued saying :
“Programmes such as Command Agriculture are always a relief to farmers, but those who do not benefit still need to make their own plans. And as it stands, farmers are complaining that almost everything is expensive and might have to reduce hectarage,” he commented. His statements were published in the state media.
A TEACHER at Amavene Primary School in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb has been arraigned for allegedly beating up and damaging the eardrum of a Grade Seven pupil he accused of poor performance.
Benuka Phiri (52) from Nkulumane 5 suburb allegedly slapped Leo Muriwo twice on his ear for failing a test, resulting in his eardrum discharging yellow pus which has given him problems since 2014.
Phiri appeared before West Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube facing assault charges.
She was remanded in custody to September 3 for commencement of trial.
The court heard that the boy’s mother only reported the matter to the police after Phiri defaulted paying Leo’s medical bills.
Prosecuting, Mr Tapiwa Solani said the teacher committed the crime sometime in 2014.
“Phiri slapped Leo on his left ear resulting in him being deaf and has sustained internal pain for almost six years since 2014,” said the prosecutor.
He said Phiri only assisted with $60 for hospital bills and the boy’s medical problems have persisted.
“Leo’s ear started discharging more pus and he told his mother who confronted Phiri. However, she refused to pay the bills,” said Mr Solani.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Phiri’s arrest.State media
By Patrick Guramatunhu| Health minister Obadiah Moyo has disclosed that the country is losing about $400 million annually on overseas medical treatments.
“Having our own up to standard facilities will make wonders and no-one will be airlifted out of the country for health treatment and I have shared this with the President,” Moyo said.
So, Minister Moyo thinks the idea of spending the millions squandered sending the chefs out of the country for their health care would be better spend on local health care had never occurred to Mnangagwa and the rest of the Zanu PF leadership? How naïve!
There are basically two reasons why Zanu PF have allowed the local health care facility collapse:
a) The chefs, from both sides of the political divide, have continued to enjoy a five-star health care service or be it in SA, India, China, Singapore, etc. instead of within Zimbabwe. So whilst we the masses have suffered greatly from the country’s collapsed health care, the Chefs have not.
b) In Zimbabwe going shopping in New York, studying in London, having your health check in Singapore, having a honeymoon in LA, etc. are all status statements. One can only imagine the disappointment on Grace Mugabe and her daughter, Bona’s, faces if they were to hear that there was a local hospital in Harare offering the same five-star service after all the money they had spend when Bona her baby in Singapore! And so, the poorer the local service the weightier the symbolism.
c) Yes, it is very expensive to send the chefs out of the country for all these health care trips but what of it! It does not cost the chefs themselves a dollar, the taxpayer pays it all. Indeed, health care has become just another excuse for the chefs to raid the public coffers.
President Mnangagwa has just returned from a trip to Japan. He flew there in a hired jet that reportedly costed US$17 million. He probably ordered the jet just hours after Minister Moyo comments above – there was the middle finger reply! – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
London — Arsenal and Tottenham battle for North London supremacy tomorrow in an early indicator as to who will be Manchester City and Liverpool’s closest challengers for the Premier League title.
City and Liverpool have already moved clear of the chasing pack with Jurgen Klopp’s men boasting the only 100 percent record after three games to open a two-point lead over the champions.
Both will expect to add another three points before the international break as City host Brighton, while Liverpool travel to Burnley.
But below them the rest have plenty of room for improvement with Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea having already tasted defeat.
Arsenal were given a lesson in how far they still have to go to challenge for the title in losing 3-1 at Anfield last weekend, but the Gunners can quickly erase the memory of that defeat should they get the better of Spurs at the Emirates.
A thrilling 4-2 win over the Champions League finalists in this fixture last season was the highlight of Unai Emery’s first season in charge and Arsenal have little to fear from Tottenham’s start to the season.
Mauricio Pochettino believes his squad is unsettled by speculation over the futures of Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
Vertonghen has been dropped for all three games so far this season, while Eriksen started on the bench against Aston Villa and Newcastle.
A shock 1-0 reverse to the Magpies last weekend showed Pochettino can ill afford the luxury of leaving out two of his better players, even if they seem set to leave the club at the end of the season after failing to agree new contracts.
Arsenal missed out on Champions League football to their local rivals by a point last season, but still reinforced well in the transfer market.
Nicolas Pepe shone on his full debut against Liverpool last weekend and could be unleashed alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette from the start for the first time. Should Arsenal’s exciting new attacking trio click, they can lay down an early marker in the battle to be the best of the rest behind the top two.-AFP
By Dorrothy Moyo| The state owned Sunday Mail in a weekend feature has said zanu-pf president Emmerson Mnangagwa has won a coup in France.
