VIDEO LOADING BELOW:

By Farai D Hove| Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia was Sunday night criticised for searching around for a man in a small WhatsApp video while at the same time not demonstrating the same care for orphans of the 1 August victims. She announced:

“I was touched by the love displayed in this video, and the gesture of responsibility and care demonstrated by this father carrying his baby; despite the abuse he received.

“I am therefore appealing to my fellow Zimbabweans to help me locate this couple. There is surely more we can learn from their tolerance and love. It is through shared responsibility that we can enjoy parenthood and raise a responsible future generation for our country.” – Auxillia Mnangagwa

Unregulated and unregistered medicines are reportedly flooding into Zimbabwe, with consignments of expired medicines being smuggled into the country through the country’s porous border posts.

Syndicates are allegedly taking advantage of steep United States dollar prices being charged by pharmacies following the collapse of the value of Zimbabwe’s surrogate bond notes and electronic money.

The high prices being charged have left patients at high risk, as they are resorting to cheap and unregulated medicines coming from neighbouring Mozambique and Zambia.

Samuel Gamanya, a pharmacist in Harare’s central business district, said the influx of unregulated medicinal drugs had been on the increase since November when there was an acute shortage of essential drugs.

“We have had unregulated drugs flooding the country since November 2018 after essential drugs became scarce, and later on when they were priced in the US dollar,” he told African News Agency (ANA).

“These drugs, we hear, have been smuggled through Chirundu and Forbes border posts,” he said.

Medical Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) public relations officer Shingai Gwatidzo said the influx of unregistered drugs had been observed in the country and they were working with law enforcement agencies to curb the situation.

“What is commonly observed on the informal markets in Zimbabwe is an influx of unregistered medicines that are smuggled into the country. These end up being sold from unapproved premises such as street stalls, backpacks, tuckshops, unlicensed health shops, etc. Unregistered medicines, as their definition suggests, would not have been assessed to check their quality and safety profiles,” he said.

“This means that those that end up buying unapproved medicines from unlicensed sources are putting their health at risk because they are not guaranteed of safety, effectiveness, and of good quality.”

Gwatidzo said such medicines, as well as substandard and falsified medicines, were likely to harm patients’ health, “and even lead to death and may be ineffective towards the intended disease/condition”, adding this would ultimately lead to the undermining of confidence in medical products, healthcare professionals, and the Zimbabwe health system.

“Various measures are in place to try and control influx of unregistered medicines onto the Zimbabwe market. MCAZ is working together with law enforcement agents in conducting raids based on tip-offs,” he said.

-ANA

A pride of lions is wreaking havoc in Hurungwe’s Chief Chundu area, killing livestock and terrorising villagers, it has been reported.

Villagers under headman Nyakasikana in the Mayamba area said the lions were targeting donkeys, cattle and goats.

“On Tuesday, two donkeys were killed in the Mayamba area. The following day, a communal farmer lost two head of cattle in the Machecheni area. Several villagers have lost goats as well,” said a villager, Tongai Banda.

Another villager, Robson Taiumu, said they now lived in fear as they were not sure if the lions were not going to attack humans as well.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said rangers had since been deployed to capture the predators.

“This is in line with our motto of ‘living in harmony with nature’. We urge villagers not to move near game park areas where lions stroll. We have since deployed our rangers to deal with the lions in Hurungwe,” he said.

Farawo said there were other areas where elephants were now in conflict with communities due to their ballooning population in Hwange and Masvingo.

“Our national capacity for elephants is 46 000, but currently we have over 84 000 and this has a negative impact on our environment,” he said.

“Our mandate is to see communities benefiting from these animals. They must see the presence of animals as opportunities in infrastructural development, including building of clinics, roads, and availing drugs, among other projects.”

Farawo said in some of these areas elephants drove away smaller animals like kudus forcing lions to target livestock like cattle as easy prey.

“This is now a vicious cycle, but we are working hard to educate the communities to live well with wild animals and reduce human-animal conflict,” he said.

“We are putting mechanisms in place for communities to benefit from natural resources surrounding these communities.”

Farawo, however, warned villagers to refrain from killing the animals.

“We appreciate harmony in nature and urge communities to help us maintain that by not driving their livestock into game areas,” he said.

Last year, rangers had to come to Chundu to kill another pride of lions that had killed several livestock.

Standard

THE Bulawayo City Council has reportedly resolved to drive out goat sellers in Kelvin Industrial areas this month following complaints of selling uninspected meat as well as cruelty to animals.

The local authority says according to the by-laws, the goats are classified as stray animals.

BCC Senior Public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the move to engage goat sellers follows complaints from residents.

“The City of Bulawayo has been receiving numerous complaints from individuals and organisations on goats roaming around the city. On the health aspect, the complaints have been on the selling of uninspected meat to the public which is also an offence,” she said.

Mrs Mpofu said they (goat sellers) were also accused of cruelty to animals as confining them and starving them of food and water is an offence as well as human and animal conflict.

“Because of the above reasons and by-laws goats roaming around the city are classified as stray animals. Council is working on a mechanism to accommodate all stakeholders and goat keepers inclusive to a better alternative place,” she said.

“Council is in dialogue with all the relevant stakeholders that include ZRP, Veterinary Services, SPCA, Agritex (LPD) Council Health Inspectorate, with a view of addressing all the necessary challenges associated with this matter and coming up with an acceptable solution to all the affected parties. Further directions will be given once the matter has been concluded.”

A source from BCC said council rangers had made a resolution to drive out the goat sellers as from January 9 and was also mooting setting up feedlots for the goat sellers.

“There mustn’t be any goats by January 9, any goats found there would be raided and confiscated by council and taken to Aisleby Farm before they are auctioned,” said the official.

The official said the decision comes as a disease prevention and control measure to both humans and animals as in most cases the goats are not inspected before slaughter.

“Some people are even slaughtering the goats there and it’s illegal. No one inspects that meat. Before the animals are slaughtered, the animals health officer inspector has to inspect it to check if it is not infected by any disease then it goes to the slaughter then comes to the meat inspector who checks if the meat is suitable for human consumption then its stamped then it goes to the butcher.

If there is a disease outbreak in that area and people just buy that meat it also affects people. That’s what we are trying to control,” said the official.

The official said they were working on tightening laws as the goat sellers falsely supply information to the police and veterinary officials when moving the goats to Bulawayo.

State Media

THE Government last year terminated contracts for more than 1 600 teaching and non-teaching staff members under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for not having the requisite qualifications while some were dismissed for improper relationships with pupils, it has been learnt.

From the more than 1 600, 128 qualified teachers were dismissed, mainly male teachers for cases related to improper conduct with minors from 241 disciplinary cases handled in 2018.

According to a report detailing last year’s targets and this year’s projects and targets, in possession of Sunday News, the Government terminated employment for 1 645 teaching and non-teaching staff members including 135 support staff members who did not have requisite qualifications.

The report also noted that the Government recruited an additional 1 300 teachers to fill vacant teaching posts across the country. The ministry also reported that 342 were promoted to be heads at primary schools, 173 at secondary schools while 996 were promoted to be deputy heads at primary schools and 74 at secondary schools.

This year, according to the report, the ministry intends to recruit an additional 6 400 teachers to reach the approved 127 091.

It also intends to promote 1 500 teachers to heads and deputies. Already, the process to recruit 3 000 teachers has started.

“Identification of 315 support staff without requisite qualifications will be identified for retirement,” said the ministry.

On disciplinary measures, the ministry reported it discharged 128 members from service for various offences with 241 cases of various misconduct cases documented during the year.

Contacted for comment, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cde Edgar Moyo, said Government was concerned about the misconduct by teachers despite the decrease in the number of cases compared to previous years. He said the ministry was working towards eliminating misconduct among educators as this was impacting negatively on the quality of education.

“As a ministry we are very much anxious on the misconduct cases recorded, yes, we are happy that there was a decrease of misconduct cases in 2018 compared to 2017, but we will continue working tirelessly to make sure they are completely eliminated as they impact negatively on the quality of education. Some members were discharged from service. This is one of the initiatives which help in the reduction of misconducts hence we will enhance this kind of measurement to ensure that we professionalise the education sector and produce quality education in the country,” said Cde Moyo.

From the report, 330 cases of misconduct were reported in 2017 and 368 in 2016 with an average number of misconduct cases recorded per province being 42 for 2018 against 64 for 2017 and 80 for 2016.

In terms of prevalence, the report noted that the offence committed most was improper association with minors with 69 cases recorded, a decrease from 84 in 2017 and 111 in 2016. Cde Moyo condemned abuse of children by teachers, adding that it was putting men in bad light.

“Improper association with minors, this is mainly done by male teachers and such behaviour always puts all men in bad light. As a ministry we condemn that and we will continue giving awareness to children through child protection committees. To teachers we are saying this year we give a stern warning against child abuse, teachers should know that such kind of behaviour attracts a severe charge,” he said.

