Farai Dziva|Government sources who claim to be close to ailing Constantino Chiwenga say the former army general was poisoned through water.

Chiwenga is said to be battling for his life at a South African hospital.

Government sources say Chiwenga who is now unrecognisable is critically ill.

Government sources further revealed Chiwenga was poisoned using radioactive Polonium-210.

“Chiwenga was poisoned through water that was delivered to his luxurious mansion in Borrowdale.

Due to the difficulty of drilling boreholes at the mansion’s hilltop location, the VP’s house was previously serviced by water bowsers and bottled water.

He (Chiwenga) is in a major fight for his life.

He has told those close to him that he believes he was poisoned through water delivered to his home.”

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says that it will continue agitating for workers to be paid their salaries in US dollars.

The labour body made the call despite the fact that the government recently outlawed the use of the multi-currency system in domestic transactions.

ZCTU president Peter Mutasa said that the government of Zimbabwe has been taking workers for granted for a long time.

He said:

Before banning the US dollar, Mthuli had assured the nation a day before that the Zimbabwean dollar will only be introduced when macro-economic fundamentals are in place.

The government has been taking its people for granted for quite some time now when it introduced bond notes in 2016 that they were adequately backed by lines of credit from the AFREXIM Bank.

Clearly, in all records, the working people of Zimbabwe have lost substantial value in their earnings as they work in the fast depreciating RTGS.

The government last week promulgated Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 which banned the multi-currency regime while at the same time reintroducing the Zimbabwe Dollar.

The move was met with mixed reactions with some sections of society viewing it as a stroke of genius while in some quarters it set the country on the path towards the 2008 scenario.

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned businesspeople to desist from hiking prices of basic commodities.

Mnangagwa said his government was ready to deal with unscrupulous businesspeople.The Zanu PF leader made the remarks yesterday.

Mnangagwa warned that his government was preparing a “bitter solution for them.”

Mnangagwa said: “Vaya varikukwidza mitengo tirikuvarongera, tirikugadzira shamhu kwayo yomboiswa munyu…”

The government has often accused businesspeople of trying to sabotage its efforts by increasing the price of basic commodities.

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is in Highfields, Harare to assess the plight of the residents in the area.

“At a Borehole …I’m in the townships ..In Highfields to listen to people’s life stories and assess their living conditions.

Zimbabweans are suffering.We must together end this,” tweeted Chamisa.

Chamisa is seen in a video footage helping residents (to) pump out water from a borehole.See video:

At a Borehole …I’m in the townships ..In Highfields to listen to people’s life stories and assess their living conditions.Zimbabweans are suffering.We must Together end this! pic.twitter.com/IvKh3PYJWZ

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) July 2, 2019

By Own Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa (Tuesday) brought the high density suburbs of Highfield and Glen Norah to a standstill as he toured retail and wholesale shops across the capital assessing the prices of basic commodities.

Chamisa went to OK Machipisa and OK Glen Norah bringing the townships to a standstill as people jostled to get a glimpse of the “People’s President”.

Said Chamisa:

At a Borehole …I’m in the townships ..In Highfields to listen to people’s life stories and assess their living conditions.Zimbabweans are suffering.We must Together end this! pic.twitter.com/IvKh3PYJWZ

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) July 2, 2019

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said government was not aware that the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) generates lots of revenue revealing that government was however not aware of where the generated income was being “taken to”.

Addressing delegates at the commissioning of the Ngundu- Tanganda highway, Mnangagwa said:

“We have a department called Zinara, which is under (Transport and Infrastructural Development) Minister (Joel) Matiza. When Minister Matiza was appointed to the ministry, he found Zinara in place.

All along we did not know that Zinara generates lots of revenue. We wonder where the money was going. We have resolved that money from tollgates must rehabilitate roads. As we speak, roads in all provinces are being rehabilitated by Zinara.

We asked them in all these years where was the revenue generated by Zinara going but we did not get any satisfactory response. No response, tonhooo! We will, however, not live in the past. We look forward. We are keeping our eyes on all money generated by parastatals.

It is not Zinara alone. There are other companies I will not mention. We are keeping an eye on them to see how they are using funds.”

Farai Dziva|MDC youth assembly chairperson Obey Sithole has said members of party’s youth wing who were involved in an accident are safe and out of danger.

In a statement Sithole said:”Thank you for your concern and prayers. I can confirm that we were involved in an accident this evening(last night)

We were travelling from Kadoma to Harare when our vehicle was hit by an oncoming vehicle and veered off the road.

We remain grateful to the Almighty for saving us from the worst. I was travelling with 2IC, Cecilia; Sarkozy the Mouthpiece; Mafaiti and Air Marshal Beni. No serious injuries have been recorded but the vehicle is badly damaged.”

Farai Dziva| Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday used the liberation war maxim “pasi navo” to denounce those plotting to stage mass protests.

However political analysts feel the maxim should not be used in the so called new dispensation.

Addressing hundreds of villagers who converged at Kondo Primary School to witness him officially opening the rehabilitated Tanganda-Ngundu Highway, Mnangagwa said demonstrations and stay aways “do not bring any benefit.”

He said focus by all must be on developing the country as demonstrated by the commissioning of the Tanganda-Ngundu Highway, instead of wasting energy on negativity.

“For those with mobile phones, they were saying today (yesterday) you should stay away, stay away.

Stay away yokudii? Muchigara kuitira ani? Anozotambura ndiani kana mukasasevenza?,” said Mnangagwa.

“Anozotambura marega ndiani nekuti shoko raJehovha rinoti iro nokutadza kwamaita kudya muchero uyu muchararama necheziya. Zvino umwe woti iye aiwa ngatiregei kushanda. Ko tozodyei kana tisingashande?

Saka musaterera mhesva mukono idzi dzinopihwa mari nevanhu varikunze, dzinopihwa mari nevanhu vagere ku South Africa uko vatinoziva vamwe ma criminals akatiza muno varikutsvaga mari kuti kuve nemhirizhonga mukati menyika ivo vagere vachiplanner varimumahotera. Pasi navo! Saka hakuna stay away,” added Mnangagwa.

By Victor Bhoroma| As the country enters the last half of the year and warms up to the re-introduction of the Zimbabwean Dollar, it is now evident that the economy is swiftly sliding into a recession. In 2018, the economy grew by an estimated 4%, driven by growth in agriculture, mining and record exports of commodities. The current year started on a grim note with January inflation hitting 56.9% before expanding to 97.9% in May 2019. The June inflation figure will eclipse 100% to confirm the re-admission of the local economy into the recession mode for the first time since 2008. The International Monitory Fund (IMF) predicted that Zimbabwe’s economy will contract by 5.2% before revising the figure to 2.1% in line with the deliverables in the Staff Monitoring Programme (SMP). The World Bank points that the Zimbabwean economy is now in recession and will shrink by 3.1% in 2019. The major constraints for the economy emanate from structural challenges in governance being met in implementing economic reforms, hyperinflation, foreign currency liquidity shortages, power outages, political instability and the prevailing drought among others.

A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the entire economy, lasting more than a few months and normally visible with a drop in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), real income, consumer demand, employment, industrial production and company closures.

The symptoms of a recession in Zimbabwe have mainly been visible on loss of value for the local currency which affects real incomes for labour and businesses. The Zimbabwean Dollar (Formerly RTGS Dollar) has lost more than 150% of its value since the interbank market was launched in February 2019. The average civil service salaries have gone below US $80.00 (using prevailing interbank rates) and below US $35.00 if the black market rates are used. The same applies for wages in the private sector and business earnings for local producers. Company closures have also started to creep in with massive industrial layoffs, though the major push factor there has been foreign currency shortages and power cuts. Industrial capacity utilization has declined to less than 40% and may end the year at about 35% if those two production factors are not addressed.

Zimbabwe’s last recession cycle was from the year 2000 to 2008 where the local economy contracted at an average of 7.41% in each year. The period saw massive de-industrialization, company closures, foreign investor flight, job losses, decline in agricultural productivity and rise in poverty levels. The economy bounced back to growth in 2009 after the introduction of the US Dollar which stabilized inflation, boosted private sector investment and cut the central bank print run which was responsible for fueling inflation. However the local industry had lost competitiveness due to de-industrialization, decline in agricultural production, obsolete equipment and lack of capital to retool. The local industry has not been competitive in the region largely because of those key constraints. However the key take outs from the 2009-2013 record growth cycle is that confidence, political stability and prudent public funds management are key to the growth of the local economy. Zimbabwe’s economy grew by an average of 10% between 2009 and 2013.

