NewsHawks 8 Jan

WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 8 January 2021 BUSINESS Price

NEWS fears of US$1
massive ZSE SPORT
Covid-19 crisis: capital flight
No PPE, I didn’t fall
no personnel, Story on Page 15 out with
no morale Benni:
Mkuruva
Story on Page 3
Story on Page 27

Mnangagwa
abandons
Kwekwe trip
as Covid-19
hits security

ALSO INSIDE Byo’s Covid-19 strategy chaotic Fears of massive ZSE capital flight

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

OWEN GAGARE Mnangagwa abandons Kwekwe
trip as Covid-19 hits security
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnan- changes came less than three years
gagwa, currently on annual leave vide security to the head of state a source in the Health ministry President Emmerson Mnangagwa after he rotated the security per-
at a time Zimbabwe is battling the when he travels outside the capital told The NewsHawks. sonnel in the Presidential Guard
intensifying Covid-19 pandemic, to places such as his Pricabe farm Contacted for comment, pres- Brigade subsequent to the 2017
including attendant deaths, was in Sherwood just outside Kwekwe. “It came as a shock when results idential spokesperson George coup that brought him to power
last week forced to abandon a trip came out. The President’s security Charamba said he was not in the before the elections.
to his Sherwood farm in Kwekwe “The President’s security team team had been struck by the virus office, but referred this reporter
after several security personnel underwent Covid-19 tests at State and thankfully most of them are to the principal director in Chi- Soon after the coup, Mnangag-
and his farm manager tested pos- House which involved inserting a asymptomatic at this stage. A farm wenga’s office, whose phone was wa appointed former Presidential
itive, The NewsHawks can reveal. six-inch-long swab into the nose manager who is also related to the unreachable. Last year, Mnan- Guard commander Nhamo An-
(nasopharyngeal swab) for 15 sec- President also tested positive. His gagwa changed his security team selem Sanyatwe to serve in the
This comes just a few months onds and rotating it several times,” trip had to be abandoned.” when soldiers tested positive for diplomatic service in Tanzania.
after Mnangagwa made drastic Covid-19. The drastic security
changes to his security team after Sanyatwe, a key military offi-
nearly 20 soldiers from the Pres- cer who played a critical role in
idential Guard Brigade, including the ouster of the late long-time
some that were deployed to his leader Robert Mugabe, was re-
motorcade, tested Covid-19 posi- placed by Fidelis Mhonda, who
tive a few days before the arrival of was first deputised by David Nya-
his visiting Malawian counterpart sha, recently promoted to Briga-
Lazarus Chakwera last October. dier-General. Mnangagwa’s for-
mer aide-de-camp Never Jones
Zimbabwe this week recorded Makuyana took over from Nyasha.
its highest daily death toll when
34 people succumbed to the infec- Following Mhonda’s ap-
tion on Tuesday. At least 13 more pointment, commissioned and
died the following day – Wednes- non-commissioned officers from
day – bringing the total death toll 1 Presidential Guard Barracks
to 431. were moved to the Dzivaresekwa
Barracks in what key security
At least 15 more people died sources said was an unprecedent-
yesterday, meaning 446 fatalities. ed move.

While Mnangagwa was going The then commander of 2PG,
away on leave, the rising Covid-19 Samson Murombo, was deployed
cases and fatalities prompted to 1PG before being briefly ap-
co-Vice-President Constantino pointed Mnangagwa’s aide-de-
Chiwenga, who also doubles as camp. Murombo was later de-
Health minister, to announce a ployed to the All Arms Battle
30-day lockdown last week which School after clashes with First
began on Tuesday. Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Sources told The NewsHawks Sources further said cases of
that four soldiers from 2 Presi- Covid-19 have in the past few
dential Guard, located in Harare’s months been detected at the Rob-
Dzivaresekwa suburb, 10 Central ert Gabriel Mugabe School of In-
Intelligence Organisation (CIO) telligence in Msasa Park, Harare,
personnel and seven police offi- where more than 50 security ser-
cers from the Police Protection vice personnel tested positive.
Unit underwent Covid-19 tests
ahead of Mnangagwa’s Kwekwe A few months ago workers at
trip. The tests were conducted Zanu PF headquarters, including
last week on Wednesday at State high-ranking officials, were forced
House, sources said. into self-quarantine after many
people tested positive to the virus
Mnangagwa’s security includes which poses a renewed threat to
the CIO, the Zimbabwe Republic Zimbabwe.
Police (VVIP Police Protection
Unit) and the military which en-
tails the Presidential Guard and
the Special Air Services.

The yellow-beret military per-
sonnel from Dzivaresekwa pro-

Zacc probes ZW$51m murky council tender

MOSES NGWERE Chisango is already facing crim- tendering process. Zacc chairperson Loice Matan- tor Stanley Ndemera and supply
inal charges of allegedly parcelling Eqstra, the audit report further da-Moyo confirmed that an inves- chain manager Never Murerwa had
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption out residential stands to his relatives. tigation was underway. actually approved a price variation
Commission (Zacc) is investigat- The irregularities were unearthed said, was given the contract al- amounting to ZW$5 521(US$68)
ing a corruption scandal at the City during an internal audit carried out though it did not appear on the list “I can indeed confirm that the from ZW$2 997 (US$37) per kit.
of Harare in which council boss- by the city’s audit chief Archibald of suppliers recommended by the commission received the said audit
es allegedly awarded a multi-mil- Nyamurova in September last year. Ministry of Health and Child Care. report and is seized with the matter. Information obtained by The
lion dollar contract for the supply The audit recommended that the We will furnish you with further NewsHawks this week also suggest-
of Covid-19 personal protective anti-graft watchdog further investi- Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo details when the investigation is ed that the company, owned by
equipment (PPE) to a shelf compa- gate the case. complete,” she said. businessman Albert Ndambambe
ny without following specified ten- who, according to the audit, was
der procedures. The audit showed that Eqstra According to the audit report, in 2017 blacklisted by the same
Hardware and Electricals was hand- the deal raised suspicion after a council after his other company,
The NewsHawks understands picked for the deal to supply 10 000 realisation that the shelf company Furbank Hardware, was allegedly
that Zacc investigators last week Tyvec suits. The local authority lost was charging more for the kits than involved in an equally shady deal,
requested and were furnished with ZW$19 720 000 in the deal. government-recommended suppli- and was not on the list of suppliers
documents relating to the contract ers. Further to that, auditors noted, initially shortlisted for the deal.
and are keen to interview suspended The audit report also said the deal the Eqstra kits prices were inflated
Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisan- was entered into in violation of the by over 100%. Chisango declined to comment
go, who allegedly authorised the Public Procurement and Disposal on the matter this week, saying:
irregular deal worth ZW$51 520 of Public Assets Act, which specifies Further information on the “I will not comment on an issue
000. that contracts exceeding one million murky deal also emerged this week which is still under a formal inves-
dollars should go through a public suggesting that Chisango, together tigation.”
with City of Harare finance direc-

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Covid-19 crisis: No PPE,
no personnel, low morale
THE shortage of hospital beds
for Covid-19 patients in Zimba- After the death of matron Miriam Pundu due to Covid-19 at Sally Mugabe Hospital (Harare Hospital) yesterday morning, nurses refused to work without protective clothing.
bwe’s health institutions has been The Zimbabwe Nurses Association said 60 staff members tested positive at the coronavirus-ravaged hospital.
linked to inadequate personnel
working on the frontline as in- will soon be seeking enforcement forts to ensure adequate protec- said in their 21st Covid-19 mon- at Chegutu Hospital had test-
fections rise among health care of the court resolutions in its ef- tion of health workers,” ZADHR itoring and advocacy report. ed positive, while 60 more were
workers, senior doctors told The expected to be tested during the
NewsHawks. Coupled with the shortage of week.
health workers, hospitals are also
Frontline workers who have operating with an acute shortage He also said at Karoi Hospital,
been working without adequate of drugs and equipment to offer six out of 22 staffers had test-
personal protective equipment support to patients, according to ed positive for Covid-19. Social
(PPE) since March 2020 when the doctors. media was awash with reports
the first Covid-19 case was re- of other health workers who
corded, have been haggling with Nurses, who got their flexi- had tested positive for Covid-19
government to provide proper hours illegally cancelled by the around the country.
PPE, to the point of declaring government, have also com-
incapacitation and taking legal plained about the lack of com- A Zina executive member told
action. mitment by the authorities to The NewsHawks that nurses at
provide protective clothing and Sally Mugabe Hospital were be-
A high price has now been at- to ensure there is support for the ing forced to work while being
tached to Covid-19 care as doc- infected members. sick with more than 60 nurses
tors and their patients are des- having tested positive.
perately looking for beds at any “The issue of PPE is still a
price. concern, nurses are going for “We collected this information
the whole day with one mask. on our own through members
At the same time, the rich and We have seen a number of nurs- who were tested positive. This
senior government officials, ac- es going into quarantine because week we gathered that at the ma-
cording to well-informed med- of lack of PPE. I do not have the ternity wards 17 tested positive,
ical sources, have managed to actual figures at the moment but general wards (21), peads (2)
stock their homes with ventila- a lot have been infected,” Zim- ,theatre first floor (2) and casu-
tors and oxygen, waiting for that babwe Nurses Association (Zina) alty 14. We are writing a letter to
hour of need. president Enock Dongo said. the management concerning this
issue.
As of last week, the Parirenyat- This week, Information sec-
wa Covid-19 centre had only two retary Nick Mangwana revealed “The frontliners are reporting
nurses on duty looking after 60 through his verified Twitter ac- daily and are highly exposed to
patients, according to a hospital count that eight out of 81 staffers the virus,” the member said.
source.

There was also only one phy-
sician, who was overwhelmed.
The same situation is obtaining
at Wilkins Hospital, where about
80 patients are admitted, with a
few nurses looking after them.

Zimbabwe on Tuesday an-
nounced a record 1 365 new in-
fections and 34 deaths. Cumula-
tively there has been 446 deaths
as of yesterday.

Zimbabwe Senior Hospital
Doctors Association (SHDA)
president Shingai Nyaguse said
the issue of hospital beds and
frontline workers could be easi-
ly solved if the authorities were
willing.

“We do not have enough per-
sonnel working in the Covid
wards. The shortage of beds is
relatively man-made and can be
solved if people want to. It is
linked to the shortage of person-
nel,” Nyaguse said.

“There is a combination of
things why there is that shortage,
some of them being that health-
care workers were infected and
are in isolation and the issue of
morale which is low.”

The Zimbabwe Association of
Doctors for Human Rights this
week estimated that at least 1 000
health workers had been infected
with Covid-19.

“We reiterate that the unavail-
ability of PPE is a violation of the
2020 high court ruling ZADHR
vs Ministry of Health and Child
Care and others) which directed
government to direct adequate
PPE to all frontline workers and
also is against the tenets of the In-
ternational Labour Organisation
Decent Work Agenda. ZADHR

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Bulawayo’s Covid-19 strategy chaotic

LIZWE SEBATA

BULAWAYO has only one ful- at the UBH’s BMB that began ad- its closure in 2004 shortly after alisation of Ekusileni, there are still Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo
ly-equipped Covid-19 treatment mitting patients in early December opening its doors. some areas that need works before
centre, the privately-owned Ma- despite not having facilities for me- the facility can become fully opera- down measures without addressing
ter Dei Hospital which charges a chanical ventilation as the ICU is Lack of political will by govern- tional,” Mlilo said, adding “a health the critical health needs of Covid-19
minimum of US$3 000 to admit not yet open or equipped. ment, frustrations and delays with institution has minimum require- facilities.
a patient, while state-run facilities tender and procurement processes, ments that have to be met before it
are hampered by operational chal- According to authorities, the among other factors, have been cit- opens its doors to the public.” “A 6pm-6am curfew is extracted
lenges. BMB will have the capacity to admit ed as some of the reasons why Eku- from nowhere. There is no scientific
100 patients referred from hospitals sileni remains closed. “The government through differ- basis for it in Zimbabwe as at those
The city has four Covid-19 treat- in Matabeleland North and Mata- ent actors has directed significant times almost all people are confined
ment centres: Thorngrove Infectious beleland South. Efforts by concerned citizens un- resources to ensure that the facility to their homes by poverty even with-
Diseases Hospital, the Old Bartley der the banner I Am For Bulawayo opens its doors as a Covid-19 treat- out a curfew,” Effie Ncube, who also
Memorial Block (BMB) within the “Construction at Thorngrove Covid-19 Trust (IAm4BYO), led by ment centre. coordinates a citizens’ led Covid-19
United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Covid-19 isolation facility is almost United Refineries chief executive of- initiative, said.
Ekusileni Medical Centre and the complete with installation of med- ficer Busisa Moyo, to mobilise mate- “In light of the recent surge of
Catholic-run Mater Dei Hospital. ical gases (the last part) currently rial and financial resources to ensure cases, the Ekusileni Hospital man- “We are slowly moving into a ca-
ongoing. UBH Bartley Memorial Ekusileni re-opens have come to agement led by acting CEO Dr tastrophe where thousands of people
However, Ekusileni remains Building is now open and is ad- naught. Absalom Dube is focusing efforts would die without receiving medical
closed, Thorngrove is partially mitting Covid-19 patients in the and resources on key high-priority attention. Decades of maladmin-
opened as it undergoes renovations, west wing since 2 December 2020. The Trust has to date donated areas that will allow the facility to istration and under-investment in
while the UBH’s BMB does not Construction of the east wing is ZW$60 million and purchased 70 be able to offer critical care to severe health care is catching up with the
have facilities for mechanical ven- being concluded,” Mlilo said in an beds. Several other independent or- Covid-19 cases.” country.
tilation as the intensive care unit emailed response on Tuesday. ganisations, churches and businesses
(ICU) and high dependency unit have made material and other dona- Health and Child Care minister “Covid-19 is exposing misrule in
(HDU) are not yet equipped. Ekusileni, a brainchild of the tions to Ekusileni but its re-opening Constantino Chiwenga on Satur- a way that has never happened be-
late vice-president Joshua Nkomo, remains elusive. day announced a 30-day lockdown fore.”
Construction of another wing at remains closed after missing its 30 accompanied with a 6pm to 6am
the BMB is not complete, while lack November re-opening deadline. The Mlilo said Ekusileni did not meet curfew to tame the spread of the Mpilo Central Hospital acting
of medicines at the institution fur- re-opening of the National Social minimum requirements to allow its Covid-19 pandemic. chief executive officer Professor Sol-
ther confirms the sad state of affairs Security Authority-owned facility re-opening. wayo Ngwenya appealed to citizens
at Bulawayo’s Covid-19 treatment has suffered several false starts since However, analysts argue there is to stay at home, saying “the situ-
centres. “Whilst major strides have been nothing scientific in the new lock- ation has gone out of control; and
made in the process of operation- the next phase will be filling of our
This comes at a time the country wards with patients.”
has been recording double or tri-
ple-digit confirmed cases on a daily
basis. As of yesterday 446 people
had died of Covid-19.

