NewsHawks 4 February 2022

WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 4 February 2022 NBURSZINwEoSrSkers Price
blast GM
NFiEreWdSSecurity for candid US$1
minister still talk
using state SFPifOa RprTessured
bodyguards Story on Page 21 to end
Zimbabwe
Story on Page 5 stalemate

Story on Page 44

Anti-Corruption
Commission under
siege from police 
and prosecutors

ALSO INSIDE Bulawayo lawyer distances self from shadowy party

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Anti-Corruption Commission under
siege from the police and prosecutors

OWEN GAGARE

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission rested in 2020, but is yet to be tried. The trial has sponded. In fact, we were only given the docket Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo
(Zacc) is under siege from police and the Na- taken too long to commence. This has frustrated for this case today at 9am after we had made sev- must also bear in mind that Zacc now has its own
tional Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officials, police and prosecutors who, behind the scenes, eral requests for it to be released to us,” Chaora investigators.”
amid growing scepticism and tensions about its always lambast Zacc as hopeless. said.
willingness and capacity to investigate corruption Zacc has widely been described as a toothless
cases. The state has been postponing the case due to “I can’t let Zacc go to town castigating the bulldog.
Zacc’s failure to provide documents needed for NPA for taking too much time to bring the ac-
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who runs prosecution. cused to court. It is now the time truth be told For instance, an attempt to prosecute former
an outfit of prosecutors of dubious legal stand- starting with this case.” Transport and Energy minister Joram Gumbo,
ing, the Special Anti-Corruption Unit headed During the Chimbare case hearing on Thurs- who was in 2019 arrested and hauled before the
by Thabani Vusa Mpofu, a controversial figure, day, the state conceded that the matter was tak- The prosecutor said dockets, documents and courts on criminal abuse of office charges arising
swore in Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo ing too long. information were not availed, and Zacc investiga- from four separate counts of corruption involv-
— widow of the ex-foreign affairs minister Si- tor Eric Chacha should be called to explain why. ing US$37 million, were frustrated after Mnan-
busiso Moyo — into her current position on 30 “Seeing that it is lunch time, I am going to gagwa reportedly protected him.
May 2019 at State House in Harare amid grand be brief. The state is fully aware that this matter Chacha is accused by police commissioner
promises to fight corruption without fear or fa- is coming for trial, but it would like to seek the Erusmus Makodza, who was arraigned for al- In a subsequent cabinet reshuffle, Mnangagwa
vour. indulgence of the court in applying for the post- legedly helping a girlfriend to lease a police farm, demoted Gumbo, but retained him in his office
ponement of the matter to 14 February 2022. of abuse of public office. Zacc is conspicuous by as minister of State for Presidential Affairs (Mon-
Sibusiso Busi Moyo, widely known as SB, was its silence on this and other internal allegations itoring and Implementation of Government Pro-
the power behind Matanda-Moyo. He was the “It is ordinarily not good for the state to cas- of corruption, compromising its integrity and grammes),
face of the military coup which brought Mnan- tigate other stakeholders that we work with in credibility.
gagwa to power in 2017 after ousting the late for- the justice delivery system, but in this case it is Last year, High Court Justice Pisirayi Kwen-
mer president Robert Mugabe. just that I should state that this postponement In the Chimbare case, the defence agreed to da quashed all three corruption charges levelled
that the state seeks in this matter, as with other postponement of the matter, with Jiti saying: “I against former Health minister Obadiah Moyo
However, police and NPA officials say Zacc postponements that happened before, were due must concede that I have not heard such a bru- after ruling the offences were defective.
has now deteriorated into a largely toothless bull- to the lack of cooperation that the NPA is getting tally honest application being made in this court
dog just barking at corrupt bigwigs, mainly in from Zacc who are the investigators in this case,” and as the defence we agree to the postpone- Moyo had been on remand since his arrest
government, Zanu PF and the corporate world, Chaora said. ment.” in June 2020 after he illegally approved tenders
both in the public and private domains — like a worth US$60 million in the procurement of
dog barking at a moving train, or up the wrong In a public fallout between the state and Zacc, Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE).
tree without decisive and sustainable action. Chaora further complained that he was facing Paul Nyathi confirmed the withdrawal of their
numerous challenges from the investigators, officers from Zacc, but said the investigators had Kwenda said the state did not elaborate on
A senior Zacc official told The NewsHawks while a request for documents has fallen on deaf completed their mandate. how Moyo influenced the awarding of tenders.
yesterday: “Zacc could have done a better job ears. He said the former minister was brought on im-
if it was willing or able to fulfill its mandate; an “In terms of the deployment of police officers proper charges and no criminal trial could arise
independent, well-resourced and efficient an- He said the failure to provide documents had at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, from the charges.
ti-corruption commission can be a strong weap- also resulted in Chimbare failing to adequately it is a fact that the Zimbabwe Republic Police
on in the fight against corruption, but they need prepare his defence, an issue which his defence (ZRP) and Zacc enjoy cordial relations such that While Zacc has produced a report saying
support from the government, judiciary and law lawyers have consistently raised. personnel are seconded to Zacc, but once they Health deputy minister John Mangwiro influ-
enforcement agents if they are to do their jobs complete their terms of reference they come enced NatPharm to award a US$5.6 million
effectively. What is happening now is a major Chaora said a request for documents in writ- back,” he said. Covid-19 tender to a company in which he had
disappointment. We have been reduced to spec- ing made on 10 November last year had not been a personal interest, Zacc has failed to nail him.
tators in the anti-corruption campaign.” responded to, showing how lackadaisical and in- “This is not linked to corruption or anything
competent Zacc is. else. By the way, this is also not the first time that NatPharm blocked the company — Young
An NPA official said Zacc is currently strug- the ZRP has seconded personnel to Zacc and Health Care Limited — from getting the tender
gling to execute its mandate and duties. “I must point it out to the court that since recalled them after finishing their mission. You to supply vital Covid-19 materials even after the
10 November 2021 until now, Zacc has not re- firm had reduced its inflated quotation by a stag-
“Besides all this, Zacc needs independence; gering US$2.6 million.
they need to establish their credentials as inde-
pendent investigators dedicated to fighting cor-
ruption both inside and outside government,”
the official said.

Police have also been exasperated by Zacc’s in-
efficiency and incapacity. Lack of political will,
low funding and poor investigative skills are
mainly sabotaging Zacc’s ability to do its job well.

Zacc on Thursday came under serious attack
from prosecutor Reginald Chaora in Court 15 at
the Rotten Row Magistrates’ Court in Harare for
allegedly frustrating the prosecution of corrup-
tion cases through undue delays and inexcusable
failures to provide dockets and court documents.

Court authorities told The NewsHawks that
Chaora’s negative sentiments against Zacc were
widely shared within the police and the NPA,
adding he spoke after a meeting of critical staff,
which included experienced prosecutors and
their bosses.

NPA staffers say dockets from Zacc are usually
chaotic, weak and not actionable, thus making it
difficult for legal action to be taken and also to
secure convictions.

This comes as police have withdrawn their
investigating officers from Zacc, further inca-
pacitating and immobilising the anti-corruption
body.

Several high-level corruption cases have been
dismissed in court because of lack of evidence or
wrong charges being applied. Only those officials
who have fallen out with Mnangagwa and his
government are thoroughly prosecuted for politi-
cal expediency and personal vendettas.

Chaora expressed frustration over Zacc’s in-
competence during the appearance of Chief Pub-
lic Prosecutor Clement Chimbare, who is being
charged with abuse of office and bribery allega-
tions over the illegal sale of stands in Harare’s Ku-
wadzana suburb in a US$1 million scam.

Chimbare, who is being represented by law-
yers Givemore Madzoka and Webster Jiti, was ar-

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

New Gates Foundation trustee led plot
to overthrow Zim leader alongside US

WHILE Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, recently appointed to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to add his other high-profile board appointments
such as at Rockefeller Foundation, is a role model for many in the country of his origin, where he founded telecoms giant Econet, created vast education and em-
ployment opportunities, contributed to tax revenues, as well as to humanitarian causes, some elsewhere see him differently. An article written by American journalist
Alexander Rubinstein, a former staff writer for MintPress News based in Washington, DC, who previously reported for RT and Sputnik News, zeroes in on Masiyiwa,
accusing him of plotting regime change against the late former president Robert Mugabe. However, when President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in 2017
through a coup, Masiyiwa was one of those influential moguls to support him and join the anti-sanctions campaign. The NewsHawks sought a comment from the
Econet spokesman in Zimbabwe Fungayi Mandiveyi on the issue. However, he was said to have been out of the country travelling. To ensure impartiality and fairness,
The NewsHawks will continue to look for Masiyiwa to get a comment.

ALEXANDER RUBINSTEIN

LISTED as a US asset while spearheading Zim- Zimbabwean telecom billionaire Strive Masiyiwa (right) with Melinda French Gates
babwean regime change plans, billionaire Strive
Masiyiwa joins a cast of technocratic zealots on foundation will be well served by the addition of as an angel.” government agencies, including the CIA.
Gates’ new board of trustees. independent voices to help shape its work in the As Masiyiwa noted when Branson was first The Elders is an elite, pro-Western outfit that
future,” the organisation stated in a press release.
In a shake-up of an institution named for one launched into space, the British billionaire once leverages financial support from an uber-wealthy
of the world’s wealthiest and most influential Though the foundation has flaunted its new invited him to meet with an organisation called “advisory council” to influence politics in the
oligarchs, Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masi- trustees’ “diverse” backgrounds, the appointees “The Elders.” This coterie of international elites Global South. The 2020 advisory council in-
yiwa was appointed to the Gates Foundation’s represent a united front in support of tradition- would serve as a base for organising the regime cluded Branson and Jean Oelwang of Branson’s
board of trustees this January. al Gates goals like privatisation and imperialist change plot in Zimbabwe. Virgin Unite, Srik Gopal of Pierre Omidyar’s
strong-arming behind the guise of public health.
He will be joined on the board by a seemingly Gates appointee named by US as asset who Humanity United, Randy Newcomb of the
diverse cast of corporate elites known for their The first trustee named by the foundation, spearheaded regime change operations Omidyar Group, and Shannon Sedgwick Da-
embrace of technocratic and neoliberal policies. Strive Masiyiwa, is the perfect example of the Zimbabwe has long been a target for regime vis. Additional support was provided directly by
kind of activist-oligarch Gates has been drawn change by the West, with its former colonial Humanity United.
Back in 2007, Masiyiwa helped orchestrate a to; a professed “global citizen” spouting altruis- ruler, the United Kingdom, taking the lead in
failed attempt to overthrow the government of tic bromides while raking in astonishing profits. undermining Mugabe’s government. The com- The Elders’ plan appeared to be part of an
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe along- pulsory land reforms that Mugabe presided over initiative presented by Masiyiwa to the US gov-
side the US and the Zimbabwean opposition Venture or vulture philanthropy? during the 1990s, through which farmland was ernment and detailed in a January 30, 2007
party it was backing, the Movement for Dem- As the founder of Africa’s Econet empire, seized from white Afrikaners without compen- diplomatic cable. According to the US embassy
ocratic Transition. self-exiled Zimbabwean telecom tycoon and sation and redistributed to landless black Zim- in Pretoria, South Africa, “Exiled Zimbabwean
new Gates board member Strive Masiyiwa has babweans, prompted an escalation of Western businessman Strive Masiyiwa is quietly floating
Both the Central Intelligence Agency and the used his wealth to advance the cause of neoliber- aggression against Zimbabwe. an idea to shift executive power from President
Defence Intelligence Agency were made aware alism across southern Africa. Former South African president Thabo Mbe- Mugabe to a “technocratic” Prime Minister.’”
of the regime change plans by the Zimbabwean Masiyiwa is a close ally of British billionaire ki recalled being pushed during the early 2000s
telecom magnate Masiyiwa, and were advised and “green” capitalist Richard Branson of Vir- by then-British prime minister Tony Blair to The US embassy labeled Masiyiwa “strictly
by the US embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, to gin, having collaborated with him on several accede to a military intervention in Zimbabwe. protect,” a designation typically applied to an
share “elements” of the US government’s “strat- projects, including the “Carbon War Room” “Tony Blair…was saying to the chief of the Brit- intelligence source or asset.
egy” with him. that was founded as “a mission to stimulate ish armed forces, ‘You must work out a military
business-led market interventions that advance plan so that we can physically remove Robert A US diplomatic cable dispatched on July 16
Masiyiwa was listed in US diplomatic cables a low-carbon economy.” Mugabe,’” Mbeki told Al Jazeera. “We knew — five days after the Elders’ plan was detailed —
at the time as “strictly protect,” meaning he was As Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal and this that because we had come under the same pres- revealed new regime change activities involving
an intelligence asset and/or confidential source. writer have documented, Branson sought to sure that we need to cooperate in some scheme. Masiyiwa.
launch “Enterprise Zimbabwe”, in partnership It was a regime change scheme, even to the point
Fifteen years since the plot fizzled out, Ma- with fellow billionaire Pierre Omidyar’s Hu- of using military force and we were saying ‘no.’” “A group of exiled Zimbabwean economists
siyiwa has materialised at the centre of another manity United at the Clinton Global Initiative. In 2007, as the Zimbabwean economy sank and businessmen is developing plans for Zimba-
global intrigue as tech billionaire Bill Gates rear- “Enterprise Zimbabwe” sought to “catalyse into crisis under the weight of British and US bwe’s economic recovery once an international-
ranges his foundation. investments from philanthropic and commer- sanctions, Branson offered to bankroll an ly-acceptable government takes office, according
cial donors to fund . . . social development “Elders” initiative to “convince Zimbabwean to South African-based businessman Strive Ma-
Few figures have benefited as much from initiatives,” and “help” Mugabe rival “Morgan President Mugabe to step down,” according to siyiwa,” the cable reads, adding that Masiyiwa
the pandemic as Bill Gates. Throughout 2020, Tsvangirai and the coalition government to get a cable sent from the US embassy in Pretoria, “wants to keep the initiative — particularly his
legacy media described the former Microsoft Zimbabwe back on its feet.” South Africa, to a number of governments and involvement — confidential.”
CEO and Harvard dropout in near-messianic The shady initiative prompted then-president
terms, characterizing him as a “champion of sci- Mugabe to slam Branson as a “vulture disguised “Masiyiwa believes ‘change will come’ to
ence-backed solutions,” and “the most interest- Zimbabwe by December, likely as soon as Au-
ing man in the world.” gust, although it is not clear what the change
will look like,” the cable stated.
While the global 99% has seen its econom-
ic power eviscerated under the weight of lock- Following Mugabe’s planned removal, the ca-
downs and other Covid restrictions, Gates has
doubled his wealth since a pandemic was de-
clared in March 2020 by the World Health
Organization that counts him as a top funder.
Having boasted that his investments in vaccines
routinely generated financial gains exceeding
2000 percent, Gates now has the opportunity to
turn the entire global population into a profit
center.

The world’s fourth richest man has suffered
several PR blows over the past year, howev-
er. Bad press over his divorce from Melinda
French Gates and “questionable behavior” like
his friendship with sex trafficking financier Jef-
frey Epstein, as well as consternation over his
refusal to share the intellectual property rights
of vaccines with poor nations, appears to have
inspired the Gates Foundation to announce the
formation of a new board of trustees “to enhance
representation across gender, geography, and ex-
pertise.”

On Wednesday, Gates Foundation CEO
Mark Suzman announced the foundation would
be governed by a board of trustees beyond the
trio of Gates, his ex-wife, Melinda, and 91-year-
old billionaire Warren Buffet, who resigned in
June 2021. Suzman, who aims to vaccinate 100
percent of the world’s population — ostensibly
with products Gates is invested in — also plans
to join the board.

The move “represents an explicit recognition
by Gates and [Melinda] French Gates, especial-
ly in the wake of their recent divorce, that the

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

ble outlined “plans focusing both on stabilising New Gates board member Minouche Shafik (far right) meets with US former President Barack Obama and Christine Lagarde, then-managing director of the
the macroeconomic environment” — code for International Monetary Fund, on Sept. 7, 2011
neoliberalising public institutions and imple-
mentation of economic austerity measures. Bank of England, where she was “responsible for Of the PPP partnership, which brought this Under his leadership, Bain grew its revenues
a balance sheet” of almost US$638.9 billion and constellation of Gates-supported organisations six-fold, while significantly expanding its global
In the diplomatic cable, Masiyiwa is said to served on both the Monetary Policy Committee together to advise G7 governments, Melinda operations,” Tierney’s bio states.
have observed that “it would be potentially im- and the Financial Policy Committee. French
possible to return to the days “Notoriously secretive about itself and its
She left the Bank of England in 2016 to be- Gates said in a statement published by the work for clients, Bain has over the years been la-
of large commercial farms,” and that “land come the director of the UK’s main progenitor UK government: “This partnership will enable beled the ‘KGB of Consulting,’” Fortune editors
will be one of the most difficult topics” under a of neoliberal thought, the London School of G7 governments to create a roadmap for build- wrote in a 1987 profile of the company. “Like
new government. Economics (LSE). A year later, she delivered ing a safe, secure, and equitable future for every- religious zealots, they single-mindedly dedicate
an address on behalf of the Bank of England one.” She would later deliver closing remarks at themselves to improving their customer’s com-
But clearly something still needed to be done, defending the role of technocratic experts in the first meeting of the organisation. petitive position. Business is a holy war that the
as Mugabe was “attempting to repeat with busi- government, and arguing that elite institutions client must win and the competition must lose.”
ness what he did with the farms.” needed to restore the public’s trust in them Under the “Recommendations” section of
through initiatives like fact-checking websites. the PPP’s report to the G7, the organisation Besides consulting for private companies,
“We understand the USG has developed its suggests that governments and international Bain also “works with national and regional
own plans for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery Shafik is “making no apology for her tech- organisations should “also consider expanding governments, city municipalities, quasi-govern-
phase. If appropriate, it may be useful to share nocratic outlook,” a Guardian profile noted in mass adult vaccination campaigns for common ment agencies such as development funds and
elements of that strategy with Masiyiwa or mem- 2021. For Shafik, neoliberal economics is not diseases — both to respond to very real and trade associations as well as government-owned
bers of his team to inform their thinking — and just a professional obsession; it is personal. In a pressing public health needs and to create regu- companies to realise their economic and social
ours — in advance of the political change in 2008 interview granted while she served as the lar demand for expanded capacity.” goals,” according to its website.
Zimbabwe,” the cable concluded. vice-president of the World Bank, Shafik re-
marked that the “particular angle that I have on With grants to media outfits pushing the Just what services they provide should come
Another cable describes Masiyiwa as an “un- development comes from the fact that my family one-size-fits-all, vaccine-only solution and to as no surprise to readers of this article: “econom-
official MDC advisor.” was nationalised.” non-governmental organisations coordinating ic development and sector strategies,” “privatisa-
the manufacturing of vaccines, to the Gates tion,” “change management,” etc.
The MDC, or Movement for Democrat- “That experience of nationalisation and strug- Foundation’s ownership of stock in companies
ic Change, is the main opposition party in the gling with the role of the state trying to take re- that do the manufacturing, including Pfizer and Tierney joined the board of eBay in 2003,
country challenging the ruling socialist party. sources, to redistribute them, but at the same Johnson & Johnson, Gates has established an eventually taking over as Chairman following
MDC was formed as an offshoot of the Zim- time not being very successful at it was a part of international Mighty Wurlitzer cranking out the departure of eBay founder Pierre Omidyar
babwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), a my childhood,” she said. his preferred biomedical narrative and a vaccine in 2015. Tierney left Bain & Company in 2000,
partner of the National Endowment for De- manufacturing empire jabbing billions of hu- going on to found the Gates-funded Bridgespan
mocracy’s Solidarity Centre. The National En- Shafik oversees Gates’ web of public mans for record profits. Group, a non-profit management consulting
dowment for Democracy is an US-government health not-so-non-profits firm that provides services to other non-profit
funded NGO spun out of the Central Intelli- Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, organisations and NGOs.
gence Agency which provides grants to political, In April 2021, Shafik was named to the steer- Gates said that his investments in global health
media and civil society groups abroad as long as ing group of the UK government’s Pandemic organisations pushing vaccines have resulted in Bridgespan is not only funded by the Gates
they further US foreign policy objectives. Preparedness Partnership (PPP) alongside Gates US$200 billion for every US$10 billion he has Foundation, it provides the foundation with
Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee Sir invested. “We feel there’s been over a 20-to-1 re- “philanthropy consulting” services. And it does
Morgan Tsvangirai, an opposition figure John Bell, Aurelia Nguyen, a representative of turn,” Gates told a reporter during the July 2019 the same for some of the most prominent insti-
once accused by the Zimbabwean government Covax with the Gates-backed GAVI, and Coa- World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. tutions guiding the global pandemic response,
of plotting with the CIA to have Mugabe assas- lition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations “So if you just look at the economic benefits, from the CDC Foundation to the Ford Founda-
sinated, left the ZCTU to lead the MDC. (CEPI) CEO Richard Hatchett, an organisation that’s a pretty strong number compared to any- tion to the Omidyar Network to The Rockefel-
co-founded and funded by the Gates Founda- thing else.” ler Foundation and the United Nations Foun-
The initial goal of the MDC was to use eco- tion, among other pharmaceutical and financial dation.
nomic deprivation as a means of stirring up re- elites. PPP recommended that the Gates-funded,
sentment against the ruling party and sparking a WHO-founded Covax take on the task of coor- Additional clients under the category of
revolution. There was a small problem, though. Covax, or Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access, dinating industry and G7 governments in order “strategy consulting” include the Omidy-
is a 184-country initiative which coordinates to “keep warm” vaccine manufacturing facilities. ar-funded pro-Israel pressure group known as
“Policies that are formulated on the basis resources to send vaccines off to countries that the Anti-Defamation League, the Inter-Ameri-
of a Western conception that sanctions would could not typically afford them. Claiming to From corporate consultant can Development Bank, the CIA-linked Inter-
work in predominantly agrarian countries such have delivered one billion doses to 144 coun- to “altruist” adviser national Rescue Committee, and the United
as Zimbabwe in the same way they would work tries, Covax is co-led by CEPI, the Gates-funded Nations Foundation (again).
in East Europe is misplaced,” Arthur Gwagwa World Health Organisation, UNICEF, which is The final listed appointee to the Gates Foun-
of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum funded by the Gates Foundation, and Gavi, or dation board is Thomas J. Tierney. Like Shafik, As the pandemic moves into its third year,
told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immuni- Tierney studied economics, graduating with a and Gates racks up record profits, his new board
sation. Master of Business Administration degree from of trustees will provide him the patina of racial
“Unlike in urbanised societies, where sanc- Harvard Business School in 1980. and international diversity his foundation needs
tions might cajole people to protest and push On Gavi’s about page, it states that “The to push back on negative PR. But with their
for reforms, conditions are different in a coun- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a group That same year, he joined one of the “Big records of neocolonial plotting and technocrat-
try such as Zimbabwe where rural based popu- of founding partners brought to life an elegant Three” management consulting firms, Bain & ic zealotry, Gates’ board members are all but
lations have other livelihood means aside from solution to encourage manufacturers to lower Company, where his roles would eventually certain to stay the course of profiteering in the
bread, therefore the absence of bread in the vaccine prices for the poorest countries in return come to include partner, San Francisco Office name of public health.
shops will not prompt them to stage street pro- for long-term, high-volume and predictable de- head, president, CEO and worldwide managing l Alexander Rubinstein is an independent
tests,” Gwagwa said. “This was the MDC’s orig- mand from those countries.” That idea became director. reporter on Substack, an independent Amer-
inal plan that they are now backtracking on as Gavi. ican platform.
they have realised that it doesn’t work.” “Tom assumed full leadership responsibili-
ties as Bain’s first worldwide managing director. — The Greyzone.
The Western plots to dislodge Mugabe’s
Zanu PF ultimately failed, and Masiyiwa wound
up calling for an end to Western sanctions on
Zimbabwe in 2018, several months before Mug-
abe’s death, commenting that “Zimbabwe has
served its prison time.”

In the meantime, his influence flourished
thanks to relationships with tycoons like Bran-
son and Gates.

Gates appoints a baroness “making no apolo-
gy for her technocratic outlook”

The second appointee listed by the Gates
Foundation to its board of trustees is Baroness
Minouche Shafik.

Shafik attended the oldest school of the Unit-
ed States in Africa, the Schulz American School
in Alexandria, Egypt. Shafik moved to United
States and United Kingdom to continue her
studies and eventually graduated with a doctor-
ate in economics from Oxford.

After leaving the university, the baroness
passed through the revolving door of interna-
tional financial institutions, starting with the
World Bank,

where she “designed reform programmes for
transition countries in Eastern Europe, and de-
veloped proposals for economic integration in
support of the Oslo peace process in the Middle
East.”

Following a 15-year stint at the World Bank,
during which she became its youngest vice-pres-
ident, Shafik returned to the UK to work at the
Department for International Development, the
UK’s version of the United States Agency for In-
ternational Development, or USAID. She even-
tually became the permanent secretary of the
agency before joining the International Mone-
tary Fund as deputy managing director.

In 2014 Shafik rose to deputy governor of the

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Mudha still using state security aides

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA

FORMER State Security minister Owen “Mud- Former State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube
ha” Ncube, who was last month fired by President
Emmerson Mnangagwa for allegedly fanning di- tioned his appointment. A Zanu PF insider said after the provincial elections, not to help Mnan- Chiwenga. Mnangagwa blocked Ncube from be-
vision and Zanu PF factionalism in the Midlands Ncube had remained “the hooligan that he has gagwa but to control the region for his own good. coming Midlands chairperson as he battled former
province is still enjoying state security protection. always been” as minister. He still embraced gang- chair Daniel Mckenzie Ncube. Mavima, who has
sterism, violence, brutality and thuggery to settle Mnangagwa’s Midlands loyalists pushed for his no political capital, became the compromise chair.
Ncube, widely seen as Mnangagwa’s enforcer issues. removal. He had become a Frankenstein monster.
in the Midlands, remains close to the President This enraged “Mudha” Ncube and he became
despite being dropped from cabinet for his unbe- A week before being fired, he bused a group of “Mudha is a creature of violent Zanu PF pol- destructive as he lashed out in all directions, using
coming behaviour which was embarrassing even his Al-Shabaab gang armed with machetes to a itics Mnangagwa presided over in the Midlands fear and violence, insiders say.
his staunch supporters. Zanu PF Gweru meeting. and all over the country. Now, typically, he was
threatening to ruin his creator. Zanu PF is in tat- While “Mudha” Ncube continued to defy
The former minister, who is a senior party of- Sources say Ncube ran the show like a “war- ters in the Midlands and, of course, all over the Mnangagwa, he was also at war with First Lady
ficial in the province, moves around in a Land lord”, issuing instructions, threats and orders country, but in that region Mudha created havoc,” Auxillia in Kwekwe. Auxillia, who was backing lo-
Rover Defender and an escort car, a Toyota Hilux. about how provincial structures should be like af- the source added. cal gold magnate Kandross Mugabe for the Kwe-
ter the recent elections. kwe central seat, was involved in direct confron-
His security aides occupy both cars. This ar- “Mnangagwa’s allies had been repeatedly warn- tation with losing 2018 parliamentary candidate
rangement is similar to that of former vice-pres- Insiders add that Ncube wanted to control the ing him Mudha was destabilising the party and Energy Ncube, “Mudha” Ncube’s nephew, during
ident Kembo Mohadi, who resigned in shame in structures to his own benefit, not necessarily to undermining him. the primaries in 2020.
March last year after a sex scandal. Mohadi howev- help Mnangagwa to consolidate power, while oth-
er retained his position as Zanu PF vice-president ers allege that he was working with Vice-President He took a long time to act because this was his In October 2020, Zanu PF primary polls to
and deputy secretary. Constantino Chiwenga’s faction. key right-hand man for a long time, but then he choose a Kwekwe Central parliamentary candi-
had morphed into a Frankenstein. His actions date for a by-election turned bloody following
Mohadi is still enjoying state security protec- “The dramatic events at the Zanu PF provin- risked defeat for Mnangagwa in 2023.” intense clashes between rival groups at Kwekwe
tion and perks at taxpayers’ expense even though, cial meeting at the party’s convention centre, The district offices.
like Ncube, he is no longer holding public office. Winery, showed beyond reasonable doubt that Mnangagwa’s allies, led by Midlands provincial
Mudha had become a warlord, ruling the prov- chairperson Larry Mavima, feared Police had to fire warning shots after being
Keeping Zanu PF senior officials on the state ince by violence and fear. He brought thugs with called to contain the situation which had spiralled
payroll when they are no longer in public office machetes and illegally ran the meeting like a thug. Ncube was now undermining Mnangagwa to out of control as factions bludgeoned each other
constitutes abuse of state resources and smacks of vengefully help his deputy and rival Chiwenga over the voters’ roll, with Mudha accused of being
patronage and cronyism, which Zanu PF thrives “He behaved like a mafia boss and issued orders after he was blocked from becoming the party’s among the chief instigators of the violence.
on. Just this week, Ncube was seen enjoying his and threats as he sought to influence structures provincial chairperson.
lunch in Newlands, Harare, in the company of
business and security people, with his state secu- His actions damaged Mnangagwa, but helped
rity aides around.

By the time Ncube was removed from office,
he had become a Frankenstein monster for Mnan-
gagwa, as he was now accused of fomenting un-
rest in his home province. Ncube was fired for a
cocktail of reasons, including alleged hooliganism,
factionalism and destabilising Zanu PF, fear of los-
ing elections, undermining his grip on power and
deadly battles over gold mines in Kwekwe.

Ncube is widely considered the “commander”
of a Kwekwe-based violent group known as Al-
Shabaab, that is notorious for intimidation and
brutality in local politics and gold-mining affairs
in the city and its surrounding areas.

Al-Shabaab is blamed for violent attacks and
killings, amid allegations that the group was re-
sponsible for many murders in gold-rich Kwekwe.

Al-Shabaab, named after the Somali Islamist
extremist group, is also behind a reign of terror in
the Midlands, with elements often used to mete
out violence on opposition supporters.

But during the longstanding battle for the Zanu
PF Midlands chairperson’s position, the group has
also been used to fight factional battles between
Ncube and another Mnangagwa ally, Daniel
Mackenzie Ncube.

When Mnangagwa appointed “Mudha” Ncu-
be, there was a public uproar, with critics saying he
was not ministerial material given his background
of hooliganism, violence and brutality in Kwekwe.

Mnangagwa, however, did not heed the public
misgivings.

In March 2020, the United States designated
Zimbabwe’s former Presidential Guard com-
mander Anselem Sanyatwe, now an ambassador,
and Ncube for their “role in human rights abuses
related to political repression in Zimbabwe”.

This further vindicated critics who had ques-

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Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Bulawayo lawyer exposes fake CCC party

LIZWE SEBATHA had any communication with them. That letter Lawyer Tavengwa Hara benefit from our name and colours: ours as you
did not emanate from my office,” Hara told The ation (CCC) as notified to you as far back as 8 are aware being BLUE and YELLOW.
PROMINENT Bulawayo lawyer Tavengwa NewsHawks. September 2021, belongs to our political party,
Hara has again distanced himself from the shad- and it is wrong for the Zec to consider that it “Kindly liaise with this political party and
owy Citizens Convergence for Change after he Silaigwana said he had not seen Zhou’s letter. can easily parcel if off to another entity. agree a different abbreviation for them to use,
was listed as the party’s lawyer in a fight for the But in the letter, Zhou wrote: “That abbrevi- which is not ours. Absent confirmation that you
CCC abbreviation. Particularly when that entity clearly seeks to will heed this warning, our lawyers will in fact
file papers suing both Zec and this usurper and
The opposition party wrote to the Zimba- ask for costs on the punitive scale.”
bwe Electoral Commission (Zec) on 28 January
claiming the CCC abbreviation after Nelson Analyst Mlungisi Moyo said it remains a
Chamisa unveiled his Citizens’ Coalition for mystery why Hara’s name keeps coming up.
Change (CCC) last Monday. The party used T
Hara & Partners’ Bulawayo address, indicating “It remains a mystery why a revered lawyer
communication should come though the law like Hara would find himself in the vortex of
firm. such controversy, so to speak. The state has so
many lawyers that are members of Zanu PF, and
In their initial letter to Zec dated 20 Sep- so many lawyers that are members or affiliates of
tember 2021, the party indicated it was based Zanu PF. If there was really an intention by the
at Nyararai Village, P O Murambinda, Vuhera. state to get these people represented, I am sure
The party, however, said it did not have an office by now they would have gotten state-affiliated
in Harare, but would be contactable through its lawyers already,” Moyo said.
legal practitioners T Hara & Partners.
But Bulawayo-based political analyst Effie
At the time, the MDC-Alliance, then led by Ncube argued Zhou’s CCC was a state-funded
Chamisa, was coalescing and mobilising Zim- proxy.
babweans around the Citizens Convergence for
Change, while the acronym CCC had come to “The truth of the matter is that there is only
be identified with the youthful opposition lead- one CCC that is led by Chamisa. The other
er. The shadowy party, however, rushed to in- one does not exist; it is not a political party,
form Zec of its existence. or political organisation. It was created just to
confuse people to prevent the consolidation of
Chamisa last Monday said the party was democratic forces for change,” Ncube said in an
dumping the MDC identity altogether, in- interview.
cluding the symbols, after his nemesis Douglas
Mwonzora claimed the same. He announced “So people must just ignore it and focus on
the launch of a new party, Citizens’ Coalition the organisation that was created by the people
for Change, with yellow as its colour, prompt- to bring about a better life for them and not the
ing the shadowy party to protest to Zec. one that exists to prevent movement towards
democratisation, rule of law, human rights and
Mwonzora is also going after his former dep- the change that will create jobs and a better
uty Thokozani Khupe to stop her from using economy.”
the MDC-T name after announcing a split
from the MDC-Alliance. Curiously, Zhou’s CCC is not contesting the
26 March by-elections.
In a letter to Zec, chief elections officer Ut-
loile Silaigwana, CCC secretary-general Farai Registering with Zec is not a legal require-
Zhou threatened court action to stop Chamisa ment for any political party that wants to par-
from using the CCC abbreviation. ticipate in a national election. This is contrary to
popular belief that political parties have to regis-
He listed Hara as the party’s legal representa- ter first with Zec if they are to contest elections.
tive, while threatening legal action against CCC
and Zec. But Hara on Wednesday distanced According to Zec, political parties can only
himself from Zhou’s CCC when contacted for inform the body about their presence and inten-
comment. tion to partake in elections.

