HARARE - Leading mobile network operator (MNO) Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has extended its mobile market leadership by growing its revenue market share to 82 percent, and increasing its customer market share to 52 percent between July and September 2017.

This is according to the latest third quarter (Q3) industry report by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) which regulates the telecom industry in Zimbabwe.

In the Q3 report, Potraz says the telecom industry revenues grew by 21 percent from $185,6 million in the second quarter,to $224,8 in Q3, in large part driven by Econet’s growth, which contributed 99 percent ($38,8 million) of the incremental $39m mobile industry revenue growth in Q3.

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In the same quarter, NetOne’s revenue grew by $1 million, while Telecel’s revenue fell by $0,87 million.

Econet’s revenue growth of $38,8 million in Q3 was a 27 percent growth from the second quarter (April to June 2017) while NetOne’s revenue growth of $1 million was a five percent growth from the previous quarter. Telecel’s $0,87 revenue decline translated to a six percent decline on its Q2 revenues.

Econet’s revenue market share grew by 3,7 percent to 81,6 percent from 77,9 percent in Q2 at the expense of NetOne, whose revenue market share declined by 1,9 percent to close at 12,1 percent, and Telecel which saw its share of revenue slump by 1,8 percent to close at 6,3 percent.

Econet customer market share grew to 51,7 percent in the third quarter, gaining 1,5 percent from 50,2 percent in Q2. But in Q3, both NetOne and Telecel lost customer market share, with NetOne shedding 0,4 percent and Telecel dropping 1,1 percent share of mobile customers.

Among the three major networks, Econet’s customer activation drive resulted in the net addition of 460 000 customers in Q3, compared to NetOne’s 23 000 net additions, and Telecel 5 000 net customer additions.

Total Mobile Data traffic recorded a quarter-on-quarter growth of 39,1 percent (1.100 TB), driven by a 56 percent (643.000 GB) growth in contribution from Econet Wireless. Econet’s data traffic grew by 29 percent (or 689TB) quarter-on-quarter, from 2 300 in Q2, to 3 000 in Q3 to maintain a data traffic market share of more 70 percent.

NetOne’s data traffic grew by 401TB, on the back of what Potraz attributed to discounted promotional offerings. Telecel, which recently launched a promotional night data bundle, also posted a quarter-on-quarter data growth of 75TB —  from 237TB in Q2to 312TB in Q3 2017.

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HARARE – One of Zimbabwe’s top marketers, Douglas Mamvura and renowned banker Ephraim Chawoneka, have resigned from controversy-prone CFI Holdings Limited saying the environment at the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) listed concern was such that staying would have created needless reputational risk for them.

Mamvura and Chawoneka were on the CFI board representing Stalap, which owns 41 percent of the group. They resigned from the board on Tuesday night ahead the agro-industrial group’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called to dismiss them.

Chawoneka and Mamvura, who were appointed to the board in May, were facing an axe for allegedly delaying and refusing to activate the process to cancel the Langford Estate transaction, which Van Hoogstraten’s Messina Investments, a major rival shareholder to Stalap, argues was illegal.

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The saga has already claimed the scalps of acting chairperson Grace Muradzikwa and acting chief executive Timothy Nyika who quit last month.

Non-executive director Shingirayi Zinyemba told shareholders at the EGM that the two directors sent their resignation letters a night before the EGM.

“Shareholders have anticipated and welcomed the resignation of the acting chairperson and the acting chief executive officer. Today’s proposed EGM was to fire the remaining Nssa/Zimre related board members Ephraim Chawoneka and Douglas Mamvura who were asked to resign from their positions by the shareholders. These two conflicted directors sent in their resignation letters last night,” Zinyemba said.

“We will continue to pursue legal action on the fraudulent activities that destroy shareholder value. Next week’s proposed EGM to remove Hamish Rudland from the board will carry the same fate, and we will make necessary announcements on a new board and qualified management team in the near future.”

Messina, which claims the support of 52 percent of shareholders, is seeking the removal from the CFI board of Hamish Rudland and Shingirai Chibanguza at another EGM set for December 13.

Hamish and his brother Simon hold a controlling 40 percent in Zimre Holdings, while Chibanguza is the managing director of Farm&City, a CFI subsidiary.

