By Own Correspondent| The Zanu PF government never runs out of shockers, the expired drugs scandal is yet another bizzare episode of a cruel and uncaring leadership.

The issue of expired drugs is just but a manifestation of expired leadership. It boggles the mind to even imagine a government delighting in procurement of expired consignments of medicine placing the lives millions at risk.

Expired drugs may cause new infections, maybe be toxic and can cause death. No one must use such drugs.

It also raises a lot of governance questions. Is it a matter of someone using tax payers’ money to procure expired drugs? Or incompetency which has resulted in drugs expiring before they reach medical centres.

There is a possibility of embezzlement of funds then a display of an expired consignment as proof of delivery.

All these are answers that are due to the public in a delicate matter of this nature, the murky operations of government can no longer be the route to take. There must be clarity, transparency and accountability.

In any case the government should have communicated an impending drugs shortage, not play politics and not give citizens a window to create a buffer against this mediocrity.

Answers must be provided otherwise this episode remains scandalous and criminal.

Those involved in the whole scheme must face Justice, the issue of drugs is delicate, the mere reason why headlines were awash with the sale of an unregistered drug recently.

Now those who are supposed to be at the centre of regulation are the ones violating the rules. The lives of Zimbabweans are in jeopardy, it is clear that the desperation in government to prove some semblance of sanity is sky high. The attempt to sanitize this scandal is dangerous and contemptuous.

The citizen must be very angry, Zanu PF has reached the limits. Its mediocrity and lack of care cannot be allowed to continue.

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

The Government has threatened ‘unscrupulous’ retailers who are fuelling price distortions that they will face punitive action as stringent monitoring mechanisms are being put in place to deal with such indiscipline.

The past months have seen consumers being exposed to all sorts of price distortions as retailers continue to charge different prices for basic commodities despite getting them at fair prices from manufacturers.

Basic commodities like bread, maize meal, soft drinks and beer which are delivered at door step pegged at the same wholesale price are sold at different prices at the expense of desperate consumers.

“Why is it that companies like beverages and bread manufacturers deliver their products at shops at for example soft drinks 50 cents and 80 cents but retailers would triple the price to $1.50 to $3.50? This is not normal and unless something is done urgently consumers will continue to be ripped off,” complains an angry consumer.

“We used to know that bread is sold at a uniform price, drinks we know it should be one price across the board, the same as beer but this price madness is a clear sabotage by individual business who should be investigated and brought to book,” says another concerned citizen.

Responding to the price distortions, the Minister of Industry and Commerce Mangaliso Ndlovu reiterated that price controls is not an option, but added that days for those who continue to rip consumers are numbered as the government has been closely monitoring and will introduce new mechanisms.

“Government’s position is clear, we have engaged all stakeholders from manufacturers to retailers, but it appears the challenge is some individual businesses who continue to ride on uncertainty which rocked the economy, but I want to warn them that price controls will not be an option but room for engagement is always there.

“We have all instruments to deal with any businesses who continue to deliberately cause distortions and all those who are willy nilly operating outside the confines of the law; we are monitoring and the festive season will come and go and competition will soon catch up with them,” said Minister Ndlovu.

While the government, industry and retailers engagement process has failed to stabilise the prices, observers feel if other economic enablers such as fuel suppliers and wholesalers are not increasing prices, there is urgent need to institute a deliberate policy to deal with retailers who are shamelessly exploiting people.

-State Media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Terrence Mawawa| Ms Miriam Mutizwa, has accused Norton MP Temba Mliswa of deliberately misrepresenting facts during an interview last week.

Ms Mutizwa’s letter reads:
Dear Hon. T. Mliswa,
I am writing this letter in response to what you said as contained in the video above.

You may remember that I was one of the most active members in the Friends of SMM (FOSMM) whats up that you unceremoniously vacated from after it was revealed in the group that you had said the the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act is a good law.

I felt it is important that I remind you of what was reported then on Bulawayo News 24 on 10 November 2018 as follows:

You said that: “whilst the Reconstruction Act is a good legislation, and this admission on your part caused a lot of controversy in the FOSMM group resulting in your departure.

Mr. Elvis Mugari, has also expressed concern about your allergy to criticism.

I joined the FOSMM group recently following the placement of Hwange Colliery Company Limited (Hwange) under the control of an Administrator pursuant to the operation of the Reconstruction Act.

I am sure by now you know my personal position on this law and why I believe that it is in the interests of justice that this law be repealed urgently.

I also belong to a number of whats up groups in which the existence and operation of this law is a key borne of concern about the integrity of this administration whose Attorney General, Mr. Machaya, who appeared before your Committee on 19 November 2018 telling your Committee that reconstruction is akin to a judicial management.

My concerns have been shared openly and transparently. I was disappointed like many in the FOSMM group that you chose to leave the group instead of defending your position that a law that deprives and divests shareholders of their rights and freedom without following the due process of the law can be considered to be constitutional.

You have sought to avoid defending your position in private groups like whats up choosing to make bombastic statements in the public media to the effect that these groups represent Mr. Mawere’s stratagem of creating groups to lobby for the return of his companies.

You have also sought to attack people like who have been vocal on the critical importance of repealing laws like the Reconstruction Act suggesting that we are part of Mr. Mawere’s public relations machinery.

You have also said that Mr. Mawere is putting words into a person like without caring to ask me directly whether the views expressed in my writings represent my own convictions or are borrowed from another person.

I found myself being attacked directly by Mrs. Tsitsi Masiyiwa who like you made the same allegations that I was a hired gun.

I find it disturbing that while people like you imply that Mr. Mawere is a desperate, failed and broke businessman, when it suits you, you then give him credit for causing people like me to be activists on matters where I believe justice has not been served.

As I was listening to your words this morning, I could not help but pause and reflect whether your claim that you know all that is to be known in relation to the facts surrounding the decision to introduce the Reconstruction Act and implement it in relation to SMM Holdings Limited (SMM) should not qualify you as a key witness to the Committee that you chair.

I was looking forward to Mr. Mawere appearing before the Committee but after listening to you, it seems that you ought to be a key witness for us to know under oath the basis on which you boldly stated that President Mugabe was the driving mind behind the acquisition of SMM.

I would have thought that the information that has been openly shared by Mr. Mawere in the whats up groups that you now condemn is and would have been sufficient to dispose of the allegations of the role President Mnangagwa is alleged to have played in the acquisition of a private company in which he had no direct or indirect pecuniary interests.

You have alleged that Mr. Mawere was part of a defined and discrete Karanga empowerment project that was presumably led by President Mnangagwa.

To date, it is instructive that President Mnangagwa has never said a word about his alleged role in the acquisition of SMM. It is for this reason, that I am writing this letter in the hope that Mr. Nick Mangwana can notice of your allegations which go a long way towards discrediting President Mnangagwa’s integrity and promises of real forms towards constitutionalism.

This letter was shared in all the whats up groups that Mr. Mawere belonged. You will note that the letter was addressed to the late Vice President Muzenda who you have suggested as one of Mawere’s state helpers in relation to the acquisition.

It is clear that Mr. Mawere was not at the meeting that was held by Mr. Carruthers with the late Vice President.

In this letter addressed to Mr. Mawere who was based in South Africa, the representative of the seller, T & N Plc, states categorically that he had informed the late Vice President that the T & N as the seller had entered into an arms’ length deal that they were anxious to complete yet you also state as fact that the deal was completed from inception by way of a government guarantee.

The above information including how Mr. Mawere approached the seller as an unsolicited suitor was shared in an open and transparent manner in the group that you have been a member of.

We were also privileged to receive a copy of the Sale and Purchase Agreement dated 7 March 1996 or a year before the late Vice President Muzenda met any representative of T & N. I had thought that having this information in our possession would have discouraged a person of your standing from advancing an alternative narrative.

If the late Vice President Muzenda was indeed a member of the ZANU-PF society of Mawere’s helpers then why did he not meet the sellers prior to the deal.  In addition, you have represented that President Mnangagwa was Mawere’s alter ego yet the facts of this matter show that at no stage did President Mnangagwa meet the sellers of the company before and after the deal was done.

The above information among many other documents that I will share with the public leads me to conclude that either you are disingenuous in your approach to the Reconstruction Act and how it was implemented in relation to SMM or you wish to assassinate the character of Mr. Mawere.

I was not sure why you left the group in a hurry but now I am beginning to understand that you could be part of a bigger plot to conceal the bad acts that characterised the Mugabe regime and the real driving forces behind these actions.

This is my Part 1 of what I believe will be a long conversation on matters that arise from your interview above.

The two percent transaction tax initiated in October 2018 has started bearing positive results towards addressing the budget deficit.

The budget deficit has been described by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube as one of the twin economic evils bedevilling the country.

According to statistics from ZIMRA, from October to December the tax collector has been surpassing its revenue targets owing to the two percent tax.

