NewsHawks 10 December 2021

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Friday 10 December 2021

WHAT’S INSIDE NMEaWcaSbre BILUOSIsNhEoSoSts HSPaOllRoTf Famer
spectacle as down NDS1 gives new rule
frail Mubaiwa pensions thumbs-down
is put on trial proposal
Story on Page 45
Story on Page 7 Story on Page 23

Munatsi
worked in
highly toxic
operational
environment

ALSO INSIDE State agents threaten Botswana investors

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Munatsi worked Issue 60, 10 December 2021
in highly toxic
operational
environment

OWEN GAGARE natsi enquiring about Chiwenga’s visit to his farm President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Douglas Munatsi died in “unclear circumstances”, voicing his
which had reportedly ruffled feathers in Mnan- shock and displeasure.
THE late Zimbabwe Investment Development gagwa’s camp.
Agency (Zida) chief executive Douglas Munatsi Mnangagwa draws his support from his home plan and programme to support Mnangagwa and
— who was close to President Emmerson Mnan- Over lunch and drinks, Munatsi explained that provinces, the Midlands and Masvingo, dominat- gain control of the situation around him. Doug
gagwa — worked in a volatile and toxic political Chiwenga had asked to visit his Kunatsa Farm ed by his supposed Karanga power base. Chiwen- was going big.”
environment around the centre of power as he got at Matepatepa in Bindura North, Mashonaland ga supposedly commands support from Masho-
caught up in the vortex of a fierce raging power Central province. naland provinces accupied by his Zezuru ethnic Another source said: “That he found himself
struggle. social base. engulfed in toxic political, business and corrup-
Munatsi explained the context of Chiwenga’s tion fights is not in doubt. The only question is
Munatsi was close to Mnangagwa and his cote- visit, but confirmed that afterwards he had re- However, support for these leaders also in- whether that played a part in his murder or not.
rie that supported him to the hilt during the No- ceived a warning from “security circles” as to why tersects and cross-cuts geographical and ethnic Quite clearly it did. He was killed for political and
vember 2017 coup when he ousted the late former he had invited the Vice-President before Mnan- boundaries. Zimbabwe’s politics is highly ethnic business reasons.”
president Robert Mugabe. gagwa came to his farm. and toxic. Munatsi, who grew up in Harare, Gwe-
ru and Masvingo, apparently came from Mid- Munatsi planned to come up with an agricul-
Many of Mnangagwa’s political and business Munatsi had earlier last year visited Mnangag- lands, Mnangagwa’s home province. tural programme bigger than Command Agricul-
allies were later appointed to cabinet, ruling Zanu wa’s Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe, Mid- ture.
PF party positions and state institutions. lands province. Apart from political entanglements, Munatsi
was not on good terms with business rivals around When Mnangagwa visited Kunatsa Estates,
Munatsi was appointed to head Zida — to be Munatsi told journalists that there were peo- Mnangagwa over access to the President, business Munatsi said agriculture could be restored to its
the investment face of the country — and into ple who were not happy that he was interacting deals and Zida issues. heyday if people supported the Vision 2030 blue-
the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe monetary policy with Chiwenga and the late Agriculture minister print. Munatsi also said he had drawn a lot of in-
committee, while his colleagues were slotted into Perrance Shiri, and were threatening him. He said There was serious rivalry and hostilities among spiration from Mnangagwa’s visit, given that he
the moribund Presidential Advisory Council and they were from “security, military intelligence”, in Mnangagwa’s business allies who were jostling for was also a farmer. Kunatsa Farm employed over
other positions. his own words. access to him and resources, as well as control. 100 full-time workers in addition to contract
workers hired depending on need.
No sooner had Munatsi settled into office than After the discussion, Munatsi asked that the Mnangagwa said Munatsi died in “unclear cir-
he found himself facing the toxic environment story not be written until yet another meeting as it cumstances”, voicing his shock and displeasure. It produced wheat and barley on 350 and 100
which he had plunged into in an attempt to serve would create problems for him. hectares respectively. In his condolence message to
his country and find new opportunities to thrive. “The incident about Chiwenga’s visit to his the Munatsi family, Mnangagwa said his ally had
The explosive situation did not unnerve Munatsi, In the meantime, he wanted to find a solution farm and the reaction of security players was tell- died in “unclear circumstances”.
who always vowed to fight those who were trying to the problem: Invite Mnangagwa to his farm. It ing; it had put Doug in the spotlight and tight
to disrupt him in his new position, especially peo- was going to be easy because he had visited Mnan- spot,” a source said. “A leading banker, outstanding farmer, vision-
ple he constantly referred to “matsotsi” whom he gagwa’s farm at the beginning of the year. ary business leader the late Mr Munatsi had be-
accused of being corrupt looters. “Munatsi was factored into Zanu PF faction- come our point man in operationalising our na-
As a result, Munatsi invited Mnangagwa to visit alism and battles, which is volatile. Although he tion’s one-stop investment project for improving
He never specified who they were. his farm on 28 August 2020, which he did. was a businessman not interested too much in the investment climate and ease of doing business
In June last year, Munatsi met a journalist from politics, his rivals saw him as a threat, especially for our country,” he said.
The NewsHawks and a former reporter now in the This was designed and calculated to keep at bay because he wanted to come with a major business
corporate sector at Bolero pub in Newlands, Ha- those who were now accusing him of defecting to
rare. the Chiwenga camp, while assuring Mnangagwa
The meeting eventually shifted next door, that he was still loyal to him.
to Legends pub. The discussion focused on
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s visit to Munatsi promised to speak to the journalists
Munatsi’s farm in April. again after Mnangagwa’s visit. That did not hap-
The NewsHawks was investigating stories which pen. But what was clear in the whole story was
we intended to begin publishing in October last that he was now caught up in toxic Zanu PF pow-
year. er struggle politics and factionalism, although he
This was after the journalists had called Mu- was not a political player.

Munatsi was loyal to Mnangagwa, although
Chiwenga visited him since he was farming in
Mashonaland Central, Chiwenga’s political heart-
land.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa (left) with Douglas Munatsi (centre).

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Phosphorus grenade used
in deadly Munatsi attack
AN incendiary phosphorus grenade which ig-
nites and explodes when hurled, emitting fire Doug Munatsi AN incendiary phosphorus grenade is believed to have been used to destroy the late banker Doug
and intense heat that burns fiercely, was used to tack. Munatsi’s home.
destroy banker Doug Munatsi’s home after his
immobilisation, ravaging his respiratory system He might have been killed before the grenade
to death, security sources say. fire or died as a result of respiratory failure, mean-
ing that the fire was meant to destroy and kill
This is based on an ongoing investigation by everything in its wake in that bedroom.
The NewsHawks, which has spoken to relatives,
friends and security sources, as well as govern- Inhaling air with high carbon monoxide and
ment officials, who have shed light on the myste- carbon dioxide and low oxygen content can also
rious and horrific death of the prominent banker alter a person’s mental state. If an attack occurs in
who died last week at his Harare penthouse. an enclosed space, as happened in the Munatsi
case, incendiary weapons can quickly raise the
Toxicology examinations to assess whether temperature enough to cause heat stroke.
Munatsi was drugged or poisoned before death
are still going on, as preliminary pathology tests The fire was concentrated in the bedroom and
could not conclude the cause of his death. was so intense such that “the main bedroom was
extensively damaged by fire to the extent that all
Munatsi died early on Monday morning in a windows and doors were broken, all the furniture
“suspicious” fire that broke out in his seven-bed- in the bedroom were extensively burnt that only
room luxurious apartment at Northfields in the steel frames for the bed and built-in cupboards
Avenues area. were observed,” according to a police situation
report (sitrep).
Multiple sources, including friends and rela-
tives, say his death was murder and are anxiously Friends and relatives believe an accelerant
awaiting the results of a post-mortem. could have been used, given the intensity of the
fire.
Those close to Munatsi say he could have easi-
ly escaped the fire if he was fully conscious. “Investigations are still taking place, but the
fire was so ferocious and we believe the intensi-
First, his colleagues say the easiest way he ty points to the possibility of an accelerant being
could have escaped the fire was through the bal- used. That’s why the Fire Brigade battled for a
cony from where he could have accessed the din- long time to control the fire and it’s strange be-
ing room and lounge, which were not affected by cause it’s not like there were many things in the
the fire. The dining room and lounge — from bedroom, it was very spacious,” a friend told The
where one can see the Harare Sports Club, are NewsHawks.
next to the kitchen.
“At this point, there are so many things that do
A phosphorus grenade, which security sourc- not add up. What caused the explosion when the
es say might have resulted in his death, produces fire started? The explosion was heard by the guard
fierce heat and fire through chemical reaction of a and the owner of the neighbouring penthouse.
flammable substance. It explodes into an intense Was it even him who called out for help when a
fire, inflicts excruciating burns, sometimes to the neighbour asked what was going on, and if it was
bone, while causing severe respiratory damage, indeed him, was he fully conscious such that he
shock and organ failure. could escape?

White phosphorus used in such a grenade “The shorts he was wearing and the T-shirt
can burn people to the bone, smolder inside the were not burnt and his body was intact, which
body, and reignite, but Munatsi’s body was found is evidence that he was not exposed to the direct
in the bathroom out of the fire epicentre. This fire although he had burns on his hands, legs and
suggests he was already killed before the fire or upper lip. It makes no sense why he did not es-
died of respiratory system or organ collapse. cape unless he was immobilised, drugged or held
against his will, like we suspect.”
“When you closely examine the scene, the
circumstances and consequences, certain things Munatsi’s family was informed of the tragedy
quickly emerge: First, there was commotion, by his chef, Saurosi Marichambo (53), who had
which suggests a fight, second explosion meaning reported for duty, only to see the police and Fire
an incendiary device and fire; and call for help Brigade attending the scene.
instead of an escape, that is immobilisation,” a
security source said. Marichambo called Munatsi’s young brother,
Cardmelon, who rushed to the house with the
“Then you ask what sort of a weapon was used? banker’s two nephews. Munatsi was found dead
The situation suggests a phosphorus grenade. It while in a sitting position in his bathroom after
is portable, easy to hurl and quickly ignites and the Fire Brigade, which responded to a distress
explodes, causing intense fire and heat that burns call from a neighbour, had put out the inferno.
metal and human flesh upon impact and contact. By the time the family arrived, his body was in
The burning in his bedroom shows that. a sleeping position and was covered by a cloak.

“He was immobilised, that’s why he didn’t
escape from the bedroom. Neighbours heard a
voice calling for help via — and not from — the
balcony which is logical as it was coming from
his bedroom, but he was in the bathroom where
was found dead. He couldn’t escape. Why? Im-
mobilised!

“In security circles, we have done thorough
analysis of the situation and sequencing of events.
This is our conclusion, but we are just giving you
a brief summary.”

The sources further say critically, incendiary
weapons release carbon monoxide and carbon di-
oxide, which can cause poisoning and respiratory
or organ failure when inhaled.

They say since Munatsi was not burnt to death
when found in the bathroom, he almost certainly
died of respiratory and organ failures after he was
immobilised by his assailants.

His neighbours say they heard commotion, ex-
plosion and later a call for help coming through
the balcony from his bedroom, suggesting he
was immobilised and was struggling to survive
after the attack. The scene was attended to by
the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
Homicide section, CID Studios, CID Scenes of
Crime, CID Forensics and ZRP Harare Central
Police Station.

The government announced that he will be
granted a state-assisted funeral. Pathologists yes-
terday handed over samples needed for a toxicol-
ogy examination to the police after preliminary
post-mortem examinations on the body did not
give conclusive answers as to the cause of death.

Post-mortem results are an important piece in
the puzzle to establish what exactly killed him.

According to the security sources, this is what
mostly likely happened to Munatsi after the at-

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Munatsi, Dzanya wanted
US$14m from BancABC

Douglas Munatsi’s business partner Francis Dzanya

OWEN GAGARE Court documents, however, show that Mu- The sum of USD$2, 237,308.00 to the second er plaintiffs breached the fiduciary duties they
natsi and Dzanya had dragged BancABC to plaintiff; (c) Whether defendant is entitled to owed defendant; whether plaintiffs are entitled
AT the time of his mysterious death, which court as they jointly sought US$14 million from interest on the sums set out above from the date to a refund of only the capital sums they invest-
relatives and friends believe was a cold blood- the bank, in High Court case number 11582/17. of issue of Treasury Bills to the date of payment ed and whether the claim in reconvention is
ed murder, Zimbabwe Investment and Devel- Munatsi was the first plaintiff while Dzanya was of the sums involved. prescribed.”
opment Agency boss Douglas Munatsi and his the second plaintiff. The joint pre-trial confer-
business partner Francis Dzanya were locked ence minute shows that issues in contention “Whether defendant is liable to pay plaintiff After leaving BancABC, Munatsi, Dzanya
in a battle with BancABC Zimbabwe — a fi- were “whether defendant is liable to pay plaintiff damages as follows: (a) USD$4 971,746.88 to and Beki Ndlovu, who was the group chief fi-
nancial institution he helped to found — over USD$4 769,034.40 as follows, (a) the sum of the first plaintiff; (b) USD$4 393,576.04 to the nancial officer, founded DBF Capital Partners,
US$14 134 357.32. USD$2 531,726.30 to the first plaintiff; (b) second plaintiff.” an investment holding company in January
2015.
Munatsi played a critical role in the founding The court also wanted to determine “wheth-
of African Banking Corporation, now trading
as BancABC, after orchestrating the merger of
Bard Discount House, First Merchant Bank,
UDC and ULC Companies that were operat-
ing in Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi (LFC),
Tanzania and Zambia.

He became the first CEO of the bank in
2000 while Dzanya was appointed group chief
financial officer in 2005, helping the institution
to grow its assets to more than US$2 billion by
the time they left the institution in 2014.

The bank was taken over by Atlas Mara.

There is a future.

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NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Police finally locate Douglas
Munatsi’s mysterious Colleta
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police say they have
located and interviewed a lady named Colleta, area of Harare.
who was the last person to see the late banker His friends and family suspect foul play, as
Doug Munatsi, as investigations into the cause
of his death continue. they argue that Munatsi could have used the
multiple escape routes to leave the burning
Everything now rests with the police, and penthouse to safety.
what they piece together about what really
happened to Munatsi on that fateful Monday The scene was attended to by Criminal Inves-
morning, as they are also tasked with conduct- tigations Department (CID) Homicide section,
ing a toxicology examination to assess whether CID Studios, CID Scenes of Crime, CID Fo-
he was drugged or poisoned before the incident. rensics and ZRP Harare Central Police Station.

This comes after pathologists who conducted The remains of the deceased were found in a
a preliminary postmortem on Munatsi’s body sitting position just beside the bath tub in the
could not readily establish the cause of death. main bedroom with some burns on the hands
and legs. He was putting on a red T-shirt and a
The police received the samples needed for a black pair of shorts which were not burnt.
toxicology examination last week.
Police sources say there were also some burns
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi on the abdomen, which could have been caused
said they would reveal all the information on by heat as his clothes were intact.
the case once the investigations have been com-
pleted. It is now up to the police to establish what
else, apart from the heat and smoke, could have
“Yes, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has lo- contributed to his death.
cated Colleta and interviewed her. At the mo-
ment, the police is still conducting investigation “According to what has been received, there
and will release full details once the investiga- is no specific cause of death given at this time.
tions are complete,” Nyathi told The News- It is not common, but it happens. Samples were
Hawks. collected for a toxicology examination to assess
whether there were no drugs, alcohol or poison
“The police will advise the public accordingly involved,” police sources told The NewsHawks
once the toxicology examination results are out. earlier.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is still conduct-
ing investigations and will certainly update the The samples collected are eye fluid, stomach
public and media once the inquiries are com- contents, urine and blood, as well as small piec-
plete.” es of other organs of the body. They were given
to the police.
According to a police situation report (si-
trep), a guard at the late Munatsi’s Northfields Investigations are also underway to establish
luxury apartments mentioned that a guest who the cause of fire through reports from the Fire
was recorded in the security check point book as Brigade and forensics.
Coletta NFPK arrived at about 7.05pm on Sun-
day and he escorted her to the flat. The guest
left the flat at about 9.18pm on foot.

Munatsi died in the wee hours of Monday
morning in a “suspicious” fire that broke out in
his seven-bedroom apartment in the Avenues

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Munatsi legacy: To die in service

ENOCK MUCHINJO a few individuals outside the ruling Zanu PF’s (PAC). greater change for Zimbabwe under Mnangag-
umbrella who had accepted positions on Mnan- Most, if not all of them, joined in the genu- wa’s mantra of a leadership style that he vowed
AMID the sombre atmosphere of Doug Munatsi gagwa’s special Presidential Advisory Council would be a marked shift from his mentor Mug-
(pitured top right)’s memorial service last week, ine hope that they could indeed contribute to abe’s despotic rule.
the light-hearted eulogies delivered by his wife
and first-born son were undoubtably embedded Perhaps it was hope and patriotism that drove
in moral values that the late prominent banker these men, or maybe it was naïve innocence.
imparted to his family, principles they proudly What we know is that they soon discovered that
displayed in his honour before an appreciative the ruling Zanu PF is an organisation with its
audience. own culture, values and norms that do not allow
outsiders to act independently and to flourish —
The family’s veneration for the values of hard no matter their professional competencies.
work, success, love, personal integrity, humility
and faith was abundant even as close associates They would soon be confronted with the re-
gathered with profound grief and heavy hearts ality that Mnangagwa, if and whenever he truly
inside the Celebration Church in Borrowdale, needed key advice — more so as he is known
Harare, last Friday. to be preoccupied with consolidating power —
naturally turned to the inner circle of political
What the Munatsis shared with mourners is allies, definitely not a supposedly independent
a rulebook of life that many try to religiously body composed of men deeply distrusted by his
follow. Others with success, and not quite so for intra-party loyalists.
a lot of folks.
This proved extremely frustrating for people
No doubt, the weight of trauma suffered by like Munatsi and like-minded folk who had
the Munatsi family on hearing of his tragic pass- been persuaded to believe, in the early days of
ing — the horrifying account of how he met his Mnangagwa’s ascendancy, that they could make
fate in a mysterious inferno last week — would a positive impact on this country’s path towards
have been an unbearable experience for anyone post-Mugabe recovery.
to witness.
Munatsi is gone, but those still surviving will
But in proudly chronicling husband and fa- surely agree that they were sold dummies when
ther’s zest for life, good nature, loyalty, as well as they accepted to be included — in the hope that
generosity towards relatives and friends — Mu- they would be allowed to summon their key
natsi’s immediate family chose to publicly cele- skills, knowledge and expertise.
brate his life — a life with so much more to give
but callously cut short under the worst possible But then again, let us face it: it is a folly to
circumstances. think that everybody put into these positions
by the Mnangagwa administration had accepted
That public show of grace by his family those appointments without a hint of ulterior
amidst extreme heartache and adversity — the motive at a level that is personal or otherwise.
death of a loving husband and father in a grue-
some murder — is a strength of character that It is a fair assessment to say that most of these
perhaps defined the late Munatsi’s life and how individuals, very well-meaning as they were in
he strived to live it. large part, saw opportunities for themselves and
got too cozy with the system, hoping to reap the
It was befitting that this family that warmed benefits.
the hearts of mourners last Friday should be the
family of a man whose psyche was such that he It is hardly surprising, though, that these men
chose to leave his very comfortable life in the would accept offers to “serve” under dodgy gov-
business world to accept a government-appoint- ernment officials. For people like Munatsi and
ed position as the inaugural chief executive of others, such is the typical entrepreneurship in-
the Zimbabwe Investment and Development stinct and tactical shrewdness that made them
Agency (Zida). very successful in an environment like Zimba-
bwe.
Douglas Tawanda Munatsi was a relatively
wealthy man, a real-life and self-made million- For the Munatsi family, though, behind the
aire who made life a lot easier for himself and veneer of bravado, it is hard to fathom the pain,
countless others around him, a cool-headed and they will long ask in vain if to “serve” was
magnate with a philanthropic streak. worth the ultimate sacrifice.

A young innovative entrepreneur in his for- Munatsi family at a memorial service for Douglas held at Celebration Church in Borrowdale, Harare, last Friday.
mative years, a trait that his Swazi-born wife
Bindzile testified to have fallen for some 30 years
ago, Munatsi was a founder of BancABC in
1997 and was its CEO until the leading bank’s
acquisition in 2014 by Atlas Mara for US$265
million.

On leaving BancABC, Munatsi’s star rose
even higher in business, and he rewarded him-
self with a pampered lifestyle of shuttling be-
tween three different countries — Zimbabwe,
South Africa and the United Kingdom — all the
while enjoying the fruits of his success with fam-
ily and friends alike.

The planet was his playground and he trav-
elled to many more places far and wide, having
good fun on the road with his equally successful
buddies — mingling with the high-end in some
of the world’s most glamorous cities.

While Munatsi’s family members were settled
comfortably in South Africa and the UK, he
chose to stay permanently at home Zimbabwe,
in the luxurious penthouse of an expensive gated
community in central Harare where a terrifying
fire left his lifeless body immobilised, in a sus-
pected case of murder, in the wee hours of last
Monday.

Doug Munatsi was a hugely successful man
with so many options in the corporate world,
following his BancABC exit and eventual in-
roads into other business avenues at home and
abroad.

He was not desperate to be involved with any
political regime. In accepting a position as Zida
CEO in 2019, appointed by President Emmer-
son Mnangagwa after the late president Robert
Mugabe was toppled in 2017, Munatsi said he
was driven by a desire to “serve” his country.

Earlier on, Munatsi had been one of quite

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

PAIN is written all over her face as she makes Macabre spectacle as frail
her way up the staircase to the courtroom where Mubaiwa is put on trial
her trial is being heard.
cence and affidavit of the couple consenting to that Mubaiwa forged a marriage certificate. come better. During the same period, the com-
The estranged wife of Vice-President Con- wed. She said she heard Mubaiwa talking about plainant suffered from various illnesses which
stantino Chiwenga, Marry Mubaiwa, is unable included an operation for severe sinusitis. Al-
to walk by herself and is being assisted by an “The couple were intended to get married the wedding on the phone with someone before though they spoke about the wedding from
aide. The aide sticks with her from the car right on July 2, 2019. When l realised that there was she was tasked to plan for the wedding. Mubai- time to time, a date was never set due to their
until she gets in the dock. information missing about the residential ad- wa denies the allegations. various medical conditions, the complainant’s
dress, l called JSC secretary Walter Chikwana busy schedule and the bomb blast they were
She is answering to a fraud charge after she and l thought it prudent to access those details It is her argument that she would not have involved in.”
allegedly forged her husband’s signature to up- for me through that office since it was a superi- coerced a grown up to consent to the wedding.
grade their customary marriage. or office,” Mutevedzi said. She said when Chiwenga was in India in
She said they planned the wedding over a 2019, where he was receiving treatment, they
The sickly former model is also facing other Mutevedzi said on 2 July 2019 he was ac- long period, but there were disturbances which agreed that they would have a small wedding.
charges, including attempted murder, money companied by Thembinkosi Msipa of the Ju- disrupted them all the time.
laundering and assault, charges which arose fol- dicial Service Commission to Chiwenga’s resi- Mubaiwa said they ordered wedding rings
lowing her fallout with the former army general dence in Borrowdale Brook. “As she was pregnant with the parties' first from Chiwenga’s client and she could not have
who is also the Health minister. child at the time of the roora, no date was done so without his knowledge.
However, when they arrived at the residence agreed to as at the time of the payment of ro-
Adding to her woes, she is also going through they waited in vain before they decided to go ora. She delivered the parties’ first child on the She said she could not coerce an adult into a
divorce with Chiwenga, with the hearing hav- back to their office. 4 November, 2011 and she fell pregnant soon marriage without his consent.
ing been delayed due to her sickness. thereafter and gave birth to their second child
Mutevedzi said two days later he canceled on the 15th November, 2012 with a third “She will contend that the prosecution is
Mubaiwa is battling lymphoedema, a condi- the application for marriage licence and unis- pregnancy following soon thereafter with the part of her continued persecution through the
tion that has left her limbs deformed. sued marriage certificate. parties’ last child being born on the 13th Feb- use of the criminal justice system, all done in
ruary, 2014,” Mtetwa submitted on behalf of an endeavour to force her to abandon her rights
That has not stopped her from being dragged “In summary, nobody then contacted me un- Mubaiwa. in the pending matrimonial action before the
to court, despite her serious illness. til investigations started being made,” he said. High Court. In particular, she will deny that
“Owing to the successive pregnancies with- she did anything which can remotely be cate-
She also has not had sight of her minor chil- Chikwanha also gave his testimony, but in a short period of time, she will say that her gorised as a contravention of section 35 of the
dren for two years now, something doctors say said he had nothing to say as he was not there back was considerably weakened and she suf- Act,” Mtetwa submitted.
is causing depression, thereby aggravating her during whatever happened. fered from back pain, resulting in the intended
illness . wedding being shelved until her back had be- Trial continues next week. —STAFF WRITER.
However, another witness, Nyarai Bwanya,
The former model insists that she is unable who was the vice-president’s aide, told court
to stand trial because of her ill health, but the
courts have turned down her request for the
postponement of her prosecution.

When she insisted, she ended locked up at
Harare Remand Prison after Harare magistrate
Lazini Ncube detained her under the Mental
Health Act, which requires one to be locked up
while being seen by state doctors.

She was, however, released following a suc-
cessful appeal filed through her lawyer Beatrice
Mtetwa.

Her trial began last week and the other cases
are still pending before the courts.

Mtetwa says her client is in pain.
When her trial opened, she asked the court
to play a video in which blood was dripping
blood from Mubaiwa’s right hand.
Even as the case is being heard, she some-
times falls asleep during the hearing. She has to
lean against her aide in pain.
The court heard she is taking sedatives and
painkillers which heavily drug her body and
make it impossible for her to be fit for trial.
Meanwhile, all the witnesses except one have
exonerated Mubaiwa in their testimonies.
The chief witness, former Judge President
George Chiweshe, distanced himself from the
saga, stating that former chief magistrate Muna-
mato Mutevedzi handled the alleged wedding.
Chiweshe had nothing much to strengthen the
state’s case and said he only referred Mubaiwa
to Mutevedzi after she approached him as his
niece stating that she wanted to formalise her
marriage.
“I assumed it was a request from the couple.
Don’t forget Chiwenga had paid lobola, living
together and having children, so I had no rea-
son to suspect. I had no reason to suspect what
Mary was asking for had not been discussed
with her husband,” Chiweshe said.
Mutevedzi, now a High Court judge, on
Tuesday said the alleged wedding never took
place.
He said he is shocked where the National
Prosecuting Authority picked information that
he solemnised Mubaiwa and Vice-President
Constantino Chiwenga’s wedding.
“I don’t know where the state got that l is-
sued a marriage licence. There was no such an
application under oath before me. Taking of
oath and signing the licence was never done as
far as l know. A party on marriage cannot con-
sent on behalf of the other party without that
person physically on the ground,” he said.
Mutevedzi however confirmed that the issue
was brought to his office by Chiweshe.
“When he made that request, I then said I
will personally solemnise that marriage. I took
that decision because judges are not marriage
officers in Zimbabwe. I had became the high-
est-ranking judicial officer in Zimbabwe and
sending any other junior magistrate would have
been unrespectful to the vice-president.”
Mutevedzi told court that he then requested
identity particulars of the couple to marry from
Justice Chiweshe and they were brought to his
office by a person whom he cannot remember.
He further said there were documents that
were needed to be completed under supervision
and these were the application for marriage li-

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Khupe faces recall from MDC-T

WHAT goes around comes around. MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe
IN a dramatic turn of events revolving
MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora
around a political merry-go-round, and af-
ter spearheading recalls of main opposition
MDC Alliance legislators in a cutthroat pow-
er struggle with Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T
Vice-President Thokozani Khupe and her
allies now face recalls and expulsion them-
selves anytime.

