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THE High Court in Harare has endorsed a Commission of Inquiry set up by President Mnangagwa to investigate the cause of the post-election violence that claimed six lives in Harare’s central business district (CBD) on August 1 this year.

The Commission of Inquiry is chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, while its other members are international law expert Mr Rodney Dixon QC from the United Kingdom, former Commonwealth secretary-general Chief Emeka Anyaoku from Nigeria and former Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces General (Retired) Davis Mwamunyange.

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers Professors Charity Manyeruke and Lovemore Madhuku and former president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, complete the commission.

Throwing out a challenge on the legitimacy of the commission by a Harare woman, Ms Allison Charles, Justice David Mangota ruled that the President acted within the law in setting up the Commission of Inquiry.

Justice Mangota stated that from the arguments placed before him, President Mnangagwa did not deploy members of the defence forces on the streets and as such was not conflicted in appointing the commissioners.

Ms Charles had argued that since the powers to deploy the army vested solely in the President, he was the one who sent soldiers on the streets of Harare to deal with the violent protestors.

She argued that being the deploying authority, President Mnangagwa was conflicted and therefore he should have left the setting up the commission to independent commissions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC).

However, Justice Mangota said President Mnangagwa was not involved in the deployment and that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry would identify who gave the order to the military.

“They (applicants) proceed on the premise that, because the Constitution confers power on the President to deploy, he deployed members of the defence forces on August 1, 2018,” ruled Justice Mangota.

“The correct position of the matter is that he did not. Because the President did not deploy, he is not conflicted as the applicants would have the court believe,” he said.

He continued; “He also did not violate Section 214 of the Constitution. He, in other words, did not owe a duty to report to Parliament matters which did not arise out of the power which the Constitution confers upon him.

“His moral duty, which arises out of what occurred on 1 August, 2018, was or is to set up the Commission of Inquiry, which he established on 14 September 2018.”

On the cause of the violence, Justice Mangota said; “He (President Mnangagwa) remained alive to the fact that Zimbabwe and the world deserve a clear statement of the causes of the violence and the need on the part of the country to define as well as prevent such unfortunate occurrences in all future elections. The commission, which he set up will, in the fullness of time, unearth those.”

Justice Mangota said President Mnangagwa acted in terms of the Constitution in appointing the commissioners and that the Commission of Inquiry was valid.

“The commission is legally in place. The conduct of the authority which constituted it is above reproach. The commissioners whom the applicants seek to impugn cannot be impugned. At the end of the day, the commission will table the results of its work to Zimbabwe and, by extension, the whole world,” said Justice Mangota.

“The applicants’ case stands on nothing. It was a very good academic exercise which

resulted from their legal practitioners’ ineptitude. It is devoid of merit. It is, accordingly, dismissed with costs,” he ruled.

He also said the applicants had failed to prove that University of Zimbabwe lecturers, Professors Lovemore Madhuku and Charity Manyeruke, were biased towards Zanu-PF.

“The applicants make a statement about Prof Charity Manyeruke’s alleged membership of Zanu-PF party. They produced no evidence which supports the same, nor did they state with sufficient particularity how her alleged earlier views announced or unannounced, would detract her from her work as a commissioner,” ruled the judge.

“The fact that Prof Madhuku was a presidential aspirant in the election of 30 July 2018 shows that he cannot be biased in favour of anyone, let alone the first respondent.

“As a contender who did not make it to the highest office on the land, he has nothing to benefit or lose when he works with the commission,” Justice Mangota said.

The judge said Ms Charles was simply trying to derail the work of the commission.

“I remain satisfied that the applicants were trying their luck on what they knew could not hold. Their aim and object were to derail the work of the commission of inquiry.

“They remained oblivious to the fact that the commission, which comprises men and women of repute and integrity, and to a larger extent, of international character, cannot be influenced by anyone to follow a person’s line of thinking other than to discover what they were constituted to achieve,” the judge said.

Justice Mangota also found that the lawyer representing Ms Charles failed to appreciate the difference between a statement issued by President Mnangagwa announcing his intention to set up a Commission of Inquiry and the actual gazette published on September 14.

He blasted the lawyers for failing to understand that the President merely made an announcement in the statement of August 29 but set up the commission in terms of the law published on September 14.

“It is, in view of the foregoing, difficult if not impossible, to comprehend why such able minds that argued this case failed to distinguish the statement of the first respondent from the legal mechanisms, which he employed to bring the Commission of Inquiry into existence,” Justice Mangota ruled.

“They should have properly advised their clients of the impropriety of moving the court to review and set aside a statement which has no effect on the legal process of 14 September, 2018. They took the court and the respondents along a garden path which leads to nowhere,” he said.

He described the application as a waste of time.

Justice Mangota said only the President was empowered, in terms of the law, to set up the Commission of Inquiry.

“It is evident from the foregoing that the power or authority to establish a Commission of Inquiry is reposed in the President. He exercises the same at his discretion. No person or authority has such power,” he said.

Ms Charles filed the application in her capacity as a relative of one of the victims. An organisation called the Counselling Services Unit was the second applicant in the matter.

President Mnangagwa appointed the commission after six people were killed as violence erupted in Harare on August 1 this year as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was announcing results of the Presidential election, which showed President Mnangagwa was headed for victory.

Soldiers were reportedly called in to reinforce police deployments who were apparently overwhelmed by the protestors who were destroying property and beating up pedestrians.

Through their Harare lawyer Chris Mhike, the applicants had argued that President Mnangagwa could not set up the Commission of Inquiry because he had allegedly deployed the soldiers.

State Media

Correspondent|FORMER Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo’s troubles continue to mount this time under the radar of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) over a murky airport deal in which the Harare City Council is said to have been fleeced of millions of dollars, it has been learnt.

Harare businessman Ken Sharpe was at the centre of the investigation after the Harare City Council reportedly lodged a complaint with Zacc over the way the deal for the construction of the Airport Road, which was later completed by the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) was structured.

“The Harare City Council has lodged a complaint with Zacc and investigators, who include the corruption fighting institution’s lawyers, are already on the ground sifting through masses of documents and evidence.

“Sharpe was awarded a contract without going to tender by Michael Mahachi, who was then heading a commission managing the affairs of the city at the time. Mahachi had been appointed by Chombo, but there is no evidence to show that the commission sat and approved the contract with Sharpe running into millions of dollars,” a source close to the matter said yesterday.

Zacc commissioner (investigations) Goodson Nguni said: “We have received a complaint from Harare City Council and are dealing with it. By next week, we should have full details regarding the matter. We are working flat out on it,”

Insiders said the investigations have revealed that under Mahachi’s instructions, council began transferring land and paid millions to Sharpe’s Augur Investments before work began.

“Council paid millions to Sharp’s Augur Investments even before any equipment moved onto the site. The whole thing reeks of graft. Land was also transferred to the contractor as part of the payment plan before anything happened. Council lost a lot.”.

In 2016, Zacc as well as the Auditor-General Mildred Chiri’s office called for an investigation into the 20km project known as Joshua Nkomo Expressway that audits indicated cost taxpayers and Harare ratepayers up to eight times more than was recommended including vast tracts of land with Chombo being the lead actor.

Initial reports indicated that the airport deal was awarded to Augur Investments without going to tender. This involved the City of Harare pledging 4 000 hectares of land to the company as part payment.

It has also emerged that Mahachi, was also Augur “project manager” when he awarded the company the tender.

For his role as project manager, Mahachi was allegedly paid close to $2 million.

Correspondent|BULAWAYO Deputy Mayor Tinashe Kambarami is headed for a legal battle after revelations that a rival MDC faction opposed to his election has hatched a plan to sponsor a voter from his ward to approach the courts seeking an order to nullify his nomination and election as councillor on the grounds of his conviction for theft.

A source within the MDC Bulawayo province said its all systems go, the draft papers have been prepared by the lawyers and final consultations are being made before filing.

“The matter is very true yes, I can confirm. The papers have been drafted and legal proceedings will be instituted soon. After the political process was thwarted by Chairperson (Tabitha Khumalo), the only way is to take the legal route,” The source revealed.

Kambarami was in July under CRB 1981/18, convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft by Bulawayo magistrate, Ms Sharon Rosemani. He was fined $80 or 18 days in prison for stealing an extension cord from an electrician he had hired to do manual work at his offices.

He had been given up to the end of July to pay the fine, but defaulted resulting in a warrant of arrest being issued against him. Kambarami then paid the fine on August 15.

According to section 119 (2) (e) of the Electoral Act, a person shall be disqualified from being nominated as a candidate for or from election as a councillor if he or she has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty.

“Our lawyers have advised us that according to the Electoral Act his election as a councillor will be set aside. We did not want to get to this level, we just wanted him to respect party processes and step down as deputy mayor. His defiance will now cost him even the council position. It is at that [point that he will see Tabitha will not be able to protect him and that his dirty money which he has been using to buy shoes for councillors will not work for him.”

Legal practitioners recently recently quoted in in the media saying Kambarami can be ousted if courts were approached.

“Legally once one is declared duly elected it is not automatic that they leave office unless there is a court order to nullify that. We are therefore saying someone will have to go to court, be it a voter or some interested party. In essence, it means that Kambarami remains a councillor and deputy mayor until a competent court has declared him unfit to remain in office,” Constitutional lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku said.

Law Society of Zimbabwe councillor Mr Godfrey Nyoni said: “If Kambarami was indeed convicted, of which I doubt he disclosed his conviction to the Nomination Court, his election should be a nullity and anyone can approach the High Court to seek a declaratur to say his election was not in terms of the law. You cannot sanitise an illegality and if something is a nullity it is a nullity and it ends there.”

Own Correspondent|A Venezuelan woman was busted at Robert Mugabe International Airport carrying 6 kg of cocaine as she tried to smuggle it into the country.

She appeared at the Harare magistrate’s court on Friday and demanded an interpreter before she can stand trial because she wanted to have an understanding of all charges levelled against her.

Delcy daymar Rodriguez Guererro was arrested upon landing. Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa alleges that the cocaine is worth almost $500 000.

Through her lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, Guererro told the court that she needed a Spanish interpreter as well as for her defence counsel to have sight of the contraband before she can stand trial as these are her constitutional rights.

Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa advised Mugiya to bring in his client in court on Saturday so that a Spanish interpreter can read the charges to her.

The State alleges that on October 18, Border and Control Unit detectives received information to the effect that Guererro was flying from Brazil and was suspected to be in possession of dangerous drugs.

It is alleged that when Guererro disembarked from the plane, she went to the clearance counter in the arrivals hall for passport clearance.

She was immediately identified during stamping of her passport and information was relayed to detectives who were on surveillance.

She allegedly picked her black suitcase within the airport arrival hall and selected the Zimra green route exit point where she was intercepted by detectives while pulling her suitcase inscribed with her tag number and name.

She was reportedly searched, leading to the recovery of a whitish powder which was stashed inside six black blocks wrapped around in her travelling.

Field tests analysis were conducted on the powder in the presence of Guererro and it tested positive to cocaine, the court heard.

Further tests were conducted by forensic scientist laboratory and it tested positive for the illicit drug.

M&T

Three Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) bosses have been hauled before the court on fraud allegations after they reportedly sold lint worth over $2 000 000 under the pretext that they were selling it to a company that had been acquired through pre-financing as is the norm.

According to Statutory Instrument 150/2008 of the Exchange Control [Cotton] order, all lint must be acquired by a customer through pre-financing.

Pius Manamike, acting managing director, Brighton Chibhamu treasury, Lameck Machumi, sales and marketing officer allegedly misrepresented facts to individuals who were contracted to monitor the release of the said lint and ensure that it was released to the right customers.

The trio appeared before Harare Magistrate. Rumbidzai Mugwagwa and were released on bail on condition that they pay $500, report once a week and not interfere with State witnesses.

They were also ordered not to visit their offices as part of the bail conditions.

