President Mnangagwa yesterday held successful bilateral talks here with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to find lasting solutions to Zimbabwe’s power problems, clearing the way for officials from the two countries to meet soon for a new power supply arrangement.

The President said Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi would soon lead a delegation to SA to finalise a new power supply deal, that should ease electricity woes in the country.

“With President Ramaphosa we met and we were sharing challenges we are facing and, in particular energy shortages.

“We exchanged views on how we can deal with that issue. Of course, our Zesa owes Eskom quite a lot of money and they have been able to pay US$10 million last week to reduce that debt.

“This enables them to have discussions and I think our Minister of Energy (Cde Fortune Chasi) will go to South Africa next week to discuss some new arrangements,” he said.

Last week Government paid US$10 million to reduce the debt owed by Zesa to South Africa’s Eskom.

The Head of State and Government also said that they discussed the conditions set by the United States of America at the America-Africa Forum in Mozambique recently before unveiling a US$60 billion facility to Africa.

“We interrogated the conditions of accessing that fund,” he said.

President Mnangagwa has made it clear that Zimbabwe will not accept the facility since it had strings attached.

On the launch of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by the African Union, President Mnangagwa said it was a success story for Zimbabwe to be part of the process.

He said the AU agreed to give Zimbabwe a 15-year period to retool its industries and commerce that have been brought to their knees by the economic sanctions imposed by the US, Britain and their Western allies.

“For Zimbabwe it was a huge success because we succeeded in depositing our instruments, so we were number 23 and we have managed to get a window to develop our industry and commerce so that we catch up with the rest of the world and we got a 15-year reprieve.

“It has gone very well. We signed the protocol (African Continental Free Trade Area) in Kigali (in Rwanda), but we entered a reservation because of sanctions imposed on us which have rendered our industry and commerce uncompetitive in the market,” he said.

Apart from Zimbabwe, four other countries —Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia and Eritrea — also requested for derogation.

-State Media

–

THE MDC has thrown its weight behind traditional leaders who are calling upon President Emmerson Mnangagwa to apologise over the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres.

Last week, Mnangagwa met chiefs from Matabeleland and Midlands provinces whose areas were affected by Gukurahundi where an estimated 20 000 people were killed by the North Korean-trained 5th Brigade soldiers. Thousands more were displaced during the disturbances.

The chiefs demanded that Mnangagwa, who was State Security minister during that period, apologise for massacres before a healing process can be conducted to give closure to the
contentious issue. They also demanded that Mnangawa should not lead the healing process because he was part of the offending party and called for an independent mediator to convene the
hearings.

In an interview with Southern Eye, MDC spokesperson Daniel Molokeli and his deputy Luke Tamborinyoka said an apology will be the best foot forward for the President who has indicated he
wants to tackle the thorny issue.

“Mnangagwa continues to portray and sing the rhetoric of reforms. We have not seen the substance of his rhetoric – from law reform to Gukurahundi,” Tamborinyoka told Southern Eye.

“Gukurahundi, outside of an outright apology to the people of Zimbabwe in general and the people of Matabeleland and Midlands in particular, Mnangagwa is once again taking everyone up
the garden path. An apology is free and it does not cost money, neither does it require a committee. All it needs is sincerity.”

Molokeli said an all-stakeholder approach that is not controlled by government would effectively deal with the Gukurahundi issue.

“We need an all-stakeholder approach, a process that will not be partisan. It is important that Zimbabwe goes through a process of opening up a truth and reconciliation process, a
process that would not be controlled by government. We need something bigger and broader that is not controlled by the political forces at play,” he said.

On Mnangagwa’s dialogue process, Molokeli said it is a futile attempt.

“Whatever process the President has come up with, we are not sure of whether it is the right path, so it’s not something that we support. So at the end of the day, we have reservations
about this process and it is up to ED (Mnangagwa) to prove himself that he really means business. At the moment, we will just wait and see,” Molokeli said.

Mnangagwa is on record saying he will only apologise for Gukurahundi if the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission says he must do so.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda has encouraged all political players to bury their differences and work towards the development of the nation. 

“I have seen a scenario here in Gweru where all the 18 local councillors are from the MDC-Alliance.

“This means Zanu-PF did not perform well here and the contestants conceded that they did not win the election. What then surprises me is that there are some political leaders who are not admitting that they were defeated.

“They contested in court, but still did not win. We are way past the election period, but they have not woken up to reality. I want to urge all political players that unity and tolerance is key to development,” he said.

The political commissar took a swipe at retailers charging exorbitant prices and underhand pricing in foreign currency saying the new dispensation will not tolerate efforts to derail the development path that the nation has taken.

“Those with pharmacies that are overcharging their products and letting people die, be warned! Those transporters who are giving their vehicles to reckless drivers who are overcharging passengers are also warned that we are coming there!”

He also took time to explain the ongoing austerity measures as a means to achieve a middle income economy.

“As a nation we really needed to get to a point when we adopt our own currency. No nation has ever developed using foreign currency. We want our youth, women and vendors to contribute towards national development.

“They can only do that if they transact using local currency. “The American dollar is currently being manipulated by economic sharks who want to further cripple our economy. We are now in the process of formalising the informal economy.”

Cde Matemadanda applauded urban dwellers for their stance towards the stayaways that were called for by some political parties.

“I am proud of your response to the call for stayaway that was being organised by enemies of the State. Well done for shunning that call. You value your work and you know very well that such actions will not put food on your tables, but disturb your peace”

He also took a swipe at corrupt individuals in parastatals and Government institutions saying that the new dispensation will totally deal with corrupt people. “You cannot afford to be half-right and half-corrupt. It’s either you are corrupt or not. And corrupt individuals will not be tolerated by the current administration.”

Own Correspondent| The Harare City Council‘s fire division suspects that the fire that destroyed part of Walter Magaya‘s hotel in Waterfalls started when workers started a generator.

The Fire Division also noted with great concern that there were no emergency exits in the boarding houses.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Mr Lovemore Mafukidze has confirmed that preliminary investigations point to the generator.

“Information gathered by both attending officers suggests that as there was no electricity in the area and the fire started soon after the occupants had started their generator for lighting purposes of the hotel complex.

“It might have been an electrical fault. The Division also noted with great concern that there were no emergency exits in the boarding houses. Therefore, the Division recommends that these emergency exits be made available.” he said.

“On 4 July 2019, there was a fire at PHD Ministries Hotel in Waterfalls. The Hotel covers an area of approximately 80 by 70 metres and the affected area which is the southern end of the hotel complex covers an area of approximately 40 by 30 metres used as boarding houses.

“The Emergency Services received a call at 17:38 hours, two fire tenders were promptly dispatched to the scene of fire, and a water carrier responded at 17:53 hours together with a command vehicle,” Mr Mafukidze said.

He said the team faced no challenges to put down the fire as they were fully equipped and had enough manpower.

“The Division faced no challenges at all since water was readily available. The first attending Officer in charge on mobilising control room informed them that the building was well alight so did the second attending officer in charge.

“A portable pump was set up drawing water from the swimming pool within the hotel to replenish the first attending fire engine.

“Two hose reels, one jet, and four breathing apparatus were used during the fire fighting process. Another water carrier arrived at 18:21 hours with additional water.

The Assistant Divisional Officer attended at 18:21 and directed fire fighting operations thereby preventing the spread of fire to other wings.

The fire was declared under control at 18:43 hours and damping down continued up to 20:01 hours when fire fighting was complete,” Mr Mafukidze said.

The MDC Youth Assembly today intensified the #GoRuralCampaign by visiting Nyanga Ward 26 in Manicaland to drum up support for party candidate, Vincent Bopoto.

