Zimbabwe’s economy is on the right path and Government continues to craft policies that seek to protect investments while creating an environment for business to thrive, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

He said this while officially opening the second phase of Varun Beverages’ manufacturing plant installed at a cost of US$20 million in Harare.

Varun Beverages is the world’s second largest franchise (outside the US) of carbonated soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages sold under trademarks owned by PepsiCo.

It produces many brands such as Pepsi, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, Sting and Seven-Up among others.

President Mnangagwa said to demonstrate Government’s determination to improve the ease of doing business, Senate passed the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) Bill this week.

The ZIDA Bill seeks to streamline and simplify investment procedures in the country through the creation of a one-stop investment centre.

It is part of a raft of reforms being implemented to ease investment processes in the country.

President Mnangagwa said Government would continue opening up the economy for investors.

“We are moving in the right direction by opening up and allowing protection of investments in Zimbabwe and creating economic space for business to thrive and those who have talent among us should be allowed to exercise that talent.

“This investment feeds into our national Vision 2030 and complements milestones committed in the 2020 national budget, gearing for higher productivity, growth and job creation, especially for women and youth,” said President Mnangagwa.

He commended Varun Beverages for the confidence it had shown in the country through continued investments.

“In 2018, I commissioned a US$30 million bottling plant and today, I congratulate and applaud Varun Beverages, for establishing yet another state-of-the-art plant and additional production lines with a total (value) of US$20 million.
“This additional investment shows the continued trust and confidence Varun has in doing business in Zimbabwe.

My Government will continue to create an enabling environment to ease the convenience and cost of doing business and ensure that the country is a safe, attractive and competitive investment destination.

“This drive is already bearing fruits with the World Bank acknowledging Zimbabwe as one of the top global improvers in 2019.”State media

ZANU PF MIDLANDS Province yesterday laid to rest two liberation war heroes, days after another one was also buried at the provincial heroes’ acre in Gweru.

Those buried yesterday at the provincial shrine are Cdes Fredrick Kazunga Kugara (60) whose Chimurenga name was Gondo Resango or Richard Zanu Zanla and Tadios Dziva (61) who was known as Sarudzayi Tichatonga. The two freedom fighters from Redcliff were laid to rest three days after the province had buried Cde William Kudzedzereka (61) of Mbizo suburb in Kwekwe whose Chimurenga name was T42VDAI.

Cdes Kugara and Dziva died on December 2 and 3 after short illnesses.

Addressing family members, senior Government officials and Zanu-PF supporters during the burial of the two freedom fighters, Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Larry Mavima said this was a sad week for the province and the country at large. He said Government was looking at improving the livelihoods of freedom fighters and their families so that they live to enjoy the fruits of their sacrifices.

“We are saddened to be back in less than three days. We were here burying Cde Kudzedzereka from Mbizo in Kwekwe and today we are here paying our last respects to Cdes Kugara and Dziva. These two are part of the many freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the country and we must cherish them. Government is working on improving their livelihoods and there are programmes earmarked for them that are in the pipeline,” said Minister Mavima.

He said Cde Kugara was born on February 3 1958 in Magaranhewe Village in Rushinga.

Minister Mavima said Cde Kugara joined the liberation struggle in 1975 and went to Mozambique and stayed at Magundi Machazine area in Chibaware between 1975 and 1976. “He trained as a nurse at Tembwe Base Two before proceeding to Ethiopia to further his nursing trade at Tarteck Camp. He came back and fought in Manica before going to Mhondoro,” he said.

Minister Mavima said Cde Kugara was attested into the ZNA in 1981. “He went to 5 Brigade before he was transferred to Guinea Fowl in Gweru,” he said.

In 1986, Cde Kugara married Mrs Elizabeth Mangena and rose through the ranks to the position of Warrant Officer Class Two. He said Cde Kugara was deployed under the United Nations Mission in Angola.

Minister Mavima said Cde Kugara was deployed to DRC, Eastern Front in 2001 before he retired in 2004.

“Due to his dedication, he was awarded the following medals, independence medal, liberation medal, long and exemplary service medal and the DRC campaign medal,” he said.

Cde Kugara is survived by his wife and five children.

Cde Dziva was born in 1959 in Mberengwa under Chief Muketi. “He attended Sviba Primary School from Grade one to five before joining the liberation struggle in 1972 in Mozambique. He operated in Gaza Province Two Shikuna Matenda until Ceasefire,” Minister Mavima said.

Cde Dziva was attested into the ZNA and deployed to 2:4 Infantry Battalion in Mount Darwin. He was deployed in Nyanga when 5 Bole was established under 5:1 Infantry Battalion. “Due to his dedication, he was awarded the following medals, independence medal, liberation medal, 10 years’ service medal, long and exemplary service medal Mozambique Campaign Medal and the DRC campaign medal,” he said.

Cde Dziva is survived by Mrs Elisa Dziva and three children.

-State Media

The chair of parliament’s ad hoc committee tasked with the redrafting the property clause of the constitution has rubbished suggestions that SA’s drive to address skewed land ownership patterns echoes Zimbabwe’s land grabs of two decades ago.

The catastrophic land grabs in Zimbabwe resulted in an economic and social crisis from which it has struggled to recover. Under former president Robert Mugabe’s land reform programme between 2000 and 2001, thousands of white farmers were forced from their farms, often violently. However, earlier in the year, the Zimbabwean government said it will start paying compensation to many white farmers who lost land, as it ramps up efforts to mend ties with the West.

It set aside $17.5m in this year’s budget for the compensation drive.

There are growing fears that wholesale expropriation without compensation will discourage investment in SA, threaten food security and negatively affect economic activity and job creation. This at a time when the country is battling to tackle low growth and high unemployment.

“I went to Zimbabwe to talk to politicians and other people [and asked] whether they have been observing what we are doing and whether there are similarities on how they handled things and how we handle things, and they said no,” committee chair Mathole Motshekga said on Thursday.

“This is because in Zimbabwe we had Zanu-PF. It was not a multi-party [process] like ours. Here we can pride ourselves on not being a one party state; we are a multi-party democracy and we listen to all the voices. So there is no comparison between us and Zimbabwe,” he said.

The Banking Association SA (Basa), the industry body representing all registered banks in the country, has previously said that while it is essential for the country to deal with land reform‚ it has to be done without discouraging investment.

During public hearings in 2018, Basa warned that a policy of  expropriation without compensation would result in high levels of debt impairments and the value of property as security would be reduced‚ with many investors looking to divest from property to avoid future losses.

Section 25 of the constitution

In 2018, parliament agreed to establish a multi-party, ad hoc committee after it adopted a report of the constitutional review committee on the review of section 25. The report recommended that parliament amend section 25 of the constitution to make explicit that which is implicit regarding expropriation of land without compensation, as a legitimate option to tackle skewed land ownership patterns dating back to the apartheid and colonial eras.

The committee met on Thursday to consider the nuts and bolts of how the clause should be redrafted. This process will require further public participation and the final bill is likely to be published by the end of March 2020.

The draft bill suggests that national legislation must set out specific circumstances in which a court may determine that the amount of compensation be nil, which specific circumstances are yet to be outlined.

So there could be a situation in which payment for expropriated land is not made but this “must be just and equitable, reflecting an equitable balance between the public interest and the interests of those affected, having regard to all relevant circumstances”.

The DA and other opposition parties, including the ACDP, remain firmly opposed to expropriating land without compensation. ACDP MP Steve Swart said it is also crucial for the committee to consider an opinion by the department of trade and industry regarding the impact on the economy, particularly as SA is rapidly approaching a fiscal cliff.

In November, department officials warned against expropriating land owned by foreign nationals, saying it contravenes existing bilateral investment treaties, adding that doing so could also result in SA being denied access to key markets, such as the US.

-Source: Business Day (SA)

Zimbabwe’s economy is on the right path and Government continues to craft policies that seek to protect investments while creating an environment for business to thrive, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

He said this while officially opening the second phase of Varun Beverages’ manufacturing plant installed at a cost of US$20 million in Harare.

Varun Beverages is the world’s second largest franchise (outside the US) of carbonated soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages sold under trademarks owned by PepsiCo.

It produces many brands such as Pepsi, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, Sting and Seven-Up among others.

President Mnangagwa said to demonstrate Government’s determination to improve the ease of doing business, Senate passed the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) Bill this week.

The ZIDA Bill seeks to streamline and simplify investment procedures in the country through the creation of a one-stop investment centre.

It is part of a raft of reforms being implemented to ease investment processes in the country.

President Mnangagwa said Government would continue opening up the economy for investors.

“We are moving in the right direction by opening up and allowing protection of investments in Zimbabwe and creating economic space for business to thrive and those who have talent among us should be allowed to exercise that talent.

“This investment feeds into our national Vision 2030 and complements milestones committed in the 2020 national budget, gearing for higher productivity, growth and job creation, especially for women and youth,” said President Mnangagwa.

He commended Varun Beverages for the confidence it had shown in the country through continued investments.

“In 2018, I commissioned a US$30 million bottling plant and today, I congratulate and applaud Varun Beverages, for establishing yet another state-of-the-art plant and additional production lines with a total (value) of US$20 million.
“This additional investment shows the continued trust and confidence Varun has in doing business in Zimbabwe.

My Government will continue to create an enabling environment to ease the convenience and cost of doing business and ensure that the country is a safe, attractive and competitive investment destination.

“This drive is already bearing fruits with the World Bank acknowledging Zimbabwe as one of the top global improvers in 2019.”State media

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a boy (13) from Bulawayo who allegedly finished an undiluted 750ml bottle of brandy in less than an hour.

The brandy has an alcohol percentage of 43 percent compared to ordinary beer that has between three and seven percent alcohol content. 

Sources alleged that Clayton Mhlanga of Entumbane suburb was forced to drink the alcohol by his older friends, but a statement given to the police suggests that he guzzled the liquor alone in their car while his friends were watching soccer at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

He died on Sunday from suspected alcohol poisoning. 