Khupe’s lawyers Ncube Attorneys have
written to the MDC-T demanding min-
utes of a National Council meeting held at
Morgan Tsvangirai House on 26 Novem-
ber, where it was resolved that the party
vice-president and her associates be recalled
from parliament and local authorities.

The letter, dated 6 November and marked
urgent, says Khupe is facing “expulsion re-
call”. It protests tribalism in the political plot
based on remarks made at the meeting.

“We represent the Deputy President Hon.
Dr Thokozani Khupe in this matter, please
note our professional interests,” the letter
says.

“We have been advised by our client that
on the 26th of November 2021, and at Mor-
gan Tsvangirai House, there was a National
Council meeting which was held in the cap-
ital city. In that meeting, there were certain
words that were used by some members
which words were clearly of tribalistic nature.

“Further, we have been advised that it is
in that meeting where certain recommen-
dations were made to recall Dr Khupe and
others from parliament and local authorities.
We are advised that your good office is in
possession of such minutes and resolutions.

“We request that your good office share
with our client the minutes and resolutions
of the National Council of 26th November
2021 urgently so that we could be in posi-
tion to take full instructions. We have it in
good authority that the intended recalls are
due anytime, therefore, we expect to hear
from yourselves as a matter of urgency.”

Khupe, in league with MDC-T leader
Douglas Mwonzora, spearheaded the recalls
from parliament and councils of MDC Alli-
ance MPs and officials respectively in a bid to
destroy the Chamisa-led party.

After the purges, Chamisa’s party however
remained standing while bleeding.

In the aftermath of the death of found-
ing MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Khupe
waged a fierce battle against Chamisa who
had seized the initiative and taken over the
party from her. Khupe, Chamisa and Elias
Mudzuri were Tsvangirai’s deputies then.

In the process, the MDC-T split. The par-
ty first split in 2005 and has suffered several
break ups after that.

Khupe remained hanging onto its carcass,
while Chamisa, initially with Mwonzora and
others, formed a 2018 electoral pact, which
later morphed into a party called MDC Al-
liance.

But Khupe performed dismally at the
2018 general elections, while Chamisa put a
stellar showing, only losing to President Em-
merson Mnangagwa by a wafer-thing margin
in the presidential election.

By some unofficial accounts, Chamisa
won the presidential election.

Khupe and Mwonzora later teamed up
and used the courts to secure an order that
the MDC-T should hold an extraordinary
congress to replace Tsvangirai. Chamisa and
his party boycotted that special congress,
however.

Mwonzora then defeated Khupe in a cha-
otic congress.

After that Mwonzora and his party co-
operated closely with Mnangagwa at the
Political Actors Dialogue and in parliament,
prompting critics to say the MDC-T is now
a Zanu PF ally and lapdog, a tag now diffi-
cult to shake off.

Now Mwonzora has turned against Khupe
and is plotting to recall and expel her and her
allies from the MDC-T. — STAFF WRITER.

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

THE late Dewa Mavhinga - who died last weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa - was the Southern Africa Director with the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch. Mavhinga had more than 10
years research and advocacy experience on Zimbabwe as well as in Southern Africa. Before joining Human Rights Watch, he had worked as the Regional Coordinator for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
based in Johannesburg. In 2012, Mavhinga co-founded the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute, a public policy research think-tank based in Harare. A recipient of the British Chevening and Canon Col-
lins Trust scholarship, Mavhinga held a Bachelor of Law honors degree (LLB) from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master of Law degree in international human rights (LLM) for Essex University,
United Kingdom.

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

State agents threaten Botswana investors

LIZWE SEBATHA

FOUR Botswana nationals involved in a bitter Botswana nationals, who own a 60% stake at Golden Hill Mine in Mashava in Masvingo province, recently sought the intervention of Provincial Affairs minister
mine ownership dispute with their local partners Ezra Chadzamira (below).
were allegedly intimidated to leave Zimbabwe per-
manently by suspected police detectives from the
Minerals and Border Control Unit, state security
agents and a senior army officer.

This is contained in an official letter of com-
plaint to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Com-
mission (Zacc) dated 3 December 2021 by Sar-
faraz Ahmed Khan, a director and shareholder at
Bradfix (Pvt) Ltd.

A board meeting held on 2 December 2021
in Botswana attended by Sarfaraz, Abdur Razzak
Khan (chairperson) and other directors Akbar Ali
Khan and Muneer Ahmed Khan selected Sarfaraz
to represent the company in a criminal case of
fraud and money laundering against their local
partners Ragin Kassim and his wife Chipo Ma-
chona Kassim.

“The meeting was informed that Zacc had re-
sponded to the complaint report in relation to
allegations of embezzlement of funds, abuse of
office and violation of rights by Ragin Kassim
and Chipo Machona,” the minutes of the meeting
read in part.

“To this note, Zacc had requested a formal
statement of account on the matter. As such the
majority shareholders were requested to appoint
from amongst themselves, one member to attest
to this statement on their behalf in order to pro-
tect the interests of Bradfix Incorporated (Pvt).”

The Botswana nationals have a 60% stake at
Golden Hill Mine in Mashava, Masvingo prov-
ince, while their Zimbabwean partners hold the
remainder.

The Botswana nationals entered into a joint
venture agreement with the Kassims on 12 No-
vember 2013. Kassim owned and controlled five
gold claims registration numbers 8469, 8470,
8471, 8472 and 8473. Under the joint venture
agreement, the Botswana directors were to provide
seed capital and equipment required to kick-start
mining operations.

Kassim would, in turn, transfer rights in the
mine, including gold claims 8469, 8470, 8471,
8472 and 8473 to Bradfix Incorporated (Pvt) Ltd
as the vehicle through which the project would be
implemented.

The Botswana directors, who have invested a
total of approximately US$795 000 into the proj-
ect since 2013, according to documents at hand,
have been denied access to the premises since
March 2021. Their local partners accused them of
trespassing.

“It must be noted that state agencies personnel
that are in the Gold mobilisation squad and some
CIO officials such as a certain Colonel Dhlami-
ni and Shumba were used to intimidate us and
caused us to be insecure and threatened and result-
ed in us exiting Zimbabwe prematurely,” Sarfaraz
wrote to Zacc.

“Our families and ourselves have faced em-
barrassment, humiliation and been subjected to
stress, physical and mental pressures and have
been deprived of peace and stability.”

Sarfaraz said they have incurred losses of up
to US$40 000 in legal expenses, consultancy fees
since March 2021 alone in the fight for tge control
of the gold mine.

“Furthermore, the loss of production proceeds
in terms of investment returns and dividends is
a great injustice to our legal investment in Zim-
babwe and has greatly impeded our financial
growth,” he added.

“We are handicapped since we cannot obtain a
tax clearance certificate due to non-compliance by
our local partners and this obstructs us as investors
to renew our Zida investment licence and to open
a much-needed bank account, let alone apply for
residential and work permits.”

The Botswana nationals recently sought the in-
tervention of the Office of the President and Cab-
inet, Botswana embassy, Zacc, Zimbabwe Repub-
lic Police, ministries of Home Affairs and Foreign
Affairs, Zimbabwe Investment and Development
Agency (Zida), Mines ministry provincial mining
director and Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister
Ezra Chadzamira.

Zida is responsible for the licensing of investors
and was established in February 2020.

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Zanu PF faction
candidate in
baffling accident

MORRIS BISHI komere from Masvingo. He further said the happened you will not get answers. The vehi- Zaka North Rabson
vehicle he was driving is less than a year old cle just veered off the road with all its wheels Mavenyengwa
ZANU PF member of the National Assembly and was parked most of the time at his home intact, but with the grace of God nothing bad
for Zaka North Rabson Mavenyengwa, who in Masvingo. happened and from now onwards we are play- Mwenezi who is aligned to a faction support-
is challenging minister of State for Masvingo ing with caution,” the Zanu PF senior member ing Chadzamira dismissed the assassination at-
Ezra Chadzamira for the ruling party’s provin- “I was involved in a mysterious accident on said. tempt claim, saying there is no need to employ
cial chairmanship in the upcoming elections, my way to Harare on Tuesday near Gokomere dirty tricks on Mavenyengwa since Chadzami-
cheated death on Tuesday morning after he area. The vehicle veered off the road, but I was A ruling party provincial member from ra is going to win the elections freely. He said
was involved in a car accident on his way to lucky that it happened when I was not speed- raising unfounded allegations is a way of elic-
Harare near the Gokomere turnoff. ing. lf I had been speeding, it was going to be a iting sympathy, but the tactic will not work.
different story as I speak.
Mavenyengwa, who is believed to be a front
man for a faction led by Vice-President Con- “I rarely used this vehicle which I bought
stantino Chiwenga, was driving a Mercedes last year and I don’t know why I chose it that
Benz E270 which mysteriously veered off the day since it was parked most of the time at my
road in an incident which his supporters blame home in Masvingo urban. I still have many
on his political rivals whom they believe want- questions over the accident, but it is difficult
ed to eliminate him due to his growing support for me to get answers, but l am happy that l am
from the Zanu PF grassroots ahead of the par- alive,” Mavenyengwa said.
ty’s provincial elections expected this month.
A senior member of the Chiwenga faction
Chadzamira, believed to be President Em- in the province told The NewsHawks that their
merson Mnangagwa’s strong ally in the prov- faction is treating the accident as an attempt by
ince due to his links to the President dating the rival faction to eliminate their candidate.
back to the Mugabe era, will face off with Ma- He said they suspect that the vehicle was tam-
venyengwa, a former police intelligence chief pered with during the period it was parked at
in an election expected to go either way in a Mavengengwa’s home sometime last weekend
factionalism-ridden province. after some members aligned to the Chadzami-
ra faction unexpectedly visited after a provin-
Mavenyengwa confirmed the accident to cial cordinating committee meeting.
The NewsHawks and said he was still in shock.
It happened on his way to Harare to attend “We are treating this accident as an attempt
Parliament a few metres before he reached Go- on our candidate’s life. This is what we believe.
We might be wrong, but if you follow what

Nestle wins US$4m Supreme Court tax case

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE by the appellant. Thereafter, on 1 June 2016, the Continued squabbling between the two par- taxman auditing compliance. The audit should
respondent issued five amended tax assessments ties resulted in the case being referred to court, normally be done within six years of the self-as-
THE Supreme Court has saved Nestlé Zim- for the 2009 to 2013 tax years on all the disput- which ruled in Zimra’s favour. Zimra was being sessment. If there’s no audit, the self-assessment
babwe from paying a tax liability of more than ed issues claiming an aggregate amount of US$4 represented by Simplicio Bhebhe. becomes final.”
US$4 million to the Zimbabwe Revenue Au- 905 776.3,” the judgement reads.
thority (Zimra), after the company challenged The lower court made the following findings “In this matter, Zimra conducted audits and
a tax assessment for the period between 2009 “The appellant proceeded to note its objec- in respect of the issues appealed against. It found issued assessments, that is to say, it did not agree
and 2013. tion to the amended income tax assessment in that Zimra was entitled to re-open the 2009 tax with the self-assessments. The tax liability it im-
terms of section 62 of the Act. The appellant’s assessment after six years in terms of s47(1)(ii) posed as a result was in excess of US$4million
Nestlé had done self-assessment tax returns, objections centred on prescription regarding the of the Act in light of the misrepresentation by which Nestlé had to pay. We objected to the va-
but a Zimra audit found that the company had 2009 income tax year, written off bad debts, dis- Nestlé. lidity of the assessments, arguing that they did
made misrepresentations. allowed excess capital, accrued expenses, man- not comply with the law. This is the argument
agement fees and excess royalty payments on Commenting on the matter, Mpofu said: upheld by the court with the result that Nestlé
However, Nestlé challenged Zimra’s assertion, brands.” “By law, companies make self-assessments for was saved more than US$4 million.”
resulting in the matter spilling into court. income tax, but that is without prejudice to the

Zimra won the case at the Special Court for
Income Tax Appeals in March 2020.

Nestlé appealed, with its lawyer Thabani
Mpofu, arguing that the lower court had erred
“both as a matter of law and as matter of fact”.

A three-member Supreme Court bench con-
sisting of Justices Lavender Makoni, Antonia
Guvava and Susan Mavangira, after hearing the
arguments in the matter, set aside the judge-
ment.

“In terms of powers set out in s25(2) of the
Supreme Court Act, the proceedings of the
court a quo in ITC 9/2016 be and are hereby set
aside,” Makoni said.

According to the court papers, Zimra, which
is the administrative body tasked with assess-
ment, collection and enforcement of the pay-
ment of taxes leviable under the (Income Tax)
Act, carried out an investigation and audit into
Nestlé’s tax compliance for annual income tax
assessment returns for the period 2009 to 2013.

“The investigation constituted a review into
the appellant’s (Nestlé) submitted tax self-assess-
ment returns. Several documents were submit-
ted to the respondent and a number of meetings
were held between the parties. During the re-
view, the respondent noted numerous anomalies
within the tax self-assessment returns submitted

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Residents outraged as council
auctions bus for ZW$20 000

Masvingo City Council

MORRIS BISHI

MASVINGO residents are up in arms with the Masvingo City Council is accused of failing to deliver vital services like refuse collection.
city council after the local authority sold a func-
tioning bus for a paltry ZW$20 000 at an auc- amongst council officials. We demand a full ex- since the money collected cannot even buy a “This is a sad development for our town,
tion which was held without their knowledge. planation from council and they should furnish wheel for the bus,” Mtimba said. auctioning a functioning bus for that fee is a
us with details of the person who bought it. mockery to ratepayers. They wanted to replace
The 75-seater AVM bus, which was used by Masvingo Residents’ Forum director Prosper the bus but what can they buy with that pal-
council to ferry workers to work, was auctioned “The bus was useful as it used to carry coun- Tiringindi told The NewsHawks that city fa- try figure? Our city fathers are betraying the
by a local auctioneer in November last month cil employees to work and it was also used to thers who were elected by the people are failing same people who elected them to office. How
in a move described by residents as corrupt. The ferry mourners during bereavements of council to represent the same voters who elected them can they approve such a wicked decision which
residents accuse top council officials of failing workers. It was also hired out to several people, to office by making decisions which betray the robs residents of their important asset?” fumed
to disclose the person who bought the vehicle. bringing the much-needed money to council. ratepayers. He said the secret auction shows that Tiringindi.
We therefore urge council to reverse the auction council affairs are not being properly handled.
This came at a time when residents are pay-
ing hefty monthly bills, yet the local authority
is failing to deliver vital services like water sup-
plies, refuse collection, as well as road mainte-
nance.

Masvingo City Council mayor Collen Mabo-
ke told The NewsHawks that he will only issue
a statement after receiving a full report from
the auctioneer who was hired by to sell the bus.
He however said that it is true that the bus was
sold in local currency instead of foreign curren-
cy which the councillors had instructed council
management to do.

"We discussed this issue as councillors recent-
ly, but we requested for a full report from the
management. At the moment I cannot tell you
the actual amount which was realised from the
bus, but I can confirm that it was sold in local
currency. The charging of the bus in local cur-
rency is not what we agreed as councillors, but
I only issue a statement after receiving a report
from the auctioneer whom I can identify as Mu-
gure,” Maboke said.

Masvingo United Residents and Ratepay-
ers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey
Mtimba told The NewsHawks that it is shocking
to note that a bus which was part of council’s
critical equipment was sold for a paltry fee in
a move which residents suspect involved senior
management at the local authority. He said
council should divulge the name of the person
who bought the bus and in future they should
inform residents before taking such decisions.

“As the biggest residents’ association in Mas-
vingo, we are appalled by the decision taken by
council to auction such a bus during an auction
held secretly for a paltry fee. We suspect that
this move is just a tip of bigger corrupt deals
taking place at our local authority as indicators
are showing us that the one who won the bid is

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Govt’s choice of vaccines under scrutiny

MARY MUNDEYA A report produced by Zimcodd claims the country could have suffered from donation-trap diplomacy, resulting in the purchase of expensive vaccines.

ZIMBABWE’S vaccination programme has the AU-arranged vaccine donations? vaccines approved in Zimbabwe.” the government of Zimbabwe takes immediate
come under scrutiny amid questions as to why “It was such questions coupled with the un- The government has been accused of failing action to save its people.
Treasury purchased expensive vaccines whilst
cheaper ones with better efficacy were on the deniable advantages of J&J vaccines over other to ensure there transparency in the acquisition “The world was in a crisis and was faced with
market. vaccines that made the government change its of Covid-19 vaccines, personal protective equip- vast vaccine shortages, therefore it was impera-
decision. This is because, the decision to reject ment and other supplies. tive that the Zimbabwean government takes im-
The NewsHawks, working with partners in- J&J vaccines defied logic and value for money mediate action to secure the vaccines that were
cluding Transparency International Zimbabwe, audits which is the nerve-centre of public re- In January 2021, the government indicated available to protect its people,” Dr Labode said.
has been looking into the use of Covid-19 re- source management since the J&J vaccines is that it had set aside US$100 million for vaccines
sources and attendant transparency and account- administered as a one-dose as compared to Sino- and the money was being sourced from the 2020 The director of Parliament’s budget office,
ability issues. pharm and Sinovac which require two doses. budget surplus. Pepukai Chivore, concurred with Dr Labode,
saying even if shortages were a reality, the Zimba-
According to a report by the Zimbabwe Coali- “Thus, the cost of rolling out J&J is much less In July 2021, the government further an- bwean government had a duty to be transparent.
tion on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) pre- than that of rolling out Sinovac, Sinopharm, Co- nounced that it had used US$93 million of the
sented at the recently held Public Expenditure vaxin and Sputnik. Therefore, in terms of eco- US$100 million, but did not give a breakdown “What Dr Labode is saying makes a lot of
Tracking Surveys (PETS) parliamentary sensiti- nomic values and public finance management of exactly how the money was spent. sense. At the same time, it’s also important to un-
sation meeting, Zimbabwe could have suffered principles it was expedient for the country to derstand where the bone of contention is coming
from donation-trap diplomacy, resulting in the accept the J&J vaccines and even consider it for Chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio from. It’s important that the Zimbabwean gov-
purchase of expensive vaccines. purchase, given its one-dose advantage which committee for Health Dr Ruth Labode said the ernment be accountable and open to its citizens
outweighs the two-dose requirement of the four purchase of expensive vaccines over cheaper ones about why some of these things end up being
Some vaccines purchased from India are yet could be due to the shortage of vaccines that the done so that there is transparency,” he said.
to be delivered. world was experiencing, adding it is imperative

“As of 12 August 2021, Zimbabwe had re-
ceived approximately 660 000 doses of donations
from China, Russia and India. The vaccines in-
clude 500 000 Sinopharm doses, 75 000 Sputnik
doses, 50 000 Sputnik doses from the ALROSA
group, and 35 000 Covaxin doses from India.”

“Each Covaxin vaccine dose costs approxi-
mately US$20. Zimbabwe received 35 000 doses
of vaccines as a donation which cost approxi-
mately US$700 000. The value of the donated
doses is less than the value of the purchased vac-
cines as evidenced by 1 million doses purchase
made to India by Zimbabwe. The estimated
value of the purchase is approximately US$20
million,” the report says.

“There are other vaccines with lower pric-
es and efficacy rates than that of Covaxin, for
example Sinopharm which comes at a cost of
US$5 while Covaxin is at $20. Other vaccines
with better prices and efficacy rates as compared
to Covaxin include but are not limited to John-
son and Johnson US$10 (72%), Sputnik US$10
(91%), Novavax US$16 (90.98%), Bharat Bio-
tech US$2 (78%) . . .”

Concerns were also raised as to why the Zim-
babwean government has approved only the use
of Covid-19 vaccines mostly donated and sup-
plied by China, yet there are other vaccines with
better efficacy and competitive prices.

“Currently the Zimbabwean government has
only approved the use of five vaccines, namely
Sinopharm and Sinovac from China, Covaxin
from India, Sputnik V from Russia and Johnson
& Johnson from the USA. This is despite the fact
that there are other vaccines which have better
efficacy rates and more competitive prices than
the current approved vaccines,” the report says.

The initial rejection and sudden acceptance of
the Johnson & Johnson vaccine also raised eye-
brows.

“On the 2nd of June 2021, the government
of Zimbabwe turned down 3 million doses of
J&J vaccines which it had been allocated under
the African Union Covid-19 Vaccination Pro-
gramme. The rejection of J&J vaccines happened
at a time when the country was experiencing vac-
cine shortages. In their argument for rejection
of the said vaccines, the government cited cold
chain infrastructural incapacity to handle the
J&J vaccine,” the report noted.

“However, the argument was not valid be-
cause the J&J vaccine requires storage tempera-
tures ranging between 2 degrees and 8 degrees
Celsius and Zimbabwe already has those cold
chain mechanisms to store vaccines at the re-
quired temperature.

“One wonders whether the rejection of J&J
vaccines might have been propelled by geopoli-
tics and foreign policy inclination as Zimbabwe
is an ally of China and Russia following her fall-
out with Western nations in 2000.”

The report says government’s decision raised
a lot of questions among citizens, academia and
civil society organisations.

“Some of the questions include but are not
limited to the following: What are the future im-
plications on international support in the event
of other disasters, will Zimbabwe be eligible for
support after this gesture? With Zimbabwe seek-
ing to rebuild its international image and re-en-
gagement drive, was it a prudent move to deny

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 60, 10 December 2021 Adequately
fund health
sector: MPs

MARY MUNDEYA

LEGISLATORS have called on Treasury to ad- Parliamentary portfolio com- HIV and prevention services as well as cancer. It been characterised by critical shortages of spe-
equately fund the health sector which has for mittee on Health and Childcare also includes 5% excise duty on airtime and mo- cialised professionals, demotivated staff who go
decades been heavily dependent on development bile data through the Health Fund Levy which on strikes, dilapidated hospitals and equipment,
partners. chairperson Dr Ruth Labode targets the procurement of medicines and med- lack of essential medicines and commodities, in-
gwe North Legislator Ability Gandawa and also ical supplies and equipment for public hospitals adequate ambulances and service vehicles, poor
This comes after Finance minister Mthuli echoed Labode’s sentiments and pleaded that the and clinics and the 2% intermediate money diet for patients, inadequate emergency services
Ncube presented a ZW$927 billion budget for ministry be prioritised. transfer tax. for delivery and underutilisation of existing an-
the year 2022, which saw the Health and Child- tenatal services.
care ministry getting 12.2%, an allocation be- Currently some of Zimbabwe’s health sector For years, the health sector in Zimbabwe has
low the Abuja Declaration target and the World financing mechanisms include a compulsory
Health Organisation (WHO) recommended Aids levy (3%) on all formally employed per-
15% per capita of the government budget. sons which is administered by the National Aids
Trust Fund for the care of peopke living with
In 2022, the health sector is expected to re-
ceive US$482 million.

Since 2014, domestic health funding has been
contributing about 55% with the remaining
45% being contributed by development part-
ners.

Speaking at the recently held Public Expendi-
ture Tracking Survey (PETS) sensitisation and
consensus building workshop initiated by the
Campus project in partnership with Zimbabwe
Community Health Intervention Research

(ZiCHIRE), the Southern African Parliamen-
tary Support Trust (SAPST) and the Zimbabwe
Coalition on Debt and Development (Zim-
codd), where members of Parliament were being
conscientised on how to track public spending
using PETS.

Parliamentary portfolio committee on Health
and Childcare chairperson Dr Ruth Labode be-
moaned the health sector underfunding in Zim-
babwe and equated it to a family that is not tak-
en care of by its father.

“We are as good as a family that’s taken care
of by next door neighbours except our own fa-
ther. If these development partners are to wake
up and be gone tomorrow, how will we survive
as a nation?”

Dr Labode urged the government not to relax
in the face of donor funding, saying Zimbabwe
needs to gradually move towards the Abuja dec-
laration targets.

“It’s important that we work in sync with in-
ternational declarations which we are part of as
a nation. The Health ministry should be priori-
tised,” she said.

Other Health portfolio committee members
who were present at the meeting such as Hurun-

Page 16 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

MICHELLE CHIFAMBA Artisanal gold mining illegal
yet thriving — Who benefits?
ARTISANAL gold mining remains an illegal yet
thriving practice along the gold-rich belts of Ma- Artisanal miner working at a gold claim owned by a small-scale miner.
zowe, Shamva and Norton. Traditional, low cost, makeshift equipment used by artisanal miners

This investigation takes a close look at this
seemingly neglected and illegal practice, policy
vulnerabilities, as well as the government’s reluc-
tance to legalise and formalise the trade.

In 2019, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube indi-
cated that Zimbabwe lost between 30 tonnes and
40 tonnes of gold due to smuggling to South Af-
rica every year. The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt
and Development, a social and economic justice
movement, says more than US$10 billion is lost
every year due to illicit financial flows and smug-
gling. Proper policies could take Zimbabwe to the
top of the global gold market, promote economic
development and create employment. This report
takes a close look at the daily realities of artisanal
miners and the policy inconsistencies that make
them flourish.

In a country in which the majority of the work-
ing population ekes out a living in the informal
sector, people risk their lives digging underground
in search of the precious yellow metal.

In Norton, 40 kilometres west of the capital
Harare, artisanal miners have broadened their
search for gold ore as they continue to dig under-
ground, at times as deep as 18 metres.

In West-band area, artisanal miners, with
makeshift mining mills made of poles, metal and
black plastic sheeting are scattered around. Their
hope is for the government to regularise them as
they contribute to the country’s gold production.

They could dig deeper, but without resourc-
es such as excavating machinery, explosives and
shafts, they have to compromise.

For the past two years, Denis Tevera (30 years)
has followed the same routine: digging deep into
the soil every day in search of the precious min-
eral.

Tevera, his co-workers and a number of other
miners surrounding the mining compound are
worried about their continued labelling as “illegal
miners” and “makorokoza”.

“The names suggest violence — yet we are in-
nocent and would want to make an honest living.
If government could enable us to be formalised so
that we could do our work without fear of being
arrested. We silently contribute to the economic
development of the country because after it (gold)
has been sold, no one can tell how it was mined,
either by small-scale, commercial miners or ma-
korokoza,” Tevera tells The NewsHawks.

Tevera and his three co-workers say to obtain
one gramme of gold they have to gather five bags
of ore, while using their traditional processing
equipment to separate the gold from the ore.

“The gold is found inside the rock,” Tevera
says. “After processing, we take the gold to the
mill. Small-scale miners weigh and buy the gold
ore. Last week we got 4 grammes of gold and our
local buyer paid US$40 per gramme.”

“It is hard work digging the ground, yet we
have to endure. It is not easy,” Tevera says.

