STEVE Hanke, a professor of applied economics at The Johns Hopkins University and senior fellow at the Cato Institute, had an exclusive interview with the Daily News.

Over four decades, Hanke has advised dozens of world leaders from Ronald Reagan to Indonesia’s Suharto on currency reforms, infrastructure development, privatisation, and how to tame hyperinflation. Hanke has authored a book on this country titled Zimbabwe: Hyperinflation to Growth (2008). He is considered an expert and authority on Zimbabwean economic affairs.

Q: Prior to the GNU in 2009, Zimbabwe ran large fiscal deficits financed by printing money. As a consequence, it experienced the second most severe case of hyperinflation in history, which you were able to accurately measure. By November 14, 2008, you said the annual inflation rate peaked at 89,7 sextillion percent. Prices doubled every day, making Zimbabwe’s 100 trillion dollar notes worthless. You now claim Zimbabwe is experiencing another bout of hyperinflation?

A: Zimbabwe happens to have had two hyperinflations in less than a 10-year period. The first one was a fantastic one that culminated in November 2008 and it was the second highest hyperinflation ever recorded in world history. The prices were doubling every 24 hours and the rate of inflation that I measured was 7,96 sextillion percent.

What happened is after the economy successfully dollarised in 2008 and officially dollarised in 2009, there was the coalition government and everything was working fine, and everything settled down and inflation went away and stability was observed in Zimbabwe and the economy started to grow.

In 2016, the government started issuing new money, you had bond notes and RTGS being issued and in 2017, I actually measured another case of hyperinflation where the monthly rate was 185 percent and the prices were doubling every 20,1 days.

Q: How do you calculate this because this is different from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency figures?

A: You calculate these by looking at the exchange rate and using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) theory, you can transform those changes into implied inflation rates and it is very accurate. So, in both cases, I am the only one who has actually measured accurately the inflation rate in Zimbabwe.

Q: Zimbabwe’s situation has been said to be more of a political crisis than an economic crisis. What’s your take?

A: Well, it’s both because economics is political economy. We used to refer to economics as political economy and not economics, so it’s always political and it always has economic components.

Q: The Zimbabwean government is attempting to address the crisis by acquiring more debt. For example, it’s about to close a $500m credit facility with the African Export Import Bank (Afrexim bank) and recently contracted a fuel loan of 100 million litres to be paid in 12 months from a local businessman’s company. Is this sustainable and feasible?

A: It might be feasible but it’s not very wise. If they get money from Afrexim bank and a business man, it’s not wise because the country is bankrupt, so it’s not a good idea to borrow more money if you are bankrupt.

Q: What are your thoughts with regards to new economic policies, such as a controversial review the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax from 5 cents per transaction to 2 cents per dollar transacted, effective October 1. In your own assessment, can these measures rescue Zimbabwe’s dying economy?

A: The two percent tax was not a very wise decision and it was very poorly timed and that was one thing that created a chaotic market environment, and right after the two percent tax was imposed, it raised a lot of red flags.

Q: President Emmerson Mnangagwa has told the people of Zimbabwe that this new tax on electronic payments was a painful but necessary part of the government’s attempts to revive the economy. What’s your take on this “no pain no gain” trajectory?

A: This idea that you have to have pain to move forward, no, you just have to have the right policies and when you have right policies and everything will move forward in a right way. I have done this in many countries and in many places.

One of the most famous ones was Bulgaria and I was the president’s advisor in Bulgaria. We did a currency reform in 1997 and stopped the hyper-inflation rising at 242 percent a month. It was one of the biggest hyper-inflations in the world. We did the reform in July 1997 for the currency and it stopped the hyper-inflation immediately and by the end of 30 days, the economy had started to boom already. The idea that this takes a long time and you have to have pain, if you do good economics you don’t have to have pain.

You do not tax your way into a recovery and you don’t surprise people with a two percent tax, that ruins your credibility. Credibility is everything in economics and political economy and if you don’t have credibility you don’t have confidence and it’s a real problem.

It’s like going to a witch doctor and saying you have a problem and the witch doctor says, “this cure is going to hurt you but make you feel better when it’s done.” That’s the kind of doctor we are talking about. If you got a doctor, they fix the problem and the pain goes away and this is the idea of putting economic policies and I indicated many times that the Singapore strategy is what they should do.

Q: Zimbabwe Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has told the people of Zimbabwe to give him six months for his Transitional Stabilisation Programme to start making an impact on the economy. Is this programme feasible and is six months not sinking in too deep for any revival to take place in the economy?

A: There was a testimony before Parliament about the budget. There was a big talk about cutting down the civil service and rationalising the civil service and the big problem and mystery is, how are they going to pay the pensions? It is ridiculous. Cutting the civil service is a fine thing to do but if you are cutting civil service, you are obliged to pay the pensions you promised and so the question is, where are you going to get the money to pay the civil servants? That question was never answered.

So, the Finance minister just said by the end of 2019, we are going to pay these arrears to the World Bank, that’s a fine idea. Nothing will happen with the World Bank until the arrears are paid, but the question again is, where are they going to get the money to pay the arrears?

The government promised to pay people something. If you are paying people pensions and retiring them early and settle the World Bank and your obligations, where is the money coming from? All this takes money.

Q: You have, for some time now, been making calls on government to dump the quasi-currencies that are not real money and demonetise the bond notes, yet the government seem to be throwing caution to the wind. What are the consequences of continuing with the ZimBollars?

A: Let me first state that I was adamantly opposed to the issue of bond notes in the first place. I had conversations with RBZ and they asked me what my opinion was about bond notes and I told them it was going to be a complete disaster and now they have a big mess to clean up and they have not put up a plan to clean up the mess. They have to remove the bond notes and RTGS from the monetary system. They have to go back to pure dollarisation. They have to start operating under the rules of pure dollarisation as they were doing during the coalition government.

If they don’t do that the chaos will continue. There will be no way they can look forward on anything unless they get rid of the bond note and the RTGS.

Q: Most Zimbabweans have bank accounts holding electronic money, known as RTGS, or real-time gross settlement. Can this be classified as money?

A: Zimbabweans are smart, they are not stupid. They know they don’t have the money in the bank and if you are a Zimbabwean and you want to pay for a Visa update, they ask you for US dollars. They don’t even accept bond notes or RTGS, they want US dollars, so even the government knows that the bond notes are phony money. People know very well that the bond notes and RTGS are trading at a huge discount on market exchange rate and you don’t have to be a genius to figure all this out.

Q: The Zimbabwean government keeps affirming that US dollars are at 1:1 parity with bond notes, although the currency parallel market is measuring at more than 300 percent. What’s the long-term impact of this forced parity?

A: The bond notes and RTGS are like a cancer in the economy and its going to kill the economy. It has killed the economy. Why isn’t the economy performing like it was during the years of the coalition government? In the years of the coalition government the economy performed well. It was purely dollarised.

The coalition was done away with and the Mugabe government decided they wanted to spend more money yet they didn’t have the money.

Then they said, oh ok, we will make bond notes, we will issue RTGS. So that’s what it’s all about. The bond notes and RTGS are denying reality because the reality is the country is broke and it doesn’t have money to spend and you can’t create money out of thin air. You have to earn it and if you create it out of the air, you literally are creating a cancer.

We already know that’s a cancer for chaos, to start a hyperinflation and it is the only reason Pauline that you are interviewing me. If you didn’t have bond notes and RTGS, you wouldn’t be wasting your time interviewing me. There would be nothing to talk about. Everything would be fine.

Q: Currently, prices of commodities are perpetually escalating and the government seems to be failing to control the inflation. What steps can Zimbabwe take to recover the economy?

A: Good economics is needed in Zimbabwe and I have indicated that the Singapore strategy is what Zimbabwe should follow. Singapore was independent in 1965, it was in much worse shape than Zimbabwe is right now. It was one of the poorest places in the world, a complete disaster, almost ready to got into a civil war.

Lee Kuan Yew was the prime minister. He had a strategy for moving ahead and now Singapore is one of the richest places in the world. It started from zero in 1965 and in 2018 Singapore is rich. It took very little time.

The key aspect of Singapore strategy was sound money, they did a currency board like I did in Bulgaria, the second thing is they were going to pass the begging bowl, and this is the key thing in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe only has one strategy, they are looking for foreign aid and they think if they get foreign aid and gifts, somehow, magically, that’s going to turn things around and save Zimbabwe.

Foreign aid has proven to be a failure many times. Singapore never accepted any foreign aid, that was the strategy. The strategy was that we will pull ourselves out of our own boot straps in Singapore and we are not asking and not accepting any foreign aid.

The third aspect that also runs contrary to the situation in Zimbabwe is that Lee Kuan Yew said that we will have a high-quality civil servant, first class wages. So, it’s very small and they are paid very high wages, contrary to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has a monstrous civil service which should be cut at least by 50 to 75 percent and older people should be retired early and paid pensions and replaced with high quality people, getting high wages.

