Zanu-PF and MDC-Alliance will share $8 million allocated to political parties by Treasury under the Political Parties Finance Act.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube set aside the $8 million in the 2019 National Budget he presented in Parliament in November.

The figure is higher than last year’s allocation of $6 million.

Zanu-PF will get the lion’s share of the money after it secured more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats as it trounced MDC-Alliance in the July 30 watershed elections, which were widely given a clean bill by local, regional and international observers. A rough calculation shows that the revolutionary party is set to pocket almost $6 million with MDC- Alliance taking home about $2 million, given its paltry seats in the National Assembly.

Zanu-PF won 145 of the 210 seats in the National Assembly against MDC-Alliance’s 63. The remaining two seats were won by the National Patriotic Front’s Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo (Kwekwe Central) and independent candidate Mr Temba Mliswa (Norton).

Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabiza confirmed the allocation yesterday.

“Yes, political parties were allocated $8 million in the Blue Book. It is under the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs,” said Mrs Mabiza.

Under the Political Parties Finance Act, only a political party that secures 5 percent of the total votes cast can benefit from the fiscus.

Small political parties have in the past asked Government to extend financing to them but their pleas hit a brick wall when the Constitutional Court dismissed their application.

The Zimbabwe Development Party, led by Mr Kisinoti Mukwazhi, approached the Constitutional Court in January 2013 seeking an order to compel Treasury to release funding to all political parties participating in national elections but the application was dismissed for lack of merit.

In its ruling, the Constitutional Court said it would be “irresponsible and dangerous for Government if all political parties were to be funded” from the fiscus as that would mean even fly-by-night parties would be funded.

Government enacted the Political Parties Finance Act in 2002 after it emerged that some political parties were getting funding from hostile foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

Some parties have tried to circumvent the law by using NGOs based in Zimbabwe as conduits for getting funds from foreign entities.

Many countries, for example the United States, do not allow political parties to receive foreign funding.

-State Media

Despite assurances by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that he will ensure devolution is implemented, ZAPU leader, Dumiso Dabengwa is not convinced power will be decentralised as per the wish of citizens.

Zapu secretary for policy and strategy, Sakhile Sibanda said the inclusion of devolution in the constitution gave people hope that power will be distributed to all provinces but as a party they are sceptical of the Zanu PF leader’s sincerity.

“The results of the Constitutional Parliamentary committee (COPAC) public consultation confirmed the popularity of devolution. The inclusion of Devolution in the 2013 Constitution Chapter 14 gave many people hope of transferring power from the centralised and corrupt system of government to the people to manage their own affairs in their localities,” she said.

She said  after five years of Zanu PF government’s dithering  and even threats to scrap devolution provision by amending the constitution, President Emmerson Mnangagwa took advantage of devolution sentiments in his 2018 election campaign trail promising to enact legislation to establish and operationalise Constitutional provisions if he won the elections.

“Mnangagwa’s government is quickly moving to fulfill their promise by introducing the Devolution Bill in Parliament. There has been mixed reactions to the Bill and confusion about the final shape of the proposed devolution,” she said in  a statement.

“The public seems to be taken in by the rhetoric of “Power to the People” and the dream of having communities take control over their local affairs and resources.”

They said Mthuli won’t do certain things because ZANU PF won’t allow him to. Some of us said we have to wait and see. Mthuli announced job cuts for Youth Officers, who were not making economic contributions through their posts.. They said it won’t happen. Today here we are:#TSP pic.twitter.com/vZzYdDehJ9

— Soko Mukanya ?? (@PTChimusoro) December 16, 2018

Negotiations meant to end the nearly 2-week-long strike by junior doctors have suffered a blow after hitches in the payment of the doctors’ December salaries.

The junior doctors were supposed to resume normal duties soon after Friday’s bipartite negotiations, pending more dialogue with their employer, but it is no longer the case after they were apparently struck off the payroll.

Friday’s negotiations had provided a breakthrough to end junior doctors’ industrial action and restore normalcy in the country’s public hospitals.

There has however been no progress since then with the junior doctors alleging their employer; the government, has struck them off the payroll.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) Secretary General, Dr Anele Mthabisi Bhebhe alleged that their accounts were credited with what seemed to be slashed salaries for December but two hours later, the transactions were reversed.

A letter dated 14 December 2018 and signed by the Acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Robert Mudyiradima indicated that the salaries confusion was caused by some excess deductions on the employees’ pay as you earn (PAYE), adding that the deductions have since been reversed and the monies will be credited into the affected members’ accounts.

However, Health Services Board (HSB) Chairperson, Dr Paulinas Sikhosana told the ZBC News that the doctors who had withdrawn their services are already off the payroll after their industrial action had gone for over 14 days.

The doctors’ strike started on the 1st of December and according to current health sector regulations, any health worker who fails to report for duty for 14 consecutive days is struck off the payroll.

-State Media

Jane Mlambo| New ZIFA President Felton Kamambo who earned praises from football stakeholders after fighting controversial businessman Phillip Chiyangwa, has since joined Twitter to “be in touch with the people” as well as accepting ideas to improve football administration.

Writing on Twitter yesterday, Kamambo thanked Zimbabwe for electing him saying he will work hard to improve the country’s sport.

https://twitter.com/FeltonKamambo/status/1074381852499050496

Following his trouncing by rival Felton Kamambo, flamboyant businessman and Zanu PF politician, Phillip Chiyangwa said his decision to withdraw from the race was to show that he is not power hungry.

Ironically, Chiyangwa and his deputy Omega Sibanda had gone all systems out to block their challengers in a style typical of a power hungry duo.

Posting on Twitter soon after the ZIFA polls, Chiyangwa said;

https://twitter.com/MPChiyangwa/status/1074314461769543681

ELEVEN people died on spot and several others were seriously injured yesterday when two commuter omnibuses collided head-on along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway, marking a bloody start to the festive season which runs from December 15 to January 15, 2019.

The accident occurred at the 49km peg late in the afternoon.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident last night.

Police said the accident happened when one of the commuter omnibuses burst a tyre and encroached onto the lane of the other driving in the opposite direction, resulting in the head-on collision which killed 10 adults and a child.

Police had not released the names of the deceased by last night.

Asst Comm Nyathi said details of the accident were still sketchy as police were attending the scene in the Murehwa area.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Murehwa Hospital mortuary while the injured were rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

“One of the commuter omnibuses had a tyre burst and encroached onto the lane of an oncoming omnibus, resulting in the head-on collision,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“Police officers at the scene are still establishing the number of passengers who were on board each kombi,” he said.

“We are yet to establish the number of the injured passengers. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Murehwa Hospital’s mortuary and the injured were ferried to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He urged motorists to ensure their vehicles were fit before travelling to avoid accidents.

Asst Comm Nyathi also said drivers must always observe traffic regulations.

“Motorists should always check the tyres of their vehicles to see if they are fit to be on the road. They should also remember that it is imperative for everyone to take extra caution in order to curb or continue reducing the number of accidents. We implore motorists to observe all traffic laws as they travel to different destinations,” he said.

The country has of late been experiencing a spate of road fatalities.

Last week 12 people died on the spot near Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge when a Green Fuel haulage truck collided with a commuter omnibus.

Last month 47 people — 45 adults and two children — were killed, while 70 others were injured when two buses collided head-on at the 166-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway.

The accident involved Bolt Cutter and Smart Express buses.

On November 25, four people lost their lives, three of them on the spot, when a Toyota Allion they were travelling in hit the pillars of Mupfure bridge near Chegutu and landed under the bridge.

Also mid last month, 30 people were killed near West Nicholson in Matabelaland South when a gas cylinder exploded in a bus resulting in an inferno which burnt some of the passengers beyond recognition. DNA tests were carried out to identify some of them.

