HARARE - Zimbabwe has been hit by a serious shortage of day-old chicks and, in some cases, table eggs, which could worsen in the coming weeks in the event that the root cause is not addressed.

The deficit is due to the outbreak of the avian influenza virus, also known as H5N8, which has affected the country’s largest producer of poultry — Irvine’s Zimbabwe.

As of 2015, Irvine’s commanded a poultry market share in excess of 50 percent.

This figure could have gone up in view of substantial investments made by the company in the intervening period.

About 60 percent of Irvine’s day-old chicks are supplied to indigenous contract farmers who grow the broilers on behalf of the company and bring them to its processing plant for slaughter.

Irvine’s is an integrated poultry operation and supplier of Cobb and H&N breeding stock, hatching eggs, broiler and layer day-old chicks.

It also produces high quality table eggs and frozen chicken for both Zimbabwe and countries in the region.

A survey by the Daily News revealed that most retail shops in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare have run out of day-old chicks and stocks of table eggs are fast depleting.

A number of day-old chicks merchants surveyed have not received supplies from Irvine’s since the outbreak was reported. As a result, the queues that normally form outside their premises have disappeared.

“We have since resorted to buying from Chegutu where there is a farm but of course it cannot meet the demand, so the supply is very erratic,” said an employee at one of the merchants.

The biggest supplier of day-old chicks in Bulawayo, Higrow Poultry Place, has been overwhelmed by demand and supplies have since run out.

“We do bookings on Wednesday but at the moment we don’t have anything, the demand is too high than we can supply. So you book on Wednesday, you will get your order on August 22,” said an employee at Higrow.

In some supermarkets, including retail heavyweights — TM, Choppies and OK — eggs and chicken meat were still available on their shelves, including those from Irvine’s.

The Manicaland Poultry Producers Association confirmed the shortages saying it would be difficult to bridge the deficit because most potential source markets have equally been affected by the outbreak, while the existence of trade barriers militates against imports.

Enock Mbendani, chairperson of the Manicaland Poultry Producers Association, said egg and day-old chick imports from Europe attract a 40 percent duty, which would have the effect of raising the retail price for a chick to $1,20.

At the same time, Zimbabwe cannot import chickens from neighbouring South Africa because Pretoria banned their exportation due to the outbreak of the disease.

“The global outbreak of avian influenza has hit us hard and there is a shortage of chicks, which should stretch for a further five to six months,” said Mbendani.

“The 40 percent duty on eggs also means we cannot import them from Europe at the moment to replenish our stocks as it would mean one day-old-chicks will retail at an untenable $1,20 per chick.

“It is really scary because the outbreak hit even big players like Irvine’s, so prices of chicks are going up because of this.

“Because South Africa has also been hit, inter-trade of poultry between us has been affected until this is cleared. So our hope lies with egg imports from Europe. Zimbabwe Poultry Association is going to write to the minister to temporarily forgo duty on eggs to protect the consumer, especially as we battle this liquidity crisis,” Mbendani said.

While officials at the company were reluctant to give this paper details about how the virus has affected their production, reports indicate that Irvine’s is already seeking permits to import eggs to avert the crisis.

Even if the company is to secure the import permit, it will still need to join the queue at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to be allocated the foreign currency to pay for the imports.

The RBZ has since last year been grappling to pay for the country’s imported raw materials, semi-finished products and finished goods due to the prevailing illiquid market conditions.

To manage the situation, the apex bank is prioritising critical imports in the allocation of foreign currency while putting non-critical imports at the back of the queue in order to save the little available resources.

This development comes as egg production has already been declining steadily as small-scale farmers are divesting from the poultry industry.

As a result, the total egg production in the first quarter of this year is estimated to have declined to 3,6 million dozens from 4,7 million dozens in the same period last year.

In terms of chicks, last year 5,9 million chicks were produced and this year the figure went down to 5,7 million.

This translates into a decline of 200 000.

According to the Poultry Association of Zimbabwe, the decline was a result of the disinvestment by small-scale producers.

Should the avian flu outbreak persist, it is likely to have a devastating snowball effect on the industry.

Industry experts warned the decline in chicken and egg production could force the stock-feed industry to scale down, putting scores of jobs on the line.

Stock-feed manufactures warned recently that the situation was not looking good.

With eggs and chicken having overtaken beef as the main protein source among long-suffering Zimbabweans owing to their competitive pricing, panicking authorities are escalating efforts to contain the outbreak.

Fears are the disease could become difficult to control if it is allowed to spread to small-scale chicken producers, who do not have sufficient resources and expertise to deal with it.

Last week, the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services said it was working around the clock to contain the highly pathogenic virus.

“Every effort is being made to prevent infection from escaping the establishment (Irvine’s). The disease had initially been detected and confirmed on May 24, 2017 and the situation had stabilised following complete depopulation of affected poultry sites by June 1, 2017. The farm had been in quarantine under veterinary supervision since then and will now remain in quarantine for three months or until the disease is completely resolved,” the department said.

“The department is maintaining heightened countrywide clinical and serological surveillance in all commercial poultry production farms, live poultry markets and areas close to big water bodies. All poultry farmers and the general public are requested to report any incidences of high mortalities of domestic or wild birds to their nearest veterinary offices.”

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HARARE - One of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s most vocal allies, Energy Mutodi, was arrested yesterday on charges of undermining President Robert Mugabe’s authority, the Daily News can report.

A businessman who has also tried his luck in music, Mutodi was picked up by police in Harare early yesterday morning, and has been in police custody at the Harare Central Police Station.

He is likely to appear in court today.

Mutodi told the Daily News yesterday that he was apprehended by six men who were brandishing guns.

He said: “I am currently in police custody at Harare Central Police Station; I am being charged with treason over comments I posted on Facebook.”

His lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, later told the Daily News that his charge had been downgraded to that of undermining the authority of the president and instigating the police and members of the army.

Mutodi recently wrote on his social networking wall, Facebook, that Zimbabwe risked a coup if the thorny succession issue was not resolved amicably, adding that Mugabe should consult the army to avert chaos.

“While a military takeover may be far-fetched in Zimbabwe, it is important for . . . Mugabe to be careful in naming his successor. Any suspicion of unfairness or discrimination on account of tribalism or factionalism may backfire,” he wrote.

