Own Correspondent|Minister of Industry and Commerce Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has expressed shock at the ravaging drought in parts of Plumtree his home area after he visited his fields this weekend in the area and found his crops in a serious wilting and drying state.

Matabeleland South has throughout this year’s farming season battled with very low rainfall that has seen most of the crop being written off pointing towards another draught.

Most areas particularly in Plumtree wrote of their crop as early as mid December last year.

Ndlovu who is also a legislator for Bulilima East said the situation was not promising in the area considering the state of crops.

“I took a walk this morning to my field and came back depressed. This is the situation right through my Constituency in Plumtree and it’s a complete disaster. We hoped to recover from the effects of the El Niño induced drought we experienced last year but this year looks like will be worse. We lost a lot of livestock particularly cattle and we can’t afford to lose more,” he said.

“Time for urgent mitigation measures; this years drought seriously threatens our basic rural livelihoods.”

Questions are raised how the Minister who is also the MP in the area only came to realise the drought effects now when people in his constituency have been appealing for drought power assistance from government since November last year. It had to be his field that succumbs to drought for him to begin realising the ravaging effects of the drought in the area.

Source: State Media

Correspondent|Twenty-seven-year-old Luckmore Hamandishe came face to face with death when a shaft collapsed at the Globe and Phoenix Mine in Kwekwe.

Hamandishe, who said he was among hundreds of artisanal miners that were underground when disaster struck, believes a lot of people perished despite the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) putting the number of the dead at three.

On Friday the CPU ended rescue operations at the mine where officially three people died and several were injured after being trapped underground.

The CPU said it could not establish the number of miners that were trapped.

Hamandishe said there were more than 200 people around the area when the accident happened and believes that government is understating the extent of the accident to protect bigwigs that were allegedly sending artisanal miners to their deaths at the abandoned mine.

According to survivors, a huge boulder moved at one of the tunnels at level four of the mine at around 10pm last Wednesday and the roofing of the shaft collapsed, trapping the miners.

“An underground level of a mine is about 35-40 metres so when we say level four, we are talking roughly of about 150 metres,” he said.

“That is where the disaster happened and I was about 15 metres from where the boulder fell. There were about 200 people on that level and only a few escaped.”

Hamandishe said there was a likelihood that there were people still trapped under the boulder. He said others might have drowned in a “dam” underground close to where the accident happened.

“Some people were pushed into the dam and I am sure they died through drowning,” he claimed.

“Others plunged into the dam as they tried to escape. When the water was splashed onto the walls of the mine, it became slippery and others who tried to scale up slipped into the water as well.

“A lot of bodies can be found if serious rescue operations are conducted.”

Hamandishe claimed some government officials made sure that the rescue operations were not thorough so that a few bodies would be retrieved and that would protect senior ruling Zanu PF officials who are allegedly behind the illegal mining activities at the mine.

Globe and Phoenix Mine is no longer officially operational and has been taken over by artisanal miners who often use unsafe mining methods.

“You must understand that it is illegal to mine here because the owners closed it down,” Hamandishe explained. “However, senior Zanu PF and government officials in Kwekwe have taken over the mine and they determine who goes underground and Zanu PF youths are the ones in charge of security at the mine.”

He claimed that police had failed to rein in the illegal miners because they fear censure from the political heavyweights who sponsor them.

“The godfathers have gold milling plants at their farms and that is where the gold ore is processed,” Hamandishe added.

On Friday relatives of the missing miners said they were being forced to pay as much as US$400 to people who were volunteering to go underground to search for bodies as the CPU had given up on the operation.

“We paid US$250 to some miners here, but they wanted US$400 so that they could go underground and search for the body of our uncle because we were told by people from his syndicate that he died,” said a man from Amaveni suburb who requested to remain anonymous.

“In the meantime, we have to bring them food as they continue with the search.”

Other miners claimed they had retrieved the body of a man they only identified as Kule Givy from Amaveni. They said he was very popular among the artisanal miners at Globe and Phoenix.

Some relatives who were observing the rescue mission from a distance said the government’s rescue operation was poorly coordinated.

“It is really painful,” said a man whose son was reportedly underground when the accident happened and had not been heard from since then.

“Some of the people trapped underground actually made the top officials behind their activities filthy rich,” he added.

“At this hour of need, we expected them to act.”

A day before the rescue operation was halted, the head of the CPU in Kwekwe Fortune Mupungu said they were trying to get “advanced equipment” from the Mines ministry for the rescue operation.

Mupungu, however, dismissed reports that his team had chased away artisanal miners who wanted to go underground to search for their colleagues’ bodies.

“We are actually trying to engage the Mines ministry officials so that they can come up with advanced equipment for the rescue operation,” he said on Thursday night.

Some artisanal miners claimed State Security minister Owen Ncube was one of the government officials behind syndicates operating at Globe and Phoenix Mine.

They claimed one of the minister’s nephews, only identified as Dhala, directed the syndicates’ operations.

Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson, said allegations that there were attempts to hide the extent of the disaster were malicious.

Mangwana said the government had always been transparent about recent disasters and there was no need to deviate from the norm.

“The government will never under-report the number of Zimbabweans tragically caught in any disaster,” he said.

“There is no expedience in that. We proved it during Cyclone Idai when we gave the nation every single count, withholding nothing.

“But we don’t work with hype and hysteria, but information that comes from agents on the ground.”

Mangwana said in the past people had exaggerated the number of deaths from mining accidents and he cited the Battlefields incident where 28 artisanal miners died in flooded shafts at Silvermoon and Cricket 3 mines.

“In that disaster we were also accused of what you are accusing us of today,” he said.

Globe and Phoenix is the oldest gold mine in Kwekwe as it was pegged on the site of ancient gold workings in 1894 by prospectors Edward Thornton Pearson and Joseph Schukala.

The mine is located close to the Kwekwe central business district. Kwekwe Consolidated Mine Company, which was the last entity to officially mine gold, stopped operations at Globe and Phoenix in 2005.

Illegal miners that are allegedly sponsored by top government and Zanu PF officials in Kwekwe are allegedly allowed to make their way into abandoned shafts to hunt for gold and are shielded from arrest by the godfathers.

The artisanal miners come in large numbers from places like Silobela, Zhombe, Shurugwi and Gokwe and often don Zanu PF party regalia.

Zanu PF marshals who main the entrance to the mine allegedly bar anyone without the ruling party’s regalia from accessing the shafts.

The heavyweights behind the syndicates allegedly get 65% of the gold.

Kwekwe and the surrounding areas are rich in gold deposits and are popular with artisanal miners, known locally as “Makorokoza” or hustlers, who work in unsafe shafts using picks and shovels and generator-powered water pumps.

In the past month police have arrested hundreds of illegal miners involved in violent turf wars for mining claims.

Former Ward 15 long-serving MDC councillor, Alderman Israel Mabaleka (74) has died.

He died yesterday at his house in Old Luveve suburb after battling diabetics for some time.

Ald Mabaleka, who was a councillor from 2000 to 2018 was described as a unifier and a hardworking man who had the people’s interests at heart.

His younger brother and family spokesperson Mr Justice Mabaleka said his brother was a senior citizen the community looked up to.

“It’s sad to come to terms with the fact that my brother has passed on. He was someone who listened to people’s complaints, a brother we all looked up to. He was our advisor, the one person we all turned to when in need and he knew how to help us,” he said.

Luveve MP, Stella Ndlovu echoed Mr Mabaleka’s sentiments saying Luveve had lost a great leader.

“Ald Mabaleka was a hard worker, a very responsible man. He once took over Ward 15 and 16 and he did tremendously well. He was equally available for both wards. He loved his people. Our Bulawayo is gone, our great shadow, we will never find someone like him, we will surely miss him,” she said.

The late alderman is survived by four children.

Mourners are gathered at house number 3197 Old Luveve suburb.

Own Correspondent|MDC President Nelson Chamisa will today continue with his party structures audits and meeting when he meets with the Matabeleland South leadership in Gwanda.

Chamisa was the main speaker at Masvingo Provincial assembly on Sunday at party office, in Masvingo where he disbanded the Masvingo Provincial leaders and called for fresh elections.

An independent committee will be appointed to run Masvingo. Its agenda will be to restructure all disputed districts.

Own Correspondent|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s hopes of forcing the African Union to adopt his anti sanctions agenda yesterday fell flat when the incoming AU Chairman Cyril Ramaphosa ignored it altogether.

Since October last year, Mnangagwa had been lobbying AU states to adopt the agenda to get targeted restrictive measures against the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and other ZANU PF entities and persons, removed.

Watch video of a live discussion on the issue downloading below:

https://youtu.be/WSDMmktBp9E

AU SUMMIT SUNDAY SUMMARY

By Business Reporter| Emmerson Mnangagwa’s hopes of forcing the African Union to adopt his anti sanctions agenda yesterday fell flat when the incoming AU Chairman Cyril Ramaphosa ignored it altogether.

https://youtu.be/WSDMmktBp9E

Since October last year, Mnangagwa had been lobbying AU states to adopt the agenda to get targeted restrictive measures against the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and other ZANU PF entities and persons, removed.

After using live ammunition on his own citizens, killing many on 1 August 2018 to change election results, and in January 2019, causing the nation to lose more than USD16bln, Mnangagwa had also burdened the Southern African Development Community with a demand to get the restrictive measures removed on the 25th October 2019. (Watch below).

SADC then rushed to issue a call for a removing of the sanctions saying the African Union is behind the calls. But in the face of the AU’s ongoing Silencing Of The Guns 2020 agenda, Mnangagwa emerged the worst gun criminal.

The AU intends to declare a state-gun-abuse-free continent by the end of 2020.

On its statement the AU says: the AU Heads of State and Government adopted the Silencing the Guns by 2020 initiative as a flagship project that aims to end all conflicts in Africa by 2020. While good progress has been made in reducing state-driven conflicts, recurring conflicts in several regions is rolling back gains already made in achieving lasting peace. In 2020 the African Union will reinforce its efforts to silence the continent’s guns, focusing in particular on addressing the underlying root-causes and facilitating socio-economic development on the continent.

The AU chairmanship was taken up by South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday. 

Had the AU adopted Mnangagwa’s agenda, they would have made themselves vulnerable to critics at the summit which is being attended by the UN Secretariat. Between January and December 2019,  the UN publicly criticised Mnangagwa for using guns on its own citizens since the 1st August when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was used to change 2018 election results as announced by the state broadcaster, ZBC. 

BELOW IS PRESIDENT  RAMAPHOSA’S STATEMENT WHICH TOTALLY IGNORED MNANGAGWA’S CALL FOR REMOVING TARGETED SANCTIONS: 

33rd SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION ASSEMBLY
09 FEBRUARY 2020
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Excellencies,
33rd SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION ASSEMBLY
09 FEBRUARY 2020
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Your Excellency, President El-Sisi, outgoing Chair of the African Union;
Your Majesties;
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government;
Your Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission;
Your Excellency, Mr Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations;
Honourable Mohammed Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of the State of Palestine representing President Mahmoud Abbas;
Your Excellencies, former Heads of State and Government;
Heads of AU Organs;
Heads of Regional Economic Communities;
Commissioners of the AU Commission;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Fellow Africans,
I stand before you immensely humbled by this great honour that has been bestowed on South Africa. On behalf of the men and women of South Africa I graciously accept your collective decision that I should Chair the AU in 2020.
In executing this weighty responsibility I will rely on your continued support, wisdom and co-operation, especially that of the new Bureau members.
I want to thank our host, Nobel Peace Laureate Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the government and the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for the excellent hospitality extended to me and my delegation since our arrival here in Addis Ababa.
I also thank my Brother, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the outstanding and commendable manner in which he presided over the work of the AU during his term.
South Africa first chaired the African Union (AU) following its historic re-launch in South Africa in 2002 when President Thabo Mbeki, who is here with us today, became chair of the AU. We are indeed deeply humbled to have been afforded the opportunity once again to lead this august continental body of governance, and by the confidence that has been vested in us today.

Your Excellencies, we are mindful of our weighty mission, but also of the weight of history here in Ethiopia, a place with such deep and profound connections to Africa’s ancient past.
Up in the highlands of the north of Ethiopia in the 1st century, our ancestors tamed the harsh terrain and established agriculture, herded livestock, minted their own coinage, created their own alphabetical script, built towering monuments that stand even to this day, and forged expansive trade routes across the region.
Over the passage of and in the context of the time, our forebears understood that true progress and development could be advanced through trade and working together.
Today we stand at the cusp of the greatest step towards continental unity since the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that we adopted last year will enable us to work together through intra-Africa trade, as it will reignite industrialisation and pave the way for Africa’s integration into the global economy as a player of considerable scale.
It is the realization of the dream of our forebears, to see the rich resources of Africa being marshalled for the collective benefit of Africans.
Indeed we are a continent that is rich.
Africa is rich in natural resources yes, but also in history, in intellectual output, in culture, in a sense of humanity and in human capital.
As Africans living in this new era, we shoulder the greatest of responsibilities, to ensure that Africa’s wealth does not become her poverty; that her blessing does not become her curse; and that our endowment does not become our downfall.

