By Farai D Hove| There was a crisis of ironies during the US senatorial committee discussion on Zimbabwe when the businessman speaking in favour of Zanu PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Joseph Mutizwa claimed that political polarization in Zimbabwe began with and was triggered by the People’s President, Nelson Chamisa’s legal challenge at the constitutional court in August 2018.
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Mutizwa also claimed that Chamisa’s opponent, Mnangagwa has set out an aggressive timetable to align laws to the 2013 constitution.

Mutizwa said in part: “The legal challenges against the election results at the Constitutional Court and the refusal by the main opposition to accept the legitimacy of President elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has resulted in deep political polarization which has severely dented business confidence for both foreign and domestic investors.

“While the polarization is a reality, it is also a fact that the ruling party emerged from the election with a two thirds majority in Parliament thus giving it a strong mandate to carry out the required legislative reforms particularly those needed to align existing laws to the 2013 constitution.”

The reality however is that political polarisation began 8 months before when Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office declared intention and a threat to commit acts of terrorism at a military level against any winner of the 2018 elections. The declaration was broadcast live on the state broadcaster, ZBC.

Mnangagwa was filmed smiling soon after it was announced that the Zimbabwe defence forces will be used to change the electoral results so that they reflect an outcome that is greater than the 1980 one.

Said Mutsvangwa:

Meanwhile Mutizwa also claimed that there is an acceleration of actions by Mnangagwa to align the current laws with the 2018 constitution.

What has happened in practice was Mnangagwa however literally undoing the 2013 constitution, one of these latest steps being a proposal to change the constitutional age limit for presidency so that it disqualifies the 40 year old Chamisa who defeated him in 2018.

BELOW WAS MUTIZWA’S FULL TESTIMONY TO THE  UNITED STATES SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE ON AFRICA AND GLOBAL HEALTH POLICY

Submitted By: JOSEPH MUTIZWA

ARTICULATING PERSPECTIVES OF ZIMBABWE’S PRIVATE SECTOR.

Washington DC, December 6, 2018

 

HEARING ON: ZIMBABWE AFTER THE ELECTIONS

Preamble
This opportunity to address the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy to offer the perspectives of the private sector in Zimbabwe on the situation prevailing in Zimbabwe in the post-election period is greatly appreciated. This dialogue is long overdue. On behalf of the private sector in Zimbabwe, I would like to thank Senator Jeff Flake and members of his Committee for this rare opportunity accorded to us.
As this invitation came at short notice some of my colleagues from the private sector in Zimbabwe were unable to travel to Washington to participate in today’s proceedings. In the short time available to me I was able to solicit the contributions of some-not all –business sector leaders in the private sector in Zimbabwe. The outcome of this consultation is, I believe, a balanced assessment of the state of the macro challenges facing Zimbabwe today as outlined in this written submission.
Zimbabwe is a nation that has experienced economic volatility for the greater part of its post-independence history from 1980 to today. I can say, without hesitation, that the people of Zimbabwe are extra-ordinarily resilient. Over the last two decades they have experienced all manner of deprivations such as; political polarization and violence, record beating hyperinflation, infrastructure decay, staggering unemployment levels and economic decline accompanied by deepening poverty. In recent times we have even been visited by medieval diseases such as cholera.
Despite all these challenges the people of Zimbabwe have largely remained peaceful, hardworking, God fearing and honest. Our work ethic as a nation is second to none on the African continent. Our literacy rates remain among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe business leaders occupy positions of high responsibility in iconic corporations across Africa and beyond.
I make this submission in my following capacities: –
i) As the former CEO (2002-20120) of one of Zimbabwe’s largest listed companies (see appendix 1 for my resume).
ii) As the current Chairman of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Listed Companies Forum (ZSE Forum) – representing all the 63 companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.
iii) As a Leadership Consultant working with more than 30 private sector companies since my retirement as CEO of Delta Beverages in 2012. This consultancy role gives me unparalleled access to Chief Executive Officers, their boards and executive committees. This puts me in a position to have an in-depth appreciation of private sector perspectives across Zimbabwe. (see appendix 2 for the list of some of the companies consulted for and the sectors they fall into).
iv) As Chairman of the boards of several private sector companies in Zimbabwe.
v) As an independent non-executive director on the Board of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. In this capacity i also chair the important Bank Stability Committee which is charged with supervision of the banking sector in Zimbabwe. I am, therefore, fully cognisant of the challenges facing the private banking sector in Zimbabwe.
The ushering in of the new political dispensation following the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in November 2017 has had a seismic impact on the nation of Zimbabwe. The private sector is a significant stakeholder in the process of building a new Zimbabwe in the post Mugabe era.
This submission will address four key issues which Senator Flake has requested me to focus on. These are: –
1. What is the current state of Zimbabwe’s economy and its impact on Zimbabwean people?
2. What is the private sector’s evaluation of the impact of the July 30, 2018 elections on Zimbabwe’s economy?
3. How does the private sector evaluate of the progress made to date on economic and political reforms by the Government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa?
4. What alternatives does Zimbabwe have should the USA fail to take action to support Zimbabwe’s economy?

I will tackle each question in turn.
In preparing this submission for the Sub-committee on Africa and Global Health
Policy I am guided by a number of considerations that the private sector in Zimbabwe embrace. These are: –
• The over-riding desire for stability in terms of both the economic and political environments. A stable operating environment is conducive to business growth. The converse is true.
• A desire for economic reforms that recognize the role of the private sector as the engine for economic growth.
• The need for an investor friendly environment that encourages and makes it easy for both foreign and domestic investors to conduct business.
• Macroeconomic policy consistency and predictability.
• A stable currency and affordable cost of money.
• Access to affordable international lines of credit to enable the recapitalization and modernisation of plant and equipment for productivity and competitiveness.
• A regulatory framework that is facilitative of business and that improves the ease of doing business and makes Zimbabwe a desirable investment destination.
In concluding this preamble, I wish to state that the private sector in Zimbabwe endeavours to be apolitical. We work with any government in office regardless of its political leanings.
We offer support to ensure success of desirable policies and programs but we also offer constructive criticism to Government where we believe that policies or measures are not in the best interests of the economy.
This submission is guided by the above considerations.
QUESTION # 1

What is the state of Zimbabwe`s economy and what is the impact it is having on citizens?

1. Current state of the economy from a business perspective
1.1. The Challenges
Zimbabwe’s economy is currently in distress exhibiting stress in the following areas;
• Fiscal distress with the budget deficit projected at 11.6% of GDP in fiscal year 2018. The consensus target within the SADC region is for a fiscal deficit around 3% of GDP.
• Current account imbalance with imports projected to exceed exports in fiscal year 2018.
• 80-90% of the economy is informal – reflecting high levels of unemployment in the formal sector.
• Large public debt burden standing at US$18bn and split 54% to 46% between domestic and international debt respectively.
• Currency volatility reflected in multi-tier pricing distortions in the market with significant loss of value of the local currency over the last two months.
• Rising annual inflation climbing to 20.9% as at October 2018 – the highest in the SADC region.
• Infrastructure constraints affecting road, rail, power, water and sanitation among other needs.
• Very high country risk discouraging Foreign Direct Investment. The country risk premium currently stands at over 20-25%. Only US$470m FDI inflows in 2018.
• Deteriorating standards of living for ordinary citizens as savings and earnings have lost value while costs are escalating.
1.2 The Positive Developments in the economy
i) Rise in Manufacturing Sector capacity utilization
Expansionary fiscal measures by government have stimulated recovery in capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector from a low of around 34% three years ago to around 60% before the October 1,2018 policy pronouncements caused a major foreign currency crisis.
The adverse impact of this rise in capacity utilization has been the “overheating” of the economy as demand for production inputs and consumer products has outstripped the economy’s capacity to generate foreign currency earnings to service the increasing appetite for foreign currency.
The above situation reflects the fact that Zimbabwe’s productive sector is highly import dependant – thus contributing to the Current Account Deficit.
ii) Recovery in Agriculture Production
There has been significant recovery in Agricultural production as evidenced by the following:
• A 34% increase in tobacco production from 188.6 million kilograms in 2017 to 252.5 million kilograms in 2018 (the highest output in the history of the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe-exceeding the previous peak of 238 million kilograms reached in 2000).
• A 95% increase in cotton output from 73 086 tonnes in 2017 to 142 761 tonnes in 2018.
• Zimbabwe has achieved food security through the government`s intervention in agriculture during the 2017/18 agricultural season. 1.2 million tonnes of maize are now in the country`s strategic grain reserve putting Zimbabwe in a secure position even if the current rainy season is adversely by El Nino.
iii) Mining Sector Output Growth
• Gold output has increased substantially and could end the year at 34 tonnes or 42% up on the 24 tones achieved in 2017.
• Platinum output is set to expand on the back of a new mine commissioned by Zimplats – the country’s largest platinum producer.
• Diamond output is set to reach three million carats in
2018 up 67% from the 1.8 million carats achieved in 2017.

iv) Reform of Indigenization Laws
A major step forward implemented by the new government has been the repeal of the indigenization laws which required all businesses to have a 51% equity interest in the hands of indigenous Zimbabweans. This made Zimbabwe unattractive to foreign investors. This requirement has now been removed save for the platinum and diamond mining sectors.
V) Closure to Land Tenure
Significant progress has been made on the contentious issue of land tenure with bankable and transferrable 99 year leases close
to finalization.
Another major change has been the decision by the government discontinue the Mugabe era prohibition of leasing arrangements between white farmers who desire to lease and farm productively on farms allocated to black farmers. Joint ventures and leasing arrangements are now in place allowing a significant number of white farmers to return to farm in Zimbabwe.
1.3 Impact of Macroeconomic Developments on the Populace
• Since 2016 there has been a significant erosion in the welfare of citizens. This erosion has been transmitted through higher cost of living, erosion of value of savings and deterioration in service provision. There has been a real fear that the country was heading towards the volatility experienced in the hyperinflation period of 2007 – 2008. Foreign currency shortages have had a severe adverse impact on the availability of essential goods and services in particular, essential medical drugs, fuel and machinery spares and raw materials.
• The cumulative impact of all these developments has been to erode the quality of life of most, it not all Zimbabweans.
• Since October 2018, there has been a deterioration in macroeconomic stability as parallel market rates of exchange skyrocketed leading to speculative price increases that saw prices of basic food items as well as the cost of transport and rentals soaring out of the reach of ordinary citizens whose disposable incomes have been severely reduced by inflation and increased taxation.
• The current level of trust by most citizens in public institutions is still very low given past experiences with hyperinflation ( 2007-2008) when savings were wiped out. As a consequence of this experience confidence is very fragile in Zimbabwe leading to panic and over-reactions when there is any hint of possible loss of currency value.