Messina Investments, in concert with other parties, holds 42 percent in CFI, making it the largest shareholder while Stalap owns 41 percent.

Analysts, however, question the import of the arguments against Mamvura and Chawoneka, who joined the CFI board nearly two years after the Langford deal was signed.

They say this could be a payback after Nssa orchestrated the dismissal of three Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) directors who were nominated by van Hoogstraten soon after it raised its stake in the hotel group to 60 percent.

The three directors, Thandiwe Mlobane, Shingirai Chibanguza and Ian Haruperi were kicked out of RTG in October.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has banned the importation of fuel by members of the public.

In a notice issued yesterday, Zera said the Statutory Instrument which allowed the public to procure fuel has been repealed.

The move seems aimed at curbing an illegal but thriving parallel market of liquid fuels, but could extinguish an entrepreneurial spirit of cross-border traders and their parallel imports from bordering countries like South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana.

“Zera hereby notifies the public that Statutory Instrument 171 of 2015 Control Goods (petroleum products prices) (Amendment) (Number 5) that allowed members of the public to import up to 2 000 litres of fuel per month for personal use without a Zera licence has been repealed through Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017,” the notice said.

Zera said only licensed companies will be allowed to import fuel. After the repeal, importation of all fuel has to be done in terms of the provisions of the Petroleum Act that stipulate that only companies licensed in terms of Section 29 are authorised to import fuel.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has apologised for unusually long queues at Norton toll plaza due to the use of cashless payment methods.

“Zinara and its partners have developed cashless solutions for paying toll fees as an innovative solution for the future. We are pleased that the innovative solutions for paying toll fees has been well embraced by the motoring public,” Zinara said in a statement yesterday.

“The good uptake of this initiative has resulted in about 40 percent of our motoring public preferring this method of payment. However, all cashless payment methods unfortunately take double the processing time compared to cash transactions or even longer depending on network connectivity.

“The longer processing time has inevitably resulted in queue build-ups particularly at Norton toll plaza over the weekends and month-ends.”

Zinara advised that the “relevant authorities and all stakeholders are currently seized with the matter and we are convinced that a solution will be found quickly.”

“As, Zinara we extend our apologies to the motoring public for the inconveniences caused and give them our assurance that the matter will be resolved soon.”

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HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government will soon reintroduce the Zimbabwean dollar which will be anchored by international goodwill, Special Advisor to the President Chris Mutsvangwa has said.

The revelation comes as economists have called for the bond notes to be demonetised in favour of hard currency borrowed abroad.

Government abandoned the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009 after the currency had been rendered worthless by hyperinflation.

Zimbabwe then introduced bond notes in November last year, which have since vanished from circulation.

“One thing for certain which touched the president’s heart was the issue of re-introducing our own currency; that matter has generated a lot of interest amongst investors from South Africa, China even in the European Union who want to see this country progressing,” Mutsvangwa said on Tuesday during a meet-the-people rally in Manicaland.

“He has the goodwill to do it. That goodwill will give confidence for the re-introduction of our local currency. We will then start to rebuild our country with a stable currency so that we develop as people.”

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HARARE - Former deputy prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, pictured, has drawn up a proposed road-map for elections in Zimbabwe, amid high tension between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the opposition.

There had been some expectation that Mnangagwa would bring in figures from outside Zanu PF, from Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party (NPP) or from the various Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions.

Chris Mutsvangwa, the president’s adviser, told the media that Mnangagwa had “engaged” the MDC about forming an “inclusive” team in this way, but Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main MDC, barred members of the party from joining the team.

The MDC disputes this version.

As it is, the Cabinet team is very much a pure product of Zanu PF, but it is clear that Mnangagwa made an effort to be as inclusive as possible of different factions within the ruling party, although his team is skewed towards older men who fought in the bush war.

A former student leader who is recognised as one of Africa’s most prominent scientists, Mutambara proposed a 10 Point Agenda not in any particular order that he said its execution should be done concurrently.

“There are 10 key matters that we need to push the new regime in Zimbabwe to address: reforms — electoral, media, political and legislative — to enable and facilitate free, fair and credible elections; a clear and inclusive roadmap to those free, fair and credible elections in 2018, release of all political prisoners and those currently under trial,” he said.

The Oxford scholar called for security sector reforms, in particular de-linking the military from civilian mandates, redress for all victims of political violence, Murambatsvina and Gukurahundi.

