HARARE - Zimbabwe, in particular its metropolis Harare, should not be struggling with diseases of the mould of cholera and typhoid if communities start doing the right thing.

Of course, in the urban setup, infrastructural issues that have to be addressed by local authorities play a pivotal role in the containment of the deadly water-borne diseases.

Already, the death toll from the current cholera outbreak has risen to 10 while over 423 suspected cases had been reported as of Friday.

For new Health and Child Care supremo Obadiah Moyo — who had a splendid spell transforming one of the country’s national referral centres, Chitungwiza Central Hospital into the institution it is today — this will surely come as a baptism of fire as he has to deal with a monumental problem as he gets into office.

The capital city has been devastated by a breakdown in water and sanitation infrastructure, making it a breeding ground for the bacteria which causes cholera.

For instance, a burst sewer at Joina City in the central business district (CBD) has raised fears of a spread of the disease into the city centre.

To make the management of the current outbreak even more problematic, residents in affected cholera zones are defying directives to stay at their homes and bury locally, with officials fearing the disease could easily spread to other parts of the city and country.

While others took their deceased relatives’ bodies to the rural areas for burial, others conducted funerals at different addresses, posing a risk to those communities which are not the primary source of the disease.

However, to expect communities to play their part in eradicating cholera and typhoid, there are minimum conditions central government and local authorities must be providing, particularly to poor communities.

Once communities have uninterrupted access to clean and safe drinking water, these medieval water-borne bacterial infections can be struck off our problems list.

While the efficacy of available therapeutic interventions cannot be disputed if patients present themselves early for treatment, the costs can be avoided once we right certain wrongs within our systems.

Access to safe water is guaranteed in the Constitution and must be central when the State draws up its spending priorities.

Investment in supply water projects is mandatory yet successive parliaments conveniently ignore this, instead focusing on benefits they draw from their election into the august House.

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HARARE - September is the first month of spring in Zimbabwe.

The jacaranda trees that line Harare’s avenues will soon flower into a sea of purple.

Last November, their blossom formed the backdrop to the people taking to the streets and demanding change.

This year, following our democratic election in July, it shall welcome a new era in Zimbabwe.

Winter’s end marked the culmination of months of vigorous campaigning. Candidates were able to cross the country without fear of intimidation to pledge their vision for Zimbabwe like never before.

However, the blossom that signifies the changing seasons does not guarantee the jacaranda trees’ survival. In fact, they are vulnerable species; they must be protected. This election — the freest and fairest in our history — similarly signifies change. But the democracy it heralds must be defended, for it too is fragile.

Sadly, the collective achievement of the election became a prelude to tragedy. Instead of waiting for the vote to be counted, the opposition leadership declared victory in the presidential race. Some of their supporters took to the streets in protest at the yet-to-be-announced result. The situation turned violent. Six lives were lost.

People, rightly, want justice to be served — as do I. However, it is not within the president’s power to impulsively blame or punish those who might appear guilty.
What is within my power is the establishment of an independent investigation to ascertain who bears responsibility.

The former president of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, will chair the seven-member team comprising both Zimbabwean nationals and international experts. They will be sworn in soon to begin their three months of work.

I shall fully implement the recommendations of this commission. This may not serve political expediency on either side of the divide, but in underpinning justice it serves the people of Zimbabwe’s interests.

This is the right action to take in line with the democratic journey we set out on last November.

Along this route, I am certain that I have gained false friends whose interests favour the status quo. Yet we cannot let this minority hinder the nation’s progress, nor squander the opportunity that lies before us. Rather, we must protect this free and fair election. We must cherish what the people of Zimbabwe have achieved.

I do not say this because it suits my favour. Though the opposition leader fell short of the presidency, through this democratic vote, he too has been granted an important mandate: to lead scrutiny of the government’s work in Parliament. We must remember that elections are about more than who returns the most votes. For the free and fair Zimbabwe that this election augurs cannot succeed without the opposition holding those in power to account — launching criticism in Parliament, not stones in the streets.

This is not to make less of what occurred following the protests. However, for justice to function properly, it must be applied equally to all. The opposition here too have a vital role: they must scrutinise the commission’s work at each step. Although experts drawn from a range of opinion and backgrounds shall sit on the independent commission, we — both government and opposition — must ensure there is no bias through observation and inquiry.

Indeed, the role of opposition leader is critical to democracy’s function. The incoming administration will be weaker if not held to the checks and balances that Parliament provides. Were he to renege on this role, it will only sap the nascent democratic culture taking root.

Alleging fraud without substantiating it has a similar effect. In the absence of readily available evidence, it served only to polarise voters. Those who had believed the opposition leader’s claims had to do so in blind faith.

Without such faith, it is difficult to see where this fraud came from. The opposition, however, were fully within their rights to bring their case to court. In fact, it is encouraging to see that the democratic and judicial tools available to them were exercised.

In full view of the evidence submitted, the courts found against their claim. Now we must come together to realise what the people of Zimbabwe call out for: prosperity, opportunity and accountability rooted in peace.

So when the jacaranda trees begin to bud, I hope to see the opposition leader criticising the government openly and transparently in Parliament — as the people of Zimbabwe deserve.

For then the purple blossom that signifies change will also represent health.

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HARARE - Highlanders and Dynamos resume their rivalry this afternoon when they clash in a rescheduled Castle Lager Premiership match at Barbourfields Stadium.

With log leaders FC Platinum and second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars turning the title race into a duopoly, Bosso and DeMbare are fighting only for pride in this encounter.

For many years, this fixture used to determine the destiny of the championship but these two giants have slackened a bit allowing newly-established teams to assume supremacy.

Highlanders come into today’s encounter in sixth place on the log with 36 points from 23 matches and trail FC Platinum by a massive 22 points in this final third of the season.

Dynamos on the other hand are facing a different struggle altogether as they are currently in a lowly 12th place with 29 points from 23 games as well.

Lloyd Mutasa’s side is just five points above the last relegation slot and need the three points more than anything else.

Despite this background, both teams are still excited by the prospect of squaring off against each other.