On the 24 of June 2019, the Zimbabwean government gazetted a new regulation that outlaws the charging of multiple currencies for local goods and services while re-introducing the Zimbabwean Dollar, parked since 2008. The return of the Zimbabwean Dollar through the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 might be a positive aspect for the local industry provided the foreign currency to import raw materials is available on the interbank market or local banks access foreign currency to oil their Nostro accounts. Now that the country has an official local currency, banks can now trade currencies on the international platform with limited central bank control. However failure to secure foreign currency for local producers might lead to empty shelves and production stoppages. The informal market will therefore remain very relevant as goods in short supply in the shops can be found on the black market for any currency the traders deem fit. Even though the Zimbabwean Dollar is the legal tender, SI 142 does not state any penalties for trading in multiple currencies or criminalize those found in possession of foreign currencies. Strict enforcement of the local currency through price controls will lead to market shortages for all imported commodities especially medicine, basic foodstuff and industrial equipment. The government is likely not going to temper with price controls.

Black market activities and runaway inflation are not likely to be cooled by the return of the Zimbabwean Dollar in the long term as fears of rampant money printing by RBZ are high. The USD and South African Rand will remain very vital for informal trade, savings and property disposals as sellers will likely adopt a wait and see attitude in the coming weeks. Foreign currency will now be traded illegally in dark corners at high premiums.

The much hyped FCA account will remain relevant for industrial importers mainly. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), foreign embassies and corporates that transacted using FCA transfers will no longer be able to do so. Foreign currency deposits with local banks will definitely take a knock going into end of year. Similarly all labour costs will be settled in a local currency unless if the central bank specifies otherwise. Foreign currency remittances are most likely going to be treated as free funds to ensure the remittances corridor is left open and International Money Transfer (IMT) agencies can import US Dollars into Zimbabwe.

In terms of the value for the Zimbabwean Dollar, the government has no absolute control on that front. The value of the local currency will depend on securing reserves to back the fiat currency, liquidity levels on the interbank market, confidence levels in the economy and government itself, export and import parity (current account position), inflation levels and general economic performance. Currently all these fundamental necessities are not positive, therefore the value of the Zimbabwean Dollar is likely to plummet against major world currencies. After assessing the government’s currency reforms, it is clear that the introduction of the Zimbabwean Dollar was necessitated by the government’s need to have control on money printing in the local economy. The slide into dollarization took this key function away from the central bank. The central bank also wants flexibility in paying local debt and responding to government expenditure demands for economic intervention.

Major constraints remain the economy with key gaps in supplies of fuel, maize, soya and wheat; foreign currency shortages on the interbank market; power cuts; confidence deficit and production bottlenecks. Inflation still remains the country’s number one enemy and managing it remains the key performance indicator for treasury and central bank authorities. Exports will be slightly below the $4.23 billion mark achieved in 2018 due to foreign currency retention outcries from key producers such as tobacco farmers and miners. The IMF monitored Staff Monitoring Programme (SMP) remains key in cutting government expenditure, curtailing borrowing locally or offshore and restructuring of State Enterprises and Parastatals (SEPs). Though the agreements in the program are now under threat from civil service salary hikes. Civil servants are likely going to get 50 to 100% increments in the next month though their satisfaction will largely be determined by the inflation rate.

Victor Bhoroma is business and economic analyst. He is a marketer by profession and holds an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). For feedback, mail him on [email protected] or alternatively follow him on Twitter @VictorBhoroma1.

Some MDC Alliance councillors in Marondera are reportedly illegally selling residential stands in Hunyani Timberlands to unsuspecting home-seekers, sources have said.

This paper is reliably informed that the councillors are collecting money from people, promising to give them residential stands in Hunyani Timberlands, the same piece of land that is currently being eyed by an investor who is set to construct 17 000 housing units once the deal is approved by Cabinet.

According to a reliable source, the MDC Alliance leadership in Marondera has been notified of the actions by some of its councillors.

“The party leadership was notified of the actions by some of the councillors who are collecting various amounts of money from residents on the pretext that there will be stands in Hunyani Timberlands. The leaders in Marondera are seized with the matter and have since warned the culprits,” said the source.

Marondera district MDC Alliance spokesperson Farai Nyandoro said it was a criminal for councillors to collect money from home-seekers.

“I am not sure as to the authenticity of the claim or allegation of such rumours. It is, however, a criminal act for any councillor to go about collecting money from desperate home-
seekers as councillors are not council employees,” he said.

Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa yesterday blamed individuals who he said were there to tarnish the image of the councillors.

“We are a law abiding party, whoever is doing it must be dealt with according to the law. I don’t think there are councillors doing that, but individuals who want to tarnish the
councillors. There are some wayward individuals misleading the general public and I want to tell the public not to give money to anyone, but to council and be on the waiting list. We
are not a mafia council, but a local authority which respects the rule of law,” Murowa said.

The illegal land dealings hardly after another scam that left thousands of home-seekers duped after being promised stands in 2015 during Zanu PF campaigns.

The residents parted with $1 500 for the stands in Elmswood and up to date none have been delivered. Some of the victims have on numerous occasions threatened to invade and allocate themselves land at Hunyani Timberlands.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday officially opened the US$20 million rehabilitated Ngundu-Tanganda highway, in a development expected to spur economic activity.

The road, which was badly damaged due to years of neglect, links Manicaland and Masvingo provinces via Chiredzi.

The road also links the Eastern Highlands to South Africa, Zimbabwe’s major trading partner.

President Mnangagwa noted that the road had fallen into a state of disrepair.

“I remember when the new administration took over we were told by then Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Monica Mutsvangwa that a number of accidents were occurring here. We were told a section of the highway had become a black spot. We ordered that the area be rehabilitated. It was rehabilitated under Phase One. After the rehabilitation of that phase we continued to record accidents along this highway,” said the President.

He said resource constraints delayed the rehabilitation of the road.

“As Government we resolved that we channel the little resources we had towards the rehabilitation of this road in Chipinge. I come here today as your servant and you are my people. I love you all and I do not care about those who do not like me. We have completed this road, but it does not end here. We have other areas that were affected by Cyclone Idai in Chipinge and Chimanimani which need our attention. Roads, bridges and schools were destroyed there,” he said.

Jane Mlambo| Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is reportedly in a critical condition and has been airlifted to South African hospital where he receiving treatment, a ZimEye source has revealed.

Chiwenga who has not been seen in public for over three months now is battling an unknown ailment that has also seen him frequenting Indian hospitals seeking medical attention.

A ZimEye source revealed that the powerful former Zimbabwe National Army commander could have been poisoned though further details on how it happened could not be obtained.

More to follow…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned that he will deal with his corrupt officials in Zanu PF without fear or favor.

Addressing hundreds of villagers who converged at Kondo Primary School in Chipinge to witness him officially opening the rehabilitated Tanganda-Ngundu Highway on Monday, Mnangagwa spoke to recent revelations by ZANU PF youth that some senior ruling party officials were highly corrupt and needed to be kicked out of the party.

“Ndouya panyaya yohuwori regai ndikutaurirei pasi nehuwori. Huwori hahuna mutupo. Mitupo yose motova neumwe ari muhuwori. Hamungandiudzi kuti mutupo wokuti haubi kune vanonyanya ndoupi uyoyo. Mutupo upi unonyanya? Hakuna mutupo usina mbavha mukati saka hatitsvagi mbavha nomutupo totsvaga nemabasa emunhu. Musazoti nhingi anangwa nekuti mupfupi nhingi anangwa nekuti anoyera moyo, aiwa, munhu anonangwa nemabasa ake aanenge aita. Kana usingadi kunangwa shanda wakarurama.

“Hard and honest work will give you respect today and tomorrow and after your death you will be remembered for being a hard working Zimbabwean who was honest,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said citizens knew corrupt individuals and must report them to the police.

The ZANU PF youth league last week circulated a list of senior government and party officials they claimed were very corrupt and destroying the country.

Top on the list was ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu. Mnangagwa has since promised to set up a commission of inquiry into the corruption allegations.

The nation eagerly awaits to see the commission through and action which Mnangagwa will take there after.

Energy Minister Fortune Chasi has taken to the social media to try and clean himself after misleading the nation last week claiming that government had paid $10m to South African power producers Eskom.

Eskom quickly dismissed the minister’s claim leaving him exposed to the fury of Zimbabweans who attacked him for lying to the nation.

Chasi this morning published a proof of payment for the amount only generated yesterday, the 1st of July, a week after his sensational claim absolving himself from being termed a liar.

https://twitter.com/fortunechasi/status/1145883185458417664?s=19

After showing off the payment, Chasi went further to indicate that the payment of the $10m out of $40m owing to Eskom will result in immediate removal of loadshedding.

Zimbabweans, whilst we have paid 10m$ this is no guarantee for power. We need to negotiate. The public owes 350 million. It must be paid.

