CONTROVERSIAL Esigodini businessman Baron Dube makes nearly $10 000 per month and has six gold mines, a farm, four shops and a herd of 200 cattle, his estranged wife told a Maintenance Court hearing in Bulawayo yesterday.

Ms Nikki Cameron (23) dragged the gold baron to the Maintenance Court demanding $650 per month for the upkeep of their three minor children aged four years, one year and five months.

Dube (42) of Habane Township in Esigodini is allegedly not contributing towards the upkeep of his children.

“Your Worship, I need the money to buy food, clothes and pay school fees for my children. I know that he can afford $650 because he owns six mines. He has two mines in Esigodini and other mines at Inyathi, Filabusi, Fort Rixon and Woodlands,” said Ms Cameron.

“Baron prefers to pay someone to drive him all over the place yet he doesn’t want to support our children. I’ve been in this marriage for the past five years and have been assisting in managing his business but he never appreciates.”

Dube said he can only afford to pay $150 per month because he was unemployed and has six other children, bringing the total number of his children to nine.

He told the court that Ms Cameron was lying about the number of businesses he runs.

Asked by Magistrate Tashaya how much he makes per month, the businessman said:

“From shops I realise $300. I can give her $150 per month because these other six children are at school and they are in arrears. I need to clear all the arrears at their school”.

Mr Tashaya told the gold baron that it was clear that he was lying in court and postponed the matter to February 3.

“You told me that you are unemployed and your wife is telling me that you are a businessman. You are telling the court that you have 56 cows while your wife whom you have been married to for the past five years says you have 200 cattle. Why are you lying in court?” asked the magistrate.

Mr Tashaya told Dube that he would order him to pay more than $650 if he discovers that he was lying in court.

“I’m postponing this matter to February 3. Dube come with the ownership books for the cattle and mines. I want to see the number of cattle that you have.

Can you please bring your mine licences, birth certificates of your other six children and your bank statement,” he said.

In November last year, there were violent clashes at one of Dube’s mining claims in Filabusi that claimed the life of his nephew.

Qalisani Moyo, who was popularly known as “Friday” of Sanale area in Filabusi, was axed to death after his right foot was chopped off in a fight over the gold claim at HeyHill Farm.

Dube later revealed that on the day his relative died, they were supposed to travel together to the claim for a meeting, but he later decided against going there. – State Media

FOUR people escaped death when a Mazda B1800 they were travelling in fell into a flooded Gweru River along the Gweru- Matobo Road yesterday.

The vehicle, according to the Gweru Chief Fire Officer Mr Emmanuel Musemwa, fell into the flooded river when the driver failed to negotiate a narrow bridge.

He said the incident occurred at around 11AM at the Gweru River bridge. Four people who were in the vehicle survived due to the heroic efforts by fellow motorists who jumped into the flooded river and rescued them.

“These people are lucky to be alive but it’s sad that the driver attempted to cross the bridge which was flooded. The four were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital for monitoring by medical staff. We encourage motorists and members of the public to desist from crossing flooded rivers. They should wait for water levels to drop because if it wasn’t for the alert motorists, we could have lost four lives,” he said.

When The Chronicle arrived at the scene, members of the Gweru Fire Brigade were attempting to retrieve the vehicle which had been swept some few metres down the river.

Ms Seletina Mucheki (21) one of the survivors said she was travelling with her husband Mr Itayi Chafa (28), their daughter Nancy (2) and the vehicles’ driver offered them a lift.

Ms Mucheki — a member of Zion Christian Church — said they boarded the vehicle near Ascot Stadium as they intended to go to Arizona 43 Farm, some 40km from Gweru. She said when they got to the bridge; some motorists had parked their vehicles waiting for the water to subside.

“Since I was at the back I don’t know what the driver thought but I saw him driving across the bridge. Before I knew it, the vehicle started swerving to the right side. I then saw that we were being pushed by the waters in the bridge and I got hold of my daughter. I started praying to the God of Samuel, Anginas and Nehemiah and I felt calm. I knew we were going to survive and here we are. We thank God for this miracle,” he said. – State Media

A SENIOR Zanu-PF official from Bulawayo Nacisio Elijah Makhulumo has been fined $100 for not reporting to the police that his firearm was missing.

Makhulumo pleaded guilty to failure to report a missing firearm when he appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya on Thursday.

“I’m sure you are aware of the dangers that may come with not securing a firearm. You are lucky that no one killed someone with it. You need to take more caution in securing it. Let this be the only time that you face such an offence,” said Mr Tashaya.

“You are sentenced to pay a $100 fine or face 90 days imprisonment. The money has to be paid to the Clerk of Court on                                          or before January 31.”

Makhulumo said he was not aware that his gun had gone missing.

Prosecuting, Miss Sithembiso Sweswe said the firearm went missing on December 3 last year until it was picked up by someone in Hillside suburb last Wednesday.

“Accused person lost an FN pistol serial number 95974, black in colour at a place unknown to him. No report was made until Wednesday,” said Miss Sweswe.

“The pistol was recovered by one Farai Paradza hidden under a heap of thorn branches opposite Christian Brothers College in Hillside suburb where he was slashing some grass. Paradza surrendered the pistol to the police at Hillside police station.” – State Media

MULTICHOICE Zimbabwe has asked six employees who were working from its Bulawayo office to resign for alleged misconduct.

The six, including the regional manager, allegedly signed resignation letters last week on Thursday.

The employees are said to have been selling their own decoders, prejudicing the company in the process.

Sources said only the messenger remains on the job.

“I understand that Multichoice fired all its workers on Thursday except the messenger who protested and won,” said a source.

“I think what got them into trouble was the fact that they were selling their own decoders during working hours and claiming that they belonged to Dstv.”

The source said some workers from Harare had been temporarily deployed to fill the vacant positions while Multichoice fixes the problem.

“We heard that the regional manager was called for a hearing in Harare last year in December and she sold out her colleagues. The whole branch is alleged to have misused company resources and they were making lots of money from using the company’s name to sell their personal gadgets,” a source said.

Multichoice spokesperson Ms Elizabeth Dziva promised to respond to questions on Monday as she was waiting for her boss who was out of the country. – State Media

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | MDC officials here have vowed to defy a ban imposed on the selection of candidates by party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Irate officials here have described the move to ban the candidate selection process as a deliberate attempt by Tsvangirai and party Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora to impose candidates ahead of the 2018 polls.

In 2013 the imposition of candidates contributed towards the party’s dismal performance in that year’s watershed polls, party sources have said. Senior party officials here blasted both Tsvangirai and Mwonzora for attempting to trample on the provisions of the party constitution.

“This is a clear attempt to impose their favourite candidates.This time we will resist the deliberate attempt to subvert the will of the people.They are preaching democracy but they do not want to implement fair principles,”said a member of the MDC Provincial Executive Committee who declined to be named.

Mwonzora maintained the selection of candidates had been phased out.He also wrote a memo to all party structures indicating the new position. “It has come to our attention that some provincial members are trying to initiate the candidate selection process ahead of the 2018 elections. Let me state that the Election Directorate -headed by the national chairman-has finalised the candidate selection rules,”said Mwonzora. However provincial executive members here told ZimEye.com despite Mwonzora’s memo, they would not stop the candidate selection process.

That sooner or later Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe chief John Mangudya’s bond notes project
would run into problems was a foregone conclusion. The bond notes, which were touted as the panacea to Zimbabwe’s cash problems, have so far proven to be a cancer that is slowly eating away at the little gains of economic stability achieved by the introduction of the US dollar in 2009.

Earlier warnings that the surrogate currency would be discounted by the Zimbabwean
public were quickly dismissed. Elsewhere, we carry a story on the problems wrought so far by the issue of bond notes.

Yet despite assurances from the central bank last year and to date that the bond notes have
some sort of value derived from a US$200 million Afrexim Bank facility backing the notes, the situation on the ground shows that his assurances are not enough.

External payments glitches have intensified. Expatriates cannot send a few dollars to family overseas.
Already banks, themselves unwilling participants in a project they secretly knew would
fail, but too scared to resist a regulator’s desperate move to end a cash crisis, are
demanding hard currency from customers seeking to transfer funds out of the country not
withstanding current bank balances.

Essentially, what banks are saying is although we played along to the whims of the
central bank to launch bond notes with a value that is said to be at par with the American
unit, the balances they claim we have with them are nothing but just electronic money, which unfortunately cannot be mistaken for hard currency.

Anyone who has attempted to import anything into the country will testify to this.
This situation is not only preposterous but also a blatant disregard for the financial
welfare of citizens by the state.

Instead of promoting and preserving the financial well- being of citizens, the
government, through the central bank, is leading a campaign to erode the financial
integrity of its citizens and plunge them into untold misery. It is now apparent that
Mangudya’s assurances that bond notes would have par value with the US dollar and be used
in lieu of the currency and share the same account despite protestations to separate the
two accounts, was nothing but a yarn spun so beautifully.

Could this be systematic theft from the populace through devious means? Many are beginning to believe this was all an elaborate scheme to deprive Zimbabweans of their valuable dollars. More worryingly, the greenback seems to have vanished suddenly from circulation.

In the circumstances, citizens have a reason to mistrust the central bank and the financial institutions. Unfortunately, it seems a confidence crisis has occurred. Against such a background charecterised by low confidence in the currency, it is just a matter of time before the chickens come home to roost. -Independent

THE introduction of bond notes has put ordinary Zimbabweans and importers in a rut with many facing bottlenecks as some local banks reject the use of the fiat money for foreign payments amid a severe shortage of US dollars that has paralysed the economy.

Zimbabwe has been facing foreign currency shortages since last year as shown by long, winding queues at banking halls and demand for cash-backs in supermarkets. Since the introduction of the multi-currency system in 2009, the United States dollar has been the dominant currency.
As first reported by the Zimbabwe Independent last November, local banks, which on the surface appear to be supporting the introduction of US$200 million worth of the new promissory currency in bond notes into the market, are now raising concerns over chaos on accounting standards and operational headaches since the introduction of the bond notes.

Bank executives who spoke to this paper said most local banks are having challenges accepting the currency to fund import payments for customers as they cannot carry out cross-border transactions.
The Reserve Bank had initially indicated that upon expiry of the bond notes (when exports reach US$6 billion), those customers who would have deposited foreign currency would be entitled to demand their funds in foreign currency.

“In principle if a customer deposits the bond note, that note cannot be used to carry out any cross-border payments or fund prepaid cards (VISA/MasterCard). As it stands now other banks have taken the stance that they do not accept bond notes for prepaid cards or cross-border payments,” a senior banker with a local financial institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

“We are also facing challenges from some customers that have requested that their USD accounts should not be diluted with the bond notes despite the currency being at par with the greenback. The challenge with this request is how banks can comply with such an instruction from a customer given that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe turned down our proposal to have mirror accounts for bond notes and more so it has reiterated that the notes are at par value with USD.”

“…Another concern that the industry is raising is that before the introduction of the bond note, banks were made to understand that if a customer intends to carry out a cross-border payment, the bank would present the bond notes to the RBZ and the central bank would supply the US dollars. However, practically this is not happening on the ground.”

The bankers have also raised concerns on automated teller machines (ATMs) which they say are configured to dispense money below the daily withdrawal limits, thereby pushing the cost to the customer.

“From an operation point of view, our machines have also been affected by bond notes. ATM operations are currently being affected by the small denominations because the cassettes can only take up to a maximum of 40 notes, which means customers have to perform several transactions resulting in build-up of queues and accelerated wear and tear of the machines, hence $5 bond should be introduced urgently,” another executive working for a foreign-owned bank said.

Bond notes, according to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya, are backed by a US$200 million African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) facility and are largely an export incentive.

Official figures show that total exports stood at US$2,83 billion against a projected target of US$3 billion while imports were at US$5,21 billion, resulting in an annual trade deficit of US$2,38 billion.
When reached for comment on challenges being faced by banks since the introduction of bond notes, central bank governor John Mangudya said this was yet to be brought to his attention.

“We are not aware of the banks that are refusing to accept bond notes to fund cross-border transactions. Cross-border transactions are effected from debiting foreign exchange accounts of the transacting party or entity. Such transactions require funding in the country’s nostro accounts,” Mangudya said in a written response to questions sent by the Independent.

“The bottom line is that the country needs to enhance exports and other foreign exchange receipts in order to sustain its import requirements. We need to enhance productivity across all the sectors of the economy. As previously advised, the $5 bond notes shall be released into the market in February 2017, in line with the release of the export incentive scheme pay-outs which basically conforms to the drip-feed process in sympathy with export receipts.”

The Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) said bond notes had played a role in easing the cash shortages, adding that they were not a permanent solution to problems besetting the economy.

“The introduction of bond notes has reduced further foreign currency leakages as the notes are only useful within the country. The notes have resulted in the improved availability of cash in the market and queues at banks have substantially reduced. Bond notes are however not a panacea for cash shortages as the under US$80 million worth of bond notes so far issued to the market, as published in the media by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, is a minor part of the overall money in circulation in the country,” BAZ president Charity Jinya said in a written response to emailed questions .

