HARARE - The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing recently held a national “Local Government Investment Conference’’ which it conveniently dubbed with a catchy acronym, Logic.

According to the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe’s (UCAZ) organising committee for the event, the theme was ‘‘Local Government: Promoting Investment and Industrialisation for Socio-economic Development.’’

The underpinning “logic’’ of the conference was as its title suggested, ‘‘investment’’.  And this, from a very corporatist (World Bank) perspective.

This was evidenced by the announced themes of the conference which included, “embracing the ease of doing business’’, “investment opportunities in urban local authorities’’, “SME’s as engines for local economic growth’’ and ‘‘gender mainstreaming in promoting investment for socio-economic development’’.

I am sure a myriad of other types of ‘‘investments’’ were discussed under the pretext of the much vaunted but clearly private-profit motivated ‘‘public private partnerships’’( PPPs).

Judging from the key note speaker’s address, the most keenly followed type was that in housing or property ownership.

Even though Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa called for a stop to what he referred to as ‘‘land barons’’, he would know all too well why the former are the greatest investment that local governments (urban and rural districts, including some chieftancies) are in most cases conveniently accepting despite allegations of corruption.

This is largely because of downright greed and distribution of political patronage.

More significantly it is because ever since the Fast Track Land Reform programme, farmland in close proximity to urban or peri-urban has become easy money for those that are politically connected. 

Or in some cases, as evidenced by the developments in Mazowe district, those at the highest levels of political power can convert vast tracts of land, ostensibly with the State’s permission, into an orphanage, animal park and as announced recently, a university.

All this while conveniently close to some more former agricultural land, once controlled by a rural district council, that will be converted to national government use due to the pending re-location of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

What we essentially have, even under the guise of “orderly investment” as being prescribed by ‘‘Logic’’, is a ‘‘smash, grab, own and profit’’ privatisation of public capital.

And they are not hiding it. All the while taking a cue from what’s happening at the national level with the ongoing privatisation of electricity/energy, national health services, education, transport as well as land.

So local government is essentially a ‘‘share of the spoils’’ of those that would leverage public capital for private profit.

The main reason for this and why this trend has emerged and continues to do so is that the ruling and opposition parties clearly function from the same neo-liberal and private wealth accrual template.

The ruling party as the one that oversees local government and the mainstream opposition MDC as that which controls a majority of urban councils.

Furthermore, the fact that civil society while being aware and in part fighting against corruption in local authorities, has not put up a clear counter-ideological narrative to neo-liberalism ala-carte Zanu Pf.

Not necessarily because they cannot mount cogent arguments for alternatives such as democracy or democratic socialism.

They can but they will not for reason that vary from fear of loss of funding or not really wanting to ruffle the feathers of private capital.

The end effect of these approaches to local government is that there is no social and economic justice for a majority of poor Zimbabweans.

It will not only be government extracting from them through rates and taxes, but private companies that receive tenders to supply pre-paid machines for water as well as those that win opaque land development tenders even if the State-owned Urban Development Corporation claims that it is overall in charge of the same.

At the moment, there is little or no democratic public interest in the way our local government is being run.

Even if State and private capital collude under hollow sounding acronyms such as “Logic”.

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HARARE - Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa had to be airlifted to South Africa last week to receive urgent medical assistance following suspected food poisoning.

Mnangagwa fell ill in Gwanda, where he was attending President Robert Mugabe’s sixth youth interface meeting. He initially received medical attention at Claybank and Thornhill hospitals, before it was felt he needed to be airlifted to South Africa to get the best medical care.

Mnangagwa is not the only Zimbabwean politician to seek sanctuary in foreign hospitals. It is now standard practice for the elite in Zanu PF and Mugabe’s government to spent the elusive greenbacks seeking medical care in the region and offshore because they have no longer trust local hospitals.

In the process, Zimbabwe is rendered poorer because this is money that could have been spent locally to assuage a crippling foreign currency crisis gripping the country’s economy.

Even members of the opposition parties, including MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, have joined the bandwagon because the health delivery system in Zimbabwe now resembles a death trap.

While the well-to-do in our midst are escaping the dire conditions in our local hospitals, those who cannot afford these expensive medical trips beyond the country’s borders — and they happen to be the majority of Zimbabweans — are putting up with depressing conditions in our health delivery system.

Several people have died even from treatable conditions because they cannot access basic drugs, while others succumb to their sickness before being attended to, having failed to raise the consultation fees.

Zimbabwe used to have arguably the best healthcare system on the continent until something went terribly wrong in the early to mid 1990s.

A combination of populist policies, economic mismanagement, as well as their intended and unintended consequences conspired to rob the health sector of its shine. For many years, government has entertained the false notion that it can give Zimbabweans access to public health at close to next to nothing without following its generosity with structured investments into the sector to keep up the standards. And when the sector started buckling in, government has not accepted responsibility for its poor policies.

The result has been the loss of skill to the Diaspora, the decline in donor funding and the calamitous collapse in public health institutions.

It would be unfair to blame Tsvangirai and other members of the opposition for seeking medical help outside the country’s borders because the situation is not of their making, although Zanu PF often accuse them of inviting sanctions — cited by Mugabe and his party as having triggered the on-going economic crisis.

Having said that, the elite in Zanu PF must be ashamed for insulating themselves from a crisis they have created, while exposing the millions of ordinary Zimbabweans to terrible conditions in the health delivery sector.

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HARARE - The Primary and Secondary Education ministry is inviting bids for the construction of 117 schools.

Zimbabwe is currently saddled with a deficit of 2 056 schools.

Cabinet in August 2015 directed the Primary and Secondary Education ministry to start construction of 100 schools before that year ended but no school has been built yet.

“You would appreciate that in 2013 there was a survey which showed that we had a deficit of 2 056 schools,” Sylvia Utete-Masango, Primary and Secondary Education ministry permanent secretary said yesterday.

“We were able to get investment partners and through the Opec Fund (for International Development), we will be constructing 17 schools.

“Then there is the joint venture with the Infrastructure Development Bank whose first phase will see the construction of 100 schools.”

The Opec Fund for International Development involves a $20 million grant loan facility expected to be repaid in over 15 years, with a five-year grace period.

The Lazarus Dokora-led ministry last week flighted an advert inviting registered contractors, who were interested in building the schools, to submit expression of interest documents to the ministry’s offices in Harare.

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HARARE - Hotel operators in Victoria Falls are reporting a better-than-expected half year profit and raising their earnings forecast for the year, helped by a boost in business travel following a recently commissioned $150 million international airport.

This comes after Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airways in April introduced direct flights to Victoria Falls from Nairobi and Addis Ababa respectively, attracting increased air traffic.

South African Airways introduced its new Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the Johannesburg-Victoria Falls route after the upgrading.

On the other hand, Rwandan Airlines, which introduced the Kigali-Harare direct flights in April and the Turkish Airlines have indicated that they might soon be flying into the newly-refurbished Victoria Falls International Airport.

Ross Kennedy, chief executive of Africa Albida Tourism — a leading Zimbabwean hospitality group — said room occupancies in Victoria Falls for the six months ended June 30 had seen an increase of 25,4 percent over the same period in 2016. 

This equates to close to 19 000 additional rooms sold over that period by 10 hotels, which together have 1 125 rooms and measure arrivals monthly.

The feedback in Victoria Falls shows that this same trend is also evident across the rest of the sector, which represents a further 700 rooms.

The positive impact of these rising numbers on the local economy and the tourism sector is substantial, and very welcome after many difficult years, added Kennedy.

Key to the uplift in tourist arrivals is the new Victoria Falls Airport, which is already playing a major role in the tourist town, with the new airlines, new routes and increased flight capacity from existing carriers all adding to the growing momentum that is so clearly evident across the destination.

Margaret Kinsman, BAComair international sales and interline manager, said the airline is operating larger aircraft on the Joburg-Vic Falls route, and over the coming months will be offering double daily flights on several days of the week.

The BAComair daily schedule is operated by a B737-800 aircraft, which accommodates 162 passengers in a business and economy configuration. Between July and November 2017, three additional flights per week have been scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using a B737-400 which accommodates 150 passengers. The airline is also licensed to operate these three additional services per week year-round as required, should there be demand, added Kinsman.

South African Airways is operating an Airbus A330-200 with 222 seats, which is 88 seats more than their previous aircraft capacity.

In addition, Ethiopian Airways and Kenya Airways, link Victoria Falls to North and East Africa. Both airlines have their own hubs and networks for better connections and packaging.

Kenya Airways flies from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, creating a much-needed route linking the three iconic African destinations of Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Kilimanjaro.