While government insists that
identified Covid-19 treatment facil-
ities are well equipped to handle a
surge in admissions, a survey in Bu-
lawayo reveals otherwise.

Thorngrove is only partially open
while renovations to equip it to fully
administer wholesome patient care
remain incomplete.

Bulawayo provincial medical di-
rector Welcome Mlilo confirmed
that there is a short supply of venti-
lators at Thorngrove.

Thorngrove closed on 22 April
2020 for renovations with expec-
tations that it will re-open after
two weeks but months have passed
with the hospital failing to meet set
deadlines due to funding challenges
among others.

Initially, ZW$47 million was
cited as the amount required for
the renovations and installation of
gases.

The same situation is obtaining

Midlands records increase in Covid-19 deaths

STEPHEN CHADENGA cases in the past two days with an mon Mubata who succumbed to the and installation, personal protective cope with the increasing cases of
increase in active cases noted. pandemic on Monday. equipment, multi-parameter moni- Covid-19 in the province.
THE Midlands province has record- tors and other medical equipment.
ed a spike in Covid-19 deaths with “The Covid-19 death toll in the Mavima urged people to adhere Meanwhile, Gweru City Council
12 people being killed by the coro- province now stands at 12,” Mavima to Covid-19 regulations to prevent Asked to comment on the provin- mayor Josiah Makombe said the lo-
navirus as of Wednesday, while con- said. the spread of the virus in the prov- cial hospital’s Covid-19 prepared- cal authority’s refurbished Infectious
firmed cases are also rising, a senior ince. Last year, Anglo American ness, medical superintendent Fabian Diseases Hospital has to date admit-
government official has said. “As of Wednesday, the province Platinum’s Unki Mine donated a Mashingaidze said he was on leave ted 101 people suspected to have
had 1 266 confirmed cases up from newly equipped 10-bed intensive up to 10 January and referred ques- been infected with Covid-19.
The national death toll is 446 as of 1 129 recorded last Sunday with 1 care unit (ICU) to Gweru Provincial tions to provincial medical director
yesterday. Provincial affairs minister 040 recoveries. Active cases now Hospital as part of efforts to fight Reginald Mhene. Mhene had how- “We are doing our best as coun-
and Covid-19 provincial taskforce stand at 214 up from 87.” the pandemic. ever not responded to questions at cil and our Covid-19 rapid response
chairperson Larry Mavima said the the time of going to print but staff team is available 24/7 (24 hours a
Midlands recorded more than 130 High-profile victims of the coro- The donation included ventila- at the hospital said it could not day and seven days a week),” said
navirus include prominent Gweru tors, ICU beds, oxygen equipment Makombe.
businessman and gold miner Phile-

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

MORRIS BISHI Masvingo records huge
jump in Covid-19 cases
MASVINGO marked a record
single-day increase in the number Mission Hospital, Gutu Rural Hos- The NewsHawks that his district is South Africa with our district being Masvingo city
of Covid-19 cases on Tuesday as it pital (13), Gutu Mission (8), Nyika one of the province`s hot spots due highly prone to unchecked border as a surprise to us. We thought since
emerged that the province is operat- Clinic (3), Chiredzi Hospital (2), to its geographical location. He said jumpers. There is also continuous we are dealing with agricultural pro-
ing with only a single isolation cen- Musiso (1) and Ndanga (1). the district is prone to unchecked and constant disregard of WHO duce they would allow us to contin-
tre for the public. border jumpers from South Africa. procedures, we are just casual as in- ue like what is happening in other
The positive cases recorded by He also attributed the spike to com- dividuals,” said Chisema. towns. This will leave most of us
Health officials confirmed 98 health officials is largely attributed placency and continuous disregard unable to continue with the busi-
new cases of the novel coronavirus to lack of personal protective equip- of World Health Organisation pro- The lockdown announced by ness due to heavy financial loses,”
out of 123 tests done on Tuesday. ment. Two nurses at Chiredzi Hos- tocol. Vice-President Constantino Chi- said Tamisai Katini Chairperson of
They also confirmed that four peo- pital are currently admitted to the wenga, who is also the minister of Chitima Fruit and Vegetable Mar-
ple died during the same day. The intensive care unit where a doctor is “With 233 cumulative cases, 156 Health, on Saturday caught many ket.
cumulative cases in the province attending to them with the rest of recoveries, 4 deaths and 73 active people unprepared with vendors at
stood at 872 most of which are nurses unable due to fear of con- cases, Chiredzi is one of the hot Chitima Fruit and Vegetable Mar- There is heavy police presence in
health officials. The national death tracting the virus. spots in the province. We attribute ket saying their wares will rot since town, while roadblocks have been
toll is 446 as of yesterday. this to complacency, as citizens we they were not given an opportunity established along all roads leading
Chiredzi district development are not risk averse. We cannot rule to clear them. to the central business district. The
The province is a gateway to coordinator Lovemore Chisema, out the impact of returnees during heavy police presence spreads to
South Africa, a hotspot for the virus. who is also the chairperson of the the festive season especially from “We had fresh farm produce in other districts within the province
Masvingo is operating with Rujeko district`s Covid-19 taskforce, told our market but the lockdown came with only a few shops operating.
Clinic as the only working isolation
centre for Covid-19 patients, forc-
ing health officials to release most
patients home for self-isolation.

The province does not have ca-
pacity to deal with cases since it
lacks ventilators as well as qualified
personnel to operate the machines,
putting patients at risk of dying.

Masvingo provincial Covid-19
taskforce spokesperson Rodgers
Irimayi told The NewsHawks that
cases in the province are rising at
an alarming rate with 98 recorded
on Tuesday being the highest since
March last year. He said despite the
announcement of an intensified
lockdown which started on Tues-
day, 122 people were arrested for
violating the lockdown on the day,
bringing the number of people ar-
rested since last year to 26 301 in
the province.

“Number of positives cases in the
province are rising at alarming levels
with 98 new cases recorded on Tues-
day bringing the total to 872 since
March last year. Of that number
633 recovered, 18 died and we are
left with 221 active cases,” he said.

“We are encouraging people to
abide by the government regulations
during the lockdown period. It is
regrettable that people are engaging
in illegal selling of different goods
and on 5 January 2021, 212 were
arrested for various offenses. The
cumulative number of arrested peo-
ple is now 26 301. On Tuesday, 52
vehicles were impounded, bringing
the figure to 10 929 of impounded
vehicles since the beginning of the
lockdown in March last year.”

Investigations by The News-
Hawks revealed that at least 43
health workers tested positive for
Covid-19 within the last seven days.
These include 15 cases at Silveira

NHAU MANGIRAZI Hurungwe hospital overrun by showed the district has not been
Covid-19 as 6 nurses test positive spared the vagaries of a poorly re-
Hurungwe District Hospital has sourced health delivery system.
been overrun by Covid-19 infec- identified patients who tested pos- rely with our provincial hospital for limitations have not been effective,
tions as six nurses have tested posi- itive since 1 January 2021. One of efficient and quick results. We would putting the whole district in trouble. “We are in trouble as commu-
tive since 1 January, a top official has the patients passed on.’’ like to make contact tracing to some nities are not complying with the
confirmed. patients from outlying communities “The latest statistics of local in- lockdown and taking precautionary
Hurungwe district medical officer Hurungwe is the second largest so that we can attend to them,” Ma- fections and deaths may be under- measure of wearing facemask that
(DMO) Frankson Masiye appealed district in the country and encom- siye said. reported. We are in trouble after the has become fashion style. This is
to the community to take heed of passes 26 outlying rural clinics. festive season and we must prop up about our health. We appeal that to
the current lockdown restrictions “The sad reality is that the new awareness and keep low numbers people to adhere to World Health
and stay indoors after the nurses Hurungwe Referral District Hos- wave is taking no chances. We ap- of those attending funerals where Organisation guidelines of wearing
tested positive in Karoi last week. pital in Karoi, 204 kilometres north- peal to our community leaders to spread of infections may rise. Covid face masks, social distance and, most
west of Harare, is struggling to offer spread the word so that people stay is taking advantage of underlying importantly, staying indoors,’’
The six nurses were among 22 services to patients at who want test- indoors. If there is no reason to trav- factors while people are attending
workers tested last week. They are in ing at its outlying clinics. el and visiting others, please don’t as funerals in hundreds. We must brace Masiye said the district had not
self-isolation. we are overworking ourselves.” up for the worst as a district,’ said recorded a positive case from pu-
“Our main challenge is lack of Matsika. pils writing Ordinary and Advanced
Masiye told The NewsHawks: “As fuel to get testing swabs to these Karoi Town Council chairperson Level examinations.
Hurungwe district, we have been communities as we have a limited Abel Matsika said funeral attendance Masiye said the latest surveillance
overrun by infections after six of our number of these kits locally and we ‘‘For now, we can say schools are
supporting staff including nurses safe as we have not received any re-
tested positive. These were among ports of any Covid-19 infections
those who were manning two of the among students writing exams,” he
said.

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Covid-19: Ordeal of a citizen
trying to save a relative’s life
“URGENTLY looking for a hospi-
tal bed with a ventilator; willing to HealthPoint in Belgravia, Harare
pay any price”.
we were not even let in; from out- Human rights activist Sithabile Dewa no one to operate it as there were Killer Zivhu with his own ventila-
Such desperate pleas on social side you have a view from inside, no nurses. He also said there were tor at home, that is how Zanu PF
media by Zimbabweans who can and the person was showing us to get iin. He gave us a number to three other patients who were also has destroyed this country, people
afford to pay, the privileged few that the red zone is full and that call but said he had turned away waiting to be put on the ventilator.  now have to buy their own person-
who have the money, have now be- they had to open another ward for about 100 people. He said they The doctor there also confirmed al medical equipment.”
come common.   Covid patients. We were also told were attending to people but were that my brother-in-law’s doctor
they were only taking patients who overwhelmed.” had also phoned looking for a bed. On 3 January, acting President
Human rights activist Sitha- had been referred by government They had one functioning venti- Kembo Mohadi, currently told a
bile Dewa last week found herself officials and certain doctors.” Prior to that, Dewa said they lator. You could tell that they are press conference that he was not
having to do the same. Little did had also gone to HealthPoint and overwhelmed, and they did not aware of any shortages of ven-
she know it was going to be a long Dewa added: “We went to St another clinic near the University have capacity to handle the influx tilators, saying according to the
night for her and an unforgettable Anne’s, there was a guard at the of Zimbabwe, but the message was of Covid-19 patients,” she said. information he had there was
ordeal for the family. gate. He said they might have a the same – we are full. enough life-saving equipment.
bed, but were not allowing people “After I posted on social media, The government also says there is
Dewa took her plea to social “We also went to Parirenyatwa I got several references and spoke enough bed capacity at hospitals,
media on 2 January, desperately and the doctor there said they had again to the St Anne’s staff who but doctors insist that is not true;
looking for a bed for her Covid-19 one functioning ventilator, but then said they had a ventilator, they say there are isolation wards
positive brother-in-law who need- but no nurses and that we could with space, but no beds to admit
ed ventilator support as he strug- organise our own nurse, which was patients who need intensive care
gled to escape from the jaws of not a problem. However, it seemed to save lives. This, according to
death from the virulent pandemic. the lady was not in a hurry as she Dewa, was proof that the country’s
said she needed to consult with a leadership was out of touch with
Dewa’s brother-in-law, who was doctor first, but sadly my brother- reality.
45 and had no known underlying in-law died before we could even
conditions before Covid-19, died go with him there to try to save his “Obviously he (Mohadi) was
an hour after her anguished appeal life.” misleading the nation; I challenge
on Twitter. him to a fact-finding mission to see
Dewa’s brother-in-law had been those ventilators. On the ground
But it is how the family desper- in hospital for three days before our health system is overwhelmed
ately searched for an emergency he passed on. On the day of his and ill-equipped to deal with this
admission facility that left Dewa admission to the Avenues Clinic emergency. And close to a year af-
shell-shocked and exposed to them where he initially was, he had even ter the death of Zororo Makamba,
the reality of Zimbabwe’s unpre- walked in on his own and was able his family had also struggled to get
paredness to combat the corona to talk to his wife on the phone. a ventilator for him in time, this is
virus which has killed at least 446 But he never made it back home. unacceptable,” she said.
people so far.
“It is still hard to accept, and “Like now, we are on lockdown,
Dewa’s experience showed her they had been married for only but what is going to happen after
that hospitals do not have capac- one-year-six-months. One way or 30 days? What is the plan? There is
ity to accommodate people with another, the government should no mass testing and screening and
Covid-19; in some cases they will be held accountable for all these those figures we are getting are not
simply be full, do not have the re- deaths which could be avoided if from tests conducted by govern-
quired equipment, such as venti- the healthcare system was work- ment, but private facilities. Gov-
lators, adequate frontline medical ing,” she said. ernment is doing nothing really to
staff, drugs and other support ser- combat this pandemic.”
vices needed. “I’m sure you saw that picture of

This lesson came through a jour-
ney of pain and despair.

Dewa said together with her
sister, they had driven around in
Harare, desperately hoping to get
help, but were turned away from
both public and private hospitals.
They all had no admission beds.

