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Opposition MDC petitions Gumbo over Zinara's $16m graders

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HARARE - Mabvuku-Tafara legislator James Maridadi has reignited debate about the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara)’s 80 motorised graders after petitioning Transport minister Joram Gumbo to explain the suitability and technical specifications of the six-year old equipment.

While the issue has remained a source of constant political bickering and conjecture since 2014, the roads manager plunged into controversy after asking Univern Enterprises (Private) Limited (Univern) to supply 40 more machines  – out of the initial tender – under a directive from ex-president Robert Mugabe’s government.

“Recently, you undertook a tour of some RDCs… (where) you spoke about road graders, which you said were not suitable for gravel road rehabilitation but were manufactured to clear snow. This revelation has raised the concern of some citizens resident in the constituency mentioned above,” Maridadi said, adding the request was being done in line with section 62 of the Constitution and which guaranteed Zimbabwean citizens access to information in the public interest, and accountability and feedback was needed by mid-February.

“I, therefore, request the Ministry of Transport… to kindly furnish me with information pertaining to… purchase of the snow graders. Nature of agreement that was entered into between government and the company that procured the graders,” he said.

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“If (the) agreement… arose out of a government tender, then I request… documents inviting bids, number of companies which responded, and response documents of the top three bidders. Full set of documents of the company, which was awarded the tender and the amount… paid to the winning company, and mode of payment,” the former broadcaster said.

Despite winning an open $8 million tender for 40 graders in 2012 and being given a second mandate for similar equipment – under the same terms, price and within a calendar year of the PBR 1854/10/12 award – Univern has also taken some flak for allegedly supplying inappropriate machines after its Chinese contractor Sany Corporation chose to include a front-dozing plate on the earthmovers, which has elicited misconceptions that they were actually “snow graders”.

Even, though, the Harare-based technology firm’s private-public sector partnership with Zinara has delivered  103 000 kilometres of upgraded rural roads since 2013 and it provided another batch of bulldozers under a June 2013 purchase order from the parastatal, Gumbo’s recent and contradictory remarks about the equipment have not helped matters.

“I am pleased that we have exceeded ZimAsset targets in grading, which was set at 4 000km in five years. With effect from January 1, 2018, ownership and maintenance of the graders has been transferred to the various authorities. It is our expectation that will ensure optimum utilisation… so that the road network… is kept in trafficable state,” he said after claiming the roads manager had acquired substandard machines and yet the monsters have done nearly 300 000 hours of work since mid-2013, and meaning an average six hours a day.

While Zinara and Univern have remained under fire for “pricing and technical” issues over the heavy-duty equipment, it has also emerged that the latter was chosen – on the initial 2012 deal – after beating 16 other bidders and who had quoted prices in excess of $400 000 a unit for the dozers needed under the road authorities recapitalisation programme.

And besides being involved in the process of drawing up tender specifications for the machines, several RDCs have come up with complaints that the equipment was lying idle because of its unsuitability for local condition and just too expensive to run.

Despite the tender-procedure concerns and specifically section 30 of the procurement act, which parliament has heard and addressed since four years ago, it is common cause that Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa’s organisation sought condonation for the purchase of extra equipment and which was duly cleared or ratified.

When the matter first played out in the august house in 2014-2015, acting Zinara CE Moses Juma not only stressed to the national assembly’s public accounts committe that the graders were not overpriced, but they were also good enough for the maintaince of Zimbabwean roads.

“It is not a snow plough, it is a dozer plate which is able to push material, and so this particular grader is able to do dozing of material and also clear and push bushes, and we feel it is adding value to our equipment,” the trained engineer said then.

On the other hand, legislator and committee chair on transport concurred: “From an engineer’s point of view, I think we got two graders for the price of one because… (they) have a blade in front that can be utilised as a dozer. We have a grader that has two functions and so the issue of being overcharged for the graders is misplaced. All I can advocate for is the right utilisation of those graders.”

Meanwhile, the full set of high-tech equipment, which was given to the country’s 90 road authorities, also comprised dumpers, a front-end loader, rollers and a tipper.

Under the arrangement with Univern, a 24-hour call centre to provide full back-up support , service and tracking was established until the latest arrangement, and where the RDCs are in full control of their after service requirements or needs.

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Mnangagwa mocks mooted G40 party

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HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday mocked a proposed opposition party linked to the vanquished G40 faction saying it will stand no chance against the ruling party if it contests this year’s general elections.

Buoyed by thousands of Zanu PF supporters who thronged famous religious leader, Aaron Mhukuta Gomo’s shrine in Shamva, Mashonaland Central Province where he officially commissioned a newly-constructed school, Mnangagwa said any plans to dislodge Zanu PF were doomed to fail.

The event was turned from a formal official event into a massive campaign rally for the party, with Mnangagwa, who was evidently thrilled by the generous turnout, taking the opportunity to also deride former first lady Grace Mugabe and her supporters in the Generation 40 (G40) faction.

He described them as ticks which were sucking life out of Zanu PF before a military intervention vanquished them last  November

There have been widespread reports that Mugabe, working with former Zanu PF heavyweights, Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Patrick Zhuwao, would form an opposition political party named the National Patriotic Front (NPF) to confront Zanu PF at the coming general elections, which are barely five months away, according to Mnangagwa’s recent public pronouncements.

“I am pleased by this bumper crowd which has turned out here. Now if there is someone who can dream of forming another party to oppose Zanu PF in the coming elections, that’s being possessed by an evil spirit and if there is anyone with that spirit, it needs to be exorcised and they need to brew beer so that traditional ceremonies are held to get rid of such spirits because Zanu PF will keep ruling,” said a buoyant Mnangagwa.

He also told the highly animated crowd that there was no way back for G40 members, likening them to ticks that had been clinging on and sucking blood.

“As Zanu PF, we don’t carry ticks so last November, we shook those ticks off. Like a cow, Zanu PF went into the diptank and the ticks fell off and the party is moving on and it keeps ruling.

“Some of them fled into exile and they are living outside the country but they keep trying to cause problems from there. But we must not worry about those ones because they have no effect, our duty is to work for the party and the country,” he said, apparently referring to the trio of Moyo, Kasukuwere and Zhuwao who last week sent a lengthy document to the African Union challenging the legitimacy of Mnangagwa’s presidency.