The latest arrivals into Victoria Falls Airport are SA Airlink, plying the Cape Town to Victoria Falls route six days a week, and Fastjet, which has now added Johannesburg to Victoria Falls three times a week to their schedule.

In the domestic air space, Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet are now both operating seven days a week, which has been a boost for domestic tourism.

According to Kennedy, new businesses are opening across the industry in the region,with new lodges, hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, and new activities, all of which combine to enhance the draw of the destination, which is a hub for Hwange, Matobo Hills, the rest of Zimbabwe and the KAZA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) region.

KAZA, which is made up of five southern African countries, boasts some of the most pristine and diverse wildlife areas left on the planet.

With both Kasane and Livingstone Airports also having been recently upgraded, the three airports can now handle three million passengers per year between them, and so make this hub, the power house of the KAZA region’s tourism growth.

According to Kennedy, forecasts for July to December 2017 show even more growth, with major South Africa-based DMCs reporting high demand for the region for 2018 and 2019.

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BULAWAYO - A fearless Bulawayo-based independent candidate, Vimbainashe Musvaburi, who is a nurse by profession, has challenged long ruling President Robert Mugabe to step down, arguing he is too old to continue running the country.

Musvaburi, who recently announced her candidature for the Bulawayo South seat, becomes the second woman to take up the challenge ahead of next year’s elections, after Harare-based Fadzai Mahere.

The 35-year-old mother of two strongly feels Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, has overstayed his welcome.

“Mugabe and his Zanu PF have to go,” said Musvaburi, who has been domiciled in the United Kingdom for almost 10 years.

“It’s not an emotional game but the truth, Zanu PF has got to go. That’s the only thing. Mugabe is 93. He needs to rest, we are not even talking about his capabilities of ruling but it’s not ideal for any 93-year-old to continue doing anything even standing up at home to go to the toilet, I mean ideally, he should be comfortably seated in a chair, like the one he got,” she said.

Musvaburi also took a swipe at Zanu PF hardliners whom she accused of benefiting from Mugabe’s lengthy rule.

“It’s unfortunate that people around him are allowing Mugabe to continue... It shows these people are benefiting from his presence but if you say you love him so much as they always want us to believe, why you don’t allow the man to rest?,” she questioned.

Asked how she gathered the courage to wade into the hotly contested political arena, Musvaburi said: “I am not scared of anyone and I will not be scared. I am doing this for the future of our children, being scared of dying is not an option because they are killing us already.”

Meanwhile, Musvaburi gave a thumps up to the MDC alliance, an initiative she said was a step ahead in bringing change in Zimbabwe.

“That was a great move because what we need as Zimbabweans is change regardless of political affiliation, we are coming together and we want one thing which is change.”

Mphoko’s externalisation case drags on

A CASE in which former operations manager at Bulk Cash and Carry Wholesalers implicated Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko in the externalisation of millions of dollars involving Pakistan businessman Imran Shahzad seems to be taking too long to be heard.

In an affidavit in possession of the Southern News signed on February 17, 2017 at Bulawayo Central District Police headquarters, the former manager Oga Chafausipo, 51, sought to expose the alleged shady deals that were taking place at the wholesale company situated along Basch Street and Khami Road in the city during his time at the company.

Chafausipo who worked for 16 years at the company claims that the company is involved in externalisation of funds, smuggling of goods, evading of tax and sale of substandard or expired goods. As a result he implicated Mphoko for allegedly taking a “protection fee”.

“Recently one of the politicians namely George Mlala, (member of the) Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association council of elders is also blindly assisting the company to perpetuate its illicit activities.

“I have it on good authority that Mlala was recently paid $35 000 for onward transmission to... Mphoko for the sole purpose of no interference or protection of the company,” Chafausipo claimed.

The former manager also added that he also witnessed first-hand on two separate occasions how over $8 million was separately externalised by his former boss.

Police have confirmed handling the matter which they feel is high profile, hence needs time to investigate.

However, it’s almost six months now and no action has been taken so far regarding bringing the matter to the courts of law.

In his own words, Chafausipo told the Southern News that while he has been to high offices that he thought were relevant in his case, nothing to date has materialised.

“I have been engaging the police and I have spoken even to the Propol, I engaged the CID, including Zimra and they are aware of my case but surprisingly I am still to hear from them,” Chafausipo said.

Legal experts who spoke to this paper yesterday seemed to highlight some intricacies surrounding the matter.

Veteran legal practitioner Brighton Ndove said the challenge was that the law does not prescribe a reasonable duration within which police investigations should be completed.

“This is the case especially in matters where no personal right to liberty is under threat. So ideally it is difficult to accuse the police of delaying investigations unless there are positive pointers that the police are deliberately frustrating the process of investigations in which event the complainant can, in my view, approach the Constitutional Court to enforce his or her rights to protection of the law as is enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Ndove said.

He added: “It must also be emphasised that the ZRP is an independent board that must not be operating under anyone’s directions although they normally respect lawful directives from the Prosecutor General and the courts in matters that would have been taken to such institutions of the State.”

Another legal expert Dumisani Dube said it was complex matter.

“I think since there is talk of externalisation of funds the investigation will involve RBZ exchange control in Zimbabwe and regulatory bodies in Botswana,” Dube said.

“However, police commercial crimes unit does not have expertise in these sorts of issues. Consider also names implicated, there is a lot of clearances needed from higher offices for junior officers,” he said.

Dube also noted the need for evidence gathering, need to obtain documentary evidence from all parties implicated through search warrants which he said might take a while.

“However, I don’t think evidence so far gathered warrants the matter to be taken to court; it’s mostly hearsay from a disgruntled former employee who is also an accomplice.

“In the absence of any independent credible third party evidence there is no case to talk about for now.”

However, Affirmative Action Group regional president Reginald Shoko challenged Chafausipo to appeal to the ministry of Home Affairs if he felt he was getting a raw deal from the law enforcers.

“I think the former manager has an option of taking the matter up with the minister if he feels there are unnecessary delays.”

ZANU PF supporters who turned out in their numbers as part of the on-going Zanu PF youth interface rallies had a nightmarish afternoon at Pelandaba Stadium, as venue of the rally, was turned into a ‘‘mini jail” by the police.

In comical events witnessed by the Southern News crew, firstly it was the delay to start that seemed to have agitated those who were in attendance and secondly it was the denial to leave the stadium during President Robert Mugabe’s speech.

As early as 9am, people mostly those who were bussed from different provinces as well as those from Gwanda town and its hinterland had thronged the venue.

But Mugabe took long to arrive at the venue for unclear reasons forcing the impatient ones who tried to find their way out — something which appeared a taboo as police ordered them to go back.

While that was not largely contested, it was when Mugabe finally came when he started making historical narrations in a typical story telling manner that some felt was boring and pointless.

Half way into his speech, the supporters who at one point were seated rose to their feet with many preferring to chat among themselves than to listen to the rumbling leader.

As result, some started heading towards the gate before the police were given orders that no one should be allowed to leave the stadium.

Realising that the matter was likely to get out of hand, a truck carrying riot police had to be called and parked right at the gate.

As Mugabe took long, the agitated supporters never gave up as they kept on pushing the police.

“I am on ART and I am diabetic so I should go and take my medication,” said one woman but the police would have none of it.

Some youths immediately warned the police that had it not been that they respected the president all hell was going to break loose since it was illogical to them, to be “jailed”.

A certain group of youths could be overhead saying, “there is nothing to listen, and it’s all history and history.”

For more than 45 minutes over hundreds of disillusioned supporters remained jerked by the gate in the stadium only to be allowed out after Mugabe had finished speaking.

Former deputy mayor in land wrangle

FORMER Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda has been sued for allegedly attempting to repossess land that he had sold to one Nkululeko Ndlovu.

This came after Ndlovu reportedly failed to pay the agreed money on time.

According to the summons filed this week at the High Court by Ndlovu’s legal representatives, Phulu and Ncube Legal practitioners, Banda’s move is not only described as illegal but null and void.

“The plaintiff claim is for a declaratur that the agreement of sale of an immovable property known as Landshare 23 stand no 14300 Selborne Brook, Bulawayo entered between the plaintiff and defendant was illegal and therefore void ab initio it being contrary to the agreement of plaintiff and the Bulawayo City Council which barred the disposal of the property in issue as it was done without the council’s consent,” reads part of the claim.

Alternatively, the claim also sought a declaratur that the agreement of sale of the property was also contrary to council by laws which bar the disposal of property in issue without council consent.

Banda was expelled in March this year from his post as deputy mayor after he was found guilty on charges of corruption and maladministration, part of which included using his position to grab land at Ascot in the city.

This was after the government through the ministry of Local government had appointed a Tribunal to investigate the affairs of the city following a public outcry over corruption and other allegations.