He shares the earnings with his co-miners.
In-order to maximise on profits, some miners
bring the entire family, including children to
work on the mine.

In some instances, Tevera says, the artisanal
miners are not the owners of the small trenches
on which they dig, but are hired as labour by cer-
tain individuals, called “sponsors”, who have links
to the markets.

“Sponsors are either politicians or wealthy and
well-connected individuals,” Tevera says.

“They get a mining claim and hire us to dig
for the gold. They bring equipment, pumps and
explosives. They will sell the gold. We get 50% of
the proceeds.”

Performance in the gold mining sector
Zimbabwe’s mining sector has a significant role
in the development of the country as it brings
in foreign currency, contributes to government
revenue and provides for infrastructure develop-
ment. Since 2009, the mining sector has become
the fastest growing with both small-scale mining
companies, artisanal miners and multinational
companies being involved in the gold rush.
However, as a result of illicit financial flows,
Zimbabwe has been losing revenue through gold
smuggling into neighbouring South Africa and to
Dubai.
The case of Zimbabwe Miners Federation
president Henrietta Rushwaya’s arrest at Robert
Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while at-

NewsHawks News Page 17

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Low-cost equipment used by small-scale miners to extract gold ore from underground.

tempting to smuggle 6 kilogrammes of gold to Traditional mining equipment used by artisanal miners. Flawed gold buying scheme
Dubai was described by small-scale miner “The government has been opening up for
Zimbabwe, it remains an undisclosed truth 63% of the recorded production of gold. In most black-market, illicit gold buying and smuggling to
Harold Mukwayi as an exposure of government’s that politically connected officials scramble for cases, the artisanal miners operate illegally and do neighbouring South Africa. Zimbabwe is mineral
involvement in the promotion of illicit financial small-mining claims and then proceed to spon- not sell the mineral to the state-prescribed buyer. rich, but the government’s policies have contribut-
flows and smuggling of gold outside the country. sor artisanal miners with equipment. The bigwigs ed to the country losing foreign currency, because
sell the gold and give a few crumbs to the toiling “Small-scale mining is an agent for economic the bulk of the gold is being exported outside the
Mukwayi resides in the mining town of Sham- miners. development. These [artisanal miners] are un- country,” Mukwayi says.
va, about 90km northeast of Harare. He says the trained geologists with capacity to contribute to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, the government's
situation in the mining industry has been deterio- “Politicians linked to the ruling party are in- the country’s gold production. main buyer of gold, is paying miners US$54 per
rating under the new administration of President volved with artisanal miners. They sponsor the gramme while private buyers from neighbour-
Emmerson Mnangagwa because the government gold mining and own small claims. They cannot There should be a law enforced to allow them ing South Africa are paying between US$58 and
is weak on dealing with corruption. Those who are get their hands dirty, and we cannot name them,” to trade. They should be allowed to form associa- US$60.
politically connected therefore benefit. says an artisanal miner who cannot not be named tions so that they are regularised so as to remove “The government, through Fidelity Printers
for fear of victimisation. leakages,” Shangarai tells The NewsHawks. and Refiners, inconveniences gold miners and for
“The case of Henrietta Rushwaya is a clear rev- that reason small-scale miners have failed to ex-
elation of how the Mnangagwa regime has been Zimcodd has reported that unclear policies Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association pand,” Mukwayi says.
supporting corruption,” Mukwayi says. have facilitated the smuggling of gold outside the (Zela) produced a report titled Illicit Gold Trade “It takes more than two weeks for Fidelity to
country, causing the country to lose large amounts and Smuggling — Vulnerabilities in the aftermath process our payments and it is very challenging be-
“She was arrested with 6kg of gold, but the big of foreign currency. of the Rushwaya smuggling case. The report out- cause mining is cash extensive. We have to repair
question is how much has she smuggled out with- lined how the government is using the illegal artis- pumps, buy explosives as well as pay our workers.
out being caught and how many others are smug- John Maketo, the Zimcodd programmes man- anal miners to promote revenue leakages. The delays in payment by Fidelity Printers affect
gling without being caught?” ager, says there are huge volumes of illicit financial production capacity.”
outflows in the mining industry and these lead to “The system of gold leakages in Zimbabwe is “In some instances, we end up resorting to sell-
A 2020 report by the Centre for Research and loss of social and economic rights for the country’s linked to criminality within the artisanal and ing our gold on the black-market to independent
Development in Zimbabwe (CRDZ) revealed population. small-scale mining sector. Massive gold leakage is gold buyers who pay us cash on sale, to ensure
that Zimbabwe has a corrupt and porous aviation facilitated by a well-connected system leveraging that production does not stop,” Mukwayi tells The
security system that facilitates smuggling through “The government has been failing to provide on the chaos in the sector and the influence of po- NewsHawks.
private airstrips, as well as national and interna- for adequate social and economic rights for its litical actors,” the Zela report read. Patronage and obsolete regulatory system
tional airports. population. There has been a lack of access to Small-scale miners in Zimbabwe say the ab-
healthcare, water and sanitation, education and The Centre for Research and Development in sence of clear government policies triggers illicit
The report says, “The Henrietta Rushwaya gold social security safety nets.” Zimbabwe reports that the exploitation of gold financial flows.
smuggling case is confirmation that Robert Mug- is controlled by the ruling Zanu PF elites and The Zela report says the government does not
abe International Airport has a long history of sys- Revenue lost as artisanal mining thrives securocrats, whose actions have become a source have a gold policy framework on exploration, pro-
tematic smuggling of precious minerals involving Government statistics show that artisanal and of violence, destruction of the environment and duction, beneficiation, as well as marketing and
state security agents, security officers and VVIPs.” small-scale miners are responsible for extraction of the contamination of water bodies with toxic sub- management.
stances. It says the lack of clarity with regards to the
Isaac Shangarai, vice-chairperson Mazowe Ar- government’s policy direction on accountability of
tisanal Miners Association and general manager gold, including measures to curb criminality and
Dericose Mining Company in Mazowe, tells The illicit trade has been the key driver of illicit finan-
NewsHawks that Zimbabwe is poised to surpass its cial flows in the gold sector.
target in improving economic growth through the The ZMF, which represents small-scale miners,
mining industry, but there is need for regularisa- says the monopoly of the government as the sole
tion of mining laws to prevent leakages. buyer of gold has contributed toward the losses
and non-performance in the sector.
“The contribution of artisanal miners in gold “Government should not monopolise the buy-
production should be recognised. Lack of regular- ing of gold in the country,” ZMF spokesperson
isation for artisanal miners has exposed them to Desmond Mangisi says.
exploitation. They do not have relevant paperwork “The market should be open to allow other
to access formal gold buyers and they remain dis- stakeholders such as bankers to compete. It (Fi-
advantaged and cannot negotiate for gold prices,” delity Printers) has been recording losses since the
Shangarai tells The NewsHawks. beginning of the year because its payment system
is not favourable to miners and that has resulted in
Inside Zim’s illicit gold mining trade miners opting for the black market,” Mangisi tells
The Zimbabwean government through the The NewsHawks.
ministry of Finance announced that it is losing
about US$1.8 billion of mineral revenues, espe-
cially gold, to smuggling and externalisation.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs minister Kazembe
Kazembe disclosed that Zimbabwe was losing at
least US$100 million worth of gold every month
through international smuggling rings and the
country’s porous borders.
In the gold-rich mining communities across

Page 18 News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

MARY MUNDEYA Escape from child marriage to
first class university graduate
FATE is not usually kind to a lot of people who
suffered a difficult childhood. Lisa
Ndengo
For one orphaned at the tender age of 10,
and risked an early arranged child marriage, Lisa “The elders in my extended family were sup- to focus on my studies and assisted me in every ment is more than a confidence booster. For
Ndengo (24) appeared destined for that unfor- porting my cousin and her husband so they hid way she could until I was three years into my years I had been living in the shadows just hop-
tunate path. everything that was happening to my two broth- Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood De- ing for a better day. Ever since I was sexually
ers who were also young at the time. I however velopment degree programme,” Lisa said. abused, I never felt whole,” she says.
Her early life was not easy. She found her- ended up confiding in one of them who con-
self moving from one relative to another during fronted my cousin, her husband and the family “Just because my former teacher who had be- “I was constantly depressed, struggling a lot
childhood. elders and they pulled back after he threatened come my guardian was going through a rough with my self-esteem and asking God why such
to report them to the police.” patch financially and could not afford to con- a thing happened to me and why my family be-
Most people who fall into such circumstances tinue paying my tuition fees, I looked for a job trayed my trust through exposing me to such a
tend to give in and accept their fate. But not Lisa then moved to Macheke where she stayed as a security guard and I was on attachment by traumatic experience and no none was brought
Lisa. with her visually impaired grandmother. day as an ECD teacher and a security guard by to book for it.
night for the last one-and-a-half years of my de-
She has graduated with a first-class degree! For years, she survived on part-time jobs in gree programme”. “The fact that no one, even from the com-
“I am more than happy. Indeed, God qualifies people’s fields until she was taken in by her class munity, stood by me and my brothers since we
the unqualified. I’m failing to believe that all this teacher who had noticed she was broken, judg- Lisa regarded graduating as the best student were at the mercy of our extended family and
is real,” Ndengo says, with tears of joy streaming ing from how she would relate with others in with a first class degree, a book prize, the Chick- reported the matter to the police has given me
down her cheeks as she gazes at her prizes. school. en Slice trophy and a cash prize as more than a the courage to want to work with children from
She was among the group of graduates from confidence booster. marginalised communities and I hope that my
the Zimbabwe Open University who were “I’m glad that my teacher took me in and attained qualification will help me achieve that.”
capped at the Harare International Conference treated me like her own child. She pushed me “Without any shadow of doubt, this achieve-
Centre last month.
But that was not only the reason for her cel-
ebration. Ndengo had attained a first-class de-
gree.
After being orphaned at the age of 10, at 14
she found herself at the mercy of her extended
family who wanted to marry her off as a token
to her brother-in-law whose wife had failed to
conceive.
They were plotting to make her a child bride.
“One day I was ordered to assist my cousin
who was married in the neighbouring village
with some house chores, only to be surprised
with her husband’s unusual request when I got
there.
“He made advances, saying he wanted me to
be in a relationship with him, which I denied
and the response that my cousin sister gave me
when I told her what had happened left me puz-
zled.
“Apparently, she was all in for the idea and
that’s when the rumours I had heard of me being
given as a token to my cousin sister’s husband
so that I bear children for him made sense. My
cousin had been failing to conceive for years, so
they thought I was the solution.
“In our tradition, if a woman whose dowry
was fully paid for fails to bear children for her
husband, the husband has a right to demand
that he be given his dowry back and the wife is
sent back to her parents.
“In this case my extended family had decid-
ed that I involuntarily be given to my cousin’s
husband as a way of appeasing him into not de-
manding that the dowry he had paid be given
back to him.”
After declining the request, Ndengo decided
to spend the night since it was already late. It
would turn out to be a miscalculation.
“I regretted not going back during the night
as much as it was dark, maybe that could have
saved me. My cousin’s husband came to where I
was sleeping and raped me. I’m sure he thought
that was going to break me into agreeing to be
his second wife,” Lisa said.
“The most hurtful thing is that my cousin was
aware of everything that was happening, yet she
did nothing to protect me.

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NewsHawks News Page 19

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Special Covid-19

PANDEMIC coverage

Zim misses Covid herd immunity target

LIZWE SEBATHA tainment of Covid-19 herd immunity in Zim- Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga
babwe is a dream that is far-fetched.
ZIMBABWE has missed the December target
to vaccinate about 60% of the population to “This is despite mandatory vaccination of
meet herd immunity, with only less than 25% civil servants that has so far managed to have
having been jabbed so far, amid fears of a fourth 99% of public sector workers vaccinated against
wave. Covid-19.”

Health experts said vaccine hesitancy slowed In November, the Health ministry started
the vaccination drive. vaccinating teenagers to boost numbers.

The government planned to achieve 60% Mpilo Central Hospital senior resident med-
herd immunity with the vaccination of 10 mil- ical officer Dr Misheck Ruwende said hesitancy
lion people by December. fuelled by misinformation on the efficacy of the
vaccines is to blame for Zimbabwe’s failure to
But statistics from the Health and Child attain herd immunity.
Care ministry shows that about 3.8 million
people have been vaccinated, while 2 851 942 “For Zimbabwe it is mainly hesitancy rather
have been fully vaccinated. than other factors. But this looks more to be an
African problem than a Zimbabwean, especially
This represents about 25% of the estimat- when you consider that we are ranked among
ed 15-million-strong Zimbabwean population the best regardless of our low vaccination rates,”
having been jabbed, less than half of the target- Ruwende said.
ed 60%, amid fears of a fourth wave following a
surge in Covid-19 cases. “Hesitancy was actually fuelled by misinfor-
mation and, also, there was a limited choice of
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga last vaccines. Increasing diversity of vaccines will
week said the country has also recorded cases of have a great impact. It may not necessarily be
the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, which was approving more vaccines, but making available
detected in Botswana and South Africa. the approved ones.”

A research institution, the Zimbabwe De- Apart from the Chinese Sinopharm and Si-
mocracy Institute (ZDI), last week said at- novac vaccines, the government, through the
taining herd immunity remains a far-fetched Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, has
dream. also approved Covaxin from India and Sputnik
V from Russia.
“The government of Zimbabwe took seven
months to vaccinate 38% of the targeted herd Community Working Group on Health
immunity population. It follows that the at- (CWGH) director Itai Rusike added: “Lack of
tainment of herd immunity now requires the sustained credible information resulted in the
government to vaccinate the remaining 68% in rise of misinformation, disinformation, science
two months,” the ZDI said. denialism, anti-vaccine sentiments and vaccine
hesitancy, resulting in low uptake of vaccines.”
Last month, the Health ministry said the
vaccination programme had reached a national The country kicked off the Covid-19 vacci-
coverage of 38% of the targeted population. nation drive in February after receiving a do-
nation of 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm vac-
“It is apparent the government is faced with a cine. Chiwenga, who doubles as the country’s
huge mountain to climb, considering the rate at health minister, was the first to receive the jab.
which Covid-19 vaccination is moving. The at-

Page 20 Editorial & Opinion NewsHawks

CARTOON Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Harvesting grapes
of failed leadership

THE armed robbery menace is spiralling out of control Human rights defenders: We
as brazen criminals raid homes, shops and mines, with need them more than ever!
terrified citizens forlonly remarking that such crimes
were very rare in bygone days. THE shock death of prominent Zimbabwe- That is why it needs to draw a line and paid activists. We must stand against a cul-
an human rights activist and defender Dewa stop the record and trend of abuses that have ture of paid activism. It is a disservice to
Violent crimes involving firearms were so unusual that Mavhinga provoked an outpouring of grief, left the nation convulsed into a scarred and communities and society.
they would invariably make it to the front pages of news- sadness and eulogy, as well as celebration of traumatised into despair.
papers. Even machete attacks elicited screaming head- his great work. Human rights defenders must play a key
lines back in the day. Those in power and their supporters will role in upholding people’s basic and funda-
Not even Mavhinga himself would have not stop human rights abuses of their own mental constitutional rights without neces-
How life has changed! imagined when he was still alive that upon volition, they have got to be stopped. sarily being paid for it.
Not only is there a glut of unlicensed guns in this coun- his death he would be mourned so widely,
try these days, but the profile of the average criminal has so far and so fondly. That his legacy was A new value system, democratic frame- They must be watchdogs over the author-
also changed in general. going to be so hyped, reflected upon and work and national consciousness are needed ities to ensure their policies, measures and
While armed robbers in the past used to consist, in the treasured. For there have been many other to guide the nation forward. The current actions do not unduly infringe on human
main, of lumpen elements from society’s ugly underbelly, equally passionate, committed and fearless national, community and societal toxicity rights, for instance freedom of expression,
today’s gunslinging criminals include soldiers, police offi- human rights defenders, people or activists must be uprooted and replaced with new association and movement, to privacy and
cers and university graduates. who individually or collectively act to pro- spirit of nation-building, diversity and tol- rights on education, health, housing and so-
In a sense, Zimbabwe has become one huge crime mote or protect human rights in a peaceful erance. cial services.
scene. Failed economic policies, discredited leaders, stone manner, before him.
age politics, runaway corruption and rampant cronyism Zimbabwe is a broken and toxic nation. Mavhinga played a huge role in this field.
have pushed the country to the edge. However, what set Mavhinga apart from If one wants to see that just monitor social He promoted and defended human rights
Criminologists have often attributed the rising tide of others was not just his commitment and de- media and witness the level of intolerance on regional and international platforms,
armed robbery to the growing inequalities in this society, termination to human rights, but his coura- and divisions along political, class and eth- not least at home where he would go into
in other words the yawning gaps in wealth disparities. geous effort to serve ordinary people in their nic lines. the field, at serious personal risk, to meet,
Zimbabwe is an unequal society; the rich are getting rich- hour of need in a way that would create talk to and record stories and testimonies of
er while the poor are sinking deeper into poverty. ripple effects for generations to come, his Political and ethnic hostilities being the ordinary people; victims of human rights
That is not the only worrying trend. The number of patience and humility in the face of danger. abuses.
Zimbabweans in extreme poverty has reached 7.9 million Hawk Eye
this year, according to a World Bank report. This is a stag- Mavhinga did not engage in activism for Mavhinga investigated human rights
gering statistic; it means half the country’s entire popu- money and fame, but to make a difference Dumisani issues to speak from a position of factual,
lation is wallowing on the brink of starvation. A hungry in communities and society. Muleya verified and truth information.
society cannot be a secure society.
The rate of economic recovery — even optimists will Of course, like everyone else he needed most toxic. The amount of hate is scary. What he did in Marange or after the 1
concede this point — will not be at levels that can offset money to pay his bills, but that was not his People are even willing to celebrate hurt, August 2018 killings or better still after the
the massive job losses and the destroyed livelihoods in main motivation and drive. He wanted to January 2019 murders and violence was
both the formal and informal sectors. serve the ordinary people and help them injury and the killing of each other to feed remarkable, for example.
There are no social safety nets worth talking about. In defend their rights and stand up against and serve their sadistic mindsets and in-
fact, the government recently admitted that the Covid-19 authoritarianism, repression, inequality and stincts — a sign of a broken society. He also lobbied civil society, the author-
pocket money scheme, meant to benefit poverty-stricken evil. ities and state institutions to implement
families, has been an unmitigated failure. If political violence, kidnapping, enforced their constitutional and international hu-
But it is the alarming involvement of soldiers and po- Hence he was involved in people’s social disappearances and all sorts of human rights man rights obligations.
lice in armed robbery which should give everyone sleep- struggles, covering human rights abuses violations do not directly affect one’s family,
less nights. in politics, natural resources exploitation relatives or friends, tribe or region, then it is Like many of his colleagues, Mavhinga
When trained security agents who have a constitution- humanitarian causes and third generation not an issue. worked professionally and in a non-partisan
al mandate to serve and to protect go rogue and attack rights, for instance. way to secure accountability for respect for
citizens with impunity, there is no better definition of a That is how depraved — morally bank- human rights, while also ending impunity.
broken society. No one knows precisely what sort of so- rupt, corrupt and wicked — some Zimba-
Self-serving political leaders may deny this, but the cial struggles are going to happen in Zim- bweans have now become. But Mavhinga Given what Zimbabwe is now, especially
stark reality is that all is not well in the barracks. Like babwe in years ahead, but we can be certain rose above that. He saw people as people in this global Covid-19 pandemic era, we
everywhere else in this country, poverty has taken root in that what Mavhinga was fighting for — a and human beings as human beings — he need more and not less human rights ac-
cantonment zones. culture of human rights respect and obser- had ubuntu — in the line of duty. tivists to raise the alarm and demand action
A hungry clerk in the civil service could be tempted to vation — remains yet to be accomplished. when marginalised groups or individuals are
loot government stationery, but what can a soldier steal? That is the sort and quality of a human being disproportionately affected or forgot-
We should not be surprised that any of the unlicensed With that in mind, people should con- rights activist Zimbabwe needs now. The ten by policy and new Covid-19 measures.
guns used in violent crimes are actually coming from se- tinue from where Mavhinga left; intensify
curity sector armouries. the struggle. Mavhinga type. Not opportunists and This includes those historically or usually
Whenever soldiers and police officers are implicated in discriminated against, people in the infor-
armed robbery, government propagandists are quick to Zimbabwe has a long history of human mal economy, people vulnerable to state vi-
issue the usual tired threats: “We have set up a crack team rights violations, violence and brutality, dat- olence or those being hounded by the state,
which will shoot to kill.” ing back to pre-colonial, colonial settlerism, for example. We need more Mavhingas to
Killing violent criminals may serve as a short-term de- liberation struggle and post-colonial eras. keep a check on abuse of power by state and
terrent, but it does not address the problem in the long non-state actors.
term. We must ask ourselves why armed robbery cases are
on the increase.
We must also ask why members of the security service
are being implicated in many cases.
When will Zanu PF leaders realise that corruption-in-
duced poverty poses an existential threat to the very sur-
vival of this republic?

Reaffirming the fundamental impor- The NewsHawks is published on different EDITORIAL STAFF: Marketing Officer: Voluntary Media
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NewsHawks New Perspectives Page 21

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

"IN my country, we feel the impact Climate change and rising
of climate change more than most. interest in renewable energy
Our temperatures have risen by ap-
proximately 2 degrees Celsius over President Emmerson Mnangagwa with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (right).
the past century, which has seen
a significant increase in extreme China, for example, is still in- greenhouse gas emissions curbed the fossil fuel industry, at the same 200GW of wind and solar capacity
weather. In the past two decades vesting in new coal plants, build- to 44.7 million tonnes of carbon time, the renewable energy sector in 2026, four years earlier than its
alone, we have had to deal with ing more than one per week in dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) by has also witnessed sharp increase target of 2030. China is the world’s
10 droughts", said President Em- 2020. India has nearly doubled 2030, a reduction of about 30 mil- in its growth. The IEA pointed this biggest carbon emitter, but the gov-
merson Mnangagwa at the recent its coal consumption over the last lion tonnes. One of our routes to out: "It has been another record ernment was reluctant at COP26
United Nations COP26 climate decade, while refusing to commit achieve that is through significant year for renewable energy, despite to commit to the strengthening of
change summit. to a meaningful net-zero emissions expansion of renewable energy the Covid-19 pandemic and rising its emissions-cutting targets, which
target. with the aim of having 26.5% of costs for raw materials around the many observers had hoped for. 
Zimbabwe is among countries all energy from renewable sources world. About 290GW (gigawatts)
that are focusing more on renew- And Russia is doing almost by 2030. This includes investment of new renewable energy genera- China’s rapid expansion of re-
able energy, especially with regards nothing, claiming that its forests, in hydro energy, newable energy suggested the
solar projects. According to an In- tundra and swamps will absorb solar energy and country could reach an emissions
ternational Energy Agency (IEA) enough carbon to render it carbon biomass", said Econometrics peak “well before 2030”. In In-
report published on 1 December, neutral by 2060. The US, too, is President Mnan- HawksView dia, the growth of renewables is
renewables will account for about proving unequal to the challenge. gagwa.  outstanding, supporting the gov-
95% of the increase in global pow- ernment’s newly announced goal
er-generation capacity from now to It can afford to invest much Indeed, there of reaching 500GW of renewable
the end of 2026, with solar power more in renewable energies, and is growing ev- power capacity by 2030 and high-
alone providing about half of the to support the broader global tran- idence of the lighting India’s broader potential
increase. Fatih Birol, executive di- sition to cleaner technologies. Yet negative impact Tinashe Kaduwo to accelerate its clean energy tran-
rector of the IEA, said: “This year’s it is still subsidising the fossil-fuel of pollution on sition. 
record renewable energy additions industry, rather than taxing carbon economic growth,
are yet another sign that a new emissions and regulating the big but during the early stages of de- tion capacity, mostly in the form of Zimbabwe is also among the
global energy economy is emerg- energy companies that bear most velopment, economies have to pol- wind turbines and solar panels, has countries investing in renewable
ing. The high commodity and en- of the blame for the problem. That lute to grow.  been installed around the world energy with many solar projects
ergy prices we are seeing today pose said, Iran, Russia, Brazil, China, Yet, while the growth in renew- this year, beating the previous re- at various levels of development.
new challenges for the renewable and India are even worse offenders able energy overall is indeed im- cord last year. On current trends, However, continued energy crisis
industry, but elevated fossil fuel when it comes to fossil-fuel subsi- pressive, more needs to be done renewable energy generating ca- and high energy prices seem to be
prices also make renewables even dies.  overall in terms of lesser usage of pacity will exceed that of fossil fu- the major drivers for renewables
more competitive.” fossil fuels, as pointed out by Fio- els and nuclear energy combined development in Zimbabwe rather
Of concern however is quick na Harvey: "However, this level of by 2026." than the climate change fight. 
The recent COP26 summit adoption and commitment by
could not hammer out an agree- poor countries of carbon emission growth is still only about half that Moreover, the IEA pointed out *About the writer: Tinashe
ment on a global carbon tax, at a reductions. "My government has required to meet net zero carbon some of the main performers in Kaduwo is a researcher and
time when many countries are ei- now committed to reducing emis- emissions by mid-century". the renewable energy sector, saying economist. He writes in his per-
ther not taxing carbon usage, or sions by 40% before 2030. This Having said that, while this lack China installed the most new re- sonal capacity. Contact kadu-
taxing enough to help end its us- builds on a previous commitment of emphasis is seen in terms of tax- newable energy capacity this year, [email protected] whatsapp
age at a much-needed faster pace for a 33% emissions reduction set ing, investing in, and subsidising and is now expected to reach 1 +263773376128
given the fast-unfolding climate in 2017. The new target will see
crisis. Daron Acemoglu highlight-
ed this concern in a recent article
titled "Climate change vs. the Sino
American cold war" as follows: "To
reduce emissions and stop the ex-
traction and combustion of exist-
ing coal, oil, and gas reserves, there
is no substitute for a global carbon
tax and sustained support for the
development of green technolo-
gies. 

"The European Union has taken
a first step toward a global carbon
tax by proposing not just a domes-
tic tax on fossil fuels but also a car-
bon border adjustment mechanism
(tariff). For the carbon tax to have
a meaningful impact, it will need
to be set sufficiently high. Right
now, carbon taxes within the EU
range from €116 ($134) per metric
tonne of carbon dioxide in Sweden
to less than €0.10 per tonne in Po-
land, with some major economies,
such as Italy, having no carbon
tax at all. But even with a robust
European carbon tax and tariff re-
gime, there is need for the US and
China to adopt and enforce similar
policies in order to keep climate
change in check.

"Moreover, as Jayati Ghosh
pointed out, reluctance by rich,
advanced countries in terms of
moving away from fossil fuel in her
recent article ‘The rich world’s cli-
mate hypocrisy’ whereby COP26
only saw ‘A group of 20 countries,
including the US, pledged to end
public financing for 'unabated'
fossil-fuel projects, including those
powered by coal, by the end of
2022. But the prohibition applies
only to international projects, not
domestic ones."

