Highlanders...............0
CAPS United..............0

BULAWAYO - CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was left a satisfied man after his largely-changed side held Highlanders to a goalless draw during yesterday’s Castle Lager Premiership match.

After losing two of his last three matches, Chitembwe changed his back line with Dennis Dauda, Stephen Makatuka, Praise Tonha all making way for Justice Jangano, Goodwin Goriyati and Carlton Munzabwa.

In midfield, Denver Mukamba was dropped while Dominic Mukandi came in to partner Kudzanai Nyamupfukudza in central midfield.

“It was a very good game especially to the neutrals. Both teams gave their all. It was one good game which had so much in it; rich in technical brilliance, rich in tactical acumen, rich in physical and mental application,” Chitembwe said.

“We anticipated obviously that it wasn’t going to be easy for us but I am equally satisfied with the performance and application by my boys.

Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu could not attend the post-match press conference as the club said he was in an engagement with their sponsors.

Yesterday’s result means that Bosso remain in third place with 22 points while Makepekepe also remain in seventh with 17 points.

The match started at a fast pace with both teams fighting hard for every loose ball as they tried to control the proceedings.

Highlanders’ striker Ozias Zibande could have broken the deadlock 19 minutes into the match but his flashing header off an Adrian Silla cross was saved by the fully diving CAPS’ goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba.

Three minutes later, the visitors holding midfielder Mukandi’s long range shot was saved by Bosso goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.

With CAPS on the upper hand, Simba Nhivi wasted an opportunity to put his team ahead six minutes before the break but he lacked composure and directed his effort over the bar from close range with only Sibanda to beat.

Peter Muduhwa could have snatched a winner for Bosso in the last minute of the match when the ball fell kindly for him inside the box, but he somehow shot weakly at goal allowing Chigumba to make an easy save.

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Triangle FC................................................0
Black Rhinos FC....................................(0) 1

HARARE - Vincent Mhandu’s solitary strike in the second half was all Black Rhinos needed to bounce back to winning ways after beating Triangle at Gibbo Stadium in a Castle Lager Premiership match yesterday.

Mhandu took full advantage of some poor defending by Triangle in the 53rd minute to head home from a corner kick to ensure maximum points for the army side, who were win-less in their last six Premiership matches.

Black Rhinos coach Hebert Maruwa hopes the victory will set them off for more victories as his side has been struggling for goals in spite of some good performances.

“It was a tight game — playing a very organised team with a good coach. We did very well. We were playing very well but goals were not coming. I see very good things ahead,” the Chauya Chipembere gaffer said.

The Sugar Sugar Boys coach Taurai Mangwiro blamed his side’s delay in settling into the match for the loss.

“It was one of those games where we took time to settle…playing into the hands of our opponents. By the time we settled they were already a goal up and we had some signs of desperation in some of our attacks and today after a very fine run we find ourselves going down at home which is very disappointing,” Mangwiro said.

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Dynamos...............................0
FC Platinum.....................(2) 2

HARARE - Reigning champions FC Platinum made a major statement in this season’s Castle Lager Premiership title race after Rodwell Chinyengetere’s first half brace condemned Dynamos to their sixth defeat yesterday.

The Glamour Boys were given a free football lesson by Norman Mapeza’s enterprising FC Platinum side that dominated the match and were duly given a rare standing ovation by the home team’s supporters.

In truth, Dynamos should consider themselves lucky that Pure Platinum Play couldn’t add to their two early well-taken goals by Chinyengetere.

The defending champions had the Harare giants pinned back for almost the entire match.

The visitors’ goalkeeper,  Petros Mhari did not make a single save as his goal was rarely threatened.

From the onset it felt like only a matter of time and, so, the goal came after only three minutes.

It was a wonderful execution after Chinyengetere won the ball inside the box before turning DeMbare defender Marshall Machazani inside out.

The reigning Soccer Star of the Year then unleashed a curling shot with his left boot which gave DeMbare goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga no chance.

Chinyengetere completed his brace on 16 minutes with another spectacular strike from the edge of the box after he had been teed-up by Mkhokheli Dube on the edge of the box.

FC Platinum could have added to their tally but Dube wasted two glorious opportunities before the break.

Dynamos tried their best to come back into the match in the second half but they never troubled Mhari and in fact it was the visitors who looked dangerous each time they attacked.

