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THE Supreme Court has ordered employers in the timber sector to pay the minimum wage of US$150 to workers.

In its application, the Timber Sector Employers’ Association had initially wanted the court to reduce the minimum wage from US$150 to US$105. This was to challenge a ruling at arbitration which had upheld that the minimum wage in the sector remain at US$150. The employers had wanted to continue paying US$105 which they had paid when they were exempted from paying the agreed minimum wage of US$150 for a six-month period. However, Gapwuz contested the position, resulting in the two parties going to arbitration.

However, in their heads of argument, the employers changed position and argued that since the award was borne out of compulsory arbitration and not voluntary arbitration, the award by the arbitrator was null and void. The collective bargaining agreement between the two parties of US$150 is constituted in Statutory Instrument 55 of 2013.

In the judgment, Justices Rita Makarau, Benjamin Gowero and Francis Bere ruled that the appeal succeeds and set aside the arbitral award of October 2015.

According to the interpretation by Gapwuz lawyers, Mabundu & Ndlovu Law Chambers, the judgement only set aside the arbitration award but did not reduce the minimum wage as the court does not have the power to do so.

“All employers who are paying below the minimum wage without being exempted are guilty of underpaying employees and the union (Gapwuz) can sue the employers on behalf of their members for underpayments,” the lawyers said.

Gapwuz acting general secretary Golden Magwaza told businessdigest when they won the wage dispute at arbitration that the ruling was a vindication of their fight for workers in the timber sector.

“We are very happy with this ruling because we have fighting for workers to get this minimum wage since 2012,” Magwaza said.

-Zimbabwe Independent

Harare City councillors have given town clerk Hosiah Chisango until October 31 to provide them with iPads in a move set to raise the ire of residents receiving poor service delivery from the local authority.

Minutes of the finance and development committee, tabled at a recent council meeting, show that councillors said the iPads were needed to avoid consumption of paper on documents as well as equip them with the latest information technology gadgets.

“It is resolved that the town clerk be tasked to ensure that councillors and relevant officials are provided with I-pads by October 31, 2018,” part of the minutes read.

This is not the first time that councillors have made such demands, with some who were in the previous council having threatened to boycott meetings if they were not given iPads as promised.

Normally, council communications are printed and distributed, but the move has been seen as going against green economy that advocates for a paperless society and the preservation of waste.

In January this year, government ordered that Bulawayo councillors pay for the free iPads they had received from council, with authorities stating that the municipality had no right to purchase the gadgets for the city fathers.

Meanwhile, council has resolved to commercialise part of its health service units in a bid to improve service delivery. Among services set to be commercialised with an initial capital injection of between $100 000 to $200 000 includes, the department of pest control service, the department of radiological services and the city’s pharmaceuticals.

Council also resolved to project an initial capital injection of$5 million for its hospitality ventures, which are, Cleveland and Harava dams where hotels and chalets are set to be constructed.

At the Harava Dam, council plans to construct a three-star hotel, upmarket ethnic lodges with camping sites and a golf course, among other recreational facilities.
In the city centre, council wants to refurbish the two old bus termini, Market Square and Charge Office, with a view to expand them.

-Newsday

ZANU-PF has no plans for a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the opposition and is focused on implementing policies beneficial to Zimbabweans, the President has said. MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa has been clamouring for a GNU since he lost the July 30 harmonised elections.

President Mnangagwa dismissed as dreamers those thinking of a GNU, saying Zanu-PF had no time for such people. He made the remarks while addressing the ruling party’s Central Committee.

“May I warn you not to take heed of utterances from various opposition quarters,” said President Mnangagwa, to wild applause.

“Let us focus our energies towards growing the economy. Let those who engage in dreams continue to dream and you must continue to be practical and move forward in the development of our country.

“We have no agenda, nothing is on our agenda about Government of National Unity. Hatina agenda iyoyo. Mr Chamisa has of late been pushing for what he terms “a transitional Government”.

He lost to President Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF in the July 30 harmonised elections and is still to come to terms with the defeat after raising false hopes among his supporters that he was winning.

This week, Mr Chamisa convened a Press conference at Harvest House where he pleaded for a coalition Government with President Mnangagwa.

“In fact, we will ultimately discuss and resolve our national issues as a country, but there has been no appetite from Mr Mnangagwa to discuss,” Mr Chamisa told reporters during the Press conference.

“He seems to want to discuss with the international community, not realising that the local community is more important to discuss with, as much as international community is also important.”

-State Media

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has been summoned to appear before Parliament next week to explain corporate governance failure at the national broadcaster after it turned out that one of its top executives, Tazzen Mandizvidza, allegedly owed the company over $1 million.

ZBC chief executive officer Patrick Mavhura had appeared before the Prince Dubeko Sibanda-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, together with Information ministry permanent secretary Ndavaningi “Nick” Mangwana when the committee raised concern over corporate governance issues at the State broadcaster.

“My intention is to call ZBC and their board to appear before Parliament next week, because it is worrying that we hear reports of a manager who is said to have swindled the broadcaster of over $1 million,” Sibanda said.

“We hear that in 2014, he (Mandizvidza) was suspended, but he was rehired, and will he demand his pay for 2018? He has now been suspended again, and there are very serious issues of corporate governance and it is with a heavy heart that the committee says so as ZBC wants public funds yet it is a very dirty institution.”

Sibanda also expressed Parliament’s dismay over the reshuffling of staff at parastatals and media houses whenever a new minister or secretary of the Information ministry is appointed.

“Boards are hired and fired whenever there is a new minister or permanent secretary in order for ministers to get a feeding trough,” he said.

“We are not happy as a committee that some of your parastatals, like the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, do not have a board yet they want $35 million.

When those board members are appointed, we (Parliament) would want to see their curriculum vitaes and criteria used to appoint them.”

Bulilima West MP Dingumuzi Phuti (Zanu PF) said ZBC had a myriad of problems and owed money to individuals and organisations, including artists who were struggling to get their royalty fees.

“They have many labour disputes and they are perfunctory to issues of property rights, which have resulted in them owing artists to the tune of more than $1 million,” Phuti said.
“This is tantamount to pulling the State into the mud because ZBC is the flagship of artists and they must work well with them.”

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) also demanded that the State broadcaster should do live transmission of Parliament and committee sittings.

Other issues that the committee wants to grill ZBC on include how much they made through live broadcasting, especially of political parties.

-Newsday

Companies and individuals seeking to import basic commodities following the lifting of the import ban will have to use free funds, freeing the central bank from having to raise funds for the imports, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya has said.

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With most basic commodities in short supply, while the prices of those available are shooting up daily, government sought to mitigate the scarcities by lifting the suspension of imports by suspending Statutory Instrument (SI) 122 of 2017, which regulated the importation of certain basic goods.

“Those people with their own money, including those people from the diaspora or anyone with his own money, can bring in products into Zimbabwe,” Mangudya said.

-Newsday

GOVERNMENT’s budget deficit — which scaled about US$1,4 billion by June — is seen ballooning to US$2,3 billion this year, more than three times the projected figure as authorities fail to rein in spiralling expenditure set to top US$8 billion by year-end, a pre-budget strategy paper by Treasury has revealed.

The document informs the 2019 National Budget scheduled to be announced next month.

This comes at a time the country is burdened by a total national debt of US$16,9 million. Domestic debt accounts for US$9,5 billion, up from US$275,8 million in 2012, with external debt standing at US$7,4 billion. Inflation has shot up officially from 4,9% to 5,39%, although developments on the ground are painting a more precarious picture as prices of basic commodities have more than doubled in recent weeks.

This year’s total expenditure had been set at US$5,7 billion, with US$4,58 billion for current expenditures and US$1,16 billion for capital outlays. This was premised on projected revenues of US$5,07 billion, to give a fiscal deficit of US$672,2 million, which is 3,5% of the country’s gross domestic product.

According to the Treasury paper, revenues are projected to be US$5,7 billion, in line with the first-half performance. This entails US$4,7 billion tax revenues, US$466 million non-tax revenues, US$434 million retained revenues and US$100 million grants.

Revenue collections for the first half of the year amounted to US$2,51 billion against a target of US$2,21 billion, resulting in a positive variance of US$300 million, representing a variance of 13% of budgeted revenue.

Total expenditures during the same period stood at US$3,72 billion against targeted expenditure of US$2,6 billion as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government went into overdrive on a spending spree ahead of the July general elections.

Support towards the agriculture input support schemes (US$616 million) and grain procurement, (US$81 million); and capital expenditure towards roads of (US$225 million), and dam construction of (US$87,2 million), as well as capitalisation of public institutions of (US$212 million).

“The huge deficit for the period to June, 2018 is as a result of mainly unbudgeted expenditures and this calls for urgent reforms in order to contain the expenditures achieve the fiscal consolidation objective and create fiscal space for developmental budget and social services expenditure,” the paper says.

“The fiscal deficit, a major cause of macro-economic instability and financial sector vulnerability, is targeted at US$1,5 billion (5,2% of GDP) in 2019. This is achievable upon adoption and implementation of measures to begin regaining control and management of budget expenditures over the period January 2019 to December 2021”.

Financing of the deficit was through Treasury Bill issuances by the Reserve Bank amounting to US$548,3 million, while non-bank amounted to US$736,7 million.

Furthermore, lending to government by the central bank through the RBZ overdraft facility increased by US$478,2 million for the period January to June 2018. Government also financed itself through accumulation of arrears, which stood at US$115,8 million as at June 2018.

