By Own Correspondent- Two people are now in police custody over a hoax resurrection video flighted in February by pastor Alph Lukau’s Alleluia Ministries International.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Louw-Mjonondwane confirmed to TimesLIVE on Tuesday afternoon that two people were arrested on fraud charges in connection with the alleged resurrection.

“They are in custody. They will be appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court (soon) to apply for bail,” she said.

Police spokesperson Capt Mavela Masondo said in March that SAPS was investigating three cases of fraud opened in connection with the “resurrection” incident.

“One case was opened by a funeral parlour based here in Gauteng, another case was opened by people who said they were concerned citizens, and a third one was opened by pastor Paseka Motsoeneng,” said Masondo.

Motsoeneng had staged a protest at Lukau’s offices for “bringing Christianity into disrepute” and opened a case at the Sandton police station.

Kings and Queens funeral parlour denied any knowledge of the deceased or selling the coffin to the church.

Brighton Moyo, the man falsely “brought back to life”, has meanwhile died of pneumonia in his home country of Zimbabwe, TimesLIVE reported this week.

There he was known as Thabiso Mlanje, 28.

Initially dubbed “Elliot” by Alleluia Ministries, he had on a previous occasion been “healed” from being confined to a wheelchair, a colleague of his said.

Moyo, who according to his family had been in SA since 2011, had been employed by a customised door manufacturing company prior to going missing after the “resurrection” hoax.

The church had denied knowing in advance that it was a “fake miracle”.

“At no stage did pastor Alph claim that he resurrected the person shown in the video, who was identified to him as Elliot. From the video footage, it is clearly stated that when the mortuary vehicle arrived at the church premises, there was already movement in the coffin.

“Prior to even praying for Elliot, pastor Alph states that Elliot is in fact breathing,” said the church in statement issued at the time the scandal first broke.

READ TAJAMUKA STATEMENT BELOW….

Fellow citizens!

We note with grave concern the skyrocketing of basic commodities, in particular bread. We are very concerned about this. It appears this is just the beginning of another tumble of the RTGS to the great detriment of us-the ordinary people. We cannot remain silent. We have to speak out against the increases of basic commodities which is not mirrored by any positive salary adjustments for those who still have a salary to talk about.

As we announced in our first press conference after the January protests a few days ago, we have begun rolling out another wave of peaceful and non-violent protests against the ill fated Mnangagwa government and it’s bad and anti-people policies.

We cannot ask Mnangagwa and his illegal government to reduce the price of bread as this is not the root cause of the problem but we ask Mnangagwa to reflect on the untold suffering and the abject poverty poverty he has put the nation through.

We are calling for all and sundry to join Tajamuka in condemning him and his government and to call upon them to effectively resolve the economic crisis within a reasonable space of time. Failure to do so will result in earth shattering demonstrations reminiscent of the ones we led in 2016 which led to the abdication of President Mugabe.

Algeria has done it.
Sudan has done it.
Zimbabwe has done it.
And will do it again, this time more wisely!

By Own Correspondent- Nurses at Sadza District Hospital in Chivhu District staged a demonstration over the poor diet given to patients at the health centre while the administration.

The nurses on Tuesday marched from the hospital to the administration block waving placards and chanting songs that denounced the conduct of the administrators.

Said a source who spoke to a local publication:

“The food that is given to patients is pathetic and yet we have those in higher offices spending lavishly on their food and other consumables. They eat bacon and eggs for breakfast and they drink soft drinks daily while patients are fed a very poor diet.”

Contacted for comment, Sadza District Hospital medical officer Hugh Manyere said he was busy:

“I have some visitors who want to donate towards Cyclone Idai. I can’t comment at the moment.

Mashonaland East Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association chairperson Stewart Mudzingwa said that the nurses were justified in their demonstration.

Said Mudzingwa:

The demonstration was justified because there are some issues which we feel should be addressed locally for smooth service delivery rather than to wait for government intervention.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) chief investigation officer Tinashe Madakadze had submitted the financial statements before magistrate Hosea Mujaya as exhibits through prosecutor George Manokore.

Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries yesterday disowned unstamped financial statements presented in court as exhibits in the church’s alleged tax evasion case.

But PHD lawyers Oliver Marwa and Admire Rubaya challenged the documents, saying they wanted to know how they were acquired before they could be tendered as exhibits in court.

PHD Ministries, represented by Tawanda Marimo, is being charged with failing to declare tax on over $28 million revenue accumulated from 2013 to last year.

Madakadze told the court that the documents were retrieved from PHD Ministries’ computers seized from the church’s premises after they refused to voluntarily submit them pertaining to the sale of anointing oil, wrist bands and other items.

The Zimra chief further told the court that after seizing the computers, they asked the accused person to provide the passwords of the computers and they sent two employees, Winnie Matimati and Tatenda Chinguwa, to grant them access into the computer files.

However, Madakadze said after retrieving the documents from their computers, Zimra asked Magaya’s officials to bring their church stamp to authenticate the printouts as the true copies retrieved from their computers, but they refused saying Marimo was responsible for stamping such documents.

Marwa, however, objected to the tendering of the financial statements as exhibits, saying the witness fabricated the documents. This led to the court to conduct a trial within a trial to establish their authenticity.

However, during cross-examination,. a letter from Marimo directing Matimati and Chinguwa to assist Zimra was tendered in court as an exhibit. But the State could not produce the letter in which Marimo accepted the financial statements as legitimate.

Magistrate Mujaya was expected to rule on the said exhibits submission.-DailyNews

By Own Correspondent- The MDC is set to hold its 5th Bulawayo provincial Congress today.

The congress was reportedly shelved several times due to squabbles within the party’s provincial structures.

MDC officials have however denied that the delay in the holding of the Congress has something to do with infighting.

Provincial party spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu said:

“The delay has not been caused by infighting but it was due to the fact that the senior officials, who are supposed to be in charge of the elections, we’re still doing other provinces.

Today (yesterday) we are finishing the remaining wards and the elections will happen concurrently with the remaining district elections after which they will nominate those they want to represent them at the provincial level.

So as soon as this is done, it then means that tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be holding our provincial election.”

Party president Nelson Chamisa has been nominated by all the 8 provinces that have held Congresses so far.-DailyNews

By Own Correspondent- The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has demanded payment of teachers’ salaries in United States dollars.

The teachers’ body said in a statement:

“A living wage for enhanced production. (A reminder submitted to the government today demanding a living wage for teachers.)

15-04-2019
Zimbabwean workers have been hailed globally for being highly competent and hard working.

In a sharp contrast back home they are scorned by their own government at times they are labelled as lazy and unproductive.
The low morale of the working class is caused by underpayment and at times no payment at all.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ has been at the forefront of demanding better wages for the teachers of Zimbabwe in particular.

The Union has been accused of being an agent of regime change and the State has launched an onslaught targeting the leadership and membership of the Union.

ARTUZ is committed to the fight for a living wage and remains undeterred by the State’s barbaric response. A living wage for the working class is fundamental if Zimbabwe is going to unlock its growth potential.

The first learning term of 2019 was a disaster as teachers spent most of the learning term demanding salary increment as they were failing to meet the costs of living.

The government should realise that our economy will only tick when the workers are high productivity. We can’t use the stick to force production but we can motivate through competitive remuneration of our workers.

We don’t want to lose learning time in the second term and we urge the government to sober up and pay its workers in United States Dollars or the market equivalent of the amount agreed in 2012.

Government should realise that if they exploit their own workers they are setting bad precedence which can be emulated by uncouth business people in the private sector.

We have neither run out of ideas nor energy to fight on the streets but we decided to communicate this reminder to our government before squaring off on the streets as has become the norm.

This communique has been delivered to government officials and we will wait for a response before we fight back.”

By Own Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance member who is Nyanga Rural District Council Ward 26 councillor, Elias Mashumba has died.

Mashumba died (Tuesday) after a short illness at Bonda Mission in Mutasa Central.

Trevor Sarawuka, Mutasa Central MP and outgoing MDC Manicaland provincial spokesperson confirmed the sad news.

He said:

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform people of the sad departure of councillor Mashumba, who was elected in July 2018 to represent the interests and concerns of the predominantly forestry area of Erin, Selborne and Mutarazi.

Mashumba was a hardworking councillor whose departure is going to be felt by many. We are sure that the seat is going to remain in the MDC Alliance hands since it has been our stronghold since 2000.”

The spokesperson advised that burial arrangements will be announced in due course.-Newsday

FORMER MDC Masvingo Urban legislator Tongai Matutu yesterday tore into the party’s leadership accusing them of “witchcraft” for rigging elections to choose the party’s new leadership in the province ahead of the national Congress next month.

Matutu said fellow party officials who presided over Masvingo provincial elections at Masvingo Sports Club beginning Monday this week, had sown a “bad seed” that will haunt the opposition party in the 2023 elections.

The former legislator was disqualified from contesting the MDC Alliance Masvingo chairmanship on the grounds that he once quit the party then led by late ex-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai before he re-joined after heeding the MDC founding leader’s call for renegade members to return before his death.

Matutu dumped Tsvangirai’s party and teamed up with Tendai Biti and others to form the People’s Democratic Party.