“This is not just a match; I have the excitement to lead my team and giving out the instructions on Sunday in our quest to beat Dynamos,” Highlanders technical manager Madinda Ndlovu said last week.

“I’m already excited, my legs are itching to also play in the match, it’s unfortunate I can’t do what I could do 20 years ago.

“The excitement is there, the vibe is also there in the players.  The morale at training is amazing.”       

On the field, Ndlovu is concerned by the fact his side is winless in their last three matches following a draw against Nichrut and two defeats to Chicken Inn and Ngezi Platinum.

“We are ready for Dynamos; I expect a totally different match against Dynamos. Even the injured players are trying to fit into the team. The Dynamos, match everyone wants to play,” the former Zimbabwe international said.

“We are not prepared to disappoint our supporters again this weekend. The players and everyone in the team knows that we can lose to any other team but not Dynamos. 
We must show that we are real fighters by beating Dynamos on Sunday.

“In a normal situation, we have done well as a club in the last four or so matches but we have been playing some exciting football,” he said.

“That is not enough; our next phase is to demand entertaining football that comes with results.”

Mutasa will not be on the DeMbare dugout this afternoon as he is away in Brazzaville with the Warriors for today’s 2019 Afcon Group G qualifier against Congo.

His assistant Joseph “Shabba” Takaringofa will be in charge of the side hoping they can continue with the decent form they have shown in recent outings.

The Glamour Boys are currently unbeaten in three matches following two wins over ZPC Kariba and Bulawayo City together with a draw against Yadah FC.

DeMbare also received some good news last week following the arrival of the reverse international clearance of forward Kingston Nkhatha.

Nkhatha signed for the Harare giants for the remainder of this current campaign after he was released by South Africa’s Absa Premiership side SuperSport United following the expiry of his contract earlier this year.

He has been training with the Harare giants since last month but had been unable to feature as he was still waiting for this paperwork to be sorted.

His arrival is expected to bring the spark upfront for the Glamour Boys, who have struggled for goals in many matches this season.

The Glamour Boys have only scored 20 times in 23 matches as their current forwards Quality Kangadzi and Kuda Kumwala have found it hard to fill Christian Ntouba’s shoes.

Takaringofa is banking on Nkhatha’s experience to lead the lines in their quest to get a positive result against Bosso.

“He (Nkhatha) is going to play on Sunday. It’s a boost to us, we need his experience and we also need his goals,” Takaringofa said.  

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HARARE - After a year and some months’ hiatus, the Warriors resume their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign when they take on Congo in Brazzaville this afternoon.

Kick-off is 4:30pm local time at the Stade Alphonse Massamba Debat.

Zimbabwe began their 2019 Afcon group G qualifying journey back in June 2017 when they hosted Liberia at the National Sports Stadium.

The Warriors ran out 3-0 winners that afternoon with captain and forward Knowledge Musona scoring a hat-trick.

Following that impressive win over Liberia, the Warriors shot to the top of Group G while the Democratic Republic of Congo occupy second place following their 3-1 win over Congo in Kinshasa.

However, a lot of things have changed between then and now. FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was in charge of the side then on an interim basis as the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) had not found Kalisto Pasuwa’s replacement.

After that encounter, Zifa and Mapeza could not reach an agreement regarding a permanent deal which resulted in Chidzambwa getting the nod.

Since taking over, Chidzambwa has managed to lead the Warriors to successive Cosafa Cup triumphs in South Africa.

Initially, all Afcon tournaments are held in January and February but the new Confederation of African Football (Caf) administration decided to change the dates to fall in line with the Fifa international calendar and also increase the qualifying teams to 24 instead of 16.

This January-February slot created problems for African stars based in Europe as their clubs were reluctant to release their prized assets for over a month when the leagues were in full swing.

The 2019 Afcon tournament in Cameroon will be held between June and July while most leagues across Europe will be on off-season.

This pushing back of the start of the tournament to a later date resulted in the qualifiers dates also changing.

Warriors’ goalkeeper George Chigova is, however, not concerned by the long gap between the first qualifier and today’s encounter.   

“It’s been long since we played the last qualifier but most of the guys that are in the team were there for the Cosafa finals,” he said.

“We used that Cosafa tournament as part of our preparations for these qualifiers. I don’t think the long gap between our last qualifier and this game is going to be a problem for us.”

Turning to the game against the Red Devils, Chigova said: “You know playing away from home is always going to be tough. Congo will have their fans behind them so for us, we have to be focused on the game and concentrate throughout the 90 minutes.

“We have worked hard in training and we are prepared to go there and come back with a positive result.”  

Warriors defender Ronald Pfumbidzai is also relishing the opportunity to feature for the national team after he was a late inclusion to the squad following a number of injury withdrawals.

“It always feels good to play for the national team. This is an opportunity for me to show that I can play and I hope I will be part of the team that will do duty on Sunday,” Pfumbidzai said.

“I personally feel this is one game that will help us test our character especially given that we are playing away from home.

“It’s not easy in Africa playing away from home but if we are to qualify for Afcon we need to go and show it there in Congo by getting a positive result there. I think we are a talented group of players capable of getting the best result in Congo.

“Of course, we need to be cautious and look for a way to find goals. We only need to be focused and adopt the right attitude.”

Warriors squad:

Goalkeepers: George Chigova, Edmore Sibanda

Defenders: Divine Lunga, Alec Mudimu, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Teenage Hadebe, Kevin Moyo, Eric Chipeta

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Danny Phiri, Talent Chawapihwa, Kuda Mahachi, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona

Strikers: Evans Rusike, Knox Mutizwa, Luckymore Mkosana

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HARARE - Bulawayo born award-winning hip-hop act, ASAPH (Tafadzwa Tarukwana), will be headlining this year’s Shoko Festival alongside South Africa’s Moonchild Sanelly and award-winning South African Comedian, Farhan Esat.

Shoko Festival is pencilled for September 28 to 30 in Harare.