The matter was remanded to December 7.

Prosecuting, Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that COTTCO was incorporated in 1994 as the successor organisation of the Cotton Marketing Board and it was subsequently privatised in 1997.

The company operated under this structure until 2015 when government allowed management through the executive team to run operations at COTTCO.

The executive team included Manamike as the acting managing director, Chibhamu as the head of finance, Maxmore Njanji as the head of operations and Benedict Mugumeni who is the complainant as the head of corporate services.

Allegations are that sometime in May 2017, Manamike and Chibhamu entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Cotton Pro Company to supply lint totalling to 8 000 tonnes on a 90 day credit facility against the Statutory Instrument prerequisites.

The Memorandum Agreement was taken to Ecobank for registration whereupon the bank indicated that they only process documents for companies which had done the pre-financing hence the bank could not assist Cotton Pro Company in acquiring that credit facility with them, the court heard.

It is the State’s case that between September 8 and October 17 last year, the three accused persons knowing that they could not obtain cotton lint through Ecobank, misrepresented to Ecobank that they needed release orders for the release of lint to Devcote Louis Dreyfus and Mambo Commodities which had pre-financed the growing of the cotton.

Meanwhile, Ecobank had already deployed Sacotec Collateral Securities to all Cotton Depots throughout the country to ensure that cotton lint was released to approved merchants.

Upon receiving the release order, it is the State’s case that the three accused persons further misrepresented to Sacotec Collateral Securities staff based at Gokwe, Kadoma and Sanyati COTTCO depots that the cotton lint was destined was destined for export to Devcote Louis Dreyfus and Mambo Commodities which resulted in a total of 1 106 tonnes of cotton lint being fraudulently released on the instructions of the accused.

The matter came to light when an internal audit was carried out and a report was made leading to the arrest of the three.

The trio allegedly got away with $2 212 613 and of that amount, $707 249.31 was recovered.

M&T

LEGISLATORS have said the Government has taken too long to buy them service vehicles with the issue being among the most topical during the ongoing 2019 Parliamentary pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo.

Government in October announced that it would defer the purchase of new vehicles for MPs as part of austerity measures being spearheaded by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube.

The country has about 350 legislators combining the National Assembly and the Senate and they are all entitled to vehicles which they are supposed to use in servicing their constituencies.

Government is expected to shell out more than $20 million to buy new vehicles for the 350 legislators.

In his presentation, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development, Felix Mhona, emphasised that MPs needed vehicles.

“Honourable Speaker Sir, purchasing of vehicles for our honourable members is not a luxury, these are our tools of the trade. So we are saying honourable members must be given their tools,” he said drawing applause from legislators across the political divide.

Mutare Central MP, Innocent Gonese, said they were entitled to their vehicles.

“I believe that when we look at the question of vehicles, MPs are entitled to vehicles and let’s submit that apart from those five appointed outside Parliament, my view is let’s have a one vehicle policy, one durable vehicle for all members.

“This will bring to an end the business of having those in the Executive having a Parliamentary vehicle as well as two other vehicles and those two other vehicles are the ones which are ultra-luxurious like your Range Rover Vogue or Range Rover Autobiography,” he said.

In a rare show of unity between MPs from both the ruling Zanu-PF party and main opposition MDC, the legislators said their vehicles were also a top priority in the budget and the Finance Minister has to expedite their purchase.

They said they preferred off road vehicles which would enable them to navigate the rough terrain in their constituencies.

Responding to the legislators, Prof Ncube said he understands that MPs need to be given their vehicles.

“I am on the side of making sure that you get your vehicles, but we have been debating as to whether we give you a 100 percent loan, partial loan or zero loans so we have that action on the table but either way vehicles are on the way,” he said.

Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya told the legislators the demand for foreign currency was crippling the economy and even legislators’ vehicles required foreign currency.

“If the expenditure is coming, it also has to be funded. Right now you are asking about your vehicles, those vehicles are imported also and they need foreign currency. This country does not make vehicles.

“I agree that these are your tools of trade; very good tools of the trade but those tools of the trade shall end up in my office looking for foreign currency. If the Minister says let’s look for foreign currency, I will look for it and buy your vehicles,” said Dr Mangudya.

“NOW that the truth is out about my money, those ladies should give it back so that I can get on with my life,” said Sandra (Sandy) Ndebele-Sibindi who was swindled of over $80 000 last month.

The dance queen had given one Simangani Gwemende, an illegal money changer from Bulawayo, almost $90 000 (US$8 330 and $80 000 bond notes) to trade the money on the forex black market.

Gwemende however, subcontracted another person, Lindiwe Ndlovu, to trade it in Beitbridge on her behalf as the rates were apparently more favourable there.

Ndlovu claimed to have boarded a private vehicle to Beitbridge on October 16 and was robbed of all the money when she got off the car in Colleen Bawn for recess and found the vehicle gone.

She then made a report of the stolen money to the police who initiated investigations.

She informed Gwemende who then informed Sandy of the mishap and the musician did not take the issue lightly.

The musician apparently viciously demanded Gwemende to repay her and allegedly forced her to sign an affidavit saying she would pay US$1 000 every day until the debt is cleared.

The matter, that is now before the courts, this week took a twist with Ndlovu admitting that she had made a false report about the money being stolen.

In mitigation, Ndlovu said she made the false report in a bid to raise money for medication as she suffers from cancer.

She was sentenced to six months imprisonment by Gwanda magistrate, Ms Nomagugu Ncube.

Three months were suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within the next three years.

Sandy said the conviction had vindicated her suspicions that it was a bogus story to swindle her of her money.

“I suspected from the onset that this story of the money being stolen was just a cover up. I’ve filed a case against her (Gwemende) in the Bulawayo High Court to get my money back using the law,” said Sandy.
She said all she wants is her money.

“I know that the money is there. Maybe they’ve shared it among themselves. However, what I know is that they’ll pay back every cent that they took from me and claimed it was stolen.”

Asked where she got the lump sum, the mother of three who is married to a businessman — Nkanyiso — said she was a hard-working woman who makes money, not only from her music and shows, but from other business interests.

She said people should not think that she just sings and dances for a living.

“I do other things to make money and fend for my family like any other Zimbabwean who wants to make ends meet. I have over 7 000 chickens that I’m rearing and every six weeks, I sell them and buy chicks among other business interests across the country.

“Also, I’ve been performing a lot this year as it was election season. I was getting hired by political parties and money was coming in and I was saving it,” she said.

The money, Sandy said, was meant to be used for shopping in Dubai.

“That money was supposed to be used in Dubai to buy stuff I wanted to sell.

“I have nothing to hide, if people want to know where I got the money, I can prove to anyone without doubt.”

However, Sandy said this has taught her not to trust anyone.

“I trusted the woman (Gwemende) as I was introduced to her by her sister whose child learns with mine.

I thought she was genuinely helping me out.

“Now I’m broke all because I trusted people with my money,” said a disheartened Sandy.

State Media

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released 36 names of the people who died on Wednesday this week near the Rusape tollgate.

Their next of kin have since been informed.

The names of those who lost their lives are:

Handsome Mugabe from Rusape

Grace Nyamhuri from Rusape (28)

Molleene Kunyaura from Headlands (35)

Alberick Nyamawanga from Odzi (1 year 10 months)

Nomsa Managani from Glen View, Harare (34)

Pertience Geza from Mutare (30)

Tsitsi Gweja of Nyanyadzi clinic (40)

Tafirenyika Nyarumbe of Highlands, Harare

Themba Mukaronda of Nyagota village, Rusape (33)

Kelvin Fombe of Mutare (33)

Gloria Malusi of Kadoma (28)

Wish Mhaambirwi of Chikanga, Mutare (22)

Daru Artson of Mabvazuva, Rusape (26)

Shamma Takunda Bhunu of Tynward, Harare (8 months)

John Mapika of Waterfalls, Harare (34)

Francis Mubaiwa of Amsterdam Park, Harare (46)

Amos Manyere of ADA Transal Odzi (52)

Lovemore Mudondo of Eastview, Harare (18)

Tatenda Mushore of Glen View, Harare (9)

Esther Mazvimba of Village 12 Chinhenga, Inyati (80)

Anna Kambarami of Plot 98 Tynwald, Harare (26)

Tafadzwa Siwiti of Rusike Phase 1, Marondera (19)

Douglas Chimanga of Waterfalls, Harare (60)

Shalom Tariro Bhunu of Plot 98 Tynwald, Harare (3)

Michael Huta of St Therese Mission, Rusape (24)

Tavonga Mushore Glen View, Harare (8)

Willard Tatenda Mukanya of Makuwapasi village, Chief Makoni, Rusape

Themba Sorota of Court 26 Chareka, Mutare (39)

Ali Chiramba of Old Tafara, Harare (35)

Zodic Chikanda of Dzivarasekwa Extension, Harare (27)

Molline Kunyaura of Marondera Prison (32)

Enwedy Chawapira of 3 Brigade, Mutare (32)

Nancy Mukwada of Vengere, Rusape

Kudakwashe Mupatsi of Dzivarasekwa 1, Harare

Simon Juru of Dzivarasekwa Extension, Harare (50)

Grasten Chipangura of Harare (45).

Meanwhile,

48 people injured in the Rusape bus disaster who had been admitted at Rusape General Hospital have been discharged and only four are still being treated for the injuries they sustained.

33 bodies have also been collected by relatives for burial by late this afternoon.

81 accident victims were taken to Rusape General Hospital after the bus disaster that claimed 50 lives.

14 injured people were transferred to Harare another one to Mutare while 52 remained admitted at Rusape General Hospital.

Thanks to the sterling work by the Rusape Hospital staff, by this afternoon 48 people had been discharged.

Rusape General Hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Steward Karembo confirmed the latest developments.

“The pressure that was on the General Hospital is slowly fading away as relatives are coming to collect bodies of the deceased while the majority of patients have been discharged,” he said.

Some of the injured who are still hospitalised hailed the treatment and assistance they have received so far.

“We are happy with the support and treatment we got after the accident as we were in a helpless situation,” said some of the survivors.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Passenger Association Organisation members comprising 75 percent of bus operators in the country visited Rusape General Hospital where they said there is need to regulate the transport sector to reduce loss of lives.

The association’s CEO Fungai Makoni said the transport sector should not be free for all but should operate under specific guidelines and standards to guide against overspending among other vices.

“There is need to regulate the transport industry in order to reduce road accidents,” he said.

The accident occurred on Wednesday evening near the Rusape toll gate claiming the lives of 45 people on the spot while five others died in hospital. — ZBC

THE Smart Express bus driver who fled the scene after the Rusape accident that claimed 46 lives on Wednesday evening has handed himself over to Rusape traffic police.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa yesterday confirmed the development saying the driver, Cosmas Marembo had handed himself to the police at around 2pm in the afternoon.

“For now we cannot talk of the charges that he is facing because investigations are still in progress,” said Insp Kakohwa.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day yesterday, Smart Express Bus Company owner, Mrs Arima Mkwamba conceded that her company had of late witnessed several accidents largely blamed on the recklessness of her drivers.

“We are very disappointed by the wanton loss of lives being caused by the accidents. Our drivers are reckless and we have on many occasions warned them against such driving,” she said.

— State Media

Smart Express Bus Company has provided $10 000 to assist families of the Rusape bus accident that claimed 46 lives on Wednesday this week, and left dozens injured.

The accident occurred at the 166km peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway and involved Bolt Cutter and Smart Express buses.

Smart Express owner Mrs Arima Mkwamba said the money was their contribution towards assisting the families of the deceased and the injured.

The donation was handed over to the Civil Protection Unit, through the office of the Manicaland provincial administrator, Mr Edgar Seenza.

Mr Seenza said the money would be disbursed to the families of the deceased at Rusape Hospital when they came to collect the bodies of their loved ones.

