ZIMBABWE’S public sector wage bill could balloon to $12,2 billion from the budgeted $3,9 million if government gives in to demands by civil service unions calling for a $1 700 minimum wage.

The umbrella body which represents public sector workers, Civil Service Apex Council (CSAC), says the increase is necessary to meet the rising cost of living that has shot up about 22% since August 2018.

According to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), a family of six would need $729,88 as at December 2018 compared to $597,81 in August that same year.

“Yes, government is broke, but we are workers of government. At the end of the day when we have provided a service, we also want to be able to earn something that will make us look after our families, at least to live a reasonable life,” CSAC chairperson Cecilia Alexander told Standardbusiness.

“Whether they are able to pay or not, we are now saying we are in a worse off situation and as workers it is our right to demand the value of what we have been earning. It is not correct for any government whatsoever to remove a benefit or to give somebody less without even engaging them.”

On average the majority of civil servants earn $500 a month.

“In fact, the $1 733 is not a figure that we came up with to get an increment, it is just a matter of asking government to restore the value of what we were earning around September (2018). At the end of the day, all we want as civil servants is to have the value of what we earned restored, so it is up to government to either look for the US dollars to pay us in hard currency or the other way round,” Alexander said.

On Thursday, workers rejected government’s offer to increase wages by 10%.
A
This was after the CSAC first notified government of its demands in a notice of a collective job action dated January 8, 2019 after it reported a collapse in negotiations for better remunerations to meet the cost of living.

“Yes, the planned strike has a 14-day notice and we are now in the window period. We strongly believe that it would be in the interest of government to resolve some of the issues or to give us an acceptable offer within the window period,” Alexander said.

Government has since brought forward the pay dates for civil servants to January 14 in a bid to appease the workers, but Alexander said the move would not make any difference.

“I don’t think paying us earlier would make any difference because our issue here is incapacitation. As long as we have not received any increment or cushioning, the problem will still remain the same.”

Economist Ashok Chakravarti said the workers’ request for better working conditions was reasonable.

“I am confident there are ways of raising additional revenues without increasing taxation, but it has to be part of a comprehensive reform package. Such measures have to be given consideration. I think it is not an unreasonable demand (civil servants asking for better wages). I mean all of us want to have a wage or salary that covers our basic living, but the reality is that look we have to accept the fact that there has been 20 years of mismanagement…” Chakravarti said.

“…that is all coming home to roost now. If you think that this is going to be solved in a day, then this is where I differ with most people and, of course, people are upset with the condition of the economy. But, I think for the first time in a very long time some effort is being made to move in the right direction and I think it will take time for these measures to play out.”

He added that the measures would come to fruition if they were strictly adhered to and that there were mechanisms that could be raised to meet the civil servants, demands.

Standard

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa last night announced new prices for petrol and diesel, effective midnight.

He said: “With effect from midnight tonight, a fuel pump price of $3.11 per litre for diesel and $3.31 per litre for petrol will come into effect. These prices are predicated on the ruling official exchange rate of 1:1 between the bond note and the US dollar and also on the need to keep fuel retailers viable,” Mnangagwa said at State House in Harare.

Before the increase, at the government gazetted price, diesel cost $1.38 a litre, and petrol $1.43 a litre.

The announcement has brought mixed reactions from across the country.

“The correct price should be $4.55 per liter for both otherwise the queues will continue,” said Hopewell Chin’ono, an award winning journalist, documentary film maker.

Chin’ono, who bagged the 2008 CNN African journalist of the year award, added: “This (fuel price increase) should have been followed immediately by floating the Bond Note, otherwise this patch work will resolve nothing.

“The shortage in fuel in Zimbabwe right now was due to a low price which didn’t match the importation cost due to the pegged rate. So we were not able to restock.”

Former Minister of Commerce and Industry Welshman Ncube, who is the MDC-A Vice President, said: “Who would have thought it possible that any government in Zimbabwe could be worse than that of Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

“Surely by now it must be abundantly clearly even to the most intellectually ungifted that a condition sine qua non (condition precedent) of Zimbabwe’s progress is the removal from power of ZANUPF in all its manifestations either as a civilian formation or quasi military entity.”

Melusi Nkomo, an academic, said the new prices were still normal considering the bond note is in real terms not equivalent to the US dollar.

He urged “fear-mongers” to stop pretending they were unaware that ful was costing less than a litre of bottled water in Zimbabwe.

Nkomo said: “Bond$3.11=US$1.04. Bond$3.31=US$1.10. In US dollar terms it’s still normal pricing for fuel in Zimbabwe. Fear mongers should stop.”

Opposition MDC-A leader Nelson Chamisa: “Fellow Zimbabweans, we acknowledge and understand that we have a national crisis, which is descending into a humanitarian crisis.

“We believe this crisis requires all hands on the deck. We will lead and stand ready to play a key role in finding a lasting solution.”

Constitutional lawyer Alex T Magaisa said the increase in fuel prices without a corresponding increase in wages will erode earnings and trigger unrest.

“Fuel price increases without wage increases can only mean one thing: wages and savings have been totally eroded. Prices will rise. The first sign is workers will not be able to go to work. You solve one problem but open up another. It’s a calamity.”

Magaisa added that the problem was politics, not the economy. “Solve the politics! Problem is politics, not the economy. It’s a calamity. Solve the politics!”

“Let’s brace for tough times,” lawyer Fadzayi Mahere said. “Sadly, once the fuel price goes up officially, the cost of transport, labour and other basic goods will automatically go up as well.”

Fuel queues have worsened in Zimbabwe since the start of the new year. The demand for fuel intensified this week with the start of the new school term this week.

Mnangagwa said some were bent on taking advantage of the current fuel shortages to cause and sponsor unrest and instability in the country.

“Such politically motivated activities will not be tolerated,” he said, indicating that the country’s military would be on the lookout to curb the misuse of the fuel.

An increase in the price of fuel is likely to spark a further hike in the prices of goods and services.

The President added that tourists, foreign missions, NGOs and other foreign bodies will be able to buy fuel at designated points at US$1.32 per liter of petrol and US$1.24/L per liter of diesel.

“Guests of Government by way of foreign missions and other registered foreign bodies, and tourists will fuel and refuel at designated points at the price cf US$1,24 per litre for diesel, and US$2,32 per litre for petrol, upon production of proper identification documents,” he said.

On salaries adjustment for civil servants, he said: “Government is putting in place a package of measures to cushion its workers, until a full review of Cost of-Living Adjustment package due in April 2019 is effected, in the context of the current budget.”

He ended by warning “certain elements bent on sponsoring unrest and instability”: “Government is aware of attempts by certain elements bent on taking advantage of the current fuel shortages to cause and sponsor unrest and instability in the country.

“Such politically motivated activities will not be tolerated. To curb continued misuse of fuel in the country, Government, through relevant

“Departments which include its security structures, have started on a comprehensive audit of all fuel draw-downs with a view to establishing points of leakages. Where criminal conduct is apparent, the law will take its course.”

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday evening announced that Government had decided to increase fuel prices effective midnight.

Mnangagwa announced that petrol will now cost $3.31 per litre while diesel will now cost $3.11 per litre.

We publish citizens’ reactions below:

#ThingsFallApart
To have the head of the pfee administration to announce midnight fuel price hikes under the cover of the night to benefit queen bees is a tragic joke that ain't funny. The centre is broken. It's time for visionary leadership, otherwise the people will perish! pic.twitter.com/hwmWUInipB

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 12, 2019

Fuel price increases without wage increases can only mean one thing: wages and savings have been totally eroded. Prices will rise. Everything. The first sign is workers will not be able to go to work. You solve one problem but open up another. It’s a calamity. Solve the politics!

