A Zimbabwean human rights activists, Dzikamai Bere, has won a United States award for his role in promoting transitional justice in the country.

Bere, a programmes coordinator with the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, has already received an invitation letter from the US Presidential Precinct, an institution training young leaders, to attend the function that will be held in the Washington DC, US on July 25. The function is dubbed, ‘Salute Africa: A Tribute to Mandela Washington’.

Part of Bere’s invitation letter dated June 13 by Niel Piper, the executive director of the Presidential Precinct reads:

At this international gathering of business and political leaders, we would like to present to you our Presidential Precinct Young Leader Award.

Through this award, we seek to honour visionary alumni of the Precinct, who are promoting social, political and cultural progress for the world’s developing democracies. We cannot imagine a more deserving candidate than you to receive this distinction.

Your contributions as a leading advocate for transitional justice in Zimbabwe and parallel efforts to broaden the constituency of individuals engaged in this critical endeavour are exemplary. In accepting this award, we would ask that you speak to the assembled young African leaders and dignitaries about how your experience through the Presidential Precinct has impacted your leadership on behalf of the National Justice Working Group in Zimbabwe (NJWGZ) and other platforms.

Bere said that he was humbled by the recognition.-Newsday

GOVERNMENT has warned universities against raising fees with without its approval, amid reports that some varsities countrywide had yesterday attempted to unilaterally hike fees.

Universities increased fees for parallel and block students, leaving out conventional ones whose public outcry usually draws attention.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira yesterday said fees for all undergraduate categories remain unchanged.

“All fees to do with undergraduate studies have not been increased as such communication passes through my office. I have not signed an ordinance to that effect.

“Fees remain the same until we put alternative payment methods as currently we are working on introducing grants. As for the undergraduates, there is no compromise except for post-graduate, there is that leverage since it is optional,” he said.

The minister said despite people being under pressure financially, universities should not be careless by wantonly hiking fees.

Lupane State University (LSU) director marketing and public relations Zwelithini Dlamini said they had proposed a fees increase for self-financing programmes.

“We are proposing a 20 percent fees increase for parallel and block programmes. The lecturers should be paid from the fees and any other cost thereof.

“This will be approved by the parent minister through the fees ordinance,” he said.

Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)director of information and public relations Mr Anderson Chipatiso said their fees remained unchanged.

“In terms of our fees structure nothing changes. We are a public institution and we our operations are guided by the parent ministry,” he said.

Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) spokesperson, Dr Tapera Musekiwa said they are yet to conduct fees review.

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“Our fees are determined at Government level. We have not increased fees because the fees review committee is the one that sits down first and deliberate on the issue before it submits to university council.

“After justifying their move to the council it then deliberates also and submit to the parent ministry,” he said.

Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) Director Public Relations, Mr James Gutura said their fees also remain unchanged.

Midlands State University which had reportedly hiked fees from about $800 to $2 000 yesterday had their Information and Public Relations Director Miriam Mawere not forthcoming despite numerous attempts to get in touch with her.

“Kindly refer to the notice on our website. In the meantime may you please put your questions in writing, I am in a meeting but will respond soon after the meeting,” said Mrs Mawere.

Contacted further she acknowledged having received the questions and promised to answer within a short space of time which she never did until the time of going to print.

Further contacted Mrs Mawere just said: “I am now on my way from the meeting will get back to you shortly.”

An investigation by the BBC can reveal that Mr Ahmad received two sets of expenses, claiming to be in two different countries, for the same nine-day period during the 2018 World Cup.

According to documents seen by the BBC, the Fifa vice-president twice claimed for payments from African football’s ruling body, Caf, for work carried out between 23 June and 1 July.

First, the documents indicate he signed for daily allowances that stated that he was in Egypt for this spell – before later adding his signature to a document claiming he was in Russia at the same time.

As a vice-president of football’s world governing body, Mr Ahmad should have been paid his daily World Cup allowance of $450 by Fifa since they organise the tournament – meaning he may have received three sets of payments for the nine-day spell in question.

Caf, whose headquarters are in the Egyptian capital Cairo, has no role in organising the event.

“President Ahmad took [sic] contact with the Fifa administration to support him in its action for Caf’s reforms and to get the process more transparent,” Caf replied to BBC Sport in a statement.

“The details of this cooperation will be announced very soon. For now, as the President have [sic] a very deep respect of the institutions, he keeps his answers for Fifa’s teams, which will lead the future audit.”

In June, Fifa and Caf announced that the former will install its own Secretary General to oversee administrative reform in the governance of African football’s ruling body from 1 August.

The decision to appoint Senegalese Fatma Samoura as a General Delegate to Caf is unprecedented in the 115-year history of Fifa, which has never had recourse before to help guide the administration of a confederation.

Mr Ahmad, who took charge of African football in March 2017, is currently being investigated by both Fifa’s Ethics Committee itself and by French anti-corruption authorities – with an unusual kit deal involving a French gym equipment supplier among the lines of inquiry.

The 59-year-old from Madagascar, whose organisation is currently hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, has strenuously denied any wrongdoing in previous statements.

Double Double Payment?
In early June 2018, Mr Ahmad travelled to Moscow to attend both the Fifa Congress on 13 June and the World Cup, which ran between 14 June and 11 July.

Documents seen by the BBC indicate that Mr Ahmad flew from Russia to Egypt on 23 June for a four-day stay before heading back to Moscow after a trip home to Madagascar between 27 June and 1 July.

Nonetheless, the documents suggest that, on 28 September last year, Mr Ahmad collected $18,450 from Caf for a 41-day stay in Russia between 7 June and 17 July.

His signature can be seen at the bottom of a page detailing the expenses, which came under the heading ‘Mission: World Cup Russia 2018.’

Three weeks earlier, on 9 September, Mr Ahmad had collected $4,050 from Caf for a nine-day period between 23 June and 1 July, which came under the heading ‘Visit to Caf Bureau’.

Mr Ahmad left Moscow on 23 June to fly back to Caf headquarters in Egypt, landing the following day.

The BBC understands Mr Ahmad may have been in neither Egypt nor Russia for the period 27 June to 1 July but in Madagascar, as documents suggest he intended to travel home at that time.

The BBC specifically asked Mr Ahmad and Caf if it could confirm that he was in the island nation at the time but received no response in the statement it was given.

BBC Sport also sought comment from Fifa to ask if it paid Mr Ahmad for the same 41-day period, as per convention, but has also yet to receive any response.

Nor did Fifa answer a question about whether it paid Mr Ahmad for work undertaken on behalf of Fifa in Qatar between 23-25 October 2018.

Despite travelling to the host nation of the next World Cup on behalf of Fifa – with these expenses labelled ‘Mission FIFA – Qatar’ on a Caf document – it appears that Mr Ahmad claimed expenses, amounting to $1,350 from the African football body once again.