QUESTION # 2
How did the July elections impact Zimbabwe`s economy?
1.Overview
In the run up to the elections there was a surge of optimism across Zimbabwe generated by a number of developments among which were the following: –
• Ushering in of a new national leadership after the resignation of President Robert Mugabe – in power for 37 years.
• A very peaceful and relatively open election campaign period.
• Expressions of support for Zimbabwe from broad sectors of the international community.
2. Post- Election Violence
The optimism that swept across Zimbabwe was shattered by the discord around the announcement of election results and the post-election violence on August 1, 2018. Confidence was severely undermined and country risk escalated. The expected FDI inflows did not materialize as expected although there are significant numbers of potential foreign investors visiting Zimbabwe to make inquiries. A few key investors have now made commitments.
3. Post -Election Political Polarization
The legal challenges against the election results at the Constitutional Court and the refusal ty the main opposition to accept the legitimacy of Presidentelect Emmerson Mnangagwa has resulted in deep political polarization which has severely dented business confidence for both foreign and domestic investors. While the polarization is a reality it is also a fact that the ruling party emerged from the election with a two thirds majority in Parliament thus giving it a strong mandate to carry out the required legislative reforms particularly those needed to align existing laws to the 2013 constitution.

4. Impact on Value of Local Currency
In the period following the resignation of President Mugabe and the July 2018 elections the depreciation of the local Zimbabwe currency (the RTGS or “Real Time Gross Settlement” balance and the “Bond Note”) was around 30-40%. The local currency has significantly lost value in the post-election period – at one point in October 2018 reaching a low of around 500% devaluation before stabilizing at around 340% devaluation in the parallel (or unofficial) market. This is despite an official position putting the local currency at parity with the United States Dollar.
5. Deepening Foreign Currency Situation
The post-election period has seen a deepening of the foreign currency shortage as United States Dollars continue to disappear from the formal markets. The consequence of these shortages have had severe adverse impact on the availability of imported raw materials, fuel and medical drugs. The most severe impact has been felt in the area of medical care as hospitals and pharmacies have run out of imported medical drugs thus putting the lives of many ordinary Zimbabweans at risk
6. Tightening Liquidity and Cash Shortages
Zimbabwe has been experiencing cash shortages in the banking sector since the introduction of a local currency (bond notes) in November 2016. These cash shortages remain in place four months after the July 2018 elections.
7. Significant Increase in Tourist Arrivals
Following the July 2018 elections there has been a surge in the number of tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe. Tour operators and resort hotels are reporting increases of around 25-30% compared to the same period last year. Hotel operators in the Victoria Falls resort area are reporting occupancy levels last seen in the 1997-98 period for the forthcoming festive season with average occupancies around 65%.
8. New Mining Investments
Some long term investors have come on board including two Australian mining companies who have projects in oil and gas exploration in Northern Zimbabwe and a Lithium mining operation near Harare, respectively. A Chinese investor is considering setting up a major steel plant in the Midlands area while another company is planning opening a major platinum mine.
9. Financial Commitments By UK Financial Institutions
Of note has been the financial commitment made by The CDC ( The UK Government`s Commonwealth Development Corporation) to make lines of credit available to the private sector in Zimbabwe. Although of limited amount given Zimbabwe`s significant requirements for financial support , this commitment is symbolic as it represents the first such financial commitment by the CDC in almost two decades.
10. Delegations from EU Governments in the Post-Election Period
The post -election period has also witnessed the visit to Zimbabwe by high powered delegations (combining political and business leaders) from China, Germany and Belgium among others.

QUESTION #3
Is President Emmerson Mnangagwa making any Reform efforts, and if so, what progress is being made? What are some for the hurdles to making economic reforms?
1. Overview
My considered view is that there is a crisis of expectations in Zimbabwe.
The ordinary person expected a very quick turnaround of the economy following the July 2018 elections. These expectations are misplaced. Zimbabwe has been in the grip of misrule for 37 years and the damage done to the economy to the country’s reputation and its institutions will take many years, if not, decades to repair.
It is from this perspective that I evaluate what President Mnangagwa has achieved since the July 2018 elections.
2. Evaluation of Progress
2.1. What has been achieved to date?
i) Cabinet Composition
There was wide support for President Mnangagwa’s decision to let go long-serving party loyalists and bring in fresh talent into a significantly trimmed cabinet. Key new appointments were made in the ministries of Finance, Industry, Mines and Transport-all now headed by technocrats. The private sector in Zimbabwe welcomed these appointments.
This cabinet has only been in office since September 2018. It is too early to objectively evaluate their performance after just three months in office.
ii) Opening up of Political Space
• The Political Space has been opened up significantly. Zimbabweans now express themselves much more openly than during the Mugabe era. Press freedoms are in place for the print media while the state electronic media is still to be reformed and liberalized.
• Political demonstrations are allowed and the recent demonstration by the main opposition on November 29, 2018 is a case in point.
• The move to open to the public and to broadcast live on national television the proceedings of the Constitutional Court electoral challenge hearings as well as the public hearings held by the Commission on the post-election violence of August 1, 2018 are both major milestones in establishing transparency in Zimbabwe.
iii) Anti-corruption drive
• Several prosecutions of high level people are currently underway. While there is perceptions in some quarters that there is political bias in the selection of those to be targeted –
the prosecutions indicate a toughening of the President’s stance against corruption.
• Legislation has recently been passed to toughen measures against money laundering and illicit transactions on the parallel markets.

iv) Change of leadership narratives from focus on politics to focus on the economy
The current government has moved sharply to refocus on economic matters. The mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” is now the mantra of Government. However, the private sector wants to see more action than rhetoric on the ground and continues to press government for accelerated reforms especially in the areas of fiscal reforms and ease of doing business.
v) Articulation of a National Vision and Economic Road Map for Zimbabwe.
The President has articulated Vision 2030 whose goal is to turn Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle Class Economy by 2030 with a per capita GDP exceeding US$3 500 per annum. Zimbabwe is currently a lower middle class economy.
President Mnangagwa’s Government in October, 2018, launched the Transitional Stabilization Plan (TSP) which provides a road map to economic recovery for the next three years. Subsequent to the launch of the TSP the government put together a National Budget under the theme “Austerity for Prosperity”. This budget – announced on November 22, 2018 puts the attainment of fiscal balance as the centre-price of the recovery plan. The key goals are well-articulated and include: –
• Reducing the fiscal deficit to 5% of GDP by 31 December 2018 from a projected 11.6% by 31 December 2018. The intention is to achieve this through cuts in Government expenditure, drastically curtailing issuance of Treasury Bills and desisting from resorting to Central Bank Overdraft Facilities.
• Expanding revenues through taxation measures. Two very significant taxation measures have already been implemented.
• Reducing the current account deficit by compressing imports and collecting import duties on luxuries in hard currencies.
• Shifting expenditure from consumption to capital or productive spending.
• A GDP growth target of 3.1% in 2019 down from a projected 4% growth in 2018.
• An average inflation of 10% by end of 2019 down from 20.9% in October 2018.
• An aggressive timetable for reforming state owned enterprises has been announced.
• Implementation of Debt Resolution Program with international lenders before the end of 2019.
• The Government has embraced the proposal for an IMF Staff Monitored Program ( SMP) which is about to commence.
vi) Aligning Zimbabwe`s Laws to the 2013 Constitution
The perception of most observers is that Zimbabwe is moving too slowly on the road to aligning its statutes to the new constitution.
My investigations revealed that of Zimbabwe`s 299 pieces of legislation 255 of these needed to be aligned to the constitution. To date, I am told, 206 of these statutes have been aligned to the new constitution with only 49 outstanding. Among the outstanding ones are the two controversial pieces of legislation namely, POSA (Public Order and Security Act) and AIPPA (Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act) which are widely regarded as being curtailing civil liberties.
On enquiring what the way forward is with these statutes I learnt that the reform of these statutes is on the agenda of the current Zimbabwean Parliament.
2.2 Where has progress been less than expected from a business perspective?
i) Reduction in Government Bureaucracy
• While the size of the cabinet was reduced, it is the private sector`s view that much more needed to be done to reduce head-count at the top – at both ministerial and civil service levels.
• Although the President, Cabinet and senior civil servants and executives of state enterprises will take a 5% pay cut from January 2019, the public wants to see more sacrifices borne by top government leaders than is currently the case. This is necessary so as to make the hardships endured by the ordinary citizen more bearable.
ii) Implementation of measures to improve Country
Competitiveness.
• Very high operating costs driven by currency distortions, high cost of utilities and generally high cost of doing business still prevail.
• Although the Government has established a one-stopinvestment authority (ZIDA – Zimbabwe Development Agency), its operationalization is still unclear to the private sector.
• Policy co-ordination across Government agencies requires optimization so as to minimize frustration for prospective investors due to regulatory bottlenecks.
Iii) The Sequencing of Policy Measures has been less than optimal.
• The implementation of taxation measures ahead of government expenditure cuts was very badly received by an already overtaxed population that wanted to see the benefits of the privileged elites in the public sector reduced first before new taxes were imposed.
• The private sector understands the need for Government to create fiscal space through taxation if it is to curtail printing of money. However the sequencing of the measures could have been handled better.
iv) Anti-corruption Drive needs to be more vigorous
The private sector views both private sector and public sector corruption as cancers that need to vigorously attacked otherwise they will frustrate economic reform efforts.
v) Currency Reforms
• There is a significant section of the private sector that wants to see currency reforms done immediately so as to remove the current pricing distortions as well as the system of allocating foreign currency which is prone to abuse.
• Another view, however, is that currency reforms cannot be undertaken without two major issues being tackled first. These two issues are; the need for fiscal discipline on the part of government, and the need to have in place a Foreign Currency Stabilization Fund to stabilize any domestic currency which may be introduced as part of the currency reforms.
2.3 What are some of the hurdles to making economic reforms?
There are two major categories of hurdles that face the Government of Zimbabwe as it embarks upon economic reforms. The first category is that of Economic Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the USA (ZIDERA Act of 2001 as amended in 2018); Canada and the European Union. The second category is to do with the potential adverse consequences of Economic Reforms. Let me address each in turn.
2.3.1 The Impact of Economic Sanctions on the Post-Election Economic Reform Agenda in Zimbabwe
Sanctions continue to retard economic recovery in Zimbabwe in a number of important ways.
i) Trade Sanctions
In Zimbabwe, trade sanctions impact negatively on economic growth through denying the country access to foreign lines of credit, which ordinarily finance external trade and access to markets, particularly the USA market, through exclusion from AGOA. Furthermore, the country’s export competitiveness is adversely affected by negative perceptions of the country resulting in high country risk profile translating into higher country risk premiums.
Due to the above the private sector in Zimbabwe finds it very difficult to access affordable external financing to retool and modernize plant and equipment and access technology.
ii) Financial Sanctions
The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) has proved to be a great obstacle for Zimbabwe to access foreign finance. USA financial institutions are not at liberty to provide well-structured financial support against Zimbabwe’s minerals (gold, platinum, cobalt, lithium, etc.,) due to OFAC compliance rules. The same it for banks in Europe due to compliance, reputation and association risks.
As a result of the impact of ZIDERA on the financial sector, the Zimbabwe banks have lost more than 100 corresponding banking relationships over the past 10 years.
The strong view of the private sector in Zimbabwe is that the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe by the US and the EU have branded Zimbabwe and its entire financial linkages with the rest of the world as representing high risk thereby making the country a compelling target for de-risking interventions by leading correspondent banks in the USA and Europe. iii) Economic Sanctions
Due to a combination of sanctions and its own bad track record of debt servicing Zimbabwe is unable to access balance of payments support and credit and technical support from most of the major multi-lateral Financial Institutions (MFIs).
The private sector’s view is that the country’s failure to access long term concessionary funding from developmental institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB)-among others, has created an unsustainably large deficit in infrastructure development in Zimbabwe – in particular the rail, road and water related infrastructure. The dilapidated state of all these constitutes a real tax on business by hard-wiring inefficiencies into the entire economy.
Businesses in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining, Tourism, Financial Services and others all desire to see sanctions removed so that country risk is reduced and access to affordable long-term credit is restored while access to global markets is opened up.
The private sector’s strong view is that sanctions – although they are supposed to be targeted at certain individuals and entities – have the unintended effect of pulling down the entire economy of Zimbabwe and the welfare of all its citizens. Sanctions do constitute a real stumbling block to the efforts of the current Government to get the country’s economy moving forward again.
2.3.2 The Unintended Potential Consequences of Economic Reforms
In embarking upon Economic reforms that are driven by a desire to restore fiscal and current account balance, and to liberalize the economy through currency and regulatory reforms, the government is caught between a rock and hard place.
While tough economic reforms are unavoidable and long overdue, their impact will cause significant pain on the intended beneficiaries – the citizens – at least in the short to medium term.

