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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
Harare Magistrates court yesterday acquitted seven leaders of the country’s largest labour union, who had been on trial for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest after the State failed to establish that any offence was committed as the ZRP officers who testified as witnesses confirmed that demonstrations are legal in terms of the Constitution.
The seven Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders namely President Peter Mutasa, Secretary-General Japhet Moyo, Benice Maluleke, Prescilla Jonhi, Simon Mutasa, Munashe Chirovamari and Ezekiel Matema had been on trial since last year when they were arrested on Thursday 11 October 2018 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and 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, breaches of peace or bigotry.
Their arrest came after ZRP swooped on them in a pre-emptive strike to thwart an anti-government protest organised by the labour union to protest against government’s disastrous economic policies.
But Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on Wednesday 24 April 2019 acquitted the seven ZCTU leaders, who were represented by Kossam Ncube, Tinomuda Shoko and Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, after discharging them at the close of the prosecution case.
In setting free the labour unionists, Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that the State failed to establish that any offence was committed in the first place noting that even the ZRP officers who testified as witnesses during the trial had confirmed that demonstrations are legal in terms of the Constitution. Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that there was no indication that there was an intention to cause violence more so given that the unionists were arrested at the ZCTU offices while preparing to participate in a demonstration.
In addition, Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that ZRP officers who testified as witnesses during the trial and who claimed to have retrieved some offensive placards from the ZCTU leaders failed to link each placard to each accused person as there was no indication as to which accused person was carrying which placard.
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.
A Chipinge-based Zanu PF member heaved a sigh of relief after he was acquitted and discharged for stealing party regalia and $100 from a ruling-party colleague.
Prosper Sithole (42), of Chief Mutema in Chipinge, was acquited for lack of evidence.
He was acquitted by Chipinge magistrate Joshua Nembaware at the close of the State case on Tuesday after denying the charge last week.
Sithole said the allegations emanated from the rivalry which existed between Chipinge Central legislator Raymore Machingura and the party primary elections losing candidate, Dorothy Chitima’s supporters.
“I belong to Zanu PF together with the complainant, Ivy Mhlanga, but trouble started last year during the party’s primary elections. The complainant was supporting Dorothy Chitima, while I was supporting the eventual winner, Raymore Machingura, who is now MP for Chipinge Central,” Sithole said.
“The allegations are politically-motivated. The other issue is that she was the school development committee chair and she was voted out in my favour, so she is a bitter person.”
Nembaware, in his ruling, said the State had failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt, which left the court with no option, but to acquit and discharge Sithole.
Prosecutor Shamiso Ncube said on August 16 last year, Mhlanga was invited to attend a party meeting at Paidamoyo Business Centre.
Sithole was also part of the meeting.
During lunch hour, Sithole allegedly went to where Mhlanga was seated at the back of a party vehicle while having her lunch.
He noticed some Zanu PF T-shirts which were in Mhlanga’s bag and demanded that she distributes them to party supporters present, but the complainant allegedly refused.
Sithole allegedly grabbed the bag and ran away, but returned it later.
Mhlanga later indicated that her Zanu PF T-shirts and $100 were missing and reported the matter to the police, leading to Sithole’s arrest.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
https://www.facebook.com/ZimEye/videos/330686974308200/
We would want to make this warning today. We already know who is doing this exercise.
If one tries to fight and practise financial terrorism in Zimbabwe, we will react appropriately and no one should cry that he has not been treated fairly.
Those who have been externalising funds, all I can say is if you are a Zimbabwean, return that money quickly back so that we can treat you with some kid gloves but if you want hard gloves, we know how to do it.
The rising inflation which we are now experiencing hurts the whole economy and its development prospects are negatively affecting all of us.
Is it not time we engage and honestly discuss why as a nation we continue to experience foreign currency shortages yet our foreign currency earning exceeds those of our competitors who are not experiencing the same phenomenon?
Nelson Chamisa chairing his party’s National Executive Committee.
Nelson Chamisa|Every human being is a leader in the affairs of men.It is always important to lead God’s people well.
Samuel led the people of Israel well as a great prophet and a people’s leader. Upon the sunset of his tenure, Samuel then came to bid people farewell to pave way for the new leader, King Saul son of Kish, whom the people had demanded.
Key leadership lessons from a great leader Prophet Samuel-
1.Effective Leadership is for the benefit of those you lead.
2.Effective leadership is always about listening to the voice of those whom you lead.
3.Effective Leadership is about lifetime service and sacrifice and never self benefit and personal aggrandizement.
4.Effective Leadership is about putting others ahead of self by denying bribes, dishonest gain and corrupt tendencies that cloud just and fair estimation of matters.
5.Effective leadership is about the humility apologizing when you wrong people you lead and never oppressing or suppressing them.
6.Effective leadership restores and submits to the WILL of God and guiding the people you lead to align to the purposes of the Almighty God, their author and maker.
1 Samuel 12:1-3: Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I wronged or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you.
Own Correspondent|A security guard employed by Securico Security Company at the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Companies (ZCDC) Chiadzwa diamond fields has been arrested for stealing five pieces of the precious stone.
Tanaka Chinefu (23) pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared before Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe when he appeared in court on Tuesday.
He was remanded in custody to the 26th of April for sentencing.
According to the state, on April 10 2019 at around 6am, Chinefu was on duty deployed at a XRT a machine used in processing and picking of diamonds. The duty of the accused person was to secure the diamonds and to guard other employees from stealing.
While on duty, Chinefu saw five pieces of diamonds on the ground, picked them and hid them in his trousers pockets. He was arrested by an informant Nobuhle Ncube who was on duty monitoring the Closed Circuit Television leading to his subsequent arrested.
The stolen diamonds were recovered.
The arrest comes barely a week after four robbers wearing complete Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) uniforms looted huge amounts of diamonds from the fields in what appeared to have been a well coordinated move.
The ZCDC diamonds fields in Chiadzwa are generally very porous with incidents of diamonds being stolen very rampant.
Two suspected armed robbers who were nabbed in Marondera after they broke into a Versface Investments director’s car which was parked in Mutare’s city centre and went away with $40 000 cash, have appeared in court.
Philip Chirinda (35) and Joseph Ruwona (29) appeared before Mutare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe charged with robbery.
Prosecutor Mr Chris Munyuku alleged that on March 21 this year, Versface Investments director Mr Geofrey Ngonyama collected money from his office and drove to his friend, Resistance Mundembe’s workplace at Big Bite Investments in Mutare.
Reports are that Ngonyama and Mundembe exchanged cash while seated in a car.
Chirinda and Ruwona then spotted the two while counting the money.
Reports are that Ngonyama drove to a carpentry shop where he also collected $5 000 and drove to Old Sasu Hospital.
The two suspected robbers are said to have started tracking Ngonyama from the time he left Mundembe’s workplace.
The court heard that Chirinda and Ruwona then broke into Ngonyama’s car when he was parked at Old Sasu Hospital after collecting the money from a carpentry shop.
They allegedly stole $40 000 and drove away. Ngonyama is said to have been alerted of the robbery by his car’s alarm and made a chase.
Ngonyama is said to have almost caught up with the two suspects at Christmas Pass after a high-speed chase, but was forced to abandon the pursuit by gunshots fired by the two.
It is the State’s case that Ngonyama went to lodge a complaint at Mutare Central Police who then alarted Rusape and Marondera police.
Chirinda and Ruwona were intercepted in Marondera, leading to their arrest. One of their accomplices escaped and is still at large.
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.
ZIM LABOUR UNION LEADERS ACQUITTED OVER ANTI-GOVT PROTEST
A Zimbabwean court on Wednesday 24 April 2019 acquitted seven leaders of the country’s largest labour union, who had been on trial for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest over the country’s biting economic crisis.
The seven Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders namely President Peter Mutasa, Secretary-General Japhet Moyo, Benice Maluleke, Prescilla Jonhi, Simon Mutasa, Munashe Chirovamari and Ezekiel Matema had been on trial since last year when they were arrested on Thursday 11 October 2018 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and 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, breaches of peace or bigotry.
Their arrest came after ZRP swooped on them in a pre-emptive strike to
thwart an anti-government protest organised by the labour union to
protest against government’s disastrous economic policies.
But Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on Wednesday 24 April 2019 acquitted the seven ZCTU leaders, who were represented by Kossam Ncube, Tinomuda Shoko and Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, after discharging them at the close of the prosecution case.
In setting free the labour unionists, Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that the State failed to establish that any offence was committed in the first place noting that even the ZRP officers who testified as witnesses during the trial had confirmed that demonstrations are legal in terms of the Constitution.
Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that there was no indication that there was an intention to cause violence more so given that the unionists were arrested at the ZCTU offices while preparing to participate in a demonstration.
In addition, Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that ZRP officers who testified as witnesses during the trial and who claimed to have retrieved some offensive placards from the ZCTU leaders failed to link each placard to each accused person as there was no indication as to which accused person was carrying which placard.
Opinion By Grace Chirenje|I AM a mother of two adorable children who keep me doubting my sanity with each encounter. This doesn’t mean they are bad kids, not at all! It is the whole aspect of exploring what it means to build a healthy parent-child relationship.
Now, I can share with you my pregnancy experience with each one of them; what I hoped as a mother, what I anticipated and how I felt it was a whole journey and still is as I manoeuvre and chant parenthood, but motherhood to be precise.
Now, at no one point did I ever pause to think the worst of my experience and journey. I always keep the hope alive and daring. Sometimes, it is tough and at others, it is as easy as swallowing water.