Also appearing to address the issue of his legitimacy, Mnangagwa claimed that the army had to intervene to rescue the Constitution which he said had been abrogated by Grace and her suppossed G40 allies.

Asking former commander of the Zimbabwe defence forces Constantino Chiwenga who was present to stand up, which he did to rapturous applause, Mnangagwa said: “If you see someone who is not in government dictating how it should be run, pronouncing judgments about criminal cases at a rally when they are not judges and interfering in Parliament business, then you must know things have gone wrong and the army cannot stand aside and watch,” he said.

Mnangagwa also took aim at Kasukuwere, the former Zanu PF national political commissar, for adopting a confrontational approach in his commissariat work.

“The work of the commissar is to lure people to the party and to nurture them in the party. This is what the current commissar (Engelbert Rugeje) will be doing, not what the previous commissar did; to chase people from the party and always scold people and scaring them away from the party,” said Mnangagwa.

He also claimed that the Command Agriculture programme did not go well because he had been sidelined from it and then it had been subsequently sabotaged by G40.

Mnangagwa apparently has great admiration for the 97-year-old clergyman popularly as Madzibaba Wimbo, who is currently confined to bed because of old age.

He first paid a courtesy call to the man credited with a 1950s prophesy which identified Robert Mugabe as a future leader of Zimbabwe when at the time many nationalists where fighting against white minority rule.

Wimbo has been shrouded in controversy of late and he is believed to be living in captivity of overzealous church leaders.

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Mohadi in $20m property wrangle

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HARARE - Vice President Kembo Mohadi is demanding $20 million in damages from a Beitbridge-based company for selling a fuel station he was renting without giving him the right of refusal to purchase the property as agreed.

Mohadi and his business partner Josias John Moyo have since approached the High Court seeking to compel the company to pay them $20 million for loss of business.

In the application Mohadi, Moyo and the estate of the late former Cabinet minister Thenjiwe Lesabe are the applicants, while Babra Lunga, Impact Trust and Executors, Reginald McGillivray Dawson, Afric Petroleum (Private) Limited, Beitbridge Town Council, the Sheriff of the High Court of Zimbabwe, the Registrar of Deeds and the deputy master of the High Court, Bulawayo are cited as respondents.

The court heard that sometime between 2014 and 2015 and at Dawson’s instance, Lunga and Impact Trust and Executors, acting in their capacity as liquidators of Nerry Investments (Private) Limited, Red Queen Trading (Private) Limited and Spoornet Investments (Private) Limited, acting together with Beitbridge Town Council and with the intention to defraud the applicants, double sold Stand number 1418 Beitbridge Township to Afric Oil Petroleum (Private) Limited.

Lunga is accused of having liquidated Nerry Investments (Private) Limited without Mohadi’s knowledge, following a business wrangle between the politician and Dawson, who were both shareholders in the company.

After liquidation, the company was reportedly transferred into Dawson’s Red Queen Trading(Private) Limited.

“The plaintiffs became fully aware of these facts in 2016 when the following fraudulent conduct was unravelled through Zimbabwe Republic Police serious frauds squad investigations.

“The said fraudulent double sale subsequently led to fourth defendant (Afric Oil Petroleum (Private) Limited) taking registered title of Stand numbers 1418 and 1419, Beitbridge Township, Beitbridge in 2014,” the court heard.

According to the court papers, Stand number 1418 had been subdivided to create Stand number 1419, which was being leased with an option to purchase to Nerry Investments, in which Mohadi, Moyo and estate of Lesabe were shareholders.

The company was running a fuel depot at the premises under lease No. A/1228/10 for seven years between 2010 and last year.

“The said, lease with an option to purchase which had been initiated by the 1st plaintiff (Moyo), 2nd (Mohadi), 3rd (estate of Lesabe) plaintiffs and 3rd defendant (Dawson) for the benefit of their company called Nerry Investments (Private) Limited which was fraudulently put into liquidation by 3rd defendant (Lunga), was not terminated as required by law by 5th defendant (Beitbridge Town Council) until July 2017 despite the double sale.

“Sale of Stand Number 1418 Beitbridge Township was a fraudulent double sale in that, whereas the lease with option to purchase by and between Nerry Investments (Private) Limited and the 5th defendant (Beitbridge Town Council) was still subsisting and valid and had not been cancelled in compliance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Contractual Penalties Act (Chapter 8:04), 1st defendant (Lunga) acting in the course of her employment of the 2nd defendant Impact Trust and Executors) and acting in concert with the 3rd (Dawson) and 5th defendant (Beitbridge Town Council)  sold the property to the 4th defendant (Afric Oil Petroleum) who knew or ought to have known because the said lease with an option to purchase was registered and had a supporting council resolution and was always kept as a public document in the 5th defendant’s office,” the court heard.

The applicants further said the subdivision of the same stand was fraudulently and illegally done in contravention of Section 25 and 26 of the Land Survey Act (Chapter 20:12) in that the diagrams and subdivision plan was not drawn by the local planning authority and no attested surveyor surveyed the land.

According to court papers, the sale was not supported by any council resolution and laid down procedures were not followed.

“The said sale was fraudulently done by a liquidator (1st defendant) acting in concert with a minority shareholder (3rd defendant) of a company in liquidation into the name of another company in liquidation Red Queen Trading (Private) Limited and the sale was not supported by any known council resolution and known procedures for sale of land were deliberately not followed by 5th defendant.”

Further claims are that the sale was well-calculated to paralyse the fuel business, adding that their company was never insolvent.

The applicants are now demanding a declaratory order for the agreements of sale entered between the parties for the property to be declared null and void.

They further seek the cancellation of title deeds registered in the name of Afric Oil Petroleum (Private) Limited, among other issues.

They also seek payment in the sum of $10 million for loss of business and equipment, a $2,3 million which they claim is the value of the fuel equipment and property that was fraudulently sold during the transaction, $7,7 million for loss of fuel, bonded warehouse storage and motor vehicle clearance business.

The respondents have not yet responded to the application but have since entered an appearance to defend.

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More woes for Mzembi

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HARARE - Former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi and consultants that he worked with during the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly appeared in court yesterday on allegations of misappropriating over $1, 6 million meant for the event.

Mzembi, 54, Tourism and Hospitality ministry consultant Aaron Dzingira Mushoriwa, 62, and the ex-permanent secretary Margret Sangarwe, 59, were released on $300 bail when they appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa.

