THE case in which Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) ministries is accused of breaching the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act failed to kick off yesterday.

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This was after the prosecution ambushed the church’s lawyers with a 300 page document a day before the court hearing.
The matter was remanded to March 21 for trial. PHD was represented by Nelson Tawanda Marimo who appeared before Harare regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya represented by Everson Chatambudza.

“We apply for postponement of this case because we received the State papers yesterday (Wednesday). It is a bulk document of about 300 pages and the defence needs time to go through them before trial commences,” Chatambudza said while addressing the court.
The complainant is the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) represented by Tinashe Madakadze, the chief investigations officer.
According to the State, PHD raises revenue from selling church regalia, anointing oil and holy water and also from operating a guest house.

Zivanai Macharaga of the President’s Office’s Special Anti-Corruption Unit alleged that sometime in October 2018, Zimra conducted tax investigations and recovered financial statements from PHD for the period extending from 2013 to 2017. The court heard that Zimra also recovered financial statements from CBZ Bank which were submitted by PHD for loan application.

The statements showed that PHD had allegedly realised sales amounting to $28 706 040 between 2013 and 2017. It was alleged that during that period PHD did not submit income tax returns to ZIMRA. The court heard that during the same period PHD paid remuneration amounting to $950 522.99 to Tendai Magaya, wife of the church’s founder, into her personal Stanbic Bank account.
PHD also transferred remuneration of US$2 403 658.24 to Walter Magaya’s Stanbic Bank account and on both occasions PHD evaded tax by not paying Pay As You Earn tax.

It was alleged that PHD had no records of all goods and services that it sells and purchases in violation of the VAT Act. It was discovered that on VAT returns for the said period, PHD failed to declare exports made and had submitted VAT returns with false entries again further contravening the same tax regulations.

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FORMER banker Alexander Jongwe has resigned from Willdale Limited, where he was the board’s chairperson. In a statement, Willdale company secretary Mavuto Munginga expressed the company’s gratitude for his leadership during his tenure. 

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Jongwe whose resignation took effect from September 12, 2018 has been succeeded by Cleophas Makoni.
“Makoni has been appointed as the chairman of the board with effect from February 20 2019. His extensive company and general business experience will be valuable in steering the company forward through the prevailing challenging environment,” Munginga said.Willdale Limited is a brick making company in Zimbabwe and the only brick company listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. 

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TV Sales & Home has acquired a 49 percent interest in Restapedic (Private) Limited — a manufacturer of beds for the medium to high end markets.

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Post the acquisition of Restapedic by TV Sales and Home, a new company called Maton Trading was established.
In a notice published yesterday, the Competition and Tariff Commission said it has since approved the transaction –classified as a vertical merger – with conditions.
“The transaction was approved subject to the following conditions that Maton continues to supply its competitors in the downstream market at the same terms and condition as offered to TV Sales and Home (Pvt) Limited,” it said.
In addition: “TV Sales and Home Private (Pvt) Limited continues to continue to purchase from its competitors in the upstream market.” 

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HARARE - Suspended chief magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe yesterday gave notice that he would be applying to have his criminal abuse office case heard in the High Court, rejecting attempts to have him tried by his juniors at the Rotten Row court.

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Guvamombe’s lawyer Jonathan Samukange advised Harare regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire of his client’s request and said a full application would be made.“The accused person would want to be tried at the High Court since all the magistrates here are his juniors,” Samukange said.Zivanai Macharaga of the Anti-Corruption Unit in the President’s Office said he would consider the issue once it is formally brought to his attention.

The matter was remanded to March 18.
According to the State, sometime in June 2017, magistrate Elijah Makomo was assigned a criminal case in which one Nathan Mnaba was the accused and Nighert Savania the complainant.
During the trial, numerous applications were allegedly made by the defence which was dismissed due to lack of merit.

This allegedly prompted the defence to approach Makomo, who was presiding over the matter on June 26, 2017 demanding that he recuses himself from the case. Makomo is said to have turned down the request and advised them to file their application with the High Court or make a formal application with him.

Makomo was later advised to report to Guvamombe’s office with Nathan’s court record and was told that he was mishandling the matter and as such he should recuse himself even though there was no formal application from the defence for his recusal.
The court heard that Guvamombe went on to handle the complainant despite the fact that he had a previous business relationship with Nathan’s father.

Guvamombe is also accused of offering internship to former ministers Supa Mandiwanzira and Saviour Kasukuwere who are both studying law at the University of Zimbabwe.

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A Harare lawyer has refused to testify against former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law Simba Chikore as a State witness to establish an essential fact of the Zimbabwe Airways senior staff row as well as provide expert testimony saying she retains a contingent fee interest in the case.

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Harare lawyer Phillipa Phillips was due to testify against Chikore in the trial but advised the court in a letter that there would be conflict of interest and had to seek consent first. Citing the need to honour lawyer-client privileges, Phillips declined to testify in the State’s case in which Chikore is accused of unlawfully detaining Zimbabwe Airways legal secretary Bertha Zakeyo from exiting the controversial airline’s offices after summarily firing her. Phillips is Zakeyo’s lawyer.