He rejoined the party before the 2018 harmonised elections and according to his party’s constitution he was barred from holding office for five years for his misdemeanor.

Matutu had covered a lot of ground in the race to lead MDC Alliance in Masvingo before his sudden disqualification on the eve of the polls together with former legislators; Jeffreyson Chitando (Masvingo Central) and Oliver Chirume (Gutu Central).

“The leadership of the party was there from the president (Chamisa) when I was disqualified and I do not know why they allowed that because the law cannot be applied selectively. What difference does it make that one rejoined the party as an individual and others came as part of the MDC Alliance, they know better why they did it, maybe they hate me or know something I don’t, you better ask them,” said Matutu.

He said he was going to win hands down had he been allowed to stand against James Gumbi in the race for the chairmanship.

The former MDC legislator said the pain and disillusionment caused by selective application of the law in disqualifying candidates coupled with blatant manipulation of the actual voting would boomerang on the party in 2023.

“This is a bad seed that has been sown by the leadership because the rigging and stuffing of ballot papers was there for all to see. I can actually equate it to witchcraft for the record. It is shocking that some people who purport to be men of God by day actually practise witchcraft at night and this will come back to haunt them. They will reap witchcraft come 2023,” he said.

Matutu said poor handling of internal polls by the MDC Alliance and its leadership was a blemish on the party’s pretensions to be a democratic movement different from Zanu-PF.

“We have as a party claimed to be victims of rigging during elections but what we witnessed at Masvingo Sports Club was shocking. Talking of the MDC in Masvingo I can safely say pain and anger were written all over the faces of the majority of party members who came with the intention of electing leaders of their choice. The bad seed has been sown in Masvingo and its results will be seen in 2023, the performance of the MDC Alliance will be worse in the next general elections because of what has happened, the level of rigging is shocking.”

Matutu said it will be difficult for the MDC Alliance to mobilise its membership for future electoral contests owing to the rampant disgruntlement caused by the level of electoral dishonesty and manipulation experienced in the party’s Masvingo provincial congress.

Chamisa has almost won the leadership of the party before congress after having been the only one nominated for the post in all the provinces which have so far held their congresses.

The MDC Alliance managed one seat in Masvingo during the 2018 harmonised polls with Zanu-PF bagging the other 25.

State Media

NURSES at Sadza District Hospital in Chivhu yesterday demonstrated against lavish dietary spending by their administration which they said contrasted with the poor meals served to patients.

The nurses walked from the hospital driveway to the administration block, holding placards and singing songs denouncing the institution’s administrators.

Some of the placards read: We need our patients to be prioritised and Sei D.H.E (District Health Executive) Muchidya Chikafu Chakanaka Varwere Vasina (Why do you lavishly serve yourselves while patients are starving).

Contacted for comment, Sadza District Hospital medical officer Hugh Manyere said he was busy.

“I have some visitors who want to donate towards Cyclone Idai. I can’t comment at the moment,” he said.

Confirming the demonstration, Mashonaland East Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association chairperson Stewart Mudzingwa said nurses had written several letters to the district health executive, complaining about poor working conditions and neglect of patients, but there has been no response yet.

“The demonstration was justified because there are some issues which we feel should be addressed locally for smooth service delivery rather than to wait for government intervention,” Mudzingwa said.

According to a source who participated in the demonstration, the hospital administration is buying lavish foodstuffs such as bacon and eggs for breakfast and soft drinks, among others, as part of their daily meals.

The nurses said patients’ meals had become a subject of concern with the health institution sometimes failing to provide bread and other basic foods.

Funds used to purchase food for both patients and hospital executives is raised from fees paid by patients and incentives offered by some non-governmental organisations.

A percentage of the amount is expected to go towards improvement of hospital infrastructure and patients care, most importantly to provide a balanced diet for them.

“The hospital’s maternity ward, for instance, which is supposed to be a private room has a broken door which makes it difficult for health practitioners to work in such an environment,” the source added.

Sadza District Hospital is located 100 kilometres from Chivhu town in Mashonaland East province.

NewsDay

Correspondent|THE ongoing provincial congress in the MDC has torched another storm after former legislator, Tongai Matutu, was disqualified ostensibly because he had not yet reached the five-year threshold before he rejoined the opposition party.

Matutu a former MDC-T member left the party with Tendai Biti to be a member of the now defunct People’s Democratic Party which was integrated into the MDC under the leadership of Nelson Chamisa.

There were chaotic scenes in Masvingo as party supporters protested over the disqualification of Matutu who was the front runner for the provincial chairperson post after the organising department barred him on the pretext that he was still to reach five years since he returned to the party.

Party supporters alleged an uneven playing field, arguing that the same template had not been applied on people like Biti, Professor Welshman Ncube and a host of others who barely had one year since they rejoined the party.

Matutu was set to contest against James Gumbi for the post of provincial chairperson.

“Mr Matutu clearly had the upper hand over his rival Mr Gumbi,” said a source who attended the meeting.

“Several districts had nominated him and everything was going on well until the eleventh hour when the organising department intervened to disqualify him. We suspect that they had realised that he was headed for a victory.”

Others questioned why the organising department intervened ahead of the ZCTU which was charged with running the congress.

“That is our worry,” said another source. “Who is really in charge? Is it the ZCTU or the organising department?

When contacted, party spokesperson, Jacob Mafume said Matutu did not meet the template set out by the party. “He should have applied for a waiver, but unfortunately he did not exercise that right for one reason or the other,” he said.

“Those who applied for a waiver were granted, but he failed to do so.”

THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has urged Zimbabweans to make truthful and honest testimonies that may assist in investigations into post-independence disturbances in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces to pave way for national healing.

NPRC has embarked on a nationwide outreach programme to share with the public mechanisms and approaches that will be used in handling national healing issues, with Gukurahundi being one of the key topics to be discussed.

President Mnangagwa has called for open discussion about Gukurahundi to pave way for national healing.

Speaking during a community hearing pioneered by the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) to bring dialogue between the commission and the public in Bulawayo recently, Commissioner Leslie Ncube said exaggerations may mislead investigators.

“The commission is opening doors to everyone who has information concerning the disturbances in Matabeleland. We are encouraging you to be honest and truthful because additions or subtractions will remove the aspect of accuracy and objectivity in the investigations,” he said.

Comm Ncube said those who feel that passing information through other people may distort their testimonies are free to approach the commission as individuals.

“You can come to us as an individual and give us a detailed account of what happened. We capture them as they are and present them to the authorities. The testimonies should be given without fear or favour because the President opened this platform to everyone,” he said.

Comm Ncube said the commission will also go to the affected people in rural areas to get their testimonies.

“These are communities that were greatly affected and most of them have first hand information,” he said.

ZCA director Reverend Useni said giving testimonies is critical as it necessitates national dialogue towards national healing.

“We want to thank the President for opening up space for the people in Matabeleland to discuss Gukurahundi which was a taboo in the past years. It is good that the ordinary man has been given an opportunity to testify and give detailed accounts of whatever they witnessed. This will pave way for national healing,” he said.

Rev Sibanda said the hearing, which included political parties, civic societies and residents’ representatives, was meant to bring dialogue between NPRC and the public so that the commission gives a preview of what it expects during the 21 days of outreach.

“It is our duty as the church to bring the nation together to pave way for dialogue. Churches are by calling a peace building organisation,” he said.

State Media

GOVERNMENT yesterday called on the Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe to reconsider its position to hike the price of bread and allow for consultations to take place first before any increase is effected.

Yesterday, a loaf of bread was being sold for RTGS$3,50 up from RTGS$2.

This comes as Government on Monday night injected 20 million litres of fuel into the market to augment supplies ahead of the Easter and Independence holidays that begin tomorrow.

Of the 20 million whose distribution started on Tuesday night, diesel constitutes 12 million litres while the remainder is petrol.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, told journalists after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that the bread price hikes, whether by design or otherwise, could dampen the people’s mood ahead of the holidays.

She said move was also against Government’s efforts to engage with all stakeholders, business included.

“The Minister of Industry and Commerce presented to Cabinet a letter by the Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe, stating their intention to immediately hike the price of bread without any recourse to consultations with the Government as is the normal procedure,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.

“Of particular concern to Cabinet also is the timing of the planned price increase, which is coming exactly two days before the national Independence celebrations. Such a move, whether by design or otherwise, certainly has the effect of dampening the mood of the nation. Furthermore, the unilateral action does not bode well to ongoing efforts by Government to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, business included, with a view to creating a stable environment where businesses can compete and thrive.

“It can be recalled that on 29 October 2018, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with business leaders at State House where he stated that Government has an open door policy and stands ready for any engagement and consultations in order to ensure that the economy stabilises. As such, unilateral price hikes, particularly on basic commodities that our people cannot do without is not in consonance with the spirit of mutual engagement that Government is encouraging.”

She went on: “Cabinet, therefore, calls on the Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe to defer the planned hike in the price of bread in order to allow the normal mutual consultations to take place. The consultations are aimed at facilitating a clearer understanding of the issues of concern and to explore solutions thereto.”