They were charged with theft of trust property.

According to State papers Mushoriwa was one of the consultants contracted by Tourism ministry to source funds on its behalf for United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly preparations and hosting.

On May 15, 2012 Tourism and Hospitality ministry entered a contract with professional conference organisers, Rosemary Mukogo, Mushoriwa and Susan Makombe Kahudzayi who is still at large.

The contract was for the consultants to source funding from the corporate world and assist in managing the UNWTO project and they took instructions from Mzembi.

The court heard that between May 2012 and August 2013 Mzembi wrote several letters on government letterheads to corporate world inviting sponsorship and Mushoriwa and Sangarwe would forward them to selected organisations.

After receiving funds from Mbada Diamonds, Mushoriwa connived with Kahudzayi and transferred $150 000 to Croco Motors for purchase of three Ford Ranger Double Cabs and registered them in the name of UNWTO Trust which was not existent.

The court heard that after UNWTO the accused persons connived and failed to surrender the cars to Tourism and Hospitality ministry but converted them to personal use.

The court heard that Mushoriwa and Kahudzayi also received a Tata Xenon Double Cab that was fully paid for by Mimosa Minning at $33 626.

According to State papers Mzembi then gave orders for the motor vehicles to be distributed and he got a Ford Ranger, Mushoriwa obtained a Tata Xenon Double Cab, while Sangarwe and Kahudzai each got Ford Rangers.

It was alleged that Kahudzayi sold hers to a third party who has not yet been established.

The State was prejudiced $184 000.

On the second count Mzembi and Mushoriwa are being charged for misappropriating $1 6 million during the same event with State alleging that $261 386 was recovered.

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Police in another major shake-up

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has redeployed nationwide close to 400 police officers and suspended 19 others amid allegations of various acts of misconduct as it continued with its acts of trying to win back public confidence following the fall of its former chief Augustine Chihuri who was widely blamed for the rot at the force.

ZRP’s latest action comes on the back of purges of senior officers who were perceived to have been close to Chihuri who was the first to be cut loose by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last December as he reconfigured the security sector.

On Tuesday, the ZRP sent out radio communication to all its stations dotted across the country — announcing the redeployment of officers as well as the suspension of the 19 Morris Depot officers — in another development aimed at re-shaping its battered image.

Among those suspended were seven assistant inspectors and 12 constables.

The suspended police officers were ordered to report to the ZRP detention barracks at Support Unit pending trial.

“The following transfers have been approved and should be implemented immediately,” read a transcript of the radio instruction, which went on to quote names of law enforcement agents and their ranks.

“Please submit casualty returns by 12 February 2018 as soon as the transfers have been implemented,” it concluded.

Police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday confirmed the transfers but directed all questions to deputy spokesperson Paul Nyathi.

Nyathi said he was in a meeting and would comment later by had not done so by the time of going to print.

Among the 19 suspended police officers whose cases will be heard before a suitability board, which will determine whether they remain police officers, is 27-year-old Hardlife Maukazuva.

Maukazuva was in December last year accused of trying to burn Chihuri’s house during an exchange of gunfire with a colleague who was guarding the former police supremo’s home in Greystone Park.

Heavily armed soldiers had to be dispatched to Chihuri’s  home following the surprise shoot-out between Maukazuva and his colleague.

Chihuri was not at home at the time of the incident as he joined other service chiefs at the renaming ceremony of the KGVI Barracks by Mnangagwa, near the State House.

Police officers assigned to guard VVIPs are confined to guarding duties and are barred from gaining access into the homes of their subjects unless cleared to do so under special circumstances.

Maukazuva was alleged to have breached that protocol as he was accused of trying to steal a television set in Chihuri’s house before allegedly attempting to torch it.

His case is before the courts where he is facing charges of unlawful entry into Chihuri’s property in aggravating circumstances, malicious damage to property and attempted murder.

Since Mnangagwa assumed the reins in government, he has been ringing changes in government departments including security agencies such as the President’s Office where he sent packing senior intelligence operatives in the spy agency, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

Mnangagwa’s reforms in the police have earned him plaudits from the general public which had, during the era of former president  Robert Mugabe, protested against Chihuri and the force but without success.

During Mnangagwa’s inauguration on November 24, Chihuri got a rude awakening when he was roundly booed by the 60 000 people who had filled the National Sports Stadium to witness the historic event.

The police chief who was pledging his allegiance to Mnangagwa appeared shaken by the unexpected crowd reaction and his voice quivered as he made his pledge.

Many Zimbabweans were not happy with the police force because of their once ubiquitous roadblocks and use of spikes which they claimed were meant to extort them money.

Chihuri had been in his position for more than 23 years, having been rewarded with a contract renewal over 13 times since 1997.

He took over the reins as acting commissioner in 1991, replacing Henry Mukurazhizha.

Two years later, he became substantive police commissioner.

In 2008, he was appointed to commissioner-general.

His term was extended by four years.

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G40 sets sights on Mujuru, MDC

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HARARE - The Generation 40 (G40) faction is bidding to bring together former vice president Joice Mujuru and the MDC as part of its wider campaign to stop President Emmerson Mnangagwa from winning this year’s make-or-break elections whose dates are yet to be announced.

G40 was locked in a bitter political war with Mnangagwa whom it fought with the help of former president Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, before the intervention of the military which overran the faction when it launched Operation Restore legacy on November 15 last year.

The intervention, which the military said was not a coup, resulted in the fall of Mugabe and arrests of several Cabinet ministers linked to the G40 whose kingpins — Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and  Patrick Zhuwao — fled into self-imposed exile.

Yesterday, sources told the Daily News that a “workshop” of key opposition parties currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa, which brought together Mujuru and MDC vice presidents — Elias Mudzuri and Thokozani Khupe — was part of a grand plan to have Mugabe’s former deputy join hands with G40 and the MDC.

The G40 has been working feverishly to have Mnangagwa and his government declared illegitimate, citing the manner in which the 75-year-old assumed the reins.

Disgruntled G40 stalwarts have written to the regional and continental bodies — the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU) — appealing for their intervention to help Zimbabwe return to “constitutional rule”.

Sources said Mujuru’s appearance at the Cape Town “workshop” was just as curious as Khupe and Mudzuri’s presence as both the National People’s Party (NPP) leader and the MDC have previously snubbed the organisers of the same workshop —  describing the gathering as lacking “clear” objectives.