“I don’t even know why I am listed as their A number of new opposition parties are be-
lawyer. I don’t even know them. I have never ing launched as the country heads towards the
2023 general elections. The 2018 elections had
a total of 23 presidential candidates.

TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD University of UZ student youngest by-elections candidate
Zimbabwe student Blessing Mbawa (BM, pic-
tured) is the youngest nominated candidate pabilities and are supporting me in my quest of collection of garbage which has not been thor- ity activities in the same community. I’m hoping
for the Harare metropolitan province local being councillor for Ward 10. oughly worked on for a long time, fixing of sewer to be elected as councillor. So far, the community
authority by-elections slated for 26 March. burst pipes near one of the council schools which has been supportive, with some contributing re-
She spoke to The NewsHawks reporter Mary MM: What made you stand as an indepen- has been a health hazard to pupils and estab- sources aimed at pushing my campaign to every
Mundeya (MM) on her political journey and dent candidate? lishing and rehabilitating recreational facilities, household in Ward 10. As much as I’m working
what she hopes to do for Ward 30 if elected the lack of which has allowed a great number of with limited resources, I’ll not tire until everyone
councillor. She is standing as an independent BM: I decided to contest to become a coun- youth to resort to drug abuse. in my ward hears of who I am and what I want
candidate. Below are excerpts of the interview: cillor in Ward 10 as an independent candidate to do for my community.
because pushing for better service delivery for MM: How has the campaigning period been
MM: Congratulations for being one of the members of my community (which I’m hoping for you so far and what kinds of responses are you MM: Moving to other politicians, is there
candidates in the Harare metropolitan province to do) does not require me to belong to a political getting from the electorate? anyone whom you can say has contributed to
local authority by-election. Is this your first time party. your quest for political office?
vying for such a post? What pushed you to take BM: The campaigning period is still in its
part? MM: Speaking of service delivery, if elected, infancy. I’m delighted to be working with my BM: Well, it definitely is Barrack Obama be-
what are you hoping to do for Ward 10? friends who I was in Junior Parliament with and cause of his background and hard work as well
BM: Yes, it is my first time contesting. It feels we are not having a difficult time with relating as Joice Mujuru who got into politics at a young
great. I love challenges and I’m hoping by facing BM: I’m hoping to facilitate for better mater- with the electorate as we used to engage in char- age.
the election head-on, I’ll be an example to young nal healthcare services that women have been de-
people and women. nied due to shortage of qualified personnel, the MM: What is your take on Zimbabwe’s polit-
ical terrain and what do you think can be done
MM: How did your political journey begin? better?
BM: Ever since I was young, I have been in
a number of leadership positions, including be- BM: The political terrain in Zimbabwe is male
ing a junior parliamentarian when I was doing dominated and we hardly find a handful of youth
my A-Level studies between 2017-2018. Being a participating in parliamentary or council posts. I
junior parliamentarian made me aspire to be in encourage women and young people not to shy
mainstream politics, and here I am. away from taking part in electoral processes that
MM: Was taking part in the upcoming enable them to be leaders at different levels.
by-elections part of your resolutions for the year
2022 and how did your family take it? MM: What is your last word to the electorate
BM: We got into 2022 without knowing that and anyone who is supporting your campaign?
there would be by-elections, so contesting as a
councillor was not part of my 2022 resolutions. BM: I’m forever grateful to my friends who,
However, when the proclamation was made and after hearing a radio program about the by-elec-
the nomination court requirements were made tions and the nomination court process, encour-
public, I was like: why not? My family has no in- aged me to go file my papers and have been as-
terest in political issues and they always ask where sisting me with raising funds for my campaign.
I got the courage. I’m glad that regardless of their To the electorate in Ward 10, your support thus
lack of interest in politics, they believe in my ca- far has been overwhelming and I’m pleading that
you elect me as your councillor come March the
26th.

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Bleak future for tumbling Zimdollar

DUMISANI NYONI RBZ governor John Mangudya is expected to present the 2022 monetary policy statement on 8 February, as the Zimdollar (below) continues to lose
its value..
THE future of the Zimbabwe dollar, rapidly los-
ing ground to the greenback currently, is bleak, of the local currency is going to be,” Dube said. central bank was seized with the task of incentiv- hole in the wall (ATM machine) tells you you
unless the government starts preferring it for the Economics Professor Stephen Hanke recent- ising Zimbabweans to use the local currency. can draw 2 000 bonds, which are now worth
payment of all taxes, among other transactions, as US$0.88,” he said.
well as backing it with gold reserves. ly indicated that the Zimdollar had depreciated The RBZ chief said de-dollarisation from the
93% against the US dollar since its re-introduc- United States dollar to local currency will not be Hawkins said it was dishonest of the govern-
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday re- tion about two years ago. achieved overnight, adding that the country was ment to call for the use of the local currency yet
leased a series of measures to enhance the formal in transition. paying civil servants’ bonuses in hard currency.
use of the domestic currency. “Zimbabwe’s currency is in a death spiral,” he
said. He, however, said dollarisation was not feasi- “If the Zimbabwe dollar is so great, why do I
The local currency weakened 3.68% on ble as this would cripple the country’s competi- have to use foreign currency? It is the inconsisten-
the first day of official trade on 18 January to During a CEO Roundtable meeting held in tiveness and would be counter-productive to its cy, the contradiction, the deceit, the dishonesty
ZW$112 per US dollar. It trades for less on the Harare recently, Nigel Chanakira, president of efforts to stabilise the economy. of the government. They do not believe their own
parallel market at more than ZW$200 per US the Zimbabwe Economics Society, said some untruths; why should we believe in it?” Hawkins
dollar. The local unit’s collapse is stoking infla- people argued that the Zimbabwe dollar will But economics Professor Tony Hawkins dis- said.
tion, which reached an annual 61% in December not last another year while he postulated that “it agreed with the central bank governor, saying
last year. Today the currency officially trades at will last longer because he (RBZ governor John he was trying to preserve the local currency that Hawkins said the apex bank should go back
ZW$117 to the greenback. Mangudya) is speaking to his policies and the nobody wants to use owing to its depreciation in to complete dollarisation to enable economic sta-
auction system. So he will try and make sure that value. “In 2018/2019 he promised to preserve bility.
The country re-introduced the local currency it works.” the value (of the Zimdollar), but since then prices
in 2019 and briefly outlawed the use of foreign have gone up 3 000% and the currency’s value “Ideally, something I would be enthusiastic
currency. Mangudya is expected to present his 2022 has devalued by 99%. He talks about people us- about, is going back to the US dollar again to try
monetary policy statement on 8 February. ing local currency but if you go to my bank, the and stabilise things as we did (during my time on
The transacting public is allowed to use any the RBZ board),” he said.
currency of choice when locally, a situation that During the recent meeting, Mangudya said the
has compounded the woes of the Zimdollar.

Economic analysts who spoke to The New-
sHawks this week said the central bank should
come up with policies that support the local unit,
lest it die a natural death.

“The future of the Zimbabwe dollar is depen-
dent on the policies that the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe (RBZ) will adopt. I think the ques-
tion should be, if it is to survive, what needs
to be in place? What fundamentals need to be
in place?” economist and academic Stevenson
Dhlamini asked.

“I think the main issue is, if we are to see the
Zimbabwe dollar surviving, we need to revert to
a gold standard and stop measuring our curren-
cy against the foreign currency reserve but rather
against the gold reserve that the RBZ has.

“That’s the one thing that will give the inter-
national community confidence about our cur-
rency and also encourage what the government
is talking about as a free market initiative. That
is very important because there is ease of doing
business. People also develop confidence even in
the currency because they know that property
rights are respected and the ease of doing business
is improved,” he said.

Dhlamini added: “I know people will argue
that gold prices are unstable, but they have been
fairly stable of late. Germany backs up its curren-
cy with gold. So if we are to revamp our currency,
we need to prove to the world that we have suffi-
cient gold reserves to back up the currency. That
way, the Zimdollar will survive.”

Economist Cornelius Dube concurred with
Dhlamini, urging the government to prioritise
the local unit.

“The future of the Zimbabwe dollar is largely
dependent on what the government is going to
do because as you know there are many workers
who are still earning in that currency. People want
to earn in US dollars because of the signal that the
government is giving. Government is not help-
ing. Government’s position is that we are on the
roadmap towards de-dollarisation,” Dube said.

Dube said people should be seeing evidence on
the ground that actually “we are going towards
de-dollarisation rather than re-dollarisation.”

“But the way the market is reading the signal
from the government at the moment, is that we
are going back towards dollarisation because the
government itself is also showing an appetite for
getting foreign currency.”

“That becomes a challenge to say whether we
can sustain this onslaught against the local cur-
rency or not, it becomes an issue, but it’s still in
the government’s court. If the government right
now begins to prefer the local currency for all tax-
es for example, that on its own will give a signal
that indeed the local currency is there to stay,” he
said.

The government paid civil servants their bo-
nuses in US dollars, and the revenue service col-
lects a third of its income in greenbacks. Also, the
government is asking for US dollar payments for
passports.

“We don’t know what the government is going
to do. We will see the message that the central
bank is going to pronounce in the monetary pol-
icy statement. That is the key to where the future

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

A traditional leader from Chiredzi says the Chihungume
issue is similar to what is happening in Chilonga.

Mnangagwa cancels Triangle land offer letters

MORRIS BISHI President Emmerson Mnangagwa galise their stay. He said Lands minister Masuka the offer letters issued to private investors should
the Chihungume area of Triangle will not be will come to Masvingo on Friday, where he will be cancelled. I went with Chadzamira, in the
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has can- evicted. address stakeholders over the issue. company of Musikavanhu, Bhila and Mukanya.
celled two offer letters issued by the ministry of All stakeholders involved in the issue will be in
Lands which would have facilitated the grabbing The President ordered the ministry of Lands “I can confirm that we travelled to Harare ear- Masvingo for a meeting on Friday, which will be
of over 5 000 hectares of prime land currently to cancel the offer letters controversially issued ly this week where the President told us that the addressed by the minister of Lands.”
occupied by 2 600 families in Triangle. to two companies and directed that the current people in Chihungume will not be evicted and
occupants of the land be given documents to le- “The President advised us that investments by
His intervention comes after war veterans and private players should not be given priority over
Zanu PF members in Masvingo province threat- the ordinary people. He told us that the invest-
ened to defy the move which was set to leave the ment should benefit people and the companies
current occupants of the land, known as Lot 16 involved should contract the people on the land
of Nuanetsi Ranch, homeless. so that they can all benefit from the project,” Ma-
venyengwa said.
The offer letters were issued to Precab Invest-
ments and Redoak Resources whose owners were War veterans and the Chihungume commu-
believed to linked to top government officials. nity recently petitioned the Zanu PF Masvingo
provincial leadership, challenging the issuance
Mnangagwa summoned minister of State for of the offer letters to the two companies. They
Masvingo province Ezra Chadzamira and the vowed to resist the government move, citing cor-
recently elected Zanu PF provincial chairperson ruption.
Rabson Mavenyengwa to State House on Tues-
day and told them that investors should not be A top government official in Masvingo told
prioritised over locals. The NewsHawks that Mnangagwa was forced to
reverse the latest land allocations after his name
The State House meeting was also attended by was linked to Precab Investments which was first
Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans’ Association given the offer letter. He said the allocation to
secretary for Chiredzi Killiot Mukanya, legisla- Precab was done in Masvingo by Chadzami-
tors Farai Musikavanhu’s (Chiredzi West) and ra and team as a way of getting sympathy from
Roy Bhila (Chiredzi North). Mnangagwa after an attempt by the Zimbabwe
Anti-Corruption Commission to arrest him
Lands minister Anxious Masuku will preside over abuse of office involving land allocations in
over a meeting to be held in Masvingo on Friday Chiredzi last year.
where he is expected to pass Mnangagwa’s mes-
sage to various stakeholders in the province. The A traditional leader from Chiredzi told The
meeting, expected to expose the corrupt alloca- NewsHawks that the Chihungume issue is similar
tion of land in the province, will also be attended to what is happening in Chilonga and it is fair for
by members of the Chiredzi district lands com- the government to address the issue in a similar
mittee. manner instead of forging ahead with the inten-
tion to relocate over 10 000 families for a grass
The committee was disbanded for over two project which is set to feed cattle in the Midlands.
years by Chadzamira in a move viewed as a way
of sidelining it from land allocation deliberations. “The move taken by government to reverse
The provincial leadership continued parcelling allocation for land to private players in Triangle
out land to their political allies and relatives in is welcome, but we are surprised that govern-
the sugarcane-producing district of Chiredzi, ment is treating our issue with a different hand.
which is the province’s economic capital. Our people are the same as this in Triangle and
it is worrisome to note that these guys are still
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson pursuing the grass project, which will leave over
Rabson Mavenyengwa told The NewsHawks 10 000 families homeless,” the traditional leader
that Mnangagwa summoned him together with said.
Chadzamira and other officials to State House
earlier this week and told them that villagers in

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

STEPHEN CHADENGA Horrific tales of murderous
weapons in Zhombe, Silobela
ON 21 January, a team of police officers and
journalists led by Officer Commanding Mid- Zhombe and Silobela have been notorious for brutal killings involving machetes and other dangerous weapons.
lands province Commissioner Winston Muza
descended on Silobela to meet community Emmanuel Mahoko said Blessed Sibanda (25) Sibanda and Talcott had a misunderstanding stabbed in the chest and is battling for life at
leaders, who included those from the church. and Hillary Maphosa (21) were drinking beer over a girlfriend when Munashe drew a knife Kwekwe Hospital.
at Crossroads Business Centre in Silobela in and stabbed Sibanda in the back before using
The purpose of the visit was to meet the the company of two brothers, Talcott and Mu- the same weapon on Maphosa. One Nqaba According to the police, there have been
community leaders from Silobela and Zhombe nashe Mupasi. Ndlovu who attempted to intervene was also several violent crimes in Zhombe and Silobela
as part of an ongoing community outreach involving dangerous weapons.
meetings on crime prevention in various dis-
tricts in the Midlands by police officers.

The province is well-known for murder and
robbery cases through the use of dangerous
weapons such as machetes, knives and axes.
Zhombe and Silobela were identified as partic-
ularly notorious for crimes involving the use of
dangerous weapons.

During the engagement in Silobela a
woman from that area, Rosemary Mazarire,
shocked participants when she narrated how
children from the place had joined in machete
fights and carried dangerous weapons, even to
school.

“Children in this area have gone astray. They
can no longer be controlled as they carry small
machetes which they refer to as ‘Chindatem-
wa’ or ‘Colombia’ that they use to threaten
and assault other children and even teachers in
schools,” Mazarire said.

Other villagers told similar sad stories of vi-
olence in both Silobela and Zhombe and called
upon law enforcement agents to increase pa-
trols as well as bring to book dangerous crimi-
nals who roam the gold-rich areas.

In 2021 and in past years, Zhombe and Si-
lobela have been notorious for brutal killings
involving machetes and other dangerous weap-
ons.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Ntabeni of
Silobela said “dangerous machete gangs” were
on the loose in his area.

He said what worried villagers most was that
the gangs no longer feared even law enforcers.

“They have the audacity to attack police of-
ficers with reckless abandon,” Chief Ntabeni
said.

“They also wreak havoc at functions and
gatherings. They rob people and steal cat-
tle while threatening victims with dangerous
weapons.”

In response, Midlands police boss Muza said
they were going to deploy more cops to deal
with the menace.

“We are going to deploy more members
of the Support Unit, Criminal Investigations
Department and duty uniformed branch to
rid elements of criminality from these areas,”
Muza said.

Villagers at the meeting also urged the po-
lice to set up a police base between Silobela
and Zhombe.

As if deliberations at the crime prevention
indaba were a true confirmation of Zhombe
and Silobela as crime hot spots, only last Satur-
day two men died upon admission at Kwekwe
General Hospital after they were stabbed with
a knife in a scuffle over a woman.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector

Sanyati mine workers exposed to harmful radiation

NHAU MANGIRAZI regulate facilities that use ionizing radiation. proached Sanyati Police Station where a re- ing the Radiation Act (Chap 15).
The authority is aware of the use of Ultraviolet quest for medical reports was made through Among the senior officials affected is one
AT least 67 workers at Rongxin/Mambo mine Radiation for disinfection purposes. The use of one Inspector Brighton Wamiridza.
in Sanyati, Mashonaland West province, are such may have potential health risks that might risk manager Clemency Chimbunde who went
suffering the effects of exposure to infra red come if the UV units are not installed proper- One of the documents reads: “The com- suffered swollen eyes for five days.
lights which they were exposed to during ly or are used by untrained individuals. In this plaint is mine worker at Rongxin, who was af-
Covid-19 vaccination, resulting in swollen eyes regard, the authority will investigate the facili- fected after he was directed by his employer to Chimbunde refused to comment on the
and dehydration, The NewsHawks has learnt. ty in question to ascertain the type of practice be injected Covid-19 vaccination. It was done matter, saying he had no authority to speak on
that is being employed,” Huni said. in a closed tent with infra lighting with ultra behalf of the mine. The mine manager, only
The exposure, which occurred in April last violet rays. As a result of the light the com- identified as Ralph, did not respond to phone
year, was reported to the police. The Radiation Huni said appropriate action would be tak- plaint sustained painful and sore eyes. Medical calls and text messages from The NewsHawks.
Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) is en if the company is found to be in the wrong. request is made for medical examination and
also preparing to launch a probe after receiving treatment.” Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals
a report. “The Radiation Protection Act stipulates Workers’ Union (ZDAMWU) secretary-gen-
anyone who uses radiation equipment to reg- Out of the 67 affected workers, four of them eral Justice Chinhema has challenged the gov-
The workers were exposed to the infrared ister with the Authority and be issued with were women who have since been fired from ernment to come out clean on how some com-
lights while undergoing Covid-19 vaccination. a licence for the use of radiation equipment. the mine, according to a source who spoke on panies, including Chinese firms, are ill-treating
The affected workers were medically tested over The facility in question is not registered with condition that he is not named. workers.
the exposure. RPAZ corporate communica- the authority, hence proper investigations are
tions officer Shingi Huni confirmed the probe. underway to ascertain whether the equipment The mine was issued a subpoena to appear “Investment must bring personal improve-
used violated the law or not.” before the Kadoma Magistrates' Court on 18 ment, community and national development.
“Our mandate is to protect people and the January to answer to three charges, including However, that is not the case with the Chinese
environment from the harmful effects of radi- According to documents in the possession violation of the Public Health Act. ,as well as black capitalists who are corrupt to
ation. It falls in the authority’s jurisdiction to of The NewsHawks, the affected workers ap- the core. Looters and criminals are enslaving
The mine is facing another charge of violat- us and today we are worse off,” Chinhema said.

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Damning CIO report rattles Zanu PF bigwigs

DESIRE CHIWASHIRA

ZANU PF bigwigs are having sleepless after a re- Zanu PF recently held provincial elections that were marred by allegations of massive vote rigging.
cent security report showed that the ruling party
had a 45% probability of winning the 2023 elec- Damson said the latest exercise was meant to lay the 2023 elections because according to a re- ing is very disturbing.
tions owing to supporters’ unhappiness with in- make sure the party had proper structures ahead cent security report, Zanu PF has a 45% chance “Elections are the source of the problem. From
ternal election outcome and failure to deliver after of the 26 March by-elections. of winning.
the 2017 military coup. the district coordinating committee (DCC) polls
“The current executive verification is part of “There is serious discord on the ground, es- up, the situation has gone out of hand.
The report revealed that the party’s strength, by-elections preparations; we are doing executive pecially in provinces such as Mashonaland East,
as reflected by numbers after the restructuring ex- verification for all structures. West, Central and Masvingo because provincial “What is key is that you must hold free and fair
ercise, could have been inaccurate because of the elections there did not go well. elections because that is where the issue is. I hope
inflation of numbers by party officials. “We know executive members from the cell to the acting political commissar (Patrick Chinama-
province can win us elections so we just want to “People have made it clear that they will vote sa) will act on that,” Chiefs’ Council president
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his par- know if the structures are genuine. We also want with the opposition if the party does not address Fortune Charumbira said at the conference.
ty are set to face a stiff challenge form main ri- to make sure that all the executive members are their grievances which include imposed leaders,”
val Nelson Chamisa who recently rebranded his registered to vote because this will help us to win the source said. He also blamed party outsiders for alleged-
MDC-Alliance party to Citizens’ Convergence for elections really exist,” Damson said. ly driving a wedge between Mnangagwa and his
Change (CCC). All this comes amid worsening relations in deputy Constantino Chiwenga, by spreading
He said Harare province had already complet- Zanu PF, as it battles to contain the factional de- falsehoods regarding their relationship.
Last year, Zanu PF embarked on a restructur- ed the verification exercise for Chitungwiza while mons that had split the party down the middle
ing exercise that culminated in provincial elections they are targeting to complete the process before in the last few years in power of the late former “There are detractors who are creating stories
that were marred by allegations of massive vote the by-elections. president Robert Mugabe. of divisions between the two of you and you seem
rigging. to enjoy it.
But security sources told this publication that The worsening ructions saw traditional leaders
Before the chaotic provincial polls, the former party honchos were sweating after the Central In- raising serious concerns at the party’s annual con- “I am now a very senior member of Zanu PF
liberation movement had also embarked on a telligence Organisation (CIO) report that Zanu ference in October, saying this was spiralling out that someone cannot lie that there is bad blood
structure verification exercise in November fol- PF was staring defeat at the opposition’s hands in of control. between the two of you.
lowing reports that some ambitious bigwigs had 2023 as disgruntled party members had vowed to
created parallel structures as they sought to influ- vote in protest. “We are pained by the noise in the party. Keep “I know you are good friends and they will
ence the outcome of regional elections, prompting the spirit of the new dispensation alive. Some never become enemies. We want unity. It is the
their indefinite suspension. “The party is being advised to find ways to de- want to take us 10 to 15 years back. Your infight- membership that is dividing the party,” Charum-
bira said.
The party has however begun the verification of
its structures again amid concern over the threat
posed by Chamisa and his CCC outfit. Some
ruling party bigwigs, insiders say, would prefer
elections to be postponed because of internal divi-
sions, amid concern that some Zanu PF members
may not even vote for Mnangagwa.

The verification exercise kicked off in Harare
this week, as the ruling party seeks to ascertain its
true strength following the security report.

Harare provincial political commissar Kudak-
washe Damson confirmed to The NewsHawks
that another round of verifying the structures was
already underway as fear grows in Zanu PF that
some of the grassroots organs were non-existent.

Pressed to say what had necessitated the veri-
fication, Zanu PF national political commissar
Mike Bimha referred questions to provincial exec-
utives, saying “maybe they have a good reason for
them to verify their structures; you can ask them”.

Hordes of people wait outside a bank to withdraw US dollars .This has been the situation for over a week as people are waiting for hours and days to get cash. — Picture: Aaron Ufumeli

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

OWEN GAGARE The rise and fall of the MDC:
Winners, losers and neutrals
AS Zimbabwe approaches crucial by-elections in
March, which will test the strength of main con- The late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai started enjoying power or proximity to it through close association with late former president Robert Mugabe.
testants while determining the authentic opposi-
tion, there is no denying that the MDC, which the structures and means of production as a result time-honoured disguise and borrowed language. hensive defeat in the 2005 elections. Prior to that,
has posed the most formidable threat to Zanu PF of the changes in the accumulation model and Claude Adrien Helvétius puts it succinctly: the MDC had performed dramatically well in the
for two decades, is now on its deathbed. forms of employment in the country, particularly June 2000 parliamentary elections and the 2002
land reform and rapid informalisation of labour, Every period has its great men, and if these are presidential poll.
It faces an existential threat: extinction. It has had a number of effects. lacking, it invents them.
run its course. Reached a dead end. However, in March 2007, before the 2008 syn-
As Brian Raftopoulos from the Centre for Hu- The phenomenon of the personality cult has chronised general elections, Tsvangirai and other
Its demise will be a tragedy for democracy, yet manities Research at the University of the West- been studied across a variety of disciplines and pro-democracy activists, including National Con-
an opportunity for reconfiguration, re-alignment ern Cape, and Solidarity Peace Trust, put it, the from numerous hypothetical and research per- stitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku
and renewal of pro-democracy forces. changes severely eroded the structural basis for spectives. and former MDC (Ncube’s formation) leader
labour and opposition mobilisation in a more Arthur Mutambara, were viciously attacked and
Formed in 1999 primarily by trade unionists informally constituted economy, in which the While Tsvangirai started as a humble servant of seriously injured by police as one of his supporters
led by its late founding leaders, fronted by Mor- discipline and modalities of formal organisation the MDC, he was fast elevated by those around was shot dead in an anti-government demonstra-
gan Tsvangirai, Gibson Sibanda and Isaac Maton- built up by a once formidable labour movement him, exercising collaborative agency to a person- tion in Harare.
go, among others, the party was a broad church were lost to the different rhythms of survivalist ality cult status through the deliberate creation,
— with a wide range of ideological beliefs, values opportunism endemic in the more precarious projection and propagation of a godlike image. That sparked widespread outrage at home and
and opinions as well as competing interests — conditions of informal livelihoods. In the words abroad. It revived Tsvangirai’s political fortunes.
which included academics, professionals, partic- of Hammar et al. (2010), as cited by Raftopoulos, Through lionisation, hero-worshipping and
ularly lawyers, civil society organisations and stu- the crisis of displacement that has characterised deification, as well as associated political religion, This culminated in Tsvangirai defeating Mug-
dents, along with white commercial farmers who the historic upheavals in the Zimbabwean econ- he became larger-than-life and towered over the abe in March 2008 before the veteran dictator
were an important constituent part. omy has reshaped patterns of production, accu- MDC. The party became synonymous with him. fought back through intimidation and violence
mulation and exchange, reconfigured state power, Holding a different opinion from him became led by the military in a runoff in June that year.
Although rooted in local political conditions and led to conflicting claims and obligations. tantamount to treason, attracting swift and harsh Tsvangirai pulled out of the election, citing bru-
and a product of its environment, the MDC also punishment from his loyalists. tality.
had huge foreign support and backing. That is be- One might add that the kukiyakiya (wheel-
yond reasonable doubt. er-dealing to get by) survival strategies that have The internal splits The move further divided the MDC-T.
come to constitute a dominant form of social This inevitably created factions, infighting and Chamisa, leader of the current main oppo-
The undertaker relations in the informalised urban area (Jones, clashes within the party that culminated in the sition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC),
The MDC has virtually collapsed with 2010) have emerged as a result of the suppression 2005 first split, with Sibanda and secretary-gen- another MDC offshoot which emerged on 22
MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora, masquerad- of the more disciplined and public forms of or- eral Welshman Ncube leading a breakaway party January 2022, supported Tsvangirai, while some
ing as leader of the now defunct MDC-Alliance ganisation associated with the labour movement. which called itself the MDC. That forced Tsvan- party stalwarts such as the late Roy Bennett and
formerly led by Nelson Chamisa, playing the role girai to call his faction the MDC-T, which is the Innocent Gonese did not.
of undertaker. Mwonzora, aided and abetted by But the bottomline remains that the MDC’s shell which Mwonzora is currently holding onto. “There is a huge avalanche of calls and pressure
Thokozani Khupe, now his new rival, presided identity, policies and programmes were unclear or Khupe used that brand to contest the 2018 elec- from supporters across the country, especially in
over the destruction of the MDC. muddled from an ideological standpoint. tions and lost while Mwonzora was still at the the rural areas, not to accept to be participants in
Tsvangirai, Sibanda and Matongo, among MDC-Alliance. They then fought over it follow- this charade,” Chamisa said at the time.
others, and hundreds of MDC members and ac- Personality cult and clashes ing a court judgment which found that Chamisa Bennett said while the June 27 runoff would
tivists who died at the height of political combat It was Karl Marx who said men make their was not the legitimate party leader and called for not be free and fair, it was critical to stand against
with the late former president Robert Mugabe, own history, but they do not make it as they congress within 90 days. That congress was held Mugabe.
who led Zanu PF, must be turning in their graves. please; they do not make it under self-selected in December 2020 and Mwonzora defeated Kh- “On the backdrop of that we have to compete
To understand the reasons why the MDC has circumstances, but under circumstances existing upe amid chaos and rigging. in these elections to show the total illegitimacy of
all but collapsed, one needs to look at the role of already, given and transmitted from the past. The The MDC split over participation in senate them,” he said.
ideology in politics and society, as well as political tradition of all dead generations weighs like a elections that year had undertones of identity Gonese, the MDC’s secretary for legal affairs,
ideas and movements. nightmare on the brains of the living. And just politics and ethnicity, the bane of Zimbabwean agreed with Bennett.
Aristotle believed man was a “political animal” as they seem to be occupied with revolutionising political discourse and practice. “People are saying despite all that we should
because he is a social creature with the power of themselves and things, creating something that The split was acrimonious. There was serious not withdraw and we also believe withdrawing
speech and moral reasoning. Hence it is evident did not exist before, precisely in such epochs of polarisation, name-calling, and character assassi- will not solve anything,” he noted.
that the state is a creation of nature, and that man revolutionary crisis they anxiously conjure up the nation, as well as violence and brutality.
is by nature a political animal. And he who, by spirits of the past to their service, borrowing from That badly dented the MDC's image and rep- GNU and MDC demolition
nature and not by mere accident, is without a them names, battle slogans, and costumes in or- utation. Tsvangirai also began to be seen as a dic- In the aftermath of the disputed 2008 presi-
state, is either above humanity, or below it; he is der to present this new scene in world history in tator-in-the-making. The split crippled the MDC dential election, a Government of National Unity
the “tribeless, lawless, heartless one,” whom Ho- and Tsvangirai hit rock bottom after a compre- (GNU) was formed between Mugabe’s Zanu PF,
mer denounces — the outcast who is a lover of
war; he may be compared to a bird which flies
alone.
Being political creatures, people have ideolog-
ical beliefs, even if those may not be coherent, be
they liberal, socialist or conservative, for instance.
Ideological constructions are not rigid; they are
variegated, complex and overlap — sometimes
confused and confusing.

Left, centre or right?
The MDC was ideologically and
dialogically mixed, complex and muddled.
Although it had labour roots, its funders, white
farmers, business community and foreign govern-
ments and foundations, had different and com-
peting ideological perspectives and agendas.
While it often purported to be a social demo-
cratic party, it never practiced social democracy
or was close to socialist, social democratic and la-
bour parties. It worked with parties ranging from
social democratic to conservative; they were at
home with Tony Blair and his New Labour par-
ty as they were George Bush and his Republican
Party. They transacted — sometimes literally —
with both; with institutions like the Westminster
Foundation in the United Kingdom and the Re-
publican Institute in the United States.
While the MDC was ideologically weak, fluid
and unclear, torn apart by interests of its left social
base and the right constituting its funders, with
pragmatism sometimes as its approach, some
modern political thinkers have argued that ide-
ology is dead, that no one believes in it anymore,
and that conflicts no longer have an ideological
basis as they were before the collapse of the Soviet
Union and the dall of the Berlin Wall.
The MDC was initially funded by white farm-
ers who opposed Mugabe’s radical and unstruc-
tured land reform (some television footage show-
ing donations by farmers provided propaganda
fodder to Zanu PF and Mugabe) and that creat-
ed internal tensions, dramatised by Munyaradzi
Gwisai’s quitting of the party.
Drawing on this, it is clear that the changes in

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Tsvangirai’s MDC-T and the MDC led by Mu- Thokozani Khupe (in red) is the biggest individual loser in this political soapie.
tambara, which had supported former ruling par-
ty stalwart Simba Makoni and his Mavambo in Southern African Development Community constitutional issues. However, this might be a pyrrhic victory or
the elections. (Sadc) and the African Union?” In 2014, he fell out with Tsvangirai and left worse.