— Fortune Chasi (@fortunechasi) July 2, 2019

ZIMBABWE’s economic and political crisis is putting pressure on South Africa’s ability to deliver services to its people, MDC vice president has claimed.

Biti was speaking in a panel discussion at the Southern African Political Economy Series (Sapes) Trust last Thursday.

The former Finance Minister claimed some 20% of the children being delivered in South African hospitals in areas such as Soweto were Zimbabweans.

“You read the first quarter results of the South African economy, the economy has shrunk by volumes it has never done in 45 years. We are going to feel it because in many ways, the South African economy has been subsidising us.

“If you go to a hospital in Soweto, 20% of mothers giving birth are Zimbabweans. So the Zimbabwean crisis is putting a premium on the South African economy and indeed other economies in the Sadc,” said Biti.

Official figures indicate that about 600,000 babies are born in Soweto each year.

An estimated two to three million Zimbabweans are said to be staying in South Africa with most of them undocumented immigrants trying to escape economic and political turmoil in their country.

The Harare East MP said the only way Zimbabwe could avoid going back to the 2008 situation where inflation reached alarming levels and there were massive shortages of goods was by de-dollarising or joining the Rand Monetary Union (RMU). He however admitted it could take as much as four years for this to happen.

“Joining the RMU is not a walk in the park, you need a window of at least four years because there has to be both fiscal and monetary convergence because if there is no convergence, we will export into the region our unique abnormality and disequilibrium,” said Biti.

He said there was need for structural adjustments to the country’s fiscal and monetary policies before joining the union that includes regional economic power South Africa, Namibia and eSwatini so as not to upset the working system.

Biti accused international multi-lateral institutions of going into bed with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government that the opposition has refused to recognise after last year’s elections.

“That will force serious structural reform which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cannot impose on Zimbabwe but is busy cosying up and cuddling with this erratic regime.

“The South Africans, the Namibians and eSwatinis have a real stake in that union so they will insist on huge structural reform to make sure that key indicators are all converged. That is why I am in favour of it,” the former Treasury chief said.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube last week announced new fiscal measures that abandoned the multi-currency system in favour of a mono-currency in which the local dollar was designated as sole legal tender for all domestic transactions.

This has angered the opposition and other pressure groups who have been agitating for the adoption of the US dollar or the Rand.

Allafrica.com

“I want to survive like them. They must leave me alone,” says fruit seller in Port Elizabeth

Ever Chingobe, 33, sells fruit and vegetables on the corner of Russell Road and Govan Mbeki Avenue in Port Elizabeth.

She was one of about 30 Zimbabwean hawkers whose stalls were ransacked by a group of South Africans on Friday afternoon. The group, who also sell fruit in the area, claim to be losing customers to the Zimbabwean traders selling goods at lower prices.

“I want to survive like them. They must leave me alone,” Chingobe said.

She said, “A group of women stormed my shop. They told me that whatever I sell should cost R15, instead of R10. I asked the women, would they go to Shoprite and force them to sell fruit at R15?”

Another hawker, Blessing Ziumbe, said, “They suddenly arrived and told us to go … There was no agreement about selling fruit at R15 … We used to sell pirated CDs and DVDs but after we were arrested and fined by the police, we then introduced fruit.”

Ziumbe said they were not given an opportunity to resolve the price dispute.

On Friday afternoon, hawkers were seen shouting insults at one another. One of the South African hawkers shouted, “Take your goods and leave. Don’t drag your feet. Pick them up now,”

He was shouting at a Zimbabwean woman kneeling on the ground as she wrapped her goods in a sheet.

South African hawker Maureen Skhwentu sells fruit and vegetables from a kiosk she rents from the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA). “We are aware that Zimbabwean hawkers also have families, children to look after – like us. But it is hard to make money that would feed me and my children and cover the R90 rent bill [for the kiosk] because of foreign people,” she said.

MBDA Operations Manager Mcebisi Ncalu said no permits had been issued. “It is just through arrogance, disrespect and disregard of law that these foreign illegal traders forced their way into the subway [area to sell],” said Ncalu.

The MBDA is contracted to keep the central city clean and to monitor and issue permits to hawkers.

Ncalu said that the “action by the mamas” on Friday had come about because law enforcement officers had not done their job enforcing the City’s laws.

Zimbabweans, whilst we have paid 10m$ this is no guarantee for power. We need to negotiate. The public owes 350 million. It must be paid.

— Fortune Chasi (@fortunechasi) July 2, 2019

Three members of the Zimbabwe National Army probably deployed to guard the National Heroes Acre have done the most unexpected of them after recording and circulating a video and photos of themselves mocking and dancing on former Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo’s grave at the shrine.

The incident takes place at a time when the nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of the death of the man who led the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence winning himself the nickname “Father Zimbabwe.”

Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 and was buried at the Korean built National Heroes Acre in Harare.

Two of the soldiers captured in the photos provided to ZimEye.com are in military uniform while the other is in civilian attire.

Of late some of the late gallant Zimbabweans have had their families decline Heroes Acre burials and such disrespect of the dead may trigger more resists from Heroes Acre burials.

No comment has yet been received from both government and the army despite the pictures of the soldiers going viral on social media.

State Media|CASES of lack of accountability, violation of procedures and non-compliance by local authorities have continued to rise over the years, a sign that the provision of service delivery is weakening in the country, the Auditor General, Mrs Mildred Chiri, has said.

In her annual report on local authorities, Mrs Chiri said during the year under review, 59 governance issues were noted from local authorities and these related to absence of policies and procedures as well as non-compliance with statutory regulations.

She said there was a need for improvement in accountability in local authorities.

“The number of reported service delivery issues have risen over the years, which is a sign of weakening service provision by various local authorities. It’s of great concern that governance issues over the years have continued to dominate my findings. Although there was an improvement from 2015 to 2016 (reduction from 68 percent to 49 percent), there has been a notable surge from 49 percent to 67 percent in the governance issues in 2017 and 2018 respectively,” said Mrs Chiri.

The Auditor-General said 70 local authorities had not submitted their financial statements for audit as at May 31.

For Bulawayo she said: “A car loan agreement to an employee with a value of $434 450 was not approved by the town clerk as per procedure. The agreement was only signed by the employee. There was also no contract for a car loan amounting to $8 743 advanced to another employee.”

She said there was risk of financial loss due to violation of procedures and lack of basis for legal recourse in the event of disputes.

“Gweru City Council could not reconcile rates and water accounts amounting to $12 738 875 and $7 312 445 to bank statement balances of $303 942 and $70 582 respectively. Its employees have accumulated excess leave days which effectively implies that some of them have not been on leave for at least 17 years and others 24 years. Gweru was also unable to provide layout plans for the stands sold during the year,” said Mrs Chiri.

She said Tsholotsho RDC monthly payroll schedules could not be availed. Payroll for the year was extrapolated from a July 2016 payroll schedule which was incomplete as it excluded the chief executive officer.

Mrs Chiri said Tsholotsho RDC also received Zimdef funds from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development and there was no transparency in the use of the money.

“These funds were utilised by the council without any supporting documents availed to audit for my inspection. On enquiry with management about the nature of the arrangement and the reasons why the monies had been transferred out, the explanation proffered was that the transactions had been done on the instruction of the then Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Jonathan Moyo,” said Mrs Chiri.

At Kusile RDC, the Auditor General said stands owned by employees were exempted from rate charges, which was in contravention of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15. Mrs Chiri said Bubi RDC among others were operating without key policies and procedure manuals.

She said the local authority could not provide documentation to support exemption of the council employees from paying rates.

At Hwange RDC, council had a vehicle which was not registered in its name and no documentation was availed to explain or support how the vehicle had been acquired.

Upon inquiry, Mrs Chiri said council indicated that one of the debtors paid using a vehicle acquired from a third party who left the country without signing the necessary transfer papers.

Government has said it will soon write letters to all parastatals, departments and local authorities emphasising the need to act urgently on the recommendations of the Auditor General.

State Media|THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) yesterday said it will today impose a city-wide four-day water shedding programme ending on Saturday while it conducts major rehabilitation works at its water treatment plants.

Only the central business district, mines and industry are exempted.

This comes as most western suburbs have been without water since Sunday.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said as rehabilitation works would be ongoing for the next five months members of the public are advised that there may be need for similar shutdowns at various intervals.

The council is implementing the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (BWSSIP) funded by the African Development Bank.

The programme is meant to improve municipal water supply and sanitation services in the city to improve health and social well being of residents.

In a statement, Mr Dube said the project involves rehabilitation of Criterion Water Treatment Plant to improve supply of water in the city. As a result, he said, BCC will impose a four day water shedding programme outside the scheduled running 48 hour schedule.