It is to us that the task has fallen to build an Africa that is prosperous and at peace with itself.
An Africa that is capable of achieving the aspirations this august body set out in Agenda 2063.
An Africa connected through a vast network of roads and railways, enabling the free movement of goods, people and services.
An Africa whose vast tracts of land support agriculture, commerce and livelihoods.
An Africa whose mighty rivers are harnessed to create power and bring electricity to villages, towns, cities, homes and businesses.
As incoming AU Chair, we have set ourselves key priorities to enhance the progress that is already underway during the African Decade of Action.
We would like to deepen our work together in deepening the unity of our continent and advancing inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
Our collective work to ensure political and economic unity, good governance, and peace should be strengthened by supporting integration, industrialization, economic development, trade and investment.
In pursuit of this priority, we will host the 13th Extraordinary Summit on the AfCFTA to be held back-to-back with the Extraordinary Summit on Silencing of the Guns in May 2020.
Working closely with President Mahamadou Issofou of Niger in his capacity as the AU Champion on the AfCFTA, we will work for the finalization of outstanding issues around the agreement.

We must all ensure that the AfCFTA does not become a conduit for products with minimal African value addition to enter and penetrate our local markets under the guise of continental integration.
There must be a reasonable standard set for what constitutes a product that is Proudly Made in Africa.
We have to level the playing field for African businesses, so they are able to operate in a large-scale market unfettered by regulatory fragmentation. This is an integral part of rebalancing global trade relations.
The era of economic colonialism and imperialism, under which Africa is a pit stop in the global assembly line, has passed.
The success of the AfCTFA depends on Infrastructure development.
We must all drive the implementation of the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative, so that priority and high-impact projects act as catalysts for the AfCFTA.
Beyond trade integration, we have trained our sights on supporting green growth on the continent, and on ensuring that the continent takes advantage of the opportunities presented by the green transition.
This includes new industries in energy, materials engineering, the circular economy, sustainable agriculture and clean production.
The 4th Industrial Revolution presents our continent with great opportunities. The uptake of digital technologies will lead to improved competitiveness and provides fresh opportunities for inclusive growth.
Millions of our continent’s young citizens are digital natives, and we must drive a skills revolution to enable Africa to take a quantum leap into the economy of the future. To give full effect to our attention to this important area of work, we should look to establish an Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forum, that also includes the diaspora.
Your Excellencies
In this, the year that we conclude the Decade of African Women, we must advance women’s economic and financial inclusion, we must address the scourge of gender-based violence.
We want to focus on ensuring that there is accountability to global gender commitments.
We have heard the calls of the women and girls of Africa for liberation from the shackles of patriarchy, violence and economic exclusion.
We recall the words of the Egyptian novelist and activist Nawal el Saadawi, that women are half the society. You cannot have a revolution without women. You cannot have democracy without women.
We intend to work closely with President Akufo-Addo of Ghana to ensure the interests of women are mainstreamed, and want the years 2020 to 2030 declared as the Decade of African Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion.
I believe that the work of the Pan African Women’s Organisation PAWO, an organisation that was founded in 1962, a year before the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to promote human rights and gender equality should be strengthened in order for it to play its rightful role.
We have to find more practical and sustainable ways of empowering the women of our continent: ways that go beyond the clichés and pronouncements made from podiums as we are wont to do.
Public and private procurements offer great opportunities as they account for 30% of the GDP of many countries on the continent.
Agenda 2063 calls for the allocation of at least 25 per cent of public procurement to be for women-owned businesses, yet women owned-businesses are given less than 1% of procurement.
We have to change this.
It is not unreasonable to advocate for preferential public procurement legislation to advantage women-owned businesses, and for the establishment of preferential trade and customs regimes for women.
The empowerment of women on our continent can be done. It must be done!
The representation of women in decision making structures in governments, parliaments and other sectors is far too low.
The women of our continent want and demand to occupy their rightful place in all decision making structures. They deserve 50% representation.
Those amongst us who have enabled the participation of more women in decision making structures have benefited immensely from the inherent wisdom, insights and energy. The women of our continent want to play a meaningful role in developing our continent. Let us not hold them back.
Violence against women continues to rage on our continent.
We will make the adoption of a AU Convention on Violence Against Women a priority, and for member states to ratify international protocols that outlaw gender discrimination.
We will support the good governance and democracy agenda, leveraging the excellent work of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) that we have been asked to chair.

We now have 40 members states that have joined the APRM. We will engage those Member States that have not ratified to do so, with a view to achieving universal accession by 2030.
We will make a contribution to promote peace and security in our collective effort to Silence the Guns.
Through the AU Peace and Security Council, the AU Commission and the collective membership, we will focus our efforts on conflict resolution across the African continent, especially those experiencing protracted conflicts.
We will work with President Denis Sasso N’Guesso, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the AU High Level Committee on Libya to convene an intra-Libyan Conference to promote ceasefire and dialogue.
We will continue to work the parties in South Sudan with a view to implementing the outstanding issues of the Revitalised Agreement, in order to pave the way for the formation of the Government of National Unity.
South Africa will also host the Extra-Ordinary Summit on Silencing of the Guns in May 2020 to look at the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap, and at the same time respond to emerging circumstances on the African peace and security landscape.
The Summit must come up with real actions we as Africans must take to end conflicts, and deal with acts of terrorism that are raging in many countries and regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and now spreading to other parts of Southern Africa as well.
We must also deal with the actions of other countries outside our continent that are fighting proxy wars and fuelling the ongoing conflicts.
The principle of finding African solutions for African problems must be our over-ridding theme in addressing all the conflicts on our continent as we work within the frameworks of the AU and the UN.
During our chair-ship we will champion the positioning of Africa as a strong, resilient and influential global player, and advancing AU-UN cooperation will be key. We must ensure that Africa continues to play an even greater role on the world stage.
It is therefore an imperative of the time that as Africa we continue to assert the primacy of multilateralism in world affairs. We must continue to advance this through bolstering the AU’s relationship with the United Nations (UN).
We must focus on the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC), advancing the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), and giving effect to the 2016 UN commitments on HIV/Aids.
Our collective fortunes rely on international cooperation, and in ensuring we leave no-one behind.
That is why the African Union must continue with its support for the struggles of people everywhere that still suffer under the yoke of oppression.
Today we reaffirm our unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate quest for an independent and sovereign State, as well as the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination.
We must ensure that our independence and freedom as the peoples of this continent should be universal.
As the internationally acclaimed musician Jonas Gwangwa sang: “Freedom for some is Freedom for none”.

Our international cooperation must extend to the continental effort to address the global climate crisis.
As Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) South Africa will prioritise all three Global Goals in the Paris Agreement, namely mitigation, adaptation and support.
Your Excellencies,
Our Union stands as a testament to the power of political unity.
Let us now resume the onward march towards economic integration, development, progress, growth and shared prosperity.
Our continent is definitely on the ascent.
It is indeed a regeneration moral and eternal, as described by the South African revolutionary Pixley isaka Seme.
Let us build the Africa we Want.
Let the Guns be Silenced.
Let our swords be beaten to ploughshares, and our spears turned into pruning hooks.
It is the actions that we take from this day onwards that will determine our continent’s destiny.
If we pursue our objectives with diligence and determination, and mobilize our people to support them, I am certain that ours can be a meaningful, effective and impactful Union.

In the words of the great son of the African soil, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o :
“Today is tomorrow’s treasury. Tomorrow is the harvest of what we plant today.”
Fellow African leaders, we salute you.
Through your leadership you have sown the seeds for meaningful African unity.
With all the actions we take to consolidate the unity of our continent, to foster economic integration, to empower the women of Africa and to Silence the Guns, let us now look eagerly to the harvest.
Our people await the harvest of our work.
As glorious is our past, so too will be our future.
I thank you.

State Media|IN a development likely to light the spirits and hopes of nation long plagued by crippling power cuts, latest official data shows water flows along Zambezi River, towards Kariba Dam, has picked up considerably.

Kariba Dam hosts Zimbabwe’s largest power station, the 1 050 megawatts Kariba South hydro power plant, which is generating power at sub-optimal levels due to critically low water levels after the drought experienced last year.

This has affected Zimbabwe’s power supply, which requires about 1 800MW at peak periods of demand, but can only generate around 500MW, also weighed down by the only other major power plant, Hwange.

Zimbabwe is supplementing its internal generation supply with imports, but this is not sustainable and consistent given the prevailing shortage of foreign currency also required for other critical needs.

Hwange Thermal Power Station has rated capacity of 920MW but can only average 450MW at best due to lack of spare parts and frequent breakdowns as a result of the plant’s advanced age. The power plant, which now requires constant reinvigoration through refurbishments has exceeded its design lifespan of 25 years.

The crippling power deficit, as internal generation saunters, has suffocated businesses, productive sector activities and household consumption as power rationing stretching for up to 18 hours or more takes its toll.

According to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which administers the affairs of Zambezi River and Kariba Dam significantly improved water flow was recorded at two key gauge stations, Victoria Falls and Chavuma.

The Zambezi River contributes over 75 percent of the billions cubic meters of water that flows in the giant lake. Roughly 20 percent of water that goes into Kariba Dam comes from Zimbabwe, the bulk is from north of Zambia.

“Throughout this week of February, the Zambezi River flow at Victoria Falls has continued to rise quite steadily above last year’s flows during the same period by 25 percent. However, this is still below the long term average by 29 percent.

“The flow in the Zambezi River at Chavuma shot up by 73 cubic meters per second between the 5th and 6th of February, indicating intense run off on the Zambezi headwaters. The flow is still soaring above the long term average by 41 percent and last year’s flows by 189 percent,” ZRA said.

The river authority said the flows in the month have exceeded what was recorded in 2014/15 at the same point in the year, giving a ray of hope for better run off at the station this year than last year.

Expectation is that the river flow will further pick up at Victoria Falls, which is downstream of Chavuma and nearer to Kariba as there is a four -week lag between flows at Chavuma and the resort town of Victoria Falls.

“The flow forecast indicates a possible slight improvement in flows this year compared to last year, though seemingly not good enough as it falls of the third worst year on record,” ZRA added in a statement.

Power generation at Kariba relies on availability of water, which also depends on the amount of rainfall received in any rainy season around Zambezi catchment area, mostly Barotse plains north of Zambia, and parts of Zimbabwe.

Lake Kariba has capacity of 186,6 billion cubic meters when full (486 meters) with only the upper later of 65 billion cubic meters being available for power generation.

Annual inflows into Kariba average 40 billion cubic meters.

“Under average conditions and assuming a generation of 550MW requiring approximately 22 billion cubic meters, it would take up to three years to fill the lake to maximum retention levels,” the authority said.

The total inflow into Lake Kariba in 2019, when the dam was affected by the drought that hit areas around its catchment areas, the total inflow into Kariba was 18,84 billion cubic meters, 70 percent below 2018.

On the other hand, the total outflow last year was 45,81 billion cubic meters comprising of 36 billion cubic meters turbine outflow discharge and 9,79 billion cubic meters water lost evaporation, which reduced reservoir storage by 26,97 cubic meters.

ZRA said the Southern Africa Regional Climate outlook last year forecast normal to above normal rains in Zambezi’s catchment areas from October to December 2019 and normal to below normal from January to March 2020.

Based on the projections, ZRA said it has allocated 22 billion cubic meters for power generation in February.

So far, in January the lake has received 3,15 billion cubic meters of water compared to 1,97 billion last year.

Currently, Zambezi River’s water flow is average 663 cubic meters per second compared to a long term average of 931 cubic meters per second. Kariba Dam currently hold only 8,36 percent of the usable live water for power.

State Media|Businesses selling goods and services in foreign currency face stiff penalties for defying the Government, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has said.

Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 prescribes the Zimbabwe dollar as the sole legal tender.

Previously the country used a basket of currencies, including the US dollar, to beat challenges of the hyperinflation era.

Of late, some service stations have been selling fuel in foreign currency, despite having bought the fuel from oil companies using Zimbabwe dollars.

Some grocers have also been insisting on foreign currency, in defiance of the law.

In an interview with Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) last week, Prof Ncube said the Government will soon come up with penalties to be imposed on businesses that wilfully flout the law.

“Let me be clear. Zimbabwe is in a mono-currency situation. We introduced the Zimbabwean dollar, that is the domestic currency. But we also know that practically, realistically, it is taking long for Zimbabweans to adjust. Why? It is difficult to have that silver bullet where everyone complies,” said Prof Ncube.