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

DUMISANI NYONI Zim must cut red tape, declutter
business legislation: Old Mutual
ZIMBABWE should simplify several pieces of
legislation governing business operations, reduce Old Mutual says foreign investors require comfort in the security of their investment and policy consistency.
the red tape and respect property rights in order to
improve the country’s economic fortunes, finan- were achieved in the first half of this year. The financial services group said the success food prices,” it said.
cial services giant Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited “In the outlook, we reiterate that performance of the 2020/21 agricultural season is expected to Old Mutual said the continued foreign cur-
has said. benefit the economy in two major ways.
of the overall economy will be in response to the rency shortages will exert inflationary pressure on
The country has been struggling to attract sig- policy environment and levels of public sector “The country is almost certainly guaranteed goods that are not produced locally as costs asso-
nificant foreign direct investment (FDI) due to confidence. It is thus in government’s best inter- food security and the fiscus is expected to save ciated with securing foreign currency are passed
toxic policies and an unstable political environ- est to create a thriving business environment that critical foreign currency in the form of non-im- onto consumers.
ment, among other factors. will allow for better export competitiveness, GDP portation of grain for food reserves going into
growth and resultant increased tax revenue avail- 2022. The increased supply of grain, forecasted at “It must be said that excessive inflation is the
The country’s FDIs averaged US$350 million ability to cater for social security demands in this 2.7 million tonnes versus more than double the most significant threat to any form of economic
in the last decade against a Southern African De- difficult Covid-19 era,” it said. five‑year average, is expected reduce pressure on recovery, and this includes most Ease of Doing
velopment Community (Sadc) regional average of Business initiatives,” it said.
US$1.2 billion.

In 2019, it nosedived further to US$259 mil-
lion from US$745 million recorded in 2018, ac-
cording to reports.

Zimbabwe ranked 140th out of 190 countries
listed in the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business
Report, gaining 15 places from the previous year’s
report.

Policy inconsistency, administrative delays and
costs, as well as corruption are some of the chal-
lenges hindering business facilitation in the coun-
try.

In order for the country to improve its econom-
ic fortunes, Old Mutual said a number of pieces of
legislation governing business operations and red
tape need to be simplified. This has to be followed
up with confidence building around rule of law
and respect of property rights.

“The country has had a bad reputation regards
the latter and will need to seriously overturn this
deficiency if it hopes to attract the sort of invest-
ment that its neighbours have been able to at-
tract,” Old Mutual said in its latest report.

“Foreign investors require comfort in the secu-
rity of their investment and policy consistency in
the environment in which they operate. Zimba-
bwe would benefit by respecting property rights,
improving its ease of doing business requirements
and policy consistency,” it said.

Meanwhile, Old Mutual noted that rising in-
flation and foreign currency shortages threaten the
stability and all the macro-economic gains that

‘Local companies fret over 2022 electioneering’

BERNARD MPOFU jected to emerge from two years of economic con- afraid of the spike in government expenditure as- “Despite a slight improvement in the Ease of
traction between 2019 and 2020. sociated with election-business cycles. Any popu- Doing Business compared to 2020, limited avail-
LOCAL firms are fretting over the holding of list policies are highly likely to sustain the current ability of credit, unpredictable policy landscape,
by-elections and a slowdown in business activity “The situation is a bit different when it comes inflationary pressures, further fueling the diver- multiple licence requirements and red tape in
due to the Covid-19 pandemic despite projec- to expectations, with a larger percentage of the gence between the official (auction) exchange rate public offices remain among the top issues of
tions that the economy will grow by 7.8% this businesses expecting a worse economic situation and the parallel market rate. Businesses are los- concern. In terms of business confidence, while
year, a recent study by the Zimbabwe National in 2022 compared to those expecting otherwise,” ing confidence in the performance of the auction slightly more companies consider 2021 a better
Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has shown. the report says. market.” year than 2020, more businesses are pessimistic
in terms of prospects for 2022. The overall busi-
The country is scheduled for parliamentary “For instance, 27.4% expect the country’s eco- The Covid-19 pandemic, the ZNCC further ness confidence index shows that businesses have
and local authority by-elections which are widely nomic situation to be worse and 24.7% expect it noted, had a profound effect on capacity utilisa- guarded optimism due to uncertainty relating to
seen as an acid test for the country’s main polit- to be better. Similarly, about 42.6% and 35.1% tion, with some sectors benefiting (information the Covid-19 pandemic and the impending elec-
ical parties—Zanu PF and the MDC Alliance. respectively expect investment and profitability in communication technology) and others adversely tion season,” the report reads.
The seats fell vacant due to death and dismissal of 2022 to be worse compared to 33.6% and 34.2% affected (tourism). Capacity utilisation for 2021
office holders. A year later, the southern African who are optimistic. ranged from 10% to 80%, the average being Business organisations contend that 2021 has
nation, which has a history of contested elections, 47.5%. Agriculture, hunting, fishing and forestry been a difficult year for business marked by re-
is expected to hold its general elections. “The two main reasons behind the pessimism, led the pack whilst arts, entertainment and recre- current lockdowns, a runaway parallel market
as pointed out by respondents, are the fears of ation trailed. exchange rate and resurgent inflationary pressures
The ZNCC, in its Inaugural State of Industry other waves of the Covid-19 pandemic and the in the second half of the year. Official figures
and Commerce survey which was launched this upcoming 2023 general elections. Further, waves The business lobby group said the government show that in 2021 alone, the local currency lost
week in Harare, said the business sector fears that of the pandemic and the associated restrictions should also push for re-engagement with interna- over 30% of its value on the formal market and
the economic situation may turn topsy-turvy as will lead to subdued economic activity, reversing tional financial institutions to access long-term nearly 80% on the informal market.
electioneering begins. Zimbabwe is this year pro- any gains in recovery recorded to date. In addi- financing.
tion, 2022 is a campaign year and businesses are

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 23

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

ILO shoots down NDS1 pensions proposal

A LANDMARK study by the International La- A report by ILO claims the current National Pension Fund managed by Nssa covers only around 14% of the labour force in Zimbabwe.
bour Organisation (ILO) has poked holes into a
proposal in the National Development Strategy 1
to migrate towards a funded pension system, ar-
guing that such a development places workers at a
great disadvantage.

A funded pension scheme is one under which
resources are set aside in advance relating to the
intended or promised benefits, compared to an
unfunded system wherein resources are drawn
from book reserves in the accounts of the compa-
ny with major sources of income being generated
from investments.

But the ILO report, titled Labour Market Diag-
nostic Analysis (LMDA), urged Zimbabwe to avoid
moving towards a funded pension system as sug-
gested by the NDS 1.

“Part of the reason is that funded systems can
transfer undue risks to workers, particularly when
the financial sector and annuity markets are un-
derdeveloped. The goal should instead be to im-
prove the design of the existing ‘pay-as-you-go’
pension system,” the study said.

The report also noted that the current National
Pension Fund managed by the National Social Se-
curity Authority (Nssa) covers only around 14%
of the labour force and has expenditures that ap-
proximate 1% of the Gross Domestic Product.

The survey observed that an important prob-
lem has to do with the current benefit formula and
eligibility conditions which make the system in-
solvent and potentially regressive; benefits are not
in line with the contribution rate and life-expec-
tancy at retirement.

The ILO observed that according to regula-
tions, the replacement rate for 30 years of con-
tributions is 40% and increases to 50% for those
with 40 years of contributions.

These are relatively modest replacement rates.
However, the system also offers a retirement grant
to those retiring with more than 30 years of con-
tributions that is equal to 8.33% of the annual
salary times the number of years of contributions
above 30. It was also observed that for a worker
retiring with 40 years of contributions the value of
the grant would be equivalent to an annuity that
replaces 67% of their income.

“Meaning that the replacement rate of some-
body retiring with 40 years of contributions
would be equal to 117%, depending on the num-
ber of years of contributions, the equilibrium con-
tribution rate for the system would need to range
between 20% and 40%.

“The rate would be even higher for low-in-
come workers with short contribution densities
who retire with the minimum pension US$60 per
month,” the LMDA said.

The study also observes that the contribution
rate today is only 7%, which means that each
worker enrolling in the system is receiving im-
plicit subsidies. Hence, as coverage expands, the
unfunded liabilities of the system after considering
the pay-as-you-go asset increases and the insolven-
cy problem becomes more acute.

“Going forward, the government in close con-
sultation with social partners and on the basis of
a rigorous actuarial valuation of the pension sys-
tem would need to consider reforms that could
include: the first decision would need to be about
the replacement rate that the system offers at the
time of retirement for a given number of years of
contributions,” the LDMA said.

The report said part of the reform could involve
eliminating the retirement grant and adjusting the
current replacement rate upwards while improv-
ing the formula used to calculate the pension to
ensure the solvency of the system and improve
equity.

“A well-designed benefit formula would need
to link the accrual rate offered by the system to
the contribution rate and life expectancy at re-
tirement. In addition, it is desirable to gradually
include all salaries in the calculation of pensions,
each revalorised by the sustainable rate of return of
the system,” the report observed.

The report added that there is need to have re-
distributive arrangements to protect low-income
workers and those with short contribution densi-
ties, who might fail to retire with a decent or ad-
equate pension — particularly if the coverage of
the system is extended to informal sector workers.

— STAFF WRITER.

Page 24 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Invictus to start Muzarabani oil drilling

DUMISANI NYONI

SOUTHERN Africa-focused oil and gas explo- The Cabora Bassa project is expected to have national significance for Zimbabwe.
ration outfit Invictus Energy will start drilling its
world-class Muzarabani prospect — the Cabora mencing the second phase of its corporate social gramme. its people and “we are privileged to be able to lead
Bassa Project — during the first half of next year, responsibility programme. “Our technical work will progress over the next the efforts to drill the first conventional oil and gas
managing director Scott MacMillan has said. exploration well in the country”.
He said the CB21 seismic survey which ac- few months, which will enable us to quantify this
The discovery of oil and gas could see Zimba- quired 840 line-kilometres of high quality two-di- additional potential of our licence area and is ex- The Australian-listed Invictus is an indepen-
bwe become energy self-sufficient and boost the mensional data was achieved flawlessly with less pected to add materially to our already world-class dent oil and gas exploration company focused
country’s struggling economy. than 142 000 hours lost time injury and incident prospective resource base,” MacMillan said. on high-impact energy resources in sub-Saharan
free. Africa.
Addressing shareholders recently during the “The potential of our acreage is truly staggering
company’s annual general meeting, MacMillan Importantly, he said the initial processing re- for a company of our size and we will continue our Its asset portfolio consists of a highly prospec-
said details of the drilling campaign will be provid- sults of the seismic acquisition has produced high efforts so that the value is reflected for our share- tive 250 000 acres within the Cabora Bassa Basin
ed in the coming days as “we near the finalisation quality data revealing a variety of structural and holders.” in Zimbabwe, as well as special grant 4571 con-
of a number of elements of the programme.” stratigraphic features providing for a target-rich taining the world-class multi-TCF Mzarabani and
environment for the upcoming drilling pro- MacMillan said Cabora Bassa is a project that Msasa conventional gas-condensate prospects.
The project, in which Invictus holds an 80% can have national significance for Zimbabwe and
stake, will cost approximately US$15 million.

“The company will also continue to focus on
its core values of delivering growth, maintaining
capital discipline, and fostering relationships with
our stakeholders and host communities,” the In-
victus boss said.

“The milestones achieved over this year have
placed us firmly on the path to drill the world-
class Muzarabani prospect in 1H 2022 (first half
of 2022). Details of the drilling campaign will be
provided in the coming days as we near the final-
isation of a number of elements of the program.”

“We would also like to thank all our stakehold-
ers and shareholders for their continued support
as we strive towards delivering transformational
value in what will be an exciting period ahead for
the company as we move towards a basin opening
drilling campaign.”

“The coming year will be incredibly important
for Invictus and its shareholders as we progress the
Cabora Bassa Project and begin preparations for
drilling the first exploration well in 1H 2022,” he
said.

MacMillan said this year has been transfor-
mative for the company, which has achieved a
number of significant milestones to advance the
project, including the signing the petroleum ex-
ploration development and production agreement
(PEDPA) with the government of Zimbabwe, the
renewal of the special grant 4571 licence for a fur-
ther three years to June 2024, completing the first
seismic acquisition campaign in the country for
30 years through Polaris, appointing drilling con-
tract manager in Aztech Well Services, and com-

EXPERTS have described the statistics depict- Misleading poverty statistics rattle experts
ing poverty lines in Zimbabwe as grossly “con-
servative”, “misleading” and falling far short of ZIMSTAT says a family of six requires a total ZW$42 708 to meet monthly expenses.
telling the true story of economic hardships be-
ing experienced by citizens. basket takes into account the products that are “That’s always going to be subjective and rel- “ZIMSTAT is the official statistical agency
consumed by the extremely poor people as they ative to consumers being able to actually access in Zimbabwe, hence they always try to spruce
The remarks come after the Zimbabwe Na- have reported in the last PICES,” she said. the goods and services at the prices used. up the image of the country through window
tional Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) revealed dressing their statistics. The method they use
that a family of six now requires a total ZW$42 She admitted that most of the goods in the “If the sense is that it significantly under- is the lower bound poverty datum line down-
708 to meet monthly expenses. basket are inferior goods with a negative income states the cost of living, then it could point to plays other significant items in the basket. Data,
elasticity, meaning that their demand increases a need to modify the basket used for the calcu- a non-food item, for instance, is taking a big
The Total Consumption Poverty Line with a reduction in disposable income. lation. But these types of generalised econom- chunk of people's incomes,” he said.
(TCPL) for Zimbabwe stood at ZW$7 118.32 ic figures always have some shortcomings that
per person in October 2021. But an analyst at Ethos Capital Partners, make it difficult to fully capture the reality on Purazeni added that this is how the system
Yona Menon, said the method of targeting the the ground,” he said. operates and explained that such tendencies are
Speaking to The NewsHawks Business this poorest means the statistics are unrealistic as causing citizens to rely on other sources of sta-
week, top economist Prosper Chitambara said they are based on figures capturing the lowest Economist Tawanda Purazeni accused the tistics from independent sources as an alterna-
the figures do not reflect the true picture of levels of food and other consumption needs for statistics agency of distorting the figures in their tive. — STAFF WRITER.
what is transpiring on the ground. survival. quest to paint a positive image of the country.

“If we divide the TCPL for one person as of
October 2021 by the rate of ZW$180 which is
the current official rate, we would realise that
the amount is equivalent to US$39.54 and hon-
estly this is not even enough for one individual
to take care of the monthly expenses.

“It is time the statistics agency went back to
the drawing table and took time to track down
what is taking place in the economy in order to
come up with realistic figures,” he said.

The top economist called on the authorities
to also incorporate employment trends on a
quarterly basis in order to identify weaknesses
embedded in some of the economic policies be-
ing implemented, well in advance.

Responding to the concerns, ZIMSTAT
macro-economics director Tafadzwa Bandama
defended the figures, arguing that the Poverty
Datum Line basket benchmarks the needs of
the poorest citizens in our population.

“This does not cater for the middle and up-
per class or those slightly above the PDL, ac-
cording to the data that households gave us in
2017 and 2019 PICES. The composition of the

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 25

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Exchange rate discrepancy stokes volatility

THE discrepancy between the official foreign ex- The Zimbabwe dollar continues to lose ground against the greenback.
change rate and the parallel market movements
has failed to narrow down due to erratic supplies 125.24% year-on-year as at 31 August 2021. the previous monetary policy decisions had helped and 60% and at less than 20% in 2022”, RBZ
of hard currency on the formal system, the Con- “This means that management of money sup- to stabilise the exchange rate and domestic prices. governor John Mangudya said in a statement.
federation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has said In particular, the recent monetary policy measures
in its latest research note. ply needs to go beyond reserve money targeting to had reversed the upward trend on month-on- “The committee noted that the country was on
also include broad money targeting so as to con- month inflation, which rose from 4.2% in August course to attaining a positive economic growth
The Zimbabwe dollar has continued to lose trol inflation,” the report says. 2021 to 6.4% in October 2021 and decelerated trajectory of 7.8% in 2021 and 5.5% in 2022.
ground against the greenback as business and to 5.76% in November 2021. It was expected The positive growth trajectory was also confirmed
consumers continue to buy forex on the parallel Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that month-on-month inflation would continue by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
market. By the end of November, the local unit Monetary Policy Committee which met last week declining to low and sustainable levels in the out- during the recently concluded Article IV Mission
was trading at ZW$102.3:US$1 against the Unit- expressed optimism that despite the growing gap look period. It was also expected that annual in- for Zimbabwe, which revised upwards the coun-
ed States dollar on the formal market compared between the parallel market and the official rates, flation would end the year 2021 at between 58% try’s real GDP growth rate for 2021, from the ini-
to ZW$178: US$1 on the unofficial market. This the economy will record strong growth. tial 5.1% to 6.0%.” — STAFF WRITER.
implied a 74% exchange rate premium.
“The committee noted with satisfaction that
The CZI, which represents the country’s man-
ufacturing sector which is badly in need of foreign
currency to retool and restock inputs, says the
monetary authorities should stimulate activity on
the official market.

“The price discovery function of the auction
market has generally not materialised due to the
financing of lower bids, which creates moral haz-
ard behaviour. The whole period of 2021 was gen-
erally characterised by a situation where the lowest
accepted rate corresponded with the lowest bid
rate,” the CZI said in its macro-economic briefing
note for the month of November.

“This has a tendency to drive market expecta-
tions towards bidding low. The commitment to
clear the auction backlog as well as to follow the
principles of the Dutch Auction in October saw
a relatively small period when the minimum ac-
cepted rate was above the lowest bid, resulting in
an increase in the auction rate. However, follow-
ing the convergence, the rate has since stabilised at
a rate where the parallel market premium is very
high.

Money supply growth at a time when there is
a dearth of confidence in the local currency has
been fuelling the parallel market. Given that the
auction market rate has been depreciating slug-
gishly compared to the parallel market, a large
parallel market premium resulted.”

According to the recently announced 2022
National Budget, broad money supply grew by

TelOne donates tree seedlings to corporate clients

TelOne donated tree seedlings to various corporate clients countrywide as a way to com-
memorate National Tree Planting Day. — Pictured: TelOne Finance and Admin Director
Mr Bernard Makanza handing over tree seedlings to Women’s University In Africa Vice
Chancellor Professor Dominica S. Chingarande for orchard establishment, while staff from
the two institutions looks on. TelOne donated a total of 2500 tree seedlings to its clients,
while every TelOne staff member got a tree seedling to plant at a place of their choice.

Page 26 Stock Taking NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Thursday, 09 December 2021

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Ticker Price Traded Traded Traded Change Change (%) Cap
AFDIS Consumer Goods (cents) Volume Value ($) (cents) ($m)
African Sun Consumer Services AFDIS: ZH Price (%)
ART ASUN: ZH 11000.00 400
Ariston Industrials ARTD: ZH 624.56 11000.00 11000.00 18,400 44,000 - - 358.33 13,144.40
Axia Consumer Services ARISTON: ZH 1090.00 550.00 551.68 101,510 -72.88 -11.67 224.52 7,855.55
BNC AXIA: ZH 326.21 - 1090.00 - 128.36 4,763.05
BAT Consumer Goods BIND: ZH 3000.00 - 326.21 - - - - 143.44 5,308.73
CAFCA Basic Materials 631.22 2890.00 2925.36 31,900 - - - 219.36
Cassava BAT: ZH 584.00 597.94 117,000 933,190 -74.64 -2.49 57.35 16,152.38
CBZ Consumer Goods CAFCA: ZH 266823.53 - - 699,595 -33.28 -5.27 385.13 7,610.18
CFI Industrials 17000.00 - 266823.53 - - - - 89.10
Dairibord CSZL: ZH 4000.00 4000.00 17000.00 24,700 - - - 513.89 55,055.08
Delta Technology CBZ: ZH 8000.00 8000.00 3990.28 7,600 985,600 -9.72 -0.24 -6.30 1,484.97
Econet Banking CFI:ZH 7220.00 - 8007.89 - 608,600 7.89 0.10 10104.95
Edgars DZL: ZH 4800.00 - 7220.00 - - - - 266.41 103,371.29
FBC Industrials DLTA: ZH 15585.46 4800.00 103,300 - - - 571.37 41,854.16
Fidelity Consumer Goods ECO: ZH 8823.59 15200.00 15274.32 1,612,200 15,778,370 -311.14 -2.00 773.54 7,656.15
First Capital Consumer Goods 8395.00 8254.92 8,400 133,085,700 -568.68 -6.44 316.67 17,184.04
FML Telecommunications EDGR: ZH 520.00 500.00 200 42,000 -20.00 -3.85 108.15
FMP Consumer Services FBC: ZH 3125.00 3125.00 500.00 500 6,250 - - 403.93 199,203.96
GBH FIDL: ZH 960.04 961.00 3125.00 50,700 4,805 0.96 0.10 213.26 213,850.05
Getbucks Banking FCA: ZH 350.00 350.00 961.00 300 174,705 -5.41 -1.55 98.73
Hippo Financial Services 2099.79 2085.00 344.59 1,500 6,260 -13.12 -0.62 137.45 3,021.24
Innscor FMHL: ZH 780.00 780.00 2086.67 17,900 11,540 -10.67 -1.37 836.50 20,998.44
Lafarge Banking FMP: ZH 234.55 220.25 769.33 100 40,232 -9.79 -4.17 5660.00
Mash Financial Services GBH: ZH 900.00 720.00 224.76 - 720 -180.00 -20.00 250.00 1,046.75
Masimba 31500.00 720.00 108,000 - - - 332.76 7,442.51
Medtech Real Estate GBFS: ZH 15932.30 - 31500.00 - 17,306,800 92.51 0.58 858.33 14,401.01
Medtech Class B Industrials HIPO: ZH 9200.00 16035.00 16024.81 - - - - 339.20 9,525.52
Meikles 408.46 9200.00 148,200 - - - 380.07 1,206.04
Nampak Financial Services INN: ZH 5550.00 - 408.46 - 7,968,355 -173.24 -3.12 198.61 8,374.45
NatFoods Consumer Goods LACZ: ZH 5900.00 - 5376.76 300 - - - 11.11 60,801.48
NTS MASH: ZH 2000.00 5395.00 5900.00 - 6,000 - - 618.01 91,321.62
NMBZ Industrials MSHL: ZH 15799.60 - 2000.00 200 - - - 372.07 7,360.00
OK Zim Industrials MMDZ: ZH 1100.00 2000.00 15799.60 3,700 2,155 -22.50 -2.05 2386.62 7,593.57
Proplastics Real Estate MMDZB: ZH 154351.35 - 1077.50 - 5,529,500 -4905.40 -3.18 2195.08 12,993.14
RTG Industrials MEIK: ZH 630.00 1055.00 149445.95 - - - - 145.38
RioZim Financial Services NPKZ: ZH 981.63 149000.00 630.00 36,300 - - - 167.19 708.00
SeedCo Financial Services NTFD: ZH 2399.85 - 981.63 - 872,925 4.90 0.20 242.48 26.84
Simbisa Industrials 2948.65 - 2404.75 100 - - - 121.64
Star Africa Industrials NTS: ZH 425.00 2400.00 2948.65 - 425 - - 147.46 39,917.07
Truworths Consumer Goods NMB: ZH 3700.00 - 425.00 43,400 - - - 344.40 8,142.11
TSL Industrials OKZ: ZH 10295.31 425.00 3700.00 70,900 4,435,960 -74.20 -0.72 615.23
Turnall PROL: ZH 8572.67 - 10221.11 96,900 6,094,220 22.84 0.27 346.59 102,221.19
Unifreight Banking RTG: ZH 120.01 10000.00 8595.51 - 116,847 0.57 0.47 696.61 1,599.40
Willdale Consumer Services RIOZ: ZH 235.00 8670.00 120.58 37,300 - - - 398.58 3,967.47
ZB SEED: ZH 8500.00 121.00 235.00 2,300 3,207,975 100.47 1.18 491.40
Zeco Industrials SIM: ZH 545.00 - 8600.47 100 12,650 5.00 0.92 18179.57 30,922.30
Zimpapers Consumer Services SACL: ZH 3500.00 8600.00 550.00 141,600 3,400 -100.00 -2.86 791.19 7,428.70
Zimplow TRUW: ZH 300.00 550.00 3400.00 - 403,811 -14.82 -4.94 220.83
ZHL Basic Materials TSL: ZH 7700.00 3400.00 285.18 - - - - 1100.00 10,605.86
TOTAL Consumer Goods TURN: ZH 300.00 7700.00 - - - - 195.92 4,515.09
Consumer Goods UNIF: ZH 0.24 - 3,400 - - - 386.00
Consumer Goods WILD: ZH 290.00 - 0.24 9,700 82,620 136.25 5.94 23.05 25,266.85
Consumer Services ZBFH: ZH 2293.75 - 290.00 2,697,500 37,418 -14.25 -3.56 48,322.65
Consumer Goods ZECO: ZH 400.00 2430.00 2430.00 198,604,138
ZIMP: ZH 380.00 385.75 5,685.45
Industrials ZIMPLOW: ZH 902.56
Industrials ZHL: ZH
Industrials 30,712.49
2,711.72
Banking 3,620.12
Industrials 5,070.50
Consumer Services
Industrials 13,489.68
Financial Services 1.11

1,670.40
8,373.31
7,013.78
1,303,474.37

ETFs OMTT.zw 500.00 500.00 486.99 65,362 318,308 -13.01 -2.60 385.92 389.59
Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF
8,301.17
FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 10000.00 - 10000.00 -- - 277.36
Old Mutual Zimbabwe US$m
5.14
VFEX (US cents) Mining CMCL:VX 1300.00 - 1300.00 - -- - 2.85
Caledonia Consumer Goods PHL:VX 20.99 - 20.99 -- - -41.69 113.68
Padenga Consumer Goods SCIL:VX 28.05 - 28.05 -- - 55.83 107.00
SeedCo International
YTD %
Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % +386.00
ZSE All Share 10,706.29 -1.67 10,887.61 +307.18 Zimplow 2430.00c +136.25c +5.94 +398.58
Top 10 6,755.15 -1.80 +308.29 TSL 8600.47c +100.47c +1.18 +491.40
Top 15 7,424.56 -1.65 6,879.21 +281.13 Turnall +5.00c +0.92 +332.76
Small Cap +1.13 7,549.39 +3152.90 Innscor 550.00c +92.51c +0.58 +346.59
Medium Cap 386,319.35 -1.44 382,002.38 +261.57 Star Africa 16024.81c +0.57c +0.47
20,118.98 20,413.56 YTD %
120.58c +5660.00
+224.52
Top 5 Fallers Price Change % +773.54
Getbucks 720.00c -180.00c -20.00
African Sun 551.68c -72.88c -11.67 +57.35
Econet -568.68c -6.44 +791.19
BNC 8254.92c -33.28c -5.27
Willdale 597.94c -14.82c -4.94
285.18c

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NewsHawks News Analysis Page 27

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Sexual harassment is critical barrier
to women’s political participation

MEMORY PAMELLA KADAU

FROM 25 November to 3 Decem- and inter-party levels. Research by duct which also covers sexual harass- Protocol should guide the country the scourge of GBV, it is critical for
ber 2021, Zimbabwe joined the women's rights organisations shows ment. Political parties must also sub- to implement best practices which it election stakeholders to reflect on
world to commemorate 16 Days of that some common forms for sexual mit their own code of conduct to the signed up to.  sexual harassment. It constitutes se-
Activism Against Gender Based Vio- harassment which women suffered commission which they will use to rious GBV, particularly for women,
lence (GBV) amidst the debilitating in 2018 included sextortion, name investigate cases within their party. Zimbabwe’s own supreme law ad- and conversations must be around
Covid-19 pandemic. calling, body shaming and labeling. The code of conduct must also have opted in 2013 provides for the state how to expedite legislation to pro-
Sextortion is particularly rife at in- penalties for individuals and politi- to protect and promote women’s tect women. While the legislature is
Effects of the Covid-19 pandem- tra-party level where men in supe- cal parties who would have breached effective and full participation. The seized with the matter, the Zec, as
ic have been dire on the world and rior positions solicit sexual favours the code and such penalties must in- constitution envisages a democratic, the election management body, can
empirical evidence shows that wom- so that they "help" women get into clude the barring of candidates from just and fair society underpinned by be drafting a code of conduct which
en and girls have disproportionately elected positions. This situation contesting or hefty fines to political effective participation of all citizens, incorporates sexual harassment
borne the brunt of these pandemic. adversely affects women’s political parties caught on the wrong side of including women. Section 56 rec- ahead of the scheduled by-elections
Across the world, women and girls participation as rejection of these the law. ognises the need to protect women in 2022 and general elections in
have had to face nasty effects, espe- unwanted advances often results in from discrimination while section 2023.
cially where it concerns GBV.  the women concerned being denied All these measures are critical be- 17 explicitly stipulates that women
a fair political playing field. cause Zimbabwe is bound by various be included in elected and appoint- *About the writer: Memory Pa-
In Zimbabwe we have witnessed provisions to promote women’s full ed positions on a 50-50 basis. There- mella Kadau is a feminist, gender
a tremendous increase in reported The regulations which Zec must and effective participation. Inter- fore, it is clear that Zimbabwe is expert and activist. She writes
cases of GBV. A report published develop in relation to sexual harass- national and regional instruments obliged by its international commit- here in her own capacity and can
by SAFE Zimbabwe and five service ment should cover all areas, includ- like the Convention on the Elimina- ments and the supreme law to en- be contacted at: memory.kadau@
provision civil dociety organisa- ing social media. All political parties tion of All Forms of Discrimination sure that women are protected from gmail.com you can follow her on
tions (CSOs) reported a 45% spike and independent candidates must Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing vile acts such as sexual harassment. Twitter: @memorykadau
in reported cases while the scourge sign to be bound by a code of con- declaration and the Sadc Gender
of child marriages and child sexual As the country continues to fight
abuse continues to haunt commu-
nities. In other words, decades of
progress made to empower women
and girls were easily reversed over
a rather short period of time. This
speaks to at least two things; firstly,
continued dominance of harmful
practices and attitudes in commu-
nities and weak legal frameworks
around GBV. 

