Price
US$1
WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 7 May 2021 BNUoSsIoNluEtSiSon to SPPakOiRstTan
US$12.1bn claim day-one
NMEwWonSzora is foreign debt honours
Mnangagwa’s
trusted tool Story on Page 20 Story on Page 40
Story on Page 4
Battle lines drawn:
Lawyers dig
in to fight
Mnangagwa
ALSO INSIDE Embattled Justice Ndewere fights to save her job
Page 2 News NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Battle lines drawn…
Lawyers dig in to fight Mnangagwa
OWEN GAGARE Prominent Harare lawyers Thabani Mpofu (left) and Tendai Biti. consistent with the principle of
the finality of a Constitutional
AS government moved today — widely seen as a determined context of the constitutional lution. When parliament, is dis- Court decision in a particular
to gazette controversial consti- and fierce assault on democ- changes ahead of the 2023 elec- However, The NewsHawks is solved all unfinished Bills are case.
tutional amendments to help racy — is giving Mnangagwa tions. First, Ziyambi moved liquidated. If the executive
President Emmerson Mnan- powers to appoint judges and fast in a quick succession of reliably informed several law- wants to push through a Bill, it Gowora ruled that Parlia-
gagwa consolidate power as to extend Chief Justice Luke events to get the Constitution yers’ groups will challenge has to be first re-introduced in ment’s application was uncon-
part of his 2023 re-election Malaba’s tenure by five years. of Zimbabwe Amendment the new laws on a number of the new parliament. stitutional as it breached sec-
bid, agitated lawyers are dig- (No.1) Bill passed through fronts, including the suprem- tion 147 of the constitution.
ging in to fight the country’s Malaba was by operation Senate on 6 April. acy of the constitution as en- However, with Constitu-
despotic strongman who ini- of law expected to cease to be shrined in section 2. They will tion of Zimbabwe Amend- “The order of invalidity as
tially seized the reins through chief justice on his 70th birth- Second, on 20 April, Zim- also argue that sections 147 ment (No.1) Act, the executive regards the Bill cannot be ig-
a military coup. day at midnight on 15 May. babwe’s National and 328 of the constitution picked up from where it had nored. This is the first prem-
were brazenly violated in pass- left in the life of the eighth ise in the consideration of the
Details obtained by The However, following the Assembly (the lower cham- ing the Bill into law. parliament. application. It was adjudged
NewsHawks — which has been gazetting of the two amend- ber of Parliament) passed the as being invalid. That said,
covering Mnangagwa’s author- ments, he is now set for a ten- Constitution of Zimbabwe Lawyers say the extension of The violation of section the Bill cannot be resuscitat-
itarian power consolidation ure extension next week. Law- Amendment (No.2) Bill by the tenure of judges from 70 147 of the constitution was ed through this application,”
project closely — show that yers are itching to stop him a two-thirds majority vote of years to 75 years should not the main reason why Justice Gowora said.
at least five court applications dead in his tracks on the basis 191 to 22 MPs. benefit incumbents as that vi- Anne-Marie Gowora gave a
could be filed next week to of a series of constitutional ar- olates section 328 of the con- dissenting judgement when a “It lapsed by operation of
challenge the hotly-contested guments. And then third, on 4 May, stitution. Further, they argue three-judge ConCourt, also law. The granting of the appli-
amendments that have sparked this piece of legislation went that the Amendment (No.1) consisting of Justices Rita Ma- cation in these circumstances
public outrage. Mnangagwa also seeks to through its third and final should have been declared null karau and Bharat Patel, heard would be inconsistent with the
abolish the running mate reading in the Senate (the up- and void after the Bill failed a substantive application on constitution.
The changes have sent clear clause to continue appoint- per chamber) by a two-thirds to meet the requirements of 10 November 2020 by Parlia-
signals the Mnangagwa regime ing his deputies and getting majority of 65 to 10 senators. section 328 (5) of the consti- ment before granting anoth- “…For the above reasons, it
is not only resisting reform, weak candidates who do not tution which requires a two- er extension for Amendment is my view that the application
but also pushing to restore the threaten his grip on power. The Bills were assented to by thirds majority for it to pass. (No.1) Bill to be passed again should be dismissed with no
old Mugabe order — lock, He further wants to weaken Mnangagwa and gazetted into in a judgement delivered on 26 order as to costs.”
stock and barrel. devolution by denying MPs law today. They also say section 147 February 2021.
the opportunity to also serve of the constitution was vio- Patel said he agreed with
One of the groups, led by in provincial councils, while Amendment (No.1) gives lated when the Constitution Its initial passing, without both judges although he cru-
prominent Harare lawyer Ten- removing mayors, who are Mnangagwa power to appoint of Zimbabwe Amendment a two-thirds majority, was de- cially sided with Makarau.
dai Biti and advocate Thabani mainly opposition, from met- the Chief Justice – and this will (No.1) Bill was passed because clared null and void by the He however suggested that
Mpofu, is set to file next. Mpo- ropolitan councils. allow him to arbitrarily extend it straddled two different lives Constitutional Court on 31 the violation of section 147 of
fu, who is main opposition Malaba’s tenure – the Deputy of parliament, which is uncon- March 2020. While Makarau the constitution could be chal-
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Sources told The NewsHawks Chief Justice and Judge Pres- stitutional. The Bill straddled was in favour of granting a 90- lenged separately.
Chamisa’s lawyer, confirmed Mnangagwa last month met ident. Amendment (No.2) the eighth parliament, which day extension, Patel sat on the
the move. “We are waiting for with Justice minister Ziyambi seeks to change the retirement ran from 2013 to midnight fence and said he agreed with “I cannot but agree with
the gazetting of the Bills signed Ziyambi and ordered him to age for judges, expunge the on Sunday 29 July 2018, and both judges although, crucial- Gowora AJCC that the su-
into law by the President to go move with lightning speed to public interview process for sailed through the ninth par- ly, he leaned towards Makarau premacy of the constitution,
to court,” Mpofu said. pass both amendments to ex- judges, remove the presidential liament, whose tenure ends in who argued that accepting that as enshrined in section 2 of the
tend Malaba’s term and ensure running mate clause, extend 2023. Section 147 of the con- section 147 of the constitution constitution, dictates that any
“But we will first file an he gets new wide and discre- the women’s quota, introduce stitution reads: was violated would question law, practice, custom or con-
urgent chamber application tionary powers to consolidate a youth quota (women and the constitutionality of the 31 duct that is inconsistent with
on Section 328 in relation to his position through appoint- youth quotas are sweeteners), “On the dissolution of par- March 2020 court order which the supreme law is invalid to
incumbents benefitting from ments and patronage. increase the number (from five liament, all proceedings pend- gave the first extension of 180 the extent of the inconsistency.
current changes against the to seven) of cabinet ministers ing at the time are terminated, days to revive the Bill. The ineluctable consequence
constitution and law.” Mnangagwa, sources added, chosen from outside parlia- and every Bill, motion, peti- of this principle is that any-
also met Malaba to discuss his ment, broadening the scope of tion and other business lapses.” She said this would be in- thing done by Parliament that
Government gazetted the new tenure and the political patronage, and weaken devo- is contrary to the provisions of
Bills into law today. the constitution, including sec-
tion 147, would be invalid and
To change section 328, unconstitutional to the extent
one of the entrenched clauses, of such inconsistency,” Patel
Mnangagwa has to go through said.
a referendum, which has not
been done. “Nonetheless, in the partic-
ular circumstances of this mat-
Lawyers say the argument ter, despite the clear substantive
by official apparatchiks that implications of section 2 of the
judges are not affected by sec- constitution, I am inclined to
tion 328 is untenable. concur with the predominant-
ly procedural stance adopted
They say tenure, whether by Makarau AJCC in the de-
defined by the number of years termination of this applica-
served or age limit, remains tion. I do so for the following
tenure, hence subject to sec- reasons and in accordance with
tion 328. the principles that she has fully
and ably expounded.”
Biti is Chamisa’s co-deputy.
The other group, led by Bu- Patel said the order grant-
lawayo attorney Matshobana ed by the court on 31 March
Ncube, has already filed. 2020 is a final order, but sug-
Other applications are ex- gested it can be reviewed in a
pected from Veritas, a group of separate matter.
lawyers monitoring legislative
and parliamentary processes, “As such, it may only be
and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for reviewed or overruled by this
Human Rights. court in a separate and distinct
The lawyers are broadly matter that might arise for
combating Mnangagwa’s proj- determination in the future,
ect on the basis of trampling where such departure is appro-
constitutionalism and the un- priate and justified. It cannot
constitutionality of the amend- be departed from in the same
ments. matter, as is the case with the
This will make the Zimba- application before us, where-
bwe constitution, adopted by in the original cause of action
over three million voters by has remained unaltered,” Patel
94.4% in March 2013, a ma- said.
jor political battleground. The
battle is a precursor to the 2023 Lawyers will also strongly
elections, which are bound to argue that the supremacy of
be a dirty war as usual. the constitution was under-
The gist of the amendments mined by allowing section 147
to be violated.
NewsHawks News Page 3
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
OWEN GAGARE Chief Justice Malaba’s tenure
set to be extended next week
CHIEF Justice Luke
Malaba is on course to unlike his predecessor He delivered the Con- when he was Vice-Pres- Chief Justice Luke Malaba. “It sets the context in
remaining in office be- Godfrey Chidyausiku stitutional Court judge- ident and Justice minis- which it was written. He
yond 15 May (next Sat- who announced he would ment which confirmed ter, while also plotting to clear he had seized power candidly reveals the fact
urday) when his tenure be leaving office when he Mnangagwa’s disputed succeed the late former through a coup. that he had communi-
ends by operation of law officiated at the opening 30 July 2018 presiden- president Robert Mug- cated with the Speaker
following the passing of the 2017 legal year. He tial election victory, after abe. This followed an ap- of Parliament at 1353
of the Constitution of retired in February 2017 dismissing Chamisa’s pe- plication by the Liberal hours. In the communi-
Zimbabwe Amendment after reaching 70 years. tition. The Mnangagwa Zanu Democrats and Revolu- cation, the former Pres-
(No.2) Bill by Senate this PF faction, which bat- tionary Freedom Fight- ident expressed to the
week which, together Malaba has been In a unanimous ruling tled for power against ers, Bongani Nyathi, Speaker his desire to re-
with the Constitution of Mnangagwa’s long-time of the nine judges of the the rival group that had Linda Masarira and Vu- sign from the Office of
Zimbabwe Amendment ally, including when he country’s top court, Mal- coalesced around Mug- sumuzi Sibanda who President.
(No.1) Bill, are likely to was deputising the late aba said Chamisa had abe’s wife Grace, broadly contested the legality of
be gazetted today. former president Robert failed to prove allegations wanted Judge President the Mnangagwa-led gov- “A written notice of
Mugabe, and also while of fraud and manipula- George Chiweshe to suc- ernment. resignation addressed to
By operation of law, serving as Justice minis- tion of the vote during ceed Chidyausiku. But the Speaker and signed
Malaba ceases to be chief ter well before the No- the presidential poll. Mnangagwa personally They argued that Mug- by the President, on the
justice when he turns 70 vember 2017 coup. thought Malaba was the abe tendered the resig- face of it, meets the first
at midnight on 15 May. “Emmerson Dam- man for the job. nation under duress and requirement of constitu-
The Chief Justice has budzo Mnangagwa is that Mnangagwa’s ascen- tional validity.”
The Amendment been a vital cog in Mnan- duly declared the winner Then as now, Mnan- dancy was unconstitu-
(No.1) Bill will enable gagwa’s political machin- of the presidential elec- gagwa still wants Malaba. tional. Malaba argued that
the President to appoint ery, helping him sanitise tions held on the 30th of Chiweshe, who has a mil- “what the former Presi-
the Chief justice, Deputy and legitimise the coup July 2018,” Malaba said itary background, is now They further said that dent said in the written
Chief Justice and Judge which toppled Mugabe, in his judgment, which viewed by Mnangagwa’s the impeachment process notice of resignation is
President without them and thrust him into pow- had attracted widespread faction as Vice-President that was instituted prior the best evidence avail-
undergoing public inter- er. attention at home and Constantino Chiwenga’s to Mugabe’s resignation able of the state of his
views. abroad. loyalist. Mnangagwa and was unlawful and that it mind at the time.”
Malaba has also run the Chiwenga are currently served to coerce him to
Crucially for Malaba, judiciary in a way that It is understood Mal- locked in a simmering step down. “He (Mugabe) said he
the Amendment (No.2 has helped Mnangagwa’s aba prevailed over some power struggle. was free to express his
Bill) seeks to allow judg- regime, government in- judges to ensure the However, Malaba, sit- will to resign. Not only
es of the Constitutional siders acknowledge. unanimous ruling. Some In a July 2018 ruling ting in chambers, ruled does the former Presi-
Court and the Supreme judges wanted to dissent, that helped Mnangagwa the constitutional chal- dent declare in the writ-
Court to continue to The chief justice pre- but were whipped in line, to sanitise the coup which lenge was frivolous and ten notice that he made
serve beyond the current sided over the 2018 Con- sources said. toppled Mugabe, Mal- vexatious given that the decision voluntarily,
retirement age of 70, if stitutional Court elec- aba said Mugabe freely Mugabe carefully applied he gives reasons for doing
the President, after con- toral petition by MDC Government and judi- and voluntarily stepped his mind and decided to so in clear and unambig-
sulting the Judicial Ser- Alliance president Nel- cial officials say Malaba down, adding Mnangag- step down without the uous language,” Malaba
vice Commission, con- son Chamisa challenging was Mnangagwa’s strate- wa’s assumption of pow- embarrassment of im- said.
sents to their doing so. Mnangagwa’s disputed gic candidate to replace er was done in terms of peachment.
2018 presidential poll the late Chief Justice the law, although it was “He said he was moti-
It also seeks to permit win. Godfrey Chidyausiku “The former president’s vated by the desire to ‘en-
the President to promote written notice of resig- sure a smooth, peaceful
judges of the High Court nation speaks for itself,” and non-violent transfer
and the Supreme Court Malaba said. of power that underpins
to a higher court on the national security, peace
recommendation of the and sustainability”.
JSC, without the need
for public interviews, Malaba said Mnangag-
thereby opening the door wa’s assumption of office
to promotions on the ba- was therefore done in ac-
sis of political suitability cordance with the provi-
and cronyism, as is the sions of the constitution
case with Malaba. after a vacancy had arisen
due to the resignation.
The behind-the-scenes
manoeuvres to extend The Chief Justice’s
Malaba’s tenure by hook judgment followed a No-
or by crook are being or- vember 2017 ruling by
chestrated by President Judge President George
Emmerson Mnangagwa Chiweshe which legit-
– the ultimate beneficiary imised the coup. Chi-
of the extension. Mnan- weshe had ruled that
gagwa needs Malaba to the military intervention
help him navigate pos- by the Zimbabwe De-
sible constitutional and fence Forces which led
legal minefields ahead of to Mugabe’s resignation
the 2023 elections. was constitutional, as the
military sought to restore
With just a week before order in the country.
Malaba’s tenure ends, the
JSC has not announced He said the military’s
a vacancy by advertising actions in intervening
the chief justice’s posi- to stop the takeover of
tion, meaning that the Mugabe’s functions “by
shortlisting of candidates those around him are
and public interviews constitutionally permis-
have not been done. sible and lawful”.
Justice ministry of- Malaba and Chiweshe
ficials told The News- thus played a critical role
Hawks that the position in sanitising and legiti-
has not been advertised mising the coup which
because it was known be- propelled Mnangagwa to
forehand that there was a power.
plan to amend the consti-
tution to allow for Mala-
ba’s extension.
Crucially also, Malaba
has not said his goodbyes
Page 4 News NewsHawks
Mwonzora is Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Mnangagwa’s
trusted tool party. bly. Zanu PF requires
While Mwonzora 180 MPs to amend the
NYASHA CHINGONO since Zanu PF no longer MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora. constitution.
commands a two-thirds supported Constitution
FOR President Emmer- majority in Parliament. Amendment (No.1), 11 After recalling last
son Mnangagwa’s power of his senators this week year 12 MDC Alliance
consolidation and 2023 This explains why the aided the passing of the legislators, who are
presidential election bid state has gone all out to Constitution Amend- considered as radicals,
to succeed, he despa- cosy up to the MDC-T, ment (No.2) Bill, which Mwonzora also knows
rately needs MDC-T first during Thokoza- gives Mnangagwa impe- it would be impractical
leader Douglas Mwon- ni Khupe’s time at the rial powers to handpick to win any by-election.
zora to be on his side helm and now with judges and remove the
Mwonzora leading the running mate clause. In an analysis of
Described as a sad mile- the Zimbabwe Con-
stone in Zimbabwe’s stitution Amendment
democracy, the passed (No.2) Bill, former
Bill will further plunge Higher and Tertiary Ed-
Zimbabwe into pariah ucation minister Jona-
status. than Moyo said out of
63 MDC Alliance MPs,
Although Mwonzo- Mwonzora targeted 12,
ra “slammed” the pass- knowing fully well that
ing of the Amendment by-elections would not
(No.2) Bill, he had al- be held to replace them.
ready whipped his sen-
ators into voting for the He said the recalls
Bill, giving Zanu PF were designed to help
the much-needed two- Zanu PF gain a major-
thirds majority. ity through unpopular
amendments.
Political analysts be-
lieve Mwonzora is hid- “Mwonzora and the
ing behind the finger CIO targeted only 12
when he argues female MPs out of 63 because
senators voted for the they, in fact, do not
Bill as they support- want to have by-elec-
ed the extension of the tions at all; all what the
women’s quota yet, in CIO wanted is for Zanu
fact, there was collusion PF to gain two-thirds
between MDC-T and majority in Parliament
Zanu PF. through Mwonzora, to
pass unpopular amend-
The collusion be- ments to the constitu-
tween Zanu PF and the tion of Zimbabwe, to
MDC-T became ap- enable Chief Justice
parent during the mili- Malaba to remain in of-
tary assisted takeover of fice and to give Mnan-
Harvest House from the gagwa imperial exec-
MDC Alliance led by utive powers,” Moyo
Nelson Chamisa and af- said.
ter the Supreme Court
judged that Khupe was “Mnangagwa has
the legitimate leader. taken advantage of
Covid-19 and used the
In December last Supreme Court judg-
year, Khupe mistakenly ment to restructure
phoned MDC Alliance Parliament through
lawyer Thabani Mpofu Mwonzora’s recalls of
seeking help, thinking MDC Alliance MPs,
she was phoning Thaba- after Zanu PF lost its
ni Mpofu, the former 2018 two-thirds ma-
head of Mnangagwa’s jority after the onset of
Special Anti-Corrup- Covid-19.
tion Unit (Sacu).
“The recalls have
Mnangagwa’s alliance damaged and destabi-
with Mwonzora also lised the MDC Alliance
explains why the Zim- by foisting on it an ir-
babwe Electoral Com- rational restructuring
mission (Zec) has not exercise in 2020, based
called parliamentary on non-existent 2014
and local government structures; they have
by-elections, triggered pushed the MDC Alli-
by recalls by Mwonzora. ance back from its huge
electoral gains from the
Without the crucial 2018 presidential elec-
two-thirds majority be- tion;
cause of deaths, Zanu
PF desperately needs and they have restruc-
Mwonzora as Mnan- tured Parliament for
gagwa amends the con- Zanu PF to regain a two-
stitution to consolidate thirds majority through
power. the backdoor to pass
unpopular amendments
Currently with 176 to the Constitution;
MPs out of 270 mem- with the consequence of
bers, Zanu PF does not rendering illegitimate,
have the required two- parliament and its en-
thirds thirds majority actments.”
in the National Assem-
NewsHawks News Page 9
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Mnangagwa
fully restores
Zim pariah
state status
BRIDGET MANANAVIRE (No.2) Bill is a classic case of led by Douglas Mwonzora has amendment passed by a two- velopment. Irreparable damage pots in this family of nations
unbridled weaponisation of been criticised for being un- thirds majority poll of 65 to 10 has been done to our standing that are rooted in democracy
FORMER Deputy Prime law. As indicated earlier, it is principled by enabling Zanu Senators. as a nation within the region, and constitutionalism. Rogue
Minister Arthur Mutambara part of the consolidation of PF to reverse the will of the the continent and globally,” he nations are neither tolerated
is breathing fire over the Con- political power and repurpos- 94.5% of 3.3 million people Mutambara said the at- said. nor entertained.
stitution Amendment (No.2) ing of state institutions towards who voted for the constitution tacks on democracy and con-
Bill, saying it is meant to con- this objective. Amendment in March 2013. stitutionalism because of the “The amendment has ex- “Zanu PF has embarked
solidate power and brazenly re- (No.2) is about authoritarian amendment will affect eco- tensively tarnished our nation- on a self-inflicted global re-
store fully fledged authoritarian consolidation – an affront and Zanu PF got the support of nomic prospects, performance al brand. We are irrevocably gime-shaming journey. They
rule. negation of democracy.” MDC-T to get the required and prosperity. drifting towards a despicable have placed our nation in a
two thirds of votes in both pariah state devoid of any sem- hostage to fortune scenario.
