The Harare Central Hospital is facing a plethora of challenges owing to the unavailability of money and human resources to efficiently run one of the country’s biggest referral centres.

Speaking during a familiarisation tour by the Health Service Board (HBS), hospital chief executive Nyasha Masuka said the institution usually depended on locum nurses, but they were now reluctant to come due to non-payment of their services.

Masuka cited the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which has one nurse serving four patients instead of a ratio of 1:1.

“This is a 1 000 (bed) hospital, we should be having 150 patients in ICU not the 15 we have at the moment. Some ICU patients are currently being taken care of in wards,” Masuka said.

Almost every port of call during the tour had the same concerns, shortage of staff, unavailability of drugs and other requisite equipment, a situation which Masuka said has been the norm for some time.

A casualty officer at the children’s wing said staff shortages have become unbearable as one officer has to manage a number of areas with high volumes alone, especially during the morning shift.

“We attend to an average of 50 patients each morning and this is a big load for the officer on duty as they also have to attend to the cholera patients, something which borders on infection control, rendering it poor,” a doctor at the children’s wing said.

The hospital has not been spared the current drug shortages with patients being forced to look for supplies on their own.

At the moment, there are no intravenous (IV) antibiotics, cannulas, painkillers as well as other necessary drugs, leaving the hospital with no option, but to turn away patients without proper treatment or to tell them to provide for themselves.

HSB chairperson Paulinus Sikhosana said the situation at the hospital was bad and demotivating to health personnel.

“One of the demotivating factors is the work environment, it affects the nurses more than the remuneration. We were in Mutare recently, the issues are similar, workers are frustrated that the tools of the trade are inadequate,” he said.

NewsDay

A ground-breaking ceremony for a Norton-based tile manufacturing company which was to be presided over by Vice President Kembo Mohadi last Friday had to be postponed indefinitely after it emerged that the Chinese-owned company had no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate.

Norton Constituency legislator Temba Mliswa was the first to raise the red flag, forcing the vice president to put the programme on ice until the tile-manufacturer — Sunny Yi Feng Zimbabwe — had complied with all the requirements.

Mliswa also told the Daily News the intended site for the factory was part of Norton’s prime agricultural land, adding that it was being suspected that senior military officials were linked to the project.

The Norton legislator also alleged that he was being pressured to sign forms relating to the acquisition of the EIA certificate.

In a letter of concern to Aaron Chigona, the director-general of the Environmental Management Agency (Ema), Mliswa requested for clarification regarding Sunny Yi Feng’s compliance with due processes, or if such compliance had not been met.

He also requested that the tile manufacturer’s ground-breaking ceremony be set aside pending compliance.

Mliswa’s query was copied to Mohadi and Environment and Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira, among other officials.

“In my role of oversight as a legislator, it came to my notice that a certain Chinese company was planning to open a ceramic tile factory on a piece of prime agricultural land,” Mliswa said.

He took up the issue with Ema who blocked the Chinese-owned company from launching their factory.

Ema established that the ceramic tile manufacturer had not done an EIA which is a prerequisite for setting up a manufacturing plant anywhere in Zimbabwe.

EMA’s public relations manager, Steady Kangata said the application from the Chinese tile company was only received last week Thursday.

“The application was received on Thursday, 18 October. On the whole, the process is supposed to be balanced; while the investor is pushing for economic gain, the project should be socially acceptable and environmentally friendly.

“The process should be validated by various stakeholders, including the Constitution legislator, in this case Mliswa; he should be in the know of what is happening in his area.”

Mliswa argued that over the years many Chinese companies have embarked on business operations in the country without proper compliance with the environmental impact on their operations in the community; a situation that has resulted in extreme cases of degradation.

The consultant for the Chinese company, Ngana Chaima told the Daily News that construction has already begun and the project is expected to create about 1 700 jobs in Norton.

“We couldn’t go ahead with the ground-breaking ceremony on Friday because of the letter he (Mliswa) wrote to EMA. We had applied and paid a month ago but the certificate was not availed. We don’t know what pressure he is talking about, clearly politics is at play here. He is out of the country and we haven’t been able to talk to him,” said Chaima.

“There is no military involvement in this company, it is purely Chinese and we shall be selling in Zimbabwe and southern Africa. It is frustrating; the ceremony was cancelled on Thursday afternoon, a day before the official launch.”

Contacted for comment, Mupfumira said Ema only received the Chinese investor’s application last week and it had not been given any special treatment.

“I don’t know who is pressuring him (Mliswa), maybe he might help us. If it’s someone from Ema I need the name. I know the application was only received last week and it is due to go through the same processes as any other application.

“The application came late, yet the process involves recommendations by various stakeholders, including the legislator of the area,” she said.

“I did not know about Friday’s ceremony, I don’t know about the military involvement. I only got to know about this application when Mliswa brought the matter to my
attention.”

Minister of State in Mohadi’s office, Davis Marapira said it was unreasonable to frustrate investors in a context where Zimbabwe is in dire need of foreign investment.

“We are not aware of any pressure that has been exerted on Mliswa. If there is such a project that is going to create jobs for the people we have to embrace it; the project is set to provide the much-needed foreign direct investment. Why should we make matters difficult for investors who want to come aboard?” said Marapira.

“We are not aware of military elements within the firm, all I know is that we are looking for investors; this company wants to produce tiles which we can’t.

“Like any other company, it cannot start operations without satisfying Ema requirements. The bottom line, however, is that we are not supposed to be frustrating investors, especially when our unemployment rate is so high.”

Mliswa said the perception among ordinary Zimbabweans was that many businesses owned by the Chinese nationals do not comply with due process.

He said the Chinese tend to use their close proximity to top government officials as a cover to circumvent due processes and scrutiny.

The lawmaker noted that there were many Chinese-owned businesses that have ensured compliance with the country’s laws and procedures.

“Whilst many Chinese companies are genuine and comply with due procedure, the perception is that many don’t; as indeed was discovered with this particular tile company.

“Rumour has it the company has military involvement, (although) that’s yet to be proved but it’s no passport to non-compliance.

“Government shouldn’t be used to rubberstamp what’s not procedural,” he said.

-Daily News

Paul Nyathi|The ZBC has suspended without pay its head of news and current affairs, Tazzen Mandizvidza.

The ZBC said Mandizvidza had failed to honour an out of court settlement reached in 2015 in which the journalist, then on suspension, was to be re-instated and in return he would reimburse the state broadcaster over $1 million lost in bad financial transactions made under his watch.

In a letter dated October 23, the ZBC CEO Patrick Mavhura said the board had noted that the out-of-court settlement to recover $1,083,000 million had “yielded no results”.

“Given the gravity of the matter and the failure to make headway despite numerous endeavours to engage you by the board of directors, you are hereby placed on leave without pay and benefits with immediate effect pending determination of the issues that have arisen as a result of your acts of omission or commission which have prejudiced the corporation ,” Mavhura said in the letter.

Mandizvidza is barred from entering the ZBC premises except by prior arrangement. He was also ordered to hand in company property, including a vehicle.

Among other things, Mandizvidza reportedly owes ZBC money for irregular increment of his pay, double dipping on housing allowance, unauthorised accompanying of delegates on trips, irregular payment for a trip to India and irregular bereavement expenses.

The State-owned broadcaster, which has been drowning in debt for years, lost millions after several executives, including Mandizvidza, helped themselves to properties in Harare’s posh neighbourhoods on company-backed mortgages while continuing to collect housing allowances from ZBC.

THE Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council has urged women in Zimbabwe not to panic as it has enough contraceptives in stock.

This comes following panic by the public over drastic increases in prices of contraceptives at pharmacies countrywide.

ZNFPC Assistant Director for Marketing and Communication Mr Martin Mukaronda told journalists in Bulawayo on Monday that the organisation was well stocked.

“People must not panic. We have enough stocks for the foreseeable future and we urge the public not to get into panic mode,” said Mr Mukaronda.

He said the public must not be swayed by false reports of shortages in the country mostly caused by people who want to cash in on the situation.

Dr Nonhlanhla Zwangobani, the ZNFPC Director of Technical Services, said ZNFPC was receiving government support in procurement of drugs and other consumables.

“We are fortunate enough to be receiving support from government and our partners. We are procuring stock without much difficulty, so for the foreseeable future, I can confirm that our stocks can and will sustain us,” said Dr Zwangobani.

She said ZNFPC had no power to intervene in the current pricing irregularities at pharmacies that privately sourced their drugs.

“Health centres that are benefiting from the public procurement of drugs have no reason to charge exorbitant prices as the procurement regime has not changed.

“However, those that are privately sourcing the contraceptives for resale, there is nothing much we can do about that. It is not fair for drugs procured with government funding and support to be sold at exorbitant prices to the public,” said Dr Zwangobani.

The price hike madness on contraceptives is posing a major challenge to women across the country as they already have unmet contraceptive needs, particularly those residing in rural areas.

The unmet needs for contraceptives among married women aged 15-49 years in WHO’s Africa Region is estimated at 24 percent and lags considerably behind the rest of the world, according to the Atlas of African health statistics 2016.

However, Zimbabwe remains one of the top countries to scale up health services in Africa. Critics believe high literacy rates in Zimbabwe should reflect a knowledgeable and progressive society that is able to make healthy choices.

According to the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey — the country exceeds the global average on contraceptive prevalence in sub Saharan Africa with 67 percent of married women aged 15 to 49 years having access to contraceptives.

Zimbabwe’s family planning strategy is to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate from 59 percent to 68 percent by 2020, and in the process reduce teenage pregnancies from 24 percent to 12 percent by 2020.

-State Media

Own Correspondent|Several Zanu-PF heavyweights have reportedly been taken to court after they failed to pay their farm workers’ wages for more than a year.

In a court petition, a union that represented farm workers, the Progressive Agriculture and Allied Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Paawuz), said that it was left with no choice but to approach the labour court for redress.

The Zanu-PF heavyweights – who included, ex-defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Grace Mugabe’s sister Rose Chidhakwa, ex-public service minister Nicholas Goche, Bindura South lawmaker, Remigious Matangira, as well as former Mbare legislature Tendai Savanhu – owed their workers thousands of US dollars in unpaid wages and allowances.

The report said that Grace Mugabe’s sister had gone for over nine months without paying her aggrieved employees, while Matangira owed his workers more than $80 000.

This was not the first time that Zanu-PF officials were taken to court for failing to pay their employees.

In October 2013, the then deputy minister of mines and mining development, Fred Moyo, was dragged to the labour court after he failed to pay his INEZ Mine workers’ salaries for over 7 months.

The 147 workers claimed at the time that Moyo had failed or neglected to pay wages and salaries since taking over the gold mine in January of that year.

The workers demanded $190 000 in wages, excluding statutory payments and medical cover which they said the ex-deputy minister had claimed from their salaries, but failed to remit the deductions.