Using the Gramscian concept of “passive rev- Chan and Gallagher challenged the rigging with Elton Mangoma and others to form a break- The strategy might boomerang and lead to
olution”, Zimbabwe’s democratic forces become claims, suggesting instead that Mugabe and Zanu away party, MDC Renewal. The party quickly Chamisa’s vigorous rejuvenation under the ris-
part of a passive revolution through two processes, PF won credibly, aided by some “judicious rig- split and Biti formed the People’s Democratic ing “yellow wave” as indications on the ground
Raftopoulos wrote. ging” and a healthy helping of ineptness on the Party, while former Energy minister Mangoma strongly suggest that a stronger party might rise
part of Tsvangirai and the MDC. Chan and Gal- established the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe. out of the MDC’s ashes like a Phoenix in the form
In one part of this configuration, notwithstand- lagher pointed to several conditions — the leg- of CCC – the law of unintended consequences.
ing the electoral popularity of Tsvangirai’s MDC, acies of colonialism; memories of the economic Prior to that, MDC founding senior leader Job
the repressive anchor of the Mugabe regime, itself collapse of 2007-08 and the horrific election vio- Sikhala had formed his own splinter party called The neutrals
pushed into a negotiated settlement by a variety lence of 2008; Mugabe’s continued towering pres- MDC-99 in 2010. Some of the people who sacrificed body and
of factors, largely shaped the contours of this set- ence in Zimbabwean politics; Tsvangirai’s heroic, soul — and toiled with their blood and sweat —
tlement, forcing the opposition to adjust to Zanu if flawed, challenge to Mugabe; and an evolving This means there were many MDC forma- are exasperated that the party, which became one
PF’s reconfiguration of the state and its relations state-society relationship marked by simultane- tions and manifestations in 15 years: The origi- of the biggest pro-democracy movements in Afri-
to capital from above. ously hopeful and ambivalent political attitudes nal MDC, MDC-T, MDC (Ncube’s formation), ca and with a rich legacy of fighting an entrenched
— as critical in shaping the outcome of the 2013 MDC-99, MDC Renewal Team, People’s Demo- authoritarian regime while trying to gain power
Moreover, Zanu PF had carried out this ma- elections. cratic Party and Renewal Democrats. to rebuild Zimbabwe, has been sacrificed on the
noeuvre under the cover of the regional body, it- altar of unbridled personal ambition and political
self constrained by its own limitations. In another In addition to all of these conditions and fac- Using his personality cult, Tsvangirai during expediency.
part of this conjuncture, the control of an import- tors, a key claim in this book is that going into the the 2014 party congress blocked Chamisa as the Many people were beaten, maimed and killed
ant tool of leverage for change in the country’s 2013 elections the MDC ran a haphazard cam- popular choice for secretary-general and imposed on behalf of the MDC and yet it now seems
political relations by external forces has placed the paign. For Chan and Gallagher, the MDC was their sacrifices were in vain as their leaders com-
opposition and civic forces in a subordinate role weakened during the coalition government. Mwonzora. Khupe was elected vice-president. mit politicide in pursuit of personal ambition
to broader global agendas on political and eco- Two years later, Tsvangirai tried to correct his and power. The blood of many innocent Zimba-
nomic change. To begin with, participation in the coalition mistake by appointing Chamisa as one of the two bweans was spilt during the MDC’s mortal po-
undermined the MDC's most potent argument, more vice-presidents together with Elias Mudzuri. litical combat with Zanu PF. Neutrals hope that
In that context, the politics of the opposition one “rooted in the idea of its differences from The decision further fuelled divisions and internal the blood of those who died in the struggle for
and civil society groupings could be understood as Zanu PF, one of which was the idea of probity in strife. It ultimately became a ticking time bomb change, which is flowing like a river below the
being in defensive mode, fighting to institution- government” (p.57). within the party. surface, will water the tree of democracy and lead
alise forms of politics that could establish a broad- When Tsvangirai died on 14 February 2018, to a new Zimbabwe where they will properly be
er basis for imagining and carrying out alternative Second, key members and resources of the the powder keg exploded as Khupe, Chamisa and honoured and remembered.
political visions. MDC were directed towards participation in the Mudzuri battled to succeed him. Chamisa seized
coalition government, resulting in fractured and control of the party and a further split erupted. The losers
Moreover, the MDC-T in particular has had to weak party structures. As a consequence, the party Khupe remained with the name MDC-T, while By far the biggest individual loser in this politi-
adapt its political positioning to the imperatives lost discipline and capacity, both of which affected Chamisa moved on to form the MDC-Alliance. cal soapie is Khupe. She fought Chamisa and then
of the Global Political Agreement, the politics of its campaign and ability to connect with voters in After the 2018 election in which Khupe’s Mwonzora viciously and lost dismally.
Sadc, and the demands of its supporters in the the 2013 elections. MDC-T performed badly and lost dismally to the All her efforts, driven by rage rather than polit-
West. MDC-Alliance, Mwonzora waged war on Cha- ical strategic thinking and calculation, have gone
While the MDC seemed to have been desta- misa. He took him to court and won, seized the to waste.
In that field of force, the persistent calls for bilised and decentred by participation in the co- party headquarters and other properties and then Yet Mwonzora, who has won his battle against
new legitimate elections were understandable, alition government, Chan and Gallagher contend claimed its legacy. Chamisa over the MDC brand, is almost inevita-
but clearly faced enormous odds. Finding a way that Zanu PF took advantage of the GNU to re- After defeating Khupe at the MDC-T Decem- bly going to eventually become a big loser as he
through the problem remained a complex chal- connect with its supporters. ber 2020 congress, Mwonzora sought to destroy will go down as the MDC undertaker, risking be-
lenge that involved not just an electoral strategy the MDC-Alliance through recalls of elected of- ing judged harshly by the current generation and
but a broader development vision. Bound and united by the ideological construct ficials, taking over state finances due to the party history itself. The MDC-Alliance could well be a
of “patriotic history”, they suggest that Zanu PF and later claiming the name MDC-Alliance. poisoned chalice for him, which is almost certain.
As the parties pushed reforms, a process Mbe- fashioned a campaign that strengthened its grass- In the end, Chamisa formed the CCC and Chamisa lost the battle for the MDC-Alliance
ki had started way back in 2007, amid growing roots party structures among the rural populace left Mwonzora with a shell. That almost certainly to Mwonzora, but might gain new traction under
suspicions among them, Tsvangirai found himself and offered middleclass voters, long core support- marks the end of the MDC, although the March the CCC. He remains probably the most popular
closer to Mugabe and isolated from his top lieu- ers of the MDC, the possibility of material gains by-elections and, most importantly, the 2023 gen- politician in Zimbabwe today.
tenants like former finance minister Tendai Biti through its indigenisation programme. eral elections, will determine that. Mnangagwa won the prize of destroying the
who feared the old dictator wanted to draw the MDC as a brand, although his plot with Mwon-
MDC closer and destroy it. “The outcome of this effort was that Zanu PF The winners zora might backfire.
ran a ‘professional and committed campaign that Zanu PF emerges as the biggest winner in Yet without a doubt the biggest loser is democ-
Tsvangirai started enjoying power or proximity involved a substantial voter registration drive, ef- many ways after fighting the MDC tooth and nail racy. When a big opposition party like the MDC
to it through close association with Mugabe, in- fective party mobilisation and a carefully crafted for two decades to destroy it. — which at its height was a major democratic
cluding drinking tea with him, and the trappings re-seduction of the Zimbabwean electorate’ (p. Mwonzora did in two years what Zanu PF un- counterweight to Zanu PF and its failed authori-
of office and patronage such as getting a big house 71). Little wonder then that Freedom House sur- der Mugabe and later Mnangagwa failed to do in tarian project — collapses, democracy is the loser.
from the state. vey results of voter intentions in 2012 pointed to 20 years, that is demolish the MDC for his own
real gains in support of Zanu, survey results that, personal interest and on behalf of the ruling party.
By the end of the GNU, Tsvangirai’s relations curiously, the unfocused MDC discounted.” His collaboration with Zanu PF is now common
with Biti were strained significantly, especially cause.
over the new constitution-making process and Consequently, on 20 November 2013 Biti an-
concessions in various contested issues. nounced he would be opening a new law firm spe-
cialising in international finance law and domestic
Tsvangirai had been significantly compromised
despite his popularity.

When Mugabe, indicating right, swiftly turned
left on his return from the Maputo Sadc summit
on 15 June 2012 and railroaded the country to
the 31 July 2013 elections, Tsvangirai and the
MDC could not figure out what hit them.

Amid a rigging plot by Israeli security outfit
Nikuv, Mugabe won 62% of the vote to claim a
sixth term as president, and was sworn in on 22
August. Tsvangirai finished second with 34% of
the vote. Zanu PF also dominated the parliamen-
tary election, winning 196 seats. The MDC-T
was buried under a landslide.

The 2014 split
After the 2013 elections defeat, which cost the
MDC domestic and international support as its
former allies, including friendly voices like British
world politics professor Stephen Chan, attacked
its organisational incapacitation and incompe-
tence, infighting intensified.
In their book, Why Mugabe Won: the 2013 Elec-
tions in Zimbabwe and their Aftermath, Chan and
Julia Gallagher were ruthless against the MDC.
They said Zanu PF and Mugabe’s victory left
the MDC battered and in disarray as election
post-mortems predictably led to recriminations
and another split in the party.
“How did it happen? Was this another instance
of Mugabe and Zanu PF stealing an election
through what some in the opposition claimed was
a potent combination involving a sketchy voters’
roll with 100 000 centenarians, ‘assisting’ voters,
turning away over 300 000 voters, bussing people
into key races, and intimidation, though with less
overt violence?” the authors asked.
“Or, did the wily politician win the election
fairly, as Zanu PF claimed and as was accept-
ed, with misgivings, by observer teams from the

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

RICHARD Mahomva (RM) has replaced the Zanu PF’s mission is to transform
recently fired Zanu PF director of adminis- lives — New administration chief
tration, Dickson Dzora. Dzora was relieved
of his duties following allegations of corrup-
tion in which he is accused of colluding with
other senior executives to smuggle a private
and inept company through the back door
to land a lucrative contract for the printing
of ballot papers used in provincial elections.
Mahomva, an academic who co-authored
a book on the life of the late Zimbabwean
founding leader Robert Mugabe last year, is
expected to bring a cutting edge to public
policy. But he flies into the storm of deadly
factionalism that is threatening to tear the
ruling party apart, amid rampant corrup-
tion among party officials. The NewsHawks
reporter Nyasha Chingono (NC) caught up
with Mahomva for a wide-ranging interview
and below are excerpts of the interview:

NC: Congratulations on your new appoint- Zanu PF director of administration Richard Mahomva
ment. Were you surprised by Zanu PF's deci-
sion to give you this assignment? equacies of one office bearer must not be the dominantly financially sustained by subscrip- results in contract termination.
reason for restorative continuity to be allowed tions of its members. So the party has public Second, Zanu PF does not run the Zimba-
RM: It comes as a great honour for me to to flourish. We saw it with the former President resources and assets and these deserve public
serve one of Africa’s outstanding liberation Cde Robert Mugabe (May His Revolutionary security protection. bwe Electoral Commission (Zec). You would
movements, Zanu PF. I am humbled to have Soul Rest In Peace), his exit in November 2017 recall that just this past Tuesday, Zanu PF was
been deemed fit to hold fort in safeguarding our did not stop the daily running of the state and On another note, we have heard about a lot in court appealing for the re-opening of the
people’s sacred role in the fight against colonial- the party. So the issue of being handed a poi- of unattended crimes of corruption and donor nominations for filling vacancies in the constit-
ism and neo-colonialism. While surprising as it soned chalice does not arise in the context of funds embezzlement in the CSO (civil society uencies where Zec had sent a circular for the
may be, this appointment is an opportunity for your interpretation of my elevation as much as organisations) sector, perhaps we need high-lev- closure of by-elections. After a successful appeal
me to recommit to the sacred oath of Africa’s it doesn’t apply to other institutional contexts el security interventions there too. That way, we to the courts, that nomination cancellation was
decolonisation mission. outside Zanu PF. will have a holistic approach to giving sanity to withdrawn as it lacked sufficient legality to chal-
all political mobilisation spaces in Zimbabwe. lenge the by-election Presidential proclamation.
NC: Your academic background is in politi- NC: It is the Central Intelligence Organi- That way, you people in the media can effec-
cal science and public policy. But running the sation (CIO) which uncovered Dzora’s alleged tively move away from the common narrative Again, I don’t remember Ambassador
party’s administrative machinery is more of shenanigans. Why is Zanu PF deploying the of blanketing all corruption issues to Zanu PF Mutsvangwa declaring that the Zanu PF elec-
praxis than theory. Are you ready to get your CIO, a state institution, to conduct partisan and the government. You will agree with me tion was rigged. Let’s assume he said that, must
hands — and even your name — dirty? political tasks? that corruption now has a very pervasive pres- we not be celebrating the introspective honesty
ence across many sectors of our society beyond of Zanu PF as a political party which acknowl-
RM: Unlike other disciplines, political sci- RM: I am hearing from you that it was the Zanu PF. edges and declares its faults to the public? Based
ence is about effectively generating ideas aimed CIO which exposed Cde Dzora’s alleged “she- on your analytical position, should we not give
at the capture of power and consolidating it. nanigans”. Are you assuming the party has NC: Munyaradzi Katsande, who was the par- Zanu PF credit for expressing its displeasure
Political science is about creating strategies no agency to call its staff to account? And in ty’s head of information communication tech- about processes which compromise its internal
which minimise the fatalities of existing in the event that CIO was used, there shouldn’t nology (ICT), was also fired. If Zanu PF can democracy?
hostile terrains of power. Likewise, politics as a be anything amiss about that. As an apex state rig its own internal elections as claimed by your
science is about creating machinery and institu- security institution, the CIO operates without party spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa, what NC: Zanu PF is riven by serious factional
tions which deliver on the aspirations of a peo- borders. In the event that the allegations which stops it from brazenly tampering with national infighting, as shown by the recent provincial
ple and making them meaningfully contribute culminated in Cde Dzora’s current predicament elections? elections. In the Midlands, for instance, there
to their diverse democratic needs. Therefore, all are findings from the CIO this would serve as a was astonishing violence among party mem-
theory within the political science value chain clear indication of the Second RM: Cde Munyaradzi Katsande is not Zanu bers along factional lines, leading to the firing
feeds into the practical. PF nor is he an epitome of Zanu PF values. He of State Security minister Owen Ncube. What
Republic’s multi-pronged and multi-sectoral was just an individual employed by Zanu PF. exactly is going on in the party?
Mobilising for elections is a practical exercise drive to promote good governance in public or- It is irrational to attribute the shortcomings of
based on reasonable hopes and policy promises ganisations like Zanu PF. This would offer an an employee to their employer. Individual be- RM: I hear about Zanu PF factionalism in
sold to the electorate. Delivering policy prom- opportunity for similar exercises to be extended haviour does not necessarily reflect the culture the papers. I have never experienced factional-
ises and converting them to reality is a practi- to other political parties. Unlike other political of the organisations they are said to represent. ism in our offices. The last time I had an expe-
cal output of any political party. Consolidating parties funded by imperialists, Zanu PF is pre- This is why all misconduct in any organisation riential encounter with factionalism was before
power is a practical function of those employed the coming of the New Dispensation. Like any-
by political parties. So I understand that whilst
I am a deep-rooted academic, I need to roll up
my sleeves to Zanu PF’s mandate to be in power
and guide the creation of policies which make
Zanu PF a darling political party to the margin-
alised, the poor and rich. I understand the prac-
ticality of my assignment as that of bringing the
Christian and the non-believer to the common
country that Zimbabwe is the only country we
have.

My main deliverable is that of making our
people to understand that Zanu PF is an em-
bodiment of the ideas which broke the bondage
of slavery and colonialism. My practical goal
is to ensure that Zanu PF serves its historical
function of transforming the lives of the Zim-
babwean populace.

NC: Your predecessor, Dickson Dzora, was
fired over allegations of tender corruption and
internal election manipulation. Surely, you
have been handed a poisoned chalice?

RM: Just to set the record straight, Cde
Dickson Dzora has no successor yet. The par-
ty’s spokesperson, Ambassador Christopher
Mutsvangwa, is on record for stating that Cde
Dzora is under suspension. VaDzora was not
fired as you are suggesting. Zanu PF is a party
of justice and due processes. Don’t you think it’s
wise for us to allow due processes to take their
full course for now? In any case, Dzora is just
a call away, he is no stranger to you people in
the media. In any case, I am too small a person
to fit into his shoes and I am the least qualified
to be discussing the implications of his suspen-
sion.

About being handed a poisonous chalice,
there is no chalice handover at the moment.
However, for your interest, I may need to indi-
cate that individuals come and go in any other
institution. Institutional objectives live beyond
office occupation from one individual to an-
other. In any organisation, the faults and inad-

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

one else, I am only aware that Owen Ncube was Mahomva says Zanu PF is a party which resonates
relieved from his duties for reasons best known with the historical emotions of Zimbabweans.
to the appointing authority. I am yet to see any
official communication spelling out his involve- but it is not true to present an idea of strong have been long elbowed out of power. In my years, because its ideological benchmarks are
ment in factional issues which resulted in his pro-Zanu PF rural political support base. Like- humble view, competence in political contexts not detached from those of the ANC. So Zanu
cabinet expulsion. wise, it is not true that Zanu PF is entirely de- mainly relates to capturing and consolidating PF is with us for 100 more years.
spised by the youths in the ghetto, the urban power. Therefore, basing on that point of com-
NC: Some political commentators have de- poor and intellectuals. petent assessment of political leaders, Zanu PF NC: Zanu PF has been accused of plotting
scribed Zanu PF as a ruling party without a is an exceptional camp. In this respect, you can- the demise of the opposition in Zimbabwe. Are
ruling idea. The party, as currently configured, NC: Many of your party leaders are general- not compare Zanu PF’s competence with that you behind the recent skirmishes in the oppo-
is not driven by a big idea. It is now a shelf par- ly viewed as corrupt, brutal and incompetent. of any opposition political party in our country sition?
ty with no discernable ideological direction. Does Zanu PF have a serious ethical problem since Independence.
Would Herbert Chitepo identify with today's or do you believe that the corruption allegations RM: Zanu PF is not in any way involved
Zanu PF? are just fiction? NC: Where do you see Zanu PF 50 years in the contradictions which have incessantly
from now? affected the opposition since the days of the
RM: If Zanu PF has no “big idea”, then the RM: The question is: who views the leaders late Tsvangirai. You would understand that the
fictionally indisposed opposition movement is like that? We need to establish if those views are RM: Zanu PF is poised for the future because struggle for leadership in the opposition has
definitely idealess. A shelf party for me is one generated by honesty and not obvious antago- it is a party which resonates with the historical been a struggle for control of colonial donor
that is technically subdued to the point of nistic partisan terms which you are validating. emotions to the national belonging of our peo- stipends.
changing its name in the eleventh hour of the The few leaders I have worked with directly are ple. South-Africa’s African National Congress
election. not corrupt and brutal but, most importantly, if (ANC) has been alive for more than 100 years NC: Are you confident of winning the
they were an incompetent force Zanu PF would now. So I foresee Zanu PF ageing at above 100 by-elections slated for 26 March?
A shelf party is one which does not afford to
pay salaries for its staff. All these issues are char- RM: I will leave that to the commissar.
acteristic of Nelson Chamisa’s presidency since
the passing on of Morgan Tsvangirai. In this re-
gard, the correct question would be, will Tsvan-
girai be happy to rise and see a divided Senator
Douglas Mwonzora, Dr Thokozani Khupe and
Advocate Nelson Chamisa?

NC: Over the decades, Zanu PF has been
reduced to a rural party, in terms of the elec-
toral support it generally commands. Why are
students, the working class, ghetto youths, the
urban poor, the intellectuals and other sections
of society shunning your party?

RM: I thought your basic knowledge of our
national census would indicate that a greater
part of our population lives in the rural areas.
Therefore, in basic mobilisation logical terms,
any political party must have a pronounced mo-
bilisation presence where a greater part of the
national populace resides. Your question is piv-
oted on a mentality which assumes the view that
those in rural areas represent a sub-category of
human development and that they are a group-
ing that is alienated from the bigger civilisation,
which in your view is primarily urban.

In a democracy, various sections of a popu-
lation express their varying ideological persua-
sions. You can’t expect an even voting pattern in
a democracy.

The same question could be asked with re-
spect to the rural population on why they have
continued to shun opposition political parties,

Page 16 News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Govt tightens its grip on universities

NYASHA CHINGONO

THE Zimbabwean government, notorious for members of staff appointed by the university sen- The vice-chancellors are the universities’ chief “Neither the Bill nor any of the university Acts
authoritarian control of society, is tightening its ate, and one distinguished academic appointed by executive officers. They are appointed by the mention academic freedom. This is a very serious
Orwellian grip on state universities in the country the council,” Veritas says. chancellor, that is the President, after consultations omission. Section 61 of the constitution protects
through the Amendment of the State Universities with the minister and the university councils. academic freedom as a fundamental human right
Statutes Bill which is not in sync with the con- “It is an enormous and unwieldy body, but it under the general heading of freedom of expres-
stitution by acts of commission and omission, or represents a wide variety of interest groups.” The pro-vice-chancellors are appointed various- sion,” Veritas says.
both. ly by the chancellor after consultations with the
The Bill proposes to replace it with a council of minister or (in the case of UZ and Masvingo State “Academic freedom broadly means the freedom
This is particularly being done by overhauling between 10 and 20 members comprising the chan- University) by the university councils with the ap- of members of universities and similar academic
the state university councils and widening the cellor and vice-chancellor (but not pro-vice-chan- proval of the minister. communities to research, study and teach what
powers of appointment of key staff, while stifling cellors), 10 ministerial appointees, two faculty they consider to be appropriate.
academic freedom, a fundamental human right, members appointed by the senate, the president The registrars, who perform the functions of
to ensure compliance with officialdom. of the students’ union, and two members elected corporate secretaries, are appointed by the univer- “It has three inter-related aspects: Freedom of
by the university workers’ committee. sity councils with the approval of the minister. the academic community to express themselves as
Academic freedom entails the liberty to engage enquirers after knowledge and truth in a manner
in intellectual inquiry and is essential to the pur- Similar amendments are made to the other uni- All these officers are therefore either state offi- consistent with professional standards of enquiry.
pose of higher education, mission of its institu- versity Acts. cers (for instance the President) or are appointed It includes freedom to teach, to conduct research
tions and professional duties of those involved in by a government officer or with the approval of a and to publish their views.
teaching, learning and research processes. The new councils will have to have equal num- government officer.
bers of men and women and give fair representa- “Institutional autonomy of the university,
Without academic freedom, critical thinking tion to Zimbabwe’s regions. Members will serve “The Bill proposes to extend the government’s which entails a corresponding right and obliga-
cannot be cultivated, and without critical think- a maximum of two four-year terms — at present control by requiring the universities’ bursars and tion on the university to protect the freedom of its
ing, higher learning cannot be nurtured and sus- they can be re-appointed or re-elected for an in- librarians also to be appointed with the approval academic staff. While universities are entitled to
tained. definite number of three-year terms. of the minister,” Veritas says. determine teaching standards, they must protect
their staff against external pressures that seek to
The move has raised serious concerns in the The chief officers of state universities are their The Veritas analysis also deals with the princi- limit their freedom. An obligation on the state to
public domain and academic circles as it seeks to chancellors, vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors ples of good corporate governance. It also tackles respect and protect academic freedom in both the
entrench the government’s authoritarian control and registrars. The state President is the chancellor disciplinary procedures, aligning of laws with the other two aspects.”
of universities, while suppressing academic free- of all the state universities, which means he nomi- constitution and regional balance, and academic
dom in the highest institutions of learning. nally heads them all. freedom.

“As we have shown, the Bill does not wholly National University of
succeed in any of the objectives set out in its mem- Science and Technology
orandum, and fails completely in what is perhaps
the most important one, namely bringing the
University Acts into conformity with the constitu-
tion,” an analysis by parliamentary and legislative
processes watchdog Veritas says.

“In all, it is a deeply flawed Bill.”
All university officers are either state officers
(for instance the President) or are appointed by a
government officer or with the approval of a gov-
ernment officer.
“The bill proposes to extend the government’s
control by requiring that the universities’ bursars
and librarians also be appointed with the approval
of the minister,” Veritas says.
The Bill was published in the Government Ga-
zette on 7 January and will amend 13 Acts estab-
lishing institutions of higher learning.
According to the Bill’s memorandum, the
amendments seek to align university Acts with
the constitution and make their provisions more
uniform; bring the universities’ objectives into
line with the government’s education policy, with
a focus on the production of goods and services;
reduce the size of the university councils and make
them more balanced in regard to gender and re-
gional representation; alter the way senior univer-
sity officers are appointed; introduce principles of
good corporate governance, and streamline disci-
plinary procedures.
The University of Zimbabwe Act, which is
typical of most of the other acts, sets out the uni-
versity’s objectives in section 4 as ensuring “the
advancement of knowledge, the diffusion and
extension of arts, science and learning, the provi-
sion of higher education and research and . . . the
nurturing of the intellectual, aesthetic, social and
moral growth of the students at the university”.
The Bill will add “community service, innova-
tion and industrialisation” to the list of what the
university is expected to provide. Similar amend-
ments are made to the other Acts, and that seems
to be all the Bill is going to do to bring the uni-
versities’ objectives into line with government ed-
ucational policy.
The Bill makes changes to the institutions’
councils.
“Section 11 of the UZ Act, which sets out the
composition of the university’s council, is typ-
ical of the other university Acts. According to
the section, the university is to be governed by a
63-member council consisting of the chancellor,
the vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellors
(the chief executive officers of the university), 16
members appointed by the minister, another 10
members appointed by the minister to represent
various specified interest groups such as com-
merce, industry, agriculture and religious bodies,
the president of the students’ union, three mem-
bers elected by the university staff (all of whom
have to be approved by the vice-chancellor), nine

NewsHawks News Page 17

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Page 18 Editorial & Opinion NewsHawks

CARTOON Issue 66, 4 February 2022

It’s very urgent:
Register to vote

VOTER registration is off to a sluggish start. If the apathy Why anti-corruption bids fail
continues, this country will be reduced to a wasteland.
IN our front page story of this edition, Mainly only those officials who have fallen built into their design as compared to on-
It appears young people lack important information on we report that the Zimbabwe Anti-Cor- out with Mnangagwa and his government the-ground realities in the context of their
voter registration. Most of the people — in both state in- ruption (Zacc) is embroiled in hostilities are prosecuted for political expediency and deployment. 
stitutions and civil society organisations — who are tasked with police and the National Prosecution personal vendettas.
with enticing youths to register are themselves not young Authority (NPA) over investigating cor- How and why anti-corruption cam-
people. ruption cases. Chaora aired frustration about Zacc's paigners, Zacc commissioners in this case,
incompetence during the appearance of are appointed, deployed and operate usual-
That is problematic. When it comes to youth mobili- The rebranded Zacc came in 2019 amid Chief Public Prosecutor Clement Chim- ly determines the success or failure of their
sation, nobody can do a better job that the young people noisy pledges to fight corruption without bare who is being charged with abuse of combat. 
themselves. There is a generational disconnect between fear or favour. office and bribery allegations over an illegal
those who are running these uninspiring campaigns and the sale of stands in Harare's Kuwadzana sub- Successful anti-corruption campaigns
target audience. However, police and the NPA have been urb in a US$1 million scam. find ways to minimise or close these gaps.
frustrated and exasperated by Zacc’s ineffi- Unsuccessful initiatives do not. Effective
It boggles the mind why anyone would expend energy on ciency and incapacity. Above that, lack of Hawk Eye design and implementation processes en-
voter registration campaigns deployed, in the main, via print political will, low funding and poor inves- able gap closure and improve the prospects
newspapers and analogue media. Young people are simply tigative skills are mainly sabotaging Zacc’s Dumisani of success. But, beyond enablers, it is the
not on those platforms. To reach out to them, it is crucial to ability to do its job well. Muleya politics of the situation that determines
design communication strategies that penetrate the digital the drivers to anti-corruption success. 
and social spaces where youths are predominantly found. The problem between the NPA and Chimbare, who is being represented
Zacc exploded in court on Thursday. by lawyers  Givemore Madzoka and Web- However, some claim failure of an-
But the lack of information is just one of several contrib- ster Jiti, was arrested in 2020, but is yet ti-corruption initiatives is often seen as
uting factors. Zacc came under serious attack from to be tried. The trial has taken too long to by and large the result of an implemen-
prosecutor Reginald Chaora in Court 15 commence. This has frustrated police and tation problem. But then the real prob-
Another major issue is the glaring lack of motivation. at Rotten Row Magistrates’ Court in Ha- prosecutors who, behind the scenes, always lem would have often begun well before
Young people are anxious about building their lives, but rare for allegedly frustrating prosecution of lambast Zacc as hopeless. implementation; embedded in design of
they seem reluctant to participate in politics. When told to corruption cases through undue delays and these initiatives. 
register as voters, they are inclined to ask: “How will this inexcusable failures to provide dockets and The state has been postponing the case
help me?” court documents. due to Zacc’s failure to provide documents Lack of political will, knowledge and
needed for prosecution. ideas, skills and techniques, and technol-
This is where the political parties should shoulder respon- Court authorities told  The NewsHawks ogies and tools are mostly at the heart of
sibility. Young people constitute the majority; as a demo- that  Chaora’s negative sentiments against Based on our story, as well as the con- anti-corruption campaign failures around
graphic group, they are a force to reckon with and cannot Zacc were widely shared within the po- text and empirical studies, there are various the world.
be ignored. lice and the NPA, adding he spoke after underlying factors why anti-corruption ini-
a meeting of critical staff which included tiatives fail. Researchers have been trying to Anti-corruption law enforcement in
Political parties must roll out well-thought-out campaigns experienced prosecutors and their bosses. understand why that is, and what might be Zimbabwe faces multiple challenges, rang-
highlighting to young people the vital role of participatory done about it.  ing from a lack of political, resources to the
democracy. The proverbial “bread and butter issues” which NPA staffers say dockets from Zacc are difficulty of producing evidence that holds
people are obsessed with in this tough economy are directly usually chaotic, weak and not actionable, Anti-corruption initiatives fail because up in court. 
shaped by the politics of the country. Citizens must exercise thus making it difficult to take legal action of over-large design-reality gaps; that is,
political agency; the quest for a prosperous, just and demo- and secure convictions.  too great a mismatch between expectations In other words, if anti-corruption com-
cratic society cannot be outsourced. missions don’t have independence – are
This comes as police have withdrawn compromised or partisan – they cannot be
Without citizen participation in electoral processes and their investigating officers from Zacc, fur- able to fulfil their mandates.
governance, there is no democracy to talk about. ther incapacitating and immobilising the
anti-corruption body. Those in power often intervene in an-
To find relevance in the lives of young people, political ti-corruption agencies’ investigations to
parties must reconfigure and transform into youth-focused Several high-level corruption cases have thwart prospects of success and allow their
organisations. There are too many tired politicians in the ex- been dismissed in court because of lack of cronies to get away with murder. 
isting parties who believe that public affairs is the exclusive evidence or wrong charges being applied.
domain of self-important geriatrics.

The few youths who currently participate in politics are
exploited and abused by political overlords. They are de-
ployed to unleash political violence on perceived opponents
and lavished with trinkets in return.

We must, at some point, realise that there is a hefty price
to pay for political apathy. Corrupt officials continue plun-
dering public funds, economic mismanagement worsens,
Zimbabwe wallows in mediocrity and the future of this
country is squandered.

Zimbabwe, like many other African countries, has a youth
bulge — meaning a large proportion of the population is
aged between 18 and 40.

We can blame crooked bureaucrats, compromised poli-
ticians and a disjointed opposition, but the bottom line is
that young people must take destiny into their own hands.
Today’s biggest problems are disproportionately affecting
the youth.

From unemployment to drug abuse, young people are
bearing the brunt of failed Zanu PF leadership. They can ei-
ther continue watching passively from a distance while their
lives are vandalised beyond repair or draw a line in the sand
and reclaim their birthright. After all, this is the only coun-
try they can call home.

