HARARE - Zimbabwean painter Portia Zvavahera has won the First National Bank (FNB) Art award in South Africa that comes with a R100 000 cash prize.

In addition to the cash prize, the highly-rated Zvavahera will be given a slot to showcase her work at the FNB Jo’burg Art Fair. The FNB Award follows the Tollman Award, also worth R100 000, that the 29-year-old Zimbabwean artist won in South Africa last year.

Zvavahera, who studied at the BAT Visual Arts Studio under the auspices of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe between 2003 and 2005 and at the Harare Polytechnic a year later, represented Zimbabwe at the 55th Venice Biennale in Italy last year.

Zimbabwe National Art Gallery curator Raphel Chikukwa has described Zvavahera as a worthy ambassador for the country.

“We are proud that our very own daughter is making it big internationally.

“This is the second prize she has won in South Africa in the last two years. In Italy, she also raised the country’s flag high when she showcased at the Venice Biennale,” said Chikukwa.

Zvavahera, a 2009 artist-in-residence at Greatmore Studios in Cape Town, describes her artwork as a “personal diary.”

“Using painting and print-making as media, I interpret that which I depict from my dreams, life experiences in comforting and uncomfortable moments,” she said.

“I mainly depict my dreams which I hardly forget.

“I have to express myself through painting and print-making relieving myself off the burden which I carry when I do not put it across visually which serves as a healing process.”

HARARE - Controversial pole dancer Beverly ‘‘Bev’’ Sibanda (pictured) believes the police  are always after her because she is in a money-spinning business.

“Where ever there is money, there is the police. Where ever there is the police, there is money,” Bev said during a Star FM Radio interview last week.

Last week, she was summoned to the police in connection with her license after her alleged explicit dance routines at the Airport Lounge where she had been invited to perform at the Harare International Carnival Samba Night.

This is not the first time that the pole dancer has courted controversy. 

In 2012, Bev was arrested after causing a storm performing her alleged offensive dance routines using a Delta Beverages beer bottle.

Police swooped on Bev after a video of her offensive dance routines went viral on social media.

The video shows her on the dance floor lying on top of a man, with most of her backside exposed.

The controversial pole dancer blamed the media, which she said falsely fed its readers with lies over her profession and erotic dances.

Bev said there were several factors that shaped her career. “I am an orphan who grew up poor and had to fend for myself. I earn my living through dancing in clubs as it is what is bringing food to my table. I have a son to look after,” she said.

As for her latest arrest, she said she got a bit carried away but she had publicly apologised to the courts through her lawyer.

“My license allows me to strip the pants and not further. I am not allowed to get in contact with revellers in clubs, but at times it happens,” she said.

When Bev decided to join church, fellow raunchy pole dancer Zoey Noleen Sifelani said her repentance was a hoax, alleging she was possessed by a serious demon which needs exorcism.

Zoey had been sceptical about Bev’s commitment and dedication to church life ever since her repentance and salvation which saw her joining popular Harare Prophet, Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD).

“Zoey is not God; she cannot see the demon in me, only God can,” Bev said.

HARARE - President Robert Mugabe has signed into law the Financial Adjustments Bill 2014 and the Trafficking in Persons Bill.

In a general notice 250 of 2014 published in the Government Gazette Friday, the president assented to the Financial Adjustment Act 2014, which condones government’s unauthorised expenditure of $400 million for the year 2013.

If a government ministry or department spends money in any financial year in excess of the amount appropriated, the minister of Finance and Economic Development is required by section 307 of the Constitution to cause a bill condoning the unauthorised expenditure to be introduced in the National Assembly, seeking condonation of the unauthorised expenditure.

The bill sailed through the National Assembly, culminating in the president assenting to it.

Leading the pack of unauthorised spending in 2013 was the ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs with $143 500 000.

The ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was second with $81 934 000 of unauthorised expenditure.

Next came in the ministry of Home Affairs which overspent $77 900 000.

The office of the President and Cabinet $31 million in budget overruns.

When the Financial Adjustment Bill was gazetted in February this year, Vince Museve, an economic analyst, tore into government saying it was a bad move.

“This is not good for the economy because the government is trying to smuggle in it’s over expenditure via the backdoor,” he said.

“Where will the government find the money to finance last year over expenditure?

“The tax base is shrinking and we cannot borrow and this is bad economics. It is like a man who agrees with his wife to spend $500 and the wife goes on to spend $600. Where will the $100 come from? This will pile pressure on the family and have a snowball effect on their finances.”

Trafficking in Persons Act domesticates the Palermo Protocol that prevents, suppresses and punishes trafficking in persons, especially of women and children.

The Act provides for the prohibition, prevention and prosecution of the crime of trafficking in persons and the protection of victims.

It also seeks to appoint a committee on trafficking in persons with a mandate to formulate and implement a national plan of action against trafficking in persons.

HARARE - First Lady Grace Mugabe says men who rape young girls should be beheaded because they have no place in a normal society.

She advised sex-starved men to hire prostitutes instead of forcing themselves on young girls.

Mugabe was speaking at the World Blood Donation Day in Chinhoyi yesterday.

Running under the theme “Safe blood for saving mothers”, she added her voice to the growing calls, especially from women and human rights groups, for sterner penalties to be imposed on men who rape young girls.

“Looking at men, I am saying while others are donating blood to improve life, some are destroying that life,” she said.

“There was an article that I saw which said a child had been raped by her uncle, unfortunately she was raped to the extent that the uterus ruptured.

“That child has lost her womanhood. That child will never have her own family. That child will grow up traumatised, she will feel that she is not part of the society.