And despite not adding more goals in the second half, the job had already been done much to the Mapeza’s satisfaction.

“The guys did well, it was a fantastic performance. After getting those two goals, it settled our nerves. It became much easier to play, so well done to the boys,” Mapeza said after the match.

“We need to go back home, keep working hard and just focusing on our games.”

FC Platinum remain in second place with 29 points and trail leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars by three points after 12 matches.

Dynamos coach Biggie Zuze admitted his charges were no match for the defending champions.

“We played against a very good team with a lot of good ball players. They did well and pressed us high, especially in the first half, got two goals and it was difficult for us to come into the game,” Zuze said after the match.

“They can move the ball well and I think everyone appreciated the way they play. But I think on the first goal, we could have done better. In the second half, we tried to play but it was not enough and we need to put more effort.

“We have to pick ourselves up, especially with the fixtures coming thick and fast.”

DeMbare are now in 11th place with 12 points following yesterday’s defeat.

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HARARE - Dzivarasekwa Primary School’s former head appeared in court on Saturday on allegations of converting $35 000 meant for the institution’s development to personal use.

Pauline Ntini, 60, appeared before Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo charged with theft of trust property.

According to the State, there is an audit report obtained from the Education ministry linking Ntini to the offence and other documentary exhibits from the school and auditor.

The complainant is Dzivaresekwa Primary School, represented by the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson, Wellington Hadebe.

Prosecutor Linda Gadzikwa alleged that between January 1, 2016 and November 30, last year, Ntini received a total of $153 060,35 in cash from the school bursar, Simbai Zvenhamo.

The money was supposed to be banked into the school’s General Fund account at CBZ Bank, Saphirre Branch in Harare.

The court heard that Ntini only banked $120 389, 80 and converted $32 670, 45 to her personal use.

It was further alleged that on September 8, 2016 Ntini received $1 500 from the National Association of Primary Schools Head (NAPH) for conference fees and music competitions. However, instead of surrendering the money to the bursar for banking, she used the money for her gains.

According to State papers, between January 1, 2016 and November 30 last year, Dzivaresekwa Primary School was leasing one of its classrooms to Christ Embassy Church on monthly basis. The court heard that Christ Embassy used the classroom to conduct Sunday services at $60 per month.

All the payments collected during the period amounted $1 380 and were collected by Ntini before converting the full amount to her own use.

On December 1, 2017 the Education Ministry conducted an audit of the school’s funds and discovered that $35 550, 45 could not be accounted for.

Investigations pointed to Ntini as the perpetrator of the offence leading to her arrest.

A total of $35 550, 45 was lost and nothing recovered.

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HARARE - Dairiboard Holdings Limited (DHL) has announced the appointment of Josphat Sachikonye as its new chairperson, effective last Wednesday.

He takes over from former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Leonard Tsumba who served as board chairperson for the last six years.

Tsumba, an RBZ governor from 1993 to 2003, retired from the board at the conclusion of the company’s 23rd Annual General meeting held mid last week.

In a notice yesterday, company secretary Mercy Ndoro said the DHL board was happy Sachikonye would now hold the fort at the blue-chip counter, which is listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange .

“The board and management of Dairibord Holdings congratulate Mr Sachikonye on his appointment and wish him success during his tenure in office,” Ndoro said.
Sachikonye had served as a nonexecutive director on the DHL since July 1, 2009.

The chartered management accountant and a holder of a bachelor of accountancy honours is a former managing director for RioZim, a position he held for eight years.

He has extensive experience having served as a nonexecutive director for several public and private sector companies such as Cottco, Cresta Group, Murowa Diamonds and National Merchant Bank.

DHL has subsidiaries such as Lyons Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, and Dairibord Zimbabwe (Private) Limited.

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HARARE - Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda recently meet with Jennifer Savage, the charge d’ affairs of the United States embassy in Harare.

The meeting was part of the US efforts to understand and hear from key stakeholders about progress towards electoral reforms.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Savage said Washington has noted the promises and pledges of reforms, but looks forward to the implementation of those reforms that would enable the Zimbabwean government to conduct of free, fair and credible polls.

A career foreign service officer, Savage has served in consular, political, and management positions in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; the US mission to the United Nations in New York; Dublin, Ireland; Hanoi, Vietnam; the consular training division of the Foreign Service Institute; the Bureau of Consular Affairs; Quito, Ecuador; and Manila, Philippines.

