Opposition MDC Alliance MPs yesterday tabled their party’s alternative economic policy, which includes demonetising the surrogate bond note and for the country to join the Rand Monetary Union.

Their presentations were made through a heated motion on economic hardships introduced in the National Assembly by Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada and seconded by Harare East MP Tendai Biti.

Mashakada said the country missed a big opportunity during the November 2017 Operation Restore Legacy, where, instead of rushing to elections, a national transitional authority should have been introduced to restore confidence in the economy.

“The solutions to our economic problems right now is to join the Rand Monetary Union and stop government borrowing and issuance of Treasury Bills, tighten our borders for revenue collection because right now, the uncollected revenue is $4 billion, and we also need leadership or political will to grow the economy,” he said.

Mashakada said there was also need to decommission the bond notes, and price goods in rands instead of in the United States dollar because the country was importing most of its goods from South Africa.

“The reasons we should adopt the rand is that 60% of our imports, like fuel and medicines, come from South Africa, and if you buy something in SA, for R100 and then sell it for $100, then you are causing inflation,” he said.

Mashakada criticised the stabilisation measures recently announced by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

He said Ncube was pursuing economic stabilisation, which is about balancing the books and yet the country needed a structural transformative agenda to kick-start the economy.

“You just want a good balance sheet through servicing debts, but at this juncture, can we pay $5 billion to service debts when our roads are in bad shape and there are no drugs?

These multilateral institutions are debt collectors and they dangle the carrot and then later tell you to reform this and that,” Mashakada said.

“What we need to do as a policy alternative is to go for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Strategy (HIPIC), and we qualify for that. We speak to the creditors so that we pay a proportion and then the rest we use it to build schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.”

-Newsday

Former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma, who was facing criminal abuse of office charges, was yesterday jailed for an effective two years. Juma was first arrested in 2016, but was released from police custody at the instigation of then Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

The former VP allegedly stormed Avondale Police Station and ordered the release of Juma and Davison Norupiri.

The duo was later rearrested and Norupiri was made an accomplice witness.
Representing the prosecution, Mr Chris Mutangadura urged the court to send Juma to jail, saying he committed a serious offence.

He said such cases were prevalent and a deterrent sentence was necessary.

Mr Mutangadura said with the new dispensation calling for zero tolerance to corruption and related criminal activities, a strong message should be send to would-be offenders.

“Your Worship, the new dispensation is now viewing corruption as a cancer that needs to be exorcised from the society and that the penalty must deter would be offenders,” he said.

“A clear message has to be sent out that crime does not pay.”

Magistrate, Mr Hoseah Mujaya concurred with the State, saying corruption should not be treated as a normal game.

He sentenced Juma to 30 months behind bars before suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.

Juma was convicted after a full trial. Mr Mutangadura proved that sometime in 2014, Zinara had a tax obligation with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority of $15 418 133, 61 and as a result the tax authority garnished $5 714 587, 25, leaving a balance of $9 703 546,36.

A report was made to the Zinara board by management for guidance to reduce the tax obligations.

The Zinara board tasked the finance committee to engage a tax consultancy firm to help reduce the obligations.

-State Media

Government has put permanent secretaries on performance-based five-year contracts which can only be renewed once, Civil Service Commission chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe has said. He said no permanent secretary will serve beyond the mandatory 65 years of retirement, unless there were compelling reasons.

Dr Hungwe said Government had set targets for the permanent secretaries to enhance public administration and achieve efficiency and professionalism in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.

He said this yesterday while addressing permanent secretaries and principal directors for ministries during an induction workshop in Harare.

Dr Hungwe said permanent secretaries were obliged to ensure that Government’s work culture was rebranded, put deliberate focus on programme deliverables such as outputs and impact and be exemplary in adhering to those work ethics.

He said to achieve this, strategic plans must be ready by December 2018 with annual plans to operationalise them, including a Detailed Establishment Table.

“Secretaries need to perform as expected, leaving a trail of tangible deliverables that speak to the outputs, outcomes and impact in line with the given mandate,” he said.

“The new ethos no longer provides for permanent secretaries appointed for an indefinite period, but instead, envisages ‘Performing Secretaries’ who are appointed on fixed five year term contracts, renewable only once, subject to performance and delivery. They cannot be taken beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65. Only in exceptional circumstances, only in circumstances merited by the exclusive possession of outstanding skills and competencies would one be considered for engagement on an annual contract beyond their retirement age of 65.

“This performance will be measured on the basis of a performance contract, based on the Strategic Plan agreed upon and results achieved at the end of each performance cycle.”

Dr Hungwe said all issues to do with structures and establishments should be concluded by December 2018 after which the focus will entirely be on delivery and results.

“All new Detailed Establishment Tables should reflect the strategic direction of any given Ministry and Cluster,” he said. “When the direction is clear, the Commission will facilitate the creation of Strategic Business Units without necessarily increasing the establishment.”

Dr Hungwe said Government expected secretaries to be guided by the law, values, professional norms, citizen interests and to exhibit leadership underpinned by integrity and zero tolerance to corruption.

He outlined obligations of the secretaries which included supporting ministries through training modules, develop a proper communication module, develop capacity at national, provincial and district level in monitoring and evaluation of all projects and conducting systems audit.

-State Media

Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa says that he is aware of the sufferings brought on citizens by the radical economic measures introduced by new Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and claims he will do something to ease them.

In a Facebook post early thus week, Mnangagwa said that his government was doing all it can to make available all the missing basic commodities.

Said Mnangagwa:

Last week, Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube, drawing on his vast experience as chief economist and vice president at the African Development Bank (AfDB), announced a series of measures to reform and revive our economy, and put us on the path to steady economic growth. Cognisant of the scale and urgency of the challenges facing us, our plan is bold and far reaching, and will have the desired effect.

I have read your comments and understand the difficulties many face, and Government will do all in its power to minimise them. We are already taking the lead by cutting back on unnecessary spending. The only way to a stronger economy is to restructure, rebuild and reform.

We must all be realistic. Whatever some may claim, there are no silver bullets or quick fixes. There is no need to panic, and Government is guaranteeing the availability of all essential commodities, including fuel.

We are on a shared journey to a better and more secure future. The road is long, winding and at times bumpy, but there is no other way. This is the road to a middle-income economy, and if we travel it together, with patience and purpose, we will realise our vision.

Correspondent|PF has called on the government to consider revoking statutory instrument (SI) 64 of 2016 in light of the current rise in the cost of living triggered by the unjustified escalation in the prices of essential goods and commodities.

In a statement to ZBC News, the Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said the government should immediately enforce the law to eliminate all forms of informal money market activities.

The ruling party has also directed the government to ensure that prices of goods and services be reverted to those ruling at the time prior to the pronouncement of the fiscal and monetary policy measures.

Ambassador Khaya Moyo called on the productive, financial, wholesale, retail and service sectors to strictly adhere to the principles of good corporate governance and ensure that goods and services are delivered to the people without artificial constraints.

He said following the assurances by the relevant authorities on the sufficiency of fuel and other goods and essential commodities, Zanu PF has called on members of the public to desist from panic buying and hoarding activities.

The ruling party has also called on all fuel suppliers not to withhold the supply of the precious product and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to stop the commodity from being off-loaded onto the black market.

Ambassador Khaya Moyo added that the party has observed signs of negative forces bent on derailing the government’s set economic trajectory of Zimbabwe being a middle income economy by 2030.

Khaya Moyo further indicated that government has not changed the 1 on 1 exchange rate between the US dollar and the local Bond Notes.

FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube however admitted that the country’s surrogate bond note is not equal to the United States dollar, contradicting the government pronouncements on the currency.

Ncube was addressing British think-tank Chatham House in London on Monday, where he admitted that market forces were dictating government policy.

“The market is setting the pace. What is left for us is choreography and management of the economic fundamentals. The economy has dollarised. RTGS [real time gross settlement] balances are over $6 billion. The market is doing everything, we are going through a transition. The market has said these currencies [US dollar and bond notes] are not at par. I don’t want to argue with the market. The bond notes will, at some point, have to be demonetised and I cannot tell you (when that will be),” Ncube said.