“I think people who commit such heinous crimes should be immediately send to the gallows kunochekwa musoro chaiko

“Handione reason yekuti patombofungwa kana chii, kana munhu achingozviita chete anofanirwa kuno chekwa musoro, (I don’t see the reason why we should consider anything else, if a person rapes then he must be beheaded) because he is not suitable to be part of this society,” she said.

The country’s rape statistics were disturbing, the First Lady said, painting a grim picture of rape.

She said at least 27 women and children are raped every day.

And with some communities putting a thick veil of secrecy on the ever increasing abuse of the girl-child and women, statistics could be even higher.

Although pressure groups have ramped up efforts to encourage women to speak out, many suffer in silence as they fear censure from a largely patriarchal society, where perpetrators of rape are close relatives including fathers who impregnate their own children.

Oppah Muchinguri, Women Affairs minister, recently called for the custodial rape sentence of 20 years per count, as the crime continues to go up.

Yesterday, Mugabe’s wife, who also looks after orphans, said the country statutes should be “revisited and stiff penalties should be imposed so that would-be rapists would be deterred from committing the crime.”

“When God fashioned you (men) with those instruments that you carry around and abuse, his intention was for you to use them for reproduction, but the way you go and sow those seeds is sometimes disheartening,” she said.

“Zvakanaka here kuenda kunodyara seed iyi mumwana mudiki? (Is it ok to plant your seed in kids?) It is embarrassing! It is very bad.

“Baba vakataura wani kuti kana zvanetsamunongotsvaka ma (Isn’t it that the President said when you are in need of sex you look for) prostitutes”

Turning to the occasion, Grace said Zimbabweans should donate blood in order to boost the national  blood bank.

“I am informed that our youths continue to be the leading contributors to the national blood bank contributing over 70 percent of the blood in our bank while a reasonable 29 percent is coming from adults.

“In light of the above statistics, I wish to commend the youths and the adult population for their splendid contribution,” she said

She said the price of blood was too high and out of reach for most persons in need.

“We must therefore find ways of funding the National Blood Services Zimbabwe in order to reduce or even remove in some cases the cost-related blood supply to the vulnerable, needy patient,” she said.

The commemorations were attended by Cabinet ministers Ignatius Chombo, Webster Shamu, David Parirenyatwa, Walter Mzembi, Mashonaland West resident Minister Faber Chidarikire and the Zanu PF provincial leadership.

HARARE – Power development minister Dzikamai Mavhaire has appointed new boards for parastatatals in the electricity and energy sector, with former Finance minister Herbert Murerwa nominated as Zesa Holdings (Zesa) chairman.

The board appointments are for Kariba Hydro Power Company (KHPC), Zesa, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC), Powertel, Zesa Enterprises (ZE), National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC), Petrotrade, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Benjamin Rafamoyo will be Murerwa’s vice.

Stan Kazhanje was appointed ZPC chairman and Patrick Zhuwawo is his vice.

KPHC chairman is James Dube and Shingirai Mtisi is the vice.

Tsitsi Makombva is Powertel chairperson, with Shingirai Mutanga as Noic chairman.

Walter Muchinguri is Petrotrade chairman while Willard Chiwewe is REA chair, Nicholas Dube is ZETDC chair with John Mvundura his vice.

Esther Mukosa is Zera chair with Irene Jeke as her vice.

Mavhaire tasked the new boards to tackle the country’s electricity generation crisis.

“I have done it before and do not think I will hesitate to dissolve these boards if the country does not see results,” he said.

Zimbabwe currently generates about 1 300 megawatts (MW) against a peak demand of around 2 200MW.

HARARE - She began her career young as a guerrilla, and then rose through the ranks to become a member of President Robert Mugabe’s inner circle and now Zimbabwe’s new Constitution has come as a blessing to her in the faction-riddled Zanu PF.

The 59-year-old Vice President Joice Mujuru is in line to be the country’s interim leader if the 90-year-old Mugabe was to retire or is incapacitated before the party’s congress.

With Mugabe at an advanced age and plagued by natural physical challenges associated with such an age, the Zanu PF succession battle could reach its climax this year with the party’s explosive congress set for December.

Justice minister and shrewd political schemer, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is locked in a perpetual succession duel with Mujuru, and the Chirimanzu-Zibagwe MP has emerged as one of the leading contenders to take over from Mugabe, but the veteran Zanu PF leader has not named a successor and has recently ruled out both “contenders”.

But Mujuru has long been a high-profile face in Mugabe’s administration, serving as acting president each time the Zanu PF leader travels outside the country.

The big question is what actually happens to Zimbabwe if Mugabe decides to retire or is incapacitated?

Bryant Elliot, a leading constitutional law expert, pointed to an article in the new Zimbabwe Constitution that explains what should happen when a president retires or is incapacitated.

The  Constitution addresses two scenarios directly relevant to the president in office.

If Mugabe were to leave office, retire or be incapacitated, Mujuru, according to the new Constitution, is supposed to complete Mugabe’s term as that is the position set out in Section 101 of the new supreme law.

However, Elliot said, for the first 10 years of the new Constitution, that provision is altered by the provisions of Section 14 of the Sixth Schedule and in particular sub-sections (4) and (5) as read with sub-section (1), the effect of which is that a substantive replacement to the office of the president must be made “within 90 days after the vacancy occurred...”

“It is only until the new president assumes office after the 90 days period that the vice president acts as president, not until the end of his term if he had survived,” Elliot explained.

“Also, there is the vague provision that the political party, which the previous president represented, nominates his replacement and that political party ‘must notify the Speaker of the nominee’s name...”

