HARARE - Last week, President Robert Mugabe’s government announced yet another mega deal in the making.

This time around, it’s billionaire Chinese investor, Zhang Li — co-founder and chairman of R&F — whom they are touting as the new survivor of collapsed iron and steel manufacturer Ziscosteel.

Li is said to be investing an initial $1 billion in the project, with Industry minister Mike Bimha telling Zimbabweans that if the deal goes through, the investment would double up to $2 billion.

While interesting, Li’s arrival on the scene comes as long-suffering Zimbabweans are wary of these so-called mega deals.

The burning question is what happened to the other deals, which were equally hyped, announced before.

This seemingly attractive and sweet R&F bailout plan is not the first one to be crafted by government to revive the strategic Ziscosteel asset.

Countless times, government has introduced, with zeal, investors it said were serious on reviving the iron and steel manufacturer.

Following bids by 12 companies in 2009, including steel giant Arcelor Mittal, in 2010, an upbeat government announced that it was partnering Essar Africa in a $750 million deal, which was eventually finalised in 2011.

The deal was so hyped, just like Li’s. Now that Li is here, surely Zimbabweans are burning to know what came about of the Essar deal, among many others.

In explaining the collapse of the Essar deal, curiously, Bimha said: “One of the reasons why the Essar deal did not come to fruition, I think the time that it was consummated was not the right environment. That time when we had an inclusive Government.”

“This time around, it’s different, the entire Government is supportive of this project and that is the reason for us to come here. The president is fully behind this project. Therefore, I think in terms of commitment, I think there is 100 percent from Government to make it a success.

“Also on the time when we felt Essar would come on board, they made reference to the depressed market for iron and steel products and they felt it was not the time for them to invest.

They felt that because of the prices that were down, they were not in a position to go around and borrow money.

“Now, this is not a problem as far as this investor is concerned. He did not express any problem with issue of prices, the market of funding, so we are confident that the investor is willing and able to get into this project and also the government is supportive.”

However, apart from the mineral prices and inclusive government haggling, as far as we remember, the other major problem which led to collapse of the Essar deal was squabbles over mineral rights.

But fair fine, this is not about the R&F-Ziscosteel deal per se.

The point is about government delivering on its promises and commitments.

A lot of resources — time and hard-earned tax payers’ money — are wasted in consummating these so-called mega deals.

Bimha mentioned that there is a team handling negotiations of the deal in China.

That does not come cheap.

Government seems to have developed a habit of initiating projects it never completes.

The trend is worrying and Zimbabweans are frustrated.

They are finding it increasingly hard to believe government.

Imagine in the case of the Essar deal where suffering workers — unpaid for months — were given hope, and nearly ten years later, you are starting afresh.

Just recently, the market with abuzz with news that struggling State-run National Railways of Zimbabwe had a crafted a $400 million deal involving South Africa’s Transnet and the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group.

Apart from that, where are the mega Chinese deals?

What came out of the much-hyped Aliko Dangote deals?

It’s so disheartening.

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HARARE - MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai should know he is in last chance saloon to try and avert a third split in his party.

It is clear there are so many problems at the MDC right now and these need a sober head to deal with as they are coming at a time the party should be going full steam at Zanu PF in preparation for next year’s election.

For many months, Tsvangirai has been papering over cracks within his party, without really addressing them, to the detriment of his efforts to mount a strong challenge against an equally dithering President Robert Mugabe in the make or break elections.

Tsvangirai is at loggerheads with his longtime deputy Thokozani Khupe over the way he has handled the coalition talks which culminated the launch of an MDC Alliance involving seven other political parties.

Where Tsvangirai must take the blame for what is happening around him is that he failed to act decisively but democratically on the concerns that were raised by the likes of Khupe and her colleagues in the Matabeleland region.

Khupe, by virtue of being the most senior MDC politician in Matabeleland, carries a lot of weight and has respect of that constituency.

All the talk that she is overestimating herself, does not help Tsvangirai in his quest to finally deliver change to the people of Zimbabwe — because that he cannot achieve that by ignoring the concerns of the people of Matabeleland — who have transmitted their disquiet over the MDC  Alliance through Khupe.

The poor crowd at the MDC Alliance rally in Bulawayo on Saturday and the boycott of the event by Khupe, national chairperson Lovemore Moyo and organising secretary Abednico Bhebe, told a big story.

If Tsvangirai is to succeed in avoiding a further split, he has to take a different approach and be conciliatory, open to have meaningful dialogue with Khupe and her colleagues in Matabeleland.

It does not bode well for the unity that Tsvangirai is trying to preach when he cannot share a cup of coffee or tea with his disgruntled deputy.

Again it would be foolhardy to think that the people of Matabeleland, who have faithfully supported the MDC, can just okay everything Tsvangirai does — even if it includes characterising Khupe and the regional leaders as people who are against a coalition.

Tsvangirai must by now know that without universal acceptance of his decisions in the party, he can’t pull it off in 2018.

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HARARE - President Robert Mugabe is expected to sign into law this week a Bill that restores his singular authority to name the Chief Justice.

Parliament passed the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 1) Bill last month, with the Bill rammed through both houses through Zanu PF’s super majority. The changes now await presidential approval.

The law, passed by both houses of Parliament, amends section 180 of the Constitution and gives sole and unfettered discretion to President Mugabe to appoint the chief justice, deputy chief justice and judge president of the High Court of his choice whenever there are vacancies for such posts.

According to General Notice 485/2017, published in Friday’s Government Gazette, the Bill was sent to Mugabe for assent and signature on August 22 and has not been returned.
A new Constitution produced by an inter-party parliamentary committee agreed by Zanu PF and MDC negotiators before a referendum in 2013 curbed presidential powers by requiring the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) — a panel of mostly senior judges and lawyers — to conduct  public interviews for the post of chief justice, reflecting Mugabe’s whittled down authority under the new Constitution.