The State insisted that Phillips must testify.
The prohibition against lawyers serving as both counsel and witness in a trial proceeding has a long and complicated history, and the rule itself is riddled with exceptions  “She must come and testify and allow the court to make a determination on whether she should do so or not,” prosecutor Mirirai Shumba insisted yesterday. 

“The investigating officer who went to her offices intending to subpoena her was informed that she had travelled to South Africa and on Tuesday this week. It is the State’s view that the witness must come and make the record straight. “In the letter, she also stated that she hadn’t been subpoenaed so was under no obligation to appear and testify in court.”

Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba urged the State to avail all remaining witness and avoid delaying the trial.
“The State is being warned to make available all its witnesses on the next date. Justice delayed is justice denied and all defaulting witnesses will be issued with warrants or risk having to close the State case,” Mashamba said.

Allegations are that Chikore — married to Mugabe’s daughter Bona — reportedly embarked on a purge of senior staff at Zimbabwe Airways he accused of being disloyal to the company.
According to Zakeyo, she received a letter from her boss Chikore, demanding that she responds to a battery of charges levelled against her.

The charges included holding unsanctioned meetings outside the company premises and trading sensitive information. 
She later received an e-mail from Chikore demanding that she writes a report detailing her dealings with unnamed external parties.
In a docket opened at the Highlands Police Station, Zakeyo said Chikore — whom she accused of masquerading as a captain — kidnapped her for more than two hours and also denied her access to her lawyer, Phillips.

Trouble has been brewing at Zimbabwe Airways, which is under an opaque ownership that involves government, Chikore and some unnamed foreign nationals. Recently, the airline got delivery of its first bird, a Boeing 777 which was unveiled by President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid much pomp and fanfare.

It was, however, flown back to Malaysia after attracting unsustainable charges including steep parking fees.
The airline also failed to mobilise funds to hire pilots to fly the plane.

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HARARE - The Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) has allowed second-hand vehicles changing ownership to remain with the same number plates amid a critical plates shortage. Previously, when a vehicle was changing ownership, number plates were supposed to be changed.

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Under new guidelines announced by the CVR, vehicles changing ownership will maintain the same plates starting February 26.
“What only changes is the new registered book with details of the new owner,” the CVR said.

“This functionality has been enabled in the system. The motorist pays $15 and gets a registration book only with the new owner details. The number plates and third plates remain the same and no plates will be surrendered. “New number plates will be issued as usual when government or a local authority vehicle is changing ownership, plates must be surrendered as usual. They pay $80 or $70 if trailer/motor cycle, the policy did not change for these vehicles,” the statement read.

CVR clarified that the new policy, however, does not apply when replacing damaged, lost or defaced number plates and where a public service vehicle is changing ownership and category to private or vice versa. This comes after Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Joel Biggie Matiza recently extended the lifespan of temporary plates from two weeks to an indefinite period following a critical plates shortage. 

The skint government has struggled to import plates from Germany due to a dollar crunch, despite an order for 400 000 being placed.
“Contrary to the current shortage of number plates, the validity period of temporary identification cards has with immediate effect and in consultation with the commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police been relaxed to run an indefinite period from the date of issue until further notice,” Matiza said.

While Matiza attributed the shortage to the scarce foreign currency, Amos Marawa, the permanent secretary in the ministry told the Daily News that the problem was due to a delayed shipment that was expected to arrive mid-December last year.

“We were expecting to receive them in mid-December but our suppliers closed for the festive season and we are awaiting confirmation on when to expect the delivery,” Marawa said.
While the consumption rate yearly ranges from 120 000 to 150 000 plates, the ministry usually makes a huge order as costs for big orders are much cheaper.

Last year, the ministry also encountered similar challenges although the delay was due to then high sea levels in the Indian Ocean, leading to the hold-up in the shipment’s arrival in the country.

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The Harare City Council is mulling selling selected residential and commercial stands in foreign currency. Mayor Herbert Gomba told the Daily News that council was looking at getting maximum gain from the land sales in forex.

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The move to sell in foreign currency comes as council is struggling to provide adequate services owing to a dollar shortage crunch stifling its service delivery mandate. “We have revised the pricing of most of our stands with the cheapest going for $15 per square metre. We had noticed that people were buying the stands from as little as 50 cents a square metre and reselling them for the equivalent in United States dollars and that was disenfranchising council,” Gomba said.

He said he had tasked the directors of housing and community services as well as finance to look into the matter. Gomba said council was still looking into the feasibility of going the foreign currency route and which stands were to be sold that way.
“The matter is not yet finalised as we have to look into it even from a legal stand-point.

The money raised will not be for salaries but will be channelled towards service delivery. All our endeavours are to ensure that residents get value for their money,” he said. According to council minutes, stands in high density areas would be $15 per square metre, for medium density it would be $20 while low density areas council was yet to get a set price.