The group had gone to watch the Chibuku Cup final pitting Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Family members said Clayton’s hands and tongue turned black as he lay comatose at home.

He was expected to be buried at Athlone Extension Cemetery on Thursday.

Clayton’s older friends Mthunzi Malaba (22), Thobani Ncube and Likhwa Dube — all from the same suburb — have allegedly disappeared.

They told police that they had left the boy in their car while they watched the Chibuku Cup final which Highlanders won 1-0. 

They also claimed that when they returned, they found the boy had downed the brandy and was in a semi-conscious state.

 Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.

“On November 30 at around 2PM, the deceased went to Barbourfields Stadium to watch the match with his friends. The now deceased was left guarding the car. After the match, the three friends returned and realised that the now deceased had consumed undiluted alcohol which they had left in the car,” she said.

Chief Insp Simango said the friends took Clayton to his parents’ house at around 10PM and handed him over to his stepfather Mr Emmanuel Sibanda.

 “Sibanda tried to talk to the now deceased and he was not responding. He sprinkled some water on him but he did not respond and he later laid him on his bed,” she said.

On December 1, the boy’s health had seriously deteriorated.

“His father gave him some porridge and water. After consumption he vomited everything and his condition seriously deteriorated. At around 3PM he showed no signs of life,” said Chief Insp Simango.

Clayton’s grandmother, who declined to be named, said the family did not know what happened to him.

“We cannot tell you anything pertaining to the death of our son. We are being told that he drank ‘hot stuff’,” she said.

The granny said what remains mysterious is that his tongue and hands had turned black.

“The post-mortem results said his kidneys were swollen, his tummy was full of water and some drops of alcohol were also found in the tummy. So, if it is alcohol that caused his death then why has his tongue and hands turned black. We suspect that there might be foul play by his friends,” she said.

-State Media

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a boy (13) from Bulawayo who allegedly finished an undiluted 750ml bottle of brandy in less than an hour.

The brandy has an alcohol percentage of 43 percent compared to ordinary beer that has between three and seven percent alcohol content.

Sources alleged that Clayton Mhlanga of Entumbane suburb was forced to drink the alcohol by his older friends, but a statement given to the police suggests that he guzzled the liquor alone in their car while his friends were watching soccer at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

He died on Sunday from suspected alcohol poisoning.

The group had gone to watch the Chibuku Cup final pitting Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Family members said Clayton’s hands and tongue turned black as he lay comatose at home.State media

The Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services portfolio committee said soldiers and police officers are being poorly fed, a situation that compromises their discipline and poses a grave danger to national security.

Committee chair, Levi Mayihlome, said that whereas rations are a mandatory requirement, each soldier is feeding on nine rations instead of the ideal 15 rations items per day. He added:

“The nine ration items per soldier per day translate to $54,98 per soldier per day. A paltry $103,17 million was allocated for this item, it is far below the minimum requirement.

“It means that each soldier will survive on 39 cents per day, yet each meal is currently selling at an average price of $30.

“This implies that the soldiers are exposed to intolerable hunger which affects training and skills development programmes. It compromises the soldiers’ discipline.”

In his 2020 national budget presentation last month, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube allocated $3,11 billion and $2,8 billion to the Defence and Home Affairs ministries respectively.

However, according to the Committee, the funds are not adequate to meet the requirements of the security services.

– DailyNews

VICE-President General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga is on the brink of divorcing his wife, ex model Marry Chiwenga, after the pair had a nasty fallout when he was seriously ill and hospitalised in South Africa.

Family members and government officials say the fallout revolved around personal matters related to Marry’s behaviour and her attempt to have Chiwenga write a will, in which she would have been the largest beneficiary of the couple’s vast estate in the event that he dies.

At the time, most members of Chiwenga’s family, as well as government officials, had ruled out the general’s hopes of recovery. Senior Zanu PF officials had also begun jostling for his post, while others pushed for him to be dropped from government on the grounds that he was incapacitated.

Chiwenga and Marry have been living separately after the Vice-President moved into another house on arrival from China, where he was hospitalised for four months, before staging a remarkable recovery.

Chiwenga has instructed his lawyer Wilson Manase to handle divorce proceedings and the Zimbabwe Independent understands the matter will be heard soon, possibly by Judge President George Chiweshe who has since received the papers.

Chiweshe is a former Judge Advocate-General in the Zimbabwe National Army. Sources told the Independent he received the divorce papers directly instead of through the Registrar of the High Court to ensure they do not leak.

“The general was livid when the proposal (to write a will) was made. He was weak and emacipated, but summoned all the energy he had to let Marry know his feelings. He accused her of wanting him dead and even suggested that she could be working with his political rivals to poison or bewitch him,” a government official said.

“He then barred her from seeing him. When arrangements were made for the VP to be flown to China, she was kept in the dark. The general also made it clear that he did not want to see her while in China and that is the reason why she never visited him in Beijing when he was hospitalised there for four months.”

Officials said Chiwenga has not tried to hide his disdain for his wife even in public.“That is the reason why Marry was not part of the welcoming party at the Robert Mugabe International Airport when the general returned. It was not a coincidence. It was by design,” the official said.

“Marry was also not at the Chiwenga homestead last weekend when the general held a welcome home party. He did not mention her when he was mentioning people who stood by him when he was ill.”

In his remarks at the party, Chiwenga paid glowing gratitude to Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro who accompanied him to South Africa, India and China as he sought treatment for an ailment his loyalists link to poisoning.

He also mentioned the aides who stuck by his side during his four-month stay in Beijing as he convalesced. Chiwenga jetted into the country on November 23 and was received at the airport by Chinese embassy officials, his son Richard and other relatives.

Officials revealed Chiwenga did not return to his Borrowdale Brooke home, but chose to stay at one of his nearby properties, which was furnished a few weeks before his arrival.

With the matter set to spill into the courts, sources said, lawyers representing Chiwenga have been instructed to push for a court order barring the media from reporting on the divorce proceedings.

In 2012, Chiwenga, then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, also sought and was granted a court order to gag the media when he was in the process of divorcing Jocelyn, before he married Marry.

A weak and emacipated Chiwenga was airlifted to China in July after President Emmerson Mnangagwa engaged Chinese leader Xi Xinping on his behalf.

He underwent two operations to clear his oesophagus which was blocked resulting in him failing to eat food.

Marry confirmed that she indeed never visited him in China during the time the vice-president was hospitalised, but referred questions to Chiwenga, whom she said was the best person to confirm whether the couple was still staying together.

“You have his number. The VP’s number. If you find it you can ask him those questions. He is the best person who can answer that question. Inini handina chekupindura (I have nothing to say). Remember, it is the vice-president who came back. So it is him whom you must ask. “I was here, it was him who was not around. I am sure he will tell you. You know I cannot speak on his behalf. I was not in China, I was here. That is why I said the best person to ask is him. I have nothing to say.”

Marry said on the vice-president’s recovery “journey”, a “lot of things” happened and suggested that she had done her part to assist.“A lot of things happened while he was in China, but our journey did not start in China. China was only the last part of the journey. You have to ask him how he got to India, you must ask him. There is someone who initiated all this.

“This also applies to you. If you fall sick who is going to initiate that you are taken to the hospital? Isn’t it the person that you stay with? So that is why I am saying it is only fair that you get to speak to him. As I said, I am not the one who was in China. It is the VP who was in China. You should say to him zvanzi nambuya venyu imi ndimi manga muri kuChina vanokupindurayi. (Say to him Marry says you were in China, he should be able to answer you.”

Efforts to get a comment from Chiwenga’s lawyer, Manase were futile as our calls went unanswered. Sources said Marry tried to mend the relationship several times while Chiwenga was in China, but to no avail. She also tried to visit, but was denied a visa.

Officials say she also tried to mend bridges through emissaries, but her efforts failed.Marry was not at Chiwenga’s home when Mnangagwa visited his deputy after his arrival from China.

But, sources said, Marry, together with her four children with the general, was later invited to visit the vice-president.“Even though she was not invited when Mnangagwa met with the general, Marry was later summoned to bring the kids to the house so that they could see their father.

“During their visit, which was not characterised by any air of animosity, the couple agreed that they would proceed with their divorce plans. The children were very excited to see their father for the first time in four months,” a government official told this newspaper this week.

The Independent understands Chiwenga wants to keep the couple’s matrimonial home, which he said was of “sentimental value to him” when he was divorcing Jocylene.

In the face of the looming divorce, sources said Marry has maintained her innocence, distancing herself from allegations that she could have given a hand around reports that the former general was poisoned.

In the aftermath of the November 2017 millitary coup, Marry and Chiwenga developed a rare skin ailment which affected their hands and skin complexion.

Chiwenga’s close associates believe he was poisoned by political rivals. The vice-president led the coup, which toppled former president Robert Mugabe and catapulted Mnangagwa to power.

The two’s relationship was, however, strained soon after the coup over transitional arrangements, government appointments as well as Chiwenga’s presidential ambitions.

When Chiwenga was in the process of divorcing Jocelyn, the veil was lifted on his vast wealth empire consisting of prime land, several residential and industrial stands, expensive jewellery, homes and vehicles among other material possessions.

Before marrying the former general in 2012, Marry was wife to former football star Shingayi Kawondera.In July, Kawondera sued Marry for US$700 000, claiming that she fraudulently obtained a divorce order against him to facilitate her marriage to the then army commander.

— Zimbabwe Independent

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu has hinted that Emmerson Mnangagwa can rule beyond 2028.

According to party insiders, Mpofu recently told his boss (Mnangagwa) that Parliament can amend the constitution for him to have more than two terms.

Mpofu said:
“Mr President, you can go beyond 2028 if you so wish because the issue of law can be taken care of in Parliament.”