Most recently, she served as counsellor for labour, education, and social affairs within the economic section of the embassy in Mexico city.

She joined the foreign service in 1996 after she received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from the American University in Washington, DC.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe's national dam levels continue to rise consequent to the rains experienced across the country this season.

According to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa), dams such as Mazvikadei, Chivero and Siya are now more than 100 percent full with Manyuchi, Sebakwe, Mtshabezi and Mazowe in excess of 99 percent.

“Mazvikadei Dam is 100,3 percent full, Chivero Dam 100,4 percent, Siya Dam 100,2 percent, while Manyuchi Dam is at 99,8 percent, Sebakwe Dam 99,3 percent, Mtshabezi Dam 99,6 percent and Mazowe Dam 99,7 percent,” Zinwa said.

“Kariba Dam is 72,8 percent full, Tugwi Mukosi Dam 78 percent, Manyame Dam 97 percent, Osborne Dam 86 percent, Manjirenji Dam 88,5 percent, Insiza Dam 82,6 percent, Zhovhe Dam 97,1 percent, Inyankuni Dam 73,9 percent, Mzingwane Dam 67,7 percent, Upper Insiza Dam 67,9 percent and Seke Dam 81,2 percent.”

However, dams such as Mutirikwi, Lower and Upper Ncema are still running low with water levels at an average of 50 percent full.

Further increase in dam water levels comes amid petitions by the water authority for $70 million to refurbish some of the country’s major dams damaged during last year’s heavy rains that triggered floods.

Zinwa management recently said the authority aimed to rehabilitate 266 dams which were breached in the 2016/17 rainfall season.

“This will require a financial outlay of about $70 million. After the floods, we moved around the country taking note or recording all dams which were breached and the rehabilitation of those will cost $70 million,” said the chief executive officer, Jefta Sakupwanya.

This would imply that the figure has more than doubled in less than two years.

As of April 2016, dam maintenance required $33 million, which government could not avail citing financial challenges.

According to Zinwa, the dams now posed a serious danger to human life and infrastructure.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Poultry Association (ZPA) has revealed that more than 1 000 tonnes of poultry products were imported into the country from South Africa last year.

The alarming statistics are despite a ban imposed by government on the importation of poultry products from the neighbouring country, which runs Africa’s most industrialised economy.

Authorities in Zimbabwe imposed the ban following the outbreak of high pathogen avian influenza (A1) in South Africa.

ZPA has since issued an alert on local producers to be vigilant after new cases were reported.

“It is illegal to import chicken products into Zimbabwe from South Africa, whether in large refrigerated consignments or coming through the border with packs of frozen chicken in family shopping groceries,” ZPA said.

“…this also applies to bringing in live birds from South Africa, because of the risk of A1 which can spread rapidly and decimate whole flocks.”

Poultry products imports have chucked local producers out of business leading to the closure of some major breeders that contributed immensely to the industry.

According to the Veterinary Services Department, local poultry production is still recovering from the effects, which resulted in shortage of eggs across the country.

Last year, a 31 percent reduction in table eggs on the market and an overall 10 percent decline in broiler meat production were recorded compared to 2016.

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HARARE - A.M. Machado (Private) Limited founder Antonio Miranda Machado has died.

He passed away on May 16, in Portugal where his funeral will be held before a memorial mass scheduled for Harare on a date to be announced, the family confirmed in a statement.

“The Machado Family would like to notify friends, customers, suppliers, business partners and all stake holders of the passing away of founder of AM Machado (Pvt) Ltd.

“The funeral will be held in Portugal and a memorial mass is to be held in Harare on a date to be advised. We kindly ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this said time,” reads part of the statement.

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HARARE - Former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere has spoken for the first time on his haste departure from his home country last November and life in self-imposed exile.

In an interview with the Sunday Times of South Africa, the ex-Zanu PF national political commissar, said he will return to Zimbabwe next week, nearly six months after he was forced to rush for the exits following former president Robert Mugabe’s ouster.

An influential figure in the Generation 40 (G40) faction which fought against then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste camp in the battle to succeed Mugabe, Kasukuwere fled into exile soon after the army stepped in on November 14, 2017 to deal with “criminals” around the 94-year-old despot.