As I thought of this journey, I was reminded of Zimbabwe turning 39 years. What sought of baby do we have here? There is quite a lot of work to do at personal level and collectively for us to experience Zimbabwe as an exuberant country that it is. The people who worked so hard to ensure this country got liberated did not do it, so they stand by and watch the same country waste away. We each have a civic duty to ensure Zimbabwe @39 is as amazing as can possibly be.
Mothers don’t want their children to be wayward. We do what we can to ensure children’s lives become healthy at each stage, the same applies for Zimbabwe.
Pre-independence
I can imagine what those who lived before April 18, 1980 experienced. I can only imagine because I wasn’t even there to experience it for myself. I have, however, heard the stories. I will not focus on the racism and atrocities. I want to focus on the hopes and aspirations.
Many of my brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, fathers and mothers who were old enough to join the Chimurenga, did so with all their hearts.
They believed that a better Zimbabwe was possible. They wanted to experience better things. They needed to see better. They believed in the possibilities of collective dreams where everyone would enjoy Zimbabwe for the motherland she is.
Was it scary? Well, it must have been. I am certain that stories made their way back to communities of how people were dying, selling out and going through all sorts of negativities for Zimbabwe to one day become a place where the colour of one’s skin meant nothing in order to enjoy universal freedoms.
It must have been so inspirational, so encouraging and super exciting for each person as they envisioned what was to come. That is exactly what gave them the courage to keep pushing and going. The likes of (former President Robert) Mugabes of this world to keep leading collectively alongside the (former Vice-President Joice) Mujurus. It was just like an expectant mother, all those times. It gets uncomfortable, achy and nauseous. The hope is that one day, the baby will be born, and all this will be left behind. Phenomenal, isn’t it? What then happens when we must defer a dream?
A dream deferred
Zimbabwe is a dream deferred. Each one of us has a dream and a hope. We each carry what we think is best for Zimbabwe, unless you are a saboteur. The truth is what those amazing people went to war for those decades ago, is not what is happening now. I will not bore you with the narrative of what we are going through; we all know it, so let’s save that for the naysayers. What I think is critical for us is affirming that Zimbabwe is a beautiful country. She is amazing.
From the majestic mountains in the Eastern Highlands to the raging rapids of the Victoria Falls, from the scotching heat of Beitbridge to the valleys of our borders with Mozambique, we have been through so much as a people. But I do recall we have stepped out so many times to hold hands for the greater good, like we did for Cyclone Idai.
Yes, we are not there as we struggle daily with our choices after November 17, 2017. However, we are here, hustling each day to make sure that we each make ends meet and ensure that Zimbabwe is restored as the breadbasket of Africa. We yearn for things that our mouths can no longer sensualise. It is life. Will it come today, tomorrow, next year, or in 10 years? No one knows, but what we are certain of is that no one can stand in the way of a great idea whose time has come. We can never, ever, see things crumble worse than they have. We may not experience what we so desperately desire and need. But guess what? Our time will come.
Our dream is not dead. Zimbabwe, we shall overcome one day and realise what we so wish for. Yes, it will come to pass. A time will come when leaders will care so much about meeting the needs of their people. This will be a time when water will be plenty, the same for electricity or roads or whatever it is, we desire. Prices will be stable and everyone, except the morons of course, will drive safely and preserve lives. It is a dream merely deferred. Just like an expectant mother will one day forget the pains and pangs of pregnancy and celebrate the birth of her child.
Now, we are in a fallen and dysfunctional world. Things do go wrong just like children sometimes make us doubt our sanity. We go to war and fight for liberation that never becomes and we birth, socialise children who talk back at us or make certain choices that break our hearts. Zimbabwe is like that now. It is like a delinquent child who no one wants to talk about, mention, point or call out. Everyone is just seated there uncomfortable at what this child Zimbabwe is doing.
Maybe, it is not the child. It is those that are socialising the child. Leadership has become such a rare phenomenon. People are choosing to focus on them and them alone, forgetting that whatever each one of us is going through, either way, we are a part of the narrative. For Zimbabwe @39 to make sense, we each need to decide. Yes, the world is not necessarily transformed by what we choose to transform at a micro-level, but I do believe that this will greatly contribute to the macro-environment. We can never give what we do not have. Once our socialisation spaces — homes, schools and churches, will choose to hold hands and decide to support the development of a holistic approach to socialisation; this could help even our leaders who seem to be struggling with what to do with Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is stalling. For a 39-year-old, seriously, this cannot be our narrative. This retardation needs to end. You and me can hold hands to end it. We shall decide never to keep quiet in the face of injustice and normalise the abnormal. We always, always choose what is good for each one of us and the greater good too. With each encounter, we call out bad behaviour and practices. We shall call out retailers who abuse customers by overpricing; we shall stand against governments which choose to fleece us of our hard-earned cash because they think we are the new cash cow. It is terrible. That money, where it goes, only the powers-that-be know.
Now is the time that we start planning for life that ought to begin @40. What are our national values and goals? No one is coming to save Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is that child we each need to bring an item so that it is healed from its past trauma and begins to reintegrate in society. When I look at my children and they have erred, and I have had to discipline them.
It hurts both ways, but a mother must do what a mother must do. Zimbabwe needs us to become better for Zimbabwe. She is a beautiful country endowed with so much beauty. We have enough of what we need and should not be wallowing in poverty. In our small little corners, let us decide what makes sense for us so we make a difference and make this country what it ought to be.
Starting with the leaders at all levels. It is possible to celebrate a healthier and more progressive society next year. It is possible. Let’s do this!
Grace Ruvimbo Chirenje is a feminist activist with vast experience in feminist leadership and youth empowerment. She writes in her personal capacity. Follow her on Twitter: @graceruvimbo, Facebook: Grace Chirenje and Instagram: @graceruvimbo
A Chipinge-based Zanu PF member heaved a sigh of relief after he was acquitted and discharged for stealing party regalia and $100 from a ruling-party colleague.
Prosper Sithole (42), of Chief Mutema in Chipinge, was acquited for lack of evidence.
He was acquitted by Chipinge magistrate Joshua Nembaware at the close of the State case on Tuesday after denying the charge last week.
Sithole said the allegations emanated from the rivalry which existed between Chipinge Central legislator Raymore Machingura and the party primary elections losing candidate, Dorothy Chitima’s supporters.
“I belong to Zanu PF together with the complainant, Ivy Mhlanga, but trouble started last year during the party’s primary elections. The complainant was supporting Dorothy Chitima, while I was supporting the eventual winner, Raymore Machingura, who is now MP for Chipinge Central,” Sithole said.
“The allegations are politically-motivated. The other issue is that she was the school development committee chair and she was voted out in my favour, so she is a bitter person.”
Nembaware, in his ruling, said the State had failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt, which left the court with no option, but to acquit and discharge Sithole.
Prosecutor Shamiso Ncube said on August 16 last year, Mhlanga was invited to attend a party meeting at Paidamoyo Business Centre.
Sithole was also part of the meeting.
During lunch hour, Sithole allegedly went to where Mhlanga was seated at the back of a party vehicle while having her lunch.
He noticed some Zanu PF T-shirts which were in Mhlanga’s bag and demanded that she distributes them to party supporters present, but the complainant allegedly refused.
Sithole allegedly grabbed the bag and ran away, but returned it later.
Mhlanga later indicated that her Zanu PF T-shirts and $100 were missing and reported the matter to the police, leading to Sithole’s arrest.
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.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa receives head of the Burundi delegation.
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.
Correspondent|A Marange woman will spend the next 4 years behind bars after she killed her 13-year-old son by sjambokinghhim and smashing his head against the wall after he was sent back home from school for not having a pen.
Lydia Kahwema of was initially jailed for eight years when she appeared before High Court judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera charged with culpable homicide.
Justice Mwayera set aside four years of her jail term on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Kahwema was initially charged with murder after she assaulted her son, Tafadzwa, to death, before the State preferred culpable homicide charges.
In sentencing Kahwema, Justice Mwayera said the court had to weigh in and show that the sanctity of human life cannot be eroded by violent and irrational individuals.
Members of the police deployed under POSA ready to attack civilians
Parliament has called on the public to start submitting their views on the recently gazetted Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, 2019 (H.B.3) that was gazetted last week.
The Bill will replace the Public Order and Security Act.
In a statement yesterday, Assistant Clerk of Parliament Mr Johanne Gandiya said the public consultations were in line with the requirements of Section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“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),” he said.
Mr Gandiya said anyone wishing to make contributions make their submissions in writing to Parliament.
“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,” Mr Gandiya added.
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.
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.
FINANCE and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, says the wave of price increases being experienced on the market and the wild parallel market exchange rates have no economic justification as Government has successfully managed to stabilise the fundamental fiscal elements that previously fuelled inflation.
Addressing industry and commerce executives during the International Business Conference (IBC) in Bulawayo yesterday, Prof Ncube lamented the level of indiscipline in the market, which he said thrives on speculative sentiments.
He said such behaviour was far from ethical and standard economic practise and as such was creating a negative economic environment for the whole country.
“We are doing very well on the fiscal front, Honourable VP (Chiwenga), your 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.
“So, 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? So, clearly as the VP said, 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.
He said what was encouraging was that Government had so far made great progress towards achieving these goals.
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.
The Minister said his dream was that of a Zimbabwe that is a factory for Africa and a gateway to the world.
