THE 2019 National Budget fails to adequately fund the industrialisation programme that would help revive Zimbabwe’s ailing economy after only $27,5 million was allocated to the Industry and Commerce ministry for the purpose against a bid of $306,1 million, a parliamentary committee has said.

A report by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry which was tabled in the National Assembly last week said $102 million was needed to capitalise the ailing State-owned conglomerate Industrial Development Corporation, while $200 million was supposed to go towards special economic zones (SEZ) infrastructure.

The total allocation for the ministry, at $47 055 000 was, however, a 119% increase from the 2018 budget of $21,4m.

“While the ministry is happy with overall allocations to the policy and administration and trade development programmes, the main concern of the committee is on the industrialisation programme which had a bid of $306,1 million, but was allocated $27,5 million,” the committee report reads.

“The major items were $102 million for industrial retooling/venture capital under the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and $200 million earmarked for SEZ infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, only $30 million was allocated to the IDC whilst allocations for SEZ seem to have been included in the blanket figure of $41,8m given to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) under the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) vote.”

Zimbabwe imports most goods after its manufacturing industry collapsed at the height of hyper-inflation in 2008 and has since failed to retool. But a shortage of US dollars, the currency Zimbabwe adopted in 2009, has resulted in regular price spikes and shortages of fuel, cooking oil and basic commodities.

“While the need for austerity measures, especially with respect to government is very apparent, more-so is the need to accelerate the industrialisation drive if we are to turn around the economy and steer it towards the achievement of Vision 2030,” the report reads.

While government failed to fully fund the industrialisation programme, the budget Blue Book shows that the President’s Office was allocated $15,7m in 2019 for foreign travel expenses, and $1,5m for domestic travel expenses.

In 2018, the OPC was allocated $17m for foreign travel expenses, but spent $23,1m while for domestic travel, $700 000 was allocated, but expenditure had reached $2,6m by September.

NewsDay

The High Court is today expected to deliver judgment in a case in which Intratrek Zimbabwe managing director Wicknell Chivayo sued the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for US$25 million for instigating malicious criminal charges of fraud against him and frustrating his company from performing its obligations at the Gwanda Solar Power Project.

The civil trial was heard last month and Justice Tawanda Chitapi reserved judgment. The judgment is expected today after ZPC lawyer Mr Trust Manjengwa, who had requested to peruse the record of Chivayo’s bail application in the criminal proceedings, had made his final submissions.

At the hearing last month, Chivayo’s lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that the criminal prosecution of his client was designed to frustrate him and his company from performing their obligations.

He accused ZPC of acting in bad faith, arguing that allegations against Chivayo were meant to create the basis for terminating the deal on the grounds of breach of contract due to non-performance.

It emerged during the trial that ZPC never filed any report to either the police or Zimbabwe Ant-Corruption Commission against Chivayo regarding the criminal charges he is facing. Mr Manjengwa confirmed this while defending the claim.

He acknowledged in his submission that most of the pre-commencement works had been done, saying the geotechnical survey was 82 percent complete, while a third of the land to be used for the project had been cleared. The power company also conceded that the delay in the fundraising for the project implementation was caused by Government’s failure to clear Sinosure arrears. Intratrek accused ZPC of making false allegations of fraud and corruption against both Chivayo and his company, when its procurement team adjudicated and awarded the tender through the then State Procurement Board.

Both parties subsequently signed an Engineering and Procurement and Construction contract of $173 million. Chivayo is seeking an order declaring that the procurement contract Intratrek signed with the power utility valid and binding to the parties. He also wants the court to grant him a decree of specific performance and that the pre-commencement works satisfaction period deemed to have been relocated for a period of 24 months from the date of the order.

State Media

THE High Court has ordered a Bulawayo woman who allegedly defrauded musician Mrs Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi of nearly $100 000 in a suspected illegal money changing deal that went sour, to pay back the money.

Simanga Gwemende of Emganwini suburb allegedly connived with two other women and swindled Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of $100 000 bond notes before alleging that she lost the money to three suspects — two men and a woman.

She claimed that the three had offered her a lift from Beitbridge to Bulawayo only to speed off without her after they had taken a recess in Colleen Bawn.

Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi gave Gwemende the bond notes so that she could source US$55 923 from the parallel market. Gwemende only remitted US$2 900.

The ruling by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Makonese follows a chamber application for default judgment by Ms Ndebele-Sibindi, who was a self-actor, citing Ms Gwemende as the defendant.

“It is ordered that the defendant pay the sum of US$53 023 to the plaintiff as claimed in the summons,” ruled the judge.

He also ordered Gwemende to pay the money with a five percent interest calculated from October 18, 2018 to the date of full and final payment including the legal costs incurred by Ms Ndebele-Sibindi.

In papers before the court, Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi said on October 12 this year, she approached Gwemende who offered to assist her change her bond notes into United States dollars.

“On October 12, 2018 and at the defendant’s request and instance, I advanced the defendant the sum of $100 000 bond notes to purchase US$55 923 and defendant only remitted US$2 900. On 18 October, the defendant agreed to pay US$1 000 daily and signed an affidavit,” she said.

Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi said despite demand, Gwemende has failed and neglected to repay the money.

Gwemende was served with summons on November 6 and she failed to respond within the stipulated period resulting in Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi applying for a default judgment.

Gwemende’s accomplice, Lindiwe Moyo, has since appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure charged with fraud. She was remanded out of custody to December 14 on $300 bail.

Gwemende allegedly ganged up with Moyo and one Amanda Onwuchukwu and hatched a plan to defraud Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of her money.

They misrepresented to Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi that they were in a position to source foreign currency for her and she gave them $100 000.

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.

Upon being given the money, Gwemende 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.

Gwemende 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 matter was reported to the police.

State Media

Rural teachers have so far walked
more than 50km following the commencement of their 275km march from Mutare to Harare in a
protest to demand salaries in United States dollars.
Amalgamated Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) President Obert Masaraure recently told the Daily News that 102 protesters will arrive in Harare on December 19 and will camp at the ministry of Finance offices until their demands are met.
The protesters left Mutare on Sunday mid-morning and by yesterday had reached Shamu, an area which is 50km way from Mutare.
The union president said although some teachers experienced challenges during the first lap of the
journey, they are all committed to completing their journey as they want their pleas to be heard.Daily News

Police in Bulawayo have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly kidnapped and raped a three year old girl in Entumbane suburb before dumping her on the outskirts of the suburb.

The minor’s mother went to bath at around 4AM on Sunday and the girl subsequently went to the toilet located outside the house leading to the kidnapping.

The minor was found an hour later during a search by family members and fellow tenants.
Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.

He said the incident occurred when the victim’s mother was bathing, preparing to go to work. “The child told her aunt that she wanted to relieve herself and the aunt (35) allegedly told her to go to the toilet which is situated outside their house.

