A clan member of the Makoni chieftainship, Philip Muswere has dragged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the High court accusing him of neglecting his constitutional duties of resolving a wrangle amongst clan members.
Muswere argues that according to customs and practices of Makoni people, a member of the Muswere clan was supposed to be appointed chief Makoni following the death of Naboth Nyakurerwa Gandanzara. However, Gwasira was appointed instead. Muswere said: “In terms of the customs and practices of the Makoni people, a substantive chief was supposed to be appointed by the family of Mukuwapasi in consultation with the spirit mediums.
The Mukuwapasi(s) in consultation with the spirit mediums nominated the Muswere clan as next in line of succession to provide a candidate for appointment to chieftainship.”
Emmerson Mnangagwa
The plaintiff accuses Mnangagwa, Local Government minister July Moyo and the Provincial Assembly of Chiefs for Manicaland Province for neglecticting their responsibilities associated with the matter. The failure by the first, second and third respondents to solve the chieftainship, was wrongful and unlawful. Plaintiff now seeks a declaratory order compelling the first, second and third defendants to solve the Makoni chieftainship dispute.
He is now seeking the issue to be resolved within 60 days from the date of the court order if the court rules in his favour, failure of which he said Gwasira’s appointment must be nullified. Daily News
By Own Correspondent| Harare’s Ward 43 residents in Budiriro 5A’s High Density area are up in arms against a land baron from an upmarket suburb, Grange who is planning to construct a double storey Pre – School building on a wetland.
The residents, have vowed to disrupt and stop any construction work on the site.
The developer, from an affluent suburb in Harare however maintains there is a lease agreement obtained more than five years ago from the City Authorities. But the residents and environment activists argue that a lease agreement is a temporary document that does not allow one to carry out any construction work on a site.
Councillor for Ward 43 in Budiriro 5A High Density Area Norman Makondo refused to meet residents Sunday afternoon. This was despite the residents informing him that they had summoned the developer and the area’s leadership to get clarification over the issue.
Legislator for the area Costa Machingauta attended the meeting and promised residents he was going to look into the matter.
Farai Dziva|The MDC A has dismissed Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema’s claims that civic organisations are plotting to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Addressing the media on Monday Mathema claimed the government had discovered a plot to unseat the President.
Accoording to Mathema a workshop has been organised by foreign nationals working with civic organisations- aimed at planning demonstrations meant to overthrowing the Zanu PF government.
Responding to Mathema’s utterances at a news conference in Harare today MDC A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said:” This is yet another desperate attempt by the regime to denigrate democratic groups.
Minister Mathema’s utterances are dangerous and reckless and his sentiments reflect the position of a cornered regime that is prepared to do anything to remain in power,” said Mafume.
Farai Dziva|A social media platform for political analysis and reconciliation matters has challenged Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema to name individuals and institutions he claims are plotting to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In a statement on Twitter RealVoiceOfZimbabwe challenged Mathema to reveal the names of such individuals and organisations.
“Please name the people/entities who want to unseat Mnangagwa so that other Zimbabweans can get in touch with them to help them in such a beautiful and progressive endeavor.
Zimbabweans want the current Gvt gone, its the best thing that can ever happen to them! (BREAD – $3.50),” RealVoiceOfZimbabwe tweeted.
By Brightface Mutema- For a considerable period now I have been going around some of the emerging residential suburbs in and around Harare. My aim was to have an assessment of the progress, or seriousness therein of the drive towards Agenda 2030 with regards to infrastructural development.
To say the least what I witnessed at one of the hubs of activity at Eastview’s Gazebo shopping centre leaves a lot to be desired and one starts to wonder if the relevant ministries of Local Government and Health and Child Care even care about how an ordinary person in Eastview is faring.
Being a proponent of children’s rights, my heart bleeds with the health time bomb I noticed at that place. There are no usable ablution facilities and human waste is common feature at a place where garden produce, meat and groceries are sold. This is a ticking time bomb that should be attended to by the responsible authorities as mainly children helping their parents with vending are left exposed and vulnerable to diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
Zimbabwe signed and ratified the 1949 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) but the situation obtaining at Gazebo defies the tenets of basic Child Rights and paints a gloomy picture towards the agenda 2030. A synopsis of the UNCRC tells us that a child has a fundamental right to good health and nutrition as well as the right to clean water and sanitation. But it seems authorities are ignorant of such rights in view of the Gazebo neglect.
To the residents there, the situation is normal, oblivious of the risk they face. There is need for an urgent redress of the situation before an outbreak of diseases strikes, a stitch in time saves nine, so they say. We don’t want a reactive intervention to a disaster but instead a proactive one.
My brief research revealed that the settlement is a legal one and was regularised sometime in 2015 but currently it resembles a ghost settlement ironically still at its infancy. What could be the problem? Is it a matter of weak developmental thrust by the departments responsible or a mere negation of one of the basic Human Right, the right to safe and habitable environment?
It is not a crime that ordinary Zimbabweans are fighting hard to have a place that they call their own home, and authorities should see to it that these people are supported holistically not to pretend caring when they are electioneering and later dumb them. Those people deserve a proper settlement that is self contained just in the same way as other flourishing suburbs.
From the engagements I made with the residents regarding the settlement, I discovered that, Eastview or Caledonia for easy of reference, is an orphaned location without a clear responsible local authority, a fact that is drastically hampering development and seriously short changing the dwellers.
Researches made revealed that according to Sections 274 and 275 of the Constitution, Local Authorities have a mandate to represent and manage the affairs of the people in urban and rural areas throughout Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, it is said that service delivery is key to the development of such settlements and should be top priority for local authorities. It should not be characterized by heaps of uncollected refuse, lack of water, demolitions, poor road networks and congested central business centres among others.
Unfortunately and regrettably, this has become the order of the day in most towns and settlements, with Caledonia in particular.
If ever we are sincere of achieving vision 2030 in letter and spirit, something robust should be done about Caledonia and other similar settlements.
Dear Family and Friends, Sitting at the water’s edge watching hippos and crocodiles, white faced whistling ducks and skittish spoonbills this Easter, the reality of Zimbabwe’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis was never far from my mind.
Stopping on the way to my destination I was horrified to discover that the price of bread had gone up from $1.20 to $3.50 a loaf.
On exclaiming at the huge price increase, the teller said: “But it’s only RTGS dollars.” RTGS dollars are the only dollars that most ordinary people have in Zimbabwe but these Bond Notes are now worth 300% less than they were worth just two months ago, as are our bank balances, salaries, life savings and pensions.
Arriving at the National Park to take up an Easter booking confirmed and paid for two months before, I was greeted with the news that “the prices are up.”
For some minutes there was a tense dialogue with the official trying to get me to pay the new rate, an increase of 300%, and me declining. There was no getting around the increase in the other Park entry and conservation fees which had not been covered in the original booking and these were all up by 300%, “unless you pay in US dollars,” the official said.
When I asked what animals there were in the Park the official looked away and mumbled: “poaching is very bad here.” Surrounded by huge chrome and platinum mines, poaching has decimated this national treasure leaving only monkeys, baboons, three waterbucks and one bushbucks seen in six days. Not even an impala? I kept asking myself in disbelief at the beautiful but empty bush; what must the tourists to the Midlands think? Shameful was the only word that came to mind.
One afternoon watching a magnificent saddlebill stork striding in shallow water looking for fish, frogs and crabs the huge bird suddenly took to the air, startled by what had sounded like a car alarm, followed by a loud explosion; it was in fact blasting at a nearby mine. When I inquired from the Parks staff why the mines were so close to the National Park, the answer was simple: “people pay.”
Sitting on a little grassy island in the water a crocodile lay in the sun with its mouth open, staring unblinking at ducks, a heron and spoonbill just inches away. It was an image which spoke so much about the state of Zimbabwe today: the power and fear versus the little people.
For nearly two decades Zimbabwe has been in a state of almost continual turmoil, facing one man-made crisis after another. Each crisis and currency collapse have resulted in the rich and well connected amassing and then flaunting vast fortunes while ordinary people have been reduced to beggars.
While this has been going on many of our national treasures and special places have been left crumbling, infrastructure collapsing and wildlife eradicated. Recent sightings of a Lamborghini parked outside government offices in Harare speaks volumes to this, our shameful national inequity.
With a great soreness in my heart at what I had seen, I returned home after Easter to find a message from a friend in Mutare with news of ongoing relief efforts a month after Cyclone Idai.
Her words brought tears and smiles, lifting flagging spirits: “We still have choppers flying in and out daily, mostly with bodies now. They still find the occasional victim alive, they arrive in Mutare with absolutely nothing. A group of ladies take food to them in hospital every day, as the hospital cannot feed them all. They also give them parcels with the basics; such a sad situation. One of the first victims was a lady who had a crushed pelvis, she was also pregnant. They decided she needed a Cesarean [C section] before they could sort out her pelvis. She has a little girl, has had her pelvic op and is improving and the baby is doing well.”
Over a month after Cyclone Idai bodies are still being found under the rubble and an unknown number of people are still missing. Cyclone relief work is continuing: Miracle Missions and Harare Helps recently called for volunteers to load their 50th thirty tonne truck load of aid donated by ordinary people to help those affected by Cyclone Idai. They have now managed to send our donations to people in Manicaland, Masvingo and even across the border to Mozambique. A massive achievement and overwhelming response from ordinary Zimbabweans; one of the Harare Helps social media posts says it best: “Not all heroes wear capes.” As I write this letter we are thinking of our friends and neighbours in the Comores, Mozambique and Tanzania as Cyclone Kenneth makes landfall and we follow the alerts being issued for parts of Zimbabwe too.
Until next time, thanks for reading this letter, now in its 19th year, and my books about life in Zimbabwe, love cathy 26 April 2019
A TEENAGE girl is lucky to be alive after she was left clutching her intestines when she was stabbed for turning down a neighbour’s love proposal.
This was heard when Blessing Masukume of London Farm in Gweru appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing one count of attempted murder.
Masukume (21) allegedly stabbed Ms Rebecca Ndlovu on the stomach leaving her intestines protruding after she turned down his love proposal. He was convicted on his own plea and was remanded in custody to Wednesday for sentencing.State media
Farai Dziva|Barcelona retained the La Liga title following a 1-0 victory against Levante on Saturday night.
However, the Catalan Giants have to overcome English Premiership side Liverpool in a UEFA Champions League semi-final clash at the Camp Nou.
The Catalans amassed an unassailable 83 points with two games to play.
Lionel Messi came on from the bench and delivered the victory, scoring the solitary goal in the 62nd minute.
The hosts were dominant in the first half, with Coutinho hitting the woodwork and also created a couple of chances. It was his replacement who sealed the victory and ensured treble-chasing Barca remain on course for a memorable season.
The triumph is Barcelona’s eighth title in eleven years and 26th overall.
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwean coach Kaitano “Munhumutema” Tembo has blasted a South African referee for sending off Supersport United captain Dean Furman in controversial circumstances.
Tembo questioned referee Phelelani Ndaba’s performance during their league match against Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
The referee gave United captain Dean Furman an undeserved red card with only 25 minutes before the end of the match.
Ndaba and his assistant also denied Wits forward Terrence Dzvukamanja a legitimate goal which could have changed the outcome of the encounter.The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
“I think from the point of view of the officiating, the game was a mess from the beginning,” Tembo told Kick-Off.com.
“… But I am very proud, they played well in the last 25 minutes with ten men against a team like Wits. It’s not easy, they are a good team.”
Farai Dziva|Irate clients have castigated NetOne for hiking data bundles tariffs- among other services.
In its online survey to obtain responses from clients the company said:” Dear Value Customers
Please may you take a moment to complete this short survey relating to NetOne products and services. Your feedback is highly rated and will help us enhance our product bouquet and in developing new ones to ensure you continue getting the best experience.
Thank you for your participation!
NetOne Customer Survey
docs.google.com.”
Below are responses from NetOne customers:
Hybatroy Muchabaiwa:
You do not have a good position as far as market share is concerned, you were miles behind Econet your lines ainyadzisa kuve naro achinzi ndeemasabhuku.
You introduced the onefusion product which was a noble idea but you failed to market it then you decided to use the suffering children of Zimbabwe you recruited as many as you can and gave them fake promises.
They worked very hard walking very long distances and going home at night 9.00 hrs with a dollar or less in hand. They knocked at every gate and every car window while some were even abused in the field.
Maxwell Gwanzura:
I can’t and I will not use my Econet Data on Your survey I’m sorry.
If you were genuine in your consultations, you should have done that “survey” before hiking tariffs.
If you check you’ll notice that ever since you hiked tariffs, many of us never purchased any Net1 product.
As for my line I don’t mind if you close it down now! This Institutional arrogance makes me sick to my stomach especially considering that it’s being done by a state entity.
Munobhowa fani!
Ozington Konke:
It’s just unacceptable $1 for 250mbs now $1 for 47mb, 203 subtracted garai naro line rekumunda mandibhowa nhasi ende ndatoriisa muchimbudzi moved to Telecel.
Farai Dziva|Nurses and other staff members at Chiredzi Hospital, who are selling home browed maheu to patients, have vowed to continue doing so as they are receiving paltry salaries.
Nurses who spoke to ZimEye.com last week said the escalating prices of basic commodities forced them to resort to alternative measures to raise extra income.
A nurse at the hospital fumed:”We are selling various food items to patients as a way of beating the escalating prices of basic goods.How do you expect us to survive in this harsh economic environment?”
The nurses are selling maheu and uncertified frozen water to patients at the government hospital.
The issue came under the spotlight when a Chiredzi resident wrote a letter to the hospital matron, raising concerns about possible health risks for patients.
They said Chamisa is immature Mwonzora must takeover, they dished out millions to remove Chamisa, within days, they're now saying Chamisa Is A Dictator | WHO'S BEHIND THESE PEOPLE?
EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE | At a time when the constitutional court, Luke Malaba judgement report is still to be produced, ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has little oxygen left, he has to rob someone for it.
Earlier in the year, Mnangagwa’s message portrayed in several state media headlines, was: Nelson Chamisa has to be replaced by a mature leader.
The economy is crying to be told who the real President of the country is, because
after piles and files of corruption beginning with the electoral one (filmed on ZBC TV), Mnanagwa has failed to convince that he is legitimate.
Chamisa’s fiery spokesman, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda speaking to ZimEye.com reveals this plot.
“It is very clear that the Malaba verdict which declared Mnangagwa the winner of the 2018 elections, has no figures to support it” and Justice Malaba even said so of the elections of which Mnangagwa deployed the army to shoot people in order to change election results as according to the full ZBC broadcast 8 months before (on the 15th Dec 2017.)
Earlier in April 2019, Mnangagwa possessed one window of opportunity, which was to sponsor someone inside the MDC party who can replace Chamisa. The only person back then was Chamisa’s long-time nemesis, MDC Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora. But after all 13 provinces voted unanimously for Chamisa as evidenced at the weekend, there is still some window for Mnangagwa, which is to build a cloud of criticism that will result in the MDC splitting. The method to be deployed is that of aggressive subversion against Chamisa’s character, portray him as a dictator, and someone unsuitable for leadership office.