He said the ongoing reforms should yield quick wins, including setting up of one stop border posts at all the country’s ports of entry where it should take at least 10 minutes for visitors to cross.
Prof Ncube said measures were also being put in place to clear both domestic and foreign debt so as to unlock fresh lines of credit.
In the interim, he said, Government was engaging other partners seeking to raise financial resources to oil the productive sectors and broaden the job market.
Prof Ncube stressed the need to revive the manufacturing sector so as to curb raw exports saying solution to current account deficit lies in value addition and beneficiation to earn higher value on forex market.
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| Dynamos prodigal son Tonderayi “Stanza” Ndiraya has bounced back as head coach following the dismissal of Lloyd Chigowe.
Chigowe was fired on Monday night after the team conceded their fourth straight defeat across all competitions.
The executive held a crisis meeting after the Herentals loss and made a decision on the future of the gaffer who took over from Lloyd Mutasa in September last year.
He managed to steer the team out of the relegation zone and was named the substantive coach at the end of the season.
But a slow start to the campaign saw him becoming the first coach in 2019 to be sacked.
Farai Dziva|Controversial MDC T deputy president, Obert Chaurura Gutu has castigated MDC A deputy chairperson Tendai Biti for predicting a total economic demise.
An irate Gutu described Biti as a prophet of doom.
“The usual prophets of doom are declaring that Zimbabwe’s economy will collapse by June, 2019.
Well, well, well, this, of course, is not gonna happen. Economic challenges are there but then, only a person from outer space can declare that Zimbabwe’s economy will collapse by June,” said Gutu.
Gutu was responding to the article in which Biti declared that the country’s economy would collapse by June 2019.The article was published by Zimeye.com yesterday.
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.
By Wilbert Mukori| “Zimbabwe was proceeding with the compensation of former commercial farmers who were displaced during the country’s agrarian reform despite growing criticism against the policy, President Emerson Mnangagwa said last week, highlighting that compensation for land improvements was a constitutional obligation,” reported Bulawayo 24.
Mnangagwa said “the land reform is irreversible”, adding: “We fought for the land and we will never regret.”
Rubbish! The Zanu PF inspired land reform, like so many other things in post independent Zimbabwe, was NOT what the nation had fought and many had died for. The chaotic and violent seizure of white owned farms that started in earnest in 2000 were for two reasons:
1. Mugabe needed something to give away to his ever demanding but wasteful Zanu PF loyalists and their families and friends; with the country’s economy already in ruinous there was nothing else left for him to give away other than land. Zanu PF has maintained that the land would be given to the landless peasants but in practice it was the ruling elite who benefited and the millions of peasants are still stuck in the overcrowded and unproductive rural areas. Mugabe and his family got no less than 13 commercial farms.
The Zanu PF cronies got the farms but failed to put it into productive use resulting in the country losing its cherished position as the breadbasket of the region. For the last decade, Zimbabwe has failed to produce enough to feed its own people, for Pete’s sake!
Worse still, the total collapse of the country’s agricultural sector was one of the contributory factors to the country’s record breaking economic meltdown of the last 20 years. The collapse of the farming sector, commerce and industry has send unemployment rocketing into 80% plus and has yet to come down. Basic services such as supply of water and health care have all but collapsed. Millions of our people now live in abject poverty.
To crown it all, Zanu PF is using taxpayers’ money to compensate the white farmers. Why should those who suffered from the chaotic land reform pay the compensation when those who inherited the looted farms and benefited from it all are once again allowed to go Scott free!
Of course, the ordinary people deeply regret Zanu PF’s chaotic and violent land reform because it is NOT what the nation fought and many died for! The land issue is one of the many botched issues in Zimbabwe that will have to be revisited once the nation rid itself of the Zanu PF dictatorship. The country needs to put land into productive hands to have any hope of reviving the country’s comatose economic; it will therefore nonsensical to allow the looters to keep the land.
2. The chaotic and violence farm seizures were used by Zanu PF as a smoke screen behind which to hide the party’s sinister political scheme of using violence to deny the people of Zimbabwe their right to free, fair and credible elections. The party accused all its political critics and opponents including the ordinary Zimbabweans in the urban and rural areas of being against the party’s land reforms and so the violence that always flared up in the farms during elections would soon sweep the whole nation.
Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess because the country has been stuck for 39 years with this corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship. It is ironic that the regime has used the botched land reform to justify rigging elections and extending its oppressive and ruinous reign. Fortunately for the nation, this is becoming increasing difficult to sustain.
When Mnangagwa seized power from his former boss and mentor, Robert Mugabe, in the November 2017 military coup; he promised to end corruption and to hold free, fair and credible elections. He knew the old worn-out excuses of blaming white farmers, western sanctions, etc. would never get the nation out of the economic mess the regime had landed us in. Alas, he failed to end the corruption and blatantly rigged the July 2018 elections and messed up the chance of ending Zimbabwe’s isolation and economic meltdown.
Mnangagwa’s resolve to compensate the white farmers is but a cheap bribe. He is offering the white farmers but a fraction of what the Zanu PF thugs looted from them and, worse still, he is asking the impoverish taxpayers to foot the bill because the looters cannot stomach paying back a fraction of their vast loot. The world will not be so easily fooled. Poor Mnangagwa, it is his last throw of the dice and it will accomplish nothing!
The only way out now is for Zanu PF to step down and allow the nation the time and space to implement the democratic reforms necessary to end the curse of rigged elections and pariah state! – SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.com
Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump meet before the talks that eventually failed.
North Korea executed four officials from its foreign ministry after Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump’s latest summit failed, a new report has claimed.
The officials are said to have been killed by a firing squad in Pyongyang earlier this month after Kim and Trump’s talks in Vietnam broke off without a deal.
A Japanese press agency reported that the rumours were spreading through the secretive country after it spoke to a trade official who recently visited North Korea and a source inside the hermit state.
According to the report, North Korea had accused the four officials of selling information to the US before the Hanoi summit, causing it to fail.
The four who were shot dead, according to the rumour, are said to include a diplomat from North Korea’s embassy in Hanoi.
However, Japan’s Asia Press which reported the information on Wednesday along with South Korean media, said the claims of the apparent executions have not been verified.
The verification of claims out of North Korea is very difficult given the country’s secrecy and that its media is controlled by the state. Communication with the outside world is highly restricted, and the punishment for anyone caught sharing information can be severe.
Asia Press said one of its reporters spoke to a trade official who heard the rumour when they travelled to Pyongyang from China in mid-April.A source who lives close to the border told the agency that four officials were executed in Pyongyang at the beginning of April for leaking information.
It is claimed four foreign ministry officials were executed in Pyongyang
The execution was watched by members of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and Korean People’s Army, it is claimed.
The source told Asia Press that the officials were accused of selling information to the US government before Kim and Trump met in Hanoi in late February.
For the US, the talks were aimed at achieving denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula, while North Korea was seeking to have crippling sanctions lifted.
Neither aim was achieved and the talks abruptly broke off.
The Hanoi summit was held after talks in Singapore last year also failed to produce a deal.
According to the rumour, the officials who were executed were blamed for the summit’s failure.
But there was speculation that the claims were fabricated in an attempt to shift the responsibility for the failure off of Kim and onto officials who allegedly betrayed the leader.
In early April, it was reported Kim had visited his father’s birthplace, the sacred Paektu Mountain – a trip he traditionally makes before making big decisions.
His uncle Jang Song-thaek, 67, was executed for alleged treason a month after the leader visited the mountain in November 2013.
Kim visited the mountain after the Singapore summit with Trump and before his summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
Kim and Moon visited Paektu along with their wives in September last year.
Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju pose with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook on the top of Mount Paektu
Photos showed the two leaders clutching hands on top of the mountain.
Days after Kim’s most recent visit he held a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly where he warned that relations with the US will remain “hostile” until crippling sanctions are lifted and the US and South Korea end war games near the border.
It emerged after the assembly that Kim may have given his sister, Kim Yo-jong, a demotion.
The adviser was considered the most powerful woman in North Korea – joining him at the summits with Trump and appearing at last year’s Winter Olympics – but she may have been kicked out of its Politburo, according to reports.
But she has joined him in Russia for his meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
It’s so difficult to sleep peacefully when OUR ZIMBABWE is in such a disaster. It’s so so hard to be a perfect leader with many people in such deep trouble. It’s so harassing to lead hungry,unhappy and disappointed people upon shattered dreams, unmet aspirations & dashed hopes.
Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni (R), head of the largest tribal area in Zimbabwe, who believes the Davies family should remain on their land in Zimbabwe.
A ZULU chief descended from warriors who conquered vast tracts of land before the arrival of British settlers in Zimabwe has come to the defence of a white couple who are being threatened with eviction from their tourist lodge.
Carol Davies, a white farmer who was forced to give up the vast majority of the 12,000-acre farm that her grandfather founded two generations ago, is fighting to keep control of the newly-renovated game lodge on top of a sacred mountain in what remains of her land.
Mrs Davies went to the High Court in Bulawayo this week to try and stop her eviction and is being supported by Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, head of the largest tribal area in Zimbabwe, who believes the Davies family should remain.
“The reason I want them there is because this family was chosen decades ago to be custodians of this sacred mountain, and they have done a sterling job, and kept the mountain sacred for our people,” he said.
“I am just continuing with the wishes of the late paramount chief who died in 2010 after 71 years in power. Our heritage goes back a long way and our traditional wishes cannot be ignored.”