The report also read that some of the offences that led to dismissals included financial mismanagement which affected mainly heads and their deputies. Senior teachers who were mainly affected were dismissed for absconding work. According to the report, 24 teachers (23 males and one female) were arrested by the police for various criminal acts, an increase from 18 in 2017.

“Of these five were found guilty, two were incarcerated, one was given community service, two paid fines. Two were found not guilty and the rest of the cases are pending.”

The reports said a total of 12 cases were handed to the Labour Court.

“Of these the ministry won three, lost three and six are still pending. The reduction in Labour Court Cases can be attributable to the reduction in the backlog of cases by the court. Losing cases is costly as the members have to be reinstated or paid damages. Two cases were lost on merit while one was lost due to non-appearance by the Civil Division.”

State Media

Contemporary musician Braveman “Baba Harare” Chizvino has defended the inclusion of Zanu PF loyalist musician Chief Hwenje Shumba of the ED Pfee fame on the list of supporting acts that will perform at the launch of his latest 10-track album titled Ramba Wakadzvanya on Friday.

The official release of his second solo project, produced by Maselo, Oskid and Tman, will take place at Foodnest Restaurant in Harare where Peter Moyo and newcomers Audinence as well as Samanyanga will share the stage.

Shumba is famed for political songs endorsing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership and party.

Speaking to The Standard Style on Friday, Baba Harare said the Zvishavane-based Shumba had requested to perform and had been included with a condition that he does not sing his partisan songs during the launch.

“He has other songs which are not political at all and as an apolitical person, I have accommodated everyone who wants to be part of my album launch. He is the one who asked to be part of the line-up, so we could not sideline him,” said Baba Harare.

Recently, Shumba released a song that appeared to be responding to famous Zimdancehall singer Winky D’s Kasong Kejecha track, which apparently resulted in the latter aborting a Kwekwe show when political assailants threw missiles onto the stage late last month.

As a precaution, Baba Harare said they had advised the singer to desist from political songs.

“There is no way he [Shumba] will sing politics at my album launch and we have made that clear to him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baba Harare, who leads The City Vibration band, said his followers should look forward to a better album this year.

Many will be on the lookout for a project in the mould of The Reason Why, a chart-topping mega-hit which propelled him into a household name last year, which is a jiti-inspired piece of work.

“The jiti sound is here to stay, that is why the title track [Ramba Wakadzvanya] has a jiti feel and that has been my trend if you look back at all my other projects,” he said.

Standard

As the country reflects on the cost of the month-long industrial action by junior doctors that has crippled operations at public hospitals, Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo (OM) says government faces a huge task of transforming the health system beyond welfare issues that have been raised by the medical practitioners.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard’s senior reporter Xolisani Ncube (XN), Moyo said the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa inherited a crisis-ridden health sector which has a myriad of challenges, among them infrastructural, medicinal and welfare problems.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

XN: Honourable minister, can you tell us the current situation in our hospitals from a government view in relation to the ongoing strike by doctors?

OM: Well, I don’t want to talk about the strike because we have people who are in talks with the doctors. I don’t intend to appear as if I am trying to hijack or blame anyone on the matter. I might end up being misquoted and this could cause problems for the progress that has been made so far. The Health Services Board (HSB) has been mandated to engage the affected parties, so it would be fair if we are to allow them do their work without influence or commenting unnecessarily.

XN: But you could tell us the state of our health services without discussing the issues of the strike. Let us talk about the issues to do with medicines, do we have enough for the citizens, especially those who suffer from chronic illness?

OM: We are waiting for delivery of more drugs as you might be aware, we are coming from holidays. We have purchased drugs that should ensure our hospitals are turning. I am talking about essential drugs. We have also capacitated Natpharm to deliver these drugs across the country. Our thrust is to ensure that we have drugs for every need and the drugs are affordable to our people. The delivery I am talking about is different from the ones we received recently. We have also acquired protective clothing and all necessities that are required by medical staff to operate in our hospitals. I would like to thank the presidium for coming in and assisting in ensuring that we have enough stock for our people.

XN: The issue of affordability of health services by ordinary citizens has remained a challenge given the state of the economy. Zimbabwe remains one of the few countries yet to fully implement effective universal health coverage (UHC), as government what are you doing to ensure that no one dies due to the cost of accessing health services? We have countries such as Kenya that have made UHC part of their health policy.

OM: I agree with you. We have a challenge in dealing with universal health coverage. For many years government promoted primary health care across the country and probably what we have to look at is the quality and effectiveness of the policy. Our desire as the ministry is to ensure that everyone who needs a health service can access it for less or no cost. We are looking at telemedicine as a policy to ensure that we are able to cut the costs of travelling and other things so that health care is as cheap as possible. We are also looking at exploration of means to fund UHC given the state of our economy which is highly informal with fewer prospects of payroll deductions as a viable funding mechanism. In short, the UHC in Zimbabwe has to depend more on government general revenue than payroll and that has to be taken into the context of the state of our government. We need to look at this issue holistically and find mechanisms to push it through. Yes, we have the airtime tax, but it is not enough to get the drugs we need. We need equipment, we need clinics and hospitals for an effective and reliable UHC. We also need to address the issue of fraud and other unnecessary leakages that could hinder effective funding for the health sector. As you may be aware, the World Health Organisation reports that between 20-40% of healthcare funding is wasted through fraud and inefficiency. We have to close the gaps and put every dollar to good use.

XN: Hon minister, whatever funding mechanism may be chosen for UHC, the issue has been that the scheme should not leave out those without the capacity to contribute. Access to healthcare services should be purely based on need and not the ability to pay. How do you intend to ensure that even those in remote areas are not deprived of the health services?

OM: As I said, we are looking into this issue seriously and exploring all options available given the state of our economy.

XN: The success of UHC depends on the ratio of nurses to patient or doctors to patient, which many say is very high. We have very few health personnel in our system against a growing population, what are you doing to address that challenge before we even talk of clinics and equipment?

OM: As you might be aware, government has opened up opportunities for recruitment and we are still lobbying for more to join, but we are limited by the ability of the treasury. We are also looking at the quality of our personnel so that we can be able to provide a world-class health package.

XN: What is the current ratio of health personnel to the population? Do we have enough or sufficient people to run our health centres and attend to the populace?

OM: It would be difficult for me to give you statistics from the head, but I think and I know government is working towards that. We need to have a sustainable ratio.

XN: You talked of telemedicine as a way forward in addressing the issue of UHC, do we have the equipment to undertake this initiative and what is government doing to address the issue of accessibility of the internet and the software, especially in rural areas where many are living on less than a $1 a day?

OM: We have been doing pilot projects to assess the project, but we strongly believe it could help in ensuring that healthcare accessibility in rural is improved. As you might be aware, patients endure longer appointment commutes and have trouble accessing life-saving consultations for specific diseases or chronic care plans. But telemedicine offers better and timely access to consultations and specialists. Patients can address healthcare issues quickly with real-time urgent care consultations and learn about treatment options within minutes. Patients can even be referred to the specific specialists they need, regardless of location, so with this, we are going to achieve UHC. We have improved internet connectivity and we have to tap into opportunities created by this.

XN: Lastly, can you give us the cost of the strike by doctors so far?

OM: As I said, I don’t want to talk about that at the moment because these are matters that form part of discussions between doctors and HSB. Please let us avoid talking about that issue. All I can say is as government, we are committed to ensuring that the welfare of our personnel is looked after. We are committed to ensuring that we deliver quality health services to our people. We have to understand this fundamental, we inherited a system with too many problems and we are solving them. We have so many issues that need to be fixed from drugs to welfare; equipment to research and the list is endless. We are prioritising primary health services.

Standard

THE Government will continue implementing short and long term measures to prevent the outbreak of cholera, a disease that is still prevalent in country, with efforts already underway to ensure it is eradicated by 2030 two years after the 2028 elections, an official has said.

In an interview, head of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Portia Manangazira said measures have been put in place for this year to minimise the disease that is prevalent during the rainy season.

“We have done the intensive phase of the outbreak response to prevent new cases. I am also happy to say delivery of vaccines has been done to the hotspots which are the hardest hit areas around the country. Currently we will be anticipating more cholera cases because of the rain but now because of the effectiveness of the vaccine we know we are not out of trouble but we will anticipate much less intense cholera outbreaks or occurrences, therefore, the whole country has been put on high alert by the Permanent Secretary,” said Dr Manangazira.

She added that in line with the President’s call for the country to attain a middle income economy by 2030, the ministry was coming up with measures that would eradicate the disease by 2030.

“We have a national taskforce on the epidemic disease and in November we sat down to do a review of the outbreak so that we could re-strategise, but also already we have put into plan the long term measures to eliminate cholera.

“So as a country we are looking at cholera elimination by 2030 in line with his Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s vision of making Zimbabwe a middle-income economy by 2030.

“We have also realised that cholera does not belong to a middle-income economy which means development and cholera is not development.