In September, five people died in two separate accidents along the Shurugwi-Zvishavane and Gweru-Kwekwe roads.

Four people died on the spot at Boterekwa when a maize-laden T35 truck they were travelling in overturned.

-State Media

The fate of MDC Alliance vice president Eng Elias Mudzuri will now be decided by opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa after the national council referred disciplinary issues against the former Harare mayor to the party’s presidium.

The MDC Alliance presidium consists of Chamisa (president), Professor Welshman Ncube, Eng Mudzuri, Morgen Komichi (vice presidents) and Thabitha Khumalo as chair, according to spokesman Jacob Mafume.

The MDC Alliance national council met on Saturday last week at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

Mr Mafume confirmed the latest developments on Eng Mudzuri in a statement yesterday.

“The meeting noted the allegations against vice president Mudzuri’s conduct and resolved that the matter be dealt with by the presidium,” said Mr Mafume.

Eng Mudzuri, who reportedly wants to challenge Mr Chamisa for the party presidency at next year’s congress, was recently taken to task by party officials for being part of a parliamentary delegation of presiding officers that paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at State House.

A video of him being quizzed by senior members of the party for his attendance went viral on various social media platforms.

The MDC Alliance has refused to acknowledge President Mnangagwa’s electoral victory in the July 30 harmonised elections although its electoral petition at the Constitutional Court was thrown out for lack of merit. The party doesn’t want its officials to acknowledge President Mnangagwa.

The MDC Alliance congress was initially scheduled for February next year but Mr Chamisa and his allies now want it in October to give him time to purge the party of potential challengers.

Eng Mudzuri and the party’s secretary-general, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, are expected to contest Mr Chamisa for the party’s presidency.

Eng Mudzuri has not been attending MDC Alliance meetings at Harvest House of late.

Party insiders say EngMudzuri is afraid those in Mr Chamisa’s camp might unleash violence on him if he visits the party headquarters.

A number of senior party officials have been assaulted at the MDC Alliance headquarters before, including Mr Elton Mangoma, for harbouring leadership ambitions.

Also at its meeting on Saturday, the MDC Alliance national council resolved to carry out a post-mortem of its parliamentary candidates selection criteria after it performed dismally in the July 30 elections.

“In respect of the party’s parliamentary campaign in the 2018 elections, the party resolved to set up an inquiry to review candidate selection and make recommendations for future elections.

“The meeting reviewed progress made in the integration process and resolved that the process be completed in the shortest possible time,” added Mr Mafume.

Zanu-PF won the parliamentary elections with a two-thirds majority.

-State Media

Own Correspondent|THE state media has labelled MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as a small fly, a waste of time, and in need of psychiatric help to get out of the elections he lost on 30 July.

The media makes these sentiments while the leader of ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his party are having sleepless nights scheming against Chamisa.

The entire party leadership over the weekend endorsed a resolution calling on parliament to increase the minimum age for one to contest as President to fifty just to try and eliminate Chamisa from contesting against Mnangagwa.

In an opinion piece, The Herald Assistant Editor Isdore Guvamombe said: ” (Chamisa’s) biggest mistake is ego. For example, there was no need for him to go to the Constitutional Court after the elections claiming to have “overwhelming” evidence of rigging yet he totally had nothing.

“The Government exposed him badly by screening live the hearing for all and sundry to see. It exposed him as that politician who just wants to cause problems even where it is not necessary.

“He simply abused the democratic space and wasted everyone’s time. In normal and mature democracies Chamisa would have apologised to the nation for time wasting. But he did not.

“Well, this is the criticism most of the gullible MDC Alliance supporters do not want to hear. This is a departure from self-serving fanaticism. It hits below the belt. It hits the dangling bits until they retreat into the abdomen. But it is realistic. It moves the country forward.

“When he violently grabbed power in February 2017, many people in MDC and beyond got very excited but the mature ones urged caution. Instead of uniting the party, he divided and split it much faster than anticipated. Aided by the party’s rogue wing of youth known as the Vanguard, Chamisa became the epitome of violence.

“Soon his violent nature spread like a veld fire and spilled over from his party to the nation at large. As the 2018 harmonised elections took a steady shape on a new trajectory of non-violence, thanks to the New Dispensation, Chamisa stuck to violent and foul-mouthed politics. He declared that no one except him should win the election. Any other result was unacceptable.

“In the run-up to the elections, he violated his own party aspiring candidates by ordering them to delivering multitudes of supporters, by hook or crook to his roadshows, causing them to neglect their own constituencies. It was supposed to be him and him alone. It was a cavalcade whose plummage he looked at and thought it all provided votes. No!

“Declaration that he should be the only winner, failure of which he would render this country ungovernable, even before voting day, was not only stupid but dangerous politics that has no place in a democracy like ours. One would think a leader of a political party named Movement for Democractic Change would know what democracy is. But, alas, as we now have all learnt from Chamisa, what is in a name?

“Suffice to say, the election season is over and Zimbabwe needs to move forward but Chamisa is still in election mode, five months after the elections. For as long as he remains in that mode, he is a problem not only to the country, but to himself and his party.

“For starters, after losing the election, then the election challenge at the Constitutional Court, after failing to get Sadc’s and African Union’s endorsement for his election challenge, if he was normal, he would have seen that there is no longer any other reasonable channel to follow but to accept defeat.

“At first it was understandable that the huge defeat his MDC Alliance and himself suffered in the July 30 elections could have unhinged his brain and numbed his skull but by now he should have gotten over it. It seems he now needs psychiatric help to get out of it.

“His propensity for political showboating through demonstrations is not only childish but self-serving especially when dealing with a mature democracy like Zimbabwe’s under Zanu-PF. Yes, they will allow him to demonstrate on the streets and yet at the end of the day, it is much ado about nothing, full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing. Nothing!

“Besides showboating, spending the day on the streets, the demonstrations of that type prove nothing. It is a waste of time by any standards.

“It defies logic — assuming Chamisa still has some semblance of it — that he wants to have talks with President Mnangagwa, yet he does not recognise him as the Head of State. What nonsense!

“Chamisa’s MPS go into Parliament and he says elections were not free and fair yet the voting process and system was the same. It was done simultaneously. His party is demanding that ministers in President Mnangagwa’s Government go to Parliament to answer questions but does not recognise their appointing authority — the President. What tomfoolery!

“If Chamisa wants to be taken seriously in the matrix of governance he should change his attitude, his language, his politicking and get real. What he has been doing since the elections does not make him a serious contender even for talks with the President. No President will stoop that low to talk to a mean person who does not seem to understand that opposition politics is not hate politics. That opposition politics should be national in its interest and value system and indeed in it is everything.

“Nelson Chamisa is a failure practising archaic politics, the sort of politics that is informed by extreme arrogance bereft of tactic and vision. The country has moved on and he has been left behind.

“Nelson Chamisa is no longer a factor in solving Zimbabwe’s problems and neither is he worthy talking to over governance. He is a waste of time.

“For President Mnangagwa to dialogue with Chamisa at the moment would be stooping to a record low. A whole State President entering talks with a small fly that does not recognise him, when the international community and its leaders do recognise him? No, Nelson, no!

“Over the months Chamisa has proved to be a big part of the problem himself that, in fact, needs a solution. Naturally, a problem does not provide a solution to itself. It remains a problem.

Chamisa has largely become an epitome of poor politicking, emotional instability and brazen dislike for order and a propensity to abuse the existing democratic space.

“It is clear Chamisa’s biggest mistake was overrating his stake in Zimbabwe’s political space and with time he is slowly discovering his diminishing returns.

“Since taking over power from MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai, Chamisa has distinguished himself as a problem that enjoys selfishly abusing the democratic space at the expense of the general populace and the development of the country.”