Reaffirming the fundamental impor- The NewsHawks is published on different EDITORIAL STAFF: Marketing Officer: Voluntary Media
tance of freedom of expression and me- content platforms by the NewsHawks Digital Managing Editor: Dumisani Muleya Charmaine Phiri Council of Zimbabwe
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mocracy and as a means of upholding Interest Journalism Assistant Editor: Brezh Malaba [email protected] The NewsHawks newspaper subscribes to the
human rights and liberties in the con- No. 100 Nelson Mandela Avenue [email protected] Code of Conduct that promotes truthful, accurate,
stitution; our mission is to hold power Beverly Court, 6th floor News Editor: Owen Gagare
in its various forms and manifestations Harare, Zimbabwe Subscriptions & Distribution: fair and balanced news reporting. If we do not
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corruption to ensure good governance Beatrice Mtetwa, Raphael Khumalo, Reporters: at No.: 34, Colenbrander Rd, Milton Park, Harare.
and accountability in the public inter- Professor Wallace Chuma, Teldah Mawarire, Bridget Mananavire, Nyasha Chingono, Enoch Muchinjo
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Email: [email protected] 24Hr Complaints Line: 0772 125 659

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Website: www.vmcz.co.zw, Facebook: vmcz Zimbabwe

NewsHawks New Perspectives Page 19

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Digitisation of trade finance inevitable

TRADE finance processes are still pre- Model Law on Electronic Transferable To note, different companies have adopting technology in the trade fi- the importance of focusing on users in
dominantly paper-based, not only in Records (MLETR). Adopted in 2017, different requirements insofar as trade nance space is not always straightfor- order to encourage the wide adoption
Zimbabwe but everywhere. the MLETR provides legal recognition finance digitisation is concerned.  Em- ward due to the complexity of global of digitisation. The smaller the change
for electronically transferable records phasis therefore should be on the role supply chains and the proliferation of for the user, the more likely is the adop-
This results in unnecessary costs, de- and has so far been enacted by Bahrain of digitisation opportunities across different standards and practices in dif- tion.
lays and inefficiencies. With a number and Singapore. multiple technologies which can offer ferent markets. Sometimes end-to-end
of digitisation initiatives and devel- the right mix of digital solutions. Digi- automation is hampered by the least With the Covid-19 global pandem-
opments currently in play, how could Digital identity is another area of tal trade finance tools, therefore, should sophisticated party (or country) in the ic, governments are recognising the
trade finance benefit from digitisation focus. The Global Legal Entity Identi- include secure trade finance online supply chain, which, in turn, is gov- importance of keeping supply chains
and how much progress has been made fier Foundation (GLEIF) has created a portals which can automate workflows erned by local market rules. moving.  Many policymakers are re-ex-
so far?  framework for a chain of trust relating for traditional trade and supply chain There is sometimes a perception amining how legal and regulatory envi-
to the digital identities of corporates finance transactions. that the adoption of technology is too ronments need to evolve in order to ac-
In the global trade arena, the need and the natural persons acting on behalf Of interest commodate greater digitisation of trade
for digitisation is widely understood. of these entities.  Furthermore, there is among bank and finance, whilst providing the same
The current process for trade is noto- a growing number of very interesting corporate treasur- Econometrics level of certainty and risk mitigation
riously paper-heavy, manual and iter- fintechs that provide an ecosystem with ers is an innova- afforded by paper-based predecessors.
ative. Digitisation can help businesses services around these digital identities. tive concept called These moves should set the framework
create simpler workflows, track flows of Ultimately, this will drive down the ef- "supply chain as HawksView for finally enabling trade finance to
goods and funds in real time, and make fort for corporates and banks/financiers a service", which move towards a digitised future.
smarter financing and funding deci- alike to verify counterparties. creates the ability to
sions based on available data. integrate bank sys- However, to realise the full poten-
Alongside these initiatives, efforts are tems directly with Tinashe Kaduwo tial of digital trade, it is also crucial
While various initiatives have been underway to bridge the trade finance clients’ Enterprise for industry leaders and practitioners
attempted over the years, these have gap and support digitisation through Resource Planning to drive the development of digital
tended to create digital islands that fall the adoption of technology. For in- (ERP) systems to identify transactions expensive or futuristic, or that only standards that will enable trade digital
short of digitising the industry in any stance, one of the most meaningful that can shore up the financial health large or newly set up companies have solutions to function and communi-
meaningful way. But with numerous by-products of the Covid-19 pandemic of a client’s supply chain through early the luxury of being able to put fund- cate with one another.
industry initiatives underway, not to for trade finance is the renewed drive payment financing. ing aside for investment in technology.
mention the opportunities brought by to digitise historically manual and pa- A number of other technology de- Unless all parties in a supply chain are As such, the coming years could be
emerging technologies, could trade fi- per-based processes. velopments have a role to play in trade aligned in moving towards a paperless critical. Looking back to the years 2020
nance digitisation finally be an achiev- finance digitisation, from big data and dispensation, there is little incentive for and 2021, it is clear that the pandemic
able prospect? This is driving a greater emphasis on advanced data analytics to artificial in- a company, especially a smaller player, was a great shift towards digitisation,
accessing trade finance online portals telligence (AI), Optical Character Rec- to make the first move and invest in and that the years until 2025 will see a
Given the costs, delays and poten- remotely, converting non-digital data ognition (OCR) and Robotic Process digitising their internal trade processes. steady growth in the adoption of digital
tial for error associated with traditional into a digitised format, leveraging e-sig- Automation (RPA). What is needed in order to accelerate solutions.  
processes, everyone in the trade eco- nature capabilities, and simply being While there are plenty of develop- digitisation? Where specific solutions
system stands to benefit from greater able to operate effectively outside the ments and initiatives in the pipeline, are concerned, emphasis should be on *About the writer: Tinashe Kadu-
digitisation. Indeed, the abundance of office environment in a fully electronic wo is a researcher and economist. He
paper and the lack of common stan- manner with enhanced visibility and writes in his personal capacity. Con-
dards can sometimes mean that the pa- control. tact [email protected] whatsapp
perwork related to a transaction is still +263773376128
being processed, days after the actual
goods have arrived, particularly when
it comes to trade finance instruments
such as guarantees and letters of credit
(LCs).

In a digital process, a guarantee can
be issued within minutes, rather than
days, and documents under an LC can
be reviewed within hours rather than
days. In addition, with participants
able to access full transparency over the
status of the transaction, such instant
feedback allows corporates much better
planning and greater reliability.

Beyond the ability to speed up indi-
vidual transactions, digitisation also has
the potential to improve the resilience
of global trade on a much wider scale.
Digitisation, in other words, not hav-
ing to rely on physically moving pieces
of paper around the world to support
the movement of critical goods, makes
global supply chains and trade more
robust, more reliable and less prone to
shocks. 

It could drive numerous improve-
ments throughout the trade ecosystem,
which includes exporters, shippers,
ports, customs, warehousing/logistics,
finance and importers. Digitisation
would reduce costs, lowering barriers to
entry for amall and medium enterpris-
es. It would drive higher productivity 
and it would also drive transparency,
thereby improving environmental and
social safeguards while reducing trade-
based money laundering. African coun-
tries through the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) should push
towards trade finance digitisation. One
big advantage of digitisation is that it
has the potential to create metadata that
can support the closing of trade finance
gaps by providing granular information
on risks including credit risk, perfor-
mance risk and money laundering risk.

Various developments and initiatives
are currently underway that could pave
the way for greater digitisation. The rise
of digital transferable records, together
with relevant legislation, has the poten-
tial to replace paper with digital tokens.

One notable development is the
United Nations Commission on In-
ternational Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

Business

MATTERSNewsHawks

MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
EUR/USD 1.168 +0.001 +0.05 -1.402
USD/JPY 109.75 +0.03 +0.03 *OIL 62.61 -0.89 +0.123
GBP/USD 1.362 -0.002 -0.154 -0.39
USD/CAD 1.29 +0.007 +0.55 *GOLD 1,785.3 +2.2 +0.44
AUD/USD 0.713 -0.001 -0.098 +1.14
*SILVER 23.14 -0.09

*PLATINUM 975.5 +4.3

*COPPER 4.087 +0.046

Mutanda rejects
govt’s RTGS
payment in Caps
Holdings saga

AYESHA CHIDEMBO refused to address various issues expressed in my Holdings by government. It is unfortunate Industry and Commerce minister Sekai Nzenza
letter of 17 January 2022. You claimed the mat- that you misinformed and therefore misled,” he In that regard, honourable minister, you must
IN a new development to the long-drawn-out ters were sub judice,” Mutanda says. said. exercise your public powers in good faith, fairly,
saga over the controversial takeover of Caps and stop giving away my assets and Caps busi-
Holdings by the government, local business- “Honourable minister, with due respect, you “Second, I do not have an appeal before the nesses to cronies. Our constitution guarantees
man Fredrick Mutanda has rejected a further cannot use state media through the Ministry of High Court. My application is to set aside an protection of property rights. Yet government
Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) payment Information, Publicity and Broadcasting to re- arbitral award, yet another result of impunity compulsorily seized my assets and Caps Hold-
from government through Treasury Bills (TB) spond to me. On the contrary, I have a legiti- and abuse of public power where you usurped ings without compensation to me or the other
and returned the money back to the authorities. mate reason for ensuring mainstream and social an arbitration process, which I was not party to, 1 216 shareholders. In essence, the default on
media continue to be alert to the extra-judicial without affording protection for my rights and Treasury Bills confirms compulsory deprivation
In a fresh letter to Industry and Commerce threats against me. The imminent threats that claimed that government had fully paid for my and is not sub judice, but a blatant disregard of
minister Sekai Nzenza on the acquisition of two have been made against my life are cause for family shareholding,” Mutanda said. the rule of law and an infringement of constitu-
Caps companies by the government in a deal concern. tional rights, which you must address with ur-
worth US$45 million eight years ago, Mutanda, “Minister, the question of rights and liabilities gency. Failure which, I will assert my rights and
paid US$25 million for patents, says the RTGS “Government demanded and compelled me should ordinarily be resolved by the exercise of those of my fellow shareholders as stated in my
instalment — which comes well after TB matur- to sell my shares as it had become clear that I the law and not impunity. The law should apply letter of 17 January 2022.”
ities — is not acceptable and has been returned had no choice but to comply and yet the govern- equally to all.
to the government. ment narrative is now that I approached govern-
ment to rescue my business.
“I have noticed government has attempted to
enforce the cancelled June 2016 sale and pur- “Surely extra-judicial threats to eliminate me
chase of shares agreement by paying the maturity and seize Caps Holdings from its shareholders
United States dollar value, in RTGS, of the same betray the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ man-
of the US dollar-denominated Treasury Bills be- tra. I will not succumb to these threats, but con-
yond their maturity dates,” Mutanda says. tinue to demand that you uphold the rule of law,
constitutionalism and property rights.”
“Please note that I have instructed the bank to
return the funds back to government.” Mutanda recently accused Nzenza of acting
in bad faith and being an accessory to crime in
The letter, which escalates the fight, was also the saga which has been rambling on since 2007
copied to Central Intelligence Organisation di- when the Joint Operations Command, which
rector-general Isaac Moyo, Attorney-General brings together the police, intelligence and army
Prince Machaya, Finance permanent secretary chiefs, pressured Mutanda to sell the company
George Guvamatanga, Industry and Commerce to the government.
permanent secretary Mavis Sibanda, Justice per-
manent secretary Virginia Mabhiza, Health per- Mutanda was displeased with Nzenza’s letter
manent secretary Jasper Chimedza and Reserve dated 20 January 2022 in which she claimed the
Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya. matter was under judicial consideration, hence
sub judice.
The messy and convoluted matter has been
through the courts and arbitration processes “I have read the contents of your letter citing
over the past couple of years without finality. objections of a legal nature. However, I advise
that you wait for the outcome of the appeal
Mutanda says the 2016 Caps deal has since which you have filed before the High Court, as
been cancelled due to agreement breaches. well as another appeal which was filed by Caps
Holdings Limited on the same matter,” Nzenza
He drew Nzenza’s attention to section 194 of said.
the constitution which provides for “basic values
and principles governing public administration” “The matter involving both companies is sub
and sub-section (1) that demands “services must judice and is therefore not open for discussion
be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and outside the ongoing court process.”
without bias”.
In a letter to Nzenza dated 25 January, Mu-
He says the minister must be aware of section tanda, locked in another nasty fallout with the
196 of the constitution which provides for “re- authorities over how the government sold St
sponsibilities of public officers and principles of Anne’s Hospital in Harare, which was under
leadership” and sub-section 1 (b) that demands Caps Holdings, to Roman Catholic nuns, said
public officers, of which she is, “demonstrate the minister was dodging core issues.
respect for the people and a readiness to serve
them rather than rule them”. “My letter to you as the minister now re-
sponsible of Caps raised very specific concerns
“In your letter dated 24 January 2022, you regarding compulsory deprivation of Caps

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 21

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

NRZ workers blast GM for candid talk

DUMISANI NYONI NRZ general manager Respina Zinyanduko leave it there.” toiling 12 hours every day without resting and
On overtime and relief, workers said no em- On train derailments, they said the state of the “you expect them to perform well.”
NATIONAL Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)
workers have responded angrily to the general ployee loves overtime, especially with the way the railway network was just pathetic. On water bills, employees said water leaks are
manager Respina Zinyanduko’s “candid talk” ad- organisation pays its employees. “Nobody causes derailments, the rail lines are everywhere, some taps are no longer working, and
dress, telling her the rail entity was “not techni- water is flowing like in a river.
cally insolvent”, but “poorly managed” by people They said she should employ people so that exhausted. You have removed maintenance peo-
like her who lack an understanding of the railway departments have the right number of people ple in that department, why?” they fumed. “Closing financial leaks begins with you. Close
system. “instead of firing them and think overtime will your leaking mouth, it’s killing employee morale.
disappear. You found a relief allowance there, just Workers said call men were being overworked, Employ cleaners and provide adequate PPE (per-
In her staff address dated 24 January 2022 sonal protective equipment). GM’s pool is full
titled “GM candid talk”, Zinyanduko read riot of people doing nothing. NRZ is not a security
act after the parastatal last year incurred a loss of company, mind you.”
ZW$1.7 billion (approximately US$14.8 mil-
lion). On the issue of lost tools, the daring employ-
ees said tools should just be replaced as charging
In her quest to turn around the fortunes of the three times the cost was madness, considering
parastatal, she threatened to fire all employees how the company pays.
who fail to meet set targets this year, as well as
apprehending workers found loitering in town on “This is our railway (sic). We will look after it
company time. and its tools jealously. Don’t try (to) create bad
blood between us and our supervisors,” workers
However, her address did not go down well said.
with employees, who hit back, telling her that
she has “no understanding of the railway working Reached for comment on the statement, the
system.” NRZ chief referred all the questions to the or-
ganisation’s acting public relations officer, Martin
“In 2021, NRZ saved billions of RTGS or mil- Banda, who said some of the workers were ag-
lions of US$ after you unilaterally decided to pay grieved by the turnaround strategy being imple-
off employees outstanding salaries using ex-gratia mented, hence the reaction.
at an average rate of US$1:3RTGS,” the response
seen by The NewsHawks reads in part. “There are certain things we need to note and
the environment or atmosphere we are in. NRZ
“NRZ is not technically insolvent. It's being is in a turnaround, transition period and people
poorly managed by people like you with absolute- need to understand that there were certain ways
ly no understanding of the railway working sys- of working which we were used to,” Banda said.
tem, stealing NRZ business and giving it to your
friends with Gonyetis (haulage trucks).” “Indeed, we could not continue to do the same
things and expect different results. Doing what
Workers said 2022 was a year of turnaround “if we have been doing, but no results coming was
you provide an enabling environment and leader- not and is not good corporate decision. Results
ship. You need to turn around your management have been negative and falling year-in year-out
style first.” and not coming, so we needed someone to try
something different.”
“Unfortunately management by threatening
employees is so backward and archaic. Targets can Banda said this could not be a solution but at
only be met by providing resources. Remember least “we have someone who is challenging the
NRZ is as good as its leadership (you being the routine way we have been working and wants
captain of this ship),” they said. to take the bull by its horns. Why not give her
a chance and let’s judge her after she has finished
“Law and Business Management are two dif- because it’s too early for now?”
ferent fields, madam lawyer. NRZ is older than
you, it will continue to exist after you are gone. In her address last week, the NRZ boss said
No one is bigger than NRZ, you included. Estab- the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority was owed
lish why your staff is malingering and fix that,” ZW$400m, pension fund ZW$600m and
workers said. Railmed was owed a large amount too, declaring
that the rail entity was technically insolvent.
Workers told Zinyanduko that her behaviour
was not that of a team leader as leaders “inspire She said 2022 was a turnaround year, with a
not threaten employees, leaders motivate and not 3.9 million tonne target to achieve. She said the
demoralise, leaders encourage and not discour- January performance was way below target as
age.” they only achieved ZW$98m against a target of
ZW$185m against a wage bill of ZW$165m.

BERNARD MPOFU Cash shortage boosts electronic transfer tax

A SHORTAGE of Zimbabwe dollar notes in the The non-availability of adequate cash to meet transaction needs of corporates and individuals resulted efforts by the authorities to stabilise the ex-
economy resulted in strong growth of revenue in increased demand for electronic transactions. change rate, suppress growth of money supply,
generated from Intermediated Money Transfer contain the fiscal deficit, grow manufacturing
Tax (IMTT), now the country’s fourth-larg- surpassed revenue targets. target). Zimra paid out refunds of ZWL$3.90 capacity, and control inflationary pressures. All
est tax head after companies, Value-Added Tax Gross collections for the fourth quarter billion during the quarter under review. this is expected to have a positive impact on rev-
(VAT)) local sales and individual taxes, statistics enue, the tax agency anticipates.
from the tax authority have shown. amounted to ZWL$161.08 billion, against a The economy has been projected to grow at
target of ZWL$108.17 billion (48.91% above 5.5% in 2022, underpinned by the continued “All revenue heads performed better in Q4
The introduction of IMTT, also commonly 2021 in nominal terms compared to the same
known as tax on electronic transfers, has been period last year. This is largely attributed to in-
a subject of immense debate, with the business flationary pressures that the country experienced
community saying the tax head is inflationary. for the greater part of 2021,” the report reads.

According to the Zimbabwe Revenue Author- Zimra, the report further shows, is in the pro-
ity (Zimra) fourth-quarter report for the period cess of replacing the Domestic Taxes Informa-
ending 31 December 2021, the general econom- tion Technology Operational System.
ic environment weakened marginally during the
period under review with year-on-year inflation “An international tender was flighted and the
increasing by 9.19% percentage points from winning bidder was selected. Contract negoti-
51.55% as at the end of September 2021 to ations with the winning bidder is now under-
60.74% by year-end. way,” the report reads.

Last year, the Finance ministry projected a “This new Domestic Taxes IT system is ex-
7.8% economic growth, driven by electricity pected to facilitate easy submission of tax re-
generation, agriculture, mining and infrastruc- turns, easy access to the Zimra portal, easy inter-
ture development. action between Zimra and the client and overall,
contribute to the national strategy of making it
“The Intermediated Money Transfer Tax per- easy to do business in Zimbabwe. Once this sys-
formed above target and contributed 10.48% to tem together with the Asycuda Customs System
the quarterly revenue,” the report reads. upgrade and the fiscalisation programme are
completed, the client will enjoy doing business
“The non-availability of adequate cash to with Zimra as the ICT systems will then be ef-
meet transaction needs of corporates and indi- ficient and effective. At the same time, Zimra
viduals resulted in increased demand for elec- will now be in a strategic position to receive and
tronic transactions and this boosted IMTT col- analyse revenue-related data to the benefit of the
lections.” nation.”

Despite the slowdown in economic growth,
Zimra says the year 2021 ended on a positive
note in terms of revenue collections, as Zimra

Page 22 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

ZSE denies tension over securities depositories

ALEX MHANDU Zimbabwe Stock Exchange introduced its own Central Securities Depository last year.

THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) says also gained traction in the course of the year as Chengetadzai’s CSD commenced operations unlawfully interferes with the proprietary rights
there is no tension between the bourse and the bourse managed to sign two big suppliers on 8 September 2014 while the ZSE’s CSD was of securities depositors or shareholders in respect
Chengetedzai Depository Company (CDC), — Edgars and OK — on the Zimbabwe Receiv- operationalised effective 1 October 2021. of shares with a central securities depository.
but has ruled out the possibility of a merger ables Marketplace (ZRM) platform.
between the two. This comes as the ZSE intro- But, Chengetedzai’s application last year also The ZSE and SecZim however filed opposing
duced its own Central Securities Depository “As an exchange, we need to have some de- sought to nullify SecZim’s order to comply with affidavits against Chengetedzai. In its opposing
(CSD) last year, although there was an already pository skills in-house to enable us to expand the directive before approval by the Finance affidavit, SecZim highlighted that Chengetedzai
existing one operated by Chengetedzai. on our product offering. In terms of efficiency and Economic Development minister as well was the only aggrieved party and its grievances
of the market, we believe that a depository is the as publication in the Government Gazette as arose from the fact that another party had been
The launch of the ZSE CSD divided opin- back-office of an exchange, so it made sense for per requirements of Section 118 (6) of the Se- licensed to operate a CSD, therefore taking
ion on the equities market, resulting in lawsuits us to own our depository. curities and Exchange Act (Chapter 24:25) and away its monopoly.
filed over the matter while some analysts have Section 134 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.
speculated over the possibility of Chengetedzai “We want to make it easier for retail investors As at year-end, the ZSE CSD had on-board-
being merged into ZSE. to access the market and increase the retail par- SecZim, after licensing the ZSE CSD despite ed 10 issuers — Art Holdings Limited, Axia
ticipation,” he said. the existence of Chengetedzai CSD, issued the Corporation Limited, Cafca Limited, Dairibord
Last year, Chengetedzai filed a High Court directive with the aim of ensuring smooth mi- Holdings Limited, FBC Holdings Limited, Inn-
application to set aside regulator a directive by A securities depository is a facility that holds gration of deposited securities from one CSD scor Africa Limited, Masimba Holdings Limit-
the regulator — the Securities and Exchange and administers securities, as well as allowing to another. ed, Seed Co Limited, Simbisa Brands Limited
Commission (SecZim) — to Securities Market transactions to be processed by means of book and Truworths Limited.
Intermediaries on the migration of share depos- entry. But Chengetedzai alleged that the directive
its between the securities depositories.

Commenting on the issue, ZSE chief execu-
tive Justin Bgoni said the bourse was currently
focused on the implementation of its five-year
strategy which, among other plans, seeks to ex-
pand the bourse and make it more accessible to
retail investors and make it the most competi-
tive investment option in the country.

“We maintain a cordial relationship with
Chengetedzai for the betterment of our issuers
and investors. Our plan for now is to focus on
our five-year strategy to ensure we deepen capi-
tal markets,” Bgoni said by email.

“There are a couple of reasons we launched
the depository. We feel that there is much more
that we can do in terms of adding products and
we want to take advantage to introduce new
products to the market,” he said.

The ZSE has been making efforts to diversify
its product offering as part of initiatives to make
the bourse an attractive investment option. Last
year, the ZSE witnessed the launch of the sec-
ond Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) — the Mor-
gan and Co Multi-Sector ETF in December
with its listing in 2022, after the Old Mutual
ZSE Top 10 ETF.

According to Bgoni, the receivables market

Firms fume over shambolic Zimra tax clearance system

LIZWE SEBATHA

SOME businesses have complained over the was bad news for overstretched consumers as “And given that fact, business will not take gest thing that happens, and also it closes op-
failure to access tax clearance certificates after businesses will simply be forced to pass the cost that cost to them. They will add it as a cost as a portunities because there are certain enterprises
the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s (Zimra’s) of goods and services to them. form of payment. The failure by Zimra to pro- or companies that don’t deal with businesses
e-electronic tax clearance processing system suf- vide tax clearance will drive up prices; for ex- without tax clearance.”
fered a technical glitch. “The current laws from the national budget ample where someone can supply a product for
of 2021 to 2022 are that there is a punitive mea- ZW$300 and knows Zimra will withhold 30% Tax clearance is required when bidding for
The tax clearance certificate is accessible on sure of withholding tax of up to 30% for those which is ZW$30, that person can simply supply tenders, and is a pre-requisite when applying for
the Zimra e-services portal. But the e-services businesses that have failed to produce tax clear- that product for ZW$330 so that he keeps his licences issued by local authorities.
portal has been down, leaving businesses crying ances. That is an expense which is unexpected ZW$300.
foul as they are left exposed to punitive taxes for for business,” Bulawayo-based business com- To obtain the certificate, a company must be
not having the certificates. mentator Reginald Shoko said. “The ZW$30 is an extra cost. That’s the big- up to date with tax statutory returns submis-
sions under all acts administered by Zimra.
Police and local authorities can also raid busi-
nesses without a tax clearance on the grounds
that they are operating illegally.

A tax clearance certificate is a certificate is-
sued by Zimra as confirmation that their tax
affairs are up to date.

In his 2022 budget statement, Finance min-
ister Mthuli Ncube said up to 30% withholding
tax is deducted from payment for goods and
services supplied from a company without a tax
clearance. A logistics company expressed frus-
tration over the failure to obtain a tax clearance.

“This comes as utter shock! This is an abso-
lutely unparalleled deliberate intention to frus-
trate a small business.

“We will now be sending you all the previ-
ous correspondence and paperwork sent to your
team that they requested that you are now re-
questing again yet our truck is stuck at the bor-
der, this is very unfortunate and unprofession-
al,” the logistics company wrote to Zimra.

Zimra board chairperson Josephine Matam-
ba had promised to respond when contacted for
clarification.

However, the failure to obtain the certificates

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 23

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

CBZ explains vast expansion strategy

ZIMBABWE’S leading financial services con- American statutory pension fund. The deal is a blend of stakes.
glomerate, CBZ Holdings, has explained the banker Marc cash and a share-swap in a 30%/70% ratio. “The cash portion of this transaction is be-
strategy behind its aggressive acquisition and
consolidation move which will see it eventual- Holtzman The rationale behind this was to leverage ing funded from the group’s own resources. The
ly taking over First Mutual Holdings Limited grow the insurance book. There are also great CBZH’s strong share price on the Zimbabwe group has a significant asset base that is being
(FMHL), the second-largest insurance company opportunities to cross sell the group’s client base Stock Exchange and use it as currency for this used to make this transaction possible. CBZH
in the country. with that of FMHL leading to even more growth transaction. The cash component will be paid in is one of the few entities in the country that has
for both businesses. United States dollars. This was at the request of the financial muscle to pull this transaction off,”
CBZ, whose overall strategy is led by its the seller. CBZH said.
chairperson, prominent American banker Marc “The possibility of common licences within
Holtzman brought in by President Emmerson the group will reduce the capital requirements CBZH says it agreed to this transaction struc- On taking over complete control of FMHL
Mnangagwa, says acquiring FMHL will allow it required for regulatory purposes thus releasing ture as it is a sound investment given the quality beyond the current minority stake, CBZH boss-
to ensure diversification, growth of its customer more capital from all the businesses which will of the asset being purchased and the diversity es say they have plans to take over the insurance
base and expansion of its domestic and regional then be used to underwrite more risk and im- FMHL will bring through its investments in the giant.
footprint, as well as recruit the best skills in the prove profitability for the business Sadc region.
market to become the biggest financial services “It was highlighted in the EGM (extraordi-
hub locally by a mile. “Additionally, there are businesses in both CB- CBZH board and management say they be- nary general meeting) that this initial purchase
ZHL and FMHL that don’t exist in either group lieve this transaction will unlock further value of 31% of FMHL is only the first step in a pro-
“The board and management of CBZH be- like medical aid, risk advisory, funeral services for existing shareholders and allow for more cess to gain control of the FMHL business,” it
lieve that FMHL presents a unique and rare op- to mention a few. The benefits of bringing these wealth creation despite dilution in their equity said. “It is critical for a full merger to occur so as
portunity to achieve these goals,” CBZH said in complementary businesses together are vast.” to ensure the strategy and the synergies can be
a written media briefing note. fully realised. We are confident that we will be
CBZH is acquiring 31.22% of FMHL from able to complete this transaction and ultimately
“FMHL is the second largest insurance com- the National Social Security Authority (Nssa), a merge the two businesses.”
pany in Zimbabwe and has created a strong
brand that is known throughout the market. While existing shareholders will be diluted in
They have amassed a significant talent pool of the process, CBZH says they will eventually real-
financial specialists and this has been shown by ise more value in real terms from the deal.
the amassing of a huge asset base by the busi-
ness. CBZH has recognised the potential syner- “Whilst shareholders in CBZHL will expe-
gies that exist between our two businesses and rience a small dilution of about 8% from this
it is our belief that together the two businesses transaction, the substance of the transaction is
will deliver significant value to our shareholders such that the shares are being exchanged for as-
and propel the combined group to the apex of sets in a valuable entity that has been appraised
the financial services sector in this country and by independent third parties,” it said.
beyond.”
“The effect of this is that with the unlocking
CBZH also says it has a burning ambition of synergies between the business the dilution
and desire to become a regional player. experienced will be far outweighed by the value
gained by the Company’s shareholders. In fact,
“The acquisition of FMHL is a key part of shareholders will find the value of their holdings
this process as they have successfully established increasing in real terms because of this transac-
themselves in other jurisdictions within Sadc. tion. Ultimately that’s what all our shareholders
The goal of this merger is to maximise share- expect, an increase in the value of their share-
holder value and create an important corporate holding.”
citizen in the process,” it said.
CBZH also addressed what the impact of the
“CBZH insurance cluster whilst profitable deal would be on staff, senior management, and
still has a small share of the insurance market. executives amid fears of retrenchments.
A business combination of our insurance cluster
with that of FMHL will have a positive impact “This transaction presents an opportunity to
on the insurance cluster and almost immediate- bring together a huge pool of experience and tal-
ly push the cluster profits to levels that only the ent and it is our intention to use that talent to
bank would surpass. create a true market leader. We therefore expect
that such a transaction will present the respective
“In addition, FMHL has a wealth of experi- staff with new and bigger opportunities to grow
ence and skills that are unmatched in the market and develop together with these businesses. We
and would be immediately unleashed to further believe the impact on staff will be overwhelm-
ingly positive. — STAFF WRITER.