In terms of people living in crowded conditions, poverty and unavailability of safe water and solid waste management all these need to be addressed as we embrace the middle-income economy and also as we ensure that we eliminate cholera. Hence, this can be achieved in three to five years when we expect the country to be modernising with proper water, sanitation and hygienic infrastructure in place and corrective action in terms of modernisation,” she said.

Dr Manangazira also noted that the ministry was pleased with the sharp decline in the number of people being admitted in hospitals due to water-borne diseases.

“The daily reports show that cholera cases are declining, this therefore means that slowly but surely the disease will be eradicated. According to the situation report as at 2 January 2019 no cases have been reported from most parts of the country such as Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, and Kadoma among others.

“With last cases being reported on December 30 in Mberengwa, December 26 in Murehwa and Mt Darwin, and we are still watching these places closely. Since the start of the outbreak a cumulative total of 10 630 cases of which 10 338 were suspected and 292 confirmed and this include 65 deaths to date,” she said.

Moreover, the President last year launched the First Friday of the month a national clean-up day in a bid to ensure the country has sustainable environment management and waste disposal systems.

This is in accordance with Section 73 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which guarantees every citizen of Zimbabwe “the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being”.

“We are also taking the lead and supporting the effort by the President as it renders precedence to our cholera elimination plan so as ministry we have also met with head office staff to plan for the 12th Friday of 2019 we are also going to implement our deliberate action of cleanliness in our work places but also take it to our families and communities as part of the national efforts to clean up Zimbabwe.

“We are also fighting against typhoid, bilharzia and other communicable diseases as they are also totally preventable by maintaining cleanliness, clean hands, clean environment etc,” said Dr Manangazira.

State Media

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa will scale up her philanthropic work which, among many facets, includes empowering women and girls.

She said this at Zimbabwe House yesterday while officially accepting to be patron of the Zimbabwean chapter of the Girl Guides Association.

Her current work, she said, dovetails with the national vision of creating an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

“For 2019, I am focusing on scaling up my efforts and including women and girl-child empowerment. My vision fits well with the sustainable development goals and His Excellency, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, for Zimbabwe to become a middle-income economy by 2030.”

The Girl Guides Association, which is dedicated to empower girls and women, is present in 151 countries. The local chapter was formed in 1912 to promote skills development, leadership and high moral standards.

Speaking after meeting the association’s local leaders, the First Lady said she had accepted being patron of the organisation because it engenders high moral standards in young girls.

“Officially, I am accepting to be your patron because there are many positive things about your association. I know the history of your organisation and the good reputation that it has built and the good morals that it seeks to promote. Girl Guides have been around for a long time, and I have always liked what they stood for. The time has come to revive and expand the work of the association and I want to be part of it. Young girls who grow up as Girl Guides are taught to have high morals, they are taught to respect their elders and to be dignified women,” she said.

Angel of Hope Foundation — the charity that she leads — also shares the Girl Guides Association’s vision to uplift the girl child, she added.

“The girl-child is always on my mind and that is why I have accepted to be your patron. My vision, in a nutshell, is the sustainable transformation of lives in an inclusive manner, leaving no one behind.”

Her Foundation, the First Lady said, will continue to give hope to the marginalised.

“The overall purpose of my office and of my foundation, the Angel of Hope, is to advocate for an enabling legal policy and resource environment that empowers the disadvantaged, the vulnerable and the marginalised people in our country. In my line of work, I have realised that the upliftment of livelihoods and the improvement of the quality of life of the vulnerable is a responsibility. Therefore, I work with Government ministries and departments, the private sector, United Nations organisations, well-wishers and some civil society organisations.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Girl Guides Association president Mrs Nyembezi Mbaya said in addition to offering various empowering programmes, the association also seeks to protect girls from societal hazards.

“Our main aim is to offer programmes for young girls and women, which provides them with opportunities to acquire skills for their development and advancement for them to be responsible citizens able to play a meaningful role in the society and beyond.”

Mrs Mbaya said her association has more than 28 000 members countrywide.

State Media

On a lighter note, meet Zimbabwe’s own Mr Bean.

Compare and contrast.

TEACHERS have not officially notified their parent ministry of an intention to down tools when schools open on Tuesday, hence the Government is expecting schools to smoothly open for the first term of the year, an official has said.

In an interview yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Tumisang Thabela said teachers have not given any notice to strike.

“We do not have any notice to strike. We have heard rumours of teachers plotting to strike. We sat down with them but they never told us of a strike. As a ministry we are ready for the first term and we are waiting to hear from those who are responsible for the welfare of teachers to tell us the way forward, whether they will give us the teachers or not,” she said.

The ministry is anticipating to add 3 000 more teachers this year. The development comes as reports indicated that a high-powered ministerial delegation will tomorrow meet civil servants representatives to discuss challenges faced by the workers.

Mrs Thabela added that the ministry has approved school fees increases for some schools that applied to the ministry although none has been given the green light to charge in foreign currency.

“Where schools have applied and followed due processes, they have been granted authority to increase fees. There is a circular that actually went out where the minister told schools that because of the realities on the ground we can’t say don’t increase fees but it has to be justified and there is a due process that they have to follow.”

Mrs Thabela said she could not say off hand, which schools have applied and granted the green light to adjust their fees.

A week-long survey by Sunday News revealed that apart from adjusting fees, some boarding schools are demanding part payment in foreign currency while some have gone a step further by demanding that parents buy groceries for their children. In the past, procurement of food and other necessities used by boarders was done by the school.

At Manama High School in Gwanda District, parents have been given a list of groceries to buy. According to the list each child should in addition to the fees bring 5kgs of rice, 5kg of sugar, 5 litres of cool drink and 5 litres of cooking oil. Other schools that have also demanded various grocery items include Usher High School in Matabeleland South’s Bulilima District.

John Tallach High School in Matabeleland North has asked parents to top up their fees by an additional $50. Other schools have simply increased their fees and sent notices to parents that if need be, there will be another top-up during the term.

Parents at David Livingstone in Ntabazinduna said the school increased fees from $580 to $850 per term.

“Last term we were paying $530 for term one, but we were recently called to a meeting where they told us the fees have gone up to $850.

They said this is to cushion the school since prices of most goods have gone up,” said a parent with a pupil at the school.

Methodist Church in Zimbabwe-run Thekwane High School in Bulilima had proposed that parents bring groceries last term but later changed goal posts saying they were yet to get approval from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on what position to take on the matter. According to seculars sent to parents by the school dated 2 January 2019, the school reiterated that it was still waiting for approval on the proposal.

St James High School in Nyamandlovu last term asked parents to provide groceries in order for them to augment what the school was providing as it was no longer adequate. It was, however, not revealed what the demands for this coming term would be. Some schools have reportedly demanded that parents settle part of their fees in foreign currency to guard against price increases.

Mrs Thabela, however, said when they approved the fees increases, they clearly specified that the schools must not demand a specific currency from parents but all working currencies.

“Demanding a certain currency is not acceptable. However, there are certain schools that are said to be doing it without our knowledge,” she said.

On groceries, Mrs Thabela said the ministry does not have jurisdiction over the issue as it was an agreement between parents and schools.

The nightmare for parents has not only been confined to boarding schools but across the board with some primary schools in Bulawayo especially former Group As having reviewed their fees. Most exercise and text books have also gone three to four folds up and the situation has been worsened by the high number of books some schools are demanding.

A random check revealed that a two quire counter book costs an average of $8 in most shops while a A4 32 page is going from $2 and a 72-paged book is going for $2,50. However, some vendors were also making brisk business by selling some of the books at prices lower than most shops.

Mrs Roseline Moyo, a parent whose child is starting Grade Three at Hope Fountain said education had become expensive and unaffordable for most parents.

“This year it is going to be difficult sending our children back to school, prices continue to go up and yet our salaries remain the same. My child is going to Grade Three, from the list I was given I am supposed to buy 30 exercise books with 10 two quire books, seven A4 72 page and 13 A4 32 pages, not mentioning the list of textbooks needed,” she said.

Mrs Patience Mphoko, a parent of a child starting ECD A at Mahatshula Primary School said she has spent more than $300 buying stationery and other requirements demanded by the school.

“I have spent $321 buying all the required material. It is not easy but for the sake of our children’s education we have to sacrifice. I bought Typek bond paper at $40, poster paint $10, paint brush $3, a pair of scissors for $2, Stickstuff $4, glue $5, file $2, mini laptop $150, reading text books go for an average of $15 each, manilla sheets $2,47 and wax crayons cost an average of $4,22,” said Mrs Mphoko.

Mrs Thabela said the ministry was not in charge of determining prices of stationery and uniforms.

State Media

ONE of the people accused of having robbed musician Sandra Ndebele- Sibindi of about $100 000 last year, is being sued by suspected illegal foreign currency dealers for swindling them of varying amounts of money.

Amanda Onwuchukwu, who is one of the women at the centre of the controversial Ndebele-Sibindi issue and is at large, is being sued by Mr Takaedza Takaedza for $11 000 in bond notes and Mr Hardmore Tsvangirai for US$19 000 for allegedly swindling them of the said amounts.