Four potential unintended risks stand out: –
• Recession Risk
Will the Government’s reversal of expansionary fiscal policies (printing money to support agriculture, for example) tip the country into a contraction phase? If so, for how long?
Will increased taxes (2% on financial transactions and increased fuel duties) suck out too much from people’s disposable incomes precipitating a form of recession?
• Inflation Risk
If market forces are allowed to prevail in the allocation of the scarce foreign currency will there by a deep devaluation causing local prices to run and pushing the country into an inflationary spiral?
To some extent this has already happened as informal markets took a position on the currency. Should the Government mobilize a stabilization fund to support a local currency first before introduction currency reforms. Where does this stabilization fund come from given the current international isolation of the country and the existing sanctions?
• Will the reforms cause socio-political instability?
There is no doubt that in the short term (12-18 months) the reforms will cause a great deal of hardships among Zimbabwean citizens – particularly the vulnerable. Will this cause civil strife in the form of riots and escalating political tensions.
• Will the reforms lead to increased company failures?
As the reforms begin to bite there is every possibility that some companies may fail as disposable incomes drop, as liquidity tightens and as interest rates rise.
All the above pose a significant hurdle to the policy makers in President Mnangagwa’s administration.
The observation of the private sector is that because of the above risks, the proper sequencing and pacing of the reform programme becomes crucial.
A ‘big bang’ approach to economic reforms may have dire unintended consequences given the fragility of the economy. In the absence of significant international financial support, a gradual and nuanced reform process may be more appropriate.

QUESTION #4
What alternatives does Zimbabwe have should the USA fail to take action to support Zimbabwe’s economy?
Overview
It is our view that Zimbabweans are now desperately impatient for real economic advancement. Unless the populace sees progress the pressure on the politicians will be relentless. This can lead to desperate actions on the part of Zimbabwe should the USA and EU fail to respond to Zimbabwe’s request for urgent economic support and removal of sanctions.

4.1 Options available to Zimbabwe
As private sector observers we note that the Government of Zimbabwe is not without options – if it fails to secure USA and EU financial support.
We make no comment on the advisedness or otherwise of these options – but simply to state that these options do exist.
i) Embrace China’s BRI initiative for Africa.
China has placed on the table a potential US$60bn investment package for investment across Africa as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Many African countries are scrambling to get a share of these resources. Shunned by the USA and The EU it would be reasonable to assume that Zimbabwe will consider making a strong attempt to access this large pool of investment funds even if this entails mortgaging substantial share of its natural resources to achieve this.
ii) Develop Closer stronger economic ties with Russia
There have already been a number of Russian delegations to Zimbabwe in the recent past – which is indicative of a desire by Russia to forge economic ties with Zimbabwe.
iii) Closer Economic ties with Eastern European Countries such as Belarus.
Our observation is that should the USA and the EU fail to support Zimbabwe these fledging relations will become stronger.
iv) Embrace investors of questionable credentials.
When a government is pushed into a corner there is every reason to believe that it will take any action necessary to enable it to respond to the popular demands of its citizens if the traditional or normal avenues fail to yield results.
V) Revert to ruinous populist policies of the Mugabe era
It is not inconceivable that if the present government fails to secure Support from the international financial institutions despite its commitment to reform it may, in frustration, revert to populism catastrophic consequences for a country with so much promise.
Our view as the private sector is that Zimbabwe’s government desires to strengthen its relationship with its traditional business partners which include the USA and EU. Zimbabwe has already applied to re-join the Commonwealth – a strong indicator that it wants to improve relations with the UK-led grouping and with the West in general. Sanctions present a formidable obstacle blocking the way to the resumption of these partnerships.

Conclusion
Zimbabwe is at cross roads. The Government of President Mnangagwa looks determined to make some tough economic and political reforms. To us in the private sector the President comes across as being sincere in his quest for taking Zimbabwe forward. He appears to have sufficient conviction and resolve to rebuild Zimbabwe and turn it into a successful and proud nation occupying its rightful place among the community of nations. His government recognizes that for Zimbabwe to be welcomed among the community of nations it must acknowledge and settle its debts. It must also put its house in order through better governance and economic management. The government of President Mnangagwa appears to be committed to both.
The President is aware of the huge expectations that the people have. He recognizes that along the way there will be unavoidable pain for the people of Zimbabwe – over and above the traumas they have endured over the past two decades.
As Zimbabwe’s private sector we are fully supportive of the reform programs embarked upon by our Government. We want to see more action and less rhetoric and better co-ordination and sequencing. We will give our Government support in the form of advice and constructive criticism as well as through playing our part in raising production and exports, conserving foreign currency through import substitution and improving competitiveness through cost efficiencies and value addition.
It is the view of most in the private sector in Zimbabwe that the United States government can find in Zimbabwe a worthy and strategic partner. The road to that possibility starts here in the Senate Foreign Relations Sub-Committee on Africa and Global Health Policy.
It is my strong and unambiguous submission, Mr Chairman, that the private sector in Zimbabwe urges the United States of America to urgently repeal Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act ( ZIDERA) of 2001 ( As amended in 2018) .
Zimbabwe is going to be a pivotal nation in the Southern Africa sub-region –a country in whom the United States may find a worthy and strong partner.

I Thank You, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to address this Senate SubCommittee at this particular juncture in the history of my country.

Appendix 1

JOE MUTIZWA
Joe is the Founder and CEO of PATHWAYS AFRICA a management consulting company based in Harare –Zimbabwe and working with business organizations within Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Prior to his current focus Joe spent 32 years in various positions in the Zimbabwe private sector. Joe served for ten years as CEO of Delta Corporation – then Zimbabwe`s largest listed company before taking early retirement in 2012 at age 58.
Joe is Chairman of The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Listed Companies Forum
(Representing the 63 companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange).
He is also Mangwana Capital (a venture capital company) and sugar refining company Starafrica. Joe serves as a non-executive director on several other boards including the board of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe..
After retiring from Delta Joe went to Oxford University to pursue a Master’s degree in Leadership offered jointly by Said Business School and HEC-Paris- graduating in June 2014with distinction.
Joe has written seven books on leadership since retiring as a full-time executive. Joe has consulted for 33 organizations since retiring- with a focus on leadership development for CEOs and Senior Executive Teams.
Apart from the Master’s degree mentioned above, Joe has a B.Sc. degree (with first class honours) from LSE (The London School of Economics) as well as an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe.
Joe is married with 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.