Correspondent|ZANU-PF party will square off with the MDC-Alliance and NCA in the Mutoko North by-election set for November 24.

Nyabote Rambidzai of ZANU-PF, Mushore Boniface of MDC-Alliance and Mugoma Edson of NCA will contest the seat after they successfully filled their papers at the nomination court recently.

The Mutoko North Constituency seat became vacant after the elevation of ZANU-PF legislator Mabel Chinomona to Senate President.

In an interview recently, Nyabote said he was ready to defend the seat from the opposition.

“As Zanu-PF we are ready to defend this seat, it is ours and we will keep it. We are so confident that we will even surpass the numbers which we bagged during the harmonised elections,” Nyabote said.

He said as soon as he assumes office, he will thrive to uplift the Mutoko North community and transform it using all the natural resources in their area.

“My focus is to transform the lives of people in my constituency.

“We have the best natural resources in this whole province and we will utilise them. I will work hard and tap into these resources for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Nyabote, who won the just-ended primary elections, called out to Zanu-PF supporters in Mutoko North to be united.

Jane Mlambo| Former ZANU PF Minister ,Terrence Mukupe has invaded Cleveland Wetland near Donnybrook Motor Racing Along Acturus Road this week on Monday it is alleged.

According to an EMA Official ,Mukupe was served with a letter to discontinue the activity but defied the directive and a grader was seen yesterday clearing the piece of land for a use not yet known.

City of Harare Environment Official proffesed ignorance whether Mr Mukupe had a development permit for the area.

The District Administrator for Mabvuku ,Mr Guzha was not also aware if Mr Mukupe had permission to conduct the development .

The Cleveland Vlei is protected by international law under Ramser Convention.
On Monday afternoon ZANU PF trucks and a group of people were seen at the place before the grader was unleashed into the vlei under the watchful eye of Terrence Mukupe.

In 2015 ,Terrence Mukupe was involved in another land invasion in Tafara were he tried to rescue Zanu Pf Youths from the hands of police who had invaded a piece of land owned by Shelter Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile a lobby group Cleveland Action Alliance resolved to take legal action against the former Minister over the alleged invasion.

Political legitimacy, economic bailout and the draconian Public Order and Security Act (Posa) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aippa) laws are some of the topics Zimbabwe’s new Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube addresses in this interview with NewsDay assistant editor, Alfonce Mbizwo.

ND: How is Zimbabwe going to get out of the current economic situation?
MN: You mean the economic malaise? I firmly believe that the Transitional Stabilisation Programme economic package is the way out of this because it clearly identifies the problem areas economically and also legislatively, but critically, we have a solution for each of these. The main issue now I think is about communicating clearly that this is a marathon, not a sprint and calling for patience. I know at times it’s asking for too much by asking people to be patient and they’ll say for how long? But that’s how long it will take for the damage that has been done since 2000. It’s difficult trying to fix things quickly and it will take time. There are, however, some quick wins which we can achieve.
One elephant in the room is jobs and I am planning on saying; let’s propose a jobs indaba or summit just to concentrate our minds on that and then maybe this is something we can give incentives for; such tax incentives that are linked to job creation. The design is never simple, but at least try to make sure companies are rewarded through a tax system for creating apprenticeship opportunities and paying those apprentices. Job creation is a key issue in this country and everything we do must take account of jobs … to say how many jobs are we creating in terms of the sectoral interventions we are implementing.

ND: Would that be a key issue when you are privatising parastatals or in terms of big infrastructure projects?
MN: Yes, every project must tell us how many jobs it is creating, how many SMEs (small and medium enterprises) it is going to support to make sure that this has a developmental impact we do in terms of sectoral support, the privatisation and infrastructure projects.

ND: You have said one of Zimbabwe’s major problems is its credit rating internationally and the need to clear arrears…?
MN: We are moving forward, the Lima Plan was a start. What we have now is called the Zimbabwe Arrears Clearance Roadmap because there are things in the Lima Plan which creditors want to see progress on. One of those was this economic reform package which I presented and which was accepted. So that’s already changing the picture and also if you recall then we had a country in Africa that was going to be one of the sponsors. That’s not the case this time, this time one of the sponsors will be one of the creditor countries themselves. So it’s a different plan altogether. We are having conversations with all the G7 countries and there is a possibility of all G7 countries assisting at the same time in terms of bridging funding.

ND: Do you have a timeline for this roadmap?
MN: By this time next year, I would like us to have cleared the African Development Bank and the World Bank arrears, and we will have deep conversations on the Paris Club. By end of next year if all goes well, we should be having a debt restructuring plan by December 2019. But certainly, within the two years of the TSP, but the faster the better.
ND: And you are saying there is a lot of buy-in from creditor countries and organisations on this?

MN: Absolutely, there is buy-in on the economic reform programme, but also they want to make sure that on the political front, we make the progress as well, but certainly I know that progress will be made. The Americans have been very clear on Posa and Aippa in terms of amending those legislations and also on electoral reforms so that by the next election, some improvements will have been made and that is very important because what it means is that it will be an upper middle income country and the institutional environment must be such that it reflects that prosperous country which is inclusive to all.

ND: So the ConCourt ruling to strike off a part of Posa in last week’s ruling works in the government’s favour then?
MN: I saw that and that’s already pointing in that direction. We need to make progress on some of these draconian laws. There are many ways to enforce the law.

ND: How does being a heavily indebted poor country (HIPC) fit into all this?
MN: The HIPC option is one of the options on the table when it comes to the Paris Club negotiations where we could take the HIPC route. We can’t say we want to be HIPC, the creditors tell you through a negotiation process that they agree. It is an ad hoc route which requires sponsorship, so all options are on the table.

ND: In 2014, World Bank officials said Zimbabwe does not qualify as a HIPC country, what has changed?
MN: I have been in conversation with some of our creditors and they said we should leave the HIPC option also on the table. Let’s have the best deal. We can only ask and someone on the other side can only say no. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

ND: What’s our obligation like to the Paris Club because that figure is never clear?
MN: It’s about $2,8 billion

ND: If you had to talk at a political rally, not necessarily about politics, what would you tell the people experiencing a shortage of pretty much everything except rhetoric?
MN: I would say, look, our economy is sick; it was sick before and you know it yourself. What we are doing now, we are like doctors, we are providing medication and solutions to deal with these problematic areas, and I have tried to outline them, but I know this is all high language to most people. Things will get better, the patient must be patient. We have a good plan.

ND: Is there any chance of a quick bailout?
MN: But we are getting assistance already in the form of credit lines; we are building credit lines everyday. We would like to do it faster — we could have done it faster if we had cleared our arrears, otherwise we want a private sector-led economy. If we move to a full International Monetary Fund programme with resources in future, that’s also okay, but those resources are never a big bailout in any case. But in my view, the biggest bailout will be arrears clearance and getting the private sector funded through credit lines, both domestically and internationally. The good thing is we have a lot of goodwill externally. With that support, we have to do our bit as well and we’ll succeed.

ND: How much is political will part of this goodwill?
MN: There is political will to do things. For a start, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this time is about the economy. Elections are done, politics is done, we are focusing on the economy hard over these two years of the TSP and then five years after that for the subsequent plan. So it’s about the economy and really committing to economic reforms is what we are about, and I have no doubt that there is political commitment. Of course, one can never over consult, we’ll do that over time and make sure that no one is left behind in the consultation process.

ND: Some would argue that the bigger issue is around political legitimacy?
MN: Well, on legitimacy I think that is a strong argument. I keep hearing it. The ruling party won two-thirds majority in Parliament and that was not challenged. So, in other words, it was accepted on the ground.
On the presidential elections, we had a different picture. I am still asking myself if it is possible to overturn that majority to a point where the ruling party does not win the presidency? Then we had the judiciary getting involved to confirm the election result.
I think this confirms that the issue of legitimacy has been resolved because what else is left?

-Newsday

Political legitimacy, economic bailout and the draconian Public Order and Security Act (Posa) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aippa) laws are some of the topics Zimbabwe’s new Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube addresses in this interview:

ND: How is Zimbabwe going to get out of the current economic situation?

MN: You mean the economic malaise? I firmly believe that the Transitional Stabilisation Programme economic package is the way out of this because it clearly identifies the problem areas economically and also legislatively, but critically, we have a solution for each of these. The main issue now I think is about communicating clearly that this is a marathon, not a sprint and calling for patience. I know at times it’s asking for too much by asking people to be patient and they’ll say for how long? But that’s how long it will take for the damage that has been done since 2000. It’s difficult trying to fix things quickly and it will take time. There are, however, some quick wins which we can achieve.

One elephant in the room is jobs and I am planning on saying; let’s propose a jobs indaba or summit just to concentrate our minds on that and then maybe this is something we can give incentives for; such tax incentives that are linked to job creation. The design is never simple, but at least try to make sure companies are rewarded through a tax system for creating apprenticeship opportunities and paying those apprentices. Job creation is a key issue in this country and everything we do must take account of jobs … to say how many jobs are we creating in terms of the sectoral interventions we are implementing.

ND: Would that be a key issue when you are privatising parastatals or in terms of big infrastructure projects?

MN: Yes, every project must tell us how many jobs it is creating, how many SMEs (small and medium enterprises) it is going to support to make sure that this has a developmental impact we do in terms of sectoral support, the privatisation and infrastructure projects.

ND: You have said one of Zimbabwe’s major problems is its credit rating internationally and the need to clear arrears…?

MN: We are moving forward, the Lima Plan was a start. What we have now is called the Zimbabwe Arrears Clearance Roadmap because there are things in the Lima Plan which creditors want to see progress on. One of those was this economic reform package which I presented and which was accepted. So that’s already changing the picture and also if you recall then we had a country in Africa that was going to be one of the sponsors. That’s not the case this time, this time one of the sponsors will be one of the creditor countries themselves. So it’s a different plan altogether. We are having conversations with all the G7 countries and there is a possibility of all G7 countries assisting at the same time in terms of bridging funding.

ND: Do you have a timeline for this roadmap?

MN: By this time next year, I would like us to have cleared the African Development Bank and the World Bank arrears, and we will have deep conversations on the Paris Club. By end of next year if all goes well, we should be having a debt restructuring plan by December 2019. But certainly, within the two years of the TSP, but the faster the better.

ND: And you are saying there is a lot of buy-in from creditor countries and organisations on this?

MN: Absolutely, there is buy-in on the economic reform programme, but also they want to make sure that on the political front, we make the progress as well, but certainly I know that progress will be made. The Americans have been very clear on Posa and Aippa in terms of amending those legislations and also on electoral reforms so that by the next election, some improvements will have been made and that is very important because what it means is that it will be an upper middle income country and the institutional environment must be such that it reflects that prosperous country which is inclusive to all.