Own Correspondent|ZANU-PF has proposed amendments to the national Constitution to streamline the functions of Provincial Councils in its efforts to implement devolution of powers from Central Government.

The ruling party revealed its wishes on the principle in its resolutions adopted at the end of the ruling party’s 17th Annual National People’s Conference held in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, last week.

The amendments stops members of Parliament from being part of Provincial Councils and instead to exercise an oversight role over their operations.

“It is proposed that Provincial Councils be constituted only by elected councillors and their chairpersons and mayors of urban councils.

“It is proposed to amend the Constitution to exclude all members of Parliament from being members of Provincial Councils,” reads part of the resolutions.

Currently, the Constitution allows MPs to be part of Provincial Councils and President Mnangagwa has said this would make it difficult for legislators to exercise an oversight over the councils.

The ruling party also resolved that the unconstitutional Provincial Affairs Ministers should coordinate development projects in their respective provinces.

“It is resolved that the role of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, as provincial representatives of His Excellency the President, be to provide overall coordination of development programmes.

“That the role of Provincial Councils be to provide legislative framework on provincial economic development through the production of economic development plans,” the ruling party further resolved.

It was also resolved that a database of provincial economies be established, with the Minister of State required to take custody of the information.

“Capacity of Provincial Councils and the Minister of State should be built to enable them to effectively engage business entities, development partners and investors timelessly,” Zanu-PF said in its resolutions.

Speaking at the 17th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini on Friday, president of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira said chiefs can resolve the Gukurahundi issue.
Charumbira said commissions such as the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) which is mandated by the Constitution to lead the healing and reconciliation process in the country, had failed in other countries.Said Charumbira:
There is an issue of Gukurahundi that
is always talked about. I want to say it in public that as chiefs we agreed that we must take over this issue. In
Rwanda and other countries people
fought but now there is peace, why do people in this country keep referring to the Gukurahundi issue? So we are now taking over. Give us a chance as chiefs, we are determined to work to bring closure to this issue. In Burundi and Rwanda the United Nations poured in millions of dollars and set up commissions made up of judges but it all failed. They then referred the issues to traditional chiefs. There is no United Nations that can solve your in-house issues, we can only solve them on our own.” Chronicle

LIMPOPO police on Sunday intercepted a closed truck transporting a stolen luxury vehicle, LED TVs and several other items in Polokwane, believed to be worth millions of rand.

A Zimbabwean and two Ugandan nationals have been taken into police custody.

The truck was impounded and is being stored at the Seshego police compound outside Polokwane.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said: “We can confirm the incident; we’ll provide more details later.”

It is understood the truck was travelling from Gauteng and was destined to cross the Beit Bridge border in Musina. It was stopped by police just outside Polokwane, and upon inspection, they found a stolen white Range Rover, several TVs and other goods.

During the 2017 festive season, police also disrupted a criminal operation in which donkey carts were used to transport stolen vehicles and goods across the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe.

The incident comes at a time when police and traffic officers in Limpopo are on high alert on the roads, especially on the N1, since the start of the 2018 festive season on Friday.

Late on Saturday, 16 motorists were arrested for drinking and driving, including a 22-year-old man found with the highest reading of 0.87mg/l.

Meanwhile, the N1 south near Kranskop has been opened after it was closed for several hours following an incident in which a sedan collided head on with another vehicle and overturned. No fatalities were reported.

— News24

A mechanic (37) was burnt and later died after drums of petrol he was keeping at his workshop for resale on the black market caught fire in Victoria Falls.

Tapinda Whisper Muzvidzva who operated a panel beating shop but had turned the premises into a petrol warehouse feeding the black market was rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital and was later transferred to Mpilo
Central Hospital where he died last Friday.
The fire occurred on Thursday at Jeche Complex in the industrial area.
One of his colleagues at the shop and another man believed to be a Zambian citizen, escaped with minor injuries.
Property and a yet to be disclosed number of drums full of fuel were also destroyed. It is suspected that the fire occurred when Muzvidzva and his workmates were draining
petrol from one of the drums to fuel a client’s vehicle using an electric motor.
His father, Mr Morris Charles Muzvidzva, confirmed the death but denied that his son was dealing in fuel.

A mechanic (37) was burnt and later died after drums of petrol he was keeping at his workshop for resale on the black market caught fire in Victoria Falls.

Tapinda Whisper Muzvidzva who operated a panel beating shop but had turned the premises into a petrol warehouse feeding the black market was rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital and was later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital where he died last Friday.

The fire occurred on Thursday at Jeche Complex in the industrial area.

One of his colleagues at the shop and another man believed to be a Zambian citizen, escaped with minor injuries.

Property and a yet to be disclosed number of drums full of fuel were also destroyed.

It is suspected that the fire occurred when Muzvidzva and his workmates were draining petrol from one of the drums to fuel a client’s vehicle using an electric motor.

His father, Mr Morris Charles Muzvidzva, confirmed the death but denied that his son was dealing in fuel.

“It came as a shock to us as the whole family is yet to come to terms with the whole issue. It’s not true that he was selling fuel but he was refuelling his car at the workshop,” said Mr Muzvidzva.

Sources close to the incident said Muzvidzva was burnt while attempting to salvage the premises and drums of fuel inside.

“The now deceased was keeping fuel in drums and jerry cans at Jeche Complex in the industrial area. He would buy the fuel from service stations and stock it at his premises to later sell on the black market where he used an electric pump to drain from drums into a car.

“On the fateful day, one of his assistants switched on the electric pump to drain fuel for a client and there was a spark which set the premises alight,” said a source.

The Chronicle was told that Muzvidzva who was outside the shop, rushed inside intending to put out the fire to save his property. In the process a jerry can fell and spilt some petrol thereby fuelling the fire.

A crowd that had gathered watched helplessly as Muzvidzva was engulfed in fire while the two survivors bolted out to safety.

A businessman, Mr Evans Ncube from nearby premises rushed with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire in the shop but Muzvidzva had already been burnt.

“I wasn’t nearby and only heard noise. When I checked what was happening I saw fire and that’s when I rushed with a fire extinguisher. I only managed to extinguish the fire in the shop but could not save Muzvidzva as he was already burnt and was being rushed to hospital,” he said.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was yet to receive the report.

He, however, warned members of the public against hoarding fuel and keeping it in houses or shops as this is dangerous.- state media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By Own Correspondent| Anna Kwavakona held one of her one-year-old twin babies in her arms while her other children clutched to her dress as she stood in front of a tent shelter perched by the roadside on the outskirts of Bindura town along Mt Darwin highway.

Kuvakona was dressed shabbily and desperation was written all over her face.

Her clothes, apart from being a signature of time, were testimony of the distant relationship that has existed between the 24-year-old mother of four and water.

It was around 4pm and her face looked as if it was last scrubbed over a week ago and this is largely because of her family’s dire living conditions for the past three weeks.

Kuvakona’s face told a story of pain, neglect and dejection. She looked hungry and unable to bear the weight of her twin daughters, whose situation was as hopeless as hers.

“This one is called Kimberly and she has not been feeling well for some days. She has a running stomach and is very weak,” Kuvakona said, referring to the child in her arms.

“I think it is because of the water we are drinking, which is not safe. We fetch it from that well (pointing at a shallow and open well in a field just across the road). I am also having a challenge feeding them.”

The children looked underfed and scruffy – epitomising the hard realities that have confronted the family and 17 others since three weeks ago when they were thrown out of Claverhill North Farm, owned by Kingdom Community Church (KCC).

The families were dumped by the roadside by former Rushinga senator Damian Mumvuri (Zanu-PF), who says he is the new owner of the property.