Kasukuwere stands accused of influencing Mugabe into expelling Mnangagwa from government and the ruling party, before the shrewd former vice president dramatically bounced back to lead the country and a divided Zanu PF after Mugabe was forced to resign.

Other G40 kingpins namely; Jonathan Moyo (the former Higher and Tertiary Education minister) and Patrick Zhuwao, who was in charge of the ministry Labour and Social Welfare, were also forced into exile although they now appear to have fallen out with Kasukuwere in the wake of reports linking him to the National Patriotic Front (NPF), currently led in the interim by retired brigadier-general Ambrose Mutinhiri.

As first reported by the Daily News last week, Kasukuwere confirmed to the Sunday Times that he was on his way back into the country, saying he would be home “as early as next week” as he has no criminal case to answer.

“Home is home and Zimbabwe remains my country. We were accused of corruption and that we are at the centre of destroying the economy. The reason I will go back home is that if I did commit a crime, then I must be brought before the courts and be charged…,” Kasukuwere said.

Affectionately known as Tyson for his demeanour which matches that of former heavy-weight American boxer, Michael Gerard Tyson, Kasukuwere boasted that he had the valour to come back and face those who “persecuted” him before he fled.

“It’s courage that should drive you to say: ‘let me face whatever has to come my way’. Why should you carry the stigma of being a criminal when you have not stolen anybody’s money? If you are charged with corruption and there is evidence of that corruption, so be it,” he vowed.

Responding to reports that his decision to return was informed by the fact that he had negotiated his safe return through his alleged links with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Kasukuwere scoffed at the suggestion saying if that were the case, he would have long returned.

He said contrary to that belief, he was in fact bitter with the Mnangagwa government because of what they did to him when the military raided his home.

“It was a traumatic experience. What happened in November is something that one does not want to take lightly. It was an event that was very challenging, it was not expected and was an event that leaves a lot of bitterness”.

He suggested that the military intervention that forced Mugabe out was illogical as it was a political dispute which required a political solution.

“That was a party conflict and to have the army step in, that was not expected, you would have expected. You would have expected political players to deal with each other politically.

“If you feel aggrieved you go and form your own political party, just like Joice Mujuru who formed her own party”.

Mujuru was Mugabe’s former deputy before she was unceremoniously expelled on allegations of plotting to assassinate the former president.

Kasukuwere came out guns blazing also accusing all Zanu PF and government officials who worked with Mugabe since independence from Britain in 1980, including officials in the current Mnangagwa administration of being complicit in overseeing the collapse of the economy.

He called upon Zimbabweans “to have the integrity to accept collective responsibility”.

“To shift the blame of everything that happened in Zimbabwe to one man (Mugabe) is totally unfair. I think that the sooner we all accept our mistakes, all of us, the better for our country,’’ he said.

Kasukuwere is returning to Zimbabwe at a time when knives have been drawn out against Mutinhiri, who is accused of incompetence and dereliction of duty.

His impending arrival has already split the NPF, with two groups emerging — one in support of Mutinhiri’s leadership of the party and the other one which is putting faith in Kasukuwere to lead the party into the forthcoming elections.

Contacted for comment yesterday, the minister of Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo refused to say whether government was keen on having Kasukuwere arrested or not, referring questions to the police.

Police spokesperson Charity Charamba could, however, neither deny nor confirm that the politician was on the police wanted list, saying she needed to check with the Criminal Investigation Department first.

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HARARE - Thirteen pedestrians plunged to their deaths by jumping in front of moving trains in the first five months of the year, the Daily News can exclusively report.

The figure is more than half of what was recorded in the whole of last year, giving a scary picture of what could be lying ahead.

Official figures obtained from the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) show that five months into the current year, the railway carrier has already recorded 13 fatalities and seven injured.

Vehicle collisions at level crossings have also taken a big jump from one fatality in 2017 to five deaths in 2018.

Last year, the number of people hit by its locomotives or alternatively committed suicide by jumping in front of its trains stood at 23 fatalities and 11 injured.

The spike in fatal car crashes involving trains has jolted the NRZ into doubling its efforts in raising awareness about the need for drivers to make smarter decisions at railroad crossings.

Put simply, the parastatal is encouraging drivers to always stop for approaching trains and that pedestrians should desist from using commuter train lines as a platform to commit suicide.

Concurrent to these efforts, the NRZ is also carrying out various campaigns that make people aware of the rail road level crossing signage.

