Zimbabwe’s Attorney-General and the government’s principal legal adviser, Prince Machaya, yesterday threw President Emmerson Mnangagwa under the bus when he told the commission of inquiry into the August 1 post-election violence that it could only have been the President who deployed gun-totting soldiers onto the streets of Harare that allegedly ended up killing six civilians.

Giving evidence before the commission, which is chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, Machaya said in line with the Constitution, even if read with other laws, the Defence minister cannot deploy soldiers without a direct order from the President.

“My understanding of this provision in relation to provisions of 213 of the Constitution is that the two provisions should be read in a complimentary sense, in that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the [Public Order and Security Act] Posa being an Act of Parliament should be read subject to the provisions of the Constitution, if the provisions of Posa are read in isolation to the Constitution they give an impression that the Minister of Defence is the ultimate authority in the deployment of the army,” he said.

“The Minister of Defence will always be aware of the provisions of the Constitution, which stipulate how the deployment of the army is carried out, so there is not likely to be any confusion in his mind as to the nature of the authority that is required, which is that only the President can deploy the army.”

Machaya also noted that soldiers deployed to quell internal strife were supposed to be subject to the control and command of the police, and not subject to any military command.

The National Reaction Force, which responded to the police request, according to testimony presented to the commission, unleashed 62 soldiers brandishing AK-47 assault rifles to subdue demonstrations, and did not submit to the command of the police, but received their orders direct, from Presidential Guard commander Brigadier General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe.

Sanyatwe told the commission last week that he took his orders from the Joint Operations Command (JOC).

The military allegedly killed six people, while another was trampled to death during the melee that followed the shootings, as people sought to escape the mayhem, with scores left nursing bullet wounds.

The Motlanthe commission is, among other issues, supposed to establish who was behind the violent demonstrations and the circumstances under which the military got involved.

Sanyatwe told the commission that his soldiers did not shoot at protesters and speculated that civilians could have been shot by pistols by the militarised youth wing of the opposition MDC, the Vanguard, before soldiers arrived on the scene.

But the MDC denied the claims, saying the Vanguard was disbanded early this year and that it was not militarised.

Maynard Manyowa, a journalist who gave evidence, however, said he saw one person who was shot dead after members of the military had already been deployed.

He, however, said at the time of the shooting, he did not see any soldiers nearby.

Manyowa said soldiers came in when protesters had turned violent and had disabled the police anti-riot water canon tank with one blow of a brick launched by a protester.

“Two gentlemen launched bricks towards the police water canon and hit the muzzle, when they hit the muzzle, the water canon immediately flooded, and that caused water leakages near the gate,” he said.

Simeon Chipokosa, a 19-year-old teenager who was shot in the leg while fleeing from soldiers who had ordered them to disembark from a commuter omnibus along with his mother, recounted his ordeal to the commission.

He said he still had a bullet lodged in his leg and it was not clear if it would be possible for the bullet to be removed.

Presenting evidence before the commission, human rights lawyer Mordecai Mahlangu of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, said the organisation was worried about the setting up of the commission to investigate purely criminal matters, which should have been dealt with through crime courts.

Mahlangu also noted that given the circumstantial evidence presented before the commission, it would be safe to conclude that members of the army shot and killed unarmed civilians on the streets of Harare.

The hearings continue on Monday, when MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and his party’s national vice-chairman Tendai Biti are expected to appear before the commission.

-Newsday

A HARARE businessman, one of the shareholders of Augur Investments that won a tender to construct Airport Road, appeared in court yesterday facing fraud allegations after he mortgaged City of Harare land to NMB Bank for a $1,5 million loan before it was repossessed.

Michael Van Blerk (59) was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded him in custody to November 30, pending finalisation of investigations. Allegations are that on June 22, 2007, the City of Harare and Augur Investments entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of Hopley Commercial Area (Mbudzi Project), provision and development of middle housing and construction of a hotel at Mabelreign Golf Course and Mukuvisi Phase 1. It is alleged in terms of the MoU the parties formed a joint venture company, Sunshine Development (Private) Ltd, as the special purpose vehicle.

The MoU stipulated that Augur Investments was to provide funding for procurement of materials, equipment and working capital constituting 70% shareholding, while the City of Harare would provide land constituting 30% of shareholding. The State alleges council processed all the documentation for the project and transferred land to Sunshine Development (Private) Ltd as per agreement.

Blerk and his accomplices, who are still at large, had misrepresented to the City of Harare that they had the 70% capital for the project. It is alleged Blerk and his accomplices, unlawfully took title deeds for the land measuring 6 160 hectares transferred by Harare to Sunshine and misrepresented to NMB Bank that they had a board resolution to acquire a mortgage bond for $1,5 million to fund the Mbudzi Project. It is alleged when Blerk and accomplices made this misrepresentation they knew that the title deeds belonged to Sunshine Development (Private) Ltd and had no authority from shareholders to use the deeds as surety.

Blerk and accomplices failed to service the loan resulting in the land being transferred to NMB, again without the knowledge of City of Harare, thereby prejudicing Harare of $1,5 million and nothing was recovered. Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.

-Newsday

ZIMBABWE’S surrogate bond note currency will continue to circulate as Treasury says it will maintain the 1:1 parity between local money and the greenback. This is despite the disparity in exchange rate that has wreaked havoc in the economy and is largely responsible for the wanton price hikes.

According to most analysts, clarity on the currency was the most pressing issue that Finance minister Mthuli Ncube had to address as the status quo gave birth to multiple pricing of goods and services as producers sought to leverage against possible devaluation.

United Kingdom-based financial services firm, Fitch Solutions warned prior to the budget that as long as the current currency regime remained, “constraints including higher-than-reported levels of inflation and businesses’ inability to access imports would constrain economic activity.”

This was due to the fact that local currency in the form of electronic money and bond notes was not adequately being ring-fenced by actual foreign currency.

“From this multi-currency basket, the US dollar is our reference currency, also applying to the 2019 National Budget. Government commits to preserving the value of money balances on the current rate of exchange of 1 to 1, in order to protect people’s savings and balance sheets,” Ncube said in his maiden National Budget for 2019 presented in Parliament yesterday.

Typically, countries that use the US dollar such as Ecuador and Panama enjoy significant amounts of trading with the United States.

Zimbabwe’s trade with the United States is low, but enjoys an over $2 billion worth of annual trading with South Africa, leading to many analysts asking the government to consider using the rand as the anchor currency.

“Going forward, the objective is to build foreign reserves and credit lines, as part of the strategy for the value preservation objective. Furthermore, it is important to note that, this value preservation arrangement is hinged on consistent implementation of prudent fiscal and monetary policies, as well as disciplined market conduct by all economic agents as espoused in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme,” Ncube said.

“There has been an upsurge in inflationary pressures during the third quarter of the year. This has been driven mainly by food prices which were responding to rising parallel exchange premiums, panic buying and artificial shortages.

“The upsurge in inflation is, however, a phenomenon arising from fiscal imbalances that have fuelled money supply.”

Ncube said the increased supply of goods following the scraping of Statutory Instrument 122 that regulated the importation of over 40 goods, would see stability in the foreign exchange market.

Treasury expects to build enough foreign currency reserves that will see the annual inflation drop to 5% by the end of 2019.

But Zimbabwe is not generating significant foreign currency earnings, leaving the central bank unable to meet demand from an import-oriented market.

“As macro-fiscal consolidation progresses, government will establish a strong inclusive framework, through an interim foreign currency allocation committee, with broader representation as was the case in the past,” Ncube said.

He, however, said government will gradually exit from exchange controls to market-based mechanisms that promote efficiency in foreign currency allocation.

 

THE Gukuruahundi massacres yesterday dominated deliberations at the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) symposium currently taking place in Bulawayo, with participants accusing the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) of shutting out the victims.

Participants at the three-day symposium expressed concern at the delay in resolving the issue, saying there were more talk shows on transitional justice that were not accompanied by action to bring closure to past human rights violations.

The participants lamented failure by those leading national healing efforts to include the victims in deliberations, showing a lack of commitment to bringing out the truth.

Human rights groups say as many as 20 000 civilians were killed between 1983 and 1987 when former President Robert Mugabe, who then was Prime Minister, deployed the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade in a crackdown against dissidents in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.

The issue has remained thorny in local politics, with government refusing to acknowledge the massacres until Mugabe described them as a “moment of madness” in a speech at the Brethren In Christ Church in Bulawayo in late 1999.

Gukurahundi was the name given to the Fifth Brigade by Mugabe when he announced its formation and has become the synonym for the massacres.

Zapu secretary-general Strike Mnkhandla said while he welcomed efforts made by the NPRC, a constitutional body mandated to look into past human rights violations and the non-governmental organisations lobbying for justice, he was concerned by the lack of action to put the Gukurahundi matter to finality.

“There has been much talking and no action. The talks are massaging the egos of the perpetrators. More should be done; we are here talking about national healing, but the people who were most affected are out there,” Mnkhandla said.

“It is the victim who should suggest what they think should be done to get healed. We cannot impose a solution to the victim, whether they want reparations, an apology, it is for them to say. Our approach should be focused not only on truth telling, but truth seeking.”