It was an eye-opener for her.
At one of the facilities, Dewa
was told that there were about 100
people who had also been turned
away and were waiting to be ad-
mitted soon after someone had
been discharged or died, meaning
there are invisible queues at some
hospitals to get service, dependent
upon space or fatality.  
This is not helpful during an
emergency. At Arundel Hospi-
tal, which the government said it
would open to everyone, Dewa
was told they only admit patients
who come with references from
government officials or certain
doctors. This smacked of elitism,
nepotism and corruption.
Covid-19 procurement and
supply processes have been entan-
gled in greed and corruption, with
multimillion-dollar deals at stake,
involving government officials and
their cronies.
“At most of these places we
could not even get inside, we were
turned away at the gate, and yet
there were people with the sick in
their cars, but they were told the
same thing: no help,” Dewa said.
“We also went to Arundel, but

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

DUMISANI NYONI Bulawayo council considers
US$75m solar joint venture
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC)
is considering an unsolicited bid project commences. However, all ratio must be informed by val- said if the policy was the same, preparation activities including
to form a joint venture (JV) with expenditure is to be covered by uations for the land from three the two applications should be feasibility studies, designs and
Williams Engineering, a local Williams Engineering. valuers. Value of land must be treated similarly. environmental impact assess-
firm, to set up a solar power-gen- established first before BCC can ment.
erating plant at its Ncema Farm The Infrastructure Develop- accept the 25% shareholding or In response, Bulawayo town
that will generate up to 50 mega- ment Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) equity. clerk Christopher Dube ex- The committee also recom-
watts worth of energy at a total recommended that the BCC sign plained that because there was mended that the BCC should
cost of US$75 million. a loose memorandum of under- The local authority’s finance involvement of land alienation, only cede the land at financial
standing (MOU) valid for 12 department recommended that council accepted unsolicited close otherwise the land will be
According to a BCC finance months and which lapses in the authority in principle be grant- bids. However, there were proce- tied to a non-existent project for
and development committee event of non-delivery by Wil- ed to embark on the project and dures to be followed. He further a long time.
report, the local authority is liams. thereafter the unsolicited bid be explained that the applications
considering the proposal as it submitted to the joint venture were submitted to the Zimbabwe According to council records,
addresses the energy gap in the It also recommended that Wil- committee; sign a loose MOU Investment and Development Williams Engineering is a Bu-
city and the country, while also liams take the responsibility to valid for 12 months and which Agency (Zida) for further pro- lawayo-based company having
boosting council coffers. fund project preparation activi- lapses in the event of non-deliv- cesses. been in operation since 1996.
ties, including feasibility studies, ery by Williams.
To be a part of the JV, council designs and ESIA. He confirmed that the cur- It has many years’ experiences
is expected to provide the nec- It also said Williams should rent application was the same as in electrical engineering and is
essary land to establish the solar “They are the project promot- take the responsibility to fund the previous one. However, the currently involved with a num-
farm. ers and it should be their respon- project preparation activities, previous application had some ber or upcoming solar stations in
sibility to prove that the project including feasibility studies, de- technicalities which needed to be and around Zimbabwe.
Also, council is expected to is bankable. The current propos- signs and environmental impact looked into and the item would
take care of the environmental al to have BCC foot the bill is ex- assessment. be re-submitted to the committee The company offers a com-
study or approval, building per- ploitative as Williams will even- in the usual manner. mercial model that includes the
mits, grid connection study or tually use the feasibility studies The proposal was discussed ability to work with the client as
permit, and any other local re- funded by council to raise funds in the full council meeting with The council resolved to rec- a turnkey engineering, procure-
quired permit, any kind of pay- for project implementation from councillor Silas Chigora seeking ommend that authority in prin- ment and construction or as the
ments to municipality or govern- investors. They should show their clarification on the criteria used ciple be granted to embark on counterparty to a power pur-
ment or similar, geological study, commitment and confidence by to award tenders without expres- the project and thereafter the chase agreement as an indepen-
topographical and hydrological outlaying resources upfront,” the sion of interest or open tender. unsolicited bid be submitted to dent power producer.
studies on the one hand. IDBZ said. the joint venture committee; that
BCC deputy mayor Mlandu council and Williams Engineer- Williams Engineering has es-
On the other hand, Williams The IDBZ said the BCC should Ncube enquired about the policy ing sign a loose MOU valid for tablished a working relationship
Engineering will take care of fi- only cede the land at financial on land alienation. He recalled 12 months and which lapses in with Solventix Group. Founded
nance, engineering design, con- close otherwise the land will be that the committee had previous- the event of non-delivery by Wil- in 2010, they are recognised as a
struction, performance of the tied to a non-existent project for ly not acceded to a similar appli- liams; that Williams take respon- global player in the solar genera-
contract, overseeing job site, a long time. cation and clarification had been sibility for funding the project tion market and have successful-
production and reporting to and sought on the policy aspect. He ly realised more than 4 000 proj-
implementing the instructions of It also said the 25%/75% share ects worldwide.
the JV.

If both parties are satisfied
with the above specifications, the
profits and losses will be shared
in the following manner: Wil-
liams Engineering 75% and BCC
25%.

Williams Engineering will
provide finance capital up to the
sum of US$75 million and then
recoup its investment through
the sale of electricity to the state-
run Zimbabwe Electricity Trans-
mission and Distribution Com-
pany (ZETDC).

The labour required for the
project will be pooled by both
parties in the JV and Williams
reserves the right of first refusal,
while the wage bill is to be taken
care of by the JV.

The construction of the proj-
ect is projected to take up to 24
months and, after that, income
is expected to be generated from
the farm. The life span of the
farm is set at 20 years and after
that the venture parties reserve
the right to either decommission
the site or renew the JV.

As per the Williams Engineer-
ing model, the loan interest is
fixed at a rate of 3.5% per year;
the first three years of the loan
have a grace period to not pay in-
terest; a fixed amount of US$6.2
million will be paid effective year
four up to year 20 with capital
repayment/ loan instalment plus
a variable interest element on
top. Energy sales show an annu-
al growth pattern from the first
year of operation until capacity
production is reached and ex-
penditure is set to decline as the

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Lockdown in pictures

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Pictures by Aaron Ufumeli

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Beitbridge chaos: A crisis of governance that spills over

WHILE the Zimbabwean govern- deep crisis: the economy is in tatters tricity, roads, refuse collection and days, were stranded at the border The protracted economic and
ment denies that the country is en- and the social situation generally other things - is poor. for a week in huge numbers, mainly political crisis in Zimbabwe has led
gulfed in a political and economic borders on a humanitarian crisis. highlighting the push factors - the directly to a major increase in mi-
crisis which has forced millions to Millions, well over 90%, are un- political, economic and social crisis gration flows to South Africa, and
flee the country, mainly to South Half of the population, for in- employed. back home. this was evident in Beitbridge this
Africa, in the past two decades, evi- stance, needs food relief. The coun- week, highlighting how leadership
dence of the problem is everywhere. try cannot feed itself. Humanitarian Yet it was the chaos at Beitbridge This fuelled diplomatic tensions and governance, as well as policy
agencies reports show this clearly. border post which drove the point between Harare and Pretoria, as failures have spawned a crisis that
Looking at the social and eco- home this week more than anything South Africa tried and was blocked spills over.
nomic situation on the ground is The infrastructure is badly dilap- else in recent weeks or months. from intervening in Zimbabwe last
enough to show Zimbabwe is in a idated by years of neglect. Social year. - STAFF WRITER.
service delivery - water supply, elec- Zimbabweans, returning to
South Africa for work after holi-

NewsHawks Editorial & Opinion Page 13

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021 CARTOON

Lockdown not the
Covid-19 solution

AFTER a period of relaxation and complacence on battling US elections: Drawing lessons
Covid-19, Zimbabweans were dragged, kicking and scream- for Zimbabwe, African nations
ing, amid shock and disbelief, into yet another lockdown this
week. AMERICAN elections – which usually Hill to stop congress from confirming In the end, this should not have
grab world attention – have come and President-Elect Joe Biden, showing the come as a surprise to anyone who
While lockdowns have been one of the strategic ways of gone. Most people around the world world the dark underbelly of American watched and followed Trump over the
combating the coronavirus, as they limit people’s movement follow the United States elections for politics. He was even prepared for a past four years. He foreshadowed his
and spread of infection, they have always had unintended their political, geopolitical and policy doomed coup by a mob. plans to challenge the election as inval-
consequences. Lockdown strategies help flatten the epidemic implications. id unless he won.
curve, but exacerbate the recession curve. A range of stimulus Second, Trump’s rule demonstrated
packages and other fiscal interventions have sought to flatten Some, of course, find them enter- authoritarianism, powered by Hitlerite Third, the election exposed flaws of
the recession curve thereafter. taining due to their Hollywood-style populism, can emerge anywhere in the the US electoral system. Lessons can be
campaigns. world. Not many would have imagined drawn from that.
Maintaining the balance between saving lives and saving the US appearing like a Third World
livelihoods is one of the challenges of lockdowns. It is depen- The US is the world’s sole super- country during elections. Even by stan- Fourth, the chaos and rioting – leav-
dent on the effectiveness of government policies to flatten the power. Some, especially in the Global dards of dictatorial nations, the con- ing four dead - compromised the US’s
recession curve, and the resilience of the public to flatten the South, call it the Empire, with conno- duct of Trump’s supporters was a new ability to speak out on polls in other
epidemic curve, even when out of lockdown. tations of aggression, domination and low. countries.
exploitation.
Lifting lockdown measures too early always risks a signif- “Trump’s attempt to overturn the As British professor Nic Cheeseman
icant second wave of infections, deaths and associated eco- Historically though the US was a election, and his pressure tactics to that said: “This weakens the moral authority
nomic damage. But if the government delays lifting the lock- huge anti-imperial project in moder- end with Brad Raffensperger, the Geor- of the US to speak out on other coun-
down, the economic consequences could be more severe as nity. It emerged in opposition to the gia secretary of state, are an example of tries’ elections and that will embolden
many businesses may not survive. British empire, overthrowing the mon- how authoritarianism works in the 21st dictators around the world”.
archy. century,” said Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author
The latter is seen by some as less risky as increased gov- of Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Fifth, which is the biggest lesson,
ernment debt required to support families and businesses is Despite many flaws of its society and especially for Zimbabwe and other Af-
not expected to have major effects on long-term inflation and governance system, the US positions Hawk Eye rican countries, it is important to have
expenditure, but the balance is delicate. itself as the beacon of democracy; a strong democratic institutions that
democratic torchbearer. It is the big- Dumisani will not be manipulated or abused by
This is the question most Zimbabweans are grappling with gest economy in the world. Muleya dictators when they lose power. Trump
after the renewed lockdown. Everyone is asking the difficult tried and failed to cling onto power
question whose answer is as shifty as quicksand: While we That, combined with its military Present. due to resilient institutions.
need the lockdown to contain Covid-19, how about our live- power, means the impact of its pol- “Today’s leaders come in through
lihoods? icies on the world are significant and As Biden said, democratic institu-
far-reaching. The US has tentacles all elections and then manipulate elections tions saved and steered the US through
What is particularly troublesome is that this second lock- over the globe. Its foreign policy and to stay in office — until they get enough “one of the darkest days in the history
down comes at the beginning of January, a month notorious impact is always hotly debated. power to force the hand of legislative of our nation”.
for its financial hardships at household level. People had bare- bodies to keep them there indefinitely,
ly emerged from what must surely be the most dreary festive US elections are also like a live re- as (Vladmir) Putin and (Viktor) Orban This is what Zimbabwe and other
season in living memory when the government dropped the ality show – they can be hugely en- have done.” African nations, indeed authoritarian
lockdown bombshell. At this time of the year, people are just tertaining. states elsewhere, need: entrenched,
broke. Worse in this economic crisis. When Steven Levitsky and Daniel strong democratic institutions to limit
While the elections themselves are Ziblatt published How Democracies power and contain power-mongering
Although most people agree Covid-19 must be tackled, over, their dramatic impact and conse- Die, in 2018, warning the US could dictators, especially when they lose
the hasty government response has elevated a disaster to a quences are still with us. And that will slide into autocracy, they got a serious elections.
catastrophe. Actions of this regime sometimes defy logic. The remain so for a long time to come. backlash.
idea behind decreeing a lockdown is to slow down the spread Where institutions are solid - not
of the disease, while strengthening the capacity of the health The first thing is that the US showed “We were criticised by some as fragile, no one can use the electoral
delivery system. the world the dangers of having a meg- alarmist,” Ziblatt, a professor at Har- commission, public service, police, in-
alomaniac in power. A dangerous dem- vard University, said. “It turns out we telligence services, and the army to help
In other words, a lockdown alone without fixing the hospi- agogue, who did not hesitate to lie, weren’t alarmist enough.” them to rig and steal elections, overturn
tals and health delivery system, equipping the facilities, pro- demonise, promote racism and hate, the people’s will or hang onto power by
viding protective paraphernalia, medicines and ensuring eco- peddle conspiracy theories and abuse hook or crook.
nomic interventions to protect livelihoods, especially among power to advance his warped agenda;
the vulnerable and poor communities, is not effective. supported by fanatics who are like flies This must be the biggest takeaway
that follow the corpse to the grave. from the US elections for Zimbabwe,
Government claims it has provided money to mitigate the which badly needs democratic reform
impact of the lockdown, but how many businesses and peo- Donald Trump, who desperately to hold credible, free and fair elections,
ple have actually received that? Where is the money? Who got hung onto power by his fingernails, hopefully leading to change for the bet-
what and when? The reality on the ground is scary. The pan- even went to the extent of inciting his ter – not more of the same.
demic is overrunning government. The hospitals, frontline stormtroopers to storm the Capitol
health workers and support services are being overwhelmed.
Government officials have admitted as much.

Yet daily authorities lecture citizens about how to behave
and arrest the poor. That is not what people want. Citizens
want to hear how the government is going to balance the
lockdown and economic imperatives.

How lives could be saved, while livelihoods are also pro-
tected. That is the most important issue. Not what ministers
say daily, warning people that going outdoors is a matter of
life-and-death. Of course, sitting at home without food for
the unemployed, poor and vulnerable communities is also a
matter of life-and-death.