The process which resulted He said the amendment will the National Assembly where “Lack of constitutionalism blance of the rule of law, thus We cannot take these Zanu PF
in the Bill being passed by the not operate in a vacuum but it was short by four, with the and the absence of the rule undermining all our efforts of shenanigans lying down. There
Senate on Tuesday this week be complemented by the other amendment sailing through on of law create uncertainty and global re-engagement. We can are four broad classes of strate-
was littered with violations of strategies which Zanu PF had the back of a two-thirds major- damage investor confidence, kiss goodbye to our aspirations gic counteractions: legal efforts,
the constitution and lack of already begun putting in mo- ity vote of 191 to 22 Members both domestic and foreign. The to re-join the Commonwealth. political manoeuvres, an invig-
constitutionalism, which Mu- tion. of Parliament and in the Senate Amendment (No.2) Bill is ru- There is no place for unprin- orated civil society, and a prin-
tambara said should be chal- where it was short by one, the inous to the economy. It under- cipled and unimaginative des- cipled and united opposition.”
lenged. “These include Amendment mines social and economic de-
(No.1) Act, the Patriotic Bill
In a stinging opinion piece, in the offing, which is lawfare
Mutambara said President Em- (weaponisation of law), deploy-
merson Mnangagwa wants to ment of unrestrained, naked
rule by law instead of uphold- and violent repression, wide-
ing the rule of law, in “total ne- spread harassment and targeted
gation of democracy”. co-optation of the opposition,
political patronage, systemic
“The cumulative effect of corruption, primitive tribalism
the attack on democracy by and shameless clansmanship,”
the Amendment (No.2) Bill Mutambara said.
can be summarised as follows:
enabling the rigging of elec- “Indeed, there is a method to
tions with unassailable im- this madness against democrat-
punity in 2023 and beyond, ic principles: power retention
the establishment of a pliant, and consolidation at any cost,
compromised and captured ju- with the obvious casualties be-
diciary, and reintroduction of ing democracy, the economy,
an imperial presidency where and the national brand. The
Mnangagwa and his clansmen Amendment (No.2) Bill creates
solely control and determine the foundation for authoritari-
succession in Zanu PF and the an consolidation, anchored in
country,” he wrote. despotic power retention.”
“Indeed, the Amendment The opposition MDC-T
BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Government tramples on activities because most of it is
indigenous people’s rights their ancestral land). Most of
THE lack of laws protecting these people would have settled
indigenous people’s rights in mining activities, which they Moreangels Mbizah. and ritual sites and the pollu- cultural development, with due there for many years and the
Zimbabwe is exposing rural say also violate the culture and and grazing land for livestock, tion and environmental degra- regard to their ‘freedom and land would have value but the
communities to human rights heritage of the Nambya people. the destruction to their cultural dation that the mining activity identity’ and in the equal en- challenge is that communities
abuses, it has been established, heritage and social and cultural would cause,” the statement by joyment of the common heri- do not have land tenure rights.
with the African Commission The company intends to systems associated with shrines the commission reads. tage of mankind; and article 24 However, they are still trying
on Human and People’s Rights explore coal deposits in three provides that all peoples shall to use the courts and other tra-
raising concerned over the wards covering 470 000 hect- “The commission notes have the right to a satisfactory ditional laws and customs to
looming displacement of the ares, but says it will cover only that the rights of members of environment for their develop- influence the government so
people of Dinde in Hwange to 2 070 hectares during explora- indigenous communities and ment.” that they are not removed from
make way for a miner. tion. minorities to live on their land, their land,” she said during a
and to make a living off the Zimbabwe is among the webinar on on the impact of
The commission, through The commission recom- land is established in a num- countries in Sadc failing to natural resource management
the chairperson of its working mended the suspension of min- ber of provisions within the implement regional and inter- laws and policies on indigenous
group on extractive industries, ing activities in the area until a African Charter. Article 14 national instruments despite people’s rights this week.
environment and human rights social, human rights and envi- provides guarantees of the right ratifying them.
violations, Solomon Dersso ronmental assessment impact to property which may only be Speaking on the same plat-
and the country’s rapporteur has been conducted with the limited under very limited cir- Wildlife Conservation Ac- form, Legal Assistance Centre
Jamesina King last week said full participation of the com- cumstances; article 21 provides, tion founder and executive di- co-ordinator Sharen Zenda
they were worried about the munity. broadly, that natural resources rector Moreangels Mbizah said said: “Zimbabwe has no specif-
violations of human rights in must be administered ‘in the although communities speak ic laws dealing with indigenous
Dinde, as guaranteed by the “The commission is alarmed exclusive interest of the people’ out, their powers were limited people’s rights although it is a
African Charter on Human by the serious risk that this sit- and without any deprivation of by lack of property rights. party to several international
and People’s Rights. uation poses including the loss the people thereby; article 22 and regional instruments. Zim-
of access to their land and re- guarantees the right of peoples “Communities always speak babwe has a Communal Areas
Despite protests from vil- sources on which they depend to their economic, social and up when such things happen Management Programme for
lagers, a Chinese mining com- for their livelihood such as (mineral exploration or land Indigenous Resources, also
pany, Beifa Investments, has cultivation for their sustenance being taken away for other known as Campfire, limited
continued exploring for coal in to the San and Doma people.
Dinde, riding on a special grant However, due to their limit-
permit from the government. ed political participation, the
needs of individual people are
According to the villagers, not addressed.”
more than 600 people are faced
with eviction as a result of the
Page 6 News NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
OWEN GAGARE Constitution of Zim Amendment
(No.1 and No.2) Bills: The summary
THE Constitution of Zim-
babwe Amendment (No.1 ident appoints a Prosecu-
and No.2) Bills, which are tor-General, and by giving
awaiting presidential assent, the President the ultimate
will serve to aid President discretion to decide whether
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s or not a Prosecutor-General
power consolidation bid, by should be dismissed.
weakening other arms of the
state such as the judiciary. Once again, the Presi-
dent’s personal power will
The Bills, when assented be increased. It may be not-
to, will allow him to extend ed that in deciding on the
Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s appointment or dismissal
term beyond 70, enabling of a Prosecutor-General the
him to be in office during President will not have to act
the 2023 elections, when he on the advice of his cabinet:
might need him to superin- sections 110(2)(d) and (6) of
tend over any electoral chal- the constitution. The pro-
lenges, like he did in 2018. posed amendment will also,
of course, decrease the Pros-
The Zimbabwe Amend- ecutor-General’s indepen-
ment (No.2) Bill allows him dence, something on which
to remove the running mate great weight was put during
close so that he has a pliant the constitution-making pro-
deputy, while giving him cess.
greater control over cabinet,
the Prosecutor-General and Chief Secretary to the Pres-
Public Protector. Below is a ident and cabinet
summary of the Bills, taken By making the Chief Secre-
from an analysis by Veritas, a tary to the Office of the Pres-
lawyer grouping with an in- ident and Cabinet a constitu-
terest in constitutional, legal tional office-holder, the Bill
and parliamentary affairs. will increase his or her status
Constitution of Zimbabwe and the already extensive in-
Amendment (No.1) Bill fluence of the President’s Of-
The main effect of the Bill fice. By giving the President,
is to change the procedure rather than the Civil Service
for the appointment of the Commission, power to fix
Chief Justice, the Deputy the Chief Secretary’s salary
Chief Justice and the Judge and term of office, the Bill
President of the High Court. will once again increase the
These appointments will now President’s personal power
be made by the President because he will not have to
after consultation with the consult the Cabinet.
Judicial Service Commission
(JSC). Retreat from devolution the President personally increase the President’s con- Constitution of Public Protector
Constitution of Zimbabwe One of the principles of good The second main theme of trol over his vice-presidents. Zimbabwe Amend- Here, too, the Bill will in-
Amendment (No.2) Bill governance, itself a founding the Bill is to concentrate ex- Appointment of non-par- ment (No.2) Bill crease the President’s person-
The executive and the judi- value of the constitution, is ecutive power in the person liamentary ministers allows judges of al power by allowing him to
ciary the devolution and decen- of the President. The Pres- The Bill seeks to allow the the Constitution- appoint and dismiss the Pub-
tralisation of governmental ident’s personal power will President to appoint up to al Court and the lic Protector after mere con-
It permits the President power and functions [section be increased in the following seven ministers from outside Supreme Court to sultation (in this case with
to promote judges of the 3(2)(l) of the constitution]. ways: Parliament. At present, he continue to serve the JSC and Parliament’s
High Court and the Supreme Pursuant to this principle, Power to choose vice-presi- can appoint only five. beyond the current Committee on Standing
Court to a higher court on chapter 14 of the constitu- dents retirement age of Rules and Orders).
the recommendation of the tion establishes provincial Starting from the election Increasing the number of 70, if the President,
JSC, without the need for and metropolitan councils in 2023, presidential candi- non-parliamentary ministers after consulting the In other words, the office
public interviews, thereby to further the social and eco- dates will have to nominate will extend the President’s JSC, consents to of Public Protector will be
opening the door to promo- nomic development of Zim- two vice-presidential candi- power to control his cabinet their doing so. yet another office within the
tions on the basis of political babwe’s provinces. dates to stand together with as well as extending his pow- President’s gift.
suitability and cronyism. them as a team; if elected, ers of patronage. Non-par- Extending provision for
The Bill will reduce the the vice-presidents will have liamentary ministers, more- party-list members of the
It allows judges of the size of councils by providing the same security of tenure as over, may not be amenable National Assembly
Constitutional Court and that members of Parliament the President ‒ i.e. the Pres- to attending Parliament and Extending the provision for
the Supreme Court to con- will no longer be council ident will not be able to dis- answering questions from 60 party-list women mem-
tinue to serve beyond the members. This may improve miss them ‒ and succession parliamentarians. bers of the National Assem-
current retirement age of 70, the efficiency of the councils, in the event of the President’s Appointment and dismissal bly for another 10 years, and
if the President, after con- but it will make them less ceasing to hold office will be of the Prosecutor-General adding 10 party-list youth
sulting the JSC, consents to representative of the political fixed before the election. At present, the procedures members to the National
their doing so. This will strip leadership of their provinc- for appointing and dismiss- Assembly, will increase the
those judges of their securi- es. By making councils less The Bill seeks to preserve ing the Prosecutor-General number of parliamentarians
ty of tenure and hence their influential, the Bill will cor- the system that is current- are the same as those for a on whom the government
independence, since they respondingly increase the in- ly in force, under which the judge. The Bill proposes to can rely for support with-
will hold office from year to fluence and power of central President chooses vice-presi- alter this by removing the out significantly increasing
year subject to the President’s government. dents after his or her election need for public interviews of the real power of women
consent. Concentration of power in and they hold office at the candidates before the Pres- and youths in politics ‒ a
President’s pleasure. This will goal which would be better
The independence, impar- achieved by appointing more
tiality and effectiveness of women and youths as minis-
the courts are central to the ters and putting measures in
rule of law and democratic place to ensure parties select
governance. Judicial officers more women and youths for
must be independent and election in constituencies.
impartial, and must be per-
ceived to be so by the gener-
al public. By increasing the
President’s power over judg-
es, the Bill will reduce their
independence and their per-
ceived impartiality.
NewsHawks News Page 11
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
OWEN GAGARE Zim set to lose out from Monday
SOMETIMES a bridge can Kazungula: More than a bridge
be more than just a structure
made of concrete and steel. The Kazungula Bridge lies at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. there on Monday. It issued a
public notice to the general
Bridges play a crucial role border post, sub-Saharan Af- · South-western section: flow. It will boost regional Mnangagwa also attended. public, transporters, export-
in various aspects of modern rica’s busiest gateway. from Cape Town, passing trade and economic integra- During the inspection, Bo- ers, importers and clearing
life, enabling people to vis- through Kimberley, Ma- tion. agents notifying them.
it each other, get to shops, The 923-metre-long bridge hikeng (formerly Mafikeng) tswana and Zambia agreed to
schools, hospitals or work. is expected to ease the move- in South Africa, Gaborone “However, Zimbabwe will allow Zimbabwe to be tech- This signifies a major shift
Basically enabling people to ment of goods and people, and Francistown in Botswa- be badly affected. Its mo- nically part of the Kazungu- of focus from the border with
move from one point to an- while reducing the transit na, to Bulawayo in Zimba- nopoly as the gateway to la bridge project in Phase II. Zimbabwe through Victoria
other for different reasons. times considerably, hence bwe; the north will cease to exist. Zimbabwe has rights to the Falls to Kazungula.
consolidating regional inte- · South-eastern section: Traffic volumes, especially of Zambezi which it borders
But a bridge becomes more gration, trade facilitation and from Port Elizabeth (now commercial transport, will and shares with Zambia. Daewoo Engineering and
than just an engineering economic development. Gqeberha) pass through inevitably decline given that Construction was the con-
structure which connects two Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, the new route is shorter and Zimbabwe and Zambia tractor of the project. Con-
places when it plays a central But all this will happen at Pretoria and Musina in South likely to be more efficient. form the Zambezi River Au- struction of the bridge began
role in the development of a the expense of Zimbabwe, Africa, to Bulawayo, Zimba- This means loss of many eco- thority involved in the man- after the ground-breaking
community, country or re- whose historical advantag- bwe; and nomic advantages, including agement of Kariba Dam and ceremony was held on the
gion. es were embedded in British revenue.” water resources in the Zam- Botswana side by former
colonial empire-builder Ce- · South-central section: Bu- bezi Basin. Zambian vice-president Guy
Bridges’ impact become cil Rhodes’s Cape-to-Cairo lawayo line to Victoria Falls Freight and passenger tran- Scott, who was also acting
huge and far-reaching when dream. in Zimbabwe, Livingstone, sit time is projected to be sig- The source of the Zambezi president in 2014/2015 af-
they support the movement Lusaka and Ndola, Zambia, nificantly reduced due to im- River – the fourth longest ter Michael Sata’s death, and
of goods and services on a The Cape-to-Cairo dream and Sakania, Lubumbashi, proved border management river in Africa after the Nile, his Botswana ex-counterpart,
large scale — becoming a was anchored on the idea of Tenke, Bukama, Kamina, Ka- operations arising from the Congo and Niger – lies at Ponatshego Kedikilwe.
transport and trade route; building a railway line con- balo and Kindu in the Dem- one-stop-border facilities. about 1 500 metres (4 900ft)
contributing to economic de- necting Africa from south to ocratic Republic of Congo. above sea level in north-west- The project was financed
velopment. north. It would have been the As shown by these rail cor- The expert went further: ern Zambia’s Mwinilunga partly through a loan of
largest and most important ridors, Zimbabwe was the “It will be an irony for Mnan- district, close to the border US$80m between Zambia
This is certainly the case railway infrastructure on the regional hub and gateway to gagwa or any Zimbabwean where Zambia, Angola and and the African Development
with Kazungula Bridge across continent. It was planned as the region. to celebrate a project which the DRC meet. Bank. Botswana met part of
the confluence of the Zam- a link between Cape Town in However, all these hitherto will certainly undermine the the cost, while another part-
bezi and Chobe rivers at a South Africa and Port Said in unchallenged advantages will country’s economic interest.” From there it flows through ner, the Japan International
unique geographical point Egypt. end on Monday. Zambia, Angola, Namib- Co-operation Agency, was on
where Botswana, Namibia, “Zimbabwe certainly Mnangagwa claims Zim- ia and Botswana then back board.
Zambia and Zimbabwe meet. Zimbabwe, already a hub stands to lose out in a big way babwe is part of the project. along the border of Zam-
for transport routes to the from the Kazungula project,” Technically, he is right as bia and Zimbabwe, finally Construction of the bridge
The US$260 million road- north, would have been the a regional trade expert told Zimbabwe shares the Zam- discharging into the Indian commenced in December
rail project will be commis- gateway. The NewsHawks. bezi River with Zambia. The Ocean at its delta in Mozam- 2014 and the final inspection
sioned on Monday by the “The project, which in- Zimbabwean President said bique. Its catchment basin is was undertaken by Botswa-
presidents of Botswana and Rhodes treated Zimba- corporates one-stop-border 1 390 000 square km, which na’s minister of Transport and
Zambia, Mokgweetsi Masisi bwe, which he named South- post facilities in Zambia and this week his government is half that of the Nile. Communications, Thulagan-
and Edgar Lungu respective- ern Rhodesia after himself Botswana, will serve as an would soon build the Ka- yo Segokgo and his Zambian
ly. Zimbabwean President and then just Rhodesia after alternative to the existing zungula-Victoria Falls road The Zambezi, the longest counterpart, minister of In-
Emmerson Mnangagwa will the independence of Zam- route at Chirundu linking to facilitate easy movement, east-flowing river in Africa, frastructure Vincent Mwale,
also attend. bia (Northern Rhodesia) in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The transportation and tourism. cascades through six coun- in October last year.
1964, as personal property. new bridge replaces the ex- tries on its 2 700-kilometre
Technically, Zimbabwe is isting ferry system which has However, Botswana and journey from its source in The project fits into the
part of the project, although Currently, the operation- low carrying capacity, is risky Zambia publicly say it is their north-western Zambia to the African Regional Transport
it did not invest a dime. Tell- al length of the railway is 5 and limits cross-border traffic project since they were in- Indian Ocean. Integration Network, the
ingly, when the governments 625 kilometres out of a total volved in it from start to fin- Programme for Infrastructure
of Botswana and Zambia this 10 489 kilometres that was ish. They also funded it with Things are already chang- Development in Africa and
week exchanged pleasantries expected to be built from the partners without Zimbabwe. ing fast. Zambia this week re- the Sadc Transport Sector
over their growing “strategic south to the north of the con- located its customs operations Plan which has four major
partnership”, there was no tinent. The operational status But when inspection of from Livingstone port office programmes, namely:
mention of Zimbabwe. of sections of the railway are the project was done in 2018 to Kazungula one-stop-bor- · North‐south multimodal
as follows: by former Botswana presi- der post, and will start work corridor;
While the project will be dent Ian Khama and Lungu, · Central corridor;
of immense regional benefit, · Beira and Nacala multi-
it is, however, bad news for modal corridor; and
Zimbabwe: from Monday it · Southern African hub port
loses its historical advantages and rail programme.
as a strategically positioned
economic player on Sadc’s A total of 208 projects
north-south trade corridor. are listed as part of the Sadc
Transport Sector Modal De-
Regionally, the project will velopment Plan, consisting
benefit the local population of:
in the area by providing an · 18 border post projects;
improved border crossing fa- · 72 road projects;
cility between Botswana and · 31 rail projects;
Zambia across the Zambezi · 23 aviation projects; and
River. This will reduce cross- · 64 maritime and port
ing time and cut expenses by projects.
eliminating the current risky
ferryboat arrangement. “Zimbabwe needs be in-
volved at all levels of regional
The project has already cre- development projects which
ated employment opportuni- have a bearing on its econo-
ties during the construction my, development and geoeco-
period and guarantees long- nomics. It must take part in
term jobs in the area due to the shaping of enabling pol-
the anticipated development icy/regulatory environment;
of local businesses, trans- border post infrastructure;
port and trade activities, and road and rail infrastructure
cross-border economic un- (new, upgrade and mainte-
dertakings. nance); aviation projects and
ports and water transport
At a higher level, the infra- facilities. On the Kazungula
structural project is of stra- project, Botswana and Zam-
tegic importance to enhance bia are the winners; we are
transport links, trade and the losers,” the expert said.
economic activities between
the two countries and other
Sadc states, especially to the
north.