A former Zipra combatant, one Colonel Magwizi said: “We are not including the victims in discourse, but it should be known that the problem of Gukurahundi is inter-generational. Our children will continue to say what we are saying today.”

Historian Pathisa Nyati and former MDC legislator David Coltart shared a similar view, saying the failure to make in-roads in resolving the Gukurahundi issue was a result of failure by programmes to be all inclusive and embrace the victims.

“There are some people who are violent entrepreneurs. They benefit from violence. There is need to involve the victims and get what they want in order to bring closure to their pain,” Nyathi said.

However, the NPRC chairperson, Retired Justice Sello Nare said his commission, though limited by funding, would establish an office in Bulawayo to collect testimonies from the victims and map a way forward.

“We have heard your concerns and we are going to establish an office here to make sure all the victims’ concerns are forwarded and become known,” Justice Nare said.

Earlier, NPRC commissioner Choice Ndoro said the commission was looking at the history of past violations from the Mapungubwe era because there was a pattern in the violence. She said the commission, now supported by political will from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, will present the people with an opportunity to know what happened in the past.

“Reconciliation requires truth telling and should be victim-centred. We will also be gathering the truth. Zimbabwe has a long history of structural violence and the opportunity is now for people to look into it and move forward,” Ndoro said.

But MDC Alliance legislator Innocent Gonese (Mutare Central) said there was need to examine if there was the political will to resolve past violence, citing political sponsoring of conflicts experienced during the Copac constitution-making process ahead of the 2013 elections and the violence that rocked the collection of information for the Human Rights Bill.

Oto Saki, a human rights lawyer, said there was need for a transitional justice policy that spells how past violations should be dealt with, and if there are to be prosecutions, who should lead them and how. The symposium is being held under the theme: Never Again.

– NewsDay

FORMER Trust Bank director Christopher Goromonzi lost his plush Johannesburg home after it was auctioned to offset a reported $4,5 million debt he owes a South African bank, it has been learnt.

Goromonzi, one of the crusading black bankers who invaded Zimbabwe’s financial services sector in the mid-90s had his double-storey house in Bryanston, Johannesburg auctioned.

Auctioneers Michael James Organisation, in a notice in a South African newspaper recently, said it had power of attorney to “submit for public auction” Goromonzi’s house “under case number 26658/2016”.

The 1 283m², five-bedroomed freehold property comprising a swimming pool, “in a secure estate” was set to be auctioned on September 19th 2018. It could not be established whether the auction went through.

Goromonzi joins another businessman James Makamba, who has strong Zanu PF ties, to lose his home in South Africa.

Makamba’s multi-million rand Sandhurst home is set to go under the hammer on November 29 following a court order early this year.

Makamba’s 1 650m² “Villa Royale” – property set in expansive grounds of nearly 2 300m² – is described by the auction house as “an elegant Sandhurst mansion with sweeping colonnades‚ open air parking for nearly two dozen vehicles‚ a regal porte-cochere covered entrance and sculpted dolphins dancing at the far end of the sparkling swimming pool”.

The business mogul reportedly owes South African bank, Absa which now wants to recover the $4,5 million (nearby R63m) debt.

The debt according to reports stems from mortgage‚ credit card and vehicle financing accounts the businessman opened with Absa’s wealth unit.

Another local banker is embroiled in a case in Namibia in which N$64 million was reportedly siphoned out of the south-west African country’s SME Bank.

According to court papers lodged with the Namibian Supreme Court, one of the provisional co-liquidators, David Bruni, names the person who received the cash payments totalling N$64 million as one George Markides, and says there is evidence showing that Markides had “extensive telephone contacts with the Zimbabwean businessman and former SME Bank director Enock Kamushinda”.

NewsDay

Correspondent|KHULUMA Africa journalist, Maynard Manyowa yesterday said some of the victims of the August 1, 2018 post-election violence were shot while they were in the midst of a crowd with no soldiers in sight. Manyowa also said the protesters were chanting pro-Nelson Chamisa songs.

Manyowa told the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry he did not see any soldiers when Ishmael Kumene, was fatally shot adjacent to the intersection of Cameron Street and Jason Moyo Avenue during protests by so called MDC-Alliance supporters.

Said Manyowa: “A group of protesters were running and as they were running, I noticed a guy wearing black and he took two steps and tumbled down.

“At the time he took those steps, there had been people behind him, but there were no soldiers at the time. I don’t know who shot the guy.

“There were gunshots going all over the directions. I think it could be people in the crowd who fired shots.”

Manyowa said soldiers came in when protesters had turned violent and had disabled the police anti-riot water canon tank with one blow of a brick launched by a protester.

“Two gentlemen launched bricks towards the police water canon and hit the muzzle, when they hit the muzzle, the water canon immediately flooded, and that caused water leakages near the gate,” he said.

Manyowa said the victim he witnessed getting shot was in the middle of a crowd and there were other people behind him.

He said the protesters were MDC supporters because they were chanting Chamisa slogans.

“A group of protesters besieged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Results Centre at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in the capital, Harare.

“They protested peacefully and co-operated with police. It was quite an incredible sight, watching protesters pave way for traffic, taking turns with the police to open and close the gate.

“Some 20 minutes later, they left. Some one hour later they returned, with new company. Armed with sticks and stones. This time cars were blocked, police were stoned. A few colleagues and I received a few bricks to the back as we fled.

Another teenage victim, Simeon Chipokosa said when he was shot in the leg, he was in the middle of a fleeing crowd. Chipokosa says did not see any soldiers although he heard gunshots. He says he still has a bullet lodged in his body.

Correspondent|PROGRESSIVE Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Secretary-General Raymond Majongwe has said that his heart bled when he listened to Jim Kunaka’s confession because as teachers they went through a traumatic process under the ZANU PF regime.

Said Majongwe, “While others celebrate the bravery of people like Jim Kunaka, today my heart bleeds. On 19 February 2008 I was tortured at Zanu PF Headquarters with 10 other PTUZ comrades. Linda died 3 months after. Two more died within 12 months. The party youths did all this. Now these are the heroes? Shame.

“With all these harrowing stories they have, they must tell us their full story and their reign of terror. We were the first group that was tortured in 2008 and left for dead. I cannot believe the torture inflicted on the lady teachers we had , it was pure Satanic.”

Giving his evidence in chief before the commission of inquiry on Wednesday, Jim Kunaka narrated what he alleged as ZANU PF’s reign of terror during the 2008 elections.

“There is a high level meeting that seats at the basement of ZANU PF Headquarters. When we lost elections in 2008, we were called by the military personnel. I was instructed that the country can not go on pen and paper. When I asked what should I do, I was told to go and defend the revolution through doing everything. You know what followed and ZANU PF emerged victorious.”Kunaka said.

“When Morgan Tsvangirai was beaten, I will tell you that ZANU PF youths were give riot police gears with button sticks to beat opposition members including Commissioner Lovemore Madhuku.

“When Morgan Tsvangirai was beaten, I will tell you that ZANU PF youths were give riot police gears with button sticks to beat opposition members including Commissioner Lovemore Madhuku.

“There is a slogan in that party that says you cannot separate ZANU PF from its military wing meaning if they lose they send the military and come after you.”

HERE is the simplified list of key highlights of the Zimbabwe 2019 Financial Budget announced Thursday afternoon by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube:

Some budget highlights:
✓ Private vehicles import duty to be paid in forex;

✓ Civil servants 13th cheque to be paid before year-end but based on basic salaries only;

✓ ‘Boarder Gezi’ 2,917 youths to be retired by year-end;

✓ 5% salary cut for government senior officers right up to Presidium;

✓ Biometric registrations for all civil servants from 1 Jan to flush out ghost workers;

✓ Resuscitation of ZISCO and CSC;

✓ Companies collecting VAT in forex to remit the same in forex;

✓ Increase of 7 cents excise duty on diesel and 6.5 cents on paraffin;

✓ Road fines for recurring errand drivers to be increased from about $30 to $700;

✓ Further exemptions to be announced regarding the 2% IMT;

✓ Directors and Shareholders to be jointly and severally liable for the taxbts of voluntarily wound up companies;

✓ Parastastal reforms – partial and full privatisation;

✓ No further acquisitions of NPLs by ZAMCO;

✓ Reduction of foreign missions/embassies;

✓ Multicurrency basket remains with USD as the reference currency.

Correspondent|BUHERA South Member of Parliament Joseph Chinotimba has implored National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda to fire Parliament canteen staff after they increased a plate of sadza from a $1 to $3.

Chinotimba was also apoplectic with fury after soft drinks in the Parliament canteen increased to a $1 from a previous $0, 50 cents.

Rising on a point of privilege in the National Assembly on Wednesday Chinotimba blamed the administration of Parliament for joining the profiteering gravy train and burdening members of parliament.

“The price of goods is increasing and I have noticed that the origins of all these price hikes is emanating from Parliament. Parliament is selling the soft drink coca cola for a $1 and yet Delta did not increase anything. In the hotels also where Members of Parliament are staying, those same coca cola drinks are being sold at $4 yet again Delta did not increase the price of its products. I lay the blame squarely on the administration of Parliament especially those who are in the administration of welfare of Parliamentarians,”Chinotimba said.