It is hoped, this will serve the necessary bomb blast effect to de-legitimise Chamisa as the real elected MDC President.
As of yesterday, three groups had emerged, one led by former MDC councillor, Warship Dumba, another led by so called disgruntled MDC candidates for Bulawayo, and another operating on social networking, website, Twitter, labelling Chamisa a dictator. On Monday there was a hot volcanic build-up on social media against Nelson Chamisa’s character as a trusted leader. He was criticized even for basics such as the powers the MDC constitution (left by the late leader Morgan Tsvangirai) give him. Instead of people attacking the Tsvangirai constitution, they were up in arms with the man who is still to be announced the elected MDC leader.
Through all these events, Mnangagwa’s loud message to Chamisa is very clear, ” it’s not over until it is over.”
Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have expressed shock at the hiking of data bundles tariffs by Econet Wireless.
Responding to the hiking of tariffs by Econet Donald Mzondo said:”
ED Pfeee, the major postive is that these increases affect us all including the ZANU PF supporters. We suffer together, ED is not discriminating anyone in his make Zimbabweans suffer agenda, he is including his own supporters and that betrayal is real.”
Geor Gore commented:”
This will not work…”
Lovejoy Masuku argued:”
Strategising for 2023 elections- nobody must afford the exorbitant charges.”
Econet data tariffs as from 30April are as follows:
By Own Correspondent- Two sisters were reportedly nabbed after they were caught at a cemetery exhuming the remains of their mother, Gogo Mukatshelwa Mudau who died two months ago and was buried at the local South African cemetery.
The two claimed they had obtained a court order granting them the right to exhume the body of their 93-year-old mother.
But then the police and their other siblings arrived. They demanded to see the court order, but the sisters could not produce it.
The gogo’s two daughters Livhuwani and Vivian Mudau, said it was their mum’s wish to be buried in Nngwekhulu, Vuwani, in Limpopo with her other relatives.
But she was buried at the cemetery in Mulenzhe, Limpopo.
Livhuwani told Daily Sun the family is torn in two because the other siblings refuse to follow her mother’s last wishes.
“Many years ago one of our brothers chased our mother from her home. She bought another house which was also taken away,” she said.
“My mother suffered for the rest of her life. When she died our brothers said they did not have the money to bury her and would wait for us to prepare her burial at Nngwekhulu.
“But then they stopped us from burying her with a court order.”
She said that’s why they got a lawyer to help them to re-bury her at the place of her choosing.
The sisters said they had followed all the protocols but were stopped from exhuming her body by the same people who prevented them from burying her.
She added that they will not rest until their mother is buried at Nngwekhulu, where she wished to be buried.
Representing the other group, which is against the reburial, Solomon Mamphwe said they had followed all the legal demands and will wait for the law to protect the old woman and allow her to rest in peace.
“We are not fighting anybody, as you can see here. We will wait and let the law take its course,” he said at the cemetery.
Farai Dziva|MDC T deputy president Obert Chaurura Gutu has claimed he is now a changed person and he will never support those who call for the imposition of “sanctions” against Harare .
In an opinion piece he recently penned, Guttu claimed that at one point he supported the sanctions “naively” believing that they would lead to the full democratisation of Zimbabwe.
See part of Gutu’s epistle below:
Where the overall interests of Zimbabwe supersede and overtake my own private and personal interests, I don’t hesitate to sacrifice my personal interests for the common good of my beloved country and continent.
Here and now, I will fully admit that at one time, I was thoroughly misguided in actively supporting and actually calling for the imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
At that juncture, I rather stupidly and naively believed that the imposition of sanctions would naturally lead to the full and total democratisation of Zimbabwe. I was wrong; totally wrong.
The reality is that sanctions actually cause more harm, political suffering and socio-economic agony to the majority of innocent Zimbabweans, most of whom are not even political activists.
Thus, I’m unashamedly and passionately calling for the lifting of all forms of sanctions that were imposed against Zimbabwe by the major Western powers such as the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
The DailyNews reports that former ZANU PF members from the G40 cabal have been given senior positions in the opposition MDC party’s Harare provincial executive.
The report says two former ZANU PF members, Shadreck Mashayamombe and Jappy Jaboon are now secretary for mobilisation committee and secretary for strategic projects (intelligence committee), respectively.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume was quoted defending the appointments. Said Mafume: “They are coming in as alliance partners, remember they were candidates for MDC in last year’s harmonised election and if they were good enough to sit in Parliament representing MDC they are also good enough to be in structures.
The G40 crew were brought in during the 2018 harmonised elections, when the MDC openly partnered several small political parties.
Farai Dziva| A Zimbabwe Republic Police officer has urged youths to desist from taking dangerous drugs.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube last week said police were in the processes of implementing stern measures to curb drug abuse.
Speaking to reporters in Bulawayo Ncube said:”As police, we are concerned about the behaviour of some of the teenagers and youths.
We have made repeated calls, urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities, especially on the first Saturday after schools close for the term and the last Saturday of the holiday and any Saturday with prominent events like ZITF.”
“We have many drug addicts among our children and that is very sad,” added Ncube.
By Own Correspondent| Socialite and former Big Brother Africa housemate Pokello Nare has distanced herself from the raunchy video that went viral on social media on Tuesday which was purportedly sourced from her Instagram account.
In a statement posted on her official Instagram account on Tuesday afternoon, Pokello said that she had no hand in the ‘dirty’ video maintaining that the video was not from her account. Additionally, a report by Buzzoid confirmed that all of the likes and followers on her account were genuine.
Said Pokello:
“Good Morning. Please that was not from my account
“If you can see, my account is verified and I am wearing a blue dress.
Jane Mlambo| The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has blasted government over its recent threats to crush anti-government protests saying their failure to arrest the collapsing economy is a scheme to lead the country to total chaos so that they can eliminate peceived enemies.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters today, Spokesperson Jacob Mafume accused Zanu PF of suffocating the nation and lacking care for the ordinary people who continue to endure hard times.
“The people who are responsible for the suffering of the population and economic decay are ZANU PF. They lack care for the ordinary person, they fly Swiss jets, they are corrupt and have resisted the moves and offers for dialogue,” said Mafume.
“They actually want the country to degenerate into chaos so that they eliminate everyone they perceive an enemy, they are pushing everyone outside of bounds of the constitution. the MDC will not be tempted into such a trap, it is not our way of doing business,” added Mafume.
Penny Penny had a message for Julius Malema on his Instagram.
Reality TV star and politician Papa Penny took to Instagram to let off some steam and send a scathing message to EFF leader Julius Malema over some allegations he heard.
Papa Penny apparently caught wind of the fact that Julius had mentioned his name at one of his rallies leading up to the elections and he took to Instagram to let the EFF leader know exactly what he thought of him.
“Ahee, Julius Malema. Now you are starting a wrong button, you are pressing the wrong button. When you go to your rally, leave Penny Penny alone. I am a member of ANC and I am not a member of EFF,” he said.
The Tsonga disco icon slammed the political leader for allegedly mocking Penny’s “lack of education” and said that leadership like his isn’t good.
“Why you tell people that I am not educated? Because you went and fake your education and you adopted the western language, you think you’re clever? You think all South Africans went to school? When I was born (there was) no school.
“You don’t know my history. Leadership like you that laughs at people because they didn’t go to school… I’m not like you.”
Julius was tagged on the video but clearly took it as a joke as he replied with a brief statement and laughing emojis.
“You are my main man,” Julius commented under the video with laughing emojis.
After a failed attempt to back MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora as their preferred candidate to topple incumbent Nelson Chamisa, Zanu PF has moved a gear up and is now believed to be leaving no stone unturned in their bid to destabilize the opposition movement ahead of the 2023 elections.
At a time when the constitutional court judgement on Chamisa’s election challenge has not yet been made public, ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has made it clear that he preferred a mature leader to take over the MDC reigns.
Chamisa’s fiery spokesman, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda speaking to ZimEye.com reveals this plot.”It is very clear that the Malaba verdict which declared Mnangagwa the winner of the 2018 elections, has no figures to support it” and Justice Malaba even said so of the elections of which Mnangagwa deployed the army to shoot people in order to change election results as according to the full ZBC broadcast 8 months before (on the 15th Dec 2017.)
Earlier in April 2019, Mnangagwa possessed one window of opportunity, which was to sponsor someone inside the MDC party who can replace Chamisa. The only person back then was Chamisa’s long-time nemesis, MDC Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora.
But after all 13 provinces voted unanimously for Chamisa as evidenced at the weekend, there is still some window for Mnangagwa, which is to build a cloud of criticism that will result in the MDC splitting. The method to be deployed is that of aggressive subversion against Chamisa’s character, portray him as a dictator, and someone unsuitable for leadership office.It is hoped, this will serve the necessary bomb blast effect to de-legitimise Chamisa as the real elected MDC President.
As of yesterday, three groups had emerged, one led by former MDC councillor, Warship Dumba, another led by so called disgruntled MDC candidates for Bulawayo, and another operating on social networking, website, Twitter, labelling Chamisa a dictator. On Monday there was a hot volcanic build-up on social media against Nelson Chamisa’s character as a trusted leader.
He was criticized even for basics such as the powers the MDC constitution (left by the late leader Morgan Tsvangirai) give him. Instead of people attacking the Tsvangirai constitution, they were up in arms with the man who is still to be announced the elected MDC leader.Through all these events, Mnangagwa’s loud message to Chamisa is very clear, ” it’s not over until it is over.”WILL CHAMISA SURVIVE?
City Of Harare engineers removing a metre from a household for non payment.
By Community Water Alliance|We caught red handed City of Harare water meter readers removing meters in Ward 44 Kuwadzana. Sometimes when we employ activists it’s important to inform them that work is executed in a professional manner not like a toyi toyi in the streets.
The reasons for removal of meters is purported non-payment for water. We are mounting a litigation case that will teach City of Harare a very big lesson that justice should be done always.
Some of the affected houses are No. 12917, 12906, 12909.
By Own Correspondent| A High Court ruling by Justice Zhou granting NAYO the permission to demonstrate and file their petition at parliament has sent riot police back on the streets of Harare.
Several riot police officers were on Tuesday morning deployed at strategic points in the central business district of Harare.
Two riot police trucks full of police officers were parked at Africa Unity Square while several police details were all over Africa Unity Square possibly in preparation for the NAYO demonstration.
Justice Zhou last week overturned a police ban which stopped the NAYO from petitioning parliament over shrinking civil society space.
In his ruling, Justice Zhou said the police ban was wrong and should therefore be suspended.
Mandivenga has since High School been one of Zimbabwe’s gems as a prolific backline player at fly-half, centre and full-back
HARARE, Zimbabwe, April 30, 2019/ — Zimbabwe Rugby Academy has named Brendan Mandivenga as the team’s captain ahead of their inaugural stint in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge in South Africa.
Mandivenga has since High School been one of Zimbabwe’s gems as a prolific backline player at fly-half, centre and full-back.
The competition includes 14 South African Rugby Provincial teams as well as Namibia’s Welwitschias and now the Zimbabwe Rugby Academy.
Speaking from the team’s camp base in Cape Town, Mandivenga says they are ready to take on the daunting task ahead.
“It is a massive honour for us to be playing in this competition, it is a great opportunity for us to showcase what Zimbabwe rugby is all about and we have an opportunity to put Zimbabwe back on the map. As a team we will make sure we will grab it with both hands and give it our everything.”
“We are not really looking at these opponents as our superiors rather we are looking at each team as the same as us – as a process as we are trying to build for the next world cup and it all starts in this competition.
“We are laying out our foundation for the next four years as our goal and we will take on each team as they come,” said Mandivenga.
While in Cape Town the team partnered with South African sports brands and nutrition supplier, Bodworths Brands who will the supplying the squad with a mix between extreme nutrition, proteins and carbohydrates supplements among a plethora of products.
Courtesy of the new deal, the team will have a carefully selected set of different brands of sports nutrition supplements to achieve the mammoth task of competing in this year’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
Brad Bodsworth the owner of Bodsworth Brands says his ardent love for sport and the passion displayed by the Zimbabwe Rugby Academy makes it worth supporting the team.
“I am an avid sports lover and rugby players with passion such as the underdogs have always been something that I have been a firm support of. When it comes to Zimbabwe Rugby Academy, these guys a literally laying it all on the line for their passion, the love they have for their rugby and their country.
“There is no other added incentive for them other than the passion that there are playing the sport and that is what I am a firm supporter,” said Bodworth.
In addition to the nutrition sponsor, the team is working with strength and conditioning expert Nico van Der Walt at Crossfit False Bay as the driving force behind forging the Zimbabwe Rugby Academy into the level of conditioning required for the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
An additional fixture has been added to the team’s itinerary as the team is scheduled to face the Border Bulldogs on Sunday (28 April) in East London.
The SuperSport Rugby Challenge kicks off on Friday (26 April)
The Squad
Aiden Burnett, Brandon Sweet, Wade Petzer, Biselele Tshamala, Brendon Mandivenga, Brian Nyaude, Cleopas Kundiona, Dunstin Andrews, Erbest Mudzengerere, George Sawezy, Godfrey Muzanarwo, Godwin Mangenje, Hilton Mudariki, Jan Ferreira, Jeremiah Jaravaza, Jordon Coombes, Keith Murray, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, Kuzi Kazembwe, Kudzai Mashawi, Mattew Mc Nab, Michael Botha, Neil Mawere, Njabulo Ndlovu, Riann O’Niel, Royal Mwale, Sanele Sibanda, Shingirai Katsvere, Tabonga Ngonyamo, Takudzwa Chieza, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Tatenda Mujawo, Tyron Fagan, Tinashe Chaza, Blithe Mavesere
Team Management:
Brendon Dawson
Tonderai Chavhanga
Jason Maritz
Simbarashe Dangah
Fixtures below:
28 April Border Bulldogs v Zimbabwe Academy East London
4 May Zimbabwe Academy vs Sharks False Bay Rugby club, Cape Town
14 May SWD Eagles vs Zimbabwe Academy Mossel Bay
18 May WP vs Zimbabwe Academy TBC (Cape Town)
25 May Zimbabwe Academy vs Cheetahs False Bay Rugby Club, Cape Town
1 June Boland vs Zimbabwe Academy TBC (Wellington)
8 June Zimbabwe vs EP False Bay Rugby Club, Cape Town
Picture Blast: Two riot police trucks parked at Africa Unity Square while several others are all over town. What Is Going on? pic.twitter.com/jtTVHBeKlC
EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE | At a time when the constitutional court, Luke Malaba judgement report is still to be produced, ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has little oxygen left, he has to rob someone for it.
Earlier in the year, Mnangagwa’s message portrayed in several state media headlines, was: Nelson Chamisa has to be replaced by a mature leader.
