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| 2024-04-27 09:42:59 | *Cimas CEO Stresses Private-Government Collaboration For NDS1 Success* By Judith Matanire Cimas Health Group CEO, Vulindlela Lester Ndlovu, emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration between the private sector and the government for the successful implementation of Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Mr. Ndlovu's remarks, delivered on Wednesday at the International Business Conference 2024 in Bulawayo as part of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) weeklong event, highlighted the necessity of robust collaboration between the private sector and the government for the effective implementation of key developmental initiatives. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Acknowledging the government's bold strategies outlined in the NDS1 blueprint, Ndlovu highlighted the need for increased cooperation to meet its objectives. He particularly emphasized the importance of enhancing the pharmaceutical value chain to reduce reliance on imports and meet the expectations of NDS1. Ndlovu proposed mobilizing additional funding to support local manufacturers and advocated for the establishment of a Health Investment Fund to bolster the healthcare sector. He emphasized the role of both the private and public sectors in fostering sustainable growth and improving access to medicines through initiatives such as supporting NatPharm. “We find the pharmaceutical value chain strategies most exciting. As Cimas Health Group we intent to maximise on the whole healthcare value chain. However, zeroing in on the pharmaceutical value chain, we have seen an increase in locally manufactured medical consumables and pharmaceuticals. We are, however, cognisant that as a country we are still lagging in meeting the NDS1 expectations.” Reflecting on this year's ZITF theme, "Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade," Ndlovu reiterated Cimas Health Group's commitment to innovation and announced the launch of a genomic sequencing service. Aimed at identifying individuals at risk of cancer and chronic diseases, as well as facilitating precision medicine development. “I am excited to advise that this year, as Cimas Health Group, we are launching a genomic sequencing service. This will enable us to identify individuals who could potentially be at risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Our sequencer will also be able to do wellness and pharmacogenetic testing. In the end it will help in the development of precision medicine,” he said. "Additionally, he unveiled a brand-new mobile clinic at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), showcasing the company's commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility and innovation while also providing various health screenings at their Exhibition Pavilion during this year's ZITF. The Trade Fair, which commenced with the participation of 27 countries, saw an increase in exhibitors compared to the previous year, highlighting growing international interest and participation in Zimbabwe's trade events." Countries participating in this year's exhibition included Botswana, Belarus, Brazil, China, Eswatini, the European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique, among others, showcasing a diverse range of products and services. *Nhau/Indaba* |
| 2024-04-27 07:05:59 | *Cabinet Ministers Miss Water Crisis Meeting For Party Gathering* KEY Cabinet ministers had to miss a crucial meeting, called two weeks ago to discuss Harare’s protracted water crisis, to attend the ruling Zanu PF party’s politburo meeting, which had been rescheduled. Zimbabwe’s capital city is grappling with one of its most severe water crises in decades, prompting President Emmerson Mnangagwa to take action by establishing a 19-member technical committee last year tasked with devising solutions. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The Zimbabwe Independent was told that authorities are worried about Harare’s delays to implement a US$5,3 million water treatment project consummated in 2019. Politburo meetings are traditionally held on Wednesdays, but it had to be moved to a Thursday, a fortnight ago. University of Zimbabwe civil engineering lecturer Hodson Makurira, chairs the technical committee. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development offices. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube and Harare metropolitan provincial minister Charles Tavengwa, who are both politburo members, did not attend the meeting. Makurira told the Independent that Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka briefly presided over the meeting. “Yes, it (the meeting) happened,” Makurira said. “But there was also a politburo meeting at the same time, so ministers were not available. I am not sure how the minister will want us to proceed,” he said. Sources close to the deliberations between Masuka and the Makurira-led committee said the meeting discussed US$5,3 million water treatment project agreed by the City of Harare and Nanotech of South Africa, which is yet to take off. “Deliberations focused on how the project can be expedited,” the source said. Prior to the City of Harare engaging Nanotech, the South African-based company had compiled a report in 2021 revealing that water pipes to the capital’s over one million residents was contaminated with algae and toxic substances. During that same year, a document compiled by a technical team from the Local Government ministry that toured Botswana to inspect a chlorine dioxide water treatment plant run by Nanotech cautioned that Zimbabwe’s continuous use of aluminium sulphate, among a cocktail of six chemicals, was costly. “It must be noted that the city and other water treatment works in the country are probably the only water works that still continue to use aluminium sulphate in southern Africa despite the link of aluminium to Alzheimer disease,” a 2021 internal memorandum gleaned by the Independent reads. The technical committee was set up to accelerate the government’s initiative to construct mega water projects, such as Gwayi-Shangani, Kunzvi, Mutange, and Musami dams. Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Obert Jiri had not responded to questions posed by this publication on the outcome of the meeting with the technical committee. The committee, among other key deliverables, was assigned by Mnangagwa to ensure that the City of Harare purchased adequate water treatment chemicals and established a drilling rig. The establishment of the committee came at a time Harare was battling a cholera outbreak. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-27 07:05:39 | *Apostolic Sect Cult Leader, Madzibaba Ishmael, Granted US$1 000 Bail* AN apostolic sect cult leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa has finally been granted US$1 000 bail by the High Court after languishing in jail for nearly two months following his arrest for breaching the Burial and Children’s Act, respectively. Chokurongerwa (54), popularly known as Madzibaba Ishmael, heads the Johanne Masowe Penyera Nyika sect, which became infamous after the church’s scandals were exposed. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the High Court freed the self-styled cleric and former convict after realising that there was no longer a risk of interference, however imposing stringent bail conditions that will see him reporting three times a week at Nyabira Police Station. “The court ruled that there was no longer any risk of interference with witnesses. He was ordered to reside at his given address until the matter is finalised and barred from conducting any church gatherings anywhere until the matter is finalised,” said the NPA. The controversial clergyman was arrested alongside seven other church elders of his sect, who were recently granted bail. It was established during investigations that the group barred sect members from acquiring birth certificates or attending school. “Investigations conducted by the police established that 246 out of 251 children below the age of 18 years found at the farm had no birth certificates and were being used to perform various physical activities for the benefit of the sect’s leadership,” said prosecutors. It was established that all children of school going age did not attend formal education and were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of life skills teaching, the State alleged. Police also found 16 undocumented graves at the Canaan shrine situated in Nyabira, Mashonaland West province. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-27 07:05:28 | *Govt Revises Tax-free Income Tax Threshold* FINANCE, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube has raised the monthly tax-free income tax threshold to about Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)1 356. After the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL) had depreciated by 261,28% during the first quarter of the year, the ZWL was scrapped, and the ZiG was adopted as the new currency on April 5. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- However, with this depreciation, it meant that the monthly tax-free income tax threshold, at ZWL750 000, translated to US$28,39 at the end of the quarter, way below the cost of living. This drop was from the greenback Zimdollar equivalent of nearly US$74, at the end of January, when the tax-free income tax threshold of ZWL750 000 went into effect. Following the conversion into the ZiG currency, Ncube on Friday issued Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 74 of 2024, stating that the monthly tax-free income tax threshold is ZiG1 356, about US$100. This figure was calculated from the figure of ZiG12 204 as stated in the SI covering the period April 5 2024 to December 31 2024. In the schedule of the new income tax brackets, Ncube said those earning between ZiG12 204,01 to ZiG36 612, over the same period, would attract a 20% income tax. Those earning between ZiG36 612,01 to ZiG122 040 will attract a 25% income tax, ZiG122 040,01 to ZiG244 080 (30%), ZiG244 080,01 to ZiG366 120 (35%), and ZiG366 120,01 and above (40%). In monthly terms, this translates to between ZiG1 356,01 to ZiG4 068 for the 20% income tax, ZiG4 068,01 to ZiG13 650 (25%), ZiG13 650,01 to ZiG27 120 (30%), ZiG27 120,01 to ZiG40 680 (35%), and ZiG40 680,01 and above (40%). The monthly consumer statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency are yet to be released to determine whether these new income tax brackets are in line with the cost of living *AMH* |
| 2024-04-27 07:05:14 | *Zimbabwe Gobbles US$43,7 Million On Maize Imports In Just One Month* ZIMBABWE chewed a total US$43,7 million on maize imports in just one month in a development which reflects the huge cost exerted by the El Nino induced drought. The Southern Africa nation, once the region’s breadbasket in the 1990s, urgently needs to feed 2,7 million food insecure citizens. This follows a poor rain season, which failed to deliver just over half of the cereals needed to feed the nation. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The naturally occurring Nino climate pattern, which emerged in mid-2023, usually increases global temperatures for a year afterwards. It is currently fuelling fires and record heat across the world. On the back of such trends, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) recent report shows that US$43,7 million was spent on maize imports during the period up from US$42,7 million spent in the previous month of January 2024. The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has since anticipated importing one million tonnes of grain in the country between now and March 2025 to prevent drought-induced hunger. In the matrix of the excruciating drought, the amount spent on maize imports is likely to increase in the coming months as last season’s reserves slowly run out. Just this week, Care International also presented a Southern Africa regional drought context, which paints a dire situation requiring urgent donor assistance and timely disbursements to rescue the ailing nations. The RBZ report also reveals that maize is currently the second highest imported commodity from diesel on the list of the ten highly-imported commodities. “During the month of February 2024, the country sourced most of its imports from South Africa which accounted for about 39.2% of total imports, followed by China, the Bahamas, United Arab Emirates, Mozambique, and Zambia,” the RBZ report said. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-27 04:33:04 | *15 Perish In Horror Crash* FIFTEEN church members died while 41 others were seriously injured when a Mercedes Benz Sprinter commuter omnibus they were travelling in collided head-on with a haulage truck at the 53km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Highway yesterday. The group was on its way to a church gathering in Chivhu when tragedy struck at around 4pm near the Beatrice area. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The commuter omnibus was heading towards Chivhu while the truck was travelling towards Harare. Some of the injured were rushed to Beatrice Hospital while others were taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident. “The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred this afternoon (yesterday) at around 1600 hours at the 53km peg along Harare-Masvingo Road in which 15 people were killed after a Sprinter kombi travelling towards Masvingo was involved in a head-on collision with a truck travelling towards Harare. More details will be released in due course,” he said. The accident comes as police and other stakeholders continue to call for responsible driving on the country’s roads. Zimbabwe continues to lose lives on the roads due to human error. On Independence Day, nine people were killed while 25 others were injured in 100 road traffic accidents recorded countrywide. During the same period last year, four people were killed while 22 others were injured in 133 road accidents recorded. This year, there was an increase in the number of people who died in road accidents as well as the number of people injured. Police attributed most of the accidents to human error, which included speeding, inattention, misjudgment, overtaking errors and failure to observe road rules and regulations by drivers. Twenty-seven other people were killed while 159 were injured in 286 road traffic accidents recorded during this year’s Easter holiday. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-27 04:32:46 | *Residents Say Harare Meetings ‘Mere Talk Shows’* THE Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) this week fired a broadside at city fathers, blaming them for not consulting rate payers during policy formulation. After hinting that they had invoked the Freedom of Information Act to force council to act transparently, CHRA said consultations carried out were ‘symbolic’ gestures meant to tick boxes. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- This comes at a time Harare has been ensnared in declining service provision marked by severe water shortages, a cholera outbreak and a malfunctioning waste disposal system. The Freedom of Information Act stipulates that every Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons and the Zimbabwean media, has the right of access to any information held by the state or by any public institution or agency of government at every level, in so far as the information is required in the interests of public. Ruben Akili, director at CHRA, told the Zimbabwe Independent that Harare should establish interactive platforms with its over one million residents. Residents, he added, must be consulted when formulating by-laws and budgets among other policies. “We have seen that in as much as residents are consulted, the policies do not even see the footprint of citizens' voices in terms of the policy that comes out,” Akili said. "The local authority must go back to basics and provide platforms for engagement. The policymaking process should not be devoid of the citizens or residents’ voices." The CHRA boss demanded quarterly feedback meetings with councillors to share progress on the implementation of council resolutions, while addressing service delivery priorities raised by residents. However, he cautioned that councillors were not eager to hold such meetings. Akili’s concerns were shared by Precious Shumba, director of Harare Residents Trust. “The City of Harare needs to substantively consult and use residents’ input, especially on budget formulation. On most occasions, the council's technocrats come up with draft budgets but rarely factor in the inputs from residents. (This is evident) when you review the final budget proposals,” he said. “This is one reason most residents do not value ward budget consultation processes because they consider them to be cosmetic and symbolic to meet legal requirements.” The City of Harare did not respond to questions sent last week. The Independent was also informed that residents were pushing for more accountability and effective governance. “The information gap between residents and the local authority has created perceptions of mismanagement, perceptions of looting, perceptions of abuse of public resources,” Akili said. “We have started to engage the Zimbabwe Media Commission to play that arbitration role to ensure that residents receive information.” Akili noted CHRA had made an information request on the regularisation of about 500 stands in Harare and the development of houses, which are being done along Mutare road. “You realise that the local authority has been refusing to release such information and we have also done an information request on the Pomona issue,” he said. “But again, we have done that because the information which is being given to residents is not adequate." *AMH* |