“Of course, as Government we are forcing compliance. We will be introducing penalties for those who deviate. We recognise that we are in transition. We will get there. Our objective is to achieve mono-currency. We will make sure that the US dollar is pulled back. They are violating the law. We want to enforce the use of the Zimbabwe dollar.

“We also know that one of the reasons why the US dollar continues to be used is that we do not have enough Zimbabwe dollars in circulation. There is a cash deficit of domestic currency. That is why we have said we want to introduce more cash in a very prudent way. We have up to $5 notes now. We will move to $10, $20 and sometime in the future if we need a higher denomination, we will make an analysis and determine. There is no urgency in that.”

Prof Ncube said no country could develop without its own currency and Zimbabwe was no exception.

He said the Government will soon improve the interbank market for foreign currency following complaints from businesses.

“I think the best system is an auction system and not a market system. I don’t think we will go crudely as far as piling cash in a room but we will take the electronic route,” he said.

The interbank market was introduced in February last year and has had teething problems.

Prof Ncube said Government will enhance its funding on education and envisaged a situation where there would be several boarding schools in rural areas.

He said the health sector had surpassed education in terms of funding given that multilateral agencies would mobilise financial resources whenever there was an epidemic.

On the working conditions of civil servants, the minister said Government will continue to improve their salaries, adding that he was pained by the continuous erosion of workers’ wages.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe requires US$5,2 million to adequately prepare for coronavirus, amid indications that at least 741 people were now being monitored as more visitors or returning residents enter the country.

Meanwhile, government is set to splurge US$5 million on highly condemned Political Actors Dialogue (Polad)’s foreign trips which will see members of the controversial grouping visiting various global capitals, including Washington, London, Brussels and Paris on an alleged international re-engagement drive.

As part of its international travels, the Polad re-engagement sub-committee will be in the US from March 24 to 26, where it will, among other tasks, lobby for the removal of sanctions.

The committee comprises Thokozani Khupe (chairperson), Willard Mugadza (deputy chairperson), Kwanele Hlabangana (rapporteur), Aplonia Munzverengwi (committee member) and Khaliphani Phugeni (spokesperson).

It will also visit South Africa, United Kingdom, and several other European countries.The team has so far met with the European Union (EU) ambassador Timo Olkkonen, British ambassador Melanie Robinson and American embassy officials.

There has, however, been no suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.

Some 643 visitors entered the country through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, while 98 were screened at Victoria Falls International Airport.

Thousands others entered the country by road. The coronavirus outbreak has killed at least 811 people, almost all in China, and infected more than 35 000 globally.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the number of people under surveillance keeps increasing given the increase in visitors.

He was speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting on Zimbabwe’s reaction to the global outbreak last week.

“So far, the figures of the people who are entering the country from infected areas keep going up because we have a lot of travel taking place. Yesterday (Tuesday) we were talking of 506 visitors who are being monitored in the country and today (Wednesday) the figures have gone up, we are now at 741 people being monitored for coronavirus in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Minister Moyo, said he visited ports of entry including airports to have an appreciation of the country’s level of preparedness.

Deputy Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Isaac Phiri, said the goal for Zimbabwe’s preparedness plan was to reduce morbidity and mortality.

“What we need to do is to specifically coordinate an effective multi-sector response, enhance surveillance at all levels for early detection. Also to improve case management and infection control. Increase levels of awareness and community participation in the prevention and control of the pandemic influenza. And also maintain adequate stocks and supplies,” he said.

He said they have come up with seven thematic areas needing funding.

“When we talk of thematic areas, we have seven of them. One thematic area includes screening and contact tracing of travellers where we will be using thermodetectors, so for the whole pandemic preparedness in the country we need US$5 222 434,” Dr Phiri said.

Dr Phiri said the country has activated the rapid response team requiring training at all levels at national, province, district, and sub-national levels.

World Health Organisation (WHO)country representative Dr Alex Gasasira said they are working with Government.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) country representative Dr Laylee Moshiri called for a stop to unnecessary panic, but instead ensure raised awareness to reduce stigma.

Source: State Media

Own Correspondent|ZANU PF on Saturday romped to victory in Mwenezi Ward 15 by-election after polling 1 811 votes against MDC-Alliance’s 27 votes.

Samuel Kwinika became councillor for Ward 15 after trouncing Shepherd Dzuda, who was the only competitor.

In Harare, MDC-Alliance retained Kuwadzana’s Ward 44 after Adonia Shoko polled 1 517 votes against Lloyd Makuwe of Zanu PF’s 718 votes.

Wenel Ndoya of the National Constitutional Assembly got 12 votes.

The ward fell vacant after councillor Resias Masunda of the MDC died in November last year.

In its report, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) said polling was conducted without incident.

“Zanu PF and MDC-Alliance deployed party agents to track the polling process at all polling stations where ZESN observers were deployed,” reads a ZESN tweet.

The Mwenezi ward seat fell vacant after Elias Chauke (Zanu PF) died in December last year.

At a time when criminals (such as the Kenyan Kamlesh Pattni ) are walking scot free in Harare, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has arrested Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Somvelo Dlamini (MDC) for alleged abuse of office.

Zacc officials picked up Clr Dlamini who is also MDC Alliance councillor for Ward 9 at his home on Saturday. He is expected to appear in court today. Details leading to his arrest were still sketchy last night.

Zacc spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure yesterday confirmed Clr Dlamini’s arrest. “I don’t have the details of his case off hand but what I know is that he has been arrested. If you want further details phone me in two hours-time as I am driving at the moment,” said Comm Makamure.

He later said he was still to go through the charge sheet. Clr Dlamini’s arrest comes as Zacc has pledged to leave no stone unturned in the fight against corruption.

The Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo-led commission assumed its duties last year in May and since then it has handled a number of high-profile cases including that of fired Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira.

President Mnangagwa fired Mupfumira from Cabinet as she answers to charges that include involvement in the siphoning of US$95 million from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).

On Thursday the commission arrested a Bulawayo businessman, accused of fueling the forex black market, through alleged money laundering and externalisation of over US$1,3 million.

Ismail Moosa Lunat (57) of Kumalo suburb appeared in court on Friday following his arrest.

In December the anti-graft body revealed that it was dealing with 600 dockets and at least 100 have been fully investigated and 74 of them involve high profile figures.

In the same month Zacc arrested Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa whose case is pending before the courts for alleged fraud and externalising of forex. State Media/Chronicle

Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission yesterday arrested Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dhlamini on allegations of engaging in illicit land deals and abuse of office.

The Vic Falls ward 9 MDC Alliance councillor is being investigated for allegedly abusing his office by selling commercial stands through corruption according to the publication.

He was taken and detained at Vic Falls police station. ZACC commissioner John Makamure, when contacted for comment, said he will comment on the issue tomorrow after getting all the case details.-ZBC News

Zanu PF has retained the
Mwenezi Ward 15 council seat after their candidate Samuel Kwinika amassed 1811 votes against Shepherd Dzuda from the MDC Alliance‘s 27 votes.

According to the publication:
The ruling party retained Ward 15 after its candidate Cde Samuel Kwinika garnered 1811 votes against a paltry 27 votes by Mr Shepherd Dzuda of MDC Alliance who was the only challenger.

There were 30 spoilt papers in the poll that had 49.8 percentage voter turnout.-State media

A Gwanda taxi driver, Babongile Tlou (27) drowned in Tuli River in Manama after he slipped and fell into the water while taking a bath around 11 am.

The incident was confirmed to the Sunday News by Ward 17 Councillor Ephraim Nyathi who said that efforts to save the deceased were fruitless.

Nyathi said:
Babongile arrived at the river at around 11am and parked his car close by. While he was bathing, he is reported to have slipped and fallen into the river. His younger brother who was also at the river tried to pull him out but failed.

He called out for assistance from some men who were fishing in the area and they rushed to assist. Unfortunately, by the time they pulled out Babongile’s body out of the water he was already dead.
It is not known whether the river was flooded or not.

Babongile was buried on Thursday last week. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has been urging members of the public not to attempt to cross flooded rivers.

The department also encouraged the citizenry to be more cautious during this rainy season as it is associated with many natural hazards including floods, hailstorm, lightning and storm which can uproot trees and damage properties.-State media

By Own Correspondent| Budgetary constraints have ravaged the country’s prisons body Zimbabwe Prisons And Correctional Services, leaving them with no choice but to seek presidential amnesty for 5000 inmates to decongest prisons and manage their numbers.

According to Secretary in the Justice Ministry, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza:

We are simply saying the budget is no longer sufficient to cater for our inmates so we are doing whatever we can to make sure we provide at least something for them

Our prisons are way overpopulated, they are exceeding the carrying capacity, hence the need to come up with de-congesting measures.

We have tried the Presidential amnesty but we are now working on having more open prisons throughout the country. In an effort to decongest, we have already finished our paperwork in which 5 000 are set to benefit from the Presidential amnesty.

Zimbabwe’s 46 prisons and correctional facilities have the capacity to hold 17 000 inmates. 20698 inmates are incarcerated in these facilities countrywide at the moment.

 By A Correspondent| A miner who escaped death by a whisker in the Kwekwe mine collapse last week said there is a high chance of finding more bodies if a serious rescue operation is conducted because contrary to what Minister Larry Mavima said, very few people escaped after the rock fell on the miners.

Speaking to the publication, Luckmore Hamandishe, one of the miners to escape the collapse alive said:

An underground level of a mine is about 35-40 metres so when we say level four, we are talking roughly of about 150 metres.

That is where the disaster happened and I was about 15 metres from where the boulder fell. There were about 200 people on that level and only a few escaped. Some people were pushed into the dam and I am sure they died through drowning.

Others plunged into the dam as they tried to escape. When the water was splashed onto the walls of the mine, it became slippery and others who tried to scale up slipped into the water as well. A lot of bodies can be found if serious rescue operations are conducted

On Friday, reports circulated that over 20 people were feared dead after the Globe and Phoenix mine collapsed, however, a day later The Midlands province Minister of State Larry Mavima said only 2 people had died from the incident.

Simba Chikanza : To fight activism, ZANU PF has created its own activism in the name of Godfrey Tsenengamu, to divert people’s anger, but it’s tragically backfired, so they’ve started prosecuting real activists. ANY SECONDERS?

Pedro Chisamba Why should you sympathize with anyone. Let’s fight corruption head on inga ndimi munoti corruption is the major problem munyika now an opportunity to fight is comes then you start giving excuses. NXA saka modei. Simba Chikanza I am beginning to think you are benefiting from the current situation and you dont want it to change. Why not use this opportunity to destroy Zanupf once and for all. At one point moti Zanupf yakapusa and the next motovabigger kuti its a plot bla bla bla. Let’s join hands and fight corruption. Whats wrong with uniting and calling the leaders and ask them about all that’s happening.

• Simba Chikanza Pedro Chisamba What kind of fighting corruption is that when you ignore the 1st and foundational corruption which is 1 August 2018?
• Pedro Chisamba Simba Chikanza August 1 yakatopfuura Simba. This is another opportunity that has come to do something. What if it’s not a Zanupf plot. What if it’s for real that these Young man have seen the light. Should we let those corrupt to thrive simply because those calling for their downfall used to be their youth leaders? Are we that stupid that we can’t turn this event to our advantage. When are we going to stop having this mentality yekuti we will not support anything that is initiated by a party that I dont support even if the initiative is good. As long as we have this mentality Simba these morons are going to loot….because they know we will never unite. Question Simba , What if this turn out not to be Zanupf plot .? We would have missed out handiti.
• Martha Mangwiro-Magaisa Pedro Chisamba you are right we can’t dwell in the past we need to move on.

• Simba Chikanza Martha Mangwiro-Magaisa this is not a dwelling in the past. It is dwelling in the future. Do you understand economics? There is no nation in the world that has been build from lawlessness/chaos. Even those which eventually degenerated like China, Russia, what made them succeed is the rule of law at their foundations. Perhaps I should stop here; and let you do some research Pedro Chisamba.
• Henry Musikavanhu Pedro Chisamba Ndokutii manje kuti YAKATOPFUURA ? Saka corruption inopedzwa chete nekugamushira ivava nhai ?

A police woman who leaked a memorandum which directed police officers on duty to not carry their mobile phones has been arrested.

A police memo was leaked in which the police officers where being banned from carrying their mobile phones while on duty.

Yet another leaked memo has also exposed that the police woman who leaked the document that ended up viral on social media has been arrested.