Carol and Brian Davies who are fighting eviction from a Zimbabwe game lodge on a sacred mountain, despite being supported by local chief.
Over the last 20 years some 90 percent of Zimbabwe’s white farmers have been evicted as part of a forced land resettlement programme started by the country’s former president Robert Mugabe.
Mrs Davies’s grandfather, Jack Parsons, originally bought and worked the land around N’tabazinuna, about 12 miles from the centre of Zimbabwe’s second city Bulawayo, which contains the sacred, flat-topped hill.
Over the decades her family had always been careful to guard the hill, building a lodge on top of it for a safari business as the farm was rich with herds of giraffe and zebra that flourished among groves of magnificent acacias and other indigenous trees.
According to local residents, the family are considered custodians of the “spiritual home” of Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni and his people.
Their ancestors, Zulus from what is now South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, followed King Mzilikazi in the mid-1800s and fought their way north, settling in what is now known as Matabeleland, an area where the people do not, by and large, support the ruling Zanu-PF party.
It was there that Mr Mugabe, then the head of Zanu-PF, suffered his first political defeat in 2000 when the new opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change beat him in a referendum for a new constitution.
That is when Mr Mugabe agreed that his supporters should invade white-owned land, including the 12,000-acre farm originally developed Mr Parsons. The land was split up 14 years ago and handed to Mr Mugabe’s supporters.
The trees were chopped down and the wildlife eaten, but Mr and Mrs Davies remained on a small part of the land and tried to keep it going.
Now Floyd Ambrose, a local mixed-race man from Bulawayo, who is well known to Mrs Davies and her husband Brian, wants the lodge. He worked for them years ago, and they then allowed him to use the lodge as a tourist resort, but that failed, and he left it a wreck.
The Davies family moved back again and have done considerable renovations. Now Mr Floyd says he wants the lodge back and with the support of the local lands department, has ordered the couple off the mountain – and out of the lodge.
Asked for comment, Mr Ambrose declined to provide detail. “I don’t know what you are talking about. The courts will decide this,” he added.
Most evicted white farmers failed to persuade the courts they should remain on their land, but the Davies say they have to remain hopeful.
Chief Ndiweni, who lived in the UK for more than 20 years after he left school and became friends with the Davies, said evictions of white farmers in Zimbabwe had been “a crying shame and a tragedy” and that the local people had “gained nothing from what transpired”.
Mr and Mrs Davies said they were reluctant to speak ahead of the court’s ruling about their future, but confirmed they had been renovating the lodge, and that Chief Ndiweni had visited them earlier in the week.
“Zimbabwe is our home. We don’t ever want to leave. We don’t have other passports,” said Mrs Davies.
Their solicitor, David Coltart, former education minister during Zimbabwe’s 2009 unity government and a long-time human rights activist, said the eviction of the Davies family was “ridiculous”.
He noted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who ousted Mr Mugabe in a coup d’etat nearly 18 months ago pledged that the land invasion era was over. “This is now a tourist facility, near Bulawayo’s airport and not a farm any longer,” he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa need to talk, but about what?
Posted on February 15, 2019 by The Independent , Opinion by Brezh Malaba
If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the sheer magnitude of Zimbabwe’s catastrophic economy, look closely at the statistics pertaining to extreme poverty and the huge number of people living below the internationally recognised thresholds of penury.
This week, I heard that the United Nations is providing books to 2,5 million Zimbabwean children; providing monthly cash payouts to over 300 000 poor households– particularly those headed by minors–and funding water and sanitation services to more than 3,6 million people in rural and semi-urban areas. More than a million Zimbabweans are receiving anti-retroviral drugs from the donor community. The UN has mobilised US$400 million annually for humanitarian programmes in Zimbabwe for the past three years.
These are millions of people surviving on the benevolence of well-wishers. How would their lives be without this vital support from donors?
The UN says 72% of Zimbabweans live in poverty. Extreme poverty, according to the World Poverty Clock, is an everyday reality for 3,8 million Zimbabweans–almost a quarter of the population.
Our leaders must sober up. Why are they failing to see what everyone else is seeing so clearly?
Economic turmoil is the logical culmination of what is essentially a political problem. The Zimbabwean situation is producing the bitter fruits of poverty and violence, but its roots are firmly anchored in the blood-dimmed strata of a dysfunctional political culture.
Six months after a contentious general election, the country is yet to find answers to the all-important question of political legitimacy and its direct offshoot–confidence. Legitimacy, like integrity, is not demanded but earned.
Where do we go from here?
There are basically two options at this stage: the first one entails the formation of a power-sharing government, and the second one involves the creation of a transitional government.
In a power-sharing arrangement, the major stakeholders–who are usually the main political parties–devise a viable formula for the allocation of portfolios and the assignment of key responsibilities.
A transitional government is more of a caretaker administration whose main task is to facilitate processes leading to a free, fair and credible election. There have been growing calls for such an election to be supervised by the United Nations–and you do not need a PhD in political science to comprehend this self-evident fact.
Credible dialogue will require the intervention of a mediator who commands gravitas on the international stage. Such a person can be an eminent jurist, a respected statesman or a retired UN bureaucrat.
But we should be very careful with power-sharing arrangements which morph into elitist pacts. Some politicians would see this as a glorious opportunity to jostle for a prime slot at the feeding trough. Others would be naturally inclined to use the veneer of borrowed legitimacy to prolong regime survival. In the hands of crooked politicians, the national interest is sacrificed on the altar of primitive accumulation and power retention.
For any dialogue to lead to a desirable outcome, it is vital for Zimbabweans to clearly define their expectations. What do people want from a national conversation?
To be sure, there is often no substitute for dialogue, but we have to guard against leading people down the garden path. Zimbabwe had a power-sharing government from 2009 to 2013. What happened to that adventure?
Yes, the economy registered a remarkable uptick, bringing to an end a devastating period of hyperinflation. A success of sorts, perhaps. But the power-sharing government failed its most important test: entrenching democracy. Sure, the country emerged with a glitzy new constitution. The question is: did that prevent electoral theft? Did it bring to an end extra-judicial killings? Did it stem corruption and economic mismanagement?
The biggest lesson from all this is that a negotiated political settlement is no miracle cure. The virus of bad governance is not eliminated through elitist handshakes and dazzling photo opportunities.
The answer will only be found in an all-inclusive, democratic and prosperous polity that delivers fair opportunities to everyone who calls Zimbabwe home.
ZANU PF President, Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday appointed a new permanent secretary for the ministry of Health And Childcare.
The first announcement had been hinted by the chief secretary to the president and cabinet.
Mnangagwa appointed Dr Agnes Mahomva to the ministry of Health.
Dr Agnes Mahomva (pictured), heads the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. She has also been the president of the Zimbabwe Medical Association since 2014.
Mnangagwa Appoints Dr Mahomva The New Perm Sec For Health
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa also appointed Simon Masanga as PermSec in the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Opinion By Jones Musara|President ED already said he recognizes that Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s official votes of 2 147 436 show that he enjoys some support of a signficant section of Zimbabweans and as a result had offered him the position of Official Leader of the Opposition as part of Electoral Recognition .
Well placed Sources indicate that Advocate Chamisa does not necessarily reject such offers or ING(Inclusive National Gvnt) but rather want any Electoral Recognition to be an outcome of Bilateral Dialogue between him and H.E President ED and is ready to meet President ED in his capacity as the Zim and Zanu PF President.
Sources indicate that Advocate Chamisa though very aggrieved by the outcome of the 2018 Elections is willing to have bilateral dialogue as a bridge of moving on from the past and ensuring that whatever disputes which marked the 2018 elections do not occur in 2023.
Sources also indicate that Advocate Chamisa is willing to work under President ED for the sake of national unity and progress but however feels after writing 5 letters to President ED requesting bilateral dialogue, its the President’s turn to get in touch and thrash out issues.
Sources indicate the last time the 2 spoke on the phone was in November 2017 soon after President ED had been ousted and Advocate Chamisa called to check if he was okay. Sources indicate that Advocate Chamisa strongly believes a phone call or in person meeting of the 2 could help them thrash out differences.
More info from the sources coming.
Jones Musara is one of Mnangagwa’s prominent social media fanatics who appears to have most first hand information around the President.
Officials revealed that nine attackers, including a woman, detonated the explosives on Easter Sunday which killed at least 359
ONE of the depraved Sri Lankan suicide bombers studied in the UK before returning to the Asian country to commit mass murder, a government minister said.
Officials added that the twisted ISIS extremist also studied a post-graduate degree in Australia but did not reveal his name.
Authorities said that one of the Sri Lankan suicide bombers studied in the UK. This image is said to show extremist cleric Zahran Hashim, middle, along with seven of the attackers
In a news conference, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said: “We believe that one of the suicide bombers studied in the UK and later did his postgraduate studies in Australia.”
Authorities said that there were nine suicide bombers including a woman who murdered at least 359 people on Easter Sunday.
And in an astonishing revelation, Mr Wijewardene said that top intelligence officials deliberately hid information on the attacks and security chiefs did not take action.
The minister also said the horrific attacks must have been planned for at least seven or eight years.
Yesterday, ISIS released a picture which it claims shows seven of the terrorists alongside the mastermind who co-ordinated the horrific massacre.