The runaway central bank lending to government is projected to reach US$2,5 billion, which is 64,6% of the previous year’s revenues.

“Pressure will also come from Treasury Bill maturities in the short term (2018 to 2020) of US$4,1 billion, which is 55% of the total TBs maturities of US$7,5 billion to year 2033.

The above position has far-reaching consequences in the economy in terms of government crowding out private sector lending. Additionally, continued payment of Government obligations through an overdraft will also worsen the liquidity challenges in the economy,” reads the Treasury paper.

The economy, reeling from a fiscal crisis, is currently in turmoil due to foreign currency market volatility and a wave of price increases, reflecting rising inflationary pressures and chaos.

-Zimbabwe Independent

THE Supreme Court has ordered employers in the timber sector to pay the minimum wage of US$150 to workers.

In its application, the Timber Sector Employers’ Association had initially wanted the court to reduce the minimum wage from US$150 to US$105.

This was to challenge a ruling at arbitration which had upheld that the minimum wage in the sector remain at US$150.

The employers had wanted to continue paying US$105 which they had paid when they were exempted from paying the agreed minimum wage of US$150 for a six-month period. However, Gapwuz contested the position, resulting in the two parties going to arbitration.

However, in their heads of argument, the employers changed position and argued that since the award was borne out of compulsory arbitration and not voluntary arbitration, the award by the arbitrator was null and void. The collective bargaining agreement between the two parties of US$150 is constituted in Statutory Instrument 55 of 2013.

In the judgment, Justices Rita Makarau, Benjamin Gowero and Francis Bere ruled that the appeal succeeds and set aside the arbitral award of October 2015.

According to the interpretation by Gapwuz lawyers, Mabundu & Ndlovu Law Chambers, the judgement only set aside the arbitration award but did not reduce the minimum wage as the court does not have the power to do so.

“All employers who are paying below the minimum wage without being exempted are guilty of underpaying employees and the union (Gapwuz) can sue the employers on behalf of their members for underpayments,” the lawyers said.

Gapwuz acting general secretary Golden Magwaza told businessdigest when they won the wage dispute at arbitration that the ruling was a vindication of their fight for workers in the timber sector.

“We are very happy with this ruling because we have fighting for workers to get this minimum wage since 2012,” Magwaza said.

-Zimbabwe Independent

 

A MAN from Gweru suffered 35 percent burns after he was scalded with hot water and cooking oil by his girlfriend because he had received a phone call from his ex-wife.
This was heard yesterday during the
sentencing of Tendai Wasara (28) of Athlone Suburb who appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate, Mrs Phathekile Msipa, facing one
count of attempted murder.
Wasara, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was convicted after trial and sentenced to three years in prison.
Mrs Msipa said crimes of passion should come to an end and a custodial sentence would send a message to would be offenders.
“You pre-planned this crime by asking the complainant to remove his clothes while you boiled 10 litres of water and cooking oil which you used to scald him and he suffered
35 percent burns. Such violent behaviour is not expected from a woman and the courts will not sit back and watch crimes of passion
go up. You are sentenced to three years in prison of which six months are suspended on condition of good behaviour,” she said.
It was the State case that on February 13 at around 6PM, Wasara went to her boyfriend, Mr Cedrick Govere’s workplace and found him communicating with his ex-wife over the phone.
An argument arose until the two lovers went home, slept and woke up on the following morning.
At around 9AM, Wasara asked Mr Govere to remove his clothes saying she wanted to wash them and he complied.
Wasara then asked Mr Govere what he thought about their relationship and why he was still communicating with his ex-wife considering that she was looking after him and paying maintenance for his children.
Wasara, the court heard, was not happy with her lover’s response and left the bedroom.
She returned carrying a pot with boiling water and cooking oil and poured it on her lover.
Mr Govere was rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he refused to disclose how he got the burns only telling the hospital staff that he had burnt himself accidentally with
cooking oil he uses to fry chips at home. On February 24, his friend went and reported the matter to the police leading to Wasara’s arrest- Chronicle.

 

Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) has sued Chinese firm Sunny Zimbabwe
International together with its directors Mai Tao-Ming, Luo Su Yuan, Lin Qianlong and Lin Shuen at the High Court over a $65 755 debt.
Chiinotimba alleges that he supplied the firm with macadamia nuts worth $220 000 but only received a payment of $154 000. He alleges that the firm and its directors have failed and/or neglected to settle the balance of $65 755 despite repeated demands.The Chinese firm is yet to respond.NewsDay

Correspondent|THE commission of inquiry set up to investigate the post poll violence that took place in Harare on August 1,is likely to receive a frosty welcome in Bulawayo, Friday, when they conduct the second round of public hearings.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa established the seven member commission led by former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe to investigate the post-election violence that left six civilians dead.

The commission has already conducted public hearings in Harare and will also visit Gweru this Saturday.

Activists and political parties in the city told CITE that it was insensitive for the commission to hold hearings in Bulawayo for people killed in Harare when such action had not been taken to look into the 1980s Gukurahundi killings that claimed more than 20 000 in Matabeleland and Midlands.

ZAPU spokesperson, Ipithule Maphosa said the commission’s visit was unnecessary, especially if it omitted Gukurahundi.

“We do commiserate with the rest of the country over the killings that took place in Harare but we also wonder why the Montlante commission is coming to Bulawayo when the shootings they are investigating only happened in Harare,” he said.

“We are, however, not surprised because we know their reasons for coming here is to make more money from allowances. The commission has quickly learnt from Zanu PF and mastered the art of abusing and looting Zimbabweans funds. There is no other reason for them to undertake such a costly trip”.

Maphosa claimed the commission’s visit to Bulawayo was an insult to the people of Matabeleland as well as the victims of Gukurahundi.

“Thirty years have passed while people in Matabeleland and Midlands are still waiting for closure after the genocide. No step has been taken by the government. How the government ignores tens of thousands deaths at the hands of the army, only to spring to action for six people speaks volumes about a government whose only preoccupation is power amassing and retention,” he added.

His view was echoed by Alliance for National Salvation (ANSA) secretary general, Nketha Mangoye Dlamini, who claimed the commission inquiry would serve no relevance to Bulawayo.

“As ANSA, we belief the Monlanthe commission should have confined its investigations in Harare where the killings happened. If they felt that someone in Bulawayo or Gweru might have information concerning the shootings, the best thing was to place an advert and ask those people with evidence to come to Harare. Since most people in Bulawayo are a bit divorced from what happened Harare, they will certainly raise Gukurahundi issues, which directly affects them,” Dlamini said.

The ANSA secretary general predicted that the commission would likely face hostile reception from people in Matabeleland particularly relatives and survivors of Gukurahundi.

Former cabinet minister and now Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ) director, Dr Gorden Moyo, expressed a different view and said the commission was well in its mandate to come to Bulawayo.

But, he did say the 1980s atrocities would also prop up in the hearings as thousands of people in the country’s southern region were killed by the military as well.

“The hearings on callous, criminal and cruel murder of innocent citizens are welcome in any part of the country including Bulawayo. For Bulawayo, these hearings should serve as a precursor to the much awaited hearings on the atrocious activities of the 1980s,” he noted.

Dr Moyo noted he was sure people in Bulawayo and Gweru would speak less about the Harare events of 5 August, which they did not experience but more about the Gukurahundi genocide, which they have to contend with its recurring impact everyday.

“The people of Bulawayo, Matabeleland and Midlands provinces and indeed all Zimbabweans of conscience have a legitimate expectation that the current hearings will act as a launch pad for the bigger, broader and comprehensive programme of unearthing the hidden truths about the fate of the 20 000 victims of the 5th brigade,” he said.

The government says it will prioritise the alignment of all media laws with the constitution during the coming year, Nick Mangwana, the secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting has said.

Mangwana made the pledge when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media and Broadcasting on 25 October 2018. He was giving testimony on his ministry’s budget proposals for the 2019 fiscal year.Mangwana said one of his ministry’s focus areas for 2019 was the complete alignment of all media laws with the Zimbabwean constitution. He said this required a multi-stakeholder approach, stating that organisations such as MISA Zimbabwe have a role to play in assisting his ministry in its media law and policy reform mandate.

He said his ministry would distil the findings and recommendations of the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI), to influence and shape local media policy.
Mangwana’s submissions to the Committee provided insight on other areas of media and broadcasting that his ministry will also focus on in
2019 and beyond.Update on the national digitisation project In 2015, Zimbabwe embarked on its project to
digitise local broadcasting services. This drive to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting was
part of a greater initiative led by the International Telecommunications Union. The project has for the
past three years, progressed at a slow pace and Mangwana indicated that his ministry required $100 million to complete digitisation in Zimbabwe.
Mangwana said the Minister of Finance advised the Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting

Services to cap their estimated budget to $45 million. This would cater for the ministry’s project costs and operational costs. Mangwana indicated that at this rate of financing, the digitisation project
would only be completed sometime in the year 2021.
Licensing of additional channels
The fact that Zimbabwe still has one national television channel was a cause of concern to Mangwana. He, however, said his ministry is of the
view that additional broadcasting television channels be licensed after the completion of the ongoing digitisation programme.
This means the prolonged delay in the completion of the digitisation programme is a delay in the realisation of media diversity and plurality in Zimbabwe.
In his submissions, Mangwana also referred to the need to license community radio stations. He said
his ministry currently does not have the funds to license community radio stations. This is not the first time that a government official has spoken about the need to license community radio stations, unfortunately, none of those past declarations was followed up in any practical way.
MISA Zimbabwe takes these revelations with mixed feelings as various government officials and
representatives have in the past made similar pronouncements, with little or no action taken thereafter.
We, therefore, urge the government to take concrete steps towards fulfilment of these long overdue
media reforms.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services has instructed parastatals under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to submit financial statements for the period from January to September this year before it deliberates on the requirements for 2019.