— Alex T Magaisa ?? (@Wamagaisa) January 12, 2019

So a whole Presidium called a press conference to announce fuel increase. #Asakhe .

— Zenzele (@zenzele) January 12, 2019

Only in Africa where a president can call a press Conference to announce fuel price hikes pic.twitter.com/xxo6XC0PTp

— ApexNewsZim (@ApexNewsZim) January 12, 2019

It never rains but it pours. Some decisions that the Government of Zimbabwe are making are catastrophic. Failure to deal with the fuel crisis, labour crisis & economic crisis will cause an uprising in Zimbabwe. In USD terms our fuel is grossly over priced#FixZimbabwe #FuelCrisis pic.twitter.com/AdpMvliqea

— Linda Tsungirirai Masarira (@lilomatic) January 12, 2019

Sadly, once the fuel price goes up officially, the cost of transport, labour and other basic goods will automatically go up as well.

Let’s brace for tough times ahead.

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) January 12, 2019

So basically what ED's done,
Is to give us a fuel price,
Pegged at the black market price of the USD,
But he refuses to adjust salaries accordingly,
So he maintains the 1:1 lie.
@ new prices,
A teacher's pay,
Buys +/-120L fuel.
It's R17 in SA
So teachers earn +/- R2040/month
?

— Thandekile Moyo (@Mamoxn) January 12, 2019

Fuel prices up with effect from midnight. Diesel $3.11 per litre and Petrol pegged at $3.31.
"These prices are predicated on the ruling official exchange rate of 1:1 between the Bond note and US$."
What does this last statement mean? Is it Pfeeconomics? pic.twitter.com/Jx7klYnPs4

— Duduzile Nyirongo (@Dudu_Nyirongo) January 12, 2019

The Government has officially declared it's anti workers , anti poor & anti people ideological position tonight by increasing fuel prices. Workers salaries have now been reduced to nothing & our suffering elevated to another level.We must & will mobilize & fight for our survival

— ZCTU – Zimbabwe (@ZctuZimbabwe) January 12, 2019

Dambudzo said he is bringing sanity to the fuel sector by increasing the price of fuel by 300%.

Muroverei maoko president wenyu uyu. Anogona. Pfeeeeee munhamo!.

— Citizen Champion (@MpiganiaUhuru) January 12, 2019

https://twitter.com/tjchaitwa/status/1084167923353243650?s=19

So mnangagwa was announcing fuel hike for absent fuel?

— Mzilankatha (@Mzilankatha_) January 12, 2019

Own Correspondent|Residents of Bulawayo this morning woke up to a shock taxi fare increase following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s unprecedented doubling of the price of petrol last night.

The Commuter Omnibuses from the Western Suburbs of the City that are mostly high density increased their fares from 75 cents to $3 per single trip per person while those from the eastern low density suburbs decided to charged varied fares with some at $2.50 while others are charging $3.00.

Mnangagwa on Saturday night announced a hectic fuel price increase to $3.31 for petrol and $3.11 for diesel from $1.47 and $1.39 respectively.

Meanwhile, the city of Bulawayo did not have a drop of fuel on Saturday with long queues at all fuel stations. Motorists claim that the filling stations decided to hold on to the product in anticipation of the price increase.

Some stations started serving customers in the middle of the night after the increase came into effect.

Meanwhile, a social media post making rounds in the city and attributed to the Bulawayo United Public Transport Association indicates that the taxis fares have officially been pegged at $2.50 per trip.

Correspondent|FORMER Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe is writing a book to record his memoirs after being ousted from power in dramatic fashion in a military ‘soft coup’ that ended 37 years of his rule in November 2017.

The revelations were made by veteran journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu on Twitter who said, “Robert Mugabe IS writing a book. Kunjalo.”

Mathuthu is the one who first broke the news that Professor Jonathan Moyo is writing a book before Professor Moyo confirmed it later on Twitter.

Recently former Deputy Prime Minister Authur Mutambara lamented that Robert Mugabe is about to die without writing a book so that people can read history from his lenses and understanding.

Commenting on Mathuthu’s post one Chenhamo Mutengure said , “Finally we get to read real history from the history maker who was there every step of the way. Not zvana Nyarota, Mutambara naRay.”

“I would buy the book,” said Mlungisi Dube.

Businessman Ali Naka questioned whether Mugabe is capable of writing a book at his age.

Many liberation struggle heroes in Zimbabwe have died without penning memoirs excluding Joshua Nkomo and Edgar Tekere.

In 2014 former National University of Science and Technology lecturer, Dumiso Gilbert Matshazi, said he chickened out of writing the late Home Affairs and Defence Minister Enos Nkala’s book after realizing that what the veteran politician wanted to reveal about President Robert Mugabe and others was too hot to handle.

Matshazi said Nkala, who was a founding member of the ruling party ZANU-PF, tasked him to publish the book after his death.

In a hard-hitting press statement announcing plans to write his memoirs, Nkala then said,”I want to remind His Excellency that I am not among those who die many times before their actual death. I am a son of heroes and a self-made hero and have just completed 74 years of my life with a greater part of it spent in Ian Smith’s prisons and detention camps for the liberation of my country.”

Zimbabweans on social media said they are waiting anxiously for the said Mugabe book should Mathuthu’s statement be true.

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, CDE E.D. MNANGAGWA, ON THE EVE OF A MAJOR FIVE-NATION FOREIGN OFFICIAL VISIT, 12TH JANUARY, 2019

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,

I have decided, through you, to share with the Nation details on my forthcoming five-nation visit to Russia, Belarus, Kazakstan, Azerbaijan and Switzerland. My visit to the first four States will enhance bilateral relations in line with our policy of engagement.

As you may be aware, these four countries have had good relations with us before and after Independence, with Russia standing with us in the United Nations Security Council at our moment of greatest need.

My visit this time around will focus predominantly on bilateral economic engagement especially in areas of mining, technology, agriculture, energy and human capita development, among others. As I visit, Zimbabwe already has scores of students who are receiving tertiary training in critical skills areas in these countries.

In Switzerland, I shall be attending the Davos World Economic Forum. Alongside other world leaders and business executives, I shall be consolidating and reaffirming our message that “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” and “Dialogue” in the context of our policy of engaging and re-engaging the world.

Given that the World Economic Forum is a premier Forum for the interaction of political and business leaders, Zimbabwe will take full advantage of this opportunity to market itself and to seek gainful investment partnerships.

For its recovery, Zimbabwe cannot go it alone. To this end, my delegation will include our own business leaders who will be interacting with their counterparts and potential investors.

As I leave the country, I am aware of the economic strides we have made, and also of the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, our agricultural performance is likely to be impacted negatively by the El Nino phenomenon.

It is in this regard that Government, alongside other SADC States who are in a similar situation, has initiated an appeal for appropriate assistance from the international community.

Let me now turn to the fuel situation obtaining in the country.

Following the persistent shortfall in the fuel market attributable to increased fuel usage in the economy, and compounded by rampant illegal currency and fuel trading activities, Government has today decided on the following corrective measures:

1. With effect from midnight tonight, a fuel pump price of $3,11 per litre for diesel, and $3,31 per litre for petrol, will come into effect. These prices are predicated on the ruling official exchange rate of 1:1 between the Bond Note and the United States Dollar, and also on the need to keep fuel retailers viable.

