State Media|AT least two Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers have gone missing and are feared dead after a tussle with suspected poachers in Lake Kariba.

The rangers who were patrolling the lake had an encounter with an as yet unknown number of poachers believed to be from Zambia and managed to apprehend them.

A tussle later ensued as the rangers were transferring the poachers to Kariba for further handling.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident adding that investigations into the whereabouts and status were underway.

“I can confirm that our rangers that were on patrol in Lake Kariba are missing after being in contact with suspected poachers.

“The matter is still under investigations and we are working closely with our counterparts in Zambia,” said Mr Farawo.

Reports are that the rangers encountered the poachers and managed to effect an arrest before allegedly taking them to their Changa Camp for safekeeping of their boat as exhibit.

On their way back, it is alleged that the poachers fought the rangers in the middle of the lake on their way to Kariba town and managed to overpower them.

The matter came to light when the rangers’ patrol boat was found floating on the shores of Lake Kariba on the Zambian side with it’s engine removed.

Encounters in Lake Kariba with poachers are on the increase.

Details of what happened and whether the rangers are still alive are still sketchy.

Correspondent|Former Zimbabwean Minister of Information, Professor Jonathan Moyo has claimed that his book, Excelgate, has diagrams which show how the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission created a new route to transmit presidential election results to Harare.

Moyo claims that his book exposes how ZEC in connivance with the ruling ZANU PF manipulated 2018 elections. He posted on Twitter saying:

1/3 #EXCELGATE has 18 diagrams. The first two are from @ZECzim's website, uploaded on 6 February 2019 by unsung #ZecHeroes. They show how #ZEC invented a route against the one prescribed by law, to transmit the results of the presidential election to Harare for illegal collation! pic.twitter.com/Q9CXIhtfq0

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 2, 2020

2/3 Then on 8 February 2019 the unsung #ZecHeroes got #ZEC commissioners to approve the #ZEC Report on the 2018 elections, compiled in terms of s241 of the Constitution. The report, tabled in Parliament on 27 June 2019, has the third #ZEC diagram which confirms the illegal route! pic.twitter.com/Nn3m60yG90

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 2, 2020

3/3 While @ZECzim denied in the ConCourt running the presidential election illegally, it's Report done in terms of the law and tabled in Parliament confesses to a gross illegality, that exposes Mnangagwa's "victory" as a result of an invalid election & fraud. No need for any V11! pic.twitter.com/qCWh8f03AS

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 2, 2020

Own Correspondent|Government has reintroduced maternity fees which were scratched out when Emmerson Mnangagwa took over presidency from former President Robert Mugabe in a military coup in 2017.

Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva announced the new hospital fees in a circular to hospitals dated December 31, 2019.

“The Ministry has approved new hospital fees with effect from the 1st of January 2020. Please note that the decision has been reached after taking into account the plight of the general populace as well as the inflationary environment that we are in. May you ensure immediate implementation of the new fees as per attached schedule,” read Dr Mahomva’s circular.

The maternity fees that were scrapped to curb maternal and infant mortality.

Ante-natal general ward per day will cost $200 at Parirenyatwa Hospital, $160 at central hospitals such as Mpilo Centra Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), $120 at provincial hospitals and $80 at a district hospitals with the same amounts being charged for post-natal care.

Caesarean birth will cost $2 500 at Parirenyatwa Hospital $2 500 at central hospitals and $1 500 at provincial hospitals and $1 000 at district hospitals.

Patients admitted to a general ward will pay fees ranging between $80 and $200 for adults while children above five years of age will pay between $40 and $100. Outpatients receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital will pay a user fee of $200 while those at central hospitals will pay $160.

Patients at provincial hospitals will pay $120 while those receiving care at district hospitals will pay $80.

Children above the age of five years pay $100 for a general ward at Parirenyatwa Hospital, $80 at central hospitals, $60 at provincial hospitals and $40 at district hospitals.

The fees charged for a general ward for adults are the same as the fees for initial consultation at hospitals while subsequent consultation fees are pegged at $130 at Parirenyatwa hospital, $100 at central hospitals, $80 at provincial and $50 at district hospitals.

Subsequent consultation fees for chldren above five years are fixed at $60 at Parirenyatwa Hospital, $50 at central hospitals, $35 at provincial hospitals and $25 at district hospitals.

Consultation fees for chronic illnesses exclusive of drugs are fixed at $100 at Parirenyatwa hospital, $80 at central hospitals, $60 at provincial hospitals and $40 at a district hospitals for adults while children above the age of five pay $50 at Parirenyatwa hospital, $40 at central hospitals, $30 at provincial hospitals and $20 at district hospitals. The Intensive Care Unit fees for adults at Parirenyatwa hospital are pegged at $260, $200 for central hospitals, $150 at provincial hospitals and $100 at district hospitals while fees for children above five years are pegged at $130 at Parirenyatwa hospital, $100 at central hospitals, $80 at provincial hospitals and$50 at district hospitals.

Psychiatric patients at Parirenyatwa Hospital will pay $200, $160 at central hospitals, $120 at provincial hospitals and $80 district hospitals.

A health practitioner who preferred not to be named said reintroducing maternity fees will affect gains made in fighting maternal deaths.

“I think it’s a retrogressive step. All the gains that were made by allowing mothers free access to ante-natal and post -natal health care have been reversed. Most women will now be forced to give birth at home thereby risking their lives and that of their babies.

“Recently we were celebrating that the mortality rates had dropped by 29 percent to 462 per 100 000 live births. This gain will definitely be reversed by the reintroduction of maternity fees. There is need for Government to re-visit the issue of maternity fees to save mothers and their babies,” said the practitioner.

State Media|The legal dispute between the trustees of Elections Resource Centre (ERC) and National Chiefs’ Council president Fortune Charumbira has taken a new twist, with the non-governmental organisation approaching the High Court again, this time seeking an order to have the chief punished for defying a court order.

Chief Charumbira allegedly defied a High Court order to apologise over utterances he allegedly made sometime in October 2017 at the official opening of the National Chiefs’ Council annual conference when he urged other chiefs to rally behind the ruling Zanu PF during the 2018 harmonised elections.

This, according to the ERC, was contrary to the provisions of the Constitution, which oblige traditional leaders to be non-partisan and apolitical.

ERC then approached the High Court last year and Chief Charumbira was ordered to issue an apology, but he did not do so, prompting the ERC to approach the court again.

In the founding affidavit filed last week, ERC executive director Mr Tawanda Chimhini castigated the chief’s behaviour, arguing that it did not only defeat the course of justice, but also showed disrespect to the judicial system and the constitutional order.

The ERC also wants Chief Charumbira to pay for the cost of the suit.

“Because of the attitude of the respondent (Chief Charumbira), who has disdainfully failed and or refused to comply with the court order and attracting unnecessary court proceedings, he should be (ordered to pay) costs (of suit) on a legal practitioner and client scale,” it said.

“It is imperative that respondent be punished for disobeying the court order and bringing the court into disrepute. He should be compelled to obey the court order.”

