Issue 9

WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 11 December 2020 BUSINESS Price

NEWS Iconic Zeco US$1
engineering
Thomas Dondo company SPORT
a fugitive crumbles
from justice: ‘We’ve a
UK police Story on Page 14 bigger story
to tell than
Story on Page 4 Springboks’

Story on Page 29

Plot to
remove
Zacc
chair

ALSO INSIDE US$100k house forfeited to the state Unicef distances itself from Impala Car Hire

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Plot to
remove
Zacc chair

…Anti-corruption body
ruffles political feathers

OWEN GAGARE year arrested and hauled before Zacc Chairperson Loyce Matanda-Moyo Hodzi was grilled by the Judi-
the courts on criminal abuse of cial Service Commission pan-
POLITICAL pressure to re- office charges arising from four Zacc timeline: el on his failure to effectively
move the chairperson of the separate counts of corruption prosecute high-profile corrup-
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption involving US$37 million. 30 May 2019 — President Emmerson Mnangagwa swears in Justice Loyce tion cases in his first 93 days in
Commission (Zacc) – the in- Matanda-Moyo as Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chairperson; office and on pre-emptying of
dependent constitutional body In a subsequent cabinet re- investigations through prema-
created to combat corruption shuffle, Mnangagwa demoted 25 July 2019 — Then Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Prisca ture press briefings.
and crime – Loyce Matan- Gumbo, but retained him in Mupfumira arrested over a US$95 million National Social Security Authority scandal;
da-Moyo is mounting, as rul- his office as Minister of State Sources said Matan-
ing party bigwigs feel the heat for Presidential Affairs (Mon- 30 July 2019 — Former principal director of State Residences Douglas Tapfuma arrested da-Moyo has been giving sev-
of intensifying scrutiny over itoring and Implementation on allegations of criminal abuse of office. He was jailed for four years on 6 June 2020; eral clues in meetings on her
their corrupt activities. of Government Programmes), departure.
showing he still supported him 18 October 2019 — Former Zimbabwe National Road Authority boss Frank Chitukutuku
Since coming into office despite the corruption allega- arrested on six charges of criminal abuse of office after allegedly awarding road rehabili- “First, she gave a hint during
in March last year, Matan- tions against him. tation contracts worth US$20 million to a “colleague” without following legal processes; a meeting with Ngarivhume
da-Moyo (whose name on and second, after that in a
Zacc social media accounts is The sources said Matan- 4 November 2019 —Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Govern- meeting with commissioners.
spelt Loyce and not Loice), has da-Moyo, wife to powerful ment Programmes minister Joram Gumbo arrested over criminal abuse of office That was last week on Friday
been slowly, but steadily turn- Foreign Affairs minister Sibu- charges. He was, however, released, with the commission saying he was only helping and also on Monday this week
ing on the heat under senior siso Moyo who was the face of in investigations; respectively when she said she
officials’ chairs. the 2017 military coup which may or may not be there going
brought Mnangagwa to power, 14 December 2019 —Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry arrested on forward since she is still a judge
This is despite widespread has of late been hinting that charges of money laundering, fraud and violating exchange control regulations. Murder and can go back to the bench,”
criticism of Zacc and her team she may or may not be there and assault charges later added; a source said.
that they are not yet ready to going forward.
deal with the big fish in Zanu 24 February 2020 — Zacc says it has identified US$7 billion in cash and properties world- “The signals were clear to
PF and President Emmerson She gave hints on her possi- wide stashed by former and current senior government officials as it intensifies efforts everyone that she is indicating
Mnangagwa’s inner circle in ble departure during a meeting to recover ill-gotten wealth from bigwigs;. she might be going.”
and out of government. There with opposition leader Jacob
have also been protests that Ngarivhume on Friday last 19 June 2020 — Health minister Obadiah Moyo arrested over allegations of corruption After the meeting with
Zacc is being used as an attack week and at a meeting with involving US$60 million Covid-19 procurement funds following a huge outcry from the Ngarivhume, Zacc said on its
dog to settle personal vendettas Zacc commissioners on Mon- public; Twitter timeline on Monday it
and political scores. day, a key source said. was “deeply indebted” to him
22 July 2020 — Former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba arrested on land scam allegations; for his “kind gesture to visit us
However, informed govern- Ngarivhume said he had a and we welcome suggestions
ment sources said there was meeting with Zacc on Friday October 2020 — Bulawayo City Council director of housing and community services from all our people without
pressure on Mnangagwa from last week and Matanda-Moyo Dictor Khumalo arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer; and any bearing on creed, colour or
his political allies and other hinted at leaving. political, religious affiliation on
disgruntled voices, as well as 10 December—Zacc and National Prosecuting Authority claim historic and landmark how best the fight against cor-
aggrieved parties to redeploy “Yes she hinted on that, but victory in the first forfeiture case at the High Court after dragging Russel Mwenye, a ruption can be stepped up to
Matanda-Moyo, a self-styled I initially thought it was just former Parirenyatwa Hospital stores control officer, and his wife over the purchase of a higher levels”.
corruption-buster, to the Na- an off-the-cuff remark with no US$100 000 property in Ruwa’s Mabvazuva suburb in Harare.
tional Prosecuting Authority particular meaning attached Matanda-Moyo is a High
(NPA) or back to the judiciary it,” he said. ment or removal. Mnangagwa is under pressure Zacc, some people already know about this is- Court judge. She was presi-
bench. from his disgruntled allies to remove her. There sue.” dent of the Labour Court. At
“She suggested that she may is pressure from those who fear they would be one stage she was also Director
One of the cases which Zacc not be there in the next cycle targeted, those who are scared – the guilty are Hodzi – Mnangagwa’s ally - was controver- of Public Prosecution in the
touched which has ruffled po- (tenure), and now on reflection always afraid - and those who are aggrieved,” a sially appointed to his post in January last year Attorney-General’s office.
litical feathers within Mnan- she sounded sure-footed about top official source said. following interviews in December 2018.
gagwa’s inner circle is that of it.” She worked in private prac-
Joram Gumbo, a source said. “She could be redeployed or removed any- In the public interviews, he came 6th, but no tice previously. Requests for a
Matanda-Moyo, the source This has raised fears at No. time due to political and other pressures. Con- reason was given on why he was chosen ahead of meeting with her this week to
continued, had after holding 872 Betterment Close, Mount siderations are that she may be sent back to the other five better candidates. He has openly discuss the issue failed as she
Gumbo’s feet to the fire been Pleasant Office Park – Zacc’s bench or go to the NPA, and swap places with indicated he is a Mnangagwa supporter. said she was busy.
pressured from the top to wait headquarters – that she is un- (Kumbirai) Hodzi. These issues are still being
with the case or stall it. der pressure from restless po- considered, but in the corridors of power they Before becoming prosecutor-general, he had She also did not reply to
litical actors and could thus be are being spoken about more openly. Even at acted in that position since July 2018. questions sent to her at her
“She has come under politi- facing removal and redeploy- own request.
cal pressure on some cases,” the ment. When she came in, she In November 2019, during the interviews
source said. “I know for sure said she was ready to withstand for the substantive post of prosecutor-general,
that Zacc and herself were told political pressure and intimida-
several times to wait with the tion. Zacc has other offices in
Gumbo case, at one point or Harare in Strathaven, Show-
another. It’s one of those cases grounds, Herbert Chitepo
which is politically charged.” and Highlands, as well as Bu-
lawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and
Gumbo, a former Transport Mutare.
and Energy minister, was last
“There are various forms
of pressures for her redeploy-

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

US$100 000
house forfeited
to the state in
landmark ruling

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA diction to forfeit to the State The Mabvazuva house in Ruwa, Harare, that was forfeited to the state after a court ruling saying it was acquired from proceeds of
tainted property or terrorist graft through a corrupt tender, coincidentally on International Day against Corruption on Wednesday.
A HOUSE worth US$100 000 property.
in Ruwa’s Mabvazuva suburb ment would fiercely deal with are all linked to the G40 fac- ture. Chihuri, who remained
has been forfeited to the state “(2) The court, on an ap- corruption, emphasising there tion, which had coalesced loyal to Mugabe during the
after the Zimbabwe Anti-Cor- plication by the Prosecutor would be no “sacred cows”. around former first lady Grace coup, says he is being persecut-
ruption Commission (Zacc) General, shall grant a civil for- Mugabe. ed for his refusal to support the
won a landmark High Court feiture order in respect of prop- Zacc has arrested some for- overthrow. He also says Mnan-
ruling against ex-Parirenyat- erty within the jurisdiction of mer ministers on corruption The state is also targeting gagwa is persecuting him be-
wa Group of Hospitals Stores Zimbabwe, where the court charges, among them Ignati- properties owned by former cause of differences over a lover
Controller — Russell Mwenye finds, on a balance of proba- us Chombo, Samuel Undenge police commissioner-general during the liberation war.
— who acquired the stand bilities, that, such property is and Walter Chidhakwa, who Augustine Chihuri for forfei-
using proceeds of a corruptly tainted property or terrorist
awarded tender. property. YOUR

Justice Benjamin Chikowero “(3) In order to satisfy the AD
made the ruling, coincidentally Court under subsection (2) –
on International Day Against (a) That property is proceeds of HERE
Corruption, marking Zimba- a serious offence or a terrorist
bwe’s first-ever asset forfeiture act, it is not necessary to show Book some space in the
in terms of the Unexplained that the property was derived
Wealth Order provisions of the directly or indirectly, in whole
Money Laundering and Pro- or in part, from a particular
ceeds of Crimes Amendment serious offence or terrorist act,
Act. or that any person has been
charged in relation to such an
“This is an application for a offence or act; only that it is
civil forfeiture order brought proceeds from some conduct
in terms of section 80 of the constituting or associated with
Money Laundering and Pro- the serious offence or terrorist
ceeds of Crime Act (Chapter act.”
9:24),” Justice Chikowero said.
While this has been a land-
“The court is asked to find mark ruling, there have been
that house number 31843 reports in some quarters accus-
Mabvazuva township, Ruwa, ing Zacc of targeting small fish
which belongs to the 1st and and former G40 Zanu PF fac-
2nd respondents is tainted tion members in what observ-
property by the reason of the ers say is politically motivated
land on which that dwelling prosecution.
stands having been purchased
using proceeds of crime. Con- Soon after being inaugurated
sequently, I am asked to or- as head of state following Mug-
der the house forfeited to the abe’s ouster in November 2017
state.” — on the back of a military
coup — President Emmerson
Section 80 of the Money Mnangagwa declared he would
Laundering and Proceeds of fight corruption, including
Crime Act (Chapter 9:24) says: high-level graft.
“(1) An order for civil forfei-
ture is an order in rem grant- While delivering his inau-
ed by a court with civil juris- gural State of the Nation Ad-
dress, he declared his govern-

leading investigative

and breaking newspaper

Contact Charmaine:

Cell: 0735666122; Tel: 0242 721044/5

or Visit us at 100 Nelson mandela ave./Cnr 4th Street

Email: [email protected]

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Dondo a fugitive from justice: UK police

OWEN GAGARE

IMPALA Car Rental chief execu- Impala chief executive Thompson Dondo
tive Thompson Dondo, officially
known as Kanganwirai Dondo, activities in which others benefit the state, private and online me- who last month skipped bail in while they were in the UK.
who is linked to the Central In- financially. dia outlets which carried his pro- South Africa and fled to his na- “Of course, I knew some of
telligence Organisation (CIO) in paganda in exchange for blood tive Malawi after being arrested
his business dealings, is a fugitive Dondo was arrested several money — that he ran away from for fraud. Dondo claimed Bushiri these people didn’t have proper
from justice wanted in Britain for times in the UK before he fled the long arm of justice, he told the knew he would not get a fair hear- documents and it’s not a secret
immigration offences, police in back home in 2006, having ar- Sunday Mail that he was eventual- ing, hence his flight. that quite a number of them don’t
that country confirmed this week. rived there in 1999. Since then, ly cleared, which British police say have proper documentation, but
he has been a fugitive from justice. is not true. “While in the UK, I had a busi- I thought I could help my broth-
Impala is in the eye of a storm ness where I would employ Zim- ers and sisters from home as they
after one of its vehicles was used The British police’s confir- “It was difficult to start the babweans. Some of them later got sorted their papers in the UK.”
in the abduction and torture mation Dondo is a fugitive is business. I was living in the Unit- arrested because they didn’t have
of journalism student Tawanda contrary to his assertion in the ed Kingdom where I had a small proper documentation. It was He admitted being arrested and
Muchehiwa on 30 July in Bula- state-controlled Sunday Mail this nursing agency which employed discovered that they were illegal later fleeing.
wayo. Muchehiwa was kidnapped, week that his legal problems in the Zimbabweans. I got into trouble workers. These people went to
brutalised and later dumped after UK were “cleared in court”. with immigration because some of court and agreed that indeed they “Yes, I was arrested. I was tak-
three days of hell near his uncle, the people we were employing had were in the UK illegally,” Dondo en to court and I didn’t like the
journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu’s This is similar to his other dubi- no proper documents. The issue said. whole experience. I wasn’t a crim-
home in Mahatshula. ous claims that Impala’s case with was resolved in the courts,” Don- inal. My name had been tarnished
Muchehiwa over the release of do said in the Sunday Mail. “As their employer I was blamed and I didn’t think I could contin-
A NewsHawks investigation re- documents and details relating to for employing illegal workers. The ue practicing as a nurse. I then, on
vealed that the CIO has an inter- the abduction car is over, and that “I was a young man in my early authorities thought I was bringing my own, decided to come back to
est in Impala through Dondo. the victim has fled Zimbabwe. 30s then and I couldn’t stand it. I these people from Zimbabwe to Zimbabwe. It’s not like I was de-
told myself I was going back home the UK, yet I would employ them ported. This was around 2007,”
In a bid to get to the bottom Dondo also gave Mathuthu, to Zimbabwe because I didn’t while they were in the UK already. Dondo said.
of Dondo’s arrest and subsequent whom he claims to have got help commit any crime as I was helping The authorities didn’t understand
flight from Britain under murky from when starting Impala, a fake my fellow Zimbabweans.” how things work and they said “Why was I supposed to wait
circumstances, The NewsHawks address of the person who hired this was human trafficking. It’s not and be put in jail for assisting fel-
this week reached Cleveland po- the car when the journalist was In the interview, which was like I facilitated these people’s de- low Zimbabweans? Even Prophet
lice with assistance from Finance tracing the original owner of the widely published, Dondo, howev- parture from Zimbabwe — they Bushiri recently did the same in
Uncovered, a UK-based investiga- vehicle. er, acknowledged that he fled the went to the UK using whatever South Africa. He was smuggled
tive journalism project. UK, likening himself to contro- means and I only employed them out of South Africa after discov-
Although Dondo acknowledged versial preacher Shepherd Bushiri ering that he would not get fair
The NewsHawks works with re- — in a clumsy and crude public justice.”
gional and international investiga- relations blitz last week through
tive journalism networks.

Susie Macdonald, a corporate
communications officer for Cleve-
land Police, told The NewsHawks
this week that Dondo is a want-
ed man after failing to appear in
court and evading justice in 2007.

“As I said in our initial conver-
sation last week, given the length
of time which has passed since our
dealings with this individual, we
are only able to give a brief com-
ment,” Macdonald said.

“Our records confirm that this
individual (Kanganwirai Dondo)
is wanted on warrant for failure
to appear at court in 2007 for
alleged immigration offences.
He remains on police systems as
wanted. However, we cannot con-
firm his current location. If he at-
tempted to re-enter the UK from
abroad, he would be placed before
the courts.”

Dondo is currently in Harare
where he runs Impala and lives.

Although UK police did not
reveal the specific charges against
Dondo, he has in several inter-
views in the past indicated he
worked for a recruitment agency
which employed illegal immi-
grants and helped illegal job-seek-
ers under problematic circum-
stances, hence attendant human
trafficking allegations.

Illegal immigration involves
violating a country’s immigration
laws and rules, while human traf-
fickingis a form of modern-day
slavery involving illegal transport
of individuals by force or decep-
tion for the purpose of labour,
sexual exploitation or any other

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Marry’s precarious health state
puts Chiwenga in the spotlight
MARRY Chiwenga (nee Mubai-
wa)’s critical and fragile health situ- Marry Chiwenga appearing at the High Court in Harare yesterday, in a critical However, Magure only said she develops in the arms or legs.
ation as a result of lymphoedema, a condition. would need to first assess Marry’s Marry’s lawyer Beatrice Mtet-
chronic condition that causes swell- could get help in Zimbabwe, based cal director Tsitsi Magure who had condition to ascertain what kind of
ing of body tissues and is sometimes on an opinion from Parirenyatwa been directed by the Health perma- specialist care she needed. wa said she should be given a fair
associated with cancer treatment, Group of Hospitals acting clini- nent secretary Jasper Chimedza. chance to seek urgent medical help
has brought her estranged husband, Meanwhile, High Court judge before she could face trial, just as
Vice-President Constantino Chi- Benjamin Chikowero reserved judg- Chiwenga who had been flown out
wenga under scrutiny. ment in the matter, saying he need- to China for treatment many times.
ed time to consider the arguments
While Chiwenga is in China put forward before making a ruling. “The complainant is getting med-
for medical review, Marry, facing ical attention in China and they
charges of money laundering, fraud Initially, Chikowero had request- should get the same opportunity to
and murder as well as assault linked ed for Marry to present herself in be in a good state of health to stand
to their acrimonious divorce, is bat- court at 2pm yesterday, only to re- the rigours of trial,” said Mtetwa.
tling in the courts to have her bail cant on the position after the visibly
conditions varied and to secure her ill former model struggled to walk She said there was no need for
passport to travel to South Africa into court. Chikowero said it was a team of officials from the Health
for urgent treatment no longer necessary as he would be ministry to assess her condition so
unable to make a determination on that they could ascertain what spe-
The state this week consulted of- her condition since he is not a med- cialist care Marry needed as a cred-
ficials from the Ministry of Health ical doctor. ible specialist surgeon had already
and Child Care, headed by Chi- made the assessment.
wenga, to ascertain whether Marry, Medical specialists in Zimbabwe
whom he is accusing of attempting and South Africa say Marry needs “It would be scandalous that a
to kill him, really requires medical specialist care for lymphoedema specialist can misrepresent facts. Is
treatment outside Zimbabwe de- and worsening wounds outside the the state suggesting that she (Marry)
spite her visible illness. country as there are no local special- has deliberately allowed her state to
ists to deal with the condition. This worsen? When you get a Minister
Marry - who is visibly gravely includes specialist neurological sur- of Health leaving his own health fa-
ill - appeared at the High Court in geon Sydney Makarau who attend- cilities in Zimbabwe, it means the
Harare where she applied for vari- ed to Marry. state has failed to provide adequate
ation of her bail condition and for healthcare,” Mtetwa said.
her passport to be released to enable Lymphoedema is a chronic con-
her to get urgent medical treatment dition that causes that causes swell- The National Prosecuting Au-
in South Africa. ing in the body tissues. It can affect thority and the clerk of the criminal
any part of the body, but usually court at Rotten Row are the respon-
The state is opposing the release dents in the matter.
of her passport and says she should
be treated locally. Ironically, Chi-
wenga is in China, receiving med-
ical review and attention.