ND: So the ConCourt ruling to strike off a part of Posa in last week’s ruling works in the government’s favour then?

MN: I saw that and that’s already pointing in that direction. We need to make progress on some of these draconian laws. There are many ways to enforce the law.

ND: How does being a heavily indebted poor country (HIPC) fit into all this?

MN: The HIPC option is one of the options on the table when it comes to the Paris Club negotiations where we could take the HIPC route. We can’t say we want to be HIPC, the creditors tell you through a negotiation process that they agree. It is an ad hoc route which requires sponsorship, so all options are on the table.

ND: In 2014, World Bank officials said Zimbabwe does not qualify as a HIPC country, what has changed?

MN: I have been in conversation with some of our creditors and they said we should leave the HIPC option also on the table. Let’s have the best deal. We can only ask and someone on the other side can only say no. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

ND: What’s our obligation like to the Paris Club because that figure is never clear?

MN: It’s about $2,8 billion

ND: If you had to talk at a political rally, not necessarily about politics, what would you tell the people experiencing a shortage of pretty much everything except rhetoric?

MN: I would say, look, our economy is sick; it was sick before and you know it yourself. What we are doing now, we are like doctors, we are providing medication and solutions to deal with these problematic areas, and I have tried to outline them, but I know this is all high language to most people. Things will get better, the patient must be patient. We have a good plan.

ND: Is there any chance of a quick bailout?

MN: But we are getting assistance already in the form of credit lines; we are building credit lines everyday. We would like to do it faster — we could have done it faster if we had cleared our arrears, otherwise we want a private sector-led economy. If we move to a full International Monetary Fund programme with resources in future, that’s also okay, but those resources are never a big bailout in any case. But in my view, the biggest bailout will be arrears clearance and getting the private sector funded through credit lines, both domestically and internationally. The good thing is we have a lot of goodwill externally. With that support, we have to do our bit as well and we’ll succeed.
ND: How much is political will part of this goodwill?

MN: There is political will to do things. For a start, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this time is about the economy. Elections are done, politics is done, we are focusing on the economy hard over these two years of the TSP and then five years after that for the subsequent plan. So it’s about the economy and really committing to economic reforms is what we are about, and I have no doubt that there is political commitment. Of course, one can never over consult, we’ll do that over time and make sure that no one is left behind in the consultation process.

ND: Some would argue that the bigger issue is around political legitimacy?

MN: Well, on legitimacy I think that is a strong argument. I keep hearing it. The ruling party won two-thirds majority in Parliament and that was not challenged. So, in other words, it was accepted on the ground.

On the presidential elections, we had a different picture. I am still asking myself if it is possible to overturn that majority to a point where the ruling party does not win the presidency? Then we had the judiciary getting involved to confirm the election result.

I think this confirms that the issue of legitimacy has been resolved because what else is left?

NewsDay

Jane Mlambo| A United States based organisation, MATTERS that recently awarded First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa for her humanitarian work is actually eyeing to expand into Zimbabwe as part of its three year strategic plan starting next year.

This puts question marks on their decision to award Mrs Mnangagwa who has not done much to warrant global recognition since the launch of her Angel of Hope Foundation last year.

According to the organisation’s website, MATTER’s new three year strategic initiatives beginning next year includes expanding into Zimbabwe’s health and nutrition programming and that could explain why they decided to use Mrs Mnangagwa as a gateway into the country.

“MATTER’s new three-year strategic initiatives, beginning in 2019, are: nationwide expansion of the MATTERbox program; Zimbabwe health and nutrition efforts; and the Innovation Hub launch.”

Matter is going to partner with the Mrs Mnangagwa’s organisation to equip local hospitals with the tools they need to care for patients in a dignified manner, as well as establishing nutrition gardens.

Electronic Money Transfer Tax:  Still Illegal

By Veritas| At the beginning of this month the Minister of Finance and Economic Development announced an increase in the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax [i.e. the tax on electronic money transfers] from five cents per transaction to two cents per dollar transferred.  The increase, he said, would become effective immediately. 

In this Bill Watch we shall examine the three stages in the Minister’s attempts to impose the tax – the initial announcement, the regulations and the Bill – to answer an important question:  when, if ever, can the Minister start levying the increased tax?

The Initial Announcement of the Tax

The Ministers announcement of the purported tax elicited a chorus of disapproval and even outrage.  Economists and unionists said the new tax would impact unfairly on low-paid workers and on those in informal employment.  The business community said there should have been more consultation before the Minister took action as it would impact adversely on them.

Lawyers and legal organisations, including Veritas and the Law Society, said the tax was illegal because the law did not permit the Minister to impose or increase a tax by merely announcing it;  taxes can be imposed or varied only by Act of Parliament or by a statutory instrument specifically authorised by an Act of Parliament.

The Minister and his advisers must have accepted that his announcement of the tax had no legal effect whatever.  It is an elementary principle of law that taxes cannot be imposed or varied or abolished by ministerial decree.  Section 298(2) of the Constitution makes this clear:

“No taxes may be levied except under the specific authority of this Constitution or an Act of Parliament.”

So the Minister’s initial announcement on the 1st October did not and could not impose a new tax or alter an existing one.

In response to the hostile reaction the Minister climbed down somewhat.  Four days later, in a second announcement, he said that some electronic transfers would be exempt from the new tax:  for example transfers of $10 or less, transfers of money for salaries and wages, and transfers of money in payment of tax.  He also said that the tax would not come into force immediately but only on the gazetting of “the relevant regulations”.

Regulations Gazetted

On the 12th October the Minister published the regulations, the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Money Transfer Tax) Regulations, 2018 (SI 205 of 2018).  They are available on the Veritas website [link]. 

Their publication did not, however, end legal controversy over the new tax:  several eminent lawyers said publicly that they were illegal.  Their validity is being challenged in the High Court.

These regulations  –  the Minister’s second attempt to impose the tax  –  are fatally flawed for at least three reasons:

1.  The statutory provision under which they were made is unconstitutional

The regulations purport to have been made in terms of section 3 of the Finance Act, which reads as follows:

“(1)  The Minister responsible for finance may make such regulations as he or she may consider necessary or expedient for the administration of this Act and the better carrying out of its purposes.

 (2)  Regulations made in terms of subsection (1) may amend or replace any rate of tax … that is charged or levied in terms of any Chapter of this Act …”

The section is extraordinarily wide, giving the Minister power to alter the rates of all the taxes imposed under the Finance Act, which include income tax, PAYE, VAT and capital gains tax.  The section gives the Minister a general blanket authority to alter taxes;  it is certainly not a “specific authority” envisaged by section 298 of the Constitution, quoted above.

In other words, section 3 of the Finance Act is so broad that it is unconstitutional and void.  Hence the regulations, which were made under the section, are also void.

2.  The regulations purport to amend the Finance Act

The regulations contain two operative sections, one of which purports to repeal and replace section 22G of the Finance Act, the other of which purports to replace a paragraph of the 13th Schedule to the Income Tax Act.  In other words, both sections of the regulations purport to amend Acts of Parliament.  Again, it is an elementary principle of law that a Minister cannot make regulations amending an Act of Parliament unless he or she is specifically authorised to do so by an Act of Parliament.  Section 3 of the Finance Act, even if it is valid, authorises the Minister to alter rates of tax but it does not permit him to replace provisions of the Act itself.  And it certainly does not permit him to amend the Income Tax Act.

Hence the regulations are ultra vires and void.

3.  The regulations alter the incidence of the tax

The third reason that the regulations are invalid is that they alter the incidence rather than just the rate of the tax.

Section 3 of the Finance Act – assuming it is valid – allows the Minister to amend or replace “any rate of tax”, i.e. to alter the amount of tax that taxpayers have to pay.  It does not however allow him to alter the incidence of a tax, i.e. to alter the persons who must pay the tax or the transactions that are liable to the tax.  He cannot therefore exempt particular transactions from the tax, which is what he has purported to do in the regulations.

These three reasons make the regulations so clearly invalid that they cannot possibly form a basis for collecting the new tax.  It may be noted that some banks are not in fact collecting the tax:  presumably their legal advisers have warned them that the regulations are invalid.

Bill Gazetted

Finally, on the 19th October the Minister gazetted a Bill, the Finance (No. 2) Bill, which if passed by Parliament will amend the Finance Act and the Income Tax Act in the same way as his regulations purported to do a week earlier. The Bill is also available on the Veritas website [link].

The Bill contains the same provisions as the regulations:  it will replace section 22G of the Finance Act and amend paragraph 1 of the 13th Schedule to the Income Tax Act.

• The first point to make is that the Bill is not yet a law – it has not even been presented in Parliament – so it cannot authorise the Minister to do anything, much less collect a tax.
• The second point is that before it becomes a law it will have to be passed by Parliament, and with all the controversy that has been raised by the new tax it is by no means certain that Parliament will pass the Bill, at least in its current form.

If the Bill is enacted it certainly will authorise the tax, but from when?  The Bill states that its provisions are back-dated to the 13th October, when the Minister issued his regulations, so the tax will be legalised retrospectively or, to use a more precise word, retroactively.

This may be unconstitutional.  What the Bill will be doing is to penalise financial institutions which fail to collect and remit the new tax – and they are entitled to refuse to collect it, for the moment at least, because the regulations are void.  In other words, if financial institutions do not collect the tax now, they will be liable to penalties for tax evasion as soon as the Bill is enacted into law;  their conduct, which is perfectly legal now, will be rendered unlawful.

It is to be hoped that the retroactivity of the Bill is an issue that is raised during the Bill’s passage through Parliament.

Jane Mlambo| Controversial socialite, Wellence Mujuru has torn into Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services saying he is a good example of why Zimbabwe does not need Deputy ministers.

Since his appointment, Mutodi has made a lot of noise albeit for the wrong reasons and is accused of masterminding an attack on Alpha Media Holdings newspaper vendors after they hiked prices.

He has also been engaged in a bitter exchange of words with AMH founder, Trevor Ncube. The fight only ended following the intervention of Monica Mutsvangwa and Nick Mangwana who brought together at the government offices.

Many people have likened Mutodi to the former Deputy Minister of Finance, Terrence Mukupe whose short stint at the New government complex was riddled with scandals including picking fights with ministry employees.

https://twitter.com/wellencemujuru/status/1051334649027469312?s=21

FORMER Mines ministry secretary Francis Gudyanga and another unnamed individual used to own shares in the government-controlled Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), Parliament heard yesterday.

This was revealed by legal officer in the ministry Jackie Manyonga when she appeared before the Temba Mliswa-led Mines committee together with Mines secretary Onesmo Moyo to speak on the ministry’s 2019 budget proposals.

MPs asked Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) chairperson Partson Chimboza to explain the legality of its subsidiary company, ZCDC, but he professed ignorance over the issue, resulting in the committee turning to Manyonga for answers.