“The ZRP reiterates that the responsibility of police on duty is to concentrate on crime prevention detection or investigation. In this regard police officers on any deployment point shall focus on allocated tasks and serve the public according to set standards.  Police officers will thus not be allowed to focus on their cellphones at the expense of duty or abuse what Sapp platforms, twitter, Facebook or any other social media sites,” reads the memo.

“Meanwhile Constable Lorine Joyce Mugoronji of Harare has been arrested for using the whatsapp platform to leak police information which was meant for commanders and is now facing criminal and disciplinary charges,” reads the memo signed by National Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi.

State Media|THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has begun swooping on farmers and companies that were repackaging inputs obtained from the Special Grain and Oil Seed programme — commonly known as Command Agriculture — and selling them for personal gain.

The abuse of Command Agriculture inputs is one of the high-profile cases that are being investigated by the corruption-fighting body. Some warehouses belonging to big companies have since been raided. Zacc chair, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said that there were farmers, some of whom own up to 300 hectares of farmland, who used their offer letters to access fertilisers and seed. It is alleged that instead of using farming inputs for intended purpose, the farmers reportedly connived with big fertiliser and seed companies to repackage the inputs.

Zacc, which elected not to name the big companies and farmers for fear of jeopardising investigations, says it recovered 440 tonnes of fertiliser in one of the raided warehouses and one tonne of sugar beans seeds.

“We are still investigating this matter but so far we have closed some warehouses. We are giving the owners a chance to explain themselves at Zacc offices, failure of which the commission will seize the inputs which were looted from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). Zacc will do a sweep on the farmers and the big companies because we do not tolerate corruption.”

Command Agriculture was introduced in 2016 to boost agricultural production. Government has since handed over the administration of the scheme to commercial banks. As part of efforts to deepen the fight against graft, Zacc is finalising the recruitment of 22 auditors, lawyers, procurement, and financial intelligence and cybercrime investigators.

Some of the key investigations had been shelved as the commission adjudged they could be better handled by experts. One of the key areas under investigation is the gold sector.

“We also want to investigate and manage mineral leakages; there is need to identify leakages from gold production to buyers and to Fidelity Printers. We will be arresting, recovering and closing loopholes as we deal decisively with corruption,” said the Zacc chair.

Also, some banks are being investigated for establishing facilities through which they would exchange cash payouts for deposits higher than the principal sum sought by desperate depositors.

“They have institutionalised corruption because, for instance, if someone wants $10 000 cash, the client is told to deposit $13 000. Banks have become dealers by not adhering to banking ethos. We will be working with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to monitor some of these financial institutions who are deeply involved in cash problems,” said the Zacc boss.

Simba Chikanza : To fight activism, ZANU PF has created its own activism in the name of Godfrey Tsenengamu, to divert people’s anger, but it’s tragically backfired, so they’ve started prosecuting real activists. ANY SECONDERS?

Pedro Chisamba Why should you sympathize with anyone. Let’s fight corruption head on inga ndimi munoti corruption is the major problem munyika now an opportunity to fight is comes then you start giving excuses. NXA saka modei. Simba Chikanza I am beginning to think you are benefiting from the current situation and you dont want it to change. Why not use this opportunity to destroy Zanupf once and for all. At one point moti Zanupf yakapusa and the next motovabigger kuti its a plot bla bla bla. Let’s join hands and fight corruption. Whats wrong with uniting and calling the leaders and ask them about all that’s happening.

• Simba Chikanza Pedro Chisamba What kind of fighting corruption is that when you ignore the 1st and foundational corruption which is 1 August 2018?
• Pedro Chisamba Simba Chikanza August 1 yakatopfuura Simba. This is another opportunity that has come to do something. What if it’s not a Zanupf plot. What if it’s for real that these Young man have seen the light. Should we let those corrupt to thrive simply because those calling for their downfall used to be their youth leaders? Are we that stupid that we can’t turn this event to our advantage. When are we going to stop having this mentality yekuti we will not support anything that is initiated by a party that I dont support even if the initiative is good. As long as we have this mentality Simba these morons are going to loot….because they know we will never unite. Question Simba , What if this turn out not to be Zanupf plot .? We would have missed out handiti.
• Martha Mangwiro-Magaisa Pedro Chisamba you are right we can’t dwell in the past we need to move on.

• Simba Chikanza Martha Mangwiro-Magaisa this is not a dwelling in the past. It is dwelling in the future. Do you understand economics? There is no nation in the world that has been build from lawlessness/chaos. Even those which eventually degenerated like China, Russia, what made them succeed is the rule of law at their foundations. Perhaps I should stop here; and let you do some research Pedro Chisamba.
• Henry Musikavanhu Pedro Chisamba Ndokutii manje kuti YAKATOPFUURA ? Saka corruption inopedzwa chete nekugamushira ivava nhai ?

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has in his capacity as the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation issued a statement following the Supreme Court ruling on the 2019 Namibia Presidential Election.

The court upheld the results of the presidential elections.

We present below Mnangagwa’s statement in full.

The People’s President @nelsonchamisa
has arrived at #Masvingo Party offices to address structures – @MdcMasvingo pic.twitter.com/mCuY1PF7DG

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 9, 2020

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s former advisor Christopher Mutsvangwa has revealed that the latest Zanu PF factional wars were triggered by the fight for control of the country’s fuel industry, a fight he said was behind the 2017 coup.

The Zanu PF politburo last week suspended the leaders of the party’s youth league — namely Pupurai Togarepi, Godfrey Tsenengamu and Lewis Matutu — after the trio accused two businessmen of running cartels that were allegedly pillaging Zimbabwe’s economy.

Matutu and Tsenengamu claimed that Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Zanu PF financier who owns fuel company Sakunda Holdings, and Bill Rautenbach of Greenfuels were fuelling the country’s economic problems through illicit deals.

Mutsvangwa yesterday told The Standard in an interview that so-called cartels thought they were in charge of the government.

The war veterans leader claimed that Trafigura, which is in a partnership with Tagwirei, thought it had “executive powers in Zimbabwe”.

“The cartel almost grabbed power in 2017. Their hold on power since 2017 has been sliding down a greasy pole,” Mutsvangwa said.

“From being at the top in 2017, they are now sliding down a greasy pole that is why Trafigura is running for the exit because the cartel was saying do whatever you want, we have the executive powers in the country.

“They were saying they run Munhumutapa Building (Mnangagwa’s office), we run the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, all the ministries as you know are at their command and they say all the enabling ministries are at their command.”

Trafigura, a commodities trader, has indicated that it is in the process of taking control of its Zimbabwe business after buying out its local partner, Sakunda Holdings.

Tagwirei owned the majority of the shares in Sakunda where he was roped in as a local partner in compliance with the country’s since discarded indigenisation law. Sakunda operates Trafigura’s Puma Energy fuel outlets. It also controls the Feruka oil pipeline.

Mutsvangwa claimed that some southern African countries were also not happy with Trafigura’s monopoly over the pipeline.

The former war veterans minister said Trafigura’s activities had allegedly caused turmoil in Zanu PF and angered businesses around the region.

“Typical of all monopolies, the Sakunda cartel has engendered the ire of a phalanx of enemies,” he said.

“There is the outrage of Zanu PF youths and their stolen prospects of a better future, jealous of peer global fuel traders.

“Then there are global mining houses, particularly the cobalt giants of Congo DR (Democratic Republic of Congo).

“They see a price-gouging monopoly denying them the savings, convenience and efficiency of the huge world-class inland port; underground fuel storage facilities at Mabvuku.

“Finally, there is the denial to Zimbabwe of an eponymous financial and logistics service industry as it caters for the sub-region.

“Limpopo and other northern regions of South Africa would be drinking from Mabvuku, just as traditional clients Congo and Zambia, southern Malawi and central Mozambique.”

He revealed that former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe recently met Mnangagwa over the issue.

“Other major new cobalt companies in the DRC are angry with the cartel in Zimbabwe and they have gone to approach South Africa and former president Motlanthe, who is chairman of one of the unhappy companies called Ivan Hoe Mines, and that is why Motlanthe approached President Mnangagwa in Maputo three weeks ago during (Mozambican President Filipe) Nyusi’s inauguration, saying we can’t use this expensive pipeline,” he added.

Mutsvangwa, however, refused to reveal the names of Zanu PF officials that were advancing the interests of the alleged cartels.

“I leave that to you. What I know is the historical aspect of these cartels. They had political support in 2017 and now there can’t be a vacuum,” he added.

“All I want is for the Mabvuku pipeline to be a major sub-regional fuel trading centre.

“The 500 million litres of underground oil there has not been utilised since 1998.

“If the market is opened up, all the copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo would want to buy from Mabvuku.”

Mutsvangwa has been linked to Mining, Oil and Gas Service (MOGGS), a firm that reportedly wants to build a second fuel pipeline for Zimbabwe.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga recently revealed in court papers that he was bought two luxury cars by Tagwirei, whose firm also bankrolled the controversial command agriculture programme.

When Tagwirei’s father died in 2017, business was brought to halt when government officials, including Mnangagwa, made a beeline to the businessman’s rural home in Shurugwi for the burial.

Mutsvangwa claimed the public spat between the Zanu PF youths and the party’s leadership showed that the alleged cartels were losing their grip on the ruling party and government.

“They are people who are sulking because what they wanted to achieve was frustrated,” he said.

“They wanted to show that the cartel was still powerful and individuals aligned to the cartel were trying to flex their muscle to say, look, we are going to fire those who have attacked us publicly.”

Some Zanu PF heavyweights allegedly wanted the trio to be fired from the party, but others fought in the youth league’s corner showing widening rifts in the politburo.

Mutsvangwa claimed that he started calling for an end to the Trafigura monopoly during former president Robert Mugabe’s time and that this angered the former ruler who was toppled by the military in 2017.

-The Standard

MDC President Nelson Chamisa has arrived in the ancient city of Masvingo for a special meeting. ZimEye will live stream the function. WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL SAY TODAY?

LIVE UPDATES BELOW….

1521:We are losing elections in rural areas because of negligence -Chamisa

1518: Nobody is above the party, says Chamisa

1513: Entire Provincial executive must be dissolved –

1500 – Journalists chucked out of MDC meeting.

1435 – MDC members call for dismissal of Provincial Chairperson James Gumbi.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW – REFRESH TO WATCH –

The People’s President @nelsonchamisa
has arrived at #Masvingo Party offices to address structures – @MdcMasvingo pic.twitter.com/mCuY1PF7DG

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 9, 2020

MDC President Nelson Chamisa has arrived in the ancient city of Masvingo for a special meeting. ZimEye will live stream the function. WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL SAY TODAY?

LIVE UPDATES BELOW….

16:06:Chamisa attacks Masvingo Province James Gumbi

Accuses provincial executive of defying party position on suspension of Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke

-Mayor Collen Maboke has betrayed party principles -Chamisa

1553:Chamisa “Dissolves” MDC Masvingo Provincial Youth Assembly Executive

-Orders fresh elections

1521: “Nobody Is above the party” Chamisa

1513: Entire Provincial executive must be dissolved –

1500 – Journalists chucked out of MDC meeting.

1435 – MDC members call for dismissal of Provincial Chairperson James Gumbi.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW – REFRESH TO WATCH –

The People’s President @nelsonchamisa
has arrived at #Masvingo Party offices to address structures – @MdcMasvingo pic.twitter.com/mCuY1PF7DG

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 9, 2020

By Farai D Hove| The Sunday Mail today opened with a screaming story alleging that the US thinktank The Rand has concluded a paper saying ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa will win the 2023 elections.

The Sunday Mail’s story was also emphasised by government spokesman Nick Mangwana.

But below are the real conclusions of the findings in the report – which are totally opposite those in the state media print. They are:

1. Politics and economics are inextricably linked in Zimbabwe
   Genuine reform is unlikely under present economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe in the lead-up to national elections in 2023.
2. Zimbabwe is likely to continue down a path of political polarization, protests, political violence at the hands of the state, and economic deterioration.
3. The Mnangagwa government continues to prevent and violently suppress political protests, and the media remain heavily biased in favor of the ruling party.
4. Few tangible steps have been taken toward reconfiguring Zimbabwe’s autocratic system.
5. Despite a brief government surplus and the introduction of a new currency aimed at curbing inflation, the economy is again close to collapse.
6. Genuine reforms would go a long way toward putting Zimbabwe on a democratic path, lessening high levels of political polarization, and repairing the collapsing economy.

By Own Correspondent| Opposition It needs an aeroplane to travel from Harare to Banket to sweep a street and pick up some rubbish for less than an hour. And over US$10 000 was blown for nothing. This is why Zimbabwe will continue to suffer under them. No clue, no conscience. Only corruption and heartlessness. But we shall overcome…

Gutu District Development Coordinator (formally District Administrator DA) Melody Jiri has with immediate effect been transferred to Harare allegedly because she showed sympathy towards the MDC.