“When the victim’s mother later realised that her child was not in bed, she asked the aunt about her whereabouts and was told that she was outside. The mother went out to check for her but did not find her. She quickly informed other tenants and they began to search for her,” he said.

Insp Ncube said one of the tenants found her on the outskirts of the suburb and the child had bloodon her private parts.

The matter was reported to the police. Late last month, Bulawayo police expressed concern over the upsurge in cases of juveniles being raped in the city averaging more than 10 a week.

“Police said some individuals still believe that juvenile sex cures certain ailments. Most of the crimes are said to be committed by relatives and some parents have been accused of concealing the matters under such circumstances.

“As police we’re worried about cases of sexual abuse and we’re appealing to members of the public to help combat the crime. We’re disappointed that we’ve individuals who still believe that juvenile sex cures certain ailments. Juveniles are being raped by close relatives such as uncles, cousins, their mothers’ lovers and tenants,” said Insp Ncube

In 2016, the national chief police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba revealed that 325 teenagers were raped monthly countrywide. – state media

The National Geographic Traveller has named Zimbabwe as one of the 19 must-see tourism destinations in the world in 2019.

Being one of the world’s leading geographic magazines, National Geographic has ranked the country number nine, the highest ranking for any African country.

The remarkable endorsement follows a recent report by Lonely Planet, another leading travel organisation, which listed Zimbabwe as the third destination the world must see next year.
Setouchi in Japan topped the list with the next African country being Eritrea at number 12, followed by KwaZulu Natal in South Africa at 13 and Uganda at 16.

Zimbabwe has emerged as a formidable tourism player globally with abundant business opportunities and wider room for improved viability.

With tourism seen as a critical pillar in the country’s economy and Africa at large, National Geographic says there is an abundance of tourist attractions in Zimbabwe and in its “The Cool List 2019”, it gives space to destinations that entail futuristic cityscapes, modern architecture, pristine rain-forests and rehabilitated wildlife.

In its report, the National Geographic alludes to the issue of change of Government in Zimbabwe and notes how the departure of former President Robert Mugabe has yielded positive gains for the tourism sector under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

There is also mention of how despite the political and economic challenges which the country is going through, tourists are very safe.

Zimbabwe has also been ranked above the United Kingdom in terms of the world tourism destination safety, the UK Telegraph Travel reported this year.

“As a destination we pride ourselves on our record of safety and peace, which is one of our selling points, and we are happy to be recognised as such.

“The biggest publications have confirmed this and are selling our story the way we want. This will bolster our arrivals,” Zimbabwe Tourism Authority corporate affairs manager, Mr Godfrey Koti, commented.

“We have just come from Turkey as well where we were marketing destination Zimbabwe, a country of remarkable safety and wonders. Being ranked above the UK in terms of safety is a good and great achievement for us.”

The main attractions for Zimbabwe include Victoria Falls and the whole surrounding area, which encompasses the Zambezi National Park as well as the Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Gonarezhou National Park, to mention a few.

Although the country could not make it into the top 20 countries with highest safety and security ratings, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the 2017 biennial Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the foundation, shows the country commands formidable respect in safety terms, way above its developed counterparts.

The level of peace and security is a key factor for the success of the tourism industry.

Travellers are highly nervous and tend to shun places of conflict and those with poor security and safety perception.- state media

Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director Mr Lifias Masukume said the incident happened on Monday evening at Mamsisi River bridge in Ntalale, Gwanda South. A search is underway to locate them.

Mr Masukume said Samukeliso Dlamini, who is the Gwanda District Schools Inspector and a Ministry accountant who was only identified as Mr Nyandoro were on their way from Ntalale when the incident occurred.

“I can confirm that there is a vehicle of ours that was swept away by flood waters on Monday evening. The occupants of the vehicle were Samukeliso Dlamini who is the Gwanda DSI and Mr Nyandoro who is an accountant. As of now we don’t know if they are alive or dead because their bodies haven’t been found but a search for them is underway.

“We have alerted the Provincial Administrator who is also the chairperson of the Civil Protection Unit Committee and they have also deployed a team on the ground to investigate. All we can do for now is sit and wait for an update but we are praying for a miracle. Dlamini and Nyandoro had gone to Ntalale to carry out their duties and it seems it started raining while they were on their way back to Gwanda Town,” Mr Masukume said.

Ntalale Ward councillor Coster Ndlovu said the vehicle was found yesterday morning in Mamsisi River, about 200 metres from the bridge it attempted to cross. He said their area received heavy rains on Monday which left rivers flooded. Cllr Ndlovu said the vehicle was swept away and was found by villagers.

“Villagers found a vehicle that had been swept away yesterday morning. When I got to the scene, I found the vehicle lying on its roof about 200 metres from the bridge. The occupants of the vehicle were nowhere to be seen but I suspect they were swept away by the river because the water level was quite high.

“We received rains at around 8PM on Monday and it seems these people who were in the car tried to cross the flooded river and their vehicle was swept away. By afternoon all the water had flowed away and the vehicle which was partly buried beneath the sand was fully visible. As I speak to you I’m at the scene and there is no water in the river, it has all flowed away,” he said.

Clr Ndlovu said the incident had left villagers shocked as they were eagerly awaiting the rains but they were now claiming lives.-state media

Two teenagers aged 16 and 18 years old committed suicide by hanging themselves in separate incidents, over undisclosed reasons.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said the 16-year-old from Silima Village in Mangwe District, Mondli Cheme was found hanging from a tree on Sunday while 18-year-old Great Dube from Gungwe area in Gwanda was found on Monday.

He said Mondli’s body was found four days after he had gone missing.
“I can confirm that we recorded two cases of sudden death where two teenagers are suspected to have committed suicide by hanging. In the first case which occurred in Silima Village in Mangwe, Mondli Cheme left home on Wednesday evening and went to his uncle’s homestead to assist in slaughtering a beast.

“He, however, didn’t come back home as expected. His parents made a follow up with the boy’s uncle and found out he wasn’t there. They alerted neighbours who conducted a search in the area and neighbouring villages but couldn’t locate the boy.

“Mondli was later found hanging by a rope from a tree in a thick bushy area on Sunday by a villager who was looking for his cattle.” Chief Insp Ndebele said Mondli’s body didn’t have any visible injuries.

He said in the second incident, Dube left home in Gungwe area of Gwanda on Sunday morning going to the shops and didn’t return in the evening.

He said he was last seen at the shops at around 12 noon. “His body was found hanging from a tree on the following day by Mr Umphile Nyathi who was coming from the fields. Mr Nyathi was passing by when his attention was grabbed by his dogs who were barking ceaselessly. When he went to check he found Dube’s body,” he said. Chief Insp Ndebele said investigations were underway.