The move to sell stands in foreign currency comes barely two months after the city suspended land sales arguing real estate was being sold for a song.

During a November full council meeting, the city fathers resolved that any land sales that would be approved had to be commensurate with the prevailing economic conditions of the country.

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There is a credible challenge to MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa ahead of the May congress. Douglas Mwonzora — who retains a solid core of support and whose campaign paved the way for him to beat Chamisa in the watershed 2016 congress — has said he might run for the MDC presidency.

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There is a sense that Chamisa enjoys extremely high approval ratings among the MDC faithful, and a sense they are not likely to desert him for anyone else, but Mwonzora must be allowed to run freely and fairly without vilification, innuendo or attempts to brand him a Zanu PF Trojan Horse. 

Elias Mudzuri, who has long set his sights on the presidency, is not interested in being a sacrificial donkey and is seemingly disclaiming interest if his silence is anything to go by. He knows the opprobrium he endured from challenging Chamisa, the rally boos, the “tengesa uone mashura” threats. If the MDC Alliance upholds democracy, Mwonzora must be allowed to run without all this unnecessary controversy.

There is no need for all this maximum anger being conveyed against Dougie, a name his allies call him with, which in some instance is carrying with it an implicit threat to harm him. 
The venom being directed against Mwonzora will certainly create the type of distractions that the MDC Alliance does not need. It will lead to disaster.

Of course, a challenge for Chamisa is a cold shower of sorts. But if Chamisa is indeed a democrat, he must call off his dogs. If Chamisa is strong enough, there is nothing to fear. 
There is absolutely no need to marginalise Mwonzora.  The Zanu PF youth leader Lewis Matutu, who did some scenario-building about the election in the MDC, was just giving his opinion, which for all we care, has nothing to do with Dougie.

Of course, Chamisa’s predecessor, the legendary Morgan Tsvangirai, never faced intra-party challengers since he founded the movement in 1999. But there is absolutely no need for this unnecessary moment of frisson in the race. Also weighty is the principle of fear: there is no need to threaten Dougie.

Challenging Chamisa must be acceptable. The MDC leader must keep a close watch on his political activists. 
Mwonzora is a credible candidate. All he needs to do is to come up with a convincing argument why he thinks he is the best man to take the party forward

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EDITOR — The adverse consequence of economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe is detrimental to its economic growth as it negatively affects the living standards of its citizens.

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For  almost two decades,  Zimbabwe has been under  economic sanctions imposed by  the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA) and Australia over rampant abuse of human rights by the Harare government. The government has been fingered in gross human rights violations by the western countries since 2000.

According to the EU and the US, the sanctions were restrictive measures on former president Robert Mugabe and some of the officials who were behind him. Regardless that sanctions in Zimbabwe are ring-fenced and targeted at a small number of people, they are being felt  all over the economy including critical sectors such as farming.

Zimbabwe’s economy is anchored on agriculture, if farmers cannot import crucial raw materials and inputs, agricultural production falters hence perpetuating the suffering of the majority. In addition, there have been reports that South African banks have withdrawn their services of supplying the country with US dollar notes, citing the risky situation the country finds itself in, hence cannot be offered such a service. The inconvenience wrought by such a withdrawal is going to be felt by every Zimbabwean regardless of social or economic or political standing.

In their reasoning, the west have been arguing that sanctions were designed as a penalty  to  ensure compliance with the rule of law. However, the ascendancy of Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency was expected to usher a new era which should have motivated the West to remove the economic sanctions imposed on the country.

It is vital to note that since Mnangagwa assumed office, he has promised to implement a number of social, political and economic reforms. This alone, is a positive development which the West should appreciate. The sanctions imposed on  Zimbabwe will continue to harm  State institutions which are vital for the survival, sustenance and wellbeing of the majority. 

On the other hand, the West may have designed the economic sanctions to induce suffering on Zimbabweans so that they would revolt against their government, especially through the ballot box thereby bringing regime change. 

The international community to call for the unconditional removal of the sanctions which have caused untold suffering on the people of Zimbabwe. The Southern African Development Community (Sadc), recently called for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe arguing that it was hindering investment in the country.  Therefore, every progressive Zimbabwean and those outsiders who want to see Zimbabwe prosper should call for removal of sanctions against our beloved nation. 

This can only be achieved if the Zanu PF government stops all human rights abuse in the country and also if all parties unite in the call for the removal of these sanctions. PZ.

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EDITOR — The government must urgently work on creating meaningful job opportunities for the thousands of unemployed graduates. Our universities and other higher learning institutions churn out graduates in their thousands but the country has very few employment opportunities.

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For the country to have a litany of grumbling and unemployed graduates is not a good situation at all. Are we not creating a social time bomb by increasing enrolments at universities when the labour market is bone dry?  Our labour market is tottering on the edge of a financial precipice.