A University of Zimbabwe law student approached the High Court to stop the JSC interviews, arguing the process was flawed, citing an “incestuous relationship” between the candidates and the interviewing panel.
The High Court ruled in favour of the student, who also wanted Mugabe alone to appoint the chief justice.

But the JSC lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court, invalidating the High Court ruling and forging ahead with the interviews, which were beamed live on State television.
But the government was adamant, and used Zanu PF’s two thirds majority to amend the new Constitution to reinstate Mugabe’s sole responsibility.

The National Assembly passed the Bill by a vote of 182 for and 41 against, while 53 Senators voted for the Bill, and 19 voted against.
The Bill, if assented to by Mugabe, will affect the manner of appointment of the new deputy chief justice, a post that has been vacant since March 27, when Luke Malaba was appointed Chief Justice.

While Mugabe appointed Malaba in accordance with the existing constitutional procedure, it is not clear if he intends to appoint a new deputy CJ in terms of same procedure — JSC advertisement, public interviews and all.
During the Second Reading debate, MDC Senators argued that it was wrong in principle to amend the Constitution so soon after a lengthy and very expensive Constitution-making process had produced an agreed document subsequently approved by the country’s voters in a referendum.

They also protested that the Bill’s changes in the method of appointing top judges would detract from the independence of the judiciary.
Responding to the debate, Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa, who steered the Bill through Parliament, rubbished both arguments.

He asserted that as the Constitution allows amendments to be made at any time, no matter how soon, there can be no valid objection to an amendment put forward by a party that commands the special parliamentary majorities needed to have amendments passed.
He contended that the new appointment procedure would in no way detract from the independence of the judiciary.

“Let me assure the Senate that this is not the only thing we intend to amend in the Constitution,” Mnangagwa said.
“There are many other areas which we are looking at, which we feel should be amended. It is not a question of being a Zanu PF government in power, but it is a question of a democratic process.

“A democratic process requires that the party that has the majority after a general election should form a government and it has a programme. If the Constitution forbids the implementation of a programme, they have a choice to amend the Constitution so that the programme can go forward.
“If next time, they are not in power and some other political party comes in and thinks that they must amend, the Constitution allows them to amend — but for now we are amending, because we feel it must be amended.”

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, an alliance of 300 civic groups, has said “this shameless action” will open a floodgate of many amendments to the Constitution by the government and said the Bill is one of the clauses that were rejected during the Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac)-led constitution-making process in 2012 regarding executive appointments.
“In the face of impending elections in 2018, the amendment strengthens the establishment of competitive authoritarianism and marks an end to the principle of separation of powers, as the judicial arm becomes subjected to presidential control reminiscent of the Lancaster House Constitution,” said the coalition, which groups various rights organisations.

Morgan Tsvangirai’s former advisor and constitutional law expert Alex Magaisa has said Zanu PF must not be allowed to get a two-thirds majority in the 2018 election.
It risks placing Mugabe above the law, a reversal of the gains made in the 2013 Constitution that markedly whittled down the power of the president.

“This is why a key battle ground in next year’s elections is over the two thirds parliamentary majority,” Magaisa said.
And on the campaign trail during the on-going youth interface rallies, Mugabe is urging supporters to make sure that the ruling party wins the 2018 election with at least a two-thirds majority.

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HARARE - Vice President Emmerson  Mnangagwa has lost his key loyalist  Godfrey Tsenengamu, who exclusively told the Daily News yesterday that he has joined a newly-formed opposition political party Zimbabwe Partnership for Prosperity (Zipp).

Tsenengamu, an eminent Zanu PF youth organiser, fronted the so-called famous seven — a grouping of youth leaders which orchestrated the demolition job of former vice president Joice Mujuru in 2014.

The former Mashonaland Central provincial youth league chairperson said he decided to join Zipp, which was formed by 39-year-old South Africa-based Blessing Kasiyamhuru, after realising that he needed a new political home, having spent two years in the political wilderness.

“Following my suspension from Zanu PF in 2015 and expulsion in 2016, I have now moved on and settled with the Zipp under the esteemed leadership of my youthful president, Blessing Kasiyamhuru,” Tsenengamu told the Daily News yesterday.

He added: “I am now a partner with the Zipp in Mashonaland Central province.”

The eloquent politician, who is eyeing the Mt Darwin West National Assembly seat in next year’s general elections, said his move should not be seen as ditching Mnangagwa, whom he not long ago described as his political role model.

“I have not ditched Mnangagwa, I have simply picked myself up. I actually wish him the best,” he said.

Responding to a question as to why he had joined an opposition party against his earlier claims that he would remain loyal to presidential aspirant, Mnangagwa, Tsenengamu said he only joined Zipp because it resonated with his political ideology.

“There was no party at that time that had values and an ideological position I believed in until Zipp came around,” he said before waxing lyrical of the little-known Kasiyamhuru, whom he believes should be Zimbabwe’s next Head of State.

“He is very humble, composed, not full of hate and an appetite for vengeance, solutions-oriented, God-fearing, accommodative and engaging. He is a peace-loving natural unifier,” sang Tsenengamu.

Asked if he was taking along with him his close comrades that made the so-called famous seven, including former provincial youth chairpersons Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West); Godwin Gomwe (Harare); Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North); Khumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo); Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South) and Edmore Samambwa (Midlands), Tsenengamu said: “It is now each man for himself.”

In 2014, the so-called famous seven traversed the length and breadth of Zimbabwe and drove the crusade which swept aside Mujuru and promoted Mnangagwa.

Tsenengamu was one of the people who publicised Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction as he and others were pictured wearing T-shirts with the Lacoste inscription and a crocodile insignia, apparently depicting Mnangagwa’s moniker.

The Zipp was formed in December last year and is in a massive recruitment drive.