“There are key stakeholders that need to be consulted among them the military and the whole security establishment called the Joint Operations Command that is chaired by Vice President Mnangagwa,” he went on.

Mutodi is one of Mnangagwa’s allies who have publicly declared their loyalty to the vice president, for long touted as Mugabe’s heir-apparent.

Ever since he was parachuted into the presidium in 2014, as one of Mugabe’s two deputies, Mnangagwa has been walking a tight rope, amid accusations that he is getting too impatient to see his boss’ back.

Mutodi has, however, warned Mugabe that he would be left counting his losses if he anoints a successor who is not acceptable to the military.

Mnangagwa has been rumoured to enjoy the military’s sympathies.

Mutodi, also wrote on his Facebook wall that African leaders were to a large extent obsessed with power, and do not know when to stop; commit countless crimes while in office and delegate power to their family members much to the disappointment of the military.

While Mugabe recently admonished army generals against meddling in politics, the outspoken Zanu PF politician offered a different view.

“It is therefore an empty talk that the gun does not lead the pen in Zimbabwean politics. The role the Zimbabwean army has played in nurturing president Mugabe’s rule can therefore not be overemphasised.

“Any successor without the backing of the army will therefore be rejected, irrespective whether they have liberation war credentials or not,” said Mutodi.

Police sources told the Daily News yesterday that more diehard supporters of both warring Zanu PF factions — Team Lacoste and Generation 40 (G40) — could get themselves in trouble for failing to tame their loose tongues.

In the past, it was mostly opposition supporters who used to face charges of undermining the authority of the president or treason, which carry a death penalty.

Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa, and MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai, have previously been hauled before the courts, facing treason charges, although they were eventually acquitted for lack of evidence.

Owing to the infighting in Zanu PF, emotions have been running high over Mugabe’s succession, with excitable G40 and Team Lacoste mandarins taking their freedoms of expression to extreme lengths.

It has largely been Zanu PF activists who are pushing for Mnangagwa’s ascendancy that have found themselves locked up, facing either treason charges or the lesser serious one of undermining the authority of the president.

War veterans’ leaders Victor Matemadanda and Douglas Mahiya were last year arrested for allegedly undermining Mugabe’s authority after they allegedly issued a communiqué calling for the Zanu PF leader to step down.

Another proclaimed supporter of Mnangagwa, Godfrey Tsenengamu — a former Zanu PF provincial youth chairperson — has also been hauled before the courts, facing similar charges and is currently out on bail.

Former war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda also stands accused of undermining the authority of the president after he accused the First Lady, Grace of effecting what he called a “bedroom” coup, in 2014.

In most instances, cases of undermining the authority of the president have often crumbled under legal scrutiny.

While the Constitutional Court observed in 2013 that Section 31 (a) which criminalises publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State and Section 33 (a) (ii) which criminalises undermining the authority of the president had effect of breaching people’s rights, the ministry of Justice, which ironically is headed by Mnangagwa, insists that the image of the president has to be protected.

Lawyers have previously castigated the Mugabe insult law, which they argued defied the rule of law.

In October 2010, Zebediah Mpofu, a Harare resident, found himself victimised under the same section.

Mpofu, a general hand at a private security firm, had stated that “President Mugabe had ruined the country and that he was going to be dead by December 2010 then MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai would take over as president of Zimbabwe.”

The prosecutors charged that by uttering such statements Mpofu had undermined the authority or insulted Mugabe.

However, Mpofu’s agony ended in October 2011 after a magistrate removed him from remand and ordered the State to proceed by way of summons.

In 2011, the now Chief Justice Luke Malaba ruled that the State’s facts which led to the arrest of a Bulawayo girl on allegations of sending Mugabe’s “nude” picture on the social network, WhatsApp, were confused.

Malaba was commenting on the case of Shantel Rusike, who was charged under the same section after sending a WhatsApp picture depicting a nude Mugabe.

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HARARE - Zimbabwean  bantamweight boxer Tinashe “Chairman” Madziwana will have to wait a little bit longer before he can fight for his maiden international title after promoters postponed his bout to October.

Initially, Madziwana was scheduled to square up against Hashimu Zuberi of Tanzania in a unification bout for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO), World Boxing Confederation (WBC) and African Boxing Union (ABU) belts this coming Monday at the City Sports Centre.

The August 14, bout has since been shifted to October 28, with joint promoters Delta Force Boxing Academy (DFBA) and No Pain No Gain of Malawi saying they need more time to allow all the interested stakeholders an opportunity to be part of the fight.

“DFBA and partners wish to inform boxing fans and stakeholders that the Heroes and Defence Forces Boxing Bonanza will now be held on October 28 instead of the publicised August 14 2017,” DFBA trainer Clyde Musonda said. 

“We continue to enjoy outstanding corporate, organisational and governmental support and it is with this in mind that, on the suggestion of our new stakeholders and in consultation with those already on-board, we have unanimously agreed to move the tournament to the newly proposed date.

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“We apologise to our loyal fans for prolonging the anticipation as we know they have itching to witness Madziwana in action once again.

“We promise that this event will go down as one of the greatest on Zimbabwean soil in recent memory and this move ensures that this promise may be exceedingly delivered.”

Musonda, however, said the shifting of the fight will not affect their training as they will keep on shaping themselves up until the day it will finally happen.

On the same night there will also be another welterweight title fight between Anisha Bashir of Malawi against Gifty Amanua Ankrah of Ghana.

There will also be 10 more supporting bouts on the under-card of the two title fights.

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HARARE - Home Mine is battling to avert an imminent player mutiny over the non-payment of salaries, allowances and bonuses with players going for three months without receiving their dues.

The gold miners have gradually worked their way up the log following an indifferent start to the season to sit in fifth place with 34 points after 21 matches.

Kelvin Kaindu’s men currently trail Castle Lager Premiership log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars by nine points.

Their progress has, however, been hampered by the cash crisis at the club which has seen the players’ morale drop drastically.

Chikurupati are without a win in their last four matches and some players are even suggesting they are not willing to take part in their next PSL match against the Glamour Boys.

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The disgruntled players said they were trying to get an audience from the club’s executive with no luck.