ALPHA Media Holdings (AMH) has with immediate effect reviewed the cover prices of its three leading newspapers as it seeks to weather the current economic storm and continue providing premium news content to the public.

To that effect, the country’s top selling daily, NewsDay, will now cost $2, while the two weeklies, The Standard and Zimbabwe Independent, will now sell for $2 and $4, respectively.

AMH are the publishers of NewsDay, The Standard and Zimbabwe Independent under its publishing house, Zimind Publishers.

“Basically, we want to stay in business and at the current pricing, we were not going to be able to print the quality news that we are known for because it is a cost in terms of gathering the news. This includes getting newsprint and printing the paper to put on the street to sell of which all these costs have gone up which are in United States dollars, which we do not earn,” AMH finance director Brian Maphosa said yesterday.

“Therefore, we found it necessary that we increase the cover price so that our readers can help us to stay in business. It is our intention for this price increase to be as temporary as possible, just to make sure we can continue to provide the service in terms of quality news. So, it is something that we are going to be monitoring on a daily basis.”

He said as conditions in the country improve, the media company would revert to the old prices.

“We will make sure that we revert to the old prices as quickly as possible and that is the mid-to-long-term position,” Maphosa said.

AMH

By Paul Nyathi|Former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who is facing four counts of abuse of office, will stand trial on October 29.

The trial will run from October 29 to November 2.

He is allegedly facing three counts of criminal abuse of office as a public officer during his tenure as a Cabinet minister under former President Robert Mugabe government.

The first three charges were allegedly committed while Kasukuwere was serving as a Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

The other count was allegedly committed while he was the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment in which he reportedly corruptly awarded a tender to a company called Brainworks Capital.

The first three counts were related to land issues involving former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe’s sister, Junior Shuvai Gumbochuma.

Gumbochuma appeared in court recently facing three counts of fraud.

She was reportedly given land through the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

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 affect her fraudulent transaction.

Between August and October 2017, Gumbochuma sold the land for $2 060 000 without paying for the land. She made a profit of $1 636 574 without doing anything.

Kasukuwere is now being represented by Charles Chinyama after his lawyer Jonathan Samukange renounced agency citing conflict of interest. Samukange a ZANU PF legislator was pushed not to represent Kasukuwere by party members who felt he was working against the party.

Meanwhile, Kasukuwere successfully applied to have his bail reporting conditions altered from reporting twice a day to once a week.

Kasukuwere appeared before magistrate Ms Victoria Mashamba.

FORMER Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma, who was facing criminal abuse of office charges, was yesterday jailed for an effective two years.

Juma was first arrested in 2016 but was released from police custody at the instigation of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

The former VP allegedly stormed Avondale police station and ordered the release of Juma and Davison Norupiri.

The duo was later re-arrested and Norupiri was made an accomplice witness.

Representing the prosecution, Mr Chris Mutangadura urged the court to send Juma to jail, saying he committed a serious offence.

He said such cases were prevalent and a deterrent sentence was neccessary.

Mr Mutangadura said with the new dispensation calling for zero tolerance to corruption and related criminal activities, a strong message should be sent to would-be offenders.

“Your Worship, the new dispensation is now viewing corruption as a cancer that needs to be exorcised from society and that the penalty must deter would be offenders,” he said. “A clear message has to be sent out there that crime does not pay.”

Magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya concurred with the State, saying corruption should not be treated as a normal game. He sentenced Juma to 30 months behind bars before suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.

Juma was convicted after a full trial. Mr Mutangadura proved that sometime in 2014, Zinara had a tax obligation with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority of $15 418 133,61 and as a result Zimra garnished $5 714 587,25 on the firm’s account, leaving a balance of $9 703 546,36.

A report was made to the Zinara board by management for guidance to reduce the tax obligations.

The Zinara board tasked the finance committee to engage a tax consultancy firm to help reduce the obligations.

Three firms, Misfot Tax Consultancy, Excel Tax Consultancy and Central Source Management Consultancy trading as Tax Management Services, were chosen to make presentations.

On September 23, 2014, the firms made presentations and Tax Management Services was recommended.

Juma, in his capacity as acting accounting officer at that time, went on to engage Tax Management Services without following proper tender procedures and Zinara was charged $17 250 for tax health checks.

The offence came to light during an inquiry by the Auditor General’s Office which discovered that there was no contract between Zinara and Tax Management Services.

State Media

State Media – At least 90 percent of the targeted population in Mbare, Glen View, Glen Norah and Budiriro, Harare, has been vaccinated against cholera, Epidemiology and Disease Control director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Portia Manangazira, has said.

She said Glen Norah recorded the highest number of residents who turned up for the vaccination, accounting for 92 percent.
Glen View and Mbare recorded the lowest vaccination rates of 69 and 56 percent, respectively.

Dr Manangazira said while they managed to vaccinate over half of the targeted residents in Glen View and Budiriro, officials were worried by the turn up as the suburbs were the epicentres of the cholera outbreak.
Government has extended the mass vaccination campaign in Budiriro and Glen View.

“From our statistics, the programme went on very well, especially when you are looking at the overall picture, but when it comes to vaccination by suburb, we are still worried with Glen View and Budiriro where the outbreak of cholera emanated.

“We would want to see as many residents as possible from these suburbs being vaccinated. We have, therefore, agreed to further extend the vaccinations up to Thursday just to make sure we reach as many residents as possible.”

Dr Manangazira said following the delivery of additional 900 000 doses of the cholera vaccine last Sunday, Epworth and Chitungwiza residents would be vaccinated on October 15 and 17.

“Dates for vaccination of residents in other targeted suburbs of Mufakose, Kambuzuma, Dzivaresekwa, Stoneridge, Mabvuku, Tafara, Hatcliffe, Highfield and Hopley will be announced in due course,” said Dr Manangazira.
The mass vaccination programme started last Wednesday.

It is targeting 1,4 million people in selected suburbs in Harare, including Epworth and Chitungwiza.
According to health expects, the residents will receive an additional dosage before the onset of the rainy season for them to be fully protected against cholera for the next three to five years.

Although Government managed to contain the cholera outbreak in Budiriro and Glen View, health experts warn of another potential outbreak as council is failing to supply residents with potable water.

Former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma, who was facing criminal abuse of office charges, was yesterday jailed for an effective two years.

Juma was first arrested in 2016 but was released from police custody at the instigation of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.
The former VP allegedly stormed Avondale police station and ordered the release of Juma and Davison Norupiri.

The duo was later re-arrested and Norupiri was made an accomplice witness.
Representing the prosecution, Mr Chris Mutangadura urged the court to send Juma to jail, saying he committed a serious offence.

He said such cases were prevalent and a deterrent sentence was necessary.

Mr Mutangadura said with the new dispensation calling for zero tolerance to corruption and related criminal activities, a strong message should be sent to would-be offenders.

“Your Worship, the new dispensation is now viewing corruption as a cancer that needs to be exorcised from society and that the penalty must deter would be offenders,” he said. “A clear message has to be sent out there that crime does not pay.”

Magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya concurred with the State, saying corruption should not be treated as a normal game. He sentenced Juma to 30 months behind bars before suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.

Juma was convicted after a full trial. Mr Mutangadura proved that sometime in 2014, Zinara had a tax obligation with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority of $15 418 133,61 and as a result Zimra garnished $5 714 587,25 on the firm’s account, leaving a balance of $9 703 546,36.

A report was made to the Zinara board by management for guidance to reduce the tax obligations.

The Zinara board tasked the finance committee to engage a tax consultancy firm to help reduce the obligations.

Three firms, Misfot Tax Consultancy, Excel Tax Consultancy and Central Source Management Consultancy trading as Tax Management Services, were chosen to make presentations.

On September 23, 2014, the firms made presentations and Tax Management Services was recommended.

Juma, in his capacity as acting accounting officer at that time, went on to engage Tax Management Services without following proper tender procedures and Zinara was charged $17 250 for tax health checks.

The offence came to light during an inquiry by the Auditor General’s Office which discovered that there was no contract between Zinara and Tax Management Services.