The multi-million-dol-
lar project, which began in
2014, was conceived as a
bypass to Zimbabwe and its
main port of entry Beitbridge
Page 8 News NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
BRIDGET MANANAVIRE Road-rail project to boost tourism
THE much-awaited opening - across the Zambezi River roundtrip. It is the same dis- Falls on the Zambezi River in
next week of the US$260 mil- which forms a border between tance from Kazungula to Liv- Zimbabwe.
lion Kazungula Bridge across Zambia and Zimbabwe. ingstone in Zambia, as it is to
the Zambezi River between Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The Zambezi National Park
Botswana and Zambia is ex- Zimbabwean President Em- was split off from Victoria
pected to boost tourism in the merson Mnangagwa this week There is also now a flight Falls National Park in 1979
region, including in Zimba- said his government, now ex- between Victoria Falls and and is bisected by a road to
bwe. cluded from the Kazungula Kasane with effect from 1 Kazungula, dividing it into a
Bridge project even though May. riverine side and a Chamabon-
The Kazungula Bridge he misleadingly claimed it was da Vlei side.
lies at the confluence of the still part of it (at one point it Linking Victoria Falls and
Zambezi and Chobe Rivers; appeared to be), will soon up- Kariba – which is close to the During a recent site visit
strategically situated at the grade the road from Kazungu- breath-taking Unesco heritage to Kazungula Bridge Philda
intersection of the borders of la to Victoria Falls. site Mana Pools and Bumi Kereng, Botswana’s Tourism
Botswana, Zambia, Namibia Hills - with an efficient trans- minister remarked that Lon-
and Zimbabwe – a rarity for That will provide a quick port system would also be don has the London Bridge
four countries to meet at one link between Victoria Falls and helpful to tourism. and now Southern Africa as
point. the Chobe region. the iconic Kazungula Bridge.
Overall, the bridge will
Apart from its economic From the Zambian side, it greatly facilitate access to the “We appreciate this bridge
utility, the bridge will boost will now be easier to cross over Chobe National Park in Bo- very much, especially at this
tourism between the four to Botswana and back, all the tswana, Hwange National point, where we are develop-
countries, mainly as its pro- way to Livingstone, and across Park in Zimbabwe, Victoria ing and diversifying tourism.
vides easy crossing back and to Victoria Falls in Zimba- Falls National Park and the Kasane will become a much
forth, particularly between bwe, completing a key route Zambezi National Park, lo- more accessible and attractive
Botswana and Zambia, the for an extraordinary tourism cated upstream from Victoria tourist destination,” she said.
two implementors of the proj-
ect.
The bridge replaces the lim-
ited capacity and risky ferry-
boat transport system which
has been used to cross the river
for a long time.
Kasane town, in the
north-eastern corner of Bo-
tswana, is just around the
bridge and has an airport.
The airport is along the A33
Road, four kilometres south
of the town and four kilome-
tres south of the border with
Namibia, hence close to the
Caprivi, now Zambezi region.
It is an hour’s flight from
Kasane to Maun, a town on
the Thamalakane River in
northern Botswana which is a
landing pad to the vast inland
Okavango Delta, a lush wild-
life habitat during seasonal
floods. The delta, the largest
freshwater wetland ecosystem
of international importance,
is a treasure to tourism in Bo-
tswana and the region.
In the delta, safari camps
dot Moremi Game Reserve,
home to a wide array of wild-
life, birds and flora, including
the Big Five, elephant, buffalo,
rhino, leopard and lion found
all over that region and all
countries in the region.
But the bridge will bring
more relieve and activity to
Kasane. Situated on the Chobe
River, Kasane is a bustling lit-
tle town offering easy access to
the Chobe National Park.
As there are no boundary
fences between the park and
the village, wildlife roams the
vicinity and through camp-
sites.
Kasane is the gateway to
Chobe National Park, known
for its herds of elephants which
converge on the Chobe River
in the dry season. Caracal Bio-
diversity Centre there shelters
rescued wildlife. The Chobe
Crocodile Farm is nearby.
Spread out along the banks
of the Chobe River, Kasane
presents an array of hotels,
lodges, guest houses and
campsites that accommodate
visitors to the national park.
Some are splendidly situat-
ed, with panoramic views of
the river and its wildlife.
Activities include game
drives, sightseeing, cultural
tours and river boat cruises.
Further, the Kazungula
Bridge is about an hour’s drive
to the world-famous Victo-
ria Falls – a tourism magnet
NewsHawks News Page 13
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Embattled Ndewere fights to save her job
BERNARD MPOFU the backlog created whilst Nyowani, and also failed
she was away, it is in fact to give written reasons for
SUSPENDED High Court incredible that she was able the appeal for bail in the
judge Erica Ndewere has to catch up as is clear from Supreme Court.
dismissed allegations of the Ndirowei (High Court
incompetence levelled Registrar) statistics of 23rd But Ndewere argued
against her, arguing that October, 2020 which were that, instead, the tribunal,
witnesses brought to her never placed before the through processes that are
drama-filled tribunal had Commissioners,” she ar- unknown to the judge,
failed to provide evidence gues. came up with a charge
as the case closes. relating to Nyowani, a
Ndewere filed her clos- “The Chief Justice’s charge that was never be-
ing submissions to the memos to the Judge Presi- fore the JSC, was never re-
Attorney-General’s Office dent, which were based on ferred to the President and
this week as she awaits admittedly wrong statistics, was never advised to the
her fate following an inci- and which did not all reach judge prior to her receipt
dent-filled hearing. her, can only be admissible of the charges. From the
Last year, the Judicial in evidence on production evidence led from
Service Commission (JSC) by the Judge President who
wrote a letter of complaint would be required to con- Elijah Makomo, it ap-
to Ndewere, accusing her firm having brought each pears he was asked to in-
of gross incompetence and one of these to the atten- vestigate this allegation
failure to carry out her du- tion of the Honourable well after the gazetting of
ties as outlined by the law. Justice Ndewere. Proclamation 7 of 2020,
The letter was signed by Ndewere argued.
JSC secretary Walter Chik- “Even if the Tribunal
wanha. were to find some wrong- “It is therefore unclear
In October 2020, Ndew- doing on the part of the who procured Makomo
ere was served with a letter judge despite the evidence to conduct investigations
informing her that the JSC of clear evidence on all the into Nyowani between the
had resolved to advise the counts, it is respectfully JSC and the Tribunal and
President that the question submitted that the prayer it is equally unclear under
of removing her from office to have her declared unfit what law or authority this
ought to be investigated. to remain in office is so was done particularly given
This led to the com- over the top as to be mali- the fact that this was never
mencement of the tribunal cious. A reading of the pro- placed before the JSC and
which was held at Hara- visions of Section 19 of the the President and therefore
re Club Chambers amid Code of Ethics which deals does not form part of what
twists and turns. The tribu- with reserved judgments is Justice Erica Ndewere. the President considered
nal was chaired by retired clear on the procedures to although the JSC did not under the Code of Ethics when the Proclamation
judge Simbi Mubako. be followed where reserved give evidence as to why would have to be done so tered, and it being clear was gazette,” she argued.
Ndewere, through judgments exceed the nine- and under what law the that there is a basis for the that the JSC was intent
her lawyers Mtetwa and ty-day period without any secretariat staff conducted conclusion. This is partic- on ignoring her rights to Ndewere also questioned
Nyambirai, accused Chief unusual and exceptional the investigations, and her ularly so given the lack of administrative justice that whether those who pre-
Justice Luke Malaba of circumstances. As there requests to be furnished transparency in the inves- was lawful, and both pro- sented evidence have dis-
overstepping his mandate is no evidence that such with reasons why the code tigative process which is cedurally and substantially charged the onus of proof
in this case. She also crit- procedures were followed, of ethics had been ignored, in breach of Section 190 fair, and being aware that on each one of the allega-
icised the unprocedural and that her head of court it appears there is a belief of the Constitution which the tables attached to the tions before the tribunal.
ways in which the inves- gave her directions which that the Chief Justice has a requires that the JSC con- bundle of documents had
tigation was conducted, she persistently disregard- discretion to ignore provi- duct its business ‘in a just, been deliberately falsified, “If the Tribunal deter-
among other averments. ed, it is respectfully sub- sions of the code of ethics fair and transparent man- she requested her imme- mines that the charges be-
“For Justice Ndewere to mitted that not delivering if he considers the alleged ner’. (It should be not- diate superior, the Judge fore it are properly before
be found guilty of incom- a few reserved judgments acts of misconduct to be ed that none of the three President, to have the sta- it in the same format and
petence, the JSC must lead within ninety days in the serious. charges before the Tribunal tistics reconsidered in the narration that was before
evidence showing that de- particular circumstances have been characterised as hope that correct statistics the JSC, and that the al-
spite working under the she found herself in cannot “With respect, such an ‘gross’ as envisaged under would be presented to both legations remain the same
same conditions as all these justify her removal from interpretation would be Section 187 (1).) the JSC and the President,” both qualitatively and
other judges whose judg- office. This is particularly wrong for a number of Ndewere averred. quantitatively, and that
ments were handed down so when account is taken reasons as follows: Firstly, “Section 21 of the Code the President was simi-
well outside the ninety-day of the fact that the statis- there is no provision in the of Ethics is mandatory in “Despite a new and dif- larly given the allegations
threshold, she did some- tics in both the Supreme constitution and the sub- that it provides that ‘the ferent table emerging from as now rephrased before
thing out of the ordinary and Constitutional Courts sidiary legislation which Chief Justice shall appoint reconsideration, this was the Tribunal, and under-
well below the 17% of as published on the JSC gives such power to the a disciplinary committee not availed to the JSC, the stood them as now framed
the second schedule. This website during the current Chief Justice. If it was the which shall investigate the President and herself and both in terms of content,
the JSC and the evidence Chief Justice’s tenure show intention of the legislature acts or omissions allegedly this was only made avail- context and the numbers
presenters did not do. As compliance of about 22% or the constitution maker constituting the violation’. able to her after the com- involved, and that the at-
it cannot be seriously dis- with the ninety-day rule as to give such power to the The Chief Justice therefore mencement of the tached table before the Tri-
puted that she unexpected- only 34 judgments out of Chief Justice, the constitu- has no discretion whatso- bunal is the same as that
ly fell ill and had to have 154 were delivered within tion and the subsidiary leg- ever to avoid the setting up Tribunal inquiry and considered by the JSC and
an operation which took that period. In the absence islation would say so,” she of a disciplinary committee upon request as it was not the President, and that the
her out of work for two of clear evidence analysing argued. and his failure to appoint clear which table the Tri- Proclamation was based on
months, and that during all her cases over a period one renders his referral of bunal charges was referring the allegations now before
this period, she was allo- of time, it cannot be seri- “Secondly, for one to ar- the matter to the JSC a le- to.” the Tribunal, as supported
cated work as if she was ously contended that she rive at the conclusion that gal nullity.” by the same documents
not on sick leave and that continuously, persistently, the allegations constitute During the tribunal, that were before the JSC,
on her return, she contin- defiantly failed to comply serious misconduct wor- She added that the JSC High Court registrar Don- it is respectfully submitted
ued receiving work with- with this rule and direc- thy of being placed before had handled her case in vi- ald Ndirowei gave evidence that the evidence presented
out taking into account tions given to justify a re- the JSC for referral to the olation of the law. pertaining to allegations nevertheless fell short of
moval from office.” President, independent in- that Justice Ndewere failed what was required to prove
vestigations as provided for “Having had her rea- to give reasons why she the allegations and to in-
Ndewere argued that sonable expectations shat- refused to grant bail to an voke the ultimate penalty
accused person, Tapson of removal from office,”
Ndewere averred.
Page 10 News NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Loan guarantee beneficiary
denies Zanu PF crony links
BRIDGET MANANAVIRE the opportunity to pur- maturity of the Guarantee; (d) Guarantee is for Roelof Nugteren.
chase land.” the Guarantor undertakes the use and benefit of the
LUXAFLOR Roses, the to make full payment of Lender and the Lender
company which got a Roelof referred ques- all amounts payable by the may not without consent
US$750 000 bank loan tions from The News- Guarantor in terms of this of the Guarantor, assign,
guarantee from govern- Hawks on the loan guar- Guarantee upon demand transfer, mortgage, charge
ment that has raised eye- antee to the company’s from the Lender within and deal in any matter
brows, says it does not have chairperson, saying he was thirty (30) calendar days; with or all of its rights
any link with Zanu PF, just a “farm manager”. and obligations under this
despite its manager having (c) that the total amount Guarantee;
previously expressed sup- Luxaflor chairperson of this Guarantee shall be
port for President Emmer- Yakub Mahomed said the reduced by any payment (e) The guarantee shall
son Mnangagwa. guarantee was based on of the principal, interest remain valid and in force
merit as the company had and fees by the Lender, or until all amounts due un-
The government an- no links to the govern- any payment of the prin- der the terms and condi-
nounced in last Friday’s ment. cipal, interest and fees by tions of the Facility are
Government Gazette that the Guarantor; paid up.”
it will guarantee a US$750 “The guarantee was
000 CBZ loan to Luxaflor based on three things: SUPERLIFE
Roses under the Covid-19 growing the rose industry,
Economic Recovery and creating jobs and earning STC30
Stimulus Package. foreign currency. We start-
ed with nine hectares and As we age our stemcells (basic building blocks in our body for repair
The guarantee covers we are intending to be on processes), like other cells, they age, get weakened, die and get depleted in
50% of the facility meant 32 hectares in September.
to finance the procure- Most of our money has process (owing to the heavy toll our lifestyle has on them)
ment of raw materials for been going towards cap-
the production and export ital expansion. We need STC30 stemcell supplement, made to allow your body to regenerate, heal
of roses. to import the greenhouses itself and deal effectively with:
because they last longer,”
In November 2020, the Mahomed said. Ÿ Arthritis Ÿ Cysts
horticulture project run Ÿ Diabetes
by Aart Nugteren and his “We have been going Ÿ Acids Ÿ Skin Disease
son Roelof was reported to to the banks but have not Ÿ Allergies
be exporting 30 million to been successful there be- Ÿ Eyesight Problems, Prostrate Disorder Ÿ ETC
35 million rose stems per cause the banks are not ac-
year, earning US$8.2 mil- cepting security of things WhatsAPP +263 71 379 6159
lion. on the farm. So, govern-
ment stepped up because
In an interview in Au- they could see the vision
gust 2018, Roelof told an we have and the process
international newsletter was thorough. I have been
that Mnangagwa would working closely with gov-
be the best leader for Zim- ernment on the 200-hect-
babwe, arguing that Cha- are rollout we are working
misa would not be able to on. And I should just add,
fulfil electoral promises. this will be a loan and we
will pay it back.”
“He (Mnangagwa) got
80 to 90% of the votes in He said exports were
all rural areas. The only affected by the Covid-19
place where many peo- pandemic but were start-
ple were against him was ing to improve.
capital city Harare. Un-
employment is very high The 16-hectare rose
there. November last year, farm is in Concession.
everyone was jumping
for joy at the prospect of The guarantee reads:
change after all that time. “It is hereby notified, in
And now, people in the terms of section 300 (3)
cities already want to see of the Constitution of
more changes. It’s import- Zimbabwe, as read with
ant to stay realistic,” Roe- section 18 (2) of the Pub-
lof said then. lic Debt Management Act
[Chapter 22:21], that the
“Chamisa promises the Minister of Finance and
population all sorts of Economic Development
things, but he wouldn’t hereby issued the follow-
be able to deliver, because ing:
he doesn’t have any inter-
national contacts. Mnan- (a) Guarantee, bind-
gagwa’s past might not be ing the Government
great, but foreign com- of Zimbabwe as sure-
panies and organisations ty for the repayment of
all know him. He’ll open US$750,000,00 (50% of
Zimbabwe’s borders for the facility) to Luxaflor
international trade. What Roses (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe needs now is from CBZ Bank Limited
hard currency, and Mnan- to finance the procure-
gagwa will be able to at- ment of raw materials
tract investors. for production and ex-
port of roses under the
“Zanu PF is the best COVID-19 Economic
party for employers, we Recovery and Stimulus
can see they’re trying their Package;
best. For example, by of-
fering foreign companies (b) should there be any
outstanding amounts due
to Lender at the date of
NewsHawks News Page 13
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
BERNARD MPOFU Mozambique scuppers terial committee meeting of
Sadc troop deployment the same body last week in the
MOZAMBIQUE is expect- Mozambican capital.
ed to veto the deployment of Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi. not convincing to us. We have
the Southern African Devel- seen summits taking place The Sadc intervention force
opment Community (Sadc) some of the impact. So this, of access to the site and also to said, paid the air travel, ac- without heads of state but would comprise three light
standby troops to the coun- of course, would have affected be able to meet with relevant commodation and meal ex- with their representatives. We infantry battalions of 620
try’s northern Cabo Delgado the solidity and the analysis,” stakeholders (at regional, pro- penses although the technical believe that the summit could soldiers each, a light infantry
province after it emerged that Nuvunga said in an interview vincial and local levels).” team did not work closely with have taken place without the battalion headquarters with
a technical team tasked by the with The NewsHawks. the Maputo authorities. President and that their repre- 90 troops, two special forces
regional bloc to assess the sit- Information gathered shows sentatives would have carried squadrons of 70 soldiers each,
uation in the conflict-troubled “We were not convinced that the technical team was “You would have seen that their authorities. With my 100 engineers, 100 logistics
region failed to carry out a by the Sadc technical team’s working from the Glory Ho- our President travelled to President (Nyusi) travelling to coordinators, 120 signals
comprehensive job, The New- assessment of the situation. tel, which usually hosts Sadc Rwanda precisely the day that Rwanda, that also sends a mes- experts and 42 technicians,
sHawks has established. The intelligence is really not officials whenever the region- the summit was supposed to sage to the relationship with among other military person-
convincing so we have learnt al bloc convenes meetings in take place which was post- the Sadc technical team and nel.
Information gathered by that this was due to the lack Maputo. Botswana, sources poned on the grounds that are also the fact that this whole
this publication shows that report was leaked is also an in- There are also helicopters
new light has emerged on dication that something might as well as transport aircraft,
why the authorities in Mapu- have not gone the right way.” patrol ships, a submarine and
to blocked the deployment of a maritime aircraft to patrol
troops to the natural gas-en- Questions emailed to Sadc the Cabo Delgado coastline
dowed region which has be- on Thursday were not re- to intercept insurgents’ move-
come the epicentre of violent sponded to at the time of pub- ments, supplies and combat
extremism. lication. their drug trafficking activi-
ties, said to be a source of their
Adriano Nuvunga, a politi- The developments come financing for the insurgency.
cal scientist based in Mozam- after the eleventh-hour post-
bique who heads a think-tank, ponement of a crucial meet- The technical assessment
the Centre for Democracy and ing between Botswana, South team also recommended a
Development, said on the day Africa, Zimbabwe and Mo- phased approach implement-
Sadc was expected to convene zambique set for Maputo to fi- ed in four stages: deployment
a meeting to endorse the de- nalise the urgent intervention of intelligence assets (land, air
ployment of troops, President road map and action. and maritime) to understand
Filipe Nyusi travelled to Kigali the insurgents’ operations;
to meet his Rwandan counter- The delay of the Sadc troi- special forces and naval equip-
part. ka summit of the organ on ment; pacification operations
politics, defence and security and withdrawal.
This, he said, demonstrated cooperation – which includes
Maputo’s reluctance to invite President Mokgweetsi Masisi This plan entails the deploy-
Sadc troops. As extensively of Botswana, the chair, incom- ment of Sadc troops to sup-
reported by The NewsHawks, ing chair President Cyril Ra- port the local army, providing
Nyusi prefers a bilateral ap- maphosa of South Africa and the Mozambican military with
proach instead of collective re- outgoing chair Zimbabwean training and support; and en-
gional military action in tack- President Emmerson Mnan- suring logistical support.
ling the insurgency. gagwa – followed the extraor-
dinary foreign affairs minis- These combined and self-re-
“We were told that the tech- inforcing actions are ultimate-
nical team did not have the ly designed to neutralise the
opportunity to have a physical insurgents whose centres of
visit. They might have been fly- gravity, including strategic,
ing over the area, but were not operational, tactical, critical
able to access the ground for capabilities, needs, strengths
physical verification, engage and vulnerabilities issues, were
with people including seeing identified by the Sadc techni-
cal team.
MDC Alliance KEEP THAT COUGH
approaches UNDER COVER.
Constitutional Court Always keep that cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue and put
over stolen seat the tissue in the bin straight away. Wash your hands with soap and
water for at least 20 seconds or more afterwards.