Banda has since appealed against his dismissal at the High Court.

New drug hits Bulawayo streets

A DANGEROUS and addictive drug called diazepam — popularly known as ‘‘dypapa’’ or ‘‘amangemba’’ in street lingo — has hit the streets of Bulawayo, with anti-drugs campaigners raising the red flag.

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and muscle spasms.

A survey by the Daily News this week indicated that the drug is now common among the desperate unemployed youths.

The Daily News also unearthed that the drugs were being peddled by mental outpatients, mostly from Ingutsheni Hospital.

The drug can only be bought from pharmacies using a prescription. But surprisingly, the drug abusers have to part ways with a $1 for 10 tablets from the traffickers.

The investigation led the Daily News team to Makokoba high density suburb where a woman in her mid-40s, who refused to speak to the paper, is reportedly selling the drugs.

The youths who spoke to this paper confirmed buying from the woman, only identified as MaNyoni.

According to Active Youth Zimbabwe (AYZ) study, which was recently conducted during their awareness campaigns at schools here in partnership with CID Drugs and Narcotics, young people between the ages of 11 to 18 were the most affected.

AYZ director Romeo Matshazi said their study as an institution has also revealed a sharp increase in drug abuse by the youths.

“There is a new drug called ‘dypapa’ and it’s really a cause for concern considering the rate at which youths are taking it up. It’s quite shocking. We have been on the ground trying to access the damage and I think there is an urgent need for all stakeholders to come together and address this. Its school holidays and the levels of peer pressure are very high,” he said.

“They consume drugs for fun and at the end, they become drug addicts. As an organisation, we are therefore striving to ensure that we have a drug-free society.”

United Families Trust (Unifam), an organisation meant to help mental patients, recently founded by eight nurses employed at Ingutsheni, led by Nhlanhla Ntini, confirmed the increase on the demand of diazepam.

“We have it on good authority that mental outpatients are the ones who are selling this drug mostly to the youths in the high density suburbs,” Ntini said.

“We understand that, they mix ‘dypapa’ with other drugs like mbanje, bronclear and sometimes they mix it with alcohol. But our research has just shown that these youths are doing this mostly on experimental basis and they need something that can take them to new levels of drunkenness,” he said.

He said normally, such abuses have led to some being hospitalised as mental patients.

“This is why as an organisation we have been trying to engage the youths through various educational programmes and sporting activities to make them understand the dangers of drug abuse,” Ntini said.

AYZ, however, said there was need to increase awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

“The solution is to reach out to the children and educate them on the impact of drug abuse on their education, health and future,” he said.

According to research, factors that contribute to children abusing drugs include a family history of substance use, depression, low self-esteem, influence by peers and the need to blend with others.

These factors eventually push the child to become an addict.

The 2012-2013 National Institute of Mental Health Report indicate that 75 percent of youth who were admitted at Ingutsheni Hospital was due to substance abuse or economic related.

Mandiwanzira imposes infrastructure sharing

INFORMATION Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira has banned mobile network operators from individually constructing new base station towers, arguing the move has not only been outlawed, but primitive.

Since last year, government has been urging wireless network operators to eliminate “unnecessary duplication of telecommunication infrastructure”, and share instead.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s largest telecoms company, has since agreed to share its infrastructure, as long as other players are prepared to foot maintenance costs on an equal basis.

Mandiwanzira told journalists in Bulawayo recently that infrastructure sharing is the way to go in modern society.

“You can no longer build your individual tower in this country...by law you are supposed to build one which takes up multiple operators,” he said.

Mandiwanzira said a consultative process involving all the operators, together with Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), agreed on the position regarding infrastructure sharing.

“Ultimately, they had a position and they submitted to me and we promulgated regulations in terms of infrastructure sharing, so by law, it is expected that there should be infrastructure sharing. Anyone building new towers in this country has to build a tower that can accommodate not less than three players,” he said.

Mandiwanzira said infrastructure sharing was not only limited to the three existing major mobile network operators — Econet, Telecel and government-run NetOne — but others telecoms players as well.

“When we talk about infrastructure sharing, we are not only talking about the three, because we don’t believe that they are the only ones who have the right to be doing business in telecoms.

“We feel that there are youngsters who have greater ideas who can use that infrastructure for a fee and set up their own networks that are known as mobile virtual operators and this is happening in South Africa,” he said.

Mandiwanzira added:  “So, the thinking around that argument is a little bit old in the sense that we have to move forward with new operators using the same infrastructure.”

The minister said infrastructure sharing was in line with global best practice and is cost effective.

“When I was appointed minister, I realised the way infrastructure in the telecoms sector was being employed was inefficient. There was a lot of duplication of infrastructure, which can actually be shared.

“In fact, the biggest networks have sold their infrastructure to infrastructure companies and then they sign what are called service level agreements that you will have to make sure that this infrastructure is working at this percentage availability,” Mandiwanzira said.

Society challenges govt on pro bono lawyers

THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has challenged government to review its policy on pro bono lawyers funding, as part of the efforts to ensure effective justice delivery system.

Government pulled away its funding about two decades ago.

A pro deo or pro bono lawyer is an attorney who undertakes voluntarily work without payment to those who are unable to afford.

Speaking in Bulawayo, LSZ executive secretary, Edward Mapara told the Daily News that some of their members who take pro bono cases were going through a hard time.

“While the system is there and is working, you will have to understand that initially the pro deo was funded by government, that is no longer happening because the minimum fee that was supposed to be paid to the lawyer is no longer coming,” he said.

“The lawyers are giving their services for free,” he bemoaned, adding that “over and above, the lawyers also incur expenses which are no longer being reimbursed”.

Pro bono lawyers are allocated cases by the High Court Registrar.

Mapara gave an example of the Hwange circuit, which he said the lawyers travel from Victoria Falls, about 100km away, to provide a service.

This, he said, did not also give adequate briefing time between the lawyer and the client, which eventually results in the lawyer failing to effectively represent his or her client.

Mapara said this did not only affect the effective delivery of justice, but also had a negative impact on the image of the legal practitioner.

“.…because of this distance, which no one is going to finance, we end up having to meet in limited time and certainly we cannot have adequate preparations. You then have a lawyer who is inadequately prepared and you think the fault is his or her yet it’s not.”

Due to that, Mapara challenged government to at least come up with a funding mechanism to save the situation.

“Therefore, my recommendation is, apart from coming up with a funding mechanism which at least will address the reimbursement for expenses, we also need a mechanism that allows lawyers to adequately have more time with their clients such that the lawyer can be able to build his defence and be able to contact on site inspection at the scenes of the crime and be able to build a credible defence outline.

“If you don’t have that, you certainly won’t give the best and this is a life and death issue, we still have the capital punishment. So if you are going to defend a person who will face capital punishment and should he/she be convicted, I think it’s only fair to give it your all,” he said.

HARARE - The Division of Veterinary Services has imposed strict controls on the operation of veterinary laboratories in new regulations under the Animal Health Act.

This comes after the Council of Veterinary Surgeons of Zimbabwe (CVSZ) has warned Zimbabweans to be on the lookout for bogus veterinary surgeons who are practising under the name of registered veterinary surgeons.

Most were neither qualified nor registered with the CVSZ.

This was putting animal lives at risk by performing procedures that they are not qualified to carry out.

From now on, a new laboratory will require a certificate of approval issued by the director of Veterinary Services on the recommendation of a committee of the government’s Central Veterinary Laboratory, before operations are commenced, according to Statutory Instrument 89 of 2017 gazetted on Friday.

Existing laboratories will have six months to secure approval.

Standards to be met, and application, registration and renewal fees, are prescribed in the gazette.

There are also provisions regulating testing of biological samples for disease surveillance and confirmation, and testing of live animals and animal products for movement control and import and export certification, reporting of test results to the director of Veterinary Services, controls on sample shipment, and adherence to national, regional and international standards.

Manufacturers of animal vaccines and reagents will require authorisation from the director of Veterinary Services.

“Appeals against decisions can be made to the minister of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.

“A further appeal against the minister’s decision can be made to the Administrative Court,” the gazette says.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe’s High Court has ordered Local Government deputy minister Christopher Chingosho who has invaded a Makoni farm to vacate the land or face eviction by the police.

In her ruling, Judge Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo last week declared the farm invasion unlawful and ruled that the deputy minister must leave the property.

United States-based resident Sarayi Nyamuswa had appealed to the court to declare the invasion illegal and back an order for the deputy minister to leave the farm.

Chingosho reportedly invaded the farm with the assistance of at least 200 Zanu PF youths.

According to court papers, Sarayi and Mabel Nyamuswa, who were represented by Nyasha Munetsi from Tendai Biti Law, are the applicants.