He urged members of the public to seek assistance when faced with challenges and not to resort to suicide as it has never been a solution. – state media

An impromptu visit to Gweru provincial registrar’s offices by the Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Larry Mavhima has once again unearthed the lethargic attitude still existent in the civil service.

The surprise visit comes after the Minister had witnessed long winding queues for a couple of days and wanted establish the causes.

Servant leadership is what every civil service employee has been tasked to implement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa but it appears this work ethic is yet to be grasped by many.

When Minister Mavhima visited the registrar’s offices, some staffers even failed to respond to the Minister’s inquiries.

“The behaviour of the civil service employees is in direct conflict with what the 2^nd republic intends to achieve and some offices do not even resemble a public office that holds or keeps records of the nation,” the Minister said.

Midlands Provincial Registrar, Mrs Agnes Gambura told the ZBC News that the increase in the number of people waiting to be served by her staff was due to the fault within their operating system since their operations are now digital.

She however assured the nation that everything will be fine and running soon and they will attend to their clients even until after working hours.

Some of the people said they have now spent two days without being saved and some had applied for emergency passports which are supposed to be out within 24 hours but were not sure if they will get them in time.

The government has in the past few years decentralised the issuance of passports to ease the backlog of people waiting for their documents at the main centre in Harare.

-State Media

The government will always prioritise service delivery and will only commit to buying vehicles for ministers once the fiscal situation allows it to do so.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Mr George Guvamatanga says gone are the days when the government would splash on vehicles for new ministers as it seeks to walk the talk in reigning on expenditure to reduce budget deficit.

Mr Guvamatanga said government is therefore still to purchase ministerial vehicles for the new cabinet despite it being its contractual obligation to do so.

“Treasury is yet to fork out a single cent for the vehicles of the cabinet ministers.  We have always maintained that when conditions improve that is when we will consider that,” said Mr Guvamatanga.

Government balanced its budget in September and achieved a primary surplus in October owing to its fiscal consolidation measures.

Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Cde Energy Mutodi says priority is on people, which is why in the month of September government re-directed resources to fight the cholera epidemic.

“We are conscious to the fact that ministers need cars but we can’t purchase vehicles when people are suffering. That is why government stopped buying vehicles for parliamentarians to channel resources towards fighting the cholera epidemic,” Cde Mutodi said.

The comments follow widespread unfounded media reports that suggested treasury had splashed millions on top of the range vehicles for ministers.

-State Media

Correspondent|THE fight for the control of Choppies Zimbabwe between former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and his Botswana counterparts has once again taken a twist like a movie script with the Botswana business partners furnishing the media with copies of letters confirming deposit of dividends worth 7% of their shareholding.

The documents seem to confirm the assertion from Choppies Entreprises that all along the Mphokos while they own 51% on paper, they have been getting dividends worth 7% which is the proper shareholding that was signed by both parties on the onset.

The cover letter from the Botswana based Choppies Enterprise said, “Further to our message sent out on Sunday regards issues at Choppies, we hereby send you proof that we have been depositing funds to the Mphokos through their bank accounts. Attached to this e-mail is one of the deposit statements for the dividends that we paid out to them.”

Chopies Entreprises also emphasised that the Zimbabwe Investment Authority certificates that Mphoko’s daughter Siduduzo availed to the public are simply as merely paper shareholding that was done to comply with the Zimbabwean laws of indigenisation.

“We take note that they have, through one of Mr. Mphoko’s daughters, Siduduzile, sent you what you have described as V11s, simply put, evidence that the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) did register the shareholding arrangement that was entered into between Choppies Enterprises and the Mphokos.

“It is this shareholding arrangement that we have tried to clarify and we hope that we have done justice to the query as to the best of our knowledge.”

In a letter written to media houses in Zimbabwe on Sunday by the CEO of Choppies Enterprises Ramachandran Ottapathu, he alleged that the Mphoko Family own only 7% of the shareholding and the rest of the 44% was given to them so a fulfill the indigenisation laws of the country.

“Mphokos were given the 51% shares in an agreement which allows us to buy back the shares as and whenever we want as part of efforts to comply with the law. We gave them the shares on paper. Their 7% free carry shares was a way of thanking them for facilitating that we set up business in Zimbabwe.” Ottapathu said.

He further reiterated that the agreement they said with the Mphokos allow them to withdraw the 44% allotted to the Mphokos at any time they want to and that the other 7% shares can be bought back at US$1 per share.

Two senior Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials from Gwanda District are reportedly missing after their vehicle was swept away at Msisi river in Ntalale ward 11 last night.

The officials who were coming from Gungwe Secondary School are believed to have attempted to cross the flooded river, resulting in their vehicle being swept away.

The car was discovered this Tuesday morning 150 meters from the Msisi river bridge by a passerby.

Efforts to locate the two occupants have been fruitless, forcing e police to call in its Sub Acqua Unit which will begin e search tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department has repeatedly called for the public to stay indoors and off the road in light of the El Nino forecast.

State Media

Some senior Zanu-PF officials are trying to find a successor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa just four months after he won elections, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Ruling party sources said some officials were worried Mnangagwa won’t see through more than one five-year term in office because of poisoning he suffered at a ruling party rally in 2017.

“This group is worried that Mnangagwa might not finish his current term due to the poisoning… and they are thus looking at having a successor in case that happens,” one unnamed source told the private Daily News.

Last year, at the height of ruling party power struggles, Mnangagwa became ill after eating contaminated food at a rally in southern Zimbabwe. His allies accused members from a faction linked to former first lady Grace Mugabe of trying to poison him.

‘Not supporting our president’

While president, Mugabe refused to name a successor and appeared keen to die in office, a situation that led to damaging factional wars that eventually saw him ousted.

The Daily News, quoting Zanu-PF insiders, said former loyalists of the president were “heavily involved” in a search for a potential successor. Other named officials confirmed there were some working against Mnangagwa.

“There are some people who are moving in their own direction, who are not supporting our president within the party,” senior official Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the justice minister, told the paper. “We are saying let the president serve his two terms.”

Victor Matemadanda, secretary general of the influential war veterans’ association, said: “There is no need to talk about succession now because the president is still serving his first term.”

In September Mnangagwa said that he would not cling to power. Under the constitution, he can stand for another five-year term in elections due in 2023.

“Even if the people would love me to the hilt, I will still go away because I believe constitutionalism is important,” local news website New Zimbabwe quoted him as telling US media on a visit to New York.

News 24

TWO Bulawayo residents have taken Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema, police commissioner Godwin Matanga and three police officers to court, demanding US$90 492 in damages over unlawful arrest and assault.

Bishop Moyo (40) and Butho Moyo (63) of Nketa 8 filed their summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Mathema, Matanga and three police officers — Langton Karombe (38), Andile Mahlangu (24), and Sindisiwe Sinyolo (26) — as respondents.