The former Rhodes Scholar and robotics and mechatronics professor said implementation of devolution and decentralisation as prescribed in the national Constitution was key, including constitutionalism and general adherence to, and respect for the rule of law.

“A sincere, holistic and systemic approach to the eradication of corruption, economic recovery and stabilisation, in particular fiscal consolidation and the elimination of the growing budget deficit and shared and inclusive economic growth, development and prosperity,” he said.

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HARARE - Prosecutors yesterday dropped charges of undermining the authority of the president against war veterans’ leader Victor Matemadanda, reflecting greater judicial independence under new President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Matemadanda — who was represented by leading rights attorney Beatrice Mtetwa — was a strident critic of former president Robert Mugabe who was pressured to resign by the army and ruling Zanu PF party a fortnight ago after 37 years in power.

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Matemadanda, along with other executive members of his war veterans association, were arrested in July last year for allegedly penning a damning communiqué that denounced Mugabe for running down the country, being divisive and manipulative in general.

The insult laws, which have rarely been used against Zanu PF members, trailed several of Mnangagwa’s tough-talking allies before Mnangagwa ascended to president.

Matemadanda was charged for insulting the president.

He faced up to 20 years in jail if convicted.

When he appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande for routine remand hearing yesterday, the State withdrew the case.

“We are withdrawing the case before plea because PG (prosecutor general) is yet to peruse the document. If there is need, the accused will be summoned,” said prosecutor Franscisca Mukumbiri.

A close ally of Mnangagwa, Matemadanda had argued in his bail application that “the history of this matter shows the extent to which some laws are being used as a weapon of intimidating the citizens of Zimbabwe.”

“The seriousness of the intimidation is that it curtails the right of the citizens to fully enjoy their constitutionally enshrined rights and in this case the right to freedom of expression as protected in section 61 of the Constitution.

“…such laws do not have a place in our constitutional democracy. In making the press statement, applicant was exercising his freedom of expression right…and has been held to embrace the right and freedom to hold, impart and disseminate ideas to others, even if such ideas are unpalatable to those who hear them.

“The right is also protected in the context of political commentary notwithstanding the tone of political debates.”

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HARARE – As the  country enters the homestretch of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) blitz,  Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) have upped their voter education campaigns.

As of December 5, at least 3 599 459 had registered to vote, according to national elections management body Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).

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The elections body is targeting to register 7 million voters.

Election Resource Centre director Tawanda Chimhini said they were putting all hands on deck to ensure all eligible citizens are mobilised to register to vote.

“So it has become necessary for us to upscale voter mobilisation because time is running out. We may need to incentivise registration, provision of information and we have intensified our presence on social media, TV and radio stations,” Chimhini said.

CSOs led by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) have also been deploying hundreds of personnel to in a bid to mobilise prospective voters  to register.

ZimRights executive director Okay Machisa said they have intensified their programmes of mobilising people to register to vote.

“We also realised that the interest in Harare to register to vote has really been high.

“The number has gone up by 80 percent that has been largely because of the politics around the country motivated either positively or also the initiatives we are doing are affecting the increase.

“We are doing door-to-door campaigns and proving free transport to ferry people to register,” he said

Apart from the roadshows in the provinces, Machisa said they had intensified their voter education campaigns in the urban and rural areas by launching TV and radio programmes.

Zec introduced the BVR for next year’s elections in a bid to ensure that the country holds free, credible and fair elections.

The BVR process will last for 72 days and will be held in four phases.

The fourth phase commenced on December 4 and ends on December 19.

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HARARE – Registrar General Tobaiwa Toneth Mudede will not be forced out of his job even though he has reached the compulsory age of retirement, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Petronella Kagonye has told the National Assembly.

Kagonye’s remarks fly in the face of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decree to permanent secretaries just after taking office that he was going to retire all those who are above the age of 65.

“I want to assure you that no one will be laid off, expect those who have reached retirement age,” Mnangagwa said.

“Those whose ministerial posts will be abolished will be re-skilled and reassigned to other areas in the public service.

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“I am sure you will appreciate that the rebuilding of our national economy and improvement of the livelihood of all citizens is both urgent and imperative; our people have endured economic hardships for over two decades, and now expect this new government to turn things around, within the shortest time possible.”