The state broadsheet, said Mnangagwa has won “a major diplomatic coup for Zimbabwe using Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame
The story said Kagame took the country’s anti-sanctions lobby to leaders of the world’s most powerful nations that convened for the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France last week.
The article had Mnangagwa painted and quoted all over the place with not a single word of Kagame’s. Everything was according to Mnangagwa.
The G7 is made up of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Canada. President Kagame attended the G7 summit after receiving a special invitation as the immediate past chairperson of the African Union.
Emmerson Mnangagwa and President Kagame met for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit in Japan.
In an interview with journalists on Friday, Mnangagwa said President Kagame had briefed him that he had “pleaded” with the G7 countries on the need to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe.
“In particular, with President Kagame we were discussing strategies to deal with the question of sanctions. At the last Sadc meeting in Dar es Salaam, Sadc made a resolution that we must together appeal to AU, so that when AU goes to the United Nations, they speak about the removal of sanctions,” said the President.
“Sadc secretariat must also again appeal for the removal of sanctions. But individual African countries such as Kagame’s Rwanda, they are lobbying. They did lobby for Zimbabwe during the G7 meeting. President Kagame attended the G7 meeting and he was able to meet with the G7 leaders and he pleaded with them over removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.”
Mnangagwa says his counterpart is a worthy ally in Zimbabwe’s fight against the embargo.
“These are the areas we were discussing and the possibilities of success and attitudes of every single leader in G7 and how they look at Zimbabwe.”
Mnangagww said he shares a brotherly bond with President Kagame.
“With my brother Paul Kagame, it is a continuous exchange of views with regards to our respective situations in Africa,” he said.
Mnangagwa told Japanese medi on Friday that Zimbabwe will continue the international fight against sanctions, which are limiting the country’s ability to access credit from international markets.
He said: “ZDERA constrains us. For the past 20 years we cannot access support from the IMF, World Bank, IFIs (international finance institutions). Those Bretton Woods institutions cannot extend any lines of credit to Zimbabwe. So we are surviving through our own domestic means. We are doing our best.
“We cannot bury our heads in the sand and blame the Bretton Woods institutions for not giving us credit.”
It remains to be seen if there is anything to celebrate for Mnangagwa, as Kagame has in recent days publicly humiliated Mnangagwa for failing to convine his own people.
Manchester United have confirmed that defender Chris Smalling will move to AS Roma on loan for the rest of the season.
The Englishman flew to Italy for his medical today ahead of the move and United manager Ole Gunnar Soljskaer confirmed it.
At the moment we’ve got six centre-backs,” Solskjaer told MUTV.
This is just something that popped up towards the end [of the European transfer window] in the last couple of days.
“Chris fancied the chance to go over there; it’s a new experience, new adventure.”
“He’ll come back better for it because it’s a big club, it’s a good league. There aren’t too many English players who have been playing in Italy so I think he’ll enjoy it.” he added.Soccer 24
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has ordered general elections on October 23, as tensions rise with his estranged predecessor, Ian Khama, the man who put him in the top job.
Khama, whose father led the southern African country to independence, has accused Masisi of becoming an autocrat and threatening the country’s reputation as a beacon of stability in a troubled continent.
Masisi has called for “the holding of the 2019 General Elections to fill the 57 National Assembly vacancies and 490 local government vacancies,” Osupile Maroba from the national election commission said late Friday.
The last date for nominations is September 26. The country has been ruled by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) uninterruptedly since it gained independence from Britain in 1966.
This year the BDP will come face to face with the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Another BDP splinter group, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which is the brainchild of former president Khama, will also contest the elections in 19 constituencies mostly in the Central District, a Khama stronghold.
Khama ruled from 2008 to 2018 and handed power to his chosen successor Masisi after completing two terms – the maximum allowed by the constitution.
But he walked out of the party in May, saying: “The person who I nominated to be my successor, as soon as he took office became very autocratic, very intolerant and it has led to a decline in the democratic credentials that we have a reputation for.”
Since coming to office, Masisi changed several key policies adopted by Khama — the most high-profile being the lifting of the wildlife sports hunting ban imposed in 2014.
Botswana has the world’s largest elephant population with more than 135,000 roaming freely in its unfenced parks and wide open spaces.- Agencies
A HARARE magistrate yesterday deferred the sentencing of former Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) board chair Stanley Kazhanje, who was convicted of concealing a US$10 000 transaction he received from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe.
Kazhanje, who was convicted after a full trial by senior regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya, was awaiting his aggravation by State prosecutor Brian Vito before sentencing.
However, Vito indicated that he wanted to call a witness, who is also a former ZPC board member and current Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, commissioner
Thandiwe Thando Mlobane.