The three police officers are stationed at Tshabalala Police Station.

The complainants alleged that on March 29 this year at Nketa 8 Western Suburb in Bulawayo, police officers assaulted them with open hands, fists, booted feet and knobkerries all over their bodies for no apparent reason.

They were then arrested and detained overnight at Tshabalala Police Station, but were not told the reasons for the detention.

The duo said they suffered severe injuries due to the assault, with Bishop sustaining bruises all over his body and a fractured hand, while Butho suffered injuries all over his body and a fractured leg.

“Plaintiffs’ claim is for payment in the sum of US$90 492 being medical expenses and damages sustained as a result of an unlawful arrest and assault on the plaintiffs’ persons by Karombe, Mahlangu and Sinyolo all members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, who were acting in the course and scope of their employment…,” the summons read in part.

“The total sum is broken as follows, first plaintiff (Bishop) US$186 being for medical bills, second plaintiff (Butho) US$136 being for medical bills, first plaintiff US$100 for future medical expenses, second plaintiff US$70 for future medical expenses, first plaintiff, US$20 000 being damages for pain and suffering, second plaintiff US$20 0000 being for damages for pain and suffering, first plaintiff US$10 000 being for loss of amenities of life and disfigurement, first plaintiff US$20 000 for unlawful arrest and detention, second plaintiff US$20 000 for unlawful arrest and detention.”

The duo also demanded interest at the prescribed rate, calculated from the date of issue of summons to date of full payment and costs of suit on a punitive scale.

The duo further said the respondents have been notified of the proceedings.

The defendants have since filed their notice of appearance to defend themselves against the claim.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|A ZimEye.com reader Desmond Mangwiro has brought to order the ZANU PF Secretary for youth Lewis Matutu on his call for Zimbabweans not to follow Chimurenga Music guru Thomas Mapfumo allegedly for singing against the ZANU PF government.

Matutu went wild on social media celebrating low attendance of the poorly promoted Mapfumo peace concert in Bulawayo over the weekend.

Matutu claimed that people did not turn up at the concert in protest to Mapfumo’s songs that allegedly denigrated the ruling ZANU PF for the economic situation in the country.

“Misguided little tat,” wrote Mangwiro. “When ZANU PF was still an opposition party Thomas Mapfumo was brave enough to sing against the Government of that time. You cant be born yesterday and start defining what a real National Hero like Thomas Mapfumo should sing. You sing for your supper, He sings for the liberation of the whole country.”

Matutu described the legendary Mapfumo as distrustful and divisive.

“Thomas Mapfumo used to be a great musician especially during his early days opposition politics brought him down his shows are now being attended by less than 200 people Zimbabweans don’t support divisive and disrespectful artists,” said Matutu.

This followed an incident at his Bulawayo concert where fans pointed at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s portrayed as Mapfumo sang his popular songs “disaster” and “mamvemve.”

Terrence Mawawa|Police in Bulawayo have said that there are very few men who report cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the city.

This was revealed by Bulawayo
provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simnango.
The number of men who report GBV is very low compared to that of women. It is thought that the
major reason for the disparity is the social stigma associated with that since Zimbabwe is a patriarchal society. As a result, most men suffer
in silence. There are reports that police officers laugh at male victims of GBV when they report their cases.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the 16 days of Activism against gender-based-violence,
Chief Inspector Simango said:”
We are encouraging men to speak out.
Only a few cases of gender-based
violence whereby men are abused by
females have been reported.”

HARARE Magistrate Gloria Takundwa on Tuesday 11 December 2018 said she will approach the High Court to seek guidance on how to handle trial proceedings for human rights lawyer Tendai Biti after it emerged that a member of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had allegedly tried to interfere with trial proceedings.

One person died while 24 others were seriously injured after a suspended bridge they crossing failed to sustain their weight and collapsed in Honde Valley.

Eighteen of the 24 who were injured are still admitted at Hauna hospital where they are getting treatment.

The others have already been discharged.

Murara Bridge is a makeshift bridge constructed 5 years ago by the Zimbabwe National Army.

It joins two villages Muparutsa and Samutete.

The bridge collapsed after over 60 people coming from a social soccer match crossed the bridge at the same time.

As a result the bridge loosened a bolt as it failed to contain the weight exerted by the villagers leading to its collapse.

It is alleged the deceased hit his head on a rock when he fell.

Mutasa North legislator Chido Madiwa says the collapse of the makeshift bridge linking the two villages’ needs urgent attention as the volume of water has since increased due to the increased rains.

“The bridge needs to be repaired as soon as possible because people’s livelihood depends on it. It is the shortest route to the business centre where most of them conduct their businesses and if the bridge goes unrepaired it means a lot of families are going to suffer.

“People also risk being swept away by water as Pungwe River is a big river. The incident is a sad one and we are urging people to be cautious at all times as such incidents can be avoided,” said Madiwa.

Hope for the Muparutsa and Samutete villagers now lies in the construction of another bridge.- state media

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) join the nation and the whole world in commemorating this auspicious day, set aside to celebrate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

This year, marks the 70th year anniversary of the UDHR, and as we celebrate this milestone and commemorates this day we remind ourselves of the basic principles of justice, equality, non-discrimination, inclusion and respect for the inalienable rights which every human being is inherently entitled to.  As ZLHR and the Forum commemorate this global expression of human rights and fundamental freedoms, we embrace the theme for this year #StandUPForHumanRights and reaffirm our commitment to fighting impunity and standing up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves.

We note, with concern that despite its membership of the United Nations and the ratification of several human rights treaties, human rights continue to be under threat in Zimbabwe.  Citizens are confronted with violations of the right to education, right to health care and the right to property. Protections against torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and arbitrary evictions are routinely disregarded. Environmental rights which are crucial for the wellbeing of the next generation of Zimbabweans are trampled upon
and children, the disabled and women continue to face a second class existence despite commitments made to accord them full and equal dignity.

Despite their crucial role in enhancing transparency, good governance and accountability, civil society organisations continue to be vilified and treated with suspicion by the government, and many human rights defenders have faced reprisals for their role in standing up for the rights of others.

The Forum and ZLHR call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to give effect to the guarantees set out under the UDHR, and the international human rights treaties to which Zimbabwe is a party. Specifically, we urge the government of Zimbabwe to:

1. Urgently complete the process of domestication of international human rights treaties in order to make them a part of our law, and ratify the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness as previously accepted;
2. Cease criminalising the work of civil society organisations and put an end to reprisals against human rights defenders;
3. Entrench a culture of constitutionalism by aligning all outstanding laws to the constitution and implementing laws purposively to give effect to constitutional protections;
4. Engender openness and transparency in all government proceedings by making reports generated by all Commissions of Inquiry since 1981 public;
5. Ensure equitable economic outcomes entrenching transparency and accountability in the public finance system as stipulated in the Constitution

Own Correspondent|Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo took to social media to celebrate and taunt critics after former Minister of Energy Samuel Undenge was found not guilty of abuse of office charges yesterday. Undenge was being accused of ordering the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to pay Chivayo’ company Intratek Zimbabwe US$5 million in highly irregular circumstances as the company did not have a bank guarantee.