Responding on Wednesday to Harare West MDC MP Jessie Majome who had asked when Mudede was going to retire, Kagonye said government was considering reviewing upwards the compulsory retirement age.

Mudede is over 70 years of age and 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 Supreme Court Judge Justice Rita Makarau.

“In direct response to the question from my learned colleague, allow me to say that ...Mudede was appointed as the Registrar in terms of Section 201 (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as read with Statutory Instrument 1 of 2000 (Public Service Regulations) as amended.

“In terms of Section 21 (1) of the Public Service Act, the Commission can engage persons on contract or such conditions as may be fixed from time to time.

“The Commission is empowered by the Public Service Regulations to engage retirement age.  Such persons will not contribute again towards a pension as they would have already done so, hence their placement on annually renewable contract.

“May I also inform the House that my ministry has proposed amendments to increase Nssa retirement from 60 to 65 years?  These proposals are under consideration by the minister of Finance and Economic Development as required by the Nssa Act.”

Kagonye said government was taking measures to eliminate discrimination against older persons in government.

“May I humbly implore the House against personalising enquiries and rather interrogate policy issues.

“Ageing is an inevitable consequence of life which must be embraced rather than shunned.

“According to Betty Friedan (1921-2006), ‘aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.’  Biblically, it is recognised as a crown of glory only from God.”

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.”

Kagonye said the ministry is currently initiating ratification of Article 8 of the African Union Protocol on Older Persons requiring people to respect older persons and their right to employment.

“My ministry is currently initiating ratification of this new protocol which Parliament is expected to debate and endorse.  It is important for us to consider social trends and keep abreast with global and continental trends. 

“Our laws must remain relevant and devoid of discrimination against age in this particular context, otherwise we perish for want of vision,” Kagonye said.

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HARARE - A policeman who torched the house of police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri before exchanging fire with heavily armed soldiers appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday.

Hardlife Maukazuva, 27, is facing charges of unlawful entry into Chihuri’s property in aggravating circumstances, malicious damage to property and attempted murder.

He was denied bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande.

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Interestingly, he was in high spirits when he made his first appearance at the courts yesterday.

Maukazuva jogged up the Harare Magistrates’ Court stairs in leg irons, flanked by 10 officers from the homicide section, and showed no emotion at all.

Allegations are that on December 6 around 6am he arrived for his guard duties at Chihuri’s residence in Greystone Park, while the police commissioner-general was away.

He assumed his shift from one constable Mabaso and Gwatiringa who had just finished night duties and also duly assumed an AK rifle with a magazine of 30 rounds, among other things.

The State further alleges that Maukazuva went on to force open a closed window to gain entry into Chihuri’s house.

He went on to steal a Samsung LED 32 inch television plasma; a black hp satchel bag; tuxan shoe polish; black high fashion ladies top; green ladies suit; Levine black ladies suits; a pair of black spectacles; two silver coat hangers; kasper light green ladies jacket, and an emirates grey slip on shoes.

The goods were worth $2 000 and they have since been recovered.

Maukazuva escaped through the window and was spotted by Chihuri’s gardener, Robson Mubaiwa, after he had hidden his loot in the yard.

Mubaiwa tried to raise alarm and appeal for help from neighbours, without success.

It is further alleged that Mubaiwa went on to confront Maukazuva who admitted to his crime.

Matters boiled over when other officers who guard Chihuri’s residence tried to disarm and arrest Maukazuva who is said to have become violent, striking constable Kudakwashe Jekemu on the back using his service AK rifle.

He then went inside Chihuri’s house and set it on fire, destroying household property, clothes and causing damage to the house worth $300 000.

While the house was smouldering, the court heard that Maukazuva started firing his AK rifle charged with a magazine of 30 rounds indiscriminately, while standing guard by the verandah of Chihuri’s house to ensure that no one comes close to put out the fire.

He is said to have opened fire on several of the guards on duty but missed and continued to fire on heavily armed soldiers who had been dispatched to the scene of incident as well as at his superiors dispatched from Morris Depot.

It was said that he tried to commit suicide using the same rifle but realised that he had ran out of ammunition. It was at this juncture that he was subdued and arrested.

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HARARE – Government has set aside $132,2 million for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to successfully conduct the 2018 harmonised elections.