On fuel supply ahead of the holidays, Minister Mutsvangwa said: “The Minister of Energy and Power Development Minister informed Cabinet that measures have been taken to ensure that there will be adequate fuel supply with an injection of 20 million which has been uplifted as from last night (Tuesday night). This means there will be enough fuel in the country as we go towards Easter and Independence holidays. There will be enough fuel for all to attend independence celebrations and also for those who may want to travel for Easter.”

She said enough fuel was also available for the 2019 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which runs from April 23 to 27 in Bulawayo.

Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo said the fuel injection was meant to supplement current supplies.

“Our daily consumption of fuel at the moment is about three million litres of diesel per day and two million litres of petrol per day,” he said.

“The 20 million litres injection which started to be uplifted as from last night is an addition to the normal fuel that we normally receive in the market. As far as we are concerned, people must be able to enjoy the holidays without any hitches.”

Enhanced travel during the holiday period means more fuel would be required than the usual consumption.

Meanwhile, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Cde Raj Modi yesterday condemned the latest round of price hikes that have seen the price of bread going up to RTGS$3,50 from RTGS$2 while a 10kg bag of mealie meal now costs RTGS$11,85 up from the recommended retail price of RTGS$6,30.

He said Government has noted with concern rampant price hikes and would soon act on the matter.

“We have realised that prices are going up very often and most commodities are now beyond the reach of consumers. We are working on something to address that matter and we will reveal the details soon. The public must know that we are aware and we care about the consumer and we are doing something,” said Cde Modi.

In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson, Mr Garikai Chaunza, said millers had hiked prices by over 50 percent with effect from Monday.

This came after millers wrote a letter to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce last Friday, notifying it of the price adjustments.

“We adjusted our prices with effect from Monday the 15th of April in line with the new producer prices announced by government. We then sent a letter to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, notifying the ministry of the new prices,” said Mr Chaunza.

He said the new prices had been communicated to bakers, millers and retailers.

In its letter to the Industry and Commerce Ministry, GMAZ said its new prices would come into effect on Monday.

“We welcome the recently announced wheat and maize prices and marvel at the government effort in balancing viable producer prices and affordable subsidy level. Consequently, we wish to advise the following maximum recommended prices of maize meal and bakers’ flours shall apply effective Monday 15 April 2019,” reads the letter from millers to Government.

The letter states that a 10 kg bag of roller meal would go up to RTGS11,85 from the recommended retail price of RTGS6,30 while 50 kgs of bakers flour goes up from RTGS$45 to RTGS$83.

Yesterday, bread, which has been in short supply in the country over the past few weeks, was being sold for RTGS $3,50 per loaf at most outlets in Bulawayo’s Central Business District.

It was going for as much as RTGS$3,80 in high density suburbs.

However, some supermarkets that bake bread as well as small bakeries are selling it at between RTGS$2,50 and RTGS$3 per loaf.

Bakers Inn was giving its customers the option to buy a loaf for US$0,60 while demanding RTGS$3,50 per loaf for those paying in bond notes. Lobels and Proton bread was also going for RTGS $3,50 per loaf.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has lamented the rising cost of living for an average family on the back of recent increases in prices of basic commodities.

In its latest update, the consumer watchdog said the cost of living for a family of six has increased from RTGS$781,35 recorded in February to $790,77 recorded by end of March.

State Media

Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverances (PHD) Ministries yesterday disowned unstamped financial statements presented in court as exhibits in the church’s alleged tax evasion case.

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) chief investigation officer Tinashe Madakadze had submitted the financial statements before magistrate Hosea Mujaya as exhibits through prosecutor George Manokore.

But PHD lawyers Oliver Marwa and Admire Rubaya challenged the documents, saying they wanted to know how they were acquired before they could be tendered as exhibits in court.

PHD Ministries, represented by Tawanda Marimo, is being charged with failing to declare tax on over $28 million revenue accumulated from 2013 to last year.

Madakadze told the court that the documents were retrieved from PHD Ministries’ computers seized from the church’s premises after they refused to voluntarily submit them pertaining to the sale of anointing oil, wrist bands and other items.

The Zimra chief further told the court that after seizing the computers, they asked the accused person to provide the passwords of the computers and they sent two employees, Winnie Matimati and Tatenda Chinguwa, to grant them access into the computer files.

However, Madakadze said after retrieving the documents from their computers, Zimra asked Magaya’s officials to bring their church stamp to authenticate the printouts as the true copies retrieved from their computers, but they refused saying Marimo was responsible for stamping such documents.

Marwa, however, objected to the tendering of the financial statements as exhibits, saying the witness fabricated the documents. This led to the court to conduct a trial within a trial to establish their authenticity.

However, during cross-examination,. a letter from Marimo directing Matimati and Chinguwa to assist Zimra was tendered in court as an exhibit.

But the State could not produce the letter in which Marimo accepted the financial statements as legitimate.

Magistrate Mujaya was expected to rule on the said exhibits submission.

NewsDay

Nyanga Rural District Council ward 26 councillor Elias Mashumba (MDC Alliance) has died.

Mashumba died yesterday at Bonda Mission in Mutasa Central after a short illness. Mutasa Central MP and outgoing MDC Manicaland provincial spokesperson Trevor Saruwaka confirmed the development.

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform people of the sad departure of councillor Mashumba, who was elected in July 2018 to represent the interests and concerns of the predominantly forestry area of Erin, Selborne and Mutarazi,” he said.

“Mashumba was a hardworking councillor whose departure is going to be felt by many. We are sure that the seat is going to remain in the MDC Alliance hands since it has been our stronghold since 2000.”

Saruwaka said burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|Major chicken feed suppliers have announced a huge increase in the price of chicken feed with effect from Monday.

Zimbabweans had resorted to living on chicken which was suddenly cheaper than beef which was way more expensive and had turned into a luxury for the average person.

The new prices most of which are more than double are certainly set to shoot the price of chicken meat to unaffordable levels.

Beef is averaging $12 per kg while chicken has been averaging $6 per kg giving Zimbabweans an option over beef.

Below are the new prices announced by one of the big feed distributors in the country.

PROFEEDS RETAIL PRICE LIST

Day old chicks $2.10 per chick Effective 15/04/19

BROILER FEED
Effective 16/04/19
Br Starter Crumbs 50kg $77.00
Br Starter Crumbs 25kg $41.00
Br Starter Crumbs 10kg $17.00

Br Grower Pellets / Crumbs 50kg $75.00
Br Grower Pellets/Crumbs 25kg $40.00
Br Grower Pellets 10kg $16.5

Br Finisher Pellets 50kg $73.00
Br Finisher Pellets 25kg $39.00
Br Finisher Pellets 10kg $16.00

Br Starter Concentrate 50kg $133.00
Br Starter Concentrate 10kg $28.00

Br Grower Concentrate 50kg $131.00
Br Grower Concentrate 10kg $27.50

Br Finisher Concentrate 50kg $129.00
Br Finisher Concentrate 10kg $27.00

LAYER FEED
Chick Starter Mash 50kg $68.00
Layer Developer / Pullet 50kg $53.00
Pre – lay Mash 50kg $58.00
Layers Mash Phase 1 50kg $63.00
Layers Mash Phase 2 50kg $62.00

Layers Mash 10kg 10kg $14.5
Chick Starter Concentrate 50kg $131.00
Layer Developer Concentrate 50kg $90.00
Layers Concentrate 50kg $110.00

PIG FEED
Boar & Sow Meal 50kg $57.00
Pig Creep Meal 50kg $74.00
Pig Weaner Meal 50kg $76.00
Pig Grower Meal 50kg $65.00
Pig Finisher Meal 50kg $64.00
Pig Grower Concentrate 50kg $105.00
Pig Finisher Concentrate 50kg $90.00
Pig Lactating Meal 50kg 68.00

HORSE FEED
Pony Meal 10% 50kg $29.00
Maintanance 12% 50kg $35.00
Breeding Horse 14% 50kg $39.00
Sporting Horse 16% 50kg $45.00
Sport High Energy Muesli 12% 40kg $34.00
Supersport Horse Muesli 14% 50kg $36.00
Lucerne Cubes 40kg $60.00
Oats 50kg $60.00

DOG FOOD
Dog Food 8kg $23.00
Dog Meal 8kg $21.00
Dog Meal 10kg $23.00

RABBIT FEED
Rabbit Pellets 25kg $42.00
Rabbit Pellets 50kg $75.00

Duck Pellets 50kg $65.00
FISH FOOD
Tilapia Starter 0 10kg $41.00
Tilapia Starter 1 10kg $41.00
Tilapia Starter 2 10kg $41.00
Tilapia Starter 3 10kg $41.00
Tilapia Juvenile 1 25kg $82.00
Tilapia Juvenile 2 25kg $72.00
Tilapia Grower 25kg $62.00
Broodstock 25kg $83.00
Harvest 25kg $61.00
Pond Pellets 25kg $45.00
Trout Grower 1 25kg $63.00
Trout Grower 2 25kg $64.00

BEEF FEEDS
Heifer Grower Meal 50kg $35
Dry Cow Meal 50kg $33
Beef Finisher Meal 50kg $31.00

CATTLE SALT 60kg $75

DAIRY FEEDS
Calf Development Meal 50kg $43.00
Top Dairy Meal 18% Ultra 50kg $41.00

By Own Correspondent- Armed soldiers and police reportedly evicted about 3 000 families in Chemagora, Sikombela, Bhadha and Sibusiso, under Chief Njelele in Gokwe.