Onwuchukwu is reported to have been given the various amounts of money by both parties to change the money into US dollars and South African Rand. For Mr Takaedza, Onwuchukwu was given $11 000 in bond notes on 31 October last year and was meant to cross rate it to
US$4 000.

Mr Takaedza, according to High Court documents, claims to have communicated with Onwuchukwu through WhatsApp messages and can provide the messages in court as evidence.

Mr Takaedza in the suit alleges that Onwuchukwu had said she would pay back the money on 7 November last year but to this date has not and has since gone into hiding.

On the case involving Mr Tsvangirai, Onwuchukwu is reported to have swindled him of US$19 000, where she was meant to cross rate the money into Rand amounting to R292 500.

Tsvangirai is also being sued by one Farai Vengesu for US$11 500, which he reportedly advanced to him before being swindled by Onwuchukwu. It was reported last year that a woman from Emganwini suburb identified as Lindiwe Moyo allegedly defrauded Ndebele-Sibindi of $100 000 in a suspected illegal money changing deal that went sour.

The woman appeared in court and was ordered to pay back the money, while also being sentenced to do community service.

Moyo is reported to have connived with Onwuchukwu and a Simanga Gwemende to swindle Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of the $100 000, before alleging that she lost the money to three suspects — two men and a woman — who had offered her a lift from Beitbridge to Bulawayo only to speed off without her, after they had taken a recess in Colleen Bawn.

State Media

THE Meteorological Department has warned of floods in some parts of Gokwe in Midlands as the area is forecasted to receive heavy rains this week.

Speaking during a Civil Protection Unit (CPU) strategic meeting in Gweru on Friday, Met Department Midlands provincial manager Mr Tafirenyika Zinyowera said some parts of the province will receive heavy rains that would exceed 100mm per day.

Mr Zinyowera said people in low lying areas such as Gokwe should be on the lookout as there is a possibility of floods on Tuesday.

“We received heavy rains in the past few days. Gweru and Gokwe recorded 100mm, Zvishavane, Mberengwa also received around 57mm earlier this week.

“So next week we are expecting more heavy rains and we would want those in low lying areas such as Gokwe to be on the look out because from Tuesday onwards those areas are going to have incessant rains according to our weather forecast.

We are contemplating putting another weather station at Gokwe Nembudziya so that we know the exact quantities that those areas receive. If resources permit we would do that,” he said.

Mr Zinyowera said the rainfall pattern was not going to change much albeit El Nino was weakening.

He said the province should expect average to below average rainfall until the end of the summer cropping season.

“As for the rainfall pattern, it is not going to change much. We have noticed that El Nino is weakening but from January to March we are still expecting normal to below normal rains this season.

“Areas in the southern part of the province should expect below average rains,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairperson Mr Thompson Siziba said the CPU will also be on high alert to ensure rapid response in case of floods.

“Usually what happens with Gokwe is that if Gokwe South receives heavy rains the main river Sengwa, also passes through Gokwe North enroute to the Zambezi so both districts can be affected. As CPU we will be on the lookout to ensure rapid response,” he said.

State Media

THOUSANDS of South Africa-based Zimbabweans who are on their way back to the neighbouring country are being subjected to delays lasting up to five hours as SA immigration officials are overwhelmed and failing to cope with the inflow of travellers.

At one time between 5 and 7am on Friday, the officials reportedly downed tools accusing the travellers of being disorderly.

A Zimbabwean journalist on his way to his Lesotho base, Ray Mungoshi, said the delays were frustrating and for a long period all systems were at a standstill.

“We passed the Zimbabwean side within 30 minutes of entering the Customs area on the Zimbabwe side, but waited for more than three hours on the South African side,” Mungoshi said.

“The officials at one time stopped work accusing us of being disorderly. It was frustrating, especially knowing there was nothing one could do. The situation changed dramatically around 8am when the female team leader devised means to have motorists and their passengers served in one section while those travelling by bus were served in another section.”

Before that, he said, there was so much chaos a traffic jungle formed inside the SA Customs yard.

Thousands of Zimbabweans based in South Africa travel back home during the December holidays when they take a break.

An estimated 3 million Zimbabweans live in South Africa, having fled poverty and political instability in their country where the unemployment rate hovers above 80%.

Many Zimbabweans settle for low-paying jobs mostly on SA farms and industries although others have work permits and are employed at competitive salaries in that country’s job markets.

Yesterday morning vehicle queues on the Zimbabwean side stretched for close to a kilometre from the immigration offices.

Tempers flared and road rage was a common sight as motorists tried to jump the queues managed by a private security company hired by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).

Schools in South Africa open this coming week just like in Zimbabwe.

Money changers, water vendors and people selling foodstuffs made brisk business weaving between cars to trade rands for bond notes.

Beitbridge Immigration regional manager Nqobile Ncube on Wednesday said pressure had changed direction to the south but his office was ready for the challenge.

“It is not as much as just before Christmas and we are on top of the situation,” he said in a brief interview.

Meanwhile, several border jumpers were intercepted and brought back to Zimbabwe by SA officials last week.

The returnees were arrested at the entry gate after negotiating their way across Beit Bridge manned by police and members of the Zimbabwe National Army.

Standard

Government’s drive to replenish the national cattle herd as part of an elaborate effort to boost both the dairy and beef industry is being significantly pushed back by rising incidence of Theileriosis, or January Disease, a tick-borne infection that claimed 50 000 cattle last year.

The disease, which is caused by the brown ear-tick that usually thrives during the rainy season, is indiscriminate, affecting communal and A1 farmers.

Ordinarily, while dipping is considered effective in fighting the scourge, foreign currency shortages — worsened by rising competing demands —are making it increasingly difficult to import dipping chemicals.

Government needs an estimated $8,2 million to administer anthrax and foot-and-month disease vaccines annually.

Farmers in the affected areas are either failing to dip their cattle or dipping them in chemicals whose concentration is considered suboptimal.

Principal director in the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Dr Unesu Ushewokunze-Obatolu (pictured) told The Sunday Mail recently that local companies are not taking the initiative to manufacture the vaccines locally.

“2018 experienced high death rates among communal and A1 cattle in Theileriosis hotspots. Upwards of 50 000 herds were lost to this disease in the 2017-2018 summer.

“When dipping of cattle is effective, the disease disappears. Dipping failure occurs when animals miss treatment because the chemical is unavailable … (or) due to dipping concentration being suboptimal,” she said.

Local production

However, Government plans to scale up local production of the much-needed vaccines.

“Local industry has not yet taken the opportunity to venture into animal disease vaccine production, and most animal vaccines are imported.

“The Department of Veterinary Services hopes to begin incubating production of a range of animal disease vaccines in 2019. Presently, DVS produces a weak, but highly protective strain of Newcastle virus vaccine and vaccines against three cattle tick-borne diseases,” said Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu.

Government, through an ambitious plan outlined in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), intends to improve the size and quality of the national herd.

A $440 million facility backed by the private sector has since been put in place. Of the total resource envelope, $200 million will be committed to the beef and dairy sector, $42 million to poultry, $11 million to sheep and goats, and $30 million for piggery projects.

In order to track cattle movements and prevent stock theft, Government is also considering electronic ear tagging to the dip tanks of origin.

Furthermore, $25 million will be mobilised towards construction of dip tanks in unserviced areas, including maintaining the existing assets.

Beef cattle and dairy
Government is also doubling efforts to resuscitate the beef and dairy sector to meet domestic demand and export requirements.

TSP estimates that $63 million is needed to revive beef cattle production, of which $32 million would be for restocking.

It is envisaged that the exercise will involve providing heifers to farmers in predominantly livestock-producing areas and drier provinces such as Matabeleland North and South, and southern parts of Manicaland, Masvingo and Midlands.

Similarly, the Dairy Revitalisation Programme targets increasing the dairy herd to double the country’s raw milk production from 67 million litres in 2017 to 131 million litres within four years.

National milk demand presently stands at 120 million litres.

However, the country’s national dairy herd stands at 28 000 cows, down from a peak of 122 000 cows during the 1990s.

Zimbabwe imports about 60 percent of its milk requirements.

But Government’s resolve to capacitate local livestock farmers is quite apparent.

As at August 28 last year, 844 heifers had been distributed in Matabeleland North province, while 1 384 heifers were distributed in Matabeleland South.

In addition, a new artificial insemination technology with the capacity of producing 4 000 bull semen straws an hour will be commissioned soon.

The project, which is being spearheaded by the Chinhoyi University of Technology, will complement the Command Livestock Programme.

Disease control
It is believed that successfully pursuing the planned projects involves effectively dealing with the threats of animal diseases.

The Department of Veterinary Services said last week a new case of foot-and-mouth had been reported in Mashonaland Central for the first time.

Some animals in the province reportedly cross into neighbouring Mozambique to graze, where they usually come into contact with infected buffaloes.