The ruling Zanu-PF party has dismissed social media reports on the alleged formation of a political outfit calling itself “Zanu-PF Original” as misleading and an insult to the values and ethos of the liberation struggle.

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said the ruling party’s debarred members now operating from exile under the so-called “G40” banner, were behind the attempt to create instability and chaos in the country.

He said the alleged formation of the new political party by the G40 malcontents should be dismissed with contempt.

“The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the ‘Zanu-PF Original’ is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

“The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents,” he said.

Cde Khaya Moyo urged the party’s leadership and membership to protect the party’s identity from misleading malcontents who wanted to foment instability in the country.

“The ruling revolutionary Zanu-PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s party from political wolves whose major preoccupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved nation.

“Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter. Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted and property destroyed,” he said.

Cde Khaya Moyo added: “The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary Zanu-PF (Zanu Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then Zanu and Zapu parties with their armed liberation armies comprising ZANLA and ZIPRA respectively.

“All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front. The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of December 22, 1987.”

Former Zanu-PF National Political Commissar and ex-Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has been reported to be the brains behind the alleged formation of the party.

Kasukuwere is living in self-imposed exile in South Africa.

— State Media

PRESS RELEASE

The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the “ZANU PF Original” is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter.

Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted and property destroyed.

The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary ZANU PF (ZANU Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then ZANU and ZAPU parties with their armed liberation armies comprising of ZANLA and ZIPRA respectively.

All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front.

The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of 22 December 1987.

The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents.

The ruling revolutionary ZANU PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s Party from political wolves whose major pre-occupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved Nation.
The formation of this outfit must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.
Vigilance is the watchword.

Ambassador S.K Moyo
ZANU PF SPOKESPERSON

By A Correspondent- A group of doctors here intend to build a hospital in Zimbabwe specialising in Chinese medicine and a feasibility study for the project will be done at the beginning of next year, renowned Chinese medical practitioner Dr Pan Guanghua revealed yesterday.

The cost of the project could not be immediately established but it is expected to create hundreds of jobs and serve citizens, some of whom were seeking specialised treatment abroad.

This comes as Zimbabwe has struck a deal with a company called Guangzhou Yanhao Trading to buy oxygen generators at a low price, almost half of the market price.

The machines purify air to make oxygen for medical use.

Oxygen is one of the major cost drivers in the health sector and Zimbabwe consumes over 120 tonnes of oxygen worth over $4 million per month.

“The acquisition of such a plant for every hospital will help in reducing Government expenditure. Hospitals are facing varied logistical challenges in bringing gas to their institutions.

“There is also one supplier of medical oxygen. The availability of such specialised equipment will help save the country’s foreign currency,” said Dr Bernard Madzima, a health expert who is part of the Zimbabwe delegation here.

The announcement of the hospital project is a major success for First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who has taken it upon herself to improve people’s access to good healthcare and medicines.

The First Lady is Zimbabwe’s health ambassador.

Addressing Zimbabwe’s delegation here on Thursday, Dr Guanghua said a Chinese team will be dispatched to Harare soon and implored Government to make land available for the project.

“All over the world, Chinese medicine is the best above the rest. So I have friends and partners who want us to assist Zimbabwe’s health sector and we want to establish a hospital there dealing with Chinese medicine.

“We are ready to go and beginning of next year, we will send a team to conduct a feasibility study. It will be up to the Government of Zimbabwe to allocate us land for the hospital. We also want to create employment as the hospital will train and employ locals.”

Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr Madzima was awestruck by their readiness to help Zimbabwe improve efficiency and service delivery in the health sector.

“Our Chinese counterparts are willing to support the Ministry of Health and Child Care in rejuvenating our Traditional Medicine Programme.

“The ministry has for years been trying to have vibrant traditional medicine programmes to complement our usual Western medicine and our local medicine but have not really succeeded,” he said.

Dr Madzima said there were possibilities of having people trained as the Chinese had indicated that not only were they ready to bring medicines to Zimbabwe but to actually build a hospital.

“So we are ready to engage them. We want to thank the country’s health ambassador, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is working hard day and night sourcing resources for the health sector.”

Another potential investor, Mr Shaoyou Ji from Chaoshan University, paid tribute to the friendship between China and Zimbabwe, which he said has a long history, and continues to develop in light of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“The relationship between the two countries lies in people’s mutual affinity,  in heart to heart and heart to heart lies in language.

“Language communication is the foundation of national exchanges and cooperation between two countries.

“I believe that in the near future the friends from Zimbabwe will start learning Chinese language. In order to better support foreign friends who want to learn Chinese, Xin Tong Education will fully support those who want to study Chinese through Internet technology.

“The International Youth base project will provide employment and entrepreneurship training in incubation services for young people with entrepreneurial intentions in all the countries along the Belt and Road to enhance the competitiveness and success rate of youth employment in all countries along the way,” he said.

He said it was his hope that Xin Tong Education and the Belt and Road Initiative international youth base project will join hands with the Angel of Hope Foundation.

Mr Shaoyou described the First Lady as an “angel of hope” who has given wings to the hopeless, adding that she was a model of charity.

Mrs Vicky Ruan, the foreign department manager for Guangzhou Tengen Solar Technology said her solar firm also had plans to open a branch in Zimbabwe.

Solar has become a viable alternative for Zimbabwe which is facing electricity generation problems. The country also does not have enough foreign currency to import electricity from its neighbours.

The adoption of solar energy will also reduce the country’s power import bill.

Amai Mnangagwa, at whose invitation the Zimbabwean delegation is here, praised China for standing by Zimbabwe in its time of need.

“I would like to thank the President of China and the entire nation for standing with Zimbabwe in times of need. China and Zimbabwe have a history. Since it’s we are in the new dispensation, Zimbabwe is rebuilding and on its way to recovery.

“We really need partners in the solar business for our industries, hospitals, irrigation and rural communities, to mention just a few. We need your support as we are reviving our manufacturing industry. Your help is needed for the transformation of Zimbabwe.

“I want to emphasise that we need to train our youths in different areas, hence it is important to identify areas where they can be trained in. Those who would have been trained will go back home and impart knowledge to others.”

The First Lady said Zimbabwe needed investment and invited those keen on helping Zimbabwe to do so freely. The Angel of Hope patron is in China at the invitation of Mrs Juliana Elhawary, the director of ChinaBrand International Exposition.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- In a statement, Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo accused those behind the formation of Zanu Pf Original of fomenting chaos and discord in the country adding that his party will not tolerate the formation of another political outfit using the name Zanu Pf.

Khaya Moyo said the ruling party’s debarred members now operating from exile under the so-called “G40” banner, were behind the attempt to create instability and chaos in the country under the guise of Zanu Pf Original.

He said the alleged formation of the new political party by the G40 malcontents should be dismissed with contempt.

“The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the ‘Zanu-PF Original’ is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

“The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents,” he  said.

Khaya Moyo urged the party’s leadership and membership to protect the party’s identity from misleading malcontents who wanted to foment instability in the country.

“The ruling revolutionary Zanu-PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s party from political wolves whose major preoccupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved nation.

“Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter. Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted and property destroyed,” he said.

Khaya Moyo added: “The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary Zanu-PF (Zanu Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then Zanu and Zapu parties with their armed liberation armies comprising ZANLA and ZIPRA respectively.

“All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front. The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of December 22, 1987.”

Former Zanu-PF National Political Commissar and ex-Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has been reported to be the brains behind the alleged formation of the party.

Kasukuwere is living in self-imposed exile in South Africa.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent-VICE President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday officially commissioned two Bailey bridges constructed by the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) at Kopa, Chimanimani, a development expected to bring an economic boom to a district that produces fruits, tea and timber.

The two bridges were donated to Zimbabwe by the South African government after Cyclone Idai ravaged Chimanimani killing hundreds and destroying infrastructure worth US$1 billion.

VP Chiwenga said construction of the bridges bores testimony to South Africa’s “pure love” for Zimbabwe.

“The commissioning of the two Bailey bridges marks the official handover of vital infrastructure constructed in a joint operation between the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the South African Defence Forces. Hence today we witness the fruition of that special promise by a sisterly neighbour, who quickly heeded the call to rescue us during the time of need,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe was humbled by the commitment shown by South Africa in restoring the livelihoods of the affected communities through the donation and construction of the Bailey bridges.

“This gesture demonstrates pure love by our friends from the Republic of South Africa. The construction of the two Bailey bridges marks a new era in the restoration of livelihoods to the communities in Chimanimani by investing in resilient infrastructure which will revive one of the economic hubs of our nation. The bridges have reopened the convenient lines of communication which Cyclone Idai had destroyed,” he added.

The VP challenged local companies contracted by Government to repair roads and bridges in Chimanimani and Chipinge to emulate the joint operation by the ZNA and the SANDF at Kopa, which completed their work on time.

-StateMedia

Zimbabwe’s central bank has asked the International Monetary Fund to overlook the country’s shortcomings in achieving fiscal targets and allow a programme to help restore the economy to run its course.

Eddie Cross, a member of the monetary policy committee who attended the meetings held with the Washington-based lender’s delegation yesterday, said policy makers expected a “tough report” from the IMF team, which is in the country until 11 December to review progress under a Staff Monitored Programme.

“We asked them to recognize the achievements we have made in such a short space of time,” Cross said in an interview in the capital, Harare. “We urged them to recognize that our fundamentals are now sound.”

Cross said some of the achievements include a reduction in the budget deficit, the establishment of an interbank market and reducing state employee costs.

An electronic interbank system will go live later this month as the central bank tries to bring transparency into the trading system. So far, 15 lenders have confirmed their participation.

However, the gains have been overshadowed by the worst economic crisis in a decade.

Monthly inflation surged to 38% in October and while the statistics agency has stopped publishing an annual price-growth rate, Cross puts it at 400%.

According to Bloomberg calculations, based on the statistics office’s consumer price index data, the rate was 440% in October.

