HARARE - Netone public relations and special projects manager George Manyaya has joined the Postal and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) as head consumer affairs and publicity.

The affable executive, who in the past worked for various organisations and has been a board member at the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, is expected to improve the publicity of the organization and at the same time address consumer issues.

According to the job advert that was flighted in local media early last month, he is expected to develop and implement policies and programs designed to promote consumer interests and rights.

His new job also include carrying out sensitisation campaigns for customers for all major information and communication technology developments, which Potraz would like to introduce that may affect the consumers.

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Potraz Director General Gift Machengete said his organisation recruited the highly-rated and respected Manyaya to help them to inform and educate the public about their rights.

“One major issue we lacked was to do with handling consumer affairs, yet this is top of our mandate as we need to protect the consumer in that area and consistently need to respond to queries while more importantly we need to do research and reach firm irreversible decisions on policy issues, unlike what happened early this year with the data wars,” Machengete said.

“This hole had to be covered and I’m confident that the regulator has managed to find someone with strong media and research background as our new head consumer affairs and publicity reporting to director economics and tariffs,” he added.

Manyaya, who holds two Masters Degrees in International Relations and Strategic Management and Corporate Governance, is credited for giving the usually sombre NetOne a face lift and made the company one of the most visible in the country in the past few months through aggressive marketing and brand awareness campaigns.

He is the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) 2017 Public Relations practitioner of the year.

Machengete noted that the rising executive, who is currently studying towards a Doctorate in Business Administration, will help in branding the telecommunications regulator and spotlight its works in communities.

Potraz has for the past few months unveiled multi-million dollar Community Information Centres across the country in its quest to bring technology to the majority of Zimbabweans.

“We need all stakeholders to be engaged for the future and we need somebody who will engage and have an informed decision based on facts. Another area where we lacked was on research and we need a thorough one to be done as we must operate as a professional body,” Machengete said.

Machengete is a year old at POTRAZ and has shown positive signs of transformation in making the regulator effective in implementing its mandate and the inclusion of a consumer affairs resource is testimony that his business thrust is centres on issues that benefit Zimbabweans online with the government thrust.

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HARARE - Finance minister Patrick is sticking his guns to reducing government expenditure and streamlining under-performing parastatals after he refused to write-off the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)’s $83 million debt.

“The Industrial Development Corporation submitted a request for a direct Budget allocation of $83 million to pay-off their debts,” he said in his 2018 national budget statement. 

“Given the precarious fiscal position, IDC is being required to develop bankable projects and programmes that can be funded from the market, through such market instruments as bonds. Treasury, working together with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development, remains ready to under-write such issuances, by providing the necessary incentives,” Chinamasa added.

IDC, which is currently on the market looking at raising $100 million seed capital to kick-start its development financing operations, was last year directed by government to identify for disposal, ailing companies under its ambit that are non-core to its new mandate and in line with the country’s industrialisation strategy.

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The IDC is mandated to establish and conduct any industrial undertaking, to facilitate, promote, guide and assist the financing of new industrial undertakings – including small and medium scale – schemes for the expansion, better organisation and modernisation of and more efficient carrying out of operations in existing industries and industrial undertakings.

It is also mandated to implement government policy with regard to decentralisation of industry, choice of technology and any other matter, which the Minister of Industry may specify and to take measures to acquire direct and effective control of its investments.

To that end, this is meant to ensure that industrial development in Zimbabwe maybe planned, expedited and conducted on sound business principles.

Almin Metal Industries, Amtec and Deven Engineering are some of the companies under IDC. Some of them have been struggling and draining the corporation’s financial resources.

Chinamasa said government has, over the years, provided support to local industry, through duty free importation of capital equipment, raw materials, as well as levelling the playing field between imported and locally produced goods.

“It is pleasing to note that a sizable number of local industry players is taking advantage of such intervention support measures by government to increase production and also gain market share,” he said.

In order to consolidate the gains being realised by local industry, government introduced the Furniture Manufacturer’s Rebate with effect from 1 January 2016.

The facility, which enables duty free importation of key raw materials, has resulted in increased capacity utilisation, from 60 percent in 2016 to 68 percent in 2017.

“I propose to extend the list of raw materials that can be imported under the Furniture Manufacturer’s Rebate. The extension of rebate of duty has been guided by facilitating access to goods that are not produced by the local industry,” Chinamasa said. 

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HARARE - Barclays Bank Zimbabwe managing director George Guvamatanga has retired from the financial institution he served for nearly 30 years.

He has since been replaced by Samuel Masekete in an acting capacity. Masekete is the bank’s chief finance officer.

“The bank is deeply indebted to George for his 28 years of dedicated service, 10 of which he was the managing director of Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe,” the bank’s chairman Anthony Mandiwanza said yesterday.

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He added that Guvamatanga steered the business through difficult times while managing to lead the bank’s growth in scale and profitability over the period.

“George played a catalytic role in progressing the engagement process between Zimbabwe, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund at Lima,” Mandiwanza said.

Guvamatanga’s fate was sealed when Malawi’s First Merchant Bank (FMB) recently acquired Barclays Plc stake in Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, paving way for the establishment of new management.

Although FMB in October indicated that there would not be any management shakeup in the coming 12 months, Guvamatanga – who is believed to be among the employees who had expressed interest to buy shares from the British lender and lost the bid to FMB – has become its first casualty.

George Guvamatanga

Under the deal, FMB bought an effective 42 percent in the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed bank.

Barclays Plc retains a 10 percent stake, Barclays Bank Zimbabwe workers 15 percent through an Employee Share Ownership Trust and the balance of 33 percent is free float listed on the ZSE.