“Things are just not okay and we are not happy at all because we are forced to play on an empty stomach,” said one player.

“We have been trying to get in touch with the executive but they keep on changing the goalposts.

“They had promised us that by Wednesday we will have the money in our accounts but until now we haven’t.”

Another player said: “Imagine it’s now three months and I just wonder how they expect us to survive let alone going for training. It’s becoming difficult for us by day.”

Contacted for comment How Mine chairperson Paul MacAndrew professed ignorance on the issue saying “it’s all nonsense”.

“All the news I can tell you is I don’t have a comment.

“As far as I am concerned, it’s all nonsense,” MacAndrew said.

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HARARE – This Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) says it’s going to take at least six months or a year for them to decisively deal with the turmoil in local rugby.

SRC board chairperson Edward Siwela said they will soon be naming an interim executive to run the affairs of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) after the suspension of the Nyarirai Sibanda-led board.

Siwela said in the meantime, the ZRU day-to-day operations will not be affected since newly-appointed chief executive officer Blessing Chiutare is still in office.

“Firstly, I must point out that the administration under the CEO remains intact and therefore as far as administration is concerned, it will continue to be run,” Siwela said.

“To the pertinent question with regards to the interim committee; the provisions of the SRC are that when an executive committee or a board of a national association is suspended, as SRC, we should put forward names that should constitute an interim committee and put them forward as a recommendation to the minister.

“We have already identified what we consider to be suitable individuals and we are formally writing to the minister recommending that those people be appointed interim committee that will oversee the running of the sport of rugby in Zimbabwe in the interim.”

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The SRC is now laying the ground work for a new election that will usher in a new substantive ZRU board with the process likely to drag on until next year.

“Our wish is that it (substantive board) is in place in the shortest possible time.

“We really would not want interim committees to mutate into full term committees,” Siwela said.

“You would love them to be there for a specific purpose and usually it is to address the gap that is created when the board or executive committee in this case is suspended.

“As soon as issues have been sorted out, we would see to it that we revert to the normalisation  . . . and if the outcome of the enquiry says that the board should be dissolved . . . you then go on to look at facilitating the electing of a substantive executive committee to take over.

“So we are looking at a period of six months to at most a year but really around six months that should pretty much take care of the challenges.”

The SRC suspended the Sibanda-led ZRU board following a number of maladministration charges.

The other members in the dissolved committee are vice-presidents Noddy Kanyangarara (Northern) and Tapiwa Mangezi (South).

“We made a decision to suspend the ZRU executive committee which some people refer to as the board, this obviously is (done) to enable the SRC to investigate deeper into the causes of the challenges that are being experienced by the ZRU,”  Siwela said.

“At its meeting, the SRC board also did actually address the issue of the interim committee.

“We are cognisant of the fact that the sport of rugby should continue to be run, it should not suffer on account of the fact that the executive committee has been suspended.”

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HARARE - This weekend’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) action has been shelved to pave way for the Heroes Day celebrations soccer matches that will see Dynamos and Highlanders facing off among other matches.

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) announced that at least 31 matches pitting Premier League teams and Division One teams will be played across the country during the Heroes Day celebrations with Shabanie Mine facing FC Platinum in a Midlands derby.

Reigning league champions CAPS United will be in Chinhoyi where they face Ngezi Platinum Stars while Chicken Inn and Bulawayo City clash at Barbourfields Stadium.

Black Rhinos and Yadah play each other in Marondera at Rudhaka Stadium while Harare City travel to Chegutu for a date against Chegutu Pirates.

“...Zifa, in consultation with the ministry of Sport and Recreation, advises the nation at large and the football family that 31 football matches will be played across the country as part of this year’s Heroes Day commemorations,”  the association said.

“The selection of teams to partake in the celebrations comprises of PSL teams and Division One teams from all four of Zifa’s regional leagues.”

It is, however, highly likely that most of the PSL teams would use their second string teams given the stage the season has reached.

The PSL action will return during the weekend of August 18-20 but the rescheduled midweek fixture between CAPS United and FC Platinum will go ahead as planned on August 16 at the National Sports Stadium.

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HARARE - Famed former Netherlands internationals and Barcelona legends Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids were last night expected in the country alongside Real Murcia forward Rayco Garcia.

The trio, who are in the country at the invitation of the government, are expected to meet with Sports minister Makhosini Hlongwane as well as Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) president Philip Chiyangwa as they try to create avenues for local talent.

Kluivert was a feared striker during his heyday and was a member of Ajax’s Golden Generation of the 1990s before blossoming at Barcelona.

Davids also honed his skills at Ajax in the 90s before going to make successful careers at AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona.

A statement from the Sports ministry yesterday said: “The ministry of Sport and Recreation is pleased to announce that Rayco Garcia and his erstwhile counterparts in FC Barcelona Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids will be in Zimbabwe as guests of the minister of Sport and Recreation.

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“It is also a pleasure that Rayco, Kluivert and Davids are also bringing signed souvenir jerseys by Lionel Messi for President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace Mugabe. Garcia and the team are also expected to meet with Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa.

“Moreover, this delegation is also expected to discuss prospects of soccer development with Hlongwane.

“This visit conveniently coincides with government’s adoption of the community sport and recreation club system which envisages the realisation of the ongoing initiative of establishing 8 000 soccer clubs across the country.

“Therefore, it is in this perspective that the expected exchange between the minister and the delegation led by Garcia is anticipated to ignite synergies of developing soccer in the country.

“This comes at a time government is putting in place efforts to lobby for strategic international partnership to assist Zimbabwe in setting up high performance academies.”

The statement added: “As well as complementing other government initiatives already in place to promote talent identification and development.

“The visit by these FC Barcelona legends is crucial as it rightfully resides in the ethos of the ministry of Sport and Recreation’s sport diplomacy programme.

“Moreover, this momentous visit by Garcia, Kluivert and Davids sets in a new precedence in terms of how soccer has become contextually-sensitive to the country’s accommodation for interfaces aimed at promoting the development of the sport and recreation sector.

“This follows the landmark visit to Zimbabwe by Fifa president Gianni Infantino early this year.”

It’s not the first time the trio have toured Africa as they have been to Uganda as well as Zambia among other countries where they pledged to set up football academies.