“It is important to understand that bond notes are legal tender meant for internal circulation within Zimbabwe and cannot be used to finance offshore payments. They have thus relieved banks of part of the burden of importing foreign currency notes from offshore, and these resources are being availed to critical import payments.

“The banking public is encouraged to make greater use of electronic payment channels to reduce demand for cash and banks are working round the clock to ensure that more point of sale devices are availed to businesses for the convenience of the public.”

In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of China Shougang International which had sued Standard Chartered Bank for not reimbursing its deposits worth nearly US$48 000 which were raided by the RBZ during its quasi-fiscal operations at the height of the economic meltdown and hyperinflation which ended after the introduction of the multi-currency regime in 2009.

Banking officials are also raising concerns over the lack of transparency on the US$200 million Afreximbank facility after President Robert Mugabe invoked the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act to gazette Statutory Instrument 133 giving legal effect to the introduction of bond notes.

As it stands, the banking sector relies on official figures released by the apex bank on the current holdings of bond notes.

Early this month the central bank more than doubled the current holdings of bond notes to US$73 million in just less than a month as the central bank moves to ease a biting cash crunch amid concerns the apex bank could run the printing press unabated.

Banking officials further said while bond notes have relatively eased the cash crunch, failure by government to constitute an independent committee to oversee the supply of bond notes into the market could dampen market confidence.

Meanwhile, the government says it is still crafting a statutory instrument that will give legal effect to the setting up of the panel despite initial assurances by the central bank that the committee would be in the place when the bond notes were introduced. zimbabwe indepednent

A faith-based rights group has accused the Harare City Council (HCC) and police of disregarding a court order to stop the removal of vendors from the central business district (CBD).

The Jestina Mukoko-led Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said the two institutions had continued to show intent to violate laws after forging ahead with the raids on informal traders in the city centre despite a court injunction.

“According to the lawyers representing Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (Viset), the court order was delivered to HCC officials and the (police) commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri.

Luke Tamborinyoka | President Morgan Tsvangirai today continued on his listening tour when he engaged opinion leaders in Bulawayo and Plumtree in Matabeleland South.

The tour continues to reflect a region with deep-seated feelings of marginalisation, neglect and abandonment by an uncaring government that has no love for its people. The people continued to pour their hearts out to a leader they love and whom they thanked for giving them an opportunity to input into the alliance building process and the sculpting of a new society beyond Mugabe and Zanu PF in 2018.

So frank and open were the meetings that at one point in Bulawayo, one opinion leader made an emotional outburst in which he bemoaned the marginalisation of the people in the Matabeleland region.

Both in Bulawayo and Plumtree, they were strong feelings not only about the collapse of the political economy, but also of the deep wounds inflicted by the State-sponsored Gukurahundi atrocities. There were several suggestions on how to deal with this grievance so that the nation puts closure to this painful period in the country’s history.

The suggestions ranged from the payment of reparations to the implementation of devolution as a permanent solution to the bad politics of exclusion that Zanu PF has pursued in the past.

President Tsvangirai took time during the engagements to clear the air about the false reports that he had already traded off some seats to the coalition partners. The alliance negotiations had not even begun and the reports were false and malicious as there was no agreement yet. He said the new government must be inclusive and must prioritise merit and not tribe.

The opinion leaders had strong feelings on gender representation in the new government and said while they supported the alliance, it must be sculpted in a way that would inspire the people and ensure that change comes in 2018.

Most of the input by the people are of a strategic nature and are meant to enrich both the alliance building process and the post-Mugabe government policies that should promote development and inclusivity.

As part of his mass-line approach to politics, it is President Tsvangirai’s belief that public participation can only enhance and enrich the party’s approach to national issues that affect the people.

The opinion leaders that are being engaged represent the breadth of leaders ranging from traditional leaders, civic leaders as well as leaders in church and business, among many others sectors.

Tomorrow, President Tsvangirai addresses a provincial assembly meeting in Bulawayo, after which he will go on a short break before proceeding to the other provinces to solicit the people’s views at this delicate political moment for the country.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications
Movement for Democratic Change

Ray Nkosi | Many wives are starved of sex, while their husbands pleasure themselves to no end with other women outside the home. What can a woman denied of her conjugal rights do? Her reason for being in the matrimonial arrangement, if there is no sexual intimacy, can she be blamed for seeking sex outside? After all a healthy lifestyle includes good sex. What is your take? Should women suffer in silence? Join Tete Rasta on ZimEye LIVE at 6pm (Zim Time) to discuss this hot topic. 

Should pastors/preachers be referred to as “Papa/Father/Daddy” ?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 27, 2017

A good leader is

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 27, 2017

By Ray Nkosi | Hungry Doctors and nurses at Gwanda Provincial Hospital are reported to have shared amongst themselves five tonnes of rice donated to patients by the Chinese through the Presidential Feeding Scheme programme.

Impeccable sources within the hospital told ZimEye.com that the hospital received 169 bags of 50kg rice late last year meant for patients but the hospital authorities instead shared 100 bags amongst doctors and nurses as well as the general staff at the hospital.

The sources said each person got almost 20kg of rice.

“Sometime before Christmas we got notice that we were supposed to collect a bucket of rice each; everyone at the hospital excluding student nurses benefited and everyone was meant to sign on collection,” said one of the sources in confidence.

“We thought this was a benevolent gesture from government since we have not yet received our annual bonuses,” said added.

The sources said that they have since been ordered by the Department of Social Welfare to reimburse the hospital of the rice.

“However, we are now being ambushed to return the “stolen” rice at the behest of the Social Welfare ministry who are saying we were not meant to benefit,” said the source.

Although Dr. Chimberengwa could not be reached for comment authoritative sources said the rice was distributed to staff members after management felt it was likely to go bad whilst being kept at the hospital.

“If indeed the rice was not meant for us we are willing to pay back but we should not be held at ransom as nurses because the decision came from the top,” said a nurse.

AN armed robber who brutally murdered a security guard at Grafax Cotton Company offices in Gokwe before stealing cash, two solar inverters and a generator nine years ago, has been sentenced to death.

Doubt Mathe, whose age was not given, of Zunguziva village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe, yesterday appeared before High Court Judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, sitting on circuit in Gweru, charged with murder.

Mathe was convicted of murder with actual intent and sentenced to death. In passing sentence, Justice Mathonsi said people should respect the sanctity of human life.

He said the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime shows that it was premeditated.

The judge said the murder was committed in the course of a robbery, therefore the death sentence was appropriate.

“The courts do not condone murder. We should respect the sanctity of human life. There is a need for stiffer penalties for murders committed with intent,” said Justice Mathonsi.

It was the State’s case that on June 15, 2008 at around 1 AM, Mathe and his accomplices, one of whom is now deceased and the other one who is at large, brutally murdered a security guard, Taurai Mache (24), who was manning Grafax Cotton Company offices in Gokwe.

They hit him with a hoe handle, cracking his skull.

On June 14, 2008 at around 6 PM, the now deceased Mache reported for duty and found Ms Winnie Sigwala, who was a cotton buyer, still at work.

Ms Sigwala then proceeded home within the same premises.

At around 12 midnight, Mathe and his two accomplices went into the Grafax Cotton Company premises armed with a hoe handle and found Mache on duty.

The three started assaulted him with the hoe handle several times on his head until he fell unconscious while bleeding profusely.

After the attack, Mathe and his accomplices proceeded to Ms Sigwala’s house where they found her asleep. They broke the door and gained entry into the house.

The three demanded money from her, threatening to kill her after informing her that they had already killed Mache. Sigwala directed the accused and his accomplices to where the money was.

They stole Z$50 billion, two solar inverters and a generator which they put in a bag belonging to Ms Sigwala. – State Media

DEFENCE minister Sydney Sekeramayi has been implicated as having been instrumental in the post-independence atrocities committed by President Robert Mugabe’s government that left over 20 000 civilians dead.

A declassified document from US spy agency, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), quotes Sekeramayi as having indicated that a crack North-Korean trained military unit codenamed Fifth Brigade had specific instructions at deployment.

“Renewed violence at the end of 1982 provoked the government into a full-scale military campaign against Zapu. The dissidents attacked cars, buses and trains and destroyed government construction equipment; they seized several hostages and killed six whites,” the report said.

“The 5th Brigade was sent to Matabeleland in January 1983 with a mandate to be ‘relentless in neutralising dissident elements,’ according to Minister of State for Defence Sekeramayi.

“Although there were some exaggerated Press reports of atrocities against Ndebele villagers by the all-Shona brigade, there is little doubt it engaged in indiscriminate brutality and destroyed property, including entire villages, in several instances,” the report said.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Sekeramayi said he was yet to see the declassified report.

“I am yet to see that report,” he said.

When NewsDay quizzed him on whether the quoted words were consistent with what he might have said at the time, the Defence minister insisted: “I have not had sight of the report you are referring to.”

According to the CIA, the government followed a campaign, also codenamed “Mailed Fist”, whose aim, besides ending dissident violence also targeted the elimination of “Zapu as a political organisation”.

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has denied culpability in the atrocities, arguing he was neither head of government nor the army at the time. Mugabe has described Gukurahundi, which continues to raise emotions, as a “moment of madness”.

Several accounts have accused Mnangagwa and Sekeramai of playing a leading role.- Newsday

 Terrence Mawawa, Gutu | A medical doctor at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) run Gutu Mission Hospital conducted an operation under the influence of alcohol resulting in the death of a patient, ZimEye can reveal.

Dr Henry Harry Mushuku performed the operation on Locadi Mbinda two weeks ago and the latter died soon after the operation. Gutu District Medical Officer, Dr Tapiwa Mupepe, confirmed the death of the woman adding she left a day-old bay.

He however said the woman died as a result of delivery complications. “The woman died as a result of delivery complications and we are in the process of analysing the matter,”he said.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamu said the woman  died under unclear circumstances. “I have heard about the incident but let me say investigations are under way.I can only furnish you with further details after receiving a comprehensive report on the matter,”said Dr Shamu.

Dr Mushuku became aggressive after being contacted for a comment on the issue. ” Are you the one who died as result of the operation?Do not regret if you proceed to write the story.Why are you concerned about the matter?Leave me alone,”said Dr Mushuku.

Authorities at Gutu Mission Hospital have remained mum on the matter. “We are not allowed to comment on such issues.They are too sensitive,thank you for calling,”said an official at the hospital. However it is understood the medical doctor was under the influence of alcohol when he conducted the operation.

Namhla Ntandwa | Zimbabwe People First President, Joice Mujuru will this weekend make an urgent trip to Bulawayo to meet with the faction ridden provincial executive in a bid to solve  factional fights and serve the party from imminent collapse.

Sources very close to the former Vice President indicated to ZimEye.com that Mujuru will be in the city to meet the provincial executives who have been on each other’s throats over who should be her Vice President in the party.

So dirty have been the factional fights that members have even resorted to death threats against each other. In another incident senior members of the party are alleged to have gone all out to drag members of the State Security to harass a youth member at his home for allegedly not being loyal to them.

The province is reportedly heavily divided between the nomination of Provincial Chairlady Esnath Bulayani and former Peoples’ Democratic Party Vice President Samuel Sipepa Nkomo for the vice presidency.

Mujuru is likely to get an extremely hostile reception in the city as members of the youth league have be threatening a massive demonstration against her and the entire provincial executive.

According to sources some members of the provincial executive committee have been busy mobilising thugs to be on stand by to assault their rivals in case things don’t go their way at the meeting.

According to the sources, the rival groups have previously brought thugs on each other during provincial committee meetings where heavy insults and threats are reportedly always the case in the meetings.

Terrence Mawawa, Bikita | A local traditional leader here has blamed President Robert Mugabe and his deputy, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa for initiating political violence across the country.

Headman Mpakwa accused the top Zanu PF politicians of inciting political violence and national unrest. He said the Zanu PF politicians were unfairly manipulating traditional leaders to achieve their political ambitions.

Ironically, Mnangagwa is said to be determined to succeed his boss who is widely seen as an impediment to social and political progress in Zimbabwe and the SADC region. Headman Mupakwa warned of a bloody campaign ahead of the 2018 polls.

“I am a victim of the ongoing political mind games.The most senior individuals in Zanu PF are inciting violence. Despite numerous threats from politicians I will not be cowed into submission,”said Headman Mupakwa.

Last week Headman Mupakwa was threatened by CIO operatives after denouncing the Zanu PF slogan at a local funeral. He added:”I am a Zanu PF member but I am worried about the gross abuse of office by senior politicians. I cannot force villagers to vote for a certain individual or political party. I think everyone has the democratic right to vote for a party of his or her choice.” He also said senior party officials were behind the factional battles in the ruling party.

“There are some overzealous politicians who are giving us headaches.We will name and shame them very soon. We are not afraid of their political posts.We have had enough of suffering,”said Headman Mupakwa. The Bikita West by-election won by Zanu PF last weekend has been described as chaotic because of gross irregularities, intimidation and violence.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is expected to fly back home today ending his month-long annual vacation, amid reports that rival Zanu PF factions were plotting to dress each other down when they converge at Harare International Airport to welcome him.