CHEATED MDC Alliance when he filed a petition at the
2018 candidate for Chegutu Electoral Court raising his ob- TOGETHER WE CAN STOP THE
West Gift Konjana will next jections on the result. SPREAD AND STAY HEALTHY.
week approach the Constitu-
tional Court in his quest to get He filed an application with HELP
the parliamentary seat which the High Court on 6 August
rightfully belongs to him. 2018. STOPTHE
SPREAD
Konjana has been in the The case should have been
courts for years, challenging finalised within six months in AND STAY HEALTHY
the Zimbabwe Electoral Com- accordance with the constitu-
mission’s (Zec) announcement tion and electoral law. Section The NewsHawks @NewsHawksLive www.thenewshawks.com [email protected]
of Zanu PF’s Dexter Nduna as 182 (1) of the Electoral Act
the winner of the 2018 parlia- states: “Every election petition
mentary election. shall be determined within six
months from the date of pre-
Zec admitted it blundered, sentation.”.
but informed Konjana to ap-
proach the courts as the com- And section 182 (2) stipu-
mission did not have powers lates that appeals “shall be de-
to reverse announced results. termined within three months
from the date of the lodging of
Supreme Court judg- the appeal.”
es Justices Bharat Patel and
Chinembiri Bhunu last month In October 2018, an Elec-
dismissed Konjana’s appeal toral Court judge, Justice
challenging the pronounce- Mary Zimba-Dube, dismissed
ment of Nduna as the winner. Konjana’s election petition on
the basis that it was defective
Konjana has launched sev- and he filed an appeal at the
eral legal battles to get his Supreme Court in November
parliamentary seat since 2018 2018. — STAFF WRITER
Page 12 News NewsHawks
Zanu PF Issue 29, 7 May 2021
youths grab
Gweru
markets
STEPHEN CHADENGA hotspot in Mtapa suburb, “As a local authority, we ical.” promised party youths they work on the renovation of
the city fathers decided to know some informal trad- Zanu PF Midlands pro- would get vending stalls as Kudzanai and Kombayi
ZANU PF youths in the allocate some registered ers allocated themselves part of efforts to economi- markets in the city as well
Midlands capital have vendors a temporary work- vending stalls. However, vincial spokesperson Cor- cally empower them. as construction of new sites
forcibly allocated them- place at the new Mtapa we encourage traders to nelius Mpereri said he was is expected to be complet-
selves vending stalls at long-distance bus terminus follow the correct proce- hearing the reports for the The decision by ruling ed this year.
Mtapa market with city fa- while awaiting construc- dures whereby they are al- first time. party youths to grab trad-
thers failing to take action tion of vending sites at the located stalls by the local ing space comes at a time He urged informal trad-
against them for fear of rank. authority. “I’m hearing it for the council faces headaches in ers to be patient as the
reprisals, The NewsHawks first time, l will check and accommodating more than companies contracted by
can report. But some ruling party “But we would not know revert,” he said. 5 000 informal traders who council were facing chal-
activists have disregarded which party they belong are on the vending waiting lenges in importing some
Gweru City Council cre- council procedures and al- to. To us, they are informal But at a Zanu PF meet- list. building material from
ated the temporary vend- located themselves space at traders, it is purely apolit- ing held in Gweru last South Africa.
ing space as a stop-gap the new vending site. month, Provincial Affairs Makombe recently said
measure following delays minister Larry Mavima
by two companies, Ben- MDC Alliance Gweru
tach Resources (Private) mayor Josiah Makombe
Limited and Casas Prop- referred questions to coun-
erties Investments, which cil spokesperson Vimbai
were contracted by the lo- Chingwaramusee, who
cal authority to renovate confirmed that some ven-
market stalls. The compa- dors had allocated them-
nies missed last year’s dead- selves stalls although she
line for the completion said she was unaware of
of the refurbishment and their political affiliation.
construction of new vend-
ing sites reportedly owing “How do you know they
to logistical challenges. are Zanu PF youths? If it’s
political, then unfortu-
After council realised nately l cannot comment,
that informal traders had you can get a comment
mushroomed at a Covid-19 from the political party
spokespersons,” she said.
NewsHawks News Page 13
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Bulawayo faces massive land shortage
LIZWE SEBATHA the then 1976 Regional, spite consultants noting that nessed in decades. The planned Egodini Mall able land within the current
Town and Country Plan- circumstances have changed, Major development pro- is failing to take off, several municipal boundary, the
BULAWAYO requires as particularly the population years after a South African masterplan will need to allo-
much as 27 000 hectares of ning Act. which stood at nearly 700 posals contained in the contractor, civil engineer- cate land outside the existing
land within and outside its “The operational mas- 000 as of the 2012 census. review of the 2000 opera- ing firm Terracotta Trading municipal boundary to meet
boundaries to meet the needs Independent estimates put tional masterplan involve (Private) Limited, won the the projected land require-
of residents and industry un- terplan plan is more than the current population of the the re-development of the tender to upgrade the former ments over the plan period.
der a development strategy nineteen years (old) and the city at over 1.5 million. city’s former transport hubs Basch Street Terminus into The land shortfall is as in-
running until 2034. physical, economic, social at Egodini terminus and in a regional public transport dicated…Bulawayo’s Land
and environmental condi- “It’s a long-term vision. Makokoba, construction of hub in 2012. Needs and Availability: Land
Only 12 350 hectares are tions upon which the plan’s We cannot just change it Needs: 27 995 hectares, land
available for development, proposal were premised have will-nilly just because we are sanitary landfills, roads, The operational master- planned 2 500 ha, land avail-
leaving a shortfall of just over changed and hence new now in office. It does not an integrated sports complex plan notes the need for more able 12.350 ha…land needs
13 000 hectares, according to planning challenges and is- have to work out like that. and truck stops. land to “meet the needs (shortfall)13 145 ha.”
an assessment of Bulawayo’s sues have emerged,” reads It’s long term and whatever and requirements of 1 524
operational masterplan by in part the background to policies we come up with The proposals also cite the 899 (population estimate) Council is currently fail-
independent consultants Job the review of the operational should conform to the mas- need for the development persons in terms of land re- ing to meet the demand for
Jika and Associates. plan by the consultants. terplan,” Ncube said in an of major commercial nodes/ quirements, housing, social residential houses and stands,
interview. business parks, develop- and physical infrastructure with the waiting list now ex-
The current operational However, Bulawayo depu- ment and the upgrading of services as well as other social ceeding 150 000 with less
masterplan is more than 19 ty mayor Mlandu Ncube said However, this comes at water and sewer treatment and community facilities. than 30 000 housing stands
years old, having been pre- there was nothing odd about a time the city is suffering plants, primary and second- having been availed in the
pared in 2000 as a review of the city relying on a 21-year- urban decay with no major ary schools, clinics, hospitals, “Despite the fact that past decade.
the 1982 masterplan under old masterplan to meet the development projects wit- police stations and major in- there exists some develop-
city’s development goals de- dustrial establishments.
Page 14 News NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Chilonga decision to set aside land for
villagers lucerne production. One vil-
face torrid lage head narrated how some
intimidation men driving a car without
number plates have terrorised
MORRIS BISHI he chanted “pasi nemaKaran- his family. He explained that
ga” (down with Karanga peo- he once spent three days away
ple) during a visit to the area from home fearing for his
INTIMIDATION of com-by Masvingo minister of stateleft my home for three days ings?” asked the village head. lage heads once moved from life and the unidentified men
munity leaders in ChilongaEzra Chadzamira. Chargesafter men travelling in an un- Ephraim Mthombeni, di- his home after men believed to thereafter kidnapped his son
who are against displacementsagainst Dumela are not yetmarked vehicle came looking be state security agents visited and asked him to direct them
to pave way for a lucerneclear. He was summoned byfor me. After failing to locaterector of the Masvingo Centre his home looking for him. to where his father was. The
grass project and possibly thepolice at Chambuta who di-me, they abducted my son,for Research and Advocacy son had to dodge the men,”
extraction of minerals, hasrected him to pay a fine, buttelling him that he should lead(Macrad), a non-profit social “At the heart of the villag- Mthombeni said.
reached frightening levels ashe refused and is now beingthem to where l was. I am in-justice organisation, told The ers’ concerns is intimidation
some traditional leaders arerepresented by Collen Mabokenocent, my crime is only thatNewsHawks that it is surpris- by some government agents “The community leaders
now staying in the bush inof the Zimbabwe Lawyers forl represent my voiceless peopleing that instead of intensify- who claim to be from the are now living in fear as state
fear of state agents, The New-Human Rights. who are against these forced ing public consultation over President’s Office. The com- security agents have been
sHawks can report. relocations to pave way for a the project, the government is munity leaders put forward roaming around their villages
A village head in Chib- grass project which will feed threatening known opponents that instead of seeing door-to- and intimidating people. The
State security agents travel-wedziva told The NewsHawkscattle. I am yet to believe thisof the project in Chilonga. He door consultations, they have security agents have report-
ling in unmarked vehicles arehe is now staying in the bushis true. What is important be-said traditional leaders were witnessed door-to-door intim- edly threatened to decisive-
visiting the homes of knownafter men travelling in antween animals and human be- being targeted and he also idation of people who public- ly deal with all those against
village heads who are at theunmarked vehicle visited his confirmed that one of the vil- ly criticise the government’s government programmes. The
forefront of resisting a gov-home looking for him. He said surveillance by the agents in-
ernment move to evict overthe men came back the follow- tensified after some top-rank-
ing day and abducted his child ing officials from the county’s
CONFERENCE ROOM AVAILABLE12 000 families from theirwhom they told to lead them main opposition party visited
to where his father was. Chiredzi,” said Mthombeni.
ancestral land to pave way
for a lucerne grass project by“I am now living in fear to He added that the gov-
the extent that it is risky for ernment should hold proper
PRIVATE MEETINGS I INVESTMENT MEETINGS I WORKSHOPS IKwekwe-based milk produc-me to tell you my name. I once consultations which should
be monitored by the Zimba-
er Dendairy. Two weeks ago, bwe Human Rights Commis-
sion (ZHRC) to ensure that
PRODUCT LAUNCHES I MEDIA OR FINANCIAL BRIEFINGS IAlbert Dumela, a youth from human rights are not being
TRAINING I STRATEGIC PLANNINGChilonga, was arrested after violated. He said the ZHRC
should visit the area and inter-
view the people with a view to
protecting their rights as peo-
ple of Chilonga are now even
fearing of constructing perma-
nent buildings as their future
is uncertain.
Govt disburses ZW$21.8bn
Covid-19 stimulus funding
STAFF REPORTER the country as well as capacity a number of companies in the
development of essential staff manufacturing sector took ad-
GOVERNMENT says it dis- involved in the implementa- vantage of the nvironment and
bursed ZW$21.8 billion under tion of Covid-19 interven- increased their average capacity
the ZW$18.2 billion Covid-19 tions.” utilisation and hence volumes.
Economic Recovery and Stim- Such companies included food
ulus Package although industry Ncube said the pandem- manufacturers and produc-
and trade unionists have over ic had a mixed impact on the ers of PPEs and other medical
the last year said the funds had economy. It was severe on sec- products required in the fight
not trickled down to struggling tors such as tourism, against the pandemic.”
companies.
The figure suggests the gov- education, health, transport, He said the health sector
ernment overshoot the budget trade and international com- also benefitted from increased
by ZW$3.6 million. modity prices but less severe on demand for medical services
In his Economic and Fis- agriculture, mining and manu- both in terms of human capital
cal Report For the Year 2020 facturing. and consumables.
“2020 Annual Budget Review”
this week, Finance minister “During the third and The demand for communi-
Mthuli Ncube said the sup- fourth quarter of 2020, further cation activities increased due
port covered economic sectors, relaxation of trade restrictions to remote working and travel
health, tourism, agriculture, saw exports picking up, driven restrictions.
AmiB“nSiInuDgbsatInaNndtsiaoGlciraelBsporuYortceecTstiHowneE.re by both firming of internation-
ACCOMMODATES stciprouenniPttamCnoRednnOOqetsuotVaTafrbmaOIlnioDsthriCenm-epOe1ecnrets9nLootnSrfenisse,olrliaen-- al commodity prices and vol- There was limited impact
36 umes. Firming of most on agriculture as the sector was
DELEGATES health and education sectors, classified as essential services.
mineral prices such as gold,
procurement of PPEs (person- platinum, palladium and nick- The Covid-19 pandemic
al protective equipment) and el however impacted revenue col-
The package comprises of Wi-Fi, Stationery, CaterinofotgrheinrScmreeeadsriecvdalisccooceniaslsums,afaebtlyesnaentsd, lections whilst also increasing
among others,” Ncube said. resulted in increased rev- government’s expenditure de-
Projector ip chart/whiteboard. Ncube revealed that de- enues from merchandise ex- mands.
velopment partners pledged ports, which increased by 3%,
BOOK NOW!!! US$239 million towards the from US$4.28 billion in 2019 “Low economic activity and
For more information visit: COmCNoilvliiTodn-A19CbTefiignhDgt EwdTiitshAbuIUrsLeSdS$11in8 to US$4.39 billion in 2020,” travel restrictions constrained
The NewsHawks CharmRauinn2t0ehel2“leT0d00h. i77sto38wsu54aprdp66sor67tst64rwen11agst29hce23hnainng- Ncube said. revenue collection from infor-
#100 Nelson Mandela Avenue marketing@thocmeufenrpneumet bwealninctsdhheopwafeolrthsamroknreEedassl-ip.cmocapnlroosaemet,eqiclputriipvoe-- mal activities through interme-
Beverly Court “Similarly, merchandise im- diated money transfer tax and
6th Floor ports grew by 4% to US$4.98
billion in 2020, from US$4.79 customs duty. IMTT collec-
equipment as well as provision billion in 2019. Imports were tions decreased from an annual
of test kits,” he said. driven by food and electricity average of 10% to 7%, while
“Furthermore, development imports. customs duty taxes declined by
partner interventions assisted 2%,” Ncube said.
The NewsHawks TheNewsHawksLive www.thenewshawks.com [email protected] Wilkins “During the second quarter
Hospital and boreholes across of 2020, Zimbabwe imposed “With respect to expendi-
travel restrictions to contain ture, government had to con-
the spread of the disease. As a tend with additional expen-
result, tourism activity came ditures for health provision
to a standstill with occupancy including hiring of additional
rates falling below 10%. Signs 4 713 health personnel,
of economic activity were only
witnessed during the third leading to additional expen-
quarter when the sector was al- diture of ZW$204.3 million by
lowed to gradually reopen. year end whilst an additional 3
000 teachers were hired from 1
“Notwithstanding the pan- June 2020, requiring ZW$66.5
demic and effected restrictions, million by year end.”
NewsHawks News Page 15
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Special Covid-19
PANDEMIC coverage
Zim govt frets Zim faces
over Covid-19 Indian
third wave vaccine
shortage
NYASHA CHINGONO Zimbabwe has been recording cabinet said. and a poor comminunication daily new cases,” Ngwenya said.
new Covid-19 cases daily, spark- The government’s “back to thrust, the authorities say daily Ngwenya said government BRIDGET MANANAVIRE
THE government has instructed ing fears of another lockdown. inoculations are encouraging as
the police to tackle unauthorised school plan” has also been blight- the country pushes for 60% herd should increase testing and con- ZIMBABWE, the first Af-
public transport operators as the The government says public ed by increased infections in immunity by December 2021. tact tracing to curb the spread rican country to authorise
authorities fear an imminent complacency had led to a mar- schools, where school children, of the virus. He also urged the the use of India’s Covaxin
third wave of Covid-19 infec- ginal increase in cases, although at several institutions of learning As of 3 May 2021, a total government to revise the school Covid-19 vaccine, might
tions. Due to lack of compliance the authorities are positive the around the country, have tested of437 751 people had received calendar. miss out on the next supplies
with Covid-19 regulations such current vaccination programme positive for Covid-19. their first dose of the Covid-19 as shortages hit the Asian
as social distancing, the police would spare the country from vaccine and 99 765 their second “I urge government to re- country which has been rav-
law and order department will severe cases. About 126 new cases had dose across the country. consider continuing the school aged by the virus.
now step-up surveillance, the been detected in schools around calendar. They should consider
government says. As such, the government will the country, heightening fears of Health expert Solwayo closing schools as there are a lot Clinics in Zimbabwe this
step up surveillance and enforce- a widespread Covid-19 outbreak Ngwenya said the third wave had of cases in schools. I do not think week began administering
Since the government eased ment of Covid-19 rules in a bid in schools. Despite a slow start already hit the country as wit- they are able to test every child the Covaxin vaccines, which
the lockdown in February fol- to curb infections. to the vaccination programme, nessed by the daily surge in cases. in every school. If they do not are part of the first batch of
lowing a surge in cases after the Zimbabwe have warmed up to deal with the infections from the 75 000 vaccines delivered
Christmas holidays, Zimbabwe- “In light of the general lack of the Sinopharm and Sinovac vac- “The third wave is already schools, very soon it will trans- in March. India’s popula-
ans have largely become com- compliance with Covid-19 regu- cines. here. A wave is seen by recording mit into the community once tion is around 1.39 billion
placent, disregarding social dis- lations by citizens, the law-and- new daily cases. The last wave the schools are closed and very people and, as of this week,
tancing, mask wearing and the order sub-committee will step up Although many Zimbabweans got to lowest daily cases of 11 per soon, we will reach the peak of only 28.9 million Indians
washing of hands. surveillance and enforcements, are still sceptical of the Chinese day, then the cases started rising the wave,” Ngwenya warned. had received both their dos-
including community engage- vaccines due to misinformation again. We are already recording es. Around 200 million are
During this week’s cabinet ment on the risks associated with awaiting their second shot,
briefing, the government said such complacency,” cabinet said. and 600 million are eligible
the vehicle surveillance will be for their first one.
spearheaded by the Vehicle In- The authorities have also no-
spectorate Department (VID), ticed complacency and lack of India on Thursday wit-
the Zimbabwe Republic Police discipline by restaurants and beer nessed a record rise in
(ZRP) and the The Zimbabwe halls in complying with stipulat- Covid-19 cases as well as re-
Traffic Safety Council. ed closing times. lated deaths in a single day,
registering 412 262 new
“Cabinet notes with concern While the government main- cases and 3 980 casualties,
the upsurge in the use of un- tains that restaurants and pubs according to the country’s
authorised passenger-carrying close at 9pm, some beerhalls are health ministry.
vehicles that are not affiliated open until the wee hours of the
to ZUPCO (Zimbabwe Unit- morning, heightening risks of an Infections have now
ed Passenger Company) on the upsurge in infections. surged past 21 million, with
roads. Social distancing and oth- a total death toll of 230 168.
er Covid-19 measures are hardly “The nation is reminded that
being observed by passengers in all beerhalls, bars, pubs and Health deputy minister
these vehicles,” cabinet says. nightclubs remain closed. Bot- John Mangwiro said his min-
tle stores should strictly open istry had not been updated
As winter fast approaches, for takeaways, as required by the on any changes, before refer-
experts have expressed concern law. Restaurants are expected to ring The NewsHawks to the
over an imminent third wave of continue to be open for 50% Finance and Economic De-
infections as witnessed by a daily sit-in capacity, takeaways, and velopment permanent sec-
increase in infections. deliveries. Cabinet approved retary George Guvamatanga
that the operating times for the who is responsible for the
restaurants be extended to 9pm,” orders.
Byo warms up to Covid-19 vaccination “The Ministry of Finance
is the one dealing with the
LIZWE SEBATHA ond largest city, with a popula- from a United Kingdom-based “Admissions are very very As of 5 May, 437 751 and ordering, they can help you
tion of 653 000 as of the 2012 charity organisation, Impilo Re- low. With regards to the vacci- 99 765 people had received the with that,” Mangwiro said.