A drought has also left nearly half the population of 14 million people food-insecure.

Rising food costs forced the government to make an about-turn on scrapping grain subsidies.

The government will shoulder this cost and it’s likely to attract scrutiny from the IMF after it called for tighter monetary measures and curbs on government spending in its last review.

The Staff-Monitored Programme is seen as a precursor to getting debt relief that’s needed to restore the economy, and is due to end in March.

Cross said he’s sure the IMF would “grudgingly agree” to let the program run its course.- Bloomberg

LOCAL DStv subscribers will be getting a rare treat from their service provider when they renew their subscriptions this month as they will get a free upgrade to the next bouquet package.

This promotion is only open to subscribers, whether active or in-active of the DStv Access, Family, Compact and Compact Plus bouquets when they renew subscription and it cannot be activated if a subscriber downgrades from their current or previous package at time of renewal.

The offer means an Access viewer will be upgraded to Family, Family to Compact and Compact to Compact Plus, and Compact Plus to Premium. 

Liz Dziva, MultiChoice Zimbabwe publicity and public relations manager said this promotion will run up to December 24 with the free upgrade valid for one month.

“It’s a way of thanking customers of these packages for their support and a means of adding value to their DStv experience before, during and after the festive season,” Dziva said.

She said those who have already taken advantage of this promotion which was launched last month are happy with the offer as they are getting quality festive season content.

“People who’ve already taken advantage of this Christmas bonus are reporting great satisfaction at their access to a greater number of channels and programming which includes a large amount of festive season content of course.”

Added Dziva: “This treat is all about giving exposure to a greater amount of the rich offering available on DStv. It also acknowledges the difficulties Zimbabwean subscribers face in the current economic climate. 

“The DStv experience is greatly enhanced during the festive season with additional entertainment and a whole range of holiday fun on offer to all viewers.”

DStv Premium customers, Dziva said, had not been left out as they have ongoing offers that have been created especially for them and are usually communicated directly to them.

“This time, the focus falls on the many Access, Family, Compact and Compact Plus viewers and we know they’ll enjoy this festive offer,” said Dziva. 

By A Correspondent- The ruling Zanu-PF party has dismissed social media reports on the alleged formation of a political outfit calling itself “Zanu-PF Original” as misleading and an insult to the values and ethos of the liberation struggle.

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said the ruling party’s debarred members now operating from exile under the so-called “G40” banner, were behind the attempt to create instability and chaos in the country.

He said the alleged formation of the new political party by the G40 malcontents should be dismissed with contempt.

“The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the ‘Zanu-PF Original’ is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

“The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents,” he  said.

Khaya Moyo urged the party’s leadership and membership to protect the party’s identity from misleading malcontents who wanted to foment instability in the country.

“The ruling revolutionary Zanu-PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s party from political wolves whose major preoccupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved nation.

“Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter. Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted and property destroyed,” he said.

Khaya Moyo added: “The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary Zanu-PF (Zanu Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then Zanu and Zapu parties with their armed liberation armies comprising ZANLA and ZIPRA respectively.

“All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front. The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of December 22, 1987.”

Former Zanu-PF National Political Commissar and ex-Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has been reported to be the brains behind the alleged formation of the party.

Kasukuwere is living in self-imposed exile in South Africa.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- 2 Harare residents have approached the High Court seeking damages in excess of 1 Million from the government after they were evicted from Allington farm in 2016 and their homes destroyed.

The duo, Samson Chiwakata and Marlon Chiwakata, approached the court on 2 separate occasions are demanding  US$58 661,63 and US$37 596,72, respectively and an additional $500 000 each for pain and suffering.

According to the publication, one of the plaintiffs, Samson said:

The demolition of the plaintiff’s property was done without a court order to that effect and no notice was given to the plaintiff as required by law. As a result of this illegal act by the defendants, the plaintiff suffered loss in the sum of US$58 661,63 being the cost of constructing the house.

-DailyNews

Correspondent|The Zimbabwean government has failed to guarantee citizens of adequate fuel supplies in the festive season in a development set to dampen the festive mood already affected by the country’s failing economy.

Deputy energy minister Magna Mudyiwa said while there was improvement in the fuel supply, the country was not yet out of the woods.

While petrol has been relatively available, the country has experienced erratic supply of diesel.

“Particularly now that we are towards the festive season when people would want to travel to their rural homes, holiday resorts and so forth. As a Ministry, we are very much aware that our fuel has been constrained as of late and efforts are under way to ensure that we have enough fuel during the festive season,” said Mudyiwa.

“The challenge that we have is about the rollover of the lines of credit, the credit letters that have been issued for the payment of fuel. Now that process is over, I think we have seen that there is a slight improvement in our service stations. I am not saying there is total sanity there but there is some improvement and we are still working on that.

“We have been discussing with the RBZ which issues the letters of credit that they expedite the process and ensure that the fuel we need is made available and well in time before the Christmas holiday.”

By A Correspondent- The EU has taken to task ED’s government over the continued human rights abuses and the slow pace of reforms, the Independent reports.

The meeting was held a fortnight ago and the agenda was the continued human right violation and the continuous harassment of opposition parties in Zimbabwe.

EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Tim Olkkonen spoke to the publication about the meeting and said:

“We raised our concerns on the overall human rights situation, particularly in 2019. We had discussions on some of the issues which include the excessive use of force by the security forces.

We had differences in how we interpreted these events. We raised the slowness of reforms and what we hoped to have seen a faster pace both on the economic and political side.

We also discussed the transitional stabilisation programme (TSP); I think the TSP envisages a faster pace of reforms.”

It was a good discussion, very substantial. We had a very substantial agenda. We discussed political issues, human rights which we needed to discuss at these meetings, governance and the progress on economic reforms.

It was a long meeting which lasted about five hours which tells you about the interest and the level of detail we went into. Of cause we couldn’t agree on everything.

But all in all it was an in-depth discussion that we had. We raised the Mothlanthe Commission report, the EU Electoral Observer Mission report where we have not seen a lot of movement in implementation.”

-TheIndependent

State Media|The ruling Zanu-PF party has dismissed social media reports on the alleged formation of a political outfit calling itself “Zanu-PF Original” as misleading and an insult to the values and ethos of the liberation struggle.

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said the ruling party’s debarred members now operating from exile under the so-called “G40” banner, were behind the attempt to create instability and chaos in the country.

He said the alleged formation of the new political party by the G40 malcontents should be dismissed with contempt.

“The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the ‘Zanu-PF Original’ is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

“The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents,” he  said.

Khaya Moyo urged the party’s leadership and membership to protect the party’s identity from misleading malcontents who wanted to foment instability in the country.

“The ruling revolutionary Zanu-PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s party from political wolves whose major preoccupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved nation.

“Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter. Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted and property destroyed,” he said.

Khaya Moyo added: “The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary Zanu-PF (Zanu Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then Zanu and Zapu parties with their armed liberation armies comprising ZANLA and ZIPRA respectively.

“All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front. The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of December 22, 1987.”

Former Zanu-PF National Political Commissar and ex-Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has been reported to be the brains behind the alleged formation of the party.

Kasukuwere is living in self-imposed exile in South Africa.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested 10 Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officers and agents stationed at Beitbridge Border Post on allegations of smuggling vehicles into the country.

This is just a tip of what is suspected to be a very large syndicate involving 102 of the suspected 2 400 smuggled vehicles in the investigation.

In addition to the 10 arrested, four Zimra supervisors are suspected of being implicated in the smuggling scam, and one of them has since been suspended from work to pave the way for investigations.

Reports also suggest that managers of three companies that were contracted by Zimra to clear the vehicles and goods implicated in the scam and their clearing agents, have also been arrested or face arrest.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure yesterday confirmed the arrests.

“Yes, we have arrested 10 Zimra officials who were allegedly involved in the smuggling of vehicles and they will soon appear in court,” he said.

“The operation targeting to recover smuggled vehicles is an ongoing exercise and we will not rest until all who are involved are brought to book.

“ZACC and Zimra have since started to recover some of the vehicles which entered in the country illegally. We expect to recover more. The nation has lost thousands (of dollars) in revenue in this scam and we need to recover that money.”

The arrests come after ZACC and Zimra launched a blitz targeting suspected smuggled vehicles which were usually sold at car sales across the country.

About 102 vehicles have so far been recovered.

Vehicles netted under the blitz were recovered from Washnet, Emri and Prince Edward Car Sales and from a dealer based at the intersection of Mazowe Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue in Harare.

Mr Makamure said the operation was continuing and more arrests were likely once investigations were completed.

The joint operation by the ZACC and Zimra is targeting 2 400 vehicles suspected to have been smuggled in recent months.

Mr Makamure warned car importers and Zimra officials that ZACC will not hesitate to arrest those found on the wrong side of the law, whatever their status in society.

He said the country should have earned foreign currency through duty payments, but corrupt officials are blocking revenue collection.

“We recently signed an MoU with Zimra to collaborate in the fight against graft and these are some of the fruits. There will be several arrests and this will include high-profile figures linked to these criminal activities,” said Comm Makamure.

Recently, Zimra identified 433 vehicles suspected to have been smuggled into Zimbabwe and has invited their owners to the revenue collecting body’s offices for verification.

Top-of-the range models that include Toyota Landcruisers, BMWs, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Toyota Fortuners, Range Rovers, Isuzus, Land Rover Discoveries, Ford Rangers and Audis, are dominating the targeted list.

The introduction of new notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) last month has failed to end the cash crisis that has been bedevilling the country for several years.

Long winding queues are still the order of the day at various banks in Harare, with depositors allowed to withdraw a maximum of $100.00 which has already been decimated by runaway inflation.

An independent economist, Kudakwashe Machere told Zim Morning Post that the government should simply dollarise. He said:

Introducing new currency when people do not have faith in the banking sector is trying to plant tobacco in a desert, you will not get any result.