In my last instalment, I alluded
to the fact that a standalone sexual
harassment law was a critical step to-
wards women's political empower-
ment in Zimbabwe. This is because
outside lack of financial resources,
one of the biggest factors limiting
women’s political participation is
fear of sexual harassment at in-
tra-party and inter-party level while
patriarchy-driven community atti-
tudes are always a dark cloud when
it comes to women’s participation.

The country is already in election
mode and with two major elections
likely to be held within a year or so
of each other, there is an urgent need
to address the scourge of sexual ha-
rassment. In 2022, the authorities
have indicated that the country will
hold by-elections, which are already
long overdue. Given the number of
seats which are being contested na-
tionwide and already rising political
temperatures, the by-elections are
like a mini general election. There-
after, the 2023 general elections will
be due within a year, setting the
stage for a two-year heated political
period.

All these factors show that there
is a need to urgently put in place
mechanisms to protect women. It
is therefore noble for the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (Zec) to ur-
gently consult stakeholders and put
in place a punitive code of conduct
to protect women during this highly
contentious period.

Elections in Zimbabwe are heavily
contested because of a winner-takes-
all system which does not give room
for minority voices to be heard. Evi-
dence from the 2018 elections shows
that women faced serious cases of
sexual harassment at intra-party

Page 28 Orbituary NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Alex T. Dewa Mavhinga was a of our people, a man who had been
Magaisa remarkable human being raised by and among people. This
euphemism is used as a testament to
I TOSSED and turned all night. Sleep Southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch Dewa Mavhinga. one’s good manners and character.
was a reluctant and indifferent com- Mukoma, he said, we would like to
panion. How could one’s mind be at ter who loved history, would probably young Dewa. He was focused, ambi- school barefoot and wearing tattered set up a think-tank called the Zimba-
ease when it was trying to process the smile and chuckle at this little detour tious and driven. clothes. He had now risen to be pres- bwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) and
shocking news that arrived in the late in his eulogy. And if he were present, ident of the students’ union at the we would like you to lead it. We can
hours of the afternoon? he would no doubt add more detail to He declared on one occasion that country’s elite university. For Dewa, think of no one else to provide intel-
the explanation with more examples he had decided to follow in my foot- nothing was impossible. lectual leadership to this institution.
Each time I woke up, I hoped des- of indigenised British names. He was steps and study law. He wanted to
perately to discover that it was all just a reservoir of local knowledge because know if it was possible and what he I saw that Dewa’s heart was set on Dewa was always charitable in his
a nightmare; that it was not true. But he was a man who read and listened needed to do to achieve his dream. a career in human rights law and ad- words and deeds towards me. I sus-
the mind’s desire and reality were as widely. Could a boy from Majumba do it? vocacy when he was volunteering at pect it was the seed that had been
far apart as day and night. The truth He was ambitious but not haughty. an association of women lawyers in planted all those years when he was
was a reality from which we could not I first got to know Dewa long be- That self-doubt is always important Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Women a small boy at Kwenda High. I had
escape. A brother and friend of many fore his profile became national and because it pushes you to work hard. Lawyers' Association. At the time shown him the ladder at the time, and
years, Dewa Mavhinga, was no more. later, international. He was a small That was the start of a long brother- it was led by Lydia Zigomo, who is now he was saying here is your turn,
boy doing secondary school at Kwen- hood and friendship. now global programmes director at my brother. I was most humbled by
The arrival of the news hit me very da High in Chikomba. The school was Oxfam International. His dedication the gesture, but it placed me in a very
hard, a circumstance that was shared part of Kwenda Mission, which was Dewa would go on to achieve his to human rights and learning the difficult position.
by many around the world where, by established by Methodist missionaries dream of studying law when he en- trade in the field was palpable. His
his work, Dewa had left a big mark. at Chimedza Hill. It is about 3 kilo- rolled at the University of Zimbabwe, friends went into private practice or I thanked Dewa but told him,
Dewa was the southern Africa direc- meters from our village. Dewa and which had a highly selective recruit- the public sector, but Dewa used the "Munin’ina this is good, I appreciate
tor of Human Rights Watch, a major my younger brother were classmates ment process. I always knew that he time to build his craft-competency in it greatly, but we have a small prob-
international human rights watchdog and friends. When I visited home was smart and highly driven but even the civil society sector. Years later he lem". Morgan Tsvangirai, the then
based in the United States. In that from the university, I often went over he surprised me when he said he was would rise to head the regional arm of prime minister in the Government of
watchdog role, Dewa kept an eye on to the school to see my brother. Dewa running to be president of the stu- Human Rights Watch. To understand National Unity, had just offered me
the human rights situation in several and other friends would be there too dents’ union. What did not surprise the enormity of that achievement, a role to head his advisory team. But
countries in the region. It took him all and we would have interesting con- me was that he won the race because you must appreciate his humble be- the matter was not yet public and was
over the region and around the world versations. I had already observed that when he ginnings. not supposed to be until all details
where he made many friends and as- set his mind on something, he would had been finalised. I was not to tell
sociates. I was aware that being with some- make sure it happened. Over the years, Dewa would be- anyone. But I had to betray the con-
one from university was quite an in- come involved in other key civil soci- fidence and explain to Dewa why I
The fact that it brought him face- spiration. I had been in their shoes But again, to repeat what I said ety groups, including Crisis Coalition could not take up the offer to head the
to-face with regimes and powerful in- before. So, it was always a pleasure earlier, to understand why this was whose board he chaired. ZDI. I, therefore, broke my word not
dividuals that violated human rights to talk to these young and ambitious a milestone in his life, you must go to tell anyone, but I did so because I
never daunted him. He was unfazed minds. They wanted to know all back to his humble origins. This was Sometime in 2011/12, Dewa wrote trusted Dewa. We both agreed that it
by the risk that came with his job. He about the university and how to get a lad from the obscure Majumba Pri- to me. Mukoma, he said, for Dewa was important at that time for me to
was dedicated to his cause. The world there. It was then that I first met the mary School where the majority lived never called his elders by their first take up the role with Tsvangirai.
is a large pool that is infested with in parlous conditions and went to names. He was, to use the language
predators and Dewa learned to swim One of Dewa’s several strengths was
with the crocodiles.  his ability to form relationships with
many people despite their differences.
Many people got to know Dewa This is called networking. You might
because of his work as a tireless advo- hold a different view, but Dewa usual-
cate and protector of human rights. ly treated you with respect. I saw how
He never shied away from pointing he responded to and dealt with critics
out wrongful acts by the state and its -- and they were not few -- because
agents across the region. He became of the nature of his work. He did not
an authoritative voice on human shout back at them. He understood
rights in the region, and with several that his work brought him face-to-
fellow citizens occupying such roles face with many adversaries, some of
at regional and international levels, them very powerful men and women.
he was an example of Zimbabwean He had learned to navigate his way
excellence. through the choppy waters of nation-
al and regional politics. It is a lesson to
But to know Dewa and the hum- many that the respect that you accord
ble and unassuming character that he to others also earns you respect even
was, you must know the boy who grew from your most ardent critics.
up in Majumba, a small-scale farming
community in Chikomba district in He was not big-headed. No space
Mashonaland East province. was too small for him. In recent
months with the advent of Twitter
Majumba is in an area called Hwir- Spaces, you would always find Dewa
isha, the locals’ version of Wiltshire, a sat in the audience, listening. Another
name derived from a rural county in important lesson here: no matter how
southwest England. It was the practice lofty your role might be, it is good to
of the white settler colonial commu- just sit back and listen as others speak.
nity to give names that reflected their You do not always have to speak. But
motherland. Apart from asserting a when he did speak, he always did so
stamp of authority on the colonised, calmly, with respect, and with facts to
it was a way of recreating an imagined back his arguments.
reality in the colonised lands and feel-
ing right at home. Therefore, many Dewa was eloquent in both speech
places in formerly colonised countries and writing. Many would have heard
bear names that were adopted from him speak or read his reports in the
the colonising country. English language. But to fully appre-
ciate Dewa’s prowess in speech and
Thus, there was Wiltshire and near- writing, you had to read his stories in
by, another small-scale farming com- his native tongue. Dewa wrote beau-
munity was called Lancashire.  tifully and he often delighted his au-
diences on social media with his tales
But these names were too much from the village. In that regard, he was
for the local people’s tongues. They a kindred spirit. If I wasn’t writing
invented their versions. Hence Wilt- my stories from the village, I always
shire was Hwirisha and Lancashire enjoyed reading Dewa’s or Freeman
was Rangasha. Not far away there is Chari’s tales. Dewa’s were unique in
Vherevencha, derived from the set- that he expressed them in the lan-
tlers’ name Fair Adventure! guage of our people and his com-
mand of the language was exquisite.
Dewa, always the cerebral charac- I always thought one day he would
write more.

The word “self-made” is often de-

NewsHawks Orbituary Page 29

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

ployed liberally whenever someone a large family that has fought against young Musaigwa that I need another as a human rights defender will write son of Chikomba. 
who achieved success is described. the odds and under his leadership to jacket”. more eloquently about that depart- Dewa may now be gone from this
Dewa worked hard to get to where he be most exemplary. An older brother ment of his life. I just wanted to tell
had reached, but he would not agree is an accountant. A younger sister fol- “What happened to the other one, the story of the boy from Majumba; world, but he left a huge footprint
to have that term used in respect of lowed Dewa’s footsteps and is a hu- munin’ina?” I asked. the boy who rose against the odds to that cannot be erased. He was a lead-
him. A boy from the village is never man rights lawyer. A younger broth- take a seat amongst great men and er in his generation and many who
“self-made”. Many people play their er is an aeronautical engineer in The “Hah, raenda riya mukoma! It has women of this world. From those either knew or were impacted by his
part in the success story of an individ- Netherlands. A sister is an economist. been impounded by Gamu and she small beginnings, he became a voice work will miss him greatly. But none
ual. Dewa pushed the boundaries and And this is just a snapshot. Dewa said she won’t give it back!” Gamu of authority on human rights and more than his wife, Fiona, and their
went further than any of his compa- played an indelible part in the prog- is Dewa’s eldest daughter, which is governance. But even as he shared ta- four children, his dear mother in
triots at Majumba Primary or Kwen- ress of his younger siblings. why his peers often called him Baba bles with great people at those lofty Majumba, and his siblings. My heart
da High would ever have imagined. Gamu. heights, he never forgot those that goes out to them. He ran a fine race,
He did not confine his generosity he left behind. They were always on and he positively impacted the world.
But he never forgot his family. to his siblings alone. Many that came We laughed together and I said I his mind. Not long ago he led a cam- May his good soul rest in peace.
I spoke to his younger brother who within his radar became brothers and would tell young Musaigwa. Now, he paign to raise funds for the local clin-
is a medical doctor here in the UK. sisters for life. When my son designed is no longer here to receive it. I was ic at Gandami in his home area. The *About the writer: Dr Alex
He said “Mukoma Musaigwa, we an exclusive range of jackets, Dewa grateful for the support that he gave other day we were talking about doing Magaisa is a law lecturer at Kent
would not be where we are without was among the first to place an order. to my lad. Many people have the gift something to help the local hospital at Law School in Britain and was ad-
Mukoma Dewa. He literally pulled But when they arrived, Dewa called. of speech but none of doing. Dewa Sadza Growth Point. He was a proud viser to Zimbabwe’s late Prime Min-
us from the mud.” Dewa was part of had both. He spoke well and did what ister Morgan Tsvangirai.
“Mukoma,” he said, “please tell he said he would do.

Many people who knew his work

... He was a genuine soldier for human rights

GLADYS KUDZAISHE HLATYWAYO His name was one of those that our that perhaps you are important. I later region and beyond. and she packed some goodies for us,
immediate predecessors would often had the fortune of working with him A lawyer by training, his discipline, including some groundnuts from her
IT is 1.15am and I cannot sleep. More drop on us for inspiration.  up close, at  Crisis in Zimbabwe Coa- field. I could see where Mukoma De-
than 24 hours have passed since the lition, a civic platform grappling with clarity of thought and evidence-based wa’s gentle and loving character came
tragic loss of one of Zimbabwe’s finest I then had the privilege of meet- pro-democracy   questions of the day.  advocacy on regional and internation- from. I also learnt of the amazing
sons, a dear brother and human rights ing Dewa in person in circumstances He headed the South Africa office.  al platforms were exceptional. community work Mukoma Dewa was
defender par excellence, Dewa Mavhin- that personified his lived experience as involved in under the Hwirisha Trust.
ga . At the time of this tragedy, he car- an activist.  It was at a Social Forum, Dewa’s commitment to the cause He had mastery for detail, numbers
ried the lofty role of being  the south- then a budding platform determined for a democratic Zimbabwe was phe- of victims, days of the month, times We have lost a gentle, honest,
ern Africa director at Human Rights to present an alternative development nomenal! when events happened and remem- principled human being and an irre-
Watch. paradigm to the choking excesses of bering places and relevant sections of placeable and resolute  human rights
neoliberalism. The event was   con- He was a highly driven profession- international law to back up his evi- defender! Without trying to cast as-
I had hoped it would be a terrible vened by the indomitable  Zimbabwe al who pursued his goals and dreams dence. In more than 15 years of pro- persions, I feel strongly that we owe it
dream and I would soon wake up from Coalition on Debt and Development with utmost determination, a relent- fessional work, I have met very few to our dear comrade to ensure an in-
it. I attended a Twitter Space hosted by (Zimcodd), where he worked as a then less focus of both long-term goals and people as genuinely committed to the dependent autopsy is done to ascertain
the young and brilliant Cde Treasure fledging programmes officer engaging short-term wins.  pursuit of human rights as was my the cause of his death, given the not-
Basopo on the day we lost my broth- at the nexus of debt, the law and hu- brother Dewa. so-clear circumstances. It is the least
er Dewa, but the pain was so unbear- man rights.  His commitment to eco- His integrity   and empathy to- we can do in defence of his rights even
able,  I could not say anything. I was nomic justice was self-evident.  wards suffering people and victims of With Dewa, it was so apparent that in death and in honour of the many
gutted and could not speak. The most brutality were remarkable. it was never about a pay cheque but years he spent protecting the rights of
painful goodbyes are the ones that are In typical deference to protocol, he about dedication, altruism and genu- others.
left unsaid and never explained! It was addressed me as secretary-general and He led the Crisis South Africa of- ine desire for the well-being of others.
just too sudden and he was just too congratulated me for a resounding fice with distinction, opening new I am struggling at a personal level
young and so full of life to die!  victory in the Student Representative frontiers and unchartered terrain for Throughout the years, we became to accept what happened and an inde-
Council (SRC) elections. the organisation to advance its region- very close friends. Dewa was a loving pendent autopsy will give me closure
We had many plans for the future! al advocacy work and spread its ten- and caring brother who always made and aid my healing process. 
We hoped to celebrate a new Zimba- I thanked him and shared some tacles. I remember on many regional it a point to check on me. He was a
bwe together. But it is God’s case with of the great stories that I heard of his engagements after a tough and packed dependable brother who was always I am also aware that many com-
no prospects for an appeal!  legacy and tenure as president of the day, many of us   opted to unwind there when you needed him. He had rades feel the same way and have a lot
University of Zimbabwe SRC   and whilst sipping on some fine waters (to a great sense of community and often of unanswered questions. 
Like many comrades, I will have to how we were inspired to continue borrow a term from Dr  Phillan Zam- went out of his way, far beyond the call
go through the various stages of grief fighting for academic freedom, auton- chiya). Dewa would sit with us in a of duty, to help his fellow comrades. I will forever miss his wise counsel,
until I learn to live with it. It will not omy of the university and pro-student bar, but working on his laptop (he also his support and encouragement.
be easy. I am still in denial! It does not policies. did not take alcohol). He was an unquestionable human
make sense to me.  rights defender.  I remember how You made a huge mark in this
I was immediately struck by his He was a workaholic who had such he was deeply concerned by the ill world; you fought a good fight! Yours
In life, there are those siblings that humility and evident interest in what an amazing passion for his tasks. I later health  and deaths of Tafadzwa Mkan- was a short, purposeful and impactful
God gives you, and there are those I had to offer, adjusting himself to served as a Crisis in Zimbabwe Coa- di and Wellington Zindi. On 18 Sep- life Moyondizvo! Your legacy shall live
you choose for yourself. I am grateful my level in order to make me com- lition board member under his lead- tember 2021, I went to the famous on!
for the many siblings I have chosen for fortable, in the meantime constantly ership as board chairperson and we Hwirisha (If you followed Dewa on
myself throughout my journey as an referring to me by my new title. It again worked together very well.  Facebook, you obviously know about May the Lord comfort his love-
activist, but Dewa was just too special was reassuring and made me feel that his captivating Hwirisha stories that ly wife Fiona, his four children , his
a brother. I first heard about Dewa in I could engage him.  It is the gift of As the southern Africa director for were   meticulously narrated in rich mother and his siblings.
2004 when I became interested in stu- some inspirational leaders, that when Human Rights Watch, an interna- vernacular) for the burial of the moth-
dent politics  during my undergraduate you speak to them they change the tional human rights organisation of er of a dear comrade sister and had the Till we meet again Dewa, Rest in
studies at the University of Zimbabwe. dynamic. You start getting the sense note,  his last place of work  before his opportunity to visit Dewa Mavhinga’s Power my dearest brother, my com-
untimely death, Dewa worked tireless- rural home. I met his lovely mum rade, my president, my chairperson!
ly to advance human rights in the Sadc
Your sister, Comrade Glado.

Page 30 The Big Debate NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

AYOADE OLATUNBOSUN-ALAKIJA Africa alerted world to Omicron.
Why are we now the pariahs?
THE advent of the Omicron variant Rich nations are again raising barriers to ending the
has given us a glimpse of an alternative Covid-19 pandemic – politicians, globally, must follow sequencing capacity and to contrib-
future in which, had the Sars-CoV-2 the science and act together. ute to the fight against this virus.
virus been initially identified in  Af- If the pandemic has taught us any-
rica  in early 2020, the world would some countries in Africa have less part of high-income countries. We now feign surprise? thing, it is that we cannot fight this
have maybe locked Africa away. There than 2%, owing to a lack of supply. knew this was where the hoarding, It does not have to be like this. Af- virus alone. We must work together,
would have been no emergency fund- the delays with intellectual property sharing technology and information
ing for vaccine development, limited The emergence of another variant (IP) waivers and the lack of cooper- rican countries, which have decades with full transparency, as the South
global attention, and Africa would was an inevitable result of the failure ation on sharing technology would of experience of fighting Ebola, HIV Africans have ably demonstrated, to
have become known as the continent of the international system, and a leave us. It was always going to end in and Aids and polio successfully, are ensure that we do not end up with
of Covid-19. response driven by domestic politics more dangerous variants. Why do we using their technology and knowhow another variant that could have the
rather than global solidarity on the to monitor the virus. potential to be far more deadly than
We may never know the origins of Omicron.
Omicron, but there is now evidence But instead of being called on to
that this variant was circulating in the contribute to tracking its spread, our The solutions are simple: we work
Netherlands  before it was officially continent has been rewarded with together, we do not exclude, and we
identified in South Africa. African exclusion and red-listing – an insult cooperate openly and transparently.
scientists’ superior level of pandemic added to our injury. This is not an African problem: this
preparedness is what has enabled the is a global problem that requires in-
world to quickly respond to this new There is no time to lose. This vi- ternational cooperation and a greater
threat. rus is moving quickly, and we in turn commitment towards multilateral-
need to move fast. Global leadership ism. A global pandemic treaty could
However, the response has entailed is needed, but so also is African lead- be a part of the solution, but we must
the imposition of travel bans – shut- ership. first of all do away with the national-
ting out southern African countries, ism that plagues us: we must urgently
as well as Nigeria and Egypt, who It is time for African political lead- vaccinate the world.
have now had to pay a heavy price in ership to step up and to push back
trade and tourism for identifying this – African lives are at stake. We must Next week, when G7 finance and
variant in such an expeditious man- be the masters and mistresses of our development leaders meet in Liver-
ner. own destiny and take a stand for eq- pool, they will have the opportunity
uity at this once-in-a-hundred-years to demonstrate global leadership and
Travel bans are an important moment. Africa cannot stand on the solidarity as this next wave of the vi-
way to contain the transmission of sidelines of history when it has so rus takes hold. Let us follow the sci-
Covid-19, but in this instance the much at stake and so much to offer. ence, not the politics.
measure is merely performative, given
that the variant is already on several The world cannot impede African *About the writer: Dr Ayoade
continents. What we’re left with is the states and other low-income coun- Olatunbosun-Alakija is the co-chair
assumption that the ban is as discrim- tries that want to produce their own of the African Union’s Africa Vac-
inatory and racist as Africa’s inequi- vaccines, to develop their testing and cine Delivery Alliance.
table access to vaccines, diagnostics
and therapeutics. It is a myth to say —The Guardian.
that vaccine hesitancy in Africa is the
cause of low vaccination rates. The
US, one of the most vaccine-hesitant
countries in the world, and with bil-
lions of surplus doses, has just under
60% full vaccination coverage, while

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 31

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Quotes from Fanon’s book Tanzania @60:
that resonate 60 years later A model of 

NIGEL GIBSON co-existence held
back by
FRANTZ Fanon, the Martiniquan-born
psychiatrist, committed Algerian revolu- political rigidity
tionary and Pan-African thinker, died
60 years ago on 6 December 1961 just
after the publication of his last book, The
Wretched of the Earth. To mark this 60th
anniversary, Nigel C. Gibson has just
published his collection,  Fanon Today:
The Reason and Revolt of the Wretched
of the Earth. He discusses some important
quotes from Fanon’s global classic.