BULAWAYO residents have census, had recorded 6 693 vival. nation drive, the numbers have first and second Covid-19 doses
warmed up to the Covid-19 Covid-19 cases, 118 of them been going up compared to the respectively across the country, Guvamatanga’s phone
vaccination drive amid revela- active and 224 fatalities. Inde- In a telephone interview on previous months. We are vac- statistics from the Health min- went unanswered while ques-
tions by health officials that as pendent estimates now put the Wednesday, Dzanga said some cinating between 1 500 and 2 istry show. tions sent to his WhatsApp
many as 2 000 people are com- city’s population at 1.5 million. of the patients have been dis- 000 people on every single day; were blue ticked.
ing forward on a daily basis for charged and also revealed that some have gone for the second Zimbabwe has approved
inoculation compared to only a Countrywide, the total num- the institution had not admitted jab. We think we are moving Covid-19 vaccines from China, Covaxin was co-developed
few hundred weeks ago. ber of coronavirus cases stood at Covid-19 patients since then. in the right direction,” Sibanda India and Russia for use in the by Hyderabad-based Bharat
38 293, according to the Health said on Tuesday. country. Biotech International Ltd
The vaccination rollout in and Child Care ministry. “The situation is slightly and the Indian Council of
the city has been moving at different now compared to last Bulawayo’s hospitals include Victoria Falls, with an esti- Medical Research.
snail’s pace, beset by a shortage On Thursday last week, act- week. There is no worsening the Catholic-run Mater Dei, mated population of 33 000, is
of vaccines to enable the au- ing United Bulawayo Hospitals or cause for alarm. Instead, we UBH’s Old Bartley Memorial the first city to roll out a mass Zimbabwe has so far
thorities to scale up and achieve (UBH) chief executive officer have discharged some of the Block and Thorngrove Infec- vaccination drive to minimise authorised the use of four
herd immunity. Narcisius Dzanga raised alarm patients. We have less than 10 tious Diseases. Elangeni is also a the spread of infection followed Covid-19 vaccines: China’s
after revealing the referral hos- patients,” Dzanga said. Covid-19 treatment centre. The by the border towns of Plumtree Sinopharm and Sinovac vac-
A snap survey last week pital was registering an increase government-run Elangeni is and Beitbridge in May. cines, Russia’s Sputnik V and
showed there were queues at in Covid-19 admissions, with Bulawayo City Council designated for asymptomat- Covaxin from India.
various clinics with people seek- 18 patients admitted at the (BCC) health services director ic patients while Ekusileni Med- The Health ministry intends
ing their first dose amid fears of time. Edwin Sibanda expressed simi- ical Centre, the brainchild of to vaccinate 26 000 people in As of Wednesday, 115 210
a third wave as the winter season lar sentiments, saying the city’s the late Vice-President Joshua Beitbridge and 25 000 in Plum- people had received their sec-
sets in. He made the revelations after vaccination drive is now attract- Nkomo, remains closed. tree with Bulawayo and Harare ond dose, while a cumulative
receiving a donation of person- ing nearly 2 000 people every also geared for a mass vaccina- 461 023 had received their
By 3 May, the country’s sec- al protective equipment (PPE) day. tion drive. first dose. The country has
recorded a total of 38 357
cases, 35 811 recoveries and
1 574 deaths.
Page 16 News NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Applications are invited from candidates wishing to pursue the following undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes
PLEASE N1O. TE: Applicants above the age of 40 years may be admitted into diploma and undergraduate degree programmes through the Accredited Prior Learning selection criteria.
2. Foundation Mathematics will be offered to those without Mathematics at 'O' level intending to pursue programmes that require the subject as a prerequisite.
3. Programmes with inadequate successful applicants may not commence.
4. We have campuses in Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo, Marondera, Kadoma, Zambia and Malawi.
5. The modes of learning are as follows:- Day, Evening, Weekend, Block release and Open Distance Learning.
6. Closing date for applications is 30 June 2021
PROGRAMMES DURATION QUALIFICATIONS
Diploma in Agricultural Management FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES At least five O Level passes in English Language and Mathematics
Diploma in Agribusiness Management At least five O Level passes in English Language and Mathematics OR
2 Years A Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality, Certificate in Agriculture, Certificate in Surveying, Certificate in Urban Planning/Development or any other qualifications
2 Years deemed recognised by the Faculty
At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
Diploma in Environmental Sciences 4 Years At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognized institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics
Bachelor of Science Agriculture Honours Degree in Animal Science 4 Years Any other relevant qualification from a recognised university
At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
Bachelor of Science Agriculture Honours Degree in Horticulture 4 Years At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics
Any other relevant qualification from a recognised institution
At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics
Any other relevant qualification from a recognised institution
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Agricultural Education and Extension 4 Years At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
4 Years
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Meat Science and Dairy Technology 4 Years At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Environmental Science 4 Years At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Agribusiness Management At least a Diploma in Education from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics;
Master of Science in Agribusiness Systems Management and Development At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
Master of Science in Livestock Science and Meat Technology
Diploma in Project Planning and Management At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
Diploma in Business Management At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
Executive Diploma in Management (EDM) At least a Diploma in Education from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics;
Bachelor of Commerce Honors Degree in Accounting At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Human Resources At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics
Any other relevant qualification from any other recognised institution
At least two 'A' level passes in any Science subjects with at least five 'O' level subjects including Mathematics and English; OR
At least a Diploma in Agriculture from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; OR
At least a Diploma in Veterinary Science from a recognised institution after attaining a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics
from any other recognised institution
1.6 Years BSc Hons in Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics from a recognised institution.
1.6 Years Bsc Hons in Animal Science from a recognised institution.
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SCIENCES
1Year Minimum of Five O Level Passes including English Language and Mathematics
A certificate in Project Planning and Management and work experience is an added advantage
2 Years Minimum of Five O Level Passes including English Language and Mathematics
1Year A relevant Higher National Diploma with a minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics, and
At least two year relevant work experience at senior managerial administrative or professional capacity
EDM feeds into the MBA programme.
At least two 'A' level passes in Commercial subjects; OR,
A Diploma of a finance related qualification or an accountancy diploma e.g. CIS
4Years Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
At least two 'A' level passes in Commercial subjects; OR,
A Diploma of a finance related qualification or an accountancy diploma e.g. CIS, ACCA or HND with at least 2 years relevant work experience.
4Years Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
At least two 'A' level passes in relevant subjects; OR
A diploma from the Institute of Personal Management of Zimbabwe IPMZ with at least 2year relevant work experience
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Information Systems 4Years Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Computer Science 4Years
At least two 'A' level passes in relevant subjects; OR
A relevant Diploma in Computer Science/Computer Studies/Information Technology and at least 2 years relevant work experience.
Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
At least two 'A' level passes in relevant subjects; OR
A relevant Diploma in Computer Science/Computer Studies/Information Technology and at least 2 years relevant work experience.
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics 4Years Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
At least two 'A' level passes in Science and/or Commercial subjects
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Information and Technology 4Years Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Banking and Finance 4Years At least two 'A' level passes in relevant subjects; OR
A relevant Diploma in Computer Science/Computer Studies/Information Technology and at least 2 years relevant work experience.
Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Marketing 4Years
4Years At least two 'A' level passes in relevant subjects; OR
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management 4Years At least 2 years relevant work experience and relevant Diploma in Business related studies.
1.6Years Part CIS, ACCA, CIMA, IAC, SAAA are other recognised entry qualifications
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Transport and Logistics
Master of Strategic Marketing Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics plus either,
Master of Business Adminstrations At least two 'A' level passes in relevant subjects; OR
Master of Science in Accounting and Finance At least 2 years relevant work experience and relevant Diploma in Business related studies.
Part IMM, IAC,and any other recognised entry qualification.
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Community Development Studies
Diploma in Social Work Minimum five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics plus either,
Diploma in Child Care and Protection A minimum of two 'A' level passes in the following subjects: Management of Business/Business Studies, Geography, Accountancy or Economics; OR
A recognised Diploma in Purchasing & Supply Management, Accountancy, Marketing Management, CIPS, IMM, CIM, SAIM, with at least 2 yeas relevant work experience
Minimum of five 'O' level passes including English Language and Mathematics; and
2 passes at 'A' level subjects in commercial subjects
Any first relevant degree from a recognised institution of higher learning
1.6Years Any first relevant degree from a recognised institution of higher learning
1.6Years Applications should include eferrences certifying the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme.
An Honors Degree in Accounting with a 2.2 degree class or better or a professional qualification recognised by the Public Accountants
plus at least 3years relevant post graduate experience
FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCES
4Years Minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language and at least 10 points obtained from relevant 'A' levels
passes; OR
Diploma from a recognised University.
2 Years Minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language; OR Certificate in Social Work.
1.6 Years Minimum of 5 (Five) Ordinary Level passes including English Language at grade C or better.
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Social Work 4 Years Minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language OR a Diploma in Social Work
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Psychology 4 Years
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Sociology 4 Years Minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language and at least two relevant 'A' levels passes;
Bachelor of Education Degree (Primary) In Service 3Years OR a minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language and any relevant Diploma.
Bachelor of Education Degree Early Childhood Development (Pre-Service.) 4 Years Minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language and at least two relevant 'A' levels passes;
OR a minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language and any relevant Diploma.
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Women and Gender Studies 4 Years
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Midwifery 3 Years A minimum of five 'O' Level passes including English Language and a Diploma in Education.
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work 2 Years At least five 'O' Level passes including English Language and at least two relevant 'A'
Level passes; OR A minimum of five 'O' Levels including English Language and any relevant
Master of Education Degree in Early Childhood Development 1.6 Years Level passes; OR
Master of Science Degree in Development Studies 1.6 Years A minimum of five 'O' Levels including Mathematics and English Language and any relevant Diploma.
Master of Public Adminstrations 1.6 Years At least five 'O' Level passes including English Language and at least two relevant 'A' level
Master of Science Degree in Child Sensitive Social Policies 1.6 Years passes; OR
Master of Science Degree in Gender Studies 1.6 Years A minimum of five 'O' Levels including English Language and any relevant diploma.
Master of Science Degree in Disaster and Livelihoods Management 1.6 Years Two years post diploma in Midwifery qualification experience;
Master of Science in Strategic Communications 1.6 Years Registered with the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe as a midwife; and;
Minimum of 5 'O' Level passes with a Grade C or better in English language, Mathematics and a Science subject are a must.
A first degree in the following Social Science degrees: Sociology, Psychology, Community
Development, Youth Studiesfrom a recognised institution of higher learning;
Students are supposed to have done foundational courses in Sociology and Psychology during their
bachelor's degree; and
Students will be required to go for fieldwork for 12 continuous weeks under professional supervision in a
relevant institution.
At least a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development from a recognised University
A first degree from a recognized institution of higher learning; and Applications should include references certifying
the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme.
A first degree from a recognised institution of higher learning; Applications should include references certifying the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme.
A first degree from a recognised institution of higher learning; Applications should include references certifying the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme.
A first degree from a recognised institution of higher learning; and Applications should include reference certifying the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme.
A first degree from a recognised institution of higher learning in communication related discipline; and Applications should include references certifying the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme
A first degree from a recognised institution of higher learning in communication related discipline; and Applications should include references certifying the candidate's ability and suitability to undertake the programme
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Animal Science Minimum duration of the programmes is at least 3 years
Applicants should have relevant Masters Degrees from recognised institutions of higher learning .
Child Sensitive Social Policies
Communication and Literary Studies
Development Studies
Economics and Business Management
Education – Curriculum Studies, Early Childhood Education, Mathematics and Educational Psychology
Environmental Governance
Health Sciences
Information Systems
Public Administration
Sociology and Social Anthropology
HOW TO APPLY
Application forms can be obtained from the University upon payment of a non-refundable application fee of US$20 for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for Zimbabwean applicants and US$50 for International applicants. The application fee may be reviewed from time to time. Alternatively application forms may be downloaded from the WUA website:www.wua.ac.zwand submitted with
proof of payment of the application fee. The application should then be submitted together with certified copies of a national ID card, birth certificate and educational certificates. Floor, Telephone 09-63649 and in Mutare Contact Mr Mushunje at Mutare Teachers' College
For further enquiries please contact the Admissions and Student Records offices on the following telephone numbers: 263-242-459647/459601/459648 or visit the offices at 549 Arcturus Road, Manresa Park, Harare. In Bulawayo we are at Charter House, Cnr Leopold Takawira and Fort Street, 5th
(Student Support Centre) Telephone number 020-60380 ext. 147 and in Marondera we are atFaculty of Agricultural Sciences, WUA Academic Complex 1515 Pine Street, Marondera Telephone numbers +2632792320145 and +263 734 889138. The Kadoma campus is at Sarudzai Complex, Mupamombe Road, Rimuka Township, Telephone number +.263 773 408549.
NewsHawks News Page 15
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA - LEADING THE PACK
WOMEN’S University in Africa (WUA) is a private institute that was co-founded by two visionaries Dr Fay vision that seeks to be the best University in Africa in relation to the promotion of gender equity and equal
Chung and Professor Hope Sadza in 2002. opportunities in tertiary education. WUA plays the role of an enabler, facilitator and catalyst to women’s
WUA’s mandate is to address gender disparity and foster equity in university education. This is a role the calling to lead, to invent and to be decision makers. The university awakens the appreciation of the female’s
university has taken seriously as evidenced by its gender policy that advocates and stands by the 15% male to capabilities which are realised when they have been given equal access to opportunities, resources and eco-
85% female enrolment. To date WUA has 8 179 female and 2 302 male graduates released into the world. nomic participation and equal access to education.
Amongst them are strategically transformative entrepreneurs who take up various leadership roles and posi-
tions of influence in society and industry.
The Women’s University in Africa has made great strides in giving the African woman a second chance to this
golden opportunity that is university education. With campuses in Zimbabwe located in Harare, Marondera,
Kadoma, Mutare and Bulawayo, the university offers economically viable and competitive programmes in
Southern Africa. Its reach and influence is in Botswana, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia. The university’s aim is
to increase its influence and reach to more African nations. The efforts are invigorated by this noble cause of
addressing gender disparity and affording women access to university education across the continent.
For Tinotenda Chirere studying towards a Diploma in Social Work as well as Wayne Kudzanai Chasauka
and Mufaro Dzvairo who are both studying for the Diploma in Business Management, WUA is a university
of choice, accommodating every student’s learning needs. The university offers blended face to face lectures
during the week and at weekends and on-line learning. There is a mode of learning tailored for everyone.
Vice Chancellor Professsor Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande
Aligned to the WUA New Normal (2021-2025) Transformational Strategy, the university has revamped
its top-leadership structure and made new strategic appointments including the new Vice Chancellor Pro-
fessor Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande who assumed the role of Vice Chancellor effective 1 April 2021
following the retirement of the founder of the only Women’s University in Southern Africa, Professor Hope
Cynthia Sadza. She comes in highly skilled and experienced with more than 16 years of university teaching, 3
years serving as the Pro-Vice Chancellor and 2 years serving in the capacity of Vice Chancellor at Zimbabwe
Ezekiel Guti University. She is a powerhouse in strategic leadership, administration, research, gender issues,
women empowerment and gender mainstreaming. Her thrust is to promote research and further the gender
agenda as she sets up WUA to be the gender centre. She is committed to sourcing and securing scholarships
for the underprivileged.
Of importance, the university is delving into agricultural research. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences has
a variety of programmes and of note is the Master of Science in Livestock Science and Meat Technology
which addresses the issue of youth employment in agriculture. The programme provides solid and practical
solutions to the nation’s goals of ending hunger and poverty by 2030 and in-line with international trends,
blending Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and entrepreneurship. The programmes are
best designed to deal with the resources Zimbabwe is well endowed with and better positioned to master and
prosper.
The Faculty of Management and Entrepreneurial Sciences has a cocktail of interesting and viable pro-
grammes. The Master of Business Administration is attracting highest levels of executives and industry ex-
perts. It is taught by professors and doctors who expose students to practical industrial cases that encourage
the application of strategic thinking and innovation.
There is also the Faculty of Social and Gender Transformative Sciences with many interesting and “must do” Emmanuel Simbi studying a degree in Social Work was happy to begin school in a new normal academic set
programmes. Of interest is the Master of Science Degree in Child Sensitive Social Policies with prospects of up. He was pleased with the university’s precautions to prevent Covid-19 infections.
employment for the graduates in government, Non-Governmental Organisations and any other civil society The Women’s University in Africa is dedicated to reducing gender disparity by providing a gender sensitive
organisations in the area of the development of child rights and governance. and socially responsible educational training and research institution. For more information on WUA visit
A visit to WUA’s Harare Campus in Manresa will leave one spoilt for choice. A talk with students of WUA www.wuw.co.zw or follow us on facebook, on Twitter @wuazim or simply visit WUA Head Quarters at the
leaves one inspired as it becomes quite evident that WUA is leading the pack and aligned to the university’s Harare Campus on 549 Arcturus Road Manresa Park, Harare.
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR
AUG/SEPT 2021 INTAKE OPEN
APPLY NOW!
Visit our website for
programmes on offer
www.wua.ac.zw Women’s University In Africa WUAZIM
Page 18 Editorial & Opinion NewsHawks
CARTOON Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Mnangagwa should
be careful what
he wishes for
THURSDAY night’s Constitution Rally on Zoom, Kazungula Bridge bad news
attended by countless Zimbabweans opposed to for Zimbabwe and economy
Zanu PF’s mutilation of the constitution, was in-
spiring in many amazing ways. THE commissioning of the US$260 million of goods and people, while reducing the fontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Musina
923-metres-long Kazungula Bridge across transit times considerably, hence consolidate in South Africa, to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;
Over the years, many exasperated human rights the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe regional integration, trade facilitation and and
defenders have remarked that perhaps the reason Rivers at a unique geographical point where economic development.
why citizens are not mobilising decisively against Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimba- · South-central section: Bulawayo line
autocracy and corruption is because they have not bwe meet is bad news for Harare. But all this will be unfold at the expense of to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Livingstone,
suffered enough. Political commentators have also Zimbabwe, whose historical advantages were Lusaka and Ndola, Zambia, and Sakania,
observed that the masses have often lacked agen- The situation will be dramatised by Pres- embedded in British colonial empire-builder Lubumbashi, Tenke, Bukama, Kamina, Ka-
cy at critical moments when their collective voice ident Emmerson Mnangagwa’s attendance Cecil Rhodes’s Cape to Cairo dream. balo and Kindu in the Democratic Republic
could have altered the trajectory of bad governance. to the event on Monday. Mnangagwa said of Congo.
this week he will join the Presidents of Bo- The Cape to Cairo railway was a project
On Thursday night, there was no such frustration. tswana and Zambia, Mokgweetsi Masisi and to build a rail line crossing Africa from south As shown by these rail corridors, Zimba-
What was initially expected to mark the beginning Edgar Lungu respectively, at the important to north. It would have been the largest and bwe was the regional hub and gateway to the
of a winter of discontent, instead provided remark- occasion that marks the end of an era for most important railway infrastructure on the region.
able glimpses into the possibilities of a life-changing Zimbabwe. continent. It was planned as a link between
journey that awaits those who dare to believe in the Cape Town in South Africa and Port Said in However, all these hitherto unchallenged
power of the Zimbabwean dream. Technically, Zimbabwe is part of the proj- Egypt. advantages will end on Monday.
ect, although it did not invest a dime.
For a change, we saw citizens willing to spend Zimbabwe, already a transport routes hub “Zimbabwe certainly stands to lose out
their internet data bundles not on the mindless orgy While the project will be of immense re- to the north, would have been the gateway. in a big way from the Kazungula project,”
of hero-worshipping and cheerleading vacuous “ce- gional benefit, it is, however, bad news for a regional trade expert told The NewsHawks.
lebrities”, but on a discussion focusing on an exis- Zimbabwe: from Monday it loses its histor- Rhodes treated Zimbabwe, which he
tential threat that imperils the very survival of the ical advantages as the gateway into the re- named Southern Rhodesia after himself and “The project, which incorporates one-
republic. gion. That means loss of freight, trade and then just Rhodesia after rhe independence stop-border post facilities in Zambia and
revenue benefits - which is critical for an Botswana will serve as an alternative to the
There was no petty politicking. Discussions already struggling economy. Hawk Eye existing route at Chirundu linking Zambia
showed clarity of thought. Soon enough, the and Zimbabwe. The new bridge replaces the
hashtag #ResistDictatorship was trending on social Regionally, the project will benefit the Dumisani existing ferry system which has low carry-
media. Predictably, the state-sponsored propaganda local population in the area by providing an Muleya ing capacity, is risky and limits cross-border
trolls were set loose in a desperate quest to counter improved border crossing facility between traffic flow. It will boost regional trade and
the pro-democracy narrative. Botswana and Zambia across the Zambezi of Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) in 1964, as economic integration.
River. This will reduce crossing time and personal property.