“I have four children and I have asked a friend to temporarily take care of the other two,” Kuvakona said.

“My husband is not here, he has gone out to look for food. We do not have anything to eat.

“Our food was thrown away when we were chucked out of the farm. It was a nasty experience.”

The distraught mother nearly broke into tears as she narrated the harrowing experience at the hands of the police when they were violently evicted from the farm they had called their home all their lives.

“We are now living in the open, and we are in the rainy season. We were only given these tents by the district administrator two days ago. Imagine being in the open with these young children.”

Another villager, Conwell Matope (49), who is a father of six, said most of the villagers had been staying at the church-owned farm before Mumvuri “invaded” the property in 2005, armed with an offer letter from the government.

The families have been fighting Mumvuri’s seizure of the farm in the courts. Matope is an elder at the KCC.

The villagers claim the church, which employed most of them, owned the property, that they claim is now being leased to a white commercial farmer by the former Senator.

“The white man has been operating at the farm for the past three years,” Matope said.

“We were evicted by Mumvuri three weeks ago and dumped here. We don’t have water and we are using bush toilets. It is a matter of time before there is an outbreak of diseases.

“We have been exposed to rains and thank God that the children here (pointing to a one-month-old baby and a four-month-old baby in her teenage sister’s arms) are still alive, but I am sure it is only a matter of time.”

Matope said they had tried to get assistance from Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs minister Monica Mavhunga without any joy.

“She told us that there was nothing she could do if we are evicted from someone’s farm,” she said.

“We don’t have anywhere to go. We were born and grew up at this farm and we know no other home. (The minister) uses this road every day, but has done nothing to assist us.

“She should have found us another place to go to. It is painful, our ancestors’ graves are at the farm, and we cannot leave them just like that.

“But even if we are to go back to the farm today, there is no more shelter for us because they destroyed our houses.”

Simbarashe Chingoka, a member of the same church, weighed in, saying more families faced eviction from the farm.

“Only 18 families are here out of the 46 that were settled at the farm,” he said.

“Others are still there because Mumvuri ran out of money to throw them out.

“He said he was using the money he gets from leasing the farm to a white farmer to evict us.”

Chingoka added: “They used force and threw away our foodstuffs. We don’t have food right now. Our livestock was also left at the farm.”

Another victim, Estery Banda (45), whose husband is aged 61 and has worked for the church for the past 24 years, said she had been forced to abandone her aged mother at the farm.

“My mother was born in 1944. She is old and ailing and can’t walk anymore. She could not come with us because of her condition. We left her and asked a neighbour to look after her,” she said.

“For three weeks I have not seen her, I can’t go back there, it will mean trouble for me and my mother.

“Our children are no longer going to school. We don’t have the money. We don’t have the food.

“We are here and our husbands are having to move around the surrounding communities to look for work in exchange for food.

“It is almost sunset and we have not eaten anything since morning as we are waiting for the men to come back so that we have something.”

She added: “We no longer have anything, even our property was destroyed by the rains.

“We only got these tents from the DA yesterday (Wednesday) and he promised to take our problem to higher offices.

“Even our MP (Kennedy Musanhi) has never been here, we don’t know if he is not aware of our predicament.

“We thought the land reform programme was for all of us, but we were wrong, it is for the powerful.

“Mumvuri seized the farm from the church, which has been here for many years helping communities, and here we are now – living in the open.”

Mumvuri refused to comment on the matter, referring question to his lawyer Zvidzai Kajokoto.

Kajokoto said Mumvuri was allocated part of the farm by the government in 2006 and the disputes that arose after the allocation were settled by the courts.

He said the farm workers refused to work for the Zanu-PF politician and they had initially promised to relocate before they changed their position.

“The issue started in 2016 and in November 2017, we had a consent order that they signed with their lawyer, Mr Gumbo,” he said.

“They signed the judgment, but they do not want to move now. They are the ones who actually proposed that they would move out in August this year.”

Farm workers were some of the biggest victims of Zimbabwe’s chaotic land reform programme that displaced over 4 000 white farmers and destroyed the country’s once thriving agriculture sector.

The workers, many of them of foreign origin, were left homeless after the new land owners evicted them.-TheStandard

By A Correspondent| Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged preacher brother, Talent has been caught red handed communicating gross factual falsehoods from the Biblical passages.

In the below video (timeline 3minute), Talent Chiwenga who calls himself, Apostle Chiwenga says “John The Baptist did not baptise anybody.” Analyst and preacher, Howard Nyoni makes the below evidence layout-

A GROUP of political science students at the University of Zimbabwe has come up with a list of the 100 most influential persons in Zimbabwe for 2018.

The list is dominated by politicians, but also includes Zimbabweans in sports, media, business, civil society, music, religion among others. Guess who’s on number 1?

Here is the list: What do you make of the list?

2018 top 100 Zimbabwe’s Movers, Shakers, Finest and Most Influential People

100. Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo (Civil and Socioeconomic rights Activist)

99. Benard Manyenyeni (Former Harare Mayor)

98. Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa (Radio and TV talkshow host)

97. Prudence Mabhena (Musician)

96. Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC-T MP | Children and Women’s Rights Activist | Former Minister)

95. Happyson Nyasha Ncube (Politician | Pro- Democracy Activist) MHSRIP

94. Haru Mutasa (Broadcaster)

93. Nhlanhla Moyo – (Former Child President | Activist | Entrepreneur)

92. Evan Mawarire (Pastor| Pro-Democracy Activist)

91. Claris Madhuku (Youth and Environment Activist)

90. Lenin Tinashe Chisaira (Environmental Lawyer | Writer | Researcher & Activist

89. Prosper Ngomashi aka Comic Pastor (Comedian)

88. Yvonne Mangunda (Broadcaster)

87. Simba Mhuriro (Entrepreneur)

86. Soneni Thandeka Gwizi ( Broadcaster | Radio & TV Host | Disability Activist)

85. Farai Maguwu (Human Rights Defender)

84. Glanis Changachirere (Feminist | Human Rights and Democracy Activist | Founder of Institute of Young Women Development)

83. Oliver Mtukudzi (Musician)

82. Jessie Fungayi Majome (Lawyer | Former Harare West MDC-T MP)

81. Sally Dura-Ncube (Feminist and Human Rights Activist | Director at Womens Coalition of Zimbabwe)

80. Dumiso Dabengwa ( War Veteran | ZAPU President)

79.Jenny Williams (Human Rights Activist)

78. Briggs Bomba (Civic Rights Activist)

77. Cynthia Chirinda-Hakutangwi ( Motivational Speaker | Author | Pastor)

76. Albert Nyathi ( Musician | Writer | Poet)

75. Vongai Zimudzi ( Youngest Candidate in 2018 elections | Feminist | Politician)

74. Joice Mujuru ( Former Vice President of Zimbabwe | War Veteran | NPP President)

73. Sue Nyathi ( Author)

72. Jeys Marabini ( Musician)

71. Lewis Matutu (Politician | ZANU-PF Deputy Youth Chair)

70. Alex Tawanda Magaisa (Writer | Former Advisor to the late Former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai | Academic and Lecturer of Law)

