Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya yesterday clashed with the Public Accounts and Finance Committee over the definition of quasi-fiscal activities carried by the Central Bank.

Mangudya appeared before a joint meeting of Public Accounts and the Finance committees to discuss the legal basis for the RBZ undertaking quasi-fiscal activities and how the amounts were used in financing fuel procurement and other commodities.

He told the legislators that they, along with Ncube, do not understand the term “quasi-fiscal activities” and that they need a workshop to unpack it.

Bikita West MP Elias Musakwa (Zanu PF) asked Mangudya to explain how the RBZ acquired loans amounting to almost $1 billion and how much money was channelled to public sector investment programmes, recurrent expenditure and stimulus programmes.

“I do not think your question is relevant at this moment because those are not quasi-fiscal activities,” Mangudya said, adding that the apex bank had not carried any quasi-fiscal activities since 2014.

“Quasi-fiscal activities at the RBZ do not exist and it is important for Zimbabweans to know the truth, and what RBZ used to do when we bought tractors, generators and baccossi – those were quasi-fiscal activities and so do not confuse those with what is happening now and people should not abuse the RBZ by confusing those with what is happening now. They were taken over by the RBZ Debt Assumption Act.”

Tendai Biti (MDC Alliance), however, pressed Mangudya further by rephrasing Musakwa’s question saying: “In your Monetary Policy Statement of February, you said there were certain things that were going to carry on using the old system, and you said the bank, through the foreign currency committee will continue to supply foreign currency for fuel, wheat and 14 other products, and in our definition these fall under quasi-fiscal activities.”

Biti pointed out that the RBZ has no mandate to give money to fuel players, Zesa and others because these were essentially activities of central government; and also in terms of section 6 of the RBZ Act the bank’s functions were only to regulate the country’s monetary system, achieve and maintain the stability of the Zimbabwe dollar, and to act as banker and financial adviser to government and economic stability, among others.

But Mangudya insisted that the MPs had a wrong definition of quasi-fiscal activities.

“It is a wrong definition. Quasi-fiscal activities are activities done by the central bank and any other bank at below the market price. We need to use an international definition so that Parliament does not have its own definition. This economy is going through difficult times. There is no one in this country who can borrow funds to help Zimbabwe. So these are just foreign names. Zimbabwe is a step child in a family of nations and it is difficult to deal with a step child so that it does not have kwashiorkor and die.

“My core business is in section 49 of the RBZ Act, to ensure there is foreign currency. When I give money for fuel, it is only called a foreign allocation. I think as MPs you need a workshop with RBZ on what are quasi-fiscal activities,” Mangudya said.

Biti then asked him to explain why Ncube, in his 2019 budget statement mentioned that the RBZ was engaging in quasi-fiscal activities and was going to ensure that they are liquidated.

“I think Ncube was misinformed on that point because I asked him to give me three or one quasi-fiscal activity I was engaging in and he could not. That’s a wrong definition that the minister was using and he also needs a workshop on that. Do not use Zimbabwean language on that,” Mangudya said. Biti then ordered Mangudya to give Parliament a document detailing how much he paid in what he termed “foreign allocations” and not quasi-fiscal activities.

-Newsday

The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is currently giving oral evidence before the parliamentary committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development. The committee is chaired by former minister of finance, Tendai Biti. The topic of discussion is Mangudya’s recently delivered monetary policy statement.

As expected, most of the conversation is centred on the introduction of the RTGS dollar and the resumption of an interbank foreign currency market. Some of the discourse almost escalated into high emotions but tempers almost immediately cooled.

The governor was asked why the RBZ would not just match the exchange rate that’s prevailing on the parallel market. He responded that the whole economy must not be dictated by random people who just announce exchange rates on social media.

Mangudya said that the volume of trade on the parallel market is not even that high and such low volumes did not warrant such a high exchange rate. He said the daily volumes on the parallel market were around $1000 in total daily or at most $5000. Thus it doesn’t make sense for the parallel market to be taken seriously is essentially what the governor was saying.

$1000 daily?
We don’t have data on volumes obviously but some of us personally know people who have traded way above that much in a day and do so consistently. The governor may have his figures wrong there.

Even if it’s true that the volumes are so low, that could be more a reflection of the liquidity of the market itself. And no, the rates are not determined by someone on social media although there are people who update on the going rates via social media.

The parallel market could be exhibiting more of the ‘willing seller, willing buyer” position than the interbank rate.

Fingaz

Jane Mlambo| ZBC reporter Judith Makwanya has died, the ministry of information, publicity and broadcasting services has officially announced.

Makwanya was admitted into a hospital on Monday with a medical emergency.

Government learns with sadness of the untimely passing on of Diplomatic Correspondent Ms Judith Makwanya. Judith served her country with distinction and was one of the journalists placed on the sanctions list which became a Roll of Honour for Patriots. May Her Soul Rest in Peace

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) March 12, 2019

THE Zimbabwean government has pleaded with South Africa to help revive its collapsing economy to avoid a contagion effect.

Addressing a ministerial meeting of the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Harare yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Sibusiso Moyo said a weaker Zimbabwe was a threat to South Africa’s economy.

“A stronger Zimbabwe is one that is capacitated to effectively partner South Africa in shouldering the burden of leading the southern African development region towards prosperity. It is for this reason that the Republic of South Africa, should find it in its interest to create an environment and conditions that stimulate a quick turnaround of Zimbabwe’s economy,” Moyo said.

The ministerial meeting was a precursor to today’s BNC Heads of States summit between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa who jetted into Harare last night.

Zimbabwe last month held a similar indaba with Botswana and Harare took its investment plea to Gaborone, with the neighbouring country pledging a $95 million business support package.

Moyo said once Zimbabwe’s economy starts to function well, South Africa would be the biggest winner.

“Furthermore, it goes without saying that a stronger Zimbabwe offers an expanded market for South African manufactured products,” Moyo said.

The minister said SA investors could make use of special economic zones (SEZs) that offer free importation of capital equipment and tax variables in Zimbabwe.

“I am inviting South African businesses to take advantage of the varied incentives provided for by SEZs in Zimbabwe. These zones offer incentives that include, among others, duty-free importation of capital equipment and tax variables. The SEZs that we aim to set up in Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces offer opportunities to create cross-border value tax through partnerships between Zimbabwean companies and South African investors in areas that include mining and engineering, leather, textile and clothing,” he said.

“A prosperous Zimbabwe makes for a prosperous South Africa and vice-versa. As we continue to break new ground within the framework of our bilateral co-operation, I am delighted to note that we have registered tangible progress delivered from our agreements and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) which forms building blocks of our Bi-National Commission.”

Moyo said trade was the major driver for growth.

“Delivering concrete results for the benefit of our people and countries remains our paramount objective bestowed upon us by our leaders and by history. Trade is the major driver for the growth of our two economies. For that reason it has become a major focus of co-operation between our countries,” Moyo said.

The ministerial indaba was co-chaired by South Africa International Relations minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who said her country was ready to support Zimbabwe economically and was eager to fulfil all MOUs that were signed since 2015 when the BNC was launched.

NewsDay

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya yesterday denied that the central bank was involved in any quasi-fiscal activities and called out Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and parliamentary committees for not understanding the issues involved.

Mangudya made the remarks when he appeared before a joint meeting of Public Accounts and the Finance committees to discuss the legal basis for the RBZ undertaking quasi-fiscal activities and how the amounts were used in financing fuel procurement and other commodities. He told the legislators that they, along with Ncube, do not understand the term “quasi-fiscal activities” and that they need a workshop to unpack it.

Bikita West MP Elias Musakwa (Zanu PF) asked Mangudya to explain how the RBZ acquired loans amounting to almost $1 billion and how much money was channelled to public sector investment programmes, recurrent expenditure and stimulus programmes.

“I do not think your question is relevant at this moment because those are not quasi-fiscal activities,” Mangudya said, adding that the apex bank had not carried any quasi-fiscal activities since 2014.

“Quasi-fiscal activities at the RBZ do not exist and it is important for Zimbabweans to know the truth, and what RBZ used to do when we bought tractors, generators and baccossi – those were quasi-fiscal activities and so do not confuse those with what is happening now and people should not abuse the RBZ by confusing those with what is happening now. They were taken over by the RBZ Debt Assumption Act.”

Tendai Biti (MDC Alliance), however, pressed Mangudya further by rephrasing Musakwa’s question saying: “In your Monetary Policy Statement of February, you said there were certain things that were going to carry on using the old system, and you said the bank, through the foreign currency committee will continue to supply foreign currency for fuel, wheat and 14 other products, and in our definition these fall under quasi-fiscal activities.”

Biti pointed out that the RBZ has no mandate to give money to fuel players, Zesa and others because these were essentially activities of central government; and also in terms of section 6 of the RBZ Act the bank’s functions were only to regulate the country’s monetary system, achieve and maintain the stability of the Zimbabwe dollar, and to act as banker and financial adviser to government and economic stability, among others.

But Mangudya insisted that the MPs had a wrong definition of quasi-fiscal activities.

“It is a wrong definition. Quasi-fiscal activities are activities done by the central bank and any other bank at below the market price. We need to use an international definition so that Parliament does not have its own definition. This economy is going through difficult times. There is no one in this country who can borrow funds to help Zimbabwe. So these are just foreign names. Zimbabwe is a step child in a family of nations and it is difficult to deal with a step child so that it does not have kwashiorkor and die.

“My core business is in section 49 of the RBZ Act, to ensure there is foreign currency. When I give money for fuel, it is only called a foreign allocation. I think as MPs you need a workshop with RBZ on what are quasi-fiscal activities,” Mangudya said.

Biti then asked him to explain why Ncube, in his 2019 budget statement mentioned that the RBZ was engaging in quasi-fiscal activities and was going to ensure that they are liquidated.

“I think Ncube was misinformed on that point because I asked him to give me three or one quasi-fiscal activity I was engaging in and he could not. That’s a wrong definition that the minister was using and he also needs a workshop on that. Do not use Zimbabwean language on that,” Mangudya said. Biti then ordered Mangudya to give Parliament a document detailing how much he paid in what he termed “foreign allocations” and not quasi-fiscal activities.

NewsDay

By Own Correspondent- The renewal of sanctions against Zimbabwe by the West recently is an angry reaction to the rejection of their preferred candidate, MDC Alliance leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa, a Zanu Pf Central Committee has claimed

Zanu PF Central Committee member Clemence Makwarimba said the renewal of the illegal sanctions against the country is a bitter reaction to President Mnangagwa’s victory.

Makwarimba said the road to economic recovery after years of being on the decline will be painful but President Mnangagwa is determined to succeed.-StateMedia

FINANCE and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, says the country’s financial situation is improving positively with the newly introduced RTGS dollar set to gain more value on the back of ongoing fiscal reforms and control of money supply into the market.

In an interview with United States’ National Public Radio (NPR) during his recent trip to Washington, Prof Ncube said Government’s transformative reform drive was slowly pulling the economy back to stability.

“The situation is improving, but improving slowly. But it will improve faster as we go along,” said the minister.

“I am hopeful we will see this through. Zimbabwe will be normal again. We’ll turn it around.”