The Finance minister in Singapore right now earns US$1 600 000 annually so everyone’s paid well and everyone’s high quality and there is no corruption in Singapore. In Zimbabwe, it’s exactly the opposite and you have massive corruption.

Q: So, what the antidote?

A: Zimbabwe’s antidote is similar to what I did in Bulgaria; you have to fix the currency problem. You need to fix the currency mess first otherwise you won’t do anything and the reason you have to do the currency first is because no one has confidence in the government right now. The reason they don’t have confidence in the government is the currency mess.

If the government fixes the currency mess, the people of Zimbabwe can have confidence and the government can focus on other things. You have to fix the currency mess first.

You have got to get the cancer out of the economy and the cancer is the new Zimdollar. If the president and government don’t do that, they will be able to do nothing and they will fail. Everything else will fail.

Q: Would you be willing to come, if you were to be invited, to offer expertise and help revive Zimbabwe’s economy like you did in Bulgaria?

A: The answer to that is in two parts. I am very fond of Zimbabwe and I would be happy to give any help to Zimbabwe. I would be more than happy to do it. That’s the first part of the question, that is about Zimbabwe people.

The second part is trickier, because if you are asked to be an advisor to a government, I would have to do it on my terms. You have to be assured that as you are being taken on as advisor, you have to take authority to do things. So, if it’s just to come as an advisor without any authority, without anyone listening to you, it’s a waste of my time, I have other things to do.

But if the conditions would be right in principle, it’s conceivable. If all the conditions were right, but the main condition is that you have the trust and authority of the president and the government and the authority to actually do something.

You can be a minister but if you don’t have any authority to do anything, it’s a waste of time being a minister. In Bulgaria, I had complete authority that was given to me by President Stoyan Alexandrov.

I had his confidence and I had authority and I designed the currency board and I installed the currency board and did the currency reform, I stopped the hyperinflation and then we went on to fix other problems.

— Daily News

A Mutare farmer who lost his wife due to medical negligence has been awarded $20 000 in damages after an eight-year legal battle. The High Court last week ordered Dr Miriam Kanyenze to pay Mr James Makunura after his wife of 40 years died owing to flawed medical treatment.

Mr Makunura had claimed $50 000 damages for loss of spousal and child support plus funeral expenses, but Justice Tagu reduced the award to $20 000.

Mrs Makunura sought medical attention for fibroids from the specialist in 2010.

After the surgery, Dr Kanyenze negligently discharged Mildred Makunura from hospital without attending to her hypertension.

As a result, she died three days after discharge.

Dr Kanyenze was charged and convicted of improper conduct on her own admission before the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council of Zimbabwe.

Following the conviction of Dr Kanyenze, Mr Makunura sued the specialist at the High Court for damages.

He claimed that had it not been for Dr Kanyenze’s negligence his wife would not have died and he would not have incurred the subsequent transport, funeral and burial expenses.

In his ruling, Justice Tagu found that Dr Kanyenze was responsible for Mrs Makunura’s death.

The doctor had denied that she was negligent. She argued that when Mrs Makunura was discharged from hospital she was no longer her patient.

Further, the doctor claimed that Mrs Makunura was discharged by a Cuban consultant working under Mutare General Hospital.

But Justice Tagu dismissed Dr Kanyenze’s defence saying it was porous to the liability, when it is clear that she admitted negligence during the disciplinary hearing.

“I found her evidence to have been pathetic and discredited under cross-examination,” he said. “She was not a credible witness as compared to the plaintiff (Mr Makunura) who stuck to his story. I, therefore, find the defendant (Dr Kanyenze) liable for the death of the deceased. She was negligent in the manner she handled the deceased after operating on her.”

On the damages claimed, Justice Tagu noted the amount was on the high side. He assessed and reduced the total damage to $20 000.

“In my view a reasonable figure has to be awarded and not one that breaks the defendant,” he said.

Mr Makunura was able to prove that he and his late wife used to carry out a lucrative farming business in rural Nyanga North.

The couple had been married for 40 years.

Their joint agricultural business was flourishing due to the positive influence of the deceased and now all that was gone.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has directed businesses that are trading in multi-currencies to remit taxes in the same currency in which the goods have been sold.

“Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has noticed that there are businesses that are trading, withholding and collecting Value Added Tax, Pay As You Earn, Capital Gains Tax and other taxes in multi-currencies,” said the authority in a statement.

“Following this observation, Zimra has found it necessary to clarify that these businesses should remit taxes in the specific currencies in which they collect them without any conversion to RTGS, bond notes, local point of sale and mobile money.”

A number of businesses, especially pharmacies and the bilsing materials industry, are demanding payment in forex.

Some, however, trade the multi-currencies they get on the parallel market and then settle their tax and other obligations using RTGS and other electronic systems, making hefty profits in the process.

Government has urged Zimra to tighten its revenue collection mechanisms to plug loopholes that have been abused by some unscrupulous businesses.

Improved revenue collection is expected to boost Government coffers and in turn funding to critical sectors such as social services and infrastructure development. Zimra is owed over $2 billion in taxes by individuals and organisations.

-State Media

The owners of the Brooklyn Express Bus, which burst into flames near West Nicholson on Thursday evening, enroute to Musina, South Africa, killing over 30 passengers, have started the process of assisting the families of the victims of the tragic accident.

The bus which was enroute to Musina from Zvishavane, was involved in a tragic accident where it is suspected a gas cannister smuggled by a passenger exploded in the luggage cabin.

32 people have so far been confirmed dead.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the relatives and families of the deceased whose lives were lost in an accident involving one of our Brooklyn express buses along the Bulawayo, Beitbridge highway”

“We would like to also extend our sincere apologies to Zimbabwe as a whole and we stand in prayer with the bereaved families, praying for strength while we all try to come to terms with what has happened,” said Mr M Ndlovu, the company’s managing director.

Ndlovu said they are waiting for the official report regarding the accident from the investigating team and are cooperating with the relevant authorities.

He encouraged passengers to desist from smuggling flammable objects that can result in loss of lives.

“Travelling with gas cannisters is prohibited on our buses and therefore, it is our humble plea with the Zimbabwean community to desist from smuggling cannisters onto public transport as this has far-reaching consequences,” he said.

The National Civil Protection Unit has released US$16 000 to assist the families with funeral arrangements, which will be released after DNA tests of those who were burnt beyond recognition have been conducted.

A help desk has also been set up at Gwanda Provincial Hospital to assist those who suspect that their relatives are victims of the tragic accident.

The tragic accident comes a few weeks after another horrific bus accident which claimed more than 50 lives.

CITE

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has started a process of engaging the survivors and perpetrators of the Gukurahundi atrocities.

This is part of the implementation of the strategic plan which was launched in October.

In an interview with NPRC Chairperson Retired Justice Selo Masole Nare said they have started the process of addressing one of the country`s most sensitive human rights issue.

“We are living at a time where the nation, in as far as provinces are concerned, are still bleeding,” said Nare.

“The victims would suggest how they want to heal. There is a lot that they have said. Some would want an apology, some compensation, and others want to be visited, they would like the improvement of their areas and job creation”.

The commission is expected to start visit some of the areas where the massacres took place.

“In January we will visit the affected communities and interview them and get the information. The information will be taken immediately to his Excellency the president then carry on with the process.,” said Nare.

He said the process has started and the Commission has met some of the stakeholders involved in the programme.

“On 14 November we drafted the roadmap leading to the implementation. There are certain items which should be attended to immediately and there are some which are a process, including the Matabeleland conflicts particularly Gukurahundi,” Nare told to CITE.

Nare also revealed that they are putting up peace commissions in provinces which will spearhead the process.

“We do hope that by end of December we would have put in place the peace commissions starting with the provincial committees then we will cascade to the district and then go down to the communities and villages if there need to be so that we can then go down to talk to the people concerned whether the victims or perpetrators,” said Nare.

He revealed that the Commission has already met with the Chiefs Council where they introduced the subject and discussed how they want them to be involved.

He revealed that the Commission will also have a meeting with Chiefs from Matabeleland during their annual chiefs meeting in December to introduce the commissioners.

“We will have provincial meeting with the chiefs from Matabeleland and if a need arises we will also meet those in Midlands,” added Nare.

He also said the Commission will engage the affected people in the diaspora.

“We would also create time and visit those in the diaspora. There are a lot of people in diaspora without birth certificates. They have obtained them from other countries. There are now citizens of those countries as opposed to be citizens of their own country,” he concluded.

According to a report produced by the Catholic Commission on Peace and Justice (CCJP), the 1980s genocide was orchestrated by a North Korean trained 5th Brigade which rampaged through Matabeleland and Midlands provinces killing 20 000 innocent civilians.

CITE

-Mail and Telegraph

Zanu PF national youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi has challenged party youths to take the fight to economic saboteurs who are bend on destabilising the economy to create problems for President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying they should confiscate all over priced goods.