This is shattering so many dreams and aspirations. After the dog-eat-dog factional and succession wars within the ruling party, unemployment would be still there in front of our policy makers. 
For how long should our graduates crisscross the globe scavenging for leftovers in foreign lands or live and work at the mercy of regime change-masters?

The new government must take this issue seriously and create a good environment for investors to come so that more job opportunities could be created. 
Let us all support each other and together we will do it.
Tracy.

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HARARE - The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) says it is reviewing proposals by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for a tariff hike in light of movement in the exchange rate as determined on the inter-bank market.

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Potraz acting director general Kennedy Dewera yesterday said following the country’s Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) — which introduced an inter-bank foreign exchange market where electronic money known as Real Time Gross Settlement, bond notes and coins can be traded against other currencies at market rates — MNOs had approached the industry regulator with requests for a tariff review.
“Indeed, we have received those applications from various operators and these are still being considered by the authority.

“You may be aware that there have been developments in the economy and those developments impact on the decisions to be made by the regulator,” he said on behalf of Potraz boss Gift Machengete, who is representing Zimbabwe at the mobile world congress in Barcelona, at a value added services workshop in the capital.

Introduction of the interbank market was a departure from the central bank’s long maintained position that the local currency was at par with the US dollar although on the black market the currency traded at higher rates to the greenback.
According to central bank governor John Mangudya, the exchange rate debuted at 2,50 against the United States dollar, lower than black market rates of around 3,50, with the new tariff anticipated to reflect this reality.

Dewera said he was not in a position to give a time frame when the watchdog may have a final position on the tariff matter, given wide consultations had to be concluded before a decision could be reached.

“So these factors are still being looked at within the timeframe that the regulator can consider them. It is difficult to give the exact time when we can expect a final position as the process isn’t entirely up to the regulators, we have to consult extensively. But when the analysis has been done it will be taken to the operators,” the acting Potraz boss said.

Dumisani Nkala, a business development manager with Telco, said the local tariffs were already the most expensive in the region.
“If you look at what Zimbabwe is charging, the estimates are that we are five times higher. But operators may be asking for a tariff review because of their cost structures and obtaining economic conditions,” she said.

However, Spencer Manguwa NetOne executive customer experience said the tariff was long over-due given Zimbabwe’s difficult macro-economic environment.
“It is all because of the high operating costs and expenses we incur as organisations. We are not being exempt from the harsh economic conditions in Zimbabwe.

“We are also saying it’s very important that we remain viable and meet our obligations, not just to the consumer but to stakeholders and shareholders, therefore the tariff increase becomes imperative to match economic developments and changes” he said.
This comes as Zimbabwe’s largest mobile network services provider Econet Wireless on Tuesday announced an adjustment in tariffs for roaming and international calling services to reflect movement in the exchange rate as determined on the inter-bank market.

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MUSICIANS Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, Greatman and Seh Calaz who travelled to the United Kingdom will have a performance tomorrow while dancehall star Soul Jah Love and youngster Jahnoz will be in South Africa throughout the weekend. 

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Mbira Dzenharira at La Rouge
Mbira music lovers are in for a treat tonight at La Rouge Lounge in Westgate courtesy of Mbira Dzenharira. 
Dubbed “Bira Rematsutso”, the event marks the start of the new month.
Young Igwe on the drive
Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo continues to charm the hearts of sungura music lovers and strengthening his Utakataka Express brand. 
Tonight, he performs at Club Vicious Pahuku in Hillside.
Tomorrow, he takes a drive for a performance in Nyabira. He completes the weekend with a family show at DZ Traveller in Dzivaresekwa.
Tryson in Damafalls
Dendera musician Tryson Chimbetu will tomorrow take his new album Kana Mazogara to Club Zion in Damafalls Phase 4 pa Wenera.
Enzo Ishall in Zvishavane
Red-hot dancehall singer Enzo Ishall will tomorrow join forces with Guspy Warrior and Kikky Badass for a performance at Club Vatican in Zvishavane.
Dubbed — MSU welcome back party — the gig will also feature a number of DJs.
Tuku Tribute at Zim College of Music
Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare will this afternoon play host to Tuku’s tribute in a lunch hour concert dedicated to the late music icon. The show starts at 1pm.
The Letter at Theatre in the Park
Film lovers are in for a treat from today with the screening of a local film The Letter at Theatre in The Park, in Harare. 
This is a Daves Guzha and Joe Njagu Film.
Mebo Mebo at Wedza Spacemen
Obert Chari of the Mebo fame will tonight continue on his journey of meeting music lovers with a performance at Wedza Spaceman in Glen Norah, Harare.
He will be supported by Mkoma Robbie of Top Sungura.
Sons of legends at East Point
Sons of music greats Agga Nyabinde and Douglas Chimbetu will tonight share the stage at Red Café in Harare. 
Agga is son to Jazz musician Bob Nyabinde while Douglas is son to dendera music godfather Allan Chimbetu.
Pabloz Royal Fridays
Tonight is the Pabloz Royal Fridays at Pabloz Club and VIP.
Tonight is the Free Resurrection Shots night. 
Free entry and dress code is just smart casual.  
Tristan Place presents Friday Acoustic
Tristan Place in Highlands will tonight host Marinade Live for the Friday Night Acoustic Vibes.
Singles Night at Plantation Club
Plantation Club in the Avenues will tomorrow play host to the singles party. 
It will be the Harare Breeze live performance.
Mutambi, Gasa in Banket
Sungura musician Romeo Gasa will tonight entertain patrons at Chivavaya Nite Club in Guruve. 
Tomorrow he will join hands with fellow sungura musician Simon Mutambi for a performance at Kuwadzana Beerhall in Banket.
Both artistes are known for their bass guitar strumming skills, making the gig a potential entertaining night dubbed “Sungura explosion”.
Ammi Jamanda at Red Café
Songstress Ammi Jamanda continues to work on her career and tonight she will entertain patrons at Harare’s Red Café.
Gary Tight heads to East Point
Rising musician Gary Tight continues to make a name for himself in the music industry and tomorrow he will entertain patrons at East Point in the CBD.
Tatenda Pinjisi kwaGaza
Musician Tatenda Pinjisi of the Saina fame will tomorrow take his act to Highfield with a performance at Ganya building at Gazaland Shopping Centre (KwaGaza).
Roki, Simba at Red Café
Red Café will tomorrow play host to Roki and Simba The Lion.
Walkathon at Mukuvisi
Mukuvisi Woodlands will tomorrow morning be a hive of activity with a nature walk. 
The walkathon dubbed #Walk4Dyslexia is meant to raise funds and awareness for dyslexia and tutoring at Harare Children’s Home. 
The event will be a nature walk, picnic and snacks.