69. Maud Chifamba ( Academic )

68. Nigel Mugamu (Journalist | Blogger)

67. Nomathemba Primrose Ndebele ( Fashion Entrepreneur |Women Developmentalist | Socialiate)

66. Genius Kadungure (Businessman | Socialiate)

65. Innocent Netanyahu ( Politician | ZIPP spokesperson | Activist)

64. Linda Muriro ( Journalist | Producer)

63. Vangelis Haritatos (Politician | Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement)

62. Nyasha Nhau (Human Rights Defender)

61. Lynnette Karenyi ( Politician | MDCA MP)

60. Rebecca Chisamba ( TV Talkshow Host)

59. Michael Mdladla Ndiweni (Vendors Trust Activist)

58. Janet Manyowa ( Gospel Musician)

57. Larry Kwirirai ( Blogger | Radio & TV Presenter | Writer)

56. Tafadzwa Goliath ( Passenger Rights Activist : Founder of Passenger Association of Zimbabwe)

55. Blessing Kasiyamhuru (ZIPP President | Businessman | Prophet)

54. Regai Tsunga ( Human Rights Defender | MDCA Mutasa South MP)

53. Victor Matemadanda ( War Veteran | Politician | Deputy Minister of Defence)

52. Walter Magaya (Prophet | Patriot)

51. Morgan Dube ( Civic Rights Activist | Chairperson of Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association)

50. Mable Chinomona ( War Veteran | Politician | Senate President)

49. Nyaradzo Francisca Nhongonhema (Stage and screen actress | Radio Host & Producer)

48. Mathias Mhere ( Gospel Musician)

47. Duduzile Nyirongo ( Pastor | Politician | Entrepreneur)

46. Samm Farai Monro aka Cde Fatso ( Comedian | Poet | Innovator | Activist)

45. Rodwell Chinyengetere ( Footballer)

44. Kirsty Leigh Coventry ( Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation | Athlete | Speaker)

43. Monica Mutsvangwa (Politician | Minister of Information & Publicity)

42. Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky Dee ( Musician)

41. Peter Ndlovu ( Former Zimbabwe Captain | Football Legend )

40. Joseph Chinotimba ( Politician | ZanuPF MP Buhera South | Farmer)

39. Marry Chiwenga ( Former Model & Patron of the Miss Zimbabwe Trust | 2nd Woman of Zimbabwe)

38. Alfred Dzirutwe ( Politician | MDC-T Youth Spokesperson)

37. Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah ( Musician)

36. Mthokozisi Ncube ( Political Activist | Bulawayo Youth Arise Director)

35. Nhire Sekuru Mutimbanepasi ( Herbalist | Researcher In African Culture & Traditions | Radio Personality |Artist)

34. Tsitsi Masiyiwa (African philanthropist | Social Entrepreneur )

33. Trevor Ncube ( Businessman | Media Mogul)

32. Godfrey Tsenengamu (Politician | ZanuPF Youth Commissar)

31. Barbara Rwodzi ( Politician | Pan-African Entrepreneur | Philanthropist | ZanuPF MP for Chirumanzu)

30. Lucia Matibenga ( Former Trade Unionist | Former Minister if Labour | PDP President)

29. Norman Mapeza ( Football Legend | FC Platinum Coach)

28. Heath Streak ( Former cricket player | coach)

27. Geneva Sibanda ( Politician | Businessman)

26. Gift Ostallos Siziba (Pan-African fundamentalist | Academic | Political Activist)

25. Zenzele Ndebele ( Artist | Entrepreneur | CITE Founder | Journalist)

24. Mqondisi Moyo (Mthwakazi Republic Party President)

23. Doug Coltart ( Human Rights Lawyer | Activist)

22. Obey Shava ( Lawyer | Theologian | Human Rights Defender)

21. Rev. Anglistone Sibanda (Reverend, Human Rights Defender and Shalom Trust Director)

20. Jestina Mukoko (Human rights activist and the Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project)

19. Pupurai Togarepi ( Politician | ZanuPF MP for Gutu South)

18. Happymore Chidziva ( Politician | MDCA MP for Highfield West | Human Rights Activist)

17. Joana Mamombe ( Politician | Former Student Leader | Youngest MP in the 9th Parliament| MDCA MP for Harare West)

16. Peter Mutasa (President of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions | General Secretary of Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union)

15. Noah Manyika ( BZA President | Pastor | Businessman | Founder of War on Poverty Trust)

14. Fadzayi Mahere ( Constitutional Lawyer | Law Lecturer | African Development Enthusiast)

13. Acie Lumumba (Politician | ZanuPF Activist | Media Personality)

12. Kuda Musasiwa (Musician, Hip-hop producer, Entrepreneur and Socialite)

11. Samantha Kureya aka Gonyeti ( Actress | Standup Comedian)

10. Beatrice Mtetwa ( Human Rights Lawyer)

9. Violet Gonda (Journalist | Radio Personality | Moderator)

8. Shingi Munyeza (Businessman | Pastor)

7. Abigail Mupambi (Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum National Coordinater : Social Justice Advocate)

6. Thokozani Khupe ( Former Deputy Prime Minister | MDC-T President | Founder of Thokozani Khupe Cancer Foundation)

5. Temba Mliswa (Politician | Independent MP for Norton | Farmer)

4. Tendai Biti (Politician | Lawyer | Former Finance Minister | MDCA MP for Harare East)

3. Linda Tsungirirai Masarira (Politician | MDC-T Spokesperson Radical Feminist | Human Rights Defender | Founder of Zimbabwe Women In Politics Alliance)

2. Emerson Mnangagwa (Politician | President of Zimbabwe)

1..Nelson Chamisa ( Politician | Former Minister of ICT | MDCA President)

Terrence Mawawa|Seasoned political analyst Jeffryson Chitando has challenged the city council to remove Robert Mugabe’s name from street corners in ancient city of Masvingo and erect the late Edison Jonasi Mudadirwa Zvobgo’ s statue in the city centre.

See below Chitando’s statement:
Masvingo City must erect a statue of Dr Edison Mudadirwa Zvobgo in the City.

Masvingo City must name streets in recognition of people like Dr Edison Mudadirwa Zvobgo, Prof E.Mukonoweshuro,Hamadziripi,Mukono,and other prominent political and social leaders of this province.

Great Zimbabwe University must name some of its schools after some prominent political and social leaders from this province for example Munhumutapa school of Heritage, Moderkai Hamutyinei School of Culture ,Dr Edison Mudadirwa Zvobgo School of law or Dr Simbi Mubako School of law ,Dr Simon Mazorodze School of Medicine,Engineer Chaimiti School of Local Government etc.

Mupandawana and Chiredzi Towns must as well be given the chance to honour some prominent political and social leaders from those area.

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed how his Zanu PF party has over the years shown to be out of touch with reality following his remarks that devolution had finally been embraced by citizens.

Unequal sharing of natural resources has always created a need for devolution especially in provinces such as Matebeleland and Manicaland but it appears Zanu PF was blind to their calls.

In his closing address at the 17th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, yesterday, President Mnangagwa said;

“I have been happily surprised by the reception and quick understanding of the concept of devolution and creation of provincial economies by our communities. We must work hard, with a renewed sense of urgency, to close the development gap between the urban and rural communities.

“The revitalisation of rural areas must be uttermost in our endeavours. The days of lopsided development must be a thing of the past. All our people are important to us, everybody must be on board, no one must be left behind,” said President Mnangagwa.

“The prosperity we seek to achieve by 2030 must be for all our people in very corner of the country. Our desire for better and more modern roads, schools, health facilities must be realised across the entire country. As we are determined to modernise, build and industrialise our beloved country, no one should be left behind.”

President Mnangagwa said conference resolutions would help his Government better serve people’s needs.

“We value all the constructive contributions, with regards to all the sub-sectors of the economy; agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, energy, ICTs and social services.

“As conference has directed, we will accelerate the various strategies that will lead to the modernisation of our agriculture sector and ultimately increased production and productivity,” said President Mnangagwa.

He called on the ruling party to be at the forefront of communicating the development agenda and the actual work done to improve livelihoods.

“The relevant departments of the party must play a central role in publicising our policies, programmes and reform measures to allow for the tracking of progress, monitoring and evaluation by the people,” he said.