Since the victory of Mnangagwa in July, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and prices for basic commodities have increased to unprecedented levels with other retailers shunning away the bond notes over the powerful United States dollar.

Togarepi said Zanu PF youth are under an instruction to confiscate all overpriced goods because the people who are doing it are undermining the leadership of Mnangagwa.

“You find that there are people who are bend on destabilising the country by making the public suffer. We will not watch this unfold without buckling it.

“Our youth are under an instruction to confiscate all overpriced goods because there is no justification whatsoever on why that should be done. How can we make progress when other people are pulling in opposite directions?

“A 2 litres bottle of cooking oil should not be above $4 but now we see it in shelves of many shops going for $10. Our youth will go and pay the shop owner the normal price and take away the whole lot because it is insane,” said Togarepi.

He said some of the people are getting forex from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and in turn hike prices without any justification.

“The Reserve Bank will stop to give such people forex and we know them. They get forex and the hike prices for what?

“We would rather have that cash be given to our youth so that they import the basic commodities and sell them at friendly prices,” said Togarepi.

The deputy minister of labour, Lovemore Matuke, also weighed in saying the whole crisis evolves around MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa who promised to spoil the party for Zanu PF if he lost the elections.

“Chamisa said achazvidira jecha saka ndiro jecha racho iri. Our people should be told that this whole mess is because of Chamisa.

“Our President wants what is best for our people and those people who are sympathetic to Chamisa are sabotaging the economy. The MDC Alliance won all urban setups where the means of production is controlled and they are now sabotaging our President,” said Matuke.

Correspondent|DELTA Beverages’ Supa Chibuku beer dominated the MDC “Thank You” rally that was hosted over the weekend in Chinhoyi. Scores of party supporters braved the scotching sun and followed proceedings while drinking their favorite Supa Chibuku to help cool off.

See the Pictures below:

Own Correspondent|A money changer based at Chicken Inn in Masvingo claims that he was today robbed of over R15 000 at gun point by 2 armed robbers.

The dealer known as Mzansi amongst the legal money chargers in the town told ZimEye.com correspondents that he received a call from an unknown number and was told to bring 15600 Rands to a house in Rhodene close to Masvingo General Hospital.

Mzansi allegedly borrowed the 15600 Rands from his business partners at Chicken and hired a taxi to take him to Rhodene. Around 12 noon he arrived at the gate of the house and to his surprise he was not allowed into the yard. They came to meet him outside.

“I offered them a beer and they accepted, one of them dropped the beer as if by mistake then pulled out a gun on me” said Mzansi as tears dropped from his eyes.

“They told me the game has started and asked me to sit in the boot of the taxi that I had hired together with the taxi driver, they drove the car for about 100m before asking us to get out of the car. One of the robbers wanted to shoot my hand so that I become powerless that is when they started beating me heartlessly.

“They took the 15600 Rands my phone and that of my driver and the Toyota Fun Cargo we had. Before chasing us into the Bush one of the robbers pointed the gun at me before shoving the barrel of the pistol into my mouth”

Police in Masvingo could not be reached for comment.

Mzansi was not keen on giving his real name as he feared going to prison for forex dealing. The offense now attracts a jail term of up to 10 years and President Emmerson Mnangagwa has allowed citizen’s arrest.

The ordeal is the second in as months after a Bulawayo money charger claimed that she was robbed of over US$90 000 belonging to singer Sandra Ndebele.

The tale later turned out to be untrue as the woman confessed to trying to loot the money from the musician by framing the robbery.

By A Correspondent| Reports coming out of Kariba allege that a haulage truck has caught fire while on the road. The full details were sketchy at the time of printing but meanwhile, below was a post on the development:

This truck got burnt to ashes on Friday, 20km out of #Kariba. The driver could not phone for any assistance – there is no network for the greater part of the Kariba-Makuti Rd. Had it been at night, the driver would have been devoured by wild animals. Give us network, please. pic.twitter.com/mHXWjgyi3Q

— Kariba Holidays (@KaribaHolidays) November 19, 2018

Own Correspondent|Zanu PF national youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi has challenged party youths to take the fight to economic saboteurs who are bend on destabilising the economy to create problems for President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying they should confisticate all over priced goods.

Since the victory of Mnangagwa in July, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and prices for basic commodities have increased to unprecedented levels with other retailers shunning away the bond notes over the powerful United States dollar.

Togarepi said Zanu PF youth are under an instruction to confiscate all overpriced goods because the people who are doing it are undermining the leadership of Mnangagwa.

“You find that there are people who are bend on destabilising the country by making the public suffer. We will not watch this unfold without buckling it.

“Our youth are under an instruction to confiscate all overpriced goods because there is no justification whatsoever on why that should be done. How can we make progress when other people are pulling in opposite directions?

“A 2 litres bottle of cooking oil should not be above $4 but now we see it in shelves of many shops going for $10. Our youth will go and pay the shop owner the normal price and take away the whole lot because it is insane,” said Togarepi.

He said some of the people are getting forex from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and in turn hike prices without any justification.

“The Reserve Bank will stop to give such people forex and we know them. They get forex and the hike prices for what?

“We would rather have that cash be given to our youth so that they import the basic commodities and sell them at friendly prices,” said Togarepi.

The deputy minister of labour, Lovemore Matuke, also weighed in saying the whole crisis evolves around MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa who promised to spoil the party for Zanu PF if he lost the elections.

“Chamisa said achazvidira jecha saka ndiro jecha racho iri. Our people should be told that this whole mess is because of Chamisa.

“Our President wants what is best for our people and those people who are sympathetic to Chamisa are sabotaging the economy. The MDC Alliance won all urban setups where the means of production is controlled and they are now sabotaging our President,” said Matuke.

Correspondent|CASH STRAPPED government has shot down an appeal from traditional leader, Chief Chundu, requesting funds to carry out a series of cleansing ceremonies at accident scenes, to stop them from re-occurring.

This comes as at least 47 people were killed, while 70 others were injured when two buses – Bolt Cutter and Smart Express – ploughed into each other head-on at the 166-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway on November 7.

A further 42 people lost their lives on November 15 after a suspected gas tank exploded on a bus in Gwanda.

Speaking in Senate on Thursday, Chief Chundu, was of the view that cleansing ceremonies were essential to appease spirits of the dead were at accident scenes albeit through tax payer funding.

“My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Are there plans in terms of accidents that are happening on our roads so that they are cleansed by churches and chiefs especially those blind spots?” he queried.

Deputy minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Fortune Chasi said cleansing ceremonies were not in government’s plans.

“I heard as if the Senator is asking whether or not there is anything that we do as government to cleanse the accident areas? It is very true, as a government, we visited the Rusape accident scene but there is nothing that is in place when it comes to cleansing – there is nothing in place. We leave that to the interested parties, they can go ahead if there is anything that they can do to help the nation but as government, we do not go there and pray or cleanse the area,” Chasi said.

Chief Chundu further queried “so if there are people who can do the cleansing, will they get funding from the ministry?”

Chasi, however, stated that government did not have any such plans and anyone who wanted to carry out cleansing ceremonies could do so at their own expense.

“There is no funding set aside by the government to cater for that. We think that as the people of Zimbabwe, those who want to do that can make their own arrangements. We do not have a budget set aside for that,” he said.

President of Senate Marble Chinomona also pressured: “Minister, are you even considering it?”

Chasi again shot that down: “No, we are not,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Transport and Infrastructural Development deputy minister said government was working around the clock to investigate causes of accidents which are likely to get worse as we enter the festive season.

He acknowledged the daily tussles between passengers and touts at places of boarding as a cause of concern.

He pointed at the need for the use of modern technology such as cameras to spot infringements in cities and urgent restructuring at the VID where officials have been said to have corruptly awarded drivers’ licences.

“The accident that happened in Rusape should be an eye opener to all Zimbabweans so that we look at this closely. We are now looking at how licences are issued and those who drive public service vehicles should be 25years old and above. Currently, most kombi drivers are under age. So I think we should reconsider this and as Government, we have decided in Cabinet that we should come up with a Road Traffic Fund,” he said.

Observers maintains, as in the glory days of Zupco, only an efficient government run transport system can reduce escalating commuter accidents.

M&T

Zanu PF national youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi has challenged party youths to take the fight to economic saboteurs who are bend on destabilising the economy to create problems for President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying they should confiscate all over priced goods.

Since the victory of Mnangagwa in July, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and prices for basic commodities have increased to unprecedented levels with other retailers shunning away the bond notes over the powerful United States dollar.

Togarepi said Zanu PF youth are under an instruction to confiscate all overpriced goods because the people who are doing it are undermining the leadership of Mnangagwa.

“You find that there are people who are bend on destabilising the country by making the public suffer. We will not watch this unfold without buckling it.

“Our youth are under an instruction to confiscate all overpriced goods because there is no justification whatsoever on why that should be done. How can we make progress when other people are pulling in opposite directions?