| 2024-04-27 04:32:22 | *ZiG Coins Specifications Gazetted* FEATURES of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) coins, whose circulation is expected to start next Tuesday, have been gazetted by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube. The ZiG currency was introduced by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu, when he presented his first Monetary Policy Statement on April 5. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The features are contained in Statutory Instrument 75 of 2024 cited as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (Issue of ZiG Coins) Notice, 2024. The coins will come in denominations of one ZiG, two ZiG and five ZiG. “It is hereby notified that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion has, in terms of section 44 D (2) of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act made the following notice specifying the matters determined by the President,” reads the notice. “The design of the ZiG coins shall be— (a) on the observe side of all the ZiG coins, an impression of the Zimbabwe Bird looking to the left, and around shall be the inscription “ZIMBABWE” with the year of manufacture; (b) on the reverse side— (i) in the case of the one ZiG coin, an impression of the Flame Lily and the inscription “1ZiG” to the bottom right of the impression of the Flame Lily; (ii) in the case of the two ZiG coin, an impression of the Great Zimbabwe Monument and the inscription “2ZiG” to the top right of the impression of the Great Zimbabwe Monument; (iii) in the case of the five ZiG coin an impression of the Victoria Falls and the inscription “5ZiG” to the top right of the impression of the Victoria Falls; (c) a diameter of— (i) in the case of the one ZiG coin, 20 millimetres with a plain edge; (ii) in the case of the two ZiG coin, 20,09 millimetres with a fully serrated edge; (iii) in the case of the five ZiG coin, 24,09 millimetres with an interrupted milling edge,” he said. The one ZiG shall consist of 92,94 percent steel and 7,06 percent nickel (Nickel plate on a steel core) and weigh 3,75g while the two ZiG will be made up of nickel plate (25 microns on steel core, that is, 94 percent steel and 6 percent nickel) with a standard mass of 5,3g. The five ZiG shall consist of nickel plate (25 microns on steel core, that is, 94 percent steel and 6 percent nickel) with a standard mass of 7,5g. The ZiG will also have notes denominated in 10ZiG, 20ZiG, 50ZiG, 100 ZiG and 200 ZiG. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-26 14:28:09 | *Fake Doctor Exposes Self, Views X-ray Upside Down* A SUSPECTED fake doctor, who allegedly exposed himself after he was seen holding an X-ray upside down, analysing it in front of a patient at a Harare hospital, has been arrested and taken to court. The complainant is Whatmore Tarugarira (43), the loss control officer at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Douglas Garikayi Mutoredzanwa appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi, who remanded him in custody to April 29. The court noted that Mutoredzanwa has an outstanding warrant of arrest for another 2019 case. He pleaded with the court to release him as he wanted to visit his wife at a hospital, who has a newly-born baby and is sick. Mutoredzanwa had misrepresented to the court that he has no previous convictions and that the other case he had was completed. When asked if he was a medical doctor, he told the magistrate that he was anurse. The State alleged that on April 23, Mutoredzanwa went to Parirenyatwa Hospital’s consultation room 2. He misrepresented to Wilson Takudzwa Kurangwa, a medical doctor who was on duty attending to a patient, that he was also a medical doctor and was attending to a patient. Mutoredzanwa grabbed an X-ray film from Kurangwa and pretended to be analysing it, raising some comments whilst it was upside down. He then left the X-ray film and took two surgical blades, pethidine drugs, three syringes, some cotton, two cannula sensitive tapes and a pair of gloves and went out with them. Kurangwa then became suspicious with the way Mutoredzanwa was holding the X-ray and alerted Tarugarira, the complainant in the matter. Tarugarira then teamed up with some security guards and arrested the suspected fake doctor, after he failed to give a satisfactory explanation of his purpose of visit to the hospital. The court heard that Mutoredzanwa was searched and the two surgical blades, pethidine drugs, three syringes, some cotton, two cannula sensitive tapes and a pair of gloves, were recovered from him. The hospital team handed him over to the police. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-26 14:27:57 | *Inflationary Pressures Threaten Mobile Operators' Profits In Zim* THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) says unless inflation-driven costs are addressed for mobile operators, their profits will continue to diminish. According to the regulator, the hyperinflationary environment that prevailed last year significantly eroded profits for mobile operators. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on April 5 introduced a new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). In its 2023 annual report, Potraz said the performance was worrying. It called for consistent alignment of service charges to the increasing cost of service provision. “The hyperinflationary environment that prevailed in 2023 posed significant challenges across the sector. This resulted in significant increases in the cost of providing services. Revenue to cost ratios diminished for most operators, which is a signal for diminishing profitability across the sector,” Gift Machengete, director-general at Potraz, said in a statement. “This is a worrying situation, which calls for consistent alignment of service charges to the increasing cost of service provision. Unless this problem is addressed, profitability will continue to diminish with implications on sector investment, innovation, and development.” He said as the country urgently required new long-term evolution (LTE) base stations, mobile operators needed to remain profitable. Potraz reported that total postal and telecoms sector revenue last year amounted to ZW$4 trillion (US$655,2 million), from ZW$428,7 billion (US$6,26 million) recorded in 2022. Comparatively, total postal and telecoms operating costs amounted to ZW$2,5 trillion (US$609,5 million) last year, up from ZW$278,1 billion (US$406,38 million) in 2022. The Potraz boss said telecoms capital expenditure totalled ZW$314,8 billion (US$51,6 million) in 2023, from ZW$28,3 billion (US$41,35 million) recorded in 2022. This showed that mobile operators are not generating enough profit to cover capital costs. “The capital expenditure was mainly on long-term evolution deployments and network upgrades,” Machengete said. However, he said demand for internet or data was expected to grow as the authority projected the usage of mainly the Netflix, Facebook and TikTok applications to significantly rise in 2024. “Progress for the sector will also depend on the extent to which operators adopt newer technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (Al) for strategic decision-making, including predictive analytics, advanced cybersecurity, and automated customer service to improve efficiency, security, and innovation in managing their networks,” Machengete said. “On its part, the regulator will continue to pursue the principle of technological neutrality in its licencing processes as well as foster infrastructure sharing aimed at increasing competition and innovation. For the postal sector, there is need to foster adoption and promotion of e-commerce to boost parcel and courier volumes.” Last year, the sector recorded a 50,7% increase in internet and data usage to reach 171,21 Petabytes, from 113 Pbs recorded in the previous year. Meanwhile, total voice traffic also increased by 11,4% to record 11,7 billion minutes in 2023, from 10,5 billion minutes recorded in the prior year. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-26 14:27:36 | *Securico Guard Loots Food Worth ZW 2.5 Million From OK Supermarket* A Securico security officer who was deployed to guard the OK Zimbabwe Fife Avenue supermarket is facing theft charges after he allegedly stole food worth more than ZW$2.5 million. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Safarawo Nyandoro (42) appeared before a Harare magistrate who remanded him into custody. According to prosecutors, at some point in 2021, Safarawo was an employee of Securico, a security company registered in Zimbabwe. Nyandoro was deployed to the Ok Zimbabwe Fife Avenue branch responsible for the upstairs car park, which is where the OK Shop warehouse is located. He was also once sent to monitor the CCTV cameras of the complainants. “During the same period, the accused hatched a plan to rob the complainant. “In accordance with his plan and during the period from December 9, 2021 to January 12, 2022, the accused stole various food items worth ZW 2,527,045-00 from the warehouse in which he was stationed during his deployment. ”, reads the State summary. It is alleged that during the robbery he covered the CCTV cameras with pieces of cloth so that they could not record anything. After the crime was committed, he would uncover the cameras. The crime was discovered when the complainant played the CCTV cameras. It was established that he had to report to work at 6:00 a.m., but that he would show up an hour earlier to commit the crime. As a result of the defendant’s actions, the plaintiff suffered actual damage of ZW$2,527,045-00 and recovered nothing. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-26 14:27:23 | *Zimbabweans Doubt Govt Spends Taxes Wisely: Afrobarometer* Most Zimbabweans do not believe Government is using taxes for the well-being of its citizens, a policy paper prepared by an international think tank, Afrobarometer recently, reveals. The report surveyed 31 countries and Zimbabwe ranked second-to-last, with just above 30 percent of citizens believing their tax money goes towards their well-being. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Findings from the survey revealed in 2022, show that citizens generally believe Government does not usually use tax revenues for the well-being of citizens. Only about three in 10 (31 percent) assert that Government uses tax for the well-being of citizens, while almost half (46 percent) disagree and 23 percent say they “do not know”. “About seven out of 10 citizens (69 percent) say it is difficult to find out how the government uses tax revenues,” reads the report in part. The report also reveals that about two-thirds (64 percent) of Zimbabweans insist on some degree of accountability for how tax revenues are used, saying that Parliament should ensure that the President explains to it on a regular basis how the government spends taxpayers’ money. “Close to two-thirds (64 percent) say Parliament should hold the President accountable for how the government spends taxpayers’ money,” reads the report in part. Demand for accountability regarding the use of taxpayers’ money is stronger among urbanites (70 percent) than rural residents (60 percent) and among men (67 percent) than women. Citizens experiencing high lived poverty are more likely to demand accountability (73 percent) than their better-off counterparts (58 percent-62 percent). Trigrams Investments analyst, Walter Mandeya, said coming second from last on such a critical survey is evidence of the challenges policy makers have in communication. “The challenge is that they are not communicating effectively, clearly or in a simple enough language. This allows uninformed and misinformed voices to fill in the information vacuum that is created when policy announcements are made, implemented and later reviewed. “The recent Monetary Policy Statement is a great example of how State information departments failed to adequately communicate key aspects of the policy giving room to massive misinformation. Fiscal and indeed monetary policies are important components of the relationship between citizens and their government and should be carefully managed through robustly transparent communication,” said Mandeya. While the reasons for this skepticism are not explained in the study, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) offers recommendations for rebuilding trust. In its latest report titled; “Cutting Budget Deficits in Sub-Saharan Africa without Undermining Development”, the IMF says effective strategies to build public trust around fiscal consolidation plans, such as using compensatory measures (including targeted transfers) or adequate sequencing, are essential to ensure a successful and durable implementation of these adjustments. The IMF emphasises the importance of clear communication. They suggest explaining the dangers of high deficits and debt, highlighting examples of countries facing economic crises due to poor financial management. Additionally, they recommend outlining the benefits of responsible spending, such as continued access to public services and investments in essential infrastructure. “Policymakers should explain the benefits of sustainable fiscal policies in terms of continuous access to public services or investments in essential public goods,” reads part of the IMF report. Transparency is also crucial. The public needs to understand how increased tax revenue will be used, with a focus on reducing deficits while maintaining or expanding social programmes over time. Introducing compensatory measures, which provide immediate and salient benefits to the most vulnerable, is also important for getting political buy-in, the IMF suggested. “Such measures could comprise targeted cash transfers to alleviate the effects of fiscal tightening on the most vulnerable or other visible policies such as reductions in public school or health-related fees,” said the IMF. The global lender also suggests careful sequencing of reforms. “If possible, more politically difficult reforms (such as the removal of large energy subsidies) should be undertaken when economic conditions are relatively favourable,” IMF suggested. Alternatively, reforms could initially target higher income groups, such as focusing on eliminating subsidies for luxury goods. Ultimately, public trust hinges on the government’s ability to manage finances efficiently, fairly and transparently. The IMF says public acceptance of fiscal adjustment depends on the ability of policymakers to convince the population that the government will manage public finances in an efficient, fair and transparent manner. The IMF calls for institutional reforms to improve public financial management, including ensuring value for money in investments and stronger governance around public spending. “This notably means improving the management of public investment, for instance by ensuring “value for money” in the selection of investment projects and stronger governance rules around public procurement,” the IMF said. On the revenue side, strengthening tax collection and administration, while ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share, can also increase trust and bolster domestic revenue. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-26 14:27:11 | *Our Roads A Nightmare: Mohadi* VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has described as a nightmare to navigate Zimbabwe and Africa’s roads which is resulting in logistical havoc for travellers. This is leading to dishonest businessmen taking advantage of the situation by overcharging and restricting the flow of commerce, said Mohadi while officially opening the Connect Africa Symposium at the 64 th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo yesterday. ---------- _Join *ZIM CURRENT AFFAIRS* News channel for all the latest stories ranging from Politics, Business, Science & Technology, Arts and Culture_ Simply follow the link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F --------- Mohadi said despite vast natural resources, Africa’s interregional trade was facing such challenges as crumbling infrastructure characterised by poor roads and limited air and maritime connections. “More often than not, poor infrastructure has presented logistical nightmares for our people,” he said. “For instance, some unscrupulous business people have taken advantage of the poor road network to overcharge and stifle the movement of goods and services. “Relatedly, complex regulations and bureaucratic red tape have also created hurdles for business, thus discouraging investment.” The VP urged nations on the continent to maximise on the privilege of having minerals and other valuable resources by embracing value-addition. “It is common knowledge that value-addition and subsequent beneficiation improves the market value of products. Value-addition also creates greater competitive advantage for us through regional cooperation,” he said. “In a recent statistical report produced in 2023, it [was] clear that around 12% of the world population lives in extreme poverty, with Africa accounting for 10% of that 12% of the impoverished lot. “Though poverty levels are projected to decrease globally, Africa is likely to remain the poorest of the regions. This calls for deliberate action if we are to remedy Africa’s circumstances as projected by the statistics I have just mentioned.” Mohadi called for the empowerment of small businesses, particularly those owned by women and youth, if Africa is to move forward. Small businesses are currently the biggest employers in Africa and driving many economies on the continent. He also implores African nations to embrace digitisation to break barriers to trade, while creating a borderless marketplace for African entrepreneurs, cargo and consumers. “We also need to invest in skills development to equip Africa’s workforce with the requisite 21st century skills and knowledge, which are critical to deal with the contemporary challenges we face as integral to unlocking Africa’s competitiveness potential,” he added. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-26 13:06:54 | _Join *ZIM CURRENT AFFAIRS* News channel for all the latest stories ranging from Politics, Business, Science & Technology, Arts and Culture_. Simply follow the link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F |
