NewsHawks 3 September 2021-min

Price

US$1

WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 3 September 2021 N12EsWuSe Minister ‘SWPOarRriTors will
Nzenza over be fine without
MNEnWanSgagwa’s new confiscated Nakamba’:
biography confirms vehicles Dinha
political brinkmanship
with Chiwenga Story on Page 18 Story on Page 44

Story on Page 3

Bankers
establish
a new Zim
financial
behemoth

ALSO INSIDE New details emerge on scary Mnangagwa helicopter crash

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE/ALEX MHANDU Bankers establish a new
Zim financial behemoth
GOVERNMENT, in collaboration with local
and international bankers, including buccaneer- CBZ chairman Marc Holtzman is expected to lead the merger and consolidation process.
ing business tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, is
working on an ambitious project to create the converged with that of the government, leading requires two licences that need US$50 million. However, send me your questions so that I di-
biggest financial services company in Zimbabwe, to misalignment with the country’s socio-eco- ZB also requires the same. Government as a rectly respond to them,” Vingirai said.
with an asset base of over US$2.5 billion, The nomic trajectory. To realign with government’s shareholder has to inject fresh capital in both
NewsHawks can exclusively reveal. nation development agenda and its 2030 vision, banks. However, if they merge, no fresh capital He, however, did not respond to  questions
we need to create a new institution which feeds is required.” sent to him. The ZB deal was a share swap
The core of the project will involve merging into and drives that process.” which saw Nssa getting CBZ shares then worth
leading financial institutions, including CBZ The new project will also create a bigger insur- ZW$640 million or US$7.8 million.  
Holdings, ZB Financial Holdings, First Mutu- Documents say to achieve this, a merger be- ance portfolio.
al Holdings Limited (FMHL)and First Mutual tween CBZ, ZB, FMHL and FMP is critical to Nssa earlier this year said it was reducing its
Properties (FMP). create a holding company specialising and in- “The larger insurance entity created would in- shareholding in FMHL and creating a strategic
vesting in entrepreneurial business that forms the crease risk retention and result in greater premi- alliance around its 100%-owned subsidiary, Na-
An investigation into the project already backbone of the economy. um retention by the combined entity – this will tional Building Society to unlock value.
taking shape shows that the new institution — increase risk cover for trade and project develop-
which will have a footprint on the local and “The size and scale of such an institution ment. The larger entity should be able to apply It said it would sell 31.22% of its 66.22%
region markets — will involve serious financial would also enable the country to increase the economies of scale to reduce their combined stake in FMHL and remain with 35%. The size
engineering and megabucks. ability to fund large-scale projects, for example cost base and thus result in higher profits and of Nssa’s shareholding, which it held since 2012,
in mining and agriculture,” another document dividends to shareholders. The synergies would violated the regulations of both the Zimbabwe
It will have five major divisions: banking, in- states. reduce the number of branches, combine man- Stock Exchange and those of the Insurance and
surance, investment, property and agriculture. agement teams and reduce costs of improving Pensions Commission, the sector’s regulator.
“Merging operations of CBZ, ZB, FML and technologies for banking and insurance.”
The merger and subsequent consolidation FMP will achieve the scale needed to compete That came after Nssa disposed of its share-
process will be led by CBZ chairperson Marc against the likes of Old Mutual in the Zimba- The post-consolidation strategy requires sig- holding in First Capital Bank and ZB.
Holtzman, an American international banker, bwean local market.  nificant investment in technology and digital
who was appointed on 1 September 2019 to pre- products and delivery. That will enhance gross In the initial phases, Nssa merged NicozDi-
side over the biggest bank in the country. He will “The combined total asset base, which will be margins, for instance better market pricing or amond into FMHL and disposed of its stake in
work with government and local bankers in the about US$2.5 billion, will allow the new group greater purchasing power from suppliers, the Fidelity Life and Zimre Property Investments in
financial institutions involved. to be the lead institution in funding large-scale documents say. a share swap deal with Zimre Holdings Limited.
national projects.”
Holtzman also is Bank of Kigali chairperson. “There will also be need to sell assets or non- “The new project in Zimbabwe will be similar
Previously, he was chairperson of Meridian Cap- Further, documents say the new institution core divisions to enable better focus or fund to those found in Nigeria, South Africa, Unit-
ital HK, a private equity firm with investments will have a higher single obligor limit — the growth,” it says. ed Arab Emirates and South East Asia spanning
in natural resources, real estate, food, agriculture maximum amount a bank is allowed to lend a banking, insurance, mining, agriculture and oth-
and transportation.  single borrower or an individual in relation to the The new institution aims to make inroads into er sectors of the economy,” one document says.
total shareholders’ fund of that bank –— from the unbanked segments of the market and into
Prior to joining Meridian, he had served as US$15 million to at least US$35 million. the region using FMHL’s operation in Botswa- CBZ group marketing and corporate affairs
vice-chairperson of Barclays Capital and at ABN na, Malawi and Mozambique. The new financial executive Matilda Nyathi did not respond to
Amro Bank in the same capacity. “The merger is likely to increase competitive- services institution project is already underway. questions. Similarly, FMHL group chief execu-
ness of the industry against our regional peers, tive Douglas Hoto did not respond to questions
Holtzman was once appointed by former Ka- directly impact loan pricing and enhance credit Nssa, which manages a more than US$1 bil- sent to him via WhatsApp, although he read
zakhstan prime minister Karim Massimov to the growth. It will also combine FMHL/ZB’s high lion fund, has been selling its equities in sever- them. But CBZ has issued a cautionary, saying it
board of Kazyna, the nation’s  sovereign wealth return on equity and low cost of funding in al banks, while keeping strategic shareholdings. was in negotiations to acquire shares in a finan-
fund. He was also chairperson and chief execu- CBZ. The resultant entity will further combine This has helped the new financial institution cial institution.
tive of Kazkommertsbank, Kazakhstan’s largest CBZ’s market-leading consumer banking busi- process to move.
bank.  ness, asset management and strong agriculture “Further to the cautionary statement issued
offerings with the robust insurance and property Nssa last year disposed of its 37.79% stake by the board on 30 May 2021, the directors
His orbit in the corporate sphere began at Bar- portfolios of FMHL and ZB.  in ZB Bank then worth more than ZW$755 of CBZ holdings Limited, advised shareholders
clays Capital and ABN Amro Bank where he was million (US$11.984 million) to Tagwirei who that CBZ Holdings limited (the company) is in
vice-chair in both entities. He was co-founder “This will create a well-balanced financial ser- already had a stake in CBZ, and could also have negotiations for a potential transaction involving
and president of MeesPierson Euramerica which vices entity that can support the development of equity in FMHL. the acquisition of shares in a complimentary
was later acquired by ABN Amro Bank. Further- Zimbabwe’s public and private sectors.” business, which if successfully concluded may
more, he was a senior adviser to Salomon Broth- The merger plan also includes Tagwirei buy- have a material effect on the price of the com-
ers, an American Investment Banking firm (now The documents add that the institution will be ing out ZB’s second largest shareholder Nicholas panies securities, the full impact of which is cur-
Salomon Inc).  a catalyst for individual, corporate and national Vingirai, although the latter says he has not been rently being determined,” the bank said.
projects in the process. approached.
Investigation shows that Tagwirei, who already Nssa spokesman Tendai Mutseyekwa said: “I
has an interest across the merging financial insti- “The current capital requirements for a Tier “I have not had any discussions on that (dis- acknowledge receipt of your email and will get
tutions, together with his vast business portfolio 1 bank is US$30 million and Tier 2 building posing of his ZB stake). You are aware that there back to you after checking with colleagues work-
which straddles mining, finance, agriculture, society US$20 million, which means that CBZ is a settlement that has been ongoing? ing on this.”
construction and other areas — making his Sotic
International conglomerate one of the biggest in
the country and region, will take a back seat as a
politically exposed person buffeted by allegations
of corruption.

Documents obtained from banks involved say
the new financial services institution will thrive
on economies of scale and fund large-scale pub-
lic, national and private sector projects, while
directly impacting on loan pricing and credit
growth in the market. 

It will also have a major impact on the eco-
nomic landscape, which is largely dominated
and driven by big companies such as Old Mutu-
al, Econet, Delta and Innscor.  Information gath-
ered shows that the project is now at an advanced
stage, with all the market research, concept and
necessary reports already done.

“Plans by government and bankers, as well as
associated businesspeople, are underway to form
a new financial services institution, which will be
the biggest in the market, by merging and con-
solidating CBZ, ZB, FMHL and its properties
subsidiary FMP,” one document says.

“The project will be driven by bankers and
government which has an interest in CBZ and
is also in the process of selling off or reducing its
interests in the relevant financial institutions held
through the National Social Security Authority
(Nssa) and other entities.

“Over the past 20 years, Zimbabwe’s nation-
al development agenda in the private sector has
been dominated and driven by a few companies,
namely Old Mutual, Econet and Innscor. These
entities have influence across critical sectors span-
ning financial services, telecommunications, ag-
riculture, property and mining.

“This type of private sector influence is not
unique to Zimbabwe. However, what is unique
is that their agenda has not necessarily and always

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Mnangagwa’s new biography confirms
political brinkmanship with Chiwenga

BERNARD MPOFU The book, which has been re- authority on the state. He would ing within the ruling Zanu PF. the economic changes that were those who put him to power, in-
ported on by The NewsHawks not tolerate any challenge even Zimbabwe has since the turn of deemed necessary. This slowed cluding army commanders who
THE political war of attrition since launch, reveals that Chi- from his closest colleagues,” the the millennium faced internation- progress and was worrying.” put their heads on the block for
between President Emmerson wengwa’s appointment as co-dep- book says.  al isolation due to a chaotic land him.
Mnangagwa and his deputy Con- uty, together with Kembo Mohadi reform programme, a checkered To demonstrate endless Zanu
stantino Chiwenga has found (who resigned early this year after “But it came at a price, once human rights record and stolen PF infighting, the book says This has exacerbated internal
expression in the President’s con- a sex scandal), was part of Mnan- again the army had been used to elections. Mnangagwa’s previous ambi- strife between Mnangagwa and
troversial new biography as in- gagwa’s coup-proofing ploy. suppress street demonstrations tion of becoming the country’s Chiwenga, and within Zanu PF.
ternecine unresolved leadership and riots. Diplomatically it was “Only  the United States gov- Defence minister were blocked Most recently, Mnangagwa and
battles play out in the ruling Zanu Mnangagwa appointed Gener- a major setback but in hindsight ernment stated that until they saw through ethnically driven politics Chiwenga clashed over the ap-
PF ahead of its elective congress al Philip Valerio Sibanda to suc- probably unavoidable and follow- real changes, they would maintain by hawkish Zezuru stalwarts. pointment of the new Zimbabwe
next year. ceed Chiwenga as commander of ing this incident the country was their sanctions on the Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieu-
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. probably more stable. What it government and key stakeholders, Toxic ethnic praxes blight Zim- tenant-General David Sigauke to
This came as independent Sibanda, according to the book, is clearly showed was that the armed in keeping with this they extended babwe’s history, nation-building replace Chimonyo.
Norton MP Themba Mliswa has “possibly the best soldier in south- forces were fully under his con- the Zidera (Zimbabwe Democra- and politics. Zanu PF divisions
thrown the cat among pigeons ern trol.”  cy and Economic Recovery Act) and fault-lines are sometimes Chiwenga wanted his political
through a public voice note mes- legislation in 2019,” it says.  caused or fuelled by ethnicity. ally retired Lieutenant-General
sage in which he disclosed that Africa and a man that was The book also says govern- Soon after the 2017 coup, Mnan- Engelbert Rugeje to come in, but
Mnangagwa’s former adviser deeply respected in the army”. ment’s push for political reform, “But the conflicts in the Zanu gagwa is accused of reconfiguring Mnangagwa preferred Sigauke.
Chris Mutsvangwa, who is the a key requisite for re-engagement PF party persisted and these in- his new cabinet along regional
leader of war veterans and a for- “Mnangagwa’s actions drew with the international communi- hibited both the necessary re- and ethnic lines. The two political heavyweights’
mer minister, has been plotting to little attention, but what the Pres- ty, had been crippled by infight- forms and the implementation of wrangling is likely to worse to-
remove Chiwenga from his po- ident was doing was closing the He is also accused of purging wards next year’s congress.
sition. He says Mutsvangwa was door on any possibility of the mil-
recorded by the later Zimbabwe itary assisted transition (military
National Army commander Lieu- coup) being repeated. He needed
tenant-General Edzai Chimonyo to know that the security services
discussing the issue. were led by men in whom he had
confidence as professionals,” the
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga book says.
are fighting over the spoils of the
November 2017 military coup Differences between Mnan-
that ousted the late former presi- gagwa and Chiwenga played out
dent Robert Mugabe. Chiwenga, when the latter demanded that a
who engineered the coup and put state of emergency – Martial Law
Mnangagwa in power, thought - be declared during the 2019 ri-
the President would serve only ots which had been triggered by a
one term and hand over the reins 150% increase in the price of fuel.
of power to him in 2023, but that
has been publicly rejected, fuelling “When it became known that
tensions and hostilities. a state visit to Russia was planned
for the week beginning the 14th
Last month, Mnangagwa January 2019, disturbing intel-
launched his authorised biogra- ligence was received that distur-
phy titled A Life of Sacrifice: Em- bances were planned,” the book
merson Mnangagwa, which book reads.
reviewers and political analysts say
exposes the widening rift between “The President consulted his se-
the two. curity chiefs about the threat and
gave instructions about what was
The 154-paged biography, to happen in his absence…The
which Mnangagwa described as acting President retired General
a “brief window” into his life, was Chiwenga, demanded that a state
authored by Eddie Cross, a former of emergency be declared and that
opposition MDC high-ranking Martial Law be introduced. This
official and MP. It depicts Chi- would have effectively meant that
wenga in negative light through the armed forces took over the ad-
its narrative.  ministration of the state and the
commander-in-chief of security
Cross, Mnangagwa’s biogra- services, but General Sibanda re-
pher and new loyalist, said the fused. He said his orders from the
President will brook no nonsense President were very clear.”
from those threatening his hold
on power, a warning to Chiwenga. This suggests a new rift be-
tween Chiwenga and Sibanda,
Mnangagwa, who at the time who seems to the President’s man.
of the coup had fled the country
to South Africa after his men- Internet services were suspend-
tor-cum-tormentor Mugabe had ed during the protests after secu-
hounded him, only returned after rity forces were deployed to quell
Chiwenga led the coup that sent the disturbances.
Mugabe packing. Mugabe later
described Mnangagwa as his “tor- “On Tuesday (after Monday
mentor”. protests) the country went back
to normal as if nothing had hap-
pened. What had happened was
that the President had stamped his

President Emmerson Mnangagwa (right) with Vice-President
Constantino Chiwenga

Page 4 News NewsHawks

New details emerge on scary Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021
Mnangagwa helicopter crash

BERNARD MPOFU person trained to communicate according to sources, showed cue chopper for the President, President Emmerson Mnangagwa quickly beefed up motorcade
between aircraft, its base and that the chopper’s cockpit avion- changes had to be effected par- after his helicopter crash-landed last week.
NEW details have emerged units in the area of operation, by ics indicated that the battery was ticularly relating to communica-
that President Emmerson means of radio or other digital not charging mid-air, prompting tion,” a source said.
Mnangagwa’s official helicopter communications. the pilot to opt for an emergency
crash-landed due to a technical landing. “Last Sunday a motorcade
problem triggered by a faulty Sources familiar with the in- left the President’s farm around
power system and flat battery, cident said following the recent Experts say helicopters have 15:30pm, with technicians from
The NewsHawks has learnt. emergency landing at a farm a built-in mechanical control Manyame. An air force car is
near Sandringham outside Ha- called the collective pitch lever now part of the motorcade, po-
This comes as Mnangagwa rare, which resulted in a mix that allows them to descend sitioned right at its tail end offer
has quickly moved to beef up his up between Mnangagwa’s aides slowly and land even if the en- communication from the hind-
motorcade by bringing in Air and air traffic controllers at gine dies. This manoeuvre is most whenever needed. He flew
Force of Zimbabwe signallers Manyame Airbase, there have called autorotation. the chopper, which eventually
to reinforce his communication been changes on the president’s rescued him when he recently
system whenever he flies out. security system and motorcade. “In order to avoid what hap- visited the farm.”
pened during the incident such
In an air force, a signaller, is a Preliminary investigations, as delays in deploying a res- Information secretary Nick

Mangwana was not reachable and equipment worth millions
for comment at the time of go- of dollars. In a bid to replace the
ing to print. dilapidated equipment, Mnan-
gagwa in April this year report-
Two weeks ago, Mnangag- edly bought a new helicopter
wa’s presidential helicopter was despite Zimbabwe’s economic
dramatically forced into an deterioration and growing pov-
emergency landing over 60 ki- erty.
lometres south-west of Harare
on a Sunday afternoon due to A Russian Antonov AN-124
technical failure. The chopper, — the world’s third heaviest
which was flying from Mnan- gross weight production cargo
gagwa’s Kwekwe farm, landed aircraft — was said to have de-
at farm owned by a ministry of livered the chopper to Harare
Finance official. on 15 April, which Mnangag-
wa plans to use during his 2023
Eye witnesses and sources said re-election bid.
the crash landing incident hap-
pened around 4pm in the San- The Volga Dnepr-operated
dringham area, Matsvaire vil- Antonov flew out of Rzeszów–
lage, in Chegutu district, about Jasionka Airport in south-east-
65 kilometres south-west of the ern Poland, 10km from the city
capital when Mnangagwa was of Rzeszów, and landed at the
coming from his Kwekwe farm. Robert Gabriel Mugabe Inter-
national
The sources said Mnangagwa,
who frequently flies out of Hara- Airport carrying an Airbus
re to his Precabe Farm in Sher- Helicopter H215, an upgraded
wood, Kwekwe, was rattled and version of the ageing Eurocopter
terrified by the incident, which AS-532UL Cougar which Zim-
forced him into a scary emer- babwe’s military has been using
gency while on his way back to for VIP transportation.
Harare.
However, sources insisted
Upon the incident, Mnan- that the helicopter Mnangag-
gagwa’s security details, includ- wa is flying is an old repainted
ing an aide-de-camp, marksman chopper.
from the Presidential Guard, a
medic and intelligence officers, Investigations into the crash
scrambled to cordon off the landing, sources said, will in-
scene, as the team also worked volve the Air Force, intelligence
out an emergency rescue plan to services, Presidential Guard and
complete their 45-minute jour- aviation experts.
ney.
Mnangagwa, who has spoken
The air force, which main- several times about his passion
tains Mnangagwa’s helicopter for farming, including in his
and military choppers that es- recently published biography,
cort the President when he flies often leaves his state residence in
within the country, has been Harare on Sunday mornings for
blighted by aviation accidents in the farm where he grows several
recent years due to bad weather, crops and rears livestock.
human error and the use of age-
ing aircraft. Earlier this month, he was
forced to make a last-minute
Its capability was largely dec- flight postponement to Mutare,
imated during the DRC war where he was expected to offi-
from 1998-2002, in which Zim- cially open an industrial and me-
babwe lost hundreds of millions dicinal oxygen plant — which
of dollars, hundreds of soldiers he eventually did last week —
due to bad weather.

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

BERNARD MPOFU Zim prepares to deploy special
military forces to Mozambique
ZIMBABWE is expected to send off a con-
tingent of special forces to the conflict-ridden been losing ground. Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri She said the government had also approved
northern part of Mozambique in the next few Addressing a Press conference in Harare, approved the deployment of a training team the deployment of a specialist officer to the
weeks, barely a month after announcing the de- of 303 instructors to train one infantry battal- co-ordination mechanism of the Sadc standby
ployment, The NewsHawks has established. Muchinguri-Kashiri said the government had ion-sized unit at a time. force headquarters in Maputo.

Last month, Defence minister Oppah “Taking cognisance that there are two ma-
Muchinguri-Kashiri told a Press briefing that jor elements to the deployment, namely com-
Zimbabwe would deploy 304 non-combatant bat and training, the status of force agreement
soldiers to Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado prov- (SFA) signed on July 8, 2021 is confined to
ince. The conflict, which broke out nearly five combat activities only,” Muchinguri-Kashiri
years ago, has resulted in the death of hundreds said.
of civilians while hundreds of thousands have
been displaced. “The SFA pertaining to training is yet to be
signed. It must, therefore, be noted that the
Military sources who spoke to The News- countries that are currently deploying are doing
Hawks said preparations for the deployment so on the strength of the SFA signed on July 8,
of special forces from the Special Air Services 2021.”
(SAS), Commando Regiment, Parachute Unit
and non-combat support services are now at an She said the soldiers would be deployed after
advanced stage. the signing of the SFA.

“The contingent is working closely with 2 A leaked detailed document detailing the
Brigade and logistical support for fuel and other Sadc military plan shows that regional leaders,
critical needs has already been finalised. A send- following the technical assessment mission,
off parade for the contingent should take place wanted the immediate deployment of security
in the coming few days,” a source said. forces covering maritime, air and ground stra-
tegic areas.
Questions sent to Muchinguri-Kashiri were
not responded to at the time of going to print. The technical assessment team came up with
She did not pick calls either. a detailed deployment plan and recommended
that Sadc dispatch a force of 2 916 soldiers to
Rwanda was the first African country to de- Cabo Delgado to “combat and neutralise” the
ploy its army on a bilateral basis to help Mo- insurgents and recapture territory they have
zambique repel the Islamist insurgents in Cabo taken, including their capital, Mocímboa da
Delgado, while Botswana and South Africa Praia.
recently sent contingents of soldiers under the
auspices of Sadc to help reclaim lost ground and
restore peace.

Following these deployments, reports show
that the insurgents have over the past few weeks

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

NYASHA CHINGONO Assertions of ethnic hegemony… ate the Hima-Tutsi Empire with
Refugee leaders explain why himself as the First Emperor. He
IN a sensational move that re- Rwanda is in Mozambique shared this view with President
gionalises the Great Lakes’s Kagame, former President Pierre
unending volatile ethnic con- Rwandan President Paul Kagame (right) with his team and military commanders. Boyoya of Burundi and former
flicts that have previously led President Jean Batiste Bagaza
to wars and killings, prominent Central Africa was also echoed and this had impact of turning assassinations of leaders in the The letter further says recur- of Burundi. The Tutsi soldiers
Rwandan refugee leaders have by Reverend Christopher Mtiki- the territory of the DRC into Greak Lakes. ring and persistent assassina- from Burundi were clandestinely
written a letter to Southern Af- la on 25 September 2015, when ‘a fully-fledged battlefield for tions in the Great Lakes region deployed to cause havoc in the
rican Community (Sadc) leaders he appeared on one of the Tan- Hutus and Tutsis’. In its aggres- “The desire to establish a Hi- “cannot be divorced from the DRC, as they also fought along-
claiming that Rwandan Presi- zanian TV Shows called ‘Live sions against the DRC, Rwanda ma-Tutsi Empire is the main reluctance of the Rwandan Tutsi side the RPF to depose Maj Gen
dent Paul Kagame has deployed Star TV’ during a Show called further justified its actions on the driving factor behind maintain- minority to share power with the Habyarimana regime,” it says.
troops to Mozambique not just “Tuongee Asubuhi” (Let’s Talk protection of the Tutsi minority ing power in the hands of Tutsi Hutu majority on the allegations
to help fight Islamic insurgents, in the morning). He expressed (that is, the Banyamulenge) in minority through coup d’état, that the Hutus committed geno- “Like President Kagame, Mu-
but to establish regional hege- his opinions and revelation of the DRC against the Hutus. invasions, and armed violence cide against them; the version seveni’s military and political in-
mony. how the Hima-Tutsi Empire is in Great Lakes region. This is which is not supported by many tervention in Rwanda, Burundi,
expanding or spreading so fast “In turn, the Banyamulenge evinced by the desire to assassi- researchers”. and the DRC is all about the es-
This comes as Zimbabwe, to take over Tanzania, the same rose against the DRC govern- nate Hutu or Bantu presidents tablishment of Tutsi-Hima Em-
which already has troops in Mo- way they have taken over Ugan- ment, backed by the Rwandan and elites, mainly in Rwanda “In fact, the provisions of the pire. This project is not only too
zambique, is preparing to send da, Rwanda, and the DRC. In and Ugandan governments, with and Burundi,” it says. 1993 Arusha Peace Agreement ambitious, but also very danger-
more soldiers into the neigh- this show, Rev Mtikila illustrated intention to take over the power included a commitment to prin- ous as it threatens all the Bantu
bouring country’s Cabo Delgado how Tanzania was the next to be in the DRC.” “Accordingly, there is unde- ciples of democracy, national families and nations. On 4 April
region where the insurgency is invaded. Almost two weeks after niable nexus with the assassi- unity, pluralism, power sharing. 1997, Museveni stated that “[his]
rooted. revealing the architecture of the The letter goes into detail nation of the first democratic With regard to national unity mission [was] to see that Eritrea,
Hima-Tutsi Empire project in about the purported ethnic he- elected President and the first and power-sharing, the agree- Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Ken-
Following Kagame’s deploy- the region and after exposing gemony agenda. Hutu President Malchior Nd- ment mandated the Hutus and ya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi
ment into Mozambique, Rwan- those who are the project’s major adaye of Burundi in October Tutsis (that is, the warring par- and [the DRC would] become
dan refugee leaders, who include financiers, Rev Mtikila died in a “The Hima-Tutsi Empire is 1993. He was assassinated by ties) to establish a government federal states under one nation
Jean-Marie Vianney Nyilimbili- well-staged motorcar accident. It further well explained by Re- the Burundian Tutsi extremists of unity with one and single na- [and one leader].” This testi-
ma, chairperson of the Global was undoubtedly an assassina- migius Kintu in his researched who have been on power since tional army and police forces as mony was provided by Mr Eric
Voice of Rwandan Refugees, tion aimed at silencing him.” document entitled ‘The Truth 1960s. This was followed by the well as to find a definitive solu- Kashambuzi, Secretary General
Stanislas Rwandarugali, Rwan- Behind the Rwandan Tragedy’ assassinations of two heads of the tion to the problem of Rwandan and Chief Administrator of the
dan Platform for Dialogue, The refugee leaders further al- dated 20 March 2005, submit- state – the former Maj-Gen Ju- refugees. United Democratic Ugandans
Truth and Justice chair and Je- lege the ethnic project has been ted to the International Criminal venal Habyarimana of Rwanda (UDU), who further underlined
rome Byakweri, national coordi- well-researched. Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). and Mr Cyprian Ntaryamira of “It is believed that the 1994 that war for the control of
nator of the Former and Current Burundi in 06 April 1994. They assassinations of these two Hutu
Rwandan Refugees in Zambia, “Researchers define Hi- “In this document, he articu- were assassinated by the RPF presidents put an end to imple- the [DRC] and illegal ex-
wrote a letter dated 21 July to ma-Tutsi Empire ideology as a set lated the long plan of the Tutsi to combatants (i.e. the Tutsi), while mentation of the 1993 agree- ploitation of its minerals began
former Sadc executive secretary of political ideas nursed mainly control and dominate the Bantu they were coming from peace ment, triggered the Rwandan in Uganda in the 1980s, when
Stergomena Tax – recently re- by the Hima ethnic group from population in East and Cen- accords in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tan- genocide, and facilitated the President Museveni shot his
placed by Elias Mpedi Mago- or in Uganda and Tutsi ethnic tral African region and how the zania. establishment of the Tutsi su- way to power with the backing
si – making stunning claims of groups from or in Rwanda and genocide is used as a weapon to premacy in Rwanda and in the of western powers. These testi-
a grand ethnic agenda at work Burundi, with a view to exercise silence the Hutus from Rwanda. “Later, in 2002, President region.” monies suggest that the insecu-
now in Sadc. their power and influence over Hutus suffered a huge loss in the Laurent Kabila of the DRC was rity and instability problems in
the geographical space inhabited 1990-1994 civil war, but because assassinated by the same Tutsi The letter asserts Uganda Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC
“We, Rwandan refugees, are by the Bantu,” the letter says. they were defeated, they are po- combatants. These assassinations President Yoweri Museveni is the is not about Hutus and Tutsi, but
highly concerned with a hidden litically and judicially blamed for are interconnected and were car- architect of the project. the struggle to conquer all Bantu
agenda of the Rwandan gov- “It is further, for example, the calamity that befell Rwanda ried out to achieve the Tutsi-Hi- nations. This is the reason why
ernment behind the willingness argued that the current Rwan- as the narrative of the war ac- ma supremacy in the region. “It is trite to state that the so- the violence spills over to other
to deploy its army (that is, the dan Tutsi-dominated leadership cepted is that of the winner, and Recent mysterious deaths of Dr cial, economic, and political un- countries such as Mozambique.”
Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) seeks to expand the Tutsi-Hima not the vanquished.” John Pombe Magufuli of Tan- rest that the Great Lakes region
to assist in the fight against Empire on the pretext of hunting zania and Pierre Nkurunziza of is currently facing is embedded How it all started
armed rebel groups in Mozam- down Hutu refugees in the DRC Assassinations of leaders Burundi are also questionable.” in the brainchild of President The refugee leaders say Mu-
bique. In our own point of view The letter also talks about Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to cre- seveni was the architect of the
and as will be demonstrated in ethnic supremacy agenda.
this document, the deployment “On that note, one should
aims at achieving a three-fold recall that the combatants of the
strategy: (i) to have access to and RPF were the same soldiers of the
destabilise Sadc countries with Museveni’s National Resistance
intent to sustain the colonialism Army (NRA). Actually, the Tut-
or imperialism; (ii) to expand si refugees in Uganda joined the
Hima-Tutsi-based leadership NRA, which fought a guerrilla
over the Sadc region, and (iii) to war called the “Ugandan Bush
hunt down Rwandan refugees War” against the government of
living in the Sadc region,” the Milton Obote. It was here that
letter says. they first fought and mastered a
guerrilla or bush war,” the letter
“As you may be aware, there says.
has been a Hima-Tutsi ideolo- “These Tutsi combatants in-
gy holding that the countries of clude Maj-Gen Fred Gisa Rwi-
the East, Central and Southern gyema, President Paul Kagame,
Africa must be ruled by Nilotic Gen. James Kabarebe, Col.
people, more particularly, Hima, Patrick Karegeya and Lt.-Gen.
Tutsi and Banyamulenge. This Kayumba Nyamwasa. After de-
ideology of establishing the posing Milton Obote regime,
Hima-Tutsi Empire started by Maj-Gen Rwigyema became
President Museveni (a Hima), the Minister of Defence whereas
when he launched a guerrilla war Kagame became Chief of Intel-
to depose Milton Obote regime ligence. With the assistance of
and was uncovered by the inva- Museveni, Maj-Gen Rwigyema
sion of Rwanda by the Rwandan founded the RPF and became its
Patriotic Front (RPF) Inkotanyi first Commander-in-Chief. He
from its bases in Uganda, with died on the second day of inva-
the support of the President sion of Rwanda and was substi-
Museveni. The invasion was tuted by President Kagame.”
launched on 01 October 1990 The letter says when Kagame
with the sole aim and purpose to took over, he went on seized
centralise power in the hands of power and is implementing the
a group of the Tutsi extremists, ethnic hegemony project ruth-
who were refugees in Uganda. lessly, as he spreads his political
The Tutsi ethnic group is minori- wings and influence into the
ty in Rwanda. Sadc region, which includes
Zimbabwe, which also hosts a
“It is minority group in Bu- number of Rwandan refugees.
rundi, the Democratic Republic The letter says Rwanda’s cam-
of the Congo (DRC) and Tanza- paign in Mozambique is coordi-
nia. Likewise, the Hima are mi- nated by the country’s ambassa-
nority ethnic group in Uganda. dor Claude Nikobisanzwe who
However, these people – despite was based in South Africa until
minority in the said countries 2014. It says on this and other
– fight to have a control over basis, it is an “insult” to call Kag-
Hutu/Bantu population in the ame a progressive leader.
Great Lake region and beyond.