Mujuru is said to have regained her mojo which coincided with talks she held with Mugabe at his palatial Borrowdale “Blue Roof” mansion last week — three years after she was sacked from both Zanu PF and government by the soon-to-be  94 years old.

The NPP leader was cut loose by Mugabe in the run up to Zanu PF’s 2014 congress, together with other party stalwarts who included former Cabinet ministers — Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo — on untested allegations of seeking to topple the then Zimbabwe leader.

Mujuru’s meeting with Mugabe coincided with the announcement of the formation of the New Patriotic Front (NPF) which is said to be driven by the exiled G40 kingpins.

Sources told the Daily News yesterday that it was the G40 plan to lure Mujuru and the MDC so that it could see the birth of an alliance that would crush Mnangagwa’s hopes of winning the looming elections.

G40 is said to be keen on having Mujuru lead the alliance “especially now that Tsvangirai is heavily weighed down by his ongoing health and fitness issues”.

While MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora who is part of the MDC heavyweights in Cape Town, has said the “workshop” had nothing to do with the suspected G40-wished alliance, back home, the trip has caused anger among senior party officials.

The MDC youth assembly yesterday branded the Cape Town trip by its two VPs and Mwonzora as a “shame”.

The largest opposition party insisted that it had nothing to do with the “workshop” and the trio’s trip.

“Their participation at such a forum directly violates a national council resolution which exclusively mandated the president (Tsvangirai) to deal with such issues.

“The president is on public record to have turned down a similar invitation to attend a similar workshop conducted by the same facilitators. The action by the trio shows great disrespect, not only for the national council resolution but also shows disdain for the party president who, in accordance with the national council decision had refused to associate with such exercises conducted by non Zimbabweans and abroad,” a fuming MDC youth assembly leader Happymore Chidziva, told the Daily News.

Acting MDC chairperson Morgen Komichi told the Daily News that the trio was not representing the party which he said had no interest in the event since it has its own alliance with other opposition parties.

“If it was the party there are certain procedures that have to be followed. The matter should have been brought to the standing committee because it is a policy issue.

“In the case of the MDC Alliance we consulted everyone and if people are going to discuss forming a coalition the same procedure should have been followed. Coming up with another coalition without following due process would create unnecessary contradictions.

“The guys who are in South Africa are not representing the party, the party is not even aware of that meeting, they are there in their individual capacities. I actually want to understand more about what is happening there,” said Komichi.

Mudzuri had been the MDC’s acting president in the absence of Tsvangirai who is currently undergoing treatment in South Africa for colon cancer.

It was not clear whether Mudzuri had finished his turn as Tsvangirai, coincidentally, yesterday announced that another of the party’s VPs, Nelson Chamisa, was now acting on his behalf while he focuses on treatment in South Africa.

Chamisa is hotly tipped to succeed Tsvangirai if the MDC leader steps down as a result of his current battle with cancer.

“President Morgan Tsvangirai has with effect from today, 7 February 2018, affirmed vice president hon. Nelson Chamisa as the acting president of the party by operation of the constitution until the president’s return.

“This is in light of the president’s absence and that of the two other vice presidents who are both in South Africa. VP Chamisa also continues in his assigned duties as the acting chairperson of the MDC Alliance,” Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said in a statement yesterday.

Already the MDC is showing cracks as a result of factions which are now openly fighting to punt their preferred candidates to replace Tsvangirai.

MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu tried to downplay the divisions but admitted that the opposition is going through “turbulent” times.

“It is obvious that we are going through a period of turbulence, the good thing is that we are finding each other. The prolonged absence of the leader could have contributed to this turbulence but there is hope that we will find each other.

“We are not a bunch of power mongers. We are having prayers so that we will find avenues to ensure that we can find one another,” said Gutu.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said at a Mashonaland Central rally yesterday that the G40 faction members Savior Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo were meeting with Mujuru in Cape Town to plot against him, in a meeting he claimed was orgamised by the Democracy Institute -a think-tank based in Washington, DC founded in 2006.

“Paaasi nemhanduuuu,” he said in his signature slogan.

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Tsvangirai's wife barred from seeing him

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HARARE - The wife of ailing MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is being denied access to visit him in a Johannesburg hospital where the 65-year-old opposition leader is receiving medical treatment, his spokesperson has confirmed.

Read full story in today's paper.

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Zanu PF crafts poll manifesto

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HARARE - Zanu PF bigwigs spent the better part of yesterday cracking heads as they brainstormed over an election manifesto for the upcoming general election.

The crafting of the manifesto headlined yesterday’s politburo meeting’s three agenda items, which also included discussions over the party’s new regalia and slogans to be adopted by the party as elections beckon.

Details of the meeting were not immediately clear as it was still in progress by the time of going to print.

According to list of agenda items which the Daily News gleaned during the customary pre-meeting greetings, the party would discuss the manifesto, campaign regalia and slogans.

The party is trying hard to depart from the previous Robert Mugabe era where all the politics and sloganeering was centred around him and his wife.

Informed sources said the politburo’s main task yesterday was to identify the sharpest minds in the ruling part to try and come up with the best formula which could win it the elections.

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The meeting was also reportedly meant to come up with workable guidelines for the manifesto drafters.

The party wants the preliminary draft to be completed by the first week of March when the next politburo meeting is due, according to one top Zanu PF official.

“After the drafters are done with the project, which they should do by the first week of March, they would then hand it over to the politburo at its next sitting for deliberation.

“Remember, the first meeting of the Zanu PF central committee is on at the end of March, so the party wants to complete this exercise by that time to enable it to campaign adequately ahead of the elections,” said the source.

Zanu PF was keeping a tight lid on the details of yesterday’s deliberations, even dispatching its spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo to dismiss journalists during the course of the meeting.

Khaya Moyo said the party was departing from the norm, whereby it gives a press conference at the end of each politburo meeting.

“Today, there will be no press conference at the end of the meeting, so you are free to go do other things,” said Khaya Moyo as he dismissed hordes of journalists who had gathered at the party’s national headquarters in Harare.

However, indications are that politburo member July Moyo, who is considered a key strategist, is being considered to lead the process along with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga; youth league chair Pupurai Togarepi and women’s league boss, Mabel Chinomona among others.