They cited Manicaland State Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene, Chingosho, Phineas Koro, Innocent Magutakuona, Vindex Mhuruyengwa, Timothy Nyamubika and one (Mr) Tsanga, as respondents.

However, during the hearing, it was discovered that Chimene was not involved in the invasion of the farm, resulting in an order being handed only against Chingosho and the other Zanu PF supporters.

According to court papers, Mabel is the manager at the farm which belongs to Sarayi.

The court heard that the applicants are the lawful occupiers of Subdivision 55 and 54 of Wensleydale Estate in Makoni District of Manicaland Province in terms of an offer letter dated September 12, 2008.

“The applicants have been in peaceful and undisturbed possession of the property since 2008.

“The respondents, on July 29, 2017, made and carried out threats to deprive the applicants of her property at a gathering attended by at least 200 youths near the applicants’ farms.

“The applicants have been forcibly removed and deprived of occupation of the premises by the respondents,” the court heard.

The Nyamuswas said that they have valuable crops under cultivation as well as livestock that stand to be destroyed by acts of theft, fire, plundering and unlawful appropriation of the property by the acts of the respondents.

“The applicants have sought assistance from the police force in the district of Makoni to no avail.

“The applicants pray for a prohibitory order against the respondents and all who claim ownership through barring them from the farm.

“In the alternative, the applicants pray for a spoliation order against the respondents and all who deprive authority from the respondents, restoring possession of the farm to the applicants,” the court heard.

According to Mabel, the farm employs eight people.

“The applicants are also part of the Command Agriculture programme by the government to produce maize crop and deliver the produce to government.

“The maize that was harvested from the last harvest season is at the farm and has yet to be delivered to the government offices in terms of the agreement we entered with the government.

“We stand to be in breach if this harvest is left to the respondents and their agents who appear bent on appropriating everything on our farm,” Mabel said.

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HARARE - Government is looking for an investor to inject $6 million in once Zimbabwe’s and  southern Africa’s biggest drug manufacturer — CAPS Holdings — which has been teetering on the brink of total collapse ever since it started experiencing financial problems more than five years ago.

CAPS Holdings’ Southerton plant at the flagship CAPS Private limited, is currently operating at five percent of installed capacity.

“The issue of CAPS Holdings is largely with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) because they want to clear the issues of who owed who among the shareholders.

“As far as we are concerned the shareholder would be government and we should be able to look for a partner who can partner government,” Heath and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa told the Daily News in an interview.

Government assumed control of the stuttering drug-maker after buying out ex-major shareholder Frederick Mtandah.

This was after CAPS’ faced a critical funding shortfall, with its property escaping a public auction aimed at amortising a $4 million loan owed to two major banks — CBZ Bank and FBC Bank.

Government has since snapped up CAPS’ debts through the Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation (Zamco), an RBZ unit setup to assume distressed companies’ debts to banks.

At its peak, the struggling drug manufacturer accounted for 75 percent of the local healthcare products market and was involved in the manufacture, wholesale distribution, and retail of pharmaceutical, consumer, and veterinary products.

CAPS is only operating one out of its four plants in the capital, Harare, as a result of lack of funding from new shareholders, government, leaving the country’s health institutions and donors with no option but to procure medicines, including intravenous drip water, outside the country.

It ceased manufacturing drugs and failed to have its 15-year lease of Harare’s upmarket St Anne’s Hospital renewed in 2013, while its QV pharmacy chain has only recently returned to good health under judicial management.

CAPS Holdings had CAPS Private Limited, QV Pharmacies, Farm Centre, McDonald Scientific, Glassblowing Industries and Geddes Limited under its wings as it dominated the local and regional markets.

It had also branches in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Malawi.

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HARARE - The Zanu PF Masvingo Province has written to the politburo requesting that its late forthright Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Ben Mahofa — who collapsed and died on Monday morning — be declared a national heroine.

Mahofa, 76, who died in the early hours of Monday, had been unwell for some time, although she had always insisted to be in good health.
The Zanu PF politburo has the sole responsibility of deciding on who should be buried at the National Heroes Acre.

Zanu PF provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira yesterday confirmed to the Daily News that they wrote the letter on Monday.
“Yes, we have since made the request, which we submitted yesterday (Monday). We are now just waiting for the response from the politburo,” Chadzamira said.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said he is not aware of when the politburo is set to convene to make a determination on the issue.
“Letters are sent to the secretary for administration, so I wouldn’t know,” Khaya Moyo said.

Efforts to get a comment from the party’s secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo were fruitless yesterday as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Known in Masvingo as the Iron Lady because of her abrasive style, Mahofa collapsed at her house in Rhodene — a low density suburb on the northern side of the city centre — and was pronounced dead before she could be attended to at Makurira Memorial Clinic — in the same city.

She is survived by four children and 27 grandchildren.
Mahofa entered into politics in the late 1950s, after she joined the National Democratic Party from 1959-1960, before becoming a Zapu member in 1961. She later joined Zanu PF in 1979 and had been a member until the time of her death.

In December 2015, she survived suspected food poisoning at a Zanu PF conference held in the resort town of Victoria Falls, and spent close to six months in hospital.
She never regained her health from then on.

A hugely divisive figure in her home povince, Mahofa was hated and liked in equal measure. Her trademarks were apple-polishing and inflammatory rhetoric.
She was a darling of the Team Lacoste faction, which is campaigning for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

Naturally, she had no sympathisers among members of the Generation 40 (G40) faction.
The veteran Masvingo politician, who played an instrumental role in the expulsion of former vice president Joice Mujuru, was widely revered as the Zanu PF political godmother in the volatile province.

In his Heroes Day message on Monday following the news of Mahofa’s death, Mugabe, revealed how a fortnight ago he had inquired into her health at a Zanu PF politburo meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Harare and was told she was fine.

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HARARE - President Robert Mugabe yesterday chose the packed National Sports Stadium as the best platform to heap praises on the military boss Constantino Chiwenga for attaining a doctorate degree — while in the process invalidating claims by Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo — who had questioned how he acquired it.

Moyo last month questioned Chiwenga’s PhD from University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, when he challenged the commander of the Defence Forces to come clean on the real authors of “his” dissertation.

This was after Chiwenga had issued a stinging and ominous statement which made veiled threats at Moyo in a development which political analysts said was being fuelled by Mugabe’s unresolved succession issue.

Yesterday Mugabe, who gave a very short speech at the 37th commemorations of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) day, spoke glowingly about Chiwenga’s academic achievement before a bumper crowd which responded with a thunderous applause.

Mugabe — a stellar academic in his own right — congratulated Chiwenga for producing a “very good doctorate degree”.

“Our top commander is now known as Dr Chiwenga. He studied for a very good doctorate,” Mugabe said.

“He did what every other doctorate student does, which is to carry out a comprehensive research which will then be used as a case study by other people studying the same field,” he said.

Mugabe further said Chiwenga was leading by example as the most senior military man in the country.

“I had not congratulated him on the attainment of his doctorate degree, I am very happy with it. It is now two years since he earned the degree.

“He is leading by example and we expect junior army officers to emulate him. We have opened the National Defence University where our young officers can study and earn top degrees,” said Mugabe.

Moyo had suggested that Chiwenga had his UKZN dissertation written for him.

Chiwenga’s paper examined alleged double standards in United Nations Security Council humanitarian missions, according to information published by the university’s in-house periodicals in 2015.

The university said Chiwenga’s thesis found that there was “a precipitous decline of UN moral stature, particularly in the eyes of the developing world.”

But following a public spat with Chiwenga, Moyo took to microblogging site Twitter to claim that the army supremo did not write the thesis on his own.

“Finally, I’m happy that Chiwenga wants pre and post-independence disclosures about who was who, who did what and so forth. That’s good.

“Meanwhile, I take that to mean he wants the disclosure of who contributed what to his doctorate and who really wrote his KZN PhD,” Moyo wrote.

Chiwenga claims to have interviewed Mugabe — a fierce critic of the UN Security Council — during his investigation.

Yesterday was the second time that Mugabe had appeared to correct Moyo’s differing statements.

On June 30, during a youth interface rally in Masvingo, Mugabe praised the Command Agriculture programme just weeks after Moyo had rubbished it.

“The vice president (Emmerson) Mnangagwa initiated Command Agriculture with the first lady in an attempt to unite people, their concern was that why can’t we unite people sezvo taita nzara.

“They sat down the two of them, we didn’t even know it….that’s when they came up with the idea…and we accepted that it was a good project and that it would need

“What wrong did Mnangagwa do? (In fact) this is what we call ideas,” Mugabe said to ignite loud cheers from the big crowd.