In a sign of confidence and celebration, Professor Ncube recently tweeted that he was overwhelmed by revenue collections being done by ZIMRA since October when the 2 percent transaction tax was pronounced.

Zimbabwe’s economic problems in the past have been largely attributed to lack of capacity to finance its domestic debt due to budget deficit.

However, the country is charting a new path since October when the 2 percent transaction tax was introduced with revenue collection surpassing the targets month on month.

The US$332 million target for October was exceeded by 35 percent as US$449 million was collected.

In November, US$338 million was the target, but US$498 million was collected, representing a surplus of 47 percent.

In the first 28 days of December, US$632 million was collected exceeding the target of US$443 million by 43 percent.

This figure will rise as the last three days of December have not yet been included.

If this trend is sustained into the coming year, it means the formula to deal with the domestic debt would have been found and this will enable monetary authorities to put other economic fundamentals in place that might see the realisation of a middle income status sooner than later.

-State Media

With a clenched fist punching the air in a marquee-filled to capacity with men and women dressed in colourful Zanu PF attire, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga declared that they would be no challengers to his principal, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

One would have been forgiven to think that the country’s ruling party is going for an election anytime soon, but alas, elections are far off the horizon — almost five years away.

Regardless, the praise singing reminiscent of the old days when former president Robert Mugabe bestrode the country like a colossus is now the in thing.

Mnangagwa, who claimed after coming to power through a soft coup that he would end deifying songs and encourage the singing of war songs is almost a changed man just over a year after.
He dances his “crocodile dance” as his followers sing themselves hoarse.

Indeed old habits die hard, the songs that were sang for Mugabe have been rehashed, the printed shirts have a new face and the percussion of praise singers has reinvented itself.

Indeed there is a connection between the old and new.

By Mnangagwa’s own admission, Mugabe “remains a father, mentor, comrade-in-arms and my leader”.

The parallels between the two are almost infinite.

History has it that it was Mugabe who taught Mnangagwa the political ropes while in prison and that it was Mugabe who invited Mnangagwa to the front in the twilight days of the liberation struggle to make him his aide de camp.

While addressing over 60 000 people who filled the National Sports Stadium in a frenzied mood after the fall of Mugabe, Mnangagwa paid tribute to the man who now regards him as a traitor

At the height of his reign, Mugabe had songs composed in his name, children named after him and towns were given a facelift just to ensure that his passage was comfortable.

Mugabe might be long gone but Mnangagwa appears to be trapped in the same system that created his predecessor.

University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure told the Daily News on Sunday that while there was a change of leadership last year there was no change of the system.

“We have to start from the premise of what happened last year. …there was change of leadership but there was no change of regime, the regime has continued, leadership change will not result in a change of systems and that explains what is happening. Mnangagwa is just continuing from where Mugabe left,” said Masunungure.

The respected professor said Zanu PF, instead of focusing on the bleeding economy is only concerned with power retention.

“The endorsements from provinces is something that happens where there is a preoccupation in the maintenance of power, they are doing so as if everything is in order when everything is actually collapsing, we have more of the same and this definitely looks like the old,” added Masunungure.

Just like in the past when towns were spruced-up ahead of Mugabe’s visit, the little township of Esigodini, where Zanu PF had its annual conference received a major facelift ahead of the ruling party’s annual jamboree, a fresh lick of paint here and resurfacing of roads there.

“We are happy that the roads are being paved, of course once they are done they will go and will not return again until maybe the next election,” an elderly man sipping local opaque ale said.

When there was no threat that anyone would challenge him, Zanu PF structures would fall on each other endorsing him and that is a script Mnangagwa’s praise-singers have copied.

Writing on his blog, United Kingdom-based academic Alex Magaisa said the changes that Mnangagwa brought were superficial and not a serious attempt to walk away from Mugabe’s shadow.

He said the removal of Mugabe, to the extent that this meant a transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, was terribly mistaken.

Magaisa noted that the new rulers were the same men who had propped up and operationalised Mugabe’s ruling machinery; they aren’t democrats by any stretch of imagination.

“They wanted power, yes, but democracy was not a priority. It had never been a priority during their many years with Mugabe at the helm.

“They might perform some gimmicks here and there, to win the favour of the international community, but beyond those token gestures the mean machinery with inherently authoritarian features would be maintained,” he said.

The constitutional lawyer said it soon became clear that despite the smiles and clichés of being ‘open for business’, there were more continuities than changes from the old regime.

He said it has become a truism that Mugabeism managed to survive the departure of Mugabe and unless there are fundamental changes, it may live much longer after him. According to Magaisa there has been no serious effort to disentangle the State from the grip of the party or to reduce the role and impact of the military in civilian affairs — both in the party and government.

Just like in the old when nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) were banned for allegedly dabbling in politics, ICT minister, acting as minister of Public Service Kazembe Kazembe has threatened to revoke licences of some NGOs that do not tow the line.

“The government has, however, noted with concern that some Private Voluntary Organisations and/ or NGOs have negated their objectives and are now meddling in politics.

“Should these organisations continue with this behaviour, the government will not hesitate to withdraw their registration certificates,” Kazembe threatened, repeating an old familiar statement many NGOs are all too aware of.

“Underneath the façade of tolerance and openness, the horns of authoritarianism are always threatening to emerge. And they do. They have already poked several holes into that façade,” said Magaisa.

— Daily News

Press Release|The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately resolve the ongoing impasse with medical doctors by reviewing the working and living conditions of doctors. The resolution of the crisis is one step in the right direction as the country moves to arrest the political and economic crisis in the country.

The impasse in the social services sector is of great concern and has potentially grave consequences given the centrality of the services offered by medical sectors employees and leaves the country and citizens vulnerable to diseases and medical conditions that can be averted.

As CiZC we implore government to negotiate in good faith with its employees and always engage in mutual dialogue in resolving labour cases. We remind the state that citizens look towards the government in providing leadership and solving the country’s woes and reiterate that the civil service must be a mutually beneficial space for both the government and its employees.

We are worried that there is an emerging trend where the government is quick to “fire” or dismiss workers in the social services sector as happened when 6 000 nurses were fired earlier in 2018 for engaging in industrial action. It is our view that in dealing with civilian matters such commandist tactics can only worsen the already fragile medical services sector and the continued use of threats only proves government’s incapacity to handle the national crises.

We further urge the government to desist from employing military tactics and coercion to threaten its employees into submission without a review of their working and living conditions. At this hour, we stand in solidarity with other social services sector employees that include teachers, nurses, various ministries and government departments workers in demanding a review of wages and salaries given the erosion of the value of the bondnote.

We call on the government to immediately put in place and implement a short term stabilisation and recovery plan to arrest the economic downturn which has seen worsening levels of poverty among citizens and a total collapse of the social services sector.

We also note with concern spirited efforts and attempts to discredit various employees’ unions as pursuing a political and illegal agenda and warn that the new Zimbabwe that all aspire for has no place for smear campaigns.

We have also followed with keen interest accusations of CSOs plotting to effect an illegal regime change agenda. Attempts to discredit the work of the Coalition and other CSOs that are advocating for a democratic order in Zimbabwe as reported in the Herald and Chronicle remain mere fallacy and as a Coalition we are on record for calling for inclusive national dialogue to resolve the economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe.

Your input and suggestions are appreciated.

For and on Behalf of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

Tabani Moyo

Spokesperson

An Alouette III helicopter had to do a forced landing in the Mchakazi area in Gutu Central yesterday near Ranga school after it developed a fault while airborne.

The chopper was travelling to Gutu from Harare.

According to the Acting Provincial Administrator for Masvingo Mr Roy Hove, the helicopter developed a fault before arriving at its intended destination.

Mr Hove told ZBC News that the pilot eventually managed to control and land the chopper and in the process the wheels and propeller were damaged.

Among those on board the helicopter was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Mr Martin Rushwaya.

No injuries were sustained.

-State Media

Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has reiterated its earlier demand for a 50 percent upward review of wages and salaries across the board to compensate for the price increases of basic commodities.

ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said the union has started a process of consultation with all its structures on the way forward.

He said so far, the consensus-building up is that workers are prepared for peaceful protests early next year to vent out their frustration.
“This action is not for workers only, this is why we are organising the communities because they are also suffering.

“We are also calling on the other likeminded organisations and people to join us.

“This is a fight by Zimbabweans against suffering. The government must listen to its citizens and if not, the ZCTU is prepared to take leadership in the fight against poverty,” said Moyo.

The ZCTU secretary-general also lamented the poor pension pay-outs which, at about $60 per month, are insignificance when compared with the poverty datum Line (PDL) of almost $500.

“There is also the issue of non-payment of wages and salaries by some companies.

“Some employers sometimes deliberately ignore directives from the National Employment Councils,” said Moyo, while adding that government has a responsibility to protect the vulnerable when the market fails to regulate itself.