Today’s program was held at Selbourne Estate whereby the Youth Assembly National leadership led by Chairman Obey Sithole, Vice Chair Cecelia Chimbiri and Spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma graced the occasion to lay out the victory roadmap for the party.

Speaking at the occasion National Youth Assembly Spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma scoffed at recent manoeuvres by ZANU PF to hoodwink the masses into a false belief that the former liberation party can bake bread as a stop gap measure to avert bread shortages in the country.

Chuma said expecting ZANU PF to produce bread for the long suffering masses is akin to expecting the beleaguered party to produce bread out of sand-made farm bricks.

The Assembly motor mouthpiece also said bread baking is not a child’s play and as such it requires basic economics starting from input production instead of expecting honey without bees.

Youth Assembly National Vice Chairman, Cecilia Chimbiri took a bitter snipe at the ZANU PF military regime for neglecting and trampling women’s rights.

Chauya Chauya as Chimbiri is popularly known said it is regrettable that 39 years after independence the chauvinist ZANU PF regime is still blind to basic needs of women like sanitary pads.

Chimbiri said the conditions of women conditions have become nervous to the extend that women now resort to using unhygienic means like rags yet cotton is produced in Zimbabwe.

Youth Assembly National Chairman, Obey Sithole giving a key note to the same event said ZANU PF is anti people religion whose survival is hinged on corruption, nepotism and cronyism.

Cde Luther as Sithole is affectionately known declared that expecting ZANU PF to win any election is akin to expecting a second virgin Biblical Marry in our life time.

The forceful Youth Assembly Commander unapologetically likened Emmerson Mnangagwa to a habitual thief with a canning culture to reap where he did not sow.

Sithole said the Assembly will this month lead massive massive action programs to reclaim the 2018 MDC electoral victory stolen by ZEC working in cahoots with the military junta.

The Selbourne by-election rally was organized by Manicaland Youth Assembly provincial leadership led by Youth Chairman, Kelvin Kambiro.

Also in attendance were Manicaland Provincial Chairman, Prosper Mutseyami and leaders from the party’s Women Assembly.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Gweru residents are resisting attempts by Gweru City Council to increase rates by more than 100 percent through a supplementary budget leaving fears that more residents may be forced to boycott payments in protest.

The Local Authority conducted supplementary budget consultative meetings over the weekend where a majority of residents said they cannot afford the increases as their salaries are stagnant and council is failing to provide satisfactory service delivery.

Gweru United Residents Association Secretary General Mr Reward Mhuri said the Local Authority is instead putting pressure on residents’ association leaders to try and hoodwink residents into accepting the tariffs hike.

 “People rejected the so called supplementary budget but council is putting pressure for resident’s leaders to accept the increases, my fear now is that we will be labelled sellouts.

“Council promised us that it had registered three companies formerly running as Go Beer to cushion residents from the ever increasing rates but up to now nothing has happened.

“This actually shows that council is trying to be arrogant towards residents’ recommendations, how can they rush for a supplementary budget before they have validated our report (from a service delivery committee of inquiry). The inquiry’s recommendations must be followed first, we cannot keep pouring water into a leaking bucket,” Mhuri said.

He said should the Local Authority persist and try to shove the supplementary budget down their throats, they will resist as residents through petitions and demonstrations.

Another residents’ association leader, Cornilia Selipiwe from Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association, said it is not just an issue of accepting or rejecting the budget but affordability on the part of residents. 

“It is not an issue of just accepting or rejecting but it’s an issue of facing realities on the ground, the fact is that the supplementary budget by council is fair but the question is, are residents able to pay? Which is a big no.

“We had a meeting earlier with residents in Mkoba; residents are hard pressed and any slight increment to the current tariffs will have a negative impact on poor residents,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that when these budgets are done, they are done by the elite and they tend to forget the poor and old people, the unemployed and the pensioners. People are failing to pay the current rates and I am not sure how they will cope with revised tariffs. Our worst fears are that people will just boycott paying,” Selipiwe said.

This reporter managed to attend one of the consultative meetings in ward 13 under Councilor Catherine Mhondiwa in Mkoba where a majority of residents said they could not afford the 100 percent increase and the figure should be revised downwards but council management present begged and pleaded with residents to endorse the budget.

“We actually had the increase at 420 percent and your councilors said it was too much and that’s why we had to settle to the 100 percent increase. There is nothing we can do, let’s just carry the burden, this is our budget, so I am asking you to propose adoption of this budget and we end the meeting,” said one Gibson Chingwadza a council official part of the officials conducting the meeting.

However one of council’s top officials at Town House gave an impression that the budget had been unanimously endorsed by residents despite the outcry.

“We are yet to get feedback from all wards, some were postponed to next weekend, only two wards had reservations but majority have endorsed the supplementary budget and we will then include the business fraternity which were the first to endorse. We can say the budget was unanimously endorsed by the majority,” he said.

Gweru Town Clerk Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza earlier this year in March said a supplementary budget will be the last thing council will consider after exhausting all other channels to cover the budget gap created by inflation. 

She was on record saying first they will sit as Town Clerks in the country to map the best way forward and engage the Ministry of Local Government if it can assist financially as the councils will not be able to fulfill their mandate with the current approved budgets.

The supplementary budget is expected to increase the 2019 City budget by $33 million from the current $46 million to $79 million.

-263Chat

By A Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has been elected Vice President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in recognition of her philanthropic work and assistance to the less privileged in Zimbabwe.

She was elected during the ongoing 23rd OAFLAD’s General Assembly Meeting which is running concurrently with the African Union’s Extraordinary Summit.

According to the organisation’s constitution, elections are held after every two years.

Amai Mnangagwa takes over from Margaret Kenyatta of Kenya while former OAFLAD president, the First Lady of Burkina Faso, Adjoavi Sika Kabore was replaced by Congo Brazaville’s First Lady Antoinette Sassou Nguesso.

OAFLAD is an advocacy organisation where First Ladies of Africa seek to leverage their unique position to advocate for policies that make health services accessible and laws that boost women and youth empowerment.

In an interview after her election, an ecstatic Amai Mnangagwa pledged to continue working hard for the development of Zimbabwe and the continent at large.

She said her election was not an individual achievement but that of the whole country.

“I am happy that my colleague First ladies entrusted me with this position. I feel exalted and this is dedicated to all women (of Zimbabwe),” she said.

Amai Mnangagwa said the position she got as OAFLAD’s Vice President was not for her alone but for the nation of Zimbabwe particularly women.-State media

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday held successful bilateral talks with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to find lasting solutions to Zimbabwe’s power problems.

The development clears the way for officials from the two countries to meet soon for a new power supply arrangement, the state media has reported.

The President said Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi would soon lead a delegation to SA to finalise a new power supply deal, that should ease electricity woes in the country.

He said:

“With President Ramaphosa we met and we were sharing challenges we are facing and, in particular energy shortages.

We exchanged views on how we can deal with that issue. Of course, our Zesa owes Eskom quite a lot of money and they have been able to pay US$10 million last week to reduce that debt.

This enables them to have discussions and I think our Minister of Energy (Cde Fortune Chasi) will go to South Africa next week to discuss some new arrangements.”

Last week Government paid US$10 million to reduce the debt owed by Zesa to South Africa’s Eskom.

The Head of State and Government also said that they discussed the conditions set by the United States of America at the America-Africa Forum in Mozambique recently before unveiling a US$60 billion facility to Africa.

“We interrogated the conditions of accessing that fund,” he said.

President Mnangagwa has made it clear that Zimbabwe will not accept the facility since it had strings attached.