Meanwhile, former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who is facing four counts of abuse of office, will stand trial on October 29.

The trial will run from October 29 to November 2.

Kasukuwere is now being represented by Mr Charles Chinyama after Mr Jonathan Samukange renounced agency citing conflict of interest. He successfully applied to have his reporting conditions altered from reporting twice a day to once a week.

Kasukuwere appeared before magistrate Ms Victoria Mashamba.

State Media – Police in Bulawayo yesterday arrested 46 illegal money changers in the Central Business District in an operation aimed at ridding the city of illegal foreign currency dealers.

Law enforcement agents were out in full force days after Chief Justice Luke Malaba bemoaned illegal activities around Tredgold Building which houses the Bulawayo Magistrates Courts where most illegal forex dealers operate from.

Illegal vendors and pirate taxis add onto the lawlessness. The environs of the courts, popularly known as the ‘World Bank’, usually characterised by a buzz of activity, were next to deserted as police barricaded Leopold Takawira Avenue between Herbert Chitepo and Fort streets with cones, blocking cars from parking and osiphatheleni from setting up shop.

The operation code named “Flush out illegal foreign currency dealers” which began on Monday, gained momentum yesterday as suspected foreign currency dealers were arrested.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango said the operation was aimed at bringing sanity on the city’s streets and easing congestion at the area around the courts. “We yesterday launched an operation code named ‘Flush out illegal foreign currency dealers.’ The arrest of osiphatheleni will be an ongoing operation until there is sanity. We want to sustain our maintenance of law and order and sanity in the city,” said Chief Inspector Simango.

She said they expect more illegal forex dealers to be arrested as the operation continues.
The police spokesperson said police were working jointly with the Bulawayo City Council in the operation.

There was irony when the ZANU PF regime yesterday imposed an age limit of 65 on permanent secretaries, but ignored touching on the presidency post. STATE MEDIA FULL TEXT:

Government has put permanent secretaries on performance-based five-year contracts which can only be renewed once subject to delivery by the senior civil servants, Civil Service Commission chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe has said.

He said no permanent secretary would serve beyond the mandatory 65 years of retirement, unless there were compelling reasons.

Dr Hungwe said Government had set targets for the permanent secretaries aimed at enhancing public administration and achieving efficiency and professionalism in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.

He said this yesterday while addressing permanent secretaries and principal directors for ministries during an induction workshop in Harare.

Dr Hungwe said the permanent secretaries were obligated to ensure that Government’s work culture was rebranded, put deliberate focus on programme deliverables such as outputs and impact and be exemplary in adhering to those work ethics.

He said to achieve this, strategic plans must be ready by December 2018 with annual plans to operationalise them, including a Detailed Establishment Table.

“Secretaries need to perform as expected, leaving a trail of tangible deliverables that speak to the outputs, outcomes and impact in line with the given mandate,” he said. “The new ethos no longer provides for permanent secretaries appointed for an indefinite period, but instead, envisages
‘Performing Secretaries’ who are appointed on fixed five year term contracts, renewable only once, subject to performance and delivery.

“They cannot be taken beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65. Only in exceptional circumstances, only in circumstances merited by the exclusive possession of outstanding skills and competencies would one be considered for engagement on an annual contract beyond their retirement age of 65.

“This performance will be measured on the basis of a performance contract, based on the Strategic Plan agreed upon and results achieved at the end of each performance cycle.”
Dr Hungwe said all issues to do with structures and establishments should be concluded by December 2018 after which the focus will entirely be on delivery and results.

“All new Detailed Establishment Tables should reflect the strategic direction of any given Ministry and Cluster,” he said. “When the direction is clear, the Commission will facilitate the creation of Strategic Business Units without necessarily increasing the establishment.”

Dr Hungwe said Government expected secretaries to be guided by the law, values, professional norms, citizen interests and to exhibit leadership underpinned by integrity and zero tolerance to corruption.

He outlined obligations of the secretaries which included supporting ministries through training modules, develop a proper communication module, develop capacity at national, provincial and district level in monitoring and evaluation of all projects and conducting systems audit.

Dr Hungwe said Vision 2030 demanded that there be a paradigm shift towards leveraging Information Communication Technology platforms.

“In this regard, all ministries and their partners in the sector should have functional websites that are continually updated,” he said.

Addressing the same gathering, CSC deputy chairperson Ambassador Margaret Muchada said the task at hand was to eliminate duplications.

To address redundancy, Ambassador Muchada said, staff might be moved to where their skills were needed.

“Those who remain unaccounted for after the exercise may require to be relocated elsewhere in the economy and must likewise be assisted to do so with as little upheaval to their lives and to the economy as possible,” she said.

Ambassador Muchada said Government envisaged integration of its departments with State enterprises, as well as establishing closer ties with the private sector.-state media

Two murderers have been sentenced to death after being convicted of stabbing to death a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) member.

Admire Maorere (28) of Maorere village under Chief Ndanga and Windas Munzweru (27) of Chidyamatombo in Karoi were found guilty of stabbing a ZNA Captain, Phio Jeketera several times all over his body leading to his death.

Prosecutor Tawanda Chikwati said on the 19th of May, Jeketera was travelling from Harare to Zaka when he gave a lift to Maorere and Munzweru who were going to Gutu.
At Gutu turn off, the two are said to have produced an okapi knife and demanded money from Jeketera.

Jeketera is said to have resisted, before the two convicts dragged him to the side of the road and stabbed him.

Prosecutor Chikwati said the two then took his phone and cash amounting to $540 and they put Jeketera’s body in the boot before driving off towards Masvingo city where they dumped the vehicle by the road side, a kilometer from the city center.

The court heard that Jeketera’s body was discovered in his dumped car by police officers who were manning a road block.

The body was taken to Masvingo general hospital were a post mortem was conducted by Dr Godfrey Zimbwa, who revealed that Jeketera died of hemorrhage shock as a result of wounds from the numerous stabs.

The police arrested the two through a cellphone vendor based in Masvingo who bought Jeketera’s phone from the two.

Delivering the sentence, Masvingo High Court judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze, who set with assessors; Samuel Mutomba and Joseph Mushuku, said the actions of the two were in common purpose to kill the deceased.

Justice Mawadze said according to section 47 (2) of the constitution, a law may permit the death penalty to be imposed only on a person convicted of murder committed in aggravating circumstances. – state media

The ruling Zanu PF party claims that the United States of America tried to sabotage their campaign by blocking them from wiring their transaction to a Chinese firm which printed the party’s regalia until the party sought ways of circumventing the restrictions and get the money to China without detection by New York, TellZim News has heard.

Addressing an inter-district meeting last weekend at Masvingo Polytechnic College recently, Zanu PF politburo member and principal director of the Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology, Munyaradzi Machacha lashed out at America for trying to effect regime change hiding behind MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

It was said that the Chinese firm which printed the Zanu PF campaign material had refused to release the regalia until they were paid, a development which caused delays in the arrival of the regalia.

Most, if not all, global financial transactions go through New York, and are closely monitored by the US treasury department and CIA which have power to freeze dealings suspected to be involving sanctioned individuals, organisations, states and terrorist movements.

Flanked by Zanu PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi and Senator Josaya Hungwe, Machacha declared that the United States was the real enemy of the country and should be treated as such in any dealings the country finds itself in with them.
Machacha narrated how America tried to sabotage and derail the Zanu PF campaign by making sure that the payment to China failed.

“We are fighting a formidable enemy. America mukono. Hachisi chana chidoko chaunorova mbama chochema chichimhanya kumakumbo amai (America is a real giant; it’s not like a child one can easily beat up).

“We had a problem with regalia during our campaigning period. The regalia was done in China and it was finished in time. The problem came when we wanted to pay the supplier his money. He said he was not going to release the regalia until we wired his payment into his account.

“We wired the money and it was hanging for about a week then it reflected back into our account. We tried wiring the money again and it spent two weeks suspended before reflecting back into our account.