Guests of Government by way of foreign missions and other registered foreign bodies, and tourists will fuel and refuel at designated points at the price cf US$1,24 per litre for diesel, and US$2,32 per litre for petrol, upon production of proper identification documents.

2. Cognisant of the need to prevent generalized price increases for goods and services in the country, with the attendant hardships which that will entail especially to the commuting workforce, Government has decided to grant a rebate to all registered business entities in Manufacturing, Mining, Commerce, Agriculture and Transport sectors.

Details on the exact form the rebate system will take will be announced in due course. Given these cost mitigations and incentives, Government does not expect, and will not allow, businesses to engage in a new round of price increases.

3. Equally, Government will enhance the export incentive scheme by an additional 2.5%.

4. Government has put in place measures to ensure constant fuel supply into the country for sustainable fuel availability.

5. Government is putting in place a package of measures to cushion its workers, until a full review of Cost—of-Living Adjustment package due in April 2019 is effected, in the context of the current budget.

6. Government is aware of attempts by certain elements bent on taking advantage of the current fuel shortages to cause and sponsor unrest and instability in the country.

Such politically motivated activities will not be tolerated. To curb continued misuse of fuel in the country, Government, through relevant Departments which include its security structures, have started on a comprehensive audit of all fuel draw-downs with a view to establishing points of leakages. Where criminal conduct is apparent, the law will take its course.

I thank you.

By Own Correspondent| Responding to questions on whether a letter doing social media rounds was indeed their statement, MDC Spokesperson Jacob Mafume attributed the letter to the security details bent on tarnishing the image of the party.

Said Mafume:

“Its a high level desperation when the regime resorts to publishing falsehoods in order to tarnish the image of our party. They seek to put the blame on us, it’s infantile.”

Below is the letter which the party has distanced itself from:

By Own Correspondent| Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has said his party is ready to play a key role in finding a lasting solution to the country’s national crisis which is slowly degenerating into a humanitarian crisis.

Chamisa’s statement follows announcements by President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealing the new fuel prices in a development which analysts have said will see the prices of all goods and services sky rocketing.

Said Chamisa:

Fellow Zimbabweans, we acknowledge and understand that we have a national crisis, which is descending into a humanitarian crisis. We believe this crisis requires all hands on the deck. We will lead and stand ready to play a key role in finding a lasting solution.

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 12, 2019

By Own Correspondent| His Worship Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba will this Wednesday officially open Kuwadzana library, ZimEye has learnt.

This was revealed by the Coty of Harare in a tweet:

Said the City of Harare:

KUWADZANA LIBRARY TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON WEDNESDAY BY HIS WORSHIP HARARE MAYOR CLR HERBERT THOMAS GOMBA.

— City of Harare (@cohsunshinecity) January 12, 2019

By Own Correspondent| President Mnangagwa announced Government visitors in the country by way of foreign missions and other registered foreign bodies, and tourists will buy fuel in United States dollars.

Mnangagwa made the announcement on Saturday evening where he also announced Government’s decision to increase the price of fuel. Zimbabweans will pay $3,11 per litre for diesel, and $3,31 per litre for petrol. Mnangagwa said the prices are predicated on the ruling official exchange rate of 1:1 between the Bond Note and the United States Dollar, and also on the need to keep fuel retailers viable.

He said Government visitors will buy fuel at designated points.

Said Mnangagwa:

“Guests of Government by way of foreign missions and other registered foreign bodies, and tourists will fuel and refuel at designated points at the price of f US$1,24 per litre for diesel, and US$2,32 per litre for petrol, upon production of proper identification documents.”

By Own Correspondent| The announcement of the new fuel prices is a display of incompetence , hopeless confusion and absolute disregard of the plight of the Zimbabwean people, opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has said.

The party said what characterized Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s witchly hour press conference is not only misguided but hapless.

Said National Spokesperson Jacob Mafume:

“The shock announcement of fuel prices hikes is not only misguided, but hapless. Any citizen who tuned in to the press conference has surely been left even more aware of the cluelessness that has been masquerading as Zimbabwean leadership since November 2017.

That the fuel increase will only trigger a wave of price hikes on each and every other item on the shelves is as obvious as the incapacity of Zanu Pf to govern and lead a prosperous Zimbabwe.

Instead of accepting its gross failure to turn the economy around, the cartel now basks in the pretence of “mega deals” in curious corners of the forgotten world such as Uzbekistan, Khazakistan, and other places you may never have heard of.

The Zimbabwean commuter will, starting Sunday the 13th of January, fill the pinch of this administration’s hopelessness, while Mnangagwa and his scarfed- henchmen will be comfortably flying Swiss jets.

They will continue to go tiger fishing, golf modelling on taxes collected from the 2% hike.

As we strenously pointed out in the run up to the stolen July 2018 election, nothing exists in the Zanu PF manifesto or the minds of the cabal leadership that can pass off as an idea or policy from which hope of a prosperous Zimbabwean economy can spring eternal.

The Mnangagwa administration has clearly failed in most absolute terms and must just resign and let Zimbabwe move forward.

The MDC joins every Zimbabwean bearing the brunt of this abject failure in calling Mr Mnangagwa and his faux government to order.”

By Own Correspondent| Health and Child Care ministry has issued a public apology for the loss of lives and suffering during the just-ended doctors’ strike.

In a statement published in the press, the ministry expressed appreciated citizens for being patient during the crisis.

The statement reads:

“The ministry of Health and Child Care would like to notify the public that the doctors who had embarked on strike from December 1, have now agreed to resume duties at their various stations. We would like to appreciate and acknowledge the patience shown by our citizens during this prolonged impasse.

We regret any suffering or loss of life that may have occurred during this period. We now look forward to a body of professionals in their diversity to provide the much-needed health service while government works towards creating a better environment for the delivery of such service.”

A display of incompetence , hopeless confusion and absolute disregard of the plight of the Zimbabwean is what characterized Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s witchly hour press conference.

The shock announcement of fuel prices hikes is not only misguided, but hapless. Any citizen who tuned in to the press conference has surely been left even more aware of the cluelessness that has been masquerading as Zimbabwean leadership since November 2017.

That the fuel increase will only trigger a wave of price hikes on each and every other item on the shelves is as obvious as the incapacity of Zanu Pf to govern and lead a prosperous Zimbabwe.

Instead of accepting its gross failure to turn the economy around, the cartel now basks in the pretence of “mega deals” in curious corners of the forgotten world such as Uzbekistan, Khazakistan, and other places you may never have heard of.

The Zimbabwean commuter will, starting Sunday the 13th of January, fill the pinch of this administration’s hopelessness, while Mnangagwa and his scarfed- henchmen will be comfortably flying Swiss jets.

They will continue to go tiger fishing, golf modelling on taxes collected from the 2% hike.

As we strenously pointed out in the run up to the stolen July 2018 election, nothing exists in the Zanu PF manifesto or the minds of the cabal leadership that can pass off as an idea or policy from which hope of a prosperous Zimbabwean economy can spring eternal.

The Mnangagwa administration has clearly failed in most absolute terms and must just resign and let Zimbabwe move forward.

The MDC joins every Zimbabwean bearing the brunt of this abject failure in calling Mr Mnangagwa and his faux government to order.