When the order was granted last year, Chief Charumbira applied for rescission of the court order which he did not pursue.

ERC then successfully applied for the rescission of default judgment and it was dismissed for want of prosecution.

The case is yet to be heard.

State Media|State run Herald Municipal Correspondent Blessings Chidakwa (BC) had a one-on-one with  Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba (HG) to get his views on the just-ended year.

Extracts of the interview:

BC: Your Worship, what can you say were council’s major successes in 2019?

HG: We managed to transform some sections of the city. I am sure that you heard the President saying our green project (beautification of Samora Machel Avenue) was one of the best.

This year had so many challenges, but for the first time in years the municipal officers received a bonus and pay. We have reduced what we owed to our creditors from $505 million to roughly around $250 million. That debt was choking the city.

We managed to construct and finish some long-standing projects such as Kuwadzana Library, Tariro Hopley Clinic, Highglen Gleneagles round-about and Mabvuku Polyclinic.

We also introduced a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and we are now trying to secure foreign currency to buy a bigger server than the one that we have. Relations with Government also improved. We said let us work together to solve the problems around the water situation in Harare and we are working collectively because we have engaged.

For the first time in 38 years, we are working as a team. You even saw the President touring Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant to get an appreciation of the situation on the ground and how Government can assist because in our discussions we had indicated that there are issues that we can address as a local authority and others which require Government’s involvement.

The discussion resulted in us being given the green light to draw water from Lake Manyame.

BC: Mayor, you highlighted the issue of water which is topical as no suburb in the city is receiving water on a daily basis. Will there be any changes this year?

HG: In terms of water, we have tentatively agreed with Government to draw more water from Manyame Dam and currently we are doing some works at the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant, replacing the clarifiers, filters and the actuators and that is going to assist us to be able to purify and distribute more water to our people and now that cleaner water is going to come from Manyame.

We have received communication from central Government that they are going to give us US$9,3 million and that is going to assist us to be able to purify and distribute more water to our people.

Government has deployed engineers who are working with our technical people to make sure we work as a team because it is a collective responsibility between central Government, local authority and residents.

BC: Will drawing water from Manyame translate to improved supplies or it just cuts treatment costs compared to drawing water from Lake Chivero?

HG: It’s common sense that if you draw water from Manyame, which is cleaner than that of Lake Chivero, we are bound to have less costs in terms of purification processes and more water is going to be purified. Right now we are losing a lot of water through backwashing and that entails less backwashing because we are going to be purifying more water that is cleaner.

BC: Council also battled with refuse collection citing fuel challenges, yet other companies and organisations managed to offer uninterrupted services notwithstanding the fuel challenges. Can you please shed more light on this?

HG: On failure to access fuel, residents need to understand that it was not because we did not have the money to buy the fuel, but we paid for it and our deliveries were delayed.

BC: But Mayor, what you are saying is contrary to the open admission by the city’s finance director before a full council meeting at the time that the failure to collect refuse in some areas in November was due to non-payment for fuel.

HG: Documents that I have seen clearly indicate that a payment of $1,5 million was done and after a week or so, the fuel had not been delivered.

It was not only City of Harare that was affected by lack of fuel. Even ordinary residents were failing to access fuel. These are challenges that are national in nature and these can only be addressed in the context of the procurement laws of the country.

BC: Harare’s roads are in a sorry state, with council having only managed to repair and maintain about 50 kilometres against its target of 1 000km. What can we expect in this New Year?

HG: What you need to understand is that council works within the confines of the country’s laws. So, according to the law, we are supposed to get money from Zinara, a collection agent, empowered by the Roads Act and the Road Licensing Act to collect resources through taxes and levies, which will then be channelled towards the maintenance of the country’s roads.

If Zinara fails to give us money and the law still mandates it to continue collecting revenue, then it should be held accountable for the state of our roads and not us. On our part, we are in discussion with City Parking to borrow $30 million for road reconstruction and resealing in the CBD. But beyond that, I have also scheduled a meeting with the Zinara chairman to impress upon him the need to expedite the release of money to local authorities so that they can be able to do what they are supposed to do within the context of the law.

BC: Mayor, your council has also been in the limelight for its penchant for spending money on trips and workshops. Do you have a specific budget for trips?

HG: You need to de-construct every invitation and separate it from your general understanding of invitations. There are ones which are specific in nature that say hotels (and) food are going to be paid by so-and-so.

The purpose of the invitation is paramount for you to understand as to why you would really need to visit. We do have budgets for every transaction that happens in the city, this is why Government approves each and every trip by a councillor, mayor or senior official.

We do have Cabinet authorities that then authorise us to go out and it’s too harsh for one to say our trips are not in sync with requirements of policy, yet we have mountains of Cabinet authorities in our offices which give us authority to go.

As for residents, I have received compliments from some who are grateful that our trips have yielded so much, particularly in the context of our announcement last week that we have received US$100 000. I am not sure which residents are complaining about our trips.

BC: There have been allegations of nepotism in council, with both councillors and senior managers fingered. What is your take on this?

HG: These allegations are coming from a few people and one of those people (name withheld), who is with a residents’ association, recruited his wife to work as a finance director in his organisation.

BC: So, can we justify nepotism on those grounds?

HG: I am not implying that it must be condoned. To answer your question, those allegations are false because we recruit on the basis of an invitation through an advert which people respond to through applications and those qualified are invited for interviews and if they are successful they get the job.

That is how we have been conducting our recruitment. We have not had any incidents of a councillor or councillors that have sat on a panel while their relative was being interviewed because the law is clear; in such cases where one has an interest he or she must declare them and recuse themselves from the process and that is what has been happening.

BC: While it is commendable that you installed a new billing system, there are still many challenges. What are you doing about these?

HG: The system is functional to a larger extent. However, what needs to be done is that we have appealed to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for foreign currency to buy a bigger server. The system is being constrained by a small server. We are hopeful of getting the money because the RBZ Governor, Dr John Mangudya, has promised to avail resources during meetings we have had with him.

BC: How much forex do you need for the bigger server?

HG: We need roughly around US$150 000. A bigger server will enable us to meet the requirements of our stakeholders.

BC: Mayor, in terms of housing, the city has a problem of illegal settlements sprouting all over and there are cases of a lot of people that have been duped by land barons who are behind such activities. What is council doing about that?

HG: As council we are doing our part, that is to sensitise and educate residents on the dangers of dealing with land barons. But it is every resident’s right and responsibility to check on the authenticity of any transaction they enter into. You must never allow yourself to lose money through shoddy deals and beyond that, we have undertaken a comprehensive regularisation programme in which we go around looking at where people are settled illegally and assisting them to regularise their situations.

Own Correspondent|Goods worth millions of dollars were destroyed when a shopping mall housing small shops at the corner of Robert Mugabe road and Chinhoyi street in Harare caught fire early Thursday morning.

Harare fire brigade Assistant Divisional Officer, Mr Philip Marufu said they are yet to establish the cause of the fire.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“Our teams are on the ground carrying out investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage,” he said.