| 2024-04-26 11:18:04 | *CVR To Decentralise Operations To Byo* The Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) will soon decentralise its operations to Bulawayo as part of efforts to decongest the Harare office, a cabinet Minister said on Thursday. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said this after touring the Ministry stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) where he saw hundreds of drivers queuing to access the new standard plastic driver’s licences that are linked to a database, that will replace the metal ones. The Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Roads Departments and Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) are some of the agencies that fall under the Ministry. “In line with President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa`s mantra of leaving noplace and no one behind, we are working tirelessly as a Ministry to ensure the driver`s licences are timeously issued out by establishing a second office here in Bulawayo,” said Mhona. “Travelling long distances to acquire licences and other documents willbe a thing of the past.” He said the long queues at their stand were testimony that Zimbabweanshave welcomed the Sadc Compliant drivers’ licences. _Join *ZIM CURRENT AFFAIRS* News channel for all the latest stories ranging from Politics, Business, Science & Technology, Arts and Culture_ Simply follow the link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F “One of the advantages of the new plastic licences is that they will beprinted instantly and have security features that will make themdifficult to forge, as well as being scannable so checks can immediatelyconfirm the authenticity and reveal any legal issues,” he said. Mhona said all Zimbabweans who pass their driving tests during the ZITFperiod will be issued new plastic licences instantly. He said the new Zimbabwean licence will be scannable and meet theinternational standards of SADC, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community. South Africa and some other countries in the region are already usingthe plastic licences, also known as plastic polymer licences. Before the new system, those who passed the driving tests at VID depots throughout the country were issued a temporary paper licence with the metal licence coming out a few months later. Me *New Ziana* |
| 2024-04-26 11:17:43 | *‘Govt Failing To Address Sexual Health Problems’* GOVERNMENT is failing to adequately meet the needs of women suffering from acute health challenges and to plug gaps in accessing sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, an Amnesty International Global Report 2023 has said. In its annual World’s Human Rights report, Amnesty International (Amnesty) said teenage pregnancy rates remain high while maternal mortality rates remain alarming in Zimbabwe. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- It further added that child marriage continued to be prevalent in the country. “The government failed to take measures to prevent and fully respond to the treatment needs of those suffering from obstetric fistula,” the organisation said. It further berated the government for failing to establish a comprehensive policy framework and avail funding for maternal health. _Join *ZIM CURRENT AFFAIRS* News channel for all the latest stories ranging from Politics, Business, Science & Technology, Arts and Culture_ Simply follow the link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F “Specifically, it did not develop an adequate policy framework or ensure adequate funding for maternal health despite calls from civil society organisations to do so, and despite the issue being raised in Parliament as a matter of national importance. “[There are] gaps in the legal framework relating to access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents persisted. “Parliament continued to fail to make the necessary aamendments to the Public Health Act to allow health workers to provide sexual and reproductive health to adolescents without their parents’ consent,” said Amnesty. The human rights watchdog added: “Teenage pregnancies remained prevalent with 108 live births per 1 000 women being girls aged between 15 and 19. The government’s pledge to reduce it to 100 per 1 000 women by 2022 was still unrealised in 2023.” Amnesty International further reported that child marriages remained common with an estimated 33% of women between the ages of 20 and 24 having been married while they still under 18 years. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-26 11:17:32 | *Heads Will Roll: Vice President Chiwenga In Stern Warning To Gold Smugglers, Illegal Forex Traders* Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a stern warning to gold dealers and black market forex traders adding that strict measures will be put in place to curb leakages and exchange rate manipulation. Since the introduction of the new gold-backed currency, the government has cracked down on money changers “running down” the ZiG. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- As police intensify its blitz, over a hundred have been arrested and have appeared in court on allegations of contravening the Exchange Control Act. Delivering his keynote address while officially opening the international business conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Chiwenga said gold leakages should be plugged and “not a gram should leave the country”. An Al Jazeera documentary ‘Gold Mafia’ last year exposed how highly connected individuals were smuggling the precious mineral out of the country in the process prejudicing Zimbabwe billions of dollars. Little was done to investigate the allegations of illicit financial flows by the web of politically linked individuals who included ZMF boss Henrietta Rushwaya, businessmen Simon Rudland, Kamlesh Pattni and Ambassador-at-Large Uebert Angel. In what was widely interpreted as a catch-and-release, RBZ’s Financial Intelligence Unit scrapped an asset freeze on those fingered. Said Chiwenga, “We are going to put strict measures to ensure that we protect our resources as a country. “Not even a single gram should leave this country, resources should benefit every citizen. “We are going to put measures, strict measures, that can see heads rolling. “Every gram of gold must be accounted for. We need our gold because it is God-given. No one came with gold to Zimbabwe, but it’s in our soil. “If we don’t want to mine it, it will stay there, but no one should touch it.” He also issued a stern warning to forex traders saying “So, all the money we are talking about here, the Zimbabwe Gold, is going to be anchored firmly, by our gold. “The new currency will, therefore, not be subject to exchange rate volatility or manipulation by speculators.” The ZiG replaced the Zimdollar which had severely lost value after being battered by inflation. The government says ZiG will provide a lasting solution to inflation, which is critical for sustained price and exchange rate stability in the economy. Chiwenga further singled out the retail sector, threatening to shut down supermarkets if they were suspected of sabotaging the new currency. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-26 11:17:03 | *Zimbabwe's Transition To Gold-Backed Currency Sparks Consumer Distress* AS the debate over the implications of Zimbabwe's transition to a gold-backed currency, known as Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), rages on, pockets of distress are emerging among long-suffering consumers. In towns and cities, prices of goods and services have rocketed by at least 50% since April 5, when the central bank announced it was decommissioning the battered Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL), according to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ). ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Before the decision was made, the currency had surrendered 80% of its value against the United States dollar within three months, according to several estimates. It was the latest phase of tailspins that deteriorated last year, when the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL) depreciated by up to 800%, under pressure from rampaging inflation. A brutal black market was also driving fragilities. Reasons of consumer market setbacks are many. According to Denford Mutashu, president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR), action must be taken early. He says while the general plan is to encourage markets to devote ZiG to domestic transactions, there is a real threat to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s delay in rolling out physical ZiG notes, which come to the market on April 30. In remote outback locations, shops are already rejecting the ZWL. Market watchers like Mutashu say by delaying, authorities are actually promoting trade in US dollars, which they may struggle to reverse. In an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent this week, Rosemary Mpofu, chief executive officer at CCZ, laid out the headwinds gripping a market that authorities are so desperately trying to lift out of a prolonged quagmire. “Despite the positives noted in the introduction of the new currency, the release of the new notes and coins has lagged way behind,” Mpofu said. “This has created some challenges, both to business and consumers in terms of transacting. Apparently, a number of suppliers mainly in small retail outlets have been refusing acceptance of any currency other than the USD despite the government having pronounced that the old ZWL will continue in circulation until the release of the new notes and coins expected by the end of April 2024,” she said. “Against this background, CCZ is calling for the central bank to hasten the release of the new notes and coins in order to address the above-mentioned challenges currently facing the consumers. Another issue of concern caused by the delays in the release of the new notes and coins relates to transport costs. Consumers have been forced to pay a fare of US$1 for commuting the same distance which they used to pay US$0,50 per trip. “The prices of a number of products have gone up since the pronouncement of the 2024 monetary policy statement (MPS), notably mealie meal and rice. “Admittedly, it will be too early and inconclusive to attribute this increase in price to the new MPS. The market is still adjusting and it is our fervent hope that the prices will eventually correct themselves downwards,” Mpofu said. ZiG itself has not had it easy since its launch. It has taken heavy knocks on the black market, depreciating to US$1:ZiG22 this week, after launching at US$1:ZiG13,56. However, it has held ground on the official market. A Bloomberg report said this week the new currency had reversed a near 330% gain on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) this year, “leaving investors dealing with the fallout”. ZSE’s All Share Index has plummeted by 99,95% since April 5, when the gold-backed currency was announced. “The volume of trades and value of transactions have also plunged as share prices were converted from the old currency to the new,” Bloomberg said. “Prior to the conversion, investors piled into stocks as they sought refuge from the local dollar’s collapse and surging inflation that in March stood at a seven-month high of 55,3%. “The bourse offers one of the few investment options in the southern African nation for investors to hedge against exchange-rate volatility and inflation,” the report added. Mutashu warned about the ramifications of ZiG notes delays on trade. “This delay is having a significant impact on trade, particularly in remote areas and informal markets where cash is the primary mode of payment,” he told the Independent. “The absence of physical currency is promoting the continued use of the US dollar, potentially leading to a solidified preference for the US dollar in these areas. “This, in turn, could undermine the acceptability and adoption of the ZiG currency once it is introduced,’ Mutashu said. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-26 10:18:05 | *Zimbabwe’s Gold-backed ZiG Weakens For First Time Since Debut* Zimbabwe’s gold-backed currency the ZiG weakened for the first time since its debut earlier this month. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The currency traded almost 1% weaker at 13.38 per dollar on Thursday compared with a day earlier, central bank data shows, tracking the decline in the gold price. The metal has fallen in the past three days. The ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, is backed by a basket of precious metals including about 2.5 tons of gold and $100 million of foreign currency reserves held by the central bank. It started trading at 13.56 on April 8 when it replaced the Zimbabwean dollar, which had lost about 80% of its value against the US currency since the start of the year. Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga told a business conference Wednesday in Bulawayo that the ZiG is a step toward abandoning the use of US dollars in the economy. Dollars, which will no longer be accepted as legal tender in Zimbabwe from 2030, are currently used in around 80% of transactions. *Bloomberg* |
| 2024-04-26 08:18:18 | *Payment Of Contractors Does Not Influence Exchange Rate Volatility: Mushayavanhu* THE volatility in black market exchange rates is not influenced in any way by payment of contractors, civil servants or food imports, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said yesterday, as the apex launched the second phase of awareness campaigns for the new structured currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). Responding to questions during a Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting in Mutare, Dr Mushavanhu said: “Contractors are paid by Government mostly in US dollars. If they are paid in ZiGs, it is from the stock of ZiGs in the market and not from printing. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- “Treasury cannot come to borrow to pay contractors. If they are using money that is already in circulation, which is controlled, I do not see how that can cause ripples. “As regards food imports, in our semi dollarised economy, 80 percent of transactions are in US dollars. What it means is that, for you and me in this room, our food requirements, even if it is going to be imported, it can be done by the private sector. “National Foods can use money in their FCA to import, mill and sell it to you in US dollars because we are in a multi-currency system. “Then we come to the vulnerable, yes those ones are covered by Treasury. For those we are not looking at a lot because maybe 500 000 tonnes will suffice and Treasury will tell you that it has already been secured. Yes, El Nino is there but its impact on the exchange rate, or its impact on ZiG is minimal.” Dr Mushayavanhu said the ZiG was not only strengthening but moving towards stability. “ZiG is a new currency fully backed by gold and other precious minerals. We are projecting that ZiG is going to be stable. The exchange rate is not going to move. In fact, if you look at what has been happening from April 5, ZiG has been strengthening. “Some might want to think that there has been firming because of the RBZ. But no it is not. It is the market and of course the market has been influenced by the price of gold that has been going up, which means ZiG should naturally strengthen because the major anchor of ZiG is gold. That is not because the central bank has said anything,” he said. The Reserve Bank Governor said fuel pricing in ZiG was being negotiated with suppliers and the outcome of the meetings will soon be made public. Fuel has almost entirely been sold in US dollars in recent years, largely because it is imported using free funds, rather than funds bought from the Reserve Bank or the commercial banks under the new system. “On the issue of ZiG buying petroleum products, we are currently seized with negotiations with players in the industry to have that happen. But we should also be aware those players in that industry are also corporate citizens, come June they also have to remit their QPDs (Quarterly Payment Dates) in ZiG,” said Dr Mushayavanhu. Meanwhile, the RBZ has, with immediate effect, launched the second phase of awareness campaigns of the ZiG, targeting all parts of the country after realising that some communities had been left out. Dr Mushayavanhu said after the April 5 launch of the new currency, which is backed by gold and other precious minerals, the conversion of what used to be RTGS balances into ZiG was completed, while an intensive media campaign under phase one was initiated to “try and educate the public on ZiG and also on the structured currency”. “However, as we were doing the rounds, the message that kept coming to us was ‘we were not going far enough’; we were not reaching all the corners of the country and the people out there are asking what is ZiG? What is a structured currency? What difference is it going to make? How different is it from the RTGS?” said Dr Mushayavanhu. “Are we not doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results, but without changing anything? “And arising from that, we felt it necessary that we embark on an extensive and intensive campaign to try and educate the public on this new structured currency.” In the second phase of awareness campaigns, the RBZ has joined forces with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and Parliament of Zimbabwe, “so that we reach every corner of the country”. Dr Mushayavanhu explained that they chose the Ministry of Information because it has got the reach of the whole country through the media, and Parliament because legislators represent the people. “And if you go through the Members of Parliament, you will be able to reach all corners of the country and also these are the people who were elected by the people and they can guide us and help us to spread this message. “So we are embarking on this campaign starting immediately,” he said. The teams going out to the districts and villages are mandated to conscientise the people of the new currency, ZiG, which replaced the Zimbabwe dollar as legal tender but will co-circulate with other foreign currencies since Zimbabwe remains in a multi-currency regime, that is expected to last until 2030, as enunciated in Statutory Instrument 218 of 2023 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). In short, the objectives of the awareness campaigns are to inform the public about the introduction of the ZiG, advise the public of the transition window from the Zimbabwe dollar to ZiG, where the central bank said people would be allowed to exchange their old notes for ZiG and during this process, Zimbabwe dollar notes would continue to be legal tender. The public will also be advised of the mechanism that was used to convert their balances from Zimbabwe dollars to ZiG, and to also advise the public on the exchange of notes from Zimbabwe dollars to ZiG and where they can exchange their notes. In the Monetary Policy Statement, Dr Mushayavanhu said he had dedicated AFC Commercial Bank and POSB as institutions that would give cash to people who wanted to exchange their Zim dollar notes for ZiG notes and coins. The public will also be educated on the ZiG denominations and features. From what was announced on April 5, what has changed is that ZiG 1 to 5, will now be coins and then have ZiG 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 as notes, because for instance, 1 ZiG is equal to about US$0,6c at the prevailing exchange rate. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-26 08:18:02 | *Zimbabwean Authorities Misusing Justice System To Silence Critics: Report* A recently released report by human rights watchdog Amnesty International has revealed that Zimbabwean authorities severely restricted freedoms of association and expression during the election period, using the judicial system to silence dissenting voices. The report, titled “The State of the World’s Human Rights 2024” focused on the human rights situation in 155 countries. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Zimbabwe went to the polls in August last year with opposition supporters and members bearing the “brunt of widespread repression” – which included arbitrary detention, prosecution and further restrictions imposed by new legislation. President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared winner of the plebiscite which the opposition declared as a “gigantic fraud” and election observer missions said was flawed. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, expressed deep concern over the alarming human rights violations. “Amnesty International’s report paints a dismal picture of alarming human rights repression and prolific international rule-breaking, all in the midst of deepening global inequality, superpowers vying for supremacy and an escalating climate crisis,” she said. Read the report: “The rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly were severely restricted, particularly during the election period. “Opposition members, or those associated with the opposition, bore the brunt of the widescale repression of dissent, including arbitrary detention and prosecution. “New legislation imposed further restrictions on and harsh penalties against activists and critics. “Plain-clothes state agents abducted political activists, tortured them, and killed one man. At least one activist was reportedly killed by ruling party supporters.” The report further shows notable cases of arrests of University students and civil society members, torture of activists and abductions by suspected state security agents. “The rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly continued to be threatened, especially during the general election period. Members of the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were the main targets of repression. “Just over one month before election day, the President signed into law the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act, 2022. It failed to meet the requirements of legality, proportionality and necessity in relation to the imposition by the authorities of penalties like loss of citizenship and the death penalty against people simply for peacefully exercising their human rights. “It heightened the risk of arbitrary detention against those who expressed dissenting views, and contained overly broad provisions that criminalized participation in meetings.” Amnesty International also indicated the killings of opposition members by suspected Zanu-PF supporters. “Tinashe Chitsunge, a CCC activist, was reportedly stoned to death by ZANU-PF cadres in Glen View South, Harare, on 3 August. He was believed to have been attacked while trying to flee from a ZANU-PF mob who were attacking opposition activists at a rally. “CCC activist Vutisani Mushiyi was admitted to Chiredzi Hospital after being attacked in the town of Chiredzi South, on 4 August by suspected ZANU-PF supporters. He claimed that he was attacked in retaliation for his refusal to quit as chairperson of the Chilonga Irrigation Scheme in Chiredzi South after a ZANU-PF parliamentary candidate had tried to make him do so,” mentioned the report. Amnesty International’s report on Zimbabwe serves as a grave reminder of the urgent need to address human rights violations and restore the rule of law. The organization calls for immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of individuals affected by these abuses and demands accountability for those responsible. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-26 07:29:35 | *Zanu PF Deploys FAZ For By-elections* THE ruling Zanu PF party has deployed members of the Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) group ahead of tomorrow’s by-elections in Harare East and Mt Pleasant. The group was in the vortex of a storm during the country’s harmonised elections in August last year after setting up “Exit Polls” desks outside polling stations where they quizzed voters who and whci party they had voted for. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- At the time, the ruling party was evasion and never openly associated with the political outfit. The two constituencies fell vacant when Fadzayi Mahere and Rusty Markham resigned from Parliament in solidarity with their former Citizens Coalition of Change leader Nelson Chamisa after he quit the party in a huff citing infiltration by the ruling party. Zanu PF has party. Zanu PF has revealed that it had deployed FAZ and Heritage Trust members at each polling station to secure victory in the by-elections. The party’s provincial vice-chairman for Harare Ephraim Fundukwa told Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga at a rally in Harare East yesterday that the leadership was leaving no stone unturned to secure outright victory. “I want to tell you Vice-President [Chiwenga] that the Harare province team is working hard. We have 50 polling stations for the by-election. On each of the polling stations, we have set teams of 20 members,” he said. “The teams are being led by provincial, FAZ, the Heritage Trust and Young Women for ED members who are campaigning.” FAZ president Kudakwashe Munsaka told NewsDay yesterday that there was nothing sinister about his members to being deployed by the ruling party because they were a Zanu PF affiliate. “We have said umpteen times that we are an affiliate of Zanu PF and this has not changed. Yes, indeed, if the party deploys us to assist its campaign for any envisaged by-elections or any restructuring exercises for its organs, we will willingly oblige. We live to serve, as our motto aptly asserts,” he said. FAZ emerged during the Zanu PF restructuring programmes in 2022, triggering chaotic party primary elections in which it was accused of tilting votes in favour of particular candidates within the party. During the August 23-24 harmonised elections last year the group attracted widespread condemnation from the opposition CCC and observer missions, who accused it of being part of Zanu PF’s vote rigging machinery. In their recommendations after the 2023 polls, foreign observer missions delivered scathing assessments of FAZ’s role in the plebiscite. The European Union Election Observer Mission (EUEOM) leader Fabio Massimo Castaldo said FAZ members intimidated the electorate. The Commonwealth EOM, in its report, also raised concern over the presence of FAZ in rural areas, sentiments which were shared by the Southern African Development Community EOM. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-26 04:48:05 | *Corruption Blamed For Urban Land Chaos* CORRUPT politicians and civil servants were yesterday blamed by the Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti and the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, for the land grabs around cities and irregular urban settlements. Speaking at the ‘Lands Matters Indaba’ hosted by the country’s biggest integrated media house, Zimpapers, in Bulawayo yesterday, they revealed that Zimbabwe’s national waiting list for land allocation is in shambles, with land seekers settling illegally without basic amenities, with fertile farmland increasingly being targeted. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- “Most of the challenges we have on land issues is that most of these peri-urban settlements are fuelled by politicians who want votes because everyone wants land. “Some politicians tell the electorate to go and invade and settle at a certain portion of land promising that they will regularise the settlement after the elections if they vote for them,” said Prof Jiri, who was the guest of honour. He said the chaos over land was concerning as the illegal settlements have no basic amenities with the problem now even bigger as land seekers, desperate for land, even see fertile farmland as possible places of settlement. Prof Jiri said the country was now in a phase where authorities must emphasise order following the necessary fast-track Land Reform that was meant to address the land imbalances brought about by years of colonialism. “We talk about the waiting list of people that have applied for stands, which is said to be at 280 000, a clear lie because no one keeps those records. If one applies at their district, the application is just thrown there and no one cares. “There are people who have applied and are holding on to their papers, but no one will give them land because so many people know a huge number of people whom they allocate land to without following the correct and transcribed way,” said Prof Jiri. He noted that there are three documents that one gets when applying for land and these are an offer letter for A1, while for A2 an applicant can get an A2 permit or a 99-year lease. “What causes the problems are people who go onto the land without having any document regardless of whether or not one was told that they have been allocated a piece of land,” said Prof Jiri. “People that are responsible for allocating land are the land officers. There is no payment whatsoever during this land application process. Only the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries Water and Rural Development is mandated to sign the documents,” he explained. Presenting a paper on the current trajectory of land from a Government perspective and expectations of local authorities, Eng Muguti noted that one of the greatest mistakes made during the First Republic era was the use of land as a political campaign tool. “I can tell you that 101 percent of the challenges that we are facing today were created by political animals. At some point in the history of Zimbabwe in the old republic, we made the mistake of using land to campaign and as a result, we have found it proper that for me to be a councillor, I need to be able to have land to give to people because the demand for land is real, it was there then and it is there now,” said Eng Muguti. He said President Mnangagwa had a very clear position on land, which was order and development that was planned transparently and diligently. Some of the speakers at the Indaba included the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Bubi, who criticised corrupt traditional leaders, warning them that the Constitution was clear on action that can be taken against such individuals. Chief Mtshane’s presentation was on the role of traditional leaders and what is commonly known as “sabhuku deals”. Permanent Secretary for National Housing and Social Amenities Eng Theodius Chinyanga, presented on the topic, ‘tackling land barons in urban human settlements’, and said land barons started between 2000 and 2003 coinciding with land reform. He said land barons were settling people on agricultural land and warned that the country risks a housed but hungry population. In his welcome remarks, Zimpapers chief executive, Mr Pikirayi Deketeke, said the objectives of the Indaba was two-fold; to find a solution on land disputes and illegal settlements, and the role that the media can play. “As the biggest media house in the country, we are not there just to sell content, but we believe we have a serious role to play in terms of bringing Zimbabweans together to converse on issues that touch our daily lives,” said Mr Deketeke. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-26 04:47:53 | *New Education Curriculum Guideline Out* THE Government has released a detailed guideline on the implementation of a new heritage-based curriculum framework for primary and secondary education, which takes effect next month. The curriculum is aligned with Vision 2030 and driven by National Development Strategy 1 and 2. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The framework is building on the strengths of the preceding framework 2015 to 2022 and adopting a heritage-based curriculum, focusing on natural endowments such as flora, fauna, water, minerals and human resources, which are unique to Zimbabwe. The aim is to produce a highly competent learner who has a Zimbabwean outlook and prepare pupils for life and work in an innovation and knowledge-driven economy. In a circular sent to various stakeholders on Monday, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Moses Mhike, said the underlying principle is an education system that produces goods and services useful to the economy, based on heritage. He said the country’s education system should be delivered conscious of the environment it seeks to transform, with a mandate of ensuring that pupils acquire skills, values and attitudes for life and work. Mr Mhike said it integrates and reinforces a strong scientific and technological bias as part of the Government’s skills development strategy. “To produce a highly competent learner who has a Zimbabwean outlook, the following aims of education will be pursued that is to promote and cherish the Zimbabwean identity, prepare pupils for life and work in an innovation and knowledge-driven economy,” he said. “It should foster life-long learning and prepare pupils for participatory citizenship, peace and sustainable development. It should also prepare and orient pupils for participatory leadership and voluntary service and strengthening measures to mould the pupils to cherish and practice the Zimbabwean philosophical orientation of Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu.” Mr Mhike said the task of curriculum implementation requires focused and committed leadership and a teacher fit for purpose. He said the medium of instruction at the infant school level shall be the indigenous language, which is commonly used or spoken in a particular area as outlined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The infant school module now consists of six learning areas which are, indigenous language, English Language, Mathematics, Science and Technology; Physical Education, Arts and Social Sciences. “To avoid any education wastage, the heritage-based curriculum accommodates a two-route progression system as pupils enrol for Form 1. Route one is for those who want to progress to Advanced Level then university,” said Mr Mhike. “Route two is for those who want to acquire vocational skills for life and work. Route two pupils will follow the Zimbabwe National Qualifications Framework’s skills pathway under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. They do HEXCO courses, National Foundation Certificate (NFC) at Form 4 and National Certificate (NC) after Form Four using the module.” Mr Mhike said the curriculum prepares pupils to acquire knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and attributes as a result of their learning experience from Early Childhood Development to Form Six. “These are the exit profiles denoted by knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and dispositions possessed after learning at any given level in any learning area,” he said. The framework provides learners with problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, leadership skills, communication and teamwork skills, research skills, innovation skills and technological skills. Mr Mhike said as part of the route towards implementation of the primary and secondary curriculum, all the 2024 examination classes will continue with the old curriculum and its assessment modalities. “They will continue with Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (Cala) to complete the assessment cycle and submit to the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec). Non-examination classes will commence school-based projects in May,” he said. “Each pupil at whatever level will do one project per learning area per year. Grade Six, Forms Three and Five school-based projects will be considered as part of the coursework mark to Zimsec in 2025.” *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-26 04:47:41 | *ZITF Official Opening Postponed* THE ZIMBABWE International Trade Fair (ZITF) has postponed the official opening that was scheduled for Friday after Kenyan President William Ruto delayed travelling to Zimbabwe due to weather conditions affecting East African countries. Ruto was expected to officially open the 64th trade extravaganza tomorrow but failed to travel after his country was hit by flooding. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- ZITF board chairman Busisa Moyo confirmed the delays during his address at the Connect Africa Symposium held at the exhibition centre’s Hall 2 today. “The official opening of the ZITF has been postponed to Saturday 27 at 10am, due to the weather conditions faced by the guest of honour who is to open the exhibition,” Moyo said. He told exhibitors who had made plans to travel tomorrow to extend their stay. “We apologise for that change. However, I am aware that some had made plans to leave tomorrow. If you can stay, we would really appreciate it,” he said. Other activities lined up for tomorrow including President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tour of stands will go ahead as scheduled. In its 64th edition, ZITF is the leading business exhibition organiser in the country that brings together diverse audiences to promote trade and investment in the country. *AMH* |