“The works involve replacement of valves, pumps and all associated civil works. The diameters of these valves are ranging from DN600, DN900 and DN1000 and because of the size, design of the plant and location of these valves the plant has to be shut down to allow for installation and the rehabilitation works,” he said.

“These works will result in water supplies interruption outside the 48 hour water shedding schedule to 96 hours citywide. This is to allow for the installation of inlet gate valves, main distribution board, backwash pump and fittings among other major works. This will commence on Tuesday July 2, 2019 to Saturday July 6, 2019. Efforts will be made to have these works done within the scheduled period.”

Mr Dube urged residents to use water sparingly while the shedding exercise is adjusted accordingly.

“The City of Bulawayo advises residents that the water shedding programme is subject to change if the reservoir situation on the ground improves or deteriorates beyond the stipulated period. Residents are urged to conserve water and use alternative safe sources for non-potable uses especially boreholes. Bulawayo City Council wishes to apologise to its valued consumers for the inconvenience likely to be caused,” said Mr Dube.

He said the council would keep the public posted on schedules for the shutdown.

“The main objective of the water supply component is to ensure improved access to municipal water supply in the identified project areas by improving the efficiency of raw water pumping, treatment and distribution networks in areas supplied by the Magwegwe and Criterion Reservoirs. The Criterion Water Treatment plant is currently undergoing major rehabilitation works under the (BWSSIP) project,” said Mr Dub

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi has challenged newly-promoted senior officers in the service to continue advocating and supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Government policies as a contributing factor to their promotions.

President Mnangagwa recently elevated Senior Assistant Commissioner Shepherd Mpofu to the position of Deputy Commissioner-General (human resources). Snr Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu was conferred with his new rank yesterday by Comm-Gen Zimondi at his offices in Harare.

He replaced Deputy Comm-Gen Huggins Machingauta, who was forced into retirement early this year. The appointment was effective from June 13 this year.

Zimondi’s call for loyalty to Mnangagwa comes on the heels of an incident where a Prison Services Officer John Mahlabera, was recently fired from service for allegedly calling opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa “my president.”

He was charged with contravening Section 3 (1) of the Prisons (Staff) Discipline Regulations 1984 of “using traitorous or disloyal words regarding the president or the government”.

Addressing senior officers, Comm-Gen Zimondi expressed his gratitude to President Mnangagwa for his guidance and support which culminated in the promotion of Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu.

“Let me hasten to mention that it is through the officer’s sheer hard work and loyalty that led to his elevation,” he said.

“DCG Mpofu proved to be an officer of unquestionable character and loyalty whose devotion to duty and serving his country is intrinsically driven.

Having said that, allow me once again to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency the President, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde E.D Mnangagwa for this promotion, which I believe will go a long way in turning around the fortunes of the ZPCS.”

Comm-Gen Zimondi urged Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu to preach more verses of loyalty, patriotism, dedication to duty, team work and unity among members of staff.

“As I have already stated that your elevation brings with it a lot of responsibilities, I, therefore, urge you to continue to be vigilant, well-focused and resolute,” he said.

“Continue to work hard and inspire your juniors by exemplifying good leadership qualities and discipline. It is only good leaders who can be emulated, consequently you must lead by example and ensure that there is zero tolerance to corruption and indiscipline in whatever form and by whatever name.”

Comm-Gen Zimondi said in accordance with their vision to become the leading correctional service provider in the region and beyond, Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu was expected to innovatively and creatively find possible solutions to challenges bedevilling the success of the organisation in its quest to achieve its constitutional mandate.

He said one of their most urgent priorities was to provide adequate food requirements to their ever-increasing inmate population.

“In view of this development, I call upon you to ensure that staff under command continue to fully embrace the Government’s initiated Command Agriculture programmes with the view to fully utilising the farms that were allocated to us through the land reform programme,” said Comm-Gen Zimondi.

“The full utilisation of the prison farms will no doubt ensure that as a department, the ZPCS will become self-sustained in terms of food security in line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).”

Comm-Gen Zimond said he will continue to work in consultation with the relevant authorities with the view to improving conditions of service for all members of the service from time to time.

Deputy-Comm Gen Mpofu applauded President Mnangagwa for promoting him and Comm-Gen Zimondi for the recommendations and conferring him with the new rank. He promised to work hard and remain loyal and disciplined to the organisation and the country.

Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu was the officer commanding Matabeleland South Province before his recent promotion and becomes the fourth Deputy Commissioner-General.

Comm-Gen Zimondi works with four deputies responsible for human resources, administration, correctional services and audit and the inspectorate department.

Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu joined ZPCS in 1996 and rose through the ranks to the current position. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Management) degree from Solusi University.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned that he will deal with his corrupt ZANU PF Collegues without fear nor favour.

Addressing hundreds of villagers who converged at Kondo Primary School to witness him officially opening the rehabilitated Tanganda-Ngundu Highway on Monday, Mnangagwa spoke to recent revelations by ZANU PF youth that some senior ruling party officials were highly corrupt and needed to be kicked out of the party.

“Ndouya panyaya yohuwori regai ndikutaurirei pasi nehuwori. Huwori hahuna mutupo. Mitupo yose motova neumwe ari muhuwori. Hamungandiudzi kuti mutupo wokuti haubi kune vanonyanya ndoupi uyoyo. Mutupo upi unonyanya? Hakuna mutupo usina mbavha mukati saka hatitsvagi mbavha nomutupo totsvaga nemabasa emunhu. Musazoti nhingi anangwa nekuti mupfupi nhingi anangwa nekuti anoyera moyo, aiwa, munhu anonangwa nemabasa ake aanenge aita. Kana usingadi kunangwa shanda wakarurama.

“Hard and honest work will give you respect today and tomorrow and after your death you will be remembered for being a hard working Zimbabwean who was honest,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said citizens knew corrupt individuals and must report them to the police.

The ZANU PF youth league last week circulated a list of senior government and party officials they claimed were very corrupt and destroying the country.

Top on the list was ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu. Mnangagwa has since promised to set up a commission of inquiry into the corruption allegations.

The nation eagerly awaits to see the commission through and action which Mnangagwa will take there after.

Government yesterday confirmed that as of last week no payment of US$10 million to South African power utility, Eskom, to service the debt to the power utility had been made, the money was only likely to be paid in the receiver’s bank by end of day yesterday.

Last week, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi claimed that government had paid US$10m to the South African power utility company which declined through a statement that it had not received funds from Harare .

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube confirmed this on Monday when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development chaired by Felix Mhona.

Prof Ncube was in the company of the ministry’s secretary Mr George Guvamatanga and Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya.

Prof Ncube confirmed that Eskom was owed US$33 million by Government.

He also said Government was working on settling its debts to Eskom and the Mozambique power supplier, Cahora Bassa.

“We owe Eskom, US$33 million and US$37 million to our colleagues in Mozambique. We will continue to service these debts.

“By end of today (yesterday) we should be able to settle US$10 million. We also paid RTGS$20 million, which was domestic, to Zesa and they did acknowledge payment.

“An issue becomes an RTGS equivalent to these US dollars required to pay the debts. Often the company in question (Zesa) has liquidity challenges and this makes it not so easy to honour these US dollar payments abroad even when we have access to US dollars.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure we extinguish our debts and power continues to flow,” he said.

Prof Ncube said the Ministry of Energy and Power Development had come up with strategies on managing demand on power.

“The Ministry of Energy has shared a document regarding strategies about demand management in terms of demand form power, understanding who the customers are; mining companies, residential areas, manufacturers, agriculture; have a sense of how those should be managed, then looking at the supply side management sources of power; coal, hydro imported from Mozambique and South Africa and the opportunities for supply of more power through renewable energy such as solar energy.

“There is also clear articulation of how that could be managed and now it is about squeezing out efficiency out of Zesa itself in the way it operates and the way it procures so we minimise waste,” he said.

Finance and Economic Development secretary, Mr George Guvamatanga confirmed the payment arrangements to Eskom.

He said sometimes the process took longer to be fully processed.

“When a payment is made, there is a process in Government and there is a point were a budget is released and authorised and a payment is done. There are other follow-up processes which may include telegraphic transfer being done, the transfers of the local currency being done, but from a process perspective. When a budget is released from the Minister’s perspective, a payment is done and it would have been done.

“The other ensuing process is just a process which then gets you through to the final proof of payment. That process would ordinarily take seven days. When the Minister pronounces that a payment has been done from a process perspective it has been done,” he said.

Zimbabwe is battling electricity shortages following a sharp decline in water levels in Kariba Dam due to erratic rains in the 2018-19 rainfall season, and generation constraints at Hwange Power Station because of aging equipment.

This has resulted in massive load shedding, which lasts up to 10 hours especially for residential customers.

The ruling ZANU PF party is on cloud nine celebrating the flop of a nationwide planned “national shutdown” protests which was being organised by South African based Promise Mkhwananzi leader of the now out of sorts #Tajamuka Movement.