Mujaya ruled that Kazhanje failed to submit evidence of receipt of the money or the nature of work done by his company, Terminal Engineering, at Intratrek Zimbabwe.
Mujaya said ZPC’s former corporate secretary, Saidi Sangula, testified that Kazhanje had disclosed his interests at Intratrek.
He further ruled that even former Energy minister Dzikamai Mavhaire, who Kazhanje claimed to have declared his dealings with Intratrek, denied the claim.
But in his defence, Kazhanje had told the court that he declared his previous dealing with Intratrek to Mavhaire, his deputy and then permanent secretary.
“It is difficult for the court to believe that a man of his stature would have confused the two. It is not clear if the accused person directed the two politicians and the permanent secretary to relay his declaration to the board. I equally wonder if the accused person forgot to tell this court if he directed the three to relay his message to the board, “Mujaya said.
“This was a transaction between two established companies, but no paper trail was produced in court. A receipt or invoice could have been produced to prove
that the transaction was legit. His intention was to deceive the board and whoever was his principal and is hereby found guilty.
The court heard that on October 23, 2015, Kazhanje signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract of a 100 megawatt solar panel station project
with Intratrek Zimbabwe, fronted by Chivayo.
Kazhanje failed to declare his interests. ZPC paid Intratrek advanced payments of $1 236 154 for implementation of the project.
However, Intratrek did not fulfil its obligation and this resulted in ZPC management suggesting termination of the contract.
On January 21, 2016, under unclear circumstances, Kazhanje received US$10 000 into his First Capital Bank (Barclays Bank) personal account from Intratrek’s CBZ
Bank account.
Kazhanje presided over a meeting in which it was resolved that the power utility pays for services direct to Intratrek subcontractors, instead of terminating the contract.
The court further heard that this resulted in ZPC paying $4 387 849 as advance payment despite that Intratrek had not fulfilled its obligation. Kazhanje was influenced by this payment to decide in favour of Intratrek.
According to the State, Kazhanje failed to declare any interest upon his appointment as the chairperson of ZPC.
He also failed to recuse himself from ZPC meetings that held deliberations on Intratrek. Newsday
Dear Editor -President Chamisa will tomorrow address a campaign rally in Glen View South constituency ahead of next Saturday’s by-elections. The Glen View seat fell vacant following the death of Hon. Vimbai Tsvangirai Java. Her brother Vincent Tsvangirai is the party candidate for the constituency.MDC Information Department
A 17-year-old housemaid from Sakubva is heavily pregnant after snatching her employer’s hubby and dishing ut se_xual favours behind his wife’s back.
The housemaid, Priscilla Muchisi has now fully replaced the wife (only identified as Musiiwa) as mother of the house is now looking after the pair’s four children, two of which are older than her.
According to Priscilla’s younger sisters Polite and Fungai, Musiiwa was chased away by Musatukana Mwapinzeudyi after she discovered the affair.
“When she was 16, she was our elder sister’s maid and snatched Mwapinzeudyi from under her nose. She was sleeping with him behind her back. Such betrayal to come out of that young a person is unbelievable,” said one of the sisters.
“She is only 17 but is looking after our sister’s children who are older than her. One is 19, the other is 17, then 12 and four. I do not know how in her right mind she saw it fit that she can hook up with a man who is older than her father,” said Polite, who had no kind words for Muchisi after their latest violent confrontations, which happened at the Mutare Civil Courts on Monday this week.
The protection order was granted in favor of Muchisi.
A MUTARE man this week went berserk and hacked his father with an axe, accusing him of dating his wife and practicing witchcraft.
Webus Muranda Junior (25) vanished soon after committing the heinous crime.
Police confirmed the incident, which happened in Chief Marange’s area.
His father, also called Webus Muranda (70), died after sustaining serious injuries.
The suspect has since gone into hiding with police launching a manhunt for him.
Police have since recovered the axe used in the gruesome murder.
Deputy Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda said they have since launched a manhunt to bring the culprit to book.
“Investigations carried out so far have revealed that the suspect and his father had a long dispute of the woman in question. He was in the habit of accusing his father of having an extra-marital affair with his wife and practising witchcraft. On August 22 at around 7pm, the suspect went to his father’s house armed with an axe.
‘The father and mother (Getrude Nyashanu) were in the kitchen. He then accused his father of having an affair with his wife and practising witchcraft. The accused then struck his father twice with an axe on the head, the now deceased ran out of the kitchen and his son followed him and struck him again once on the head and he died,” he said.
The matter was reported at Odzi police station.
Asst Insp Chananda urged people to solve disputes amicably.