Page 24 Stock Taking NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Friday, 04 February 2022

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Ticker Price Traded Traded Change Change (%) Cap
AFDIS Consumer Goods (cents) Traded Volume Value ($) (cents) ($m)
African Sun Consumer Services AFDIS: ZH (%)
ART ASUN: ZH 12600.00 Price -
Ariston Industrials ARTD: ZH 699.78 44,600
Axia Consumer Services ARISTON: ZH 1020.00 - 12600.00 - - - 0.80 15,056.31
BAT AXIA: ZH 331.92 700.00 700.00 200 312,200 0.22 0.03 8.99 9,967.52
CAFCA Consumer Goods 4399.48 1020.00 1020.00 2,200 -2.39 4,457.17
Cassava Consumer Goods BAT: ZH 332.00 332.00 2,600 2,040 - - -10.80 5,402.95
CBZ CAFCA: ZH 299900.00 5000.00 5000.00 7,304 0.08 0.02 66.39
CFI Industrials 17000.00 - 130,000 600.52 13.65 -6.31 27,607.52
Dairibord Technology CSZL: ZH 5665.00 - 299900.00 - 61,879.92
Delta CBZ: ZH 8444.44 - 17000.00 588,800 - - - -
Econet Banking CFI:ZH 10200.00 5900.00 5601.83 2,800 - - - 37.80 1,484.97
Edgars Industrials DZL: ZH 3500.00 - 32,983,580 -63.17 -1.12 15.12 145,119.73
FBC Consumer Goods DLTA: ZH 19511.82 8500.00 8653.57 500 242,300 209.13 2.48 9.01
Fidelity Consumer Goods ECO: ZH 10032.73 476,600 - - - 45,228.88
First Capital Telecommunications - 10200.00 6,504,400 17,500 - - - 10,816.17
FML Consumer Services EDGR: ZH 442.86 1,000 95,486,610 523.14 2.68 23.27 12,530.03
FMP FBC: ZH 2912.50 3500.00 3500.00 - 684,609,200 492.59 4.91 23.83 261,291.06
GBH Banking FIDL: ZH 1135.00 - 4,403 -2.56 -0.58 1.22 272,666.50
Getbucks Financial Services FCA: ZH 350.00 20400.00 20034.96 10,600 - - - -13.97
Hippo 2100.00 700 - - - -28.10 2,660.50
Innscor Banking FMHL: ZH 620.00 10610.00 10525.32 6,000 37,078 -0.21 -0.06 1.27 19,570.54
Lafarge Financial Services FMP: ZH 180.42 6,500 15,000 42.86 2.04 7.14
Mash GBH: ZH 500.00 440.00 440.30 1,200 40,340 52.33 8.44 -13.80 1,236.28
Masimba Real Estate 26000.00 122,100 11,700 -0.42 -0.23 -21.57 7,554.82
Medtech Industrials GBFS: ZH 22205.81 - 2912.50 234,900 6,050 4.17 0.83 -15.97 14,788.80
Medtech Class B HIPO: ZH 8205.00 - 31,746,000 - - -7.14 8,324.50
Meikles Financial Services 313.68 - 1135.00 6,200 53,233,160 456.24 2.05 39.55
Nampak Consumer Goods INN: ZH 4500.00 - - - - 2.56 965.86
NatFoods LACZ: ZH 2498.75 350.00 349.79 - 20,078 10.16 3.24 -0.19 5,864.09
NTS Industrials MASH: ZH 3200.00 - - - - -18.18 50,185.35
NMBZ Industrials MSHL: ZH 12500.00 2200.00 2142.86 238,300 - - - -28.61 129,145.69
OK Zim Real Estate MMDZ: ZH 1344.20 200 - - - 28.00 6,564.00
Proplastics Industrials MMDZB: ZH 130500.00 675.00 672.33 1,200 29,462,720 -136.29 -1.09 -1.17 6,020.43
RTG Financial Services MEIK: ZH 672.00 180.00 180.00 - 2,680 -4.20 -0.31 20.11 10,874.42
RioZim Financial Services NPKZ: ZH 1300.00 550.00 504.17 - 1,626,000 5000.00 3.83 -1.43
SeedCo Industrials NTFD: ZH 2500.52 26000.00 26000.00 295,400 - - - 6.67 299.85
Simbisa Industrials 2700.00 23005.00 22662.05 - - - - 61.43 42.94
Star Africa Consumer Goods NTS: ZH 736.36 8205.00 - 7,764,815 128.06 5.12 -4.23
Tanganda Industrials NMB: ZH 4372.72 - 323.84 - - - - -6.89 32,277.27
Truworths OKZ: ZH 12947.37 320.00 4500.00 72,700 - - - -5.59 10,125.68
TSL Banking PROL: ZH 13490.54 2498.75 400,300 - - - 9.32 92,682.15
Turnall Consumer Services RTG: ZH 140.49 - 3200.00 1,725,800 9,378,200 -47.51 -0.37 22.20
Unifreight RIOZ: ZH 6706.01 - 12363.71 747,100 54,235,890 58.27 0.43 50.54 1,706.02
Willdale Industrials SEED: ZH 199.81 - 1340.00 700 2,427,739 0.18 0.13 21.41 5,254.23
ZB Consumer Services SIM: ZH 8000.00 12400.00 135500.00 340,000 44,900,740 -696.01 -10.38 -10.38 33,800.50
Zeco SACL: ZH 500.00 1340.00 672.00 100 1,400 0.12 0.06 -0.03 6,802.26
Zimpapers Basic Materials TANG: ZH 3100.00 135500.00 1300.00 - 27,200,000 - - 14.01 18,375.83
Zimplow Consumer Goods TRUW: ZH 362.04 - 2628.58 1,300 500 - - 21.92 5,336.01
ZHL Consumer Goods TSL: ZH 7100.00 - 2700.00 600 - - - 3.45 31,888.80
TOTAL Consumer Goods TURN: ZH 2700.00 - 4,680 -2.04 -0.56 16.33 76,169.35
Consumer Goods UNIF: ZH 2.00 - - 47,370 795.00 11.20 2.53 6,632.71
Consumer Services WILD: ZH 278.00 7,800 - - - 316.67 15,689.98
Consumer Goods ZBFH: ZH 2097.28 - 736.36 11,600 - - - -4.47
ZECO: ZH 342.15 11,855,000 167,550 50.80 2.42 -8.98 767.87
Industrials ZIMP: ZH - 4372.72 39,910 1.90 0.56 -8.52 28,568.20
Industrials ZIMPLOW: ZH 1,076,164,737
Industrials ZHL: ZH 12800.00 12899.86 2,465.20
3,300.70
Banking 14005.00 13548.81 6,400.81
Industrials 13,831.30
Consumer Services 141.00 140.67
Industrials 9.27
Financial Services 6000.00 6010.00 1,601.28
7,401.86
200.00 199.93 6,255.58
1,544,949.64
8000.00 8000.00

500.00 500.00
- 3100.00
360.00
360.00 7895.00
7895.00
2.00
- 278.00
- 2148.08
2150.00 344.05
350.00

ETFs MCMS.zw 1373.35 1350.00 1350.25 12,805 172,900 -23.10 -1.68 35.03 1,700.34
Morgan&Co Multi-Sector ETF OMTT.zw 679.02 630.00 642.04 89,439 574,232 -36.98 -5.45 45.89 513.63
Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF
11,206.58
FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 13000.00 13500.00 13500.00 500 67,500 500.00 0.04 35.00
Old Mutual Zimbabwe US$m
63.64
VFEX (US cents) Mining BIND:VX 5.00 - 5.00 - -- - -9.09 8.06
BNC Mining CMCL:VX 1300.00 - 1300.00 - -- --
Caledonia Consumer Goods - - -- -- 113.73
Padenga Consumer Goods PHL:VX 21.00 - 21.00 - -- - 1.60 108.71
SeedCo International SCIL:VX 28.50 28.50
YTD %
Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % +66.39
ZSE All Share 12,529.84 +1.83 12,304.52 +15.78 Axia 5000.00c +600.52c +13.65 +2.53
Top 10 8,201.62 +1.94 +20.41 ZB 7895.00c +795.00c +11.20 -13.80
Top 15 8,991.14 +2.12 8,045.88 +19.41 FMP +52.33c +8.44 -4.23
Small Cap -0.02 8,804.26 -3.44 OK Zim 672.33c +128.06c +5.12 +23.83
Medium Cap 388,887.56 +2.19 388,954.09 +5.04 Econet 2628.58c +492.59c +4.91
21,435.43 20,975.49 10525.32c YTD %
-10.38
Top 5 Fallers Price Change % +37.80
Tanganda 6010.00c -696.01c -10.38 -1.17
Cassava 5601.83c -63.17c -1.12 +1.22
Meikles 12363.71c -136.29c -1.09 +16.33
Edgars -2.56c -0.58
Willdale 440.30c -2.04c -0.56
360.00c

SALES & TRADING: Davide Muchengi: [email protected] | Lungani Nyamazana: [email protected] | Tatenda Jasi: [email protected]
RESEARCH: Batanai Matsika: [email protected] | Precious Chagwedera: [email protected] | Tafara Mtutu: [email protected]
Tel: (+263) 08677008101-2 | Email: [email protected] | Address: 14165 Sauer Road, Gunhill, Harare

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NewsHawks Executive Chat Page 25

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

POLICY inconsistency, especially around cur- Policy discord, hyperinflation a
rency issues, coupled with hyperinflation in headache for Zim’s accountants
Zimbabwe, has caused challenges for the ac- repercussions of corruption.
counting profession. This week our reporter currently underway to improve the Zimbabwe Icaz acting CEO Owen Mavengere MG: In the private sector, lack of adherence to
Merlin Garwe discussed these issues with the Code of Corporate Governance. Compliance, dermine the government’s ability to achieve its
newly appointed Institute of Chartered Ac- however, with these legal instruments remains planned targets. It is the prerogative of all citizens uniform accounting standards has created room
countants of Zimbabwe (Icaz) acting CEO, fairly low, prompting the need for training in in their personal capacity and well as through for manipulation of accounting books. What is
Owen Mavengere (OM), who said taming in- order to raise awareness and strategies to ensure their organisations (public and private) to ensure your comment?
flation will be key to exiting hyperinflationary compliance. that corruption is eradicated.
accounting. Below is the interview: OM: Currently there are the full Internation-
Icaz has taken on this initiative, collaborating Icaz is playing its part by developing members, al Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which
MG: In Zimbabwe there have been concerns with the ZSE, as well as other regulators to en- that is, public sector professional accountants are in use by large organisations. There is also a
over compliance with international accounting sure that both public and private sector entities (PSPAs), chartered accountants (CAs) and arti- streamlined version known as IFRS for SMEs
standards in line with hyperinflation. For exam- are aware of the requirements of good corporate cled accountants (AAs), who abide by a strong which, as the name suggests, is for smaller en-
ple, companies have continued to get adverse governance principles in Zimbabwe. Stiffer pen- ethical code, thus ensuring that we react appro- tities and thus less cumbersome. The non-profit
opinions from their auditors. What have been alties should also be implemented in future for priately when met with an opportunity to par- sector does not have specific standards, thus CIP-
the key sticking issues here? the non-adherence to these principles. ticipate in corruption. Furthermore, the institute FA and Humentum are hard at work developing
has already started to collaborate with key gov- a reporting framework for these entities. Icaz has
OM: There are two major issues: exchange MG: Anomalies in public sector accounting in ernment departments, for example the Zimba- also given input into this process to ensure that
rates and hyperinflation, dealt with by IAS21 and Zimbabwe have created loopholes for corruption bwe Anti-Corruption Commission, in develop- the standards will also be relevant to our own
IAS29 respectively. The first is about the applica- in the government. What is your comment? ing training for key stakeholders in accounting, entities locally. Entities which are not designated
bility of the official exchange rate. It has been the audit, finance and business on the dangers and as public interest entities often have less scrutiny,
elephant in the room. Not all reporting entities OM: Corruption has the potential to un- which I suppose is where you are coming from.
are able to access sufficient foreign currency from The role of audits and voluntary compliance re-
the auction. This, coupled with a vibrant paral- ally becomes important. It is also important for
lel market with a significant premium over the the private entities to understand the importance
official rate has brought about questions around of reporting both financial and non-financial in-
whether the official rate is really a true and fair formation as it can unlock value and growth, be
rate for reporting purposes as required by IAS21. it from being able to see internal weaknesses or
At the same time, the use of the black market rate attracting the right investors and/or partners.
for reporting purposes brings about questions of
failing to comply with the law. MG: What are the key milestones you have
achieved as an institute in 2021?
All these challenges are further compounded
by the fact that the accounting standards have OM: Initiation of the PSPA (Zimbabwe) pro-
limited guidance on what to do in a scenario gramme and the accreditation of two public sec-
where there is lack of long-term exchangeability tor professional training offices to offer this pro-
of a currency, which is the current situation in gramme. The institute also recorded a significant
Zimbabwe. increase in the uptake of its short courses (IPSAS,
applied taxation and corporate finance). Holding
Secondly, restating figures to align them with of trainings on topical issues such as Financial
hyperinflation also brings about questions over Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies and
the understandability and relevance of the fig- Sustainability Reporting (ESG). Collaboration
ures, especially for non-accountants. We need with regulators and other accounting bodies to
to sustain inflation at below 26% per annum, deliver seminars and discussion fora for accoun-
amongst other requirements, in order to do away tants and other professionals.
with the infamous IAS29 which deals with hy-
perinflation. MG: What is your game plan for 2022?
OM: To continue to develop a future fit ac-
MG: Is there an end in sight to this? countant who is ethical and agile to the changes
OM: The International Accounting Standards happening in the different environments that
Board has issued an exposure draft which is a they are operating in. The institute also wishes
precursor to a change or issuance of a standard. to continue partnering government in crafting
This exposure draft attempts to provide guidance and enhancing adequate laws. The public sector
on how to handle a situation similar to ours. The will be a critical partner in 2022 as we seek to
local accountancy regulator, PAAB, is also seized further improve accountability through various
with the matter as a local pronouncement will programmes, including PSPA and IPSAS pro-
take precedence and allow preparers of financial grammes. The Vimbiso Trust is an initiative to
statements to address the elephant in the room. allow the underprivileged to access the profes-
Taming inflation will be key to exiting hyper- sion, and this is another area we intend to grow.
inflationary accounting. Whilst there are numer- MG: What could be the drawbacks to your
ous others, one of the major indicators of hy- plans this year?
perinflation in IAS29 is cumulative inflation of OM: Covid-19 remains the biggest challenge
under 100% over three years, which translates to going forward. We are however optimistic that,
the 26% per annum I mentioned above. I know as time moves, as a nation we will move closer
many are anxiously awaiting the time when we towards accepting the “New Normal”.
achieve that.
MG: The fact that investors and stakeholders
have to cautiously use the financials for decision
making surely speaks to the impact of invest-
ments in the country. What is your comment?
OM: This has been discussed before with other
professional accountancy organisations (PAOs)
and we have gone as far as issuing a question-
naire. A good number of respondents raised con-
cern, but ultimately highlighted that they would
not necessary suspend plans to invest but would
rather look for alternative sources of information.
This is where Integrated Reporting (that is
reporting on both financial and non-financial
reporting, including ESG/sustainability) really
becomes important as the integrated report will
provide non-financial information as well, which
can help to provide information on the perfor-
mance and prospects of the entity. Unfortunate-
ly, in Zimbabwe, ESG has not quite taken off,
prompting us to focus on ESG training by add-
ing another short course to our roster for 2022.
MG: What are some of the key challenges for
the sector in Zimbabwe?
OM: Currently the profession is grappling
with the exchange rates, hyperinflation, skills
flight, as well as unregistered and thus unregulat-
ed practitioners.
MG: What is your comment on adherence to
corporate governance in your sector? What are
the drawbacks?
OM: Legal instruments to ensure adherence
to corporate governance principles have been
enhanced with the coming in of the Companies
and Other Businesses Act as well as the Public
Entities Corporate Governance Act. Work is also

Page 26 News Analysis NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

A new name is only the beginning

NYASHA CHINGONO

NOW that opposition leader Nel- Although Zanu PF has been de- to gain momentum on the political itself bring a governing programme The rebranding of the party should
son Chamisa has finally discarded scribed as a rural party, it has man- scene. into existence. It is policies and pro- bring with it fresh interest from po-
the MDC-Alliance garb, which was aged to consistently win its so-called grammes that lead to the democratic tential funders. 
mired in controversy and contesta- rural strongholds, by hook or by “CHARACTER: what are its key breakthrough,” Chan said. 
tion, he needs an urgent plan to rid crook, while CCC has largely enjoyed values that bind diverse citizens & While opposition supporters in the
his movement of potential weakness- support from urban areas.  inform its ideology? *CONTENT: Chamisa should do things right diaspora have been pushing to buy
es in future as the party heads towards what are its big ideas that inform and clear the air on any controversies Chamisa an armoured vehicle follow-
the 2023 general elections, analysts The party therefore needs to estab- its policies & programs? *COMPE- and potential contestations in the ing his attack in Masvingo last year,
have said. lish a strong rural base, through the TENCE: what are its main skills that future. CCC should rid itself of cult the party requires a huge cash injec-
formation of grassroots structures make a difference?” leadership where everything is cen- tion if it is to mount a successful bid
Citizens' Coalition for Change while going for the youth vote coun- tred on Chamisa, but come up with to dislodge Zanu PF which has the
(CCC), which now adorns yellow, trywide. Political analyst Stephen Chan says proper structures and systems of ac- national purse at its disposal. 
symbolic of a new dawn in politics, Chamisa’s democratic credentials will countability. 
has been met with much enthusi- To be on a firm footing, CCC be put to the test in coming months, Directly linked to funding, the
asm. The party may need to do a lit- should come up with a robust con- warning that CCC needs to tread a It is a no-brainer that CCC needs party desperately needs a headquar-
tle more than recite new slogans and stitution and party vision to chart the different path from the Tsvangirai-led funding for operations.  ters. Following its outster from Mor-
flaunt a new colour by setting a solid new course. This should be done to MDC, which was riven by splits.  gan Tsvangirai House, CCC has no
base ahead of a crunch poll next year.  protect the party from outside ma- Chan said donors will adopt a home.
nipulation and future quarrels. “Tsvangirai himself sought to by- wait-and-see approach before decid-
CCC has the capacity to be the pass the constitutional structures of ing to fund CCC.  CCC urgently needs a new head-
same force as the MDC, which has The party’s constitution should the early MDC, seeking to run the quarters to run its operations from
been Zanu PF's nemesis for over 20 also be followed by a congress which party via a 'kitchen cabinet' of trust- “The rebranding to CCC will not because no serious party can be run
years. The united MDC became one will install Chamisa as the leader of ed aides. But that resulted in the first in itself bring in much funding. Po- from offices of the top brass. 
of the most popular opposition out- the party to avoid future splits.  of the splits in the MDC, and it has tential donors will want to watch the
fits on the continent by representa- been split upon split upon split ever by-elections but also gauge how dem- Amid the euphoria of forming a
tion.  Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza since. If Chamisa and the CCC show ocratically and transparently Chamisa new party, a lot needs to be done for
said: "It depends on their ability to electoral potential in the by-elections, wants to run the CCC. He does need CCC to establish itself as a force to
CCC says the ethos of the new rebuild their structures. They need and if the CCC is a party of democ- a constitution, and he must abide by reckon with in Zimbabwean politics. 
party is rooted in the desire for to rebuild it quickly and define their racy that is run democratically, all be- it. Otherwise the one-man dictator of
change and restoration of democracy framework as the main opposition.” comes possible. Even the new genera- the party becomes the one-man dicta- The CCC brand is likely to go
in Zimbabwe, a promising country tion within Zanu PF are tired of very tor of the country,” Chan said.  through turbulent waters before it
hamstrung by autocracy and violent Former Higher and Tertiary Ed- old men with no vision for a future can become a household name, not
politics.  ucation minister Jonathan Moyo very different from their past. But The country’s opposition has suf- only in Zimbabwe but also in Africa.
said CCC should reveal its triple Cs, that means Chamisa must himself fered from donor fatigue, a situation
While democracy and change still which are: character, content and show modern cutting-edge vision. A that has been evident in the past two CCC must grapple with the ar-
provide the impetus for struggle, the competence. democratic breakthrough does not in elections where the party failed to de- duous task of communicating the
opposition movement faces a stern ploy enough polling agents and ran new name to the electorate, a cum-
test of character ahead. Moyo said these components will campaigns on a shoestring budget.  bersome exercise which will require a
be critical for the newly formed party hefty financial outlay.
The MDC was a strong outfit. It
came close to dislodging Zanu PF in
2008 when its leader, Morgan Tsvan-
girai, outpolled former president
Robert Mugabe, forcing a bloody
runoff.

Chamisa, himself a popular and
charistmatic leader, polled more than
2 million votes in the 2018 election,
at a time when President Emmerson
Mnangagwa was enjoying a lot of
goodwill both internationally and at
home.

Political analysts say Mnangagwa is
afraid of Chamisa, hence the massive
state operation to crush the opposi-
tion. 

The party’s rebranding following
a bruising contest over the MDC
name, has undoubtedly given CCC
much-needed momentum ahead of
the 26 March by-elections. 

The party’s decision to contest the
by-elections has also fuelled excite-
ment among the electorate and came
as a shocker for political opponents
who had anticipated a boycott. 

But the party needs to do more
than parrot rebranding. 

One of CCC’s weaknesses is that
the party has not quite left an indeli-
ble footprint in the rural areas where
nearly 70% of the country’s popula-
tion resides. 

While CCC has been largely
viewed as a pro-labour party also
backed by students, the urban poor,
ghetto youths and intellectuals, it is
time the leaders of the political outfit
got their hands dirty by mobilising
structures in the rural areas. 

Its arch nemesis, Zanu PF, knows
that the countryside carries the larger
chunk of the vote, hence its emphasis
on dishing out trinkets, and hijacking
state programmes such as the Presi-
dential Input Scheme, all in a spirited
bid to retain the rural vote. 

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 27

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

PATRICK BLESSINGER/ HANS DE WIT Academic freedom learn).
key to democracy The  benefits of academic free-
AS the Zimbabwean government,
notorious for authoritarian control dom  accrue not only to professors,
of society, tightens its Orwellian grip students and institutions but primar-
on state universities in the coun- ily to the broader society through
try through the Amendment of the the creation of new knowledge and
State Universities Statutes Bill which innovations, and ultimately, through
is not in sync with the constitution political, economic, social and tech-
by acts of commission and omission, nological progress. In short, academic
or both, The NewsHawks publishes freedom serves the common good.
an article initially run by the United
States’ University World News on the Threats to academic freedom 
importance of academic freedom and
institutional autonomy. As reported by Brendan O'Malley
and Michael Gardner  in  University
This comes as the Zimbabwean World News, many higher education
authorities are particularly consol- groups and scholars have expressed
idating control over universities by their concern over recent and current
overhauling their councils and wid- threats to academic freedom and in-
ening the powers of appointment of stitutional autonomy as well as vio-
key staff, while stifling academic free- lations to basic human rights as ex-
dom, which is a fundamental human pressed in the  Universal Declaration
right, to ensure compliance with offi- of Human Rights  and the  Interna-
cialdom and its thinking. tional Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. 
Patrick Blessinger and Hans de Wit   right. Academic freedom, therefore, right to pursue intellectual inquiry professionalism in teaching, learning
Since the inception of the  first uni- implies the freedom to teach and the related to their field(s) of study and and research practices.  Such threats also run counter to
versities nearly a thousand years ago, freedom to learn, both of which are to teach in ways they deem most ap- basic democratic principles of free-
the freedom to pursue intellectual central to the proper functioning and propriate to the course and consistent As with any ideal, principle or dom, equity, fairness and justice.
inquiry has served as a core value for purpose of higher education.  Given with the core values and mission of right, academic freedom must also be
professors, students and educational its centrality, academic freedom is the university. For students, this in- operationalised for it to be of practical Other indirect threats include the
institutions. Freedom of inquiry be- widely protected by institutional pol- cludes the right to form their own use. To that end, Cary Nelson, pres- skyrocketing cost of attending uni-
came more important during the Re- icies and rules, by collective bargain- conclusions and express their own ident of the American Association versity in some countries, coupled
naissance and Reformation periods as ing agreements and by a long history viewpoints. of University Professors, provides a with decreased government funding
well as the  Scientific Revolution  be- of academic custom and tradition. practical list of items that academic for higher education. In addition,
cause of their focus on freedom of Philip Altbach and Hans de Wit, freedom covers. the rapidly  changing higher educa-
thought and critical inquiry. Although all freedoms come with in a contribution to IAU Horizons on tion environment  has created new
concomitant responsibilities and academic freedom and institutional Furthermore,  Unesco affirms  that pressures for those seeking to protect
Following these periods of dramat- constraints, with the adoption of autonomy, refer to this principle as “…the right to education, teaching academic freedom and to ensure high
ic change, freedom of inquiry took the  Humboldtian model  of higher the gold standard of academic free- and research can only be fully enjoyed academic quality. 
on greater importance as universi- education (that is, the integration dom: the right to teach and publish in an atmosphere of academic free-
ties transitioned from scholasticism, of teaching, learning and research) in their areas of expertise without dom and autonomy for institutions That academic freedom and uni-
which emphasised dialectic reasoning during the 19th century, the princi- interference; guarantees of academic of higher education and that the open versity autonomy are under threat is
as the main pedagogical approach, to ple of academic freedom has become freedom for professors speaking or communication of findings, hypothe- clear from the contributions to  IAU
humanism, which emphasised critical inviolable. It is through the process writing on any topic; and protection ses and opinions lies at the very heart Horizons, as well as many contribu-
thinking and empirical observation. of producing and consuming knowl- of free expression on campus for stu- of higher education and provides the tions to University World News over
edge that educational institutions dents and others. strongest guarantee of the accuracy the years since its inception up to
Since higher education is, by defi- serve as scholarly communities for Protecting academic freedom  and objectivity of scholarship and re- this, its 500th edition.
nition, an environment where new intellectual dialogue, discussion and Over the years, researchers, scholars search”.
knowledge is produced and con- debate. and educational leaders have devel- At the same time, academic free-
sumed, it follows that the freedom oped a broad set of methods, pro- The Unesco recommendations dom has become more complex due
to engage in  intellectual inquiry  is Furthermore, as a practical matter, cesses and protocols (for example, re- support the idea that institutional to nationalist-populist trends and the
essential to the purpose of higher academic freedom is essential for in- search methodologies, peer review autonomy is a derivative of the prin- role of social media and “fake news”. 
education, to the mission of higher quiry-based learning, which lies at the processes, professional standards, eth- ciple of academic freedom. As such,
education institutions and to the pro- heart of humanistic and scientific in- ics review boards, institutional poli- institutional autonomy can be viewed In an article about  tensions be-
fessional duties of those individuals quiry. Academic freedom is therefore cies, accreditation oversight and due as a form of academic freedom whose tween free and offensive speech last
involved in teaching, learning and implicit in the ability to generate new process procedures) for maintaining justification is derived from the ser- year, Peter Scott gives a description of
research processes. knowledge.  vices performed by professors and re- a “more confused, fractured, volatile
searchers (that is, freedom to teach) and ideologically diverse global envi-
Without academic freedom, crit- For professors, this includes the and provided to students (freedom to ronment”. Academic freedom in this
ical thinking cannot be cultivated, turmoiled global environment needs
and without critical thinking, higher continuous attention.
learning cannot be nurtured. Thus,
given its centrality to higher learning, A university is a community of
it comes as no surprise that academic scholars. This community functions
freedom has been an integral part of best when scholars are free to engage
higher education since its inception. in critical intellectual inquiry, which
Academic freedom  depends upon academic freedom.
According to  Kemal Gürüz, former Furthermore, universities best serve
president of the Council of Higher the common good by directing their
Education of Turkey, institutional au- efforts towards human progress, and
tonomy and self-governance are the it is within this context that academic
rights of universities to decide how freedom plays a vital role in strength-
best to run their institutions without ening democratic society.
unreasonable interference (for exam-
ple, in appointing and promoting In the words of Philip Altbach and
academic staff and leadership, in de- Hans de Wit: “It is more important
termining admission and graduation than ever to hold on to what the gold
requirements, in provisioning curric- standard is about: autonomy of fac-
ula and other programmes or services, ulty in research, teaching and socie-
in defining organisational structures tal discourse and free expression for
and policies and in allocating various students and others in the academic
resources).  community.”

Academic freedom, on the other — University World News.
hand, is the individual right of pro-
fessors and students to engage in the *About the writers: Patrick
production, consumption and dis- Blessinger  is an adjunct associate
semination of knowledge without professor of education at St John’s
unreasonable restrictions. University, New York City, US,
and chief research scientist for the
The principle of academic freedom International Higher Education
is derived from the notion of freedom Teaching and Learning Association.
of thought, which is a basic human Email: [email protected].  Hans
de Wit is director of the Centre for
International Higher Education at
Boston College, US. Email: dewitj@
bc.edu.

Page 28 Critical Thinking NewsHawks

Alex T. Issue 66, 4 February 2022
Magaisa
Zimbabwe’s Yellow Sea

AFTER a nervy period of unsure-
ness and deliberation, the political
midwives eventually attended to the
arrival of the Citizens' Coalition for
Change (CCC) on 24 January 2022.

That date earned a place in the
history of party politics in Zimbabwe
when the MDC-Alliance underwent
a metamorphosis into the CCC. 

Those who live through moments
of history do not usually grasp their
significance. It is those who look
back and therefore have the advan-
tage of hindsight, who can appreci-
ate the weight of such moments. The
events of last week carry some his-
torical significance, and it is not just
because something big was born, but
because a little bit of us also died in
the same moment. 

It was like that hard moment for
a farmer when realises that although
he loves his animal so much, the best
option because it is broken beyond
healing, is to put it to sleep. That way
he spares it the excruciating pain and
himself, the agony of watching it suf-
fer. It was time for the MDC to be
put out of its misery. The sight of it
being mutilated and misused by men
and women who obsequiously suc-
cumbed to Zanu PF was painful.      

An unforgiving world Nelson Chamisa believes yellow revolution in Zimbabwe will lead to amancipation of Africa.
Hours before the arrival, Nelson
Chamisa, the leader of the CCC fusion in opposition ranks. But as of them born just before or after the ple.  change its name but when. The proc-
had posted an image of a pregnant always, change is a hard proposition. MDC gravitate toward Chamisa and Chamisa and his allies may have lamation setting the dates for the
woman on his social media accounts. Older hands found it hard to drop the CCC. The older generation is re- by-elections and the nomination day
The expecting woman was dressed something that they had lived with tiring, while the new generation is up given up the name, but they gained made the decision more urgent. But
in bright yellow. Accompanying the for two decades. The idea of leaving for a fight.  the favour of the people. Mwonzo- even then, there was a reluctance to
image were the words “Behold the was like betraying a longstanding Solomonic wisdom ra and his allies may have the name, make a declaration. Some thought it
New”, a clear indication that some- love. It required a big mental leap To be sure, the MDC had run a the buildings, and the public fund- was too soon and that there would
thing momentous in the life of Zim- to let go of a brand that had become wonderful race. But the brand had ing, but they are likely to struggle to be time during the year to launch
babwe’s main opposition political a part of their lives. The history, the been dragged through the mud that retain the hearts and minds of the the new name and brand. There was
party was afoot. There had already emotions, the experiences – for many retaining it was now counter-produc- people. It is not too early for scribes a mistaken view that the only thing
been much chatter among Zimba- dropping the name was sacrilege. tive. For example, the fact that there to start writing the political obituary that mattered was the 2023 election
bweans concerning the issue of the would be a dogfight over the MDC of the MDC – The Rise and Fall of and that the by-elections were just a
party’s name given the murkiness But as the weeks went by, and as brand was almost certain. Douglas a Movement that Dared to Dream. sideshow. But others rightly observed
that had developed around the old the reality became more apparent, it Mwonzora had already staked his Few are not without blemish in that that further delays would not only
one, the MDC. dawned on many of them that this claim to the MDC-Alliance brand, sorry saga, but it is Mwonzora who frustrate supporters but also cause
insistence was just a sunk cost falla- never mind the fact that he had fired will carry the dubious distinction of confusion. Far from being a side-
But if what was to come was a new cy. They were swayed more by past elected representatives based on the having carried it into the grave.   show, the by-elections were the be-
baby, it was more wildebeest birth investments and not by the reality accusation that they had joined the ginning of the show. 
than human, for politics in Zimba- of future costs which weighed more MDC-Alliance. But was it a neces- One of the ironies of the past
bwe mimics politics of the jungle. than any perceived benefits. It took a sary fight? Even if Mwonzora’s claim two years of the political onslaught Already, candidates for the by-elec-
The moment a wildebeest calf is born lot of persuasion to accept that there was absurd, a legal fight placed the against Chamisa and the MDC-Al- tions were announcing their candi-
during the Great Migration in the was a great opportunity to build fate of the MDC-Alliance in the liance is that far from draining and dates under the MDC-Alliance label
Serengeti, it must learn quickly to afresh, drawing an entirely new gen- hands of a judiciary whose decisions exhausting them, it motivated them while Mwonzora’s candidates were
both walk and run at the same time. eration that has fewer attachments to have often gone against it. to unite and defend themselves. They also telling the world that they were
It is a cruel and unforgiving world the old. This new generation, which became stronger, benefiting from the MDC-Alliance candidates. This was
filled with predators with a voracious is the future is not burdened by com- It was not necessary when there empathy of supporters and neutrals an unpleasant situation that caused
appetite, always eyeing the weakest mitment bias.  was a cleaner alternative. Solomonic alike who were appalled by the abuse misery among supporters. It was
members of the herd. In that world, wisdom dictated that it was better to of power and clear favouritism by the causing needless confusion. The risk
there is no allowance for youth. One day, when historians look let the aggressors have the baby than regime. The arrogance with which of losing the legal battle in courts that
There is neither charity nor pity. The back into events of this period, they fight to have it cut in half. Unfortu- Mwonzora and his allies carried have consistently favoured Mwonzo-
young must quickly adapt or perish. might find that this has also been a nately, in this case, there was no King themselves did little to endear them ra’s side meant that it was foolhardy
It is into this tough world that the time of generational disjuncture. A Solomon to deliver judgment. That to the political market. Instead of to continue insisting.
CCC arrived, one in which hungry closer look reveals that many of those judgment lies in the hands of the cit- eclipsing Chamisa as he had hoped, The Yellow Sea
political predators lurked, ready to around Mwonzora is the older gen- izens. Mwonzora became the archetypical As it happened, the launch of the
pounce at the slightest sign of error, eration of the MDC, some of them villain in the sordid political drama. new name was overwhelmingly en-
weakness, or opportunity. The CCC gallant fighters of the past. But twen- The prognosis is that the baby is Rational choice dorsed by the political marketplace.
has had to hit the ground running.  ty years of fighting a dictatorship had destined for a future of political mal- But hard as it might have been to The MDC-Alliance was history and
Long overdue taken its toll. Many gave up. It is nutrition and probable expiration in drop the MDC brand and walk so was the colour red, by which the
The decision to change the party’s not surprising that the approach of the hands of Mwonzora and his al- away, it was the only  politically ra- main opposition party had been asso-
name had long been overdue. The the Mwonzora has not been to fight lies. After all, it is Chamisa and his tional choice for Chamisa. As the ciated for more than two decades. By
MDC brand had become so toxic the regime but to seek accommoda- allies who appear to have the most weeks went on, the question was no the end of the day, the CCC brand
that retaining it was just unproduc- tion in the gravy train. The younger important asset in politics: the peo- longer if the MDC-Alliance would
tive stubbornness. This much was generation, on the other hand, many
plain to everyone. It had not only
become a source of confusion, but it
also reflected the conflicts and con-