“This is our programme that comes under the ministry of Agriculture Dr (Joseph) Made. A very beautiful programme. We must not kill it. We see the fruits of this programme, a bumper harvest,” added Mugabe.

Moyo had repeatedly savaged Mnangagwa on Twitter, where he described Command Agriculture in disparaging terms.

In one of his tweets Moyo has described Command Agriculture as Command Ugly Culture while also claiming it was being led by “Command Thieves”.

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HARARE - First Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday escaped arrest in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she was slapped with charges for severely assaulting a 20-year-old woman she had found with her sons at an upmarket hotel in Sandton, on Sunday.

On a dramatic day, South Africa’s Police minister Fikile Mbalula said Grace had handed over herself to the police after Gabriella Engels filed criminal charges against her at Sandton police on Monday.

“The law is about ensuring that everybody is protected and in terms of foreign citizens, they must understand their responsibility especially those who hold a diplomatic passport, but I cannot just go to Zimbabwe and beat up people there and then the matter will disappear…

“But from police side, we have had to act in the interest of the victims who have opened a case and we have responded,” Mbalula said.

There was confusion when the police corrected Mbalula that Grace and her lawyers were still negotiating with police before the First Lady would hand over herself.

As a result, journalists camped at two different locations as police did not say which court Grace was going to appear.

According to the South African media, police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo and police ministry spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said grace had niot handed herself over by close of business – fuelling talk that she could have been allowed to leave South Africa – in the same manner that Sudanese president Al-Bashir did when he entered South Africa a few years ago when an international arrest warrant had been issued for his capture for crimes against humanity.

Reports said Grace had boarded a private jet at Swakompund Airport to avoid drawing attention and arrived in Harare via Charles Prince Airport, near Mount Hampden.

Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba was not reachable for comment while South African police insisted that she was still in South Africa.

By the end of day Grace had not appeared in court while the South African National Prosecuting Authority said it had not received her docket, to further fuel confusion.

Earlier in the day the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had applauded the police for taking action against Grace.

“We welcome the fact that the first lady, Zimbabwe (Grace Mugabe) is appearing in court for doing what shouldn’t be done,” ANC secretary general, Gwede Mantashe wrote on micro blogging site Twitter.

South African Police Services (SAPS) had earlier in a statement, without naming Grace, it had opened a case against “a prominent” woman and it had to do with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH).

“The investigation into this case has already reached an advanced stage. The suspect in this matter cannot be named because she has not as yet appeared in court.

“We request that the SAPS be allowed to conduct a thorough investigation and to follow due process,” Naidoo had said earlier said, in a statement.

The First Family’s sons, Robert Junior and Chatunga Bellarmine, are resident in Johannesburg where they are studying following the decision to relocate Junior, who had been based in the United Arab Emirates.

In June Grace was forced to make an emergency trip to Johannesburg to sort new accommodation for Junior and Chatunga after they were told to leave their plush residence following an orgy of violence which left one of their bodyguards injured.

On Sunday Grace was accused by Engels who alleged that she was assaulted by Mugabe’s wife in an upmarket Sandton hotel around 9pm after she went to visit her two sons with her friends she claimed were close to the First Family’s boys.

She said when she arrived at the hotel, one of Grace’s bodyguards asked her and a friend to wait in a separate room before the First Lady allegedly started beating her.

“When Grace entered I had no idea who she was. She walked in with an extension cord and just started beating me with it,” Engels said on Monday as she filed an assault charge against Grace.

Engels said Grace accused her of living with her sons.

“She flipped and just kept beating me with the plug. Over and over. I had no idea what was going on. I was surprised… I needed to crawl out of the room before I could run away.

“Her ten bodyguards just stood there watching, no one did anything, no one tried to help me.

“I am a model, with this scar over my face my whole career is ruined.

“I don’t know how to deal with this, but I am trying hard. I am trying so hard to be strong,” said Engels.

Engels later posted several pictures of her injuries which she said were caused by an extension cable allegedly used by Grace during the assault.

The pictures sent social media into meltdown as the world was abuzz with Grace’s alleged assault of the model.

Grace has in the past been caught in incidents of violence.

In 2009 Grace was investigated by Hong Kong police for an alleged assault on a British photographer during a shopping trip to the city.

She was accused of repeatedly punching Richard Jones — chief photographer of the Hong Kong photo agency Sinopix — who was on an assignment for the British Sunday Times.

In 2014, Grace confronted journalists at a Singaporean hospital as she bid to block them from photographing Mugabe as he entered Gleneagles facility for his medical check-up.

According to Mugabe, Grace missed last week’s youth interface rally in Gwanda as she had travelled to South Africa for treatment on her injured ankle.

Of late both Mugabe and Grace have been showing signs of exasperation with their sons with the Zanu PF leader publicly warning Chatunga to lay off fun and concentrate on his studies.

Grace, just like her husband, last month shared her agony with relatives over the continuing wayward behaviour of sons.

The errant and fun-loving Mugabe’s sons, despite their status in society, have found it difficult to lead restricted lifestyles and have often been pictured mingling with ordinary Zimbabweans at football matches and upmarket entertainment venues.

Speaking at Grace’s lavish 50th birthday celebrations that took place on Chatunga’s then 18th birthday, in 2015 Mugabe said he feared that his son could be headed for disaster if he did not improve on his discipline.

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It was also revealed at those celebrations that Mugabe left it to his wife to discipline the children.

“I say congratulations to Bellarmine, Bellarmine Bellarmine, and I want to say in this environment perhaps it will give him more encouragement and greater sense of seriousness, that you are now a grown person, mature.

“Not yet eligible to marry, but to certainly devote to your studies with greater seriousness, we want you to go through. You’re ‘‘A’’Level, let us not see you fail.

“The constant retreats to restaurants, refusing to eat at home should stop now,” Mugabe said then.

As if to confirm his father’s fears, Chatunga gave the gathered guests at the bash a glimpse of his lack of maturity — while giving a speech at the party.

Rather thoughtlessly, the then 18-year-old directed people to give him applause because he was “handsome”.

Chatunga was expelled from a top Harare private school, St Georges College, in 2013 — over gross-indiscipline, prompting his parents to resort to home schooling.

During an interview that the First Family had with South African journalist Dali Tambo a few years ago, Grace also revealed that her son preferred spending time playing video games rather than studying.

In 2009, Chatunga reportedly flunked his Grade 7 examinations, managing to score 14 points in the exams at the prestigious Hartmann House — and ranking among the very few students who failed in his class.

While Mugabe was a high flier at school, earning several academic achievements in the process, only his daughter Bona appears to have taken after him.

She is a holder of an Accountancy degree and made her family proud when she wed pilot Simba Chikore in 2015. — With Agencies

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HARARE - South African dancer and socialite Zodwa Wabantu will be gracing two events in Harare early next month but her visit has divided opinion among Zimbabweans.

Zodwa Wabantu, real name Rebecca Zodwa Libram, is expected to grace Private Lounge on September 8 as well as taking part in the Harare International Carnival which will run for 10 consecutive days from September 1.

The South African socialite and mother of one has made headlines in the international media recently because of her revealing skimpy dresses which she wears without panties.

She told media that putting on underwear makes her feel uncomfortable.

“It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t feel sexy when I’m wearing panties. It’s a preference and people should deal with it,” she said.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke last week confirmed the organisation has hired Zodwa to be part of the Harare International Carnival but they will not allow her to showcase without underwear.

“We will talk to her on the issue of underwear. We want her to come and perform wearing panties during the Harare International Carnival,” Kaseke said.

Former Jah Prayzah manageress Filda “Mother Filda” Muchabaiwa, who is now managing the affairs of Pamela “Gonyeti” Zulu, is of the view that Zodwa’s visit to the country exposes women.

“There is nothing we can learn from Zodwa. In fact she is a disgrace to African women. She exposes us. There are a lot of arts avenues in the world but she capitalises on her natural talent — nakedness,” Muchabaiwa said.

Lady Storm, real name Lyn Magodo, who hoged the limelight as a star dancer in Jah Prayzah’s video Eriza told the Daily News she has nothing to learn from Zodwa.

“Real dancers should teach her how to dance. In terms of her attire, we have nothing to learn from it,” she said.

Zimbabwe Dancers Association president Hapaguti “Harpers” Mapimhidze welcomed Zodwa into the country.

“I take Zodwa as a dancer and I believe every dancer has his or her own way of doing things. She is coming as a South African and local fans should just watch, be entertained and ignore everything,” he said.

In a previous interview with the Daily News, Zodwa said she was keen to meet President Robert Mugabe.