“President Mnangagwa then thought of other ways of getting the money to China, avoiding monitoring by the Americans and we successfully delivered the money and our regalia was released but it was too late because people had already started voting,” said Machacha.
He said that planes loaded with regalia arrived in the country late and there were heaps of regalia awaiting distribution at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

“You should go and tell our people that we have a lot of regalia in Harare and it is coming. We know our people are not happy but we will give all our Members of Parliament enough to distribute to their respective constituencies as we celebrate our victory.

“The issue of regalia left a lot of people dejected and we had cases where people where fighting to access it. There are plenty of t-shirts, caps, scarfs and wrapping cloth enough for everyone and ready for distribution,” said Machacha. – Tell Zimbabwe

By Paul Nyathi|Six people have so far been arrested after deadly tribal fights between informal miners emerged in Gwanda over the weekend.

Matabeleland South Police Spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed that police have arrested six people out of a possible group of fifty who ganged up to attack rival miners at Vhovha Mine in Gwanda.

Reports from the mine are that about fifty heavily armed miners suspected to have come from Kwekwe landed in Gwanda on Saturday and brutally attacked local miners for denying their Shona speaking collegues a chance to mine in the area.

Allegations are that the local Ndebele speaking miners have for a long time been victimising the Shona speaking miners ordering them off the mines a move which angered the Shona miners who went back to Kwekwe and sort reinforcement by bringing in at least fifty collegues to attack the Ndebele speaking miners.

The miners from Kwekwe heavily overpowered the locals and cleared them from the mines before disappearing from the area. At least three people are reported to have died from the incident and a lot more injured.

The injured are currently admitted at Gwanda Provincial Hospital under police guard and will be arrested and charged for public violence as soon as they are discharged from hospital, according to the police.

Meanwhile, a high powered battalion of the ZRP Support Unit from Fairbridge in Bulawayo has been deployed in the town to search for the killers and bring sanity at the informal mines around Gwanda town. A mini curfew is also being experienced in the town as the police are on a massive stop and search exercise.

Government has threatened to revoke operating licenses for retailers demanding hard cash for groceries and for those who have hiked prices.

Addressing journalists in Harare this evening, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said foreign currency will be availed for the pharmaceutical sector.

Mohadi added that the 2% tax on electronic transactions has not yet been effected as the Statutory Instrument backing the move is still being fine tuned.

Jane Mlambo| The ruling ZANU PF party has spoken on the current economic situation obtaining in Zimbabwe saying shortages of fuel is artificial and smacks of a hidden hand.

Read below statement from Zanu PF;

Zanu PF notes the current rise in the cost of living triggered by the unjustified escalation in the prices of essential goods and commodities.

The party acknowledges that the struggle of the common people is real.
The road to economic prosperity as in the biblical story of Moses on his journey to Canaan the Promised Land, was mired by trials and tribulations. As a country, we are on a similar journey as it is currently being experienced.

We have observed signs of negative forces bent on derailing our set economic trajectory of Zimbabwe being open for business, which is meant for the attainment of a Middle income economy by 2030.

Various forms and patterns of these evil forces have been manifesting, stretching from street peddling of currencies on the informal market leading to speculation and fluctuation of exchange rates, gradually offloading of goods onto the black market for sale at exorbitant prices, artificial shortage of fuel and other essential commodities.

It is quite perturbing to note that these development come at a time when government has assigned colossal efforts and attention towards the economy and instituted measures aimed at restoring the much needed economic stability and growth.

We believe that the emerging economic turbulence charactering out economy is a consequence of reactionary forces, misinformed perceptions, truancy and economic indiscipline by some individuals and entities in our midst, riding on the back of the recent pronouncement of the fiscal measures through the Transitional Stabilization Program by the minister of finance and economic development, Honorable Professor Mthuli Ncube.

There is no doubt that if supported, these measures will deliver our great nation from the economic abyss to the promised land of milk and honey as propounded in the vision of His Excellency the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF Cde ED Mnangagwa.

The fluidity of the exchange rate fluctuations on the informal market and the rampant price escalations are artificial and cannot be justified as they are not informed by economic fundamentals. It can therefore be correct to suggest that there is a hidden hand in all what is happening in our economic scenario-economic sabotage is at play.

To Zimbabweans we say; it is our responsibility together as a collective to build the nation of our choice; a nation where our dreams- wishes and aspirations will be realised. As his excellence the president presented, we should build a sustainable future for our children and our children’s children, and in order for that to be achieved, correct but painful decisions ought to be made and be made now.

Building the future of our nation, whose immediate past has been subjected to the economic adversity and instability of immense proportions, cannot be left for the government alone. Everyone should play a constructive role.

We call upon all stakeholders to the national economy, business, labour, political parties, religious institutions and Zimbabweans in general to pull souls, minds and bodies together, work up in the sleeves towards a common purpose, to stabilize and grow our economy towards achieving the middle income status by 2030.

On the foregoing;
1. the revolutionary ZANU PF party calls upon the government to consider revoking SI 064/2016 in light of the current economic climate as we heard towards the festive season.
2. ZANU PF directs the government to immediately enforce the law to eliminate all forms of informal money market activities.
3. ZANU PF calls upon business that is to say; the productive, financial, wholesale, retail and service sectors to strictly adhere to the principles of good corporate governance and ensure that goods and services are delivered to the people without artificial constraints.
4. ZANU PF calls upon all fuel suppliers not to withhold the supply of the precious product and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to stop the commodity from being offloaded on the black market.
5. The party directs the government to ensure that prices of goods and service revert back to those ruling at the time prior to pronouncement of the fiscal and monetary policy measures.
6. Following the assurances by the relevant authorities on the sufficiency of fuel and other goods and essential commodities, ZANU PF calls upon the public to desist from panic buying and hoarding activities.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has said he has the solutions to the country’s deepening economic crisis that has seen the shortages of fuel emerging and prices of commodities skyrocket since last week.

Addressing mourners at the burial of Casper Tsvangirai, younger brother of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, in Buhera yesterday, Chamisa said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was unable to resolve the country’s economic challenges because of the curse of illegitimacy stalking his government after rigging the July 30 polls.

MDC officials who attended the funeral told NewsDay that Chamisa said Mnangagwa’s refusal to hand over power to him was the reason why the economy was in a tailspin.

“Our president (Chamisa) was clear that he has the solutions to solve the economic crisis in the country. He said Zanu PF can rig the elections, but it cannot rig the economy,” MDC chairperson for Manicaland David Chimhini said.

“The president is happy with the support he got during elections, but we know that it was massively rigged.”

Chamisa reportedly skirted the issue of Mnangagwa’s offer to make him an official leader of the opposition, insisting he beat his political nemesis and deserved a chance at State House.

“The president said he did not want to turn the funeral wake into a rally, but wanted to show support to the Tsvangirai family which was well-attended,” explained Chimhini.

The burial was attended by the MDC Alliance officials who included Douglas Mwonzora, youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva and national organising secretary Amos Chibaya, among others.

-Newsday

Self-exiled and former Cabinet Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has thrown a jibe at Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Dr John Mangudya over his claims that price hike of commodities which have this week doubled coupled with fuel and drug shortages are all caused by panic buying with the former saying the problem with the Southern African country’s economy is governance.

Professor Moyo sped off from the country during the November 2017 military inspired protest that saw Robert Mugabe tendering his resignation.

Writing on his micro blog twitter late yesterday, Moyo, who has remained a sharp critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, mocked at the new financial measures and Mangudya’s response on wild price hikes as unreasonable.

“A message doing rounds asks: If as claimed by RBZ Governor Mangudya, shortages of basic commodities such as fuel are caused by panic buying; what is causing shortages of medicines in hospitals and pharmacies? Panic illness? Panic cholera or panic diarrhea? It’s governance, stupid!

“If you have 1USD you can’t buy one loaf of bread. But if you sell that 1USD for RTGS FCA, you can buy two and a half loaves. Distortions thanks to the painful so-called monetary measures widely rejected by industry, commerce, workers, students, peasants, consumers & investors!” said Moyo.

Moyo further jumped into the state newspaper, alleging that the printing machine is now running light work at the largest daily state publication as number of copies used to be printed out has decreased.