Prosecutor Sharon Fero, lead-
ing the state, yesterday said Marry

VP hunts for Chinese Covid-19 vaccine

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA was unable to eat, resulting in him Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga The Sinopharm vaccine has been
becoming emaciated due to illness approved for emergency use in a few
VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino and lack of food. However, when the emirates has 86% efficacy, in a conducted a trial of the Sinopharm countries and the company is still
Chiwenga, who is seeking medical he returned late last year he looked statement that provided few details, vaccine involving 31 000 volunteers conducting late-stage clinical trials in
attention in China, is expected to healthy and fit. but marked the first public release of from 125 nations. Volunteers aged 10 countries.
meet Chinese authorities and phar- information on the performance of between 18 and 60 years old received
maceutical companies during his “The Vice-President is certainly in the shot. two doses of the vaccine over 28 Morocco is gearing up for an am-
stay there in a bid to secure a Sino China for check-up, but he is okay. days. bitious Covid-19 vaccination pro-
Covid-19 vaccine and medical sup- Obviously after a medical procedure The UAE beginning in September gramme, aiming to vaccinate 80% of
plies. of this delicate nature it is important its adults in an operation starting this
to monitor the patient through reg- month that is relying initially on the
As of yesterday, Zimbabwe had 11 ular check-ups. That’s why he is in Sinopharm vaccine.
007 confirmed Covid-19 cases with China,” a senior government official
9 147 recoveries and 304 deaths. said. Sinopharm says its shot relies on
Over 1.5 million people have died of a tested technology, using a killed vi-
Covid-19 globally. Another official said Chiwenga, rus to deliver the vaccine, similar to
who doubles as minister of Health how polio vaccines are made. Lead-
Government has urged people and Child Care, is also lobbying ing Western competitors, such as the
to continue exercising caution and Chinese companies and government shot made by Pfizer and its German
comply with Covid-19 protective officials for the Covid-19 vaccine partner BioNTech, use newer, but
and preventative guidelines, proto- and medical supplies as well as sun- less-proven technology to target the
cols and measures as well as other re- dries to help boost the health sector coronavirus’s spike protein using
strictions in order to arrest the surge in Zimbabwe. RNA. Russia also has its own vac-
in the pandemic cases. cine. There are several vaccines being
“There will also be talks around developed in China, some of which
Chiwenga is also in China for Zimbabwe accessing China’s are already being administered.
medical treatment. He is undergoing Covid-19 vaccine, but to do that
a medical review by doctors who per- Zimbabwe must first register,” the According to the researchers, the
formed two delicate operations on Health ministry official said. Sinovac Biotech vaccine led to a
him to clear part of his oesophagus quick immune response during trials
in July last year. Chinese authorities have pledged with around 700 people.
to support Zimbabwe with regards
The Vice-President’s oesophagus, to acquiring their Covid-19 vaccines. With the pandemic reported to be
a muscular tube which connects the almost entirely under control with-
mouth to the stomach, was blocked The United Arab Emirates (UAE) in China, late-stage trials of the four
amid suspicion he could have been has registered the Chinese vaccine Chinese vaccines are being conduct-
poisoned by his political enemies. by state-owned pharmaceutical firm ed in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia,
Sinopharm. The UAE said a Chi- Indonesia and Brazil.
Owing to the blockage, Chiwenga nese coronavirus vaccine tested in

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Unicef distances itself from Impala

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Unicef has helped improve children’s living conditions in Zimbabwe “Hivos has taken note of your
- with whom it has been enjoying and we cannot reveal who we work concern. Please take note that the
THE United Nations Children’s cordial business relations over the with.” reference was from four years ago in
Fund (Unicef ), an international years. 2016 and we have asked the service
humanitarian and development aid Impala has been dramatically los- provider to remove us from their
agency responsible for providing However, Maiden said Unicef ing clients and money after CCTV reference list,” Hivos Southern Af-
for children worldwide and whose does not have a Muchenje as a pro- footage emerged showing Muchehi- rica said on Twitter in response to
Zimbabwean chapter was listed as curement officer. wa being abducted using a car be- queries on their links with Impala.
one of Impala Car Rental’s referenc- longing to the company’s fleet.
es, has distanced itself from the state “Unicef does not give references Following the subsequent finan-
security-linked car hire company to organisations. If there is any- A NewsHawks investigation has cial haemorrhage, Impala has been
currently reeling from the devastat- where it is referred to as such that revealed that the company has close frantically writing to its former cli-
ing impact of its entanglement in is not authentic. I do not know links with CIO, including oper- ents in a bid to convince them to
the abduction and vicious torture of how our name is being dragged in ational, ownership and financial continue doing business with it and
student journalist Tawanda Muche- this. You also make reference to a dealings. Impala has furiously de- stanch the bleeding which threatens
hiwa. procurement officer, I do not know nied any CIO links, although evi- the company’s financial viability.
anyone by that name working here,” dence shows they do massive busi-
Impala has been battling to win Maiden said. ness together. In one of the letters leaked to so-
back clients that cut ties with it after cial media, Impala pleaded for mer-
one of its vehicles, a Ford Ranger, “Unicef works with a number of Hivos was the first company to cy, while claiming to be victims of
was used in the abduction of the organisations through procurement go public about cutting ties with the online attacks. They later released a
22-year-old in Bulawayo on July 30 car rental company. series of angry statements in main-
in the midst of a repressive govern- stream newspapers – which the big
ment crackdown on political and media houses gladly published in
civil society activists. return for blood money – claiming
there were liars and agents of the
Government feared an uprising devil out there hunting them down.
during the July 31 mass protests,
which ended up as a stayaway. The Muchehiwa abduction scan-
dal was not even a footnote in the
Unicef, the UN children’s hu- advertorial statements.
manitarian and development agen-
cy, said through its communications “It has however come to my un-
chief James Maiden any informa- derstanding that you have stopped
tion or claims about it giving refer- working with us, following the so-
ences to organisations were fake. cial media negative publicity which
implicated one of our rental vehi-
Impala had listed Unicef as a ref- cles. We would like to inform you
erence through a procurement offi- that Impala Car Rental is not in-
cer known as Dorothy Muchenje. volved and neither does it support
any activities that violate human
Impala listed Unicef, Hivos In- rights. We wish to advise you that
ternational, Masimba Construction our organisation was a victim in
and Tobacco Industry Marketing that case,” the 1 December letter
Board as clients - over and above its signed by Impala general manager
undeclared numerous government Viola Chirata read.
contracts, including the Central

Mliswa tackles Rautenbach over land dispute

A RAGING land dispute between bona fide owner of the of land, Independent MP for Norton Constituency Hon. Temba Mliswa
tycoon Billy Rautenbach and res- where some residents have in-
idents of Aspindale — a suburb curred significant costs to build
in Harare — has taken a new spacious homes.
twist after a Member of Parlia-
ment, Temba Mliswa, asked the Aspindale land was previously
government to intervene in fa- owned by Rothmans Internation-
vour of the families. al, a British tobacco manufactur-
er which was acquired by British
Mliswa last month wrote to American Tobacco in 1999.
Local Government minister July
Moyo, seeking an investigation In writing, Mliswa claimed
into the ownership of the stands, that Rothmans International
where thousands of people live. handed over the land to the gov-
ernment, which, in turn, allocat-
The Norton MP, who has been ed it to its current occupants un-
fighting in the corner of the res- der the Joshua Nkomo Housing
idents and initially brought the Cooperative.
matter to parliament, claimed in
his correspondence that Rauten- Both President Emmerson
bach has been using police in a Mnangagwa and Vice-President
bid to evict the residents, and Constantino Chiwenga, accord-
also demanding US$85 in rent- ing to Mliswa, have previously
als. showed their support for the res-
idents.
Rautenbach, on his part, in-
sists he owns the land under his Mliswa said that at a meet-
company, Marimba Residential ing with the residents in Feb-
Properties Limited. ruary this year, “His Excellen-
cy (Mnangagwa) declared and
Mliswa disputes this, saying made a commitment that the res-
that the wealthy businessman has idents have legal right of abode
no “proof of payment and agree- and would therefore never be re-
ment of sale” to prove he is the moved.” – STAFF WRITER.

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Army commander Chimonyo airlifted

THE Commander of the Zimba- arising from the party’s district the virulent global pandemic Mugabe and catapulted President pending re-deployment, paving
bwe National Army (ZNA) Lieu- coordinating committee elections Covid-19 which has infected over Emmerson Mnangagwa to power. way for his appointment as one of
tenant-General Edzai Absalom over the weekend. 11 000 people and killed at least Mnangagwa’s two deputies along-
Chanyuka Chimonyo is report- 304. Globally the coronavirus has A month after the coup, Mnan- side Kembo Mohadi.
edly seriously ill and has been ZNA spokesperson Colonel killed more than 1.5 million peo- gagwa appointed then ZNA com-
airlifted to India for treatment. Alphios Makotore said he could ple. mander Philip Valerio Sibanda Sibanda’s elevation created
not comment on the matter as he commander of the Zimbabwe room for Chimonyo to take over
Defence minister Oppah was on leave. Chimonyo was appointed ZNA Defence Forces, a position which the reins at the ZNA.
Muchinguri, who is also Zanu commander on 18 December was previously occupied by Gen-
PF national chairperson, refused Security sources, however, 2017 following the November eral Constantino Chiwenga, now Before his appointment, Chi-
to comment on the matter, say- said the ZNA commander was 2017 military coup which toppled co-Vice-President and Health monyo served as Zimbabwe’s am-
ing she was occupied with issues battling a lung disease in India. the late former president Robert minister. Chiwenga was retired, bassador to Tanzania, Burundi
It is not clear if that is linked to and Rwanda. - STAFF WRITER

Police Press Release
violence,
bribery on
the rise:

NGOs

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE International Anti-Corruption Day

THE Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Harare, 9 December 2020
Forum has reported a concerning rise
in organised violence and torture per- Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI Z) and the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC)
petrated by the police in order to elicit Zimbabwe Chapter join the rest of the world in commemorating the 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day, under the
bribes. theme United Against Corruption. The Global commemorations are coming against a backdrop of social and economic
impacts of corruption in Zimbabwe. The Commemorations are therefore aimed at raising public awareness about these
The forum, in a report titled: The socio-economic effects of corruption and encourage participation of stakeholders in the fight against the scourge of
Many Faces of Corruption: Linking corruption. Additionally, it is a reflective moment for all stakeholders to take stock of the progress made towards the an-
Corruption to Organised Violence ti-corruption agenda globally and Zimbabwe in particular. Corruption continues to be one of the governance challenges
and Torture (OVT) released this in Zimbabwe. This is despite the existence of robust legal, policy and institutional frameworks including Prevention of
week stated that many people in Zim- Corruption Act [Chapter 9:16] and the recently launched National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2020-2024.
babwe are tortured, interrogated for Evidently, corruption is entrenched in the political and socio-economic spheres, and it is increasingly becoming a cultur-
long hours, held in detention, denied al attribute in public and private sectors. COVID-19 brought to light the rot in the public sector especially in the health
their dignity, paraded as criminals to sector, a case in point being that of the DRAX Scandal. Consequently, government’s failure to curb corruption results in
force them to admit to wrongdoing or skewed service delivery and exclusion of vulnerable and minority groups in development processes.
extract bribes. TI Z and APNAC, Zimbabwe Chapter underscore the fact that corruption tears down the social fabric and negates any
progressive efforts in realising development initiatives such as Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, all stakehold-
“Most of the victims are people ers, public and private, should collectively respond to the call for collective action against corruption in Zimbabwe.
from poor and marginalised back- Transparency and accountability remain key principles of good governance and both TI Z and APNAC Zimbabwe have
grounds who often find it challeng- been making clarion calls for government to uphold these two key pillars of good governance. However, we would like to
ing to access legal assistance to assert acknowledge the development and implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy which places emphasis on
their rights and represent themselves strong institutions to promote good governance.
when facing criminal charges,” the Citizens remain key stakeholders in the fight against corruption. Nevertheless, for them to play an active role, they re-
coalition of 22 human rights organ- quire protection both at law and in practice. To this end, the government must guarantee the protection of whistle-blow-
isations operating in Zimbabwe said ers through the enactment of a Whistle-blower Protection Legislation consistent with Article 33 of the United Nations
in the report. Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on protection of reporting persons which Zimbabwe is a signatory to.
We therefore implore all law enforcement agencies to cooperate in the fight against corruption. This enjoins law enforce-
The human rights organisations ment agencies to effectively handle corruption cases to enable the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and courts of
reported that after being released, law to act upon the cases in a timely and effective manner. Responsible anti-corruption state agencies must cultivate a
most of the victims of the torture and culture of impartial investigation of corruption cases to restore public confidence and trust in the government’ anti-cor-
ill treatment will be “grateful” to their ruption efforts. Additionally, TIZ and APNAC Zimbabwe Chapter implores the generality of citizens to join hands in the
tormentors for being released. fight against corruption without fear or favour towards restoring the country’s dignity.

According to the forum, the groups “Together we can end the scourge of corruption.”
at risk include: domestic helpers, se-
curity guards, unemployed youths,
sex workers and informal economy
workers, “each with troubled and
hence exploitable relationships with
the state security apparatus”.

“Indeed, torture and ill-treatment
on the one hand, and corruption on
the other, have long been addressed
in both academia and policy circles as
two separate domains of knowledge
and practice. This despite the fact that
police corruption is well documented
in Zimbabwe,” the report reads.

“The police often make little effort
to veil their demand for bribes, bra-
zenly doing so in public and rarely
bothering to question those in deten-
tion about any alleged crime. Those
who fail to pay are often threatened
and unlawfully detained, and at times
sexually assaulted, tortured in police
custody.”

Many of these abuses are perpetrat-
ed as a means to further extort money
from ordinary citizens or from fearful
family members trying to secure the
freedom of those detained, according
to the rights organisations.

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Water crisis: A pain in the neck for Byo

LIZWE SEBATHA

WHILE Bulawayo’s water woes are at all with Mtshabezi Dam actually and so forth while also praying for challenge. This is the reason why the for Bulawayo since 1975. Bulawayo
proving to be a pain in the neck for recording a deficit of 16 000 cubic rains to fill up our dams.” Treasury will allocate measly budgets water supply dams were constructed
city residents, the same cannot be metres. At present, the city’s supply to Bulawayo to solve water prob- by the colonial regime. Lower Lower
said about some unemployed youths dams are 23.53% full with indica- According to Ncube, the oth- lems. You cannot fault the Treasury Ncema was built in 1943 and Up-
who are cashing in on the crisis. tions that if no significant inflows er solution to addressing the water in its budget allocations.” per Ncema 1974, Inyankuni (1965),
are registered, Insiza and Mtshabezi woes lies in the government declar- Umzingwane (1956) and Insiza
All that Gilbert Ncube (25) needs dams will run dry in March and Sep- ing the city a water crisis area to al- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube (1975).
is a push-cart, which he uses to fer- tember next year. low the council to mobilise resources allocated ZW$4.5 billion towards
ry water he fetches from wells and needed for water shortage alleviation the Gwayi-Shangani dam construc- Gwayi-Shangani Dam, now at
bowsers for resale to desperate resi- Council decommissioned Lower projects. tion project in his 2021 national 40% completion, will supply bulk
dents-particularly those who are em- Ncema, Upper Ncema and Umz- budget. water to Bulawayo. Upon comple-
ployed and cannot afford to spend ingwane, leaving the city with only “We reiterate that the crisis we are tion, it will be the third-largest in-
hours in queues. Insiza, Inyankuni and Mtshabezi as facing can only be addressed after the However, in a recent meeting, land dam in the country after Tugwi
the main water sources. government declares the city a water BCC director of engineering services -Mukosi and Lake Mutirikwi in Mas-
Dube sells five 25-litre containers shortage area,” Ncube added. Simela Dube said: “So far funding vingo with an estimated net holding
of water for no less than US$5 or “Despite the heavy rains, we have worth US$200 million was raised capacity of 634 million cubic metres,
R100. not noticed significant inflows to our The city council in January 2020 but to complete the project that will which is 1,8 times bigger than the
dams. We need such (heavy) rains in wrote to the Local Government min- cost around US$1 billion...” capacity of the city’s six supply dams
“There is a market... It’s only on Bulawayo, but where our dams are istry requesting that Bulawayo be de- located in Matabeleland South. In
days when council re-opens taps situated (is problematic). The situa- clared a water shortage area. An amendment of the 1976 Water the meantime, hawkers like Dube
where there will be no customers,” tion is not pleasing but depressing,” Act provides for the central govern- say they will continue cashing in on
Ncube says as he wheels his push- deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said In response, the government hired ment to be responsible for raw water the water crisis.
cart full of containers to deliver the on Tuesday. consultants to study the water sit- sources for local authorities through
precious liquid to his customers. uation and, in their analysis, they the construction of dams. “At least we are not stealing, or
“The situation in our dams needs blamed the council for lacking the gambling but getting paid for bring-
In recent days, business has, heavy rains of a cyclone nature... For technical know-how of drawing wa- Councils are only left with the ing water to people’s homes,” Dube
however, been low for hawkers like now, we can only urge residents to ter from depleted dams. duty of treating raw water and dis- says.
Ncube after the heavens opened up, continue harvesting from rooftops tributing it.
enabling the residents to harvest “As long as they have not declared
rainwater. the city a water disaster, we have a No dam has been constructed

Flash floods hit Bulawayo on
Monday, destroying household
property in the worst affected sub-
urbs such as Pumula, Nketa, Emgan-
wini, Nkulumane and Cowdray Park
where houses were waterlogged.

And last week on Tuesday, the
Meteorological Services Department
(Met Office) said rains received in
Bulawayo the previous day broke a
two-year record.

“We recorded 29mm of rain in
Bulawayo this afternoon after a
20-minute-long spate and it’s the
highest ever recorded this year, con-
sidering that even last year we did
not have good rains,” the department
said in its update.

However, Bulawayo’s water woes
are far from easing, as confirmed by
the city council’s update on dam in-
flow showing that the city’s supply
dams have received just over 2%
inflow despite the heavy downpours
and flash floods.

Insiza Dam had the highest inflow
of 768 348 cubic metres; Inyankuni
(98 490 cubic metres); Umzing-
wane (278 760 cubic metres); Up-
per Ncema (311 900 cubic metres);
while Lower Ncema had no inflows

YOUR AD HERE

book some space in the leading investigative and breaking newspaper

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

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

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

MICHAEL ZIKHALI Justice Hungwe entangled in
IN LESOTHO messy Lesotho ‘sham trial’

SEVERAL high-profile trials of Le- Law and Justice minister Nqosa Ma- the rulings of the foreign judges were Justice Charles Hungwe for persecution.
sotho politicians, serving and former hao, leader of opposition Monyane less likely to be viewed as biased. “We want to straighten the record
members of the country’s security Moleleki, director of Public Prosecu- clients with specific documents they
agencies are in limbo as lawyers rep- tions Hlalefang Motinyane and for- The trials have failed to take off due need to prepare their defence. They as to the circumstances under which
resenting murder and treason-ac- eign missions in Lesotho. to numerous lawsuits filed by Lt-Gen also accuse the presiding judges of our clients are held and tried. Con-
cused former army commander Kamoli and his co-accused. In one failing to address their concerns. trary to uninformed, speculative and/
Lieutenant-General Tlali Kamoli and Others who have also been copied instance, they unsuccessfully sought or deliberately misleading statements
other members of the security agen- are the Law Society of Lesotho, In- the recusal of Justice Hungwe, alleg- They now want Justice Sakoane to regarding the conditions under which
cies resist trials by foreign judges, in- ternational Bar Association, Amnesty ing that they were unlikely to get a fair ensure that all their concerns are ad- they are held; we appeal to the coun-
cluding Zimbabwe’s Justice Charles International, Southern African De- trial as he had already prejudged them dressed. In the meantime, the lawyers tries that have contributed personnel
Hungwe. velopment Community Lawyers’ As- by labelling them “killers of Lt-Gen say that they are withdrawing their to participate in the charade charac-
sociation, Commonwealth Lawyers’ Mahao”. services to their clients and they will terised as trials of our clients to imme-
The lawyers say the “charades Association and the media. not be part of “this grotesque travesty diately withdraw their citizens who
characterised as trials of our clients” This particular case was thrown of justice”. are giving a helping hand to the deni-
should be stopped for several reasons Lt-Gen Kamoli and some of his out, but this has not stopped them al of our clients’ fundamental rights,”
including allegations that their clients co-accused have been in remand pris- from filing other constitutional appli- They said they had been forced the lawyers said.
have been detained for too long under on since their arrest in October 2017 cations to stop the state from trying into the drastic decision to “expose
“sub-human conditions” and “denied in connection with various crimes. them. Now the trials face another the state of the incarceration of the so- The lawyers warn that the “unfair-
their basic rights”. hurdle, this time from Lt-Gen Ka- called high-profile accused”. ness” of the judicial processes is a po-
These include treason against the moli and his co-accused’s lawyers, tential source of future instability in
Justice Hungwe is one of three government of former Prime Minister who have withdrawn their services “Our clients have for a long time the country.
judges, who were recruited last year Thomas Thabane in August 2014. In and petitioned Justice Sakoane, gov- been subjected to sub-human condi-
by the Lesotho government with the this case, Lt-Gen Kamoli and others ernment, Sadc and the foreign judges tions of incarceration and denial of the “We also want to put it on record
help of Sadc governments to try the are charged alongside former deputy to stop what they call the charade of following basic rights: adequate food that these charades of trials will not
high-profile cases, which stem from prime minister Mothetjoa Metsing trials meant to produce a determined and or food fit for human consump- only go down in the history of Leso-
chronic instability in the tiny south- and current Development Planning outcome against their clients. tion; adequate time to consult with tho as the worst denial of justice aid-
ern African nation over the past de- minister Selibe Mochoboroane. their lawyers and prepare adequately ed and abetted by member states of
cade. In their 18 November letter, the for their capital offence charges,” the Sadc and financed by the European
Lt-Gen Kamoli and others are also lawyers repeat allegations previously lawyers state in their letter. community, they are certainly also an
In that period, Lesotho has seen charged with the June 2015 murder made by Lt-Gen Kamoli and others incubation for further instability and
human rights violations perpetrated of another former army command- of inhumane treatment and poor con- “In some cases, the crown has re- absence of peace in Lesotho going for-
by members of the security agencies, er, Lt-Gen Maaparankoe Mahao. In ditions at the Maseru Central Correc- fused or ignored requests to supply ward.
especially the army during the tenure 2018, the government approached tional Institution. the accused with specified documents
of former commander Lt-Gen Kamo- Sadc members states and secured essential for the defence cases. We are “Unless the sources of our com-
li who was eventually forced to retire foreign judges to try these and other They want Justice Sakoane to ur- sadly constrained to observe that the plaints are addressed, we will not take
on 1 December 2016. The United high-profile trials. gently address their concerns about presiding judges incline to dealing part and thereby give a semblance of
States had threatened to cut off cru- the alleged denial of their clients’ with the accused’s concerns in the propriety to proceedings that are oth-
cial development assistance if Lt-Gen At the time, then Justice and Cor- rights to adequate food, adequate most nonchalant and cavalier manner erwise completely lacking in any sem-
Kamoli did not leave his post to fa- rectional services minister Mokhele time to consult their lawyers and time unprecedented in this jurisdiction.” blance of impartiality or intention to
cilitate investigations into the alleged Moletsane said while the local judges and documents to enable them to ad- do justice in a manner that ensures
abuses. were competent enough to try the cas- equately prepare for their trials. The lawyers say they want to place that our clients’ rights are respected.
es, the government and Sadc still felt it on record for future generations to As matters stand, it is clear that we are
But Lt-Gen Kamoli and others’ tri- it necessary to engage foreign judges They argue that in some of the know that although Lesotho is a sig- just going through motions towards a
als are now in jeopardy after his and because the cases in question were po- cases the state has either refused or natory to several international instru- predetermined fate for our clients. We
fellow accused soldiers’ lawyers with- litically sensitive. He further said that ignored their requests to supply their ments on the protection of various refuse to be made party to such a gross
drew their services and also slapped rights, including those of detained miscarriage of justice.”
Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane with persons, it has singled out their clients
a letter demanding that he first ad- Although Lt-Gen Kamoli and his
dress the alleged inhuman treatment co-accused have delayed their trials by
of their detained clients by the prison filing numerous court applications,
authorities. the lawyers shift the blame to the
state, saying their clients have been
The lawyers who have withdrawn languishing in jail for more than three
their services are attorney Qhalehang years without being tried for reasons
Letsika and advocates Zwelakhe Mda, that can only be blamed on the pros-
Karabo Mohau, Letuka Molati, Kao ecution.
Theoha, Silas Ratau, Mkhantji Kao,
Napo Mafaesa, Lintle Tuke and an- “The prosecution has, as late as
other only identified in their letter as June 2020, been frantically interview-
Letuka. ing persons it seeks to make witness-
es in these cases. It has been giving
The lawyers accuse Sadc leaders witnesses piecemeal statements while
of being complicit in the alleged de- pretending that it has all along been
nial of their clients’ rights to a fair ready to proceed with these trials.
trial. They warn that through their How could it be ready when it is only
complicity, Sadc leaders are actually now doing what should have been
sowing seeds of future instability in done three years ago? How could the
Lesotho instead of dealing with the cases be ready to proceed when the
problem. discovery of police dockets is only tak-
ing place now in 2020? In some in-
The lawyers accuse the European stances, our clients have had to go to
Union (EU) of financing and abetting court to seek discovery of police dock-
the “charade characterised as trials of ets in vain. In some instances, things
our clients”. that could have been discovered three
years ago are only being discovered in
They also want Zimbabwe and September 2020.
Botswana, who have provided judges
for the high-profile trials, to withdraw “…We also want to express our
them. Zimbabwe provided Justice shock at the deafening silence of Sadc
Hungwe while Botswana seconded under whose watch and with whose
Justices Tshosa and Kabelo Lebotse. complicity our clients are suffering
The judges’ allowances are paid from the denial of their rights. Sadc leaders
a fund sourced from the EU. should do some serious soul searching
and ask themselves whether charade
Justice Lebotse resigned earlier this trials in Lesotho are a foundation for
year, citing poor working conditions. peace or they are sowing seeds of in-
His resignation left justices Hungwe stability going forward,” the lawyers
and Tshosa with the huge task of pre- state.
siding over the high-profile trials by
themselves. The lawyers’ demands are
contained in the letter of demand to
Justice Sakoane dated 18 November
2020.