Mandiwanza said the completion of the transaction marks an important juncture in the history of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe.

“It is testament to the successful franchise that the institution has become, particularly since dollarisation and in the current challenging macroeconomic environment, as evidenced by our 2017 half year results,” he said in October.

The transaction followed FMB’s recent acquisition of Opportunity International Group’s Malawi operations, Opportunity International Bank Malawi (OIBM).

FMB is listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange and has two wholly owned subsidiaries incorporated in Malawi: The Leasing and Finance Company of Malawi, a licensed financial institution engaged in deposit taking and asset finance, and FMB Capital Markets Limited, a licensed portfolio manager.

The group also has interests in Capital Bank in Mozambique and Botswana, and First Capital Bank in Zambia with total assets (at the end of June 2017) of $496 million.

The banking group’s liquidity position and capital adequacy has consistently remained above 55 percent and 20 percent for the past five years and its non-performing loans were at 2,7 percent as at 31 Dec 2016 despite adverse market conditions.

Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, alongside the Egyptian business, was not part of the 2013 deal that saw Barclays Africa, formerly Absa, acquiring eight African operations from its parent company due to high local political risk.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Film Industry Development Platform (ZFIDP), founded three years ago by a number of stakeholders in the local film industry, has urged the government to urgently appoint a new professional board and management at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

In a letter to Media, Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, George Charamba, ZFIDP emphasised the importance of ZBC in the revival of the local film industry.

“Important positions (at ZBC) which need to be filled by competent and experienced individuals include: chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the head of programming.

“The net for these positions should be cast far and wide, so that the very best talent can be found. Board Members should be experienced professionals representing various sectors of the industry: advertising agencies, film production, finance, journalism, culture and arts, etc.,” read part of the comprehensive letter signed by ZFIDP chairperson Anthony Mutambira.

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The film makers also urged the government to enable the national broadcaster to meet international standards.

“In addition it is advisable that international consultants are engaged to assist the broadcaster to quickly develop and maintain global standards.

“Finally, new management should nurture a more co-operative and collaborative relationship between ZBC and outside production companies, so that there is an open and transparent flow of information and together we work towards achieving common goals,” said ZFIDP.

ZFIDP also believes that the local film industry will develop at a faster race once private broadcasters are licensed.

“Local television is key for the development of a film and media industry, since it provides the first market for content on various different quality levels and will be the starting point for the majority of young filmmakers in all skill areas.

“This process should begin immediately. Dismantling the monopoly currently held by ZBC will also force it to be competitive, which is in everyone’s long term interests. IT should be noted that TV advertising also represents a sizable commercial industry in the production of content, and this is also depressed as a result of low viewer numbers for current local television options,” said the film makers.

ZFIDP also wants the government to enforce use of local productions by Zimbabwean television stations.

“(Government must) insist broadcasters meet the required percentage of local content as defined in the broadcast act. This will stimulate production. In addition, minority language programming should also be produced and made available,” reads part of the long letter.

Another matter that ZFIDP wants addressed as a matter of urgency is centralisation of police clearances for filming in public and the issuance of permits.

“(Government must) ensure permits are easy to obtain and in general encourage a positive government policy towards filmmakers…Reorganise police clearances for filming in public so that they are handled by one central office and ensure fees are not extortionate.  This service would in time be handled by a Film Commission.”

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HARARE – United Kingdom-based Kambo Boys has released their third sungura single titled Merry Christmas "Gebha Time."

The just-released track, which is accompanied by a swanky video, was produced by Mono Mukundu with Munya Vialy doing the mixing and mastering.

Kambo Boys, whose earlier singles Melo and Sweet Larrisa garnered considerable popularity in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora, is convinced that the latest single will go a long way in adding an international flavour to sungura music.

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“We have been making subtle inroads towards presenting sungura in a modern way; our art has been well-received,” said Kambo Boys publicist, Frank Brians.

He added that all the three members of Kambo Boys- Simba Mupfudze, Tonde Maheu Nembaware and Nigel Farai-contributed to the vocals.

“Mono Mukundu our producer did all the instruments and id the heart of our sound. We then engaged Munya Vialy-an external ear to do the mixing and mastering,” Brians told the Daily News.

Interestingly, the music trio, which is inspired by legends like Oliver Mtukudzi, Aleck Macheso, Khiama Boys and rising stars like Sulu chimbetu and Jah Prayzah, has never met Mono.

“We do everything online. We have never met but we communicate almost every day and that keeps us in the same mindset. Since we work online, God knows what will happen when we do a face to face recording in the studio,” Brians said.

The swashbuckling United Kingdom-based band is hopeful that the just-released track will make them more popular in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora.

“Christmas is always a time when people in Zimbabwe celebrate. It’s a time when people unite as families and everyone is in a good spirit, so for such a moment we decided to dedicate this song.

“It is for everyone who will be celebrating Christmas this year and the years to come. Our song celebrates the good spirit of giving, loving, sharing and togetherness that comes with it,” he said.

Kambo Boys plans to make its maiden performance in Zimbabwe next year.

“We hope to perform a lot in 2018 and if all goes well we will do our debut performance on home soil-in Zimbabwe.

“We hope to be more consistent in 2018 and beyond. We have many plans but it will take a lot of commitment patience and hard work before we can make a permanent mark in the industry,” said the Kambo Boys publicist.

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HARARE – Former President Robert Mugabe appears to be an enduring source of inspiration for dendera music star Suluman Chimbetu.