“As Members of Parliament, we talk to the public and they are complaining of price hikes of these food stuffs. Again, here at our Members’ Dining we are buying sadza for $3 and coca cola for $4. As Parliament, we are the perpetrators of the increase of these prices. I am begging you Mr. Speaker; let us protect the Members of Parliament. If the providers of canteen services at Parliament are not satisfied with the amount that they are getting and therefore feel they should increase prices so that the Members of Parliament suffer, do away with them. It is either that we provide our own food or we get alternative service providers.”

Mudenda said Chinotimba has misdirected his query and should infact bring it to the welfare Committee and through the Speaker’s office.

“When we want to discuss issues of welfare of Members of Parliament we do that in the Speaker’s Office. Those issues are purely administrative; therefore if you have queries, come to the Speaker’s office and address all these issues under the Committee of Standing Rules and Orders. So Honourable Chinotimba, there is this Committee and they know how best to do with those issues,”Mudenda said.

Chinotimba acknowledged he misdirected his query but it was a reflection of the public outrage in the face of skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

M&T

Correspondent|In his maiden 2019 national budget proposal presentation on Thursday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube proposed the amendment of by-election laws to allow political parties to select replacements to avoid expenditures that are incurred in the process of electing a new member.

By -elections are held when a sitting member of parliament dies or is expelled from the party in which he/she represented.

In the spirit of cost cutting, Ncube also proposed an alternative option of conducting by-election bi-annually thereby resulting in the harmonisation of costs.

Previously, by-elections have gobbled thousands of dollars in logistical costs that are involved in the whole electoral process.

The proposal is however likely to result in imposition of members by political parties therefore presenting possibility of fuelling in-fighting.

Ncube said the 2019 national budget constitute the “first macro-fiscal financial framework for implementing the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which as initial stepping stone towards realising “Vision 2030”.

He noted that the ultimate aim was to turn the economy into an upper middle earner with a per capita GDP of $3 500 and decent jobs.

The budget came at a time when prices of goods and services have hiked significantly while foreign currency stocks have declined, resulting in intermittent shortages of fuel and basics like cooking oil and bread.

As such, Ncube proposed cost-cutting and confidence building measures to rejuvenate the economy.

“It will be a balanced budget with enough carrot and also decent stick; but hopefully more carrot than stick because we want to recreate that environment of confidence, to build confidence going forward.

“We want to regulate certain behaviours. We hope that the Budget will communicate the message of discipline. The idea is to cajole the economy as we move to the next level, as we go ahead with the mantra that we are open for business.,” Ncube was qouted as saying prior to Thursday’s presentation.

M&T

Correspondent|FOUR people believed to be members of the same family died on the spot following a head-on collision at the Redcliff flyover just outside Kwekwe on Thursday evening.

The accident happened at the now notorious hunters bridge fly over which has become a frequent accidents spot.

In June this year, Redcliff town council conducted a cleansing ceremony along the 20km stretch from Hunters bridge flyover to Kwekwe bridge flyover along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway to curb the surge in fatal road traffic accidents.

98.4 Midlands FM presenter and Zimpapers Correspondent Lovemore Zigara died in a head-on collision at the same spot in June which prompted the cleansing ceremony from the Redcliff community. Church and traditional leaders were invited to take part in the cleansing ceremony to curb fatal accidents.

At least two fatal road accidents are being recorded along that stretch of the highway. every month.

More details on the accident are still coming through.

One of the four aircraft bought by government from Malaysia has reportedly been sold to Jet Midwest, a US-based leading global aviation parts provider, due to non-payment by Zimbabwe.

Government had all along claimed it bought four Boeing 777 aircraft from Malaysia and an Embraer plane, with the planes set to be leased to a new local airline Zim Airways until national carrier Air Zimbabwe returned to profitability.

Zim Airways has been linked to the family of former president Robert Mugabe, and government has been planning to merge it with Air Zimbabwe (AirZim).

This comes as Air Zimbabwe — saddled with a $300 million debt — has been put under reconstruction after government appointed Harare-based chartered accountant Reggie
Saruchera as the loss-making airline’s administrator to “raise money in any way without the authority of shareholders for the purposes of the reconstruction” to revive its flagging fortunes.
Zimbabwe earlier this year took delivery of one of the Zim Airways’ “new” planes — a Boeing 777 jetliner — but it has already been sent back to the Asian country for repairs before it has made a single commercial flight.

The Daily News can reports that one of the Zim Airways’ 777 registered 9M-MRL was spotted last weekend at the Jet Midwest Kansas airport base, with the “Z” from Zimbabwe and the “WE” rubbed off the livery, something done on aircraft that have been bought by another carrier so as not to identify with the previous owner.

Energy minister Joram Gumbo, who was the Transport minister during the facilitation of the Zim Airways deal, declined to go into detail about the present status of the aircraft.

“We purchased four Boeing 777 aircraft from Malaysia Airways and an Embraer 145 regional jet from the USA and know one of the 777s is in America but cannot comment on the reasons why. Contact the ministry of Transport,” Gumbo told the Daily News.

Frantic efforts to get comment from Transport minister Joe Biggie Matiza were futile, as he did not respond to calls from the Daily News and questions sent to his mobile.

His deputy Fortune Chasi told the Daily News he had no idea about the issue and referred questions to Matiza, who was said to be in Beijing on business and reportedly returned home last weekend.
Jet Midwest is in the business of buying used aircraft from airlines and selling them for spares, leasing them or selling them off to other players.

Most recently, Jet Midwest acquired Kenya Airways Boeing 777-300 ER and an El AL Israeli Airline’s Boeing 767-300 ER.
The Daily News can report that only two of the three planes have been paid for in full, with the third still awaiting the fulfilment of payment.

The Malay have decided to sell the aircraft, a decision reportedly taken by Price Waterhouse Coopers which has placed the airline under curatorship as it spearheads its restructuring after persistent loss of revenue following the devastating impact of two jetliner disasters.

The Malaysia Airways’ restructuring follows wrenching tragedies for the airline following the unexplained disappearance of Flight MH370 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March and the shooting down of Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. The aircraft bought by Zim Airways were retired by Malaysia Airways due to age as well as their questionable safety record which had raised a lot of questions.

Malaysia Airways has now purchased the ultra-modern Boeing 787s to replace its 777s fleet.
There have been swirling concern about Zim Airways’ decision to purchase these condemned aircraft that are over 20 years old.

It now turns out one of the four Boeing 777-200 ER (Extended Range) has been sold to Jet Midwest — an American full service commercial aircraft, engine and spare parts trading company, possibly to be cannibalised for spares.

As it is, none of the aircraft bought by government are in Zimbabwe.
The aircraft that was delivered to Harare and returned back to Kuala Lumpur was emblazoned with the tail number Z-RGM after the deal was brokered by Simba Chikore — the son-in-law of Mugabe — who was the chief operations officer of Air Zimbabwe.

Chikore was part of the delegation that travelled to Malaysia to take delivery of the aircraft.
Since the time the plane was taken back to Malaysia for routine maintenance, a service required by civil aviation law to be performed periodically after a number of hours of cycles of flight, it is yet to return.

While the plane was said to have been sent back for A-Check maintenance, it’s unclear why it required this service when the 777 never flew since its arrival.

According to experts, A-Check maintenance refers to checks that are carried out on an aeroplane every eight to 10 weeks — where “filters will be changed, key systems
(like hydraulics in the “control surfaces” that steer the aircraft) will be lubricated and a detailed inspection of all the emergency equipment (like inflatable slides) is completed”.

Government had said it was due to receive the remaining two wide-bodied aircraft from Malaysia Airlines, which were to be used by the new airline whose ownership has prompted more questions than answers — although the government, which initially distanced itself from the secretive carrier, now says it owns it. Daily News

Professor Tawana Kupe has been appointed vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria. The professor is currently the vice-principal of the University of the Witwatersrand.

Kupe’s appointment follows the resignation of Professor Cheryl de la Rey who will now serve as the VC of New Zealand’s University of Canterbury.

The announcement was made in a press release on Wednesday evening. University of Pretoria council chairperson Futhi Mtobe said Prof Kupe brings years of experience to the position and is expected to be an asset in his new role.

In response to his appointment, Prof Kupe said universities have a responsibility to “to develop educated, well-informed and professionally skilled people who can address local and global challenges and contribute towards creating successful and thriving societies”.

“To be able to play these critically important roles, universities must enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, allow for freedom of inquiry and be transparent, accountable and ethical in their practices in all respects,” he added.

Prof Kupe holds a BA honours degree and masters in English from the University of Zimbabwe. He received his DPhil in media studies from Norway’s University of Oslo.

He has lectured at Rhodes University and acted as head of the university’s Journalism Department.

While at the University of Zimbabwe in the late 1980s, Kupe served as chairperson of the Department ofEnglish, Media and Communication Studies. – M&G

Correspondent|FINANCE Minister Mthuli Ncube has said road traffic offenses will now attract a maximum fine of $700 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, with effect from 1 January 2019.

Ncube said the increase is meant to promote road safety culture by adhering to road traffic regulations.

Said Ncube: “Mr Speaker Sir, road traffic offenses are classified under levels 1 to 3 of the Standard Scale of Fines, with a maximum monetary value of US$30.