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It was great jazz in the ‘‘Back to Jazzics’’ series in Harare last Sunday.  Well done, jazzists of Zimbabwe!  I knew it would be that good.  It was indeed a great performance, a Jazz Invitation reunion with the trio Kelly Rusike, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana and Sam Mataure getting together after many years and many journeys, intersecting for a moment while carving their individual music paths through life.

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Jazz Invitation in itself is such a tight band, the groove solid throughout, sparked by the artistry of bassist and bandleader Rusike (‘the journey continues’); Tamiswa Chirema on keys pulling everything together, and recently, Sam Mataure on drums, with Matthew Ngorima guesting this night on beautiful guitar.

Well occupying her space out front was the acclaimed jazz singer Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, still delivering an excellent performance, a decade or two down the line from her debut as a teen actress and singer, and four strapping young sons later, handling the craziness and complexities of jazz with agility and ease, and truly free expression in improvisation. 

Then, making it possible for all this artistry to thrive, veteran Mutare drummer Mataure was locking down the rhythm section groove with long-time-partner Rusike, both bringing their combined experience of many years and many bands to the music at hand — a deadly combination!  Can Jazz ‘rock’? Yes. It. Did.

The second set featured young musicians of “the next generation” — bassist Tafadzwa Marova (son of Filbert, who is also carving his own music career, playing widely in Harare and beyond) and Cole Rusike (16, son of Kelly, coming out on drums!   Wow, guy!  The set also welcomed the saxophonist “Pash” one of the few young guys stepping up to the sax, and entering the jazz sphere with good expression and delivery, and promising more fire into the future.  

With such talent, the future of live jazz in Harare looks to be rosy!
It was also good to see so many other jazz fans in the house, including acclaimed bassist Clancy Mbirimi, poet and writer Albert Nyathi, arts writer Munya Simango and  Larry Kwirirayi of www.3mob, plus — a full house of jazz-lovers.

Back to Jazzics, is a weekly jazz event that has been going strong for almost three years now at Chez Zandi’s on Herbert Chitepo Avenue in the Zimbabwean capital, featuring a wide variety of jazz groups and artists every Sunday from 5pm.  
“It’s an initiative of the non-profit Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust, established in 2016. 

Filbert Marova, artistic and programming director said the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust is an organisation that he founded together with Vee Mukarati, Robert Basvi, Friday Mbirimi, Clancy Mbirimi, Heather Madombwe and Tembani Mohambi.
“Our purpose is to keep jazz alive in Zimbabwe by providing a platform for jazz artists to showcase their skills. Our Patron is the respected musician and ophthalmologist, Solomon Guramatunhu.

“Among other objectives the Trust seeks to design and implement high-quality programmes to promote, educate and display jazz talent and empower organisations in Zimbabwe using seminars and workshops in the short term.  
Intended projects include the building of a Jazz Hall of Fame to chronicle and preserve the history of Jazz in Zimbabwe. 

“The Back to Jazzics initiative has unearthed brilliant jazz artists while influencing seasoned artists to rebrand their acts for greater expectations at the same time.  We are really excited to be doing this for our community,” said Marova.
Dozens of jazz (and related!) bands have performed on this platform; marketing is efficient and effective, and the event is now drawing the jazz market together, through wide local advertising, and  enjoyed being featured on CNN in January 2018.