This year, Shoko Festival will be taking place at multiple venues that include the Reps Theatre (September 28), the Harare City Library Grounds (September 29) and Unit L Community Hall Grounds in Chitungwiza (September 30).

ASAPH, who recently wowed at the UnPlugged Zimbabwe, where he performed with award-winning, Shekhinah is currently topping the Zimbabwean music charts with his single Mambo which has been on Number 1 for seven weeks on radio.

He has been receiving a lot of attention with regard to his music.

“I am overwhelmed by the support I am getting from Zimbabwe as a whole and also those that are following the music.

“I promise a fireworks set for both performances on September 29 and 30 during Shoko Festival,” said ASAPH.

Shoko Festival  — a production of Magamba Network — is Zimbabwe’s most popular and longest-running urban culture festival.

Over the years, the festival has provided a platform for comedians, musicians and spoken word artists to perform.

The festival also hosts free conferences, workshops and panels.

This year, Shoko festival will host the Zim hip-hop conference for the second year running as well as the Hub Unconference which will feature a number of free educational talks for artists and the general public.

Since its inception Shoko Festival has hosted acts such as Cassper Nyovest, Tony Rebel, Khuli Chana and AKA, as well as top local acts like Tehn Diamond, Gemma Griffiths, Clive Chigubhu, and many more.

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HARARE - Harare residents and club owners have for long been at each other’s throats over noise pollution.

Recently, the Harare City Council announced they would be dealing with the issue targeting churches and clubs in residential areas.

Such clashes saw the popular Harare Gardens closed for night musical shows.

Several popular joints have had issues with residents in as far as noise is concerned with residents pushing for the closure of the joints despite the financial investment in setting them up.

This has seen club owners bowing down to the pressure in fear of closure and complied with residents’ demands.

Newly-opened Club Sankayi has had issues with residents over noise and they have taken measures to address the issue.

The club manager Simbarashe Maphosa, popularly known as Godfather Templeman, said they are currently in the process of sound-proofing the club.

He said they have heeded the residents’ complaints and have reduced the levels of noise.

“Initially, we had issues with residents but we have complied with their demands. Currently, we have reduced our sound levels and if one is outside the club, you hardly hear that music from inside.

“We are also in the process of sound-proofing the club and by the end of the month, we will be done. The residents came to us and urged us to reduce the sound and we did so and at the moment, there are no complaints,” he said.

Templeman said they have engaged the residents through the city council and had rolled out community social responsibility programmes.

“We have partnered with the council and put up street lights around the whole area which is of benefit to the residents. We also have security every four days of the week, meaning their homes and cars will be secure. So from our end, we are doing a lot to be on a good page with residents,’ he said.

Proprietor of the now-defunct The Volt — Spencer Madziya — better known as Boss Spencer, told the Daily News on Sunday that dialogue with residents is the way to go.
He said when they received complaints, they moved in to sound-proof the venue and engaged sound engineers to assist them.

“Noise will always be an issue and there is need for one to engage expert sound engineers to assist whenever there is an event. Sound is different depending on an event. Sound for DJs and performing artistes is different and there is need for an engineer to set the sound for you so that you do not clash with residents.

“We had issues at the Volt and we heeded their (residents) demands and we installed sound proof and from there we never had issues. Dialogue is the way to go, respect what the people say and you are home and dry,” he said.

Boss Spencer, who is currently spearheading entertainment at Motor Action Sports Club, known as Motor Action Sundays, said they continue to heed the residents’ calls.

“At Motor Action, we always engage experts in sound. Each time we have an event, we will have an engineer to guide us in as far as appropriate sound is concerned.

“When you look at The Volt, it is the former Book Cafe, a reputable place with a reputable history and that ought to be respected and the way we showed our respect was through dialogue,” he said.

Several issues have been raised by residents of Waterfalls and Hatfield who registered their displeasure of noise against Paramount Signature, calling for its closure by coming up with a petition.

Some of the residents said they are not bent on having the place closed but the owners should be considerate and heed calls to deal with noise.

“We are not against the mere presence of the bar in the residential suburb but the owners should be considerate. They make unbearable noise throughout the night and we are fed up. If they want to continue operating in the area, we expect them to use sound proof.

“A home is a private place and we need our private spaces; that should be respected. Apart from the deafening noise, nightclubs are associated with moral decadency hence we fear this might contaminate moral values of our children,” said a respectable member of the Hatfield community who preferred anonymity.

The residents said the issue has taken long to be resolved and are pinning hopes on the new councillors and government.

“The issue has dragged for years hence we are pinning our last hopes on the political new dispensation,” they added.

Hatfield and Waterfalls are also home to several hangout joints such as Jongwe Corner, Mega II and the Zindoga braai area.

Harare City Council corporate communications officer Michael Chideme told the Daily News On Sunday that they are always on duty to enforce the noise by-laws.

He said they have inspectors who go around monitoring the situation and also rely on residents.

“We have our inspectors who monitor the situation. In some areas, we rely on information by residents and we inspect,” he said.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has allayed fears it was withdrawing the $2 token service for good, stating that it is only temporarily discontinuing it as they fix their vending platform.

In a statement, the power utility said only buying $2 electricity tokens via EcoCash has been a problem.

This comes as ZETDC has been experiencing problems in the past few weeks, resulting in customers failing to purchase power from vending platforms.

ZETDC argues that the increase in traffic of purchase of low denominations of power tokens had begun posing a burden on the computer server.

“We fully appreciate the sensitivities around withdrawing the $2 service, but this is only being done temporarily to alleviate the situation and that is why the service has not been withdrawn fully, but only on the EcoCash platform. In the meantime, customers are strongly encouraged to use other vending platforms where the $2 service is still available. We are working on a permanent solution to the problem and towards that, new servers have been purchased and are currently being installed,” ZETDC said.

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HARARE - Wedza residents have complained of watery diarrhoea and vomit amid fears of cholera outbreak.

The Community Water Alliance (CWA) has reported that people in the small town are experiencing diarrhoeal symptoms similar to typhoid and cholera.

The new scare comes as 10 people have already succumbed to cholera in Harare while another 10 died from typhoid in Gweru.