The government knows fully well the significant cost by eliminating the current risky ferry- “However, Zimbabwe will be badly af-
impact of citizen agency. Memories of the block- boat arrangement. Currently operational length of the rail- fected. Its monopoly as the gateway to the
buster #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign are still way is 5 625 kilometres out of total 10 north will cease to exist. Traffic volumes,
fresh. Efforts at international re-engagement lost It has already created employment op- 489 kilometres that was expected to be built especially of commercial transport, will in-
steam in spectacular fashion when the world real- portunities during the construction period from the south to the north of the continent. evitably decline given that the new route is
ised that there is no “second republic” in Zimbabwe and guarantees long-term jobs in the area The operational status of sections of the rail- shorter and likely to be more efficient. This
but an entrenched autocratic kleptocracy. due to the anticipated development of lo- way are as follows: means loss of many economic advantages,
cal businesses, transport and trade activities, including revenue, for.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has badly mis- and cross-border economic undertakings. · South-western section: from Cape
calculated if he thinks he can continue riding rough- Town, passing through Kimberley, Ma- Freight and passengers transit time is
shod over the wishes and aspirations of Zimbabwe- At a higher level, the infrastructural proj- hikeng (formerly Mafikeng) in South Africa, projected to be significantly reduced due to
an people. The law of unintended consequences will ect is of strategic importance to enhance Gaborone and Francistown in Botswana, to improved border management operations
haunt him. In a grotesque twist of fate, Mnangagwa transport links, trade and economic activ- Bulawayo in Zimbabwe; arising from the one-stop-border facilities.
is managing to accomplish something that has elud- ities between the two countries and other
ed pro-democracy campaigners for decades: uniting Sadc states, especially to the north. · South-eastern section: from Port Eliza- The expert went further: “It will be an
the opposition. beth (now Gqeberha) pass through Bloem- irony for Mnangagwa or any Zimbabwean
The multi-million-dollar project, which to celebrate a project which will certainly
He should familiarise himself with the law of un- started in 2014, was conceived as a bypass undermine the country’s economic interest.”
intended consequences. Far from consolidating his to Zimbabwe and its main port of entry
power, he may wake up to an unsettling realisation. Beitbridge border post, sub-Saharan Africa’s In the end, the Kazungula project demon-
He has managed to accomplish a task that has elud- busiest gateway. strates how other countries in the region are
ed the opposition for decades: uniting the pro-de- progressing, while Zimbabwe is further re-
mocracy campaigners. The bridge is expected to ease movement gressing at a dramatic pace.
Zimbabweans have suffered from the depreda-
tions of a one-party state. The last thing anyone can
countenance is the spectre of one-man rule. Citi-
zens have every right to oppose the mutilation of
a constitution they overwhelmingly approved in a
referendum barely eight years ago.
Reaffirming the fundamental impor- The NewsHawks is published on different EDITORIAL STAFF: Marketing Officer: Voluntary Media
tance of freedom of expression and me- content platforms by the NewsHawks Digital Managing Editor: Dumisani Muleya Charmaine Phiri Council of Zimbabwe
dia freedom as the cornerstone of de- Media which is owned by Centre for Public Cell: +263 735666122
mocracy and as a means of upholding Interest Journalism Assistant Editor: Brezh Malaba [email protected] The NewsHawks newspaper subscribes to the
human rights and liberties in the con- No. 100 Nelson Mandela Avenue [email protected] Code of Conduct that promotes truthful, accurate,
stitution; our mission is to hold power Beverly Court, 6th floor News Editor: Owen Gagare
in its various forms and manifestations Harare, Zimbabwe Subscriptions & Distribution: fair and balanced news reporting. If we do not
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corruption to ensure good governance Beatrice Mtetwa, Raphael Khumalo, Reporters: at No.: 34, Colenbrander Rd, Milton Park, Harare.
and accountability in the public inter- Professor Wallace Chuma, Teldah Mawarire, Bridget Mananavire, Nyasha Chingono, Enoch Muchinjo
est. Doug Coltart Telephone: 024-2778096 or 024-2778006,
Email: [email protected] 24Hr Complaints Line: 0772 125 659
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NewsHawks New Perspective Page 17
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
ZIMBABWE has general- National insurance policy ues and principles of gov-
ly experienced low levels to spur economic growth ernance contained in the
of insurance uptake over constitution. The Ministry
the years, with insurance bweans in line with the insurance sector. Insurance and disposable incomes challenges that continue to of Finance and Econom-
penetration declining from country’s Vision 2030 and is a key driver of economic rise, insurable assets grow, hinder the development of ic Development should
above 6% to 1.7% in the Sustainable Development growth, transformation and thereby generating demand the industry. These include: have a draft proposal and
past decade. This is very Goals. national development as it for insurance services. low level of public aware- should alert the economy of
low when compared to supports entrepreneurship ness on insurance products having the draft. The draft
other markets on the wid- The overarching objec- and encourages investment A well-functioning insur- and services; low pene- proposal may be regard-
er African continent such tive of having a National through the provision of ance sector plays a crucial tration rate and coverage; ed as a concept paper that
as South Africa (14.3%), Insurance Policy will be to insurance services. It also role in economic devel- concentration of insurance the ministry, together with
contributing nearly 75% meet the financial needs of offers social protection, opment not just at a mac- in urban areas; slow adop- the regulator of insurers,
of the total assets written all Zimbabweans through a thereby easing pressure on ro-economic level but also tion of technology by the the Insurance and Pensions
in Africa, Kenya 2.34%, vibrant, inclusive, accessi- public sector finance, en- in terms of the activities of industry; low contribution Commission (Ipec), will
Namibia 8.71% and Mo- ble, fair, safe, and a custom- individuals and business- of agriculture insurance use to consult the public
rocco (3.83%), according er-centric competitive in- in the overall insurance and development partners.
to Swiss Re Sigma’s current surance industry. The policy Econometrics industry business; limit- A committee working on
report. The global aver- therefore should be centred HawksView ed underwriting capacity the project therefore should
age insurance penetration on strengthening the policy, of the insurance industry; be established consisting
rate is 7.23%, highlight- legal and regulatory envi- Tinashe Kaduwo gaps in the legal and regu- of representatives from the
ing the huge gap between ronment; enhancing access latory framework; relatively ministry, Ipec, central bank,
Zimbabwe and the world. of customer-centric insur- hancing financial interme- es. Given the importance poor financial performance and the Securities and Ex-
The penetration rate has ance products and services, diation, creating liquidity of the insurance industry, by most of the general in- change Commission, De-
been gradually declining in particularly by marginalised and mobilising savings. its potential for growth, surance companies, limit- partment of Justice, Min-
the last decade with a vast groups such as MSMEs, the rapidly emerging trends in ed uptake of insurance by istry of Health and Child
population of low-income rural population and farm- To emphasise, insurance insurance services locally, vulnerable groups such as Care, Ministry of Lands,
earners as well as micro and ers; mobilising financial is one of the key pillars of regionally and internation- MSMES and poor percep- Agriculture and Rural De-
small businesses (MSMEs) resources for long-term de- the financial services sec- ally, it is essential to clearly tion about the insurance velopment, representatives
generally not covered. MS- velopment; ensuring broad- tor, and is central to the understand the challenges industry. from Ministry of Women’s
MEs, to a larger extent, er financial inclusion and realisation of Vision 2030, and opportunities that arise Affairs, Small and Medium
have been generally neglect- access; and promoting pub- Financial Inclusion Strate- in order to have a clear road The Ministry of Finance Enterprises, the National
ed with the majority resort- lic confidence through pro- gy, economic development map for developing the in- and Economic Develop- Social Security Authori-
ing to selling some of their vision, servicing of insur- plans and other govern- surance industry. All these ment, which is in charge of ty, Competition and Tariff
assets when a risk struck, ance products and services ment development initia- can only be clearly articu- developing economic and Commission, Insurance
due to limited products and prompt settlement of tives that are in line with lated if the country had a financial policies, should be Council of Zimbabwe, the
suited for their operations. claims. the Sustainable Develop- National Insurance Policy. at the forefront in develop- media, economists with in-
ment Goals. Its role should ing the policy or just send- terests in insurance such as
There are various reasons The government in past receive as much emphasis as The National Insurance ing signals into the econo- myself and representatives
for the low level of insur- years has been focusing that of the banking sector. Policy thrust will there- my. For the policy to from insurance brokers.
ance penetration. These much on strengthening the As the economy expands fore be aimed at addressing
include low levels of insur- banking sector, paying little be accepted and easily A stakeholders’ forum
ance awareness, large un- attention on the insurance implemented, it must be should be held where more
der-served population of sector. The government developed through a na- views will be collected. All
both individuals and MS- is partly to blame for the tional consultative process this will have to inform the
MEs, failure to recognise poor development of the in line with national val- development of the situ-
critical sectors such as agri- ational and gap analysis
cultural insurance, gaps in report which identifies ex-
data and skills, and limited isting gaps and challenges,
innovation and adoption of areas of improvement and
technology. Other factors prospects for growth. After
include intense competition that, a second draft Nation-
for existing business, limit- al Insurance Policy will be
ed adoption of innovation prepared and subjected to
and technology, and a focus stakeholder engagement
on short-term returns gen- for their comments which
erated from corporate and will further enrich the doc-
high net-worth individual ument. This will help in
clients with a large popu- having a policy document
lation remaining excluded. that is widely accepted and
Further, business models re- implementable.
main skewed towards com-
pulsory lines of business, Having a National Insur-
which has a tendency to ance Policy will therefore
distort development of the assist in developing a safe
insurance market with im- and stable insurance indus-
plications on the long-term try which is vital for de-
sustainability of insurance velopment and promoting
business. confidence in the country’s
financial system. Countries
Analysis of figures for real such as Kenya that have
growth rate and insurance well-developed and stable
density, that is premium per financial systems are work-
capita, indicate the poten- ing on having these policy
tial for substantial growth documents whilst other
of the insurance industry in countries such as Moroc-
Zimbabwe. To enhance the co, Peru etc do have these
performance of the econo- documents. The National
my, improve confidence in Insurance Policy therefore
the overall financial system will go a long way in build-
and address issues of inclu- ing confidence in the finan-
sion, access, affordability, cial services sector, mobilis-
consumer protection and ing savings, having a private
usage of insurance services, sector-led self-financing
there is a need for a Nation- economy and reducing the
al Insurance Policy. This overall economic financing
policy will therefore make burden on the government.
Zimbabwe’s insurance in-
dustry efficient and finan- *About the writer:
cially sustainable, providing Kaduwo is a researcher
appropriate and affordable and economist. Contact
risk management solutions [email protected] or
to a majority of Zimba- call +263773376128
Business
MATTERSNewsHawks
MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
USD/JPY
GBP/USD 109.29 +0.38 +0.35 *OIL 63.47 -1.54 -2.37
USD/CAD
USD/CHF 1.38 -0.014 -0.997 *GOLD 1,769.5 +1.2 +0.068
AUD/USD
1.229 +0.001 +0.07 *SILVER 25.94 -0.145 -0.56
0.913 +0.005 +0.53 *PLATINUM 1,201.6 +4 +0.33
0.771 -0.006 -0.76 *COPPER 4.458 -0.029 -0.65
Foreign debt balloons to US$12bn
ZIMBABWE has accumu- short-term budget financing
lated a foreign debt totalling requirements.
US$12.1 billion to multi-
lateral creditors, including As such, the government
compensation to former raised a total of ZW$7.85
farm owners evicted in the billion through the issu-
2000 fast-track land reform ance of Treasury Bills. The
programme, as the country’s Treasury Bills were issued
debt crisis continues. through the auction system,
As at the end of Decem- as well as through private
ber 2020, total public and placements.
publicly guaranteed external
debt amounted to US$12.1 “Of the ZW$7.85 billion
billion including US$3.5 raised, ZW$4.03 billion
billion compensation for the went towards health related
dispossessed farmers. COVID-19 pandemic ex-
This includes US$2.68 penditures, while TBS worth
billion, of which US$1.53 ZW$3.07 billion were issued
billion is owed to the World to creditors to settle legacy
Bank Group; US$729 mil- debt. An amount of ZW$345
lion to the African million went towards restruc-
Development Bank; turing of existing Govern-
US$356 million to the Euro- ment debt, ZW$397 million
pean Investment Bank; and towards grain importation
US$68 million to other mul- and ZW$8.95 million for
tilateral creditors. cashflow management and
Zimbabwe’s bilater- settling maturing Treasury
al external debt amounted Bills,” reads the review state-
to US$5.75 billion, with ment.
US$3.78 billion owed to
the Paris Club creditors and According to the state-
US$1.67 billion to Non-Par- ment, the local financial
is Club creditors. resources were raised at an
The country’s external average interest rate of 8.2%
debt has been a major hurdle in the first quarter,17.5%
in efforts to access foreign second quarter, 15% third
funding for capital projects to implement the Inter- fered a major setback due to ZW$705.6 billion (65.9% amount will add to the debt quarter and 18.7% fourth
and budgetary support. national Monetary Fund the government’s policy in- of gross domestic product), levels when the former com- quarter.
While the government (IMF’s) Staff-Monitored consistency. the bulk being external debt mercial farmers sign a ces-
continues to blame Western Programme (SMP), which (97.6% of the total debt) sion agreement,” reads the Consequently, domestic
sanctions, which may partly would create a roadmap to Apart from the foreign with the remainder being do- statement accompanying the debt stock as of 31 Decem-
be to blame for Zimbabwe’s the settling of arrears. debt, Zimbabwe is also sad- mestic debt. 2020 Economic and Fiscal ber 2020 stood at ZW$16.7
failure to access foreign loans, dled with a huge local bill, Review. billion, up from ZW$9 bil-
the country’s inability to set- The SMP, seen as a major due to its over-reliance on “However, Government lion as at December 2019, an
tle its arrears to multilateral step towards re-engaging in- Treasury Bills and the gov- signed a US$3.5 billion Despite claiming to record increase of ZW$7.7 billion.
institutions has been a major ternational financial institu- ernment’s public debt as- Global Compensation Deed a budget surplus in 2020,
impediment for Harare. tions, through implementing sumption. for compensation of farm government continued to The increase in the do-
Zimbabwe has also failed the necessary economic and improvements to former rely on domestic financial mestic debt was triggered
financial sector reforms, suf- As at December 2020, commercial farmers. The and capital markets to meet by Treasury Bills raised to
the public debt stood at finance the budget, and the
government’s legacy debt as
well as domestic arrears..
—STAFF WRITER
ADVERT SPACE
The NewsHawks TheNewsHawksLive www.thenewshawks.com [email protected]
NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 21
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
AfDB pledges cent livelihoods for millions
US$10bn to of young Africans involved
hunger fight in the processing, storage and
marketing of food,” Houng-
DUMISANI NYONI At the meeting, 17 Afri- AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina. bo said. The Arab Bank for
can heads of state signed the Economic Development in
THE African Development commitment to boost agricul- helping to develop a growing and will create 10 million jobs ity and improve food security Africa (BADEA), committed
Bank (AfDB) has pledged tural production by doubling pipeline of investments to in the region by 2030,” the up- for millions of Africans. up to US$1.5 billion over the
more than US$10 billion as current productivity levels restore land, create jobs and date reads in part. period 2020-2024 in agricul-
part of efforts to fight rising through the scaling up of build resilience to climate “By modernising African ture while the Islamic Devel-
hunger and improve food se- agro-technologies. change in the Sahel region. IFAD president Gilbert agriculture, small-holder farm- opment Bank Group said it
curity on the continent. This will contribute to the Houngbo praised the African ers will be in a better position would earmark US$3.5 billion
This will include investing Green Great Wall objectives, leaders’ commitment to in- to bring more affordable food to develop the agricultural sec-
In an update following a in access to markets, and pro- crease agricultural productiv- to consumers and create de- tor in Africa in the next three
two-day high-level dialogue moting agricultural research years.
held on 29 and 30 April 2021, and development. The various
the pan-African bank said of parties adopted a communi- It said these investments
the total amount it pledged, qué outlining the commit- will develop commodity val-
US$1.57 billion would go ments at the end of the event. ue chains for both staple food
towards the scaling up of 10 and cash crops. In an addition-
selected priority commodities AfDB president Akinwumi al show of solidarity, The Bill
over the next five years. This Adesina said: “Let us now cre- & Melinda Gates Foundation,
will help countries achieve ate, today, a stronger partner- joining a coalition of develop-
self-sufficiency. ship: a partnership for greater ment partners, declared that it
scale; a partnership to take will invest US$652 million in
Another US$8.83 bil- technologies and innovations the next three years. It remains
lion will go towards building to hundreds of millions of to be seen whether the unfold-
strong value chains for these farmers.” ing divorce of the billionaire
commodities over the next five couple will affect the charity’s
years. The International Fund for programmes.
Agricultural Development
“This will include pro- (IFAD) said it aimed to pro- The money from the Gates
grammes to create opportuni- vide an additional US$1.5 bil- Foundation is envisaged to
ties for young people – partic- lion to support national efforts support agricultural research
ularly women,” it said. to transform food and agricul-
tural systems in Africa over the and development initiatives
In total, multilateral de- next three years. in Africa. This funding is ex-
velopment banks and devel- pected to empower 300 mil-
opment partners, including “IFAD will also invest more lion farmers with a host of new
AfDB, pledged over US$17 in creating the pre-conditions innovations.
billion to improve food secu- for increased agricultural pro-
rity. ductivity. The organisation is Sub-Saharan Africa has a
quarter of the world’s arable
land, but produces only 10%
of its agricultural output.
The low productivity of sta-
ple crops makes African agri-
culture uncompetitive. As a
result, the continent imports
one-third of the calories that
it consumes. This makes food
systems more vulnerable and
dependent on external food
supply chains.
Value of national Wishes all mothers a
payments declines
PY MOTHER’S
DUMISANI NYONI ing for 78.25%; point of sale indices was a result of share HAP DAY
system at 19.42%; automated price losses for Simbisa Brands 9th of May
THE National Payment Sys- teller machine (1.55%) and Limited at 27.67%, First
tem (NPS) processed transac- RTGS at 0.78%. Mutual Holdings Limited at A mother’s love is undenable
tions worth ZW$72.25 bil- 25.35%, Dairibord Holdings
lion, during the week ending Meanwhile, the RBZ said Limited (18.01%), Padenga www.thenewshawks.com
April 9, 2021, representing the Zimbabwe Stock Ex- Holdings Limited (17.43%),
a decline of 11.93% as com- change (ZSE) lost ZW$31.92 and Edgars Stores Limited at Shining Light In The Dark Corners
pared to the figure recorded in billion, or 6.01% worth of 12.80%.
the previous week, the Reserve market capitalisation, closing
Bank of Zimbabwe has said. at ZW$498.88 billion during Partially offsetting the
the week under analysis, com- aforementioned losses were
In its latest report, the cen- pared to ZW$530.80 billion gains in the share prices
tral bank said transactions recorded in the preceding of Starafrica Corporation
worth ZW$72.25 billion were week. Limited (18.13%), NMBZ
processed during the week Holdings Limited (14.36%),
ending April 9, 2021, from “During the week under General Beltings Holdings
ZW$84.34 billion recorded in review, the cumulative vol- Limited (12.69%), CBZ
the previous week. ume and value of shares trad- Holdings Limited (6.74%)
ed increased by 85.83% and and Zimbabwe Newspapers
Real-time gross settlement 80.30% to 56.84 million (5.88%).
(RTGS) transactions were shares and ZW$581.52 mil-
13.61% lower, closing at lion, respectively,” the central “The mining index, how-
ZW$57.84 billion while in bank said. ever, recovered from the loss
value terms, RTGS constitut- in the previous week, gaining
ed 77.91% of the total trans- The RBZ said the local by 5.08% to close at 5 587.95
actions; point of sale system bourse exhibited bearish sen- points, during the week under
(11.85%); mobile (9.29%) timent, resulting in all indus- analysis. The increase in the
and automated teller machine trial indices registering losses. mining index emanated from
(0.95%). As such, the All-Share, Top gains of 5.99% and 2.94% in
10 and Top 15 indices shed share prices for Bindura Nick-
In the week under review, 4.87%, 5.03%, and 6.28% el Corporation Limited and
NPS transaction volumes to close at 4 270.34 points, 2 RioZim Limited share prices,
stood at 24.99 million, 1.92% 479.11 points and 2 790.88 respectively,” the report reads
higher than in the previous points, respectively. in part.
week, with mobile account-
The decline in the market
Page 22 Companies & Markets NewsHawks
EXPERTS who participated Experts bemoan Zimbabwe’s Issue 29, 7 May 2021
in this week’s Financial Mar- financial sector policy discord
ket Indaba have urged the “History has it that Chi-
government to end the policy na was a very poor country
discord rocking the economy, in the late 1970s but due to
to stimulate meaningful in- good five-year plans which
vestments inflows. have been launched since
The calls come at a time the then, they have been able to
country is desperately in need ed States dollar debts to the rise up the ladder up to where
of capital to turn around its Zimdollar at a rate of 1:1 they are today,” Mafunda
fortunes after decades of in- in line with Statutory In- added.
ternational isolation. strument 33 of 2019,” said
Inflation reached a Chipo Mafunga, a founding SME Association of Zim-
mind-boggling 231 mil- partner at Chimuka Mafunga babwe founder Farai Mutam-
lion percent in 2008 on the Commercial Attorneys. banengwe urged the authori-
back of gross human rights ties to consider the informal
violations which prompted She buttressed the need to sector’s huge but unharnessed
Western countries to impose lobby for a more comprehen- potential and move to-
sanctions. sive policy, arguing that the wards formalising the sector
President Emmerson country’s policies and market through increased access to
Mnangagwa’s commitment realities lack balance. financing.
to an international re-engage-
ment strategy formulated at “There is a need for con- He bemoaned the contin-
the inception of the “second tinuous evaluation of policies ued demand for title deeds
republic” in 2017 continues in order to achieve consis- from small and medium en-
to generate doubt. Investors tency. Recently, the central terprises despite the fact that
remain reluctant to inject bank launched the foreign many players in the sector do
capital. exchange auction system, but not have collateral security.