“The plan to establish a Hi-
ma-Tutsi Empire in East and

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

From unbundling back to re-bundling:
Zesa undergoes massive restructuring

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA the Western Region. He has been these positions so as to enable uni- people who left Zesa without any
replaced by Egenn Choga, who versal access,” Gata said.  issues or incidents,” Gata said. 
POWER utility Zesa Holdings has been appointed in an acting
Limited, reeling from a huge capacity. Brushing aside corruption “In fact, we are the talk of the
debt, unpaid bills and corrup- charges, he said the consultant region and dubbed the ZETDC
tion, has embarked on a massive Ralph Katsande, an engineer, appointments were above board, in southern Africa where they
restructuring exercise to re-bun- has been appointed acting com- having been approved by the Pro- say we are the Zimbabwe Engi-
dle its subsidiaries into one entity mercial director.  This move is curement Regulatory Authority neers Training and Development
and recruiting experts, including also meant to improve efficiency of Zimbabwe (Praz).  Company as we are a fish pond
former employees, in a move that of the power company which has as there are many of our former
has unsettled some senior man- failed to produce enough electric- “In terms of corporate gover- employees holding senior posi-
agers who stand to lose their jobs ity for the country’s domestic and nance, we are well-educated on tions in most utilities. We have
and perks. industrial requirements.  this and post the forensic audit, the commitment to bring back
we are now graduates of corpo- our people under the new dispen-
The state-owned company, Yesterday, Zesa executive chair- rate governance and we followed sation and meet the targets of the
tasked to generate, transmit, and person Sydney Gata appointed all the Praz procedures. Each and NDS 1 and Vision 2030 for the
distribute electricity in  Zim- the five former Zesa employees, every one of the appointees had benefit of the generality of Zim-
babwe, has several subsidiaries, some from abroad, hinting that attained the minimum qualifica- babweans including our esteemed
including the energy generating he was in the process of luring tions of being a Zesa director and journalists.”
entity  Zimbabwe Power Com- more skilled personnel back to the we will continue to engage only
pany  (ZPC), the  Zimbabwe power utility.
Electricity Transmission and Dis- Be ahead of the curve...
tribution Company (ZETDC), This came as some insiders
investment arm  Zesa Enterpris- say Gata could be fired if he loses Secure your future with an internationally recognised
es and internet provider PowerTel control of the complex process.
Communications.  qualification from the IMM Graduate School
Between 2005 and 2006, Zesa
A forensic investigation done lost key experienced staff, with Qualifications in Marketing: Contact us:
in 2019 by PricewaterhouseC- over 400 going to South Africa to
oopers Advisory Services, with join that country’s power utility • Higher Certificate in Marketing Zimbabwe Office:
the involvement of the Audi- company Eskom. • Diploma in Marketing Management +263 86 7700 4806
tor-General’s office, on Zesa, • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing Management
which is owed millions in Unit- The United Kingdom got 72 • Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Marketing and Management Science Email:
ed States dollars and billions in graduate engineers, while Austra- • Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management [email protected]
local currency, unearthed tender lia has 65 ex-Zesa employees.  • Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) Honours in Marketing Management
and financial irregularities on a • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Marketing Address:
massive scale. Last year, Zesa was “Furthermore, the recent fo- Zimbabwe Office,
owed US$30 million by debtors rensic audit removed a number Qualifications in Supply Chain Management: 21 Lezard Avenue,
in foreign currency and ZW$3.2 of key skilled personnel. What Milton Park, Harare
billion in local currency by debt- it means is that the country is in • Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management PO Box MP 394,
ors who include government and trouble as it no longer has the • Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in International Supply Chain Management Mount Pleasant, Harare
local authorities, but those figures threshold minimum density of • Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours in Supply Chain Management
have since gone up.  techno-industrial skills to support Contact our Business
an aggressive recovery programme ENROL NOW Development Consultants:
Harare City Council alone for stabilisation and growth of Visit www.imm.ac.za for more information.
currently owes Zesa ZW$1.99 electricity supply as enshrined in Angeline: +263 77 340 5473
billion. the National Development Strat- Munoda: +263 77 268 0915
egy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030 WhatsApp: 0785 22 33 44
In a bid to break with the past, objectives,” Zesa said in a state-
Zesa has engaged EY Zimbabwe ment.  Marketing Supply Chain Business
to help it through a new re-bun-
dling exercise which will involve “This is the reason why the www.imm.ac.za | +263 86 7700 4806
consolidating its subsidiaries into consultants have been brought
one entity like it was before. in as a stop-gap measure as the The IMM Graduate School of Marketing is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a Private Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997. Registration Certificate number 2000/HE07/013.
company awaits implementation
This is in line with a 2018 cabi- of the cabinet directive of 2018 to
net resolution that Zesa should be re-bundle Zesa into one single en-
consolidated to ensure cost-effec- tity. The government appointed
tiveness and efficiency. EY (Ernest & Young) to carry out
this exercise and the report will
Zesa has now moved to boost be presented to government and
its core team by luring back skilled posts will be advertised.”
former employees as consultants. 
In a bid to meet targets of the
Among the new consultants NDS 1, Zesa says it will need to
is United States-based Itai Utah, attract highly skilled profession-
who is coming in as a consultant als.  Within the next four years,
for innovation technical services, the power utility will be required
while Cletus Nyachowe, an engi- to produce 2 050 megawatts and
neer, will provide consultancy on requires a huge staff compliment. 
international business.  
The country has since the turn
Tanda Chisi, another engineer, of the century suffered severe
returns to Zesa from the energy skills flight, as professionals left
regulator, Zimbabwe Energy Reg- the country for greener pastures. 
ulatory Authority, to consult on
power projects.  Gata confirmed the develop-
ment, saying the company was
More engineers have also ex- poised to retain its former work-
pressed interest in returning to the ers. 
power utility from the diaspora,
company sources say.  “I have an unflinching deter-
mination to deploy Zimbabwean
“From research, Zesa is em- professionals to come back and
ploying the strategy that is being develop their country as this is
used in the United Kingdom and how many economies have devel-
Eskom of South Africa where oped. We shall be putting more
ex-employees have been re-hired detailed developmental plans in
and are nicknamed ‘the grey line with the aspirations of the
beards’ and provide consultancy National Development Strategy
on various issues of their exper- and Vision 2030. The irony is
tise,” a source said. that there is no noise when ex-
patriates are hired, but some talk
Company sources say Gata when we look at our very own
also made internal transfers to nationals. Similar developments
boost the core team, triggering are in the pipeline for the estab-
complaints of corruption by those lishment of the projects depart-
affected. ment, protection department and
the operations and maintenance
Acting ZETDC managing of Hwange and other power sta-
director Lovemore Chinaka re- tions. We are seeking for qualified
turns to his base where he was Zesa people to come and take up
redeployed as general manager for

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

‘CIO chief a law unto himself ’ Malunga is

squatting on
state land:
CIO boss

One of Esidakeni, also known as Kershelmar Farm, owners, human rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga ZIMBABWE’S Central Intelligence Organisation
deputy director-general Gatsha Mazithulela has ac-
STORIES BY LIZWE SEBATHA Dlamini argued: l Malunga confronted Mazithulela over the cused government critic and human rights lawyer Si-
l The notice of acquisition of agricultural issue and the WhatsApp correspondence is at- phosami Malunga and his business associates of being
IN an urgent High Court application filed on land under section 72 (2) of the constitution tached as G2 in both its original and translated “fraudsters” and “squatters” at their Kershelmar Farm
23 July, National University of Science and of Zimbabwe being General Notice 3042 of forms; in Nyamandlovu that has been gazetted for acquisi-
Technology lecturer Zephaniah Dlamini, who 2020 must be declared null and void and not l In December 2020, Mazithulela warned tion.
is in a partnership with Osisa director Siphosa- compliant with provisions of section 72 of the Dlamini and Moyo risked arrest for allegedly
mi Malunga and businessman Charles Moyo, constitution of Zimbabwe; acquiring Kershelmar Farm shares under ques- In his opposing papers filed at the High Court in
sought an an order reversing the acquisition of l Mazithulela has since December 2019 been tionable circumstances; Bulawayo on 30 August through his lawyers Mlotsh-
Kershelmar Farm in Nyamandlovu near Bul- pestering Dlamini to elbow out Malunga as l Suspected state security officials started wa and Maguwudze Legal Practitioners, Mazithulela
awayo. director and shareholder of Kershelmar Farm; making several visits to the farm, including dismissed the farm purchase by Malunga and his part-
l Mazithulela never hid his interest of want- senior Zanu PF official Obert Mpofu, to in- ners as fraudulent, and hence void, before launching
Dlamini, in his founding affidavit filed ing to replace Malunga as director to ostensi- timidate them to vacate; an astonishing personal attack on Malunga.
through Webb, Low and Barry, as well as bly save the farm from state acquisition; l CIO officers have been allocated portions of
Ben Baron and Partners, fingered state secu- l In February, 2021 Mazithulela warned the farm; and He asked the court to dismiss the applicants’ ap-
rity agency deputy director-general Gatsha Dlamini that the farm is at risk of state acqui- l It is clear that Gatsha has caused the acqui- plication with costs on a higher legal practitioner and
Mazithulela as being responsible for the acqui- sition because of Malunga’s anti-government sition of the farm and has effectively parcelled client scale.
sition of Kershelmar Farm and parcelling it out rhetoric; it out to his subordinates.
to his subordinates. Mazithulela argued:
l The farm acquisition by the state is not political,
You don’t have a farm offer letter: Minister tribal or personal;
LANDS and Agriculture of Zimbabwe which makes it l The farm purchase by Malunga and his associates
Lands and Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka minister Anxious Masuka clear that once a piece of land is illegal and void, citing section 4(1) of the Land Ac-
has accused Osisa director is gazetted, it immediately quisition (Disposal of Rural Land) Regulations 1999;
Siphosami Malunga and his becomes state land and this l The section states that “subject to these regulations,
business partners of failing to process cannot be challenged no person shall make a significant transfer of shares
exhaust “internal remedies” through the courts; in a land-owning company unless he has notified the
in challenging the acquisi- l The applicant has not ex- minister of his intention to transfer the shares and the
tion of their farm in Nya- hausted the internal remedies (a) the minister has issued him with a certificate of no
mandlovu near Bulawayo. provided by the constitution present interests of (b) the minister has not responded
of Zimbabwe. (Amendment to the notification within the 90-day period.”
In his opposing papers No. 20) and the Land Com- l Section 10 of the same regulations state that “any
filed on 27 August against a mission Act; transfer of land or shares effected in contravention of
High Court application by l The application simply these regulations shall be void”;
Malunga and his partners amounts to forum shopping l The applicants are not shareholders of Kershelmar;
Charles Moyo and Zephania and is a classic case of abuse l The applicants ignored advice to regularise their
Dlamini challenging the ac- of court processes, hence the farm purchase;
quisition of their Kershelmar matter must be dismissed; l Government acquired the farm from Kershelmar,
Farm, Masuka said the lat- l The High Court has no not from Malunga and partners;
ter’s court challenge should jurisdiction to hear this mat- l Government is not mandated to inform Kershel-
be dismissed with costs as a ter. There is no provision in mar Farm of the farm acquisition “so long as the pro-
result. law for the nullification of cedure embodied in section 72 of the constitution was
a proper and lawful acqui- followed, the acquisition is lawful and valid.” and
Masuka filed his papers sition of agricultural land l As such, the court must dismiss the application
through the Civil Division of whose acquisition is in terms with costs on a higher legal practitioner and client
the Attorney-General’s office, of section 72 of the constitu- scale.
arguing the trio should have tion; and
exhausted available channels l The alternative relief that Central Intelligence Organisation
to contest the seizure of their the applicants may pursue, if deputy director-general Gatsha Mazithulela
farm. indeed they owned the land
at the time of acquisition,
He argues: for either restoration of title
lThe land in question is or compensation is the laid
state land and does not be- down procedure in Statutory
long to the applicants. Instrument 62 of 2020.
l The acquisition process is
governed and provided by
section 72 of the constitution

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

MORRIS BISHI Govt set to evict 14 000 same people to leave. We
Chiredzi North villagers went on to war for these
THE government has in- people, treating them this
dicated that it will evict Nuanetsi Ranch, Lowveld in red rectangle. way is not the right way.
more than 14 000 fam- They should come clean,
ilies who were resettled Uswaushava. He said plan- ongoing and, according green light to stay by John that the ruling party lead- consult the people and in-
in Uswaushava Ward 16, ning and consultations are to what l was told, only a Nkomo and from 2000 ership was lucky to leave clude them in the project
Chiredzi North, to pave ongoing and there is noth- few people will be moved noone questioned their le- the area on Friday without without any movement.
way for an irrigation proj- ing so far which shows peo- during the re-prganisa- gality, only for the people injuries because the com- The leadership was there
ect by a company owned ple will be displaced except tion,” said Chisema. to be told that they should munity is angry. last Friday but they failed
by the ruling party called for a few. move away in 2021. He to address the people who
Development Trust of Zimbabwe Liberation said investors are allowed “People were given pow- protested through singing”
Zimbabwe (DTZ). “It is true that there is War Veterans Association but they should consult er to stay by John Nkomo Makuni said.
an irrigation project under chairperson for Chiredzi and allow people to be part but it is surprising to note
DTZ, which is one DTZ which will be set in district Killer Makuni of the project without dis- that more than 20 years “The issue is not about
of the many companies ward 16. Consultations told The NewsHawks that placing them. He added later some people still have irrigation but the area is
which used to be owned and project planning are the people were given the guts to come and tell the also rich in minerals and
by Zapu, but is now under this is similar to what
the control of Zanu PF- happened with Chilon-
owned Nuanetsi Ranch, ga. What is the reason of
and part of the farm was wanting to evict people
allocated to people, in- now looking at the period
cluding Uswaushava area they stayed in that area.
during the land reform This is what is destroying
programme. Nuanetsi is our economy, some of our
one of the biggest farms in leaders are greedy and they
the country with over 100 do it collectively making it
000 hectares. difficult for some of us to
raise points” said a govern-
Most of the families set ment official.
to be evicted were reset-
tled in the year 2000, with Efforts to get a comment
former Zapu leader John from minister of State for
Nkomo visiting them in Masvingo, who is also
2012 assuring them that no Zanu PF provincial chair-
one will remove them since person, Ezra Chadzamira,
Zapu is the one which re- were fruitless since he was
leased part of its land for not answering phone calls
resettlement. throughout the week.

Sources within the gov- Maxwell Dumela, one
ernment told The News- of the first people to stay
Hawks that as was the case in Uswaushava, told The
with the Chilonga issue, NewsHawks that he is trau-
the biggest target in Ward matised by the latest de-
16 is not irrigation but velopment since the area
vast deposits of minerals, is now his only home. He
especially diamonds which said the move will be re-
were detected during a re- sisted if the people are not
cent survey. going to benefit from it.

Last Friday, the Zanu On 13 August 2021 the
PF leadership from Masv- community wrote a peti-
ingo and Chiredzi had to tion to the minister of Ag-
abandon a meeting meant riculture highlighting their
to announce the impend- grievances over the move.
ing displacements after the They demanded that they
community started singing be included in the project
while denouncing the lead- and its planning should
ers, accusing them of being consider the current set up
corrupt and insensitive. of their stands and fields.

Chiredzi district devel- The petition was signed
opment coordinator Love- by legislator for Masvin-
more Chisema told The go North Roy Bhila, area
NewsHawks that it is true councillor, war vets and
that there are some devel- over 100 village heads and
opments earmarked for community leaders.

DESIGN PRINT BRANDING

Specializes in Printing Flyers, Stickers, Business cards
T-shirts, Caps, Banners, Calendars, PVC, Vinyl,
Lightboxes, In & Outdoor Signs, Vehicle Branding

No. 9 ARRES HOUSE, CORNER G. SILUNDIKA & INEZ TERRACE, HARARE
+263 777 729 130 | +263 778 270 328 | +263 773 017 158
[email protected]

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

MORRIS BISHI Tongaat Hulett pays out VAT
refunds to sugarcane growers
TONGAAT Hulett has paid outgrower sugar-
cane farmers millions of dollars in refunds for Sugarcane farmers are now receiving their VAT refunds from Tongaat Hullet.
Value-Added Tax (VAT) deducted by the com-
pany after the Supreme Court made a ruling in Production Act of 1964 so that farmers can be that our demands are genuine. We are now call- the division of proceeds (DoP) ratio which is
July that the tax was illegally deducted. empowered. ing for the quick amendment of the Sugar Pro- currently 77% for the farmer and 23% for the
duction Act of 1964 which is giving more pow- miller, which is unfair since the miller only of-
The sugarcane farmers through their associa- “We have been calling for fair deals with the ers to the miller. We are also not happy about fers milling service,” Mashingaidze said.
tions approached The High Court in 2020 chal- miller but this ruling will let authorities know
lenging the deductions and a Masvingo judge,
Justice Sunsley Zisengwe, found for the farmers,
but the sugar-milling giant appealed the ruling
at the Supreme Court and Justice Elizabeth
Gwaunza dismissed the appeal.

Sugarcane farmers are, however, not happy
with the amount of money they are receiving.

Mkwasine Sugarcane Farmers Association
chairperson Denis Masomere told The News-
Hawks that sugarcane farmers are now receiving
their VAT refunds from Tongaat. He said the
figures differ, depending on the production ca-
pacity of each farmer but many are getting over
ZW$100 000. He also said farmers are unhappy
about the percentage interest rate, which he said
was not communicated to the farmers.

“I can confirm that the miller (Tongaat) is
now in the process of refunding farmers after the
Supreme Court ruled that the deductions were
done illegaly without following the law.

Figures being received vary, depending on
each farmer’s production capacity, but many
are getting above RTGS$100 000. However, we
are not happy about the interest rate used since
the deductions were made since 2019,” said
Masomere.

Efforts to get a comment from Tongaat Hul-
let’s acting corporate affairs and communication
executive Ushe Chinhuru were fruiless as he was
unreachable on mobile phone.

Triangle Mill Group chairperson Gibson
Mashingaidze told The NewsHawks that the Su-
preme Court ruling exposed the unfair business
practices of the miller against unsuspecting out-
grower sugarcane farmers. He said farmers are
now pushing for the amendment of the Sugar

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Zim smuggling route wildlife: CNRG

Abalone is a family of reef-dwelling marine snails, which are a lucrative export commercial fishery.

DUMISANI NYONI the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management CNRG director Farai Maguwu to strengthen the capacity of immigration officials
Authority through their Cites office reportedly shellfish, the discovery of abalone shows the seri- and security agencies to better appreciate how
ZIMBABWE is increasingly becoming a transit checked with their counterparts in South Africa ousness of smuggling of wildlife products globally these crimes compromise biodiversity,” Maguwu
route for wildlife traffickers due to lax security at to verify the source and the intended destination and exposes the country as a possibly willing tran- said.
ports of entry and exit, the Centre for Natural Re- in Zambia, but could not get confirmation of per- sit route,” it said.
source Governance (CNRG) has revealed. mits, suggesting that the fish was illicitly exported. “There is also a need to deal with corruption
CNRG director Farai Maguwu said Zimbabwe in the judiciary, Zimra, immigration and law en-
Recently, on two separate occasions, more than “An abalone (haliotis midae) smuggling syndi- needed to play its part in curbing wildlife traffick- forcement agencies,” he said.
400 kilogrammes of abalone, an endangered spe- cate is using Zimbabwe as a transit route for the ing by plugging porosity at the ports of entry and
cies, were intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post valuable marine snails from South Africa to Asia exit. Although not on the red list, the South Afri-
and at Robert Mugabe International Airport. and other African countries,” CNRG said in its can abalone is facing the threat of extinction. An
latest report. “Zimbabwe is increasingly becoming a transit estimated 40 000 tonnes of abalone have been
The cargo intercepted at the airport was des- route for wildlife and wildlife product traffickers. harvested from South African waters since 2001,
tined for China, while the consignment intercept- “Although Zimbabwe does not have this sea These are taking advantage of lax security at the a figure which is 10 times the legal quota set by
ed at Beitbridge port was destined for Zambia. ports of entry and exit. There is therefore a need the department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fish-
eries to prevent complete extinction within about
In both instances, the dried abalone was seized a decade.
by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) un-
der the Customs and Excise Act. Illicit trade in wildlife and wildlife products is
a growing problem the world over. In most cases,
Frank Matavise and Rockdont-Yang Kasese it involves well-organised syndicates and transna-
were arrested at Beitbridge Border Post and their tional networks.
South African registered truck impounded. They
were taken to court and granted bail by a Beit- According to the Global Initiative report on
bridge magistrate. The Underworld of Abalone, an illicit supply
chain connecting marginalised South African
Information gathered by CNRG reveals that coastal communities with wealthy Chinese con-
the duo declared the abalone as noodles in their sumers has all but depleted South Africa’s stock of
papers which were submitted to Zimra. They, prized abalone.
however, failed to produce export permits issued
by the South African authorities, leading to their Illicit trade in abalone is among the world’s
arrest. stranger parallel-market industries, stretching
from the shores of South Africa to China’s luxu-
There are also revelations that one of the ac- ry seafood market, and facilitated by drug barons,
cused had an expired passport but was still granted corrupt officials and neighbouring African states.
bail. According to state papers, the two are facing
charges of smuggling and possession of fake doc- Since 2000, according to a report by Traffic,
uments purportedly coming from l neighbouring poaching syndicates have smuggled more than 96
South Africa enroute to Zambia. million abalone to Hong Kong — the epicentre
of the trade.
The owners of the cargo that was confiscated
at Beitbridge Border Post approached the High This equates to nearly 15 000 of the shellfish
Court, and a ruling by Justice Webster Chinamo- illegally harvested each day.
ra made on 7 July ordered Zimra to release the
smuggled goods to the accused. “CNRG calls on the government of Zimbabwe
and its neighbouring countries to commit resourc-
The High Court also ordered Zimra to escort es for the creation of a monitoring, control and
the truck to Chirundu. The High Court ruling surveillance network of wildlife smuggling at all
raises suspicion that this could be a well-oiled ports of entry/exit and furnish the regional net-
syndicate involving various arms of the state and work with dedicated resources to curb the smug-
agencies of the government, CNRG said. gling of endangered wildlife,” the report reads in
part.
According to documents seen by CNRG, on 8
July, Samkange Hungwe attorneys, armed with a The organisation also called on the Zimbabwe
ruling, wrote to Zimra demanding the release of Anti-Corruption Commission to look into the
the cargo. rising cases of smuggling of wildlife and wildlife
products, targeting the judiciary, Zimra, and Zim-
In June, more than 400kgs of abalone were in- Parks.
tercepted at Robert Mugabe International Airport
aboard an Emirates plane destined for Dubai. Law enforcement agencies should meaningfully
participate in intelligence gathering, border con-
Abalone is a family of reef-dwelling marine trol, policing, monitoring and identification of the
snails, which are a lucrative export commer- wildlife smuggling syndicates, it said.
cial fishery and can sell between US$700 and
US$2 000 per kilogramme. CNGR said the government should impose
stiffer penalties on the kingpins of wildlife and
Trade in abalone is regulated by the Conven- marine life trafficking. Punitive measures would
tion on International Trade in Endangered Species also act as a deterrent to would-be criminals, it
of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). said.