Behold the New. Change that Delivers!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

By Own Correspondent| MDC National Spokesperson Jacob Mafume has condemned the arrest of youth activist Makomborero Haruzivishe describing it as a barbaric episode which has no space in modern day society.

Haruzivishe was arrested Saturday at Robert Mugabe International Airport but details of the charges he was facing were still sketchy by the time of writing.

Sources privy to the development allege that he was arrested for taking photographs in a high security zone.

Said Mafume in a statement

The arrest of Makomborero Haruzivishe is another barbaric episode which must not be part of a modern Zimbabwean society.

The MDC condemns in the strongest terms this arrest with the contempt it deserves.

As mentioned in our statement yesterday, the abuse of state apparatus for unconstitutional partisan agendas is not only an illegality but deals a blow to the acceptance of the motherland in the family of nations.

A state which oppresses it’s own people defines those who claim to be the leaders; it exposes their thuggery and their mafia style intolerance and persecution of those who hold different political views.

A full blown autocracy.

Makomborero was nearly abducted in 2018 less than a week after his testimony at the August 1 inquiry.

Before his arrest today, the state had arrested and illegally detained his colleagues from the Global Youth Action from DRC and USA who were later deported after a night long interrogation.

There has also been a concerning revival of trumped up charges on the National Youth Chairperson, Hon Happymore Chidziva.

It is clear that this has nothing to do with prosecution but persecution.

The democratic space is closing, we are concerned by this relentless retrogression.

We demand his immediate release and an end of politically motivated arrests.

What Zimbabweans need is a lasting solution to the current economic meltdown. Zimbabweans need to know when fuel supplies will return to normalcy. They need to know the official currency to trade in, they need decent wages, jobs, infrastructural development, Zimbabweans need a listening government that shows concern for the suffering masses.

They certainly don’t deserve such a clueless, heartless and ignorant government as displayed by the failed Zanu PF government.

Behold the New. Change that delivers!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

“…I am aware of the economic strides we have made…”

By Farai D Hove| ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the country has had economic strides. Announcing while reading his speech LIVE on ZBC Saturday night, Mnangagwa said, “as I leave the country, I am aware of the economic strides we have made, and also of the challenges that lie ahead in particular our agriculture performance is likely to be impacted negatively by the Elnino phenomenon. It is in this regard that government alongside other SADC states who are in a similar situation has initiated an appeal for an appropriate assistance from the international community. ” VIDEO:

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

The arrest of Makomborero Haruzivishe is another barbaric episode which must not be part of a modern Zimbabwean society.

The MDC condemns in the strongest terms this arrest with the contempt it deserves.

As mentioned in our statement yesterday, the abuse of state apparatus for unconstitutional partisan agendas is not only an illegality but deals a blow to the acceptance of the motherland in the family of nations.

A state which oppresses it’s own people defines those who claim to be the leaders; it exposes their thuggery and their mafia style intolerance and persecution of those who hold different political views.

A full blown autocracy.

Makomborero was nearly abducted in 2018 less than a week after his testimony at the August 1 inquiry.

Before his arrest today, the state had arrested and illegally detained his colleagues from the Global Youth Action from DRC and USA who were later deported after a night long interrogation.

There has also been a concerning revival of trumped up charges on the National Youth Chairperson, Hon Happymore Chidziva.

It is clear that this has nothing to do with prosecution but persecution.

The democratic space is closing, we are concerned by this relentless retrogression.

We demand his immediate release and an end of politically motivated arrests.

What Zimbabweans need is a lasting solution to the current economic meltdown. Zimbabweans need to know when fuel supplies will return to normalcy. They need to know the official currency to trade in, they need decent wages, jobs, infrastructural development, Zimbabweans need a listening government that shows concern for the suffering masses.

They certainly don’t deserve such a clueless, heartless and ignorant government as displayed by the failed Zanu PF government.

Behold the New. Change that delivers!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to issue a press statement, the ministry of information and publicity has revealed.

Revealed the ministry in a tweet:

“In the next few minutes President of the Republic is going to issue a Statement to the nation at the State House.”

Responding to Wellington Madhefu who queried whether Mnangagwa was in the country or not, the information ministry responded and said he is in the country.

In the next few minutes President of the Republic is going to issue a Statement to the nation.
Venue: State House.

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

I thought he's out of the country

— Wellington Madhefu (@madhefu) January 12, 2019

He is in the country

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

By Own Correspondent| Bulawayo Vendors Trust have urged Finance minister Mthuli Ncube to abandon the use of the bond notes which they say is  having adverse effects on the informal economy.

Said the organisation:

“Government’s surrogate currency, bond note has negatively affected the informal economy. Informal traders have to exchange the bond notes for foreign currency on black market and where they are accepted they devalue the currency which leaves a huge dent in their pockets.”

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday said the country will have its own currency within the next 12 months, as Government is frantically working on raising enough foreign currency to anchor it.

Addressing delegates at a “Road to Davos” townhall meeting in the capital yesterday, Prof Ncube said adopting the United States dollar or the South African rand would not solve the country’s macro-economic problems.

He said:

“On the issue of raising enough foreign currency to introduce the new currency, we are on our way already, give us months, not years.”

By Own Correspondent| Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has revealed that Zimbabwe will do away with the divisive two percent tax in the next two to three years arguing that the country cannot have austerity forever.

Speaking at the Global Shapers Zimbabwe Road to Davos discussion in the capital Harare Friday, Ncube said he was now comfortable with the fiscal side of his austerity measures and is now working on the monetary side.

He spoke against the demands for dollarisation which he described as capitulation while justifying the need to re-introduce the Zimbabwean dollar.

He said:

“I’m now comfortable with the fiscal side in austerity measures. I even contemplate easing taxes in the next 2/3 years. We can’t ‘ve austerity foreeva. What’s left now is the heavy weight lifting on the monetary policy side. Dollarization would be capitulation. We need own currency.”

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC leader who was ordained the People’s President, Nelson Chamisa on Saturday morning engaged Zimbabweans to contribute towards finding solutions to the country’s woes opening a harshtag dubbed #takecharge.

Said Chamisa in writing:

“As we prepare to roll out the 2019 roadmap, agenda, action plan and vision for Zimbabwe going forward, the situation in the country is further deteriorating and worsening.

What would you recommend to be done to arrest and solve our common problems in Zimbabwe?”

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe Democracy Institute Director Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has called on citizens to unite and engage in civil disobedience as a way of challenging the current Zanu Pf administration for failing to deliver on election promises.

Dr Ruhanya said agonising is not the solution but people should organise and unite in challenging the existing status quo and engage in peaceful demonstrations as this is the only language that is understood by Zanu Pf.

Said Ruhanya:

“Zimbos come together in the national interest to peacefully, lawfully resist through civil disobedience the 39 years of failed policies of ZANU PF. Dont agonise, organise. Bring ZANU PF to the negotiation table through public protests of MISRULE, thats only language they hear!

The socio-economic-politico crisis in Zimbabwe and the consequent national anger requires a leader now. In the late 1990s Morgan Tsvangirai stood up and brought together all disparate forces and voices; labour, students, poor, employers and farmers workers to confront Bob, system.”

Jane Mlambo| Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has announced that Zimbabwe will scrap the divisive two percent tax in the two to three years saying the country cannot have austerity forever.

Speaking at the Global Shapers Zimbabwe Road to Davos discussion in the capital yesterday, Ncube said he was now comfortable with the fiscal side of his austerity measures and is now working on the monetary side.