The economy is crying to be told who the real President of the country is, because
after piles and files of corruption beginning with the electoral one (filmed on ZBC TV), Mnanagwa has failed to convince that he is legitimate.
Chamisa’s fiery spokesman, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda speaking to ZimEye.com reveals this plot.
“It is very clear that the Malaba verdict which declared Mnangagwa the winner of the 2018 elections, has no figures to support it” and Justice Malaba even said so of the elections of which Mnangagwa deployed the army to shoot people in order to change election results as according to the full ZBC broadcast 8 months before (on the 15th Dec 2017.)
Earlier in April 2019, Mnangagwa possessed one window of opportunity, which was to sponsor someone inside the MDC party who can replace Chamisa. The only person back then was Chamisa’s long-time nemesis, MDC Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora. But after all 13 provinces voted unanimously for Chamisa as evidenced at the weekend, there is still some window for Mnangagwa, which is to build a cloud of criticism that will result in the MDC splitting. The method to be deployed is that of aggressive subversion against Chamisa’s character, portray him as a dictator, and someone unsuitable for leadership office.
It is hoped, this will serve the necessary bomb blast effect to de-legitimise Chamisa as the real elected MDC President.
As of yesterday, three groups had emerged, one led by former MDC councillor, Warship Dumba, another led by so called disgruntled MDC candidates for Bulawayo, and another operating on social networking, website, Twitter, labelling Chamisa a dictator. On Monday there was a hot volcanic build-up on social media against Nelson Chamisa’s character as a trusted leader. He was criticized even for basics such as the powers the MDC constitution (left by the late leader Morgan Tsvangirai) give him. Instead of people attacking the Tsvangirai constitution, they were up in arms with the man who is still to be announced the elected MDC leader.
Through all these events, Mnangagwa’s loud message to Chamisa is very clear, ” it’s not over until it is over.”
Air Zimbabwe has confirmed that one of the two engines on its Boeing plane caught fire during a flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Harare on Sunday evening after developing a fault.
In a statement, the airline admitted that its plane had experienced some glitch in South Africa as it was departing for Zimbabwe.
“Air Zimbabwe wishes to inform the public that their Boeing 767-200ER servicing flight UM462 experienced a malfunction in one of its engines, which caused a ‘brief’ tailpipe fire,” part of the statement read.
The carrier said the malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight or the safety of the crew and passengers on board, and that the aircraft landed safely in Harare at 8:35pm.
Air Zimbabwe confirmed that their engineers have started investigations into the incident.
“We regret to inform our valued passengers that this incident may result in a disruption of our normal schedule,” the statement continued.
This came barely a day after the same plane was involved in a bird strike incident after take-off at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo.
The plane, however, landed safely at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in the capital.
In March, the struggling national airline said it was using the aircraft, the only one in service, for all its routes.
Own Correspondent|Giant cellular phone network service provider Econet Wireless has apparently silently increased their data charges few days after other players took the unpopular move.
Below is a screen shot of the new daily data charges that the network has introduced:
New econet charges.
Unlike the other players in the field, Econet Wireless appears not to have pre-warned its users of the tariff hikes.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwe’s largest mobile network provider by subscriber base, Econet Wireless has hiked data tariffs with the cheapest package of one dollar now giving users only 40 megabytes.
Other mobile network operators Netone and Telecel had already hiked their charges, with Zimbabwe now among countries with the most expensive internet data.
Jane Mlambo| The family of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai has banned party regalia at the memorial service slated for this Saturday in Humanikwa village, Buhera.
Family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai told a local online media organisation NewZimbabwe.com that the decision to ban party regalia was necessitated by the feeling that Tsvangirai was a unifier who also worked with those he did not agree with.
“This is not a political event but a memorial service for a politician who dedicated his life to bring democratic change in the country.
“Everyone is invited, we are not leaving anyone from across the political divide,” Manase was quoted.
“The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai,” added Manase.
The late MDC leader succumbed to cancer of the colon in February last year and was buried at his rural home in Humanikwa village Buhera.
THE Registrar-General’s Office has started producing 8 000 passports daily with a view to clear the 280 000 backlog that has accumulated at the Passport Office, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Cain Mathema has said.
Addressing the media yesterday, Minister Mathema said passport fees remained at $53 and no increases had been effected.
“Government has not increased passport fees. There are no increases on fees for passports whatsoever. The situation remains the same and people must not panic. We will do the best we can and indeed we are doing that.
“The backlog is at around 280 000 and the machinery we have, has the capacity of producing 8 000 passports per day. Our aim is to produce as many as 8 000 passports per day in order to get rid of the backlog that has accumulated over the years.
“The public must not panic. We will provide the passports that are required by the people,” said Minister Mathema.
Minister Mathema said plans were underway to decentralise the Passport Office to ensure people in the rural communities have easy access to passports.
“We also want the Passport Office to be as near as possible to every community in Zimbabwe. Why should people from Tsholotsho come to Harare for passports? That was done in Rhodesia and not in Zimbabwe anymore,” he said.
Minister Mathema said the challenges that affected the production of passports last week were now history.
“The challenges that we faced last week are now a thing of the past. We are now working to reduce the queues at the passport offices,” he said.
United Movement for Devolution Statement on the need for political collaboration in the region
29 April, 2019
The United Movement for Devolution (UMD) is a social democratic movement which is grounded in the principles and values of Devolution and Provincialism. UMD in its policy articulation advocates for strong provincial governments and participatory institutions and communities in the governance of the country.
Our main focus as UMD is to correct the past prejudices done against the Matabeleland region and its people. We speak of underdevelopment, marginalization, inequality and injustice perpetrated against our people by the heartless ZANU pf regime. It is in this regard that we express our belief in political collaboration with other like minded political players in the region. Our thrust as we grapple with these man made challenges is to work for the greater good of the people in order to preserve their dignity and achieve economic prosperity. UMD shall remain open for engagement and cooperation with those that share the same principles and values with us and have devolution at the core of the principles.
Furthermore, our quest for collaboration is informed by the fact that the unity is fundamental to the success and reconstruction program of Matabeleland. We do not believe in monopolizing the Matabeleland agenda. Accordingly, we stand ready to embrace anyone or organization which stands for the emancipation of the downtrodden, marginalized and economically deprived people of the region. However, it is imperative to hasten to say that the UMD reserves the right to remain true and loyal to its core founding principles and values.
The UMD embraces the call by our President Hon.Lovemore Moyo in his statement that called upon the people of Matabeleland to find each other and work together in order to achieve total freedom, equality and justice for the victims and ordinary people. We further applaud him for the bold call for us to forget that which divides us,and instead focus on what brings the people of Matabeleland together.
In this regard, the UMD has total confidence and trust in the leadership of Hon. Lovemore Moyo. His track record of putting the Matabeleland agenda on the national platform is unquestionable. His political history dates back to his participation in the war of liberation as a ZIPRA cadre in the 1970s. He is a founding member of Imbovane Yamahlabezulu. During his days at Imbovane Yamahlabezulu they organized the first public meeting that discussed about the Gukurahundi genocide which invited the late Vice President Joseph Msika and the late Enos Nkala at the Large City Hall in the 1990s to account for the atrocities of the 1980s.
Further,Lovemore Moyo went on to become a founding member of the Forum Party of Zimbabwe (FPZ). He became instrumental in the adoption of Devolution of Power as one of FPZ core policies and advocated for the inclusion of devolution in the Zimbabwean politics. He is also a founding member of the MDC and rose through the ranks to become its National Chairman until his resignation earl last year. He left the MDC upon the realization that the movement had departed and discarded its founding principles and values of non tribalism, non sexism and non violence. He presided over the National Elections Department for over a decade and delivered electoral victories for the MDC. His leadership skills saw him being elected the country’s first opposition Speaker of Parliament.
We are proud of his lasting legacy as the Speaker of Parliament in that he presided over the creation of COPAC that led to the writing of a new constitution of the country and the consummation of the Government of National Unity. His able leadership helped to navigate the raging waters of the constitution making processe. Consequently, the new constitution gave birth to Chapter 14 of the Zimbabwean constitution which provides for devolution of power. Under his leadership, Parliament of Zimbabwe became the only one in Africa to attain the ISO90002 certification which is indeed a milestone in the administration of Parliament. He was subsequently elected Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum becoming the first Speaker IG Parliament from Zimbabwe to occupy such a prestigious position.
As UMD, in our view,we see Lovemore Moyo as a humble and principled leader,an affable fellow who is firm,forthright and very accessible to everyone and a committed devolutionist. We celebrate his leadership and value his ability to steer the region towards political and economic prosperity.
Devolution is an agenda whose time has come.
Amandla Ebantwini!
Power to the People!
Issued by;
Artwell Sibanda
Publicity and Information Secretary [email protected]
By Own Correspondent- A family in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane 12 suburb was left traumatised after a group of about 10 armed robbers pounced on the house on Saturday at about 7 pm and brutally assaulted an 88-year-old man leaving him for dead.
The robbers were reportedly looking for “a substantial amount of money” after apparently having received word that Tedious Dibula had huge sums in his possession.
Speaking to a local publication after the harrowing incident, Dibula’s grandson Zibusiso Zondo (18) said:
“I had just gone outside to fetch something and the doors were not yet locked at 7 PM. Thereafter I started cooking supper and suddenly the house was full of armed men. One had a gun, another had an Okapi knife while the rest had axes and iron bars.
I counted over 10 men all in all in the house. They ordered all of us to shut up and demanded money. They said they would not kill anyone if we co-operated and let them do their job.
The money that was in the house was long gone as it had already been used for its intended purpose so they were late. It appears someone had tipped them off about the money.
They ransacked the house and tossed furniture around. They wanted to search the wardrobe but it was locked and they chopped it into pieces with an axe. We are very devastated.”
The incident was confirmed by Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube who said:
“We are dealing with a case of an attempted robbery that occurred in Nkulumane suburb on Saturday evening.
We urge communities to work together with the police and expose criminals living among them.
Criminals do not come from Mars but they live right here among us. It is wise to tip off the police because you do not know where and when they will strike next.”
Dibula was discharged from hospital after doctors said that his collarbone could not be fixed.
The family said it is now living in fear following a spate of armed robbers that have been taking across the city over the past few days.-StateMedia
Victor Bhoroma| A change in the Zimbabwean government in November 2017 was somewhat a confidence booster in the economy as the new administration announced business oriented policies and went on an overdrive to re-engage the international community in a move aimed at opening new lines of credit, improve investor confidence and attract FDI Inflows.
Local investors and industry captains were equally optimistic that the economy would improve as implied by a positive year on year Business Confidence Index (BCI) of 20.9 in December 2017.
Barely before 2 years have lapsed, that confidence seems to be wearing thin and the economy is catching the cold. Growth prospects in the economy look gloomy under a cloud of currency uncertainty, political instability, foreign currency shortages and hyperinflation. Panic buying by the consumers and hoarding of scarce commodities such as fuel, bread, cooking oil and flour have characterized major policy announcements in the last 12 months.
As Zimbabwe’s economy wobbles on the brink of a recession, the cost of low confidence in the market is taking a huge toll on various policies to resuscitate the economy. Prices for most consumer food staffs, industrial products and services have been skyrocketing since the October 2018 Monitory Policy Statement (MPS) with official inflation rate eclipsing 66.80% in March 2019.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) directed local banks to separate RTGS (Local Currency) accounts and Foreign Currency Accounts (FCA) as an acknowledgement that the US Dollar was not on par with the RTGS, an assertion RBZ presented in November 2016 to introduce Bond Notes to the local market. The surrogate currency was introduced to ease cash shortages as virtual money in RTGS credits outpaced real US Dollar balances in the economy. Consumer confidence in the local banking sector remains very low due to the erosion of US Dollar denominated savings and various monitory and fiscal policy pronouncements.
Since October 2018, banks and other deposit taking institutions have been struggling to attract US dollar deposits, save for deposits in transit transactions such as salary payments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) project funds, imports Telegraphic Transfers (TTs) and local supply payments done in foreign currency.
The introduction of the interbank market and licensing of over 26 Bureau De Change houses in February 2019 has done little to attract foreign currency to the formal market as well. Memories of 2007/08 when the apex bank raided private FCA accounts for over US $400 million are still fresh in Zimbabwe.
Capital flight is still very high with most foreign owned businesses and local business people using every available channel to take their profits and savings out of the country. In January 2018, the RBZ highlighted that funds held by Zimbabweans in offshore banks rose by more than US $1 billion. Savings held by Zimbabweans in offshore banks and other foreign assets were estimated to be close to US$800 million upon dollarization in 2009.
When inflation rate dropped to an average of 1% between 2009 and 2012, Zimbabweans repatriated their savings back home as confidence was restored through economic and political stability. By December 2012, funds held in offshore accounts had dropped to less than US$300 million.
In 2018, Zimbabwe received close to $5.5 billion in foreign currency through trade, remittances, aid, credit lines and investments. However all signs are pointing to a persistent shortage of foreign currency on the formal market that has potential to weaken all pillars of the economy. Corporates and individuals with foreign currency are holding on to it as a high value commodity or selling it at the black market where exchange rates are higher than the interbank rates.
On the foreign investment front, Zimbabwe received an average of $350 million in FDI Inflows since 2015, making it one of the least attractive investment destinations in the SADC region. Despite wholesale changes to the country’s Indigenization and Empowerment law a year ago, inward investments barely improved as investors signed a host of non-binding MOUs and commitments that largely hinge on economic stability in Zimbabwe.
Consumer confidence is a key economic indicator that measures the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation as reflected by disposable income. When disposable incomes improve, consumers make more purchases and feel more confident.
Investor confidence measures investors’ willingness to engage in the investment opportunities and associated intermediation channels available to them based on their perception of country risk and return on their investments. It can be measured though investment enquiries and actual inflows of capital. Business confidence measures the amount of optimism or pessimism that business managers feel about the prospects of their companies based on their performance indicators such as revenue.
The three provide an overview of the state of any economy. Confidence is key in enticing domestic and foreign investments, attracting deposits in the formal banking system and building savings. It is also integral in the trading of money market securities locally and more importantly maintaining value of any fiat currency in the world.
A fiat currency is money (notes and coins) that a government has declared to be legal tender such as the Zimbabwean case of the RTGS Dollar, but it is not backed by any physical commodity in the form of Gold or Silver. Fiat currencies derive their value from market confidence based on perceived economic and political stability.
The government through the central bank can control economic activity through money printing. This function has been abused several times in the past 30 years and is blamed for the growth in virtual money balances (RTGS) since 2015. It is the main cause of current hyperinflation in Zimbabwe as broad money supply in the economy topped $9.5 billion by December 2018.
A severe confidence shortfall is costing Zimbabwe billions each year and restoring it in local institutions requires political commitment to fix what is broken. A confidence deficit in Zimbabwe has demonstrated that it has disastrous consequences to the economy just as a budget or trade deficit.