“A 2 litres bottle of cooking oil should not be above $4 but now we see it in shelves of many shops going for $10. Our youth will go and pay the shop owner the normal price and take away the whole lot because it is insane,” said Togarepi.

He said some of the people are getting forex from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and in turn hike prices without any justification.

“The Reserve Bank will stop to give such people forex and we know them. They get forex and the hike prices for what?

“We would rather have that cash be given to our youth so that they import the basic commodities and sell them at friendly prices,” said Togarepi.

The deputy minister of labour, Lovemore Matuke, also weighed in saying the whole crisis evolves around MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa who promised to spoil the party for Zanu PF if he lost the elections.

“Chamisa said achazvidira jecha saka ndiro jecha racho iri. Our people should be told that this whole mess is because of Chamisa.

“Our President wants what is best for our people and those people who are sympathetic to Chamisa are sabotaging the economy. The MDC Alliance won all urban setups where the means of production is controlled and they are now sabotaging our President,” said Matuke.

-Mail and Telegraph

Hwange-based Zambezi Gas, a coal mining company, has appealed to the Temba Mliswa-led parliamentary panel to intervene so that it can get its land, which was allegedly grabbed by Zanu PF administration secretary Obert Mpofu’s Makomo Resources, back.

Mpofu’s Makomo Resources is the largest privately-owned coal producer in Zimbabwe and supplies power stations, industrial and agricultural sectors. Zambezi Gas shareholder and deputy managing director Linos Masimura told a parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines led by Mliswa that its special grant allocated it 19 000 hectares but the company has been given access to only 8 000 hectares, with the rest allegedly grabbed by Mpofu’s company.

Zambezi Gas’s disclosure is a boon for Mliswa, whose committee has been moving to pressure the Zimbabwe Power Company to stop buying coal from Makomo Resources because of contempt of Parliament allegedly displayed by Mpofu after he was summoned to the National Assembly in February to help explain the missing $15 billion worth of precious stones from Marange, as the government hunts for elusive answers on the emotive issue.

The parliamentary panel was on a tour to hear how Hwange Colliery Company was operating after Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando gazetted an order, effective October 30, placing the company under reconstruction in terms of section 4 of the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act.

Hwange, in which Zimbabwe’s government is the biggest shareholder with 37 percent shares, is the nation’s second largest coal producer after Makomo and also supplies coke to national electricity company Zesa. “We have all our papers indicating that the land belongs to us. From 2003 the size never changed. When we pay licence fees, we pay for the whole land.

We have written to the ministry of Mines asking them to follow the law,” Masimura said. Masimura said the dispute arose when the shareholders of Zambezi Gas and Makomo Resources were negotiating a partnership, but when the deal fell through Makomo allegedly grabbed the Zambezi Gas land.

It seems it never rains but pours for Mpofu, who is also being frustrated by a group of former liberation war fighters who want him out of the ruling Zanu PF party. The former Home Affairs minister is topping the list of under-fire Zanu PF functionaries that have received a hostile reception at the party headquarters in Harare where they were deployed after being thrown out of President Mnangagwa’s Cabinet in September.

Parliament had previously recommended that Zambezi Gas should get back its land and that recommendation is yet to come to fruition. Meanwhile, Masimura said the shortage of foreign currency is affecting the operation of their mine.

The company is currently producing 50 000 tonnes of coal per month and is looking to produce 300 000 tonnes by 2019.

Mliswa hailed the company for doing its best under the circumstances.

“This is good of our country, you are doing great job and we are happy with the way you run your business. This is the right way to follow when you are doing mining,” Mliswa said.

The bad blood between Mliswa and Mpofu seem to have escalated in the wake of the former Mines minister’s refusal to be answerable to Mliswa during the inquiry on the missing $15 billion revenue from the gem-rich Chiadzwa diamonds fields.

The minister made it clear from the beginning of proceedings back in February that he had no time for the committee, also telling Mliswa bluntly that he could not be lectured on how Parliament worked.

Mpofu’s tantrum sparked anger among the gathered MPs who called for him to be slapped with stiff sanctions which he said, however, would have little effect on him — as he had been in Parliament for more than three decades, and thus knew how to deal with the august House’s procedures.

The burly former Home Affairs minister vowed never to appear before the portfolio committee to answer any questions relating to the missing $15 billion revenue as long as Mliswa was presiding over the emotive issue — also suggesting damagingly that the garrulous Norton legislator had at some point sought a bribe from him. Mliswa, who has been reinstated as chairperson of the portfolio committee in the 9th Parliament, said: “We recommended that Mpofu is not fit to be a minister and I am happy that the appointing authority listened to us.”

Mliswa told the Daily News he will also follow-through recommendations by his committee to ensure the ZPC stops buying coal from Mpofu’s Makomo Resources company. “We hope this issue is going implemented,” Mliswa said then.

-Daily News

Jane Mlambo| Controversial Harare conman, Genius Kadungure will spend another night in the company in inmates after High Court Judge Tawanda Chitapi postponed his ruling on the socialite’s application for bail.

Ginimbi who is accused of tax evasion to the tune of $3 million was arrested on Thursday last week and denied bail resulting in him spending the whole weekend behind bars.

His bid for freedom was tabled before the upper court but it appears he will only know his fate tomorrow, when Chitapi finally hands down his ruling.

Paul Nyathi|A man suspected to be a Zimbabwean has died after falling from Scammonden Bridge in an incident which led to the full closure of the M62 one of the busiest roads in the United Kingdom over the weekend.

West Yorkshire Police received a call at 10:56am alerting them to the incident, and the motorway was immediately closed as paramedics and the air ambulance attended the scene.

Traffic travelling towards Manchester was taken off the motorway at junction 24 for Ainley Top, while people travelling towards Leeds on the eastbound carriageway were diverted off at junction 22 for Rishworth Moor.

The westbound stretch of the motorway reopened just before 11:45am on Sunday after hours of a standstill.

The eastbound stretch partially reopened at 12:30pm, with traffic moving freely in all lanes on the motorway by 2:30pm.

Police confirmed the man’s death shortly before 2pm.

According to locals and Zimbabweans based in the UK, the bridge is a “popular” suicide spot and the authorities have said that they will take measures to increase the bridge’s safety from as far back as 2015.

The man who is said to have been in his 50s and according to those who knew him, he may have been pushed into committing suicide by rumours that were circulating about his life.

Veteran broadcaster and journalist for Voice of America, Ezra Tshisa Sibanda said,

“Zimbabwean man from Manchester has died in a fall from M62 Scammonden Road Bridge.

“West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to the scene, between J22 and J23, shortly before 11 am Sunday morning. It’s believed the man in his 50s jumped to his death in a case of suspected suicide. Details of this tragic incident are sketchy as police are continuing with their investigations.

Own Correspondent|Christmas came early for 50 people who were stuck at Harare Remand Prison after businessman and socialite, Genius Kadungure paid their bail fees which ranged from $20 to $500.

Kadungure who is popularly known as Ginimbi, spent the weekend at Harare Remand Prison after being denied bail by Harare Magistrate Bianca Makwande on Friday, after she argued that granting him bail would not be in the interest of justice is he is facing a number of serious cases of fraud and is a flight risk as he has an established base in South Africa.

Ginimbi is facing charges of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion of millions of dollars.

Ginimbi’s South African based public relations officer, Shaleen Manhire-Nullens revealed the businessman’s actions over the weekend. Speaking to H-Metro, Manhire-Nullens said,

Some had stayed for about eight months because they could not raise $20 to be released on bail. The other guy for whom we paid $500 for had stayed for a good five years. Others had failed to raise between $50 and $100 and had stayed in remand for at least three months…

There are people who are out there who have been away from their families for a minimum of three months because they cannot afford $20 bail.

Manhire-Nullens also emphasised that she was publicising Ginimbi’s good deed, not as a public relations stunt but to get people to appreciate Ginimbi’s other side which is normally hidden from the public eye.

Many people know GFenius as a guy who shows off, a guy who loves parties and that’s why I feel it’s time I bring out that other side of him. It’s something I cannot keep qquietv uiet about.

Press Statement|On World Toilet Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls on all stakeholders in Zimbabwe to take concrete action to effectively deal with the sanitation crisis that has led to repeated outbreaks of waterborne diseases and unnecessary loss of lives.

19 November each year, has been set as ‘World Toilet Day’ by the United Nations to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.

In 2018, ‘World Toilet Day’ is being commemorated under the theme “When nature calls” which aptly focuses on nature-based sanitation solutions.

It has been observed that where there is lack of adequate sanitation, human waste often finds its way returning to the environment untreated, eventually polluting water sources and negatively affecting human health.

While ‘World Toilet Day’ exists to inspire people to take action towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 which aims to achieve sanitation for all, it is unsettling that Zimbabwe is contributing to the estimated 4.5 billion people who are living without safely managed sanitation. It is very sad that 38 years after independence, Zimbabwe is not on track to reach SDG 6.

