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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By Farai D Hove| The whole of Harare froze as MDC President Nelson Chamisa announced that he will not move an inch until the issue of the stolen polls is resolved.

Chamisa told Emmerson Mnangagwa until we resolve the issue of 2018 elections, ndaramba, ndakabata chinhu changu “I will remain holding my thing.” Chamisa then broke into song “ramba ukadzvanya ipapo!

Pictures from the MDC rally in Glenview South ahead of next weekend’s by election.

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Press Statement By ZESN|The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the timing of the drilling of 15 boreholes by the District Development Fund (DDF) in Glen View South which ZANU-PF seems to have taken advantage of in its campaigns ahead of a by-election scheduled to be held on 7 September 2019 in the Constituency.

While ZESN acknowledges that Section 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe requires the State to take reasonable legislative and other measures within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve progressive realization of the right to food and water, it appears the prioritisation of the service delivery has been influenced by political considerations.

ZESN observers have reported on the official opening of some of the boreholes by ZANU-PF during its ongoing campaigns in the Constituency. They have also observed DDF trucks carrying borehole rigs moving in convoys with vehicles carrying ZANU-PF supporters in their full party regalia heading for the borehole drilling sites. This can be viewed as a form of vote buying or attempts to influence voting preferences.

Vote buying, according to, The Electoral Knowledge Network (ace) includes promising, offering or giving money; goods; services and/or other inducements (such as promises of employment or special favours or treatment) to voters and/or others, including voters’ families or communities in the run-up to an election, after an election has been announced, or during the campaign, by a political party candidate or others (agents) operating on their behalf in a way which is intended or reasonably could be expected to influence how voters cast their vote or would likely do so.

Whenever it happens, vote buying has the effect of making the playing field uneven. Yet, critical for a free and fair electoral context is a pre-election environment devoid of irregularities and malpractices that include vote buying.

The act is also in contravention of, among others, Section 4.1.4 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections which stipulates that “Member States shall take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent corruption, bribery, favouritism, political violence, intolerance and intimidation.”

The Network is concerned with the timing of the drilling of the 15 boreholes in an area that is scheduled to have a by-election soon when there are so many other areas in Harare and other cities and towns that are facing rampant water shortages and erratic water supplies.

It is also disturbing that essential service delivery now seems to be tied to electoral campaigns. This perception is reinforced by another incident that was observed by ZESN on 11 May 2019 in Ward 10 of Mutasa Rural District Council by-election where a borehole was drilled on the actual polling day.

Further, concerns about vote buying were also raised in the Lupane East National Assembly by-election when a letter replying favourably to a request, by the ruling party, for medicines to be supplied to Lupane in support of the party’s campaign was leaked.

This letter widely circulated on social media during the run up to the by-election and its contents were not refuted.

The Network reiterates the need for clear legislative measures prohibiting vote buying as well as the enforcement of Section 156 (c) (i) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that requires ZEC to ensure the establishment of appropriate systems and mechanisms to eliminate vote buying muds the pre-election environment.

ZESN remains committed to support the promotion of democratic electoral processes that are in line with best practices outlined in regional and international instruments governing the conduct of democratic elections.

//Ends

Are these the last days of Emmersom Mnangagwa?

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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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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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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

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

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|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.

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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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