Zanu PF Harare provincial commissar, Shadreck Mashayamombe, yesterday confirmed plans for Mugabe’s “massive welcome rally” at the airport this afternoon, but denied reports that they were planning to use the occasion to embarrass Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa over his alleged growing ambitions to succeed Mugabe.

“We will, as usual, welcome the President. It is now our tradition, but this is just routine for us and nothing sinister about it,” he said.

“The President is coming tomorrow (today) and we are urging our members to come in their numbers. But our plans are dependent on his itinerary, which we do not have as of now.”

Mashayamombe denied claims they wanted to demonstrate against Mnangagwa, who is said to be in India, saying that was not how the party operates.

“We would never do that (seek to embarrass Mnangagwa) at the airport. It is not the way we do things,” he said.

“We are a peaceful people and are disciplined. If anyone wants to take advantage, we will see them.”

Some insiders claimed T-shirts and placards inscribed There is only one boss had been printed, in response to pictures that emerged of Mnangagwa carrying a mug written I’m the boss, which have caused ructions in Zanu PF.

A similar strategy was used in 2015, when T-shirts showing a picture of Mugabe and the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo embracing with the words The unity that shall never collapse and Munhu wese kuna amai were distributed at the late Sikhanyiso Ndlovu’s burial, which were again targeted at Mnangagwa after he was accused of denigrating the former Zapu leader.

Zanu PF youth leader, Kudzai Chipanga, professed ignorance of the rally, although the ruling party’s Harare provincial youth leader, Edison Takataka, confirmed it.

“We know we will welcome our father, but I have not been advised as to when. As for the issue of T-shirts, it was just a suggestion, which I am not sure will be implemented,” Takataka said.

“But I can assure you, as chairperson, I will have mine. Of course, there is only one boss and that’s the President.”

Mashayamombe is linked to Zanu PF’s G40 faction, which is bitterly opposed to Mnangagwa’s bid to take over from the ailing Mugabe.

Mnangagwa is reportedly leading the other faction known as Team Lacoste.

Insiders said the plots to embarrass Mnangagwa would continue after today’s rally up to Mugabe’s 93rd birthday celebrations set for Matobo next month.

“They have printed different paraphernalia, which will carry messages taunting Mnangagwa’s recent pronouncements on Gukurahundi and their ‘mug declaration’. It is a plan to whip up emotions in the party against Mnangagwa,” one source said.

Other Zanu PF sources said today’s welcome rally could be moved to next Tuesday to allow Mugabe to travel to the African Union summit in Ethiopia, before “he is officially welcomed” back home to resume his duties.

In a bizarre twist, former Zanu PF provincial youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu, seen to be aligned to Mnangagwa, yesterday declared he would attend Mugabe’s welcome rally.

“Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe and our understanding is that the function is not a party gathering,” he said.

“So we will also attend in our numbers as citizens. We hear they have made arrangements to embarrass Mnangagwa or picket against him. If anyone is to be allowed such mischief, they should expect similar doses from us. We will deal with anybody who is planning to be up to no good.”

This will not be the first time Mnangagwa would have been embarrassed at a public event.

In February last year, Hurungwe East lawmaker, Sarah Mahoka, launched a broadside at the Vice-President and was followed by Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandiitawepi Chimene six months later. – Newsday

LEBANESE businessperson, Jamal Ahmed, who recently caused a fierce storm after he dragged First Lady Grace Mugabe to court over his seized upmarket houses in Harare, yesterday told the court, through his lawyer, that he wanted assurances that police would not arrest him when he comes back to Zimbabwe to execute his court matters.

Jamal dragged Grace, together with her son Russell Goreraza and Kennedy Fero in a dispute emanating from the purchase of a $1,4 million diamond ring, to court.

However, Ahmed, who was supposed to attend another court hearing in which he is suing his former business partner, Petros Chaponda, over stolen vehicles, failed to turn up, as he was said to be in Belgium.

Ahmed’s lawyer, Jonathan Samkange, told High Court judge, Justice Happius Zhou that his client was prepared to come to Zimbabwe and execute his cases, but needed assurance he would not be harassed by the police.

“I want to put it on record that my client has problems with the First Lady, but he is anxious to present his case once he has made arrangements to come. He is going to engage the international community with a view to seek assurances from the government that he will not be arrested when he comes here,” Samkange said.

“My client is not a criminal, but he only has problems that need to be resolved between him and the First Lady.”

Samkange further said although his client was going to apply for an interdict to the bar the police from arresting him, there was no guarantee that the law enforcement agents would honour the court order.

“If the judges do not obey their own orders, what about Ahmed? Are they going to respect an order not to arrest him when he comes? I once obtained an interdict against the Chief Justice [Godfrey Chidyausiku] himself and what did he do? He disrespected it,” he said, before Justice Zhou interjected and directed him to focus at the case in hand.

Chaponda’s lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu, opposed the application for postponement, but Justice Zhou ruled in Ahmed’s favour and ordered him to pay costs at a higher scale. – Newsday

AN Air Zimbabwe plane from Harare failed to land at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport in Bulawayo yesterday due to bad weather.

The plane had to return to Harare at about 7.30AM, following a heavy downpour in the city.

It returned and landed in Bulawayo after 10.30AM before proceeding to Victoria Falls.

Passengers who spoke to The Chronicle said it was a frightening experience as the plane took a sharp rise when it was about to land and headed back to Harare.

Some passengers allegedly cancelled their flights and remained in Harare.

“We left Harare a bit later than the official time but we took off smoothly. About 10 minutes into landing in Bulawayo it started raining heavily. We were almost landing and we could see the tarmac when the plane took a sharp rise.

“It was frightening. Suddenly there was panic and fear among the passengers.

“The airline crew announced that they were communicating with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) and the officials on the ground. They later announced that we were about to land in Harare,” said one of the passengers who declined to be named.

He said some passengers abandoned their trip to Bulawayo.

Some passengers said the failure by the Air Zimbabwe plane to land on time had inconvenienced them as they failed to attend meetings on time.

Others complained that the delay had cost them business as they had to cancel their trip.

“I was travelling to Bulawayo for meetings. I had to cancel my trip and postpone the meetings. Air Zimbabwe must learn to communicate. It’s their duty to check weather conditions at their destinations before taking us on board,” said another passenger.

There was no immediate comment from Air Zimbabwe with chief executive officer Mr Ripton Muzenda unreachable as he was said to be in a meeting.

An airport official who declined to be named said the incident was due to bad weather.

“What we did was for the safety of passengers. There was a heavy downpour before the plane landed. It had to go back to Harare.

“Fortunately the rains quickly stopped and the plane managed to land safely in Bulawayo a few hours later. It also managed to proceed to Victoria Falls,” said the official.

He said although they constantly check with the MSD, it was difficult to predict that weather patterns would make it difficult for the plane to land safely.

“We normally communicate with the MSD but it’s difficult to predict that the weather will not be suitable for landing,” he said. – State Media

A MAN from Bulawayo who went missing last Friday but was later found with severe injuries and burns all over the body in his rented room in Barham Green suburb following a savage attack linked to a woman, died before he could name his attackers.

Mr Mthokozisi Sibanda (32), an employee at a city company, did not report for duty last Friday and on Monday, only to be found in his room with severe injuries and burns all over his body.

Mr Sibanda was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) on Monday and died on Tuesday night.

There was no sign of fire in his room, but his friend yesterday told The Chronicle                           that when they found him naked in his  room, Sibanda appeared scared and mumbled that some people had attacked him over a girl, but did not disclose who they were.

Mr Sibanda’s aunt only identified as Mrs Dube said they could not immediately say what happened to Mr Sibanda, but were praying for his attackers’ arrest.

“When he didn’t report for duty on Friday and Monday morning, his colleagues went to check on him at his house where he was renting.

“Upon arrival they found Sibanda lying naked on the floor. He was heavily bruised, looking more like he was burnt all over his body. His skin was peeling off,” she said.

Mrs Dube said as a family they couldn’t immediately say what happened except that they were at a loss.

“He was found burnt in his room but there was no sign of fire or even cables indicating that there had been an electrical fault. We have taken the body for post-mortem. Our prayer is that whoever did this must be caught like the Masiyephambili cyclist murderers,” she said.

Mr Sibanda’s friend who spoke on condition of anonymity said he refused to disclose who had attacked him.

“He mumbled that someone had done that to him over some girl. He seemed scared to disclose the name of whoever had attacked him,” said the friend.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube said he had not yet received the report. – State Media

Retailers and other businesspeople charging extra for payments made in bond notes or bank cards and less for US dollar transactions will be prosecuted when the Reserve Bank Amendment Bill, which sailed through the National Assembly on Wednesday, becomes law.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament on Wednesday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa reiterated that bond notes were interchangeable at a rate of 1:1 with the US dollar.

He said those apprehended for charging more for goods paid for using bond notes will be prosecuted

The Bill now awaits transition to the Senate.
“The Reserve Bank Amendment Bill which is before this House, is addressing those concerns,” said Minister Chinamasa. “It is coming up with a law to penalise and criminalise that kind of conduct.”

Minister Chinamasa was responding to an oral question without notice from Glen View North legislator Fani Munengami (MDC-T) on the “three tier” price, whereby shops were selling the same goods at different prices, depending on the method of payment.
Mr Munengami claimed that a product can cost $90 when using cash, $100 when swiping and if one is buying in bond notes, $120.

Government, Minister Chinamasa said, was making concerted efforts in making sure that point of sale machines were readily available.

“As of now, we do not have sufficient point of sale machines to distribute countrywide,” he said. “These machines have to be imported.

“Resources are being mobilised on a daily basis to ensure that we import more point of sale machines, which eventually should be able to reach every shop where there is connectivity.”
Minister Chinamasa said it was daylight robbery for banks to charge more in transaction fees than the price for a loaf of bread and said he will hold discussions with Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya so that the anomaly is rectified.

He then called for tangible evidence to enable Dr Mangudya to enforce punitive measures against any banks charging exhorbitant fees.

Minister Chinamasa said this after Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) had expressed concern over high bank charges customers were paying when buying goods using plastic money.

He said hiccups in network or interconnectivity where customers have to wait for more than 10 minutes before a transaction is concluded had been referred to the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. – State Media

A ZIMBABWEAN man was yesterday jailed for six years in South Africa for opening an illegal immigration office at Beitbridge Border Post.

Duncan Danda (29) was arrested at his base within the border’s taxi rank on January 3 while stamping passports for foreigners and some Zimbabweans.

He was convicted by a Musina magistrate on two counts of contravening a section of that country’s Immigration Act. For the first count he was sentenced to six years imprisonment which were set aside for five years.

On the second count, he was fined R10 000 and risks being imprisoned for 12 months if he defaults. Danda is accused of giving prospective travellers up to 90 days to stay in South Africa.

Under South Africa’s immigration laws, Zimbabweans are not allowed to stay for more than 90 days in that country per year.

Danda exploited failure by some locals to get enough time to stay in South Africa by awarding people more than 90 days per each single entry for a fee.

Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo province Captain Matimba Maluleke welcomed the sentence saying it was deterrent enough to those in the same trade.

“We welcome the sentence and hope it will serve as a deterrent to all those who want to play hide and seek with the law.

“We acted swiftly on information about a person who had opened a one stop Home Affairs office in the heart of the border. He was stamping passports of foreign nationals at the Beitbridge taxi rank,” he said.

Captain Maluleke said they confiscated among other things, Department of Home Affairs immigration stamps and an undisclosed amount of United States dollars, which they believe had been paid to him by his clients.

He said there was suspicion that Danda was part of a syndicate.
“We strongly suspect that he was not working alone when we look at a scenario where foreigners were able to exit and return to the country through his underhand craft,” said Capt Maluleke.

In the last eight months, 18 people were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post on charges of fraud and corruption.

In May last year, 15 people including police and immigration officers as well as customs clearing agents were arrested on allegations of facilitating illegal migration among other underhand deals at Beitbridge Border Post. – State Media

Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora and many others from his neighbourhood in Borrowdale Brooke, Harare, yesterday woke up to massive destruction and flooded homes.

When news teams visited other areas located along Crowhill, several people were still to come to terms with what had hit them. Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Engineer George Mlilo says over 2 000 houses have been affected in Chitungwiza and Harare due to the floods.

Rains partially destroyed Dzitika Bridge in Honde Valley, forcing motorists and pedestrians to share a single lane. Fears abound that the remaining part of the bridge could collapse if rains persist.

Motorists using the Hauna–Sagambe Road could soon face a predicament if rains continue to pour out and disrupt the construction of Dzikita Bridge which was partially destroyed by rains.

The single lane being used by motorists and pedestrians is already giving in as it was also damaged and huge cracks have already developed posing yet another serious disaster.

Councillor for Ward 5 Mr Maxwell Tsarukanai and villagers from Muparutsa area described the incident as unfortunate. District administrator for Mutasa Mr Tendai Kapenzi said the disaster was a result of stream bank cultivation which had reached alarming levels in Honde Valley.

Mutasa Rural District Council chief executive Mr George Bandure, who was part of the team that visited the damaged bridge said the disaster was so serious and required collaborative efforts.

In the Borrowdale case, families were left stranded while property worth tens of thousands of dollars was destroyed following heavy rains that pounded Carrick Estate as the Civil Protection Unit warned against any activities along the flooded Manyame River.