—State Media
An Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767 developed a technical fault yesterday in Bulawayo and travellers were left in a fix after the plane was grounded. The plane was scheduled to ply the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls; Victoria Falls-Harare and later the Harare-Johannesburg routes, but all those could not materialise due to the technical fault.
Airzim Corporate communications officer Firstme Vitori confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it developed a technical fault and our engineers are working on it. There are some parts that we needed to bring from Harare and we are hopeful that tomorrow (today) we will be able to resume our schedules as normal,” she said.
“It was still doing the morning triangle, the Harare-Bulawayo; Bulawayo-Vic Falls; Vic Falls-Harare, and then Johannesburg thereafter.
“Unfortunately, it was only able to do Harare-Bulawayo (route), so Bulawayo-Vic Falls; Bulawayo-Harare was affected as well as Jo’burg (Johannesburg).”
Air Zimbabwe had to hire a small plane to carry the required parts to Bulawayo and incurred expenses to cater for the stranded passengers
The number of affected passengers was not revealed at the time of publication
A 12-YEAR-OLD-BOY was arrested by police after he was implicated in the murder of a 24-year-old man who was accused of trespassing.
Police confirmed the incident.
According to police, the minor was part of the four member gang that fatally assaulted a mental patient for trespassing.
Manicaland province police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said the minor reportedly struck the now deceased Brian Mapindu with a stone on the back of his head and he collapsed.
Effort by local villagers to resuscitate him failed.
The incident took place in Zvoushe village under Chief Zimunya on Sunday afternoon.
Kakohwa said Mapindu reportedly trespassed at Brenda Mwatutsa`s homestead and lit a fire.
Mwatutsa screamed for help after she saw the deceased wearing a grey short without a shirt sneaking into her bedroom carrying a box of matches.
The minor ganged up with Zvikomborero Nyagoyo (20), Tinashe Nzarayebani (21) and Reginald Zveushe (25) and responded to Mwatutsa`s call.
They then dragged the deceased for about 200 metres and began assaulting him with a catapult, stones and sticks.
The minor allegedly hit Mapindu with a rock on the back of the head and he collapsed.
Mapindu is reported to have sneaked unnoticed from David Ndoro’s home at Diki, Munyarari village where he was being looked after.
“People who care for mental patients should ensure they (mental patients) take their medication and make sure they are safe all the times,” said Kakohwa.
He also urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, saying those who tamper with the law must be prosecuted.
“We would also like to urge the public not take law into their own hands whenever they suspect a person is committing an offence but they should effect a citizenry arrest,” said Kakohwa.
—State Media
Zimbabwe women’s football team, the Mighty Warriors, is faced with a daunting task in their 2020 Olympic qualifier return leg against Zambia slated for the National Sports Stadium (NSS) tomorrow.
After succumbing to a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Zambia in Lusaka on Thursday, it appears mission impossible for the Mighty Warriors who face their southern region adversaries at the NSS.
With a place at the Tokyo 2020 games at stake, Zimbabwe will have to be on the front foot from the word go if they are to have any chance of launching what would be a dramatic comeback.
Having made a maiden appearance at the last Olympics following a win over Cameroon, the Zimbabwe women’s side face an uphill task but with dramatic scenarios having in the past occurred in the game of football, the Mighty Warriors will be hoping for the best.
Key to Zimbabwe’s chances will be the 12th man when the Mighty Warriors take on their opponents. Rest of ground tickets have been pegged at $2, bays 15-18 $5 with VIP tickets going for $10.
-State Media
As Passengers Association of Zimbabwe we are dismayed, disappointed and disconcerted by the actions of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, whereby they are stopping and searching passenger service vehicles and searching them, as well as asking for identity particulars.
It is common cause, that these arbitrary actions are infringing on constitutional rights of the travelling citizenry, without pre-advised justification. In principle such actions should surely exist where a state of emergency is in existence.
Contextually, then, the rights enshrined in the constitution in Section 66 (2a) which stipulates that every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to move freely within Zimbabwe; Section 44 which states that The State and every person, including juristic persons, and every institution and agency of the government at every level must respect, promote and fulfill the rights and rights and freedoms.
ZRP is essentially an institution that is for the law, nation and the people (Prolege, Pro Patria, Pro Populo).
It is our anticipation that in these stops and search they are accordingly guided. Tafadzwa Goliati president of Passengers Association of Zimbabwe cell 0773239688
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Two men have died while three others were injured when a deep well they were repairing collapsed in Deke village, Maramba Pfungwe, Mashonaland East Province.
What started as a noble mission to assist fellow villagers from perennial water challenges in Maramba Pfungwe turned tragic for five men when a deep well they were repairing collapsed yesterday.