“This provision presupposes that the political party concerned speaks with one voice in agreeing who is to submit the name of the replacement to the Speaker and crucially who that replacement is.”

The import of this is that if Mugabe is incapacitated anytime soon, he must be immediately replaced by the last acting president.

And with Zimbabwe having only one vice president, it means Mujuru will take over for 90 days after which Zanu PF will nominate a president to complete Mugabe’s term.

Political analysts say that while Mnangagwa might use his political skills to win the ticket to replace the president at the end of 90 days, Mujuru would have possibly used Machiavelli tactics to whip his party into line so that they all support and nominate her.

That means, if nominated, which is likely, she will be the country’s leader until 2018.

But things might become complicated if Mugabe gets to the Zanu PF congress without retiring which means a second vice president ( Simon Khaya-Moyo looks likely) will be appointed.

This will mean that whoever will have been the last acting president between Mujuru and Khaya-Moyo will take over for the 90 days.

Many suspect however, that Mnangagwa, who is leader of government business in Parliament and a hardline Mugabe ally, may make a run for presidential nomination at party level, forcing Zanu PF into conflict with itself as is happening now.

If Mujuru chooses to contest in the 2018 election, it seems likely she would face opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, a charismatic political gladiator who received 34 percent of the vote when he competed against Mugabe, who garnered 61 percent of the vote in July last year.

If Mujuru temporarily assumes the presidency, analysts have said it is difficult to tell whether she will have what it takes to win at the 2018 polls but that will another issue.

They note that Mugabe’s political strength was largely fuelled by his ability to personally connect with throngs of dedicated followers.

And that personal connection with his supporters is “what’s held things together in Zimbabwe,” an analyst said.

Mugabe has in the past said he was not happy with both Mnangagwa and Mujuru taking over from him, meaning the veteran leader can pull a fast one at the congress and push his own personal choice outside the two.

Mugabe might then commandeer Zanu PF to support his candidate and this is where names like retired Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono and Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi come in.

Zanu PF factions have already expressed their jittery with Mugabe’s closeness to Gono following reports that the Zimbabwean President prefers the ex-RBZ governor to take over from him not only because they enjoy a close relationship but due to the fact that Gono is credited with keeping the country afloat during the economic crisis of 2008-9.

The worry is that without Mugabe’s cult of personality, Zimbabwean politics plunge into chaos.

In a country laden with widespread corruption, which has a powerful military, and links to murky diamond trade, this is especially scary.

Even before the last July election, there was widespread talk of an armed conflict if Mugabe was not elected, and the country has growing economic problems that any new leader may find impossible to handle.

After Mujuru’s elevation to the vice presidency in 2004, Mugabe said, “When you choose her as a vice president, you don’t want her to remain in that chair do you?” — a suggestion that Mujuru could be the next Zanu PF leader after Mugabe steps down.

Given the provisions of the new Constitution, observers say her path to the presidency was a fait accompli.

Born into a peasant family in Mount Darwin, where she resoundingly won a legislative poll last year squarely and fairly, Mujuru dropped out of school young and was aged 18 when she joined the liberation army. She rose through the guerrilla ranks to become a commander.

Her notoriety increased after she single-handedly shot down a Rhodesian army helicopter.

“I became very strong and learnt to make decisions and not wait for men to decide,” she said of her experience of war.

She joined Mugabe’s first post-independence Cabinet in 1980 at 25, and was one of the longest-serving government ministers before her elevation to the vice presidency in 2004.

Mujuru lives in Harare, but has a 3 500-acre requisitioned farm, Alamein, about 60km south of Harare where her husband Solomon’s remains were found after a mysterious fire in 2011.

HARARE - Zimbabwe international Hardlife Zvirekwi is set to return to the fold when CAPS United plunge into a tricky test against Shabanie Mine at the National Sports Stadium in a Castle Premiership tietoday.

Zvirekwi missed Makepekepe’s 3-0 away defeat to Chapungu last weekend in protest over unpaid salaries and bonuses.

Morale had been at its lowest ebb in the Green Machine’s dressing room over non-payment of salaries for the month of May and winning bonuses, which has threatened their title quest.

The players, however, received their outstanding dues last week and coach Taurai Mangwiro insisted they have no excuses ahead of their match against asbestos miners.

“Just like any other institution we had our own share of challenges but the most important thing is how we handle it,” Mangwiro told the Daily News on Sunday.

“People should understand that it’s not CAPS United alone. This is happening everywhere. Most teams are struggling but they handle their affairs internally.

“This is the time when we need the support of the supporters. At times like these fans should attend our matches in numbers and rally behind the team. 

“We are okay. We had our own share of challenges and there are no excuses against Shabanie Mine. We are geared for the match. We lost in our last match and are desperately in need of those three points.”

The Green Machine have been impressive at home but have failed woefully to replicate that form away from the National Sports Stadium.

United have lost all four matches that they have played outside the capital.  

“Everyone is ready for selection. We want to keep the fine home form intact. We have been bad on the road. Shabanie Mine picked six points from us last season and we need to be focused,” said Mangwiro.

The Chinda Boys have had their own financial challenges and players have been at loggerheads with the management over unpaid salaries and poor working conditions.

“We are not looking into their problems. We only need to concentrate on our game,” added Mangwiro.

Makepekepe sit on eighth place on the log standings with 14 points from 10 starts while the asbestos miners are one point better than the Harare side on the table, lying in sixth place.

HARARE - Fierce rivals St George’s College and Prince Edward settled for two draws in rugby and hockey at the traditional Centenary Sports Day on Saturday.

The two sides drew 11-11 in rugby before playing outa one all draw in hockey at St George’s.