The persistent cash shortages at banks continue at a time when cash barons sell crisp new notes in the streets without any hindrance.

Cash has been extremely scarce for many years with the RBZ governor John Panonetsa Mangudya introducing the bond notes in 2016 and the surrogate currency has now morphed into the new currency.

More: Zim Morning Post

Sowatan|The ANC’s efforts to take full control of Johannesburg hit a snag yesterday after a motion of no confidence against speaker Vasco da Gama failed.

The motion was tabled just a day after the ANC received majority votes in council to have Geoff Makhubo, pictured, installed as mayor.

Chair of chairs Alex Christians stepped up to oversee the proceedings.

Unlike the election of the new mayor which was done on a secret vote, the motion of no confidence was decided on by a show of hands. This meant, the few DA members who had helped the ANC and its partners win the mayor’s seat could not do the same on the day.

Voting was conducted and the motion received 135 votes, 99 votes against it while the 30 EFF councillors abstained from the process. A total of 264 councillors were in chambers.

Christians officially announced the motion to had succeeded, but the DA raised an objection to the outcome, arguing that the rules of council require a 50% plus one for the motion to win.

“This is 50% plus one of the councilors that make up the municipality, not those who are present. The rules are very clear,” Da Gama objected.

A short adjournment was allowed and Christians changed his tune on his return. He reversed his earlier decision and announced that the motion of no confidence had failed.

He told councillors that the principle of 50% plus one meant that half of the 270 seats in council plus one should vote in favour of the motion, meaning the motion should have had 136 votes to win. This angered ANC councillors.

“We don’t mind losing. but as it stands we have 169 councillors. There is vacancy in council,” Makhubo pleaded with Christians.

Christians was not moved and he called Da Gama back to his seat, further agitating an already angry ANC caucus.

Some of the ANC councillors rushed to him aggressively, but were restrained by their leaders. The meeting degenerated to chaos and had to be adjourned.

This leaves the City of Johannesburg with an ANC mayor and a DA speaker, an unworkable situation in local government.

Makhubo told journalists afterwards that Da Gama was history.

“In our view, the City of Johannesburg does not have a speaker. The speaker was voted out. We have proof and precedence that there has been motions that have been carried with 127,122 [votes] and these motions have been acted on. What it means is that most of the decisions that have been taken in this council are illegal. That is not the intention of the rules. They [DA] are hanging on to power,” he said.

“We are consulting with the MEC of Cogta and the city manager.”

UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

NOTICE TO MBCHB PART V AND MMeD STUDENTS

1. The Situation in hospitals currently does not allow for the completion of teaching, clinical rotations and mounting of MBChB Part V and MMed examinations.

2. The University has resolved that MBChB Part V and MMed Students be sent away until the University, working with other relevant stakeholders addresses the issues and problems raised by students to enable the continuation of teaching and the conduct of examinations.

3. The Dean of Students has been directed to ensure that all students in University accommodation vacate by end of day Friday 6th December 2019.

PRESS RELEASE

The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the “ZANU PF Original” is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter. Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted and property destroyed.

The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary ZANU PF (ZANU Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then ZANU and ZAPU parties with their armed liberation armies comprising of ZANLA and ZIPRA respectively.

All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front. The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of 22 December 1987.

The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents.

The ruling revolutionary ZANU PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s Party from political wolves whose major pre-occupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved Nation.

The formation of this outfit must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.

Vigilance is the watchword.
Ambassador S.K Moyo
ZANU PF SPOKESPERSON

State Media|Diesel and petrol prices are likely to be more stable from now on after the Government reverted to specific excise duties on these two fuels and on paraffin.

This comes after several months of applying a percentage duty to ensure tax collections rose in line with inflation.

The switch implies that the Government is now reasonably certain that the high level of stability seen in the exchange rate over the last two months is likely to continue and that the Zimbabwean consumer can be given modest protection against fluctuations in world oil prices and a simpler tax structure applied to fuel prices.

In a statutory instrument gazetted on Wednesday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube set the duty on petrol at $4,44 a litre and diesel and paraffin at $4,26 a litre.

Since the beginning of August the duty on petrol has been 45 percent and 40 percent on diesel and paraffin.

The percentages were applied to the landed cost of the fuels, that is the Zimbabwe dollar equivalent, at the interbank rate, of the cost of getting them into the country.

The new fixed charges are slightly under the duty figures used by the energy regulator, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), in its last price formula table and, so long as the exchange rate and world oil prices do not change, the prices of the three fuels could drop by a few cents per litre.

But the change will be tiny as the minister set his new specific taxes at very close to what his percentage duties were last producing.

Fuel imported under the permitted schemes to be legally sold retail in US dollars have attracted much higher taxes since the beginning of August, US$0,45 a litre for petrol and US$0,40 a litre for diesel and paraffin.

At present exchange rates those

duties translate to more than $7,24 for petrol and $6,44 for diesel and paraffin although the actual duties have to paid in US dollars under these schemes.

But this differential taxation is the main reason why fuel sold legally in US dollars is about 30 percent more expensive at current exchange rates than fuel sold in Zimbabwe dollars.

Despite high duties on petrol, the pump price is lower than that of diesel because it is blended with up to 20 percent anhydrous ethanol distilled in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld which brings down the landed price.

Otherwise the landed price is a combination of the crude oil price, refining charges, shipping charges to Beira, Beira port charges and the cost of using the Beira-Feruka pipeline. All these charges are in foreign currency.

The latest Zera table shows the landed cost of diesel at just under US$0,59 a litre and the petrol-ethanol blend price at just under US$0,55 a litre. These reflect the present low international oil prices.

Besides the landed cost converted at the interbank exchange rate, and the taxes, the Zera formula tables show the mark-ups allowed to the oil company, of around 10 percent, and to the service station that sells the fuel to motorists of around 12,5 percent.

For several years, Zimbabwe had specific duties on fuel.

In January these were raised significantly to cope with the serious cheating and illegal re-export of fuel.

They were reduced moderately a little later as the currency allocated to fuel switched from special allocations at 1-1 to interbank rate allocations from late May.

But in his mid-year fiscal review and supplementary budget, Minister Ncube switched to the percentage ad valorem taxes, explaining that he needed to follow inflation.

At that stage he was charging duties of $1,15 on petrol and $0,90 on diesel and paraffin and the switch to percentage taxes saw a jump in fuel prices.

Further jumps were recorded as the interbank exchange rate fell, sometimes sharply, before reaching a high level of stability in the last week of September this year with only marginal monthly falls since then.

The development comes as Government is working flat out to improve the fuel supply situation that worsened last week, resulting in winding queues at most service stations countrywide.

Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi on Tuesday attributed fuel supply bottlenecks to the rolling over of Letters of Credit (LCs).

LCs help reduce the payment risks on international trade transactions and allows a buyer’s bank to guarantee payment to a seller if certain criteria are met.

In view of the prevailing foreign currency shortages, the majority of companies depend on LCs for critical imports such as fuel, raw materials and equipment.

Said Minister Chasi: “There was an interruption last week regarding fuel because it coincided with a situation where there were efforts to roll-over the Letters of Credit, so that caused the queues that we began to see but the National Oil and Infrastructure Company (NOIC) has increased the pace at which it has been collecting fuel from Msasa and we asked them to work round the clock until the situation has been regularised.”

He said efforts were being made to ensure motorists did not spend long hours in queues.

By A Correspondent- Four Zimbabwean women have been effectively slapped with a 20-year jail term each after being intercepted in Mauritius with drugs (heroin) worth millions.

According to reports, the women had a combined 1,487 kg of heroin in their bellies, police sources in the Mauritian capital said on Thursday According to reports filtering in through social media, the four ladies were recruited and told to swallow the drugs for delivery in Mauritius. However, sharp-eyed customs officials at the Mauritius border post managed to notice something strange and a frisk search was conducted and ultimately revealed the internal drug bust.

It was also noted that the operation to recruit Zimbabweans for drug trafficking has become rampant and many people are now in the trade to try and escape the harsh conditions in Zimbabwe.

A Facebook post doing the rounds suggests that one of the arrested ladies has a 9 months old baby back in Zimbabwe. Allegedly, the four ladies did not have any legal representation or external help from their families who are oblivious of the happenings.

The lengthy Facebook post also mentioned the ladies had gone to Mauritius under the guise of going to a church conference and were all wearing the same T-shirt.”

These ladies were recruited by B******* T****** the woman I mentioned earlier. She is the one who organized these T-Shirts they are wearing and told them to lie to the custom that they were going to a Roman Catholic church function”, read the statement.

It was also further alleged that they swallowed the heroin but some of it was put in their bags. The poster made a plea with fellow Zimbabweans to see if anyone can recognize the girls and also how the Minister of Foreign Affairs had been approached to try and help

By A Correspondent| The man who announced Emmerson Mnangagwa’s firing from government 2 years ago, Simon Khaya Moyo, has complained saying the recently formed original ZANU PF party seeks to cause chaos in the country.

His comments came as the #TysonWabantu movement gathered steam with the announcement of a party labelled the original “ZANU PF.”

The Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity called on ZANU PF party members not to be swayed by the machinations of the so called “G40 cabal” meant to cause chaos in the country.

“The nauseating and misleading media reports that there is a party calling itself the ‘Zanu-PF Original’ is an insult to the values and ethos of our liberation struggle which ushered in our freedom and independence in 1980.

Our sovereignty did not come on a silver platter. Thousands perished, hundreds were maimed, livestock was looted, and property destroyed. The armed liberation struggle was led by the revolutionary Zanu-PF (Zanu Patriotic Front) party whose composition was the then Zanu and Zapu parties with their armed liberation armies, comprising Zanla and Zipra respectively. All negotiations were held under the banner of the Patriotic Front.

“The facts are clearly captured in the Unity Accord Agreement of 22 December 1987,” said Khaya Moyo.