A year after composing a song titled Chirombo which borrowed the statement “Ndiri kunzwa masimba ekupinda muzana, kuita kunge munhu uya ari kumhanya race...” from Mugabe’s birthday interview, Suluman has done it again.

This time around the dendera star has composed a song titled Asante Sana once again quoting the veteran nationalist. After a meeting with Zimbabwe Defence Forces commanders headed by Constantino Chiwenga, who were pushing him to resign, Mugabe shocked many when he simply said “Asante Sana.” Loosely translated “Asante Sana” is a Swahili phrase that means “thank you a lot” in English.

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Asante Sana, which has become a common phrase among Zimbabweans largely thanks to Mugabe,  has now formed a basis of a song that Suluman hopes will be a hit.

The dendera artiste sampled the song during his concerts over the weekend much to the delight of his fans.

“I was inspired by mdara Bob (Mugabe) to pen the song Asante Sana. The song is found on my forthcoming project. I haven’t yet decided on the title of the album.

Suluman Chimbetu

“The song will remind people of what the former president said: ini newe tine basa rekushandira Zimbabwe (We have a role to play in building Zimbabwe)...,” Suluman told the Daily News.

The dendera artiste is hopeful that Asante Sana will follow in the footsteps of Chirombo which was one of the standout tracks of his latest album Jamboree.

Sulu’s latest album, on which he sang about the deteriorating political and economic situation in the country, has been hailed by music critics as the dendera artiste’s best to date.

The politically potent album includes the track “Moses” which he pleads for a Moses to take people away from Pharoah’s cruelty and bondage.

Another favourite of many is “Tiringwe” in which Sulu calls for God’s intervention and guidance to rescue people from the harsh economic conditions prevailing in the country, adding that people are working tirelessly in a bid to make ends meet.

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HARARE - Mashonaland Eagles batsman Cephas Zhuwao says he is not disappointed to have miss out on the squad travelling to South Africa for the historic Boxing Day following his recent heroics in which he scored 265 in a domestic Logan Cup match.

The 32 year old left hander smashed 265 runs, Zimbabwe’s third best individual First class score littered with 25 boundaries and 12 sixes and came just a run shot of former captain and coach Dave Houghton’s 266 runs in a Test match against Sri Lanka in 1994 and Ray Gripper’s 279 not out against Free State in the 1967/68 season.

Cephas Zhuwao

This was his maiden Logan Cup hundred since making his debut as a 22 year  in 2007 and it was double delight for the Glen View thorough bred cricketer as his knock inspired Mashonaland Eagles to a 167-run win over Mid West Rhinos at Harare Sports Club.

However, on Monday the national cricket selectors announced the 15-member squad set to depart for South Africa on Saturday and Zhuwao’s name was one of the few missing ones together with all-rounders Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams.

“On my side I knew that was the case probably the historic knock came in a bit too late to claim a stake in this historic four-day Test match against the Proteas on Boxing Day but I have proved beyond doubt I can equally play fit well in the longer version of the game,” Zhuwao told the Daily News yesterday.

“I have heard people say that maybe I should have been part of the team to South Africa but people will always say what’s on their minds, I’m not the one to control them. As a player I feel I have done my bit on the crease, it’s the selectors call and not mine... I’m not going to stop practising on my game.”

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Towering rookie, Blessing Muzarabani of Rising Stars is in line for a memorable Test debut after impressing in the Logan Cup but will have to battle it out against experienced pace bowlers Kyle Jarvis, Christopher Mpofu and Tendai Chatara who all made the cut in the 15-man squad.

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Faisal Hasnain has described the four-day pink ball Test as historic in every aspect of it given that South Africa may have turned out more established teams in order to accommodate their neighbours.

“To be honest I’m quite very happy for our team to be involved in the South African Test. I have been talking to South Africa for two months and eventually I was very happy that we were able to secure the Boxing Day Test,” Hasnain said.

“I’m aware they were talking to others on the same matter...I’m very thankful to them...i think the cricketing world would be watching third Test very carefully for a number of reasons...we are part of history and we are part of an experiment...It gives our players game time regardless of whether it’s an experiment it gives our players game time against a very strong team. So this match is actually going to be very different from playing lower ranked teams. South Africa is a top Test side.”

Zimbabwe Test Squad for South Africa:

Graeme Cremer (Captain), Hamilton Masakadza , Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Regis Chakabva (wicketkeeper), Sikandar Raza Butt, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chisoro, Peter Moor, Solomon Mire, Kyle Jarvis, Christopher Mpofu.

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HARARE - The tussle for the Team of the Year for this evening’s Annual National Sports Awards (Ansa) appears to be a fascinating duel between the world cup-bound Zimbabwe Sevens Rugby side and their cricket counterparts, Zimbabwe senior men cricket team.

If judgement is according to the field size then Zimbabwe cricket will be automatic winners by virtue of the sport being played by 11 infield players as opposed to Sevens rugby which by its name is played by seven players.

But that will not be this case this evening as the panel of judges will be looking at the achievements garnered during the period under review. For starters the rugby side has shone beyond any reasonable doubt amid a lot of cloud and confusion surrounding their leadership as they went about their campaign in the absence of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union board that was suspended for putting the game into disrepute in August.

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Only the chief executive was at hand to provide some form of direction in the absence of the suspended board. The Zambezi Cheetahs made it into the final of the Rugby Africa Sevens tournament final in Kampala, Uganda losing 10-7 to hosts in the final but it was enough to take them to next year’s World Cup to be held in San Francisco in the United States.