“We cannot say for certain. However, members of the community in Wedza say there has been a surge in diarrhoeal diseases.

“We need to confirm first before raising too much alarm,” CWA said.

Meanwhile, sources at Chitungwiza Town Council told the Daily News that the council had set up a cholera treatment centre at St Mary’s clinic’s family health centre.

According to the local authority source, three patients are being treated at the clinic while all suspected cases are being advised to go to the health care facility.

“So far we have five  suspected cases that tested positive for cholera on the rapid test and have been taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

“We encourage people to seek treatment early to minimise further transmission,” the official who refused to be named said.

Newly-appointed minister of health Obadiah Moyo was not taking calls when we attempted to reach him to confirm the new cholera developments.

Chitungwiza town clerk George Makunde and mayor Gift Tsverere were also not answering their mobile phones.

Director of epidemiology in the Health ministry Portia Manangazire said she was only aware of cases in Harare and still to get reports of the suspected cases in Chitungwiza.

CWA national coordinator Hildaberta Rwambiwa said government needs to resuscitate the public-sector investment programme that will provide resources to rehabilitate the dilapidated water infrastructure.

Rwambiwa said in the forthcoming council and national budgets, water provision should be a priority with sizeable and meaningful budget allocations being channelled towards rehabilitation of liquid waste infrastructure.

“As the rain season approaches the Harare and Chitungwiza councils must release their state of preparedness plans to contain the disease outbreaks that normally accompany rains.

“It cannot be that every year people lose life due to outbreaks,” she said.

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MUTARE - A con-artist who defrauded a job-seeker of $83 has been convicted after a full trial.

Blessing Nedahwa, 24, of Chikanga 2, Mutare will be sentenced today by magistrate Perseverance Makala after being found guilty on Friday.

Nedahwa was being charged with fraud as defined in section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23.

Prosecuting, Matthew Chimutunga told the court how on June 6, 2016 Nedahwa demanded $83 from Memory Chimunhu on the promise that he would facilitate her son’s employment by Population Services International Mutare.

She later made a police report when she realised that she had been duped after months went by without anything materialising.

Sometime in December of the same year, Nedahwa called Chimunhu and returned her money after realising  he was wanted by the police over the fraud case.

The full amount was recovered but that could not prevent his arrest two years later. He was subsequently tried and convicted.

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MUTARE - A fuel dealer has been slapped with a $300 fine for selling unleaded petrol.

Kudakwashe Jakata of Long Femur, Fair Bridge Park who operates Oilex Service Station at Chakohwa Business Centre was convicted on his own plea of guilt by magistrate Perseverance Makala.

He faces an alternative three-month jail stint if he fails to make the fine.

Jakata was charged for violating the mandatory blending requirement as spelt out in section 4 (1) of the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment Regulations 2013 SI 147 A of 2013) as read with General Notice 199 of 2015 and section 57 of Petroleum Act chapter 13:22.

It was the State’s case that Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) twice picked up the legal infraction by Jakata’s service station in April.

According to State papers, Zera first noted this during a routine inspection on April 4.

It again returned to fully ascertain on April 9 when it also took a sample of the fuel to a Standard Association of Zimbabwe laboratory which proved that the service station was trading unleaded petrol.

The 170 litres of fuel was taken as evidence and has now been forfeited to the State.

Matthew Chimutunga was prosecuting.

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HARARE - Government should get rid of illegal vendors selling fake and expired commodities on the streets, players in industry have said.

This comes amid reports of perished and fake products flooding the country.

Denford Mutashu, president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR), told the Daily News that government has not shown zeal to tackle vendors clogging the streets of major cities.

“It is clear that most of these goods are smuggled from outside the country, and we are not happy about their spread. A lot of products, edible and non-edible, are available on the streets, and they pose a serious danger to the consumers,” Mutashu said.

“The new government should deal with this issue of vending.

“Vendors must be relocated; there is no question about that. There has to be order in society, we can’t have vendors selling at undesignated points.

“There is also a problem of those operating within premises while they are not registered.

“They are just like ‘mushika-mushika’ and the parallel market.

There is societal disorder; this has to be fixed before making economic reforms.”

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) echoed similar sentiments, noting that if not dealt with, the present trend will only result in the upsurge of communicable diseases.

“We know they are looking for money, but the lives of fellow citizens are at stake here.

“It is our responsibility, let’s stop giving poison to others,” said CZI president Sifelani Jabangwe.

“Government has been relaxed to deal with this issue.

“A small problem will become bigger, it is better to get rid of these products on the streets.

“They will only cause diseases, and this will mean more government expenditure in dealing with disease outbreaks.”

Unsuspecting consumers are lured by the cheaper prices of the groceries on the streets, compared to the usual supermarket retailers.

Some vendors have indicated that they purchase their supplies from local wholesalers who offer huge discounts for nearly expired products.

Products such as instant porridge, dairy products, canned foods, beverages and biscuits that are being sold on the streets have passed their sell-by date.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, told a rally on Saturday he would hold an assembly that would swear him in as president this week, just two weeks after President Emmerson Mnangagwa was inaugurated for a first, five-year term.

This comes hot on the heels of a Constitutional Court (Con-Court) ruling on August 24 that Chamisa’s opposition (MDC) Alliance had no case, with Zanu PF frontman Emmerson Mnangagwa being sworn in on August 26, as president.

Chamisa told MDC supporters in Chitungwiza that he is going to name his Cabinet in the coming few days.

The youthful politician’s symbolic challenge could lead to fresh confrontations in Zimbabwe. Chamisa risks jail for treason if he takes the presidential oath.

“We are going to hold our 19th anniversary next week (this week) Saturday and the leadership of the party said during that event the people’s president is going to be sworn-in by the people who voted him,” Chamisa said.

“When I am sworn-in, I will take my own way and Mnangagwa will take his and we will see who the real leader is.

“I told Mnangagwa let us meet and resolve the issue. He refused saying he won the election but I am going to make life difficult for him.

“There is no stability out of rigged elections. There is no economic stability out of a rigged election the world over it never happens.