Marufu said they could not ascertain the cause of the fire.

“We cannot really determine the cause of fire due to the extensive damage to both the contents and the building, but due to experience, you can tell by the way the fire spreads, it could have been bottled in the building for quite a long time before it was reported,” he said.

Scores of traders were left counting their losses.

Watch video downloading below:

Own Correspondent|RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya says that his priority in the new year is stabilising the exchange rate of the Zim Dollar and to curb inflation and this can be achieved if Zimbabweans love each other.

In an interview with state media, Mangudya said that he expects the economy to continue responding positively to the policies that Government is implementing.

Dr Mangudya conceded that last year was “generally tough” but said the central bank was “bullish” that 2020 will be better.

“Our message as the central bank is very clear; our key focus areas are on currency stability and reducing and stabilising inflation in Zimbabwe.

“It is necessary to ensure that we achieve the focus areas that were enunciated or pronounced by the President — productivity, economic growth and job creation.

“We need to ensure that the key drivers (for job creation, economic growth and increased production) are currency stability and making sure that we reduce and stabilise inflation and also that there is social cohesion in the country so that at least we all enjoy what comes in 2020.”

“So our story is very simple. Let’s keep moving; let’s keep praying for the country and let’s increase love among each other; for with love nothing is impossible. We want the spirit of togetherness, it helps on the monetary side, it makes it makes it much easier for us,” said Dr Mangudya. .

Turning to the availability of physical cash from banks, Dr Mangudya said the RBZ would continue to drip-feed the market.

He said the RBZ was happy public confidence in the local currency continues to rise.

“Its availability, as we have said before, will continue to be made on a gradual basis to ensure that by end of the second quarter of the year, the shortage of cash in the banks should be a thing of the past. People should be able to go to the banks to withdraw the cash that they need. That way, you are also improving confidence in the sector and it also helps people wanting to bank their money because they know they will get it back when they want it.

“The limitation (for increasing cash) is that the money needs to printed and the printing comes at a cost. It’s not done for free, we also need foreign currency to print money so we have to do it gradually otherwise it ends up being costly,” said Dr Mangudya.

He urged people to continue using plastic money.

“We have said it many times that our aspiration is to have money and notes in circulation of around 10 percent because South Africa and the rest of the world are on 15 percent, so we want to ensure that we are within that range. So far we are about 7 to 8 percent and we need that to increase, and that is what we are doing.”

Police have arrested three suspects, recovered a possible murder weapon and the getaway car reportedly used by members of a gang that killed a police officer two weeks ago at Good Hope Mine in Battlefields.

A machete allegedly used during the assault and an unregistered Honda Fit used as a gateway car were recovered following the arrest of Lyton Panashe Tshuma (18), Obvious Mawire (21) and Munyaradzi Chari (43).

This comes as police on Tuesday rounded up 100 illegal gold panners and vendors in separate raids at Good Hope Mine and Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, both epicentres of recent serious violence.

Support Unit, District Reaction Groups (DRG) and the Canine Section were part of police teams used in the raids.

Of the 100 arrested, 28 were netted at Good Hope Mine, while 72 were picked up at Jumbo Mine.

Police also impounded three vehicles that were loaded with gold ore.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, giving details of the arrests, said: “Police have intensified operations against criminal activities at mining sites.

In Mashonaland Central, 65 people were arrested for criminal trespass, while seven were arrested for prospecting for gold without a licence, 10 hammer mills, six generators, a compressor, a water pump, a box of explosives, alcohol and 47 dagga sachets were recovered.

“The 28 that were arrested at Good Hope Mine include 20 men and eight women and they were all arrested for prospecting for gold. About 90 percent of them are from Kadoma, while one is from Gokwe, three are from Harare, while one is from Murombedzi.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said they impounded a Hino truck (AFT 2634), Toyota Corolla (AET 9271) and a Honda Fit (AFB 6008) that were loaded with gold ore.State media

Mnangagwa: "We are encouraged by the reassuring messages from the independent churches of Zimbabwe. We appeal to the body of Christ…to intercede… because God moves with the majority and ZANU PF is the majority. " pic.twitter.com/QV9f2pNR3r

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 2, 2020

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has pledged to create jobs in 2020 but political analysts are skeptical of the ruling party’s ability to do so.

Below is an article that was published by a state run publication:

Zanu PF national spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo has told the Herald that the party will soon be issuing its 2020 resolutions which are shaped by the party’s recently held Annual People’s Conference.

The ZANU PF conference resolved on a number of issues which the party said would be used to guide the government.

Among other things, the ZANU PF 18th Annual National People’s Conference that was held in Goromonzi, resolved to create jobs, establish gold centres and promote value addition and beneficiation.

The party also resolved that the collapsed industry needs to be revived, one of the avenues through which jobs can be created.

By Business Reporter| The Chinese company at the centre of a leaked video of workers being paid in coins has spoken.

Sunny Yi Feng is the same company previously in trouble with Norton MP Temba Mliswa over a separate case. (Video loading)

Sunny Yi Feng employs 1 193 locals and is producing 30 000 – 35 000 square metres of quality tiles per day for both the local and export market. 70% of the tiles are exported to countries in the region including South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and the DRC.

Publishing on new years’ eve, Sunny Yi Feng Tiles said: “It looks like there is a bit of misconception on this video trending. Considering the harsh economic environment we are operating in we give of valued staff cushion allowances. It’s of great importance for all our valuable stakeholders to understand that these are not salaries.

“Some might be shocked by the use of scale to weigh money , this is indeed a creative way of making a quick payments to our 1700 employees. We have the understanding that coins contain the same value in terms or value and weight and therefore the values are homogeneous.”

Farai Dziva|Government has no love for the education sector, ARTUZ leader Obert Masaraure has said.

See full statement below:

2 January 2020

The government of Zimbabwe has embarked on a spirited offensive aimed at destroying all the commons in Zimbabwe. They have destroyed healthcare, halted water supply, switched of electricity and are now destroying our once enviable education system. We have a government showing ordinary citizens the middle finger, we have no other option but to unite and fight back to defend and expand our commons in 2020.

The 2020 budgetary allocation for education is clear testimony that our government has no love for our education sector. We last received such a low budgetary allocation in the ESAP era and in 2000 when resources were diverted towards constitutional reform. Austerity measures are still in place contrary to the misleading statements from the Minister of Finance. The ZW$ 8, 5 billion allocated to education is not enough to cater for inter-bank rate salaries for the 140 000 teachers who are supposed to attend to our learners. Even if we were going to channel 100% of the allocated budget towards wages only, teachers will still be underpaid. There is nothing available for capital investment at a time when we have a shortage of over 2000 schools.

Our government has reneged on its constitutional mandate of providing basic education.

In previous years we have confined ourselves to the fight for labour justice for our membership. We have demanded a living wage and better working conditions but we have failed to work hand in hand with the parents and learners to holistically push for inclusive access to quality education for our learners. We were working in our isolated silo. The state took advantage and brutalized our members and incited parents against our teachers. We have to close that chapter and unite with the parents of our learners.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ will lead the process of reconstituting the Parents Teachers Association, PTA at a national level and build structures down to school level.