Government has provided $25 000 towards the cause while the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) will settle all hospital bills. FSG and Nyaradzo Funeral Services are assisting with coffins and transporting the deceased to their final resting places. The total monetary assistance to each bereaved family is currently $1 350.

Meanwhile, Mrs Mkwamba has blamed the accident on recklessness on the part of the driver, identified as Cosmas Marembo.

Mrs Mkwamba said the company was deeply saddened by the loss of lives.

“We never thought our buses would be involved in an accident of this magnitude and it is really a sad development. This is happening because of reckless driving,” she said.

“The name of our buses, ‘Smart’, means we are operating a clean business. My family and I have never used any juju to enhance our business. We run a clean business. It is unfortunate that we have been a victim of so many accidents in a short space of time.”

Smart Express manager Mr Derick Sigauke said the company always instructed its drivers to exercise caution on the road and to drive within the stipulated speed limits but sometimes the drivers behaved differently.

He said Marembo had been with the company for over a year and was one of their best drivers.

He denied claims that the company was setting daily targets for its crews, which pushed them to speed to meet them.

“We do not set targets for our drivers and we never force them to go to Harare and come back to Mutare on the same day. If the bus cannot come back we urge the crew to sleep over in Harare and return the following day,” he said.

“This particular driver has been with us since we started the Beitbridge-Mutare route over a year ago and he has never had a problem. He was a Zupco driver for more than 10 years before joining us.”

Meanwhile, Marembo has handed himself over to Rusape Traffic Police, The Herald has learnt.

According to Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, Marembo handed himself over to the police at around 2pm on Wednesday afternoon.

“For now we cannot talk of the charges that he is facing because investigations are still in progress,” said Insp Kakohwa.- state media

The High Court in Harare has endorsed a Commission of Inquiry set up by President Mnangagwa to investigate the cause of the post-election violence that claimed six lives in Harare’s central business district (CBD) on August 1 this year.

The Commission of Inquiry is chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, while its other members are international law expert Mr Rodney Dixon QC from the United Kingdom, former Commonwealth secretary-general Chief Emeka Anyaoku from Nigeria and former Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces General (Retired) Davis Mwamunyange.

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers Professors Charity Manyeruke and Lovemore Madhuku and former president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, complete the commission.

Throwing out a challenge on the legitimacy of the commission by a Harare woman, Ms Allison Charles, Justice David Mangota ruled that the President acted within the law in setting up the Commission of Inquiry.

Justice Mangota stated that from the arguments placed before him, President Mnangagwa did not deploy members of the defence forces on the streets and as such was not conflicted in appointing the commissioners.

Ms Charles had argued that since the powers to deploy the army vested solely in the President, he was the one who sent soldiers on the streets of Harare to deal with the violent protestors.

She argued that being the deploying authority, President Mnangagwa was conflicted and therefore he should have left the setting up the commission to independent commissions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC).

However, Justice Mangota said President Mnangagwa was not involved in the deployment and that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry would identify who gave the order to the military.

“They (applicants) proceed on the premise that, because the Constitution confers power on the President to deploy, he deployed members of the defence forces on August 1, 2018,” ruled Justice Mangota.

“The correct position of the matter is that he did not. Because the President did not deploy, he is not conflicted as the applicants would have the court believe,” he said.

He continued; “He also did not violate Section 214 of the Constitution. He, in other words, did not owe a duty to report to Parliament matters which did not arise out of the power which the Constitution confers upon him.

“His moral duty, which arises out of what occurred on 1 August, 2018, was or is to set up the Commission of Inquiry, which he established on 14 September 2018.”

On the cause of the violence, Justice Mangota said; “He (President Mnangagwa) remained alive to the fact that Zimbabwe and the world deserve a clear statement of the causes of the violence and the need on the part of the country to define as well as prevent such unfortunate occurrences in all future elections. The commission, which he set up will, in the fullness of time, unearth those.”

Justice Mangota said President Mnangagwa acted in terms of the Constitution in appointing the commissioners and that the Commission of Inquiry was valid.

“The commission is legally in place. The conduct of the authority which constituted it is above reproach. The commissioners whom the applicants seek to impugn cannot be impugned. At the end of the day, the commission will table the results of its work to Zimbabwe and, by extension, the whole world,” said Justice Mangota.

“The applicants’ case stands on nothing. It was a very good academic exercise which

resulted from their legal practitioners’ ineptitude. It is devoid of merit. It is, accordingly, dismissed with costs,” he ruled.

He also said the applicants had failed to prove that University of Zimbabwe lecturers, Professors Lovemore Madhuku and Charity Manyeruke, were biased towards Zanu-PF.

“The applicants make a statement about Prof Charity Manyeruke’s alleged membership of Zanu-PF party. They produced no evidence which supports the same, nor did they state with sufficient particularity how her alleged earlier views announced or unannounced, would detract her from her work as a commissioner,” ruled the judge.

“The fact that Prof Madhuku was a presidential aspirant in the election of 30 July 2018 shows that he cannot be biased in favour of anyone, let alone the first respondent.

“As a contender who did not make it to the highest office on the land, he has nothing to benefit or lose when he works with the commission,” Justice Mangota said.

The judge said Ms Charles was simply trying to derail the work of the commission.

“I remain satisfied that the applicants were trying their luck on what they knew could not hold. Their aim and object were to derail the work of the commission of inquiry.

“They remained oblivious to the fact that the commission, which comprises men and women of repute and integrity, and to a larger extent, of international character, cannot be influenced by anyone to follow a person’s line of thinking other than to discover what they were constituted to achieve,” the judge said.

Justice Mangota also found that the lawyer representing Ms Charles failed to appreciate the difference between a statement issued by President Mnangagwa announcing his intention to set up a Commission of Inquiry and the actual gazette published on September 14.

He blasted the lawyers for failing to understand that the President merely made an announcement in the statement of August 29 but set up the commission in terms of the law published on September 14.

“It is, in view of the foregoing, difficult if not impossible, to comprehend why such able minds that argued this case failed to distinguish the statement of the first respondent from the legal mechanisms, which he employed to bring the Commission of Inquiry into existence,” Justice Mangota ruled.

“They should have properly advised their clients of the impropriety of moving the court to review and set aside a statement which has no effect on the legal process of 14 September, 2018. They took the court and the respondents along a garden path which leads to nowhere,” he said.

He described the application as a waste of time. Justice Mangota said only the President was empowered, in terms of the law, to set up the Commission of Inquiry.

“It is evident from the foregoing that the power or authority to establish a Commission of Inquiry is reposed in the President. He exercises the same at his discretion. No person or authority has such power,” he said.

Ms Charles filed the application in her capacity as a relative of one of the victims. An organisation called the Counselling Services Unit was the second applicant in the matter.

President Mnangagwa appointed the commission after six people were killed as violence erupted in Harare on August 1 this year as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was announcing results of the Presidential election, which showed President Mnangagwa was headed for victory.

Soldiers were reportedly called in to reinforce police deployments who were apparently overwhelmed by the protestors who were destroying property and beating up pedestrians.

Through their Harare lawyer Chris Mhike, the applicants had argued that President Mnangagwa could not set up the Commission of Inquiry because he had allegedly deployed the soldiers. -state media

THE trial of opposition political party leader Tendai Biti will commence on Monday 12 November 2018 at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Biti will stand trial on allegations of contravening the Electoral Act. He is accused of unlawfully and unofficially announcing the 30 July 2018 presidential election results.
Biti, the Vice-Chairperson of the MDC-Alliance party was arrested on 8 August 2018 after being returned from Zambia under unclear circumstances.

He was initially charged with contravening section 66(A)(1) of the Electoral Act for allegedly announcing the results of the presidential elections held in July 2018, as well as contravening section 36(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Biti is represented by Beatrice Mtetwa and Alec Muchadehama, who are members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Biti will stand trial on allegations of violating section 66A(1)(a) – unofficial or false declaration of results prohibited, as well as section 66A(1)(b) – unofficial or false declaration of results prohibited.

Prosecutors allege that Biti, who is currently out of custody on bail, unlawfully and unofficially purportedly announced or purportedly declared that the MDC-Alliance party had won the harmonised elections held on 30 July 2018 when in actual fact the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) officials, who are mandated to make the declaration
had not yet declared the official results or winner, in contravention of the Electoral Act.

The prosecutor has lined up six witnesses, who are scheduled to testify against Biti during the trial. The State has notified Biti’s lawyers that it will tender the transcript of Biti’s address at a press conference convened by MDC-Alliance party on Tuesday 31 July 2018 at Morgan Tsvangirai House.

Terrence Mawawa|Auxilia Mnangagwa has won the 2018 Matter Humanitarian Award but many Zimbabweans are sceptical of the sincerity she portrays in public.

Mrs Mnangagwa received the award at a dinner held at State House on Thursday night.

According to The Herald, the award is given by the United States-
based Matter Group to a person who
exemplifies leadership in serving humanity and an inspiration to others.

The award was in recognition of Mrs Mnangagwa’s work through her charity organisation, Angel of Hope.

She won the award at the Matter Annual Gala held in the Unites States last month.

“I will always say, we don’t do good to be thanked or awarded, but we should do so as expected of us as decent human beings,”Mrs Mnangagwa

said.

 

Terrence Mawawa|MDC deputy president Obert Gutu has literally distanced himself from comments that were posted on Twitter yesterday arguing his detractors are battling to discredit him.

Gutu tweeted on his official account:”
Kindly note that my official Twitter account is @GutuObert and DEFINITELY not @GutuLite ,which is a FAKE Twitter Account created by my detractors. Thank you very much
and God bless!!!”

Below is the tweet in which Gutu allegedly attacked the MDC T spokesperson: “Linda Linda Linda !!! It seems like your spokesperson role is to speak ills about the alliance all the time.Lets desist from these childish acts and focus on key issues.”

The message was posted on the Twitter handle @ GutuLite. Yesterday hundreds of MDC Alliance

supporters hailed Gutu for seeing the light and urged him to emerge out of the cocoon.

THE battle for the control of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has entered new terrain, with party Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora challenging president Nelson Chamisa’s postponement of the February 2019 Congress.

Chamisa appeared to pull the rug from under the feet of his party rivals yesterday after he announced that the main opposition’s much anticipated congress — which was due to be held in February next year — would now only be held between October and December 2019.

It also comes as the process to choose a new substantive leader for the party — following the death of its much-loved founding president Morgan Tsvangirai early this year — continues to prove hugely divisive.

Fresh fissures have emerged in opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s MDC — amid damaging allegations of heightened factionalism and the use of “dirty money” to destabilise the party, the Daily News can report.

Party insiders said yesterday that Chamisa’s move to postpone the holding of the planned elective congress to later next year had “greatly angered” his rivals who wished to contest him for the presidency.

Chamisa, who narrowly lost to President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the hotly-disputed July 30 presidential election, assumed the reins of the MDC in contested circumstances following Tsvangirai’s death in February.

“There is dirty money circulating … we know all this and some are now campaigning, but these are premature campaigns,” MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume told the Daily News yesterday.

“The fact is, the date for our congress is between October to December next year. We had our last congress in 2014, so the congress is not due yet by any imagination.

“We know that there are some people who are being sponsored by Zanu PF to destabilise the party through early congress calls,” he added.

But party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora — who, it is claimed, is backing the party’s vice president Elias Mudzuri to take on Chamisa when the internal leadership elections take place — appeared to have been taken by surprise by Mafume’s statement on the congress.

“Is this what Mafume said? Let me check with him and I will come back to you,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, Mwonzora published a letter dismissing any attempts to shift Congress dates as unprocedural.

Mwonzora not only beat Chamisa for the secretary-general’s position in 2014, but has also regularly clashed with him — including over the manner of the interim leader’s ascendancy to the MDC’s leadership, which led to yet another split of the party ahead of the July 30 polls.

Chamisa himself recently used the party’s 19th anniversary celebrations to warn his rivals against pushing for an early congress.