Government yesterday scoffed at what they called “self-serving attention-seekers” who coordinated the flopped protests they were paid hefty sums of money through South African contacts.

The battling ruling political party claimed that the failure of the demonstration showed diminished returns of hostile activity as Zimbabweans warmed up to ongoing reforms.

The ruling party celebrates the flop besides knowing that the main opposition MDC-Alliance Youth Assembly together with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union and several other membership based organisations that may have impacted on the protest refused to partake in the so-called shutdown which Tajamuka leader, Promise Mkwananzi, instigated from Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to a state media report, a mercenary group, they would not mention, with offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, facilitated funding of the flopped Tajamuka protests.

The media claims that bsome of the Tajamuka activists behind the protest were booked at a hotel in Johannesburg.

“As I speak, some of these activists are staying at Palmer Hotel Croydon Kempton Park, Johannesburg (apartment number withheld).

“Over 81 Tajamuka activists received money ranging from US$2 000 to US$5 000. The money comes from Netherlands and Australia,” claimed the media sources.

A celebratory Permanent secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana blasted the activists.

“Zimbabweans are tired of self-serving attention seekers trying to disrupt their lives. People are seeing through these efforts to unlock donor funds through antics whose ultimate effect is only to worsen a situation which is resolving itself.

“This is the fourth so-called shutdown that has flopped because people are busy dealing with the daily challenges that the country is experiencing through this transition,” he said.

Mangwana said Government efforts to turnaround the economy were beginning to bear fruit hence Zimbabweans should be patient.

“The people of Zimbabwe are also clear that the interventions put in motion by President Mnangagwa and his Government are already beginning to bear fruit.

“This is what the purveyors of anarchy are trying to disrupt knowing that a peaceful Zimbabwe on a recovery trajectory robs them of their relevancy.

“I don’t know how asking for people to be unproductive by calling for them to shut down the country is meant to improve their outcomes. How does that make people’s lives better?”

Police have been fully equipped and deployed through out the country to deal with any possible protests and coordinators of such protests, government has declared.

In a statement, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said they had noted that there were some individuals and groups circulating information on social media threatening people to stay away this week.

“My Ministry would like to assure Zimbabweans that the ZRP has deployed adequate officers to maintain law and order throughout the country and account for all individuals or groups who intend to engage in any form of violence, threats and intimidation,” he said.

“The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows people to petition anyone on grievances, but however, these grievances should be petitioned in a manner which does not interfere with the rights of others. My ministry is concerned that previous stay aways or demonstrations have not been peaceful,” Minister Mathema said.

He added, “Let me also remind the people of Zimbabwe that anybody or any organisation, is also free to approach President Mnangagwa on any issues, before engaging in demonstration or stay away.

“In any case, Zimbabweans must remember that strike does not necessarily mean to demonstrate along our streets.

“In this regard anyone who organises, incites or invites members of the public to engage in any form of disturbances should be prepared to face the consequences.”

Minister Mathema said any individual who receives threats or intimidation must quickly report such threats to the nearest police station.

State Media|Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube says authorities have instituted measures to ensure the local currency will not suffer previous depredations, following the recent gazetting of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, which makes the Zimbabwe dollar the sole legal tender.

He said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development chaired by Felix Mhona.

Prof Ncube was in the company of his ministry’s Secretary, Mr George Guvamatanga, and Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya.

Hon Mhona said they invited the minister to brief the committee on SI-142 of 2019 on Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) legal tender regulations and mechanisms in place for its implementation.

The committee was also concerned that there was not much communication to the public, especially when it comes to explaining the instrument to people in the rural areas.

Concerns were raised that some rural folk were being fleeced by unscrupulous people of their money due to lack of knowledge.

Other members of the committee asked whether the RBZ would continue printing notes and if this would not induce inflation.

The legislators also queried if the fundamentals were in place for the reintroduction of the domestic currency.

The trio explained the various tenets of the SI 142, its implications to individuals and corporates, and assured the concerned legislators that the country would not return to the 2008 era.

The committee also heard that already 55 bureaux de change were opened although 43 were operational.

Dr Mangudya said they had received a number of applications last week. Responding to questions from legislators on whether the country was not going to have a return of the same situation encountered in 2008, Minister Ncube said there has been a change of polices from those in 2008.

Prof Ncube said the issue was not about the currency but the policies that supported a stable currency.

“There must be fiscal discipline and what we have at the moment is fiscal discipline of the highest quality and the results speak for themselves. We don’t have a budget deficit, we have a surplus which we are deploying now to our social protection, and we will be increasing salaries for the civil servants and importation of food.

“The second fundamental is the monetary discipline in the form of managing the growth of money supply. The growth of money supply in the last few months has been flat but because there was fiscal discipline which has been a problem in the first place.

“If you go back to 2008, it is the exact opposite. We had no fiscal discipline, we had no monetary sector discipline. The budget deficit was huge, rising and uncontrollable and was being monetised through the printing of money. We saw many zeros, we removed some and they came back. We do not have that at the moment, we have the right fundamentals to support the domestic currency,” he said.

He said Government was not repeating the 2008 policies.

“This is not 2008 where we had fiscal indiscipline and monetary sector indiscipline. We are far from that, the conditions are different, the policies are different. The policies are not being repeated. We are in a far better position than we were in back then. I assure you that we are not in 2008. We are re-engaging with the rest of the world,” he said.

On the issue of informing the public, Prof Ncube said the Ministry had hired professionals to assist with communications who would soon start educating people on the new SI.

“When dealing with a currency, you do not call for a referendum especially in the face of a speculative attack which was going on. You move swiftly with decisiveness. This is how a sensitive issue has to be managed. But you have to give signals that it will happen at some point and we tried to do this. Now we need to explain in our indigenous languages especially in the rural areas,” he said.

Dr Mangudya said appropriate policies, confidence and production were the most important fundamentals to support domestic currency.

“If you have a combination of right policies, confidence and there is production, the currency is strong. Any country’s currency is influenced by those three fundamentals,” he said.

He said it was important that the country produces enough food and stops importing.

“What we are missing in this country is that we are expecting the currency to take the role of production. Let’s have production and as Zimbabwe, let’s have confidence. We do not have confidence among ourselves as if we are all foreigners,” he said.

On the printing of money, Dr Mangudya said it was meant fill in the gap created by the removal of the foreign currency and also to replace worn out notes.

“We have removed usage of US dollars, there is a gap we have created in terms of paper money. There is a difference between paper money and currency. The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zim dollar represented by bond note, coins and RTGS.

“The $400 million, we feel there is need for an increase in paper money. As we print that money will be replacing the old money. Old notes should be replaced,” he said.

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday thanked Zimbabweans for ignoring calls by shadowy organisations to stay away from work saying demonstrations were not in the best interest of the country.

He urged unity, as it is a recipe for economic prosperity.
Some organisations linked to the opposition were posting messages across social media platforms urging Zimbabweans to “stay away” and warning of dire consequences for citizens who were going to ignore the call and report for duty.

Addressing hundreds of villagers who converged at Kondo Primary School to witness him officially opening the rehabilitated Tanganda-Ngundu Highway, President Mnangagwa said demonstrations and stay aways benefited no one.

He said focus by all must be on developing the country as demonstrated by the commissioning of the Tanganda-Ngundu Highway, instead of wasting energy on negativity.

“For those with mobile phones, they were saying today you should stay away, stay away. Stay away yokudii? Muchigara kuitira ani? Anozotambura ndiani kana mukasasevenza?,” said President Mnangagwa.

He reiterated that such calls were destructive.
“Anozotambura marega ndiani nekuti shoko raJehovha rinoti iro nokutadza kwamaita kudya muchero uyu muchararama necheziya. Zvino umwe woti iye aiwa ngatiregei kushanda. Ko tozodyei kana tisingashande? Saka musaterera mhesva mukono idzi dzinopihwa mari nevanhu varikunze, dzinopihwa mari nevanhu vagere ku South Africa uko vatinoziva vamwe ma criminals akatiza muno varikutsvaga mari kuti kuve nemhirizhonga mukati menyika ivo vagere vachiplanner varimumahotera.

Pasi navo! Saka hakuna stay away,” added President Mnangagwa.State media

Police have released names of 14 people who were killed in the Featherstone Bus Disaster last week.
The 14 were part of the 19 who died in a head-on collision involving a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck at Wengezi Bridge last Friday.

The 14 are: Paidamoyo Dick, Nokutenda Nhau, Charity Chidende, Jesca Njanike, Gore Mujere, Sign Muteiwa, Francisca Madzamba, Munyaradzi Murwira, Webster Mutuimwe , Michael Zambuke, Patrick Chingwende and three children — Comfort Chirume (two months), Vanisa Kamabarami (two months) and Tinotenda Dudzai (0ne year).