Asked about the public confidence factor on the new RTGS dollar and the need to tame inflation, which had spiralled into double digits, he said prudent macro-economic management and capacity exhibited by President Mnangagwa’s new dispensation would yield the desired confidence and focus, which was absent in the past.

“That has changed since four months ago since we came in. We are running a budget surplus. We are containing the growth of money supply. We’re determined to give value to the currency that we’ve launched and want people to believe in us. We’re determined to make this right,” said Prof Ncube.

The latest progress report on reforms issued by Treasury already shows that Government has scored major milestones in containing fiscal deficit and broadening revenue base through curbing leakages and expenditure containment. The target this year is to reduce budget deficit from about 12 percent of GDP in 2018 to five percent. Inflation is also expected to slow down to single digit benefiting from the fiscal consolidation measures and containment of money supply growth to below 10 percent by year end, says Treasury.

“These are being complemented by the recent Monetary Policy Statement, which introduced interbank foreign currency exchange and separate FCA accounts and RTGS accounts. These have set the tone for the implementation of currency reforms.

The minister said President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business”, was genuine and was being expressed in the ongoing reforms meant to create a favourable investment climate and an inclusive economic growth.

He said the recent violent protests that resulted in wanton destruction of property and looting of businesses were regrettable, and exposed institutional gaps reminiscent of the old regime as the intensity of protests overwhelmed the enforcement — law enforcement agents. He, however, commended President Mnangagwa for coming out very strongly and clear in condemning violence from both sides.

State Media

Zimbabwean engineers maintaining aircraft in Malaysia went for months without being paid their travel and subsistence allowances after former Air Zimbabwe chief operating officer, and later chief executive of the controversial Zimbabwe Airways, Mr Simba Chikore, diverted funds meant to pay them for his personal use.

This is contained in revelations obtained by The Herald which highlight how former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law abused his family ties to corrupt people – including Government officials – and processes while he ran the show between 2016 and 2017.

Among a slew of allegations pointing to malfeasance published in our issue yesterday, there are reports suggesting personal dishonesty that saw Mr Chikore pocketing money meant to pay health insurance for workers, while in another case he withheld payments of allowances to staff.

This is despite that he would have got the funds – amounting to over US$50 000 – from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. As of November 2017, the draw-downs from RBZ amounted to  US$51 840 with more requested for December and January, documents in our posession show.

“Engineer Martin Gwafa, Simba Mironga and Lawrence Mashoko were the engineers that had been maintaining the aircraft in Malaysia from June 2017 to April 2018,” explained the source.

“They were employees of Air Zimbabwe but Air Zimbabwe stopped paying their salaries as of December 2017 citing absence from work for a period without reporting for duty.

“The crew were maintained by a monthly travel and subsistence allowance of US$288 per day from Zimbabwe Airways. Since they were no longer receiving a salary from Air Zimbabwe, the crew depended heavily on this monthly allocation,” said the source.

The RBZ would release the money in hard currency, which would then be handed over to the spouses of the staff, who in turn would wire the funds to the workers.

However, Mr Chikore reportedly pocketed the money on occasions and contriving excuses, leaving the workers marooned in Malaysia. The source said some of the funds were used to pay per diems for a certain minister and his aide.

“This was irregular as the per diems for the ministry had to be done through Cabinet authority,” the source said.

Another source corroborated prejudice of the Malaysia-based workers. “They were told that it was top secret and that they were bound by the Official Secrets Act,” he said.

“They were afraid and would not even approach our embassy in Malaysia for help.”

The Herald understands that investigations into the shady deals involving Mr Chikore and the Zimbabwe Airways imbroglio are underway with dockets being prepared for prosecution, after being stalled at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission whose top leadership was forced out recently to give President Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption campaign a fresh impetus.

The Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu) is also keen to finalise the matter.

“The whole deal involving the acquisition of planes from Malaysia and the Embraer planes that you wrote about will be examined, including going to ascertain with the government of Malaysia about the nature of the deals,” said a source at Sacu.

There are fears that the price of the planes bought from Malaysia and the United States – four Boeing 777-200ER and six Embraer-145 respectively – could have been inflated.

Further, according to those with knowledge of the deals, the aircraft could still have been used elsewhere after the purchase by Zimbabwe, thereby prejudicing the country of large amounts of money.

At the weekend, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza said that Government was regularising acquisition of the planes.

“The Embraer is on its way, as we speak and will arrive in the next two weeks,” he said.

“Government has also authorised payments of the outstanding amounts,” he added.

Last month, Cabinet approved the regularisation of the acquisition of aircraft bought from Malaysia and make outstanding payments for the Embraer planes acquired in the US to be brought to Zimbabwe.

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe has been ranked number 83 in the world according to the 2019 Military Strength Ranking compiled by Global fire Power, which is the trusted source of military rankings worldwide.

Zimbabwe ranks 13th on the African continent in terms of the military mighty, behind countries such as South Africa, Angola and Zambia.

The ranking uses 55 different factors including the number and diversity of weapons.

Other factors which are considered included: location, natural resources, local industry. financial stability, but not the current political leadership.

According to the report, Zimbabwe’s firepower is structured as follows:

• 30 000 active personnel;
• 0 reserve personnel;
• 5 584 086 manpower at its disposal;
• 3 182 989 people fit-for-service;
• 308 744 citizens reach the eligible age to serve annually;
• 10 aircraft fighters;
• 7 attack aircraft;
• 14 transport aircraft;
• 46 trainer aircraft;
• 42 combat tanks;
• 300 fighting armoured vehicles;
• 0 self-propelled artillery;
• 65 towed artillery;
• 22 rocket projectors;
• 0 frigates;
• 0 submarines;
• 0 patrol vessels; and
• 0 mine warfare vessels.

The top 15 armies in Africa are (bracket value is world ranking):

1) Egypt (12);

2) Algeria (27);

3) South Africa (32);

4) Nigeria (44);

5) Ethiopia (47);

6) Angola (57);

7) Morocco (60);

8) Sudan (69);

9) DR Congo (72);

10) Libya (77);

11) Zambia (78);

12) Tunisia (80);

13) Zimbabwe (83);

14) Kenya (86); and

15) Uganda (93).

By Own Correspondent- WhatsApp has taken the drastic step to eliminate the use of third-party apps like WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp (modded apps).

WhatsApp has already started to ban users that are using 3rd party applications like GBWhatsApp, WhatsApp Plus and YOWhatsApp on their Android devices.

A statement released by the instant messenger app on its website reads says:

“If you received an in-app message stating your account is “Temporarily banned” this means that you’re likely using an unsupported version of WhatsApp instead of the official WhatsApp app. If this is the case, you must download the official app to continue using WhatsApp.

Unsupported apps, such as WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp, are altered versions of WhatsApp. These unofficial apps are developed by third parties and violate our Terms of Service. WhatsApp doesn’t support these third-party apps because we can’t validate their security practices.”

The other WhatsApp versions such as GBWhatsApp are popular with users because they have plenty of features that are still missing from the real WhatsApp.

In an attempt to fill that gap, developers started creating modded versions of WhatsApp that went above and beyond to make sure users get the features that aren’t present in the actual app.

However, these ‘fake’ WhatsApps pose a significant threat to WhatsApp and to the users as well in terms of privacy and security.

By Own Correspondent- The Zanu-PF Youth League is not happy with the sentiments expressed by the Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube over the removal of the indigenisation law.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Ncube said that Zimbabwe is in the process of removing the indigenisation law which is discouraging foreign direct investment.

Zanu-PF youth League Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu however respondent to the statements by Ncube and said that the 51/49% ownership remains for platinum and diamonds miners.

In an interview with a local online publication, Tsenengamu said:

“The President came out and said 51/49 remains for minerals like Platinum and Diamond and now the Finance Minister comes out saying they are scrapping it out completely to give 100% ownership to foreigners.

What is it we are driving at as a country? What has informed that decision by the Finance Minister? What has happened to the declaration by the President which the Finance Minister seems to be overturning?

… The President saw reason in partially reserving that sector for the indigenous as this would ensure the empowerment and economic emancipation of the previously disadvantaged but what’s surprising today is how the Finance Minister can just change that today.

The world over especially in the West there is no foreigner with 100% ownership over strategic sectors especially critical minerals like diamonds and am not sure what’s motivating the Finance Minister to declare that.

… Are we that desperate that we can choose to dis-empower ourselves in order to satisfy foreigners who will create jobs yes but which jobs will never make us rich? We will remain poor but employed when we continue giving away our resources in this manner.”

By Own Correspondent- Opposition MDC National Spokesperson Jacob Mafume has dismissed as false reports alleging that party president Nelson Chamisa is set to meet former President Robert Mugabe in the next few days.

In an interview with a local radio station on Monday night, Mafume said that there is no scheduled meeting between his party’s leader and deposed Zanu Pf leader Mugabe in the near future.

Mafume, however, left room for a meeting between the two in the future. He said that there is a lot to learn from Mugabe some of which include what to do to avoid abusing human rights and also how to manage a leadership succession.

He also spoke at length on the status of the MDC as a coalition of other political parties revealing that the Alliance was an electoral pact and the party remains the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Farai Dziva|MDC A deputy chairperson Tendai Biti has described as futile, attempts by Emmerson Mnangagwa to use shadowy Public Relations tactics to conceal his tainted political record.

“The truth is this is a murderous regime that has committed crimes against humanity including rape , murder and torture .

No amount of spin or lies can ever chlorinate the bandits masquerading as rulers in Zim. The truth is you can’t put lip stick on a crocodile,” tweeted Biti.

“The regime cannot supply drugs in hospitals, it cannot deal with cholera, it cannot supply water to its citizens- yet it has the indecency of contracting a US lobby firm #BrianBallard to wash its dirty linen in the USA. An absolute embarrassment,” added Biti.

The Zanu-PF Youth League has clashed with Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube over his recent pronouncement that government is reversing the indigenisation policy to allow foreign entities full ownership of their investments.

This latest development shows the deep-seated problems that the “technocrats” hired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa face in executing their duties in a government where the majority of the hardliners from the Robert Mugabe era are still in control of the party and government.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television last week, Ncube said they are removing the indigenization policy which he said was discouraging foreign direct investment into the country.

“We are removing that indigenization rule, which is discouraging foreign direct investment,” Ncube said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Washington.

“We say Zimbabwe is open for business; you can only be open if you allow ownership of 100 percent,” added Ncube.

However, Zanu-PF youth League Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu told 263Chat that the move is against a declaration by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that the 51/49% ownership remains for platinum and diamonds miners.

“The President came out and said 51/49 remains for minerals like Platinum and Diamond and now the Finance Minister comes out saying they are scrapping it out completely to give 100% ownership to foreigners.

ZANU-PF Youth league political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu was not amused.

“What is it we are driving at as a country? What has informed that decision by the Finance Minister? What has happened to the declaration by the President which the Finance Minister seems to be overturning?” Tsenengamu said.

Zimbabwe holds the world’s second-largest known reserves of platinum-group metals after South Africa, plus substantial deposits of gold, diamonds, lithium, iron ore, coal, chrome and nickel.

The changes to the ownership rules would need to be ratified by parliament.

However, Tsenengamu argued that 51/49 percent on Platinum and Diamonds was not responsible for driving away investors but policy inconsistency.

“The President saw reason in partially reserving that sector for the indigenous as this would ensure the empowerment and economic emancipation of the previously disadvantaged but what’s surprising today is how the Finance Minister can just change that today.