“The current fines, which should act as a deterrent to criminal behavior, have not assisted in reducing such malpractices, mainly due to the low monetary values.

“In order to promote road safety culture by adhering to road traffic regulations, I propose that any person who commits such offenses be liable to fines of levels 8 to 10, which attract a maximum fine of US$700 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, with effect from 1 January 2019.”

Own Correspondent|Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has finally stepped his authority and ordered for the dismissal of 3 000 National Youth Service graduate from government employment.

The 3 000 ZANU PF Youth League aligned graduates popularly known as “Green Bombers” were absorbed into the Civil Service by former President Robert Mugabe after the youth gave him pressure for employment.

The 3 000 literally have no specific jobs they are doing within government but continue to be paid an average of $300 each.

Mugabe once dismissed them only for him to reinstate them in no time after they threatened to campaign against the ruling party. The youth are notorious for their violent campaign for ZANU PF in elections.

“At its 38th Meeting of 5 December 2017, Cabinet re-affirmed its decision to terminate employment contracts of 3 188 Youth Officers as previously resolved,” said Mthuli Ncube in his budget speech.

“Drawing from the above Cabinet Resolutions and guidance of the Public Service Commission, Treasury proceeded to mobilise in the first instance, US$5.2 million in December 2017
towards three months’ Cash In-Lieu of Retirement Notices and in the second instance, US$17.7 million on 16 February 2018 towards the officers’ Pension benefits.”

“Mr Speaker Sir, the 2 917 Youth Officers who still remain on the payroll, are being retired and the posts removed from the establishment, by end of December 2018.”

Own Correspondent|In a bid to cut government expenditure, the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has proposed the reduction of the number of embassies and consulates in his 2019 national budget proposal presentation on Thursday in Harare.

There are currently 46 foreign missions and the proposal will see then reduced to 39 thereby going a long way in reducing annual spending.

He also noted that this move will see the avoidance of embarrassing incidents where some diplomats were evicted for non-payment of rent

“On the basis of previous consultations, it is proposed that the number of foreign service missions be reduced from 46 to 38, thereby optimising the utility value realised from the remaining missions as well as avoiding accumulation of arrears and embarrassing evictions of our diplomats,” he said.

Ncube said as much as Zimbabwe sought to improve international relations current expenditure on foreign mission services was far above the means of the budget.

“As much as we desire to implement and launch our re-engagement programme on all fronts, the capacity of our Budget demands some review to align support levels within means.

“The current diplomatic presence is imposing annual budgetary support levels of around $65 million, which is above available 2018 Budget capacity of $50 million,” he said.

Ncube said this discrepancy in spending had led to an accumulation of arrears which stood at approximately $17,3 million.

The finance minister said this rationalisation of foreign mission services would result in spending reductions of about $500 000 per month, yielding annual savings estimated at $6 million.

Ncube also said that diplomats “rental ceiling” should be reviewed downwards and based on the officials’ ranking and diplomatic residency.

Ncube also suggested purchasing existing properties or entering joint venture initiatives which prioritise properties with adequate space as a “medium to long term measure of reducing rental charges.”

Lately , employees at foreign missions were reported to be seeking menial jobs to eke a living since salaries were coming late.

M&T

Correspondent|SIMEONE Chipokoza, a 19 year old Upper 6 student who wrote his final exams recently, today testified before the Commission of Inquiry in Harare and said he was shot in the left leg but “definitely not by soldiers.”

The soldiers ordered all passengers to disembark, and they obeyed.

Giving his evidence, Chipokoza said two soldiers stopped a kombi (commuter omnibus) which he and his mother had boarded to go home. Chipokoza said as they ran back to safety, he felt a sharp pain inside his leg.

When he went to hospital and an x-ray imaging was done, it showed he had a bullet lodged in his left leg

Doctors told him he could only be operated on in February next year, Chipokoza said without clarifying.

Also giving his evidence today, Khuluma Afrika Editor Maynard said one of the people who died close to CopaCabana might have been shot by someone who was in the crowd because at that particular time as there were no soldiers nearby.

Manyowa said the victim was in the middle of a crowd and there were other people behind him.

He said the protesters were MDC supporters because they were chanting Chamisa slogans.

“A group of protesters besieged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Results Centre at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in the capital, Harare.

“They protested peacefully and co-operated with police. It was quite an incredible sight, watching protesters pave way for traffic, taking turns with the police to open and close the gate.

“Some 20 minutes later, they left. Some one hour later they returned, with new company. Armed with sticks and stones. This time cars were blocked, police were stoned. A few colleagues and I received a few bricks to the back as we fled.

“The protesters soon left. Although with promises to return with reinforcements. An hour later, the protesters, now clearly in their thousands returned. They erected burning barricades. They tore down Zanu PF campaign posters, which they burnt. They vandalised traffic lights and launched missiles into the Zanu PF Headquarters, located just outside Rainbow Towers.

“Police reacted by launching water cannons. The protesters bricked the muzzle of both trucks, incapacitating them and causing them to flood.

“We will need to get reinforcements. These trucks are no good now”, one officer said to me.

“At this point the protesters had branched out into three different groups. Launching a cow horn formation. Police tried to move into the centre. To protect the ZEC results centre, Zanu PF HQ and ZEC’s Head office.

“They had surrounded the police. They had the upper hand and could sense it. Stones were launched at the human barricade erected by police outside the ZEC Headquarters.

“We maybe minutes away from an Arab Spring here”, a colleague, uttered.

“In the horizon, we could see smoke in all four corners of the city. Harare was burning, and tipping point was near.

“I approached one of the police vans and tried to get an audience with the man who seemed in charge.

“We are overwhelmed. We need assistance.” He said.

“He brushed me off but took to his radio.

“Within minutes, I saw hordes of people fleeing from all directions, and strangely so in all directions.

“Minutes later, I spotted a lone figure, in military camouflage.

“It looks like the army has been deployed.”, I can be heard saying in one of my videos.

“Seconds later I saw a military truck, and about a dozen soldiers holding hand whips.

“Yes, the army has been deployed.”

As the army descended, and people fled, stones and bricks flew in all directions. I positioned myself, with a colleague, just next to the police human barricade.

As the soldiers chased protesters, and stones flew in all directions. There was a loud bang. The soldiers just in front of me crouched briefly, then drew their guns, and fired in the air.

“Are those gun shots.” I asked.

“Yes” a colleague responded.

“I can confirm, shots have been fired. The army has been deployed and shots have been fired.”

“By this time, my city was a war zone. Gun shots. Bricks. Stones. Running battles. And, believe it or not, military helicopters flying low.

“As we turned a corner, I saw a man, wearing a black t-shirt and black pants take two steps, launch into the air and drop like a stone. I knew something had happened. I ran towards him.

When I got there, people said, he is dead.

“No, he is still alive I said.”

“He was gasping for air. One man lifted his shirt. I saw the single gunshot wound. On his chest. His eyes rolled.

“I could tell he had been shot. I didn’t know who shot him. There were no soldiers present when I watched him fall and die.”

Own Correspondent|The Kgalema Motlanthe Commission into the post-election violence that occurred on August 1 has exposed the ruling party with former Zanu Pf Harare youth Chairperson Jim Kunaka claiming the commission was fake.

Kunaka said this whilst giving evidence before the ongoing Commission.

“It is surprising that Charity Manyeruke is seated among the Commissioners, she is a member of the ruling Zanu PF and holds a post in Mashonaland West, she is actually a Secretary in the province’s women’s league” claimed Kunaka

Kunaka said he would not respond to any questions coming from Professor Charity Manyeruke because they planned together.

“At the same time as I make my contributions, I am going to respond to some questions and will skip others but I will not take any questions from her (Manyeruke) because she was my boss and we would plan together on how to deal with the opposition.

“I know how Zanu PF operates, we were arrested after the August 1 incident for inciting violence but the courts have been playing games so that they will play with my defence after I present it here (the Commission). I will not say a thing because it will be used against me in the courts” said Kunaka

Kunaka went at length to describe how the ruling Zanu PF operates as well as how they operated during the 2008 elections.

“After the 2008 elections we were summoned for a meeting at Zanu PF headquarters, and these meetings would be held at the basement, and in one of the meetings we were told that the country cannot go by pen and paper. This led us to be violent against the opposition and for your own information Zanu PF had no constituency in 2008. I then led a team to beat opposition members and I succeeded in gaining some seats in Harare through violence” he said

He further added that Zanu PF was the only party with militia in the country and they were recruited through the National Youth Service.

“I have no knowledge of any military wing in the opposition, if there is anyone who is claiming that, the person is lying. If there is one then the person has to bring evidence before the commission” claimed Kunaka

Zanu PF is well known for its violence against opposition members and more than 4 000 lost their lives since the formation of the MDC in 1999.

RFNews

Correspondent|The highly publicised case in which flamboyant businessman and Intratrek Zimbabwe director Wicknell Chivayo is facing fraud charges emanating from the manner he handled the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar project that he was contracted by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has taken a dramatic twist.

The matter seems to be crumbling like a house of cards as the supposed complainant ZPC distanced themselves from any involvement in causing the businessman’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The Harare magistrate court had heard that Chivayo received $5 million advance payment for the project from ZPC without a bank guarantee.