Zanu-PF’s economy-focused conference, which ended here yesterday, has sent a loud message that the ruling party is “boldly on the move”, First Secretary and President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

In his rousing closing remarks at the party’s 17th Annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, which was themed “Zimbabwe is open for business: Peace, unity towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030”, Cde Mnangagwa declared that Zanu-PF was unstoppable in its quest to deliver better livelihoods.

To huge cheers, Cde Mnangagwa — who is the Head of State and Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Forces — said: “Here is the message from Esigodini. Those who have ears listen, those with eyes see: Zanu-PF is boldly on the move.

“We have an appointment with our destiny and we will not miss our destiny. Zanu-PF will not be distracted or destroyed, it will prosper.

“Prosperity for our beloved country and a better quality of life of our people is inevitable and it is us who must achieve it.

“Musangano wedu, Zanu-PF, wava kufamba senzou. Ucharamba uchiongofamba, uchingofamba, unchingofamba.

“Hapana unoumisa; tinoziva kwatinoda kuinda; tichafamba, tigongofamba tichingofamba vanovukura vachingovukura.”

Cde Mnangagwa said the resolutions adopted by the Conference marked a new era of implementation and development.

“All the resolutions were unequivocal and will certainly strengthen and consolidate the correct line as well as our desire to grow and modernise or revolutionary mass party,” he said.

“Zvisungo zvataita zvose hapana chatawana chatigozhera. These will further stand as a guiding beacon as we implement our polices and programmes in the coming year. Zvisungo izvi uchava mwenje watichatevera tichienda mberi.

“The spirit of unity, love, loyalty, cooperation and discipline within the party, must remain the solid foundation upon which our structures are build and strengthened.”

Added Cde Mnangagwa: “Party leaders and members alike should continuously and consistently concern themselves with the state of the party and seek to improve it always.

“Hard work, integrity, unity of purpose, honesty, sensitivity to the plight of our people regardless of social status must be synonymous with the party line.”

The ruling party’s President and First Secretary urged Conference delegates — who numbered in the thousands — to share their fruitful deliberations with their constituencies so as to galvanise Zanu-PF’s momentum.

“As we close our Conference, allow me once again to thank you for the commitment, discipline and focus which has characterised this conference,” he said.

“This is the nature and character of true cadres of a true revolutionary party.

“As you go to back to your respective provinces, I wish you safe travels and ability to disseminate the decisions we have made at this defining 17th National People’s Conference.”

-State Media

Traditional leaders have applauded First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa for taking a leading role in ensuring citizens have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

On the sidelines of the 2018 World Aids Day Celebrations in Glendale yesterday, Mazowe district Paramount Chief Makope (Mr Jacob Mapirinjanja) said the First Lady was showing her dedication to improved health for the disadvantaged.

He said traditional leaders would assist her efforts, as well as Government programmes aimed at improving the health delivery.

“As traditional leaders, we are happy over the manner in which the First Lady is showing love for Zimbabweans. The previous First Lady did not have such a caring heart,” he said. “We have observed how she has taken time to visit our hospitals to appreciate how patients are being treated.”

Chief Makope said traditional leaders had a big role to play in the fight against HIV and Aids.

“We, traditional leaders, will work with the Government and other stakeholders such as the National AIDS Council and the Dreams Programme so as to fight HIV and Aids until we achieve our target to rid of the disease totally by 2030,” said Chief Makope.

“The programmes that are being implemented by NAC in the district are showing positive signs as we are witnessing a decrease of HIV in the District.”

The Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (Dreams) Project seeks to reduce HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in 10 African countries.

Mashonaland Central is characterised by farming and mining activities, with many people living in compounds where there are high incidences of STIs and HIV.

Mashonaland Central Provincial Chief’s Council Chair Senator Clemence Nembire (Chief Nembire) called on Zimbabweans to shun immoral sexual behaviour to curb the spread of HIV.

He hailed the First Lady’s health initiatives, adding: “Amai Mnangagwa is doing good because she is always on the ground taking a leading role. She hardly has time to rest and is always on the go attending to various issues for the betterment of our people’s lives.”

-State Media

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has put in place a viable plan to turn around Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said, but called on the country to quickly clear its foreign arrears first.

The IMF said it was in talks with Zimbabwe to start monitoring the country’s programmes.

If Zimbabwe secures the deal to enter the so-called staff monitored programme, it would mark a major step towards normalising relations with the IMF, which suspended its voting rights in 2003 over policy differences with ex-president Robert Mugabe and non-payment of arrears.

“IMF staff is currently discussing with Zimbabwe the policies that might become the staff monitored programme which would aim to assist with fiscal consolidation and the reform agenda,” spokesperson Gerry Rice told a regular IMF media briefing on Friday.

“We think the policies, to answer the question, the policies of the new administration under the Zimbabwe transition and stabilisation programme, do constitute a comprehensive stabilisation and reform effort in order to address Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic situation.

“And, you know, we see it as a fairly ambitious programme that the authorities have requested the staff monitored programme.

“I’m differentiating that from an IMF financial programme which, of course, discussion of that, as we’ve said here before, would require the clearance of arrears by Zimbabwe to the other international financial institutions as well as an agreement with official bilateral creditors.

“So, we are looking at a staff monitored programme, but not at this point, the full financial programme for the reasons I just mentioned. …”

Zimbabwe faces a daunting challenge to clear at least $1,8 billion in arrears to the World Bank and African Development Bank before it can start accessing IMF foreign credit, especially for the private sector as well as foreign direct investment.

Mnangagwa has promised to revive the economy, pay foreign debts that the country has defaulted on since 1999 and end the international pariah status that Zimbabwe acquired under Mugabe’s nearly four-decade despotic rule.

But the economy remains in crisis with an acute shortage of cash, fuel, other basic goods, the collapse in the value of the country’s parallel “bond note” currency and many businesses struggling to operate.

Paying debt arrears could potentially open access to financing from the IMF, World Bank and other development institutions, but the United States, which is the bank and fund’s largest member country is an obstacle.

It still maintains sanctions on Harare and is unlikely to support financing for Zimbabwe until the new government makes progress on reforms, including changing laws restricting media freedom and anti-government protests.

At the heart of its economic problems is a $17 billion domestic and foreign debt, a $1,8 billion trade deficit that has worsened dollar shortages and lack of confidence in the ruling party by citizens still traumatised by hyperinflation.

The economic crunch is increasing political tension after a July vote that was supposed to lay the foundation for Zimbabwe’s recovery was instead followed by turmoil that left six people dead after an army crackdown.

The latest crisis was triggered by fiscal and monetary changes announced in October including a 2 percent tax on money transfers and separation of cash dollars and foreign inflows from bond notes and electronic dollars, that caused the collapse of the surrogate currency on the black market.

— DailyNews

Terrence Mawawa|Doctors at public health institutions have been on
strike since December 1 this year.

The doctors have decried poor working conditions were they have been forced to improvise for them
to attend to patients.

In an interview with ZimLive, Prince Butau, the treasurer of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said:”
People are dying under our watch. As
doctors, we’re also not psychologically in a good place because of the effects of the economy including price hikes
and fuel shortages.

There’s no personal protective
equipment. Sometimes we’re forced to wear condoms when checking
patients. Doctors are asking, until when shall we continue practising bush medicine?”

The doctors have since dropped one of their key demands, to be paid in United States dollars. They have, however, insisted that their RTGS
salaries should be commensurate with the cost of living.

THE Zanu-PF 17th Annual National Peoples Conference which ended at Esigodini yesterday came up with a number of resolutions among them that President Mnangagwa is the sole party’s candidate for the 2023 elections and that the revolutionary party has zero tolerance to corruption.

Reading the consolidated resolutions at the end of the conference, Politburo member, Advocate Jacob Mudenda said the party was behind President Mnangagwa.