It also comes as the process to choose a new substantive leader for the party — following the death of its much-loved founding president Morgan Tsvangirai early this year — continues to prove hugely divisive.

“The fact is, the date for our congress is between October to December next year. We had our last congress in 2014, so the congress is not due yet by any imagination.

“We know that there are some people who are being sponsored by Zanu PF to destabilise the party through early congress calls,” he added.

But party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora — who, it is claimed, is backing the party’s vice president Elias Mudzuri to take on Chamisa when the internal leadership elections take place — appeared to have been taken by surprise by Mafume’s statement on the congress.

“Is this what Mafume said? Let me check with him and I will come back to you,” he said.

Mwonzora not only beat Chamisa for the secretary-general’s position in 2014, but has also regularly clashed with him — including over the manner of the interim leader’s ascendancy to the MDC’s leadership, which led to yet another split of the party ahead of the July 30 polls.

Chamisa himself recently used the party’s 19th anniversary celebrations to warn his rivals against pushing for an early congress.

“I have told my colleagues in the top leadership that none of us should go wayward because it will be akin to a fish taking itself out of water, where it cannot survive.

“So, we need to continue to follow Tsvangirai’s way, the party’s ways. Tsvangirai left power for me so that I will also pave way for the next leader, in that order.

“We don’t want a situation whereby someone would want to grab from me what I was given by Tsvangirai before I even start the journey he set me to embark on, yet you don’t even know what he wanted me to achieve.

Fresh fissures have emerged in opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s MDC — amid damaging allegations of heightened factionalism and the use of “dirty money” to destabilise the party, the Daily News can report.

This comes as Chamisa appeared to pull the rug from under the feet of his party rivals yesterday after he announced that the main opposition’s much anticipated congress — which was due to be held in March next year — would now only be held between October and December.

It also comes as the process to choose a new substantive leader for the party — following the death of its much-loved founding president Morgan Tsvangirai early this year — continues to prove hugely divisive.

Party insiders said yesterday that Chamisa’s move to postpone the holding of the planned elective congress to later next year had “greatly angered” his rivals who wished to contest him for the presidency.

Chamisa, who narrowly lost to President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the hotly-disputed July 30 presidential election, assumed the reins of the MDC in contested circumstances following Tsvangirai’s death in February.

“The fact is, the date for our congress is between October to December next year. We had our last congress in 2014, so the congress is not due yet by any imagination.

“We know that there are some people who are being sponsored by Zanu PF to destabilise the party through early congress calls,” he added.

But party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora — who, it is claimed, is backing the party’s vice president Elias Mudzuri to take on Chamisa when the internal leadership elections take place — appeared to have been taken by surprise by Mafume’s statement on the congress.

“Is this what Mafume said? Let me check with him and I will come back to you,” he said.

Mwonzora not only beat Chamisa for the secretary-general’s position in 2014, but has also regularly clashed with him — including over the manner of the interim leader’s ascendancy to the MDC’s leadership, which led to yet another split of the party ahead of the July 30 polls.

Chamisa himself recently used the party’s 19th anniversary celebrations to warn his rivals against pushing for an early congress.

“I have told my colleagues in the top leadership that none of us should go wayward because it will be akin to a fish taking itself out of water, where it cannot survive.

“So, we need to continue to follow Tsvangirai’s way, the party’s ways. Tsvangirai left power for me so that I will also pave way for the next leader, in that order.

“Why don’t you wait for me to accomplish that first? Then I will also show you the way when you eventually take over,” Chamisa said.

This came after Chamisa outfoxed long-time MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe and Mudzuri in the battle to control the MDC after Tsvangirai fell gravely ill.

Then Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, announced that his boss had appointed the youthful politician to lead the party while he was receiving treatment for colon cancer in neighbouring South Africa.

Daily News

 

Terrence Mawawa|The MDC Alliance Women’ s Assembly has conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the Rusape Bus Disaster.

Below is the MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly statement:”CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF RUSAPE BUS ACCIDENT VICTIMS

On behalf the MDC Women’s Assembly, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to those who perished in the Rusape Bus Disaster. I have been in shock and pain after
receiving the news.

My prayers are also with those who were injured in the crash.I call upon drivers to exercise extra care and avoid speeding when carrying passengers. To public transport operators I say please strive to promote safety on the roads.

It is my hope that the government will work closely with the affected families and the victims in ensuring that they receive the much needed support and information.

Finally may the souls of those who perished in the fatal accident rest in peace.Hon Lynette Karenyi MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly

Chairperson

ZimEye will be livestreaming the 2018 Parliamentary Pre-budget Seminar which is currently underway at Holiday Inn in Bulawayo.

The seminar is being held under the theme “Enhancing efforts towards stabilising the macro economic environment for inclusive socio- economic development”. VIDEO BELOW:

Refresh this page for updates.

Cottco Acting Chief Executive Officer Pius Manamike and two COTTCO managers have appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa facing charges of US$2 million fraud.

The trio was granted US$500 bail each and ordered not to interfere with state witnesses.

Last night the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested the COTTCO managers who were fingered in illegal cotton trading, prejudicing the country of millions of dollars.

Managing Director Pious Manamike, Head of Finance Brighton Chibhamu, Lameck Machumi (Sales) and Freight Manager Charles Masunungure were yesterday being held by the anti-graft body for questioning.

ZACC chief investigations officer Alex Masiye confirmed the commission was holding the COTTCO bosses for questioning.

“We are with them (the COTTCO managers) interviewing them. Can you call later,” Masiye said last night.

The four are allegedly part of a cartel of COTTCO executives working with high-profile politicians in illegal trading of cotton, prejudicing the State of over $2.5 million in foreign currency by diverting the white gold meant for export to illegal local buyers.

Only $707 000 was said to have been recovered from the $2,5 million. – state media

Audited financial results for public entities revealed a worrying trend across the board of poor financial management systems and lack of accountability for a number of these entities.

The revelations came in the capital this Thursday during a ceremony to award the few public entities who are preforming exceptionally well in financial management as well as upholding good corporate governance practices.

The Principal Director for Fiscal Policy in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Mr Pfungwa Kunaka spoke about the importance and role of the public sector in facilitating the attainment of Vision 2030, hence proper financial management at these entities is critical.

“Government decided to honour those preforming entities as a way of encouragement to those who are not preforming simply because you are the foundation on which the development agenda should be laid upon,” said Mr Kunaka.

Proper handling of finances at state enterprises brings about confidence and trust, thereby enhancing full participation by the citizenry towards a shared vision of building a better Zimbabwe for all.- state media

The Commonwealth Observer Group has released its final report for the 2018 harmonised elections. The Group which was led by former president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama said that despite several positive aspects from the election, the group was unable to endorse all aspects of the process as credible, inclusive and peaceful.

The group said that there was an unlevel playing field which was caused in part by the acute bias of the state media in favour of the ruling Zanu-PF party, abuse of incumbency privileges, allegations of intimidation and the failure by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to fully implement its mandate. In a statement announcing the release of the report, the Commonwealth said,

The Observer Group was led by John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana, and included 23 eminent persons. A nine-person staff team from the Commonwealth supported it.

The Report highlights several positive aspects of the election, including a markedly improved pre-election environment where all parties were generally able to campaign freely; peaceful, well managed and transparent polls on Election Day; and the participation of women as presidential candidates, polling officials, and voters.

However, the Group expressed concern about a number of technical and political shortcomings, which, in its view, unlevelled the playing field. These issues included the acute bias of state media in favour of the governing party; the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s limitations in the implementation of its mandate; persistent allegations of intimidation; and the unfair use of incumbency privileges. The Group further singled out the post-election violence, which resulted in fatalities, noting that it marred the final phase of the elections.

Because of these shortcomings, the Group concluded that it was unable to endorse all aspects of the process as credible, inclusive and peaceful.

The report from the Commonwealth Observer Group seems to reflect the views of the reports released by the European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) and the joint election observer mission of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) from the United States of America.

 

School uniform prices have gone up by as much as 440 percent, depriving most parents and guardians of the cheer normally associated with the forthcoming festive season.

With the year drawing to an end, it is highly unlikely that families would have excess cash to spend on firecrackers and other luxuries that brighten the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Every little resource is likely to go towards the payment of school fees and acquiring uniforms, whose prices are now beyond the reach of many.

A survey by the Daily News showed that the majority of retail shops are pegging prices of school uniforms in United States dollars, which is the most stable currency.

This means that prices for those buyers using the bond or Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transfer would be at the ruling parallel market exchange rate, which fetches a huge premium.

School blazers which used to cost around $50 at the beginning of the year now cost between $170 and $270 (bond notes or RTGS), according to the survey.

Those with access to US dollars are paying between $60 and $90 for the same product. Girls’ uniforms which were going for about $25 are now priced at between $85 and $102 (bond notes or RTGS) or US$25 to US$30, for those with greenbacks — depending on size.

On the other hand, boys’ uniforms that were priced at $25 previously are now fetching around US$30, with the bond or RTGS price ranging from $70 to $85, also depending on size.

While school shoes were nowhere to be found in most outlets, the popular Toughies brand, manufactured by Bata, was going for $110 (bond notes and RTGS) from $35 at the beginning of the year.

Tied to this development are increases in the price of other learning materials such as stationery. There are also ongoing discussions in schools to increase fees for the coming term while also asking parents and guardians to top up fees for this third term.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu told the Daily News that sourcing of foreign currency on the parallel market is triggering the price hikes because it attracts a huge premium.

“The challenge is unavailability of the uniform material in the country and manufacturers have to import, which requires foreign currency,” said Mutashu.

“However, CZR calls for responsible pricing and for retailers not to overcharge despite them sourcing forex from parallel market, because consumers can also buy from outside of the borders,” he added.

-Daily News

FORMER Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa’s daughter, Kangai (38), claims she was assisting embattled businessman and Intratrek owner Wicknell Chivayo purchase “equipment” in the United States when some $187 000 was funnelled into her account.

The money is reportedly part of proceeds from a $5 million loot Chivayo controversially received from power supplier Zesa Holdings subsidiary, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for the construction of a $5 million solar plant in Gwanda that is still to take off the ground years later.

Documents gleaned by NewsDay that form part of Chivayo’s docket, show that Kangai, a US permanent resident, was employed by Intratrek initially as an “intern” in 2014 before she turned into a “consultant during contract negotiations with a Chinese supplier”.

“I travelled to Chint company and sat for the project negotiations as a financial consultant,” read part of Kangai’s affidavit deposed with the police now forming part of the docket prosecutors have pieced together in a bid to nail Chivayo.

Sometime in 2015, Kangai left Intratrek after getting a place for further study in China and never returned to her position as Chivayo’s employee.

Instead, in 2016, she claims she returned to the US before Chivayo requested to use her Visa account with CBZ Bank for purchase of some “equipment he wanted in the US”, but the money was later transferred into different unnamed accounts at the shadowy businessman’s instructions.

Chivayo is said to have pleaded with Kangai to use her Visa card, arguing it would make it easier than the long-winding processes he was expected to follow if he were to use his own bank accounts in Zimbabwe.

Chinamasa’s daughter claims after agonising over the issue “for personal reasons”, she later agreed.

Chivayo subsequently deposited $187 350 into her account.

“From the deposited amount, $7 300 was for personal assistance … a further $180 000 was disposed by myself on accused’s instructions,” Kangai said.

Chinamasa was this week named as the official who advised ZPC to raise the $5 million Chivayo had demanded for the solar project’s feasibility studies.

“After the accused (former Energy minister Samuel Undenge) had given us the greenlight to pay Chivayo, we approached the then Minister of Finance (Chinamasa), who advised us to raise the money through CBZ Bank,” former ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro told magistrate Esteri Chivasa early this week.

Gwariro spilled the beans while testifying during the trial of former Energy minister Samuel Undenge, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Gwariro said after Undenge instructed ZPC to pay Chivayo, he then approached Chinamasa, who then advised him to raise the money through CBZ Bank.