With the rise and fall of many venues over the last few years, Back to Jazzics effectively created the long-running Sunday hub, and is helping to keeping Chez Zandi on the map as a venue for the only regular jazz event in the city, with a steady stream of music-lovers coming out each week, hungry for jazz and feasting on it. 
Last Sunday was the Back to Jazzics’ 143rd event since it started, and about the 137th at Chez Zandi including two jazz festivals. 

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DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Chigowe feels CAPS United will give them the perfect test to gauge the progress of his new-look side when the two teams clash in a pre-season invitational Charity Challenge Cup at Rufaro Stadium this month.

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The two teams will clash in an inaugural pre-season match being organised by Passion Events on March 10 in an effort to raise money for the less privileged groups and individuals. Chigowe, who has made numerous acquisitions during this off-season following the departure of almost three quarters of the playing staff from last season, believes he is assembling a competitive side.

Returning forward Edward Sadomba leads a cast of new players that also includes exciting Aces Youth Soccer Academy product Junior Selemani and former CAPS United striker Amon Kambanje.
Jerome Nyateme, Congolese player Ngandu Mankala, former Nichrut right back Joseph Ali Maliselo, defender Munyaradzi Mawadza, Emmanuel Jalaya are also some of the players expected to feature for Dynamos.

“As a club we take up the challenge. It helps us to assess how much progress we have made so far and it also helps us to try and see the best combinations. “I hope it comes out well and we make our multitude of supporters happy,” Chigowe said.

“We are still oiling our team, fine-tuning to see whether we can get the right combinations and as such this match will give us the chance to gauge the progress we have made in re-building the huge brand called Dynamos and we look forward to the challenge.”

Chigowe also took time to clarify the latest position on midfielder Archford Gutu saying: “Gutu; we have allowed him time to sober up and make a decision that suits his interests.
“As a club and as the technical team we worked with him to a certain extent but ultimately the decision is his on where he wants to ply his trade.”

His counterpart Lloyd Chitembwe was equally excited as he concurred with Chigowe. “I think the major aspects of the game have been addressed but like I always say players naturally enjoy playing matches and this is one kind of an opportunity for them. “It’s not so nice to train and not having to play games because the best measurement of how far you have come or gone as a footballer is obviously by way of playing games,” said Chitembwe.  

“So I think this is another opportunity for us to get to measure on the progress.  “It’s not really about Dynamos. We are not looking at Dynamos we are looking at the game. 
“We are looking at the opportunities that the game is likely to give to the team in terms of preparing for the season. 
“So it’s not really about the Dynamos factor but the game and making sure we get to the level we want to be at before the season starts.

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HARARE giants Dynamos and CAPS United will give their fans a glimpse of what to expect in the forthcoming 2019 Castle Lager Premiership season when they clash in a pre-season invitational Charity Challenge Cup at Rufaro Stadium later this month.

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The match is being organised by Passions Events and is set for March 10, where the winners are guaranteed $20 000 and a trophy with the losers set to walk away with $15 000.
The match will probably be the first competitive match for both sides who are undergoing serious rebuilding exercises following a difficult 2018 season which saw both of them finish outside top five and without any silverware.

And having acquired a host of new players during this transfer window, there is no doubt the Harare derby, despite being a friendly match, will provide the platform for the respective coaches to assess their new acquisitions ahead of the new campaign set for March 30.
Organisers of the match, Passion Events, said they are keen to make the tie a permanent feature on the soccer calendar in a bid to play their role of social responsibility by giving to charity all the proceeds realised from the match.

“The Charity Challenge Cup is an invitational and charity match between Dynamos and CAPS United. It is a partnership between the two teams and Passion Events for the purposes of charity,” Passions Events marketing manager Kudzai Jowa said.
“We have selected Dynamos and CAPS United to participate in the Charity Challenge Cup because they are established brands with a huge following.

“Our desire is to fundraise money that will be donated to specific selected less privileged or disadvantaged groups and individuals.  
“Among the groups to be assisted depending on resources to be generated are orphanages and vulnerable members of the community. 

“The Charity Cup is being organised for the first time and with the support of all our valuable partners including the media, we want it to be successful and to have it as an annual pre-season event.”
Jowa pleaded with fans from both teams to come in their numbers to be part of this noble cause.  

“In addition to the list of our partners or important stakeholders we have the fans. We are pleading with fans from both teams to support the event by coming to the Stadium and rally behind their teams,” she said.
“By coming to the stadium you would have contributed immensely towards resources to be mobilised and donated.”
Entry charges for the match have been pegged at $5 for the Rest of the Ground, $10 for the VIP and $30 for the VVIP.