This is a vehicle for parents and teachers to come together lobbying and advocating for inclusive access to quality education for our learners. The PTA will also be involved in education management through advising the School Development Associations, SDA. The SDAs established through statutory Instrument 70 of 1993 are currently entrusted with education management but they only incorporate School administrators excluding the teachers.

ARTUZ will not bask in yesteryear glory, we will escalate our fight for a living wage with more protests lined up for the year 2020.

Our national congress to be held from 8 to 10 December will resolve on a concrete way forward. The Congress will be convened under the theme “Reigniting hope and defining the course of the working class struggle in the face of heightened repression and austerity.” We are positive that congress delegates will come up with bold resolutions to protect our education.

The National Executive Council, NEC of ARTUZ has already resolved that schools will not open in January until the salary crisis is resolved. We are glad that sister Unions have endorsed declaration and call upon parents to support this revolutionary cause.

The teachers of Zimbabwe are earning around US$30 per month which is not enough to cater for education for their dependence, food, shelter, healthcare and even transport to work.

The parents are also failing to secure learning materials and school fees for their children. The learners are traumatized by the brutal economic conditions and our teachers are severely incapacitated. Government is not disbursing sufficient funds for Basic Education Access Model to support vulnerable learners. The school ecosystem is in the intensive care and opening schools is virtually impossible.

We will not pretend to be teaching when we are not. We can’t hazard the future of innocent children by giving them substandard education. We will teach when the conditions are right. The poor performance of the 2019 Grade 7 class is a wakeup call for both parents and teachers. We have a duty to find a lasting solution to the education crisis.

Our objectives for 2020:
Recruit more teachers to join the fight for a pro poor education system

Build an alliance with the parents of our learners
Research on alternative education policies and table to government

We still demand
Interbank pegged salaries using our old United States dollar salaries as benchmark

A substantive rural retention attraction allowance to incentivize rural teachers

An education equalization fund to enhance access to quality education for marginalized communities

Fully Paid study leave for all teachers

Restoration of the legally provided vacation leave
Review of the new curriculum

Devolution of education planning and management.

Expanding of social security to cover health care by a more transparent and accountable National Social Security Authority.
The scrapping of the opaque pension contribution replaced with a more transparent system.

Employment of more teachers to resolve the crisis of staff shortages.

We commit ourselves to:
Provide ICT and leadership training for teachers and learners

Provide study loans for our members

Facilitate exchange visits for teachers
Produce and popularize safe schools regulations to enhance teacher and learner safety in schools

Provide comprehensive Sexual Reproduction Health Rights education for our learners and teachers

Produce quarterly reports on state of education and a labour justice index

Provide education on climate change to our rural communities
 Initiate income generating projects for both teachers and communities.

Teach learners for free away from the government run schools until salary crisis is resolved.

Provide comprehensive education on Zimbabwe’s political economy for teachers, learners and communities

In 2020 we will protect and expand our commons. We will reach out to other citizens to build solid alliances.

Obert Masaraure
ARTUZ NATIONAL PRESIDENT
+263776129336
[email protected]

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has pledged to create jobs in 2020 but political analysts are sceptical of the ruling party’s ability to do so.

Below is an article that was published by a state run publication:

Zanu PF national spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo has told the Herald that the party will soon be issuing its 2020 resolutions which are shaped by the party’s recently held Annual People’s Conference.

The ZANU PF conference resolved on a number of issues which the party said would be used to guide the government.

Among other things, the ZANU PF 18th Annual National People’s Conference that was held in Goromonzi, resolved to create jobs, establish gold centres and promote value addition and beneficiation.

The party also resolved that the collapsed industry needs to be revived, one of the avenues through which jobs can be created.

By A Correspondent- Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe have issued a statement reiterating on the issues which the government has to address for them to effectively execute their duties and responsibilities.

Part of the statement which was posted on Facebook reads:

• Interbank pegged salaries using our old United States dollar salaries as benchmark
• A substantive rural retention attraction allowance to incentivize rural teachers
• An education equalization fund to enhance access to quality education for marginalized communities
• Fully Paid study leave for all teachers
• Restoration of the legally provided vacation leave
• Review of the new curriculum
• Devolution of education planning and management
• Expanding of social security to cover health care by a more transparent and accountable National Social Security Authority.
• The scrapping of the opaque pension contribution replaced with a more transparent system.
• Employment of more teachers to resolve the crisis of staff shortages.

The statement is issued when schools are reopening within a few weeks. Other teachers’ unions have since announced that they will not be going to work since they are incapacitated.

By A Correspondent- In his New Year’s address to the nation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed optimism regarding the country’s developmental trajectory promising to walk hand in glove in unity, love and peace with the masses as a listening president.

Said Mnangagwa:

“As your Listening President and a Servant Leader, I will continue engaging with you and listening to your concerns so that we walk hand in hand, together in unity, love, peace and harmony towards a prosperous Zimbabwe.

There is indeed, much more to look forward to in the New Year. Tomorrow is a better and brighter day. I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.”

By A Correspondent- Norton legislator (independent), Temba Mliswa has claimed that there are divisions within Zimbabwe’s security sector and the machete gangs issue exposes that division.

His remarks are a strong redolent of sentiments expressed by some analysts who believe that machete gangs who are locally known as Mashurugwi and or Al Shabab are strongly connected to prominent people in the country.

Mliswa posted on Twitter and said:

The ongoing problem of machete gangs is a direct result and beneficiary of the schisms which are still prevalent in the country’s security system since the November 2017 government change.

Following November 2017 there was a division which segmented security sector with the police and CIO on one side and the army on the other side. This is still ongoing with each side suspecting the other of duplicating its job.

Today there is rampant infiltration of the mining sector by these security forces. They use their power to defend and protect those on their side when they are arrested. The security chiefs call when their mining allies are arrested demanding their release.

This is the reason why progress has been minimal in stemming the tide of machete gangs as all the security forces have been seemingly reluctant to come in until the killing of the police officer, Wonder Hokoyo.

By A Correspondent- The Law Society of Zimbabwe has issued a statement expressing concern over a statement that was issued by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission which purports that there are some judges who are being investigated for corruption.

ZACC had released a statement on the 29th of December last year which indicated that the commission had over 600 pending dockets against Ministers, judges, legislators and executive directors and managers of companies.

Below is the LSZ’s statement in full:

By A Correspondent- Amalgamated Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) have indicated plans to reconstruct the Parents Teachers Association in a bid to force the government to give attention to the education sector.

ARTUZ president, Obert Masaraure posted on Facebook and said that the organisation has been confronting the government alone for a sustained period of time now and members feel that it is important to recruit more teachers and parents to join the struggle.

He said that the adverse effects of government actions were detrimental not only to teachers but also to parents who pay school fees and learners who were being denied an education.