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 29

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

and the colour yellow were trending goals. The MDC-Alliance was an al- to review and deal with the systemic ernment, parliament, the courts, and More significantly, the more the
on social media. Supporters shared liance of political parties. The salient flaws. But to achieve this, the party other political parties knew them as regime attacks the CCC, the more
pictures in yellow apparel or with message is that the CCC is a coali- leadership must first accept that there such. When Mwonzora was expelling it lends weight to the authenticity of
yellow backgrounds. What was even tion of citizens.    is a systemic weakness that requires MPs and councillors, it was because the CCC as the genuine opposition.
more remarkable were the numerous Old habits die hard attention. he accused them of having joined From that perspective, the regime’s
pictures of individuals who would Having overcome the mental inertia Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.  They media attacks are to be welcomed by
not normally declare their political of the status quo, the next big chal- Indeed, those of us who argued for suddenly, when it was convenient, the CCC as they serve a public func-
allegiances. They silently joined the lenge for the CCC is to demonstrate participation in these by-elections Mwonzora woke up and decided tion of separating it from Zanu PF’s
bandwagon, making loud political that change is not just a superficial feel vindicated because it has provid- that he was going to take the name surrogates like Mwonzora’s party that
statements with their images. The exercise. It must demonstrate that it ed a lesson before 2023. We argued MDC Alliance. Given the pattern are treated as allies. The propaganda
new baby was receiving a glorious is not just form ahead of substance. that the by-elections were an oppor- of previous political and judicial de- machinery is therefore providing free
welcome both within and outside As it happens, the first few days have tunity to test the electoral machin- cisions, there was every chance that advertising to the CCC, which is not
Zimbabwe. The sense of excitement shown rude but important reminders ery, including the party’s systems. Mwonzora would have been success- a bad thing at all because even if the
has been palpable. If anyone in the that old habits die hard. The party The nomination process has already ful, leaving Chamisa and his party publicity is negative, Zimbabwe’s po-
leadership had doubted the wisdom name was launched just under 48 raised an important red flag. It would without a name. litical market is experienced enough
of the bold step, the reception must hours before the nomination day for have been far worse if this problem to know that vitriolic attacks from
have been a hugely pleasant surprise. the by-elections. This was bound to had reared its head in 2023. Now If they do not steal the name and the regime are an indicator of the au-
The deliberations lead to problems and they duly hap- that it has happened and there is a logo, they will simply create one that thenticity of the target.
The decision to adopt the new name pened. By the end of the day, it had clear flaw, the leadership should not closely resembles the opposition’s
was not an easy one. One view was emerged that the CCC had fielded take the ostrich approach of burying assets, and they will be allowed to Building the party
to make sure the name closely resem- double candidates in wards in Bul- heads in the sand and pretending all do so by the compromised political That said, the CCC cannot afford to
bled the old name and identity. The awayo and Masvingo. This was dis- is well. referees. Now, considering these ab- sit back and hope for the implosion
reasoning was that the new should appointing because it reflected a dis- surdities, a politically literate person of its opponents’ campaign against it.
not lose touch with the old. For this concerting continuity of old habits. As former Harare mayor Ben would understand why the opposi- One of the great challenges it faces as
reason, it was necessary to have a Manyenyeni often says: “If we don’t tion political party must take unusu- an organisation is to prove that the
name that retained some resonance The MDC in its various incar- fix the big things, we will always be al measures to safeguard its name and recent change is not merely limited
with the old. The name Alliance for nations had acquired a bad habit of embarrassed by little things”.  They logo. This includes measures that en- to form but extends to substance. We
Democratic Change was mooted. It fielding more than one candidate may be just two double candidates sure that the logo is distinguishable have already observed how old habits
was persuasive but ultimately mis- where it was contesting elections. in local authority wards, but those and harder to imitate. These unusu- manifested in the nomination pro-
guided in its pursuit of nostalgia. It This nasty habit had cost the party seemingly small things cause huge al measures might seem absurd in a cess. This only serves to bolster critics
reflected another fallacy of commit- dearly in several electoral contests. embarrassment. To fix the big things normal political environment, but who argue that the change is super-
ment bias toward the old brand. With votes split between candidates, that result in this systemic failure, it they are understandable in an au- ficial. The CCC must demonstrate
it allowed Zanu PF candidates to is recommended that the party ap- thoritarian environment. It makes that the ways of the past are truly in
The contrary view, which eventu- win by default. It was a subversion points a panel of persons of integrity for easy identification of the party on the past. It must strengthen existing
ally won the day, was that it was nec- of democracy because in such cases to review the candidate selection and a ballot paper that usually has many structures and re-build where struc-
essary to have a clean break with the a constituency or ward ended up be- nomination process and make rec- names and imitations. Even if an im- tures have broken down. Again, this
past. There was no point in having ing represented by a minority candi- ommendations to the party organs postor tried to imitate the logo, the demands a professional and indepen-
a half-divorce from the MDC-Alli- date simply because most of the vot- for adoption and implementation. If one thing they would not be able to dent audit of the current party struc-
ance and the Alliance for Democratic ers’ allegiance was split between the this is not done, these small things use is the leader’s image. Therefore, tures. The leadership cannot rely on
Change carried a lot of baggage from MDC’s double candidates. There- will cause embarrassment and disap- what might be a retrogressive step in officeholders to report truthfully on
the past. It carried with it a sense of fore, seeing the CCC falling into the pointment in 2023.  a normal political environment is a this issue because they are conflicted.
denialism, a refusal to accept that same trap less than 48 hours after its Faces and political literacy necessary defensive strategy when
the past was indeed the past. What formation was deeply disconcerting The colour yellow was yet another operating in an authoritarian envi- Conclusion
it did for the Alliance for Democrat- for its followers and embarrassing for big change from the past. Red has ronment.  The launch of the CCC was a glori-
ic Change was that any name that the leaders. been the MDC’s colour since its in- A vicious response ous affair but the road ahead will not
would prompt the question “Which ception in 1999. It worked well for As might be expected, the response be easy. The grace and goodwill with
Alliance?” was more trouble than it That the problem may have af- its time. It was bright and visible. from the authoritarian state has been which the CCC has been received
was worth. It would cause the con- fected just three of the 143 electoral When thousands fathered for rallies, vicious. The announcement of the will give confidence to the leadership.
fusion that the change was trying to contests might suggest that it is small it created a sea of red which had a new name appears to have taken But as anyone who has succeeded at
overcome. It sounded well, but it had in scale; the fact that it happened high impact. But no matter how ap- the regime by surprise, which was a anything before knows, the greatest
all the hallmarks of someone who during a period when supporters pealing it might have been, it would rare achievement for the opposition challenge comes afterward. You must
was refusing to let go of an ex-lover. were euphoric is disappointing. The have been a mistake to carry on with which is heavily infiltrated by regime keep winning because the standard
new message was that the new brand it. Apart from it being a refusal to spies and informants. The initial re- set is already high. The CCC leader-
Alliance for Transformational represented a break with the past, give up the past, it would have creat- action of most of the regime’s pro- ship has the ball at their feet, and it
Change was another option. Apart so even if it had affected one race, it ed confusion in the political market. paganda machinery was to pretend is theirs to lose. The whole world has
from the baggage embedded in the would still have been too bad. At the It was therefore necessary to make that nothing had happened. The day seen how it has been unfairly treated,
word Alliance, it sounded too wordy time of writing the leaders said they a complete break and yellow fulfills the CCC was announced, among the but it cannot continue to run on em-
and convoluted. were resolving the problem and one that objective. It is just as bright but traditional newspapers, only one pri- pathy. At some point, the empathy
candidate had since withdrawn from with a mellow and softer appeal. It vate daily, The Newsday, headlined tank runs out.
The name of a political party the race. But even if the remaining already has a presence in the natural the news on its front page. The rest
should be easy on the tongue and disputes are resolved, this should not environment and it is easy to associ- blanked the CCC. There is an expectation for the
transformational was such a heavy obscure the need for a systemic over- ate with and wear. When thousands party to stand on its feet and survive
load. It was for the same reason that haul of the process of selecting and gather, it is just as likely to create a But this strategy was soon aban- in the well-known political jungle of
“convergence” in “Citizens' Conver- nominating candidates. powerful sea of yellow with a similar- doned because it did nothing to stop Zimbabwe. The leaders have a huge
gence for Change”, another candi- Deal with systemic failure ly high visual impact. the yellow tide. Subsequently, the responsibility, which they must take
date with the same CCC acronym The fact that there were double nom- propaganda machinery began to con- seriously, starting with these by-elec-
did not find favour. inations is not an aberration. Instead, Some people were not enamoured coct conspiracies against the CCC. tions. They must invest themselves
it points to a systemic failure: there is with the current logo because it in- The worst of the lot was a disgusting fully to make a political statement.
In the end, the Citizens' Coalition something fundamentally flawed in cludes the face of the party leader, piece in The Herald which sought to Their rivals will want to make a po-
for Change carried the day. It rep- the party’s selection and nomination Nelson Chamisa. In an ideal world, link the CCC’s symbolism to Islamic litical statement too, to deflate the
resented a break with the past, but process. This is not resolved by ad- their point of view is understandable. terrorist groups. But it was so beyond momentum, hence the need for vig-
more importantly, both in tone and hoc measures. It demands a thorough Building a party’s image around an the pale that even the political editor ilance.
content. review of the processes and a system- individual is not ideal. They are not whose title appeared on the by-line
ic overhaul. The idea that a political wrong when they worry about the could not associate his name with it. The issue is not about the strengths
From a content perspective, it party has multiple signatories for risk of building a personality cult. Other regime apparatchiks are try- and weaknesses of the candidates
places the citizen at the centre, which nominations is obviously a source The problem is that Zimbabwe is ing hard on social media to dilute – the battle is between the politi-
makes for a defining feature of the of problems that appears to lead to not a normal political environment the yellow concentrate, but they are cal parties and their leadership. It is
new political party. It retains the no- a free for all. Authority must be cen- where this purist perspective applies. hollow voices. The regime thought the leaders and their political parties
tion of a movement without neces- tralised and where it is delegated, it People who make these arguments announcing the allocation of public that are under trial. Epitaphs will
sarily mimicking it because after all a must be approved by the authorised may be politically literate, but they funds to the Zanu PF and Mwon- be written on some political careers
movement is constituted by citizens.  officers. If the party’s bank accounts skipped a module on the nuances of zora’s party in the same week would while others will receive huge boosts.
have specifically designated signato- Zimbabwean politics. deflate the buoyant mood among When history is told, this week will
The placement of citizens at the ries, there is no reason why its pri- CCC supporters and demoralize probably be remembered as the one
centre is consistent with the philoso- mary activity, the electoral process, is Anyone who has followed Zimba- them, but this only served to high- when the sun began to set on the
phy upon which the country’s consti- not similarly safeguarded. bwean politics lately knows that the light the absurdity of the political MDC but also when it began to rise
tution is based, namely that authori- main opposition party’s name and shenanigans. They have not learned with the CCC.
ty to govern derives from the citizens. In some ways, it is a good thing for logo are two of the most endangered that persistently hammering the
The idea of coalition denotes citizens the CCC that this debacle happened political assets. Some predators are CCC and being vengeful and spiteful *About the writer: Dr Alex
that are converging despite their dif- during the current by-elections be- always on the prowl, ready to steal only serves to emphasise the CCC’s Magaisa is a law lecturer at Kent
ferences. cause it gives the party sufficient these assets. For the past 4 years, victimhood and draws more public University in Britain. He is a for-
lead time before the 2023 elections Chamisa and his party were using empathy towards it. mer adviser to the late former
The ethos of the coalition is right the MDC Alliance as their name and prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
at the centre of modern-day politics: brand. Everyone, including the gov-
it is perfectly possible for citizens to
have differences and to acknowledge
them while pursuing commonly held

Page 30 The Big Debate NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Profound, empirical research needed to
understand Zimbabwe liberation struggle
A Brutal State of Affairs – The Rise and fall of Rhodesia by Henrik Ellert
and Dennis Anderson (Weaver Press, Harare, Zimbabwe, 2020 pp 412)

TREVOR GRUNDY Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole (left) when he was the Zanu leader with Herbert Chitepo. The assassinated Chitepo told new thing I was particularly interested in
recruits to Zanu: “You should realise you will not only be waging war against the enemy, but you will be involved in infights when I spent over a week reading A
TOWARDS the end of the Span- within the party, or in struggles within the struggle.” Brutal State of Affairs. That was the
ish Civil War, Ernest Hemingway assassination of Herbert Chitepo.
described the three-year conflict In his review of this book, the missionaries at the Elim Pentecostal they had gone through during the
between republican and nationalist Zimbabwean academic Martin Re- Mission on the border with Mozam- war and why.   I was in Lusaka working for the
forces as “a carnival of rottenness and vayi Rupiya pointed out that  its bique in Inyanga North near the Times of Zambia and correspondent
treachery on both sides . . . an idiocy authors benefited from documents town of Umtali on 23 June 1978. And the fact that Ellert was a for- for the BBC’s Focus on Africa and the
without bounds.” gathered from foreign intelligence mer Special Branch operative caused  Financial Times when it happened.
agencies in South Africa, Belgium, Decades after his disappearance interest, along with a handful of oth-
African nationalists will never ac- France, Portugal and Malawi, infor- outside the Ambassador Hotel in er  repentant   memoirs written by Said the FG reviewer: ”Predictably,
cept that sort of description for their mation that was entrusted to senior Salisbury (now Harare), we still do whites who had fought against Zanu Chitepo’s assassination in Lusaka in
struggle against white rule, which police and intelligence institutions not know who abducted and then and Zapu during Chimurenga Two March 1975 is dismissed in one sen-
was a protracted fight that ended in and used in their engagement with  killed Sithole. Speculation that he and who wanted their stories, which tence and that is a quotation from a
a negotiated victory for Robert Mug- various metropoles, including Lisbon was to be snatched and turned so he some might call confessions, told. book published by authors who were
abe and Joshua Nkomo who, on 18 and Pretoria. would feed information about black more likely to represent the African
April 1980, turned white-ruled Rho- nationalists to the white-run SB re- One white man, so angry about Nationalist point of view than that of
desia into black-led Zimbabwe. So did Stuart Doran in his seminal mains just that – speculation. being forced to fight his black broth- the Rhodesian Government.”
book Kingdom, Power, Glory – Mug- ers, demanded that there should be a
But plenty of whites do see things abe, Zanu and the quest for supremacy On the Elim Mission massacre, Nuremberg trial in Harare. He or she went on ,  “Ken Flow-
in Rhodesia the way Hemingway 1960 -1987 (Sithata, 2017 pp. 842) we learn next to nothing that is fresh er, in his version of the killing, took
saw them in Spain and they include Rupiya wrote: “Given the shroud and are pointed to a book many have In parts of that book, Ellert con- arm’s length responsibility, but it is
the authors of this aptly titled book, of unexplained and vexing develop- read, The Axe and the Tree’ by Ste- centrated on the Portuguese and regrettable that Mr Ellert, who must
Henrik Ellert and Dennis Anderson. ments during the liberation war, the phen Griffith. That one,  plus a book South African connections and the have had inside information – either
significance of this book is that it of- that might be harder to get hold of Selous Scouts who, according to an gained at the time or consequently –
As someone who lived and worked fers reasoned explanations, based on called Stoning the Dogs: Guerrilla unnamed reviewer in the Financial did not give his opinion.”
in Rhodesia (1977-1980) and then empirically verifiable evidence and mobilisation and violence in Rhodesia Gazette of 22 September 1989 “are
Zimbabwe (1980–1996), I welcome allows closure, decades later. This (un-published thesis, Israeli Defence now judged to be the  enfants terri- The reviewer went on to say that
the arrival of A Brutal State of Af- may be regarded as the greatest con- Forces). ble  and convenient scapegoats al- on the abduction and murder of Ed-
fairs which sits next to a long line of tribution made by the book on the legedly responsible for actions from son Sithole eight months later, “Mr
books about Africa, works that bend way forward.” What surprised me most  about which many now wish to distance Ellert was prepared to give much
and buckle creaking bookshelves in a this new book is how similar so themselves.” more detail.  He stated that Mr
room I laughingly call my library in Rupiya pointed to two incidents much of it is to another one by Hen- Sithole was apprehended as he and
Kent, England. placed, yet again, under the micro- rick Ellert,  The Rhodesian Front War It said: “Mr Ellert himself strives his secretary arrived in a car to visit
scope by Ellert and Anderson – the published by Mambo Press, Gweru to be  as fair as possible and indeed in the Quill Club at the Ambassador
I write this so far away from Afri- mysterious disappearance and mur- in 1989. doing so leaves one with the thought Hotel in Harare. Two Selous Scouts,
ca, remembering what a poet called der of Edson Sithole on the night of that he himself has doubts (unprov- posing as Special Branch men, arrest-
“old, unhappy, far-off things and bat- 15 October 1975  in the then Salis- That was a time in Zimbabwe able though they may be) about ed Mr Sithole and his secretary and
tles long ago.” bury, Rhodesia and the massacre of when the memoir of Ken Flower was some of the less savoury incidents in they were never seen again.”
clarifying or confusing the collective what was a very dirty war.’
Future African historians might European understanding of what The writer, without naming him-
find some of it quite useful because it That reviewer touched on some- self/herself, revealed that he/she was
is written by two men who support- in the Quill Club that very evening
ed Ian Smith, who served the Rho- and that Mr Sithole was already in
desian Special Branch (SB) for years that drinking den and was called
and who were eye-witnesses to events away by a phone call and that he was
they see  now as “hinge moments” in arrested after he left the hotel.
the Rhodesian War (1966-1979).
“Mr Ellert should have known this
That is, I believe, the value of this for he was one of two Special Branch
well-written, carefully edited and men who were permanently assigned
beautifully presented (with pictures to the Quill Club. They were there
of leading figures and clear maps) almost every evening to listen in on
book published by Weaver Press, the conversation and report indis-
Zimbabwe’s most imaginative pub- creet remarks.”
lishing house.
The reviewer said that while Ellert
But I think it is a pity that the was definite about the Selous Scouts’
foreword is written by the authors responsibility for Mr Edson Sithole’s
and not someone with a bullet-proof disappearance and obvious mur-
reputation when it comes to African der, he was unconsciously equivocal
affairs. Not that there are many of about the identity of those responsi-
those around. ble for the St Paul’s and Elim massa-
cre of missionaries.
But its 15 chapters do a reasonable
job telling the Rhodesian side of the The review was headlined New
story and what motivated a relatively Book lifts the veil slightly on RF war.
tiny minority of Europeans living in
Africa to cling to the past while their I found it disturbing that both au-
leaders convinced them they were thors initially believed that Chitepo
fast-forwarding into the future. was assassinated by Josiah Tongog-
ara, military commander of Zanla
The book also highlights several forces, but that after they’d read a
events outside Rhodesia – the Lis- single book by a couple of Zanu PF
bon coup in 1974 probably the most special pleaders they changed their
important – which sapped European minds.
morale and distanced Ian Smith’s
Rhodesia from John Vorster’s South But without any fresh evidence,
Africa. no new interviews.

Britain’s insidious role in all of this The book that made them see the
is hardly mentioned. light was The Chitepo Assassination
by  David Martin and Phyllis John-
Ellert and Anderson used prima- son.
ry source material when  available,
supplemented by reports from SB It was published 10 years after
archives. Sadly, so much of what Chitepo’s murder by the Zimbabwe
we need to know was destroyed by Publishing House, which they ran.
Smith’s CIO people during the clos- The book’s English (Martin) and Ca-
ing stages of the war. nadian (Johnson) writers modestly
said that the purpose of their work
Or so we’re led to believe. was “laying to rest the spirits that

NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 31

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

have remained disturbed for a de- Josiah Tongogara, accused by some African leaders of masterminding the assassination of Herbert Chitepo, met a tragic death minds about who killed Chitepo.
cade.” in December 1979.  Was his death an accident or was he just another victim of struggles within the struggle? Did they open, read,   even know

I find it hard to take seriously au- Chitepo will be a commercial success place for our fallen heroes, so must we rians, academics and authors at the about Masipula Sithole’s magnificent
thors who are able of change their for the authors without achieving its strive to account properly and respect- time of the publication of the Mar- book Struggles within the Struggle?
minds so easily concerning a subject stated objective: and that turns the fully for their deaths. tin/Johnson book.
that remains potentially explosive on whole thing into a most cynical tragedy. I doubt it, having examined the
the strength of a single book written “On this touchy subject of our he- One of them was Ibbo Mandaza bibliography.
almost half a century ago. “The authors claim that their ob- roes, we maintain that it is our own who, under the name of The Scru-
jective was to ‘reveal the truth about a government which has the legitimate tator, wrote in The Herald of March Nearly every book listed is written
The first book by Martin and very important part of Zimbabwe’s his- right and authority to lay to rest what- 23, 1985  that in his opinion the two by a European.
Johnson was called The Struggle for tory, laying to rest the spirits that have ever spirits have been disturbed for a authors “have simply cashed in on a
Zimbabwe (Faber & Faber, 1981 pp remained disturbed for a decade.’ decade. political issue that they thereby ren- How little anyone – especially
378). dered sensational in a book that will me – knew what was really going on
“But precisely because it is indeed a “This is hardly a matter for for- therefore sell very well.” when a bomb exploded under the car
It was dedicated to Josiah Tongog- very important and controversial part eign commercial interests. In the cir- of Chitepo’s pale blue VW early on
ara and was, largely, the Zanu/Mug- of our ‘history’, it might both be polite cumstances the present book (TG Concerning some of the book’s 18 March 1975. Fresh minds with
abe interpretation of the Rhodesian and prudent for foreigners among us writes-   the reference is to The Assas- sources, he said: “In the absence of an clear voices on this terrible event
War and the issues that caused it. to leave the Government and people of sination of Herbert Chitepo by David  authenticated report, I am afraid the would have enlivened this book so
Zimbabwe to make such a lofty claim Martin and Phyllis Johnson) may well book is likely to fuel more controver- much. Any effort to dig deeper is ab-
Their second came out at the same of finality. succeed in disturbing more spirits than sy about the Chitepo assassination sent in this new book.
time as a paperback called See You in it helps to rest.’’ than has been the case up until now.
November was published in South “In any case, any information can How dependable is the evidence of So, we must thank Marda Fairlie,
Africa and written by a former White always be made available to the gov- Ellert and Anderson would also an uunamed former Rhodesian CIO daughter of the late head of the CIO
CIO agent who wrote under the ernment and its agencies for verifi- have done themselves some good and source?” Ken Flower, who allowed the authors
name of  Peter Stiff. cation, analysis and judgment. In as helped readers understand more had to use her notes from the “archives”
much as we have, at great cost to our- they made reference to what was be- And this is the book that made that were included in her father’s
His book and his thesis that whites selves, provided a most dignified burial ing said by prominent African histo- Ellert and Anderson change their book Serving Secretly (John Murray,
murdered Chitepo bore an uncanny 1987).
resemblance to the one written by
Martin and Johnson. But sadly, much of Flower’s un-
published material remains a tightly
Now, almost every white journal- guarded secret in London and won’t
ist I know sings from the same hymn be seen by anyone with an inquisitive
sheet penned  by the “the whites what mind  about Britain’s role in all this
done it, gov” trio, Martin/Johnson for a long time to come, if ever.
and Stiff. The historian Professor
Terence Range told me during a visit A Brutal State of Affairs isn’t a
I made to Oxford University several start-up book for new-comers to
years when he went round Zimba- the Rhodesia tragedy. But if you’re
bwe talking to pupils in secondary an African aficionado and curious to
schools in Manicaland that the first hear the stories and learn about the
question he was always asked was insights of two former SB men who
‘Who killed Herbert Chitepo?’ served rebel-Rhodesia for so long and
so well, then this is one for you.
When it comes to the death of a
man of great status and true value, *About the book reviewer: Trevor
the matter is far from over. Grundy is an English author and
journalist who lived and worked
Closure? in Central, Eastern and Southern
Not in a thousands years, to coin Africa, including in Zimbabwe,
a phrase. How I wish Ellert and An- from 1966-1996. He worked for
derson had done some homework various African publications in-
and taken to heart the view of black cluding The Times of Zambia, The
Zimbabweans on this subject not the Standard (Tanzania), The Nation
tiresome political correctness of peo- (Kenya) Drum (London/Nigeria),
ple like Martin/Johnson and Stiff. Argus Africa News Service (South
Pity Ellert and Anderson made no Africa), The Star (South Africa), Fi-
mention of what Africans said when nancial Mail (South Africa), Time
the Martin Johnson book appeared. magazine (New York, US), SABC
For example, the editorial written and Beeld (South Arica), Deutsche
by Willie Musaruwa in the Sunday Welle (Bonn/Berlin), Financial
Mail of 24 March 1985. Times (UK), BBC’s – Focus on Af-
“There can be no doubt that the rica (UK) and the SABC’s Radio
recently published book on the trag- Today (Johannesburg).
ic death in March 1975 of Herbert

There is a future.

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Page 32 Critical Thinking NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

South Africa is in a state of drift: The danger
is that the ANC turns the way of Zanu PF
ROGER SOUTHALL or ignored. Above all, other political
prospects for meaningful and appro- suppressed rivals or allies with a legit- ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa. parties or organs of civil society which
THE dismal fate of Zimbabwe under priate economic growth are minimal. imate claim to having contributed to government could not be assumed, make claims to represent the popular
the stewardship of the Zimbabwe Af- No wonder so many fear that South the struggle for liberation. and replacing them with party loyal- will are dismissed as counter-revolu-
rican National Union-Patriotic Front Africa is embarked upon a  Zimba- ists who could be trusted. tionary. The popular will cannot be
(Zanu PF) government has long stood bwean-style decline into a basket-case The Zimbabwe African People’s shared.
out as a warning to South Africa’s economy run by a liberation move- Union, led by Zimbabwean liberation This resulted in the merging of
governing party, the African National ment autocracy. struggle hero Joshua Nkomo, was party and state, weakening the inde- These (and other) liberation move-
Congress (ANC). Yet rarely has South Three key features of liberation bruised and beaten until it agreed to pendence of bodies of accountability ment dynamics lead inexorably to
Africa been in more danger of launch- movements merge itself into Zanu-PF in 1987. established under their respective con- democratic and economic decline.
ing into a trajectory of Zimbabwe-like Highlighting three key features of lib- stitutions. If liberation movements are the his-
decline than now. eration movement rule – such as that The United Democratic Front, the toric embodiments of freedom, then
by Zanu PF and the ANC – help us to effective internal wing of the ANC And, justified on the basis of pursu- restraints on their power must consti-
The South African media is thor- understand the present crisis in South during the latter years of apartheid, ing the revolution, efforts were made tute unfreedom. Similarly, extension
oughly consumed with the political Africa. dissolved itself following heavy pres- in both countries to "capture" the of liberation movement control over
crisis within the ANC: the  rampant sure to do so by the ANC in 1991. commanding heights of the economy. the economy must by definition con-
factionalism, the massive corruption, First, liberation movements are This was achieved fully in Zimbabwe, stitute the furtherance of the revolu-
the "capture" of the state by the prac- characterised by simultaneous  dem- Both Zanu PF and the ANC tol- but only partially in South Africa. tion.
tice of  "cadre deployment", and the ocratic and authoritarian impulses. erate opposition parties. But they sys- The process was easily perverted into
resulting  decline in the party’s poll Their claim to having liberated their tematically seek to delegitimise them lining the pockets of an  increasing- Yet such thinking allows little
ratings. countries from colonial oppression by characterising them as "count- ly predatory party-state bourgeoisie. scope for private participation in the
has much merit. This is true if they er-revolutionary" or agents of foreign This, as Zanu PF’s and the ANC’s economy – unless it is closely aligned
There are genuine fears (or hopes) are reluctant to share this with other powers. control of the public service, includ- with the interests of the ruling party.
that the party will lose its electoral forces which participated in the strug- ing the parastatals, enabled them to It allows even less for popular partic-
majority at the next general elec- gle for freedom. Second, the liberation movements allocate high paid jobs, tenders and ipation in the political arena – unless
tion in 2024. have become the vehicles for  rapid procurement contracts to cronies. it takes place under the umbrella of
Furthermore, their present claim to class-formation. Although they won those who rule.
From this follows the most funda- be  representative of ‘the people’   en- political power, they inherited only Third, there is a constant tension
mental question of all: if the ANC lost sures that they cannot completely ig- limited economic power, as the com- between liberation movements’ com- Leaving the political stage
its majority at the next election, as nore the needs of their supporters. manding heights of their economies mitment to the liberal constitutional- These dynamics explain why Rama-
Zanu PF did in the parliamentary and remain in private hands. ism by which they acceded to power phosa’s reform agenda has fallen foul
presidential elections of 2008, would On the other hand, they have a and their aspirations to monopoly of a political paralysis gripping the
it democratically concede power? long history of authoritarianism. Nonetheless, by gaining control domination of society. ANC and the wider arena of politics
over the state, Zanu PF and the ANC in South Africa.
Or, alternatively, would it thwart Although they tolerated internal secured control over the state owned The liberation movements regard
the popular will by systematically un- dissent during the freedom strug- enterprises. In South Africa, these ac- themselves as the historic embodi- The ANC retains its determination
dermining any post-election coalition gle, they also quelled it at times with counted for around 15% of GDP in ments of the aspirations of "the peo- to rule yet lacks the capacity to do so
government, as Zanu PF did when brutal violence. After the arrival of the early 1990s. ple". Their logic is that those who are effectively. The only way out of the di-
it entered a coalition with the op- democracy, they have systematically not for them are against them. Con- lemma is its defeat in an election.
position Movement for Democratic Initially, their principal focus was stitutional restraints on the exercise
Change (MDC) in 2009? It refused to on removing old-guard public ser- of power by the state are weakened However, as the 2008 Zimbabwean
give up presidential power, and clung vants, whose loyalty to a democratic example has shown, defeat of a liber-
on to all the key levers of state power. ation movement in an election does
It subsequently rigged the 2013 gen- not guarantee its removal from power,
eral election. so long as it retains the support of the
military, police and security services.
What prompts such thinking is
the apparent dilemma confront- Perhaps South Africa could prove
ed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, different. The military  has been run
who is also the ANC president. He down, and the police and the  secu-
positioned himself as the candidate rity services  are themselves  heavily
who would  reform the ANC. He factionalised. However, this assumes
also pledged to clean up the mess of that there is an opposition party or
corruption left behind by the Zuma coalition capable of displacing the
presidency, and set South Africa back ANC electorally. And that this would
on the path of growth. be backed up by a level of popular and
civil society support which would be
But for all the talk, Ramaphosa ready and willing to combat any at-
has made little progress. He appears tempt to steal an election.
to be totally paralysed by an inability
to resolve the battle between factions The liberation movements have ful-
within the ANC. He apparently lacks filled their historic task. Compelling
the authority to control his Cabinet. them to leave the political stage is a
And the will to do so. daunting but necessary agenda.

So long as this continues, the *About the writer: Roger South-
country remains in a state of drift. all is professor of sociology at the
The level of unemployment is shock- University of the Witwatersrand in
ing, the extent of poverty among the South Africa.
black population is appalling, and the

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NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 33

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Making sense of the Burkina Faso coup

NICK WESTCOTT The latest coup in the Sahel again points to domestic
and international distrust and policy failures.
ANOTHER day, anoth-
er coup in the Sahel. Within 12
months,  Chad,  Mali  and  Burkina
Faso have all fallen under the de facto
control of the military, as has  Guin-
ea on the coast. Democracy seems in re-
treat. Jihadists appear to be advancing.
And destabilised states look increasing-
ly at risk of disintegrating.

From an international perspective,
the G5 Sahel (a group including the
governments of Burkina Faso, Chad,
Mali, Mauritania and Niger), the West
African bloc Ecowas and the African
Union (AU) appear ineffective in re-
sponding to these coups. The UN and
European Union (EU) remain present
but constrained. France is increasingly
unpopular. And Russia is seizing op-
portunities to win friends by selling
security services and weapons.

So what is going on, and how can
the international community best help
the people of the Sahel?