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| 2024-04-25 14:27:59 | *Governance Shocker: Zim Govt Neglects It's Websites* IN the Fourth Industrial Revolution, several institutions are now racing towards automation, internet of things, cloud computing, cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence. The revolution signifies a paradigm shift characterised by the convergence of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data, fundamentally transforming how people work, live, and interact. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- However, Zimbabwe is still playing catch-up, with findings by The NewsHawks showing that 75% of government websites — main portals of communication — are perennially down, while others are endlessly undergoing maintenance, which experts say is a hindrance to access to information. According to section 62 of the national constitution, every person has the right to access information held by anyone, including the state. However, findings have shown that only six out of 24 ministerial websites are working, with the ministry Finance and Investment Promotion’s website having the most recent updates, while the remainder were last updated before 2021, with others not working at all. Other websites that are working include that of the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, last updated in 2021, and that of the ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development was last updated in 2019. Websites of the ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Information Communication Technology and Courier Services, Sports Recreation Arts and Culture Tourism are also running, but without new updates. Even the official portal to the ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services is not working. This is despite the government investing in communication and maintenance of broadcasting equipment. In the 2022 budget, the proposed expenditure for maintenance of technical and office equipment was pegged at ZW$14.5 million (US$ 22 445), with indicative estimates for 2024 and 2025 pegged at ZW$17 144 000 (US$26 539) and ZW$20 271 000 (US$31 379) respectively. The malfunctions contradict with government’s assertion in the 2024 Blue Book, which show’s that traffic on the Information ministry’s website has been gradually increasing under its information and publicity programme. According to the report, the website’s insights were pegged at 13.9 million in 2022, which increased to 15 million in 2023 and is expected to reach 18 million in 2024. The government has been mainly using X, with the Blue Book showing that total impressions for 2022 were 49 million, 200 million in 2023 and expected to reach 250 million in 2024. The Health ministry website, which is crucial for disseminating information on epidemics, has is frequently under maintenance, while the Mines ministry and Local Government ministry websites are out of order. Findings have also shown that websites to the ministries of Defence, Tourism and Hospitality, Veterans of Liberation Struggle, and Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development are also down, showing a “404 Not Found” error notice. According to web hosting and AI website building company Hostinger, the “404 Not Found” error means the browser has connected and sent the request to the web server. “As a result, the browser can’t load the web page, showing a 404 error. Many factors can cause error 404 Not Found, including: Moved or deleted page. Sometimes, the page’s content may have been deleted or moved without fixing the broken link,” Hostinger said on its official website. “Mistyped URL. The page link is typed incorrectly into the browser’s address bar. In other words, you’re using the wrong URL to access the page.” In contrast, the websites of other governments in Sadc are functional, giving latest updates. For instance, the survey has shown that websites of South Africa, Botswana and Malawi are perfectly working. Media experts says the malfunction of the Zimbabwean government’s main media platforms has a negative impact on access to information. “In light of the internet age and technological developments and platfomisation of information it is critical for government departments to have a strong presence on digital platforms to ensure that the public has easier access to information,” said Loughty Dube, Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) executive director. “The majority of people are active on digital platforms and accurate and credible government information should be easily accessible for citizens. “Govt information should not only be available but should be up to date and current, and it is imperative that governments should invest in technology in order to remain relevant and in constant touch with its citizens.” Media lawyer Chris Mhike (pictured) said access to information is important for open government and good governance. “Under our law, everyone is entitled to access any information held by the state or by any governmental institution or agency, with minimal or no hindrances. That right of access to information is closely linked to the constitutional principles of open government and good governance,” Mhike told The NewsHawks. “Naturally, good governance should entail efficiency, accountability, and transparency in all institutions and agencies of government at every level.” The present government claims to be more open than the previous (Mugabe-era dispensation), and the weekly post-Cabinet Press briefings are often cited as proof of that claim. Mhike said failure to maintain functional websites dents the principle of transparency. “While those [cabinet] briefings are certainly a commendable improvement to governmental communication in this country, there can be no doubt that in the modern age of advanced information communication technologies (ICTs), Press conferences are not enough. Websites do provide a vital source of information for citizens and for relevant non-citizens. “It is therefore safe to conclude that government’s failure to maintain functional websites during the pertinent season violates various relevant provisions of domestic, regional and international law. Urgent action is necessary for the correction of that violation.” *thenewshawks* |
| 2024-04-25 14:27:48 | *Chiefs Terrorising Subjects: Report* A LEADING peace and reconciliation organisation has called for the alignment of the Traditional Leaders Act to the Constitution to whip chiefs into line after they were flagged for corruption and human rights violations, among other misdemeanours. In its latest report titled Traditional Leaders in Zimbabwe Balancing Culture, Development and Democracy, Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) said chiefs were deviating from their mandate. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- “Some traditional leaders have been accused of accepting bribes, abusing their power, violating the rights of their subjects and discriminating against women and youths in their roles and activities,” the report noted. “For example, some traditional leaders have been reported to demand payment from villagers for accessing basic services, such as water, health and education. Some have also been implicated in cases of forced evictions, torture and murder of suspected opposition supporters or dissenters.” HZT said laws governing and monitoring the conduct of traditional leaders should be strengthened. “Aligning the Traditional Leaders Act to the Constitution as a way of strengthening the constitutional and legal framework for regulating and monitoring the conduct of traditional leaders, and ensuring that they adhere to the principles of impartiality, transparency and respect for human rights,” the policy brief said. Last year, police in Masvingo opened an indecent assault charge against Chiefs’ Council vice-president Fortune Charumbira after he allegedly sexually abused his 27-year-old married niece on two occasions. Gender activist Nancy Mupeki said there had been cases of traditional leaders abusing their position to gain sexual favours from women. “At one point, my organisation had to intervene after we came across a case of a headman who was abusing his powers asking for sexual favours from women in exchange for farming inputs in Chihota,” she said. “There are many cases across the country where traditional leaders operate like Sabhuku Vharazipi.” Sabhuku Vharazipi is a popular local comedy character depicting some of the shenanigans of the country’s traditional leaders. HZT advocacy officer Tapiwanashe Chiriga said traditional leaders accounted for 40% of the country’s human rights violations thus far. “In the run-up to the 2023 elections, village heads were illegally appointed Zanu PF cell chairs and became the epicentre of a litany of human rights abuses,” Chiriga told NewsDay in an interview. Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum acting director Wilbert Mandinde also expressed concern over the increasing politicisation of traditional leaders. “Our concern is that during the course of the year, we have continued seeing traditional leaders taking a partisan approach,” Mandinde said. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-25 14:27:35 | *New Money Won’t Alleviate Poverty* TOP researcher and director of independent policy think-tank Sivio Institute, Tendai Murisa, says while the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) monetary unit has been introduced to solve immediate currency issues, it is unlikely to address the deeper problems causing poverty and inequality in Zimbabwe. On 5 April, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) new governor John Mushayavanhu introduced the ambitious ZiG currency backed by gold and other precious minerals to replace the fast-waning Zimbabwe dollar. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The dramatic introduction has seen traders across the country rejecting the Zimdollar which had been used for change, placing consumers in a fix, with the ZiG yet to fully come into circulation. In his analysis titled Zimbabwe’s New Monetary Policy Statement: A Brazen Attempt at a Silver Bullet, Murisa said while the currency has been introduced, several modalities which include public confidence coupled with a lack of political will in policymaking are not in place, which casts its future in doubt. “The ZiG may in all fairness succeed and if that were to happen, Zimbabweans would have some form of relief from daily financial gymnastics. Beyond that, the structural problems of poverty and inequality will remain intact,” Murisa said. “According to many sceptics, the government cannot be trusted to keep their word even for a month. They are most likely to print a lot of the stated ZiG beyond the assurances they have made to settle their positions. Such an argument is probably more scientific than what calls for blind trust in a government that has repeatedly broken its promises. “The present government has since 2017 been very good at pushing rhetorical narratives of grand transformation. Similar claims were made in 2018 about the RTGS, that it has the backing of Afreximbank to guarantee its 1:1 convertibility to USD — yet the currency collapsed dramatically. People have learnt their lessons from the 2007/8 period and there is no assurance that there will be no repeat of the same.” Murisa said very few people have confidence in treating the currency as a reliable medium to long-term store of value. For instance, people receiving local currency quickly look for means of disposing of it either through purchasing United States dollars or securing goods, while rarely keeping it in savings accounts. Murisa said the future of the new currency is also cast into doubt by lack of political and economic will in implementing policies which has riddled the country over the past decades. “The strange thing about Zimbabwean policymaking is always that the custodians of policies are usually always the first to put spanners in the works. The monetary policy statement refers to the fact that some statutory payments such as the Provisional Tax for each Quarterly Payment Date (commonly referred to as QPDs) will have to be settled in the local currency,” Murisa said. “There is no reference to daily consumer goods — except the mention that supermarkets are expected to display prices in ZiG. The assumption here is that the black market rate would be wiped out instantly — thus the prices reflected in supermarkets and other trading places will be based on a widely accepted and used rate. The usage of the United States dollar is widespread and deep. Goods and services are priced in United States dollars even in remote rural areas. How do we change that practice?” Murisa said the new currency is likely to be destabilised should the government continue paying contractors in local currency. Trends have shown that there is always a recurrent spike in the exchange rate whenever the government makes payments to infrastructure contractors. “Local contractors behave in the same way as other citizens. Soon after being paid in local currency they try to retain the value of funds received by purchasing United States dollars, usually on the black market,” Murisa said. “The rate is rarely pushed by ordinary citizens buying US$100 here and there but usually through Treasury-related payments. Is the government going to change their payment method and start settling local contractors’ invoices in United States dollars? That could work but is not likely. If the trend is going to continue, then there is a high probability that the government will give in to the temptation to print more ZiG notes or ‘increase’ digital balances.” The government has also been entangled in a long history of money printing with digital balances exceeding hard currency figures. “To settle these amounts, for instance, the former governor always held onto his claim that he was not printing money-referring to paper money — but the actual RTGS (digital) money was growing due to these payments to exporters. There have always been more digital balances than paper money in circulation. Fixing that will be the first major undertaking of dealing with underlying factors driving the rate,” he said. Murisa said the monetary policy presented by Mushayavanhu upon the launch, has also failed to adequately address questions of inclusive growth, as the widespread use of the ZiG may promote export competitiveness if production costs are met with a cheaper local currency. “Perhaps this is where the monetary policy will prove to be a huge challenge. The shift towards a more market-determined exchange rate will promote an increase in short-term trade opportunities. Most imported goods will remain as items for reselling,” he said. “Funds for long-term capital investment that have been in short supply will literally dry. The stability envisaged in the rate is not necessarily growth-oriented at all. Abandoning the auction in the manner that the government did, whilst good for addressing borderline criminal activities, should not suggest that the provision of affordable foreign exchange was necessarily bad.” “Some beneficiaries abused a good initiative. However, there are quite a number of manufacturing entities that could do with friendly recapitalisation financing for them to adequately compete against cheap imports. Furthermore, few SMEs benefitted under the previous monetary policy. The current framework is silent on how it will seek to cushion these economic actors.” *thenewshawks* |