He also condemned the reported formation of the “Zanu-PF Original.”

He said:
“The so-called Zimbabwe African National Unity PF (Original) never existed and the announcement of its existence and the announcement of its formation is a malignant dream driven by the G40 malcontents.

“The ruling revolutionary Zanu-PF party warns its leadership and membership to remain vigilant and protect the people’s party from political wolves whose major pre-occupation is to create chaos, alarm, despondency and instability in our beloved nation. The formation of this outfit must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. Vigilance is the watchword.”

Farai Dziva|There are mixed sentiments on former Zanu PF Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere’s perceived comeback.

Kasukuwere, a shrewd schemer, has indicated his intention to take on Emmerson Mnangagwa in what is likely to be an intriguing battle for political hegemony in Zimbabwe.

Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya believes Kasukuwere’ s return is insignificant:

“Fellow Animals, it has been proven in Animal Farm that human beings are our enemies. Two legs bad, four legs good. How is Tyson different from the animals in Zanu PF in power today. Beware fellow animals, musanyepegwa.
Good morning from Johannesburg!

Why do I see ZANU PF hands all over Tyson project. These hybrid regimes are sophisticated…

Assuming that Tyson like many Zanu PF projects who came before him will not ‘return home’ on the eve of elections.

It could be a project to make sure Mugabe’s political orphans don’t join MDC and be delivered to Zanu PF at the appropriate time so beware @nelsonchamisa
and MDC,” argued Dr Ruhanya.

However, seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said:
@Hon_Kasukuwere’s political movement is a major headache for ZANUPF bcoz he is wildly popular within the ZANUPF youth ranks including young CIO officers who went through his youth programs!

ZANU PF will lose its rural monopoly splitting the vote bcoz Tyson understands the terrain…”

Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, has dismissed Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi’s claims that he neglected the farm he invaded at the height of the controversial land reform programme.

Mutodi has blamed former Zanu PF Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere for the shortage of orange fruit in Zimbabwe as he invaded a productive farming that is now desolate.

This comes after the formation of Kasukuwere’s political movement that is likely to challenge Zanu PF in the 2023 polls.

“The nation is grappling with an acute shortage of orange fruit necessary to process Zimbabwe’s most popular family drink, Mazowe.

Interestingly, Saviour Kasukuwere is one of the farmers who took over a once flourishing citrus farm in Mazowe. The farm is now lying idle,” claimed Mutodi.

However, Kasukuwere said:”Pengera zvimwe, what are you up to? “

Writes Linda Masarira:

“DON’T LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN UPON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG, BUT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS IN SPEECH, IN LIFE, IN FAITH AND IN PURITY.” 1 Timothy 4:12

I strongly believe that it is high time the youth of Zimbabwe rise up in their numbers and fight for their future. Zimbabwe’s youth have been side-lined in youth wings since time immemorial.

They should be afforded the opportunity to be part of the nation’s decision making processes. I see tremendous potential for leadership positions in young people.

The world today is dynamic and ever changing. It needs serious young people who are enthusiastic and energetic, undaunted by challenges and driven by their commitment to fight for justice to restore order and economic stability in Zimbabwe. (Extract from my prison diary 22-9-2016)

Returning to the drawing board after being led rather ruled by tired, old and clueless leaders and middle aged recycled politicians a collective of us realized that these rulers are now an isomorphic mimicry of the zanupf system.

We the collective, a group of trade unionists have formed Labbour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD).

Enthusiasm, new way of looking at old problems, energy and persistence is needed to add to the wisdom gained through years of experience of the elder leaders.

Young people need to be part of national leadership, they need to feel valued and involved when their ideas and thoughts on critical issues are heard and recognized as part of the decision making process.

At LEAD we are nurturing the talents of young people by opening doors for engagements and involvement.

LEAD as led by a young President encourages contribution of young people in nation building and development for sustainability.

It is us the young people who should play a bigger role in political and civil leadership; not to just sit in committees, but to make decisions, set direction, get involved thereby bringing sanity new improved ideas.

I am inviting all young people with a vision for a better Zimbabwe who are willing to sacrifice their time to work for Zimbabwe to join the #PurpleRevolution.

Every generation has a mandate to fix problems created by the previous generation. We have a nation to fix and Zimbabwe needs you and me on the same page to fight corruption, marginalisation and e exclusion of youth and women in governance processes.

Dear Young Woman and man it is your time to LEAD. Join the LEADing team which is committed to bringing sustainable human development and e economic growth.

Together we can make Zimbabwe great again.

Linda T. Masarira
LEAD President

By A Correspondent- A Guruve man was accosted by irate ZANU PF supporters who took him to a police station after he was found walking with a dog “dressed” with a T-shirt bearing a picture of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s face.

The villager was identified as Robson Chininga, of Chininga village, Mudhindo in Guruve.

He was seized from Mudhindo Growth Point and taken to a police station where he paid admission of guilt fine of $40 after he was charged with disorderly conduct.

An unnamed police officer told a local publication:

We fined Chininga after angry Zanu PF supporters brought him to our base, hence we charged him with disorderly conduct and he paid an admission of guilt fine of $40.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The government has distanced itself from recent remarks made Deputy Defence Minister and ZANU PF political commissar Victor Matemadanda.

Justice Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Ziyambi Ziyambi, told the Senate that Matemadanda is not a government spokesperson.

He said:

My response is that the government has one spokesperson which is the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

Whatever Matemadanda said depends on which platform he said that but our Constitution gives him the right to say whatever he wants, but that is not official government channels or information signed by the Information minister.

Matemadanda claimed that human rights lawyer, Douglas Coltart was paying doctors at public health institutions to remain on strike.

Doctors have not been reporting for duty since September because of the measly salaries they were being paid and absence of tools of the trade such as drugs and gloves to use while performing their duties.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted social media reports that there was a demonstration by police officers at the Support Unit Headquarters.

In a statement on Friday morning, the Police warned members of the public that those responsible for causing disharmony in the Police Service will have no one but themselves to blame if detected. The statement reads:

“The ZRP dismisses social media articles especially on WhatsApp and twitter which are being attributed to COZWVA that there was a demonstration at Support Unit HQ by police officers. That is false.”

Members of the public are warned against trying to cause division and disharmony in the Police Service. Those responsible will only have themselves to blame if detected.

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has officially opened the second phase of the Varun Beverages manufacturing plant this afternoon.

The second phase was completed at a cost of US$20 million.

Of note, Mnangagwa appeared in public at the company without his “traditional” scarf for the first time in over two years.

The company reportedly employs over 1 000 people and has empowered more than 2 000 women as part of its community social responsibility.

Varun Beverages manufactures carbonated drinks which include Pepsi, Mirinda (all flavours) Mountain Dew and Seven Up.

Varun Beverages is the largest bottler of PepsiCo products —Pepsi, Mirinda, Mountain Dew and Seven Up outside the United States.

Zimbabwe’s market is dominated by Delta Corporation, which has been failing to meet local demand for beverages due to foreign currency shortages.

By A Correspondent- A Harare woman’s marriage has collapsed after being caught red-handed with a younger man.

Loveness Nyahwema, 37, and Stephen Mupfurutsa were paraded to residents after being caught around midnight last Friday in South lea Park.

Nyahwema was married to Alois Mugomba, 40, as the first wife in a polygamous union and the two have four children. Mugomba, following a tip-off, returned from night duty and forced the door open to catch the two in bed in the same room with their four-year-old child.

After the incident, Nyahwema and Mupfurutsa are now living together at his sister Edeline’s house in Stoneridge.

“It is no secret that I had two wives, but on the day in question I was at work on night duty when I received a call informing me about Mupfurutsa’s visit to my house during the night,” said Mugomba.

“People had been telling me about the infidelity, but I did not believe them until the tip-off. “I did not assault them or allow neighbors to attack them, but I ordered her to pack her belongings and leave my house.

“She packed and I took her to Mupfurutsa’s sister house, where they are now living together as husband and wife.

“The two decided to take our two minor children leaving the other two saying that they were the ones who exposed their shenanigans.

“She took all the household property we had and Mupfurutsa signed an agreement that he would take my first wife as his wife and his sister agreed to accommodate them and my children at her house,” said Mugomba.

Edeline confirmed the incident, saying Mugomba and Nyahwema were on separation when the two were caught. She condemned the attack on Mupfurutsa after being caught with the woman as cruel.

“I am now living with Nyahwema and she is now my brother’s wife; they were attacked by Mugomba,” said Edeline. Mugomba separated with Nyahwema some time ago and is angry because he is paying maintenance, that is why he came at midnight to attack my brother.

We did not argue with him after he caught them in bed, but honestly speaking, Nyahwema is a bit older than my brother.

“Akatomanikidzwa kurora mukadzi ane vana four iye haasati ave nemwana achiri mukomana. “We had no choice, after all I knew this woman from church,” said Edeline. Nyahwema and Mupfurutsa refused to entertain.

-H-Metro

Letter to the Editor

There is a child aged 14 (name with held) i know who is practising homosexuality on his fellow boarders at a school called Selukwe Primary School, in Shurugwi.

The Headmistress Mrs Machimbira however insists that she has everything under control and defends the boy becuase he is related to her.

This boy however has been expelled from several other schools including Bondolfi and Gokomere.

It is alleged that other staff members at the school have also made an effort to deal with the matter to no avail as this boy is protected by the headmistress.

The boy’s father is a prominent business man somewhere is Masvingo and the mother is a teacher in Rutenga.

The boy is said to take other boys and he practices sexual acts with them and then also touches girls private parts.

My plea is for other children who have been molested by this boy. and also for him to get assistance.

How can this issue be addressed ? Please help these children.

ANGRY Zanu PF supporters in Guruve on Saturday effected a citizen’s arrest on a villager last week who dressed his dog in a T-shirt that had the face of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in front of it.