The highly vocal Chivayo took to social media to remind critics that their perceptions of him were irrelevant as they did not understand the courts of law. Chivayo is now eagerly waiting for the High Court to decide on the $25 million lawsuit which he filed against the ZPC over the whole saga. Writing on social media, Chivayo said

The courts are fair and will deal with each case on merit. The challenge is the state is using BAR TALK as evidence. I was paid 5.6 million dollars based on contractual provisions and I delivered…Come Wednesday Ku High Court I’m optimistic and confident.

Wednesday 10 am is JUDGEMENT DAY for INTRATREK vs ZPC high court 25 million lawsuit….Isu tiri Madzimambo saka MBIRI HAISI YANGU MBIRI NDEYA BABA KUDENGA. Ndaka takura huta hwe NZOU ndikarova tsuro hapana chino buda…

I’m glad this useless court of PUBLIC PERCEPTION is presided over on SOCIAL MEDIA by hopeless idiots who absolutely have no clue or understanding of the law whatsoever…If it all it had convictions and custodial sentences I WOULD BE SERVING 5 LIFE SENTENCES.

I-harare

Own Correspondent|The ruling Zanu-PF’s Deputy Secretary for the Youth League, Lewis Matutu has called on Zimbabweans to boycott artists such as Chimurenga legend Thomas Mapfumo, alleging that they are divisive and disrespectful.

Matutu referred to Mapfumo’s poorly attended show in Bulawayo which he blamed on the musician’s decision to compose songs against the ruling party.

Said Matutu on Twitter,

“Thomas Mapfumo used to be a great musician especially during his early days opposition politics brought him down his shows are now being attended by less than 200 people Zimbabweans don’t support divisive and disrespectful artists.”

Correspondent|Business tycoon Mutumwa Mawere has threatened Genius Kadundure (Ginimbi) over the latter’s alleged refusal to pay the debt he owes to Mawere.

Responding to a Good morning post of Tweeter by Kadungure, Mawere said , “Please can you pay what you owe. I am not the govt of Zimbabwe. My patience is running out.”

Mawere alleges he borrowed Kadungure R340,000 as a business loan and it never came back.

“I paid R340,000 for gas which gas was supplied to his company, Pioneer Gas and delivered to Zimbabwe and sold. After selling, the profit was supposed to be shared with the principal being used to buy new gas. Little did I know I was converted into a bank. He then said it was a loan without security and paid a bit.” Mawere alleges.

He continued: “In the animal kingdom you expect this to happen. However, you expect common sense, reason and logic from human beings.

“A real human being knows what to do when history has its undeniable facts of debt and indebtedness. This is not the spirit of a human being in motion.”

Mawere fumed: “This is just optimizing on social media as a weapon for communicating. No need for sympathy because the message has been delivered.

“Gone are the days of postal mails. We live in the digital age and it is effective and efficient.”

Jane Mlambo| Opposition legislator, Tendai Biti will be back in court today for the continuation of his trial in a case in which he is accused of contravening Section 66A (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, which prohibits the unofficial or false declaration of election results.

Biti, through his lawyers, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Messrs Alec Muchadehama and Jeremiah Bhamu made an application for exception while also challenging the jurisdiction of the court and requesting further particulars which they want to use if trial proceeds.

Mtetwa said Biti had the right to declare the results according to section 66(3) and (4) of the Constitution which states that the public is entitled to report on votes as long as they are based on polling station returns.

She also said that they are challenging the court’s jurisdiction because they still believe that Biti was unlawfully brought back into the country even though the courts have already ruled that was not the case.

In response the State said that it had been served with the defence’s outline on short notice and needed time to prepare a response.

The matter was rolled over to today for ruling.

THE opposition MDC has blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government for reckless spending and lack of prioritisation through purchasing of luxury cars for Ministers.

In a statement released by the National Spokesman Jacob Mafume on Monday MDC said, “ZANU PF is presiding over a vampire state which devours its own people. They pursue a narrow agenda of self-aggrandizement which is why they were rejected by the people of Zimbabwe.”

Mafume accused ZANU PF of having an insatiable appetite for cars at the expense of the general populace.

“The Zanu PF government has continued to prove its insatiable hunger for cars with a reckless splashing of millions of dollars on top of the range vehicles for Ministers.” Mafume said. “Before the election they twice spent millions on cars for traditional leaders in a self-preservation exercise. They went on to use state funds to buy party cars in a move which exposes the state-party conflation.

“Recently a million dollar vehicle was bought for Mnangagwa who in his first days as President pretended to be a small car head of state.”

MDC further noted that the reckless spending by the Mnangagwa government is the major cause of budget deficit. However, government achieved a budget surplus for the month of October.

“While they are spending on cars, the budget deficit continues to balloon exposing the rhetoric on expenditure retrenchment. Presently, there are more pressing issues which that money could have put to better use.

“The pharmaceutical sector, for instance, has announced that only a month’s supply of drugs remains. A caring government could have, at least, channelled resources towards drugs procurement. There is a crippling cholera outbreak and a doctor’s strike, part of which is a result of promises that were not honored.

“Zanu PF’s lack of care forms part of its wisdom. Cars are therefore more important than the lives of the citizens.”

The vehicles purchased for cabinet ministers allegedly cost an estimated $107 000 each, translating to a combined total of over $2,14 million for the 20 full Cabinet ministers.

NewsDay

Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara has trashed opposition MDC-Alliance’s talk of another “Government of National Unity” (GNU), saying President Mnangagwa is the legitimate leader of the country following last July’s elections.

Prof Mutambara said President Mnangagwa enjoyed the support of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU), leaving the opposition marooned in its quest to negotiate power after losing elections in which the ruling party got more than two-thirds majority of parliamentary representation.

Prof Mutambara slated the opposition for its lack of strategy and ridiculed it for planning to spend the next five years “crying about a stolen election”.

He said this in an interview with South African television station SABC News last week, during a review of his book, “The Path to Power — In Search for the Elusive Zimbabwe Dream”.

He said the conditions that created the previous GNU, where he was Deputy Prime Minister as the ruling Zanu-PF shared power with the MDC factions, had altered significantly in 2018.

“Number one, the opposition is not challenging Parliament, ZANU- PF controls two thirds majority in Parliament,” he explained.