The ex-ZPC boss said after receiving the orders, he then texted one Engineer Chiwara of Hwange to immediately effect a transfer of $200 000 into Chivayo’s Intratrek’s bank account.

Asked by Undenge’s lawyer Alec Muchadehama if he had evidence to show the court that the former Energy minister pressured him to effect a payment to Chivayo, the ex-ZPC boss said he did not have.

ZPC allegedly released $5 607 814,24 to Intratrek for the project to take off, but Chivayo allegedly converted or transferred the money into various individual and company accounts and did nothing on the ground.

-Newsday

 

RESERVE Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya yesterday defended the use of bond notes, saying the real cause of problems facing the economy was not the surrogate currency, but ballooning electronic balances, which are not backed by productive fundamentals.

Rejecting calls from legislators that bond notes be scrapped as they “have failed,” Dr Mangudya accused parliamentarians of lacking appreciation of real causes of the currency challenge.

He reminded the legislators attending the 2019 pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo that bond notes had to be introduced in 2016 under a $200 million AfreximBank-backed facility as a stop-gap measure to eliminate the then rampant cash hoarding and externalisation of foreign currency, mainly the United States dollar.

The situation was compounded by the $1,35 billion RBZ (Debt Assumption) Act, which was approved by Parliament and signed into law in 2015.

As a result of financial and fiscal indiscipline in the economy, Zimbabwe has plunged into the web of an increasing money supply, spurred largely by issuance of Treasury Bills, which has provoked inflationary pressures.

Dr Mangudya admitted that to date, Zimbabwe has registered close to $10 billion electronic balances at banks, which are not backed by real money.

“In that amount, only 4,5 percent are coins and notes, which is your bond notes and coins,” he said. “Therefore, if we remove them they won’t resolve the problem. The problem is about the 95,5 percent held as RTGS balances in your accounts. Where is it coming from?”

Dr Mangudya said the bloated balances, not bond notes, were causing inflation as they spike spending and pile pressure of little forex reserves.

“So, the question which we should be asking ourselves is where is this money coming from? That’s why we need to plug the holes not from the medium of exchange that you have taken away from the bank. The money in your account didn’t come from bond notes, not at all.”

Dr Mangudya said the other challenge was the fiscal deficit evidenced by Government domestic credit at about $11 billion versus bank deposits of $10 billion.

“So, that’s the burden we are carrying as the Central Bank in trying to fund those balances,” he said. “If we deal with the fiscal rules and principles, then you will find out that everything comes to shape.”

Quizzed on why the official exchange rate between the US dollar and bond note was at par at 1:1 despite parallel market disparities, Dr Mangudya said: “The reason why we have got 1:1 is because there are essential products that we need to import in this economy to have price stability. Our fuel, which is coming here and people are buying it using RTGS, EcoCash whatever it is at 1:1. Your electricity today is imported at 1:1.”

Earlier in his address, Dr Mangudya said the country should forge ahead with measures that stimulate productivity to anchor growth.

“There is no economy in the world which can have a strong currency without a strong base,” he said. “Your currency is as good as your production, and what are you producing Zimbabweans?

“If you are producing nothing you can’t have a higher currency, which is very strong. Therefore, the challenge that you are facing of foreign currency shortages is because we are not working and we must start working very hard.”

State Media

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday vowed to clamp down on cartels involved in various corrupt activities such as fraud, money-laundering, insider trading and manipulation of government procurement tenders, saying these “saboteurs” were behind the country’s current economic meltdown.

Speaking at an annual public sector audit conference and financial management awards ceremony in Harare, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had lost millions of dollars to such economic ills and he would not allow cartels to continue sabotaging the economy under his watch.

“It is presently disheartening that the country continues to lose huge sums of money due to fraud, money-laundering, procurement or tender manipulation, insider trading in stock and financial markets, among other ills in both the private and public sectors,” he said.

“In the Second Republic, we will not tolerate the culture of siphoning public funds
through various nefarious activities for personal gain and enrichment. Such propensities are both criminal and retrogressive.”

His statement came as several high-profile arrests have been made in the past few weeks, with the latest being of former Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira and ex-Zimbabwe Revenue Authority commissioner-general Gershem Pasi on allegations of corruption and criminal abuse
of office.

Acting Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi recently said his team would also be bringing 27 high-profile cases of corruption for prosecution before the courts as government’s anti-corruption crusade deepens.

Mnangagwa also warned he would soon be dealing with tax evaders and non-performing public enterprises to ensure the economy recovers after years of plunder and gross mismanagement.

“Non-performing public enterprises coupled with tax payment evasion and avoidance continues to be an albatross around the neck of government. As we strive to eliminate corruption by 2030, let us in our respective entities always act in the best interest of our country. Auditors are critical in the detection, prevention and exposure of fraud, economic crimes and sabotage,” he said.

Turning to the 2% transaction tax introduced on all electronic money transfers last month, Mnangagwa said it had helped his government reduce the budget deficit and would not be repealed soon.

“The tax is not a hindrance in the ease of doing business. It has helped us reduce the budget deficit. But when the (Finance) minister (Mthuli Ncube) first announced it, it had overlooked a lot of people who, in our view, ought to have been left out,” he said.

“I think he did his best to re-explain it and move out of compliance many categories whom we think will cause a prohibitive manner in doing business.”

Mnangagwa told the conference that the 2% tax would be further strengthened during the 2019 national budget presentation by Ncube on November 22.

“We have our case that we have put a tax, come and argue that this tax is not good, this is democracy,” Mnangagwa said.

“If you succeed, the best argument will win, but for now, the tax is there, and the Minister of Finance will be making a statement very soon. I can safely say he will also look at that in order to improve. I don’t know whether what he will say will improve your position or will improve mine.”

-Newsday

 

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s globetrotting is an indication of desperation, the opposition MDC has said.

This comes as Mnangagwa this week travelled to Conakry, Guinea for a two-day State visit meant to consolidate African support for Zimbabwe’s re-engagement agenda.

MDC national chairperson Morgan Komichi said the president should not be looking for solutions outside the country but come home and identify the right people who can assist. Komichi added that by globetrotting Mnangagwa is trying to get international recognition which he is not being awarded as he is illegitimate.

“The globetrotting is an indication of desperation. He is simply looking for a solution to resolve the situation.

“The legitimacy crisis emanated from a rigged election which failed to get international recognition which is a fundamental step for him to get a solution to the economic crisis.

“In globetrotting he’s trying to engage the international community but they don’t want to work with someone who has got legitimacy issues.”

However, deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi said the opposition party is in no position to decide which visit is beneficial to the country or not.

He said Mnangagwa is obliged to respond to other presidents’ mutual calls in line with the country’s business whether they add value or not.

He noted that government is determined to work towards ensuring that things get better in the country as they have also launched the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

“How can those in the opposition tell which visit is beneficial and which is not beneficial for the country.

“The president responds to bilateral calls by other heads of States to discuss business and it’s certainly subject to probability whether or not any bilateral talks will add value to us.

“That’s the way it is,” Mutodi said.

-Daily News

Despite the sensational accusations by flip-flopping activist Gerald Mutumanje — also known as Acie Lumumba — that seemed to suggest some wrongdoing on the part of businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission this week said it has nothing against the two.

“We have nothing on the RBZ and Tagwirei,” said Zacc’s chairperson Goodson Nguni, when asked whether the corruption-busting unit would take up Lumumba’s claims.

Lumumba has for the past three weeks been making damning allegations against RBZ officials and a fuel mogul whom many thought to be Tagwirei, the founder of Sakunda Holdings.

Early this week, Lumumba said the “Queen Bee” he had been referring to all along as behind the cartel causing havoc in the economy was not Tagwirei, but one JPM, raising speculation that he could be referring to Mangudya, whose initials are JPM for John Panonetsa Mangudya.

The social media, which had made a meal out Facebook posts is now dismissive of Lumumba’s claims, saying he is no longer credible due to his contrasting statements.

-Daily News

President Emmerson Mnangagwa this week acknowledged to business leaders that the country’s economy was in distress and in dire need of immediate rescue, amid rising inflationary pressures and currency volatility.

As the economic turmoil spiralled out of control in recent weeks, Mnangagwa’s government has not shouldered responsibility, instead it has blamed alleged saboteurs and social media for fuelling panic-buying and a resultant spike in prices of basic goods and shortages of fuel, among other essentials.

Last month, monetary and fiscal authorities announced a raft of unpopular interventions which include ring-fencing nostro foreign currency accounts (FCAs) from Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) balances as well as introducing a new 2% tax on intermediated electronic transactions. This created turmoil in the market, while worsening the persisting currency volatility. Officially, government however, still insists that the RTGS and bond note is trading at par with the greenback.

Sources who attended the meeting, which was closed from the media, told the Zimbabwe Independent that Mnangagwa informed business leaders that the situation had deteriorated. However, he did not acknowledge the root cause of the problem — unrestrained government spending and the resultant budget deficit expected to hit US$2,3 billion at year-end.

Mnangagwa, sources said, informed business leaders that hope for the country lay in urgently securing a bailout package, hence the intensification of efforts to re-engage with international financial institutions and bilateral lenders.

In their submissions to Mnangagwa, captains of industry fiercely opposed the suspension of legislation restricting the importation of basic commodities, saying the move could cost 100 000 direct jobs in the manufacturing sector, while a further 400 000 workers in downstream industries would also be cut loose.

This month, government scrapped Statutory Instrument (SI) 122, previously SI 64, which banned the importation of a number of essential commodities. The legislation had been put in place in 2016 to stimulate growth in the local manufacturing sector.

According to a paper presented by industry during the meeting seen by the Independent, business leaders proposed to Mnangagwa that the suspension of the import ban should only be temporary and not go beyond this year.

“Since 2016, there has been a significant increase in employment in the manufacturing sector and those industries directly or indirectly linked to the sector,” part of the submission reads.

“Of the total formal employment, about 100 000 are direct manufacturing jobs while a further estimated 400 000 jobs are those whose industries are dependent or linked to manufacturing. It is all these people and their dependents whose livelihood is under threat due to lack of consistent and comprehensive reforms that support all productive sectors of the economy.”

Industry, according to the paper, also requested for a monthly foreign currency allocation of US$200 million for the importation of core raw materials required to sustain operations.

“(We also recommend that we be allocated) US$200 million worth of currency per month for industry to ensure product availability at affordable prices,” part of the paper reads.

During the same meeting, mining firms represented by the Chamber of Mines requested to have the foreign currency allocated to them by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) reviewed upwards in line with US dollar costs that are obtaining in the market in order to restore viability.

The miners in their submissions, also seen by the Independent, proposed that any remainder of “export proceeds paid in RTGS” be translated to their equal US dollar value.

“Most mining companies’ total cost-to-income ratio ranges between 70% and 95%. We also propose that any remainder of export proceeds paid in RTGS be liquidated at fair value in line with obtaining local costs or market conditions as opposed to 1:1”.

-Zimbabwe Independent

Correspondent|THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has significantly reduced the quantities of goods that can be brought into the country free of duty. In a memorandum sent by Zimra Head of Technical Services, C. Chiyangwa, to regional and station managers, the new revised list is as follows:

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday assured civil servants of a bonus incentive for 2018 whose finer details would be clarified in due course in line with ongoing fiscal stabilisation measures and recognition of hard work.

Speaking on the state of the economy at the ongoing 2019 Parliamentary pre-Budget conference here, Prof Ncube stressed the need to instil fiscal discipline, the lack of which has been blamed for the ballooning Budget deficit in the last few years, resulting in prevailing economic challenges.

In line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and the drive towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030, Prof Ncube said taming public expenditure, especially wage bill containment, was at the heart of fiscal stabilisation measures while stimulating investment.

He said civil servants will be rewarded for their hard work.

“I feel that we need to walk the talk,” said Prof Ncube.