CNRG said as the smuggling scandal unraveled,

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

NYASHA CHINGONO Dramatic escape from crystal
meth addicts’ deadly menace
WHEN marauding knife-wielding drug ped-
dlers besieged Precious Sithole’s house in the Precious
wee hours of the morning last week in Zengeza, Sithole
Chitungwiza, about 20 kilometres from central
Harare, the mother of two feared for the worst. Pellagia’s sister
Philomina Ndungu
Seeing that her life was in danger, she imme-
diately broke her bedroom window and sought calling upon the authorities to act swiftly to save (20), Pellagia’s older sister, said. She added that stance abuse.
refuge at a neighbour’s house. the situation. there are more girls involved in abusing mutoriro According to the latest Zimbabwe National
in Chitungwiza.
Demanding to see Sithole’s daughter, Pellagia, “Many young people are now doing drugs Drug Master Plan, the government has adopted
the drug peddlers, going by the moniker Magan- here. They do not sleep; they spend the whole “There are a lot of girls who are now into drugs both an integrated and comprehensive approach
vosta, broke into Sithole’s living room, threaten- night doing drugs. We want the police help us in Chitungwiza, and it is scary. I never tried drugs that will address a range of drug-related issues.
ing to kill anyone in the house. shut down these drug houses. They should all be because I saw the results of drugs. they do not
arrested,” she said. bath anymore, it is a mess,” she said. These include illicit and licit drugs. Critics
Those who could not escape were terrorised by however doubt that most targets will be achieved.
the marauding group and forced to sing songs. While Zimbabwe, like many other countries With no prospects of employment due to
the world over, is concentrating on fighting the unrelenting economic problems, youths in the “Currently, approximately 60% of patients ad-
One of the gang members, a self-professed Covid-19 pandemic, an equally deadly but silent townships have turned to drug abuse to evade mitted in mental health institutions suffer due to
prophet, ordered women in Sithole’s house to epidemic has been on the prowl, causing untold daily hardships. drug-related problems,” the report reads in part.
pray facing the East, insisting there was a man suffering to families as it threatens entire com-
waiting to hear their prayers. munities. The abuse of crystal meth and other Zimbabwe has nearly 90% formal unem- Even those who want to break off the crippling
deadly substances has become so rampant among ployment and youths constitute the bulk of the vice have found it difficult to find help, as Zim-
Terrified, Sithole mobilised men in the youths across the country’s townships, driving jobless in the country. Years of bad governance, babwe has no public rehabilitation centres.
neighbourhood, who eventually chased the mental illness, violence, and premature deaths, successive droughts and, more recently, the out-
knife-wielding drug peddlers at the crack of among other problems. To fund the deadly but break of Covid-19 have worsened the economic The available private rehabilitation centres are
dawn. expensive vice, youths have been engaging in pet- situation, resulting in massive job cuts. beyond the reach of poor families in the town-
ty theft, stealing home appliances for sale. ships. However, there are hopes that Zimbabwe’s
The drug dealers have been hunting for Pel- Drug abuse has been blamed largely on idle- drug problem would soon be a thing of the past
lagia (19) for weeks. They fear that Pellagia may “She just steals things for sale, our personal ness and lack of economic opportunities for after the government set up a taskforce to fight
divulge sensitive information to the police on stuff is no longer safe here,” Phelomena Ndumbu youths in the townships. Experts have warned the scourge. It remains to be seen whether the
drug dens selling crystal meth dotted across the that Zimbabwe risks losing a generation to sub- programme will be successful or it is another po-
township. litical ruse.

Until she professed her desire to change, the
19-year-old had been a critical part of their crys-
tal meth racket in Chitungwiza.

“She does not want to do drugs anymore. She
is also terrified,” Sithole said.

She recounted her near-death experience.
“Those hooligans came here days ago with
knives demanding to see her. I had to escape
through the window because it was tense. I was
scared. I warned my daughter that if she goes out
there, she will be killed,” Sithole told The News-
Hawks.
Drug peddlers are terrorising residents, rob-
bing innocent civilians while threatening families
with death. Countless attempts to get them ar-
rested have failed as police are reluctant to bring
the perpetrators to book.
Families here believe the police are part of the
drug racket, amid allegations that they also re-
ceive bribes to protect the gangs terrorising cit-
izens.
Seeing that her friend Tamar (16) had success-
fully completed her detoxification and was on
the mend, Pellagia checked in for rehabilitation
in June. However, she quit and demanded to re-
turn home.
Since returning home, the 19-year-old moth-
er of one has been hooked on crystal meth, also
known as mutoriro in street lingo.
Known scientifically as methamphetamine,
crystal meth is a highly addictive stimulant and
users love the drug for its powerful euphoric
qualities. Addictive on first smoke, the drug has
become a crippling vice for the country’s youths,
who take the illegal substance to escape from
daily troubles. Also known as dombo, buwe, guka
makafela in street lingo, the infamous drug has
destroyed lives across the country’s townships.
The 19-year-old has been hooked on to the
drug since last year and is used to entice male
customers. Pellagia is also used as bait for robbery
victims, as the ganvostas terrorise residents.
“Pellagia was married, but got mixed with the
wrong crowd last year. This is what got her into
drugs. She left her husband and started spending
time with hooligans in drug houses,” Sithole said.
Whenever she gets high, Pellagia dumps her
baby anywhere. The baby is often found by pass-
ers-by, cold and hungry.
“She has changed, I am very worried. She
spent two months away from home and just
came back three days ago. When she came, she
came back with a criminal who says Pellagia is
being used by drug lords to rob innocent men.”
Sithole was relieved that the marauding gang
had been arrested. “I hear the gangsters were ar-
rested and I hope they remain in custody because
they do not stay long in prison,” Sithole said.
“I fear that they may come and attack us or
burn our house. They think that Pellagia is selling
them out because she knows all the drug houses.”
“We just hope that Pellagia finds a safe house
to hide. She believes they will kill her,” she added.
According to Sithole, Pellagia is determined to
go back to rehabilitation.
“She wants to go back to rehab now. It will be
good for her because staying in Chitungwiza is
bad for her,” she said.
Sithole bemoaned drug abuse in Chitungwiza,

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Govt finally joins struggle against drug abuse

NYASHA CHINGONO

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s govern- Drug addicts often suffer from mood swings, become violent or steal household property to fund their addiction.
ment has finally come to the party in the fight tion policies that deal with the scourge of drug
against the drug abuse scourge, setting up an abuse.
inter-ministerial taskforce to deal with substance
abuse. “The government’s response time is slow and
indeed they are late to the party and the little we
Information ministry permanent secretary can do is to appreciate that they have come on
Nick Mangwana announced on Twitter on 24 board. Citizens should be the community watch-
August that Mnangagwa had set up a taskforce to dog and speak out against all shady activities in
deal with drug abuse, that has been described as their communities and report all drug dealers in
a silent pandemic destroying thousands of lives. their jurisdiction,” Masarira said.

Drugs like crystal meth, known as “mutoriro” However, the elephant in the room is unre-
in street lingo, among other dangerous narcotics, lenting economic hardship. The new taskforce is
have over the years found their way into urban bound to fail if economic fundamentals are not
areas, triggering a dangerous cycle of poverty and dealt with. With no prospects of employment
mental illness. due to unrelenting economic problems, youths
in the townships have turned to drug abuse to
Although the members of the taskforce and evade daily hardship.
its core objectives remain unknown, a week af-
ter the announcement, analysts say the move is Zimbabwe has nearly 90% formal unemploy-
commendable. ment and youths constitute the bulk of the job-
less in the country.
Many community-led initiatives to get youths
out of the streets have sprouted over the past Years of bad governance, successive droughts
months as communities search for solutions to and, more recently, the outbreak of Covid-19
the growing problem, particularly in the low-in- have worsened the economic situation, resulting
come townships. in massive job cuts.

The organisations are however overwhelmed, Drug abuse has been blamed largely on idle-
given the high number of drug users who need ness and lack of economic opportunities for
counselling and detoxification, among other youths in urban areas.
needs. Drug abuse has also torn families apart.
Drug addicts often suffer from mood swings, be- While Mnangagwa’s move is commendable,
come violent or steal household property to fund the government needs to revive the economy al-
their addiction, resulting in constant quarrels. ready teetering on the brink of collapse owing to
corruption, debt and misgovernance.
Although the government has come late to
the party, the move is welcome as thousands of Drugs like crystal meth, BronCleer, among other narcotics, have over the years found their way into urban areas.
youths continue to battle the deadly vice that has
killed many, while driving the majority of mental
cases.

Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network
International Projects executive director Wilson
Box said the political will to deal with drug abuse
is crucial if the country is to win the fight against
substance abuse.

“Government is very important in this be-
cause it brings political will to the table in the
fight against drug use and trafficking in the coun-
try. Government of the day serves the people,”
he said.

Wilson urged the new taskforce to advocate
for the setting up of public rehabilitation centres
and ensure strict law enforcement for drug traf-
fickers. He said the government should de-crim-
inalise drug use to enable more people to seek
help.

“The current laws criminalise users hence the
users are not coming out. The current laws are
promoting corruption and the creation of an
underground drug world where there is a lot of
hide-and-seek. When drug users go for treat-
ment, it means the traffickers would not have
clients as the government will be dealing with the
traffickers,” Box said, adding that the taskforce
should be inclusive of citizens who confront drug
abuse daily.

He said there is a need for political will to end
the drug crisis in the country.

“Government is not late to the party because a
window of opportunity is available to do correc-
tions. If the political will is clearly followed up,
we can end the current crisis,” Box added.

Political activist Linda Masarira, who has been
leading an initiative against drug abuse in the
country, said the government should enforce laws
that protect the youths against drug abuse.

She added that the authorities should tackle
the trafficking of dangerous drugs at the coun-
try’s ports of entry.

“Desperate situations call for desperate mea-
sures. There is serious need to have stiffer penal-
ties for all those who are involved in the selling
and supply of drugs. The government must also
put in place measures to block and intercept the
illicit smuggling of drugs and Bronclear at our
borders and have serious and determined surveil-
lance officers at all border posts in Zimbabwe,”
Masarira said.

“All trucks crossing the border should be thor-
oughly searched with sniffer dogs and any immi-
gration and customs officer caught on the wrong
side of the law should face the full wrath of the
law.”

Masarira said the government was slow to ac-

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

KUMBIRAI MACHINGURA Latter-day apartheid system
takes root in education sector
IT is 11am on a Tuesday in Highfield suburb,
15 kilometres outside central Harare and chil- Private lessons are beyond the reach of low-income parents.
dren are playing in the dirt, with not a care in
the world. classmates who could not afford the improvised sides, data is expensive as well,” she said. she said.
learning. In many cases, teachers played cat-and-mouse “It is good that schools have opened children
A 10-year-old boy kicks a ball to signal the
start of a street soccer match, as a group of boys “I sympathise with my classmates who have with the police, and, in some instances, had to who were excluded from schooling during the
tussle for possession. not been able to go to private lessons because pay bribes to continue with the lessons, given lockdown will now be able to learn at the same
when schools open, we will not be able to cover that the government banned private lessons. pace with their peers who conducted private les-
The winning team will take home US$1, the whole syllabus of our subjects”, the aspiring sons although they will obviously be behind.”
which is used to buy eats after the match. lawyer said. However, while the government insisted on
online learning, parents believed the method Secretary for publicity in the Progressive
One can tell the idea of going back to school is “Lockdown has affected me academically be- was not effective. Data expenses also blighted the Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Peter
far from their minds as they have spent months cause it was a challenge for me finding the mon- learning method. Machenjera admitted that online learning was a
at home due to successive lockdowns meant to ey for all my three subjects, but I know the situ- challenge for students. He said it was difficult for
contain the spread of Covid-19. ation is worse for some of my peers.” Mother of three, Memory Mavhunga, says teachers to assess pupils’ work online.
she had to sacrifice the little money she had to
A group of secondary school pupils, clutching Inside a small room in Glen Norah suburb, send her children for private lessons. She feared “The plans were to utilise online lessons as
books, walks past the street match on their way dozens of students are attending a private lesson. her children were lagging behind in covering the much as possible, but it had its challenges when
from private lessons. syllabus. it comes to those communities that are poor and
This is where Dhlodhlo has been studying could not afford data bundles. Many teachers
These are the privileged ones. Many of their since the government closed schools. “As a parent, it pained me that our children were engaging their learners through WhatsApp
peers look at them with envy. They will be far were not able to go to school because of the poli- classes. Others started Google classes,” he said.
ahead of their peers when schools open for “I had no option because the parents were cy that was implemented by the government, but
non-examination classes on Monday. begging me to teach their children. I started to say that my children were lagging in terms of “It must be noted that nothing much hap-
with only 10, but with the closing of schools education would be a lie because we were send- pened, especially in the rural areas coupled
School lessons resumed for examination class- the number drastically shot up to 100, but I am ing them for extra lessons so that when schools with the banning of face-to-face lessons due to
es on Monday this week and the gulf between not ignorant to the fact that I might be putting re-open they would be ready for exams,” she said. Covid-19.
those who went for extra-lessons and those who my students at risk of contracting Covid-19, so
were at home throughout is likely to be as clear I encourage them to sanitise and to wear their “I was aware that the government was against “The utilisation of television and radio which
as night and day. mask,” a teacher who spoke to The NewsHawks any form of gathering besides funerals, but our was implemented by the government failed to
on condition of anonymity said. children’s future was at stake, so we had no cater for the disabled. The government talked
Private lessons were, and remain, beyond the choice, but to send them for lessons.to school.” about radio and TV lessons but the true picture
reach of many parents in the low-income town- She said she had to split the children into is that these lessons were benefitting very few
ships. As a result, many school-going children many classes and slotted them in at different A teacher in Highfield highlighted deep-seat- learners. Most learners were not enjoying them
willing to continue with their studies during times to accommodate the huge number of stu- ed inequalities in the education sector. due to various reasons.
lockdown were exposed to social delinquencies dents.
such as drug abuse and premature sex. “Unlike private schools, most schools in These lessons are also not inclusive, as they did
The teacher said while there are innovative high-density suburbs like Highfield failed to not cater to learners living with disabilities. Most
The government in March reported a sharp teaching techniques like YouTube and WhatsApp, adapt to the new circumstances because of lack learners in rural areas remained marooned far-
increase in teen pregnancies and child marriage mostly through social media, students require of funds to purchase data bundles for the teach- away from these lessons.”
with at least 4 959 girls falling pregnant between face-to-face interaction with their teachers to en- ers, among other resources. Students could also
1 January and February 5 this year. At least 1 sure effective learning. not afford data and you can imagine in rural ar- The resumption of classes will finally afford
174 cases of child marriages were also recorded, eas the situation is even worse because some stu- many under-privileged children access to educa-
although many others are thought to have been “Some of these new methods are limited in dents don’t have access to the gadgets needed for tion, which had become the preserve of children
unrecorded. interaction between my students and me. Some e-learning. Some do not even have electricity,” from well-to-do families.
students thrive with face-to-face learning. Be-
Presenting a report to Parliament on the level
of public service delivery related to gender-based
violence during the pandemic, Women’s Affairs
minister Sithembiso Nyoni said social vices such
as child marriage were on the increase, attribut-
ing rising cases to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A total of 4 959 got impregnated in such a
short period and this means that nearly 5 000 of
our girls risk losing their opportunity if they do
not pursue re-admission,” Nyoni said.

“They have lost opportunities and have also
become vulnerable to other forms of violence,
assault, which include economic and emotional
abuse’’.

Although many parents could not afford pri-
vate lessons, it remained the only solution to
keeping school children occupied during the
lockdown.

Children who come from vulnerable families
were, however, left out.

With Covid-19 continuing to ravage incomes
and livelihoods, most parents could not put food
on the table, let alone pay for lessons.

Teachers took advantage of the lockdown to
charge between US$5 and US$15 per subject
per month.

For Thandiwe Dhlodhlo, an Upper Sixth pu-
pil in Highfield, learning during lockdown was
difficult.

“I did not attend any online lessons since
lockdown, it is something I only heard on ra-
dio and television but was never implemented at
my school. I attended private lessons, but it was
not the same with face-to-face classes at school,”
Dhlodhlo told The NewsHawks.

Although she was privileged to attend pri-
vate lessons, Dhlodhlo sympathises with her

ADVERT SPACE

The NewsHawks TheNewsHawksLive www.thenewshawks.com [email protected]

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021 A farmhouse which Isaac Musiiwa was sharing with
two other teachers was gutted by fire in Karoi recently.

Children’s tragic deaths: Teachers
carry painful yoke of neglection

NHAU MANGIRAZI areas and rural areas are forced by tough circum- PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou of parliamentarians. The Priscilla Misihairab-
stances to share accommodation. tion of total negligence and ignorance in address- wi-Mushonga-chaired Parliamentary Portfolio
HURUNGWE — AROUND 4pm on 25 Au- ing the welfare of our learners and teachers,” said Committee on Primary and Secondary Educa-
gust Zanorashe Isaac Musiiwa, a teacher at St “Teachers are suffering in silence as they do Chere. tion last week called on the government to take
Michael’s Primary School in Kondo village, about not have adequate accommodation where in action.
seven kilometres from Karoi town, went to his some cases 11 teachers stay in a three bed-roomed “Most of the schools are operating with dilap-
nearby garden, leaving behind his two children house and use bush toilets. This is unacceptable idated and makeshift infrastructure which has Ironically, the committee’s presentation was
aged five and six. yet we have an employer who claims to be a lis- resulted in serious negative effects on the condi- debated in the august House the same week that
tening servant to citizens,’’ said Zhou. tions of service of our teachers and the welfare of disaster struck the Karoi teachers.
He was happy to fend for his children through learners. The loss of life due to a veld fire at St
gardening, thereby supplementing his meager sal- Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zim- Michael’s School is an indication of the state of Contributing during parliamentary debate,
ary. babwe (Artuz) secretary-general Robson Chere affairs that cannot be wished away. Rural teachers Magwegwe legislator Anele Ndebele said: “Hon
also blamed the government for the tragic inci- have had the worst experience in terms of accom- Speaker, I need to indicate at the outset that this
Musiiwa never thought it was the last time he dent, which he said highlights the neglect. modation. In some schools teachers use old farm Parliament has power to immediately request the
would see his little angels as they were to perish in fowl runs as accommodation and in worst cases minister of Finance and Economic Development
a vicious fire. “We are very much disappointed by the gov- teachers rent accommodation from villagers. This to review the budget in order to cushion teachers
ernment’s reluctance in improving infrastructure is unacceptable for a professional like a teacher.” financially. Our teachers have become a laugh-
The minors were burnt beyond recognition af- for both learners and teachers in our schools. We ing stock in the region. Our teachers’ colleges and
ter a farmhouse Musiiwa was sharing with two view the government’s attitude as a clear indica- The teachers’ plight has caught the attention universities produce the best teachers in the re-
other teachers was engulfed by fire, which was gion, but because of their poor remuneration, our
started by some villagers who were making fi- teachers have become a laughing stock. Everyone
reguards around their gardens. and even garden boys now peg their remunera-
tion against that of teachers.
The villagers failed to control the fire, result-
ing in it spreading rapidly, ultimately burning the “I see a pattern, Mr Speaker Sir, that every time
farmhouse and claiming the lives of the minors. we cast the remuneration of teachers or civil ser-
vants, Hon Members come up with alternatives
The deceased Grace (five) and Polite (six) were or non-financial packages. We have to be clear
killed despite efforts by teachers and villagers to on the question of poor remuneration, it must be
put out the fire. addressed. It is not fair and not good that every
time the remuneration of teachers is discussed,
Musiiwa’s wife Prisca Chimunhu (34) had mi- people start talking about mbewu (agricultural
nor burns on the palm as she battled in vain to seed), motor cycles or housing.’’
save her children.
He suggested that there be an extra payment to
The Musiiwa family lost all their property in teachers as relief.
the fire.
‘‘I totally and unreservedly agree with the com-
Besides the Musiiwa family’s tragic fate, two mittee that over and above what we are paying
other teachers, Joseph Mazarura and Levison our teachers in RTGS, compensation of US$200
Chenjerai, lost all their belongings including cer- must be made immediately to our teachers. Our
tificates, clothes and all valuables. teachers have become vulnerable and they cannot
even afford to send their children to the same
Ironically, Musiiwa and Chenjerai had relo- schools in which they teach. Let me underline
cated from Chikangwe high-density suburb in the fact that Members of Parliament must desist
Karoi while Mazarura had relocated from Chied- from clouding the issue of remuneration with an
za high-density suburb to cut costs, particularly alternative of non-financial incentives,’’ said the
rentals. legislator.

The three were now sharing an old grass- Cheated Takavafira also expressed concern that
thatched farmhouse with their families. teachers have been cheated by the government
over housing schemes since Independence.
Teachers’ unions say the death of the minors
highlights the neglect that teachers have endured ‘‘In the mid-1990s teachers were cheated over
over the years. a housing scheme that ended up benefitting
top political leaders. In the early 21st century
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (1999-2005), teachers were swindled through the
(PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou bemoaned Gwindingwi housing scheme that never saw the
the government’s failure to provide decent accom- end of the day. Another housing scheme by En-
modation to teachers. ergy Mutodi never saw fruition in spite of swin-
dling teachers of millions of dollars, there have
“This is a very unfortunate tragedy. We urge been annual promises to provide houses to teach-
government to build good accommodation at ers by the Public Service Commission (PSC), but
schools befitting the dignity of teachers, let alone all these promises have been futile,’’ Zhou said.
to pay them well so that they can as well find al-
ternative good accommodation. The tragedy must
be put squarely on the government that treats
teachers in a servitude and degrading manner as
in this case,” Zhou said in a written statement.

He revealed that many teachers in resettlement

Page 16 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Parents groan as school fees burden worsens

NYARADZO MUSHANYUKI

CLAD in a black T-shirt and grey trousers, Sur-
Mathew Murwira (48) sits miserably at his viving
makeshift vending stall, his head hanging in mel- on meagre
ancholy. incomes in
a highly infor-
His crestfallen face is testimony to fading hope malised economy,
as he impatiently waits for elusive customers to parents are finding it dif-
visit his vending stall in central Harare. ficult to send their children

Since the government announced that schools back to schools.
will open on 6 September, the 48-year-old has
been a worried man. levies another parent said.” weeks, to prepare for re-opening of schools. Due workplaces. Government had to consider all
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe re- to the lockdown, some parents or guardians are these issues before the announcement re-open-
He has no clue how he will raise school fees for not going to work. ing of schools,’’ Gwezhira told The NewsHawks.
his four children. search secretary Josphat Gwezhira said the gov-
ernment’s announcement of re-opening schools “Teachers and parents are incapacitated. The According to the 2021 Zimbabwe Vulnera-
Already failing to provide for his family’s daily caught parents unawares as parents were only dates of the re-opening of schools were an- bility Assessment Committee (ZimVac) report,
needs, Murwira is worried that his children may given four days to raise fees. nounced at a time when teachers had already 51% children were out of school due to financial
fail to resume school with others. used their earnings. The worst part is that some constraints.
‘‘We all knew that schools would open one of them had to pay fees for their children and
Like many parents, Murwira was caught way or the other, but the government was sup- they also need money for travelling to their Children between the ages of 7 and 13 years
flat-footed when the government announced posed to give parents enough time, at least two are the worst affected age group.
that schools would re-open on Monday next
week. Exam classes opened on Monday.

With no savings and barely surviving, par-
ents have criticised the government for opening
schools at short notice.

‘‘I have four children who had to go back to
school and three of them are in exam classes.
First born is in Form Six, the second one is in
Form Four and the third one is in Grade Seven
and I have to pay ZW$60 000 in total for their
school fees,” Murwira said.

“After paying for them, l have to pay anoth-
er ZW$10 000 for the last one who is in Grade
Four. l am overburdened. On a lucky day I make
ZW$800.”

Surviving on meagre incomes in a highly in-
formalised economy, where savings are non-exis-
tent, parents are finding it difficult to send their
children back to schools.

Adding to their misery, parents must deal with
an unexpected hike in school fees.

According to the calendar, the school term will
run for 80 days, 20 more than the usual term.

The ministry of Primary and Secondary Ed-
ucation said the fees will be charged on pro rata
basis.

‘‘The average length of each term is about 60
days but the second and final session will be 80
days. The fees and levies for the second term
2021 will be charged on a pro rata basis given by
the number of days in the final session divided by
average number of days in a term, multiplied by
approved fees and levies for each team,” a circular
to school heads read.

Struggling parents who cannot stomach seeing
their children out of school are taking out loans
for tuition fees.

Monalisah Machakeyi, a civil servant, said:
“I am a widow looking after three children and
all of them are still going to school. The first
one is in university where l am supposed to pay
W$35 000 for her fees, the other two are in
boarding school and expected to have their own
final examinations.

“As a civil servant l took out a loan to pay their
school fees, but it is not enough as they also want
school uniforms, food and transport money,’’
Machakeyi said.

Schools are notorious for turning away stu-
dents who fail to pay full tuition fees.

Apart from schools demanding money in US
dollars for teachers’ incentives, school levy has
also been increased, adding another burden to
the parents.

Maidei Taruvinga, a mother of two, had to
send her children to the rural areas as she could
not afford their education in town.

‘‘I have two children who am looking after,
due to economic hardships they are staying with
their grandmother at the rural area. I have to
pay US$50 per term for one child but it’s still
too much for me to raise that amount of money.
With the short period of time, we were given to
pay school fees, am struggling to raise money for
school fees and uniforms,’’ Taruvinga said.