Mr Ahmad also failed to respond to the question in his statement despite being specifically asked by the BBC.

‘No Salary’
Shortly after taking charge of Caf in March 2017, Mr Ahmad told the BBC that he would not be taking a salary from Caf “for the simple reason it doesn’t respect good administration”.

“The salaries of all Caf employees, from administrators to the executive committee and president, all have to be transparent,” he said in May 2017.

The BBC can reveal that just two months later, Mr Ahmad agreed to receive a monthly salary of $40,000 per month, so amounting to some $480,000 per year, with an annual bonus of $80,000.

While this figure may have been determined by Executive Committee members without his input, Mr Ahmad did not reject the salary nor make it public.

Once again, no response was given when a question on this specific topic was put to both Mr Ahmad and Caf.

Ironically, the man whom Mr Ahmad displaced – Issa Hayatou – had gone without a salary for most of his 29-year reign.

The Cameroonian, who ruled Caf with an iron fist, took charge in 1988 but only accepted a salary, equivalent to $30,000 per month, in July 2016 – just eight months before the end of his decades-long rule.

He had however received a ‘representational payment’, which had grown to $90,000 per year by the time he left office.

Mr Ahmad, who took charge of Caf in March 2017, has two years left of his four-year term.- BBC Sports

State Media|The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is investigating over 200 cases of corruption-related crimes emanating from a varied spectrum of the economy and arrests will be effected soon, chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has said.

She said her commission was out on a mission to aggressively fight corruption and was different from previous bodies given that it was now headed by a judicial officer.

Justice Matanda-Moyo, who is also a High Court judge, said this in an interview at State House where seven ZACC commissioners were sworn in by President Mnangagwa.

“I do not have a person whom we can say he or she is an actual accused person. After we are through with our investigations that is when I will say this one I am taking to court and that one I am not taking to court. So for now we are still doing the investigation(s). We have got the Auditor-General’s report, NSSA audit report, Hwange issues, we have got Command Agriculture, we have got so many cases that we are handling at the moment. We have over 200 cases we are handling,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

She said she was impressed by the calibre of the commissioners that was sworn-in yesterday, saying they were from varied backgrounds thereby enriching the commission.

“We are quite happy with the curricula vitae of the commissioners, we have got auditors, accountants, police, lawyers, so we have got a very good team and I am confident that ZACC is going to perform with the type of commissioners that I have got,” she said.

Asked how different her commission was from previous ones, Justice Matanda-Moyo said: “I am very different. I am a judge and judges are honest people in society and once we take up particular missions we take it to its logical conclusion, so we are a very serious commission.”

The President appointed eight commissioners from a list of 12 that was submitted to him by Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee chaired by Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda which conducted public interviews last month.

At least 38 candidates were interviewed at Parliament Building in a process that was open to members of the public.

The decision to constitute a new ZACC body followed the resignation of the previous ZACC chairperson and commissioners in January this year.

Parliament received 152 nominations by the closing date of February 28, 2019 after flighting an advertisement inviting those interested to serve as commissioners to apply.

In terms of Sections 237 and 254 of the Constitution, Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders is mandated to nominate candidates for possible appointment by the President, to serve as ZACC commissioners as provided for in Chapter 13 of the Constitution.

After receipt of applications, the CSRO then carried out an exhaustive analysis of the nominated candidates to establish their suitability to serve on the commission, and shortlisted 38 candidates.

The government intends to decentralise industry so that a factory is built in each of the country’s 63 districts in a move meant to stimulate economic development.

This was revealed in the launched Zimbabwe National Industrial Policy (ZNIDP), to be implemented from 2019 to 2023. Part of the policy reads:

The government will promote industrialisation through the provision of incentives and targeted financing, policy support and business development services for the establishment of micro, small, medium and large scale manufacturing industries in rural areas in line with available local resources.

There shall be a deliberate thrust to develop factories in every district under the one district one factory concept. This will enhance the empowerment of marginalised rural communities.

The policy document further says that industrialisation will be based on the local resource endowment of specific areas;

Industrialisation will also be based on the local resource endowment of specific areas. Processing of traditional agricultural products such as sorghum, rapoko, marula fruits and mopane worms can spur the creation of new factories in source areas.

Local flora and fauna can also be used as raw materials in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines and as such, also offer value addition opportunities.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Highlanders FC and FC Platinum played a 1-1 draw in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

FC Platinum scored first in the 39th minute through Cameroonian striker Albert Eonde. Highlanders equalised in the second half through an Ariel Sibanda penalty.

Speaking after the match, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said:

The guys worked very hard. It is about character and fighting for each other. I am happy the boys are pushing and we are still on top.

Last week we had just 13 players available and today we had three youngsters from the under-19s. It is not easy at all.

His counterpart, Mandla Mpofu expressed unhappiness with the draw. He said:

We cannot make those kinds of mistakes that we made at this stage, but overall we played very well. It is two points lost than a point gained.

We are not happy with the result. The position that we are in is not looking good and we are not scoring goals; it is one aspect we have to work on.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa today officiated at the hand- over ceremony of medical equipment some of which include paediatric and diagnostic machines sourced from India to capacitate central hospitals around the country.

The handover ceremony, which was at NatPharm headquarters in Harare this afternoon, saw Mnangagwa commissioning the equipment was bought under the accelerated purchase system, and is targeting to refurbish Parirenyatwa, Harare Central, Chitungwiza Central, Mpilo and United Bulawayo hospitals.

This is the first consignment, with more expected in the next two months.

Health and Child Care ministry sources said the equipment includes state-of-the-art theatre furniture and key medical machines.

Below are pictures of some of the equipment:

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed optimism on the recently appointed anti graft commissioners adding that they have a major role entrusted to them in spearheading the fight against corruption.

He said:

“This morning I swore in seven new commissioners of the recently empowered and strengthened Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).

The new commission has a major role to play in spearheading our battle against graft. Their success is all our success.”

By Own Correspondent- A Lupane woman has left her community shocked after it emerged she was married to two men and had children with both of them.

Ms Siphathisiwe Mkandla (48) of Manansa village in Malunku ward cohabited with Mr John Mpala (55) and Mr Dolete Mlotshwa for the past three years.

Mr Mpala collapsed and died at their matrimonial home last month after complaining of chest pains and was buried at his uncle’s homestead in Sindombe area in the same ward.  Mr Mlotshwa is a gold panner in Inyathi.

A local publication was told that the three lovebirds lived together at Ms Mkandla’s homestead in Manansa village.

Mr Mlotshwa was reportedly once a domestic worker at Ms Mkandla’s homestead before they got married.  Messrs Mpala and Mlotshwa would take turns to visit Ms Mkandla in her bedroom hut for conjugal rights, which community leaders described as taboo.