The homeless villagers have put the blame on Chief Njelele and ZANU PF politicians who settled them in the area.

One villager, Nehemia Musakiri (75) told News Day that he has been in the area for close to 19 years. Musakiri said:

I have been living in this area for 19 years after moving in during the land reform programme, which was spearheaded by former President Robert Mugabe. Since then, many Zanu PF parliamentary candidates have been to this area seeking for votes and they promised to legalise our stay, but they did not.

Another villager, Sandra Mutisi narrated that their home was demolished in 2013 immediately after elections. This forced them to stay in makeshift houses for more than a month.

She said:

Former legislator Doroth Mhangami promised to legalise our settlement, but we were surprised as armed soldiers and police came and destroyed our homes. We were forced to stay in the open for more than a month.

Mutisi added that a year later, former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko assured residents of their safety.

A News Day article reports that the land dispute has resulted in the murder of one farm owner by illegal settlers after he shot one of them. It has also resulted in Chief Njelele dragged to courts on accusations of illegally resettling these farmers.

By Own Correspondent- Arundel School in Mt Pleasant, Harare has hiked second term school fees up to $10 800 local currency or US$2 455, for full borders.

A letter dated 12 April 2019 and signed by one D. Hoto, Chairman of the Board of Governors and Trustees of the school reads in part:

Re: Term 2/2019 fees

On behalf of the Arundel Board, thank you to all who attended the fees meeting on Tuesday 9 April 2019. Although we continue to operate in an uncertain environment, the school must continue to operate well.

The letter then states the approved fees for the second term which are as follows:

1. Day scholar – RTGS$6 600.00 or USD1 500.00
2. Weekly Border – RTGS$8 900.00 or USD2 023.00
3. Full Boarder – RTGS$10 800 OR USD 2 455.00

The letter further states:

The budget and fees for the second term were set in RTGS dollars however, parents requested to be given the US dollar equivalent amount that could be paid.

It was agreed that those paying the full fee in US dollars, as shown above, will not be subject to a Top-up during the term.

However, for those paying in RTGS dollars, the school will charge a Top-up during the term if necessary.

Wishing you all a blessed Easter

By Own Correspondent-Speaking to journalists at a post cabinet press briefing in Harare Tuesday, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa has assured the nation that there is enough fuel to cater for the motoring public in forthcoming public holidays

Mutsvangwa said:

“The minister of Energy and Power Development informed cabinet that measures have been taken to ensure that there will be adequate fuel supplies this coming holidays with an injection of 20 million litres which has been uplifted as from last night This means that there will be enough fuel throughout the country as we go for the Independence and Easter holidays. This development is true for all the country’s provinces.”

By Own Correspondent- Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday launched the Electronic Learner’s Licence System.

The system is expected to curtail corruption which is believed to be rampant at the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID).

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates

By Own Correspondent- Police boss Godwin Matanga has said while corruption is like a cancer within society, government should avail adequate resources and remuneration to police officers as a way of curbing the vice which is now rampant in Zimbabwe.

Commissioner General of Police Matanga said this while responding to a question on what needs to be done to curb corruption within the force and society.

He said:

“The police should be given good remuneration, they must be given enough officer accommodation, vehicles for their mobility must be given, enough specialized equipment must be given…… They must be highly mobile so that they also cover our borders, our porous borders. And for our specialized units such as the Sub Aqua Unit, they must be capacitated with specialized boats so that they are able to patrol even the Kariba dam. …After having said all this and thereafter the ZRP must be the eye of corruption, given that they have enough resources. I see that it is feasible. Given enough resources at our disposal I fore see that the police can root out this cancer.”

Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has vowed to expose the direct role Emmerson Mnangagwa played during the Gukurahundi era.

Moyo further pointed out that the Midlands godfather played a traceable role in the atrocities.

” If Mnangagwa wants to be taken seriously on the Gukurahundi genocide, he must first deal with his DOCUMENTED PERSONAL LIABILITY.

As the CIO minister who administered the (Rhodesian) State of Emergency Act during
gukurahundi, Mnangagwa committed crimes against humanity.”

“While Virginia Mabhiza, a Mnangagwa sidekick, claims there’s a new programme to issue death, birth and reburial certificates to Gukurahundi victims, it’s in fact old but was blocked by Mnangagwa and JOC who also blocked my father’s reburial in 2016, for alleged security reasons, ” declared Moyo.

Farai Dziva|Former MDC A MP for Masvingo Urban Constituency, Tongai Matutu, who has been disqualified from contesting against James Gumbi for the provincial chairmanship, says he is not bitter.

Matutu was barred from taking on James Gumbi in the race for the province’s most powerful post because the party Constitution prohibits members who defect to other parties from taking party in electoral processes for a period of five years.

“I am not bitter at all and I accept the verdict.I will remain on the ground working for the party and I will be back in the fold.

This is not the end of the the world.You see these things happen in politics and life has to go on as usual.

I am waiting for the announcement of results.Some people have asked me to lodge an appeal but I will not do so because that is not the way we operate,” said Matutu.

Own Correspondent|News just in indicate that the government has moved in to suspend the shocking bread price increase which took Zimbabweans by surprise on Tuesday morning.

Zimbabwe woke up on Tuesday with the price of bread gone up from $1.80 per loaf to $3.50 and $4.00 in some areas.

Seeing that the situation could lead to a possible civil unrest, the government moved in quickly to defuse the situation and the cabinet is reported to have resolved to suspend the price increase.

More details to follow.

Organisation says it was due to their continued pressure that this decision was made1

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit was, on inquiry, informed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has applied to have Grace Mugabe extradited to South Africa. Grace Mugabe assaulted and seriously injured Gabriella Engels, a Johannesburg model, with an extension cord in 2017.

The NPA’s decision follows the South Gauteng High Court’s ruling last year that the decision by Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity should be set aside. AfriForum, Gabriella Engels and various other parties brought the rescission application in this regard. Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, has further made it clear that his office would apply for a nolle prosequi certificate should the NPA fail to prosecute.

The Foreign States Immunities Act (1981) explicitly excludes the granting of immunity to heads of state who are guilty of the death or injury of people in South Africa. Grace Mugabe, as the wife of a former head of state, could therefore in no way claim the diplomatic immunity to which she appealed.

“We hope that the prosecution of Grace Mugabe will commence shortly and we will monitor the case. AfriForum gets involved in issues like this to ensure that people with political power do not get away with committing crimes. Grace Mugabe must be brought to book for her deeds and this is the first step in ensuring that miss Engels will get justice soon,” says Nel.

Issued by Hesti Steenkamp, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum.

O|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent off 28 buses out of the 800 that were ordered by the government to Zupco, to start operating again.

Speaking during the commissioning of the buses, President Mnangagwa said government will continue to work round the clock to ensure that the transport challenges are addressed.

“These challenges of public transport will now be a thing of the past. Government will ensure that more buses come in and ease these challenges especially in urban areas where commuter omnibus operators were causing untold suffering to the people by want only hiking their fares,” he said.

This comes on the backdrop of private operators having been roped in by Zupco to provide buses following the events of January 2019 which saw the withdrawal of transport services by commuter omnibus operators a situation which greatly affected the public.

“Today we rolled out the first batch of new ZUPCO buses, which will make life better, easier and more affordable for
Zimbabweans, both urban and rural. Our journey of progress is just beginning, and we will work to ensure all the people of Zimbabwe are on board!,” President Mnangagwa said.

In conjunction with the send off of the buses, a new engineering model of controlling, managing the fleet developed
by Dr Talon Garikai who is the Director of Technology Transfer at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) was also unveiled.

This will be rolled out as more and more buses come into the country.

However, local industry players in the bus manufacturing sector said, in future, government must think of bringing the knockdown kits of the buses so that they can be assembled locally.

Of the 800, 500 are from Belarus, 200 from South Africa and 100 from China.

Zbc News online

THE surprise eviction of popular Ntabazinduna farmers, Brain and Carol Davies, who operate Tabas Induna Farm, has attracted the wrath of local chief, Nhlanhla Ndiweni.

The couple was served with an eviction notice by one Floyd Ambrose on Tuesday last week, according to Tabas Induna spokesperson Buz Davies. “We lodged an appeal late Friday afternoon so we hope it (the eviction) does not happen,” said Buz, who however, could not be drawn into revealing more details on the matter.

Efforts to get a comment from Ambrose on his plans to move into Tabas Induna Farm which was purchased in 1953 by Carol’s grandfather, Jack Parsons, were unsuccessful. Tabas Induna was at one time the largest pig producer in the country with over 12 000 pigs. It was also home to a large cattle herd, a commercial crocodile farm and a well-established and very successful photographic safari operation.

With the permission of the late Paramount Chief Khayisa Ndiweni, the Davies/Parsons family built Chiefs Lodge in 1992 on the top of Ntabazinduna Hill, a famous historical site that is revered by the Ndebeles.

Despite the historical and cultural significance, Chief Ndiweni trusted the Tabas Induna Farm owners so much that he made the Davies/Parsons family custodians of Ntabazinduna Hill.

Yesterday, Chief Ndiweni told this publication that he was going to do everything in his power to block the eviction.