“All wings reaffirm that the President and First Secretary of the party, Cde Mnangagwa be the sole candidate for the 2023 harmonised elections. All structures will start preparations for the 2023 harmonised elections immediately,” said Adv Mudenda.

He said the nation was not going to tolerate any form of corruption or divisive elements.

“The party and Government adopt zero tolerance to corruption in the public and private sector. The party upholds the spirit of unity by putting in place deterrent penalties for perpetrators of factionalism, tribalism, regionalism and similar vices that seek to advance the individual’s interests at the expense of the unity of the party,” said Adv Mudenda.

The party also noted that its supremacy over Government should be effectively practised whereby it directs Government policies and programmes at central and provincial levels in the context of devolution.

Adv Mudenda also said the party should have completed its restructuring by 2019 from cell up to provincial organs and that prior to the restructuring exercise the issuance of electronic party cards should have been decentralised to provinces.

The party also reaffirmed its position on the involvement of the youth in its activities through attractive packages for the youth.

“The party must also create innovative and relevant mobilisation strategies to attract the youth to join the Youth League as well as to encourage young organisations including professionals and other interest groups to affiliate with Zanu-PF and the youth wing,” said Adv Mudenda.

The National Youth Programme would also be re-launched in the first quarter of 2019.

Party members were also told to be knowledgeable about the provisions for the party Constitution and adhere to them. It was resolved that the Legal Affairs Department translates the party’s Constitution to all indigenous languages and that all party members be taught the Zanu-PF Constitution.

In terms of official party communication, the spokesperson of the party is the one mandated to speak on behalf of the party.

“All communication protocol and channels be strictly adhered to by all party members and that the spokesperson of the party always be the Secretary for Information and Publicity. The Secretary must create a unit to propagate the party’s propaganda through all social media platforms,” read Adv Mudenda.

The conference also resolved that the existing party investments be audited in order to find out their viability and their contribution to the party coffers.

The party will also vigorously pursue additional investment opportunities to expand and diversify its revenue streams.

Adv Mudenda announced that the National Constitution be amended to extend the term of parliamentary women’s quota until a considerable level of empowerment has been reached.

There was also a resolution to hold the People’s Conference before the rainy season and budget presentation in Parliament in order to allow the party to have some input into the budget process.

Under the food security cluster, the Government was urged to modernise all existing irrigation infrastructure and develop new ones in order to utilise all water bodies existing to increase agricultural activities in the country.

The criteria of Command Livestock beneficiaries would be revised as it is said to segregate the underprivileged.

Adv Mudenda added that agricultural inputs were to reach beneficiaries timeously and that vulnerable communities benefit.

The Government pledged to implement the recommendations of the Land Commission on Land Tenure farm size and illegal occupation and allocation of land in forest estates particularly.

The Government was also urged to monitor the implementation of Vision 2030 and create an enabling environment including the ease of doing business for the development of the country.

Delegates agreed that the Government must review the tax system which is said to be punitive and that banks give meaningful interest on deposits accounts and avoid astronomical bank charges.

The Government was also tasked to intervene on the three-tier pricing system and decisively deal with economic malpractices being witnessed by coming up with thorough investigations and prosecution of perpetrators.

On the issue of social services, the Government was implored to have a special plan for students with disabilities and to stop the increase of tuition fees for tertiary institutions.

The revival of the National Railways of Zimbabwe and the airport was also noted to be of great importance to infrastructure development.

The Government was further urged to continue engaging and re-engaging the private sector, civil society and international financial institutions and the international community at large.

The party resolves to continue recognising war veterans and to set up war museums and construct other monuments as well as improve the welfare of the former freedom fighters. It was resolved that those that did not get land should benefit.

The Zanu-PF Constitution would be aligned to the national Constitution to allow 50-50 representation in party positions by 2030.

State Media

DELTA Corporation Limited, Zimbabwe’s largest beverage marker, is making frantic efforts to ensure the availability of all its assortment of lager beers in the wake of the prevailing foreign currency shortages to import packaging material.

In an exclusive interview with Sunday News Business, after the commissioning of a $260 000 upgrade of a road junction that links its Fairbridge Chibuku Super plant with the Harare-Bulawayo Highway, Delta Corporation general manager — Lager Beer Business Dr Munyaradzi Nyandoro said unreliable foreign currency availability for the procurement of glass package was threatening production of its selected beer brands.

“We have one way glass. For some of our brands, which we put on what we call dumpies (disposable bottles), that’s a huge import bill. We get that from South Africa. You know your Castle Lite and others, so that’s a challenge because you know foreign currency is not easy to come by.

We spend about $12 million a year, which is quite something. We have obviously been running credits with our suppliers but they will obviously need to be paid at sometime, so if we don’t get support unfortunately it might mean that some brands might run out from time to time, as we depend on the formal channels to get forex, which is the RBZ or the banks themselves, but we will try ways of creating forex,” said Dr Nyandoro.

He, however, said there were little problems with regards to the availability of non-disposable bottles.

“A lot of our glass is returnable and so we take it from the bucket and then we wash it and then we package, that’s about 80 percent of our business for Lagers,” said Dr Nyandoro.

Delta needs between $60 million to $75 million to meet foreign obligations annually for procurement of various strategic raw materials and has been struggling to get that allocation from the central bank. Dr Nyandoro said the shortage faced three months ago was due to temporal unavailability of the appropriate barley for beer manufacturing.

“I do know that we ran out of barley in September. So we used new barley, which is always difficult to process so that was constraining in the factory. It’s a phenomenon called dormancy. You have to allow the grain about two-three months if you want it to perform maximally, otherwise you would be lengthening its processing time and also even in the brewing process so that was the main thing in September and October but now we are out of it and our plants are working 24/7 at maximum capacity,” he said.

Dr Nyandoro said production on the Lager business was at maximum capacity with the company producing 200 000 hectolitres per month, an equivalent of 20 million litres of beer a month. He allayed any fears of shortage of glass-bottled beer during the festive season.

“On the Lager side we are fully maxed at maximum capacity, there has been an upsurge in demand and we intend to invest again in expanding capacity. We have sufficient barley next season as you know barley is locally grown, we run contracts for barley so we are trying our best to ensure people have a good Christmas. We can’t say we will provide everything but I think people would have a good cheer over Christmas for Lagers,” Dr Nyandoro said.

He said due to an upsurge in demand for its Lagers, the company has made plans to set up an additional packaging time at its Harare plant.

State Media

Correspondent|A TAXI driver from Gweru was allegedly kidnapped, robbed and brutally killed before his body was dumped in a dam with his hands and legs tied with an electric cable.

It is understood that Phillip Kuzorahunye (27) of Mkoba 5 high-density suburb was on Monday last week kidnapped, robbed and killed by unknown assailants who had allegedly hired him.

His body was later discovered after three days floating in Zaloba Dam on the outskirts of Gweru.

His father Mr Solomon Kuzorahunye told the police that on the said date, at around 7pm, Phillip, who operated a taxi, left home and went to town to look for clients.

It is alleged that while in town he was hired by unknown people and did not return home. Mr Kuzorahunye reported him as missing at Gweru Central Police Station.

“It is alleged that Phillip had a Honda Fit which he used as a taxi. He left home at around 7pm and went to town where he was hired by unknown people.

“Those people allegedly kidnapped, robbed and murdered him before dumping his body in a dam.

“When Phillip did not return home, his father Mr Kuzorahunye reported the matter to the police,” said a police source.

The source added that Phillip’s body was later discovered on Monday evening floating in Zaloba Dam on the outskirts of Gweru by two boys who were playing near the water body.

“On December 10, at around 5pm Phillip’s body was discovered floating in Zaloba Dam by two boys.

“The lads then informed one of the villagers who then reported the matter to Gweru Rural Police Station.