Ms Mkandla confirmed that she was married to the two men and said she loved them both.

“I was pained by my husband’s death. He arrived home at around 6PM coming from a piece job and complained of a painful heart. He collapsed and died immediately after taking a bath. We had separated and he came back home on the insistence of our children who said he was leading a lonely life,” she said.

“At that time I was staying with Mlotshwa who was working in Inyathi and would be away for some time. They were both my husbands and I loved both of them. They never fought and they would buy each other gifts.” 

Mr Mpala’s family is reportedly locked in a wrangle with Ms Mkandla over his belongings including cattle, which the woman claims was left for the couple’s children. 

Malunku Ward 17 councillor Siduduzile Nkala said the whole community was still in shock.

Headman Ngubo, in whose area of jurisdiction the issue occurred said it was unheard of for two men to marry the same woman and live harmoniously together.

“This is taboo and is unheard of. She was married to two men who stayed together sharing food and they took turns to sleep with her. The woman built her homestead where she lived with both men,” said Headman Ngubo.

“What’s shocking is that the three ate from the same plate as a happy family. The two men had their separate bedrooms and took turns to sleep with the woman in her own bedroom. I told all my village heads that such things should not be allowed because it’s taboo.” 

Messrs Mpala and Mlotshwa were literally submissive to Ms Mkandla in whose name the homestead was registered while they were not formally in the village records.  Ms Mkandla was initially married to Mr Mpala and separated after bearing three children who are all adults.

Mr Mpala went to stay with his relatives in Sindombe area on the boundary with Nkayi.  During their separation, sources said, Ms Mkandla married Mr Mlotshwa with whom she has five children.  About three years ago, she reportedly reconciled with Mr Mpala who moved in with her in Manansa and the three started staying together.  Before he moved in, Mr Mpala had dragged Mr Mlotshwa to Chief Mabhikwa’s court where he (Mr Mlotshwa) was fined a cow for having an affair with a married woman.-StateMedia

GWANDA RURAL District Council is seeking to dispose of 11 lions to augment its finances.

In a recent notice to prospective buyers and wildlife lovers, the local authority called for expression of interest to buy the lions, indicating that site visit will be conducted at a day yet to be announced.

“Gwanda RDC is in possession of 11 lions currently being kept in captivity at Doddieburn Ranch in Gwanda District. The council holds a valid permit for such activities, issued in terms of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14,” the council notice read.

“Council wishes to dispose of the lions and thus seeks interested parties to lodge an expression of interest for the purchase of same.”

The local authority indicated that interested parties are advised to submit written letters, expressing interest to buy all or some of the lions.

“Furthermore, the interested party must make a commitment to abide by all the laws of the land governing such sales. The group consists of six-adult male lions, three-adult female lions, one sub-adult male and one female cub,” the council said.

The local authority advised interested parties to file their papers at council offices in Gwanda direct to the chief executive, Ronney Sibanda, before July 19.

Meanwhile, Gwanda municipality is also seeking land developers to service 337 medium density and 331 high density houses set for constructiont on a rocky mountainous area.

Gwanda town clerk Priscilla Nkala, in a notice, said the council was inviting eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in servicing the stands.

“Interested consultants should provide information, demonstrating that they possess the required qualifications, finances and relevant experiences to perform the services,” Nkala said.

She said the shortlisted consultants would be invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals.

“A compulsory site inspection will be conducted on July 15 and interested bidders should meet at the Municipality of Gwanda boardroom, after which a tour will be done,” Nkala said.

ANTI-CORRUPTION Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) has written a letter of complaint to Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi alleging lack of progress and interference by senior Zanu PF officials in a fraud case involving a Gokwe Zanu PF councillor.

The councillor, Samson Chigaba, is accused of using a fake Gokwe Rural Council rates receipt book to dupe unsuspecting villagers.

Chigaba, who is also a headmaster at Dzvuke Primary School, Mateta in Gokwe South, was arrested early 2017 and the matter was, however, removed from remand under unclear circumstances after trial had commenced.

Act-SA director Obert Chinhamo, in his letter addressed to Hodzi and copied to chairperson of the complainants dated June 19, 2019, stated that community members from Gokwe South were alleging interference in Chigaba’s case.

Chigaba’s ward falls under Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul Mavima’s constituency and villagers are suspecting that the accused could have used his Zanu PF connections to escape the charges.

“We have learnt through concerned community members from Gokwe South that there is alleged interference in the prosecution of Samson Chigaba who is a councillor at Gokwe South Rural District Council. It is alleged that the prosecution has been stopped due to interference by some high profile individuals,” Chinhamo’s letter reads.

“That being the case, we are kindly asking for your intervention to ensure that the matter is prosecuted to its logical conclusion.”

Chigaba appeared at Gokwe Magistrates’ Court and was granted ZW$100 bail. His case was remanded to November 9, 2017. Chinhamo said the matter was never prosecuted due to alleged interference and hence the outcry from villagers.

Allegations against Chigaba are that between December 6, 2015 and December 21, 2016 he used counterfeit Gokwe South Rural District Council receipt books to collect levies from unsuspecting villagers and converted the money to his own use.

Standard|President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his party, Zanu PF, have a ticking bomb on their lap. And they look quite cozy with that.

The so-called “mabhemba” wars — a group reference to violence involving militias who use all manner of weapons that include machetes, guns, swords, spears, bows and arrows, knives, as well as clubs — are festering in Midlands province. They are spreading to other parts of the country too.

Most of the violence has tended to mostly centre on the illegal extraction and sale of gold. Rival groups raid and fight each other for the gold. They maim and kill without remorse. And they do it with impunity too. The Midlands city of Kwekwe is the epicentre of the violence, but it’s happening in numerous other places that include rural areas.

In the rural areas, the militias fight for control of land, minerals while also settling family, ethnic and community disputes in a bloody way.

At the best, the police is helpless because the gangs are controlled by influential politicians with vested interests in illegal gold mining. At worst, the cops are getting bribes and conniving with the militias. As a result, most of the cases of murder and grievous harm to rival militias are being swept under the carpet. The judiciary is not helping matters either. Its officers are taking bribes to throw the crimes, but there is also a chance that, like the police, they are enmeshed in the “mabhemba” or machete wars and take home some rich pickings.

It’s not as though the goons behind these wars are unknown. The gang leaders walk around town and elsewhere with a spring in their step because they know that nothing will happen to them. They are the foot soldiers of the powerful politicians-cum-businesspeople. They pay their godfathers with gold and foreign currency and thus acquire immunity from arrests and prosecution. The militias talk about who their godfathers are with much ease, and have repeatedly named one Cabinet minister and senior Zanu PF members as the real warlords in Midlands.