-263Chat

Terrence Mawawa|The government has blamed defaulting patients for poor service delivery in major hospitals.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Amadeus Shamu told a daily paper the government was battling to upgrade medical equipment due to failure by patients to settle hospital bills.

“We are struggling to upgrade and update our equipment because there are so many patients who are failing to settle their hospital bills.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care is losing a lot of money as result of defaulting patients,” said Shamu.

Jane Mlambo| Zanu PF Youth League has called on the government to begin a process of currency reform as a way of containing wanton price increases witnessed in the past two weeks.

In a statement today, Zanu PF youths also called on government to lift duty on all raw materials imported by manufacturers.

”Our investigations with different manufacturers has revealed that the bulk of manufacturers did not change the prices of any of their products,

However, some manufacturers highlighted that they are not receiving adequate supply of foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to import the required raw materials.

Min the interim, it is also important that duty on raw material used by manufacturers be lifted,

Further, monetary and fiscal authorities should clearly explain on how they intend to deal with illegal forex trading,” said Zanu PF youths.

Correspondent|THREE people were killed while several others were seriously injured in a nasty road accident blamed on the actions of a said “soldier” who snatched the steering wheel from a commuter omnibus (kombi) driver at high speed.The accident happened in Zimunya, just outside Mutare, at the 19km peg along the Mutare-Masvingo Highway on Monday morning.

As the bogus agent, who later died at Mutare Provincial Hospital after his legs were broken in the crush, attempted to arrest the kombi crew on allegations of flouting traffic regulations, the driver refused to stop.

The deceased then grabbed the steering wheel in the ensuing commotion resulting in the kombi veering off the road, overturned several times before landing in a ditch.

Passengers and luggage were strewn all over. Two of the passengers died on the spot.
Witnesses revealed that since the bogus agent was acting alone, the kombi crew became suspicious of his actions.

“The guy was wearing a blue work suit. He boarded the commuter omnibus like a genuine passenger at an undesignated bus terminus near the Sakubva Swimming Pool. The kombi was going to Masvingo. While on board he suddenly told the driver that he was under arrest for loading at an undesignated point.

“The driver did not stop. He drove the vehicle at high speed towards Zimunya and upon realising that the kombi crew was fleeing with him the deceased agent then snatched the steering wheel resulting in the accident,” said a witness.

Hundreds of residents from the nearby Zimunya Township thronged the scene of the accident.

Some of the passengers who survived the crash teamed up with passersby and vented their anger on the agent for causing the mishap.

Deputy Manicaland police spokesman Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda said traffic cops were investigating the accident.

He said those injured were receiving treatment at Mutare Provincial Hospital.

Jane Mlambo| Police have banned the planned demonstration by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) to demand the abolition of new tax regime introduced by government.

In a press statement released this afternoon, police said the directive by ministry of health against public gatherings in central business district still stands.

”Therefore, the organizers of the intended demonstrations by ZCTU and its affiliates should take note of the government’s directive particularly the movement of large numbers of people from one point to another which includes cholera epicenters,” said Police.

Police warned members of the public that if anything turns nasty, ZCTU will be held responsible.

Meanwhile, the University of Zimbabwe graduation ceremony which was earlier postponed is now set to take place this Friday and unconfirmed reports indicate that Emmerson Mnangagwa will be conferred with an honorary degree.

Correspondent|National airline Air Zimbabwe has dismissed reports that it has stopped accepting Bond Notes and real-time gross settlement (RTGS) transfers in favour of United States Dollars only. Speaking to 263Chat, Air Zimbabwe Public Relations Officer, Milcah Chikarakate,

The message circulating on social media is not true, l think when you look at the bottom of the message it’s actually written that it’s from Air Zimbabwe board and management and as you are aware we don’t have a board at the moment so the message is not from us. The message is fake we don’t know where it came from, we are accepting all forms of payment including Eco Cash and prices are still the same.

The message comes at a time when rates for foreign currency have been skyrocketing on the parallel market. British Airways has announced that it will only be accepting Credit Cards as a means of payment.

Air Zimbabwe later released a statement saying,

Air Zimbabwe would like to advise that it has not published the statement currently in circulation on social media platforms regarding exclusive foreign currency transactions.

The Airline continues to trade in accordance with approved regulations in line with the multi-currency regime. However, we are in continuous engagement with Shareholder and RBZ as regards current economic situation with a view to establish a sustainable position for our operations.

Likewise, any further developments or changes will be communicated accordingly. We remain committed to serve you.

Police in Bulawayo have arrested seven suspects all under the age of 20 who attacked and attempted to stab a police officer to evade arrest
for allegedly robbing a city woman.

Nkanyiso Derick Nyoni (20), Thabiso Dube (18), Sipho Moyo (18) and four other minors aged between 16 and 17 years allegedly tried to rob a
woman near a night club in the city centre on Saturday night.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said alert police officers who were conducting patrols spotted them and they were arrested.
“Our members of the Crime Prevention Unit who were on patrol on Saturday night witnessed a gang
of seven robbing a woman of her purse. The officers moved in to arrest the culprits who produced knives intending to stab the officers on duty resulting in a scuffle but seven of them were subsequently arrested,” said Insp Ncube.
He said police officers recovered two knives from the gang as well as two cellphones that the woman had lost.
Insp Ncube said it was saddening that youths were involved in violent crimes.
He warned members of the public against attempting to defeat the course of justice by attacking cops.
“It’s also worrying to learn that these youthful offenders were even determined to attack and stab law enforcement agents. We want to warn the public that as the police we will also defend ourselves when being attacked by rogue elements
in society,” Insp Ncube said.
On Saturday, an 18-year-old boy from Pumula East allegedly killed his friend over a cellphone.
Evans aka Vado allegedly stabbed and killed Bekithemba Mlalazi over a cellphone and nonchalantly led the victim’s family to the body before vanishing.He is still on the run. The Chronicle

 

Harare residents are up in arms with council after it increased water cuts in their suburbs, saying the move exposed them to water-borne diseases like cholera. Harare City
Council has, without notice, been
disconnecting water supplies to suburbs like Sunridge, Marlborough and Goodhope.
Some residents in Budiriro rely on wells as council is yet to provide piped water. They are however, still made to pay a fixed water charge by council.
The failure by council to supply water in many suburbs has forced residents to resort to unsafe sources like wells at a time when Harare is battling a cholera outbreak.
Harare Residents’ Trust director Mr Precious Shumba told The Herald yesterday that it was disheartening that council was failing to supply all its residents with water at such a
critical time -The Herald.

By Paul Nyathi|Former MDC Bulilima Member of Parliament Norman Mpofu has blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa describing him as too docile to be the President of a country as troubled as Zimbabwe.

Mpofu who has since ditched the opposition party and contested the last election as an independent candidate said that the ruling party will soon find itself out of power of it continues under the leadership of Mnangagwa.

Wrote Mpofu on his Facebook page:

Mnangagwa has to be proactive. Saying Zimbabwe is open for business alone is not enough.

Wheels are coming off. Slogans alone can not run a country.

He has to ensure that the nation is not
fed lies and propaganda. Is it true that the country has adequate supply of fuel as Magundya says. Is it true that basic commodities will be back on the shelves.

The man is just too docile for a President of a country in a crisis like Zimbabwe.

Black market fuel dealers are abusing a Petro Trade noble scheme for prepaying for fuel . I am made to understand, by my informers, that they deposit large sums of money in the Petro Trade account to secure fuel. Then that fuel is sold in the black market under the president’s nose.

If the fuel does not come as per Mangudya statement the man will be in trouble soon.

Zanupf has groomed its supporters to exploit their connectivity with the authorities to steal. Zanupf will sabotage itself out of power soon especially if their President remains docile as he is.

Government has given under-performing State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and parastatals it has earmarked for disposal — among them NetOne, TelOne and People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) — between six and nine months to conclude privatisation deals, a Cabinet minister has said.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told delegates at Chatham House in London where he gave a presentation on the ongoing reforms in Zimbabwe yesterday that Government was serious about privatisation of SOEs.