Masaraure posted:

“Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ will lead the process of reconstituting the Parents Teachers Association, PTA at a national level and build structures down to school level. This is a vehicle for parents and teachers to come together lobbying and advocating for inclusive access to quality education for our learners. The PTA will also be involved in education management through advising the School Development Associations, SDA. The SDAs established through statutory Instrument 70 of 1993 are currently entrusted with education management but they only incorporate School administrators excluding the teachers.”

These remarks are made when other Teachers’ unions have indicated that they will not be returning to work as schools reopen for the first term in 2020.

By Nomusa Garikai- After 40 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship Zimbabwe is in a serious mess with the economy in ruins, millions of our people now living in abject poverty and, worst of all, the plunging the country into political paralysis. 

Zanu PF has imposed a tyrannical one party dictatorship that has stifled all meaningful public debate and has ruthless crashed its political critics and opponents. The party has usurped the people’s fundamental freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote and even the right to life. 

Ever since the signing of the Unity Accord between PF Zapu and Zanu PF, that saw the two parties merge to form Zanu PF, Mugabe has used the accord to justify the imposing of a de factor one-party dictatorship. 

The 2008 elections were a watershed in Zimbabwe politics is that the ruling party Zanu PF was forced to accept its ruthless tyrannical rule was unacceptable in this day and age. Following a particularly outrageous election process in which Zanu PF blatantly cheated the vote count to force a run-off and then used wanton violence to punish the electorate for having rejected the party in the early vote and to force them to vote for the party’s candidate, Robert Mugabe. 

Everyone, including both SADC and the AU renowned for giving a thumbs up to dodgy Zimbabwe elections in the past, rejected Zanu PF’s claim as the legitimate winner of the 2008 elections. SADC forced Mugabe to sign a Global Political Agreement agreeing to the need for Zimbabwe to implement a raft of democratic reforms designed to ensure the blatant cheating and wanton violence of 2008 will never be repeated ever again. 

Sadly, not even one of the reforms were ever implemented; not one!

Mugabe bribed the MDC leaders, whose primary task in the GNU was to implement the reforms, with ministerial limos, generous salaries and allowances, a US$4 million mansion for Tsvangirai, etc.With their snout in the feeding trough MDC leaders forgot about the reforms. 

Indeed, during the 2008 to 2013 GNU Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies quickly learned that they could have their cake and eat it too. They could keep their one-party dictatorship complete with all its carte blanche powers to rid elections as long as the party allowed the opposition to win a few gravy train seats. The strategy has worked so well everyone is Zimbabwe’s opposition camp participated in last year’s elections; there were 23 contestants in the presidential race alone!

Mnangagwa, who succeeded Mugabe as the leader of Zanu PF following the military coup of November 2017, on the wake of his rigged election victory of the 2018 elections launched Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD). POLAD is a forum grouping all the political parties (MDC A are under pressure to join) who obligingly participated in last year’s elections, knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging the elections. 

Mnangagwa is sparing no expense in promoting POLAD as all the nation has ever wanted in a healthy and functioning political system.

“Parties under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) plan to engage SADC, African Union, European Union and United Nations member states to explain their mandate as they press ahead with finding lasting solutions to the country’s economic challenges,” The Herald, the Zanu PF mouth piece, announced.

“An information desk is also being set up to raise awareness about the activities of POLAD. In the coming year, POLAD wants to assist Government to ensure constitutional and electoral reforms are in place. This comes after President Mnangagwa lauded POLAD members for their commitment towards nation-building and unity since its inception in May.”

Zanu PF can fool SADC and AU leaders and a few others like the Chinese and the Russians, who are only too pleased to take advantage of the economic and political chaos in Zimbabwe, with this POLAD nonsense. No one else will be fooled, especially the EU. 

The EU dismissed Zimbabwe’s July 2018 elections as a farce. “The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, transparency and verifiability,” stated the EU Election Mission final report.

“As such, many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards.”

In other words, the EU does not recognise Zanu PF as the dually elected and legitimate government with the people’s democratic mandate to rule Zimbabwe because the whole election process failed to meet acceptable minimum standards. 

Considering all the actors in POLAD have endorsed the 2018 elections as having been free, fair and credible; Mnangagwa made is a condition for joining the group; it is clear whatever reforms the forum will push through they will not stop Zanu PF rigging the next elections! 

Zanu PF has never ever recognised other people’s right to be heard much less to criticise the party. And so the country public print media and only electronic media have been a department of the party in all but name. The country’s small private print media, there is no private radio or TV stations, has been considered the enemy of the state and haunted from pillar to post. 

Zanu PF has passed so many laws to control Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), many organisation have left the country and those still operating are all wearing Zanu PF straitjacket they are now called Government Organised Non Governmental Organisations (GONGO)! 

In POLAD Zanu PF has managed to coerce the opposition into a Zanu PF organised opposition (Zoo)! At a time when the nation is desperate for meaningful political change and and end to the Zanu PF dictatorship, in walks Emmerson Mnangagwa, the new Zanu PF dictator, with his Zoo circus animals! POLAD is the epitome of Zimbabwe’s political paralysis! 

“We are setting up a cutting-edge information sub-committee that is going to disseminate information relating to POLAD activities to all corners of Zimbabwe,” boasted Obert Gutu, one of the Zoo star performers.

“Within the next 90 days, virtually every Zimbabwean will be hearing, thinking and even dreaming about POLAD. We have got the requisite technical skills and intellectual fire-power to repackage and rebrand POLAD.”

The country’s public health care has all but completely collapse for lack of funds to pay doctors and nurses, to buy medicine and repair equipment, etc. But the country has money to buy Zoo cutting edge equipment; to get the circus, crocodile and all, to every corner of Zimbabwe and beyond! 

Getting ready for tough decisions and difficult steps ahead! pic.twitter.com/PAKV5z0LJs

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 2, 2020

By A Correspondent- Shop owners and vendors operating from the Harare building which was this morning razed down by fire have expressed shock at the development saying they are at a loss of words following the destruction of their wares.

Some of the women who spoke to ZimEye said they have no information regarding what transpired neither do they know the way forward following the tragedy.

Said one woman who did not identify herself:

“I just woke up in the morning receiving the sad news that the building had caught fire and all my things had been burnt. I was told that there was shop which started burning from behind the building and this saw the fire spreading to the whole building…..And when they were putting out the fire, they were protecting the service station which is near here.

No- one is really sure of what transpired, how the fire started or whether the building was insured, nothing has been communicated at all. Even the owners of the buildings are still mum on what happened or whether we will get our goods from the insurer. We know nothing at all…. All we heard was that when the fire brigade was called, there was no water and this is why they failed to contain the ravaging flame. This was our only source of livelihood, the business sustaining our families.”

Added another woman operating from the same building:

“I have lost everything… I have lost my goods worth over US$1k and in bond notes, i am not too sure how much it was. Fire brigade had no water. Maybe if they had water, we could have retained some of our stuff.”

Watch the video loading below for this exclusive footage courtsey of ZimEye.com…..