“The world over especially in the West there is no foreigner with 100% ownership over strategic sectors especially critical minerals like diamonds and am not sure what’s motivating the Finance Minister to declare that,” he noted.

Tsenengamu expressed worry that Mthuli Ncube could be very desperate for investors and in the process dis-empowering locals.

“Are we that desperate that we can choose to dis-empower ourselves in order to satisfy foreigners who will create jobs yes but which jobs will never make us rich. We will remain poor but employed when we continue giving away our resources in this manner,” noted Tsenengamu.

However, other colleagues of the ZANU-PF Youth League boss called him to order, reminding him that even with the existing percentages under Mugabe, the country benefited nothing.

By Own Correspondent- South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in the country ahead of the official opening of the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) set for tomorrow.

He was met at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by his counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi and other senior government officials.

The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services confirmed that President Mnangagwa will host a banquet in honour of President Ramaphosa this evening.

The BNC opened in Harare this morning with a meeting of senior officials which called for vigorous implementation of bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Secretary Ambassador James Manzou and his counterpart, South African Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Kgabo Mahoai officially opened the meeting.

The BNC is the highest bilateral framework of co-operation between Zimbabwe and South Africa and the second session of the BNC between the two countries was last convened in South Africa in October 2017.-StateMedia

https://youtu.be/0X-_dUTgLI4

Tempers rose during an MDC Alliance rally at Chisamba Grounds in Mutare over the weekend when the party’s supporters heckled secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora resulting in president Nelson Chamisa threatening to walk out of the gathering unless Mwonzora was allowed to speak.

This was after supporters sympathetic to the youthful leader heckled and booed Mwonzora as he took to the podium to address the rally.

Mwonzora has thrown his name in the hat and will be challenging Chamisa’s MDC Alliance presidency at the party’s crucial congress in May.

It was, however, clear from the onset of the rally that Mwonzora could have a torrid time as almost all high ranking MDC Alliance leaders who spoke seemed to accuse him of being Zanu PF by challenging Chamisa.

https://youtu.be/0X-_dUTgLI4

Dangamvura-Chikanga MP and MDC chief whip Prosper Mutseyami had set the tone of the rally by declaring that a caucus by all sitting MPs and senators backed Chamisa’s presidency beyond congress. Organising secretary Amos Chibaya who was directing proceedings also hammered home on the need for the party to maintain its momentum by retaining their young leader declaring that any thoughts of changing their leader was a Zanu PF agenda.

Youth Assembly leader Happison “General Bvondo” Chidziwa pronounced his position saying as young people they would support one of their own for the party’s presidency.

Lynette Karenyi-Kore, the women’s assembly leader also rose to add her voice to the endorsement of Chamisa’s continued leadership of the party beyond congress before it was Mwonzora’s turn to take to the podium.

Not to be outdone, Tendai Biti would also go on to declare that there was no need to change commanders in the middle of a war.

So by the time Mwonzora came to the podium, all anger was focused on him as he rose to deafening booing forcing Chamisa to rush to the stage and threatening to return without addressing the rally if they would not allow the party secretary-general to address them.

Chamisa told the rally he understood emotions were running high due to the impending congress but bemoaned what he termed Zanu PF culture in which it is a taboo for the presidency to be openly challenged.

“MDC people follow MDC culture… our secretary-general shall speak after that we will proceed with our programme otherwise; I’ll not address the rally myself,” Chamisa said before chiding a group of supporters who were already raising placards denouncing Mwonzora.

“Put down the placards, this is not the time,” he said.

“I know its congress time… I know you’re used to Zanu PF culture that says the leader should not be contested. I’ve heard what you said that you don’t change a commander during war but we want people to determine their leaders. I’ll have to allow those who want to contest to do so… He who contests me is the one who strengthens me,” Chamisa said.

He said he knew that when the party openly shows division it would be because of positions.
“I know that if it’s like this in Manicaland there will be positions being sought,” the MDC leader said.

Mwonzora on his part went on to deliver a speech in which he applauded the province’s exploits in the past election before declaring his vision for a united party.

“I want this MDC to be a united party, I want this MDC to be a party that chooses, I want this MDC to be a tolerant and democratic party. I want this MDC as secretary-general to be a disciplined party,” Mwonzora said in an emotional delivery. — DailyNews

ZORA music maestro Leonard Karikoga Zhakata’s show at Specimen in Glen Norah over the weekend reportedly attracted a paltry crowd of only 20 people.

The show failed to kick off on time as there were very few people at the venue, and the delay was mean to crank up the numbers, but people still would not show up.

A reveller who tried to negotiate for a discounted entry fee with the bouncers was heard saying:

“Handisi kuda kumbogara mukati umu ini, ndiri kuda kungonzwa hangu Madam Boss ndodzoka zvangu paden (I’m not here for the whole show, I just want to see him perform Madam Boss then I go back home).”

Zhataka took the airwaves by storm when he released his immortal song “Mugove” in the 1990s. His fame continued to soar for over a decade with songs such as Gomba Remarara, Upenyu Mutoro and Pane Ziya Pane Dovi.

However, the Mugove hitmaker’s fortunes nosedived when he released ‘Mubikira’ which resulted in the censorship of his music by ZBC.

— 263chat

The Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (Potraz) has started consulting cellular service providers on tariff increases after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe floated the exchange rate last month.

Potraz customer service’s manager Mr Phibion Chaibva told journalists on the side lines of the authority’ outreach programme at Chinotimba Shopping Centre in Victoria Falls on Saturday that while he was not privy to the increases proposed by cellphone service providers, he was aware that consultations were underway.

He said that the authority was going to decide on the increases using costs submitted by service providers.

“What I know is Potraz’s approval of tariffs is cost based. Our regulations say it should be supported by documents of what it costs providers to provide their service and their mark up,” he said.

The review in tariff comes as the cost of goods and services has been going up. Mr Chaibva said as an authority they were keen to ensure that subscribers get the best service and value from providers. He said the most common complaint that they have been getting during their road show was that of subscribers losing their credit without making a call. He said some of the issues pertained to lack of communication on billing.

“Service providers should continuously engage their clients on billing so that they will make the right decision on their spending patterns,” he said.

Mr Chaibva also said their roadshows were also targeting children to raise awareness of dos and don’ts when using the internet.

“We are saying that the internet is good and children should access it but parents have a duty to monitor the sites that their children visit and the people they engage because some of them are very dangerous. The child might assume that he or she is talking or communicating with another child yet it’s someone who wants to harm them,” he said.

In terms of uptake, he said the country’s mobile penetration was at 94 percent.

“Our market uptake is almost mature. We are nearly there almost everyone is connected,” he said.

— State Media

By Own Correspondent| The government of Zimbabwe on Monday advised citizens to check the model of Boeing aircraft before checking in for their flights.

Writing on microblogging site Twitter, Deputy Minister for Information, Energy Mutodi said:

“While investigations around the plane crash involving Indonesian and Ethiopian planes are continuing, we would like to advise Zimbabwean citizens that we have classified the American-built Boeing 737-Max8 as an unsafe aircraft due to its malfunctioning auto-pilot software.

A combination of malfunctioning sensors, an unfamiliar auto-diving software and inability to resist aerodynamic roughness in the lower atmosphere make the American Boeing 737-Max8 prone to take-off and landing accidents. Always check the flight model before check in.”

Mutodi’s warning comes after a Boeing 737-Max8 came down on Sunday morning soon after takeoff from Nairobi Kenya.

The plane crash killed all 157 people on board.

Farai Dziva| MDC A secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has been issued with a warrant of arrest.

The politician failed to appear in court for trial in a case in which he is facing charges of negligent driving.

According to court documents, Mwonzora’s trial was expected to start last Thursday but he was nowhere to be seen- resulting in him being issued with an arrest warrant.

Mwonzora was involved in a car accident on May 27 last year long Tynwald Road in Harare.
He bumped into another car as he was reversing his Toyota Land Cruiser at the intersection of Kirkman Drive and Tynwald Road.
The damaged car, also a Toyota Land Cruiser was being driven by one Onsmo Muzhingi.
Mwonzora is also being charged with failure to insure a motor vehicle.

11/03/2019
20:00
HE President Mnangagwa is hosting a banquet in honor of HE President Ramaphosa

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) March 11, 2019

Farai Dziva| MDC A spokesperson Jacob Mafume has been released by the police after a rigorous interrogation process, party sources have said.

Mafume was freed without any charges after police indicated they would call his lawyer Advocate Bhatasara if they intend to press formal charges against him.

Earlier today, MDC deputy national spokesperson Bekithemba Mpofu indicated that Mafume was confined at ZRP Law and Order section in the company of his attorney Advocate Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Several MDC A councillors and MPs have been arrested since the beginning of the year.

MDC National Spokesperson Councillor Jacob Mafume has been released without charge with police indicating they would call his lawyer Advocate Tonderai Bhatasara if they intend to press any charges.

More to follow…

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) reports that said that a 32-year-old man is facing prosecution after he was arrested and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa after he allegedly told a colleague wearing a ZANU PF party T-shirt that he does not like the picture of the person on it.

In Zimbabwe, a 32 year-old man is facing prosecution after he was arrested&charged with undermining authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa after he allegedly told a colleague wearing a ZANU PF party T-shirt that he doesn't like the picture of the person on it.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) March 11, 2019

Farai Gwaza from Dindi villange under Chief Chitsungo in Pfungwe, Mashonaland East province, will have his day in court for the “crime”.

Pfungwe is a ZANU-PF stronghold, with the ruling party scooping victory after victory in successive local ward and national elections.

Farai Dziva|The MDC A Youth Assembly has strongly condemned the arrest of party spokesperson Jacob Mafume today.

MDC A Youth Assembly official Arnold Batirai Dube has confirmed the incident.

See Dube’ s statement below:

The MDC A Youth Assembly strongly condemns the unjustifiable arrest of MDC A spokesman Councillor Jacob Mafume.

This shows a systematic pattern of victimisation of MDC A members by Zanu PF through abusing the police and justice system to settle political scores with citizens who are not happy with the ongoing culture of poor governance, economic rot, corruption and gross violation of human rights.

As MDC A youths, we are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Mafume and all other prisoners of conscience.

It is mind- boggling to note that Zanu PF is speaking of national dialogue yet it is using state apparatus to victimize citizens.

FreeJacobMafume

Cllr Arnold Batirai Dube
MDC A Youth Assembly national executive member
+263778165528

Correspondent|MDC Alliance spokesperson Jacob Mafume has been arrested. Mafume is currently detained by police at Harare Central Law and Order Section.

Party officials say the police are indicating that they will prefer treason charges against him.

Former MDC legislator and Minister of Education David Coltart says that Mafume’s arrest shows that the country is back to the 1980s when ZANU PF systematically detained ZAPU MPs in an attempt to crush that party.

A number of MDC Alliance officials have been arrested and charged with offences ranging from criminal nuisance to treason.

This follows the violent protests in January against a sharp spike in fuel prices. the State accuses opposition officials of encouraging banditry under the guise of peaceful demonstrations.

Property worth millions of dollars was lost during the protests, while as many as 17 people lost their lives.

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader is the most influential and powerful politician in the country, argues political observer Edson Musarurwa.