He spoke against the demands for dollarisation which he described as capitulation while justifying the need to re-introduce the Zimbabwean dollar.

“I’m now comfortable with the fiscal side in austerity measures. I even contemplate easing taxes in the next 2/3 years. We can’t ‘ve austerity 4eva. What’s left now is the heavy weight lifting on the monetary policy side. Dollarization would be capitulation. We need own currency” said Ncube.

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC has warned Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi to stay away from the party’s internal processes advising him to concentrate on the factional fights within Zanu Pf.

The comment comes after Mutodi tweeted that the late party founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s children stand a better chance of winning elections than current President Nelson Chamisa.

Said Mutodi:

“With the DRC election commission declaring Félix Tshisekedi as President Elect of Congo, it’s high time Tsvangirai’s children take over the MDC, the party of their father. They stand a better chance. NC can never win an election, not even unity talks because of his arrogance.”

However, MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume, shot back at the Goromonzi South legislator urging him to be worry of his future as the ruling party top officials appear confused and divided on how to take the country out of its current economic quagmire.

“Energy Mutodi should worry about his future if the Acting Presidency refuses to leave his Acting Presidency. He should worry more about the failure of Zanu PF than any imaginary failure in the MDC. His President can’t even occupy office because the Acting President is still acting even if the President has cut his leave.”

https://www.facebook.com/374908219268232/posts/2084254525000251/

By Own Correspondent| Some of Chitungwiza commuter omnibus operators here have joined the fray of businesses charging forex pegging a single trip from the satellite town to the city centre Harare at US$1 or 3 bond.

Passengers here have been left stranded following the development which they said is making it difficult for them to commute.

Said Gregory Dube from Unit D in Seke:

“The situation is getting out of hand. Where is the President when all this is happening? Please tell him to come back and sort out this economic mess instead of travelling the world.”

Angela Chikwanha who had to return home after hearing the new fares had no kind words for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

She said:

“This is why there should be competent people in office. I am sure these people are driving us to a certain boiling point. We are suffering and it is getting worse by the day.”

Zimbabwe Democracy Institute Director Dr Pedzisayi Ruhanya called on citizens to unite and challenge the existing status quo arguing that peaceful protest is the only language that is understood by Zanu Pf.

Said Ruhanya:

“Zimbos come together in the national interest to peacefully, lawfully resist through civil disobedience the 39 years of failed policies of ZANU PF. Dont agonise, organise. Bring ZANU PF to the negotiation table through public protests of MISRULE, thats only language they hear!

The socio-economic-politico crisis in Zimbabwe and the consequent national anger requires a leader now. In the late 1990s Morgan Tsvangirai stood up and brought together all disparate forces and voices; labour, students, poor, employers and farmers workers to confront Bob, system.”

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) reports that Zimbabweans imported make up and skincare-related items worth $7,2 million.

Reported ZimStat:

“Zimbabwe also imported deodorants, shaving creams and anti-perspirants worth $2 million for the 10 months from February to October 2018.

The country also imported plastic bottles, carboys, flasks and other similar articles of plastic worth nearly $30 million February to October last year.

Footwear and leather polishes close to $1,7 million were imported from February to October 2018.

In the same period, $181,793 worth of chewing gum was imported. Zimbabwe’s imports were mainly sourced from South Africa (35,2 percent) Singapore (19,4 percent); United Kingdom (6,4 percent); China (7,5 percent); and Japan (4,5 percent).”-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo| Former President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire has waded into Professor Jonathan Moyo’s Twitter war with Econet Wireless founder and magnate Strive Masiyiwa after revealing that the exiled politician could have hijacked Nelson Chamisa’ s Constitutional Court challenge against the 30 July Presidential election results.

Mawarire who was once Prof Moyo’s runner boy before they crosses ways said the former Higher education minister had a penchant for claiming urgency for initiatives by other people to extort money from individuals and parastatals.

Mawarire said Prof Moyo was not as intelligent as most people assume, something he accused him of using to get money from people.

U have to be naive to believe he championed both applications. The naive, those who believe he is a super intelligent being, not a useful messenger, have often been fleeced of money by the extortionate Prof. It happened with my application and we saw it with the Chamisa appl.

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) January 12, 2019

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwean People’s President, Nelson Chamisa on Saturday morning engaged his people on what to do to fix the nation’s woes.

He said in writing: “As we prepare to roll out the 2019 roadmap, agenda, action plan and vision for Zimbabwe going forward, the situation in the country is further deteriorating and worsening.

“What would you recommend to be done to arrest and solve our common problems in Zimbabwe?” FULL TEXT

As we prepare to roll out the 2019 roadmap, agenda, action plan and vision for Zimbabwe going forward, the situation in the country is further deteriorating and worsening.What would you recommend to be done to arrest and solve our common problems in Zimbabwe?#takecharge

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 12, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe will today receive the first batch of 335 Zimbabweans who sought refuge in Botswana a few years ago through Plumtree Border Post.

The group, which is part of 686 Zimbabweans staying at Dukwi Refugee Camp outside Francistown, will be met by a delegation of high ranking Government officials at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Reception and Support Centre in Plumtree.

Government has assured the Zimbabweans living at the refugee camp that there was no need to fear returning home.

Matabeleland South provincial social welfare officer Mr Totambirepi Tirivavi yesterday confirmed that the first group would arrive in the country today with four family members already at the IOM Reception and Support Centre in the border town.

Said Tirivavi:

“We are expecting at least 335 Zimbabweans who were staying at a refugee camp in Botswana and four of them have already arrived.

However, I cannot comment much because there are some pertinent issues that have to be dealt with by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and our officials from the head office who will be here tomorrow (today) to welcome them.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has congratulated Democratic Republic of Congo president-elect Felix Antoine Tshisekedi on his victory in the presidential elections in that country.

Mnangagwa congratulated the people of Congo for voting peacefully.

He also congratulated outgoing President Joseph Kabila for the manner in which his government conducted the election adding that he looks forward to working with Tshisekedi.

Said Mnangagwa:

The Government and the People of Zimbabwe join me in conveying to you our most sincere congratulations following your victory in the presidential elections held in your country on December 30, 2018.

Your election is a clear testimony of the trust and confidence the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo repose in your leadership. I look forward to working closely with you as we explore avenues of enhancing bilateral cooperation as well as improve the trade relations that exist between our two countries.

At continental and multilateral levels, I affirm my commitment to working with you for the common good of both our peoples and the continent. I take this opportunity Dear Colleagues to wish you personal good health and success as you discharge the onerous duties of the highest office in the country. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

By Own Correspondent| Bulawayo Vendors Trust have called on government to abandon the use of the bond notes which they say is  having adverse effects on the informal economy.

Said the organisation:

“Government’s surrogate currency, bond note has negatively affected the informal economy. Informal traders have to exchange the bond notes for foreign currency on black market and where they are accepted they devalue the currency which leaves a huge dent in their pockets.”

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday said the country will have its own currency within the next 12 months, as Government is frantically working on raising enough foreign currency to anchor it.

Addressing delegates at a “Road to Davos” townhall meeting in the capital yesterday, Prof Ncube said adopting the United States dollar or the South African rand would not solve the country’s macro-economic problems.

He said:

“On the issue of raising enough foreign currency to introduce the new currency, we are on our way already, give us months, not years.”

National airline, Air Zimbabwe has suspended flights up to mid-month due to maintenance works being carried out on its only functioning plane.

The airline, which has largely been operating only two serviceable aircraft, was left with one following the grounding of the popular Mbuya Nehanda last month.

