Farai Dziva|A respected political analyst has hailed the MDC A for sticking to democratic processes in line with its founding principles.

Writing on his official Twitter account, Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya urged the MDC A to focus on the 2023 polls after the national congress.

“The MDC A leadership succession process after the passing on of its founder Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018 is done and has happened smoothly.

The socio-economic war to redeem Zim decay begins, congrats Wamba”

“Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it in relative capacity.

Apart from the nomination of national leaders by MDC provincial congresses; it is vital to know the policies and party programmes,” tweeted Dr Ruhanya.

By Own Correspondent- Registrar General Clemence Masango today cast a dark shadow over prospects of acquiring new passports for citizens amid indications that there is no timeline yet on when the country’s registrar department will be able to print passports.

Lately, the registrar general has been failing to print passports in a development which has seen a lot of citizens in needof the travelling document stranded.

ZimEye managed to get in touch with the Registrar General late Thursday afternoon regarding the department’s failure to print passports.

Mr Clemence Masango told ZimEye the current problem was still ongoing Thursday afternoon. He said since Wednesday night, nothing has changed.

“I released a notice statement on ZTV in the evening revealing that we have encountered a system malfunction, that is affecting us. “

ZimEye asked if there is an expected completion date and Mr Masango replied saying, “engineers are working on it so I don’t have any timeframe, it is very difficult to say and I am not an engineer.”

At this point, the following were the responses :

SO FAR WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO, SHOULD THEY CONTINUE COMING?

“You are asking me something impossible… I have advised that we are having that challenge,” replied Masango.

HOW DO WE DESCRIBE THE CHALLENGE?

“You are now going technical.”

WE WERE ONLY ASKING FOR AN ESTIMATED DATE OF COMPLETION…

“Ah, no, this is like if a person is ill, even if you are a doctor, do you determine when the person will be healed? I am not an engineer but this is the situation we are faced with.”

Farai Dziva|Outspoken political observer Jeffryson Chitando has declared that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has brought more harm than good to the people of Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabweans be prepared for an inevitable fuel price increase as the RTGS dollar continues to fall against the hard currency.

Another fuel price hike will trigger price increases. The government of Zimbabwe must act swiftly by engaging the international community and the main opposition party.

The Zanu PF government has failed to turn around the economy. The promised “Operation Restore Legacy” is now dubbed “Operation Restore Suffering “.

We are likely to witness widespread demonstrations and civil servants protests.

The only way out of the economic meltdown is for the government to adopt the rand and dump the local valueless and nameless currency,” said Chitando.

Own Correspondent|Former MDC parliamentarian and founding member, now retired, Eddie Cross has made several sensational revelations about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

Speaking as guest speaker at the popular Cape Town Press Club on Thursday evening Cross revealed that former First Lady Grace Mugabe hated President Emmerson Mnangagwa so much that she wanted to kill him and Mnangagwa survived.

Cross addresses the Cape Town Press Club on Zimbabwe’s “military assisted” transition from Robert Mugabe to Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017 and its aftermath.

Cross joined the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 1999 and was a member of the National Executive until 2018. He was elected as Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South in 2008 and he served two terms. In 2018 he elected to retire.

Below are some of the live tweets that the Press Club sent through as Cross delivered his lecture.

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: Grace Mugabe was prepared to even murder Mnangagwa; he survived an assassination attempt; later fled

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: SA agreed & China gave coup go-ahead; done extremely efficiently; police were disarmed; army took control; was legitimate a military assisted transition not a coup because the population supported it

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: Army were 2/3 of initial cabinet; Mnangagwa, like Ramaphosa, is a minority leader within his ruling party; G40 held 100 seats and were intent to remove him; but he survived the election by the skin of his teeth

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: Mnangagwa is committed to reform; he has not received sufficient recognition for what he has done; but he has to deal with recalcitrant elements in his party; intelligence sources suggest G40 buying weapons

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: Mnangagwa has reduced police hierarchy, fired the militia, the secret services; the security committee no longer running the politics; moving towards a civil democracy

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: army is under civilian control now; former ZIPRA officers now the commanders

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: Zim gone from a 40% deficit to a balance of payments surplus; by end of next quarter Zim will have a floating currency

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Speaking now @capepressclub is former Zimbabwean MDC MP Eddie Cross: amazing economic achievement done in 9 months; not a fan of Mnangagwa who was part of the Gukurahundi but he is putting Zim on a new progressive path

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

Eddie Cross @capepressclub : real threat to Xim now is not coup but the internal factions in the ruling party eg govenor reserve bank against finance minister – this is destabilizing the country

— Cape Town Press Club (@capepressclub) April 25, 2019

A ZANU PF aligned Pressure group on Thursday clocked day twenty eight camped and demonstrating at the United States of America embassy against US imposed targeted sanctions on ZANU PF big wigs.

The National Coordinator of Broad Alliance Against Sanctions Mr. Patson Murimoga (PM) was interviewed by Joseph Andras (JA) of Community Radio Harare.

Below are excerpts of the interview:

JA: We welcome you to our program.

PM: Thank you.

JA: When was the Broad Alliance Against Sanctions formed and what is organizational goal?

PM: Our organization was established on 25 March 2019. Broad Alliance Against Sanctions is an apolitical pressure group formed by poor ordinary citizens who realized that economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are largely contributing to the suffering of the current generation.

JA: How big is your turn out for the camping?

PM: On the first day we were only four demonstrators who included myself, Lisa Ngoni, Kelvin Chitsunge and Tau Mahoni but our number is increasing as each day passes. Currently we are ranging between 90 and 110 campers.

JA: Are you being supported by ZANU PF in this?

PM: At the moment we have not seen any political party coming to join us here but if they do come we will welcome them because these sanctions are affecting all poor people regardless of political affiliation.

JA: How do sanctions affect ordinary poor people.

PM: We hear that sanctions targeted on individuals like Mr. R.G Mugabe but we have never seen Mr. Mugabe queuing for fuel but it is the ordinary man who burns from the heat of fuel shortages.

It is the ordinary man who falls sick and is affected by medication shortages in local hospitals but those who are said to be on targeted list fly overseas to get medical treatment. These sanctions have crippled our economy and the burden of a crippled economy is felt by poor people not rich politicians.

JA: Is it true that there are companies whose directors are on targeted lists and by that virtue, there companies become targeted too?

PM: It is true that there are targeted companies too and those companies are crumbling. Still, at the end of the day it is the ordinary people who suffer because the ordinary people also used to benefit from the targeted companies before the companies were sanctioned. Our point is that those who are targeted by the sanctions are not even affected by the sanction but ordinary people are.

JA: Has the American embassy responded so far during the past 28 days?

PM: Yes they once addressed us. We were addressed by their leaders in the Sanctions Department, Politics Department and their spokesperson. These US officials explain to us that the sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe because of human rights abuse and mismanagement of state resources.

However, we tried to enlighten them by exposing the fact that those who are alleged to have violated human rights are not the ones who are suffering because of sanctions.

We also highlighted that our Government had suspended laws like POSA and AIPA but still sanctions were not lifted. The US officials promised us that they will forward our grievances to their government in USA and give us feedback.

We also promised them that we will camp outside their embassy yard until a positive response comes from the American government.

JA: So what are your daily activities as you camp outside the American Embassy?