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HARARE - Businessman and musician Energy Mutodi’s application to be removed from remand on charges of insulting President Robert Mugabe was thrown out yesterday, with the court indicating the case was proceeding to trial.

Mutodi appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande on charges of causing disaffection among members of the defence forces and undermining or insulting the president.

He was arrested by armed police officers following his Facebook post in which he warned Mugabe of dire consequences in the event he failed to handle the burning succession issue in his party.

Sande ruled that Mutodi’s application was misplaced ostensibly because there was reasonable suspicion that the businessman-cum-politician had committed the offences alleged.

“The accused person made an application challenging his placement on remand and moved for further remand refusal arguing that the facts as presented by the State did not disclose an offence.

“His argument was that he was exercising his freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution,” Sande ruled.

“However, the court would not want to turn a blind eye that the utterances made by the accused person can cause disaffection among members of defence forces. The court does not agree that he must not be placed on remand but instead be served with a trial date.”

Mutodi had filed the application on the basis that his arrest and prosecution over the allegations was ultra vires constitutionally-guaranteed rights.

“The article read as a whole does not disclose an offence and that his arrest violates his rights under Section 49 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (right to personal liberty), on the basis that he was arrested on incorrect information; Section 50 in that he was not advised, on arrest, of the correct reasons for his arrest and the reasons were only furnished when he was warned and cautioned on different split charges; Section 56 (equality and non-discrimination), in that he is being charged for making a political commentary on an issue of public interest on which many other political commentators have commented and that he is the only one selected for arrest…,” Mutodi said.

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HARARE - The MDC Alliance has said it will present a detailed economic blue print in the near future, former Finance minister Tendai Biti has said.

Speaking at the Bulawayo launch of a pre-election pact involving seven political organisations on Saturday, the opposition PDP president said a grand plan will be part of the package of the grand coalition.

“The alliance we are forming must offer deliverables to the people of Zimbabwe, a tangible programme to the people of Zimbabwe. The first thing we will do is to write a programme of action on the economy, we will present the document to the people of Zimbabwe,” Biti said.

He highlighted that the experience gained by team members in the alliance during the tenure of the Government of National Unity would ensure the coalition delivers jobs.

During this period which was around four years, the economy grew on an average of 7 percent annually. In 2011, the economy grew by 11 percent in GDP terms making it the fastest growing economy in the world. Biti was recognised as the best Finance minister on the African continent for the achievement.

“We have friends, we have comrades, we have countries that trust us to allow their companies to come and invest in our country,” he said.

He said with the GDP at $12 billion, it means growing the economy at the rate of 7 percent per annum; means a $100 billion dollar economy is achievable within 15 years.

According to Biti, the Alliance would also prioritise attending to the infrastructure in the country.

“We have an energy crisis in Zimbabwe, the people of Zimbabwe are subjected to blackouts, I want to promise on behalf of the Alliance that we can create 4 000 megawatts of electricity starting from Victoria Falls,” he said.

Zimbabwe power generation is currently around 1 000 MW, less than half its peak demand, forcing local industries to use costly diesel generators to keep operations running.

“Our road network in Zimbabwe adds up to 88 000 kilometres but only 10 percent of those roads are paved. Zimbabwe is now the pothole capital of Africa worse off than countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. On behalf of the Alliance, I want to say we will make a difference on the state of our roads,” he said.

Biti also outlined the Alliance’s commitment to the social agenda, lamenting the state of public hospitals and schools in Zimbabwe.

He highlighted the need for transforming the people’s lives after alleged failure by the Zanu PF government to deliver since independence.

“As one of the leaders of the Alliance, I am at pains to reconcile with the fact that a majority of our people are still using the bush as a bathroom 37 years after independence. In countries like Rwanda, grass-thatched huts are now history.

“This Alliance will deal with the issue of rural underdevelopment. Mugabe’s achievement was to ensure we remain poor. His biggest achievement was to under develop the black person; the black man and the black woman.

“On behalf of the Alliance, I want to make a promise, I want to make a pledge that the defining characteristic of the Alliance is that it will deliver because what brings us here is the quest to make a difference, the quest to create change, the quest to bring transformation for the people we love so much, the people we are prepared to die for,” he said.

He appealed to Zimbabweans and democrats to be cognisant of the fact that the people of Zimbabwe are suffering, therefore, must be in support of unity so as to give the people a chance.

“This unity cannot and should not be a cause for disunity,” he said.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai echoed the same sentiments; saying political actors must not be divided around ethnicity.

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HARARE - At least 35 youths have quit Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party (NPP) protesting inept leadership and alleged corruption within party ranks.

The mass resignations last week left the youth wing’s Hatfield district in Harare with no representation.

In a stinging letter addressed to the NPP Harare provincial youth chair, Donald Chimatira, Hatfield acting district youth chairperson Dexter Zvirevo said the youths were hugely disappointed by the leadership of Harare provincial main wing chairman Friday Muleya.

Muleya was elected to lead the Harare province ahead of former Zanu PF central committee member Munyaradzi Banda at last month’s convention.

“The Harare province team, mainly main wing, has reduced the party into a mafia group which I think I can’t defend in any campaign,” said Zvirevo in his resignation letter, which also is highly critical of leadership qualities of members of the main wing.

“I am allergic to corruption and as you may know, the wars we fought against it within the party are pointless and unwinnable since the province has an organised group of thieves from national members. It is a well-documented fact that this is happening and with impunity,” Zvirevo wrote.

He accused Muleya of embezzling transport money availed by the party to assist members to travel to its inaugural convention held last month.

Muleya said: “I did not embezzle any party funds. In fact, people used their own money to come to the conference. The party has no money at the moment and if there was, it would be in the hands of the treasurer and not me.”

Zvirevo also said NPP’s chances of winning next year’s general elections were very slim.