Access to a safe functioning toilet has a positive impact on public health, human dignity and personal safety for everyone.

Of concern is the pervasive practice of open-air defecation, which is extremely harmful to public health. The failure by local authorities to manage sanitation systems is a cause for concern. Over the years, this failure by local authorities and central government to allocate adequate resources has led to unnecessary loss of lives due to cholera and typhoid outbreaks. Cholera and typhoid are preventable diseases that can only be eradicated when sanitation is properly managed.

In Zimbabwe, lack of functional, adequate sewage reticulation and lack of access to potable water continue to cause outbreak of waterborne diseases. Government must understand that the unnecessary death of people due to poor health and quality of life undermines efforts to develop sustainable communities.

ZLHR reminds all those living in Zimbabwe to play their part and ensure the enjoyment of the right to a clean environment as provided in section 73 of the Constitution and the right to safe, clean and potable water provided in section 77 of the Constitution. These rights can only be realised when everyone plays their part and prevents the contamination of the environment by human waste.

Therefore, when “nature calls”, ZLHR calls on;

 Central government to allocate adequate resources and work with local authorities to take action to ensure that everyone has a safe toilet by 2030;

 Local and central government must provide clean running water and sanitary environs to prevent the spread of deadly diseases and to rapidly improve the sustainability of our communities through providing nature-based sanitation solutions;

 Government to allocate more resources and increase the budget allocation on water, sanitation and hygiene thereby contributing to achieving the 15% allocation to health as provided in the Abuja declaration;

 Members of parliament to wisely invest financial resources allocated under the Constituency Development Fund and prioritise sanitation in their constituencies;

 Ratepayers to pay their bills and make local authorities and central government accountable for service delivery;

 Local authorities to fully account for all the funds charged to ratepayers for water and sewerage in order to progressively contribute towards the realisation of the right to a clean environment, health care and safe, clean and potable water.

GOVERNMENT has removed duty on sanitary wear, a move likely to be welcomed by women as the price of basic toiletries is now beyond the reach of many.

Gender activists and legislators have over the years pleaded with Government for duty free and subsidised sanitary wear, to no avail.

Speaking during a pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo on Thursday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said it was a “done deal” and he would announce it in the 2019 budget statement.

“The cost of sanitary wear and removing duty on it, consider it done,” he said. “We will have something on the budget on this issue of sanitary ware. Consider it done; there is no debate.”

In his presentation, chairperson of the portfolio committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development Cde Felix Mhona had proposed a subsidy for sanitary ware.

“Honourable Speaker Sir, concerns were raised over the cost of sanitary wear which is now beyond the reach of many and it was proposed that Government subside sanitary ware and consider giving it for free to all girls of school going age,” he said.

MDC-T Bulawayo legislator (proportional representation) Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who has been advocating for the cause for years, could not hide her joy at the news.

“I’m excited, although it has taken us almost two decades to get to a point where Government has agreed and it is a legacy that this particular minister will take with him for a very long time,” she said.

“There is no VAT (Value Added Tax). So we are also not paying duty.”

Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga caused a stir when she brought a sanitary pad to Parliament last year in a bid to emphasise her point.

-State Media

The discord in the MDC Alliance came out at Nyamuzuhwe business centre in Mtoko during a campaign rally for the Mtoko North by-election where two of the party’s top officials gave conflicting statements regarding the candidature of Nelson Chamisa as party president at the party’s forthcoming congress.

In a clear sign that all is not well within the party built by the late Morgan Tsvangirai, Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora told supporters that anyone is free to challenge for any position at the forthcoming congress, while Deputy President Morgen Komichi said Chamisa will not be challenged at congress.

“We have our own constitution which gives everyone the right to stand in a position of their choice as long as you are a member,” Mwonzora said.

“As we prepare for our congress, let it be made clear that Chamisa is our sole candidate for the presidency no one will challenge him, even myself,” Komichi said.

Although, Chamisa has tried to shift blame elsewhere, tensions have been simmering within the party with clear factions emerging since the crashing defeat at the July 30 polls.

The party’s other vice president, Engineer Elias Mudzuri has indicated he will throw in his name to contest for the presidency post at congress.

The other faction however does not want Chamisa to be challenged.

Meanwhile, MDC Alliance’s candidate, Bonie Mushore will battle it out against Rambisai Kabote of Zanu PF and Edson Mugoma of NCA in the Mtoko North by-election.

-State Media

Jane Mlambo| War Veterans Secretary General, Victor Matemadanda has dumped his long time colleague Christopher Mutsvangwa saying he is now fed up with fighting wars and is working for his family.

Mutsvangwa was banking on Matemadanda to defend him from possible recall after his own province, Mashonaland West voted to have him placed aside but it appears his powerful Secretary General has thrown him under the bus.

When asked on his position with regards to Mutsvangwa’s situation, Matemadanda said he did not want to be dragged in the fuel issues which his colleague is currently fighting against President Emmerson Mnangagwa colleagues.

“When Mashonaland West announced that they now want Mutsvangwa to be recalled, Mutsvangwa’s wife called me mid-night saying what is your take? I said, I spent five years fighting Mugabe and now I want to work for my family. I don’t want to be dragged into issues of fuel that we are hearing that there are certain people who want to invest in that sector. I have nothing to do with those wars (and) I don’t want to be involved.

“The fact that I refused to comment on the position taken by Mashonaland West is the reason why they are saying it’s me who is interested in the chairmanship post. The stupidity of whoever is saying that is, the constitution is very clear that if Mutsvangwa steps down today, his deputy is the one who takes over until we elect a new chairman.”

Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has reportedly triggered a fresh bid to elbow out senior party leaders suspected of plotting to challenge him for the party presidency at congress next year, NewsDay has learnt.

Insiders said Chamisa has called for extra-ordinary meetings of the national standing committee, national executive and national council this week at which he is mulling a push for the suspension of Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora and vice-president Elias Mudzuri, cited as two leading contenders for his position at the elective congress slated for next year.

The opposition party was expected to go to congress next February, but the elective indaba reportedly now hangs in the balance amid reports that Chamisa wants it pushed to around October, as he seeks to consolidate his position at the top and buy time to deal with his challengers.

“The standing committee, national executive and national council were expected to meet for the last time this year on December 15 or thereabouts, but the president (Chamisa) has called for extra-ordinary meetings of these key structures next week (this week),” NewsDay heard.

“There will be a meeting of the standing committee on Wednesday; the national executive could meet on the same day or Thursday before a national council meeting likely on Friday. The main agenda of the meetings is to push for the suspension of Mudzuri and Mwonzora basically because internally, they have indicated their wish to challenge the president.”

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed the meetings, but, however, said they had been called to discuss “pressing national issues”.

“These are meetings that were discussed at last week’s standing committee meeting and the agenda is known by all leaders. We will not discuss anything that is not on the agenda. We are in a situation where the country’s security sector has adopted a mindset that characterises the opposition as a rebel organisation with parallel military structures,” Mafume said.

“It is an alarming and scary mindset and as an opposition party we cannot afford to ignore that.”

Sources said Chamisa wants to use anger among his supporters stocked by reports that Mwonzora and Mudzuri approached Chief Justice Luke Malaba and offered him an apology for the raucous behaviour displayed by opposition MPs during the official opening of the Eighth Parliament in September.

“Mudzuri and Mwonzora apologised to the CJ, but this without Chamisa’s blessing and he is very angry with it. The issue was further complicated by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda officially noting the apology, but then requesting it in writing at a meeting of the Standing Orders and Rules Committee,” NewsDay heard.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Spokesperson of the Zimbabwe People First, Jealousy Mawarire has attacked President Emmerson Mnangagwa labelling him a tribalist whose administration with people from the Midlands province.

Mawarire who never hidden his disapproval of Mnangagwa said the former President Robert Mugabe’s deputy was divisive, idle and bitter.

That backward, divisive, idle and bitter person is ED. He is the biggest tribalist Zimbabwe has ever known. It's no coincidence his junta admin is full of Midlands EDiots including illiterates like Mudha. https://t.co/PnBdVuvFwD

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) November 19, 2018

Mawarire was responding to Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Lewis Matutu who labelled him a tribalist after he detailed what he said were Mnangagwa’s karanga roots.

A HARARE court last week heard that a soldier stationed at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks allegedly supplied a loaded AK47 assault rifle to four robbers who went on to commit a motor vehicle robbery in the city in April this year.

This emerged when the soldier Munyaradzi Dambakurima and his alleged accomplices, Munyaradzi Mandizvidza, Valentine Mutasa, Wisdom Solomon and Howard Muzvidziwa, appeared before magistrate Lucy Mungwari, where they denied the charge.

According to the State, sometime in April this year, Dambakurima obtained an AK47 rifle and signed for several rounds of ammunition from his workplace, before giving it to his alleged accomplices.