PM: We demonstrate peacefully everyday. Since we are not funded by anyone, we do not have money to buy fancy placards so we use card-boxes as our placards. Our message is consistent. We are camping at the American Embassy to demonstrate against sanctions and that’s the message on our placards.

JA: So where are you getting food?

PM: The people in the local Westgate area are providing the food and tents for nocturnal shelter.

JA: Are the people camping at the American embassy from Harare only or they are from different provinces of Zimbabwe?

PM: The camping demonstration is being staged by people from other provinces like Bulawayo, Masvingo and Manicaland but the larger population is from Harare.

JA: So are you saying that all economic Challenges in Zimbabwe are being cause by sanctions?

PM: Whenever we engage Government officials, they tell us that sanctions are the major factor impeding economic development in Zimbabwe. Therefore, we want sanctions to be removed so that the Government officials won’t have an excuse of sanctions anymore.

In other words, sanctions are making it difficult to hold Government officials accountable for the economic challenges we are facing as a nation. We have also heard successful business people like Mr. Strive Masiyiwa stipulating that sanctions are largely responsible for the Zimbabwean economic depression. So if sanctions are affecting rich people like Mr. Masiyiwa, what more poor people in our country?

JA: So are there no other ways of developing our country even in the presence of sanctions?

PM: USA is the major economic powerhouse in the world hence it is difficult to develop under US sanctions.

JA: So when are you planning to go back home?

PM: We are going to camp at the American Embassy until the sanctions are lifted. Even if it takes time we will not surrender.

JA: Do you think that in future the sanctions will be removed?

PM: With God nothing is impossible. Plus the American Ambassador promised that the American and Zimbabwean governments are in continuous sanction removal talks.

Own Correspondent|Uganda’s controversial President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has arrived ahead of the official opening of the 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo to be officially opened this Friday (tomorrow).

The guest of honour at this year’s ZITF, President Museveni of Uganda was received at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, senior government officials and service chiefs.

On arrival, President Museveni was honoured with a 21 gun salute before he inspected a guard of honour.

Museveni arrives in Zimbabwe leaving behind rival opposition politician cum-musician Bobi Wine languishing under house arrest in his country.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa will throw a lavish dinner for Ugandan Museveni on Thursday as they welcome him to open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

In a statement the Ministry of Information Publicity and broadcasting Services said, “His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is arriving in Harare this afternoon. An Official Dinner will be hosted for him by His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa and The First Lady Mai Mnangagwa today at State House-Harare. Their Excellencies will be in Bulawayo for ZITF tomorrow.”

The opposition MDC Leader Neslon Chamisa has condemned the invitation of Museveni to the country saying he is a dictator who oppresses his own people.

He is one of Africa’s longest serving dictators and one who the world looks at as the next African dictator to fall after several have fallen through protests from citizens.

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwean Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is set to electrify public institutions in line with the Government’s Transitional Stabilisation (TSP) of investing in public infrastructure and contributing to the revival of the economy.

This will see REF improving institutions like government extension offices and schools for free to uplift the livelihoods of people in communal areas.

The TSP recognises that functional public infrastructure remains a key enabler to unlocking economic growth potential, increase competiveness and productivity, while equipping public services to meet demand.

According to The Herald, the REA Public Relations and Marketing Executive, Johannes Nyamayedenga said the organisation has so far electrified 9 312 public institutions and households since 2002, with 5 390 having benefited from the project between January and March this year.

“The authority has electrified 2 699 primary schools, 1 359 secondary schools, 874 rural health centres, 411 Government extension offices, 244 chiefs’ households, 952 business centres, 774 small scale farms, 1175 villages and 803 other institutions,” said Nyamayedenga.

“The decision to electrify public institutions for free was arrived at by REF board after realising that some schools and communities were facing financial challenges to fund the project. The staff at such institutions will have to pay for their households to be electrified. We have a facility where we offer 100 percent capital subsidy, he said. People do not pay for construction of lines, but only for internal wiring of their buildings and connection fees to the ZETDC.

“Those who qualify for this facility are primary and secondary schools, Government extension offices, chiefs’ homesteads and Government departments such as police posts, District Development Fund, Agritex and Department of veterinary services offices among others.

“Rural communities have been facing challenges in raising funds for internal wiring and paying ZETDC for connection fees. The REF board made a decision to do the internal wiring, buy tubing using own resources and also pay connection fees for schools.

“This is only done for the administration block, science laboratories and computer laboratories to ensure pupils and students can learn in a conducive environment,” he added.

Teachers at schools will continue to raise funds for internal wiring and paying ZETDC for connection.

Clinics will be assisted 100 percent while staff will have to pay on their own.

Nyamayedenga said REF was encouraging villagers to form groups of 10 and more households to benefit from the 50 percent subsidy and they only pay for tubing and connection to ZETDC.

“After building the infrastructure, we invite ZETDC to inspect and energise the line which they will own and maintain, he said. They will also bill the customer.

“As we celebrate independence, we are transforming the lives of people in communal areas so that they have the same benefits as those in urban areas and also ensure there is development in the rural areas.

“We are celebrating independence when our people are also celebrating access to electricity.”

REF is also complementing grid electricity through the introduction of biogas and solar energy.

The advantage with biogas is that the waste can also be used as a rich organic fertiliser for agricultural production.

He said REF has been facing challenges of shortage of foreign currency, which was delaying projects.

Own Correspondent|Information just received indicates that s Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officer who was tasked to investigate massive corruption and smuggling at Beitbridge border post died of food poisoning in a suspected elimination by murder case.

ZimEye.com sources indicated that Mr Charles Mwarira, who was a key witness in an ongoing smuggling scandal at the died last week and was buried at his rural home in Rusape on Wednesday.

Senior ZIMRA and police officers are under internal investigations for massive corruption and smuggling at the border post which has had its warehouse set on fire on more than two occasions prompting suspicions that the fires were deliberately set up to conceal evidence.

According to the sources, Mwarira was poisoned together with his cousin when a lethal chemical was diced into a bottle of milk they were consuming.

“Mwarira was poisoned. Before he died he mentioned that he was given some milk which he consumed together with his cousin who also died,” said the source.

“We are not sure who gave him the milk but all we know is that he was a state witness in a smuggling case.”

Zimra boss Faith Mazani confirmed that an official died, however she insisted that the late (Mwarira) was in the administration department.

“The person who died was in the administration and had nothing to do with investigations. I am appealing to the media to respect the grieving family,” she said.

Pictures: MDC Secretary General, Mr. Douglas Mwonzora chairing the Congress Preparatory Committee meeting at the party headquarters today (Thursday).

Journalist and Filmmaker Hopewell Chin'ono has proposed that elections should be postponed for 10yrs in order to focus on nation building. Should elections be postponed for the next 10 years?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 25, 2019

By Own Correspondent- Touts aligned to a rival bus company attacked crew members from a new operator Homeboy bus leaving at least four people injured.

The fracas which arose after a dispute over ranking space occurred on Easter Monday at Mbare Musika Bus terminus.

The alleged attackers are reported to have obstructed passengers from entering the Homeboy bus at the Mutare rank, insisting that the bay belonged to them. 

One of the victims Willy Josi, who is still nursing injuries furnished this publication with information on what transpired.