“In the previous budgets we have said we will do something about making sure that we deal with this issue of freezing non-critical posts, enforcing retirement policy.”

Minister Ncube said, “And the bonus, you know, should not be an entitlement, but it should be within affordable levels.

“So, I won’t say what will happen with bonus this year yet, but you can be sure that we are going to do something that will be a thank you to those who have worked so hard through the year, but at same time cognisant of the need to tighten our belts.”

Under the TSP (2018-2020) launched last month, Government is already implementing a raft of belt-tightening measures to stabilise the economy.

Widening Budget deficit estimated at $2,9 billion in 2018 from $1,4 billion in 2017, has become a headache to Government with its crippling effect evidenced by the foreign currency squeeze and subsequent strain on productive sectors, emergence of the parallel market and rampant price distortions.

These challenges need to be tackled head-on, said Prof Ncube, who rallied the legislature and the private sector to play their part and restore sanity in the country’s economy.

He noted that as efforts were being made to unlock investment opportunities in key sectors of the economy such as agriculture, mining, tourism and services industries, Treasury was also scaling up domestic revenue mobilisation, which will enable Government to finance more development projects and increase social services.

Prof Ncube said this required tightening of surveillance at border posts to weed out corruption.

As such, Prof Ncube said, a new Zimbabwe Revenue Authority board would be appointed soon to do the “right thing” by dealing with graft and improving revenue collection.

Prof Ncube challenged Zimra to work closely with the police and give them the tools they need to police borders, including use of drones.

Government is also paying critical attention to the external sector and is engaging the international community and multi-lateral finance institutions with the view of addressing foreign debt, which hampers the country’s risk profile and ability to unlock fresh lines of credit.

In that regard, Prof Ncube expressed concern over the dilapidated state of infrastructure in key embassies such as South Africa, United States and the United Kingdom.

“These are key missions for Zimbabwe and I must say we need to support those embassies, buildings are falling apart,” he said.

“We have got an ambassador who walks in some streets of a particular capital city, we don’t have an official car to carry His Excellency when he visits.

“While we rationalise we need to pay attention to these key embassies and give a good image.”

Prof Ncube said there was no going back regarding the reforming State-owned enterprises and parastatals some of which will be privatised or liquidated.

-State Media

 

Kindly join Wellington Mahohoma, programs officer at Combined Harare Residents Association, on the 22nd of November 2018 for a charity walk from Makoni Shopping Centre to the Parliament of Zimbabwe building as he raises awareness on the difficulties faced by the girl child in accessing sanitary wear.

#redcyclecampaignzw

When diamonds were discovered in Marange, Mutare around 2006, authorities told Zimbabweans that the new found wealth would be the panacea to the country`s myriad of problems, especially the struggling economy.

Everyone was made to believe the gems would generate a lot of revenue that would take care of the country’s problems once and for all.

In short, the diamonds were presented as God`s answer to the citizen`s lamentations.

Instead of benefiting the whole country, including the locals – who had walked on the gems for decades – only the privileged few and the politically connected gain access to the rich diamond fields.

Zimbabweans who were waiting earnestly to reap rewards were told it was only a matter of time before proceeds start filtering into the country.

In turn, the people looked forward to improvements in their standard of living.

Fast forward, 12 years later, no marked improvement occurred in Zimbabwe as little was realised from the diamond sales.

Instead, the people discovered that it were only the elites who selfishly benefitted from the gems while the masses continued wallowing in poverty.

The situation became so bad that even former president Robert Mugabe claimed $15 billion of diamond revenue vanished without a trace.

He later said the figure was exaggerated but economists had already calculated that the $15 billion could have turned Zimbabwe’s fortunes around and wiped away the country’s enormous debt.

The whole country frothed with anger after authorities failed to justify how the diamond proceeds could just vanish into thin air and how government seemed unmoved by the brazen looting of the gems.

Investigations into the missing $15 billion yielded little results with a parliamentary probe failing to unravel the diamonds mystery.

Myness Matanda (30) says locals have since sunk deeper into poverty following the discovery of the “cursed minerals.”

“I used to have a home. It was not much but i could grow crops and feed my family,” said Matanda whose scarred hands bear testimony to the hard work she endures for her starving family.

“The diamonds came. We were kicked out of our ancestral land. We were promised compensation and better homes. We are now worse than beggars,” she said raising a bony hand to shield her eyes from the scorching sun.

Matanda likened the manner in which they were moved from their homeland to a burial of a deceased.

“You can see how dry and arid this area looks. We were just dumped and forgotten. We only hear through grapevine that there are government programs availing agricultural resources and food but none of it reaches us.

“Orphans, the elderly and the vulnerable are succumbing to hunger while those in charge of distribution hoad for their close circles’ benefit,” she said.

With a tone heavily accentuated with stoicism, she lamented how avaricious the government has proven to be by imposing 2 percent tax on the people.

“It is unbelievable! Where do they get such audacity?”

“Former president Mugabe announced that diamonds worth more than $15 billion were looted from this area yet they still come back to us the poor to steal the little that we try to save up,” said Matanda.

Marange locals said they have made several attempts to protest against the unfair living conditions they are forcefully subjected to but they constantly get harsh response from police and military.

Prince Wadzoka(27) flashed fresh wounds sustained from dog bites unleashed on him by the police.

He speaks at the verge of tears as he narrates how he unfortunately fell victim to the vicious dogs.

“I was coming from the shops going to a nearby homestead where I had been called for a piece-job. I stumbled upon police chasing after makorokozas and they commanded their dogs onto me,” he said.

“For a moment I didn’t know whether to flee or explain to the police that I was just passing through. In a split of a second, the dogs had pounced on me and dug deep into my flesh.”

Wadzoka said he manoeuvred up a tree to save himself from further dog assault.

“I climbed onto a tree. The police ordered me to climb down, threatening to shoot if I resisted.

“They took me to their base then later released me without any medication whatsoever for the wounds I had sustained. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I hope they will heal eventually so I can be able to fend for my family.”

Bocha Diamond Community Trust-a committee that was set up to present people’s concerns to relevant authorities, describes traditional leadership as sell-outs.

BDCT chairperson, Moses Mukwada alleges chiefs and headmen sacrifice the welfare of their people for houses, cars and incentives they get from the government and mining companies.

“We hoped that the introduction of Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) would put us out of our unemployment misery but they are just adding salt to a fresh wound.

“They demand a bribe of $300 to employ but none of the few employed lasts beyond 4 months on the job,” he narrated.

During the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba held in Bulawayo in October, Norton member of Parliament Temba Mliswa said ZCDC was illegally mining in Marange and should be shut down.

Mliswa blamed the government for allowing illegal mining to take place in the country which in turn results in failure to account for resources that are supposed to enhance the economy.

Activist Farai Maguwu, Director of Center for Natural Resource Governance has dedicated his lief to supporting the locals in their quest to regain their freedom.

Maguwu alluded to the provisions in the Zimbabwean constitution citing how every citizen and anyone who is legally in the country has a right to move freely.

“The business of demanding passes and permits is contravening this part of the constitution. Freedom of movement is critical to the enjoyment of other constitutionally guaranteed rights such as the right to human dignity (Section 51), freedom of assembly and association (Section 58), freedom of profession ,trade or occupation (Section 64), the right to education (Section 75), the right to healthcare (section 76) and the right to food and water (Section 77),” said Maguwu.

The national peace and reconciliation commission has promised to intervene in the plight of the Marange people, promising to do its best in engaging all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure the people get back their freedom and human dignity.

Will the Marange people reclaim their birthright, the land of their forefathers, only time will tell.

– CITE

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday assured civil servants of a bonus incentive for 2018 whose finer details would be clarified in due course in line with ongoing fiscal stabilisation measures and recognition of hard work.

Speaking on the state of the economy at the ongoing 2019 Parliamentary pre-Budget conference here, Prof Ncube stressed the need to instil fiscal discipline, the lack of which has been blamed for the ballooning Budget deficit in the last few years, resulting in prevailing economic challenges.

In line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and the drive towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030, Prof Ncube said taming public expenditure, especially wage bill containment, was at the heart of fiscal stabilisation measures while stimulating investment.

He said civil servants will be rewarded for their hard work.

“I feel that we need to walk the talk,” said Prof Ncube.

-State Media

RESERVE Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya yesterday defended the use of bond notes, saying the real cause of problems facing the economy was not the surrogate currency, but ballooning electronic balances, which are not backed by productive fundamentals.

Rejecting calls from legislators that bond notes be scrapped as they “have failed,” Dr Mangudya accused parliamentarians of lacking appreciation of real causes of the currency challenge.

He reminded the legislators attending the 2019 pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo that bond notes had to be introduced in 2016 under a $200 million AfreximBank-backed facility as a stop-gap measure to eliminate the then rampant cash hoarding and externalisation of foreign currency, mainly the United States dollar.

The situation was compounded by the $1,35 billion RBZ (Debt Assumption) Act, which was approved by Parliament and signed into law in 2015.

As a result of financial and fiscal indiscipline in the economy, Zimbabwe has plunged into the web of an increasing money supply, spurred largely by issuance of Treasury Bills, which has provoked inflationary pressures.

Dr Mangudya admitted that to date, Zimbabwe has registered close to $10 billion electronic balances at banks, which are not backed by real money.

“In that amount, only 4,5 percent are coins and notes, which is your bond notes and coins,” he said. “Therefore, if we remove them they won’t resolve the problem. The problem is about the 95,5 percent held as RTGS balances in your accounts. Where is it coming from?”

Dr Mangudya said the bloated balances, not bond notes, were causing inflation as they spike spending and pile pressure of little forex reserves.

“So, the question which we should be asking ourselves is where is this money coming from? That’s why we need to plug the holes not from the medium of exchange that you have taken away from the bank. The money in your account didn’t come from bond notes, not at all.”

Dr Mangudya said the other challenge was the fiscal deficit evidenced by Government domestic credit at about $11 billion versus bank deposits of $10 billion.

“So, that’s the burden we are carrying as the Central Bank in trying to fund those balances,” he said. “If we deal with the fiscal rules and principles, then you will find out that everything comes to shape.”

Quizzed on why the official exchange rate between the US dollar and bond note was at par at 1:1 despite parallel market disparities, Dr Mangudya said: “The reason why we have got 1:1 is because there are essential products that we need to import in this economy to have price stability. Our fuel, which is coming here and people are buying it using RTGS, EcoCash whatever it is at 1:1. Your electricity today is imported at 1:1.”

Earlier in his address, Dr Mangudya said the country should forge ahead with measures that stimulate productivity to anchor growth.

“There is no economy in the world which can have a strong currency without a strong base,” he said. “Your currency is as good as your production, and what are you producing Zimbabweans?

“If you are producing nothing you can’t have a higher currency, which is very strong. Therefore, the challenge that you are facing of foreign currency shortages is because we are not working and we must start working very hard.”

-State Media

 

Six people were seriously injured yesterday along Chimanimani road about 10 km from Nedziwa Growth Point when a haulage truck loaded with timber overturned after the driver failed to negotiate a curve. The injured were rushed to Mutambara Mission hospital.

More to follow…

Leading beer and soft drinks manufacturer, Delta Beverages is set to ration beer supply to licensed retailers through the introduction of a pre-order system to guard against hoarding and panic buying.

The past month has seen local retail shops running out of soft drinks, mineral water and beer due to ‘increase in demand.’

In an interview with 263Chat, the group secretary Alex Makamure blamed citizens for panic buying, saying the situation will soon normalize.

“Our beer production has been at the highest in the last three months, whilst we appreciate the demand that is coming through, there is an element of panic buying but it will normalize on the beer side.

“People are hoarding from the retail shops to go and sale outside at inflated prices and that is the nature for Zimbabweans.

“They are doing what they can to try and rationalize, from our side we are not even limiting the orders of our traders but some traders are buying seven to eight which will is not normal,” said Makamure.