But Government is already fencing some areas in order to separate them from national parks and also control animal movement.

About 60 kilometres of the 240-kilometre fence around Gonarezhou National Park has been fenced under the Livestock Special Programme.

In line with global commitments, DVS will also strive to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies; PPR (Peste des petits ruminants) or goat plague; and dedicate efforts to control foot-and-mouth disease.

State Media

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema
Sharon Munjenjema, Harare Bureau
Government is finalising modalities to de-centralise issuance of passports and civil registration documents to decongest provincial offices, our Harare Bureau has learnt.

This comes amid concerted efforts to improve the ease of doing business, as the country moves towards achieving a upper middle-income status economy by 2030. Speaking to our Harare Bureau recently, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema said Government’s ultimate goal was to ensure people acquire passports and other identity documents at district level.

“We are going to decentralise issuance of passport, birth certificate and national identity documents to the lowest district level. Issuance of passports will be increased because it is every Zimbabwean’s constitutional right to obtain the travel document. The whole administration of systems in Home Affairs ministry will be computerised.”

In a separate interview, Registrar General Mr Clemence Masango said the travel and identity document decentralisation plan was long overdue.

“People will pay the fee online, apply online and then download the form to present it physically to passport offices for capturing of biometrics. This also minimises chances of corruption,” said Mr Masango.

“We get reports of touts who assist people to jump the queue or ask for payment to facilitate quick processing of documents. If application is done online, we reduce such incidences.”

He said plans were on course to introduce an electronic queue management system and install CCTV cameras in order to monitor performance and movement of staff at the registry offices.

State Media

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) 10 top managers have been named in an alleged $3 million cooking oil and chicken smuggling racket, which was reportedly swept under the carpet.

Documents gleaned by our Harare Bureau show that the scam, through which restricted goods were allegedly imported without Government’s authorisation, was unearthed at Beitbridge Border Post between 2011 and 2014.

Former Commissioner General Mr Gershem Pasi, who is also facing separate charges of criminal abuse of office before the courts, spilled the beans in a June 20 2014 letter addressed to Zimra’s Commissioner (Customs and Excise) Mr Happius Kuzvinzwa.

The allegations were initially detailed in a dossier that was compiled by Zimra’s loss control division. Although the damning documents were closely guarded, they only came to light recently.

It is claimed that the accused staffers would import cooking oil and chicken consignments without import permits from either the Ministry of Agriculture or the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The two ministries confirmed the same to the investigators. Also noted is that no F45s were raised on entries that did not have permits or licences, yet it is mandatory to issue a F45 where there are missing required documents or any anomalies noted.”

It is believed that Zimra’s management’s discretion does not override Statutory Instruments as this amounts to criminal abuse of office.

Those implicated are Messrs Adrian Swarress — former regional manager for Beitbridge — who now heads Zimra Risk and Complaints division; Martin Muponda (Head — Audit and Domestic Taxes); Henry Nyamuromba (manager — Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport); Nikita Machinga (manager — Technical Services); and Ms Edna Mudzingwa (manager — International Affairs).

Others are Messrs Farai Makunike (Enforcement manager — Masvingo), Stern Ncube (Station manager customs — Bulawayo) and two supervisors — Messrs James Zisanhi and Tomeyi Sona. At the time the scandal happened, the accused managers were based at Beitbridge Border Post. According to Zimra documents, details of the scam only came to light after an audit through Asycuda World — a customs clearance system — unearthed that between 2011 and 2012, restricted goods like cooking and chicken cuts were imported without permits and licences.

Recommendations were made to drag the managers for a disciplinary hearing and recovery of any lost revenue. Contacted for comment last week, Zimra Commissioner (Customs and Excise) Mr Happius Kuzvinzwa said disciplinary action had been taken against the 10 managers whom he claimed were fired.

However, after being pressed to explain why they were still in office, he tersely noted that “the issue was dealt with and finalised”.

It is alleged that Mr Swarres facilitated the import of 266 196 litres of cooking oil and 21 tonnes of chicken cuts worth US$435 372,83 under B/E C89171 of 19/12/2012, while Ms Mudzingwa facilitated irregular deliveries of chicken cuts, flour, baking fats, vegetable fats and cooking oil valued at US$693 145,18.

Further, it is understood that Mr Nyamuromba also waived a Statutory Instrument to allow controlled goods into the country without import permits, which was in violation of both the law and Zimra’s code of conduct.

Similarly, Mr Makunike is accused of facilitating the irregular import of 216 552 litres of cooking oil valued at US$329 957.

However, the fraudulent imports only claimed the scalp of five Zimra officers — Tapiwa Masikati, Phibion Mutizira, Brassington Chitate, Chengetai Kumbula and Samson Chikombero.

But the 10 managers were not charged in accordance with the Zimra code of conduct despite recommendations by former Zimra bosses.

THE Government has started processing benefits for more than 3 000 youth officers who were retrenched, while a number of empowerment programmes are being facilitated for them.

In a statement, the Public Service Commission acting secretary, Mr Simon Masanga, said the youths officially retired yesterday.

He promised that the Government would ensure a smooth transition and empowerment of the retirement of the youth officers.

In line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and as pronounced in the 2019 Budget Statement by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, the Government has initiated the process of retiring 3 365 youth officers in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.

“The youth officers will be paid their cash in lieu of notice pending retirement on January 4, 2019.

The Youth Ministry as the lead ministry in partnership with other Government institutions in particular the Ministries of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and the Public Service Commission are facilitating access to a wide range of economic empowerment initiatives for the youth officers,” said Mr Masanga.

He said the empowerment programmes for the youths included, among others, enrolling at the Vocational Training Centres (VCTs) dotted across the provinces to be equipped with technical entrepreneurial life skills.

“The youths can also be assisted to access finance from the Empower Bank and Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank, among other financial institutions, to start up new business ventures or to grow existing businesses. Another option is to facilitate the youth officers to participate in other Government empowerment programmes, which include Command Agriculture, mining and value addition. Information on various investment opportunities will also be availed,” said Mr Masanga.

He added that during the same period, provincial and district workshops will be convened to assist the retired youth officers to access the ongoing empowerment programmes.

“The retired youth officers interested in the empowerment opportunities are advised to register through the Youth Ministry’s district offices throughout the country. Government wishes to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the youth officers for the 10 years they served the Government and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

“Government will do everything possible to manage the smooth transition of the retirement of the youth officers during this phase,” said Mr Masanga.

Last year, Treasury indicated that the retrenchment of the youth officers will cut Government expenditure on salaries by $30 million a year, resources which will be channelled towards development projects.

State Media

Correspondent|One of Zimbabwe’s leading publishers Trevor Ncube says he is one of those who has supported the opposition for decades financially and otherwise but it has been disappointing so it is his democratic right to change his mind.

Ncube was commenting on the spat between Zimbabwe’s richest man Strive Masiyiwa of Econet and Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth.

The two have been embroiled in an acrimonious exchange after Masiyiwa came to the defence of his wife Tsitsi who was forced to close her twitter account because of bullying. Masiyiwa accused Human Rights Watch Southern Africa director Dewa Mavhinga of being one of the bullies.

Roth came to Mavhinga’s defence and accused Masiyiwa of being a defender of Mnangagwa.

The tweet that sparked off the whole debate read: “Some outcries and actions in pursuit of justice seem and look so right until you discover the source of the outcry and sponsor of the cause. Take a step back and reflect on some of the things we consider ‘good and just causes.’ #FoodForThought”

Mavhinga responded: “If you are implying that all and any outcry & pursuit of justice is sponsored then that is really sad. When your husband pursued his fight to be licensed it was a just cause. In such position of privilege you should choose your words more carefully, lest it promote injustice.”

In his defence of Mavhinga, Roth tweeted: “Defenders of Zimbabwe Pres Mnangagwa don’t want to hear criticism of his government’s persistent repression so they pretend all critics are foreign sponsored. A cheap shot. Why not address the reality?”

Masiyiwa did not take kindly to Roth’s tweet and narrated how he had been hounded by the Zimbabwe government into exile, and how he had looked after leaders of the opposition while they were in exile in South Africa.

He said maybe Roth was upset by his call for sanctions on Zimbabwe to be removed because they were hurting the ordinary people.

Masiyiwa said he still stood by that position because sanctions were like a man trying to kill a fly with a hammer.

Zimbabwe has been under United States sanctions since 2003.

“Consider Mr Roth that it is possible that we Zimbabweans would like to have an opportunity [ON OUR OWN] to also evaluate some of the options and tools to bring peace, and true democracy. How will we achieve this, if you take it upon yourself to decide what we should think and what views we should hold or even who we should talk to without you passing withering judgement on us?

“What are you afraid of? How can you of all people tweet that Jonathan Moyo is a champion of democracy and call me a ‘defender of repression’. Come on man.”