Mashonaland East Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident saying the concrete slab they were standing on cracked and gave in, resulting in the five men falling into the 14-metre deep well.
Three of them were rescued by fellow villagers while the other two could not make it. Of the three injured, two have been discharged from hospital while the other is still admitted.
“The incident occurred around 4pm when we decided to repair the well which is one of our water sources when the concrete slab gave in resulting in all of us falling into the well,” said one of the survivors, Fambisai Sakawenga.
Maramba Pfungwe legislator, Cde Tichaona Karumazondo and Senator Address Matirira who visited the injured, appealed to government to assist in addressing the perennial water challenges in the area.
“We are appealing to the government to capacitate the DDF so that they can drill boreholes in our area which has been facing water shortages for years,” said Karumazondo.
The deceased have been identified as George Kareku aged 53 and Israel Mukara aged 49, both from Deke village.
-State Media
In a matter yet to be heard at the Bulawayo Customary Court, a man from Hope Fountain is seeking divorce after suspecting that his wife was cheating on him because she was constantly calling out her ex-lover’s name during se_x.
For Felix Dube, his wife Nombulelelo Moyo’s habitual actions of repeating her ex-lover’s name in the bedroom are akin to an act of marriage terror.
This follows after Dube filed for divorce at the Bulawayo Customary Court claiming his wifes always calls out her ex’s name in the bedroom.
“I am customarily married to Nombulelelo Moyo and our union has irretrievably broken down as I suspect that she is still dating her ex-lover because, whenever we are in bed, she calls out his name.
“As a result there are no prospects of restoration to a normal relationship because we now have irreconcilable differences which render the continuance of the relationship impossible. As a couple we have also lost love and affection for each other,” read the papers in part.
He further claimed whenever he confronted her about the issue, she became violent and started verbally and physically abusing him.
Moyo’s response is set to be heard when the parties appear in court.
-Online
Zimbabwe women’s football team, the Mighty Warriors, is faced with a daunting task in their 2020 Olympic qualifier return leg against Zambia slated for the National Sports Stadium (NSS) tomorrow.
After succumbing to a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Zambia in Lusaka on Thursday, it appears mission impossible for the Mighty Warriors who face their southern region adversaries at the NSS.
With a place at the Tokyo 2020 games at stake, Zimbabwe will have to be on the front foot from the word go if they are to have any chance of launching what would be a dramatic comeback.
Having made a maiden appearance at the last Olympics following a win over Cameroon, the Zimbabwe women’s side face an uphill task but with dramatic scenarios having in the past occurred in the game of football, the Mighty Warriors will be hoping for the best.
Key to Zimbabwe’s chances will be the 12th man when the Mighty Warriors take on their opponents. Rest of ground tickets have been pegged at $2, bays 15-18 $5 with VIP tickets going for $10.
-State Media
A man (33) was electrocuted in Chikara after attempting to cut a live ZESA cable. His body was found near a ZESA transformer with serious burns on his body. An electric cable was also found next to the body. The harsh economic environment has seen citizens resorting to illegal activities which include stealing copper cables to survive.
The reward though great comes at price namely a mandatory 10-year jail sentence if caught or in a worst-case scenario death!!!
Dynamos were held to a goalless stalemate by TelOne in a Match-day 22 encounter played at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.
The match created few meaningful chances throughout with the home team’s Nigel Katawa coming closest when his header was superbly saved by Raphel Pitisi in the 39th minute.
The youngster came back again in the second half and was again denied the keeper.
On the other end, the Wifi Boys’ biggest opportunity came just after the hour but Fredrick Muza’s effort missed the target by inches.
The result puts Dynamos on 33 points in the 5th position while TelOne remain rooted in the drop zone.
At Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo Chiefs and CAPS United shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller.
Hugh Chikosa and John Zhuwawu got a brace each in the encounter.
Chikosa opened the scoring in the 13th minute, converting from the spot to give Chiefs an early lead.
Makepekepe equalised on minute 28 through Joel Ngodzo who fired home from a free-kick on the edge of the box.
The parity, however, did not last long as Shadreck Nyahwa capitalised on a defensive mix-up to restore the hosts’ lead.
John Zhuwawu scored his first goal on the hour before completing his brace ten minutes later. Chikosa also got his second of the day but in between Zhuwawu’s goals.
The result sees CAPS United surrendering the top position to Chicken Inn who collected maximum points at Mandava.
The Gamecocks beat FC Platinum 2-1, thanks to a brace from Valentine Kadonzvo. The hosts got their consolation from Albert Eonde later in the game.
At Baobab Stadium, Bruno Mtigo and Arial Makopa were on target as Ngezi Platinum Stars beat Herentals 2-0.Soccer 24
A group of Nigerians Thursday staged a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital.