There are two ominous aspects to these militia wars. One, as already averred, they have a political dimension. The gangsters are controlled by Zanu PF politicians. That’s why they have been attacking and, in some cases, killing opposition supporters in the past. They have, of late, also been targeting musicians who they regard as being anti-Zanu PF.

Two, the militias mostly have their origins in the illegal exploitation of natural resources — mainly gold in this case.

Now, that combination is worrying. Look around Africa for starters. The more than one hundred militias that have operated on the continent are or have been led by individuals with political ambitions. It’s been like that wherever you find militias. DRC, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Algeria, you name it. The lead warlords are always gunning for a share of political power. As they do that, they control regions or areas that are rich in natural resources that they use to launder money and fund their activities.

It would always be unfair and naïve to assume that the Midlands machete wars will remain as the ad hoc waves of violence targeting rival groups whose members go about wearing tattered clothes smeared with brown mud and looking like scarecrows. The truth is, they now pose a real national security threat. The wars are spreading unchecked. The militias are sponsored. They are busy creating a culture of violence that will repeat itself in all places where illegal, artisanal and established mining is taking place.

After that, they will spread to fights for the control of land, factories and ethnic groups.

But most worryingly, they are likely to degenerate into political militias. All you need are crazy and ambitious politicians who will see an opportunity to gain relevance through the use of organised violence. In their present form, the militia wars are centralised around Zanu PF. They are being led by a few individuals whose ultimate loyalty is to the ruling party.

Things may not stay the same, though. In the aftermath of the 2017 coup, Zanu PF looks fragile. Mnangagwa has not been able to sew the party together as much as his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, did. Current factional fissures can lead to splits. Once you have well-defined splits, opportunists will merge to lead various political groups.

That’s the time when some of them will look at the opportunity of turning the militias into more organised war gangs that will inevitably fight for control of territories that are rich in mineral and other natural resources.

There is another very present danger. In Africa, a coup almost always sires another coup. Zimbabwe is not an absolute exception. As it stands, there has been talk of fierce behind-the-scenes jostling for power in the post-coup period. The military, clearly, has a heavy presence in the current political dynamics here. Where the army has a say in where political power goes or doesn’t go, you know a coup is brewing on the horizon. It was like that during Mugabe’s time, and look at what happened in 2017.

More directly, there are reports — predictably refuted, of course — that Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, the former army boss — are not the best of friends despite ganging up to remove Mugabe.

Let’s say Chiwenga, a former general who would still enjoys strategic support in the army, gets really crazy and does a Mugabe on Mnangagwa.

That might present a very good chance for the militias to turn into a solid political militia.

It would be easy for the coup to be ethnicised. Mnangagwa is from the very cauldron of the machete violence, the Midlands, which is dominated by the Karanga ethnic community. Chiwenga is from Wedza in Mashonaland East, which is predominantly Zezuru.

Mnangagwa and/or his loyalists would then draw reinforcements from the Midlands-based militias to stage a war against Chiwenga in retaliation.

It’s easy for politicians from the Midlands who are loyal Mnangagwa to sell the hypothetical coup as a war against the Karanga.

Ethnic — pretty like religious conviction is a ready tool that warlords use.

It’s unflattering on the current president that he has in the past been accused of being the main godfather of some of the violent militia groups in the Midlands.

If that is true, then it would be easy to morph the gangs into an all-out rebel group backing Mnangagwa against Chiwenga and the Zezurus and whoever their other sympathisers might be.

And it’s also unflattering that the president has remained quiet as the militias spread mayhem in the Midlands and, now, other provinces.

Midlands is his home province and Kwekwe, his hometown.

Add to that, the fact that Owen Ncube, the man he made State Security minister last year, has repeatedly featured as a likely actor in this script of violence.

But things must done differently. The president and his government must get the police to act on this sweltering violence and stop the corruption related to it. And civil society, the opposition, human rights defenders, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the legislature must also play that part before the bomb explodes right in our faces.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma says there was a detailed plot to kill him in Durban during the recently held Fill up Moses Mabhida stadium show by Masikandi artist Khuzani Mpungose.

Khuzani became the second artist in the space of three months to fill up the stadium after South Afriiicas celebrated rapper, Cassper Nyovest, hosted a successful #FillUp concert in December.

Zuma who was giving his opening remarks at the Justice Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State capture said the plot to kill him involved people from outside South Africa who are suicide bombers.

Zuma said he has been quiet for a long time but has decided to speak out. “I find it important to tell this story before they kill me,” he said. Former South Africa’s strongman said he believed the commission was really created to have him coming and perhaps to find things to have on him.

Zuma on Monday asked to give his own address before he is asked questions by evidence leaders, following the testimony of nine witnesses, including current and former ministers Pravin Gordhan, Fikile Mbalula, Barbara Hogan and Ngoako Ramatlhodi, which the inquiry believes implicates him in alleged state capture.-wires

Auditor General (AG) Mildred Chiri has expressed concern over the disappearance of a donation of 600 000 litres of fuel by a South African company.

The fuel was meant to transport prisoners, but it cannot be properly accounted for by the Ministry of Justice.

Chiri revealed this in her 2018 audit report of the Justice ministry. She said the ministry entered into an arrangement with the South African company to donate four million litres of diesel to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).

“The Ministry of Justice, on behalf of ZPCS, went on to obtain a duty-free certificate for the waiver of duty of $2 460 000, and it also entered into an arrangement with National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC) for the storage of the fuel,” Chiri said.

But she said records provided by the Justice ministry showed that 39 010 litres were delivered on December 31, 2018.

“However, records for the same period provided by Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED), who are the official transporters of the diesel, indicate that the transporter had withdrawn a total of 672 500 litres from the facility storage at the NOIC depot,” Chiri said.

“Audit was not furnished with details of how 642 490 litres of the diesel withdrawn from the NOIC depot was used and accounted for. This was in violation of section 69 (i) and (ii) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.”

The AG said the risk was that the fuel might have been diverted to the commercial fuel market and government prejudiced of revenue in excess of $2 540 000 coming from various levies which were waived on the pretext that the products were for government use.

“The ministry should obtain all the relevant documentation and reconciliations of the deliveries made to date and the remaining balance of the facility. There should be proper accounting of the fuel receipt; issuance and running balance collaborated with adequate documentation and physical checks,” Chiri said.

The Justice ministry’s response to the audit observation was that in collaboration with the South African fuel donor Gloew Trading (Pvt) Ltd they were compiling relevant documentation and reconciliation of deliveries made to date.

Chiri also revealed that the Justice ministry, which oversees the ZPCS Fund, diverted $80 003 meant to meet medical expenses for prisoners without Treasury authority and instead used it for medical expenses for ZPCS employees.