“...I would love to meet Mugabe, if given a chance, I will certainly love to meet that man,” Zodwa said then.

In Bulawayo, she visited Mqombothi Sports Bar in Nkulumane suburb where she mixed and mingled with her fans, saying the environment in the high density suburb made her feel more at home.

“That’s my kind of lifestyle, being with the people ekasi (in townships) that’s my more of Tshisa Nyama, the outdoors, I just loved it and that it was during the day I met the people,” she said.

“The response was just overwhelming, I am so loved in this country more than any country I have been to. I think they understand Zodwa, they see themselves in me, I am not a bling bling, I relate with them,” she said in a previous interview with this publication.

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HARARE - Music superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi will collaborate with India’s best-known violinist, Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, in one of the highlights of the India in the Sunshine City Festival, which will run at various Harare venues from today until August 30.

The Tuku-Subramaniam on-stage duet will take place on August 26 in the Harare Gardens.

Given the fact that Tuku has over 60 albums under his belt while the Indian superstar has done over 150 recordings, the two celebrated artistes’ collaboration is expected to be nothing short of magical.

In addition to the Tuku-Subramaniam classic, another event to look forward to is the Bollywood Extravaganza featuring Indian musicians and dancers who will collaborate with Zimbabwean artistes at Reps Theatre on August 29 and 30.

There will also be a multitude of performances of the Indian Classical Odissi dance by Srjan Dance Company, both at the Reps Theatre from August 22 to 25.

The festival, jointly organised by the Embassy of India in Zimbabwe and an organisation called Teamwork Arts, will also showcase cuisine from famous Indian Chef Vikram Vikram Udaygiri at the Food Festival to be hosted by Monomotapa Hotel, an exhibition of paintings, screenings of select films from India and yoga therapy sessions.

Indian ambassador to Zimbabwe Masakui Rungsung has expressed delight with the way the he Sunshine City Festival is attracting more interest.

“The success of the festival echoes the desire of Zimbabweans to receive rich cultural offerings from vibrant, dynamic and diverse India.

“India and Zimbabwe, bound by shared history of a tumultuous journey from colonised countries to self-governance, have been friends and allies in mutual progress across areas covering political, economic, business, education and culture.

“Zimbabwe has a sizeable Indian Diaspora that is harmoniously integrated into Zimbabwean society.

“Through a variety of Indian visual and performing arts and some acts performed in collaboration with local artists at the Festival of India, we hope to strengthen the relationship between the two countries even more,” said the ambassador.

HARARE - The Daily News’s Jeffrey Muvundusi recently caught up with the Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Trust chief executive officer Joseph Rego.

Rego was talking about the impact the Old Mutual Heath Streak T20 Africa Cup tournament which ended yesterday and compared it to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Below are the excerpts of the interview.

Q: Tell us more about the tournament.

A: Yes. Our flagship tournament “Old Mutual Heath Streak Africa Cup” is undoubtedly the most popular youth cricket brand in Africa. The rapidly growing cricket extravaganza has been attracting prestigious academies from across Africa. The tournament is a combination of cricket, fun and entertainment. Consumer youth brands have been eying this event closely as they realise the high potential to market and advertise their brands as their target audience would be kids.

Q: You recently compared the tournament to a youth IPL tournament.

A: As a professional academy it is our vision to identify, nurture and groom young talent offering them the opportunity to reach their full potential and one day represent the nation at the international level with pride.

We firmly believe in grassroots level development and age groups structures.

Our overseas tours offer youngsters immense international exposure and enhance their ability to play competitive cricket.

Africa Cup in true sense is a great platform for young budding cricketers to be a part of an International cricket tournament where you have to fight and perform in challenging conditions.

IPL is all about competitive cricket and here in Zimbabwe we are exposing our youngsters from across Africa to a different style of cricket, facing fierce challenges and competition which is almost similar to the Indian Premier League.

The Old Mutual Heath Streak Africa Cup being a highly competitive tournament allows youngsters to play against top players from all the teams.

Q: Do you plan to host this prestigious tournament annually?

A: The tournament has been growing in leaps and bounds. Prestigious academies from across Africa have expressed their desire to be a part of this ever growing brand.

Even cricket boards from other African nations are looking at participating in this tournament in the next edition.

The Old Mutual Heath Streak Africa Cup Brand is firmly itched in the mind of cricket lovers across the African continent and corporate support has been overwhelming as their brands leverage adequate mileage and publicity by being associated with this prestigious tournament.

The theme of the tournament is serious cricket, fun and entertainment and the corporate sector is convinced that our tournament showcases quality and image of the highest standard.

And as mentioned earlier the event possesses all the qualities of a youth IPL in the making.

Hosting the tournament annually will generate a new breed of young cricketers geared to play competitive cricket as they grow older and mature.

Q: Tell us more about the Africa Cup?

A: Eight nations namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique are participating this year.

The popular tournament is growing in leaps and bounds and it is our endeavour to include one additional nation every edition to make sure Old Mutual Heath Streak Africa Cup finds a berth on the global cricketing map as the largest Under-14 inter-nation cricket tournament in the world.

Q: How did the inaugural tournament go?

A: The inaugural edition of the prestigious Under-14 cricket extravaganza was held in May 2015 on Africa Day. Three participating nations — Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, children and parents from as many as 100 schools from across the country, the presence of distinguished dignitaries and sports personalities and support from the corporate sector ensured that the tournament showcased quality and image of the highest standards.

Team Fazak Zimbabwe won the inaugural edition by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. Corporate support has been a key factor to the success of this growing brand.

The Old Mutual Heath Streak Africa Cup is a revolution in youth cricket and creates an atmosphere of a mini IPL in Zimbabwe with participating teams from various African nations all up for grabs by the corporate sector wanting to sponsor them.

Q: Any new changes or additions to this year’s tournament?

A: The 2017 edition features prestigious academies from Botswana, Zambia and Namibia with Fazak Zimbabwe retaining franchise of Team Zimbabwe. The other franchises are Team Eco Bank Namibia, Team Choppies Botswana and Team Pepsi Zambia.

The highlight after the finals will be the winners of Africa Cup play a T20 exhibition game against the Old Mutual Heath Streak Development Team selected from 20 top cricket playing schools from high density suburbs.

The tournament has been dubbed youth IPL and is serious cricket, fun and entertainment for the whole family. Admission to the tournament is free. Come and cheer our little cricketing heroes from across Africa during the hero’s day holidays.

Q: With Heath Streak now at the helm of coaching the national cricket team, I’m sure this must be a positive impact on the youngsters?

 A: It doesn’t make a difference. Heath is a legend in the world of cricket. During his playing days he was an outstanding cricketer globally popular. Currently he is a top rated coach in the world.

His performance speaks for itself. In two years time he changed the fortunes of Bangladesh Cricket and now Zimbabwe has tasted sweet success because of his wealth of experience, unique talent and brilliant coaching abilities.

Our children draw inspiration from his name and his presence at the academy enhances the self-confidence of coaches and kids training there.

Q: What is the proposed Heath Streak Cricket Training Centre and International Cricket Stadium in Harare all about?

 A: Old Mutual is “title sponsors” to this brand which is now christened Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Training Centre and International Cricket Stadium.

The training centre emphasises on structured grassroots level development and the formation of age groups.

The academy focuses on identifying, nurturing and grooming talent. We believe in a coaching education approach that targets individuals both male and female eight to 16 years of age who are seriously interested in the game of cricket which takes the targeted players through a set of disciplinary, dietary, mental, psychological, technical and physical fitness activities.

A coaching approach geared towards enhancing their technical skills level and upon improving their abilities and capabilities to appropriately and effectively apply themselves under various match situations regarding tactics, strategy, game pressure and general game context requirements.

The need to expose our cricketers with cricketing interests, knowledge and methodologies that can be utilised to develop a high level of professionalism. Nominate players to attend provincial age-group trials relevant to ability and potential.

Inspire corporate companies to incorporate sport and education into their community responsibility programmes.
We are passionate about the sport and our aim is to ensure that our talented cricketers have the very best opportunities and a first-class future which will help Zimbabwe regain her past sporting glory. This is our vision and our road map.

Heath Streak International has selectively identified the Sunrise Sports Club, a ceremonial home to cricket for decades. Cricket is undoubtedly the biggest sport in Asia and is also a popular global sport watched live and viewed on television by billions of fans across the world.

The Heath Streak International Cricket Stadium will be a home to first-class cricket and International teams in the coming years.

It is our dream to gift the cricket-loving youth of our nation world-class infrastructure and a stadium that would be a home to youth cricket.Zim’s own IPL: Rego

HARARE - It is not all gloom for the Sables following the inclusion of two their players — Hilton Mudariki and Connor Pritchard — in the best XV side at the just-ended 2017 Rugby Afrique Gold Cup campaign.