The letter is also addressed to lo-
cal judges and the Attorney-General
Haae Phoofolo. It is copied to Prime
Minister Moeketsi Majoro, Speaker
of Parliament Sephiri Motanyane,

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

MOSES NGWERE Nurses seek to pin down law in finding that the alleged Col-
THE Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association Chiwenga on flexi hours lective Bargaining Agreement 2 of 28
(Zina) has filed an urgent chamber August 2019 extended the system of
application at the High Court seeking In papers filed at the High Court, Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga flexible working hours for members of
leave to execute, pending appeal, an Dongo stated that the health workers respondent (Zina) and consequently
order granted in its favour over a dis- filed the urgent application upon real- the flexible working hours, Zina made Chimedza argued the judge wrongly served to create a prima facie right for
pute with the government over flexible ising that some of the members were several efforts to reach out to the re- dealt with the matter on an urgent the respondent,” they stated.
working hours. already being punished for failing to spondents through writing letters call- basis yet the time for the applicant to
comply with the government directive ing for dialogue and an out-of-court act against the directive had long since Dongo submitted that there was ur-
This comes after High Court judge scrapping the flexi-hours, yet the mat- settlement, but they ignored and opt- passed. They also argued that the judge gency in filing the application because
Justice Joseph Mafusire on November ter had not been finalised in court. ed for an appeal at the Supreme Court. failed to consider that there was a re- if the matter went through the nor-
20, granted Zina an interim order bar- view of nurses’ remuneration in Au- mal court-hearing process it would
ring the government from enforcing a More than 1 000 nurses have been But in their notice of appeal against gust 2019, when he passed his ruling. take long and the Health Service
directive for nurses to resume working struck off the government payroll for Justice Mafusire’s judgement, the Board would implement Chimedza’s
a normal 40-hour week with immedi- defying the directive to resume nor- Health Service Board, Chiwenga and “The learned judge erred in fact and directive before the court determina-
ate effect. mal working hours, according to pa- tion, which would inflict irreparable
pers filed at the High Court. harm on the welfare of more than 9
The Health Service Board was cited 000 nurses countrywide.
as the first respondent, while Health On Monday this week, 458 nurses
and Child Care minister, Constantino at Harare’s Sally Mugabe Central Hos- He argued that the respondents
Chiwenga and permanent secretary pital, who did not get their November had failed to provide adequate per-
Jasper Chimedza were cited as the sec- salaries after defying the government sonal protective equipment to nurses
ond and third respondents respective- directive, wrote letters of apology to and, instead of addressing their plight,
ly. The government lodged an appeal Chiwenga pleading to be placed back they wanted hospitals to be congested
at the Supreme Court to challenge on the payroll. with vulnerable nurses if they can-
Justice Mafusire’s judgement. celled the flexi working hours, which
“Filing an appeal to the Supreme exposed the health workers to the in-
In High Court case number Court suspends the judgement ap- fectious coronavirus.
6479/20, Zina, represented by its pealed against,” stated Dongo in his
president Enock Dongo, is arguing for founding affidavit. “This means that “Exposure to an unsafe working
a continuation of the flexi-working ar- whilst the appeal is going through environment during a raging pan-
rangement allowing nurses to work 40 the (hearing) processes, the respon- demic (Covid-19) might potentially
hours in three days. The respondents dents are free to enforce compliance lead to loss of life to applicant’s mem-
want the arrangement cancelled so with the unilateral directive of the bers,” he stated. “The respondents
that all nurses work 40 hours in seven third respondent and at the same time have never denied that they are not
days. resume disciplinary processes against providing adequate personal protec-
the applicant’s members.” tive equipment and yet they are push-
The flexi-working hours were in- ing nurses to be working normally in
troduced in January 2019 following He said after Justice Mafusire an abnormal environment.”
an agreement between nurses and the barred the respondents from revoking
government, which emerged from the Dongo went on to argue that the
Health Service Bipartite Negotiating respondents had power over their
Panel. It was meant to improve nurses’ employees and were using that power
working conditions, but on 19 Oc- to ensure compliance of the directive
tober 2020 the government made a for nurses to resume normal working
U-turn on the agreement. hours hence the court was their only
hope for reprieve.

DEATH NOTICE

The NewsHawks management and staff would like
to express their heartfelt condolences to the

Munyaka family on the passing on of Janet Munyaka.
We wish you courage and peace during this time of mourning.

May her soul rest in peace.
The journalism fraternity has lost a hero.

100 Nelson Mandela Avenue,
6th Floor, Beverly Court, Harare
Tel: +242 721044-45, www.thenewshawks.com

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Mining sector needs to get better organised

THE mining sector, currently the staff and more enforcement and moni- Edmund Mkaratigwa mining regulations or mining and, in future.
country’s single largest foreign curren- toring of policy implementation by all that regard, some miners are mining on MN: As a committee, you obvious-
cy earner, is seen as having a key role arms of state in the sector, and the inter- a very long time now. At what stage underground mining supporting pillars
in turning around the fortunes of the views were conducted this year; towards are we now in terms of its passage into which end up collapsing and, finally, ly have an oversight role to play with
crumbling economy, yet it is bedevilled reducing mineral smuggling through law? the rise of the small-scale and artisanal regards the government’s mining ven-
by a multiplicity of problems. These increased manpower and manpower EM: Indeed, this Bill has been on the miners without adequate facilities. Our tures like Hwange Colliery Company
include the runaway smuggling of min- mobility. The committee has therefore cards for too long now. The committee recommendations have been around which is struggling. What have you
erals, inadequate regulation, corruption always kept an eye on the operations of formed a steering committee to follow formalisation of the small-scale mines done to ensure it is brought back to
and deadly disasters which cry for ur- the sector in the country with zero toler- up on finalisation of the draft Bill with and overall capitalisation of the sector, life?
gent intervention measures. The News- ance to those caught on the wrong side the President’s reservations and incor- of which the 2021 budget contained
Hawks reporter Moses Ngwere (MN) of the laws of the land. poration of other more contemporary some allocated figures towards the Ca- EM: I trust you are fully aware that
had a chat with the chairperson of the MN: There are also complaints about legal provisions. That draft Bill is now dastre System as failure reduces certain- Hwange Colliery is currently not fully
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on delays in the allocation of mining available and we are supposed to have ty that will impact on capital inflows for owned by the government of Zim-
Mines and Mining Development, Ed- claims and issuance of licences. Have the all-stakeholders’ conference this side the development of the industry. babwe. The government only have a
mund Mkaratigwa (EM), to discuss there been any engagements with the of the year on the 16th of December MN: Government speaks the lan- percentage of the shares. The company,
issues affecting the industry. Below are ministry of Mines to resolve this? and that was later postponed. Thus, we guage of value addition and benefi- therefore, should be able to run itself
the excerpts: EM: There have been countless en- anticipate to hold the conference during ciation of minerals, yet we still have and government can support when it
gagements with the committee and the the beginning of this year. After address- platinum companies like Mimosa, needs the support since its role is strate-
MN: What is the committee doing ministry of Mines and indeed we set a ing the sector’s concerns, which will be chrome-mining firms and lithi- gic. The committee did not deliberately
about rampant corruption in the dashboard to that effect but there are raised in the conference, the only issue um-mining firms still exporting ore. do much on Hwange Colliery recently
mining sector, particularly gold and still many challenges there. The chal- left will be for the Bill to go through the What do you think is preventing the because the matter was dealt with by the
diamond? lenges are related to issues noted above committee system’s law-making process actualisation of this? former chairperson, Honourable (Tem-
in addition to mere backlogging so as through citizen participation towards EM: The government is not only speak- ba) Mliswa just before I came in and
EM: In this ending year, the committee to congest the system until people come enhancement of policy acceptability at ing but has taken the position of value of course inconclusively and the com-
took a number of steps to ensure cor- to pay money into their pockets for fa- implementation stage. adding and beneficiation as a way of mittee decided to stop handling it and
ruption mainly in the gold sector as the cilitation. On the other hand, resources MN: The most topical issue in recent building the economy and that is where focus on areas which can produce quick
diamond sector was to a larger extend have been limited on the part of the weeks and months relates to the high the country’s development potential lay results that can easily turn on the eco-
impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. ministry and we stood with them for frequency of deadly mining acci- most. However, a lot is already happen- nomic fortunes of the country. There
The committee was inundated with more resources to be allocated, although dents. As a parliamentary committee, ing towards investment for value addi- are matters that were sticky in the area
complaints on applications submitted Covid-19 derailed the plans and pro- have you done your own investiga- tion and some companies are already but we focused more on areas that will
to the ministry of Mines for mining ti- cesses in the ministry and government tions to find out why there has been building the facilities and some of the lead us to quick low-hanging fruits first.
tle over many years yet without success. thereof. As a result, we demand to see such a spike and, if so, what are your mining companies, especially in the
Mostly, once an application is lodged, it positive outcomes of the efforts in the recommendations? platinum sector, have been investing MN: What is the current status of
is alleged, it was becoming an advantage sector. Further, we have advocated for EM: Yes, we have done so and estab- towards that a lot. The main challenge the state-run Zimbabwe Mining De-
to some ministry officials and peggers the mining Cadastre System that has lished a number of challenges clogging has been capacity of the current mining velopment Corporation?
to go ahead and make their applications been on budget for over six years now, productivity and efficiency in the sector. sector to produce enough ore for pro-
for the same identified site or those and it has been prioritised also in the There are issues or river-bed mining as- cessing since these are big machines. So, EM: ZMDC is still a govern-
areas were taken advantage of, by hav- 2021 budget. sociated with failure by the miners to there was need to continue expanding ment-owned company that is function-
ing small-scale miners deployed to the MN: The Mines and Minerals Bill, maintain the mines; there are issues of the industry in order for the operations al but it has been having challenges in
proposed mine area, while applications which seeks to amend the Mines Act, the rainy season now upon us; there to be economically viable. Value addi- marketing some of its assets which are
lodged were being delayed. Further, is expected to address a number of are issues of lack of technical exper- tion locally makes it easier for account- diamonds. It is therefore operating but,
there were reports of ministry officials anomalies in the mining sector, but it tise in the sector and there are matters ability mechanisms to be put in place so far, that was being done more broad-
working in cahoots with other elements has been hanging in the balance for around inheriting disused mines and for reducing leakages of minerals for ly at a loss hence it needed to be trans-
in society, advising those against some lack of standards and enforcement ca- example through under-declaration of formed in order to make it viable. It is
disputants, to continue seeking court pacities to monitor adherence to any value. one area which to us should be a cash
interdicts as a way of delaying opera- MN: How far have the country gone cow and we are pushing for continuous
tions on selected mining areas, so as to in terms of ratifying the Extractive national engagement and re-engage-
keep the mine inoperative while buying Industries Transparency Initiative ment to ensure that new and old mar-
time and hoping the owner would get (EITI) agreement? kets are opened and we competitively
tired or get a window to fully exploit the EM: The challenge with EITI is that participate thereat in line with market
minerals at the mine. For gold and dia- it is not part of international law but a demands than our current limitations.
mond sectors, as a result, we invited the standard that is proposed for the coun- MN: Your committee receives annu-
ministry of Mines and its subsidiaries to try to achieve transparency in the sector. al mining returns from companies.
respond to the allegations and they were The committee has advocated for its What do they reflect in terms of
grilled by the committee thereat. The adoption since the minister of Finance growth in the sector?
committee, and particularly myself as previously showed the desire to have its EM: Yes, but these monthly and quar-
its chair, have managed to denounce the provisions adopted in the country. The terly financial returns are mainly ad-
scourge and advocated for transparency debate is however still going on. ministrative reports for finances used
and accountability in all mining opera- throughout the year by the ministry as
tions in the country. This has been done What is more needful is to agree as well as its subsidiaries; mere income and
through the press, in workshops, train- a country on whether this should be expenditure accounts. These are not in-
ing sessions and in self-initiated articles adopted in toto or just as provisions in formative enough for forecasting and
mostly in the Mining Magazine, among existing legislation and amendments. evaluating overall mining sector growth.
others, though the hallmark of against
these practices in our view is also the The general idea is being embraced The different agencies’ annual finan-
amendment of the Mines and Minerals but the implementation mechanism cial reports are more informative for
Act that we are pushing for finalisation, that reduces a negative boomerang on such decisions, in fact. Those audited
with a lot of hurdles along the way. the government’s development efforts financial reports are usually deposited
in future, synonymous to self-inflicting with the ministry and are then shared
MN: How is the committee tackling harm, is what we are looking at. with us through the ministry and by the
the issue of rampant smuggling of The country is therefore warming up Auditor-General’s Office.
minerals, again mainly gold and di- to the debate with explanatory support
amonds? from the civil society that is unpacking At the moment the agencies have not
the EITI as a tool for transparency in been posting interesting results but with
EM: The committee has advocated for the sector and with different views cur- efforts now put in place this year, we are
higher budget allocations to the sec- rently being raised for and against it at looking forward to a more productive
tor and in many cases that has been various platforms. So, it is still at lobby- and successful year in 2021 as the foun-
achieved. We have also advocated and ing, advocacy, public awareness build- dation has been laid to a greater extent
lobbied for the shift in the minerals pay- ing and education stage. this year.
ment regimes so that the minerals are
sold in the country and the gold pay- Remember the policy space is not The committee on Mines and Min-
ment model in the country was there- easy to secure and we have to force its ing Development are awaiting to wit-
fore also adjusted this year although we way through once all parties on the ness increased productivity, reduced
are calling for an increase in US dollar committee are fully convinced of its corruption, increased efficiency, more
retention value if we have to contain pros and cons to the country’s invest- accountable institutions and overall
the massive smuggling in the sector. We ment and to the sector today and in the strengthened institutions in the coming
have advocated for recruitment of more year and beyond. That way, the sector
can continue to bounce back better
in the coming years and towards the
US$12 billion mining target and Vi-
sion 2030.

Page 12 Editorial & Opinion NewsHawks

CARTOON Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Both Zanu PF and
MDC to blame for
Harare land chaos
HUNDREDS of families in Harare were left stranded this
week after 190 houses were demolished in Budiriro suburb. Intolerance has no room in journalism

It was a callous act — executed in the middle of the rainy TWO weeks ago journalists under the We had to attend out of professional- media. So there is no question of lack
season amid a Covid-19 pandemic — and this explains why auspices of the Zimbabwe National ism, the call of duty and tolerance. of appreciation of context, experience,
neither the Harare City Council and central government are Editors Forum (Zinef ) – which I chair environment, selective amnesia or
willing to claim responsibility for the mindless destruction. – met with senior Zanu PF leaders at We didn’t need to all agree with heads-in-the-sand approach. There is
the party’s headquarters in Harare at Zanu PF to do so. It’s common cause also no question of time and space.
The MDC Alliance and Zanu PF have found yet anoth- their invitation. journalists don’t only interact and
er opportunity to play political football at the expense of work with people and organisations By attending the meeting, journal-
long-suffering citizens. Ordinary hard-working Zimbabweans The invite had come to Zinef from they agree with. ists showed they are better than Zanu
are the biggest losers, yet again. Zanu PF’s Information and Publicity PF leaders who have a history of pro-
Department as The End of Year Zanu So it was an easy call. We simply moting intolerance and hate, not just
The chaotic parcelling out of housing land in Harare has PF National Spokesman’s Editors needed to go back to the basics: duty, against journalists but also citizens.
its roots in Zanu PF’s loss of political control over urban ar- Cocktail Dinner. Given that he has professionalism and tolerance, with
eas in 2000. Humiliated by the loss of political influence in been the party’s acting spokesman for the last value-loaded term implying If journalists didn’t attend they
cities and towns, the party resorted to a tactic that has kept it the better part of the year, Patrick Chi- being open-minded, non-partisan and would have been exposed after spin-
in power for decades: the use of a combination of patronage, namasa became the host. liberality — embracing different ideas ning themselves as the other side of
corruption and coercion to assert political control. and being free from the prison of prej- the same coin. In other words, by not
The media was well-represented: udice. attending they wouldn’t have only
For 20 years now, the capital city has been an opposition there were editors and reporters from shown that they are myopic and par-
stronghold. A wounded Zanu PF has not given up and is al- across the media landscape, reflecting We all know what Zanu PF repre- tisan, but also unprofessional, cynical
ways plotting on how best to dismantle the opposition’s in- the zeitgeist in the profession despite sented during the liberation strug- and intolerant.
fluence. Harare, as a result, has become a heavily contested lingering vestiges of polarisation. gle, what it came to represent soon
political arena. The fight for the control of Harare has ren- after Independence and what it now Trying to prove that the media or
dered the public administration dysfunctional in the eyes of For the past couple of years, Zinef represents. That history is well-docu- journalists are not captured through
ordinary citizens. has brought together different edi- unprofessionalism and intolerance is
tors’ platforms in a bid to unite the Hawk Eye highly preposterous.
We have witnessed these demolitions countless times. profession. This bridged the divide
How do councillors expect to be taken seriously by the between state and private media ed- Dumisani Journalists must be open-minded
public when they resort to ridiculous arguments in a clumsy itors, helping to promote tolerance, Muleya whatever their socialisation, associ-
bid to distance themselves from the carnage of homeless peo- diversity and pluralism, as well as ations and political views. Reporters
ple’s shattered dreams? The High Court papers — including cohesion among journalists. mented. Indeed, Zanu PF’s mindset are not value-free, but can be; in fact
notices of ejectment — clearly cite Harare City Council as and attitude towards the media and ought to be, professional, impartial
the plaintiff while the scandal-ridden housing co-operatives Yet inevitably there were ques- journalists is also well-known — it’s and tolerant – the basis of objectivi-
are stated as defendants. Public officials must desist from this tions, comments and even malicious the same as it is towards the people: ty, as contested a notion as that might
mindless politicking. casting of aspersions on journalists repressive, violent and brutal. We all be.
The Sheriff is legally empowered to demolish a house seven who attended the event. know that.
days after a court order is granted. Interestingly, careful scru- Simply put, tolerance is the appre-
tiny of the court documents shows that, in one instance, an While people, including journal- But it is a big newsmaker as the rul- ciation of pluralism and diversity, and
order was granted more than a year ago — yet the demolitions ists who felt the same, have freedom ing party. Its protracted rule and pol- the ability to live and let others live
are being carried out now. If the city council no longer wanted of speech and a democratic right to icies affect — actually ruin - our lives freely. The ability to be fair and ob-
the destruction of houses to proceed, surely it would have ap- criticise Zinef and its members on this daily. jective towards those whose opinions,
proached the court during the 14 months since the demolition and other things, their criticism with views, practices, background and ideas
order was granted. regards to this issue was baseless, un- Besides, journalists who attended might be different.
Hopefully, the citizens of this country have been reminded fortunate and ridiculous. have individually and collectively been
by these demolitions that it is the height of naivete to believe serious victims of the ruling party’s Tolerance is not just agreeing with
that politicians really care about the lives of ordinary peo- Upfront it must be said here and Orwellian control of society and the one another or remaining indifferent
ple. We have witnessed how some officials in central govern- now that Zinef was right to attend the in the face of injustice and suffering,
ment have gleefully sought to use this tragic violation of hu- meeting. Even though some people but rather showing respect for diver-
man rights as an opportune moment to score cheap political agonised about it — fearing toxic as- sity and basic humanity. Intolerance
points. By brazenly gloating about the demolitions, they send sociation and even poisoning — to the simply has no room in journalism and
a spine-chilling message to the wretched masses: Your pover- Zinef leadership this was a no-brainer. society.
ty-stricken lives mean nothing to the elites.
Stranded infants, women, the disabled and the elderly are
forced to spend the night in the rain. You would expect such
a dire crisis to jolt the public officials into action — instead,
they resort to a pointless blame game.
JoAnne McGregor, a professor of human geography at
Sussex University and Kudzai Chatiza, director of the Hara-
re-based Development Governance Institute, recently released
findings of a study titled Geographies of Urban Dominance:
The Politics of Harare’s Periphery.
They found that in opposition-supporting cities, where the
ruling party has failed to dominate overall, it can nonetheless
control certain spaces — in the Harare case, pieces of land,
new settlements and central markets.
It is clear that Harare’s chaotic housing scene — which has
seen desperate home-seekers falling prey to corrupt land bar-
ons — is the logical outcome of the governance failings of
both Zanu PF and the MDC. Citizens must learn from this
episode.