Appendix II
ZIMBABWEAN COMPANIES WHERE JOE MUTIZWA HAS OFFERED CONSULTANCY SERVICES SINCE RETIRINGB FROM FULL TIME CORPORATE EMPLOYMENT IN 2012
1. AMH Holdings – Media
2. Art Corporation – Manufacturing
3. Bindura Nickel – Mining
4. BOC Gases (Zimbabwe) – Trading
5. CABS – Financial Services
6. CIMAS – Medical Services
7. Dairibord Holdings Limited – Manufacturing
8. Econet Wireless Zimbabwe – Telecoms
9. Edgars Group – Retail
10. First Mutual Holdings Limited – Insurance /Property
11. Freda Rebecca – Mining
12. Mimosa – Mining
13. National Building Society (NBS) – Financial Services
14. National Foods Limited – Manufacturing
15. Nedbank – Financial Services
16. NetOne Cellular – Telecoms
17. Nicoz Diamond – Insurance
18. Nissan Clover Leaf – Motor Vehicle Retail
19. NMB Bank – Financial Services
20. NSSA – Insurance & Pensions
21. Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited – Beverage Manufacturing
22. Stanbic Bank – Financial Services
23. Steward Bank – Financial Services
24. TelOne – Telecoms
25. TSL – Tobacco
26. Unilever Zimbabwe – Fast Moving Consumer Goods
27. ZB Bank – Financial Services
28. ZETDC – Power General & Distribution
29. Zimpapers Group – Media
30. Zimplats – Mining

By Own Correspondent| Secretary for the Women’s Assemby Marble Chinomona has confirmed that factionalism is still rampant within the party adding that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has set up CIO’s to spy on those working with G40 members.

Chinomona warned party members working in cahoots with the G40 faction that the CIO is watching their every move.

Speaking during the Zanu Pf Women’s League National Assembly meeting, Chinomona, warned members to desist from holding secret meetings with the G40.

The Women  Assembly meeting was held ahead of Zanu Pf’ s National Conference to be held next week in Esigodini.

Said Chinomona:

“We understand that there are some people who are holding meetings in hotels with some G40 members.

We all know what G40 had done to the party but you are busy conniving with them. That is uncalled for.

We have the CIO that was set up by President Mnangagwa and they are among us. If they catch you on the wrong side, you are in trouble, be warned.”-263Chat

Correspondent|RETIRED army colonel, Elliot Piki has blamed Commission of Inquiry chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe for his abduction, suggesting that he should help the Zimbabwe Republic Police with information that can lead to the arrest of his abductors.

Piki was allegedly abducted at his home on November 25 a day before he was supposed to appear before the Commission of Inquiry giving his testimony on the August 1 killings.

His lawyers Mbidzo Muchadehama and Makoni wrote a letter to Motlanthe suggesting that he is key to finding his abductors as he leaked a confidential document containing Piki’s testimony.

The document reportedly contained information on how the army was responsible for the post-election violence that led to the murder of six civilians.

“Our client disclosed intimate details outlining how the Zimbabwe National Army was being used as a weapon of violence against any opposing forces to the ruling Zanu PF party and government, as well as the role played by the army in the 1st August shootings, because of his trust in you he thought you were going to treat the document with the confidentiality that it deserves. Our client advises that you are responsible for his abduction, inhuman and degrading treatment and attempted assassination by his abductors. He reserves his right to take legal action against yourself,” the lawyers said.

Muchadehama and Makoni said during his horrific experience Piki discovered that his documented of testimony was the reason behind the kidnapping.

“Our client advises that you gave him a slot to testify as a witness on the 26th of November 2018. He in turn gave you the documentary evidence upon which his testimony would be based. The documentary evidence was accompanied with a summary of his testimony.

“Our client advises that the abductors were continuously referring to the contents of the document which he had submitted to you and which was known by yourself and no one else. “He further advises that from this horrific experience, he learnt that the sole reason behind his abduction and attempted assassination was that document which he intended to use during his testimony before the commission,” the letter said.

Despite confirmation that the letter had been submitted, the Commission of Inquiry spokesperson, John Masuku said he was yet to verify if the secretariat was in possession of such a memo.

Piki’s lawyers have advised Motlanthe to reveal the identity of the people whom he shared the document with.

They also requested that Motlanthe helps the ZRP with information that could lead to the arrest of his abductors and guarantee his safety before they would hold him responsible for the kidnapping.

“Meanwhile, our client requests you to assist the police with investigations as he believes you are key to finding his abductors and bring them to justice.

“You impress it upon the authorities that the safety of our client was compromised and that they should give an undertaking to guarantee his safety, otherwise we would not hesitate to hold you responsible,” Muchadehama and Makoni added.

However, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has dismissed Piki’s kidnap story alleging the senior officer was discharged from the army for having an affair with his subordinate’s wife.

ZDF spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi said Piki was working with unscrupulous political opposition voices to denigrate the forces.

“We are disturbed by false allegations peddled in some sections of the private media insinuating that… Piki, a former member of the Zimbabwe National Army, was abducted by masked armed men suspected to be State security agents using a vehicle similar to those allocated for use by senior Zimbabwe National Army officers,” said Col Mugwisi.

“While it is true that Piki once served in the Zimbabwe National Army as a senior officer, he is not a retired colonel.

“He became an ordinary citizen after losing his commission when he was tried, convicted and cashiered by a General Court Martial for scandalous conduct of an officer on August 8, 2013.

“Piki had involved himself in an illicit love affair with his subordinate’s wife who was also his junior serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army. Sadly, Piki was aware of the drastic consequences of such an illicit affair for serving members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.”

This comes as the Commission of Inquiry last week concluded investigations into the August 1 killings after gathering testimonies from different individuals and organizations in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare.

The public hearings which were characterized by interesting and dramatic testimonies began in October.

The Commission has since submitted it Executive Summary to the presidents and is expected to give him the full report before end of the month.

VIDEOS LOADINF BELOW…

By Own Correspondent| First lady Auxilia Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope Foundation has rolled out sustainable projects set to empower over 2 000 families.

Mai Mnangagwa, visited Kanyemba where she expressed optimism that the sustainable projects would bring development to marginalised communities.

Said Mai Mnangagwa:

“I was delighted today to be in Kanyemba, where the Angel of Hope Foundation rolled out further sustainable projects that will empower over 2000 families.

We are committed to the economic development of all marginalised communities, and we will continue to work in areas like Kanyemba to provide opportunities and support to the most vulnerable Zimbabweans.”

Zanu PF party leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has pleaded for an amicable resolving of differences and contradictions within the confines of his party constitution and never in public or at rallies.

Mnangagwa was addressing the Women’s League National Assembly 2018 at the party headquarters in Harare this (Friday) evening.

There was jubilation as the Women’s League leaders from all the ten provinces of the country met to review the performance of the wing in the past year and examining the challenges encountered.

Mnangagwa praised the role played by women in the party saying without the Women’s League the party which is a three legged pot cannot stand.

He urged them to use their strength and resilience and power of numbers to mobilise to rebuild the economy and March towards vision 2030 and to recruit for the party without the use force. – MORE FOLLOWS – state media

VIDEO LOADING ….

“I’m in Bulawayo… In solidarity with Dr Dumiso Dabengwa at the launch of the Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation.We must honour our liberation struggle Icons and preserve their much cherished legacy.Embracing our past secures our future!” VIDEO LOADING BELOW:

A letter which circulated yesterday claiming MDC Deputy President Elias Mudzuri has been suspended, is false and misleading.

The party spokesman has issued the below announcement:

The MDC informs the media and the public that information circulating on social media and have also been published on some news cites pertaining suspension of Vice President Mudzuri is false.

The leadership only met to discuss the crisis as well as shaping the party’s intervention to difuse the people’s plight.

The MDC made resolutions to this effect and made them public.

For the avoidance of doubt we restate resolutions we published in our previous statement.

That the party noted that the socio-economic crisis is worsening and no solution is being profered by government.

That the crisis is directly linked to the legitimacy question following a stolen election.

The party resolved to wind up ongoing consultations on the crisis.

That the party will continue to concientise the masses on the need for action.

And that the party will lead country wide demonstrations in line with section 59 of the Constitution.

More importantly the party reaffirmed the five point plan proposed by President Chamisa as the only viable way out of crisis.

The party committed to offering alternative policies against the failed ones pursued by ZANUPF.

Any other said resolution is an act of desperation and an attempt to sow discord within the people’s movement.

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

Terrence Mawawa| Acie Lumumba, wrongly believes that the outcome of yesterday’s hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Commitee (SRRC) was to make Emmerson Mnangagwa’s life harder and position Hon Tendai Biti’s as the most powerful politician in Zimbabwe, observers have said.

Ms Miriam Mutizwa, an activist based in the UK, said: “From where I stand, the purpose of the meeting which was the outgoing Senator Flake’s last one, was to get an update on Zimbabwe’s compliance with the conditions set out in the ZIDERA Amendment Act.

Indeed, one can easily and erroneously conclude that the purpose of the meeting was to endorse Hon. Biti or interfere with the Zimbabwean’s law enforcement processes.

Mr. Lumumba makes a bold statement that: “Tendai Biti is right now the most powerful politician in Zimbabwe,” yet fail to provide any facts to support this. Indeed, Hon. Biti stands accused of playing a part in causing the events of 1 August 2018.

It is not in dispute that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) was deployed on the day. It is not clear who deployed the forces and on what authority that decision was made and executed.

It may be arguable about whose bullets caused the deaths on the day but it cannot be disputed that the army was deployed to manage the situation.

The message that was clear from Senators Coons and Flake was that the army played a positive role in the loss of life and nothing will change their position that any person outside the army can be legitimately held culpable for causing the loss of life.

Mr. Lumumba knows and ought to know that according to a third party observer, it would be a travesty of justice if no one in the Executive branch of President Mnangagwa is held liable for this unfortunate tragedy.

It seems self-evident that President Mnangagwa has earned himself the benefit of doubt from the Senators who have had the privilege of engaging him personally.

However, it is clear that someone has to take the blame and the only candidate for this would appear to be Vice President Chiwenga who was the Minister of Defence at the material time.

It is also the case that a judgment exists per Justice Mangota that in terms of s 37 of POSA, Hon Chiwenga pressed the fateful button that led to the deployment of the ZDF and the subsequent loss of lives.

Although s 37 of POSA is inconsistent with s 213 of the Constitution, there are no fingers pointing to the President as the person who should be held culpable.

The Mohlante Commission has completed its work but the report has not been made public. However, if the report absolves Hon. Chiwenga, its credibility will be questioned even by the Americans.