“The attempted eviction of the Parsons/Davies family from Ntabazinduna Mountain has touched our sense of justice in a most profound manner and every part of our being is screaming out that this is unjust.

“When something is unjust, no amount of politics, propaganda, public relations or silence will make it just. This assault upon the Parsons/ Davis family is unjust irrespective of what anyone may say.

“Should it be effected, then the 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,” Ndiweni fumed.

Prominent human rights lawyer and former Cabinet minister David Coltart has described the eviction as senseless. “This is just ludicrous – the so-called new dispensation says that land invasions have stopped and yet this family are being forced off their home and business.

“This is a tourist facility, located near Bulawayo’s airport, not a farm – it is only 15 hectares and was a lodge until it was trashed by the same person trying to take it over again. Buz and Carol Davies have been renovating the lodge over the last few years with a view to opening it again, but now out of sheer greed a Zanu-PF-connected person wants it,” said Coltart.

The prominent lawyer added that the eviction was another proof that Zimbabwe is not open for business as claimed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube is presently in Washington trying to persuade the IMF and World Bank that the regime he represents has turned over a new leaf and deserves support.

How can a government claim to be open for business when it is allowing businesses like this, which have the potential to earn foreign currency and boost our tourism industry, to be stolen in broad daylight?” asked Coltart. Tabas Induna Farm was identified and listed for resettlement by the government in 2000.

The Davies family spent many years trying to get it delisted but despite these efforts it was subdivided into many plots.
According to the family, the ministry of Lands assured them verbally that they could remain in their homestead, but due to hindrances to farming operations by the new settlers, production on a commercial scale was no longer possible or viable.

In a similar case, in 2015 people from Matabeleland united and resisted government efforts to evict another popular white farmer Peter Cunningham from his Maleme Farm in Matobo District.

Demonstrations were staged at the farm against Gwanda Central Intelligence Organisation operative Rodney Mashingaidze who had intended to take over the farm.

By Own Correspondent- Two soldiers reportedly died while one was left seriously injured following clashes with illegal gold panners in Chipadze, Bindura.

Sources privy to the development alleged that the soldiers clashed with the gold panners who are referred to as “MaShurugwi” over misunderstandings regarding sex workers.

Said the source:

“Two soldiers announced dead at the hospital while one is seriously injured and bleeding severely. They were attacked by MaShurugwi and they were fighting over sex workers on their way to Chipadze. Where they were camping close to Dimitry Welder, there is blood all over even in the road. The soldiers are now in an operation dubbed “MaH_ure and MaShurugwis”.

Police Spokesperson for Mashonaland Central Province, Inspector Milton Mudembe confirmed the incident.

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Director Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore also confirmed the development and said the illegal panners fought with four ZNA members who were taking part in the independence parade rehearsals resulting in the death of the two.

Investigations into the matter are underway.

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

Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has vowed to expose the direct role Emmerson Mnangagwa played during the Gukurahundi era.

Moyo further pointed out that the Midlands godfather played a traceable role in the atrocities.

” If Mnangagwa wants to be taken seriously on the Gukurahundi genocide, he must first deal with his DOCUMENTED PERSONAL LIABILITY.

As the CIO minister who administered the (Rhodesian) State of Emergency Act during
gukurahundi, Mnangagwa committed crimes against humanity.”

“While Virginia Mabhiza, a Mnangagwa sidekick, claims there’s a new programme to issue death, birth and reburial certificates to Gukurahundi victims, it’s in fact old but was blocked by Mnangagwa and JOC who also blocked my father’s reburial in 2016, for alleged security reasons, ” declared Moyo.

Farai Dziva|James Chafungamoyo Gumbi has retained the post of provincial chairperson after narrowly beating Simon Mupindu who joined the race at the eleventh hour following the disqualification of Tongai Matutu.

Gumbi garnered 1040 votes while Mupindu received 966 votes.

“Masvingo provincial congress results as announced by national organiser Amos Chibaya:

Chairperson:Gumbi… 1040 votes, Mupindu….. 966 votes.

Deputy chairman….. Mr Simon Ziki
Secretary … Advocate Eriam Musendekwa
Dept Sec… Mr James Mushonga
Treasurer… Mr Munazu
Dept Treasurer…. Mr Chidaushe
Organising Secretary, Mr Mudzingwa
Dept Organising Secretary… Mr Chikutu

Info…Advocate Derick Charamba,” reads the latest report released by the MDC A Provincial Information Department.

Farai Dziva|There is controversy over the disqualification of MDC A official Tongai Matutu who was vying for the provincial chairmanship with party members expressing contrasting views on the matter.

Some elements within the opposition party believe the same technicalities used to offer Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube the opportunity to participate in the party’s electoral processes should have allowed Matutu to participate in the provincial electoral process.

“We do not understand what is taking place because Ncube and Biti have been given allowed to participate in internal electoral processes while Matutu who left the party alongside the latter has been barred from participating in the provincial electoral process,” said a senior party member.

However the MDC A Organising Department has indicated that both Ncube and Biti reintegrated on the basis of the political parties they were representing- hence the formation of the alliance.

By Own Correspondent- A city man got the shock of his life when he discovered that his wife, was still legally married to another man.

The man discovered a marriage certificate from his wife’s previous marriage stashed in a suitcase. The matter to light at the Harare Civil Court after Bruka Razevera was hauled to court for physically and verbally assaulting his wife Challenge Muzama, who was applying for a protection order against him.

”He assaults me for my existing marriage certificate. He insults me saying I am a prost_itute and that we are in an adulterous relationship and I have no rights to his assets. I am willing to cancel the marriage certificate but I do not have the legal fees needed,” she said.

In response Razevera denied the allegations stating that he had not assaulted her but had simply instructed her to vacate his premises until she had divorced her husband, so that he could marry her.

Razevera sensationally claimed that the relationship between him and his wife Muzama was adulterous since she had not nullified her previous marriage.

”She is lying that she doesn’t have the money to cancel her marriage certificate so I am afraid of being sued by her husband. I never assaulted her,” he said.

The H-Metro reported that Muzama was no longer in contact with her ex-husband who is now married to another woman. Presiding magistrate Noah Gwatidzo granted the protection order in Muzama’s favour.

By Own Correspondent- Reaching an amazing feat of 85 years and being HIV positive, the Maruta kraal Headman, real name Robert Ticharwa Maruta has claimed that being HIV positive has been a blessing in disguise since it has set him on a path to serve a higher calling.

Sekuru Samba’s moral attitude to life is the epitome of the expression, being positive about being positive.

Sekuru Samba like the biblical Samaritan has been invested in philanthropic work preaching the gospel of abstinence and awareness, educating people of all ages on HIV and AIDS.

” i am educating many school children, mature youths, parents, elders and those with vision impairments, physically challenged and mostly orphans or child-headed families. I am travelling by foot, often visiting them and educating them about pre-marital s.e.x and having unprotected s.e.x with anyone whose status you do not know, you will get an incurable disease for life called HIV and AIDS.”

Speaking to the H-Metro, Sekuru Samba shared the story of his life and how his promiscuity resulted in him contracting HIV.

“My wife passed on in 2000 and left me 100 percent healthy at 66 years old. However I failed to be a decent grandfather and started picking township girls, that’s how I got HIV. I even remember who exactly,” said Sekuru.

However he has used his status to warn youths about HIV and AIDS as a voluntary advocate.

Sekuru also went on to share nuggets of wisdom, targeted to people who refuse to get tested stating that it was better to know your status rather than gradually decomposing in silence. Sekuru Samba said there was need to assist those on ART as they lack supplementary food.

” I come across sick HIV patients desperately needing basic food because these HIV drugs can be difficult to take at first especially if you do not have something to eat first before taking them.

He can also do with some transport as walking is now strenuous. ” If there is anyone who can assist me with a bicycle because I am gradually getting tired of walking, but tremendously getting more passionate in alerting more as I grow older,” he said.

By Own Correspondent- A gang of four armed robbers that were operating in Marondera has been arrested.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed this to a local publication.

The syndicate is believed to have recently robbed a security guard at Long Lands Farm in Marondera where they damaged a Zesa transformer, stole oil, coils, armored cables, and a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Mwanza revealed that nothing has been recovered yet from stolen property worth RTGS $20 000. The gang would steal or rob and sell the loot in Chitungwiza and Harare.

The police spokesperson revealed that the ringleader of the gang, Choice Yotamu, 38, was recently released from jail after serving a four-year sentence on another robbery case.

Mwanza said that a pistol was recovered from one of the gangs that recently robbed cash and other property in Bromley and Marondera.-DailyNews

By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf youths have disapproved President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to compensate white former commercial farmers.

President Mnangagwa claims the compensation is a constitutional mandate and will not be for land, but, improvements on the farms.

Godfrey Tsenengamu, ZANU PF youth league political commissar revealed that he is infuriated by the decision. 

He said:

“Compensation for land developments or infrastructural development is not a priority for Zimbabweans. The Constitution demands compensation for the above and what we are proposing is an amendment to that clause, as the clause is an insult to our fallen heroes who paid for this land through their blood, sweat and tears.”

Pupurai Togarepi, Zanu PF youth league leader has however dismissed allegations of a fallout.