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Makandiwa, wife deny false prophecy rap

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HARARE - United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Emmanuel Makandiwa and his wife Ruth have denied allegations of making false prophecies.

In their court papers filed yesterday, the Makandiwas challenged Blessing and Upenyu Mashangwa’s claims that they ripped them off of a staggering $6,5 million. .

“The defendants (Makandiwas and UFIC) plead generally that this action is an unmitigated and vexatious and contempt of this court and its processes whose sole purpose is grandstanding to harass, vex and injure the defendants in their reputation and good standing,” the Makandiwas said.

They further said the present application is frivolous and vexatious as the court is not equipped to inquire into matters beyond the earthly realm...

“The defendants plead that there is no factual or legal basis that has pleaded or can be pleaded by the plaintiffs upon which this court can pronounce that the first and second defendants are not prophets of God,” the court heard.    

The UFIC church leaders, who are represented by Lewis Uriri, denied claims by the couple that they had made a prophecy claiming there was going to be a miraculous debt cancellation, which induced them to ignore a $500 000 debt which they had with a local financial institution, leading to them losing their property.

“The defendants deny that they made the alleged representation to the plaintiffs in the manner alleged or at all. The defendants specifically deny using the words ‘anyone with a bank debt or loan would (have the same) cancelled as it was the season of miraculous cancellation of debts’.

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“It is denied that the plaintiffs lost ‘their property’. The property was at all material times owned and registered company called Carmeco Investments (Private) Limited…The property remains owned by, and registered to Carmeco. In 2012, the plaintiffs were the directors of Carmeco and presumably the beneficial owners of the property. The present directors and/or beneficial owners of Carmeco…are one Walter Magaya and one Tendai Magaya,” the Makandiwas said.

They further denied the Mashangwas ever making a direct contribution to them and fraudulently inducing them to part with their money.

“The defendants made free will offerings in accordance with their own respective personal and individual faith and conviction.

“Such giving was to the work of the church... It is denied that such free will offerings amounted to direct contributions to the defendants,” the Makandiwas said, adding that they do not know about the $1 100 000 contribution allegedly made by the plaintiffs.

The current papers were filed after High Court judge David Mangota dismissed the Makandiwas’ exception application, saying the Mashangwas’ claim against the UFIC leaders were grounded in alleged fraudulent activities and not in contract.

“The plaintiffs’ (Mashangwa and his wife) case in regard to the four claims is watertight,” Mangota said.

“There is nothing which is vague and/or embarrassing in each of those claims. Their cause of action for each is clear, cogent and to the point.

“The claims fall neatly into the delict (wrongful act) of fraud. They are neither frivolous nor vexatious.

“…In the premise, it is ordered that the defendants’ (Makandiwa, Ruth and UFIC) exception in regard to all the…claims be and is, hereby, dismissed with costs.”

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Dinyero finds new home

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HARARE - Former FC Platinum and Harare City coach Masimba Dinyero has found a new home after being appointed as the head coach of newly-promoted Zifa Eastern Region Division One side Green Fuels ahead of the 2018 season.

Green Fuels, which is owned by transport and fuel tycoon Billy Rautenbach, was promoted into Division One last season having spent a few seasons in the Eastern Region Division Two league.

And in their bid for promotion into the Castle Lager Premiership, the ambitious side, powered by the fat purse of their owner, has now roped in Dinyero to lead the team ahead of the new season.

Dinyero will be assisted by Takaendesa Mukwazhi, who led the team from Division Two while Enias Mbanje will be the team manager.

Club spokesperson Paul Gugushu revealed to the Daily News yesterday that goalkeepers’ coach and the second assistant will be announced in due course.

Gugushu said they are excited to be playing in Division One and their next target will be to gain promotion into the top flight league.

“I can confirm that Dinyero is our new coach and we are very excited about his arrival. He is an experienced coach and we hope he will be able take us to where we want to go,” he said.

“Our expectations are to play in the Premier League. But we don’t want to give a lot of pressure to our coaches, we are a new baby not in a hurry to walk.”

Green Fuels will, however, face stiff competition from another newly-formed side Manica Diamonds which will also be playing in the Zifa Eastern Region Division One.

Manica Diamonds are coached by the well-travelled Luke Masomere, who has assembled a side made up of seasoned campaigners.

The club owned by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Pvt) Ltd, is now the new home of defender William Mapfumo, who was with Premiership side Shabanie Mine last season, having also played for Dynamos, Black Mambas, Triangle and Mutare City Rovers.

Ex-Dynamos and ZPC Munyati striker Jacob Muzokomba, former Motor Action and Shabanie Mine midfielder Lewis Matawu and Benjamin Marere, who was with Black Rhinos last season, have also joined Manica Diamonds.

The club has also roped in former Motor Action and Chicken Inn forward Ishmael Lawe, Moses Gutu formerly of Triangle and How Mine, Nelson Tachi formerly of ZPC Kariba and How Mine and former Black Rhinos goalkeeper Jonathan Zvaita.

Former Motor Action and How Mine midfielder Thembani Masuku and ex-ZPC Kariba midfielder Philip Makanje have also joined the side.

Besides Manica Diamonds and Green Fuels, the other new teams coming into the Zifa Eastern Region Division One this season are ZRP Marondera and Masvingo United.

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Mapeza's FC Platinum leave for Angola

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HARARE - FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza insists they will not take too many risks when they face Angolan champions Premeiro Desportivo Agosto in the African Champions League this weekend.

Pure Platinum Play take on the Angolan champions in the first leg of their preliminary round clash at the Stadia 11   November in Luanda on Sunday.

The platinum miners flew out of the country yesterday afternoon abroad a South African Airways flight for the match that should set the tone for their bid to qualify for the group stages of the tournament.

While the reigning Zimbabwean champions will be looking for a result they hope will boost their chances of progressing to the next round, Mapeza’s men have also chosen to be pragmatic in their approach            especially given the fact that they are playing away from home.

Speaking at a press briefing shortly before their departure yesterday, the reigning Zimbabwe Coach of the Year emphasised that they would not throw caution to the wind in their quest to achieve such a result.

He said they are aware of the challenges of playing away from home and would not go for an open game against the Angolans, who he described as a “good side”.

“We have to be very cautious when we go there. I have read some articles in the press saying that Mapeza said he will go and attack; I am not a fool. I have been in this industry for quite some time now and I am aware of the challenges playing away from home,” Mapeza said.