She said it was wrong because the amount was used for expenses not covered by the fund’s constitution.

“Authority should always be obtained from Treasury before the Fund’s resources are used for expenses not covered by its constitution,” the AG said.

-The Standard

Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has sensationally claimed that he always receive phone calls from teachers, soldiers and police among other civil servants begging him to return the United States dollars.

Addressing a rally in Masvingo yesterday, Chamisa said he is smelling power and would provide everything the country needs.

Said Chamisa:

“Teachers, soldiers, police and prison guards always phone me asking me to return the United States dollar. I have told them I am not in power right now although I am the winner of the elections. Once I am in power, which I am smelling, I would provide everything that you need.”

The Bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ are as follows:

USD = ZWL$8.7709
ZWL$ = RAND1.5901

More: Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe

On the parallel market, the USD is trading at between ZWL$900 to ZWL$940 per USD100 for transfer while cash is trading at between ZWL$660 and ZWL$720.

VIEW PICTURES BELOW…

MASVINGO High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo on Monday 15 July 2019 ended the detention of MDC National Vice-Chairperson Hon. Job Sikhala after granting him ZWL$5 000 bail.

Hon. Sikhala had been detained at Masvingo Remand Prison after he appeared before Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa at Bikita Magistrates Court on Thursday 11 July 2019 and remanded in custody after he was arrested and charged with plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

As part of his bail conditions, Justice Wawambo also ordered Hon. Sikhala to report once per week on Fridays at St Mary’s Police Station in Chitungwiza until the matter is finalised and to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court at Bikita Magistrates Court.

The Zengeza West legislator, who was represented by Jeremiah Bamu, Tinomuda Shoko and Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights, was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and investigations and to continue residing at his residence in St Mary’s high-density suburb in Chitungwiza until the matter is finalised.

Hon. Sikhala was detained on Tuesday 9 July 2019 and charged with subverting constitutional government as defined in section 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors alleged that Hon. Sikhala advocated for the overthrowing of government through unconstitutional means during his address to some MDC party supporters at a political rally held on Saturday 6 July 2019 at Mandadzaka Primary School in Bikita in Masvingo province.

He returns to Bikita Magistrates Court on Wednesday 24 July 2019.

By A Correspondent- A gang of five notorious armed robbers, who were arrested in Chipinge after terrorising business people in the district through their criminal activities, were this week hauled before the courts and locked up in remand prison.

The five — Michael Chimukuze (45), of 2386 Chinzanga Township, Mutoko, Paidamoyo Nemusasa (28), of 4774 Unit J Seke, Chitungwiza, Tsvuura Tsvuura (36), of Newlands, Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza and William Mazambani (33), of Mutekede Village, under Chief Rusambo, Rushinga appeared before magistrate Mr Farai Gwitima, facing an assortment of armed robbery and unlawful entry charges.

The gang, which had become notorious for its blunt use of firearms and other deadly weapons, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Mr Gift Bikita successfully opposed bail arguing that the suspects would interfere with investigations and skip the country, among other transgressions.

“The court should deny all the accused persons bail because they may jeopardise investigations. There are also chances that the accused may skip the country once freed from prison custody, therefore bail is opposed,” he said.

Mr Gwitima concurred with the State, and remanded the matter to July 18 for trial.

Mr Bikita said on May 28, the gang, which was armed with two pistols, iron bars and knives, pounced at a Mapuranga homestead posing as police officers.

“They posed as police officers and demanded to see Jacob Mapuranga. During the commotion they pointed the firearms at the victims and demanded cash. They assaulted everyone at the homestead and ransacked the house in search of cash. The gang took a bag containing various clothing items worth about $750,” he said.

Mr Bikita said pursuant to their mission, the gang organised another robbery on June 10, 2019.

“The gang approached the Zivachako homestead at Kondo Business Centre. They jumped over the precast wall and manhandled two male adults who were sleeping on the veranda. The gang then manhandled the premise proprietor Pamela Penyakufa and force marched her into her bedroom. They took US$24 000, R44 200 and RTGS$2 859 from her and vanished from the scene,” he said.

Mr Bikita said the gang went on to commit another robbery the following week at Chibuwe Business Centre.

“On June 28, the suspects pounced on Samuel Maadza’s homestead stole R186, 000 and RTGS$17, 000,” he said.

Mr Bikita said the detectives intercepted one of the culprits William Mazambani, who was driving a Toyota Chaser which was used to commit some of the crimes.

“A manhunt was carried resulting in the arrest of the criminals following a violent exchange of gunfire with detectives. The ring leader Tsvuura was shot on the left leg during the gun exchange. Their arrest led to the recovery of a Toyota Harrier, a pistol charged with seven rounds of live ammunition and a toy pistol,” he said.-ManicaPost

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has described the “entire” Zanu PF system as evil.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at Mucheke Stadium on Sunday, Chamisa said Emmerson Mnangagwa and the whole Zanu PF system must go.

“Let me tell you that I am facing a difficult time as your leader.

It’s not easy to battle against an evil system.

Yes Mnangagwa must go but the whole system has to go.

Remember this is not about individuals -so we are saying Mnangagwa and the whole system must go,” said Chamisa.

“These people are evil. They denied us an opportunity to see Hon Job Sikhala.

Sometimes they act like possessed people.We are saying enough is enough.”

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

The opposition MDC has claimed that the recently held by-elections for Nyanga South Constituency, Ward 26 and Bikita East Constituency, Ward 32 were not held in a level play field.

The party claims that there was intimidation of voters and vote buying. ZANU PF won in both wards.

Speaking to New Zimbabwe, MDC Secretary for elections, advocate Jacob Mafume, said:

We want to place it on record that the election environment is still characterised by closure of democratic space and abuse of State entities to the benefit Zanu PF.

Our vice national chairman was arrested for statements made on the campaign trial. This creates barriers for free campaigns but more importantly the episode was meant to intimidate the people of Bikita.

Mafume also cited the example of reports that Zanu PF’s national commissar Victor Matemadanda had requested for medicines to be delivered to clinics in Lupane East as part of a by-election campaign.

In May this year, MDC Alliance won the Mutasa constituency ward 10 by-elections but had lost the Cowdray Park, Bulawayo by-elections.

The Bikita ward by-election is held when MDC deputy national chairman, Job Sikhala, is in remand prison, charged with subversion of a constitutionally elected government. He had remarked that his party would overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa before scheduled elections in 2023.

The High Court of Zimbabwe has delayed the judgment for more than 10 months, allegedly without reason the case of former Information and Communications Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira, who is being sued US$350 000 by former Rainbow Airline founder Frank Humbe for failing to pay after he acquired the business.

The matter, which is being handled by High Court Judge Justice Clement Phiri started in 2016, but the trial only started in September and finished in October last year. More than 10 months later both parties are still waiting for the judgment to bring the matter to finality, sources close to the matter noted.