Chairperson of the committee Honourable Prince Sibanda and several parliamentarians expressed concern at the bad corporate governance practices evident in most parastatals to the Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana and called on all the heads of the parastatals to submit financial records on Monday and avail themselves next Thursday for intensive interrogation.

The committee was not impressed with the erroneous financial statement provided by the Finance Director in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

Zbc News online

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has engaged auditors to investigate the activities of four senior executives who were suspended over allegations of corruption and illegal foreign currency dealings.

In a statement, Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya said the Central bank was “seized with the matter” and had directed a special committee to address the issue.

“Further to the Press statement issued on 23 October 2018, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe wishes to advise members of the public that the Bank’s Board of Directors is seized with the matter and has directed its audit and oversight committee to urgently look into the issues,” he said.

“The committee has been tasked to immediately work in conjunction with external auditors and other stakeholders to investigate the matter. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the public will be appraised of the outcome in the interest of transparency and good governance,” said Dr Mangudya.

The central bank on Monday suspended with immediate effect the apex bank’s head of supervision Norman Mataruka, director financial markets Azvinandawa Saburi, director financial intelligence Mirirai Chiremba and head of security Mr Gresham Muradzikwa.

Mr Acie Lumumba, who chaired the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development communications taskforce before he was relieved of his duties on Monday, on Sunday publicly accused the quartet of running a foreign currency cartel at the Central Bank, at a time the country is facing acute foreign currency shortages that are crippling the productive sector.

In a 46-minute live Facebook video, Mr Lumumba exonerated Dr Mangudya but accused the four of various crimes ranging from off-the-books bond notes circulation to corrupt allocation of foreign currency.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared zero tolerance to corruption and vowed that his Government would have no sacred cows in its fight against graft.

The President has already hinted the net was closing in on corrupt officials as he lamented rampant acts of economic sabotage.

His concern follows a recent spate of unjustified price increases, which are being fuelled by spiralling parallel market currency exchange rates aided by spreading of alarmist fake news, mainly on social media.

These have squeezed consumer spending power on the back of hoarding of basic commodities, which have created artificial shortages.

In his video before his sacking from the job he held for three days, Mr Lumumba said corrupt dealings by senior apex bank officials were among the factors that are inflicting trouble in the economy and making it difficult for Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Government to manoeuvre in addressing the challenges facing the economy.

He further claimed that despite the accused RBZ senior managers not being allowed to sit on any company boards, they sit on the board that buys gold from Fidelity Printers and Refiners, and reportedly manufacture jewellery, which they would then sell outside the country. -state media

A man from Gweru suffered 35 percent burns after he was scalded with hot water and cooking oil by his girlfriend because he had received a phone call from his ex-wife.

This was heard yesterday during the sentencing of Tendai Wasara (28) of Athlone suburb who appeared before Gweru Regional magistrate, Mrs Phathekile Msipa, facing one count of attempted murder.

Wasara, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was convicted after trial and sentenced to three years in prison.

Mrs Msipa said crimes of passion should come to an end and a custodial sentence would send a message to would be offenders.

“You pre-planned this crime by asking the complainant to remove his clothes while you boiled 10 litres of water and cooking oil which you used to scald him and he suffered 35 percent burns. Such violent behaviour is not expected from a woman and the courts will not sit back and watch crimes of passion go up. You are sentenced to three years in prison of which six months are suspended on condition of good behaviour,” she said.

It was the State case that on February 13 at around 6PM, Wasara went to her boyfriend, Mr Cedrick Govere’s workplace and found him communicating with his ex-wife over the phone.

An argument arose until the two lovers went home, slept and woke up on the following morning. At around 9AM, Wasara asked Mr Govere to remove his clothes saying she wanted to wash them and he complied.

Wasara then asked Mr Govere what he thought about their relationship and why he was still communicating with his ex-wife considering that she was looking after him and paying maintenance for his children.

Wasara, the court heard, was not happy with her lover’s response and left the bedroom.

She returned carrying a pot with boiling water and cooking oil and poured it on her lover.

Mr Govere was rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he refused to disclose how he got the burns only telling the hospital staff that he had burnt himself accidentally with cooking oil he uses to fry chips at home.

On February 24, his friend went and reported the matter to the police leading to Wasara’s arrest. -state media

Own Correspondent|A motorist trying to jump a fuel queue ploughed into two pedestrians, killing a woman and injuring another, Midlands police said.

The incident happened outside Jaran supermarket in Gweru on Sunday in Gweru, said Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende.

Vongai Mapako, 43, was not supposed to be in Gweru when she met her death on October 21, according to police. She had failed to get transport to her rural home in Tirimuhondo Village, Shangani, a day earlier due to the crippling fuel crisis gripping Zimbabwe.

Witnesses said George Mbanje, 39, was trying to jump a fuel queue leading to a Puma Energy service station which had reached Robert Mugabe Way and 3rd Street.

In a bid to gain a favourable position, Mbanje drove on a pavement just outside Jaran supermarket where the two victims Mapako and Tavawana Chinyoka , 50, were seated.

— ZimLive

Authorities at Kariba and Chirundu border posts have reduced the number of days on which Zimbabwean can cross to trade their wares in Zambia using passes.

An agreement reached between border authorities in Zimbabwe and their Zambian counterparts, effective this week, traders from both countries will only be allowed to trade on Mondays and Thursdays.

Department of Immigrations Area Manager for Kariba Mr Joshua Chibundu confirmed the development today.

He said, according to an agreement with their Zambian counterparts, traders had been given only two days per week to sell their products across the border.

“The restrictions are a temporary measure aimed at curbing the outflow of basic commodities which are currently in short supply in local shops and supermarkets.

“The measures are aimed at curbing shortage of basic goods in local shops and also in a way contributing to the stabilising prices of goods,” he said.

More to follow…

Correspondent|The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya has directed his investigations department to immediately institute an audit into the four senior officials suspended earlier this week on allegations of corruption.

The senior managers have already surrendered central bank assets such as vehicles, laptops and access cards to pave way for investigations.

In a press statement released Thursday afternoon, the central bank chief said that an audit and oversight committee would look into graft allegations submitted by Acie Lumumba against the suspended employees.

“Further to the press statement issued on 23 October 2018, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe of Zimbabwe (the “Bank”) wishes to advise members of the public that the Bank’s Board of Directors is seized with the matter and has directed its Audit and Oversight Committee to urgently look into the issues.

“The Committee has been tasked to immediately work in conjunction with external auditors and other stakeholders to investigate the matter. Upon conclusion of the investigations, the Public will be appraised of the outcome in the interest of transparency and good governance,” read part of the statement.

On Sunday, Lumumba made startling allegations on micro blogging site Facebook where he accused the central bank’s head of supervision Norman Mataruka, director financial markets Azvinandawa Saburi, director financial intelligence Mirirai Chiremba and head of security Gresham Muradzikwa of various crimes ranging from off-the-books bond notes circulation to corrupt allocation of foreign currency.

Although his claims resulted in the suspension of the four officials, Lumumba was fired from his position as the head of Communication Taskforce by Finance Mthuli Ncube after just three days at the helm of the taskforce..

In a letter gleaned by this publication, Ncube reversed Lumumba’s appointment suggesting it may have been inappropriate.

“On the 19th of October 2018 you were engaged by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development as the Chairman of the Ministry Communications Taskforce.

“New information has come to light over the appropriateness of the appointment. This letter serves as a notification of the termination of the contract with immediate effect,” wrote Ncube.

M&T

Correspondent|residents said that the local authorities major in the minor after City of Harare said that Traffic cameras are to be installed at all traffic intersections in Harare starting with the Central Business District.

Posting on twitter, City of Harare said that it was going to install traffic cameras at all traffic intersections in Harare as well on parking bays:

City of Harare‏ @cohsunshinecity

Traffic cameras to be installed at all traffic intersections in Harare. First phase in CBD

They further posted that traffic cameras will be used on parking bays and the whole issue did not go well with the residents who responded expressing their discontentment.

One Baleni Nkosinath doomed the plan calling it a misplaced priority.

Staples‏ @BaleniNkosinath 2h2 hours ago

More

Replying to @cohsunshinecity

Case of misplaced priorities.

Another twitter account urged the authorities to install the cameras at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) saying it is the den of thieves after a video by Acie Lumumba that exposed bosses at RBZ went viral.

Oscar‏ @osymkch 2h2 hours ago

More

Replying to @cohsunshinecity

Don’t waste money the place that really need cameras is the RBZ. That’s where the people who really break the law are.

A twitter account belonging to one Judith Maponga lamented that traffic lights are not functioning well and there are dangerous potholes in the city yet the council want to embark on traffic cameras.