It will take real reforms in terms of governance to bring back lost confidence in the local economy. Bringing back confidence on the three key fronts (consumer, business and investor) can yield positive results for any policy pronouncement by the government and its departments. More importantly it will ensure that Vision 2030 is felt by the intended beneficiaries in the economy instead of being talked about in the media.
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.
By Own Correspondent- The late national hero Oliver Mtukudzi’s Will and Testament was filed with the Master of High Court by a Harare law firm, four months after his death.
The one page Will shows that “Tuku” left all movable and immovable property to surviving spouse Daisy Kudzai Mtukudzi.
He left out all his children and family members.
The Will was filed on April 15 by Thoughts Deme Attorneys at Law. The Will and Testament read in part:
“I, Oliver Mtukudzi, born 22 September 1952, presently domiciled in Zimbabwe, hereby cancel and annul all former wills and cordials and declare this to be my last will and testament.
… I hereby bequeath all my properties, share and shares in any company or companies or entities to my wife, Daisy Kudzai Mtukudzi born on the second of February 1959.”
Since Mutukudzi’s death, daggers have been drawn among family members forcefully competing for his property.
Apparently, the family members were unaware of the existence of a will.- StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Flamboyant businessman Ginimbi has replied to prophet Passion Java after the latter dissed where he stays asking social media followers not to compare him to the businessman.
Java said in a video clip doing the rounds on social media:
“Ginimbi ndiani , munondifananidza nemunhu anogara KuDomboshava” (Who is Ginimbi. How dare you compare me to a person who stays in Domboshava).”
However Ginimbi responded and said life was not a competition and he was happy because of who he is and what he has.
Said Ginimbi:
“Life is not a competition, its about achieving your dreams, living your purpose and being happy… I live my life to the fullest and continue to thank God because i keep getting more and more.”
Madinda Ndlovu watches in agony as his team loses another match.
Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu has shot back at the fans calling for his ouster saying they should take aim at the real problem at the club.
The Bosso team bus was briefly stopped from leaving the National Sports stadium by angry fans after a lifeless goalless draw against new boys Mushowani Stars.
“What pressure are you talking about? I don’t have pressure at all. This is a marathon and we will still catch up. If you don’t prepare well you prepare to fail. Where were the players I had to prepare with? The issue of the strike affected our preparations and the players lack match fitness now. We now playing catch up in terms of fitness,” said Ndlovu.
Highlanders are still to get a win in five games, managing three draws and lost twice to Harare City and Triangle.
An MDC group vehemently opposed to Nelson Chamisa’s leadership has vowed to go the extra mile to dethrone the MDC leader whom they accuse of circumventing party processes to grab power.
The group, which calls itself Defense of Morgan Tsvangirai Legacy (DMTL), is fronted by former Harare councillor Warship Dumba.
Dumba and his social media comrades accuse Chamisa of grabbing power following the death of party founding leader, Tsvangirai February last year.
The group also accuses the 41-year-old politician of manipulating MDC internal election systems to emerge unopposed during the just ended party nomination processes.
Chamisa has been nominated by all the 13 provincial structures to remain and now awaits confirmation by the party’s elective congress set for May in Gweru.
Dumba, who is deputy spokesperson of the group, told reporters on Sunday the just ended MDC provincial congresses were stage managed to produce Chamisa victories.
“I said it before and I am saying it now, the nominations were designed to make sure that Chamisa wins uncontested and appear as if he was favourite among MDC supporters,” he said.
“We will not stop our restructuring exercise from Ward to Provincial levels in preparation of our end of year extra-ordinary congress likely in October.
“Then after that, we will give them instructions on what to do.
“At the same time, we are waiting for a High Court ruling where we are seeking an order to stop Chamisa’s congress as we move forward.”
Dumba said if the court rules in favour of Chamisa’s camp, it means practiocally, there is going to be yet another MDC formation.
“Yes if he wins the court case, it will be unfortunate, and eventually there will be two MDC political parties. But ours will be the legitimate one because we will never recognise him as the leader of the MDC.
“We will go ahead with our congress because its politics.”
The disgruntled activists have tried more than once to approach the court to stop the national congress arguing that the party must in fact go to an extra-ordinary congress to elect Tsvangirai’s successor end of the year as determined by the party’s constitution.
They are also against the recruitment of new members and the reintegration of party breakaway groups led by former secretary generals Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti whom the call “traitors”.
The family of the late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai says that it will not allow party regalia at his memorial service set for this Saturday at their family home in Buhera.
Family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai told news reporters on Monday that the family agreed to depoliticise the gathering and make it open to anyone who wants to attend and not make it an exclusive MDC function.
“This is not a political event but a memorial service for a politician who dedicated his life to bring democratic change in the country.
“Everyone is invited, we are not leaving anyone from across the political divide,” Manase said.
“The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai.”
Manase added that the family was hoping Zimbabweans would respect their wish.
“This is a memorial and we expect people to respect this family decision by putting branded t-shirts with his face only. This is our wish as a family as a measure of respect to the late Tsvangirai whom everybody called their icon,” said Tsvangirai’s brother.
Manase said security measures have been put in place to avoid unfortunate incidents of violent that happened at the funeral.
“The good thing is at the memorial you get to prepare compared to the funeral, so we expect people to respect the family and remember the late politician was a man who fought for every workers’ rights,” he said.
The rogue youths who were baying for the two’s blood almost torched the hut Mwonzora and Khupe were hiding in only to be saved by the rains.
According to Manase, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also been invited officially to attend the memorial.
“President Mnangagwa has been invited in his personal capacity and on behalf of the government.
“And everyone is invited, as I said before Morgan worked within the government and with nearly everyone,” added Manase.
Government according to Manase is also assisting the family with the expenses towards the memorial.
The late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’a memorial service will be held on Saturday, more than a year after the former Prime Minister succumbed to cancer of the colon in February last year.
Tsvangirai’s younger brother and family spokesperson, Manasa said the family has invited both President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF party to the memorial service. NewsDay (ND) reporter, Desmond Chingarande hooked up with one of Tsvangirai’s daughters, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java (VTJ), who is now Member of Parliament for Glen View South (MDC Alliance), to hear her views about the event and other issues regarding her political career.
ND: On Saturday, there is a memorial service for your father. Your uncle, Manasa has said everyone, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF party members will be welcome to the memorial; do you share the same view?
VTJ: This is a memorial service, not an MDC rally. Everyone who feels they want to attend, can do so, the church, civil society, political parties, individuals, and all. Although it is a memorial service for the MDC founding leader, we should also remember that he was once a Prime Minister, who served all the people of Zimbabwe, regardless of their political affiliation. When my uncle made the decision, he was possibly basing it on that idea that it is a memorial service and like a funeral, all people are welcome.
ND: As the country remembers him at the weekend, can you kindly share your last days with your father?
Mugabe proved age is all but a number when he entered the race against all odds and triumphed over his bitter rival MDC-T’s Morgan Tsvangirai for the Presidency.
VTJ: I was always in and out of his hospital room. We spent most of the time together, talking to him. We laughed, prayed and sang praise and worship songs. He was brave; I would want to believe that he knew that he no longer had time to live, but would always put a brave face like the Morgan full of life. The memorial service would give me time to reflect on his dream and vision.
ND: And how was your relationship with your father?
VJT: My father always wanted the best out of me. He was a father who would encourage me to take up challenges, like he did to any of his children and everyone. It is more than a year after he is gone and I feel empty without his encouragement. I intend to continue to work hard and commit all my achievements as a tribute to him.
ND: You are now MP and a year after your father’s death, what lessons do you think you will borrow from his life to guide your political career?
VJT: First, he had the people at heart. Second, he was forgiving. In politics, people are abused a lot, but he remained focused and interacted with everyone, including those perceived to be his enemies to teach them that having different political views doesn’t necessarily mean being enemies. Thirdly, he had the courage to stand for what he believed in regardless of the tribulations. I also admired his political values which were anchored on democracy, peace and oneness.
President Mugabe chats with PM Tsvangirai.Mugabe and Tsvangirai showed tolerance of each other, despite past differences
ND: What motivated you to join politics? Did your father play a part in the decision?
VTJ: Entering politics was not something I started when I became an MP. Politics has always been my passion. I was driven by the need to fight for the voiceless. Yes, my father played a part, always debating political issues with him motivated me. In 2002, we (together with other Tsvangirai children), I left the country into political exile when my father formed the party to challenge Zanu PF. It was a tough time. I would have meetings wherever we were to support my father. I was in Australia and would appear on national television there telling them the plight of Zimbabweans. I came back in 2009 after the death of my mother (Susan). I worked with him since then until his death. We would always share ideas and that is where I got the inspiration of taking a public office and serve the people.
ND: Can you explain what you are doing to the people of Glen View South as MP.
VTJ: When I took up office, cholera soon broke out and I had to run around looking for assistance to manage the epidemic. Currently, I am working to try to have a refuse truck to consistently service my constituency. I am also engaging council for my people to get decent market stalls with proper facilities to ensure they have a livelihood at the same time being safe from diseases. Due to unemployment, I am in the process of introducing self-help projects and currently consulting youths in the constituency on what they would want support on.
DC: What challenges are you facing as an MP?
VTJ: People come to me as an MP with problems such as unemployment, and you don’t have an immediate solution. Companies are closing, those operating are struggling; it’s a challenge to the people. It is a tough job to face people with an array of problems which should best be addressed by central government. Widows and elderly are struggling to survive. Parents are unable to send children to school. Things are bad and as MPs, we are made to interact with hungry people everyday. It pains me as an MP. The problems have nothing to do with gender, an MP is an MP and they all meet similar challenges.
The State yesterday closed its case in the matter in which Mt Pleasant legislator Samuel Banda (MDC Alliance) is being accused of contravening a section of the Electoral Act by allegedly falsifying his home address so that he could register to represent the constituency.
Banda (43), who is represented by Job Sikhala, yesterday told magistrate Learnmore Mapiye that the complainant and witnesses were aggrieved after he won a ticket to represent his party during the primary elections in which they all participated.
Banda told the court that the complainants, Warship Dumba and Isaac Chidavaenzi, had political scores to settle with him because they wanted his position.
Chidavaenzi lost the position to Banda for parliamentary elections, while Dumba wanted the position, but was relegated to council elections.
“The only truth is that both witnesses wanted to be MDC Alliance candidates. Dumba wanted to be a councillor, while Chidavaenzi wanted to be the MP, but they all lost,” Banda told the court.
“I’m (very) surprised that Chidavaenzi lied that I do not stay at his place of residence, yet I’m still staying at his house. I’m surprised that he lied that he learnt that I registered using his place of residence address on radio. It is so shameful. Even Jesus was disregarded by his fellows. That is why my fellow opposition members are fighting me. They have teamed up with my enemies to say that I lied about my address, which is untrue.”
Mapiye postponed the matter to Monday next week for ruling.
Allegations are that on December 28, 2017 last year during the national biometric voter registration exercise, Banda misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that he was staying at number 34 Waller Avenue, Mt Pleasant, Harare, in order for him to register as a voter in that constituency, while in actual fact, he did not reside there.
The State alleges that Banda went on to depose an affidavit of residence for voter registration (Zec Form VR-9) to a Zec commissioner of oaths purporting to be residing at the house.
Through misrepresentation, the prosecution said, Banda was registered as a voter in Mt Pleasant constituency, where he contested for the House of Assembly seat and eventually won.
The State said the Zec forms VR1 and VR9 can be produced as an exhibit.
The power couple and couple goals Somizi and Mohale have gone an extra mile by inviting the president. As their wedding day draws closer, Idols SA judge Somizi and his bae, Mohale Motaung, have extended an invitation to President Cyril Ramaphosa to join them on their big day.
We are not sure if the couple have finalised their guest list yet, but when they met the president on Thursday, they couldn’t help but ask him if he would like to be on the list.
The couple were accompanying Somizi’s mother, Mary Twala, as she accepted a National Order of Ikhamanga in silver from the president for her “excellent contribution to the performing arts and creatively raising awareness on women’s health issues through storytelling”.
The order is the highest award bestowed on citizens and foreigners who have fought for democracy and made a serious impact improving the lives of South Africans.
Somizi, Mohale and Mary posed for pictures with the president, when Somizi slid in a request and asked the president if he wanted to come to the wedding in December.
Yes, fam! We now know a wedding will be held in December.
The president was overjoyed by the news and said they should definitely send him an invite as he would “love to come”.
As fans got excited at the date, another titbit of info was revealed.
The couple had previously said the wedding would happen in five months.
Replying to followers on social media who quizzed him about this, Mohale spilled the tea and said the couple will have two ceremonies.
SOME foreign elements are plotting violent demonstrations in a bid to overthrow the Government and the police are ready to deal with the perpetrators in terms of the law, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Minister Mathema said intelligence revealed a workshop to mobilise and capacitate the civic organisations had already been scheduled for an undisclosed date next month in Bulawayo.
“It is disturbing to note that ZRP and other security services have gathered intelligence to the effect that a group of foreign nationals wants to facilitate a three-day civic organisation workshop in Bulawayo in May 2019.
“The main agenda of the workshop is to mobilise and capacitate civic organisations and individuals to stage purported effective demonstrations and disturbances to overthrow the Zanu-PF Government,” he said.
Minister Mathema warned the people of Zimbabwe against joining the planned violent demonstrations.
The minister said the police were on high alert and measures have already been put in place to thwart the illegal plans.
“My ministry has since directed the Commissioner- General of Police to put in place adequate security measures. The police will thwart any civil disobedience or violent machinations by individuals, political parties and civic organisations under the guise of freedom of assembly and other hidden activities,” he said.
Government has urged people to ignore any demonstration calls.
“Members of the public are accordingly advised to ignore any incitement to violence or participating in unsanctioned gatherings that may cause instability in the country. Any acts of lawlessness should be reported to the nearest police station so that the law is applied without fear or favour,” said Minister Mathema.
Zimbabwe, the minister said, does not need any lecture on democracy and freedom of assembly from foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Minister Mathema said intelligence also show that there were plans to intensify the demonstrations after the MDC-Alliance’s congress.
“My ministry is also aware that there are plans to intensify violent demonstrations in the country after the forthcoming MDC-Alliance congress under the guise that there is economic collapse in Zimbabwe.”
Minister Mathema assured Zimbabweans and foreigners visiting the country or those doing business that their security was guaranteed.
“We have the names of the organisations and the names of the people who want to organise the demonstrations. At an opportune time, we will share their names,” he said.
Price increases and other economic challenges facing the country, Minister Mathema said, were being caused by the MDC-Alliance.
“It must be known that those economic challenges facing the country were brought about by the MDC. The sanctions were brought about by the MDC-Alliance, so it is laughable that we should be accused, as Government, of causing the economic challenges.
“We do not want price increases at all and the Government will do all it can to ensure prices stabilise,” he said.
File Picture of dirty water out of a tap in Harare.
The toxicity levels in Lake Chivero have reached alarming levels, twice the stipulated minimum, with Harare City Council spending US$3 million monthly on a cocktail of water treatment chemicals to remove these but which in themselves pose cancer risks to residents.