“In our case, we the opposition controlled the majority and ZANU- PF were in the minority. Secondly, when we said Mugabe is illegitimate after the run-off we had the support of South Africa, SADC and the African Union. Unfortunately in this situation, where there is a challenge to the legitimacy by (President) Mnangagwa, the South Africans have endorsed Mnangagwa, SADC have endorsed Mnangagwa and the AU have endorsed Mnangagwa which makes it very difficult to operationalise the challenge to the legitimacy of Mnangagwa,” said Prof Mutambara.

He said the opposition’s case was weak because it was not challenging Zanu-PF’s two-thirds romp but just the Presidential result.

Further, the opposition’s claim to not recognise President Mnangagwa’s victory would complicate matters regarding the convening of any meeting for the “National Transitional Authority”, as MDC- Allaince alternatively calls it.

He said: “The opposition must understand that they have a harder case than we had in 2008, because they are on their own. South Africa, SADC and the AU have endorsed this regime which means it is a tougher situation than what was obtaining in 2008. For example, when you say you want a National Transitional Authority, who is going to call the meeting? How does Mnangagwa call the meeting when you don`t recognise him, as who?

“So you need South Africa, SADC or the AU to call a meeting which is harder because they as institutions have endorsed the election.

“What I am emphasising is that, let’s see more strategic thinking. You can’t spend five years talking about a stolen election. What is the opposition’s plan for the next five years? Let us see that plan. Let us see that SWOT analysis which is robust.”

Prof Mutambara is not the first one to trash the opposition calls for a GNU.

At the weekend, Vice President Kembo Mohadi dismissed recent media reports claiming President Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa were indirectly in talks for a unity government.
He said Zanu-PF did not require a GNU as it had the mandate emanating from the two thirds majority in Parliament.
“We can do it alone unlike in 2008 where we had a sort of hung Parliament. This time there isn’t going to be that kind of arrangement,” he said.

-State Media

TWO children died on the spot last week after a tractor they were travelling in was hit by truck haulage at the narrow Pembi Bridge in Mvurwi. The two, Thandiwe (5) and Junior Nyanhete (7) were travelling with their mother, Ms Evelyne Nyalon (25), while sitting on the tractor’s mudguard.

They were coming from the fields at around 7pm when a haulage truck travelling to Mvurwi crashed into the back of the tractor.

Acting Mashonaland Central provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Petros Masikati confirmed the accident and urged tractors owners to put reflectors on them.

“We are urging all tractor owners to put reflectors and tail lights on their vehicles. They should also not carry passengers on mudguards when they do not have trailers,” said Asst Insp Masikati.

Mazowe North legislator Campion Mugweni assisted the bereaved family with $400 while the haulage company and tractor owner chipped in with $1 000 and $80 respectively..

The MP called for the completion of the Pembi Bridge construction to avoid more carnage as a result of the narrowness of the bridge

The accident happened barely two months after a Mvurwi-bound truck haulage caught fire that reduced 30 tonnes of fertiliser to ashes just 100m from the bridge.

Meanwhile, a Harare-bound CAG bus from Muzarabani overturned at Maori just after Mvurwi injuring several passengers after the bus driver failed to negotiate a curve.

State Media

The trial of Nyanga South National Assembly member and former Information, Communication Technology and Cyber Security minister Supa Mandiwanzira failed to kick off yesterday after he successfully made an application for trial postponement citing that he had only received State papers an hour before trial.

Mandiwanzira, through his lawyer Advocate Brian Hungwe, made the application accusing the State of inefficiency after failing to provide relevant papers on numerous occasions.

He said the State had more than a month to prepare for trial, but they did not give him equal opportunity.

“The defence objects to the trial starting because the accused was arrested on November 7 with the assumption arising from the arrest being that the police would have completed investigations and upon his appearance on the day, the court was advised that trial will commence on December 10.

“Those State papers were never availed to the defence until the accused person appeared for the second routine hearing.

“On that day, the defence was advised that the State papers would be ready within a week, but the papers were never availed until an hour before trial was meant to begin. The State has been inefficient and why should the State’s inefficiency prejudice the accused person,” he said.

Prosecuting, Michael Chakandida agreed to the postponement of trial but however said the date that the defence counsel was proposing was too far.

“I will concede that the defence counsel was furnished with State papers this morning because of circumstances that were beyond my control as the trial prosecutor.

“It is worth noting from the record that the accused (Mandiwanzira) was brought to court on November 7 on a request for remand form 242 which was also furnished to the accused’s counsel on the same date indicating that investigations were to be completed on November 20, this trial was set for December 10.

“On the date I am opposed and propose that it commences on December 18,” he said.

Magistrate Francis Mapfumo, who frowned upon the State’s inefficiency, ruled that Mandiwanzira‘s trial could not commence yesterday but should instead commence on December 18.

“There is no way trial can commence today. Section 70(1) of the constitution gives the accused the right to receive ample time.

“However, that other day cannot be next year as justice cannot be delayed. Trial is therefore to proceed on December 18,” he said.

Mandiwanzira is accused of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly engaged South African firm, Megawatt Company to provide services to NetOne without going to tender.

He is also accused of appointing his personal assistant, Tawanda Chinembiri to the Postal Telecommunications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) board.

State Media

Paul Nyathi|THE Kgalema Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry report will be made public since the interviews were held in public, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

Mnangagwa is quoted as having said this while addressing Zimbabwe’s Ambassadors and Charge d’Affaires who were in the country for a week long workshop recently.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, “The Motlanthe Commission Report will be published in full. This was made clear by His Excellency when he met Zimbabwe’s Ambassadors abroad. He said the hearings were done in public so the report will be shared with the public. He has so far received the summary and not the whole Report.”

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba last week caused a major furore in the country when he said President Mnangagwa in his capacity as the Head of State and Government is the sole recipient of the report and may decide not to share it with the public.

“There is nothing at law that compels the President to release the report to the public or not to release it to the public,” said Mr Charamba.

“The discretion is his. Where he has a bit of a limit is in respect of how the Commission conducts its hearings in terms of the law.

THE South African Government has relaxed travel requirements for children travelling through its borders by scrapping compulsory submission of affidavit forms which many found cumbersome.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Department announced the relaxation of travel requirements with effect from December 1.
The neighbouring country, in 2014, imposed stringent travelling requirements for children going in or out of South Africa.
Parents were supposed to sign several affidavit forms to prove that they consented to their children travelling.
The law is said to have affected tourists’ arrivals, impacting negatively on the economy resulting in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government reviewing it.
“The Department of Home Affairs is pleased to announce the relaxation of some international travel requirements for children going through South African ports of
entry. The revised conditions are contained in the Government Gazette titled “Draft First Amendment of the Immigration Regulations, 2014 made under the Immigration Act,” reads
the statement posted on the South African Department of Home Affairs website. Chronicle

Correspondent|Preparations for zanu-pf’s 17th Annual National People’s Conference slated for Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, have reached fever pitch, with the party providing transport for each district, the ruling party’s secretary for Transport and Welfare Cde July Moyo has said.