“ZCDC was owned in terms of the Companies Act and we sought to regularise it as a subsidiary of ZMDC because there was the issue of shares owned by Gudyanga and another person, but government bought all the shares and now has 100% ownership,” Manyonga said.

Mliswa said if ZCDC was politicised, then the ministry officials must say so because the country was struggling financially and needed revenue from mining.

“Who is the personality that really runs the ZCDC? Is it the Mines minister or President? Some of us are prepared to be removed as chairperson for the sake of good governance,” Mliswa said.

The committee was not impressed by the goings on at ZCDC, especially after Manyonga further revealed that the diamonds mined by the entity in Chiadzwa were stockpiled and later auctioned in a manner which MPs thought was dubious.

“ZCDC was given a loan by the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe), and in a bid to securitise it, there was a directive that the diamonds should not be sold immediately. That is why they were stockpiled, but a few months ago those diamonds were auctioned,” Manyonga said.

The committee said Manyonga’s revelations that diamonds were secretly sold will give rise for another diamond revenue probe.
“This means there is now need for another diamond probe to find out how much they were sold for and how much money was lost when these diamonds were stockpiled,” Mliswa said.

-Newsday

COMBINED Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA) director Mr Mfundo Mlilo has filed a normal court application contesting the recently announced 2 percent tax on electronic money transfers, following the dismissal of his initial challenge for lack of urgency.

Mr Mlilo, who is being represented by Mafume Law Chambers, also seeks nullification of Statutory Instrument 205-2018 which is the enabling law for the implementation of the new tax regime.

Last week, Mr Mlilo filed an urgent interdict to block the implementation of the new tax regime, but the High Court ruled it to be not urgent.

In a bid to resuscitate the challenge, Mr Mlilo on Monday filed a normal court application for a constitutional declaratory order to stop banks from charging 2 percent tax on every transaction above $10.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube was cited as the sole respondent in his official capacity.

Minister Ncube introduced the tax a fortnight ago in his Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) that came into effect last week.

In his application, Mlilo argued that the Government’s decision was made without the necessary backing of the law, citing in particular the amendment of the income tax or the regulation of the tax in a Statutory Instrument.

Mlilo further argued that on October 12, Minister Ncube enacted the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Monetary Transfer Tax) Regulations Statutory Instrument (SI205-2018) to legalise and actualise his announcement done on October 1, 2018.

He said the Statutory Instrument remained unconstitutional and a nullity, arguing the minister cannot amend an Act of Parliament in terms of the law.

To this end, Mr Mlilo wanted the higher court to put on hold the minister’s decision to review the intermediate tax from five cents per transaction to two cents per dollar.

The activists also wanted the immediate suspension of the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Money Transfer Tax) Regulations published in SI205 /2018.

President Mnangagwa recently put more weight on the intermediary money transfer tax of 2 cents saying it would remain in force.

The tax, he said, was critical in transforming the economy that has suffered from two decades of stagnation.

The President said the tax was not designed to hurt the ordinary people and companies, but to help the manufacturing sector to get funds for retooling and modernisation as the economy gears to ramp up production.

He hinted there was room for the tax to be refined going forward if suggestions were proffered, to create a win-win situation for individuals and companies.

Jane Mlambo| Government’s move to lift the ban on importation of basic commodities was meant to punish local industries who were seen to be sabotaging the economy by unilaterally creating ‘artificial shortages’ and hiking prices, a source within government has said.

Following yesterday’s cabinet meeting, minister of information, publicity and broadcasting services, Monica Mutsvangwa said government had taken note of the hardships the general population was facing due to shortage of basic commodities and price hikes.

“We have therefore resolved to in the meantime open borders to allow people and companies with free money to import goods which were banned under SI 122,” she said.

According to a government source, the cabinet felt that local industries were sabotaging the economy hence the decision to open borders for imports which in most cases are cheaper than locally produced commodities.

“When government enacted SI 64 of 2016 followed by SI 122, the idea was to protect local industries from foreign products which in most cases are cheaper and better in terms of quality, then the government felt that the same industry they protected and helped capacitating is now working against them,” the source said.

The source added that local industries will now be forced to start producing again to save themselves from closing because by the beginning of next week, South African commodities will already be flooded in Zimbabwe as major retailers are already looking to restock their almost empty shelves.

Former War Veterans minister and ex-Makokoba legislator Tshinga Dube recently came face to face with the desperation many Zimbabweans face after a pharmacy demanded that he pays for his medication in United States dollars.

Dube, who is also the Zanu PF deputy finance secretary, said the experience made him appreciate the challenges that many ordinary people have been going through.

“I personally went to a pharmacy to get some drugs, but failed to purchase any as they demanded foreign currency. I had ordered the drugs, but upon producing my bank card to make a payment, they flatly refused any electronic payment, insisting I settle my bill with the USD, which I didn’t have,” Dube said.

He was speaking to journalists on the side-lines of a health expo held at Jairos Jiri centre in Nguboyenja high-density suburb on Saturday.

“I then asked myself that if I can have this kind of a problem, what about the disadvantaged or those that are unemployed, who are desperate for life-saving drugs, but cannot access them because they do not have any US dollars?” he asked.

“The situation is very desperate and it is this status quo that pressurised me to have this health expo, realising that there are many amongst us who are sick, but cannot be treated because of lack of drugs and foreign currency.”

-Newsday

VIDEO LOADING…

 

Correspondent|Political analysts have decried the politicisation of the commission of inquiry into the August 1st post-election violence as MDC activists and Zanu PF supporters made up the majority of witnesses throughout the public hearings.

Last week’s public hearings saw MDC activists such as Lovemore Chinoputsa and Islam Madhosi clash with members of the commission whom they accused of being agents of the ruling Zanu PF.

In an interview on Monday, political analyst Alexander Rusero said the commission had become a missed opportunity, as its intended purpose had been forgotten.

“The purpose of the commission of inquiry is not to prosecute but to actually reach the bottom of the matter,” Rusero said.

“There is the involvement of an army that was deployed so it is very critical to know how it was decided to deploy it with firearms loaded with bullets. It is not criminal in any way to deploy the army but when you have an army deployed with firearms it becomes a contentious issue that needs to be unpacked.

“So the whole process of the inquiry is to cultivate or seek national healing and reconciliation but it has actually torn apart Zimbabwe,” he said.

Rusero said it seemed there was no middle ground in a “highly politically charged” society to the point where Zimbabweans no longer knew what they wanted.

“If the president had just kept quiet after six people had been shot, people were going to cry foul now that an inquiry has been put in place again people are crying foul so at the end of the day you really don’t know where this politicking and polarisation will lead,” he said.

Political analyst Valerie Jeche said she agreed with the opposition MDC regarding the lack of impartiality in the commission.

Jeche said although the MDC tended to seek attention she said their concerns about the commission were warranted.

“I think they are justified because the commission is more or less harassing the MDC witnesses while the same treatment is not being given to those in Zanu PF,” she said.

Jeche said she agreed with MDC national spokesperson Jacob Mafume who in a recent article called the inquiry a “sham.”

“It is a sham, what do they really want to inquire? It is quite obvious what happened, people were shot by soldiers so I do not understand what the point of the inquiry is.

“Although they claim it is an independent commission but we have a Zanu PF loyalist in that commission so it’s a sham they are just doing for the sake of doing it but we know the outcome.

“We know that what happened was soldiers were deployed to kill civilians, they are not investigating anything,” she said.

Jeche said although she could not predict the commission’s findings she was certain it would not result in any major upheavals within the current administration.

“It is quite difficult to predict what they are going to do, but at the same time there is no way they will say something that will be incriminating to the ruling party.”

“They will be silent on where the directive came from.”

The Commission of Inquiry was sworn in on the 19th of September and is comprised of three Zimbabweans and four foreign nationals namely Vimbai Nyemba, Charity Manyeruke, Lovemore Madhuku ,Rodney Dixon (United Kingdom) Emeka Anyaoku (Nigeria) General Davis Mwamunyange (Tanzania) and Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa) .

According to a presidential statement released at the end of August the commission is expected “to report to the President in writing, the result of the inquiry within a period of three months from the date of swearing-in of the commissioners.”

M&T

Watch Apostle Talent Chiwenga say VP Chiwenga not fit to lead this country…

Correspondent|Former finance deputy minister and Zanu PF legislator for Harare East Terence Mukupe has given the suspended Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) senior manager Norman Mataruka a 24 hour notice to resign or he spills the beans and provides corruption evidence against him.

Mukupe posted on his Facebook wall alerting the Zimbabwe anti-corruption chairperson Goodson Nguni that if Mataruka does not resign from RBZ within the next 24 hours then he will be ready to be a star witness and provide evidence of corruption by the RBZ official.

“ZACC Chairman Mr Nguni…. If this economic saboteur and thief does not resign from the RBZ within the next 24hrs I’m offering myself as a star witness with all the primary evidence you need,” Mukupe wrote.

The development comes on the backdrop of the suspensions of four senior executives following allegations of corruption and illegal foreign currency dealings by the RBZ.

Following a live Facebook video by Acie Lumumba which accused 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 of various crimes ranging from off-the-books bond notes circulation to corrupt allocation of foreign currency, the RBZ moved to suspend them.

RBZ governor, in a statement said: “The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe wishes to advise members of the public that following allegations of impropriety levelled against senior officials of the bank, namely Messrs Mirirai Chiremba, Norman Mataruka, Gresham Muradzikwa and Azvinandawa Saburi, by Mr Lumumba, the bank has found it necessary, for the sake of transparency and good corporate governance, that the allegations be followed through and investigated in line with the bank’s Employment Code of Conduct.”

M&T

Correspondent|Vendors from the Mupedzanhamo market in Mbare said they have no links with the Stendrick (Sten) Zvorwadza-led National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ).

The angry vendors described Zvorwadza as a greedy person who seeks to feed off vendors through some meaningless organisations.

Speaking to journalists representatives of Mupedzanhamo market said Zvorwadza is trying to creep his way into their marketing place after city vendors who were loyal to him were driven off the Harare central business district.

“Zvorwadza has been receiving commissions from the vendors who have been driven off the CBD by local authorities and now he is trying to lure us into his organisation which has never represented us. Vendors who operate here speak directly to the local authorities through councilors. We don’t know Zvorwadza and we don’t need him,” said Phillip Chikove who is the secretary of the Mupedzanhamo market center.

Zvorwadza was also branded as an egocentric someone who uses his political agenda to feed his family at the expense of the people he claim to represent.

“Sten is very greedy. He only seeks the happiness of his family at the expense of all of us. He is not one of us and he can never be. He uses his political agenda to try and disturb our peace. Muchinja uya,” one of the vendors said.