See Musarurwa’ s argument below: Emmerson
Mnangagwa rigged the election, Nelson Chamisa disputed the results and the Constitutional Court dismissed the case.

Mnangagwa was then declared President . Now he is the President and he is in charge of the army, police, the judiciary and other powerful service organs.

Surprisingly he is still crying for recognition from Chamisa.

My question is if he is the duly elected President why is he literally crying for endorsement from Chamisa? Is this not a way of indirectly admitting that Chamisa is the most powerful man in the land at the moment?

Farai Dziva|War veterans leader Victor Matemadanda, whose hatred of Robert Mugabe is an open secret has claimed that the former President is being haunted by the spirits of the people he allegedly killed during the Gukurahundi era.

Matemadanda, who is still nursing a keen grudge against the nonagenarian has also said the former strongman should be arrested for the atrocities he committed against ordinary citizens.

“Mugabe’s Gushungo Farm has a lot of cattle, let him use the beasts he owns to appease the avenging spirits of the people he killed,” said Matemadanda.

“Some people say because he is old we have to forgive him. Personally I will never forgive him.Yes he is old but let us remember he killed many people during his reign.”

By Own Correspondent- The government has revealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the two per cent electronic transaction tax will realise over US$600 million this year.

This was outlined by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube in the government progress report on economic reforms submitted to the IMF.

The two per cent tax was introduced in October 2018 as the government sought to widen its revenue base.

It is one of the most unpopular among a raft of austerity measures introduced by the government.

In November 2018, US$52.5 million was raised in November while US$103.8 million was raised in December, giving a total of US$166.2 million for 2018.-StateMedia

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lawyer Tinomudaishe Chinyoka has attacked the opposition MDC saying they are behind a social media campaign for the Deputy Minister of Transport, Fortune Chasi to takeover the reigns in the ruling Zanu PF.

Chinyoka who a few weeks ago caused a stir when he attacked Gweru based human rights lawyer said the Chasi campaign is aimed at derailing the good work he is doing.

“There is a mischievous campaign by supporters of the MDC Alliance to try and derail the good work being done by my brother Fortune Chasi with a stupid and unsolicited campaign. We know its not him and we know what you are trying to do. We dont take direction from constitutionless fools,” said Chinyoka.

There is a mischievous campaign by supporters of the @MDCAllianceZW to try & derail the good work being done by my brother @fortunechasi with a stupid &unsolicited campaign. We know it’s not him, &we know what u are trying 2 do. We don’t take direction from constitutionless fools

— ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? (@TinoChinyoka) March 10, 2019

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has revealed that a 32-year-old man is facing prosecution after he was arrested and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa after he allegedly told a colleague wearing a ZANU PF party T-shirt that he doesn’t like the picture of the person on it.

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

By Own Correspondent| Independent legislator for Norton Temba Mliswa has dismissed as lies that the Zimbabwe military removed former President Robert Mugabe from power.

Mliswa said that the army failed to push Mugabe out of office and if it were not the citizens who demonstrated, and parliament which began the impeachment process, Mugabe would have refused to go.

Mliswa said this during an all-stakeholders post-election workshop hosted by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week.

Said Mliswa:

“I want to address the issue that the army was part of the process of ensuring that there was a second republic so were all of us.

… Then there was the people’s march, the people’s revolutions, led by the war veterans and everybody involved. It was the first time to see Members of Parliament coming together. … the issue of impeachment was first started by James Maridadi (MDC-T) and I seconded it when the army failed to remove the former President, and I say this for the first time; they failed. He [Mugabe] refused to go, that was when there was an impeachment process.

To lie every day yet there’s evidence when the army wanted to remove Mugabe, did he go? Let’s be honest. That is why I get too emotional at Parliament, it’s because of lies.”

Mugabe was put under house arrest by the military at his Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale for a couple of days.

He adamantly refused to step aside even when thousands of Zimbabweans poured into the streets, calling for his resignation.

It was only when impeachment proceedings started in Parliament, and  Mugabe realised that he had lost the support of the bulk of ZANU PF MPs that he resigned.-Newsday

By Nomusa Garikai- “PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa recently held his inaugural meeting with the Presidential Advisory Council (Pac) recently appointed to assist in bringing in new ideas, policy proposals and solutions to Zimbabwe’s myriad of problems,” wrote Dumisani Muleya, Editor of Zimbabwe Independent.

“Objectively speaking, the initiative is a breath of fresh air. It shows Mnangagwa is willing to listen. Well, on paper at least.

“Besides, it has distinguished people of great character, integrity and reputation. They are generally experts in their own fields. Each member should add to Pac’s diversity of experience as a collective body.” 

Editor Muleya, you have clearly missed a number of key points here: 

1. “Mnangagwa is willing to listen!” Are you mad! If Mnangagwa was willing to listen then why has denied the people of Zimbabwe the basic human right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country? Mnangagwa has been at the heart of Zanu PF’s vote rigging and brutal oppression for the last 38 years. 

• The appointment of this 24 member PAC will not help find “solutions to Zimbabwe’s myriad of problems” because Mnangagwa has already been given sound advice on such key areas as ending corruption, holding free and fair elections to end Zimbabwe’s pariah state status, etc. He has ignored all such advice because following it risked Zanu PF losing its strangle hold on power. 

• The appointment of PAC is in keeping with the time honoured Zanu PF mentality of substituting quality with quantity. Whilst Ian Smith had governed the country with less than 20 ministers and deputy ministers. At one point, Mugabe had 1 President, 2 VPs, 1 PM, 2 Deputy Prime Ministers, 30 Ministers, 10 Deputy Ministers, 10 Provisional Governors, God knows how many Executive Mayors, etc., etc. Mnangagwa has reduced the size of his cabinet but only by putting most of Mugabe’s cabinet members, permanent secretaries and other senior civil servants out to pasture on full cabinet member salary and allowance. This PAC is but a second tier cabinet in all but name! 

• Each and everyone of the PAC member is an expert in their field but that does not necessarily mean they all have integrity too! Just because they are rich it is does not necessarily mean they are honest especially in a country were corruption is rampant. Each and everyone of these members know that Mnangagwa rigged last year’s elections and yet they all pretend the elections were free, fair and credible. Worse still, they know that as long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs there is no chance of the country achieving any meaningful economic recovery. They have agreed to be appointed PAC members because they are paid well in cash and prestige to be a members; there in nothing honourable in that! 

“Nonetheless, PAC deserves a chance. Granted it must be scrutinised and criticised, but given a try. Its members seem ready to hit the ground running, though they ought to understand very well they have a mountain to climb. They can make a difference, but then again it won’t be easy. It’s like trying to climb Mount Everest,” continue Muleya.

“Perhaps the PAC can also make its own piece of history.”

Nonsense, there is no climbing Mount Everest mystic or challenge about understanding corruption and holding free, fair and credible elections and understanding why they are the basis of good and competent governance and economic success. It is madness to argue that Zanu PF will finally deliver economic prosperity after 38 years of delivering poverty! 

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” said the great Physicist Albert Einstein.

Zanu PF has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the party is corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs. The party rigged last July’s elections and therefore have no democratic mandate to govern. It is Zanu PF we a giving another chance to extend its corrupt and tyrannical rule on the feeble excuse that a corrupt and compromised PAC will achieve the miracle of the economic recovery regardless of the of the inherent wastefulness and inconsistencies of the pariah state. 

We can differ on some things but there are others that are so basic and fundamental, it is pointless to argue. As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs there is no hope of any meaningful economic recovery much less achieving “Vision 2030 Upper Middle Income” status that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube keeps wittering about! Zimbabwe is subject to the same laws of thermodynamics, of economics, etc. as everyone else. 

We should concentrate on dismantling the Zanu PF dictatorship and laying a strong foundation for free and democratic Zimbabwe and stop day-dreaming PAC delivering economic recovery whilst Zimbabwe remains a pariah state. 

Our first task in dismantling Zanu PF is to demand that the regime steps down! We have tried to avoid this task for the last 38 years and we are paying dearly for it and will continue to do so until we deal with this curse of rigged elections.

By Own Correspondent- The state media reports that former President Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law Simba Chikore has been fingered in corruption and nepotism when he was the chief operating officer of Air Zimbabwe.

Chikore, who married Mugabe’s only daughter, Bona, attempted to incorporate Zimbabwe Airways as an alternative, debt-free entity funded by Treasury.

The deal involved the purchase of four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from the Malaysian government and six Embraer-145 aircraft from the United States of America.

Chikore also allegedly misrepresented himself as a captain while he was a first officer, which disqualified him from flying.

He resigned from his post in 2017 after his father-in-law’s lengthy rule came to an end when the military-backed by citizens and parliamentarians forced him to resign.-StateMedia

Related:

By Own Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya said shortages of fuel being witnessed in the country is a result of a growing economy..

Mangudya attributed the fuel shortages to the expanding economy promising that the fuel situation in Zimbabwe will improve before end of this month.

Said Mangudya:

“The demand for fuel in Zimbabwe has increased because the economy has been expanding. So, an expanding economy requires more fuel. Let us look at the other side of the story, the other side of the story is that the economy has been expanding and that is why the demand (for fuel) has been going up. We used to spend about US$60 million or so per month to US$80 million per month, but now we are on US$90 million to US$100 million per month. So, where is all this fuel going to? The fuel is going into the economy, and this economy is expanding.”-StateMedia

POPULAR Bulawayo-based dancehall chanter, Njanji, real name Noah Wambe (30) has been linked to armed robberies targeting illegal foreign currency dealers in the city.

A gang armed with guns, machetes and iron bars that allegedly worked with Njanji, trailed osiphatheleni to their homes and robbed them of household property that includes television sets, cellphones and cash.

One of the gang members was arrested last Tuesdy at fast food outlet in the city.

The suspect implicated Njanji and police have allegedly recovered some of the stolen property from the dancehall chanter while some people who were arrested with some of the goods claimed that they bought them from him.

The heavily built Njanji yesterday denied masterminding the gang.“I don’t know what you are talking about, I don’t know anything,” he said.

Diners at Chicken Inn drive-through in Famona suburb narrated a hair-raising scene when six heavily armed detectives arrested Adonai Mashonga (32) at around 4PM on Tuesday. “He’s a regular at the joint. He always tells people he is a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative. We were shocked when he was suddenly surrounded and whisked away by armed police,” said a source who asked not to be named.

Mashonga, a police source said, fingered Njanji and named six other accomplices who are still at large.

Mashonga was found with housebreaking implements and has since made indications at six houses in Pumula, Nketa, Cowdray Park and Emganwini suburbs where he said his gang robbed people.

Two Bulawayo residents who were arrested while using cellphones that had been stolen from one of the osiphatheleni, told police they bought them from Njanji.

The musician indicated that he bought the cellphones from Mashonga who was in the company of Zibusiso alias Zikhewu.

Mashonga’s gang is suspected to have raided Mr George Dennise’s home in Pumula East around 8PM on 24 November and ordered everyone to lie on the ground at gun point and demanded cash which was in the house.

Mr Dennise led them to his bedroom where he gave them R4 000, $470 Bond notes and USD $55.

“The robbers ransacked the house and took away four cellphones,” said a source close to the incident.