While it’s a pre-season curtain raiser ahead of the Premier Soccer League season (PSL), the game is likely to generate a lot of interest from both sets of fans, as there will be no love lost between the two Harare giants, in their first confrontation this season.
There is going to be plenty of new faces on show when the two sides clash having both been busy on the transfer market strengthening their respective sides following underwhelming performances last season.

DeMbare had a poor 2018 campaign in which they flirted with relegation for most periods before finally securing their Premiership status with three games to go.
In the end, Lloyd Chigowe’s side finished in 11th place 36 points behind back-to-back champions FC Platinum. 
And as the country’s most successful club with 21 league titles, it was an abomination for such a proud institution.

Makepekepe finished last season in a lowly eighth place on the log, a massive 30 points behind FC Platinum.
United were actually closer to the relegation zone than they were challenging for the title last season.
At the end of last season, United showed the exit door to a number of their senior players who were deemed excess baggage while signing some exciting youthful talent.

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PRESS freedom group Misa-Zimbabwe has blasted MDC Alliance for the harassment of ZBC’s Midlands bureau journalist Tafara Chikumira during a rally held in Gweru’s Mkoba.

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The opposition security agents did not want Charumira to cover the event arguing that the State-owned television station’s coverage is always biased in favour of the ruling party. In a statement, Misa-Zimbabwe condemned the Nelson Chamisa-led party’s behaviour saying political parties should allow journalists to effectively do their jobs.

“Misa-Zimbabwe condemns the intimidation and assault of journalists by members of political parties. The rights to both media freedom and access to information are explicitly guaranteed in the Constitution of Zimbabwe through Section 61 and 62 respectively,” the statement read. The organisation also reminded media practitioners to employ the profession’s safety and security measures when covering hostile situations.

It also urged journalists to report any cases of harassment and intimidation.“Media practitioners are advised to also utilise the Misa Journo SOS App as well as the Misa Panic Button App in the event of any violations,” Misa-Zimbabwe said. 

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CHINHOYI - CHINHOYI Municipality looks set to seek city status, with a formal motion seeking that designation being put before residents.
In a notice by the municipality, it was seeking submissions from residents with proposals set to be submitted to the council offices no later than April 15.
“Notice is hereby given in terms of Subsection (1) of section 14 of the Urban Council Act [Chapter 24:15] that it is intended to recommend to the President that he exercises the powers conferred on him in terms of Section 14 of the Urban Council Act [Chapter 29:15] to establish City of Chinhoyi from a municipality,” read part of the notice.
The notice indicated that the proposed city would be made up of wards 1-15 and advised that reports relating to the matter can be inspected at the Local Government offices in Harare or the Chinhoyi municipality offices.
A commission to assess its readiness for the elevation to city status has been set up in accordance with the law. Commission members will include former Kwekwe City Council town clerk Ngwena Musara as chairperson, principal director in the Local Government ministry Erica Jones, engineer Edwick Vheremu, principal planning officer Kudakwashe Hlatshwayo, financial advisor Theodre Dzvairo and principal administrative 
officer Munyaradzi Motsi. 

HARARE - The United Nations yesterday appealed for $234 million in aid for Zimbabwe targeting 2,2 million people of the nearly 5,3 million Zimbabweans who need assistance until June 2019.

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The 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan focused on Zimbabweans mostly in need of food, health care, shelter, water and sanitation, said Mark Lawcock, the UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.  

Of the $234 million appeal, $130 million is for food security; $1,1 million is for agriculture; $37,4 million is for health; $12,7 million for water, sanitation and hygiene; $4,5 million for child protection; $16.5 million for early recovery; $9.7 million for education; $8,7 million for nutrition; and $3,2 million for refugees.  

The appeal also includes the procurement of essential medicine and medical supplies to cover 9,2 million vulnerable people in 80 districts who currently have limited access to health care and to allow children to remain in school through provision of food and nutrition supplements.

Zimbabwe ranks as the worst-hit among six southern African countries that experienced severe food shortages in 2018-19 due to a combination of drought, floods and economic mismanagement.
Lawcock said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government had indicated Zimbabwe faced a maize deficit of  711 000 tonnes after harvesting about 900 000 to augment meagre opening stocks  held by the State’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

The appeal comes about a fortnight after the UN urged the government to request donor aid for some 5,5 million people seen needing emergency food in the current marketing season.
The humanitarian flash appeal presided over by Lowcock, was launched on Thursday in Harare in response to rising humanitarian needs in the country due to poor rains and a challenging economic situation.

Launching the appeal, Lowcock said “to enable humanitarian agencies to provide time-critical and multi-sectoral assistance — including food, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and protection — in both urban and rural areas, I have released US$10 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist over 270 000 people in the 11 most-affected districts.”
 

The humanitarian flash appeal aims to save lives and livelihoods by providing integrated humanitarian assistance and protection to people impacted by the economic crisis and severe food insecurity, provide life-saving humanitarian health assistance by responding to outbreaks and procuring essential medicines, build resilience of the most vulnerable communities to mitigate against the impact of the deteriorating economic situation.