The vote is a far-cry from the $274 million demanded by Zec.

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said the allocation was “over and above resources provided for voter registration under the 2017 budget.”

Independent election observer group, Election Resource Centre, said having the money on elections set aside was commendable.

“Sadly, it is less than the projection shared by Zec. However, for the planning processes expected during the pre-election phase of the election cycle to be complete, Zec needs to finalise its operational plan which must be a matter of public record,” said the Election Resource Centre (ERC).

ERC said to date all election processes have been undertaken on the basis of short- term plans shared on the eve of their roll-out.

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HARARE – The budget deficit has ballooned from $400 million to $1,7 billion, creating a major fiscal crisis for government.

To plug the deficit, government is resorting to heavy borrowings.

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said yesterday central to the cash shortages is mismatch between the stock of foreign currency available, as represented by hard currency and nostro balances, and electronic Real Time Gross Settlement money balances in banks.

This is “largely being fuelled by borrowing requirements to finance the budget deficit,” he said.

He acknowledged that the prevailing cash shortages have “imposed untold hardships on the generality of the population, particularly among the poor and rural areas”.

Chinamasa said government, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, continues to institute measures to ensure that the public is able to access their earnings and savings as and when they need them.

Speaking in Parliament in October this year, the Finance chief said the country had $1 billion physical cash in circulation

“The $1 billion translates to around 15 percent of deposits, which is international best practice in normal economies,” he said back then.

Yesterday, Chinamasa said the country needed to address the “primary drivers of the problem” through targeting critical economic sectors.

“It is also for this reason the new economic order is targeting to enhance production and exports by adopting investor friendly policies, re-engaging with the world, easing the way we do business, addressing corruption and indiscipline,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to Zimbabweans for embracing the use of plastic money and mobile transactions, with more than 75 percent of retail transactions now being done through electronic transfers.

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HARARE – Government yesterday said it would pay bonuses to its workers, but the thirteenth cheque would be staggered over the first half of next year.

A bonus provision of $176 million has been set aside for the payment of the 2017 13th cheque, according to Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa.

“The programming of the above commitment during the first half of 2018 will be guided by revenue inflows, taking account of cash flow requirements of other National programmes, such as the general elections,” he said.

Government battled to raise $180 million to pay civil servants their 2016 bonuses after buckling to pressure from restive civil servants.

The country has struggled to pay civil servants their bonuses due to a lack of funds.

An offer presented by government this year to substitute the bonus with land was rejected by unions.

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HARARE – Government has cut loose 3 700 national youth service workers reinstated by former president Robert Mugabe in July after they had initially been fired by the ministry of Public Service.

The move is meant to slash the wage bill by dropping the unqualified youths.

“Cabinet decision to abolish the youth officer posts under the ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment and transfer the roles and function to the ward development coordinators in the ministry of Women, Gender and Community Development is being implemented with immediate effect,” Chinamasa said.

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“This will rationalise the total youth officers and ward development coordinators establishment down by 3 739 from 7 269 to 3 530, translating to savings of $1, 6 million per month and $19, 3 million per annum,” Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said yesterday.

Chinamasa said 528 members of the Civil Service without the requisite qualifications in terms of Section 18(4) e (ii) of the Civil Service Regulations will be retired.

He said their retirement will entail payment of a severance package estimated at $8,7 million.

Chinamasa said savings will be realised progressively through identification of redundant staff, as ministries are combined and rationalised.

As part of its austerity measures, government had earlier this year terminated contracts of the youths — mostly drawn from the controversial national youth service (green bombers) — who worked as youth officers across the country and were used by the ruling party in previous elections to coerce villagers to vote for Mugabe.

Speaking at a youths interface rally in Chinhoyi in July, Mugabe, who was obviously charmed by the huge numbers that teemed to the event on a wintry day and heaped praises on the party’s secretary for youth, Kudzanai Chipanga, said his Cabinet never okayed the termination of the youths’ contracts.

“You are doing this good work and I hear that some youths who were working for government have been fired but we never heard about that.

“Our economy is recovering, is that the time we should be dismissing our youths? How can they say we have no money now . . . please reinstate those youths, we never, never agreed on that.

“The issue of firing those youths was never agreed. Where is the ministry of Finance and Labour, please stop it,” said Mugabe.