Another parent said: ‘‘Honestly, US$500
boarding fee is too much and the sad part of
it is that they are now charging us so much in
US dollars. How many children will go back to
school? Most of us don’t earn money which is
above US$100. I am shocked how many of us
will manage to pay school fees. is government
aware we are struggling and can’t afford all these

NewsHawks News Page 17

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

The Heritage School not mine: Gono

FORMER Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe categorically state that I don’t own The The Heritage School in Borrowdale Brooke, Harare
governor Gideon Gono says he does Heritage School. It doesn’t belong to Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono
not own The Heritage School, one of me.”
the most prestigious and best learning
facilities in the country, as previously The School is new in comparison
widely reported in the media. to many of the schools in Zimbabwe,
and a result it boasts state-of-the-art
Gono said he wanted to acquire a buildings. It has achieved good results
stake in the private school three years over the past few years and has con-
ago, but the deal did go through. stantly been ranked in the top five by
The Ministry of Primary & Secondary
He said the media reported on the Education, with its IGCSE exams (In-
process that was underway sometime ternational General Certificate of Sec-
before, but did not later follow up the ondary Education) school.
story to see whether the transaction
was consummated. The junior department also leads
the way in Zimbabwe with its juniors
He added that although talks hap- being the first school to take the Cam-
pened, in the end there was no deal bridge Primary Checkpoint Examina-
that was secured and signed on the tions at Year 6.
school negotiations that were under-
way. The Heritage School is now ranked
as the number one private school by
Registration documents obtained The Ministry of Primary & Secondary
by The NewsHawks and public infor- Education.
mation available on the school website
show that the independent upmarket “We have very high aspirations for
school, located on Heritage Drive, Bor- our school, our staff and our students.
rowdale Brooke, in Harare is owned by Together we are committed to raising
The Heritage School (Pvt) Ltd, which the standard of teaching and learning
has got six shareholders. The school’s and we are continually evaluating our
shareholders include David, Janet and progress to ensure success,” the school
Thomas Austin, and Evelyn, George says on its website.
and Munya Pangeti.
“We have equally high expectations
“I can confirm it had been one of of our students in terms of behaviour,
my cherished desires and intentions to effort and willingness to take an ac-
own a stake in the school since it was tive role in school life and life beyond
established in the mid-1990s,” Gono the school gates. We believe that the
told The NewsHawks. provision of a good sound education
relies on the development of a strong
“As a family, we came close to ac- three-way partnership between the
quiring a shareholding in the school school, the students and their parents.
in 2017/2018, but that didn’t materi- — STAFF WRITER.
alise. Therefore, I would like to hereby

Page 18 News NewsHawks

Nzenza dragged to court Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021
over confiscated vehicles
Industry and Commerce minister Sekai Nzenza
INDUSTRY and Commerce minister Sekai According to the application, the 12 purchased of ZW$189 805 as import duty. On the 12th of
Nzenza has been dragged to court by 12 people the motor vehicles in South Africa earlier this June 2021, I paid the amount as import duty to
whose vehicles were seized by customs officials at year, but failed to import them into the country Zimra.”
the Beitbridge Border Post early this year. before the statutory instrument was enacted.
According to Dingindi, Zimra has refused
The 12 are Oscar Dingindi, Emmanuel Ma- In his founding affidavit filed on behalf of to release the motor vehicles under the guise of
zambani, Ottis Sheta, Farai Munyenyiwa, Don- others, Oscar Dingindi told the court that they an ongoing investigation by the Zimbabwe An-
emore Zimhondi, Fungai Zhou, Gibson Maton- had filed applications for import licences with the ti-Corruption Commission into the issuance of
go, Isaac Sezere, Mevis Kachara, Orbert Nyasha, ministry in accordance with the statutory instru- import licences by the ministry.
Obey dingindi and Tafadzwa Innocent Purazi. ment which had later been approved.
He is arguing that the court should order the
They are seeking to recover their cars after the “Pursuant to the provisions of Statutory In- ministry and Zimra to release the motor vehicles
government issued Statutory Instrument (SI) 89 strument 89 of 2021, I did file an application for as the 12 did not participate in any illegal activi-
which requires individuals who want to import a licence to import goods with the Ministry of ties and have no connection to the investigation.
second-hand vehicles above 10 years to obtain a Industry. The Minister issued a licence to import
licence from the ministry of Industry and Com- good on the 22nd of April 2021. The licence was “Zimra refused to release my motor vehicle
merce. valid up until 22 July 2021. citing that it had received a directive from the
minister instructing it to seize my motor vehicle
Nzenza, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority “Having lawfully procured the licence, I pro- together with those of the applicants, indicating
(Zimra) and the Sheriff of Zimbabwe have been ceeded to Zimra and filed an application for that they are conducting some investigations in
cited as respondents in the urgent chamber appli- import duty assessment. The second respondent respect of some alleged misconduct committed by
cation filed on 27 August. advised me that I was supposed to pay an amount the 1st respondent’s employees.

“There is no reason why the second respondent
should be allowed to seize my motor vehicle and
for storage costs of the vehicle to continue accru-
ing under my account. The conduct of the first
and second respondent is unlawful.

“It is therefore just and equitable that this court
orders the release of my motor vehicle pending the
determination of the whole matter.”

The effective date of the provisions of the statu-
tory instrument was on 2 April this year.

The statutory instrument stipulates that sec-
ond-hand motor vehicles aged 10 years and above
from the date of manufacture at the time of im-
portation shall require an import licence from the
ministry of Industry and Commerce for their im-
portation into Zimbabwe.

The applicants made applications for the issu-
ance of the import licence with the minister in
terms of section 3 of Statutory Instrument 89 of
2021. They paid the import duty charged by Zim-
ra and requested the release of their vehicles but
Zimra refused.

Dingindi said they wrote to the minister re-
questing that she withdraw her directive, but she
also declined. The case is yet to be heard.

— STAFF WRITER.

The applicants argue Zimra is refusing to release
their motor vehicles.

NewsHawks News Page 19

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Special Covid-19
PANDEMIC coverage

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Economy re-opening to benefit
only fully vaccinated customers
AS COVID-19 cases continue decreasing in
Zimbabwe, more services and activities are re- resolved and wishes to inform the nation as fol- The government has also launched Operation Cabinet has allowed art galleries to re-open.
suming, but only to fully vaccinated customers. lows: a) considering that 98% of Covid-19 cases Marah to accelerate the vaccination programme Covid-19. Government wishes to categorically
in Zimbabwe are of the Delta variant, there is no for church members towards the attainment of state that the vaccination programme is a free
This has raised questions as to whether the longer need to quarantine travellers from coun- herd immunity. service to the nation, and as such, all private
government has unofficially introduced manda- tries afflicted with the variant, such as India,” the health institutions should not charge those wish-
tory vaccination. briefing reads. “The churches can now call on government ing to access the services,” the cabinet briefing
vaccination teams to vaccinate members against reads.
Cabinet on Tuesday allowed the resumption
of cinemas, theatres, art galleries, gyms, health
spas and fitness centres to vaccinated clients,
with all the staff also expected to be vaccinated.

Last week, restaurants were given the green
light to open for sit-down services to vaccinated
clients, while congregants are also expected to be
innoculated before attending church services.

This comes as workers have taken the gov-
ernment to court over banning non-vaccinated
workers from reporting to work.

Cabinet said the several measures adopted by
government had resulted in a decrease in infec-
tion, with a 30% decrease in the number of in-
fections during the week under review.

“This reflects that the infection control mea-
sures being implemented by government are
yielding results. There has also been a corre-
sponding decrease in the number of people in
need of hospitalisation for Covid-19. The bed
occupancy rate was 14.5% during the review
week, compared to the 17.8% reported previ-
ously,” this week’s cabinet briefing reads.

Zimbabwe had recorded a total of 124 773
cases and 4 419 deaths as at 31 August.

The country is targeting to vaccinate 60% of
the population by December and has extended
the vaccination programme to teenagers.

“Cabinet is informing the nation that as of
29 August 2021, a total of two million five hun-
dred and fifty-two thousand five hundred and
seventy-three (2 552 573) persons had received
the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while
one million six hundred and nineteen thousand
four hundred and sixty-three (1 619 463) had
received the second dose. This translates to a
national coverage of 29.7% and 18.9% for the
first and second doses, respectively,” the briefing
reads.

Cabinet also resolved to scrap the requirement
for travellers from areas with the Delta variant
to be quarantined. “Following representations
from the various sectors of the economy, cabinet

Midlands artisanal miners call for mobile Covid-19 clinics

STEPHEN CHADENGA out mobile vaccination clinics at mining sites in hurdles in accessing the vaccines. in this essential sector, there is need for govern-
the region. Chauke said mobile clinics at mining sites will ment’s support in making sure that artisanal and
ZONDI Mtetwa has been an artisanal gold min- small-scale miners easily access Covid-19 vaccina-
er for 15 years. The father of two, who works at a “Artisanal and small-scale miners contribute a ensure that production in the sector is not affect- tion facilities,” he said.
gold claim at Romack on the outskirts of Gweru, lot to the country’s economy particularly those in ed as miners will not spend long hours in queues
said he has no time-off due to the nature of his the gold sector. This group therefore should be at vaccination centres. Although Midlands provincial medical direc-
job. treated as a special group and there is need for tor Mary Muchekeza was not readily available to
government to set up Covid-19 mobile vaccina- “If we are to compare with other minerals comment on the request by miners, last month
Mtetwa said he wishes to be vaccinated against tion clinics at mining sites,” Chauke said. and sectors in mining, gold is the fastest foreign the health boss said there was a need to create
Covid-19, but the long queues at clinics and hos- currency earner and over the years artisanal and “synergies in resource mobilisation” to combat
pitals have hindered him from getting the jabs. He said although the mining body was doing small-scale miners have accounted for more than the spread of the pandemic.
its best to raise Covid-19 awareness and the need 60% of the total gold delivered to Fidelity Print-
“As an artisanal gold miner, I work 24/7 and to observe coronavirus regulations among artis- ers and Refiners. Over the months, the Midlands has general-
so the time to be in those slow long queues at anal and small-scale miners, the group was facing ly witnessed an increase in the number of cases
Covid-19 vaccination centres in the city has seen “In order for us not to disrupt production and deaths from coronavirus. The province has so
me failing to be vaccinated,” Mtetwa told The far recorded more than 9 000 cases and over 370
NewsHawks. deaths from the pandemic.

Mtetwa’s plight is similar to thousands of ar- Last month, traditional leaders from Mata-
tisanal and small-scale miners who work along beleland urged the government to deploy mobile
the mineral-rich Great Dyke in the Midlands vaccination teams in rural areas, saying vaccina-
province. Confederation of Zimbabwe Miners tion centres could not be easily accessed by the
president Rangani Chauke said although miners rural folk. Nearly two million Zimbabweans out
were encouraged to enforce Covid-19 regulations of a population of 14 million have received their
at their mining sites, the majority of them were first jabs with over one million having received
lagging behind in accessing vaccination facilities. their second inoculation.

Chauke said the Midlands province was home The country needs to vaccinate at least 60%
to more mining activities than any other area in of the population to achieve herd immunity by
the country, adding government needed to roll- December 2021.

Page 20 News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Zim sceptical, ignores US vaccine donation

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Outgoing US ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols intend to offer more in the future if they are
“We in our government have offered vaccines ment of Zimbabwe for its people. We hope accepted,” he said after the meeting with For-
ZIMBABWE is yet to accept a vaccine offer by through the Covax consortium to the govern- the government accepts that donation and we eign Affairs and International Trade minister
the United States, with a government official Frederick Shava.
previously revealing that Harare was sceptical
to accept the donation, as it might turn out to “We provided US$24 million in assistance to
be a political gesture. Zimbabwe for personal protective equipment,
training, prevention, and information cam-
According to the outgoing US ambassador paigns. We have our experts working on labo-
Brian Nichols, who left Harare last Friday, ratory service issues and policy responses, and
Zimbabwe is yet to accept the donation from we look forward to continuing to increase our
Washington, channelled through the Covax fa- assistance in the coming weeks and month.”
cility.
Nichols also said the progress that Zimbabwe
The consignment that had been allocated to had made in vaccinating its population against
Zimbabwe ended up going to Zambia, with in- Covid-19 was commendable as it ranks num-
dications that Zimbabwe does not want to use ber three on the African continent in terms of
Western-produced vaccines. vaccines.

In July, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe in July approved Johnson and
spokesperson George Charamba wrote on Johnson vaccine for emergency use after previ-
Twitter that Zimbabwe would not be using the ously blocking it.
Western vaccines, claiming that the MDC had
received 500 000 doses of vaccines not regis- The previous month, government had been
tered in Zimbabwe from America. criticised for turning down an offer for three
million doses of the Johnson and Johnson
He said the country would only accept vac- Covid-19 vaccine.
cines made in China, India and Russia, that had
been registered for use in Zimbabwe. The excuse had been that the country was not
prepared to deal with the refrigeration require-
The Health ministry did not respond to ments and possible side effects of the vaccine.
questions from The NewsHawks on why they
had not yet accepted the vaccine donation from Medical experts said the excuse that the
America since Johnson and Johnson vaccines country does not have the storage facilities re-
have now been registered in Zimbabwe quired for the doses was senseless as there were
cold chain mechanisms to store the vaccines.
In a farewell meeting with the press, Nich-
ols said the American government was hoping In a letter to the African Export-Import
Zimbabwe would accept the offer, as Washing- Bank in June, the government said it was still
ton would want to provide more. analysing possible side effects of the Johnson
and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine.

NHAU MANGIRAZI UN agency intensifies awareness at border posts

THE International Organisation for Migra- IOM team carrying out Covid-19 awareness campaign at Chirundu Border Post recently. down started last year in March, it came with
tion (IOM) is intensifying Covid-19 awareness many government restrictions disadvantaging
campaigns among informal traders at Beit- ing it will bring optimism to informal workers ‘‘This support has been long overdue because the vulnerable traders. The majority are still to
bridge and Chirundu border posts. and traders who were affected by the Covid-19 many informal traders have suffered badly eco- recover. The latest support is very well-timed
lockdown. nomically and socially. When the national lock- because many were expecting to benefit from
The campaign is aimed at empowering com- government social grants support but only a
munities with risk communication manage- handful benefitted,’’ said Malaya.
ment in the border areas.
Hurungwe district medical officer Mun-
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth yaradzi Chidaushe described the move as com-
and Development Office (FCDO) of the Unit- mendable.
ed Kingdom, the project is being managed by
the IOM office in Zambia, and implemented ‘‘This is a positive move for us as we believe
in conjunction with IOM missions in Malawi, vendors and informal traders may have missed
South Africa, and Zimbabwe vaccination outreach. Hurungwe has witnessed
an upsurge of vaccination from both rural and
Fadzai Nyamande-Pangeti, IOM media and farming communities. The uptake is impressive
communication specialist, told The NewsHawks and with organisations like IOM it adds value,’’
that the week-long awareness campaign, which Chidaushe said.
ends over the weekend, is being held under the
theme: Supporting Informal Cross Border Traders Malaya said they are grateful to IOM, as they
in Southern Africa to do Business Safely During expect the initiative to cut across some affected
the Covid-19 Pandemic. areas.

IOM had a similar programme in Beit- ‘‘We hope their help will cover food, recap-
bridge, where they are supporting vendors at italisation support and children’s school fees
marketplaces with water. support. As an organisation we are very much
thankful and say to the benefitting members
‘‘We have targeted Beitbridge and Chirundu when they get this support they must be in-
border crossing points, where IOM is working novative to kick-start their survival projects
closely with the local authorities, ICBT (In- again,’’ added Malaya.
formal Cross Border Traders) associations and
other frontline departments. We have vaccina- Chirundu border town is a hive of activ-
tion teams that will be part of awareness cam- ity and connected nearby shopping centres,
paigns,’’ she said in an interview. including Nyamakate, Elephants Walk and
Karoi farming town, situated along the Hara-
Nyamande-Pangeti explained that the drive re-Chirundu highway.
for awareness has been necessitated by the out-
break of the Covid-19 pandemic that has im- Magunje growth point is a few kilometres
pacted negatively on world trade, including in away and was also covered.
southern Africa.
The border town attracts large numbers of
‘‘The outbreak of Covid-19 in southern Af- traders and buyers from Zambia and other
rica led to border closures and travel restric- parts of Zimbabwe.
tions throughout the region. Where cross-bor-
der trade is permitted, it has been for larger It is also the gateway to countries to the
commercial flows and not for the movement north such as Zambia, Tanzania and Demo-
of people, accompanied by quarantine mea- cratic Republic of Congo and is thus popular
sures for varying periods, often at the cost of with haulage truck drivers.
the traveller. For informal cross-border traders,
these changes have had a significant negative ‘‘The neighbouring towns and shopping cen-
impact on their livelihoods as they are unable tres in the district and its markets attract more
to conduct their trade normally. Covid-19 re- cross-border traders due to its proximity with
strictions have hit informal trade harder than Chirundu where cross-border traders conduct
other sectors, with women hit particularly hard buying and selling with Zambia . . . This has ex-
by economic losses. Post Covid-19 will add posed informal traders to infection and further
more pressure on the informal sector,’’ added resulted in the marketplaces being potential
Nyamande-Pangeti. Covid-19 super spreaders. We are working out
with stakeholders to empower communities
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy with information about Covid-19,’’ Nyaman-
Associations (ZCIEA) national secretary-gener- de-Pangeti said.
al Wisborn Malaya applauded the IOM, say-

NewsHawks News Page 21

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Chilonga bemoans lack of health facilities

MORRIS BISHI

COMMUNITIES in the Chilonga area of Communities in Chilonga are struggling to get Covid-19 vaccines.
Chiredzi South are walking long distances to the
nearest health centre seeking Covid-19 vaccina- “I went to Chilonga Clinic three times but the Chiredzi district medical officer Brian will be addressed soon.
tion, but the few clinics in the area are always out health centre had no vaccines. This is common in Dhladhlara told The NewsHawks all clinics in “Currently all our medical facilities have vac-
of the vaccines. our area. We are willing to be vaccinated but the Chiredzi district now have Covid-19 vaccines. He
situation is not allowing us. We are at risk of con- said his ministry is working on increasing mobile cines, but the issue of people walking more than
The area is one of the least developed places in tracting the virus but there is nothing we can do teams so that all parts of the district can be cov- 10km to clinics in our district is a great concern
the country with few clinics and schools. The area about it because we don’t have access to vaccines. ered. to us. We introduced mobile vaccination teams
also has dilapidated infrastructure, particularly The government should address this issue quickly and we are working to introduce more teams
roads as well as communication network. so that we get the vaccine,” Mabunda said. Dhladhlara said most people are walking long so that all areas of the district can be covered,”
distances to clinics for vaccination but the issue Dhladhlara said.
The NewsHawks visited that area last Friday and
many people indicated in interviews that they are
willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but the
vaccines were not available.

Chief Chilonga, born Tiyani Chilonga, said
people in his area are struggling to get Covid-19
vaccines, a development which he said is different
from other areas in the province. He urged the
government to address the issue as a matter of ur-
gency so that his people also get protection from
the pandemic.

“We have a big challenge in our area, our peo-
ple are not accessing Covid-19 vaccines on time.
Our people are walking long distances to clinics,
but most of the time the clinics will be out of
vaccines. Government should introduce mobile
teams which will visit remote areas, as you know
we have few clinics in our area and the current
scenario is putting our people at the risk of con-
tracting the deadly virus,” Chilonga said.

Beauty Mabunda from Gwaseche area of
Chilonga said she visited Chilonga Clinic three
times with the intention of get vaccination, but
found the clinic without vaccines on all occasions.

Her home is nine kilometres from the clinic.

There is a future.

ZIMBABWE
CHILDREN’S CANCER RELIEF

EARLY
DETECTION

IS THE BEST PROTECTION!

STAY IF YOU SUSPECT EYE CANCER
ALERT! VISIT YOUR CLINIC TODAY

Page 22 Editorial & Opinion NewsHawks

CARTOON Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

US$961m windfall:
Pay fees before

splurging on booze

THE Zimbabwean government is gradually allowing various sectors Next elections may be won 
of the economy to re-open following long periods of Covid-19-in- or lost on voter registration
duced slowdown and closure.
FOLLOWING the recent Zambian opposition supporters and manipulation To avoid elections being a mere ritu-
Like all facets of life, the economy cannot remain mothballed in elections and the huge voter turnout — of the counting of votes, among other de- al, parties, civil society organisations and
perpetuity. To be sure, it will not be business as usual; new strategies together with its dramatic outcome — ceitful interventions and methods. special interest groups must get people to
must be devised. The world has changed — and Zimbabwe must Zimbabwe’s political and civil society register to vote.
change with it. organisations should be jolted into action There is also the issue of refusing oppo-
to ensure people register to vote. sition access to the public media, prevent- Providing voters with information on
But the post-Covid narrative on the ground is generally dispirit- ing them from campaigning in certain the electoral process, political parties and
ing. Everyone across the board — whether in government, private And indeed that they actually vote on areas, staffing the electoral commission their manifestos, poll antecedents of the
sector, civil society or labour — is still waiting helplessly for a knight election day. with partisan officials and use of the state candidates and other things is critical to
in shining armour to swoop in and save the day. The sooner every- security apparatus, not just to intimidate, enable them cast an enlightened and in-
one discovers that there is no messiah, the faster we can seriously The outcome of elections is as depen- but also campaign, manoeuvre behind formed vote. This means voter education,
embark on the onerous task of building an economy that delivers dent on the pre-voting processes as it is the scenes to help the ruling party and registration and voting are equally im-
fair opportunity to all. The International Monetary Fund’s injection on the act of voting. An election is a pro- block transition upon losing. portant. They are part of the process and
of US$961 million in Special Drawing Rights is a fantastic develop- cess, not an event. reinforce each other.
ment for the economy. Ballot fraud remains a major weapon
This means there must be a seri- of rigging. Dictators believe it is not the Parties, civic groups and volunteers
Apart from infusing a much-needed feel-good vibe, it presents a ous, comprehensive and non-partisan voting that really counts, but who counts must provide critical information to
real chance for pragmatic economic stabilisation. A lot has been said pre-election voter awareness campaign create a better-informed, self-driven citi-
about how the government must carefully organise its priorities with aimed at conscientising voters about the Hawk Eye zenry and, ultimately, a more responsive,
regards the utilisation of that sizeable windfall. It stands to reason importance of participating in the elec- transparent and accountable government. 
that the ordering of these priorities will boost confidence in Zimba- toral process. Dumisani
bwe’s determination to chart a new path to economic recovery. Muleya Civil society organisations must partic-
Youths have now become the largest ularly be more systematic in approaching
On the macro-economic front, it is crucial to stabilise the Zimba- voting bloc in many African countries, the vote. This has particularly been true elections. They need to ensure voter edu-
bwe dollar, which has come under strain. This week, the local unit including Zimbabwe. Zambia demon- in Zimbabwe where elections are stolen cation, registration, voters’ roll inspection
weakened against the US dollar on the official market. On the paral- strated that. During the 2018 elections, through ballot fraud, over and above the and voting in a non-partisan and sustain-
lel market, the Zimdollar has significantly lost value, further denting youths were about 44% of registered skewing of the whole electoral process able way. 
public confidence in the local currency. voters in Zimbabwe, but in 2023 they and playing field, tipping it in favour of
will surge above 50%, making them an the ruling party and use of coercive tactics For its part, the government must de-
The ever-widening gulf between the official rate, at about electoral trump card. and terror. velop voter registration procedures that
US$1:ZW$86, and the alternative rate, at US$1:ZW$150, is a cause are transparent, inclusive and do not dis-
for concern and requires decisive action. Decisive action is a function Voting ensures a responsive, account- Yet at the heart of it all remains a con- enfranchise voters.
of good governance, policy consistency and astute leadership. It is able and democratically elected govern- sistent factor — authoritarian regimes
not a propaganda imperative. ment.  In a democracy, a free, fair and view elections not as an institutionalised Civil society should encourage citizens,
credible vote is the fundamental tool and convenient mechanism within an particularly the youth, to register and to
A post-Covid-19 recovery strategy needs not only workable ideas through which citizens can express their accountable governance process, but as a vote. They should also design public in-
but also massive funding. Last year, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube political preferences, grievances and de- carefully orchestrated and choreographed formation campaigns aimed at youth to
announced an ZW$18 billion stimulus and economic rescue pack- velopmental aspirations.  event packaged as a spectacle to reinforce explain the registration process and how
age. Nothing has come of it. The sticking point, as The NewsHawks the incumbent’s position and test the op- citizens can check their entries onto the
has correctly reported, is that the government expects private sector Zimbabwe has always struggled to positional waters. voters’ roll and monitor the voter regis-
companies to approach banks and hammer out commercial agree- hold proper elections since 1980. Most tration process to assess its accuracy and
ments on how the loans can be structured. Although it is difficult to of its elections have been characterised by For dictators, elections are also often inclusiveness.
heap all the blame on the government for assuming such a posture, manipulation, intimidation, violence and seen as a safety valve to manage threats.
we must realise that private companies in this country are largely vote-rigging. International actors should provide as-
bankrupt. Many were already technically insolvent even before the sistance to ensure free, fair and credible
outbreak of Covid-19 in March last year. The pandemic has plunged These problems are to be found in elections. Whoever wins under such con-
businesses into ruinous bankruptcy. many competitive authoritarian regimes. ditions has got the people’s genuine man-
date and their express will to govern until
Bankrupt and highly indebted companies have no realistic capac- Rigged elections come in various the next elections.
ity to take out further loans. On the other hand, Treasury is alive to forms: ballot-stuffing, hounding or ar-
the dangers of dishing out money to the private sector and exposing rest of opposition leaders, intimidation of
the taxpayer to hefty liabilities in the event of default.

What the situation demands is a win-win arrangement between
the private sector and the government to ensure that the so-called
stimulus package is made accessible — but without recklessly ex-
posing taxpayers to toxic debt. Beyond shoring up the fragile local
currency and lending a helping hand to the private sector, it is im-
portant to ensure that pro-poor policies are implemented without
further delay. Social safety nets are virtually non-existent. The terri-
ble economic hardship suffered by pensioners, orphans, entrenched
breadwinners and dejected youths is a ticking time bomb.

Urban poverty is deepening, drug abuse among young people is
worsening, teenage pregnancy and child marriage are on the rise.
Any post-Covid-19 plan that ignores these pressing needs is a waste
of time and poses an existential threat to national survival.

Like a long-suffering worker who suddenly receives a paycheck
after six months of toiling without a salary, the Zimbabwean gov-
ernment must think clearly before wasting the US$961 million IMF
windfall on useless expenditure. The government, just like the pover-
ty-stricken taxpayer, must pay its school fees and replenish the family
pantry before splurging on a crate of beer.

Reaffirming the fundamental impor- The NewsHawks is published on different EDITORIAL STAFF: Marketing Officer: Voluntary Media
tance of freedom of expression and me- content platforms by the NewsHawks Digital Managing Editor: Dumisani Muleya Charmaine Phiri Council of Zimbabwe
dia freedom as the cornerstone of de- Media which is owned by Centre for Public Cell: +263 735666122
mocracy and as a means of upholding Interest Journalism Assistant Editor: Brezh Malaba [email protected] The NewsHawks newspaper subscribes to the
human rights and liberties in the con- No. 100 Nelson Mandela Avenue [email protected] Code of Conduct that promotes truthful, accurate,
stitution; our mission is to hold power Beverly Court, 6th floor News Editor: Owen Gagare
in its various forms and manifestations Harare, Zimbabwe Subscriptions & Distribution: fair and balanced news reporting. If we do not
to account by exposing abuse of power Digital Editor: Bernard Mpofu +263 735666122 meet these standards, register your complaint
and office, betrayals of public trust and Trustees/Directors: with the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
corruption to ensure good governance Beatrice Mtetwa, Raphael Khumalo, Reporters: at No.: 34, Colenbrander Rd, Milton Park, Harare.
and accountability in the public inter- Professor Wallace Chuma, Teldah Mawarire, Bridget Mananavire, Nyasha Chingono, Enoch Muchinjo
est. Doug Coltart Telephone: 024-2778096 or 024-2778006,
Email: [email protected] 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

Business

MATTERSNewsHawks

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

*PLATINUM 975.5 +4.3

*COPPER 4.087 +0.046

‘Zim economy to remain informal’

DUMISANI NYONI . . . unless farming goes commercial

ZIMBABWE will remain a largely informal Zimbabwe’s informal economy has sustained the country’s labour in the midst of a decimated formal sector.
economy into the foreseeable future unless farm-
ing, accounting for 18% of gross domestic prod- Zimbabwe’s informal sector is credited as one of production, tobacco production and mining; ing most individuals earn below US$400, further
uct (GDP) as of 2015, becomes more commer- the reasons local GDP did not retreat to the same certain statistics from sectors can in our view be emphasises the income disparity highlighted by
cialised, a research firm has said. extent as peers during the first wave of the pan- used as a proxy to see the trend in the informal the GINI coefficient.
demic in 2020,” the report said. sector’s earnings,” IH Securities said.
Once a fairly highly industrialised country, GNI per capita in real terms has been on a
Zimbabwe is now a largely informal economy According to the International Monetary Meanwhile, the report notes that the rate of downward trend since 2018 in line with falling
after the collapse of thriving manufacturing and Fund, the informal sector acts as a “hidden” buf- urbanisation appears to have slowed in Zimba- production after years of consecutive droughts.
agricultural sectors. fer for shocks in the formal sector such as infla- bwe and this is perhaps attributable to low em-
tion, currency collapses, company closures and ployment opportunities in urban areas relative However, a turnaround is expected in 2021
Industry is operating at 47% of capacity, ac- rapid policy changes by accommodating the la- to the past. Ironically, poverty levels seem to be following the above-average rainfall season and
cording to the Confederation of Zimbabwe In- bour force which cannot be formally absorbed. growing faster within urban areas. increasing agricultural production coupled with
dustries (CZI), an umbrella body of the manufac- a relatively stable currency.
turing sector. More than 6 000 companies have “Given the significant proportion of what is The gross national income (GNI) per capita of
closed shop since 2011, rendering hundreds of classified as informal sector that is active in maize US$1 090, when compared to statistics suggest- Inflation has slowed from a peak of 837% in
thousands unemployed. July 2020 to 56% as at July 2021.

Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s
economy, as Zimbabweans remain largely a rural
people, who derive their livelihood from agricul-
ture and other related economic activities.

Agricultural activities provide employment
and income for between 60% to 70% of the
population, supplies 60% of the raw materials
required by the industrial sector and contributes
40% of total export earnings, according to the
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.

In its latest report titled Zimbabwe Consumer
Sector: Loosening The Purse Strings?, IH Securities
said the southern African nation’s economy will
remain informal into the foreseeable future un-
less farming becomes commercialised.

“The structure of the Zimbabwean economy
remains weighted towards a mostly rural-based
population; this population is anchored in small-
scale farming and household activities, all broadly
classified as informal, implying that scientifically,
Zimbabwe will remain a largely informal econo-
my into the foreseeable future unless farming be-
comes commercialised,” the report reads in part.

“Whilst it is difficult to quantify the monetary
size and force of this sector, we believe a useful
proxy is agricultural activity and artisanal min-
ing in which many of these participants sit. A
vastly improved agricultural performance in the
2020/21 season, particularly in staple crop maize
in which a record output of 2.7million tonnes is
expected, suggests a likely improvement in food
security and potentially higher incomes within
this base.”

“The reality is that the informal sector has in-
variably created a safety net to absorb and sustain
Zimbabwe’s labour force in the midst of a deci-
mated formal sector; this sector will house sub-
stantive economic activity for some time and will
ironically double as both a customer base and an
aggressive competitor for consumer companies,”
it said.

The International Labour Organisation esti-
mates that more than 66% of total employment
in sub-Saharan African is in the informal sector.
Faced with a predominantly informal sector, gov-
ernments have been struggling with how best to
respond.

“On the one hand, a large informal sector
often adds to city congestion, through informal
vending and transport services, and does not
contribute to city revenue. While on the other
hand, the informal sector provides crucial liveli-
hoods to the most vulnerable of the urban poor.

Page 24 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Trade deficit soars
to US$500m as
production slumps

DUMISANI NYONI January to 7.1 % in February before declining US$1. 096 billion recorded in 2020 Gold exports are forecast to remain high in 2021.
to 1.9% in May, and further to 0.03% in June. Merchandise exports are projected to increase pected to positively respond to the favourable
ZIMBABWE’S trade deficit increased by 16% to climatic conditions during the 2020-2021 agri-
US$500 million during the first half of this year Other major imports in June 2021 included by 4.2% to US$5.13 billion while mineral ex- cultural season while manufactured exports are
due to low productivity, economic instability ex- fertilizers, vehicles, animal and vegetable fats and ports are expected to maintain strong growth on similarly expected to rebound, spurred by the
perienced in the country, as well as the outbreak pharmaceutical products, including vaccines. account of the continued strong performances in anticipated recovery in production.
of Covid-19 which disrupted the movement of platinum group of metals (PGMs) and recovery
goods, official statistics show. Notably, the major imports in Zimbabwe in chrome and high carbon ferrochrome exports. Merchandise imports are projected to increase
were aggregated to reach 90.8% in June 2021. by 11.1% to US$5 245.7 million, driven by in-
Latest figures from the Zimbabwe National Gold exports are forecast to remain high in creases in fuel, machinery and raw material im-
Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that between In order to strengthen the country’s export 2021, on account of the recently introduced ports. Food imports will, however, be lower on
January and June this year, the country export- earning capacity, ZimStat said it is vital to look gold delivery incentives. account of reduced maize imports, following a
ed goods and services worth US$2.52 billion closely at export drivers. good 2020/21 agricultural season.
against imports of US$3.02 billion, giving a Agricultural exports, led by tobacco, are ex-
trade deficit of US$500 million. June 2021 data shows that Zimbabwe’s main
exports were semi-manufactured gold at 28.2%,
During the corresponding period last year, nickel mattes, including platinum group of min-
exports stood at US$1.86 billion with imports erals (PGMs) 23.2%, nickel ores and concen-
at US$2.30 billion, resulting in the country ex- trates 20.4%, platinum unwrought or in powder
periencing a negative trade balance of US$432.9 form 3.9% and tobacco 3.6%.
million.
“It was noted that major minerals produced
In the period under review, imports increased in the country such as nickel concentrates and
by 31%, while exports increased by 35%. nickel mattes were exported in a semi-processed
form, while nickel ores (including PGMs) are ex-
Zimbabwe’s major imports, according to ported in a raw form,” ZimStat said.
ZimStat, were in the machinery and mechani-
cal appliances category, which stood at 13.5% in One of the challenges of relying on primary
June 2021. product exports is that the country might run
out of its finite primary products. For example,
This was followed by the mineral fuels and precious metals could become scarce. Without
mineral oils products category at 11.2% in June diversification, this would leave the economy
compared to 12.5% in May 2021. Cereal im- with a void.
ports, including maize continuously dropped
from a peak of 9.1% in February 2021 to 5.6% In his 2021 mid-term budget and economic
in May and 4.1% in June 2021. review, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said the
current account balance for 2021 is projected
In 2021, maize imports rose from 5.7% in to remain in a surplus position, albeit at a mod-
erated level of US$611.6 million compared to

LIZWE SEBATHA CSC investor plans solar power venture

A SUBSIDIARY of the Cold Storage Company Boustead Beef intends turning all underutilised CSC land into solar farms to feed into the national grid.
(CSC)’s United Kingdom-based investor, Bou-
stead Beef Limited, has applied for a licence to CSC only needs an estimated 5MW, adding er producers that have been given licences to The contract was signed in 2015.
construct a solar power plant at the company’s Boustead Beef intends turning all underutilised generate electricity across the country. How- In 2019, the government entered into a part-
premises in Bulawayo’s Belmont industrial zone. CSC land into solar farms to feed into the na- ever, very few have implemented the projects, nership agreement with Boustead Limited, to
tional grid. with controversial businessman Wicknell Chi- revive the CSC. The investor promised to inject
Consultants for the company said this is nec- vayo’s company Intratek Zimbabwe being one about US$130m into the CSC over five years
essary to give the company a competitive ad- “We also have to contribute towards energy of them. for the purpose of reviving operations, refur-
vantage in the export market by tapping into sustainability of the country, utilising excess Chivayo was awarded a US$183 million bishing the industrial assets, ranches, feedlots
carbon credits attached to carbon tracing in the land that we have around the Bulawayo abattoir Gwanda Solar Project tender, but there has been and residential properties.
export of agricultural produce. and beyond. The plan is to utilise all land that is little movement on the project. The Gwanda so- In December, the government moved to avert
no longer usable for purposes that were general- lar project has been the subject of court battles the liquidation of the CSC by placing it under a
“The issue of carbon tracing is very crucial ly used by CSC in terms of offices, abattoirs and after Intratrek Zimbabwe failed to deliver with- corporate rescue plan in terms of the Insolvency
in terms of export of agricultural products, and produce a total of 200MW,” Shoko claimed. in agreed timelines. Act, while ostensibly facilitating its revival.
given the climate change thrust that all econo-
mies have taken, we need to have carbon trac- Boustead Beef joins other independent pow-
ing of the beef that we are exporting,” Boustead
Beef consultant Reginald Shoko said in an in-
terview on Tuesday.

A “carbon credit” is a tradable certificate, or
a permit that gives the holder the right to emit,
over a certain period, carbon dioxide or other
greenhouse gases.

Carbon credits were created as an answer to
the need for controlling emissions, and as an at-
tempt to reduce greenhouse and harmful gases
coming from industrial activity.

“About 50% of the effects of climate change
from agriculture actually come from cattle
ranching, which means we are one of the biggest
polluters of the climate. We need to find a way
of contributing in the climate change manage-
ment going forward hence the idea of putting
up a clean energy source,” Shoko added.

In a notice, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory
Authority (Zera) set 9 September as the dead-
line for submitting objections to an application
by Boustead Solar (Private) Limited to construct
a 23.5 megewatt solar power plant at the CSC.

“The power plant intends selling the power
generated to ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity
Transmission and Distribution Company). The
project will be connected to the grip through
construction of a 0.5kilometre single wold
132kV line from the proposed power plant and
the London Road 88kV substation,” the notice
reads in part.

Of the envisaged 23MW, Shoko said the

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 25

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

ZIF moves to block
scrap metal exports

At least 93% of IT decision-makers in Zimbabwe said their companies have increased focus on cyber security. THE Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) has ap-
proached the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zim-
Businesses battle rising cyberattacks babwe (MMCZ) in a bid to block illegal exports of
scrap metal, a major impediment choking the sector’s
ALEX MHANDU technology (IT) decision-makers in Zimbabwe Businesses in Zimbabwe also cited email growth.
said their companies have increased their focus attacks and social engineering as top of their
ZIMBABWEAN businesses have increased in- on cyber security. worries around cyber security. The ZIF — a lobby group representing the inter-
vestments towards enhancing cyber security to ests of metal casting providers and steel smelters in
address vulnerabilities in the face of heightened According to the report, 71% of businesses Of the surveyed businesses, 75% of them the country — estimates that the country could save
cyberattacks following adoption of remote cited phishing and spam as the biggest threats said they used cloud-based services. However, around US$10 million a month in scrap metals export
working spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic, a to security. they also expressed concerns around cloud- cutbacks and save thousands of local jobs.
latest report reveals. based services citing data loss and recovery,
Launching the report at a virtual meeting, managing user access to information as well as Foundry involves the conversion of scrap metal into
This comes as the prevalence of cyber secu- Liquid Intelligent Technologies, head of cy- compliance challenges when data and services viable engineering products for national development.
rity in Zimbabwe is on the increase with 82% ber security Ignus De Villiers, highlighted the reside in other jurisdiction.
of businesses saying they have experienced at- challenges of working from home, adding that Currently, the sector says industry requires at least
tacks from cybercriminals who take advantage businesses, as well as governments across the The challenge is also prevalent in Kenya 27 000 tonnes of scrap metal per month in order to ful-
of the growing digitalisation to attack digital region need a framework to strengthen their where 78% of businesses have experienced cy- fill their commitments and to operate at around 80%
infrastructure. cyber security, especially now when there is a ber security threats. This has prompted 98% capacity, but is only getting between 10 000 tonnes and
growing adoption of digitalisations. of the IT decision makers to also increase their 13 000 tonnes per month, thus enabling around 40%
The use of multiple devices from various lo- focus on ensuring security within their organ- capacity utilisation.
cations on different networks as people work “Africa needs to improve laws and regula- isations.
from home are exposing businesses to cyber tions and its cyber security posture in order Speaking to The NewsHawks this week, ZIF execu-
security threats such as data breaches. to prevent cyber-crime and sustain socio-eco- Kenya’s Richard Muthua said companies, tive secretary Reason Purazeni said several efforts in the
nomic growth. Cyber security should be at the not only in Kenya and Zimbabwe, but across past to engage the Industry and Mines ministries over
According to a Cyber Security Report 2021 centre of every business and should be a top the region were increasingly finding it difficult the matter have been in vain, leaving the sector with no
released last week, which shows the state of the priority for individuals as well. to maintain security of their data on all devices. option but to engage the MMCZ.
threat in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe,
the most common cyber security threats cited “Having a cyber security framework is crit- “This challenge does not respect where you “We are now in the process of engaging MMCZ
were malware, web-application attacks, email ical to obtain an improved posture. Two key are working from, and it is now increasing as with our issue as we have come to understand that they
phishing and impersonation, identity theft, pillars of this framework should be establishing people work from different networks and lo- are the licensing authority. It is our hope they will assist
data breaches and denial of services. an information security management system cations with the working from home initiative by not issuing export permits for scrap metal.
(ISMS) as well as cyber security resilience con- during Covid period. Businesses need to build
As a result of the threats, 93% of information trol framework which enables ISMS,” he said. security resilience,” he said. “We have not officially sat a meeting with them but
informal communication between MMCZ and our
Icaz anxious to exit hyperinflationary accounting chief operations officer has shown they are more than
ready to help on the issue and even go a step further as
ACCOUNTANTS have implored the Re- we are headed in shows that we may soon be bearing testimony to this. the foundry operation will enhance the beneficiation of
serve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to keep an back to normal reporting within the next two Mavengere recommended that between minerals,” he said.
eye on money supply growth and the efficien- to three years. We therefore implore the RBZ
cy of the forex auction system, saying these are to keep an eye on money supply growth and 40% and 50% of the country’s Special Draw- Purazeni said given that over 3 000 families are al-
key inputs into inflation as the professionals the efficiency of the auction system as these ing Rights (SDR) allocations from the Inter- ready being supported under these tight economic con-
get anxious to get out of hyperinflationary ac- are key inputs into our inflation,” he said national Monetary Fund be utilised to close ditions by local foundries who are trying their best in
counting. the backlog and shore up the forex auction. the circumstances, there is urgent need to ban exports
Mavengere said the profession has also and save the sector.
Zimbabwe adopted hyperinflationary ac- struggled with valuation of assets, for example Zimbabwe has received a US$961 million
counting in 2019, but a number of compa- properties, in local currency due to minimal SDR allocation from the IMF, with some eco- “There seems to be room for enabling some entities
nies have failed to adhere to the international voluntary transactions in Zimbabwe dollars. nomic watchers suggesting that the country to access export permits for the scrap metal either on
standards, attracting adverse audit opinions. use it to clear public debt. the pretext that the commodity has no local takers or
The gap between the official and parallel is in excess, yet in actual fact local foundries will not be
Inflation peaked at 837.5% at the end of rates has been making it difficult to perform Meanwhile, the positive 6% global eco- aware of the existence of such scrap despite that we are
last year and is now below 57% year-on-year. a valuation in foreign currency and convert nomic growth projection is expected to drive hungrily hunting for it.
However, prior periods characterised by ex- as issues of appropriateness of the chosen rate up commodity prices, and Zimbabwe, relying
cessive inflation have seen the country being come in. heavily on these exports, stands to benefit ex- “We therefore ask for a total ban on scrap metal ex-
forced to adopt the infamous IAS Internation- cept on fuel which may increase as well. ports as is the case with all our regional neighbours.
al Accounting Standard (IAS) 29 which per- Mavengere hoped voluntary transactions in Currently, Zimbabwe is the only country in the region
tains to hyperinflationary accounting. Zimdollars will increase as confidence in the However, he recommended that a very exporting scrap metal,” Purazeni said.
economy and the currency builds up and nar- deliberate and systematic shift away from ex-
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zim- rows the gap between the two rates. ports of commodities and increase focus on The ZIF top official said iron and steel scrap in South
babwe (ICAZ) technical manager Owen Ma- value addition, adding that this will protect Africa fetches an average US$167 per tonne delivered
vengere recently told a monetary policy review “This can be achieved again through the the country from global price slumps or nega- while transport to South Africa is about US$3 000 per
meeting that they were looking forward to the same measures aforementioned, on money tive shocks, as has been witnessed by the ferro- 30 tonne, translating to about US$100 per tonne.
achievement of the 25% to 35% target. supply, the efficiency of the auction and re- chrome industry in the recent past.
duced imports. These measures will reduce in- This, he said, effectively means that the net revenue
“We are equally anxious to exit hyperinfla- flation and, more critically, reduce or close the “On the impact of increases in fuel and en- to any exporter of scrap metal, before discounting for
tionary accounting. One of the key indicators gap between the two rates,” he said. ergy in general globally as the world economy labour and other costs, is about US$67 per tonne.
is three-year cumulative inflation below 100% improves, we recommend continued support
which roughly translates to no more than 30% The backlog on the auction is also seen of alternative and green energy sources. This In comparison, the average price of scrap metal in
per annum (26% to be exact) so the trajectory eroding confidence and fuel demand on the will tie into sustainability in general,” he said. Zimbabwe is US$140 per tonne collected and the price
parallel market with the widening of the gap matches the South African price, after factoring in
— STAFF WRITER parallel market losses, making the Zimbabwean price
much higher than the South African price.

Purazeni added, “What boggles the mind is that the
domestic foundry industry is able to add value on the
scrap up to six times on the lowest scale, for the domes-
tic market, while other ZIF members add value up to
28 times for the export market. The range of benefici-
ation ratios of 6 to 28 avail much more foreign curren-

cy.” — STAFF WRITER.

Page 26 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

‘Mavima presiding over useless TNF’

THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo
(ZCTU) has criticised Public Service, Labour progress be made if unions continue to abscond
and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima for said. hampering progress. the platform’s meetings?
presiding over the weakest-ever Tripartite Nego- Efforts to get a comment from Mavima over “Without evidence and verifiable facts, I am
tiating Forum (TNF). “I think trade unions are entitled to their
the allegations were fruitless. unable to reach that conclusion. What we re- own sentiment or views, but these may not be
The TNF is a social dialogue platform which However, president of the Employers’ Con- quire is sustainable engagement as TNF, but the
brings together representatives from labour, gov- unions have thwarted this by walking out of the shared by all parties to the TNF,” he said. —
ernment and business to deliberate on pressing federation of Zimbabwe Israel Murefu dis- last social dialogue platform meeting. How can
socio- economic issues bedeviling the nation. missed labour’s claims, accusing the organ of STAFF WRITER.

Speaking to The NewsHawks this week,
ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said the
platform had become very weak and was failing
to tackle critical issues.

“As far back as 1998, labour admits that there
are several ups and downs at TNF, but we see
the current one as the weakest-ever dialogue
platform. General housekeeping issues like set-
ting up of an independent secretariat are yet to
be finalised and one wonders why it has tak-
en so long despite a legislated platform being
launched two years ago,” Moyo said.

“This speaks volumes on government’s com-
mitment to make the TNF work. Apart from
this, the mismatch between wages and prices is
still rampant despite several submissions to the
platform for a lasting solution.”

The labour leader said the resuscitation of lo-
cal factories through job creation as proposed in
various policy proposals to government through
the TNF remains a pipedream. As a result, there
has been limited job creation, he said.

“For years we have seen informal sector play-
ers operating on roadsides and one really won-
ders why there hasn’t been an improvement of
such operating trends which will lead to the
transformation of the sector. So what we see is
failure to transform the landscape despite the
fact the current platform is legislated,” Moyo

SARW urges Zim to
enact enforceable local
content mining policy

SOUTHERN Africa Resources Watch (SARW) ious stages of development. build a US$12 billion economy with mining as agency makes it wholly impossible to attain the
has urged Zimbabwe to enact an enforceable lo- Great Dyke Investments, a consortium of a base without any linkage whatsoever to the lo- vision.
cal content policy for the mining sector or risk cal content strategy, which has the potential to
turning the current US$12 billion mining sector Zimbabwean and Russian investors, has since transform the biggest contributor to the econ- “Zimbabwe urgently needs to set up a vi-
strategy into a pipedream. opened two box cuts at its site in Darwendale, omy. sion on what we need from the mining sector,
near Harare, and they will be operational by strengthen administration and implement a tax
Launched in 2019, the Zimbabwe Local Con- 2023 .Under the roadmap, gold is expected to “Mining is a multi-million business which regime which creates a win-win scenario. Au-
tent Strategy aims at strengthening value chains contribute US$4 billion, platinum US$3 billion, Zimbabwe and many other African governments thorities also need to push for transformation of
and promoting locally manufactured goods and, while chrome, iron, steel, diamonds and coal, needs to control,” he said. strategic minerals on the continent by building
in the process, easing the country’s huge import among others, will contribute US$1 billion. linkages in order to maximise benefits,” he said.
bill which hovered around US$6 billion prior to Kabemba described the attainment of the cur-
the inception of the blueprint. The strategy also envisages heavy investment rent mining sector vision set for Zimbabwe as He said there is a need to draft and enforce a
in value addition in order to maximise on min- almost “impossible”, arguing that the lack of a local content policy which will help build a mid-
The strategy document also coincides with the eral potential. But speaking exclusively to The clear mining value-addition roadmap and mas- dle class and deliberate on how much revenue
ambitious target to create a US$12 billion min- NewsHawks this week, SARW executive director sive tax leakages further complicated by unnec- local mining companies should keep revenue
ing economy by 2023 which was set by President Claude Kabemba said achieving the ambitious essary rebates in the sector will complicate the outside the country.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. targets set by Zimbabwe remains a pipedream attainment of targets.
because the mining laws are not fully linked to “At least 60% of their revenue should be kept
The government contends that mining firms the local content strategy. “The current level of tax rebates the mining in our banks so that we can use it to borrow for
like Zimplats, Unki and Mimosa will expand companies are enjoying and overall lack of ca-
their operations, while new projects are at var- “It is pathetic for a government that wants to pacity to collect revenue by the government developmental projects,” he added. — STAFF

WRITER.

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 27

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

PREMIER Services Medical Aid Society (PS- PSMAS introduces scheme for
MAS) has introduced a Chronic Medicine Pro- long-term medical conditions
gramme aimed at providing crucial services to
members requiring treatment for long-term med- PSMAS head office in Harare
ical conditions.

Some of the illnesses which will be covered by
the programme include asthma, heart disease,
chronic renal, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, hyper-
tension, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis,
schizophrenia, as well as HIV and Aids.

The programme is designed to benefit both
members and beneficiaries alike. In order to ben-
efit from the programme, members with chronic
conditions would be required to register at the
nearest PSMAS branch or PSMI unit after hav-
ing provided a PSMAS membership card, nation-
al identity card and current prescription from a
doctor. Once registered on the chronic medicine
facility, one would be assured of a regular monthly
supply of registered medication and these will be
ordered and reserved for each eligible member.

The medicines will be available from the nearest
registered PSMI pharmacy or registered collection
point. This initiative also comes with extra con-
venience as members have an option of getting
medicines delivered at their door-step at no cost,
provided it is within a 20-kilometre radius.

PSMAS Managed Care director Munyaradzi
Mujuru said this initiative is one of the many
healthcare programmes the medical aid society
was seized with to improve quality of life.

“We have taken a step in bringing convenience
to our members by ensuring that all those living
with chronic conditions have access to medicines
at all times. Our aim is to improve the quality of
life and health outcomes for a variety of chronic
conditions for our members,” Mujuru said.

He also urged members to take advantage of
the initiative while also highlighting that negotia-
tions were underway, with other service providers
to register PSMAS members for this programme

In Zimbabwe, non-communicable diseases are
estimated to account for 31% of total deaths, with
diabetes, hypertension and asthma the main kill-

ers. — STAFF WRITER.