Judith H Maponga‏ @JudithMaponga 11m11 minutes ago

More

Replying to @cohsunshinecity

Then What? Lets start by fixing all the traffic lights that are not working, patch potholes, uninterrupted supply of clean water, fix sewage overflowing in ghettos, collection of refuse, the list is endless and there you are prioritizing cameras.

M&T

In an interview with a local daily, deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi responded to cleric Talent Chiwenga.

In a video Talent responded to a warning from his cousin Vice President Chiwenga saying he has the right to freedom of expression. Talent also said “VP Chiwenga was not fit to lead this nation.”

However, Mutodi said while government respects the right to freedom of expression in line with Section 61 of the Constitution, one needs not to infringe into other people’s rights and liberties when exercising his or her own right. Said Mutodi:

So when you call out the name of a whole vice president in the streets and purport to disclose his health condition, you really act outside the law. Such behaviour constitutes high levels of disrespect and may arouse public anger and disorder, considering that politicians have supporters who follow them.

So our position as government is that the pastor needs to be called to order and desist from infringing into other people’s rights. He is free to form a political party or to join already existing ones and must not hide under the church to further his own political ambitions or beliefs.

Monrovia – Liberian President George Weah, who overcame childhood poverty to become one of the world’s top footballers, has abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students in the poor West African country’s state universities.

Speaking Wednesday on the campus of the University of Liberia in the name of “the Liberian people and my government”, Weah declared “free tuition for all undergraduate students” at all the public universities.

Weah said his decision arose after a meeting he had with the university administration.

“The students came in front of my office to complain that the administrators have increased the tuition in the school. I was not happy about that,” said Weah, who took office in January.

An administrator informed him that the actual fee had not changed, but the fall of the Liberian dollar against the US one had led to a rise in the amount due in the local currency. Both currencies are legal tender in Liberia, which was founded by freed former American slaves.

“I was shocked when I was told that every semester about 20,000 (would-be students) go through the registration process, (but) only 12,000 attend.

“Furthermore, about 5,000 of the 12,000 who are in attendance are depending on some form of financial aids or scholarship. The rest of the students do not attend due to the lack of financial aid,” Weah added.

Weah was elected late last year on a platform of fighting poverty and kickstarting an economy still affected by two civil wars between 1989 and 2003, as well as providing stability and growth.

“The inability of our young people to continue their education is very troubling,” he said on campus.

Liberia has four state universities: the main University of Liberia, the Booker Washington Institute, Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and the William Tubman University.

AFP

Scotland’s First Minister NICOLA Sturgeon has said her “heart goes out” to a paralysed man whose wife of 32 years is facing deportation to her native Zimbabwe.

The First Minister said she hoped David and Carin Connolly, who live with their son in Inverurie, would not be split up by the Home Office.

The family’s case was raised at FMQs by Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, who described their situation as “horrific”.

Mr Connolly, 58, a British citizen, was left a quadriplegic by a car accident in 1984.

David Connolly, who is paralysed from the neck down, pictured with wife Carin and son Marcus in 2011
His wife Carin, 59, who was born in Zimbabwe, is his full-time carer.

After spending most of their lives in Africa, they moved to Scotland last year to be with son Marcus, who has lived here since 2010.

But the Home Office has now rejected Mrs Connolly’s application to be a British citizen.

Ms Martin said she had written in support of the couple ahead of an appeal tribunal, and asked what more could be done to support them.

Ms Sturgeon replied: “My heart goes out to Mr and Mrs Connolly, and I hope that they get the opportunity to stay as a family in Scotland.

“I have complete sympathy for anybody attempting to navigate the increasingly complex and restrictive United Kingdom immigration system.

“The one-size-fits-all approach imposed by Westminster is arbitrary, and it is very often inhuman, particularly in cases that threaten to rip apart families.”

She said “the vast majority of people in Scotland” would want the Connollys to stay.

– Herald Scotland

By Paul Nyathi|Fired up Gwanda Residents on Thursday morning dismissed a joint budget consultation meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance and the SDGs Committee in just under twenty minutes accusing parliament of wasting their time.

Led by firebrand Gwanda Residents Association Secretary General Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo, the residents told the high powered delegation of parliamentarians to pack up their bags and leave the town as government has never listened to any of the contributions they make to the national budget formulation.

“We have been raising the same issues to the government for years and none of these have ever been considered for the budget,” said Fuzwayo.

“We do not have confidence in your whole process and therefore move that you end this meeting and go back and check our contributions from all the years back.”

The only four speakers who contributed to the consultations demanded government to show commitment to their submissions by constructing the perennially flooding narrow Mtshabezi River Bridge in the town which was constructed in the fifties.

“How can you honestly expect us to continue making submissions on your budget every year when you fail to carry out a small project as construction of a bridge?” questioned Fuzwayo before seconding that the meeting ends at that juncture.

The residents demanded that as an alternative, government should prioritise the devolution of power implementation which would allow them to decide which projects to prioritise in the development of their areas.

According to the residents the current centralised government has always marginalised Matabeleland region while taking all the riches from the region to Harare.

After dismissing the meeting, the residents tried to force march the parliamentarians to visit the Mtshabezi River Bridge about a kilometre away from the venue, a move which the legislators declined to comply with.

Drama ensued after that as the residents blocked the parliamentarians bus from leaving unless they commit to passing through the site of the bridge.

The parliamentarians were locked inside the bus for over an hour as the Chairpersons of the two committees Honourable Mathew Nyashanu and Senator Mtshane Khumalo negotiated with the residents leader for the release of the parliamentarians.

It took an intervention by the Gwanda Central Member of Parliament Patrick Dube to calm the residents who eventually allowed the bus to leave.

Controversial preacher Talent Chiwenga — known for his uncanny prophecies about the country’s political situation — now fears for his life after Vice President Constantino Chiwenga issued a stern warning against him for attacking the national leadership.

In a video recording, the clergyman who claims to be cousin to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s second-in-command, prophesied recently that two senior government officials will lose their lives.

He went on to allege that the vice president, who is on sick leave after falling ill with an undisclosed ailment, was not fit for office.

In his latest recording, the man of cloth gave a narration of how he was forcibly interrogated and threatened by security officials in Hwedza, where Christians had gathered over the weekend to pray with the vice president at his rural homestead.

“… I now fear for the lives of my children, my wife and those that I work with. If I die today, people of the world I want you (to) know, this is the reason why I am going to die,” said the cleric.

“The vice president has got so many resources at his disposal, I may die through an accident, I may be shot dead, I may be poisoned, I may disappear, like Itai Dzamara disappeared. I am not saying the vice president is the one behind the disappearance of …Dzamara, I am simply mentioning the name of .. Dzamara because he also disappeared, because he also criticised a government that feels it is invincible, it is unquestionable to the people that it governs.

“I don’t believe that should be the case sir, this is a democratic country and you have also been on record, insulting other people, insulting other politicians and nobody has said anything about it, because maybe they were afraid of you,” Talent said.

Talent came to prominence after a series of pre-elections predictions where he claimed the election would be rigged and that a number of senior officials linked to the November 2017 coup would die in quick succession.

He said he did not fear Chiwenga but respected him and was not afraid of dying for speaking what God would have told him.

Last week, Chiwenga launched a scathing attack on Talent describing him as a fake prophet who is bent on criticising his elders using God’s name.

“There are others who are now calling themselves prophets,” said VP Chiwenga. “Aripo uyo anonzi ani, (there is someone called) Talent (Muzuva). That should come to an end today. Zvatoperera pano (It’s over from now). We don’t have that culture where one moves around attacking leaders under the guise of preaching the word of God. God does not say move around attacking other people,” Chiwenga said.

However, Talent said he loved the vice president as his brother, but was against some of the actions by government such as chartering former first lady Grace Mugabe a plane to travel to Zimbabwe from Singapore for her mother’s funeral and the killing of at least six people during the post-election violence.

He said he still maintained this was improper, considering that thousands of people are suffering.

“Now, when he said Talent Muzuva on Sunday, I knew he was talking about me, because Muzuva is my father’s name and Guvheya is his father’s name and our fathers are brothers, blood brothers, same father, Chiwenga is not his personal name, Chiwenga is a family name.

The one who was called Chiwenga is our grandfather. So, maybe he was not willing to use the name Chiwenga because he also uses it, but I know that so many people are confused, they do want to know what is happening and the reason why I am making this public statement, it is because I feel that my life is in danger, not only because of what he is doing, but most importantly because of what happened to me on Saturday,” he said.

Talent said he is ready to die for speaking the truth, however, he begged his cousin not to harm his wife and children, claiming this was a family issue that needed to be dealt with privately.

“If he says he doesn’t know me he would be lying; I have met with him more than twice, more than thrice. In my life, I have spoken to him even over the phone, even his wife… knows us, me and my wife. We have gone to see her at her offices because this is a family issue. But if I feel that my life is in danger and the life of my wife and children, I cannot keep silent while the vice president uses all the resources that are at his disposal,” he said.

Responding to the cleric, deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi said while government respects the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Section 61 of the Constitution, one needs not to infringe into other people’s rights and liberties when exercising his or her own right.

“There is also freedom of worship and freedom of association. However, one needs not to infringe into other people’s rights and liberties when exercising his or her own right,” said Mutodi.

“If you are preaching to your church and you are a pastor or religious leader, you certainly do not want to call names of political leaders and denigrate them as if you were a leader of a rival political party. That is wrong”.

Section 51 of the Constitution states that every person has inherent dignity in their private or public life, and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.