Saints’ rugby side, coached by former Zimbabwe youth international Brendon Brider, got their points through two penalties by flyhalf Angus Bruce and a unconverted try by wing Daniel Chidavayenzi.

Two penalties by flyhalf Munashe Furamera and an unconverted try by flank Shepherd Mhembere were enough for the Tigers to earn the draw.

The half time score was 11-3 in favour of the hosts, but the Tigers turned on the style in the second half to level matters.

However, both teams struggled with their handling and were generally sloppy.

Saints fullback Tarisai Mapfumo said complacency in the second half allowed the Tigers to claw back.

In soccer, Prince Edward continued their domination over their rivals, winning 2-1.

The Centenary Sports Day is an annual event to commemorate the establishment of the country’s two oldest boys’ schools, both established over 100 years ago.

HARARE - Zimbabwe have moved to solve their scrumhalf worries ahead of the World Cup qualifiers by including former Ireland Under-20 number 9 Peter Du Toit, who is eligible for the Sables through his Zimbabwean father.

23-year-old Du Toit will be part of the Sables squad set to begin camp today in Harare for month-end’s qualification tournament in Madagascar, where they will be aiming to qualify for their first World Cup in more than 20 years.

Brendan Dawson’s men head to Madagascar for the qualifiers to face the hosts, Namibia and Kenya in a four-nation Africa Cup contest, whose winner automatically qualifies for next year’s World Cup in England.

Zimbabwe’s provisional squad announced last month had been criticised for lack of depth, with the number 9 position a major area of concern. 

Two-time capped Hilton Mudariki is the only specialist scrumhalf on the original list, and will now be joined by Du Toit, who is contracted to Ireland’s club giants Leinster.

“We have been working with him for some time but did not include him in the initial sqyuad because he had not yet been released by his club,” convenor of selectors and ZRU director of rugby Liam Middleton told the Daily News yesterday.

“He has a good skill set, great pass and kicking. He has good pace, a good running 9, which suits our play.”

CHIREDZI - Highlanders moved down into second position on the Castle Lager Premiership table following the 1-1 draw with Triangle at Gibbo Stadium yesterday.

Bosso were the first to score in the first half through Charles Sibanda, while Triangle managed to equalise in the second half courtesy of Brian Juwayeyi.

The Bulawayo giants are now second on 21 points one point behind log leaders Hwange, who rose to the top after beating Dynamos yesterday at Colliery.

Bosso have the same points with third placed How Mine. However, Kelvin Kaindu’s men boost of a superior goal difference.

Highlanders are yet to taste a defeat this season after eleven weeks of action.

With the draw, Triangle remain in third position from bottom of the log with nine points.

HARARE - CAPS United bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win over visiting Shabanie Mine in a Castle Premiership match here yesterday.

Gerald Phiri and Pevington Zimunya found the target for the Green Machine for the first time since they joined the club at the start of the season with a goal each while Ronald Pfumbidzayi chipped in with the other one from the penalty spot.

Makepekepe put behind their in-house problems which rocked their last match against Chapungu. They lost 0-3 to the air force side.

And a relieved CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro could not hide his excitement after the match.

“We needed to respond positively after that loss to Chapungu last week,” Mangwiro said. 

“We were always under pressure coming into this match. My main concern is the away form. Let’s hope we will be able to turn things around this time around.

“I am happy for the boys and the team. Phiri and Zimunya, they got their first goals. You can see the confidence that they have on the ball. I think it’s good for them as we go forward.

“The good thing is there is no much gap with the leading teams. If we can improve on our away form then we will be able to mount a serious title challenge.”

The win saw CAPS move to sixth place on the log table with 17 points, five behind Hwange who are on top following their 1-0 win against Dynamos.

Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri was not happy with his team’s performance and felt hard done by the referees’ decision to award a penalty later in the second half.

“Our play was poor. We did not play according to plan. It was very disappointing performance from the boys,” Phiri said.

“I also felt the penalty was a hard decision on goalkeeper Twaliki whom I think had an outstanding match”.

United were always the more threatening side in the first-half, especially with the lively Phiri and Moses Muchenje in the midfield but they were let down by the finishing of strikers Leonard Fiyado and Dominic Chungwa who were wasteful in front of goal.

Zimunya however opened the scoring for the Green Machine in the 12th minute with a well-executed shot from out the box after capitalizing on some sloppy defending by the Shabanie defence.

Shabanie Mine were hardly a threat to CAPS and their first real chance came in the 36th minute when Daniel Chakupe’s shot crashed against the upright after he was sent through by Allen Tavarwisa.

Although the asbestos miners enjoyed a huge share of possession after the break, they however failed to create any meaningful chances. The introduction of Hardlife Zvirekwi for Fiyado in the 59th minute saw Makepekepe regained the upper hand.

CAPS doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Pfumbadzayi converted from the spot kick after Twaliki brought down substitute Godknows Mangani in an attempt to clear his lines.  

Phiri got on the scoresheet two minutes into added time getting to the end of a re-bound from keeper Twaliki, who failed handle a powerful Chungwa shot.

CAPS: Jorum Muchambo, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, David Chipala, Stephen Makatuka, Ronald Pfumbidzayi, Tendai Samanja, Moses Muchenje (Dominic Mukandi, 87m), Gerald Phiri, Pevington Zimunya (Godknows Mangani, 70m), Leonard Fiyado (Hardlife Zvirekwi, 59m), Dominic Chungwa.

Shabanie: Victor Twaliki, Godknows Murwira, Nelson Merson, Smart Muchabaiwa, Zvenyika Makonese, Hadlife Mavundi, Zvikomborero Biseki (William Ngonya 67th minute), Daniel Chakupe, Harmilton Masumbuko (Xolani Ncube, 57m), Ashley Mukwenya, Allen Tavarwisa.