Said Togarepi:

“That’s a very healthy debate and any Zimbabwean is entitled to his or her opinion. As long as the compensation is constitutional, it’s good for us as a country to abide by our laws.

Meanwhile, other pressure groups have also contributed to the heated debate. Gilbert Bwende, secretary-general of pressure group Tajamuka/Sesijikile believes there are teething issues the government should address first.”

He said:

“Hospitals and medical practitioners are under-equipped, yet the government chooses to spend money on a group of white commercial farmers, most of whom are harboured within the comfort of their native countries.”

The ZANU PF youths open revolt against party decisions would be the first time in history as they never defied party authorities and policies before.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said Government was in the process of licensing the university to grow mbanje for medicinal purposes.

Midlands State University (MSU) reportedly applied for a licence to grow mbanje for medicinal purposes following Government’s legalisation of marijuana farming last year.

Prof Murwira said there several other institutions that would also be growing mbanje.

He said Government intends to reduce its import bill by having local pharmaceuticals producing medicines from local resources.

“We were told by our former colonial masters that mbanje is illegal and they even promulgated a law prohibiting the smoking of mbanje. However, it has medicinal properties. So our leadership had a closer look and realised that mbanje can be useful and then legalised the growing of mbanje for medicinal purposes. So we have started doing so. MSU itself has applied for a licence for growing mbanje.”

Prof Murwira said universities should be innovative and incubate ideas in their innovation hubs.

“Resources are nothing but they become when we have the brains of using them. This is very important. We need to look inside. When we do physics, we need to be able to use it and apply it here in Zimbabwe. We probably have the same amount of resources but different levels of development.

“We always want people outside to make things for us. We want our biochemistry to work for us. Most of the medicines that we have come from trees, roots and other plants. These are the product of our environment. So what we want to do is that the medicines that we are going to be using in the country should come from our own pharmacies and resources found in the country.

“I cannot be treated by medicine that was made from an environment that I am not living in. This is why people die because they are not suitable for us.”

By Own Correspondent- A Mutare man was arrested and hauled before a magistrate after he stole a bra from his workplace in an attempt to please his girlfriend.

Brandon Mujima was found guilty of theft by magistrate Nyasha Kuture who fined him $30.

Mujima was however given an alternative sentence of 10 days in jail.

He left the court gallery in stitches after he admitted to stealing the bra to please his lover.

He said:

“My Lord, I stole the bra because I wanted to give it to my girlfriend and I will not repeat this again.”

Mujima, who works at Mutare Dru Port, stole a bra and boxer shorts on April 11.-Newsday

He stuffed the items in his satchel but was accosted by an alert security guard at the exit point, who took him to Mutare Central Police Station.

The bra and boxer shorts were worth RTGS$20.00

Own Correspondent|MDC Deputy Treasurer and Secretary General nominee Charlton Hwende has disclaimed a Twitter account which sensationally warned party President Nelson Chamisa against backing incumbent Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora to the position he has been nominated for.

Hwende disclaimed the account after a ZimEye.com publication on Tuesday morning flighted the rather undiplomatic post.

The Twitter post reads as follows:

The page has been running for a while on the social media and has been posting several articles relating to activities in the opposition party and around Hwende.

ZIMBABWE’S year-on-year inflation rate for the month of March, 2019 spiked to 66,80% under the new base used to calculate the consumer price index, the statistics agency said yesterday, but noted that under the old basing system it used until February this year, the rate had shot up 166%, confirming that Zimbabwe was already in a hyperinflation environment.

“With effect from March 2019 ZimStat (Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency) is publishing the new consumer price index (CPI) with new weights and a classification in accordance with international guidelines,” ZimStat said.

“The indices prior to March 2019 were re-referenced to February 2019=100. The rates of inflation remain the same under different weight regimes as the relative magnitude of indices is maintained. The new weights are, therefore, applicable from February 2019 onwards.”

ZimStat said users who wished to continue using the old series should multiply the current all items index with a new base of (Feb 2019=100) by a conversion factor of 1,5918111.

“For instance, if ZimStat had continued with the old base (2012=100), the March 2019 all items CPI was going to be 166,154,” it said.

Economist Steve Hankie posted on microblogging site Twitter that the actual inflation rate was more than 200%.

“As I predicted, #Zimbabwe’s RTGS$ has sunk like a stone. Zim’s inflation rate reflects just that. Accurately measured for 4/13/19, Zim’s annual inflation rate is 207%/yr, the second highest in the world.”

Economist Kipson Gundani said the current inflation figures were emanating from confidence deficit bedevilling the economy.

“The statistic is self-explanatory. The economy is fast moving towards hyperinflation. What we should ask is that what are the drivers? What is topping the list is speculation
emanating from huge confidence deficit. Every person is putting their assets on a stable currency which is why the exchange rate is going up on the black market. It is clear that the economy has redollarised by default because the de-dollarisation was done before fundamentals were right. While the economy becomes inflationary it is also becoming
self-accelerating and we continue to plunge deeper and deeper,” he observed.

“My opinion is that we need to deal with the two Ps, which are pricing and policy. The pricing starts with pricing of money which you call the foreign exchange. And on policy we should be able to have predictability, stability and coherence.”

Former Finance minister and chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Tendai Biti, said the country was nearing hyperinflation.

“I have no doubt that we are nearing hyperinflation once month-on-month gets to above 80% … It is a dog’s breakfast created by a cabal of people who are very good at lying and creating propaganda, but the ordinary person on the streets can feel the pain of this economy in their bones,” Biti said.

According to ZimStat, under the new base, prices as measured by the all items CPI (consumer price index) increased by an average of 66,80% between March 2018 and March 2019.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation prone to transitory shocks stood at 78,55%, while the non-food inflation rate was 61,19%.
According to ZimStat’s month-on-month calculations, the inflation rate was 4,38%, gaining 2,71 percentage points on the February 2019 rate of 1,67%.

The month-on-month food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation rate stood at 5,10% in March 2019, gaining 1,54 percentage points on the February 2019 rate of 3,56%, while non-
food inflation rate stood at 4,05%, gaining 3,35 percentage points on the February 2019 rate of 0,70%.

In 2008, Zimbabwe’s inflation reached 500 billion percent, rendering the local currency worthless and eroding savings and pensions.

-Newsday

By Victor Bhoroma| Hundreds of formal jobs are on the line in the economy as various businesses grapple with the realities of hyperinflation and exchange rate induced losses. The market has witnessed massive price hikes since the announcement of the October 2018 and February 2019 monitory policy statements by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). According to ZimStats, year-on-year inflation jumped from 5.39% in September 2018 to 20.85% in October 2018. Inflation closed the year at 42.09% and has increased sharply to 59.39% in February 2019. Independent analysts however point that the figure is much higher than what the government agency is communicating and most businesses have resorted to using their own inflation models for their accounting purposes. Prices for industrial and basic consumer goods have been going up in the market in line with black market exchange rates where US$1 now fetches between RTGS $4 to $4.7. On the official market however, the rate is at 3.11 as of 10 April 2019.

The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) for the low income urban family of six increased by 1.21% from $781.35 in February to $791 in March. Most manufacturers and retailers have long adopted the USD to price their products under the guise of cash discounts, with the RTGS price pegged at high rates to discourage buyers from buying using the local RTGS currency. The increase in the pump price of petrol and diesel in January has also increased the cost of production for most producers who inevitably passed the cost to the consumers.

On the 29^th of March 2019, Old Mutual Zimbabwe which is largest integrated financial corporation in Zimbabwe by assets and sales announced that it is going to cut more than 10% of its workforce in a retrenchment exercise. The announcement came after the presentation of 2018 annual results where the financial behemoth notched revenues of RTGS $1.4 billion but underscored that the recent monitory policy changes have hurt the company’s bottom line. Though the retrenchment exercise is likely to affect less than 100 employees in the OMZ group, all signs point to similar retrenchment exercises across the market with the financial, real estate, retailing and manufacturing sectors worst affected by the economic slowdown. Some producers who are not on the foreign currency priority list had already started retrenching towards end of 2018.

According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR), the country’s retailing sector is seen declining this year due to the impact of hyperinflation and a widening rift between prices and consumer incomes. Major constraints to most retailers emanate from the cost of foreign currency to import merchandize, increase in transportation charges and advancements in labour costs. The real estate sector has also seen a slump is sales as real disposable incomes for customers slump due to inflation. The real estate sector heavily relies on a sound financial sector where mortgages and loans contribute to bulk of the property developments and unit sales. The Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe (REIZ) expects rental income for both residential and commercial properties to be affected by low demand and exchange rate losses in 2019.

The introduction of the Foreign Currency Interbank facility by the apex bank in February 2019 provided some relief for the local industry as foreign currency shortages remain the biggest constraint to production. However the facility is yet to inspire confidence on the local market due to supply and demand disequilibrium. There has been a flood of buyers for the little foreign currency that has been on offer and the situation may persist into the foreseeable future until domestic production improves. It is highly unlikely that black market rates will align to the interbank rates as long as the inflation figures still remain high. The black market is in a survival war with banks and bureau de-change houses to attract the same foreign currency from sellers and the highest bidder always carries the day. Local manufacturers owe foreign suppliers over $183 million in legacy debts which were accrued during the Bond to US Dollar 1:1 era and are engaging the government to expedite payment before raw material supplies are cut off.