The campaign also focuses on dissuading from vandalising rail infrastructure and gold panning along railway lines.

This comes as four people died, while 10 others were injured when a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus they were travelling in was hit by a goods train at a railway level crossing near Windsor Park turn-off in Ruwa, just outside Harare, on April 24.

Investigations showed that the Toyota Hiace, which was being driven by a 33-year-old man along Sansauce Road with 16 passengers on board, was impatient, and tried to force his way through while all cars were stationary.

In Makokoba, in the second city of Bulawayo, a Honda Fit overtook cars that were stationary, resulting in a collision with a train.

And just recently, two people were reportedly injured when a pirate taxi they were travelling in was hit by a goods train after failing to stop at a railway crossing point in Gweru.

The NRZ has itself come under fire for operating dilapidated infrastructure.

Its centralised train control system which is used to monitor the trains’ movement has since collapsed.

The parastatal has not had any meaningful injection of capital over the last 25 years.

It was only recently that it leased 13 locomotives, 200 wagons and seven locomotives from South African rail utility, Transnet, as a stop-gap measure under an agreement with the Diaspora Investment Development Group/Transnet Consortium.

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.

NRZ public relations manager Nyasha Maravanyika described the issue as “two-pronged”.

He said because of the vandalism that was taking place, the stealing of copper wires, of motors on the rails and signal equipment, they were no longer running electric trains because of the vandalism.

“You will also note that the reason we are recapitalising is that we are overhauling our information equipment, in reality some of our infrastructure is not up to scratch and here and there it may contribute to the accidents,” said Maravanyika.

“But you will also note that all our trains are equipped with a horn which, according to the make of our track, it automatically sounds at designated areas, some metres away from the rail level crossing but drivers are not paying heed.”

Maravanyika said the public needed to have a sense of community ownership and to bear in mind that railway infrastructure belongs to the State and that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect it.

“Our lines have always been functioning, they have boom gates and lights, but there are incidences where drivers don’t pay heed to the rail line level crossing signage, it’s only buses and trucks that are observing (the signage,” he said.

“Motorists need to play their part. The big lorries are observing level crossing signage but the private cars are not. Signals are there and they are very clear, stop and give way to the train, you will never win.

“The other issue is that the public is now using our tracks as a suicidal podium. They go to areas where they are no signals, where there are curves and they throw themselves into the moving train. It’s difficult for our engine man to sound the horn. It’s very sad to lose lives,” added Maravanyika.

The NRZ is therefore appealing to people to seek professional help if they have issues affecting them.

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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (Zacc), in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), have issued a warrant of apprehension against self-exiled former Higher and Tertiary Education minister  Jonathan Moyo, who is facing 14 counts of fraud.

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HARARE - American television presenter Jerry “Kojo” Robinson is in the country hunting for content to use on his show Music4U, a move which is set to expose local artistes to international audience.

Kojo targets music sung in English as CW TV, where Music4U or simply M4UTV is shown, is an American English language broadcast television network.

“So far I have managed to interview amazing artistes such as Ammara Brown, Tamy and Mono Mukundu among others. I want as many artistes as possible provided they sing in English,” said Kojo.

“I am looking forward to play their music and videos back in America on CW television station. Some of the videos will be played on DStv music channels.”

Kojo’s television show started in 2013 on CW TV and he is in Harare for the first time.

“I have never been in Zimbabwe before but I knew few artistes such as Winky D and Tocky Vibes among others. Winky D and Tocky Vibes are amazing,” he said.

Prior to Zimbabwe, Kojo visited countries including Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia among others looking for content.

Kojo told the Daily News that his visit to the southern African country was inspired by the late reggae music icon Bob Marley who visited Harare in 1980.

“I am a great fan of Bob Marley. He travelled a lot during his life time. He rarely composed songs to do with specific countries as what he did on Zimbabwe.

“His song Zimbabwe influenced my visit and indeed I fell in love with the country. It’s a great and amazing country,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to online reports, CW Network is a joint venture between CBS Corporation — former owners of United Paramount Network (UPN) — and Warner Brothers Entertainment a division of Time Warner, a former majority owner of The WB.

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HARARE - The late mbira queen, Chiwoniso Maraire’s music continues to inspire even in death, with a Japanese music band revealing that they have been inspired by her music before they even knew who she was.