Scrumhalf Mudariki, who plays for Johannesburg side Stor-Age Pirates Rugby Club, and Australia-based open side flanker Pritchard, who turns out for Colleges Knights Rugby Club in Queensland were the shining light for a Zimbabwe side that finished in fifth place out of six teams.

Sables’ captain Denford Mutamangira paid tribute to the duo saying their selection was a sign that shows potential of the current side.

“It’s a step in the right direction having some of our players getting this recognition. It only serves to confirm that despite finishing just a place above the bottom, there’s something that we are doing right and for now we can only build towards the 2019 World Cup...we can see there’s hope for us making it to Japan,” Mutamangira told the Daily News.

“Our challenge remains on implementing the strength and conditioning culture for starters then we can work on improving every other aspect of the game getting into next year and it is key that we begin earlier to give ourselves enough time to prepare for the task at hand.”

Pritchard, who is also the youngest player in the side, relishes a long and fruitful run with the Sables following the coming on board of the Sables Trust that is being administered by law firm Titan Law.

“I got a call from the manager telling me that I have been called up for the Africa Gold Cup squad and told me that my flight and camping were all paid for and that I will have to pay no expenses,” he said.

“I’m grateful to Titan Law and all the sponsors...the vibe in the camp has been good with all the players coming together.”
Namibia, who successfully defended their title, dominate the Gold Cup XV with seven players in the team; Casper Viviers, Louis van der Westhuizen, Mahepisda Tjeriko, Ruan Ludick, Rohan Kitshoff, Cliven Loubser, David Philander and JC Greyling.

Uganda, who finished in third place, have three players in the side; Brian Odongo and brothers Michael and Philip Wokorach while runners-up Kenya contribute two players; Joshua Chisanga and Darwin Mukadza.

Gold Cup XVs Squad: 15. Philip Wokorach (Uganda), 14. Darwin Mukidza (Kenya), 13. Michael Wokorach (Uganda), 12. JC Greyling (Namibia), 11. David Philander (Namibia), 10. Cliven Loubser (Namibia), 9. Hilton Mudariki (Zimbabwe), 8. Joshua Chisanga (Kenya), 7. Connor Pritchard (Zimbabwe), 6. Rohan Kitshoff (Namibia), 5. Ruan Ludick (Namibia), 4.

Mahepisda Tjeriko (Namibia), 3. Brian Odongo (Uganda), 2. Louis van der Westhuizen (Namibia), 1. Casper Vivier (Namibia).Mudariki, Pritchard in Gold Cup XVs

HARARE - FC Platinum will have to beat CAPS United away for the first time in their history if they are to step up their pursuit of the Castle Lager Premiership title this afternoon.

The platinum miners travel to the National Sports Stadium this afternoon with history firmly against the Zvishavane-based side.

Norman Mapeza’s side is currently in fourth place on the log with 39 points from 20 matches and trail leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars by four points.

A win by a two-goal margin will propel Pure Platinum Play to second place on the log with 42 points but that will be a huge task.

Since their promotion into the top flight league in 2011, FC Platinum have struggled to beat CAPS United.

Over the years, Makepekepe have enjoyed better fortunes when the two sides met.

The first meeting between the two ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the National Sports Stadium in May 2011 with the reverse fixture also ending with a 1-1 draw at Mandava Stadium.
The following season, Makepekepe completed the double over FC Platinum when they won the first match 3-1 in Harare before securing a 2-0 win in Zvishavane.

In 2014, the Green Machine maintained their dominance over FC Platinum winning the first game 2-1 at the National Sports Stadium while the reverse fixture ended in a 2-2 draw.

After three seasons of trying to get one over Makepekepe and failing, FC Platinum finally got it right when they beat the Harare side during their first meeting of 2014.

Pure Platinum Play defeated Makepekepe 2-1 at Mandava with Donald Ngoma and Qadr Amini on target for the home side.

The second fixture ended in a goalless draw in Harare.

In 2015, Makepekepe won the first match 1-0 in the capital with the second meeting ending in a 1-1 draw in Zvishavane.
Last year, both sides cancelled themselves each other as they played out goalless draws in the two matches they met.

With only one win over Makepekepe in their last 12 meetings, the platinum miners must be dreading the sight of the Green Machine especially when the fixture is in the capital.

With Ngezi Platinum seemingly threatening to break away from the chasing pack with the way they have been constantly collecting maximum points, Mapeza and his charges cannot afford a slip-up today.

Having picked up four wins in their last five matches, FC Platinum will be confident of getting that first away win over Makepekepe.

The reigning champions come into this match low on confidence as they only have one win in their last seven league matches.

Last week, Makepekepe were on course to secure only their fifth win of the season when they curved in allowing Tsholotsho to equalise from the spot five minutes from time at Luveve Stadium.

Due to their poor run of form, Makepekepe come into today’s match in 16th place on the log with 18 points.

Lloyd Chitembwe’s side do however, has at least six matches in hand which accrued due to their participation in the African Champions League.

Despite their inconstant form, Makepekepe will take confidence from their good record against FC Platinum.

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HARARE - Diversified group, Zimre Holdings Limited (ZHL), has begun negotiations over the disposal of certain assets as it intensifies its restructuring drive.

Company secretary Lovemore Madzinga yesterday said the firm wanted to use the disposal proceeds in new ventures.

“The company has begun negotiations over the disposal of certain assets held by the company. The proceeds of the disposals shall be utilised to support the company’s new strategic endeavours,” Madzinga said.

Last month, ZHL chief executive Stanley Kudenga announced the group was exiting Nigeria and Uganda operations where the investment holding company had 1,4 percent and 2,43 percent shareholding in Continental Re (Nigeria) and Uganda Re respectively.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed company is also currently in discussions with an investor to buy its 49 percent stake in Guardian Reinsurance, Zambia and will exit Diamond General in Zimbabwe.

This is part of a restructuring exercise by the listed investment holding company which will see ZHL disposing of shareholding in regional companies where the group does not have control.

Kudenga also said ZHL is looking at merging its South African unit, Emeritus Re with First Re in Botswana as the South African market has become saturated and heavily regulated imposing a cost burden on operations.

Kudenga said the assets were there for the turnaround strategy of the group.

“We want to re-establish that capacity to become a prominent player leveraging on a strong balance sheet and cash wallet coming from insurance,” he said, adding that the restructuring was set to create a lean structure that will leverage on ICT to deliver products.

The ZHL boss also said ZHL was going to insist on control in operations, adding “we have learnt our mistakes on the local units”.

ZHL used to have controlling shareholding in Fidelity and NicozDiamond.

In June, ZHL created an off-shore investment company to house its regional operations and mobilise resources for deployment in the units, as part of its restructuring.

The offshore company, Emeritus International, to be based in Botswana, will be wholly owned by ZHL with plans of listing on the stock exchange. Kudenga said the new company has already received approval from the central bank.

After operationalisation, First Re (Botswana), Malawi Re, Zambia Re and Moza Re will be wholly owned by Emeritus International which will determine the acquisitions and disposals in the region.

“The structure will be able to raise capital to strengthen regional operations. It gives us the capacity to be able to raise international capital from Botswana and deploying it to regional operations,” Kudenga said.

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HARARE - National power utility Zesa Holdings subsidiary — Zimbabwe Power Company — has become one of the few government entities to record a profit.

The State-owned company’s managing director Noah Gwariro said ZPC has recorded a $25,3 million profit after tax for the year ended December 31, 2016.

“This was attributed to a decrease in the allowance for credit losses of $22,95 million,” he said in a market update.

Gwariro, however, noted that the power generation firm will need to improve on its revenue collections to better manage its cash-flow constraints and financial obligations.

“We will also improve on operational efficiencies in order to cut costs and improve the bottom line. ZPC has been identified by the government as one of the 10 strategic parastatals earmarked for an emergency reform programme. In this regard, ZPC realises the importance of adequate and reliable power supply to support the economic turnaround envisaged by government,” he added.

In the six months to June, ZPC sent out a total of 1 789,80 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy against a target of 1 902,76GWh.

Gwariro said production target for the period was missed by 5,94 percent due to inadequate coal supplies at ZPC’s small thermal power stations, water conservation measures at Lake Kariba, as well as numerous boiler tube leaks and outages at Hwange Power Station.

“Coal suppliers failed to meet their delivery targets for the quarter due to various challenges being faced by the coal miners, chief amongst them being delayed recapitalisation on the key mining equipment and cash flows,” he said.

This challenge is preventing most of the miners from processing adequate coal required to meet their delivery targets to the stations, he added.