The names were announced after the victims’ close relatives had been informed. Police are yet to publish names of the remaining five.
All the 19 victims were travelling in the commuter omnibus.

Four others were seriously injured.
Investigations are still in progress to establish the cause of the accident.
No one has be charged yet.

On Friday, 16 people died on the spot, but the death toll rose on Saturday after three others succumbed to injuries while in hospital.State media

Farai Dziva|In a tweet that has gone viral on social media Jonathan Moyo alleges that Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the Chancellor of all state universities in Zimbabwe, impregnated a university student.

Social Media platforms are awash with claims that Mnangagwa impregnated a university student who recently gave birth to a bouncing baby.

Moyo claimed that a student at one premier institution of higher learning was recently blessed with a child after she was impregnated by the Chancellor of her university.See tweet :

Farai Dziva|Reliable sources have exclusively disclosed that senior government officials- including CIO operatives have been implicated in the rampant looting of Cyclone Idai donations.

“Please don’t mention my name, I got the information from some government officials who need protection.

Theft of Cyclone Idai donations has landed CIOs in hot soup. So huge are the quantities allegedly stolen that Chimanimani residents call the scandal ‘ Cyclone Ibai’

A syndicate of government officials who stole Cyclone Idai relief in Chimanimani was busted.

Among the accused is a CIO operative called Marufu. The accused appeared in court. But their case is just a tip of the iceberg,”a source told Zim Eye.com yesterday.

” It is alleged that Marufu who used to be stationed in Chimanimani but is now in Chipinge teamed up with other government officials from the DA’ offices and on numerous occasions withdrew relief aid from Silverstream using fake names and converted them to personal use.

The syndicate used Mr Tsododo’ pick up truck to raid the warehouses. Tsododo hails from Biriiri in Chimanimani. Tsododo was given away by paper work at the warehouses.

When he was taken in for investigations he admitted he nailed the CIO guy and other government officials as the guys who withdrew the relief aid but never delivered it to the wards it was meant to go.

Lots of cover up attempts and intimidation from CIO but I am told Military Intelligence led the operation.”

By Own Correspondent- Zanu PF national political commissar and deputy defense minister, Victor Matemadanda, has said that there is a possibility that individuals who are being accused of conducting underhand dealings to sabotage efforts to revive the economy, were indeed corrupt.

He urged those on the list to prove their innocence.

Matemadanda’s remarks come after the ZANU PF youth league released a list of names of individuals including top party, business and government officials accusing them of choking president Mnangagwa’s efforts to resuscitate the economy through corrupt dealings including illegal forex trading.

The list which nearly caused a fist fight during a politburo meeting featured prominent names including Obert Mpofu, Prisca Mupfumira and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe boss John Mangudya.

Addressing a Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting recently, Matemadanda said that no one was supposed to get angry.

He said those implicated should instead clear their names since corruption is a decay to be dealt with.

He said:

Prove your innocence. Corruption is a rot which we need to get rid off. Chiripo chiripo imbwa haihukuri sadza. Where there is smoke there is fire.

How can we develop when we are corrupt? We need you to clear your names because right now no one has said you are guilty.

Our constitution is clear that everyone is innocent until proven guilty so all those who have been named should prove their innocence.

He called upon president Mnangagwa to relieve corrupt and under performing public officials of their duties.-ZimMorningPost

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) today responded to Tajamuka’s calls for a peaceful stay away by deploying armed and plain clothed security officers to thwart any violent demonstrations.

Unlike in January when security forces were largely caught unawares by spontaneous protests, this time they have seemingly been prepared for any riots.

Pressure group, Tajamuka had, since last week been sending messages on social media platforms calling for citizens to protests over the ever-deteriorating socio-economic situation in the country.

In a statement circulating on social media, Tajamuka wrote:Mnangagwa has two choices, (either) to resign or allow Zimbabwe to move forward or to convene an all-inclusive dialogue, encompassing all Zimbabweans with an independent mediator.

If Mnangagwa does not respect the orders, the people of Zimbabwe will have no choice, but to come out of their houses on July 6 and march to State House in Harare. For other cities, we will advise where to assemble.

The main labour body in the country, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), which is credited with organising the January protests, distanced itself from Tajamuka’s latest calls.

By Own Correspondent- The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement expressing concern over comments by Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa, over Zimbabwe-China relations.

The state media reported that Mliswa is pushing for the deportation of a Chinese national at Sunny Yi Feng Tiles factory in Norton and he suggested that Sino-Zimbabwe relations were detrimental to Zimbabwe.

Below is the full statement, issued by the Embassy last night:

Recently, Temba P. Mliswa, the MP of Norton, has made a series of accusations against the Sunny Yi Feng Tiles Factory (Zimbabwe), a project by a Chinese company in Zimbabwe. The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe attaches importance to this and hereby makes the following statement:

The Chinese government, in accordance with the laws and regulations, protects the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese enterprises and citizens. And at the same time, the Government always requires them to abide by the laws and regulations of the host countries and respect local customs.

The Chinese embassy attaches importance to MP Mliswa’s criticisms and proposals concerning the tiles factory and has since coordinated the two sides to solve the problem through dialogue and consultation on several occasions. With the facilitation of the Chinese embassy, the dialogue between the two sides is still going on and we expect it to produce positive results. If the relevant issues cannot be resolved through consultation, the two sides may settle them rationally through legal channels.

The Chinese embassy has also noted with serious concerns some remarks made by MP Mliswa concerning China-Zimbabwe cooperation. Mainly two points are: 1.If Chinese investment is so good for Zim, why is the Zimbabwean economy still struggling? 2. During the construction of the new Parly building, mineral extraction is the order of the day.

The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe solemnly makes the statements as follows in response:

1. To do its utmost to help Zimbabwe and its people is China’s foreign policy towards Zimbabwe. In recent years, The Victoria Falls Airport Expansion Project, the Mugabe International Airport Expansion Project, the Kariba South Hydro-power Station Expansion Project, the Hwange Power Station Expansion Project and so on, which have been or are being built with concessional loans from China, have played an important role in improving infrastructure and self-sustaining capacity for the economic and social development of Zimbabwe. The projects involve more than $2 billion.

A few days ago, China decided to provide another new batch of grant of 400 million RMB (58 million US dollars) to Zimbabwe to help the country complete post-cyclone reconstruction and other important projects. It is not only logically absurd, but also morally untenable to simply blame that Zimbabwe’s economic difficulty can be attributed to that China’s investment is not good for Zimbabwe. It is universally recognized that whether a country can get rid of poverty and achieve sustainable development mainly relies on its own efforts.

1. The New Parliament Project is a project financed by the grant from the Chinese government. It does not have any attached project, nor does it spend a single penny from the Zimbabwean government’s coffer. This project is a manifestation of the profound friendship between the two governments and the peoples of China and Zimbabwe and brooks no one’s smear or distorting.
2. China and Zimbabwe enjoy a profound traditional friendship. The two sides have always rendered each other strong support on issues concerning each other’s core interests. China-Zimbabwe relations will not be affected by slander or vilifying by any individual. The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe is firmly opposed to the move by certain individual or media to undermine the friendship and cooperation between the two countries through flinging abuses, fabricating rumors and malicious slander. This does no good to Zimbabwe’s own development. We sincerely hope that the Zimbabwean side will continue to create a more favorable environment for all foreign direct investment, including Chinese enterprises.

By Nomusa Garikai: The Zanu PF propaganda machine has gone into overdrive in a rearguard action to justify the regime’s decision to reverse the 2009 decision to allow a basket of foreign currencies as legal tender. 

“These (foreign currency) controls allow countries to better manage their economies by controlling the in-flow and out-flow of currency, which may otherwise create exchange rate volatility.

Countries with weak and/or developing economies generally use foreign exchange controls to limit speculation against their currencies,” wrote Conway Tutani.

What the apologist is ignoring is that Zimbabwe experience its worst (so far, we have just started another phase and God only knows the new heights we will scale) local currency exchange rate volatility in the period 2000 to 2008. Hyper inflation peaked at a world record of 500 billion % and Z$ 35 quadrillion, ie 35×10^24 or 35 followed by 24 zeros, was worth US$1!

The Z$ was the only legal tender and so it was not the foreign currency that fuelled the hyper inflation but the Zimbabwe’s own voodoo economic policies such as the madness of printing of more Z$ in bigger and bigger denominations. 

The people lost confidence in the Z$ because it was worthless and so most economic activities ground to a halt, companies closed, shop shelves were empty, people’s savings and pensions were wiped out and millions of Zimbabweans were thrown into abject poverty.