The image was released by the Amaq news agency — the death cult’s propaganda unit — and is said to show extremist cleric Zahran Hashim.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
At least 359 people killed and 500 injured after seven suicide bombers attacked three churches, four hotels and a block of flats in Sri Lanka
Thirty-nine foreigners were killed including eight Brits, ‘several’ Americans, one Dutch, one Chinese, two Turkish, three Danes and one Portuguese national
Attack carried out by nine suicide bomers, including a woman, while 40 suspects have been arrested
Authorities name local Islamic terror group National Thowheeth Jama’ath as being responsible for the attacks saying they were helped by ‘international network’ of jihadis
ISIS claims the suicide bombers were ‘soldiers of the Islamic State’
Hashim is seen with men in the picture who are all seen standing in front of an ISIS flag.Amaq news agency claimed that the terrorists involved in the attacks were “fighters of the Islamic State”.
In an earlier statement, the extremists said: “The perpetrators of the attack that targeted nationals of the countries of the coalitions and Christians in Sri Lanka before yesterday are fighters from the Islamic State.”
On Monday, the Sri Lankan government named local terror group National Thowheeth Jama’ath as being responsible for carrying out the horrific attacks with the help of an “international network” of Jihadis.
Earlier it emerged that an unverified video posted to social media claimed an ISIS-affiliated group was behind the attacks.
One of the alleged suicide bomber appears in a propoganda videoISIS has claimed the fighters belonged to their brainwashed death cultISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Sri Lanka. Pictured is the Shangri-La Hotel destroyed following the sadistic assault
ISIS-linked group posts disturbing video claiming responsibility for Sri Lanka bombings
The video, purportedly from Al Ghuraba Media, run by supporters of the terror group, featured the chilling message: “This bloody day is our reward to you.”
It also showed photos of three of the alleged suicide bombers.
The men are named as Abul Barra, Abul Mukhtar and Abu Ubaida and appear in front of a black ISIS flag giving a one-finger salute.
While the bombings in Sri Lanka have all the hallmarks of an ISIS attack, the terror group has falsely claimed responsibility for atrocities in the past which were in fact carried out by deranged lone wolves.
But cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday that the sick jihadi bombers were helped by an “international network” of terrorists to plan the coordinated assaults.
“We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country,” Senaratne said.
“There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded.”
In recent years, Sri Lanka has seen at least 32 depraved ISIS soldiers returning to their country following the collapse of their so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq.
However, it is not clear if any of these men were involved in the Easter Sunday bombings.
It also emerged today that a Syrian national was being held in custody in relation to the attacks – one of around 40 suspects detained since the massacres.
Another sinister revelation was the sickening motive behind the depraved mass murder.
Sri Lanka’s state minister of defence Ruwan Wijewardene told parliament today that the bombings were “carried out in retaliation” for the terrorist shootings at two mosques in Christchurch in March.
He said early findings in the ongoing investigation into the bombings showed that Islamic terror group National Thowfeek Jamaath were motivated by the events in New Zealand.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister says one of the Easter Sunday bombers had studied in the UK and Australia
Inside St Anthony’s Shrine after an explosion hit the church in Kochchikade in ColomboAt least 67 people were killed in the bomb attack in St Sebastian’s church in NegomboIn the chilling footage, a suicide bomber walks into St Sebastian’s church moments before he killed dozens insideSri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony’s Shrine
Moment ‘Sri Lankan suicide bomber walks into church with his device in backpack’ seconds before detonating it killing dozens.
The rule of law is fundamental to any functioning democracy. The slightest hint that this principle has been infringed or compromised in any way whatsoever should cause us all to be concerned. This principle is far, far above politics, for it defines the rules of that society…
The attempted eviction of the Parsons / Davies family from Ntabazinduna mountain has touched our sense of justice in a most profound manner … this assault upon the Parsons / Davies family is unjust irrespective of what anyone may say.
Should it be effected upon the Parsons / Davies family then our current administration will pay a very heavy price indeed, from within the country, in the region and from the international world. Traditional leaders will be at the forefront of this campaign.
The College of Amakhosi is asking all of those who have that sense of justice within them, from where ever they are in the country and the world, to join hands with us in our campaign.
The College of Amakhosi rejects and deplores what (President Mnangagwa’s) administration is doing on Ntabazinduna Mountain. In order to change the mind-set of this administration, strong and robust action must be taken against it.
The Parsons / Davies family are a part of the Ntabazinduna family. An attack on this family is an attack upon the whole of the Ntabazinduna family. An attack upon the Ntabazinduna family is an attack upon the whole Ndebele Nation family.
The College of Amakhosi ( Chiefs ) has a memberships of Chiefs from all provinces in the country and they are fully behind Inkhosi Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni’s position on this. For he is the custodian of Ntabazinduna Mountain on behalf of the people of Ntabazinduna and the whole Ndebele Nation.
His legal and constitutional responsibilities are to maintain and protect the customs, traditions, practises, customs, norms and history of his people. Ntabazinduna Mountain embodies all of these legal and constitutional responsibilities.
The Amakhosi (chiefs) local people, Parsons / Davies, white commercial farmers, black commercial farmers, workers on all commercial farms and Ndebele nation, are of one mind on this matter….
Hence The College of Amakhosi (Chiefs) are calling for the US Government and European Union to immediately increase and tighten all the sanctions and travel restricts they have applied to date against this administration. For it is evident that this administration is only playing lip service to the reforms identified by the international community.
Indeed by the evidence of what is happening on Ntabazinduna mountain, this administration is still engaged in evicting farmers in the most inhuman way.
This eviction does not have any high moral ethos or political ideology attached to it at all, but has everything to do with corruption and basic thuggery. This eviction does not recognise the local people of Ntabazinduna or indeed the whole of Matabeleland….
This eviction has impoverished the local people all for the sake of a corrupt few individuals. This eviction has already made local people unemployed with absolutely no prospects at all, of them gaining a livelihood elsewhere.
This eviction is making families destitute. As a result families are not able to pay for medical treatment or medication because of this eviction.
The children of families are now being turned away from local schools because the parents are unable to pay the school fees, because of this eviction. The stress on family lives is now unbearable, because of this eviction. The human suffering caused by this eviction nullifies any possible advantages one may seek to obtain by this eviction….
Floyd Ambrose is not from Ntabazinduna but was taken on as a game keeper. Next to the piggery was a formidable wild game sanctuary. The wild game was extensive and records prove that indeed this was a professional operation. Hence Floyd Ambrose was trained within this field. However, the farm invasions destroyed the whole wild game reserve…
Through corruption Floyd Ambrose got a part of the farm and immediately gutted the whole game lodge. A lodge was burnt and infrastructure was demolished and sold off. He then also proceeded to demolish the infrastructure for the piggery, selling off roofing, doors, window, piping, etc.
Floyd Ambrose then engaged in deforestation of the Sacred Ntabazinduna Mountain. He also engaged in gold panning on the Sacred Ntabazinduna Mountain. There is evidence of fires all over the Sacred Ntabazinduna Mountain. There is also evidence of defecation all over the Sacred Ntabazinduna Mountain. Any people that regard a particular place as being sacred or of spiritual value, would be incensed….
We will only relent when our objective has been achieved, i.e. the Parson / Davis family back on the Mountain, with the Traditional leaders in full charge and control of that Sacred Mountain.
Chief Nhlanhla Felix Ndiweni succeeded his late father as Paramount Chief of Zimbabwe’s Ndiweni people in 2014. He was sent to London in 1981 to study for a degree in engineering technology and mechanical engineering, and lived in the UK for more than 20 years. He also has degrees in management studies, specialising in local governance, and law. He is committed to bringing independence and an end to poverty to his people through individual property rights.
A suspected poacher has been shot and killed by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers while three others managed to escape after a gunfire exchange at Hwange National Park.
Zimparks public relations manager Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident and reminded the would-be poachers that the authority will continue with its zero tolerance to poaching as part of efforts to protect the country wildlife resources.
“We urge our citizens to take hid of the fact that national parks are no-go areas as we will do everything to protect our treasured wildlife resources,” he said.
A rifle was recovered after the gunfire exchange and according to the authority the net is closing in on the three suspected poachers who managed to escape.
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.
Farai Dziva| Dynamos prodigal son Tonderayi “Stanza” Ndiraya has bounced back as head coach following the dismissal of Lloyd Chigowe.
Chigowe was fired on Monday night after the team conceded their fourth straight defeat across all competitions.
The executive held a crisis meeting after the Herentals loss and made a decision on the future of the gaffer who took over from Lloyd Mutasa in September last year.
He managed to steer the team out of the relegation zone and was named the substantive coach at the end of the season.
But a slow start to the campaign saw him becoming the first coach in 2019 to be sacked.
Farai Dziva| Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors have been invited to a fourteen-day tour of Germany where they will play a couple of practice matches.
According to the Herald, GeBe Sports and Education International who are based in Hamburg, Germany, recently invited coach Tonderai Ndiraya and his team to visit the European country from May 12 – 26.
The tour was facilitated by UK-based junior coach Philip Zulu.
The visit will see Zimbabwe playing lower Bundesliga teams like HSV Hamburg, St Pauli Hamburg, Holstein Keil and VfB Lubeck which is home to Zimbabwean duo of Shama Bako and Seth Patrick.
However, Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela says they are yet to receive an official communication from GeBe Foundation. But Zulu has revealed that the organisers will soon send another official invitation letter to the Zifa Secretariat.
Jane Mlambo| ZCTU President Peter Mutasa, Secretary General Japhet Moyo and five others who were facing charges of participating in an unlawful gathering and attempting to cause public disorder for Organising and participating in the 11 October 2018 demonstration have been acquitted by a Harare Magistrate.