Even after treatment, Harare water falls short of World Health Organisation (WHO) standards which stipulate that water for consumption should be odourless and colourless.
It has also emerged that over the years, Harare has failed to implement recommendations to stop the deterioration of its water quality.
By contrast, according to an insider with knowledge on running affairs of the city, Bulawayo decommissioned its Khami Dam facility when it reached similar toxicity levels seven years ago.
WHO says the optimum pH (acidity level) varies in different supplies according to the composition of the water and the nature of construction materials used in the distribution system, but is often in the range 6,5 to 9,5.
In general, water with a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic, while that with a pH greater than 7 is considered basic.
Most industries have no pre-treatment plants and are draining toxic products, poisons, non-biodegradable substances and organic matter into the environment.
A recent study by City of Harare and EMA revealed that the main contaminants are sulphuric acid, caustic soda, ammonium salts, phosphates and sulphates among other organic substances. Additionally, the city pumps raw sewage into its main water source, Lake Chivero.
Asked what Harare was doing since it was disposing of raw sewerage in water sources, Mayor Herbert Gomba said: “We were supposed to rehabilitate our sewer works under the $144 million loan, but since we are still to get the remaining funds we currently considering alternative models like selling off our debts to banks so that we can attend to our dilapidated sewerage infrastructure.”
Water levels at Lake Chivero have also reduced by 10 metres from 28 metres deep due to siltation caused by urban agriculture, while algae has been clogging filters and affecting clarifiers.
Among other causes of the major pollution are stream-bank cultivation, effluent from industries and sewer bursts.
Harare is experiencing its worst water problems in years owing to low rainfall and the shortage of water chemicals.
Lake Chivero is downstream of the capital, while Chitungwiza is within the Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Area such that most sewers discharge from Harare and Chitungwiza end up in the water sources.
The major settlements that have contributed to the pollution include Harare and the dormitory towns of Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth.
The areas are densely populated and are prone to sewer bursts.
Mayor Gomba said the pollution has been caused by various factors, chief among them Harare’s disposal of untreated and raw sewage into Lake Chivero and urban agriculture.
“Fertilizers which are being applied by urban farmers are finding their way into the water source. The other cause being numerous constructions on wet lands and again the fact that EMA and Upper Manyame Catchment Area and City of Harare have not been working together to make sure that we prevent pollution of the streams that feed in to the water source,” he said.
“We have raised these issues with EMA. They promised that we will do a joint operation to make sure that we arrest that. Again as City of Harare we are looking at coming up with a policy to control urban agriculture because it has numerous consequences. We are looking at how best we can work with national parks to secure the facility, Chivero as a water source.”
He said council will engage its satellite towns to ensure that no raw sewerage is disposed into water bodies adding that Harare itself will also seek partners to rehabilitate its own sewerage treatment works.
WHO guidelines say water for human consumption should be free from chemical contamination. A heavy load for nitrates in water has been known to cause the blue baby syndrome in which young babies turn blue due to lack of oxygen.
Water that is heavily loaded by organic chemicals is also a fertile breeding ground for bacteriological contamination.
Bacteriological contamination of water needs the techniques of a specialist to detect in the form of bacteriological family known as Coli and Ecoli.
A recent study carried out at the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Animal Science, and University Lake Kariba Research Station titled, “A Comparative Evaluation of Carcass Quality, Nutritional Value, and Consumer Preference of Oreochromis niloticus from Two Impoundments with Different Pollution Levels in Zimbabwe” sampled fish from Lake Chivero and Lake Kariba.
Fish were sampled for proximate analysis, carcass quality, and sensory evaluation.
The study found out that fish from Lake Kariba had significantly higher condition factors and lower fillet yields, while fish of length 10-20 cm, from Lake Chivero had significantly more fat.
Lake Chivero fish were darker, greener, and less red while Lake Kariba fish are lighter, less green, and less red.
Raw fish from Lake Kariba were significantly firmer, are less green and redder, had a stronger typical fish odour, and were more acceptable than Lake Chivero fish.
Lake Chivero fish had a stronger foreign fish odour than their counterparts.
Former Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni during his tenure admitted that the water pumped by the city into residents’ homes may not be safe for human consumption, and advised consumers to exercise caution until such a time that total quality was assured.
The Environmental Management Agency which is the regulator for raw water could not be reached for comment.
SOUTH African police have arrested a 38-year-old woman at the Beitbridge Border Post who allegedly tried to smuggle an assortments of explosives worth thousands of rands into the neighbouring country.
Limpopo police spokesperson Constable Maphure Manamela said the suspect was arrested at around 8AM on Sunday.
She said the woman was travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa though her nationality was still under investigations.
“The suspect was arrested while police were conducting routine searches at the border post,” said Cst Manamela.
“The bus that she was travelling in had just crossed over when it was directed to the searching bay for inspection.
“During the search, two hundred (200) × units of Superpower 90 Blasting cartridges were recovered in her luggage wrapped inside plastic bags.
“The origin and destination of these explosives will still be determined by the ongoing police investigations”.
She said the suspect will soon appear at Musina Magistrate’s Court charged with possession of illegal explosives.
LOSING MDC Alliance Bulawayo provincial executive aspirants have appealed against the way the party carried out the provincial congress which elected a new executive into office and also made nominations for the National Standing Committee members.
In a letter to the party’s national executive, 12 losing candidates blamed party President Nelson Chamisa and organising secretary Amos Chibaya for irregularities they claim besieged the congress.
The 12 losing candidates who include Mr Phelela Masuku, Mr Edious Shumba, Mr Charles Moyo, Mr Thamu Ncube, Ms Sinikiwe Mutanda, Ms Jasmine Toffa, Mr Dingilizwe Tshuma, Mr Edwin Ndlovu, Ms Stella Ndlovu, Mr Mbuso Siso and Mr Samuel Munsaka called for the nullification of the provincial congress results on the basis that it was rigged among other irregularities.
The party held a provincial congress on April 17 ahead of the national congress slated for next month.
Makokoba Member of Parliament Mr James Sithole won the provincial chairman’s post.
In the letter of appeal, the losing candidates argue that the interference by Chamisa and Chibaya benefitted Sithole’s camp.
“The directive given by the president Nelson Chamisa to National Organising secretary Chibaya, on being petitioned at the congress venue by disenfranchised delegates who were refused to participate, was only acceded to after the conclusion of both the youth and women processes effectively denying them the vote and creating complexities for main wing processes by introduction of non-eligible delegates.
“Mpopoma was effectively locked out of participation, and the caucus constituted by Chibaya to address the anomaly calculatedly and mischievously took forever resultantly acceding at the close of the voting process. The cabal of James Sithole and Helen Zviviri (Tsepiso-Mpofu) formed the think tank of the caucus,” reads part of the appeal letter.
They further argued that the provincial congress was illegal as it did not adhere to the party processes, conduct and procedures.
“Take notice that the undersigned Appellants hereby note an appeal on the process and conduct of the procedures employed at the Bulawayo Provincial Congress held at Stanley Square Makokoba, Bulawayo on 17/18th April 2019 pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9 (a); 9 (c (i; v and vi) section 2 (ii; iii; iv; v; and vi) and section 3 (a) and (f) And further take notice that the Appellants’ grounds of appeal are that:- 1. That the congress was not legally constituted for failure of a quorum notwithstanding the districts that were disenfranchised and refused to participate,” reads the letter.
In the Bulawayo congress, party vice president Professor Welshman Ncube was snubbed by the province which did not nominate him to retain the post at the national congress slated for next month.
Instead, the structures nominated Tendai Biti, Morgen Komichi and Ms Lillian Timveous for the vice presidency and nominated Prof Ncube for the secretary general’s position.
MDC-Alliance national spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume was not available for comment.
By Dorrothy Moyo| The government has said reports that passport fees have been increased are false.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema also said that the Registrar-General’s office is producing 8 000 passports per day to clear a backlog that has risen to 280 000.
Minister Mathema said: “Government has not increased passport fees.
“There are no increases on fees for passports whatsoever. The situation remains the same and people must not panic. We will do the best we can and indeed we are doing that.
“The backlog is at around 280 000 and the machinery we have, has the capacity of producing 8 000 passports per day. Our aim is to produce as many as 8 000 passports per day in order to get rid of the backlog that has accumulated over the years.
“The public must not panic. We will provide the passports that are required by the people.” – state media
At a time when the Luke Malaba judgement is still to be produced 8 months on, the speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda has announced preparations for the 2023 elections.
The was revealed as the state media reported “massive civil and political reforms” being undertaken under President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic.
Below was the announcement: Parliament is seized with the alignment of laws to the Constitution to ensure 2023 harmonised elections are free, fair, transparent, credible and reflect the true democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe.
This came out during a presentation by Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda at the Zimbabwe National Defence University, reflecting massive civil and political reforms being undertaken under Mnangagwa’s Second Republic.
He was presenting a paper on Parliament’s oversight role and contribution to national security and political systems in Zimbabwe.
Adv Mudenda said to strengthen national security, Parliament’s oversight role must focus on national food security, health, socio-economic security, environmental security and human security which are all predicated on the respect and religious observance of human rights and freedoms.
He said Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy founded on principles of political pluralism and diversity as opposed to political monism.
“Party pluralism has been a defining feature of our democracy since independence in 1980. That is why section 3(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe emphatically states that: “The principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level include a multi-party democratic political system, an electoral system based on universal adult suffrage and equality of votes, free, fair and regular elections and adequate representation of the electorate.
“Flowing from the above constitutional provisions and pursuant to the need to enhance and expand the democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe, Parliament is currently seized with the alignment of laws to the Constitution, the Ease of Doing Business Laws and the Electoral Law reforms.
“These are meant to ensure the 2023 harmonised elections are free, fair, transparent and credible to the extent that they reflect the true democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe apart from creating a positive environment to attract both domestic and foreign investors,” he said.
Advocate Mudenda said political party pluralism had seen more than 100 parties and 22 Presidential candidates participating in the previous 2018 harmonised elections which augured well with section 67 of the Constitution which acknowledges the political rights of citizens.
“Every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any elective public office established in terms of this Constitution. Every Zimbabwean has the right to form, join and to participate in activities of a political party or organisation of their choice, to campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or cause, to participate individually or collectively in gatherings or groups or in any other manner, in peaceful activities to influence, change or support the policies of Government or any political or whatever cause,” he said.
He said the use of violence, overt or covert was not constitutional.
“This explains why all constitutional State commissions inkling, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, national peace and Reconciliation Commission among others are accountable to Parliament as prescribed in section 235(1) of the Constitution,” he said.
Advocate Mudenda said Parliament had the role of being the ultimate protector of the constitution and this was evident in November 2017.
“Political events in Zimbabwe during November 2017 brought to the fore the centrality of Parliament as the penultimate institution in protecting the constitutional order and the democratic dispensation.
“Without the stewardship of Parliament, there was no way the political conundrum at that time could have been speedily resolved constitutionally and lawfully,” he said.
He said there was need for the constitution to be taught in schools and as part of the curriculum for the training of members of the security services, the civil service and members and employees of public institutions and encouraged all people and organisations to disseminate knowledge of the Constitution throughout the society.
Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has dismissed the reburial of the remains of victims of Gukurahundi atrocities as an attempt by Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ilk to conceal the truth about Gukurahundi atrocities.
Moyo believes the reburial process is an attempt by Mnangagwa to hoodwink the international community.
“A #gukurahundi exhumation with no truth and no justice. What are the facts of the case? Even key local authorities are in the dark.
State media still refer to gukurahundi as political disturbances. Now clear the reburials are meant to bury the truth about what happened. Scandalous!” Moyo argued.
Farai Dziva|A senior member of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has called on Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa to resolve their political differences to save the nation from the current economic abyss.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association political commissar, Francis Nhando told a daily paper dialogue between Mnangagwa and Chamisa would break the economic impasse.
“If there is any leader who thinks he or she can solve the problems we have without the help of others then that’s delusional.
Only a united front that involves all Zimbabweans including the opposition coming into government is the solution.
We have done it before and there was remarkable economic growth. Things only began to slide back to where they were before the inclusive government (when parties) decided that they wanted to go it alone and terminated the arrangement.
We simply need to work together not this blame game that we are seeing, blaming sanctions but all the sanctions were in place when the unity government worked magic on the economy,” said Nhando.
Farai Dziva|Former MDC A MP Eddie Cross has attacked the media for failing to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms, a South African paper has reported.
While in South Africa Cross chided the media for failing to appreciate Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Mnangagwa will take Zimbabwe down a different route.
And I think in the past nine months (since the election) he’s not received sufficient recognition from the international media for what he’s actually achieved.
… There would be no engagement from the international community if a political reform agenda is not adopted or followed.
In his (President Mnangwagwa’s) view, we had to have legitimacy recognised by the international community in order to put the country back on its feet. We were really quite surprised at the strength of his view,” Cross told The Sunday Times.
Farai Dziva|Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya believes the sending off of Godfrey Mukambi affected them as the team looked set to dominate play in their 1-1 draw against TelOne on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys finished the encounter with a man short after Mukambi received a red card on minute 66 for an alleged foul language towards the referee following an incident which involved a TelOne player.
“In the second half, we pushed a bit more, but the disciplinary issues disturbed us. I don’t know what transpired but I suspect it was a case of descent and we had our player dismissed. That’s bad especially when you are in a situation like this.
We had gone for four games without a win, and you have players behaving like this, putting pressure on your team.
Credit to those who remained, they played for over twenty minutes with a man down, and that’s not an easy job,” said Ndiraya.
Dynamos went to the break trailing after Munyaradzi Mawadza deflected the ball past his goalkeeper on the stroke of half-time.
Cameroonian Vincent Mbega equalised ten minutes into the second period, curling home a free-kick a few yards from the edge of the box.
The National University of Science and Technology (Nust) has set aside the 3rd of May as the Day of Prayer against examination related anxiety, depression and fear.
This follows a spate of suicides of students at the top Bulawayo-based institution.
The institution has seen several students take their own lives on a number of occasions in the last year with the latest one involving an Actuarial Science student last Friday who committed suicide at his home in the city.
The prayer meeting will be graced by River of Life leader Prophet Bothwell Phiri.
It is scheduled to start at 1230hrs at the NUST Ceremonial Hall.
Last year in September, a second-year Finance student was found hanging in his hostel at the institution.
In November during the same year, a first year Statistics student Blessing Mangena was crushed by a train in an alleged suicide. This was after she fell pregnant and realized that her lover was married.
In a circular released by the University Chaplain Pastor Tomson Dube the University said, “NUST has in the past lost precious lives especially towards examinations due to anxiety, depression and fear. This must stop Now! I have declared the 3rd of May 2029 as the day of prayer for our University.”
Own Correspondent|First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa appears to be on the run to break all of Grace Mugabe’s records.