“If you say you are ready, as your leaders we are ready to lead. Legal route does not declare Mnangagwa a winner.”

Chamisa seem to be following the script of Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga who defied authorities to go ahead with a ceremony to swear him in as “president of the people”.

He said “in the next few days we are going to form an alternative government.”

“We are not going to have a shadow cabinet because we are not the opposition, we will have an alternative Cabinet not a shadow Cabinet. It is an alternative Cabinet because we won the election,” he said.

The youthful opposition leader said his Cabinet is going to have few ministers.

“Our Cabinet is going to be lean, we don’t want deputy ministers, they are useless, these are jobs for the boys and girls.

“We don’t need to have deputy ministers because they cannot act as ministers. We are not going to appoint corrupt people; we are going to appoint 15 cabinet ministers only.

“We want to prepare ourselves because we won the elections. This issue is not going to end until the real results are declared. I tell you this is not going to end.
They stole children’s jiggies (children’s snacks),” Chamisa said speaking in vernacular.

This comes as political analysts last week said the determined bids by Chamisa and some Zanu PF bigwigs to bring down Mnangagwa were now effectively dead in the water — after former president Robert Mugabe and veteran opposition kingpin Eddie Cross put paid to these quests.

Addressing mourners at his Blue Roof mansion in Harare, following the recent death of his wife Grace’s mother — Idah Marufu — Mugabe urged Zimbabweans to wholly embrace Mnangagwa as the country’s undisputed new leader.

“There was an election. Zanu PF was represented by Emmerson Mnangagwa and (Nelson) Chamisa represented MDC Alliance and results came out saying the person who won was Emmerson Mnangagwa, and I said zvava mugwara zvino (everything is now in order).

“We have accepted the result and we hope that we will continue respecting the will of the people.

“The gun does not and should not lead politics,” he said — sealing Mnangagwa’s leadership of the country.

Until his successor’s inauguration last month, Mugabe had done all in his power to derail Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF, including urging Zimbabweans to vote for Chamisa in last month’s hotly-disputed presidential poll.

Speaking at the same memorial service on Thursday, Grace — who had been in Singapore receiving treatment when her mother died, prompting Mnangagwa to scramble for funds to charter a plane to bring her home for the burial — also praised the new Zanu PF leader for showing “love” towards the former first family.

“VaMnangagwa comforted me. If it takes my mother’s death for us to restore our old friendship, then let it be.

“VaMnangagwa loves us. He knows we love him too. We pray for him because it is God’s will that he is president of the country,” she said.

Theresa May’s comments in South Africa that (Emmerson) Mnangagwa was elected as president and then with German’s minister of Development Cooperation announcing that their government was again open for business with Zimbabwe, sealed the issue, Cross said.

“Thirdly, the new president, for the first time, is asking the whole country for help to secure the future and he has extended the hand of reconciliation to the opposition.

“I am deeply disappointed that the MDC Alliance seems to have turned its back on these initiatives and instead have continued to make the assertion that this was a ‘stolen’ election and that Chamisa is the legitimate president.

“Not only is this futile, but it also threatens further violence and instability when what we really need is national unity and an agreement to put our differences aside in a concerted effort to deal with the tough issues that confront us in the next five years,” Cross added.

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BULAWAYO - ONE of the losing presidential candidates, Blessing Kasiyamhuru, has challenged MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa to swallow his pride and accept that the July 30 election outcome as God’s will.

Chamisa on Saturday told his supporters in Chitungwiza that he will continue piling pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, even through protests, until he is recognised as the winner of the disputed plebiscite.

“Though it might sound rude, its paramount to accept the election came, results came, a mere miss remains a miss, they came close but what is needed is to humble yourself and swallow your pride that it happened and start rebuilding and go forward,” Kasiyamhuru said.

The Zipp president who is currently on a post-election “Thank you” tour of Matabeleland said it was important for Chamisa to support the current leadership as the election outcome was the will of God.

“It’s still a victory for the whole of Zimbabwe so it’s important that we support the current leadership. I will recommend my brother Nelson Chamisa to shake hands and accept whatever the results and he being a Christian God has allowed it, and we should now rally behind our leadership because God has allowed it.

He added: “If he is a Christian like some of us, he should now be prepared to pray for them and keeping on respecting them despite that we went into competition together, they remain our fathers and we know that respect should never go away despite our differences.”

Meanwhile, Kasiyamhuru castigated the Mnangagwa government for ill-advised statements against the recent imposition of sanctions by America.

“We don’t live in isolation and our language at all the times should always embrace the continent for the sake of peace and continuity,” he said.

“That is why Zimbabwe does not have it all; we don’t have the technology, we import so it’s important that we create those partnerships that are balanced and beneficial to each.

“That, however, doesn’t mean that we should not recognise that we are an independent nation whose sovereignty is key to our identity.”

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BULAWAYO - Former Makokoba legislator Tshinga Dube has said he was not going to contest for the seat again saying it was time he passed on the baton.

Dube lost to MDC Alliance’s James Sithole in the just-ended July 30 elections, leaving him feeling let down following his huge investment in the constituency.

The former War Veterans minister has been unsuccessfully contesting for Makokoba constituency since the 2008 election, but finally got it right in the 2015 by-election, a move which gave him the platform to fulfil his unbridled ambition for the people of Makokoba.

However, despite the recent election loss Dube, on Saturday, found time to thank the thousands who cast their vote in his favour.

He donated tonnes of rice and mealie meal.

“I think I have done enough. I have Makokoba at heart but there comes a time when one has to say enough is enough,” Dube said

“I have done a lot for the constituency, I will forever remain indebted to those that stood with me during this election and previous elections but for now I have taken a decision not to contest again,” Dube said

He admitted that age was getting the better of him.

“The fact that I lost the elections doesn’t mean that we have parted ways. It’s merely that age is catching up with me and I have to pass the baton to others,” he said.

Dube, however, said it was unfortunate that the youth have failed to fill the gap left by their leaders in the party.