However, in their heads of arguments filed at the High Court last week, Intratrek turned the screws on ZPC and alleged that they were in fact the ones in breach of contract by wantonly causing delays and impediments to the implementation of the solar project.
In their opposing affidavit to Intratrek’s High Court application, ZPC interestingly denied involvement in causing the arrest of Chivayo- technically meaning there is no complainant in the Gwanda solar project case.

Read part of the affidavit: “It is important to note that the allegations that respondent caused the arrest of the applicant’s managing director (Chivayo) is patently false and should be disregarded by this honourable court. As highlighted in the respondent’s notice of opposition, at no material time did it file charges against the applicant’s managing director.

“Despite it being challenged to produce evidence that the charges were filed by the respondent, the applicant has not adduced such evidence.”

ZPC’s submission to the High Court is mind-boggling as to why the entity which Chivayo is said to have defrauded is absolving itself from having any hand in causing Chivayo’s arrest in August.

Law experts submitted that this development is likely to see the matter being relegated to a purely civil case.

“What boggles the mind is the party that we are made to believe was prejudiced has stated in the court of law that they did no file any charges against Chivayo or his company.This therefore make the case null and void and renders it to a purely civil matter.The question is who is the complainant?,” said a law expert who preferred anonymity.

Despite of ZPC’s submission to the High Court, it is the same company that since threatened to cancel the $173 million engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract signed between the parties in October 2016 for construction of the Gwanda solar plant, alleging breach of contract by Chivayo’s Intratrek.

Chivayo won the tender that was approved by the then State Procurement Board, now Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
ZPC then alleged that Intratrek failed to perform its obligations (condition precedent) as outlined in the contract, specifically completion of specific works within the agreed time-frames.

In its counter-allegation, Intratrek instead blames ZPC for causing delays to the implementation of the project through its failure to obtain an environmental impact assessment certificate and fraud charges it allegedly instituted against Chivayo in December 2017, alleging fraud and corruption in the execution of the Gwanda solar plant project.

Intratrek claims the conduct by ZPC allegedly stalled progress in the implementation of the Gwanda solar project.

Intratrek Zimbabwe had partnered $33 billion asset firm and Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed CHiNT Electric Co to undertake the multimillion dollar solar project.

The High Court is also set to determine the dispute over outstanding payments for works done by Intratrek, which the company claims were due from further works under the conditions precedent, having allegedly extinguished the exposure to ZPC’s, demands which ZPC has declined to honour.

But ZPC has insisted that Intratrek cannot be entitled to make claims for payments as the power utility was supposed to make directly to sub-contractors to expedite the project, saying the value of outstanding works still stands at $1,8 million, a position it also stated in July this year.

Shooting its own feet, ZPC admitted then that the value earned from works undertaken, which it indicated entailed a geo-tech survey, topography survey, fencing and ground clearance and feasibility report was in the order of $2,012 million. This left the utility’s outstanding exposure in July at $1,8 million.

But Intratrek has since submitted to the High Court that from that point, July 2018, it then had performed further works that fully extinguished ZPC’s $5 million exposure to a point it was now entitled to further payment, which was stage-based in terms of the contract.

The High Court has set down the matter for hearing on November 26.

M&T

ANOTHER fire burnt down some structures at Mbuyazwe Secondary School on the outskirts of Bulawayo, destroying teachers’ houses and girls’ accomodation.

According to sources the fire razed a girls’ hostel at Mbuyazwe Secondary School in Umguza District, Matabeleland North yesterday amid calls for security services to investigate the alarming cases of infernos being experienced around the country.

This morning the Girls cottages at Mbuyazwe High School in Ward 8 Umguza district in Matabeleland North caught fire and the community and the fire brigade managed to put down the fire. #GodBlessZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/rvXws3Fvhj

— MZingwane (@ThubelihleMoyoA) November 21, 2018

The hostel, which also houses teachers was destroyed with property worth thousands of dollars burnt at 7AM after pupils had left for their classes.

the girls' hostel at Mbuyazwe High School in Ward 8, Umguza District, along Bulawayo-Tsholotsho road today. The Bulawayo Fire Brigade responded but they could not save the pupils' possessions

Today

— Nkosiyabo Zikhethele Sibanda (@Nkosiya34449428) November 21, 2018

The incident comes at the back of a series of suspicious fires since last Saturday.

On the day, a number of Mpilo Central Hospital doctors in Bulawayo were left homeless after an inferno engulfed their living quarters, destroying property worth about $300 000.

On Monday, three shops in Kadoma – Edgars, Jet and Coloursel – were also razed in a blaze causing the destruction of furniture and clothing items worth thousands of dollars.

On the same day, two thirds of the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex along Willowvale Road in Harare was destroyed by a fire that broke out in the afternoon, destroying property worth millions of dollars belonging to informal traders

On Tuesday, an inferno reduced to shells six cars at a car workshop just outside Siya So SMEs complex in Mbare, Harare.

The cause of the Mbuyazwe School fire is not known.

Meanwhile the Education Ministry has asked pupils to go back home as they had lost everything in the inferno.

The school’s headmaster Mr Gordin Sithole said the school will require donors to rebuild saying most of the children were from poverty stricken families.

Harare South legislator, Tongai Mnangagwa, son to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, broke down in parliament this morning as he narrated how the government has left land seekers at the mercy of land barons.

Narrating to the situation in his constituency before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, the legislator could not hold back his tears.

He said people are fleeced of their earnings by land barons operating with impunity in his constituency, adding that fights, some of which leave some home seekers in hospital, have become commonplace as a result of the irregular land allocations.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo said his ministry has its hands full as it battles to clean the mess created by irregular land allocations.

He admitted to the parliamentary portfolio committee that double allocation of stands by officials from his ministry, the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP), local authorities and councillors has reached alarming levels.

He said similar challenges are being faced where some stands are being irregularly downsized, resulting in some people losing infrastructure they would have invested on their stands.

Buhera South legislator, Joseph Chinotimba said to deal with the problem effectively, the government must first acknowledge the extent of the rot in the sector.

Meanwhile, Moyo said the construction of the new parliament building in Mt Hampden will commence with a ceremony of the laying of a foundation for the building on Friday 30 November.

ZBC News on line

Jane Mlambo| Attorney General Prince Machaya has revealed that the soldier who was caught on camera kneeling at shooting at civilians on the 1st of August can be investigated.

Machaya who appeared before the commission of Inquiry into the 1st of August shootings also said only the President has the power to deploy soldiers adding that the Minister of Defence should seek the authority of the President.

Machaya conceded that when read in isolation, POSA creates impression that Defence Minister can deploy defence forces without authority from the President.

Follow the commission of Inquiry, watch video below….

 

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

 

“The Doctors Said They Could Remove The Bullet Or Leave It There, It Is Still Lodged In My Leg”

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

The ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Matutu has called upon the law enforcement agents to arrest former leader of the dreaded Chipangano Jim Kunaka over allegations that he confessed to beating and killing opposition members.

Kunaka was testifying in front of the 1 August killings Commission of Inquiry led by Kgalema Motlanthe.

“Jim Kunaka has conceded perpetrating violence against the opposition and killing people for political gains live on TV before the commission of inquiry. All this was done under the oath. It is the duty of the law enforcement institutions to apprehend him and be charged under the laws of the land. He should not be allowed to get away with this!”Matutu said in a statement.

“If he was given instructions as he alleges, he must name those who gave him such orders if they do exist. Let him name those that were working with him. He just complicated his life because mhosva hairovi he must be held accountable.”

Matutu said the former terror leader was bitter at ZANU PF because he is broke.

“Some people may wonder why Jim Kunaka of all the people hate ZANU PF to the core. He is very broke drained and in serious debt and the only way to make money is representing the opposition. However, the fact that he admitted to criminal activities let him take responsibility.

“Majority of the things that he said shows hate, bitterness and disorder but they are of no substance to the commission of enquiry, probably he should have understood the commission s terms of reference.”Matutu further explained.

Giving his evidence in chief before the commission Kunaka said, “I was a Provincial Leader of ZANU PF in Harare and I was in charge of commanding violent activities if you check on the internet my name is there. Professor Charity Manyeruke who is seated there in the commission is one of the architects of violence in ZANU PF . She was one of the people with whom we would sit down to discuss how we would beat up MDC people.

“Manyeruke was my Boss who sent me to do violence and my commander who gave me instructions so I will not respond any questions from my commander because when we were in ZANU PF I was merely her foot soldier.”

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is expected to appear before the Commission of Inquiry on Monday next week.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW….

A former Zanu PF lawmaker, who was allegedly abducted and tortured by state security agents when Robert Mugabe was removed from office last year, claims that ruling party activists have lied to the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry about the killing of six civilians in Harare this year soon after Zimbabwe’s harmonized elections.

Shadreck Mashayamombe, who once represented the party in Harare South constituency and contested the July 30 parliamentary election and lost to President Emmerson Mnangwagwa’s son, Tongai, told the Commission on Wednesday that “Zanu PF coaches people to come here and tell lies all the time in order to protect the status quo”.