Mr Enock Gede, a resident, had his vehicle swept away for about 500 metres from his house into Mubvinzi River, with his property flooded. Other residents lost household property.

Trees were uprooted, a bridge was swept away, pre-cast walls collapsed while the floods also swept away crops and livestock. Dams were reportedly spilling, resulting in fish being found along riverbanks. Most children downstream failed to go to school because of the collapsed bridge. When The Herald visited the area yesterday, residents were speechless.

“We had to take cover in the ceiling as the water kept flowing in the house and the water level rising. Outside, it was windy with thunder and heavy rain, so we could not get out,” said Mr Gede.

“I had never seen such rains in my life and we have never experienced such flooding in this area,” he said.

In the morning, Mr Gede woke up to find his car missing. “With the assistance of neighbours, we searched around and found it about 500 metres away from the house tucked in between trees and facing the river,” he said. Another resident, Mr Andrew Pahwaringira was still in shock.

“The water was just too much and we still believe there could be a dam which collapsed upstream resulting in the increased flow of water. We saw fish scattered along the riverbanks and there are many people who do fish farming around this area,” he said.

While CPU spokesperson Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said no similar reports or casualties were reported, she urged people living and farming along Hunyani River to stop all activities forthwith as the river was in flood.

In a statement released yesterday, CPU said flooding of Hunyani River was expected to continue up to the end of the rainy season. “Hydrological reports indicate that all the dams on this river system have been spilling for about two weeks now.”

The dams include Chivero, Darwendale (Manyame), Seke and Bhiri. She said the catchment area of Hunyani River has so far received up to 200 percent of normal rainfall, hence the ground was soaked and there was high run off even with what appeared to be insignificant rains.

Ms Ndlovu said the built up areas in Harare and its satellite towns drain into Hunyani and further contribute to its high run off.

“The river is not only in flood but is also characterised by swift currents. These currents are strong thus can easily drag and sweep away people, canoes and anything that ventures into the river. A number of people have been marooned and some have been swept away,” she said.

The CPU warned against attempts to cross flooded rivers and urged people to desist from any activities on the river downstream. “Communities with equipment such as movable water pumps downstream of major dams are urged to remove the equipment to avoid losses and everyone living near rivers must be on high alert.”

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of heavy rains countywide that are expected to intensify from Saturday to Tuesday next week. The MSD senior forecaster, Mr Tich Zinyemba yesterday called for more vigilance and preparedness, particularly for rescue operations by those responsible.

“Generally, rainfall in excess of 50mm in 24 hours is expected. Over the high ground areas along the central watershed as well as the Eastern Highlands however, rainfall in excess of 90mm in 24 hours is highly probable. This is especially more so between Saturday 28 and Monday 30 January.

“Despite these warnings and advisories, reports of drowning are a serious cause of concern. Let us all collectively take these alerts seriously, more so between now and the middle of February,” said the MSD.

Mr Zinyemba said the present rain situation was a combination of the presence of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone and a frontal cloud system which entered the country through Matabeleland Provinces. “Added to this combination is the heating around midday which further enhances rainfall activity,” he said. – State Media

Staff Reporter | Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday received a barrage of attacks from opposition parties and from the Emmerson Mnangagwa ZANU PF camp.

Is Mphoko really abusing state resources?

VP Mphoko who is currently Acting President, was attacked for as claimed, using state resources to sponsor his own company all arising from an announcement that he is (as Acting President) to officiate the opening of a branch of his Choppies business in Harare.

He is currently the Acting President and had Robert Mugabe returned home, the Head Of State would himself be the one to open the Choppies branch as Mugabe has done before.

But those facts were ignored yesterday as one of Mnangagwa’s digi-aides Jones Musara wrote of Mphoko saying the development represents, “more evidence of Mphoko’s abuse of Gvnt office for personal business!”

Others also added attacking Mphoko.

Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe party spokesman Pishai Muchauraya said “(the) Acting President (is) using state resources to officially open own business!.”

Meanwhile, below was the government letter announcing the development.

Is Mphoko really abusing state resources?

The prices of basic goods, including foodstuffs, have soared in
recent weeks, as the country’s economy continues to collapse – compounding
the misery of long-suffering Zimbabweans.

As a result, crisis-weary ordinary citizens told the Daily News yesterday
that it was imperative for the government to take urgent measures to
mitigate the situation, if a major socio-economic crisis was to be
avoided.

Among the basic foods whose prices have shot up in recent weeks are beef,
poultry products, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, cooking oil, sugar
and rice.

Beef is now sold at $7 per kg from an average of $4,50 in October 2016,
while a 2-litre cooking oil bottle, which used to trade at $2,99 before
the import restrictions which were imposed by the government in June last
year now costs an average of $3,40.

The executive director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), Rosemary
Siyachitema, told the Daily News yesterday that while her organisation was
yet to compile the basic food basket data for January, her organisation
had since last December witnessed the price jumps.

She said the December 2016 food basket stood at $133,06 – up from the
November figure of $128,34. In October, the figure stood at $125,37.

According to the CCZ, the price of cooking oil went up in December to
$1,49 from $1,39 in November for a 750ml bottle.

Harare housewife and mother of three, Anesu Mandebvu, implored the
government “to stamp its authority” and call delinquent retailers to
order.

“We are dying slowly because our income cannot fulfil our needs,” she
lamented.

“In fact, we can only afford to buy fish once or twice a week,” she said
adding that her children sometimes refused to eat the cheap and
poor-quality food she now cooks for the family.

When the government introduced Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 (SI 64) in
June last year, banning a number of imported products, the idea was to
help protect struggling local industries which were operating at an
average of 35 percent of their installed capacity.

However, the move effectively curtailed competition from foreign players
and has resulted on average in an increase in the cost of living, through
price increases.

Elisha Chandawana, who owns a supermarket in the Harare high density
suburb of Kuwadzana, said the increase in food prices had led to a
reduction in demand.

“Our sales have dropped because families cannot cope with the continuous
increase in prices,” he added.

Economic analyst, Francis Mukora, said some of the more recent price rises
were not justified, adding that some supermarkets and manufacturers were
profiteering as figures showed that food prices had gone up far faster
than can be justified.

“Profiteering happens. There are cases where people make inappropriate
margins along the distribution system, and this is what is happening with
some retailers,” he said.

“The priority for supermarkets is to get the appropriate stock on and off
their shelves as fast as possible, and increasing prices should not be
part of the game. Retailers are taking advantage of stifled competition to
rip off consumers,” Mukora added.

However, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Denford
Mutashu, claimed yesterday that the market had not experienced any price
increases.

“This is actually news to me because prices have actually gone down in the
outskirts. I am coming from Mt Darwin. As CZR, what we see is not prices
going up pe ser, but during the festive season retailers refine prices to
levels that attract traffic.

“But after the holidays, they revert to the normal prices … cooking oil
prices have actually gone down,” he said.

Mutashu also said food prices had stabilised in January, adding that the
declining aggregate demand had left retailers with no room to increase
prices.

“In fact, price increases are detrimental to retailers mainly because of
the competition between informal and formal retailers. Consumers will walk
away.

“Retailers do not increase prices, they are just a conduit and act on how
manufacturers peg prices against supply and demand,” he said. – Daily News

Zimbabwe remains among the world’s most corrupt countries, according to results of a survey by global watchdog Transparency International released on Wednesday.

The southern African nation ranked 154 out of 176 countries on TI’s 2016 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with a score of 22 points, from 21 over the past three years.

TI, a leading global crusader against graft, says its annual corruption perception index is based on expert opinion and measures perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide.

Zimbabwe’s police, tender board and tax agency are considered to be the most corrupt public institutions, and are costing the country $1 billion annually, according a report released by TI’s local office in November last year.

The lower-ranked countries in the index are plagued by untrustworthiness and badly functioning public institutions like the police and judiciary. Even where anti-corruption laws are on the books, in practice they’re often skirted or ignored.

“Over two-thirds of the 176 countries and territories in this year’s index fall below the midpoint of our scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The global average score is a paltry 43, indicating endemic corruption in a country’s public sector,” Transparency International said in the report.

Critics say Zimbabwe’s government is not committed to fighting corruption, despite having set up an anti-graft body in 2014. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has yet to resolve a single case and is accused of being used to achieve political ends in President Robert Mugabe’s faction-riddled ZANU-PF party.

Its most high profile case last year was its unsuccessful bid to have Higher Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo arrested over allegations of diverting $430,000 meant for government programmes to personal use.

But it routinely ignores adverse reports by the country’s auditor-general on abuse of public sector funds. In 2015 the auditor-general found 22 ministries, out of a total 26, to have abused funds as well as having flouted procurement procedures and governance rules.

Energy Minister Samuel Undenge admitted to failing to observe the law when the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) made an unsecured advance of $5 million to controversial firm Intratrek, a company fronted in Zimbabwe by Wicknell Chivayo. He did not get a visit from ZACC officials.

The payment was purportedly for preparatory work on the 100MW Gwanda solar plant, one of several power contracts that Intratrek has been awarded by the government.

No country got close to a perfect score in the CPI though Denmark and New Zealand are the top ranked both with scoring 90.

Botswana remains the highest ranked African country at number 35 with a score of 60. Zimbabwe is ranked higher than 11 other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (156), Burundi (159), South Sudan (175) and Somalia (176). – Source

GWERU City Council’s multi-bedroomed mayoral mansion, which has been lying idle since the departure of then mayor, Sesel Zvidzai in 2008, now requires at least $40 000 to fix its crumbling fittings.

Town clerk, Elizabeth Gwatipedza, said council was considering leasing or selling the building instead of repairing it.

But to be honest, it would be better to deposit for a new house than to repair and maintain a building for that amount.”

Gwatipedza said the mansion was not benefitting council and that it would be better to lease or even sell it.

She, however, ruled out earlier proposals to transform the building into a lodge, saying the nature of the mansion would not make it a viable guest house.

Last year, the Judicial Services Commission approached council requesting to lease the building and use it as the seat for High Court sessions, but residents objected to the move, arguing council would not benefit from such a deal.

The mayoral mansion is one white elephant that Gweru has for years been urged to exploit, as the city’s coffers are running dry with dwindling streams to sustain the local authority’s successive budgets.

At one point, council tried to lease out the property for $3 000 per month to any interested tenants, but found no takers.

LOCAL artiste Jah Prayzah may have composed his popular ballad, Mudhara vachauya, to simply highlight challenges associated with long-distance relationships between many Zimbabweans and their loved ones in the Diaspora, but if one chose to give a political spin to that song, which talks of a man who is assuring his loved one not to worry because he would soon come back home from abroad, its message would underscore the expectant mood in the country, in general, and the ruling ZANU-PF party, in particular, as President Robert Mugabe’s return looms.

Most likely to fly straight home anytime soon from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is attending the African Union’s 28th ordinary summit, President Mugabe will touch down at the Harare International Airport to the same old Zimbabwe, where political squabbles within his ZANU-PF party and government have become overheated over the 92-year-old’s succession plan.

In power since the southern African nation gained independence 37 years ago in 1980 following a protracted and bloody bush war against the late Ian Smith’s regime, President Mugabe — who turns 93 on February 21 — has, for years, kept the world guessing as to who could be his possible successor during or after his lifetime.
This has led to serious ructions within his 54-year old party.

At the party’s December conference in the country’s ancient city of Masvingo the party’s youths declared that the nonagenarian should rule for life.

And when their dear leader touches down in Harare, they will rush to deliver a new message to him that they are ready to take up arms against a coterie of his erstwhile colleagues in the form of veterans of the 1970s guerilla war for independence, who are insisting that he hands over the baton stick to the most senior person in the party, who happens to be one of his deputies, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It will not only be the youths who will be scrambling to report back to the President, but his lieutenants as well.

They have been up to some really serious mischief while he was away since late December last year on a month-long holiday abroad.

They have been exchanging salvos at every opportune time as the factional fighting in the ruling party continues unabated, despite the President himself pleading for ceasefire.
Like some little lads who have been up to some mischief and eager to be the first to report on the others to their parents on their arrival back home, there undoubtedly shall be a scramble at the airport as many in both party and government try to outrun each other to squeal on one another.

Among those who have been really naughty during President Mugabe’s absence were two former workmates at the ministry of information, George Charamba and Jonathan Moyo.
What the former, who has been publishing articles in the Herald under the pseudonym, Nathaniel Manheru, thought was “friendly advice” — albeit laced with prickly venom — to the latter to stop pursuing the succession issue because it was a futile exercise, attracted sharp vitriol from Moyo, who told off Charamba in one of the most crude way that left many including War Veterans Minister, Tshinga Dube, perplexed.

In response to Charamba’s “advice” Moyo went ballistic on his favourite turf: Twitter.
“What a useless statement from a useless idiot with a useless message from his useless Stalinist handlers who are ignorant of the magic of elections,” thundered Moyo and in the process unmasking Charamba as the face behind Nathaniel Manheru.

For the two fellas, January is proving to be their favourite month for sparring, especially a few days before the President returns.
Around the same time last year the two were at eat other’s throats throwing up tantrums over the same succession issue.