This comes after there were rumors that local authorities have given vendors a three day ultimatum to vacate Mupedzanhamo, something the vendors dismissed as rubbish.

“As you can see we are operating normally here with no single threat. All that is being said is rubbish. We were never told that. Such bogus messages are created by individuals who want to creep their way into our operating center,” Chikove said.

M&T

Own Correspondent|Newly appointed Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth, Lewis Matutu has advised Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to be sober and mature in the way he handles his business. Matutu spoke out against Ncube after the minister allegedly criticised government programs such as Command Agriculture.

According to Matutu, Ncube through his (former) spokesperson Acie Lumumba, criticised the government while pretending to be exposing corruption at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). Matutu urged Ncube to use the proper channels to criticise government programs. Writing on social media, Matutu said,

Corruption should never be tolerated at all levels of government and society in general and it is every Zimbabwean’s responsibility to fight the cancer. However, the Finance minister Mthuli Ncube through his “spokesman” Acie Lumumba has decided to directly criticize government programs particularly command agriculture. under the guise of exposing corruption in RBZ, this is unacceptable.

We are very much aware that there are a lot of people who believed in the old dispensation but are still in government while others are not in government or outside the country influencing what is happening in government.

We call upon minister Mthuli Ncube to be sober and responsible in difficult economic circumstances like these, to be mature and to remain focused on the revival of the economy. I, therefore, call upon all young people particularly Zanu-PF youths, to use social media responsibly in defence of national interests and the leadership of the country, let’s resist the temptation to join gossip and unsubstantiated allegations that have a negative bearing on the economy and the country at large.

…Constructive criticism that is done through the proper channels will always be welcome and accepted but we will not allow a bogus “task force” to undermine a good government policy. Command agriculture brought back guaranteed food security in our country.

The Finance Minister seems to be ruffling feathers in the ruling party as a few days after announcing his fiscal policy Zanu-PF heavyweights Obert Mpofu and Simon Khaya Moyo said that Ncube had neglected to consult them and said he should realise that the party was supreme in all matters.

After Ncube’s purported appointment of Lumumba, Deputy Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Energy Mutodi came out saying that Ncube was undermining his ministry by the appointment and claimed that Ncube had also neglected to consult the people at the Information Ministry. Mayor Justice Wadyajena, the Zanu-PF legislator for Gokwe-Nembudziya also called out Ncube for his seeming hypocrisy after he hired Lumumba and defied a government freeze on employment.

Lumumba has since been fired after the government said that Ncube had overlooked procedures for hiring him.

Correspondent|The government has suspended Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 until the economic situation in the country returns to normal. This means that citizens who have access to “free funds” will be able to import a wide range of products into the country without restriction.

The government made the decision to lift the restrictions on the importation of basic commodities after noting the price increases and persistent shortages of basic goods, particularly cooking oil and sugar. The decision was announced at a post-cabinet briefing which was attended by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Attorney General Prince Machaya, Acting Minister of Industry Sekai Nzenza and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda.

Ncube made it clear that while people will no longer need licences to import the basics they will still need to pay duty to Zimra. However, Ncube stressed that this was a temporary measure. Speaking at the briefing, Mutsvangwa said

We continue to support local manufacturing industries. We will continue to do allocations for forex for the said companies. But we cannot allow a situation where people cant get basic commodities. Hence the decision to suspend the SIs.
Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 repealed Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which required people to get licences to import most goods. The goods which people will be able to import without requiring licences are:

Animal oils, fats (lard, tallow and dripping)
Baked beans
Body creams
Bottled Water
Cement
Cereals
Cheese
Coffee creamers
Cooking oil
Crude soya bean oil
Fertiliser
Finished Steel Roofing Sheets
Wheat flour
Ice-cream
Jams
Juice Blends
Margarine
Mayonnaise
Packaging material
Peanut Butter
Pizza base
Potato Crisps
Salad Creams
Shoe Polish
Soap
Sugar
Synthetic Hair Products
Wheel Barrows and wheelbarrow parts
Yoghurts
Agrochemicals
Stockfeeds

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The top US diplomat for Africa on Tuesday voiced optimism over economic reforms by the new government in Zimbabwe, which remains under sanctions dating from Robert Mugabe’s 37-year reign.

Tibor Nagy, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said that Zimbabwe’s level of education and infrastructure meant it stood to enjoy “dramatic economic progress” if the right policies were put in place.

“We are very much encouraged by some of the things they say; we are now looking for some concrete examples of moving forward,” Nagy said of the Zimbabwean leadership.

“I can tell you that Zimbabwe is another country that the American business community could be very excited by based on concrete achievements,” he told a press conference by telephone with African journalists.

He stopped short of saying whether the United States would lift sanctions, which target government officials and state-run businesses but do not include a blanket ban on US investment.

President Donald Trump in August renewed sanctions, saying more progress was needed, even after Zimbabwe on July 30 held its first elections since Mugabe stepped down last year.

The newly elected president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has vowed economic reforms and sought to woo foreign investors back to Zimbabwe, which under Mugabe saw hyperinflation so extreme that the country printed a 100-trillion-dollar note.

Nagy, a veteran US diplomat in Africa, was confirmed by the Senate in July after Trump nominated him for the post, which had been vacant for more than a year.

Nagy will head to the continent next week on a trip that will include a speech on US-Africa relations in Nigeria.

He will also visit Guinea, Mali and Togo as well as Britain and France, where he will meet his counterparts on Africa policy.

France24

Doctors are demanding to be paid their salaries in United States dollars to cushion themselves from rampaging inflation.

At the same time, the doctors have implored government to declare the situation in the health sector a state of emergency to enable it to seek aid from international partners.

In a letter to Health Services Board (HSB) chairperson Paulinus Sikhosana, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said it has noted with concern that after the announcement of the fiscal and monetary policies early this month, prices of basic commodities have increased remarkably, resulting in shortages of mostly basic commodities.

“Also, the sellers prefer foreign currency and some are not accepting Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) currency.

“In addition to that, the Collective Bargaining Agreement of March 2018 states that our salaries are paid in US dollars.

“As of this month, our members were paid in RTGS and cannot access basic goods and commodities, let alone travel to work,” ZHDA said, adding:

“We implore the government to pay salaries in US dollars as previously agreed.

“Furthermore, we request non-monetary incentives such as fuel to be available to our members and the civil service at government-prescribed rates. Most hospitals have fuel tanks.”

The letter was copied to the minister of Health and Child Care Obadiah Moyo and the Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

This comes as prices of basic commodities continue to spiral out of control owing to an economic meltdown triggered by Ncube’s introduction of an unpopular tax regime.

Several retail outlets, including those owned by Cabinet ministers, have pegged prices in US dollars to preserve value.

ZHDA said government had assured its members in several communications since February this year that US$22 million had been allocated to procure drugs and equipment, and that in July supplies would improve.

Contrary to this pledge, patients are being made to buy medication from private pharmacies, which also have run out of stock and/or are demanding US dollars.

ZHDA said it was now common knowledge that hospitals were understaffed.

“This grievance was raised in February this year, and the establishment was said to being reviewed but to no avail. We implore the government to unfreeze critical posts and increase the current establishment and staffing levels. If the personnel are not available, an overtime or locum allowance should be payable to those doing more work than they are warranted to do,” it said.

ZHDA also expressed concern that in some central hospitals, junior doctors are no longer working under supervision.

While it could be understandable that this could be a result of short-staffing, ZHDA said it is the association’s duty to protect patients at all costs and ensure quality of care.

DailyNews

Marondera-Hwedza senator Dr Sydney Sekeramayi has urged the nation to stop spreading and listening to fake news.

He made the call on Sunday in his closing remarks after a solidarity prayer meeting at Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s Hwedza homestead.

Dr Sekeramayi’s call came in the wake of fake stories which were circulating on various media platforms concerning the VP’s health, with most of the stories being spread by fake prophets.

“When we came here, some were even whispering, speculating, people were so keen to see you Vice President. There was a lot of speculation,” Dr Sekeramayi said.

“But when they saw you coming out of your house to attend the church service, the speculation died, people were happy to see you,” he said.

Dr Sekeramayi said the public appearance by VP Chiwenga, who was in a jovial mood as always, will put to rest lies perpetuated by gossipers.

“Now that you stood before us and addressed us today, Zimbabwe now knows the truth, and Zimbabwe now also knows the lies.

“To my fellow comrades, let us be commissars who will tell others the truth about our Vice President, we saw him, we heard him, we listened to him when he was teaching us the history of Hwedza. Anyone who wants to know about the history of Hwedza can easily get it from our Vice President.”

Dr Sekeramayi reiterated Vice President Chiwenga’s call for love and unity among Zimbabweans.

He said Zimbabweans should remain united and build a nation that would be a beautiful legacy for the future generation.

“The Vice President also talked about unity, yes we must be united and everyone should contribute in building the Zimbabwe that we want, a Zimbabwe we will all love and a beautiful legacy for our children,” he said.

Among the high-ranking officials who attended the church service were Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Matiza, Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Apolonia Munzverengi, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr George Charamba, Politburo members who included Dr David Parirenyatwa among others.-state media

A man from Bulawayo yesterday appealed to a court to stop her boyfriend from paying maintenance, saying they had reconciled.

Ms Gamuchirai Runyowa had applied for maintenance for her minor child in 2017 and was receiving $50 from her then ex-boyfriend Prince Nkomo.

“I applied for maintenance when we were not on good terms with Nkomo. We were constantly fighting and he never supported the child,” said Ms Runyowa.

A court heard that the two have since resolved their issues and they are now back together.
“We have settled our differences and we moved in together and Nkomo is taking great care of me and our child.

“I hereby ask the court to relieve him from paying the money that he had been paying,” said Ms Runyowa with a smile.

Nkomo agreed with what Ms Runyowa was saying and promised to be a good father to his child. “I want to be a good father to my child and I promise to take good care of him and my girlfriend,” said Nkomo.

The magistrate Ms Ulukile Mlea relieved Nkomo from paying the money that he had been paying and wished the two a peaceful life.

“I have discharged you from paying maintenance and l hope you will do as you promised.
“I wish that you both have a peaceful life together,” said Ms Mlea.- state media

After the death of sungura maestro Tongai Moyo on October 15, 2011, his son Peter Moyo, despite being a footballer took over the Utakataka Express Band which he has managed to keep afloat despite facing a lot of challenges.

When he took over, some of his late father’s band members like Shiga Shiga (chanter) and Spencer Khumulani (bass guitarist), abandoned the ship as they could not adjust to Peter’s management style. Even Tongai’s long-time manager and nephew, Knowledge Chosa, did not have any place in Peter’s relatively newly assembled line up. The ex-manager together with some of the seasoned artistes who had dumped Peter, joined forces and formed Express Zvakatsetseka with Chosa being the lead vocalist.