The authorities must put on their thinking caps, and not
just issue lockdown orders and useless statements. What is
the plan and strategy to save lives and livelihoods, or the
economy?

Reaffirming the fundamental importance The NewsHawks is published on different EDITORIAL STAFF: Marketing Officer: Voluntary Media
of freedom of expression and media free- content platforms by the NewsHawks Digital Managing Editor: Dumisani Muleya Charmaine Phiri Council of Zimbabwe
dom as the cornerstone of democracy and Media which is owned by Centre for Public Assistant Editor: Brezh Malaba Cell: +263 735666122
as a means of upholding human rights Interest Journalism News Editor: Owen Gagare [email protected] The NewsHawks newspaper subscribes to the Code
and liberties in the constitution; our mis- No. 100 Nelson Mandela Avenue Digital Editor: Bernard Mpofu [email protected] of Conduct that promotes truthful, accurate, fair and
sion is to hold power in its various forms Beverly Court, 6th floor Reporters:
and manifestations to account by expos- Harare, Zimbabwe Bridget Mananavire, Nyasha Chingono, Enoch Muchinjo Subscriptions & Distribution: balanced news reporting. If we do not meet these
ing abuse of power and office, betrayals +263 735666122 standards, register your complaint with the Voluntary
of public trust and corruption to ensure Trustees/Directors: Email: [email protected] Media Council of Zimbabwe at No.: 34, Colenbrander
good governance and accountability in Beatrice Mtetwa, Raphael Khumalo, Rd, Milton Park, Harare. Telephone: 024-2778096 or
the public interest. Professor Wallace Chuma, Teldah Mawarire,
Doug Coltart 024-2778006,
24Hr Complaints Line: 0772 125 659
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
WhatsApp: 0772 125 658, Twitter: @vmcz
Website: www.vmcz.co.zw, Facebook: vmcz Zimbabwe

Page 14 New Perspective NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Agriculture pricing policy
incoherence disturbing

Brett
Chulu

THE 2020-2021 agricultural the actual strategy. It is a com- ideological contestation. John in the economy at critical times. guest of many politicians. This is
season is underway, but there is mon challenge in strategy where Maynard Keynes, the Eton and The American economist Milton the backdrop of the agricultural
policy confusion over pricing and established routines developed to Cambridge-schooled mathema- Friedman, from the other side pricing conflict that is currently
the silence on this matter is even implement past strategies persist tician-turned-economist once of the Atlantic, pushed back at playing out in Zimbabwe.
more confusing. in the era of a new strategy. A remarked: “Practical men who Keynes but not close to Smith and
new strategy needs new routines. believe themselves to be quite advocated for minimal govern- The ideological war between
A post-cabinet briefing on 1 It seems, at least on the agricultur- exempt from intellectual influence ment involvement in the markets. our policymakers needs an ex-
December last year announced al commodities pricing policy, old are usually the slaves of some de- pedited “peace” deal. Friedman
a policy decision to guarantee habits are persisting and threaten- funct economist.” When it comes The ideological wars within the should be prepared to postpone
producer prices for maize, small ing to suffocate the development to agricultural economic policy, decision-making assemblies in his ambitions this year; he will
grains and soybean. of new actions. we are either the slaves of Adam our country are driven by these most likely be forced to acquiesce
Smith or Karl Marx or John May- four philosophical loyalties. In the to the guaranteed price policy.
Later in that week, the There is a 900-pound gorilla nard Keynes or Milton Friedmam. immediate years before the Tran- Friedman’s vision of an untethered
pre-planting guaranteed producer in the room this column trained sitional Stabilisation Programme agricultural commodities price
prices were pegged as follows: on in connection with the setting Thought slaves to Smith are (TSP)(October 2018-December discovery mechanism by way of
Maize ZW$32 000 per tonne; up of the agricultural commod- unshakably enamoured to the 2020) the power brokers within dismantling the GMB monopoly,
traditional small grains ZW$38 ity exchange and the warehouse idea that the government should government had fealty towards setting up the agricultural com-
000 per tonne; and soybean at receipting system--how NDS 1 not have a hand in the working of Keynes and Marx, hence the modities exchange and warehouse
ZW$48 000 per tonne. No sooner planned to deal with the Grain the markets. relentless printing of money and receipting system might have to
had these guaranteed prices Marketing Board (GMB). heavy agricultural interventions. be deferred.
been announced than Treasury Those under the intellectual The TSP sought to pull us away
announced that a commodity The GMB monopoly created by servitude of Karl Marx will defend from Keynes and Marx towards We sign off with Keynes. He
exchange supported by a regulat- statute has to be first reversed and with all their passion that the gov- Friedman. NDS 1 would mark once said, “The markets are
ed warehouse receipting system a new legal instrument birthed to ernment must move the markets a clean break from Marx and moved by animal spirits, not by
would be launched in March of bring life to the free-market vehi- at its whim. Keynes, flipping our economic reason.” Some in our government
this year. cles of the agricultural commod- ideological fealty to Friedman. would agree with him.
ities exchange and the warehouse They would gladly agree with
The contrast makes the pricing receipting system. Keynes who famously quipped Keynes and Marx appeal to Some would not. If those with
policy inconsistency stand out that “Capitalism is the belief that many politicians as they give real power in our government like
like a sore thumb. The guaranteed We had suggested in this the nastiest of men, for the nas- politicians scope to intervene in Keynes, we will continue on the
producer price is the antithesis column that the GMB be repur- tiest reasons, will somehow work the markets to safeguard their worn out path of price support
of the free market pricing system posed to become the warehouse for the benefit of us all.” Keynes political interests. and subsidies.
the commodity exchange and receipting system regulator, was not a Marxist at all--he was
warehouse receipting system are weaned off completely from the peeved by the thought that gov- In agriculture, the European He also mused that, “The
premised upon. buying and selling of agricultural ernment should not play a direct Union has largely pitched its biggest problem is not to let
commodities. role in the economy. ideological tent with Keynes, people accept new ideas, but to let
We expected the latter to be- hence the numerous price support them forget the old ones.” Which
come the definite pricing discov- When we peel away the layers Keynes veered from Smith and subsidies for the EU farmer. problem referenced by Keynes
ery framework the nation would of the policy incoherence, we and popularised the idea that a Friedman is not the favourite would our Treasury want us not to
adopt, given that it is a compo- see an underlying economics government should intervene forget? 2021 is still young.
nent of the National Development
Strategy One (NDS 1 2021-2025).
NDS 1 is very explicit in that the
commodity exchange and ware-
house receipting system would be
established.

It is going to be very inter-
esting to see what will happen
at the time farmers start selling
their grains and oilseeds as the
agricultural commodities ex-
change will be in place as per
the Treasury timeline. Will the
government make an about-turn
and renege on the guaranteed
prices it pledged in December in
deference to the invisible hand of
the commodity exchange?

It will take unusual political
courage to undo that commit-
ment as it has potentially serious
political costs attached to it. Yield-
ing to political pressure will send
the signal that the new path set
out in NDS 1 will be veered away
from when political expediency
demands it.

Early into the implementation
of NDS 1, a glaring and unexpect-
ed inconsistency is being allowed
to take root. One of the warnings
issued in this column on NDS 1
was that there is a big difference
between an intended strategy and

Business

MATTERSNewsHawks

MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
EUR/USD
USD/JPY 1.225 -0.001 -0.098 *NAT GAS 2.681 +0.045 +1.71
GBP/USD
USD/CAD 103.51 +0.41 +0.4 *SILVER 26 -0.181 -0.69
AUD/USD
1.352 -0.007 -0.486 *COPPER 3.626 +0.025 +0.68

1.275 +0.003 +0.24 *GOLD 1,884.7 -5.7 -0.302

0.759 -0.003 -0.394 *OIL 48.29 -0.07 -0.14

Fears of
massive ZSE
capital flight

BERNARD MPOFU by 72% from US$4.57 billion to Makwata said the Victoria Falls tainly generate some excitement MMC Capital Head of Research
US$1.3 billion. Exchange represents potential and also cover for the de-listings,” said.
THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange area for growth once companies he said.
(ZSE) is this year expected to be “The gains in 2020 should be have warmed to the idea of US “On a normal day to day basis,
hit by massive capital flight despite looked at from that context; mar- dollar capital raising on the plat- The suspension of the ZSE, ac- the number of transactions were
strong gains in 2020 as foreign in- ket was clawing back the previous form. cording to another analyst, had relatively low compared to the pri-
vestors flee the local bourse due to year losses which were excessive. also dampened confidence on the or year on the back of a number
market uncertainty, analysts have Still at US$2.5 billion the market “A supportive environment is local equities exchange. of issues such as the suspension
said. is way below its 10 year average needed for that to happen. Anoth- of fungibility, de-listings, suspen-
market cap of US$3,9billion. The er area to look for is on new prod- “We witness a lot of headwinds sion of some active counters, and
Last year government an- market recovery is certainly one ucts development with Exchange in the year 2020 and despite the the closure of the market in June
nounced several measures which of the highs for 2020. The lows are Traded Funds, Real Estate Invest- challenges, a relatively huge num- 2020. Foreigners have been pre-
unnerved investors such as the numerous with the market sus- ment Trust and some derivatives ber of transaction based trades dominantly trading on the sell
temporary suspension of fungibil- pension being on the top of the likely to grace the bourses in the were executed in the period. These side, a trend we see persisting into
ity of stocks and stopping trades list. Then there’s massive selling coming year. Innovation will cer- transactions pushed the total the coming year.”
on the ZSE. by foreign investors frustrated by turnover higher,” Kudzai Samudzi,
policy inconsistent and the delist-
The ZSE closed the year in posi- ing we have seen with the likes of
tive territory, gaining with the all- Dawn, ZPI and soon Powerspeed,”
share index advancing 1045.78% Ranga Makwata, an equities ana-
despite earlier setbacks. Last Au- lyst, said.
gust, the ZSE opened lower as
trade returned a month after the “The year 2021 is unlikely to be
government had shut down the different from 2020. Capital flight
market over allegations of under- will continue until foreigners are
mining the currency. totally out of the market, more
de-listings are likely to happen as
Market capitalisation on the companies see prospects for rais-
last day of 2019 was US$1.3 bil- ing capital on the bourses dwin-
lion and on 15 December 2020 it dling and regulatory uncertainty
had almost doubled to US$2,54 will remain high as the economy
billion. Analysts said a rebound of battles with deterioration of key
this magnitude was expected af- fundamentals like inflation and
ter massive losses experienced in currency stability.”
2019 where the market slumped

YOUR AD HERE

book some space in the leading investigative and breaking newspaper

Contact Charmaine: Cell: 0735666122; Tel: 0242 721044/5

or Visit us at 100 Nelson mandela ave./Cnr 4th Street Email: [email protected]

Page 16 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Auditor-General exposes CSC rot

LIZWE SEBATHA Marufu, finance manager and ploma or other professional qual- Auditor-General Milred Chiri file,” the audit report adds.
Godwin Mayeka, the treasury ac- ifications relevant for their work The report shows that Mugabe’s
A NUMBER of Cold Storage Com- countant did not have diploma or but they do have substantive expe- “The lease agreement was signed
pany (CSC) senior managers did first-degree qualifications required rience working at CSC.” by CSC board chairperson (the Gushongo Holdings, the late VP
not have relevant qualifications to for their positions. late Professor Lindela Ndlovu) on Msika, current Zanu PF secretary
drive the turnaround of the com- Senior managers leased vast 28 November 2013 on behalf of for administration Mpofu, the late
pany with one line manager ex- “There is no documentation on tracts of CSC properties including CSC, granting Chinogaramombe ambassador and Major-General
posed as only having an Advanced the professional or academic ex- land and buildings for a song. a 30-year lease for a half year fee Javan Maseko, War Veterans Trust
Level certificate as his highest pectation on the management of of US$1 584 (annual fee of US$3 and CSC board member Charles
qualification. CSC. It is a general expectation “There is no evidence on file to 168). Madonko were among several
that those senior positions, equiv- show the criteria used to deter- of the company’s long-standing
Several high-ranking govern- alent to grades D and E be filled by mine rental rates for CSC leased “The lease agreement did not tenant debtors during the period
ment officials, including late for- people with a minimum of a first properties,” the audit report reads. state rental fee per hectare but in- under review.
mer president Robert Mugabe, degree in the relevant field,” the stead stated the total amount for
late former vice-presidents Joseph audit report reads in part. The report shows that CSC the 1 320 hectares. We did not find “From debtors’ ledgers provid-
Msika and John Nkomo and Zanu leased paddocks measuring 1 320 any board resolution on file ratify- ed to us by Mr (Max) Kasore, CSC
PF politburo member Obert Mpo- “Some of the senior and middle hectares to Chinogaramombe at ing this decision. We also did not was owed a total of US$655 981 in
fu also unfairly benefitted from the managers have no first degrees, di- a monthly fee of US$264, half the find any declaration of interest in rentals for offices and ranches by
company, according to the audit price of a cow. Mr Chinogaramombe’s personal its debtors as at June 2015. We an-
report. alysed the list of CSC debtors and
noted that a number of tenants
This is contained in the CSC’s were in default of the lease agree-
last 2016 forensic audit into the ments as they had long outstand-
operations of the meat processor ing debts,” the report reads.
by Auditor-General Milred Chiri.
As at 30 June 30 2015, Mpofu
The audit report reveals massive owed the CSC US$20 725, Ma-
mismanagement and corruption donko US$15 308, Msika US$11
by CSC managers who were in the 208, Maseko US$9 590 and Mug-
habit of allocating themselves un- abe’s Gushongo Holdings US$5
sanctioned allowances and long- 000.
term leases of company assets for
a song while non-managerial em- Current Agriculture minister
ployees and creditors went unpaid. Anxious Masuka was a member
of the last CSC board that failed to
The Zanu PF bigwigs are among implement the recommendations
beneficiaries of questionable of the audit report to turnaround
lease agreements and are cited as the fortunes of the struggling meat
long-standing tenant debtors, who processor.
bled the company of much-needed
financial resources. Masuka was appointed to the
CSC board in April 2017 by for-
According to the audit report, mer Agriculture minister Joseph
key CSC managers did not have Made alongside Sylvia Khumalo
requisite qualifications with head Jiyane (board chairperson), Nem-
office management accountant rod Chiminya (deputy chairper-
Max Kasore cited as having only son), committee members Emily
an A Level certificate as his highest Mumbengegwi, Peter Nyoni, Ce-
qualification. cilia Paradza, Bekhithemba Nko-
mo, Rufaro Mazunze, Khodholo
Other senior managers such as Setaboli, Unesu Ushewokunze
Ngoni Chinogaramombe, former Obatolu and engineer Reston Mu-
CSC chief executive officer, Moses zamhindo.
Mrewa, human resources direc-
tor, Isaiah Machingura, marketing Late Agriculture minister Per-
director, Reuben Chagwinya, ad- rance Shiri dissolved the board in
ministration manager, Engelberth May 2019.