He claimed that one of the people accusing him of distributing alcoholic beverages to protesters on August 1 before members of the Zimbabwe National Army allegedly killed six innocent civilians, was “in fact a person who wanted thousands of dollars from me and is a well-known trouble maker.”

He said the activist, Shelia Mutsvanu, “is the one who once unaddressed infront of the United States ambassador in Mutare, urinated at the entrance of the Daily News when the newspaper wrote somethings she thought was bad about then President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF in Manicaland. She is the same person who was used by Didymus Mutasa for youths to attack other Zanu PF followers.

“She also extorted $15,000 from me claiming that life was tough and she was under intense security threat and had left for Botswana saying CIO (Central Intelligence Organization) agents, war veterans and also members of the Police Homicide Division were looking for her. I said you (Mujati) also know the problems that I encountered. I had no money. I have Facebook messages between Mujati and Shelia asking me to assist her. Mujati is there you can call her to come and testify confirming what I’m saying. She indicated that CIOs, Kudzi Chipanga, army and me wanted to kill her.”

Mashayamombe claimed that his name was mentioned by Mutsvanu following “my refusal to give her money she was demanding.

“… She is being used by Zanu PF as a thug to pit opponents. These are people who are coming to give testimony here in an effort cause divisions leading to the elimination of the opposition. So, some people have taken advantage of this commission in order to lie for their own benefit. We do not want to say much about Zanu PF but surely if people are failing to stop what they are doing, they are putting some of us in a corner in which were can say what we do not want to say.”

Mutsvanu, Mujati and Mutasa were not available for comment.

He said he had serious wounds from the past. “On the day when Mugabe wrote a letter of his resignation, I was abducted in broad daylight at Rainbow Towers. For more than five hours I was tortured by state security agents who were using live electric cables. Up to now I can’t sit for several hours as my feet swell. It did not stop there as they demanded that I should surrender all the money I had. They took a safe that had $50,000 from my house which they were given by my young brother and wife while they were still torturing me using live electric cables.”

Mashayamombe broke down when he noted that he was left with nothing and the ruling party still wants to finish him off. “Now I have a lot of debts as they took away all the money I was generating from my car importation business. I’m being taken to court as some people had paid for cars before all my money was stolen by these agents.

“They claim that I was too close to Mugabe. They even went to my home and took away 30 suites and an assortment of shoes. They also stabbed my young brother with a certain object to the extent that the scar he has is a life-time mark. They are even after my business. They want me to remain with nothing, nothing.”

He claimed that he was also abducted once again in June and ordered to stop contesting the elections against President Mnangagwa’s son. “I’m facing serious security threats and maybe this is the last time you will see me alive as some of us are being hunted.”

The hearings continue tomorrow with no clear indication whether Nelson Chamisa will appear before the Commission. – VOA

Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube will on Thursday present the much-awaited 2019 National Budget.

The presentation would be the Second Republic’s inaugural budget since the coming into office of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, following this year’s harmonised elections.

Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a downward trend for the past two or so decades and this has largely been attributed to a number of factors, including mismanagement and abuse of national funds, misplaced priorities and sanctions, among others.

Since coming into office, Mnangagwa and his administration has been on a drive to revive the country’s economy and ensure a middle-class economy by 2030.

While a lot of progress has been registered towards achieving this goal, including the resuscitation of the mining, health and manufacturing sectors, the national budget will reaffirm government’s commitment to rebuilding the nation.

It is everyone’s hope that government, through the 2019 National Budget, will implement a raft of measures that would turnaround the country’s economic fortunes.

Therefore, it becomes paramount for Ncube to give special preference in resource allocation to the productive sectors of the economy, if this dream is to come true.

It cannot be disputed that agriculture has remained the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy during times of hardships, along with mining.

Therefore, it suffices for Ncube to adequately fund the said sectors.

Programmes aimed at promoting growth of the agricultural sector ought to be made bigger and better.

For instance, the resuscitation and expansion of irrigation schemes, the Presidential Inputs Scheme, the command agriculture and command livestock programmes would go a long way in ensuring the growth of the agricultural sector, if adequately funded.

Furthermore, such a move would ensure food security in the country and eradicate commodity shortages as they are structured in a way that guides farmers in order to address the demand and supply concept.

The civil service wage bill has remained a contentious issue for a number of years and needs redress if the country’s economy is to get a boost.

In previous years, the wage bill has consumed up to about 90% of the country’s annual national budget and many have criticised this as unsustainable, including regional and international financial institutions.

Already, upon his initial swearing-in as Head of State last November, Mnangagwa announced that he would trim the size of the public service, travel and subsistence allowances for senior government officials.

Government has been spending more than the country’s income, resulting in budget deficits.

The situation has been exacerbated by fiscal indiscipline through distorted foreign exchange rates spearheaded by the parallel market.

The coming in of the new dispensation saw the introduction of free health services, including maternal health, treatment of children below five years of age and provision of blood at all public hospitals in the country.

However, there has been concern over the issue of understaffing, lack of machinery and other requisite medical equipment in these hospitals.

There is need for the budget to take cognisance of these concerns and avail more funds towards the health sector.

In order to decongest public hospitals, the government could also engage private hospitals in a bid to subsidise maternal health costs.

Of late, private hospitals have been charging their maternal fees in United States dollars, a move which has led to the congestion of public hospitals.

In any country, industry is also a key driver of the economy, hence the need to revive the manufacturing industry through public and private partnerships.

It can be noted that Zimbabwe’s expenditure on imports is relatively higher than its exports.

The country needs to produce and export its goods to other countries so as to earn the much needed foreign currency.

The resuscitation of industry would also complete value added chains across mining and agriculture. For instance, the country would be able to process and sale finished products instead of raw materials to other countries.

NewsDay

RESCUERS from Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) yesterday used hooks to finally fish out the body of a Lupane man who was allegedly fatally bitten by a snake in a well last Wednesday.

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) had enlisted the police sub-aqua unit, rangers from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Forestry Commission, Bulawayo Fire Brigade and underground mining experts who reportedly failed to retrieve the body because they feared the snake.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed that the body of Sandile Mguni (25) was retrieved around 7AM yesterday by HCCL rescuers and officers from the Fire Brigade.

She said the body was still intact and was taken for postmortem.

It emerged that the well at Mr Glen Moyo’s homestead in Mkarabuli Village under Chief Mabhikwa is actually 49 metres deep instead of 45 metres earlier reported.

“The body was retrieved this morning by rescuers from Hwange Colliery and Fire Brigade officers.

Results will be determined by the postmortem but we gather it was still in one piece,” she said.
It was not clear which mortuary the body was taken to.

Gomoza Ward 12 Councillor, Malaki Tshuma, said villagers were happy that the matter which had become the talk of Lupane area will now come to closure.

“Some mining experts came and villagers assisted them to fish out the body using hooks. They lowered the hooks down the well and pulled it out around 7AM. The body was still in one piece and villagers are happy that it has been removed from the well. Right now we are waiting for postmortem results,” he said.

HCCL corporate affairs manager, Mrs Rugare Dobbie, said the coal mining company sent the rescuers as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“As HCCL we are very active in assisting communities around us as part of our corporate social investment and giving back to the community. Our Proto/rescue team combined efforts with the Bulawayo Fire Brigade this morning and fished out the body of the 25-year-old Lupane man. As a company we say well done the Proto team for saving the situation. This is clear indication that our emergency response preparedness as a company is good. We have also been active in putting out fires around communities with the recent one being in Makwika Village recently,” she said.

For seven days, rescue teams from different government departments and private players had failed to remove the body.

They were scared of entering the well, The Chronicle was told.

On Monday, a Bulawayo professional hunter and snake catcher, Mr Ross Johnston, who operates the Victoria Falls Metro History Museum and Snake Park failed to enter the well claiming it was too narrow for him.

He had descended for 20 metres when he abandoned the mission.

A villager reportedly put on some rags and entered the well but also abandoned the mission after going for 46 metres as he was suffocating.

He reported that he had seen the body at the bottom of the well.

Mguni had been contracted with two colleagues to rehabilitate the well. He descended into it using a rope when he shouted that he had been bitten by a snake.

State Media

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has reflected on the journey he has walked in the fight for democracy, happiness and justice which he said has brought attempts on his life and that of the party’s founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

In a tweet, early today, Chamisa rallied his party and supporters that they will not be dissuaded from pushing their agenda which he is confident they will overcome.

The fight for democracy, happiness, justice and peace has over the years brought us attempts on our lives by those with power. That same fight, will earn us more such attempts, if not worse, all designed to eliminate or silence us.We shall overcome! #Godisinit pic.twitter.com/bmhDQoz7B4

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) November 22, 2018

Correspondent|A Harare man who allegedly duped the City of Harare of $1,5 million after an agreement for the development of Hopley Commercial area has been dragged before the Harare magistrates court on fraud allegations.

Michael John Van Blerk (59), appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa and he was denied bail and he was remanded to December 4 in custody.

Prosecuting Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on June 22 2007, City of Harare and one Augur Investments private limited entered into an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The agreement was for the development of Hopley Commercial area (Mbudzi project), provision and development of middle housing and construction of a hotel at Mabelreign golf course area and Mukuvisi Phase 1.