On April 19, the complainant Witness Zuze was driving a Honda Fit vehicle in Waterfalls when Muzvidziwa allegedly waved him down brandishing an AK47 rifle supplied by Dambakurima. Muzvidziwa allegedly fired two shots towards complainant’s motor vehicle and one shot hit the right side of the vehicle, prompting Zuze to jump out fearing for his life.

Zuze allegedly dumped the car, leaving his $1 200 cash, two Samsung J5 mobile phones and the car keys on the ignition switch and proceeded to Southlea Park Police Station to make a report.

The detectives attended the scene and upon arrival, they recovered spent cartridges and a spare wheel which had been thrown out of the vehicle. The spent cartridges were taken to balistic experts for examination.

On April 27, the detectives intercepted Mandizvidza driving the stolen vehicle, leading to his arrest.

During interrogation, Mandizvidza implicated Mutasa and Solomon, leading to their arrest. The detectives later raided Muzvidziwa’s residence and recovered the AK47 rifle and 29 rounds of ammunition, an army drink bottle, aluminium cup and army uniform which were under his bed.

The trio then led the police to Dambakurima where the rifle’s issue voucher was recovered.

Trial continues on Wednesday with Epraim Zinyandu representing the State.

NewsDay

War Veterans Secretary General and Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans, Victor Matemadanda says he is tired of fighting wars and is now concentrating on his family.

This comes amid concerted efforts to push Matemadanda to defend the under-fire freedom fighters’ leader Chris Mutsvangwa from expulsion following resolutions by Mashonaland West and East to recall the embattled former advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Matemadanda had this to say…

“When Mashonaland West announced that they now want Mutsvangwa to be recalled, Mutsvangwa’s wife called me mid-night saying what is your take? I said, I spent five years fighting Mugabe and now I want to work for my family. I don’t want to be dragged into issues of fuel that we are hearing that there are certain people who want to invest in that sector. I have nothing to do with those wars (and) I don’t want to be involved. The fact that I refused to comment on the position taken by Mashonaland West is the reason why they are saying it’s me who is interested in the chairmanship post. The stupidity of whoever is saying that is, the constitution is very clear that if Mutsvangwa steps down today, his deputy is the one who takes over until we elect a new chairman.”

Correspondent|GWERU Urban MP Brian Dube (MDC Alliance) says he is preparing a court challenge to compel police to return various commodities they confiscated from vendors operating inside Gweru’s Kudzanayi long distance bus terminus last week.

Police, in a joint operation with the military and municipal police, raided unsuspecting vendors in the bus terminus and got away with various commodities found on the vendors’ stalls that included cooking oil, soap, rice, and cement, among others.

They arrested the vendors and took the goods valued at over $10 000 to Gweru Central Police Station and some of the vendors were fined while others still have pending cases at Gweru Magistrates’ Courts.

“That was theft by the police,” said Dube, who is also a lawyer, referring to the confiscation of the vendors’ wares.

“I have instructed the leaders of the vendors to make a list of their colleagues who were affected by the illegal operation and got their goods stolen by police. I also told them to quantify the goods so that their value is calculated. After that I am taking the police to court,” he said.

Dube said the raid was not only a serious violation of the vendors’ rights, but also criminal conduct involving law enforcement agents.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Joel Goko said that police actions were justified because the vendors were selling the basic commodities without licences.

“The goods are being kept and determination on whether they are returned to the vendors will be made by the police,” he said.

However, Dube said he had received reports that the basic commodities had already found their way into homes of top police officers for consumption.

The operation against vendors started in August ostensibly to flush them out of the CBD at the height of a typhoid outbreak.

Former chairperson of the commission appointed by the then Minister of Local Government, Ignatius Chombo, to run the affairs of City of Harare between 2006 and 2013, Michael Mahachi, appeared in court on Saturday charged with criminal abuse of office after he corruptly contracted his company to manage the $80 million Airport Road rehabilitation project.

Mahachi (66) was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded him in custody to November 30.

In denying him bail, Mugwagwa said Mahachi was a flight risk and could flee the country if given bail as he faced a serious offence.

She further said since Mahachi’s company was involved in the case, chances were he could tamper with the evidence to weaken the State’s case.

The complainant in the matter is the City of Harare represented by town clerk Hosiah Chisango.

Allegations are that on May 21, 2008, City of Harare entered into a memorandum of understanding with a then unregistered Augur Investments to upgrade the airport road.

On May 30, 2008, Mahachi entered into another memorandum of understanding with the same company, purportedly now indicating to be based in Ukraine.

The directors of Augur Investments were listed as Kenneth Sharpe and Michael van Blerk.

The project was allegedly valued at $80 million and the terms of the agreement were that City of Harare was to provide pieces of land and service materials equivalent to 90% of the project value and 10% of project value was to be paid to Augur Investments in cash at the prevailing exchange rate.

The project was allegedly divided into four phases and was to be completed by 2010.

The parties further agreed that the title deeds of the property of pieces of land in Gunhill were to be held in trust by Messrs Coghlan Welsh and Guest.

It is the State’s case that Mahachi corruptly caused his company, Classique Project Management, to manage the project without disclosing to his principal, the Local Government minister, that he had a personal interest and was one of the directors.

Classique Project Management was allegedly paid for its management services by the City of Harare, but Augur Investments did not complete the project despite having been paid in full.
It is alleged the City of Harare suffered an actual prejudice in the form of the land that was transferred to Augur Investments valued at over $80 million.

Mahachi, in his capacity as the commission chairperson for the City of Harare, is also accused together with his accomplices, who are yet to be arrested, of corruptly awarding the contract to Augur Investments without going to tender.

Augur Investments was registered in Zimbabwe three years later after being awarded the contract.

It is alleged Augur Investments had no capacity to carry out the project, hence government’s decision to withdraw and hand it over to the Department of Roads.

-Newsday

A MAN from Inyathi in Matabeleland North who, in a fit of rage, beheaded his cheating wife with an axe after he found her having sex with his nephew has been charged with culpable homicide.

He was sentenced to 12 years in jail.

High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo accepted a lesser charge of culpable homicide when David Chaloma (31) of Goodhope Village 2, Siganda appeared before her during the Hwange High Court circuit on Wednesday.

In his defence, Chaloma said he picked an axe after his wife Isabel Mpala (29), who he had earlier caught having sex with his nephew Mr Prince Ncube, became harsh and stabbed him.

Chaloma’s pro deo lawyer Ms Joyline Change of Mvhiringi and Associates submitted a defence of provocation saying her client acted in self-defence, which the court accepted.

“We had agreed that I will follow her to the clinic so as to walk her back home. I followed her footprints but then they diverted into the bush. I followed into the bush thinking she was going to relieve herself but saw her having sex with my nephew Prince,” Chaloma told the court.

He said he did not say a word but went back home and waited for his wife to return. In the evening, Chaloma said, he confronted his wife about the issue and she became violent leading to a fight.

He said she stabbed him with a knife and that’s when he picked an axe and struck her.

Chaloma pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide. The judge sentenced him to 12 years in jail.

Prosecuting, Ms Memory Munsaka said Chaloma stabbed his wife with an okapi knife before axing her severally thereby decapitating her.

“On June 13, 2018 the accused and Thembani Ndlovu (12) went to the dip tank for cattle branding. The deceased who had remained home later went to Siganda Clinic with the intention to have a family planning contraceptive removed,” said the prosecutor.

The court was told that when Chaloma and Thembani returned home in the afternoon, they found his wife not yet back and he decided to follow her.

In the evening Chaloma accused his wife of infidelity and a fight ensued.

“He stabbed her with an okapi knife on the back, and legs before taking an axe and striking her several times on the head, forehead and neck thereby decapitating her,” said the prosecutor.

Seeing that his wife was dead, Chaloma attempted suicide by cutting his throat and consuming an unknown amount of organophosphate poison.

He left the body in one of the huts and went to the bedroom where he got into bed with his clothes drenched in blood.

Thembani alerted neighbours after seeing him full of blood and smelling of dip chemical in his bedroom.

The neighbours discovered the woman’s lifeless body and reported to the police who arrested Chaloma.

State Media

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has reportedly triggered a fresh bid to elbow out Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora and vice President Elias Mudzuri amid allegations that they secretly apologized to Chief Justice Luke Malaba over the booing he suffered at the hands of opposition legislators.

Insiders said Chamisa has called for extra-ordinary meetings of the national standing committee, national executive and national council this week at which he is mulling a push for the suspension of Mwonzora and Mudzuri ahead of next year’s party congress.

“Mudzuri and Mwonzora apologised to the CJ, but this without Chamisa’s blessing and he is very angry with it. The issue was further complicated by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda officially noting the apology, but then requesting it in writing at a meeting of the Standing Orders and Rules Committee,” NewsDay heard.

But Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jacob Mudenda was evasive when asked if the two did send an apology to Malaba.

“I don’t know about that (apology). The Speaker would have received an apology from who? I don’t know about it.”