Robson Chininga, of Chininga village, Mudhindo in Guruve, was mobbed by Zanu PF supporters, who were angered by his actions after seeing him walking with a dog dressed in the ruling party regalia at Mudhindo Growth Point.

A police source said the mob took Chininga to a police base where he paid an admission of guilty fine of $40 after being charged with disorderly conduct in a public place.

“We fined Chininga after angry Zanu PF supporters brought him to our base, hence we charged him with disorderly conduct and he paid an admission of guilty fine of $40,” the source said.

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe could not be reached for comment.

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially opened the new look canteen at the Zanu PF HQ.

The canteen will now be operated by the Women’s league and has been refurbished and fitted with modern equipment to ensure the provision. of quality food for customers.

MASVINGO – Workers in Masvingo CBD are having to drive to the outskirts of town to use the bush as the water crisis has left the toilets clogged and therefore shut.
Because Masvingo is a fairly small city other workers just walk across to the fringes and this is a posing a serious health hazard.

Masvingo City’s water supplies have worsened with tapes running dry for two to three consecutive days even in the CBD where population concentration is highest.
Other cities are avoiding such a problem by ensuring that the CBD’s are always supplied with water.

Masvingo City acting health services director, Ngonidzashe Mapamule said they don’t encourage people to use the bush as it is against Government policy on health. He said they expect people to store enough water for use when there is no running.

“We used to sneak to Chicken Inn or Chicken Slice to relieve ourselves since they have water tanks but for the past three months they would not allow the public to use their toilets only reserving them for their patrons holding receipts of purchases,” said a middle aged man who works for a real estate company.

“Women are the most affected especially during menstruation. It’s a messy and unhealthy business. The crisis has hit the bottom,” said Cynthia Murefu who works for an electric appliances company at ZimPost complex.

Masvingo City Mayor Collen Maboke said as long as there is load shedding the water crisis will be a permanent problem.

MasvingoMirror

Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has warned MDC leader Nelson Chamisa against joining hands with former Zanu PF Political Commissar Saviour Tyson Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere, a shrewd schemer, has indicated his intention to take on Emmerson Mnangagwa in what is likely to be an intriguing battle for political hegemony in Zimbabwe.

Dr Ruhanya believes Kasukuwere’ s return is insignificant:

“Fellow Animals, it has been proven in Animal Farm that human beings are our enemies. Two legs bad, four legs good. How is Tyson different from the animals in Zanu PF in power today. Beware fellow animals, musanyepegwa.
Good morning from Johannesburg!

Why do I see ZANU PF hands all over Tyson project. These hybrid regimes are sophisticated…

Assuming that Tyson like many Zanu PF projects who came before him will not ‘return home’ on the eve of elections.

It could be a project to make sure Mugabe’s political orphans don’t join MDC and be delivered to Zanu PF at the appropriate time so beware @nelsonchamisa
and MDC,” argued Dr Ruhanya.

However, seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said:
@Hon_Kasukuwere’s political movement is a major headache for ZANU PF bcoz he is wildly popular within the ZANUPF youth ranks including young CIO officers who went through his youth programs!

ZANU PF will lose its rural monopoly splitting the vote bcoz Tyson understands the terrain…”

Police have initiated investigations on the reports of the machete wielding gangs that are seen in videos that have gone viral killing and terrorising some citizens.

Said Energy Mutodi, “Rogue elements going around terrorizing people with machetes and  other weapons have caught the concern of the government. Following media reports on gruesome murders of victims, police will enforce the law and bring the culprits to book.”

Commenting one, Brighton Musonza said the problem in Zimbabwe was that the government was failing to call the criminals with their right terms and protected them as artisan miners.

“Problem Energy Mutodi is that government has a policy of describing those machetes wielding scums as artisanal miners when they are real life-taking scumbag murderers belonging to Henrietta Rushwaya’s terrorist groups. And the President had a conference with them last month in Gweru.”

“Between the months of August and October a total of 105 murder cases have been recorded in mining areas surrounding Kadoma while 221 cases of assault have been recorded,” says the report.

Senior government officials have been implicated as behind the machete violence menace with Mnangagwa’s top lieutenant and State Security minister Owen Ncube being fingered in the bloody wars.

Ncube is famous in the artisanal mining circles and at the recently convened Zimbabwe Miners Federation annual conference in Gweru, Ncube was received with a thunderous ovation by the small-scale miners when he entered the venue at Gweru Convention Centre.

Director of ceremonies, Joseph Nhara, had a torrid time trying to bring the miners to order as they shouted Ncube’s nicknames “Third Bomber,” “Mudha” and “Touch Bomba”.

Bulawayo 24

State Media|Twelve suspected land barons in Harare accused of duping desperate home seekers and illegally selling land have been arrested as police intensify its operation targeted at weeding out illegal sales.

National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the on-going operation in a statement.

“Police have stepped up investigations on all reported cases of fraud involving illegal sale of land in Harare. This has seen a lot of suspects from different housing cooperatives being arrested and taken to court,” said Asst Comm Nyathi

“From Vanhuvatema Housing Co-operative those who were arrested are: Andrew Mugomezi (35), and Tendai Mutukwa (36 years). One suspect is now deceased while two are still at large.

“Those from Epworth Mission Development Trust are Robert Tinaye Chihota (70), Stanford Shadreck Nyemba (72), David Stanley Chidenga (75) and Thomas Musandiri (67) who were all denied bail.”

He said those who were arrested from Pungwe Chimurenga Housing Cooperative are Conciliar Dzitiro (55), Wellington Ngenje (35), Privilege Murebwa (36) and Blessing Matwaya (30), while Jaricha Edmon (56) and Jane Mabota (66) from Hannah Housing Co-operative were also arrested.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the operation targeting land barons is an ongoing exercise and urged members of the public who were duped to immediately approach the police for help.

“This operation is an on-going exercise targeting land barons who have been duping unsuspecting desperate people. We also urge members of the public who were duped by any land baron to go to the nearest police station immediately and make a report,” he said .

He assured the public that police will not rest until all those involved in illegally selling land are brought to book.

“We are also aware that some of the suspects will try to resist arrest. We are urging them to comply with the police as the operation continues.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police assures members of the public that the law will certainly take its course on anyone who is involved in criminal acts of pegging, parcelling out land and offering it to people fraudulently,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said home seekers should approach relevant local authority offices, Government departments and institutions to acquire land through the correct channels.

A FORENSIC audit on the 2014 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V Under-20 Youth Games hosted in Bulawayo has unearthed massive financial impropriety involving over US$5 million, with senior government officials and members of the security forces among those fingered in corrupt deals.

The report, dated March 13, 2018, shows that millions of dollars could have been embezzled through poor financial management, excessive pricing, non-delivery of goods and services, substandard works, contract incompetency, payment to dormant shelf companies, fraud and other various corrupt deals.

NewsDay is in possession of the report compiled by Deloitte, which shows that the government availed US$17 733 566 for sport infrastructure refurbishment and other operational expenses for the games.

However, a huge chunk of that money was allegedly misappropriated or abused.

All the corruption and embezzlement of the funds happened under then Sports minister Andrew Langa, who lost his ministerial post the following year.

Langa had initially set a budget of US$46 million for the preparations and hosting of the games, but government availed $17 million.

He claimed after the games that the sporting facilities had been refurbished to meet international standards.

The hosting of the games required refurbishment of Barbourfields, Luveve and White City stadiums, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC), Bulawayo Swimming Pool and the Games Village at Hillside Teachers College as well as the procurement of ancillary equipment, goods and services.

But the government was not satisfied with the workmanship in relation to amounts paid and owing to contractors for work that had been done.

The government in May 2016 then requested that a forensic audit be done on the AUSC Games, which has since unearthed massive corruption.

The corrupt deals included awarding of contracts to companies without following tender procedures.
Raising eyebrows was the awarding of contracts to Drawcard Enterprises and Gimtrac for the rehabilitation of sports infrastructure to the tune of US$1 179 993,49 and US$2 091 040, respectively, without adhering to tender requirements.

Hillary Mukaratirwa, the director architectural services in the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing ministry, said they awarded contracts to the two companies without going to tender “due to the limited time before the commencement of the games”.

Drawcard’s work included the laying of a tartan track at the White City Stadium. But the report noted that they did a shoddy job and 300m of the track requires relaying and over US$1 million is needed to redo the job.

Three other companies; Olimas Engineering, Nextchir Construction and Asphalt Products, were also awarded contracts worth thousands of dollars, without meeting tender requirements. Inevitably, they either failed to do the job completely or did substandard work.

Olimas Engineering got a contract for US$214 923 for the installation of the heating system at Bulawayo Swimming Pool and years after the games, the system is non-functional.
The report also shows that there were companies on the creditors’ schedule, who were not owed as they were either paid in full or did not supply goods or services. Five suppliers with a total claim of US$7 968 appeared on the schedule.

Fifteen suppliers with invoices amounting to US$96 450 could not be located, with most of them having ceased operations or were “unknown at the given addresses”.

Local organising committee (Loc) chief accountant David Mubariki could not explain the reasons for the existence of the entities on the list.

The list also showed that there were claims of unpaid travel and subsistence allowances for Loc officials. A total of US$ 317 305 in allowances owed could not be substantiated through appropriate documentation such as authorised claim forms. There was no documentation detailing to whom these allowances were due.

The Loc officials were accused of increasing their daily allowances without following due process. Treasury set the daily allowance for bed and breakfast, lunch and dinner at a total US$55 a person, but the officials were paying themselves US$150 instead.

Instances of poor financial management and weak internal control resulted in the payment for goods valued at US$2 216 328 without appropriate documentation such as internal requisitions, three quotations and purchase orders. An amount of US$131 825 was withdrawn from one of the Loc FBC Bank account, but could not be traced to payment vouchers.