“I had an opportunity to watch some of their local matches there and I must say they are a very good side.

“We have to be very cautious when we go there. Of course we would love to play our normal game but it depends on how the match progresses.

“We have been talking to the players on the importance of these matches and I think everybody is excited. Some of the players have been involved in matches of this magnitude and they know the challenge we are going to face on Sunday.

“So we just have to be at our best for us to come back home with a result. We are going there to try and grind a result so that when they come here we will say maybe we are 70 percent there.”

FC Platinum, will only be making their second appearance in the African Champions League, having previously participated in the 2012 edition in which they were eliminated in the first round stage by Sudanese giants El Merreikh.

On the team’s preparedness, Mapeza said he was pleased with what he saw from his charges especially during their international friendly matches against Zambian sides Zanaco and Nkana as well as Mozambique’s Ferroviaro.

“I think we are ready. Our preparations have been going on very well. We are aware of the challenges that we are going to face in Angola,” Mapeza said.

“They are a very big club and I think it’s the eighth time that they are participating in the Champions League so yeah, they will not make it easy for us.

“Our objective as a club is to reach the groups stages of this tournament. But it’s not like we are going there to surpass what CAPS United did. We just have to go and play to the best of our abilities and see how far we can go in this tournament.”

If Mapeza’s men get past Desportivo, they will then face the winner of the tie between South African side Bidvest Wits and Pamplemousses of Mauritius.

Desportivo, who are 11-time Angolan champions and have won the title in the last two years, should not be taken lightly.

The club recently appointed Serbian coach Zoran Manoljovic Maki to take over from Bosnian Dragan Jovic in their bid to do well.

The Angolan side have also signed highly rated Nigerian defender Kehind Yisa Anifowoshe from Oman side Alitihat as they prepare for the African Safari.

Tuku preaches peace in latest album

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HARARE - Music guru Oliver “Tuku”  Mtukudzi says his 67th album Hany’nga album is all about peace and working together, adding that there was no need in competing with each other to try and prove who is better, as this triggers conflict.

“There is everything (musical instruments), when mixed they become mangwingwindo (mixing of instruments), they cause you to leap — so it’s a happy song. And it has everything to do with complementing each other.

“There is a beautiful thing that comes out, a drum can’t sound like a mbira. So do what you are good at,” he said as he commented on one of the album’s songs Shiringinya, which is a dance song.

Tuku’s trajectory of peace did not start on this album as he has been trying to unify people through song.

Some of the songs include Ngoromera from the Wasakara album, and several others.

“Even firewood sticks, each is important, and when the clay pot comes on the fire it has its own job, and there is a stand,  there is nothing that is more important.

“All of these things complement each other like how we complement each other, we are not there to compete,” Mtukudzi said as he elaborated on another song Bopoto.

“For things to move, we should complement each other, you and what you are good at, and  what I am good at and what he is good at, together.

“Why do we always want to fight or be better than the other person, you see how conflict starts and the fire stand wants to be better but yet it cannot do the job of the clay pot. It’s a song about complementing each other.”

Tuku also composed Haasati Aziva which sings against child marriages as he tries to tackle the subject which remains a headache for Zimbabwe.

There are also songs such as Wanza Sori (sorry) that emphasises on admitting to wrongdoing, apologising and building bridges.

Tuku unveiled his latest album Hany’ga (Concern) to the press on Wednesday, which is made up of 10 tracks: Matope, Bopoto, Shiringinya, Haasati Aziva, Dehenya, Mahara, Inyasha, Wanza Sori, Inombotanga Sei and Uchatinhei.

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Buyangs' AMG joins jewellers association

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HARARE - The African Medallion Group (AMG) has joined the Jewellers Council of South Africa (JCSA), in a development that is expected to boost trust and confidence in the group’s gold products.

AMG, which manufactures and trades gold-backed medallions, was admitted into the elite 1 580-member association on Tuesday this week.

“We have pleasure in advising you that your application for membership of the Jewellery Council of South Africa, retail division, Jewellers Association of South Africa, has been approved,” the organisation said in a letter to AMG.

JCSA holds its members to the highest standards and act as mediators and arbitrators in the case of disputes between members and their customers, members and their suppliers, and other members.

The latest development comes at a time when AMG exceeded one billion rand gold reserves as it continues to add more stockpiles of the precious yellow metal.

“We are excited to inform our clients/stakeholders that the AMG Gold Reserves have surpassed the

R1 000 000 000 (ZAR) threshold,” the company said.

Last year, AMG introduced $1 gold-backed medallions citing increasing demand for the recently introduced product and the desire to cater for the ordinary clientele.

A medallion generally refers to a piece of jewellery or ornament with the shape of a medal that can be put for bids at a certain derived value.

In April 2017 the group also launched the innovative Pan African Gold Medallion — a limited edition ¼ ounce, certified gold medallion whose production was only limited to 10 masterpieces.

All medallions were sold within 48 hours and the group started getting more orders.

The medallions are backed by real gold reserves by the African Medallion Group, which is registered on the London Metal Exchange.

Medallions are gaining the attention of numerous international media platforms who have endorsed it.

 

Mangudya's tough inflation choices

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HARARE - Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya has vowed to keep the country’s inflation below four percent this year.

However, the veteran banker has a tough job ahead of him as inflation topped 3,46 percent by end of December last year, with some market experts predicting that Zimbabwe’s year-on-year inflation is already in double digits.

Mangudya noted that in the outlook period, the risk of inflation would be mitigated by the positive domestic and international goodwill, following the new economic and political dispensation in the country, which is already having some dampening effects on speculative tendencies, as well as on adverse inflationary expectations.

“On the other hand, external factors such as further strengthening of the South African rand, the United States dollar, high demand for imported goods and services, and surge in oil prices, may continue to put pressure on domestic prices.

“The Bank will, therefore continue to closely monitor price movements, and take pre-emptive and corrective measures to contain inflation to the Sadc target of between 3,7 percent by year end,” he said, adding that anticipated reduction in food imports and food prices, following the bumper harvest in the 2016/17 agricultural season, and the average 2017/18 cropping season, will dampen prices and moderate inflation this year.