The Magistrate granted their application for dismissal which was filed at the closure of the state case.
Meanwhile Moyo and Mutasa will be appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court tomorrow 25 April on treason charges for calling for the January 14-16 stay away.
Farai Dziva|Former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Moyo has revealed that Patrick Chinamasa oversaw the drafting of the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
Moyo has denied POSA is his baby.The former Zanu PF strategist stands accused of crafting POSA and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act(AIPPA) to silence dissenting voices.
“While John Nkomo was home affairs minister, it’s Patrick Chinamasa as Justice minister who oversaw the drafting of POSA, presented and defended it in the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, which he chaired; and who tabled and argued for it in Cabinet and later steered it in Parliament, ” Moyo tweeted.
Farai Dziva|Controversial MDC T deputy president, Obert Chaurura Gutu has castigated MDC A deputy chairperson Tendai Biti for predicting a total economic demise.
An irate Gutu described Biti as a prophet of doom.
“The usual prophets of doom are declaring that Zimbabwe’s economy will collapse by June, 2019.
Well, well, well, this, of course, is not gonna happen. Economic challenges are there but then, only a person from outer space can declare that Zimbabwe’s economy will collapse by June,” said Gutu.
Gutu was responding to the article in which Biti declared that the country’s economy would collapse by June 2019.The article was published by Zimeye.com yesterday.
Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has scoffed at Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra that Zimbabwe is open for business at a time the nation is grappling with relentless economic woes.
Speaking at a news conference in the capital today Chamisa lamented the state of affairs in the country.
” Nobody is spared by the current hyperinflation we are facing. There has no been salary increment,our civil servants only got 20%.”
“Our basic commodity prices are increasing everyday.Most of our workers are spending their time in queues.We are not open for bussiness.That cannot be possible at this juncture,” said Chamisa
Pictures of the National Standing Committee meeting at Morgan Tsvangirai House today (Tuesday).
Nelson Chamisa Nelson Chamisa and Elias MudzuriTendai BitiCharlton HwendeTendai BitiNational Standing Committee Douglas MwonzoraElias MudzuriMorgen KomichiHappymore ChidzivaLynette Karenyi KoreNational Standing Committee
By Own Correspondent- At least 10 people, among them 4 children escaped death by a whisker after a house they were sleeping in was engulfed by furious flames on Wednesday morning in Tshithaudze Suburb in Beitbridge.
The Beitbridge Municipality’s Head of Emergency Services George Maseko said that the fire broke out at around 5 AM, a local publication has reported.
The house was extensively damaged by the fire while a car that was parked in the yard was burnt to a shell.-StateMedia
Farai Dziva|Prominent social media commentator Antony Taruvinga has sensationally claimed that MDC A Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora is facing the dire consequences of being too ambitious.
Mwonzora’ s attempt to challenge MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has at the national congress hit a snag as he failed to garner even a single nomination for the presidency.
“These are dire implications associated with being ambitiously careless.
Jealous and malice shouldn’t control the head, let the brains do their work. Timing and fair assessment of the environment must first take charge. “
“Now how does it feel, the one who was gunning for presidency is now painfully defending his current SG position.
The one intending to take over is gaining more ground than the defender. Its actually hell under the sun. Chalton Hwende is likely to win the seat despite his perceived or real weaknesses. All because of
LOYALTY . The MDC is a party that had faced rebellion a couple of times. People are tired of divisions and breakaways,” Taruvinga argued.
Farai Dziva|A tropical cyclone threatens to wreak havoc in parts of Tanzania and Mozambique later this week.
However according to the Zimbabwean Meteorological Services Department, the cyclone will not affect the country.
The new cyclone, named Cyclone Kenneth, gained strength on Tuesday and Meteo France (the French national meteorological service) rated it a moderate tropical storm.
Meteorologists say that a moderate tropical storm contains sustained winds of 63-87 km/h (39-54 mph).
Cyclone Kenneth is expected to bring torrential rainfall on the island of Madagascar before crossing the Mozambique channel and hitting the Eastern coastline.
The storm could further strengthen on Thursday as it approaches the southern coast of Tanzania and northern coast of Mozambique.
Kenneth could make landfall on Thursday midday, bringing rainfall amounting to 200-300 mm (8-12 inches) from Wednesday through Sunday.
By Own Correspondent Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has implored the current administration to reward tobacco farmers accordingly arguing that it is unfair for government to pay them using bond notes.
Chamisa said contrary to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s claims that “Zimbabwe was open for business”, the country was shut for business due to the myriad of challenges being experienced by business people in Zimbabwe.
Said Chamisa at a press conference at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare Tuesday afternoon:
“Business people cannot do business. The big business people are spending time queuing for fuel. Zimbabwe is actually shut for business.
We note with a heavy heart the obtaining situation on the ground for tobacco farmers. The kind of day light robbery affecting the tobacco farmers where they are being paid using the available currency which even Mnangagwa cannot even pronounce. It is daylight robbery, it is criminal because we not selling tobacco in bond notes. Tobacco farmers should be paid accordingly….
It does not end there. It’s also about every other farmer. Farming has become a cursed business because we have people in government who are not serious about business. Farming has to be about business, productivity empowerment and making sure that we avail to them the necessary support in the markets.”
Farai Dziva|War veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya has blamed ruling party enemies for sabotaging economic revival efforts.
Mahiya also defended Emmerson Mnangagwa whom he praised for his principled stance on reconciliation.
“It is not the fault of the ruling party or government, but it is the fault of the enemy who has made inroads and advanced in tactics to ensure that the economy doesn’t perform because of sanctions and many other issues that are being unleashed to the Zimbabwean people.
It is up to us as a nation to advance and force the enemy to retreat by uniting. It is time to unite and set aside our differences and confront the enemy so that we achieve our goals and at least have food on our tables,” claimed Mahiya.
Over the past several months, ZANU PF has resorted to the Mugabe-era tactic of blaming Western countries for anything and everything negative.
The Meteorological Services Department has published the below presser on Cyclone Kenneth.
The Met Department said there no rain is projected for Zimbabwe during this period till Saturday 27 April.
It said it will affect Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania. The statement reads in full:
Tropical Storm Kenneth off the main coast of Madagascar is expected to strengthen into a Tropical Cyclone, and if it maintains its present westerly trajectory, it is set to make landfall near the Tanzanian border with Mozambique on Thursday evening (just after 6 pm) 25 April with a circulatory speed of approximately 200 km/hr.
Areas that might be affected by heavy rains till Saturday 27 April are the southern parts of Tanzania, northern provinces of Mozambique and Malawi.
No rain is projected for Zimbabwe during this period till Saturday 27 April; mostly sunny and warm conditions are anticipated as we enter the weekend.
The Department will continue monitoring the conditions and update the nation accordingly.
Farai Dziva|A Gutu man fatally stabbed his father with a sharp object for allegedly calling his mother a prostitute, police in Gutu have said.
According to the police in Gutu, Steward Ganda (23) of Ganda Village under Chief Mazuru stabbed his father, Diti Ganda (60), on the forehead for calling his mother a prostitute.
Diti also told his son that he was not his biological father.The incident happened last week.
According to the police, the two were drinking beer together on the fateful day and around 5pm, they decided to return home.
On the way home, Diti then told his son that he was not his biological father. He also described Ganda’ s mother as a loose woman.
Watch the People’s President Nelson Chamisa as he responds to questions among others on a story that he is set to meet ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The LIVE presser begins shortly. (refresh this page to watch).
The development comes after a local paper said Mnangagwa and Chamisa are set to meet face-to-face at the memorial service of the late MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai.
The memorial service for the former Prime Minister will be held at Humanikwa village in Buhera on May 4.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana was noncommittal when asked by the Daily News about Mnangagwa’s availability for the service citing security reasons. He said: “We cannot disclose the itinerary of the president this early for security reasons. We are going to give a position when the time comes. “
The Tsvangirai family spokesman, Manase Tsvangirai, said: “This memorial is open to everyone be it political parties, churches, individuals or other organisations, everybody is being invited, the reason is that Morgan made friends with everyone during the Government of National Unity, so we cannot be found singling out some people that they must not attend.
“Even Zanu PF is invited. We have sent invitations through the right protocol channels. We also invited … Mnangagwa, we sent through the invitation and an accompanying letter.
“Morgan was a former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and not of a party and because of that there is no way we can have selected people to attend. Morgan worked for Zimbabwe and we are saying everyone, … is invited. This is going to be a very big function.”
While addressing party supporters at a campaign rally in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza ahead of the July 30 elections last year, Chamisa claimed that ZANU PF had a hand in the death of Tsvangirai. He said: “Now, I want to say it publicly: I have never told you that there are people who connived to kill Tsvangirai in the vain hope that they would have killed the struggle as well, not knowing that they were rekindling a brighter flame that will consume dictatorship in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Why did you kill him only to shed crocodile tears…? I was trained by Tsvangirai and he showed me the way hence it was not difficult for me to see their hand when Zanu PF attempted to dictate the leadership question in our party.
Chamisa and Mnangagwa have not met face to face since the disputed July 30 harmonised elections held in 2018.
By Own Correspondent| Johane Marange Apostolic Church members caused a commotion at Marondera Provincial Hospital on Monday after they stormed the facility to “rescue” a fellow congregant.
The church member was admitted at the hospital after he suffered facial injuries in the Macheke accident that killed 13 people on Easter Monday.
The man at the centre of the controversy was the driver of the Nissan Caravan that was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit.