The remaining aircraft, the 767-200ER, also known as Chimanimani is undergoing servicing.

In a statement yesterday, Air Zimbabwe said it had made other travel arrangements for customers who had booked flights in advance but is not taking any bookings up to January 15.

-State Media

Jane Mlambo| With the Zimbabwe economy teetering on the being of total collapse, citizens have engaged in a debate comparing the former Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa and the current Professor Mthuli Ncube on who did a better job and here is the verdict:

Michael Mahlangu; The current one has some good ideas, unfortunately he is in a wrong buscket. Political and economic reforms from Junta government will make him succeed, remember the former wanted to get rid of ghost workers but stopped by this Zanu pf party. As for now, it’s 1 out of 10

Vongai Zimudzi;  Policy wise and creating economic sustainable development I will give mthuli 6/10 & 3/10 for hon chinamasa

Day to day runnings of the economy I will give Hon Chinamasa 7/10 and mthuli 3/10

James Matsika; Muthuli Ncube is far better than chinamasa. The way he is tackling the challenges is of a person who knows what he is doing. The economy is on recovery after Chinamasa sent the country rock bottom by printing money.

Ari Tikva Goldstein; Mtuli is a reflection of his master. Austerity for Prosperity. And the later was to keep the boss on work while looting. We had suplus and reached targets government saved $29m recently. I give Mtuli 9/10 he is realistic in approach. Long-term are painful and difficult and worth.

Elson Kanso; Mthuli loves social media rather than concentrating on his actual task,also overzeleous,he lacks maturity

THE opposition MDC has shot back at Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi over his meddling in their party affairs after he tweeted that the late party founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s children stand a better chance of winning elections than current President Nelson Chamisa.

Writing on Twitter today, Mutodi charged that MDC founder, the late Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai’s children should take over leadership of opposition party from Chamisa.

“With the DRC election commission declaring Félix Tshisekedi as President Elect of Congo, it’s high time Tsvangirai’s children take over the MDC, the party of their father. They stand a better chance. NC can never win an election, not even unity talks because of his arrogance,” he wrote.

However, MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume, in an interview with 263Chat today, shot back at the Goromonzi South legislator urging him to be worry of his future as the ruling party top officials appear confused and divided on how to take the country out of its current economic quagmire.

“Energy Mutodi should worry about his future if the Acting Presidency refuses to leave his Acting Presidency. He should worry more about the failure of Zanu PF than any imaginary failure in the MDC. His President can’t even occupy office because the Acting President is still acting even if the President has cut his leave,” Mafume said.

Mutodi has of late been picking fights with his colleagues in the ministry of information as well as other people including Alpha Media Holdings owner, Trevor Ncube.

-263Chat

Jane Mlambo| South African based prophet Shepherd Bushiri is charging USD600 or R8000 to attend his service set to be held at the Harare Exhibition Park, a social media report claims.

The controversial Malawian “prophet,” is set to visit Harare at the end of the month to headline a two-day conference being organised by Uebert Angel’s Spirit Embassy.

https://twitter.com/TapiwaKasongo/status/1083798621873717249?s=19

Bushiri is the founder of Enlightened Christian Gathering Church and the Shepherd Bushiri Ministries International headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa and with branches across the African continent.

Correspondent|DEPUTY Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi has proposed a bizzare suggestion for the opposition MDC: let the children of the late party founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai take over.

The reason? “Nelson Chamisa can never win an election, not even unity talks because of his arrogance,” Mutodi said.

Mutodi’s argument was that since Félix Tshisekedi, the son of a former opposition leader has been declared winner of the DR Congo elections, it seemed children of founding political figures had better chances of winning.

Said Mutodi: “With the DRC election commission declaring Félix Tshisekedi as President Elect of Congo, it’s high time Tsvangirai’s children take over the MDC, the party of their father. They stand a better chance. Nelson Chamisa can never win an election, not even unity talks because of his arrogance.”

When it was put across to him that maybe Bellarmine Chatunga or Robert Mugabe Jnr should also take over ZANU-PF, Mutodi had this to say: “For revolutionary parties like ZANU PF, ANC, SWAPO it’s a big NO because there was combined effort by comrades to liberate the country.

“Opposition parties are merely family kingdoms and a successor from outside the family tends to spoil the vision, is directionless and eventually fails.”

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday said the country will have its own currency within the next 12 months, as Government is frantically working on raising enough foreign currency to anchor it.

Addressing delegates at a “Road to Davos” townhall meeting in the capital yesterday, Prof Ncube said adopting the United States dollar or the South African rand would not solve the country’s macro-economic problems.

“On the issue of raising enough foreign currency to introduce the new currency, we are on our way already, give us months, not years,” he said.

Asked to give a timeline on when currency reforms would be implemented, Prof Ncube said it would be done “in less than 12 months”.

He said separating the parity between Real Time Gross Settlement accounts (RTGS) and foreign currency accounts (FCA) was the beginning of currency reforms which are necessary for pushing the country’s economy in the right direction.

“There is a balance between preservation of value and removing price distortions,” said Prof Ncube.

“The separation of accounts between the FCA and RTGS accounts was the beginning of currency reform.”

Prof Ncube said he was no longer in favour of adopting the rand as that would still depend on the availability of US dollars.

“I also hear that the citizens are pushing towards adopting the rand, I even argued for it years ago and there was a reason, you know, if we are going to assume the rand as our currency, we first of all have to acquire the rand and we need US dollars first to purchase the rand. In the long-term, Zimbabwe needs its own currency,” he said.

“Our job is to introduce a currency that will be stable and less volatile. Dealing with the fiscal side is the first order to move towards a stable currency. After all, what we have now is fiscal policy and now monetary policy and we have to tighten the belt on the currency volatility.”

Adopting the United States dollar as the country’s sole legal tender is not the way to solve Zimbabwe’s macro-economic challenges, said Prof Ncube.

This comes as different companies and individuals have been pushing for the re-dollarisation of the economy, with claims that the shortage of hard currency is choking business operations.

Recently, Delta Corporation announced that it would start selling its products in hard currency, citing that operations were being adversely affected by foreign currency shortages. The decision was later reversed after consultations with the Government.

Instead, Prof Ncube said Zimbabwe’s solution lay in currency reforms.

“The issue is shortage of forex with the corporates, the silver bullet is about currency reform, if we get that right the corporates can access foreign currency whenever they need it, the currency reform agenda is also impeding foreign investment, if investors cannot take their money out of the country then we cannot attract investors,” he said.

“A long-term solution to the crisis is, currency reforms, currency reforms, and currency reforms; and ending arbitrage opportunities in the market, accepting the US dollar as the only legal tender is not currency reform, its submission.

“As a nation if we accept US dollar as our sole currency, then it means that we are afraid of currency reform and that’s capitulation.” This also comes at a time when industry has also raised a red flag towards re-dollarisation.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Sifelani Jabangwe is on record saying re-dollarising the economy is counter-productive as it stifles growth and could halve the size of the economy.

“We see more companies wanting to sell in US dollars, but the issue is that we don’t need dollarisation as an economy,” said Mr Jabangwe.

“The economy will shrink by as much as 50 percent if we dollarise, so for me it is not the right way to go. We have seen it with US dollars in the past that we won’t be competitive when using the US dollar.”

An economist with a local commercial bank Joseph Mverecha has on countless times weighed in, disapproving the re-dollarisation of the Zimbabwean economy.