And now, Chosa claims he is in possession of the late sungura guru’s secrets saying he appears in his dreams where the two talk. He said those dreams cannot go to pass so he intends to reveal the secrets in an album — Pfimbi yaIgwee which he hopes to release soon. The album, his second offering, is set to be launched in Mbizo at The Club with the assistance of former Tongai’s sound engineer, Sukol Dube.

To make the album a masterpiece, Chosa has roped in Tongai’s instrumentalists Musaope Nikoma and Mhondoro.

“I thought of grouping those guys who were discarded by Peter and I came up with my own group Express Zvakatsetseka. I’m not competing with anyone, but simply relaying messages that I receive from Tongai.”

His first album, Tinosvika Chete, released in 2014, did not turn heads but the 40-year-old father of six reckons his latest offering will leave everyone convinced that indeed, Tongai’s music leaves on.

“The six-track album has songs that contain messages from Tongai. I shared a lot of secrets with Tongai whom I travelled a lot with as he was also my uncle.

“I also talk to him when he visits me during my dreams so I intend to share these secrets and messages through this offering,” said Chosa.

He said he initially wanted to release the album last week in honour of the late musician but failed to do so because of financial constraints. He said he would soon reveal a date for the release.
On his relationship with Peter, Chosa said the two were in good books and were actually planning to release a track together.

“I don’t have any problem with him. Every time he visits Zhombe to see Chihera, he comes to my farm and we have a great time. I’m also in good books with Ronnie Mudindo, Tongai’s former bassist,” said Chosa.

Besides music, Chosa runs a farm in Sessombe area in Zhombe.- state media

Former President Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law Simba Chikore who is accused of unlawfully detaining a former Zimbabwe Airways employee Bertha Zakeyo during a dispute, appeared in court yesterday.

Chikore had surrendered himself to police in the company of his lawyer following the recent arrest of his alleged accomplice, Simbarashe Mutimbe.

He was accompanied to court by his wife Ms Bona Mugabe.
Chikore appeared before magistrate Mr Elisha Singano who granted him $30 bail with the State’s consent.

As part of his bail conditions, Chikore was ordered not to interfere with the witness, Ms Bertha Zakeyo, and to reside at his Mt Pleasant house until the matter is finalised.
His alleged accomplice Mutimbe was released on the same conditions.

Chikore was remanded to November 7 and his lawyer Mr Jonathan Samukange notified the State of his intention to apply for refusal of further remand on that day.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that Chikore, who was then ZimAirways boss, connived with Mutimbe, also employed by ZimAirways and unlawfully detained Zakeyo for hours thereby depriving her of her freedom.

It is alleged the pair barred her from leaving Zimbabwe Airways offices.
The reasons for the detention are not mentioned.

Meanwhile, former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe’s sister, Junior Shuvai Gumbochuma, who is facing three counts of fraud after she allegedly misrepresented to the Government her capacity to subdivide land into smaller residential stands but later sold the undeveloped land at a huge profit, was yesterday further remanded to November 22.

Gumbochuma, who is on $500 bail, appeared before magistrate Mrs Ruramai Chitumbura for her routine remand.

She is being represented by Professor Lovemore Madhuku.
It is the State’s case that sometime in August 2014, stands number 139 and 140 Gillingham Estate in Dzivaresekwa were available for sale to deserving and capable developers who could subdivide them into high-density residential stands.

Gumbochuma misrepresented to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing that she had the capacity to develop the land.

On March 27, 2015, she was offered the land and was asked to pay $424 426 to the ministry.
Gumbochuma, the State alleges, who had neither the capacity to pay the intrinsic land value nor to develop it, then formed and registered a company called Scanlen (Pvt) Ltd as a vehicle to effect her fraudulent transaction.

Between August and October 2017, Gumbochuma reportedly sold the land to N-Frasys for $2 060 000 without paying for it.

N-Frasys then paid the intrinsic land value to the ministry and paid the balance to Gumbochuma, the court heard. She made a profit of $1 636 574 without adding any value to the land.- state media

A pupil died while 15 others, including two adults, were injured when a kombi they were travelling in broke a ball joint, overturned and rolled thrice in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb yesterday.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accident which happened at about 6.45AM near Mahlathini turn-off.

She identified the deceased as Bradley Chris Phiri (19), an ‘A’ Level pupil at Elite College in the city centre.

“The driver of a Toyota Hiace kombi was driving from Cowdray Park to town with 16 passengers on board. When he reached Mahlathini turnoff, the vehicle broke the front left ball joint which caused the kombi to swerve off the road. It rolled three times, killing one passenger and 15 passengers were injured and referred to Mpilo Central Hospital. Twelve passengers were treated and discharged and three are still admitted but stable,” Chief Insp Simango said.

When The Chronicle arrived at the scene, the lifeless body of the high school pupil lay next to the kombi covered with a blanket. The injured had already been ferried to hospital.
The Chronicle spoke to the driver of the kombi, Mr Nkosilathi Moyo, who appeared to be in shock, in the aftermath of the accident.

He said he was a driver at Bravo Bus Company and had picked some passengers on his way to the city centre to cushion his fuel needs.

Mr Moyo said his kombi is a registered public service vehicle and he holds a valid driver’s licence.
“I was driving to town when I picked some passengers. I heard a loud bang emanating from the front tyre at the passenger’s side. A ball joint had broken. I lost control of the vehicle. There was oncoming traffic. I tried to swerve to the left but the vehicle was uncontrollable and I ended up facing the direction I was coming from,” he said.

Mr Moyo said there was a lot of commotion in the vehicle following the loud bang caused by the breaking of the ball joint.

“This car is a high roof vehicle. After the bang, people panicked and stood up and went to one side of the vehicle so I guess the weight was concentrated on one side. I don’t remember well what happened next but that people were injured and we had lost one of the passengers,” he said.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said they attended the scene and ferried the injured to hospital.

“A road traffic accident occurred this morning in Cowdray Park involving a commuter omnibus carrying school children. One pupil died on the spot and the rest were transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital. Crews are still at the site dealing with the incident,” he said.- state media

A MAN from Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo allegedly strangled his mother to death after accusing her of bewitching him before locking the body in her house.

Keith Muponda (25), who is suspected to be on drugs, allegedly strangled Molly Muponda (52) using her doek at their home at Mhlophe Flats. He left the body locked in a room before going to his aunt’s home at Nguboyenja suburb where he told her that his mother wanted to see her urgently.
The incident occurred on Monday between 4PM and 5PM.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Keith had been arrested on a murder charge.

“We’ve arrested a man from Mzilikazi suburb who is suspected to have killed his mother claiming that she was responsible for his misfortunes. The suspect claimed that his mother was bewitching him. He will appear in court soon,” she said.

Keith’s family is still at a loss as to what could have prompted him to allegedly commit the offence. His aunt, Ms Netsai Muponda, said her nephew arrived at her house in Nguboyenja’s Sotshangane Flats and informed her that his mother wanted to urgently see her.

“He was out of breath when he arrived at my house and he was visibly in an unstable state of mind. He just threw the keys to me saying I should go and see his mother at home. I tried to ask him why he had the house keys with him but he just left without saying a word,” said Ms Muponda.

She said when she went to the suspect’s home, she found her sister-in-law lying dead.
“When I opened the door, kitchen utensils were strewn all over the place and the entire house was a mess. I spotted the deceased’s body lying on a couch and I screamed because of shock. There was a doek on the side of the sofa and I suspect that he used it to strangle her,” Ms Muponda said.

“My screams seem to have attracted a neighbour who swiftly came”.
Ms Muponda said Keith was later arrested and when family members quizzed him about the murder, he said he didn’t know what got into his head.

She said Keith seemed troubled since his return from South Africa in August.
“There is a strong suspicion that my nephew could be in the habit of abusing drugs,” said Ms Muponda.

She said he always claimed that there were people and cars that were following him and the family had taken a decision that he should be taken to Ingutsheni Central Hospital for mental examination.

“We’re really shocked at what he did because he was his mother’s last born and her favourite child. We didn’t expect this from him and I suspect he abused drugs in South Africa which could have affected his faculties,” said Ms Muponda.- state media

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando has appointed a new Minerals and Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) board.

In a statement to the ZBC News on Tuesday, Chitando said the new board is being mandated towards transforming the mining sector and unlock value in terms of mineral export receipts.

Mr David Murangari is the chairman of the new board while other members include Dr Isaac Kwesu (pictured), Mr Ignatius Tichivangana, Dr Merch Manyuchi, Ms Esther Maravanyika and Mr Jemister Chiminga.

The new board is also expected to facilitate growth in exports and contribution to economic development.

Zbc News online

VIDEO LOADING BELOW:

Paul Nyathi|The ruling ZANU PF has all but conceded to failing to provide for the nation by opening up for the importation of all basic commodities including water after banning the same in 2016.

The government uplifted the controversial Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which banned the importation of a host of products in a bid to promote local industry.

In the wake of the on-going shortages of basic commodities the government has given in to pressure for the removal of the restrictive instrument.

Below is the government publication with a list of all the goods now allowed to be imported including water.

Correspondent|Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Chairman on Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Justice Wadyajena has come out guns blazing castigating the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof Mthuli Ncube for appointing Acie Lumumba as the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Communications Task force chair without following the procedure.

Responding to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services’s announcement that Professor Ncube’s appointment of the Communications Taskforce had not followed due process as dictated in the procurement policy.

“Please stop taking us for a ride, we ain’t fools. Minister, Prof @MthuliNcube appointed @acielumumba without following correct procedure & must be liable. It’s not Acie’s fault that he was appointed, but the appointing authority’s. @MthuliNcube, have you been corrupted by fuel or cash?” He said.

Police in South Africa have confirmed that two men who were captured on video brutally killing two security guards, one of them a Zimbabwean, in Soweto have been killed during a shootout in KwaZulu-Natal.

Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the pair were shot dead in a shack in Clermont‚ west of Durban‚ on Monday.

“When police tried to arrest the two suspects‚ Lindokuhle Cebekhulu‚ 24‚ and Mbuyiselo Mthonti‚ 26‚ they resisted‚ which resulted in both suspects being shot dead. There are no reports of any police officers being injured at this stage‚” said Naidoo.

Cebekhulu and Mthonti had attacked the two security guards from 24/7 Security Services near Maponya Mall in Soweto. Footage of the gruesome killing was shared widely on social media. The security guards were named as Eric Ngobese and Boykie Moyo.

Footage of the attack was captured by a high-definition camera fitted inside the vehicle. The vehicle is also fitted with a camera on the outside.

The 30-second video showed the moment Ngobese and Moyo were shot dead in broad daylight at what appeared to be close range. They were clad in their uniforms and bulletproof vests. One of the guards was sitting with an occurrence book‚ used to record incidents‚ on his lap.