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

NewsHawks Perspectives & Reviews Page 13

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

NDS1 is woefully inadequate

Brett is about putting in place national By ratifying AfCTA, Zimbabwe compared with that of the poorest area once known for ranching
Chulu investment plans, competition has participated in the creation provinces. and the vast sugar estates and a
policy and intellectual property of a significant economic insti- province with the largest irriga-
THE National Development rights. tution. It is an irony that Zim- Metropolitan provincial GDP tion infrastructure and drainage
Strategy (NDS) 1 is woefully babwe has failed to factor in the is 4.48 times that of Manicaland, density, post a sickly per capita
inadequate in view of factors that The bigger picture underlying likely impact of AfCTA and the 4.24 times that of Mashonaland GDP of US$820?
have come to light. These factors AfCTA is the establishment of an African Monetary Union prospect Central and 4.24 times that of
are the Africa Free Continental African Single Market, African that falls within the period of the Masvingo. There are two reasons: the deci-
Trade Area (AfCTA) and the Monetary Union and an African NDS 1. That omission is huge mation of our agriculture through
recently released provincial eco- Political Union. enough to put into question the We have a situation where X stonewalling of agricultural
nomic outputs (provincial Gross adequacy of NDS 1. provinces would be classified reform, more poignantly in the
Domestic Products). This bigger picture is often lost as low-income provinces (less area of security of tenure and the
NDS 1 missed AfCTA impacts in the discussions on AfCTA. The There are several areas coming than per capita Gross National bambazonke (all-powerful) pull
AfCTA came into effect on 30 African Union’s Agenda 2063 sets from AfCTA that threaten the Income—GNI—of US$1 035) : of the metropolitan provinces.
May 2019, launching the first 2023 as the timeframe for the NDS 1. This article has sampled these are Manicaland, Mashona-
phase of its implementation establishment of an African Mon- four. land Central, Masvingo and the The conception that as a coun-
roadmap. AfCTA is a continental etary Union. It is not yet clear if Provincial GDPs expose NDS 1 Midlands. The rest are lower mid- try we need real economic output
trade liberalisation agenda that that 2023 target will be met. NDS 1, for all its talk on devo- dle-income provinces (per capita of at least 5% per annum is too
envisages the removal of all trade lution, has failed to be upfront GNI of US$1 036-US$4 095). simplistic and not very useful as
barriers in the form of both eco- Zimbabwe has ratified the first that there is a serious level of far as strategy is concerned. This
nomic and non-tariff barriers. phase of AfCTA. inequality in terms of economic The metropolitan provinces are global real GDP growth hurdle
output and wealth distribution 22% away from the upper mid- rate applies more to the metro-
Economic trade barriers would Zimbabwe negotiated for a across our provinces. We have a dle-income classification. politan provinces.
include trade restrictions such as special dispensation in terms of clear dichotomy: rich metrop-
tariffs and quotas. Non-tariff bar- implementing the opening phase. olis and poor countryside. The The non-metropolitan provinc- The non-metropolitan provinc-
riers would include infrastructure Zimbabwe was placed in a group divide is startling: Harare and es need to grow their economic es need much higher real provin-
(physical and digital), corruption of seven countries — Djibouti, Bulawayo have per capita GDP of output by at least 185% in order cial growth rates of 9-12% per
at the borders, inefficient border Ethiopia, Mozambique, Malawi, US$3 614 and US$3 048, yet the to reach the upper middle-income year. Our NDS 1 is not config-
operations and lack of support for Saharawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe poorest province, Manicaland, classification. ured to drive balanced economic
vulnerable trade groups such as (Demmszz) — that asked for a has a measly per capita GDP of growth despite its commitment
women and the youth. phased reduction of economic US$743. For the poorest province, the to devolution. What we need are
tariffs across a range of goods and hurdle rate is even higher, if not provincial National Development
The first phase focuses on services. The metropolitan provinces daunting. Strategies with clear real growth
agreements on trade in goods have combined average per capita hurdle rates. If this is not done,
and services. The second phase is The Demmszz were granted GDP of US$3 331, compared Let us take Manicaland as an we will have richer metropoli-
expected to go into operation on permission to fully liberalise trade with the combined non-metro- example; this province will need tan provinces and even poorer
January 1 2021. The second phase (complete removal of tariffs) on politan provinces’ average per to increase its economic output non-metropolitan provinces.
non-sensitive goods and services capita GDP of US$1 063. by at least 451%.
in two steps: 85% liberalisation We risk having upper mid-
over 10 years and the remaining The difference is astounding; There are serious questions to dle-income Bulawayo and Harare
15% over 15 years. metropolitan provinces have a be asked. surrounded by a national sea
GDP that is 3.31 times as big as of poverty. This is not shared
On sensitive goods and ser- the non-metropolitan GDP. It is How does Manicaland become growth.
vices, the Demmszz are expected even more astounding when the the poorest province with a mea-
to fully liberalise in 13 years. metropolitan provincial GDP is sly per capita GDP of US$743 The way our NDS 1 is con-
yet it produces diamonds, tea, figured will widen economic
The rate of liberalisation will timber, fruit and dairy? inequality in Zimbabwe.
be linear, meaning tariffs will be
reduced in equal quantum over How does Mashonaland Cen- To remedy this strategy defect,
the timeframe until tariffs are tral, a rich farming area, for its agro-food and mineral value
zero. potential has only a shocking per chains envisaged by the NDS 1
capita GDP of US$784? need to be at the provincial levels
where the primary production
How does Masvingo, with vast occurs.

If we do not keep our eye on
this one, the natural forces of ag-
glomeration will result in upward
value chain development being
concentrated in mostly Harare.

I am afraid to arrive at an
unpalatable conclusion: NDS 1
needs fundamental re-engineer-
ing.

The ink of NDS 1 is wet. Let
us accept that we made two fun-
damental omissions: AfCTA and
the provincial economic dispar-
ities. The national scoreboard,
on per capita GDP needs to be
disaggregated to provinces so that
our strategy focusses on moving
the economic output up—the
current provincial per capita
GDP baselines show that NDS
1 needs to me made more robust
than it currently is.
Silika is based in Britain and
holds a PhD in forensic ar-
chaeology and genocide from
Staffordshire University in the
United Kingdom.

Business

MATTERSNewsHawks

MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
EUR/USD 1.181 +0.003 +0.24 -0.46
USD/JPY 105.12 -0.3 -0.285 *OIL 41.26 -0.19 -1.01
GBP/USD 1.311 -0.011 -0.809 -2.31
USD/CHF 0.915 -0.002 -0.262 *RBOB GAS 1.164 -0.012 +0.709
USD/CAD 1.314 +0.008 +0.6 +0.16
*NAT GAS 2.961 -0.07

*GOLD 1,874.8 +13.2

*SILVER 24.305 +0.038

Iconic engineering firm crumbles

PHILLIP Chiyangwa’s flagship tion currency. ferent. ments for the Zimbabwe build- Phillip Chiyangwa
company, Zeco Holdings Limit- GMI said had the assessment Formerly known as Resco, ing and construction sector. It
ed, has crumbled, with auditors exports to countries in sub-Sa- and its operating subsidiaries
raising a red flag over the going required by IAS 21 occurred in the company also manufactures haran Africa. Electrical and Mechanical Sup-
concern status of the perennial the correct period from 1 Oc- roller shutters, electronic ga- pliers and Importers (Private)
lossmaker. tober 2018 been recognised in rage doors, steel windows and In 2008, the company ac- Limited, Halgor Estate (Private)
the comparative 2019 period, it door frames, burglar bars, filing quired all the assets held by Cor- Limited, FaiT Lux (Private)
Zeco is listed on the Zimba- would have been materially dif- cabinets and agricultural imple- bett Holdings (Private) Limited Limited and Zimplastics (Pri-
bwe Stock Exchange and builds vate) Limited. - STAFF WRITER
rail wagons and locomotives
through its subsidiaries for util-
ities in Zambia, Tanzania, Mo-
zambique, Ethiopia and Kenya.

The company’s shares are now
trading at ZW$ cents 0.02 on
the ZSE.

The firm’s auditors, MGI
Charted Accountants, said the
negative earnings for the six
months ended 30 June 2020 in-
dicated the existence of a mate-
rial uncertainty.

“These conditions may indi-
cate the existence of material
uncertainty that may cast sig-
nificant doubt about the com-
pany’s ability to continue as a
going concern. The financial
statements do not include any
adjustments that might result
from the outcome of this uncer-
tainty,” said MGI.

During the period, the com-
pany posted negative earnings
of ZW$63 095 900 while liabili-
ties exceeded ZW$2 585 266.

This is despite the compa-
ny’s outlook that says even un-
der challenging operating cir-
cumstances, the business will
continue to thrive based on its
dedicated staff and unrelenting
desire to continuously improve.

The company incurred a loss
of ZW$2.766 million (inflation
adjusted ZW$7.260m) while
non-current assets as at 30 June
2020 amounted to ZW$228.657
million (inflation adjusted
ZW$599.697m).

MGI also made an adverse
opinion on the company’s
non-compliance to Internation-
al Accounting Standard 21 (the
Effects of Changes in Foreign
Exchange Rates) which outlines
how to account for foreign cur-
rency transactions and opera-
tions in financial statements,
and also how to translate finan-
cial statements into a presenta-

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 15

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

DUMISANI NYONI PPC posts solid results Zimbabwe blocked funds re-
despite economic turmoil sulted in a fair value loss of R10
REGIONAL cement maker PPC million, it said.
says revenue at its Zimbabwean The group said its unit contin- strictions across the jurisdictions margin of 19.9% while operating
unit grew by 60% to R797 million ues to meet its debt obligations in which the group operates. profits increased by 77% to R610 The application of International
for the six months ended 30 Sep- in-country while remaining fi- million. Accounting Standard 29 (Finan-
tember 2020, despite a challenging nancially self-sufficient, and re- The cost of sales declined by 4% cial Reporting in Hyperinflation-
economic environment and the cently declared a dividend to its to R3 895 million compared with Fair value adjustments and for- ary Economies) resulted in a net
impact of Covid-19-related lock- shareholders of US$6.6 million, of the previous year due to cost sav- eign exchange movements resulted monetary gain amounting to R326
down restrictions. which PPC is entitled to US$4.7 ings, a dip in volumes and a reduc- in a loss of R366 million, mostly as million.
million. tion in depreciation and amortisa- a result of the revaluation of for-
PPC operates a clinker plant at tion. eign-denominated inter-company Finance costs increased by 5%
Colleen Bawn in Gwanda in the PPC received US$4.4 million af- loan accounts. to R330 million due to currency
southern part of the country, as ter withholding tax. Administration and other op- movements on foreign currency-
well as a cement milling plant out- erating expenditure declined by PPC said the fair value gain on denominated debt.
side Bulawayo and a third factory Despite the initial COVID-19 10% to R492 million, driven by the the Zimbabwe financial asset of
in Harare. related trading restrictions, group successful efforts to improve cost R139 million consists of intrinsic Taxation decreased to R109
revenue increased by 1% to R5 006 competitiveness. value gain of R202 million and million relative to R195 million,
Apart from South Africa and million due to robust cement sales credit risk fair value loss of R63 restated in September 2019.
Zimbabwe, PPC also has units in post the easing of COVID-19 re- Group Ebitda increased by 15% million.
Botswana, Ethiopia, Democratic to R996 million with an Ebitda “After taking into account the
Republic of Congo and Rwanda. above fair value adjustments and
hyperinflation, earnings and head-
“Although trading conditions in line earnings attributable to share-
Zimbabwe were characterised by holders of PPC Ltd declined by
a challenging economic environ- 37% to R287 million,” it said.
ment and the impact of Covid-19
related lockdown restrictions, do- Net cash inflow from operating
mestic cement volumes grew by activities amounted to R769 mil-
5% - 10%, supported by ongoing lion while cash generation benefit-
infrastructure projects,” PPC said ted from improvements in Ebitda
in its financial statement. and a reduction in working capital
absorption to R21 million.
PPC Zimbabwe cement sales
grew in the similar range, support- Cash generation and preserva-
ed by an increase in volumes of tion remain a key priority for the
35% to 40% in the second quarter. group, PPC said.

“The positive sales momentum Capital investments in prop-
has continued into October and erty, plant and      equipment      de-
November, albeit at a normalised creased   by   26%   to   R166 million.
rate,” it said.
In the period under review,
In the period under review, ce- gross debt amounted to R5 218
ment pricing was adjusted to ac- million.
count for the increase in inflation
and the devaluation of the local In the outlook, PPC said al-
currency. though it is experiencing positive
sales momentum across most of
As such, realised selling prices its markets, it remains cautious on
in US dollars increased by 23%. the outlook for the rest of full-year
20,21 given the ongoing health cri-
Earnings before interest, tax- sis and its resultant impact on eco-
es, depreciation and amortisa- nomic activity.
tion (Ebitda) improved by 62% to
R326 million and Ebitda margins “PPC will remain focused on
improved to 40.9%, compared to cash preservation and improving
40.4% in September 2019. cost competitiveness by lowering
operational costs,” it said.

Caledonia optimistic amid economic uncertainty

DUMISANI NYONI It also said restrictions on the ness environment, Caledonia said Blanket currently intends to invest The company also said it needs
movement of currency and the it intends to invest approximately approximately US$7 million in No- access to foreign currency in Zim-
ONE of the country’s biggest for- availability of foreign currency to US$30 million in Zimbabwe be- vember and December 2020 which babwe so that it can pay for import-
eign-controlled firms, Caledonia make payments from Zimbabwe are tween this year and 2022 to main- is not yet committed and a further ed goods and equipment and remit
Mining Corporation, plans to in- a threat. tain its existing operations. US$23 million in the years 2021 funds to group companies outside
vest US$30 million in the next two and 2022, which is also uncommit- Zimbabwe.
years despite concerns that Zimba- “…risks relating to inflationary “The capital expenditure com- ted.
bwe’s commercial environment is pressures…; risks relating to possi- mitments relate primarily to materi- At prevailing gold prices and
unpredictable with high potential ble corruption, bribery, civil disor- als and equipment which have been “These exclude solar costs of the current rate of production, the
risks like unforeseen changes in the der, expropriation or nationalisa- ordered by CMSA (Caledonia Min- US$7.5 million to be incurred company said it has access to suffi-
legal and regulatory framework. tion; risks relating to restrictions on during 2020 and US$4.5 million cient foreign currency to continue
access to assets and the risk that the Blanket Gold Mine in 2021. The committed and un- normal mining operations, to ful-
Caledonia operates Blanket Mine Zimbabwe government is unable to ing South Africa Proprietary Limit- committed investment will be used ly implement the investment plan
in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, pay its liabilities to Blanket.” ed) to equip the Central Shaft,” it to maintain Blanket’s existing oper- as scheduled and allow Caledonia
one of the country’s biggest bullion said ations and implement the Central to remit dividends and loan repay-
extraction outfits. The company, however, believes Shaft….and construct the proposed ments from Zimbabwe.
that it has minimised such risks by “In addition to the committed solar plant,” it said.
In its latest management’s dis- complying fully with all relevant purchase obligations set out above, “No assurance can be given that
cussion and analysis report, the legislation, by obtaining all relevant The company said committed sufficient foreign currency will con-
Jersey-based firm said Zimbabwe’s regulatory permissions and approv- and uncommitted purchase obliga- tinue to be available,” it said.
business environment was unpre- als and by regular and proactive tions are expected to be met from
dictable. engagement with the relevant au- the cash generated from Blanket’s “The company needs to identify
thorities. existing operations and existing new resources to replace ore which
“The commercial environment borrowing facilities and, in respect has been depleted by mining activi-
in which the company (Caledonia) Zimbabwe’s economic environ- of the cost of the proposed solar ties and to commence new projects.
operates is unpredictable. Potential ment is characterised by policy project, the proceeds of the issue of
risks may arise from: unforeseen inconsistencies whereby the gov- shares. “No assurance can be given that
changes in the legal and regulatory ernment makes a policy today and exploration will be successful in
framework, which means that laws changes it tomorrow, making it dif- So far, Caledonia has invested identifying sufficient mineral re-
may change, may not be enforced, ficult to operate as it increases the approximately US$60 million in its sources of an adequate grade and
or judgements may not be up- cost of doing business. However, flagship central shaft project, which suitable metallurgical characteristics
held…,” the report reads in part. despite the unpredictable busi- is due to be commissioned in 2021. that are suitable for further develop-
ment or production,” it said.

Page 16 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Crooked companies divert pension contributions

DUMISANI NYONI Ipec commissioner of insurance, pension and provident funds Grace Muradzikwa sioner of insurance, pension and
provident funds Grace Muradzikwa
THE Insurance and Pensions Com- all when they retire. ly before Parliament. cer shall be required to report to Ipec said the 2009 experience gave them a
mission (Ipec) says many companies Penalties for non-remittance of Clause 17 of the Bill states that within seven days after the end of the lot of lessons about how to deal with
in Zimbabwe have, since 2009, not 14 days. currency reforms, particularly for
been remitting contributions to their pension contributions are provided sponsoring employers shall be re- their sector.
respective pension funds, thereby for in the pension regulations. How- quired to remit pension contribu- A principal officer who fails to re-
condemning their former employees ever, they are not deterrent enough tions within 14 days after the end of port this to Ipec shall be guilty of an “We have been very proactive in
to poverty post-retirement. since they are limited to a level six the month in respect of which the offence and liable to a category 1 civil terms of our response in guiding the
fine or imprisonment for one year, contributions were payable. penalty. This will only not apply if it industry on how to respond to the
When companies deduct pension or both such fine and such imprison- is proved that he or she took no part 2019 currency reforms and their im-
contributions from employees, they ment. For example, pension contribu- in the commission of the offence. pact on the insurance and pension in-
are required by law to remit the mon- tions for August should have been dustry. Most importantly, the Com-
ey to pension funds. To address this gap, Ipec has pro- remitted to the pension fund by 14 Thousands of pensioners lost mission gave proper guidance around
posed strengthening the Pension September. Sponsoring employers their benefits during the switch-over the determination and distribution
But according to Ipec, the compa- and Provident Funds Bill to force who fail to remit contributions with- from the Zimbabwean dollar to the of any revaluation gains that arose
nies are failing to remit the contribu- sponsoring employers to remit con- in the specified period shall be guilty multi-currency system in 2009 and because of the currency reforms and
tions despite the penalties associated tributions. The Bill, whose objectives of an offence and liable to a stiffer cat- were currently living in abject pov- the subsequent impact of inflation,”
with non-remittance of pension con- include protection of fund members’ egory 1 civil penalty. erty. she said.
tributions. and beneficiaries’ interests, is current-
The pension fund’s principal offi- In response to this, Ipec commis- “Though the Commission was
So serious is the situation that leading in terms of the development
Ipec has come up with a Pension and of this guidance, the process itself was
Provident Funds Bill to force employ- very consultative and feedback from
ers to remit contributions. our key stakeholders was taken into
account. We are also grateful to the
“There are some sponsoring em- World Bank for the support they gave
ployers who have also not remitted us in this exercise.”
contributions to their respective pen-
sion funds since 2009. This has con- In addition, Muradzikwa said the
demned their former employees to commission had also enhanced its
poverty post-retirement. Those work- collaboration with the Reserve Bank
ers would have retired confident that of Zimbabwe and the ministry of Fi-
they had secured their future, only to nance to ensure that fiscal and mon-
find out that they have no income,” etary policy pronouncements do not
Ipec said in its latest report. have unintended adverse effects on
policyholders and pension scheme
It also revealed that some pension members.
contributions arrears date back to the
1990s and some of these contribu- “The Commission has also in-
tions were written off in 2009 when creased its skills to enhance oversight
the country adopted the multi-cur- on the operations of insurance com-
rency system. panies and pension funds especially
in light of the obtaining macro-eco-
According to the proposed Bill, nomic environment,” she said.
chief executive officers and finance
directors who deduct pension contri- She said one of the major causes of
butions, but do not remit the same the loss of value for policyholders and
to pension funds will face civil and pension scheme members during pre-
criminal penalties in their personal vious currency conversions has been
capacities if the law is promulgated. the lack of separation between policy-
holders’ and shareholders’ funds.
Ipec said pension contribution
arrears among the biggest challenges “To close this gap, we have en-
facing the pension sector with about forced the separation of assets and
$890 million in unremitted contri- engaged a consultant to assist with re-
butions recorded as at 30 June 2020. viewing the separation of assets done
When companies are not remitting by insurers. By doing this, we will be
the contributions, it affects employ- able to validate if it was done correct-
ees as they sometimes end up receiv- ly,” she said.
ing reduced benefits or no benefits at