Jiri assumes the position of deputy director at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing headquarters where she is without any specific assignment.

Masvingo Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) Fungai Mbetsa confirmed the transfer but said he was not aware of any political reasons behind the transfer.

However, Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Youth Chairperson Brian Munyoro said Jiri deserved the transfer because she allegedly refused to take directives from the party.  He accused her of siding with MDC Alliance councilors in the district and visiting projects in the wards more than she did for Zanu PF councilors.

Jiri refused to comment, she said that she was not allowed to speak to the Press.
This is not the first time the professionals have been moved out of Gutu on the basis of pressure from the ruling party. The former medical superintendent for Gutu Mission Hospital Edmore Zvidzai was removed from the district in 2018 after he clashed with the party having refused to give in to pressure to donate his money to the  party affairs.

Chirumanzu DA, Tapson Chivanga was also transferred to Harare last year after Zanu PF youth besieged his offices.

Party activists are also piling pressure for the dismissal of senior management at Zaka Rural District Council for defying orders.

“We welcome Jiri’s transfer to Harare. She was conniving with opposition councilors, visiting their wards to do various projects. We are also told that her working relationships with subordinates were not good,” said Munyoro.

“I confirm that Gutu DDC has been to Harare with immediate effect. She will leave after completing the handover and takeover process. I am not aware of any issues behind the transfer since they were not indicated in the letter of transfer” said Mbetsa.

Party activists are also allegedly piling pressure for the dismissal of senior management at Zaka Rural District Council for defying orders.

MasvingoMirror

State Media|THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has cornered officials at the Grain Marketing Board and discovered that some employees were allegedly channelling as much as 10 000, 20kg bags Government subsided Silo mealie-meal to the black market.

Last week an investigation into operations at Silo Industries in Bulawayo by a maize taskforce led by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi allegedly discovered massive irregularities at the parastatal, resulting in the team reporting the matter to the anti-corruption body.

Zacc spokesman Commissioner John Makamure told Sunday News yesterday that a crack team was dispatched to Bulawayo and was recording statements from management and other stakeholders before possible arrests.

Preliminary investigations by the maize taskforce following their surprise visit at Silo Industries’ factory, which is owned by GMB, at the Belmont industrial area indicated that some employees were allegedly diverting the subsidised roller meal meant for retailers to the black market.

The taskforce also allegedly discovered an invoice book that was being used by the perpetrators of the scam.

“We are currently carrying out investigations and we have put in place a crack team to investigate that issue. It’s a matter that is receiving our utmost attention. They are recording statements from various witnesses and after investigations we will then arrest the culprits and upon finalising our document, we will submit it to the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute,” said Comm Makamure.

His statement was corroborated by Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo who told our Harare Bureau that some of the parastatal’s employees were in some instances allocating themselves in excess of 10 000, 20kg bags of Silo roller meal, which they would subsequently offload to the informal market.

“We have opened an investigation because there are some people at the GMB, including managers, who are responsible for fuelling the black market,” she said.

As a counter-measure, Zacc now plans to establish integrity committees for parastatals to both ensure compliance and plug loopholes. The committees will monitor “problem companies”.

“In 2020, the plan is to stop corruption rather than chasing it. This can be done through building strong institutions,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

However, Silo Industries managing director Mr Daniel Maregedze told Sunday News that he was not aware of the investigations.

“I’m the CEO and I am not aware of that so I don’t know where they are getting their information from so let them substantiate their claims, not us,” he said.

Silo Foods Industries started operations in April last year after the Government unbundled GMB into two entities — Strategic Grain Reserve and Silo Foods Industries as part of its public enterprise reform programme and the company markets its roller meal under the Silo brand. Maize and mealie-meal is Zimbabwe’s staple food making it a strategic commodity to the country’s economy. However, the country has since late last year been facing an adverse shortage of maize after three years of drought. Zimbabwe’s annual maize consumption stands at 1,8 million tonnes and Government is making concerted efforts to cover the deficit through imports.

Consumers have been battling to access roller meal, which is presently being subsidised by Government. On the black market, roller meal is selling for between $65 and $70 for a 10kg bag. Its gazetted price in retail shops is $50 for a 10kg bag. Government recently established a taskforce chaired by Deputy Minister Raj Modi to address mealie-meal shortages. Some of the taskforce members are drawn from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Standards Association of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Grain Marketing Board, Confederation of Retailers’ Association and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

Own Correspondent|Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa says he and former South African president Thabo Mbeki are still waiting for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to report back to them when he will be ready to resume talks.

Chamisa said Mnangagwa is the one delaying the talks perhaps because he is not interested in talks with the opposition.

“I was in South Africa recently and president Mbeki said he is waiting for Mnangagwa since December, but he has not communicated back to him ever since,” Chamisa said. “He has tried to communicate with him but he has not communicated back.”

The MDC leader said this while meeting with members of the civil society in Harare on Thursday.

Mnangagwa insists that Chamisa must join a forum of losing 2018 presidential candidates known as the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad), which consists of fringe political parties.

“Zimbabweans are raring to go. They are saying we should never join the shadowy dialogue and they want their voice to be respected. They say don’t be pushed into shadowy platforms like Polad,” Chamisa said.

“That is the resounding voice. They say there must be genuine dialogue and a transitional arrangement to deal with the crisis of governance and legitimacy which is manifesting in the economic crisis.” He said Zimbabweans were disappointed that leaders of the 2017 coup had not delivered on their promises.

“People are disappointed that they were sold a dummy and they were duped,” he said. “Things have gone worse in the country.” 

“My big brother Mnangagwa should avoid the Sudanese scenario where leaders had to dialogue after a heavy loss of lives, let’s respect the sanctity of lives,” Chamisa said any genuine dialogue must include the military because the army was involved in Zimbabwean politics.

“I requested that if genuine dialogue takes place, we shouldn’t leave out the military,” he said. “They must be part of the equation, let the military come and present their grievances,” he said. “No wonder why the respected Zanla and Zipra were represented at the Lancaster House talks.”

THE Bulawayo City Council has adopted a new credit control and debt collection policy which among other provisions, will see the local authority collecting rates and rentals directly from residents’ salaries.

The local authority has been operating without a documented credit control and debt collection policy. It was relying on council resolutions, the Urban Councils Act, the Water and Sewerage by-laws and other pieces of legislation. Last Wednesday, however, councillors passed a resolution that will see the new policy come into effect. Among other provisions contained in the new policy, the local authority will now have the power to collect owed rates and rentals from the consumer’s salary, however, with consent from the consumer and employer.

According to the latest council report, the local authority reserves the right to provide any services on the property until all municipal debts on the property have been paid in full or suitable payment arrangements made.

“The city may with the consent of a person liable to the city for the payment of rates or other taxes or fees for municipal services, enter into an agreement with that person’s employer to deduct from the salary or wages of the person; any outstanding amounts due by that person to the city, the onus to introduce such arrangements remains with each employer and employee.

Any person receiving a salary or allowances from the city may not be in arrears to the city for rates and consumer service charges for a period longer than three months and council may deduct any outstanding amounts from the person’s salary after this period,” reads part of the policy.

In terms of debt recovery, the local authority revealed that for any action taken in requesting payment from the resident or reminding the resident, by means of telephone, fax, e-mail, letter or otherwise an administrative fee may be levied against the account of the debtor.

In addition, companies or individuals that are placed under provisional sequestration, liquidation or judicial management, or commit an act of insolvency will have their water supplies cut off by the local authority. The policy, however, has a provision where a debtor can make an arrangement with the local authority to make monthly instalments to clear the debt.

“In order to determine monthly instalments, a comprehensive certified statement of assets and liabilities, payslip or bank statement of the debtor needs to be produced by the debtor. To ensure the continuous payment of such arrangement the amount determined must be affordable to the debtor, taking into account that payment of the monthly current account is a prerequisite for concluding an arrangement. The main aim of an agreement will be to promote full payment of the current account and to address the arrears on a consistent basis,” reads the policy.

The city’s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, noted that the local authority was not able to deliver services effectively because there was no credit policy in place.

“The revenue collection was very poor. The challenge had been that ratepayers who had the capacity to pay did not want to pay their debts. Those who had been paying timeously were no longer paying. It was now a requirement that council should have such a policy,” Mr Dube is quoted as saying in the report.

According to the latest council report the local authority is owed a total of $182 966 381 with residents owing $100 970 914 while industry and commercial debtors stand at $ 72 518 361. Government departments owe $5 051 373 while parastatals owe $4 425 733. Council is also owed $114 166 939 by Zesa in royalties for the use of the Bulawayo Power Station.

Standard|DIVISIONS in MDC’s Bulawayo province are refusing to go away with the party’s leadership deploying its national organising secretary Amos Chibaya to the city to nudge warring parties to close ranks.

All has not been well in Bulawayo following the disputed provincial elective congresses, a situation that has seen warring camps take their fights to the local authority to disrupt council business.

A restructuring exercise of party structures, which began in October last year to replace ward and district structures with polling-based structures has done little or nothing to douse factional flames.

Insiders who attended the last Sunday meeting claimed that the feuding factions were implored to share provincial executive positions to appease those disgruntled members, who were defeated in the elective congress.

MDC Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza professed ignorance about the meeting, adding the claims “were coming from outsiders who want to plant divisions in the party”.

“We are very united as a province,” Chirowodza said.

However, Chibaya, who confirmed the meeting, said the gathering was also used as a platform to unveil the MDC’s 2020 agenda, in particular on the creation of polling-based branch structures.

“I did call a provincial assembly for all party structures where I was also telling them about agenda 2020, which speaks to the introduction of what we call branch supremacy, meaning to say that the branches now have power over all the structures. I unveiled a branch manual for branches to operate,” Chibaya said.

“We have what we call a branch executive that meets twice a month; a branch assembly made of four members, who reside at that particular branch.

“These will be polling-based, and going forward all the events, and party activities will be coordinated from that level so that we also measure our performance and so forth.

“That is the approach we will be taking. In the rural areas, we will be having the same where we want every village to have structures.”

Infighting in the MDC in the city is blamed for the party’s loss of the Cowdray Park local government seat to Zanu PF last year in a by-election, a feat the ruling party has struggled to achieve since the formation of the opposition party in 1999.

A POLICE boss and 12 of his subordinates who were part of a crack team targeting machete gangs in Chegutu, have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from miners after threatening to impound their mills.

The 13 were arrested on Tuesday after the complainants made a police report and also made a follow-up demanding to be refunded their money
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not available for comment yesterday, but investigations revealed that the case was being investigated under CR11/02/20.

According to an internal Zimbabwe Republic Police memo, the police boss, who is also a chaplain, and his co-accused, from different stations in Chegutu district, were part of a crack team formed to deal with machete gangs, unlawful entry, robbery and hunt down wanted persons.

They were supposed to operate day and night especially in the Chegutu central business district (CBD) and Pfupajena areas from January 23 to February 6.
On February 3, they were supposed to proceed to Gadzema and Chigwel farm for operations.

However, they allegedly teamed up, armed themselves with rifles and drove to Chakari using an unregistered Toyota Hiace.

On arrival they went to the Chavechase compound where they proceeded to Michael Chaponda’s homestead. Chaponda owns a hammer mill.

They allegedly ordered him to give them US$300 as a bribe, but Chaponda only managed to raise US$150, which he handed it over to the crack team.

He was ordered to mobilise all miners who owned hammer mills and ball mills and gather them at one place in the compound. Chaponda brought in Winnie Nyani, Tapfuma Mashupiko and Enerst Arimoni.

The trio was ordered to pay a US$300 fine each or risk losing their equipment and they allegedly surrendered $2 900 and US$250.

The team drove off from the scene in their unregistered vehicle.

But the following day the miners reported a case of extortion at Chakari police station and the officer in charge advised his boss, Chief Superintendent Mazambani, the officer commanding Chegutu district.

On the same day Nyani, Mashupiko and Arimoni went to Chegutu police station where they demanded their money from the 13.
An investigation was carried out leading to the arrest of the 13 and nothing was recovered.

GOVERNMENT is in a dilemma as it tries to find a quick solution to decongest local prisons that are now overcrowded, thereby creating all sorts of challenges.

Previously, the State has tried to reduce the country’s prison population through the Presidential amnesty that has seen thousands of inmates being freed annually.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, at least 5 000 prisoners are set to gain freedom this year following completion of paperwork under the amnesty programme.

However, the scheme is apparently failing to solve the current prison pickle, a fact that Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi publicly acknowledged in Parliament late last year.

“. . . so we realised that giving pardons is not the solution to overcrowding in prisons as the population increases within a month after prisoners are released,” noted Minister Ziyambi.

Some of the pardoned prisoners fail to re-integrate into society, thus they find themselves back in the prison days or weeks after release.