Lead singer of Iyco and Kaka Furaha, Iyco, said she bought Maraire’s music at an African music corner shop in Japan and developed the “J-African” music,  which is a fusion of African music and Japanese pop.

“I did not know that she was a Zimbabwean musician. I found out that Chiwoniso and another artiste (whom I liked) were from Zimbabwe. And when I found out on my first trip to Zimbabwe I was excited, it felt like destiny,” Iyco said, speaking through an interpreter.

“Japanese can pretend to be African so she wants to be a bridge between Japan and Africa. So the CD corner introducing African music in Japan, there is a market in Japan for African music.”

The band’s Africa manager,  Tavonga Mafundikwa said Iyco wanted to do collaborations with Chiwoniso before she knew the Zimbabwean musician had passed on.

“She once told me when she went to the African music CD corner shop, where she bumped into CDs of Netsai and Chiwoniso, she got really interested when she listened to Chiwoniso’s music. When she found out that Chiwoniso was Zimbabwean, she really felt she wanted to do something with her, but unfortunately Chiwoniso had passed on,” Mafundikwa said.

The band is in the country as part of culture exchange agreement between Zimbabwe and Japan.

The group, which is here for the fourth time has performed twice at the Harare International Festival of Arts (Hifa) and shared the stage with music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi singing a rendition of Neria. Yesterday (Monday), the group was expected to perform in Harare at City Sports Bar’s weekly musical showcase Jam Session alongside Madiz, James Nyamande, BV Labien, Biggie and Eriya Tembo among others.

When former president Robert Mugabe visited Japan in 2016, the East Asian country’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to increase Japan’s presence through culture exchange, and their presence in Zimbabwe is part of that culture exchange.

“One interesting thing about the band is they have taken an interest in learning our language and they sing fluently in Shona. They have also done some collaboration in Shona as well,” Mafundikwa said.

The band is not the only one who have been influenced by Chiwoniso as pan-African singer songwriter Mae Sithole paid tribute to the late musician during her performance at the just-ended 18th Hifa as she revealed that she had been one of her mentors.

“This is a tribute to Chiwoniso Maraire who was one of my first vocal coaches when I was at primary and when there was Chipawo, is it still there?” she said before emotionally singing Chiwoniso’s hit Ivai Nesu.

Maraire died at the age of 37 in 2013, but her career had and still inspires other musicians.

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HARARE - At least six diamond companies that were ordered to shut down by government more than two years ago could make a comeback following the drafting of a new diamond policy.

In February 2016, government moved to consolidate the diamond mining industry and ceased operations for the other six companies — Anjin, Diamond Mining Company, Mbada Diamonds, DTZ Ozgeo, Gye-Nyame and Kusena — after the “expiry of their licenses”.

However, the move  to ban the six diamond mining firms quickly backfired as the country started experiencing acute cash shortages, which have seen financial institutions limiting cash withdrawals and a resurgent of the parallel market. 

In a move aimed at improving production and increasing revenue streams, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said government is working on a new diamond policy that will result in more companies being involved in diamond mining.

“I am sure you are aware that under the old administration, we banned seven or so companies, which were mining diamonds and we created one company. We have now realised that one company has no capacity to deal with the exploitation of this mineral, so we are in the process, with Mines minister Winston Chitando,” he said at a women’s interactive meeting last week.

Chitando is expected to present the new diamond policy, which also seeks to empower local communities, in Cabinet this week.

The latest development comes after Mbada Diamonds was last week granted a Supreme Court interdict stopping the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company from looting its ore dumps.

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HARARE - Record champions Prince Edward School (PE) will not defend their Hammer & Tongues St George’s College Invitational Soccer Tournament title this year.

PE, who won the tournament in 2013, 2014 and 2017, have other commitments this weekend and will not be part of the 24 teams set to converge at St Georges College starting this Friday and Saturday.

While PE will be greatly missed this year, they have made a long-lasting mark on this tournament and their shadow will always loom over.

Over the years, some of the players who represented PE in the tournament have become household names in Zimbabwe and beyond.

The most notable is Zimbabwe international striker Tino Kadewere, who has recently been enjoying a fruitful season with Swedish top-flight club Djurgardens IF.

Kadewere won the Golden Boot Award with six goals in the inaugural Hammer & Tongues St George’s College Invitational Tournament in 2013, helping PE win the title that year.