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HARARE - Newly-signed Leyton Orient striker Macauley Bonne has reaffirmed his desire to play for Zimbabwe saying the odds he has faced in processing his papers have not diminished that fire.

The England-based forward dropped down from League Two when he signed a two-year contract for the O’s in the National League where he expects to get more game time.

He has been quick to gain the trust of Leyton coach Steve Davis, who has not hidden his affection for Bonne’s work rate which was on display during Wednesday 3-1 win against Solihull Moors.

But while his club performances continue to gain reviews, his international career has failed to engage into higher gear with only a single cap for the Zimbabwe Under-23 against Morocco back in 2014.

Bonne was expected to make his Warriors debut at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon but it never materialised since he is yet to secure a Zimbabwean passport.

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“I never had the help but that is all being sorted out now and I never failed to be part of the squad — my documents were not finished (but) I was part of the squad,” Bonne told the Daily News from his base in England.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Ipswich, England to Zimbabwean parents, spoke of his eagerness to play for the Warriors saying he has never turned down a chance to play for the national team.

“I haven’t once said I don’t want to play,” he said.

Bonne started his career with Colchester United and scored 16 goals in 84 matches for the side he joined as a 14-year-old.

O’s coach Davis reckons Bonne, who is affectionately known as “Macca” by his new teammates, is headed for the stars.

“He was excellent and worked hard. We know what he can do in terms of his work rate,” Davis said of Bonne’s performance on Wednesday.

“I thought his best chance came in the first half when the goalkeeper was off his line and he should have lobbed it in.

“They are the goals he needs to take and he knows that, but if he keeps getting in those positions he’ll score more times than he misses. He was exemplary in the work rate the team showed.”

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HARARE - The Namibia Football Association (NFA) insists the appeal by the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) to have a Chan replay between the Warriors and the Brave Warriors is dead in the water.

Zimbabwe were eliminated from the competition when they lost the second round qualifier 5-4 on penalties after the ties had finished 1-1 on aggregate at the National Sports Stadium last month.

However, Zifa had written to the Confederation of African Football protesting over the Namibians’ third spot kick taken by midfielder Dynamo Fredricks.

The Brave Warriors midfielder feinted after completing his run before sending his spot kick past Warriors goalkeeper Herbert Rusawo.

It is an offence to feint once you have completed your run up when taking a penalty according the Laws of the Game.

Caf reacted by suspending the Swaziland match officials Thulani Sibandze and Petros Mbingo, who were at fault for allowing Fredricks’ penalty to stand.

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The suspension of these officials had given Zifa hope but Caf is unlikely to grant the replay according to NFA secretary-general Barry Rukoro.

Namibia are tomorrow scheduled to take on the Comoros in the final qualifying round first leg.

“I don’t think it (Zifa appeal) will come to anything, because of the procedures and the time limit to file a complaint,” Rukoro told the Namibian newspaper yesterday.

“The rules are clear - the referee’s decision is final. If it is later discovered that there was a wrong decision by the referee, Caf will only penalise the referee.

“Until Monday we had received communication from Caf as normal. I think Caf thinks its immaterial, not because it is factually wrong, but because of the time factor.”

Rukoro said Namibia received a written complaint from Zifa in the changing room after the match, with the Brave Warriors captain Ronald Ketjijere having signed it off, but he said Zifa had not done anything since then.

“I read about their appeal on August 6, so it’s been portrayed that the appeal was made then. You have 48 hours to lodge an appeal while you must also pay a fee of $2 000 to Caf,” he said.

“When you make a complaint, the match commissioner will take the letter and file it to Caf, but the party that appeals must still make a presentation to Caf and pay the fee before the case can be officially registered.

“Zifa have a new executive committee and I think they might not have taken note of this. Caf are still communicating with us and I think this protest will come to nothing.”

In the protest letter sent to Caf at the weekend, Zifa’s new chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse said: “...after a thorough review of the controversial incident in which a ghost goal was scored during the penalty shoot-out, hereby advises Caf of its official appeal to have that effort declared null and void because of a technical error.”

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HARARE - Dear Walter Magaya

When the 2017 Castle Lager Premiership season started, your team Yadah FC was a breath of fresh air in its debut season in Zimbabwe’s top flight.

Yadah were doing particularly well after an opening goalless draw with Harare City, a 1-0 win over ZPC Kariba, another goalless draw with Tsholotsho followed by a 1-0 win over Ngezi Platinum Stars.

This was the first time a newly-promoted team in Zimbabwe’s top tier league had not conceded a goal in their opening four matches; a feat last achieved by the star-studded Black Rhinos in 1984.

Winger Leeroy Mavunga was the talk of the town as he ran rings around most defenders he faced in those opening matches.

But just like life, football has its ups and downs. Your team played out a 1-1 draw with Chapungu in their next game before suffering their first loss, going down 1-0 to Dynamos.

This translates into nine points in the first six games and Yadah at one stage were on top of the log after this decent start to life with the big boys.

A lot of teams would have loved to be in the same position as your beloved Yadah side.

Just ask Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo the anguish he’s going through right now since his beloved Tsholotsho FC are without a win after 20 matches and bottom of log.

However, your reaction to the Dynamos loss was surprising as you went on to suspend the entire technical team led by coach Jairos Tapera.

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It turned out to be a monumental blunder as Yadah travelled to Bulawayo without Tapera and were ruthlessly thrashed 7-2 by Bantu Rovers.

As a well-travelled and exposed preacher, I expected you to learn from this debacle in Bulawayo which threatened to turn our game into a Mickey Mouse league.

There must have been someone who knocked sense into your head, as you allowed Tapera to come back to work.

Results did not drastically improve but at least there was a semblance of professionalism in the Yadah set-up with the coaches trying to do their best to win matches.

But in your wisdom, you again “suspended” Tapera this week with Yadah travelling to the Baobab Stadium without their coach and they were trounced 4-1 by log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Football is a scientific sport with most teams investing heavily in qualified coaches, who spend numerous hours on the training ground preparing for matches.

I sadly have to educate you that there is nothing spiritual about the world’s most beautiful game.