Space tally honest in his criticism of the revo- Frantz Fanon. Wikimedia Commons DAVID E KIWUWA But this has been achieved by  sys-
In the first chapter of  The Wretched lutionary militant: Fanon rejects the humanism pro- tematic shrinking  of the political
of the Earth, ‘On Violence,’ Fanon de- claimed in Europe. Based on colonisa- TANZANIA gained its  indepen- space.
scribes colonialism as a system of abso- It sometimes happens at meetings tion, exploitation, slavery and violence, dence on 9 December 1961 after 71
lute violence that can only be opposed that militants use sweeping, dogmat- European humanism dehumanises. years of colonial administration, first Forging ahead, the political class
through violence. He references South ic formulas. The preference for this And so “We must find something dif- under Germany and later Britain. should seek greater accommoda-
Africa as he powerfully describes the shortcut, in which spontaneity and ferent”. He rejects what is central to tion so that disagreements do not
colonial world expressed in space: over-simple sinking of differences dan- European humanism, profit and the At independence the country lead to imprisonment, harassment
gerously combine to defeat intellectual reduction of the human to outputs in had  only 11  indigenous university and  attempted assassinations. For
The colonist’s sector is built to elaboration, frequently triumphs. production. graduates and 71% of the senior civil the country to achieve substantive
last…a sector of lights and paved “If conditions of work are not modi- service were expatriates. progress, it must make a collective
roads, where the trash cans constantly He calls the militant’s logic shocking fied,” he adds, “centuries will be needed and diverse effort.
overflow with strange and wonderful and inhuman. to humanise this world which has been Like other newly independent What Africa can learn from Tan-
garbage, undreamed-of leftovers…The Nationalist bourgeoisie forced down to animal level by impe- African countries, Tanzania faced zania
colonist’s sector is a sated, sluggish sec- Given that he was writing at a mo- rial powers”. He’s saying, humanising numerous socio-economic challeng- The African state has been cast as
tor, its belly is permanently full of good ment when more than half of Africa the world means rethinking every- es. These included low agricultural weak within the global political
things. had recently gained independence, thing, “work[ing]out new concepts… productivity and a low industrial and economy. Tanzania has rekindled the
his critique of the nationalist middle and setting afoot a new humanity”. manufacturing base. At the same debate about state sovereignty – a
In contrast, the colonised sector,the class and nationalist parties reads like time, it strove to become a nation – a nationalist ideal which underpinned
shanty town, the Medina, the reser- a script which has been repeated over Time as the space for human devel- viable, coherent state based on a na- the country’s ideological stance in
vation…[is] a disreputable place in- and over: opment tional identity and consciousness. It the 1960s and 1970s.
habited by disreputable people. You Fanon envisioned time akin to Karl also had to build a public authority.
are born anywhere, anyhow. You die Privileges multiply and corruption Marx’s great phrase, as “space for hu- In one recent instance, Tanzania
anywhere, from anything. It’s a world triumphs…Today the vultures are too man development”. What followed independence, asserted its state prerogative by forc-
with no space, people are piled one on numerous and too voracious in pro- however, was off the African post-co- ing a  renegotiation of Chinese port
top of the other, the shacks squeezed portion to the lean spoils of the nation- The sense of time must no longer be lonial script. Tanzania’s first post-in- contracts seen as detrimental to the
tightly together. The colonised’s sector al wealth. The party, a true instrument that of the moment or the next harvest, dependence philosopher leader, national interest.
is a famished sector, hungry for bread, of power in the hands of the bourgeoi- but rather that of the rest of the world. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, undertook
meat, shoes, coal, and light. sie, reinforces the machine, and ensures a bold political experiment known In another, the country  had its
that the people are hemmed in and im- Humanising the world means creat- as  Ujamaa  or  African socialism. way  in a tax dispute with a major
He then adds an important measure mobilised. ing a new conception of time, the time The  doctrine, proclaimed in 1967, Western mining conglomerate. This
of decolonisation, to create a new society. was underpinned by self-reliance, is on top of renegotiating the terms
At the same time, wary of the rising respect for human dignity and hu- of long-standing mining contracts
If we examine closely this system xenophobia and chauvinism in new- We have realised that the masses man rights. This became the guide deemed unfavourable to the country.
of compartments…its ordering and ly independent West African nations, are equal to the problems which con- for Tanzania.
its geographical layout will allow us to Fanon argues that national conscious- front them…experience proves that This pushback would have made
mark out the lines on which a decol- ness is not in fact nationalism. Rather, the important thing is not that three For a while, the country also the country’s founding president
onised society will be reorganised. national consciousness “enriched and hundred people form a plan and de- spearheaded pan-Africanism, the proud. So would the rise of the coun-
deepened into humanism…is the only cide upon carrying it out, but that the ideal of a united Africa. try’s  first woman President, Samia
Fanon rocked the  All-African Peo- thing that will give us an international whole people plan and decide even if it Suluhu Hassan, following the sud-
ples Conference  in December 1958 dimension.” For him the building of a takes them twice or three times as long. Forging a coherent national body den death of President John Magu-
when he raised the issue of violence in nation has to be “accompanied by the The fact is that the time taken up by politic is  most difficult  for African fuli in March 2021. In his celebrated
contrast to Kwame Nkrumah’s non- discovery and encouragement of uni- explaining, the time ‘lost’ in treating countries characterised by ethnic essays and later in the 1967 Arusha
violent “positive action” agreed upon versalising values.” the worker as a human being, will be diversity. This is because of the na- Declaration  Nyerere lamented the
by many delegates. The following year A new humanism caught up in the execution of the plan. ture of ethnic politics and the mo- lot of women and hoped for better:
Fanon became ambassador to Ghana Those universal values are expressed bilisation of communal groups as
and by then the crucial problem for in the four-page conclusion to  The Rather than top-down the plan the primary political constituency. It is true that within our tradition-
Fanon was the lack of ideological clar- Wretched of he Earth: should come from “the muscles and Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democrat- al society, ill-treatment and enforced
ity among leaders, regardless of their the brains of the citizens” because “peo- ic Republic of Congo are instructive subservience are the women’s lot. If
position on violence and non-violence. So, comrades, how is it that we do ple must know where they are going, examples. we want our country to make full
The rationality of revolt not understand that we have better and why”. In the early pages of  The and quick progress, it is essential to
The centrality of the “rationality of things to do than follow Europe? Wretched of the Earth  Fanon speaks But under Nyerere and its sub- enable our women to live on terms
revolt” to a “new politics” is highlight- of those dehumanised beings who be- sequent leaders, Tanzania man- of full equality with their fellow citi-
ed by these two quotes, from the end Fully cognisant of the fact that neo- come historical protagonists through aged to  forge a national conscious- zens, who happen to be men.
of chapter two and the beginning of colonialism can wear a Black or Arab the struggle. ness that goes beyond creed, race and The road ahead
chapter 3. face, Fanon is critical of how newly ethnic affiliation. In sharp contrast At 60 Tanzanians can look back with
independent African countries, even This is just the beginning, the work to many an African country, Tanza- mixed emotions about how far they
The insurrection proves to itself its when they used the language of social- of humanising the world does not end nia has demonstrated the possibility have come but equally wonder how
rationality and demonstrates its matu- ism, didn’t do much more than follow there, in fact by the end of the book it of co-existence in diversity. far they could have travelled. The
rity every time it uses a specific case to Europe’s model, looking to take over is clear that while this remains a cru- country has been spared the instabil-
advance the consciousness of the peo- the colonial apparatus – its states and cial turning point because conscious- There is much for Tanzanians to ity many in the region have experi-
ple in spite of those within the move- institutions – for their own interests. ness, let alone material reality, are not be proud of 60 years after indepen- enced. But peace on its own is not
ment who sometimes are inclined to Fanon considered this a product of the changed overnight. Mental and phys- dence. But the country is yet to re- enough. The unfulfilled promise of
think that any nuance constitutes a crisis of thought, the lack of a philoso- ical liberation has to be ongoing after alise the founding father’s dream of prosperity and economic advance-
danger and threatens popular solidar- phy of liberation. the colonists had been kicked out. a country in which self-reliance, mu- ment is still a drag on the euphoria
ity. The “new society”, the liberated “new tual dignity, tolerance and inclusion of self-governance and indigenous
That same Europe, where they were person” – collectively, socially, and in- underpin its sociopolitical fabric. empowerment.
If the rationality of revolt becomes never done talking with humanity, dividually – has to be consciously and
the material force of revolution where never stopped proclaiming that they intentionally developed. The political system has been a Harnessing all efforts towards eco-
“violence represents the absolute line were only anxious for the welfare of one-party state that morphed into nomic prosperity and self-reliance
of action,” the “new politics is in the humanity. Today we know with what *About the writer: Nigel Gibson is a  dominant party system  in later should be the number one priority
hands of…[those] who use their mus- sufferings humanity has paid for every professor of interdisciplinary studies years. The Tanzania Africa Nation- and therein lies the true essence of
cles and their brains to lead the struggle one of their triumphs of the mind. at Emerson College, United States. al Union was the ruling party until independence.
for liberation”. 1977. In that year it merged with the
—The Conversation. Afro-Shirazi Party to  form  Chama *About the writer: David E Ki-
But it is the cowardice and apathy Chama Mapinduzi or the Party of wuwa is associate professor of inter-
of the “elite” and their “incapacity” to the Revolution. The party remains in national studies at the University
“rationalise popular practice” and “at- government, making it one of Afri- of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
tribute it any reason” that leads to the ca’s longest-ruling parties.
postcolonial tragedy. —The Conversation.
Tanzania’s democracy  report
It was not only the leaders who were card  is, at best, chequered. On the
subject to Fanon’s anger. He was bru- surface, the country has had periodic
elections and changes of leadership.

Page 32 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Joe Biden’s summit for democracy:
what Africa needs to bring to the table
JOHN J STREMLAU

SEVENTEEN African countries have
been invited by United States Presi-
dent Joe Biden to join nearly 100 oth-
er invitees  for a  virtual “Summit for
Democracy”  due to take place this
week. A second summit, in person, is
planned for next year.

There are three issues on the agenda:
defending against authoritarianism;
addressing and fighting corruption;
and promoting respect for human
rights.

Africans have a great deal to con-
tribute.

It’s also an opportunity for them to
advance their interests — as individual
countries as well as collectively.

The US claims it has already con-
sulted widely with non-governmen-
tal actors. This means that the views
of African media, scholars and other
stakeholders should weigh in.

Taken together, the summit’s three
topics all beg for greater specificity plus
realistic action plans and resources.
Africa can — and must — be seen as
offering vital and affordable opportu-
nities to design, test and scale collec-
tive efforts. On each of the three broad
topics they can make important con-
tributions.

The democracy question US president Joe Biden and Democratic Republic of Congo president Felix Tshisekedi at the G20 summit in October 2021. Photo by Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
It remains a US bureaucratic mystery
how the host selected invitees. Of the others on two big issues related to ten- High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Corruption. It could serve as a refer- African agency
113 countries chosen, an estimated sions between illiberal and liberal de- Flows from Africa, chaired by Thabo ence for the African High Level Panel African leaders and publics can – and
69%  are regarded  by a Carnegie En- mocracies. Mbeki and commissioned by the Af- to test US resolve to cooperate with must – set their own agendas on the
dowment study to be “Free”; 28% are rican Union and the United Nations Africans in this vital area. issues to be raised at the summit. This
“Partly Free” and 3% “Not Free”. One is to seek constructive ways to Economic Commission for Africa. The human rights question is because they must shoulder the pri-
engage all other nations, even in only The panel focuses on driving the issue On this, too, Africa can make a vital mary responsibilities for the issues on
Among the African invitees are An- limited ways, rather than to try to os- onto the agendas of African govern- global contribution. the agenda — defending against au-
gola and the Democratic Republic of tracise or penalise them. Today virtual- ments, and will meet again virtually thoritarianism, addressing and fight-
Congo. ly all nations claim to be democratic, on 12 December. Human rights are not just a moral ing corruption, and promoting respect
even the most autocratic. If the 2022 imperative. In Africa’s international re- for human rights — from two perspec-
Even the host country, America, summit is to be credible then better Recent revelations by the Interna- lations the emphasis is pragmatic. “To- tives.
has been deemed in recent global sur- ways must be found than for the US tional Consortium of Investigative day’s human rights abuses are tomor-
veys by Freedom House and the Swed- alone to decide who should participate Journalists, the FinCEN Files and Pan- row’s refugees” has become a politically Firstly, they must deal with the con-
ish NGO International IDEA to have and how. dora Papers show the scale and extent salient cliché in a continent struggling sequences of these big challenges.
shown authoritarian characteristics. Its of corrupt practices that rob African to mitigate and prevent forced migra-
democracy ranking has been lowered. A second issue where Africans can countries of vital tax revenues. The tion and all the human suffering and Secondly, they must implement
Europe too struggles with illiberalism. set a good example is their pragmatic founding president of the NGO Glob- instabilities, nationally and regionally, policies to achieve the objectives of
but principled engagement of China. al Financial Integrity, Raymond W the phrase implies. plans to tackle them.
Meanwhile, all 54 member states of For African countries, the goal is a pro- Baker, and a member of the high level
the African Union have ratified an in- ductive relationship with both China panel, told me in an email that: Human rights abuses are “early The credibility of African govern-
clusive Constitutive Act that implicitly and the west. This point was made by warning” signs of conflict that have ments is at stake at the summit. So
condemns authoritarianism and ex- Cyril Ramaphosa as the lone African This is so serious as to be what is given political impetus to the “prin- is the possibility for building mutu-
plicitly affirms democratic goals. These guest at the last G7 Summit. now probably the major driver of eco- ciple of non-indifference”. Preventing ally beneficial partnerships that can
are given  operational meaning  with nomic inequality and the key reason unregulated mass migrations to the become more inclusive. Currently,
the later adoption of the African Char- This would advance Africa’s devel- for the weakness of democracy. Aggres- European countries that comprise wealthier democracies have not been
ter on Democracy, Elections and Gov- opment as well as lower tensions be- sively addressing threats to democracy the biggest contingent — 39 — in- reliable partners with African nations
ernance. tween China and the US. while inadequately addressing threats vited to the Summit for Democracy in their common battle against the
to economic and financial integrity should ensure a rapt audience for Af- global pandemic. Unless the summit
All African governments are obligat- It’s an outcome that deserves urgent will continue to bolster the global drift rican ideas about what can and should can lead to real partnerships with Af-
ed to hold periodic elections, subject attention from the other attendees at to authoritarianism. be done cooperatively to address this rican countries striving to sustain de-
to international observation. These are the democracy summit. problem. mocracy, African countries invited to
deficient in many ways. Nevertheless The corruption question Given Africa’s poverty and inequal- the 2022 summit would be justified in
they constitute practical expression Corruption is a pervasive problem ity, exacerbated by COVID-19 and In fact, most of the forced migration declining to attend.
of a new norm in intra-African rela- throughout Africa. It is abetted by the climate change, pressing for necessary occurs among African countries. But
tions: the “principle of non-indiffer- complicity, or at least lax regulations, political resolve and institutional capa- ways and means to address this key *About the writer: John J Stremlau
ence”. This refers to the commitment of many non-African governments bilities to redress this issue must and human rights problem have global im- us honorary professor of internation-
to no longer tolerate internal abuses that will be attending the summit, es- can become a global priority. plications, with Africa the vanguard. al relations at the University of the
of domestic power. The pro-democ- pecially the US. Witwatersrand in South Africa.
racy practice has been  praised  as Last week the US government re-
path-breaking globally by Internation- This was a  key conclusion  of the leased a new  Strategy on Countering —The Conversation.
al IDEA.

Beyond formal commitments to
defend against authoritarianism, there
is also  persistent popular support  for
democracy throughout the continent.
This is despite  many often volatile
democratic deficiencies.

Africans can also constructively
disagree with the US host and engage

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 33

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Gambia’s 55-year-old marbles voting
system is simple but difficult to cheat
ALIEU SANNEH Barrow, the incumbent and candidate
An election official pours marbles out of the barrel during the vote count in Banjul on December 4, 2021. Pic: AFP via Getty Images of the National People’s Party, and his
THE Gambia’s President Adama Bar- former vice-president Darboe of the
row has been declared winner of the Instead, it uses marbles. marble into the container represent- Gambia voting zones United Democratic Party.
election held on 4 December. Barrow The opposition candidates who re- ing the chosen candidate. As a standard rule of election and for
received around 53% of the vote cast ease of identification, the country The electoral system in The Gam-
while his closest rival at the polls, jected the results have not indicated The final tool used in this unique is divided into zones referred to as bia is based on first past the post.
Oussainou Darboe, got 28%. any problem with the voting process, form of voting is the counting box. constituencies and in each constitu- There is no runoff and any party that
especially as it relates to the use of Marbles are emptied into a square ency, there are several polling stations manages to record the highest num-
The election – the first since Bar- marbles. tray that is dotted with holes. At the where voting takes place. Every poll- ber of total votes cast, however small
row defeated Yahya Jammeh in 2016 end of the voting, counting is done ing station is headed by a presiding the margin, is declared winner.
– is largely seen as a test for democ- This form of voting has proven to on the spot. officer representing the Independent
racy in The Gambia. Jammeh was be simple and difficult to cheat. Electoral Commission. Barrow and Darboe’s political
forced into exile following refusal to Votes cast in marbles The holes in the trays get evenly “bromance” came to a grinding halt
accept his loss at the poll. His 22- Voting with marbles was introduced filled with marbles. The total is then Voters are only allowed to cast when Darboe began to express a pres-
year rule had been marred by human in The Gambia by the  British in tallied and recorded on the spot for their ballots at locations where they idential ambition. Darboe, who is
rights violations and repression of op- 1965 when the country first obtained representatives of candidates and vot- have registered to vote. On the elec- one of the founding members of the
position voices. its independence because of the low ers. tion day, the presiding officers have a United Democratic Party, has repeat-
literacy levels in the population at the list to crosscheck the identities of the edly run for office in the past and lost
The ousting of Jammeh opened time. The system has continued to be Counting on the spot ensures fair- voters at that location. Voters’ fingers to Jammeh.
the political space in the country, al- in use. ness and builds public confidence in are marked with liquid ink before
lowing mass participation. Citizens the electoral process. they get a marble. These measures Beyond these two individuals, a
had the freedom to affiliate with any In the place of ballot boxes, there are taken to prevent individuals from number of issues were of significance
political party of their choice without is a metal cylinder with a hole in the The candidates who have ques- voting twice. to voters on 4 December.
fear of being arrested, detained, and top. The containers are arranged on a tioned the results have pointed to A two horse race
tortured. table inside a voting booth and paint- procedural issues in the delayed The 4 December presidential election They include the economy, securi-
ed with the party colours of candi- counting by the independent elector- was more of a competition between ty, corruption and falling standards of
As results of the 2021 election dates as well as their photos for ease al commission. No evidence of fraud healthcare delivery.
came in, representatives from all op- of identification. Each voter drops a has been presented to prove that the
position parties signed off on nearly results were rigged in favour of the While some of these issues were
all the tally sheets read to the inde- incumbent. an assessment of the incumbents’
pendent electoral commission. four years of leadership, there is also
a concerning increase in ethnic and
However, Darboe and two other tribal politics never seen before in the
candidates, Mama Kandeh and Essa country.
Mbye Faal, said they would  not ac-
cept the results because counting took Election as a statement
longer than expected and because of Although the use of marbles in elec-
unspecified problems at some polling tions may be considered an obsolete
stations. form of voting, it is a process that has
so far been transparent and discour-
Members of the electoral com- aged rigging.
mission later confirmed that delay in
the announcement of the results was Despite its simplicity, this form
made out of precautionary measures of voting has successfully ended a
to ensure that the votes are fully vet- dictatorship in The Gambia. That is
ted before being announced. clear evidence that the voting system
is working. Jammeh may have ruled
Barrow’s victory was resounding with fear and intimidation but also
mainly due to his messages of recon- respected the voting process which
ciliation and promoting unity across ultimately led to his ouster.
ethnic and tribal affiliations in the
country. There is talk of introducing paper
ballots in conformity with modern
For Darboe, Kandeh and Faal, standards of voting. But why change
challenging the results may be a polit- to something much more complex
ical tactic to energise their supporters. when what is already in place is pro-
There are no expectations that any er- ducing the desired outcome of a free
ror could emerge substantial enough and fair election?
to produce a different outcome.
*About the writer: Alieu Sanneh
The Gambia’s democracy has so far is a political scientist at the Univer-
endured. sity of Missouri-St. Louis, United
States.
The country has a unique system
of voting that does not involve the —The Conversation.
use of paper ballots in casting votes.

Page 34 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

The good, the bad and the alarming:
Hichilema’s first 100 days in Zambia
The new president’s first 100 days in office have seen a
SISHUWA SISHUWA combination of promising steps and worrying tendencies.

DECEMBER 2 marked exactly
100 days since Hakainde Hichi-
lema was  inaugurated  as President
of Zambia. After a decade-and-a-
half in opposition, the leader of the
United Party for National Develop-
ment (UPND) defeated the incum-
bent Edgar Lungu in elections on
12 August 2021. He took office 12
days later.

Hichilema’s successful election
campaign was aided by his oppo-
nent’s  unpopularity  and a set of
promises to change course. He
vowed to tackle the erosion of de-
mocracy and human rights, address
high unemployment especially
among the youth, and rebuild an
economy faltering under the weight
of huge debt, government incom-
petence, corruption, and effects
of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hich-
ilema also pledged to reverse the
breakdown of the rule of law, the
lack of diversity in public office,
a politicised and ineffective civil
service, rampant corruption, poor
governmental communication with
the public, and Zambia’s weakened
voice in international affairs.

100 days into the new presiden-
cy, there are some hopeful signs of
progress on some fronts as well as
some highly alarming signs of bro-
ken promises on others.

Promising steps Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Glasgow, Scotland.
Of promising steps towards prog-
ress, many of which are still on pa- conflict with extractives companies. press conferences and has appeared of the opposition and civil society, ures from Zimbabwe, South Africa,
per, five stand out. But questions remain, stemming on a live phone-in radio show. Hichilema has maintained plans to and Tanzania to his inauguration –
from the previous administration’s review the constitution, enhance and speak out against global debt
First, Hichilema has developed takeover of the Glencore-operat- Third, Hichilema has presided judicial independence, and improve injustice and vaccine inequality.
a clear strategy aimed at fixing the ed Mopani copper mines and its over a relatively open democratic the operations of the electoral com- Alarming signs
economy and its debt crisis through handling of the liquidation of the environment. He has shown greater mission. On corruption, his prior- Those are some of the positive signs
better fiscal management and ac- Vedanta-owned Konkola mines. commitment to civil liberties and ity is to recover stolen funds, giv- from Hichilema’s first 100 days. The
countability.  Meanwhile, the ap- It remains to be seen whether the stopped the culture of violent polit- en that watchdog institutions lack negative signs are, in many ways,
pointment of the well-regarded  Si- new administration will return ical cadres operating in markets and capacity and the judiciary remains much more significant and centre
tumbeko Musokotwane  as Finance these  mines  to previous owners or bus stations. It is still early days, but compromised. on the new president’s principles.
minister, the internationally re- seek new investors. There are also the climate of fear and lawlessness In the election, the UPND tried to
spected Denny Kalyalya as governor still question marks over how the that characterised much of Lungu’s Finally, the new president has at- set itself apart from the corruption
of the Bank of Zambia and the ex- government will finance its plans, rule is slowly disappearing. One tempted to reposition Zambia on and lawlessness of Lungu’s Patriotic
perienced Felix Nkulukusa as secre- especially after reducing taxes. It is hopes that the arrest of a peacefully the world stage. Hichilema is repair- Front (PF).
tary to the Treasury strengthen the betting on economic growth and protesting Kasonde Mwenda, the ing the country’s frayed relationship
country’s ability to secure an Inter- improved revenues from copper, leader of a small opposition party, with the West, while being careful Hichilema’s speeches were domi-
national Monetary Fund package. but Zambia’s economy is precarious for “conduct likely to cause breach to not disrupt ties with China. More nated by calls for a return to consti-
Such a bailout would help Zambia and failure to reach a deal with the of peace” in September is an isolat- significantly, he is strengthening re- tutionalism and good governance.
attract foreign direct investment, IMF or a fall in copper prices could ed incident and not the start of a gional ties — particularly with the It is on these fronts that the last
reassure ratings agencies, and re-ne- lead to a dramatic collapse. slippery slope. DR Congo — through diplomatic 100 days have been the most con-
gotiate debt payments. visits and  promoting  greater trade cerning.
Second, Hichilema has great- Fourth, the new president has re- and investment within the southern
The government’s 2022 budget is ly improved dialogue between the stated his commitment to the rule African region and Africa Conti- Here are some examples.
also positive and bold. It promises public and the presidency. Unlike of law. Although he has  walked nental Free Trade Agreement. Hi- Pardoning corrupt former offi-
to recruit 30 000 new teachers and Lungu, who governed through press back promises to repeal the repres- chilema has also used his platform cials
11 200 healthcare staff, increase aides and airport tarmac addresses, sive Cyber Security Act and the to support democracy in the region Hichilema has shown a worrying
social expenditure, support small the new president regularly hosts Public Order Act, long used by – he notably invited opposition fig-
businesses, and invest more atten- governments to curtail the activities
tion in agriculture. It also vows to
decentralise resources, including by
increasing the Constituency Devel-
opment Fund from US$90 000 to
US$1.4 million. And it abolishes
school fees for state schools, mak-
ing good on the UPND’s promise
of free education.

Hichilema’s government contin-
ues to face several economic chal-
lenges, however. In mining, the
government has formulated a better
mechanism of collecting royalties,
which had been a perennial source of

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 35

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

contradiction in his approach to fill it with qualified, competent, and or from one of three Bemba-speak- to nominate eight persons to parlia- sector wage freeze comes next and
former officials accused of corrup- experienced professionals. While he ing provinces. This preference was ment, but Hichilema filled all the Hichilema’s administration is un-
tion. has yet to announce any reforms also seen clearly in the top leader- slots with men except one. Only one able to provide employment for the
that would help achieve this, he has ship positions of the police, army, of Hichilema’s ten provincial minis- many young people who voted for
On the one hand, he has said taken several steps that undermine air force, national service, and office ters is female. He has further made him.
that it is up to agencies such as the service. of the president. no appointments of either youth,
the Anti-Corruption Commission constitutionally defined as someone Unless Hichilema incorporates
(ACC) to investigate suspects and First, the new president destabi- Hichilema promised to do things between the ages of 18 and 35, or more figures from underrepresented
potentially prosecute them. This is lised it through a nearly  wholesale differently if elected but has barely persons with disabilities – a clear regions and women into his govern-
well and good; the judiciary and dismissal of permanent secretaries, delivered. All five heads of Zambia’s violation of the constitution. ment, he also remains vulnerable to
executive are separate arms of gov- the most senior officials tasked with security services  as well as the top Looking ahead a political rival that could combine
ernment. advising ministers and implement- positions in the National Assembly For someone elected on the prom- populist policies in urban centres
ing policies. It is unlikely all those and judiciary are held by people ise to restore constitutionalism and with promises to rural areas that
On the other hand, however, Hi- sacked were incompetent, unquali- from the regions that have tradi- the rule of law, Hichilema’s first feel marginalised.
chilema has said several times that if fied, or corrupt so their removal was tionally voted for him. His 27-per- 100 days provide little inspiration.
former officials return stolen money likely due to their perceived politi- son cabinet is relatively representa- Nonetheless, his political position This effective opposition, how-
to the government, they should be cal affiliation. tive of Zambia’s ten provinces, but seems secure, for now. ever, does not yet exist.  The PF is
given amnesty. It is not clear if this areas that have historically voted in disarray  while other opposition
is an instruction or merely advice, Second, Hichilema has appoint- for PF are grossly underrepresent- The new president remains pop- parties are mostly led by elitists
but since the president appoints ed several individuals who lack civil ed while 16 ministers come from ular, though his continued approval without grassroots support or the
ACC officers — and his predecessor service experience or even relevant ethnic groups that have typically will depend on how he navigates the language to connect with ordinary
held great sway over the agency — qualifications. They appear to have formed the core of Hichilema’s base. tough conditionalities that could voters.
we can assume it will be treated as been recruited due to their loyalty come with an IMF deal. His central
a directive. and are therefore more like Partisan The new president’s record on bank governor recently announced *About the writer: Sishuwa Si-
Secretaries, who will last as long as other forms of inclusion is even plans to  remove subsidies on elec- shuwa is a post-doctoral research
This is unconstitutional in a vari- their party is in power, than  Perma- worse. Even though the constitu- tricity, fertiliser, and fuel. If these fellow in the Institute for De-
ety of ways. As Hichilema pointed nent Secretaries. tion calls for equal gender repre- moves are not carefully phased or mocracy, Citizenship and Public
out, he has no legal power to in- sentation in public offices, just five strategically communicated, they Policy in Africa at the University
struct the ACC. The pardoning of Third, Hichilema has centralised cabinet ministers are women, which could lead to urban discontent. This of Cape Town and a lecturer in
officials who may have engaged in power by creating several new po- is half the figure under Lungu. To will especially be the case if a public modern history at the University
millions of dollars’ worth of grand sitions around the presidency in a address electoral imbalances, the of Zambia.
corruption would be a betrayal of move that demonstrates his lack of constitution allows the president
justice. And it would also violate faith in the civil service and his de- —African Arguments.
the principle that all people are sire to run government from State
equal before the law. House. The creation of these paral-
lel positions, many of which already
Under Lungu, the govern- exist in the civil service, under-
ment  targeted its opponents with mines existing officials, leads to the
trumped up charges  and tried to duplication of functions, and is an
prosecute them without evidence. inefficient use of public resources.
Worse still, many of those appoint-
Hichilema appears ready to vio- ed to this “mini civil service” lack
late the same principle, albeit in the the relevant qualifications for their
opposite direction; by saving people roles.
from prosecution despite clear evi- Undermining the fight against
dence of wrongdoing. corruption
When it became clear that Lungu
It is additionally worrying that had lost the elections this August,
the new administration has not re- the incumbent had initially planned
placed officials in anti-corruption to challenge the results in the Con-
bodies. Under Lungu, these agen- stitutional Court, which was widely
cies were  spineless  and followed seen as biased in his favour. It was
political instructions rather than only after an unexpected closed-
following the constitution. Keep- door meeting with Hichilema that
ing these personnel in place does he switched tack. In a short, tele-
not inspire hope that these bodies vised address,  a visibly subdued
can now act independently of the Lungu conceded and congratulated
executive or hold those in power his soon-to-be successor.
accountable.
Creating new public offices with- Moments later, Hichilema deliv-
out following the law ered his own speech. He welcomed
Historically,  State House  has had his election victory before address-
five advisers to the president, re- ing Lungu, saying  “do not wor-
sponsible for the Press and public ry; you will be okay, sir”.  He later
relations, economic affairs, politi- tried to walk back these words, but
cal affairs, legal affairs, and policy this remark was widely seen as the
and project implementation – each public expression of the two men’s
assisted by two deputies known as private political settlement; namely,
chief analysts. Instead of working that Lungu would drop his planned
through these existing offices, Hi- legal challenge in exchange for im-
chilema has created a series of new munity after stepping down.
advisory positions. These include
State House media director, special If this is the case, this deal would
assistant to the President for public be deeply inappropriate. It would
policy, special assistant to the Pres- undermine the director of public
ident for policy compliance, and prosecutions and law enforcement
State House economic adviser. agencies whose responsibility it is
to decide who should be investigat-
His motivations for doing this ed and prosecuted. And it would
may be perfectly legitimate, but bypass the National Assembly, the
these actions have not been con- body with  the power to remove a
stitutional. The president is legally former president’s immunity in the
empowered to create new public of- face of clear evidence presented by
fices, but only through the relevant the sitting president.
commission or a specially designed Failure to reflect diversity
statutory instrument, which has not One key criticism of Lungu’s rule
been the case. It is also concerning was that he marginalised Zambians
that most of these appointments from Southern, Western and North-
have not been announced and only western provinces — regions that
a few have taken the oath of office have historically voted for Hichile-
publicly, as required by the  consti- ma. 26 of his 32 cabinet ministers,
tution. for instance, were either from the
Weakening the civil service Chewa-speaking Eastern province
In opposition, Hichilema vowed
to depoliticise the civil service and