About five hours later, the gang went to Mr Ishmael Chikarakara’s home in Nketa 9, armed with a pistol, two machetes, an axe and iron bars.

“They forced open the door and ordered Mr Chikarakara to lie down but he resisted. He grappled with one of the robbers and a gang member struck him with a machete on the forehead leaving a deep gash. Following further strikes with the machete on his left hand and right thigh, he relented and lay down facing downwards,” said a source.

The armed robbers took US$200, R2 000, a 52 inch LG plasma TV set, an HP Laptop, a Samsung double sim cellphone, a Samsung Tablet, a Samsung Galaxy series cellphone, Huawei cellphone, soft drink cans, five dressed chickens and two sets of car keys for a Mercedes Benz and a Nissan X-Trail.

One of the suspects ordered Mr Chikarakara’s wife to strip intending to rape her.

The other gang members allegedly dissuaded him from raping her.

They tied up Mr Chikarakara and his wife using the hem of a blanket before fleeing from the scene.

The detectives said the stolen property is yet to be fully recovered as the accused alleges that the bulk of the stolen property has since been sold to some buyers only known by his accomplices who are still at large. Njanji is among the first Zimdancehall artistes to promote road safety.

State Media

Correspondent|ZIMBABWE is not even among the 10 strongest military forces in Africa, as it ranks 13th on the continent and 83rd when it comes to the rest of the world.

This is according to the 2019 Military Strength Ranking compiled by Globalfire Power, which is the trusted source of military rankings worldwide.

The ranking uses 55 different factors including the number and diversity of weapons. Other factors which are considered included: location, natural resources, local industry. financial stability, but not the current political leadership.

Nuclear weapons and stockpiles are not taken directly into account, but receive indirect scores. Nato (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies get a boost, because they share military resources.

The ranking notes that it is not the number of weapons that carries weight, but the diversity of available weapons. Further, landlocked countries are not penalized for having no naval forces in the final computation of the rankings. 

However, a nation’s financial stability is taken into consideration, but the current political/military leaders are not factored in.

The top 15 armies in Africa are (bracket value is world ranking):

1) Egypt (12);

2) Algeria (27);

3) South Africa (32);

4) Nigeria (44);

5) Ethiopia (47);

6) Angola (57);

7) Morocco (60);

8) Sudan (69);

9) DR Congo (72);

10) Libya (77);

11) Zambia (78);

12) Tunisia (80);

13) Zimbabwe (83);

14) Kenya (86); and

15) Uganda (93).

The top 10 armies in the world are:

1) United States;

2) Russia;

3) China;

4) India;

5) France;

6) Japan;

7) South Korea;

8) United Kingdom;

9) Turkey; and

10) Germany.

The weakest 10 in the world are;

128) Gabon;

129) Mauritania;

130) Somalia;

131) El Salvador;

132) Central African Republic;

133) Panama;

134) Sierra Leone;

135) Suriname;

136) Liberia; and

137) Bhutan.

South Africa was ranked the third strongest military in Africa behind Egypt (12th) and Algeria (27th).

According to the ranking Zimbabwe has:

• 30 000 active personnel;
• 0 reserve personnel;
• 5 584 086 manpower at its disposal;
• 3 182 989 people fit-for-service;
• 308 744 citizens reach the eligible age to serve annually;
• 10 aircraft fighters;
• 7 attack aircraft;
• 14 transport aircraft;
• 46 trainer aircraft;
• 42 combat tanks;
• 300 fighting armoured vehicles;
• 0 self-propelled artillery;
• 65 towed artillery;
• 22 rocket projectors;
• 0 frigates;
• 0 submarines;
• 0 patrol vessels; and
• 0 mine warfare vessels.

One final point to note is that Zimbabwe’s military ranking has dropped from its position last year.

By Own Correspondent- A Commissioner at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has revealed that the body was overwhelmed by the high number of candidates in last year’s elections that the collation process saw election results being mixed up.

Zec commissioner Qhubani Moyo told a post-election workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week that the candidates worsened the situation by distributing unverified results on social media.

Said Moyo:

“In as much as Zec adopted two transmission routes, the collation itself was overwhelmed by the number of candidates in the tripartite election.

There was an overwhelming amount of contesting candidates in some urban constituencies, for instance, in Pumula constituency, there were 21 MP contestants, 17 councillor contestants in one ward and 23 presidential contestants.”

Zec announced a first set of results which was contested by MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa at the Constitutional Court and the electoral management board later revised the results to correct the mistake.

Moyo said the commission was rushed by politicians who were circulating fake V11 forms and inciting the public to riot.

He said Zec was forced to release results before all processes were complete.

“The overwhelming pressure that the commission met, clearly there was lots of pressure, there was pressure in terms of the compilation process of the results.

There were some politicians who ran a racket and syndicate of what they called the V11 forms, that put lots of pressure on the public, put lots of pressure on us and the pressure also went on to influence people on the streets, leading to some protests that we all know led to the unfortunate deaths of a number of our citizens.”

Zec has been accused of lacking independence with the MDC Alliance accusing the commission of manipulating results in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party.

Renowned lawyer and researcher Derek Matzysk said while Zec was listed as an independent commission, it was appointed by political players through the parliamentary Standing Orders Committee.

The huge demand for fuel, which has caused supply challenges and spawned fuel queues across the country, is testimony that economic activity has expanded significantly over the past year or so, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Dr John Mangudya said last week.

Dr Mangudya, however, allayed fears of continued widespread fuel shortages in the country saying the situation should start improving before end of this month on the back of interventions the bank and Government had put in place.

The Reserve Bank, Dr Mangudya said, had released funding for fuel imports through letters of credit over the last two months, which are enough to import required amounts of fuel into Zimbabwe. He said the fuel shortages reflected time lags between bank processes and actual deliveries.

This is because the process of establishing a letter of credit (LC) with a local bank, getting confirmation from the international bank (Afreximbank, which guarantees LCs) through to getting confirmation from the foreign bank, which advises the fuel supplier up until the supplier gives notification for release of fuel, takes two weeks on average.

The fuel is usually already in the country at NOIC’s Msasa storage facilities, but needs to be paid for first prior to release.

All fuel imports into Zimbabwe are now paid for through LCs, which are financial instruments used to securitise and finance imports, due to challenges around hard currency.

LCs need to be guaranteed by an international bank to be acceptable as value for money and in Zimbabwe’s case this is done by Afreximbank.

The central bank chief made the comments when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power on Thursday last week, which is chaired by Uzumba Member of Parliament Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.

Responding to an enquiry by Magwegwe MP, Anele Ndebele, on whether Zimbabwe was now in a lurch regarding the fuel situation, Dr Mangudya dismissed the notion that the country was between “a rock and a hard surface”.

Dr Mangudya said shortages of fuel being witnessed in the country — driven by increased demand due to the growing economy — were only transitory and not due to shortage of foreign currency needed to import the precious commodity.

“The demand for fuel in Zimbabwe has increased because the economy has been expanding.

“So, an expanding economy requires more fuel.

“Let us look at the other side of the story, the other side of the story is that the economy has been expanding and that is why the demand (for fuel) has been going up,” he said.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said in his Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) policy blue print (2019-2020) that Zimbabwe could soon be joining the six fastest growing economies in the world (from 2020), which are all in Africa.

Last year, the Treasury chief said Zimbabwe was much bigger than “we think” and re-based (establish a new base level) the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) from US$18 billion to US$25,8 billion.

“We used to spend about US$60 million or so per month to US$80 million per month, but now we are on US$90 million to US$100 million per month. So, where is all this fuel going to? The fuel is going into the economy, and this economy is expanding,” Dr Mangudya said.

Dr Mangudya said most of the firms that were closed prior to 2016 had reopened, activity in town was high and “you can even see it by these traffic jams, which were never there at some point in Zimbabwe”.

This justifies the high demand for fuel in Zimbabwe.

“So the evidence on the ground suggests to us that the demand is genuine and it’s fair to say that the economy has expanded and all we are saying is that let us not lose hope because of what we are seeing on the ground,” he said.

Dr Mangudya said the shortage of fuel was a transitory issue the apex bank and other arms of Government were working on to resolve, adding he expects “the fuel situation to improve starting this month”.

“We are going to make sure that we improve the lag between payment and supply; we are promising that we will do all we can so that we go into a better season. We need to clear the fuel queues in our country.”

The RBZ governor said while the bank had spent a cumulative US$170 million to import fuel amounting to 285 million litres in January and February, only 208 million had been released into the market while some of the balance was starting to be released now.

Consumption of fuel in Zimbabwe has, however, decline due to prize elasticity, from about between 160 million litres and 165 million per month in December last year to between 120 million litres and 120 million litres per month after the recent price hike.

Zimbabwe’s economy is estimated to have grown by 4 percent last year while finance and economic development Minister Mthuli Ncube projected in his 2019 national budget that the economy will grow by 3,1 percent this year.

Zimbabwe registered faster economic growth in 2018 compared to the average growth for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, despite battling a myriad of challenges besetting the economy, chief among them critical shortage of foreign currency.

While the domestic economy is expected to have grown by 4 percent last year the average annual economic growth for the rest of the sub-region, generally considered to have relatively more stable economic jurisdictions, came in at an average 3,2 percent.

State Media

Former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law, Mr Simba Chikore used his family ties to manipulate processes, corrupt people and enter into shady deals involving several stakeholders during his time at the national airliner, Air Zimbabwe, The Herald reveals today.

Mr Chikore, married to Bona Mugabe, was chief operating officer of the flag carrier between October 2016 and November 2017.

During the time, Mr Chikore controversially incorporated Zimbabwe Airways as an alternative, debt-free entity funded by Treasury. The new airline would be owned by an outfit known as Aeronautics Africa Trust registered on November 13, 2017.

The controversial new airline project was consummated by the undertaking to purchase four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from the Malaysian government and six Embraer-145 aircraft from the United States of America but was saddled from the start with regulatory and technical issues that have seen the planes not flying the country’s flag aloft to this day, with efforts presently underway to salvage the situation.

Operationalisation of Zimbabwe Airways was equally murky, with millions being splurged to conduct daily business, including hiring of staff, without due process while service providers were engaged without going to tender.

The Herald is in possession of unimpeachable evidence of the rot at the national airline in the period between 2016 and 2017 with Mr Chikore, who was the de facto chief executive officer of the new airline.

Throughout his ill-fated tenure, Mr Chikore misrepresented himself as a captain while he was a first officer, which disqualified him from flying, which he did.

He resigned as the Chief Operating Officer following Operation Restore Legacy that swept aside his father-in-law’s lengthy rule.

Sources close to the developments catalogued the malfeasance and how Mr Chikore could have been involved in criminal enterprise. It has also emerged that he, in fact, did not have a contract with Zimbabwe Airways despite the fact that he called himself Chief Executive Officer.

Uncannily, he did not draw a salary from the entity.

“On the 17th of August 2017, Zimbabwe Airways received $1 million from the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) which, according to the business plan prepared by Baker, Tilly Chartered Accountants, was supposed to help set up the business for six months after which we were to start flying commercially and earning our revenue and the amount of $1 million would be paid back to the RBZ,” said one source.

“With the funds the company purchased furniture and office supplies, desktops, laptops, printers and televisions. The company also used the funds to pay salaries, rentals, security, construction of the airport offices as well as other operational costs. None of the services we engaged went to tender,” the source said.