Of course, most of our coaches and players still believe in juju but truth be told, there is nothing that can beat proper training and sheer hard work. We have been around this game long enough to see another team go down the drain due to the interference of the club owner.

Our game is littered with many club owners whose clubs sank to the ground because of their stubbornness and intrusion into the affairs of the technical team.

Since you are pouring resources into the team, you have every right to feel disappointed with the results your team is achieving but this is not the right way to deal with the matter.

If you feel Tapera is not the right man to guarantee your team’s safety from relegation, you have every right to sack him and look for someone who you think is competent.

There are many coaches who are out of work and can come in to fill the spot that will be vacated by Tapera.

You need to find a coach who has the same vision and drive that saw you build a team from scratch before it rose up the leagues to the premiership.

Once you find that calibre of coach, you need to give him or her carte blanche with the team while you take a back seat and concentrate on the administration side.

You have showed your leadership qualities already by building your Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) into one of the most influential churches in the country and beyond the borders.

However, football is a totally different animal and if you are not careful, it can devour you completely.

This is not a rebuke or a malicious attempt to soil your name but just an alert of the pitfalls that lie in wait if you continue with the same trajectory.

Best regards,

Nigel Matongorere.    

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HARARE - Listed financial services group ZB Financial Holdings has embarked on a massive acquisition of land across the country to support strategic growth.

The group chief executive officer, Ronald Mutandagayi, disclosed on Wednesday this week that ZB has been splurging cash on land and has budgeted a total of $10 million to be used in the next 48 months towards the acquisition of more land.

ZB is also negotiating with Nairobi-headquartered pan African financier, Shelter Afrique for a $15 million line of credit to go towards housing projects.

“The acquisition of land remains a focus area. We believe this is an area that will be a source of strategic growth in the future,” said Mutandagayi.

“The group has acquired 708 stands in Plumtree and is also in the process of finalising the acquisition of 678 stands in Kadoma.

Negotiations with Bindura Town Council, Zvimba Rural District Council, Marondera Town Council, Masvingo City Council and Kariba Town Council are in progress.

“Springvale housing project in Ruwa is now almost sold out. The group is attending to a few project contingencies before complete hand over. Selling of 150 stands in Beitbridge will commerce in the third quarter of 2017,” said Mutandagayi.

ZB’s financial statements for the six months to June 30, 2017, which were released this week, show that the financial institution posted a 38 percent increase in profit to $8,17 million from $5,94 million the previous comparative period.

Revenue went up 17 percent up to $34,47 million  from $29,39 million recorded in the previous half year period.

Total expenses during the period under review increased by 10 percent to $23,92 million, from $21, 83 million during previous half year period due to increased business acquisition costs and  amortisation of investment in technologies.

Total assets went down by two percent during the period under review to $430,8 million from $439,3 million in 2016 due to a decrease in cash and cash equivalent balances sue to cash shortages.

Treasury Bills went down one percent to $117,2 million during the period under review from $118,6 million during the same period the previous year as short-term instruments matured.

Deposits in the bank went down by six percent to $259,8 million, from $275,3 million in 2016.

The group’s non-interest income ratio went up to 77 percent during the period under review compared to 68 percent during the same period the previous year.

The net interest income ratio went down to 23 percent during the review period, from 32 percent in the first half of the previous year.

Cost to income ratio improved to 69 percent during the period under review, from 74 percent reported in previous year due to improved revenue outturn.

Liquidity ratio was 72 percent from 75 percent. The minimum regulatory requirement is 30 percent.

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HARARE - The revival of the National Railways of Zimbabwe will help boost the country’s ailing economy through increased traffic, Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG) has said.

DIDG, together with its South African partners, Transnet, this week emerged winners of the NRZ $400 million recapitalisation tender.

The group’s executive chairperson, Donovan Chimhandamba, told businessdaily that Zimbabwe has the potential to become an economic hub in southern Africa through the efficient use of its railway network.

“If we can modernise our rail, water, road and airports infrastructure, we can radically reduce the cost of doing business not only for Zimbabwe, but for the entire region,” he said in an interview.

“We are particularly interested in NRZ because if that rail system is working, the biggest market that requires such infrastructure includes the mining, agricultural and fuels industry in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Chimhandamba added.

NRZ, which at its peak employed about 20 000 workers and moved 18 million tonnes of freight annually, is currently struggling to pay more than 5 700 workers and refurbish locomotives due to lack of capital.

The State-owned firm needs at least $2 billion in the long-term to restore full viability and $400 million in the short-term to modernise its archaic locomotives and rail network system and infrastructure that is dilapidating due to years of neglect.

NRZ has 168 locomotives, of which 64 are serviceable and 7 255 wagons, 3 467 of which are operational, while the rest are in various stages of decay.

This has resulted in its carrying capacity falling from 9,5 million tonnes in early 2000 to 3,4 million tonnes in 2015, putting the government’s efforts to turn around the economy in jeopardy.

Chimhandamba said Zimbabweans living abroad must come together and invest in various sectors of the economy to ensure that the country keeps up with growth in regional economies.

“When you look at the regional infrastructure, it is absolutely clear that due to lack of investment into NRZ, Zimbabwe’s rail infrastructure has lagged significantly. This has led to numerous infrastructure projects being developed around the country to effectively by-pass Zimbabwe,” he said.

A recent report released by the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare portfolio committee noted that there was urgent need for government to find effective long-term solutions to reverse the downturn at NRZ.

“The government should assist NRZ in its recapitalisation drive by guaranteeing the loan implementation on recommendations of the auditor-general’s narrative report on State enterprises and parastatals of 2014.

“These include regular review of monthly bank reconciliation statements and evaluation of investment properties to guard against fraud,” read part of the report.

NRZ, the report added, should modernise its old equipment which created high maintenance costs that results in uncompetitive pricing and services as compared to road transport.

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HARARE - The recurrence of avian flu, a lethal chicken virus which has been reported, for the second time, at one of the farms belonging to the country’s largest poultry producer Irvine’s, should be a major concern to  all of us.

There is widespread panic among ordinary citizens and also anxiety among large-scale poultry breeders and small-scale chicken growers.

This is understandable given the way government has so far been treating this issue.

If it’s a strategy to try and contain panic, it’s not working.