In addition to that the Gilbert Nyamutsamba coached side also booked themselves a ticket to participate at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series core status qualifier at the 2018 Hong Kong Sevens.

The Cheetahs build-up to the bigger occasion saw them finishing second in the Lusaka Sevens tournament in Zambia before they went a gear up by winning the Maseru Sevens.

Zimbabwe cricket on the other hand won their first ever One Day International in Sri Lanka against the host in July claiming the match by six wickets as they chased down 316 runs, the highest chase ever to be done successfully in Sri Lanka before going on to win the series also a first by a Zimbabwean team

316 runs, the highest chase ever to be done successfully in Sri Lanka before going on to win the series 2-3 also a first by a Zimbabwean team.

In October the cricket team managed a draw in the second Test against West Indies in Bulawayo, the locals’ first draw in 12 years.

The third and final team nominated in this category is the rowing pair of Kenneth Raynor and Keegan Smith who had a shot at the World Junior Championships in Trakai, Lithuania in August. The doubles sculls team both from Peterhouse Boys School found the going tough but were able to finish second in the FC Final behind hosts Lithuania.

Ironically the top contenders Gilbert Nyamutsamba, Cheetahs head coach and Zimbabwe Cricket coach Heath Streak will also have a score to settle in the coach of the Year category where they will also clash with rowing gaffer Kristine Johnson on the night.

2017 Annual National Sports Awards Nominees:

• Sportsman of the Year: Sam Muripo, Brian Chiringa (karate), Nyasha Machaza (golf)

• Sportswoman of the Year: Helen Sinclair, Selina Manuel (bodybuilding), Rutendo Nyahora (athletics)

• Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Margaret Bangajena, Thandiwe Ndlovu, Ratidzo Tomu (wheelchair racing)

• Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Elford Moyo, Samson Muroyiwa (wheelchair racing), Michael Mudyanadzo (golf Special Olympics)

• Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Holly Bicknell (rowing), Emily Jones (golf), Tanyaradzwa Muzinda (motocross)

• Junior Sportsman of the Year: Chengetai Mapaya (athletics), Terrence O’Hara (swimming), Mehluli Sibanda (tennis)

• Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Pelagia Chidhakwa (athletics IC), Elizabeth Matupe (athletics T12), Siphosami Moyo (athletics T11)

• Junior Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Munorwa Changakungwa (athletics T46), Raymond Nyathi (athletics T11), Edmore Solomon (athletics T46)

• Team of the Year: Zimbabwe Cricket, Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens, Rowing (Kenneth Raynor and Keegan Smith)

• Coach of the Year: Heath Streak (cricket), Gilbert Nyamutsamba (rugby), Kristine Johnson (rowing)

• Technical Official of the Year: Agnes Chiroodza (netball), Annie Muchenu (basketball), Patrick Mukondiwa (boxing)

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HARARE - Former World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi has been afforded an opportunity to redeem himself after his handlers at Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) won the right to challenge for the belt once again.

Manyuchi had been the welterweight champion since March 2014 the same year he managed to defend his WBC crown in Lusaka, Zambia against Colombian opponent Devis Casseres but he lost his belt after a chastening first round defeat to Qudratillo Abduqaxorov of Uzbek in March.

Charles Manyuchi

But his manager at OQBP Christopher Malunga said WBC has ordered the former welterweight silver champion Abduqaxorov to fight the current WBC silver welterweight champion Shawn Porter in January/February 2018 and the winner will be committed to fight Manyuchi at a date to be announced.

“I made a request in Baku during the 55th Convention of World Boxing Council to the board of governors that Manyuchi should be given a chance to challenge the winner between Porter and Adrian Browner,” Malunga said.

“I am grateful to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, the board of governors and the entire stuff of WBC secretariat. The timing is excellent because it gives us more time to prepare Manyuchi for the championship.”

Manyuchi’s record stands at 21-3-1 after he won a non-title fight against Sherif Kasongo of DRC in Zambia earlier this year.

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HARARE - Harare City Hornets shot to the top of the Harare Basketball Association League (HBA) following a convincing 93-60 win over HLF Raiders over the weekend.

Hornets are now tied on 17 points with second placed Foxes but they have a better head-to-head having beaten their rivals earlier this season.

Duncan Shenje led from the front with 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals pulling down some strong boards, helping Hornets transition quickly, with Warren Tegama chipping in with 14 points and eight steals while Agrippa Masvisvi pulled 12 points en-route to a big win.

Hornets assistant coach Mike Nhira cherished the magnitude of their win saying: “We played according to our game plan. The boys put up a good show. We were more clinical in our shooting as compared to our previous match.

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“We need to stay focused. We are taking each game at a time. We are now looking forward to our next match.”

In other matches Cameo beat Yadah 50-37 while Hustlers went down 50-62 to JBC. JBC are on third place on the log table but crucially they have a game in hand having played one game less over their rivals.

Results:

Men’s A League:  Cameo 50, Yadah 37; GV Rockets 53, JBC 64; Harare City Hornets 93, HLF Raiders 60; Arcadia Bucs 51, Varsity Leopards 54; Arcadia Bucs 100, Yadah Lions 39; Hustlers 50, JBC 62;

Men’s B League: GV Rockets Academy 28, Raiders B 45; Assassins 71, GN Pistons 51; Vikings 48, Mbare Bulls 41; Bindura University 55, Chitown Warriors 51; El Galacticos 51 Cousins 41; Gladiator Knights 65, South Side Ballers 53; Swagou 43, Mabvuku Basketball Club 40; Arcadia Bucs B 95, Citizens 26; Cousins 50, Assassins 61; Drifters 41, Harare Sons 52; South Side Ballers 56, FML 49; Gladiator Knights 69, Glen Norah Pistons 58; El Galacticos 48, Chitown Warriors 56

Women’s League: Raiders 39, JBC 46; Lady Lynx 18, Harare City Hornets 53; Falcons 37, Chinhoyi University 30; Mabvuku Basketball Club 49, FML 22, JBC 43;

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HARARE - Zimbabwe soccer champions FC Platinum will today know the identity of their opponents in the African Champions League when the Confederation of African Football conducts the draw in Cairo, Egypt.