“Re-dollarisation will sustain disintermediation and dislocation in the economy, to the extent that foreign exchange access is non-existent for the vast majority of Zimbabweans who are non-exporters and constitute the largest segment of the population,” said Dr Mverecha.

State Media

Delivered fuel for a generator at a mortuary in Marondera today that blacked out for 48 hours. I'm still so sick at what I saw. Please make special provision for hospitals and the elderly. ED I am begging please ??. Fine it's not your fault, but u wanted this job. Please HE??

— #ThePeoplesChampion???✊? (@acielumumba) January 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/tmukupe/status/1083242247162941441?s=19

By Own Correspondent| Deputy minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi has called on Chibuku Breweries to export its products and generate the much needed foreign currency.

Said Modi:

https://twitter.com/RModiByoSouth/status/1082966305718849536?s=19

By Own Correspondent| Build Zimbabwe Presidential candidate in the 2018 harmonised elections Dr Noah Manyika has castigated President Emmeraon Mnangagwa’s globetrotting under the guise of international re-engagements.

Dr Manyika urged Mnangagwa to make bold political, public policy and economic decisions which benefit the country arguing that foreign trips will not solve the current economic woes bedevilling Zimbabwe.

He said:

“Going to Davos or being interviewed by CNN wont fix our economy. Neither will the global begging trips disguised as international engagements efforts. What will fix our economy are the bold political, public policy and economic decisions government leaders must make here.”

https://twitter.com/drnmanyika/status/1082941592141524992?s=19

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to meet the President of the Russian Federation Mr Vladmir Putin during his four-nation trip to Europe next week, the state owned Herald revealed.

Mnangagwa , who is scheduled to visit Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will also attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland, for the second year running since taking over power from his predecessor former president Robert Mugabe.

Revealed the state media:

“Further, the tour will provide an opportunity to transform the excellent political ties into mutually beneficial economic ties between Zimbabwe and the respective countries.

Information availed to this paper by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade underscores that the visits will promote Zimbabwe’s economic interests, image and influence.”

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC youth assembly is set to hold a series of demonstrations next week to protest worsening economic conditions in Zimbabwe which they attribute to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy.

In a statement, the youth assembly said the demonstrations will be held in protest of the back-to-school burden costs, high prices of commodities, a nonperforming and static economy as well as the fuel crisis.

The youth assembly said considering Mnangagwa and his government’s “arrogant and ignorant approach” to the crisis facing the nation, it is important for national institutions and organisations to stand together “as they have not been spared by the wretched policies and leadership.”

Said the youths:

“As the nation faces intense difficulty, uncertainty has engulfed our country. The illegitimate Zanu PF government has failed; disastrous leadership has become a serious threat to the people of Harare and Zimbabwe at large.

The people’s revolution is ripe and we call every citizen to join, we are all affected by the current economic situation, no one should be left behind.”

The youth league said the upcoming “revolution” will be joined by civil servants, the education sector, health sector, vendors, transport operators, students and members of the public at large.

The MDC youths blamed the crisis on Mnangagwa’s “illegitimacy”, suggesting that their leader, Nelson Chamisa had a national dialogue plan that would rescue Zimbabwe.

“The leadership vacuum at the helm of the country coupled with the illegitimate and clueless Mnangagwa has not helped the burning situation the country has found itself in.

The people’s president, … Chamisa and the MDC party have come up with a five-point plan for national dialogue that would help boost confidence in our political processes and in our economy.-Daily News

By Own Correspondent| At a time when the country’s first citizens President Emmerson Mnangagwa is globe trotting using other national airliners and private jets, the country’s struggling airline Air Zimbabwe is suspending operations.

The state media The Herald however claims that the development is due to “maintenance works.”

We publish below the full text by The Herald:

State Media- National airline, Air Zimbabwe has suspended flights up to mid-month due to maintenance works being carried out on its only functioning plane.

The airline, which has largely been operating only two serviceable aircraft, was left with one following the grounding of the popular Mbuya Nehanda last month.

The remaining aircraft, the 767-200ER, also known as Chimanimani is undergoing servicing.

In a statement yesterday, Air Zimbabwe said it had made other travel arrangements for customers who had booked flights in advance but is not taking any bookings up to January 15.

“Air Zimbabwe wishes to advise its valued customers of a schedule disruption due to minor component upgrade on the B767-200 ER from 11 to 15 January 2019.

We wish to assure all valued customers who are holding confirmed and ticketed bookings within the mentioned dates that alternative arrangements have been made in order to ensure minimum disruptions to their travel plans,” reads the statement.

The airline said affected passengers will be contacted via email, telephone or SMS with information on alternative arrangements for their travel.

“Normal schedule is expected to resume on 15 January 2019 and we will avail relevant updates via our website and official social media platforms,” said Air Zimbabwe.

In an interview yesterday, Air Zimbabwe corporate affairs manager, Mr Tafadzwa Mazonde said they had made alternative arrangements with other airlines.

“We have strategic relationships with other airlines to cater for such circumstances,” said Mr Mazonde.

Asked about the leased aircraft that was meant to replace Mbuya Nehanda, Mr Mazonde said they had since terminated the lease agreement as the cost of leasing proved to be unsustainably high.

Air Zimbabwe grounded Mbuya Nehanda, a Boeing 737-200 ER for mandatory maintenance expected to last over a month on December 30. The airline said the maintenance check for Mbuya Nehanda was in line with aviation quality and safety standards.

“Air Zimbabwe wishes to advise its valued passengers that our aircraft, B737 Registration Z-WPA popularly known as ‘Mbuya Nehanda’ will be grounded for a mandatory maintenance check which is expected to be completed after 45 days with effect from midnight 30 December 2018, in line with aviation quality and safety standards,” it said in a statement issued last month.
Mbuya Nehanda serviced the Harare /Bulawayo /Victoria Falls /Harare as well as Harare /Dar es Salaam routes.

Sources at the airline said the plane could be retired as it has served for 33 years.
“This plane was acquired in 1986 and is likely not going to come back into service. It is very old. It is likely going to be replaced,” said the source.

Air Zimbabwe, which has been consistently underperforming in the last few years, was placed under reconstruction on October 4 last year in terms of the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act (Chapter 24:27).

The move was designed to allow Air Zimbabwe an opportunity to clear its debt thought to be more than $334 million.

During the reconstruction process, all payments towards debts accrued by the company prior to October 4, 2018, would be temporarily suspended and settled in terms of this process.

In 1980, Air Zimbabwe had 18 aircraft flying into 31 destinations but it is now limited to Harare-Johannesburg; Harare-Bulawayo and Harare-Victoria Falls and Harare-Dar es Salaam routes. – state media

By Own Correspondent| In a twist of events, three MDC officials are set to appear in court over the Zanu Pf fracas which occured at Kudzanai bus rank in Gweru where machete wielding Zanu Pf youths stormed the bus rank and started collecting revenue from commutter omnibus operators.

Chiundura Constituency legislator Livingstone Chimina and two other MDC officials were on Friday summoned to the police to answer charges of public violence after they effected citizen’s arrest on one of the Zanu Pf thugs involved in the fracas.

The Zanu Pf youth they arrested and handed over to the police was instead released while the trio were charged.

Said national spokesperson for the MDC Jacob Mafume:

“The MDC condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of MDC officials in Gweru including Hon Livingston Chimina of Chiundura Constituency who was playing a representational role stopping an ilegality by Zanu PF thugs who were collecting money from struggling citizens at Kudzanai rank.