By now, we should have expected the government, through the Agriculture ministry, to have made public its action plan to allay the fears among the small scale growers and consumers who have been flooded with fake news about this deadly virus.

Carefully-managed bulletins that have been released by the Department of Veterinary Services so far have not really inspired confidence as they have served to tie those affected to its findings and pace in dealing with the avian flu problem.

This is really disconcerting because the strategy has created widespread panic among consumers who are getting conflicting information on the virus and its impact on their daily lives.

For example, messages warning people with relatives rearing chickens in the rural areas are being warned not to eat or sell those chickens when it is clear that so far, the problem has been confined to the  areas where there has been this outbreak, and it is in Harare!

But for gullible and stressed ordinary folk, this fake news is being treated as true largely because of the poor awareness and public information management by government.

It is indeed the general expectation that government plays a crucial and leading role in educating critical stakeholders and the public on how it is dealing with the problems created by the avian flu virus.

People need to know whether this disease is harmful to them, how widespread is it, how it is spread, is it possible that they can be exposed to infected meat as a result of buying live chickens from roadside vendors?

They also need to be told whether the chicken they are eating from the fastfood outlets is safe.

So, in the absence of this information, the government is leaving both consumers and business at the mercy of purveyors of false news.

The avian flu outbreak has not been confined to Zimbabwe. It has hit big countries in Europe and here in southern Africa, South Africa has had to cull 80 000 birds at it battled the virus.

Our very own biggest producer, Irvine’s has, from the last June figures, killed 140 000 birds while experiencing the pressure of having to contend with a huge market deficit in terms of day-old-chicks.

It is not the problem of Irvine’s or any poultry producer that there is this stubborn avian flu virus.

However, the attitude from government appears to portray the situation as a problem specific to Irvine’s yet it is one that affects everyone.

Already, there is a serious shortage of eggs and chicken in shops and this is against a background of declining production of eggs.

Figures from the Poultry Association of Zimbabwe show that total egg production in the first quarter of 2017 is estimated to have declined to 3,6 million dozen from 4,7 million dozen in the same period in 2016, largely due to disinvestment by small-scale producers in table egg production.

And now in light of this avian flu problem, things could get worse before they improve.

It is important to note that Irvine’s, as the biggest supplier of day-old-chicks is faced with a humongous problem of trying to import eggs for its hatchery to produce day-old-chicks.

This task is made Herculean when one considers the biting shortages of foreign currency.

The longer the problem of Avian Flu persists, the bigger the market deficit.

And the longer the crisis of foreign currency persists, the more we are deprived of protein from chicken which has overtaken beef as the main source of that protein due to its price competitiveness.

It is only fair to say government needs to step in and treat this problem not as an Irvine’s problem but a national one which needs swift response before the situation spirals out of control.

There is significant damage that has been already caused.

Lest we forget: the memories of government dithering when the country was hit by cholera in 2008 are still very fresh.

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HARARE - Electricity tariff hikes will only be effected once the review of Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC)’s supply capacity is completed, the energy industry regulator said.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) chief executive Gloria Magombo said power utilities must first prove they can sustainably and effectively supply electricity.|

This comes as Sadc Energy ministers have encouraged power utilities to have cost reflective tariffs by 2019.

ZETDC has applied for an upward review of electricity tariffs by 49 percent from the current 9.86cents/kWh to 14.69cents/kWh.

“Electricity tariff increases will only be considered subject to the effectiveness survey being conducted by ZETDC,” Magombo said.

Last year, Zera board chairperson, Ester Khosa, said the decision to retain the current tariffs was reached after extensive consultations with various stakeholders.

She said among some of the considerations was the need for utilities to improve efficiency levels, as well as implement cost-cutting measures.

“As a way forward, in terms of addressing the stakeholders’ concerns, Zera will be engaging an international consultant to examine the underlying cost structures of the utilities and recommend potential areas of cost savings and efficiency improvements. This is key to ensuring security of supply given the increased cost of supply due to changes in the energy mix. Furthermore, there is need to reprioritise new projects, improve revenue collection given the high levels of debt and reduce losses.”

“The engagement of a consultant is in line with Sections 4(b) and (g) of the Energy Regulatory Authority  Act, which provides for the Authority’s mandate to create and promote an efficient energy industry as well  as effective competition, respectively,” Khosa said.

The cost reflective tariff reflects the true cost of supplying power and removes reliance on government subsidies as is currently prevailing.

Countries in the region such as Botswana and Zambia have already approved tariff increases of 7,5 and 75 percent respectively, while South Africa is proposing a 20 percent hike for 2018.

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HARARE - The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has condemned the rent-a-chair practice — popular in hair salons — which hard-pressed lawyers have turned to, as they struggle to raise money to pay for practicing certificates.

According to LSZ, of the 3 000 lawyers registered with the High Court, only 1 500 acquired practicing certificates — a prerequisite to operate legally — from the organisation this year.

However, not all of the 1 500 lawyers without practicing certificates are rogue lawyers, as some are said to be attached to civil service, corporate and other sectors.

Practicing certificates are acquired annually at a $750 fee, with most law firms committing to pay for their employees.

Lawyers that spoke to the Daily News on condition of anonymity claimed that they were struggling to raise the practicing certificate fees because business had gone down owing to prevailing economic situation.

“Sometimes you actually rejoice when your matter is set before a magistrate you are familiar with because you will not be asked for a practicing certificate.

“The thing is these days we are struggling to raise that money as there are also workshops that must be attended to qualify for the practicing certificate,” one of the lawyers said.

“People no longer afford to hire lawyers and we have even reduced on what we charge to represent a person or else you will not make income.”

LSZ president Misheck Hogwe castigated the mushrooming rent-a-chair lawyers, arguing it was difficult to assess their conduct and performance since they would not have acquired practicing certificates from them.

“A lawyer has to operate from a premises registered with LSZ and for one to set up a law firm, compulsory pupillage is a prerequisite.

“It’s a form of training a lawyer undergoes before writing exams at the end of the programme before you can eligible to set a firm…then identify the premises and satisfy us that there is enough equipment,” he said.

“In terms of the Legal Practice Act, no lawyer without a practicing certificate from LSZ should practice. What it means is that no judge or magistrate should entertain such a lawyer, they are bogus.