HWANGE - A frist half Eric Chipeta penalty gave Hwange all the three points against defending league champions her yesterday.With the win, the coal miners moved to the top of the Castle Premiership table with 22 points from 11 games.

Dynamos coach Calisto Pasuwa bemoaned his side’s shortcoming  in the final third while appearing to question the Hwange penalty.

“"I think maybe it was a game of very few chances and our strikers could not utilise them. I think the ball hit Ocean (Mushure) on the face and the linesman might have got it wrong because his vision was partially obscured by the players," said Pasuwa

Chipangano were awarded the penalty after prodigal son Farai Vimisayi goal-bound  effort was blocked by Ocean Mushure albeit by hands leaving the referee with the option of pointing to the spot.

Chippa United-bound defender Chipeta up-stepped to send Artwel Mukandi, in goals for Dynamos the wrong way.

Hwangen coach Nation Dube paid tribute to his charges after the game while reserving special praise for the fans.

“This was a difficult game but all the same we managed to bag all the three points and I salute the fans for their support which made it difficult for Dynamos,” Dube said.

The home side were the first to settle into the game while dominated the early exchanges but they found the Dynamos defence resolute with Warriors captain Partson Jaure thwarting Hwange attacker Aleck Marime.

In the second half Dembare continued with their resurgence as they looked for an equaliser but were let down by the misfiring Washington Pakamisa.

On the hour Pasuwa brought in former Ajax Cape Town winger Tafadzwa Rusike for Tichaona Mabvura and the move as nearly paid off as  sent in inviting crosses for his forwards who could not take advantage.

In the end Chipangano held on for the three points at stake condemning the Harare side to another defeat at the Colliery after they lost 4-2 last season.

HARARE - The Health Transition Fund (HTF) is providing  16 000 units of blood annually to government to fight Zimbabwe’s high maternal mortality, but the cost of blood on the end user remains too high, a Cabinet minister has said.

With blood retailing for $200 a unit on average, the 16 000 units from donors are worth  about $3,2 million, but that is still grossly inadequate to meet demand.

HTF is a multi-donor fund whose overall purpose is to improve maternal, new-born and child health care in Zimbabwe.
David Parirenyatwa, Health and Child Care minister, said the blood should be subsidised to improve access by pregnant mothers. 

“What is worrying us is the cost of blood on the end user,” said the minister during the World Blood Donor Day celebrations in Chinhoyi on Saturday.

“We had said pregnant mothers should get blood for free. There is a system called HTF which gives us funds enough to purchase 16 000 units of blood for pregnant mothers only. They get the blood for free.

“However, that blood is not enough for a whole year. We want our government to make sure that a significant amount of fiscus money goes to National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) so that they can bring the costs down”.

The country’s maternal mortality rate now stands at 525 per every 100 000 live births. The global average is 287 per every 100 000 live births.

Parirenyatwa said if all Zimbabweans contribute in small meaningful ways, many mothers could be saved from dying during pregnancy or childbirth related complications.

“You cannot manufacture blood. It has to come out of a human being into another human being,” Parirenyatwa said.

“We appealed to National Aids Council (NAC) and they are contributing. We are appealing to other entities within government and private sector so they sponsor us so mothers’ lives can be saved.”

While the national blood bank is supplied by voluntary unpaid donors, in West Africa donors demand cash up front, according to Parirenyatwa.

The commemorations, which coincided with NBSZ’s 25th anniversary, were held under the theme Safe Blood for Saving Mothers.

David Okello, the WHO country representative, said government should prioritise blood provision to reduce “the unacceptably high maternal mortality.”

“Blood is essential as is essential medicines,” Okello said.

“When you need it, you must just get it or else you die and in Zimbabwe we are just losing too many mothers. It is too much, we cannot allow this to continue.”

David Mvere, NBSZ chief executive officer, said more funds were needed for the upgrade of blood processing equipment to ensure the availability of safe blood.

“Technology is changing rapidly in the world, blood transfusion processes are similar,” he said.

“We have to keep up with technology to ensure new infections, viruses and products are detected and processed in line with the rest of the world.”
 

LONDON - Argentina’s Lionel Messi was hailed as one of the best players of all time by his coach – whatever happens at the World Cup – after scoring a classic goal to see off Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Messi’s trademark run and strike will go down as one of the great World Cup goals even though it was only his second World Cup goal, eight years after his first. Yet the Argentina captain admitted he was just relieved the team had secured a 2-1 win at the Maracanã after a disappointing first half.

Argentina had taken a lead in the third minute with a touch of fortune, Sead Kolasinac deflecting the ball into his own net, before Messi scored a stunning second after a superb run to make it 2-0.

A substitute, Vedad Ibisevic, grabbed a late goal for Bosnia – which could yet prove important in terms of qualification from Group F.

Messi said: “It’s important that we started off on the right foot with the three points, but we do have things we must improve. It’s not easy with all the anxiety and the nerves, but the important thing is the result. We had a great second half. We had the ball much more, created several opportunities and that’s what we have to continue to do.”

Argentina’s coach Alejandro Sabella only awarded his team a mark of six out 10 and said his half-time changes to provide more support to Messi had been crucial.

Sabella said: “On balance I would give it a six. We need to improve and part of that is in my hands – it is up to me.

“The changes at half-time just produced this improvement. They were playing better together and there was more support around Messi. Once Messi received the ball there was better follow-up and better support.

“I think that, whatever happens in this World Cup, he is among the best players in the history of football.”