Four factors at play Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba giving a public address after the coup in Burkina Faso.
There are four factors at play. Firstly, cli-
mate change and demographic growth over a period of relative stability.  He Good and bad coups in the Sahel problem remains – and no AU early should be no illusions they will improve
are jointly putting increased pressure was strongly supported by interna- It is what happens next that matters. warning systems are effective against the fight against jihadism. But they
on existing resources, including land tional donors who poured money into “Good coups” can take place and have this – the failure of governments to will prop up the military government
and government services. Labour is the country, though the proportion of done in the Sahel. In February 2010, deliver on their election promises. against opposition from inside or out.
plentiful, but the lack of education people in poverty only fell from 45% President Tandja of Niger looked President Keita of Mali dismally failed And chaos in the region suits Russia’s
and investment mean there are few to 40% during his 27 years in pow- poised to prolong his rule against pub- to address the political concerns of the purpose just as well, if not better, than
opportunities. The main options for er. While keeping the army relatively lic wishes.  Tuareg in the north who subsequently stability.
people outside agriculture are to work weak, Compaoré relied on a Presiden- linked their rebellion to jihadist groups,
in informal goldfields that are springing tial Guard and informal links with ji- Led by Lt-Col Salou Djibo, the mil- which have secured much of the north From all this, we can conclude four
up across the region or migrate further hadists and rebels to keep the peace. He itary forced him out and put in place and pressed ever further south. things. Firstly, politics is a rough busi-
afield to find work. Migration has al- held regular elections, which he won by a transition that led to the election of Complicated foreign involvement ness, whether democratic or author-
ways been a seasonal activity in the predictably generous margins. President Mahamadou Issoufou in France, which rescued Mali from the itarian. But what is needed to build a
Sahel with many villagers migrating to March 2011. Issoufou recently stepped last attempt by jihadists to seize the stable state is effectiveness in govern-
local towns and cities in the dry season, When he sought to change the con- down at the end of his second term capital Bamako in 2012, is in difficul- ment  and  accountability to the citi-
but it is increasingly becoming perma- stitution to prolong his rule, however, and was succeeded by the duly-elected ties. Keen to reduce its expensive secu- zens. Secondly, legitimacy will always
nent and more distant. he provoked a popular rising in Octo- Mohamed Bazoum. Though jihadists rity commitment, France and the EU depend on providing law and order as
ber 2014 that forced his departure. A continue to pose an ever-present threat, backed the G5 group of Sahel countries well as jobs and trade. One without
Secondly, the states of the region military government under Colonel Niger’s government looks both more to assure their own security. But their the other will always fail in the end.
find it increasingly difficult to provide Isaac Zida took over. Under pressure democratic and stable than its neigh- capacity is still too limited, and the AU Thirdly, flexibility must be allowed to
basic security to their citizens. Swathes from Ecowas, he organised elections, bours. is not in a position to provide the kind enable each country finds its own path
of northern and eastern Mali are now which a year later brought Roch-Marc of peacekeeping support it has sent to accountable and efficient govern-
effectively ruled by jihadists, with local Christian Kaboré to power. One of those, Chad, has been one to Somalia. This was touted in 2013, ment: no prescribed formula will work
communities having signed deals to of the most effective in the region at but no African states were willing to everywhere. And fourthly, the interna-
abide by their rules and pay them taxes Though re-elected in November keeping jihadists at bay. But the hur- commit, so the job in Mali fell to the tional community can still help provide
in return for peace. The same has begun 2020, Kaboré’s failure to tackle escalat- ried elevation of Idris Déby’s son when UN. France does have a vital interest security to enable political systems to
happening in northern Burkina Faso. ing jihadist attacks in the north, which the president was unexpectedly assassi- in Niger’s uranium mines, and is keen consolidate, as in Somalia. But without
have displaced 1.5 million people, and nated in April 2021 spoke to the elite’s to preserve a profile in the region. But domestically robust government it will
Local militaries are on the back foot his inability to get the economy moving concern for continuity rather than ac- the historical baggage of “Françafrique” prove futile in the long run, as we’ve
– under-equipped, poorly-led and lack- again meant the military takeover on countability or development. In the policies leaves them vulnerable to pub- seen in Afghanistan.
ing reliable intelligence – and citizens 24 January 2022 appears to have been medium term, what many refer to as an lic hostility.
are increasingly taking security into widely welcomed by the public. “institutional coup” could undermine What happens in the Sahel matters
their own hands. But this undermines rather than reinforce stability. Russia meanwhile is making Mali’s to both the rest of Africa and the rest of
the core function of the state. Ultimate- The apparent leader of the military rulers a  tempting offer: secu- the world. For foreign governments for-
ly, whoever has physical control is effec- coup,  Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Hen- The problem with military govern- rity personnel from the Russian para- mulating policy, it is essential to avoid
tively the ruler. ri Damiba, is young but politically ments, as we see in Mali, is they find it military Wagner Group to assure their the mistakes of the past and engage
well-connected as the son of Béatrice hard to leave once in power. The lack of own safety and new arms on easy terms, with the present. Supporting good gov-
Thirdly, this inability to deliver se- Damiba, the former information min- institutional accountability encourages all without any of the conditionality ernance, civil society and development
curity, work or development to their ister and a member of the Council of corruption, however well-intentioned on democracy and accountability that remains essential; but without security,
citizens – often combined with fairly Elders. He has been heavily involved in the leaders. And their track record accompanies EU or US assistance. Af- the support risks being wasted.
blatant corruption – undermines the the fight against jihadism, publishing a against jihadists is typically no better ter the serial failures of Wagner Group
political legitimacy of governments book on the subject, and was appoint- than that of elected governments, while mercenaries to defeat rebels in Mozam- — African Arguments.
however democratically elected. Citi- ed only weeks before by Kaboré to head their record on human rights is often bique and the Central Africa Republic, *About the writer: Nick Westcott is
zens then become more willing to see if the anti-terrorism campaign. Damiba’s been worse. or to resolve the civil war in Libya, there director of the Royal African Society,
the military can do any better. disgust at the government’s failure to former African historian and British
equip and pay its soldiers adequately The democracies in Ecowas, still a diplomat.
Fourthly, there is disillusion with ex- may have persuaded him to intervene. majority, worry that military takeovers
isting international partners whose in- could prove infectious if tolerated. The
terventions are seen as either ineffective
or unhelpful. The UN has taken heavy
casualties and received little thanks for
its role in Mali. France has become a
particular target for protest in Mali and
other countries in the region, as much
for its historical role as for its current
military campaigns against jihadists.
Even Ecowas is now unpopular in Mali
for imposing sanctions against the mili-
tary government.
Burkina’s uprising and coup
Political stability and accountable gov-
ernment take time to establish. Burki-
na Faso is a classic case. The current
trouble stems back to President Blaise
Compaoré. Widely suspected of or-
chestrating the 1987 coup that killed
his radical predecessor Thomas San-
kara, Compaoré nevertheless presided

Page 34 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

After a fourth coup in West Africa, it’s
time to rethink international response

ALEXANDER JOHN THURSTON

THE latest coup in Burkina Faso is the an unofficial deal with jihadists in Mali about “partnerships” and “training” bare- Drawing the line in the sand statement of overthrown leaders.
fourth in Africa’s Sahel region in less than and beyond. This ostensibly kept Burki- ly camouflages contempt. European and The general reaction by France, the Unit- Any concerns about “losing credibili-
18 months. na Faso free of their attacks. But once he even American ground troops, helicop- ed States, and Ecowas to the latest round
fell, the argument goes, jihadists crowded ters, and drones crisscross the region, of Sahelian and West African coups has ty” should be tempered by the fact that
The other three were carried out in in. leaving Sahelian armies as supporting been to decry them while quietly accept- Washington already appears weak and
August 2020 in Mali, in April 2021  in actors or bypassing them altogether. ing them as done deals. deeply hypocritical on the issue of de-
Chad, and Mali’s “coup within a coup” Another simplistic explanation is that mocracy promotion and respect for hu-
last May. West African jihadists, flush with cash Litanies about “good governance” de- A “political reality” sets in the moment man rights.
and tactical know-how from abroad, are cry corruption in generic terms but rare- the ousted leader reluctantly agrees to re-
Yet, European and American leaders strategic masterminds bulldozing their ly focus on specific targets, leaving little sign under clear duress. This “reality” dic- It is never too late to attempt consis-
currently appear  more concerned  with way across the region. accountability for militaries or civilians. tates that such leaders are never coming tency, including on cases now assumed
the presence of Russian-linked Wagner Military corruption scandals have been back. The “international community,” to be completely settled. The Chadian
Group mercenaries than with the region’s The reality is substantially more com- routinely swept under the rug. with the Economic Community of West junta’s rule is as unconstitutional today
core political problems. plex. Sahelian jihadists have had ups and African States as the lead negotiator, then as it was in April 2021 when it began,
downs. And it has taken the confluence These include the  one  in Niger — haggles with each junta over the param- for example. Beyond the rhetorical level,
All of these coups illustrate the dan- of many factors — beyond just Com- now the next country where coup fears eters of a transition back to civilian rule. meanwhile, there are plenty of options
gers of regional and international ac- paore’s fall or whatever strategic acumen are rising. for pressuring juntas through sanctions,
tors prioritising counter-terrorism (and jihadists may possess — to make the cen- That template bogs regional diploma- aid suspensions, withdrawal of ambassa-
competition with Russia) while ignor- tral Sahel into one of the world’s worst Meanwhile, Sahelian security forces cy down in extended negotiations with dors, suspensions from regional and in-
ing other warning signs. These include conflict zones. take casualties from enemies who melt juntas that are clearly willing to play ternational organisations, and more.
flawed,  low-turnout elections,  out-of- into the countryside. This leaves rank- outside the rules. Such a situation has in-
touch rulers, and  crackdowns on free In central Mali, a renewed wave of ji- and-file soldiers and gendarmes fearful creasingly affected Mali. Ecowas pulled back from draconian
expression. hadist mobilisation starting in 2015 drew and quick to pull the trigger against civil- economic sanctions in the immediate
on longstanding grievances connected to ians, compounding insecurity. Paris and Washington, meanwhile, aftermath of the August 2020 coup in
There is also grinding poverty inequitable land access, ossified social hi- routinely appear overeager to get back Mali. It has now ended up imposing
(even beforethe current crisis) and aston- erarchies, and the brutal, knee-jerk reac- All of these dynamics leave colonels — to business as usual with whoever is in them some 17 months later. This is after
ishing levels of internal displacement. In tions of the Malian security forces. the key movers in recent coups — caught charge. In this case, business as usual realising that the junta was essentially ig-
addition, there is overemphasis on coun- between ineffective presidents, compla- means counter-terrorism campaigns. noring the dictates of the regional group-
terterrorism. Across the border in northern Burki- cent generals, and their own disgruntled Such campaigns are supposedly a means ing all along.
na Faso, similar developments set in by troops. Elections bring no substantive of boosting political stability, but in re-
The Burkina Faso coup was the subject 2016. They drew on ultra-local grievanc- changes, major opposition leaders offer ality they constrain effective diplomatic To not use these tools when they
of  urgent regional coordination meet- es, the exchange of personnel and ideas vague alternatives, and Sahelian capitals responses to coups, corruption, electoral would be most effective — immediate-
ings and an emergency virtual summit of across the Mali-Burkina Faso border, and periodically erupt into massive protests irregularities, and human rights abuses. ly following each coup — is to become
the Economic Community of West Afri- the deteriorating picture throughout the demanding an alternative to a broken complicit in the region’s militarisation.
can States (Ecowas) on 28 January which sub-region. status quo. Why should it be considered polit- This is true of the far-flung peripheries
resolved to suspend Burkina Faso. Military corruption and coups ically fanciful to try to reverse coups? where jihadists gravitate, but also of other
As Mali’s crisis grew into a Sahelian crisis, One can understand why the colonels Examples of coups being reversed are capitals across the Sahel.
I have studied Islam and politics in the region’s militaries have been simul- react. And also why many civilians often few, but that does not mean Washington
northwest Africa for the past 16 years, taneously and collectively pressed to de- initially support coups. But the coups shouldn’t try. At a minimum, Washing- — Responsible Statecraft.
with a focus on the twentieth and twen- liver more results. In other words, more make the overall situation even worse by ton can take the lead rhetorically by not *About the writer: Alexander John
ty-first centuries. My most recent book dead jihadists. From Paris, Washing- layering new political crises over existing just “expressing concern” or “calling for Thurston is assistant professor of Politi-
– Jihadists of North Africa and the Sahel: ton, and Brussels, patronising language crises of insecurity, humanitarian emer- the release” of detained, overthrown pres- cal Science at the University of Cincin-
Local Politics and Rebel Groups – draws gencies, and civilian politicians’ own in- idents, but also by demanding the rein- nati, United States.
on case studies from Algeria, Libya, Mali, ability to address fundamental problems.
Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania.
The study examines jihadist movements
from the inside, uncovering their activ-
ities and internal struggles over the past
three decades.

It is my view that the latest coup pres-
ents a fork in the road for West African,
French, and American policymakers.
They can decide to let the coup stand
and thus confirm de facto military domi-
nance across the Sahel. Or they can draw
a red line and demand that it be reversed.
From revolution to failure
The overthrow of Burkina Faso’s Presi-
dent Roch Kabore has domestic prece-
dents as well, including a series of coups
dating back to 1966. Out of the tumul-
tuous 1980s, the ultimate victor was a
military dictator named Blaise Com-
paore. Compaore closed the door on the
revolutionary promise of his flawed but
admirable predecessor, Thomas Sankara,
by installing himself as de facto president
for life.

Compaore was overthrown in a 2014
popular revolution.

The revolution survived its first major
challenge — a 2015 coup attempt by
Compaore loyalists. But it then floun-
dered thanks to Kabore, who was elected
in 2015 and re-elected in 2020. Kabore,
who was close to Compaore until the ear-
ly 2010s, came late to the opposition and
proved a poor vehicle for the aspirations
of the youth-led revolution.

The mainstream alternatives were lit-
tle better. In both 2015 and 2020, the
runners-up were politicians with ties to
Compaore. These include former Fi-
nance minister Zephirin Diabre. During
his first and second terms, Kabore drifted
along without much of a programme.

Meanwhile, security collapsed across
much of Burkina Faso. The easy — far
too easy — explanation one sometimes
hears is that Compaore had maintained

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 35

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

In a fiscal ditch? African countries should
try public participation in budget process

KEN OPALO

THERE are two big challenges Af- Reliance on informal economic activity makes it difficult for most African countries to raise revenue beyond consumption taxes. Getty Images
rican countries face when it comes
to managing public finances. GDP. Counter to popular opinion The incentives for involving leg- A role for multilateral organisa- gagements are clear for all to
about allegedly bloated public sec- islatures in the budget process are tions see.  Research shows  that elites in
First, many lack fiscal capacity tors in the region, the problem in equally strong.  Legislatures are in- These domestic public finance man- low-income countries are wont to
on account of structural weaknesses many African countries is that they tegral to accountable democratic agement challenges are often com- misappropriate aid, with disburse-
of their economies and gaps in tax are under-governed  by states that government. Therefore, instead of pounded by donors and multilat- ments associated with increased de-
administration. Predominant infor- can scarcely meet the enormous de- always deferring to Ministries of eral organisations. Nearly all make posits in offshore financial centres.
mality of wage employment and re- mand for public goods and services. Finance, African legislatures should rhetorical commitments to strong
liance on subsistence agriculture in be a core part of the appropriation institutions and democracy. Yet Not a silver bullet. Just a good
most countries make it difficult to Which is why, in my view, Af- process. when it comes to budget matters start
raise revenue beyond consumption rican governments should align many prefer to exclusively engage Finally, it is worth reiterating that
and border taxes. Consequently, both revenue generation and public The current monopoly of budget with presidents, finance ministries, the democratisation of budget pro-
on average, African countries col- spending with public opinion. processes by ministries of finance and central banks to the neglect of cesses will not be a silver bullet in
lect a mere 16.6% of gross domestic produces two problems. First, legislatures and civil society organ- fixing African states’ public finance
product (GDP) in taxes. The challenge is: how can coun- without legislative input (ideally isations. management challenges. Indeed,
tries go about democratising the representing individual legislators’ it will be messy. Injecting legisla-
For comparison, countries in the management of public finances? constituency interests), many of the Often this is done under the tors and their constituencies into
Asia Pacific collect about 21% of Possible answers region’s budgets reflect the priori- guise of the allegedly “apolitical” the process is likely to complicate
GDP in taxes. Countries in Latin One possibility of getting out of ties of presidents and allied interest and technical nature of public fi- the distributive politics of budgets
American and Caribbean countries the fiscal ditch that many African groups. Because appropriation is nance management. in most countries. This may slow
average about 23%. governments find themselves in not always tied to actual needs on down the appropriation process
is through greater public partici- the ground, it is no wonder that But what can be more political or result in institutional paralysis.
At the top end, the average tax pation in the budget process. This governments waste money on white than the process of (re)distributing But this should be treated as a fea-
haul in high-income countries can be done directly, or through elephants or unfinished projects. public resources? ture and not a bug. Given what is
within the Organisation for Eco- elected legislative representatives. at stake, it makes sense that there
nomic Cooperation and Develop- Entrenching a political culture of Second, since most legislatures’ To engender the development of would be distributive conflicts
ment (OECD) is about 34%. public participation and legislative involvement in the budget process coherent public finance manage- around budgets. This is what we see
input in the budget process would tends to be limited to up or down ment processes in African states, in high-income democracies. We
Second, African countries’ fiscal certainly not be a silver bullet. But votes on executive proposals, indi- multilateral organisations and do- should expect no less of democra-
capacity gaps are often compound- it would increase the alignment be- vidual legislators have little incen- nors should strive to include legisla- tising African states.
ed by the lack of prudent and ac- tween budget appropriations and tive to acquire expertise in legislative tures and civil society organisations
countable deployment of public taxpayers’ priorities. appropriation and budget over- in all matters regarding fiscal policy. — IMF Finance and Develop-
resources. The existence of white el- sight. Becoming good at these leg- Doing so would be the right and ment Magazine.
ephants and abandoned unfinished At the individual level,  research islative roles takes time and effort. democratic thing to do. It would
projects  in many countries betray shows  that spending money on Simply stated, not involving legisla- also increase the likelihood of pru- *About the writer: Ken Opalo is
systemic failures of project planning taxpayers’ priority areas is likely to tures in the budget process weakens dent use of resources by govern- assistant professor at Georgetown
and implementation. boost tax morale, thereby improv- the important oversight function of ments. University, United States.
ing overall fiscal capacity. legislatures.
Similarly, a number of countries The consequences of the his-
routinely spend less money than torical opacity around these en-
appropriated in the budget (net of
corruption). The reason? Limited
absorption capacity in government
ministries, departments, and agen-
cies.

For example, a 2018 World
Health Organisation study found
that, despite pressing need for in-
vestments in public health, roughly
10% to 30% of money allocated to
health ministries in the region go
unspent.

Finally, while corruption  is
not  the primary problem bedev-
illing public finance management
in most African states, associated
waste and distortions of budget
processes serve to limit the impact
of public spending.

The joint effects of the two chal-
lenges keeps many African coun-
tries stuck in a sub-optimal equi-
librium. Tax morale is dampened
by inefficient expenditure patterns
that fail to meet taxpayers’ needs.
In turn, this reduces the overall tax
haul and reinforces government’s
lack of fiscal capacity.

The lack of a strong revenue base
means that African governments
cannot undertake important invest-
ments in public goods and services
that are needed to achieve structural
economic change in the region.

As shown below, African states
continue to lag their counterparts
in other regions on the metric of
government spending as a share of

Page 36 Africa News NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Zambia’s success will be Africa’s success

HAKAINDE HICHILEMA First president of independent Zambia, the late Dr Kenneth Kaunda. confidence. We will also promote na-
tional unity and good governance by
THE year 2021 was a landmark year for historic stand taken by the courts in with pride that Africans own democracy My administration’s focus over the strictly adhering to the rule of the law
Zambia. our neighbor, Malawi, where a rigged on the continent. next five years will be on restoring mac- and democratic accountability.
election outcome was rejected, and new roeconomic stability and promoting the
Two important events occurred. The elections were successfully held in 2019. The road ahead will not be without growth of the economy. Our priority is a simple one: We
passing of the first president of indepen- challenges but, with a clear vision and must find a way to include the jobless
dent Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, was In both these cases, it was Africans plan, and with relentless determination, We will pay special attention to low- youth in our economy. In order to do
mourned in June. Then, in the election who held the election, contested it, and we will deliver on the aspirations of our ering the fiscal deficit, reducing public that, we need to build our economy by
in August 2021, the people of Zambia adjudicated on its fairness. We can say people. debt, and restoring social and market encouraging new investment and giving
voted decisively for change. our young people the skills they need to
participate fully in the economy.
I mention the passing of Dr Kaunda
because Zambia has strong roots. He Growing the economy requires agile
was a person who sought to serve ordi- thinking that uses all the levers at our
nary Zambians and, even if some of the disposal. We must urgently attend to
policy decisions his party made did not restoring our mining sector to its right-
have optimal outcomes, his intention ful place as a leading global producer of
was to place ordinary Zambians at the copper by ensuring regulatory fairness
center of the country’s development. and attending to obstacles that stand in
the way of new investment. We must
Sadly, Zambia has not lived up to its strive to increase the production of cop-
promise. per and other minerals so that Zambia
can reclaim its place as one of Africa’s
Over the last decade, we have wit- leading mining countries.
nessed the erosion of our economy and
the corruption of our politics. As a con- We need to make Zambia a preferred
sequence, our debt has risen to unsus- investment destination by cutting red
tainable levels, reducing the country’s tape and reducing policy uncertainty
capacity to invest in productive areas of which cause investors to hesitate.
our economy and its ability to address
the gaps in health care, education, and We must encourage the growth of
other social services. new businesses. We need 1 000 — per-
haps even 10 000 — entrepreneurs to
Our national budget has been over- bloom, igniting our small business sec-
whelmed by debt servicing, emolu- tor as a key employer and source of in-
ments, and consumption, when there novation and growth.
should have been greater room for in-
vestment and growth. To do this, we must make it easier for
small businesses to gain access to capital.
The scourge of corruption has eroded Government must understand the chal-
our much-needed resources including lenges that entrepreneurs and investors
the debt itself, robbing us further of the face, and do its part to welcome invest-
opportunity for growth. ment, growth, and innovation.

This slide towards debt, disaster, and None of this will happen without
dependency set our country on a bleak clean and purposeful governance. The
course. institutions mandated to investigate
and prosecute will be given unfettered
Fortunately, the people of Zambia autonomy to act without fear or favor
that decided to change direction and and without political bias.
the election — notably under difficult
Covid-19 conditions — saw a change of Malpractice and mismanagement
government and the opportunity for a must be rooted out.
new beginning.
From the election to economic recov-
It was our third peaceful, democratic ery, Zambia’s success will, in this way, be
transfer of leadership since the advent Africa’s success.
of multi-party democracy three decades
ago. It was an African success. — Bookings Institution.

Notably, Zambia’s transition is an *About the writer: Hakainde Hich-
example of Africa’s success in addressing ilema is President of Zambia.
its own challenges: The African Union
played an instrumental role in ensuring This opinion piece was first pub-
our smooth transfer of power. lished in the Foresight Africa 2022 re-
port of the Brookings Institution,
This transition also sends a clear mes- which explores top priorities for the
sage that Africa embraces the right to continent this year.
democratic choice. It comes after the

KHANYI MLABA Tropical Storm Ana highlights Currently the UN is very con-
region's climate vulnerability cerned by the high levels of vulner-
TROPICAL Storm Ana has ripped ability in the area, with UN resident
its way through three southern Afri- tively, as well as the destruction of world’s first ever climate change-re- deal with the impacts of the climate coordinator in Mozambique Myrta
can countries, causing devastation in thousands of homes, businesses, and lated famine. crisis,” she added. Kaulard  saying of the situation on
its wake and resulting in the deaths important infrastructure and facili- the ground: “The challenge is titanic,
of an estimated 77 people, with tens ties.  “Disasters such as these are further The storm is still ongoing and ac- the challenge is extreme."
of thousands more people hit by its evidence of the injustice suffered by cording to  AFP news agency, Ana
effects.  Speaking to the  Daily Maver- the nations that contribute least to has led to 130 000 people fleeing “Mozambique is responding to
ick, Landry Ninteretse, regional the climate crisis, as they bear the their homes, and schools and gyms a complex crisis in the north which
While the full extent of the dam- director at environmental organisa- brunt of the crisis, by way of worsen- in Madagascar’s capital, Antananari- has caused an additional enormous
age is still being assessed by rescue tion 350Africa.org, emphasised that ing climate impacts,” she said. vo, have been turned into emergency strain on the budget of the country,
workers and authorities across Mada- Malawi, Madagascar, and Mozam- shelters. Malawi has declared a state on the population,” Kaulard  said,
gascar, Mozambique, and Malawi — bique are dealing with the effects of “Not only should this be a wake- of natural disaster, and parts of the referring to the  ongoing conflict  in
where the storm has been focused — a climate crisis actually caused by up call for the biggest polluters to country’s national electricity grid the region. “In addition there is also
the  United Nations confirmed  that wealthier countries’ actions. commit to plans to significantly have been destroyed. Covid-19.”
tens of thousands of homes in the lower greenhouse gas emissions by
three countries have been destroyed, Not to mention, just last year moving away from fossil fuels, but According to AFP, up to six trop- The storm’s movements are be-
and an estimated 21 000 people have the  World Food Programme also for the developed world to make ical storms are expected to hit the ing monitored but the UN released
been impacted by the disaster. warned  that southern Madagascar good on its promise of climate fi- Southern Africa region before the a  statement  suggesting that things
was on the brink of experiencing the nance to help vulnerable nations rainy season ends in March.  are likely to get worse, stating that it
Ana comes as the same three “might evolve into a severe tropical
countries are  still in recovery from storm in the next few days.”
the impacts of 2019’s Cyclones Idai
and Kenneth, which resulted in the About the writer: Khanyi is a writ-
deaths of over 1 000 people collec- er and editor at Global Citizen.

— Global Citizen.

NewsHawks World News Page 37

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Ukraine crisis: A problem of trust

Observers believe a war between Russia and Ukraine is inevitable.

JIM HUGHES ic Russian atrocities, was indulged spective. House report of May 2021, where the meeting between secretary of State
by Western leadership. US president The commentary by Gates, a sea- Russian charge was dismissed as one James Baker and Soviet leader Gor-
MANY observers now believe a war Bill Clinton infamously compared of many “myths”. bachev and his Foreign minister She-
between Russia and Ukraine is in- Yeltsin’s actions in this war to those soned presence in the US intelligence vardnadze in Moscow in February
evitable.  Jim Hughes  explains  in of Abraham Lincoln in the US Civil community, correctly focuses our at- What is the difference between a 1990, at the pivotal moment in the
the European Politics and Policy, a War.  tention to the background and con- treaty, an agreement, a guarantee, an unification of Germany. 
multi-disciplinary academic blog run text of the current crisis, locating it obligation and an assurance in inter-
by the London School of Economics Many Western commentators pre- to the early 1990s and the fall of the national relations? One might think According to Burns, Baker gave a
and Political Science, how the ero- dicted wrongly that the war would USSR. The fall may have occurred that the first is legally embedded, usu- guarantee to the Soviet leaders that
sion of trust between Russia and the be a “tombstone” for Russian pow- in 1989-91, but the current crisis ally, and therefore is more enforce- “there would be no extension of Na-
West has brought us to the brink of a er. The war destroyed much of the demonstrates that its ripple effects able. In fact, as history shows, and re- to’s jurisdiction or forces “one inch to
conflict that could have far-reaching modern infrastructure of Chechnya continue to shape international rela- cent history affirms, any international the East” of the borders of a reunified
consequences for Europe. and caused thousands of casualties on tions in Europe (and in Eurasia).  agreement whether legally formalised Germany.
both sides, and ended in a stalemate. or informally stated, is only as good
As Russia-Ukraine tensions appear Gates explains that “almost every- as the interests of the parties in re- From the perspective of the US
to be escalating toward war, Western It is the second Chechnya war thing Putin does at home and abroad maining committed to abiding by it. and its allies, especially those at the
leaders show every sign of conform- (1999-2008) that was led by Putin is rooted in the collapse of the So- eastern interface with Russia, Putin’s
ing to IF Stone’s acute observation (first as prime minister and then as viet Union in 1991, which for him The US has abrogated several in- annexation of Crimea and military
that “when war comes, reason be- president). marked the collapse of the four-cen- ternational agreements in recent de- support for the secessionists in East-
comes treason”.  tury-old Russian empire and Russia’s cades, treaties included (the ABM ern Ukraine since 2014 is a clear
The second war ended in victory position as a great power.” Treaty,  the INF Treaty, the  Paris breach of Russia’s commitments to
Nuance, balance, and expert for Russia, and minimal Russian ca- Agreement  on climate change,  the guarantee the sovereignty of Ukraine
analysis is washed over by a flood sualties, largely by two tactics. First, Gates sees the current crisis as an JPA on Iran). The British government given in the Budapest Memorandum
of escalating hyperbole and skewed Russia copied Nato’s tactics in the opportunity for the US and its Nato has demonstrated a lack of commit- of 1994.
polarising commentary. Two recent Balkans of deploying overwhelming allies to “exacerbate” tensions in order ment to the Good Friday Agreement
illustrations of this are public com- distance bombing from land and air to weaken Putin. It is as if he wants to during Brexit, repeatedly threatening Once broken, trust is challenging
ments by British Prime Minister against insurgents, which displaced call the bluff of a nuclear armed state. to break international agreements to repair and disinformation wha-
Boris Johnson, who having ordered the bulk of the civilian population with Ireland and the EU. Such abro- taboutery can only deteriorate the
2 000 British anti-tank missiles sent temporarily into neighbouring re- The Gates comment is more use- gations undermine trust, which is a crisis. War is made more likely by the
to Ukraine,  threatened  that Russia gions.  ful for drawing our attention to the key ingredient in stable international absence of trust. In this crisis, the un-
faced a “new Chechnya” if it invad- reasons why trust has broken down relations. The absence of trust is also predictable consequences of war have
ed Ukraine, and a recent article in Second, unlike the military defeats between Russia and the US and its a key driver of war. the potential to reach far beyond
the Financial Times by Robert Gates, of US and British counterinsurgen- Nato allies. From the Russian per- Russia’s likely territorial ambitions in
former director of the Central Intel- cies in Iraq and Afghanistan, Russia spective, the erosion of trust began What security guarantees were giv- Eastern Ukraine, north of Crimea,
ligence Agency and US secretary of successfully eliminated the insurgen- with commitments given by US and en to Russia by the US and its allies and along the Black Sea littoral. A
Defence, who argued for the US and cy by co-opting a proxy leadership in Western leaderships at the time of the during and after the collapse of Soviet good place to start rebuilding trust is
its Nato allies to “exacerbate” the cur- Chechnya under Chechen president unification of Germany in 1990 that power in Eastern and Central Europe to revisit the security architecture and
rent crisis. Ramzan Kadyrov, and has used it there would be no expansion of Nato in 1990? In 2018, William J Burns, mutual guarantees given in the early
since to stabilise the region.  to the East. current director of the CIA and a 1990s in a manner which restores
On the first comment, it is clear veteran US foreign policy profession- their credibility.
foolishness to draw an analogy be- It is unlikely that Putin would This is a controversial issue, with al, published his memoir,  The Back
tween Chechnya’s wars and Putin’s draw any lessons from Chechnya, as many Western commentators keen to Channel.  *About the writer: Jim Hughes
current policy. There were two wars Ukraine has a modern professional disinform and dismiss Russia’s claims is professor of comparative politics
in Chechnya. The first, in 1994-6, army that will need to be neutralised about a breach of commitment by In 1989-90 he was in the lead and director of the Conflict Re-
was waged by Western-supported by different methods. However, if Pu- pointing to the fact that there was no team of policy planning in the State search Group at the London School
Boris Yeltsin who, despite systemat- tin were to draw any analogies from formal treaty or agreement that Nato Department, managing the collapse of Economics.
the Chechnya experience, they would would not enlarge. A good illustra- of the USSR. He describes (p.55) a
be highly positive from a Russian per- tion of this position is the Chatham

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 38 Issue 66, 4 February 2022

I will not let my illness get me down: Mataure

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA playing drums for Victor Kunonga time. And also you cannot rush any- wouldn’t force anyone to stick by me dreams came true”
because I do not want to let my illness thing, the recovery is a slow process.” because I’m down or because I used to As a fallback plan, Mataure wants
SAM Mataure has been in music for get me down,” he explained. work with them when I was fit.”
so long that he cannot imagine life According to Mataure, the sudden to host workshops, festivals and pur-
without it.  “It has been mostly one hand be- twist of fate took him by surprise, al- That positivity is what is keeping sue artiste management.
cause my left hand was badly affected though he had been forewarned. him going although he admits that
The acclaimed Zimbabwean drum- by the stroke so I have improvised us- his biggest setback in his career was “For me it is an ongoing thing. If
mer is however going through a diffi- ing only one hand to play the drum “Sometime in 2017, I went to the sad loss of Blacks Spirits founding I cannot play music anymore, then
cult phase in life and is on a recovery set. The sound comes out perfectly South Africa for a gig and I decided leader Mtukudzi. I should look elsewhere like artiste
path after suffering a stroke in 2019. well. I don’t miss a single beat.” to visit a doctor. That doctor checked management or conducting work-
my health and wellness and he “Obviously, my life changed be- shops. If I had my way, I would still
But the music has not really stopped The 54-year-old drum maestro warmed me that I could suffer heart cause I knew Mdhara Tuku the lon- want to record with Soul Jah Love
for the well-travelled star, best known does not need much introduction, failure. At the time I didn’t take him gest and that alone speaks volumes,” and other young artistes.”    
in music circles for his long-time role having worked with big names in seriously because I felt no pain. It was he said.
as manager and drummer for the leg- music. only in 2019 that I was hit by a stroke He has already lined up a Thomas
endary Oliver Mtukudzi. but luckily it wasn’t that severe. Had When pressed to comment on Mapfumo Tribute dinner where ar-
Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso Maraire, it been that bad, we could be talking his relationship with Mtukudzi, he tistes, promoters and journalists will
For now, he is using his right hand Andy Brown, Jazz Invitation, Beau- something different now,” he said. said: “We were so close so much that be invited.
to play the drums. lah Dyoko, Victor Kunonga, Thomas when Mdhara (Tuku) died there was
Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Steve But Mataure is not alone on the re- a gap. Definitely things changed al- “The idea is to say thank you to
Quite unusual, but the beauty is Dyer, Auntie Dot: it is an illustrious covery path as friends and relatives are though at the time I had left him due Dr Mapfumo while he is still with us.
that he does not lose a single beat or cast of some of the finest music talents always by his side. to health-related issues. His death The dinner will include a pre-record-
timing with his one hand playing the in Zimbabwe and in the region.  affected me and this thing of people ed message from him, that’s if he can-
drum set. “Of course, I still have my old saying I used to get kickbacks while not attend. Just like what people do
Whilst he plays, Mataure is also friends who check up on me, includ- I was his manager is unfounded. It is with Bob Marley commemorations,
Those who attended two gigs held busy coming up with a programme to ing Daisy, the widow of legendary like you guys (journalists), do you get the legend isn’t there anymore but
in Hatfield and another one in Bor- restore him to full health.  Mtukudzi, and also my family mem- money from people you write about? people still hold the shows,” he said.
rowdale would attest that it was busi- bers who always check on me,” he However, I value every other artiste
ness unusual. “What I would need now is per- said.  that I have worked with. It opened The tribute dinner is slated for 19
haps hitting the gym and find some- more doors for me in my career since February 2022 in Harare and then
For veteran drummer, who is now one who can assist with working out,” “The good thing is I am not an- I moved to Harare in 1994 from a there is the Chimanimani Arts Festi-
showing signs of recovery, said his he said. “You know with stroke you gry at anyone because obviously small town like Mutare. Most of my val scheduled for 15 to 17 April 2022.
lifestyle has changed drastically since cannot say when you will be up and some people come and go, others re-
he stroked three years ago.  running but I am taking one day at a main. People do have a choice, but I Both shows are being put together
by Mataure.  
“For the past two weeks, I have been