Page 36 Africa News NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

The arrival of 1 billion vaccine doses
won’t alone solve Africa’s Covid crisis
WITH a billion  doses  of Covid-19
vaccines expected to arrive in Africa Some of South Africa’s vaccine March 2022 looks very good with Hesitancy has been driven by a hoods.
in the coming months, concern has supply problems were self-inflicted, almost one billion doses forecast to combination of factors on a conti- “I was in DRC recently and I heard
shifted to a global shortage of equip- including being slow to initially se- arrive, which in theory could cover nent that in general, studies suggest,
ment required to deliver them, such cure stock. There have also been tech- 70% of the African population.” has far higher rates of vaccine accep- someone say precisely this. They can’t
as syringes, as well as insufficient nological issues, with requirements to tance than the US. The huge amount afford to travel and then wait in a vac-
planning in some countries that could register using a phone or computer Set against that, however, has been of misinformation that has circulated cination centre for two hours.”
create bottlenecks in the rollout. creating a digital barrier in a country the struggle of some countries to de- globally is partly to blame, but there
where only 60% of people are inter- liver what doses they have – because are also economic reasons. Writing in South Africa’s Mail
After a troubled start to vaccina- net users. of instability, for example in the and Guardian this week,  Anand
tion programmes on the continent, Democratic Republic of the Con- David Harrison, the head of the Madhvani, a co-founder of  Covid
health officials are examining ways to Dr Richard Mihigo, a WHO pro- go and Nigeria; health systems with nonprofit DG Murray Trust in South Kenya  – a group of volunteers that
encourage take-up as some countries gramme coordinator, said there had poor reach, especially outside big cit- Africa, said some were reluctant to uses social media to create awareness
have had to throw away doses. been a “start and stop” approach to ies; and vaccine hesitancy around the give up a day’s work or pay to travel about Covid-19 issues – raised local
vaccine drives in Africa in recent Covid jab. to a vaccination site. inequalities in vaccine access.
Critics have blamed hoarding of months.
vaccine doses by a handful of West- Nigeria’s underfunded health sys- “Twelve million people applied for “In many African countries we
ern countries for a situation in which “The first doses arrived in Ghana in tem lacks everyday supplies such as an R350 (£16) emergency Covid-19 have some existing systems for vac-
only 7.5% of people in African coun- March and there were a lot of prom- cotton swabs. Spotty power supply relief grant,” he said. “If you’re asking cinations, but these require massive
tries have been vaccinated – which ises from Covax [the global vaccine means fridges holding vaccines need those people to pay R20 for a taxi fare expansion and support for mass
some argue led to the emergence of consortium] that countries would to be kept on expensive fuel gener- to and from a vaccine site, it’s a signif- adult campaigns – even once a steady
the Omicron variant in southern Af- receive their allocations. But that de- ators, and millions of citizens live icant trade-off.” supply of vaccines is available,” he
rica – but health experts point to a livery was stopped when India halted in areas racked by banditry or Isla- wrote. “In Kenya, where I work, we
wider series of issues. delivery from the Serum Institute [in mist insurgencies that medics can- Mihigo, of the WHO, echoed this needed high-profile local language
the midst of its own outbreak] earlier not reach. Nigeria’s health minister, point. “To make sure more and more vaccination campaigns. There is deep
The World Health Organisation this year,” he said. Osagie Ehanire, said last week: “The of the available vaccine can be put in inequality within our countries. Rel-
says a shortage of syringes – in partic- foundation is not strong. And if you arms of the people, we need to focus ative elites in capitals quickly got
ular a 0.3ml syringe version required “That start was not ideal. Since don’t have a strong foundation, there’s attention on providing additional in- themselves vaccinated but stopped
to deliver the Pfizer dose – may slow then, however, the situation has sta- not much you can build on top.” centives to people to get vaccinated pushing for everyone.”
delivery, and it has stepped up techni- bilised. Now the prospects through without compromising their liveli-
cal assistance missions in 15 countries —The Guardian.
that have lagged behind.

Figures show a wide disparity in
what has been achieved, with 15
countries reaching a target of 10%
of the population vaccinated by the
end of September, and more than
half struggling to reach a third of that
number.

Among the success stories have
been some smaller island states, in-
cluding Seychelles and Mauritius,
which have vaccinated over 60% of
their populations, and Morocco has
reached 48%.

The case of  South Africa  – which
had vaccinated 40% of its population
as of 3 December – highlights some
of the complexities involved.

With sufficient doses for an esti-
mated 150 days of vaccination, it has
cancelled some vaccine shipments as
it has tried to reinvigorate a campaign
that had met resistance from some
sections of the population, not least
in the 18-34 age group.

GHANA is demanding that all adult Ghana's Covid restrictions: All Ghana's authorities have expressed
travellers arriving in the country pro- adult arrivals must be vaccinated concern about the low vaccination
vide proof of full vaccination, effective test. rates and they are particularly wor-
from midnight 12 December. Ghanaian authorities say most of the Omicron cases at Kotoka International All Ghanaians flying out of the ried about the new Omicron variant
Airport are amongst the unvaccinated among international arrivals.
Ghanaian citizens and residents country will also need to be fully vac-
abroad are exempted for up to two cinated. "The expected increase during the
weeks, but will be required to get festive season calls for urgent actions
jabbed upon landing at the airport. This means that a Ghanaian nation- to prevent a major surge in Covid-19
al who is not currently vaccinated but cases in Ghana," the head of the Gha-
The authorities say they are con- gets a jab at the airport would have to na Health Service, Patrick Kuma-Abo-
cerned about a surge of infections over wait until getting a second dose before agye, said in a statement.
the festive period. they were able to fly out, unless they
got a Johnson and Johnson vaccine. He said that over the last two
These measure appear to be some of weeks, cases detected at Ghana's main
the strictest in the world. The World Health Organisation airport, Kotoka, accounted for about
(WHO) recommends an eight- to 12- 60% of all confirmed Covid cases in
Many other countries have avoided week gap between the first and second the country.
an outright blanket ban on unvacci- dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and
nated arrivals, such as members of the a 21- to 28-day gap between the two The authorities plan to ramp up
European Union  and  the United Pfizer shots. The Moderna and Sput- efforts to immunise the population in
States. nik V also require two doses for maxi- January, by making it compulsory for
mum immunity. government employees, students and
Unvaccinated travellers are often health workers to get the vaccine.
given the option of self-isolating on Less than 10% of Ghana's popula-
arrival. tion have currently been vaccinated. Vaccine passports will also be re-
quired to enter venues with large
Ghana's land and sea borders have crowds like nightclubs and sports sta-
been closed to passenger traffic since diums.
restrictions were first introduced at the
start of the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic,
Ghana has reported 131 246 cases and
Alongside the new measures, Gha- 1 228 Covid fatalities. —BBC.
naian authorities will also still insist
that all arrivals present a negative PCR

NewsHawks World News Page 37

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Julian Assange can be extradited to US
to face espionage charges, court rules

JULIAN Assange can be extradited of  hundreds of thousands of leaked charges under the Espionage Act but from the UK due to his mental health The US also said it will consent to an
to the United States, the British high documents about the Afghanistan and also a real risk of serious human rights risked “rewarding fugitives for their application by Assange, if he is convict-
court has ruled as it overturned a judg- Iraq wars, as well as diplomatic cables, violations due to detention conditions flight”. ed, to be transferred to his native Aus-
ment earlier this year. in 2010 and 2011. that could amount to torture or other tralia to serve any sentence and that he
ill-treatment. The US government’s in- James Lewis QC, for the US, said would receive appropriate clinical and
The decision deals a major blow to Alarm at the high court ruling was dictment poses a grave threat to press the district judge based her decision psychological treatment while in US
the  WikiLeaks  co-founder’s efforts to expressed by advocates of press free- freedom both in the United States and on Assange‘s “intellectual ability to cir- custody.
prevent his extradition to the US to face dom, with Amnesty International abroad.” cumvent suicide preventive measures”,
espionage charges, although his fiancee describing the ruling as a “travesty of which risked becoming a “trump card” The US assurances were described in
immediately indicated that an appeal justice”. Rebecca Vincent, director of inter- for anyone who wanted to oppose their the ruling by the high court judges on
would be launched. national campaigns at Reporters With- extradition regardless of any resources Friday as “solemn undertakings offered
Nils Muižnieks, Amnesty Interna- out Borders and the organisation’s UK the other state might have. by one government to another.”
The senior judges found that a tional’s Europe director, said: “By al- bureau director, tweeted:
then-district judge had based her de- lowing this appeal, the high court has The assurances offered by the US in Lord Burnett of Maldon, lord chief
cision earlier this year on the risk of chosen to accept the deeply flawed dip- “This is an utterly shameful devel- a diplomatic note in February included justice, and Lord Justice Holroyde add-
Assange being held in highly restrictive lomatic assurances given by the US that opment that has alarming implications one that Assange would not be subject ed in their ruling: “There is no reason
prison conditions if extradited. Assange would not be held in solitary not only for Assange’s mental health, to “special administrative measures” or why this court should not accept the
confinement in a maximum security but also for journalism and press free- held at a maximum security “ADX” assurances as meaning what they say.
But in their ruling on Friday, they prison.” dom around the world.” facility, such as one in Florence, Colo- There is no basis for assuming that the
sided with the US authorities after a rado, either during a pretrial period or USA has not given the assurances in
near-unprecedented package of assur- “If extradited to the US, Julian The high court was told earlier this after any conviction. good faith.” —The Guardian.
ances were put forward that Assange Assange could not only face trial on year that blocking Assange‘s removal
would not face those strictest measures
either pre-trial or post-conviction un-
less he committed an act in the future
that required them.

Lord Burnett said: “That risk is in
our judgment excluded by the assur-
ances which are offered. It follows that
we are satisfied that, if the assurances
had been before the judge, she would
have answered the relevant question
differently.”

He added: “That conclusion is suf-
ficient to determine this appeal in the
USA’s favour.”

Allowing the appeal, the judges or-
dered that the case be remitted to West-
minster magistrates court with a direc-
tion that a district justice send the case
to the secretary of state, who will decide
whether Assange should be extradited
to the US.

Responding to the decision, Stella
Moris, Julian Assange’s fiancee, said:
“We will appeal this decision at the ear-
liest possible moment.”

She described the high court’s ruling
as “dangerous and misguided” and a
“grave miscarriage of justice.”

“How can it be fair, how can it be
right, how can it be possible, to extra-
dite Julian to the very country which
plotted to kill him?” she said.

The case against the 49-year-old
relates to WikiLeaks’s publication

A SENIOR Western intelligence offi- How Russian invasion of Ukraine He said the security situation in
cial has warned that if Russia decides could spill over into Europe Europe was without precedent since
to invade Ukraine, a conflict could the fall of the Iron Curtain.
spill over further into Europe. The senior Western intelligence of- an increase in signals intelligence and Putin's intent Russia's demands, and a diplomatic
ficial described it as a "steady" rather "chatter" being monitored which The West is still unclear about Pres- solution
Speaking to journalists, including than dramatic. Western intelligence could signal Russia's preparedness to ident Putin's intent. But the senior The US and Nato have made clear
the BBC, the senior intelligence offi- estimates that Russia already has up invade. Western intelligence official warned they want a dialogue with Russia to
cial, who asked not to be named, said: to 100 000 troops positioned near to What could war look like? that "military options are highly like- avoid conflict, and Moscow wants
"Let's not be blind. If Russia initiates the border with Ukraine, along with If Russia did decide to invade ly on the table in the Kremlin" if Rus- dialogue to continue, too. President
a scenario of any kind it will also ini- tanks and artillery. Washington has Ukraine, the senior Western intelli- sia's demands are not satisfied. Biden's virtual meeting with Pres-
tiate action against Nato members". suggested that force could rise to 175 gence official said large numbers of ident Putin earlier this week was a
000 by the end of January. people would be displaced. "Has Putin decided to initiate a start and will be followed up by more
"To think war could be contained conflict? The jury is still out," he said. talks with other Nato members. But
to one nation would be foolish," they The Western defence official said "We could have a very large num- Russia's demands and so-called "red
added. that if Russia chose to carry out an ber of refugees, deaths could reason- But the official noted there had lines" are making diplomacy difficult.
attack now it could do so. But he said ably be expected to be high as would been a combination of sharp bellicose
Those concerns have been echoed Russian forces massed on the border destruction within Ukraine," he said. rhetoric from Moscow, accusations Russia wants assurances that
by Britain's most senior military of- were still missing some crucial ele- of being provoked by Ukraine and Ukraine will never be allowed to join
ficer. ments - such as full logistical support, The war that erupted in eastern Nato, a lack of transparency, and a Nato; that Nato members will have
ammunition stocks, field hospitals Ukraine in 2014 has already left 14 worrying track record, including the no permanent forces or infrastructure
On Tuesday, the Chief of the De- and blood banks. 000 dead and an estimated 1.4 mil- annexation of Crimea in 2014. based in Ukraine; and for a halt to
fence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Rada- lion displaced. But the official said military exercises near Russia's bor-
kin, told reporters: "The significance The intelligence official described Russia could also initiate actions "Added to that are the recent bor- der.
of the worst scenarios in terms of a the build-up as a "slow drip" and a against Nato members such as cyber der crisis involving thousands of mi-
full-scale invasion would be on a scale "slow ratcheting up of pressure". and hybrid warfare, and even physical grants in Belarus, as well as Russia's Nato insists it is a defensive alli-
not seen in Europe since the Second attacks. backing of separatists in the Caucasus ance and not a threat to Russia.
World War". US officials have also pointed to an and elsewhere," he said.
increase in Russia's social media "dis- "If there's a spill over elsewhere, all But the alliance has also made clear
The admiral described Russia's information". of these effects could be expanded," While the official said it was hard that it believes that Ukraine has a
military build-up on its border with he said. to say these were all strategically relat- right to make its own decisions as a
Ukraine as "deeply worrying". Meanwhile, other Western defence ed, it showed that there was an issue sovereign nation, and it is not willing
sources have expressed concern about on Eastern Europe's eastern flank. to give Russia a veto on Ukraine's fu-
Despite warnings from the US and ture.
its Nato allies that any invasion by
Russia of Ukraine would have "severe —BBC.
economic consequences," Moscow's
military build-up on the border con-
tinues.

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 38 Issue 60, 10 December 2021

WHILE Zimbabwean television audi- Chisara: Drama series US$1 500 (shooting budget) to de-
ences still make do with the state-con- coming to screen near you liver fifteen 15-minute episodes over
trolled ZBC TV, digital media has a period of 10 days.
been an alternative for those who want to grieve like how they would nor- ily will resolve with the Shona cus- through our distribution platform – JM: What were the challenges in
to watch something different and excit- mally do. Christian, Jacob’s first-born toms that surround the laying to rest www.playafrika.tv shooting Chisara?
ing. son with his first wife, decides to re- of one of their own whilst trying to JM: Tell us about the cast, who’s KB: Our main challenge was power
turn home after eight years when he be fair with everyone. who? cuts. On the 10 days of the shoot,
More and more local filmmakers are finds out that his father is gravely ill. JM: Which production company is KB: Chisara comprises of an A-list we lost four shooting days due to
making use of digital platforms, mostly He finds the time to talk with his fa- behind Chisara? class, it features the likes of Ben Si- continuous power cuts, forcing us to
YouTube, to showcase their creativity. A ther before his passing. KB: Chisara is a collaborative effort benke (former Studio 263 veteran), re-adjust our schedule but without
forthcoming attraction is the new fami- between Inhouse Media (The pro- Charles Mzemba, Conrad Mwana- compromising the production. On
ly drama titled Chisara which will air Christian later finds out that his ducing company), Mukandatsama washe, Elizabeth Majongwe, Stella this project we had more strengths
beginning 10 December as part of the father’s new family is not forthcom- Films (The story and concept devel- January, among a new breed of talent than challenges because of our strate-
ongoing Zimbabwe International Film ing regarding how Jacob lived the opers), PlayAfrika and Zambezi Mo- like Michael Ruwizhi, Nancy Dzviti, gic partnerships. So, we really didn’t
Festival. The NewsHawks’ Jonathan rest of his life since Christian left the tion Pictures as executive producers. Joseph Marikano and Panashe Zv- have a lot of challenges. In the fu-
Mbiriyamveka (JM) interviews Kuda country. The story revolves around JM: Where is it going to be show- ingo. Kessia Masona graced the cast ture I think we are going to employ
Bwititi (KB) the director/producer of how a Zimbabwean family deals ing? and gave a stellar performance with the same strategy of having strategic
the webseries. Read the excerpts.  with the death of a family member KB: The official release and watch her energy level to give the film the partnerships, it really helps.
JM: What is Chisara? in the time of the pandemic. How party is on the 10th of December final kick. JM: What sets Chisara apart from
KB: Chisara is a 15-part webseries they have to adjust to grieving for at the Zimbabwe International Film JM: Tell us about the production what we have seen before?
– family drama set and shot during their family member without being Festival (ZIFF21). After that, we will side. How much did it take to pro- KB: We have invested more in visual
the time of the deadly pandemic present. Christian also has to deal host a public screening and then the duce this work? storytelling, a combination of good
(Covid-19). with his unresolved feelings with rest of the episodes shall be accessible KB: We used a budget of less than quality video production, quality
JM: What is the storyline behind regard to his father and how he was sound and scoring and a professional
Chisara? treated while growing up. Christian cast and crew.
KB: Let me give you the synopsis. also finds his ex-girlfriend as a stay-
at-home nurse. The visuals for the final look are
Tragedy befalls the Chisara fami- exceptional – a beautiful art work. If
ly as Jacob, Christian’s father, passes Chisara will also see how the fam- it was a painting, we could say Chis-
away due to cancer which was discov- ara is a Van Gogh. 
ered late. Now due to the Covid-19
pandemic, the family is not allowed

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 39
showcasing strength and opportuni-
Issue 60, 10 December 2021 Benhura’s new masterpiece ties of Zimbabwe’s natural resourc-
Beijing Biennale bound es,” she said.
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
Sculptor Dominic Benhura with Acting Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Sekai Nzenza (right). Benhura is well known around the
A mixed-media three-dimensional world for his new techniques and de-
sculpture comprising dolomite and “The Light of Life.” sculptures, said Zimbabwe’s repre- 2030 vision which is premised on in- signs since venturing into art at the
springstone will be among 600 mas- Benhura said he chose the sculp- sentation at the Beijing Biennale was novation and (being) open for busi- tender age of 12.
terpieces from around the world at in line with President Emmerson ness using our natural resources.
the 9th Beijing Biennale. ture titled Proud Mother because it Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 blueprint. Back then, he used clay as his
is the mothers and the girl child who “He (Benhura) has departed from choice of medium.
The latest technique by world-re- give life. “We are here to celebrate Zim- the norm and what I’m seeing here
nowned sculptor Dominic Benhura babwe’s innovation and creativity, is innovation using dolomite which Now that he is into stone, Benhu-
has already charmed the jury at the Acting Youth, Sport, Arts and also to celebrate engagement that is is from Rushinga mostly used in ag- ra makes it look easy and his works
Beijing Biennale scheduled to run Recreation minister Sekai Nzenza, coming from President Mnangagwa’s riculture and now it is used as art occupy some of the most prestigious
from 18 January 2022 to 1 March who is also a collector of Benhura’s public spaces around the world and
2022. are popular with gallerists, art col-
lectors and museums from across the
Apart from the legendary Benhura world.
(53) there are also paintings by Nom-
zamo Precious Ndebele and David Benhura was honoured with a doc-
Ngwerume’s sculptures. torate degree in Culture and Heritage
by the Women’s University in Africa.
The Beijing Biennale will be staged
at the National Art Museum of Chi- He became the first stone sculp-
na in Beijing (main venue), from tor to be conferred with a doctorate,
where non-sports stadiums of the joining the ranks of distinguished
2022 Olympic and Paralympic Win- performing artistes Dr Thomas Map-
ter Games will take place. fumo and Dr Oliver Mtukudzi.

Beijing International Art Biennale The self-taught sculptor has always
(Beijing Biennale for short), initiated had a soft spot for women and the
in 2003, is a project approved by the girl child.
state council, ratified by central gov-
ernment and funded through state He is famous around the world for
allocation.  his signature motion masterpieces
which grace some of the world’s her-
As an international academic ex- itage sites and international airports,
hibition with its unique model, it is including the Nelson Mandela Foun-
jointly hosted by the China Federa- dation offices in South Africa.
tion of Literary and Art Circles, the
Government of Beijing Municipality In 2016, he also provoked an out-
and the China Artists' Association.  cry from his critics after he sculpted
a statue of former president Robert
So far, eight sessions have been Mugabe, but he defended it saying it
held. was a unique piece of art.

According to Benhura, the sculp- Since branching out from his
ture which was his only submission mentor Tapfuma Gutsa, Benhura has
to the judges made it because of held several solo exhibitions show-
the technique used that showcases a casing a broad spectrum of his old
combination of evolution and inno- and new masterpieces. For Benhura,
vation. stone sculpting has always been his
hobby although along the way it be-
“This is the first I have ever used came his career path.
this technique of combining two
stones into one to give different tex- More often than not, Benhura is
ture and feel.  inspired by nature, plants, animals
and figures which he sculpts second
“It is a colourful sculpture which to none.
augurs well with the theme of the Bei-
jing Biennale. Yes, culture is evolving He has pursued creative imagina-
and so is our art and I am delighted tion art for many decades and, when
this is the first time I’ve ever used this he does pieces of people and wildlife,
technique,” he explained the piece. he creates identifiable forms, but does
not refine them like other artists.
The 9th Beijing International Art
Biennale will run under the theme:

Fans remember musician Prince Musarurwa

NHAU MANGIRAZI ro-jazz sound which saw him per- Slim Magombedze, the videogra- The late Prince Musarurwa.
forming locally and the United pher, captured part of the tourist
PRINCE Musarurwa would have Kingdom. attractions in the resort town of
turned 32 on 5 December 2021.  Kariba.
Music was his calling and he made
The talented musician died on 15 an impact through his life-changing The Magumbo video was shot
February 2021 at Chinhoyi Provin- songs steeped in Zimbabwean tradi- near a lake, with the water symbol-
cial Hospital just as his career was on tional culture. ising life.
the rise.
The music industry was robbed The late Musarurwa used to wear
Fans this week took to Facebook of a promising artiste whose death traditional outfits and articulated
to pay their tributes as they remem- came too early. left a mark despite his relative youth.
bered the much-beloved Musarur- He has another song, Muchaneta,
wa. Many fans expected more from in which he explores the problem of
his captivating voice in jazz which abortion which is now rife.
One fan wrote: “Prince, continue cut across all ages.
to rest in peace, we love your music.” He released what probably be-
Although he burst into the lime- came his last song, Nyamatsatse, last
Another follower replied: “His light following a well-timed collab- December.
music will live forever and we will oration with Pah Chihera with their
forever cherish his contributions to duet Runonzi Rudo in 2013, Mu- The song foretold his death, espe-
the music industry." sarurwa had already impressed mu- cially where he sings “all stars may
sic fans with his polished approach. vanish during early morning breeze
A third fan said: “The good die but he was ready to face new day
young. The Prince, you played your He sang another duet with Diana dreams.”
part and we still love you.” Samkange. The two collaborated on
Tikure Murudo that did well on the In the video, Prince Musarurwa is
Musaruwa of Runonzi Rudo fame charts. seen in the woods draped in a yellow
left an indelible mark on the main- and black outfit.
stream music scene with his brilliant He also worked with Shamine
and well-thought-out lyrics. Muzavazi on MaMoyo, an appreci- He also dedicated a song titled
ation of the contribution of women. Tonderai to his friend Tonderai Ma-
Fans will remember him for What is more captivating is how oko, now late.
churning out that authentic Af-

Page 40 Life & Style NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Title: after another five-year wait Poet: Sheikh Al Dirani Title: Brazen Bull
Poet: Obey Chiyangwa Poem: Thought Cats Poet: Kelvin K Nyakubaya

they came from far flung places I am the black cat at midnight He played the russian roulette with the
and other places unknown. In this corner I will sit and behold voting ballet, and she kissed all frogs in-
trudging rugged terrains. The sticki-stuffy phantoms of fire flies cluding Cain the toad
fording flooded rivers. Signing confused signatures on the night. A rogue Prince Charming hellbent on in-
they walked. some ran. Darkness makes this huge house huger flicting harm,
trotted and cantered well ahead of the rest. And my timid thoughts thinner. With a loose grip on that unlawful claim he
long strides in search of the elusive. Black stars blink blank stares calls his bride
ox drawn carts and sleighs. Granules of soot ping-ponging to and fro Motherland turned brazen bull her off-
smoking chicken buses and limping lorries. And self-deleting into disappearing exes. spring's agony translated into beautiful
wheelbarrows for the blind and the crippled. I am the black cat at midnight symphony
some rode on the backs of excited donkeys. Sitting in the blackout Her barren womb devours the soul and
multitudes of poorly peasants fired by expecta- Here it does not matter boils the bones, no mercy for the still born
tion. like stray cattle, If I shut one eye; Or open both of them wider, Dog eat dog is a clause, do not question
some were collected from the valleys And grin a mischievous smile what you know or you die without cause
and herded to the market. One that has sharp catty teeth You may take your plea to court but it's
like meek sheep, The rats won’t see me anyway. your own funeral, open casket case closed
others were cornered in the villages Even if the angry dogs of common sense The bread basket became a basket case,
and commdeered to the slaughter. come sniffing; Me they won’t see. it's a black man's curse
like itinerent children, Tonight I will not go slinking out into the alley The black market wears white collars,
more were persuaded by sweet nothings Or go streetwise dodging the mid-night traffic Prince Charming handsome Devil in bor-
and force-marched to rallies. That oft renders the copse of a cat in the rowed robes
they brought with them eager ears. morning. Tonight I will be lord of the night They sang songs about him to inspire the
wide-eyed wonder. exited chatter. Soot clad magistrate of dusky hours desire to put him in power
jokes amid banter. lingering hopes. Hitting on the head of humpty-dumpty shad- But the promised Messiah turned out to be
blurred visions of a better future. ows with my gavel. a squire
most carried misery heavy on sagging shoul- ‘Cause here I can be all that I’d rather be For there is the role of knight in shining
ders. they listened to the usual empty slogans, A cat with nine tails and nine lives armour one must first acquire
accepted and applauded routinely hollow A cat with prickly fur like a porcupine The first Republic was an ordeal, sell your
promises. The magic cat that vanishes into mirages soul for a hot meal that was the deal
they swayed drunkenly during forced dances, Before your sight like a hazy dream. It couldn't get any worse ... Until came
war songs that unwound the miseries of yes- along the second Republic, kill all the sur-
teryear. food hand outs that did not fail to *********************************************** vivors the sequel
insult their pride. Title: Thorns of the soul Stand in line for the bitter pill and be still,
some shed tears that trickled down inside Poet: Homunculus take one the fear to instill
their souls. others waited until the comrederie Take two these are magic beans do not
privacy of darkness, so they could cry into the We've all been there, haven't we? spill, should you squeal they are licensed
armpits of their broken hearts. Against the wall to kill
Hands behind our backs Politicians play the dirty game with preci-
*********************************************** And ankles tied to our hands? sion skill, a bunch of addicts chasing the
Title: Silenced voices Shoulder deep in sand red horseman's thrill
Poet: Tashinga Ruth Ndindana Struggling to stay afloat Hold on tight to that bayonet should it slip
When only one kick is all we can afford? stab your heart it will. Ignore the pain you
My people have assembled too many useless Cascading tears on our cheeks feel
arsenals: Burning hungers beneath our breaths And hope in time you will heal for in this
A whole manufacturing industry of armour With no relief although we squeeze the last case there is no appeal
whose weapons never leave the facility; tear; But still can't breathe? A little innocent blood to foot the bill, a
Too many unpinned grenades that shy away Can't breathe a sigh of relief tyrant's mind is undoubtedly ill
from making an explosion, For suffering is the tithe "Behold, the promised land!" Liar liar pants
Too many landmines that fail to make their One has to pay for this ride on fire, just another hired gun preaching to
existence known after being stepped on, Where no one leaves with joy or pride the choir
Too many de-classified rocket bases To debride violated souls made brides and The hour is fast approaching when a fresh
That hide in plain sight... not a single missile is forced to spread wide, No ally by your side heap of manure will be elected to power
launched. Duds! No message in a bottle brought by the tide For at least it will turn a good crop into
For how long will these children choke on their No audible voice to guide.. profit before it's five year term expires.
own gunpowder? .. my friend,
Huh! There's no place to hide. ***********************************************

NewsHawks State of the culture Page 41

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Digital rights must not be tampered with

Addy
Kudita

THIS week, I do have a few thoughts
to share on a matter which, in essence
and in all fairness, appears to signify an
authoritarian consolidation of power
(not my original phrase) in our country
by the current regime despite some of
its positive features. 