“We do not allow the rent-a-chair practice where some lawyers purport to join a law firm and pay some premium to enable their practice.

“It is unethical and a very dishonourable conduct. It means that there are no checks and balances as there is no proper grooming for the lawyers. Normally when there are suspicions of such practice we conduct a spot audit.”

Hogwe said registered law firms ensured that their members attained all the required documentation before commencing practice.

“In the normal process, when a lawyer employs a professional assistant they become responsible for acquiring that practitioner’s practicing certificate and it is $750 per annum.

“If a law firm cannot pay, then they should not employ because it would be like employing a driver without the car.”

He urged members of the public to demand to see practicing certificates whenever they deal with lawyers to avoid being duped by some bogus practitioners.

“We normally publish names of deregistered lawyers and those without practicing certificates so that they are aware of the people they will be dealing with. It is in the public interest. Our profession is about integrity and everyone has to feel safe in the hands of the lawyers,” Hogwe said.

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HARARE - Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited (EWZL) has moved to reassure customers of its popular EcoCash service regarding the planned maintenance work it has scheduled to carry out over the Heroes holiday weekend.

Econet this week announced that the company planned to carry out scheduled maintenance work on its mobile money transfer platform from 10pm on Saturday night up to 2pm the following day.

EWZL’s chief executive officer, Douglas Mboweni, said the scheduled maintenance work would optimise the EcoCash platform to handle increased volumes of transactions in the coming months in light of the increased adoption of fintech (Finance and Technology) services and ahead of the busy festive season.

“This is scheduled work we are carrying out on the EcoCash platform. Apart from the EcoCash system, we routinely carry out maintenance and upgrade work on our various network platforms to ensure optimal, robust performance and to guarantee career-grade stability on our platforms”, Mboweni said.

As the country’s cash challenges persist, the volume of EcoCash and electronic bank transactions have shot up by close to 80 percent over the past 18 months.

EcoCash’s general manager, Natalie Jabangwe, confirmed that the maintenance work would position the platform to handle more customers and more transactions going forward.

“The system optimisation is meant to enhance the system’s performance and improve the customer experience”, said Jabangwe, adding that the decision to carry out the maintenance work was made months back, and that the company settled for the weekend of a public holiday to minimise any inconvenience the maintenance work might cause to both their business and consumer customers.

“The timing is all to do with trying to minimise any disruption this vital work might cause to our valued customers, merchants and business partners,” said Jabangwe, who reiterated that the maintenance work would last for a maximum 16 hours, between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

EcoCash is the largest mobile money transacting platform among Zimbabwe’s three mobile operators and is currently connected to 10 banks in the country.

Its volume of transactions has grown rapidly over the past two years on the back of liquidity challenges in Zimbabwe and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s deliberate drive to promote electronic transactions and to achieve financial inclusion among the previously unbanked.

Ahead of the maintenance work on Saturday night, Jabangwe called on EcoCash users to carry out any urgent transactions they need to make before Saturday evening or after Sunday afternoon to avoid any inconvenience.

“We are encouraging our customers to make any critical transactions, such as paying for their electricity token, airtime, buying fuel, groceries and so forth, before Saturday night or after Sunday afternoon.”

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HARARE - The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is set to establish a central registry to avoid prospective borrowers from using the same asset for multiple loans under the Movable Property Security Interests Act.

This comes as the Movable Property Security Interests Bill, which seeks to provide for movable property such as goats and cows to be used as security for the purpose of obtaining loans, came into law last week. 

“This is a major initiative for the country,” RBZ deputy governor Jesimen Chipika said yesterday on the side-lines of a cross-border traders meeting with central bank officials.

“At central bank level, we are establishing a collateral registry where if someone approaches their bank they can use their movable assets. They just agree with the bank that I have my cows.

“And if the bank is satisfied that this moveable asset is there and can cover the loan being asked for, they come to the central bank and then the asset is registered in the collateral registry in the central bank.”

The movable assets include any tangible property such as motor vehicles, jewellery, equipment and machinery, household goods and livestock, among others.

Chipika added: “We do this so that if you ask for a loan using one asset, you cannot use it again to pledge for another loan elsewhere, thereby safeguarding the integrity of our financial sector as we are opening up financial access to our people.”

Meanwhile, the RBZ-owned Homelink said the $15 million loan scheme availed to cross border traders early this year has begun benefiting thousands of cross-boarder traders.

This comes as government moves to cushion the informal traders against cash shortages that had given room for parallel market activities.

Cross-Border Traders Association president Killer Zivhu, who brokered the deal, said the facility has been assisting in stemming externalisation and encouraged more cross border traders to take up the scheme.

“Many Zimbabweans have a wait a see attitude, especially when we are coming to elections.

“They think it’s an election gimmick but many are benefiting from this programme,” Zivhu said.

He added that the coming into law of the Movable Property Security Interests Bill would aid cross-border traders who were finding it difficult to access loans without pay slips or guarantors.

Zivhu said there were vast opportunities for the traders, who could become a vehicle to boost the country’s exports.

“We will soon dispatch some of our members to Germany, Angola and many other places to explore export opportunities. This has nothing to do with politics. It’s money unveiled by RBZ. Let’s come and work for our children.

“So many people are benefiting from this project. To go on these trips you just have to come with your papers and you can be on that trip. You just have to be Zimbabwean,” he said.

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HARARE - The recruitment of a new Harare City Council director of works has been delayed as applicants could not make the grade for the top job.

Council human capital director Cainos Chingombe said a report compiled by acting town clerk Josephine Ncube indicated that there was need to re-advertise the position, which they wanted to be filled internally.

Current works director Phillip Pfukwa has been on a yearly contract with council following expiry of his contract in 2015.

His renewed contract lapsed on July 31, this year.

“50 applications had been received from which 10 candidates had been short-listed. However, interviews could not proceed due to quality observations that had been made regarding the shortlisted candidates. Some of the candidates lacked the requisite qualifications and maturity needed for the position,” Chingombe said.

He said Pfukwa would be playing an oversight role in the department while management resolved the recruitment challenges.

Human resources committee chairperson Wellington Chikombo said Pfukwa had been retained because of his immense experience in the field.

Chikombo said the engineer had been tasked with grooming his subordinates.