After the completion of the trial in October last year Justice Phiri set aside the ruling saying he needed time to prepare and both parties have been waiting without any communication.

Humbe and Mandiwanzira reached a deal for the former minister to buy Rainbow airline in 2015, but the latter failed to honour his side of the deal leading to Humbe cancelling the agreement on February 12, 2017. Mandiwanzira then offered to pay US$50 000 upfront as a compromise.

It is also alleged that Mandiwanzira further offered to pay monthly payments of US$10 000 until the US$355 419 was fully extinguished and Humbe accepted the offer.

However, Mandiwanzira allegedly failed to pay again and refused to honour the agreement, but still took over the business and is now running it solely.

In his defence, Mandiwanzira said he never breached the terms of contract, but that they were still to reach an agreement on the terms of payment.

The airline has since been grounded after making only three flights. Its office at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International now houses Tanzania Airline offices.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Marange villagers have called on the government to halt new mining operations in Chiadzwa by Chinese diamond company Anjin claiming that it has a “dark past” including human rights abuses.

This comes after the government last week through Mines minister Winston Chitando announced the resumption of mining operations by Anjin Diamond Company in Chiadzwa.

Anjin operated in Chiadzwa from 2009 to 2016 before government revoked licences of diamond companies mining in Chiadzwa leading to the formation of the Zimbabwe Consolidation Diamond Company (ZCDC).

At a Press conference yesterday in Mutare the Amalgamated Chiadzwa Development Communities Trust (ACDCT), Marange Chapter chairperson Jay Kasakara, who was flanked by Centre for Research and Development director James Mupfumi, said in the past Anjin flouted environmental laws.

“The (ACDCT) is deeply saddened by the decision by government to allow new diamond mining operations in Marange without following due process. In the past three months the ACDCT has observed in dismay the unregulated diamond mining activities taking place in Chiadzwa by Anjin Diamond Company, which has a dark past,” he said.

“This unfortunate decision was confirmed by minister Winston Chitando on a local radio station. Anjin was one of the mining companies that also started mining operations in Chiadzwa community in 2009 without the approved environmental assessment plan,” he said

“Their mining activities destroyed the community infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, degraded farming land, sacred areas and contaminated sources of (drinking) water,” he said

“Over 4 000 cattle were lost after falling into mining pits, gullies and slime dams, around 450 families were relocated to Arda Transau without secured livelihoods and compensation for their losses,” he said

“ACDCT calls upon the government to immediately halt new mining developments in Marange and move with speed to implement some reforms such as undertaking a human rights due diligence process for the people of Marange to claim compensation for adverse impacts caused by Anjin Diamond mining,” he said

Mupfumi said the government should immediately stop secretive mining practices in Marange that are resulting in all sorts of human rights violations.

“The government has a constitutional obligation to protect human rights, the government is shielding opacity in Marange in order to maintain selfish interests,” he said.=Newsday

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga continues to miss key state events with the former army commander conspicuous by his absence at the State House today where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was swearing in the new Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Government has not explained why the powerful vice President has been absent from duty for more than two months with speculation rife that he could be in India where he is receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe has of late recorded an upsurge in incidents of abductions and intimidation of citizens by State security agents as government becomes increasingly intolerant of discontent, human rights watchdog, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has indicated in its latest report.

“Opposition MDC activists, labour union representatives from Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) and anyone suspected of planning protests against the worsening economic conditions that the country is facing have all been targeted,” the ZPP report reads.

“ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure was abducted from his home and tortured on June 6 by suspected State agents. The assailants, armed with rifles, broke into Masaraure’s home at midnight, confiscated his wife’s phone and force-marched him to the bushes where he was beaten and interrogated. The perpetrators accused Masaraure of encouraging teachers to revolt against government.”

ZPP said that cases recorded during the month show that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is getting increasingly intolerant to dissent.

“This could explain the 30% increase in violations from the month of May to June from 157 to 204. Mashonaland Central province proved to be the hotspot of intimidation and harassment violations accounting for 40% of cases followed by Harare at 14,9% and Mashonaland East at 12,4%,” the report reads.

“Discrimination most likely around food and other aid distribution also keeps increasing; from 27 cases in May to 33 in the month of June. The increase could be as a result of the worsening economic situation that has led to an increase in the number of vulnerable families. Food aid meant for such families is unfortunately manipulated at distribution points.”

ZPP noted that the Mnangagwa-led administration has resorted to the same tricks of ruling through intimidation and fear that former President Robert Mugabe’s government used to stamp out dissent in its citizens.

“ARTUZ representatives in Harare (Obert Masaraure), Gweru (Godfrey Chanda) and Masvingo (Lawrence Mapengo) have been victimised by State security agents for advocating for a strike protesting poor salaries for teachers. The union representatives are accused of being a destabilising force against the government,” ZPP said.

“This victimisation has degenerated to such (an extent) that Chanda is being hounded out of his job by the community together with headmaster Wapwanyika Blazio Mawire of Chiweshe Primary School where he teaches. Chanda received a signed and stamped letter addressed to the provincial education director on June 14 appealing for the removal of the teacher from the school. The letter listed nine different reasons why he must be removed, ‘Chanda has recently been too political . . . has shown that he cannot teach Zanu-PF children’.”

ZPP also noted that opposition political party members or anyone who dared criticise the current regime were being targeted.

It reported that on June 4 in Gutu North Wards 8, 12, 33, 34, and 37 unidentified members of the Criminal Investigation Department and the army went into suspected MDC supporters houses and harassed them at night in connection with planned MDC protests against the country’s deteriorating economic condition.

In Mazowe Central at Tsungubvi Old Clinic in Glendale Ward 17, Zanu-PF chairperson Jonathan Kudangirwa, Cain Mota and other party activists reportedly convened a residents meeting on June 7, threatening to deal with petitioners, it added.

“Kudangirwa and his colleagues warned residents not to participate in mass demonstrations. They alleged that the ruling party had acquired enough ammunition to deal with petitioners. They were quoted saying that-PFuti tinadzo dzokupfura mapenzi (We have enough guns to shoot fools). They also warned that those who will participate in demonstrations will live to regret it,” ZPP reported.

“The deteriorating economic situation in the country is most certainly an area of concern and may likely be a trigger for volatile reactions from citizens.” ZPP said cases of abductions and intimidation need be reported and acted upon.

“Therefore, ZPP will be actively working with key stakeholders to ensure that these violations are timely reported and where possible, acted upon to preserve lives,” the report read.

“Threats of aggressively confronting the government (MDC Youth Assembly) together with those of retaliatory responses (Zanu-PF) make for a tense and possibly a volatile confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition,” ZPP reported. “. . . .these threats and counter threats may breed a toxic ground for conflict, therefore, ZPP will closely follow unfolding events.”