Moments later‚ two armed men opened fire through the window on the driver’s side‚ seemingly killing him instantly. Shots ring out on the other side of the vehicle and those hit the passenger in the head.

The two gunmen are then seen opening the doors of the vehicle as they search the bodies and vehicle. They then take a firearm from one of the guards while the other lifeless guard is yanked out of the vehicle‚ pulled by his bulletproof vest‚ and thrown to the ground.

The gunmen appeared oblivious to the dash cam‚ which captured their faces and distinctive tattoos.

On Tuesday‚ pictures believed to be of a deceased Cebekhulu and Mthonti were doing the rounds on social media. While their faces were not visible in the images‚ tattoos could be clearly seen on the bloodied bodies.

Geoff Schapiro‚ their employer at 24/7 Security Services‚ told SowetanLIVE earlier that the guards were killed by “heartless criminals with no regard for human life”.

Sowetan

Minister of Defence and War Veterans Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has alleged that senior Zanu-PF officials in Manicaland misappropriated money which had been donated to the party to celebrate Muchinguri-Kashiri’s appointment to the party’s presidium.

Addressing the celebrations on Saturday, Muchinguri-Kashiri said: “We wanted to celebrate with our President (Emmerson Mnangagwa), but I was told that some money was stolen that was meant for my celebrations.

“But I am happy that people here in Mutasa Central you have shown your support by financing this event despite the fact that some funds that were meant for the celebrations went missing.”

Zanu-PF Manicaland political commissar Gift Kagweda confirmed that $32 000 had been misappropriated.

NewsDay

PARLIAMENT yesterday threatened to charge Mines minister Winston Chitando and new Mines secretary Onesmo Moyo with contempt of the august House if they failed to dissolve the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) as recommended by the Norton MP Temba Mliswa-led committee last year.

During the Eighth session of Parliament, the Mines committee produced a damning report which recommended the disbanding of ZCDC board as it was illegally constituted.

Mliswa said Chitando and Moyo must implement the committee’s recommendations or face contempt of Parliament charges.

Moyo had appeared before the committee to give oral evidence on the 2019 budget when the committee bombarded him with questions over whether the Mines ministry had disbanded ZCDC.

Mliswa challenged him to study Parliament’s recommendations on ZCDC since he was new in office. He said it would be difficult for Parliament to recommend that a certain entity like ZCDC was illegal, but then it continues to appear before Parliament to give oral evidence when in fact it was illegal.

“Parliament standing rules and order number 26 (a) stipulates that as required by section 107 (2) of the Constitution ministers must respond to matters raised by the committee within 10 sitting days and failure of which will constitute contempt of Parliament,” Mliswa said.

Committee members also queried why the Mines and Minerals Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) was operating without a board when it was a critical arm of the government.

When Moyo said he was still new at the ministry, MPs said he should be kicked out of Parliament because they showed ignorance on several issues.

Meanwhile, Chamber of Mines president Isaac Kwesu told the same committee that the new 2% tax on all transactions imposed by government will take nearly 60% off the profits of most mines.

Kwesu, who was speaking on the 2019 budget, said the foreign currency challenges posed a major threat to the mining industry’s viability and may push several smaller mines into closure.

“The 2% tax on electronic transactions is of great concern because it is effected on transactions and we feel this is very steep and will take almost 60% of the chunk of the profit, specifically for small mines,” Kwesu said. He pleaded that the tax be reviewed and charged on income rather than transactions as most mines relied on loans.

Kwesu said there were delays of over three weeks to get foreign currency while some suppliers of the industry’s raw materials were also charging in foreign currency and rejecting RTGS.

The Chamber of Mines president said the ideal situation will be that the foreign currency allocations be raised to 70% to 80%.

Meanwhile, ministry secretary Moyo said the Finance ministry was working on a mining fiscal regime to holistically look at all taxes applicable to the mining industry to ensure it remains viable.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|A man from Mberengwa demanded and was granted three beasts from a Mwazha Church prophet who slept with his wife when she went for evening prayers.

His demand for the beasts was granted by Chief Mapuravana when the case appeared before the traditional court

Jericho Moyo (57) of Kwashira Village under Chief Mapuravana said self-styled prophet Sidney Moyo slept with his wife several times on her way to night prayers. The wife Snikhiwe Mhlanga confirmed that she indeed has a relationship with the prophet and the affair was continuing.

However, the prophet has since appealed to Mberengwa Magistrate Court to quash the ruling of the three beasts.

He told the court that he never had an affair with Moyo’s wife but Moyo hated him for no reason.

However, Mhlanga told the court that she had sex on countless occassions with the prophet since their affair started last year. She said that they enjoyed the sex most in the bush and they had it for adventure. She said that all this happened when she was on her way for prayers or while they were praying.

She brought to light that the affair started last year as the prophet was always smiling at her to show that he was interested in her.

The matter was heard by Magistrate Evia Matura.

By Dr Tapiwa Mashakada, ECONOMIST|This article will be brief and straight to the point. There is no need to continue to pontificate on the political-economy of the country because we all know that after the 30th July elections the economic situation deteriorated fast instead of improving. We do not need a rocket scientist to tell us that market and public confidence collapsed in the post election period. I will address these legitimacy issues elsewhere. For now please allow me to proffer Solutions to the current economic challenges.

1. Solution to price increases, commodity shortages:

(a*) Gvt should should suspend duty on all food stuffs. This will allow retailers and individuals to fill up empty supermarket shelves at competitive prices. Please let us drop the infant industry protectionist mantra. Import substitution is for long term. Here we are looking at emergency measures.

(b*) All prices must be denominated in Rands because they are purchased in Rands. Retailers have been converting rand prices to usd prices on parity. For example a product bought for R60 is sold in Zim for $60 usd. This is arbitrage. What is bought in rands should be sold in rands. Then the country can use USDs to import fuel , electricity and other imports that require forex.

2. SOLUTION TO THE LIQUIDITY CRISIS

(a*) The bond note must be de-commissioned as it is a surrogate currency. Bad money is chasing good money. The existence of the bond note on parity basis with the USD is driving parallel market rates. This bond is a feeding trough for inflation. It creates inflationary pressures. If gvt still wants to retain the bond i think its better to admit that it is the local currency of the day. In that case, it gvt must come to Parliament to have the bond adopted as the official currency with a floating official exchange rate. In that case the bond note should be availed in the banking system.

(b*) De-dollarize and replace the dollar with the Rand as the dominant currency in the multiple currency basket. In other words make the USD a foreign currency unit not a day to day medium of exchange. The wide usage of the Rand can be done de facto or dejure. Joining the Rand Monetary Union would make it de jure. Promoting its wide circulation would make the Rand a de facto currency.

(*d) The usd should be used as foreign currency because the economy does not have the capacity to generate usd money supply. Our major sources of forex are tobacco, gold, diamond, platinum, chrome, horticulture, diaspora, international organizations, foreign direct investment and private commercial loans. But with a debt overhang of usd $17 billion the foreign currency is just not enough to meet domestic and foreign obligations.

(*e) reintroduce foreign exchange bureaus which accept forex trading on a no question basis.

3. NOSTRO FCA ACCOUNTS AND INDIVIDUAL NOSTRO

As long as there is no externalization gvt must continue to promote retention of export earnings to levels that will not compromise the national interests. But for individual FCAs these must liberalized and individuala should be free to withdraw or deposit.

4. REINTRODUCTION OF THE DOMESTIC CURRENCY

should be done on conditions that
– no printing of money and this must be gazetted
– building of reserves for one year import cover
-stopping RBZ overdraft and domestic borrowing
-addressing the budget deficit and trade deficit ( the twin defcit).

It is one thing identifying these preconditions but another to address them. So far all Zimbabweans have chosen to defer implementation of these preconditions hence since 2009 economists have been talking about right fundamentals without doing anything. Zimbabwe must at some stage have its own currency whether we like it or not. But there must be a Covenant against re-igniting hyperinflation by resorting to inflationary financing of the defcit. So the first order of business is to totally get rid of the budget deficit in the first place. Can Zim successfully reintroduce its own currency? The answer is yes we can but it depends. Which leads me to touch on reducing gvt expenditure. Fiscal consolidation is a political issue that requires Leadership. This is where the ruling party has to smell the coffee. Again corruption is a political issue which needs political will and Leadership. The 2 are the babies of the ruling party which should address them head on.

(5) ADDRESSING PRODUCTIVITY requires new Capital injection and re-engineering of the Manufacturing sector. The agro-processing value chain must be reestablished, esp food processing. The agro-industrial value chain must restored esp engineering, iron, steel, mining. New technologies required. And so are lines of credit for retooling, innovation and adaptation.

(6) Investment Facilitation. This is key and requires no elaboration. Zimbabwe must be the choice for investors. We must improve our incentives and investment climate. Ease of doing business must be expedited. Practical reforns are required beyond rhetoric.

7. Re-engagement is necessary to clear our debts and unlock new money. But the language must change. In the gvt there are spoilers who should not be allowed to open their mouths. They are spoilers.

CONCLUSION

I bet you if this government listens and adopt even half of these measures, Zimbabwe can stop the current free fall and start to recover provided economic reforms are accompanied by the deepening of democracy and good governance.

Combined Harare Residents’ Association director Mfundo Mlilo’s attempt to block recently imposed 2 cents tax on electronic money transfers yesterday hit a snag after the High Court yesterday threw out the matter for lack of urgency.

Mlilo had taken Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube to the High Court contesting the legality of the 2 cents electronic transactions tax.

After going through the record, Justice Felistus Chatukuta saw no urgency in the matter and ruled that it should be brought as an ordinary court application.

The judge stated on the record her reasons for dismissing the application.

“The applicant having become aware of the decision of the Minister of Finance on 3 October 2018 does not explain why it took him almost two weeks to file the present application,” she said.

“The perception by the applicant that the tax is illegal is not a basis for urgency. The matter is not urgent and is accordingly removed from the urgent chamber application roll.”

After the ruling, Mlilo’s lawyers filed a fresh court application.

Minister Ncube introduced the tax a fortnight ago in his transitional stabilisation programme (STP) that came into effect last week.

In his application, Mlilo argued that the Government’s decision was made without the necessary backing of the law, citing in particular the amendment of the income tax or the regulation of the tax in a statutory instrument.

Mlilo further argued that on October 12 Minister Ncube enacted the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Monetary Transfer Tax) Regulations Statutory Instrument (SI205/2018) to legalise and actualise his announcement done on October 1, 2018.

He said the statutory instrument remained unconstitutional and a nullity, arguing the Minister cannot amend an Act of Parliament in terms of the law. To this end, Mlilo wanted the higher court to put on hold the Minister’s decision to review the intermediate tax from five cents per transaction to two cents per dollar.

The activist also wanted the immediate suspension of the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Money Transfer Tax) Regulations published in SI205/2018.