In 2016, 130 out of 2 000 freed prisoners went back to jail less than four months after release, while 24 inmates out of the over 4 000 released in 2018 went back behind behind bars less than two weeks after being pardoned.

The prison population boom has created potential health hazards for inmates. For instance, prisoners are currently faced with possible food and water shortages, inadequate clothing as well as the potential transmission of communicable diseases.

Furthermore, ablution facilities are constantly stretched  as they are not designed to cater for the large population.

The situation is worrisome.

There are prisoners suffering from chronic illness, with some of the cases being HIV related. The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) is reportedly struggling to provide the necessary medical care due to high demand.

The challenges emanate mostly from the fact that funding coming through Treasury and donors is proving to be insufficient.

Statistics show that by December 2019, the country’s 46 correctional facilities held about 20 698 prisoners against the maximum holding capacity of 17 000.

The figure was a 1 000 increase compared to 2018 when it was last recorded at around 19 500. In 2016, the number of prisoners stood at 18 001.

The ballooning of the figures has been ongoing for the past five or so years.

Secretary in the Justice Ministry, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza confirmed this in an interview with this publication.

“The high numbers obviously mean a strain on the financial plan because we budget for the maximum capacity, which therefore means we have nothing for the excess numbers.

“We are simply saying the budget is no longer sufficient to cater for our inmates so we are doing whatever we can to make sure we provide at least something for them,” she said.

Mrs Mabhiza, however, applauded the ZPCS for making efforts to ensure they source supplies from various organisations and stakeholders to curb the situation.

The ever rising backlog of yet to be finalised cases within the courts, due to a sharp rise in crime, worsens the situation.

Besides, the correctional facilities now need to be upgraded in line with the ever growing general population.

Most of the facilities were created during the colonial era and just after independence when the population was still much lesser.

Way forward

Mrs Mabhiza said a raft of measures are being implemented to address the overcrowding predicament. She noted the need to invest in new prison facilities across the country and increasing the number of open prisons.

According to online sources, an open prison is any jail in which the prisoners are trusted to serve their sentences with minimal supervision and perimeter security, and are often not locked up in their prison cells.

Under the plan, prisoners may be permitted to take up employment while serving their sentence.

“Our prisons are way overpopulated, they are exceeding the carrying capacity, hence the need to come up with de-congesting measures.

“We have tried the Presidential amnesty but we are now working on having more open prisons throughout the country. In an effort to decongest, we have already finished our paperwork in which 5 000 are set to benefit from the Presidential amnesty,” revealed Mrs Mabhiza.

She was, however, quick to point out that lack of funds is adversely affecting them.

Plans are already afoot to set up a female open prison in Marondera following a ground breaking ceremony that was conducted late last year.

Renowned social commentator Dr Rebecca Chisamba is an advocate of the creation of an open prison for female inmates with children.

“We are still in the process of mobilising funds from Treasury and other sources. There are plans to construct additional facilities while other existing prisons are to be renovated or restored. Tropical Cyclone Idai also destroyed some of our facilities, thereby further creating challenges,” she added.

The creation of children’s correctional facilities across the country has been cited as another solution.

Equally, juveniles under 10 years are set to enjoy court and jail immunity as Zimbabwe is currently reviewing the age of criminal responsibility so as to afford more rights to minors under a broad framework of the Child Justice Bill.

“Minors should be housed in different sections from adults, especially in remand. Equally, the ministry is engaging the judiciary for a downward review of bail charges. Some people are detained for failing to pay bail,” explained Mrs Mabhiza.

Scenarios of hundreds of toddlers doing time in prison because of their parents have also contributed to prison overcrowding.

There is no budget to cater for the minors and they depend on paltry shares of food rations meant for their mothers.

The improvement of the justice system, by opening more courts, means more cases and subsequently more convictions are now being carried out on a daily basis.

Own Correspondent|War veterans’ leader Chris Mutsvangwa says that one of the reasons why Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa is insisting that he won the 2018 elections is that he will be forced to step down if he says he lost.

Mutsvangwa said this is what the party constitution says, a statement which on its own is not true.

The MDC constitution whuch was approved at the party’s inaugural congress in 2000 and was amended in 2006, 2011 and 2014 does not have a close to the effect.

Founding President Morgan Tsvangirai lost presidential elections in 2002, beat Mugabe in 2008 but allegedly did not get enough votes for an outright victory and pulled out of the run-off race because of the violence that ensured, and lost the elections in 2013.

Tsvangirai, however, remained party president until his death in February 2018.

Watch Mutsvangwa video downloading below:

Standard|President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s former advisor Christopher Mutsvangwa has revealed that the latest Zanu PF factional wars were triggered by the fight for control of the country’s fuel industry, a fight he said was behind the 2017 coup.

The Zanu PF politburo last week suspended the leaders of the party’s youth league — namely Pupurai Togarepi, Godfrey Tsenengamu and Lewis Matutu — after the trio accused two businessmen of running cartels that were allegedly pillaging Zimbabwe’s economy.

Matutu and Tsenengamu claimed that Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Zanu PF financier who owns fuel company Sakunda Holdings, and Bill Rautenbach of Greenfuels were fuelling the country’s economic problems through illicit deals.

Mutsvangwa yesterday told The Standard in an interview that so-called cartels thought they were in charge of the government.

The war veterans leader claimed that Trafigura, which is in a partnership with Tagwirei, thought it had “executive powers in Zimbabwe”.

“The cartel almost grabbed power in 2017. Their hold on power since 2017 has been sliding down a greasy pole,” Mutsvangwa said.

“From being at the top in 2017, they are now sliding down a greasy pole that is why Trafigura is running for the exit because the cartel was saying do whatever you want, we have the executive powers in the country.

“They were saying they run Munhumutapa Building (Mnangagwa’s office), we run the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, all the ministries as you know are at their command and they say all the enabling ministries are at their command.”

Trafigura, a commodities trader, has indicated that it is in the process of taking control of its Zimbabwe business after buying out its local partner, Sakunda Holdings.

Tagwirei owned the majority of the shares in Sakunda where he was roped in as a local partner in compliance with the country’s since discarded indigenisation law. Sakunda operates Trafigura’s Puma Energy fuel outlets. It also controls the Feruka oil pipeline.

Mutsvangwa claimed that some southern African countries were also not happy with Trafigura’s monopoly over the pipeline.

The former war veterans minister said Trafigura’s activities had allegedly caused turmoil in Zanu PF and angered businesses around the region.

“Typical of all monopolies, the Sakunda cartel has engendered the ire of a phalanx of enemies,” he said.

“There is the outrage of Zanu PF youths and their stolen prospects of a better future, jealous of peer global fuel traders.

“Then there are global mining houses, particularly the cobalt giants of Congo DR (Democratic Republic of Congo).

“They see a price-gouging monopoly denying them the savings, convenience and efficiency of the huge world-class inland port; underground fuel storage facilities at Mabvuku.

“Finally, there is the denial to Zimbabwe of an eponymous financial and logistics service industry as it caters for the sub-region.

“Limpopo and other northern regions of South Africa would be drinking from Mabvuku, just as traditional clients Congo and Zambia, southern Malawi and central Mozambique.”

He revealed that former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe recently met Mnangagwa over the issue.

“Other major new cobalt companies in the DRC are angry with the cartel in Zimbabwe and they have gone to approach South Africa and former president Motlanthe, who is chairman of one of the unhappy companies called Ivan Hoe Mines, and that is why Motlanthe approached President Mnangagwa in Maputo three weeks ago during (Mozambican President Filipe) Nyusi’s inauguration, saying we can’t use this expensive pipeline,” he added.

Mutsvangwa, however, refused to reveal the names of Zanu PF officials that were advancing the interests of the alleged cartels.

“I leave that to you. What I know is the historical aspect of these cartels. They had political support in 2017 and now there can’t be a vacuum,” he added.

“All I want is for the Mabvuku pipeline to be a major sub-regional fuel trading centre.

“The 500 million litres of underground oil there has not been utilised since 1998.

“If the market is opened up, all the copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo would want to buy from Mabvuku.”

Mutsvangwa has been linked to Mining, Oil and Gas Service (MOGGS), a firm that reportedly wants to build a second fuel pipeline for Zimbabwe.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga recently revealed in court papers that he was bought two luxury cars by Tagwirei, whose firm also bankrolled the controversial command agriculture programme.

When Tagwirei’s father died in 2017, business was brought to halt when government officials, including Mnangagwa, made a beeline to the businessman’s rural home in Shurugwi for the burial.

Mutsvangwa claimed the public spat between the Zanu PF youths and the party’s leadership showed that the alleged cartels were losing their grip on the ruling party and government.

“They are people who are sulking because what they wanted to achieve was frustrated,” he said.

“They wanted to show that the cartel was still powerful and individuals aligned to the cartel were trying to flex their muscle to say, look, we are going to fire those who have attacked us publicly.”

Some Zanu PF heavyweights allegedly wanted the trio to be fired from the party, but others fought in the youth league’s corner showing widening rifts in the politburo.

Mutsvangwa claimed that he started calling for an end to the Trafigura monopoly during former president Robert Mugabe’s time and that this angered the former ruler who was toppled by the military in 2017.

Jane Mlambo| Despite spending US$3 billion funding the command agriculture scheme, Zimbabwe is currently facing serious maize shortages and is having to rely on imports a move that exposes how funds were siphoned out of government by corrupt cartels involving mogul Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his Sakunda Holdings.

According to the state owned weekly, government is set to import 110 000 tonnes of maize per month.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said Treasury had already budgeted to import enough grain to feed the country.

Last year, the Tendai Biti led Public Accounts Committee unearthed how through the Command Agriculture, US$3 billion was looted from government by corrupt cartels.

“The national target for grain requirements stands at 110 000 metric tonnes a month. That is the figure that will ensure that no one goes hungry,” said Prof Ncube.

“As Treasury, we have already availed part of the funds and the grain is coming as we speak, and more will be coming. I am not sure of the actual modalities, but we have availed the funds and we will continue to release more funds as per the requirements to ensure that the country has enough food to feed everyone’s needs.”

Government, he added, was committed to maintaining the Strategic Grain Reserve, which had recently been depleted to about 100 000 tonnes from the recommended threshold of 500 000 tonnes.

“While we are importing, we also want to make sure that we maintain what is required in the Strategic Grain Reserve.”

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Government was pulling out all the stops to ensure that the country remained food secure.

“Government is putting all efforts to ensure that no one goes hungry. The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) has been on record as saying that no one should go hungry on account of the drought, and that is the programme that Cabinet is implementing.

“Every week in Cabinet we are going to have an assessment of the food situation to see where the food needs to go and make sure that all the modalities are in place for the food to be distributed where it is needed, and be distributed in time,” she said.

Last week, Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), which represents the country’s biggest millers, said its members were targeting to import 80 000 tonnes of grain per month for milling.

THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC has retained the Kuwadzana ward 44 council seat after defeating the ruling Zanu PF and the Professor Lovemore Madhuku led National Constitutional Assembly (NCA).

The seat fell vacant following the death of MDC Councillor Renias Masunda, who passed away in November last year.

In the by-election, MDC candidate garnered 1517 to Zanu PF’s 718 while NCA got a paltry 12 votes.

Announcing the victory by its candidate Adonia Shoko, the MDC wrote on Twitter said that there were “wild celebrations” among its Kuwadzana folks over the victory.

Twenty four families in Mutare are reportedly going to be expelled from the land they have been staying for almost 30 years to pave way for Chinese investors who are into brickmoulding.
Council spokesperson Sprein Mutiwi has confirmed the development.

“The families have been served with three months eviction notices in line with the requirements and they should vacate by April.

Mutiwi said the investors were both Zimbabwean and Chinese.

“They are bringing an investment which will address issues of bricks in line with Cyclone Idai disaster (response) under which council banned the use of farm bricks,” he said.

“The new investor is bringing structurally strong bricks – a business venture which is in line with urban resilience and disaster-risk management.
“Engagement with the families was done to advise them of the need to look for alternative accommodation. So we engaged them first before serving them with three months eviction notices.”

The families have since approached human rights lawyer Brian Majamanda to challenge the eviction.

Majamanda confirmed that the families were given the three months eviction notices on January 17.

“They have just approached my office and I will update you later over the matter,” he said.
One of the affected people, Munashe Munyoro said: “White farmers used to stay at this farm long ago. The farmers left the country some time ago so after their departure, the piece of land was interchangeably used by some businesspersons in Mutare for their various projects.”

“We continued to stay on that land and worked for whoever would be using that land for that specific time,” he added.

Munyoro, however, acknowledged that they have no documentation to claim ownership of the land.