The business of the conference begins with a Politburo meeting today at the party headquarters in Harare, followed by a Central Committee meeting at the same venue tomorrow.

On Thursday, delegates travel to the conference venue for the official opening which will be presided over by President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The conference — which is running under the theme: “Zimbabwe Is Open for Business: Peace, Unity towards an Upper Middle-Income Economy By 2030” — is expected to attract about 5 000 delegates from the country’s 10 provinces.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting at Esikhoveni Training Institute in Esigodini on Sunday, Moyo said each district will get a bus and the buses will be inspected first by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) for roadworthiness.

“We have allocated each district one bus to carry delegates to and from the conference and those buses will have to undergo vehicle examination by VID to determine their roadworthiness since they will be ferrying people to and from the venue of the meeting.

Moyo said 8,4 tonnes of meat is required to feed the delegates. So far, Beitbridge has donated 14 cattle while Esigodini has offered 26 cattle.

The conference is the first to be officiated by President Mnangagwa in his capacity as First Secretary and President following his election at the party’s Extraordinary Congress in Harare last year.

State Media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened to recall incompetent Members of Parliament from his party, including those who refuse to tow the party line in pursuit of narrow
factional agendas.
While addressing a Zanu PF women’s League national assembly in Harare last week, Mnangagwa warned that he would not hesitate to call for by-elections to replace the errant
legislators.
He said there were some MPs in the party who were voted into the august House before they were politically ripe after taking advantage of the
chaos that characterised the ruling party’s primary polls held in May this year.
“MPs must work for the people and play their oversight role on the Executive but we know oversight are some who were rushed into Parliament yet they were not ripe. We will not hesitate to recall you from Parliament and call for a by-election in line with the Constitution because our party has rules, Mnangagwa said.
The president spoke amid tensions in his party over what many perceive to be unresolved succession issues.Daily News

Forex dealers popularly known as
‘‘money-changers’’ are back on the streets operating underground as they still claim that there is high demand for foreign currency now
because government is charging duty in foreign currency.
In recent weeks, forex dealers were largely absent from posts they usually occupied where currency deals were conducted after new laws
prescribing a maximum 10-year custodial sentence for illegal foreign currency traders came into force.
Although operating in disguise, some of the money changers have returned to their usual operating points at Copa Cabana and Eastgate Mall in Harare among other areas.
Speaking to the Daily News, some of the money- changers said while they are afraid of the 10-year jail sentence, it’s almost impossible for them to stop their business as foreign currency is now in demand as the economy continues on downward spiral.Daily News

Women are reported to be struggling
with sexual harassment at the workplace, with a majority of them suffering in silence due to
perpetrators who usually hold high positions in organisations and government.

Surveys conducted by researchers have shown that women are extensively sexually harassed
and objectified by men in the work place.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is generally defined as a form of discrimination that includes any uninvited comments, conduct, or behaviour regarding sex, gender, or sexual orientation.
Gender Commission chairperson Margret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, speaking at the launch 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based
Violence campaign under the national theme ‘‘Creating Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment
in the Workplace’’ revealed that many women do not even understand what it infers.
“Basically sexual harassment refers to any sex-based behaviour that is unwelcome or offensive to the recipient made by a person who knows reasonably that such attention is unwanted,” she said.
All employees of any position from management to entry-level are susceptible to sexual harassments, but women are profusely victimised.Daily News

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed 12 years for raping a 15-year-old juvenile while she was drunk.

Arnold Sibanda of Sontala Village in Kezi took advantage of the juvenile during a musical show and followed her to a bush where he raped her.

Sibanda pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira.

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment of which three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

Prosecuting, Mr Pernson Chekeya said Sibanda raped the juvenile on December 16 at around 5AM last year.

“On 16 December 2017, the juvenile was at Sontala Business Centre with her friends watching a band. She got drunk and left the shops alone and went to sleep in a nearby bush. Sibanda who had seen the juvenile leave then followed her and found her asleep as she was intoxicated,” said Mr Chekeya.

“He took advantage of the situation and raped the juvenile. A passerby, Mr Artwell Tshabangu, who was looking for his donkeys, caught Sibanda during the act. Upon realising that he had been caught, Sibanda fled from the scene and left the juvenile lying on the ground. Mr Tshabangu advised other villagers who ferried the juvenile to a nearby police station.”

In his defence, Sibanda said he was not at the business centre at the time he was accused of raping the juvenile. He said he left at around 3AM and went home.

He said Mr Tshabangu was fabricating the matter as there was bad blood between them.

“I didn’t commit the offence as I was already home at that time.

“Artwell Tshabangu is lying when he is saying he caught me raping the juvenile. This is his strategy to fix me because he is jealous that I got a contract to build a house which he also wanted to build. We are both builders,” said Sibanda.

State Media

FORMER Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s family did not invest a cent in the Choppies business whose majority ownership belongs to the Botswana-headquartered retail group, chief executive officer, Mr Ramachandran Ottapathu, has revealed.

Responding to recent squabbles over the control of Choppies Zimbabwe, pitting former VP Mphoko’s family and its Botswana business partners, Mr Ottapathu said Choppies Enterprises belongs to the Botswana firm, which invested $25 million to set up the business.

In a letter, issued through a consultancy to different media houses in Zimbabwe, he said the media narrative about Choppies boardroom fights has lacked appreciation of real substance around the controversy.

“We have, as a business, had a situation where there have been boardroom challenges, which do not in any way affect the running of the business. The matters at boardroom level are matters that are now in the public domain and are also matters that are in the courts of law in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Ottapathu.

“As a matter of fact, we would like to state…that Choppies operations in Zimbabwe are owned, in the main, by Choppies Enterprises Limited, a company registered in Botswana.

“The reference of the 51 percent being owned by Mphokos was done so as to comply with legislation, which was put in place by the Government, which precluded foreigners from owning big stakes in businesses in preference to locals. That legislation is being looked at as we write to you because of the vision that the Government has to open up the business sector and promote investment.”

Choppies runs 34 branches in Zimbabwe and had indicated plans to increase its local network to 60.

The company employs in excess of 2 000 workers.

President Mnangagwa’s Government has since reviewed the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act and clarified that the 51-49 percent requirement only applies to natural resource-based investments.

As such, Mr Ottapathu said, as Choppies they did nothing else than answer the Zimbabwean government’s call to come and invest in Zimbabwe.

“We have had the family of the former VP of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Phelekezela Mphoko, whom we entered into a partnership with, now refuting that we are the owners of the business because they are using paperwork that was done in order to comply with legislation that was in place,” said Mr Ottapathu.