Noting that the flash appeal complements the government’s ongoing and planned interventions and emphasising on the need to adhere to humanitarian principles in relief distribution, and to  ensure the right to adequate food and nutrition and health services of all people,  Bishow Parajuli UN resident coordinator in Zimbabwe said: “The flash appeal targets  hardest-hit districts, including rural and urban, which were prioritised through severity ranking based on multi-sectoral analysis of humanitarian needs in food; health; nutrition, water and sanitation; child protection as well as the human  rights of women and girls that are at risk of violence and abuse due to economic stress and food insecurity .”

The launch of the humanitarian flash appeal brought together senior representatives from government; diplomatic corps; development and humanitarian partners; civil society organisations; non-governmental organisations; private sector; and the media.

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Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) financial intelligence unit director Mirirai Chiremba has said he will apply for refusal of further remand during his next court appearance.  

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Chiremba appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti and was remanded to March 15 pending finalisation of investigations into his fraud case. He is accused of reviewing Suzan General Trading’s daily cash withdrawal limit from $95 000 to $195 000 without following procedures.

“The accused person intends to apply for further remand refusal if not furnished with a trial date because … investigations in this matter are simple and all locally-based,” reads Chiremba’s notice.“The law does not permit the State to arrest people so as to investigate but investigations must precede arrests. 

“The accused person is employed and the current proceedings are interfering with his duties and the unending remands are now amounting to punishment without a trial. ”According to the State, on October 13, 2017, Suzan General Trading, a gold dealer opened an NMB corporate bank account at Borrowdale branch which was meant to facilitate payments by Fidelity Printers and Refiners for gold delivery by the company.

At the time, the court heard the corporate withdrawal limit per day was $10 000. It is alleged that on October 27, 2017, Suzan General Trading through one of its signatories Shah Saunilkumar submitted an application at NMB seeking review of its daily withdrawal amount from $10 000 to $30 000 per day.

According to State papers, NMB carried out due diligence exercise to determine the justification for upward review before it referred the application to RBZ financial intelligence unit for processing.
The application was approved by Chiremba on November 3 last year, the court heard.

It is the State’s case that the withdrawals in question were dependent on US dollar deposits made by Suzan General Trading into the same account. On February 23, 2018, it is alleged that Suzan General Trading tendered another application for upward review of their company’s daily withdrawal limit from $30 000 to $95 000 purportedly due to business expansion.

The court heard that NMB did due diligence before referring the letter to RBZ on behalf of the client. On August 3, the court heard that the company sought another upward review to $195 000 and followed the usual process. While NMB was still reviewing the application, it is alleged that Chiremba granted the company permission to make daily withdrawal of $195 000 despite the fact that the application had not been sent to RBZ’s financial intelligence unit.

Upon realising that Chiremba approved the application before NMB carried its due process, the bank’s retail banking manager Simon Tembo contacted Chiremba who confirmed having approved the upward review. It is the State’s case that Chiremba acted contrary and inconsistent to his duties as a public officer by reviewing the company’s daily cash withdrawal limit from $95 000 to $195 000 without following procedures.

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THERE is an urgent need for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Cabinet to deal with the fuel shortages that have once again hit the country. There have been long queues of vehicles since last week at virtually all filling stations.

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Resultantly, public transport has been affected, leaving the travelling public stranded for long hours. Other operators are capitalising on commuters’ desperation by hiking their fares at a time when the majority of Zimbabweans are struggling to make ends meet.

Commuter omnibus fares have been pegged at a minimum $1,50 RTGS for the shortest routes, which a lot of people cannot afford.
This has become a nightmare for long-suffering Zimbabweans whose disposable incomes have been drastically eroded after decades of economic mismanagement by the ruling Zanu PF regime.

The president has been on record calling all Zimbabweans to leave politics behind and work hard so as to revive the country’s economy.
While it is every citizen’s wish to oblige to the president’s call, is it not a stinking embarrassment for the ruling elite to see queues stretching for kilometres being the order of the day at filling stations?

What economic growth would we expect when all the productive people are spending thousands of productive hours in fuel queues? How do people move their goods and services to the market without fuel? This country has for years been struggling with fuel shortages with the chief culprits being the shortage of foreign currency, which is a result of corruption, mismanagement and policy inconsistencies at government level.

To president Mnangagwa, Cabinet and your recently-appointed advisors, it is your duty and responsibility to provide the answers to this ever-recurring crisis. More so, create a favourable atmosphere that enables various economic sectors to generate enough foreign currency to meet the country’s requirements.

We thought the massive January 150 percent fuel price hike would solve the crisis for good but this has turned to be nothing but solving a problem with another problem which resulted in security nightmare as people responded angrily by demonstrating against the move.

This fuel crisis is yet another indication of Mnangagwa’s tiredness in addressing the issue of fuel and other critical issues like currency reforms that have caused chaos in the economy. 
Yes President Mnangagwa you have constantly called on Zimbabweans to be patient. But for how long?

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