” I feel sorry for my crew after seeing what happened to them, they were attacked by a gang of touts for introducing plastic money in the wake of hard cash challenges, and for loading passengers into our bus. This has always been the case whenever a new operator tries his luck on the Harare-Nyanga route.

I don’t know whether these touts are sent by owners at CAG or what, but I am appealing to the Ministry (Transport) and police to investigate,” said Josi who runs the bus Homeboy.

Josi also added that the prevailing circumstances forced him to make a complaint with the police since two of his four crew members suffered broken ribs and were taken to Harare Central Hospital for treatment.

Police have however launched a manhunt for the perpetrators of the violence with the case reported under RRBB3987941.- StateMedia

Farai Dziva|MDC A Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora’ s days in office are numbered because of the “political suicide” he has committed, a political analyst has said.

Writing on social media yesterday, Taruvinga claimed by attempting to challenge Nelson Chamisa for the presidency, Mwonzora has written his own “political epitaph.”

This according to Taruvinga, has left Mwonzora in a quandary.

“Douglas Mwonzora, a half rebel, has finally felt the CCC heat and chickened out of the presidential race.

Opts to retain his SG post which already has a taker in
Chalton Hwende who is getting provincial nominations like nobody’s business.

The structures may have to punish Douglas Mwonzora for being praised by Zanu PF.

It’s a wait and see as the national congress beckons,” said Taruvinga.

By A Correspondent| ZimEye brings our valued readers and listeners the latest update on the failure to print passports by the Registrar General.

ZimEye managed to get in touch with the Registrar General late Thursday afternoon regarding the department’s failure to print passports.

Mr Clement Masango told ZimEye the current problem was still ongoing Thursday afternoon. He said since Wednesday night, nothing has changed.

“I released a notice statement on ZTV in the evening revealing that we have encountered a system malfunction, that is affecting us. “

ZimEye asked if there is an expected completion date and Mr Masango replied saying, “engineers are working on it so I don’t have any timeframe, it is very difficult to say and I am not an engineer.”

At this point, the following were the responses :

SO FAR WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO, SHOULD THEY CONTINUE COMING?

“You are asking me something impossible… I have advised that we are having that challenge,” replied Masango.

HOW DO WE DESCRIBE THE CHALLENGE?

“You are now going technical.”

WE WERE ONLY ASKING FOR AN ESTIMATED DATE OF COMPLETION…

“Ah, no, this is like if a person is ill, even if you are a doctor, do you determine when the person will be healed? I am not an engineer but this is the situation we are faced with.”

By Own Correspondent- The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission on Thursday held its first Matabeleland South Stakeholders meeting at Gwanda District Club.

The stakeholders meetings are meant to source for the challenges and solutions to the post-Independence political disturbances which saw the deaths of an estimated 20 000 people in Matabeleland in what is described as the Gukurahundi era which has been described by the former President Robert Mugabe as a “moment of madness”.

Speaking recently in Matabeleland North the Chairperson of the NPRC Retired Justice Sello Nare urged citizens to speak freely regarding Gukurahundi in order for there to be healing and national reconciliation.

Said Nare:

“I want to encourage the people  to take part in the outreach programme and talk freely about Gukurahundi and their experiences so that we progress together.”

Farai Dziva|The MDC A has urged Central Government to avail foreign currency to local authorities as a matter of urgency.

See below the MDC A statement on the matter:

The MDC is extremely worried by the shortage of water treatment chemicals in local authorities.

The shortage is chiefly due to the unavailability of foreign currency.
All water treatment chemicals are imported and councils need foreign currency to be able to procure the chemicals. What is worse is that these are bought on a cash basis.

The Reserve Bank, the only source of foreign currency for the local authorities is unable to provide the required forex in adequate amounts. Most councils have chemical stocks that are dangerously below their reorder level
Councils are therefore unfortunately only able to pump way below the demand levels. Harare is pumping only 25% of demand.

The situation is similar in all other local authorities. Access to safe, clean and potable water is a right that government should fulfill. The MDC fears that the country will
be plunged into cholera problems if the Reserve Bank fails to avail forex as a matter of urgency.

Additionally the provision of forex in drips and drops leads to higher costs of landing the chemicals as economies of scale are lost. In the short term, all local authority requirements for chemicals should be aggregated and same bought through Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe.

In the medium term, the reserve bank should treat this as a priority area and ensure that councils get the required forex without failure
Thirdly, it is important for government to deliberated put money aside for the beneficiation of Kaolin Clay or bauxite into Aluminum Sulphate which happens to be the biggest component of water treatment.

These materials are awash in Zimbabwe and Zimphos used to manufacture such.
Sesel Zvidzai
MDC Secretary for Local Government

Farai Dziva|Prominent journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono has proposed that elections should be postponed for 10 years in Zimbabwe.

This he argues, will enable stakeholders to focus on nation building and reconstruction.

“Elections have bcome a problem that has sunk us into vicious violence, unreformed state institutions, political and economic strife.

Let us do away with them for 10 years and focus on reconstruction,” argued Chin’ono.

Farai Dziva|The nation will have to wait for a prolonged period following the theft of material for the dualiastion of the Harare – Beitbridge Highway.

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza told a state run daily newspaper 215 drums of bitumen meant for the dualisation of a 10-kilometre stretch along Harare-Beitbridge highway were stolen at a road construction site in Chivhu last week.

“I can confirm that 215 drums of bitumen worth RTGS$4 million were stolen in Chivhu last week.

The bitumen was part of a consignment meant to tar the 10km stretch which is part of the dualisation of the Harare-Beitbridge highway being undertaken by the Ministry in Chivhu.

The manner in which the bitumen disappeared pointed to an organised gang of rogue workers bent on defrauding the Government. We are going to take stringent measures to decimate such racketeering and mafia activities,” Matiza told the newspaper.

By Correspondent- An uncultured street kid snatched the hat belonging to famous Nigerian musician Patoranking.

The embarrassing incident took place just opposite the Ximex Mall car park in Harare when the superstar was mixing and mingling with his fans.

Initially, Patoranking was ticked off about the incident but he quickly let the incident go and acted as if nothing had happened.

Patoranking will perform tomorrow at the Harare International Conference Centre alongside local artists such as Winky D, Ex Q, Nutty O and Jah Prayzah among others.

We post a video courtsey of Russel Jarvis on the latest regarding tropical Cyclone Kenneth in Mozambique.

#cycloneKenneth pic.twitter.com/yrUtHt0HYO

— Russell Jarvis (@russelljarvis) April 25, 2019

https://twitter.com/eNCAWeather/status/1121380934367023104

By Own Correspondent- Namibian media has reported that The Southern Times which was a partnership between the Zimpapers  and Namibian government’s New Era Publications Corporation will be closing down next week .

The development has been attributed to 15 years of loss making.

Reports say the closure comes after a meeting held in Sandton in South Africa two weeks ago, where the shareholders agreed to wind up operations.

Workers at The Southern Times were told to  stop reporting for duty from next week Tuesday.

The Namibia government has been bankrolling the publication for more than 10 years while Zimpapers provided Editors and support staff. 

In the past four years alone, Namibia is reported to have spent more than N$60 million on printing costs, salaries and other expenses and the  monetary contribution Zimbabwe made was N$1,4 million in 2004 when the paper started operating.