In a shocking move, the flamboyant wife of the President ran an exhibition stand at the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
The stand left many people shell shocked on what Auxilia Mnangagwa is really up to.
Former President Robert Mugabe aligned party NPF’s spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire blasted the first lady for running the stand claiming that the Office Of The First Lady can not exhibit at the fair describing it as just a “conjugal position.”
What can be more immature & stupid than having a conjugal position exhibiting at a business expo? Zanu-PF & ED have to grow up, being First Lady is not some form of entrepreneurship warranting exhibition at the trade fair, if u believe it is, u shld not only grow up but be wise. https://t.co/myouz1iVwk
Boeing company was lambasted by the most powerful figure in Dubai aviation for failing to keep airlines updated on the grounding of the 737 Max jetliner, of which 14 have been delivered to the Persian Gulf emirate.
“Communication with Boeing could be better,” Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said Monday in a briefing at the 2019 Arabian Travel Market convention.
“We want to know exactly what’s happening, the details. There are still areas that aren’t being answered 100 percent yet.”
Sheikh Ahmed, who is president of Dubai’s civil aviation authority and chairman of Emirates the world’s biggest long-haul airline, said he’ll be seeking compensation from Boeing for the idling of the planes at sister short-haul operator FlyDubai which has ordered 175 in total, and could approach Airbus SE about switching to the European company’s competing A320neo model.
It’s especially galling to be out of the loop since FlyDubai is one of the biggest customers for the Max, said Sheikh Ahmed, who is also a board member of the United Arab Emirates aviation authority, one of nine such bodies that are looking into the safety of the plane, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The panel was due to meet for the first time today.
Boeing needs to be clearer about when the Max will fly again after crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia led to the grounding, according to Sheikh Ahmed, who said he’s concerned about further delays for European Aviation Safety Authority approval of changes to a suspect anti-stall system, and for pilot re-training.
“I have to really see what assurance I will be getting,” he said. “I didn’t ground the 14 aircraft because I wanted to do it. Even if I wanted to fly this aircraft I won’t be able to.- Bloomberg
DALI TAMBO’s dad Oliver Tambo was a revered struggle icon, who along with many others, fought for Mzansi’s freedom.
Now, his son Dali is said to be in and out of an upmarket private hospital in Jozi. According to sources, Dali visited the hospital this week flanked by his wife, Rachel.
“He was walking uncomfortably and spent some time there. He’s receiving treatment, but we don’t know what’s eating him,” an insider claimed. The son of the late former ANC stalwart is said to be making regular trips to the hospital.
“It was his third visit to the hospital this week. He comes quite often for check-ups. But this time there was something different about him. He was walking slowly as if he was in pain, which is why he spent most of the afternoon being attended to by doctors,” the second mole claimed.
The 60-year-old was apparently told to take it easy to fully recover and continue with the check-ups, as he has been doing.
Sri Lanka has banned face coverings in public, following a spate of suicide attacks on Easter Sunday that killed at least 250 people and injured hundreds.
President Maithripala Sirisena said he was using an emergency law to impose the restriction from Monday.
Any face garment which “hinders identification” will be banned to ensure security, his office said. Muslim leaders criticised the move.
The niqab and burka – worn by Muslim women – were not specifically named.
The move is perceived as targeting those garments, however.
Sri Lanka remains on high alert eight days after Islamist attacks that hit churches and hotels.
Dozens of suspects have been arrested, but local officials have warned that more militants remain at large.
How many people are affected?
Sri Lanka has a sizeable and centuries-old Muslim population – of the country’s 21-million population, just under 10% are Muslim.
Only a small number of women are thought to wear the face-covering niqab, or the burka – a one-piece garment that covers the face and body.
Last week a Sri Lankan MP had proposed a ban on women wearing the burka, saying it should be outlawed on security grounds.
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, an organisation of Muslim clerics in Sri Lanka, was highly critical of the president’s decision.
“It is the stupidest thing to do. Three days ago we took a voluntary decision regarding this. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulema told all Muslim women not to wear face veils for security reasons. If they wanted to wear a veil, then they were told not to come out,” Hilmy Ahmed, the group’s vice-president, told the BBC.
“We see this as a reflection of the conflict between the president and the prime minister. We strongly criticise the decision. We will not accept the authorities interfering with the religion without consulting the religious leadership.”
Several countries have permanently banned full-face veils in public places, including France, Belgium and Denmark.
Chad, Gabon and the Republic of Congo in Africa also have restrictions in place.
What’s the situation on the ground?
Over the weekend thousands of Sri Lankan troops stood guard on the streets, protecting churches and mosques.
Sunday church services were cancelled across the country as a precaution, but worshippers in the capital gathered to pray outside St Anthony’s Shrine, which was badly damaged in the attacks.
The number of people arrested in connection with the bloodshed rose to 150. Authorities are also hunting for around 140 followers of the jihadist group Islamic State, which has said it was behind the bombings, but has not provided firm evidence of direct involvement.
On Friday, security forces raided a safe house used by the Islamist group NTJ, which authorities have said was behind the attacks. The group was founded by Zahran Hashim, the alleged organiser of the bombings who blew himself up at a hotel in Colombo.
As troops moved in on Friday, three men set off explosives, killing themselves, six children and three women. Three other people died in gunfire.
Hashim’s father and two brothers were among those who died in the operation.-BBC
Google has opened applications for the 2019 edition of the Google Africa Certifications Scholarships. It is offering 30 000 scholarship opportunities and 1000 grants for Google Associate Android, Mobile Web and Associate Cloud Engineerr certifications.
William Florance, global head of developer training programmes at Google revealed that the developer training programme is available to applicants who are residents of any African country and at least 18 years of age when they submit applications. The training shall be delivered by Google’s partners: online education company Pluralsight and software start-up Andelaa.
The online courses vary in duration
For more information on how you can apply for the Google Africa Certification Programme click here.
By Own Correspondent- The University of Zimbabwe has issued a statement notifying students admitted for the August 2019 intake that the deadline for the payment of deposit had changed.
The Notice that was posted on the Academic Institution’s page read as follows:
2019 Accepted students
August 2019 intake notice
The University of Zimbabwe wishes to advise successful applicants for August 2019 intake of the following important change:
Deadline for payment of deposit has been changed from 28 June 2019 to 31 May 2019
Exiled former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has released the draft of the failed alleged Grand National Union that was supposed to create an electoral pact between former President Robert Mugabe and MDC leder leader National Chamisa together with other small parties.
To DOWNLOAD the full document CLICK HERE (PDF, less than 1 MB).
By Farai D Hove| ZIMBABWE IS SET TO LOSE OVER $5mln as South Africa gains over $3bln from a possible Brexit no-deal scenario.
This is according to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report is titled: “Brexit. Implications for Developing Countries.
The UK is exiting the European Union by October this year, after voing to leave the EU in June 2016. UK was recently granted a Brexit delay until October 30, 2019, to negotiate an arrangement to leave the bloc without a deal.
Should the UK leave the bloc without a deal, the below countries are set to gain or lose.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo, has shockingly revealed that all pharmaceutical storerooms in government health facilities in Matabeleland up to provincial level are “empty”.
The country has been facing severe drug shortages due to foreign currency shortages, while socially disadvantaged patients are at the receiving end as they go for some time without accessing medication neither can they afford to purchase from pharmacies.
Dr Moyo admitted the lack of drugs was a challenge for his ministry, as it had to fill up the stocks from the district centres going all way to hospitals in the country’s southern region.
He made these revelations while meeting senior staff from Mpilo Hospital last week who had pointed out that although they received drugs from National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) the quantities were low.
“The hospital has a 60 percent supply of vital medicines, which is higher than before but still fall short from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe prescribed regulation of stocking 80 percent of vital medicines. For essential medicines we have a drug supply of 85 percent,” said Mpilo Chief Pharmacist, Faith Sinoia.
In response, the minister acknowledged that the supply of drugs was a necessity and assured the hospital that they will receive their drugs.
The minister added that NatPharm also had to supply health facilities in Matabeleland North and South which were still waiting for their allocation.
“All our storerooms are empty, in all our district clinics and health centres. We have to fill up the stocks from the lowest tiers – the districts, move to the provincial centres then to the main referral hospitals. It will take a long time as we have to fill these big buckets,” he said.
To address the drug shortage, the ministry would employ a targeted approach where it would go step by step to supply the centres, a move it will use to when supplying medical equipment as well.
“NatPharm went to tender and received $191 million worth of drugs, of which stock worth $80 million had been released. So far $25 million of the $80 million has been paid. We will keep pushing NatPharm so that health institutions’ receive their daily products. Once we satisfy Matabeleland provinces, we can move on to other provinces,” Dr Moyo said.
He added that NatPharm will need to replenish its stocks.
“We envision a situation where once our hospitals are stocked up then NatPharm as the source remains with stocks too.”
According to reports more than 80 percent of medicines in Zimbabwe are imported and they heavily rely on foreign currency while those manufactured locally also require active ingredients which are imported (needing foreign currency).
TREASURER GENERAL DR TAPIWA MASHAKADA
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WHY I WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POST OF TG
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1. Addressing several Mischiefs
1.1. The first mischief I will address is to make sure that the party is self financing through internal revenue generation and other fundraising initiatives. The party cannot depend on the government grant as the main source of revenue. We must build our own internal resource envelope.
1.2. As your Treasurer General my task is to make sure that the party is liquid and financially solid to fund the 2023 Election Campaign, including vehicles, campaign materials and payment of election agents. It must be a well oiled campaign.
1.3. Devolution of Finances
Party finances have been too centralized. From now onwards provinces will be allowed to do their fundraising programs. Treasurers at ALL levels of party structures, including diaspora will now play their roles which include opening bank accounts and fundraising.
1.4. Transparency and Accountability
In order to promote accountability and transparency, party books will be open for inspection by bona fide party members following security vetting and approval formalities to vaccinate against abuse, ulterior and nefarious intentions.
2. Defining my role as Treasurer General
The duties of a Treasurer General are as follows:
2.1. Financial Management –
Which involves opening bank accounts, bank reconciliations, investment policy, ovedraft policy and so on. I understand these things.
2.2. Keeping Records
– As Treasurer I will open books of accounts and Asset Register.
2.3 Reporting-
It goes without saying that transparency is key. As Treasurer I present management accounts to relevant party organs and structures. The main accounts will be Income and Expenditure Statement; Cashlow Statement; and Balance Sheets. Other subsidiary books include Journals and Creditors Control.
2.4. Budgeting
– In order to prepare the budget i have to consult structures then prepare a comprehensive budget and the party will have a Budget Day to receive my Budget Statement
2.5. Financial rules, Accounting Manuals and Policies-
These will be developed and implemented.
2.6 Financial Audit
– I will establish an Internal Audit Unit and get an approved external auditor subject to political sensitivities
2.7. Corporate Governance Systems-
The party needs systems on *procurement; *asset acquisition and disposal; *investment policy. * Depreciation policy. The party needs a policy on payment of transport allowances and DSA for members on official duty.
3. Capitalization of the party
MDC is a big party which is undercapitalized. During my tenure as the TG, the party will acquire properties and assets. The party will set up revenue generating assets.
Capital Budgeting
I will set up a Strategic Business Unit for the Party to spearhead business and investments and pursue the following business interests:
* party buses
* haulage trucks
* hotels and conference centres
* schools and hospitals
* funeral assurance company
* purchase party farms
* youth and women Income generating projects
* party clothing and textiles company
* Micro-finance services
* Food and Beverage
* I will consult on other lines of business ventures and projects.
4. Fundraising
4.1. Electronic Membership card with Subscriptions.
The party must be a membership driven organization.
4..2. Crowd funding
4.3. Traditional Financiers
4.4. Corporates
4.5. New Financiers
4.6 Fundraising events
4.7 Party Projects.
5. Financing party programs and activities; provincial, district, ward bank accounts managed by Provincial Treasurers
6.Party Assets
Acquiring vehicles, motor bikes and bycyles for party structures. Acquiring offices at ward, district, provincial and national levels.
Conclusion
My manifesto is based on issues not personalities. Let the people decide for themselves. Finally let me clear the misconception and wrong perception that it is the Treasurer General alone who can raise funds for MDC. This is wrong. The most important canon is BANKABILITY. The whole party must position itself as a bankable organization so that a Treasurer General will not capture party. The Treasurer General should not have the impression that he can lock and unlock funding for the party at his behest.
Therefore, it is necessary for the party to be in good standing in all dimensions including its image, brand and adherence to its constitutional principles, norms and values as a Social Democratic Party.
The party has a rare opportunity to find a good Treasurer General. You have an opportunity to choose between me and my good friend David Coltart.
My Credentials:
Iam a finance guru. Highly experienced in Economics, Financial Management and Accounting. I have an earned Doctorate in Economics from the University of Stellenbosch. Former Minister of Economic Planning and Investment. I have a.vast experience running organizations in the following sectors:
* Furniture Manucturing Industry
* Engineering and Iron and Steel Industry
* Soft Drinks Manufacturing Industry
* Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry
* A founder and loyal member of the party
* Deputy Secretary General (2006 to 2014)
* Acting Treasurer General (2014)
* Acting Secretary General (2014)
* Renowned Economist
* former Chairman of Public Accounts Committee of Parliament
* Member of Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee of Parliament
* Chairman of the Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters ( AU Pan African Parliament)
* Member of the World Investment Forum (UNCTAD) among many credentials
* Vast International Experience
* Vast local Business connections.
Brand and Resources equals Results!
Armed with this relevant Technical backround I now table by resume and kindly ask for your VOTE.
Zikomo. Thank you. Siyabonga kakulu. Merci.
by Dr.Tapiwa Mashakada, Aspiring Candidate. Treasurer General .
Farai Dziva|Former MDC A MP Eddie Cross has attacked the media for failing to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms, a South African paper has reported.
While in South Africa Cross chided the media for failing to appreciate Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Mnangagwa will take Zimbabwe down a different route.
And I think in the past nine months (since the election) he’s not received sufficient recognition from the international media for what he’s actually achieved.
… There would be no engagement from the international community if a political reform agenda is not adopted or followed.
In his (President Mnangwagwa’s) view, we had to have legitimacy recognised by the international community in order to put the country back on its feet. We were really quite surprised at the strength of his view,” Cross told The Sunday Times.
Air Zimbabwe said the malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight nor the safety of the crew and passengers on board.
Own Correspondent|Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200, registration Z-WPF performing flight UM-462 from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Harare (Zimbabwe) with 98 passengers and 9 crew, was climbing out of Johannesburg’s runway 03L when the crew declared “Mayday Mayday Mayday” and requested to stop climb at FL090 and return to Johannesburg.
The crew advised they had left hand engine (PW4056) surges. While turning south on radar vectors the engine recovered, the crew subsequently reported the fault had cleared and they had normal operation about 10 minutes later, they wanted to continue to Harare. The aircraft climbed to FL390 and continued to Harare where the aircraft landed safely about 90 minutes after departure.