MERLIN GARWE High actuarial fees hamper year 2020 and thereafter.
HIGH costs associated with actuar- insurance, pension sector To minimise inter-generational
ial valuations and the processing of
financial statements have crippled Pensions Commission (Ipec) in 2019 Ipec commissioner Grace Mu- pliance regards submissions for the transfer of wealth in a hyperinflation-
the pension and insurance industry issued a framework of guidelines on radzikwa, in a paper addressed to the second measurements date of 30th ary environment she compelled the
which is struggling to comply with the determination and treatment of industry, said in respect of the first June 2020 interms of the guidance industry to ensure that the returns be
stipulated guidelines in relation to ad- the revaluation gains to provide key compliance date, the commission ob- paper,” she said quickly distributed to policyholders.
justing insurance and pension values principles to be adhered to by all served a lack of compliance with the
in line with 2019 currency reforms. insurance companies and pension statutory submission deadlines, in- “The commission has however re- “After careful evaluation of the
funds when determining and allocat- complete submissions by some of the ceived requests from the industry to 2019 submissions by the industry
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ing revaluation gains that arose as a players and inadequate application suspend the 30th of June 2020 sub- and consideration of the industry’s
separated nostro and Real-Time result of the currency reforms. of all the provisions of the guidance missions on account of high costs of various representations regarding
Gross Settlement (RTGS) accounts in paper. financial statements half yearly as well suspension of the June 2020 sub-
2018 before banning the multi-cur- The high costs associated with im- as at the end of the year as is required missions required in terms of the
rency regime in 2019, followed by plementing financial and actuarial “Please note that failure to make in terms of section 9.3.1 of the guid- guidance paper, the commission in
declaration of the Zimbabwean dol- valuations has seen Ipec suspending submissions as required in terms of ance paper, high costs of carrying out line with section 3 of SI (Statutory
lar as the sole legal tender. the second measurement in line with Section 28 of the guidance adjusting actuarial valuations as at 30 June as Instrument) 69 of 2020 has therefore
guidance which was set for 30 June insurance and pensions values in re- well as at the end of the year and dif- decided to replace 30 June submis-
Following the reforms, all financial 2020, replacing it with regular bonus sponse to currency reforms attracts ficulty in interpretation of the certain sions interim valuations only with
accounts expressed in United States declarations. a level 4 penalty of $1 200 for each sections of the guidance paper.” more regular declarations, prefera-
dollars as of 22 February 2019 (ex- day the fund /or insurer is in default bly monthly, as a convenient way of
cept FCA nostro accounts) were then Before then, insurance and pen- in terms of Section 5 of the insurance Muradzikwa added that the com- quickly passing returns to members
expressed in the Zimbabwean dollar. sion firms had also failed satisfy the and pensions regulations. The com- mission’s analysis revealed high re- or policyholders,” Muradzikwa said.
first measurements deadline which mission has also been expecting com- valuation gains of 2019 which were
The reforms triggered a rise in the was set for 31 December 2019. realised in the first six months of the The industry has been the most
inflation rate and instability in the affected by currency reform inconsis-
exchange rate that has yielded ex- tencies and hyperinflation from over
traordinary gains for most insurance a decade ago with the Justice Smith
companies and pension funds. commission of inquiry’s recommen-
dations yet to be implemented.
In response, the Insurance and

NewsHawks Executive Chat Page 17

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Securities players should invest in ICT

There have been a number of regu- TANAKA MELUSI MUSIWA - Managing Director MG: What are your thoughts on
latory changes on the securities mar- Bachelor Of Business Law (Monash University - Melbourne), Zimbabwe’s securities market?
ket that affect the transfer of shares Currently Pursuing An MBA (Deakin University – Melbourne) TM: We have seen commendable
and other issues related to securities. effort on the introduction of mobile
As market participants continue to removed, except for special circum- dends that are over a billion Zimba- MG: What has been your valuable and online trading as this has the
innovate, this week our reporter stances such as the transfer of shares bwean dollars, although the actual innovation over the years? impact of reaching out to a broader
Merlin Garwe (MG) spoke to First marked for inheritance purposes. value in real terms has been eroded TM: We have continuously im- spectrum of the population.
Transfer Secretaries managing direc- by inflation. proved our ICT systems as well as
tor Tanaka Musiwa (TM) who said This area used to constitute the the IT infrastructure. Our latest In terms of the deepening of the
market participants should contin- bulk of our transactional work. Following the launch of the CSD development has been the introduc- market, the introduction of the first
ue to innovate around their infor- in 2014, we dematerialised large tion of the Virtual meeting software Exchange Traded Fund (EFT) by
mation communication technology Issuers no longer have to spend volumes of scrip for the active share- and the FTS Live system. Old Mutual is a welcome develop-
systems in order to achieve efficien- substantial amounts acquiring share holders as the new requirements MG: Covid-19 is still among us. ment. We now look forward to the
cies and to lower costs. Below is the certificates. dictate that all shares that are to be How has it affected your opera- introduction of Real Estate Invest-
interview. traded on the stock exchange should tions? ment Trusts (REITS) as has hap-
MG: Take us through your busi- SECZ has made it mandatory be demated. TM: In response to the Covid-19 pened in other developed countries.
ness and explain how relevant it is that the control of dividends be pandemic, we set up systems that The necessary legislation has been
in the securities markets in Zim- vested in the hands of the transfer The volumes started declining to- enable our employees to work from put in place to accommodate these
babwe. secretaries instead of the issuer, to wards the end of 2018 because most home. Consequently, during the new products.
TM: First Transfer Secretaries (Pri- provide the necessary firewalls. active investors had completed de- lockdown there has been no dis-
vate) Limited (FTS) is involved in positing their shares on the CSD. ruption in our services to clients There are a number of products
the business of providing transfer This has brought about more and stakeholders. The system has yet to be introduced that will im-
secretarial or registry services. It responsibilities being vested in the Over the past five years we ad- worked so well. prove on market liquidity such a
provides services to both listed and hands of the transfer agents. ministered three new listings, that is turnaround trades and securities
unlisted companies. Proplastics Limited, Getbucks Mi- Evidently, the Covid-19 pan- lending and borrowing.
Off-market transactions previ- crofinance Bank Limited and Cas- demic and resultant lockdown have
Our services include administra- ously done by the transfer secretar- sava Smartech Limited. adversely affected the operations of In order to attract foreign inves-
tion of registers for equities, bonds, ies are no longer permissible as all a number of our clients who did tors, the cost of trading on the se-
dentures, and preference shares, trades have to be done on the ex- Getbucks Microfinance Bank not fall under the essential services curities market should be lowered
Initial Public Offers (IPOs), rights change. Limited was listed through an Ini- as per the government directive to so that Zimbabwe remains as com-
issues, claw-back transactions, bo- MG: What can you say about vol- tial Public Offering and Proplas- operate from home. Some were not petitive as its regional counterparts.
nus issues, consolidations, share umes that you have handled over tics Limited and Cassava Smartech able to pay dividends. In that regards, we feel that some of
splits, mergers and acquisitions, the years? Zimbabwe Limited were introduced the taxes and levies need to be re-
unbundling, capital re-construc- TM: Over the years, the values of through an unbundling. vised downwards.
tion and re-organisations, payment the dividends that we have been
of dividends, either as cash or scrip handling have been continuously There has been some activity on There should be further efforts
or dividend in specie, payment of increasing. bond administration where we ad- on bringing public awareness to the
bond interest as well as the princi- ministered six bonds and two de- marginalised communities that per-
pal repayments, administration of This year alone we processed divi- bentures for our clients for the past haps feel that the securities market
annual general meetings, extra-or- five years. is only for the elite.
dinary general meetings and scheme MG: What key innovations are
of re-construction meetings and needed to make it a level playing
bond or debenture trustees, among field?
others . TM: Market participants should
MG: What can you say have been continue to innovate around their
the major challenges you have ICT systems in order to bring in
faced in Zimbabwe? efficiencies and to lower costs. In-
TM: The major challenge has been teroperability should be encouraged
the lack of availability of foreign to ensure that as many systems as
currency that has negatively impact- possible, from diverse participants,
ed on the remittance of dividends can interlink to provide efficiencies
payable to foreign shareholders. and wider options.
MG: What can you say have been
the trends of transfer of owner- The market should strive to go
ship of securities in Zimbabwe? paperless as much as is practical.
TM: The key investors have been The authorities should consider
the corporate investors and institu- waiving some taxes and levies for
tional investors who have the capac- shareholders selling small parcels of
ity to push large volumes. shares.
MG: In the outlook, what can you
Lately, due to challenges faced in say about your future?
the remittance of dividends and sale TM: The future looks promising for
proceeds, the foreign investor par- Zimbabweans companies, especially
ticipation has been low. for those in the ICT space as well as
MG: How has regulation affected those in the securities sector.
your line of business?
TM: Several regulations have been There are limitless opportunities,
put in place by the Securities and provided one continues to innovate
Exchange Commission of Zimba- and take advantage of the opening
bwe (SECZ) to protect the market of the marketing sector.
and in particular the investors.
The availability of foreign cur-
All shares traded on the stock ex- rency, or lack of it, will continue to
change now require that they be de- have an impact on the remittance of
materialised before they are traded. dividends and repatriation of de-in-
vestment proceeds.
This has meant that the process-
ing of share certificates on trades The prioritisation of this area will
by the transfer secretaries has been no doubt attract more foreign inves-
tors.

We anticipate that FTS will con-
tinue to play an increasing role in
the advisory services on corporate
actions as the economy grows and
our capital market continues to
deepen.

Page 18 Taking Stock NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Price Sheet

Thursday, 10 December 2020 A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Ticker Price Traded Traded Traded Change Change (%) Cap
(cents) 2150.00 Volume Value ($) (cents) (%) ($m)
Price 200.00
AFDIS Consumer Goods AFDIS: ZH 2209.81 350.00 100 2,150.00 -59.81 -2.71 573.98 2,522.08
African Sun Consumer Services ASUN: ZH 197.50 2150.00 134.80 2,400 4,800.00 2.50 1.27 700.00 1,723.54
ART ARTD: ZH 350.00 200.00 514.35 2,100.00 2592.31 1,529.42
Ariston Industrials ARISTON: ZH 135.00 350.00 302.27 600 13,749.75 - - 611.35 2,193.73
Axia Consumer Services AXIA: ZH 510.53 134.75 40775.00 10,200 4,687,753.00 -0.20 -0.15 754.40 2,802.66
BNC BIND: ZH 299.04 550.00 7500.00 911,400 26,600.00 3.82 0.75 1768.17 3,777.94
BAT Consumer Goods 40775.00 300.00 440.62 8,800 3.23 1.08 753.93 8,413.32
CAFCA Basic Materials BAT: ZH 7500.00 4520.52 - 4113.01
Cassava CAFCA: ZH 416.00 - 885.00 - - - - 214.73 655.13
CBZ Consumer Goods 4407.90 - 65.00 - 4,803,686.00 - - 6384.75 11,414.60
Dairibord Industrials CSZL: ZH 883.33 441.00 2338.40 1,090,200 21,775,350.00 24.62 5.92 1970.18 31,066.45
Dawn CBZ: ZH 62.50 5000.00 700.10 481,700 1,770.00 112.62 2.55 790.41 3,168.31
Delta Technology DZL: ZH 2399.99 885.00 100.00 200 715.00 1.67 0.19 586.25 1,597.16
Econet Banking DAWN: ZH 700.03 65.00 1450.03 1,100 1,428,760.00 2.50 4.00 368.48 30,035.84
Edgars DLTA: ZH 100.00 2350.00 150.00 61,100 9,704,755.00 -61.59 -2.57 376.19 18,136.63
FBC Consumer Goods ECO: ZH 1350.00 701.00 94.84 1,386,200 1,400.00 0.07 0.01 2122.27
Fidelity Real Estate EDGR: ZH 150.00 100.00 500.00 1,400 4,712,600.00 - - 1541.14 326.99
First Capital FBC: ZH 94.21 1450.00 210.12 325,000 - 100.03 7.41 962.04 9,743.48
FML Consumer Goods FIDL: ZH 475.00 - 17.00 - 69,426.00 - - 1415.15
FMP Telecommunications FCA: ZH 219.76 98.00 12.50 73,200 3,000.00 0.63 0.67 1136.00 163.38
GBH Consumer Services FMHL: ZH 17.00 500.00 3519.91 600 108,630.00 25.00 5.26 608.33 2,045.43
Getbucks FMP: ZH 12.50 210.00 3314.95 51,700 - -9.64 -4.39 4.17 3,450.72
Hippo Banking GBH: ZH 3260.00 - 800.00 - - - - 1705.08 2,601.62
Innscor Financial Services GBFS: ZH 3094.69 - 64.09 - 1,224,930.00 - - 835.79
Lafarge HIPO: ZH 800.00 3520.00 884.00 34,800 13,780,260.00 259.91 7.97 344.44 91.22
Mash Banking INN: ZH 64.09 3500.00 7.90 415,700 - 220.26 7.12 721.67 145.39
Masimba Financial Services LACZ: ZH 884.00 - 2062.65 - - - - 4797.51 6,794.15
Medtech MASH: ZH 7.90 - 125.00 - - - - 419.74 18,722.06
Meikles Real Estate MSHL: ZH 2000.00 - 6010.00 - 531,006.40 - - 712.07 640.00
Nampak Industrials MMDZ: ZH 125.00 7.90 22.90 6,721,600 513,600.00 - - 73.61 1,191.48
NatFoods MEIK: ZH 6010.00 2400.00 320.00 24,900 - 62.65 3.13 567.04 2,136.22
NTS Financial Services NPKZ: ZH 22.90 - 703.80 - - - - 965.12 240.14
NMBZ Consumer Goods NTFD: ZH 320.00 - 1984.76 - - - - 680.49 5,211.20
OK Zim NTS: ZH 700.91 - 185.63 - 35,520.00 - - 1174.08 944.56
Padenga Industrials NMB: ZH 1655.00 320.00 581.11 11,100 16,451,360.00 - - 683.72 4,110.85
Powerspeed Industrials OKZ: ZH 185.63 701.00 192.00 2,337,500 4,104,490.00 2.89 0.41 828.15 58.14
Proplastics Real Estate PHL: ZH 580.00 1985.00 1076.06 206,800 - 329.76 19.93 608.67 1,293.35
RTG Industrials PWS: ZH 192.00 - 2100.50 - 208,620.00 - - 1224.14 8,775.07
RioZim Healthcare PROL: ZH 1076.06 580.00 845.31 35,900 1,152.00 1.11 0.19 358.68 10,749.33
SeedCo Industrials RTG: ZH 2000.00 192.00 27.00 600 - - - 1212.81 694.70
Simbisa Industrials RIOZ: ZH 849.99 - 15.58 - 1,365,325.00 - - 572.91 1,464.02
Star Africa Consumer Goods SEED: ZH 27.00 2165.00 600.00 65,000 1,154,690.00 100.50 5.03 660.56 4,791.35
Truworths Industrials SIM: ZH 15.58 850.00 78.24 136,600 9,693.00 -4.68 -0.55 720.00 1,313.11
TSL SACL: ZH 600.00 27.00 15.50 35,900 - - - 692.08 5,157.32
Turnall Banking TRUW: ZH 78.24 - 24.63 - - - - 611.27 4,752.20
Unifreight Consumer Services TSL: ZH 15.50 - 2294.44 - - - - 72.22 1,273.07
Willdale TURN: ZH 26.00 - 0.02 - - - - 603.71 59.84
ZB Consumer Goods UNIF: ZH 2200.00 - 85.00 - 9,433.00 - - 3086.72 2,142.61
Zeco Industrials WILD: ZH 0.02 24.50 400.31 38,300 41,300.00 -1.37 -5.27 385.75
Zimpapers Industrials ZBFH: ZH 78.00 2300.00 260.02 1,800 - 94.44 4.29 - 16.50
Zimplow ZECO: ZH 400.31 - - 340,000.00 - - 534.33 437.92
ZHL Consumer Services ZIMP: ZH 271.25 85.00 400,000 - 7.00 8.97 561.67 4,019.64
TOTAL Basic Materials ZIMPLOW: ZH - - 237,920.00 - - 1633.47
ZHL: ZH 270.00 91,500 87,356,544.15 -11.23 -4.14 0.09
Consumer Goods 14,963,900 489.60
Consumer Goods 954.26
Consumer Goods 3,986.99
Consumer Services 230,410.59
Consumer Goods

Industrials
Industrials
Industrials

Banking
Industrials
Consumer Services
Industrials
Financial Services

VFEX Open (US cents) Close (US cents) Change (%) TD (%) Mkt Cap (US$m) Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
SCIL
18.00 18.00 - -17.81 43.40 Padenga 1984.76c +329.76c +19.93 +683.72
FINSEC Zimpapers 85.00c +7.00c +8.97 +534.33
OMZIL Open (cents) Close (cents) Change (%) YTD (%) Mkt Cap ($m) Hippo +7.97 +1705.08
FBC 3519.91c +259.91c +7.41 +2122.27
2650.59 2650.00 -0.02 120.83 2,199.81 Innscor 1450.03c +100.03c +7.12 +835.79
3314.95c +220.26c

Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Fallers Price Change % YTD %

ZSE All Share 1,948.23 +2.46 1,901.51 +746.73 Willdale 24.63c -1.37c -5.27 +603.71
Top 10 1,269.93 +3.36 1,228.62 +523.55 FMP 210.12c -9.64c -4.39 +1136.00
Top 15 1,499.94 +2.82 1,458.74 +630.86 ZHL 260.02c -11.23c -4.14 +1633.47
Small Cap 9,538.16 +0.33 9,507.08 +1396.77 AFDIS 2150.00c -59.81c -2.71 +573.98
Medium Cap 3,847.56 +1.00 3,809.64 +1252.16 Delta 2338.40c -61.59c -2.57 +586.25

SALES & TRADING: Davide Muchengi: [email protected] | Lungani Nyamazana: [email protected] | Tatenda Jasi: [email protected]
RESEARCH: Batanai Matsika: [email protected] | Precious Chagwedera: [email protected] | Tafara Mtutu: [email protected]

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

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

independently verified; MORGAN & COMPANY makes no guarantee, representation or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability as to the accuracy or completeness of its content.