Phillip’s father came and positively identified the body as that of his son.

The body had bruises all over and his hands and legs were tied with an electric cable.

The body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem,” said the source.

Efforts to get a comment from police were fruitless as Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko was said to be out of office.

GOVERNMENT has dispatched five aviation experts to Texas, the United States of America, where they are understood to be inspecting three Embraer E145 aircraft purchased by national airliner, Air Zimbabwe, as it seeks to breathe life into the flag carriers’ comatose operations.

Nitty-gritties of the transaction could not be established by the time of going to print, but The Sunday Mail Business has gathered that two Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) airworthiness inspectors are currently in Texas reviewing paperwork and making a few checks on the aircraft before certifying them fit for delivery to Harare, potentially before the end of the first quarter of 2019.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Engineer Joel Biggie Matiza confirmed the developments last Friday but could not give more details.

“Yes, yes, they (Air Zimbabwe and Caaz officials) are there (in the US). We want to bring our aircraft; they are 180- seater (planes). I will call you later am in a meeting,” said Eng Matiza.

A Caaz source could not provide details of the transaction but intimated that a deal was in the works.

“I am not in office at the moment, why don’t you call the CEO (Mr David Chaota)? I don’t think it’s an issue he might not respond to” said the source.

Mr Chaota could not be reached for comment as he was reportedly in a meeting.

An official who answered his mobile, a P Govere, requested for questions in writing, which had not been responded to by the time of going to print.

A highly placed source at Air Zimbabwe, who declined to be named as he is not authorised to talk to the Press, confirmed that the parastatal had acquired three planes from the US.

“Yes, the planes have been acquired. I am surprised you only mention that there are two officials from Caaz who are in Texas, we also sent two or three.”

Pressed to reveal the cost and size of the aircraft, the source referred further questions to Air Zimbabwe administrator Mr Reggie Saruchera.

When contacted for comment, Mr Saruchera appeared to be in the dark over the deal but asked for questions in writing to be sent through Air Zimbabwe’s manager (for) corporate services, Mr Tafadzwa Mazonde.

The questions had not been responded to by the time of going to print.

Embraer SA is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate which makes commercial, military, executive and agricultural aircraft and provides aeronautical services.

It is headquartered in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and is the third-largest producer of civil aircraft, after Boeing and Airbus.

Experts say for Air Zimbabwe to fully recover, it requires smaller aircraft that carry about 50 people so that they ply regional and domestic routes and eventually move to international routes.

Air Zimbabwe, which is saddled with a massive legacy debt of about US$334 million, requires sound management if it is to become a profit-making entity.

State Media

FOUR men believed to be part of an organised syndicate of seven that robbed a Chinese mining company of more than seven kilogrammes of gold after masquerading as police officers and setting up a roadblock have appeared before a Kwekwe magistrate facing robbery charges.

The four, Munyaradzi Guruve (36), Tatenda Chiposi (29), Admire Rusmas Shereni (36) and Yosia Yose (35) were all arraigned before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster after they masqueraded as members of the uniformed forces and mounted a fake roadblock where they stole the gold belonging to Ching Chang Mining Company.

The four, in the company of three others who are still at large, allegedly wore Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) uniforms before mounting the roadblock along Kwekwe-Gokwe Highway which they used to stop the vehicle that was carrying the gold to Harare and robbing the mine vehicle of 7,681 kilogrammes of smelted gold.

The four, who were represented by Mr Wisdom Mehlo of Mugabe, Mehlo and Partners Legal Practitioners, were granted $300 bail each and will return to court on 20 December.

The State led by Mr Divine Chakombera had consented to the granting of bail to Shereni who was driving the car but had conspired with the robbers while the others remain in custody, but Mr Mehlo said the accused persons should be treated equally.

Mr Mehlo argued that all the four, and not Shereni alone, had been over-detained hence they all deserve their freedom which the magistrate agreed to.

In granting bail, Mr Sangster ordered the four accused to continue residing at their given addresses and report once every week at their nearest police stations.

Mr Chakombera told the court that, on 30 November around 7.40am, Guruve, Chiposi and Yose together with three others, Shepherd Gweshe, a Clayton and a Dadi who are still at large, hatched a plan with Shereni, who works at Ching Chang Mining to rob the company of gold ore.

Guruve, Chiposi, Yose and the other three accused then wore ZRP and army camouflages before they proceeded to the five-kilometre peg along the Kwekwe-Gokwe Highway where they mounted a makeshift roadblock.

Shereni, who was driving the complainant, Mr Jiao Guohao carrying the smelted gold ore destined for Harare, flashed three times as he approached the roadblock to alert the other accused that he was approaching. The accused manning the roadblock then flagged down the vehicle to stop.

As Shereni stopped the vehicle, the other accused took a pepper spray chemical which they used to spray Mr Jiao and the security guard, leaving out Shereni.

They then took a back pack which contained four bars of smelted gold and drove off in the vehicle, leaving the complainant stranded.

They were later arrested by police detectives at their respective homes in Chitungwiza, Mount Darwin and Shamva.

State Media

Correspondent|THE Civil Service Commission has initiated the process of retiring the 3384 Youth Officers.

They will be given their full retirement benefits and post-retirement opportunities such as vocational training and access to empowerment programmes, the government has announced.

In a statement issued by Public Service Commission Secretary, Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe, some of the empowerment options available to the retired youths include access to loans and business start-up finance.

He however emphasized that these empowerment will be driven by demand, and those willing to take up opportunities should approach Kirsty Coventry’s ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation district offices.

The measures were announced by the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube while presenting the 2019 budget statement on 22 November.

Each of the former National Youth Service graduates was getting $446 in basic income and other monthly benefits.

Former Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa intended to fire these youths officers popularyly know as Green Bombers in January 2018, but government shelved the idea apparently for fear of becoming unpopular ahead of the July 30 elections.

By Farai D Hove| There was drama when one of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s angry critics, the Progressive Teachers Union leader, Raymond Majongwe was asked to consider stepping down and handing over to a younger leader and he replied on Twitter saying,

“Elect a new husband at your house and move on to another house ikokoBye.”

Many allege that Majongwe is no different to Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and other old leaders who refuse to step down to the younger generation and below were some of the live reactions:

Zimbabwe is cursed. We have these Majongwez, Madhukuz, had Tsvangirai, Mgabe, Madzivire (AFM church), Madawo (AFM church), Army generals who would hang in there like all self proclaimed reformists but who cannot entertain succession.

— Cde Jerrycan Maikoniwa (@progressivezim) December 15, 2018

Elect a new husband at your house and move on to another house ikokoBye

— Raymond Majongwe (@RMajongwe) December 16, 2018

Useless reply

— Godphrey Chibaya (@GodphreyC) December 16, 2018

Correspondent|JENNY Hunzvi, the wife of the late war veterans leader Chenjerai “Hitler” Hunzvi, has died.

News of her passing on was announced by Zanu-PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri yesterday during the close of the party’s 17th Annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini.

“I have been asked to make an announcement; a very sad announcement. But that is how God works and we have to accept it as it is.

“Yesterday we lost the wife to a national hero who is interred at the Heroes Acre, Chenjerai Hunzvi,” said Muchunguri-Kashiri.

“She passed on yesterday while we were here. We have been advised that she has been declared a provincial hero and she will be buried on the 18th. So for those who can travel to Mashonaland East, they can do so and mourn with others.”

Chenjerai Hunzvi was chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and was a key figure in the chaotic Fast-Track Land Reform programme of the early 2000’s.

Chejerai Hunzvi died on 4 June 2001.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jenny Hunzvi as been declared a provincial heroine by the ruling party.

She will be buried at the Mashonaland East Provincial Heroes Acre on Tuesday.