Former chairperson of the commission appointed to run the affairs of City of Harare between 2006 and 2013, Michael Mahachi, appeared in court on Saturday charged with criminal abuse of office after he corruptly contracted his company to manage the $80 million Airport Road rehabilitation project.

Mahachi (66) was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded him in custody to November 30.

In denying him bail, Mugwagwa said Mahachi was a flight risk and could flee the country if given bail as he faced a serious offence.

She further said since Mahachi’s company was involved in the case, chances were he could tamper with the evidence to weaken the State’s case.

The complainant in the matter is the City of Harare represented by town clerk Hosiah Chisango.

Mahachi was appointed as commissioner by former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo.

Allegations are that on May 21, 2008, City of Harare entered into a memorandum of understanding with a then unregistered Augur Investments to upgrade the airport road.

On May 30, 2008, Mahachi entered into another memorandum of understanding with the same company, purportedly now indicating to be based in Ukraine.

The directors of Augur Investments were listed as Kenneth Sharpe and Michael van Blerk.

The project was allegedly valued at $80 million and the terms of the agreement were that City of Harare was to provide pieces of land and service materials equivalent to 90% of the project value and 10% of project value was to be paid to Augur Investments in cash at the prevailing exchange rate.

The project was allegedly divided into four phases and was to be completed by 2010.

The parties further agreed that the title deeds of the property of pieces of land in Gunhill were to be held in trust by Messrs Coghlan Welsh and Guest.

It is the State’s case that Mahachi corruptly caused his company, Classique Project Management, to manage the project without disclosing to his principal, the Local Government minister, that he had a personal interest and was one of the directors.

Classique Project Management was allegedly paid for its management services by the City of Harare, but Augur Investments did not complete the project despite having been paid in full.

It is alleged the City of Harare suffered an actual prejudice in the form of the land that was transferred to Augur Investments valued at over $80 million.

Mahachi, in his capacity as the commission chairperson for the City of Harare, is also accused together with his accomplices, who are yet to be arrested, of corruptly awarding the contract to Augur Investments without going to tender.

Augur Investments was registered in Zimbabwe three years later after being awarded the contract.

It is alleged Augur Investments had no capacity to carry out the project, hence government’s decision to withdraw and hand it over to the Department of Roads.

Michael Reza appeared for the State.

NewsDay

THE bid by embattled Harare socialite, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, to avoid spending the weekend in remand prison hit a brickwall after his urgent chamber application at the High Court was heard on Saturday before ruling was reserved to Monday.

Kadungure (33), who is represented by Jonathan Samukange, faces money-laundering and tax evasion charges involving $3, 5 million.

Kadungure sought the intervention of the High Court, claiming the lower court had failed to properly handle his application for bail.

Magistrate Bianca Makwande had asked Kadungure to surrender title deeds of a property as surety as part of his bail conditions.

His lawyer Samukange then volunteered to surrender title deeds to an immovable property valued at $250 000.

After Samukange had brought the title deeds, Makwande changed her decision and ruled that granting Kadungure’s bail would be a security risk.

This prompted Kadungure to seek recourse at the High Court.

Allegations are that between February 2009 and May 2016, Kadungure misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that his company, Piko Trading, made total sales of $2 777 678 inclusive of value-added tax (VAT), whereas in actual fact, it had made $9 092 952 inclusive of VAT.

The court heard that this was done with the intention of evading paying value-added tax (VAT).

The offence came to light when Zimra conducted an investigation into Piko Trading’s activities.

The State also alleges that in 2015, Zimra conducted lifestyle audits of socialites after observing their expenditures, which were not matching their tax declarations.

On March 2, 2016, Kadungure was interviewed and advised that he owned a residential property in Domboshava valued at $200 000, a Royce-Rolls motor vehicle valued at R4 million, a Bentley car valued at $50 000, Range Rover valued at R1,1 million, Mercedes-Benz valued at R1 million and a BMW valued at $3 000.

It is alleged Kadungure also told Zimra that he owned furniture worth $20 000 in Domboshava.

The State alleges Kadungure was asked to prove the source of income used to purchase the properties, but he failed to do so.

Investigations by Zimra revealed that between January 2010 and December 2015, Kadungure did not declare income amounting to $9 092 952, being the sales realised from the sale of liquified petroleum gas and $1 191 713 being the value of his properties.

As a result, income tax invoices of $2 134 549 and $306 866 were raised in terms of section 6 of the Income Tax Act, where he was supposed to pay to Zimra.

It was also discovered that during the same period, Kadungure imported LPG from South Africa and Zambia and smuggled 5 298 000kg of LPG valued at $672 533.

It was further noted that during the same period, Kadungure failed to deduct pay-as-you-earn (Paye) tax from his 11 workers and also from his salary as a director, thus prejudicing the State of $355 000.

The State alleges that Kadungure prejudiced Zimra of $3 468 949 and nothing was recovered.

Meanwhile, ZIMRA has since last Friday zoomed in on the lifestyle of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya, ZOOMZimbabwe understands. Last Friday, officials from the ZIMRA Special Projects Division interviewed Magaya to ascertain how he earns his income and funds his lifestyle. The investigation is ongoing.

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) now demands that VAT, PAYE, Capital gains and other taxes for revenue earned in foreign currency be paid in that particular receipt currency.

In a statement, Zimra said:

“Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has noticed that there are businesses that are trading, withholding, and collecting VAT, PAYE, Capital Gains Tax and other taxes in foreign currency.

“Following this observation, Zimra has found it necessary to clarify that these businesses should remit taxes in the specific currencies in which they collect them without any conversion to RTGS, bond notes, local point-of-sale and mobile money.”

This week, government ordered the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) to invoice all sales of the precious stones in United States dollars even for local buyers, effectively flying in the face of its claims that bond notes and RTGS are at par with hard currency.

Zimbabwe ditched its local currency for a basket of foreign currencies mainly dominated by the greenback in 2009 due to runaway inflation. In 2016, the central bank introduced a fiat currency ostensibly as an export incentive. The bond notes were introduced at par with the US dollar but low exports have resulted in the value of the fiat currency being wiped out. The introduction of bond notes also fuelled arbitrage on the market.

Treasury has projected the capital intensive sector to register a 26 percent growth driven by strong performance in gold, coal, chrome and diamonds.

Information at hand suggests measures to compel all high value minerals – with initial focus on jewelry making minerals such as gold, diamonds, platinum and emeralds – to be paid for in foreign currency and monitoring mechanisms to be introduced.

A group of local manufactures and buyers of diamonds, including Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)’s Aurex Jewellery, ditched parcels they had won in the recently ended diamond tender after being ordered to pay in hard currency.

The manufacturers and buyers had a series of marathon meetings with the Mineral Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Ministry of Mines and ZCDC officials to work out a solution.

MMCZ, said a source, was sympathising with local buyers on grounds they have no foreign currency while ZCDC insisted it was working under a directive from Mines Minister Winston Chitando.

Chitando, the source said, claimed to have been enforcing a Cabinet directive. The new directive is seen pushing local manufacturers out of business.

“We had a lot of meetings all day with the MMCZ, ZCDC and Ministry of Mines. We had to break to contact Chitando who is in Brussels when his officials needed clarity on some issues, but we didn’t get anywhere,” said a buyer who was in the meeting.

Buyers are, as a result, backtracking and leaving parcels they won in a tender which included foreign buyers.

Local buyers are invited to participate at MMCZ’s discretion in international tenders. They also enjoy 10 percent of the produce which is reserved for locals. However, even the 10 percent will be sold in US dollars.

“We can’t find the foreign currency anywhere and it is no secret that the rates are not the same that’s why you find we could easily bid three or more times more than foreign buyers because of the exchange rate,” the buyer said.

“Now we can’t pay otherwise it becomes more expensive. Even using the black market rates, our bids are far better than foreigners, but we don’t have the foreign currency.”

Efforts to get an official comment from Chitando were fruitless.

“I am in a meeting in Brussels, please text,” he said before hanging up.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Nqobizitha Ndlovu said his Ministry will today meet manufacturers and retailers over price hikes.
He said the meeting will seek to establish the reasons behind the price increases. Said Ndlovu:The issue of price hikes is temporary
and it’s being addressed. And for any
investor what is more critical is how
Government responds to such hikes
and our response has been
engagement. We should be able to
work things out. Tomorrow we are
having a critical engagement session
with manufactures and retailers to try and identify critical costs push
factors.State Media

Matemadanda said he would not defend anyone on anything except party leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.

His remarks come in the wake of claims by Mutsvangwa, as quoted in some sections of the media over the weekend, that Matemadanda was gunning for Mutsvangwa’s position and was sponsoring provinces to recall him.

So far Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East have resolved to recall Mutsvangwa as chairman of the association with other provinces saying they will meet over the matter.

In an interview yesterday, Matemadanda said he was being persecuted for refusing to comment on the position taken by Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East.

“It’s known that for me to have problems with former president (Mr Robert Mugabe) it was because I had taken a position defending Mutsvangwa,” said Matemadanda.