“One tragedy of these little fellas, and I call them little fellas, they confuse media skills with social skills. They think you can scale up a political ladder by twitting; who think when you manipulate one or two headlines you have a social base for launching your stupid ambitions, they will come to grief, get it from me. I am not speaking as a permanent secretary, but as President Mugabe’s press secretary,” said Charamba in a radio interview with ZiFM in January last year.

But the bottom line is: Will the shrewd veteran politician act out of his usual ordinary way?
Analysts are divided over the issue.
But some are convinced that it shall be the same old story of the President not taking sides and simply turning a blind eye to the now full scale open warfare in his party and government while, like a caring parent, delivering his usual words of caution in the process.

“President Mugabe has proved reluctant to decisively deal with the factional issues in his party, which evidences the fact that he is aware of his own political constraints and increased loss of grip, in both party and government,” said political commentator, Otto Saki.

“He missed several opportunities to unite his party and the open disagreements are not going to abet. He will continue to provide a figment of control and responsibility. Dismissing or disciplining any of the faction members will stand to weaken him further,” Saki concluded.

Since 2004, the emotive issue of who will succeed him whenever he decides to retire from active politics has been the coal that has fired the factionalism furnace whose pressure has been dangerously building up.

In 2014 the pressure chamber first breached and thrust out of the party the country and ZANU-PF’s first female vice president, Joice Mujuru.
Crude shenanigans within the party saw Mujuru and over 200 cadres either being suspended for varying number of years or dismissed altogether, like in the case of Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Guumbo, to name just a few of some of the party’s former top names.

This was the era of the weevils and gammatox, the names given to the two factions linked to Mnangagwa and Mujuru respectively.
More than two years after that decisive moment when President Mugabe for the first time practically tried to act on factionalism, notwithstanding that he opted to side with one of the factions, the veteran leader is now confronted by a much trickier situation.
“The best decision to make is for him to resolve the fact that, within and without his party, it appears he is now viewed as the singular greatest liability and threat to party, State and nation’s progression. That is a very unfortunate indictment, but unavoidable as the continued demystification of his person and power, leaves him at the mercy of uncouth political novices across factions in his party, preparing for political life after him,” opined Saki.

Mnangagwa is none the wiser on the novices’ crude machinations after being photographed holding a huge mug with the words: “I’m the boss” written on it.
Long before he had put his mug down following his New Year’s eve toast, the picture had gone round the world countless times jolting his rivals into frenzy.

His attempts to duck enemy missiles being propelled by the connotations of the “I’m the boss” words on the mug were a little late to stop the damage.
“Against the background of many utterances and activities, all of them unsolicited but claiming or seeking association with my person, my family and or my position both in ZANU-PF and in government, I want to make it clear that there are elements on the loose who talk and act as if they support me and or the party, ZANU-PF, when in fact they are being handled and managed from elsewhere by hostile forces,” Mnangagwa was quoted as having said.

But his woes go beyond the mug scandal. His archrivals are rubbing their hands in anticipation as they hope that his other shenanigans, such as his controversial interview with a British publication would create more trouble for the 75-year-old politician, who has been fondly known as Ngwena (crocodile) in ZANU-PF circles.

The wide-ranging interview with the New Statesman magazine has torched ragging debate in the ruling party with some of the statements made by Mnangagwa being viewed as anti-Zezuru, which happens to be President Mugabe’s tribe.
Undoubtedly, the real boss President Mugabe, as Mnangagwa confessed following the mug fiasco, has already been fully briefed of all these goings on and, as usual, probably enjoying himself.
However, as former United States president, Bill Clinton once said: “When times are tough and people are frustrated and angry and hurting and uncertain, the politics of constant conflict may be good, but what is good politics does not necessarily work in the real world. What works in the real world is cooperation.”

The politics currently playing out in Zimbabwe might precisely be the kind that Clinton referred to, but, unfortunately, cooperation seems to be the last thing factions in ZANU-PF are prepared to do.

Antagonists are geared for the winner-take-all state of affairs.
Political scientist, Ibbo Mandaza believes that there is now a likelihood that President Mugabe would call for a special congress to finally get rid of Mnangagwa.
“I can’t see him (President Mugabe) leaving things to chance. He will now do anything to get rid of Emmerson,” said Mandaza.

The ruling party’s youths have already sounded the war drums having since called for a special congress, failure which they have said they are prepared to plunge the country into civil war if President Mugabe is not allowed to rule till he dies, a demand that pitched the ruling party’s factional wars at a much higher level.

But University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, does not see the President drifting an iota from his usual modus operandi.

“It’s highly unlikely that he will act any differently, because things are working in his favour. As long as there are divisions in the party it works to his advantage. He is not too worried that is why he is relaxed wherever he is on holiday. There is absolutely no basis for him to act any differently when things are working in his favour,” said Masunungure. Fingaz

Zimbabwe and South Africa are in talks over the establishment of a one stop border post at the Beitbridge entry point.

The International Customs Union Day celebrations held on Thursday in the capital provided a platform for government and business to review successes on regional integration, the impact of tight import controls, current trade patterns for Zimbabwe and the state of the nation’s ports of entries.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Mike Bimha who was the guest of honour told the ZBC News following the successful setting up of a one stop border at Chirundu, Zimbabwe and South Africa are now discussing the possibilities of a one stop facility at Beitbridge to ease congestion and facilitate smooth trade.

ZIMRA acting commissioner general Mr Happias Kuzvinzwa says the organisation is committed to fulfill government’s initiative towards the rolling out of one stop border posts across the country.

According to a study by COMESA, the Beitbridge border post is the busiest road border post in Southern Africa with expectations the one stop facility, although capital intensive, will improve customs clearing and other critical procedures. – State Media

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education continues to raise the ire of parents and guardians chiefly because of the controversial policies being introduced by its head, Lazarus Dokora.

This week the Financial Gazette correspondent Njabulo Ncube (NN) sought the views of former education minister, David Coltart (DC), on the present state of the education sector and how he thinks sanity can be made to prevail in this important sector.

NN: Generally, what is your take on what is happening in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education?

DC: While I have been encouraged by the fact that the curriculum review process that I started during my tenure has continued, I am worried about several disturbing changes in policy that have become evident since I left office. In broad terms, what I tried to do was grant as much autonomy (as possible) to schools, both government and private, across the nation. Included in that policy was, for example, the right given to parents to enhance conditions of service for the teachers teaching their children and allowing school development associations (SDAs) to control their own funding. Sadly, Minister Dokora has reversed that policy in a variety of ways, clearly with the intention of maintaining as much centralised control over education as possible, even to the extent of trying to get SDAs to submit monies raised to a central pot. I believe that one of the key strengths of our education system has been that parents and local headmasters and teachers have taken a keen interest in the running of their respective schools, which I think is being undermined by this desire to control everything from Harare.

NN: Where is the Ministry or Minister Dokora going wrong?

DC: If I have to identify a key mistake being made by the Ministry at present is its failure to adequateley consult with all stakeholders. It seems to me that a variety of policies have been announced without adequate consultation with parents, teachers, school leaders and teachers’ unions. It is apparent that some policies have been announced with almost no consultation whatsoever and others have been announced before a broad consensus has been reached. The formulation of education policy is unique in this regard because there is no deeper emotion than parents’ love for their children. While government can get away with minimal consultation in other areas of governance, it cannot do so when it comes to the education of children. It makes even running individual schools very different to, say, running a business, because one has such a broad range of stakeholders all with such fervent passion for the task at hand. One only has to see the difficulties experienced by Michael Gove, the former education secretary in the United Kingdom, when he tried to implement drastic changes; and indeed the woes of the South African government’s attempted introduction of a new curriculum, to realise how hard it is to implement new education policies.

It is in that context that, while no one doubts that there is great need for curriculum reform, I fear that there has been insufficient consultation, consensus building and planning. To give an example I wanted to consolidate all the education laws and worked hard on the production of a new single statutory instrument (SI) during my tenure. By the end of my term I had still not succeeded in building that consensus and so was unable to implement that new SI. I could have forced it on everyone as I had that power in terms of the Education Act, but I decided that it was more important that a consensus be reached. I fear this has not happened here.

NN: What about the new history curriculum, the pledge, heritage studies, not using English as the main medium of tuition in primary school, the new languages they want to teach when Shona and Ndebele are not being taught effectively, amid the collapsing school infrastructure?

DC: While there are some very positive aspects of the new curriculum, indeed certain features reflect many of my original policy goals, such as balancing academic education with vocational education, I am very disturbed by certain features of the new curriculum. In particular it seems to me that the new history and heritage studies syllabi are nothing more than propaganda. When I was minister I argued that objective, neutral historians should formulate our history syllabus so that it could be more factual and less politically-biased than the original syllabus. It appears that, if anything, the history and heritage syllabi have become even more politically-biased in favour of ZANU-PF. Key aspects of our history, such as ZAPU’s dominant role, the reasons for the original split between ZAPU and ZANU, Gukurahundi, Murambatsvina, Zimbabwe’s war in the DRC have either been ignored or glossed over.

Another very serious development, which has been reported to me is an attempt to cut back on the teaching of English in primary school. While I have not had confirmation that this is true, if what has been reported to me is correct this is an appalling development. Whatever our history, whatever role that English has played in the subjugation of black Zimbabweans in the past, the fact remains that it is the business language of the world, much as Latin was 2000 years ago. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a solid knowledge of English. South African University professors often comment on the good grasp Zimbabwean students have of the English language; it is hard to demonstrate sufficiently how important this is to the education of our children. One of the key problems we had in my tenure was the dearth of experienced English teachers. If there is now to be a deliberate policy of downplaying the importance of English, combined with a stretching of already limited resources to the teaching of Mandarin, we may well undermine one of the main pillars of our excellent education system, with devastating consequences.

NN: But what would you have done instead, if you were still minister to prevent the disgruntlement in the sector which characterised the first weeks of the 2017 first term?

DC: It really comes down to what I have said before: Consult widely and build a consensus with all stakeholders. However, it appears that even if that consensus had been established the introduction was unplanned for. For example, has government produced new textbooks for Mandarin and Portuguese? I have not heard of them. It seems to me that this new curriculum has been hoisted on teachers without the necessary teaching aids being supplied. If this is the case it is a critical error.

NN: What is your take on the proposed teaching of foreign languages such as Mandarin, Portuguese etc. when the country has no requisite teaching skills even to effectively teach local vernacular languages?

DC: Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the new curriculum relates to the new language policies. On the face of it, the introduction of Mandarin, Portuguese and Swahili sound like positive developments, but my fear is that we are not yet in a position to effectively teach these subjects and other existing languages are already being taught badly. It has always been a major concern of mine that indigenous Zimbabwean languages are not being taught effectively. The harsh reality is that very few of our children can speak indigenous languages other than their mother tongue and English. It has been a serious indictment on our curriculum and syllabi that, despite the fact that children get some eight years of instruction in languages other than English and their mother tongue, most cannot speak, read or write another indigenous language at the end of their schooling. In addition, the teaching of minority indigenous languages such as Tonga, Kalanga, Venda, Sotho and Shangani is woeful. In my view, we should have concentrated on improving the teaching of these languages before venturing out to teach these other languages.

Had I continued as minister, I would have directed that more resources be allocated to the production of textbooks and training of teachers for these indigenous languages, rather than divert those scarce resources to the instruction of other foreign languages. My policy regarding languages such as Mandarin and Portuguese would have been to introduce them at some of the academies of excellence where children with demonstrable language skills could be taught these languages. Most Zimbabweans will never use Mandarin and Portuguese, but it is important that certain of our children, who are talented with languages learn those languages so that they can become interpreters and, for example, diplomats, in countries which seek those languages.

NN: The minister has directed headmasters to do away with Physical Science after he split it into two separate subjects, Physics and Chemistry at O Level, yet the country lacks such specialist teachers. Is this what the Nziramasanga Commission of Inquiry on Education and Training recommended?

DC: The Nziramazanga Report advocated for a curriculum which focused more on vocational subjects and to that extent the new curriculum is an improvement, and the splitting of subjects as you have mentioned is justified. However — and this is key to the entire debate — if the new curriculum is not accompanied by a major increase in the actual amount of government funding for education, it may be doomed to fail. When I was minister I complained about the disparity between the theoretical education budget (the one announced by the Minister of Finance on budget day) and the actual budget (being the actual amount of money disbursed by Treasury to the Ministry). There was always a massive gulf, even in the days of the Government of National Unity (GNU); and from all the reports I receive from former colleagues within the Ministry, nothing has changed. Indeed the situation is now far worse. A change to the curriculum like this demands a massive increase in spending. It is no use announcing that Chemistry will be taught separately if most schools don’t have adequately equipped and well supplied Chemistry laboratories, or have few teachers with the necessary qualifications to teach Chemistry.

NN: The Nziramasanga inquiry and its recommendations were formulated or concluded nearly 20 years ago, do you see its recommendations as still relevant nearly two decades later and more so in this day and age of advancements in ICT?

DC: There is no doubt that the Nziramazanga Report is just as relevant now as it was when it was first produced. We have a good education system, but it is now in some respects antiquated and ill-equipped to prepare our children for this new computerised age.