The protesters, mostly victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, according to Channels TV, said they are angered by the recent massive looting of foreign-owned shops in the city by some South Africans.
Many of the protesters lamented that they have lost their goods and business investments to the looting spree, which occurred on Wednesday at Pretoria Business district.
The protesters in separate interviews told Channels Television that the protest was needed because they are now feeling unsafe in the foreign country.
They claimed that Nigerian representatives in South Africa were slow towards responding to their plight.
“They came to my shop and burnt everything to zero,” one of the victims told Channels Television.
“We are appealing to our Consulate via the High Commission here to please intervene in this whole situation. We are so unsafe in this country,” another victim said.
However, Defence Adviser, Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, Abubakar Mustapha condemned the protesters for venting anger on the commission by destroying some property.
“The way they went about it (the protest) was quite unfortunate; they scaled the fence and almost destroyed the gate,” Mustapha said, adding that the quick intervention of security officers curtailed the incident.
Nigeria High Commission officers later visited the scenes of the looting spree to see the level of destruction on shops owned by Nigerians.
The acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Umar Bako later assured those who came to complain of their losses that quick actions would be taken to intervene in the matter.
Violence was recorded on Tuesday in Pretoria Business district as South African indigenes who were apparently angered by the killing of a taxi operator by a yet-to-be identified man, on Tuesday resorted to looting shops owned by foreigners in their country.
South Africa police have since arrested 17 people in connection with the looting spree.
-This Day
By Farai D Hove| The Media Institute Of South Africa has narrated factual points on how allegedly misleading the state owned Herald newspaper was in their Saturday issue, pertaining the abduction case of the comedian, Gonyeti (Samantha Kureya).
Writing on Saturday night, MISA listed four main points. Below is the full text:
Dear @HeraldZimbabwe you lie that there has been no follow up on Samantha Kureya’s abduction case. Your story ignores the following:
1. The docket has been transferred to Harare Central Law & Order section
2. Felistas was called in to give her witness statement on 27 Aug.
3. The police do have the phone numbers Samantha used when she was dropped off in Crowbrough
4. Samantha’s own phone is not going through because it was damaged during the abduction
5. If your publication wants the actual truth contact Samantha’s lawyer Chris Mhike for updates. – Source: MISA
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has returned back home from Japan where he attended the TICAD summit that ended yesterday.
Mnangagwa’s trip to Japan was without controversy as he continued with his luxurious Swiss jet which has been a subject of debate in the country.
By Eddie Cross| Listening to the uproar over the fires in the Amazon basin we all need to remind ourselves that what is happening on the other side of the Atlantic actually happens here every year.
If you look at the fire website and compare our region to South America, you will be shocked at the similarity – and it is a process that recurs every year.
This week I flew to South Africa for a day’s business and as we took off in Harare I pointed out the window at the dense smoke haze that blocked out the land below us.
Last night I saw a video of the Victoria Falls where the Falls is almost dry. Talk on the social media blame the loss of ground cover in the catchment – pointing out that the devastating evaporation effect of the loss of the vegetation due to veld fires is one possible cause.
I have previously raised the issue of the killing of the hippo population in the vast flood plains resulting in the blockage of the drainage channels that feed the flood waters of the Zambezi back into the main river in winter, leaving the water stagnant, evaporating under the tropical sun.
Whatever the reason we all need to be reminded that the earth’s atmosphere is paper thin. If space travel did anything for humanity at large it reminded us that this is all we have – mess it up and there is no place to go. All the talk of human settlements on the Moon or even Mars is just plain expensive nonsense. We had better get our act together here, or else.
In Zimbabwe the situation is made worse by the fact the what was once private land held under freehold title is now ‘State Land’ that no one owns and cares about. Fire breaks are no longer maintained, neighbours no longer turn out to fight fires together.
Fires just burn until they run out of material to burn or hit a road. Where there are no fires, there is no ground cover because of overcrowding and unmanaged livestock populations. Parts of Zimbabwe where I grew up are rapidly becoming desert with fences covered in low sand dunes.
This country once had perhaps the best managed conservation movement in the world and was far ahead of other countries. Now that is all gone and in the free for all situation that has taken its place we are rapidly destroying our natural environment and in the process contributing to the global problem of climate change. Denial does not make it go away.
But this is Zimbabwe, an amazing and always surprising place. Great climate and even greater people to live amongst. Also this is Africa and inevitably the spring follows our long dry winters.
Unlike the tropics we have four seasons and our winter mornings, clear, cold and with a heavy dew, are just magical and anyone who does not get up early, make a cup of coffee and then sit and watch the sun come up, misses a magic moment.