Asked on whether they are going to meet the festive season demand, Makamure said they had not devised a clear supply plan but hinted at selling to licensed operators only.

“People used to buy about ninety crates per person and now they are buying more than four hundred so our question is where are they going with that beer.

“What we are trying to do now is trying to go into the pre order system whereby we will only sell beer to licensed operators so one needs to phone input your order and you will be allocated time to come and collect your order so that we take out people who just sit on our premises who are not proper traders.

“With respect to soft drinks, we were running for the part of October so we began to run last week and we don’t have a clear supply plan for December,” he said.

Makamure added that “We believe that we are still selling for value in US dollars, our prices are bench marked to regional quality and as long as we have a perception that we are selling in correct US dollars value, there is no reason why we should increase our prices.

“If there is an official devaluation, we will take up our prices based on what happens to our inputs.”

-263Chat

Zanu PF former Bulilima West legislator and Plumtree prominent businessman, Lungisani Nleya has died.

Nleya popularly known in Bulilima-Mangwe operating businesses as Ndazi Ndazi died at the Roman Catholic run Mater Dei Hospital in the morning where he was admitted two days ago after a short illness.

Zanu PF national spokesperson and Bulilima – Mangwe Senator; Simon Khaya Moyo confirmed the death and said he was in deep shock to learn of the death of a dedicated party cadre and war veteran.

Details to follow.

By Farai Maguwu| Nothing is more important to a national leader than the health and safety of his / her people. The Rusape bus disaster has surely united the nation in mourning. The President of the Republic who has since expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy can surely do more to comfort the bereaved families and the injured.

The President and his two deputies must fly to Mutare and Rusape and visit the injured in hospital. They should also visit some of the bereaved families and assure them that indeed we are together. Nothing is more comforting to a citizen than to have the President of the Republic personally coming to your homestead to comfort you in such a trying time like this . Even your enemies will for a moment fail to find negative words about you.

Zimbabwe will with effect from today start drawing down on a $250 million line of credit facility from a United Kingdom-based firm, Gemcorp Capital, an international independent investment fund management entity that focuses on emerging markets, to import essential commodities.

A delegation from Gemcorp Capital met President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare yesterday where they briefed him on the progress of the facility that was sealed last month.

The facility was signed by central bank governor, Dr John Mangudya, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Gemcorp Capital.

This comes as Greece Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Mr Terens Quick told President Mnangagwa that he would lead a business delegation in March next year to explore investment opportunities.

Briefing journalists soon after meeting President Mnangagwa, Gemcorp Capital head of investment, Ms Parvoleta Shtereva said disbursement of part of the money begins today and would go mainly into the fuel sector.

“We are here to meet His Excellency and report about our $250 million facility supporting essential imports and the Zimbabwean economy. We also informed him about the progress on this facility and our interest to invest in the economy and to support vital economic sectors like mining, telecommunication, pharmaceuticals among others,” said Ms Shtereva.

“The facility is aimed at supporting imports of intermediary goods, to assist the economy and sustain the Zimbabwean industry, specifically fuel, wheat, vegetable oil and so.”

She said the firm’s focus was to support emerging markets.

“We are an emerging market fund manager. We have over $1billion in funds we are managing. We are just over four years old. We specialise in emerging markets and more specifically in Africa and Latin America, and Eastern Europe. In Africa, we are active in Angola; we also have an office in Ethiopia and we are about to open an office in Zimbabwe,” she said.

Zimbabwean ambassador to Britain, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande said the coming of Gemcorp Capital was consistent with the thrust of President Mnangagwa to open the country for investment.

“As you aware, His Excellency the President has directed that we bring focus to the economic functions of diplomacy. That means we need to promote investment, trade, tourism. I am delighted that Gemcorp has presented themselves indicating their commitment to support Zimbabwe and our economic recovery. This is an initial facility of $250 million. We expect them to support more, but the initial support is targeting our private sector in production and the fuel sector as well,” said Rtd Col Katsande.

“All these are areas that we believe are critical for this economy. We believe that these are the building blocks of His Excellency’s Vision 2030.”

The facility comes at a time the country is facing serious foreign currency shortages, largely resulting from poor exports and subdued foreign direct investment.

Greece Foreign Affairs Vice Minister, Mr Quick told journalists soon after meeting President Mnangagwa that there would be a business delegation coming to Harare to explore investment opportunities.

“It was great for me to be received by the President of Zimbabwe. We discussed bilateral and international issues. I told him that we are planning to organise a business delegation beginning of March next year to Harare which enhances the economic cooperation,” said Mr Quick.

“We have a lot of fields to work on, like agriculture, sport and maritime. We are a powerhouse in maritime. I think it is time to recognise that Zimbabwe has a lot of similarities with Greek culture and I was flattered from the several meetings I had when I heard that you do like and have respect for the Greeks. This is something that we have to reciprocate.”

State Media

A WOMAN from Bulawayo was ordered to go for a mental examination after she could not stop talking in court.

Faith Morrison appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Ringisai who remanded her to November 14 for continuation of trial.

Allegations are that sometime in June, Morrison advised Mr Elliot Muzarope that she was selling a trailer worth R40 000.

Mr Muzarope went on to see the trailer and they agreed on a payment plan. They agreed that he was to get it after he would have paid the last instalment.

The court heard that Mr Muzarope paid 19 000 Rands first and the rest in two instalments.

However, Morrison, who was supposed to deliver the trailer upon payment of the full amount, violated their agreement.

When Mr Muzarope asked Morrison why she had not delivered the trailer, Morrison advised him that the price had changed to 80 000 rands.

Mr Muzarope demanded a refund but Morrison did not comply until he reported the matter to the police leading to her arrest.

The magistrate asked if she wished to engage a lawyer to represent her and how she was pleading to the fraud charge she was facing.

“Lawyers are corrupt; l do not need any. I plead not guilty, in fact l withdraw my statement, I plead nothing,” said Morrison.

“I think you are a soft magistrate, its time the State should start acting. I have been in and out of court yet l haven’t been served with State papers. What I only got are handwritten papers.”

The magistrate reminded her that she was in a court of law but Morrison started raising her voice reminding the magistrate that she had her rights and that the court was not following the right procedure.

The magistrate then ordered that she undergo a mental examination before they proceed with the trial.

Mr Thobelani Nyathi represented the State.

State Media

JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has been summoned to appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy on Monday to explain Government’s decision to place Hwange Colliery Company under the control of an administrator.

Last week, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando appeared before the same committee and defended Government’s decision, saying there were no prospects of a turnaround amid rising debt.

The company is heavily indebted and owes the Government in excess of US$150 million.

Government owns a 52 percent stake in the company.

In an interview on the sidelines of the pre-budget conference yesterday, mines and energy committee chairperson Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa said Minister Ziyambi was summoned to explain if due process was done in the reconstruction exercise.

“We want to ensure that everything is being done within the rule of law. So the Justice Minister is coming on Monday with all the other shareholders of Hwange (Colliery Company) to appear before the committee. He is coming because the reconstruction is under him in terms of the law, he does administer it,” said Mr Mliswa.

However, later during the pre-budget seminar, Mr Mliswa asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mr Mthuli Ncube about Government’s “interference” in the reconstruction of Hwange Colliery.

“Government must allow due process to happen when there are other shareholders. The Hwange situation is one in particular. How does Government go and reconstruct a company which has other shareholders? Can’t Government just exercise that level of ensuring that there is corporate governance at the end of the day?” asked Mr Mliswa.

However, Minister Ziyambi responded to the question during the same session, saying the reconstruction of parastatals falls under his purview as stipulated by law and explained the process.

“Let me start by saying that, I remember sometime this year the chairperson of the portfolio committee on mines called in the management of Hwange Colliery. He expressed his displeasure at the way they were managing the company and he was unhappy that the State was giving the company money and they were not performing.

“What Government then decided to do was, there is a provision within the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act which allows the Minister of Justice when he sees that a company that owes the State money or if it appears to him that it’s not performing or for whatever reason he believes that the company is not performing, the Act allows him to put it under reconstruction if it appears that the company put under reconstruction can be turned over and be profitable,” he explained.

“The Act indicates that you can do two things, you can inform the shareholders that you are doing this or if it appears to the Minister that doing that will prolong the process and Government will lose money, the Minister can issue a reconstruction order.

“What Honourable Mliswa has to understand is that once you issue the reconstruction order, the administrator has to assess the State of the company and advise the Minister that this is the state of the company when I took it over.”

Minister Ziyambi said the Act also indicates that within 30 days the minister has to go to a judge in chambers to confirm the reconstruction order.

“So there are legal processes that need to be done. When you go to the judge you have to show cause that shareholders have been informed and shareholders can actually make representations to the judge. I’m not sure, the very same committee that was concerned about Government losing money is now concerned that Government is now taking action to ensure that shareholders and Government do not lose money,” said Minister Ziyambi.

Government announced the reconstruction exercise in an Extraordinary Government Gazette last month.

The Extraordinary Government Gazette read: “(a) The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Ziyambi Ziyambi) hereby in terms of section 4 of the reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act (Chapter 24:27) (No.27 of 2004) issues a reconstruction order in relation to Hwange Colliery Company Limited.

“(b) Appoints Bekithemba Moyo, the co-founder and director of DBF Capital partners having its principal place of business at No 2 Downie Avenue, Belgravia, Harare, to be the administrator of the company under reconstruction.”

“Other members of his team include Ms Mutsa Mollie Jean Remba, who is the current managing director of Dube, Manikai and Hwacha who will be serving as the assistant administrator and Mr Munashe Shava who is the chief operating officer and project leader at the Great Dyke Investments.

“Mr Shava is also going to serve as the assistant administrator.”

The gazette further reads: “Direct that, from the date of publication of this order — the company under reconstruction shall be under the control and management of the administrator, and the boards of the companies under reconstruction shall be divested of the control and management of the companies’ affairs and any person managing or controlling the companies’ affairs in any capacity other than as simply a member of the board referred to above shall continue in the office subject to the control and direction of, and be answerable to, the administrator.”

State Media

A MINE worker died when a mine shaft he was working in collapsed in Filabusi.

Matabeleland South provincial acting police spokesperson Sergeant Thandolwenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident which occurred on Tuesday at Noma B Mine at around 9AM.

He said Godfrey Mguni (42) was working in a 10-metre deep shaft while three other workmates were outside when the incident occurred.

“I can confirm that we recorded an incident where a mine worker Godfrey Mguni died while working in a shaft. Mguni was drilling inside a 10-metre deep shaft using a jack hammer while his three work mates were standing outside.

“While he was drilling, the walls of the shaft collapsed and buried Mguni. His workmates tried to save him by digging into the debris using shovels but when they pulled out his body he was already dead,” he said.

Sgt Moyo said the matter was reported to the police who visited the scene and Mguni’s body was taken to Filabusi District Hospital Mortuary.

He urged people to desist from mining in unsecured shafts as that exposes them to danger. He said miners have to ensure that their mines are inspected regularly.

Sgt Moyo urged miners to exercise caution when working in shafts.

He also advised mine workers to ensure that they wear protective clothing such as helmets in order to minimise chances of deaths in case of accidents.

State Media

Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the two percent transactional tax on electronic transfers is here to stay as it has gone a long way in reducing the country’s budget deficit.

Addressing delegates on Thursday, at the third Annual Public Sector Audit Conference and Financial Management Awards Mnangagwa said Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube will announce more reviews made on the tax during his budget statement.

He said the Ministry of Finance is set to announce its budget before the end of the month.

“The ministry of finance will be making an announcement very soon, I think before the end of the month he is going to make a budget statement.

“I can safely say he will also look at that (two percent tax) in order to improve, he is going to speak about it, have a conversation around it,” he said.

The treasury report for June showed the country’s fiscal deficit grew after government spending increased in the run up to the 2018 harmonised elections.