The deal according to Namibian reports  was skewed in favour of Zimpapers as despite the limited financial resources put into the project by Zimbabwe, it enjoyed the privilege of taking prominent roles at the newspaper.

FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube says the wave of price increases being experienced on the market and wild parallel market exchange rates have no economic justification as Government has successfully managed to stabilise fundamental fiscal elements that previously fueled inflation.

Addressing industry and commerce executives during the International Business Conference (IBC) here yesterday, Prof Ncube decried the level of indiscipline in the market, which he said thrives on speculative sentiments.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga also attended the conference and, in his remarks, warned speculators (read story Page 2). Prof Ncube decried unethical behaviour and bad economic practices which he said were creating a negative economic environment for the whole country.

“We are doing very well on the fiscal front . . . Government is solvent, we are running surpluses and we have been doing average surpluses of $100 million since September last year when we came in. In January we had surplus of $102 million, February $85,5 million as we had to take into account cushioning of civil servants. In March, our surplus doubled to be just about $200 million,” Prof Ncube said. He said Government finances were sound and money supply was not growing.

“Where is pressure on the exchange rate coming from? Before we knew that it came from the fiscus, we were monetising the fiscal deficit and then money supply would grow, but now where is the pressure coming from? Clearly it is speculation and that speculation is not a good idea, we know who is driving it.

“Our job as Government is to make sure that our fundamentals that determine value of a currency are still strong.

“We are not careless in terms of how we spend and we make sure the value of the currency is preserved, but you (businesses) should meet us halfway,” said Prof Ncube.

He said Government was forging ahead with implementation of painful but necessary austerity measures as building blocks towards desired prosperity.

Minister Ncube assured the nation that the period of austerity will be short and certainly not exceed one year as the positive fruits of belt tightening were already being realised.

“We need to go through some period of austerity as we build towards prosperity. But quite clearly you can’t do austerity for three years, that’s bad, do it one year and move on, he said.

Prof Ncube pleaded with businesses to be patient and desist from wanton price increases and profiteering as Government puts in place the building blocks.

“Please, it is bad economics, very bad economics where you tie price increases directly to the exchange rate. Good economics says tie prices around a consumption basket, you don’t earn your salary to go and buy US dollars. So, inflation thinking should be hinged around consumption basket and not US dollars,” he said.

“Above all, make use of this interbank bank market, we have created it for you.”

Minister Ncube said key pillars towards the desired transformation included among others infrastructure development, strengthened governance, improved democratic space, improved social services, strengthening of public institutions, improved ease of doing business climate and fighting corruption .

Prof Ncube said the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) was a short term blue-print that has a mandate to stabilise economic fundamentals before its long term successor policy guidelines take shape.

He said going forward the upper middle class vision targets per capita income level of US$4 500 by 2030 and a long term Gross Domestic Product of US$65 billion from the current estimate of $25 billion.

-State Media

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has dangled a carrot to Zimbabwean business tycoon, Strive Masiyiwa, saying his country was the safest destination for his telecommunications investments.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with young entrepreneurs alongside Econet founder, Masiyiwa, Masisi said unlike an unnamed African country were payment to creditors and repatriation of profits to foreign countries in the currencies of their choice was impossible, Botswana had a stable economy and enjoyed ease of doing business.

“We are run, not just conveniently, but very well and we work. We are open and this stability along with our addiction to the rule of law makes us attractive for spring boarding from Botswana,” Masisi said.

“I will not name the other country, would you rather have your business headquarters in country X somewhere else in Africa or in Botswana? In terms of assuring yourself that what you put in the bank is yours and will be there. In terms of assuring yourself and your creditors that you will be able to pay them in whatever currency they need to be paid in, so these advantages should be utilised to the fullest.”

Although the Botswana leader did not mention any country by name, the advantages, he said his country had over this unnamed country are challenges Zimbabwe has been battling with such as investors failing to repatriate their profits due to a chronic shortage of foreign currency.

At the moment, Harare does not have a stable currency of its own and uses the United States dollar and the temporary RTGS dollars with Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, saying he expects a local currency within 12 months.

Masiyiwa has spread his investments all over the world and yesterday announced that he plans to sell shares in Mascom to the public once he completes the US$300 million purchase of MTN’s stake in Botswana’s largest mobile operator.

MTN announced in March that it would sell its 53% share in Mascom after failing to gain management or branding control.

If Masiyiwa completes the deal, he would control 60% of Mascom, although he would first overcome resistance from 40% shareholder Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund, the country’s largest pension fund.

“After a few months of negotiating, we reached a deal. I’m paying them $300 million, which means they have done very well, as they originally paid less than $70 million,” Masiyiwa said, ahead of a town hall youth meeting with Masisi in Gaborone on Tuesday.

At the meeting, he promised to create opportunities for youths and fibre up Botswana by working with young entrepreneurs in the project.

Mascom was Masiyiwa’s first mobile operation when it launched a service in 1998, months ahead of the launch of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. Masiyiwa says he had, in that original bid for a Botswana licence, pledged to take Mascom public.

“During our original bid, I told the government of Botswana that my vision was to take the company public once it was profitable. I wanted to achieve something which I did in Zimbabwe and sell shares to thousands of ordinary people. For the last 21 years, I have been unable to fulfil this promise because my company did not control enough shares. Now I can keep that promise.”

Masiyiwa is, however, hoping to convince the pension fund to sell part of its shares – reportedly 10% of its stake – to workers.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Retired Brigadier Gerald Gwinji from his position as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Heath and Child Care with Dr Agnes Mahomva in a move that smacks of an intention to rid the military element from influential positions.

In a statement, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said: “The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet is pleased to announce that His Excellency the President has, in terms of Section 205 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number 20) Act 2013, appointed Dr Agnes Mahomva as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Mr Simon Masanga as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

“The appointments of Dr Mahomva and Mr Masanga as permanent secretaries are with effect from 1st May, 2019.”

Gwinji’s next destination is not yet known though he is likely to be re-appointed.

By Own Correspondent- Government has challenged police officers from the Support Unit to be proactive when deployed to maintain law and order rather than wait for a directive from the command centre.

The sentiments come after Government noted during the recent disturbances in and around the capital that most police officers did not act to contain the situation alleging that they had not received direct instructions from the Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.

Addressing officers during a visit to the Support Unit in Chikurubi, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said there should never be a moment of doubt on their ability to perform assigned tasks.

He said:

“During the unpatriotic rioters demonstrations, we were informed, Commissioner General Police, myself and the permanent secretary, we were informed that at times they were cases where police officers were saying no, instead of taking action, the police officers were saying I haven’t received a direct order from the Commissioner-General.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we were all trained. We all know the Constitution of Zimbabwe. We know the Police Act. We know all the instruments that create you.

As a police officer, you are trained to take decisions right or wrong. This issue of indiscipline that the Commissioner-General has not given me a direct directive does not exist in all those books.

You are supposed to do what you have been directed to do. When you have been posted to go and do a job, do your job professionally in the manner that you were trained to do it. If you do not do that, then you do not deserve to be in ZRP, let alone the Support Unit. Make decisions. That’s why you are there. That’s why you are trained.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Parliament has called on the public to start submitting their input on the recently gazetted Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, 2019 (H.B.3).