Minister Ncube said the Government spent half a billion dollars supporting struggling SOEs and parastatals over the last two years, as the perennial loss-making entities continued to drain public funds.

“Think, last year we spent $500 million supporting enterprises that are struggling,” Minister Ncube told the delegates.

The entities used to contribute 40 percent to the economy, but poor management, corruption and weak governance systems have seen them run down with contribution to the economy plummeting to just two percent.

Last year, 38 out of 93 State-owned enterprises audited in 2016 incurred a combined loss of $270 million as weak corporate governance practices and ineffective control mechanisms took their toll.

“We need to move fast, we want to privatise 11 enterprises quickly, I have given some of them six months just to get on with it and six subsidiaries of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); also those should be privatised, we are merging 11 (state owned) entities,” said Minister Ncube.

“Between the next six to nine months, I want to see progress and conclusion of some privatisation deals.”

Minister Ncube said those that need to be liquidated will go under the hummer, with already three targeted for dissolution, while a further seven State-owned entities will be departmentalised into line ministries.

-State Media

THE Health ministry has come hard on pharmacists that deny adolescent girls access to Emergency Contraception (EC), known as the morning-after pill, as teenage pregnancies were on the rise.

Pharmacy logistics and research officer in the Health ministry, Witness Hussain, on Friday said the ministry recently conducted a cross-sectional study of more than 6 000 adolescent girls, which concluded that among other contributing factors, rendering of contraception was a challenge.

Speaking at the Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe annual pharmacists’ indaba (API) in Victoria Falls, Hussain said the 15 to 19-year age group was the most affected.

“We need to change the current attitudes of pharmacists on EC because we established that 50% would not give the pill to that child. Eighty percent of the pharmacists whose views were sought told us that awareness and easy rendering can lead to increased uptake and irresponsibility, but we say, do not punish the buyer, let them purchase the EC and I should repeat, there should not be special treatment,” he said.

“All women are equal. Some view people who take morning-after [pill] as being loose. If you deny them, the consequences may be too hard on them as many revealed that they got chased away from home, face abandonment by the impregnator, sometimes leading to suicide or abortion.

“Maternal child mortality is at 10%, which are still births and premature births, because that child’s pelvic area wouldn’t have developed fully to carry a child, so give the girls an EC. It has no harm and also refer that girl child to other healthcare providers for continuing family planning and sexually transmitted infections management and HIV.”

Hussain spoke at length on how pharmacists could contribute to protecting the girl child by maintaining adequate stocks, creating a welcoming environment and offering counselling services.

“We can only change the behaviour by engaging, not shunning them,” he said

The logistics and research officer said child pregnancies were still high, mainly in rural areas such as Binga due to religious and traditional beliefs, stigmatisation, lack of harmonisation of law, that is, age of consent.

Lack of knowledge, poverty, peer pressure, sexual abuse, family background and death of both parents were other contributing factors they found during the research.

Early this year, deputy director for reproductive health in the Health ministry, Margret Nyandoro, urged women not to use the morning-after pill for birth control because continued use of the drug had devastating side effects, which she said could cause complications in pregnancy. The remarks were necessitated by a spike in the demand for EC.

Pharmacists at the conference, which ended on Saturday, said they were faced with acute drug shortages for chronic diseases such as diabetes as lack of foreign currency aggravated the situation.

NewsDay

MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa is not a “Messiah” or the answer to the current economic challenges since the role to fix the economy is the responsibility of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation, Government has said.

Mr Chamisa has been of late eulogised in the private media as the one holding keys to the current problems affecting the country.

His spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda has also been all over the show, telling anyone who cares to listen that Government had failed and should engage his boss.

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), who is also the Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba, said yesterday that implementation of good economic principles by all Zimbabweans was the only solution to the economic challenges facing the nation.

“I pity Chamisa because he is being vested with Messianic powers which he doesn’t wield,” said Mr Charamba.

“At one level, he is supposed to be conferring legitimacy to the winner of 2018 elections, now I notice he is supposed to be the panacea to spurring the economy.

“This one young politician with a mortal life being vested with all these powers – God help us. He is a mere man and an erring man like all mortals. The economy of this country will be turned around by the hands of the citizens of this nation.

“There is no magic wand, there is no Messiah, only principles of good economics and these are what are being followed by the Government. There is a very clear strategy enunciated in the Monetary Policy, buttressed by the Fiscal Policy and both expressing themselves in the context of a Transitional Plan. Those are the instruments for spurring the economy forward, not a mere individual.”

Mr Charamba said opposition members should not celebrate the economic hardships because they were also citizens first before they become opposition politicians.

He said it was also unfortunate that some were still in the election mode at a time when focus should have shifted towards economic recovery. “In any case, in the recovery of this economy, the opposition are citizens before they even oppose,” said Mr Charamba.

“They are also consumers of goods and services and suppliers of goods and services in spite of the fact that they are in opposition.

“So, if they have a role to play in the economy, it is alongside many other citizens, but not because they are in opposition and its taking too long for some commentators in this economy to realise that we have long moved from the ballot to the market place where rules are different.”

-State Media

AT least 11 State-owned enterprises will be privatised under the Government’s public enterprises reform framework for 2018-2020 while some will be liquidated, merged or departmentalised.

The measures are contained in the new Government blue-print, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) that was presented by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, on Friday. The Minister said reforming the State-owned enterprise sector was part of the short to medium term reform framework whose implementation is already underway.

“Government will expedite the implementation of the Cabinet decision on restructuring, partial or full privatisation of entities. The reform measures for immediate implementation over the period 2018-2020 target the privatisation of 11 State-owned enterprises, six IDC subsidiaries, and 17 ZMDC subsidiaries,” said Prof Ncube.

Without providing names, he said two State-owned enterprises and three IDC subsidiaries will be liquidated while 11 entities will be merged and seven departmentalised into line ministries. The minister also announced a dissolution of all subsidiary boards for Zesa Holdings. Going forward, he said, the Zimbabwe Power Company would be allowed to engage strategic partners for its power generation projects.

Other measures include de-merging the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) into a commercial business unit and the Strategic Grain Reserve, promulgation of the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill to provide for the unbundling of the authority into a regulator and an airports authority.

Minister Ncube said the reform framework was aimed at gaining quick wins from parastatals in line with long-standing objectives of bringing orderliness in their operations, restoring discipline and rationality, turning around their performances and improving on general service-delivery to contribute towards revival of Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes.

The tough decisions come on the back of reports that 70 percent of State-owned enterprises are technically insolvent after most of them incurred a combined $270 million losses, according to the Auditor General’s 2017 report.

Professor Ncube, however, said an institutional support for parastatal reform framework was being put in place to ensure deserving entities get funding under the $3,2 million grant from the African Development Bank.

He said the performance reviews will assess in detail the concerned State-owned enterprises’ governance system, financial, operational, legal environment, processes and procedures affecting them.

These entities include Agribank, Allied Timbers, SMEDCO, Zinara, SIRDC, and IDBZ. Minister Ncube said the European Union has also availed funding for the performance review of an additional three state-owned enterprises under the natural resource programme. These include the Forestry Commission, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). Government has identified a further set for the performance reviews, namely CMED, ARDA, Printflow and Natpharm.

State Media

Paul Nyathi|While police were busy chasing after vendors and money dealers outside Tredgold Building on the instructions of Chief Justice Luke Malaba, personnel operating in Government departments housed there scurried for cover following a fire outbreak at one of the offices due to an electrical fault.

The incident, attracted the attention of members of the public who starred in amusement and did not bother rushing in to help, occurred shortly after 1PM.

Property worth $2 000 was destroyed at one of the oldest trademark buildings in the city located which houses the Bulawayo Labour Court, Provincial and Regional courts, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Surveyor-General’s Office, Deeds Registry, Department of Social Welfare, Umguza District Administrator’s Office, the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate (NECI) and Umguza District Development Fund (DDF).

Chief Justice Luke Malaba last week ordered vendors to be moved away from operating around the building which he described as a special place. He claimed the vendors compromised the importance of the building and were disrupting court proceedings with their noises.