“The use of cash increases the risk of misappropriation and/or theft. US$131 825,91 cannot be traced to payment vouchers indicative of an expenditure unaccounted for,” the report reads.
The report also showed that some companies could have over-priced their goods and services to reap off Loc.

“We examined the CMED claim amounting to US$293 691. We noted that CMED charged a rate of US$1 503 per day for a rental of a Mercedes Benz minibus for the duration of 19 days. The rate used should have been US$150 per day, which would have been consistent with the other CMED invoices for a vehicle of a similar size. The creditors amount of US$293 691 is overstated by US$25 707.”

It is alleged that at least over US$1 million was diverted towards projects not related to the games and the amount was never recovered.

“We examined the IDBZ Bank statement and noted a payment of US$1 000 000 to China Nanchang Engineering for works on Mutange and Tokwe Mukosi dams. The instruction letter was issued by Fidelis Ngorora, director (public sector investment programme) in the Finance and Economic Development ministry. According to the letter, Treasury was to repay the money during the same week it was diverted. As at the reporting date, the money had not been repaid,” read the report
Loc also received goods and services amounting to US$114 613 after the closure of the games on December 14. The goods included beds, play station consoles, shoes, printers, television sets, sports regalia and other consumables. The beds were given to Hillside Teachers College. It could not be ascertained how the other items were distributed.

The auditors complained that they faced difficulties in accessing records, including the games asset register.

“Based on our observations, the quality of workmanship at numerous locations was not commensurate with the expenditure incurred. Games sites are still incomplete and have not been officially handed over to the Local Government Public Works and National Housing ministry, as such they have not been maintained since the completion of the games.”

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted social media reports that there was a demonstration by police officers at the Support Unit Headquarters.

In a statement on Friday morning, the Police warned members of the public that those responsible for causing disharmony in the Police Service will have no one but themselves to blame if detected. The statement reads:

“The ZRP dismisses social media articles especially on WhatsApp and twitter which are being attributed to COZWVA that there was a demonstration at Support Unit HQ by police officers. That is false.”

Members of the public are warned against trying to cause division and disharmony in the Police Service. Those responsible will only have themselves to blame if detected.

Paul Nyathi|President Mnangagwa has officially opened the second phase of the Varun Beverages manufacturing plant this afternoon.

The second phase was completed at a cost of US$20 million.

Of note, Mnangagwa appeared in public at the company without his “traditional” scarf for the first time in over two years.

The company reportedly employs over 1 000 people and has empowered more than 2 000 women as part of its community social responsibility.

Varun Beverages manufactures carbonated drinks which include Pepsi, Mirinda (all flavours) Mountain Dew and Seven Up.

Varun Beverages is the largest bottler of PepsiCo products —Pepsi, Mirinda, Mountain Dew and Seven Up outside the United States.

Zimbabwe’s market is dominated by Delta Corporation, which has been failing to meet local demand for beverages due to foreign currency shortages.

See pictures below:

By A Correspondent- There is no such thing as “age appropriate” when it comes to domestic violence. Indeed, it is a growing problem among older couples, but it is not always taken seriously.

An 82-year-old granny proved that when she opened up, saying she was a victim of years of violence and emotional abuse at the hands of her elderly husband.

Speaking about her “volatile” 54-year marriage to Elias Mlilo, Gogo Malinda Mlilo from Esigodini told how she thought every night could be her last.

Gogo Malinda told how her husband who is supposed to love her the most would frequently physically attack her, often picking up whatever was at hand to use as a weapon, including his walking stick.

She claimed barely a day went by without her husband beating her up or shouting at her while complaining about her cooking and housekeeping.

Gogo Malind, who apparently considered abuse to be something that happened to younger women, bared her soul at the Bulawayo Civil Court where she was seeking a restraining order against her husband.

Elias Mlilo is my husband and we got married in 1965. He is physically, verbally and psychologically abusing me. He is always shouting abuse at me for no apparent reason. Because of his abuse I honestly thought each night could be my last.

“He raises his voice if he can’t account for any small item in the house. He also shouts at me in front of our neighbours,” Gogo Malinda shared her horrifying story amid sobs.

She said her husband was always berating her, calling her a “useless woman”. She further said her husband was also possessive as he was in the habit of “timing” her trips outside home.

In response Khulu Elias said his wife was also abusing him.

“The problem I have with my wife is that she does not listen to me. She is also abusing me. She also disappears from home for some days and when I ask her where she has been, she starts shouting at me.

“Another problem is that I don’t know what she wants in life. She goes to church and consults prophets and traditional healers too. That is where all our problems are emanating from,” said Khulu Elias.

For the purpose of maintaining peace between the two parties presiding magistrate Adelaide Mbeure granted a reciprocal order which compels the elderly couple not to abuse each other.

Meanwhile, the nation joined the World in marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GVB). The annual campaign kicked off on 25 November and is running until 10 December under the theme: Orange the World: Generation Equality Against Rape. The campaign seeks to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the World.

-StateMedia

By Wilbert Mukori- Yes, on the issue of political dialogue between Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa, Zimbabwe’s church leaders have been divided into two groups. What is important to note here is that the two groups differ on the trial matters but NOT on the substantive matters.

“In generally the first group falls under the internationally aligned Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) which has four main arms that is Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (UDACIZA),” explained Terence Simbi in Bulawayo 24.

“The second grouping is the African indigenous Churches (AIC) composed of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Vapositori sects, Family of God Church and others all with origins within the country and Africa hence the indigenous title.

“The ZHOCH came up with the sabbatical proposal to suspend democratic elections for 7 years to cool down political tensions in the country.

“This AIC had a different message stressing on the importance of adhering to the countries institutions thus for national dialogue to commence the leader of the main opposition has to first recognise the ruling of the constitutional court and the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa.”

Simbi’s analysis is correct but shallow and thus misses the real substantive issues here. Both groups are calling for Mnangagwa and Chamisa to hold the dialogue. Whilst the AIC are demanding that Chamisa endorse Mnangagwa as the dually elected president of Zimbabwe and thus endorse last year’s elections as having been free, fair and credible. 

ZHOCH group also calls for the same dialogue but are a bit more introspective and subtle in that they do not ask for Chamisa to endorse last year’s elections as having been free, fair and credible. 

What matters here is that by calling for the two gentlemen to meet and dialogue the two groups are per se endorsing the two as key players in defining the country’s way out of the mess. Whether Mnangagwa was legitimate or not at the start of the dialogue is a mute but irrelevant point. 

The substantive issue here is that Zimbabwe is in this existential economic and political mess because the country has been stuck with this corrupt, incompetent and murderous Zanu PF dictatorship for the last 39 years. The nation could not remove the regime from office between it rigged elections. 

Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies are in power today because they rigged last year’s elections. Zimbabwe is still a pariah state ruled by the same corrupt and vote rigging thugs. Nothing, absolutely nothing has changed. 

ZHOCH group’s position is not to endorse the Zanu PF regime as legitimate but to nonetheless let the party remain in power or be it in some power sharing arrangement with MDC. The new government will be dominated by Zanu PF given its 2/3 majority in parliament and senate, for example; it will still be a Zanu PF government is all but name. 

AIC group’s position is a lot more honest in that they acknowledge the end product of the dialogue will be a Zanu PF government and want that acknowledged from the word go. 

When Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe following the November 2017 military coup he promised his “new dispensation, Second Republic” would hold “free, fair and credible elections”. No doubt he was painfully aware of the blatant betrayal of the Mugabe era on this front and the tragic consequences. 

Mnangagwa did not keep his promise, he blatantly rigged last year’s elections. Zimbabwe is a pariah state, the Second Republic is no different from the First Republic! What a hypocrite!

Jesus Christ’s mission was to “tell the blind that they were blind no more and to set the downtrodden free!” Our church leaders should therefore be the champions of the downtrodden, those living in on US$40 per month or less, those dying dying of easily treatable diseases, etc. all because the nation is stuck for 39 years with a corrupt and tyrannical regime. 

All Zimbabweans should be speaking with one united voice in demanding free, fair and credible elections, as the only sure way to achieve good governance and to end the devastating economic meltdown.

How ironic that the church leaders, the very individual championing the cause of the downtrodden are the ones hobnobbing with the corrupt and tyrannical politicians at the expense of the oppressed. What hypocrites!

If you look from Mnangagwa to Mutendi and back, from Chiwenga to Wutaunashe and back or from Mugabe to Father Fidelis Mukonori SJ and back; you will see any difference between each pair. It’s because they are all hypocrites.

They are all …….jack a**** (Good manners is a luxury the hundreds dying unnecessarily everyday can ill afford! The crude language will help convey the frustration, the seriousness and the urgency of this tragic situation.)

Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has warned MDC leader Nelson Chamisa against joining hands with former Zanu PF Political Commissar Saviour Tyson Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere, a shrewd schemer, has indicated his intention to take on Emmerson Mnangagwa in what is likely to be an intriguing battle for political hegemony in Zimbabwe.

Dr Ruhanya believes Kasukuwere’ s return is insignificant:

“Fellow Animals, it has been proven in Animal Farm that human beings are our enemies. Two legs bad, four legs good. How is Tyson different from the animals in Zanu PF in power today. Beware fellow animals, musanyepegwa.
Good morning from Johannesburg!

Why do I see ZANU PF hands all over Tyson project. These hybrid regimes are sophisticated…

Assuming that Tyson like many Zanu PF projects who came before him will not ‘return home’ on the eve of elections.

It could be a project to make sure Mugabe’s political orphans don’t join MDC and be delivered to Zanu PF at the appropriate time so beware @nelsonchamisa
and MDC,” argued Dr Ruhanya.

However, seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said:
@Hon_Kasukuwere’s political movement is a major headache for ZANU PF bcoz he is wildly popular within the ZANUPF youth ranks including young CIO officers who went through his youth programs!

ZANU PF will lose its rural monopoly splitting the vote bcoz Tyson understands the terrain…”