“In our association, if a chairman comes from ZANU, it has to follow that the next chairman be from Zapu. By virtue of having been the most senior in terms of structure from the ZANLA side, if Mutsvangwa was removed during the G40 era, I was going to be the next chairman, but I refused that.

“We are scheduled for elections next year (and) if I refused the chairmanship five years ago, it will be stupid for me to be interested in that position six months before the elections.

“When Mashonaland West announced that they now want Mutsvangwa to be recalled, Mutsvangwa’s wife called me at midnight saying what is your take? I said, I spent five years fighting Mugabe and now I want to work for my family.

“I don’t want to be dragged into issues of fuel that we are hearing that there are certain people who want to invest in that sector. I have nothing to do with those wars (and) I don’t want to be involved. The fact that I refused to comment on the position taken by Mashonaland West is the reason why they are saying it’s me who is interested in the chairmanship post.

“The stupidity of whoever is saying that is, the constitution is very clear that if Mutsvangwa steps down today, his deputy is the one who takes over until we elect a new chairman.”

Matemadanda said he could not be bothered by Mutsvangwa saying he (Mutsvangwa) had not been attending meetings of the national executive since mid-last year.

“We last had a meeting of the national executive chaired by Mutsvangwa around July last year,” he said.

“After the November march going forward, we never had a national executive meeting chaired by Cde Mutsvangwa. All meetings have been chaired by Cde Headman Moyo and we never had any problem.

“What makes them think that I am interested in his position is the fact that I refused to comment on the position taken by Mashonaland West. I don’t want anyone’s approval for me to take a position of my choice.

“I have power in the association as secretary-general and I did not get that position because of whoever is saying that. I was elected by the people and I serve the people who elected me. As for Mutsvangwa, you know I saved him.

“He was fired from the party and I was also subsequently fired as a result of the position I took to support him. It’s just a big insult to say that I now want the chairmanship post six months before the elections. That’s stupid.

“ . . . (Acie) Lumumba said Mutsvangwa has his own people who want to invest in the fuel industry and are fighting others who are already in that industry. I have nothing to do with that and I am not going to involve myself in that.

“I am a simple farmer in Gokwe. I have no investment in the fuel industry or a relative with a service station. I don’t have an interest in the fuel industry which they are fighting for. So, they should not drag me into their wars.

“I don’t want to be involved and I am not going to fight for anyone this time around. If I am to fight, it has to be for the President because I have to defend my President, not any other person. If I am interested in the chairmanship post, it’s me who administered the constitution of the association, I know the procedure to follow. If I am interested, I will contest at the right time. It’s me who calls for elections, so we don’t have problems about holding elections and Mutsvangwa cannot be a threat to me because he has not been attending meetings of the national executive since mid-last year. So, what is his problem with me? I was calling him and he was not answering my calls and I told the vice-chairman, so should I follow him to his house?”

Matemadanda continued: “People who said Mutsvangwa must go are from Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East, but he does not want to confront them. Do I sit in the provincial meetings of those provinces? Anyone who proposes anything against Mutsvangwa then that person belongs to Matemadanda?

“That is nonsense. When I was elected, as part of my mandate people did not say I should go and defend an individual. If an individual started his wars, he should finish them instead of dragging everyone. Who doesn’t know that this whole matter has to do with the fuel business and nothing else?”

Matemadanda said he was aware that there were some elements fighting him at the party headquarters who wanted him to be removed as the secretary-general of the ZNLWVA.

“I was not appointed by Mutsvangwa. I was not appointed by any national executive member. I was appointed by the President,” he said.

“I will defend the President and not Mutsvangwa. I have nothing to do with him and we have not spoken and I have never had any problem with him.”- state media

The hospital board chairperson Mrs Sichelesile Ncube appealed to the corporate world and the public to help rebuild the property valued at nearly $300 000 which was destroyed.
She said the fire which engulfed the doctors’ bar and a wing with apartments for about 15 doctors, resulted in most medical practitioners losing all their property.

A doctor was injured when he jumped out of his room. Mrs Ncube said it was fortunate that no lives were lost as a result of the fire.

“The hospital lost a building while doctors lost personal belongings. We are looking for alternative accommodation for the doctors,” said Mrs Ncube.

Some doctors said they lost important documents as their property was reduced to ashes.
A doctor who declined to be named said he lost US$3 000 which he said he was saving for a wedding set for next month.

“I am preparing for my wedding and these days service providers are demanding forex hence I was saving forex,” he said.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said his office was contacted late hence it could not save the building and all the property.

He said a bar attendant at the block saw the fire but had no numbers for emergency services.

“The fire started in one room and spread to the entire building through the ceiling,” said Mr Peterson.

He said the value of property destroyed was $300 000 and property valued at $500 000 was saved.

“We managed to save the entire ground floor from the inferno,” he said.
Mr Peterson said the cause of the fire remains unknown and investigations were underway.
“The fire started in a common room where the doctors do their cooking and someone could have left the stove on,” he said.- state media

Writing on his weekly column published by our sister papers, The Sunday Mail and Sunday News, the President said while he appreciates criticism, it was grossly unfair to focus only on the negative without also appreciating the positive that has occurred in the country.

“It is simply untrue and insincere to claim that our problems are the worst; that these are insurmountable, or that they are not being tackled head-on and resolved; that we are failures!
“Equally, it is simply untrue that we are the most corrupt nation, let alone the most tolerant of corruption,” he said.

The President said his administration has declared zero tolerance to corruption and has acted on some cases within the confines of the law.

“The motions of justice can be frustratingly slow, yet that is the way it works. There is no culture of impunity here. Under the New Dispensation, democracy has ‘broken out’ and continues to blossom. Civil liberties are at their most secure since our Independence. More continues to be done to deepen and secure them,” said the President.

He said the recent, unfortunate outbreak of cholera and typhoid triggered far-reaching interventions which are continuing and are likely to change the urban landscape forever.
President Mnangagwa said national peace, stability and unity were secure and assured.
He said the economy was on the rebound.

“All these are great positives which deserve celebrating, but without glossing over or minimising our challenges. The march to 2030 is on and unstoppable,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Government has adopted the “Zimbabwe is open for business” policy and enunciated Vision 2030, whose goal is to achieve an upper middle income economy in the next 12 years.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was about to commemorate the first anniversary of dramatic events of Operation Restore Legacy which ushered in a new political and economic dispensation the country now enjoys.

“What distinguished this revolution from all others that have happened on our African continent and elsewhere in the world is the sheer peace which accompanied it. Yet reading through review articles in newspaper columns today, the focus is on “guns”, and not on “roses” which made the whole episode such a unique and an enchanting model in social change, unexampled anywhere in the world,” said the President.- state media

Churches should stop collecting tithes as these are Old Testament practices specifically prescribed by God to the Israelites, Prophet Prince Wonderful has said.

Prophet Wonderful last week told The Sunday Mail Religion that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did away with “the old ways” such as giving tithes.

Prophet Wonderful said he did not collect tithes and offerings, adding that preachers were using these to make money. He said preachers relied on Malachi 3:10 to take money from congregants.

The verse reads: “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’”

However, Prophet Wonderful said that verse should be contextualised with Malachi 1:1, which says, “Prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.”

The preacher — whose church has no name but is “a gathering of fellow heirs” — said Jesus did not survive from tithes but that people willingly supported His ministry.

He referred to Luke 8:1-3 which says, “After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

Prophet Wonderfrul said, “I have never collected any tithes or offerings since 2013. This is the true gospel because Jesus never preached that we pay tithes; that was a Jewish practice. We are not Jews but we were Gentiles until the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“Even Paul wrote in Ephesians 2 verses 11-16 that those who were not Jews were referred to as Gentiles or unclean, but the coming of Jesus Christ changed the game as everyone who believes in the Son of God is an heir of the kingdom.

“If we are followers of Christ, why then should we stick to the Old Testament teachings of tithes and offerings? The true gospel is that pastors ought not to survive from tithes but from wilful support from those who want to support the gospel.”

Prophet Wonderful also claimed baptism with water was an Old Testament practice that ended with the coming of Christ, who John the Baptist said baptised with the Spirit.

He also said Holy Communion was no longer relevant because the crucifixion of Jesus’ body represented the bread and wine.

“It’s also wrong to say so-and-so is a founder of a church because Jesus Christ is the one who started the Church. When Jesus calls someone to serve, the main focus should be pushing His agenda.

“We shouldn’t focus on being presidents or founders of churches; this is where self-glorification emanates from. This is how many start referring to themselves as spiritual fathers,” said Prophet Wonderful.

Other preachers disagreed with these views.

Pastor Morgan Moyo of New Gospel Ministries said there was nothing wrong with tithing, explaining: “There is no difference between the Old and New Testament. We use the Bible as a whole. Tithes are still relevant as God’s principles still apply up to this day.”

Another clergyman pointed out that Jesus, in Matthew 5:17-18, said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfil them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”-state media