According to information available, Zimbabwe Airways hired personnel and engaged service providers in the industry outside of Zimbabwe. Some of these service providers were Seabury Solutions Systems (a software company), SITA (a ticketing system vendor), Sigma Aviation Recruitment (to recruit expatriate post holders), Evers Consulting (to do the manuals required to apply for the Air Operators Certificate [AOC]).

Under unclear circumstances, Mr Chikore failed to register the airline for the AOC, which is conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, and the failure resulted in future losses as the airline was barred from flying to China and India where it had cargo.

“As the months went on, and we had hired personnel and expatriates, we still did not engage in the process of getting the AOC from the Civil Aviation Authority. The application process has five phases, and phase one states that the entity was to provide the name and credentials of the accountable officer.

“Simba was reluctant to do this. Firstly, he did not have a contract of employment from the company, and, secondly, his credentials stated that he was a first officer, not a captain as he had led all and sundry to believe. Therefore, months went by and he would not initiate the AOC application process.”

According to the source, when Zimbabwe Airways engaged airline insurer Gulf Regent for aircraft handling, health insurance and loss of licence insurance, he allegedly instructed the insurer to open an offshore account, in his name, for him in which any excess amounts would be paid into.

However, the company did not render the services, says their source.

“The employees never received health insurance despite the RBZ paying around $157 000 per quarter for health.

“In addition, the company did not employ any pilots so the Loss of Licence Insurance paid by the RBZ was merely another way in which Simba was externalising Government funds.”

The acquisition and subsequent return of the Malaysian planes underlines everything that was wrong with Mr Chikore’s mis-captaining of the airline as Zimbabwe simply did not have the resources, skills and other necessary infrastructure to operate the B777.

Zimbabwe lacked the necessary capabilities, namely trained engineers to maintain the 777, tooling, spares, hangar space and, of course, the Air Operator’s Certificate required to operate commercially.

Additionally, the 777 needed to have 100 hours of flying time a month to stay maintained, and also that it need to fly every seven days if it wasn’t operating, to keep up with its maintenance. A number of problems presented themselves.

Our sources said: “Zimbabwe did not have any engineers trained to maintain the 777, which meant that we would need to import engineers for this were the aircraft to be delivered to Zimbabwe.

“We did not have any trained pilots to fly the 777 in Zimbabwe, which would mean that we need to import pilots rated on the 777 to fly the aircraft every seven days.

“We did not have any hangar space, the only hangar that would fit the 777 was occupied by Air Zimbabwe’s 767 which is currently undergoing its C-check (a specialised maintenance system).

“We did not have any tools or spares for the 777 (and) we did not have an AOC that would allow for the requirement of the 100 hours a month of flight time required to keep the 777 in good condition.”

However, Mr Chikore reportedly disregarded wise counsel from engineers and, in fact, had not made enough preparations to receive the planes from Malaysia.

Eventually, a decision was made to return the aircraft following consultations between the Ministry of Transport and its legal team, CAAZ and Zimbabwe Airways.

“The minister conceded that he had been ill-advised regarding the aircraft and agreed that we return Z-RGM. The aircraft was returned on May 25,” said the source, adding that Mr Chikore was not consulted as he had travelled abroad.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from Mr Chikore were fruitless by last night.

Government is in the process of cleaning up the mess of Mr Chikore’s controversial tenure and has since disbanded Zim Airways.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza last night confirmed that Government was regularising acquisition of the planes.

“The Embrear is on its way, as we speak and will arrive in the next two weeks,” he said.

“Government has also authorised payments of the outstanding amounts,” he added.

Last month, Cabinet approved the regularisation of the acquisition of aircraft bought from Malaysia and make outstanding payments for the Embrear planes acquired in the US are brought to Zimbabwe.

State Media

Correspondent|NYARADZO group chief executive officer, Philip Mataranyika recently sparked controversy when he personally drove and offered services at the late music icon and national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi’s funeral, with some accusing him of wanting to steal the limelight.

He even had a heated argument with staff from Doves as well as a senior government official who had clarified to him that it was Doves that was supposed to handle the funeral.

Mataranyika explains: “It was Maiguru Daisy [the late Mtukudzi’s wife] and the Mtukudzi family that chose Willowvale service centre as the venue of his chapel service ahead of our Hebert Chitepo Avenue branch due to its location, a stone’s throw away from Highfield where he was born and bred.

“Thirty-nine years after our independence, in his death, Mukoma Tuku becomes the first national hero to be laid to rest with full services provided by Nyaradzo Funeral Services.

“Given the many years of our friendship and brotherhood in which I was privileged to tap into his wisdom, inspiration and rare talent, I could not delegate the undertaking duties to our staff. For me personally, it was time to honour another of the unwritten contracts between brothers.

“Tuku had a unique relationship with Nyaradzo, built on our firm foundation of friendship, brotherly love and mutual respect dating back to our days as boys dzeku Fiyo. I have done this countless times, though. Some notable funerals where I personally offered services include Tobias Musariri, Paul Chingoka and Charles Mungoshi, among others.

“Even to date, I still go to our 120 Herbert Chitepo branch and they give me overnight assignments in any part of the country,” said Mataranyika in an interview with NewsDay.

Mtukudzi had a policy with Nyaradzo Funeral Services, which upon his death quickly moved in to prepare the body for its final journey.

However, the moment Dr Mtukudzi was declared a National Hero, the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual in Zimbabwe, it meant that certain protocol had to be followed.

Without wasting time, Government activated its systems through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. The funeral services company which has a contract for burial of national heroes in Zimbabwe is Doves.

As is the norm, Doves instituted proceedings for a handover-takeover with Nyaradzo.

According to stipulations regulating burial of National Heroes, the company that handles the body of a hero needs its staff to have security clearance and for everyone to be bound by a non-disclosure agreement.

Phone calls were made between the two companies, times were agreed and a meeting place for the handover-takeover set. However, all hell broke loose when staff from Doves arrived at Nyaradzo’s Willowvale morgue to collect the body of Mtukudzi.

According to an eye witness, tempers flared as Philip Mataranyika, the chief executive officer of the Nyaradzo Group of Companies blocked the process, telling hapless Doves’ staff that there was no way they would pick up the body from Nyaradzo.

Even the arrival of the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs Melusi Matshiya did not help matters as Mataranyika remained defiant.

The insistence by Nyaradzo Funeral Services to continue handling the body without being compliant with the above-mentioned prerequisites was somewhat in contravention of the venerated treatment associated with the burial of National Heroes or Heroines.

“There was a heated exchange between Mataranyika and the Perm Sec (Matshiya). The Government official tried to explain to Mataranyika that once a person has been declared a National Hero — it meant that the State was taking over but he wouldn’t listen,” said our source, who witnessed the drama.

“There is now a spin that Mataranyika drove that hearse out of respect for Tuku but the truth is that he was actually guarding the body of the singer. He took it upon himself to be the driver, guard and undertaker. He even threatened to take legal action over the matter. It is a good thing that Government, to avoid further drama, gave in and let Nyaradzo bury Mtukudzi,” The Sunday Mail reported a few weeks ago.

The issue did not, however, end there. Throughout the funeral proceedings, especially in Harare, Doves continued to shadow Nyaradzo just in case the company was asked by the Government to take over the funeral at the last minute.

The convoy even had two caskets, one with the body inside a Nyaradzo hearse and another carried by a Doves vehicle.

There was even confusion at the National Sports Stadium as to which car actually carried the body of the late national hero.

Philip Mataranyika the owner of Nyaradzo Funeral Services honoured Mtukudzi by personally driving the hearse with the national hero’s coffin.

According to an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the position of Government was that Doves understands the protocol and they meet all the requirements for such high profile burials.

Negotiations are said to have continued behind the scenes as Government officials hoped to convince Mataranyika to handover the body to avoid logistical nightmares and protocol breakdown. These yielded nothing.

Mataranyika also took the NewsDay interview opportunity to explain how he started the company that is now a household name throughout Zimbabwe and beyond.

“On March 1, 2001, with only 10 of us, we followed our dreams and opened our hearts and doors to the public as Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company. A few years later in 2003, Eureka Insurance Brokers was born.

“Old Mutual, where I had worked for 15 years, were generous to provide us with office accommodation on the ninth and tenth floor of one of their prestigious properties in Harare. Eighteen years later, we have grown into a sizeable organisation with a staff complement of over 1 500 and more than 42 service centres and branches countrywide, many of which we built from the ground.

“We now have a regional presence in Randburg, South Africa and soon we will have a global presence in England.”

Correspondent|NORTON legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) says he is baffled whenever he hears claims that the Zimbabwe army removed Mugabe.

Mliswa says the army tried to force Mugabe to resign but the old man remained stubborn and only surrendered because of pressure of impeachment by all MPS who had ganged up against him at a Harare hotel, including opposition MPS.

Mliswa made the remarks during an all-stakeholders post-election workshop hosted by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week.

“I want to address the issue that the army was part of the process of ensuring that there was a second republic so were all of us,” he said.

Mliswa said he was baffled by claims that the military and Zanu PF were the only ones who forced Mugabe out, indicating that had it not been for all parliamentarians and citizens who participated in demonstrations and impeachment process, Mugabe would not have been moved an inch.

Mugabe was kicked out of power in November 2017 in a coup, eventually endorsed by the courts and African leaders.

He had, however, stubbornly refused to step down carrying on with presidential duties such as attending a Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony and even called for Cabinet while army tanks were on the streets.

Mliswa said only the people and parliamentarians managed to push the former President into resignation.

“Then there was the people’s march, the people’s revolutions, led by the war veterans and everybody involved. It was the first time to see Members of Parliament coming together. … the issue of impeachment was first started by James Maridadi (MDC-T) and I seconded it, when the army failed to remove the former President, and I say this for the first time; they failed. He [Mugabe] refused to go, that was when there was an impeachment process,” he said.

He accused the army and Zanu PF of lying that it was them who removed Mugabe from power.

“To lie everyday yet there’s evidence when army wanted to remove Mugabe, did he go? Let’s be honest. That is why I get too emotional at Parliament, it’s because of lies,” he said.

Mliswa said the whole scenario in Zanu PF was confusing at the time because the same people (Zanu PF) who had pushed for now President Emmerson Mnangagwa to be ousted, were the same people who overwhelmingly endorsed him to replace Mugabe both in government and the party.

Mliswa said such behaviour shows that there is a lot of lies being peddled over the Mugabe’s resignation and the military action, among others.

A law student at Georgetown University was one of the 157 people who perished in the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight this weekend.

Cedric Asiavugwa, a third-year student at Georgetown Law, was on his way home to Nairobi, Kenya, following the death of his fiance’s mother, the university explained in a statement to students.

“With a heavy heart, we write to share the terrible news that Cedric Asiavugwa … died in the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 near Addis Ababa,” the letter stated. “With his passing, the Georgetown family has lost a stellar student, a great friend to many, and a dedicated champion for social justice across East Africa and the world.”

Asiavugwa was among 32 Kenyans who were killed, along with 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians, and eight Americans. A number of United Nations staff were also among the victims. The state-run Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation said the flight that went down near the city of Bishoftu carried passengers from at least 33 countries.