NYASHA CHINGONO Govt verifies Air Zim’s US$380m debt

GOVERNMENT has cleared the creditor in a phased approach,” creditors while US$292 million creditors claims together with meant to safeguard the airline’s
path for the settling of claims of said the administrator, Reggie is government-to-government the finalisation of other key stra- assets which have been under
moribund flag carrier Air Zim- Saruchera. debt. But the resurfacing of oth- tegic issues, the reconstruction of threat from litigious creditors.
babwe’s creditors following a er litigious creditors like the 300 Air Zimbabwe is to be concluded
rigorous verification process, a Air Zimbabwe, whose viabil- workers that the Supreme Court no later than 30 June 2021,” Sa- Debt reconstruction is meant
move aimed at freeing the airline ity has been riddled by lack of ordered reinstated after they ruchera said. to facilitate the management
from legacy obligations which equipment and a debt overhang, were fired five years ago further of the airline’s debt and its sub-
have often hindered chances of hopes that a fresh balance sheet puts a strain on the administra- Air Zimbabwe was placed un- sequent amortisation. It is also
investments. will attract investors who have tor’s growth plans. der reconstruction following the meant to preserve the company’s
remained on the fence. disbandment of the Chipo Dy- assets and establish firm opera-
Following the first creditors’ The company was quoted as anda-led board by former Trans- tions.
meeting held late 2018 and sub- Government has in the past saying it had no capacity to ei- port minister Joram Gumbo. The
sequent updates, the adminis- delayed the Air Zimbabwe debt ther reinstate or compensate the board and Gumbo clashed over Saruchera also said the gov-
trator, Grant Thornton will now assumption programme, thereby former workers who won the Su- the proposed turnaround strat- ernment had availed funds to
commence the settlement of stalling the engagement of po- preme Court challenge. egy where the government was purchase a second Embraer 145
both local and foreign creditors. tential investors. Despite interest accused of deliberately sabotag- aircraft to boost the depleted
from 10 investors, Air Zimba- Saruchera also said the re- ing Air Zimbabwe in favour of a fleet. The Embraer is earmarked
“The government has ap- bwe’s debt overhang remains a construction of Air Zimbabwe new airline linked to the late for- to service the domestic market
proved the settlement of credi- stumbling block to foreign cap- which began in 2018 should be mer president Robert Mugabe. at a sustainable cost. Air Zimba-
tors whose claims were proved ital. complete by June, with the set- bwe has been operating a long-
and verified during the current tling of creditors a top priority. The disbandment of the board haul aircraft on local routes, an
reconstruction process. The Ad- The airline owes US$380 mil- and subsequent appointment of unsustainable business decision
ministrator and his team will lion. Of the US$380 million, “In order to ensure that the a caretaker administrator were for the moribund airline.
commence negotiations and set- US$30 million is owed to foreign aforementioned settlement of
tlement of both local and foreign

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 17

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

World Bank
slashes Zim
growth
projection

BERNARD MPOFU floods, Covid-19 and macro-eco- flagship report titled Global Eco- projection of -4.1%. Next year, World Bank president David Malpass
nomic risks, among others. nomic Prospects, Zimbabwe’s Zimbabwe’s economy will grow
THE World Bank sees Zimba- economy contracted by 10% last by 3.1%, the World Bank project- in sub-Saharan Africa — one-
bwe’s economy growing by a Sectors such as mining, manu- year, against the government’s ed. fifth more than the remaining
modest 2.9% in 2021, against the facturing, tourism, construction, five emerging markets and de-
government’s bullish projections distribution and other service The World Bank said Covid-19 veloped economies regions com-
of 7.4% as the Covid-19 pandem- sectors had faced the full nega- caused a global recession whose bined .
ic slows down economic activity tive impact of all shocks either depth was surpassed only by the
in the sub-Saharan region. through lockdowns, reduced two World Wars and the Great The World Bank said a combi-
investment inflows, lost pro- Depression over the past cecen- nation of the Covid-19 contain-
Zimbabwe’s economy re- duction hours, closed borders, tury-and-half. ment restrictions and adverse
mained subdued last year, with grounded distribution transport weather events such as floods,
key sectors such as mining, man- systems, broken supply chains The multilateral lender also droughts and locust infestations
ufacturing and tourism recording and low demand, among others. noted that although global eco- has contributed to localised food
negative growth due to drought, nomic activity is growing again, price spikes in the region.
According to the World Bank’s it is not likely to return to busi-
ness as usual for the foreseeable Last year, Finance minister
future. Mthuli Ncube last week an-
nounced an ambitious ZW$421.6
The pandemic has caused a billion budget, which analysts
severe loss of life, plunging mil- and economic experts doubt will
lions into extreme poverty and is extricate millions of Zimbabwe-
expected to inflict lasting scars ans who are currently swimming
that push activity and income in a sea of poverty.
well below their pre-pandemic
trend for a prolonged period. “Economic growth is expect-
ed to rebound in 2021 from the
“Several countries, particu- consecutive two-year slump to
larly low-income countries, are record 7.4%. From the supply
already in, or at risk of, debt side, this growth will be driven
distress. In addition, the charac- by strong recovery in agriculture,
teristics of the debt build-up of mining, electricity, construction,
the fourth wave also raise new transport and communication as
challenges and again highlight well as finance and insurance,”
the major difficulties in achiev- Ncube said.
ing lasting debt relief,” the report
reads. Ncube said while the econ-
omy will contract by -4.1% by
The report further shows there year-end, it will rebound with a
were already more than 150 mil- growth of 7.4% before stabilising
lion food insecure people in 2019 at an annual growth rate of 5%
thereafter.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube

Page 18 Executive Chat NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Funeral business grapples with problems

THE funeral assurance sector has
been found wanting on a number
of compliance issues, including in
areas ranging from capital require-
ments, prescribed assets, reinsur-
ance and investments. In Decem-
ber, Zimbabwe Funeral Assurers
Association (Zafa) president Solo-
mon Chikanda (SC) spoke to The
Newshawks’ correspondent Ronald
Muchenje (RM) on the sidelines
of a stakeholders’ breakfast meet-
ing themed “Unpacking the Fu-
neral Business Model and its Reg-
ulatory Implications”, focusing
on problems affecting the sector.
Chikanda said non-compliance
was the result of unwillingness to
follow procedure. Below are ex-
cerpts from the interview:

RM: Take us through the major
concerns that the funeral assur-
ance industry is facing.

SC: The major key concerns are forts. We thought if we organise a long back but, if you look at it, RM: There has been an argu- Solomon Chikanda
in relation with the funeral as- meeting like this and invite them, short term are at ZW$37 million ment that available classes of
surance and services model. This they will better understand our while we are at ZW$62 million. prescribed assets are not per- one’s investment plans. These pol-
model emphasises or has a bias on concerns and we also understand That is why you see there is less forming. What is your comment? icies affected investments and the
funeral services provision. We all theirs. compliance. SC: Yes, it’s another reason. I structure of the funeral industry.
know that a funeral service policy RM: Ipec commissioner Grace think as funeral industry we also In an unstable economy you don’t
is a contract which promises a pol- Muradzikwa spoke about min- In terms of prescribed assets, we submitted our concerns through see insurance performing well.
icyholder benefits or either cash. imum capital requirements and really understand, but we also feel the insurance apex council. Our RM: Ipec recently said the in-
But in our case, the Zimbabwean prescribed issues, which she said it’s on the high side on the basis submissions were that prescribed dustry was struggling with valu-
model emphasises the provision the industry has been found that we invest into parlours, mor- assets at the moment are not at- ations in relation to high costs.
of funeral services. Now from our wanting. What is your comment tuaries, coffins and the like, which tractive in terms of interest and What is your comment on the
perspective, we are saying there on that? then leaves us with less disposable are heavily exposed to inflation. issue?
should be an alignment. SC: Ok let me start with the min- income. So as a result we are saying they SC: Previously, actuarial valua-
imum capital requirements. We should be linked to inflation, have tions were done after three years.
This is especially with reference understand from history that fu- That is why you find that the stability so we don’t lose policy Currently, they are being done
to Statutiry Instrument 95 from neral companies’ capital require- whole industry is failing to com- funds that we are holding. on a yearly basis. To an extent it’s
Ipec (Insurance and Pensions ments have always been lower ply. And again, we have legacy RM: In terms of the economy, an additional cost and a liability.
Commission) which emphasises than other classes of insurance. issues. If you look at the commis- there has been inflation, change These are professional people who
on investment to be more in cash, But it’s only this period where our sioner of inquiry report, you will of currency and many other is- charge highly for their skills so it’s
when we are saying if a policyhold- capital has been moved double the realise that it stated that funeral sues. How have these affected affecting us badly.
er passes on, at the time of claim, short terms. We underwrite only companies, in as much as they you as the funeral industry? RM: As Zafa, what is your out-
we can provide tangible benefits. one product which is a funeral have some issues from the find- SC: We have been affected so look?
The investment guidelines should product, unlike short term that ings, they assumed and carried much. In terms of the policies, I SC: With the concerns that we
match with service provisions underwrites different classes of in- over risk. think the changeover, the removal have raised we look forward to the
model. surance. So, who actually should of the multi-currency bringing in commissioner to address them.
RM: Enlighten us on the tangi- have more capital, one who un- Even those policies that had the Zimdollar in a situation where We will have a bright future then.
ble benefits. derwrites one product and the one lapsed in 2007 and 2008, the fu- we are underwriting a long-term Also looking at the recent forex
SC: If a policyholder passes on who underwrites more? I think neral industry did not stop. It car- policy, was disastrous. Now if you system which has brought in a
today and one walks into funeral the one who underwrites more. ried over the risks and we still have change policies that way, it affects little stability, should it continue,
parlour, you will not expect a fu- it. It is part of several ways that the future is bright as well.
neral parlour to give you cash. In This has been the model from affected our disposable income.
actual fact, you should be expect-
ing a coffin, a hearse or mortuary If you look at the short term, it
services, dressing and the chapel did not carry over any risk, which
services. These are the tangible is why we are saying we compen-
benefits that we are saying invest- sated, in a way, the policyholders.
ment guidelines should not be bi-
ased towards money because these
are the reasons why one takes a
funeral policy after all. The invest-
ment guideline model gives 100%
cash and haircuts to mortuary
services. You have heard the com-
missioner saying coffins shouldn’t
be part of our investments, but
we are saying coffins are the real
deal. That is the major reason why
a policyholder holder will take it.
RM: So are you engaging the
regulator over these concerns?
SC: The breakfast meeting we just
had is one of our engagements ef-

NewsHawks Analysis Page 19

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Govt has
no strategy
beyond
lockdown