The Bill will replace the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

In a statement, Assistant Clerk of Parliament Johanne Gandiya said the public consultations were in line with the requirements of Section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

He said:

“In compliance with this peremptory constitutional provision, and as part of public consultations meant to enhance participatory democracy, Parliament of Zimbabwe is inviting comments on the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, 2019 (H.B.3, 2019) for consideration by the relevant Committee(s).

The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services shall conduct public hearings on the Bill. The dates will be advised in due course.”

Gandiya said anyone wishing to make contributions should make their submissions in writing to Parliament.

The Bill provides mechanisms to ensure maintenance of peace and order during demonstrations or any public gatherings, among other provisions and will replace POSA which has often been cited as draconian by critics.

The Bill has several progressive provisions that include the removal of a requirement under Section 27 of POSA that required people to move around with their IDs or risk arrest and detention.

Under the provision of the Bill, if someone cannot produce their ID upon request they will be required to do so within seven days at any nearest police station.

In a departure from POSA, whose Section 27 provided for temporary bans of demos, the new Bill has omitted those in line with a previous Constitutional Court ruling which deemed the bans unconstitutional.

Under Clause 8 of the Bill, police have to notify organisers of processions or demonstration within three days of receiving the convener’s notice that the demo or procession can go ahead if the regulatory authorities have no problem with it. Previously under Section 26 of POSA there was no time-frame thereby keeping conveners in suspense.-StateMedia

1. Acc to s213 of the Constitution, the President’s power to deploy the army is to be exercised ‘subject to the Constitution’. The Bill violates freedom of assembly & freedom to demonstrate peacefully (s58 & s59) as s8 allows the reg authority to prohibit a gathering or demo. https://t.co/sIMlPOmLwE

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) April 25, 2019

2. What this means is that if a peaceful demonstration or gathering is planned but the regulating authority does not want it to go ahead (eg for political purposes), the President can authorize the deployment of the army to quell the demonstration.

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) April 25, 2019

3. The reg authority has no power to take away a Constitutional right – see s2. Crucially, the President should not have the power to deploy the army to suppress a peaceful mass gathering or demonstration. This is exactly what the gripe with POSA has been all along.

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) April 25, 2019

A PREVIOUSLY unknown Beitbridge woman has, overnight, become a heroine within her neighbourhood, after she risked her life to save a family that was certain to perish in an inferno in the wee hours of yesterday in Dulivhadzimo high-density suburb.

Lillian Chindende (47), who has no access to newspapers and might not even read this story, may not even get a cent for her bravery.

Yet, she is overjoyed and content with having selflessly hauled out a man, his wife and two children who, by now, could have been consumed by a raging fire that razed down a modern house, a block away from her two-roomed apartment.

With her child Tichaona Mthombeni, now hospitalised after he inhaled smoke and Bonani Muleya, Chindende, they scaled a perimeter fence to enter the yard where they used axes to break doors and burglar bars to rescue the trapped family.

“We broke into three empty rooms before reaching the third, where the man was no longer responding, perhaps because he was failing to breathe. At first, he could answer, but when we reached him he was quiet. As soon as we pulled him out, he passed out,” said Chindende.

“I received the first child and put it to safety. The man gave us the second child and then his wife came out before we defied the flames to haul out the man, who was now almost motionless. Soon after, the house exploded into flames,” she added.

Chindende said she held the man by the neck and dragged him to safety, telling him not to mind the skirt he was wearing.

“He was putting on a skirt or is it a robe, and I told him to forget that and think about his life. Thus could have been a sad day, but we pulled out four lives and it makes me see my purpose for being alive. I am happy.

“I was woken by noise of something exploding and went out to investigate. I saw the flame in the front part of the house. I woke up my son, who came out in his underwear and I told him not to mind. We scaled the durawall (perimeter wall) and called people inside because two girls from the same house were already outside, signalling there were people inside,” she said.

What Chindende initially thought was burglary was the fire razing a house belonging to former Premier League team, Border Strikers chairperson Mandela “Combat” Moyo. He was renting it out to two families.

Moyo said everything in the house was destroyed, but with some luck, no life was lost.

“We found the house completely destroyed. Nothing was salvaged. We are happy there was no loss of human life,” Moyo said.

He was disturbed that the Beitbridge Municipality Fire Brigade was blocked by two axe-wielding men, who chased away the fire crew.

Beitbridge chief fire officer George Maseko said his crew arrived before the house was completely engulfed, but failed to douse the inferno as they were obstructed.

“I later instructed them to seek police escort and by the time we arrived, we could not save anything. I believe someone has been arrested in connection with obstruction of our fire crew,” Maseko said.

“We were also let down by the distance from where we fetched water. We do not have strategic hydrants and if that is not corrected, we will be very ineffective. The municipality has to establish more hydrants,” he addedo.

Beitbridge deputy mayor Munyaradzi Chitsunge concurred, saying the lack of strategic hydrants was a let-down and this would continue to affect fire-fighting efforts in the border town.

“We have to invest in that direction. We have had some serious fires and many properties that have been lost to fires because we don’t have water points to draw from. We have to look at that,” said Chitsunge, who also attended the fire.

Chitsunge said his local authority will ensure hydrants are installed during their massive water reticulation project expected to benefit close to 7 000 households which previously had no water.

Beitbridge fires have become a source of major concern, and most are suspected to be a result of fuels sold as people try to eke a living.

This year alone, more than three houses have been destroyed by fires in the border town, which has also lost three State warehouses to yet unexplained fires.

The Department of Customs and Excise has refused to shed light on the causes of fires that have destroyed goods worth millions of dollars.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent: The recently gazetted POSA replacement Bill is a clampdown on demonstrations as it authorises the President to deploy the army to quell protests, a Harare lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has said.

Mahere said the new POSA will be abused and unarmed civilians will be killed by the army as what happened in August 2018 and January 2019.

She said:

“POSA is being replaced with POSA 2- 0 a state of the art demonstration clampdown law that authorises the President to deploy the army to quell protests. We already know that this law will be abused. Unarmed civilians will be killed by soldiers as happened in August 2018 and January 2019.”

POSA is being replaced with POSA 2.0 – a state of the art demonstration clampdown law that authorizes the President to deploy the army to quell protests. We already know that this law will be abused. Unarmed civilians will be killed by soldiers as happened in Aug ‘18 & Jan ‘19. https://t.co/zA74hKIwPN

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) April 24, 2019

THE City received an amount of USD $150 000,00 from the RBZ ,which money was paid to our supplier , the city remains engaged with the RBZ on matters to do with the release of a further figure enough to pay for others chemicals we use in the purification process.

On the same , the CoH In conjunction with a partner would want to inform the public that ,tests for a new water chemical that will replace three of those in current use and save $500000,00US dollars ,are progressing well ,this will improve our yield per day as it will also deal with odour , algae and kill bacteria making more water available to our residents.preliminary indications are that chlorine dioxide will restore confidence in our water through improved quality of the distributed product .

Going forward the city intend to work with corporates to replace old pipes, and deal with leakages to ensure all treated water is distributed to our residents, and on this the RBZ remains key to the funding of materials of use therefore , your council will keep the RBZ engaged on matters of foreign currency funding .

Lastly the council will keep asking government to expedite the construction of of Kunzvi,musami and muda dams in order to find lasting solutions to our city water problems,all MPS are therefore asked to be part of this process as is government and all other stakeholders and ensure that the construction of these new water facilities is a matter that is prioritized both in there discussions and budgeting.