| 2024-04-25 11:45:15 | *Prophet T.B. Bondera Departs for South African Tour, Igniting Anticipation for Spiritual Awakening Across the Nation* Amidst a fervent atmosphere of anticipation and expectation, Prophet Dr. T.B. Bondera has embarked on his much-anticipated South African tour, leaving the country in eager anticipation of two weeks filled with divine encounters and spiritual enlightenment. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- In a proclamation that has reverberated through spiritual circles across the nation, Prophet Dr. T.B. Bondera has announced his highly anticipated South African tour, promising two weeks of divine encounters and spiritual enlightenment. With expectations soaring high, believers eagerly await the arrival of the esteemed prophet, anticipating profound revelations and transformative experiences. The tour kicks off with a prophetic night scheduled for April 26, 2024, in the vibrant city of Capetown. Hosted by Apostle K and Prophetess P Muronzi, this event promises an evening of revelation and spiritual enlightenment as Prophet Bondera fulfills his divine calling. Attendees can expect to be moved by the powerful presence of the renowned prophet as he imparts his wisdom and guidance to all in attendance. Following the prophetic night, Prophet Bondera will lead an anointing Sunday service on April 28, 2024, providing an opportunity for believers to experience the transformative power of divine blessings. With his renowned ability to channel the divine, Prophet Bondera's presence is anticipated to bring about miraculous manifestations and spiritual breakthroughs for those in attendance. Continuing his journey across South Africa, Prophet Bondera will grace the Pretoria Assembly with his presence, further spreading his message of hope and faith to the faithful congregation. His visit to Pretoria promises to be a momentous occasion, as believers eagerly anticipate receiving divine blessings and spiritual guidance from the esteemed prophet. For those seeking a more intimate experience, Prophet Bondera will be hosting one-on-one sessions on May 4, 2024, providing individuals with the opportunity to receive personalized guidance and prayers from the spiritual leader. These sessions are expected to be deeply transformative, offering attendees a chance to connect with the divine in a profound and meaningful way. The pinnacle of Prophet Bondera's tour will culminate in one of the biggest prophetic Sunday services on May 5, 2024, promising a spectacle of spiritual fireworks and divine manifestations. Believers from across South Africa are encouraged not to miss this extraordinary event, where Prophet Bondera will deliver his prophetic message with unparalleled fervor and conviction. In anticipation of his tour, Prophet Dr. T.B. Bondera expresses his excitement and dedication to bringing spiritual renewal and divine intervention to the people of South Africa. With promises of miracles, blessings, and divine encounters, Prophet Bondera's tour is set to leave a lasting impact on all those who attend. As believers eagerly await the arrival of Prophet Bondera, anticipation is building for what promises to be a transformative and unforgettable spiritual experience. With his unwavering faith and divine connection, Prophet Bondera continues to inspire millions around the world, offering hope, healing, and salvation to all who seek it. For more information about these unforgettable spiritual experiences, individuals can visit the GHMI Official Facebook page or contact the organizers directly. Those seeking further details or wishing to inquire about specific events can reach out to the Capetown organisers at +27685811899 or Pretoria organisers at 06524202855. Whether seeking to attend the prophetic night, the anointing Sunday service, or the one-on-one sessions with Prophet Dr. T.B. Bondera. |
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| 2024-04-25 08:28:32 | *Invest In Health, Govt Told* GOVERNMENT has been urged to heavily invest in public health because the country risks missing its United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) made the call after a survey it conducted indicated that more than 58% of the country’s 57 districts were experiencing poor supply of essential medical drugs. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- In its health and education situation report, Zimcodd said Zimbabwe’s healthcare system was plagued by inadequate finance, corruption, biased spending and lack of community involvement. “Governments must heavily invest in public healthcare. In Africa, signatories to the Abuja Declaration of 2001, including Zimbabwe, agreed to earmark 15% of their national budgets towards public health spending,” Zimcodd said. “Public health is critical in determining a country’s health status and economic development, as nations that spend more on healthcare will have healthier and more productive human capital, reducing health-related inequalities and powering national output [GDP] growth.” The pressure group said 64% of the districts reported an acute shortage of healthcare personnel. The results further indicated that 54% of the districts surveyed require increased investments in the construction of new or renovation of existing healthcare infrastructure. It further indicated that 61% of the districts required medical equipment of the 21st century to improve public health service delivery. Said the report: “This is in sync with official statistics showing low capital expenditure on health; for instance, only 12,5% of 2020 public spending was for health capital projects. “More so, about 69% and 70% of the districts have poor maternal healthcare and ambulance services, respectively. It is appalling to note that the survey results show that only half of the districts have accessible healthcare facilities.” Zimcodd argued that the results showed a deepening structural inequality — a system of privilege created by institutions within an economy. “This lack of accessibility disproportionately affects pregnant women, the elderly, and the people with disability community,” the report said. “However, survey results show that with a tightening economy characterised by chronic inflation and volatile local currency (Zimdollar), public sector healthcare services are affordable compared to private healthcare providers.” It further indicated that official statistics, however, showed that the government has increased health funding from US$117 million in 2020 to an average of US$460 million from 2021 to 2024. “The increase aligns with its commitment to the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) outcome of increasing domestic funding for health. “The NDS 1 (National Development Strategy 1) is the national policy which every other policy thrust is built upon. This is evidenced by the National Health Strategy whose objectives and pillars are in alignment with the NDS 1 health targets,” Zimcodd added. It further indicated that to address the barriers and improve healthcare delivery there is need for increased community participation and better equipped lower-level health facilities. It called for enhanced citizen expenditure monitoring, staff retention measures and increased resource allocation. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-25 08:28:20 | *Sex Offenders Won't Benefit From Amnesty* PEOPLE convicted of sexual crimes and offences against morality will not benefit from the amnesty granted to over 4 000 prisoners by President Mnangagwa last week. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- This is contained in General Notice 498A of 2024 published yesterday in an Extraordinary Gazette, correcting an error published last week in General Notice 467 of 2024: Clemency Order No.1 of 2024. “It is hereby notified that General Notice 467 of 2024, Clemency Order No. 1 of 2024, published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary, dated 16th April, 2024, contains an error. “The General Notice is corrected on sections 2, 4, 5 and 6 by the deletion of “inmates charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) are excluded from this amnesty” and the substitution of “inmates charged under Chapter V Part III (Sexual Crimes and Crimes Against Morality) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) are excluded from this amnesty. “The General Notice is corrected in section 10 by the deletion of ‘paragraph 12’ and the substitution of ‘section 11’. General Notice 467 of 2024, is hereby corrected accordingly,” reads General Notice 498A. Section 2 provides full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment for all juveniles that is, those inmates under the age 18 and had served one third of the sentence by April 18 while section 4 provides full remission of sentence to all inmates certified terminally ill by a Correctional Medical Officer or a Government Medical Officer (GMO). Section 5 pardoned all inmates serving terms of imprisonment at the Open Prison while those aged 60 years and above, and who would have served one tenth of their sentence by April 18 were granted amnesty under section 6. Following the correction of the error, those inmates in the above categories convicted of sexual and morality crimes are excluded from the amnesty. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-25 08:27:56 | *Interest Rates Seen Tumbling Below 20pc* THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has projected that interest rates will fall to between 11% and 20% this month through market processes. Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) international business conference in Bulawayo yesterday, RBZ deputy governor Innocent Matshe said several measures taken by the central bank early this month, including the launch of the new currency, would stabilise the economy. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- “A question has been asked, what will then happen to interest rates? I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that those rates have fallen through market processes from 130% to 20%,” he said. “We are awaiting data for this month and I can promise you that through these mechanisms, those interest rates will not be above 28%. Now these will spread be between 11% and 20%. “Why is this the case? Because of the inflation differentials between the ZWL [Zimdollar] that we used to use and our new currency, which is anchored in our own resources.” He said efficient management of liquidity and money supply was at the core of the policy of the reserve bank going forward. “I should add that the strict adherence to statutory limits on the reserve bank lending will be observed as well,” he said. Matshe said the structured currency should result in the dissipation of the country’s key problem, which is inflationary pressures linked to economy fundamentals. Therefore, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) was launched to facilitate the country’s ability to control its own destiny, he said. “Inflationary expectations are anticipated to be well anchored towards the observed trend of domestic USD (United States dollar) inflation. Why? Because ZiG is anchored into the basket of our own resources. “Not one ZiG is going to be issued that is not unbacked by our own reserves. Inflation expectations, therefore, will be anchored on the prices that will be pertaining in the open market.” The deputy governor noted that the bank will continue with strict liquidity management to mitigate against shocks that cause spikes in the exchange rate. “So what are the implications on industrialisation and trade? Firstly, Zimbabwe’s economy has been growing despite exchange rates and inflation instability,” he said. “Honourable Minister (Finance minister Mthuli Ncube) here will tell you that the economy has been growing at an average of about 6%. And of course, because of some external pressures last year and drought this year, those rates might be tempered. “Certainty and predictability of prices will allow long term planning and investment, which is key for industrialisation.” He said evidence has shown that general macroeconomic stability had been key to attract both domestic and foreign direct investment. “So as we innovate, let’s not forget that we can actually industrialise through innovations that come with serendipity,” he noted. “Stability in the exchange rate and inflation are key for competitiveness of our exports and there is potential for increased capacity utilisation and expansion of the production of the productive base. “Why do I say so? We have seen, as I said, the economy grow with instability. Now we are anchoring that growth and we are doing so as Zimbabweans through our own currency.” Matshe said the increased use of the local currency will be critical to enter competitiveness, industrialisation and trade. “Why is this the case? Because low and stable inflation rates will abound. Stable prices will smoothen pricing along value chains and improve supply of domestic goods in the economy. Low and stable prices will support formalisation and boost trade. “It is not a secret that most companies’ supply of goods comes through informal trade, but we will enter this through a process that will be market-led by stable and low prices that will boost trade. “Low and stable inflation rates preserve the value of incomes, wages and purchasing power, which will boost domestic aggregate demand and support industrialisation and trade.” He also said low and stable inflation rates will bring sanity and predictability to collective bargaining processes, which will underpin increased workers morale and labour productivity. “Now, overall, low end stable prices therefore, will boost production, increase employment and raise wages and salaries,” he added. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-25 08:15:50 | *Independent Candidate Apologizes For Using Chamisa's Image In Campaign Materials* Mt Pleasant Independent candidate, Brian Ticky who is vying for the constituency’s parliamentary seat in Saturday’s by-elections has apologised for using former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president, Nelson Chamisa’s face on his campaign material. This comes after he received backlash on social media with Chamisa’s close ally Ostallos Siziba calling him a “Zanu PF funded chap” and threatening to take legal action against him. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Addressing the media at a press conference Tuesday, Ticky said “We felt like we had offended somebody in the course of our campaign. “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise and also clear the rumours that my campaign is allegedly being funded by Zanu PF.” Chamisa resigned from his party in January this year citing the CCC had been hijacked by Zanu PF with Fadzayi Mahere the former Mt Pleasant legislator resigning from Parliament in solidarity with him. This created a vacancy to be filled in on Saturday’s by-election. Ticky said he is contesting in a bid to fulfil Chamisa’s vision which was prematurely abandoned. “I am getting into these by-elections in support of the former CCC president Nelson Chamisa’s vision because I see him as a charismatic leader who is simple of hope and possibility of a better Zimbabwe for all. “It’s not a secret Chamisa is a loved man…putting him on our campaign material was never meant to discredit anyone or mislead the masses. Rather it was a way of showing people that we share the same vision with him,” he said. He further dismissed allegations that he is a member of the controversial FAZ or Zanu PF. “I’m not a Zanu PF or FAZ. I am an independent candidate. “The reason I’m disassociating myself with anything to do with Zanu PF is because I’m not proud to be associated with them. I do not support their governance. “These allegations are not only false but attempts to discredit my authenticity as a true representative of the Mt Pleasant constituency. “These allegations should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. “We are not against the struggle of people from Mt Pleasant and Zimbabwe as a whole. Ticky will be clashing with Zanu PF’s George Mashavave and Naison Mamuse. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-25 08:15:37 | *Govt Intensifies Crackdown On Forex Dealers* The government has intensified its campaign against foreign exchange traders in an attempt to crush the thriving parallel market, which the administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa blames for the downturn in the economy, it has been established. The government gazetted a Statutory Instrument 213 of 2019 that states that trading in any currency, which is not the Zimbabwe dollar, carries a fine of $6000 and failure to pay results in the person involved jailed . The rule empowered the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to arrest and fine people and businesses that violate the Exchange control regulations. The intensified crackdown comes after over 100 forex traders were apprehended by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) along with the police and other security agencies, for contravening the Exchange Control Act. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The illicit forex dealers who were apprehended last week in the capital Harare and Chitungwiza, have been detained in remand prison for more than five nights, in an apparent attempt by the government to send a strong message. Police spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, yesterday told Business Times that the operation has intensified and that no detail will be overlooked. He confirmed that this week has seen an increase in the arrests of forex dealers. “We have so far arrested over 120 suspected money changers for contravening the Exchange Control Act but in the event that the suspects provide us with information on who their kingpins are , we will take action against them [ring leaders]. There will be no sacred cows this time as the law will take its course without fear or favour,” Nyathi said. He added: “If the arrested suspects do not provide police with information, they will be heavily sentenced. “We are working together with the FIU and there is no going back in the fight against illegal forex traders in the country. Our job is to ensure the law takes its course by arresting, compiling the dockets and submitting them to the National Prosecution Authority. The operation has intensified and is ongoing till we ensure there is sanity in the streets. “There is no stopping for now as the fight is just beginning against the forex manipulators.” The State denied the suspects bail on grounds that the offence is a serious one that attracts a jail sentence on conviction. Yesterday, the suspects were reprimanded in custody and are set to testify in court on Monday next week. The development comes as the FIU is both monitoring the account transactions and deploying the agents on the ground to complement police fighting against exchange rate manipulators. Oliver Chiperesa, the director general of the FIU, also said the war has intensified as manipulators have evacuated the streets to do transactions in offices and behind doors. “We are keeping an eye on a variety of bank account activities to look for any infractions,” Chiperesa said. “On the ground, we are also giving our informants some money to purchase forex to see how the offenders carry out their business. “If we catch them, we will permanently freeze the illegal forex dealers accounts.” The blitz comes as on Monday this week Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has threatened to cripple money changers who have continued to illegally trade ZiG against the greenback. VP Chiwenga said money changers should stop it, or else risk being rendered crippled. “The buying and selling of ZiG on black market is a criminal offence similar to selling of gold illegally,” he warned. *Businesstimes* |