Television personality and Zimdancehall musician Oscar Pambuka has described his recent jail experience as an eye-opener.

Pambuka who was initially jailed for 30 months along with former Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Highfield, Psychology Maziwisa, for defrauding the Zimbabwe Power Company of $12 650 was released on bail after serving two weeks.

“I thank God for the release. The jail experience was both exciting and indeed an eye opener,” Pambuka told the Daily News on Sunday recently.

“That’s (jail) a rich ground full of lessons I tell you. That’s why most of the leaders pass through there. My future is certain.”

Pambuka said the jail experience boosted his faith.

“To be incarcerated does not mean that one is doomed in life. It is a correctional facility which does not select anyone. You also can be convicted. What is important especially to me was the fact that the experience renewed the inner man, brought me closer to the Creator, made me understand what happens at the various correctional services and above all created a stronger empathetic Pambuka.”

Pambuka, who is the managing director of Oscar Pambuka Productions, revealed that he missed his Zimdancehall network and family while in the penitentiary.

“Life in prison can be lonely as you will miss your loved ones. That’s why it’s important for friends and relatives to visit people incarcerated. It ignites the spirit and is also godly,” he said.

“I strongly urge everyone to stay away from crime and stay far from the prison gates. Once you are in prison, there is no television or radio and you cease to do what you want.”

Pambuka, who hails from Chipinge, described the general living conditions of inmates as good.

“The conditions of living are good though improvements can be made to include a number of recreational activities since it is a correctional facility. When some inmates saw me enter a lot of conclusions came into their minds,” he said.

“On a lighter note, my popularity assisted me to understand various issues affecting other inmates and it put to test my public relations skills which proved to be second to none.”

Inside the prison, Pambuka who has a passion for driving sports and big cars, learnt to stay away from crimes.

“The most important point is that it (prison) confirms that no one is above the law. Whether you are Oscar Pambuka or not when you wear the prison garb we become equal in the sense that you will all be prisoners,” he said.

“No matter that you are a teacher, accountant, politician, minister, prophet or elderly stay away from anything which brings you close to that place.”

Pambuka and Maziwisa were convicted early this month after going through a lengthy trail for allegedly swindling ZPC.

The duo owns a company called Fruitful Communications through which they allegedly claimed payments of up to $12 000 for public relations (PR) work.

Prosecutors successfully argued that no such activities were ever carried out by Maziwisa and Pambuka on behalf of ZPC although they got paid. Early this month, a Harare magistrate, Lazini Ncube, jailed Pambuka and Maziwisa for 30 months.

For the first count, Ncube caged Pambuka and Maziwisa to 54 months each.

On the second count, Ncube sentenced the duo to 24 months each.

Ncube suspended 12 months on the first count on condition that they restitute ZPC of $12 000 by January 2019.

A further 12 months were suspended for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence.

“On count two, the sentence will run concurrently with the first sentence,” Ncube said then.

Daily News

Congratulations Professor Manyeruke‼️

Congrats Professor @CharityManyeruk for being appointed Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Zimbabwe for another four year term. Toutes nos félicitations!

— ?? ZANU PF PATRIOTS ?? (@zanupf_patriots) December 30, 2018

Highlanders chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube reportedly lost R20 000 he had left at the club offices over the Christmas holiday.

The club’s head of secretariat had reportedly left over R30 200 in a laptop bag last week before office staff closed for the holidays and discovered the theft on Friday, resulting in him reporting the matter to the police on the same day.

Sources at the club said the stolen amount did not belong to Highlanders but was instead Dube’s personal funds.

“He told us he left the money as they were closing for the festive season last week and discovered the theft on return on Friday and he made a report to the police on the same day.

“It is suspected it could have been an inside job and whoever stole the money is someone with access to the offices as there was no break-in or signs of forced entry into the offices. Unfortunately the laptop bag was not in a secure place such as a safe or lockable storage place,” said the source.

Bulawayo police spokesman Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed a report had been made at Bulawayo Central Police Station about the theft adding it is suspected the money was stolen between 22 and 28 December.

She said no arrests had been made yet and police were still conducting their investigations. Chief Insp Simango appealed to members of the public not to keep large sums of money in laptop bags.

“We are appealing to members of the public not to keep large sums of money in laptop bags. We would not expect a chief executive officer to leave such a huge amount in a laptop bag and unsecured.

“It is also important that people shouldn’t go about revealing they are in possession of huge amounts of cash because it seems whoever stole the money knew there was cash in that bag as no other item was stolen. If you are in possession of cash it would be best to keep it to yourself,” she said.

Dube declined to comment on the matter saying he was not ready to speak about it.

Sunday News

Correspondent|A man from Bulawayo learned the hard way that some men do not take too kindly to other men enjoying the company of their wives, even if it is for short distances like 100 metres only. Nkosilathi Zulu of Pelandaba suburb appeared in court facing charges of assault for beating up his neighbour Mendiatta Sibanda after he saw him strolling with his wife.

The court heard that Zulu saw his wife strolling with Sibanda, and waited to see how much distance they would cover alongside each other. When the two unsuspecting strollers reached a 100 metres, an irate Zulu could not control himself and charged towards them where he promptly gave Sibanda a thorough beating. Sibanda suffered massive bleeding from his left ear and his back was severely damaged due to the beatings. Sibanda did not fight back but chose to take his beating like a man, and reported Zulu to the police afterwards.

Zulu pleaded guilty to the crime but in his defence, he told Western Commonage magistrate Lungile Ncube that he suspected that Sibanda was having an affair with his wife. Said Zulu,

I suspected that Sibanda was having an affair with my wife after they walked over 100 metres together and that got me upset.

Magistrate Ncube convicted Zulu on his own plea and fined him $100. In the event that he fails to pay the $100, he will spend 90 days in prison.

Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwe could descend into chaos if government continues with its 1:1 rate between the local bond notes and United States Dollars.

This is amid the current impasse between junior doctors and government which has entered day 30 and threats by teachers not to turn up for duty when schools open next term.

On the other hand, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) has also joined the bandwagon and have threatened to shutdown the country if government fails to pay workers in United States dollars.

Government insistence that Bond note is at par with US dollars could be the reason why things are upside down as this means workers salaries which have been devalued due to a sharp rise in the price of basic commodities, will not be increased as it will mean that the treasury has to avail foreign currency to settle wages should the country dump the greenback.

Let us shutdown the country until the Government start to listen to the suffering citizens. All of us are suffering nomatter which political party you support. Let's unite , we deserve better@povozim @263Chat @DailyNewsZim @NewsDayZimbabwe @RMajongwe @Zinasuzim
@CHRA_Zim pic.twitter.com/uXCHz9XQK0

— ZCTU – Zimbabwe (@ZctuZimbabwe) December 30, 2018

Four foreign nationals have been arrested for submitting fraudulent documents during the City of Johannesburg’s security personnel insourcing project.

It is alleged that the suspects, who are all Zimbabwean nationals, submitted fraudulent identity documents when they applied for the permanent positions with the City. They were arrested on Friday.

A statement from Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba’s office said it was established that one of the suspects used information of a deceased person and the other suspects’ fingerprints could not be validated.

One of the suspects recently approached the City Group Forensic and Investigation Department and indicated that their supervisor wanted money from them every month to keep quiet, and that he had now grown tired of this arrangement.

A sting operation was then set up by GFIS working together with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) where the suspects were arrested.

When they were questioned, all four suspects admitted that they bought fraudulent identity documents.

The suspects will appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“I’m appealing to anyone who might have information on other security personnel that might have secured a job fraudulently to please come forward,” Mashaba said. “The information will assist our law enforcement officials as they continue to investigate this case.

“Corruption has no place in this administration and we will work tirelessly, and in collaboration with institutions such as the Hawks, SAPS and all other institutions within the criminal justice system to ensure that the residents of Johannesburg receive the quality services they deserve.

“I would also like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587 or visit GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein.”

– African News Agency (ANA)

Norton independent legislator Temba Mliswa yesterday defended the demands made by Members of Parliament saying they must be given enough resources because the other two arms of the State; the Executive and the Judiciary are having the same benefits.

This comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa and many other people blasted the legislators saying they are greedy.

Mliswa said legislators are required to do their work effectively and they must be given enough resources.

“My view is that people representation should not be equated to destitution neither should it be equated to self-aggrandisement. Overheads are incurred as with any other enterprise and being an MP is no exception, it is a cost centre.

“In fact, even more so during these economically challenging times where even the most basic constituency requirements that naturally should be catered for by the government are not being catered for and the deficit needs to be addressed.

“The Executive and Judiciary receive a Discovery Autobiography (off road), Mercedes Benz and a Ford Ranger. Ministers receive the same three vehicles against MPs who receive one for the full five-year term.

“As I see it one good, safe, tough and durable land cruiser is therefore sufficient for all if we refer to austerity, I’ll leave you to draw any further conclusions.”