He said they have documentation to prove they invested $25 million, which was underwritten by Barclays Bank of Botswana, for the setting up of the Choppies Zimbabwe operation.

“We also reiterate that the Mphokos were given the 51 percent shares in an agreement which allows us to comply with the law. Mphoko never invested any cent in the business. We gave them the shares on paper,” said the Choppies CEO.

“Their seven percent free carry shares was a way of thanking them for facilitating that we set up business in Zimbabwe. The other 44 percent shares were allotted to them (the Mphokos) to add to the seven percent free carry shares to make it 51 percent. But that is merely on paper.”

According to the shareholder agreement that was signed to facilitate the setting up of the business under Zimbabwean law at the time, Mr Ottapathu said the 44 percent shares “can be called back” at any minute at no cost to Choppies Enterprises, thus leaving Mphokos with their seven percent share.

“The seven percent free carry shares can be bought back by Choppies Enterprises at US$1 per share in the event that we want Mphokos out of the business altogether. We have not yet reached that stage yet,” he said.

“For the record, Siqokoqela Mphoko and his father, who are shareholders of Nanavac, have all along been getting dividends through their bank accounts for the seven percent shares they hold and not the 51 percent. We have proof of transfer and we can furnish you if you so wish.”

Mr Ottapathu said there were machinations to seek to wrestle the Choppies Enterprises from its owners through peddling misleading narratives about the company. He said the business partners know the truth although some are now trying to take advantage of the situation to twist facts in their favour.

“All the important and crucial stakeholders know who holds what percentage in the company. They also know who invested what. They also have documents that talk to these issues”.

Meanwhile, last week Siqokoqela was arrested and remanded in custody after he violated bail conditions by harassing State witnesses. He is facing 170 counts of fraud and theft.

It is alleged that as country managing director, he hijacked the Choppies retail business and “looted” more than $50 000 worth of cash and goods from the outlets countrywide without board approval.

Despite these squabbles, Mr Ottapathu said Choppies remains committed to continue serving the Zimbabwean market.

“All this drama is not worth the energy that they have put into it. We would rather have the energy being devoted to the growth of the business,” he said.

State Media

A 12-year old boy died on the spot while two other people were injured when a donkey drawn scotch cart they were travelling in overturned in Nkayi District.

Nkosikhona Moyo of Khoto Village in Mdengelele area, sustained serious head injuries in the accident, leading to his death.

The accident occurred at around 4PM on Saturday along the Gwelutshena-Nkayi road.
The boy was travelling home from a nearby borehole in the company of Joshua Moyo (13) and Mr Jabulisa Ndlovu (32) when the accident occurred.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the accident.
“I can confirm we received a report of a fatal accident where a donkey drawn scotch cart went over a hump while travelling at high speed and overturned. It threw out all the three passengers and as it landed, it seriously injured one of the minors, a 12-year-old boy who sustained serious head injuries and died on the spot,” she said.

The boy’s body was taken to Nkayi District Hospital mortuary. Chief Insp Makonese urged members of the public to exercise caution when using scotch carts to avoid loss of life and injuries.

She urged parents and guardians to always lead animal drawn scotch carts as children may at times fail to control the animals.

Chief Insp Makonese said animals can panic at any time when disturbed or can just choose to be wild.

“It is sad to note that we continue to lose lives in scotch cart mishaps despite our warnings for people to exercise caution when using them. We also encourage adults to always be in the lead and never make children drive a scotch cart alone,” she said.- state media

The company, which was being represented by its Chief Loss Control Officer, Samuel Mapswayi, was convicted on its own plea of guilty to selling petroleum products without a retail licence by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Nomagugu Ncube.

The company was ordered to pay a $300 fine. Prosecuting, Mr Takunda Mafudze said the offence was discovered by a Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) official on September 5.

“On 5 September Mr Gladmore Rongai who is employed as a fuel quality technician by Zera went to CMED Gwanda to carry out an inspection. He found CMED employees selling petrol and diesel to customers. Mr Rongai approached the fuel officer and asked to see their Zera retail licence but he failed to produce one.

“Mr Rongai then issued the company with a seven day notice to produce their licence in terms of Section 55 (3) of the Petroleum Act but they failed to produce one resulting in the arrest,” he said.- state media

Forex dealers popularly known as ‘‘money-changers’’ are back on the streets operating underground as they still claim that there is high demand for foreign currency now because government is charging duty in foreign currency.

In recent weeks, forex dealers were largely absent from posts they usually occupied where currency deals were conducted after new laws prescribing a maximum 10-year custodial sentence for illegal foreign currency traders came into force.

Although operating in disguise, some of the money changers have returned to their usual operating points at Copa Cabana and Eastgate Mall in Harare among other areas.

Speaking to the Daily News, some of the money-changers said while they are afraid of the 10-year jail sentence, it’s almost impossible for them to stop their business as foreign currency is now in demand as the economy continues on the downward spiral.

One of them said with government demanding duty in foreign currency, most people have been coming to look for foreign currency as they cannot access it in banks.

“We are scared that we might be caught and arrested but as you may see, people are struggling to get foreign currency since it’s not there in banks. We are just trying to make a living through this
business and at the same time help out those in need foreign currency.

“The demand for foreign currency is now even higher since government said duty for vehicles should be paid in foreign currency. People are only trying to survive these tough conditions,” one of the money-changers said

Another money-changer said among the people who come to trade are those who will be intending to travel to other countries for business or pleasure especially now that the festive season is upon us.

He said government should avail foreign currency in banks if it wants the suffering members of the public to stop trading with illegal money-changers.

Forex dealers deserted their usual selling points after President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he would bring grief to all those who are involved in the illegal trade of foreign currency as he tries to bring stability to the country’s wobbly economy which went into turmoil at the beginning of October when government introduced unpopular measures.

The country has been experiencing acute shortages of foreign currency which in previous weeks triggered shocking price hikes, shortages of essential medical drugs and basic consumer goods.
The central bank holds the official exchange rate at 1:1 US dollar to the bond note, but the rate is largely only accessible to importers of essential goods like wheat and fuel, creating major demand for black market dollars.

Economists, however, recently told this publication that closing in on money-changers does not help solve the problem that the country is faced with.
Leading economist John Robertson said the country’s problems are deeper than government is willing to address.

Robertson urged government to remove the hurdles that are derailing the country’s progress by accepting that market forces determine the value of the money used for imports.

“Market forces still dictate that money used to pay for imports is more valuable than money that has limited uses, so different rates of exchange will remain until the limitations are removed,” he said. Daily News

VIDEO LOADING…

Mliswa clashes with ZANU PF Chief whip pic.twitter.com/zvGI51IAKt

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 10, 2018