Thank you

Mayor Gomba

Former Energy minister Elton Mangoma (63), who was charged alongside suspended Zesa Holdings chief executive officer Joshua Chifamba (63) and Zesa Enterprise managing director Tererai Luis Mutasa (54), are accused of awarding a South Korean company a $3 million tender contract without following due tender processes.

Elton Mangoma and two Zesa Holdings’ bosses, who are facing $3 million criminal abuse of office charges, yesterday filed a notice to apply for removal from remand if their trial failed to kick off today, saying the State was deliberately delaying their trial.

The trio, who appeared before Harare magistrate Hosea Mujaya, yesterday placed the State on notice after the latter, represented by Teddy Kamuriwo, asked for post ponement, saying the special anti-corruption unit prosecutor Zivanai Mucharaga, who is handling the case, was not present.

Mangoma was represented by Tonderai Bhatasara, Chifamba by Admire Rubaya and Mutasa by advocate Givemore Madzoka. Mujaya then remanded the matter to today for a trial.

Allegations are that sometime in 2010, Choi Young of Techno Company, South Korea met Mangoma at his offices in the capital and they agreed to enter into a technology transfer partnership between Zesa Enterprises and Techpro Company for the manufacture of switch gears.

It is said Mangoma then instructed Mutasa to liaise with Techpro Company to establish a partnership in the form of a technology transfer agreement.

The State avers that Mutasa wrote a correspondence to the State Procurement Board seeking advice on the procedures to be followed in such partnerships and he was advised to seek assistance from State Enterprises Restructuring Agency (Sera) on how to proceed.

Sera then reportedly advised Mutasa to prepare a memorandum, which Mangoma should thereafter submit to the inter-ministerial committee on commercialisation and privatisation of parastatals recommending the identification of a technical partner for the technological transfer through a competitive bidding process.

Mutasa allegedly complied with the instructions being assisted by Sera officials up to a stage where the business proposal memorandum and bid documents for tender were forwarded to Mangoma for recommendation and final approval by the committee.

Upon receiving the business proposal memorandum and bid documents to tender, Chifamba and Mangoma allegedly connived to by-pass the approval by the committee and the competitive bidding process to favour Techpro Company and making sure that it automatically became the partner in the technology transfer agreement.

The trio proceeded to award Techpro Company the contract and, as a result, Zesa Enterprises made an initial payment of $850 000 to the South Korean company on the strength of the technology transfer agreement, reads the State outline.

It is further alleged that the deliverables of which the agreement sought to achieve were not met at the time of the expiry of the five-year period, resulting in questions being raised over the deal. Due to the trio’s actions, Zesa Enterprises allegedly suffered a total prejudice of $850 000 and nothing was recovered.

-Online

By Own Correspondent| Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has described the new Public Order and Security Act (POSA) as unconstitutional arguing that it violates the right to Privacy and Security.

According to the proposed ammendment, “a police officer may stop and without a warrant, search any person, vehicle or vessel entering or leaving Zimbabaee and any person in or upon such vehicle or vessel and seize anything in circumstances where there are reasonable grounds for believing that the search or seizure is necessary in the interests of public safety, public order or public health or for the prevention, investigation or detection of a criminal offence.”

Said Mahere:

“The new POSA gives any police officer the power to stop and search you or your car and seize anything without a warrant. This is unconstitutional as it violates the right to privacy and the right to personal security.

The new POSA will criminalise the failure to move around without an ID. This was already declared unconstitutional in Bryant Walker Elliot v Commissioner of Police SC 41/ 97 as it violates freedom of movement. S66 of the Constitution guarantees the right to move freely in Zimbabwe.

S66 of the Constitution guarantees the right to move freely in Zimbabwe.

When all is said and done, there can be no doubt that the new POSA is the latest instalment of fake reforms by our government which is hell bent on limiting freedom and political space. It’s not the sort of law that points towards a genuine effort to change. Another lost opportunity.”

https://twitter.com/advocatemahere/status/1121314183398739968?s=19

When all is said & done, there can be no doubt that the new POSA is the latest installment of fake reforms by our Govt which is hell bent on limiting freedom & political space. It’s not the sort of law that points towards a genuine effort to change.

Another lost opportunity.??

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) April 25, 2019

Jane Mlambo| MDC President Nelson Chamisa has charged that they are waiting for an opportunity for genuine dialogue that is based on issues affecting the people of Zimbabwe and not rallies which President Emmerson Mnangagwa pulls his own sympathizers.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Chamisa said dialogue is for people who are not in agreement.

“We have a very simple promise, our promise is our readiness to dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe.  We are not ready to compromise from that promise. But of course I have seen that (reports) saying Mr Chamisa has climbed down, MDC has climbed down. We have not climbed up.  We have always said let there be a genuine dialogue, authentic dialogue based on issues that are affecting the people of Zimbabwe.

“Not these kind rallies where you see Mr Mnangagwa pulling with people whom he agree with. Dialogue is for people who are not in agreement. We do not agree with Mr Mnangagwa on issues that were dealt with at the constitutional court. Determined legally but politically it still have to be resolved,” said Chamisa.

Tanaka Chinefu (23) has since appeared before Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe and has pleaded guilty to the charge. He will be sentenced today. 

Prosecutor Chris Munyuku told the court that Chinefu, who hails from Chinetu village in Gutu, was employed as a security guard by Securico Security Company at the ZCDC premises.

A security guard at the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) premises was arrested for stealing five pieces of the precious stone after he was sold out by the closed circuit television (CCTV).

It is the State’s case that on April 10, 2019, the accused person was deployed at the XRT, a machine used in the sorting and selecting of diamonds.

His duty was to secure the diamonds. While on duty, the accused saw five pieces of diamonds on the ground, picked them up and hid them in his trousers pockets.

The accused person was arrested by the informant Nobuhle Ncube who was on duty monitoring the CCTV. The stolen five diamonds were recovered.

-Online

Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), notes with concern the retrogressive statements uttered by Norton Constituency Member of Parliament (Independent), Hon. Temba Mliswa to the effect that women MPs under proportional representation (PR) come to Parliament “to sit and do nothing.”

He goes further to insinuate that because of this, the women’s Parliament quota under the PR system should be reduced to 20 with the remaining 40 seats allocated to youths (20) and the disabled (20). As WALPE, we acknowledge the need to for all marginalised groups to be empowered and get representation in decision making platforms. However, we believe that an empowerment programme can be done without disadvantaging an already marginalised group. In other words, it is possible to empower people with disabilities and youths without disempowering women the two are not mutually exclusive.

The statements by Hon, Mliswa are saddening especially coming from someone who has also charged that Parliament is not a safe space for women leaders to freely and actively contribute to policy formulation. Women Parliamentarians have carried the heavy burden of being heckled and sexually harassed by men in Parliament.

In addition as a country and society, women are still saddled with patriarchal prejudices and stereotypes which limit the scope of their participation. Political parties where these women are selected from are male dominated organisations where intra and inter party violence, vote buying and bullying continue to limit the scope of women participation. Therefore, as a country we are still at a stage where representation by way of numbers still matters. It means a lot for young girls to grow up knowing that women too can lead and they can see women Parliamentarians leading. This will change their world view and build confidence for them to also seek to participate in leadership. 