Since climbing out of deflation in February 2017, Zimbabwe’s annual headline inflation has continued to rise spurred by foreign currency shortages in the country resulting in businesses purchasing the scarce commodity on the parallel market at a premium.

Mangudya, however, believes that the positive rate of inflation, as reflected in increases in prices of most commodities, was on the back of speculative and profiteering tendencies, pass-through effects of parallel market premiums on foreign exchange, shortages of some imported basic commodities; as well as some external factors such as firming South African rand and strengthening oil prices.

Food inflation surged from -0,30 percent in January 2017 to 5,65 percent in November 2017, before accelerating further to 6,60 percent in December 2017.

The increase in food inflation was largely driven by prices of meat, vegetables, and fish.

The decline in the prices of bread and cereals, responding to the 2016/17 bumper harvest, however, partially offset the price increases in other categories.

“The increase in food inflation was partly due to supply factors, particularly in relation to meat, poultry and fish, while the sourcing of foreign exchange on alternative markets escalated the production costs.

“Reduced livestock slaughters due to improved pastures and the impact of the avian flu on poultry production, negatively affected the supply of beef, pork and chicken,” the central bank chief said.

Annual non-food inflation also accelerated from -0,82 percent in January 2017 to close the year at 2,0 percent, largely driven by increases in the furniture and household equipment, recreation and culture, and clothing and footwear subcategories.

“Increases in non-food prices were largely induced by the parallel market premiums on foreign exchange,” Mangudya added.

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Banks record $242m profit

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HARARE - Zimbabwe’S financial institutions have recorded a 34 percent surge in profits during 2017 to $242 million from $181 million in 2016, despite tight liquidity and deteriorating economic conditions.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya said 18 out of the 19 operational financial institutions had posted profits in 2017, with the sector’s aggregate core capital increasing 10,48 percent — from $1,24 billion as at June 30, 2017 to $1,37 billion at the close of 2017 — on the back of improved earnings performance

“The net profit for the period ended December 31, 2017 amounted to $241,94 million, representing an increase of 33,91 percent, from $181,06 million reported in the corresponding period in 2016,” the central banker said in his 2018 monetary policy statement.

The superb performance by the banks comes at a time when the country is experiencing acute cash shortages which have triggered withdrawal limits, consequently leading to numerous withdrawals by depositors and more income for banks.

Mangudya said the sector’s average prudential liquidity ratio of 62,62 percent as at December 31, 2017, was above the regulatory requirement of 30 percent with all banks compliant with the minimum prudential liquidity ratio as at December 31, 2017.

Despite the high average prudential liquidity ratios recorded across the sector, underlying foreign currency shortages in the economy have also affected the banking industry.

“Various measures, including the increased usage of digital platforms, are envisaged to ease the demand for physical cash,” the governor said.

The apex banker also announced RBZ will start conducting comprehensive financial stability stress tests on the banking sector in September to assess impact and resilience of their portfolios and ultimately capital and liquidity.

“As part of measures to promote financial sector stability, the Reserve Bank in collaboration with the World Bank and other financial sector regulators, shall assess the effectiveness of existing frameworks to respond to crisis situations in line with international best practices, during the first quarter of 2018,” said Mangudya.

The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) was 7,8 percent as at December 31, 2017, down from 7,87 percent prior comparable period as banks continue to strengthen their credit risk management systems, in the aftermath of balance sheet clean up through disposals of NPLs to the Zimbabwe Asset Management Company.

Banking sector deposits —  including inter-bank deposits — increased 26,47 percent from $6,99 billion as at June 30, 2017 to $8,48 billion as at December 31, 2017.

“The notable increase in deposits was partly attributable to increased export receipts, expansionary impact of government expenditure and multiplier effect of new deposits,” Mangudya said.

Banking sector loans and advances increased from $3,69 billion as at June 30, 2017 to $3,80 billion as at December 31, 2017 as lending to the productive sectors constituted 73,64 percent of total sector loans at the close of 2017.


DIDG to deliver 13 locomotives, 200 wagons

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HARARE - The Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG), in partnership with South Africa’s Transnet will next week deliver the first consignment of 13 locomotives and 200 wagons as part of the $400 million National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) recapitalisation.

DIDG executive chairperson Donovan Chimhandamba told The Financial Gazette that the team will use the event, to be held in Bulawayo, to speak publicly on the project for the first time.

“In addition, DIDG will set out the company’s vision and strategy for driving investment and the revival of Zimbabwe’s strategic industries.

“DIDG will also share its broad -based inclusion plans and future projects,” he said.

The first delivery of the trains to NRZ is expected to bring capacity into the parastatal which has failed to move about 200 000 tonnes of chrome ore from ferrochrome producer Zimasco’s mines.

It is estimated that NRZ requires about $2 billion to turn around its fortunes, but the $400 million would help reposition the parastatal for self-sustenance.

The parastatal is a vital cog in the country’s economy and has potential to make the country an important regional transport hub.

It is hoped that the restoration of the NRZ’s operational capacity will renew confidence in the local industry and make the parastatal a preferred and cheaper mover of bulk freight in and outside the country.

“As you might be aware, the parastatal is under recapitalisation and the government has made significant strides by identifying an investor to revive NRZ and it is under this arrangement that the issue of improving on efficiency, as well as number of wagons, not only for Zimasco, but all our clients, is being taken note of,” NRZ spokesperson Nyasha Maravanyika said.

Other mining companies such as Zimplats have had to move ore and production matte using road, which comes at a higher cost, as the NRZ is sitting on dilapidated infrastructure and obsolete wagons.

However, Transnet and DIDG are expected to help NRZ raise its freight capacity and enhance its shipment volumes. The Zimbabwean railways parastatal had earmarked to move 3,7 million tonnes of cargo in 2017.

The decay in the railways parastatal has impacted on timely movement and production of mineral ore at a time Zimbabwe, according to the chamber of mines, is expecting mineral earnings to top $2,5 billion this year.

Zimasco said it is stuck with 200 000 tonnes of ore that the NRZ had failed to move on time.

Zimasco has about four smelting furnaces, two of which are being used by Portnex, a South African company under a lease agreement with the Zimbabwean company.

ED must enforce stringent austerity measures

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HARARE - During the inclusive government between long-time rivals — deposed president Robert Mugabe and opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai — a statement which goes; “We eat what we kill” became very common.

The phrase, commonly used by then Finance minister Tendai Biti, simply meant living within the budget.