The police called Hon Chimina, Charles Machangira and another to present themselves to the police, where they were detained the whole day only to be released later in the afternoon on flimsy public violence charges. They are set to appear before the Gweru magistrate tomorrow.

The three allegedly effected citizen’s arrest on one of the Zanu PF hoodlums who were collecting money from public transport operators at Kudzanayi Bus terminus since Monday. The others managed to escape. The thug was released by the police before the three were summoned to the Station.

The abuse of state institutions to pursue a partisan agenda is retrogressive especially when Zimbabwe is in a space when signs of reform are needed.

The use of the police service to serve a partisan agenda violates the Constitution which states that the service must be apolitical and must not deservice citizens’ political freedoms and rights.

We urge the leaders of the police service to rise above politics and Zanu PF to stop this abuse.

The rising persecution of dissent is a bad way of doing politics and must stop forthwith to allow Zimbabwe to move forward with the development of a Constitutional democracy.

Behold the New. Change that delivers!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

The MDC condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of MDC officials in Gweru including Hon Livingston Chimina of Chiundura Constituency who was playing a representational role stopping an ilegality by Zanu PF thugs who were collecting money from struggling citizens at Kudzanai rank.

The police called Hon Chimina, Charles Machangira and another to present themselves to the police, where they were detained the whole day only to be released later in the afternoon on flimsy public violence charges. They are set to appear before the Gweru magistrate tomorrow.

The three allegedly effected citizen’s arrest on one of the Zanu PF hoodlums who were collecting money from public transport operators at Kudzanayi Bus terminus since Monday. The others managed to escape. The thug was released by the police before the three were summoned to the Station.

The abuse of state institutions to pursue a partisan agenda is retrogressive especially when Zimbabwe is in a space when signs of reform are needed.

The use of the police service to serve a partisan agenda violates the Constitution which states that the service must be apolitical and must not deservice citizens’ political freedoms and rights.

We urge the leaders of the police service to rise above politics and Zanu PF to stop this abuse.

The rising persecution of dissent is a bad way of doing politics and must stop forthwith to allow Zimbabwe to move forward with the development of a Constitutional democracy.

Behold the New. Change that delivers!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has issued a press statement dismissing as false fuel prices circulating on social media.

The prices circulating on social media allege fuel will be sold exclusively in foreign currency starting Monday next week.

ZERA does not directly address these allegations but urges people to dismiss the message.

We publish the full statement below:

The public’s attention is drawn to statements circulating on social media regarding the pricing of fuel in the country.

The statements are false and malicious and were not issued by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development nor the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority. Members of the public are advised to ignore the messages, which are clearly aimed at causing anarchy and pessimism in the fuel sector.

Section 54 of the Petroleum Act (Chapter 13:22) specifically mandates ZERA in consultation with the Minister of Energy and Power Development to set fuel prices in Zimbabwe. The public is advised that the regulations on fuel pricing contained in Statutory Instruments 80 of 2018, 20 and 100 of 2015 have not changed.

The fuel prices are set on a weekly basis based on the above regulations and these prices are shared with all oil companies and also published on ZERA website.

Monitoring of the regulated prices is conducted on an ongoing basis with those caught flouting the regulations being punitively fined.

The public is urged to desist from panic buying and hoarding given the hazardous nature of petroleum products when stored in undesignated places. ZERA and other law enforcement agencies continue to monitor the situation.”

By Own Correspondent| Orlando Pirates have jetted in the country for their clash with local football champions FC Platinum tomorrow at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.

FC Platinum have already trained at the match venue after ZIFA condemned Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane, the club’s usual home ground.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said that his club has been well-received in Bulawayo.

Mapeza said:

“So far so good, I can’t complain. I think the people here have received us very well. Every time we have been here the people here have been good to us. So I would like to say thank you to the people of Bulawayo for the warm welcome they gave to us.”

FC Platinum Captain Petros Mhari called upon all football fans to come in their numbers to support his club irrespective of their team.

Said Mhari:

“Fans must come and support us. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Highlanders or Dynamos or Caps United supporter. If you come and support us it will motivate us as players. I think they chose Barbourfields because it’s close to Zvishavane. I urged Bulawayo fans to come and support us.”

The match to be played tomorrow is the first leg of the Total CAF Champions League in Group B, between the two clubs.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| After queing for long hours, motorists at a service station in Waterfalls, Harare forced a fuel service station to close alleging that petrol attendants were engaging in corruption and selectively selling the scarce commodity in US dollars.

Motorists who queued for long hours at the service station could not stomach a situation where more than 30 000 litres of fuel which was said to have been distributed Friday was being sold in US dollars only.

The agitated motorists said the service station was even refusing to accept its own fuel coupons further enraging a multitude of motorists in possession of the coupons.

Contacted for comment, spokesperson of Puma Energy Mrs Belinda Chigwe professed ignorance on the issue.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has also dismissed widespread social media reports suggesting prices of fuel are set to change by Monday next week.

In a statement, the energy regulator said the reports are malicious aimed at causing anarchy adding that those found flouting regulations will be punitively fined.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Local cooking oil manufacturer, Surface Wilmar has suspended operations in a move which is set to render hundreds of workers jobless.

The country’s biggest cooking oil manufacturer has been attributed the development to worsening foreign currency crisis.

The company makes Pure Drop cooking oil and the Buttercup margarine and Olivine brands.

This development comes when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is failing to provide the foreign currency needed for the importation of key raw materials. Some local companies have gone as far as setting prices in US dollars, a move the government says is illegal.

Surface Wilmar chief executive Sylvester Mangani said:

“We have stopped our operations because the company has not been getting adequate foreign currency and this has led to the ballooning of our obligations with our foreign suppliers who have since indicated their intention to stop supplying the raw materials.

Foreign currency has been a challenge hence our current position to stop the operations until further notice.”

By Own Correspondent| Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe who was this afternoon suspended from work pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct has been arrested and is set to spend the night behind bars.

The state media reports that the allegations against Chief magistrate Guvamombe stem from a decision to offer work-related attachment to two former Cabinet ministers—Saviour Kasukuwere and Supa Mandiwanzira—at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Kasukuwere and Mandiwanzira are law students at the University of Zimbabwe.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

Refresh this page for updates.

By Own Correspondent| Freelance journalist, Conrad Gweru, who hauled to court for disorderly conduct charges after being arrested for allegedly taking photographs of Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, has been acquitted.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights which was representing Gweru, revealed this on Twitter Friday.

By Own Correspondent| MDC councillors from Chitungwiza were on Thursday summoned by their party president Nelson Chamisa over allegations of vote buying during the election of the town’s mayor.

Inside sources within the MDC reported that Chamisa reportedly asked the councillors to explain themselves over allegations that the mayor, Gift Tsverere, allegedly bribed Jabulani Mtunzi with a Toyota Camry vehicle which the latter made a ‘swap and top deal’ with a Chitungwiza man without Tsverere’s consent.

Said the source:

“Yes the president summoned all 20 councillors at Morgan Tsvangirai house but the matter was never discussed among all the councillors.

The President is not happy with what happened during the mayoral elections where his name was dragged into the mud.

It is also reported that Chamisa called Tsverere ordering him to withdraw the case but it seems he is not willing to do that.”

MDC National Spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed that all the 20 Chitungwiza councillors were at Harvest House Thursday, but could not disclose the details of the agenda of their meeting.