FC Platinum will be the country’s sole representatives in Africa after they were crowned Castle Lager Premiership champions for the year 2017 while Harare City who were due to take part in the Confederation Cup after lifting the Chibuku Super Cup pulled out of the tournament.

Norman Mapeza’s side is currently finalising their squad for the African safari and should be fancying their chances after Caf introduced four groups to the tournament beginning this year which will clubs playing a maximum of two rounds to make it into the lucrative group stages.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza

Mapeza has since revealed his willingness to reach the group stages of the tournament a feat that was achieved by last year’s champions CAPS United. Lloyd Chitembwe’s charges caught the eye in Africa with some captivating performances.

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Makepekepe surprised many including themselves as they dumped Mazembe on away goals rule to reach the group stage of the African Champions League for the first time in the club history.

They were then drawn in a tough Group B that also included Egyptian giants Zamelek, Libya’s Al-Ahli Tripoli and Algerian side USM Alger. They however, finished the competition bottom of the group with six points following two home wins against Zamalek and USM Alger.

Their campaign was heavily dented by back-to-back 4-1 and 4-2 defeats to Libya’s Al-Ahli Tripoli.

Speaking ahead of the draw Mapeza said they are not expecting an easy draw.

“You cannot expect an easy draw at this level of competition. We should be prepared with any outcome. Our only homework will be to prepare well for the tournament. Anything is possible,” Mapeza said to the Daily News.

FC Platinum is likely to face a tough struggle in their bid to make it to the group stages as many of the usual suspects return to the fray, including record eight-time winners Al Ahly of Egypt, who were upset in this year’s final by Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

Confederation Cup holders TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will also be highly fancied along with compatriots AS Vita Club, who won their only title in 1973, but were runners-up just three years ago.

The North African challenge also includes the Algerian duo of Mouloudia Alger (winners in 1976) and Entente Setif (1988, 2014) and the perennial Tunisian contenders Esperance (1994, 2011).

South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, who were 2016 winners and knocked out in this year’s quarter-finals by Wydad on penalties, are back for a fourth successive year and there is a return for ASEC Abidjan of the Ivory Coast, whose sole victory in the continent’s top club competition came in 1998.

Caf have cut the two-leg qualifying phase from three rounds to two and doubled the number of qualifiers for the mini-leagues from eight to 16.

Clubs eliminated at the last-32 stage of qualifying get a second shot at African glory by dropping to the Confederation Cup, which star-studded Mazembe won this season.

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HARARE - Controversial and high-flying Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo is reportedly back home following his "arrest" at the crack of dawn at his home on Monday, the Daily News can report.

Zimbabwe's military had reportedly detained the flashy Harare businessman after a dawn raid on his Harare home, almost a month after seizing power in an attempt to root out criminals around former president Robert Mugabe.

Wicknell Chivayo

It is not clear under what circumstances Chivayo was detained although word has it that his captors wanted to understand his role in electricity deals that saw him being advanced $5 million by power utility, Zesa holdings, before work commenced at one of the contentious projects.

For more details get today's copy of the Daily News. Telling it like it is. Without fear. Without favour.

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HARARE – Convicted lawyer, Thomas Sakutukwa, is facing fresh fraud charges emanating from the botched sale of a property in 2005.

It is being allegedly that Sakutukwa handled the sale of a property worth $2 million on behalf of an estate agent but failed to remit the proceeds to the owner.

Sakutukwa, 41, whose law firm Sakutukwa and Partners Legal Practitioners was deregistered by the Law Society of Zimbabwe following a conviction in 2014 on theft of trust property charges, is appearing before Harare regional magistrate, Noel Mupeiwa.

In his defence, Sakutukwa said he was only engaged to handle the conveyance business and had no obligation to transfer the said property to the complainant.

He argued that his conduct during the process was in line with the laws and statutes of conveyance and did not personally benefit from the sale.

The complainant, Innocent Manyange of Mabvuku in Harare, is employed by Premium Property Development (Private) Limited as a director.

At the time the offence was allegedly committed, Sakutukwa was a legal practitioner at Sakutukwa and Partners Legal Practitioners.

Prosecutor Ressie Nyamombe alleged that sometime in 2005 Manyange was looking for residential stands to buy and came across an advert in the local press placed by Danbro Holdings (Private) Limited (Danbro Holdings) that they were selling land at Allington Estate corner Airport Road and Harare Drive in Harare.

The court heard that Manyange then approached Danrose Real Estate Agents at Angwa City Building who allegedly played agency for Danbro Holdings in the sale of residential stands.

It was alleged that Manyange got interested in residential stands number 2367 and 2368 before being referred to Sakutukwa who was identified as the project lawyer responsible for receipt of purchase price and drafting of agreements of sale.

Manyange was reportedly charged ZW704 million for the two stands by Sakutukwa and paid the full amount into his trust account.

The court heard that Sakutukwa then prepared an agreement of sale between Danbro Holdings represented by Jealous Marimudza and Manyange.