NYASHA CHINGONO health experts of a potentially cat- no Covid-19 plan, criticising the what are the plans and what is the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga
astrophic surge in cases, the gov- militaristic strategies of dealing timeline?” he said.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnan- ernment has exhibited lethargy in with the pandemic. Mnangagwa administration has
gagwa’s government has no com- ensuring mass testing and dealing Cracks have also emerged in the used Covid-19 restrictions as a po-
prehensive Covid-19 plan beyond with faulty testing. “There is nothing beyond treat- way the government has dealt with litical tool.
the strict 30-day lockdown trig- ing the country like a military bar- the pandemic, with analysts say-
gered by a recent spike in cases, Slightly more than 3 000 lab rack. There is no attempt to engage ing Mnangagwa and his team of The selective application of law
spelling trouble in the health sec- tests are done daily according to citizens. The latest lockdown is too ministers should lead by example is expected to continue in the fresh
tor for his broke administration, the Ministry of Health statistics, harsh, especially on the poor. It is in issues of adherence to Covid-19 lockdown, amid concerns of hu-
analysts say. a far cry from what other Sadc antanti-poor. How do they sur- rules. man rights violations.
countries have done for their pop- vive?” Mandaza asked.
Analysts say government has ulations. While government maintains While police have arrested Zim-
not been convincing in reassuring A professor of world politics at that all public gatherings, includ- dancehall producers Fantan and
the public that there is a plausible While the mutant strain of the University of London’s School ing political events, are banned, Levels who were behind the Mata-
plan to increase testing and possi- Covid-19 has not been felt in Zim- of Oriental and African Studies, Mnangagwa and his party Zanu pi dancehall concert on New Year’s
bly administering a vaccine to save babwe like in neighbouring South Stephen Chan, weighed in, saying PF continue to flout regulations. eve, several top businesspeople and
millions at risk of contracting the Africa, a sudden upsurge in cases the government needs to reassure government officials also flout-
infectious virus. could grind the limping health citizens of a comprehensive plan to Mnangagwa held a packed ral- ed Covid-19 rules without facing
sector to a halt. Analysts say the deal with surging cases, while pro- ly in Chivi late last year, drawing punishment.
Zimbabwe was on Tuesday government’s failure to judicious- tecting the unaffected population. criticism, after Chiwenga suspend-
plunged into another lockdown, ly plan for testing and setting up ed by-elections to elect members The dancehall gig was held a few
with most informal economic ac- structures to fight this virus could “The government needs to reas- of the National Assembly. metres from Matapi Police Sta-
tivities grinding to a halt amid be deadly for the country reeling sure the citizens it has a Covid-19 tion. Several house parties across
misgivings by the poor who have from a myriad of economic prob- plan beyond lockdown. It needs to With little or no social distanc- the city were held over the holiday
often complained of neglect and lems. say it has a vaccination policy and ing, Zanu PF supporters thronged but only a few have been arrested
lack of a cushioning allowance plan,” Chan said. the rally venue in their thousands. flouting Covid-19 rules. Govern-
during the lockdown where most “There is nothing ment officials took to social media
fail to put food on the table. Chan said Zimbabweans should In December, Zanu PF held the to justify Information minister
beyond treating ask tough questions regarding the District Coordinating Committee Monica Mutsvangwa’s birthday
Announcing the 30-day lock- the country like availability of a vaccine and hold (DCCs) elections which attracted celebrations which were held with
down, Vice-President Constantino a military bar- government to account on a plan thousands of supporters. no social distancing or mask wear-
Chiwenga, who is also the Health rack. There is no going forward. ing late last year.
minister, failed to articulate a attempt to engage MDC-T, which has received
comprehensive Covid-19 response citizens. The latest “Since it is likely Zimbabwe preferential treatment from the Failure by the government to
strategy beyond reading out lock- lockdown is too will use the Chinese vaccine, the government, also held its extraor- apply the law equally among the
down commandments. harsh, especially government should give a time- dinary congress at the Harare In- citizens has the potential to engen-
on the poor. It is line as to its expected availability. ternational Conference Centre der public contempt for important
This comes at a time the coun- antanti-poor. The government needs to reassure (HICC) with little social distanc- lockdown rules which are meant to
try’s referral hospital are over- Zimbabweans that its relationship ing. Party leader Thokozani Kh- save lives.
whelmed by the number of Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza with China is secure. Although upe, who was ousted at the dra-
Covid-19 patients, desperate to says government has been hap- the West will make some vaccines matic event, later tested positive The government should come
survive amid a shortage of equip- hazard in its response strategy and available, it will be after distribu- for Covid-19. up with a comprehensive strategy
ment to deal with the virus. While criticised Mnangagwa’s adminis- tion has occurred in the West and beyond the lockdown, detailing
government spokesperson Nick tration of failing to come up with only China can provide mass vac- This has been an indictment on how it intends to deal with the
Mangwana admitted that the virus unique intervention mechanisms cinations. So, the questions are: Mnangagwa and his administra- coronavirus, seeing the country is
could overrun the health sector, to fight Covid-19. tion for lack of sincerity in enforc- at risk of mass infection, analysts
the government’s plan has only ing lockdown rules. In fact, the say.
been limited to restricting move- “We have been teasing Mnan-
ment. gagwa as Ramakhopa because his
government tends to echo what
Under the new lockdown mea- South Africa does. The response
sures, Zimbabweans are expected has been haphazard, there is no ra-
to stay at home, except essential tionality,” Mandaza said.
service providers, while a strin-
gent dusk-to-dawn curfew was “He portrays lack of policy on
imposed, followed by the deploy- Covid, the most confused.”
ment of security personnel to deal
with any Covid-19 violators. The Mandaza said government had
informal sector will be forced to
stay at home with no income.

The government, which has
been lagging behind on testing
and devising strategies to protect
the population, has no testing plan
during the new 30-day lockdown.

Despite various warnings from

Page 20 Opinion NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

FELLOW Zimbabweans, The fog will soon clear suspend most of our programs.
When we began this journey 22 It can’t be business as usual. The
years ago, I was a young college and I want to pay special tribute support, and encouragement Nelson Chamisa lives of all Zimbabweans matter.
student alongside my contem- to the young people of Zimba- that they have shown us during
poraries. I was part of a gener- bwe whose political conscious- these testing times. We trust the This may have happened over Let us continue to pray that
ation of college students that ness is growing. gift of discernment that is given 40 years ago, but history has things get better for us and the
joined veteran trade unionists, to Zimbabweans, which enables an uncanny habit of repeating rest of the world. We want to
powerful women in the women’s As a party, we know that the them to distinguish between itself. Zimbabweans can tell work with everyone to ensure
movement, war veterans, civic purpose of these strategies is right and wrong. They can tell who is genuine and who is that we get the vaccines and
and church leaders, among oth- not just to undermine us, but when a bully is abusing power not, by the way, the Zanu PF other support that we need to
ers, who believed that the way it is also intended to obliterate and they know how to punish regime treats them. They can safeguard our communities.
Zimbabwe was being governed us from the political landscape. this abusive behaviour, which distinguish between the true I know that the lockdown is
needed serious transformation. Zanu PF has never been com- punishment will be exacted and fake opposition by the way extremely hard for many people.
fortable with strong opposition. through the ballot box Signifi- the repressive regime deals with Ours is now largely an infor-
We believed that the system They aim to build an opposition cantly, Zimbabweans can tell them. Zanu PF’s preference for mal economy and when people
over which Zanu PF presided that they control. This is the sole the difference between genuine its surrogate at the expense of are stopped from working,
was only serving a minority of purpose of the project that they opposition that is challenging the MDC Alliance is an obvious they have no means of earning
elites who occupied vantage have moulded with our erst- repression and enablers who are giveaway. They will gang up income. If it were up to us, we
positions within and around the while colleagues. aiding and abetting repression. against us, throwing brickbats would have
state, while most Zimbabweans This is not the first time that the at us from their unholy alliance.
were condemned to suffering. These were deliberate acts of people of Zimbabwe have en- We are not moved, and we re- offered more creative ways
It was plain that the future provocation, designed to lure us countered this situation. During main resolute and focused. We to support people during this
was bleak unless progressive into conduct that would justify the last days of colonialism, the are even more emboldened. We difficult time.
Zimbabweans intervened to violent repression during the Smith regime tried to hoodwink are stronger and more resilient.
change the course. That is why pandemic. We have remained people by promoting people like We would also have done
we championed the message of calm and resolute, not because Bishop Abel Muzorewa, ahead I shall be communicat- more to support our frontline
change. we are unable to respond, but of the true nationalists who ing with Zimbabweans more workers in the healthcare sector
because we know the game they were fighting repression. regularly this year, sharing our who are in harm’s way as they
Looking back those days are playing. agenda and programs. There carry out an important national
seem like a long time ago. A Smith preferred the likes of is so much to do and a lot of duty. The billions that are lost
new generation has emerged We also remain true to our Muzorewa because they were energy and commitment to do through corruption and patron-
since that time. Babies born in founding principle: we are lackeys who would do his bid- it. Unfortunately, we are in the age can go a long way to support
1999 are now adults. They have committed to achieving change ding while Muzorewa and oth- middle of a deadly second wave our healthcare sector which was
lived their formative years in through peaceful and non-vio- ers were eager to join the gravy of the COVID19 pandemic. already in bad shape long before
very difficult circumstances. lent means. train to serve their interests. the pandemic. Our people are
Times were different back in However, the people of Zimba- Common sense behoves us paying the price of high level
1999, but I remember the ener- We have remained composed bwe saw through this elaborate to treat the pandemic with an incompetence over the years.
gy and passion of every cadre because we are confident that ruse and rejected it. extraordinary sense of vigilance
as if it were yesterday. The idea progressive fellow Zimbabweans and in this regard, to do every- I wish to conclude by reas-
that was sown in our hearts and are solidly behind us. We know thing necessary to keep it at bay. suring you that your party, the
minds has no expiry date. this because of all the love, MDC Alliance, remains solid,
This means we have had to undaunted, and emboldened. I
To be sure, the journey would like to thank you for your
has been gruelling. But I was continued support and encour-
never under any illusion that agement even as we have been
it would be easy. We have lost attacked from all directions
thousands of cadres along the by the regime and its enablers.
way, including our founding These enablers will present
father, Morgan Tsvangirai who themselves as the opposition’s
departed in February 2018. I opposition. You know that they
was privileged to have a special are not genuinely the alterna-
relationship with him and from tive. You know that they have
him, I learned a lot under his relied on the abuse of state insti-
leadership and guidance. The tutions to steal from us – your
most painful losses have been MPs, councillors, money, and
those suffered at the hands of party property – and in doing
the state, through violence. so, they have undermined trust
in politics.
We cannot betray the mem-
ory of these dearly departed But you also know that there
cadres. We must honour their are some things that the repres-
dreams and aspirations for a sive state and its surrogates can
better Zimbabwe, otherwise, neither command nor steal:
they would have died in vain. your loyalty and support. They
This is why I have never veered cannot force you to support
from the course that was set in what you disagree with. They
1999. I look back and realise cannot command you to divert
that I have spent more than half your loyalties. I am personally
of my life chasing the vision humbled by the knowledge that
that was designed and shaped you have trusted us with these
by those courageous men and precious gifts, and I re-empha-
women who gathered in 1999 to size my commitment to honour
form the Movement for Demo- and respect them. Do not be
cratic Change. perturbed by the fog they have
created because it will soon
The greatness of the idea has clear.
not diminished with time, no.
It has been strengthened. Those We will win Zimbabwe for
men and women understood change. We shall overcome!
that the fundamental weakness-
es at the heart of government God bless you.
needed not only new leaders God bless Zimbabwe.
but also a fresh set of ideas and God bless Africa.
ways of doing things. We re- Yours sincerely,
main committed to that vision.
Nelson Chamisa
One of the things that please President
me a lot is seeing a younger
generation coming up and car-
rying the torch in politics. This
is how strong institutions grow

NewsHawks Feature Page 21

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

WImAadRgiesNstumIrNbaiyGnbg:e Rare skin disease hits Zimbabwe

BRIDGET MABANDA/ …Victims labelled “children of the night”
ADMIRE MASUKU
To date, seven children have succumbed to the condition, according to the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Family Support (XPFS), a non-gov- said.
SYMPTOMS upon first exposure to ernmental organisation that looks after the lives of those diagnosed with ultraviolet light conditions. Research shows that when detected
sunlight: Freckling on sun-exposed
areas. Dry skin. Pimples resembling we are vampires; we are ghosts. Our Chenjerai Takaedza, a Masvin- after 11 years (last year February) that early, effects can be reduced through
blisters develop into spider web-like eyes are different from those of other go-based male teacher who lost his his child had the condition. All this wearing protective clothing, using
vessels and eventually dark brown tu- people and that causes them to view 11-year-old son in August last year to while, health professionals were fum- sunscreen, and regular consultations
mours. us differently.” the condition, says it is difficult to get bling for answers and experimenting with dermatologists, ophthalmolo-
treatment. with her child. gists, neurologists and dentists. But all
If your child is showing these While health professionals display these are just life-prolonging measures
symptoms, you need to see a medi- a lackluster attitude to the condition, In a poignant voice, he narrat- Parents whose children have XP which do not constitute a cure.
cal practitioner – they are associated cases continue to grow. ed how he and his wife frequented feel neglected and question the com-
with a rare, incurable genetic condi- Gweru Provincial Hospital from the petence of health professionals in XP patients need regular check-up
tion: Xeroderma pigmentosum. The Between 2019 and 2020, a total of time the child was one-and-half- dealing with the condition. but most parents can hardly afford the
condition is hereditary and develops 88 cases of children with Xeroderma years-old in 2009. He was only told costs. Fatima Muzize, an XP caregiv-
in young children. In most cases, di- pigmentosum were recorded. “It is distressing that the cases er, says as part of the treatment pro-
agnosis is often done late. continue to grow yet medical practi- cedure patients have to use expensive,
tioners are failing to diagnose the dis- specialised creams beyond the reach
The condition renders the body ease at an early stage,” said Chenjerai. of many.
unable to repair damage caused by
ultraviolet radiation, leaving the skin “In most cases, by the time they do “50ml of Vaseline Dermatology
too sensitive to sunlight. In the ab- so it will be too late.” Formula lotion is going for US$20.
sence of sun protection, their skin Skin care doctors are charging exorbi-
ages, becoming dry, rough and atro- Pauline Mapuvire, the founder of tant fees for check-up,” she said, add-
phic, according to an article in the XPFS, says “what is killing the chil- ing that some of the creams are not
Oprhanet Journal of Rare Diseases. dren is not the condition, it is late found in Zimbabwe.
In extreme cases, it results in skin can- diagnosis.”
cers, blindness, neurological disorders Regrettably, some marriages have
and premature death. “Most families seek medical atten- collapsed after children are diagnosed
tion when it is too late because they with the condition.
To date, seven children have suc- associate the condition with witch-
cumbed to the condition, according craft. Ignorant of the actual cause of According to XPFS, three quarters
to the Xeroderma Pigmentosum the condition, most families seek help of 88 known mothers whose children
Family Support (XPFS), a non-gov- from witchdoctors and prophets who have the condition were deserted by
ernmental organisation that looks usually worsen the situation by delay- their husbands. They are blamed for
after the lives of those diagnosed ing treatment,” Mapuvire said. bringing a “curse” upon the children.
with ultraviolet light conditions. The
organisation started operating infor- She said the condition makes chil- Unable to handle the situation, suf-
mally in Zimbabwe in 2017 and was dren active during the night when fering from abandonment and being
formally registered in 2019. there is no sunlight. During the day, accused of bewitching children, the
they remain indoors. As a result, “they majority of them suffer from stress-re-
Apart from assistance from the or- are called moon children or children lated medical conditions.
ganisation and its funders, very little of the night.”
is being done to provide support to “As pressure mounts on these
the victims by the government. Unable to cope with the level of women, they end up suffering from
ridicule, Mapuvire says some parents high blood pressure as well as mental
On 26 November last year during “end up hiding their sick children in health diseases,” Mapuvire said.
a press briefing, and in a tone that the house”.
showed little attention is being paid to Their plight is worsened by the fact
the condition, the Ministry of Health “They eventually die a painful that very few health practitioners have
and Child Care appealed to hospitals death locked up in the house,” she experience in dealing with the condi-
to work with the XPFS Zimbabwe to tion. Poverty of information on the
support children with the condition. condition is widespread, and even so
in health corridors.
“I urge hospitals, where possible, if
they can also chip in and allow XPFS Donald Mutangadura, a specialist
to use a selected room as XP registra- dermatologist based at Baines Medi-
tion at their premises,” said Dr John cal Centre in Harare, says some of the
Mangwiro, the deputy minister of cases are not referred to dermatolo-
Health in a speech read by Dr Wenc- gists because doctors attending to XP
eslus Nyamayaro. patients have insufficient knowledge
on the condition. XP is not taught in
The deputy minister’s tone, and his medical school.
appeal that XPFS be given space to
operate in hospitals already paralysed “It’s just a sentence in the whole
by a shortage of medical profession- syllabus,” says Mutangadura.
als, displayed a casual approach to an
emerging and potentially disturbing Opinion on the causes of the con-
health problem. dition is divided.