The Zimbabwe economy has never fully recovered from the economic chaos of the hyperinflation years ending November 2008; unemployment soared to 90% and has never fallen below 80% and millions of Zimbabwe still live in abject poverty to this day.

In November 2008 the worthless Z$ was scrapped and people were allowed to trade freely using a basket of foreign currency. Overnight inflation dropped to single digit, the shop shelves started to fill up with imported goods (it required a lot more than relaxing trade in foreign currency to kick start the collapse agricultural sector and industrial production). 

Zanu PF has stealthily re-introduced the local currency to be used along side the basket of foreign currency. The regime has slowly started to inject more and more of the local currency into the economy; the regime has been straining on its leash, it temptation to revert to its old way of printing money was too much, and now it has broken the leash. 

In January the monthly inflation rate was 5% or so and today, six months latter, it has already soared to 100%! The days of hyper inflation are back alright. The local currency is now losing half its value every month and there is worse to come as the inflation rate is growing exponential.

It is not surprising that some people are already refusing to be paid in local currency and government’s own workers, teachers nurses and soldiers, have been demanding that their wages must be paid in US$! 

Zanu PF has decided to banish the use of the foreign currency as legal tender to force people to accept the local currency as the only legal tender. Economic activities will slow down just as happened during the 2000 to 2008 hyper inflation years; people would rather hang on to what they have than sell and be paid in worthless money! 

“Zimbabwe needs its own official currency, period. This obsession with the US dollar is unsustainable from an economic point of view. The US dollar should be traded in banks only. We need our own currency going forward,” continued Tutani (foaming and frothing). 

“The price madness should be stopped by market forces as usage of the Zim dollar increases. It’s a process, not an event as some sections of the media are making it out to be with headlines screaming failure.

“It’s up to us to make the Zimbabwe dollar work — it’s all in our hands.”

Who is “us”? Ordinary Zimbabweans did not have any meaningful say in the imposition of this policy or anything else for that matter. The imposition of a worthless currency is already having a disastrous effect on the nation and is doomed to fail and all you are already blaming the people for it!

Zimbabwe is not a healthy and functioning democratic nation, in which the ordinary people have a meaningful say in the governance of the country. Indeed, Zimbabwe would not be stuck in this mess with this corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF dictatorship for 39 years if the people had power to remove the regime in free, fair and credible elections. It is a matter of public record that Zanu PF rigged last year’s years, even the regime’s own partners in the vote rigging crime, the MDC Alliance are finally openly admitting it.

“Legitimacy is an issue – last year’s elections were illegal, and not free and fair. All reasonable observers concede that,” admitted David Coltart, MDC Alliance Treasurer General.

It has taken Nelson Chamisa and his MDC Alliances friend nearly a year before they finally admitted that last year’s elections were indeed flawed and illegal and Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF are, per se, illegitimate. Now the cat is out of the bag, all the other Zimbabwe opposition minions who dutifully endorse Mnangagwa as legitimate are under pressure to renege their cock and bull nonsense. 

The people of Zimbabwe must do is to make sure those responsible for this Z$ fiasco and the country’s economic mess – Minister Mthuli Ncube, President Mnangagwa, Zanu PF apologists like Conway Tutani and the rest of Zanu PF regime – are finally held to democratic account. 

If we are ever to got out of this hell-on-earth of worthless money, economic chaos and political paralysis of illegitimate government  Zanu PF has dragged us into; we are must end the curse of rigged elections. We must make sure the next are free, fair and credible and for that to happen Zanu PF must step down to allow the implementing of the democratic reforms to dismantle the regime’s carte blanche dictatorial powers. 

“It’s up to us to make the Zimbabwe dollar work!” So, the regime imposed the Z$ and we, the voiceless quadrillionaire victims of the tyrannical regime’s corrupt and blundering incompetence, are to blame for Z$’s doomed failure! How convenient!

Some Zimbabweans without proper documentation were denied entry into Zambia last week as the neighbouring reacted to the confiscation of maize by Zimbabwean authorities following the introduction of Statutory Instrument 145 that gives the Grain Marketing Board the sole right to buy and sell maize.

Many Zimbabweans also flock to Zambia in order to receive cheaper healthcare.

But last week, some Zimbabweans were denied entry into Zambia where they wanted medical attention at Mutenderi Mission Hospital following the confiscation of maize destined to Zambia by Zimbabwe authorities who wanted to make the law work.

Most Zimbabweans have snubbed selling maize to the GMB, accusing the parastatal of underpaying them for their maize, resulting in most of the maize finding its way into Zambia, mostly in areas bordering Zimbabwe. Zambians also visit Zimbabwe to buy maize for resale in their country due to the fall in the RTGS$ value against the US dollar.

But after the introduction of the new law, Zimbabwe started confiscating the maize destined for Zambia, triggering a war, with Zambians retaliating by denying Zimbabweans without proper documentation entry into their country.

“We were denied entry into Zambia after we had hired a local taxi, as we used to do without hassles here. We were caught off guard as Zambians said they were also effecting their laws, without even a humanitarian face. They are not happy about what happened to their countrymen and women over the maize taken away by authorities,’ said Thomas Ranganai, who had accompanied his ailing brother, Edward Ranganai, for treatment.

The elder Ranganai had gone to Zambia for his tuberculosis review from rural Nyamakate.

Another woman, Sarudzai Chidenga of Hurungwe, who had a teenage daughter suffering from suspected cancer, said she had hoped for better medication at Mutenderi Hospital, in Zambia.

“We have been to several public hospitals without joy, and our last hope has been dashed following this standoff as Zambians are no longer lenient to us,” she narrated, as her taxi was turned away.

Of late, the majority of locals have been selling maize as well as oranges to Zambia, which is also facing a maize deficit following the drought that hit southern Africa.

An official at Chirundu border-post confirmed the “stand-off” which he said was unfortunate.

‘The challenge is that we have to implement the law, but it has challenges. As a country, we have poor social services for citizens,” said the official, speaking on condition that he was not named.

There was no immediate comment from both Zambian and Zimbabwean authorities at the time of going to print.

Last week, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement minister retired Air Marshall Perrence Shiri enacted Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 (Grain Marketing Control of Sale of Maize Regulations, 2019) that bans the buying and selling of maize among unauthorised persons in Zimbabwe.

The SI prohibits anyone or company or entity from buying and selling maize. Transportation of bulk maize from one area to another is also prohibited.

– newsday

Energy and Power Development Minister, Fortune Chasi has made it clear that Zimbabweans deserved to have their power disconnected as most of them have failed to service their electricity bills which has seen the power utility company, ZESA sinking into huge debts.

Posting on his twitter on Monday, Chasi raised the ire of Zimbabweans who have had to make do with more than 10 hours without power as ZESA says power generation at major power stations remains low due to a number of factors that include low water levels.

“ZESA has a legal obligation to cut its loses. It cannot continue to supply power to people who do not pay. Switching off non-paying consumers is a real option. Be warned. This is regardless of what or who you are,” Chasi said.

This raged a storm with some people claiming that they use pre-paid meters hence they do not deserve to be cut off.

Lawyer and former Member of Parliament, Jessie Majome replied: “… by the same token a’sekuru ZESA should deliver the power to us who pre-pay, the pre-paid public must cut its losses too – should it continue paying to a utility that does not supply and why please doesn’t ZESA simply apply the law of contract on non-payers – cease supply and sue?”

Linda Masarira, president of LEAD said ZESA was inept in its approach as it exonerates Zanu-PF big wigs fingered in non-payment of their bills.

“ZESA once produced a list of those who do not pay for electricity and most of them were @ZANUPF_Official senior members and government departments. Put your house in order and tell your bosses to pay their bills and stop being hypocritical about it,” she said.

The power situation in the country has threatened to derail the little business from a few industries who have stood firm in this economic quagmire.

Chasi recently caused a storm after he claimed that the power company had paid US$10 million to ESKOM of South Africa meant to service its debt only for the company to deny ever receiving the payments, a move which forced Chasi to apologise while shifting the blame on Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank Governor, John Mangudya.

The opposition MDC Youth Chairperson Obey Tererai Sithole has been involved in a traffic accident near Norton, 40 km outside the capital city Harare.

The fierce government critic was in the company of five other Youth Assembly leaders when his car was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle whose driver quickly left the accident scene leaving Sithole to deal with police officers.

The MDC Youth Assembly is not ruling out an invisible hand in the accident, though there is no concrete evidence so far.

Sithole has had a brush with the law enforcement agents and a few weeks ago he was taken for questioning over his remarks that they will force President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of power.

More to follow…

Zimbabwean from all walks of life snubbed the #ShutdownZimbabwe call by Tajamuka/Sesijikile which was set to commence on Monday till Friday.