So the question of Biti’s importance is not created in Washington DC but is brewed in Zimbabwe. Biti has been fingered by the system outside the Commission as the person of interest in the matter.

Biti has been charged not by the Americans as Lumumba would like the public to believe but by President Mnangagwa’s administration.

If Biti is found guilty as charged, then it means that Hon. Chiwenga would be off the hook.

So it cannot be concluded that Biti or the US Senators created the facts to make Biti relevant let alone that his ordeal including the Zambian affair were self-created.

It is important that we deal with facts and not fiction in trying to establish whether the US administration is biased or has a preference as to who should be at the helm of the Zimbabwean government.

Lumumba proceeds to state as fact that: “Biti is now more powerful than both ED & NC,” without having any regard to the unfortunate circumstances that unfolded where no one else has been charged so far in relation to the 1 August 2018 affair.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police deny any culpability and so does the ZDF. President Mnangagwa has alreay expressed his personal opinion that the loss of life was caused by the opposition leaders who instigated the demonstration because the election results was not in the favour.

So in terms of the system, Biti is guilty as charged. In the premises, the assertion by Lumumba that Biti is more powerful than ED and NC if not mischievous is meant to create confusion.

How could Biti, a victim to many, be the author of his own ordeal and persecution?

The unanimous opinion expressed by the Senators and the witnesses with the exception of Mr. Joe Mutizwa was that there can be no basis for reviewing the sanctions regime before the issue of Biti and the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry is resolved and known.

The point that may be missed by pedestrian observers like Lumumba is that the Zimbabwean government has created its own predicament that can only be fixed if the rule of law is respected.

The President is already part of the dispute and Biti has been invited in the dispute by the police. It follows that that it is in President Mnangagwa’s power to cause the charges against Biti to be withdrawn and for the President to start taking responsibility for the actions done in his name and administration.

To suggest that: “It requires intelligence of the highest political order to understand this! The American government have made ED’s life harder (bull horn formation),” is to miss the point that no rational person would seek to interfere with domestic matters of Zimbabwe but the reasons why the sanctions have been imposed are confirmed by the manner in which the events of 1 August have been handled.

What I saw yesterday were Senators trying their best to lean towards Zimbabwe’s cause by confirming that everything required to remove sanctions is within the control of Zimbabweans and their government.

It was clear that although Hon. Mthuli Ncube tried in vain to invite himself to the hearing, there is nothing new that he has to change the position that has been known since 2001 that without reforms, there can be no basis to embrace Zimbabwe.

It is incorrect to allege that anything to the effect that America does not want to work with Zimbabwe was said.

The issue of the currency and the implications of the decision by the Committee that the conditions for lifting sanctions have not arisen, does not lead to the conclusion by Lumumba that: “No America = No American Dollars = inevitable economic collapse (it’s just a matter of time/unless we abandon their currency).”

It is also wrong for Lumumba to conclude naively that: “August 1 ; the Americans want Chiwenga under the bus. This is a good way for them to split ED and Chiwenga, but also for them to avert a Chiwenga presidency,” when it is common cause that the Americans did not cause the events of 1 August to happen and there would be no benefit for them to divide ED from Chiwenga.

What is being proposed is that the culture of impunity must come to an end? Zimbabwe requires a new beginning and the events of 1 August and the subsequent choices and actions do not give confidence that the ghost of Mugabe has left the stage.

It is also mischievous for Lumumba to boldly assert that: “Free Biti; Biti is more familiar with Americans than Chamisa, Biti is their preferred opposition leader and they will do the needful to prop his rise. Millions will now be thrown towards civic society efforts aligned to Biti,” when the facts of this matter find Biti at the core of the dispute.

Chamisa has not been charged and it is the case that the government of Zimbabwe and not the Americans have chosen their target. To suggest that the sword chosen and used by President Mnangagwa was instigated deliberately for Biti to allegedly upstage his President, Chamisa, would be dishonest and disingenuous.

Lummba then concludes by stating as follows: “I will explain the rest on Sunday #TLF but the Americans have essentially weakened ED and strengthened MDC. It’s not game over but aya anonzi ma1000,” as if he knows better about the matter.

It is this kind of amateurish and infantile approach to public policy matters that I find frustrating. We have a law that is now 17 years old that was passed by the US government to encourage Zimbabweans to be responsible and accountable for the choices they make. It would be futile to take the person who imposes sanctions on another for granted.

What is required is that we take heed of the comments made yesterday as Zimbabweans and begin to self-correct rather than continue to bury our heads in the sand.

Our constitution compels the President and all of us to promote, protect and uphold the values and principles entrenched in our constitution.

All that we are being asked is to comply with our constitution. I have started a group called Legal Eagles to provide a platform for us to raise awareness that unless we live up to the promise of our constitution, poverty, unemployment and inequality will be our permanent friends.

I have taken issue with the legality and constitutionality of a law called the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act. This law was first applied in respect of SMM and has since been applied to other companies including Hwange Colliery Company Limited.

I was surprised that the US Senators could only identify POSA and AIPPA as the only two laws that need urgent attention.

I was also shocked to learn that Mr. Joe Mutizwa who claimed to represent listed companies in Zimbabwe did not mention the fact that Hwange shareholders were divested of their relationship with the company pursuant to the operation a Ministerial order.

Indeed, if we cannot put Mr. Mutizwa to task then would it be justifiable to blame ZIDERA? I hope that Lumumba would soon stop to treat serious matters as if they are trivial.

I look forward to working with anyone interested in changing the Zimbabwean narrative starting with the likes of Lumumba.

Terrence Mawawa|Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri has threatened to expose and expel war veterans sympathetic to MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa from the ruling party.

Addressing Zanu PF members at a meeting in Masvingo on Monday, Muchinguri vowed to expose former liberation fighters she claimed were sympathetic to Chamisa.

“We know that some of you are leaking information to the MDC.The war veterans’ association has been infiltrated by sellouts who are working with Chamisa to disrupt government programmes.

We know you and very soon we will expose you. True war veterans are ready to sacrifice their lives in defence of the revolution,” said Muchinguri.

“Why are you sabotaging the ruling party’s efforts to revive the economy? Such malcontents will be expelled from Zanu PF,” declared Muchinguri.

Terrence Mawawa|In a bid to please Zanu PF functionaries, party national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri described MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa as an enemy of the state.

Buoyed by partisan ruling party members at a meeting in Masvingo on Monday, Muchinguri described Chamisa as “the enemy” and added elements sympathetic to the youthful MDC A leader would be severely punished.

“Why do you want to join Chamisa the enemy.He is our enemy and you must always remember that,” said Muchinguri to a thunderous applause from ruling party members.

Social commentator and Sociology graduate Edmore Muchechetere said instead of frothing at the mouth in a desperate bid to denigrate Chamisa, Zanu PF officials official must concentrate on coming up with strategies to revive the dwindling economy.

“We are not concerned about what Chamisa has done or what he has not done, that is not the crux of the political affairs in this country. On the contrary Zanu PF officials are supposed to run around and find ways of healing the sick economy,” said Muchechetere.

Terrence Mawawa|A Masvingo bar attendant reportedly dropped dead following an overnight drinking binge.

Police sources told ZimEye.com yesterday Best Murindi was found dead at the Civic Centre Gardens in the ancient city on Friday morning.

The police said Murindi was spotted in a drunken stupor by a Masvingo City Council employee a few hours before he was found dead.

“We are still investigating the cause of Murindi’s death but preliminary reports indicate he was excessively drunk a few hours before his death,” police sources said.

THE High Court has ordered opposition MDC party to pay $14 146 to a local telecommunications firm, Ericom Communications, for equipment hired nearly two decades ago.

The telecommunication firm filed summons against the MDC on September 12, 2017 and the party entered an appearance to defend, but the move was challenged by the firm, leading to an application for a summary judgment.

On Wednesday, High Court judge Justice Alpheus Chitakunye ruled in favour of Ericom, and ordered the MDC to settle the debt, along with interest and the cost of the suit.

According to the court papers, the MDC hired equipment from Ericom and also contracted the firm to install and maintain the equipment for a three-year period, but the political party later reneged on payment.

“This is an application for summary judgment against the respondent in terms of Rule 64 of the High Court Rules, 1971…on September 12, 2017 the applicant issued a summons…claiming judgment in the sum of $14 146 being a debt due and owing by the respondent in respect of certain services rendered at the specific instance and request of the respondent, which amount the respondent refused and or failed to pay despite demand…” the firm’s managing director Patrick Cox said in his founding affidavit.

“…I wish to state that in my belief the respondent has no bona fide defence to the claim and the entry of appearance to defend was made merely to … buy time to the applicant’s prejudice…”

NewsDay

By Own Correspondent| South Africa Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday arrested 44 undocumented immigrants just outside Polokwane.

The immigrants are all suspected to be Zimbabwean nationals.

South Africa recently launched an operation to deal with crime during this festive season.

The country experiences a high volume of human traffic during the festive season as it is home to millions of migrants from all over the continent.

SAPS’ Press and liaison officer, Motlafela Mojapelo said:

“The operation was composed of different law enforcement agencies, along the N1 road, a few kilometres outside Polokwane.

Eighteen motorists were given spot fines to the total amount of R18 000 for various traffic violations.

The operation commenced at 5 am. This is part of the ongoing festive season operations taking place across the province…

These kinds of operations and related activities will henceforth be the daily occurrence to ensure travellers, the community and tourists are safe on the roads.”-Newsday

CHIEF Gampu (54) of Tsholotsho allegedly had his motor vehicle stolen on Wednesday night in Bulawayo’s Nketa 6 suburb.

According to a police internal memorandum, the traditional leader — born Ashel Sithole — and his 25-year-old son, Onasisi, drove his Isuzu KB250 vehicle to a garage in Nketa 6 for refuelling.

“The Chief…went home using public transport, leaving his son in the queue to refuel the car,”a police statement read in part.

After refuelling, Onasisi drove to a nearby food outlet, but left the engine running and found the car gone on his return.

“Inside the motor vehicle were the complainant’s three 20-litre petrol coupons and the chief’s date stamp. The total value of property stolen is $50 000 and nothing was recovered.”