In terms of the MOU the parties formed a joint venture company called Sunshine Development Private Limited as the special purpose vehicle company and Van Blerk was the director.

The MOU stipulated that Augur Investments was supposed to provide funding for procuring materials, equipment and for working capital purposes constituting 70% shareholding.

On the other hand, City Of Harare would provide land at a cost for the project constituting 30% shareholding.

Thereafter, City Of Harare processed all the documentation for the project and transferred land property to Sunshine Development as per the shareholders agreement.

Instead of providing funding Van Blerk and his accomplices from the Sunshine Development who are yet to be accounted for, knowing very well that they could not fund 70% capital for the project they misrepresented to City Of Harare that they could.

Van Blerk in connivance with his accomplices took the title deeds in respect of a piece of land that measures 6, 1160 hectares, being the land transferred by City Of Harare to Sunshine Development.

They allegedly went on to misrepresent to NMB Bank that they had a board resolution to acquire a US$1.5 million to fund the Mbudzi project, knowing that the title deeds of the land belonged to Sunshine Development.

They also did this knowing that they had no authority from the shareholders to use title deeds as surety.

Van Blerk together with his accomplices failed to service the NMB Bank mortgage bond resulting in the land being transferred to NMB Bank again without the knowledge of City Of Harare, thereby prejudicing City Of Harare value of the said stand valued at US$1.5 million.

On Thursday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) together with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) began a crackdown in Harare’s central business district.

M&T

INDEPENDENT Norton MP Temba Mliswa has been blocked from joining the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Lands, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement on allegations that he was conflicted.

According to a memo from the committee chair, Justice Mayor Wadyajena to the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda dated November 15, Mliswa had wanted to join the committee where he was a member before the July 30 elections, but his bid was turned down.

“Being cognisant of the current and past events, Mr Speaker sir, there is strong evidence that Hon Mliswa is a highly conflicted individual in regards to the substance to be addressed by the committee. I strongly recommend that he be allocated another committee as this will enable it to fully execute our mandate in line with the Standing Rules and Orders as read with the Constitution of Zimbabwe without any interference,” part of the letter read.

Mudenda instructed the clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda to inform Mliswa of Wadyajena’s reservations and allow the MP to seek membership in another committee.

“Advise Hon Mliswa to secure another committee since the chairperson is not receptive,” Mudenda wrote to Chokuda.

The agriculture committee, according to its work plan, will probe government inputs schemes as well as the farm mechanisation programmes.

Mliswa has been involved in tobacco business through a company called Saltlakes Holdings, which is a subject of the committee investigations.

The committee also intends to probe the alleged abuse of the government-funded input distribution programme and it was not clear if the Norton legislator was a beneficiary or linked to suppliers or various projects.

Mliswa, who chairs the Mines Committee, has been ruffling a number of senior government officials through his Hwange Colliery Company probe.

NewsDay

THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has denied playing any role in causing the arrest and prosecution of Harare businessman and Intratrek Zimbabwe managing director Wicknell Chivayo over allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to ZPC’s Gwanda solar project.

Chivayo is being prosecuted on corruption and fraud charges at the magistrates’ court over the manner he handled the 100 megawatts solar project, spearheaded by ZPC, after he received $5 million advance payment for the project from ZPC without a bank guarantee.

In its answering affidavit, in a case Intratrek is claiming breach of contract by ZPC filed at the High Court on November 14, 2018, ZPC refuted Intratrek’s claim that it frustrated the contract by causing delays to the implementation of the Gwanda solar project.

Further, the State power utility also denies playing a part in causing the arrest of Chivayo.

The contract dispute case between ZPC and Intratrek has since been set down for hearing by the High Court on the opposed roll on the 26th of November, 2018.

While it is ZPC that was allegedly defrauded or corruptly prejudiced in the Gwanda project, which led to the arrest and prosecution of Chivhayo, the power utility has denied any hand in causing the controversial business man’s arrest.

“It is…important to note that the allegations that respondent caused the arrest of the applicant’s managing director (Chivayo) is patently false and should be disregarded by this honourable court.

“As highlighted in the respondent’s notice of opposition, at no material time did it file charges against the applicant’s managing director.

“Despite it being challenged to produce evidence that the charges were filed by the respondent, the applicant has not adduced such evidence,” ZPC submitted to the High Court.

When Chivhayo’s prosecution started after his arrest at Robert Mugabe International Airport in August, on charges of fraud, money laundering and contravening the Exchange Control Act, the complainant was ZPC represented by Board member, Thandiwe Mlobane.

ZPC has since threatened to cancel the $173 million Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract signed between the parties in October 2016 for construction of the Gwanda solar plant alleging breach of contract by Chivayo’s Intratrek.

The State power utility adjudicated and awarded the Gwanda solar project tender to Chivayo’s firm in 2016, which was also approved by the then State Procurement Board, now Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

The power utility has claimed Intratrek failed to perform its obligations (condition precedent), as outlined in the contract, specifically completion of specific works within the agreed timeframes.

But Intratrek denies the claims and instead blames ZPC for causing delays to the implementation of the project through its failure to obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment Crtificate and fraud charges it allegedly instituted against Chivayo in December 2017 alleging fraud and corruption in the execution of the Gwanda solar plant project.

State Media

Harare businessman and socialite, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure who yesterday trended on social media after allegedly treating 1 000 inmates to 2 piecer meals from Chicken Inn has denied these claims.

The controversial businessman who was on Tuesday granted $1 000 bail by the High Court after spending four days in remand prison allegedly splashed over $8 000 and bought each inmate a 2 piecer upon release.

But speaking in an interview yesterday, Ginimbi said: “I never bought anything for the inmates. I left (remand prison) at 11PM so what time would I have bought? Social media is coming up with all sorts of stories.”

The claims emerged after an image of a Chicken Inn staffer sort of counting the hundreds of boxes that had been arranged along the sitting areas in their outlet surfaced on social media.

Interestingly, a man resembling Ginimbi was also captured in the image approaching the Chicken Inn staffer.

Contacted for comment, a Simbisa Brands official said a lot of orders for Chicken Inn had been placed on Tuesday, but not by Ginimbi.

“On Tuesday we had a lot of orders for the Peace Festival at the National Sports Stadium. These orders were made at different branches and were way more than the purported 1 000 2 piecers,” said the official.

Ginimbi, earlier this week showed off while he was facing serious fraud charges as he bailed out up to 50 people whose cases are still pending at the Harare Magistrates Courts. Their bail fees ranged from $50 to $500.

He said he did this because of the bond that he created with the inmates during his four nights in cells.

“I looked at them (inmates) when I was arrested and slept there (remand) for four nights. I think some people who’re there don’t have money for real.

“People are struggling to pay amounts like $20 and $50 and stay there forever. I found it in my heart to pay for them and I’m considering doing this monthly, well at least for those who have fees which range from $ 20 to $100.”

To celebrate the release of the Club Sankayi owner and Liquor Boyz boss, an All Khakhi party had been arranged last Friday as Ginimbi’s friends were convinced he would be released then.

Asked if this party would still be held, Ginimbi, a well known party freak said he was not interested in partying.

“There’s nothing to celebrate because I don’t know why I was arrested in the first place. So I have nothing to celebrate,” he said.

However, the socialite’s fans have launched what is being referred to as the “Free Ginimbi” Movement through branded T-Shirts which they are posting on social media.

Comedians such as Mai Titi and social media sensation – Tatelicious also recorded video clips pleading for the release of Harare’s top entertainer also known as “My Guy”.

Zimdancehall chanter, Seh Calaz, not to be outdone, dropped a song titled Gadzirisai (Free Ginimbi) where he advocated for Ginimbi’s release.

Allegations against Ginimbi who was arrested in Harare last Thursday are that between February 2009 and May 2016, his company Piko Trading Private Limited misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that it made total sales of $2 777 678, inclusive of Value Added Tax, when in actual fact the company had made sales amounting to $9 092 951.

To that end, Zimra suffered a prejudice of $417 940. He is also being accused of evading tax with Zimra suffering a total prejudice of $3 468 949.

As part of his bail conditions, Ginimbi was ordered to surrender his passport to the clerk of court and report twice a week at CID Frauds.

State Media

A man suspected to be Zimbabwean was arrested in South Africa for reportedly killing seven members of a South African family after raping three of them.

The man (27) allegedly introduced himself to the Khoza family based in Vlakfontein, south of Johannesburg via Facebook, by claiming that he was a long lost relative by the name of Sibusiso Khoza.

Media reports in South Africa say after introducing himself to the family, Khoza raped three members of the family before murdering three women and four children with the aid of an accomplice, Fita Khupe (61).

The family members were reportedly discovered buried under mounds of soil inside their home in Gauteng after neighbours complained of a stench.

Reports said Khoza was arrested in Mpumalanga‚ near the Lebombo border post‚ where he was found in possession of bank cards belonging to two of the victims while Khupe was arrested in Dobsonville, Soweto.

They are both facing seven charges of premeditated murder and the pair is expected to appear in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the case was postponed from Monday last week after the lawyer representing Khoza, Makau Sekgatja, told the court that his client wanted to apply for bail.