NN: The opposition and other critics of the ZANU-PF administration strongly feel that the education sector is being politicised. Some might say it is a question of soar grapes as former opposition minister. But what is your take on this perception or view?

DC: The danger of criticising a former subordinate, who has taken over one’s job is that it may be viewed as sour grapes. That is one of the principal reasons why I have withheld criticising either the Ministry or the Minister until now. I felt it was important to give my successor a chance to get the job done. However, I fear that in the three and half years since he has taken office the education system has begun to slide again. I have argued before that the most important government ministry is Education because it determines our future more than anything else. Our outstanding education system has been the bedrock of our nation for decades; as damaging as other ZANU-PF policies have been in other spheres, the fact remains that successive generations of educated Zimbabweans have ameliorated the destruction of our country. It is educated Zimbabweans who have made the difference between a country which still has hope and a failed state. If the education system is now undermined by what appears to be politically-motivated, as opposed to educationally-motivated, policies then it is our duty to speak out.

NN: Lastly but not least, what would you say you achieved as the then minister in charge of primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe during the ill-fated GNU?

DC: It is not for me to say what I achieved; I took over an education system which was near a total state of collapse. With the help of some outstanding educationalists throughout our nation, and with help from international agencies such as UNICEF, we managed to stop the rot and stabilise the sector. Many of my proposed policies, such as a new curriculum, academies of excellence and a rationalised legal structure, were never implemented much to my frustration. In that context I felt that much was left undone and that the transformation of our education system into one of the best in the world, was not achieved.

GOVERNMENT has embarked on a research to establish the economic impact of Western-imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe with the results expected to be used for policy formulation.

In its 2013 election manifesto, Zanu-PF estimated that the sanctions cost Zimbabwe US$42 billion in revenue, with former Finance Minister in the inclusive Government, Mr Tendai Biti, saying they contracted the economy by a factor of over 40 percent.

Government has set aside $150 000 for the research that will be carried out by the University of Zimbabwe Consortium in one year.

The research team will be led by economist and chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Zimbabwe, Dr Albert Makochekanwa.

Other members of the team include UZ Dean of Social Studies Professor Charity Manyeruke, Dr Hodson Makurira, Prof Charles Nherera, Dr Mark Nyandoro, Prof Paul Mapfumo and Dr Jokoniya Chirenda from the Faculty of Medicine among others.

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Prof Jonathan Moyo yesterday said the research was purely academic. He said the team would research on the economic impact of sanctions from 2001 to determine the extent to which the various sectors of the economy were affected.

“The focus is on the economic impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe. The real impact of sanctions has not been understood and it is important to engage academics so that we can have a deeper understanding of these sanctions, so that we may be able to make future informed decisions.”

“Since 2001, our country has been under Western-imposed sanctions. The discourse on sanctions has largely been political. There have been political players that have dealt with this question,” he said.

He said although the reality of sanctions had been playing out in the real world of ordinary people, business organisations and education institutions, it had not been systematically analysed, audited and understood.

“It is important for policy intervention not about looking back, but about understanding what has happened to have a basis of making informed policy on the way forward.

“Sanctions belong to the past, but their impact is with us and there have been a number of areas which require interventions.

“The composition of the team shows that we are looking at the real impact. Our role is to facilitate the research and we have no other role,” he said.

Dr Albert Makochekanwa said each faculty from the University of Zimbabwe was represented.

“The group is comprised of 10 selected members, from all the faculties, including deans,” he said.

The findings of the research are expected to be published in several international peer reviewed journals such as African Journal of Economic Policy, South African Journal of Economic History, Journal of Applied Sciences in Southern Africa and Journal of Human Capital.

The ministry called for proposals to carry out the study last year in September and nine proposals were submitted out of which seven met the basic criteria.

Other bids came from Bindura University and Science education, Zimbabwe Open University, Dr Mugano Consultancy, Right Community Development Consultancy, Afro Fair Research, Lupane State University and FEM Research. – Newsday

According to the South African Police Services, the Hawks nabbed the Zimbabwean, Hardlife Bhebhura (35), and another man, Rodrigues Jose Jorge (49), in Springbok.

They had just transacted with an undercover agent.

SAPS investigation uncovered the alleged illegal enterprise operating through runners from Springbok, Port Nolloth and Steinkopf.

“Upon their arrest on Sunday, 22 January 2017, about 123 carats worth more than 1.7 million rand were recovered. Both suspects were each charged with three counts of dealing and possession of uncut diamond and more arrests are imminent,” SAPS said.

The suspects on Monday appeared before the Springbok Magistrates Court and were remanded to February 1.

Rodrigues Jose Jorge was granted R25 000 bail but Bhebhura was remanded in custody.

Zimbabwe is losing revenue through nefarious activities like the smuggling of its precious minerals through the porous borders.

The smuggled minerals include gold. Home Affairs Deputy Minister Obedingwa Mguni is on record stressing the need to tighten security at the country’s borders. – State Media

The social movement Tajamuka will tomorrow hit the streets again, this time in a demo to fight against economic injustice.  Below is their statement;

Tajamuka Zvakare!!!!!!!

Mangwana Friday

The young & people’s social movement is back again. Tajamuka Zvakare. Tajamuka zvachose.

We are calling upon all vendors to join us at 10 am on Friday the 27th of January 2017, corner Jason Moyo and Ruzende. Even if you’re NOT a vendor but youre outraged by the economic injustice being meted out against our vendors, you are welcome. We will meet with all vendors and all patriotic Zimbabweans to clean confront the city council of Harare and the Ministry of local government.

No vendor will be expelled from their livelihood. Hapana mu vendor achabviswa pabasa rake. Ndipo panebunditso yedu. Munhu wese achabva paanotengesera achienda industry awana basa .Ahoyi Citizens Ahoyi Ahoyi Vendor Ahoyi

Tajamuka/Sesjikile

THIRTY-four illegal Ethiopian migrants, who were arrested while hiding at a Marondera farm, pleaded guilty on Tuesday before magistrate Shane Kubonera, who then convicted and discharged the group into the hands of immigration officials.

The all-male group of Ethiopians, who had been detained since December, were relieved after continuous postponement of their case, as the State looked for an interpreter.

Among the illegal immigrants were four boys aged between 11 and 12.

According to court papers, on December 16 last year, the suspects were transported from Mutoko to Marondera en route to Beitbridge by Cletto Nyandoro and Gift Bere.

They were allegedly later dropped at Plot 3, Bemba Farm in Marondera, by Nyandoro, who had gone to Marondera Town to buy food for them. Acting on a tip-off, police stormed the farm and arrested the suspects after discovering that they had no travel documents.

Tariro Shirichena-Chamisa represented the State. – Newsday

Suspended Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana is to hear on his fate tomorrow.

The PG’s suitability for office case is set to complete its hearings tomorrow.

The tribunal comprises of Chinhengo, University of Zimbabwe law lecturer, Emmanuel Magade and lawyer, Melania Matshiya as members.

It began its work on July 25 last year and was supposed to have concluded its work within three months.

Tomana’s lawyer, Tazorora Musarurwa confirmed that the hearing would end this week.

“We are likely to conclude the matter this Friday (tomorrow) after the tribunal hears evidence from all the 23 witnesses called. The process was slow as each witness had to be cross-examined,” he said.

In terms of the law, the tribunal is expected to submit a report of its findings to Mugabe and if found guilty, Tomana will automatically be relieved of his duties.

President Robert Mugabe suspended Tomana in June last year on charges of criminal abuse of office and set up a three-member tribunal to investigate him.

Tomana is facing charges of defying court orders and criminal abuse of office after he withdrew charges against two military intelligence officers, who were allegedly caught in a foiled attempt to bomb the Gushungo Dairy plant last January.

Tomana is also accused of failure to prosecute several cases involving high-profile political personalities like then deputy minister, Bright Matonga and refusal to issue certificates of private prosecution to Francis Maramwidze and Telecel Zimbabwe.
Of the cases, Maramwidze was the only one who finally got a certificate of private prosecution and successfully prosecuted former Bikita West MP, Muyaradzi Kereke, who eventually got a 10-year prison term for raping his minor relative at gunpoint.

Meanwhile, Advocate Ray Goba is acting Prosecutor-General. – Newsday

The Zim People First leader, Joice Mujuru is once again going to be tested in the political field as a by-election beckons in Mwenezi East.

Squabbling in Mujuru’s party was among the reasons she lost resoundingly in the Bikita-West by-election, resulting in one of her top leaders, Retired Colonel Claudiuos Makova resigning.

Meanwhile the state media reports that, ZANU-PF Masvingo provincial leaders have set their sight on retaining the Mwenezi East National Assembly seat which fell vacant last month.

The then incumbent Joshua Moyo died after a long illness in December last year.
Acting Masvingo provincial chairman Amasa Nhenjana said the party will early next month conduct a primary election to choose a candidate to stand in the by-election whose date is yet to be proclaimed.

He said the provincial leadership was motivated by the party’s landslide victory achieved in Bikita West where Beauty Chabaya garnered 13 156 votes against her nearest rival, Mr Kudakwashe Gopo from ZimPF who managed only 2453 last week.

Chabaya won the seat that fell vacant following the incarceration of Munyaradzi Kereke for 10 years for rape in July last year.

State Media – A bloc of Western countries is sponsoring a Seychelles candidate to rival Zimbabwe’s Dr Walter Mzembi and split the African vote ahead of elections to choose the new secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, it has emerged.

Dr Mzembi, who is also the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, has been endorsed by the regional body Sadc and the 54-member African Union, but recently, Seychelles Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alain St Ange ghosted into the race with the support of some powerful European countries to rival the Zimbabwean candidate.

Georgia and Brazil are the other two countries with candidates to replace incumbent Mr Taleb Rifai in May. Dr Mzembi last week officially launched his bid in Madrid, Spain, where he posed a vision of change and progressiveness, sending panic among the “status quoists”.

In the past year, he has been on a major global diplomatic foray to boost his candidature.
In an interview on Tuesday Dr Mzembi said the emergence of the Seychelle’s candidate was both politically and racially motivated.

He said St Ange would play spoiler. “There is absolutely no rationale,” he said of St Ange’s candidature.

“He is very conscious of the fact that we have 10 votes as Africa, and we are pitting these against 10 European votes, five votes from the Americas, five votes from South Asia and the Pacific and three votes from the Middle East to make a total of 33 votes.

“So, anyone who wants to get past us as Africa will try and split Africa’s bloc votes of 10. This is essentially what they are doing in this instance. This approach is a zero-sum game for Africans because whoever emerges should never hope to win, we will both lose,” said Dr Mzembi.

Dr Mzembi is disturbed by the racial underpinnings in propping St Ange.

“What we are confronted with, is our detractors competing with us for positions in multilateral systems, the United Nations itself included. It is a desire to exploit the ethnical make-up of Africa, which is made up of negroid Africa, white Africans and Afro-Asiatics,” he charged.

“It is a very painful experience having to be discriminated against because you are negroid and picking white African candidates to basically split the African consensus,” complained Dr Mzembi.

But Zimbabwe is not taking this lying down and has triggered diplomatic moves to stop St Ange in accordance to regional and continental consensus.

He said: “We have asked for a meeting with the Seychelles. I met the Minister of Tourism for Seychelles, who is the successor to this one who wants to contest against me. We have requested officially for a meeting with the president of the Seychelles because we suspect that he has not been furnished with all the facts.”

He said at the forthcoming African Union summit, Zimbabwe would seek to influence the continent into renouncing the candidature of St Ange.

“We are fighting to win and I am hoping that the African Union can show its teeth in the matter and restrain Member States,” he said.

“I will not allow my candidature to just pass like previous candidatures that are disturbed by Africans amongst themselves without the benefit of either a pre-emptive process or a post mortem.
“I want to use this as a very classic example on the AU’s binding decisions and how they can avoid wilful violation going into the future,” he said. – State Media

IT has emerged that Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge lied that Fruitful Communications Private Limited was doing Public Relations Consultancy work for Zesa for free after the company owned by Zanu-PF Highfield legislator Psychology Maziwisa and television personality Oscar Pambuka issued summons at the High Court claiming an outstanding fee of $36 000 from the parastatal.

Fruitful Communications did PR work for Zimbabwe Power Company, a Zesa subsidiary. It was Minister Undenge who directed Zesa to engage Fruitful Communications. Interestingly, Minister Undenge told The Herald on May 12 last year that Fruitful Communications was offering its services to Zesa for free.

“They are people in public relations and there is no formal contract with anyone and if anyone wants to help for free, we allow them to do that,” he said.

“They felt they wanted to explain something to the public. It is just like you, you write a lot of things, but we do not pay you,” he said then.

In its summons at the High Court, Fruitful Communications suggests its being owed by Zesa for work done. It was hired despite Zesa Holdings’ subsidiaries having fully-fledged PR departments. Hussein Ranchod and Company is representing Fruitful Communications in the High Court case.

The plaintiff’s declaration states that in February last year, ZPC engaged the services of Fruitful Communications as their public relations consultant to “air news items and features” on television and radio stations.

Fruitful Communications claims it offered various services to ZPC with the power company undertaking to pay all the bills.