“If all provinces of NPP are run the way Harare is, I can safely confirm that if NPP miraculously win power, an NPP government will be worse than Zanu PF. The party has been reduced to a union of rejects. It has all failed politicians from other parties within its ranks which I think is why the party is in this state,” he said before tearing into Mujuru.

“The interviews of the president herself on both radio and television are a pointer to where we are going. Mai Mujuru had a very good name when she joined the opposition but the name is increasingly dented day-by-day, which I think it’s either she is surrounded by weak people or she is weak herself or both.

“Mobilisation strategies of NPP are weak.  Honestly to me, that means we are doing something wrong or we are in a wrong party or both,” Zvirevo said in the letter.

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HARARE - Urban grooves musician Tererai Mugwadi killed a man and injured several others in an accident, but refused to offer any assistance, a Chitungwiza court heard yesterday.

Mugwadi, 32, was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and culpable homicide shortly after the June 23, accident.

One of the accident victims — Nomatter Mahute — who escaped with multiple injuries, told the Chitungwiza Magistrate’s Courts how he had tried to persuade Mugwadi to assist but was met with hostility.

“After I had assisted my friend who was bleeding profusely and appeared to have sustained a number of head injuries and a dislocated hand, I approached Mugwadi to check if she was okay,” Mahute said.

“I got there and she was seated in her car. I asked her if she could come and assist us. Akangoti siyanai neni kana pane afa ndinobhadhara (She said leave me alone, if anyone has died I will pay).  I was shocked at her reply and walked away to help the others. She just remained in her car until the ambulance came.”

Mahute said the Waenda hitmaker showed no remorse; hence he could not absolve her of any wrongdoing.

In her defence outline, Mugwadi indicated that she swerved from her lane and into the inner lane after her eyes were blinded by the flash lights of an oncoming vehicle. Mahute argued that Mugwadi could have avoided the accident had she slowed down and cast her eyes in the opposite direction rather than encroach into another lane.

Another victim, Lucky Taderera, who appeared in court with his right hand in a plaster and with visible  stitches on his head, narrated how he remembered the accident occurring.

Taderera said the force of the impact caused the truck to go airborne before it tumbled, in the process throwing off five passengers who were at the back.

“I can’t say much but I remember losing consciousness when our car was lifted into the air before it tumbled to the ground,” Taderera said.

“From that stage, I did not remember much as my head was bleeding and I was unconscious only to wake up at Parirenyatwa Hospital.”

It is the State’s case that Mugwadi, on June 23 this year around 8:40pm, was driving a Toyota Rav4 along Seke Road from Harare to Chitungwiza, allegedly under the influence of alcohol when she encroached into the inner lane of the double-laned Harare-Chitungwiza road.

The State alleges that Mugwadi failed to control her vehicle before encroaching onto the inner lane where she ploughed into a car that was going in the same direction, tossing it into the air.

One of the five passengers at the back, Marvelous Seremani, died on the spot.

The matter was remanded to September 8, for continuation of trial which will recommence with the last State witness Lameck Chiyeka taking to the stand.

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HARARE - A man who drove his SA-registered haulage truck into a bus at high speed in a fatal accident at Nyamatikiti River near Chaka in Chirumhanzu on April 5, killing dozens of passengers, has been jailed for one year for dangerous driving causing death, after his claims of mechanical failure were rejected.

Mvuma magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda also suspended the driving licence of Regis Mungwari, 29 — a driver of Transmech Logistics, for two years.
Mungwari, who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge, had argued there was a “catastrophic failure of the steering wheel” when he was driving to Harare when the vehicles sideswiped and both burst into flames because of the impact.

The State prosecutor said Mungwari acted negligently, resulting in the loss of life.
Most of the victims were “burnt beyond recognition”.

Magistrate Chibanda heard evidence by mechanical experts and found no evidence of mechanical failure, but said Mungwari had shown remorse and contrition and assisted the accident victims with  $2 400.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has said metal identity cards will be accepted during the biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise.

This comes after Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede said only holders of machine readable plastic identity cards will be able to register to vote, while those with metal cards would be excluded.

“Following recent press reports implying that those with metal identity cards will not be allowed to register during the forthcoming biometric voter registration BVR exercise we seek to set the record straight,” Zec said in a press statement.

“Voter registration requirements are enshrined in Section 4 of Statutory Instruments 85 of 2017 (Voter Registration Regulations) which state that for any Zimbabwean to register as a voter, they can use a national identity document which takes the form of a metal ID, plastic ID or a waiting pass with the holder’s photograph.

“During the BVR exercise, Zec will register all Zimbabweans whose citizenship is confirmed by national identity documents lawfully issued to them.”

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HARARE - Veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle are courting former Home Affairs minister and Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa who left Zanu PF a decade ago after growing disillusioned with policies of the former liberation movement.

It is not clear what role the war veterans want the decorated liberation war hero to play.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson Chris Mutsvangwa told the Daily News that the ex-combatants had held meetings with Dabengwa on many occasions.

“I met on several occasions with Dumiso Dabengwa, my respected war time general. He came and addressed our last ZNLWA meeting at National City Sports Centre. I joined the birthday honours of Lucas Hadebe, the first Zipra (Zimbabwe People Revolutionary Army) armed guerrilla of the 1960s.

“We were joint key note speakers at Joshua Nkomo centenary event hosted at Wits University. All told, we still share a common national vision of our Zanla and Zipra joint military history as national liberation movements that are the crucible of the present defence and security establishment of Zimbabwe.

“His absence from national governance and economic discourse has created unwarranted space for the counter revolutionary G40 to usurp State House and destroy all the hopes of a confident and capable populace,” said Mutsvangwa.

Impeccable sources told the Daily News that war veterans, most who have publicly declared their support for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his reported presidential ambitions, want Dabengwa to play a role in their current fight against the G40 faction.