Real transformational change is a process because it involves the entirety of society changing their way of doing things. Surely its illogical to expect that in just 6 years of the quota system,  women are already empowered enough to undo centuries of domination by men which in any case is still ongoing. That is why at WALPE, we believe leadership capacity can be developed and enhanced through deliberate programmes targeting women.

It is also our contention that any policy changes regarding the status of women and the PR system must be informed by empirical evidence and not impulse and emotions. Some women MPs on PR are denied entry into constituencies to do programmes by paranoid constituency MPs, who are mostly men who feel that their power base would be swept from them if these women start working with the people. Further, many of the women on PR seats work hand in glove with a variety of stakeholders who are involved in various policy advocacy initiatives in areas such as health, education, women empowerment, and youths among others.

Therefore, it is inherently unfair and unjust to judge women MPs on PR by what they have said in parliament only. The women have also being actively contributing to portfolio committees but these significant milestones go unreported. Our parliamentary system is operated by a whipping system which means that the male dominated parties design the party parliamentary caucus agenda which as always would give men more voice as they are always used to “hear themselves”. In any event, the majority of male MPs themselves have barely added anything sensible to national policy debates, rather they are known for singing and heckling. What is good for the goose must be good for the gander and by Hon. Mliswa’s reasoning, then 90% of men in parliament should be removed because they have contributed nothing.

We therefore challenge Hon. Mliswa to desist from using a combination of the ad hominem fallacy and sheer populist demagoguery when addressing critical issues such as women’s representation in Zimbabwe. Policy makers must frame their arguments within the confines of reason and logic which brings all the relevant factors affecting an issue into perspective. To simply say women MPs have not delivered based on just one dimension is totally misguided and Hon. Mliswa should know better. 

As WALPE, we underscore our commitment to women empowerment in leadership, and we are in the midst of conducting a research into the PR system which will inform our advocacy on the nature of changes to be undertaken as the quota system comes to an end in 2023. WALPE shall advocate for provisions that will make sure there is 50/50 gender representation in all leadership positions as per the Constitution of Zimbabwe in section 17, 56 and 80. We will also be producing a documentary showcasing the work that women on the PR seats have done in communities to make Zimbabwe a better country for all.

Own Correspondent|The government of Zimbabwe recently challenged the nation to remain calm, united and vigilant as the new dispensation implements a raft of measures to resuscitate the economy, The Herald reported.

In an interview with The Herald on the sidelines of the country’s 39th Independence celebrations in Harare, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana said the new dispensation is implementing economic stabilisation programmes, which will benefit everyone.

“The Government is employing the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), having this programme is an acknowledgement that things are unstable, so we need to stabilise them,” said Mangwana.

“Government has put in place this programme to stabilise the economy between October 2018 and December 2020. So we are putting things together. Going forward, we are expecting proper economic development to come that is why we have two to five-year economic development programmes and we expect job creation, industrialisation, modernisation of our economy from those programmes. We expect even modernising our housing and our way of doing things.

“So I urge the nation to remain united and focus on the ultimate goal of bringing prosperity to our country and to develop it to be a modern country in every aspect, this is what we are looking forward to and we can only do that when we are together. This is not about any political party, this is about our nation as Zimbabweans.”

“The country belongs to everyone, so if we have a unity of purpose we can achieve Vision 2030. Drivers of Vision 2030 are not political parties, it’s the citizens.”

Jane Mlambo| Top constitutional lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has castigated government for its “reform agenda” saying the new Maintanance of Peace and Order bill which is replacing the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA) is just bent on limiting freedom and political space.

Posting on Twitter, Mahere said the new law does not point to genuine effort to change by the government.

“When all is said & done, there can be no doubt that the new POSA is the latest installment of fake reforms by our Govt which is hell bent on limiting freedom & political space. It’s not the sort of law that points towards a genuine effort to change,” said Mahere

She further described the whole move to replace POSA with a new law as a lost opportunity by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration.

When all is said & done, there can be no doubt that the new POSA is the latest installment of fake reforms by our Govt which is hell bent on limiting freedom & political space. It’s not the sort of law that points towards a genuine effort to change.

Another lost opportunity.??

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) April 25, 2019

Own Correspondent|State-owned mobile network operator NetOne has sharply increased the price of its mobile data effective from 25 April 2019.

The mobile network operator announced the price increases twenty four hours before the effective date.

The popular WhatsApp bundle which would give users 250 megabytes data for a week for a dollar will now only give fifty megabytes for the same amount valid for only two days.

Below are the new charges which have been described as “crazy” by most users.

The once very popular OneFusion bundles that attracted a lot of customers to Netone have had their sizes in megabytes reduced down, with the $10 fusion now coming with 15 minutes of calls and a mere 180 MB of data.

The $20 OneFusion comes with 400 MB of data and 25 minutes of calls. To achieve 1 GB of data via the OneFusion platform, one would have to part with $50.

Most of the users who responded to the tariff increase on social media threatened that they will immediately quit the government owned mobile network service provider for other service providers.

The Zimbabwe National Army yesterday dismissed as false a story in a local newspaper alleging that poachers who were recently cornered in Bubye Valley Conservancy in Beitbridge had abandoned their AK47 assault rifle.

Investigations carried out revealed that the weapon in question was a 303 rifle and not an AK47 rifle.

In a statement, ZNA director public relations Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore urged the media to verify with the army before publishing any story relating to them.

“The organisation would like to put the record straight that the aforementioned rifle does not belong to the Zimbabwe National Army. It has since been established from police records that the weapon in question is actually a 303 rifle whose serial number is L9422 and not an AK47 rifle as reported in the media.

“The ZNA appeals to news organisations to verify with the organisation when they have stories of that nature as failure to do so leads to misinformation which in turn damages the image and reputation of the army,” he said.

He said the story was published in the NewsDay edition of April 22, 2019 with the headline, “Military rifle recovered from poachers”, and was followed up with an editorial comment titled, “Military must help protect our wildlife”.’

The story quoted some “Beitbridge police sources close to the investigations” alleging that they had told them that they were following up a case where poachers abandoned a military rifle and a bag with clothes.

Seven Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Union (ZCTU) leaders, who were being charged for inciting the January public violence, were yesterday acquitted by a Harare magistrate at the close of the State case.

The seven – Peter Mutasa, the labour body’s president; Japhet Moyo, the secretary-general; Benice Maluleke, Prescilla Jonhi, Simon Mutasa, Munashe Chirovamari and Ezekiel Matema – were acquitted by magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who said the State had failed to prove a case against them.

They were all represented by human rights lawyers Alec Muchadehama, Tinomuda Shoko and Kossam Ncube.

The labour body officials had pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying they did not commit any offence warranting their arrest and prosecution.

They also argued that there were insufficient grounds to link them to the offence.

The case related to their arrest on October 11 last year as the State sought to thwart an anti-government protest which the labour union was organising.

They were charged with committing public violence as defined in section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence and breaches of peace or bigotry.

Mutasa and Moyo are still facing other charges of seeking to subvert a constitutionally-elected government relating to the January fuel price hike protests.

AUSTERITY measures introduced by government this year will be over by next year when the country starts experiencing economic growth, Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube has said.