He added that they worked diligently while poorly-resourced much like the efforts of doctors, nurses and teachers.

“The very same people that complain that their legislators are not visible should be mindful of the restrictions faced by their MPs. The areas that their MPs need to cover in the effective delivery of their mandate cannot be covered by public transport as has been suggested in some quarters. It becomes imperative that the motor vehicles issue be addressed.

“Which brings us to the crux of the matter, what calibre of representation do people expect to have? Interestingly, I have noted comments raised that MPs should be people who have personal financial capacity and who are able to debate and effectively represent their constituent’s needs in Parliament.” He added that in Zimbabwe constituency requirements are so profound and juggling those needs with parliamentary representation naturally makes being an MP a full time job.

“This issue is a point of some difficulty for me as I must ask – well, who voted for people without their choice of credentials in the first place? I will let it be known and stated for the record that I was attacked for bringing up what was deemed to be a ‘preposterous’ suggestion during election campaigning when I said aspiring MPs should have degrees and their own auditable proof of wealth and capacity in order to be allowed to run for a seat.

“I have always thought that such criteria would significantly curtail corruption and would promote a servant leadership credo in the legislature.

“If the collective grouping of MPs was to this standard, the categorisation of MPs into a different standard of resourcing would be done away with,” he said.

-Daily News

With a few days to go into the new year, the omens don’t look good politically in 2019, following the Zanu PF youth league’s ominous threats this week against the country’s opposition forces, the Daily News can report.

In shocking remarks which have evoked bad memories of Zimbabwe’s body politic under former president Robert Mugabe’s decades of violent and ruinous rule, the ruling party’s youth league boss, Pupurai Togarepi,  promised that they would crush all dissenting voices in the new year.

Mugabe, who was toppled from power in November 2017 — after nearly four decades as Zimbabwe’s supreme leader — routinely unleashed violent youths, war veterans and law enforcement agents to crush dissent.

At the height of his power, he even boasted at one time that he and Zanu PF had “degrees in violence” — in mortifying comments which shocked the world.

Analysts who spoke to the Daily News yesterday said the youth league’s utterances, if acted out, would plunge the country into a bigger political and economic crisis than is currently being experienced.

Zimbabwe is going through its worst economic crises since the horror of a decade ago, as the country battles shortages of fuel, basic consumer goods and medical drugs.

This has seen President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who narrowly avoided defeat to opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in the hotly-contested July 30 election, increasingly coming under pressure to stem the rot.

In his remarks, which have been widely condemned, Togarepi warned on social media this week that they would deal ruthlessly with “anyone who tries to remove or attack Mnangagwa” in 2019.

“We have been tolerant … before and after elections. We won’t take any prisoners in 2019. Any provocation will be confronted head-on. The rules of the game have completely changed.

“Don’t insult others if you don’t want to be insulted. If you insult our leaders we will insult you. If you harass us in any way we will respond with equal measure. If you respect the president’s call for peace and unity we’ll respect you,” he said.

“We have been preaching peace while some insult and call for sanctions. Mnangagwa calls for unity and peace and some insult him and his leadership.

“The president focuses on economy, others are still in election mode. We can also insult. Your choice will be reciprocated,” Togarepi added in his ill-conceived rant.

It was not clear yesterday what had triggered Togarepi’s rant, although its timing coincided with widespread disgruntlement by long-suffering Zimbabweans who are enduring one of the worst festive seasons since the country’s independence from Britain in 1980.

The main MDC said the threats by the Zanu PF youth league were regrettable, but added that they would not stop them from pressuring Mnangagwa’s government into addressing the country’s deepening economic crisis.

“His (Togarepi’s) statement is criminal and unfortunate. In an era where countries are competing and bragging about innovation, transformation and opportunity creation, it is shocking that a senior member of a political party brags about the violent nature of his organisation.

“Togarepi is a national embarrassment who unfortunately represents the wider violent nature of Zanu PF,” MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said.

Togarepi’s threats came as popular dancehall musician Winky D was forced to ditch a show in Kwekwe last week, after rowdy crowds — said to be Zanu PF sympathisers — threw missiles at the stage in protest over his presence in the gold mining town.

Winky D is currently riding high with his new offering titled KaSong KeJecha, which has found resonance among MDC supporters who popularised the “kudira jecha” statement when Chamisa approached the Constitutional Court (Con-Court) in August — after he rejected the July 30 presidential election result.

“Kudira jecha” is Shona street lingo which loosely means playing a spoiling game.

Political analysts also told the Daily News yesterday that Togarepi’s statements exposed the culture of “Mugabeism” which was still rampant within many sections of Zanu PF when it came to dealing with dissenting voices.

“Togarepi’s statements betray the truth about Zanu PF’s view and approach in dealing with dissenting voices, which is an indication of the continuation of the Mugabe politics.

“These messages undo the cheap talk that the ED government is about democracy and economic revival since these people are close associates of ED.

“We can say without doubt that these people’s views represent those of the leadership and in this regard Zimbabwe is in for more years of authoritarianism,” political analyst Rashweat Mukundu said.

Chamisa has been brawling with Mnangagwa ever since he narrowly lost the hotly-disputed July 30 presidential election — whose result he vigorously challenged at the Con-Court.

The youthful opposition leader even went to the extent of accusing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of manipulating the poll results in favour of the Zanu PF leader.

But Mnangagwa’s victory was upheld by the Con-Court, which ruled that Chamisa had failed to provide evidence that he had won the election.

Last month, he held a massive demonstration in Harare where he lashed Mnangagwa, exhorting the president to act on the deteriorating political and economic situation
in the country.

Meanwhile, church leaders and other influential people have implored both Mnangagwa and Chamisa to end their bickering by holding talks aimed at addressing the deteriorating economic and political situation in the country.

Chamisa recently met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of his efforts to try and resolve the current crises in the country.

“I told him that there is no confidence (in Zimbabwe) because there is no political stability … the elections were rigged.

“The elections were rigged because the result of what the people voted for was not the one that was announced. So, there is need to go back to what the source of the problem is,” Chamisa said of his meeting with Ramaphosa in Pretoria.

South Africa, which is Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, is seen as having the greatest potential influence on local national politics, including the mooted dialogue between Chamisa and Mnangagwa.

In 2008, the neighbouring country’s former president, Thabo Mbeki, was instrumental in brokering talks which led to the formation of a GNU between Mugabe and the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai — following that year’s hotly-disputed elections.

Mbeki’s mediation culminated in the signing of the global political agreement (GPA), which paved the way for the formation of the unity government in February 2009.
The popular Tsvangirai had trounced Mugabe hands down in the disputed 2008 presidential election.

The results of those elections were withheld for six long weeks by stunned authorities — amid widespread allegations of ballot tampering and fraud, which were later confirmed by former bigwigs of the ruling party.

In the ensuing sham presidential run-off, which authorities claimed was needed to determine the winner, Zanu PF apparatchiks engaged in an orgy of violence in which hundreds of Tsvangirai’s supporters were killed — forcing the former prime minister in the inclusive government to withdraw from the discredited race altogether.

Mugabe went on to stand in a widely-condemned one-man race in which he shamelessly declared himself the winner.

Zimbabwe is currently deep in the throes of a mega economic crisis which has resulted in shortages of basic consumer goods and medicines.

Apart from shortages of drugs and basic goods, the government is also battling acute shortages of foreign currency which have seen the re-emergence of long fuel queues.

The government is also struggling to end the doctors’ strike which has crippled services within the country’s failing public health sector.

-Daily News

THE country this year recorded 13 murder cases on Boxing Day, with the assailants reportedly using knives, bottles and iron bars to commit the crimes.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said police were highly concerned with the recent surge in crimes such as those of passion, assault, rape, attempted murder and murder.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with the recent upsurge of violent crimes such as assault, rape, attempted murder, and murder.

Thirteen murder cases were recorded in one day on 26 December 2018. In most cases, the perpetrators use weapons such as knives, broken bottles or iron bars,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said this while relating to cases that occurred in parts of the country during the holidays.

“In a recent case which occurred in Nkayi, one man was stabbed to death, after a brawl with a drinking partner who used an Okapi knife to stab him. In a similar incident in Mufakose, a man was stabbed to death with a broken beer bottle after he had questioned why the accused was at his gate with his girlfriend.

“In Gwelutshena also in Nkayi, an 80-year-old woman was struck once on the head with an iron bar, before she was raped and robbed of her belongings,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

She urged people to value the sanctity of human life and find amicable ways of dealing with anger than to resort to violence that would lead to unnecessary loss of life.

State Media

A suspected thief who allegedly used a rod to fish out cell phones and clothes from houses is on the verge of losing his private parts after he was bitten by three dogs as he fled the scene in the wee hours of the morning.

Chamunorwa Dick, 43, of Kambuzuma suburb was ravaged by the dogs after jumping over a precast wall into their territory when one of the complainants screamed for help.