NewsHawks News Analysis Page 19

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

DUMISANI NYONI Victoria Falls stock exchange ity of these institutions and asset
THE Victoria Falls Stock Exchange struggles to attract investors classes to parties with capital that
(VFEX)—dubbed the pan-African can be directed to the same for
bourse—is struggling to attract tors were less willing to invest in he said. are coming from across the board,” ready deployment into suitable
investors, both locally and interna- the country because of the political, However, Clive Mphambela, the he said. businesses.”
tionally, due to country risk, policy economic and financial risk, mean-
inconsistency and a trust deficit, ing less companies will be listed on chief director of communications In its report titled: Econom- Launching the platform in Octo-
among other bottlenecks. VFEX. and advocacy in the Finance and ic Musings: Of the Victoria Falls ber, Finance and Economic Devel-
Economic Development ministry, Stock Exchange and Capital Flows, opment minister Mthuli Ncube
In a bid to help reduce foreign Analysts said the government said the government was very satis- Access Finance revealed that many said the bourse was a gateway for
currency and settlement risks facing should tackle corruption, in- fied with the developments so far. companies in Zimbabwe would local and global companies to raise
the economy, the government in vestment bottlenecks and eco- struggle to list on VFEX as they capital in foreign currency.
October launched VFEX, a wholly nomic risk in order to attract the “We are very satisfied. It takes were considered start-ups.
owned subsidiary of the Zimbabwe much-needed capital required to at least six months to a year to He reiterated the government’s
Stock Exchange (ZSE). fund the productive sectors in the prepare a company for listing,” he Access said before becoming desire to list a bond meant to raise
country. said, adding, “we do have quite a ready for an initial public offering funds for compensating white
The platform was also launched number of entities that are actually (IPO), many firms go through a former commercial farmers under
to help raise capital and to stimu- Economist Godfrey Kanyeze said preparing to list on VFEX, one or life cycle with each stage capable of the Global Compensation Deed
late foreign direct inflows into the the government needs to address two mining companies that are being classified by risk profile and Agreement.
Zimbabwean economy. broader issues such as country operating locally.” a certain type of investment being
risk for it to attract meaningful suited to it. The bourse allows listed compa-
But since the bourse was investors. Mphambela said they have been nies to raise and trade their stock
launched, only Seed Co Interna- approached by several South Afri- The company then listed the in any convertible hard currency,
tional has listed, raising fears about He also attributed the slow start can companies that have expressed cycles as “start-up”, which requires limiting the exchange risk.
its sustainability going forward. to the Covid-19 pandemic, which strong interest in listing on VFEX. capital through owner equity and
crippled many businesses. venture capital, “expansion”, which According to Ncube, there is a
Economic analysts attributed the “We will be meeting them early requires capitalisation through need for the creation of globally
slow start to a number of reasons, “You can never divorce what’s in the new year,” he said. owner equity, private capital and recognised stock exchanges in
chief among them policy incon- happening from the general structured debt. Africa, those that arise from envi-
sistency, trust deficit, corruption, climate. Firstly, we are in a Covid Pressed further to reveal the ronments that are devoid of any
dividend remittance bottlenecks, as context where investors are very number and nature of companies The final stage of the cycles was negative impact of exchange rate
well as unforeseen changes in the cautious, they are having their own that have approached the govern- “high growth”, where firms can fluctuations.
legal and regulatory framework. problems. It may not be the time ment, Mphambela said: “I can’t start considering IPOs or bank
to really provide a normal gauge disclose that but they are several. debt for expansion. Among the incentives being of-
“Due to the history of policy of what is happening because we Quite a number.” fered to investors that participate in
inconsistency by the government, are not in a normal environment,” “Most firms in Zimbabwe fall in VFEX is a 5% dividend withhold-
many investors and companies are Kanyeze said. He said listing was a process but the start-up and expansion stage. ing tax, exemption from capital
acting with caution especially given “we are perfectly satisfied with the At those stages of development gains withholding tax, minimal
the current challenges around lega- “It also depends in all other developments so far. We are confi- valuation, bespoke financing and currency risk and ability to move
cy debt and dividend remittances,” things that relate to Zimbabwe, dent that VFEX is the way to go. capital structures, management capital and dividends in and out
economic analyst Reginald Shoko the country risk factors. So, we We are actually in contact with sev- assistance and operational improve- freely.
said. still have to address all those issues eral South African entities, which ments are key for the firm’s growth.
that have resulted in lack of general would like to explore possibilities Capital market participants best According to Exchange Control
There is also a serious trust investment. on VFEX.” suited to this profile are private Directive RV177/2020 from the
deficit around foreign currency equity firms in their various forms central bank, all foreign currency
management in the economy, he “That’s the very reason why “VFEX is actually going to be and investment banks,” the report inflows invested into a resident
added. foreign direct investors have not a pan-African exchange and is the partly reads. company listed on the VFEX shall
been coming. All those broader only US dollar-based exchange on be from free funds or offshore
Zimbabwe has been regarded as issues also come to play because if the continent. It’s a very attractive “This is where a glaring gap funds and these investment funds
a high-risk country to invest in due we didn’t have Covid, we already option even for JSE (Johannesburg exists in the market. This gap is shall be credited to the listed
to its unpredictable legal system, had our own issues as a country,” Stock Exchange) companies, which specifically around the availabil- corporate’s investments foreign
corruption and policy inconsisten- are listed in rand. The companies currency account.
cy.
It also states that funds held in
Veteran economist John Rob- the investments FCA shall not be
ertson said the government took a subject to any surrender require-
huge misstep by opening another ments and shall be held for an
stock exchange in Victoria Falls, indefinite period for use by the
considering the size of the country. listed company.

“It is not very sensible to do Exchange control approval will
this, especially in the days of the be required from resident com-
internet and days of connectivity panies listed on the VFEX, for
across borders. It’s not necessary opening an offshore account for the
to have a second stock exchange in purposes of receiving investment
a country the size of Zimbabwe. proceeds.
So I am not surprised that there is
not much activity there. We have Non-resident companies listed
made a mistake to believe that we on the VFEX will receive invest-
should have two stock exchanges in ment funds in local or offshore
Zimbabwe,” Robertson said. investment accounts.

He said it was unlikely that The non-resident company can
investors’ interests would be served, keep funds raised from the listing
adding businesses looking for a or the balance after investing the
stock exchange listing would not required amounts in Zimbabwe.
find special benefits from choic-
es that take them away from the Foreign currency received by res-
mainstream activities. ident investors on the VFEX as dis-
investment proceeds and dividends
Economist Eddie Cross said it into their local FCA accounts, shall
will take time for the bourse to gain be eligible for meeting offshore
traction as activity on the stock payments as well as settling local
exchange depends on the trust obligations.
and confidence people have in the
country. Dividend or disinvestment pro-
ceeds due to non-resident investors
Other economists said while shall be freely remittable through
the VFEX should trade in foreign the authorised dealer without
currency, the country is currently seeking prior exchange control
facing foreign currency shortages, approval.
another limitation and stumbling
block for the financial market’s to Despite all these measures put in
roll out trading operations. place, VFEX is still failing to attract
more investors.
They opined that foreign inves-

Page 20 Opinion NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Search for consensus-building initiatives
in Zimbabwe and lessons for the future

SABELO J. NDLOVU-GATSHENI postcolonialism it did not solve all At least the coalition government The next terrain of violent rivalry closed again.
the major issues which had caused brought PF Zapu and white minority involved the Movement for Dem- Paradigmatically, the drama of
THE search for postcolonial national the conflicts and war of liberation. elements together. The reality, how- ocratic Change (MDC) formations
consensus in Zimbabwe has taken ever, is that Zanu PF continued to and Zanu PF. Opposition has con- national politics shifted from Zanu
the form of negotiations, experi- The land question remained pursue politics as though Zimbabwe sistently been regarded as enemy that PF-MDC ructions to intra-Zanu PF
ments in coalition and inclusive unsolved as the new Lancaster House was a one-party state and constituted hard to be crushed violently. factional conflicts taking the form of
government, unity accord, external Constitution included a clause that by a singular ethnic group. jostling over succession to Mugabe.
mediation, and most recently direct prevented any form of radical land Thus, the emergence of the MDC Two major factions emerged within
intervention of the military in civil reform during the first decade of in- Political suspicions and even in September 1999 as a formidable ZANU-PF namely the G40 that had
political affairs in November 2017. dependence (1980-1990). Inevitably, outright hostilities between the two opposition formation backed by the the favour of Mugabe and his wife
the struggles for land had to return former liberation movements (Zanu labour movement and supported Grace Mugabe and Lacoste which
These postcolonial consensuses in a very violent manner dubbed PF and PF Zapu) remained appar- by white farmers, provoked Zanu supported Emerson Mnangagwa as a
building initiatives have been aimed ‘jambanja’ and ideologically justified ent and it is not surprising that the PF and Mugabe to brand it as a successor to Mugabe.
at resolving particular forms of as the Third Chimurenga. coalition government could not last counter-revolutionary, neo-liberal
conflicts beginning with the ‘Rho- even three years before the country and indeed puppet formation serving The factional fights became so
desian problem’ of settler colonial- If one connects the discussion and plunged into what became known ‘Western’ interests. rough that eventually the military
ism, bringing contending political resolutions of the Lancaster House as Operation Gukurahundi (1983- forces had to take sides and support-
formations into one government (to Conference on land and the current 1987). Therefore, its members and leader- ed the Lacoste group and in Novem-
test possibilities of a one-party state), initiatives by the Emerson Mnangag- ship were subjected to various forms ber 2017 they launched a military
the ending of violence that engulfed wa regime to mobilise funds to com- The Unity Accord of 1987 while of violence from 2000 onwards. coup which toppled Mugabe and
Matebeleland and the Midlands pensate white farmers who lost their successful in bringing to an end the Thus, it was a combination of closure opened the way for the ascendency
region in the 1980s and resumption land under the Third Chimurenga, it atrocities committed mainly by the of political space, collapsing econo- to power of Mnangagwa in 2018.
of the one-party state agenda, the makes sense to table the resolution of Fifth Brigade on civilian population my signified by unprecedented infla-
resolution of struggles for democracy, land question as an issue which cuts of Matebeleland and the Midlands tion, and massive outward migration The limits of this military inter-
human rights, and economic recov- across from 1980 to the present. regions and opened the way for Zanu of Zimbabweans, which provoked vention in civilian politics under
ery through inclusive government, PF to swallow PF Zapu, the unity intervention of the Southern African the banner of ‘restoring legacy’ is
and the dealing with intra-Zanu PF Even at the very dawn of the of the nation remained at stake and Development Community (SADC) that it not only brought the military
factional conflicts through military political independence of Zimbabwe at bay. represented by President Thabo into party-politics but that it failed
intervention in civilian politics. in April 1980, the newly elected Mbeki of South Africa. to unite even Zanu PF itself, failed
leader Mugabe’s reconciliation speech Political elites accommodated inaugurate a new political dispensa-
Analytically, one wonders whether targeted more the minority white each other but never worked hard on The mediation initiative produced tion that was better that the Mugabe
these five postcolonial initiatives constituency than the broader Afri- the healing and unity of the people the Global Political Agreement regime despite rhetoric of the ‘second
can really be approached as consen- can people who were also polarised who bore the brunt of Gukurahundi (GPA) of 15 September 2008. Once republic,’ and failed to turn around
sus-building. ethnically and politically. atrocities. again, the contending political elites the collapsing economy.
of Zimbabwe found themselves
What is emerging as a connective being persuaded to work together for Inevitably, Zimbabwe is once
across them is the desires of a pow- the purposes of peace and recon- again on a new search for a new
er-hungry political elite seeking to struction of the national economy consensus.
gain, control and consolidate power. which had collapsed.
Those who took power via mili-
The first is the Lancaster House The key limit was that the inclu- tary means have literally captured the
Settlement of 1979 that sought to sive government of 2009 became state and they have morphed into a
resolve the long-standing ‘Rhodesian another elite pact, which did not looting cabal incapable of deliver-
problem’ of white settler colonialism successfully deliver democracy and ing the country from political and
and the demands of the liberation human rights, which the MDC was economic crisis.
struggle for decolonisation. fighting for since its formation in
1999. The military has already demon-
The second is the reconciliation strated intolerance of opposition to
initiative pronounced by the newly What demonstrated the political the extent of shooting demonstrators
elected Prime Minister Robert Gabri- resilience and success of its political in broad daylight in 2018.
el Mugabe, which made possible the cunning of Zanu PF is that after July
setting up of the short-lived coalition 2013, it was back in full power. The 2018 elections have not suc-
government of 1980-1982. cessfully resolved the long-standing
The inclusive government had legitimacy question.
The third is the Unity Accord partly dented the political shine
of 22 December 1987 which was of the MDC and partly Zanu PF The Movement for Democratic
aimed at ending the conflict that had strategically and tactically used Change (MDC) Alliance which gave
had engulfed Matebeleland and the that period to re-organize itself and Zanu PF the stiffest competition in
Midlands regions of Zimbabwe from re-capture power. the 2018 elections not only disputed
1983 to 1987. the election results but also refused to
However, the economy, which recognise Mnangagwa as a duly elect-
The fourth is the Global Political had remarkably recovered under ed president of Zimbabwe, alleging
Agreement of 2008, which brought the inclusive government, entered that he rigged the elections. Con-
Zanu PF and the two Movements its collapsing trajectory once more sequently, Mnangagwa’s attempt to
for Democratic Change (MDC) and the limited open political space initiate a national consensus through
formations into an inclusive govern- Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD)
ment (2009-2012). The last is the failed to attract the main opposition
November 2017 military coup that party (the MDC Alliance).
saw the military forces intervening
directly in civilian politics resulting The privileging of political actors
in the removal from power of Robert always short-changed the citizens as
Mugabe and taking over of party and political stakeholders and is in this
government by Emerson Mnangag- case so narrowly defined to mean
wa. political parties most of which have
no support of any people at all.
Because these initiatives were
marred by power politics and were Once again, Zimbabwe is experi-
never underpinned by imperatives encing a political gridlock with deep
of accountability to the citizens, they consequences for the economy.
inevitably had few positive and more
negative aspects and key lessons are Mnangagwa’s attempts to attract
mainly about what has to be avoided international goodwill and invest-
in future attempts at resolution of the ment through slogans as ‘Zimba-
Zimbabwean problems. bwe is open for business’ and such
promises as compensation for white
While the Lancaster House farmers whose land was compulsorily
Conference of 1979 has been hailed acquired under Mugabe regime, have
as having successfully resolved the not yet yielded any positive results.
Rhodesian problem and opened the Ndlovu-Gatsheni is the Chair
way for a politically independent in Epistemologies of the Global
Zimbabwe, like all other negotiations South African Cluster of Excel-
for transition from colonialism to lence University of Bayreuth

NewsHawks Opinion Page 21

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Africa is experiencing its first China’s Southern Africa debt the negotiations also demon-
continent-wide recession in deals reveal a wider plan strate Beijing’s official ambi-
25 years due to the impact of guity over how to respond to
the COVID-19, but many The health impact of the pandemic is still playing out in southern Africa, but the severity economic and health assistance the growing LDC debt owed,
southern African states were of economic disruption is clear with recession in most countries. due to the pandemic. as the Angola situation shows
already in economic distress China seeking maximum ad-
prior to the pandemic – with cent. And three countries are suspend interest and principal billion – Angola’s total gov- China’s debt exposure to vantage through bilateral and
Angola, Mozambique, Zambia classed as being in ‘high risk’ payments worth $110 million ernment debt-to-GDP ratio is Angola – and Pakistan – was often opaque negotiations.
and Zimbabwe partly because or ‘debt distress’ with Chinese in 2020 in concert with the currently around 120 per cent a prime reason why Beijing is
of unsustainable debt burdens lending to them already being DSSI. and servicing it eats up $9 bil- not opposing the DSSI and, in Following a virtual meeting
they owe to China. significant – Mozambique, 18 lion per year. fact, actively lobbied for Ango- of G20 finance and central
per cent; Zambia, 26 per cent; Zambia is also engaging in la to be signed up to it, as well bank governors on 18 July,
The COVID-19 crisis pro- and Zimbabwe, 25 per cent. consultations with other ‘pri- Half of all the debt service as why LDC status was accept- World Bank group president
pelled African debt – and re- vate’ Chinese lenders, although is to China and Chinese lend- ed as the participation criteria, David Malpass stated: ‘For
payment and forgiveness – to In 2019, Zambia’s debt these negotiations seem to be ers, according to data from the as the World Bank actually DSSI to be fully effective,
the top of the international reached $11.2 billion, or 48 spearheaded by China’s am- central bank, accounting for classifies Angola as a Lower there should be a standard
agenda once again, although per cent of GDP, with the IMF bassador to Lusaka. This has 45 per cent of the nation’s ex- Middle Income state. minimum set of debt-struc-
this time much of the debt is predicting a rise to nearly 70 resulted in private Eurobond ternal debt. Of the $20.1 bil- turing information. This will
bilateral, non-concessionary, per cent of GDP by the end of debt holders suggesting Zam- lion, about 75 per cent – $14.5 Angola officially asked to be avoid the secretive reschedul-
or commercial in origin. 2020. And it has now become bia will prioritize Chinese debt billion – is owed to the Chi- part of DSSI and engaged with ing that are underway in some
Africa’s first pandemic-era sov- repayment first. na Development Bank with key creditor countries on ad- countries, such as Angola and
In April, the World Bank’s ereign default after failing to $5 billion to the China Exim justing its debt financing facili- Laos, often with undisclosed
Development Committee pay a $42.5 million Eurobond China’s debt diplomacy Bank. It has also borrowed ties, but Angola’s renegotiation grace periods and terms. This
and G20 finance ministers coupon. But Zambia’s $3 bil- with Angola is illuminating from China’s largest lender, over the terms of its oil-backed fragmentation disfavors other
endorsed the Debt Service lion in outstanding Eurobonds about how Beijing is respond- ICBC. loan repayments to China – es- creditors and the people in the
Suspension Initiative (DSSI) is not its only debt as it owes ing, given Angola is particular- pecially the duration of a pay- debtor country’.
which includes 40 African $3.5 billion in bilateral debt, ly strategic for Beijing for now However, Angola could ment moratorium – is opaque. Becoming Africa’s partner of
Least Developed Countries $2.1 billion to multilaterals as the fourth largest exporter potentially save $3.4 billion preference
(LDCs). This G20 initiative, and $2.9 billion to other com- of oil to China, making up according to the IMF and the China lobbied hard for An- At the Extraordinary Chi-
backed also by the IMF and mercial lenders. 72 per cent of all Angola’s oil World Bank, which led to its gola to be part of the DSSI but na-Africa Summit on Solidari-
G7, does not provide any re- exports, although this is likely president João Lourenço join- has not provided details of the ty against COVID-19 in June,
duction in the net present val- China is also exposed to to significantly decline over the ing a group of 19 African and two countries’ own bilateral Chinese president Xi Jinping
ue of debt, but it suspended significant Zambian debt with next decade as China reduces European leaders including negotiations which seem to said Chinese financial institu-
repayment to no earlier than $3 billion owed by Lusaka to its demand on fossil fuels. Germany, France, Italy, Kenya, have reached an agreement for tions should support the DSSI
June 30, 2021. China and Chinese entities. and South Africa in April to a three-year moratorium on in- and consult African countries
The lion’s share of this is the With 34 per cent of all sign a document calling for a terest payment instalments. ‘according to market principles
Although the DSSI is not $2.6 billion owed to China’s Chinese debt for all 72 LDCs moratorium on debt and the to work out arrangements for
offering debt relief, only post- Exim Bank, which agreed to being with Angola at $20.1 granting of programmes of China seems also to have commercial loans with sover-
ponement, the G20 and the billion – and Pakistan at $16 wanted compensation in re- eign guarantees’.
Paris Club of creditors have turn for this, suggesting a long-
now endorsed a new com- term concession on the strate- Five per cent of current
mon framework for debt relief, gic Benguela railway or port Chinese lending to LDCs is
which aims to allow indebted facilities, but this was rejected interest-free and China already
poor nations to apply for debt by the Angola government signalled its intention in 2020
relief – including write-offs which instead offered extra oil to provide debt forgiveness to
– while ensuring all creditors equity in offshore blocks. It African countries with zero-in-
negotiate on the same level remains unclear if this was of terest loans under the existing
playing field. interest to Beijing and what Forum on China-Africa Co-
the final arrangements are but, operation (FOCAC) commit-
The Paris Club has also over the last month, there has ments.
agreed to a Memorandum been more foreign exchange li-
of Understanding support- quidity in Angola and seems to China is also preparing for
ing the DSSI principle, and have been a halt to some Ango- the next FOCAC summit
is advising how these can be lan oil cargoes to China. scheduled for Dakar in 2021
translated into revised lending and wants this to be a showcase
agreements as well as trying Angola’s Chinese debt bur- about post-COVID-19 recov-
to co-ordinate with non-Paris den has resulted in the Lou- ery and to show China is the
Club creditors such as China – renço administration moving preferred Africa partner.
but with mixed results. closer to Beijing again, and
Agreement provides signifi- Throughout southern Afri-
cant relief ca, Chinese diplomats are ag-
There is no doubt the DSSI gressively promoting Beijing’s
will provide significant savings COVID-19 recovery response,
to those participating in it, al- talking up donations of medi-
lowing these states to concen- cal equipment and that China
trate resources on fighting the has joined COVAX to supply
pandemic if they so choose. vaccines and promising addi-
tional support and investment.
According to the IMF, nine
states within the Southern Af- Despite the impact of such
rican Development Commu- geopolitics worsening relations
nity (SADC) will benefit (see with Western countries, pres-
graphic), but not all SADC sure is growing for China to
states are eligible for DSSI, engage more consistently with
either because they are not DSSI – especially by provid-
UN-recognized LDCs – Bo- ing more disclosure about the
tswana, Eswatini, Seychelles, terms of renegotiation of its
Mauritius, Namibia, and loans in countries such as An-
South Africa – or they have gola and Zambia.
refused to accept LDC status –
Zimbabwe. Africa’s creditor landscape is
changing with new entrants,
Two SADC states currently such as China and private
have debt levels larger than the creditors, in addition to the
size of their economies – An- more traditional multilateral
gola and Mozambique – while and bilateral creditors. The
four others are paying more COVID-19 crisis has shown
than ten per cent of the val- why the current internation-
ue of their total debt in debt al debt architecture must be
service payments – Mauritius, restructured – the DSSI and
Angola, South Africa and Bo- how it performs in southern
tswana. Africa could be a step in the
right direction.
Several owe the equivalent
of more than one-third of This article draws from Af-
their debt to private creditors – rika Süd – Dossier published
such as Mauritius and Zambia in August 2020.
which both owe above 40 per

16 Days of Activism against
Gender-Based Violence

25 November - 10 December

NewsHawks Page 22

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Gender-Based Violence: The big elephant in the room