At the time, the “living within your means” approach helped curb Mugabe administration’s runaway expenditure. And things improved during the time as government expenses were contained, while resources were channelled towards other important things.

But it seems government has since returned to its old ways — living beyond its means.

According to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya’s latest monetary policy released on Wednesday, government broke the bank, exceeding its $800 million overdraft facility by $400 million, leaving it indebted to the tune of $1,2 billion as at December 31, 2017.

Obviously, a greater part of that debt was incurred during Mugabe’s time, as Mnangagwa only took office on November 24, 2017. But that’s unsustainable.

It calls for urgent austerity measures and serious belt-tightening by the new dispensation. At this point in time, government is broke. It cannot sustain its excessive expenditure, most of it unnecessary.

Although Mnangagwa started off on a good note in terms of cutting costs by cutting the number of ministries and announcing moves to get rid of State enterprises that have been perennial loss-makers surviving through bail-outs from Treasury and reducing foreign missions, among other measures, more needs to be done.

Apart from trimming the entourages on government trips — who gobble huge sums in allowances, as was the case during Mugabe’s time, Mnangagwa and team must focus on implementing those cost-cutting measures.

Talking and doing are two totally different things.

And if Mnangagwa is to prove that he is a better leader than Mugabe, he must walk the talk.

By now, there should have been tangible and meaningful developments to the cost-cutting measures he committed to.

Those top-heavy and unproductive parastatals — where bosses are drawing hefty salaries not sustained by productivity but by bail-outs from Treasury — must be shut down, restructured or merged.

The civil service must be audited to ascertain the numbers and weed out ghost workers.

Government has for long run a bloated wage bill, but has failed to account for the workers.

These are just a few of the many needless expenses incurred by government, hence the huge overdraft.

Mr President, please enforce stringent austerity measures.

Trombas withdraws adultery rap against Rudland

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HARARE - A Harare man Timothy Trombas has inexplicably withdrawn his adultery-damages appeal — in the Supreme Court — against cigarette tycoon Simon Rudland.

The two have been tussling over a number of cases, including theft and abuse of property, which the latter had brought against the self-styled social counsellor.

“Take notice that the appellant hereby withdraws its appeal filed on the 29th of September against the respondent..,” Trombas’ lawyers Mtetwa & Nyambirai said in a February 5 withdrawal notice.

The development also comes as Rudland’s estranged wife Ann Leigh was convicted of malicious damage to property after ramming into a United Africa Limited truck late last year.

With the Borrowdale woman undergoing trial at the Harare Magistrates’ Court in September 2017, she was fined $4 000 and given a one-year wholly suspended sentence — on condition that she does not commit a similar crime or offence in the next three years.

Despite withdrawing his SC742/17 case recently, Trombas has reportedly embarked on a subtle campaign to discredit Rudland and his business ventures — and at a time the troubled merchant is facing a High Court appeal for his property theft case brought about by his nemesis.

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'O' Level candidates to rewrite English exam

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HARARE - The 2017 Ordinary Level English examination paper will be re-written on February 16, the Primary and Secondary Education ministry said yesterday.

In the statement, minister Paul Mavima said the re-write was arrived at after much consideration as there had been widespread cheating in the paper which was exacerbated by social media reports.

This comes as some students were hauled before the courts for allegedly leaking examination papers for the November 2017 English, Maths and Integrated Science subjects.

“In this regard, all candidates who sat for the November 2017 examination are therefore required to report to their 2017 examination centres in order to write the examination which begins at 10:00 hours on Friday 16, November 2018.

“Candidates who have been informed of cancellation of results because of cheating during examinations in all subjects or English language only should not re-write this English Language Paper 2 and this includes those who were prosecuted and sentenced,” Mavima said.

He said while the decision was regrettable, it was necessary to maintain and preserve the integrity of the national examination system.

In November last year, an 18-year-old Tshabalala teenager was arrested for leaking three examination papers to students sitting at Nkulumane High School.

Zimbabwe is at far greater risk of academic fraud now, given the increasingly competitive academic environment here.

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Kasukuwere's brother faces jail

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HARARE - Former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s brother, Stanley, is facing civil imprisonment after failing to pay $100 000 that he owes to Tian Ze Tobacco for tobacco inputs advanced to him by the company.

“Applicant’s (Tian Ze Tobacco) business is the financing of tobacco production through sale of the tobacco inputs and purchase thereof as envisaged under provisions of the Exchange Control (Tobacco Finance) Order, Statutory Instrument 61 of 2004. Respondent (Stanley) is a farmer who conducts his farming activities at Plot No. 2 Mwonga Farm, Muzarabani.

“The parties have since the year 2009 entered into successive tobacco farming contracts wherein applicant sold tobacco farming inputs to respondent and at certain terms and conditions. The parties executed agreements of sale for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 tobacco farming seasons respectively,” the court heard.

According to court papers, Stanley’s debt accrued over the seasons, such that as at November 30, 2011, he owed $107 127, 84 for tobacco farming inputs that were sold to him by the company.

“When the respondent failed to pay the purchase price for the inputs that had been delivered to him, applicant invoked the arbitration clause on the agreements entered into by the parties.

“The Commercial Arbitration Centre duly appointed an arbitrator who handed down his award in favour of the applicant on April 15, 2014.

“The award was in the following terms: respondent is ordered to pay the sum of $107 127, 84 plus interest at the rate of five percent per annum with effect from 30th September 2012 to date of full and final payment and costs of arbitration,” the court heard.

The company claimed in court papers that despite demand, Stanley had refused or neglected or omitted to pay $107 127, 84.

According to court papers, Stanley was served with a notice to attend the arbitration proceedings but did not turn up and did not file any papers in response.

The arbitrator concluded Stanley had willfully defaulted, failed or neglected to attend all proceedings in the matter as there was no explanation for his absence.

The arbitrator’s award was later registered with the High Court in 2014, leading to the issuance of a writ of execution in 2015, allowing the attachment of Stanley’s movable property.

However, last week the company approached the High Court seeking Stanley to show cause why an order for civil imprisonment should not be made against him.

“You should bring with you evidence for your financial position and it will be in your own interest to give the court evidence of: your income from wages, salary or any other earnings and any other income you may receive from any other source (you should bring wage slips or any other proof of your income),” reads part of the summons for civil imprisonment.

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