Speaking during a plena- due to lack of evaluation we
ry session at the Financial now find that many compa- The informal sector urged
Markets Indaba this week, nies are participating for arbi- the authorities to avail cheap-
business experts reminded trage reasons,” she said. er funding to the sector in or-
the authorities of the need to der for players to realise their
deal with the discord in the Mufunga added that a full potential and contribute
markets. stable policy environment is meaningfully towards eco-
“Current policies on the the surest way to stimulate nomic growth.
financial markets remain much-needed savings and
fragmented hence the need buttress the other pillars of The indaba was held vir-
for a coordinated approach to economic growth. tually on Wednesday. It is
achieve transparency on the organised periodically and
role of the banking sector. Barings Asset Manage- dedicated to showcasing the
“This is clear in cases in- ment director Brian Mang- potential and commercial
volving NR Barber, a min- wiro slammed the authori- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube. opportunities in the financial
ing firm, filing a challenge ties for not willing to brave policymaking. The moment Such factors must be left for services sector.
seeking the Constitutional the required pain in order to we talk about controlled and banks to decide as they com- consider the broader national
Court’s permission to over- achieve a viable banking sec- stipulated interest rates, we pete on their own,” he said. picture when crafting poli- Discussions focused on
turn the conversion of Unit- tor. will be getting it all wrong. cies as opposed to the current the banking sector’s financ-
He urged policymakers to top-down approach. ing challenges and key solu-
“The responsibility to re- tions; capital markets and the
store confidence must not Zimbabwe Stock Exchange;
be left to the banks alone, fintech; innovation and re-
but authorities in charge of mittances; and Zimbabwe’s
insurance industry, among
other topics. —STAFF WRITER
There is a future.
ZIMBABWE
CHILDREN’S CANCER RELIEF
EARLY
DETECTION
IS THE BEST PROTECTION!
STAY IF YOU SUSPECT EYE CANCER
ALERT! VISIT YOUR CLINIC TODAY
NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 21
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
RTG optimistic on digitalisation strategy
as Covid-19 vaccination raises new hopes
LEADING hospitality con- group’s greatest opportuni- “We are poised for growth wait for the return of tourism cal artistes have registered on cation.
cern Rainbow Tourism ty lies in the digitalisation as demonstrated by the in- activity to the 2019 levels, we Gateway Stream Music, with “This is the first phase of
Group (RTG) is optimistic strategy through the Gate- crease in activity on the plat- are confident that these strat- a total of 22 900 songs from
that its digitalisation strate- way Stream mobile and web form. Our tour operations egies will help in generating 3 000 Albums which include the launch; we will be going
gy will enable future growth application anchored on the business, Heritage Expedi- revenue for the company,” he the likes of Jah Prayzah, Janet beyond our borders soon
while positioning the firm on belief that the future is dig- tions Africa (HExA), is also said. Manyowa and Winky D hav- to register artistes from the
a competitive footing. ital. showing potential. Whilst we ing signed up on the appli- continent. Gateway Stream
He said, to date, 2 500 lo- is a super-app with multiple
The hotel group was hard revenue channels. In 2020,
hit by the current Covid-19 we activated the online shop-
pandemic lockdowns im- ping channel mostly driven
posed last year, prompting a by groceries and hardware
61% after-tax profit decline where we can deliver to any
during the period ended 31 part of the country.
December 2020.
“This new channel has
During the period, revenue become very popular and is
went down 66% to ZW$1.1 doing very well. The shift in
billion, reflective of the chal- consumer buying behaviour
lenges experienced during to online purchases as ne-
the year due to Covid-19. cessitated by the advent of
Covid-19 and our guaran-
Occupancy for the year teed promise to deliver with-
under review closed at 26% in 24 hours has positioned
compared to 47% recorded the Gateway Stream online
in the prior year. shopping as a top earner,”
said Madziwanyika.
But speaking to The News-
Hawks this week, RTG chief He added that growth has
executive Tendai Madziwan- also been recorded in hotel
yika expressed hope for a accommodation bookings
swift recovery on the back made via Gateway Stream.
of the massive Covid-19 vac-
cination programmes being The application has also
rolled out globally. enlisted 55 000 rooms across
Africa, enabling anyone the
“We have already started world over to search for and
to see a rebound of the in- book accommodation in any
dustry. We are encouraged by of the listed countries on
the domestic performances Gateway Stream, similar to
where there is a real uplift in the likes of Bookings.com
activity and general produc- and Expedia making the ap-
tivity in the country as we plication a serious exporter
are beginning to see domestic and a strong foreign revenue
business replace foreign busi- earner for the country.
ness,” he said.
—STAFF WRITER
The RTG boss said the
A COMPANY led by Zim- Zimbabwean businessmen of the much larger Nyan-
babwean businesspeople, pre- launch R4.5bn project in SA za chemical complex that is
vented by government from over 80 000 tonnes per annum planned on a 67-hectare site.
implementing a US$400 Nyanza Light Metals chief executive Donovan Chimhandamba. of titanium dioxide (TiO2)
million National Railways of pigment, as well as other tita- The multi-billion-rand
Zimbabwe (NRZ) recapital- volumes will be produced by (TiO2) pigment is widely used three phases – the first phase nium-related products, colour project represented an op-
isation project, has launched the main plant coming in the in the manufacture of prod- being the construction of a pigments, gypsum and water portunity for South Africa
a R4.5 billion project at the next phases. ucts such as paints, industrial technical services centre cur- treatment chemicals such as to demonstrate that Africans
Richards Bay Industrial De- coatings, plastics, papers, inks, rently underway, while the iron sulphate (copperas) and could transform the continent
velopment Zone (RBIDZ) in Nyanza is a chemical man- foods, medicines (that is, pills second and third phases will aluminium sulphate (alum). from being a mere exporter of
South Africa. ufacturing company that has and tablets), as well as most be undertaken over the next low-value primary raw materi-
begun the construction of its toothpastes. 36 months, with a total invest- The project is in line with als to becoming an exporter of
Nyanza Light Metals chief titanium dioxide (TiO2) pig- ment value of R4.5 billion. RBIDZ’s mandate of being a value-added products, Chim-
executive Donovan Chimhan- ment production plant at the The Nyanza project plan purpose-built and secure in- handamba said.
damba and his team yesterday RBIDZ. Titanium dioxide rollout will be carried out in The plant is set to produce dustrial estate tailored for the
launched the project in the manufacturing of goods and The MEC for Economic
northern KwaZulu-Natal port production of services to boost Development, Tourism and
city following commencement beneficiation, investments, Environmental Affairs, Ravi
of construction of the Nyanza economic growth, job creation
Light Metals Technical Ser- and the development of skills. Pillay, officiated at the
vices Centre in March. launch and inspected the
The R200 million first phase progress of the construction
Chimhandamba’s Diaspora of the new Nyanza titanium of the first phase of the R4.5
Infrastructure Development dioxide plant in Richards Bay billion investment.
Group (DIDG) is suing the is now under construction,
NRZ and government for following a launch event. Pillay said KZN was work-
“unlawfully” terminating a ing hard to consolidate its
US$400m (R5.85bn) tender Plans for the plant were first position as an investment
awarded to it in 2017. mooted as far back as 2011 destination of choice. “Part of
Chimhandamba, who is also the work includes identifying
DIDG, a consortium of founder of private equity firm and addressing those areas and
Zimbabweans registered in Arkein Capital Partners. He is challenges with a potential to
South Africa, partnered with also behind the Arkein group dent our reputation and derail
Transnet to recapitalise the of companies. the attraction of investment.
NRZ. Such challenges include cor-
Chimhandamba said the ruption, crime, and the supply
The launch yesterday is the technical services centre is part of energy and water,” said Pil-
first phase of Nyanza’s chem- of the R200 million first phase lay. Nyanza got a boost from
ical complex under construc- the Cairo-based Afreximbank
tion. It is worth R200 mil- as it has approved a US$2
lion. The facility will produce million (about R28m) project
sufficient titanium dioxide preparation facility and had
pigment volumes for its cus- been appointed the mandated
tomers to use in their manu- lead arranger for the R4.5bn
facturing processes, while bulk project. — STAFF WRITER
Page 24 Stock Taking NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Price Sheet
Friday, 07 May 2021 A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE
Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Traded Traded (%) Cap
Ticker Price (cents) Traded Volume Change Change
Price 5,000 Value ($) (cents) (%) ($m)
5,400
AFDIS Consumer Goods AFDIS: ZH 5000.00 5000.00 5000.00 262,500 250,000.00 - - 108.33 5,865.30
African Sun Consumer Services ASUN: ZH 215.00 211.00 218.06 319,900 11,775.00 3.06 1.42 28.27 1,879.18
ART ARTD: ZH 625.24 700.00 682.31 40,700 57.07 9.13 42.95 2,981.54
Ariston Industrials 210.00 200.00 200.02 16,700 1,791,055.00 -9.98 -4.75 49.27 3,255.12
Axia Consumer Services ARISTON: ZH 1600.79 1660.00 1600.88 639,870.00 0.09 0.01 74.77 8,723.11
BNC AXIA: ZH 486.10 480.00 486.74 - 651,560.00 0.64 0.13 28.09 6,083.55
BAT Consumer Goods BIND: ZH 74800.00 74800.00 2,800 81,285.00 36.00 15,433.87
CAFCA Basic Materials 11000.00 - 10500.00 1,800 - - - 16.80
Cassava BAT: ZH 1250.17 10500.00 1350.00 22,700 294,000.00 -500.00 -4.55 107.69 917.19
CBZ Consumer Goods CAFCA: ZH 9000.00 1400.00 8700.88 1,000 24,300.00 99.83 7.99 1.81 34,972.79
Dairibord Industrials 1590.00 8700.00 1595.00 498,700 -299.12 -3.32 21.76 59,795.20
Delta CSZL: ZH 5270.65 1595.00 5309.21 8,200 1,975,100.00 0.31 133.36
Econet Technology CBZ: ZH 2099.52 5500.00 2194.57 3,000 15,950.00 5.00 0.73 132.23 5,710.11
Edgars Banking 320.00 2200.00 320.00 38.56 4.53 166.67 68,194.74
FBC DZL: ZH 2703.36 2700.00 200 26,477,040.00 95.05 79.84 56,852.02
Fidelity Consumer Goods DLTA: ZH 600.00 320.00 580.00 100 179,955.00 - 204.14
First Capital Consumer Goods ECO: ZH 282.76 2700.00 294.39 6,600 9,600.00 - -0.12 167.63 1,046.37
FML Telecommunications 2261.84 580.00 2004.52 51,000 5,400.00 -3.36 -3.33 90.91 18,142.65
FMP Consumer Services EDGR: ZH 700.00 300.00 680.00 100 580.00 -20.00 4.11 109.88
GBH FBC: ZH 79.23 2000.00 77.89 77,400 19,430.00 11.63 -11.38 224.54 631.76
Getbucks Banking FIDL: ZH 48.00 680.00 48.00 -257.32 -2.86 284.00 6,349.17
Hippo Financial Services FCA: ZH 12499.96 12499.96 - 1,022,305.00 -20.00 -1.69 38.89 13,834.06
Innscor 7592.88 73.00 7825.39 - 680.00 -1.34 0.00 111.33 8,419.47
Lafarge Banking FMHL: ZH 5200.00 - 5200.00 46,100 441.67
Mash Financial Services FMP: ZH 189.49 - 197.33 - 60,286.00 - - 112.18 417.95
Masimba GBH: ZH 2200.00 2220.31 41,900 - - 3.06 98.24 558.30
Medtech Real Estate 11.25 8000.00 11.09 19,200 - 232.51 40.38 24,127.49
Meikles Industrials GBFS: ZH 6158.36 - 6491.17 1,785,400 - - 194.99 44,195.96
Nampak HIPO: ZH 1600.00 1600.00 528,600 3,607,505.00 7.84 4.14 600.99 4,160.00
NatFoods Financial Services 31800.00 227.25 31800.00 300 - 20.31 0.92 429.12 3,668.51
NTS Consumer Goods INN: ZH 960.00 2400.00 1000.00 - -0.16 -1.42 3542.99 5,365.46
NMBZ LACZ: ZH 1122.86 1130.00 100 82,680.50 332.81 5.40 182.46 337.11
OK Zim Industrials MASH: ZH 1549.54 11.25 1550.00 150,000 426,300.00 - 72.22 16,399.69
Padenga Industrials MSHL: ZH 3044.55 6500.00 3295.67 2,666,300 197,979.40 - - 56.83 12,090.37
Proplastics Real Estate MMDZ: ZH 2099.98 1600.00 2099.98 23,000 34,312,300.00 40.00 - 143.91 21,751.23
RTG Industrials MEIK: ZH 194.24 194.24 - 7.14 4.17 1.30 2,538.72
RioZim Healthcare NPKZ: ZH 2050.00 - 2050.00 - 4,800.00 0.46 0.64 37.11 4,567.14
Simbisa Industrials 3100.81 1000.00 3381.43 - - 251.12 0.03 181.37 19,325.60
Star Africa Industrials NTFD: ZH 1130.00 7,000 - 8.25 107.00 17,849.13
Truworths Consumer Goods NTS: ZH 1550.00 115,500 1,000.00 - - 238.71 5,290.60
TSL Industrials NMB: ZH 3310.00 - 1,695,000.00 - - 131.88 4,847.25
Turnall 151,600 41,327,650.00 280.62 - 203.52 2,501.60
Unifreight Banking OKZ: ZH - 9,000 -1.28 9.05 5953.49 19,009.89
Willdale Consumer Services PHL: ZH - 3,700 758,005.00 - -2.24 243.88 2,635.26
ZB PROL: ZH - 158,500 - -188.50 - 66.67 383.76
Zeco Consumer Goods 3600.00 - - 2.27 -4.50 50.00 14,284.10
Zimpapers Industrials RTG: ZH - - -4.05 0.81 71.77 1,391.70
Zimplow RIOZ: ZH 1,800 1.10 -0.36 35.56 1,198.85
ZHL Consumer Services 59,100 236,700.00 - 1.01 -26.63 1,956.51
Basic Materials SIM: ZH 12,800 64,551.00 - - 7,007.63
TOTAL 7,103,700 - -1.67 -
Consumer Goods SACL: ZH 57.17 58.00 55.89 17.78 -0.98 0.14
Consumer Goods TRUW: ZH 99.92 - 99.92 6,064,000.00 0.71 2.69 969.58
Consumer Services 4188.50 4000.00 25,404.00 0.31 1,615.70
Consumer Goods TSL: ZH 280.00 4000.00 282.27 41,660.00 3,526.68
TURN: ZH 1130.00 280.00 1125.95 563,059.11
Industrials UNIF: ZH 108.94 1100.00 110.04 174,410.00
Industrials WILD: ZH 4000.00 110.00 4000.00 -
Industrials ZBFH: ZH 0.03 0.03 -
ZECO: ZH 170.00 - 168.33
Banking 660.00 - 677.78 3,030.00
Industrials ZIMP: ZH 229.29 170.00 230.00 400,570.00
Consumer Services ZIMPLOW: ZH 680.00
Industrials 230.00 29,440.00
Financial Services ZHL: ZH 122,963,155.90
ETFs OMTT.zw 174.96 174.00 174.00 7,500 13,050.00 -0.96 -0.55 73.62 139.20
Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF
FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 2800.00 - 2800.00 - -- - 5.66 2,324.33
Old Mutual Zimbabwe
VFEX (US cents) Consumer Goods SCIL:VX 18.00 US$m
SeedCo International - 18.00 - -- -- 43.40
Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
ZSE All Share 4,774.55 +1.15 4,720.43 +81.59 ART 682.31c +57.07c +9.13 +42.95
Top 10 2,758.97 +1.79 2,710.35 +66.76 Simbisa 3381.43c +9.05 +181.37
Top 15 3,116.33 +1.41 3,073.12 +59.97 Padenga 3295.67c +280.62c +8.25 +56.83
Small Cap +0.76 45,785.58 +288.46 Cassava 1350.00c +251.12c +7.99 +107.69
Medium Cap 46,133.62 +0.17 11,482.28 +106.70 Meikles 6491.17c +5.40 +194.99
11,501.55 +99.83c
+332.81c
Top 5 Fallers Price Change % YTD %
FML 2004.52c -257.32c -11.38 +90.91
Ariston -4.75 +49.27
CAFCA 200.02c -9.98c -4.55 +16.80
TSL 10500.00c -500.00c -4.50 +131.88
Fidelity -188.50c -3.33 +204.14
4000.00c
580.00c -20.00c
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NewsHawks News Analysis Page 23
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
NYASHA CHINGONO Power-hungry Mnangagwa subject to ratification in senate
tramples on constitution hearings – which is far from
THE passing of the Consti- automatic and can be quite a
tutional Amendment (No.2) strenuous process, so a check
Bill by Senate on Tuesday is a and balance is retained there.
tragic move for Zimbabwe, as This seems not to be the case in
the country – courtesy of its Zimbabwe,” he added.
legislators – has set itself up for
constitutional failure by creat- Political analyst Ibbo Man-
ing an imperial president and daza described the move as
entrenching despotism, ana- tragic and predictable, con-
lysts have said. sidering Mnangagwa’s power
Described as a sad milestone retention moves since taking
by analysts this week, the pass- over from Mugabe in 2017.
ing of the Bill, which was aided
by several MDC-T members, “It is tragic and predictable.
has far-reaching ramifications It is hinges on presidential
for democracy in Zimbabwe. powers. It looks like Mnangag-
Unsurprisingly, there was joy wa and Zanu PF are still in the
in the Zanu PF camp which mode of imperial presidency,”
found a convenient alliance in Mandaza said.
a captured ‘opposition’.
The Bill sailed through the “If we are to be reforming,
Third Reading stage after 65 we must do away with an exec-
senators voted in the affirma- utive presidency.”
tive, while 10 rejected it.
It now awaits President Em- “I say it is tragic because
merson Mnangagwa’s assent, it highlights that the state in
after which it becomes the Zimbabwe is authoritarian
Constitution of Zimbabwe with no capacity of reform,”
Amendment (No.2) Act, thus Mandaza added.
effectively changing the con-
stitution, adopted by 94.5% of Mandaza added that the
3.3 million people who voted support that Zanu-PF enjoys
in a referendum on 16 and 17 from the MDC-T was expect-
March 2013. ed.
Although Mnangagwa
promised widespread reforms “It is pathetic, but also pre-
when he took over power in a dictable, given what Douglas
military coup in 2017, which Mwonzora and his merry men
included alignment of the ex- and merry women have done.
isting laws with the 2013 con- They are no longer an opposi-
stitution, he has not only aban- tion. They are now a branch of
doned the alignment midway, Zanu PF,” he said, adding that
but also looks poised to tram- challenging the amendments
ple the country’s supreme law in court would be a waste of
for political gain. time as Zanu PF retains a ma-
With political reforms re- jority.
maining a sticky issue in
Mnangagwa’s international According to a constitu-
re-engagement, the current tional analysis by Kubatana.
amendments have worsened com: “The proposed legisla-
Zimbabwe’s pariah status, tion makes it unequivocally
with the country’s chances of clear that the President would
re-joining the Commonwealth enjoy absolute authority, stat-
receding by the day. ing that the Chief Justice, the
This amendment seeks to Deputy Chief Justice, and the
change the retirement age of Judge President of the High
judges, obliterate the public Court and all other judges are
interview process for judges appointed by the President in
which was largely viewed as a accordance with this section.
critical component in ensuring The Chief Justice, the Deputy
the transparency of the pro- Chief Justice, and the Judge
cess, remove the presidential President of the High Court
running mate clause, extend shall be appointed by the Pres-
the women’s quota, introduce ident after consultation with
a youth quota, increase the the Judicial Service Commis-
number (from five to seven) of sion.”
cabinet ministers chosen from
outside Parliament, and vary President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Analysts argue that this
would set a wrong precedent
the devolution clauses. Commission and Parliament’s be entirely dependent on a situation where the country’s gle-handedly control both par- and enable Mnangagwa to
Committee on Standing Rules Mnangagwa’s whim, posing a President (or any leader of a po- ty and national succession. An tamper with the presidential
Appointment and dismissal and Orders. The public protec- fatal danger to judicial inde- litical party) appoints or allows elected Vice-President Chi- term limit and further entrench
of the Prosecutor-General tor will thus be beholden to the pendence and democracy. the ascendancy of weak, medi- wenga will be a more assertive imperial rule in Zimbabwe.