AT seven years, a typical the category of perpetrators that protect women from Police. merous days traveling to the many Zimbabweans. In
Zimbabwean boy in the ru- of this kind of violence. all forms of abuse, Sekai For Sekai, she had to city centre of Mutare to ac- 1981, Zimbabwe ratified the
ral areas is expected to be approached the community cess the Police. Convention of Elimination
playing with his age mates, Several years after sepa- court and attempted to re- make a difficult choice, be- of Violence Against Wom-
running his parents’ errands ration from Kurai’s mother, port the Zimbabwe Republic tween putting food in her This ordeal is not only en (CEDAW), in which the
here and there, getting  rep- Sekai, Titus wanted her to son’s plate and spending nu- perculiar to Sekai but too
rimanded for a misdemeanor vacate the homestead she
or two. had used for twenty-two Press Statement
years to make way for him
For Kurai, a seven-year- and his new life. Having 10 December 2020
old boy in Manyengana worked hard and contribut-
Village, about 25 kilometers ed immensely to the home’s ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, RECOVER BETTER
outside Mutare, life has not establishment and with no- AND STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
been kind to him. where to go, Sekai refused to
vacate the home. ON International Human Rights Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon government
Kurai’s eyes have seen to take concrete measures that address the human rights situation and curb the continued spread of Coronavirus
what many adults do not Emboldened by the patri- (COVID-19) in the country. International Human Rights Day is set aside to commemorate the values enshrined
wish to see in their entire archal system, Titus decided in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s theme “Recover Better -Stand Up for Human Rights”
life; his ears have heard what to spite Sekai by destroying places respect and upholding of human rights at the heart of recovery efforts to end the spread of COVID-19.
many of his age mates can- the homestead. The theme relates to the devastating coronavirus pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensur-
not comprehend, the first ing human rights are central to recovery efforts and presents an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human
heartbreak he has ever expe- According to the only rights in re-building. As the whole world grapples with COVID-19 pandemic, communities around the world
rienced, and his soul has felt witness, Kurai, Titus came need to show unprecedented solidarity and compassion to assist each other to pull through during this challenging
the dark days of his mother to the homestead one of the moment.
and his childhood. days in September and asked Sadly, in Zimbabwe, state actors have over the past year abused and exploited enforcement of regulations enacted
to see the lobola list Sekai to curtail human mobility and interaction thereby providing government with a smokescreen to escalate a system-
Kurai has been at the had left for him. atic assault on human rights defenders and ordinary citizens and restricting their fundamental rights and freedoms
receiving end of a gen- in a bid to consolidate executive power.
der-based violence dispute Kurai handed the list The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) issued Resolution 443 on the human rights
between the two people (his to Titus; he got angry and situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe condemning the deteriorating situation and the authorities response to the
parents) who are supposed started to vandalize the devastating effects of COVID-19 which include disproportionate use of force by law enforcement agents curtail-
to be protecting him. homestead. Titus began ment of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Resolution 443 also urges the government to protect and
by tearing Sekai’s clothes, respect the rights of medical practitioners, journalists and human rights defenders.
What started as a routine which were on the laundry The resolution by ACHPR came hard on the heels of another condemnation by some United Nations human
ZimRights verification ex- line; using an axe, he broke rights experts in June 2020 calling on the government to immediately end a pattern of disappearances and torture
ercise turned out to be an down the doors of all the aimed at suppressing protests and dissent during the government enforced national lockdown. ZLHR remains
emotional experience as we huts and cracked the wall of concerned at the continued disrespect of human rights.
descended into Manyengana the cooking hut. While ZLHR welcomes ACHPR’s and UN human rights experts’ call for the government to address the deterio-
Village. rating human rights situation in Zimbabwe, government is yet to fully comply and adhere to these resolutions and
He went away and prom- recommendations. ZLHR urges government to;
The Eastern Highlands’ ised to come back when
scenic horizon is crudely Sekai was around. On his Take all measures to help contain human rights excesses and implement recommendations
broken with sights of charred second return, Titus came made by the ACHPR and the UN human rights experts;
buildings that make up Ku- while Sekai was dressing up; Investigate all reported violations and bring perpetrators to account for their actions and ensure
rai’s homestead remains. he asked Sekai to remove all access to justice to all victims;
“I’m frustrated by what my the property from the bed- Allocate adequate resources to relevant personnel at the frontline of fighting the COVID-19
father and his brother are room hut as he wanted to re- pandemic;
doing to my mother,” “…I move the asbestos (roofing)
was there when my father from the house. ABOVE ALL, TO RECOVER BETTER, LET US STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.
burned all our huts and dis-
mantled the asbestos from Sekai challenged him on Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
the bedroom…” says Kurai why he wanted to remove Kodzero/Amalungelo House
as his voices trail off and the roofing from what was
his eyes stare vacantly into her only home. Titus force- No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
space, “…I asked him why fully began to remove the Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118
he was doing it…” asbestos.
Email: [email protected] Website: www.zlhr.org.zw
Zimbabwe is battling with Titus, together with his
the scourge of gender-based little brother John started as- FOLLOW US:
violence that has worsened saulting Sekai and accusing
due to the Covid-19 in- her of witchcraft. Sekai’s for- @ZLHRLawyers on Twitter | Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on Facebook
duced lockdown. mer husband told her that
she was responsible for the
While it is acknowledged incurable illness that had be-
that both men and women fallen him. John threatened
have been at the receiving Sekai with death and that;
end of gender-based vio- he would burn her alive if
lence, the United Nations she refused to vacate the
have recorded that its Zim- homestead.
babwean GBV sub cluster
partners have assisted 129, Thanks to her job as the 
220 individuals (51, 342 officer of the community
males and 77 878 females) court, Sekai had attended
from 1 January 2020. Kurai’s several human rights edu-
father, Titus, sadly falls into cational workshops. Being
aware of Zimbabwe’s laws

NewsHawks 16 Days of GBV Activism Page 23

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

government of Zimbabwe However, women continue believes that the issue can be
undertook to develop a legal to be victimized and violat- resolved by harmonizing the
framework which seeks to ed. legal frameworks enacted to
eliminate all forms of vio- Regardless of the im- protect women and individ-
lence against women. proved legal framework, ual perceptions of citizens
It even went further to there has been an increase on the matter. ZimRights
establish an independent in gender-based violence calls upon all citizens to  re-
constitutional commission. cases. Musasa Project said spect women and to play
(Gender Commission) that the GBV cases during their part in ending social
whose focus is to advance the Covid-19 induced lock- constructions causing the
gender equality and develop down increased by 70%. weavering of gender based
a National Gender-Based ZimRights community violence within communi-
Violence Strategy to elim- justice unit has interfaced ties.
inate all forms of gen- with some victims of gen-
der-based violence. der-based violence. The battle to end gen-
Reflecting on steps tak- Victims commended the der-based violence is not a
en thus far, though much measures taken to resolve responsibility of the State
needs to be done, the State and address the plight of but all citizens. As Kofi An-
has committed to advancing women. Still, they empha- nan once said, “…Violence
women’s protection against sized the role of institutions, against women is perhaps the
discrimination and violence. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is commemorated each year individuals, law enforcement most shameful human rights
on November 25. It marks the first day of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence. agencies, families, and com- violation. And it is perhaps
the most pervasive. It knows
munities in perpetuating no boundaries of geography,
the continued violence and culture, or wealth. As long
plight against women. as it continues, we cannot
When we spoke to anoth- claim to be making real
er victim of gender-based progress towards equality,
violence, give time and place development, and peace...”
and her name if she wants to Families must condemn gen-
be identified she said com- der-based violence and sup-
munities’ expectations and port the fight against it. Law
perspectives have further enforcement agencies must
perpetuated her pain and enforce the law without fa-
suffering. vor or discrimination, and
“What had you done to communities must refrain
agitate or frustrate your hus- from patronizing victims of
10 December 2020 band into assaulting you…” gender-based violence that
the police officer asked dare to stand up against
Press Statement on the occasion of the me.” Narrating the events, it .As we mark the 16days
16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) she said, she was indirectly of Activism against gender
forced by the police officer based violence, I hope each
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence to justify her husband’s ac- and every one of us play
(GBV) (25 November to 10 December), Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) notes with concern the tions, which was neither fair their part in ending GBV.
increase in gender-based violence which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic induced lockdown. nor justifiable. “…Go back
home and talk to your hus- Article by Rumbidzai
Running under the global theme “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” the campaign this year band, involve the elders in Francisca Zengwa
seeks to galvanize partners to fund organizations to respond to survivors’ needs, prevent violence and collect data need be before you approach
to build a post-pandemic “new normal”. us…” she quoted what the Rumbidzai Francisca Ze-
police officer told her. “... ngwa is a Legal Practitioner.
ZimRights, a grassroots organization, joins other grass-roots women’s organizations, national, regional and inter- He didn’t even record my She coordinates ZimRights’
national non-governmental organizations, as well as United Nations agencies and governments in raising aware- case...” she shared Community Justice Pro-
ness, mobilizing constituents, demanding accountability and showcasing progress on eliminating gender-based ZimRights is deeply con- gramme. Comments on this
violence (GBV). ZimRights firmly believes that a world without violence is possible. cerned with the continued article can be send here or
violence against women and to:  [email protected].
As the world reels from the impact of Covid-19, reports have shown that all types of violence against women and zw
girls have intensified and in a special report titled ‘Rights in Crisis: A Human Rights Analysis of the COVID-19
Pandemic in Zimbabwe’, highlights the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Women and Girls in Zimbabwe.
The report notes that in Zimbabwe, gender-based violence thrives on societal and cultural practices that accept
the domination of women by men, especially in the home. Intimate partner violence is the most common and is
fuelled by practices entrenched in patriarchal societal relations. The scourge of gender-based violence worsened
due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown which has seen women and in some cases men, being trapped in abusive
relationships thus fanning the fires of domestic violence. The United Nations notes that it’s Zimbabwean GBV sub
cluster partners have assisted 129, 220 individuals (51, 342 males and 77 878 females) from 1 January 2020(Zim-
babwe Cluster Status: Protection (Gender-based Violence)). These statistics reflect that both men and women have
suffered gender-based violence.

ZimRights therefore calls upon government and all stakeholders to

Eradicate all forms of gender based violence and more particularly violence against
women and children ZimRights envisions
A “new normal” that delivers a future without violence and again in particular for all
women and girls

Issued by the ZimRights Information Department
[email protected]
www.zimrights.org.zw

Page 24 Africa News NewsHawks

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

IN what has been called a “landmark Court orders Kenyan govt
judgment”, four women subjected to to pay sex attack survivors
sexual assault in the violence that
followed Kenya’s disputed 2007 elec- said that as they had not reported Naitore Nyamu, head of the Ken- The violence broke out after backed Mr Odinga - were charged
tion are set to receive compensation. their cases to the police, the state ya office of Physicians for Human then-President Mwai Kibaki was de- by the International Criminal Court
could not be found at fault. Rights. clared the winner of the 2007 elec- with crimes against humanity after
The judge ruled that the state had tion. His main rival Raila Odinga they were accused of fuelling the vi-
violated their rights when it failed to “This is a historic day for survi- “The court’s decision will rever- said the poll was rigged. olence.
investigate their cases. vors of the rampant sexual violence berate widely for the prevention,
perpetrated in the aftermath of the investigation and prosecution of Current President Uhuru Ken- Both denied the charges, which
The government was ordered to 2007 election, who have waited for sexual and gender-based violence in yatta - who supported Mr Kibaki— were later dropped.
pay US$36 000 to each one. accountability for far too long,” said Kenya and around the world.” and his deputy William Ruto—who
—BBC
This could be a precedent for hun-
dreds of others who were abused in
the wake of the election, activists say.

More than 1 000 people died and
500 000 fled from their homes in the
inter-ethnic violence that began in
late December 2007.

Despite some cases going to the
International Criminal Court, there
have been very few prosecutions re-
lating to the unrest.

The victims involved in Thurs-
day’s ruling were backed by a coali-
tion of non-governmental organisa-
tions in a case that was first brought
to the High Court in Kenya in 2013.

Physicians for Human Rights,
one of the groups involved in the
case, hoped to “secure justice for the
survivors”.

It said that the ruling was the
“first time in Kenya that post-elec-
tion sexual violence had been legit-
imately recognised”.

Three of the four to receive com-
pensation were assaulted by mem-
bers of the security forces and so in
effect their rights to life and security
were infringed by the state itself, Jus-
tice Weldon Korir said.

The fourth woman was attacked
by an ordinary citizen, but the judge
ruled that the state had violated her
rights when the police failed to in-
vestigate her complaint.

‘Historic day’
There were four other people in-
volved in the case, but Justice Korir

Morocco latest country to normalise Teenage clubbing
ties with Israel in US-brokered deal and parties behind
SA Covid surge

MOROCCO has become the President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in the signing ceremony of the Abra- As a second wave of Covid-19 is officially
latest Arab League country to ham Accords at the White House on September 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. declared to have hit South Africa, the na-
agree to normalise relations tion’s teenagers are being blamed for its
with Israel in a deal brokered breakthrough for peace in the Israel and expand economic and after the outbreak of the Pales- spread. The health minister said most of
with US help. Middle East!” he wrote. cultural co-operation to advance tinian uprising - and the even- the new surge of infections were affecting
regional stability”. tual opening of embassies. Offi- those aged between 15 and 19.
As part of the deal, the US has The White House said Mr cials said Morocco would grant
agreed to recognise Morocco’s Trump and Morocco’s King Mo- The deal includes the reopen- direct flights to and from Israel It began in one crowded nightclub in
claim over the disputed Western hammed VI had agreed that Mo- ing of liaison offices in Tel Aviv for all Israelis. Cape Town. The next super-spreader event
Sahara region. rocco would “resume diplomatic and Rabat - shut in 2000 when was at a university in Nelson Mandela Bay.
relations between Morocco and low-level relations broke down —BBC.
It is the subject of a dispute And now comes a series of crowded par-
between Morocco and the Al- ties to celebrate the end of school exams,
geria-backed Polisario Front, and the school year.
which has been seeking to estab-
lish an independent state. The result, it’s now clear, is that South Af-
rica’s teenagers are driving a second wave
Morocco is the fourth state of infections. Health Minister Zweli Mkh-
to make such a deal with Israel ize said 15 to 19 year olds were the worst
since August. hit, and he blamed drunken parties, where
people ignored social distancing rules and
Agreements have also been the need to wear masks. The infection rate
struck recently with the United in some areas is now rising more steeply
Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Su- than during the country’s first wave, back
dan. in July. Other African nations, including
Zimbabwe and Kenya, are also reporting
Along with Egypt and Jor- new surges of infections.
dan, Morocco becomes the sixth
Arab League member to nor- This continent, with its young popula-
malise ties with Israel. tion, and some tough lockdown measures,
has been spared the worst of the pandemic
What is the deal? so far.
US President Donald Trump
announced the agreement on But there are concerns about a second
Twitter on Thursday. wave, and about whether Africa will be at
“Another HISTORIC break- the back of the queue for vaccines.—BBC
through today! Our two GREAT
friends Israel and the Kingdom
of Morocco have agreed to full
diplomatic relations - a massive

NewsHawks World News Page 25

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

DEALS struck by wealthy nations
to secure treatments could leave the

Rich countries leaving rest of theworld’s poorest people unvaccinat-
ed without urgent action.
It could be too late for any kind
of fair distribution of coronavirus

world behind on Covid vaccinesvaccines because of the deals al-
ready made by rich countries, ac-
cording to Mark Suzman, chief ex-
ecutive of the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. Suzman announced on Wednes- tackling the disease to US$1.75bn. done could leave nine out of 10 ment, Suzman said. The first vacci-
day that the foundation is to give Rich countries with just 14% of the world’s poorest unvaccinat- nations began in the UK this week,
Despite the unprecedented pace an extra US$250m to support the ed next year. Canada has secured while US regulators appear ready to
of scientific progress on the devel- research, development and equi- of the world’s population have se- enough doses to  vaccinate its citi- approve emergency use of two vac-
opment of vaccines, he said it re- table delivery of tests, treatments cured  53% of the most promising zens many times over. cines. A second wave of vaccines is
mains “really, really complicated” and vaccines against coronavirus, coronavirus vaccines, according to in advanced trials.
to ensure they are produced and bringing its total commitments to an alliance of campaigners which Funding from the Gates Foun-
distributed fairly. this week warned that deals already dation has come at a pivotal mo- Asked if deals done by western
governments with vaccine compa-
nies meant it was already too late
for an equitable rollout, Suzman
told the Guardian: “At the mo-
ment, as you say, it definitely is a
risk and that’s why we think it’s
so important to be taking action
now.”
In August, the Gates foundation
provided US$150m  to the Serum
Institute of India and the Gavi
vaccines alliance to source 100m
Covid-19 vaccine doses as early as
2021.
Suzman said that while
US$1.75bn was a “very significant”
sum, it was a fraction of what was
needed for poorer countries. The
GALZ Statement to mark 2020 Human Rights Day money was a “catalyst” he said, and

“Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights” called for increased contributions
as the “best vehicles for poor coun-
tries to be able to access vaccines in
GALZ celebrates International Human Rights Day in 2020 under the theme “Recover Bet- the same way that wealthy coun-
ter - Stand Up for Human Rights.” This year’s commemorations come at a time where the tries are doing”.
nation and the world at large are grappling the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating ef- The World Health Organization
fects. This pandemic has caused loss of life and has entrenched systematic intergenerational has overseen the creation of Covax,
and gender inequalities, exclusion and discrimination. the global initiative  that aims to
distribute about 2bn doses to 92
low- and middle-income countries
GALZ is deeply concerned over the increase in the number of human rights violations that at a maximum cost of US$3 a dose.
were recorded during the lockdown period targeting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgen-
der and Intersex communities. The violations are premised on the basis or perceived Sexual Covax Advance Market Com-
Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression that included disownment by family members, mitment, which finances vaccine
excommunication from religious institutions, rape , sexual violence and intimate partner vi- procurement for low- and mid-
olence amongst others. This has led to the denial of fundamental human rights such as the dle-income countries, has raised
Rights to Religion, Human dignity, Privacy as enshrined in the 2013 Zimbabwean Constitu- US$2.1bn, but a further US$5bn
tion. more is needed, he said.

President Trump refused to join
the collaboration, but Suzman said
In line with the theme “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights,” GALZ applauds he hopes the Biden administration
the courageous efforts of Human Rights Defenders and Health Care Providers responding will reverse that position.
A  report published last
to COVID-19 and standing up for the protection and attainment of human rights for all month  suggested that, because of
during this difficult time. GALZ is responding to the fight to end this pandemic through advance purchasing agreements by
raising awareness, provision of Personal Protective Equipment, psycho-social and nutritional wealthy countries, poorer nations
support to vulnerable LGBTI communities. may not get access to a vaccine un-

To Recover Better and stand up for Human Rights, GALZ encourages all survivors of til 2024.
Human Rights violations to report violations to the State and other Civil society actors who Suzman said the Pfizer/BioN-
serve survivors of violence. We call on the broader Zimbabwean citizenry to opt for non-vi-
olent strategies of conflict resolution. Tech’s vaccine “was always going to
be challenging” to distribute glob-
ally because it is a novel type of vac-
cine, and because of the need for
GALZ encourages the State to expedite responses to Human Rights violations that are cold storage, which a lot of coun-
recorded during epidemics as well as strengthen correctional and psycho – social support tries lack.
But he was hopeful the second
services. Whilst much is being done in legal and administrative justice, there is need for more wave of vaccines would be cheaper,
mental health services for both survivors and perpetrators to handle trauma and stressors easier to manufacture and distrib-
as well as preventing recurrence of such in future. ute at scale, and much more ther-

COVID-19 pandemic does not only require medical interventions, but a humanitarian and mostable.
human rights centred approaches in addressing inequalities, ending discrimination, encour- “Our holy grail is cheap, effective
aging solidarity and participation of citizens and sustainable development in line with Agen-
da 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. and ideally single dose,” he said.
In September,  research funded

by Gates found that if the first 2bn
doses of vaccines were distributed
“Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights” globally, twice as many lives would
be saved than if wealthy countries
hoarded them.
— Guardian.