Messi himself acknowledged the changes from five in defence to a 4-3-3 formation made it much easier for him and his fellow striker Sergio Agüero.

He said: “As strikers we prefer that system as it gives us more attacking opportunities and if we don’t use that system we suffer a bit. I was often on my own and so was Kun [Agüero] and it was very difficult, so there are things to be improved on.”

Sabella confirmed that he had taken Agüero off as he had seemed tired rather than for injury reasons, even though the Manchester City man had appeared to be limping.

Bosnia’s coach Safet Susic was satisfied with his team’s performance in a match which he said had been settled by one of the best players of all time.

Susic said: “We are realistic people and our goal was to put as much resistance as possible to one of the favourites to win the title, and this is what we have done.

“I am satisfied with what I saw, especially after we had this misfortune to concede an own goal in the first couple of minutes.

“It is a huge satisfaction to take part for the first time in the World Cup and play against a great team and one of the best players in the world – and not only of today but of all time.” - The Guardian

HARARE - Miss Zimbabwe finals held in Harare on Saturday was a night of many pretty girls, sparkly clothes, pearly-white smiles, amazing bikini bods, music, drumming, the army, the environment and economic blueprint ZimAsset.

The theme, “Lifting ZimAsset to greater heights”, was the gospel throughout the exclusively-attended pageant finals.

After all the sashaying, posing and displaying of talent, law student Thabiso Phiri was crowned the 2014 Miss Zimbabwe.

While there were some fears among guests that the finals’ night would be chilly,  the weather was friendly.

Minister of Climate, Savior Kasukwere was thanked by the comperes for “communicating with the weather to behave.”

Kasukuwere said his ministry had fully endorsed the re-launch of Miss Zimbabwe and supported the efforts by its current patron, Mary Chiwenga, wife to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces head, general Constantine Chiwenga.

And she really pulled it off with a world-class pageant, beaming as she sat besides her immaculately dressed husband.

On a night that saw politicians and the well-heeled forking out a cool $300 per head for admission, the venue’s stage looked splendid.

The 15 contestants strutted their stuff on a nicely decorated ramp.

And the event had full support of the Presidential Guard, which was involved in the crowning ceremony.

The models were asked questions on general knowledge, and some tough military questions, including three tactics used by the army. Other questions were relatively easy, including who the Defence minister was. 

Multiple National Arts Merit Awards winner and the army’s ambassador Jah Prayzah and his band put up a splendid military style display dressed in replica army regalia.

The contestants strutted their stuff, working the runway with twirls, prancing model steps and hair flicks showing off big smiles.

But some felt after spending a month in a five-star hotel with plenty of food,  some of the girls were overfed during boot camp.

Some of the models were curvy, voluptuous even, with ample bums, attracting cheers from the crowd.

But critics say they cannot compete on the international stage where the size zero model is the in-thing.

And as for hair, they all went for weaves, with different styles.

The winner of Miss Zimbabwe 2014 is endowed going by the crowd’s reaction. She stole the show on the night.

And when the winner for Miss Legs, Martha Mangwaira was announced,  she modelled onto the stage in a full dress that concealed her winning assets.

Maita Kainga won the “People’s Choice” accolade after viewers cast their vote via cellphone platforms.

With music on the menu, the long night saw sungura musician Alick Macheso put up a superb performance with his Orchestra Mberikwazvo crew.

A traditional group, Amuzulu, that performed on the night, at one time took control and attention of the guests as it involved everyone in a unison drumming session.

The band placed congas besides the guests’ tables, then asked them to play along to its lead instructions.

The drumbeat was amazing.

The night however, belonged to urban groover Trevor Dongo who sang live for each of the 15 models as they cat-walked in various clothes by several talented designers.

Cynthia Mare sang a soulful song dedicated to her late mother, while Macheso and Jah Prayzah also dedicated their slots to love songs.

Kiki Divaris, Miss Zimbabwe national patron, and the two Miss Carnival Queens, were invited to the stage for a dance for the guests who included ministers Webster Shamu, Walter Mzembi and Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Karikoga Kaseke, government and army officials.

And Kiki and the Miss Carnival Queens can dance; tall as they are. They indeed rocked and went down boogying.

Earlier, Kiki, while at her table, took to the dance floor when Leonard Dembo’s Chitekete was belted out.

Maybe it took her back to the 90s when she actively ran the Miss Zimbabwe pageant and the song was a hit.

Hosts Emmanuel Manyika and ZiFM radio DJ Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa kept the pageant rolling, live on State TV from Mabvazuva Village.

But there was some poor coordination between the two that seemed to overshadow an otherwise pleasant and flowing evening.

At one time they introduced Leonard Dembo’s song Chitekete, which was a back track during one segment, yet Four Brothers’ hit song Rudo Moto was played.

The co-presenters got into each other’s slots, interrupting each other on several occasions.

It seemed they had not rehearsed well for the presentation.

But Manyika was in his element, churning out joke after joke by perfectly imitating politicians such as President Robert Mugabe, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa, US President Barack Obama and the late South African icon Nelson Mandela.

Interestingly, Ruvheneko imitated the First Lady Grace Mugabe, reciting her favourite line: “My husband, His Excellency the President...”

HARARE - The row between President Robert Mugabe’s Gushungo clan and Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo is escalating, with the chiefs demanding that the minister’s wings be clipped, after he insisted on the imposition of an unpopular chief.

While the minister was unreachable for comment yesterday, he is accused of trying to impose Matheas Matare as chief of the Beperere clan.

As an acting chief, Mutare stirred a hornet’s nest when he fired all headmen appointed by Chief Zvimba, replacing them with his cronies.