| 2024-04-25 08:15:16 | *Blackouts Spoil ZITF* GOVERNMENT has blamed climate change for depressed power generation at Lake Kariba as blackouts spoiled the first day of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). In March, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) set the average electricity generation for Kariba Power Station at 214 megawatts (MW) against its installed capacity of 960MW due to dwindling water levels. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Zimbabwe and Zambia share equally water to generate power at their separate power plants at Lake Kariba. As of yesterday, the country was generating 1 074MW broken down as 300MW from Kariba and 774MW from Hwange. Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare power stations are currently incapacitated. In Bulawayo, exhibitors experienced blackouts during the first day of the ZITF, with some being forced to turn to generators. Energy and Power Development ministry permanent secretary Gloria Magombo said the El Niño-induced drought had had adverse effects on the country’s electricity generation capacity. “We lost about 600MW in Kariba because of climate change,” Magombo said during a Township Economies and Rural Entrepreneurship forum organised by DEAT Capital at the ZITF on Tuesday. “Climate change is real. “It is affecting us and it has brought us back to a very constrained point of supply and for that, we need to work together not just as government, but also with the private sector in terms of addressing the supply of electricity.” She urged citizens to adopt renewable sources of energy such as solar. “Given the challenges that we have, you are better off independent and once we have a good system you can then sell the excess power to Zesa (Holdings),” Magombo said. “We want everyone to be an independent power producer (IPP) using their rooftops. “As a government, we continue to look at how we can capacitate communities especially with renewable technologies. As a way of climate proofing some of the programmes that we have in our rural communities, we want to work with universities to ensure the uptake and reduction in the cost of solar food dryers.” Energy regulator, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has over the past five years licensed over 100 small IPP projects with a capacity to produce around 1 300MW, but most of them remain non-operational. One such project is the US$183 million Gwanda solar project awarded to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-25 08:14:59 | *Amnesty International Voices Concern Over Repression, Abuse In Zimbabwe* The annual report released Wednesday by Amnesty International paints a dismal picture of human rights repression and international rule-breaking worldwide, all in the midst of deepening global inequality and an escalating climate crisis. In the report, Amnesty had a rare note of commendation for Zimbabwe, praising the government for enacting the Children’s Amendment Act of 2023, which criminalizes marriages of people under the age of 18. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- But Lucia Masuka, head of Amnesty International in Zimbabwe, still had many critical things to say about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. “We are mainly concerned with the issue of repression of dissent, which we noted, which was characterized by the severe restrictions in freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, particularly during the election period,” said Masuka. “We are also concerned with the cases that are lost after the (2023) elections, cases of abductions, torture and in some cases, you know, killings where the perpetrators are not apprehended or brought to account.” Rights groups have harshly criticized Zimbabwe for human rights abuses for decades, going back at least to the early 2000s, when the government of then-President Robert Mugabe engaged in alleged election rigging and forced thousands of white commercial farmers off their land. Farai Muroiwa Marapira, spokesman for the ruling ZANU-PF party, disputes Amnesty International’s conclusions about Zimbabwe, saying the agency releases its reports “not based on facts, not based on merit, but based on agendaism. “We really do not have much respect for what they have to say, because they do not speak from a point of impartiality, they do not speak from a point of objectivity, and we cannot serve our people and our nation at the same time and attend to agendarists,” said Marapira. “So, they are free to say what they want as usual, we will tell them what to do of it.” President Mnangagwa’s government has rejected all criticism of the way the 2023 elections were conducted, despite critical reports from organizations such as the Southern African Development Community. In a presentation of Amnesty’s report, Deprose Muchena, a senior director in the rights group, touched on several other African crises. Muchena noted that the conflict in Sudan has led to a major displacement internally. According to the United Nations, more than 9 million people have been internally displaced since April 2023, making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. “Up to 1.8 million people are now refugees in neighboring countries, such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt,” said Muchena. “The catastrophic humanitarian crisis is now approaching famine proportions as many people watch.” He also noted the chronic human rights crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where violence has forced millions of people from their homes, and the effects of conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. War broke out in the Tigray region in November 2020 between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the party that dominated the region. The war lasted two years. “Survivors and victims of this war in Ethiopia have faced horrendous human rights violations and neglect by Ethiopian authorities despite their persistent calls for justice,” said Muchena. “After the guns were silenced in the Tigray region in 2022, two other armed conflicts in Oromia and Amara region continue to rage.” Women in Ethiopia, he said, “continue to bear the ultimate brunt of this conflict in violation. In addition to conflict-related sexual violence faced by tens of thousands of women, we are seeing harmful practices such as abduction for marriage, which are putting Ethiopia at risk. Ethiopia remains another forgotten crisis.” The report also warned that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence worldwide — and the disinformation that AI helps spread — could lead to further breakdowns in the international rule of law. Some information for this report was provided by the Reuters news agency. *VOA* |
| 2024-04-25 08:14:42 | *Mnangagwa Redeploys Chitando To Mines In Mini-cabinet Reshuffle* President Emmerson Mnangagwa has re-deployed Winston Chitando as Mines and Mining Development Minister in a mini-cabinet reshuffle announced Wednesday by his office. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Mnangagwa demoted Soda Zhemu to the National Housing and Social Amenities. The President further appointed Daniel Garwe to head the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. But the highlight is the re-appointment of Chitando to the country’s mainstay mining industry. Prior to his re-appointment, Chitando was Local Government Minister. Chitando pioneered government’s ambitious US$12 billion mining industry target which authorities say has been achieved and further exceeded expectation. In his new reshuffle, Mnangagwa also appointed Musa Ncube as deputy minister of National Housing and Social Amenities while Headman Moyo was redeployed to deputy minister of War veterans of the Liberation Struggle. *ZimLive* |
| 2024-04-25 07:03:44 | *Shops Face Closure Over ZiG* VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga yesterday warned currency speculators and singled out the retail sector, threatening to shut down supermarkets if they are suspected of sabotaging the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency. Officially opening the international business conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Chiwenga said ZiG was here to stay. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- “ZiG is there to stay forever,” Chiwenga said. “The new currency will, therefore, not be subject to exchange rate volatility or manipulation by speculators. “So, speculators somewhere [wherever you are] jumping around trying to play around in the supermarkets, we know [you]. Behave or you get shut down or we will lock you [up]. Two things.” Government has introduced ZiG to replace the local currency that had severely lost value after being battered by inflation. The local currency had been re-introduced in 2019 after President Emmerson Mnangagwa began his de-dollarisation drive. Authorities say ZiG is backed by gold and foreign currency reserves as well as other precious minerals. ZiG, introduced earlier this month, is currently trading at around 17 ZiG for one US dollar on the parallel market, although government’s official exchange rate is 13 ZiG to the US dollar. “The ZiG is expected to provide a lasting solution to inflation expectations, which is critical for sustained price and exchange rate stability in the economy,” Chiwenga said. “Given these boundless benefits, I, therefore, call on the public, the private sector, including the households, labour and businesses, civic society and the international community, to fully embrace and support the ZiG currency.” Chiwenga also threatened gold smugglers, declaring that no single gramme of gold will leave the country unaccounted for, saying the mineral is needed to back up the new currency. “We are going to put measures, strict measures, that can see heads rolling,” he said. “Every gramme must be accounted for in our gold. We need our gold and because it is God-given. No one came with gold (to) Zimbabwe, but it’s in our soil. “If we don’t want to mine it, it will stay there, but no one should touch it. So, all our money we are talking about here, the Zimbabwe Gold, is going to be anchored firmly, by our gold and gold, we get it from all our resources.” Previous reports have linked gold dealers and smugglers to the ruling Zanu PF party, which, however, denies the claims. In November, a relative of the Mnangagwa family, Henrietta Rushwaya, was convicted of trying to smuggle gold worth over US$330 000. Rushwaya, who is president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, was found in 2020 with gold bars weighing 6kg in her handbag at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare while headed for the Middle East. She was, however, later fined US$5 000 for the offence. A documentary by the Qatar-based television network, Al Jazeera, released last year alleged that politically-connected persons were involved in the smuggling of gold. Chiwenga said government introduced the structured currency to ensure a stable macroeconomic environment, free from exchange rate distortions. “This bold step symbolises the government’s unwavering commitment to the de-dollarisation programme, premised on fiscal discipline, monetary prudence and economic revitalisation,” he said. “When we talk of, say, predominantly gold, we can’t keep tonnes of coal in the central bank, or gold or iron, or lithium or platinum, we will sell them. We have got our gold and we shall dig and every gramme of gold shall not leave Zimbabwe.” In addition, he noted that the structured currency was expected to enable long-term business planning and encourage savings and investments in the economy. This, according to him, would go a long way in restoring confidence in the domestic currency. “The stability of the ZiG will boost investor confidence in the economy and lead to increased production and exports. The economy will also experience an increase in domestic demand as people’s purchasing power gradually improves amid low and stable prices,” he said. “Government, through the central bank, will, however, continue to monitor interest rates to curtail speculative borrowing, to ensure optimal money supply and to keep inflation under control.” *AMH* |
| 2024-04-25 04:49:49 | *Police Warn Human Traffickers* A human trafficking syndicate involving local people and foreigners is suspected of bringing to Zimbabwe the Malawians recently rounded up by police in Mbare, with authorities now hunting down the traffickers. The first group of 30 Malawians that was arrested on Monday appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Caroline Matanga on Tuesday and were charged with illegal entry into Zimbabwe. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- They were fined $50 each and were remanded in the custody of immigration, pending deportation. Another group of 21 foreign nationals was arrested Tuesday night in Mbare and are expected to appear in court today, facing similar charges. The 51 foreign nationals were arrested in a police sting operation following a tip-off. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police were now moving fast to round up a suspected syndicate of human traffickers. “We have gathered information that a human trafficking syndicate involving locals and foreigners is on the prowl in the country,” said Asst Comm Nyathi. “The net is closing in on the suspects that have been identified, while some have been arrested.” Asst Comm Nyathi warned Zimbabweans against being used in criminal activities and urged foreigners entering Zimbabwe to comply with the migration laws of the country. “We want to warn Zimbabweans against being used to engage in criminal activities by elements involving local and foreign syndicates.” Young people and women are the prime targets of these syndicates as they are promised good jobs. Over the past decade, Zimbabwe has been frequently used as a transit point for some of these people believed to be en route to South Africa. According to police, the crackdown on foreigners has been sparked by numerous cases of human trafficking aided by bus operators, villagers and unscrupulous officials. Trafficking of foreigners is a big and dangerous business in most countries in Southern Africa. There are known individuals and kingpins of the trade who kidnap foreigners and demand ransom of up to R80 000 per person. Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sex work has been estimated as the second most lucrative transnational crime, equal to illegal arms trading and second only to drug trafficking the world over. It is a crime that generates billions of dollars in profits for the traffickers. In 2012, the number of victims forced into sexual exploitation was estimated at 4,5 million worldwide. The International Labour Office also found that estimates on cross-border movement of trafficked persons is closely aligned with forced sexual exploitation. *Zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-25 04:49:18 | *Daring Robbers Target Pilgrims At Mutemwa Prayer Mountain* ROBBERS over the weekend pounced on unsuspecting pilgrims praying at Mutemwa Prayer Mountain in Mutoko. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- In a statement, the Priest in Charge at the Centre, Father Salicio Mukuwe said several women’s belongings were stolen in two separate incidents. “We regret to announce two robbery incidents which occurred on April 21, 2024, in the early hours of Sunday at Mutemwa Leprosy Catholic and Care Centre Mountain,” Father Mukuwe said. Both cases were reported at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Mutoko. According to Fr. Mukuwe, the first incident involved five ladies who had all their bags stolen while they were praying. “Unfortunately the bags had been left unattended and the ladies did not report the theft to anyone. “They only made a report upon hearing the second incident from the second group of women,” he added. In the second incident, Fr. Mukuwe reported that six women were robbed at station 2 as they climbed up the mountain. The suspect was said to have enquired whether they had seen the centre’s guards and upon responding, they were forced to lie down and surrender their belongings (cell phones). The thieves are still at large as police are investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the centre has since put measures to protect everyone at the institution. “Please note that a guard will be patrolling every Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 6 am with immediate effect. “We regret this incident which happened at our place,” Fr Mukuwe said. Thousands of pilgrims visit the prayer mountain every year. *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-25 04:49:03 | *Starlink Applies For Zim Licence* THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) says the global satellite internet provider, Starlink, which is owned by American tycoon, Mr Elon Musk, has applied to operate in the country. Potraz director-general Dr Gift Machengete revealed this in Bulawayo on Tuesday during a question and answer session at a business function organised by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICTs), Postal and Courier Services on the sidelines of the ongoing 64th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Starlink has become a topic of concern in the country’s ICT sector, with questions being raised on how it operates given its continued consumer growth and popularity worldwide. Responding to the issue, Dr Machengete said the regulator was seized with the matter and was processing the application papers by Starlink. “Then, why is Starlink not operating right now? The simple answer is Starlink had not applied and we would be foolish to then go and say come and apply, please. “Now they have come to apply and we are in the process of looking at their application,” said Dr Machengete. “We are also a regulator, we need to see how we regulate them. We also have to look at consumer and data protection. “But, currently we are in the process of looking at their application.” He acknowledged that there have been some illegal users of Starlink in the country who have since been cut off. “So, in short we have not banned them. What we have just done is that those who have been using Starlink terminals were asked to have Starlink switch them off because we cannot allow illegality,” said Dr Machengete. “I think they have been switched off and maybe there is some outcry. But, you see those were illegal and they will be regularised when they arelicenced”. He said the authority has a role to play in the operation of the telecommunications sector and will follow the right channels in ensuring services are provided and they meet the standards. “Let me explain that at Potraz we are the licencing authority for telecommunications and we actually have a licencing framework and that framework is a converged framework whereby we check if the technology that you bring is not relevant, it is technology neutral and to reinforce that we already had geo-stationary satellites. “We already have geo-stationary satellites licenced so there is no way we would then be blocking Starlink because we are technology neutral,” said Dr Machengete. Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American aerospace company, SpaceX, providing coverage to over 70 countries. It also aims to provide global mobile broadband. SpaceX started launching Starlink satellites in 2019. As of early March 2024 it consisted of over 6 000 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that communicate with designated ground transceivers. Nearly 12 000 satellites are planned to be deployed, with a possible later extension to 34 400. SpaceX announced reaching more than one million subscribers in December 2022, 1,5 million subscribers in May 2023, and two million subscribers in September 2023. *zimpapers* |