The Kombi was ferrying some apostolic sect members from Mutare to Karimbika in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe when the fatal accident occurred.
The driver was in excruciating pain but the hospital had to discharge him after his churchmates declared that their sect does not allow their members to seek medical attention, but rather prayers.
The driver reportedly rejected injections until his kin came to take him away from the hospital.
He was discharged and taken to his home area in Murambinda.-Newsday
FIFTY-EIGHT people were killed, while 397 others were injured countrywide in 674 road accidents that were recorded during this year’s Independence and Easter holidays.
The statistics were recorded between Independence Day and Monday.
During the same period last year, 44 people died, while 329 were injured in 757 accidents recorded.
In a statement, National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The major causes of the accidents were overtaking errors resulting in head-on collisions and side swipes, misjudgement and speeding.”
Meanwhile, police have released seven names of the 11 people who were killed in a head-on collision at the 118km peg along Harare-Mutare Road in Macheke.
Seven members of the Apostolic Church were among the 11 dead.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the seven are: Lovemore Mukada (48), Mavis Mapfava, Tonderai Matsika, Shelly Mazengera (50), Olivia Mushonga, Fradreck Chipembere and Amos Gonamombe, all of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe.
Their next of kin have been informed.
“There are four unidentified bodies comprising two male and two female adults at Rusape District Hospital mortuary. We are appealing to members of the public who may be missing their relatives to come forward and assist in the identification of the deceased,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges drivers to have a mindset of safety whilst driving on the roads and realise taming road carnage is the responsibility of all.”
A Nissan Caravan with 22 passengers from the Apostolic Church on board who were on their way from a church service in Bazeley Bridge, Marange, collided with a Honda Fit which had four occupants.
On approaching the 118km peg, the driver of the Honda Fit encroached into the lane of the oncoming Nissan Caravan while intending to overtake another vehicle resulting in the head-on collision.
All the four occupants in the Honda Fit died on the spot, while the Nissan Caravan overturned once and landed on its roof, killing seven people on the spot.
Sixteen people were seriously injured and were taken to Marondera Hospital for treatment.
A tropical cyclone is expected to make landfall in Mozambique later this week, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed.
Speaking to TimesLIVE, SAWS forecaster Wayne Venter said Cyclone Kenneth was currently a moderate tropical storm and was expected to make landfall on Thursday afternoon.
“The storm’s current location is 10 degrees south and 49.6 degrees east off Madagascar’s coast. It is expected to affect the southern parts of Tanzania and northern side of Mozambique,” he said.
Venter said the cyclone was not expected to cause as much damage as Cyclone Idai, which hit in March and killed more than 1,000 people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
“This is a moderate cyclone, whereas Idai was an intense cyclone,” he said.
“We’re expecting heavy rainfall, flooding and sustained winds of 130km/h to 150km/h. This will be coupled with high swells – between 6m and 8m – and rough sea conditions.”
Police are still battling to arrest a 50-year-old Harare man, Petros Pomborokani, who allegedly shot and killed his estranged wife and brother-in-law at their Gletwin home in Harare following a protracted marital dispute last month and is threatening to kill more people through international phone calls.
The whereabouts of Pomborokani, a former Ministry of Health and Child Care official, are still a mystery amid widespread belief that he could have skipped the country through illegal points.
Police have appealed for information on the whereabouts of Pomborokani, who is suspected to be holed up in South Africa or Namibia.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said investigations were still in progress.
Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa will this afternoon address a press briefing whose agenda is yet to be disclosed.
According to a notice send out to the media this morning, the press conference will be addressed by Chamisa and the entire party leadership.
“Members of the media are cordially invited to a Press Conference today at Morgan Tsvangirai Hse at 1400hrs to be addressed by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the entire party leadership.”
ZimEye will stream the press conference live on Facebook.
Jane Mlambo| Struggling Zimbabwe football giants, Dynamos Football Club who parted ways with Lloyd Mablanyo Chigowe yesterday have unveiled another Dembare son Tonderai Ndiraya as the new coach
Ndiraya who had a stint with the Harare giants as an assistant to Kallisto Pasuwa has bounced back at the struggling giants.
The new Dynamos coach has a mamoth task to reignite fire at the club which has only collected three points from their first four games losing to small clubs such as Herentals among others.
Ndiraya who is also the Young Warriors coach has had a succesful stint with moneybags Ngezi Platinum Stars where he won the Chibuku Super Cup in 2016.
Police in Mashonaland Central province have launched a manhunt for a security guard, who fled after allegedly struck his colleague with an axe at Glenbroke Farm, Concession on Tuesday last week.
Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Petros Masikati told NewsDay that the wounded man is currently admitted at Concession District Hospital while the suspect is still at large.
“We have launched a manhunt for Vhanda Madhevere (age not given), who reportedly struck Edson Jonasi with an axe once on the head after he had been advised by the complainant not to use harsh words on his superiors,” Masikati said.
“The incident happened around 7pm. After committing the alleged crime, Madhevere disappeared from the scene while Jonasi was rushed to Concession Hospital where he is currently admitted.”
Early this month, a gold panner, believed to be a Gokwe resident, reportedly stabbed his colleague over a girlfriend and the victim eventually succumbed to the wounds.
Last week, three suspects were in court over the murder of two soldiers in Bindura following a dispute over girlfriends
Harare Mayor, Herbert Gomba has updated residents that the municipality has received chlorine after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe released $150 000 last night.
In an update to Harare residents, Gomba said;
“Supplies of chlorine gas have started arriving at Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant ensuring that water treatment continues. We continue to engage the monetary authorities (RBZ)for payment to other suppliers of different chemicals to be done :the arrival of chlorine gas is as a result of the RBZ releasing $150 000,00US DOLLARS ? LAST NIGHT.
Below is a brief chemicals status report ??
water treatment chemicals status report I got today @Lime- nothing in stock @HtH only enough till end of the day today @Sulphuric Acid- Nothing in Stock @Chlorine- Supplied today @Alum- 4-5 days stock @Carbon- Enough in stock
Gomba added that the situation is still bad saying they are still engaged for more resources.
Jane Mlambo| ZAPU President Dumiso Dabengwa, who has been unwell since December 2018, has left for India where he will seek medical attention, the party spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa has said.
“The trip, that was planned since he was in South Africa a few months ago finally materialised on Monday when he left Bulawayo, flying through Harare to India where his doctors secured better facilities from their counterparts in that country,” said Maphosa.
He added that the decorated liberation war icon had been complaining of fatigue owing to his condition.
“The public will be kept updated of President Dabengwa’s recovery and journey to full health,” added Maphosa.
The Norton MP Temba Mliswa who has begun campaigning for a return of “the November 2017 spirit,” has called on ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint opposition members into senior government positions.
The development comes barely 2 days after Mliswa said the military run Joint Operations Command must move in to control prices.
Below were Mliswa’s Tweets:
1/Independence Reflections..I recall the unity of purpose of 18Nov 2017 where people of all colours, races, political affiliations, non political, security forces, government etc marched in solidarity to remove RGM; that’s the spirit that’ll turnaround Zim, together we’re strong!
2/ ZANUPF had their chance but alone can’t get Zim out of the doldrums, it just doesn’t have the capacity and is riddled with corruption. Emmerson Mnangagwa as a democratic reformist, it’s now time to put the best team forward for Zim just as the Presidential Advisory Committee
3/ For as long as we have a wholly ZANUPF Government we won’t move. Trevor Ncube, Shingi Munyeza, Emmerson Mnangagwa magnanimity & leadership must be shown by embracing everyone. He needs performers and the current Cabinet lacks traction.
Jane Mlambo|Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa is losing sleep over the state of the economy saying it is proving difficult to be a perfect leader in a country where people are hungry, unhappy and disappointed.
Posting on Twitter yesterday, Chamisa said sleeping peacefully when Zimbabwe is burning has proved to be very difficult for him.
” It’s so difficult to sleep peacefully when OUR ZIMBABWE is in such a disaster. It’s so so hard to be a perfect leader with many people in such deep trouble. It’s so harassing to lead hungry,unhappy and disappointed people upon shattered dreams, unmet aspirations & dashed hopes,” said Chamisa.
It’s so difficult to sleep peacefully when OUR ZIMBABWE is in such a disaster. It’s so so hard to be a perfect leader with many people in such deep trouble. It’s so harassing to lead hungry,unhappy and disappointed people upon shattered dreams, unmet aspirations & dashed hopes.
WHEN the inevitable messy ending came, it was rough — the public rejection by his fans, the psychological trauma of watching them cheer the opponents and the brutality of the confirmation he was yet another horrible gamble that backfired spectacularly.
His face had been transformed into a source of some sickening abuse on social media, his nickname was now being ridiculed as symptomatic of the man, and all his crippling weaknesses, and his profile had been battered by the negativity generated by a marriage made in hell.
Lloyd Chigowe walked alone for one last time carrying the identity of “Dynamos coach,” on Easter Monday, seeking the sanctuary of the dressing rooms as the mob hurled him with all sorts of insults, his lanky figure a symbol of hate for many and a picture of resignation for others.
The ultimate image of failure, consumed by the demands of the dream job he had always fancied, swallowed by the challenges that come with coaching this DeMbare, itself a pathetic imitation of the original Dynamos, the one which once ruled this kingdom.
All the bravado he had shown in the recent past, including terming himself the “Special One,’’ lost in the moment of failure and a sharp contrast to that queer smile he used to flash after his fire-fighting mission last season ended in an obscure triumph of beating relegation.