Section 57 (e) of the Constitution goes further to give citizens the right to privacy and forbids anyone from disclosing another person’s health condition.

“So when you call out the name of a whole vice president in the streets and purport to disclose his health condition, you really act outside the law. Such behaviour constitutes high levels of disrespect and may arouse public anger and disorder, considering that politicians have supporters who follow them.

“So our position as government is that the pastor needs to be called to order and desist from infringing into other people’s rights. He is free to form a political party or to join already existing ones and must not hide under the church to further his own political ambitions or beliefs,” Mutodi.

 

The Harare City Council has launched an operation to rid the central business district of pirate taxi operators, colloquially referred to as
mshika-shika.

This follows the City’s successful
removal of vendors from the CBD. Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba told the Daily News:”We are geared to cleaning up the city once and for all. At times we have seen that the police and our staff are not doing enough to reign in on illegal pirate taxis. We sometimes see municipal police parked opposite illegal pirate taxis with no action being taken.This will no longer be tolerated”-Daily News

 

Terrence Mawawa|MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Tendai Bit I has described the current Cabinet as the worst in independent Zimbabwe.

“This class of 2018 is easily the worst cabinet in the history of modern Zimbabwe.

The present day melt down and dislocation only happens when a country has gone through a war . It’s a man made tsunami . The regime’s
praise singers owe us an apology,” tweeted Biti.

Biti has also indicated that the

“illegitimate regime” cannot solve the economic crisis without solving the legitimate crisis.

 A local non-governmental organisation Tsungirirai Orphanage Centre has reportedly fired its programmes manager on grounds that he participated in the recently held harmonised elections.

The employee David Siyampondo was contesting for a House of Assembly seat in Gokwe on the MDC Alliance ticket.

Tsungirirai Orphan Centre is funded by USAID and Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe (HOSPAZ) and they allegedly dismissed Siyampondo citing possibility of funds being withheld as a result of his running for political office.

The institution’s board chair Wilson Ganyiwa has however denied the allegations arguing that Siyampondo’s contract had expired.

The denial is in contrast with contents in a letter (dated August 31) in our possession authored by HOSPAZ director Eunice Garanganga and addressed to Ganyiwa.

The letter clearly stated that Siyampondo’s participation in politics threatens the funding of the entire consortium.

“It has come to our attention that your program manager Mr David Siyampondo is allegedly actively seeking a political office. We are concerned that the current funding has some restrictions regarding participation of members, partners and employees in overt political participation.

“The implication is that it threatens funding, the project, beneficiaries, all employees of the consortium,” reads part of the letter.

In response to questions from this publication, Ganyiwa poured cold water on the allegations.

“We do not have such a story at our orphanage centre, all I know is that his (Siyampondo)’s contract was not renewed, we did not fire him.

“It is a non-event when he says we are partisan, when we are at an NGO no one comes with politics, no one speaks politics, we did not fire him there is a letter that came from HOSPAZ that we have, David has that letter as well.

“David was never dismissed from work. He has to show you his contract which expired end of September. After going through his contract which expired then we can discuss from an informed position.” he said.

Siyampondo insists that he was served with the HOSPAZ’s letter soon after elections.

“True, l was dismissed at work following my participation in politics. I am a member of the MDC Alliance and l represented the party as the member of parliament for Gokwe Kabuyuni. Soon after the elections l was served with a letter from one of our consortium partners addressed to the Board Chairperson of my organisation.

“The letter defined me as a danger to other employees and hence indirectly recommended my dismissal. My organisation went and heeded their call as they started to conduct secret meetings and agreed to not to renew my contract.

“However l appealed against non-renewal and some Members of the organisation sent in a petition wanting to understand my dismissal but some Board members are avoiding the General Meeting as there are a lot of issues that has happened from the day they dismissed me. One board member wanted to grab the opportunity to dispose some vehicles belonging to the organisation to his brother and benefit from an unfair deal,”lamented Siyampondo.

Former Tsungirirai Orphanage Centre board member Rev Ticharwa Nyamidzi alleged that the current board wanted to get him arrested on spruced up allegations that charges he misused $150 belonging to the organisation because he was standing for justice.

“As a member of Tsungirirai (Orphanage), we have petitioned the board so that we can have an urgent general meeting however the board is refusing to do the AGM. Furthermore they started to threaten members who are signatories to the petition.

“I am reliably informed that they are trying to get me arrested on allegations that I misused $150 which belongs to the organisation and the chairperson of the board refused to sign the letter,” narrated Nyamidzi.

He added:

“The charges were raised because I was against the decision to dismiss the programmes manager. I was called few minutes ago by a reliable source from the board, they are doing this to frustrate my efforts to stand for justice however I will not be intimidated. They are doing this so that we cannot hold an urgent general meeting.”

Tsungirirai Orphanage Centre is a registered Private Voluntary Organisation, it was registered in 1996.

HOSPAZ is a national membership body, registered in Zimbabwe in 1999 as a private voluntary organisation. It has over 120 members and affiliates.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)’s Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation (Private) Limited (Zamco), is reeling under pressure to find investors after absorbing multi-million dollar Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) from the banking sector.

This development comes at a time when the RBZ has suspended four senior officials on Monday over allegations of graft. The suspended officials are Mirirai Chiremba, Norman Mataruka, Gresham Muradzikwa and Azvinandawa Saburi.

The allegations were raised by controversial politician Acie Lumumba.

Zamco, an arm of the RBZ, was established in July 2014 as part of measures to deal with problem of rising NPLs in the banking sector. It has the specific mandate of resolving the NPLs of banking institutions through their acquirement, restructuring and disposal.

In a document seen by The Mail & Telegraphdated January 2018, Zamco listed various corporations as “available investment opportunities” as it attempts to attract investors through the purchase of company equity, provision of working capital or partake in “distressed debt investments.”

The NPLs stemmed from across all sectors of the economy.

According to the document in our possession, the agro-processing sector has eight private companies in need of investment. These include, major cotton producer Cottco, sugar refinery entity Star Africa, Border Timbers and food manufacturer Cairns.

Both the State-owned Cold Storage Company and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority are two of at least 30 cases whereby investment was sought in all three forms.

In the manufacturing sectors, State-owned Chemplex Corporation and Willowvale Mazda Motors Industry, are also listed as seeking all three forms of investment along with private companies Siemssen Maunder, Superior Holdings, Spring Products, Craitin Chemicals, Henlow Distributors, Kenrose Filters and Manpac.

Turnall Holdings is the only private manufacturing company that did not require investment in the form of equity.

In the mining sector, seven companies are listed including Rio-Zim, Hwange Colliery, Lancashire Steel and the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

In the textile industry all three companies listed, Munchville Investments, David Whitehead Textiles and Sikomwe Investments are in need of all forms of investment.

All three companies listed in the education sector are seeking debt relief, as are all five companies listed under construction and property development. These include, TLP Agencies, Bitumen Construction and the Lovemore Kurotwi owned Cornway College.

14 private companies in energy, transport, tourism and hospitality, poultry, distribution, retail and service industries are also listed, further highlighting how widespread economic challenges are in Zimbabwe.

In February this year it was reported NPLs dropped significantly to 7,08 percent at the end of 2017, compared to 20,5 percent in 2015.

Although Zamco has provided financial stability for the banking sector, it seems have contributed less to the country’s economy as a whole.

In an interview an economist who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the creation of Zamco had the unintended result of banks being weary to offer some loans to potential clients.

“Zamco did not take the unsecured debt it only took over the secured debt and that also created another problem in the sense that banks are no longer happy to take any unsecured debt in the event they need to sell to Zamco,” he said.

The economist also said Zamco would be hard pressed to find investors especially if they lacked the skill required to draw investors.

“Certainly Zamco will require investment banking experience, to look for equity partners, to look for loan partners, I doubt if they have got those skills.

“I also doubt if they have the credit assessment skills as I am not sure about how they did the taking over some of those [loans], some of them may not be credit worthy,” he said.

Referring to the companies listed as in need of investment, the economist said some business ventures were essentially incompatible to certain investment models.

“When it comes to the farms for example, how do you get an investor on someone’s farm? It is almost impossible because you would have to share a lot of things, like the infrastructure, you would be taking over outstanding [electricity] bills, water bills so that does not work,” he added.

He said Zamco had to prioritise the recovery of those companies over seeking short term gains in order to boost the Zimbabwe economy.

“They just missed the point because they are trying to maximise their profit instead of facilitating the re-opening of those businesses or even the resuscitation of those farms so as to create jobs [and] facilitate GDP growth,” he said.

Investors will only be harder to find especially with prospects being dampened by Lumumba’s accusations which have ostensibly kicked a hornet’s nest.

The fact that his allegations against the four senior RBZ official warranted action from the RBZ boss John Mangudya have highlighted the instability at the central bank.

Lumumba used the social media to attack the four and claiming they were part of a criminal “cartel” headed by an unnamed “Queen Bee.”

-Mail and Telegraph

Paul Nyathi|The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr. John Mangudya has released an update on the issue of the four senior directors who were suspended at the central bank after allegations of corruption and involvement in the foreign currency black market.

The allegations were made by former Finance Ministry Communications Taskforce Chairperson Acie Lumumba before he was fired.

We publish the statement in full below:

SUSPENSION OF SENIOR RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE OFFICIALS PENDING INVESTIGATIONS

Further to the Press Statement issued on 23 October 2015, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the “Bank”) wishes to advise members of the public that the Bank’s Board of Directors is seized with the matter and has directed its Audit and Oversight Committee to urgently look into the issue.