President Mnangagwa recently put more weight on the intermediary money transfer tax of 2 cents saying it would remain in force.

The tax, he said, was critical in transforming the economy that has suffered from two decades of stagnation.

The President said the tax was not designed to hurt the ordinary people and companies, but to help the manufacturing sector to get funds for retooling and modernisation as the economy gears to ramp up production.

He hinted there was room for the tax to be refined going forward if suggestions were proffered, to create a win-win situation for individuals and companies on the one hand, and the economy on the other.

State Media

Former President, Robert Mugabe’s son in law, Simba Chikore has been granted $30 bail by Harare Magistrate, Elisha Singano.

Singano said there was no compelling evidence to deny the accused bail, ordering him to reside at the given address and not to interfere with state witnesses.

Chikore was arrested last night on allegations of kidnapping of a Zimbabwe Airways employee Bertha Zakeyo.

More to follow….

Correspondent|Lloyd Boniface Moyo, the man who shot a tout dead over a parking dispute has been granted $100 bail by the High Court.

Justice Ammy Tsanga freed Lloyd Boniface Moyo, 24, from custody Monday, ruling that he acted in self-defence.

However, defence lawyer Oliver Marwa said client’s charges had not been altered from murder despite the court finding that he acted in self-defence.

Lloyd Moyo was charged with murder at the magistrate’s court after the shooting in broad daylight in central Harare earlier this month.

Eyewitness reports on the day said that LLoyd Moyo had refused to pay touts who demanded money when he parked his car in a busy shopping street in the Zimbabwean capital. He insisted he would only pay a licensed car park attendant from the city council.

A fracas ensued – and Moyo shot the tout in the head at point-blank range.

News of the killing spread like wildlife in an already-tense Harare, where shoppers have been queuing for hours at stores and petrol stations fearing a currency crisis.

There was speculation the killing had a political link, since Moyo was said to have been wearing a scarf that is now closely linked to the ruling party.

However, the High Court agreed Monday with defence lawyers who argued that their client is the one who could have been killed if had not used his firearm.

Prosecutors have also said that, after the suspect was mobbed by youths on the day in question, he fired warning shots to disperse them, but they did not withdraw.

According to court papers, the now-deceased Gresham Mwakapira started the fight which ended up with him losing his life.

Mwakapira reportedly confronted Moyo’s sisters who had remained in the latter’s car as he was pursuing some private business within the city centre.

When Moyo returned to his vehicle, he had a confrontation with the tout over parking space.

“The deceased, who was a rank marshal, then came and confronted the vehicle occupants on why their car had been parked in one of his bays.

“The now deceased became violent, demanding that the vehicle be removed from the bay,” said prosecutors.

Injured Moyo with sister
Some of the deceased’s colleagues allegedly broke the windows of Lloyd Moyo’s car, stuffed some cardboard boxes into the vehicle and set it on fire.

Court heard that the accused tried to escape but the now-deceased and his friends continued to attack him with stones and iron bars.

“The accused then produced his AG Brevet pistol, serial number 330822 and fired three warning shots in the air but the deceased and his colleagues continued attacking him.

“When they arrived at the intersection of First Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, the accused fired and shot the deceased in the head.”

Moyo’s family is originally from the Sidakeni village in Zhombe.

ZimEye brings our valued readers and viewers LIVE coverage of the Zimbabwean People’s President, Nelson Chamisa. 

The program begins shortly…

– REFRESH TO WATCH

There is an undated message circulating suggesting that Zimbabwe’s Bond Notes money will be rested next month.

See message below:

Reports coming from RBZ are saying the bank is targeting high transacting personal accounts with all local banks. The bank intends to pull out data for all high volume and frequently transacting personal accounts suspected in using the ZIPIT facility to ‘burn’ money on the black market.

These account holders will be questioned and asked to justify the deposits or frequent transfers with receipts,invoices,tax returns and bank statements. Failure of which the accounts will be frozen.

Zimswitch has already provided the requested data to the central bank for USSD, Web based and POS transactions.

Bond notes to be demonitised (phased out) on 1 November 2018. The central bank is going to outline a plan to float the RTGS to US$ exchange rate to allow corporates,fund recipients and exporters to fund their FCA accounts. Once floated, the central bank will adopt a favourable rate to pay off or settle RTGS balances to local holders of TBs and demonitise Bond Notes on 1 November 2018.

Source: Online

Former President, Robert Mugabe’s son in law, Simba Chikore was arrested last night at the Robert Mugabe International Airport and is currently in police custody, according to state media sources.

State Media scribe Larry Moyo said he was arrested last night

Simba Chikore ARRESTED at RGM International airport last night, in custody of lawyer and should be in court this morning

— Larry Moyo (@larry_moyo) October 23, 2018

Opposition MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe says she was shocked that women were seeking her assistance on various matters when they did not vote her in the July 30 presidential elections in which a victory would have placed her in a better position to give them a helping hand.

She told the Gender Commission Forum held in Bulawayo last week that after opting not to vote for her and other female candidates, the women were now seeking her support.

“We had four female presidential candidates, but women completely refused to vote for women as presidential candidates. Only 25 women were elected out of the 210 candidates for Parliament. Women refused to send 105 women into that Parliament,” she said.

“Women refused to send (fellow) women to the local authorities and only 13% women were elected into the local authorities. But women are the first ones to say we are being marginalised, we are being discriminated. The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) has appointed six women ministers and where did you expect the President to appoint those women from when you failed to send 105 women into that Parliament?”

She said if 105 female candidates had been voted into Parliament, President Emmerson Mnangagwa would have had no justification for appointing less than 50% of women in the government.

Khupe described women as their own enemies because all the female candidates who contested as MPs, councillors and presidents lost because very few women voted for them.

“So, what I would like to urge our women and men in politics for 2023 is that, women, you have the power in your hands to achieve the 50/50 gender priority and let us use it,” she said. She urged the Gender Commission, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and women’s organisations to start pushing dialogue and get women to vote for their own.

“Let’s go to all the 1 958 wards, all the 210 constituencies and the 10 provinces and have a serious conversation with the women on the importance of voting for other women. What happens is that the Gender Commission and other women’s organisations only start to run when it is six months down the line towards elections, and it will be too late,” she said.

Addressing the same meeting, MDC Alliance chairperson Thabitha Khumalo said those aspiring to contest in the next elections should start campaigning immediately.

“From the day the elections ended, I started campaigning for the next election. So whoever wants to be a candidate must start now and come 2023, you are just icing the cake. It becomes easier and it’s more equitable and your penetration even becomes greater,” she said.

Combined Harare Residents’ Association director Mfundo Mlilo’s attempt to block the recently announced 2 percent tax on electronic money transfers yesterday hit a snag after the High Court yesterday threw out the matter for lack of urgency.

Mlilo had taken Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube to the High Court contesting the legality of the 2 percent electronic transactions tax.

After going through the record, Justice Felistus Chatukuta saw no urgency in the matter and ruled that it should be brought as ordinary court application. The judge stated on the record her reasons for dismissing the application.

“The applicant having become aware of the decision of the Minister of Finance on 3 October, 2018 does not explain why it took him almost two weeks to file the present application,” she said.

“The perception by the applicant that the tax is illegal is not a basis for urgency. The matter is not urgent and is accordingly removed from the urgent chamber application roll.”

After the ruling, Mlilo’s lawyers filed a fresh court application.

Minister Ncube introduced the tax a fortnight ago in his Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) that came into effect last week.

In his application, Mlilo argued that the Government’s decision was made without the necessary backing of the law, citing in particular the amendment of the income tax or the regulation of the tax in a Statutory Instrument.

Mlilo further argued that on October 12, Minister Ncube enacted the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Monetary Transfer Tax) Regulations Statutory Instrument (SI205 /2018) to legalise and actualise his announcement done on October 1, 2018.

He said the Statutory Instrument remained unconstitutional and a nullity, arguing the minister cannot amend an Act of Parliament in terms of the law.

To this end, Mlilo wanted the higher court to put on hold the minister’s decision to review the intermediate tax from five cents per transaction to two cents per dollar.

The activists also wanted the immediate suspension of the Finance (Rate and Incidence of Intermediated Money Transfer Tax) Regulations published in SI205 /2018.

President Mnangagwa recently put more weight on the intermediary money transfer tax of 2 cents saying it would remain in force.

The tax, he said, was critical in transforming the economy that has suffered from two decades of stagnation.

The President said the tax was not designed to hurt the ordinary people and companies, but to help the manufacturing sector to get funds for retooling and modernisation as the economy gears to ramp up production.

He hinted there was room for the tax to be refined going forward if suggestions were proffered, to create a win-win situation for individuals and companies.

-State Media

 

Final year media studies student at Midlands State University, Prince Danda (21) was sentenced to perform free labour for 70 hours
after he was convicted of stealing girls’ underwear from washing lines.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared before Gweru magistrate Ms Beauty Dube saying he stole the pants as he is used to masturbating while holding girls’ underwear. Ms Dube
sentenced him to perform 70 hours of community service at Senga Poly Clinic.
The court heard that on October 14 at around 12:30PM, Danda was seen by the complainant entering a residence where she is a tenant. Upon entering, Danda went straight to the back of the house where there were some clothes on the washing line. He stole the complainant’s pant
which was on the washing line and hid it in his jeans pocket. On the way out, the complainant asked Danda what he wanted and he replied that
he was lost before he went out of the yard. When the complainant went to check for her clothes, she found that her pant had been stolen.
She followed Danda and met some police officers on patrol and reported her case.Chronicle

A Bulawayo woman has taken her ex-husband to the Civil Court demanding an increase in maintenance following countrywide price hikes.

Blessing Kanombirira, who was demanding that maintenance be doubled from $100 to $200 a month, told magistrate Ms Ulukile Mlea that the $100 that was being contributed towards the upkeep of their two minor children was insufficient because prices and school fees had gone up.

Ms Kanombirira told the court that her husband, Kudakwashe Mukurunge has been contributing $100 and was once in arrears that led her to apply for a garnishee order that was granted in March last year.
She told the court that the children’s fees changed from $50 a term to $75.

“I want an upward variation from $100 to $200 because everything has gone up groceries, school fees, and clothes, generally everything hence $100 cannot cover all the expenses for our two children,” she said.

Mukurunge agreed to increase maintenance for his minor children stating that he understands the reasons behind the need for increase.

“I am offering $100 as increase. I understand why there is need for me to add $100 especially since she is not employed,” he said.

The magistrate ordered Mukurunge to contribute $200 as maintenance with effect from October.

“By consent upward variation is granted from $100 to $200 with effect from October 31 with reference to the previous conditions and the garnishee,” said Ms Mlea.

The court heard Mukurunge is a police officer and the children are five and three years old. – state media