A dystopian nightmare unfolding ? there will be judges of character who position to smithereens. I have found so forth were arrested they had to enlist through the recent Act is one more
The law was enacted on 3 December serve as the last bulwark against what I none. What is the Zimbabwe they are the help of the same Zimbabwe Lawyers blow to them.
2021. Zimbabwe promulgated the call the colonial tendency of unfettered trying to build, I have asked in this col- for Human Rights which some of them The positive 
Data Protection Act which carries ele- power. umn. And what is ruling party’s defini- may have vilified in their counsels and There are those who on the other hand
ments pertaining to cyber security and The culture of power for its own sake? tion of a Zimbabwean future?  platforms unwittingly. What does that argue that the provisions on cyber-bul-
cyber crimes. The ostensible aim of this Aside from the recent development, my tell you about the need to uphold free- lying and harassment are progressive
Act is “to increase data protection in or- major gripe with Zanu PF is its culture What is the reason for an iron fist dom of expression and the other rights with regards women’s rights online are
der to build confidence and trust in the of power accumulation or power for its upon a people who have already suf- in our constitution?  Let the leadership concerned. Cyber-bullying and harass-
secure use of information communica- own sake. I hold no brief for the MDC fered so much distress over the past do right by its people by simply follow- ment are real and infringe upon the ex-
tion technologies by data controllers, Alliance either. As a cultural analyst I 57 years (including the 16-year armed ing the tenets of that grand document. ercise of digital rights by women. Thus
their representatives and data subjects”. have engaged with its officials in print struggle and the post-independence pe- What is so hard about that? Many peo- criminalising such is welcome. Addi-
By definition, data security is the prac- and in person, including the leader, riod to date)? I was thinking that the ple embraced the people’s revolution as tionally, cyber shaming through so-
tice of protecting digital information over some of my concerns. For now I late prime minister of Rhodesia, Ian it broke out in the 1960s and for some called leaks has been rife and represents
from unauthorised access, corruption must tackle the ruling party because it Douglas Smith, if he were to suddenly of us as children we had every hope that a violation of people’s rights to privacy.
or theft throughout its entire lifecycle. is essentially its functionaries making rise from the dead would most likely the freedom fighters would certainly do “Victims will also benefit greatly from
Now, personally I find that the idea of laws which in some cases appear to chuckle and perhaps even howl with better than the colonial regime. There the provision on the transmission of in-
regulation in itself is not bad and to subvert the constitution of 2013. That laughter over the current state of civil was faith that the revolution would timate images without consent as cases
be fair something had to give regard- document is beautiful for its visionary liberties in the country. I find it baffling usher the promise of an egalitarian so- of revenge pornography have been on
ing the regulation of this cyber terrain provisions and to paraphrase what has that having dissenting political views ciety in which at least merit would have the rise, not only in Zimbabwe but also
and the exercise of citizens’ rights to been ably articulated by the eminent in itself is considered seditious. How currency. As things stand, the odds in other jurisdictions. Other progres-
association and freedom of expres- academic Alex Magaisa is the collective about we have our leaders consider the are stacked so high against ordinary sive provisions relate to child-related
sion. It is trite, of course, to mention imagination of our people. The com- reality that homogeneity in thinking is Zimbabweans, especially the young materials, hence the criminalisation
that all rights have limitations. That is mon men and women of this country itself a real indicator of intellectual en- ones, such that many would rather of child sexual abuse material and ex-
hardly the issue. What is of concern to need no other statute which counter- tropy or bankruptcy? Is this not the rea- leave the country for greener pastures posing children to pornography,” says
me personally is the criminalisation of mands the spirit of that constitution as son why Africa is not moving forward if they do not belong to the connect- Misa.
political dissent within the context of is currently the case. because most of its nations are led by ed and elite. Actually, I know over 10 Parting shot
a constitutional democracy. Questions cliques who harangue and victimise the university graduates drawn from across Laws which help cement constitutional
must arise as whether the constitution What are the ruling party’s ethos and citizenry for proposing new or better the Sadc region’s universities, six of guarantees are to be welcome. The pro-
is the supreme law of the country and vision for Zimbabwean society? What ways of doing things? whom are doing nurse aid training in visions which undermine them must
whether the courts will have the vision is their big idea? Under the late Robert Of revolutions and reactionaries order to find a job overseas. They say be condemned and resisted legally. Ul-
and fortitude to uphold that document Mugabe, I had a sense that they were The worst thing to contemplate is a rev- its unbearable staying put. Where will timately, what Zimbabweans should be
notwithstanding political pressure. The trying to build, at least in aspiration, a olution led by a reactionary. As oxymo- they work? Now migration in itself is vigilant about is the selective and partial
answers to those questions must lie in sort of black power utopia in which a ronic as that statement comes across, I not new or peculiar to Zimbabwe so application of laws to thwart and other-
the conscience of those whose job it is black man had total control of his land find that it typifies what I have seen in there is no need to belabour that point. ise those who think and feel differently
to interpret the laws which the legis- and resources. Now? I will have you fill my short life as a Zimbabwean child. I What is sad if and when they do man- from the ones who control the reins of
lators draft. This leads me to my next in the blank. Ideologically, it is all just stand corrected. What I am certain of is age to leave the country, they will lose power. No political party should have
concern: the role of the legislature in about power and retaining it at all costs. that the majority of Zimbabweans do their right in effect to participate in the the right to arrogate to itself the place
lawmaking.  To what extent is the cur- Power and its trappings for the ruling want our constitutionally guaranteed governance of their country. I am not of God on earth and, clearly, a culture
rent legislature involved in drafting laws clique and its proxies.  freedoms to remain, including the right suggesting that currently they are even shift is begging in this country’s politi-
which the President finally assents to? If to free expression and association. You enjoying that right. The mass despon- cal sphere.
they are involved, how much do their I have been personally prepared to will recall that when war veterans who dency is palpable and it is wrong. Now,
opinions count in the final reckoning?  latch onto a spark of visionary leader- tried to protest  for their pensions and the constriction of spaces of interaction
“This law remains an omnibus law ad- ship beyond simply liquidating the op-
dressing several thematic issues like cy-
ber security and cyber crimes which is
against the recommendations made by
the parliamentary portfolio committees
on ICTs, defence and media which
jointly sought public input on these
issues. Their parliamentary report said
the bill that should emerge should not
be an omnibus law as it presents com-
plexities around managing data protec-
tion. In the long run, if you lump issues
you will compromise data protection
due to the prominence of security-relat-
ed requirements which the legislation is
hinged upon,” says Tabani Moyo, the
executive director of the Media Institute
of Southern Africa. What is the point of
Parliament now? Methinks the charade
of Parliament is highly deceptive. The
idea of checks and balances is literally
blowing in the wind as the record will
show that whatever law the ruling party
sets its mind to promulgate, there is no
apparent obstacle. The current scenario
is untenable for democratic progress. As
things stand, the hope of citizens lies in
God and the courts. The hope is that

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 42

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Meikles redevelops former retail properties

ALEX MHANDU affected by the Covid-related disruptions to inter-
national travel and tourism, resulting in the room
DIVERSIFIED hospitality group Meikles Limit- occupancy rate for the six months to 30 Septem-
ed expects to complete planned redevelopments ber 2021 closing at 12.89%.
of its properties once occupied by its retail seg-
ment across the country by the end of the 2022 “Our focus is on completion of the refurbish-
financial year. ment of gorge-facing rooms of the hotel prior to
the end of the first quarter of year 2022,” Moxon
This comes as the group closed its department said.
stores in the country such as Barbours. The group
also operated Greatermans Stores, which also Last year, the group made an investment of
closed. US$386.6 million towards the refurbishment of
stores under the supermarkets division trading as
Chairperson John Moxon has highlighted the TM Pick n Pay. This also included the construc-
substantial development in this segment. Proper- tion of an upmarket mall in Marondera
ties which were previously occupied by the retail
segment and have been unoccupied are being re- Meanwhile, for the half-year period, Meikles’
developed for occupation by strong tenants. revenue from continuing operations, in infla-
tion-adjusted terms, grew by 28% to ZW$20
Under this initiative, some properties have billion compared to the corresponding period in
been sold, with the capital raised being used for the previous year, primarily due to a strong per-
the redevelopment of other existing properties. formance by the supermarket segment. Group
operating profit for the period increased by 156%
“The building located at 90 Speke Avenue in to ZW$1 billion compared to ZW$ 391.1 mil-
Harare was sold during the period under review. lion in the same period in the prior year.
The proceeds are earmarked for the development
of existing properties at strategic locations. Exten- After-tax profit of ZW$1.6 billion was
sion of the building in Mutare was completed and achieved, compared to ZW$469.2 million in the
the tenant took occupation of the new area in Oc- corresponding prior-year period, driven by in-
tober 2021. Development plans of the remaining vestment income and by the growth in operating
buildings in Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo are profit. Basic and diluted earnings per share surged
being finalised for completion in 2022,” Moxon to 275 cents from 44 cents recorded during the
said in his half-year earnings update. same period last year.

The group is also planning to complete the Meikles achieved an increase in liquid financial
refurbishment of The Victoria Falls Hotel whose resources despite the trading environment and
progress was last year stalled by the Covid-19 continued Covid-19 trading restrictions.
pandemic. The five-star hotel has continued to be
Total assets remained flat at ZW$21 billion.

NewsHawks People & Places Page 43

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Mozambique has some of the best cuisine in Africa. Many consider its shellfish such as prawns and crayfish to be the best in the world. Seafood forms a large part of the local diet as it is available in abundance
and is cheap.

Part of Maputo's coastline. Aerial view of Maputo.

Page 44 Sport NewsHawks

Issue 60, 10 December 2021

Hamilton, Verstappen set for title showdown

MAX Verstappen and Lewis Ham- Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrates winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as second-placed Max Verstappen (L) looks on at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
ilton face off for the 2021 Formula 1
World Championship in Abu Dhabi situation where that happened. Many Villleneuve's this weekend. to change the wing that got Hamilton
this weekend in what is arguably the of the drivers believe the same decision Williams and his Ferrari slid out of Gloves off between the teams disqualified in Brazil, on the basis that
most intense title decider in the sport's should have been made in the similar There is no love lost between the teams, it failed the check it did because it was
history. situation at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix the race. Villeneuve continued, hob- either. damaged, not because of any design is-
two races before, which was not penal- bled but able to finish third, and be- sue.
And if it is not the most intense - ised. came champion. Wolff and Horner have spent the sea- How did they get here?
Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost in 1989 son sniping at each other - both public- Take a step back for a minute, and it
and 1990, which both ended in colli- And now extra jeopardy has been Both incidents have permanently ly, in a borderline pantomime-style war seems incredible that this season can
sions between the participants, are pret- added by the incident in Jeddah in stained Schumacher's reputation. of words; and behind the scenes, trying have been so close when the teams are
ty tough competition - it is certainly which Hamilton ran into the back of to work the rules to their advantage. using the same cars as last year, which
right up there. Verstappen after the Red Bull driver Verstappen knows this. Indeed, this Hamilton and Mercedes dominated.
was adjudged to have braked with 69 writer discussed this very thing with When Mercedes noticed that Red
It is the first time two drivers have bar of pressure, causing a deceleration him in an interview at the 2019 Japa- Bull's rear wing was flexing backwards That's happened at least partly be-
gone into the last race of the season tied force of 2.4g, about half what an F1 car nese Grand Prix. earlier in the season, they complained cause of an aerodynamic rule change
on points since 1974. It is the first fi- can achieve at maximum braking ca- to governing body the FIA. over last winter that affected their car
nal-race showdown between two driv- pability, when the Mercedes was right This is how the conversation went: more than those of most of their rivals.
ers from different teams since 2012. behind him. "Like [with] overtaking," Verstappen This is an age-old trick that teams
And it comes at the end of a season said. have used to reduce drag on the At the beginning of the season, Mer-
characterised by bitterness and rancour Hamilton called this "a brake test" - "If I have to touch, I'll touch. It's not straights. The Red Bull wing - and cedes were having all sorts of difficulty
between two teams and drivers pushing an accusation drivers level at each other like it always needs to be in the clean- those of several other teams - was flex- with their car. And they were far from
to the very limit - and sometimes be- when they think the car in front has est way. Let's say it like this - after my ing on the straights, but it passed all the sure they would even be able to com-
yond. deliberately tried to cause a collision, career, if I would have won five cham- stiffness tests in the pits. pete for the title. Indeed, Hamilton has
or at the very least give them a fright. pionships but I'm maybe not the most spoken of how demanding it has been
Verstappen and Hamilton have col- Verstappen called it a "misunderstand- liked person, for me that doesn't mat- The tests were then toughened up, getting the car back into a place where
lided on track three times, and raced ing" and said he was simply trying to ter, because at the end of the day, it is all and it has been noticeable that af- it can be competitive.
ultra-hard at many of the grands prix let Hamilton through having been about winning. ter having a small advantage on the
this season. ordered to do so by race control after "And that maybe sounds arrogant, straights through the first half of the Red Bull, meanwhile, have quite
preventing Hamilton passing him by but I don't want to sound like that. I season, Red Bull have fallen behind rightly been talking up the achieve-
Yet for most of the year any unpleas- forcing him wide. would do anything - or everything - to Mercedes in this area in the second ment they and engine partner Honda
antness had more or less been limited to Echoes of history win. If it's a little bit, not dirty, but in a half of the year. Red Bull, meanwhile, have made in getting onto level terms
a war of words, and behind-the-scenes The question on many lips is: what hard way, I will do it. I am not here to have been pointing their own fingers of with Mercedes at last. The competitive
shenanigans over the rules, between the approach will Verstappen take in Abu be the most-liked person." suspicion at Mercedes. They believed advantage has swung back and forth
bosses of the two teams in question, Dhabi? And what's the line between hard they saw evidence of Mercedes' wing through the year, but since Mercedes
Mercedes' Toto Wolff and Red Bull's and dirty in your head, I asked him? flexing - not in the same way, but with introduced the last big upgrade to their
Christian Horner. In Brazil last month, he got away "Dirty is like deliberately… I would the same effect - at the Sao Paulo Grand car at the British Grand Prix, there has
with forcing Hamilton off the track to refer to Schumacher turning into Da- Prix, and they made a number of visits been a clear trend in their favour, at
But in Saudi Arabia last weekend keep his position. mon and Villeneuve. Those two were I to the stewards at Interlagos trying to least in terms of one-lap pace.
the tense battle between Hamilton and think crossing the line. But a hard fight, get them to investigate.
Verstappen finally erupted in a race of In Jeddah, he did not, and now he having a bit of a touch [is OK] - but of And as Mercedes have turned the
quite extraordinary controversy and in- knows he could well be penalised if he course out-braking, being on the edge. Hamilton's car did then fall foul of screw and Hamilton has eroded Ver-
cident. does it again - almost certainly would Not the other car is overtaking me, I'll a problem with his rear wing in Brazil, stappen's lead, Red Bull have begun
be, in fact. just turn in and we both crash; that's a albeit a different one, and was thrown saying how this will have been a good
During it, Hamilton called Verstap- different mentality." out of qualifying. A move that led to season for them, win or lose on Sunday.
pen "crazy". After it, he said the Dutch- Beyond that there is the spectre of a Red Bull, who last won the title in one of the drives of his career, when he
man drove as if the rules did not apply collision. In 1994 and 1997, Schum- 2013 with Sebastian Vettel, are desper- made up 25 places in one and a third "We're a team that goes for it,"
to him. acher infamously collided with his title ate to beat Hamilton this weekend. But race distances over the sprint qualifying Horner said in a news conference after
rival in the final race of the season, into Horner says how they win also matters. event and the grand prix to win. the race in Jeddah on Sunday. "We are
Verstappen was penalised twice both of which races he headed knowing "We want to win it on the track," he going to Abu Dhabi equal on points
- once for gaining an advantage by that he would be champion if neither says, "not in the stewards room, not in Red Bull succeeded in getting a new but leading by virtue of the number of
going off the track; and once for dan- car finished. a gravel trap. It has been a tough fight, wing test introduced at the following wins.
gerous driving, when he was found to all the way through the year. There has race in Qatar. It was on a trial basis be-
have braked hard with Hamilton right In 1994, in Adelaide, it worked. been some fantastic racing. I hope it is a fore next year, with no regulatory value. "At the beginning of the year, if
behind him, leading to a collision be- When he turned in on Damon Hill's fair and clean race in Abu Dhabi." you'd have given us a chance to win the
tween the two cars. Williams, Schumacher's Benetton was The difficulty is that Hamilton and But the Mercedes wing - exactly the championship at the last race equal on
out of the race, but so was Hill, with Verstappen - and Wolff and Horner, same one as used in Brazil - passed it points after 21 races of intense battle
Through all that, Hamilton came broken front suspension, and the Ger- for that matter -  have different views anyway. with Mercedes, we would all have bit-
from behind to pass Verstappen and man won his first world title. of what "fair and clean" is. That's why ten your arm off. And I think you guys
win for the second time in three races, there is so much jeopardy hanging over The world champions insist that Red probably would have, too."
taking his third victory in a row. He has In 1997 at Jerez, it did not work. Bull were "seeing ghosts" and that their
closed what had been a 19-point deficit Schumacher turned in on Jacques wing was never flexing. They also re- --BBC.
after Verstappen's victory in Mexico last main angry that they were not allowed
month to nothing. And now the title
awaits one of them in a winner-takes-all
showdown.
The title maths - and jeopardy
Verstappen and Hamilton are tied on
points. If both drivers finish the race,
whoever takes the chequered flag first
will be world champion.

If it is Hamilton, it will be his eighth
drivers' title, a new record, moving him
one clear of Michael Schumacher, with
whom he is currently tied. If it is Ver-
stappen, it means the end of seven years
of Mercedes domination.

But it is not quite as straightforward
as that.

Although they are level on points,
Verstappen is still classified as the
championship leader because he has
nine wins to Hamilton's eight.

That means that if they come togeth-
er and neither finishes the race, Verstap-
pen will be champion.

The idea of a collision potentially
deciding this championship has been a
very real talking point in F1 for some
time now, especially given the ruthless-
ness with which Verstappen has been
driving.

In essence, he will never give way,
even when other drivers would accept
the corner was lost. If he is racing with
someone, if he's on the outside, he will
turn in on them; if he is on the inside,
he will push them wide.

His belief is that if both drivers go off
the track in the course of an overtaking
move, that is no cause for a penalty. The
stewards in Jeddah disagreed and put
the blame on Verstappen for creating a

Sports A crippling
poverty of
leadership
at Zifa

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

Friday 10 December 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE
Hall of Famer gives new$60Covid
tariff for
visitors &
Community
radio
regulations

tourists under review

rule thuCmhbasm-dioswanreacStoryonPage 3
ENOCK MUCHINJO Story on Page 8
halt a trend that some hardcore tradi-
tionalists in the game deemed undesir-
WORLD Rugby Hall of Fame in- Khupeable: players swapping nationality. 
ductee Kennedy Tsimba has revealed out to “Well, I don’t think it's correct to
his misgivings about the newly re- keep moving the goal posts whenever
laxed player eligibility regulations in there is a bit of social pressure. What
international rugby, lauded by other was the reason in the first place that
prominent figures in the sport as a ga- they changed it in 1999?” Tsimba
mechanger.  asked.
According to Zimbabwe-born Unofficial president calls for emerge“Yes, they (IRB) told me under no
Tsimba, one of the best players in the circumstances at that time…and now
world in his time, the ruling – which they’ve changed their tune. Two World
means that a player is now able to Cups passed in that period where I
represent a different country after a had to sit at home while my colleagues
waiting period of three years – will went to win a World Cup (South
monetise international rugby and con- Africa won its second World Cup in
siderably lower the sense of patriotism 2007). They forgot that it’s one’s live-
at that level of the game.  lihood, and it affects the rest of your
“All it does is encourage a financial professional journey.”
bidding war for players,” Tsimba told In addition to players changing na-
The NewsHawks this week. “Players tional teams within a period of three
will opt for wherever they can cash in days, previous restrictions which made
the most, which is good for some of it complicated for players who had
the players I guess.” been in the set-up of a country’s sec-
The former Free State Cheetahs and ond official team to be swiftly capped
Blue Bulls flyhalf, who was the first at Test level by a different nation, have
black player to captain Zimbabwe’s also been lifted. 
rugby team, fears that the essence of Meanwhile, despite his disapproval
Test rugby – pride in representing of the new law, Tsimba – who spent
one’s country – will be diminished to a a season in his young days with Bath
certain degree.  in the United Kingdom Premiership
“National commitment falls away in 1997-98 before bursting onto the
because it will become more about South African scene with enormous
contracts and availability for national success – said his native Zimbabwe
teams,” said the fleet-footed playmak- also stands to benefit handsomely
er of a bygone era.  Kennedy Tsimba. from the new rules.

Under the new law, which comes The Pacific region looks all set ers to represent the land of their forefa- tahs number 10 would finally play “It will help Zimbabwe in obtain-
into effect in January, a player must to be the biggest beneficiary of this thers at the pinnacle of the game.  for South Africa, the rules – which ing young players more easily as the
prove family roots in the new country revolutionary change in the game’s Already, anticipation is high that hitherto permitted players to switch fear of not being able to represent
they intend to represent, 38 months qualification rules, and, as expected, one of the game’s global superstars of allegiance after a period of four years other countries is no longer there,”
after last turning out for a different excitement has taken over the stage in the modern era, Israel Folau, will likely – were suddenly changed by the then said Tsimba, who is now head coach
nation. that rugby-mad part of the world fol- return to the international fold in the International Rugby Board (IRB). of University of Pretoria’s second team.
The new regulations are being lowing the announcement a fortnight colours of Tonga – his ancestral land – Having last played for Zimbabwe in “You can try different options and not
widely seen as a significant shift in the ago. Thousands of top-class rugby after his central contract was terminat- 1998, Tsimba was in line to become sit with a rule of one country in a life-
game, particularly in the second-tier players with connection to the islands, ALceSdomObmy IeANnutSsstrhIaDelipaEoisnte2d0Fo1ni9nsoaovcneiarclaemnMteid-giiana.y istybthwweeiafpinresotsribgolianuc.ktH$Sep3wr.i2nasgBbseioltklitooonfquZdailemifypbaaos-sitotirmsZeif.m”ubnadbws e
and third-tier countries of world rug- by birth or heritage, perfected their are hZopiming'stolaretteusrnt lfaornd c

by, who view the ruling as a major step skills in the structures of New Zealand As for Tsimba, the 47-year-old’s un- a Bok in 2002, just a year before the the Rugby World Cup for the first
in bridging the gap between them and and Australia – with many going on favourable stance towards law changes World Cup in Australia, for which he time since 1991. The Sables will need
the top rugby-playing nations on the to play and excel at the highest level is probably understandable. He was would have been a certain selection in to win what will be a tightly-contested
planet.  World Rugby, the governing of the game for the All Blacks and the previously affected by it at a very im- coach Rudolf Straeuli’s squad. African qualification tournament in
body of the sport worldwide, say the Wallabies.  portant stage of his playing career.  Tsimba, up to this day, is convinced France next year to clinch the sole spot
With this latest eligibility reform, it 22 years ago, when it seemed that external pressure was brought to to the World Cup in the same country
change will "benefit players and the will become a lot easier for such play- odds-on that the phenomenal Chee- bear on rugby’s global ruling body to in 2023.
global competitiveness of rugby."

ALSO INSIDE Hamilton, Verstappen set for title showdown in Abu Dhab