Yesterday, Dabengwa was not picking up his phone but his party has thus far refused to enter into any alliance agreement with other opposition parties raising speculation in opposition circles that Zapu could rejoin a reformed Zanu PF.

Dabengwa left Zanu PF in 2008 but has consistently refused to be drawn into any opposition alliances.

In 2013, Dabengwa boasted that he along with former Finance minister Simba Makoni, who now lead Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn united to divide the opposition vote in order to prevent Tsvangirai’s outright victory.

“I think we achieved what we had set ourselves to achieve and that is to make sure Morgan (Tsvangirai) did not win that election and that Mugabe did not win that election,” Dabengwa said then.

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HARARE - Opposition parties and protest movements under the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) have castigated Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo for threatening to arrest those criticising the First Family.

This comes after Chombo said police must arraign everyone criticising the first family, in apparent reference to Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general Victor Matemadanda, who came out recently with a T-shirt which castigated the First Lady as a bad mother.

“We note with rage, the unrepentant character of Zanu PF of perpetually capturing and abusing State institutions for their partisan interests. The remarks by ...Chombo at the recently-held Grace Mugabe solidarity march that ‘those insulting or demeaning Grace Mugabe face imminent arrest’ are not just reckless, they amount to blatant abuse of the constitutional mandate of the police service as qualified in Chapter 11 Section 219 (1) and 219 (3),” Nera Youth Forum said in a joint statement signed by chairman Tawanda Kalonga and information director Davies Mukushwa.

“In particular, his orders that police apprehend anti-Grace citizens are a flagrant breach of Sections 58, 59 and 61 of the Constitution which bestow upon all citizens of the Republic of Zimbabwe freedom of assembly and association, freedom to demonstrate and petition and freedom of expression.”

Recently, Matemadanda was arrested for wearing a T-shirt mocking Grace.

The T-shirt was written; “Control your children first, say war vets. Grace a failed mum; her sons unruly rogues. Failing with only two boys, can’t mother 14 million.”

The first family has been in the eye of a storm, with Grace being a talking point for weeks, following allegations that she assaulted Gabriella Engels, a 20-year-old South African model she found in the company of her sons at a Johannesburg hotel.

“Instead of immortalising Grace Mugabe, we challenge minister Chombo to be exemplary and handover Grace ... to the South African courts for prosecution in her alleged grievous assault of ...Engels to save the worsening Zimbabwe-South Africa diplomatic ties from further deterioration,” Nera’s statement said.

Civic society groups and opposition political parties both in Zimbabwe and South Africa have been calling for Grace’s prosecution on the allegations.

“ . . . Chombo should be kindly reminded of Section 219(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe which reads: ‘The police service must be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to the civilian authority as established by this Constitution’,” Nera said.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has asked Parliament to retire Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede on the grounds he has long passed the retirement age.

As first reported by the Daily News last month,  government is violating public service regulations by keeping in its employ bureaucrats who are way past their pensionable age. Topping the list is Mudede, who is 74 years of age.

Mudede has been in charge of all elections held in Zimbabwe since 1981, amid accusations by the ruling Zanu PF’s rivals of ballot fraud favouring the governing party.

The country’s electoral processes are, however, now being overseen by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, headed by Justice Rita Makarau.

Harare West MDC legislator Jessie Majome asked the Home Affairs minister to notify the National Assembly just before it adjourned for three weeks when the Registrar–General was born and if he is above the age of 65 years, why has he not retired from the Civil Service.

Home Affairs deputy minister Obedingwa Mguni said: “Thank you very much Hon. Member for your question.  However, this issue lies in the hands of the Public Service Commission. Those are the people who are running the ages, retrenchment and everything to do with employment.”

Civil service regulations on pensionable age and retirement, state that a member appointed on pensionable terms of service before May 1, 1992, shall have a pensionable age of 65 years, while those appointed afterwards shall have a pensionable age of 60.

The regulations also provide that the “paymaster shall, on the 1st (of) June each year, provide all heads of ministry or department with a list of members who will reach the age of 55, 60 or 65 years during the ensuing year.”

Mudede has been in the eye of a storm after saying only holders of machine readable plastic identity cards will be able to register to vote, while those with metal cards would be excluded.

Zimbabweans on micro-blogging site Twitter slammed Mudede for trying to cause confusion in the voting process.

Brian Makamure‏ who uses the twitter handle @mukwidigwi wrote:  “Mudede is just a past his best-by date beaurucrat looking for relevance. Stick to family planning issues man.”

Former MDC minister Jameson Timba‏ said on Twitter:  “Tobaiwa Mudede must not be allowed anywhere near anything remotely called an election. Even for a burial society election.”

@BelieveCitizen wrote: “Civic society should push for the retirement of Tobaiwa Mudede. The clown, I believe, is over the retirement age of 65.”

Another Twiiter user by the handle @mmatigary: “Mudede’s story about metal IDs, if true, shows he is a mental now.  By issuing statements he has no authority to, Mudede caused alarm & despondency. He must be arrested.”

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HARARE - South African socialite Zodwa Wabantu will not be stopped from coming to Zimbabwe despite a ban imposed on her by the Board of Censors, government disclosed yesterday.

This comes after the Board of Censors barred Zodwa from participating in the ongoing Harare International Carnival on the basis that her signature look — short dress with no panties — would violate the country’s laws, especially the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act (Chapter 10: 04) section 16.

But in an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Home Affairs deputy minister Obedingwa Mguni said the popular South African socialite won’t be barred from entering Zimbabwe.

“Why should we be concerned about her coming? She has been here in Bulawayo before and why do you think we should be worried now?” he asked.

Asked if Zodwa would be allowed to take part in the Carnival, Mguni referred this paper to Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi.

“If you want to know about whether or not she will perform then ask Mzembi,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Mzembi were fruitless yesterday. His mobile number repeatedly went unanswered.