On the launch of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by the African Union, President Mnangagwa said it was a success story for Zimbabwe to be part of the process.

He said the AU agreed to give Zimbabwe a 15-year period to retool its industries and commerce that have been brought to their knees by the economic sanctions imposed by the US, Britain and their Western allies.

“For Zimbabwe it was a huge success because we succeeded in depositing our instruments, so we were number 23 and we have managed to get a window to develop our industry and commerce so that we catch up with the rest of the world and we got a 15-year reprieve.

“It has gone very well. We signed the protocol (African Continental Free Trade Area) in Kigali (in Rwanda), but we entered a reservation because of sanctions imposed on us which have rendered our industry and commerce uncompetitive in the market,” he said.

Apart from Zimbabwe, four other countries —Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia and Eritrea — also requested for derogation.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa and his delegation were expected to arrive home early this morning.-StateMedia

Shurugwi South MP Edmond Mkaratigwa (Zanu PF) took over the chairmanship of the Mines Committee from vocal Norton MP Temba Mliswa, at a time when many people were wondering what would happen to one of the most pivotal committees in Parliament.

The Mines committee was reconstituted after Mliswa almost traded blows with Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna (Zanu PF) when the committee was investigating issues around the Hwange Colliery Company corruption saga that nearly brought the giant coal miner to its knees. Mliswa and Nduna were removed from the committee and Mkaratigwa appointed chairperson.

The committee deals with very sensitive issues in the mineral sector which is dogged with corruption, illicit financial flows and smuggling.

Accountability and transparency is needed, including Parliamentary oversight over the mining sector. A competent chairperson with the ability to probe without fear, is critical for such a committee.

Mkaratigwa describes himself as a “hands-on” electrical tech engineer-cum-marketing executive, businessman and politician who is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Energy and Sustainability with the University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom.

“I was born and bred by Zanu PF parents and I grew up from being a party youth to vice-chairperson of Guruguru South youth league. I chose Zanu PF because in my view, it is the only party rooted in a political philosophy that is historically traceable and has a broad ideology; the party has never lost focus on,” he said.

“The party has also embarked on the new trajectory of transforming itself to suit new national characteristics as well as the renewed aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe, and yet on the contrary, a host of other political parties in Zimbabwe lack that foundation, hence I opted for Zanu PF where young leaders are nurtured by fellow experienced, decorous and mature
leaders,” he said.

During the 2018 Zanu PF primary elections, Mkaratigwa competed and won against former Sports deputy minister Tapiwa Matangaidze. He says he easily trounced Matangaidze because he was not a competent MP.

“I can categorically state that I am the MP for Shurugwi South, particularly because of what my predecessor did not do right. He succumbed to the temptations that often lead one to lose touch with the constituency when engrossed in power,” he said.

“Once one loses that touch with the grassroots, it also raises questions regarding whose new interests you will now be representing, if not only personal, thereby defeating the whole purpose of the foundational concept of parliamentarism and parliamentary democracy, upon which our existence as MPs rests.”

“In short, he did not move with the winds of change, again like the Biblical Lot’s wife, remained stuck in old Zanu PF utopia, and fell into disfavour of the adaptively transforming Zanu PF party, philosophy and electorate at the dawn of the new dispensation (President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s era).”

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi has threatened the opposition MDC over remarks by Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala who said his party will overthrow the government before 2023.

Mutodi said such remarks will not be taken lightly threatening that the MDC leadership will face serious consequences.

“The terrorist utterances by Job Sikhala betraying his party’s plans to “overthrow” the government through demonstrations will not be taken lightly. The MDC dissident leadership will face serious consequences,” said Mutodi.

Addressing Bikita villagers over the weekend, Sikhala said;

“We are a committed leadership that will give Zanu PF headaches and [Amos] Chibaya was not lying or joking about the war and fight we are going to take to the doorsteps of Emmerson Mnangagwa. We are going to overthrow him before 2023 that is not a joke,” Sikhala said.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has become the first country in the Sub-Saharan Africa region to complete the successful enrolment of participants who are taking part in the ongoing large-scale HIV vaccine efficacy trials which are currently underway on four continents, covering 12 countries with about 12 669 study participants on board.

Zimbabwe has 500 participants  in the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) 705 also known as “lmbokodo” and the Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) studies which seek to find a lasting solution to a safe and effective HIV vaccine.

Speaking to The Herald at the weekend, HIV vaccine researcher at the University of Zimbabwe College of Health and Clinical Trials Research Centre, Dr Stranix Chibanda said the country finished its participants enrolment in June and they now await to monitor them as part of the research.

“The 705 study has just finished enrolling participants and now we continue to follow them up monitoring their health and checking how the immune system will react to vaccines.

“This will take a couple of years but I think in the next few years we will be able to roll out one of the vaccines for the benefit of our children today,” said Dr Chibanda.

Dr Chibanda added that while the HIV vaccine trial remained an ongoing process, Zimbabwe had shown its preparedness to take the vaccines aboard once they pass the due process.

“We are still doing the trials and not even in the next five years can we say we will be done. Maybe in 10 years, but I have noticed that the country is ready to take the vaccines once they are approved and licensed by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.

“However, the end of this enrolment phase facilitates the collection and analysis of trial specific data enabling researchers to answer research questions. It is in this vein that I want to applaud all those who volunteered to participate in these trials and they are commended for their selfless contribution towards this noble effort to move closer to a world without Aids,” she said.

The AMP studies is now fully enrolled with 4 625 participants from communities in the USA, Brazil, Peru, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The AMP studies are the most advanced human clinical studies to test wether a broadly neutralising antibody (bNAb) called VRCO1 which is given intravenously can prevent HIV acquisition in people.

The trials also seek to help to establish the concentrations of bNAb’s required for protection and to characterise any “breakthrough”  HIV infection to understand if it was sensitive or resistant to VRCO1.

The studies also could also clarify what level of neutralisation a vaccine or antibody-based method of HIV prevention needs to achieve or maintain to promote sustained protection.

HVTN705 or “Imbokodo”, meaning the rock in Zulu, was derived from a popular African proverb “Wathint’ abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo! meaning “You strike the women, you strike the rock!” in recognition of the strength women show in the face of challenges.

This vaccine is being administered in women in Africa with 2 637 healthy HIV negative women aged 18-35 years drawn from Zimbabwe and the neighbouring countries helping in moving ahead with the trials.

The vaccine regimen being tested in Imbokodo is based on “mosaic” immunogens — vaccine components designed to induce immune responses against a wide range of global HIV strains.-StateMedia

VIDEOS LOADING BELOW

THE Harare City Council‘s fire division suspects that the fire that destroyed part of Walter Magaya‘s hotel in Waterfalls started when workers started a generator.

The Fire Division also noted with great concern that there were no emergency exits in the boarding houses.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Mr Lovemore Mafukidze has confirmed that preliminary investigations point to the generator.

“Information gathered by both attending officers suggests that as there was no electricity in the area and the fire started soon after the occupants had started their generator for lighting purposes of the hotel complex.

“It might have been an electrical fault. The Division also noted with great concern that there were no emergency exits in the boarding houses. Therefore, the Division recommends that these emergency exits be made available.” he said.

“On 4 July 2019, there was a fire at PHD Ministries Hotel in Waterfalls. The Hotel covers an area of approximately 80 by 70 metres and the affected area which is the southern end of the hotel complex covers an area of approximately 40 by 30 metres used as boarding houses.

“The Emergency Services received a call at 17:38 hours, two fire tenders were promptly dispatched to the scene of fire, and a water carrier responded at 17:53 hours together with a command vehicle,” Mr Mafukidze said.