Sources privy to the case told the Daily News that Dick sought medical attention at one of the hospitals but could not be attended to as there were no doctors. Junior doctors are currently on strike.

“I accompanied him to the hospital yesterday (Thursday) but he was advised to seek medical attention at private hospitals. Unfortunately, he does not have the money.
The dogs ravaged his testicles, thighs and buttocks, it’s so bad,” he said.

When Dick was brought to the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for initial hearing, he could not walk on his own and was aided by two relatives, including his wife.

He wailed and moaned in pain, drawing attention of members of the public who had attended court.

When he was brought out to the holding cells he dropped his trousers at the courts entrance and demanded that they do not dress him as he was in excruciating pain.

When his trousers fell to the knee level, visible dog bites could be seen on his thighs. Dick, who was walking barefoot, was also still bleeding from his feet.

“Maiwee! Musandipfekedze! Ndarwadziwa,” he screamed as one member of the public pulled up his jeans and dressed him.

Presiding magistrate Victoria Mashamba had to improvise and remand Dick, who is facing two counts of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances, at the prison holding cells.

Mashamba remanded him out of custody to January 11 on free bail.

Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on December 27 at around 3am, the complainant Melisa Manuwere was sleeping when she heard one Tawanda Matanhire screaming that there was a thief.

Matanhire allegedly saw Dick stealing through the window.

When Manuwere woke up, she saw a long stick which Dick allegedly used to steal phones through the window.

The court heard that Manuwere and other community members gave chase and Dick was badly bitten by three dogs.

When police later arrived at the scene, they searched the suspect and found him armed with an okapi knife and a catapult.

He was allegedly caught with a pair of slopes, a pair of trousers, two T-shirts and suspected duplicate keys which he allegedly fished out from Victor Manuwere who was sleeping in the other room.

He was escorted to ZRP Warren Park where a report was filed.

-Daily News

Correspondent|Consultants and registrars at state hospitals in Zimbabwe have threatened to go on strike if President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government does not address striking junior and senior doctors’ grievances, which include payment of salaries in United States dollars, provision of equipment and drugs, revival of a vehicle loan scheme and other issues.

The consultants and registrars, affiliated to the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA), told reporters in Harare that they have given the government 48 hours to address the striking doctors’ concerns or face a crippling industrial action.

Dr. Sacrifice Chirisa, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Medical Association, said, “… ZIMA is grieved with the process since the 1st of December to date and what’s grieving us the most is that it is the general public that is suffering, our patients that we have cared for, that we have prescribed medicines, that we booked for operations, that need our care that are suffering the most.

Dr. Sacrifice Chirisa and Dr Mthabisi Bhebhe
“We want to say that as ZIMA we feel and are fully persuaded that the issues that our counterparts, let me say that our fellow doctors, these are not students, these are doctors, the issues that they have brought to the fore for consideration are genuine.”

He said the situation at public health institutions is no longer tenable following the junior and middle level doctors’ industrial action.

“We stand with the junior doctors in seeking a speedy resolution of these matters. Therefore we are urging HSB (Health Service Board) to resolve this impasse within the next 48 hours. Consultants have been working very hard under these very difficult circumstances and will not be able to continue beyond the stated time period.”

Dr. Chirisa urged HSB to table the doctors’ grievances instead of suspending them. “We believe the door to dialogue must never be closed and we hope the HSB considers this statement in the good spirit it has been delivered.”

Striking doctors’ representative Dr. Mthabisi Bhebhe, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association, said doctors have vowed to continue their strike until their grievances are met even if they have been suspended by the HSB for participating in an industrial action declared illegal by the Labor Court.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga lashed out at the striking doctors Thursday saying those that are on strike are in a wrong profession, adding that they should be disciplined for engaging in a so-called illegal strike.

The same doctors went on strike early this year after making similar demands. The government promised to address their needs, a promise it never fulfilled.

Correspondent|of two armed robbers who killed a woman and injured three other passengers when they attacked a Beitbridge-bound bus has been arrested.

The duo robbed passengers of cash and other valuables just outside the border town earlier this month.

Thandazani Mandhlazi was arrested on December 27 in Manicaland and was brought before magistrate Tendai Mahwe by police who were applying for his further detention to Saturday when he is expected to appear in a Beitbridge court charged with murder and armed robbery.

He is being charged with murder as defined in section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23 and robbery as defined by section 126 of the same act.

Mandhlazi and his accomplice who is still at large allegedly ordered the driver of a Smart Express Bus which was coming from Mutare to stop at Mapai School turn-off 20km before Beitbridge before robbing passengers and the crew. The two were travelling in the same bus before turning on their fellow passengers.

They allegedly fired a volley of rounds indiscriminately shooting four passengers including Margaret Mungani who died on admission to Beitbridge District Hospital.

The pair is alleged to have then robbed other passengers of an undisclosed amount of cash and cell-phones before disappearing into the darkness.

The bus driver, Lovi Dama, told police that one of the robbers walked from the back of the bus to the front and asked to be dropped off around 3:30am, but instead he produced a pistol before firing a shot into the air, ordering everyone to lie down.

“He stood near me and ordered me off the wheel, and then started firing shots. He asked all people to hand over cash and mobile phones,” Dama told the media after the robbery.

The robber’s alleged accomplice collected cash and phones from passengers before the two men bolted.

Correspondent|Errant and negligent motorists who flagrantly disregard road rules will have to contend with hefty traffic penalties when the new standard scale of fines, which prescribe a maximum penalty of $700 and imprisonment, become operational on Tuesday.

Road traffic offences are currently classified under levels 1 to 3 of the standard scale of fines and attract a maximum fine of $30.

However, under new revenue measures announced in the 2019 National Budget, most of which become operational this week, the fines are now placed in levels eight to 10.

Parliament approved the Finance Bill on December 20. It now awaits approval by Senate when it resumes sitting next year.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said last week although the Budget has not been approved by the Upper House, the measures contained therein will become operational on the prescribed dates since the Finance Bill was unique.

“The Finance Bill is a different kind of Bill compared to others that come to Parliament. Certain processes do not apply to it,” said Minister Ziyambi.

“That is why you find even the measures set by the Minister of Finance (and Economic Development) that are effective midnight on the day he presented the budget, automatically become effective.

“All those measures that are effective on January 1 2019 will come to effect.

“Also note that the Finance Bill sailed through in the National Assembly, and if we look at the Constitution and other rules of Parliament with regard the Finance Bill, Senate cannot reject it or amend it.

“What they can simply do is refer back to the Lower House. So, effectively, all proposals in the budget are allowed and they take effect.”

The country’s roads are increasingly becoming death traps as fatalities from traffic accidents have progressively risen since the beginning of the year, something the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) blames on errors of commission and omission by motorists.

Traffic accidents during last week’s Christmas holidays claimed 12 lives – an increase from the nine people that were killed during the same period last year – and injured 63 others.

Worryingly, all the 122 accidents that were recorded during the period were blamed on human error.

TSCZ spokesperson Mr Tatenda Chinoda cheered Treasury’s intervention, describing it as “a step in the right direction”.

“The increased fines are among a raft of measures to deal with traffic offenders and curb road accidents.

“Punitive fines are a step in the right direction and as the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe we are fully in support.

“High traffic fines are in line with international best practice on road traffic safety enforcement.”

In his maiden budget speech on November 22, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the carnage on the country’s roads are “a result of human error arising from failure to observe road traffic regulations”.

“The most common offences committed include proceeding against a red robot, overtaking over solid line, in particular, at robots, encroaching onto oncoming traffic to avoid congestion, dropping passengers at undesignated points, driving without head or side lights, cutting corners when turning right and failing to stop when instructed to do so by the police, among others,” he said.

The proposed traffic fines are part of broader revenue measures that will kick-in on Tuesday.

Notably, the 42-day moratorium on payment of motor vehicle import duty in foreign currency – which caters for persons seeking exemption for vehicles imported on or before 22 November – will also expire this week.

It is understood that the biometric registration exercise for Government employees, meant to weed out ghost workers, gets impetus this week, while a 5 percent cut on remuneration of senior civil servants and parastatal bosses also comes into effect.

Further, there are tax relief measures for employees as the tax-free threshold will rise from $300 to $350, while the maximum tax rate will come down to 45 percent from 50 percent.

Government has also extended duty-free importation of fertilised chicken eggs as a measure to cushion the poultry sector that lost over 180 000 breeding hens to Avian Influenza last year.

There is also a facility for the import of 100 public service buses with a sitting capacity of 60 passengers at 5 percent duty.

The 2019 Budget was presented under the theme: “Austerity for Prosperity”.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, the country’s biggest industry representative group, is lobbying the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to consider partially floating the exchange rate in order to minimise distortions arising from the present currency peg, but critics have said this would worsen an already precarious situation.