The finance ministry reviewed Intermediated Money Transfer Tax from five cents per transaction to two cents per dollar transacted, effective from October 1 this year.

This was announced in Ncube’s recent monetary policy statement and was met with strong objections from the general public, workers’ unions and activist.

Since the introduction of this tax Zimbabweans have been up in arms with the government for overburdening them with tax, much of which ends up being spent on non-priority areas.

However, Mnangagwa insisted that it was a worthy pain the road to economic recovery.

M&T

Correspondent|The Courts Administration Fund is not in a good state as a result of failure to have a reliable accounting system by the Zimbabwe Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Auditor General Mildred Chiri has submitted.

The fund was established to cater for operations of the court after the 2008 economic meltdown.

In her latest report for the financial year ended December 31, 2017, Chiri slammed the JSC for failing to have a reliable accounting system in relation to the Courts Administration Fund (CAF).

She said despite having a computerised accounting system, asset depreciation in the CAF was still calculated by individuals leaving room for human error.

“I noted that although the accounting system was computerised, the depreciation figure of $2 738 304 was manually calculated.

“I am concerned that the problem has not been resolved since 2015 when the Fixed Assets Module in the system malfunctioned,” she noted.

Chiri recommended that the JSC should engage with the provider of the accounting system to prevent future malfunctions.

“The reliability of the financial statements may be doubtful as errors can be made on calculations.

“Management should engage the service provider to reset the system,” she said

The JSC stated that for the year ended December 31, 2016, CAF had a surplus of $1 968 265 on its income statement and total assets worth $13 043 475.

Chiri agreed with the JSC’s financial statement and said it fairly presented “in all material aspects” the financial position of the CAF for that period but she insisted on the need of repairing the accounting system malfunction that has stretched for three years without attention.

Apart from being the stewards of the administration of the courts, the JSC is also mandated to to ensure that there is easy access to justice for the people of Zimbabwe.

M&T

A LECTURER at the Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) allegedly exposed his privates to a female student and told her she would not pass if she did not have a love affair with him.

Israel Moyo (53) who is also Highlanders Football Club’s secretary general, appeared in court yesterday facing a public indecency charge.

Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Adelaide Mbeure remanded him to Monday for provision of trial date on $50 bail.

The gallery was filled with students from the university, who perked up as he was approaching the dock in court. Moyo, an economics lecturer, resides in Manningdale, Bulawayo.

Prosecuting Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said: “Sometime in September 2016 Moyo proposed love to Ms Memory Zimba (21) one of the students from the Catholic University of Zimbabwe.

“Ms Zimba turned down Moyo’s request. Later on she started dating another student from the same University. Moyo got to know about it and asked her why she chose to date a ‘school boy’ whom he claimed had nothing to give her,” said Mr Dlodlo.

“The student failed her examinations and was called by Moyo to his office where he told her that she would not to pass unless she fell in love with him.

“Sometime in May this year, Ms Zimba went to submit her assignments in Moyo’s office. He locked the door and unzipped his trousers, exposed his genital showing it to his student telling her that ‘it was very small’ so she should not worry because he was not going to hurt her,” he said.

The court heard he pestered her for sex on the table or while standing and tried kissing her until she pushed him away, unlocked the door and went out.

Ms Zimba narrated the whole incident to her two friends who told her they were facing a similar challenge with Moyo.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Moyo’s arrest.

State Media

Correspondent|AUDITOR-GENERAL (AG) Mildred Chiri has ordered for the recovery of close to US$500 000 that was corruptly awarded to senior National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) employees as transport allowance at a time they were also receiving monthly fuel for their government bought vehicles.

At least 20 NPA employees double dipped when they received $24 000 each as transport allowance despite having been allocated official motor vehicles and monthly fuel coupons.

In a damning assessment at the affairs of the authority mandated to prosecute offenders on behalf of government, Chiri expressed concern over wasteful expenditure through unethical practices at the NPA.

“I observed that the authority had violated Public Service Commission Circular Number 5 of 2011 which stipulates that employees who have been issued with personal motor vehicles should not be paid transport allowances,” she said in the latest report tabled in the National Assembly last week.

“It was noted that 20 employees of the authority received at least $24 000 in the form of transport allowances and also received monthly fuel.

“If employees who were issued with official motor vehicles and receiving fuel for such mode of transport were paid transport allowances as well, the action could result in double dipping and wasteful expenditure. I recommended to the authority to cease the payment of allowances to officers who had been issued with personal vehicles.”

The NPA accounting officer responded insisting that the payment of transport allowances would stop if those officers choose to continue receiving fuel allocations.

“(By February 2018) the authority had not implemented Chiri’s recommendation as the payment of transport allowance to employees issued with personal vehicles as well as receiving fuel allocation continued during the 2017 financial year,” Chiri said.

“The accounting officer indicated that the issue had continued because the board had not been able to seat and deliberate on that issue.”

In evaluation of the response, Chiri said the accounting officer should effect recoveries since the regulations are clear on what should be done.

If justice is to be seen to be done an investigation and adjudication of misconduct should be constituted, according to the provisions governing the NPA Act.

“Subject to section 23, any case involving misconduct or suspected misconduct on the part of a member (other than the Prosecutor-General) of the Authority shall be investigated, adjudicated upon and, where appropriate, punished by the Board or by such person or authority as may be prescribed,” the Act reads.

“If the Prosecutor-General advises the Board that a member of the Authority who has been confirmed as a member under this Act is found to have committed such an act of misconduct as may justify the member’s discharge from the Authority, the Board shall appoint a disciplinary committee…”

M&T

Correspondent|The Defence ministry has for the second year running failed to account for $2 million incurred during the year ended December 2016. A further $358 453 which was unprocedurally paid for airfares and hotel accommodation also remains unaccounted for.

In a follow-up report to recommendations of her 2016 report auditor-general (AG) Mildred Chiri raised alarm over glaring gaps in the ministry of defense appropriation account for the year ended December 31, 2016 that remained unresolved as at December 31 2017.

“I reported that there was a variance of $2 492 586 between the sub-paymaster General’s Account and the ministry’s appropriation account that was not reconciled. The risk is that the expenditure reported could not be validated as true expenditure for the ministry,” Chiri reported.

“The ministry had not fully implemented the recommendation as vouchers amounting to $37 631 were submitted leaving the balance of $2 454 955 unreconciled.”

She added: “I reported on the contravention of treasury instruction 1216 by the ministry when it processed payments totaling $358 453 for air fares and hotel accommodation using pro-forma invoices and quotations only. I added that supporting documentation such as receipts were not availed to validate the expenditure.

There was also concern around $2 000 which was unaccounted for emanating for a payment of $12 000 made to the Local government ministry for stadium hire.

“Furthermore there was no evidence that a refundable security fee of $2000 included in the payment of $12000 made to the ministry of local government for stadium higher was refunded to the ministry.

“I added that the security deposit should be claimed so that the resources are used to finance other ministry activities.”

Chiri also noted that service providers Tel-One and ZINWA were owed $2 804 925 and $225 297 respectively by the Defence ministry.

The report said in the absence of a breakdown of the variance, the expenditure reported cannot be validated as true expenditure for the ministry.

“The ministry should reconcile the expenditure balances from the different sources to enhance accuracy and reliability of its financial statements,” the AG had said in her prior recommendation.

The auditor general also noted that there were several unaccounted variances for services extended to Zimbabwe National Army.

M&T

Correspondent|Incarcerated former legislator Munyaradzi Kereke has challenged Norton member of parliament Temba Mliswa to prove his claims that he impregnated his wife while in prison.

Mliswa alleged that Kereke had impregnated his wife Rachel and had preferential treatment in prison to the extent of being afforded his conjugal rights which is a complete negation of the law.

Mliswa on his twitter handle said:
“In a conversation overheard by a prison guard between Kereke and his younger wife’s sister, word has it that whilst in prison Kereke has impregnated his younger wife.One is left wondering where the act took place and why is he being given preferential treatment, why not let others too?“

These allegations compelled Kereke to seek the intervention of the Speaker of Parliament asking him to direct Mliswa to issue a public apology.

Kereke instructed his lawyers Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys to write a formal complaint letter to the Advocate Jacob Mudenda asking him to reprimand Mliswa.
In a letter dated November 5 and seen by the Mail and Telegraph, Kereke states that Mliswa’s allegations are “categorically false,malicious and unwarranted.”

“Our client’s right of Human Dignity as enshrined in the constitution of
Zimbabwe has been violated on the podium of parliament.

“We have been instructed to pray that Hon. Speaker strongly reprimands Hon.Temba Mliswa and direct forthwith that he apologises publicly to our clients or he put to the strictest proof to substantiate his injurious allegations. He who alleges must prove the factual foundation of his allegations,” read part of the letter.

“Parliament is the anchor guarantor of constitutionalism and protection of fundamental human rights. As such, it must not be taken lightly when Hon Members violate people’s rights in the discharge of parliamentary duties.

“A very strong and clear message must be sent out to Hon Temba Mliswa,” further reads the letter.

In 2016, Kereke was slapped with a 14 year jail term with four years suspended on condition of good behaviour for raping his 11 year old relative at gunpoint.

He has made several attempts to gain freedom but all applications hit a snag.
Meanwhile, the issue of conjugal visits in Zimbabwe’s prisons has been a subject of debate for a long time.

Some people argued that Parliament should appreciate that when one is jailed, it is meant to be a punishment for that particular offender not their family.

Spouses cannot be collaterally punished for the ‘sins’ of their husbands or wives by denying them their conjugal rights during the time the spouses are in jail.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner Paradzai Zimondi is on record for saying he is simply following the constitution and once conjugal visits are allowed at law, his organisation will comply.

M&T

 

The death toll of people who perished in an accident involving Smart Express and Bolt Cutter buses
near Rusape tollgate on Wednesday evening has risen to 50.

The accident occurred when the two
buses side swiped. According to Acting Officer Commanding Rusape
District Isaac Gowe, who spoke to ZBC News on Thursday morning, 40 people died on the spot, 5 died on their way to hospital on Wednesday night, while 2 more passed on this morning, and the other three succumbed to their injuries bringing the death toll to 50.

Government has already provided $25 000 towards the victims of the accident. The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe will settle all hospital bills while funeral services provider FSG and Nyaradzo Funeral Services will assist with coffins and transporting the deceased to their final resting places. Director of the Civil Protection Unit, Nathan Nkomo, said each family would receive $500. State media

THE Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, yesterday assured civil servants of a bonus incentive for 2018 whose finer details would be clarified in due course in line with ongoing fiscal stabilisation measures and recognition of hard work.

Speaking on the state of the economy at the on-going 2019 Parliamentary pre-budget conference in Bulawayo, he stressed the need
to instil fiscal discipline, the lack of which has been blamed for the ballooning budget deficit in the last few years resulting in prevailing economic challenges.

In line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and the drive towards an upper-middle income economy by 2030, Prof
Ncube said taming public expenditure, especially wage bill containment, was at the heart of fiscal stabilisation measures while
stimulating investment.
He, however, said civil servants will be rewarded for their hard work.State media

 

HARARE – It never rains but pours for Obert Mpofu, the Zanu PF secretary for administration who is being frustrated by a group of former
liberation war fighters who want him out.
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 Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Cabinet in September.
An affiliate of the ruling party, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has been at the forefront of pushing
for Mpofu’s ouster, along with his former Cabinet colleagues who were given full time jobs at the party’s head office.
Mnangagwa assigned 11 top officials to work full time at the party headquarters, among them Zanu
PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, finance secretary Patrick Chinamasa, legal secretary Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, foreign affairs secretary Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, youth league deputy chairperson Lewis Matutu, Chris Mushohwe and Mpofu.

A section of ZNLWVA has been holding meetings in Harare, Bulawayo and Mazowe to ratchet up
pressure on these party heavyweights to vacate their offices, alleging they were undermining
Mnangagwa and that they were corrupt.Daily News