By A Correspondent- Police boss Godwin Matanga has declared war on MaShurugwi calling on illegal miners operating around the country to stop forthwith.

Matanga said this in a statement issued recently adding that the police would not hesitate to shoot to kill anyone found in possession of dangerous weapons and who resisted arrest.

Said Matanga:

By A Correspondent- The SADC Climate Services Centre (CSC) has forecasted that some parts of the SADC region are likely to receive more than 50mm of rainfall very soon.

Below is the statement:

We publish below pictures from Rufaro Stadium in Harare where Zimbabweans from all walks of life took time to bid farewell to the late former President Robert Mugabe on September 12 2019.

By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo- The wider gap between the Government and citizens is detrimental.

Objectivity becomes subjectivity if validated into a balanced message. Leaders must accept constructive criticism if they are to buy into progressive politics and development.

There is a wide gap from Mugabe’s era and ED’s Government , and one of the reasons why ED could be in serious problems he is facing , it is mainly because of comparative politics between  “ Mugabe and ED himself. It’s a natural discourse that people make comparisons and notions when dealing with leadership.

There is a general aspect which comes into mind when changes takes shape particularly if the change was effected in controversial ways. Let’s take for instance when Mugabe was addressing on international platforms his PR stance one of its kind and he was in his own world. His style of politics was synonyms and applied adjective.

During Mugabe era even if citizens were angry on him, you would leave public meetings laughing or even asking for more despite the rationale type of politics. Why would citizens run away from rallies which the President is addressing? Something sinister about it which needs further introspection. I will give you an example, during the 2018 elections when ED was addressing Bindura rally in Mash Central, people were seen running away from the rally whilst ED was addressing and this seems unusual during Mugabe days.

People differed with the former President on a number of issues, but there was some semblance of some respect. It’s normal for people to make personal judgments varying from politics to development. ED is facing opposition, internal fissures, civic society, general populace, military establishment within a confined civilian leadership and the economy itself.

My general assessment is his main nemesis and political arch-rivalry Nelson Chamisa looks young, appealing and strategically positioned on articulation and informative style of leadership. The major gap is widely created from top-bottom theory which evolves the political structure which feeds into the cycle of economics.

Yes there could be legitimacy problems which could be a cognitive aspect emanating from the 2018 election process but there could be more to it other than legitimacy problems.

The major question is how this gap should be closed or rather, does the gap exist. I can count Presidents who carried legitimacy tags on them and situational politics have generally taken shape, for example we have Edgar Lungu of Zambia, he had issues in 2016, but he has managed the politics very well, we have Uhuru in Kenya and he has managed the progression very well, we have others around the world, so my simple question is that is it about legitimacy or there could be more to it?

I can give you a simple one, on Information ministry which was managed by Jonathan Moyo previously, and the current team is struggling to balance particularly Hon Mutsvangwa who needs some technicalities and spinning on her part which she is lacking.

Some of these gaps can easily generate into civil strides. We have critical ministries like industry & commerce, energy, Finance and Economic Development etc , the vacuum which they have created depicts the normal human standards of any living society.

During Mugabe era, pick any primary pupil he or she would give you the list of cabinet ministers, and there is a shift mainly because of the way the current administration is handling governance matters. There is a serious wide gap between citizens and the Government.

There should be some semblance of respect even though legitimacy tag remains on the forehead of the regime. Let’s take for instance, the anti-sanction march which gobbled over 4 million, whoever advised ED to go for that is not progressive and destructive.

Look at the attendance of the general populace, the empty stadium and the general flop of the whole idea. If it was during Mugabe era, the national sports stadium was going to be easily filled. Was it a structure problem or it was capital appeal requirement?

Some of these researches must be conducted timeously to produce quality results for proper guidance and direction of the country. Why would the regime focus on the old song of sanction mantra, supposed they wanted to propagate their propaganda machinery into something reasonable?

The PR team failed to make sense on this one. Let’s go on the gift of public speaking. Let’s put Mugabe, ED , Chamisa and Tsvangirai on the table. Rhetorically speaking, Chamisa easily filled into Tsvangirai’s shoes of which ED is failing to do henceforth the public denial to forgive him. Image building is very important particularly for those people in high offices, when to speak using high tone and when to speak low.

The tone of emphasis on key matters is crucial. Several times I go through twitter rants from Nick Mangwana and team and there is a wider gap which is in the political spectrum.

Lastly I would want to touch on the serious vacuum which is beckoning mainly from the generational consensus.

You honestly tell me that in Zanu PF, there are no educated young people to occupy those ministerial posts such as Information, Finance and other critical offices? The image of the Government reflects the old ways of doing things and there is need for paradigm shift on approach.

Those cabinet briefings usually done every Tuesday are portrayed as public stunts and does not add up to people’s expectations. Grass-roots connectivity is the best practice in any governance style. Propaganda has destroyed the little trust that existed the citizens and the Government.

Look at the way Jonathan Moyo did his spinning and how the current team is doing their spinning? Spinning is an art which should be mastered. Some of the rants are so embarrassing and political novice.

 As an independent advisor and researcher I can safely say there are key areas which I feel needs critical attention on Mnangagwa’s Government:

1. PR team needs to be reviewed
2. Image building is critical for his office
3. Advisory team must be sacked
4.  Voice projection on public platforms
5. Mugabe way of doing things
6. Wider gap between the old aged and young stock
7. Political will
8. Reluctance on key major economic and political reforms

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is a Policy and Research advisor and he can be contacted at [email protected]

By A Correspondent- A South African firm is  repairing aged sewage pipes in Bulawayo after it was recently granted a tender by the city.

The firm Cesor Trading Private Limited is replacing old pipes in Pumula, Tshabalala and Nkulumane.

The project is funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) and started in September 2018.

Cesor official, Alfon Moyo said the pipes are being donated from South Africa.

They have so far covered 2 500kms in which 98kms gobbled US$1000.

By A Correspondent- Government has applauded the Zimbabwe Young Nurses’ Association for volunteering to work at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals during the festive season.

Speaking during a tour of the hospital yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said he was impressed by the gesture shown by the student nurses.

“We have been informed about Zimbabwe Young Nurses’ Association, who have volunteered to work at the hospital during this festive season,” Dr Moyo said.

“I think it’s a good initiative. We are grateful that they came to give assistance because we will always need additional personnel, especially the nurses, because already we are short-staffed. The establishment is low and we want to improve our establishment.”

Minister Moyo said Government was going to grant those who had volunteered to work at the hospital first preference when hiring nurses.

“I’m also happy to note that they have come forward instead of just sitting at home and not utilising their skills which they spent so many years acquiring at school,” he said.

“I have said to the Health Services Board, since Cabinet and Treasury approved 700 nursing posts, we must give first preference to these nurses who volunteered their services so their list will be given top priority among those who are going to be engaged.

“Already, we had requested for more nurses, so we are just finalising the paperwork.”

One of the volunteer student nurses, Mr Dumisani Majongwe, said they had decided to work during the festive season because most nurses were on holiday.