The Committee has been tasked to immediately work in conjunction with internal auditors and other stakeholders to investigate the matter.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, the public will be apprised of the outcome in the interest of transparency and good governance.

John Panonetsa Mangudya
25 October 2018

VIDEO

Authorities have laid misconduct charges against a prison officer, who allegedly attended an opposition political party rally ahead of the country’s harmonised elections.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) have summoned John Mahlabera, who is employed as a prison officer at Chiredzi Prison in Masvingo province, to appear before a disciplinary hearing on Thursday 01 November 2018 after charging him with contravening section 3 (46) of Prisons (Staff) (Disciplinary) Regulations 1984 that is being guilty of any other act, conduct, disorder or neglect of duty to the prejudice of good conduct or discipline as read with section (19) (a-g) of Staff General Regulations 1968.

According to a charge sheet served on Mahlabera, ZPCS authorities alleged that the 36 year-old prison officer unlawfully and intentionally participated in active politics when he attended an MDC Alliance party rally, which was held at Tshovani Stadium in Chiredzi
in Masvingo province on 10 June 2018, where he was invited to the podium by MDC-Alliance party leader Nelson Chamisa, who then introduced him to the opposition political party supporters.

ZPCS charged that Mahlabera was promised employment by Chamisa, where he would work as a security detail for the opposition political party leader in the event that he emerged the winner of the harmonised elections that were held on 30 July 2018.

ZPCS said Mahlabera had no right whatsoever to conduct himself in the manner he did.

Mahlabera will also answer to charges of undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa through posting some political comments on social media.

According to ZPCS, Mahlabera unlawfully made some political comments on his Twitter account after an MDC-Alliance party rally held at Jerera Growth Point in Zaka in Masvingo province which was addressed by Chamisa, where he allegedly posted a message, which reads; “Come to Chiredzi my president”.

ZPCS said by posting such a message on Twitter, Mahlabera contravened section 3(1) of the Prisons (Staff) (Discipline) Regulations 1984 for using traitorous or disloyal words regarding the leader of government and had showed loyalty to Chamisa and disloyalty to President Mnangagwa.

Nine witnesses will testify against Mahlabera during the disciplinary hearing proceedings to be conducted on Thursday 01 November 2018 at Chiredzi Prison, where the prison officer will be represented by Collen Maboke and Blessing Nyamaropa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Authorities in Zimbabwe say the country’s economic crisis has resulted in an acute shortage of essential medical drugs.

Officials say the shortage has pushed some people to turn to the black market for medicines, some of which are not certified by the drug control authority.

For nearly 10 years now, Lena Lukwani has been taking five different types of medication to ease her diabetes and hypertension.

The 77-year-old Lukwani said she used to pay about $50 for her medication, but says the situation has become dire in the past few months, with prices doubling. She says some drugs are in short supply.

“These days it is difficult,” Lukwani said. “Out of the five I only got two; it has been like that for two months. So I have been limiting my diet — especially starch. I am blessed because of the children I have, but that is not the same for my colleagues who are also diabetic and are hypertensive.”

Her seven children living around the globe managed to send her medication that was not readily available for three months.

Otherwise, Lukwani said, she would have continued on her controlled diet or turned to the black market for help.

Shingai Gwatidzo is the spokesperson of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.

“A lot of people try and take advantage of the current situation,” Gwatidzo said. “You have a lot of unregulated markets that are coming up; those medicines are being smuggled into the country, we have not tested to see if they are safe. So one will be taking a risk in buying medicines on the streets.”

Portifa Mwendera, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe, acknowledges the health sector is failing to import enough antibiotics as well as drugs for ailments such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

“The drug situation is pretty dire currently,” Mwendera said. “Our main worry is that if the prevailing situation continues, we get more complications in our patients. And we might actually lose some patients. What is propped up — which is more worrying — is the parallel market for medicines. We are seeing a lot of people advertising that they can sell and send medication into Zimbabwe.”

On a number of occasions, police and vendors with medicines have engaged in street battles in Harare, only to see the vendors back on the streets the next day.

The vendors argue that they have no other source of income and if the market has demand, they will remain in business by importing the drugs from neighboring countries.

-VOA

Arts representatives have hailed the government crackdown on street vendors saying it is in a way helping in the fight against piracy as this action has chased away pirates off streets.

They have urged recording labels to take advantage of the crackdown on vendors, and set up record bars in the streets to enhance easy availability of CDs.

Of late, the government has been driving vendors away from the bustling streets of major towns and cities, a move that has created demand for CDs on the streets.

Festival director Chido Musasiwa-Gutu applauded government’s efforts on bringing sanity to the streets.

“It’s a necessary evil. The city was no longer what it used to be at all.

“Vendors were benefitting at the expense of people who were paying rentals, therefore causing chaos in the market.

“However, the blitz is not going to stop the CDs black market considering there are no record stores in cities to curb the demand for CDs.

“We need to formalise sales of CDs so that the artistes and record stores will all benefit,” Musasiwa-Gutu said.

The most visible official CD seller in town is Diamond Studios through their mobile store (van).

Playwright Sylvanos Mudzvova concurred with Musasiwa-Gutu on the issue of record stores.

“Removing vendors from the streets will create demand for CDs but unfortunately arts marketing companies are not strategically positioned to cover this gap,” Mudzvova said.

“Removing vendors from the streets without banning the duplication of the CDs will not change anything.

“The CD vendors are very mobile and they will do door to door marketing in townships.

“We need legislation that criminalises the duplication and sale of CDs. In Nigeria no individuals are allowed to import blank CDs which in turn protects both artistes and marketing companies.”

Jive Zimbabwe director Benjamin Nyandoro who also runs Padziva joint had this to say: “Anything unlawful must not be condoned. Excuses on what do we do then, we want to survive can be equated to a theft justified for livelihood.

“Piracy is daylight robbery of artistic hard work. I believe this will go a long way in reducing piracy but, more importantly, it is the attitude of the consumer that matters most.”

Zimbabwe Musicians Union chairperson Edith WeUtonga had this to say: “As long as we don’t have legislative approach to this, piracy will not be minimised and neither will it be finished.”

-Daily News

A British citizen paralysed from the neck down faces life in Scotland without his wife of 32 years after a Home Office ruling.

David Connolly’s wife Carin has been told she must return to her native Zimbabwe.

She is David’s full-time carer as well as his partner and he cannot imagine how he would cope without her.

But he now faces having to chose between staying in Scotland without Carin – or moving to Zimbabwe with her, where they have no home or access to medical care.

David, 57, said: “It is absolutely devastating. How can the Home Office be so cold and so cruel?”

Carin, 59, added: “After 32 years of marriage, this is what they do to us. It is cold. The Home Office are showing our life together means nothing.

“What’s the world coming to when this situation can be allowed to happen? I know if I go back there, I’m not coming back.”

David and Carin live with their son, an oil and gas worker, in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

Carin has been her husband’s carer since he was disabled in a car accident in 1984.

He relies on her to help him cope with day-to-day living and complex health needs.

In a heartbreaking letter, David wrote: “I have been unwell the past six months and confined to bed.

“I have been admitted to hospital several times – blood transfusion, colonoscopy, gastroscopy – and have had daily wound dressings at home by district nurses since January.

“If this were to happen to me in Zimbabwe, then it could have been extremely serious indeed. I cannot go back.

“My wife has been the bedrock of my life. I would be utterly devastated if she could not provide this.

“Spouses are not meant to be separated. To seek to separate us is cruel and inhumane.”

David’s dad Alexander was born in Cheltenham, Essex and served in the RAF. He moved to South Africa, married and put down roots. The family moved to what was then colonial Rhodesia and built up a vehicle repair business.

Paralysed David Connolly is faced with living alone or joining wife Carin in Zimbabwe with no medical care
David was born in Zimbabwe and qualifies for British citizenship through his dad.

He went to technical college and began a successful career in mining, meeting Carin in 1982.

They married in 19896 and moved to Botswana for work, while the collapsing economy of Zimbabwe wiped out their pensions and savings.

The couple settled in Scotland just over a year ago.

Neither David nor Carin, who takes medication for high blood pressure, have been in Zimbabwe for 10 years.

Their immigration lawyer believed the case for Carin to get a spousal visa to live in the UK was cast iron. But the couple fell victim to the Tories’ “hostile environment” for immigration.

David and Carin have now enlisted the support of their local SNP MSP, Gillian Martin to help fight their case.

The Aberdeenshire East MSP said: “I will do everything I can to support Mr and Mrs Connolly to overturn this frankly disgraceful and distressing decision made by the Home Office to rip a family apart.

David Connolly, who is paralysed from the neck down, pictured with wife Carin and son Marcus in 2011.

“Time and time again, the Home Office make these sort of rubber-stamp decisions rather than looking at the issue on a case-by-base basis.

“Mr Connolly is a British citizen and has been married to his partner for more than 30 years.

“Not only is Mrs Connolly his wife but she is his permanent carer looking after him day in and day out, providing him both physical and emotional support.

“I am calling for the Home Office to overturn this horrendous decision as soon as possible.”
Carin is due to appeal against the Home Office decision at a tribunal in Glasgow next month.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Mrs Connolly’s case is subject to an ongoing appeal and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment.”