Page 28 Stock Taking NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Thursday, 02 September 2021

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Ticker Price Traded (cents) Traded
AFDIS Consumer Goods (cents) Volume Traded Change Change (%) Cap
African Sun Consumer Services AFDIS: ZH Price 7400.00
ART ASUN: ZH 7400.00 800.00 - Value ($) (cents) (%) ($m)
Ariston Industrials ARTD: ZH 800.00 - 790.00 1,800
Axia Consumer Services ARISTON: ZH 795.00 800.00 310.00 1,800 - - - 208.33 8,680.65
BNC AXIA: ZH 300.89 790.00 2000.19 14,400.00 - - 370.59 6,894.17
BAT Consumer Goods BIND: ZH 2038.18 310.00 507.44 700 14,220.00 -5.00 -0.63 65.51 3,452.12
CAFCA Basic Materials 500.00 2000.00 95000.00 51,600 9.11 3.03 131.34 5,044.93
Cassava BAT: ZH 95000.00 525.00 17000.00 795,900 2,170.00 -37.99 -1.86 118.36 10,898.92
CBZ Consumer Goods CAFCA: ZH 17000.00 1920.91 1,032,100.00 7.44 1.49 33.54 6,342.27
Dairibord Industrials 1918.60 - 7680.00 - 4,038,750.00 - - 72.73 19,601.84
Delta CSZL: ZH 8000.00 17000.00 3196.97 10,000 - - 89.10 1,484.97
Econet Technology CBZ: ZH 3499.57 1935.00 8287.74 16,400 - 2.31 0.12 195.52 49,762.66
Edgars Banking DZL: ZH 8379.56 7680.00 3529.48 132,100 1,700,000.00 -320.00 -4.00 -10.13 52,779.39
FBC 3536.82 3200.00 350.00 -302.60 -8.65 144.04 11,445.18
Fidelity Consumer Goods DLTA: ZH 350.00 8280.00 2800.00 3,300 315,030.00 -91.82 -1.10 264.28 106,452.80
First Capital Consumer Goods ECO: ZH 2800.00 3500.00 1000.00 335,700 10,145,280.00 -7.34 -0.21 273.49 91,433.89
FML Telecommunications EDGR: ZH 1000.00 308.47 - - 191.67 1,144.47
FMP Consumer Services FBC: ZH 310.00 350.00 2390.00 38,300 105,500.00 - - 86.50 18,814.60
GBH FIDL: ZH 2386.36 - 1315.00 10,000 27,821,940.00 - - 424.38 1,089.23
Getbucks Banking FCA: ZH 1320.00 - 187.51 -1.53 -0.49 180.43 6,652.83
Hippo Financial Services FMHL: ZH 187.50 815.00 - 1,351,790.00 3.64 0.15 127.62 16,494.42
Innscor FMP: ZH 815.00 300.00 18200.00 - 35,000.00 -5.00 -0.38 305.86 16,281.77
Lafarge Banking GBH: ZH 18200.00 2390.00 10096.67 133,500 - 0.01 0.01 681.29 1,006.16
Mash Financial Services GBFS: ZH 9055.77 1315.00 9400.00 100 - - - 6420.00 9,479.41
Masimba HIPO: ZH 9400.00 187.50 261.03 200 - - 102.22 35,129.74
Medtech Real Estate INN: ZH 292.35 3699.81 3,900 411,807.00 1040.90 11.49 172.67 57,023.61
Meikles Industrials LACZ: ZH 3700.00 - 25.05 - 2,390.00 - - 879.17 7,520.00
Nampak MASH: ZH 26.15 - 8994.81 - 2,630.00 -31.32 -10.71 180.68 4,852.74
NatFoods Financial Services MSHL: ZH 8800.00 10100.00 1300.00 3,000 7,313.00 -0.19 -0.01 230.34 8,940.73
NTS Consumer Goods MMDZ: ZH 1300.00 9400.00 52000.00 1,000 - -1.10 -4.21 217.09
NMBZ MEIK: ZH 52000.00 270.00 900.00 218,300 - 194.81 2.21 308.77 761.46
OK Zim Industrials NPKZ: ZH 1080.00 3700.00 1507.66 2,700 - - 469.55 22,725.03
Proplastics Industrials NTFD: ZH 1400.00 25.00 1585.89 55,100 302,900.00 - - 765.22
RTG Real Estate NTS: ZH 1543.68 8800.00 2800.00 15,400 94,000.00 -180.00 -16.67 3178.69 9,823.43
RioZim Industrials NMB: ZH 2800.00 - 515.00 - 107.66 7.69 276.87 35,568.06
SeedCo Healthcare OKZ: ZH 510.10 52000.00 2800.00 800 569,835.00 42.21 2.73 76.21
Simbisa Industrials PROL: ZH 2800.00 900.00 7500.00 2,600 99,895.00 - - 225.21 2,284.85
Star Africa Industrials RTG: ZH 7699.74 1600.00 3806.71 24,800 13,801.60 4.90 0.96 168.58 6,093.53
Truworths Consumer Goods RIOZ: ZH 3984.60 1600.00 185.83 241,100 - - 87.27 19,773.08
TSL Industrials SEED: ZH 183.43 2800.00 195.00 100 1,385,200.00 -199.74 -2.59 226.09 7,054.20
Turnall SIM: ZH 195.00 515.00 4888.53 200 - -177.89 -4.46 216.75 12,851.80
Unifreight Banking SACL: ZH 4888.53 - 390.00 - 2.40 1.31 588.26 3,416.83
Willdale Consumer Services TRUW: ZH 389.89 7500.00 3000.00 200 416,000.00 - - 561.02 3,220.69
ZB TSL: ZH 3000.00 3800.00 290.68 49,400 23,400.00 - - 183.39 21,400.74
Zeco Industrials TURN: ZH 317.67 195.00 8000.00 296,200 0.11 0.03 319.35 8,762.04
Zimpapers Consumer Services UNIF: ZH 8000.00 195.00 116,900 373,900.00 - - 16029.03
Zimplow WILD: ZH - 0.12 - 3,823,585.00 -26.99 -8.50 808.38 748.93
ZHL Basic Materials ZBFH: ZH 0.06 390.00 250.19 32,400 - - 233.33 17,457.06
TOTAL Consumer Goods ZECO: ZH 254.32 - 1600.00 - 2,800.00 0.06 100.00 500.00
Consumer Goods ZIMP: ZH 1593.33 300.00 391.68 130,300 1,030.00 -4.13 -1.62 155.30 1,922.86
Consumer Goods ZIMPLOW: ZH 391.68 - - 6.67 0.42 220.00 3,194.23
Consumer Services ZHL: ZH 0.12 100 - - - 24.94 5,168.29
Consumer Goods 250.00 20,800 15,000.00 14,015.25
1600.00 300 1,880,515.00
Industrials - - 550,434.00 0.56
Industrials 2,747,000 227,955.00 1,441.09
Industrials 3,814.09
- 7,123.31
Banking 126,360.00 767,324.93
Industrials
Consumer Services -
Industrials 378,750.00
Financial Services
-
0.12
52,040.00
4,800.00

-
57,342,520.72

ETFs OMTT.zw 253.00 253.00 253.01 20,400 51,614.00 0.01 0.00 152.45 202.41

Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF

FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 7000.00 7000.00 -- - 164.15 5,810.82

Old Mutual Zimbabwe

VFEX (US cents) Consumer Goods PHL:VX - -- US$m
Consumer Goods SCIL:VX 18.00 25.50 18.00 - - -50.00 31.53
Padenga 25.50 25.50 - -- - 41.67 61.49
SeedCo International

Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
ZSE All Share 6,593.24 +0.07 6,588.74 +150.75 Zeco 0.12c +0.06c +100.00 +500.00
Top 10 3,561.80 +0.58 3,541.33 +115.28 Innscor +11.49 +172.67
Top 15 4,074.35 +0.57 4,051.07 +109.15 NMBZ 10096.67c +1040.90c +276.87
Small Cap -0.19 225,577.00 +1795.74 Ariston 1507.66c +107.66c +7.69 +131.34
Medium Cap 225,141.31 -0.66 16,987.67 +203.29 OK Zim 310.00c +9.11c +3.03 +76.21
16,876.20 1585.89c +42.21c +2.73

Top 5 Fallers Price Change % YTD %
NTS
Mash 900.00c -180.00c -16.67 +3178.69
Dairibord 261.03c -31.32c -10.71 +180.68
Willdale 3196.97c -8.65 +144.04
Simbisa 290.68c -302.60c -8.50 +808.38
3806.71c -26.99c -4.46 +216.75

-177.89c

SALES & TRADING: Davide Muchengi: [email protected] | Lungani Nyamazana: [email protected] | Tatenda Jasi: [email protected]

RESEARCH: Batanai Matsika: [email protected] | Precious Chagwedera: [email protected] | Tafara Mtutu: [email protected]

Tel: (+263) 08677008101-2 | Email: [email protected] | Address: 1st Floor, Block D, Smatsatsa Office Park, Borrowdale, Harare

MORGAN & COMPANY has issued this document for distribution to its clients. It may not be reproduced or further distributed in whole or in part for any purpose. This document is not and should not be construed as
an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe to any investment. MORGAN & COMPANY has based this document on information obtained from sources it believes to be reliable but which it

has not independently verified; MORGAN & COMPANY makes no guarantee, representation or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability as to the accuracy or completeness of its content.

NewsHawks News Analysis Page 29

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

PALESA MUWANI $60 million windfall to Mwonzora
gives away Mnangagwa’s game plan
THE swift allocation of funds under
the Political Parties Finance Act to the be counted for the purpose of section heavily on any attempts by the opposi- may have a rude surprise,” she point- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora.
Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC- T by (158 (3) of the Constitution,” Statuto- tion to hold demonstrations, with pro- ed out on Twitter. “Many of us prefer that if you are politically aligned you
the government clearly reveals the aim ry Instrument 225A of 2020 reads. testers either being beaten up severely policies, projection and strategies to are either Zanu PF or MDC Alliance
by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s or jailed. The Mnangagwa regime mumbo jumbo in this tweet. It is very led by Chamisa. I don’t think Zanu PF
ruling Zanu PF to decimate the MDC Analysts say the move is also meant accuses the MDC Alliance of trying discouraging. How can silence factual- will succeed in changing the allegianc-
Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa, which to dash Chamisa’s hope of reclaiming to use demonstrations as a tactic for ly be golden? This isn’t a poetry slam.” es of the MDC Alliance supporters.
finds itself in sixes and sevens as the the seats it lost as a result of the recalls. overthrowing a constitutionally elected The two-party landscape is unlikely to
2023 general election nears. government. MDC Alliance party structures in change.”
Given that the Covid-19-induced Bulawayo have also been hard hit by
The allocation of nearly ZW$60 mil- ban on by-elections is indefinite, this This has resulted in the assault and infighting. This has resulted in the par- Masunungure however warned Cha-
lion to Mwonzora at the expense will also hamper the MDC Alliance’s abduction of opposition members and ty setting up a commission to probe misa against complacency and taking
of the MDC Alliance follows a Su- impact as an opposition party with the even comedians have not been spared the infighting. It has recommended his support base for granted, adding
preme Court ruling which recognised harmonised elections in 2023 looming. the state’s vicious crackdown. that the party’s provincial executive be that he should change the name of the
Thokozani Khupe as the legitimate dissolved and replaced by a four-mem- party.
successor of the late founding MDC However, this has not stopped Zanu Several MDC Alliance officials have ber interim committee, further weak-
leader Morgan Tsvangirai and interim PF from its restructuring process ahead been arrested, including the party’s ening its ability to focus on stemming “Chamisa and his party should not
leader of the party. of its congress next month. vice-chairperson Job Sikhala, spokes- the government-sponsored tide against sit on their laurels and this is where the
person Fadzai Mahere, Harare West it. The propping up of Mwonzora by issue of the party name comes in. I’m
The ruling last year determined that In plans to further stifle the oppo- MP Joana Mamombe and Biti, with Mnangagwa to weaken Chamisa will on record as having said that the par-
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chami- sition, the government is looking to some of them still fighting their cases have very little impact in terms of the ty is better but off without that MDC
sa’s rise to the party’s presidency was introduce the Patriotic Bill. in court. country’s political dynamics, according tag. It has no value addition. It may
irregular. Khupe then lost the party to political analyst Eldred Masunun- be historically relevant, but in these
leadership to Mwonzora during an The proposed law will criminalise The MDC ‘s response to the govern- gure. times of fights over the nomenclature
extraordinary congress held in Harare and impose stiff penalties on private ment-sponsored assault leaves a lot to of the party and so on it is a distrac-
earlier this year.  correspondence by “self-serving citi- be desired with seemingly no co-ordi- “The Zanu PF government has mul- tion.” “Chamisa should take advantage
zens” with foreign governments or any nated response on the ground to match tiple agendas and has clearly identified of his enormous political charisma to
At least 80 councillors have also officer or agent.  its rhetoric that it will successfully its old enemy the MDC Alliance as its come up with a new name and within
been recalled by the MDC-T, drastical- counter Mnangagwa’s tactics to weaken chief rival and it would like to deci- weeks and months all his supporters
ly weakening its control of city councils The Bill “prohibits any Zimbabwean the opposition ahead of the watershed mate it but simultaneously appearing will know that the MDC Alliance is for
in various cities. citizen from wilfully communicating elections in 2023. to be bolstering the MDC-T led by Mwonzora and this is our new name.
messages intended to harm the image Mwonzora clearly knowing it has no The sooner he does that, the better.”
To further degrade the opposition and reputation of the country on in- Nothing illustrates this more than a ghost of a chance to posing any threat
party, six MDC Alliance members of ternational platforms or engaging with tweet by the opposition party in July to Zanu PF,” Masunungure said. He said the Chamisa-led opposition
Parliament including its vice-president foreign countries with the intention this year when it said that it had what outfit should strengthen its grassroots,
Tendai Biti were recalled in March this of communicating messages intended amounts to “silent strategies” to deal “The recent report by research think- describing it as “woefully deficient” in
year. to harm the country’s positive image with the government-sponsored at- tank Afrobarometer has clearly shown terms of strategy.
and/or to under its integrity and rep- tacks against them. that there are only two main parties in
The lower House announced the re- utation”. Zimbabwe, which are Zanu PF and the “The MDC Alliance has grassroots
call of six key legislators at the behest of This drew widespread condemna- Chamisa-led MDC Alliance and that througout the country, but they are
little-known Benjamin Rukanda, who This is in response to the severe tion, including a sharp rebuke from is likely to remain despite a bonanza shallow. The challenge is to strengthen
purported to be secretary-general of global condemnation of the Zimba- prominent author and government given to MDC-T. It is now embed- its grassroots to be effective and cred-
the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). bwean government after the successful critic Tsitsi Dangarembga. ded in the country’s political psyche ible to be able to dislodge Zanu PF.
However, Biti appealed the court rul- #ZimbabweanLivesMatter social me- Zanu PF has deep roots; that’s the dif-
ing. His recall has since been reversed, dia campaign driven by the opposition “I really hope you don’t expect the ference.”
although his return to Parliament still and civil society activists. nation to evaluate on silence. If so you
faces obstruction. Mwonzora has also
moved to take over the name and sym- Mnangagwa’s regime has descended
bols of the MDC Alliance.

The lack of funding for the Cha-
misa-led opposition party will further
cripple its activities at a time the party
has already been struggling financial-
ly as evidenced by its failure to field
polling agents in all the constituencies
during the disputed 2018 harmonised
elcetions which Mnangagwa won by a
wafer-thin 50.6%. It is also shown by
its continued failure to set up grass-
roots structures countrywide, which
has proved costly at election time and
could return to haunt the party come
2023.

The MDC Alliance led by Chami-
sa finds itself not only without fund-
ing but also without its headquarters,
which was taken over by MDC-T with
the help of security forces last year. The
party has resorted to begging for funds
from its members as it battles to stay
afloat.

Efforts by the party to reintegrate
and increase its support base has been
stifled by the government’s weaponis-
ing of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice-President Constantino Chi-
wenga, who is also Health minister,
late last year banned the holding of
by-elections to fill vacancies in Parlia-
ment and local authorities for as long
as Covid-19 remains a formidable ep-
idemic.

Chiwenga promulgated a statuto-
ry instrument amending the Public
Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Con-
tainment and Treatment) Regulations
to enforce the ban.

This was after the Zimbabwe Elec-
toral Commission had announced that
by-elections would be held in Decem-
ber last year.

“These regulations may be cited as
the Public Health (Covid-19 Preven-
tion, Containment and Treatment
(Amendment) Regulations pursuant
to subsection (2), the holding of any
by-election to fill a casual vacancy in
Parliament or in local authority is for
the duration of the period of the dec-
laration of Covid-19 as a formidable
epidemic disease, suspended, and if
such vacancy occurred while such dec-
laration is in force, no part of the pe-
riod from the date of such vacancy to
the date of the end of declaration shall

Page 30 The Big Debate NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

TATENDA MAZARURA/ Zambia election: The good,
ARNOLD TSUNGA the bad and the ugly of it

THE recently concluded election in Supporters of Zambian president-elect Hakainde Hichilema celebrate his victory in Lusaka on 15 August 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE / STR
Zambia was a breath of fresh air for
a region battered by disputed and tain and consolidate power. rainy season. From a target of nine (largely deceased) voters  according rivals.  Opposition and civil society
deadly violent electoral cycles. Notwithstanding the odds, the de- million voters, the ECZ managed to to the African Union Election Ob- groups accused the Zambian police
register just over seven million (w​​ hich servation Mission to the elections in of bias and selective application of the
This article celebrates the Zambian termination of Zambians to have a is about  83.5% of projected eligible Zambia. law. The police often used the contro-
election not just because of its out- final say in the elections was remark- persons), despite an additional esti- versial Public Order Act to suppress
come, but because the collective will able and a lesson to all who live under mated 4 million new eligible voters The Constitutional Court’s deci- opposition meetings or demonstra-
of the people ultimately prevailed, repressive systems reminding the op- having turned 18 since 2016. sion to  officially validate  President tions.
and because the Zambian experience pressed people of Nelson Mandela’s Edgar Lungu’s bid to seek a  conten-
provides useful lessons on the expan- remarks that “it always seems impos- The opposition was worried the tious third term did not sit well with In June, Amnesty Internation-
sion of electoral democracy in Afri- sible until it is done”. registration process favoured provinc- most Zambians who felt a breach of al outlined how censorship, excessive
ca. Democracy cannot be taken for The bad and the ugly: A tainted es that were strongholds for president the  Constitution of Zambia, which use of force by the police, arbitrary
granted. Sadly, elections in Africa are electoral process to favour the Lungu in the 2016 elections. Univer- limits presidents to only two terms in arrests and detention had created a
rarely about the will of the electorate, incumbent sity of Zambia researcher and lecturer office. climate of fear and impunity. Public
but the will of the incumbent. As many Zambians have expressed, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa warned that the meetings by political opposition and
the stakes were very high for a variety creation of a new voters’ roll was part The  Electoral Process (Amend- civil society were largely restricted on
Against formidable odds, on of reasons. The playing field was un- of a deliberate strategy by President ment) Act no 32 of 2021, which made the grounds of public security or
Tuesday 24 August 2021, presi- even in many ways. Lungu to rig the elections. it illegal for any entity other than the managing the spread of Covid-19, a
dent-elect Hakainde Hichilema of ECZ to announce and declare elec- move  described by analysts  as a bid
the United Party for National De- There was initial concern that the That the ECZ also refused to make tion results was dimly viewed, draw- to curtail the  opposition’s  ability to
velopment (UPND) was sworn in as Electoral Commission of Zambia the voters’ roll available for an inde- ing some criticism from leading aca- campaign. This included demonstra-
Zambia’s seventh president. Hichile- (ECZ) had decided to undertake pendent audit did not help. The Af- demics  Nic Cheeseman,,  Dr Nicole tions  or party meetings even in  pri-
ma  won  the August 12 Presidential a  fresh registration of voters  instead rican Union Election Observation Beardsworth, and O’Brien Kaaba, of vate homes.
Election by a resounding 59.4% of of updating and cleaning up the old Mission’s Preliminary Findings, not- criminalizing alternative results re-
the vote against President Edgar Lun- voters’ roll. Both opposition and ed reports of inadequate consultation porting. In its preliminary report, the Euro-
gu of the Patriotic Front (PF) who civil society groups raised concern and provision of information by ECZ pean Union election observer mission
obtained 38.3%. over the  quality of the voters’ roll, in the implementation of key elector- In the run up to the elections con- described the process as technically
the short registration period and the al processes concluding that it under- cern was also raised of  increased  au- well-managed but “marred by un-
President Lungu conceded, despite risk of disenfranchisement of eligible mined public trust and confidence in thoritarianism and the use of the equal campaign conditions, restric-
feeble attempts to discredit the out- voters. Only 38 days were allocated the ECZ. In its own defence the ECZ ruling Patriotic Front’s youth militias tions on freedoms of assembly and
come during the tense counting/tab- to register voters in the middle of the argued that the old voters roll was (“cadres”), intelligence services, po- movement, and abuse of incumben-
ulation phase.  outdated with over  1.4million ghost lice and military loyalists to  intimi- cy.”
date President Edgar Lungu’s political
Zambia is among the few countries
in Africa which boast peaceful trans-
fer of power following democratic
elections. Zambia and Malawi are
the countries that have successfully
managed to peacefully transfer power
from the governing party to the op-
position following tense presidential
and parliamentary elections in South-
ern Africa. Zambia’s groundbreaking
transfer of power in 1991 when the
late liberation movement giant, Ken-
neth Kaunda conceded defeat to an
opposition led by Frederick Chiluba
who had no history of participating
in the liberation struggle is the foun-
dation of this culture of change.

Despite having established a rep-
utation as  one of Africa’s stable de-
mocracies, with regular elections and
peaceful transfers of power, the 2021
election was marred by serious irreg-
ularities. Fears emerged of a repeat of
the disputed 2016 poll. Concern was
also raised about a possible outbreak
of violence and political unrest in the
post-election period.

Such was the scale of democra-
cy backsliding and rise of autocratic
practices during the last days of pres-
ident Lungu’s tenure that in 2020,
the  Varieties of Democracy Project
(V-dem), a leading source of infor-
mation on indicators of democratic
progress or regression,  noted with
concern  that Zambia had registered
a remarkably rapid decline in the
quality of democracy since the last
election.

Amnesty International also report-
ed that Zambia was on “the brink of
a human rights crisis,” alleging that
President Edgar Lungu was using re-
pressive tactics to win another term
in office.

Zambia seemed to be decidedly
on an election path similar to Ugan-
da,  Guinea,  Ivory Coast  and  Tanza-
nia, where the elections were sham
and Covid-19 regulatory framework
was used to lock democracy and try
to prolong the stay in power of the
incumbent.

It was clear that President Lungu
was in a mode of power as an end in
itself and therefore at any cost. Elec-
tions were a mere instrument to re-

NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 31

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

The good: The forces that com- • may have faced, the credibility strong men: Dr Phillan Zam- • youth participation is key for private networks (VPNs) to
bined to save Zambia’s election of the electoral outcome was chiya, a senior researcher and all African elections given that circumvent the restrictions
Although the atmosphere pervading not undermined. Even with an • the Southern Africa coordina- they constitute the majority in on the internet. On the other
the election was tense with wide- untransparent and uncommu- tor at the Institute for Poverty, virtually all states. In Zambia hand, Chapter One Founda-
spread violence, and the electoral nicative election management Land and Agrarian Studies ar- 53% of voters were women tion, an independent organ-
commission was adjudged biased, body, it is possible with long gues  that what enabled the while 54% were youths. The isation approached the High
Zambians demonstrated resoluteness term observation and Parallel smooth transfer of power was youth and women are leaders Court the  High Court of
and responsibility in the way they Voter Tabulation (PVT) to not just the goodwill of Pres- of today and their voices must Zambia  which ordered Pres-
participated and managed the elec- guarantee procedural certain- ident Edgar Lungu, but also be heard across the whole of ident Edgar Lungu to restore
tions at a time when the playing field ty that increases the chances the professional and indepen- Africa. This is very consis- internet services to the pop-
was heavily skewed against the op- of heavily contested elections dent conduct of state institu- tent with the African Union ulace as digital rights are hu-
position. The electorate did not only even in toxic and hostile en- tions such as the military. The Agenda 2063 that aspires for man rights.
go out to vote in large numbers but vironments producing out- military’s non-involvement a people centred Africa where • Issue Politics Matter –  Af-
they took it upon themselves to pro- comes that are not contested. in civilian political processes the authority to govern comes rican politics and electoral
tect and defend their vote. They held Zambia re-confirmed that has been a critical factor in from the will of the people ex- outcomes have been associ-
state institutions such as the compro- election observation by both ensuring peaceful transitions ercised in free, fair and genu- ated with and shaped by race
mised ECZ to account, leaving them local and international com- from one leadership to the ine elections. and ethnicity for a long time.
with no choice but to demonstrate munity matters. other. The ECZ must also Elections are possible during The Zambian elections like
some degree of professionalism and Effective Results Manage- be applauded for upholding Covid-19 – This election wit- the Malawi elections that re-
independence at a crucial stage of the ment Systems  – Investment the tenets of democracy and nessed a higher  voter turn- moved President Mutharika
electoral process. in PVT systems is key in transparent elections. out  of 70.8% than the  2016 demonstrated that real life
protecting the vote.  Chris- Empowered citizenry  – The poll’s  56.45% despite being bread and butter  issues and
We look at how Zambia raised the tian Churches Monitoring Zambian election clearly held amid the Covid-19 pan- accountable governance mat-
bar in terms of election results man- Group (CCMG), a leading demonstrated that it is not demic. Like Malawi, Zambia ter. The economy took center
agement, democratic transition, and local election observation or- just about strong institutions demonstrates to its neigh- stage in this election.
citizen participation. ganization,  reported  that PF but also about an empow- bours and the whole of Afri- President Lungu was punished for
and UNDP had party agents ered citizenry that is ready to ca that Covid-19 cannot stop economic mismanagement including
• Effective electoral gover- at 98% and 99% of polling actively participate in demo- electoral democracy. It is dic- state capture, serial grand corruption
nance – Prior to the election, stations during the counting cratic processes by registering tators and autocrats who are and patronage that has become a phe-
stakeholders in several quar- of ballot papers. This allowed to vote, turning out to vote in abusing Covid-19 measures to nomenon in many African countries. 
ters queried the capacity and them to monitor the entire large numbers and willing to suspend elections and prolong Many  contend  that the vote may
neutrality of the ECZ.  De- voting process. Democracy defend and protect the vote. their stay in power as  previ- have been a protest against the state
spite administrative and logis- needs strong institutions not In particular women and ously condemned by the UN of the economy, high cost of living,
tical challenges that the ECZ High Commissioner when and high unemployment among the
she said Covid-19 “should not youth, palpable inequality, and per-
• be a weapon governments can vasive corruption. This protest vote
wield to quash dissent, control would not have happened if the op-
• the population, and even per- position UPND was not organised
petuate their time in power”.  and presented as a government in
ADVERT Inclusion and respect for the waiting and therefore a viable polit-
SPACE right to vote – Following the ical option to the governance crisis.
Constitutional Court ruling This is a lesson also to African opposi-
To place your booking contact in 2017 (216/CC/0013) to tion parties to give the electorate gen-
Charmaine on 0735 666 122 uphold the prisoners’ right uine options based on issue politics.
Email- [email protected] to vote, about 20,000 eligible The power of strong institutions and
Land line- (0242) 721 144/5 inmates were registered and an alert citizenry to act as guardrails
allowed to vote in the 2021 against undemocratic politicians was
The NewsHawks @NewsHawksLive www.newshawks.com [email protected] elections. Efforts by the Zam- demonstrated in the Zambian elec-
bian authorities to enfranchise tion.
prisoners  must be applauded
and emulated. The rest of Af- Elections matter
rica has something to emulate The recently concluded election in
and build on to include such Zambia serves as a breath of fresh
excluded or marginalised pop- air for a region battered by disputed
ulations as the diaspora, the and deadly violent electoral cycles.
hospitalised, people with dis- Despite a number of concerns that
abilities and key populations blighted the process, specifically the
like the LGBTIQ community. abuse of the power of incumbency by
Defending civic space and President Lungu and his party,  the
human rights and democ- collective will of the people ultimate-
racy activists is key –  Long ly prevailed. Two factors eventually
term observation of Zambian proved decisive: strong and reasonably
elections demonstrated that independent institutions and a politi-
committed autocrats will re- cally conscious electorate determined
lentlessly constrict online and to participate in electoral democracy.
offline civic space and weap- President Lungu was left with no op-
onise the legal system to per- tion but accepting defeat once pres-
petuate their stay in power. sure on the ECZ to announce correct
The power of the internet and results was insurmountable as a result
social media has lately become of election observation and moni-
a nightmare for authoritarian toring supported by a well executed
regimes even as they resort to PVT process. Ultimately the lesson to
limit or shut down internet Africa is that procedural certainty and
services. President Lungu like outcome uncertainty should be the
autocrats elsewhere besides driving philosophy for African elec-
resorting to arrest of human tions. Elections remain the only way
rights defenders and legitimate in which societies have opportunities
political opponents also shut- for peaceful transfer of power from
down the internet to create an one leader to another. People should
artificial blackout of informa- never allow anyone to destroy their
tion during elections.  Several confidence and belief in the power
social media sites and popu- of their vote. Zambia is testimony to
lar chat apps like Whatsapp that. — Africa Defenders.
were down and Facebook
confirmed it was among the *About the writers: Arnold Tsun-
sites impacted. Programmes ga is a human rights lawyer and the
to protect activists and build chairperson of the SAHRDN; Ta-
their resilience including dig- tenda Mazarura is a Woman Hu-
ital resilience paid off.  Zam- man Rights Defender, a professional
bians  turned to  using virtual rapporteur and an election expert.

Page 32 Critical Thinking NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

International Day of Victims of Enforced
Disappearances: From Sithole to Dzamara
Since the colonial times, Zimbabwe has
experienced abductions and enforced
disappearances, with devastating con-
sequences for the victims, their families
and communities.

From the seizure and disappear-
ance for good of Zanu nationalist Ed-
ison sithole and his secretary Miriam
Mhlanga in October 1975 in Salis-
bury to the grabbing of the Silobela
11 about 10 years later, in January
1985, to the abduction in Harare of
journalist-cum-activist Itai Dzamara
in March 2015, the country has been
gripped by relentless state terror, ab-
ductions and killings which to this day
remain a festering wound on the con-
science of the nation.

Before Independence in 1980, about
90  years of colonial rule caused great
injustices and suffering. 

In particular, the 1970s  liberation
struggle cost the lives of possibly 30 000
people. There were other costs to this
war. 

Thousands lost property, livestock
and suffered permanent injuries. Thou-
sands more gave up their opportunity to
get an education, or were forced to live
for years in protected villages. 

Sadly for many Zimbabweans, 41
years after Independence, the suffer-
ing, including abductions and enforced
disappearances, continues unabated in
many ways.