“We wanted to cover that gap and give a helping hand during the festive season,” he said. Meanwhile, the chief executive of Sally Mugabe Hospital (formerly Harare Hospital), Dr Tinashe Dhobbie, said all doctors were back at work.

“We are anticipating the opening of our outpatients’ department after the holidays but we are thankful that the doctors have heeded the call by His Excellency President Mnangagwa. “We are not turning away any patients; we are admitting all those who need to be admitted to our hospital,” said Dr Dhobbie.

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals clinical director Dr Aspect Maunganidze said services were back to normal at the hospital.

“All our junior doctors are back at work and service delivery is back to normal. As the year starts, we are planning on attending to more patients,” Dr Maunganidze said.

-StateMedia

TRADERS at a new shopping mall at corner Robert Mugabe and Chinhoyi streets in Harare were left counting their loses after their goods worth thousands of dollars were destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning.

Police National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying the cause of the fire is not yet known .

“Our teams are on the ground carrying out investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage,” he said.

Assistant Divisional Officer in the City of Harare’s emergency services department Mr Phillip Marufu said they could not ascertain the cause of the fire because of extent of the damage to the building which formerly housed Agribank.

Watch video downloading below:

https://www.facebook.com/ZimEye/viseos/2849569278437585

A KADOMA traditional healer is on the run after reportedly administering 32 injections of traditional medicines resulting in their deaths.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident.

Kakohwa said the incident happened in Mukutukutu village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera.

He said the traditional healer Kudakwashe Ziwange (33) from Kadoma visited his mother Mweya Munhanzvu (52) in Buhera.

He was approached on December 24 at around 3pm by Peneil Zvinowanda (69), who was seeking treatment for chronic backache and leg ailment which had been troubling him for 20 years.

Ziwange administered 17 injections of traditional medicines on Zvinowanda’s back and legs.

The following day, Zvinowanda’s health deteriorated as he was walking back home. He sat by the roadside where his brother Tawanda Nyamande found him and took him home.

Zvinowanda developed blisters all over the body and started to bleed from his mouth and nose, leading to his death.

He died at around 3pm on Christmas Day and a report was made the following day at Murambinda Police Station.

In another matter, Ellen Marime (57) who was suffering from leg problems approached Ziwange on December 24 seeking medication.

She was administered 15 injections of traditional medicine and her health deteriorated the following day. She was taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital by relatives where she died upon arrival.

Marime also bled from her mouth and nose and had razor cuts all over her body.

The United Nations warns Zimbabwe faces another poor harvest this year because of patchy rains, compounding problems for millions grappling with drought and the worst economic crisis in a decade.

Soaring inflation, shortages foreign exchange, fuel and electricity brought back memories of the hyperinflation of a decade ago, amid criticism that President Emmerson Mnangagwa failed to turn the economy around.

“This season’s rains are again late and inadequate, with planted seed failing to germinate in many areas,” the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a statement.

“Forecasts of continuing hot and dry weather in the weeks ahead signal another poor harvest in April, putting lives and livelihoods at risk.”

Maize output fell 50% to 900,000 tons this year according to official data. Government plans to import 800,000 tons to make up the deficit.

Facing soaring prices for seed, fertiliser and chemicals, some farmers reduced planting during the summer cropping season that started in November, farmer unions said.

A majority of Zimbabweans live in rural areas and survive on farming. The southern African nation has only had one year of normal rainfall in the past five, according to WFP officials.

WFP says it needs $200 million in the first half of next year to assist 4.1 million Zimbabweans.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said government will spend $133 million on subsidies for maize meal to keep the price of the most consumed food affordable.

The economic crisis led to growing political tensions, with police clamping down on dissent, leading to opposition claims Mnangagwa is reverting to harsh tactics seen under the late Robert Mugabe’s rule.

THE government has said it can do little or nothing to stop schools from demanding groceries as part of tuition fees, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.

A number of schools around the country are now demanding some groceries as part of tuition fees to beat inflation.

This is at a time when the majority of schools have increased their tuition fees several fold citing the hyper-inflationary environment.

Ziyambi told Senate recently that the Education ministry was aware that schools were also demanding groceries, but said it was the duty of parents and guardians to resist such during school development committee (SDC) meetings.

“The question that he has raised can only be addressed at the SDC meetings because that is where the school and parents agree as to how they will charge to ensure that their children can get adequate education. For me to give a substantive answer on issues that the parents have sat down and deliberated on how to ensure that the school provides a service, I would be lying,” Ziyambi said in response to a question by Senator Chief Clemence Nyabvudzi Nembire on what measures government was taking to stop schools from demanding groceries.

Ziyambi added that the Education Act was clear that the Education ministry’s hands were tied on the issue.

“It (Act) says that schools are supposed to sit with parents and agree on the pegging of fees. Those who sit in the meeting are the school and parents and they are the school development association. The consensus and recommendations is what is taken to the Ministry of Education,” he said.

“The response that I gave does not even require the Minister of Education to come and explain to say that at the school called Chipaga, the parents sat down and agreed that they are going to bring cooking oil for their children to get proper food such as chips, but the Minister cannot come in and say no, that is not right. Children cannot bring cooking oil for the children to get chips, but if he was saying that there is a school that has raised fees without the consent of parents, that is a different issue; we can agree.”

NewsDay

By A Correspondent| A Chipinge man was killed in front of his relatives and friends when an unidentified man shot him straight on the forehead just a few hours into the new year.

The South African-based lecturer, Sam Mambande was gunned down in the early hours of the new year after spending the entire night celebrating with family and friends at a popular drinking spot in Chipinge’s Gaza high-density suburb.

Eye witnesses who spoke to ZBC News said the shooting incident happened while the revellers were on their way home when Mambande approached the shooter’s car to inquire why he was parked in the middle of the road blocking traffic coming from the same leisure spot.

It is alleged that the killer then came out of his car, pulled a gun and shot the deceased before fleeing the scene.

“We were coming out of this bar when we saw a car parked in the middle of the road. He (Mambande) then hooted and went to ask why the driver was blocking the road thus when he was shot and they fled. We only managed to take the number plates of the vehicle”, narrated one of the relatives who was in the vehicle.

“I was sweeping the compound when I heard the noise, I thought it was fireworks but it was a gunshot,” a relative said.

“We are requesting the police to protect us, these cases have become frequent in Chipinge,” one of the residents said.

Family members said the unfortunate event has happened barely a week after burying the deceased’s mother.

Meanwhile, Police Officer Commanding Chipinge District, Chief Superintendent Trustworthy Makunike said they are still conducting investigations on the matter. He however cautioned residents to be on high alert especially this festive season when crime rates are high.

Police are yet to apprehend the suspected killer.

-State Media

BINGA district development co-ordinator Lydia Banda-Ndethi has been demoted for allegedly boycotting a function where Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga was officiating, the Southern Eye has established.