Then there is goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva, who was Zimbabwe’s first-choice goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon last year.

Mkuruva captained Prince Edward School to their second consecutive title in 2014.

Kadewere and Mkuruva were the youngest members of Zimbabwe’s squad at the 2017 Afcon edition — ample evidence of the importance of the Hammer & Tongues St George’s College Invitational Soccer Tournament to the development of sport in this country.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward’s sports master, Linsent Chitiyo, says the vision of the school goes hand in hand with the tournament.

“Our vision is always beyond dominance, but grooming and nurturing a well-rounded gentleman who will be a national podium athlete,” said Chitiyo.

“We value exposing our young boys to healthy competitions and getting them to grow their technical and tactical intelligence in football through matches.”

A unique feature of the tournament over the years and which will continue this year is its inclusivity.

It draws schools from different backgrounds and areas of the country; government and private, rural and urban, the traditional football-playing schools as well as those where football is historically not part of the sporting culture.

Draw

Pool A: St George’s College A, Gateway High, St John’s Chikwaka, Milestone College, Kutama College, Induna.
Pool B: Peterhouse, Midlands Christian College, Nyasha High, St Ignatius College, St Peter’s Kubatana, Inkomo.
Pool C: St John’s College, Christian Brothers College, Marondera High, Nhowe, Goromonzi High, Westridge High.
Pool D: Falcon College, Watershed College, Mufakose 2 High, St John’s Emerald Hill, Manyame Airbase, St George’s College B.

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HARARE - Peace building civic group — the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) — has reported an increase in political violence, which it said was being perpetrated by both the ruling Zanu PF and the MDC.

In its first quarter report on the human rights situation, the ZPP said the first three months of the year were dominated by systematic rise in cases of political violence and intra-party violence in both Zanu PF and the MDC.

“The year 2018 started on a rather unpromising note. Political bickering within Zanu PF, in particular the persecution of the so-called G40 cabal after the ouster of president Robert Mugabe continued to shape the course of political events into the New Year.

“The year thus started with a 24 percent increase in recorded incidents of human rights violations. 245 violations were recorded in January, up from 186 cases the previous December. Notably, 169 cases of harassment and intimidation and 57 discrimination cases were recorded in January.

“Commendably though, cases of outright violence were by comparison significantly lower with only six cases recorded. The cases were largely inter-party skirmishes between Zanu PF and MDC-T supporters and intra-party squabbling within Zanu PF as part of the continued G40 purge,” ZPP said.

By location, Manicaland Province had the highest number of violations with 62 cases, followed by Mashonaland Central with 60, and Masvingo with 38.

“Zanu PF was accused as the main perpetrator, accounting for 85,8 percent of the violations, followed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at 5,3 percent, the War Veterans at 0,7 percent, the MDC-T at 0,2 percent, and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) at 0,2 percent.

“Most of the violations by Zanu PF were at a local level and were spearheaded by local party leaders at district or lower levels. A few times, sitting or aspiring Members of Parliament were also implicated.

“Notably, the violations by the state agents (the ZRP and the ZNA) were primarily of a nonpolitical nature. Rather, they were of a civil nature and mainly related to the maintenance of law and order,” added the ZPP.

ZPP said Zanu PF appeared to have settled its differences and there was a likelihood of more incidents of violence in the MDC than the ruling party.

It said the death of MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai exposed serious differences within the party which saw violence flaring at his burial.

“With no clear succession policy in place, his death plunged his party into a succession crisis that would see it descend into violence and eventually another split.
The intra-party violence that erupted at the iconic leader’s funeral with the assault of three senior party officials would escalate throughout the month to debunk the myth that political violence was a preserve of the ruling party,” said the ZPP.

The MDC has split into two factions following nasty fallout over Tsvangirai’s successor.

The party’s two vice presidents — Nelson Chamisa and Thokozani Khupe have both claimed leadership of the country’s biggest opposition — with the tussle for control of the movement spilling into the courts where a determination would be made this month.

Chamisa has hit the campaign trail with a relish, which is seeing him holding two rallies every weekend.

More than 107 political parties have registered with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to participate in the forthcoming elections, with the presidential plebiscite seen as a two-way tussle between Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe holds its highly anticipated national elections in a few weeks’ time with Mnangagwa expected to announce the dates in the coming days.