The theft was reported to Tshabalala Police Station.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango, however, said she did not have the details as she was attending a meeting.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Chief Gampu confirmed that he had lost his vehicle.

“I went to sleep only to be awakened by my wife who told me that my son had told her the car had been stolen. I called him and he confirmed that it had been stolen after he left the keys on while the car was idling when he went to buy food in a shop,” Chief Gampu said.

“We went with a neighbour’s car to report the theft to the police at around midnight,” he said.

NewsDay

NEGOTIATIONS between civil servants and government ended prematurely yesterday with representatives of the workers storming out of talks in protest after being told that there would be no new offer on the table.

The government is already dealing with a strike by doctors that has paralysed operations at public hospitals while rural teachers were on Sunday planning a march from Mutare to Harare to demand better pay and working conditions.

Zimbabwe is short of US dollars, the currency it adopted in 2009 after hyperinflation rendered its Zimdollar valueless, causing regular price hikes and shortages of basic goods, medicines and fuel.

Its workers, estimated at 500 000, were demanding an increase in salaries after prices rose five-fold and inflation shot up from 3.52% in January this year to 5.39% in September and 20.85% in October.

At a meeting held last month, government undertook to address the demands of its workers.

But after announcing austerity measures in the 2019 budget to drive down State expenditure and lower employment costs — which take up about 90% of its revenue — government has little room to manoeuvre as it seeks to bring down the budget deficit from 11,7% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year to 5% next year.

A meeting of the joint negotiating council which comprises nine representatives from the government and nine from the Apex Council — representing the unions of government workers — the State said the status quo would remain.

On Wednesday, the government had conveyed a similar message to the striking doctors, although the Minister of Health and Child Care, Obadiah Moyo and officials from the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association — which represents more than 1 000 members — were scheduled to meet again on Tuesday next week.

“Government had nothing to say, it had nothing to offer,” Apex Council secretary David Dzatsunga told NewsDay.

“In fact, they brought nothing to the table and we, therefore, decided to abort the meeting. They just told us they could call us when they have anything substantial. We walked out after about two hours, at that point we just concluded it was just pointless to continue with the meeting.”

The workers were not yet contemplating going on strike, but they were finding it difficult to keep reporting for work as their earnings have been eroded, he added.

“We said to government our members can no longer afford to go to work and because of the inflation and the rather punitive 2% tax (on electronic transactions), we said we can no longer afford to come to work but government says they cannot offer anything new and we really felt they are not taking this matter seriously,” Dzasunga said.

Government appears ready to dish out some tough love to its workers by cleaning up the civil service. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said in the budget statement that from January 1, civil servants will be vetted through a biometric system, and will have to produce letters of employment, qualifications and identification to “ensure that every person being paid by government for services rendered is properly accounted for”.

The move will eliminate ‘ghost workers’ from its payroll. The opposition often use a 2010 EY audit report, which was never made public, to claim that the State has over 70 000 ghost workers on its payroll.

A 2015 civil service report put the figure at 3 307 while Auditor-General Mildred Chiri, in her report of the same year found 3 500 ghost workers drawing $21 million in salaries.

The government is also dismissing nearly 6 000 youth officers by year-end while the salaries of the President, ministers and senior civil servants and parastatal bosses will be cut by 5%.

Workers say the salary cut smacks of symbolism and that they continue to bear the burden of higher taxes and a bloated administrative system.

“We don’t have to call for a strike when it is clear that people can no longer afford to go to work, they cannot reproduce themselves. The transport costs have gone up and some services are paid for in US dollars, so how do we manage? We have told government to be sensitive to our plight,” Dzatsunga said.

NewsDay

Correspondent|MDC Deputy Chairman Tendai Biti is now the most powerful politician in Zimbabwe, more powerful than both President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC president Nelson Chamisa, a ZANU-PF activist has said.

This comes as the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday emphasized their terms of engagement that can lead to America being a development partner with Zimbabwe and see the removal of economic and trade sanctions, with Biti’s name being mentioned by a top US government official.

Addressing the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Matthew Harrington said, “There are several steps the government of Zimbabwe could take that would send a strong signal to its own people and to the international community that it is serious about taking the country in a new, more positive direction.

“… the government should immediately end the harassment of members of the political opposition. It should drop charges against former Finance Minister and prominent opposition figure Tendai Biti and all those who have been arbitrarily detained for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms…”

Commenting on the meaning of that demand by the Americans, ZANU-PF activist Acie Lumumba said:

“Tendai Biti is more familiar with Americans than Nelson Chamisa; Biti is their preferred opposition leader and they will do the needful to prop his rise.”

Lumumba added: “Millions of US dollars will now be thrown towards civic society efforts aligned to Biti.”

Addressing the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Matthew Harrington also demanded that: “… the Government of Zimbabwe should allow the Commission of Inquiry to work transparently and independently, and hold perpetrators of the August 1 violence fully accountable. And, the Government of Zimbabwe should move quickly to ensure legislation is consistent with the 2013 constitution, as well as uphold its letter and spirit.”

Lumumba said that the American government have made President Mnangagwa’s life harder using a kind of bull-horn formation tactic: “The Americans want Vice President Constantino Chiwenga thrown under the bus (using the Commission of Inquiry findings).

“This is a good way for the Anericans to split President Mnangagware and his deputy Chiwenga, but also for them to avert a Chiwenga presidency.

“The Americans have essentially weakened President Mnangagwa and strengthened the MDC.”

Addressing the U.S. Senate Committee, Harrington also said America is seeing a lot of positives on commitment but no action from Zimbabwe.

He added that they still have a long way before they come to the table to talk about loans to Zimbabwe.

“The United States wants a stable, peaceful, democratic Zimbabwe that is genuinely accountable to its citizens and responsive to their needs.

“If there is real, concrete progress along those lines, the government and people of Zimbabwe will find a committed partner in the United States.”

Own Correspondent|POPULAR downtown Harare shopping mall, the Gulf Complex is on the fire. Reports indicate that the blaze started in the wee hours of Friday morning.

The cause of the fire is still not known at this point.

This is a developing story and more details shall be availed as they come in.

THE United States government says it is willing to engage Zimbabwe only after genuine political and economic reforms and accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of aping former President Robert Mugabe’s autocratic rule.

US has maintained sanctions on the southern African nation since 2001 through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (Zidera), and sanctioned individuals and dozens of companies associated with the government.

Mnangagwa is among the 141 people and institutions that are still under the US sanctions, which were extended on July 25 this year, days before elections that gave Mnangagwa a five-year term.

The International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute, which sent observers to the election, said Zimbabwe lacked a “culture of democracy” in which citizens could vote freely while political parties were treated unequally.

In a statement before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, deputy assistant secretary of State for Africa, Matthew Harrington said Mnangagwa’s government has tried to change “but so far, the pace and scale of reforms has been too gradual and not nearly ambitious enough”.

“The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, recently updated by Congress, has provided a very important tool and clearly identified the reforms we expect: restoration of the rule of law, a commitment to equitable, legal and transparent land reform, and ensuring that military and national police forces are subordinate to the civilian government.”

Harrington cited the clampdown on opposition leaders as a challenge to Mnangagwa’s administration and implored the Zimbabwean government to end a clampdown on the opposition.

“On July 30, Zimbabwe held its first presidential election without Robert Mugabe in nearly four decades. The election took place after a nearly 40-year history of deeply flawed elections, serious human rights challenges, catastrophic economic mismanagement, and widespread corruption,” Harrington said.

“There were some encouraging signs in the pre-election period, including the welcoming of credible international observer groups and foreign journalists, and a more permissive campaign environment for members of the opposition. And election day itself was peaceful, but that has usually been the case in Zimbabwe. Ultimately, however, the process was marred by the army’s use of deadly force against protestors on August 1 and reports of supporters and State agents of the ruling party.

“Zanu PF assaulted and abducted members of the opposition in the weeks that followed. It is clear that Zimbabwe has a long way to go — and requires profound political and economic reforms — to sustainably change the path on which it has been for nearly four decades.”

Since Mnangagwa took over power, Zimbabwe has been working in the diplomatic corridors to convince the US to lift sanctions, as it seeks to secure debt relief and new financial support to revive the faltering economy.

“We welcome the change in rhetoric from the Mugabe years. Since the election, we have seen some promising signs from the government, including appointment of a new, more technocratic Cabinet, announcement of an economic plan acknowledging the need for significant monetary and fiscal reform, and a budget which, if implemented, would make important strides in that direction. So far, however, the pace and scale of reforms has been too gradual and not nearly ambitious enough,” Harrington said.

He said Zimbabwe should be capable of providing for the needs of its own citizens and respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms will be a more responsible member of the international community.

“To reach that end, Zimbabwe will require implementation of fundamental reforms, not merely a commitment to do so. We want Zimbabwe to succeed and would welcome a better bilateral relationship, but the ball is squarely in the government’s court to demonstrate it is irrevocably on a different trajectory,” Harrington said.

He said Zimbabwe should repeal the Public Order and Security Act, and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act which have long been used to suppress human rights and which violate Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution.

“Second, the government should immediately end the harassment of members of the political opposition. It should drop spurious charges against former Finance minister and prominent opposition figure Tendai Biti and all those who have been arbitrarily detained for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“Third, the government should allow the commission of inquiry to work transparently and independently, and hold perpetrators of the August 1 violence fully accountable.

And fourth, the government should move quickly to ensure legislation is consistent with the 2013 Constitution, as well as uphold its letter and spirit.”

He said the US wanted a stable, peaceful, democratic Zimbabwe that was genuinely accountable to its citizens and responsive to their needs.

NewsDay

By A Correspondent| NORTON MP, Temba Mliswa has threatened to expose someone who sits in the ZANU PF top hierarchy.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Mliswa who had not fully named the person at the time of writing, said the person sits right in the presidium.

While the full circumstances of the scuffle between him and the alleged person were not clear at the time of printing, Mliswa wrote on his portal introducing the matter saying: “I’m aware of a ploy to discredit me emanating from a member of the Presidium irked by my findings. I’ll name & shame, I’m not backing off! I’m not afraid of any investigation into my source of wealth, I hope you’ve got the same confidence when the knock comes to your door!