A court interpreter who declined to be named said: “I was busy having lunch in my office with my colleague when I saw billows of smoke pouring out of one of the offices. In a split second, I picked my handbag and stormed out of the building.”

Another court official said fear and panic gripped him when he noticed a cloud of smoke in the corridor.

“I was on my way out of the building to buy lunch when I saw smoke all over the building and I panicked as I thought the entire building was on fire,” he said.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr Richard Peterson, said the fire emanated from a water heater.

“The fire was caused by a water heater, which was being used to boil water in a plastic container. The water boiled until it all evaporated resulting in the water heater igniting the container and subsequently causing fire,” he said.

Mr Peterson said property worth $2 000 which included a photocopier was destroyed and property worth $10 million was at risk.

He said no deaths or injuries were recorded.

By Paul Nyathi|One of the country’s biggest banks the Central Africa Building Society (CABS) has started feeling the crunch economic time the country is experiencing forcing the big bank to start shutting down some of its branches.

The long serving bank on Monday announced that it is closing down the Malbereign and Mabvuku branches and merging them into Westgate and Greendale branches respectively.

The merger will be effective from December 29, 2019.

The notice by the bank which claims that the shut down of the branches is due to its digitalisation programme reads as follows:

NOTICE: Merger of CABS Branches in Harare.

Please be advised that in line with our drive towards digitalisation, we are merging the following branches with effect from 29 December 2018.

Merging Mabelreign Branch into Westgate Branch and
Merging Mabvuku Branch into Greendale Branch.
All services will be available at the merged branch and the CABS branches nationwide. We encourage you to make use of our digital channels via mobile or internet banking.

If you require any further information please call us on (024) 2 883822/3.

We thank you for your continued support and valued banking relationship with CABS.

HIGH Court judge Justice Edith Mushore yesterday suspended Chitungwiza mayor Gift Tsverere and his deputy Jabulani Mtunzi until the determination of a matter in which a losing mayoral candidate is challenging the results of the election.

Kiven Mutimbanyoka, a Zanu PF councillor for ward 13, approached the High Court seeking nullification of the mayoral election results of September 4, describing the electoral process as irregular and illegal.

He claimed no appropriate time was given for the elections, hence the meeting where elections were conducted was not properly constituted.

He argued that the inadequacy of time was prejudicial to the councillors, including himself, as he wanted to lobby for the post.

In his draft order, Mutimbanyoka wanted the suspension of the elections, declaration and appointment of the mayor and his deputy pending the finalisation of the matter.

The pair was stopped form carrying out any duties as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

NewsDay

MDC Alliance has slapped six top leaders in the party’s Chiwundura district structures with five-year suspensions over their alleged support for independent parliamentary and council candidates in the July 30 harmonised elections.

The opposition party suspended district youth organising secretary Simbarashe Zimwara, ward 5 organising secretary for youths, Partson Banda, and Tichaona Jumai, the ward 5 defence and security secretary.

Also suspended were elections secretary Moses Marecha, main wing district organiser Aaron Mumvana and his wife Tendai Bungure.

The suspensions were announced at a party meeting held in Senga, Gweru, on Saturday.

The members were accused of supporting losing parliamentary candidate for Chiwundura, Blessing Murondiwa, who stood as an independent after losing to Livingstone Chimina in the party’s primary elections.

Chimina won the parliamentary seat.

Mumvana stood as an independent candidate for council’s ward 5 seat in Chiwundura and was supported by his wife Bungure.

The Nelson Chamisa-led coalition fielded double candidates in some wards and constituencies, with some disgruntled members also contesting as independent candidates.

MDC Alliance Midlands South acting chairperson Cleopas Shiri confirmed the development and said it was in line with a resolution made by the party’s national council in August to deal with members, who either participated as independents or supported an independent candidate in this year’s polls.

“Yes, I can confirm the development and add that there was overwhelming evidence that those suspended had lost the vision of the party ahead of the July 30 elections by supporting independent candidates. Some of them were actually agents of independent candidate Murondiwa,” Shiri said.

Smoke-induced deaths engulf rural areas
He also highlighted that suspended party members were free to contest the suspensions.

“MDC Alliance is a very fair party. Those that have been suspended are free to appeal and seek recourse in their situations if they think the decisions were misguided. However, a thorough look into their cases was done before arrival at the decisions to discipline them,” Shiri said.

Cosmas Chipope, the ward 5 MDC Alliance chairperson, however, challenged suspensions of members from his structure, saying they were not done above board.

“The meeting to announce suspension of the guys was done in my ward, but I was not aware of it. I feel the process was done unconstitutionally because, as a ward with our leadership, we should have been involved in the decision. But from what I gather, the suspensions were motivated by factional agendas, in which some leaders at the top and in the provincial structures, in particular, are purging potential threats to their positions. We will challenge the suspensions,” he said.

Chipope said he had chaired a ward assembly meeting last Wednesday, but no such issue was discussed.

“Our organising secretary Amos Chibaya and chairperson Thabitha Khumalo had assured us that no one will be suspended because a lot of disturbances had happened ahead of the polls, even at national level, but I am shocked with what has happened here,” he said.

NewsDay

FORMER Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, a stalwart of the liberation struggle, is ready to walk away from politics and will not apply for re-admission into the party, but would consider a return if the party makes such a resolution.

His comments came in the wake of Zanu PF’s announcement that former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and ex-Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association national chairperson Jabulani Sibanda had been re-admitted after their applications were approved by the politburo last week.

“They know my position. If they want me to return to the party, they can re-admit me. I do not have to apply to re-join a party that I formed. It does not make sense,” Gumbo said.

“There were problems that I would not want to encounter again. I have been quiet and have not commented on anything. I am busy with personal stuff and that is what I want to concentrate on.”

Asked if he was contemplating retiring from politics, Gumbo suggested the time might have come.

“I have been in politics for a long time. I would not want to keep being pushed around. I want to rest,” the former Agriculture minister, who had a number of run-ins with former President Robert Mugabe, said.

A week after Mnangagwa’s sacking as Vice-President by Mugabe in November last year, Mutasa said he would never “shed tears for Mnangagwa” and that he deserved “everything coming at him”.

But Mutasa said he was not going to keep grudges forever.

“The fact that you heard the party announce my return means I have had a change of heart. We should not focus on the negatives always, I want to contribute constructively for the benefit of the nation,” he said.

“I know I said things in anger, but if I was angry in 2014 when I was expelled, it does not mean I must continue to hold the grudge to this day.”

The former Intelligence minister was expelled from the ruling party as part of an internal purge that swept away then Vice-President Joice Mujuru along with other leading stalwarts in Zanu PF.

Mujuru’s expulsion did nothing to stem the fighting in Zanu PF, but it was Mnangagwa’s sacking that triggered a military intervention that forced Mugabe’s resignation last November and Mnangagwa’s eventual rise to the top.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo last week announced the party’s politburo had resolved to re-admit Mutasa and Sibanda.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has said he has the solutions to the country’s deepening economic crisis that has seen the shortages of fuel emerging and prices of commodities skyrocket since last week.

Addressing mourners at the burial of Casper Tsvangirai, younger brother of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, in Buhera yesterday, Chamisa said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was unable to resolve the country’s economic challenges because of the curse of illegitimacy stalking his government after rigging the July 30 polls.

MDC officials who attended the funeral told NewsDay that Chamisa said Mnangagwa’s refusal to hand over power to him was the reason why the economy was in a tailspin.

“Our president (Chamisa) was clear that he has the solutions to solve the economic crisis in the country. He said Zanu PF can rig the elections, but it cannot rig the economy,” MDC chairperson for Manicaland David Chimhini said.

“The president is happy with the support he got during elections, but we know that it was massively rigged.”

Chamisa reportedly skirted the issue of Mnangagwa’s offer to make him an official leader of the opposition, insisting he beat his political nemesis and deserved a chance at State House.

“The president said he did not want to turn the funeral wake into a rally, but wanted to show support to the Tsvangirai family which was well-attended,” explained Chimhini.

The burial was attended by the MDC Alliance officials who included Douglas Mwonzora, youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva and national organising secretary Amos Chibaya, among others.