In an interview with a local weekly at the weekend, Mzembi said Zodwa won’t be allowed to take part in the Carnival.

“Her association, directly or indirectly with the Harare International Carnival, a government-conceived and approved branding and entertainment event, means the government is essentially the stage.

“And by the way, stages are very powerful communication platforms and therefore we could not be seen promoting how she brands her dancing through nudity or creating peeping Toms out of her audiences. Government can’t be that big peeping Tom or facilitator of such,” Mzembi was quoted as saying.

At the weekend, a defiant Zodwa told a South African newspaper — Sunday Independent — that her trip to Harare was still on.

“My booking is not cancelled and all my travel arrangements remain the same,” she said, adding that she will not change her signature look, which drew the ire of the Board of Censors and Mzembi.

“I told them if they want me to wear a covered outfit and panties then they must buy it for me because I don’t have any. I won’t change my look just for Zimbabwe, I have so many people who admire me and book me because of my look, should I change that I’ll lose a lot of money over one gig. I can’t risk that.”

The controversial South African socialite also hit back at former Studio 263 actress Anne Nhira who successfully appealed to government to ban her from taking part in the ongoing carnival.

“That woman is talking rubbish; my invite has not been cancelled.

“In Zimbabwe, it’s where I will be on September 7, I will not be stopped by her jealousy-driven complaint. She is not the one who invited me in the first place.

“I don’t even know why she sticks her nose in my business instead of focusing on herself. There are many Zimbabweans working in South Africa, why should it be an issue if I am invited to perform there?” said a fuming Zodwa.

The larger-than-life South African also expressed her determination to confront Nhira on the matter.

“I would love to have a word with her about this. She is just jealous of me. She must work hard on her acting career, maybe she will end up making more money like myself,” she said.

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HARARE - Introduced in November last year as part of measures meant to address the liquidity crisis, bond notes have fallen sharply in their value, stirring a wave of massive price increases, especially of basic goods.

The Daily News can report that the high demand for foreign currencies required to effect payments for goods and services sourced externally has seen the value of bond notes declining by as much as 50 percent on the currency black market.

Though illegal, Zimbabwe operates a three-tier pricing system, which dominates domestic transactions.

This is where a buyer is charged different prices depending on the mode of payment used.

For instance, it is cheaper to pay using hard currencies, while a heavy premium is paid on transactions effected through electronic transfers (including swipe) and bond notes.

Owing to the liquidity crunch affecting banks, the bulk of transactions are now going through currency dealers operating on the parallel market.

Because Zimbabwe imports more than it exports, the black market is now influencing pricing trends.

As such, a transfer now attracts a 48 percent premium, while cash transactions for smaller denominations range between eight and 9,5 percent, depending on the currency involved.

For larger notes such as US$50 and $100, it can cost the buyer up to 10 percent.

The majority of companies, whose payments fall outside the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) priority list for accessing the elusive US dollars in banks, rely on bank transfers to get the coveted currency on the parallel market.

As a result, prices for all basic consumer goods have gone up by between 20 and 50 percent as companies and retailers pass on the costs to the ordinary consumer.

Most supermarkets yesterday were displaying new prices consistent with the fall of the bond notes.

Cooking oil increased from $2,85 in August to $3,15 inside a month while prices of some beverages increased by between 30 and 40 percent.

Beef prices are now averaging $6 for economy and as high as $13 per kilogramme for the super grade.

Other goods whose prices have gone up are chicken, eggs, rice, mealie-meal and sugar.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Denford Mutashu told the Daily News that there has been a surge in prices of most goods owing to the cost of money on the parallel market.

“Most manufacturers and importers are resorting to the illegal market for foreign payments for raw materials and other critical goods,” he said.

“The cash premiums of an upwards of 30 percent is seriously causing price distortions on the market. This is hurting the economy and the consumers are most affected as business has simply passed on the cost of money to the customer,” added Mutashu.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Sifelani Jabangwe said companies were left with no option but to increase prices given the sharp depreciation of the bond notes.

“Businesses are raising prices to avoid closing down due the US dollar premiums being paid for on the black market. This is an unbudgeted cost that is eating into the small (profit) margins of most,” Jabangwe told the Daily News.

Most companies that import raw materials have abandoned the RBZ route where approvals of their foreign currency applications are now taking between one month and six weeks — depending on the availability of US dollars and priority.

Zimbabwe is currently in the grips of a serious economic crisis, which has resulted in severe cash shortages and disappearance of US dollars from the formal market.

This comes at a time when the country is experiencing acute cash crisis due to a burgeoning government expenditure, huge import bill and alleged illicit financial inflows among other things.

Long-suffering Zimbabweans are now being forced to accept huge sackfuls of coins from their banks and mobile money agents as bond notes vanish from the local market on the back of currency dealers who are either hoarding them for speculative purposes or taking the surrogate currency into the black market.

Analysts have said Zimbabwe needs to increase its production to earn more foreign currency.

Businesses and a larger section of society have been pushing for the adoption of the South African rand to save the country from plunging further into an economic crisis.

President Robert Mugabe also backed Zimbabwe’s greater use of the South African currency when he spoke in an interview with the ZBC to mark his 93rd birthday early this year.

The Zanu PF leader also said bonds notes were a temporary measure to mitigate cash shortages in the country.

“Bond notes are just a temporary thing. We want you to bear with us. We want you to bear with us. We wanted to adopt them for a short period,” he said then.

Former Finance minister, Tendai Biti, making a presentation at Sapes Trust last week, said that he will be taking part in a court application pertaining to the US dollar-bond note parity.

“Various exchange rates are in the market against a background of a set exchange rate of 1:1 against the United States Dollar set out in the RBZ Act…Biti said the issue of stolen value of money through the bond notes will soon spill into the courts in a case that he is also involved.