Trevor Ncube tweeted: “I am 100% with @StriveMasiyiwa on this. For decades some of us supported the opposition MDC financially and otherwise. The opposition has disappointed many times. We have democratic right to change our minds. Sanctions are hurting all Zimbabweans @KenRoth.”

Correspondent|A NOTORIOUS five-member gang of Mozambican armed robbers who broke into several houses and raped women on 21 different occasions in Mutare’s low-suburbs used juju to try and evade arrest and foil dog tracking each time they made a hit.

This was revealed by one of the suspects, Ernest Chirara, following his recent arrest by police in the neighbouring country after he had committed a different assault crime.

After getting wind of his arrest, a team of detectives from Mutare Central comprising Inspector Nyakuwanikwa, Ass Insp Nyamawere and Constable Nkomo travelled to Mozambique and went to Manica District Police Headquarters.

With the blessings of Chief Inspector Geraldo the District Director of National Investigation Services, the Mutare team was given the opportunity to interview Chirara.

During the interviews he admitted to have committed the offences together with other four accomplices. The gang’s ring leader was arrested last year while the three other suspects are still on the run.

Chirara told the detectives that they targeted any house in the low-density suburbs where there was a satellite dish. He also revealed that the gang used juju to evade arrest and dog tracking.

The detectives have since applied for an extradition order with the Mozambican authorities to have Chirara be taken to Zimbabwe to answer charges of committing 21 rape and armed robbery cases in Mutare.

Chirara (32) who comes from Manica province is one of the five suspects who unleashed a reign of terror late last year by orchestrating a spate of robberies, break-ins and sexual abuse crimes that ravaged residents in the eastern border city’s low-density suburbs.

The criminals troubled law enforcement agents because each time they pounced on unsuspecting residents they took the loot to Mozambique through illegal crossing points along the porous border.

The gang’s alleged kingpin, Domingo Luiz Zuze, was arrested last year in Zimbabwe and is currently jailed at Mutare Remand Prison.

Chirara was on the run together with Joao Antonio Amisi, Kuda and Takudzwa.

Correspondent|Veteran MDC leader David Coltart has dismissed the nine-member foreign currency allocation committee appointed by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof Mthuli Ncube announced last night.

Coltart said the committee will bring about increase in corruption.

“Not sure what is “inclusive” about Ncube’s forex allocation committee – not 1 representative of industry, tourism, mining, service/professional sector. Imagine just how susceptible this committee will be to corruption now. It literally decides who will survive -or not -the economic turmoil.”

Coltart further said the committee has no checks and balances.

“Arguably the most powerful body in Zimbabwe is now Finance Minister Ncube’s so called “inclusive” forex allocation committee. Aside from it not being inclusive at all it appears to have no checks and balances so will command disproportionate power which is equal to corruption.”

The committee was one of the reform measures announced in the National Budget Statement presented to Parliament on November 22 2018. The Budget proposed to “establish a strong inclusive framework, through an interim foreign currency allocation committee, with broader representation as was the case in the past”.

The members of the Committee are:

Office of the Presidnet and Cabinet.
1. Mr A. Chikondo

Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
2. Mr Z. R. Churu
3. Mr D. Muchemwa

Ministry of Industry and Commerce
4. Mrs F. Makombe

Ministry of Energy and Power Development
5. Col M Mudzinganyama

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
6. Mr A. Saburi
7. Mr F. Masendu
8. Mr G. Mawire
9. Mr E. Matiza

Popular South African musician Dan Tshanda has died. In a statement, his record label said Tshanda died yesterday at a South African hospital after suffering from heart failure.

“Dalom Music is hereby confirming the passing away of music maestro Dan Tshanda today. He suffered a heart failure earlier at Sandton Mediclinic where he was declared dead. We will give more details at a later stage.”

Tshanda was the brains behind Dalom Music and the Splash hit machine, that had a number of musicians that include Patricia Majalisa, Dalom Kids, Matshikos and Peacock, among others. His music made a lasting impression in the region, especially in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe where he was a regular performer. – state media

As Zimbabwe’s economy continues to
deteriorate, the opposition MDC has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to admit failure and open way for negotiations towards the setting up of a national transitional authority to
stabilise the country.

 

Following a month-old strike by junior doctors that has since been joined by other civil servants, including nurses and teachers who are demanding to be paid salaries in United States dollars, the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC said the
country was being held back by the “habitual dereliction of duty by those who stole an election”.

 

Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said since Mnangagwa came to power after the disputed elections on July 30 last year,
the country “is back to square one”.
“The MDC suggests that Mnangagwa admits failure and kick-start a process of national dialogue towards a lasting solution to the problems arresting our country,” Mafume said.

 

Mnangagwa is, however, on record saying he and his Zanu PF party have no appetite to enter into a coalition government with “losers”.

 

The president has, however, at one point —
speaking through his spokesperson George Charamba in an exclusive interview with the Daily News — said he was open to talks with Chamisa, on the strict understanding that the MDC leader
recognised him as president.Daily News

Correspondent|The Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs, Mary Mliswa has expressed concern over civil servants’ lack of commitment to duty and ordered departmental heads to whip their juniors into line.

Minister Mliswa engaged heads of departments from Mashonaland West and voiced concern over observations she made in respect of civil servants’ unethical working culture.

She told the provincial heads that the junior departmental staff spend more time on social media, discussing political issues and sharing non-essential information, while others have a penchant of disrespect to clients.

Minister Mliswa further reminded the provincial departmental heads to draw up plans for the implementation of the devolution process.

Zbc News online

Correspondent|FC Platinum have announced the gate charges for their Champions League match against Orlando Pirates.

The Zimbabwe champions play their opening Group B match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo after Mandava failed to meet the minimum standards to host the encounter.

The game will be played on Saturday, January 12.

The cheapest ticket has been pegged at $5 while a VIP seat cost $10. The VVIP is going for $20.

FC Platinum reached the mini-league phase for the first in their history after going past CNaPs of Madagascar and Congolese side AS Otoho D’ Oyo in the preliminary and first round respectively.

Correspondent|Three Kwekwe teenagers were on Wednesday arraigned on armed robbery charges after they waylaid a cop and a woman before robbing them of cell phones and cash on New Year’s Eve.

Cephas Ncube (18), Mtulisi Mtoyi (18) and David Mandebele (18) pleaded guilty to the charge before Kwekwe Magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa.

Miss Mtukwa deferred the sentencing of the trio to a later date after they claimed they were all 15 years old, making it difficult for the magistrate to sentence them.

There was drama in court as they claimed police officers forced them to state that they were aged 18 years.

They, however, failed to produce identity documents and Miss Mtukwa referred them to a dentist for age estimation.

Ncube who is of no fixed aboard, claimed his documents were in Masvingo while Mtoyi who is originally from Gokwe said he did not have any while Mandebele said his were in Gokwe.

The State led by Mr Freddy Ndoro said on December 31, 2018 at around 7:45PM, the complainant, James Chaipa who is based at Kwekwe Central Police Station, was on his way home.

“The three accused armed with a machete and a catapult, ambushed him along Burma Road,” said Mr Ndoro.

He said they demanded cash and Chaipa gave up his G-Tel mobile phone and $200 as well as slippers and the trio disappeared into darkness.

The trio also used the same modus operandi and pounced on Efilda Phiri whom they robbed of $4, a Samsung mobile phone and groceries.

The duo separately made police reports at Kwekwe Central Police Station.

Following police investigations, the trio was arrested the following day leading to the recovery of Chaipa’s mobile phone and a pair of slippers in Mtoyi’s possession.

Phiri’s cellphone was also recovered.

VIDEO LOADING

Correspondent|The Commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), General Philip Valerio Sibanda has claimed that there were some detractors who wanted to manipulate the military for their personal gains and urged the military to remain resilient in maintaining peace and stability in the country.

In a New year message statement, Sibanda told the military to be prepared to play a major part in facilitating and supporting the various government programmes aimed at achieving vision 2030.

“Our officers, men and women of the ZDF were equal participants in doing all possible to maintain and promote a peaceful and stable Zimbabwe. This was despite the spirited efforts of our detractors to manipulate the military into doing ‘their bidding’ for their selfish ends,” Sibanda said.

He added that the military should know that the current challenges that are being encountered in the country are a passing phase.

“These challenges are not a good enough reason to lose focus and be ‘taken in’ by prophets of doom who have since independence in 1980 prophesied doom of one sort or another for our country,” he said.

Sibanda added that the defence forces’ focus should be on peace and stability in the country so that development can happen.

Beer drinkers may now need to think twice before downing the so-called wise waters.

This follows the steep increase in the price of clear beer – by more than 100 percent – hours after Delta Corporation Limited was forced to reverse its decision to sell its products in hard currency.

A survey by the Daily News yesterday showed that a number of retail outlets have hiked prices of lager beers with 375ml bottles now retailing at $3, 50 from $1, 50, while a 750ml bottle which was initially pegged at $2, 50, is now selling at between $6 and $8.

Even though most retailers are now selling at these new prices, Delta insisted yesterday that its wholesale prices have not changed.