Then comes another amazing time when out of the dry barren veld and with no warning, the trees come out in new leaf. Each leaf covered with a thin covering of a water dissolvable wax that limits the loss of water and gives the leaves a special almost translucent colour.
Just yesterday I saw one Msasa that was bright red – almost indescribable, I thought, I have to come back and photo that when the light is right. If you painted that tree, people would say it was not real.
In the lowveld the Knob Thorns – great giants of the river basins, dig deep into the water that lies under the hot sand and suddenly burst into flower. The big animals of the region – Elephant and Giraffe are able to feed on the flowers and then the seed pods when nothing else looks alive.
In our towns the famous flowering trees of the region – many from the Amazon originally and brought here and planted by our forefathers start to come out and sometimes the colours are so bright they almost defy reality.
Any African living far away in a foreign land, will know exactly what I am writing about and feel homesick. Those of us who have the special privilege of living in this place, should always take time to savour our changing landscapes.
What is also encouraging – if difficult to see, are subtle hints in the past few weeks that at last we may have turned a corner in our long march back to economic and political sanity. I think there are signs that there is more political stability, mainly within the groups that hold power here.
The challenges to our new leadership seem to be receding and our leadership has more confidence to tackle the delinquency in our elite that is impeding our recovery from the problems inherited from the Mugabe era.
The massive distortions in prices and in our macro-economic fundamentals have been dealt with and there is little doubt that our markets are working better.
The mountain of RTGS dollars accumulated in the last four years of the Mugabe Government has been dealt with by devaluation and our currency seems to be settling down and the painful process of price discovery is taking place across the economy.
Incomes have been devalued in the process and the distortions introduced by the artificial macro and micro economic factors at play under the dollarization process from 2009 to 2019, are being corrected.
For ordinary Zimbabweans this process has been extremely painful. Living standards have plummeted and even the most basic elements of survival are now beyond reach for many.
But Zimbabweans are resilient and innovative and somehow people are getting by. A major element in this situation, in the absence of any real national safety net, is our culture based on our extended families and the huge contribution of the Zimbabwean Diaspora living abroad.
My own view is that Diaspora remittances are much bigger than the official estimates reflect – one electronic transfer company in 2018 with 3 million clients in SA registered an average of US$78 per month in transfers to Zimbabwe. That is US$2,3 billion a year.
Gold production is estimated at over 80 tonnes per annum and that is another US$4 billion a year, most of it generated by small scale informal miners. It is these inflows of hard currency that are sustaining our people in these tough times.
If the combined income in hard currency from both these sources is now about US$6 billion per annum that translates at current exchange rates to RTGS$60 billion. That is RTGS$500 per capita per annum.
Although this is modest – when combined with other sources of income, it all helps alleviate the hardship experienced as a result of the reform process that is underway.
For me three main issues remain to be tackled before we can really say we are on our way back to the road to recovery:
1. We need to get the interbank market working properly as a formal market for foreign exchange with clear rules and transparency and to insist that all foreign earnings are fed through that market.
2. We need to continue with our reform program and to never allow the pressures on the system to deflect us off the track we are on. Let’s continue to maintained discipline in our fiscal and monetary system, strengthen the market economy and the role of the private sector.
3. We need to tackle corruption – recover stolen funds and confiscate property obtained with corruptly obtained funds. We need to make corruption in all its many forms punishable severely and quickly.
Is this spring? In the natural world yes, of course it happens every year. In our economic and political world, maybe. The signs are there but it can easily turn out to be false dawn, the choice is ours.
Eddie Cross
Harare, 31st August 2019
Former Bulawayo ward 3 councillor, Tinashe Kambarami has openly accused Welshman Ncube of playing a hand in the High Court ruling for his removal from council.
Have a look at the leaked Whatsapp chats below. In these chats, Kambarami accuses Welshman Ncube of paying the judge to get him Convicted on trumped up charges.
[8/29, 12:17 PM] Kambarami: However I’m appealing to the high court, I did not get justice in this matter since I had an appeal on that conviction and I don’t know how the judge made a ruling and concluded on this case that is still outstanding.
[8/29, 12:24 PM] Kambarami: Let me start from the beginning.
LOADING BELOW…
Health minister Obadiah Moyo has disclosed that the country is losing about $400 million annually on overseas medical treatments.
Moyo made the disclosure in Nyanga, while officially opening the second annual general meeting and conference of Private Hospitals Association of Zimbabwe.
“Having our own up to standard facilities will make wonders and no-one will be airlifted out of the country for health treatment and I have shared this with the President,” Moyo said.
Government and ruling Zanu PF party officials have largely bled the country by flying out to seek medical treatment overseas, running away from local health institutions that have been run down through neglet over the years.