He said the team faced no challenges to put down the fire as they were fully equipped and had enough manpower.

“The Division faced no challenges at all since water was readily available. The first attending Officer in charge on mobilising control room informed them that the building was well alight so did the second attending officer in charge.

“A portable pump was set up drawing water from the swimming pool within the hotel to replenish the first attending fire engine.

“Two hose reels, one jet, and four breathing apparatus were used during the fire fighting process. Another water carrier arrived at 18:21 hours with additional water.

The Assistant Divisional Officer attended at 18:21 and directed fire fighting operations thereby preventing the spread of fire to other wings.

The fire was declared under control at 18:43 hours and damping down continued up to 20:01 hours when fire fighting was complete,” Mr Mafukidze said.

By Own Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi has appealed to local businesses to heed the Government’s economic realignment measures through implementing a fair pricing model to avoid causing unnecessary agony on citizens.

He said the days of those who are continuing to overprice goods at the expense of the masses were numbered.

The Vice President made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Abednico Ncube during the official opening of the Beitbridge Business Expo.

He said:

“Beitbridge has lot of investment opportunities considering its strategic location as a logistics hub for both Zimbabwe and the SADC region,

However, as we call for investment, we also plead with local businesses for fair pricing of goods and services as opposed to exploitative pricing like we have been witnessing in some shops and supermarkets here.

You will note that for any business to thrive, it must have the consumers around it and if we milk the same consumers to death, who will buy from us tomorrow?

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the days of those who are overpricing goods are numbered and that does not spare those people in our town who have turned against the very community that supports them”.

He said it was important for people to work together in ensuring that the economy recovers.

Vice President Mohadi the Government was ready to support and engage businesses on a number of cross cutting issues.

He said now that the country was using local currency it was prudent for businesses to shun exploitative prices and over burdening the consumers.

“We know those businesses and like the President said, we will deal with you because you undertook to service the people and not to milk them. Can anyone explain why beverages from our local manufacturers are so expensive here in Beitbridge where we have depots?

“Shops have a duty to protect consumers who must not be punished for their loyalty. Now that we are using local currency through the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, we urge businesses to shun exploitative process overburdening the consumers,” said Vice President Mohadi.

He said Beitbridge town was also poised for growth with the border modernisation programme taking shape.

In addition, he said the town will benefit by having a modern border post, a fire station, and a water reservoir on Mawale Hill for improved water supply, an additional sewer pond and a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) village.

The Vice President added that the initiative will also bring more investment to the town and that Government will facilitate and support all investments initiative meant to improve the quality of life of the people in the town and the whole country.

“Our infrastructure like water and sewer installations are protected by the environment and we urge people to stop the indiscriminate cutting of trees that we have borrowed from the future generations.

“I would like to salute the exhibitors at this Business Expo for the commitment to a growing economy and a prosperous Zimbabwe they have shown by participating at this Business Expo,” he said.-StateMedia

A FIRED junior woman police detective, who was discharged after she extorted US$2 250 from a suspected forex dealer following arrest, has taken Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to court challenging her dismissal.

Ex-Det Constable, Petty Mlauzi, who was attached to the Criminal Intelligence Unit registry in Bulawayo, was discharged on Monday. Mlauzi seeks an order staying her dismissal pending the finalisation of her application for review before the High Court.

She also wants an order blocking her eviction from a ZRP house at the Western Commonage. Mlauzi, through her lawyers Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, yesterday filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court pending review, citing Comm-Gen Matanga and the Police Service Commission as respondents.

Mlauzi, in her founding affidavit, said she was tried by a single officer for violating the Police Act, convicted and sentenced to eight days’ imprisonment at the detention barracks.

Dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence, she appealed to Comm-Gen Matanga and the appeal was dismissed.

“I filed an application for review under case number HC7003/18 querying the decision of the first respondent (Comm-Gen Matanga) to dismiss my appeal on a technicality against the settled principle that labour matters must be decided on technicalities,” he said. Mlauzi said the urgent chamber application followed a radio signal discharging her despite a pending review matter before the High Court.

“I have therefore approached this honourable court with the present application on an urgent basis for an order that my discharge be stayed pending finalisation of my application for review under case number HC7003/18. The matter is urgent in that there is a risk that I will be immediately evicted from police accommodation and the respondents’ agents were sent to harass me and I ended up seeking refuge at my legal practitioner’s offices,” she said.

Mlauzi said there was also a risk of losing her salary.

“The respondents can still execute the discharge in the event that my application fails and therefore they will suffer no prejudice if they are to stay their processes until this court finalises the matter,” she said.

On December 8, 2017, at around 11AM, the complainant Ms Sicelo Sibanda and one Mr Mehluli Bhebhe were inside their car, a Toyota Ipsum, parked near Bulawayo Centre in the central business district counting US$4 250. Mlauzi who was in the company of Detective Sergeant Thomas Hofisi, approached Ms Sibanda and Mr Bhebhe and identified themselves as police officers.

They got into the car and accused Ms Sibanda and Mr Bhebhe of engaging in illegal foreign currency trade and arrested them.

They directed Mr Bhebhe to drive towards Bulawayo Prison and along the way they demanded money in exchange for their release. They took US$2 250 leaving the complainants with only US$2 000. Ms Sibanda contacted her husband who is based in South Africa.

A report was made to the police, leading to the arrest of the two detectives.

State Media|BULAWAYO Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni has given up on a controversial bid to lease a council-owned bottle store amid growing pressure from concerned residents on the logic of awarding him the lease.

Last month, Clr Mguni had passed the first hurdle in his bid to lease a bottle store in Njube after the Finance and Development Committee passed the recommendation although in a controversial manner.

It had been revealed that councillors under the sub-committee of allocation of stands and premises had initially turned down Clr Mguni’s bid but this was overturned by the Finance and Development Committee after, Ward One councillor Mlandu Ncube threatened and ordered councillors to put their “necks on the line” for the mayor.
Clr Ncube is a known ally and confidante of the mayor.

The matter was subsequently put on hold and referred back to the committee for further deliberation with the majority of the councillors fearing a backlash from residents if they went ahead to award Clr Mguni with the lease.

However, in the latest development, Clr Mguni has since given up on the bid with councillors awarding Mr Ezweni Maphosa with the contentious bid.

Mr Maphosa had initially been awarded the lease before Clr Ncube’s intervention.

A total of 27 other individuals and organisations had expressed interest in leasing the bottle store.

Mr Maphosa will pay a monthly rental of $150.

“Thereafter it was resolved to recommend to the Finance and Development Committee: that the tender for the lease of former beer hall outlets — Njube Bottle Store be awarded to Ezweni Maphosa at his tendered bid price of $150,” reads part of the minutes.

Contacted for comment, Mr Maphosa expressed excitement that he had finally been awarded the lease.

“I am pleased that the local authority saw it fit to award me with this lease, this shows that BCC is a transparent and professional body, as residents and now partners we will forever remain confident in its operations,” said Mr Maphosa.

Commenting on his now failed application, Clr Mguni had argued that he had responded to an advertisement in the Press like any other resident.

“I forwarded my application like any other resident and when that matter was being discussed I recused myself from the meeting and I would not know whether I got the lease or not, I am eagerly awaiting the full council meeting to see whether I got it or not,” he said.

Other properties that have since been leased out by the local authority include, Waterworks Company Grant Premises, women’s clubs in Tshabalala, Njube, Sizinda, vacant former beer hall outlets in Burombo, Elangeni, Njube and Sizinda, flea market stalls and car parks.

A couple of years ago, the Government had to dispatch an investigation team to Bulawayo after it emerged that the city’s councillors were dishing out properties among themselves.