Dr Mangwiro made a desperate It is also believed to be common in
plea: “I now call upon the corporate the Middle East where consanguinity
world and other related bodies’ sup- is practiced (marriage between people
port in terms of funding, through do- with blood relations). But Mutan-
nations--cash or in kind.” gadura says the condition is inherited.

He called on stakeholders to help “If parents have recessive genes,
“construct or rent a house to accom- they can give birth to a child with Xe-
modate XP children when they come roderma Pigmentosum,” he said.
for treatment in Harare.”
Mutangadura said in Zimbabwe, at
Kudzai Lucy Matura, a 26-years- least one case is recorded in approxi-
old XP patient who has been living mately four to five months and “some
with the condition since birth but was cases are not referred to hospitals.”
diagnosed at the age of 11, said XP
patients were being shunned. The average life expectancy is
shortened for many individuals with
“XP patients usually miss their XP due to the increased risk of can-
appointments in Harare as some cers, says Anna Mary Nyakabao, a
of them come from faraway places. clinical oncologist with the Pariren-
They end up sleeping on the streets. yatwa Group of Hospitals.
Many people do not want to accom-
modate them because of their condi- XP is found on all continents and
tion,” she said. racial groups. However, statistics vary
from one race to another and from
“Due to stigmatisation, we feel like continent to continent. XP incidenc-
second-class citizens. People call us all es vary from 1 in 20 000 in Japan to
sorts of names, for example some say 1 in 250 000 in the United States of
America, and approximately 2.3 per
million live births in Western Eu-
rope, according to an article in the
Oprhanet Journal of Rare Diseases.

Page 22 Opinion NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

Toxicity and exigencies associated
with phraseology illegal immigrants

“Exodus; movement of Jah People”

Taona B.
Denhere

THE current gridlock of south- timately desensitises and divorces an illegal driver. Moreover, a good as the conveyor belt of the right- order to re-humanise immigrants
bound human traffic at Beitbridge the host nation’s citizens from em- number of South African employ- wing identitarian biopower of who have been under constant at-
border post has once again reig- pathising and viewing immigrants ers hire and employ the so-called Trumpian nativism. Hence, the tack from right-wing xenophobic
nited the debate surrounding the as human beings. Therefore, it is “illegal immigrants” but they have reason the supposedly centre-right shock troops.
emotive, divisive and controver- grammatically, scholarly, politi- never been labelled illegal employ- Democratic Alliance (DA) latched
sial issue surrounding immigra- cally and journalistically incorrect ers. into far-right and hard-right mode We must categorise them as
tion and migration. and inaccurate to prefix immi- when it anchored its 2019 general undocumented immigrants or
grants with illegal. Consequently, Recklessly and casually drop- election campaign on a domesti- unathourised immigrants. Conse-
That is, the fault lines of a di- the deinstitutionalised subalterns ping the “i” bombs (“illegal”) on cated Trumpianism of “Secure our quently, mainstream liberal media
chotomous mutually exclusive who are forced to circumvent the immigrants automatically puts Borders”. Consequently, the dom- organisations in the global north
relationships of ingroups and official entry and exit routes at them in harm’s way, particular- ino effect of inhumane and cal- like Associated Press (AP), The
outgroups or insider and outsid- Beitbridge border post and other ly in the belly of the beast of xe- lous throwing of the “i” bomb on Guardian, Huffington Post, The
er belongingness resurfaced again. points of entry and exit and thus no-racist violence and hate crime. immigrants is further exemplified Independent , USA Today, The
Accordingly, the dramatic and resort to unconventional routes, The “i” bomb makes immigrants by the mega Trumpian diploma- Los Angeles Times have adopted
traumatic scenes at methods and tactics as they breach perceived as justifiable targets for cy which is spewed by former DA the term “unauthorised immi-
South African borders and other discriminate xeno-racism, hate- senior politician Herman Mash- grants” in their editorial policies
Beitbridge border post. Where borders. Nonetheless, they cannot filled attacks. aba whose incendiary xenopho- rather than “illegal immigrants”.
the disposable denizens from be classified as illegal immigrants. bia-laced anti-immigrant rhetoric
Zimbabwe are prevented easy and Therefore, the “i” bomb be- is plucked from Trump’s political Additionally, in the progressive
smooth access to the southern side A very good paradox to con- comes a testosterone-supercharged rule book. pro-immigration discourse, a new
of the Limpopo River, due to the textualise the criminalising and pyrotechnic that can explode with immigrant-friendly and moralis-
discrepancies associated with their dehumanising nature of the term devastating consequences on im- This then inevitably leads us to ing terminology has emerged.
immigration status. illegal immigrant is to look at migrants and migrants. This is es- what humane sensitive terminolo-
the everyday example of civic in- pecially true in resource-strained, gy we can deploy to neutralise and That is, unauthorised immi-
Consequently, this has led to fringements. infrastructure-stricken, pover- defuse the “i” bomb. According- grants are now referred to as peo-
blanket hyperbolic social stratifi- ty and crime-ridden ghettoised ly, in the global north there has ple living in the country illegally
cation of those denizens as “illegal For instance, a lot of us have townships of South Africa. been a conscientising and edu- instead of “illegal immigrants”.
immigrants”. Therefore, this opin- subconsciously crossed busy roads cating pushback campaign called This is premised on the moral basis
ion piece attempts to delineate and highways without using of- This has been demonstrated by #WordsMatterIntiative which of referring to people’s behaviour
the problematic nature associated ficial crossing points like zebra the periodic re-ignition and flam- progressively argues that the lan- rather than attach labels to them
with the term “illegal immigrant “ crossings or traffic lights and pe- ing of smouldering embers of xe- guage and the words we use in because of their behaviour.
and its associated exigencies. Let destrian-controlled crossings. nophobic violence and property defining immigrants and migrants
me proffer the politically correct Nevertheless, we have never been destruction in these ground zero have life-and-death consequenc- Denhere is a human rights
and immigrant-friendly moralis- criminalised as illegal pedestrians. spaces of post-apartheid arrested es on migrant communities in and international development
ing terminology. Neither is the driver who violates socio-economic development and their host nations. Therefore, in lawyer. He has scholarly interest
speed restrictions road classified as strangulation. in social justice, distributive jus-
The terminology “illegal immi- tice and globalisation issues.
grant” predates Trumpian nativ- Furthermore, the “i” bomb acts
ism. It in fact dates back to the
aftermath of World War II when
it became associated with Jewish
refugees who, without authorisa-
tion, fled to the safety, tranquility
and sanctuary of Palestine after
they had been traumatically, so-
cially, economically and physi-
cally dislocated and displaced by
the Holoucast of Nazi Germany.
Accordingly, a Jewish Holocoust
survivor and Nobel Peace Prize
laureate, Elie Wiesel, rhetorically
opined: “Know that no human
being is illegal. That is a contra-
diction in terms. Human beings
can be beautiful or move beauti-
fully, They can be fat or skinny,
they can be right or wrong, but
illegal? How can a human being
be illegal?”

Thus, the word “illegal”, is an
adjective; in the emotive discourse
of immigration it has been reck-
lessly deployed with dehumanis-
ing dog whistle undertones as a
noun. It rather pejoratively de-
humanises, delegitimises and de-
monises immigrants. Thus, it ul-

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 23 Issue 12, 8 jan 2021

Sudden twist of fate haunts ChillSpot

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA DJ Fantan (centre), Levelz and Dammer were sentenced to 12 months in prison for violating Covid-19 regulations. brother Sam Chris. Where Levelz
would run short of ideas, Sam Chris
CHILLSPOT Records stable mates we cannot dispute.” DJ Fantan would take it from there, bringing
Arnold Kamudyariwa aka DJ Fantan The three also apologised for or- variation to the beats.
and Tafadzwa Kadzimwe, popular-
ly known as Levelz as well as Sim- ganising the gig, saying: “We would “I see myself as an employer be-
barashe “Dammer” Chanachimwe also like to extend our apologies to cause imagine all these youths who
will rue the day they put together our community for any risk of con- could have been in the streets com-
a free New Year’s eve gig in Mbare tracting this deadly coronavirus that mitting various crimes came through
where Zimdancehall music lovers we put you through. It is also im- to our studios to record music.
gathered in their thousands. portant to note that we are very un-
settled by the harsh judgment of six “This is in my view, a positive
The show was so packed there was months because our executives are development as it inspired more
hardly any space to swing a cat and, really not criminals, they are actually talented youngsters to showcases
for a moment, the merrymaking fans young men with a passion for enter- themselves,” Levelz once said in an
forgot all about Covid-19. tainment.” interview.

But a sudden twist of fate saw the ChillSpot has played a part in It is all the more encouraging
trio being thrown behind bars for birthing the Zimdancehall genre that Levelz started his music career
an effective six months for hosting so much so that many stars that we in church where as a member of the
a show in violation of Covid-19 reg- talk of today would have otherwise Evangelical Fellowship of Believers
ulations. While the intention may remained unknown were it not for where he used to play the bass guitar
have been good, the gig was illegal the record label. For those not in and drums.
and the trio is paying dearly. the know, it was at the turn of the
millennium that Zimdancehall as a But one day he decided to go com-
The three will serve an effective six genre emerged. mercial and that is when he teamed
months in jail after half of the sen- up with Dj Fantan and Ribe to build
tence was suspended on condition At the time, there were other ChillSpot Records. Firstly, this was
“that they do not commit a similar backyard studios mushrooming only a makeshift studio which iden-
offence in five years”. across Harare’s ghettos but it was tified and produced stars for free.
ChillSpot Records, also referred to as
So far, there have been mixed re- Mangoma Depot, in Mbare’s Mata- Chillpot Records’ first break-
actions among social media users pi hostels, that became the cradle of through was in 2013 when Levelz
on the sentencing of the trio, not Zimdancehall. produced the popular riddim Zimbo
because they are above the law but Flavour that features the likes of Soul
because ChillSpot Records as a stu- Formed around 2007 by some Jah Love on Gum Kum as well as Ras
dio has done a lot not only for ghetto ambitious and talented youngsters Pompy on Style & Pattern.
youths but also the entire music in- including the likes of Levelz, Ribe
dustry. It is for this reason that even and Fantan, who doubles as the hy- Initially there were 15 artistes on
Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation peman and chief talent scout. that riddim but after it went viral the
deputy minister Tino Machakaire number shot to 150 artistes.
weighed in on the debate over the in- Levelz, who became the sole
carceration of Dj Fantan, Levelz and producer, also nurtured his young ChillSpot Records started gaining
Dammer. ground with most of its productions
getting airplay on the airwaves on
“My prayers and thoughts go almost every radio station in Zim-
out to Fantan, Levels and the entire babwe.
Chillspot family. These young men
have been very influential in the mu- Their sound became synonymous
sic industry. They have helped identi- with popular sound systems includ-
fy various talents, Enzo Ishall, Uncle ing Immortal Movement, the duo of
Epatan and Herman to name just a Godfather Templeman and Garry B
few. The work they do at Chillspot on Star FM while Judgement Yard
is going a long way in creating em- on ZiFM Stereo declared “Zim-
ployment for the ghetto youths and dancehall to the world!”, a fad which
alleviating poverty among the ghetto until today has seen the growth
youth. of the genre. Both DJ Fantan and
Levelz continued creating music and
“I am glad that the law took its riddims, as they call them, which fea-
course and rightfully. However, my tured a glut of Zimdancehall artists.
wish would have been for a lenient
sentencing given that they admitted Each riddim would expose new
to their crime,” wrote Machakaire on stars while the old ones continued
his Facebook page. dropping hit after hit as the genre
became more competitive.
“The influence they have will go
a long way in creating awareness Some big names that have come
among the ghetto youths on the real- out of ChillSpot Records are Winky
ity that is Covid-19. My wish would D, Soul Jah Luv, Seh Calaz, Killer
have been for them to serve com- T, Bounty Lisa, Silent Killer, Abisha
munity service by giving back to the Palmer, Dadza D, Hwindi President,
community in the form of awareness Master H, Bazooka, DJ Cables, Ital
campaigns and using the power of Fire, Kinna, Crystal, Sniper Storm
music to educate the public. and Ras Caleb.

“I fear that if they are locked up As a producer, Levelz enjoys work-
for long, it will undo the good they ing with up-and-coming artistes
are doing for the ghetto youths. more than the established ones who
However, justice has been served and are “arrogant” and “big headed”.

The record stable has also diversi-
fied into fashion where they sell jack-
ets, caps, shoes and T-shirts.

Page 24 People & Places NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

The body of local tourist
Roy George Tinashe Dikin-
ya who fell into the Victoria
Falls gorge and plunged to
the abyss on new year’s day
was found and retrieved on
Tuesday after a complex
rescue mission. Two bodies
were recovered in Victoria
Falls. One of them has not
been identified.