Born and raised in Mombasa, Asiavugwa graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, with highest honors, the university stated.

“His commitment to issues of social justice, especially serving refugees and other marginalized groups, led him to Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania before coming to Georgetown. Among his many accomplishments, he helped found a community-based organization that addresses the protection of vulnerable women and children fleeing the war in Somalia, researched issues ranging from international conflicts to food security across East Africa, served as the Editor-in-Chief of the philosophy journal Chiedza, and directed a television series on peace and reconciliation.”

Asiavugwa spent eight years in the U.S. and Africa as a Jesuit Scholastic, Georgetown reported. He was “a beloved member of Georgetown’s Campus Ministry offices, tending to a group of first-year undergraduates for the last three years as a residential minister” and “consistently dedicated to the underprivileged in his home country, Cedric also served as the Assistant Director of Advancement for St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, a free high school for orphans with HIV/AIDS in Nairobi.”

Asiavugwa was studying toward a joint degree in international business and economic law. In a law clinic, he assisted refugee clients seeking asylum in the United States. Last year, he participated in the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic, his goal, the university said, was to return to Kenya after his studies to pursue a career promoting the rights of refugees in East Africa and beyond, the university stated.

“Beyond his many commitments and contributions, Cedric’s friends and faculty in this community remember him as a kind, compassionate and gentle soul, known for his beautifully warm and infectious smile. This is a tragic loss for Cedric’s family and loved ones, for Georgetown and for the broader social justice community that benefited every day from his passion, compassion and dedication.”

VOA

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe has been ranked number 83 in the world according to the 2019 Military Strength Ranking compiled by Global fire Power, which is the trusted source of military rankings worldwide.

Zimbabwe ranks 13th on the African continent in terms of the military mighty, behind countries such as South Africa, Angola and Zambia.

The ranking uses 55 different factors including the number and diversity of weapons.

Other factors which are considered included: location, natural resources, local industry. financial stability, but not the current political leadership.

According to the report, Zimbabwe’s firepower is structured as follows:

• 30 000 active personnel;
• 0 reserve personnel;
• 5 584 086 manpower at its disposal;
• 3 182 989 people fit-for-service;
• 308 744 citizens reach the eligible age to serve annually;
• 10 aircraft fighters;
• 7 attack aircraft;
• 14 transport aircraft;
• 46 trainer aircraft;
• 42 combat tanks;
• 300 fighting armoured vehicles;
• 0 self-propelled artillery;
• 65 towed artillery;
• 22 rocket projectors;
• 0 frigates;
• 0 submarines;
• 0 patrol vessels; and
• 0 mine warfare vessels.

The top 15 armies in Africa are (bracket value is world ranking):

1) Egypt (12);

2) Algeria (27);

3) South Africa (32);

4) Nigeria (44);

5) Ethiopia (47);

6) Angola (57);

7) Morocco (60);

8) Sudan (69);

9) DR Congo (72);

10) Libya (77);

11) Zambia (78);

12) Tunisia (80);

13) Zimbabwe (83);

14) Kenya (86); and

15) Uganda (93).

Farai Dziva|In an interview with CNBC Africa, former deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara described Emmerson Mnangagwa as a wicked man.

Mutambara believes Mnangagwa is worse than his predecessor Robert Mugabe.

He was responding to a question on whether Mnangagwa is truly fighting corruption. He said Mnangagwa had done nothing to fight corruption.

Said Mutambara:
“They have done nothing. In fact they are worse than Mugabe on every front. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the enforcers of Robert Mugabe’s rule.

Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the front henchmen, were the runners of the system that Mugabe created. So you don’t expect any difference between the behaviour of Mnangagwa and the behaviour of Robert Mugabe.

What’s disturbing is that in fact in terms brutality, in terms of corruption, in terms of misgovernance, Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe. What a tragedy.”

Farai Dziva|Political analyst has sensationally postulated that supporting Zanu PF – especially when is a youth is tantamount to foolishness.

“If you are young especially born after 1980 and you support ZANU PF, you are the most foolish person in Africa South of the Sahara,” declared Dr Ruhanya.

“ZANU PF is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not ZANU PF. We love Zimbabwe but can’t love criminals and rapists who use our country to steal, arrest and engage in corruption. Opposing ZANU PF is a PATRIOTIC NATIONAL DUTY.”

ZANU-PF wants Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to initiate another constitutional amendment, but this time, to ensure that the provision which saw 60 women getting into Parliament on free seats continues beyond 2023.

The first constitutional amendment was Constitution Amendment No. 1, which gave the president powers to appoint the chief justice, deputy chief justice and judge president of his choice.

Zanu-PF deputy chief whip Obedingwa Mguni has already given notice in the National Assembly that he will introduce the motion to ensure it is debated in Parliament so that the processes to amend the constitution can begin.

The proportional representation (PR) quota under section 120(2) (a) of the constitution provides for the election of senators under a party system of proportional representation, in which male and female candidates are listed alternatively, with females heading the list, while section 124(1) (b) provides for seats (60) to be reserved for women. The PR quota will expire in 2023.

The motion to amend the constitution is likely to be supported by legislators across the political divide as female MPs from the MDC Alliance applauded as Mguni made Zanu-PF intentions known

“Section 124 (1) (b) of the constitution provides that in the first 10 years there must be additional 60 seats for women as part of efforts to enhance women participation, and section 122 (b) of the constitution provides for senators to be elected in a proportional representation party list system, in which the party list should have male and female candidates,” Mguni said.

“The Sadc Parliamentary Forum applauded Zimbabwe for taking such an initiative to empower women in Parliament after representation increased from 18, 2% in 2008 to 31% in 2018.”

He said given that the number of female MPs had gone down marginally compared to the figure during the Eight Parliament, there were fears that if the proportional representation quota expires in 2023, there would be less women in future parliaments.

“Realising that this achievement came through constitutional provisions, which are likely to be reversed considering the political terrain which is highly uneven, I call upon the Ministry of Justice to initiate constitutional amendments to remove the 10-year cap for women so that Zimbabwe becomes a leader in promoting women in Sadc,” Mguni said.

In the current Ninth Parliament, the National Assembly has 31% female representation, a drop from 35% in the previous Parliament.

Senate representation is better although it comes short of the 50/50 gender parity representation with only 35 out of 80 senators being women, constituting 43,75%.

The constitutional amendment motion is likely to be debated soon in Parliament.

— Standard

Former Midlands province-based leader of the Zanu PF-aligned band, Chimurenga IV, John Mutemeri, who ditched the ruling party to join the opposition MDC Alliance, has received threats over the defection.

Mutemeri’s band was influential during former president Robert Mugabe’s era where it headlined perfomances at major party events like inter-face rallies, annual conferences and elective congresses.

Under Mutemeri, the band had two fully-fledged albums, Go Goi Zimbabwe produced in 2011 and Zimbabwe Yangu, which was dropped two years later.

The group went on to produce a DVD, which merged hits from the two projects whose tracks praised the ruling party and its fallen leader Mugabe.

However, Mutemeri a fortnight ago appeared at the MDC Alliance feedback meeting in Mkoba convened by legislator Amos Chibaya, where he openly revealed that he had abandoned the band and Zanu PF to join the opposition.

“Trouble started when my move was published in the media. At first, a group of Zanu PF youths approached me in town and labelled me a traitor and sell-out. They harassed me, but I just kept my cool. I thought it was nothing, but events that have followed show my life is in danger,” Mutemeri said.

He revealed last week that he was summoned by a top army official at Six Maint military bar where he was hanging out with a colleague and told he had been barred from the joint.

“The top military chef just told me point-blank that I had been banned from Six Maint because of the article, which announced my defection from Zanu PF. However, several Zanu activists still go there and I wonder whether it’s a crime to be a member of MDC,” he said.

The visibly-shaken artiste also revealed that his home had been visited by unknown people suspected to be state security agents.

“My younger brother, who is in Kwekwe, also called me to say he had been warned by unidentified people that I might simply be killed or have my children abducted because of pledging to sing MDC songs. I am in great fear for my life,” he said.

The Gweru musician will now join the likes of Paul Madzore, who have been pivotal in orchestrating hit songs for the opposition party. — Standard

Former Movement for Democratic Change senator David Coltart says he backs Nelson Chamisa for president of the main opposition but secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has the right to contest any position.

Coltart said he knew Mwonzora and he was definitely not ZANU-PF.

He said this was a problem with the opposition because every time someone rose above the parapet he was accused of being ZANU-PF.

Coltart said that he backed Chamisa because he had done a lot in rebuilding the party and had a lot of grassroots support.

The MDC is going to congress from May 24-26 and Mwonzora and vice-president Elias Mudzuri are tipped to challenge Chamisa whose supporters are threatening anyone intending to challenge him.

Yesterday Chamisa had to protect Mwonzora after party supporters booed him at a Thank You rally in Mutare.

Chamisa said he would walk out of the rally if they continued with this kind of behaviour.

There has been a lot of jostling within the MDC since the party announced its congress dates with one group claiming to stand for founding president Morgan Tsvangirai’s legacy saying Chamisa is no longer leader of the party as his mandate expired on 14 February.

The group also says those who broke away from the MDC but are members of the Alliance are not allowed con contest for posts at the coming congress.

These include Welshman Ncube who is one of the three vice-presidents and Tendai Biti who was appointed vice-chairman.

Chamisa says he was left the mantle to lead the party by Tsvangirai and should be allowed to fulfill his mandate.

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa could miss the chance of presiding over proper political dialogue that may bring solutions to Zimbabwe’s decades long crisis, opposition MDC Nelson Chamisa said.

Chamisa was addressing women supporters at an International Women’s Day commemorations in Chitungwiza on Friday.

“We are saying there should be dialogue in this country. Threats will not work. Soldiers and police (must) follow the Constitution and respect people.

“No dictator can ever remain in power. That is why I am asking this man to come forward for these talks,” said Chamisa.

Despite his claims of having won the elections last year, Chamisa failed in his bid to overturn Mnangagwa’s disputed victory at the Constitutional Court after his case was thrown out.

However the opposition leader insists Zimbabwe’s problems are more political than legal and wants Mnangagwa to hand over power.

On the other hand Mnangagwa has called all losing candidates to two meetings to craft a framework for possible talks. Chamisa snubbed the meetings only attended by fringe political party leaders some of whom have since walked away citing lack of seriousness.

This has left Mnangagwa’s attempts to unlock the political logjam facing legitimacy issues.

Chamisa, Friday said the chance for dialogue will not last forever.

“There shall come a time when we will not tolerate his behaviour. How will I do that?

“I can easily pray until nothing moves on for him. In this country everything is malfunctioning and he cannot even apologise for failure. A country with no fuel, transport, bad roads and no water but, one not even humble himself,” the MDC leader said.

Previously Chamisa has threatened rolling mass actions to “make the country ungovernable” in what he has colloquially called “putting sand in the food” using vernacular.

The youthful opposition leader said Zimbabweans are tired of Zanu PF corruption.

“Give us the vehicle and let us drive it,” said Chamisa in a statement which loosely translated means “allow me to govern.”

Two weeks ago Chamisa suggested he and Mnangagwa could alternate in leading the country in two year cycles until Zimbabwe was out of the woods.