The investigation revealed that out of the 29 councillors, then, only five had not been given any council property to lease.

It was further revealed that when the councillors get the properties they default in paying rates and rentals resulting in the properties accruing debt, as council management could not take the route of evicting the councillors, for fear of victimisation.

‘NewsDay’ reported that detectives were tipped off that he a Zimbabwean accomplice wanted to sell the horn in Harare’s Msasa area.

HARARE – A South African man has appeared in a Zimbabwean court on charges of illegally possessing rhino horn.

He and his Zimbabwean counterpart were arrested in Harare, as they allegedly tried to sell nearly six kilogrammes of horn.

The South African man has been named as 38-year-old Brent Johan Lunt.

NewsDay reported that detectives were tipped off that he a Zimbabwean accomplice wanted to sell the horn in Harare’s Msasa area.

They were arrested, and four pieces of horn were allegedly found in Lunt’s bag. They’re said to be worth nearly a $250,000.

The two men appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday on charges of breaching the Parks and Wildlife Act.

In December, seven Chinese men were arrested after they were allegedly found with 20 kilograms of rhino horn at their Victoria Falls home.

ZBC|Officials manning the Beitbridge Border Post and the entire frontier from Chikwalakwala to Shashe are facing a lot of challenges that affect their efficiency, making them susceptible to corruption.

It emerged during a visit to the area by the Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services Portfolio Committee that police officers deployed to patrol the Zimbabwe-South African border area stretching over 200km have not been paid their travel and subsistence allowances since 2007 and are now vulnerable to corruption.

In his submission, Officer Commanding ZRP Beitbridge , Tichaona Nyongo said his teams also have no vehicles and radio communications to effectively discharge their duties.

“We have challenges and when people say our officers are corrupt, it is difficult to defend them because they are deployed without payment, so sometimes it could be that they will be trying to make ends meet. And also, we don’t have vehicles to patrol the over 200km of the border area and this needs urgent attention,” he said.

Security organs at the port of entry said they need scanners in order to detect drugs which pass through the border hidden in vehicles.

“We have immigration officers who are overworked but with no incentives, so while work is done, the issue of incentives is critical for the workers,” Assistant Regional Immigration Officer, Mrs Memory Mgwagwa said.

In an interview after the tour of facilities, committee Chairperson, Mr Levy Mayihlome said they will make recommendations to improve border security and working conditions.

“We are happy with our findings and there is need for urgent interventions, so we will do that to ensure operations are improved because policing of the frontier is vital for national security,” said Mr Mayihlome.

Calls were also made to speed up border redevelopment, including construction of physical barriers to manage motorists, especially those who drive through boom gates in a bid to evade paying duty.

Standard|Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa has recused himself from hearing the 19-year-old legal wrangle between former PG Industries (Zimbabwe) Limited marketing director Nkululeko Mabhena and his ex-employers over terminal benefits of over $73 million.

Mabhikwa, who was the sixth judge to deal with the case, recused himself from hearing it after he discovered that he knew one of the parties to the matter.

“I recuse myself from dealing with this matter because I know one of the parties personally. The matter has to be set down before another judge. The matter is

hereby removed from the roll,” he said.

The matter had been set down for hearing after it had been off the roll for the past four years when Mabhena skipped the border in 2015 claiming his life was

in danger.

Mabhena only returned in December last year and was scheduled to meet Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs secretary Virginia Mabhiza, to whom he had sent

his complaint about the conduct of two judges that previously handled the case. The letter was copied to Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

However, Mabhena was advised to take the legal route and approached the High Court again demanding that his case be set down for hearing.

The protracted legal battle has seen a number of applications and counter-applications filed at the Bulawayo High Court over terminal benefits and salary

arrears amounting to $73 million.

The saga started when Mabhena fell ill and was believed to have died — with doctors at United Bulawayo Hospitals certifying him dead.

PG went on to pay off his funeral expenses. At some point he was put in a morgue.

Mabhena was eventually discharged from hospital and went back to work, where he was asked to produce a certificate of existence as he was now believed to be

dead.

After meeting the employer’s demand, PG Industries, however, refused to take him back, but dismissed him with a payoff of 64 cents.

Mabhena filed an appeal at the High Court demanding that the company pay him terminal benefits and salary arrears.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said failure to regulate the activities of churches was creating a fertile environment for criminal activities such as money laundering and subversive behaviour.

GOVERNMENT is set to craft a law to regulate operations of churches to curb criminal activities, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Government’s decision comes at a time when prominent church leader Walter Magaya is involved in sexual abuse and financial irregularities allegations. Some church leaders have been arrested for crimes such as rape and fraud.

“Religious organisations have to be registered so that their activities are monitored to curb crimes such as money laundering and other such crimes,” said Minister Mathema.

He said there was a danger of people engaging in subversive activities hiding behind the church.

Minister Mathema said Government was aware that some churches were involved in criminal activities hence the need for a law to regulate their operations.

He said churches should disclose their source of revenue and how they were spending it.

“If you are a religious organisation it is only fair in my view to tell us where you get your money from and how you are using it,” he said.

Responding to the proposal, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) secretary-general, Reverend Kenneth Mutata said they will closely follow the development.

THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has failed to account for or distribute goods donated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) which are reportedly lying idle and losing value in storerooms.

In her 2018 report, Auditor General Mrs Mildred Chiri said the ministry had failed to account for the goods which are meant to be distributed to vulnerable and needy individuals.

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe was during her whirlwind time accused of abusing goods donated by ZIMRA to the Department of Social Welfare when she took the goods and distributed them in her own rallies to boost her campaigns.

“There was poor accountability for goods donated to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) held at Northcort Training Institute. Items donated were inconsistently being recorded either as bales, sacks, bags by quantities or by weight instead of maintaining a standard unit of measurement of classification of the goods,” said Mrs Chiri.

She said Northcort Training Institute personnel received the donated goods without physically verifying the quantities against the Issue Vouchers raised by Zimra.

“From interviews held with the staff, there were instances when deliveries were made by transporters in the absence of the Ministry’s head office administration personnel for accountability purposes as they are the ones who would have collected the items from Zimra,” she said.

Mrs Chiri said during a physical inspection of the donated goods, bales, sacks and bags of donated clothes and shoes were open and their contents were scattered on the storeroom floors.

“Although the Northcort Training Institute had a stores register in place, the register did not include vital information such as full description of items (specifications), quantities received, quantities issued, running balances and signature of the recipient,” she said.

Mrs Chari said four brand new and four used tyres were issued to one of the Ministry’s administration officers without the approval of the accounting officer. The recipient officer was the one who originated and authorised the letter of issuance.

According to Mrs Chiri the Ministry did not have a clear policy for management and distribution of the donations.

“At the time of the audit (March 12, 2019), I noted that there were over 200 bales of clothes and shoes, 16 brand new tyres and 1 200 second hand tyres of different sizes that were being kept at the institute, of which, these goods were being damaged by rodents and deteriorating in quality due to adverse weather conditions,” she said.

Mrs Chiri said there was no evidence of periodic or regular physical stock counts by supervisors both from the Ministry’s head office and the institute.

She said donated goods are exposed to misappropriation if the Ministry does not put adequate controls for delivery, receipt, recording and custody of goods.

“Failure to consistently record donated items compromises the accountability of same and without physical verification, it would be difficult to ascertain whether the received donations were properly recorded and accounted for,” said Mrs Chiri.

She recommended that the ministry should ensure that goods donated are consistently recorded using the same unit of measurement.

“The Ministry should ensure that bales, sacks and bags of donated goods are kept sealed at all times. Stores register should capture all important details such as full description of items (specifications), quantities received, quantities issued, balance (in stock) and signature of the recipient on issuances” said Mrs Chiri.