Despite demand, Fruitful Communications claims, ZPC has refused to pay the bill that amounted to $36 000.

On February 6, 2016, Fruitful Communications claim that they performed some public relations work which was aired on news bulletins on Power FM Radio.

Two weeks later, Fruitful Communications featured on Radio Zimbabwe, Power FM and National FM news bulletins, doing public relations for ZPC. On February 22, the consultants featured on the television programme “Media Watch” talking about Kariba water levels.

The consultancy firm is claiming payment for its appearance on ZBC’s Good Morning Zimbabwe programme on March 2, 2016.

On March 7, the consultants claim that they featured on ZTV Lunchtime News and Power FM News bulletin, doing ZPC’s work. On March 19, 22 and 27, Fruitful Communications claims it rendered services to ZPC by speaking on behalf of the power company on Radio Zimbabwe, Power FM and National FM during news time.

On April 8, the consultancy represented ZPC on ZTV lunch time news and also spoke during a Zimbabwe International Trade Fair interview.

Fruitful Communications is also claiming payment for representing ZPC’s participation on a programme called Power Talk with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe on April 18.

On April 29, May 7 and May 10 last year, the consultancy firm claims it spoke on behalf of ZPC on Radio Zimbabwe, Power FM and National FM radio news. Before filing a response to the lawsuit, ZPC lawyers Kadzere, Hungwe and Mandewere have requested to be furnished with further particulars to the case from Fruitful Communications.

“Was the engagement reduced in writing or oral? If written, a copy thereof is requested. If it was oral, who acted for the defendant (ZPC)? What were the full terms of the agreement?”

ZPC also seeks clarification on what Fruitful Communications meant by the phrase “news items and features”. The power company also wants to know how Fruitful Communications arrived at the figure $36 000.

Fruitful Communications is yet to file the further particulars before ZPC files a proper response to the suit. – State Media

A-22-YEAR-OLD man from Maphisa allegedly committed suicide by hanging after the parents of his pregnant girlfriend reported him to the police for sleeping with a minor.

Phathisa Dlamini was found dead at home at Maphisa growth point on Tuesday morning.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda confirmed the incident yesterday.

He said investigations were underway.

“We received a report of sudden death. A man was found hanging in his house on Tuesday morning. A colleague discovered the body.

“He was last seen the previous night with his housemate at their house. Investigations are underway,” said Asst Insp Sibanda.

He urged members of the public to desist from committing suicide but share their problems and seek advice from friends, relatives, police and churches.

“We are calling on people to desist from taking their own lives even when they’re having problems. It’s important to engage other people who can assist,” Asst Insp Sibanda said.

Sources told The Chronicle that Dlamini allegedly had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl who was in Form Two.

“The minor is reportedly pregnant. When her parents discovered the pregnancy, the girl’s mother confronted him and threatened to report him to the police.

“The following day, Dlamini was picked up by police for questioning. We suspect that he was probably frustrated and stressed and resorted to suicide,” said the source. – State Media

The ruling Zanu PF party is going ahead with President Robert Mugabe’s birthday bash in the Matopos in Matabeleland South, much to the anger of citizens there still wounded from the Gukurahundi atrocities.

Matopo residents have apparently tried to petition authorities on the insensitivity of holding a birthday bash over literary the ‘dead bodies’ of their loved ones.

The state media reports that the Zanu PF national youth leadership has described the 2017 edition of 21^st February Movement celebrations as instructive to the revolutionary party’s youths’ commitment to safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.

The youths say this year’s celebrations come at a time they are reinvigorated and inspired to maintain the legendary iconic status of patriotism symbolised by the illustrious life of President Robert Mugabe.

Zanu PF Secretary for Youths Affairs Kudzai Chipanga and Zanu PF youth league national secretary for finance Tongai Kasukuwere said the stage has been set.

The girl child has been empowered and given equal access to opportunities thanks to the policies of President Mugabe, added Zanu PF Kuwadzana legislator Betty Kaseke.

The youth leaders say the celebrations come at a time they are committed to ensure they decimate the opposition through the ballot in the harmonised elections to be held next year.

The annual 21^st February Movement celebrations are slated for Matopos in Matabeleland South at a date to be announced.

*YARD’S POSITION ON THE COMMENTS REGARDING THE ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENCY BY THE EFF PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF*

As the Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy (YARD) we firmly stand behind the revolutionary significance of the message emanating from Julius Malema, the youthful 21st century African revolutionary.

YARD associates itself with progressive organisations like the EFF and to this end are proud to have had our Founder & Commander-in-Chief, Hon. Temba Mliswa in attendance at the launch of the EFF election manifesto as well as the recent visit by the YARD SRC to South Africa where they met with the EFF Student Command.

Beyond the strong relations that we share with the progressive institution, the Economic Freedom Fighters, we stand guided firstly by the historic lessons of the African revolution which was born for the sole purpose of the decolonisation of Africa, and secondly by the ideological essence of Pan Africanism which has unfortunately been heavily diluted by the leaders who in all fairness, should be relics of history.

It is from the basis of this background that we appreciate and thank the substantive solidarity that has been proffered by the Economic Freedom Fighters, a move which was taken in full view and confidence that the Zimbabwean youths have a pivotal part to contribute in the holistic African Revolution.

Establishment of gerontocracy and the personification of the struggle is unsustainable as it contradicts the cause and course of the African revolution.

The politics of Africa has been betrayed by some of the founding fathers and institutions of the liberation war. The legacy of a decolonised Africa has been tainted across the African continent due to the power politics and ideological capture by an ageing generation. This therefore makes our struggle a generational one, and as such it is no surprise that the same gerontocrats were quick to attack Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema, because the youth agenda disqualifies all of them from the power dynamics and governance of African states.

The wave of youthful leadership is sweeping across the continent and Zimbabwe should never allow itself to be left behind. The only sustainable change can never be deposited safely in the political parties but in a generational transfer of power to the radical and equally capable youths in Africa.

Engagement of an African solution to the African questions remains the legacy of President R.G Mugabe, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah and Samora Machel. It is therefore our prayer that His Excellency may be able to entrust the youths of Zimbabwe with the mantle to carry forward and protect the gains of the liberation war.

*TINOTENDA MHUNGU*

*YARD NATIONAL COMMANDER FOR INFORMATION & SPOKESPERSON*

+263 733 612 633

[email protected]

@Yard2018

Facebook: Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy – YARD

POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested two gangs of armed robbers, one of whom is suspected to have killed a security guard at a Seventh Day Adventist church-run primary school in Pelandaba suburb.

Four members of the first group of armed robbers: Onias Bhebhe (43), Thompson Phuthi (40) Martin Bhebhe (36) and Nozinhle Bhebhe (24) have been linked to the Pelandaba suburb murder.

Their victim, Buton Sikalongo, whom they allegedly savagely attacked, died upon admission to Mpilo Central Hospital last Wednesday morning.

Sikalongo’s workmate Mr Vusa Tshuma was left for dead.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said the Pelandaba suburb gang was facing armed robbery and murder charges in connection with the crime committed last week on Tuesday.

“Circumstances are that on the said date at about midnight, the four suspects went to a school in Pelandaba, Bulawayo, where they ransacked the school stealing laptops and other property. The robbers strangled a security guard manning the premises,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

“Police managed to recover a star pistol and various equipment used for unlawful entry and theft upon arresting the quartet.”

He said police also recovered a laptop and money among other stolen property.

Chief Supt Nyathi declared war on criminals saying police would not rest until the streets and premises are safe for residents.

He said the second gang of armed robbers, who were also four, was arrested for hijacking a taxi after attacking its driver before robbing an usiphatheleni of over R55 000 using the vehicle.

Chief Supt Nyathi said the incident occurred on January 3.

“The four accused who had hired a taxi grabbed and assaulted the taxi driver before demanding cash and a cell phone from him. The robbers, after bundling the taxi driver out of his vehicle, drove the car and spotted a money changer whom they robbed of R55 000, $1 200, R7 600 and two Samsung cell phones,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

Yesterday, the Officer Commanding Bulawayo West District, Chief Superintendent Marshal Dube, his deputy Superintendent Mathias Matongo, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango among others visited the SDA run school where they spoke to Sikalongo’s brother George who had travelled from Zambia for his brother’s burial.

George expressed gratitude to the police for swiftly apprehending the murder suspects.

He said he was disturbed by the gruesome murder of his only brother.

“I sincerely want to thank the police for their efforts in combating this sinful cruelty done to my brother.

“Buton was my only brother whom I dearly loved. Now I no longer have a brother. It was painful to learn that he died following an attack from robbers. He was a hero for Christ. He died protecting the school and church property,” said George describing his brother as a martyr who loved the church.

“Even children were crying during the service. This church was his home. It was part of his life. He died defending its property,” he said.

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Nearly one in 10 British women finds sex painful, according to a recent study.

The survey of nearly 7,000 sexually active women aged 16 to 74, in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, suggests this medical problem – called dyspareunia – is common and affects women of all ages.

Women in their late 50s and early 60s are most likely to be affected, followed by women aged 16-24.

Doctors say there are treatments that can help if women seek advice.

But many still find the subject embarrassing and taboo, the survey results show.

Painful sex was strongly linked to other sexual problems, including vaginal dryness, feeling anxious during sex, and lack of enjoyment of sex.

However, there can be lots of different physical, psychological and emotional factors causing painful sex, which can be complex to treat.

Some women said they avoided intercourse because they were so afraid of the pain.

‘It hurt so much’

Karen (not her real name) is 62 and from Greater London. She said her problems began around the age of 40.

“I felt that my sex drive dipped quite considerably, arousal seemed to take longer, and, despite an understanding husband, I started to dread him making approaches.

“It’s like any muscle group I guess, the less you use it the worse it gets.”

Karen tried using lubricant but still encountered problems.

“It became like a vicious cycle. You worry and get tense and that only makes it worse.”

Karen developed another complication called vaginismus – involuntary tightening of the muscles around the vagina whenever penetration is attempted.

“It wasn’t just in bed. It happened when I needed smear tests too. I would be crawling up the bed away from the nurse because it hurt so much.”

Karen spoke to her doctor who recommended she try oestrogen creams and pessaries for the dryness and dilators to help with the involuntary tightening.

“Women need to know that there is help out there for these kinds of problems, especially as we are all living longer.

“You shouldn’t have to be writing off your sex life in your 50s.

“Many women don’t like to talk about it. We share all the gore of childbirth, yet women of my generation don’t tend to talk openly about sex and the menopause. We should.”

The national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles was carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), University College London and NatCen Social Research.

Of those who reported painful sex (7.5%), a quarter had experienced symptoms frequently or every time they had had intercourse in the last six months or more.

Around a third of these women said they were dissatisfied with their sex life, compared with one tenth of the women who didn’t report painful sex.

Lead researcher, Dr Kirstin Mitchell, from LSHTM and the University of Glasgow, the said there could be a whole range of reasons for dyspareunia.

Lack of enjoyment

“In younger women, it might be that they are starting out in their sexual lives and they are going along with things that their partner wants but they are not particularly aroused by.

“Or they might be feeling tense because they are new to sex and they are not feeling 100% comfortable with their partner.”

Painful sex might be caused by other health problems, such as sexually transmitted infections, endometriosis and fibroids, which should be diagnosed and treated.

Women around the age of the menopause can find sex painful because of vaginal dryness.

Dr Mitchell says it’s not just older women who can feel embarrassed talking about painful sex, even though the condition is common.

Other research, involving about 200 university students in Canada, suggests up to half of young women find their first experience of intercourse painful.

Seek advice

Dr Mitchell says sex education should do more to better prepare young people.

“Often sex education is about STIs and pregnancy, but it should also prepare people to think about what makes sex enjoyable and how to communicate what they like and dislike in a trusting and respectful relationship.”

If you have pain during or after sex, you should get advice from your GP or a sexual health clinic.

If there is an emotional reason or anxiety that is causing problems, a counsellor or sex therapist may be able to help – and your GP or sexual health clinic can refer you to one. – BBC

Loss of property and land by widows, mainly to in-laws is contributing to over 70 percent of Zimbabweans living in poverty, a report released by the Human Rights Watch on Tuesday showed.

Widows routinely loss land and property soon after the death of their husbands with little chance of justice because of ignorance and the cost of obtaining justice.

The 52-page report by the watchdog entitled: “You Will Get Nothing,’ Violations of Property and Inheritance Rights of Widows in Zimbabwe,” is based on interviews with 59 widows conducted across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces between May and October 2016.

This is despite the fact that Zimbabwe in 2013 approved a new constitution that approves civil, registered customary and unregistered customary marriages. The Zimbabwe Constitution of 2013, Section 17 (1)(c) guarantees equal access to property and land to men and women.

The report found that widows in unregistered marriages have been the main victims of the land and property grab.

According to the 2012 census, over 587,000 women — about 14 percent of all women in Zimbabwe — are widows.

According to Zimstat, as at April 31 2016, an average Zimbabwean lived on $3,22 and 72 percent of the population lives under the poverty line with women being the most affected.