However, in 2011 Danbro Holdings approached the High Court and obtained an order declaring the sale of the residential stands to Manyange null and void.

They distanced themselves from any relationship with Sakutukwa claiming they never gave him the mandate to sell the stands on their company’s behalf.

Manyange resultantly suffered a ZW704 million prejudice equivalent to US$2 816 000 and nothing was recovered.

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HARARE - Zanu PF is in dilemma as to how it could wriggle out of the one-centre of power doctrine created nearly three years ago.

In the past, Zanu PF provinces used to vote for the party’s vice presidents (VPs) and national chairperson before former president

Robert Mugabe secured imperial powers in 2014.

At its congress three years ago, the party inserted a clause in its constitution to allow the 93-year-old despot to handpick his top lieutenants.

The clause made it easy for Mugabe to get rid of former vice president Joice Mujuru who had become too influential in Zanu PF.

Emmerson Mnangagwa — the current president — participated in the crafting of the clause which gave his predecessor the powers he ironically used to fire him last month.

This was before Mnangagwa dramatically bounced back into the party and government with the help of the military, to dislodge one of Africa’s longest serving statesmen from the seat of power.

But at its Central Committee of November 19, Zanu PF resolved to amend its constitution to “remove any notion of one-centre of power”.

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A few weeks after its supreme law-making organ sat in Harare to show a radical departure from the old order, the party now appears split in two minds over the idea.

Zanu PF’s secretary for information and publicity, Simon Khaya-Moyo, told the Daily News recently that Mnangagwa will have the discretion to appoint VPs and the national chairperson – which goes against the spirit of discarding the one-centre of power principle.

Political analyst canvassed by the Daily News said it was highly unlikely that Mnangagwa would be comfortable with a radical departure from the old order.

University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, said what happened leading to Mugabe’s resignation was a leadership change as opposed to a regime change.

“Such change does not necessarily mean a change in the rules of the game, so it will be difficult to do away of the one centre of power and allow Mnangagwa’s deputies to be democratically elected,” said Masunungure.

“What we will witness is a continuation of Mugabeism and the motivation for that is the need for control over the appointees so that they are totally answerable to him. He will realise that democracy does not always bring about intended outcomes and his preferences could lose a democratic process so it is prudent to minimise the risk,” he added.

United Kingdom based constitutional law expert, Alex Magaisa, said the only way Zanu PF can discard the one centre of power principle was through changing the ruling party constitution.

“Why should the party impose someone that a leader can’t work with? It becomes dysfunctional. A leader should be able to choose his team,” said Magaisa.

“Democracy should always be tempered with mechanisms that ensure sound and efficient administration. If it’s the ruling party, his cabinet should as far as possible reflect the party scenario,” he said.

Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme weighed in suggesting that Mnangagwa would most likely be “politically expedient”. Saungweme said Mnangagwa would want to reward his close acolytes who did the donkey work in his rise to power by appointing them to influential positions.

“He may pay lip-service to doing away with one centre of power just the way he adopted liberal economics but left issues such as human rights abuses untouched,” Saungweme said.

“He knows who landed him victory – the military. So he would be more comfortable with appointing VPs, of which one of them if not both will be the generals. He can’t ignore them after all they did for him”.

Saungweme predicted that Mnangagwa would ignore calls for a woman vice president being advanced by Grace when she was the women’s league boss.

The quota system was supposed to be adopted at the extra ordinary congress, which would have seen Grace replace Mnangagwa after Zanu PF provinces had already endorsed her.

“The women’s resolution is important, but you would see that he did ignore women in ministerial appointments.

“So it will not be surprising when he ignores their resolution this time around. His cabal may come up with a justification for one centre of power around the need to consolidate the party in the face of rift with G40 and impending elections.

“So the congress might just be used to give his position as Zanu PF secretary legitimacy by endorsing him at the congress”.

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HARARE - The United States has set minimum conditions — predicated on far-reaching reforms —  that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration must meet if it wants improved diplomatic relations and access to international assistance and cooperation, the Daily News can report.

After sweeping to power last month with the aid of the military, Mnangagwa had made known his intention to mend broken fences with the international community, unlike his predecessor Robert Mugabe who had burnt bridges with Britain and her allies in the West.

Mnangagwa said whatever misunderstandings may have subsisted in the past, these should make way to a new beginning, adding that “in this global world, no nation is, can, or need be an island, one unto itself”.

For more details get today's copy of the Daily News. Telling it like it is. Without fear. Without favour.

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HARARE - FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza welcomed the African Champions League draw which saw the reigning Castle Lager Premiership champions being handed a relatively tough route to reach the group stages of the tournament.

According to the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football in Cairo, Egypt yesterday, the platinum miners will first have to negotiate their way past Angola’s Desportivo 1ero Agosto.

Norman Mapeza

Should the Zvishavane-based side prevail over Desportivo, they will then face the winner between South Africa Absa Premiership side Bidvest Wits and Pamplemousses of Mauritius to make it to the group stages.

The Students,  are no pushovers while Pamplemousses, who were knocked out of the Confederation Cup first round by Ngezi Platinum Stars earlier this year, cannot be underrated. 

Mapeza says adequate preparations will be vital if his team is to succeed.

“I can’t say much because we have little information on this team from Angola. But hey, that’s why it’s the Champions League you cannot choose who to play against,” Mapeza said.

“I think what is important now is for us to prepare well. We will have to dig deep and gather enough information on our opponents so that we will not be surprised. I think it’s a fair draw though tricky.”

The platinum miners are currently seized with finalising their squad to secure all their transfer targets ahead of the Caf registration deadline which falls on December 31.