“He is endowed with institutional memory and is a granary of knowledge. As a way of creating continuity and avoidance of vacuum, we penned annually-based contracts. You cannot make a trial and error when it comes to provision of water,” he said.

He added that since the rationalisation exercise of 2014 that saw departments and their heads being cut, the city now has a total staff complement of  7 342.

Chikombo, however, said because their establishments requires 9 721 employees, Harare has a vacancy of 2 039 employees.

The human resources committee chairperson said despite the downsizing, service delivery has not been compromised.

“The brutal truth is that the city of Harare is the capital which unfortunately has companies closing down, unemployment hovering above 80 percent, hunger, deprivation and people ridden with disease.

“The accusation that service delivery has collapsed seems quite naïve because one cannot expect local authorities to perform well when central government itself is drowning in perpetual deflation,” he said.

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HARARE - Suspended Masvingo Zanu PF members are seeking their reinstatement, arguing they will win their case as they are facing the same charges with party political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who is now off the hook.

Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, deputy provincial chairperson Amasa Nenjana, who was suspended more than two months ago on factionalism allegations together with provincial political commissar Jappy Jaboon, said the province’s party bigwigs must lift the suspensions.

Zanu PF has two distinct factions: G40, which reportedly enjoys the support of First Lady Grace Mugabe and the Lacoste one, which is sympathetic to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Fierce factional fights in the volatile Masvingo province led to Jaboon and Nenjana’s suspensions by the provincial executive.

But the two insist the meeting which resolved to fire them was unconstitutional.

Nenjana was fired without charge and replaced by Ailess Baloyi, who now doubles as the secretary for administration.

Jevas Masosota was appointed acting provincial commissar to replace Jaboon, who is Bikita South MP.

Both Baloyi and Masosota are from Chiredzi.

“They don’t want to listen to national leadership. They laid charges which were similar to political commissar… Kasukuwere, but as the first lady said, these are false and cooked up charges. Now, as for me, I remain as the provincial vice chairperson of the party. Baloyi is the chairperson of their group and I am the vice chairperson of the party,” Nenjana told the Daily News yesterday.  

“We are going to elections and some people are busy destroying the party, they created false charges against commissar Kasukuwere and the party discovered that their allegations were false. This is high time the party unites and they must know that our suspensions are now null and void.”

Recently, Kasukuwere, who has been facing a slew of charges — including setting up parallel structures to topple President Robert Mugabe — was exonerated by Grace at a youth interface rally in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province.

In the past months, he was subjected to fierce criticism, including demonstrations from the party’s provinces, with party members calling for his ejection or resignation.

The all-powerful first lady said that the same trick that was used to push out her former deputy in the women’s league, Eunice Sandi Moyo and treasurer Sarah Mahoka, was being used against Kasukuwere.

“After the issue of Sandi and Mahoka, people used that to victimise Kasukuwere, they thought that if the president allowed his wife to remove Mahoka and (Sandi) Moyo, they will do the same. They mobilised people to demonstrate against Kasukuwere claiming he wanted to remove the president.

“This is not true, do you think Kasukuwere and his brothers can remove Mugabe — they are only three, do you think that is possible? Toda kutaurirana chokwadi, chokwadi ngachichibuda izvozvi iko kamukomana ikaka, nyangwe une zidumbu hako simuka iwe muri vaviri imimi kubvisa mudhara ane zimhomho rakadai  iri, chokwadi ngachibude izvozvi (Kasukuwere is very small he cannot remove Mugabe even though he has a big belly, he is still a young man).

After Moyo and Mahoka’s expulsion, there were similar countrywide demonstrations against Kasukuwere, with his enemies demanding his head on a platter.

However, Kasukuwere accused the rival Team Lacoste faction of having hijacked a purely women’s league event to perpetrate its agenda.

In the end, nine out of 10 provinces passed votes of no confidence against him and a probe team led by National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda was dispatched to investigate the allegations that the Mt Darwin legislator had set up parallel structures.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has claimed that he assisted the First Family in facilitating the relocation of Bona Mugabe to Hong Kong after she was deported from Australia.

Bona was deported from Australia in 2008 and went on to study at City University in Hong Kong.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Mutsvangwa said he is different from Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo who do not care about the first family.

“They have no respect for the family structure and we Zimbabweans we are very particular with respecting the family structure. Zimbabweans are offended by the G40. They (G40) can’t even help the first family, as their friends, to control their kids. They are preoccupied by fighting vice presidents, fighting war veterans,” Mutsvangwa said.

“This is a true story. This other day, the president (Robert Mugabe) was talking about . . .  five to six children of the most prominent politicians who were being kicked out of schools in Western countries, among those who were being kicked out was a child of the president of Zimbabwe called Bona. She was kicked out of Australia.

“I was the ambassador in Beijing, she was being taught in an English environment in Australia . . . When she was kicked out, together with (former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon) Gono and (former Labour minister Nicholas) Goche’s children.

“They were thinking of taking her to Singapore. I said Singapore’s national intelligence is controlled by the Americans and I suggested and appealed to the Chinese so that Bona goes to Hong Kong, they speak English but the national security is controlled by China because Hong Kong is part of China. That’s how I managed to secure a place for her. That’s how she managed to become what she is today,” Mutsvangwa said.

“That’s what friends do. Kasukuwere and Jonathan want the mother. They don’t want to help the family,” he added.

Mutsvangwa further said Bona “is the only level-headed child of the president”.

He said Kasukuwere and Moyo were now destroying Mugabe’s legacy.

“Kasukuwere and Moyo are destroying the legacy of the president. Moyo is trying to rewrite the history of the liberation struggle.

“On this other day, the president claims that he received me in Chimoio. I said why Mr president, why do you change history like that? I am the one who received him in Chimoio. The president was starving, the president had no shoes, his suits were torn, he was trying to listen to the radio, he was joining batteries until they were long like my hands, by then he could not buy batteries, this is real. He was not part of the resumption of the war in 1975.”

“The Mgagao comrades made him the president, now you are saying you don’t want guns, but they made you. You use a ladder to ascend and when you are at the top you push off that ladder. One day you will want to descent, you will have problems because the ladder will be not there,” Mutsvangwa said.

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