Johannesburg’s ATC had alerted emergency services, who had assumed their stand by positions, had halted departures and sent arrivals into holds for the emergency return. After the crew had reported the fault had cleared ATC resumed operations at Johannesburg Airport and stood down emergency services.
Ground witnesses reported they saw the aircraft repeatedly banging and emitted streaks of flame, while the aircraft was turning south the surges stopped. The aircraft turned north again and climbed out of sight.
The aircraft was transporting callsign AZW-303 (UM-303), the previous inbound flight’s callsign from Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) to Johannesburg.
Air Zimbabwe has confirmed that one of its aeroplanes experienced a “malfunction” in one of its engines, causing a brief fire during a flight from OR Tambo international airport to Harare on Sunday evening.
The airline said in a statement that its Boeing 767-200ER aircraft servicing flight UM462 experienced a malfunction in one of its engines, which caused a “brief” tailpipe fire.
The carrier said the malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight or the safety of the crew and passengers on board, and that the aircraft landed safely in Harare at 20:35h.
Air Zimbabwe confirmed that their engineers have started their investigation into the incident. “We regret to inform our valued passengers that this incident may result in a disruption of our normal schedule.”
In March, the struggling national airline said that its only aircraft, which services all its routes, had to undergo engine repairs and could not be fixed in time for all flights to be carried out as normal.
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has congratulated himself for winning a lengthy battle with a Chinese company he claims has been carrying out illegal mining activities in Domboshava.
Mutodi won the battle against the company following Emmerson Mnangagwa’s intervention.
Earlier Mutodi chronicled how he singlehandedly fought for the protection of villagers in the area.
The company intended to evict 20 000 villagers in the area as it sought to create space for its operations, according to Mutodi.
” President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers who were facing eviction. A Chinese quarry mining firm Aihua Jianye intended to force the villagers out of their land.
The President has ordered that the firm stops mining activities in the area known for its rock art and as a tourist attraction,” said Mutodi.
Farai Dziva|Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya believes the sending off of Godfrey Mukambi affected them as the team looked set to dominate play in their 1-1 draw against TelOne on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys finished the encounter with a man short after Mukambi received a red card on minute 66 for an alleged foul language towards the referee following an incident which involved a TelOne player.
“In the second half, we pushed a bit more, but the disciplinary issues disturbed us. I don’t know what transpired but I suspect it was a case of descent and we had our player dismissed. That’s bad especially when you are in a situation like this.
We had gone for four games without a win, and you have players behaving like this, putting pressure on your team.
Credit to those who remained, they played for over twenty minutes with a man down, and that’s not an easy job,” said Ndiraya.
Dynamos went to the break trailing after Munyaradzi Mawadza deflected the ball past his goalkeeper on the stroke of half-time.
Cameroonian Vincent Mbega equalised ten minutes into the second period, curling home a free-kick a few yards from the edge of the box.
Farai Dziva |MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa, who is a devout Christian, has urged the nation to pray for him as he hopes to lead Zimbabwe to prosperity.
In a tweet yesterday Chamisa saluted his supporters for remaining committed to real change in the face of intimidation.
“Change arrives and begins now.Thank you Machinja for an emphatic 13/13 nomination,vote and endorsement as the 2nd President of MDC the People’s party after our Icon the late Dr MT.
Help me pray for the grace and wisdom to lead Zimbabwe to happiness,prosperity and freedom.#Godisinit,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.
Chamisa is disputing the outcome of the July 2018 polls citing irregularities in the electoral processes.
Farai Dziva|Former MDC A MP Eddie Cross has attacked the media for failing to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms, a South African paper has reported.
While in South Africa Cross chided the media for failing to appreciate Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Mnangagwa will take Zimbabwe down a different route.
And I think in the past nine months (since the election) he’s not received sufficient recognition from the international media for what he’s actually achieved.
… There would be no engagement from the international community if a political reform agenda is not adopted or followed.
In his (President Mnangwagwa’s) view, we had to have legitimacy recognised by the international community in order to put the country back on its feet. We were really quite surprised at the strength of his view,” Cross told The Sunday Times.
Controversial former Zanu PF politician, Temba Mliswa has come to the defense of the struggling national airline, Air Zimbabwe saying the company has excellence in execution of duty.
Mliswa singled out Captain Chiwara for their professionalism when their flight hit a flock of birds on their departure from Bulawayo on Friday last week.
1/ One thing that can’t be taken away from the pilots @airzimbabweUM is their excellence in execution of duty. I commend Cpt. Chiwara&crew for their professionalism when their flight hit a flock of birds on departure from Byo on Friday.
2/ Cpts like Muzenda, Mparuri, Matimba, Petros etc were a credit to the carrier & it’s unfortunate that their remuneration like many sectors, hasn’t matched their dexterity&efficiency. Their track record is exemplary
Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has dismissed the reburial of the remains of victims of Gukurahundi atrocities as an attempt by Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ilk to conceal the truth about Gukurahundi atrocities.
Moyo believes the reburial process is an attempt by Mnangagwa to hoodwink the international community.
“A #gukurahundi exhumation with no truth and no justice. What are the facts of the case? Even key local authorities are in the dark.
State media still refer to gukurahundi as political disturbances. Now clear the reburials are meant to bury the truth about what happened. Scandalous!” Moyo argued.
Farai Dziva|A senior member of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has called on Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa to resolve their political differences to save the nation from the current economic abyss.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association political commissar, Francis Nhando told a daily paper dialogue between Mnangagwa and Chamisa would break the economic impasse.
“If there is any leader who thinks he or she can solve the problems we have without the help of others then that’s delusional.
Only a united front that involves all Zimbabweans including the opposition coming into government is the solution.
We have done it before and there was remarkable economic growth. Things only began to slide back to where they were before the inclusive government (when parties) decided that they wanted to go it alone and terminated the arrangement.
We simply need to work together not this blame game that we are seeing, blaming sanctions but all the sanctions were in place when the unity government worked magic on the economy,” said Nhando.
By Own Correspondent- The Government will this week meet with bakers and millers to discuss the recent increase in bread prices which it feels is unfair and unjustified.
The development aims at mapping the way forward to come up with an affordable price for consumers.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos confirmed the development recently.
He said Government will be meeting bakers this coming week to solve the issue of bread price which is now beyond the reach of many Zimbabweans.
Said Haritatos:
“As Government we believe in engagement and so in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce we intend to meet with the representatives of the National Association Bakers of Zimbabwe to bring in their bakers so that we can talk openly to see why they had to increase their price and what the Government can do to reduce the price.”-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Authorities in Mashonaland West have expressed concern at the rising number of uncollected bodies at mortuaries which are failing to cope with the high number of uncollected corpses.
The situation has also been worsened by shortages of mortuary facilities at most of the Government hospitals in the province whose refrigeration facilities are old and not functioning properly.
Chegutu District Hospital, which had the highest number of uncollected bodies together with Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, recently conducted paupers’ burials for 12 uncollected bodies.
Provincial health services administrator Godwin Tauya said paupers’ burials are conducted when bodies have spent up to 21 days in the mortuary.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care also conducts the paupers’ burials in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare.
Said Tauya:
“There are 19 bodies that are waiting paupers’ burial after those 12 at Chegutu Hospital were buried on April 17. The unclaimed bodies will be due for burial if they exceed 21 days without anybody coming to claim them or known their identities.”-StateMedia
Do you think Mnangagwa and his administration will use their national airliner AirZim following the recent fire incident of an AirZim plane from OR Tambo to Robert Mugabe International Airport?
Farai Dziva|Former MDC A MP Eddie Cross has attacked the media for failing to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms, a South African paper has reported.
While in South Africa Cross chided the media for failing to appreciate Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Mnangagwa will take Zimbabwe down a different route.
And I think in the past nine months (since the election) he’s not received sufficient recognition from the international media for what he’s actually achieved.
… There would be no engagement from the international community if a political reform agenda is not adopted or followed.
In his (President Mnangwagwa’s) view, we had to have legitimacy recognised by the international community in order to put the country back on its feet. We were really quite surprised at the strength of his view,” Cross told The Sunday Times.
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has congratulated himself for winning a lengthy battle with a Chinese company he claims has been carrying out illegal mining activities in Domboshava.
Earlier Mutodi chronicled how he singlehandedly fought for the protection of villagers in the area.
The company intended to evict 20 000 villagers in the area as it sought to create space for its operations, according to Mutodi.
” President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers who were facing eviction. A Chinese quarry mining firm Aihua Jianye intended to force the villagers out of their land.
The President has ordered that the firm stops mining activities in the area known for its rock art and as a tourist attraction,” said Mutodi.
By Trevor Saruwaka| Ward 10 of Mutasa Central* is a strong anti-Zanu PF area which has been successively won by MDC candidates since 2008 to date.
This ward is where Mutasa Central MP Trevor Saruwaka of Saruwaka village hail from. Other opposition stalwarts from this ward are the Tsunga brothers, Hons Regai and Arnold who are from Manyonho village.
Regai is the current Mutasa South legislator whilst Arnold served as the Chikanga-Dangamvura MP from 2013-14.
Hon David Tekeshe (current MP for Makoni Central) also comes from Ngwende village in the same ward whilst Hon Sibonile Nyamudeza (MP for Chipinge East 2008-13 and 2018 to date) comes from Samaringa village.
Ward 10 is, therefore, an MDC fortress which the opposition has no plans to relinquish any time soon.
Nothing is new for Ward 10 since this is not the first time an MDC Councilor has failed to complete his term of office. Owen Mbona served only two years of his term in 2008. He was recalled by the Party after he was found guilty of diverting food aid from Plan International to his personal benefit. Afterwards he crossed the floor to join Zanu PF, a party which tolerates and promotes corruption. He was a key member of the campaign team for the former Zinwa CEO n Zanu PF Parliamentary candidate who was defeated hands down in last year’s plebiscite despite his brazen vote-buying antics which included distributing bicycles, blankets, buying beer n splashing money to unemployed youths. It simply didn’t cut.
Ironically, the current Zanu PF candidate, Margaret Tindirika, is a former MDC member who switched parties after being walloped at the 2013 primary elections by the persecuted and out-going MDC Clr, Frank Chitembwe. She came a distant 3rd in that race after Clr Chitembwe and incoming Clr, Rose Tanyaradzwa Mukodza. She joined Zanu PF around 2016 out of frustration because she was very low in the packing order for MDC. To MDC this election is a delayed match whose results are already known. Come 12 May, MDC-A’s Rose Mukodza is going wake up the new Ward 10 Councilor.
As I write this piece Zanu PF has gone into high gear in its deceit, lies, threats and political gamesmanship. A Zinara grader on ZEC assignment to maintain roads and improve accessibility ahead of elections is now being claimed and attributed to Zanu PF. This is very shameful. Village heads and Headman Muponda/Mtetwa have now been instructed to coerce their subjects to vote for Zanu PF. As part of this ploy they have also been promised to be taken to
Nyadzonya n Chimoio shrines for them to appreciate the gravity of the contest ahead. After visiting these sites they are expected to be tough enough to ensure a Zanu PF victory in their wards.
Meetings called by village heads on the pretext that government will be issuing maize are turning out to be Zanu PF rallies as this perennial losing Party’s functionaries seize the opportunity to address the people. Zanu PF can nolonger call a meeting on its own but through traditional leaders and government agencies like *Agritex, GMB n Social Welfare* departments.
The people of Ward 10 are clever enough to know that Zanu PF is the author of all their problems. They know that Zanu PF is responsible for: 1) the poor condition of Jombe road and other roads in the ward 2) astronomical cost of bread n transport to Hauna and Mutare 3) joblessness of thousands of school leavers and unemployed adults who spend the days loafing at Mutisi, Masere, Paunganwa and Nyabadza* business centres among others, 4) stealing and partisan distribution of government food aid and inputs at Masere Warehouse including Cyclone Idai donations 5) murdering of innocent people in the streets of Harare on 1 August 2018 and in the aftermath of the ZCTU stayaway in January this year 6) lack of medicines at Samaringa and Honde Mission clinics and shortage of doctors at Hauna Hospital. 7) introducing worthless bond notes, RTGS$ 8) erosion of pensions and unavailability of cash in the banks 9) unaffordable school fees and imposition of the unfunded new curriculum 10) lying that life is going to get better yet it is becoming harder by the day
They are also aware that Zanu PF engineered the arrest of the popularly elected and hard working Clr, Frank Chitembwe, on false allegations so that they create an opening for themselves. The people of Ward 10 know all this. On the 11th of May they are going to show it in a way Zanu PF will undoubtedly understand.
Farai Dziva| Caps United head coach Lloyd Chitembwe is a happy man following his team’ s resounding victory.
The Green Machine thrashed Bulawayo Chiefs 4-1 at National Sports Stadium on Sunday. The goals came from John Zhuwawu in the 11th minute before Gabriel Nyoni doubled the advantage on minute 22.
Dominic Chunga netted the third one five minutes into the second half, and Joel Ngodzo made it four a few moments later while Chiefs got their consolation from Arthur Musiyiwa.
“We knew that one day, we would win by four or five goals, but we didn’t think that it would come this early in the season. What makes me happy is that the goals were scored by three members of the attack. It shows that we have potent strikers,” Chitembwe said after the match.
Meanwhile, Ronald Chitiyo made his comeback after a lengthy injury lay-off, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute.
Farai Dziva|MDC A’ s Tendai Biti has dismissed the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill saying it is another draconian piece from the cornered regime.
” The militarization of policing as proposed in #MOPA is dangerous and unwelcome . So too the legalization of fast track trials .So too the requirement of ID obligations .The institutionalization of fascism in the name law and order must surely be resisted . # MAPOmustfall,” said Biti.
“#MAPO s philosophy is fundamentally flawed. It seeks to protect the regime thorough the guise of law and order yet the key right to be protected is the right to petition & demonstrate spelt out in s59 of the constitution .It is therefore a worse version of #LOMA and #POSA.
The Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill #MAPO by Emmerson and crew is yet another fraud .We have always argued that there are no reformers in #ZANU and that it is not possible to have reforms without reformers. We have always argued that #ZANU can never reform itself out of office,” added Biti.
Farai Dziva |MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa, who is a devout Christian, has urged the nation to pray for him as he hopes to lead Zimbabwe to prosperity.
In a tweet yesterday Chamisa saluted his supporters for remaining committed to real change in the face of intimidation.
“Change arrives and begins now.Thank you Machinja for an emphatic 13/13 nomination,vote and endorsement as the 2nd President of MDC the People’s party after our Icon the late Dr MT.
Help me pray for the grace and wisdom to lead Zimbabwe to happiness,prosperity and freedom.#Godisinit,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.
Chamisa is disputing the outcome of the July 2018 polls citing irregularities in the electoral processes.
By Own Correspondent- Recent developments where an Air Zimbabwe plane experienced “a malfunction” in one of its engines causing a brief fire while flying from OR Tambo International Airport to Robert Mugabe International Airport will see President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration blow millions more on private jets, ZimEye can exclusively reveal.