The influential Gushungo clan is reportedly incensed by Chombo’s meddling in internal family affairs, in particular the imposition of chiefs and also the parcelling out of land in the area unfairly.

Chombo, who is one of Mugabe’s right hand men, courted the wrath of the Gushungo clan when he rejected their preferred chief, Harare provincial administrator Alfred Tome, who is backed by Chief Zvimba and his kinsmen.

The chieftainship battle has sucked into its vortex Mugabe, his nephews and some Cabinet ministers. 

“Upon the death of Sabina Mugabe, Walter Chidakwa, (minister of Mines and Mining Development) was handpicked by Chombo as the new MP,” said a family member.

With Chombo apparently keen on handpicking his “loyal” chief,  Gushungo clan family members told the Daily News that the Local Government minister could be eyeing a berth in the presidium, through the backing of chiefs, who are key in marshalling support for Zanu PF.

In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Chief Zvimba said the Gushungos, not Chombo, were the custodians of their clan’s chieftainship.

“The issue is not ending because the minister is imposing his will on the people. We are a clan and we know who we want and humambo hunobva kuvanhu huchienda kuministry (chieftainship comes from the people going to the ministry) not the other way round,” Chief Zvimba said.

Chombo wants to impose Matare, who has been the acting chief for the past 15 years in a substantive capacity, a move that the Gushungos, say is designed to perpetuate Chombo’s reign-in Zvimba through proxies.

Chief Zvimba yesterday said “ushe madzoro (chieftainship rotates)” and should not reside in only one person or family.

“He (Matare) has been the acting chief for 15 years and thus he has overstayed his mandate,” Chief Zvimba said.

“He has been there for 15 years and it should be noted that Zvimba has three families and it should rotate among the three. Our customs are very clear that when it is time up, you should leave.”

The role of Chombo in Zvimba forced the Gushungo family, led by flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa, to organise a crisis meeting on how best to deal with the influential minister.

Sources who attended the meeting said Chiyangwa proposed that Chombo be given the mandate to act for and on behalf of the Gushungo clan in matters concerning Zvimba.

Chiyangwa reasoned that if Chidakwa and Chombo were working together, it was important to have their support so as to benefit from platinum mines in the area. He said Chombo could be dealt with later.

But the Gushungos shot down the proposal fearing it was a ploy by Chiyangwa to get more land.

“We are going to come up with our new date on when we are going to install the chief,” said a defiant Chief Zvimba.

“For now, we are waiting to hear from the ministry what they are going to do about our proposal. Chombo is our minister. We have every reason to agree to disagree with him. He is a presidential appointee but he should not impose his views on us. We cannot have a perpetual conflict. This is not about domination. We are the custodians of this chieftain.”

HARARE - President Robert Mugabe, displaying his boundless energy and penchant for the world stage, left the controls of his economically-ravaged nation last week for a two-day dash to participate in the G77 plus China summit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia. 

The globe-trotting appears to be doing little good to Mugabe’s low popularity rating at home, raising the risk that whatever credit he gets internationally does nothing for Zimbabwe’s ailing economy.

Despite the deepening economic problems back home, Mugabe has instead turned his attention to global economic woes, choosing to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the G77 a grouping under the United Nations (UN), with members from 133 developing nations which also includes China, now considered one of the super powers of the world.

The G77 is meeting to draft a global anti-poverty agenda at a summit that also showcases Latin America’s burgeoning relationship with the Asian giants.

Mugabe’s trip risks leaving problems untended on the home-front, where hard-pressed citizens are criticising his government for unfulfilled election promises, coupled with a spiralling  unemployment rate and deflation.

This comes also at a time when serious cracks have resurfaced in his ruling Zanu PF party.

Economist Takunda Mugaga said not much is expected for Zimbabwe from the G77 gathering.

“However, Mugabe is under economic pressure that he can’t be seen shunning such a gathering, considering there are few relevant platforms Zimbabwe is ever invited to, due to sanctions,” Mugaga said, adding that  staying at home or attending the G77 meeting will not make any major difference.

“Save for the fact that the entourage  that he will carry along with him will continue fraying the fiscus, which is already summoned to fund unnecessary vehicles for legislators,” he said.

Bulawayo-based economist Eric Bloch told the Daily News that the latest G77 escapade will not resolve  the deepening challenges bedevilling the economy, despite it being a little step forward.

“We have to repair our relationship with the international community but the trips will be necessary only if we can have a change of some of the country’s policies,” Bloch said.

“The benefits of strengthening our relationship with other countries will only be realised if we take measures aimed at revamping bad policies.”

He said one of the key policies was to ensure there is restoration of investment security, to ensure that substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) was forthcoming.

“Intensive promotion and facilitation of FDI, in order to stimulate substantial economic growth, which would assure enhanced state revenues, enabling progressive debt repayment is of paramount importance,” Bloch said.

Mugabe’s past forays onto the world stage have stifled government business back home, with crucial Cabinet meetings being called off during his absence.

Analysts say global diplomacy may not be the right track to take under such an economic crisis.

Indeed, many of those who say they dislike Mugabe say it is precisely because of his showiness and impulsiveness.

Analysts say it is time for Mugabe to prove his mettle on the domestic front, for example by creating jobs and attending to the deepening economic problems here.

Mugabe risks looking weak, not strong, by running around the world when the economy back home was unravelling, with government failing to pay its workers and the taxman aggressively filing tax-evasion charges against wealthy businesspeople, as well as celebrities.

Takavafira Zhou of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe said while the State was obliged to bankroll Mugabe’s junkets, he also had an obligation to solve the deepening liquidity crunch in Zimbabwe.