“We don’t have youths, and also that is one reason why you always see the same old folks getting this and that position, contesting this and that city because we do not have the youths,” he said.

Dube said he will not cut the philanthropic projects he has been carrying out for the constituency under the Tshinga Dube Foundation.

“I will continue with the work that I have been doing like health expos, funeral assistance, assisting orphaned children with fees and other needs among others,”Dube said.

For now, Dube, who didn’t make it in the new Cabinet appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that he will concentrate on his party position where he is the deputy secretary for finance.

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BULAWAYO - For the first time in history, the second largest city is going to be led by a youthful mayor.

At 35, Solomon Mguni, a practising lawyer, becomes the new mayor of Bulawayo.

He will be deputised by Tinashe Kambarami who is three years younger than him.

The Daily News caught up with Mguni who said he is the right man for the job.

“The reason why I applied for the post of mayor is that I feel it’s high time youths take part in the political affairs of this country and take charge in decision-making on issues that affect their day-to-day life,” Mguni said.

“Coming from the private sector, I felt that I could use my experience in administration and apply them in public sector management,” he said.

Mguni, an alumni of the University of Zimbabwe, felt that his legal background will add value to Bulawayo and change the way the city has been run.

“Politics and administration, in my view, is all about law. With my legal background and political history, I felt that I could do things differently and change the way things have always been done in Bulawayo.

“I believe in good corporate governance and business ethics. I want to believe that professional background would come in handy in fighting corruption in local government and also as a bridge between fellow councillors and executive management on issues that may require legal interpretation,” he said.

Mguni quickly laid out his vision, describing the once pristine city as a scrap yard due to its heavy de-industrialisation.

“My vision is to turn the economic fortunes of Bulawayo.

“Bulawayo is now what I would call a scrap yard.

“It’s a sleeping giant which needs reawakening. We need to get councillors to pass investor-friendly resolutions that attract fresh capital.

“We will come up with incentives to industry and commerce and more importantly to support small and imaging businesses and create employment for our people,” he said.

He said he was going to engage the business community for the progress of the city.

“We need to sit down with business people and understand what challenges they are facing and what it is that they want council to do to assist them.

“Council must now play more that facilitative role in bringing investors. We need a robust marketing strategy to market Bulawayo on the international scale,” he said.

Mguni also said he was going to revisit twinning arrangements with progressive cities such as Aberdeen and Durban.

“Business people and captains of industry must now travel with council delegations on such business trips abroad so that they tap into benefits flowing from twin cities,” he said.

The mayor said the city was 30 years behind in terms of development.

“We need to transform Bulawayo infrastructure. Bulawayo is 30 years behind in terms of development. We can’t afford to continue being cry-babies. We need to modernise the city infrastructure

“Projects like the Egodini Mall must take off without further delays.

“Those involved in such capital projects must deliver or risk withdrawal of the projects.”

He was, however, quick to say he appreciated his predecessors for maintaining the legacy of the city.

SOLOMON MGUNI FACT SHEET...

Solomon Mguni was born on September 7, 1983 in Gwatemba, Filabusi.

He grew up in Gokwe after his father moved there after retirement from Zesa, Munyati Power Station, Kwekwe in 1987.

Mguni did his primary education at Mhali Primary School, in Magwegwe, Bulawayo between 1990 and 1996.

He did his secondary education in Gokwe’s Kubatana Nyamuroro High School between 1997 and 2002 after which proceeded to the University of Zimbabwe where he studied law from 2004 to 2008.

He has worked as legal practitioner at Masiye-Moyo & Associates from graduation up to 2014.

In 2015, he founded a law firm called Dube; Mguni & Dube Legal practitioners.

He is a practising lawyer and managing partner of the firm.

He began political activism at the University of Zimbabwe when he joined the MDC branch on campus upon enrolment in August 2004 up to graduation in October 2008.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe's new Cabinet will face major problems from day one — with militant unions already pushing for pay rises in the wake of the recent price hikes and the deteriorating economy, which they say have eroded workers’ earnings.

This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new ministers will take their oath of office today, as they embark on the arduous journey of reviving the country’s sickly economy.

Some workers union representatives told the Daily News yesterday that salaries had been “eroded” by the skyrocketing prices of goods, which economic analysts and the business community have blamed on the country’s worsening foreign currency shortages.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary-general Enock Dongo said in the case of health workers, their salaries were last reviewed five years ago.

“Our salaries are not in sync with the prices of basic commodities, hence we demand government to urgently look at this.

“We are demanding more than 100 percent increments. Our salaries are far below the poverty datum line,” Dongo said.

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said it was also looking forward to a meaningful engagement with the new government on salaries.

“We urge teachers to unite under the umbrella of the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators’ Unions (Fozeu) and galvanise all teachers to clamour for better salaries and conditions of service.

“We urge them to engage in meaningful dialogue and logical disputation with the employer as opposed to romance with the employer ... There is certainly strength in numbers,” the union said.

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) also demanded a 100 percent salary increment, which it said would cushion its members from the tanking economy.

“Artuz hereby warns the government to expeditiously give a salary rise or face a backlash from employees. Teachers are ready to fight for a living wage.

“We remain open to dialogue but we have other means to force the employer to act,” the militant rural teachers’ body said.

Estimates suggest the poverty datum line (PDL) — which measures the cost of a given standard of living that must be attained if a person is deemed not to be poor — has gone up to $800 on the back of rising prices.

But many civil servants earn an average $400 per month — which ranks them among the lowest paid workers in the country.

The 2015 Civil Service Audit revealed that the government has about 188 070 workers on its payroll — excluding the uniformed forces and Health Services Board personnel.

The government’s wage bill chews the bulk of the National Budget — leaving very little for other key programmes.

In March, dozens of placard-waving teachers and their union leaders stormed Mnangagwa’s offices, where they handed over a petition demanding salary increments, among other demands.

And on the eve of Independence Day this year, the government even fired nurses who had gone on strike, pressing for improved allowances and salaries — a decision which was later rescinded.