“The bond notes have also caused distortions in the market driving inflation upwards, more importantly the bond notes have driven away the remaining forex which was in circulation,” Biti’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said in a statement.

Zimbabwe introduced the bond notes at the end of last year as an incentive to exporters and short term measure to stabilise the market.

The notes were meant to circulate along with a basket of other currencies such as the South African rand, the US dollar and the British pound.

These other currencies were the first to thin out because of a liquidity crisis caused by the country’s failure to produce enough for export to meet its foreign currency requirement.

This has been worsened by the externalisation of foreign currency, lack of balance of payments support and government’s appetite to spend beyond its revenue-generating capacity.

Officials in the banking sector have confirmed that the bond notes were now being found beyond the country’s borders.

This comes as the RBZ is aiming to introduce $300 million worth of bond notes under a fresh arrangement with the Africa Export Import Bank, which would bring the total value of bond notes in circulation to $500 million, following a similar arrangement last year, worth $200 million.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) last Thursday reached its highest post United States Dollar adoption, after capping the month of August on the front foot as bulls continued to drive the indices higher.

With the previous highest level set on August 1, 2013 — the day after Zimbabwe’s last general election — the benchmark Industrial Index charged 1,30 percent in the final session of August and closed at an all-time high of 235,03 points having accumulated 15,6 percent over the month, on unrelenting local demand buoyed by institutional investors.

Leading the market charge was fast foods group Simbisa Brands that surged 14,11 percent to a high of $0,4700; local seed manufacturer SeedCo, followed after sailing 8,31 percent to an all-time high of $1,7415 having touched an intra-day high of $1,8000, where it closed well bid.

Telecoms giant, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe put on 1,35 percent and ended at $0,4885 as beverages group Delta added 0,77 percent to $1,4107.

Completing the top risers of the day list was dual-listed group, Old Mutual, which firmed 0,55 percent and closed at $4,1125.

Holding back the market gains were losses in a couple of stocks Edgars and Meikles that were in respective losses of 10 percent and 6,67 percent as they ended at $0,0450 and $0,2100 respectively.

Activity aggregates reflected an improvement as the market spends went up 105,82 percent to $650 000, stemming from a 569,74 percent surge in volume of shares traded to 8,58 million shares.

Driving the market spend was SeedCo and Zimre Property Investments that accounted for 45,55 percent and 19,60 percent respectively.

Volumes of the day were propelled by property group ZPI, which claimed 93,25 percent of the aggregate after a block of eight million shares exchanged hands at a price of $0,0160.

Foreign play remains subdued on the demand side as a mere $25 937 in-inflows were recorded against outflows of $426 094.

The local bourse reached a four-year capitalisation high after breaching the $6 billion mark during the month of August. Earlier that month, the market breached the 200 point mark, reaching its highest in almost two years.

Having reached a recent low in February 2017, the bourse has been steadily firming as local institutional investors fuel activity on the ZSE.

Over the second quarter, the ZSE gained 41 percent leading to a 35,6 percent return over the first six months of the 2017.

Although volumes have increased somewhat, they have remained relatively subdued outside of Econet with foreign investors remaining on the side-lines because they are still failing to access US dollars to repatriate any sales proceeds.

The rally continued on Friday last week as the industrial index firmed a further 1,26 percent to close at 238 points.

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HARARE - London-listed mining firm Vast Resources says gold production at its Zimbabwean unit went up by 36 percent to 4 037 ounces in the second quarter to June 2017.

Vast Resources owns Pickstone-Peerless gold mine in Zimbabwe and the company has plans to ramp up production.

“ . . . mining, processing and production levels at Pickstone-Peerless have recovered and additional gold production, albeit modest, is being realised from the artisanal gold processing facility that was commissioned in the first quarter of 2017,” Vast Resources chief executive, Roy Pitchford said.

He added that first sulphide production is scheduled during the current quarter and is anticipated to increase total gold production capacity by approximately 75 percent from the current 20 000 tonnes of ore per month to 35 000 tonnes.

“Further exploration drilling will be evaluated in addition to consultations with representatives of artisanal miners on site,” he said.

The junior miner has also just been selected for the right to mine at the polymetallic Baita Plai mine — its second project in Romania.

Pitchford said getting a licence for Baita Plai has been a drawn-out process for Vast Resources, but with this recommendation, from State-owned mining company Baita, the major hurdle has been overcoming believes.

A final association licence is required to allow mining to begin. This requires a Ministerial Agreement, regulatory approvals from Romania’s National Agency for Mineral Resources and the final negotiations of the terms and conditions of the association licence.

But the green light from Baita means there is a clear path to get the licence issued.

A change of mood in Romania is also helping the government to work with the mining sector keen on opening new mines.

As a result, Pitchford hopes a licence can be agreed on within 45 days.

Baita Plai was originally a molybdenum play, but Vast Resources will mine it for copper, lead and zinc with good credits for silver and gold.

Its other mine in Romania, at Manaila, already produces copper and zinc, but the cost of production is lower and ease of access better at Baita, says Pitchford.

The cost of bringing the mine on stream is forecast to be $1,2 million.

Meanwhile, work is also set to start on proving the value of Giant, Vast Resources second mine in Zimbabwe.

“We remain confident that the underlying quality and value prospects of our mines in both Zimbabwe and Romania are excellent and expect production rates to be further enhanced going forward,” Pitchford added.

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HARARE - Controversial dancer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda has promised to give a good account of herself on Friday night at the Samba Night event set for the Private Lounge which will be headlined by Brazilian and Cuban girls.

The Samba Night is one of the flagship events of the ongoing Harare International Carnival.

“As Sexy Angels we are looking forward to an interesting encounter with the internationally-acclaimed dancers.

“We believe we are going to stage a memorable act which can match or surpass that of the visitors. Remember we are at our home ground, we want to leave lasting impressions but however, we are also happy that we are going to learn a thing or two from the visitors,” Bev said through her manager Hapaguti “Harpers” Mapimhidze.