Reports coming from Harare indicate it is business as usual with all shops and transport operators conducting their day to day services. However, there was presence of heavily armed security forces patrolling the CBD.

All schools across Bulawayo and other provinces were open and it was business as usual throughout the city.

Promise Mkwananzi has blamed intimidation of citizens as the reason for the failure of the demonstration.

“You can’t intimidate the people forever. You have to fix the problems the people are highlighting. Stop wasting money buying arms and fuel to disperse people. Fix the economy. Fix the politics, “he said.

Entrepreneur Kuda Musasiwa says the Tajamuka leaders should read the mood of the people.

“I hope my brother and other #Tajamuka comrades learn 2 things after another flop stay away

1) this isn’t 2016

2) unilateral actions without others doesn’t work

3) people want a definitive outcome not just another public holiday

4) people are terrified after Feb.”

ZCTU,ARTUZ and other workers unions distanced themselves from the planned stayaway.

Ntabazinduna Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni has extended a hand of invitation to Deputy Minister of Industry  Rajesh Kumar Indukant Modi for a meal of Inhloko at the sacred Ntabazinduna mountain in recognition of his work in assisting Cherish Muchegwa who was mauled by five dogs in Bulawayo.

Modi had posted on Twitter that, “Cherish Muchegwa is in the final stages of recovery. She will be back home before mid July. She went to India on a wheelchair, she will come back on her feet.”

The controversial Chief Ndiweni responded, “Great work Mdawini!May the spirit you have shown in assisting Cherish manifest within the community and those around you(government). You must come eNtabazinduna for inhloko soon!”

Modi and Ndiweni then agreed that they will arrange the event outside Twitter.

Modi was very instrumental in fundraising for Muchegwa to get state of the art treatment in India.

The day before Muchegwa left for India Modi gave the following narration.

“The incident happened when I was in Australia on holiday with my family, I saw the pictures in the few WhatsApp groups I am in. The extent of the injuries pushed me to step forward and help. I started a social media campaign for her and I have not stopped ever since. When I came home I visited her in hospital and it was amazing to see her smile despite everything she was going through.

“After talking to her, I told myself I was going to do everything in my power to help her get the relevant treatment needed to heal her. I also made a silent promise that I was going to visit her in hospital again. The next time we will meet is when she is whole again, not a minute or second before she undergoes reconstructive surgery.”

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Minister of Energy and Power Development, Fortune Chasi has called for an increase in the tariffs of electricity. Chasi who has been tasked with overseeing the energy situation, at a time when citizens are experiencing 18-hour power cuts per day has said that the current tariffs are too low and need to be raised to reasonable levels.

Chasi also warned that the days of free electricity for government entities and senior government officials are over.

Writing on social media, Chibabest as Chasi is affectionately called by his supporters, said

Zesa has a legal obligation to cut its loses. It cannot continue to supply power to people who do not pay. Switching off non paying consumers is a real option. Be warned. This is regardless of what or who you are.

…The tariff must be cost reflective. The current tariff bares no semblance whatsoever to the actual cost of procuring power. It must. There must be a new philosophy around the tariff. Cost reflectivity is an essential ingredient.

In the past, the government had turned down all proposals to hike the tariffs citing that it would create a burden on citizens.

By Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwean man is under prosecution after he allegedly questioned some ruling ZANU PF party sympathisers’ support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a time when he stands accused of presiding over the collapse of the economy.

38 year-old Morgan Muchemwa of Rushinga in Mashonaland Central province recently appeared before Magistrate Tendai Chifamba at Mt Darwin Magistrates Court answering to charges of undermining authority of or insulting the president as defined in section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

In court, prosecutors claimed that Muchemwa publicly, unlawfully and intentionally made an abusive indecent or obscene statement about or concerning President Mnangagwa on 25 May 2019 at Marymount Business Centre in Rushinga by blaming him for presiding over the suffering being endured by Zimbabweans.

The unemployed Muchemwa, who is represented by Tinomuda Shoko of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), allegedly acted unlawfully when he told three ZANU PF party supporters namely Hazvinei Zhiwau, Chipo Chiunje and Natty Kajengo, who were on their way to attend a political party meeting at Bopoma Primary School, that they were wasting their time in lending support to President Mnangagwa and his ZANU PF party.

Muchemwa, who denies the charge returns to court on Monday 22 July 2019 after he was remanded out of custody to allow prosecutors to obtain authority to prosecute from Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi.

Meanwhile, Brian Kembo, an opposition MDC party Councillor for Ward 3 in Bindura in Mashonaland Central province, who was charged with disorderly conduct after he allegedly stated that President Mnangagwa is liable for causing stress among citizens and for authoring the country’s economic crisis, has been set free.

Kembo was set free after a Bindura Magistrate upheld his application for exception to the charges after her lawyer Idirashe Chikomba of ZLHR argued that the charge of disorderly conduct as defined in section 41 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act was inconsistent with the facts and the warned and cautioned statement recorded from him.

The Magistrate ordered the State to proceed by issuing summons if it intends to pursue the prosecution of Kembo.

By Mthuli Ncube| Zimbabwe is on a journey. A marathon. Indeed, sometimes it feels more of a steeplechase. As although the journey has just begun, we have faced a multitude of challenges to overcome already. This was not unexpected. And as responsible economists, you must always prepare to tackle these obstacles.

When embarking on an arduous journey such as the complete reformation and rebuilding of an economy, it is however crucial you know what your destination is. We know what our destination is: It is middle income status. It is prosperity for the people of Zimbabwe.

But knowing your destination is not always enough. You must be willing to deal with those hardships, those challenges, which inevitably crop up on any difficult journey.

Most importantly, you must take control of as many factors as possible. You must have control over your destiny.

This week, Zimbabwe took back control of its economic destiny.

In fact, it had always been apparent to us that for true stability, stability upon which economic growth can be built, our own currency was necessary.

The multicurrency regime was holding us back. Like a headwind for a cyclist who is already peddling up hill, the multicurrency regime had left us exposed to the elements.

In this case, the element was the aggressive inflation caused by the US Dollar pricing. Put simply, we had to take our destiny back into our own hands; we had to take back control of monetary policy to remove that element, and make it up the hill.

Regaining control will first and foremost benefit you, the hardworking Zimbabwean. Our teachers and doctors, our entrepreneurs and cleaners; they don’t earn in US dollars. So why sell in US dollars?

Prior to this move, the vast majority of our hard working Zimbabweans were being discriminated against in what had become a two tiered and unfair economy.

What we had was a situation whereby there were stable and affordable prices for the fortunate Zimbabweans who had access to dollars, and a paralysing high cost of living for the rest of the country. This is not right, and we had to step in.

The inevitable question posed by many therefore is why didn’t we act sooner? Indeed, they would be right in noting that the multicurrency regime is not a new phenomenon.

The answer however lies once again in our journey metaphor. You don’t trek through the desert without the necessary preparations.

You don’t cycle up a mountain without the necessary training. And you don’t run a marathon (or steeplechase!) without first making sure you are fit and healthy.

Thus prior to making this big decision, it was crucial for us to ensure that our key fundamentals were first put in place. The beating heart of these fundamentals is our national budget.

Once again it was vital that we gained control over our budget, over our spending; what economists call ‘fiscal’ control. We decreased spending, increased revenues and, for the first time in recent memory, the nation of Zimbabwe is now enjoying budget surpluses.

With the preparations complete and our body ready for the next stage of the race to put Zimbabwe back on its feet, we took it upon ourselves to venture past the next juncture, and move another step closer to our destination.

Abolishing the use of multiple currencies, and making the Zimbabwe Dollar the sole legal tender has always been a key component of our transitional stabilisation programme, and a crucial step in restoring normalcy to our economy.

We will work closely with our colleagues in the various ministries and the RBZ to ensure the correct next steps are now taken to guarantee this move is a success. We must continue to rapidly increase the flow of forex into the interbank market. But this must not be for the few.

Forex must also be made readily available to individuals and small businesses across our nation through organised, regulated, and legal channels.

This should also include the introduction of a new interest rate policy and a monetary policy committee.

Despite the reported complexity of this decision, day to day, not much will change. Zimbabwean workers will still receive their wages in RTGS dollar and bond notes, and when they go to the shops, the food on the shelves will be priced in the same currency.

Government also guarantees that those who do hold Nostro accounts will of course keep their access to those accounts in the currency in which it is currently held.

We therefore continue as a nation on the march forward on our path of progress, quickening the pace to our destination of prosperity.

We are under no illusions about the rough terrain we will face. There will be many more obstacles to face. But by taking back control of our fiscal and monetary mechanisms, by taking our fate firmly in our own hands, we are one step closer to reaching our destination.

Hon. Professor Mthuli Ncube is the Zimbabwe Finance and Economic Development Minister