Own Correspondent| A Bulawayo gospel singer has donated 2000 sanitary pads to a local school in the city, taking over a responsibility government committed to fulfill but failed.

Apostle Fortune Ngulube, a gospel singer said he was touched by an incident that he witnessed when a girl was being mocked after spoiling her garments while menstrual period.

“I was driving one day and a young school girl had spoiled her uniform and people were whispering among themselves laughing at the girl and no one told her what had happened. So, I took it upon myself to inform her politely and from that moment something was birthed in me that I must assist young girls in school,” he said.

Apostle Ngulube went on:

“I also heard during a radio programme, challenges that young girls go through to access sanitary wear where some do not attend lessons for the duration of their menstrual cycle and I was touched. I did not have much but I decided to sacrifice what I have to aid the few school girls for a month or two by providing what I could.”

Apostle Ngulube said he felt the message on the radio was meant for him and he decided to take action and desist from making menstruation a secret.

“I went to Nkulumane High School and donated pads to 115 girls, I also did talent search, being a musician myself I identified a few pupils that I will put under my mentorship, record and market them. 

“We still have people who think menstruation issues are strictly for women but this must change and have more male involvement. 

“I am a father to a girl child so I must be able to discuss these issues openly and help wherever I can. I don’t want to be a father who cannot provide sanitary towels because it’s regarded as taboo by some people,” he said.

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has cornered officials at the Grain Marketing Board and discovered that some employees were allegedly channelling as much as 10 000, 20kg bags Government subsided Silo mealie-meal to the black market.

Last week an investigation into operations at Silo Industries in Bulawayo by a maize taskforce led by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi allegedly discovered massive irregularities at the parastatal, resulting in the team reporting the matter to the anti-corruption body.

Zacc spokesman Commissioner John Makamure yesterday said a crack team was dispatched to Bulawayo and was recording statements from management and other stakeholders before possible arrests. Preliminary investigations by the maize taskforce following their surprise visit at Silo Industries’ factory, which is owned by GMB, at the Belmont industrial area indicated that some employees were allegedly diverting the subsidised roller meal meant for retailers to the black market. 

The taskforce also allegedly discovered an invoice book that was being used by the perpetrators of the scam.

“We are currently carrying out investigations and we have put in place a crack team to investigate that issue. It’s a matter that is receiving our utmost attention. They are recording statements from various witnesses and after investigations we will then arrest the culprits and upon finalising our document, we will submit it to the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute,” said Comm Makamure.

His statement was corroborated by Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo who told our Harare Bureau that some of the parastatal’s employees were in some instances allocating themselves in excess of 10 000, 20kg bags of Silo roller meal, which they would subsequently offload to the informal market.

“We have opened an investigation because there are some people at the GMB, including managers, who are responsible for fuelling the black market,” she said.

As a counter-measure, Zacc now plans to establish integrity committees for parastatals to both ensure compliance and plug loopholes. The committees will monitor “problem companies”.

“In 2020, the plan is to stop corruption rather than chasing it. This can be done through building strong institutions,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo. 

However, Silo Industries managing director Mr Daniel Maregedze said he was not aware of the investigations.

“I’m the CEO and I am not aware of that so I don’t know where they are getting their information from so let them substantiate their claims, not us,” he said.

Silo Foods Industries started operations in April last year after the Government unbundled GMB into two entities — Strategic Grain Reserve and Silo Foods Industries as part of its public enterprise reform programme and the company markets its roller meal under the Silo brand. Maize and mealie-meal is Zimbabwe’s staple food making it a strategic commodity to the country’s economy. However, the country has since late last year been facing an adverse shortage of maize after three years of drought. Zimbabwe’s annual maize consumption stands at 1,8 million tonnes and Government is making concerted efforts to cover the deficit through imports.

Consumers have been battling to access roller meal, which is presently being subsidised by Government. On the black market, roller meal is selling for between $65 and $70 for a 10kg bag. Its gazetted price in retail shops is $50 for a 10kg bag. Government recently established a taskforce chaired by Deputy Minister Raj Modi to address mealie-meal shortages. Some of the taskforce members are drawn from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Standards Association of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Grain Marketing Board, Confederation of Retailers’ Association and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

-State media

A man from Lower Gweru was allegedly severely assaulted, strangled and left for dead by his two friends for refusing to give them traditional beer during a function he held at his homestead.

This was heard at the initial appearance of Simayedwa Mpofu (40), of Wooden Farm in Lower Gweru, before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa, facing one count of attempted murder.
His alleged accomplice Barnabas Nyathi is still at large.

Mpofu pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded out of custody to February 13 for continuation of trial.

For the State, Mr Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on August 20 last year at around 5PM, Amos Bhebhe was heading to his home from his workplace when he met Mpofu and Nyathi.

The court heard that Mpofu and Nyathi questioned him why he had refused to give them some traditional beer for free at the last traditional ceremony which he had hosted.

“Bhebhe tried to explain to Mpofu and Nyathi that he had not denied them any traditional beer but rather there was no more traditional beer to be served,” said Mr Guvheya.

The court heard that Mpofu and Nyathi allegedly began to assault Bhebhe all over his body with fists and kicked him many times.

The court heard that the duo allegedly went on to strangle Bhebhe before leaving him for dead.

Mr Guvheya said Bhebhe allegedly tried to proceed with his journey home but unfortunately fell down as he had suffered serious injuries.

“The complainant was discovered the following day lying unconscious next to the road by a Good Samaritan who then helped him and made a report to the police,” he said.
Mpofu was arrested while Mpofu managed to flee from the police.

-State media

After I have finished fixing the country ridding it of corruption, we will all return to ZANU PF – Tsenengamu

By Simba Chikanza| Below is a succinct summary of suspended ZANU PF Youth Commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu’s speech to and on Nelson Chamisa delivered during his ZRP-harassment-free press conference on Friday. The full video is on ZimEye.com.

1. You are ED’s project.

…People at Harvest House used to say ChinhuChaED ichi, referring to Chamisa…

https://youtu.be/7UAmLNbFgyE?t=2262

2. I leaked your cellphone number to ED.

3. Your party looted millions as reported in the Newsday, so you are twins with ZANU PF.

4. You used to defend ED in parliament.

Chamisa used to come to ED’s rescue in parliament…

5. You lost to ED by 300,000 votes.

6. I am not going to use your supporters, I am a victim myself.

7. Ignore the Big Original Corruption of 1 Aug 2018, focus on others.

8. Join me because I have a plan.

9. After we have finished fixing the country ridding it of corruption, we will all return to ZANU PF.

FULL VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://youtu.be/7UAmLNbFgyE

A man from Lower Gweru was allegedly severely assaulted, strangled and left for dead by his two friends for refusing to give them traditional beer during a function he held at his homestead.

This was heard at the initial appearance of Simayedwa Mpofu (40), of Wooden Farm in Lower Gweru, before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa, facing one count of attempted murder.
His alleged accomplice Barnabas Nyathi is still at large.

Mpofu pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded out of custody to February 13 for continuation of trial.

For the State, Mr Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on August 20 last year at around 5PM, Amos Bhebhe was heading to his home from his workplace when he met Mpofu and Nyathi.

The court heard that Mpofu and Nyathi questioned him why he had refused to give them some traditional beer for free at the last traditional ceremony which he had hosted.

“Bhebhe tried to explain to Mpofu and Nyathi that he had not denied them any traditional beer but rather there was no more traditional beer to be served,” said Mr Guvheya.

The court heard that Mpofu and Nyathi allegedly began to assault Bhebhe all over his body with fists and kicked him many times.

The court heard that the duo allegedly went on to strangle Bhebhe before leaving him for dead.

Mr Guvheya said Bhebhe allegedly tried to proceed with his journey home but unfortunately fell down as he had suffered serious injuries.

“The complainant was discovered the following day lying unconscious next to the road by a Good Samaritan who then helped him and made a report to the police,” he said.
Mpofu was arrested while Mpofu managed to flee from the police.-State media

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: SHOOTING INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED AT HOUSE NUMBER 10 CHIVHU, LOCATION.

This memorandum serves to put on record the shooting of D/Cst Taambutseni:-

CIRCUMSTANCES.

On 8 February 2020, a team from CID Vehicle Theft Squad Bulawayo led by D/A/I Gadzai accompanied by D/Sgt Zisengwe D/Sgt Maronga and 053 N D/Cst Madamure reported at CID Chivhu.

The team was on a follow up of information of an accused person Mussa Denge aged 43years, who was wanted for robbery of motor vehicles which occurred in Bulawayo and Kadoma .

The Officer-In-Charge CID Chivhu gave the team backup of 5 members comprising of Detective Sergent Koke, Detective Constable Taambutseni, Detective Constable Nezandonyi, Detective Constable Mhiko and Detective Constable Mupazviripo to track down the accused person.

The team observed the accused person driving a Toyota Wish Silver in colour registration AAF 7378 from Chivhu Town going to Chivhu location.

The team followed up to Chivhu location where accused drove his vehicle to stand number 10 Chivhu location, Chivhu. Detective Sgt Zisengwe was armed with an AK Rifle Serial number ZRP 1306 .

The accused person drove his vehicle through the gate at house number 10 Chivhu town-ship and parked the vehicle in the yard.

The team disembarked from their vehicle in pursuit of the accused person and Detective Sgt Zisengwe was firing warning shots at the same time. Detective Cst Taambutseni was first to get to the accused person and when he was about to grab the accused person he was shot on the pelvis.

The team managed to arrest the accused person and immediately rushed D/Cst Taambutseni to Chivhu General Hospital where he later died due to injuries sustained.

Two spent cartridges were picked up at the scene.

By A Correspondent| Job Sikhala described his charges as persecution of democracy and he said other people who have made controversial statements in the past like Victor Matemadanda and Josiah Hungwe should also be charged with treason.

Speaking to a local publication the Zengeza Legislator said:

You remember what Josaya Hungwe said while addressing a Masvingo Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee, when he said that Mnangagwa is prepared to use the guns to shoot anybody if they are not going vote for him.

We heard Matemadanda saying several times that we are going to use the soldiers and everybody to kill everyone if they you are not going to vote for Zanu PF. These are the people who are treasonous against our people of Zimbabwe not a statement that I said Mnanagwa must go before 2023.

Job Sikhala is facing treason charges after he said his party would remove President Mnangagwa from office before the 2023 elections.

-TellZim

Kuwadzana Ward 44 Council By-Election Results

Shoko A — MDC-A 1517

Makuwe Llyod- ZANU–718

Ndoya Wenel- NCA —-12

By Own Correspondent| Jealousy Mawarire has lashed out at charlatans dragging the country’s former leader, the late Robert Mugabe into their silly fights for gold, diamonds and command agriculture loot.

Mawarire advised the Zanu Pf charlatans to stop desecrating Mugabe’s grave by commemorating and hosting their evwnts on the 21st of February, a day set aside as a public holiday in Zimbabwe in honour of the late Zimbabwean leader’s birthday.

Said Mawarire:

“These charlatans should leave the name if President Mugabe out of their fights for gold, diamons and command agr8culture loot. The same Ediots were at the forefront of fighting RGM now they want to desecrate his grave by dragging him into their silly fights , do it on ED’s birthday #Nxaa”.

Mawarire’s tweet comes following revelations by former Zanu Pf youth league political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu’s revelation that the citizens of Zimbabwe were inviting the country’s leaders including opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to a Corruption interface meeting on 21 February at a yet to be named venue.

Watch the live video below for the full statement by Tsenengamu….

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that the government of South Korea contributed US$200 000 towards food assistance to refugees living in Zimbabwe.

We present below the WFP News Release of the 7th of February

SOUTH KOREA HELPS WFP PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN ZIMBABWE

 HARARE – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$200,000 from the Government of the Republic of Korea to assist refugees living in Zimbabwe’s Tongogara Refugee Camp (TRC) at a time when resources have otherwise run dry.

“Refugee populations around the world are one of the most vulnerable,” said Eddie Rowe, WFP Zimbabwe Country Representative & Director.

“At a time when Zimbabwe and Southern Africa is faced with massive humanitarian needs because of drought and economic woes, this already at-risk community is struggling even more. The support from the people and Government of Korea will make a great difference in the lives of the refugee population here.”

Located in Chipinge district, TRC is home to nearly 14,000 refugees from across southern and central Africa. The funds provided by the Republic of Korea will enable WFP – in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, UNHCR and Terre des Hommes, a Southern Africa-based NGO – to continue providing much-needed food and nutrition assistance.

Due to their refugee status, TRC residents are unable to seek employment outside the camp, and internal income-generating opportunities are limited. Therefore, most households rely solely on WFP food assistance to survive.