Correspondent|Chief Albert Zwelibanzi Gumede the induna/traditional leader of Ndebeles in South Africa passed on in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a short illness is expected to be buries in that country.

According to an invite circulating on social media, Chief Gumede’s funeral service will be held on Thursday at the Hillbrow Recreation centre starting from 16:00 hours. He will then be laid to rest on Saturday 16 March 2019 It is not yet known as to which cemetery he will be laid.

Chief Gumede Funeral service on Thursday
Venue: Recreation centre
Time: 16:00
Burial day: Saturday 16 March 2019
Place of Burial: JHB

Gumede who was a man whose philanthropic inclinations died due to high blood pressure.

Gumede was controversially crowned chief of the Ndebele people living in South Africa on the 22nd of March 2014. He has been part of the chiefs that have been calling for the restoration of the king of the Ndebele people in Zimbabwe.

Ahead of the MDC Alliance’s 5th congress, the party’s president Nelson Chamisa has sensationally claimed that Zanu-PF is working around the clock to ensure that the country’s biggest opposition movement splits into two.

This comes as senior officials in Zanu-PF have openly declared interest in the opposition party’s impending congress to be held later next month. Chamisa is likely to face his secretary general Douglas Mwonzora at the congress.

Mwonzora has openly declared that he has rights, including contesting the sitting leader since he is a “full member of the MDC.”

Zanu-PF politburo members Victor Matemadanda and Lewis Matutu have publicly stated their preference of the candidature of Mwonzora ahead of Chamisa, the 41-year-old who the ruling party regard as immature.

As a result, Chamisa’s backers have come out guns blazing threatening to mercilessly descend on anyone who will challenge the incumbent.

Tempers are flaring in the MDC, with fault lines now emerging between those who back Chamisa and Mwonzora, amid growing fears that the party could split again as happened in the past.

Since its formation in 1999, the MDC has split three times, first in 2005 after disagreements over participation in the Senatorial elections.

The second split came in 2014 after the party’s dismal showing in the elections where former president Robert Mugabe thumped the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai by a wide margin.

The MDC also split last year following a vicious and acrimonious battle to succeed Tsvangirai after his death. Although former officials who had walked away from the Tsvangirai led MDC are now back in the broader MDC Alliance, there are several individuals who are dissatisfied with the leadership of Chamisa who came to power through an internal coup.

In a thinly veiled attack on Zanu-PF, Chamisa said non MDC members cannot dictate what happens in their movement.

The MDC leader said he is aware that their foes are working through the witching hours and burning the midnight oil to see the upcoming congress in disarray and to destroy the movement and throw it into jeopardy.

“The MDC will never split for it is the people’s project. The people cannot split. The people’s project will never be split by selfish motives. Individuals may from time to time elect and choose to get lost but along the way, often sooner, they will either find themselves or be found,” said Chamisa.

Last week, government was forced to deny that it was interfering with the MDC impending congress saying it had bigger fish to fry.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Energy Mutodi dismissed talk that government was making arrangements to use security agents to weaken the opposition.

“Government is not worried who emerges the winner at the MDC congress, be it Chamisa or Mwonzora. None of the two is capable of overcoming our 2023 Zanu-PF candidate…Mnangagwa. We have started reviving the economy and the gains are open for everyone to see,” Mutodi said.

But the MDC youth assembly is adamant that the ruling party wants a “weaker candidate” to emerge as the party’s leader in May “for obvious reasons” — vowing that this would not happen.

“It is saddening that Zanu-PF wants to give us a leader and we know why. We are, however, clear as youths and other organs of the party that we have Chamisa as our leader and the decision is ours not Zanu-PF’s,” said Lovemore Chinoputsa, the MDC youth assembly secretary-general.

MDC vice chairperson Tendai Biti has angrily reacted to the suggestions that Mwonzora was likely to emerge as the new party leader after the May congress.

He said the party would not accept to be led by “a ruling party chosen half-wit”.

“We will reject any nincompoop given to us by Zanu-PF. We already have a candidate in … Chamisa. So, we will not tolerate that.

“Our duty is to protect the legacy of our dear leader Morgan Tsvangirai and we know with Chamisa we will be able to do that,” Biti thundered.

Chamisa has, however, been at pains preaching peace.

“Therefore, when we speak of unity in the MDC, we refer to the united action of the people through the concert of a festival of ideas, as they put aside their racial, tribal, gender and class differences to map out a common national development trajectory. The people shall govern! We must not be extremists causing hatred. We must be measured in our language and tone.

“What makes the MDC great is the celebration of dissent and diversity. The MDC is intact and growing bigger into a post-independence liberation force, democratization catalyst and transformation agent in Zimbabwe.

“Nonetheless, we will be vigilant and guard against infiltration and violence from without. Non-members cannot manage internal affairs,”

In a conciliatory message, Chamisa said the party is determined to add instead of subtracting and will try everything possible to ensure that it remains united.

“We want to grow the base. As I always say, we grow by adding, where necessary by multiplying and never by dividing or subtracting. To add is to strengthen and to subtract is to weaken. We must remain focused on the goal. That which unites us far exceeds whatever might separate us. Together we shine, asunder we are all dust,” said Chamisa. — DailyNews

It now sounds like a broken record. (By the way for our generation Z readers: a broken vinyl record would repeat the same part of the song over and over. This is what we used to have before cassettes, CDs, memory sticks, memory cards or spotify). So yes, it’s now a broken record that EcoCash is down.

This time it’s worse because sometimes your transaction can go through for example to pay a merchant. However, the merchant may not get a notification that you have actually paid or worse be told that your payment did not go through.

Be careful with transactions till this is resolved. You may find yourself in a dispute with merchants on whether you paid or not and it will take quite the effort to get some of these issues resolved.

Typical broken record: we will update you when the problem is resolved.

Techzim

OVER 50 companies have been liquidated since President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017, throwing thousands of people out of employment.

Documents obtained by Standardbusiness from the Master of High Court’s office showed that 55 companies were granted a provisional order to be liquidated from November 2017 to December 2018.

Between January and October 2017, 49 other companies were granted provisional orders to be liquidated.

Theresa Grimmel, who oversees some of the liquidated firms through her company Trivade (Private) Limited, told this publication that stringent loan collateral requirements as well as unreliable power suppliers were to blame for the company closures.

“The cost of borrowing money and the punitive interest and short-term on loans; the stringent security requirements for loans; the instability of the electricity network; frequent power outages can cause machinery to fail — very expensively, and the interruption to the manufacturing makes it difficult to continue,” said Grimmel, in emailed responses to Standardbusiness.

“Management is tired — every day there is the need to ‘make a new plan’, the machinery is old, the skills have left the country. Artisans are in very short supply.

“The constant changing of the goal posts — refer to the recent overnight change in the duty rates, this makes business very hard.”

Some of the companies, which Grimmel oversees as a liquidator include Cheney Pelmets (Private) Limited, Laputa Trading (Private) Limited, Tadnet Investments (Private) Limited, Riverside Funeral Services (Private) Limited, and Retnim Pumps Importers & Maintenance (Private) Limited.

Cheney Pelmets manufactured pelmets, blinds and other curtain tracks, but the company closed due to lack of security, electricity challenges and cheap imports.

“It was a long established company and closed because the facility from, which it operated in Chitungwiza was rented and part of a large complex. When there was no electricity to enable Cheney to operate its machinery, the company had to close,” Grimmel said. “It was also facing competition from cheap Chinese imports.”

On Laputa Trading, Grimmel said: “It was a farm, which operated on a rental agreement from a new owner.

“The new owner decided to take back large portions of the farm, despite the lease agreement, and the company was reduced to farming small portions of the land available.

“Coupled with a bad agricultural season and the fact that the new owner then held on to all the machinery, the company closed.”

Laputa Trading was granted a provisional order to liquidate on December 7, 2018, a year after the current government took office.
Other companies on the list of liquidated firms from 2018 include GT Tavarura Bus Services, Oil Seed Processing (Pvt) Ltd, Gramlex Investments P/L, Bush Mills, Chegutu Canners (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe Oil Soap Manufacturing, Malacoe Investments and BCL Ltd.

Others are Notofy Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Kingmaker Corporate Resources, Heritage Printing (Pvt) Ltd, Better Agriculture (Pvt) Lt and Grafax Cotton (Pvt) Ltd, among others.

The closure of these companies is a reflection of serious economic challenges and is an indictment on Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra, observers said.

“For the past 20 or so years we have not found adequate investment to retool,” said Charles Nhemo, a liquidator.

“Our companies are competing with global entities, which are using modern technology.

“You talk of a company using equipment, machinery bought with the latest we have in most companies being in the 80s going back and you are competing with modern technology, which produces products with less labour.”

He said Chinese and South African industries, which were using modern technology, had a competitive advantage as they were in a better position to churn out improved products.

“The major issue is the economic environment,” Nhemo said.

“When we changed from the Zimbabwe dollar to US dollars, there was no investment into new equipment and almost every company’s capital was wiped away because you had no exchange of the Zimbabwe dollar into the US dollar.

“So whatever you had in your bank was wiped away and companies are undercapitalised across the sectors.”

Lawyer Tawanda Chiurayi, who handles company liquidations, said the recent monetary policy changes would make the environment even more difficult for local firms.

“The question really is looking at the effect of moving from the one-to-one to the RTGS dollar will have on what people owe,” he said.

“Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019 said whatever amount or liabilities people have will be converted to RTGS dollars, which in essence suggests amounts have been discounted by about 2,5, which is the official rate.

“So companies that are heavily indebted and have access to forex will find that as a benefit, but those who do not have access to forex will remain in the same position.

“The question would then be: are companies going to be able to improve production and so forth?

“So, really, it is a question of performance. If they owe money, then effectively what it means is that they may still be in a very difficult position.”

A number of companies have been struggling to operate due to foreign currency shortages that have forced them to either suspend or shut down some production lines.

Standard

A Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) commissioner has claimed that the body was overwhelmed by the high number of candidates in last year’s elections so much that it ended up mixing up some results.

Zec commissioner Qhubani Moyo told a post-elections workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week that the candidates worsened the situation by distributing unverified results on social media.

“In as much as Zec adopted two transmission routes, the collation itself was overwhelmed by the number of candidates in the tripartite election.

There was an overwhelming amount of contesting candidates in some urban constituencies, for instance, in Pumula constituency, there were 21 MP contestants, 17 councillor contestants in one ward and 23 presidential contestants,” he said.

Zec announced a first set of results which was contested by MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa at the Constitutional Court and the electoral management board later revised the results to correct the mistake.

Moyo said the commission was rushed by politicians who were circulating fake V11 forms and inciting the public to riot. He said Zec was forced to release results before all processes were complete.

“The overwhelming pressure that the commission met, clearly there was lots of pressure, there was pressure in terms of the compilation process of the results,” he said.

“There were some politicians who ran a racket and syndicate of what they called the V11 forms, that put lots of pressure on the public, put lots of pressure on us and the pressure also went on to influence people on the streets, leading to some protests that we all know led to the unfortunate deaths of a number of our citizens.”

Zec has been accused of lacking independence with the MDC Alliance accusing the commission of manipulating results in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party.

Renowned lawyer and researcher Derek Matzysk said while Zec was listed as an independent commission, it was appointed by political players through the parliamentary Standing Orders Committee.

Standard