Some reports even say he wore a mask on Sunday, which is hard to deny given the rampaging mob outside who were demanding a pound of his flesh, to escape from the stadium, which until these Glamour Boys started to become a punching bag, represented their Theatre of Dreams.
What can’t be disputed is that he fled from everyone — the media who were waiting for him to explain how everything had fallen apart so spectacularly, the opposing coach who was waiting for a handshake and the mob baying for his blood.
He probably also fled from MaBlanyo, this figure of hate and failure, which had sleep-walked into a job that was clearly bigger than the sum of the parts of its football knowledge.
The Norton MP Temba Mliswa has begun campaigning for a return of “the November 2017 spirit”.
The development comes barely 2 days after Mliswa said the military run Joint Operations Command must move in to control prices.
Below were Mliswa’s Tweets:
1/Independence Reflections..I recall the unity of purpose of 18Nov 2017 where people of all colours, races, political affiliations, non political, security forces, government etc marched in solidarity to remove RGM; that’s the spirit that’ll turnaround Zim, together we’re strong!
2/ ZANUPF had their chance but alone can’t get Zim out of the doldrums, it just doesn’t have the capacity and is riddled with corruption. Emmerson Mnangagwa as a democratic reformist, it’s now time to put the best team forward for Zim just as the Presidential Advisory Committee
3/ For as long as we have a wholly ZANUPF Government we won’t move. Trevor Ncube, Shingi Munyeza, Emmerson Mnangagwa magnanimity & leadership must be shown by embracing everyone. He needs performers and the current Cabinet lacks traction.
ZIMRA has announced an auction that shall happen in Harare on the 25th of April 2019. Vehicles and other goods will be sold at the event. Read the full statement below:
Rummage sale Harare April 2019
Duly instructed by the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Empire Auctions will conduct a Customs Rummage Sale for Harare Ports at Harare Show Ground —Rajiv Gandhi Hall, on Friday 26 April 2019 starting at 1000hrs. View Date : Thursday 25 April 2019 from 0900hrs to 1600hrs.
VEHICLES (To be viewed at Manica and Bak Storage)
1×1998 Mercedez Benz 200E , 1 x1987 Honda Ballade, BMW scrap , Mecerdez Benz scrap , 1 xToyota Avensis, 1 x Landrover Defender, 1 x 1995 Honda Ballade, 1 x Fiat Patio, 1 x BMW 5251, Lifan Motorcycle , 1 x VW Microbus, 1 x Ford Mondeo, 1 x Toyota Camry, 1 x 2012 Ford Everest , 3 x2010 BAW SCAB, 1 x 2010 BAW Inyati Minibus, 1 x 2002 Honda CRV, 1 xOpel Monza, 1 x Opel Astra,1 x Rhino Cam D/Cab, Toyota Mark 21 xaccident damaged 1Tonne Pickup ,1 xNissan Micra saloon ,1 x2000 LDV 400 Convoy Bus ,1 xToyota Hiace , 1 x Mercedez Benz E300 ,1 xToyota Raum , 1 x Isuzu KB300 D/CAB , 1 x Isuzu KB300LX ,MIBENZ ,1 xBMW 520 ,1 xToyota Corolla ,2009 1 xNissan Double Cab, 1 xToyota Mark 2 ,1 xBmw M6 Sedan, I xM/BENZ C200 ,1 xM/BENZ C180 ,1 xlsuzu 200 , 1 xlsuzu KB 280 ,1 xAtfa Romeo, 1 xTrailer, 1 xToyota Hilux2.4D wreck, 1 x Toyota Corrolla ,1 xOpel Astra Monza ,1 xToyota Venture ,1 xBmw 320D , 1 xToyota Corrolla ,1 xBMW 5 Series ,1 xVolvo B7 Bus ,1 xMan Bus, 1 xHonda CRV ,1 xMercedez Benz C180 GOODS Motor Spares ,1 x air compressor,10 x plastic cistern, 10ABC roading eye, 20 x Shower pit trap, 10 x rubber strap, 2 x boxes thread tape, 10 xtoilet seats , 5 xwashing basins,217 xtoilet seats, 83 xpedestals, 55 xPVC fittings,118x sink Basins, 33 xtubs(Bathroom),265 xtoilet cisterns , 5 x seat covers, 2 xpackets weaves, 1 xused lathe machine, 13 xspace fillers , 3 xRefrigerator (BULK) Weight 1800KGS ,1 xbale dish towels(46KG), 3 xsacks Worksuits(188KG) ,two way radios, shoes satchels, belts, necklaces, drones, braids African material, computer accessories, plus Many more.
CONDITIONS OF SALE • A refundable deposit of SUSD 2,000 for vehicles andSUSD500 for goods. SU SD5000 (Big Lots) is required to obtain a buyer’s card. • Entry is strictly to catalogue holders only at S20 per head. • Payment is strictly cash, transfer, swipe at the conclusion of the sale. Forthcoming Rummage Sale Dates: 1. Nyamapanda Border Post-3 May 2019 2. Masvingo -9 May 2019 a Chirundu Border Post— 21 May 2019 4. Mutare-6 June 2019
For more information contact:Empire Auctions 28 Transtobac Complex, Hillside Road, Msasa, Harare Phone: 0782819859, 0714189377, 0773277282, 0242446502 Email: [email protected]
By Own Correspondent| Vice President Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga is in Bulawayo where he is attending the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Business Conference.
Finance and Economic Development minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Industry and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndlovu and Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando are also in attendance.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has surpassed its revenue target for the first quarter of the year, collecting over $2 billion, which is 41,5 percent above its set target of 1,4 billion.
The statistics were released by Zimra chairman Dr Callisto Jokonya in his revenue performance report for the quarter ended March 31.
“Revenue performance for the first quarter pf 2019 surpassed the set target in both gross and net terms. During the quarter, gross collections amounted to $2,059 billion, which was 41,5 percent against the set target of $1,455 billion .
“After deducting refunds of $114,98 million, net collections were $1,944 billion. This translates to a positive variance of 33,62 percent above the target of $1,455 billion,” Dr Jokonya said.
He said the figures of the first quarter had grown by 85,13 percent from the $1,112 billion collected in the same period last year while the net collections grew by 83,82 percent from last year’s $1,057 billion.
“Positive performance is attributed to the significant contributions from the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax, corporate income tax and excise duty.
“This is buttressed by the authority’s revenue enhancement measures and strategies aimed at promoting voluntary compliance,” he added.
In his analysis of specific revenue heads, Dr Jokonya said individual income tax was $235,91 million against a target of $235,21.
He attributed the marginal rise in beating the target due to salary adjustments made and cushioning allowances made to employees during the period under review.
Corporate Income Tax collected was $242,08 million against a target $172 million, translating to a positive variance of 40,74 percent.
“Gross VAT on local sales amounted to $336,7 million, up from the $265,699 million collected in Q1 of 2018. This translates to a positive variance of 9,28 percent above the set target of $308,1 million and a growth factor of 26,7 percent.
“After factoring VAT refunds of $114,35 million, net collections of $222,35 million were 27,83 percent below target. However, when compared to the first quarter in 2018, net collections grew by 5,15 percent from 211,45 million. The revenue head contributed 11,43 percentnof the total net collections during the quarter under review,” Dr Jokonya added.
In the period under review, Dr Jokonya said VAT on imports stood at $127,27 million and 8,23 percent above the set target of $117,6 million.
Customs duty was $91,52 billion, which was below the set target of $110,78 million.
“Excise duty collections amounted to $565,65 million against a target of $242,19 million. This translates to a positive variance of 133,5 percent. Excise duty collections increased by 142,44 percent from $233,32 million realised in the first quarter of 2018. The revenue head contributed 27,47 percent to total net collections during the first quarter of 2019.
“The performance of the revenue head is attributed to increase in the demands of diesel and petrol,” he said.
The IMTT collected was $282,84 million against a target of $150 million.
Dr Jokonya said the revenue targets were expected to continue on a positive trajectory going into the second quarter.
“Despite the challenges the economy is facing, revenue performance is anticipated to maintain a positive trajectory. The fiscal and monetary policies announced by Government give us assurances that the economy is on a recovery path,” he said.
He added that the authority would continue implementing strategies aimed at enhancing tax compliance and expanding the tax base.
By Own Correspondent| Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Petros Masikati has revealed that the police have launched a manhunt for Vhanda Madhevere who fled after allegedly strucking his colleague Edson Jonasi with an axe at Glenbroke Farm, Concession on Tuesday last week.
Speaking to to a local publication, Masikati said:
We have launched a manhunt for Vhanda Madhevere (age not given), who reportedly struck Edson Jonasi with an axe once on the head after he had been advised by the complainant not to use harsh words on his superiors.
The incident happened around 7pm. After committing the alleged crime, Madhevere disappeared from the scene while Jonasi was rushed to Concession Hospital where he is currently admitted.
By Own Correspondent| Chegutu residents are currently demonstrating demanding the resignation of the entire council management for failing to address service delivery issues especially perennial sewage issues.
The placard holding residents this morning beseiged the local authority’s Town House demanding the immediate resignation of the entire management led by Town Clerk Alex Mandigo.
According to the resident,Mandigo has failed in his mandate in a development which they allege has seen the town experiencing perennial water and sewer challenges since 2008.
They accuse council management of prioritising their salaries and allowances at the expense of service delivery to rate payers.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