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HARARE - Government is taking steps towards ending its economic isolation in its first budget since the end of Robert Mugabe’s 37-year authoritarian rule with Treasury announcing a package of measures aimed at wooing international investors, including new curbs on laws that require firms to be 51 percent locally owned.

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said privatisation of some State firms was being considered.

In his 2018 national budget presented yesterday, he unveiled spending cuts including the closure of some diplomatic missions.

Chinamasa also said all civil servants over the age of 65 would have to retire as the government aims for a 2018 budget deficit of below four percent of gross domestic product.

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At present, more than 90 percent of government expenditure goes to pay civil servants’ salaries.

Since taking office last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to crack down on corruption.

He has also offered a three-month amnesty for individuals and companies to surrender public funds illegally stashed abroad.

The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, which aimed to place 51 percent of companies into the hands of black Zimbabweans, was brought in by Mugabe in 2009.

But in Thursday’s budget announcement, Chinamasa said the law would apply only to the platinum and diamond sectors from now on.

At the same time, export taxes on processed platinum would be deferred until 2019.

Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono described the national budget as “comprehensive under the circumstances, practical, bold, courageous, forward-looking, investment stimulating, confidence boosting and painfully sweet.”

He said Chinamasa’s budget was arguably one of the best in years, if only it can be translated into action.

“I have already spoken to and congratulated the minister, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, and implored him to now focus on the implementation matrix, advice which he sincerely appreciated.

“From the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) point of view, we are ready to fly as soon as the twin issues of the chief executive officer and the secretariat have been attended to,” said Gono, who is the chairman of the SEZ.

Chinamasa said total revenue collections for 2018 are estimated at $5,071 billion and expenditure for the year is estimated at $5,743 billion, bringing up a deficit of $672 million.

The $5,7 billion budget is $1,6 billion more than last year’s $4,1 billion.

“The budget deficit for 2018, given total revenues available for appropriation by Parliament of $5,071 billion, and total expenditure and net lending of $5,743 billion, translate to a fiscal deficit of $672 million,” he said.

The wage bill for 2018 is set at $3,3 billion, representing 57 percent of the total budget - down from 73 percent in 2017.

“The 2018 budget is appropriating $3,3 billion for employment costs, with $2,6 billion being set aside for the Public Service wage bill, inclusive of grant aided institutions,” he said.

The minister confirmed civil servants bonuses for 2017.

The minister acknowledged the inflationary pressure endemic in the economy pointing out that inflation was being driven by the discounts on real time gross settlement system, otherwise known as the RTGS.

“In the outlook, the biggest threat emanates from inflationary pressures that the economy faces from potential general price hikes driven by speculative tendencies, arising from the mis-match between electronic bank balances and available foreign exchange.”

Gross Domestic Product growth is estimated at 4,5 percent in 2018, up 0,8 percent from 3,7 percent in 2017. – Additional reporting by BBC

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HARARE - Harare City Hornets assistant coach Mike Nhira is hoping his charges will maintain the momentum when they host HLF Raiders tonight in the Harare Basketball Association League (HBA) at City Sports Centre.

Hornets kept pressure on log leaders Foxes by handing them their first defeat of the season last weekend following a 71-67 win.

Despite the win Hornets remained second on the log table with 15 points two behind Foxes but crucially Nhira’s charges have a game in hand.

And as they prepare for tonight’s match which starts at 7pm, Nhira said they are taking Raiders seriously and are eager to maintain their fine form which have seen them lose once in the eight matches that they have played.

“Raiders are a good team so we are treating this game seriously. It’s important that we pick up another victory to maintain our good run,” Nhira told the Daily News. 

“We have been preparing for the game and the boys are looking sharp and eager to play. We had some few guys who picked up some knocks in the previous match but it’s nothing serious and everyone should be available for selection tomorrow (today).

“So yes, I can safely say that we are now ready for the match and we have been talking to the boys about the importance to adopting the right attitude towards the game.”

Elsewhere, GV Rockets face JBC at the same venue in an afternoon match while Cameo clash against Yadah. In other matches Arcadia Bucks welcome Varsity Leopards at Arcadia Sports Club this afternoon.