Labour demands have also compounded the situation from the public sector to the private sector. Some employers in the private sector have been paying cost of living allowances and bonuses to cushion employees from the high cost of living but the pressure to pay part of the salaries in foreign currency is growing by the day.

The government recently yielded to labour demands and awarded salary increments ranging from 25% to 29% as part of a $400 million cost of living adjustment in March. Under the increment package, civil servants earning $441 will be paid $570, while those currently getting $519 will earn $649. Civil servants were demanding a minimum salary of RTGS$1700 which was closely linked to the interbank rate between the RTGS and US Dollar. The disparity between average civil service salaries and the cost of living as measured by CCZ will continue to put pressure on the government to at least reign in on the inflation rate or increase salaries to match prices increases. The government itself is also looking at streamlining its civil service head count of more than 300 000 in 2019 as way to manage recurrent expenditure which accounts for over 90% of the budget. The government expects to save $330 million by 2020 through retrenchments and wage bill containment measures that will result in the right sizing of public employment, among a raft of other reforms.

Faced with the economic slowdown, producers ordinarily have two choices which are to increase revenue on the same output (price increases) since demand is not growing or to cull employees (retrench) to contain production cost. It is worth pointing that producers have been engaged in other cost containment exercises so as to avoid retrenchments but the growing labour demands and economic slowdown will lead to job cuts in the short term. The worst affected will be contract (temporary) employees, unskilled labour and units that operate out of Harare where consumer demand has been declining. Companies ordinarily start by finding cheaper alternatives in terms of raw materials and closing non-performing branches then offering packages for voluntary retrenchment. However it may be necessary to target certain functions or skills if volunteers are not forthcoming. If the economic challenges persist deep into 2019, tough decisions will have be made and labour is often the weakest link in the matrix.

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

Once described as southern Africa’s breadbasket, Zimbabwe is now ranked among the poorest countries in the world with the highest inflation rate in the world, second only to Venezuela, according to some economists.

The past two decades have seen the country in constant crisis. But is there a way out of this predicament? This was the question that a panel of experts at the Washington DC-based think tank, Cato Institute, tried to answer on Monday at a public discussion.

According to senior political analyst, Marian Tupy, who was also the moderator, Zimbabwe “continues to remain relevant not only to its people but also for the sake of other African countries that are trying to see what kind of political and economic arrangements they should follow in order to become prosperous in the future.”

In his contribution, panelist and journalist, Barry Wood said tragic mismanagement, particularly the last 17 years of former president Robert Mugabe’s rule is what the country has to face and find ways of coming out of it.

Wood added that it will take time for the nation to revitalize its economy, once regarded as one of the most vibrant economies in the Southern African Development Community and beyond.

On sanctions, Wood said it is difficult to remove them because Zanu PF is corrupt and will do anything to stay in power.

He added that the government is divided and corrupt.

Senior fellow at the Cato Institute, Steven Hanke, said according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook Database, Zimbabwe is a very poor country and is ranked number 161.

He said Zimbabwe should apply the ‘Singapore method’ in which the country should do away with its surrogate currency, refuse foreign aid, minimize tax, ensure civil rights and create minimalist high quality transparent government.

Senior fellow at the Cato Institute, Gyude Moore, a former cabinet minister in Ghana, said it was difficult to see why African institutions like the African Union and SADC are not helping Zimbabwe’s economic revival.

He said these institutions could rather send one of their leaders to talk to Zimbabwe leaders instead of drawing a red line.

He said sanctions in Zimbabwe are hurting the general populace instead of the intended leadership.

He added that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, who was also present at the presentation, was probably the best choice but the question is whether he is given space to implement his ideas.

On his part, Ncube said it was pertinent that the issue of inflation be looked at carefully because what is being used are wrong figures.

The panel agreed that the road to economic recovery for Zimbabwe lies in the removal of sanctions.

— VOA

Own Correspondent|Tinashe Jonasi the man who broke news headlines claiming that he wanted to effect a citizen arrest on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two Deputies has issued an SOS on social media asking for donations on claims that Mnangagwa wants to abduct him.

Jonasi is currently on bail after being arrested and charged with undermining the authority of the President before he could effect his own arrest on Mnangagwa.

Judging by the responses on his sensational Twitter post, Zimbabweans appear not to be taking Jonasi’s plea seriously. Is he not likely to be ignored and end up being in another Itai Dzamara situation?

Dzamara was continuously ignored by Zimbabweans when he made solo demonstrations against former President Robert Mugabe at Harare Gardens until he was abducted and has been missing for over two years now.

People started talking only after he had been abducted.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabweans woke up to a shocking bread price increase with some retailers charging up to $4 for a loaf of bread while others are charging $3.50.

Low cost in store made bread is costing between $2.35 and $2.85 in various outlets.

No notice to the effect of the hefty increase was given by government nor the bakers.

EMBATTLED MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora (pictured) wrote to Japhet Moyo, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), who is superintending over the opposition party’s internal elections, alleging serious flaws in the process two days before he threw in the towel after he garnered a single nomination from seven provincial congresses held so far.

At the weekend, Mwonzora pleaded with his home province of Manicaland to back him for the post of secretary-general, but delegates snubbed him, leaving him to weigh his options ahead of a watershed MDC congress to be held next month.

In his Friday letter, which was copied to party leader Nelson Chamisa, Mwonzora alleged that while the ZCTU was supposed to be leading the elective process, the party’s organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, was, in fact, running the show.

He also alleged violence and intimidation against other candidates and that party members were made to vote overnight.

Mwonzora and deputy president Elias Mudzuri were angling to challenge Chamisa, but have not been nominated for the presidency, leaving the youthful leader a shoo-in to retain the position uncontested.

“We wish to raise the following issues that the Matabeleland South congress was conducted at night. In fact, the nomination process for the national standing committee (NSC) members commenced at 2330 hours on April 7, 2019,” the letter read.

“The provincial congress for Matabeleland North province started at 1800 hours on April 8, 2019. Voting took place throughout the night. The nomination of standing committee candidates only commenced at 0500 hours the following morning in the absence of some of the candidates.

“The provincial congress in the Midlands commenced at 1700 hours. It took place throughout the night and the nomination process for the NSC took place at 0930 hours the following morning.

“All nominations have been conducted by the national organising secretary Amos Chibaya, instead of your committee,” read the concerns.

In his letter, Mwonzora alleged that there was a lot of intimidation and hate language by some youths, directed at him and Mudzuri. He also said there was violence against other candidates.

Mwonzora also claimed that candidates were not availed with the voters roll and attached the party’s constitution and the congress template which gave the guidelines into the manner in which the congress was supposed to be held.

Moyo, however, said he could not do anything about the allegations.

“He [Mwonzora] has written complaining about elections in their party … I don’t think I have the powers to do anything. I just listen to the complaints, but I am not empowered to act. At the moment I don’t have those powers,” said Moyo, adding that the ZCTU was not aware of any plan for them to run MDC elections.

Party leader Chamisa attributed Mwonzora’s complaints to bitterness after failing to get nominated.

“To choose is to decide and to decide is to define and when you define, you always have those who are not happy even if they are in the minority. We must even be able to say we need to swim together. There are those who will not get nominations, they will naturally be unhappy and bitter, so our task is to make sure that instead of them getting bitter, we must make them get better because democracy must not leave you bitter, but better. When the people have chosen we must all celebrate,” he said.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|Latest but yet to be confirmed reports from MDC Masvingo Province Congress indicate that the province has nominated Nelson Chamisa as its presidential candidate in the party congress set for next month.

Chamisa was nominated amid fears that the party’s provincial executive was caucusing to nominate Vice President Engineer Elias Mudzuri to contest him after main rival Douglas Mwonzora pulled out of the race.

More details will be made available soon…..

Government yesterday began paying civil servants salaries at the new rates which were “agreed” on at the collective bargaining with the workers representatives last month.

Nurses, prison officers, members of the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police officers and those from the Air Force of Zimbabwe started accessing their salaries yesterday with an increment of up to $129, depending on grades.

Those in the education sector will get their dues tomorrow, while the rest of the civil service and pensioners are going to be paid on April 24 and 26, respectively.

The cost of living adjustment came after Government offered a package of $400 million to be shared amongst the workers between April and December.

The latest arrangement means the least-paid Government worker is getting $600, which is however still far lower than the $1000 which the workers were demanding.

Another salary review is expected mid-year.

Of the $400 million offered to the workers by Government, the Public Service Commission (PSC), including the uniformed forces, have been allocated $281 million, the Health Services Board will get $56,8 million, while the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) gets $2,5 million.

Independent commissions and grant-aided institutions get $2,6 million and $56,8 million, respectively.

Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association (ZINA) secretary-general Mr Enock Dongo weighed in: “Yes, there has been an increment and Government has honoured its pledge but the price issues are worrying and if nothing is done we are going to die because we are struggling.”

State Media \ZimEye.com

E

THE Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) saga, where one of the country’s coal mining giants has been rendered comatose by greedy individuals, needs urgent interventions by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government if the company is to go back to its profit-making days.