“The chickens’ll come home to roost!I’ll continue the war against corruption without fear/favour! I’ll expose the philandering ways of married MPs being used by Ministers to trying me whilst compromising Committee work. This means war! I’ll stand for the people, enough is enough.

“Down with double adulterers who cheat on their wives by dating married staffers. Where’s the honour in that? I’ll never make any allegation without evidence, the truth’ll be revealed. If anyone has anything against me let it be factual but trying to discredit me won’t stop me.

“Some of these higher offices have resident criminals. The RGM time of intimidating us is over! All your dealings will be exposed. Just because I blocked one of your deals in Norton you want to create illusions about me? No that’s not going to work. Your day of reckoning draws near.

“Let this country be liberated of corruption, I’ll lead the battle. We’re tired of corruption but won’t tire in the fight against it. As an Independent I can’t be fired by anyone for my stance. I don’t need positions but I’ll represent the people in this new dispensation.

“There must be no sacred cows…”

HARARE – Former permanent secretary in the Primary and Secondary Education ministry Sylvia Utete-Masango snubbed a farewell party held for her last week amid reports she was apoplectic with fury over her retrenchment.

Utete-Masango — one of the long-serving officials who was shown the exit door on account of her advanced age — did not pitch up for her farewell party held at the ministry’s head office in apparent protest.

Utete-Masango suggested to the Daily News yesterday that she did not turn up because she felt she had been disrespected by her former employer.

Apparently, she wanted a party exclusively for herself, yet the ministry staged a party for her and six other directors, who are her juniors.
“I did not attend because I felt that as an accounting officer of the ministry, I cannot be lumped together with some directors including those from provinces, so really if there is a
genuine appetite to have a farewell party for me then it will come,” Utete-Masango said. Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul Mavima was not picking calls when he was contacted for comment.

While the official reason given for their removal from office was that they were due for retirement after reaching the mandatory pensionable age of 65 for government officials, the affected permanent secretaries were largely those perceived to have been sympathetic to the

vanquished Generation 40 (G40) faction in Zanu
PF.

Former permanent secretary in the Primary and Secondary Education ministry Sylvia Utete-Masango snubbed a farewell party held for her last week amid reports she was apoplectic with fury over her retrenchment.

Utete-Masango — one of the long-serving officials who was shown the exit door on account of her advanced age — did not pitch up for her farewell party held at the ministry’s head office in apparent protest.

Utete-Masango suggested to the Daily News yesterday that she did not turn up because she felt she had been disrespected by her former employer. Apparently, she wanted a party exclusively for herself, yet the ministry staged a party for her and six other directors, who are her juniors.

“I did not attend because I felt that as an accounting officer of the ministry, I cannot be lumped together with some directors including those from provinces, so really if there is a genuine appetite to have a farewell party for me then it will come,” Utete-Masango said. Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul Mavima was not picking calls when he was contacted for comment.

While the official reason given for their removal from office was that they were due for retirement after reaching the mandatory pensionable age of 65 for government officials, the affected permanent secretaries were largely those perceived to have been sympathetic to the vanquished Generation 40 (G40) faction in Zanu PF.

In an invitation letter dated November 27, Utete Masango’s replacement, former Matabeleland South provincial education director Thumisang Thabela, invited all principal directors in the ministry.

The invitation was also extended to all directors at head office as well as staff to attend the party which was held for two directors and for provincial education directors identified as A Gudo, LT Mudiwa, M Samakomva, SB Mashayamombe, K Mutuwira and K Mudawarima as well.

“Please be advised that the ministry cordially invites you to the farewell party to be held on November 30 at David Livingstone Primary School …” wrote Thabela.

Utete-Masango is among several other permanent secretaries who are being retired, along with Ngoni Masoka (Labour and Social Welfare ministry); George Mlilo

(Transport); Machivenyika Mapuranga (Higher Education); and Melusi Matshiya, secretary for Home Affairs.

Soon after his inauguration after winning the July 30 elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa initiated a crackdown on civil servants by retrenching dozens of permanent secretaries and other senior bureaucrats as part of efforts to contain a ballooning government wage bill that is chewing over 80 percent of the national budget. Daily News

Own Correspondent|FORMER MP for Highfield West Psychology Maziwisa and former ZBC News presenter Oscar Pambuka have been convicted of defrauding the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $12 500 in a public relations deal.

The pair have been jailed for 6 years and 5 months, but will serve 2 years and 6 months each after the rest of the term was conditionally suspended.

Allegations were that sometime in 2016, Maziwisa and Pambuka took a letter to ZPC from former Minister of Energy and Power Development, Samuel Undenge.

The letter directed ZPC to work with Fruitful Communications at intervals of six months.

The court heard that in January 2016, Maziwisa and Pambuka entered into a verbal agreement with ZPC to do its publicity work.

During the agreement, ZPC was represented by Mr Noah Gwariro and Ms Chisveto.

On February 12, Fruitful Communications hosted a Zim-Asset conference at a local hotel where Undenge was the guest of honour.

ZBC covered the event, but on March 8, Maziwisa and Pambuka, with an intention to defraud the company, brought an invoice of $12 650 to ZPC.

They claimed that they had done the Zim-Asset media campaign and press conference on power projects in Kariba, Hwange and Batoka.

They also claimed to have done news bulletins at Power FM, Radio Zimbabwe and National FM and a “Powertalk” programme on Power FM.

The pair also alleged they had done Zim-Asset conference radio interviews on National FM and another Powertalk session on energy and infrastructural development.

Acting on the misrepresentation, ZPC paid the money.

SPOKESPERSON for the MDC president Nelson Chamisa, Dr. Nkululeko Sibanda, has revealed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mr. Chamisa have begun talks aimed at ending the country’s decades-long political and economic crisis, the Daily News has reported.

There could finally be light at the end of the tunnel for long-suffering Zimbabweans, after it emerged yesterday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa are indirectly engaging each other in talks aimed at ending the country’s decades-long political and economic crisis.

This comes after well-placed sources told the Daily News yesterday that the tentative dialogue had already resulted in Chamisa appointing a high-powered MDC team to negotiate with the ruling Zanu PF to end the bad blood between the two parties.

It also comes as respected clergyman and businessman, Shingi Munyeza, has made an impassioned plea to both men to put aside their differences and work together in the interests of the country.

On his part, Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda also hinted to the Daily News yesterday that his boss was engaging Mnangagwa behind the scenes — to try and end their bickering, which analysts say is detrimental to national development.

“President Nelson Chamisa takes Zimbabwe very seriously and understands the demands for maturity, seriousness and intellectual engagement when dealing with national questions … and it will be saddening if you were to find him engaging in middle negotiations.

“The president will not negotiate via the media. His mandate is to negotiate as mandated by the MDC national council, and those issues are what the president is pushing day in and day out.

“Therefore, we simply need to be alive to that and understand that the business of the day has to be done within proper corridors,” Sibanda said.

The youthful opposition leader has been brawling with Mnangagwa ever since he narrowly lost the hotly-disputed July 30 presidential election, whose result he vigorously challenged at the Constitutional Court (Con-Court).

Chamisa went on to accuse 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 week, Chamisa held a massive demonstration in Harare — where he heaped pressure on Mnangagwa to act on the deteriorating political and economic situation in the country.

Addressing his supporters then, who were protesting the falling standards of living in the country and the government’s recent unpopular economic revival measures, Chamisa also said Zimbabwe could not afford “one day longer” without addressing the country’s worsening political and economic crisis.

“Firstly, we are saying to Mnangagwa let’s have negotiations. You must come and sit down so that we can solve the current economic crisis.

“Zimbabweans are suffering. The crisis in the country is a crisis of governance, confidence, legitimacy and leadership. How can we solve this?

“We are saying let us unite. On our side we have good leadership qualities and you lack leadership qualities. So, we must unite and map the way forward,” Chamisa told his supporters.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba — who is cagey about the talks — complimented Chamisa yesterday for “abandoning” his row with Mnangagwa.

“Like I said before, if there is anything that is happening, it is way above my radar. If they (Chamisa and the MDC) have recognised their folly of shouting from rooftops, one hopes it’s a new beginning that will take the country forward,” he told the Daily News.

Zanu PF insiders claimed that the former liberation movement was already, on its part, pushing to have former Finance minister Tendai Biti in government — whether the currently indirect talks succeeded or failed.

“There is no doubt that Biti has resonance with the West, and the United States in particular. The country thus needs him in government if we are to emerge from the present economic quagmire,” one ruling party source said.

Mnangagwa, who had worked hard to break from ousted president Robert Mugabe’s discredited past, suffered a huge setback when deadly violence broke out on the streets of Harare on August 1 — leading to the deaths of at least six innocent people when the military joined the police in quelling post-election disturbances which had broken out.

The shootings occurred after millions of Zimbabweans had cast their votes in the polls to choose both a new Parliament and president, following the dramatic fall from power of Mugabe last November.

The elections were the first since 1980 to be held in the country without Mugabe’s participation, whose 37-year, iron-fisted rule was stunningly ended by a military intervention which triggered events that ended with his resignation.

The elections also marked the first time that the main opposition MDC was not represented by its founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who lost his brave battle against colon cancer on Valentine’s Day this year.

Political analysts have also said the August 1 violence and the resultant deaths had done a lot of harm to Mnangagwa’s quests to mend years of frosty relations with Western powers.

Zimbabwe was forced into a government of national unity (GNU) a decade ago, following the hotly-disputed 2008 presidential election in which Tsvangirai soundly trounced Mugabe.

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 revealed 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.

— Daily News

Terrence Mawawa|Police are looking for a Chiredzi man who assaulted his wife with logs for failing to prepare fish for supper properly.

According to the police in Chiredzi, Brighton Sithole accused his wife Jemina Mutozovi of failing to prepare fish for supper as he expected.

The incident happened at Manica Village in Mkwasine last Friday.

“Sithole returned home around 9 am and upon realising that his wife was preparing some fish for supper, he began to accuse Jemina of failing to prepare dinner as he expected.