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HARARE - Political analysts say President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new Cabinet — in which he dumped both friends and foes alike on Friday last week — demonstrates that he is determined to reset the government’s compass, as his administration battles to turnaround Zimbabwe’s ailing economy.

This comes as long-suffering Zimbabweans, including Mnangagwa’s critics, have warmly received his Cabinet choices which they believe could finally end decades of economic misery in the country.

The Zanu PF leader swung the axe on much of the deadwood that had been “permanent fixtures” in ousted former leader Robert Mugabe’s misfiring Cabinets.

Among those chopped from his previous Cabinet were his long-time loyalists and vocal backers at the height of Zanu PF’s ugly factional, succession and tribal wars, which were ruthlessly ended by the military intervention of last November.

Apart from cutting loose the old guard, Mnangagwa also significantly reduced the size of the previously bloated Cabinet — while also taking away the key Defence portfolio away from his influential deputy Constantino Chiwenga.

University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure said yesterday that Mnangagwa was “now flexing his muscles as the president” — and in the process moving to dispel the view that he was weak.

He added that last month’s poll victory had given the president the legitimacy to act boldly, as he was now acting on his own mandate.

“He is now his own man as he has earned his legitimacy. He is no longer beholden to both those who launched the military intervention and those who supported him during the era when he was down.

“The current situation dictated that those who did not have the skills would be dropped from government to create space for those who are better skilled.

“Thus, we now have the infusion of more competent people in Cabinet, at least on paper. In a nutshell, Mnangagwa’s Cabinet appointments are mostly because he now has the legitimacy, and now has freedom of action,” Masunungure told the Daily News.

Among the heavyweights that Mnangagwa sacrificed are his top ally and former Treasury chief Patrick Chinamasa — who had lately attracted fierce criticism due to the country’s deteriorating economy.

His new-look Cabinet includes former swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry, as well as the highly-regarded Mthuli Ncube — a 55-year-old former African Development Bank (AfDB) deputy president and founder of the now defunct Barbican Bank, who succeeded Chinamasa.

Other heavyweights who fell by the wayside included Mike Bimha, Josiah Hungwe, Simon Khaya Moyo, Webster Shamu, Obert Mpofu, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, David Parirenyatwa, Supa Mandiwanzira, Petronella Kagonye, Martin Dinha, Angeline Masuku, Owen Ncube and David Musabayana — who served in the previous Cabinet as either full ministers or provincial ministers.

However, Masunungure told the Daily News that Mnangagwa had not “completely” dumped his old comrades as he was likely to provide many of them with “a soft landing” at the Zanu PF headquarters.

“He is likely to transfer them to the party where they will be made to believe that the party is superior to government, although we know in practice that it is more prestigious to be in Cabinet than at the party,” he said.

Last week, the Daily News correctly reported that Mnangagwa would dump the deadwood that had worked for decades with Mugabe, and shunt some of them to the party’s headquarters as Zanu PF adopts a modus operandi which gives it more power than the government — similar to the Chinese model.

This was after Zanu PF insiders had told this publication that Mnangagwa was “definitely going to re-assign many bigwigs” to the party’s headquarters — commonly referred to as Shake Shake House in Harare street lingo — in a bid to both strengthen its administration and to also breathe new life in government.

The Chinese Community Party (CCP) has a similar model, which has also lately been adopted by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa.

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Namibia-based academic Admire Mare said Mnangagwa’s resetting of his Cabinet demonstrated that power resided with him alone.

“It is too early to make any conclusions whether he has dumped them (old guard) entirely from the power structures. But in some ways, the Cabinet reshuffle has demonstrated his willingness to disengage with the past,” Mare said.

Another political analyst, Maxwell Saungweme, said Mnangagwa had also sent a message to both his local critics and the international community that he meant business.

“While I think it took a lot of bravado to offload his friends from Cabinet ... this tough decision was taken in order to reassure local and international communities that there is a new dawn and that no one is indispensable.

“We need to vigilantly monitor the transformation to see whether it’s real or it’s just a veneer of it for the optics,” Saungweme told the Daily News.

Mnangagwa and his Cabinet are under pressure to stop the economy from sliding back into the throes of an economic crisis similar to the 2008 hyperinflation era.

Over the past few weeks, the prices of basic commodities went up sharply, while some goods disappeared completely from supermarket shelves due to the country’s acute foreign currency shortages.

This came at the same time industry warned that the deepening foreign currency crisis was making it difficult for manufacturers to import critical raw materials on time.

Industry, as a result, also warned of further price hikes and shortages of basic consumer goods.

Last week, millers also confirmed that a bread crisis was looming as wheat stocks in the country had now reached critical levels.

Millions of Zimbabweans cast their vote in the historic July 30 elections, to choose both a new Parliament and president — following the dramatic fall from power of Mugabe in November last year.

The elections were the first since 1980 to be held in the country without Mugabe’s participation, whose 37-year iron-fisted rule was stunningly ended by a military operation which triggered events that ended with his resignation.

The elections also marked the first time that the main opposition MDC was not represented by its founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who lost his brave battle with cancer of the colon on Valentine’s Day this year.

Zanu PF retained its two thirds parliamentary majority in the elections, with Mnangagwa winning a tightly contested race by a revised 50,6 percentage points.

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BULAWAYO - Tendai Zimuto and Caroline Mhandu are the winners of the inaugural POSB 15km Fun Run bioth in the men’s and women’s categories yesterday.

Zimuto won the men’s race in a time of 49.26.19 while Mhandu was first woman home inside 51.31.19. Both winners pocked $300 for their efforts.

After the race, Zimuto tsaid: “The race was good; it was not tough that’s why I managed to win. In the first half of the race, the pace was slow and I set the pace in the last half of the race. I led from there and managed to push up to the end.

“I reserved the energy for the last kilometre. We always train to finish fast and well. I expect to go for the Olympics and World Championship in China next year and with a lot of hard work I can bring the medals for my country.”

The 23 year old Mhandu said: “The race was OK. The training that I had was the secret behind my victory today. I am also planning and preparing to go to the World Championships. I’m preparing so hard so that come next year, I will be able to compete.