The ZPC boss further indicated that Makomo Small Thermals account was settled and prepayment for fresh supplies was made, resulting in the resumption of supplies from Makomo on June 15, 2017.

He also noted that Kariba’s water level rose from 481,01 metres at the end of the first quarter to 483,19 metres at the end of June 2017, representing a 2,18 metres rise over the quarter. The lake is currently 56,20 percent full.

The lake level at the same time last year was 480,31 million, representing a 0,60 percent difference.

Gwariro said the Kariba South Extension project is now at 91 percent to completion and on course to commissioning in December 2017.

“The Hwange 7 and 8 project is progressing well. The project parties — ZPC and Sinohydro Corporation Limited — are finalising the conditions precedent of the main funding loan of $998 million from the Export Import Bank of China,” he said.

“ZPC has cleared most of its conditions precedent. Meanwhile, Sinohydro have initially subscribed for their 36 percent shareholding in the project company, Hwange Electricity Supply Company Private Limited. To date, parties are now preparing to inject their respective bulk equity contributions into the project company.

Sinohydro and ZPC technical teams are on the ground in Hwange to finalise the project designs and project site plans,” he added.

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BULAWAYO - Zimbabwe-born medical doctor and motivational speaker, Nothabo Ncube, 28, who is based in Canada, is a woman at the top of her game.

In addition to appearing on Oprah’s Lifeclass — an American primetime television show hosted and produced by the legendary Oprah Winfrey — Ncube has featured on the globally-acclaimed TEDx which brings together  top speakers .

To crown it all, she was included in a list of 100 Canadian black women to watch in 2017 during the Canadian Black Women event held in Toronto on June 17 this year.

Ncube recently jetted into Zimbabwe for a breakfast seminar which was scheduled for yesterday.

Daily News on Sunday’s Letwin Nyambayo spoke to the acclaimed medical doctor and motivational speaker ahead of the highly-anticipated event.

Below are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Who is Nothabo Ncube?

A: Nothabo Ncube is a medical doctor, a motivational speaker and a millennial mentor. Really Nothabo Ncube is centred on empowering women, as well as serving as a reminder, especially to young women, that they are enough and that their dreams matter. The central part of her message is to encourage young women to become the best versions of who they are created to be.

Q: Where were you born?

A: I was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe at Lady Rodwell Maternity Hospital.

Q: Why and when did you relocate to Canada?

A: I moved to Canada in 2006, just like most Zimbabweans at the time. Things were tough and so my family felt that Canada would be a better place for us to thrive and for us to live out our dreams; so it was in search of greener pastures.

Q: Your story has inspired many because you overcame many hurdles to get where you are now. Can you briefly share with us your journey to the top?

A: Well, I would say the biggest thing that happened to me was when I was 14 years old when my mother died through a tragic car accident. That to me was the biggest hurdle that I have ever experienced and I say this because my mom was my backbone so at that tender age for any girl child not to have a mother, it came with a lot of shock. I didn’t know how I was going to find my way in the world, moving from that place of pain of losing a dear person to now transitioning into the woman that I have always wanted to be. That was the greatest pain and of course life comes with so many challenges and obstacles. Even when we arrived in Canada, living in the high density suburbs, it was there where I was exposed to people living bad lifestyles and all these things which did not tally with my dreams. As a result, I chose to fight despite those circumstances. Transitioning from that place, starting undergraduate studies where I fell into depression and I lost my way in my studies to the point that I was kicked out of my programme and then bouncing back. All these obstacles and challenges have led me into this woman that I am today.

Q: How did you land on Oprah Winfrey’s Lifeclass?

A: I needed $15 000 to fulfil a full academic year. I so happened to be talking to a friend over the phone and she suggested that I go on the Oprah Winfrey website to look for any scholarships and bursaries. As destiny would have it, the first thing that popped up when I went on the Oprah Winfrey website was a pop-up saying tell us your story and become what you believe. So I quickly typed in that at the age of 14 I made a promise to my dear mother to be a doctor and that I had just been accepted to medical school. They (Oprah Winfrey’s assistants) called me three times and my cousin kept on hanging up thinking it was a prank because she couldn’t imagine that Oprah Winfrey would be calling a young girl like me. They called back for the fourth time which actually set as a reminder to me and affirmed that I am called to speak and to empower the people’s lives. I took it as a divine whisper that I had been called to speak and inspire. So I attended the Oprah Winfrey life class and that life class changed the trajectory of my life. It served as a reminder to me that I am not what happened to me, that I am bigger than my circumstances and that I can go out in the world and become a force, which is what I am doing now. Thank you so much to Oprah Winfrey for depositing that seed in me and reigniting that fire to live a life that transcends my circumstances.

Q: What inspired you to take up motivational speaking?

A: What inspired me to start motivational speaking are people like Oprah Winfrey and Tererai Trent (A Zimbabwe-born academic and humanitarian who has repeatedly featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Life Class); women who have a powerful voice especially for this generation. Really I don’t think it is something that I chose; I feel it’s the life that is destined for me. I say this because the unfolding of my journey was filled with so many uphill battles but there was always light despite all those uphill battles that I had to face, so it grew to become the most logical path to take. ..How I was led to Oprah Winfrey, I felt like that was a divine destiny moment in revealing to me that which I am, and so stepping into it now feels right. I am happy to be at this point in my life where I am empowering other people’s lives and making a difference essentially.

Q: How do you balance between a demanding medical career and your passion for motivational speaking?

A: I always say that passion always finds its way; passion is who you are, you are not separate from it. It finds its way and because it’s who you are, it just works itself out somehow. That is why I always encourage people to always stay true to who they are, to follow their passions because your passion will always find its way. Somehow the universe opens up for you to accommodate that thing that you love doing.

Q: You are steadily making an impact in the world. What do you attribute this to?

A: I would attribute it to the women like my mother, women like Oprah Winfrey and Tererai Trent who have consistently reminding me through their talks, through what they stand for that I am enough as a woman; that I am enough to chase my dreams; that I am more than my circumstances; that I have the power to tap into my true potential and turn my struggle into power …turn my struggle into something that is greater than myself. So those are the women who have really impacted my life and inspired me to carry on this journey as a motivational speaker.

Q: Who is your inspiration in Zimbabwe and internationally?

A: Locally it’s Tererai Trent. She is Zimbabwean and is based in Harare right now. Internationally it’s Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, to mention a few.

Q: What are the challenges that you have faced as a female trying to realise your dreams in a male-dominated world?

A: I think the challenge is often you are told that you are not enough as a woman. They tell you to stop because there tends to be a bar that is set for women. When you want to go beyond that bar, they question you, they question your abilities, so yeah those are the challenges that I have faced thus far.

Q: What advice do you have for women who want to follow in your footsteps?

A: I would advise them that they are enough; that they are possible, that within them lies the power to transcend whatever circumstances that they are facing. More than anything that they must stay true to who they are; they should follow their path and more than anything stay in the lane that God has destined them to be.

Q: What are your future hopes and dreams?

A: To change lives on a global scale and hopefully one day, to have a talk show where I will share stories of courage and hope, to inspire people to tap into their higher selves.

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EDITOR — The past few weeks have shown the difference between Zimbabwean political rivals, President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.

A few weeks ago, some MDC hooligans who were said to have been hired from Harare travelled to Bulawayo where they assaulted party officials, including deputy president Thokozani Khupe.

Tsvangirai immediately suspended the persons involved in the attack, either directly or indirectly.

Now South African media is awash with the case of First Lady Grace Mugabe who is said to have assaulted 20-year-old Gabriella Engels and instead of deploring Grace’s wayward behaviour, Mugabe has been mum.

Juxtapose the two scenarios, and show me a leader who is better trusted with running the country between the two.

Grace is the chair of the Zanu PF women’s league, Mugabe must suspend her from being Zanu PF chair just as Tsvangirai suspended his officials accused of attacking Khupe.

Some of Grace and Zanu PF’s supporters on social media are busy trying to obstruct the course of justice by denying what she is accused of when they were nowhere near the crime scene.

Zanu PF and its people, from Mugabe to his children, can never be trusted with anything.

They have squandered the country’s wealth through their corrupt deeds.

When Tsvangirai fired councillors suspected of plundering resources in councils, it was Zanu PF who reinstated those corrupt councillors.

Zimbabweans, let us open our eyes and see.

Grace, who has confessed that she runs the country on behalf of her husband Robert, will not take us any where.

We have reached the crossroads, and the Zanu PF has to be disposed of in the 2018 elections.

Let us all go and register when the time comes and vote Mugabe and his wife out for the country to start working again. 

It is my hope that justice is done to Gabriella.

Kennedy Kaitano