Sithole then pulled out some logs from the fire place and severely assaulted his wife, leaving him unconscious,” police sources revealed.

Jemina is battling for her life at Chiredzi Government Hospital.

Terrence Mawawa|A hungry man is an angry man, so goes the popular cliche.

A Zanu PF supporter was severely assaulted by angry villagers in Shurugwi for repeatedly chanting the ED pfee maxim.

Frank Nyahwa met a group of villagers as he was returning home after attending a Zanu PF meeting last week. Nyahwa then began to chant the ED pfee maxim much to the chagrin of the villagers.

Ozwell Mhene one of the villagers then grabbed Nyahwa by the neck and assaulted him.

As Nyahwa attempted to run away the villagers gave chase and further beat him up and demanded to know why he was chanting the ED pfee slogan at a time the economy was in bad shape.

By Own Correspondent| Psychology Maziwisa and Oscar Pambuka have been convicted of defrauding the Zimbabwe Power Company of $12, 500 in a botched public relations deal.

The duo were convicted this afternoon at a Harare magistrates court and their sentencing is yet to follow.

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

Correspondent|Doctors at public hospitals, who went on strike on Saturday for the second time this year to demand better pay and conditions, are vowing to continue with their industrial action until the government addresses their demands.

They are demanding payment in United States dollars instead of the almost collapsing bond notes and RTGS in a nation with deteriorating economy.

Zimbabwe is short of U.S. dollars, the currency it adopted in 2009, causing price spikes and shortages of basic goods, medicines and fuel.

Mathabisi Bebhe, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association which represents more than 1,000 members, said most junior doctors at the five major hospitals won’t go back to work until government addresses their demands.

“We want the government to look into all the issues we are demanding and then address them accordingly. We will not go back to work unless something is done.”

More than half of public sector doctors joined the indefinite strike, he said.

With hospitals already short of drugs and reliant on patients to buy them, local pharmacies are no longer accepting insurance policies for purchases, instead demanding U.S. dollars in cash. When using bank cards, prices are at least three times higher.

“We are understaffed and underpaid and there are no medications in the hospitals,” Bebhe said.
“We are really hopeful that the government will intervene as early as possible. The duration of the industrial action depends on when the government gives a proper practical solution.”

Health Minister Obadiah Moyo could not be reached for comment.

The government has previously said doctors should present their grievances while at work and has relied on military doctors to help at state hospitals during strikes.

At United Bulawayo Hospitals in the city of Bulawayo, senior doctors were only tending to emergency cases after closing the outpatient department, according to a notice to staff.

In March, the doctors went on strike and won an increase in pay and allowances, ending the first big labor dispute Mnangagwa faced since taking power.

But doctors were still struggling to survive, Bebhe said, after prices of basic goods rose by at least 300 percent since October. Annual inflation was 20.85 percent that month, the first time it has hit double digits in a decade.

The doctors, who earn a basic monthly salary of about $385 before allowances, are also pressing the government to raise on-call allowances by 25 percent to $10 an hour paid in cash.

An empty parliament, as a considerable number of legislators bunk Thursday's sitting. pic.twitter.com/QD0ELnsCYu

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 6, 2018

Own Correspondent|Information technology giant Microsoft International has signed a partnership with the Zimbabwe Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education at Innovation Africa Summit 2018.

The partnership will see it assist the Zimbabwean government in “crating modern classrooms that drive innovation, performance and growth”.

Per the agreement, Microsoft will assist the Zimbabwean Ministry in identifying devices for its specific digital education strategies.

Microsoft will assist the Ministry in building partnerships with international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). It will also provide consultancy services in building a local OEM assembly strategy.

This partnership comes at a time Zimbabwe intends to digitally transform as part of its 2030 vision.

As partners of the Innovation Africa 2018 Summit underway in Zimbabwe. Microsoft joined in the EdTech discussions represented by its directors. Chairing a panel on innovation in education for bridging Africa’s skills gap was Harb Bou-Harb, Senior Director of Education Microsoft MEA.

Mark East, General Manager Education Microsoft MEA, spoke to the ministers and stakeholders on education bridging the skills gap in Africa. He said “technology will never replace teachers nor make them irrelevant. But teachers need to keep up with the changes“.

“For Africa’s people to take their place in a 21st century global economy, the core ingredients to its digital education transformation recipe must include connectivity, digital literacy, the ability to code and command of the English language.

Similarly, if we are to truly invest in the human capital of the future, we must prioritise the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning for all K12 students.”

For Mr. East skills shortages have a way of impacting a countries GDP.

Microsoft says it “believes in a future where every young person has the skills, knowledge and opportunity to succeed. Committing to impart 10 million youths in the Middle East Africa region with digital skills in the next three years.

Microsoftcaregh.com

Correspondent|High Court judge, Justice Musakwa has today handed down a shocking four year sentence to Zanu PF murderers in a case that has left Mudzi residents and the Magura family dumbfounded.

Zanu PF’s Chimukoko ward 3 chairperson, David Chimukoko and his secretary Graciano Kazingizi were sentenced to four years, of which one year was suspended on condition of good behaviour, in jail for the murder of 67 year old Cephas Magura, the MDC Ward 1 Chairperson, in 2012.

In passing the sentence, Justice Musakwa said the case cannot be classified as murder or culpable homicide but qualifies as a case of public violence; therefore the accused will serve just three years.

The same High Court, slapped Last Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere with a 20-year sentence on trumped up charges of fatally stoning Petros Mutedza at Glen View 3 shopping Centre during an MDC rally in May 2011. The only difference is one is Zanu PF and the other is MDC!

Sekuru Cephas Magura, died from injuries sustained during an assault by David Chimukoko and Graciano Kazingizi at Chimukoko Business Centre. The MDC had organised a rally there with permission from the police.

Correspondent|Suspended Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Director of Financial Intelligence Mirirai Chiremba has been arrested today for money laundering, ZimEye.com can reveal.

Chiremba was named by Acie Lumumba in QueenBeegate together with other senior RBZ officials as being behind foreign currency scandals at the Reserve Bank.

This is a developing story and more details will be provided as they become available.

Correspondent|The late National University of Science and Technology (NUST) founding Vice Chancellor, Professor Phineas Makhurane, has been declared a national hero and will be interred at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday.

Professor Makhurane, who died on Saturday, was born on the 13th of January 1939 in the Gungwe area of Gwanda, and did his primary education at Maduma and Manama schools before moving to Mnene, Chegato, Zimuto and Fletcher High School for his secondary education.

More to follow…

ZANU PF has been hit by a massive food shortage that has seen its projected number for the upcoming conference reduced to a paltry 5303 people.

FOLLOW THE VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

This will be the first time in the history of the party to have such a massive drop.

Only 5 303 party members will attend the 17th Annual National People’s Conference to be held in Esigodini in Matabeleland South, ZANU PF party commissar, Engelbert Rugeje said.

Rugeje said the number of delegates had been reduced due to logistical challenges such as shortage of food and transport. Rugeje was speaking during the Masvingo provincial inter-district conference. He said, “the Politburo has agreed on the number of delegates who will attend this year’s conference in Esigodini and the figure is 5 303. The figure will remain like that, but it excludes additional people like those responsible for security, health etc.

“We are very sorry that the number has been reduced compared to previous years, but it is something that was agreed on by the Politburo and we took into account previous problems like shortage of accommodation, food, transport and other challenges.”- state media

Correspondent|Crisis at the country’s public hospitals is worsening, after nurses said yesterday that they would start reporting for duty for three days a week due to Zimbabwe’s biting fuel shortages, as well as their outstanding working conditions demands.

This comes as doctors continued with their strike yesterday despite claims by the government that they had called off the devastating industrial action.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary-general, Enock Dongo, told the Daily News that they had “agreed” with Health minister Obadiah Moyo to cut their working days due to the country’s fuel problems.

“We agreed with the minister that nurses should come to work for three days per week, as we are still negotiating with the government to address our concerns.

“The government told us that health institutions must remain functional, while we are negotiating.

“The four days off will work as a temporary solution as our nurses are struggling to come to work due to transport challenges.

“All civil servants are going to have a meeting with the government on Thursday,” Dongo said.

Nurses are demanding salaries in United States dollars, although the government has told them that it has no capacity to pay them in greenbacks.

“On Monday, we told our minister that our members are suffering due to the current economic crisis, as our salaries have been eroded. The response from the minister was that government has no capacity to pay us in US dollars.

“We also registered our displeasure on the fact that we are not happy with the issue of bonuses. Our bonuses should include allowances,” he said.

Meanwhile, doctors yesterday continued with their strike which has already crippled operations at most public hospitals.

As a result, these hospitals have shut their doors to outpatients and also discharged stable patients as the doctors’ strike has got into full swing. They are attending to emergency cases only.

“We wish to set the record straight that the industrial action that started on the 1st of December 2018 is still on-going and the healthcare crisis in the country has
reached a critical level,” the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said yesterday.

ZHDA secretary-general, Mthabisi Anele Bhebhe, also told the Daily News that they were “greatly disturbed” to learn that Moyo had gone on national television to misinform the nation that the on-going industrial action had been called off.

Bhebhe also said Patrick Mugoni, who spoke on television purporting to be their secretary-general, had been dismissed and Moyo was aware that he no longer represented doctors’ interests.

“We wish to inform all relevant authorities, key stakeholders, members of the press and public that the individuals by the name … Tsopo A and … Mugoni P no longer represent doctors on any business,” Bhebhe said.

The striking doctors are protesting the severe shortages of pharmaceutical drugs at public hospitals — as well as the selling of available drugs in foreign currency by retail pharmacies, the poor state of the country’s hospital infrastructure and their “falling” salaries which they now want the government to pay in foreign currency.

Zimbabwe’s health delivery system has for a while now been battling myriad problems, as a result of the country’s worsening economic climate.

In the past, major referral hospitals have had to suspend many services as a result of shortages of drugs, including painkillers.

At the peak of its economy, Zimbabwe made minimal imports of essential drugs due to the then healthy state of the local pharmaceutical industry which was dominated by CAPS Holdings.

But CAPS has been teetering on the brink of total collapse after it experienced serious financial problems about five years ago.

Source: Daily News