| 2024-04-24 14:13:12 | *Garry Mapanzure’s Posthumous Track Tackles Societal Struggles, Hidden Pain* The music of Garry Mapanzure continues to resonate even after his tragic passing in a car accident last October. Last week, his management team released a posthumous song, keeping his legacy alive. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- “Chirimumoyo Chirimuninga” – Shona riddle, the track departs from Mapanzure’s signature melodic romantic style. This song delves deeper, tackling societal struggles often hidden beneath the surface. “Chirimumoyo Chirimuninga” paints a poignant picture of a society grappling with hardships. People resort to alcohol and substance abuse to escape the pressures of daily life, with “muninga” or a cave symbolising these hidden struggles. These burdens manifest as outward signs of sweat and toil, representing the constant battle to make ends meet. “Do not just rush to criticise usati wanzwisisa nyaya. Many feel pain vakatorwa moyo ikavhiyiwa. Many seek happiness so vanovhura beer. “Vakawanda tiri kukwata. Tiri ku boiler tiri mumbiya zvirikubikwa zviri mupfungwa zvoonekwa tichibuda ziya,” sings Mapanzure. The song further explores the theme of societal anger, again stemming from these underlying struggles. Women, unfortunately, often bear the brunt of this frustration, experiencing violence at the hands of men who lash out due to their hardships. The echoes of Mapanzure’s voice offer hope for a resilient society. “Tongoti tande nemugwagwa nayo nzira toona kwatichasvitswa totenda tasvika.” *NewZW* |
| 2024-04-24 14:13:00 | *Zim Struggling To Promote Children's Rights* Ziyambi is attending the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in Maseru, Lesotho. JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi says fiscal space and worsening economic challenges are inhibiting Zimbabwe’s efforts to promote children’s rights. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Ziyambi is attending the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in Maseru, Lesotho. He said economic challenges due to economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries and their allies have also affected implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. “The absence of balance of payments support from international financial institutions has forced my government to largely depend on resources mobilised from the domestic market,” he said. “Limited fiscal space has affected my government’s efforts to capacitate key institutions for the promotion of children’s rights in Zimbabwe (while) effects of climate change ... continue to impact negatively on the livelihoods of our people, particularly those in marginalised areas.” Ziyambi said Zimbabwe had, however, aligned several laws to the Constitution for the progressive realisation and enjoyment of children’s rights. These include Children’s Act, Marriages Act, Guardianship of Minors Act and the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which criminalises online sexual exploitation and abuse of children. “With regards to non-discrimination, every child has the right to equal treatment before the law, irrespective of age, gender, ability, nationality or culture. “Furthermore, the legislation outlaws any sort of discrimination against children on the basis that they are born in or out of wedlock. Social and legal dictates clearly show that no child should be punished by virtue of not having been sired in a registered union or marriage,” he said. Ziyambi said government continued to implement measures designed to eliminate all legal and administrative barriers in the registration of births and deaths. “To that effect, the rate of birth registration has been steadily increasing over the reporting period. It is important to note that even children of refugees are registered regularly,” he said. Government, Ziyambi further noted, was also working towards strengthening alternative care provisions by promoting family-like care in the form of foster care, supported community care and kinship care. “Government remains committed to working closely with stakeholders and development partners to ensure the full realisation of children’s rights,” he added. *AMH* |
| 2024-04-24 14:12:47 | *Power Crisis Set To Worsen* THE electricity supply crisis in Zimbabwe is set to worsen following revelations by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) in its first-quarter report of this year that the water level at Lake Kariba is very low due to “the lowest lake inflow” on record. This will hugely affect power generation at a time when Zimbabwe has not placed any contingency measures to salvage the crisis. The low water inflow is attributed to the El Niño-induced drought spell which is a direct consequence of the climate crisis. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- On 12 April, executives from Zambia’s power company, Zesco Limited, Zimbabwe Power Company (Zpc) and the ZRA met to review the hydrological outlook for Kariba. The review took into account the below-normal performance of the 2023/2024 rainfall season. The meeting looked at the 16 billion cubic metres of water allocated for power generation operations at Kariba that was announced in December 2023 and noted that as at 12 April 2024, the power utilities had utilised a combined total of 5.35 billion cubic metres of water, leaving a balance of 10.65 billion cubic metres. This balance on allocation implies a combined average power generation threshold of 385 megawatts at Kariba Dam for the period April to December 2024, which is not enough for Zimbabwe’s consumption. Part of the report circulated to the Zambian and Zimbabwean authorities after the meeting by ZRA chief executive officer Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa reads: “A review of the performance of the first quarter of 2024 and the 2023/24 rainfall season, which is projected to end by May 2024, was undertaken through simulations of water availability and projections up to December 2024. This exercise was executed using the authority’s state of the art and robust Kariba inflow forecasting system which is underpinned by over 100 years of Zambezi River hydrological data. “The 2023/2024 rainfall performance in the Kariba catchment was below-normal as forecasted by weather authorities (the southern African regional climate outlook forecast and the respective meteorological agencies of Zambia and Zimbabwe). “The review also indicated the possibility of the year 2024 being recorded as the lowest lake inflow year for Lake Kariba.” The report also announced a major decline in inflows of water into the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. The report said the Zambezi River’s flow at Victoria Falls dropped from a peak of 800 cubic metres per second on 4 March 2024 to 657 cubic metres per second on 8 April 2024 before marginally rising again to 703 cubic metres per second on 12 April 2024, compared to 2 052 cubic metres per second recorded on the same date last year and a long-term mean of 2 952 cubic metres per second. “The Zambezi River flows at Chavuma also receded from a first peak of 530 cubic metres per second recorded on 23rd January 2024, down to 343 cubic metres per second on 9th March 2024, before rising again to 614 cubic metres per second on 12th April 2024, compared to 2 586 cubic metres per second on recorded on the same date last year and a long-term mean of 2 081 cubic metres per second. Lake levels recorded at the world’s largest man-made lake continue to recede as we approach the close of the 2023/2024 rainfall season, mainly due to low inflows from the mainstream Zambezi River and reduced rainfall activity on and around the lake. “The recorded lake level today, 12th April 2024, was at 477.48 metres above sea level translating to 8.89 billion cubic metres or 13.73 percent of live storage meant for power generation. On the same date in 2023, the lake was 478.75 metres above sea level with 14.73 billion cubic metres and 22.74 percent of live storage. The authority projects that the gross water yield in 2024 is likely to be no more than 40 percent of that usually received during periods when the rainfall has performed normally leading to the Kariba reservoir closing the year 2024 at a level of about 475.85 metres (1.61 billion cubic metres or 2.49 percent live storage)” reads the report. Due to the crisis, ZPC and Zesco will now continue holding weekly joint technical committee meetings where the updated hydrological outlook for the Kariba catchment area is discussed. Zimbabwe has peak demand of 1 900 megawatts of electricity. Through the joint technical meetings and other engagements, the authority and the two utilities will continue to review the hydrological outlook and, where necessary, implement measures collaboratively to sustain reservoir operations at Kariba, executives agreed. The ZRA is a bi-national organisation mandated with contributing to the economic, industrial, and social development of the republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe by obtaining the greatest possible benefits from the natural advantages offered by the waters of the Zambezi River through the most economical and effective means of providing water for generation of electricity and for other purposes which the contracting states may decide upon. Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority Holdings general manager (stakeholder relations) George Manyaya said he could not speak on contingency measures that Zesa intends to put in place over the worsening power crisis. “The government agency has already pronounced its position on the matter and a Press conference was held by the minister on that matter. I am therefore unable to speak after what has already been said by a higher authority,” he said. Last year in December, Energy minister Edgar Moyo said negotiations were underway to increase electricity imports while the rehabilitation of Units 1 to 6 at Hwange Power Station was being speeded up to boost electricity supplies and bring to an end the ongoing load-shedding regime. Moyo assured stakeholders that swift measures were being taken to restore normal power supplies and support key economic sectors. However, progress in that regard has been slow. *newshawks* |
| 2024-04-24 14:12:36 | *Fastjet Airlines Now Accepting ZiG Currency for Travel Payments* In a significant development, Fastjet airline has embraced the newly introduced currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- The airline is now accepting ZiG currency for airline bookings and payments. Fastjet Airlines has become the first airline to accept Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency as payment. Fastjet Airlines has announced in a statement shared on their X handle that they are now accepting ZiG currency as payment. The airline revealed that customers can book and pay for their airline travel using ZiG currency. “fastjet Zimbabwe is pleased to advise that we have successfully migrated to the ZiG currency. Customers may now book and pay in ZiG.” Furthermore, Fastjet has informed its customers that payments in ZiG currency can be made at any airport ticketing desk or Fastjet sales shops. Payment in ZiG can only be made at any fastjet airport ticketing desk or fastjet sales shops,” reads the statement ZiG currency was introduced on the 4th of April 2024 by the newly appointed Reserve Bank Governor of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mushayavanhu. The introduction of this structured currency has garnered both acceptance and rejection from various businesses. Zimbabweans have warmly welcomed Fastjet’s decision to accept ZiG currency, expressing their appreciation for the airline’s acceptance of the local currency. Netizens have applauded Fastjet for this move *iharare* |
| 2024-04-24 14:12:22 | *CBZ Appoints Zembe As New Chairperson* FINANCIAL services giant CBZ Holdings Limited (CBZ) has appointed Lexon Zembe as its substantive chairperson with effect from April 19, 2024. Before being officially appointed, he had been serving as an acting chairman since December 1, 2023, when Marc Holtzman resigned. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- In a statement yesterday, CBZ said Zembe had served in the financial sector for more than 30 years. “The board of directors of CBZ Holdings Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Luxon Zembe as chairperson of CBZ Holdings Limited with effect from April 19, 2024. He has been the acting chairperson of the company since December 1, 2023,” CBZ said. Zembe is a highly-experienced business management consultant, who has consulted for many reputable private, public and non-governmental organisations locally and regionally over the past 30 years. He previously served as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe board member, CBZ Holdings Limited Group chairperson, and Standard Chartered Bank-Head of Human Capital Development and Change Management across the African region. “Corporate journey has taken him through practical executive experience in the economy’s manufacturing, mining, financial and commercial sectors,” CBZ said. “This includes serving on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe advisory board and Monetary Policy Committees as well as holding executive positions at Standard Chartered Bank.” According to CBZ, Zembe’s working career also includes group training and management development for Zimbabwe Institutes of Directors. As a business management consultant, Zembe holds an MBA degree from Henley International Business School and he is a Chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (UK). He is also a former president of the Africa Chambers of Commerce and founding vice president of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Zembe also served as an independent non-Executive director on the ZB Financial Holdings Board, a chairman until he retired from the ZB Board on April 12, 2024. ZB Financial Holdings Limited is in the process of being bought by CBZ. *AMH* |
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| 2024-04-24 07:49:49 | *Food Vendors Overrun Byo Streets After Hours* THE recent swoop on illegal vendors in Bulawayo’s central business district (CBD) during the day has forced food vendors to ply their trade after hours amid fears of outbreaks of diarrhoea and other diseases. The Bulawayo City Council has intensified patrols on the streets to weed out illegal traders, forcing the mobile kitchen operators to sell their food after working hours. ---------- To join our groups follow: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JGm50iRxztFKI6TKfuaClg --------- Bulawayo’s pavements have of late been overrun by vendors frying and selling Russian sausages and chips with most of them flooding 6th Avenue, Lobengula Street and the Bulawayo Centre area. Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association secretary for administration Thembelani Dube told Southern Eye that such practices are driven by a declining economy, although he condemned the selling of food on the streets in the CBD. “The economic challenges are driving the residents to resort to all forms of vending, including selling of prepared food. These mostly do not comply with health policies, hence exposing the would-be customers to a litany of health hazards,” Dube said. “Without an improved economy, the haphazard vending of multiple products will be with us for a very long time and the exposure to airborne diseases will continue.” Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association executive director Michael Ndiweni said food vendors were generally uninformed on good food hygiene practices. He said: “Having such businesses everywhere poses a danger in terms of health because they will be selling things that have not been inspected even in terms of storage. “The entire food handling mechanism may be compromised, so they need to acquire certificates and engage council to get space that is specifically designated for such businesses; then we will reduce the risk of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera. “Also having gas stoves everywhere may cause serious fire accidents that may threaten the lives of business owners and other businesses around.” He called on the vendors to work with residents associations and engage the council to negotiate for properly designated vending spaces. “We encourage traders to at least comply with the by-laws so that they don’t lose their equipment should council raid and confiscate their goods if they don’t have proper papers — medical certificates and licences that go with such businesses,” he said. *AMH* |
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