HBA Fixtures:

Men’s A League: Cameo v Yadah, GV Rockets v JBC, Harare City Hornets v HLF Raiders (All matches at City Sports Centre), Arcadia Bucks v Varsity Leopards (Arcadia Sports Club), Arcadia Bucks v Yadah Lions, Hustlers v JBC (Both matches at Mufakose)

Women’s A League: Raiders v JBC, Lady Lynx v Harare City Hornets (City Sports Centre), Falcons v Chinhoyi University (Richwood Park), Mabvuku Basketball Club v FML (Arcadia), Lady Lynx v Mabvuku Basketball Club, FML v JBC (Both matches at Richwood Park), Raiders v Arcadia Bucks (Mufakose).

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HARARE - After months of hard work and intensive training, Zimbabwean rugby champions Old Georgians (OGs) are chuffed following their good performance at the maiden appearance at the Dubai 7s Invitational tournament recently.

OGs reached the final of the tournament which is only second in importance to the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.

After negotiating their way past Pool C that also included France Development, Ireland and Germany, the Dragons went on to the quarter-finals where they beat Monaco Impis 24-12.

Old Georgians

In the semi-finals, the Zimbabwean side beat Georgia 19-5 but fell short in the final where they lost to Germany.

The Dragons coach Grant Mitchell was left impressed with how they showcased both the OGs and Zimbabwe Sevens rugby brand on the world map.

“It’s been an amazing few months of preparation for the Dubai 7s especially as a club it takes a tremendous amount of work to take a club brand international and that was one of the objectives for this tournament,” Mitchell told the Daily News.

“The idea was to take the brand international and allow the players to compete from a Sevens perspective, at the best tournament in the world in terms of size and status and to give them a platform to showcase their talent not just as a team but individually as well because there’s a lot of added benefits to play in the Dubai 7s that if you are a player you can strategically take advantage of as well.

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“So... a lot of work went in behind the scenes from the club to sponsors and donations, it’s a huge effort to get a team to Dubai on your own measures and I’m very grateful that it happened.”

Mitchell admitted the Dubai trip was a good test for his side considering the quality of the opposition they came across.

“The tournament itself; world class extremely challenging and difficult but that’s exactly what we wanted and we got it, he said.

“We competed in the international invitational section of the tournament. Very fortunate to have played against national teams as a club side and did very well. We had targeted to push ourselves through into day two into the main cup section by virtue of finishing top two in our Pool.”

Mitchell added: “We were very privileged, proud and honoured to fly the brand of OGs, the brand of Zimbabwe club rugby and then obviously Zimbabwe rugby as well at the Dubai 7s.

“It was great to see the level of support we had that side, the Zimbabwe flag pitch side supporting us    and interacting with the players the general interest in the sport of rugby in Zimbabwe as well; happy to spread the positive message of the sport of rugby to people in Dubai.”

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HARARE - FC Platinum forward Rodwell Chinyengetere scooped the biggest individual prize in Zimbabwean football after being crowned the 2017 Soccer Star of the Year at a colourful ceremony in the capital last night.

It was a special night for Chinyengetere to cap a special year taking over the reins from CAPS United defender Hardlife Zvirekwi.

Chinyengetere played a crucial role in FC Platinum's title charge as he chipped in with some important goals to help Norman Mapeza’s side win the championship since independence.

Rodwell Chinyengetere

The former Hwange forward eventually finished the season with nine goals in a remarkable year for him.

Chinyengetere’s teammate Kelvin Moyo was the first runner-up.

The defender was solid at the back as he helped the platinum miners finish with the meanest defence.

Moyo also chipped in with some crucial goals whenever he ventured forward to add the numbers at set-pieces.

Dynamos captain Ocean Mushure was named the second runner-up.

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Mushure had an outstanding season with the Glamour Boys as he blossomed after he was moved to a more advanced position and went on to score a number of important goals that kept his side firmly in contention for the title until the last day of the season.

For winning the accolade, Chinyengetere walked away with a trophy and a $5 000 cheque while Moyo and Mushure picked up $3 000 and $2 000 respectively.

Chinyengetere’s coach Mapeza was named Coach of the Year after a fruitful season in which he guided the platinum miners to their maiden title.

He beat Dynamos coach Lloyd  Mutasa who was also a firm favourite for the award after having an exceptional season with DeMbare who had to settle for second place.