Khoza and his co-accused, Khupe, are being accused of killing seven family members, including three women and four children.

A police representative in Gauteng province Captain Mavela Masondo told TimesLIVE confirming the arrest of the duo. Prosecutors say the murder was a “well-orchestrated” crime.

TimesLIVE also reported that one of the murdered women‚ Nomfundo Khoza‚ had sent frantic WhatsApp messages to her family moments before she died‚ but when they phoned back‚ there was no answer.

Police discovered the bodies on October 29 after neighbours reported a stench‚ leading authorities to the bodies of the three women and four children.

Zimbabwe’s Consul General to South Africa Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro yesterday said he could not comment on the issue since the case was before the courts.

He, however, said the man could be from Mozambique since he was caught close to the South Africa/ Mozambique border post.-state media

Former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who is facing four counts of alleged abuse of office, yesterday made an application for exception on all the charges as he believes that he did not act criminally in any way.

Kasukuwere’s counsel led by Mr Charles Chinyama, who was instructing Mr Thembinkosi Magwaliba, filed the application in terms of Section 170 (1) as read with Section 171 (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which states that one can apply for exception if the charges are not displaying an offence before the court.

Magwaliba argued that Kasukuwere, in his capacity as a minister had the power to allocate land, therefore, there was no deviation from his powers when he awarded the tenders as he did.

He also said that if there was a procurement contract that was signed, it would have been signed by an accounting officer.

Since Kasukuwere as a minister could not legally be the accounting officer as well, it means that he did not breach the Procurement Act as suggested in his charges and in fact the accounting officer should be the one being questioned, said Mr Magwaliba.

The State said that they needed time to respond. Presiding magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya rolled the matter over to November 28.

Kasukuwere is facing four charges of abuse of office emanating from the time he was Minister for Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment and that of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

In the first count, Kasukuwere is accused of flouting tender procedures when he awarded Brainworks Private Limited — owned by Mr George Manyere — a contract to do brokering services and financial advisory to the Government on indigenisation.

Allegations are that the appointment of Brainworks was inconsistent and contrary with the nature of his duties.-state media

A woman from Emganwini suburb, Bulawayo who allegedly defrauded musician Mrs Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi of $100 000 in a suspected illegal money changing deal that went sour, appeared in court yesterday.

Lindiwe Moyo (48) connived with Amanda Onwuchukwu and Simanga Gwemende and allegedly swindled Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of $100 000 before alleging that she lost the money to three suspects — two men and a woman — who had offered her a lift from Beitbridge to Bulawayo only to speed off without her after they had taken a recess in Colleen Bawn.

The money was in a suitcase. Onwuchukwu and Gwemende are still at large.
Moyo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure charged with fraud. She was remanded out of custody to December 14 on $300 bail. As part of bail conditions, she was ordered to reside at her given address and to report thrice a week at ZRP Commercial Crimes Division in Bulawayo.

Moyo was also ordered to surrender her passport to the clerk of court and not interfere with State witnesses.

Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza, said on October 12 this year, Moyo allegedly ganged up with Onwuchukwu and Gwemende and hatched a plan to defraud Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of her money.

“The accused person and her accomplices misrepresented to the complainant that they were in a position to source foreign currency for her. The complainant gave the accused person $100 000,” said Mr Mageza.

It was not mentioned in court papers how the accused person and her accomplices intended to source the foreign currency.

It is however, a punishable criminal offence to illegally deal in foreign currency.
The court heard that upon being given the money, Moyo and her accomplices failed to source the foreign currency and hatched a plan to file a false report at West Nicholson Police Station purporting to have lost Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi’s money to robbers.

Moyo alleged that she lost the money while bringing it back to Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi who wanted it.
She said she lost the cash after people who had offered her a lift from Beitbridge sped off leaving her behind in Colleen Bawn.

“The report was later proved to be false and the accused person was charged and convicted for making a false police report. As a result of accused person’s actions, the complainant suffered actual prejudice of $100 000 and nothing was recovered,” said Mr Mageza.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Moyo while her accomplices are still on the run.

Moyo is being represented by Mr Admire Zvongouya of Liberty Mcijo and Associates.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has used temporary powers to enact a new law that will see illegal currency traders being sentenced to up to ten years in jail, while ill-gotten wealth will be confiscated.
Under regulations that come into effect last week, Government will track unexplained movement of money in the financial system.

President Mnangagwa’s intervention, which involves amending the Exchange Control and Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Acts, is through constitutional provisions of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act.

Parliament needs to approve the law within six months to make it permanent.
The new law prescribes a maximum 10-year custodial sentence for illegal currency traders, and authorities will be empowered — through the Unexplained Wealth Orders Statute — to confiscate ill-gotten wealth.

The President recently said police investigations have proved that illegal money changers operating from the streets were just pawns in the black market scheme.

He said wanton illicit currency deals have disturbed the economy resulting in massive market failure, manifesting in complete collapse of the pricing framework for virtually all commodities. – state media

The High Court has thrown out an application by television personality Oscar Pambuka and former Zanu PF MP for Highfield Psychology Maziwisa to overturn a decision by the Magistrates’ Courts to be put to their defence in the ongoing fraud trial.

Maziwisa and Pambuka are accused of defrauding Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $12 650.

Magistrate Lazini Ncube dismissed their application for discharge at the close of the State’s case and ruled that they should be put to their defence, but they approached the High Court, challenging Ncube’s ruling.

A High Court judge ruled that there is nothing improper about Ncube’s decision and they should go back to court and defend themselves. The defence case failed to proceed yesterday after the duo’s lawyer, Jonathan Samukange travelled to Namibia for a Supreme Court hearing.

Ncube postponed the matter to November 26 for continuation of trial.- state media

THE High Court has thrown out an application by television personality Oscar Pambuka and former Zanu PF MP for Highfield Psychology Maziwisa to overturn a decision by the Magistrates’ Courts to be put to their defence in the ongoing fraud trial.

Maziwisa and Pambuka are accused of defrauding Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $12 650.

Magistrate Lazini Ncube dismissed their application for discharge at the close of the State’s case and ruled that they should be put to their defence, but they approached the High Court, challenging Ncube’s ruling.

A High Court judge ruled that there is nothing improper about Ncube’s decision and they should go back to court and defend themselves.

The defence case failed to proceed yesterday after the duo’s lawyer, Jonathan Samukange travelled to Namibia for a Supreme Court hearing.

Ncube postponed the matter to November 26 for continuation of trial.

Daily News

Correspondent|Glen View South MDC Alliance legislator Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java has cleared the air on corruption allegations that has been dogging her for more than five years through media reports.

In 2011, Harare City Council allegedly awarded a water treatment contract multi-million dollar water purification project to Tsvangirai and her husband Apostle Batsirai Java.

Allegations were that that the couple owns Australian-registered company which deals with water purification services, approached the city council for a tender to purify Harare water.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday,Tsvangirai said she approached the Harare City Council in good faith.

“I approached the Harare City Council with my proposal and underwent all the testing processes with the Standard Association of Zimbabwe.

“The city council engineers also tested the chemicals and we all agreed that we will be given a procurement order valid at $212 000 for a pilot test,” she explained.

Investigations established that Tsvangirai actually toured Sydney with the Harare City Council Water department officials with a written Cabinet authority as is required at law.

“We were told that after the visit the city council would then give us a procurement order as a pilot test,” she said.

“The cost was to be $212 000 and our services wold have cut city council budget on water purification by 50%,” she said.

Tsvangirai Java said her company did all the necessary tests with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe as well as with the City of harare technicians which were successiful.

However, she said after all the tests were done city council never called her for further development and she suspects politics was at play. The whole deal had been passed by a Full Council Resolution rendering it an ‘above board’ arrangement. Tsvangirai said politics came into play as she was accused of being favoured as the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter and the deal failed to materialise.

Despite the deal having failed to materialise, she said, her enemies and political foes still allege she was given a US$10 million tender and failed to deliver the services.

M&T

 

Terrence Mawawa|The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has said that nothing has changed since former President Robert Mugabe vacated office. Mugabe was pushed out of power in
November 2017 after the military intervened in ZANU PF’s succession battles. The military placed Mugabe under house arrest and he resigned after Parliament began proceedings to impeach him. President Mnangagwa took over a few days later and has been singing the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’. However, little has changed for the betterment of ordinary people’s lives. ZimRights director Okay Machiya said:”
I don’t think there has been any
improvement. There has been a
number of abuses we did not expect
from the new administration
epitomised by the August 1 shootings of ordinary citizens. There is nothing to celebrate.
Zimbabweans have not enjoyed the
socio-economic and political rights we are guaranteed by the Constitution. We still see the partisan distribution of food. There seem to be much talk and little action around the economy but tangible for Zimbabweans to enjoy.Newsday

 

Terrence Mawawa| Prominent philanthropist and wife of Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa, Tsitsi Masiyiwa says that there is nothing wrong with marrying or renewing marital vows in the month of November.

Culturally it is considered a taboo to get married in November, such marriages are doomed to fail according to tradition.

Expressing her views on Twitter,
Masiyiwa said :”Zimbabwe it’s okay and acceptable to get married in November. It’s perfectly acceptable to renew your marriage vows in the month of November. “So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39.”