“The government is failing to address the liquidity crisis, it is failing to pay civil servants or increase their salaries, so you wonder why government has liquidity when it comes to the president’s visits?” Zhou said, adding concern was not only on his G77 summit visit but his increasing trips to Singapore for medical attention, said to be gobbling millions per trip, according to former Finance minister Tendai Biti.

“It is also a dangerous scenario where the president has no faith in the health system in this country,” Zhou said. “He must establish a good health system in his own country.

“It is dereliction of duty on the part of Mugabe that he is not interested in the health system locally. His globe-trotting with his Cabinet ministers for medication is causing the downfall of the economy.”

Zhou said civil servants were worried about the globe-trotting at a time they are being called on to start belt-tightening.

“Civil servants are facing a series of challenges while Mugabe is away,” Zhou said.

“The factions in his Zanu PF party are looting money while he is away with the intention to use it after his death,” Zhou said.

“He should stay more in the country not his remote control rule outside the country.”

Political analyst Eldred Masunungure said there was nothing new about Mugabe’s globe-trotting, saying he has been doing so for the past years regardless of the sinking economy.

Masunugure said the people of Zimbabwe should not be worried about Mugabe’s junkets as they have become routine.

“I do not think there is anything new about Mugabe’s globe-trotting because he is a globe-trotter,” Masunungure said.

“We are far from that period and it is ideal that everyone should not be worried about his travels. This is part of him being a President because he is a globetrotter. It may worry the Zimbabweans but they have to know that it has become his routine.”

Masunungure said Mugabe was not worried about the crumbling economy.

HARARE - There appears to be no let-up in the feud between musician Ammara Brown and the producers of Zim Punk’d, a satirical ZTV programme that pokes fun at celebrities.

Last week Ammara, the daughter of late legendary guitarist and vocalist Andy Brown, alleged that Zim Punk’d lured her onto their programme by lying that they had secured funding for 14-year-old cancer patient, Sandra Chimanga.

In the ensuing war of words that is playing out between the two parties in newspapers and on social networks, Zim Punk’d, which is headed by Clive Mandizha, has insisted that they never said they had secured funds for Sandra who is suffering from nostril cancer.

A combative Mandizha has accused Ammara of using the controversy to publicise her new album.

“I think Ammara is trying to promote her album and is using us as pawns,” Mandizha told the Daily News.

“There is more to this than meets the eye. I believe the negative stuff against us coming out on social networks is the work of people who want to discredit our show,” he said.

“What happened was that Ammara was called by Jerry Vengesai, one of our cast members to discuss a donation. Please note that Jerry did not say he had the money. He said he wanted to discuss a donation but Ammara went on to call the parents of the girl (cancer patient).”

But Ammara, who has just released a controversial song called Crucify Me, is not relenting in her fight against Zim Punk’d.

“Sandra’s life is still hanging in the balance, and I hope someday you will realise that. In the meantime I am going to hit you where it hurts the most because it is evident you have next to no compassion towards the value of human life. The Almighty will forgive you but I won’t, until you do the right thing. That is all I have left to say to you,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

“I understand that you are trying to save ZimPunk’d as you are the founder, but the truth is that Sandra was affected at the expense of your brand. I see you have lied about me to the media but you have confused “Ammara the artist” with “Ammara the philanthropist”.

In a bid to defend herself, Ammara posted a screen shot of her Whatsapp exchange with the Zim Punk’d representative who identified himself as Clive.

The conversation that Ammara claims took place between her and Zim Punk’d representative shows that the satirical ZTV programme agreed to donate $2 000 to Sandra through Ammara.

CHIVI - Dendera star Suluman Chimbetu and rising gospel artiste Mathias Mhere have donated building material worth thousands of dollars to a Chivi widow Elizabeth Sithole who lives in a pole and dagga hut with seven orphans.

The two popular musicians helped the Chivi Rural District Council to mobilise for the building material that will be used to construct a three bedroomed house and a big round hut in Madyangove Village in Chivi North.

The donated building material included doors, door frames, windows, cement, bricks, roofing materials and fencing wire.

Sulu told villagers who gathered to witness the handover of the building material last week that assisting disadvantaged people in Chivi North was their way of giving back to the community.

“In addition to entertaining people, we have a moral duty to assist members of our societies who are from the disadvantaged backgrounds. So as musician with my brother Mathias we teamed up with your local leaders in the council to help our mother here who did not have decent shelter,” Sulu said.

Sulu and Mhere have also pledged to avail school fees to the seven orphans being looked after by the widowed Sithole.

Chivi Rural District Chairman, Killer Zivhu said his council had roped in local musicians to help raise resources needed to build decent houses for the underprivileged people in his district.

“We have some people who are struggling to have proper shelter who live under squalid conditions. Our council has teamed up with local musicians to mobilise resources to help them get decent accommodation.”

Zivhu added that his council had lined up a fund-raising concert to be held at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo on June 28 that will feature Tswana music sensation, Slizzer, Jah Prayzah and several other local musicians.

HARARE - Mwana Africa’s Zimbabwean unit Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC) said it expects its profit after tax for the second half to March 2014 to be significantly higher than first half’s $3,3 million.

The miner, which incurred a $12,9 million loss in the year to March 2013, said the improved performance was on the back of resumed nickel production at BNC’s Trojan Mine.

In the year to March last year BNC’s retrenchment costs skyrocketed to $7,1 million arising from company restructuring were included in the loss for the year.

Operating costs amounted to $5 million in the last half of the financial year after the group revised its accounting policy on property, plant and equipment to allow for capitalisation of any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for the company to be of sound operation.