POSB acting public relations manager, Dionne Mpofu said: “This is POSB’s inaugural fun race. The race was truly an extraordinary event and the turnout was huge and amazing. We thank Bulawayo people for the support. We will be holding a similar event in Harare later in the year.

“These events are meant to promote overall health and wellness. We are happy to be able to invest in and promote people’s health.”

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HARARE - Farai Jere has promised to transform the fortunes of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after he was elected as the new chairperson ahead of Triangle United’s boss Lovemore Matikinyidze during yesterday’s elections held in Harare.

The CAPS United president polled a tally of nine votes while Matikinyidze got seven from a total of 16 votes that were cast yesterday.

Herentals governor Kudakwashe Remba did not cast his vote after arriving at the venue late while ZPC Kariba’s Tungamirai Mazarire failed to show up.

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Chicken Inn’s chairperson Lifa Ncube was elected unopposed to be Jere’s deputy as there were no other challengers for the post.

After the election, Jere hopes PSL will remain united as they try to bring financial prosperity to the top flight league.

“We don’t want to live in the past. The problem with living in the past is that you cannot implement what you want and time is not something you can reverse,” the Makepekepe boss said.

“We only have four years to implement what is in our manifesto which is a document that we are accountable to.

“You are already asking questions about that which means there will be a lot of follow ups so we need to hit the ground running.”

PSL currently has a single major sponsor — Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Delta Beverages — which bankrolls the league through their Castle Lager brand.

Delta also sponsors the league’s biggest knockout competition the Chibuku Super Cup. 

“I think we are getting into office at a time when there is a lot of hope in as far as the economic situation is concerned especially after the new dispensation,” Jere said.

“We are hoping by bringing the much-needed excitement to our stadia, people will come in their numbers to watch our matches.

“This is an area we need to sit down and put our heads together and make sure that people come back to our stadia to watch their beloved teams.”

Jere reiterated his call for the league to find a more spacious and corporate-looking headquarters which will help them attract more sponsors.

“We need a head office that we will all be proud of and a good office in Bulawayo which is our second city; those goals are quite attainable,” he said.

“It’s something that we were selling in our manifesto and we need this generation to leave something behind which would be said to have been done by this group.

“Obviously, not taking away anything from our predecessors, they might have had good reasons for renting the offices as opposed to buying.”

Although he lost the race to lead the top flight league, Matikinyidze pledged to continue working with the newly-elected office bearers.

“All I can say is that I gave it my best shot but at the end of the day, numbers tell,” Matikinyidze said.

“I remain a member of the team and this is just the beginning of the work that we must do as the PSL and like I have always done, I will continue to do the same.”

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Highlanders............(1) 3
Dynamos....................0

BULAWAYO - Highlanders ended their three-game win-less run in the Castle Lager premiership by walloping rivals Dynamos in a thrilling encounter here yesterday.

Bosso got their goals from Tafadzwa Sibanda, Gabriel Nyoni and Newman Sianchali as they completed the double over DeMbare having won the reverse fixture 0-1 in Harare earlier this season.

Highlanders, who had drawn with Nichrut FC before losing to Chicken Inn and Ngezi Platinum Stars, remain in sixth place with 39 points from 24 matches.

The win left the Bulawayo giants’ technical manager Madinda Ndlovu heaping praise on his charges, who had been under pressure following that recent run of poor form.

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“It was one of those matches where we came to the party and did very well. Credit goes to my players, they came to the party,” Ndlovu said.

“Tactically, I think we continued from a very good second half against Ngezi. We just tried to beef up our defence and strengthen it by bringing one of our experienced defenders Tendai (Ndlovu); otherwise it was a day where the boys really wanted to play.”

As for DeMbare it was a disappointing performance as they never really showed any urgency and they remain in a precarious 12th place on the log with 29 points just five above the relegation zone.

Dynamos assistant coach Joseph “Shabba” Takaringofa standing in for coach Lloyd Mutasa, who was in Congo with the Warriors, felt let down by his charges’ display. 

“We were our worst enemies in terms of conceding silly goals; we played well in the first half but the same mistake we did in the first half we did it in the second half. We conceded a corner kick and we failed to defend,” he said.

“I am very disappointed especially in the way we conceded goals and we also didn’t exploit our chances. We were hoping for a win but unfortunately we didn’t.”

Highlanders were the dominant team from the onset with the midfield of Nigel Makumbe, Adrian Silla, Denzel Khumalo and Brian Banda firmly in control.

Their dominance paid dividends when they broke the deadlock through new acquisition 13 minutes into the match.

Sibanda scored with a flashing header when he connected Makumbe’s corner kick to beat goalkeeper Simbarashe Chinani.

Two minutes later, Dynamos could have equalised but Kuda Kumwala surprisingly shot wide one-on-one against Bosso keeper Ariel sibanda.

Highlanders continued to dominate the match and with a bit of luck and precision they could have scored two or more goals before going into the halftime break.

In the second period, Dynamos were determined to find an equaliser while Highlanders were content on attacking on the break.

Bosso’s cushion goal finally arrived 10 minutes before full time when Nyoni scored with a diving header from a Silla corner kick as the DeMbare marking at set pieces was found wanting again.

Substitute Sianchali put the icing on the cake for the home side in added time when he was spotted unmarked inside the box by Nyoni.

He kept his cool and fired a shot that hit the roof of the net.

TEAMS

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, MacClive Phiri, Adrian Silla, Brian Banda, Tendai Ndlovu, Peter Muduhwa, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Tafadzwa Sibanda, Gabriel Nyoni, Denzel Khumalo, Nigel Makumbe (Newman Sianchali 71m)

Dynamos: Simbarashe Chinani, Peace Makaha, Ocean Mushure, Phakamani Dube, Jimmy Tigere, Blessing Moyo, Gift Saunyama, Marvellous Mukumba (Bret Amidu 54m), Kuda Kumwala, Quality Kangadzi (Emmanuel Mandiranga 63m), Denver Mukamba (Panashe Mutasa 76m)

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