“Our prices remain the same. We are still selling at the same price we provided in our circular,” Delta company secretary Alex Makamure said.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed behemoth is principally the largest producer of lager beer, traditional beer, Coca-Cola franchised sparkling and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.

It has investments in associate companies whose activities are in cordials and juice drinks, wines and spirits.

On Wednesday, the company issued a circular to its customers announcing its decision to sell its products in the elusive US dollars (USDs).

In terms of the circular, the wholesale price for a 375ml bottle of beer fetched 80 cents, while a 750ml bottle should sell at $1, 50.

Delta had made it clear that the issue of unavailability of foreign currency was threatening its operations with the company struggling to meet orders and in the case of soft drinks, being out of stock for prolonged periods.

However, government intervened, resulting in Delta withdrawing its notice to sell exclusively in hard currency following a tense meeting with Acting President Constantino Chiwenga.

“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) will endeavour to provide the foreign currency required to ensure that Delta continues to trade on the current basis,” a joint statement by Delta and the apex bank reads in part.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) confirmed the increases yesterday saying retailers hiked beer prices in anticipation of USD prices from Delta.

“What we discovered is that when Delta made the announcement that it will start selling its products in hard currency the market was left in shock and increased prices so that they can be able to restock,” said CZR president Denford Mutashu.

“The market was responding to these changes and was working with the parallel market exchange rate. Since the decision has been reversed, we believe the prices are also going to go down,” said Mutashu.

Mutashu said some retailers were still unsettled by the latest developments and are doubtful if the RBZ would be able to make available the promised foreign currency to Delta to enable the conglomerate to bring in imported raw materials for production.

“We are hopeful that if the situation normalises, the prices too will fall,” Mutashu said.

Beer supplies have been going down in recent months, as producers are struggling to get foreign currency to sustain their operations.

As the prices of beer continue to increase there are fears that people will turn to illicit drugs in a bid to get drunk.

Already, the Zimbabwean youths are at the centre of controversy over a record abuse of illicit drugs, which many have attributed to lack of employment.

Daily News

via Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition|Following the November 2017 military coup which ousted former President, Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe was plunged into a constitutional crisis and the situation further deteriorated following the disputed July 2018 polls.

The fact that the polls were presided over by a compromised electoral commission and were characterised by a number of irregularities and that the opposition disputed the outcome of the elections resulted in a legitimacy crisis on the part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF party.

In as much as the ruling party has often declared that they were overwhelmingly voted into power, the legitimacy crisis is a reality that has also come with negative implications on economic development as well as democracy.

After the discredited elections, Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a continuous downward trend characterised by foreign currency shortages, fuel shortages and price hikes that have relegated the majority into abject poverty while cash shortages continue to persist.

Given the current environment obtaining in Zimbabwe, economic revival and engagement with the International community remains a pipe dream while investors have developed a wait and see attitude.

Job actions in the public service have also worsened the rot in the country and events currently obtaining on the ground point out that the situation could worsen further.

CIZC is concerned that the government’s response to protests by civil servants and ordinary citizens has been brutal and in some instances, the government has labelled genuine actions by suffering Zimbabweans as ‘regime change protests’.

We remain concerned that in the current context, the ruling party Zanu PF has shown an obsession with power rather than the need to address the continued crisis in the country.

Zimbabwe’s situation requires that political leaders put people first and CIZC reiterates calls for a national dialogue to address the multi faceted crisis in the country.

Resolving the political crisis prevailing in Zimbabwe through multi stakeholder political dialogue is key in resuscitating the economy and engaging with the international community.

Source: Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

Motorists, transporters, farmers and the business community in Nyanga have called on the authorities to revoke licences of fuel service operators in the resort town who are hoarding fuel for resell at the parallel market and illegal export to other countries.

The motorists said they witness frequent supplies of fuel to the service stations but are dismayed by some operators who refuse to sell the fuel to locals at the official pumps and supply it to the black market.

They said such business practices are not only illegal but tantamount to sabotage at a time when the government is striving to resuscitate the economy by supporting fuel dealers with the scarce foreign currency.

It is alleged that only a few motorists are sold fuel at the official pump during the day and the rest is hoarded and filled in drums in the middle of the night for illicit trade, allegedly to the nearby Mozambique market.

Motorists called on the authorities to address the issue of prepaid account services as this was also being abused by service stations.

“It is very unfair that the reserve bank supports fuel suppliers with foreign currency but some operators cash in on the public and demand cash only and feed the black market. It is saddening, they deny us electronic money payments so that they get cash to resell on the illegal market. There is a network of illegal activities,” a transporter, Mr Bernhard Bore said.

“These are the people behind the illegal foreign currency dealings too,” he added.

Another motorist, Mrs Grace Nyamakanga called on the government to revoke licences of selfish business operators as they are working against the spirit of Zimbabwe is open for business.

One of the service station operators told the ZBC News that they were carrying out some tests at the pumps and could not say when they were going to normalise their operations. Another service station operator refused to talk to the press.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) Acting CEO, Mr Eddington Mazambani said prompt investigations were underway and those found disregarding the law will have their licences revoked immediately.

A member of the Joint Operations Committee in the district revealed that they now have a list of suspects, adding that arrests are imminent.

Nyanga now has several black market points where fuel is selling at $6 per litre against the recommended prices of $1, 38 per litre for petrol and $1, 34 for diesel.

Zbc News online

Government has warned people selling land within the new city boundary in Mt Hampden without consulting relevant authorities that they will be arrested.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri told journalists yesterday that Government was also concerned that some people were undertaking massive developments within the 18 000 hectares set aside for the new city without permits.

“I am aware and deeply concerned that there are unscrupulous individuals who are currently selling land within the New City boundary without consulting authorities and undertaking massive developments without obtaining permits.

To those selling land, may I warn you that it is fraudulent to do such transactions on land earmarked for national interest projects,” Minister Shiri said.

State Media

Media Statement|ZIMBABWE is back to square zero, the wheels have come off completely just five months after the sham election of July 30 2018 and over a year since the departure of Robert Mugabe.

The not so new actors have failed our people; the country finds itself in the prison of a deep structural economic crisis of malaise, capture, corruption, coercion and stagnation.

There is a huge fiscal crisis, lack of confidence, lack of trust, a crippling liquidity crisis, total social sector collapse and the old challenges of macroeconomic stability hitting rock bottom.

This is coupled by habitual dereliction of duty by those who stole the election, a shocking display of mediocrity and total misunderstanding of statecraft by some major players in government. Those with some idea lack the spine to look the beast in the eye and execute the necessary decisions which serve the interests of the working people in Zimbabwe.

In this statement the MDC wishes to address the following areas of urgent concern, President Nelson Chamisa will in the next few days address in detail the MDC Agenda of 2018 highlighting major steps Zimbabwe will have to take going forward.

1. The Political Crisis
2. The Economic Crisis
3. Social Delivery and labour unrest

It is the convergence of these three crises that have created a deadly cocktail that requires a major paradigm shift in the way the economy is run, the way of doing politics and the governance culture in Zimbabwe.

The Political Crisis
At the centre of the government’s failure to deliver is the legitimacy question following the false start of July 30 2018 which blew the opportunity to cure the legitimacy question. The MDC has made this point over and over again highlighting that the solution lies in President Chamisa’s five point plan.

Worsening this crisis is the confusion which is now manifest in the Zanu PF cockpit including its presidium. At one point the public is told that Dambudzo Mnangagwa is back on duty and the next day the government says he is still on leave while one Guvheya Chiwenga continues to sweat in the kitchen of power literally and metaphorically.

This confusion is toxic as it exacerbates an already volatile situation. A government at war with itself is the biggest enemy of the people.

This confusion is directly linked to the factional fights in Zanu PF especially the public spat in the Ministry of Information between Energy Mutodi, Monica Mutsvangwa and Nick Mangwana.

The Economy
The 2019 Budget has failed to cure structural challenges in the economy, instead the budget has created more confusion than answers especially in areas of the currency and its relationship with government tax.

The tripod exchange rates and pricing system owing to distortions caused by the bond note has reached the peak. Shortage of basic goods including fuel and cooking oil is worsening each passing day.Inflation is unabated causing more suffering to the Zimbabwean people, bread prices are set to go up once again. Actual figures are suppressed with government choosing to stay in denial and presenting a macro-economic framework with distorted figures even by the standards of the generous ZIMSTATS.

The budget deficit keeps ballooning, while there is no solution to the debt crisis while government keeps announcing new lines of credit most of which are funding non-capital ventures.

Zimbabwe suffers from massive corruption, nepotism and state capture. Recently a statutory instrument was gazetted merely to forgive taxes owed by a single Chinese company in a murky move with no official explanation to the people.

This happens in a situation where the government is taxing Zimbabweans to death, the introduction of the 2% tax completed the creation of a predatory robber state which pick pockets the poor.