CZI president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe told The Sunday Mail Business last week that the partial liberalisation of the exchange rate would allow businesses generating foreign currency to realise “fair value” for money.

Government maintains that bond note and RTGS values are at par with the US dollar. But Mr Jabangwe said while Government’s decision to separate the Foreign Currency Accounts/Nostro and FCA/RTGS holding accounts was welcome, companies that generate foreign currency are reluctant to trade their dollars at a rate of 1:1.
“It’s a stalemate,” Mr Jabangwe said.

“Forex generators are sitting on their money; they can’t trade because there is no fair value at a rate of 1:1. We have proposed a trading mechanism to the authorities for a partial free-floating system. It does not necessarily have to be a full float. We are still waiting for the response (from the RBZ).”

Some critics have, however, said any piecemeal approach towards reforming the currency regime without necessarily dealing with the underlying structural imbalances would only create more distortions in the market.

Economist Mr Brains Muchemwa, who is also founder and managing director of Oxylink Capital, said the big RTGS balances in the market cannot be easily sterilised through open market operations, neither will the proposed austerity measures be implemented in full in the face of rising inflation.

“Therefore, floating the exchange rate is the only lever to optimise consumption and allocate resources efficiently in order for the economy to preserve jobs and attract fresh capital at a time the Government has been scouting for fresh investment under the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ drive,” said Mr Muchemwa.

Dr Gift Mugano said while keeping the exchange at par was not ideal under normal circumstances, maintaining the bond note and RTGS at par with the United States dollar was the “best Zimbabwe can have given its current situation”.

“If we float on the back of foreign currency shortages in this economy, the rate will shoot up. This will result in serious erosion on savings and pensions.

“Workers will demand salary increases. How many companies are going to get cash flows to meet salary increments? Floating the exchange rate is not a desirable situation because the economy will certainly crash.

“Probably it is critical for those calling for the floating of the exchange rate to do a cost-benefit analysis so that there is robust, comprehensive and undisputed evidence that support their position.

“What we need to see from the Government is robust implementation of its policies so that it can build confidence,” said Dr Mugano.

While the official exchange rate between the US dollar and the bond note or RTGS has remained at par, analysts say the separation of the FCA/Nostro and FCA/RTGS accounts was an admission by the monetary authorities that the RTGS balances were not equal in value to the dollar. Following the announcement on the separation of the accounts by the central bank, the rates went up by as much as 500 percent on the black market, but have since settled at around 350 percent. As such, some economists argue that any effort to liberalise RTGS and US dollar accounts or rates will be tragic as account holders will move all their excess RTGS balances into the market, which will result in a skyrocketing exchange rate and an inflation spiral.
RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya was not available for comment by the time of going to Press.

-State Media

In a notice dated 28 December 2018 and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, the ministry announced that it would be carrying out a registration exercise for the recruitment of teachers to fill vacant posts throughout the country.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will be carrying out a registration exercise for prospective teachers who will possibly fill limited vacancies that are available for the 2019 financial year. Prospective candidates can register at their nearest District Education Office from 2 January 2019 to 3 January 2019,” read the notice.

The Ministry urged applicants to register at only one district upon producing their original teacher qualification certificate, birth certificate and national identification card.

In a telephone interview, Mrs Thabela confirmed that her ministry was recruiting and said they needed more teachers but were being restricted because of budgetary constraints.

“We have been allowed to recruit 3 000 teachers at the moment due to our small purse but we do need more because we have huge gaps in the system,” she said.

She added that the Government has taken serious steps in addressing issues of language in line with the country’s Constitution.

Mrs Thabela urged applicants for the Infant Education module to provide proof of proficiency in the local languages (especially for formerly marginalised indigenous languages) spoken in the district of choice.

“We also want teachers who are proficient in local languages because the Language Policy states that children from Early Childhood Development (ECD) up to Grade Two must be taught in their mother tongue so the teachers must be able to use the local languages spoken in that area too. The ECD level is where we need good teachers and that is where many shortages are,” she said.

The ministry further warned applicants against falling prey to fraudsters that would purport to be facilitating jobs for them.

“The ministry has not employed any third party or agent to carry out the registration. The exercise is only done at District Education Offices,” read the notice.

The teacher recruitment exercise is expected to play a big part in reducing the teacher to pupil ration, which had scaled up as high as 1:50 at some schools. It is also expected to improve the staffing levels especially in most remote areas of Matabeleland region and some parts of Masvingo Province.

The latest development is also in line with the country’s economic blueprint, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which gives prominence to the human development agenda making education a key factor.

According to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting, at least 3 000 teachers will get the opportunity to be employed.

Former President Robert Mugabe “did not at all” confiscate Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri’s so called book.

Speaking on Twitter, former Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo dismissed Muchinguri’s claim that
Mugabe confiscated a book detailing the circumstances surrounding the
death of the late Zimbabwe National Liberation Army (Zanla) commander, General Josiah Magama Tongogara.

Moyo said Muchinguri-Kashiri claim to have written a book is fake because she cannot write a sentence. He urged her to address claims that she finished off Tongogara after the accident.
Said Moyo:
1. How can someone who can’t write a sentence claim to have written a book?
2. If Oppah wants to come clean on
Tongo’s death, why not address
persistent claims that she finished him off after the accident!
Muchinguri said: I wrote a book on the story [of Tongogara’s death]. I did not know that I was not allowed. Maybe now we can say it because the people are dead.When I wrote the book, I was summoned by former President Mugabe [then Prime Minister], who was in the company of the country’s military commanders Generals Solomon Mujuru, Vitalis Zvinavashe and Josiah Tungamirai, all bedecked in their official uniforms. You know how scary that is. I was asked to hand over the book.

MDC youth assembly chairperson Happymore Chidziva said he will not seek reelection at the opposition party’s congress next year.

He said this during his 38th birthday celebrations.He said he will continue under whichever post he will be allocated. Chidziva said he wants to pass the baton to the next generation.

Said Chidziva:”This is my last term as the commander of this movement’s youth assembly, next year at congress I am passing the baton to a new generation. Nonetheless, I will remain youthful in mind and deeds and will carry on with the struggle at a position which the assembly will deploy.”

Jane Mlambo| Yesterday, medical doctors under the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA) gave government 48 hours to resolve the impasse with striking junior doctors, failure of which they will take action as they felt they had worked under very difficult conditions to cover up the problem created by the absence of their juniors.

With only 24 hours remaining, it appears a solution is still far as there has not been communication or update on the ongoing engagements with the striking junior doctors.

In a statement released yesterday, the senior doctors said,  “Therefore we are urging the HSB, to resolve this impasse within the next 48 hours. Consultants have been working very hard under these very difficult circumstances and will not be able to continue beyond the stated time period.

“We believe the door to dialogue must never be closed and we hope the HSB considers this statement in the good spirit it has been delivered.”

The situation in most government hospitals is not pleasing amid reports that a lot of patients are losing lives as there are no medical staff to attend to them.

If senior doctors chose to also follow suit and strike, Zimbabwe could have its worst health crisis.

Two police detectives from Minerals Unit have appeared before Zvishavane resident magistrate Shepherd Munjanja in connection with a case of robbery which occurred at Carmlak Mine earlier this month.

The two detectives Moses Karumbidza, 30, and Isaac Kawundura, 33, were arraigned together with six other suspects in connection with the Carmlak Mine robbery case which saw mine owners losing valuables, unquantified gold and cash.

It is the state’s case that on 25^th of December 2018 at around 1300 hours, the first accused was caught in possession of a Vivo X21 cellphone which had been stolen during the robbery.

The first accused also made indications at the scene and the recovered property was positively identified by the complainant.

He (first accused) then implicated seven other suspects who include two detectives from the Minerals Unit.

It is alleged that the 16 member gang, disguised as police officers, went to Mimosa turn off in the town, fired shots and force marched security details at Carmlak Mine to the mill.

During their numerous raids at Chinese residence, the gang vanished with cash amounting to US$8 820, $6 800 bond notes and 2 155 Chinese yuan.

The eight accused were denied bail and were remanded in custody until the 11^th of January 2019 by Zvishavane resident magistrate Mr Munjanja and advised to apply for bail through the High Court.

Meanwhile, eight other suspected gang members are still at large.

-State Media

A serious human-wildlife conflict is brewing in Tsholotsho with hyenas terrorising people in the district’s two wards.

Villagers in the two wards have already lost over 30 goats and about 25 calves.

Besides the livestock loss, the villagers in the two wards are now worried the predators might end up attacking people.

Tsholotsho Council Chairperson Mr Esau Siwela told the ZBC News that the wild animals have become a source of worry.

“The issue of hyenas is a serious issue. In another village 25 calves and 6 goats were killed and villagers are requesting to take matter into their hands but we did not give them any go ahead to kill the animals as it is illegal,” said Mr Siwela.