Massive corruption at HCCL has been unearthed by a forensic audit by Reynolds Tendai Muza, a forensic auditor and investigator with Ralph Bomment Greenacre and Reynolds.

Investigations by the Mines Portfolio Committee, before it was disbanded, have also exposed that the once thriving mine was actually destroyed by very powerful persons, some of who are currently serving in government.

What is more disturbing is that despite government pumping in a $111 million loan in 2016 to resuscitate the company, the coal miner continued to be loss-making due to mismanagement, reckless trading and money laundering.

Some of the big names that have been fingered in the HCCL corruption saga include current Mines minister Winstone Chitando, who was once the HCCL board chairperson and former Mines deputy minister Fred Moyo. Several companies have also been benefitting through coal concessions, while Hwange is struggling.

Others are ferrying Hwange coal at huge costs due to lack of repairs of equipment, thus rendering HCCL a feeding trough for a few individuals.

For instance, while HCCL has been placed under reconstruction, we hear allegations that Billy Rautenbach’s Liberation Mine is by the corner and benefitting from the coal resources in Hwange.

What has been very disturbing about the HCCL saga is that when other shareholders like London-based Zimbabwean businessman Nicholas Van Hoogstraten were about to give oral evidence in Parliament on how the HCCL went comatose, there was a lot of interference from politicians.

How then is HCCL going to be resuscitated if there is no political will to deal outright with the corruption and to bring those implicated to book?

When Van Hoogstraten appeared last year before the Mines Portfolio Committee to give his views on the resuscitation of Hwange, some Zanu PF legislators teamed up to disrupt the proceedings and ensured the businessman never uttered a word.

This was then followed by more disturbances during investigations by the Mines Portfolio Committee on the Hwange Colliery saga which resulted in death threats, and a $400 000 bribery storm allegation on former committee chairperson Temba Mliswa, and members of his committee, Anele Ndebele (Magwegwe MP), Prince Dubeko
Sibanda (Binga North MP) and Leonard Chikomba (Gokwe Kabuyuni MP).

The bribery allegations also involved a powerful businessman, James Goddard, who is interested in HCCL. Mnangagwa and Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s names have also been mentioned in the saga.

There is also the involvement of Shepherd Tundiya, recently described as a con-artist by Goddard and the four MPs involved in the $400 000 bribery storm.

Tundiya has been actively involved in the HCCL corruption, with allegations that his transport company, AVIM, is milking the company dry, and that he has been stealing some of the coal.

Worse still, Tundiya is said to have been masquerading as a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative and an officer of the Office of the President and Cabinet sent by Mnangagwa to sort out the Hwange mess. The question now is: From where really does Tundiya derive his powers?

Tundiya has used his CIO tag to even kidnap members of the HCCL board and management, threaten them, and to call the shots at Hwange.

The question that then arises is what next for HCCL? Who is going to bring an end to the corruption there because members of the Executive and Parliament, who
Zimbabweans expect to sort out the mess, are actually fingered in the alleged scam?

In the HCCL investigations, Parliament has been rendered useless and the Mines Portfolio Committee disbanded and reconstituted. Worse still, the committee was disbanded because of HCCL issues where some MPs seemed serious in resolving and exposing the graft, while others were bent on disrupting investigations.

HCCL is a very strategic mining company. It created a huge mining town which employed thousands, put up massive infrastructure and was a source of livelihood for thousands of families during its heydays.

Mnangagwa’s government needs to move with speed to resolve the corruption issues at Hwange and to make sure that those involved in bringing HCCL to its knees are brought to book.

The “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra will only work if there is a concerted effort to deal with corruption, which has destroyed strategic companies such as the HCCL.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|ZANU-PF Member of Parliament for Lupane East Sithembile Gumbo has died at the age of 56.

According to sources within the ruling party, Hon Gumbo died on Monday evening at a local hospital where she was receiving treatment after being involved in an accident about two weeks ago.

She won the 2018 elections defeating seasoned MDC politician Dalumuzi Khumalo Dalumuzi.

She was the party Provincial Secretary for Administration in the Women’s League at the time of her death.

More details to follow.

SCHOOLS in Matabeleland North Province recorded shocking numbers of pupils who were raped and fell into child marriages while at least one was killed by another pupil.

Available statistics show that 46 cases of sexual abuse were reported, nine pupils dropped out of school due to early marriages and pregnancy in the province during the first term that ended last week.

Matabeleland North Provincial Educational Psychologist (PEP), Mr Michael Mache told The Chronicle that the statistics were from all the seven districts in the province – Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Tsholotsho, Nkayi, Lupane and Umguza.

“Of all these cases, Lupane has the highest figure with five deaths, nine cases of early pregnancies, nine cases of sexual abuse and eleven dropouts due to other reasons,” he said.

Mr Mache said many cases are never reported or are reported late making it difficult for school authorities to intervene.

“In most cases abuse cases are swept under the carpet by parents and perpetrators. This makes it very difficult to help the victim and our guidance and counselling members find it hard to investigate and counsel pupils,” he said.

Mr Mache said they have not established reasons for some deaths while some involve alleged murder and suicide.

“In Binga at Malinda Primary School there is a pupil who killed a school mate, in Lupane we received a suicide case and we are yet to identify other cases,” he said.

Mr Mache said it is difficult to trace all cases as some of the learners do not have identification documents.

“This is a worrisome issue in Matabeleland North. Most of our children do not have birth certificates. In the case of us trying to pursue the case whether with the police or other relevant stakeholders, we get stuck as we can’t produce the identity of the child,” he said.

Mr Mache said whenever a case is reported, children are counselled.

“Teachers conduct individual and group counselling and they bring serious cases to my office and we hold them there. We also engage their parents or guardians especially on gross cases of sexual abuse,” he said.

In an interview, the Acting Provincial Director (PED) Buhle Siziba said they are worried about the figures.

She said to address this issue, 28 teachers from all districts formed an association to intensify guidance and counselling, but the association needs funding to be fully established.

“We are worried by the rate at which our children die, get abused and drop out of school. This is a serious issue that needs teachers to come up with a strong guidance and counselling programme to sit down and understand problems that learners are going through,” she said.

“These are passionate teachers who approached us with the idea of starting an association, a good initiative that we welcomed and we are glad to say that our province now has a strong guidance and counselling association.”

State Media

Zimbabwe’s exports to the UK have increased by 276 percent to US$112 million in 2018 from US$30 million in 2012, according to ZimTrade, with Harare now working on strengthening bilateral and trade ties with London in preparation for BREXIT.

The UK is preparing to leave the European Union in the next few months and Zimbabwe has already drafted a bilateral trade agreement in preparation for BREXIT to strengthen the already existing trade relationships, ZimTrade said yesterday.

“Britain is working on leaving the European Union in the coming months and is now focused on strengthening bilateral and trade ties,” according to ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion agency.

“Zimbabwe has drafted a bilateral trade agreement in preparation for BREXIT to strengthen the already existing trade relationships.”

In December last year Britain’s Department for International Trade (DIT) announced plans to set up an office in Harare.  

The DIT office, led by Mr Tom Hill, a distinguished official with impeccable credentials from international private finance, is expected to chart a new paradigm in the United Kingdom’s economic relations with Zimbabwe.

Mr Hill told the Global Trade Review then that the decision to set up shop in Zimbabwe was motivated by the UK’s realisation that “Africa is an increasingly important continent to the UK’s prosperity and security interests”.

Zimbabwe’s trade with the UK is currently based on the Interim Economic Agreement. 

Under the agreement, Zimbabwe is enjoying duty – free, quota free market access to the UK and other EU members. Since 2012, the United Kingdom has been one of the major source markets and export destinations for Zimbabwean products in the EU.

Last year, it was the third best export market, taking 21 percent of the product destined for the EU. 

The composition of Zimbabwe’s exports to the UK were diamonds, mange tout peas, black fermented tea, oranges, unmanufactured tobacco, fresh avocados, sculptures, fresh peaches, fresh nectarines, fresh raspberries, passion fruit and jewellery, among others. Major imports were motor vehicles, tractors, telephone sets, spare parts, live animals, medicaments and laboratory reagents, among others.

While exports are increasing, of concern is the fact that the structure of trade is skewed in favour of commodities such as diamonds which constituted 72 percent of total exports in 2018.  

“There is, therefore, need to support the export of value-added goods and services that have great potential in the UK market,” said ZimTrade. 

ZimTrade has introduced different projects and programmes to educate local companies about export opportunities in the UK market. To facilitate the penetration of this market, ZimTrade will do a market survey in the UK to promote and identify other products with potential.

The organic food market is one such market, a niche where Zimbabwe has great potential. In 2018, the UK market was worth US$305 billion and has been on a continuous growth for more than seven years. 

ZimTrade is currently working with 22 pineapple farmers in Ndiadzwa, Chipinge, for them to get organic certification so that they can access the United Kingdom market.

Other Zimbabwean organic products with potential include dried fruits and vegetables, fresh fruits and vegetables, among others. Organic products have a premium price of about 30 percent more compared to other products.

The UK has a population of 67 million with a Gross Domestic Product  of US$2,6 trillion, a GDP per capita of US$39 526,2 and is ranked 9th among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings.

State Media