VERITAS

What are enforced disappearances? Prominent Zanu nationalist Edison Sithole who disappeared from Harare in October 1975.
ACCORIDNG to the Declaration
on the Protection of All Persons from tain circumstances, enforced disap- Disappearances is indispensable in • The freedom of assembly and whether short or long term.   ­We can-
Enforced Disappearance, proclaimed pearance also qualifies as considered helping to tackle this cowardly prac- association under section 58 not claim to have turned over a new
by the United Nations General As- a crime against humanity, justiciable tice. But it requires the will and com- leaf without having told the truth of
sembly on 18 December 1992, en- under the International Criminal mitment of those with the power to • The freedom of conscience disappearances inflicted in the past.
forced disappearances occur when: Court.  do so. under section 60
Today, more than ever, players
“persons are arrested, detained or The UN secretary-general’s mes- States must fulfil their obligations • The freedom of expression such as the National Peace and Rec-
abducted against their will or other- sage on the occasion of the 2021 In- to prevent enforced disappearance, to and freedom of media under onciliation Commission, civil soci-
wise deprived of their liberty by offi- ternational Day is as follows: search for the victims, and to inves- section 61 ety organisations, activists and other
cials of different branches or levels of UN Secretary-General’s message tigate, prosecute and punish the per- human rights advocates must push
government, or by organised groups 2021 petrators. On this nternational Day, I •  The right to a fair hearing un- for the adoption of the Internation-
or private individuals acting on be- reiterate my call to all States to ratify der section 69 al Convention for the Protection of
half of, or with the support, direct or Enforced disappearance – while the Convention and to work with All Persons from Enforced Disap-
indirect, consent or acquiescence of strictly prohibited under internation- the United Nations Committee and The act of enforced disappearance pearances by Zimbabwe. Enforced
the government, followed by a refusal al human rights law in all circum- Working Group on Enforced Disap- is a violent act with a blatant disre- disappearances must stop being used
to disclose the fate or whereabouts of stances – continues to be used across pearances. spect and disregard of the Constitu- as a political tactic to silence those
the persons concerned or a refusal to the world as a method of repression, tion. There is no other crime that cuts that oppose or expose information
acknowledge the deprivation of their terror, and stifling dissent. Together, we can and we must end across the Bill of Rights as does this unpopular with the perpetrator.  The
liberty, which places such persons all enforced disappearances.” one.  The rights that are affected by world over, it has been said that it will
outside the protection of the law.” Paradoxically, it is sometimes used enforced disappearances are all rights take true leadership to halt such an
under the pretext of countering crime There is no Zimbabwean law that that are fundamental to a democrat- arbitrary practice.
Zimbabwe’s history – before and or terrorism. Lawyers, witnesses, po- directly criminalises an enforced dis- ic and constitutionally-led country. Conclusion
after Independence in 1980 – in- litical opposition, and human rights appearance as such.   Constitutional- There are very few crimes as chilling As we commemorate this day, we
cludes many  instances  of enforced defenders are particularly at risk. ly, however, an enforced disappear- and with such adverse effects as en- stand with all families and commu-
disappearances.  This is true, not only ance breaches the following rights: forced disappearances.  They not only nities affected by all enforced disap-
when president Robert Mugabe was Enforced disappearance deprives affect the immediate families and pearances in this country, whether
in power, but since the dawn of the families and communities of the right • The right to life under section communities but also the generations the victims are well-known or known
Second Republic.  This particular bad to know the truth about their loved 48 to come. Families suffer mixed emo- to and remembered by only a few. 
habit of the coloniser seems to have ones, of accountability, justice and tions of hope and fear and the disap-
appealed to and been enthusiastically reparation. The Covid-19 pandemic • The right to personal liberty peared one is often the bread-winner, Justice denied is no justice at all. 
adopted by the liberators as a measure has added to the agony and anguish under section 49 which makes it difficult for those left May those who know the truth be
to be used against those who dissent of enforced disappearance, by limit- behind to fend for themselves and bold enough to serve justice and re-
from the policies of the ruling party.  ing capacities to search for missing • The right to human dignity have the means to fight for the truth. veal the truth for the sake of closure
It is encouraged and supported by the persons and investigate alleged en- under section 51 for those left behind.
still-prevalent culture of impunity for forced disappearance. We cannot claim to be a new dis-
such conduct.  • The right to personal security pensation with a respect for the rule
Enforced disappearances law The Convention for the Protec- under section 52 of law when Zimbabweans are still
There is a UN Convention on the tion of all Persons Against Enforced at risk of enforced disappearances –
Protection of All Persons from En- • The freedom from torture or
forced Disappearance, dating from cruel, inhuman or degrading
2006.    Zimbabwe has neither signed treatment under section 53
nor acceded to the convention.  The
convention treats as victims not only
those who have been “disappeared”
but also their families and communi-
ties because they have to deal with the
after effects of losing someone and
having closure. The convention fur-
ther makes enforced disappearance
an international crime. Under cer-

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 33

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Cries from community: Listening
to the people of Cabo Delgado

GREGORY PIRIO/ROBERT PITTELLI/
YUSUF ADAM

STABILISING northern Mozambique A displaced family in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Photo: UNHCR
will involve more than defeating violent
extremists. It will also require rebuilding also lamented the loss of their agricul- reported that men found in Cabo Delga- obtain payment. outreach, being heard, reassured, and re-
trust with marginalised and traumatised tural lands, which they have abandoned do villages by security forces were rounded The popular belief in the economic spected by government authorities at all
local communities. due to the violence. These local residents up and held in military detention without levels. Seeing the conflict through the eyes
are now left without the means to sustain due process. Security forces arriving in vil- motives for driving the population from of local communities, in turn, is  critical
Mozambique’s northernmost province livelihoods as well as a direct connection to lages several hours after an insurgent attack their land underscores the local popula- for trust building  and facilitating the es-
of Cabo Delgado has been plagued by the their culturally important ancestral places. reportedly arrest young men and others tion’s distrust of government, suspicion of tablishment of meaningful and productive
rise of violent extremism since 2017. More These survivors were obliged to settle on who refuse to cooperate with them. These Mozambicans from the southern part of community-government engagements.
than 3 300 people have reportedly been lands traditionally held by other people, heavy-handed security responses, in turn, the country, and perceptions of unfairness
killed by Ahlu Sunnah wa Jama’a (ASWJ), which has profound implications in the are linked to further ASWJ recruitment. in Mozambique’s land tenure system that Such engagements will also help ensure
often in ways intended to shock and ter- customary socio-economic caste hierarchy. leaves them vulnerable to losing their land. that community-defined priorities are
rorize local communities. More than two- Many of the people interviewed believe met. Community participatory approach-
thirds of ASWJ violence targets civilians, “This analysis draws from interviews that the violence has been deliberately de- Under law, the state is owner of the es will also contribute to greater commu-
distinguishing the violent extremist ac- with 65 IDPs in relocation settlements in signed to remove them from their lands. land and citizens are mere occupants with nity ownership  of economic and devel-
tivity in Mozambique even among other Pemba and Mecúfi Districts. Many de- Poignantly, in January 2019, escalating the right of usage and improvement of opment processes, reinforcing a sense of
militant Islamist groups in Africa. The vio- scribed what they have experienced as a machababos attacks and harsh security re- land. In practice, according to a USAID self-efficacy within targeted communities.
lence in Cabo Delgado has also generated kind of genocide.” sponses led residents to take to the streets assessment, smallholder “land rights re-
over 800 000 internally displaced persons in the city of Palma. Among other griev- main vulnerable to capture by elites who These techniques are commonly used
(IDPs), out of a total provincial popula- Many IDPs fear they are becoming epo- ances, protesters claimed the ASWJ attacks often enjoy state support on the grounds in the fields of public health, climate
tion of 2.3 million. thas (descendants of slaves), limiting their were supported by powerful Mozambican that they have greater capacity than small- change adaptation, resource management,
rights to own land. Epothas must work figures to drive local inhabitants off their holders to bring unused resources into and more.   Sincere dialogues with com-
“The violent extremist threat in north- as sharecroppers on the land possessed by land. The local communities believe that production. munity stakeholders hold the potential for
ern Mozambique exploits underlying so- others, to whom they must pay a part of these politically well-connected actors will restoring trust in a population that feels
cietal vulnerabilities of inequity, insecure each crop as rent. Well into the 19th cen- then claim possession of and profit from These conditions make it difficult for neglected and abused, and will potentially
land rights, and distrust of authorities.” tury, what is now northern Mozambique the land, which has been increasing in communities and individual landholders help promote a sense of hope in a popula-
had been a point for the shipment of slaves value due to the vast foreign investments lacking formal land documentation to de- tion traumatised by conflict.
The risk of violence in northern Mo- to Zanzibar, the Comoros, Somalia, Cape being made in Cabo Delgado to exploit its fend their land rights against third parties,
zambique spreading to other parts of the Colony in modern-day South Africa, and mineral and petroleum resources. make long-term investments in their land, “Sincere dialogues with community
country and southern Africa has prompt- beyond. Along the coastal regions, slavery or meaningfully engage in negotiations stakeholders hold the potential for restor-
ed a series of external commitments to was also an institution. With the ending “Smuggling networks of heroin, rubies, with the private sector.” ing trust in a population that feels neglect-
assist the Mozambican government in its of slavery, many of these former slaves be- gold, timber, wildlife, and migrants … are ed and abused.”
fight against the insurgency. These include came sharecroppers. a major part of the political economy of The machababos take advantage of the
deployments by the Southern African De- northern Mozambique.” population’s sense of social and economic The introduction of greater community
velopment Community (Sadc), of which Being an epotha leaves them without vulnerability. A study based on interviews oversight of the police is another import-
Mozambique is a member, a 1 000 mem- political, social, and land rights. Some of Although there is no known evidence with 23 females who had experienced ant step toward lessening corruption and
ber-strong Rwandan force, and training the IDPs fear they are becoming vientes– to support this narrative, even Mozam- ideological indoctrination in insurgent improving criminal justice. Corruption
missions by the European Union, Portu- not quite slaves but owing political alle- bique’s President Filipe Nyusi has claimed, camps found that the machababos’ prom- significantly undermines citizens’ trust in
gal, and the United States. giance to the donos de terra (the owners of without offering evidence, that certain ise of a messianic social order and the pro- political arrangements and reduces citizen
the land) who have lineages to those who Mozambican businesspeople likely pro- vision of basic benefits — such as food, willingness to engage with formal policing
Rwanda’s deployment to Cabo Delga- first settled on the land. vide  financial support to the machaba- clothing, and protection from violence and justice systems. Perceived corruption
do followed a meeting among the pres- A history of suspicion of authorities bos  to further their business interests. — was seductive to a population that is in the security and justice sectors has a par-
idents of Mozambique, Rwanda, and In the stories they tell, IDPs and other Illicit flows and smuggling networks of socially and food insecure and exposed to ticularly debilitating effect on public trust.
France. France’s largest petroleum compa- community members regard themselves heroin, rubies, gold, timber, wildlife, and violence.
ny, Total, with an estimated U$20 billion as victims. Within this narrative, both the migrants have been entrenched in Cabo Steps for restoring trust Violent crime and conflict in such con-
investment in Cabo Delgado, was forced machababos and the government’s police Delgado for decades and are a major part The most critical action that the Mozam- texts are more likely. Because of the widely
to withdraw its personnel, stop its opera- and military forces, called militares, are the of the political economy of northern Mo- bican government can take is to shift its reported human rights violations carried
tions, and declare force majeure in April villains for their roles in committing vio- zambique. Reports suggest that these traf- strategic communications narrative to a out by Mozambique’s Defense and Securi-
2021 because of the security situation. lent acts and corrupt practices. The insur- ficking routes are shifting outside the in- clear and unambiguous expression that the ty Forces and the police’s elite Rapid Inter-
Exxon Mobil has also put on hold plans gents are well known for their brutal kill- surgent-controlled area, which is highly wellbeing of the people of Cabo Delgado vention Unit, all security training provid-
to develop an even larger onshore facility. ings of civilians that include beheadings. militarized, limiting the insurgents’ ability is the government’s primary concern. ed by the international community needs
Some of the IDPs, furthermore, related in- to benefit from the illicit economy.  to incorporate effective human rights
Less well recognized is that the violent stances of the militares raping women and This narrative shift must be accom- components. These training interventions
extremist threat in northern Mozambique looting stores. Many of the alleged abuses Nonetheless, reflecting the criminal panied by concrete development actions should include monitoring and evaluation
exploits underlying societal vulnerabilities by militares followed attacks on villages by motivation behind at least some of the and expanded, authentic dialogue with mechanisms to ensure that meaningful
of inequity, insecure land rights, and dis- the insurgents. Human Rights Watch has violence, the militants are known to hold affected communities. Given their percep- outcomes are achieved, and if not, that
trust of authorities. An effective response some captives for ransom, using mobile tions of marginalization, Cabo Delgado corrective actions are taken to ensure that
in Cabo Delgado, therefore, will require phone access and money-transfer apps to communities place great importance on human rights are respected.
more than conventional security actions.
Understanding the local dynamics that —Africa Centre.
have made this region vulnerable to desta-
bilisation will be vital to an effective secu-
rity strategy.

From the perspective of local commu-
nities in Cabo Delgado, the often repeat-
ed narrative of the insurgency being part
of a global Islamic State-linked threat is
a distraction from the true drivers of the
conflict and threats posed to local house-
holds’ livelihoods, safety, and conditions
that would allow those forcibly displaced
to return to their ancestral lands.

The crisis in Cabo Delgado starts with
a stark trust deficit in government institu-
tions, which are perceived as having long
exploited local communities. Restoring
the population’s trust in the government
and those providing public services — in-
cluding police, security forces, health care
workers, educators, and others — is criti-
cal to ending the bloody upheaval. Doing
so is essential to undermining the socio-
psychological sway that ASWJ holds over
the youth who have swelled its ranks.

This analysis draws from interviews
with 65 IDPs in relocation settlements in
Pemba and Mecúfi Districts. Many de-
scribed what they have experienced as a
kind of genocide. They painfully describe
the loss of their sons and daughters, who
have been killed or kidnapped by the
“machababos” (the youth), the local name
for ASWJ members.

A majority of the IDPs interviewed

Page 34 World News NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

THE Taliban are expected Afghanistan: Taliban expected
to announce a new gov- to announce new government
ernment in Afghanistan
within hours, as chaos Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid (centre, holding shawl) is accompanied by officials before addressing a media conference on 31 August. Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty
in the country deepened
and aid experts warned of Pakistan, is likely to be 15 August when the Tal- prices in Kabul’s bazaars nese government is ready Domestic flights from
imminent economic col- appointed head of gov- iban took over, we have have soared. In one spot to invest and rebuild our the airport, which will
lapse. ernment. seen the crisis accelerate of brighter news, howev- country”. be vital for humanitarian
and magnify with the im- er, Western Union said operations, would resume
More than two weeks Other Taliban officials minent economic collapse on Thursday that it was Mujahid said the Tali- on Friday, Al Jazeera re-
after the Islamist militia expected to hold senior that is coming this coun- restarting money transfer ban “care a lot about the ported, adding that while
seized control, sources positions include Sirajud- try’s way. services to the country; ‘one belt, one road’ proj- a Qatari technical team
told Agence-France Pres- din Haqqani, another many Afghans rely on re- ect. We own rich copper was assessing damage, the
se that the cabinet could deputy leader, and Mo- “The situation that we mittances from relatives mines, which, thanks to return of international air
be presented after morn- hammad Yaqoob, the son have unfolding at the abroad to survive. the Chinese, will be mod- traffic that would allow
ing prayers on Friday and of the Taliban’s found- moment is absolutely ernised. Finally, China further evacuations would
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, a er Mullah Muhammad horrendous and could Afghanistan desperately represents our ticket to take “some time”.
Taliban official, said on Omar, who died in 2013. morph into just a human- needs money, but despite the markets around the
social media that a cere- itarian catastrophe,” she assurances from the new world.” Meanwhile, Taliban
mony was being prepared The new government said, adding that since Taliban-appointed central forces and fighters loyal to
at the presidential palace will face enormous chal- the Taliban takeover civil bank head, the Taliban Asked about the Tal- the resistance leader Ah-
in Kabul. lenges. The UN has servants’ salaries were not are unlikely to get swift iban’s relationship with mad Massoud continued
warned of a looming hu- being paid, the curren- access to roughly $10bn Russia, he said relations to fight the Panjshir val-
The private broadcaster manitarian catastrophe cy had depreciated, and (£7.25bn) in assets most- with Moscow were “main- ley north of Kabul, with
Tolo said an announce- across the country of 40 banks have limited weekly ly held abroad by the Af- ly political and economic. each side claiming it had
ment was imminent. million people amid a withdrawals to $200. ghan central bank. Russia continues to medi- inflicted heavy casualties.
The movement’s su- severe drought, growing ate for us and with us to
preme leader, Haibatullah food insecurity and the Food stocks distribut- In a sign of where Af- create the conditions for A Taliban spokesman,
Akhundzada, is expected upheavals of a 20-year ed by the UN are likely ghanistan may now turn an international peace”. Zabihullah Mujahid, said
to have ultimate pow- war that forced thousands to run out for much of for international assis- Taliban fighters had en-
er over a new governing of families to flee their the country by the end tance, Zabiullah Mujahid, The Taliban have prom- tered Panjshir and taken
council, with a president homes. of September, the organ- an official spokesman for ised to allow safe passage control of some territory.
below him, Taliban offi- isation’s humanitarian co- the new regime, told the out of the country for any The National Resistance
cials have said. Mary-Ellen McGroar- ordinator for Afghanistan Italian newspaper la Re- foreigners or Afghans left Front of Afghanistan reb-
ty, the World Food Pro- has said, with shortages of pubblica that China was behind by the massive air- el grouping, however, said
The Islamist militants gramme’s country direc- food and other necessities “our main partner and lift that ended with the it had full control of all
governed Afghanistan tor in Afghanistan, told already widely reported. represents a fundamental withdrawal of the last US passes and entrances and
through an unelected Reuters: “In the current and extraordinary oppor- troops on Monday, but had driven back all incur-
leadership council, bru- context there are no na- Hours-long queues have tunity for us as the Chi- Kabul airport remained sions. —The Guardian
tally enforcing a radical tional safety nets … Since formed outside banks and closed on Thursday.
form of sharia law, from
1996 until 2001, when
they were ousted by US-
led forces. Since their re-
turn, they have promised
a softer brand of rule.

However, the US, the
EU and others have cast
doubt on the group’s as-
surances, saying formal
recognition of the new
government – and any
economic aid that would
follow – will depend on
the Taliban’s actions in
power.

“We’re not going to
take them at their word,
we’re going to take them
at their deeds,” the US
undersecretary of state,
Victoria Nuland, said.
The EU has said the new
rulers will not be rec-
ognised until they form
an inclusive government,
respect human rights and
provide unfettered access
for aid workers.

Haibatullah, a religious
scholar from Kandahar
whose son was a suicide
bomber, is expected to
play a theocratic role sim-
ilar to that played by Iran’s
supreme leader. Mullah
Abdul Ghani Baradar, a
co-founder and deputy
leader of the movement
who was imprisoned in

NewsHawks World News Page 35

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

UK has no coherent plan for Afghan
refugee crisis, says ex-Whitehall chief

BRITAIN and its allies have no Sedwill said the achievement of the emergency airlift ‘shouldn’t conceal that overall, we do not yet have a coherent policy’. Photograph: LPhot Ben Shread/PA Media
coherent plan to deal with the
huge refugee crisis expected to Foreign Office said it would make cern that Afghans who cross the across the Afghan border. What if “I don’t think we’re yet able
follow the Taliban’s takeover of £10m (US$14m) of aid immedi- border to a third country who people cross the border thinking to say anything formal but that’s
Afghanistan, a former cabinet ately available to the UNHCR to thought they could come to the they were entitled to come to the looking like it may happen at
secretary has warned. help provide shelters, sanitation UK may not be able to – and in UK and were refused.” some point in the near future,”
facilities and emergency supplies a subsequent briefing for MPs on Raab told broadcasters.
Mark Sedwill, a former ambas- to border refugee camps – and a Monday, Wallace said those con- Sedwill also warned that the
sador to Afghanistan and senior further £20m (US$28m) to bor- sidering fleeing should “use their goodwill of neighbouring coun- Qatar, with the possible help
adviser to two British prime min- der countries that experience a judgment” as to whether to cross tries could not necessarily be re- of Turkey, is hoping to help re-
isters, said the emergency airlift significant increase in refugees, the border. lied on, given the large numbers open the airport shortly, starting
out of Kabul had only helped which could include Uzbekistan, of Afghans who had already fled. with internal flights. “There is no
“relatively small numbers” and Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The resettlement entitlement “The neighbours really can’t ab- clear indication when it is going
greater pressures were likely to for Afghan translators and oth- sorb more,” he warned. to be fully operational yet but we
emerge as people fled overland. On a visit to paratroopers in ers who worked directly for the are working very hard and also
Colchester on Thursday, Boris British government is fixed – but Speaking in Qatar on Thurs- engaging with the Taliban,” the
Speaking at a Policy Exchange Johnson praised the British sol- the wider asylum rules for peo- day, Raab said he had “good emir added.
thinktank event, Sedwill said that diers for their role in the UK ple who leave Afghanistan for a conversations” with the Qatari
while the US decision to exit Af- airlift of more than 15 000 peo- neighbouring country are yet to emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Sedwill was the UK’s cabinet
ghanistan after 20 years could ple from Afghanistan. The prime be determined. al-Thani, about the “workability” secretary and national securi-
not be changed, it had a series minister said: “When you look at of evacuations resuming from ty adviser from April 2018 to
of important consequences that the numbers that we’ve helped to Sarah Olney, a Lib Dem MP, Kabul airport for UK nationals September 2020 and was Nato’s
required action from Britain and come out … we’ve way exceeded said: “I no longer know whether and Afghans who worked with most senior official in Afghan-
the West. the numbers we thought were el- I should be advising people to go Britain. istan a decade ago. But he was
igible.” forced out of his last job by John-
“First, there will need to be a son, with a promise that the UK
major humanitarian effort in and But Johnson acknowledged he would put him forward for the
around Afghanistan. We will be did not have a clearer idea of the job of head of Nato in future.
very lucky indeed if there is not number of people yet to be evac-
a really significant refugee crisis,” uated. He said: “The answer is There were already an estimat-
the former mandarin said, add- there are some – and we care for ed 2.2 million Afghan refugees in
ing that the Taliban would have them very much, we’re thinking neighbouring countries, accord-
to run an “inclusive and whol- about them, we’re doing every- ing to UN figures, before the lat-
ly different government” from thing we can to help.” est crisis, which has caused tens
when they previously ruled, be- of thousands to head to the bor-
fore the 2001 invasion. Last week, defence secretary ders as the Taliban seized control.
Ben Wallace suggested that Af-
He said of the departure of ghans hoping to be evacuated to The UNHCR estimates that in
foreign forces from Afghanistan: the UK might be better off head- a worst-case scenario, as many as
“This is, in my view, a bad policy, ing to one of the country’s land 500 000 more refugees could flee
badly implemented. It is an act of borders, where Britain would the country to Pakistan, Tajiki-
strategic self-harm. accept claims made from neigh- stan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Turk-
bouring countries. menistan in the coming months.
“The Taliban’s victory in Af-
ghanistan will undoubtedly fuel But there is also growing con- — The Guardian
extremism and terrorism world-
wide, whether or not it is direct-
ed from there.”

The achievement of the emer-
gency airlift, in which 114 000
people were evacuated from Ka-
bul in just over two weeks, “can’t
and shouldn’t conceal that over-
all, we do not yet have a coherent
policy and plan in place to deal
with refugee flows out of Afghan-
istan”, Sedwill added.

The UN refugee agency UN-
HCR has warned there could
now be a further 500 000 Af-
ghans crossing the border into
neighbouring countries, on top
of the 2.2 million who fled to
countries such as Pakistan before
the end of last year.

Thousands of people rec-
ognised as having a firm or likely
claim for resettlement in the UK
were left behind in Afghanistan
when the airlift ended – leaving
Britain to call directly on the Tal-
iban to allow others safe passage
out of the country. Many other
Western countries are in a similar
position.

The foreign secretary, Dominic
Raab, said on Thursday that evac-
uations might be able to resume
from Kabul airport “in the near
future”, as he began a tour of the
region largely to solicit help in
the evacuation of more people
from the country.

Late on Thursday night, the

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 36 Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA Of Rich Cousins and do the job I get on the laptop
champagne lifestyles myself and see how I can I ac-
THEY are rich, beautiful and support. ogies about their lifestyle!  the Rich Cousins are and what ways come together and make commodate a booking from
independent.  These ladies’ business em- Previously, the group has makes them tick. sure we are there for each oth- my clients.
er. And again we make sure
Everything that the average pires vary: clothing boutiques, thrown lavish birthday parties In an interview with ra- money revolves amongst our- “Remember I didn’t start
man desires in life, they have – real estate, agriculture, mining, in Greece, Dubai, Mauritius, dio host Chamvary on Power selves unless the services that with many clients I started out
be it money or material com- tour and travel, among others.  Durban, Zanzibar as well as FM’s Centre Stage, Zodwa, we want are found elsewhere. with one client and he referred
fort.  These elegant women in Zimbabwe’s world-famous aka Zozo, spoke of how the But we are not open to new me to the others who in turn
drive a wide range of supercars But who are these women? resort, Victoria Falls. women came together to form friends because,” Mkandla were happy with the service
and live in luxurious houses in Well, you are likely to have the famed group. said. so that is important,” she ex-
the leafy suburbs of the capital heard of them:   Gina Duri, Wherever they go, the Rich plained.
city, Harare. Chipo, Thandie Makuyana, Cousins know how to shut it “Well it almost started as a She is a successful business-
Riri Mum, Zodwa Mkandla, down with expensive cham- joke on social media when the woman who owns Traverze Asked what people should
One admirable characteris- Michelle Kawome.  pagnes, sunset cruises on a other group of women called Travel Agency, a thriving tour consider in starting businesses,
tic of this clique of Zimbabwe- yatch as well as having fun themselves the poor cousins, “ and travel business. Mkandla singled out passion
an females is how they always And consistent with the basking in the sun. she said.  as the major driving force to-
celebrate each other’s success clique is how they celebrate “It is not true that when you wards success.
and milestones.  each other’s birthdays. And as the saying goes, if “So we said we are the Rich don’t have a degree you cannot
you cannot beat them join Cousins. And yes, we want to achieve what I’ve achieved, no! “I think you should know
They are sisters for life!  Usually, they take along them. The ladies have huge be billionaires. The Bible says I have a team of professionals where your passion is. If you
While each of them run with them personal hairdress- appetite for finer things in life. words have power and you can but I have the vision and ideas enjoy cooking, maybe you
their own businesses, some- ers on a fun trip to some re- They go on most of overseas be what you speak. “ of how to make the business need to open a restaurant and
how they have a way of en- sorts both locally and inter- trips as exclusively women. viable. if you are passionate about
suring that money circulates nationally, where they pamper And flying is a must whether it She said as Rich Cousins groceries open a shop and if
among them. themselves with expensive is for shopping or just touring. they were there for each other “Yes, we all work as a team you’re into hair start a hair and
Together, they are popularly designer wear and fine wine, in times of need but were not to ensure the success of busi- beauty shop. No business is
known as the Rich Cousins. hobnobbing with well-to-do Recently, one prominent open to new friends. ness but at times when pro- too small but it is about pas-
They normally do not let people. member of the clique, Mkand- fessionals tell me they cannot sion and you are likely to make
new friends into the circle. In la, opened up a bit about who “Yes, we might fight it if you follow your passion,”
fact, they really do not need And they do not make apol- amongst ourselves but we al- she said.
any because all they need is
found within their small com- Besides being a hands-on
munity.  person, Mkandla also de-
When one of them is going scribed herself as “go-getter”
through trying times, they of- who did not depend on men.
fer all their moral and material Self-confidence, she empha-
sised, is important.