The Social Crisis
The health sector has collapsed, there are no drugs in hospitals and a crippling industrial action by Medical Practitioners which has gone beyond a month.

The government especially Chiwenga has created a mess and failed in absolute terms to bring an urgent solution to the impasse, instead the government went to court and then prematurely suspended 530 Medical Practitioners.

Chiwenga even went on overdrive calling them names and referring to them as mere interns yet contradicting himself by saying the interns are not saving lives.

In diplomatic terms Mnangagwa accepts that his deputy has failed to deal with this issue therefore cutting his vacation short although no significant change has been seen.

Lives continue to be lost unnecessarily and the doctors have even stopped to attend to emergency cases.
The negotiations are being handled by insincere people who want to score cheap political points, the sector has become a risk to the workers who are supposed to work with no protective clothing.

There is a looming nationwide strike across the public sector with the government refusing to pay its workers in US dollars yet they are collecting various taxes in hard currency. They even afford to allocate forex to Delta Beverages, an economy cannot be run through attending only those who cry the loudest.

In the education sector a crisis is brewing as tuition is being charged in forex, uniforms are expensive and the parents have only RTGS sources of income. Teachers marched to Mthuli Ncube’s office towards the end of the year, there is a risk they are not returning to work.

The cost of living has increased, even the cost of going to work has become unbearable for workers and notices of industrial action have already been circulated.

Instead threats have been issued by officials from the Ministry of Information to the effect that repressive state apparatus will be unleashed to suppress labour’s exercise of its Constitutional rights in section 59 of the supreme law.

The MDC suggests the following urgent solutions

1. That Dambudzo Mnangagwa admits failure and kick starts a process of National Dialogue towards a lasting solution to the problems arresting our country.

2. That government fixes the health sector and save lives of Zimbabwean citizen.

3. That an honest, urgent economic recovery plan be produced and implemented.

4. That part of the US dollars generated by the government be used to pay public servants against a background of rising costs of living.

5. A lasting financial solution be adopted, the MDC has already stated that the following solutions be adopted.

i. Demonetization of the Bond Note;
ii. Securing and ring fencing existing RTGS balances in people’s banks;
iii. Strengthening the regime of multiple currencies in the short term;
iv. Joining the Rand Monetary Union;
v. Abolishing the Quasi Fiscal Activities of the Reserve Bank
vi. Resolving Zimbabwe’s national debt crisis
vii. Growing the economy through attracting foreign direct investment and creating a stable predictable policy environment

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

THE Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira, has dispelled social media rumours that tuition fees for the Midlands State University had gone up.

Professor Amon Murwira said that no Government institutions could review school fees without approval, and further stressed that all State tertiary education institutions are not increasing school fees and should accept payment in local currency for Zimbabweans and foreign currency for foreigners.

“Those are fake reports circulating on social media causing panic. The correct position is that we did not approve a revision of tuition fees in State tertiary institutions,” said Prof Murwira.

He said all fees were revised annually by his ministry and any adjustments were communicated officially through his office.

“These are State-owned institutions and we cannot expect Government positions to be communicated through unreliable sources. School fees ordinances are signed by the minister and communicated officially,” he said.

Prof Murwira said State institutions complied with the law of the land and did not invent their own form of payment.

“We comply with the Government’s policy on forms of payment, which means these institutions continue accepting bank transfers, EcoCash and cash that they were using last year.

“Let it be clear that we have a policy that says foreign students only pay in foreign currency and this does not apply to local students. We do not demand foreign currency from local students. The only approved adjustment is that student on industrial attachment pay 60 percent of their school fees,” Prof Murwira said.

He urged stakeholders to report any institution that invents its own rules of payments so that it is corrected right away.

DECLARATION ON INCAPACITATION DATED 5th JANUARY 2019 We, the ZIMBABWE TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION;

HAVING collated experiences and submissions from our membership across all the ten (10) provinces,

NOTING the concerns and grievances raised in those submissions and the recommendations thereof;

CONCERNED about the rapid deterioration of conditions of work of our members across the country and the effects thereof, inter alia;
a) Systematic erosion of the value of our members’ salaries,
b) Sharp rise of prices of basic commodities and transport fares yet salaries remain static despite the decline of their value, and
c) Charging of prices of certain commodities in hard currency (USD) such as medicines.
OBSERVING that we have forewarned the Government of those eventualities,

WORRIED by the Government failure to address any of these grievances and concerns despite previous engagements and discussion;

NOW THEREFORE GIVEN THE FOREGOING, it is thus declared as follows:
a) Our members are unable to report for duty with effect from the 8th of January 2019 due to incapacitation.
b) To enable the teachers to report for work and to subsist, we demand the payment of salaries in US Dollars.

Correspondent|Suspected ZANU PF aligned residents in Masvingo here have threatened to go and stage a sit-in at the Masvingo City Council offices in attempts to force the ouster of two MDC councillors accused of corruption.

Ward four and five councillors Godfrey Kurauone and Daniel Mberikunashe, who retained their seats in the July 2018 elections, are accused of withdrawing $800 each from council coffers ostensibly to attend an Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) workshop last year.

The two failed to attend the purported event and instead, went on to use the money to sponsor their party activities in Chiredzi and Mwenezi, during a tour of Masvingo province by MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa.

The Ministry of Local Government was notified of the acts and sources at the local authority said nothing pointing to an investigation or disciplinary action has emerged from authorities.

However, restless residents have expressed fear that the case which was unearthed three months ago may be swept under the carpet as no official communication has been made by the local authority on the matter.

Masvingo mayor, Collins Maboke refused to comment, directing all questions to Town Clerk Adolf Gusha who was not reachable when equal attempts to seek his remarks were made.

Last month, another group of over 50 residents petitioned Masvingo provincial affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira to rein in on the elected officials and bring the matter to finality.

The residents said it was time they took matters into their own hands as they have exhausted all channels for recourse.

“Council survives solely on money that we residents pay on a monthly basis to improve service delivery and not to line up elected officials pockets or sponsor political parties’ activities,” said an irate resident.

“What is now left is for us to have a sit-in demonstration at the civic centre as a sign that we residents are not impressed by the way the matter is dragging, and the two councillors should tender their resignations as they showed they are not trustworthy to occupy public office.”

A local lobby group, Masvingo United and Ratepayers Alliance distanced itself from the impending demonstration but said it is a constitutional right of any resident to demonstrate is one felt their rights were being infringed upon.

By Own Correspondent| A 22 year old Gwanda man has been hauled to court for raping his 88-year-old neighbour after he unlawfully gained entry into her bedroom hut in early morning.

Trust Ncube of Kafusi Village raided the woman while she was sleeping before raping her. He was not asked to plead when he appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda facing charges of unlawful entry and rape. He was remanded in custody to January 17.

It is the state’s case that Ncube raped the old woman who stays alone on Wednesday at around 4am.

Revealed the state:

“Ncube went to the old woman’s home on January 2 at around 4am where he found her sleeping alone in her bedroom hut. Ncube forcibly opened the door to the woman’s bedroom and gained entry.

“He grabbed the old woman and dragged her out of her bedroom hut and raped her once before running away.

“The old woman fled to her neighbour’s homestead after Ncube had left and narrated what had happened. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Ncube’s arrest.”

ZIMBABWE’S restive civil servants have managed to nudge government into negotiations after they threatened to embark on a nationwide strike starting next week in protest over their poor salaries and the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, in a bid to avert a crippling strike, yesterday invited all heads of civil servants’ unions to a crisis meeting in Harare on Monday to address their welfare, amid threats by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and the opposition MDC to join the industrial action.

Labour and Social Welfare acting minister July Moyo said all union leaders must attend without fail.

“The meeting is part of the commitment of government to engage with all its employees in pursuit of developing common positions in relation to the improvement of employee salaries and generally resolve any matters that impact their conditions of service,” he said in a statement.

Government workers, particularly teachers, had threatened to down tools on schools’ opening day on Tuesday if government failed to pay them in hard currency or increase their salaries to at least $3 000.

Moyo said besides union leaders, the meeting would also be attended by Labour, Finance, Primary and Secondary Education, Higher and Tertiary Education ministers and the chairperson of the Public Service Commission.

The meeting comes at a time government has failed to resolve the doctors’ month-long strike over similar grievances.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said his union was already consulting structures to come up with a common position ahead of the Monday meeting.

“We are consulting and ready to talk with the employer on issues that affect our membership. We are ready for that important meeting,” he said.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said although they had not yet been officially invited to the meeting, they viewed it as an attempt to stop the imminent strike.

“We wonder why the employer had to wait until the 11th hour to attend to our issues, when it is very clear that we raised these issues long back?” Zhou said.

“It is an attempt to stop the strike or any industrial action. But we will see how the issue pans out. If they invite us under Apex Council, we will not attend the meeting. That Apex thing is a useless thing, which has a tendency to massage the employer. But if we are called as independent teacher unions, we will attend.”

Apex Council chairperson, Cecilia Alexander was not reachable for comment last night.

— NewsDay