During bail hearing proceedings at Masvingo High Court for the release of Hon. Job Sikhala represented by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the State has made a shock request that Hon. Job Sikhala be released on $50 000 bail&be barred from addressing any political gatherings.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe plans to set up at least one factory in each of the country’s 63 districts as authorities attempt to improve standards of living for people in economically backward areas.

The recently launched Zimbabwe National Industrial Policy (ZNIDP), spanning 2019-2023, intends to promote decentralisation of industrialisation initiatives in line with devolution that recognises that the majority of Zimbabweans are domiciled in the rural areas.

“Government will promote industrialisation through provision of incentives and targeted financing, policy support and business development services for the establishment of micro, small, medium and large scale manufacturing industries in rural areas in line with available local resources. There shall be a deliberate thrust to develop factories in every district under the one district one factory concept. This will enhance the empowerment of marginalised rural communities,”partly reads the policy.

In the 2019 budget, Treasury allocated $310 million to facilitate the devolution of power to provincial councils following an outcry from marginalised communities.

The policy encourages youths, women and disadvantaged people to participate in projects in the rural areas targeting naturally available products.

Development of rural industries will be facilitated through linkages between higher education institutions and the private sector thereby encouraging research and development in processing and packaging of naturally available products.

According to the policy, provincial and district authorities will be required to come up with local industrialisation and incentive frameworks which are in line with the ZNIDP and the devolution agenda. This will bring government closer to local communities and enhance responsive, accountable and participatory industrial development.

“Industrialisation will also be based on the local resource endowment of specific areas. Processing of traditional agricultural products such as sorghum, rapoko, marula fruits and mopani worms can spur the creation of new factories in source areas. Local flora and fauna can also be used as raw materials in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines and as such, also offer value addition opportunities,” the policy further reads.

Economist John Robertson, however, said only the right environment would attract manufacturers.

“In fact, any hint that the government believes in central planning and that it might try to make industrialists adapt their ideas to fit in with a central planning policy is enough to discourage most of the world’s industrialists. The Zimbabwe national industrial development policy needed is one that will promise investors that government will do its best to facilitate and assist investors, not dominate or regulate them,” said Robertson.
Zimbabwe once boasted of a well integrated and diversified industrial sector based on strong linkages with agriculture, mining, construction and commerce.

However over the past two decades, the economy has suffered massive de-industrialisation and rapid informalisation.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Government is crafting an incentive to promote investments into solar energy to reduce pressure on grid electricity, whose generation is currently depressed due to low water levels in Kariba Dam.

This was said by Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi in an interview with The Herald last week.

The move comes at a time when the country is contending with low power generation from Kariba South Hydro Plant due to low water levels, resulting in rolling power outages lasting up to 12 hours in some areas.

Similarly, Hwange Thermal Power Station’s generation units are now old and require regular maintenance to ensure steady power generation.

Minister Chasi believes the current challenges at both Kariba and Hwange Thermal power stations require incentivising solar energy investments so that the country takes advantage of the over 300 days of sunshine per year.

“We don’t make solar panels or any other solar equipment, so they have to be bought at those (obtaining) prices,” he said. “But what we are actively looking at now is how we can incentivise investments into solar.

“So, we are currently looking at that. Once we are clear on the incentive, we will then be able to communicate to the public.”

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube conceded last week that it was time Zimbabwe embraced renewable energy, especially solar.

“We have been too slow in embracing renewable energy sources, we have so much sunshine, why can’t we have solar farms,” he said.

Experts say Zimbabwe has an average radiation level of 2 100kw/m2 per year, compared to 1 400kw/m2 in most parts of Europe, but the country is not exploiting the sun for the benefit of industry and domestic consumers.

If fully exploited, solar could feed up to 10 000 gigawatt hours of electricity per annum into the grid.

Minister Chasi wants most institutions, including airports, to be powered by solar to reduce dependence on grid electricity.

“We also think that airports are good candidates for solar power,” he said. “So, I will be engaging the Ministry of Transport in that connection.

“This (drive to adopt solar) is not only confined to airports, but we would like to encourage all entities to invest in solar power to assure themselves of uninterrupted power supply and business continuity.”-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo| Former opposition MDC parliamentarian Jessie Majome will this morning be sworn in as one of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commissioners (ZACC) at a ceremony currently underway at the State House.

Majome previously tried her luck for the Prosecutor General which eventually went to Kumbirai Hodzi.

She later emerged on the shortlist of candidates that were interviewed for the ZACC commissioners where she made it.

More to follow…

Year on Year inflation for June 2019 measured has gone up from 97.85% in May to 175.66% in what signals that things are moving in the wrong direction for the country.

According to Zimstats, Month on Month inflation was 39.26% from 12.54% in the previous month. Food Basket Inflation measured at 251.94%.

More to follow….

Chiredzi Town Council is reportedly being defrauded of thousands of dollars by employees through underhand dealings, a source has revealed.

According to a source close to the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, two years ago council allegedly bought drums of tar for a road project carried out by Tensor Systems in the town’s low-density area.

Ten drums that were left after Tensor completed the project were kept in the warehouse. When council decided to patch up potholes around the town this year, the stores and engineering departments allegedly persuaded the procurement committee, chaired by town secretary Charles Muchatukwa, to buy the tar which they said belonged to Tensor.

The money for the tar was allegedly transferred into private accounts resulting in council losing money in the process.

In another case Tensor is alleged to have received $50 000 as advance payment from council to enable them to commence the construction of a 2,4km West Road when, in fact, the money was supposed to come from the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration.

“The issue of 10 drums is just a tip of an iceberg. A lot has been happening, where council is made to buy its own goods.

“Right now, there are three drums in the warehouse, which were left by Clime Construction when they surfaced part of Lion Drive three years ago. Chances are high that council is going to buy them again. I do not know if the procurement committee is not aware of the scam or they share the proceeds.

“We are not sure if the $50 000 was paid to Tensor or it is just a way of siphoning council funds, because the whole thing does not add up,” said the source

Council chairperson referred all questions to the town secretary, saying he was not aware of the issue.

“You can get hold of the town secretary. I am not aware of such things,” Gibson Hwende said.

Contacted for comment, the stores manager James Sithole referred questions to the town engineer, Wesley Kauma.

“Who told you such information? I am away right now. Why don’t you ask the town engineer?” Sithole said.

Council road supervisor Derek Chisayino laughed at the allegations concerning his company and said he was not aware of the whole thing.

“I don’t understand it. How can council buy its own tar?” laughed Chisayino.

Town secretary Charles Muchatukwa could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered and he did not respond to questions texted to him.

United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) secretary Benard Dachi called for an urgent audit by external auditors.