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 26 Issue 8, 4 Dec 2020

Miss Summer Ex-top model gets three nods
Strides models for her first film as director
pay homage
to the needy JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA For those not in the know, Ma- talent.
laika studied film at AFDA School “From the Writer Virginia Jekan-
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA T WENT Y-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD of Motion Picture Medium and Live
Malaika Mushandu was only 18 Performance in South Africa. She yika (an award-winning BBC inter-
SOME 10 years ago, Sipho Mazi- when she won the Miss Zimbabwe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in national playwright), MMX and Joe
buko, a fashion and modeling en- title. the Performing Arts. Njagu Films (both are leading pro-
thusiast, was admitted to St Mary’s duction houses within the Southern
ward at Ingutsheni Hospital after She became the youngest ever Mirage joins the ranks of oth- African region) and I, an ambitious
she was diagnosed as bipolar. contestant to win the national title er quality films released such as young creative with a vision.
in the history of pageantry in Zim- Gonarezhou and Shaina while Cook
And last week, the 47-year-old babwe. Off was the first Zimbabwean movie “In terms of the musical aspects,
pageant organizer, who made her ever to be accepted onto the global Prudence Katomeni Mbofana and
mark on the fashion and model- She literally won in every pag- streaming platform Netflix. Gwevedzi, are both internationally
ling scene together with a bevy of eant she entered except one—Miss acclaimed musicians whose music
12 beauties taking part in this year’s World. However, she made it to the Riding on her talent for storytell- speaks to any soul,” she said.
Miss Summer Strides finalists, went top 15 overall, placing 8th in the ing, Malaika wants to give a voice to
down memory lane and remem- “beach beauty” segment, 4th in the women, the often under-represent- The film is yet to have its official
bered mental health patients. She “top model” category and 2nd in the ed half of humanity. world premiere, likely to be held
paid homage not only to the health “beauty with a purpose” category. early next year, depending on the
staff but also to mental health pa- Therefore, it is not by accident development of Covid-19.
tients who, she says, are in need of And just as the svelte teetotaler that Mirage is about three women
support systems as well as sanitary kicked off her film career, her first who escape prison, only to find out The award show will be held in
wear, underwear and clothes. film — Mirage — which she directs, that the walls of life are much harder Lagos on the 20.th of December,
got three nominations at the Afri- to overcome. The script was written but due to the virus restrictions the
“We had a luncheon at Ingutsh- can Movie Academy Award, cap- by seasoned writer Virginia Jekan- show will also be streamed live via
eni Hospital for 700 patients. The ping a year that critics describe as yika and the film was produced by the AMAA Facebook group and
models from Strides and OpenEye fantastic for the Zimbabwean film legendary producer Joe Njagu in various other platforms – please see
took time to interact with the pa- industry. collaboration with MMX Produc- the AMAA website for details.
tients and danced to music on a tions and Malaika Productions.
beautiful day,” Sipho said. Mirage has been nominated As for the next plans, the film-
for Best Soundtrack (Prudence “As Zimbabwean’s we don’t need makers are keeping their cards tight
“The patients enjoyed the meal Katomeni-Mbofana and Gwev- to look far to obtain world class for the time being — but safe to say
because they had not had beef and edzi), Best Actress in a supporting productions. that we will hear more from them
rice as well as salad for this whole role (Charmaine Mujeri) and the and form the movie Mirage in the
year. main award for the Best First Fea- Mirage was made possible by beginning of 2021 — and that we
ture film by a director (Malaika cherry picking from the best local can look forward to.
“The ward staff said the patients Mushandu).
need sanitary pads, underwear, jer- Considering that Malaika is off
seys and plates. Currently, at least “From a young age I loved story- to a promising start in filmmaking,
55 patients at St Mary’s ward take telling and the concept of it. There is will she pursue modelling?
turns to eat because they don’t have something magical about storytell-
enough plates.” ing, it has a way of bringing people “Yes and no. I am not actively
together, connecting people from seeking for modelling jobs but I am
The Miss Summer Strides na- different walks of life. still signed to an agency (20 Model
tional finals will be held this week- Management) so if a direct booking
end at the lush-green Lavinia Gar- “When done correctly it has comes I do take it.
dens in Bulawayo. a way of changing perspectives,
inspiring a race or generations “I am also signed to MLA ( Moo-
“We want to raise mental health (Wakanda), debunking stereotypes, nyeenn Lee Associates) which is
awareness through this pageant pushing agendas, it is a form of art arguably one of the most prominent
which will be broadcast on ZBC- that holds immense power. acting agencies in South Africa,
TV and livestreamed worldwide to which represents the likes of Re-
millions of people in the diaspora,” “Film making is a way for me to nate Stuurman, Rapulana Seiphe-
she said. help shape the African narrative in mo, Loyiso McDonald’s and the late
a positive light. For long, African Mary Twala.
Mental Voices Trust, a non-gov- stories have been told but it is in the
ernmental-organisation, has already recent decades that Africans have “I am comfortable with being in
adopted St Mary’s Ward where Si- become aware of the importance of front of the camera, just as much as
pho was admitted with bipolar. She controlling that medium. I want to I am with being behind it,” she said.
promised to assist the patients with tell authentic African stories from
sanitary wear through a donor from an African perspective,” she said. nally grateful for the experience,
China. but I think I would have gone fur-
She explained when pressed to ther with my modelling career if I
“Already, we have a Zimbabwean comment about her fledgling film had half the passion for it as I have
woman (name withheld) based in career: “Film making hands down. for film.”
Guangzhou, China, who pledged
to buy thousands of pads directly “I became a model by virtue of
from the manufacturers as well as fitting the profile and characteristics
donate clothes for the patients. Ol- needed for a model and it wasn’t be-
iver Keith Foundation has donated cause I aspired to be one.
some sanitary pads,” Sipho said.
“On the contrary, I grew up a
So far, the models have each con- tomboy as I grew up the only girl in
tributed money to buy emergency the household. It was my father, my
pads for use until January 2020. 3 brothers and I while my mom was
based in the UK.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am eter-

NewsHawks People & Places Page 27

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Head to Vic Falls to get your adrenaline fix

Now that the Covid-19 lockdown has passed and Zimbabwe has re-opened
its land borders to visitors, why not explore ‘The Smoke that Thunders’?

Victoria Falls may just be the perfect antidote for what has been an abysmal year.

With land borders once more an adrenaline addict.  for an unforgettable, once-in-a- The new kid on the block, so dream, the Flying Fox has you
accessible to private passenger White-water rafting lifetime experience.  to speak, river-boarding is the attached to a harness and pulley
vehicles as of December 2, “Mo- Head down the mercurial Zam- Swimming in the “Devil’s Pool” latest innovation in adrenaline that enables you to glide or “fly”
si-oa-Tunya”,  aka “The Smoke bezi River, which ebbs and flows This is not for the faint-heart- sports and is taking the world across the gorge on a cable.
that Thunders” is an option for according to the season’s rainfall, ed! Swim to the very edge of the by storm.
foreign tourists from Southern on a wild white-water rafting ex- falls where the water disappears Bungee jump off the famous
Africa. cursion. in a swirling cloud of mist in the Originally started as a means Victoria Falls Bridge, which is
naturally formed Devil’s Pool to of rescue, river-boarding is a 110m high and attracts adven-
However, travellers wanting The falls is considered one watch the gushing torrent of white-water experience which ture seekers from around the
to visit Zimbabwe will need to of the best places to try this, water pour over the basalt prec- involves swimming the rap- world.
present a health certificate that and rafting trips run from both ipice into the chasm below. ids and surfing the waves with
is no older than 48 hours and the Zimbabwean and Zambian nothing more than an oversized Another alternative to bun-
which shows they have tested sides, with various levels offered You are securely tied with a bodyboard, wetsuit and flip- gee jumping is bridge-swinging,
negative for the coronavirus. according to experience. rope so there is no chance of pers. Helmets are advised.  whereby you jump from the
Largest waterfall on the planet you heading over the falls with High-wire activities bridge on a gorge swing as you
The Victoria Falls is arguably Battle famous rapids such the water. However, if you are There is a range of wild and pendulum back and forth across
one of the most spectacular wa- as “Stairway to Heaven”, “The scared of heights give this one heart-stopping activities that the gorge or abseil down a sheer
terfalls on earth. Forming the Terminator”, “Oblivion”, “The a skip!  involve heights, wires and hel- 120m cliff face into the magnif-
border between Zambia in the Washing Machine”, “Judgement mets. An adrenaline junkie’s icent gorges below you.  
north and Zimbabwe in the Day” and  “Devil’s Toilet Bowl” River-boarding craze Tree canopy tours
south, waters from the mighty For something less adrenaline
Zambezi River spill into a 100 fuelled, but just as breathtaking,
metre-deep canyon over 1.7 ki- take to the sky for an amazing
lometres wide, making it the bird’s-eye view of the turbu-
largest waterfall on the planet.   lent rapids, the majestic Victo-
ria Falls Bridge and the misty
Adventure lovers, adrenaline spray of the falls from the lofty
junkies and outdoor enthusiasts heights of the trees on a canopy
flock to the falls for a myriad tour.
of exciting activities that are of-
fered, including wild white-wa- A vast network of slides, trails
ter rafting, breathtaking gorge and rope bridge walkways with-
swings, heart-stoppingly high in the canopy of the hardwood
canopy tours and terrifying forest caters for an adventure
swims in the “Devil’s Pool”. like no other. You can observe
the riverine forest from a variety
Aptly known as the Adventure of different vantage points, both
Capital of Africa, the Victoria above and below the canopy it-
Falls is the place to go if you are self. —The South African.

Property
NewsHawks

Page 28 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Issue 8, 4 Dec 2020

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Chronic high inflation
throttles debt financing

MERLIN GARWE been limited. During the period, the property tions for projects and acquisitions the period with increasing prospects
This has hindered prospects of en- market fundamentals remained de- have been limited, hindering the of rentals being collected in the form
THE prevailing inflationary envi- pressed due to the difficulties posed prospects of clinching significant of free funds and certainty of costs if
ronment is limiting available debt tering into significant transactions. by the macro-economic climate and transactions. charged accordingly.
financing of a long-term nature “Property transactions depend low business confidence while trans-
to support commercial real estate actions within the property mar- While market conditions are ex- Government introduced use of
transactions from local institutions, significantly on the availability of ket continued to be concentrated pected to remain highly volatile and free funds mid this year after it had
The Newshawks have learnt. debt and/or equity finance. To this around the residential sector. rapidly changing, Manyowa said the banned the multi-currency system
end, there is limited debt finance of business needed to be agile and be in February last year when it de-
Companies which posted their a long-term nature to support com- FMP has a diversified portfolio able to adapt. clared the Zimbabwean dollar as the
third-quarter trading updates point- mercial real estate transactions from across five sectors: central business sole legal tender.
ed out that the chronic high infla- local institutions due to the current district (CBD) office; office parks, “As a business we need to be agile
tion had hampered normal business. inflationary environment. Where CBD retail, suburban retail as well and adapt to the rapidly changing “In addition, where capital recy-
debt funding is readily available, be- as industrial and residential, with environment through use of tech- cling is being pursued, the aim is to
First Mutual Properties (FMP) ing a function of stability in the fi- further diversification underway. nology, agile systems and processes target payment in the form of free
MD Christopher Manyowa last nancial markets fuelled by econom- to respond to the changes in our en- funds and pegged to the auction rate
week said despite the company’s ic stability, there will be increased Manyowa however said despite vironment,” he said. in line with the government policy,”
strategic ambition to growth its transactional activity,” Manyowa FMP’s strategic ambition to grow Manyowa said.
property portfolio, funding options said. the property portfolio, funding op- Meanwhile, Manyowa said the
for projects and acquisitions have use of free funds has been useful over

NewsHawks Sport Page 29

Issue 9, 11 Dec 2020

Taibu eyes Nepal top post ‘We’ve a
bigger story
FORMER Zimbabwe crick- Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Tatenda Taibu to tell than
et captain Tatenda Taibu is Springboks’
among 25 coaches who have
been shortlisted for the vacant From page 30
Nepal national team coach No more. Because when you have
job. got integrity, such attitude cannot be
allowed in your life.”
If Taibu lands the post, it While the vast array of players
will be the 37-year-old for- with Zimbabwean roots based in
mer wicketkeeper’s first major various parts of the planet will be key
coaching job, eight years after to the country’s World Cup quest,
hanging his gloves. Dawson has also pinned hopes on
some young talented stars who up
Taibu faces stiff competi- until recently had been playing their
tion from the other 24 can- rugby at home.
didates, not least Australian 20-year-old loose-forward Blithe
Dav Whatmore— who led Sri Mavesere, one of Zimbabwe’s best
Lanka to World Cup glory in players in their debut SuperSport
1994—as well as the Indian Challenge season in South Africa last
duo of Apoorva Desai and Su- year, was singled out for praise by
lakshyan Kulkarni. Dawson.
“I asked Danny Hondo (Harare
Liverpool-based Taibu will Sports Club coach and now Sables
however be heartened by the backline coach),” Dawson said. “I
fact that he made it onto a said ‘Dan, we are short of an open-
trimmed 25-man shortlist, side flanker’. He said to me ‘Daws,
chosen from 72 applicants. I have one at Sports Club’. So I said
‘let’s send him up’. He flew into
Cricket competes favour- Cape Town, this laaitie walks in, and
ably for popularity with foot- he’s 83kgs. And I phoned up Dan,
ball in Nepal, a south Asian and I said ‘Danny, what’s the story
country. about, buddy, what have you done
to me? There are okes here that are
Interestingly, Taibu was huge! And you send me an 83kg
Zimbabwe’s captain at the man! So he said to me ‘Daws, trust
2002 Under-19 World Cup in me, what I’m telling you. This oke is
New Zealand when the Afri- unbelievable!’ Anyway, to cut a long
can side won the plate trophy story short, in our (SuperSport Chal-
of the tournament after beat- lenge) campaign, that young man
ing Nepal in the final. weighed 97kgs. He was in the most
prime physique. So this flanker, he
Taibu emerged as that won a scholarship at the University
Youth World Cup’s overall of Western Cape. They are paying
player-of-the-tournament. for everything, everything paid, uni-
versity paid. And that’s massive for a
Two of the candidates vy- young man, and I will tell you the
ing for the Nepal post, What- story, a young man that walks from
more and Taibu, have held top his home, from Harare Sports Club,
technical positions within the and then he catches two ETs and he
Zimbabwe set-up. Whatmore walks every single day to come and
is a former Zimbabwe coach play rugby for us.”
while Taibu was chief selector. Prop Cleopas Kundiona, one of
the finds of Zimbabwean rugby over
– STAFF WRITER the past two years, who was present
at the function, has also given Daw-
THE defiant mood of officials I Hopefully, no collateral damage son reason to believe that the future
spoke to last week, vowing not to from Zimbabwe football row is very bright for his team.
move an inch over the suspension all end. which for many years has been be- What do the gifted crop of play- “One of the most amazing things
of Zimbabwe Football Association Fifa’s silence over developments set with allegations of corruption ers—the main actors in the game— I’ve experienced, and I’ve not shared
(Zifa) general-secretary Joseph in Zimbabwe has been deafening, and bad governance. think of the real possibility of the story with a lot of people except
Mamutse, is not something to be but it can turn out to be some kind But amidst all this drama, which having their international careers my wife is…Cloppy, come here my
ignored. of calm before the storm if the suits has put the future of football in this disrupted for a crime they did not mate,” Dawson called up the steely
in Zurich decide that the situation country at stake, there is a constit- commit? 21-year-old front rower, who he also
One gets the feeling that this obtaining here amounts to coached at schoolboy level.
raging bitter row between Zifa and government interference Would the fans—themselves “This young man, I met him three
the country’s sports regulatory au- and ban the country from some of the biggest critics of the years ago at Falcon College and be-
thority, the Sports and Recreation international football. HawkZone goings-on at the national football lieve me or not, this man weighed
Commission (SRC), is far from The authorities in Zimba- association—fathom two or three 130kgs, and I tell you it wasn’t like
over. bwe, for their part, say they years without their favourite na- this solid. And I said to this young
do not fear such a repercus- Enock tional team even more so now in man, and his father, I said ‘I’d like
More radical action might fol- sion because, if it happens, view of encouraging on-field signs you to play Falcon first-team’. And
low, if word on the street is to be the time spent in the wilder- Muchinjo for the Warriors? his eyes lit up like this and he said
believed, and the SRC is convinced ‘me Sir, playing Falcon first-team?’.
more than ever before that Zifa is ness will give Zimbabwean What about the young talented And I said ‘yes, we can make you
a corruption-ridden federation be- football an opportunity to re- players in the different age-group play first-team’. That was in Septem-
ing mismanaged by an incompe- form the game from top to bottom uency whose voice matters but has teams, the female footballers, the ber. In April the following year, he
tent lot. with financial support from the been largely ignored: the players. referees and coaches who will miss played for Zimbabwe Schools. After
government. What do they think of this un- out on crucial Fifa-funded training the SuperSport Challenge last year,
It is a tussle not for the In a sense, they could be right. It desired scenario and what way for- programmes? Cloppy got a contract with Sharks in
faint-hearted, and for those that can turn out to be a double-edged ward would they like to see when Durban.”
fancy a bit of theatre, the time has sword for Zimbabwean football, good sense finally prevails? There is still an opportunity, all The final round of World Cup
come to bring out the popcorn. things considered, for cool heads to qualifiers will be played in July 2022.
prevail.
But for those who follow the
laws of football, how the game is
governed globally by Fifa, there is
some reason to be worried, all the
more given how hard it is at pres-
ent to see when and how this will

Sports Taibu eyes ‘We’ve more
Nepal top a bigger story
Thursday 1 October 2020 post to tell’

– Page 29

Friday 11 December 2020 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com new

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE SPO
$60 Covid Community Zim
tariff for radio laun
visitors & regulations Prem
tourists under review Leag

Story on Page 3 Story on Page 8 Story o

Chamisa reach
‘We’ve aobuigtgteor sKtohryutpo e
Unofficial president calls for emergency

tell than the Springboks’

ENOCK MUCHINJO On Tuesday evening in Harare, Mapimpi, guys like him, had a tough back with US$50. And it is expected be threatening other teams. We’ve got
A POWERFUL Supersport docu- the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) time growing up (…winger Makazole to pay for their families for a month. immense amount of talent within our
mentary, Chasing the Sun, which cap- hosted an event organised to put into Mapimpi scored South Africa’s first That’s the very big difference. That’s country and outside our country, that
tured South Africa’s journey to win- motion concerted action by the coun- ever try in a World Cup final in last when I look at it and I say, my God, is dying to wear the green-and-white
ning last year’s Rugby World Cup in try to return to the World Cup after year’s 32-12 win over England). But guys, we’ve got a 10-fold bigger jour- jersey. And all I ask, is for all of us to
Japan, premiered last month and was three decades. look at what they produced. They ney, a bigger story to tell in our own go away tonight, and think about it,
well received by a hugely impressed Quite interestingly, Adrian Gar- went on to play for the Sharks, and country, than what the Springboks in the corporate world, of how we
global audience. vey and Tonderai Chavhanga—both now the Springboks. But you people have got. Rugby in my head is ev- can help. From donating caps like to-
Zimbabwean-born ex-Springbok don’t understand in life that in the erything, besides my wife and two night, to giving a million US dollars.
For South Africa’s neighbour Zim- players—were the co-guests of honour coaching world, every coach talks the kids. And when I see people like our It’s something. The smallest thing can
babwe—the poorer cousin in pretty at the dinner. same language in the changing room, Zimbabwe players, every single day go a long, long way. So I’m not asking
much all facets of life including rug- Dawson, however, stole the show and in the team talk. We all psyche and you ask them to do something, for a massive amount of anything. I’m
by—qualifying for the World Cup, on the night with a spellbinding up the players that every single day and they still come back, with the 50 asking for commitment, desire, the
let alone lifting it, has resulted in one speech that aptly summed up Zim- they wear the jersey of their country, dollars that they spent on their fami- will to help, and whatever that can
heart-wrenching failure after another babwe’s burning desire to be at the they lay their body on the line. Give ly. They come back and do the same drive us to go forward.
since the country’s last appearance at World Cup in France in three years’ anything you’ve got to play for your again for Zimbabwe. And we’ve come “I believe it, and it’s been my belief
the showpiece exactly 29 years ago. time. country. There is nothing greater than this close, twice, to qualify for the for a very long time. One thing that
South Africa’s road to clinching to wear your national jersey.” World Cup. And I ask, I don’t beg, has happened to us Zimbabweans is
But one of the players who featured their third World Cup title last year, A teary Dawson, characteristically but I ask the community, the corpo- that we’ve lost the confidence, we’ve
for Zimbabwe in that 1991 World as demonstrated in the documentary, unable to control emotions through- rate world, to understand that we have lost the most important thing in our
Cup in Britain and France, scoring is a fascinating sporting tale Dawson out his speech, drew thunderous ap- got a massive journey, and I’d love you lives, and that is belief in ourselves. It’s
a try in a 55-11 defeat to Ireland at reckons his Zimbabwe charges always plauses from the audience when he to be part of it. And I’d love you guys massive, guys, belief. And when you
Lansdowne Road, is longing to return experience in their own unique way. chronicled the trials and tribulations in the corporate world, to be able to stand next to a man, and he’s a man
to the game’s biggest stage at the next “I looked at this video, that every- Zimbabwean rugby players usually go say I changed a life.” mountain next to you, you got to be-
edition, in what will be a first time for body has all witnessed, by the Spring- through. Bulawayo-born Dawson — a for- lieve that you can outplay him. You’ve
the Zimbabweans in 32 years. boks,” Dawson told invited guests. “When these people (internation- mer Zimbabwe captain and one of the got to believe that if you scrum against
“I looked at it and I immediately al rugby players) run onto the field, country’s most capped internationals him, you can out-scrum him. That’s
If he gets a taste of the World Cup phoned Liam (Middleton; Zimba- they cry. When they sing the nation- of all time — vowed not only to take the belief that has been knocked out of
again, in France in 2023, it will how- bwe’s defence ctoeaamch)m. AannadgAeIr)Lp. hSAonOndedIINSDalIaDawnEstohnem. , FthienyacnryceeveMn imnoirset,”yswaidipetleshaevoeSuaabtmle$sar3tko.2aFtrBtahnieclletioo2u0nr2n3adm, ebeupntto.alssoittoors fuouus.rnHpdloaswyerms baneiynZgtiimdmiessm'shislasaveedte,y‘oshute’slhaoeannrlddy
ever be in a different role for Brendan Jason (Maritz; controv
Dawson, the 53-year-old who is now
in his second tenure as Zimbabwe’s said ‘you know what guys, it’s a phe- “But the most amazing thing is that “I can assure you that we will go to Zimbabwean, don’t worry about him,
head coach, tasked with guiding the nomenal movie, absolutely amazing’. those youngsters in the Springboks, the World Cup,” Dawson declared. Zimbabweans! We’ll be alright. They
Sables back into the global limelight But you know what, we have got our those players all over the world, they “And we will compete at the World can only come second. They can only
after having been the only African na- own story. We have our own story in get a nice bank balance after their Cup. We won’t be a team that will just lose.’ And we accept that.
tion at rugby’s first two World Cups in Zimbabwe. Yes, I do understand that game. Our (Zimbabwe) guys come be playing. We will be a team that will ...to page 29
1987 and 1991.

ALSO INSIDE Taibu tipped for Nepal head coach post Hopefully, no collateral damage from Zim football row