FLAMBOYANT businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo whose company was in 2015 awarded a tender and paid US$5 million by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for pre-commencement work at the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power plant, yesterday came off his high horse and admitted his wrongdoing.

Mr Chivayo, who owns Intratek Zimbabwe, yesterday took to his micro-blogging site, Twitter page and apologised for failing to deliver.

“I accept full responsibility for all my wrong doing and if you thought I was perfect I apologise for being human,” he tweeted much to the chagrin of his followers who were quick to lash back at him.

Chivayo is known for flaunting his riches and scorning people who he says do not have money on social media.

A majority of his followers felt the apology was not enough while others seemed to think it was sarcastic.

They demanded that he pays back the money.

“This is not your personal pet project, your apologies mean jack (Sic) . . . it’s a national initiative which requires the seriousness it deserves . . . just payback and we find someone (company) who is competent,” said @sirosnaire.

Another follower @PrinsNathan retorted: “You are not perfect sir but then do what’s right, pay back the money since you did not deliver the services that you have been paid for.”

@NellsNelson tweeted: “Ah but u still have to go to prison.”

@JusticeMabuwa wrote: “But vaChivayo, the US$3,3 million was for a feasibility study chete? Varumeka ngatisadaro so, hona nyika yese irikungochema nekushaya magetsi (Let’s not do that, the whole nation is crying because we don’t have electricity). Just complete the job man.”

@NdiTarwanda quizzed: “Best apology is changed behaviour or in this case paying back the money?”

@Tendayee said: “You are human we all are, just pay back the money tiwane magetsi (so that we get electricity) simple.”

@TinasheBvute responded: “It’s either you pay back the money or there should be repercussions, simple! You can’t hold the whole nation hostage (sic) by prejudicing Zesa.”

@ realmedicaldoc said: “I know you have more money than me, but, I humbly request that you finish the Gwanda solar project if it’s within your means, the cries of most Zimbabweans won’t help you at all, we feel you might have abused the facility.”

Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi during his visit to the Gwanda solar power plant site last week, said the Government has suffered a potential revenue loss of about US$50 million as a result of the non-completion of the project, which was supposed to have been commissioned by December 2017.

He said the delays in implementing the project had resulted in the loss of sales by Zesa equivalent to 500GWhs (Gigawatt-hours) and potential revenue loss of about US$50 million as of June this year.

Mr Chivayo was awarded the tender in 2015 and paid US$5 million by ZPC for pre-commencement work at the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power plant.

After receiving the money without a bank guarantee, no meaningful development has taken place at the site.

Adv Chasi expressed disappointment as no work has been done at the site despite the $5 million payment that was made to Intratek.

He said the solar project was a crucial initiative that would address electricity challenges the country is facing.

Adv Chasi said the Government was going to engage Intratek as they expected a refund or to see an operational solar plant.

State Media|Government will expedite the promulgation of the Cybercrime and Cyber Security Bill into law amid growing concerns over social media abuse and the proliferation of fake news.

Speaking at the launch of a Community Information Centre in Charandura, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Kazembe Kazembe said political hooligans were now hijacking social media platforms to push their political agendas through fake news.

“We are now working hard to bring the Cybercrime and Cyber Security Bill into law. We now realise that it is long overdue with the rampant abuse of social media platforms.

“Social media abusers have become so wanton that they are now even going to the extent of creating false death notices, which goes against our culture as a people. 

“I urge users of this new Community Information Centre to use it responsibly,” he said. 

Cybercrimes are on the rise in Zimbabwe on the back of a rise in mobile telephony and broadband penetration. 

Meanwhile, the ICT Minister said the CIC concept is well in line with the Government’s goal of achieving an upper-middle income economy by 2030.

“The aim of the Community Information Centre concept is to create centres where the community can access and use ICTs to promote their businesses, advance their education and improve their livelihood.

“In this regard, Charandura Community Information Centre is furnished with modern computers that are connected to the internet. It will provide basic electronic services such as Internet surfing, electronic mail service, printing, scanning, photocopying and document binding for your convenience. 

“14 CICs have been established in Midlands Province alone. All of them including Charandura CIC are now operational,” said Minister Kazembe.

State Media|President Mnangagwa yesterday held successful bilateral talks here with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to find lasting solutions to Zimbabwe’s power problems, clearing the way for officials from the two countries to meet soon for a new power supply arrangement.

The President said Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi would soon lead a delegation to SA to finalise a new power supply deal, that should ease electricity woes in the country.

“With President Ramaphosa we met and we were sharing challenges we are facing and, in particular energy shortages.

“We exchanged views on how we can deal with that issue. Of course, our Zesa owes Eskom quite a lot of money and they have been able to pay US$10 million last week to reduce that debt.

“This enables them to have discussions and I think our Minister of Energy (Fortune Chasi) will go to South Africa next week to discuss some new arrangements,” he said.

Last week Government paid US$10 million to reduce the debt owed by Zesa to South Africa’s Eskom.

A 24-year-old Masvingo man allegedly fatally stabbed a fellow congregant with a knife during a prayer vigil following a dispute over badly cooked relish, police have confirmed.

Tinos Mudyanembwa of Mutumwapasi Village under Chief Shumba allegedly stabbed Clever Guvuriro (28) of the same village once on the left side of the neck during prayers at their church deacon’s homestead.

Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 10 pm.

She said the body of the deceased was taken to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving congregates who had a prayer vigil at a homestead in Masvingo rural. The suspect has since been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges,” said Chief Insp Mazula.

She said Clever Guvuriro and other congregates were at Mr Mutupo Madondo’s homestead for a prayer vigil when tragedy struck.
“At around 8 pm, a 14-year-old boy allegedly served Clever Guvuriro and his friend, Mr Simbarashe Gumbochuma supper.

Guvuriro mocked the boy saying the relish was poorly cooked and resembled women hair,” she said.

This, she said, apparently irked the boy who advised Clever Guvuriro that he was supposed to be mindful of the church environment and his language was in bad taste.

The man could not accept being reprimanded by the boy and in protest, repeatedly slapped him on the face until he fled.

The boy, she said, reported the matter to his attacker‘s sibling, Mr Moses Guvuriro and Mudyanembwa.

The two confronted Clever Guvuriro who was with his friend, Mr Gumbochuma and accused the pair of being a nuisance at church.

Messrs Mudyanembwa and Moses Guvuriro teamed up and fought with the pair, Clever and Gumbochuma.

Mudyanembwa allegedly drew an okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed Clever on the left side of the neck and he died minutes later.State media

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has been shown the red card in Bikita, the MDC has said.

The MDC posted pictures of the party’s rally held in Bikita East on Saturday, 6 July in preparation for a by-election slated for this month.

The by-election is scheduled for 13 July 2019.

The local government seat fell vacant after the death of Zanu PF councillor for ward 31 Patrick Marozhe on April 15 this year.

Speaking on the rally MDC Secretary General Charlton Hwende said he was confident of the party’s victory.

Farai Dziva|Non Governmental Organizations in Masvingo have threatened to withdraw aid following a directive by government to stop foreign currency disbursements.

Government has with immediate effect directed all non-governmental organisations operating in the country who have been giving aid in the form of foreign currency to either buy food using the money and donate to the beneficiaries or give out local currency.

This comes after Government outlawed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency through Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, in an effort to enhance the affordability of goods and services by the majority.

The Government recently had a meeting with the World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies in the country through which humanitarian aid comes to deliberate on the matter and ensure that SI 142 is fully implemented.

“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.

The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries,” said Minister July Moyo.