NewsDay

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana says there are no shortages.

Mnangagwa adds saying the current shortages are artificial shortages created by panic buying.

Mangwana also criticised retailers for hiking their prices because of a “mere announcement” of a 2% transfer tax. He said, “Circulation of fake news on social media that incite people to engage in bulk buying has resulted in some artificial shortages. It is based on profiteering, which is greed.

“There is also an element that this could be political. Surely, what is the connection between a mere announcement of the 2 percent mobile transfer tax and the hiking of prices from $3 to $11?

 

“I urge the people of Zimbabwe to stop panic buying. Remain calm and engage with the Government where necessary. There is enough fuel. There is, at anytime, over 300 million litres of fuel at Msasa depot. The foreign currency that was needed to release the fuel from the Msasa depot where it was bonded, was availed. People are only queuing because there is fuel at the stations.

 

“People are surging, going in numbers to fuel up. People are going with their drums to fill up after fake news that there will be a shortage. Such long queues are expected. Right now, when it comes to other supplies, there are good stocks. Obviously things are running off the shelves, but people cannot pack the shelves fast enough. That is where the actual problem is.”

Police in Bulawayo have arrested seven suspects all under the age of 20 who attacked and attempted to stab a police officer to evade arrest for allegedly robbing a city woman.

Nkanyiso Derick Nyoni (20), Thabiso Dube (18), Sipho Moyo (18) and four other minors aged between 16 and 17 years allegedly tried to rob a woman near a night club in the city centre on Saturday night.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said alert police officers who were conducting patrols spotted them and they were arrested.

“Our members of the Crime Prevention Unit who were on patrol on Saturday night witnessed a gang of seven robbing a woman of her purse. The officers moved in to arrest the culprits who produced knives intending to stab the officers on duty resulting in a scuffle but seven of them were subsequently arrested,” said Insp Ncube.

He said police officers recovered two knives from the gang as well as two cellphones that the woman had lost.

Insp Ncube said it was saddening that youths were involved in violent crimes.
He warned members of the public against attempting to defeat the course of justice by attacking cops.

“It’s also worrying to learn that these youthful offenders were even determined to attack and stab law enforcement agents. We want to warn the public that as the police we will also defend ourselves when being attacked by rogue elements in society,” Insp Ncube said.

On Saturday, an 18-year-old boy from Pumula East allegedly killed his friend over a cellphone.

Evans aka Vado allegedly stabbed and killed Bekithemba Mlalazi over a cellphone and nonchalantly led the victim’s family to the body before vanishing.

He is still on the run.

State Media- MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa is not a “Messiah” or the answer to the current economic challenges since the role to fix the economy is the responsibility of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation, Government has said.

Mr Chamisa has been of late eulogised in the private media as the one holding keys to the current problems affecting the country.

His spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda has also been all over the show, telling anyone who cares to listen that Government had failed and should engage his boss.

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), who is also the Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba, said yesterday that implementation of good economic principles by all Zimbabweans was the only solution to the economic challenges facing the nation.

“I pity Chamisa because he is being vested with Messianic powers which he doesn’t wield,” said Mr Charamba. “At one level, he is supposed to be conferring legitimacy to the winner of 2018 elections, now I notice he is supposed to be the panacea to spurring the economy.

“This one young politician with a mortal life being vested with all these powers – God help us. He is a mere man and an erring man like all mortals. The economy of this country will be turned around by the hands of the citizens of this nation.

“There is no magic wand, there is no Messiah, only principles of good economics and these are what are being followed by the Government. There is a very clear strategy enunciated in the Monetary Policy, buttressed by the Fiscal Policy and both expressing themselves in the context of a Transitional Plan. Those are the instruments for spurring the economy forward, not a mere individual.”

Mr Charamba said opposition members should not celebrate the economic hardships because they were also citizens first before they become opposition politicians.

He said it was also unfortunate that some were still in the election mode at a time when focus should have shifted towards economic recovery. “In any case, in the recovery of this economy, the opposition are citizens before they even oppose,” said Mr Charamba. “They are also consumers of goods and services and suppliers of goods and services in spite of the fact that they are in opposition.

“So, if they have a role to play in the economy, it is alongside many other citizens, but not because they are in opposition and its taking too long for some commentators in this economy to realise that we have long moved from the ballot to the market place where rules are different.”

By ED Mnangagwa| Last week, Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube, drawing on his vast experience as chief economist and vice president at the African Development Bank (AfDB), announced a series of measures to reform and revive our economy, and put us on the path to steady economic growth. Cognisant of the scale and urgency of the challenges facing us, our plan is bold and far reaching, and will have the desired effect.

I have read your comments and understand the difficulties many face, and Government will do all in its power to minimise them. We are already taking the lead by cutting back on unnecessary spending. The only way to a stronger economy is to restructure, rebuild and reform.

We must all be realistic. Whatever some may claim, there are no silver bullets or quick fixes. There is no need to panic, and Government is guaranteeing the availability of all essential commodities, including fuel.

We are on a shared journey to a better and more secure future. The road is long, winding and at times bumpy, but there is no other way. This is the road to a middle-income economy, and if we travel it together, with patience and purpose, we will realise our vision.

Jane Mlambo| In what appears like a desperate attempt to discourage Zimbabweans from panic buying as anticipation of further increase of prices and shortages, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has continued with his usual rants that the country is moving towards a middle income economy by 2030.

In a statement this afternoon, Mnangagwa said the new monetary measures announced by Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube will yield desired results and the country on a path to steady economic growth.

“Last week, Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube, drawing on his vast experience as chief economist and vice President at the African Development Bank, announced a series of measures to reform and revive our economy, and put us on the path to steady economic growth.

“Cognisant of the scale and urgency of the challenges facing us, our plan is bold and far reaching and will have the desired effect.

“I have read your comments and understand the difficulties many face, and government will do all in its power to minimize them. We are already taking the lead by cutting back on unnecessary spending. The only way to a stronger economy is to restructure, rebuild and reform,” said Mnangagwa.

He added that Zimbabweans need to be realistic that the economy will be sorted easily as there are no silver bullets.

“We must all be realistic. Whatever some may claim, there are no silver bullets or quick fixes. There is no need to panic, and government is guaranteeing the availability of all essential commodities, including fuel.
We are on a shared journey to a better and more secure future.

“The road is long, winding and at times bumpy, but there is no other way. This is the road to a middle income economy, and if we travel it together, with patience and purpose, we will realize our vision,” he added.

The MDC President, Nelson Chamisa has refuted claims in the state media that he is angling for Prime Minister post saying his call for dialogue should not be misconstrued.

In an interview with 263Chat this morning, Chamisa spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda denied Chamisa’s interest taking up the Prime Minister post saying his boss is not interested in positions as his worry is on over 90 percent jobless Zimbabweans, economic mismatch and crisis in governance.

“No, the President is not interested in positions,” said Sibanda.

“What is certainly true is that the President is concerned about the plight of the 95 percent unemployed Zimbabweans not in anything else and he has developed a five point plan to deal with that.

“Firstly the President is of the view that the economic situation and unemployment will improve if we consider a national dialogue and ultimately be sure that we will never ever have another election whose outcome is disputed because if we do not put a mechanism to safeguard the election it is the economy that pays the price,” Sibanda.

-263Chat

The MDC President, Nelson Chamisa has refuted claims in the state media that he is angling for Prime Minister post saying his call for dialogue should not be misconstrued.

In an interview with 263Chat this morning, Chamisa spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda denied Chamisa’s interest taking up the Prime Minister post saying his boss is not interested in positions as his worry is on over 90 percent jobless Zimbabweans, economic mismatch and crisis in governance.

“No, the President is not interested in positions,” said Sibanda.

“What is certainly true is that the President is concerned about the plight of the 95 percent unemployed Zimbabweans not in anything else and he has developed a five point plan to deal with that.

“Firstly the President is of the view that the economic situation and unemployment will improve if we consider a national dialogue and ultimately be sure that we will never ever have another election whose outcome is disputed because if we do not put a mechanism to safeguard the election it is the economy that pays the price,” Sibanda.

-263Chat