Property
NewsHawks

Page 25 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Govt sets aside ZW$10bn
for new housing projects

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE ZW$800 million towards the Na- al Housing and Social Amenities
FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncu- tional Housing Funds. Further- during 2021 amounts to ZW$2.8
be set aside ZW$10 billion for the more, the Department of National billion, to be complemented by
overall support for public works, Housing and Social Amenities got other private sector initiatives,”
covering institutional and other a budget allocation of ZW$ 2,8 Ncube in his budget statement.
housing development interven- billion.
tions in the 2021 budget, as gov- The minister also announced
ernment pursues its ambitious “Government continues to pur- the establishment of a civil service
housing development. sue housing development as one of housing fund to ensure that civil
the basic human need for reducing servants are capacitated to secure
Ncube went further to allocate poverty and accordingly, overall their accommodation.
support to the Ministry of Nation-
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube

Page 26 Sport NewsHawks

Issue 12, 8 Jan 2021

A decade
of anguish
ends, another
begins with
scepticism

BRIAN GOREDEMA at the drop of a hat. playing the pinnacle format of People have often argued and bowlers to continue plying Elton Chigumbura
In cricket they say statistics the game, a competitive Zim- whether the brothers Tom and their trade at the domestic level their game by embracing T20
IF you want to tell the story of babwe is key for the growth of Sam Curran, who represent but will not be considered for cricket, and in the process
Zimbabwean cricket in the last do not lie. Whilst that is true, the game. England, could have become international selection, so that they have won two T20 World
decade, no player embodies it statistics tell half the story. the good players they are if they they can help bring the young- Cups.
better than the recently retired Someone will score a hundred When Zimbabwe success- had continued playing their sters through and prepare them
Elton Chigumbura, whose in- and it will be written against fully hosted the 2019 World cricket in Zimbabwe. The same for international cricket. T20 has narrowed the gap
ternational career spanned 16 their name in the statistics col- Cup qualification competi- for Colin de Grandhomme, between bigger cricket nations
years. umn, but they will not write tion in 2018, record crowds who now plays for New Zea- If you want to know why and the smaller one. Any team
that the player was dropped five thronged Harare Sports Club land. our neighbours South Africa can beat anyone on their day.
It is a story of natural talent, times on his way to his century. and Queens Sports Club to were so successful in both Tests
unfulfilled potential, missed watch the host team. The Inter- Kuda Samunderu is another and ODIs since readmission Zimbabwe has missed the
opportunities, maladministra- A player may be dismissed national Cricket Council was one who was tipped to become in 1992, they had a very com- trick in T20 cricket by not de-
tion, hoping against hope and for a duck and the statistics will pleasantly surprised and had a world-beater, but packed his petitive domestic structure in liberately going out to search
despair. not tell you that the batsman to come up with a plan to save bags and left the country for which provinces contracted re- for young talent that suits this
got the most unplayable deliv- cricket in the country, starting South Africa because of nepo- tired West Indies greats. version.
When Chigumbura burst on ery first up. by assisting ZC resolve its debt tism in selection.
to the scene at the back of the crisis. It has been taking shape. In Durban, the Dolphins As the new decade dawns, it
rebel saga, there was something Chigumbura represents a For a small country like ours, who used to be called Natal, is not too late for ZC to come
refreshing about his cricket, the generation that saved Zimba- Soon, the issue of money will with a very small cricket popu- had Malcom Marshall within up with a 10-year plan on how
exuberance and folly of youth. bwe from total collapse when not be an excuse anymore, and lation, we cannot afford to let their ranks. The great fast bowl- to create a generation of T20
the relationship between a one would expect more revenue any cricket talent slip through er helped to groom players like players who will represent their
Those at 28 Maiden Drive, group of 15 senior white play- to be channelled towards crick- the hands. Shaun Pollock and Lance Klus- country with distinction and
the headquarters of Zimbabwe ers and the board became un- et development. ener as well as Neil Johnson, put Zimbabwe back on the
Cricket (ZC), at the time saw mendable. As we look forward to a new who featured for Zimbabwe in cricket map.
the likes of Chigumbura as a The next decade starts on decade, one cannot help to no- international cricket.
reflection of the success story Statistically shows that another positive after Zimba- tice or question the strategic Afghanistan has also shown
of the development project that Chigumbura retired as the joint bwe was given another chance output by those entrusted to Other South African prov- all the smaller cricketing na-
saw the game being taken to second most capped Zimba- to host the 2023 World Cup administer the game here. inces captured the signatures of tions how to become a formi-
townships across the country. bwe ODI player with 213 caps, Qualifiers. winners like Desmond Haynes, dable white-ball team by scor-
alongside the legendary Andy In the last couple of years, Gordon Greenidge and Vasbert ing many important victories in
Chigumbura played with Flower. The emergence of exciting we have seen some senior play- Drakes. Zimbabwe can even go T20 cricket.
reckless abandon on his Test talent like Wesley Madhevere ers retiring from the game at a the expensive route of court-
debut against Sri Lanka and The former Zimbabwe cap- has not only gotten Zimba- time when young players who ing some English players who Their cricket is being built
tried to take on the great Mut- tain played almost the same bwe cricket fans excited, but are coming through are desper- want to enjoy our sunshine around wrist spinner like
tiah Muralitharan at the stroke number of ODIs as South Af- the world too. The question is ate for guidance. and prepare for the county Rashid Khan, mystery spinners
of lunch, perishing in the pro- rica’s AB De Villiers, but the how to develop such players season by playing a few Logan Mujeeb Rahman and Moham-
cess. He just could not curb his difference is that the prolific to world-class status, so that Having Hamilton Masakad- Cup matches, like what Zim- med Nabi as well as hard-hit-
attacking instincts. Proteas batsman had a number they will not become another za as the director of cricket babwean-born Nick Welch has ting batsman like Hazratullah
of performing senior players Chigumbura, who never be- looks like a noble idea, but he recently been doing. Zazai. With proper planning
The same can be said about around him, which helped him came the player his talents de- should have at least been per- in the coming decade, there is
the ZC leadership in the de- flourish. served. suaded to continue playing The way our season is struc- no way Zimbabwe can fail to
cade just ending. The embat- first-class cricket so that he can tured at the moment gives become a T20 nation of note
tled administrators sometimes Chigumbura played most- Once upon a time we had help groom the next generation room for senior county players which starts by bringing back
launched all-out attacks at the ly alongside his ex-Zimbabwe Chamu Chibhabha oozing of Zimbabwean batsmen. to come and add quality in our a domestic competition like
wrong time on perceived ene- Under-19 team-mates, he did with the same natural abilities. Logan Cup, Zimbabwe’s first- the Stanbic T20 competition
mies, including journalists, for not have the luxury of being He had a great record after his Forster Mtizwa, another class competition. which was graced by promi-
exposing the rot at the second surrounded by men of the cal- first five ODIs, bettered only by batsman who retired after being nent foreign players few years
most followed sport in the ibre of Jacques Kallis, Shaun none other than Andy Flower. snubbed by the national selec- If ZC does not up its game, back.
country. Pollock or Graeme Smith. tors, quit domestic cricket and the 2020s may result in Zimba-
One hopes that Madhevere took up umpiring. bwe losing to Afghanistan and As we said goodbye to El-
When Australia toured It is the same for ZC. They goes all the way up until the Ireland in Tests, which does not ton Chigumbura, a new clean
this country in May 2004, shut the door on some compe- end of his career, building on The same for Chigumbura, augur well for the growth and hitter of the ball must emerge
an 18-year-old Chigumbura tent and professional admin- the captivating start he has had. he is not featuring in the first- sustenance of our game. in the coming decade, raised
scored 77 from 90 balls, against istrators – black or otherwise class set-up and may probably along the correct cricket lines to
an attack that had the likes of – who could have transformed Zimbabwe has never had a play white ball cricket for the Another strategy that has fulfil the potential that Zimba-
Jason Gillespie, Shane Watson, Zimbabwe’s fortunes in the shortage of talent, but the en- Mashonaland Eagles. helped the West Indies to re- bwe has.
Glen McGrath and Brad Hogg. just-ended decade. vironment has failed successive main relevant was to adjust
generations of gifted players. ZC should incentivise a se-
A decade later in 2014, In his pomp, Chigumbura lect group of senior batsmen
Chigumbura finished on 52 was a genuine all-rounder who
not out and shared an unbro- could bowl quick, before he
ken stand of 55 with Prosper sustained a stress fracture.
Utseya as Zimbabwe chased
down a target of 210 at Harare When he started to bowl
Sports Club to beat Australia less, Chigumbura was elevated
by three wickets, defeating the up the order so that he could
mighty Aussies for the first time take more responsibility as both
in 31 years. captain and batter. This result-
ed in him scoring his maiden
This was another false dawn ODI century, against Pakistan
for Zimbabwe as it happened in 2015, and followed up with
a year before the 2015 World another at home immediately
Cup. after against India.

It is the same for Chigum- One cannot deny the fact
bura each time he came to the that Chigumbura had been a
crease. The fans expected some- great servant of Zimbabwe and
thing special, but his career could have had a stellar career
average of 25 in ODI tells you with better numbers had he not
of his inconsistency. His strike been fast-tracked into the na-
rate of 80% tells another story tional team.
of how he could hit a boundary
In a cricketing world that
has only two African countries

Sports

Thursday 1 October 2020

Friday 8 January 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com new

CULTURE SPO

Community Zim
radio laun
regulations Prem
I didn’t fall out withNEWS WHAT’S INSIDE
$60 Covid
tariff for
visitors &
tourists under review Leag
Benni: MkuruvaALWYNMABHEHLA
Story on Page 3 Story on Page 8 Story o
Chamisa reachZIMBABWEANgoalkeeperTatendaMkuruva,who
is reviving his once-promising career in the Unit- bly why he didn’t play me, and I respect that. But I
was disappointed, to be honest, that things didn’t go
according to plan. I wasn’t given the opportunity to
prove myself after the departure of the coach who
out toed Sates, says he did not fall out with South Africa Khupehad signed me, EricTinkler.”
Mkuruva joined Zambian side Buildcon after leav-
legend Benni McCarthy, his former coach at Cape ing Cape Town.
Town City. Mkuruva joined Cape Town City after
an impressive showing for the Warriors at the 2017 “I think apart from playing for Dynamos, the wis-
Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, but requested to be est decision I made in my career was joining Buildo-
released from the club after just 10 months due to con,” said Mkuruva. “my confidence was wrecked, I
limited game time under the former Bafana Bafana had lost my spot in the national team, I really wanted
striker McCarthy.

Unofficial president calls for emergencyThe former Dynamos shot-stopper has dismissed
rumour that he had a bust-up with McCarthy, who a new start. The South African league is a bit ahead
of the Zambian league, but all I wanted to do was to
play.”
had joined Cape Town FC as replacement for Eric From Zambia, 25-year-old Mkuruva was signed
Tinkler. by National Independent Soccer Association (Nisa)
“I was young and ambitious and nothing really club Michigan Stars in September 2019.
happened between me and Benni,” Mkuruva told “It has been going really well and I’m enjoying my
The NewsHawks. “I’m not sure where those stories game plan playing week-in-week-out,” he said. “I’m
came from. I wasn’t the person he wanted in a goal- happy to be back in contention for the national team
keeper. I didn’t suit his style of play. This is proba- again after the lengthy absence.”

A thin line between national interest, logic

WHEN Knowledge Muso- come across quite a few of ers who had tested positive for the team’s camp has not been come into contact with the outside the hotel and, if their
na deftly lost his marker just these situations. Covid-19. met with the kind of reaction team, go to their homes after contact with the local commu-
outside the box before exqui- The natural reaction back it warrants. finishing work, reporting for nity does not leave the team
sitely dipping the ball over One of them has been an home in Zimbabwe was of This week, we had been duty the next morning. in deeper crisis in the case
the Egyptian goalkeeper for attempt of mine to unearth emotion, with those sympa- working on a story over how Under bubble measures, of more infections to squad
Zimbabwe’s equaliser, three the frequently repeated myths thetic to FC Platinum these people must also members.
traveling press corps rose in about the gross mistreatment bemoaning what they be housed in a secure en- We also wanted to know if
unison and punched the air to of Zimbabwean teams while suspected to be foul vironment alongside the further tests had been done af-
celebrate a great goal. on foreign trips. play. HawkZone team. ter the nine players were found
Those that however Furthermore, players to have Covid-19.
Why would we not? It was While true to an extent, the chose to look at things and team management The response from Zifa was
a wonder goal by the Warriors gravity of this psychological the other way asked Enock have occasionally been prompt:
talisman on that trip in 2013, warfare, in my humble expe- a pertinent question: spotted outside the perim- “No one in the country is
and we were Zimbabwean rience, has not been anything are we not as a nation Muchinjo eter of their lodgings. secure from Covid-19 infec-
journalists covering the im- close to what I had grown up burying our heads in In light of these facts, we tion. That risk is reduced at
portant World Cup qualifi- reading about. the sand? posed some questions this the team’s hotel due to restrict-
er for nationally-circulating Recently, nine members of many more squad members week to the Zifa communica- ed access.”
newspapers. Confronted with such a sit- Zimbabwe’s squad in training are exposed to this disease, see- tions office. “…Repeat tests were done
uation, what level of objectiv- camp for the African Nations ing the very relaxed conditions For example, we wanted to on the players and staff that
Strange but true, though it is ity should a journalist retain, Championship (Chan) tour- at the team’s hotel. know how Zifa was enforcing had previously tested nega-
a scenario that raises the ques- crucially when covering sen- nament in Cameroon were Squad members, who are the bio-secure system when tive. One more technical team
tion of how journalists cover- sitive issues pertaining to his qitAuivaLerSanfoOtrineICNdovSaifdtIeD-r19Ete.stTinhgeFpitnorispa- ncsbeuupbMpboliesnedaishtteoyadbweoiifnptaehbesiooC-suaemctue$rre-3.2paBwlaiaylyelirfosroanmnddwsethapaftfoihssasidutpobpereosnsefsdueetnnodswmaesmpbuetZriinmteiss'otseladltaioptneo.s”sittivleanadndcontrov
ing the sport beat are likely to country? might not take place if the oon trip, have been exposed to be a safer environment. Carefully written statement,
struggle to strike a balance be- Sports and Recreation Com- contact to the outside world as We also wanted to know we thought, but falling short
tween attachment to a certain This week, Zimbabwean mission declines to approve it. witnessed by us. how a New Year’s eve party on genuine commitment to
team or sportsmen, and their football champions FC Plati- Typically, as Zimbabweans, Some hotel staff members, last week had been attended confront the elephant in the
professional responsibilities. num were bundled out of the the detected Covid-19 cases in mostly casual workers who by staff members who live room.
African Champions League by
It is some kind of minefield Tanzanian club Simba, who
for sports journalism and, in took full advantage after the
my personal experience, I have visitors were forced to play
without five of their key play-

ALSO INSIDE A decade of anguish ends, another begins with scepticism