Sources within Mnangagwa’s administration revealed that the recent development has sent shivers down the spines of senior members of Mnangagwa’s administration who now fear for their lives and have raised concern over their safety if they are to use the national airliner for national duty.
Said a source who cannot be named:
“There has always been reservations on using the national airliner, but these latest two incidents have put the nail in the coffin.
More money will be blown on private jets.”
Mnangagwa has in the past come under fire for the millions that he blows on international travel while the country is reeling in economic abyssy.
In January, Mnangagwa toured Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Davos in Switzerland, where he attended the World Economic Forum.
Zimbabwe’s first citizen, who has a penchant for luxury used an expensive luxury Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft for the trip which reportedly milked the nation of an estimated $25 million.
However, government defended Mnangagwa and claimed that the use of the luxury jet was justified since these trips would unlock economic benefits for Zimbabwe’s ailing economy since these countries were more economically stable than Zimbabwe. The economic benefits are yet to come.
Mnangagwa recently told party supporters that the United Arab Emirates Prince offered him a plane for his travels for free, as part of the duo’s “arrangement”.
But investigations with the same company that released the private jet to president Mnangagwa strongly suggest that the aircraft is commercially leased to clients.
The public customer data displayed below show the commercial nature of the business which Mnangagwa said was being given to him “free”.
Insider (ZANU PF) sources in the US and UK, narrated what they claimed is flat base transacting by Mnangagwa in person.
The payments, in forex comes amid the Southern African nation reeling from forex shortages which saw the introduction of a new currency dubbed “RTGs dollar”.
Recently, Mnangagwa torched a storm after he charted the private jet to travel from Harare to Bulawayo for a meeting with representatives of civil society organisations.
The Airbus A318-100 flew seven hours and 16 minutes from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on two days before the event to position in Harare, ahead of Mnangagwa’s flight to Bulawayo.
Farai Dziva|Political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has said former MDC MP Eddie Cross is a monumental liar.
Dr Ruhanya was responding to Eddie Cross’ recent utterances about the political situation in Zimbabwe.
“In 2008, I attended an MDC research and policy meeting led by Eddie Cross with people across the globe attending in Harare. Cross said US$40 billion had been stolen by ZANU PF and its associate partners in Marange. I disputed the figure as lies; he presented fake details!”
“If you believe Eddie Cross you can believe anything. The old man lies as he breathes; a pathological liar of monumental heights.
That’s what the MDC was getting; lies as research and policy; now he talks of “manufactured” war to ZANU PF, zipigwai,” argued Dr Ruhanya.
By Own Correspondent- An economic analyst here, Victor Bhoroma believes that low confidence in the market has an adverse impact on measures meant to revive the economy.
Bhoroma said:
“Zimbabwe’s economy wobbles on the brink of recession; the cost of low confidence in the market is taking a huge toll on various policies to resuscitate the economy. Prices for most consumer food staffs, industrial products and services have been skyrocketing since the October 2018 Monitory Policy Statement with official inflation rate eclipsing 66.8 percent in March 2019.
The Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe revealed in 2018 that funds amounting to US$1 billion, owned by Zimbabweans were being held outside the country. It is believed that the unpredictability of local markets is the major reason why Zimbabweans externalise their investments.
There are fears that there will be further deterioration of confidence in local markets.
A recent IMF statement after the completion of the second staff monitoring program read:
Zimbabwe is facing deep macro-economic imbalances, with large fiscal deficits and significant distortions in foreign exchange and other markets, which severely hamper the functioning of the economy.
Efforts by the Finance Minister and RBZ Governor to revive the economy have so far proved to be ineffective. Bhoroma has argued that it would be necessary to take measures to foster confidence through entrenchment of good governance practices.
Confidence is among other variables that have immense influence over markets.”-263Chat
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has confronted a Chinese company over ” unauthorised ” mining activities in Domboshava.
Mutodi claims the company is clandestinely carrying out quarry mining activities in the area.
Mutodi further claims an MDC A councillor and a senior government official are involved in the illegal mining activities.
“I have prematurely ended my ZITF tour in order to attend to villagers in Domboshava who are claiming a Chinese company is planning to evict 20 000 individuals from their land after it was granted mining rights to extract quarry stones from a hill in their area,” tweeted Mutodi.
Yesterday Mutodi claimed the company was granted mining permission in dubious circumstances.
By Own Correspondent- Former G40 kingpin and Zanu Pf Cabinet Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has released a draft document of the failed Grand National Union that was supposed to create an electoral pact between former President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.
Moyo released the document after Pastor Shingi Munyeza leaked two of the pages to the public.
He also said the proposed GNU failed because some parties who were involved in the talks decided to hold bilateral talks which also failed.
Find below the full text of the proposed GNU Coalition document:
Concept Note on Grand National Union – GNU
May 2018
1. Indications are that the proclamation for the sitting of the nomination court for the 2018 election is imminent. Accordingly, it is urgent and important to make the necessary strategic decisions ahead of that proclamation.
Whilst there is clear evidence of popular support against the coup and its regime, there is however no organised political framework or structure to harness that support into an electorally cohesive political formation capable of winning the election.
2. Such a political formation should be structured in a way that gives it the capacity to secure an electoral victory through a political model that unites and energises the nation. The political model should be in the form a “pre-election” Grand National Union (GNU) that is made up of the country’s key political formations opposed to the coup and its illegitimate regime.
3. Against this backdrop, it is important to note that in broad terms, Zimbabwe’s political society is made up of two polarised main groupings whose political roots and leanings derive from the then ZANU PF which was led by President Robert Mugabe; and the then MDC which was led by Morgan Tsvangirai.
Despite the November 2017 coup, which has paralysed ZANU PF, and the death of Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018, which left MDC split, the political and guiding influences of the two founding leaders in their respective parties and the country in general remain very strong.
4. The polarised nature of Zimbabwe’s political society effectively means that ZANU PF supporters will not vote for MDC, and conversely that MDC supporters will not vote for ZANU PF. This political stalemate, arising from the polarisation mentioned earlier, needs urgent attention to enable the supporters of the two parties to find each other and be given a political home which will enable them to vote together in common purpose in the forthcoming election.
5. In order to win the election, and resoundingly so, the proposed Grand National Union is the best and natural political home needed by both ZANU PF and MDC supporters. The pre-election GNU resonates well with the broad, if not full spectrum of Zimbabwe’s political society because it recalls the positive experience and appeal of the 2009 to 2013 Government of National Unity that brought
6. This time round, rather than have a negotiated Government of National Unity as was the case with the GPA in 2009, the arrangement would be to have a Grand National Union as a political formation to be submitted to the electorate. This pre-election arrangement would be unique and popular with supporters of both ZANU PF and MDC. As already indicated, the arrangement would have two phases: a pre-election Grand National Union (GNU) and a post-election Government of National Unity (GNU).
7. This would make the 2018 election a referendum on the GNU through appropriate messaging on the applicable principles, ideology, government structure and composition thereof, and policy programmes. This messaging should include acknowledgment of the fact that whereas the 2009 to 2013 GNU was led by ZANU PF at the level of the Presidency, the 2018 GNU should be led by MDC at the same level, given the prevailing balance of forces since the coup.
8. Furthermore, the messaging should also acknowledge that whilst the 2009 to 2013 GNU facilitated the drafting and adoption of a new people-driven constitution, the 2018 GNU should complement the full implementation of the 2013 Constitution as the basis of the country’s second republic within which the legacy of Zimbabwe’s founding Grand National Union (GNU) Concept Note – May 2018 Page 3 of 6 father, President Mugabe will be restored, protected and his status and that of his family secured.
9. It should be noted that whereas, Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the MDC that he leads will bring a considerable and strategic electoral base, there is a need for that base to be complemented by President Mugabe’s decisive influence of over the traditional ZANU PF electoral base. In particular but not limited to these cases, President Mugabe remains the leading voice in the electoral strongholds of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces without which it is impossible for anyone ZANU PF to win a presidential election in Zimbabwe.
10. The same is true of President Mugabe’s influence with traditional leaders across the country as well as in the pivotal communities of land reform beneficiaries, and particularly small holder farmers in the communal and A1 resettlement areas, beneficiaries of indigenisation and economic empowerment, veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and key security organs of the state in the police, President’s Department and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The proposed pre and post election GNUs would give these key electoral communities a strategic political home and all but guarantee electoral victory. Furthermore, President Mugabe is a respected statesman Grand National Union (GNU) Concept Note – May 2018 Page 4 of 6 and iconic leader with influence which would benefit the proposed GNUs across SADC and the AU.
11. Lastly but not least, President Mugabe is in a position to assist the pre-election GNU with additional and key material resources including the identification of leadership skills and capacity to fill the gaps and to solidify the pre-election GNU to enable it to be a competent and credible Government of National Unity (GNU) after the election.
12. In the circumstances, the pre-election GNU needs to be based on a pre-election pact with at least three principals. The pact should specify that the presidential candidate will be from the MDC Alliance, namely Advocate Nelson Chamisa. One deputy president with political and government experience, capable of discharging the responsibility of gatekeeping in the GNUs will be nominated by President Mugabe as a representative of the National Patriotic Front (NPF) in accordance with that party’s constitution. The other deputy president will be drawn from either the political formation led by Dr Thokozani Khupe or from the People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC). Consideration should be made to accommodate other political formations such as those led by Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, Dr Joyce Mujuru, Dr Simba Makoni and Mr Elton Mangoma Grand National Union (GNU) Concept Note – May 2018 Page 5 of 6 13. It is proposed that a panel of experts be set up as a matter of urgency and be charged with drafting a comprehensive agreement or pact outlining the principles and consequential arrangements for the pre-election GNU and the post-election GNU as proposed above in paragraph 7. This pact must be done with haste ahead of the sitting of the nomination court which is imminent.
14. To make the foregoing possible, and given that the sitting of the nomination court for the 2018 election is imminent, it is proposed that Advocate Nelson Chamisa and President Mugabe should meet as soon as possible under the strictest of confidence. Thank you.
By Victor Bhoroma|A change in the Zimbabwean government in November 2017 was somewhat a confidence booster in the economy as the new administration announced business oriented policies and went on an overdrive to re-engage the international community in a move aimed at opening new lines of credit, improve investor confidence and attract FDI Inflows. Local investors and industry captains were equally optimistic that the economy would improve as implied by a positive year on year Business Confidence Index (BCI) of 20.9 in December 2017.
Barely before 2 years have lapsed, that confidence seems to be wearing thin and the economy is catching the cold. Growth prospects in the economy look gloomy under a cloud of currency uncertainty, political instability, foreign currency shortages and hyperinflation. Panic buying by the consumers and hoarding of scarce commodities such as fuel, bread, cooking oil and flour have characterized major policy announcements in the last 12 months.
As Zimbabwe’s economy wobbles on the brink of a recession, the cost of low confidence in the market is taking a huge toll on various policies to resuscitate the economy. Prices for most consumer food staffs, industrial products and services have been skyrocketing since the October 2018 Monitory Policy Statement (MPS) with official inflation rate eclipsing 66.80% in March 2019. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) directed local banks to separate RTGS (Local Currency) accounts and Foreign Currency Accounts (FCA) as an acknowledgement that the US Dollar was not on par with the RTGS, an assertion RBZ presented in November 2016 to introduce Bond Notes to the local market.
The surrogate currency was introduced to ease cash shortages as virtual money in RTGS credits outpaced real US Dollar balances in the economy. Consumer confidence in the local banking sector remains very low due to the erosion of US Dollar denominated savings and various monitory and fiscal policy pronouncements. Since October 2018, banks and other deposit taking institutions have been struggling to attract US dollar deposits, save for deposits in transit transactions such as salary payments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) project funds, imports Telegraphic Transfers (TTs) and local supply payments done in foreign currency.
The introduction of the interbank market and licensing of over 26 Bureau De Change houses in February 2019 has done little to attract foreign currency to the formal market as well. Memories of 2007/08 when the apex bank raided private FCA accounts for over US $400 million are still fresh in Zimbabwe.
Capital flight is still very high with most foreign owned businesses and local business people using every available channel to take their profits and savings out of the country. In January 2018, the RBZ highlighted that funds held by Zimbabweans in offshore banks rose by more than US $1 billion.
Savings held by Zimbabweans in offshore banks and other foreign assets were estimated to be close to US$800 million upon dollarization in 2009. When inflation rate dropped to an average of 1% between 2009 and 2012, Zimbabweans repatriated their savings back home as confidence was restored through economic and political stability. By December 2012, funds held in offshore accounts had dropped to less than US$300 million.
In 2018, Zimbabwe received close to $5.5 billion in foreign currency through trade, remittances, aid, credit lines and investments. However all signs are pointing to a persistent shortage of foreign currency on the formal market that has potential to weaken all pillars of the economy. Corporates and individuals with foreign currency are holding on to it as a high value commodity or selling it at the black market where exchange rates are higher than the interbank rates.
On the foreign investment front, Zimbabwe received an average of $350 million in FDI Inflows since 2015, making it one of the least attractive investment destinations in the SADC region. Despite wholesale changes to the country’s Indigenization and Empowerment law a year ago, inward investments barely improved as investors signed a host of non-binding MOUs and commitments that largely hinge on economic stability in Zimbabwe.
Consumer confidence is a key economic indicator that measures the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation as reflected by disposable income. When disposable incomes improve, consumers make more purchases and feel more confident.
Investor confidence measures investors’ willingness to engage in the investment opportunities and associated intermediation channels available to them based on their perception of country risk and return on their investments. It can be measured though investment enquiries and actual inflows of capital. Business confidence measures the amount of optimism or pessimism that business managers feel about the prospects of their companies based on their performance indicators such as revenue.
The three provide an overview of the state of any economy. Confidence is key in enticing domestic and foreign investments, attracting deposits in the formal banking system and building savings. It is also integral in the trading of money market securities locally and more importantly maintaining value of any fiat currency in the world.
A fiat currency is money (notes and coins) that a government has declared to be legal tender such as the Zimbabwean case of the RTGS Dollar, but it is not backed by any physical commodity in the form of Gold or Silver. Fiat currencies derive their value from market confidence based on perceived economic and political stability.
The government through the central bank can control economic activity through money printing. This function has been abused several times in the past 30 years and is blamed for the growth in virtual money balances (RTGS) since 2015. It is the main cause of current hyperinflation in Zimbabwe as broad money supply in the economy topped $9.5 billion by December 2018.
A severe confidence shortfall is costing Zimbabwe billions each year and restoring it in local institutions requires political commitment to fix what is broken. A confidence deficit in Zimbabwe has demonstrated that it has disastrous consequences to the economy just as a budget or trade deficit. It will take real reforms in terms of governance to bring back lost confidence in the local economy.
Bringing back confidence on the three key fronts (consumer, business and investor) can yield positive results for any policy pronouncement by the government and its departments. More importantly it will ensure that Vision 2030 is felt by the intended beneficiaries in the economy instead of being talked about in the media.
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.