Defender Lawrence Mhlanga, who was subjected to a protracted wrangle between Pure Platinum Play and Chicken Inn, could finally be available to play for the Zvishavane-based side after spending the entire 2017 season in the terraces.

Ngezi Platinum Stars midfielder Liberty Chakoroma is also reportedly to be angling for a move to FC Platinum. 

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HARARE - Defender Qadr Amini capped a memorable season for himself when he was voted Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Player of the Year.

Amini enjoyed an outstanding season with the platinum miners and was also named among the best 11 players in the country for 2017.

Midfielder Tichaona Mabvura won the Players’ Player of the Year and the Most Improved Player awards.

Terrence Dzvukamanja settled for the Golden Boot award after finishing the season with nine goals.

Defender Godknows Murwira was voted the Most Disciplined Player while Clive Augusto was named the Rookie of the Year.

Davison Tavari walked away with the Most Loyal Player.

Tavari joined Ngezi Platinum when they were still in Division One.

Ngezi Platinum also threw their weight behind coach Tonderai Ndiraya after he guided the team to a third place finish saying they will unveil funds for him to strengthen the team ahead of the 2018 Castle Lager Premiership season.

Club president Stanley Segula threw his weight behind Ndiraya who guided Madamburo to third position in the just-ended season.

“There is a feeling that 2018 will be the year of great things for this club. We want to consolidate our position as one of the big teams and if the opportunity presents itself we will take it (the league title),” said Segula.

“He (Ndiraya) needs to invade the market and get the players he wants.”

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has appointed Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa as the new Warriors’ substantive coach on a one-year performance-based contract. 

Zimbabwe has been without a head coach since Kalisto Pasuwa’s sacking in February following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament in Gabon.

Sunday Chidzambwa

However, the association yesterday confirmed Chidzambwa as the new substantive coach with his contract with local Premiership side ZPC Kariba set to expire at the end of the month.

Chidzambwa’s first competitive assignment is in March next year, when Zimbabwe travel to Congo for a Group G Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Sunday Chidzambwa as the substantive senior men’s national team coach with immediate effect, on a one-year performance-based contract,” read a statement released by Zifa yesterday.

“The association is confident that the coming in of Chidzambwa, Zimbabwe’s most successful coach, will steer the Warriors towards the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations finals as he has no club football distractions.

“Zifa on its part will endeavor to provide all the necessary support to ensure success for the Warriors. Chidzambwa is the first coach to lead Zimbabwe to the Afcon finals in Tunisia in 2004 and he has won the COSAFA Castle Cup a record three times, with the latest coming in 2017.

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“At club level, he led Dynamos to the Caf Champions League final in 1998 and he won three league titles with the club in 1994, 1995 and 1997. We wish him all the best on his full time return to the Warriors fold.”

With the association currently hamstrung with a huge debt, the Philip Chiyangwa-led association had resorted to hiring coaches on interim basis for a specific assignments.

Since the sacking of Pasuwa, Zifa had appointed three different coaches to lead the Warriors.

During the Afcon qualifier against Liberia in June, Zifa appointed Norman Mapeza to be in charge on a temporary basis and the former Monomotapa gaffer led the Warriors to a comfortable 3-0 victory courtesy of a Knowledge Musona hat-trick.

Chidzambwa was then entrusted to guide the side for the Cosafa Castle Cup and the former ZPC Kariba coach was able to guide Zimbabwe to their fifth title at the regional tournament.

The former Dynamos coach also presided over a failed Chan qualifying campaign with the Warriors being booted out at the hands of Namibia.

Zifa technical director Wilson Mutekede presided over last month’s friendly matches against Lesotho and Namibia.

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HARARE – Karateka Samson Muripo capped a fine year by being crowned Sports Person of the Year at the Annual National Sports Awards (Ansa) held at a local hotel last night.

Muripo won the country’s biggest sporting accolade after winning the Sports Man of the Year award ahead of fellow Kareteka Brian Chiringa in second and golfer Nyasha Machazana who settled for third place.

Samson Muripo (left)

Bodybuilder, Helen Costa Sinclair, the 2016 Sports Person of the Year was a step away from completing a memorable double after bagging the Sportswoman of the Year where she relegated to second place athletics star Rutendo Nyahora and fellow bodybuilder Selina Manuel who came third.

The night however, belonged to Muripo, a world champion who won the 3rd International So-Kyokushin Karate Tournament in Iran, in February before he went on to earn a new title, Shihan.

The award becomes his maiden Ansa Sports Person of the Year having been nominated for the first time in 2009 but failed to make the grade and made a huge leap towards landing the bigger prize in 2013 where he was the Sportsman of the Year.

South African-based tennis ace Mehluli Sibanda also scored big on the night after walking away with the Junior Sports Person of the Year.