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 37

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021 Newbie Mora introduces
new sound — Bongo263
ZVIITO Murairo, whose vocals for Allan Chim- musician and why? to the rural areas, when MontyG being the local
stage name is Chris Mora, betu. I can speak Shona, CM: I am currently jug- the heavens smiled at CM: I plan a tour of Ha- manager and Netsai Kun-
is the new entrant on the Swahili, Chewa and En- gling between part-time me and I mate Mudhara rare and then the whole jika aka Mudhara Nesto
music scene. Mora hopes glish as demonstrated in jobs and music as the Gwededza aka MontyG Zimbabwe marketing who is based in South
to make a name with his my songs.  music is still to produce who took me under his Chris Mora the artiste and Africa being the interna-
brand new sound he calls monetary returns. wing and started promot- our Bongo263 sound. tional manager.
Bongo263, a fusion of Tan- I was actually think- JM: What has been your ing my music. I am very JM: Who is in your man- JM: What can fans ex-
zanian Bongo Flavour and ing of quitting music as I most memorable mo- grateful to him and his agement? pect from you?
Zimbabwean traditional was failing to get a break- ment? partner who is based in CM: I am currently be- CM: Fireworks. We are
sound. The 34-year-old through, then I met Mud- CM: I sold my guitar and South Africa, Mudhara ing managed by MN2K going to change the face
musician is gifted as he hara MontyG (Montgom- was thinking of returning Nesto Entertainment, with of local music. The future
can sing in four languages ery Katiyo, his manager), JM: What are your plans Montgomery Katiyo aka has just arrived.
Shona, KiSwahili, Chewa then the rest is history. for the post-Covid era?
and English. Although he JM: Tell us about your
is now pursuing a solo ca- latest project. Do you
reer, Mora had a stint with have an album out?
Allan Chimbetu where
he did the backing vocals. CM: We currently have
Chris Mora (CM) speaks to three singles out, name-
The NewsHawks’ Jonathan ly Vabereki, Maria and
Mbiriyamveka (JM) about Tears of a woman. We are
his promising music career. working on releasing our
Read the excerpt: first album soon.
  JM: Introduce your-
self: real name, age and Vabereki is about a
where you are based. child appreciating the
CM: My name is Zviito role played by the parents
Murairo aka Chris Mora in raising him and wish-
born on 6 August 1987. I ing he could do more for
grew up in Mvurwi and I them. Tears of a woman
am currently based in the is a song against gen-
high-density suburb of der-based violence. Ma-
Rugare in Harare. ria is party song about
JM: At what point did a husband complaining
you decide to go into about the wife’s wayward
music? behaviour.
CM: I’ve always wanted
to be a musician since I JM: How do you com-
was very young. My fa- pose your music?
ther used to own a guitar
and would play for neigh- CM: My music is main-
bours at the farm where ly social commentary. I
we grew up; that’s when I write about the things
fell in love with the guitar surrounding me; our ev-
and music. eryday life, especially we
JM: Who was your in- the youth in the ghetto.
spiration?
CM: Tanzanian music JM: In terms of videos,
JM: What type of music how have you evolved as
are you into? a musician?
CM: It’s a new sound we
call Bongo263, a fusion CM: We are currently
of Tanzanian Bongo Flava seeking funding for the
and Zimbabwean tradi- videos of the three sin-
tional sound. gles.
JM: Tell us your back-
ground? JM: How has Covid-19
CM: I grew up in Mvurwi impacted on your work
and Guruve. My parents as an artiste?
were working at a farm
in Mvurwi then I came CM: As an up-and-com-
to Harare in 2018 doing ing artiste, the restric-
part-time jobs till now. tions in showbiz have af-
We are five in our fami- fecting our breakthrough
ly, that is three older girls as we were hoping to take
and two boys. advantage of live shows to
do opening acts for estab-
I am the second from lished musicians and en-
the last one. I started by hance our visibility, so we
writing sungura, I have are just taking advantage
a couple of unrecorded of social media.
sungura songs but chose a
different path. I once did JM: Are you a full-time

Page 38 NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Planning a Meeting or
Training Session?

Ÿ Choose The NewsHawks Executive Conference Room

WORKSHOPS I PRODUCT LAUNCHES I MEDIA/FINANCIAL BRIEFINGS I EVENTS

The NewsHawks For Bookings please contact
#100 Nelson Mandela Ave Charmaine on 0735 666 122
Beverly Court
6th Floor Email- [email protected]
Land line- (0242) 721 144/5

Harare For more Information visit

The NewsHawks @NewsHawksLive www.newshawks.com [email protected]

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 39

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Title: The Barber Title: The Motif Giving birth to entourage of words to se-
Poet: Charles Nyoni Poet: Agrippa Tivarere - Chiteretere date the mind
Like a roulette game in spinaratzy
As the blade approached my face, With novelty of COVID-19 pandemic rules So was the mind
I had no choice but to remain still. Commandeering our lives Infinite spins!
One wrong move - I took a sho’t left to a public joint Boon of swirls!
And I could lose an eye, The park in the hood Olympian swoops!
Or an ear. To reset the mind And
I shut my eyes, So I witnessed Damn right crashing
As my cheek was forced to the ground. An entourage of souls meandering at will With ricocheting cacophony piercing ear
With each slice of the blade, I too perched at benches like an FBI agent lobes!
My hair was half cut, Mulling over own crappie moments With mind in race
Half tugged from my head. Occasionally indulging at unfolding events To secure anchorage
My stinging scalp made my eyes water. Consigned A defiled parchment slapped me on the
My neck was twisted - Conscripted to the benches brow
As he turned me on to the other cheek. There was nothing much to offer Like a rocket launcher at take off
As he cut that side, Except unleashing wandering mind scanning I rocketed spaceward
I tasted the dirt of the ground on my lips. park’s acres! Landing on the benches with a thud
My head was pulled up - I watched souls in chitchats Timidly pulling off the parchment on the
As he sheared the back. Divergent topics often capped in monotonous face!
After a final series of chops, sharp-sharp It was not an ordinary litter
It was over. Can you blame them? A parchment in texts it was
As quickly as they pinned me down, That’s Zimbabwe’s affable lingo for “Re Often fading away from corrosive Komba
He melted away in the shadows. Grand!” dancing
I put my hands up to my head, I watched birds in relentless glide sorties Yet
And touched my crudely hacked locks. Hassling to stay alive The Motif was alive in scripted boldness!
I felt the cold air around my ears, Yet DESTINY- was the enigmatic MOTIF
And vulnerable bones of my skull. Never lost that supple agility scribbled on the parchment
I curled into a ball, Like blazing guns So I pondered
Writhing in my own sweat, They shot through aerial obstacles Paging every catalogue for discernment
Hoping the pain from the blade cuts would Tiptoed on the park’s minefields! D-E-S-T-I-N-Y that incredulous MOTIF
subside. There I was sedated in thoughts tattooed on all brows!
But finally, Often missing life’s simple billboards What’s in your MOTIF catalogue?
It was over. Nature’s obvious offerings Page through for Affirmation!
The park teeming with texts Your D-E-S-T-I-N-Y could just be ready for
*********************************************** The park a confluence to all things living Endowments!
The park a herbarium of associates
Poet: Patrick Hwande Each marshalling connections of endearment ***********************************************
Title: if it rains Simple or lofty
All enmeshed in purposefulness Title: My father’s kraal
People will have a bountiful harvest That each one finds spoors to destiny! Poet: Farai C Mlambo
And forget about this devastating drought. At the park’s benches
The rain will pour I witnessed a whirlwind formation In my father’s kraal,
And sweep off the litter Crisscrossing park’s acres with exuberance There are four cattle;
And donate it in Chahonyosa river; Lifting in spectacular Five if you like:
Never to molest us again. All sorts of stuff A strong ox
Thriving crops will catch the eye Then suddenly ceased to absolute calmness A big bull
And the angry, hungry faces Like the biblical summoning of the sea to chill A fat cow
Once again, It dead ceased! And a little calf.
Will beam with tremendous joy. I marveled at the moment of intrigue Then there is a caterpillar
That is, if it rains! Witnessing scraps of litter fall like snowflakes which lives in the dung.
So, may it rain today Magical choreography in motions It can neither moo,
We are grappling with shattered hope. And so I was bequeathed Nor dance murambamhuru
With a fountain of thoughts like the rest.
*********************************************** Each in exuberant auditioning It has neither horns nor a tail,
Nor four legs with hooves,
Nor fur on its body;
Just a delicate, shiny belly.

Page 40 People & Places NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Young Adults from Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Warren Park Circuit, last weekend toured the resort town of Kariba. Travelling for tourism
purposes is allowed despite a ban on inter-city travel. The tourists were all vaccinated against Covid-19 and also tested 24 hours before travel.

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 41

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Steward Bank’s
Fairview Park
marvel

Three-bedroomed Fairview Park houses constructed by Steward Bank on 300-square metres land
along Mutare Road in Ruwa. — Pictures: Aaron Ufumeli

Page 42 Sport NewsHawks

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

Ronaldo’s most ridiculous records!
OUR new signing Cristiano Ron- Any footballer would be delight-
aldo is often labelled as one of the World Cup, which made him the only player to make the scoresheet in Cristiano Ronaldo. ed to score 50 goals in a season: no-
greatest footballers of all time. competition’s oldest treble scorer. 12 consecutive international tourna- career (now 785 and counting), sur- one has ever managed it for United,
ments. passing Czech forward Josef Bican, for example, with Denis Law’s 46 in
But just how good has he been Ronaldo is the first footballer to Goalscoring who netted a ridiculous 759 goals in 1963/64 our club record. At Real
during a professional career which have played at five European Cham- He’s scored more competitive goals 495 appearances between 1931 and Madrid, Cristiano breached the
began in 2002 and continues to pionships: 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 than anyone else in football history! 1955. half-century barrier for seven con-
flourish almost two decades later? and 2020 (completed in 2021). Nat- Ronaldo’s winner for Juventus in the secutive seasons between 2011 and
urally, he scored in every single one. Supercoppa Italiana final in January The majority of those goals came 2017, which is a feat unmatched in
Here is a long list of some of the was the 760th strike of his incredible for Real Madrid and he is Los Blan- football history.
Portuguese forward’s most impres- Add in Cristiano’s World Cup, cos’ all-time top scorer, with 451
sive records, some of which may nev- Confederations Cup and Nations goals – 128 clear of previous record Ronaldo is the only player to
er be beaten. League appearances, and he’s the holder Raul. score 50 or more goals in the Pre-
Champions League mier League, La Liga and Serie A:
Ronaldo has struck 134 times in Eu- historically seen as Europe’s three
rope’s top-tier competition and he is best leagues. He’s also lifted the ti-
14 goals clear of eternal rival Lionel tle in each country, another unique
Messi in the all-time list. achievement.

Cristiano and the Champions Awards
League are clearly a match made in He has been included in the UEFA
heaven: he has more final wins (five) Team of the Year on a whopping 15
than any other player, has scored a occasions. After securing a spot in the
whopping 67 goals in the knock- side as a callow 19-year-old in 2004,
out stages (more than anyone’s total Ronaldo missed out for two consec-
competition tally, bar Messi, Robert utive seasons before once again being
Lewandowski, Karim Benzema and involved in 2007. He hasn’t been left
Raul) and also holds the single-sea- out of the all-star XI since.
son scoring record (17 in 2013/14).
Cristiano’s 2016 Ballon d’Or win
The Portuguese icon isn’t selfish, – at the end of a year in which he
though: no-one can beat his total of helped Real Madrid to the Cham-
42 assists, either. He is also just one pions League and Portugal to the
game away from equalling former Euro 2016 title – saw him finish an
team-mate Iker Casillas’s mark of unparalleled 429 points clear of sec-
177 games in the competition. ond-placed Messi in the voting.
Internationals
Cristiano, by far and away Portugal’s In 2006/07, Ronaldo won the
most capped player, now has 111 se- Football Writers’, PFA, Young and
nior international goals, more than Premier League Player of the Year
any other male footballer in history. awards. He is the only footballer to
do that in England.
No player has scored against more
international sides (45). They are – Social Media
deep breath –: Andorra, Argentina, Cristiano is listed in Guinness World
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bos- Record Book of 2021 as being the
nia, Cameroon, Croatia, Cyprus, most liked person on Facebook, with
Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecua- 124,726,150 likes.
dor, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands,
Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, He is also the most followed per-
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, son on Instagram. At the time of
Ireland, Israel, Kazakhstan, Latvia, writing, a whopping 336 million
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, people have him on their feed. That’s
Netherlands, New Zealand, North- more than the entire population of
ern Ireland, North Korea, Panama, the United States of America!
Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,
Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzer- Finally, the 36-year-old is the most
land, Ukraine, Wales. popular sportsperson on Twitter,
with 93.9 million followers. Only
The Portuguese does hold the former US President Barack Obama,
record for international hat-tricks plus pop stars Justin Bieber, Katy
(nine), including one for Portu- Perry and Rihanna, can top that.
gal against Spain at the 2018 FIFA
All statistics correct as of 2 Sep-
tember 2021.

ADVERT SPACE

For more information visit-; To place your booking contact
Charmaine on 0735 666 122
The NewsHawks @NewsHawksLive www.newshawks.com [email protected] Email- [email protected]
Land line- (0242) 721 144/5

NewsHawks Sport Page 43

Issue 46, 3 Sept 2021

A bloody
afternoon at
Prince Edward
16 years ago

ENOCK MUCHINJO that afternoon at PE, later to be named just under five minutes remaining, police and taken away, alongside some Cleopas Makotose.
Sables skipper the following year at the and Cloete scoring all points for the Zimbabwe fans.  On that day, a Sables side under the
IN this most spirited quest by Zim- age of 23. Sables with his magic boot.  guidance of local coach Chris Lam-
babwe to return to the Rugby World Zimbabwe, as has been the case pard and captained by Max Madziwa
Cup for the first time in three decades, The Senegalese, much as they had That was not the only violent inci- since the 1991 edition, did not qual- – a flanker fresh from the English club
we will, from time to time, feature decided to tear up the rulebook in dent during the Test that has remained ify for the 2007 World Cup in France. rugby circuit – lined up as follows in
stories of previous qualification cam- Harare for their amusement, definitely in Makotose’s memory. Namibia clinched Africa’s only qualifi- order of positions: Norman Mutiba
paigns since the Sables were the only knew something about rugby though. cation slot, as they have done between (late), Aubrey Dube, Shingi Chirim-
African team at the first two editions Traditionally in their case as well as fel- “They were not rugby players those 1999 and the most recent tournament uuta, Fortune Chipendo, Robbie Du
of the tournament in 1987 and 1991. low Francophone nation Cote d’Ivo- guys, because they were just hitting us in 2019. Rand, Max Madziwa (capt), Mbekeze-
ire, their better players are either born the whole game,” quips Makotose.  li “Ndix” Ndiweni, Rocky Gurumani,
A chat this week with Cleopas Ma- or bred in France, raised on a strong But for Makotose, who retired Gary “Gazza” Hewitt, David Cloete,
kotose – the former Zimbabwe utili- diet of rugby.  “If I’m not mistaken, (Zimbabwe without playing in the World Cup and Emmanuel Munyoro, Gilbert Nyam-
ty-back and one of the youngest men prop Alfred) Sairai was on the bench now runs an academy in Bulawayo, utsamba, Wes “Drugs” Mbanje, Vic-
in history to captain his country in So according to Makotose, the men and when he ran and got to his first the punches thrown by the Senegalese tor Zimbawo, Cleopas Makotose.
this sport – took us back to June 2005 from Senegal took to the field at PE 16 scrum, he ran off on a blood bin from that afternoon belong to a distant past On the bench were Kestell Ger-
when a vastly weakened Sables side years ago determined to mentally un- a blow. All this happened in a space of now, so much that he sees the funny tenbach, Kuda Kambasha, Cainford
clashed with Senegal in a 2007 World settle Zimbabwe’s young and brilliant less than two minutes. That situation side of it 16 years later. Danga, Jacques Leitao, Silethokuhle
Cup qualifier at Prince Edward (PE) debutant flyhalf, David Cloete, who was violent. A cop also got a blow from “Slater” Ndlovu, Jason Hitz, Agrippa
School in Harare. was just out of his teens at the time.  one of the players. If I’m not mistaken, “It’s best we have a laugh about it Makowere, Emmanuel Mukandi, Al-
one or two of them were involved in a now because to date I’m sure they are fred “Daddy” Sairai, Reuben Kumpa-
Depleted as Zimbabwe were, it be- A couple of years earlier, the doping scandal later.” now more professional (…laughs),” he sa, Elvis Chirenje, Tich “Banja” Chi-
came clear that their West African op- sure-footed Cloete had been a daz- says. “Because that day they battered dongo. 
ponents, even with a full complement zling schoolboy rugby wonderkid and In the melee, the Senegal eighth- us. But our fans really stood by their
of their best players from the lower talisman of a Peterhouse College team man, who was more aggressive than team that day.” 
divisions of French rugby, had not ar- captained by no less a player than Ten- his teammates, was handcuffed by
rived in Harare fancying their chances dai “Beast” Mtawarira, a legend of the
of an upset against one of Africa’s best world game in later times and a 2019
rugby-playing nations.  World Cup-winner with South Africa. 

So, the Senegalese tourists probably “The Senegalese kept giving Cloete
decided that the trip could actually be chirp shots (taunts), apa (yet) he was
more worthwhile if they rather had a our star player,” says Makotose. “Until
bit of fun out on the park. The conse- the crowd got fed up because the big
quences, as it turned out, did not real- number eight from Senegal kept pro-
ly matter to them.  Physically heavier voking the crowd. Someone from the
than their technically superior Zimba- crowd hit him with a plate on the fore-
bwean hosts, what would be the best head, and the eighth-man threw the
idea of enjoyment under the southern pitch-side advertising board at the fans
African winter sun? (…laughs)! He was strong though!”

An all-out brawl, instead of a proper The ensuing scuffle with a bunch of
Test rugby match, would do – the Sen- Zimbabwean fans occupying a corner
egalese probably made up their minds of Prince Edward’s hallowed Jubilee
in the pre-match huddle.  Field – a stunning free-for-all between
players and spectators – caused the
“That game was something else!” abandonment of the match with the
recalls Makotose, Zimbabwe’s fullback hosts comfortably winning 21-08 with

READERS across the planet would How Covid-19 has exposed qualifier that was initially scheduled
have come across articles about the heartlessness and ineptness for June.
predicament of Zimbabwean footbal-
lers over the years, touching tales that mestic sport was suspended due to the But what is hard to ignore is when staff. When the qualifiers were post-
soften even the hardest of hearts.  threat of the coronavirus pandemic. you discover that the owner of the Talk of twisted priorities.  poned by three months, what a bless-
club, said to be a wealthy tycoon, had Think back to sometime last year ing in disguise it seemed to then get
These have been stories produced by Covid-19 has, of course, radically at the beginning of August forked out when the Confederation of Afri- our house in order, get contractors to
us, local Press corps, and some penned changed life globally. Show me any- US$75 000 to can Football work around the clock and refurnish
by international media outlets, reach- body who has not been affected, from purchase Presi- (Caf) banned the stadium in time for September.
ing the collective conscience of those any walk of life, and I would like to dent Emmerson Zimbabwe
who care about others.  know the section of Mars they live.  Mnangagwa’s bi- from using its But alas, we typically sat on our
ography.  HawkZone premier foot- laurels and went back to being Zim-
The tale of the Zimbabwean foot- No one, though, deserves to be babwean!
baller is well-documented, but it punished because of Covid-19. It is an A whopping ball venue,
seems time has done nothing to make unforeseen menace that took humani- US$75 000! That the National Because of the undesirable condi-
this story irrelevant. Every time the ty by surprise. Likewise, any employer Sports Stadi- tion of the National Sports Stadium,
storyline changes, each with its own who hides behind this pandemic, wil- is nearly a third Enock Caf last week turned down Zimba-
circumstances.  fully disregarding the welfare of those of the club’s wage um, due to bwe’s request to allow fans into the sta-
that sorely depend on them, should be bill per year. But Muchinjo sub-standard dium for the clash with South Africa. 
Some of these are incredible tales, exposed by society for who they really
hard to ignore if you have any sense are. in a country like spectator and Yet we had three months to fix
of decency.  ours where the medical facil- things, following the collective nation-
It did not surprise me at all that the blight of patronage ities.  al embarrassment of having our main
Just like this week, when an old ac- footballer who reached out this week – reigns supreme, there are no prizes for A brief reprieve came our away stadium banned. 
quaintance put me in contact with a expressing anguish over non-payment guessing why such priorities like buy- when Caf provisionally lifted the ban,
distraught cousin of his, a footballer of wages for July and August – plays ing the President’s book matter more which would have allowed Zimbabwe It is a glaring failure on the part of
with a young family whose club has for one of the country’s biggest clubs.  than paying your poverty-stricken to host South Africa in a World Cup the government, which administers
not paid players their salaries for two the National Sports Stadium. 
months.
Instead of repairing a few roads in
The reason, as you might guess, is areas where the ruling politicians have
a newfound convenient excuse for un- interests, the so-called Second Repub-
concerned employers: Covid-19. lic missed an opportunity to do some-
thing tangible in an area where the
Until this week, Zimbabwean do- majority have an interest – football.

Sports How Covid-19
has exposed

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartlessness
most ridiculous
and ineptness

Thursday 1rOectcoboerrd20s2!0

Friday 3 September 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

IrelandCULTURE

Community
NEWSWHAT’S INSIDE radio T20
win
$60 Covid ease toregulations
tariff for seriesunder review

‘Warriors will be finevisitors&
tourists
without NCakhaammbais’ a reacStoryonPage 3
over ZimStory on Page 8
IRELAND clinched the series against
Zimbabwe with a crushing victory – their
third on the trot – in the fourth T20I
thanks to a well-rounded batting per-
formance followed by a clinical bowling
Khupeshow led by Mark Adair.
out to Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl suffered
an early hitch when Donald Tiripano
conceded 12 in his first over, the fourth
of the innings, which saw three wides
and a no ball apart from a six by Kevin
O’Brien. In the next over, Paul Stirling hit
a couple of boundaries which kickstarted
Unofficial president calls for emergea brisk opening stand. O’Brien followed
it up with three consecutive boundaries of
Blessing Muzarabani as Ireland ended the
powerplay with 57. The duo continued in
the same vein for half of Ireland’s innings,
racking up 89 and setting them up for a
big total.
O’Brien missed a half-century by three
runs, thanks to an outstanding catch at
long-off by Milton Shumba. Stirling too
fell short when his attempted loft went to
extra cover. With both openers failing to
get onto a big score, Zimbabwe had an
opening to get back but that was quickly
shut down by Andrew Balbirnie. He got
going with a four and a six from an over
from Wellington Masakadza and a simi-
lar sequence in the next over from Wessly
Madhevere to keep the momentum go-
ing after O’Brien’s departure.
Shane Getkate, William McClin-
tock and George Dockrell all found the
boundary quickly into their innings
to complement Balbirnie’s 22-ball 36.
It gave Ireland the momentum right
through the innings as they finished on
strong note with 11 coming off the final
over of the innings.
Warriors star forwards Khama Billiat (foreground) and Knowledge Musona going through their paces this week. Pic: Zifa Media The chase reeled off the tracks as Mark

ZIMBABWE’S chances of having tional window, categorising Zimba- former Orlando Pirates fullback. tain Knowledge Musona and the nim- Adair struck thrice in his first 10 balls.
Aston Villa star Marvelous Nakam- bwe and many other African countries Jordan Zemura of Bournemouth, ble-footed Khama Billiat.  He first had Tadiwanashe Marumani
ba available for the 2022 World Cup as red list zones. This week, several re- chipping a return catch off the first ball
qualifiers against Bafana Bafana on ports confirmed that the Zimbabwe Plymouth Argyle’s Brendan Galloway, Dinha argued that Zimbabwe opt- he bowled. In his next over he had Regis
Friday have faded. Football Association (Zifa) was still Sunderland’s Ethan Kachosa, Macau- ed for the old guard because they are Chakabva caught down the legside before
ley Bonne of Ipswich Town and Lu- using the qualifiers to prepare for next delivering a blistering yorker to send back
However, former Warriors mid- begging Villa to release central mid- ton Town’s Admiral Muskwe are Zim- year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Dion Myers. At 25/3 in the fourth over,
fielder, Edelbert Dinha doubts his fielder Nakamba for the showdown babwe’s other UK-based players who hosted by Cameroon from 9 January and soon 30/4 with Madhevere falling to
country will struggle in Nakamba’s with Bafana. Zimbabwe face Ethiopia were affected by the travel restrictions. to 6 February. At the finals, Zimba- Craig Young, the chase was nearly done
absence. The match is at the National away on Tuesday in another World ALtaaafgohSlrgorereaaeTZOilaonhtktidrmhlseediytIeeebeNspdobseSaetnuSborastlwuntIkqwhDtWeduhoe’saoEadtwfWseahsrmAtttotoihenfanerrdecglmigdkcFtoaWtbsirinCwneodaarouei.arnlprApldnoisorfbcuqrE3wesebu0thiahs,sMlopqiiwo(feu3ipiaiaeant6rirrhdaes)-istytqsbegwhqnawwuhuolt“aey.saaiIleipWdnafwsipdreeaeeeblrwaMssuwppyttoeiiaaBotcrnltukoasaegtfweudwteadtrtinoi$alriaelsgneu3xibaatssp.Gdiueee2nelyaraterstohBittcfieouoetAniGesrnpldecflusAcieBWooidfana.cnnroeop,ye’arn’lodl,aDd,udySettieCihefhnrpfnasefuhtu.eorp.’as--.lsitoiTbsHaotnoinvurhsgetedsptSearwcikncdcflhooiacakuupefessusaputnttltpwdheephwdlrdeiyeotdiChcsfni7aoonkrnethrenahldmtiiiZitsgnwtqpoil2gmEeuiarsc8eiribktrcvwoaZbkeainrnhtbuleioydeiwtmtmlfoeaffsoesiata.nfef'Aiwafstntiehldslerthlewaedhiaidnworeictutistrkeehtnhoevehetsbmeteurs4etn1reea-ftn4nl2tauraeetld3ealnhd--n..l d
Sports Stadium in Harare at 3pm.  Cup qualifier. c

Nakamba (27) and five other Unit- “Yes, we’re going to miss Nakamba
ed Kingdom-based Zimbabwe players and other UK-based (players) but I
were barred from travelling to Africa think we have enough depth to soldier
amid Covid-19 fears. The English on without them. Our squad is bal-
Premier League (EPL) and all lower anced... it’s made up of experienced
divisions in the UK blocked players players, so I believe we’ll cope without
from leaving for the current interna- these UK-based guys,’’ said Dinha, a headed by the talismanic pair of cap- said. – Sowetan Live
result. – Cricbuzz

ALSO INSIDE Cristiano Ronaldo’s most ridiculous records!