Former President Robert Mugabe and incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa, his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi as well as top government officials have in recent months been receiving treatment outside the country. Mugabe made several trips to Singapore during and after his 37-year rule and Chiwenga is currently in China for medical treatment after initially visiting India and South Africa.
The $400 million the country is losing annually is adequate to renovate and equip several public health institutions.
In his address, Moyo ordered private hospital operators to stop charging in US dollars and abide with government policy of using local currency for the benefit of every Zimbabwean.
Moyo said punitive measures would be taken on hospitals that continue to charge in US dollars.
“Charging in US dollars is illegal and it is an act of corruption which is there to disadvantage the people of Zimbabwe. As government, let me set the record straight, it is illegal, and no one is above the law, action will be taken,” Moyo said.
“There are a lot of health institutions that are mushrooming, registered and unregistered . . . and most of those small hospitals are the ones illegally charging US dollars, but the law will surely catch up with them” he added.
Various groups and institutions who have gathered for the conference aired their grievances to the minister relating to cost of service delivery and challenges they are facing which include electricity and defaulting medical aid societies as well as exorbitant prices of overheads.
The minister assured the delegates that government was doing everything possible to make health service provision easy.
“Let me submit to you that we have started with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals which will be having a face lift, while I urge you to come together so that we don’t lose that money which is being taken overseas for medical treatments.”
Tererai Trent a Zimbabwean woman is humbled to be among the 10 women who were also sculptured with bronze statues, as Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett, Gabby Douglas, Tracy Dyson, Cheryl Strayed, Janet Mock, Nicole Kidman and Jane Goodall.
Tererai‘s live history has not been rosy, as she grow up in a rural area in Zimbabwe, as an uneducated girl, at the age of 18 she was already a mother of four children. Trent is said to have experienced domestic abuse while advancing her dream.
“I grow up very poor I grow up in a rural area with no education with nothing by the time I was 18 I was already a mother of four struggling,” said Trent.
“Because of a belief in a dream I stand amongst ten other woman to celebrated statuses of equality it’s just unbelievable.”
Tererai has found her sculpture for the Statue of Equality as a feeling that cannot be expressed.
“Can’t just express the feeling it’s just unbelievable,” said Trent.
Due to gender inequality Tererai is said to have been denied the right to education, growing up in Zimbabwe.
Trent is the author of a bestselling book titled the The Awakened Woman.
Tererai won various awards which includes the 2018 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for Outstanding Literary Work for her book The Awakened Woman. The ten woman were honored as an epitome of woman who are championing gender equality by Statues for Equality.
Due to Trent’s inspirational story, Oprah Winfrey gave her $1.5 million in donations to rebuild her elementary school in Zimbabwe in partnership with Save the Children in 2011.
Her advocacy for education for all children propelled her to start Tererai Trent International Foundation The foundation, seeks to improve education quality, gender equality in education, technology, innovation, health and nutrition.
War veterans have demanded their own autonomous government ministry that will look solely at their affairs, telling a media briefing Wednesday that their allowances were now equal to just 48 cents in US dollar terms.
Through their pro-Zanu PF welfare group, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, the former fighters said that their affairs have been neglected since the time of former President Robert Mugabe.
“I want to tell you that in 1980 when we came back from the war, former president (Robert Mugabe) removed us from the political structures and other people took over,” association spokesperson Douglas Mahiya told the media.
“And those are people that are taking decisions today, there are people in the civil service who would want to see the new President fail today.
“Our welfare is not being looked at; we don’t understand why it is not being looked at.”
Mahiya said government has ensured all other sectors in the country were catered for through salary cushioning while their own welfare was being ignored.
He said war veterans were now surviving on an equivalent of just 48 United States cents per day.
“War veterans are surviving on US0.48c a day and nothing has been done yet everyone and everybody who could be driving a Mercedes Benz, living in a nice house and things like that; it came from the war veterans.
“But when we speak or ask about our welfare, we are told there is no money, and from this press conference, what will be picked by the enemy of the people is the welfare of the war veterans.”
Mahiya went on to plead with parliament to pass a Bill that should prioritise their welfare.
“Why is it taking ages for even Parliament to harmonise this thing (Bill) that we are talking about,” he said.
“No one is looking at that Bill, and war veterans are dying in poverty.
“So we are not happy about that and we want to urge the government and Parliament to speed up the harmonisation of this law so that war veterans start benefiting from the constitutional provision of their welfare,” he said.
“The war veterans again are advocating for a Ministry that will look after their own affairs because we don’t understand why it is not happening when the President has already agreed to it.
“So why can’t we have our own Minister who probably will look at issues that affect war veterans.”
Currently, war veterans issues fall under the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans.