In addition to the cost-cutting measures, Ncube introduced a 2% tax on intermediated financial transactions to shore up government coffers, leaving an already overtaxed citizenry hard pressed.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Business Conference held in Bulawayo yesterday, Ncube said the austerity measures could not be run for a long time.

“We need to go through some period of austerity, but build towards prosperity and I tell you that next year you will hear me use the word austerity less and less because we will start entering prosperity,” Ncube said.

“I think I will limit austerity just to one year and then we move to prosperity towards 2023. But quite clearly, you can’t do austerity for three years; it’s a bad idea. One year, get it right and move on”.

He said government was doing well on the fiscus side.

“The government is solvent. We are running surpluses and we have been doing an average surplus of a $100 million a month since September last year,” he said.

“This year alone, in January, we had a surplus of $102 million. In February we had a surplus of $85,5 million (and) in March our surplus would be double that.
It will be just above $200 million. Money supply is not growing. So where is the pressure on the exchange rate coming from?”

He said the pressure was coming from speculation, which is bad for the economy.

Ncube also pleaded with industry to make use of the interbank market, saying as government they were making sure that economic fundamentals were put in place.

NewsDay

A special envoy from Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices in Harare seeking support for admission into Sadc.

The special envoy, Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Ezechiel Mbigira, described Zimbabwe as a sister country with a rich history.

“Zimbabwe is a country that has a long history, a very good and encouraging history,” he said.

“As the special envoy of President Pierre Nkurunziza, I have come here to continue strengthening relations between Burundi and Zimbabwe because Zimbabwe is a sister country. It’s a country with which we have a common history and a common future that’s why we need to relate with this country in a very special way.”

He added that he hoped his country’s application to join Sadc would be successful and called on Zimbabwe to support its bid.

“As you know, Burundi has applied to become a member of Sadc and the process of dealing with our application is going on very well,” he said.

“We believe that after the assessment mission that is coming to Burundi towards the end of May, the decision will be of course, taken for Burundi to become a member of Sadc.

“As Zimbabwe is our sister country, we believe that Zimbabwe will continue to support Burundi to become a member of Sadc.”

Ambassador Mbigira said his country had a lot to offer to Sadc if its application is successful.

State Media

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has, with effect from May 1, appointed specialist public health physician Dr Agnes Mahomva as the new Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care to replace Dr Gerald Gwinji who is yet to be reassigned.

Mr Simon Masanga, a senior public administrator, has been appointed Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, replacing Dr Judith Kateera.

In a statement, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said: “The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet is pleased to announce that His Excellency the President has, in terms of Section 205 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number 20) Act 2013, appointed Dr Agnes Mahomva as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Mr Simon Masanga as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

“The appointments of Dr Mahomva and Mr Masanga as permanent secretaries are with effect from 1st May, 2019.”

Dr Mahomva holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in science, public health and medicine from the United States of America and Zimbabwe.

She has over 22 years’ experience in medical practice and managing and supporting public health programmes at local, regional and international levels.

She once served as a clinical medical officer at different hospitals in the country and in the SADC region.

Mr Masanga holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in politics and public administration and public sector management.

He has vast experience in public, labour and social welfare administration and management at provincial and national levels in Zimbabwe.

He rose through the ranks in the public sector from being a principal director in human resources, youth and indigenisation, labour and social welfare in different ministries, including public service.

Former Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Advocate Martin Tafara Dinha is now the new board chairman for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).

Adv Dinha holds a law degree from the University of Zimbabwe and practiced law for 12 years in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.

He was part of the team of lawyers that appeared before the SADC Tribunal in defence of the land reform and resettlement programme in Zimbabwe.

He replaced Major General Douglas Nyikayaramba, who is now a diplomat.

Adv Dinha’s appointment is also with effect from May 1.

The President also appointed Mr Ralpesh Patel as an additional member of the Presidential Advisory Council with immediate effect.

Mr Patel is chief executive officer of Steel Makers.

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has dismissed messages circulating on social media that Cyclone Kenneth will hit Zimbabwe.

In a statement, MSD refuted claims that Cyclone Kenneth will hit the eastern borders of Zimbabwe like what Cyclone Idai did.

“Of concern, are some messages that may have now gone overboard to the extent of misleading the public without making recourse to the Department about the real situation.

“While we have no problem with social media, we take exception to those messages that become sensational on matters of life and death.

“Tropical Storm Kenneth, off the north coast of Madagascar, is projected to strengthen into a Tropical Cyclone and if it maintains its westerly trajectory, it is set to make landfall near the Tanzanian border with Mozambique on Thursday evening after 6PM with a circulatory speed of approximately 200km/h.

“Areas that might be affected by heavy rains till April 27 are the southern parts of Tanzanian, northern provinces of Mozambique and Malawi,” read the statement.

MSD added that no rain is projected for Zimbabwe during this period till Saturday. Mostly sunny and warm conditions are anticipated.

MSD also urged the public to stop circulating false information and causing unnecessary panic.

“Accordingly, let us respect the authoritative voice principle, which ensures that all official communication on warnings and alerts that are a matter of life and death come from a single source.

“In Zimbabwe, the MSD is responsible for monitoring the weather. The public is, therefore, urged to check with the department for confirmation and decision-making.

“The department will continue monitoring the conditions and update the nation accordingly,” said the MSD.

By Own Correspondent| Whistleblowers here pocketed close to $3 million in the last two years after helping ZIMRA recover more than $33,5 million in unpaid taxes.

Under current regulations, those who provide the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) with credible information on corrupt or uncooperative companies or individuals that leads to the successful recovery of unpaid taxes are entitled to 10 percent of what is recovered.

Zimra’s head of corporate communication Francis Chimanda told a local publication that the whistleblowers’ facility is a reward for individuals for upholding their civic duty of ensuring compliance to the country’s laws.

“In 2017, whistleblowers received $816 482,60, while in 2018 they received $1 865 531,68, and so far in 2019, they have received $290 754,45,” he said.

The tax administration body believes that ordinarily the information that it receives often helps it recover its dues within the shortest possible time.

Chimanda added: “Through the facility, we have managed to raise assessments worth more than $33,5 million and now taxpayers are in different payments plans to settle their debts with the authority.

“It is open to members of the public, except Zimra officers, to come forward to Zimra with tangible information which enables the authority to recover revenue that otherwise would have been lost had the whistle blower not come forward.”

There is, however, growing concern that some people are increasingly becoming professional whistleblowers.

The whistleblower facility is administered under the Revenue Authority Act Chapter 23:11 Section 34B (2), which empowers Zimra’s Commissioner-General to approve “a monetary reward for information provided or any measure taken which results in detection of smuggling or any other offence against any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule, and the recovery of revenue which would otherwise have been lost .-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has said the frivolous attempts by Zanu PF to destroy the country’s largest opposition party will not materialise.

Addressing reporters at a news conference in the capital today Chamisa took a swipe at Zanu PF for plotting to destroy the party using petty issues.

Chamisa told reporters all complaints would be addressed party channels adding the state media should not speak on behalf of MDC A Officials.

“We know that Zanu PF is using all sorts of funny tricks in a bid to split the MDC.

Let me assure you that nothing like that will happen. We are a big train and we will not be stopped by barking dogs.

You cannot cut down a baobab tree using a razor blade, that’s impossible,” said Chamisa.