“We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency. If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.

The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money.”

However NGOs in Masvingo have vowed to withdraw aid as a result of the government directive.

“The directive will result in donor fatigue and widespread protests.

The directive will grossly affect our operations,” said a COTRAD official.

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By Own Correspondent- Learners who fall pregnant during the course of their studies are set to enjoy “maternity vacation” before returning to continue with their education after giving birth.

The privileges are provided in the Education Bill that is currently under debate in the National Assembly, where legislators are showing support for the clause.

Advocates of girl child rights have also hailed the proposal.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima recently told legislators that allowing the pregnant girls to take a vacation is in line with the national Constitution, which calls for non-discrimination. 

“There is an issue that has generated a lot of interest among the Parliamentarians. This is the issue of exclusion on account of pregnancy. The fundamental basis of the inclusion of this issue is premised on Section 75 of the Constitution, which speaks against discrimination,” said Prof Mavima.

“The current practice in our education system has it that if two Form Four learners have an affair and the girl ends up pregnant, the male student can continue with his education while the female student cannot. Yet Section 75 of our Constitution bans discrimination on the basis of gender or sex. It is on that basis that this item was included in our Bill.”

Due to current policies that bar expecting school girls from studying, a number of pregnant girls have had to drop out of school.

Parliament instituted public hearings on the Education Amendment Bill, with various stakeholders seconding the provision to allow pregnant learners to take a break and resume studies after birth.

Speaking to our Harare Bureau, MDC-T proportional representation legislator for Bulawayo, Mrs Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga said, “All we are doing is to give a chance not only to the girl, but to the unborn child.

“Those who impregnate the girls are usually the older selfish predatory males who go scot free and never help with anything.”

She added that society must move away from entirely blaming and punishing the pregnant learners.

Shamwari Yemwanasikana executive director, Mrs Ukenia Chifamba-Chidodo said education is key in fighting inequalities between girls and boys.

She welcomed the move to afford pregnant learners a chance to learn after pregnancy.

“With such high records in teen pregnancy, it means we are losing so many girls as they often drop out of school because of pregnancy,” said Mrs Chifamba-Chododo. 

“We believe education is the most important right that should be a weapon to fight any form of inequality.

“Girls always bear the burden of carrying the pregnancy and dropping out of school while the boy child is safe and continues with education,” she said. 

Lawyer and gender equality activist Ms Jessie Majome also hailed the move of maternity leave for school girls.

“It is a positive development that goes beyond paying lip service to the constitutional guarantees to the rights to education, of the child, and to equality and protection from discrimination.

Zimbabwe has recorded the highest teen pregnancy rate in Sub-Saharan Africa with annual figures of between 500 000 and 700 000.

According to the latest report from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, United Nations Population Fund and Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, 19 percent of female adolescents between 15 and 19 years are pregnant.

By Own Correspondent- As part of his congregation’s social responsibility work, Bulawayo cleric Madzibaba Emmanuel Mutumwa and his Johanne Masowe the Fifth Apostolic sect has donated ZWL$6 000 to Bulawayo City Football Club.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony at the city council offices at Bulawayo Tower Block, Mutumwa expressed appreciation for the work being done by the municipality football team.

“As residents of Bulawayo, we appreciate the efforts and work being done by Bulawayo City FC. There are doing a great job by keeping many youths off the streets and away from drugs and other illicit behaviours which kill their lives and careers,” Mutumwa said.

“We are ratepayers, that makes us a part of the team and we feel like we have to contribute to the team’s show off the field of play.”

Bulawayo City FC chairman Jerry Sibanda was grateful for the cleric’s donation.

“We appreciate this gesture by the church and it’s good to see a religious sect coming on board to support football,” Sibanda said.

“Football is a sport associated with beer, but seeing religious leaders and their sects coming in is humbling. We want to keep on working with you, this will help us go back to the premier league.”

Mutumwa is well-known in the city for exorcising demons in Bulawayo and around the country through famous marathon services dubbed “Hoko yechiwororo/Go back to sender”, where a number of people who worship at his church are basking in the glory of testimonies.

Mutumwa leads the Johanne Masowe the Fifth stationed at the Selbourne Park church shrine in Bulawayo.-Standard

By Own Correspondent- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country have been banned from giving aid to beneficiaries, most of whom are in the rural areas, in the form of foreign currency.

The move is in line with the recently gazetted Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 which banned the use of foreign currency in domestic transactions.

The NGOs have been directed to convert the hard currency to the Zimbabwe Dollar if they intend to give out cash to locals.

This was revealed by the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde July Moyo in an interview with State media.

Said Moyo:

“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.

The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries.

We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency.

If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.

The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The government at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordination Committee in Mashonaland East province revealed that an estimated 5.7 million required food aid.

The state media reported:

5.7 Million people require food aid. Therefore 800 000 tonnes of maize is needed to fed the 5.7 million people.

The food crisis has been intensified by the drought or low rainfall that most parts of the country experienced during the 2019/2019 rain season.

Another network, Famine Early Warning Systems Network has echoed the Zanu Pf Coordinating Committee findings by saying:

The deteriorating macro economy and significantly below average 2018/19 crop production are expected to drive widespread Crisis food security outcomes through at least January 2020. In high production northern areas and some central parts of the country Stressed outcomes are expected through August, after which Crisis outcomes are expected.

One cannot deny the fact that the deteriorating economy is also playing a part in the food crisis that is looming.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The President’s wife Auxillia Mnangagwa has been elected the OAFLAD Vice president, the State Media exclusively revealed. She will be deputising Congo Brazzaville first lady.

Speaking to the publication after the election the first lady said:

I am happy to have been recognised this far. This was possible through support from all Zimbabweans i will challenge my fellow first ladies to do humanitarian work especially targeting the vulnerable and also empowerment programs.

Auxillia is the first, first lady to hold an important post in the office of first ladies. Mrs Mnangagwa is seen around the country on different missions almost every week.-StateMedia

Former MDC-T councillor for Ward 29 in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, Mr Collet Ndhlovu has come under fire from residents who are accusing him of misappropriating funds that he collected from them on the pretext that he would buy commuter omnibuses to service the area.

During his tenure, Mr Ndhlovu asked residents from his ward to contribute US$10 per household to purchase commuter omnibuses that were meant to service the suburb since some of the operators were not reaching certain parts of Cowdray Park.

Residents from the suburb, some who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the scheme failed to benefit the residents as initially

They said only two commuter omnibuses were bought and they were on the road for just a month before they disappeared.
Instead of registering them as an association, Mr Ndhlovu allegedly registered them in his sons’ names.

“We paid once and two commuter omnibuses were bought, people were only transported for a month and the vehicles disappeared from the roads, he (Ndhlovu) took the commuter omnibuses to his village in Silobela where we are told they are now plying some routes there.

“We asked for our refunds but he never paid back, only a few who were persistent and aggressive enough got their money but some of us are afraid to put pressure on him because he is a very dangerous man,” said one of the residents.

Another resident said the matter was taken to court but they were still waiting for the outcome.

He said the former councillor was notorious for shady deals and at one time sold a stand to two people.

“He duped them after he sold one stand to two people, the matter has not been solved up to today,” he said.

Contacted for comment, Mr Ndhlovu denied the accusations adding that the commuter omnibuses broke down two months after they were bought.

“The commuter omnibuses were bought and they were on the road for two months and stopped working because of mechanical issues.

“The cars are not in Silobela, they are parked at some garage in town because there is no money to repair them since other community members pulled out of the project,” he said although he could not say which garage the vehicles were parked at.

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has dispatched a monitoring team to knock down the last bastions of unscrupulous businesses that are still transacting in foreign currency.