“I hope that this assistance we are recognizing today will help the people in Tongogara Refugee Camp to enhance their well-being.” Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Cho Jaichel said. “I also hope the friendship and cooperation between our two countries will continue and strengthen further. Despite the current challenges, I strongly believe that Zimbabwe has a great potential of growth and brighter future. For our Zimbabwean friends, the Korean government is always ready to share our development experience.”

WFP’s support to refugees in Zimbabwe faces ongoing funding shortfalls. The Republic of Korea’s contribution comes in the wake of an urgent plea for funds by WFP, which is working to provide 4.1 million people in Zimbabwe with emergency food assistance amid the country’s current hunger crisis. At present, more than 7.7 million people – or half of Zimbabwe’s population – is food insecure. More than US$200 million is still required for WFP to provide people with life-saving food aid during the peak of this year’s lean season (Jan-April 2020).

The United Nations World Food Programme – saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.

VICE President Kembo Mohadi’s two former business partners have accused the politician of lying following a High Court application he filed against the pair, demanding over US$100 000.

In the application, Mohadi was seeking payment from Tichaona Mushipe and Oscar Chiromo after he opted out of the business agreement that they entered into in November 2016. He accused the two of having misappropriated funds to his prejudice.

The two told the court that Mohadi was lying.
“In any event, the allegations are false and would have to be led as evidence at trial, where defendants will have the opportunity to cross-examine plaintiff on the same. In the premises, the defendant prays that the exception be upheld with costs, and that the plaintiff’s claim be dismissed,” the two said.
In his papers, Mohadi claimed to have pulled out of the partnership in August 2018, following alleged misuse of funds by Mushipe and Chiromo, which he claimed prejudiced him of US$107 135.

“After the collapse of the partnership, the licence holder and owner Malindi Storage and Logistics (Private) Limited recalled its trading licence as the partnership was using the said company’s trading licence,” Mohadi said.

The vice president added that through a court order, the company then took its assets and moved its offices to its site which was different from the premises the partners were using.
“On the 15th day of April 2019, the parties entered into a deed of disengagement. The parties then agreed to engage an auditor so that the parties could see what they were worth and what their obligations were to each other.

“After the auditor finished his work, the defendants then refused to accept the audit report for no apparent reasons. The parties have been stuck since then.
“The defendants clearly breached the partnership contract and the deed of disengagement contract by failing to complete their obligations in terms of the said deed,” Mohadi said.
Mushipe and Chiromo, however, argued that there was no basis for Mohadi to mention Malindi Storage and Logistics, which was not even party to the court proceedings.

“In particular, plaintiff pleaded allegations of Malindi Storage and Logistics (Private) Limited recalling its trading licence, taking assets and moving offices.
“Such allegations ought to have been excluded from the declaration, being the evidence upon which matters are to be proved at trial.

“Further, the said company is not a party in the matter, and the relevance of its mention has not been established,” the court was told.The matter is still pending before the High Court.

Daily News

AP — Zimbabwe’s rescue agency said Friday it has ended operations at a mine where two people died after being trapped underground.

Nathan Nkomo, director of the Civil Protection Unit, told The Associated Press that “we have retrieved all the bodies.” An injured miner was taken to a hospital, he said.

Nkomo and police spokesman Paul Nyathi said they could not confirm the number of people underground. Due to the unregulated nature of the mining, it is “impossible to know how many people are underground at any given time,” Nkomo said.

He said the mine was no longer operational and had been taken over by artisanal miners who use rudimentary and unsafe mining methods.

It was quiet at the scene in the gold-rich town of Kwekwe in central Zimbabwe, with only a handful of miners milling around and seemingly unmoved by the deaths.

“Two people (dead) … that’s not a disaster. It happens all the time in these mines,” said Davison Chidhakwa, a fellow miner.

Hundreds of artisanal miners work in disused mines in the area connected by a network of tunnels.

Chidhakwa said he had come from a local hospital to check on the miner rescued on Thursday.

“He had some head injuries but he has already been discharged. He is fine,” he said.

Deep gullies and abandoned, rusty equipment lay around. A diesel generator used to power a water pump was the only sign of functional equipment at the site.

A survivor, Bekithemba Takawira, said his “syndicate” of five people were most affected by the collapse of a mine shaft that occurred after the miners entered on Wednesday.

“I had left briefly to collect my tools in the other side of the tunnel. On my return I found my colleagues crushed by huge rock,” he said.

“People enter the mine from all directions. I can’t say how many people were underground,” he said.

By A Correspondent- A 42-year-old Mberengwa woman, Loice Mahlamvana was on Friday sentenced to 25 years in jail after she allegedly hired hitmen to kill her abusive and live-in boyfriend.

Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Martin Makonese also sentenced Mahlamvana’s two hitmen, Chenjerai Zhou (39) and Tavonganei Shoko (31) to 35 years each in prison after they were convicted of killing Munakiishe Chinyoka (42) with actual intent.Mahlamvana, Zhou and Shoko all of Nyikinya Village under Chief Mazivofa in Mberengwa pleaded not guilty to the murder charge with Mahlamvana arguing that she only wanted her co-accused to caution Chinyoka for being violent and abusive towards her.

Zhou and Shoko whom Mahlamvana had paid US$50 each for their service said that they were nowhere close to the murder scene. Justice Makonese however ruled:

Acting in common purpose, Mahlamvana provided access for Zhou and Shoko to get to the deceased by not locking the door to her bedroom. Zhou and Shoko assaulted the deceased with a hoe handle until he was totally immobilised and you decided to burn his body to conceal the crime.

The state alleges that after the death of Chinyoka on 29 November 2017, the accused burnt the body but later threw it into Mupandashango dam as it could not totally burn.

The body was found floating on the 5th of December and was taken to Mpilo Hospital. Investigations were conducted leading to the arrest of the trio.

-statemedia

Lawyers have asked the Supreme Court for leave to appeal a controversial decision by the court last month which converted United States dollar debts to the Zimbabwe dollar at a rate of 1:1, to the prejudice of creditors.

In a chamber application for leave to appeal filed on Friday, lawyers representing N.R. Barber (Private) Limited said the January 20 judgment by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, sitting with Justices Nicholas Mathonsi and Susan Mavangira, “constitutes a negation of the law and represents on the part of the court an abdication of constitutional function.”

N.R. Barber, which is now under judicial management, was owed US$3,885,000 plus interest by Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe (Private) Limited since 2014. The latter neglected to pay the debt despite several court rulings against them, all the way until the government introduced Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019 which converted all US dollar balances to the RTGS dollar, a new local currency, at a discredited rate of 1:1.

On May 21, 2019, Zambezi Gas deposited RTGS$4,136,806.54 into N.R. Barber’s bank account and said that was the final settlement of its debt. As at that date, the amount was equivalent to just USD$144,788.23 at the newly-adopted interbank rate.

Unsatisfied, N.R. Barber sought to attach Zambezi’s Gas’ property leading to the latter approaching the High Court, seeking a declaration that it had fully met N.R. Barber’s debt. The High Court ruled against Zambezi Gas, who took up the matter on appeal at the Supreme Court leading to last month’s judgement.

Advocate Thabani Mpofu, representing N.R. Barber, on Friday sought leave to appeal against the judgment or alternatively an order for direct access to the Constitutional Court.

Mpofu argues that the judgement of the Supreme Court “constitutes a breach of applicant’s constitutional rights as set out under sections 56(1), 69(2) and (3) and 71 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” and N.R. Barber is further convinced that “the court erred on certain constitutional questions that it had to determine.”

Antiock Kurauone, the judicial manager of N.R. Barber, says in the founding affidavit that “there are constitutional issues that arise in this matter and that such issues were squarely before the Supreme Court when the matter was heard”, but the court had failed to make comment on or make findings on those issues, omissions which he argues “take away from the judgment any suggestion that it could be deemed to be in any way final.”

“In breach of the protection of the law guarantee as encapsulated under section 56(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as well as the fair hearing provision in sections 69(2) and (3) of the same constitution, the court aquo erred in proceeding on a false basis being that the validity of Statutory Instrument S.I 33 of 2019 was not challenged and was consequently not an issue before it,” Kurauone argues.

“The question of the validity of S.I 33 of 2019 having been raised, the court aquo erred in breach of section 56(1) of the constitution in not being engaged with it and in accordingly not pronouncing itself on the matter.

“S.I 33 of 2019 having been promulgated contrary to provisions of section 2 of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act, the court aquo erred, in violation of section 56(1) of the constitution, in not holding it void and of no assistance in impugning the validity of the judgment of the High Court.”

Kurauone says if the court had applied its mind on the question of the validity of S.I 33 of 2019, it would have agreed that it “constitutes unlawful expropriation in the contemplation of section 71 of the constitution; sanctions the undue deprivation of appellant’s proprietary interests, unjustifiably interferes with contractual obligations and is on the authority of section 2(1) of the same constitution void and of no effect.”

Kurauone also argues that the Supreme Court breached section 56(1) of the constitution in effectively reviewing an earlier judgment by the same court which had held that N.R. Barber was to be paid its debt in United States dollars.

Further, he argues that the Supreme Court “erred at any rate in affording declaratory relief that had not been sought before it and in respect of which it had not heard the parties and erred in granting final and definitive relief on a partial record in violation of appellant’s right to be heard before an independent and impartial adjudicating authority.”

Added Kurauone: “That this law constitutes expropriation without compensation is a point that requires no belabouring. The law cannot deem a hen to be a sheep; it simply is not. Neither can the law force a person contractually entitled to a sheep to receive a hen as payment in place of a sheep. The deeming provisions of the S.I are obnoxious and are accordingly invalid.

“The authorities do not by our law have the right to re-cast such realities and to create fiction which they foist upon real people and real transactions. There is a limit beyond which a lawmaker can go, and such limit is inter alia encapsulated in section 117(2)(b) of the constitution.

“To the extent that there is a chance that the Supreme Court might have violated the constitution in dealing with this matter, it is in the interests of justice that nine judges of the Constitutional Court pronounce themselves on the validity of the exercise by the Supreme Court of its functions.”

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

THE case of a prison guard’s spirit allegedly haunting Khami Prison Complex by manifesting through one of his alleged killers, the wife of a prison officer, has taken a nasty twist following reports that the woman in question has been booted out of the prison complex.

The woman (name supplied) was chucked out by prison authorities as punishment for revealing names of prison officers in her name-and-shame list of people linked to the death of Lovemore Matonhodze (38) who was found dead on 24 November last year after having gone missing for two days.

Matonhodze, who is alleged to have drowned during a solo fishing expedition at Khami Dam, shocked fellow prison officers at Khami Prison Complex when he reportedly “spoke” to them from beyond the grave, revealing a list of his alleged killers.

According to a source the woman in question was evicted a fortnight ago during a highly charged meeting where prison guards and their families were warned that they risk being fired, transferred or chucked out of the prison complex if ever they are caught talking about the issue or leak details of the meeting to the media.

As if that was not enough, the senior prison officer who presided over the meeting also pulled a shocker when he allegedly banned praying in tongues at the prison complex, a move he suspected triggered the manifestation.

“During the highly charged meeting which was being presided over by one of the senior prison officers, the woman was ordered not to set her foot at Khami Prison Complex for the next 12 months.

“She was chucked out during a meeting which was attended by all prison guards at Khami Prison Complex and their families. The senior prison officer said her eviction was punishment for releasing a list of prison guards linked to the death of Matonhodze.

“That same senior prison officer also threatened prison guards saying anyone who is heard talking about the issue or leaked details of the meeting to the media risked being fired or transferred.

“He said he does believe in witchcraft hence there was a need to punish the alleged killers. He further said anyone who suspected that he or she was being bewitched should hire a sangoma and retaliate,” said the source who requested strict anonymity.

The source said prison guards lashed out at the threats which they believe were meant to protect the alleged killers.

“The prison guards were not moved by the threats. Some are even querying why their boss evicted that woman who manifested and released a list of Matonhodze’s alleged killers if he does not believe in witchcraft,” said the source.

The source further said the senior prison officer pulled a shocker when he also banned people staying at the prison complex from praying in tongues.

“He shocked everyone who attended the meeting when he blasted people who go to churches which pray in tongues. He charged that anyone who is heard praying in tongues in their private prayer times and found pasting pictures on walls or hanging calendars with images of their church leaders would be evicted from the complex,” said the source.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Bulawayo Metropolitan Province public relations officer Garainashe Moyo had not responded by time of going to print.

On the fateful day, Matonhodze left his home on a fishing expedition to Khami Dam and did not return.

The following day his family got worried over his disappearance and reported the matter to the police.

The police conducted a search, but did not find him until the following day when his brother-in-law, who had reported the matter to the police, teamed up with several members of the public and went searching for him.

They discovered his decomposing body floating in the water and was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem. His remains were buried at his rural home in Magunje, Chisape in Karoi.

Source Byo24