For the first time in two decades, the forthcoming elections won’t feature Mugabe and the popular late Tsvangirai — who lost his valiant battle with colon cancer in February this year.

Mugabe’s 37-year, iron-fisted rule was dramatically ended by the intervention of the military in the country’s governance last November, paving the way for the installation Mnangagwa as his successor both in government and in Zanu PF.

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HARARE - Harare City Council’s (HCC) emergency services have been hit hard by shortages of manpower and broken down fire engines among myriad problems, the city has revealed in its latest report.

HCC has six operating ambulances from fleet of 14 whilst the fire department  had only 12 fire engines servicing the city out of the 20 within its compound.

“The committee expressed the need to urgently refurbish the waiting rooms for fire and ambulance services officers which were in bad state.

“The committee resolved to urgently recruit fire fighters and ambulance technicians as well as supporting staff,” minutes said on the report by Education, Health, Housing and Community Services and Licensing Committee.

The fire brigade and ambulance services had 412 employees with 180 vacancies.

HCC spokesperson Michael Chideme has said the fire services department was battling water problems which made it difficult to effectively deliver fire-fighting services.

Chideme said the fire department was not supposed leave its station to attend to an emergency without water, but sometimes the supply would only be sufficient for about 10 minutes into the extinguishing exercise.

“On arrival we use water in the fire tanker and within those 10 minutes, we should be connected to a water main which should provide us with a continuous flow of water for the fire-fighting process.

“However, when we get to a scene that water runs out before we are connected. So in the eyes of the public, they say the fire brigade has come with no water. In the past, when there were no water problems, people would not know what was happening because there will be a continuous fire-fighting process,” he said.

Apart from the lack of water, the department also has to deal with very few fire stations in Harare.

Currently, the city only operates from four stations, Belvedere, Waterfalls, Greendale and Kuwadzana, a scenario that increases the emergency response time.
Harare should have at least 10 to 15 fire stations to reduce the response time.

The international standard response time to areas of high risk such as the heavy industry and central business district is five minutes.

At the moment, HCC can make it in five minutes to the CBD but out of the city, the distance becomes greater since there are no fire stations at strategic positions.

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HARARE - Aspiring Zanu PF legislator for Dzivaresekwa constituency, George Chimhini, has roped in his losing rivals to become his campaign managers, in a rare display of unity.

Chimhini won the primary election in Dzivaresekwa, beating his challengers Andrew Marauka, Rhoda Reza, Francis Chanduru and Charles Chaviwu.

All the losing candidates have pledged to support his bid for a parliamentary seat.

Speaking during a celebration rally held in the constituency, Chimhini said while others were squabbling, in Dzivaresekwa they have already hit the ground running and are drumming up support for the ruling party ahead of elections scheduled for July.

“I have decided not to appoint one but four campaign managers, all those whom I was contesting are my campaign managers. I want to stand as a Member of Parliament here so that I bring development projects in the area,” said Chimhini who contested and lost the by-election in the constituency in 2015 to Zanu PF politburo member Omega Hungwe albeit in controversial circumstances.

Hungwe, who is Zanu PF deputy political commissar, did not stand in the recently held primary elections.

“Most people here don’t have jobs and I decided to bring projects so that people find something to do. I would like to thank all my opponents because there is no winner (at the end of the day). All the people I contested with are going to be my campaign managers. Most of them are war veterans and we will continue with the work they have been doing. We did our work together and when the results were announced we all accepted the results,” he said.

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HARARE - Insurance and Pension Commission (Ipec) commissioner Tendai Karonga has resigned after falling out with the regulator’s board.

This comes, just over a year after he took over from Marnet Mpofu who left the commission following the expiry of her contract in January 2017.

Karonga tendered in his resignation on May 16 following an altercation with the board, which had led to his suspension on allegations of insubordination.

The seasoned insurance expert confirmed that he had left the Ipec yesterday although he could not be drawn into commenting on the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“I believe there is a press statement that has been prepared. In that regard, I will only be in a position to comment after the dust has settled,” Karonga said.

Efforts to get a comment from the Ipec board chairperson Lynn Mukonoweshuro were fruitless as her phone was not reachable by the time of going to print.

Karonga is said to have clashed with his board on how the insurance industry should be governed and regulated.

He purportedly accused other board members of being ignorant of the sector, lacking depth and failing to appreciate the technical aspects to the industry.

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