Following years of near misses, Mapeza finally led FC Platinum to their maiden title after an intriguing battle which involved Dynamos.

Mapeza etched his name into history books as the Zvishavane-based side’s triumph meant they became the first team outside Harare and Bulawayo to win the title since independence.

Since 1980 only teams from either Harare or Bulawayo have been crowned Zimbabwean champions.

For Mutasa it was rather disappointing to miss on the award. Mutasa salvaged what looked like a lost season for DeMbare with a relatively average side made up of mostly misfits assembled at the start of the season.

The Glamour Boys were dismissed as a non-title winning side when the season started but Mutasa worked his magic and went on to lose the title right on the last day of the season, a fitting achievement for the record Zimbabwean champions.

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HARARE - Chimurenga musician Jairos Chabvonga has over the years tried to concentrate on non-political lyrics. But he has of late gone political if his latest album Nhano (Step) is anything to go by.

Chabvonga’s fourth album released last month is made up of eight tracks including Makorokoto, Mahumbwe, Muti Mukuru and Munhu Hunhu among others.

Jairos Chabvonga

The album was released just before former president Robert Mugabe resigned after serving the country for 37 years.

In the song Mahumbwe, the artiste used riddles to put his political message across.

In the song Chabvonga urged leaders to concentrate on serious business (kubika doro remukwerera) while leaving the children doing their little stuff (mahumbwe).

Chabvonga highlighted that elders were not supposed to sit on the gathering of children, a development which was common in Zimbabwe then when the then president Mugabe was a common feature at youth rallies.

“I was not targeting individuals but the society at large. For a healthy society to be attained, we expect elders to sit among themselves to discuss real issues affecting the society not to be seen always rubbing shoulders with children.

“In fact children are the ones expected to follow elders to their councils not vice-versa,” he said.

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Apart from the controversial song, the album is made up of songs that carry Zimbabwe’s identity of mbira beat fused with electrical guitars to give a unique traditional beat.

The album was recorded using different studios for better production.

“I still believe that one day the chimurenga genre will rise to reclaim its lost glory and this is why I am releasing new albums on yearly basis.

“It pains me to see the genre being led to grave yards at the expense of bubble gum music,” Chabvonga said.

Growing up in Chitungwiza, Chabvonga fell in love with the chimurenga music from a tender age.

“Chimurenga music took a back seat when Mapfumo relocated to the United States of America and there is a lot to be done to revive it but I am encouraged by the positive response I am getting from my fans.”

Chabvonga said chimurenga genre is the backbone of Zimbabwean culture hence it should not be neglected at all.

“I believe the genre defines us as Zimbabweans. It started here hence Zimbabweans should be proud of it, they should not leave it dying,” Chabvonga said.

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HARARE - Top urban grooves artistes are set to take revellers down memory lane at the inaugural Miss Legacy pageant scheduled for December 23 in Harare.

The event — to feature musicians such as Taurai Mandebvu, Mzimba, BaShupi, Gwenyarimba and Terry Africa — will be held at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale.

Miss Legacy pageant founder in Zimbabwe Pauline Mapuvire said preparations for the inaugural event are at an advanced stage.

“We have scouted 16 beauties from different tribes of the country and these range from the age of 16-30 and are all single. Though, it does not matter whether they have a child before but as long as they are in good shape and are able to maintain their dignity.

“We are trying to promote the girl child and by giving them a second chance they can change the world for the better. After all everybody deserves a second chance. The auditions were done in Masvingo, Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Beit-Bridge between September and November,” said Mapuvire.

Miss Legacy Zimbabwe will be an annual tourism and charitable developmental beauty pageant which is owned by Giagine Modelling Agency.

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“The pageant aims to promote Zimbabwe’s heritage, culture, liberate and empower the girl child by its well-composed course structure and activities. The pageant aims to bring out the beauty of culture and tradition,” she said.

“It will give birth to a new era in the modelling industry here in Zimbabwe. The participants will work on projects about our heritage, tourism, culture and charitable developmental causes.”

Miss Legacy Zimbabwe is working closely with children suffering from a rare skin disorder called Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP).

“From each ticket sale 20 percent will go towards the XP patients as the children come from very poor backgrounds and we are trying to get them a comfortable life,” she said.

“At the moment we have 15 children with XP and more are coming hence we are open to sponsorship.”

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