The matter has not yet been reported to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority since it became an issue, as the authorities in Tsholotsho had been hoping to neutralise the situation.

-State Media

Jane Mlambo| Opposition leader has contrasted long held beliefs that Zimbabwe is facing severe cash shortages, arguing that the country has surplus money which is being held in the pockets of a few high and mighty in power.

Chamisa said Zimbabwe’s problem had nothing to do with cash shortage but confidence and legitimacy of the current government which retained power through rigging the just ended harmonised elections.

Chamisa was responding to a question from a Twitter user who said government does not have foreign currency to pay doctors and civil servants.

The Twitter user by the name Pablo Chimusoro said the government would not be able to pay civil servants in foreign currency since it was struggling to procure fuel, medication and other basics but Chamisa had other ideas as he insisted the problem is corruption and lack of confidence in the Mnangagwa administration hence people including the informal market prefers to keep their cash far away from banks.

Confidence, bankability and legitimacy of government will do it all.There is surplus money in Zimbabwe ..only that most of it is in the pockets of a few high and mighty in power.Some of it is in the informal and subterranean.

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) December 29, 2018

Jane Mlambo| Opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa has lambasted the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration for using macho tactics against striking doctors saying they need their money for them to save lives.

Chamisa who has been consistent in his call for dialogue said teachers and other civil servants deserve to earn their salaries in foreign currency and not the local bond note which has lost value since the July 30 elections.

The youthful politician said command politics has always failed, hence the need for dialogue to address the current economic problems facing the country.

GIVE DOCTORS THEIR MONEY…Pay teachers & civil servants in forex. ‘Sledgehammer’ politics always fail. It’s unwise for the powerful to use command or macho tactics to threaten skill and expertise.Give life to Doctors to save lives.Doctors can’t save lives when they have no life!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) December 29, 2018

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has urged government pay teachers and the rest of civil servants in foreign currency, discouraging against command tactics which he said only threaten skills and expertise.

Posting on Twitter this afternoon, Chamisa also urged government to give life to Doctors so that they can also save lives.

GIVE DOCTORS THEIR MONEY…Pay teachers & civil servants in forex. ‘Sledgehammer’ politics always fail. It’s unwise for the powerful to use command or macho tactics to threaten skill and expertise.Give life to Doctors to save lives.Doctors can’t save lives when they have no life!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) December 29, 2018

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it is concerned with the spate of murder cases that are occurring around the country especially in Harare, Tsholotsho, Nyanga and Filabusi.

In a statement, police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said on 10 November 2018 at around 2230 hours, a 54 year old female was attacked at Seke Flyover in Harare by unknown assailants and sustained a deep cut before she succumbed to the injuries and died on the 19^th of this month.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba said, in another incident on the 25^th of this month at around 1900 hours, a 19 year old teenager was stabbed to death after he was accused by his two assailants of stealing a cellphone.

In a related incident, on the same day in Nyanga at around 1830 hours, a 57 year old man was stabbed to death after he had called a colleague by a nickname he did not like.

The police spokesperson said on Christmas Day, an 18 year old man was killed in Filabusi at around 2300 hours after an altercation.

She said the now deceased was hit with a stone once on the forehead and he fell down.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba said the ZRP urges the members of the public to respect the sanctity of life.

She said the police are still investigating the murder cases and warns perpetrators of this heinous crime that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.

-State Media

By Victor Bhoroma| As the festive mood grips the nation, there is a feeling among most Zimbabweans that the 2018 Christmas will be dull. Economic woes headlined by cash shortages, fuel shortages, multi-tier pricing and price hikes for basic goods and services are rapidly pushing the majority of the population into poverty. A wave of price increases in September has left disposable incomes depleted for the majority of the local workforce.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) last recorded the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) at $691.00 as of October 2018. With month on month (M-O-M) inflation rate increasing to 16.44% in the same month, chances are that the PDL has risen beyond $800 in December.

The PDL represents the cost of a given standard of living that must be attained if a person is deemed not to be poor. The index is also linked to the monthly family basket which gauges the average market prices of basic goods and services for a family of six as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ).

These indicators show that the cost of living has gone beyond the reach of many in a country where net salaries for civil servants average $500.00 and unemployment rate is as high as 92%.

Even though the unemployment rate is debatable due to the surging number of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) where most survive on, there is no doubt that most of those that have found respite in small businesses were pushed out of employment by economic conditions.

People living in poverty are those who are considerably worse-off than the majority of the population. Their level of deprivation means they are unable to access basic goods and services that are considered necessary to an acceptable standard of living. World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than US$1.90 per day as per October 2015 standard. Prior to that, the global line was $1.25 a day.

A recent report by World Poverty Clock pointed out that over 72.3% of the Zimbabwean population are poor with about 5.7 million people living in extreme poverty. Individual poverty prevalence is 84.3% in rural areas compared to 46.5% in urban areas, while extreme poverty is 30.3% in rural areas compared to only 5.6% in urban areas. These numbers are further worsened by El Nino droughts that have hit southern African countries in the last 2 years and affected agricultural productivity.

Agriculture provides direct and indirect employment for over 70% of the Zimbabwean population, as such the recent price hikes for agric inputs have serious ramifications on many livelihoods in the country. As farmers are planting for the 2018/2019 cropping season, prices for seeds, farm implements and fertilizers have more than doubled from last season prices.

Most retailers charge in Bond/RTGS but their prices are pegged on the parallel market US Dollar rate where the greenback is fetching as high as 350%. The price increases affect the whole chain with transport providers also hiking prices for their services due to fuel shortages. The result could be low productivity and food insecurity for most small holder farmers who rely on agriculture as their source of their livelihood.

Health services in Zimbabwe have long been dominated by private players due to the collapse of the public health institutions over the years. Drugs now look as if they are a “luxury” due to the exorbitant prices charged by private health service providers and pharmacies. Retailers and service providers have long resorted to using the black market Bond to US Dollar rate of 350%.

Medical Insurance service providers are slowly indexing their services to the US dollar to protect themselves from losses that arise when patients do their claims. The high prices have pushed medication beyond the rich of a majority of patients especially the poor.

To compound the situation, doctors at various public institutions downed tools on the 10^th of December in protest to poor working conditions. Part of their demands is to be paid in foreign currency by the employer and for the government to prioritize procurement of medicine.

The incessant foreign currency shortages and liquidity constraints in the market have also forced most producers especially miners and manufacturers to lay off part of their workforce in order to stay afloat.

The government has for long talked about creating jobs with a clear understanding that high unemployment levels lead to extreme poverty. In its Poverty Reduction Strategy Report for 2016 to 2018, the Zimbabwean government identified unemployment and economic recession as major causes of poverty.

Parents with school going children are also finding the going tough as most schools hiked tuition fees and uniform prices to shield themselves from the advancing inflation. School dropout numbers will certainly increase under such conditions.

Cross border traders who make a living through importing various merchandise for resale locally have not been spared as well. High exchange rates have pushed prices beyond the reach of most customers. Business has never been the same since September.

One of the major causes of poverty in the world is economic inequality. The economic meltdown is helping to widen the rift between the rich and the poor in Zimbabwe.

The rich have unlimited access to clean water, food, clothing, shelter, medication, transport, employment opportunities and state resources among other needs. As economic woes bite, the rich maximize their opportunities and live large while the poor slide into extreme poverty. There is an urgent need for the government to find lasting solutions to key economic problems bedeviling the nation such as exchange rate disparities that cause multi-tier pricing, cash shortages, foreign currency shortages and price hikes that lead to high inflation levels. The economic meltdown is being felt more by vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, school children, AIDS patients, the youth and the disabled. A number of groups such as civil servants, small holder farmers, pensioners, farm workers and other unskilled workers are in great danger of sliding into extreme poverty.

Victor Bhoroma is business and economic analyst with expertise in business management aspects. He is a marketer by profession and holds an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). For feedback, mail him on [email protected] or Skype: victor.bhoroma1.

A children’s doctor who lied to the Child Support Agency to avoid paying maintenance has been struck off in the United Kingdom.

Dr Collen Nkomo, from Greater Manchester, was ruled unfit to practise by a tribunal because of fraud and drink-driving convictions.

The Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal in Manchester found that Dr Nkomo’s misconduct was “fundamentally incompatible” with being a doctor.

He worked as a locum GP and at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool.
The tribunal was told that Dr Nkomo was given a 20-month suspended jail term after admitting fraud in Manchester in 2017.
He admitted withholding details about his finances from the Child Support Agency to avoid paying £40 800 over two years and seven months to his former partner.

The tribunal also heard that in 2015 he admitted drink-driving, driving without a licence and failing to co-operate with a preliminary breath test.

Dr Nkomo, who lived in Altrincham, did not notify the GMC of any of his criminal convictions.
The Zimbabwe-born doctor, who qualified in 2002, had worked in the UK since 2013.
The tribunal said that Dr Nkomo’s “clear expressions of remorse and apology” were genuine.