Last month, the Government repealed the use of  the basket of multi-currencies that had been in place since 2009 and said all local transactions are now being done in the local dollar.

However, some businesses have remained adamant and are still openly transacting in foreign currency in defiance of the law.

In an interview on Friday, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya said there was a need for businesses to comply with the Statutory Instrument 142/2019, which stipulates the Zimbabwe dollar as the sole currency for legal tender purposes further stating that failure to abide with the new law was tantamount to sabotage. 

“Our request is for them (businesses) to respect consumers by complying with the country’s laws. We need to cherish discipline for the national good. Our teams are now on the ground to foster compliance by all businesses,” said Dr Mangudya.

The move by the Central Bank comes after police issued a statement warning retailers to desist from charging their goods and services in foreign currency.

As of 24 June, the Government banned the use of the British pound, United States dollar, South African rand, Botswana pula and any other foreign currency as a legal tender.

The Zimbabwean dollar (bond notes, coins and RTGS) was made the sole legal tender and those with foreign currency could change the money before using it for local transactions.

However, a survey by Sunday News in some shops in Bulawayo discovered that some businesses are still clandestinely defying the order.

It was also observed that some fuel service stations are still charging in foreign currency with some openly displaying US dollar prices.

Shops in Matabeleland South Province in rural areas bordering the country with neighbouring countries of South Africa and Botswana are said to be still transacting using foreign currency especially the South African rand.

Contacted for a comment Plumtree-Mangwe Business Association chairman Mr Golden Sibanda confirmed communities living along the border  were still transacting in foreign currency.

“In essence most rural people in Matabeleland use foreign currency especially the rand when selling their livestock. It’s difficult to convince them to accept the bond and as such because most people are based in South Africa, so you find that other shops have no option but to transact in the rand. As business we have accepted the new currency reforms but for some it’s proving to be difficult,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said the use of local currency was also proving to be a challenge as most elderly people in the rural areas were not conversant with modern electronic payment methods. 

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said the association was not in a position to defend any business found liable to contravening the new policy. 

“Anyone found selling goods in forex, which is outlawed, is breaking the Exchange Control Act and laws of the country. As you may have heard from the President, Government will soon crack the whip as an association, we will not stand in the way,” he said.

He, however, said there was a need to curb the existing price distortions across the value chain. 

“The pricing regime in the country has got to be investigated right through the value chain in view of the unjustified price increases obtaining across general economy,” said Mr Mutashu.

Meanwhile, the fruits of the banning of the use of foreign currency have continued to manifest with prices either remaining stable or going down in the past two weeks.

Prices of some basic commodities such as bread, cooking oil, mealie-meal and Mazoe Orange Crsu, have slightly gone down this past week.

A survey in major shops in Bulawayo revealed that a bread now costs $4.20 from $5, cooking oil went down from $30 to $20 while Mazoe has gone down from $23 to $16 in most shops.

Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema said her oragnsiation was expecting prices of more goods to go down.

 “We are happy that there are changes being seen in formal shops but we expect prices to go down even further than that and we want to see reduction of all prices not certain prices. Retailers were saying they are buying foreign currency from the black market at high rates but the black market is almost most dead so the prices must fall,” she said.

ZANU PF officials reportedly dumped supporters who were bused from rural Midlands to attend a Presidential cleanup campaign presided by Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Friday.

Centre for Natural Resource Governance’s Farai Maguwu said, “On Thursday 4 July the ZANU government paid Rooney’s $200 000 for two VIP tents for the Gweru presidential cleanup campaign that was presided over by VP Kembo Mohadi. Rooney’s had refused to pitch the tents before payment hence the tents had to be pitched at night after receiving their payment.

” In addition, ZANU PF bussed in hundreds of party supporters from as far as Munene in Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Gokwe, Chirumhanzu and many other rural areas. The event was snubbed by Gweru residents.

“After the event, most of the people bused in from rural areas were left in the cold and the ZANU PF leaders who had coordinated their coming to Gweru vanished and switched off their cell phones.”

Maguwu said the bused said they were told to attend the event or risk not getting maize seeds.

“A close source who attended the event insinuated that the unwell VP did not do anything at the event and Victor Matemadanda spoke on his behalf. My source also assisted the stranded old women with drinking water. He asked them why they agreed to be bussed and they said they were told they won’t be given maize handouts if they didn’t participate.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the first Friday of every month as a National Cleanup Day.

MDC Youth Assemby National Deputy Secretary For Legal Affairs was this afternoon involved in an accident near Featherstone along Masvingo Harare Highway.

Mavhaire was on his way to Masvingo.

However, no-one was hurt in the accident.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

By A Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed optimism regarding the existing good relations between his country and its neighbour South Africa adding that he envisions strengthened relations for the good of both nations.

Mnangagwa said:

Always good to catch up with my friend and comrade, His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa‬. Our two nations are part of the same family and I look forward to further strengthening the close ties between South Africa and Zimbabwe for the benefit of both peoples.”

Farai Dziva|Non Governmental Organizations in Masvingo have threatened to withdraw aid following a directive by government to stop foreign currency disbursements.

Government has with immediate effect directed all non-governmental organisations operating in the country who have been giving aid in the form of foreign currency to either buy food using the money and donate to the beneficiaries or give out local currency.

This comes after Government outlawed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency through Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, in an effort to enhance the affordability of goods and services by the majority.

The Government recently had a meeting with the World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies in the country through which humanitarian aid comes to deliberate on the matter and ensure that SI 142 is fully implemented.

“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.

The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries,” said Minister July Moyo.

“We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency. If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.

The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money.”

However NGOs in Masvingo have vowed to withdraw aid as a result of the government directive.

“The directive will result in donor fatigue and widespread protests.

The directive will grossly affect our operations,” said a COTRAD official.

Government will revoke non performing licenses of In-dependent Power Producers as it seeks to implement strategies to reduce power outages that have crippled industrial operations, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi said.

In an interview after a tour of Bulawayo Power Station, Chasi said there was a need to ensure that all the licensed power projects are started as soon as possible.

“We need to quickly advance the execution of projects by all those who are licensed. I have asked Zera (Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority) to examine the status of each licensed project to see exactly where we are with each of them. We need to understand if there are specific challenges each particular licensee is facing,” he said.

Minister Chasi said failure by any licensee to justify the reason for non-operating the ministry would be compelled to revoke such a license with immediate effect.

“If we are satisfied that there is unjustified pilgrimage around the implementation of the projects then the necessary action will be taken. We cannot have a long list of licenses which are not productive. Everything has to be very legal.

“The licensees must be given the right to explain themselves around the issue of non-performance because at the end of the day, we cannot hang onto people that keep licenses for speculative purposes,” he said.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| SEVEN Chiweshe men have allegedly been fingered in a black magic (mubobobo) syndicate by a Bulawayo prophet at Chief Makope’s traditional court.

This followed the recent discovery of 63 women’s undergarments at a graveyard in Nzvimbo village.

“We hired a prophet from Bulawayo (Madzibaba Sejiby) to assist us in identifying the culprits of the black magic.

Fortunately, the prophet managed to identify a syndicate of seven elderly men who are set to appear before me on Sunday,” Chief Makope told NewsDay Weekender.

Village head Doubt Chawawa said the first accused fled from the village after he was convicted by Chief Makope and was yet to be sentenced.

“Villagers were baying for his blood, so in shame, he just disappeared to an unknown destination,” he said.

Chief Makope said those found guilty would be judged harshly since it was a serious violation of hunhu/ubuntu.

“Such people are not welcome in my area, so we should be seen to be punishing them,” he said.-Newsday