The Harare International Carnival kicked off with a bira organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in collaboration with traditional leaders. Also on Saturday, the Carnival Cultural Show and Costume Parade held at Longcheng Plaza near the National Sports Stadium as part of the Harare International Carnival.

More than 20 countries are taking part in Harare International Carnival Street Party set to take place on Saturday. Several carnival groups from various countries have started to jet into the country.

The first international cultural group to fly into the country for the event was an Indian troupe which arrived last Friday.

The Rhumba Night, which will be headlined by Congolese rhumba icon Werrason, will take place at Time and Jazz on Friday. On the same night there will be the Zimdancehall Fiesta scheduled for Harare Gardens being organised by Knock-Out Promotions.

In addition to Werrason, several international artistes will take part in this year’s edition of the carnival. The star-studded list includes Jamaican artiste Beenie Man, South African songstress Babes Wodumo, Busiswa, Kalawa, Uhuru and Dr Malinga among others.

Local stars Oliver Mtukudzi and Jah Prayzah will perform at the welcome reception set for Rainbow Towers on Thursday.

The highlight of the 2017 carnival will be the Street Party which will feature a procession which will make its way from Simon Muzenda Street along Jason Moyo Avenue to Freedom Square.

At Freedom Square, revellers will be treated to live music from different local and international musicians.

“Our sponsor Big Time Strategic Group of South Africa is bringing in real entertainment. It will provide state-of-the-art dome stage and public address system,” ZTA spokesperson Sugar Chagonda said.

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HARARE - The Mighty Warriors are stepping up their preparations for the Cosafa Women Championships regional tournament.

Zimbabwe, who are the defending champions after winning the tournament when it was last held in 2011 are pooled in Group A alongside neighbours Zambia, Madagascar and Malawi.

Group B consists guest nations Kenya, Mauritius and Mozambique while three-time winners South Africa are in Group C alongside Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana.

The tournament is scheduled to run from September 13 to 24 and will be staged in Bulawayo at two venues — Barbourfields Stadium and Luveve Stadium. 

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The Mighty Warriors’ last competitive match was in November last year at the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon but team manager Charity Munemo has expressed satisfaction with the progress the team has made since they began preparations last month.

“Our preparations are going on smoothly. The girls are getting better each day and we are almost there,” Munemo told the Daily News.

“We are focusing on a few touch-ups otherwise much of the ground has already been covered.

“There are really positive signs since we started. We are training twice a day in the morning and in the afternoon. I don’t think we have any complaints and we can’t wait for the tournament to start.”

The Cosafa tournament will be coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda’s first competitive assignment since she replaced Shadreck Mlauzi in June.

This year’s tournament is the biggest ever field assembled for the Cosafa Women’s Championship as 12 teams are set to take part in a true sign of growth for women’s football in the previous years.

Zim Cosafa Squad:

Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Correctional Queens), Pretty Matshazi (New Orleans), Sheba Rauli (Auckland), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Thelma Timire (Weerams)

Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Lynett Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Danai Bhobho (Harare City), Edline Mutumbami (Blue Swallows), Rufaro Machingura (Black Rhinos), Fortunate Nyoka (Zvishavane)

Midfielders: Marjory Nyaumwe (Correctional Queens), Rejoice Kapvumvuti (Inline), Vimbai Mharadzi (Blue Swallows), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos), Greater Bande (Cyclone), Miranda Ncube (Mwenezana), Rumbidzai Zhoya (Auckland), Rutendo Madongorere (ZRP Queens)

Strikers: Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Priviledge Mupeti (M.S.U), Berita Kabwe (Correctional), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos), Ethel Chinyerere (Blue Swallows), Susan Nyama (Herentals), Concilia Madotsa (Faithdrive), Colleta Jesinawo (Cyclone)

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HARARE - Zimbabwe cricket captain Graeme Cremer is confident he will be a valuable asset for Dhaka Dynamites when the fifth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) commences in two months’ time.

Cremer will be one of the several local players snatched by various BPL sides together with experienced batsman Hamilton Masakadza, all-rounders Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza.

The Zimbabwe captain will team up with the likes of Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Amir, Sunil Narine (West Indies), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) and Shane Watson (Australia) in the BPL defending champions’ dressing room.

“I have always enjoyed playing in Bangladesh. The wickets there suits me as does most of the Asian conditions and most recently I had a good series away in Sri Lanka so I really look forward to giving a good account of myself and the country away in BPL,” Cremer told the Daily News.

“This will be my first time playing in the BPL. I’m glad we also have several of our players who signed with different sides and I’m looking forward to the games that will come straight up after the West Indies series but for now we will put all the focus on the domestic league and the preparations for West Indies.”

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Dhaka snapped up Cremer due to his heroics with the ball during Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka that culminated in the side winning their maiden One Day International series against the Indian Ocean islanders in July.

The leg-spinner also starred in the one-off Test match during the tour claiming nine wickets for 275 runs in Zimbabwe’s narrow four-wicket loss.

This was the best bowling figures by a Zimbabwe captain in a Test match and ranked seventh in the list of best match figures by a Zimbabwe bowler in red ball cricket.

Cremer also bowled the most overs in the Test match — 87,3 overs which was also the most by any Zimbabwe bowler in Tests matches.

Ex-Zimbabwe spinner Raymond Price held the previous record with 79 overs he bowled against South Africa in Bulawayo in 2001.

“I’m so happy that I could contribute to the team in that way. Those were tough conditions for us but happy that I managed to put in some good performances,” Cremer said of his bowling during the tour of Sri Lanka.

“Yes, there have been great captains before me, but I credit a lot to our team and the guys backing me up.

“It was exceptional from the guys, the best thing for me was that everyone contributed to the series win and batting was the most impressive on the tour.”

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