Banda is alleged to have violated sections of the Public Service Regulations by choosing to attend a non-governmental organisation (NGO) programme instead of Chiwenga’s event held in July 2018 at Manjolo Business Centre.

According to a misconduct charge sheet dated December 17 signed by one Z.R Churu (Disciplinary Authority) on behalf of the Local Government permanent secretary, Banda violated section 44 (2) (a) as read with paragraphs 2 and 24 of the first schedule (section 2) of the Public Service Regulations, 2000 as amended.

Investigations against Banda, who is now deputy director local governance in the provincial development co-ordinator’s office, Matabeleland North, were conducted between August 19 and 21, 2019, Churu said.

“You allegedly prematurely left the function that the Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Chiwenga was officiating in July 2018 at the Manjolo Business Centre opting to attend to a NGO programme. You had lopsided priorities to the extent that the activities of NGOs were taking precedence ahead of government business,” the misconduct charge sheet reads.

Banda also stands accused of failing to hold government-funded national events such as the Heroes Day commemorations among other acts of misconduct.

“Heroes commemorations have allegedly not been held in the district at least since 2015 when you assumed duty in Binga district. During your tenure in Binga district, you allegedly routinely left chiefs to meet on their own during monthly meetings while your prioritised other errands.”

By so doing she allegedly violated paragraph 2 of the Public Service Regulations, 2000 as amended which states, “improper, negligent, inefficient or incompetent performance of duties.”

Her actions were said to be inconsistent with, and prejudicial to the discharge of duties that the Civil Service vested in her.

Banda was given no later than 14 days to respond to the charges from the day of receipt of the letter.

In an interview, Banda said her lawyer had advised her not to give her side of the story yet to the media. “My lawyer advised me not to give my side of the story to the media as it would problematic in the future,” Banda said yesterday.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=573681470084645

https://youtu.be/iaRjvqGaYg0

By A Correspondent| The Fire Brigade is still investigating the cause of the fire which destroyed a building at the Corner of Robert Mugabe and Chinhoyi Street.

Fire Brigade Divisional officer Clever Mafoti said they believe the fire could have started way before it was noticed and when the fire fighters arrived the inferno had already engulfed most of the property inside the building.

“It was difficult for us to know the cause of the fire because when we arrived at the scene 99 percent of it had been destroyed,” he said.

“We received a call at 0042hrs and were at the scene at 0047hrs. There were no witnesses to tell us what could have happened,”

He said signs at the scene indicate that the fire might have active inside the building with no one noticing.

The fire was put off around 0800 hours.

Getting ready for tough decisions and difficult steps ahead! pic.twitter.com/PAKV5z0LJs

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 2, 2020

Chinese firm Sunny Yi Feng has said weighing coins for their over 1193 employees is "a fast way of giving them their cushioning allowance and not their salaries". Do you think that this money is a cushioning allowance or its their salaries?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 2, 2020

By Business Reporter- The Chinese company at the centre of a leaked video of workers being paid in coins has spoken.

Sunny Yi Feng is the same company previously in trouble with Norton MP Temba Mliswa.

Sunny Yi Feng employs 1 193 locals and is producing 30 000 – 35 000 square metres of quality tiles per day for both the local and export market. 70% of the tiles are exported to countries in the region including South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and the DRC.

Publishing on new years’ eve, Sunny Yi Feng Tiles said:

“It looks like there is a bit of misconception on this video trending. Considering the harsh economic environment we are operating in we give of valued staff cushion allowances. It’s of great importance for all our valuable stakeholders to understand that these are not salaries.

“Some might be shocked by the use of scale to weigh money , this is indeed a creative way of making a quick payments to our 1700 employees. We have the understanding that coins contain the same value in terms or value and weight and therefore the values are homogeneous.”

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has pledged to create jobs in 2020 but political analysts are sceptical of the ruling party’s ability to do so.

Below is an article that was published by a state run publication:

Zanu PF national spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo has told the Herald that the party will soon be issuing its 2020 resolutions which are shaped by the party’s recently held Annual People’s Conference.

The ZANU PF conference resolved on a number of issues which the party said would be used to guide the government.

Among other things, the ZANU PF 18th Annual National People’s Conference that was held in Goromonzi, resolved to create jobs, establish gold centres and promote value addition and beneficiation.

The party also resolved that the collapsed industry needs to be revived, one of the avenues through which jobs can be created.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

By A Correspondent- An unnamed Chinese club is angling to “hijack” one of their rivals, who invited Prince Dube for an assessment following reports that they want to sign him outright.

Dube’s Ireland-based agents Joe Mart Sports and Events as well as Highlanders are keeping a tight lid on the player’s move to China, with two clubs reportedly interested in the Bosso star.

The 22-year-old national team striker sneaked out of the country on Christmas Eve to China to attend trials at a yet to be named Chinese club but reports have surfaced that another club has tabled an offer.

It is believed that the offer is “less-lucrative” than the one the 2019 Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up could get from the team which invited him for trials.

“His handlers (Joe Mart Sports and Events) have been handling the issue and are in constant communication with the club and this is why you saw the chief executive officer (Nhlanhla Dube) at the offices during the holidays.

“Another player (club) has come in and offered to sign Prince without trials but the team which invited him for trials has better financial muscle than these ones who want him without trials,” said the source.

Writing on their website joemartsportsandevents.com, Dube’s handlers revealed that clubs in Dubai, Morocco and Sweden have shown interest in the striker, who scored seven league goals for Bosso.

Dube was also instrumental in inspiring Highlanders to Chibuku Super Cup glory, scoring at every stage of the tournament.

The Bosso hitman had an unsuccessful stint with South African side SuperSport United after joining in July 2017 before returning to Highlanders at the beginning of 2019 to relaunch his career.

He became a vital component for Bosso, who had a poor start to the season, but ended strongly to finish sixth on the league table.

The 22-year-old Highlanders hitman finished the season in style as he scored an incredible goal in Chibuku Super Cup final to clinch the cup.

“He also finished top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations Championships qualifiers with four goals. He also went on to win the runners-up medal for best player in the league. This undoubtedly set him up well for a number of clubs seeking his signature.

“Wydad Casablanca, Difaa Hassani D’el Jadida in Morocco, Al Ain in UAE and Dgugardens in Sweden all made clear intents to sign the player.

“However, the player seems to be heading for China where two teams have also confirmed interest in signing him,” reads a statement on the Joe Mart Sports and Events website.

Highlanders spokesperson Ronald Moyo said: “When the time is right, we will issue a statement.” 

-StateMedia

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Jane Mlambo| A circulating notice from one of the state owned universities the Midlands State University (MSU) reveals a steep rise in tuition fees, making university education beyond the reach of many especially civil servants who would need up to 10 months to raise the required amount for a single semester.

The new fees ranging from ZWL$6 500 to ZWL$51 000 will result in many bright students failing to enrol, thus perpetuating poverty cycle as most families especially in rural areas rely on education as the gateway out of poverty.

Find below the proposed fees schedule by the Midlands State University.

WATCH VIDEO LOADING BELOW….