– DailyReport

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared war on banks reportedly linked to a cartel behind illegal currency activities and the chaos in the economy, it has been learnt.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya on Monday suspended four senior officials on suspicion that they were behind the flooding of foreign currency and ordinarily cash on the black market.

Now Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption drive has been activated, with the special anti-corruption unit set by the President and operating under the National Prosecuting Authority reportedly being tasked to investigate institutions allegedly linked to the scam.

“The banks have some explaining to do.

These transactions were done through banks and it should be very easy to trace them.

The banks received money from the RBZ purportedly on behalf of their clients, now it’s time they prove how it was disbursed,” an official said.

Mangudya yesterday confirmed an investigation was underway at the RBZ, but would not be drawn into saying much amid claims there is a push for a forensic audit.

“We issued a statement and we stick to that. There is an investigation underway, maybe your sources are confusing that with a forensic audit. They are similar but different,” Mangudya said.

He said contrary to social media speculations, the RBZ board had been briefed about the suspension of the top central bank officials.

“I do not want to deal in fake news. It seems some people have more information than I have. But I can tell you that indeed the board was informed of the suspensions,” the RBZ chief said.

-Newsday

Own Correspondent|A PLUMTREE man collapsed and died at a shopping centre in Plumtree when he found out that a shop had run out of his favourite beer.

Ntumbu Ndlovu ( 90) of Hungwe Village in Ndolwane area under Chief Masendu collapsed a stones’ throw away from Zitha General Dealer after he allegedly found out that they did not have his favourite beer.

Sources said Ndlovu had left home at around 5pm, and gone to his niece’s homestead who stays in the same village to collect his groceries which he had left there.

A family member who identified herself as Ethel Tshuma said the deceased was a habitual drinker and loved Ingwebu opaque beer. She said he had no health problems except for the fact that he was advanced in age.

“Ndlovu got to Cingo Business Centre on his way to Sithandekile Tshuma’s homestead, his niece. He passed by the shops to buy beer but discovered that the shop keeper did not have it in stock. He left the shop in a rush but collapsed and died about 50 metres from the entrance,” said Tshuma.

“He was advanced in age but he was still physically fit and could do a number of household manly duties without much difficulty. He loved to walk to the shops, buy a beer and walk back home and drink it under a shade. On rare occasions, he would join other old men and drink at the shops,” she said.

The shopkeeper, whom sources only identified as MaMoyo, allegedly did not notice that Ndlovu had collapsed outside until he was seen by a passer-by.

The deceased was discovered by a local villager, MaNgwenya, who at that time assumed that he was just unconscious.

She looked for help at the shops and word was sent to the traditional leaders.

The headman allegedly came to the scene and a police report was made.

He was found lying face down with his hand still clutching his walking stick.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has congratulated Vapostori veAfrica founder, Bishop Paul Mwazha on his centenary birthday.

Posting on Twitter this morning, Chamisa said “Happy birthday to the Teacher, Bishop Paul Mwazha, a General in the FAITH who turns 100 years today having been born at Chirumanzu on the 25th of October 1918. God has used Bishop Mwazha mightily to bring many to salvation.God bless you Mudzidzisi!!

Mwazha was born on the 25th of October in 1918 and is sensationally referred by his followers as “Mutumwa” a title which can be equated to Apostle due to his type of message which is said to be teaching oriented.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has welcomed the amendment of SI122 saying it allows ordinary people to access affordable goods from neighbouring countries.

CCZ executive director, Ms Rosemary Siyachitema said they had advocated for the opening of the borders so that consumers could get goods that were in short supply.

“We advocated for the opening of the borders after the challenge of empty shelves and high prices for basics commodities.

People could no longer afford basics such as cooking oil. Through the opening of the borders, prices can go down because of competition,” said Ms Siyachitema.

“Christmas is around the corner so we hope this temporary measure will improve food supplies. People do not want to be stressed with high prices or food shortages during the festive season,” she said.

Ms Siyachitema said the reprieve will allow Government to look into the real causes of the current shortages.

-State Media

A BULAWAYO man dragged his wife to court demanding maintenance for their three children.

Mr Marlon Chipudla is claiming $75 for the upkeep of their three children whom Elodia Chipudla allegedly dumped after she found a temporary job at a local bar.

“My wife left me and I am taking care of the children. She is always at work but contributes nothing towards the upkeep of our children.

“I’m a security guard at Nokel security, my salary is not sufficient to cater for all the bills and also pay school fees for the kids,” said Mr Chipudla.

Mr Chipudla said his wife earns about $150.

“With all the money she earns, I wonder why she is finding it difficult to help me take care of the children,” he said.

Mrs Chipudla told the court that she earns $80 and can therefore not afford what her husband is demanding. “I cannot offer anything because the money Iam earning is little and again I am not permanently employed,” she said

The magistrate Ms Ulukile Mlea asked Mr Chipudla to bring his wife’s payslip to court.

The matter was postponed to today.

State Media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has finally given the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance the greenlight to hold its long-awaited 19th anniversary celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare this Saturday.

Police have twice stopped the celebrations last month, citing a cholera outbreak amid claims by the opposition party that the government was blocking the event fearing that it would be used to stage a mock inauguration for Chamisa who narrowly lost to President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the July 30 presidential poll.

On Wednesday, Chamisa threatened to defy a police ban and go ahead with his anniversary where he promised fireworks.

He also alleged that Zanu PF was running scared and trying to put spanners into their anniversary celebrations.

In a letter dated October 23, Harare South district police boss a Superintendent Chiroodza gave a litany of conditions to the anniversary.

“Your notification to hold the meeting has been noted subject to the strict observation of the following instructions,” the letter read in part.

“You are expected to control the behaviour of your political party members before, during and after the celebrations.

“You should not alter the venue and time of your celebrations and should confine themselves to Gwanzura Stadium only and no other place.

Your political members shall not intimidate passers-by and those who have nothing to do with your celebrations.”

Chiroodza also said the MDC Alliance should not block the thoroughfares and roads around the venue of the celebrations.

“Your members shall not be involved in toyi-toying, convoying of motor vehicles of people chanting, singing and disseminating hateful and defaming speeches,” the police boss said.

Among other conditions, police asked the MDC Alliance marshals to dress in uniforms easier to identify and ensure there would be peace throughout.

Police also asked for co-operation with government agencies and that no dangerous weapons must be carried to the venue.

They also asked that there be no intruders at the venue and that in the event of violence, Rhino Mashaya, who was cited as the convener and party’s organising secretary Amos Chibaya will be held accountable.

-Newsday

Correspondent|Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (Galz) will bankroll a scholarship program that will take members of the lesbians, gays, bisexual transgender and intersex (LGBT) community enrolling for higher education.

The organisation has started receiving applications from potential students across the country for next year’s first semester.

In an interview the GALZ national Director Chasterfield Samba, said they want to help the under privileged members of the LGBT community.

“It will be a five year project that provides equal access to education within the LGBT community; we have noted that many of members who are financially incapable of paying for school fees are shunned by the community because of their sexuality. We will also add
those of transgender sexuality on the program.

Besides their sexuality, LGBT people do have capacity and can do the same or even better than those who are said to be ‘normal’. We have to give a helping hand to them, our first group’s number will be guided by the response we will get from applicants and as time goes on we will add the numbers” he said.

The scholarship programmes will cater for food, tuition, accommodation, stationery, transportation among other expenses that are incurred during their studies.

Students will enrol in local state universities from the beginning of the coming semester, next year.

Samba said they will closely look and vet the applicants so that they curb misrepresentation and chancers.

“We will develop a strict criterion to pick our students. There might be chancers who will misrepresent their sexuality because they want a scholarship, we will come up with measure to get the right people for the platform,” Samba said.

Galz regional co-ordinator Tadios Munyimani echoed the same sentiments with Samba.

“Education is for everyone and members of the LGBT should not be sidelined, those who are failing to advance with their studies should be helped to achieve their goals, and we expect them to come back and plough back into the LGBT community,” Munyimani said.

M&T

ZANU PF officials are plotting to take President Emmerson Mnangagwa head-on in today’s central committee meeting regarding the country’s worsening economic situation which has left them under pressure from their constituents who want answers to the crisis.

Mnangagwa will preside over politburo and central committee meetings amid a deepening economic crisis characterised by inflated prices of goods as well as shortages of fuel, cooking oil and other basic goods triggered by an acute shortage of foreign currency.

Coming soon after Mnangagwa’s narrow electoral victory over opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, the crisis has left Zanu PF and government at loggerheads on how to resolve the problems.

The economic crisis has also left the party under pressure from the opposition party which still insists Mnangagwa is being haunted by legitimacy crisis after the controversial July 30 polls, whose results were deemed “unverifiable” and “untraceable” by the European Union Election Observation Mission in its final report two weeks ago.

Some central committee members who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity said they were under pressure from their constituencies seeking to know if there was a way out of the crisis.

“Seriously, we have come to the point where everyone is blaming us for what is happening. People are saying we are now degenerating into the 2008 chaos and I think they are justified to say that,” said a central committee member who refused to be named.

“What we need now is to provide answers. We need clear-cut assurances on how the government is planning to move us out of this crisis.

“We need to have answers for the people and if there was going to be an opportunity without being labelled as attacking leadership, the majority of the central committee members will take the leadership to task,” the member added. Wheels came off after new Finance minister Mthuli Ncube introduced the Transitional Stabilisation Programme on the same day the central bank issued a midterm monetary policy statement that introduced foreign currency nostro accounts and a 2% tax on electronic transactions that triggered a wave of price hikes.