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2017 ANNUAL NATIONAL SPORT AWARDS WINNERS

1.    Junior Sports Woman of the Year

Position 1 Tanyaradzwa Muzinda 

Position 2 Holly Bicknell

Position 3 Emily Tariro Jones                       

2.    Junior Sports Man of the Year

Position 1 Mehluli Don Sibanda

Position 2 Chengetayi Mapaya                    

Position 3 Terence Liam O’Hara                 

3. Junior Sports Woman of the Year with a Disability

Position 1 Siphosami Moyo   

Position 2 Pelagia Chidhakwa

Position 3 Elizabeth Matupe  

4.    Junior Sports Man of the Year with a Disability

Position 1  Edmore Solomon

Position 2 Raymond Nyati

Position 3 Munorwei  Chakanyuka  

5. Sports Woman of the Year with a Disability

Position 1 Margaret Bangajena  

Position 2 Thandiwe Ndlovu    

Position 3 Ratidzo Tomu    

6.    Sports Man of the Year with a Disability

Position 1 Elford Moyo       

Position 2 Samson Muroyiwa   

Position 3 Michael Mudyanadzo 

7.    Sports Woman of the Year

Position 1 Helen Costa Sinclair   

Position 2 Rutendo Nyahora    

Position 3 Selina Manuel      

8.    Sports Man of the Year

Position 1 Samson Muripo

Position 2 Brian Chiringa      

Position 3 Nyasha Machaza

9.    Team of the Year

Position 1 Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens (Cheetahs)

Position 2  Zimbabwe Cricket Team(Chevrons)

Position 3 Kenneth Raynor & Keegan Smith

10.  Coach of the Year

Position 1 Gilbert Nyamutsamba

Position 2 Heath Hilton Streak

Position 3 Kristine Johnson                                       

11.  Technical Official of the Year

Position 1 Annie Joyce Muchenu

Position 2  Patrick Mukondiwa

Position 3 Agnes Chiroodza                                      

12.  Sports Administration of the Year

Position 1 Zim Aquatic Union                                 

Position 2   Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation

Position 3 Rowing Association of Zimbabwe

13.  Sports Development of the Year

Position 1 Zimbabwe Karate Union

Postion 2 Zimbabwe Ladies Golf

Position 3 Equestrian Zimbabwe

14.  Women and Sports Award

Position 1 Lorna Margaret Riley

Position 2 Leticia Chipandu

Postion 3 Rosemary Mugadza

15.  Special Acknowledgement award

Walter Magaya

ZBC

Mashonaland West Province

Good Governance Acknowledgement

Rowing Association of Zimbabwe

Triathlon Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Archery Association

Zimbabwe Equestrian Federation

Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union

Zimbabwe Karate Union

Zimbabwe Motor Sports Federation

Zimbabwe Olympic Committee

Zimbabwe Aquatic Union

16.  Junior Sports Person of the Year

Mehluli Don Sibanda

17.  Sports Person of the year

Samson Muripo

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HARARE - Young Zimbabweans have been called on to enter this year’s DStv Eutelsat Star Awards competition, an international essay-writing and poster-designing contest that has in the past been won by Zimbabwean students.

Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said the organisers were calling on entries from students aged between 14 and 19 years of age for the 2017 competition, again focused on stimulating an interest in the use of satellite technology to enhance African lives.

“This is a competition that is open to young people across Africa, and is one in which Zimbabweans have had particular success over the past few years, with winners and runners-up in the two different sections of the event,” said Dziva.

She added that the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards competition is a collaboration of MultiChoice Africa and Eutelsat.

“They jointly launched the annual DStv Eutelsat Star Awards poster and essay competition in 2010. It is aimed at encouraging young people across Africa to focus on the benefits to the continent of satellite technology and to think about careers in science and technology. There have more than 5 000 entries from all over the continent to date and Zimbabweans have entered in large numbers since the first competition in 2011,” said the MultiChoice Zimbabwe publicity and public relations manager.

For the 2017 competition essay and poster designs this year must be based on the following topic: " It’s sixty years since the first satellite – Sputnik – was launched, sending out the unique and well-known ‘beep, beep, beep’ signal. Looking back at this historic moment, write an essay or design a poster depicting how satellites have launched humankind into the 21st century and acted as a unifier.”

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The competition is judged at national and international levels, with winners and runners-up in both categories at both levels. Selected by a jury from what is again likely to be thousands of entries from across the continent, the overall international essay winner will be eligible for a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to Paris to visit Eutelsat satellite facilities and thereafter to travel to the Caribbean to view a rocket being launched into space. The winner’s school will receive a DStv installation, including a dish, TV, decoder and free access to the DStv Education package. The winner of the poster section will win a trip for two to MultiChoice’s offices in South Africa and thereafter to the South African Space Agency at Hartbeesthoek. The winner’s school will win a DStv installation, including a dish, TV, decoder and free access to the DStv Education package.

“This competition is open to all secondary-level students with an appetite for technology. Entry forms are now available any MultiChoice office, while copies also can be downloaded from www.dstvstarawards.com.”

Entries are accepted in English, French and Portuguese and will be judged on the basis of high-standard criteria of accuracy, creativity, originality and innovation.  The competition closes on  February 12 and winners will be named at a ceremony held by the end of April. Entrants can view a documentary on satellites, called The Magic Circle, at the dstvstarwards website.

Essays should be between 1 200 and 1 400 words in length, while poster entries should be of A1 size.

“The competition stemmed from a view by MultiChoice Africa and Eutelsat that science and technology education should help young minds in their quest to positively change their world,” said Ms Dziva.

“It’s now in its seventh successive year of running and this joint initiative has inspired innovative thinking among a new African generation.  This pan-African collaboration has created a meaningful engagement with students, the academic community and the scientific world and what has been very exciting has been the fact that, since the start of the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards competition in 2011, thousands of students have taken part in this unique competition.

“We look forward to entries coming through from all over the country, so that we can see the wealth of talent we have in this country doing themselves proud and also giving pride to their parents, schools and the community at large.”

The 2014 international essay winner was then 18-year-old Joseph Mahiya of Hellenic International Academy in Harare, while the following year’s international poster winner was then 19-year-old Mallon Marume of Mutare Boys’ High School. Each year there have been winners at national level, all of whom have received prizes from the competition organisers. Other winners have come from Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.

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