“We are urging that an urgent audit be carried out to get to the bottom of the matter.

“We cannot allow such leakages to go unabated because our council is already cash-strapped and is failing to meet some of its financial obligations,” Dachi said.

-Newsday

Zimbabwe national Netball team, the Gems, are at 10 am (Zimbabwe time) set to face New Zealand in their first game in the Preliminaries Stage two.

The Gems advanced to this stage as second best from Group A. Each of the four groups (A-D) had to submit three teams to this level. Therefore, there are twelve teams in this stage which have been put into two groups.

These teams will fight for a semi-final slot which only need the top two teams in both groups. The remaining eight will play for overall positioning whilst the bottom finishers from the first stage, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Fiji and Samoa form Group E where they play for position 13 to 16.

ECONET Wireless has increased the tariffs for its data Bouquets. New prices for daily, weekly and monthly, in that order, are as follows:

By Own Correspondent- Cabinet has raised the age of criminal responsibility from seven years up to ten.

The decision is said to have been arrived at after considering that children acquire maturity at different stages.

The amendment means that law offenders who are under 10 years of age now have court and jail immunity. At the moment, minors from seven years upwards can be dragged to the courts or sent to young offenders’ prisons.

The development was confirmed by Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza.

She said that Cabinet has approved principles of the Bill, which include a review of the age of criminal responsibly.

Speaking to the Sunday Mail, Mabhiza said:Cabinet approved principles stipulating 10 years as the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

The previous position in terms of Section 7 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23), stipulating rebuttable culpability, would have seen a child as young as seven years facing the formal justice system.

Mabhiza added that the current position on the age of criminal responsibility is extreme and a remnant of the common law absorbed from the former colonial system hence the need to be amended in line with the new Constitution.

It would also be in resonance with recommendations by the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights. It notes that member States must fix the age of criminal responsibility for juveniles at a low age and must consider issues to do with emotional, mental and intellectual maturity.-StateMedia

State Media|The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill is expected to be resubmitted to Parliament by end of October, this time incorporating issues that President Mnangagwa expressed concern over.

The President sent the Bill back to Parliament in terms of Section 131(6)(b) of the Constitution, with reservations over some sections which he felt violated the national supreme law.

Parliament has set timelines guiding the law drafting division of the Attorney-General’s Office, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

The timelines will also see the Ministry of Mines submitting the amended Gold Trade Act and Precious Stones Trade Act to Parliament by October 30, 2019.

This was said by Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda while addressing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines in Kariba last Friday.

He said the strict timelines have been occasioned by the realisation that the mining sector plays a critical role in economic development, especially in relation with the attainment of Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society.

“There we are, our law is not in place and that will defeat the aspirations of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) of achieving US$12 billion gross turnover from this sector by 2023,” said Adv Mudenda.

“So, there must be a sense of urgency and ensuring that not later than October, the Bill must be reconsidered and approved by Parliament and sent back to His Excellency, the President, for his assent and signature.

“It will mean a lot of hard work from all the stakeholders involved.”

President Mnangagwa had reservations over the farmer-miner relations, mining title and dispute resolution mechanisms, among others.

The President felt that some provisions of the original Bill had the potential to impinge on property rights.

“The reservations by His Excellency the President E.D. Mnangagwa will be incorporated into the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill by the Attorney General by 15 September 2019,” reads part of the resolutions.

Adv Mudenda added that the sticking points on the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill were that the list on strategic minerals in Section 5 was not exhaustive as it left out gold and diamonds.

“On the farmer-miner relationship, it was agreed that there is need to balance the interests of both groups noting that mining operations should not reverse the gains of the Zimbabwe land reform programme,” said Adv Mudenda.

The original Bill had no clear definition of artisanal and small-scale miners, only defining them as “a holder of a mining location who is not a large-scale miner”.

Also outstanding was the lack of clear timeframes for mining dispute resolution.

The committee resolved that a steering committee to work on the Draft Bill and report to the Parly Committee should be set up.

It shall be made up of the Portfolio Committee on Mines, the Attorney General’s office, senior staff in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela).

The steering committee expects to complete its work by September 30, 2019.

The committee also resolved that Zela’s petition be expeditiously dealt with.

Adv Mudenda hailed the increase in petitions submitted to Parliament in line with Section 149(1) of the Constitution, saying it showed greater involvement of the people in legislative and national governance processes.

The petition, among other things, implores Parliament to ensure the public and civil society play a major role in legislative processes relating to responsible investments.

Zela’s petition was submitted on May 6, 2019.

A 19-year-old man from Nkayi drowned in Bubi-Lupane Dam while his colleague was rescued by villagers after their makeshift boat capsized.

Mbekezeli Nkomo of Magasi Village in Nkayi and Mr Thembani Ncube (21) of New Stands in Lupane were herding cattle when they decided to row with a makeshift boat they found on the edge of the dam on Thursday afternoon.

Nkomo was employed as a herdboy in Mpofu Village.
His body was retrieved by the police sub-aqua unit on Sunday morning.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said Nkomo went with Mr Ncube and their two other friends Mr Cain Ncube (32) and Mr Mpumelelo Ncube (33) to herd cattle near Bubi-Lupane Dam.

Nkomo allegedly failed to swim to the edge of the dam and drowned while his friend Thembani survived by clinging onto the boat after it capsized.State media

A sixteen-YEAR-OLD Mutare Girls’ High pupils was found with mbanje — traceable to Ghana — and whisky at school last week in an incident that could underline the extent drug abuse has permeated the country’s education sector.

It is still a mystery how the girl (whose name cannot be published) sourced marijuana from the West African country.

It could not be established too how many times she had sneaked both the whisky-spiced drink and the drug into the school premises and the extent it had affected other pupils.

Mutare Girls High School head Mrs Tendai Patricia Matongera was tight-lipped when The Herald sought a comment over the incident.

She referred all questions on the matter to her superiors at the district education office in Mutare.

Mutare District Schools Inspector Mr Creezin Chofamba confirmed the incident.

“It is true there is a child who was withdrawn by a guardian from the school,” he said. “She will go to a day school where they will be able to monitor her.

“She was found with some items that include whisky-spiced drink and mbanje. The mbanje was well packaged and the labels on it showed it originated from Ghana.”

The pupil frequently visits her parents in South Africa and only enrolled at Mutare Girls High for Form One.

“The history of this girl is that her parents are in South Africa,” said Mr Chofamba. “She often visits them in South Africa. She did her primary school in South Africa and only came to Zimbabwe when she was doing Form One.

“Her exposure is wide. The kind of drugs found in her possession were not home-made. The mbanje was packaged in Ghana and its labels showed it originated from Ghana. We will try to find out how widespread it (drug abuse) had gone.”-State media