Since then, the crisis has been deepening each day, raising fears that the country could be retracing its 2008 footsteps that saw it hit world inflation records.

The crisis has left the majority of Zanu PF officials exposed to pressure from the opposition and the general public who now doubt Mnangagwa’s ability to steer the country out of the quagmire.

Zanu PF s secretary for administration Obert Mpofu yesterday said those that want to raise the issue must freely do so and have the matter deliberated on.
“If they want answers, they can raise the issues at the meeting,” Mpofu said.

“That is the purpose of the meetings and that is where people are allowed to deliberate on issues of concern and if they have those issues, they are free to raise them. It may not necessarily be on the agenda, but if they mentioned that to you, we will listen to what they have to say,” he said.

Asked if there would not be any form of reprisals for openly challenging the leadership on the crisis, Mpofu said Mnangagwa was a listening President and the meeting was convened to have issues discussed.

“Zanu PF is a very democratic party and our President is a listening President and listens to everything that members raise and that they know. If there are issues that they want to raise to the attention of the party, I am sure this is the opportunity that they have,” he said.

Mpofu, however, refused to discuss the agenda of the meeting, saying it was the prerogative of Mnangagwa.
-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| The High Court has overturned an irrational decision by Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), which had barred a 15 year-old teenager from sitting and writing her Ordinary Level examinations.

ZIMSEC had barred Shelter Chisiri, a minor aged 15 years, from sitting and writing her November 2018 Ordinary Level examinations after demanding that the minor should be in possession of an Identity Document, or Passport, or Driver’s licence bearing her picture (as per ZIMSEC requirements) if she was to write her November 2018 Ordinary
Level examinations. Shelter was unable to secure these documents in time for her examinations which were scheduled to begin on 15 October 2018.

This compelled her mother Winnifrida Chisiri to seek the services of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) as she feared that her child might not write her Ordinary Level examinations due to ZIMSEC’s stringent requirements.

ZLHR through its lawyer Denford Halimani petitioned the High Court on Thursday 11 October 2018 by filing an urgent chamber application seeking an order to suspend ZIMSEC’s decision, which was described as irrational.

In her application, Winnifrida argued that Shelter was not in possession of any identity document as she is a minor who hasn’t turned 16 years and as a matter of policy she could not be issued with such a document by the Registrar-General. Winnifrida also stated that
Shelter had applied for a passport in September 2018, which was not yet issued and therefore she could not produce a passport at the time of writing her examinations.

Winnifrida argued that ZIMSEC’s decision is discriminatory as it does not apply to other minors who are not attending private schools and violates the minor child’s rights to education and administrative justice.

She also submitted that barring Shelter from writing her examinations would be unjust and would seriously prejudice her prospects in life.

This resulted in High Court Judge Justice Davison Foroma granting the order sought by Winnifrida and suspended ZIMSEC’s decision to bar Shelter from sitting and writing her November 2018 Ordinary Level examinations and also ordered that Shelter is entitled to sit and write her Ordinary Level examinations for November 2018 at a local private college upon the mere production of her birth certificate.

By Paul Nyathi| Steward Bank gave Zimbabweans a light hearted moment when they posted on social microblogging site Twitter 1% of $10 is $1, while explaining a transactional error to one of its customers on twitter.

This came after one, Daniel Richards complained that the bank had robbed him of his dollar while he was doing a bank to wallet transfer to which the bank replied saying 1% of $10 is actually $1.

Richards tweeted that the bank had robbed him on a post below.

DANIEL RICHARDS‏ @PRIVATEDANIELS OCT 20
“NHAI AMANA NDIONEREIWO KUBIRWA KWANDIRIKUITWA NE STEWARD BANK SHUWA VANDIROVA $1 PA $10 BANK TO WALLET KWAHI ITS 1% OF $10.”

Steward Bank then replied saying 1% of $10 is $1, which made the twitter world to mock and criticise the banking sector in this age of said “disappearing savings.”

THE TWITTER COMMUNITY BUSTED UP AND CRITICISED STEWARD BANK’S EMPLOYEES SAYING THEY ARE MISFITS ON THE JOB.

CHANDIDAI‏ @WAIZWI OCT 20

REPLYING TO @WAMAGAISA @PRIVATEDANIELS AND 5 OTHERS

THIS IS EMBARRASSING FOR A BANK @STEWARDBANK RECTIFY THIS SOONEST, ZVINONYADZISA. WHO EMPLOYED THIS PERSON BEHIND THE HANDLE AT STEWARDBANK? HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE LOST THEIR MONEY THROUGH THIS GLARING MISCALCULATION BY THE BANK? SHAME ON YOU @STEWARDBANK

A twitter account belonging to someone named Last Mhizha also said one of his relatives once lost US$100 in his Steward Bank account.

LAST MHIZHA‏ @LLASTMHIZHA1LAS OCT 20

REPLYING TO @WAMAGAISA @PRIVATEDANIELS AND 5 OTHERS

BAMUNINI VANGU VAKASIYAUS$100 MUACCNT VAKAWANA MUSISINA KUSTEWART IKOKU BT UKANZWA RICHI ADVATISIWA SOO.

One Miss Vee said that the situation was not good because one will have to monitor and cross check his balance every time they make transactions.

MISS VEE‏ @VIMWANNITA OCT 20

MANJE SO , WE NEED TO BE VERIFYING EVERY TRANSACTION KANA ZVADAI, @STEWARDBANK MUSADARO

Steward Bank then later apologised and admitted that it was an error but it was rather too late as the news was all over social media platforms.

STEWARD BANK‏VERIFIED ACCOUNT @STEWARDBANK OCT 20

REPLYING TO @PRIVATEDANIELS @263CHAT AND 5 OTHERS

TINE UROMBO NE ERROR YATAITA. 1% OF 10 IS $0.10 . TINOKUMBIRA MUTITUMIRE ACCOUNT NUMBER YENYU TITARISE KUTI MABVISIRWA $1 RECHII. GM

But, they are not alone.

In 2017 Sibongile Mani, a South African student, received a staggering R14 million (£850 000) from National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

THE Labour Court has ordered the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Paul Mavima, to immediately reinstate a Kezi school headmaster who was recently fired for resisting to be transferred.

Mr Ezekiel Hleza, who was a headmaster at Tshelanyemba High School in Matobo district, was fired in January this year after defying an order by the ministry to transfer him to Siyoka Secondary School in Beitbridge district.

The ruling by Bulawayo Labour Court judge Justice Mercy Moya-Matshanga follows an application for review by Mr Hleza through his lawyer, Mr Edson Matika of Munyaradzi Gwisai and Partners, challenging the decision by his superiors to transfer him.

In papers before the court, Prof Mavima and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) were cited as respondents.

Justice Moya-Matshanga ruled that the decision of the respondents was unlawful and unjustified. She set aside the transfer and ordered the respondents to immediately reinstate Mr Hleza to his post.

“It is hereby ordered that the application for review be and is hereby granted. The decision by the respondents to transfer the applicant to Siyoka Secondary School be and is hereby set aside. The notice of discharge of applicant from service by the respondents be and is hereby set aside,” ruled Justice Moya-Matshanga.

In his grounds of appeal, Mr Hleza argued that his transfer and subsequent discharge from the civil service was unlawful, unjustified and an act of victimisation by his superiors. He said his employers did not act in good faith when they discharged him from service, arguing that he was not furnished with reasons for the transfer, which was done at short notice.

The respondents, through the Attorney-General’s Office, argued that section 13 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, Statutory Instrument 1 of 2000 states that a member may at any time be transferred by the commission or a delegated authority from the post which he occupies to any other post in the public service whether the post is inside or outside Zimbabwe.

However, sub-section 3 (a) of section 13 of the Public Service Commission Regulations states that the transfer should be planned to minimise discomfort on the part of the member concerned and his family and should be notified timeously to the member concerned who shall be provided with all necessary information relating to the transfer.

The acting provincial education director for Matabeleland South, Mr Lifias Masukume, argued that the transfer was in line with the Public Service Regulations.

The transfer was followed by a cessation of salary notice and subsequently a discharge letter.

The letter stated that the transfer was supposed to be with immediate effect and Mr Hleza was to assume duty at the new station the following day on January 23.

Justice Moya-Matshanga said in dismissing Mr Hleza, the respondents failed to comply with section 13 (3) of the Public Service Commission Regulations.

“The applicant was notified on 22 January to report to another school in another district the following day. The reason for the transfer is not disclosed.

“The discomfort he would suffer together with his family was not considered,” she said.

“In short the transfer was not planned at all and it would appear there was an element of urgency and secretiveness because first of all somebody was brought to replace the applicant unbeknown to him and he was given 24 hours to uproot himself, his family and property at his expense to a far flung district.”

The judge said section 13 (4) provides that no transfer shall be used as a punitive measure except pursuant to the disciplinary procedures.

Mr Hleza said he was shocked when a new headmaster, Mr Ngoneni Moyo, was deployed to his school on January 15, a few days before his transfer, to replace him.

“As if that was not enough, on 2 February 2018, our client was served with a notice of cessation of salary and threats of disciplinary action being taken against him. The cessation of salary was to take effect by February 5, 2018,” said Mr Matika.

State Media