“In many of the cases brought to the attention of Human Rights Watch, knowledge about property rights, inheritance rights, and civil and customary law on marriage were major obstacles to protecting widows’ property,” read the report by HRW, an independent non governmental organisation.

Legal fees and lack of resources were also cited as the barrier for widows to access equal rights to their property.

“Going to court can be expensive, and processes can take years to complete. A lack of basic resources means that even relatively minor court fees or transportation costs can put legal remedy out of reach for many widows,” said HRW.
The average consultation fees to a legal practitioner is $50 while appearance in court is $130. Property cases can be resolved over six months or more.
The report recommends the alignment of marriage laws, property laws in line with constitution.

Zimbabwe should “commit to implementation of the constitution and national laws for widows’ equal inheritance rights by amending laws and regulations and repealing all laws that violate women’s property rights under domestic or international standards, including African standards,” read the report.

Former minister in the government of national unity between 2009 and 2013 and member of the National Assembly Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga told the meeting to launch the report that she had a joint will with her late husband.

“I am an activist, I had access to information and to the best lawyer. My lawyer was Beatrice Mthethwa. I had access to the courts and by then I was a Minister… I woke up one morning with nothing except a suitcase,” she said. – The Source

Despite the shrill official propaganda to the contrary, Zimbabwe’s economy is continuing on its steep decline — with the latest manifestation of this implosion being the alarming disappearance of the much sought-after United States dollars from the market in recent weeks, with devastating consequences for the country.

This latest dose of bad news to hit long-suffering Zimbabweans comes as economists have recently reaffirmed that average incomes in the country are still hovering at their lowest levels in more than 60 years, with the majority of families having to make do with less than $200 a month.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, John Mangudya, confirmed to the Daily News yesterday that Zimbabwe was witnessing a drastic shortage of American dollars, blaming rampant externalisation of the coveted greenback for the crisis.

Banking sources also said last night that the critical shortage of the US dollar had escalated ever since the central bank introduced bond notes into the market in November last year, as President Robert Mugabe’s stone-broke government desperately sought to mitigate the country’s crippling cash and liquidity crisis.

“It is a fact (that US dollars have disappeared). Nowadays we are importing small denominations because externalisation is high …. smaller notes make externalisation more difficult,” said Mangudya, adding that “generally, in money laundering, people favour high value notes, and so banks are importing smaller notes”.

However, Mangudya also said the country had, at the same time, seen an increase in US$ deposits.

“We have seen a significant increase in US dollar deposits, and in terms of the money in circulation, we have more US dollars in the system compared to bond notes.

“So, people should not be alarmed with the disappearance of high-value notes. It is just one of the measures being implemented against externalisation,” he told the Daily News.
But banking sources said while the $100 and $50 notes had started disappearing at the beginning of the country’s cash crisis, around May last year, the shortage had escalated following the release of the bond notes.

The chief executive of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Takura Mugaga, also told the Daily News yesterday that the disappearance of high-value US dollar notes was being caused by externalisation, pointing out that people were also using the greenback as a store of value.

“You need to note that most people are holding US dollars in their homes and not depositing them, as they seek a strong currency to hold on to,” he said.

But former Finance minister, Tendai Biti, said the disappearance of the high-value US dollar notes was “a direct result of a government-instituted grand theft”.

“What the government is doing through bond notes is that they are swallowing legitimate US dollar balances in the system and stealing the US dollars.

“If you go to the bank and your balance is US$200, but you get 100 Bond and $100, what has happened to the other $100?” he queried.

“We are experiencing what is known as Gresham’s Law, where bad money is replacing good money in the system,” the People’s Democratic Party leader added.

A senior economist with risk and analysis firm IHS Global Insight, Alisa Strobel, added that “the increase of uncertainty over the impact of bond notes to the Zimbabwean economy, and fears we could see a repetition of 2009’s hyperinflation, bodes ill for the economy across the board”.

Although Zimbabwe introduced a multi-currency system in 2009, including using the South African rand and recently the Chinese Yuan, almost all Zimbabweans prefer the greenback to the other currencies.

Prominent economist, Ashok Chakravarti, said recently that a whopping $358 million in cash had been siphoned out of the country in the past five years alone.
He also told a Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) gathering in Harare late last year that greenback banking deposits had declined from $627 million in 2010 to $269 million last year.

“We have about US$269 million in banks, which is about six percent of total bank deposits. Cash in the system has depleted compared to deposits … There has been genuine externalisation. You need to have a non convertible currency to stop externalisation. If you need this country to move you have to have a currency which cannot be externalised,” he said.

And as Zimbabwe’s economy continues to die, the World Bank last year downgraded the country from its list of improved economies to the unflattering tier of struggling countries, as Harare’s political and economic turmoil continues to escalate.

In its publication titled Africa’s Pulse, the Bretton Woods institution said the country had failed to register significant economic growth over the past few years.

“Zimbabwe’s fiscal deficit has deteriorated as remedial actions have been limited and this has resulted in the country registering a negative correlation between the cyclical components of government consumption and GDP,” it said.

Economists say poverty levels have reached “numbing levels”, amid indications that the situation will worsen in 2017, as Mugabe’s Zanu PF government continues to demonstrate its inability to fix the rot. Daily News

Tertiary students have requested a meeting with Higher Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, and a parliamentary panel to discuss the re-introduction of students’ grants.

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has since written to Parliament and Moyo’s office over the engagement, which they said would also help clarify government’s position on tertiary fees and attachment issues.

In December last year, Moyo promised to re-introduce student loans this year, at a Zanu PF conference.

But the students fear the minister could have been grandstanding as there was no clarity over how the grants would be introduced, a few weeks before the commencement of the 2016/2017 second semester next month.

“It would be folly of the highest kind and unparalleled naivety for us to just accept Moyo’s promise as it is and not make any follow up.

“The government has promised to bring back loans before without actually doing so,” UZ SRC spokesperson, Tafadzwa Chabata, said.

“This is what has motivated us to seek a meeting with Moyo so we can hear from the horse’s mouth exactly when and how loans are going to be availed to students,” he said.
“We want to know the number of students the loan facility is going to cater for, the total amount that will be available, conditions for accessing of loans and conditions for repayment among other things.”

Moyo said the student loans would improve skills and manpower development.
Student representative bodies have reported massive dropout rates at universities because of tuition fees challenges, with the  Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (Zinasu) claiming that at least 12 000 threw in the towel in the first quarter of 2016 alone.

In a January 16 letter to Moyo, UZ SRC president Tinotenda Mhungu said they also wanted to meet the minister so they could work out how Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) funds can help students doing research.

“We propose the following matter to be considered as part of the agenda in the meeting; clarity on dates and structure of the proposed re-introduction of students’ grants and or loans,” Mhungu said.

The proposed matters include “rationalisation of academic fees particularly for students on attachment, establishment of a gender charter for the protection of the girl-child, explanations on the Zimdef and how it can benefit and assist university students in their researches as well as engagement on the urgent need for the amendment of Ordinance 30 and re-alignment of the Universities Act to the current Constitution”.

In another letter to Parliament, the students said they believed the legislature could intervene in contentious issues that were affecting students’ welfare in the country.
“This need comes in the wake of lack of clarity on certain debates and issues affecting students and the satisfaction of engagement between the student representatives and your office as the immediate parliamentary committee responsible for representation of all student welfares and liaisons of universities with government,” Mhungu wrote. – Daily News

Below is Jelousy Mawarire’s response to a note circulating on social media, purporting to have been written by his nephew. In it ‘Jealousy Mawarire jnr’ claims that his uncle Mawarire senior is a former Central Intelligence Organisation operative, and that he stumbled upon information that senior Zim PF officials are still on the CIO payroll.

Jealousy Mawarire | I have been alerted that there is someone masquerading as Jealousy Mawarire jnr on Facebook claiming to be my relative. I have no relative who carries my name, it’s not our culture in the family to name relatives after ourselves that is why even my son has his own name. We understand that there are leaders of some briefcase parties who are desperate for relevance who have been using social media and some gullible publications to peddle vitriolic stuff especially against Dr Mujuru in order to attract attention to their moribund political formations. We know as we have communicated in December 2016, that Zanu-PF is desperate to scuttle coalitions talks between Dr Mujuru and Dr Tsvangirai and the media gimmicks that we are witnessing show us that some briefcase party leaders are fronting Zanu-PF’s desperate bid to destroy the on going talks. I challenge the so-called Jealousy Mawarire jnr to publish his picture with any of my relatives especially my Father if he is a close relative who claims to have been at my house on Christmas day. The Zanu-PF regime is desperate and the false death stories on Dr Tsvangirai a few days ago show the desperation that has gripped this dying regime. Everything that this Jealousy Mawarire jnr is saying is a lie because such a person does not exist in the Mawarire family that sired me. I thought you should know.

EFF STATEMENT ON ZANU-PF’S RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR PRESIDENT MUGABE TO STEP DOWN

24 January, 2017

The Economic Freedom Fighters party has released a statement in response to Zanu-PF, confirming their point that President Robert Mugabe must leave power.

The EFF reaffirms its position that President Mugabe’s occupancy of the position of president is not good for the radical African political program. He is the bastion of the reactionary phenomenon of “lead to the death” that has crippled the image and praxis of post-colonial Africa. President Mugabe is not only the contemporary engine of personality cult, but he is protected by a group of cowards around him who hypocritically defend him everyday, whilst harbouring ambitions to lead soon.

We are unequivocal that revolutions ought to promote programs and not personalities. The continent needs heroes who will be able to stand firm on the objectives of the African revolution whilst allowing democratic practices and succession of leadership. His example is contradictory to this ideal since it directly or indirectly promotes the phenomenon of refusing to leave office until death.

Before the ZANU-PF and its youth wing respond to the EFF about the charge that they are cowards; they should ask themselves a simple question – what is revolutionary about being led by a person in old age; who sleeps all the time in meetings, can no longer even hold a pen or write half a page? Failure to respond to this question signifies not that they are afraid of others, but of President Mugabe.

When youth movement across the continent are fighting for change, questioning the transformation of liberation movements into old age homes and general gerontocracy. The ZANU-PF youth is instead defending and advancing an essentially anti-youth statuesque. This is because there is actually no youth in the ZANU-PF Youth; what you find are middle age men and women, half of which are suffering from a mid-life crises. They should be ashamed of themselves for holding the future from being born in Zimbabwe.

We shall never tell lies as revolutionaries; all the anti-colonial struggle icons like Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere knew when it was enough and handed over the baton to others. The African revolution must always distance itself from all forms of personality cults; insistence that President Mugabe must lead to the grave is a sign that ZANU-PF is drowning in cowardice.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

MBUYISENI QUINTIN NDLOZI (National Spokesperson)

Luke Tamborinyoka | President Tsvangirai yesterday paid his condolences to chief Siyachilaba in Binga North following the death of nine members of his community who were struck by lightning at a funeral.

As a true national leader he is, President Tsvangirai took some time off his busy schedule
to be with the families of the bereaved.

President Tsvangirai who provided food packs to the bereaved families said, in the true spirit of solidarity, it was important to make sure that the nineteen children who were orphaned following the sad incident in the Siyachilaba community continue to go to school.

He was accompanied by the two Binga MPs Hons. Prince Sibanda and Joel Gabbuza.

Among the national leaders travelling with the President are Vice President Thokozani Khupe, National Organising Secretary Abednico Bhebhe, Deputy National Organising Secretary Hon. Amos Chibaya, Secretary for Elections Murisi Zwizwai, Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende and the National Youth Chairperson Happymore Chidziva.

President Tsvangirai is on a nationwide tour to solicit ideas from the people on the new government architecture people aspire for, ahead of 2018 elections.

He is also soliciting for the same on the alliance building process adopted by the national council and wants public participation in the party’s thrust to work with other political parties in the cow horn formation on Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.

Today President Tsvangirai will address Matabeleland North provincial council in Lupane before proceeding to Hwange tomorrow.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications
Movement for Democratic Change

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is this week attending a meeting called by government to address the burning bonus issue.
The meeting dubbed, ‘a bonus indaba,’ comes in the wake of the rural teachers having heeded the call by ARTUZ to embark on a go slow.

The first meeting began yesterday, 24th of January.

If the meetings are unfruitful, ARTUZ says it will escalate the job action.

Teachers were last year giving fake promises for bonuses.

ZimEye will update our valued readers on developments.

Ray Nkosi | Controversial Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency caused a stir in Parliament when he castigated First Lady Grace Mugabe’s extravagant lifestyle.

He said,  “If people are buying rings for over a million dollars, if they were bond notes, would they buy the rings for a million dollars – no they would not.

“I do welcome bond notes and to also stop those leaders who are extravagant in terms of using taxpayers money to be able to expend on luxury items like rings which absolutely mean nothing to the welfare of the people of this country.

We have hospitals, schools and many things. I personally am a Member of Parliament in Norton and there is not even a decent mortuary at Norton Hospital so that people can be put there but we hear that the First Lady is spending and I will not hide this”.

In a point of order raised for him not to mention the First Lady as she was not there to defend herself the streetwise Mliswa responded, “Mr. Speaker, I did not name the First Lady and I did not put a name to it. Your wife is the First Lady in your house unless she is not. My mother is the First Lady in my house.”