— BBC.

President Mnangagwa is expected to commission Shurugwi-based Anglo-American platinum miners, Unki Mine’s $62 million platinum processing plant next month.

Construction of the plant began in 2016 and was completed this year.

The project was a response to calls by Government for value addition and beneficiation as espoused in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset).

Unki Mine general manager Mr Walter Nemasasi confirmed President Mnangagwa was expected to commission the plant.

He said detailed information regarding the plant would be availed to the public once the plant was commissioned.

“We are expecting President Mnangagwa to open the plant sometime in January. Unfortunately, there will be no press briefings until then,” he said.

Unki Mine smelting plant project manager Mr Clifford Mutevhe recently told The Herald that all the structural and engineering work on the plant was complete.

He said the plant would start operating at full throttle by 2019.

“This is a huge project that the mine is undertaking. All the structural work has been done,” he said at the time.

Mr Mutevhe said the smelting plant, which will consume over 11 megawatts, would see the company smelting about 623 000 tonnes of platinum concentrate per annum.

Platinum mining companies operating in the country agreed to set up refineries at their respective mining sites and to share a single platinum processing plant.

The platinum processing plant will enable the country to realise more from its minerals and curb leakages.

In May last year Government signed an agreement that will see the construction of a $300 million platinum refinery which is expected to boost platinum export earnings.

Kelltech, an Australian firm, will form a joint venture company with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

The total output from platinum companies is forecast to rise to 0,49 million ounces in 2026 from 0,42 million this year.

-State Media

GOVERNMENT is expected to scale up its cost-cutting measures with a five percent salary cut for ministers as well as biometric registration of all civil servants coming into effect next week.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said all civil servants must undergo biometric registration to weed out ghost workers.

Presenting the National budget last month, Prof Ncube said Government has come up with measures aimed at reducing public spending on employment costs.

The measures will come into effect when the New Year starts on Tuesday.

“Mr Speaker Sir, it is critical that we reduce public spending on employment costs. As a first step, Government has decided that effective 1 January 2019, a five percent cut on basic salary, be effected for all senior positions from principal directors, permanent secretaries and their equivalents up to deputy ministers, ministers and the Presidium,” said Prof Ncube.

He said this would also extended to basic salaries of those in designated posts in State-owned enterprises (chief executive officers, executive directors and equivalent grades) including constitutional commissions and grant-aided institutions.

“A standardisation or alignment exercise in remuneration including benefits for constitutional commissions, will also be undertaken to remove inequity and disparities,” said Prof Ncube.

Turning to the biometric register for civil servants in 2019, Prof Ncube said the previous civil service audits undertaken by Government pointed to the possible existence of ghost workers in the service, contributing to the burgeoning public service wage bill which accounts for over 90 percent of total revenues.

“Clearly, this goes against the thrust of re-orienting budget expenditures towards growth enhancing and poverty reducing developmental programmes and projects through rationalisation of the public service wage bill. Mr Speaker Sir, to weed out these ghost workers, I propose to introduce a biometric registration of all civil servants, with effect from 1 January 2019,” said Prof Ncube.

The Finance Minister said the registration process will be rigorous and will involve capturing data on letter of appointment, academic and professional qualifications, national identification documents, employment code numbers, and biometric data.

He said the biometric data will involve capturing of one’s unique physical attributes such as fingerprints, DNA, iris and retina pattern, using ICT.

“The above system will ensure that every person being paid by Government for services rendered is properly accounted for,” said Prof Ncube.

Government has already initiated the process of retiring 3 384 youth officers from the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation as part of the first phase of implementing civil service reforms.

The Public Service Commission said the retirement of the youth officers was part of a number of measures that Government is implementing and these include rightsizing, reassignment and restructuring of the civil service.

-State Media

Jane Mlambo| Following Government denial that it did not procure expires drugs, seasoned journalist, Grace Mutandwa believes the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration has a habit of denying everything, something she described as command denialism.

Information Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana appeared in the state owned Herald refuting claims that the procured drugs at Natpharm were expired.

But Mutandwa said she is not surprised by the Mangwana’s remarks as it has become the norm for government to deny everything.

#Denialists No surprises there. Government is into serious Command Denialism.https://t.co/hc9bnPzdng

— Grace Mutandwa (@GraceMutandwa1) December 29, 2018

There are no expired medicines being dispensed at public health institutions as there are systems to ensure the safety of citizens, Government has said.

In a statement yesterday, the Government said there were laid down procedures for the disposal of all expired drugs.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana dismissed social media footage suggesting Government hospitals were dispensing expired drugs, exposing the public to serious health risks.

“Government has been made aware of footage on social media purporting to show that expired medical drugs are being dispensed for use by patients in the country,” said Mr Mangwana in a statement to The Herald.

“Government wishes to assure the Zimbabwean public that it takes the safety of its citizens and patients seriously and there are systems in place to ensure that expired medication is disposed of, and not used irregularly,” he said.

He said there were laid down procedures for the disposal of expired drugs.

“Expired medication cannot be disposed of without a formal process that involves instituting a board of survey to scrutinise and verify the medicines targeted for destruction. The board goes through all the expired medicines, item by item, and provides the monetary value of such medication,” said Mr Mangwana.

He said expired medicines were destroyed with Treasury’s concurrence.

The process is also witnessed by various stakeholders.

“The expired medicine is only destroyed after Treasury has authorised such destruction through the issuance of a Certificate of Destruction. The destruction is witnessed by the Environmental Management Agency in conjunction with the Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health and Child Care and is also independently witnessed and documented,” said Mr Mangwana.

The process takes months.

“This whole process takes between six and nine months. Before destruction, the medication is kept in separate pallets in the same warehouse (but different aisle) with unexpired medication because of storage space limitations,” said Mr Mangwana.

He said for the year 2017, expired drugs were kept at below one percent of available drugs in line with World Health Organisation standards.

“Expiries are normal to any health setting but have to be kept to a minimum. For the year 2017 and up to the third quarter of 2018, expiries in the country’s public health systems have consistently been below one percent of commodities available.

“This is well within the WHO nationally acceptable loss of one percent,” said Mr Mangwana.

He said the expired drugs circulating on social media could have been taken during Acting President Constantino Chiwenga’s tour of the National Pharmaceuticals warehouse on Thursday.

This may have been the basis of the misrepresentation that expired drugs were being dispensed.

“We place on record and emphasise that expired medication is not for use by patients,” said Mr Mangwana.

“Should anyone suspect that they have been issued with expired medicines, they should contact the regulator, Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe,” he added.

-State Media

GOVERNMENT is expected to scale up its cost cutting measures with a five percent salary cut for Ministers as well as biometric registration of all civil servants coming into effect next week.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said all civil servants must undergo biometric registration to weed out ghost workers in the system.

Presenting the National budget last month, Prof Ncube said Government has come up with measures aimed at reducing public spending on employment costs.

The measures will come into effect when the New Year starts on Tuesday.

“Mr Speaker Sir, it is critical that we reduce public spending on employment costs. As a first step, Government has decided that effective 1 January 2019, a five percent cut on basic salary, be effected for all senior positions from Principal Directors, Permanent Secretaries and their equivalents up to Deputy Ministers, Ministers and the Presidium,” said Prof Ncube.

He said this would also extend to basic salaries of those in designated posts in State owned enterprises (chief executive officers, executive directors and equivalent grades) including Constitutional Commissions and grant aided institutions.

“A standardisation or alignment exercise in remuneration including benefits for Constitutional Commissions, will also be undertaken to remove inequity and disparities,” said Prof Ncube.

Turning to the biometric register for civil servants in 2019, Prof Ncube said the previous civil service audits undertaken by Government pointed to the possible existence of ghost workers in the service, contributing to the burgeoning public service wage bill which accounts for over 90 percent of total revenues.

“Clearly, this goes against the thrust of re-orienting Budget expenditures towards growth enhancing and poverty reducing developmental programmes and projects through rationalisation of the Public Service Wage Bill.

“Mr Speaker Sir, to weed out these ghost workers, I propose to introduce a biometric registration of all civil servants, with effect from 1 January 2019,” said Prof Ncube.

The Finance Minister said the registration process will be rigorous and will involve capturing data on Letter of Appointment, Academic and Professional Qualifications, National Identification Documents, Employment Code Numbers, and Biometric Data.

He said the biometric data will involve capturing of one’s unique physical attributes such as fingerprints, DNA, iris and retina pattern, using ICT.

“The above system will ensure that every person being paid by Government for services rendered is properly accounted for,” said Prof Ncube.

Government has already initiated the process of retiring 3 384 youth officers from the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation as part of the first phase of implementing civil service reforms.

The Public Service Commission said the retirement of the youth officers was part of a number of measures that Government is implementing and these include right sizing, reassignment and restructuring of the civil service.

State Media