NewsHawks State of the culture Page 39

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Our broken society needs healing

From a cultural standpoint, in my con- Gukurahundi memorial plaque erected in Silobela. Affirmation action
sidered view, Zimbabweans are generally A few weeks ago, I visited a Gweru take-
intolerant of divergent views. The scars of history reckoning of all that took place, no one everything that has transpired, without away food outlet. I made my order in
After the 1980 elections, my own research needs to diminish or obscure the fact that honest conversation we cannot find the Ndebele. The lady who had been speak-
That is a problem. The events and over time reveals that Gukurahundi un- Shona and Ndebele lives were lost because missing pieces in our jigsaw. All sides must ing fluent Shona was taken aback as I re-
discourses of the last few weeks betray a furled in an environment of festering of intolerance of ethnicity. I sometimes acknowledge the excesses and listen to one plied in Ndebele. I could sense relief. Later
deep-seated problem. We are yet to em- ethnic supremacist and vengeful attitudes. find the rhetoric of the likes of Mthwaka- another without prejudice. Politicians ex- bringing my change to the table, I gently
brace difference and I shudder to think In my view, a score was to be settled. zi Republic Party self-serving and riddled ploit ethnic mobilisation nefariously and asked her for her tribe. I had Thandekile’s
what some without power today would Zimbabwe had it coming and the 1963 with hate mongering. tweet on my mind. The teller is Ndebele.
do if they had it. But let me not digress. breakaway by Zanu from Zapu lent cre- It is all based on that the yawning gap The small talk we had revealed that she
My column this week will tackle a difficult dence and animus to the stoking of ethnic one-sided reading of in leading healing finds Shona customers generally averse
subject of ethnicity in this country. This tensions which simmered nonetheless. history in my view. is filled by char- to speaking in Ndebele. She said they
country has more to offer than just Shona, Foreign interests from the point of view We need to confront latans. I have en- will insist on being spoken to in Shona. I
Ndebele and English! The tapestry of our of some historians such as Pathisa Nyathi, the question of Sho- Addy gaged the likes of was stunned because this is the Midlands.
social fabric has many hues and colours. seized upon the opportunity as happened na bitterness as much Nelson Chamisa Gweru is in Midlands and, as you know,
My piece today was triggered by a post by in most post-colonial countries of Africa as we need to face the Kudita about his former the area has both Ndebele and Shona in-
one Thandekile Moyo who is a human to help drive a wedge amongst the peo- spectre of Ndebele an- party's policy on habitants.  Anyway, she told me she went
rights activist. For those who may have ple. Of course, there was the overarching ger. Up till we do, we the ethnic ques- to Stanley Primary School where it was
missed her post on social media, she ba- geopolitical East versus West matter but shall always pander to the blame game, tion. I am not sat- mandatory to learn Shona and Ndebele.
sically touched on the subject of language ethnic tensions were instrumentalised to guilt tripping and buck passing. Genera- isfied that there is sufficient grasp of the The head there made it a policy.
and tribalism. Some shopkeeper in a place enable divisions. Zanu played on the his- tions will have to deal with the ghosts.  problem in the present leadership and this
called Tsholotsho addresses locals in Sho- torical fears and angst of Shona speakers fact has sadly been exploited by seemingly I feel that the political leadership
na. The place is predominantly populated concerning the Ndebeles who in the past Building a nation selfish or self-serving folks to create per- flunked the nation-building test. It is up
by Ndebele-speaking folk. So Moyo raised had invaded the lands where they were What were the natives to do, with the sonal fiefdoms along ethnic lines.  to the citizens to implement policies like
the concern about that and, of course, her found in present-day Zimbabwe. Just to stakes so high while the preoccupation Karma the one at Stanley Primary in Gweru.
Twitter post elicited all kinds of respons- be clear, Shona memory has bitter tales of was power and not nation building. In Zimbabweans need to understand that no Shona and Ndebele speakers must face
es from the influential to the unknown. these raids in which women, children and my own interview with the late national- one ultimately has a monopoly on ethnic uncomfortable facts. Two wrongs cannot
Many people weighed in and continue to. livestock were lost. You can imagine how ist Dumiso Dabengwa circa 2018, he did hate and violence. The cycles of history make a right. Education must begin in
I was one of those who engaged with the easy it was for politicians to tap into that admit the mistake of the preoccupation present lessons. What happened in Rwan- homes. It must start with the warning not
subject. I now believe that the subject of consciousness and awaken the hurt and of the liberators in 1980 to build a state da around 1994 was a result of festering to allow politicians not to shape relation-
ethnicity can no longer be sidestepped in hate in furtherance of their political agen- rather than a nation. . The first and sec- ethnic tensions harking all the way back ships. We must judge people as individ-
the name of pursuing the "bigger prob- das. Denial of this fact is dishonest. Below ond Entumbane battles, the incidents in to pre-colonial times. There are similarities uals. Blanket descriptions are not helping
lem" of "removing a terrible and oppres- the surface, there was animus towards and Chitungwiza and Connemara in Gweru with Zimbabwe. What are the lessons? matters. Affirmative action is necessary to
sive regime". suspicion of Ndebeles in general because in the camps of the ex-freedom fighters Thus today when Thandekile Moyo raises address imbalances clearly. This ethnic dis-
Reflections of a difficult time of the history. I submit this point only to were all ethnically driven precursors to the issues that she raises around ethnicity, course is much more nuanced. 
I imagine that most Zimbabweans have explain how the environment which led what has come to be known as genocide. my hope is that she places all that has vis- Churchianity
had an encounter with the ugly face of to Gukurahundi was already charged. Both Zipra and Zanla combatants had a ited us as a nation within a proper histor- Now in my view, the church's role, and
tribalism at one point or another in their Popular narratives hand in the conflicts. It is only a denialist ical context. That history predates 1980. I use the term generically, has also been
lives, especially those of us who grew in the The popular discourse of Ndebele victim- who will reject my submission that some It stretches to close to 200 years. Time has terrible. The moral responsibility has not
1980s. I recall that in those days the polit- hood is somewhat skewed and I suppose it among the radical Ndebeles had suprem- clearly not healed the wounds. I will not been abdicated in my assessment. In fact,
ical fever held many in thrall. You were a is because of the number of those who later acist attitudes as much as it would be dismiss Shona or Ndebele memories of I have heard ethnic slurs from the mouth
Dzakudzaku (UANC), Zanu (Ndonga), died during Gukurahundi between 1983 ludicrous for anyone to deny that some that history. What matters today is demy- of some pastors. I have yet to see a direct
Zanu PF or Zapu supporter. Whatever and 1987 in comparison to the number among the radical Shonas had suspicion stifying the difficult episodes. We need the address by a church platform and effort
your party was in the townships, there of Shonas who were murdered in the and vengeance on their minds. The stage protagonists to speak clearly and open- to foster ethnic understanding and recon-
were consequences. In the case of all oth- townships of Bulawayo. But if we must be was set for conflict. The question remains ly. Mobilising ethnically is very possible ciliation. Yes, they have talked about the
ers besides Zanu PF, you risked life and honest, the victims were spread across the as to whether it could have been averted when the leadership is negligent and silent political divide, but the elephant in the
limb. I witnessed violent mobs move from ethnic divide as I have already intimated in an environment of political intoler- on the existential question of our nation. room is not been tackled actively in the
house to house hounding out those that that during the first and second Entum- ance. In my view, Zanu missed a historical To date, and I have to agree with the ob- pulpits and platforms. Desmond Tutu in
did not support the ruling party. There bane battles Shona people were targeted opportunity to genuinely accommodate servations of Professor Jonathan Moyo in South Africa was instrumental in helping
was carnage of life and property. I remem- and killed by their Ndebele neighbours. its rivals at ground level for whereas the a recent interview on the subject of ethnic- to bridge the divide. He represented in a
ber the house of Mabutho being attacked Does this justify Gukurahundi? No, the cabinet had members of the opposition, it ity. It is bad karma to ignore the subject as sense a responsible church. We have not
on ethnic lines. The Nkomos were a dif- point only explains the trigger for what was superficial for as long as the politicians seems to be the case at present. It is a re- had a Tutu in our midst. We have prel-
ferent kettle of fish. The mob found them later happened. All lives matter and in the egged on their supporters to crush the op- peat of history. I want those with political ates who covet lucre and vacuous fame.
ready to die defending their home armed position. I am of the opinion that with platforms to be clear on the subject. We have false prophets spewing false
to the teeth. It helped that the family had scriptures. It is, in my view, time we had
a number of male children who could a citizen coalition around the existential
hurt somebody. The mob did not have it questions of our nation, such as Guku-
easy and dispersed. I was relived because rahundi. It needs foregrounding today
the Nkomos were church mates and one by serious nation builders. What Zimba-
of them is a friend of mine. But this one bweans must grasp is that Zanu is ready to
incident was just one example of what was shed anyone's blood.
taking place in the townships of Masho-
naland. I was later to discover upon mov- Villagers supporting the armed struggle
ing to Bulawayo that something similar understood this point and for them eth-
had taken place in Entumbane and other nicity was not as important as retaining
suburbs wherein those who spoke Shona power and, in the end, it matters not what
had a torrid time at the hands of their tribe you belong to. That is the tragic leg-
Ndebele neighbours. Apparently, there acy of the party, if only they could elevate
was a phrase which the mobs in Bulawayo the thinking to nation building. They are
used to catch Shonas. The phrase had to still in the trenches fighting some enemy.
be repeated by whoever wanted to escape Their reflex is to thwart the marketplace
the baying mobs and failure to repeat it of ideas.
was ample proof of their "Shonaness".
Of course, violence and death would visit What to do? The opposition must do
the victims. This was in the aftermath of better in facing an age old problem if they
the 1980 elections. During that time, al- are serious. They must strike a balance
though political leaders preached reconcil- between merit and affirmative action in
iation, in their counsels they schemed and representation. The opposition does not
meted out violent retribution to political have the "glue of loot" to hold them in-
rivals. tact. They must confront the issue with
courage before they splinter because of it.
The peace after the attainment of Inde- The Church needs to wake up.
pendence was an uneasy one. Blacks were Parting shot
eyeing each other for the political prize. My sense now is that the government must
Whites got off largely scot free. They were not be uneasy with the public discussions
living far away from the seething and eu- of a difficult subject. The leadership must
phoric crowds anyway. I imagine Zapu be frank and empathic in their efforts. The
folk would have been feeling despondent citizens must desist from labelling and ste-
over the election result. For those who do reotyping. Above all, let us talk !!!
not know, Zapu had representatives from Addy Kudita writes in his personal
all of the tribes in Zimbabwe. It was not capacity.
a regional party as rendered by its break-
away rival, Zanu. Ethnic mobilisation
served Zanu in the main.

Page 40 Life & Style NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Title: We have a problem Title: Sign Posts Title: I’m Sorry
Poet: Andy Kahari Poet-Patrick Hwande Poet: Lingiwe Patience Gumbo

Tots will endear the few; I saw a sign post I don't know how
Many it will brew That showed the way I don't know when
In wrinkles as astronauts they will imagine From Gokwe to Gweru. But I did you harm
to be; Only to find themselves deep in beer I saw the sign post I'm so sorry my dear heart
space; Aging in capsules of tots tossed in time That showed the distance I let them pull you apart
machines; Aging the lads before the forefa- From Gweru to Bulawayo. Into a million pieces they trampled under-
thers. But l am still to see foot
Tipsier they become; A sign post to show A rug they wiped their mess with
More arrogant they drown in tots; This generation the way. Tossed in the rubbish after
Never heeding - "... Houston we have a prob- I should've taken better care
lem ..." *********************************************** Closed you in away from their claws
As the rockets of fast life are ricocheting to Title: Refugees Secured you far from their reach
and fro in spirals of despair. Poet: Samuel Chuma Shredded you again and again
Strangely danger is endearing to their crav- Only you endured the pain
ing-, Last night I looked at the sky Never to be the same again
Stubborn they become to see how far earth is And beheld its vivid anger I'm sorry I did not teach you
from the binge- As it roared with thunderous voice To be steady as you fall in
And so are left more and more binged to their Scaring virgin droplets To be in love but not blind
liking, Of waters pure and innocent I should've been more aware
To gravitate on lapels of danger into the un- And causing them to Not too trusting nor expectant
known of liquor interstellar. Flee the heavens To avoid disappointment
Never will we hear from them again. For the dusty embrace I'm so sorry my dear heart
Just as their fathers lost at liquor stores before Of a gleeful earth I wish I could turn the hands of time
More daring they are, Which offered not I wish I could hide you close
To be even more lost Its hand to afford In my bosom where you are safer
As heroes lost in vastness of liquor orbits The refugees a soft landing Covered with the cage just to be sure
doused in heroin, sparkles of crystal meth, But only opens its mouth Because I detest this taste of defeat
bronchodilators- To feed the insatiable I'm sorry dear fragile heart
Sadly finding delight in being lost forevermore! Rivers and lakes I let you down
That form its innards I promise to take better care of you
*********************************************** *********************************************** If there's a next time.
Title: Cheers
Poet: Sithembinkosi Ncube Poet: Rutendo Mugadza ***********************************************
Poem: Happiness Title: A Black Thing Floating In The Pot
hi, hullabaloo Poet: Elias M. Muonde
we sit in the gloom If only he could then I would
at dawn; bottles in hands If only she would then I could Mother would be gently paddling around
drooping and drooling So we think and we wonder and we ponder the starchy water in the big sadza pot with
from the hangover Why can't he: why can't she the big cooking stick in the big round hut
a fly sings irritably If only we both knew, then we both would Now and again, she sprinkles mealie meal
from body to wall Why doesn't he just then I will about the pot
from wall to body Why won't she just then I'll do Mother cautious and thorough as always
now and again So we sit and we wait and we're patient Mother focused and meticulous under our
a slap misses it Why isn't she: why hasn't he hungry watch from the edges of the fire-
but falls hard on a limb If only we both did then we'd be place
the sun's rays So let's; then we can... Then suddenly she spots the thing
steal through chinks So let's; then we will... Black and tiny
exposing urine smudges, Become all that you are thinking Bobbing around in the mess of porridge...
bottle tops, cigarette stubs Become all that I am thinking With a stroke of a deft hand
and parked bicycles Happiness will be ours. Mother tackles the thing with the tip of her
one by one some disperse cooking stick
shy; as pals lie scattered It lands in the heart of the fire;
like logs in the dust And Mother carries on
still We don't know what it is
Motionless and adamant. Mother doesn't want to know what it is.

NewsHawks People & Places Page 41

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

Kupe leads UP innovation initiatives

University of Pretoria Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe.

SOUTH Africa's University of Pretoria (UP), which is led by high-flying  Zimbabwean-born Professor
Tawana Kupe as vice-chancellor and principal, and is ranked number two in South Africa and Africa
on uniRank’s list of the top universities on the continent, is consolidating its growing reputation as a
research-intensive institution on the continent.

uniRank is the leading international higher education directory and search engine, and features the
reviews and rankings of more than 13 000 universities and colleges.

Kupe, who was educated at the University of Zimbabwe and University of Oslo in Norway before
teaching at Rhodes University and Wits University prior to taking over at UP, is seen here with his
colleagues showcasing their innovation in the form of a Smart Woef (SmWoef ). 

SmWoef is an example of a Smart Alternative Transportation Platform that serves as a vehicle to
access infrastructure for data collection. 

Professor Wynand Steyn, head of the Department of Civil Engineering, is currently training Sm-
Woef to assist with multiple research projects at Engineering 4.0.

UP's School of Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT (EBIT) was
ranked first in South Africa and Africa in the 2020 US News and World Report Rankings on the Best
Global Universities for Engineering.

Besides his own hard work, brilliance and achievements, the UP's reputation has helped Kupe to get
honorary doctorates from the University of Montpellier, France, and Michigan State University in the
United States.  — STAFF WRITER.

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 66, 4 February 2022 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 42

The home of prime property: [email protected]

TSL rolls out warehouse expansion

ALEX MHANDU ed boon in mining and agriculture production. Meanwhile, Mandiwanza said occupancies “The implied conversion rate adopted was
According to Rawson Properties, mining, for the group’s real estate operations remained US$1:ZWL105 in inflation adjusted terms,
LISTED diversified firm TSL Limited is this satisfactory while void levels decreased com- instead of the closing interbank auction ex-
year expanding its real estate portfolio with agriculture and retail activity are pushing de- pared to prior year. change rate of US$1:ZWL97.13,” the group
the construction of a 9 000 square metre ware- mand for warehousing facilities in the coun- said.
housing facility expected to start this financial try, creating scope for businesses to shift their The less stringent Covid-19-induced lock-
year. attention towards that segment. down restrictions during the period also re- Overall, the group’s total revenue for
sulted in an increase in economic activity the year rose 13% to ZW$3.8 billion from
Group chairperson Anthony Mandiwanza “There is a lot of activity in acquisition or which cascaded to property operations. ZW$3.3 billion in the prior year on improved
said construction will be done at a strategically development or re-development of light indus- performance in the agriculture-based busi-
located warehouse, as the group implements a trial properties and warehousing opportunities In terms of property valuations, the value of ness units. According to Mandiwanza, a sig-
plan to expand and improve its infrastructure. targeting the e-commerce, logistics and agro- the group’s properties marginally declined in nificant portion of the revenue was generated
based and mining businesses. E-commerce ac- US dollar terms, as compared to the prior year. in foreign currency which was converted and
This comes as the business last year com- tivity and logistics business is expected to rise The group’s property valuers — Dawn Prop- reported in local currency using the official ex-
pleted the construction of a 10 000 square me- as we see greater adoption of technology and erty Consultants — adopted the approach of change rate.
tre warehouse in Harare, which was occupied online business,” said the property firm in its converting US dollar valuation inputs at the
in May. Neghbourhoods Report. interbank foreign exchange rate of 97.13 as at The group achieved volume growth across
31 October 2021. most business units.
“This is part of the group’s strategic initia- On 18 August last year, TSL, in conjunc-
tive to create fit-for-purpose, modern infra- tion with the government, the Financial Se- “Property valuations rely on historic market However, multiple exchange rates were used
structure that facilitates the movement of ag- curities Exchange (Finsec) and CBZ Holdings evidence for calculation of inputs. Such mar- by local suppliers to price products and ser-
riculture,” he said in a performance review for Limited, launched the Zimbabwe Mercantile ket evidence does not exist at present to calcu- vices, resulting in a 17% increase in operating
the year to 31 October 2021. Exchange (ZMX), a digitalised marketplace late ZWL (Zimdollar) values. expenses.
platform for the trading and funding of ag-
Experts in the real estate sector have also ricultural commodities. TSL was roped in as “The directors have elected to use the actu- Operating profit went down 9% to ZW$975
identified the warehousing segment as a a partner providing expertise in logistics and al US dollar rental yield achieved in the year million as a result of increased margin pressure
low-hanging fruit given the need for ware- warehousing facilities. of 8.6% (2020: 7.8%) to determine the ZWL and additional costs attributable to global sup-
housing facilities on the back of the anticipat- value of the underlying property portfolio. ply chain disruptions.

NewsHawks Sport Page 43

Issue 66, 4 February 2022

I HAVE been a huge fan of Under-19 The under-19 World Cup: A Under the astute captaincy of Tatenda
Cricket World Cup history, for the chief Reliable ZimCricket mirror Taibu, few years down the line to be-
reason that it has been the launching pad come Test cricket’s youngest skipper and
for some of my favourite Zimbabwean Mluleki Nkala. first black player to lead his country, that
players of all time – quite a few of them young Zimbabwe side of 20 years ago
guys that I have established a special nament as joint-leading wicket-taker, on icas region.  Is it Sean Williams’ team of the 2006 caught the eye with a fearless brand of
bond with over the years – similar age 16 scalps alongside Ramnaresh Sarwan The strength of cricket in a country, tournament in Sri Lanka, that swept cricket that endeared it to many onlook-
playing a role.  – a future West Indies captain – did not at that critical stage like under-19, accu- to victory in all three pool games over ers in New Zealand. 
surprise. rately measures the state of affairs on a England, Nepal and an Ireland team
It was exactly 23 years ago, on the oc- larger scale. It is a fair analysis that Zim- captained by none other than the suc- Then there were the individual suc-
casion of Zimbabwe’s first appearance in Another pool win over Papua New babwean teams’ showing during that cessful future leader Eoin Morgan, who cess stories. In an Under-19 World Cup
the Youth World Cup, that this tourna- Guinea, by 147 runs, with skipper Ver- period mirrored the good health of the skippered England’s senior side to its first packed with several future international
ment really struck a chord with cricket meulen scoring a century, earned Zim- game in the country back then. World Cup title in 2019? stars, Taibu was chosen the tournament’s
fans in this country. babwe a place in the Super Eight stage of It was a period of good talking points Figures do not lie, and nowhere is this best player after starring with bat and
the tournament. They in the end found of an unforgetta- truer than in ball, in addition to keeping wicket. 
For a budding writer restricted back the going tough and lost to South Africa, ble past, such as the the game of
then to covering the school’s matches Sri Lanka as well as New Zealand.  question: which is cricket. Pacer Waddington Mwayenga, like
for Monday morning assembly results Zimbabwe’s best HawkZone But crick- Nkala four years earlier, bagged 16 wick-
announcement, I was captivated in Feb- But the tone had been set for some performing team in et fans, like ets to be the tournament's joint-leading
ruary 1998 by Zimbabwe’s very exciting memorable Zimbabwean performances the Under-19 tour- any other wicket-taker. 
team that took the short flight to South in the history of this tournament. nament from that sports lovers,
Africa, host nation of a rebranded Un- era? Is it the Tino Enock have their Zimbabwe’s batting whizkid Brendan
der-19 World Cup, only returning to Two years later, it was Nkala’s turn to Mawoyo-captained personal Taylor’s century in the plate final against
the calendar for the first time since the lead, captaining the Zimbabweans at the side of the 2004 Muchinjo preferenc- Nepal was a masterful innings for some-
inaugural edition in 1988. I had caught 2000 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lan- World Cup in Ban- es, different one so young, just 16 at the time, glimps-
a glimpse of some of these fine school- ka. gladesh, best remem- from the es of the kingpin he would later turn out
boy talents in local competitions earlier, bered for Tinashe next guy.  to be for his country’s senior side.
so I thought it was a powerful young side There were not many stand-out high- Panyangara’s fiery spell of fast bowling, For me, I will go with the 2002 side,
that selectors sent to South Africa.  lights for Zimbabwe in that one, but a six-wicket display that helped skittle not only for the feat of clinching the There has not been much to write
in the early group stages Nkala and his Australia for 73 runs to set up Zimba- plate trophy of the tournament after about for Zimbabwe in the Youth World
Nobody in the entire squad however troops – who included a 16-year-old bwe’s superb seven-wicket win?  beating Nepal in a rather one-sided final. Cups that have followed. Wessly Mad-
made an impression on me quite like wicketkeeper called Tatenda Taibu – hevere was an exciting prospect with his
Mluleki Nkala, a 17-year-old all-round were still too strong for fellow African run-scoring ability in New Zealand in
sports star from Falcon College, already sides Kenya and Namibia, as well as a 2018, following it up quite nicely with
exhibiting a fine athletic figure in those combined team representing the Amer- some consistent performances early in
early stages of his career. his senior career. 

It did not take long for Syke – forever Madhevere has not set the stage alight
Nkala’s moniker – to make his mark on thereafter, but he still has age on his side
that 1998 tournament. to make good on his obvious talents.

After Zimbabwe’s heavy defeat to A strong support system is desperately
Australia by 103 runs in their open- needed for such players like Madhevere
ing pool match, Nkala would, three before they become another statistic,
days later, rip through the West Indies another great talent that simply slipped
top-order to lay the foundation for the away under everyone’s watch. 
African side’s stunning five-wicket win in
Potchefstroom.  Same as the kids from this current
Under-19 World Cup in the West In-
Brought up as a genuine all-rounder, dies, which comes to an end this Satur-
Nkala led the young Zimbabwe side’s day.
attack those days and, on that occasion,
he bowled with great discipline and pre- Again, by Zimbabwe’s standards of
cision to return figures of 5-51.  the past, it has been another below-par
outing, a mirror image of the game in
Three of his victims were clean- the country, to be fair to the young lads. 
bowled and one of them, for six runs,
was a certain Chris Gayle, quicky to But the tournament had its moments
become a larger-than-life cricketer in for the youthful side, again, like previous
the world game, an absolute giant that editions in recent years. 
bossed around quality international
bowling attacks for the better part of two There are some genuinely gifted
decades. youngsters in that outfit, no doubt. But
the biggest challenge for the authorities is
The others to have their timber re-ar- to stop the talent drain that we have wit-
ranged by Nkala were Ryan Hinds and nessed following the last seven Under-19
the dangerous Marlon Samuels, another World Cups.
future star of the Windies’ senior side. 
Quite a few of the players, because
Glen Barrett, with 67 runs, captain of conditions in the game at home, will
Mark Vermeulen (63) and Dion Ebra- again feel that they have a future in crick-
him (48) made short work of the West et in a different country, or outside the
Indies total of 234 as the young Zimba- game altogether. What a wasted invest-
bweans cruised home with 29 balls to ment it would be, once again, to groom
spare. That Nkala would finish the tour- players in a system, up to a Youth World
Cup, to then just casually wave them
goodbye.

Senegal must end Afcon as champions

THERE is a theme to the most painful Afcon, they are typically sprinkled spar- than three years; Cisse was appointed in Cape Verde in the last-16. With only Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Gha-
heartaches of Senegal’s national team. ingly and are thus forced to absorb over- 2015. 12 shots on target – lower than six of na, Ivory Coast, Nigeria.
The World Cup quarter-final in 2002, whelming pressure to carry their teams: the other seven teams in the quarter-fi-
when they came closer than any other Salah for Egypt, Weah for Liberia, Pele But time without glory creates pres- nals – and a shot accuracy of 23 per cent Instead this crop of players is down to
African team to reaching a semi-final; for Ghana, Eto’o for Cameroon. Again sure and evaporates permissible excuses. (ranking them 21st of the 24 tourna- both the formation of Generation Foot
the Afcon finals in 2002 and 2019; Senegal are different. Before the tournament, Paris Saint-Ger- ment teams), Cisse has been let down by in Dakar in 2000, which helped to pro-
the quarter-finals of the same competi- main centre-back – and defensive part- poor finishing. But he knows the buck duce Mane and Ismaila Sarr, amongst
tion in 2017; must-not-lose final group We have surely never before had such ner of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly – will always stop at his feet. others, and the wave of Senegalese mi-
matches at Afcon 2015 and the 2018 a concentrated collection of players at discussed how the quality of the squad gration to France that began in the mid-
World Cup – in all six matches Senegal high-profile clubs in an Afcon squad. and repeated failure to get tournament Senegalese supporters have been 1960s. Combine that latter point with
failed to score. This year’s tournament contains 26 success over the line had placed extraor- buoyed by a comparatively gentle run the success of the national team in the
players contracted to clubs currently in dinary importance on a tournament for of opponents. In their five matches in- early 2000s and you have a Senegalese
The last one hurt the most: Aliou the top three of the five major Europe- which Senegal entered as favourites. cluding Sunday’s quarter-final, Cisse’s diaspora who are more motivated than
Cisse’s side were eliminated by virtue of an leagues. Senegal account for nine of team are yet to face a team ranked in ever before to play for their country of
receiving more yellow cards than Japan. those 26. “Cissé is under great pressure; a lot the world’s top 70 or Africa’s top 13. But heritage. Of those nine players at top-
of the supporters don’t want to cut him then that only manufactures another three clubs in major leagues, six were
Senegal are African football’s great And then there’s manager Cisse, cap- slack,” Cisse said. “The squad is full of obvious question: what happens when born in France.
exceptions. All but one of Africa’s top- tain of that wondrous 2002 vintage who players for big European clubs. So peo- they play someone better?
nine ranked Fifa nations have won their captured neutrals’ attention so much. ple wouldn’t forgive Cissé if it’s anything But then explaining the journey to
continental championship, but not Cisse was groomed for this role, first other than taking the trophy or at least Perhaps we have got this all wrong. the edge of success does not absolve you
them. They are its highest-placed team as assistant to the Olympics squad and getting into the final again.” Senegal were ranked 99 in the world of the pressure to deliver it. This is a
with nothing to show for it bar great po- then as the country’s Under-23 manag- in July 2013. Their brilliant 2002 team better team with better players than the
tential, several memorable nights and, er. Until now, Senegal’s failure has been never got to another final, but maybe we one that entertained the world in 2002.
ultimately, no glorious ending. Only the a familiar one: goals. With four-fifths of are discussing over-achievement rather Senegal began this tournament as favou-
2002 World Cup, when they humbled He is an exception too: major Afri- the defence coming from Chelsea, Bay- than a failure to reach potential. Senegal rites and must end it as Africa’s champi-
France and Sweden and eliminated Uru- can nations seem to cycle through head ern Munich, Napoli and PSG, Cisse’s is only Africa’s 23rd-ranked country by ons. Anything else and their captain of
guay too, deserves to escape that repu- coaches, often appointing guns for hire team are yet to concede. But they have population and has a GDP per capita 20 years ago may not be responsible for
tation. pre-major tournament, but not Sene- only scored three times in four matches, considerably lower than almost all of the trying to take them into the next Word
gal. Three of the 24 managers at Afcon one a 97th-minute Sadio Mane penal- continent’s major footballing nations: Cup. – INews UK.
If superstar players are no stranger to 2021 had been in position for longer ty and the other two against nine-man

Sports A crippling
poverty of
leadership
at Zifa

‘Humiliated, intimidated,
degraded’ ref reports
Thursday 1 October 2020 sexual advances

Friday 4 February 2022 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE
Fifa pressured to$60Covid
tariff for
visitors &
tourists
Community
radio
regulations
under review

Story on Page 3 Story on Page 8

end ZimCshtaamleismaarteeac
ENOCK MUCHINJO out to Khupe

FIFA will now hasten investigation into Unofficial president calls for emerge
alleged sexual harassment in Zimbabwe-
an football, as part of a global blitz that ALSO INSIDE Finance Ministy wipes out $3.2 Billion depositors funds Zim's latest land c
has reached nearly all four corners of the
world, amid media accusations that the Fifa Head Office.
world football governing body has “gone
silent” over the assault reports in the Af- Guardian, a leading British daily news- ment of a coach accused of sexually abus- Association.” twin islands’ national football federation,
rican country.  paper, has taken particular interest in the ing and harassing female players in Barba- The coach, Ahmed Mohamed, is a for- Atiba Harris. While the circumstances
developments and has serialised stories of dos after it was suggested that he was given are different in Zimbabwe’s case, the one
Impeccable sources locally and abroad this nature. “positive recommendations” to take over mer Somalia defender who has previously thing in common — sexual harassment
have told The NewsHawks that high- as director of football in St Kitts and Nevis taken charge of Barbados and the British — has presented an unforeseen world-
ranked officials at the Zurich-based or- On Thursday, it reported that “Fifa will by the president of the Barbados Football Virgin Islands. He was appointed to his wide challenge to Fifa.
ganisation were left “rather embarrassed request more details about the appoint- new post in September by the head of the
and disheartened” by a report last week in
The Guardian that Fifa has dragged its feet
over detailed reports of improper sexual
conduct by some influential male bosses
of the Zimbabwe referees’ body, towards
female match officers.

Sexual harassment of female referees
is one of the charges levelled against the
board of Zimbabwe’s football federation,
Zifa, which was suspended by the coun-
try’s Sports and Recreation Commission
(SRC) in November.

Zifa’s expulsion left Zimbabwe under
threat of an international ban, since the
SRC is a government-appointed body,
and the Fifa bureaucrats normally react
swiftly and decisively when officials of a
member association are subjected to such
sanctions in their home countries. 

Nearly three months later, Fifa has not
yet intervened in the Zimbabwe stale-
mate, despite a thinly-veiled threat in
December to take action if the Zifa board
was not reinstated by 3 January this year.
It has now been established however that
the unique case of Zifa’s ban – as Fifa sits
on a dossier containing graphic detail of
unwanted sexual approaches from male
superiors — has prompted football’s in-
ternational governing body to carefully
examine the reports before making a firm
decision. But a worsening constitutional
crisis due to a widening rift between the
expelled Zifa officials – those fighting the
suspension on one side, and those who
have accepted their fate on the other – has
now left Fifa “seized of the matter” accord-
ing to the sources. 

Pressure is also increasingly being
brought to bear on Fifa in the wake of
growing reports of sexual harassment in
world football. The online edition of The

ALSO INSIDE Senegal must end Afcon as champions