President. ocre, and disposable vice-presi- national leader and a formida-
At present the procedures for According to the 2013 con- dents who are never meant for ble rival in the party to Mnan- As such, Zanu PF has
appointing and dismissing the Prior to the passing of this stitution, the nomination and succession or assumption of gagwa,” Mutambara said in his abused its two-thirds majority
Prosecutor-General are the particular Bill, the Constitu- appointment process of judges the country’s presidency. analysis of the passed Bill. for power, scoffing at millions
same as those for a judge. The tion of Zimbabwe Amendment must be conducted in a public of Zimbabweans who voted for
Bill proposes to alter this by (No.1) Act was controversial- and transparent manner. All The choice of vice-presi- Stephen Chan, a professor the 2013 constitution.
removing the need for public ly passed in the Senate on 6 judges are appointed by the dents, therefore, becomes an of world politics at the Univer-
interviews of candidates before April. The Amendment (No.1) President from a list of candi- election issue. sity of London’s School of Ori- “What Zanu PF has done in
the President appoints a Pros- Bill had failed to muster two- dates provided by the Judicial ental and African Studies, said both the lower House and the
ecutor-General, and by giv- thirds majority support in the Service Commission. While this considerably the constitutional amendments Senate is abuse its two-thirds
ing the President the ultimate Senate in 2017, hence making weakens his coup partner create an imperial President majority or supermajority. The
discretion to decide whether its passing a monumental nul- Mnangagwa’s power consol- Vice-President Constantino and undermine judicial inde- fact that a party wins such a
or not a Prosecutor-General lity. idation agenda has reached a Chiwenga, it also clears the pendence. majority does not justify it to
should be dismissed. new low. He has gotten rid of path for Mnangagwa to stay abuse that strength against the
This latest development has the running mate clause, which in power longer, having suc- “Basically, this is an increase people or in negating the na-
The President’s personal given Chief Justice Luke Mal- only comes to effect after 2023, cessfully eliminated ambitious in presidential power and an tional interest,” Mutambara
power will be increased in that aba a new lifeline to controver- according to the 2013 consti- elements within the rank and erosion of normal checks and said.
there will not be a need for sially extend his tenure beyond tution. file of Zanu PF. balances such as the indepen-
seeking advice from Cabinet his looming retirement on 15 dent integrity of the judiciary,” It is also apparent that the
when appointing the Prosecu- May 2021. Malaba turns 70 Pre-emptively, Mnangagwa “At the centre of the aversion Chan said. passing of the Amendment
tor-General. on 15 May but can now stay seeks to scrap the running mate for the running mate clause, (No.2) Bill is within the broad-
as chief justice beyond 2023 clause so that he has absolute we find the inordinate lust for Chan said Zimbabwe was er context of Zanu PF’s chica-
It increases the President’s where he is expected to play a power to choose his deputies. unbridled personal power, the trudging a ruinous path where nery of maintaining a strangle-
personal power by allowing critical role in securing Mnan- objective of managing party the President is not subject to hold on power beyond 2023.
him to appoint and dismiss gagwa another term. According to former Zimba- factions to one’s selfish ends, legislative checks and balances.
the Public Protector after con- bwean prime minister Arthur the capacity to undermine ri- “Amendment (No.2) is a
sulting the Judicial Service Malaba’s new tenure would Mutambara, the purpose of the vals and the ambition to sin- “The US president also has classic case of unbridled wea-
running mate clause is to avoid such power, but everything is ponisation of law. As indicated
earlier, it is part of the consol-
idation of political power and
repurposing of state institu-
tions towards this objective.
Amendment (No.2) is about
authoritarian consolidation –
an affront and negation of de-
mocracy,” Mutambara said.
Page 26 The Big Debate NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Mnangagwa’s new dispensation regime:
Nothing new, but the First Republic 2.0
Prof. Jonathan MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora. tions.
N. Moyo It will be recalled that on 31
to call the by-elections; why days after the vacancies occurred Zec has used press statements, that:
FOLLOWING the passage of Mwonzora’s MDC-T is threat- unless the vacancies occur with- and not its gazetted regula- This constitution is the su- March 2020, which marked the
the Constitution of Zimbabwe ening to contest the by-elections in nine months before a gener- tions, to maintain the suspen- onset of the Covd-19 lockdown,
Amendment (No.2) Bill in Par- as the MDC Alliance and why al election is due to be held, in sion on the basis of Chiwenga’s preme law of Zimbabwe and two dubious rulings were hand-
liament this week, after the Sen- Zec is delinquently failing to which event the vacancies may Covid-19 statutory instruments any law, practice, custom or ed down: one was a judgment
ate gave its nod to agree with the discharge its constitutional obli- remain unfilled until the general is outrageously unconstitutional conduct inconsistent with it is by the Supreme Court ordering
National Assembly which voted gation to hold the long overdue election”. and scandalous in the extreme. invalid to the extent of the in- the MDC-T to hold an extraor-
for the Bill last week, critical by-elections. consistency. dinary congress to elect Morgan
questions with far-reaching im- On 7 October 2020, Zec’s This fact alone tells the whole Tsvangirai’s successor on the
plications have emerged about On 30 September 2020, chief elections officer, Utloile story why Zec is compromised The obligations imposed by basis of the party’s 2014 struc-
how and where Zanu PF got the Vice-President Constantino Silaigwana, issued a press state- beyond redemption, and why this constitution are binding on tures; the other was a judgment
votes to pass the Bill, which has Chiwenga, who also doubles as ment announcing that: its chief elections officer and every person, natural or juristic, by the Constitutional Court
shocking amendments, when Health minister, issued Statu- current commissioners are unfit including the state and all ex- invalidating the Constitution
it does not have the required tory Instrument 225A of 2020, “The commission advises for purpose and must resign or ecutive, legislative and judicial of Zimbabwe Amendment
two-thirds majority in the lower “Public Health (Covid-19 Pre- that the holding of by-elections face rolling mass protests and institutions and agencies of gov- (No.1) Act, 2017 on the basis
House. vention, Containment and remains suspended in line with petitions. One way or another ernment at every level, and must that it was enacted unconstitu-
Treatment) (Amendment) Reg- public health regulations until this will come, given all its elec- be fulfilled by them. tionally because the Senate vote
The passage of the Bill has ulations, 2020 (No.4) whose the declaration of Covid-19 as a toral misdemeanours. for it did not meet the required
put into context why em- import relevant to this discus- formidable pandemic has been Section 239 of the constitu- two-thirds majority but, in his
battled President Emmerson sion was that: “…the holding lifted”. Section 235 (1)(a) of the con- tion imposes an obligation on judgment, Chief Justice Luke
Mnangagwa has been dithering of any by-election to fill a casual stitution provides that indepen- Zec to ensure that “elections Malaba suspended the invalida-
on whether or when to cause vacancy in Parliament or in a lo- Then on 1 March 2021, Chi- dent commissions, such as Zec, and referendums are conducted tion for 180 days from the date
the compromised Zimbabwe cal authority is for the duration wenga relaxed the lockdown re- “are independent and are not efficiently, freely, fairly, transpar- of his judgment to allow Senate
Electoral Commission (Zec) of the period of the declaration strictions that he had tightened subject to the direction or con- ently and in accordance with the to rectify the invalidity by cor-
to discharge its constitutional of Covid-19 as a formidable ep- up on 2 January 2021 under trol of anyone”. law”. recting its vote.
obligation to call for the hold- idemic disease, suspended, and Statutory Instrument 10 of
ing of parliamentary and local if such vacancy occurred while 2021; the relaxation covered a It is ridiculous and unaccept- Zec has clearly gone rogue by At Mnangagwa’s behest, these
governmental by-elections occa- such declaration is in force, no wide range of public activities, able that Zec has preposterously failing to conduct by-elections two judgments have toxified
sioned by the unconstitutional part of the period from the date including allowing parliamenta- used the cover of Covid-19 to in accordance with section 158 politics in Zimbabwe and cor-
recall of MDC Alliance MPs of such vacancy to the date of ry public hearings. put itself under the control and (3) of the constitution. rupted the conduct of the three
and councillors; why Douglas the end of the declaration shall direction of Chiwenga. branches of the state, namely,
Mwonzora’s MDC-T has been be counted for the purposes of Again, Silaigwana issued a While Covid-19 has been the executive, the legislature and
threatening to contest those section 158 (3) of the constitu- press statement advising that In failing to perform its con- given as the reason for the sus- judiciary in ways that have de-
by-elections as the MDC Alli- tion”. Zec had lifted restrictions it had stitutional obligations by relying pension of by-elections, the fact formed the jurisprudential basis,
ance under dubious claims that imposed on 8 January 2021 on on Chiwenga’s manifestly politi- that Zanu PF held its district institutional capacity and gover-
it owns the name; and why there Section 158 (3) of the con- voter registration and some field cised statutory instruments re- coordinating committee elec- nance integrity of the state as a
have been growing calls that the stitution of Zimbabwe provides work, but that the conduct of garding the holding of by-elec- tions across the country, and body politic.
MDC Alliance should rebrand that: “Polling in by-elections to by-elections remained suspend- tions as provided under section that Mwonzora’s MDC-T held
and change its name to avoid a Parliament and local authorities ed. 158 (3) of the constitution of its controversial extraordinary Whereas the Supreme Court
possible and unwinnable battle must take place within ninety Zimbabwe, Zec has wilfully and congress at the height of a dev- judgment of 31 March 2020
over the name in the captured The fact that, throughout this criminally violated section 2 of astating Covid-19 wave, means has been abused for an unprec-
courts, should the much-await- episode during which by-elec- the constitution which provides the pandemic has nothing to do edented orgy of recalls of MDC
ed by-elections be held. tions have remined suspended, with the suspension of by-elec- Alliance MPs and councillors
by people with no legal author-
While understandable, upon ity to make the recalls, Malaba’s
closer scrutiny, the calls that the Constitutional Court judgment
MDC Alliance should rebrand has triggered a Parliament in
and change its name in time for which Zanu PF does not have
the anticipated by-elections are a two-thirds majority in the Na-
misplaced and not strategic, as tional Assembly, and not even
are the calls that the MDC Alli- in the Senate, to illegally enforce
ance should boycott the by-elec- the unlawful recalls in order to
tions or that it should contest secure the required two-thirds
them under its name. majority via Douglas Mwonzo-
ra’s MDC-T, the beneficiary of
To put this in clearer terms, the recalls. This is the unpacked
from an action point of view, question of the moment.
the MDC Alliance should con-
sider a three-pronged approach: Whereas there has been lots
of noisy chatter about by-elec-
· Save for broader and more tions, it is instructive to note
strategic purposes, it should not that Mwonzora has, in fact, re-
rebrand or change its name for called only 12 from a total of 63
the by-elections; directly elected MDC-A con-
stituency MPs.
· By-elections, if they are
held, should not be boycotted; On the other hand, he has re-
and called and replaced proportional
representation MPs: nine on the
· While by-elections should women’s quota in the National
not be boycotted, they neverthe- Assembly and eight in the sen-
less should be the primary focus ate.
of the MDC Alliance; to this
end, its by-election candidates The Mwonzora strategy,
should contest as independents, which is driven by Owen Ncu-
to enhance the party’s presence be and Isaac Moyo, minister of
in Parliament, while keeping State Security and Central In-
open its branding options as an telligence Organisation (CIO)
expression of its “Citizens’ Con- Director-General respectively,
vergence for Change” initiative. away from Zanu PF’s now re-
dundant commissariat depart-
By way of unpacking this ment, is to takeover Senate
approach, it is important to because its entire membership
understand why Mnangagwa is is elected on the proportional
dithering on whether or when representation slate based on the
July 2018 constituency election
results. In other words, there are
no by-elections in the Senate.
This means that, in formal
terms, the Senate has gone to
Zanu PF, which now has a
two-thirds majority, but only
NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 25
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
The tables above show how and why Zanu PF does not have a two-thirds majority in either house of Parliament and why it desperately needs Mwonzora’s support.. zora and his MDC-T, is retro-
gressive; and not only push back
through Mwonzora. a dozen directly elected MDC If the other parties do not contesting the by-elections as ing forward, should shape the the gains from the new 2013
That is why, save for the un- Alliance MPs. stand up to Mwonzora on this, the MDC Alliance or as a re- MDC Alliance’s strategic think- constitution; but also puts, yet
they too will be seen as exten- branded party under a new ing and praxis. again and as a major election
predictable Morgen Komichi, The targeted 12 are seen as sions of Zanu PF. name. issue for 2023, the case for the
Mwonzora and his senators Nelson Chamisa’s radicals and Meanwhile, and on the back need for a new and democratic
voted for the Constitution of they were recalled for propagan- Even so, and anyhow, it is The reason Mwonzora and of the foregoing, what are the constitution whose entire pro-
Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) da purposes of faking toughness also a fact that as a name, the the CIO are threatening that far-reaching implications of the visions are so entrenched that
Bill, 2017 despite the fact that to ostensibly demonstrate to the MDC Alliance is not inclusive the MDC-T will contest the passage of Constitution of Zim- they can only be amended after
it was illegally before the senate others what could happen to enough beyond the pre-2018 by-elections as MDC Alliance babwe (No.1) Bill? referendum supported by two
in violation not only of Parlia- them. election scenario. is because they want to force thirds of the voters, if approved
ment’s Standing Orders but also Chamisa and the MDC-A to re- Firstly, it is now clear that, by parliament.
section 147 of the constitution Second, Mwonzora and the For all intents and purposes, brand and assume a new name, although the manifest pre-
which stipulates that: CIO targeted only 12 MPs out the name represents a re-unifi- so that they will end up in Par- Covid-19 purpose of the Su- Fourthly, Mwonzora’s claim
of 63 because they in fact do not cation of a divided house that liament with only 12 or 18 MPs preme Court judgment was to that Constitution of Zimbabwe
On the dissolution of parlia- want to have by-elections at all; once stood as one. under the new name. destabilise the MDC Alliance by Amendment (No.1) Bill has en-
ment, all proceedings pending all what the CIO wanted is for irrationally forcing it to restruc- hanced devolution is patently
at the time are terminated, and Zanu PF to gain a two-thirds Clearly, some thought should That would make the party ture its leadership by holding an false. The mere fact that devo-
every Bill, motion, petition and majority in Parliament through be given to the need to forge a with a new name the third and emergency congress in 2020 us- lution as not been implemented
other business lapses. Mwonzora, to pass unpopular true national alliance, a truly smallest party in parliament. ing 2014 structures to choose a since 2013; and specifically, the
amendments to the constitution broad-based coalition of pro- successor to Morgan Tsvangirai; fact that the provincial councils
The Constitution of Zimba- of Zimbabwe, to enable Chief gressive forces across the politi- Any rebranding coming out Mnangagwa has taken advan- elected in 2013 and 2018 did
bwe Amendment (No.1) Bill, Justice Malaba to remain in cal divide, based on the Citizen’s of the Citizens’ Convergence for tage of Covid-19 and used the not take their seats, shows be-
2016 was introduced in the office and to give Mnangagwa Convergence for Change Initia- Change should not, under any Supreme Court judgment to yond any doubt that Zanu PF
eighth parliament in 2016 and imperial executive powers. tive. circumstance, be for purposes of restructure parliament through does not support devolution
it died with that. by-elections but should be for- Mwonzora’s recalls of MDC Al- and cannot enhance it through
In the circumstances, what A dangerous trap for the ward looking, towards the next liance MPs, after Zanu PF lost any amendment to the consti-
There is no constitutional are the stakes for the MDC Al- MDC Alliance to watch out general election. its 2018 two-thirds majority af- tution.
way of resurrecting it in the cur- liance? for is inherent to the fact that ter the onset of Covid-19.
rent ninth parliament by bring- the MDC Alliance name is Whereas right now Mwon- It is an outrageous contra-
ing it via a motion in Senate for It is nonsensical for Mwon- being contested in the courts zora and the CIO ferrets are Secondly, the recalls have diction in terms that a party
the purposes of a third reading, zora to claim that his MDC-T and in Parliament. Because of turning on the heat against the damaged and destabilised the opposed to devolution can en-
without starting afresh from owns the MDC Alliance name that, and without giving up the directly elected MDC Alliance MDC Alliance by foisting on it hance what it is deeply opposed
scratch. and that, therefore, they will name, the MDC Alliance lead- MPs in the National Assembly, an irrational restructuring exer- to. Zanu PF has used the Bill to
contest by-elections as MDC ership should find a robust and forcing them to adopt a situa- cise in 2020, based on non-ex- block the accountability of cen-
But Mwonzora’s lot in the Alliance. But this nonsense dynamic strategy for contesting tional strategy that makes them istent 2014 structures; they have tral government to the people in
Senate ignored this because they could be upheld by a captured by-elections, should they be MDC-T by day and MDC Al- pushed the MDC Alliance back their localities in the provinces
have become an extension of judge or court. held. liance by night; the fact of the from its huge electoral gains by entrenching its power and
Zanu PF; without being sub- matter is that as the clock tick- from the 2018 presidential authority, while also preventing
jected to a by-election. The fact of the matter is that As already intimated, by-elec- tocks closer to 2023, all rational election; and they have restruc- the equitable sharing and distri-
the MDC-T cannot, as a party, tions for constituency MPs must opposition MPs in Parliament tured parliament for Zanu PF bution of natural and financial
While Mwonzora has found have two names or two symbols. be contested. Mwonzora and will ditch Mwonzora and his to regain a two-thirds majority resources between and among
it relatively easy to formal- his CIO cabal must not be given Zanu PF-linked MDC-T. through the backdoor to pass the country’s regions.
ly if not symbolically takeover As a name, the MDC Alli- a free pass. Under what name, unpopular amendments to the
MDC Alliance MPs in the sen- ance is not the property of the then, should the MDC Alliance They will just flock away constitution; with the conse- Fifthly, Mwonzora’s claim
ate, as well as the women’s quota MDC-T but of a conglomer- contest the by-elections. from Mwonzora. quence of rendering illegitimate, that Constitution of Zimbabwe
MPs in the National Assembly, ation of parties that signed an parliament and its enactments. Amendment (No.1) Bill is pro-
with the help of the CIO, he electoral pact as “a composite Rationally, and strategically, About this, there is no doubt. gressive because it has provisions
has a tricky and uphill task in political cooperation agree- given the dynamics at play the Once the moment of reckon- The crisis of legitimacy that for women and youth quotas
the National Assembly, when ment” and agreed to use the MDC Alliance should not con- ing comes for the sitting MPs, was surrounding Mnangagwa in Parliament and councils is
it comes to MDC-A’s directly name “MDC Alliance ” togeth- test any by-election as a party to become election candidates and Chief Justice Luke Malaba, absurd, and even corrupt. The
elected constituency MPs. er as one. whether under the MDC-A for 2023, Mwonzora and his after the 2018 general election, quotas are not an expression of
name or under any other name. MDC-T will become a losing has now also sucked in Parlia- representative democracy, nor
This is because a recall of a These parties are MDC rep- proposition just like Thokozani ment and put on the spotlight are they about the gender em-
directly elected MP must be resented by Welshman Ncube; Doing so would fall into the Khupe and her MDC-T were National Assembly Speaker Ja- powerment of women as a social
followed by a by-election and PDP represented by Tendai dirty hands of Mwonzora and ahead of the 2018 general elec- cob Mudenda and Senate Pres- class or the empowerment of the
Mwonzora and the CIO know Biti; TZ represented by Jacob his CIO handlers. tion. ident Mabel Chinomona. As youth as a demographic group;
only too well that they cannot Ngarivhume; ZimPF repre- This is as certain as the fact such, the recalls of MDC Alli- rather, the quotas are about en-
and will not win any by-elec- sented by Agrippa Mutambara; The recalled constituency that the sun will rise tomorrow. ance MPs have had as dramat- trenching political patronage
tion to fill a vacancy created by a MCD represented by Mathias MPs, or any other MDC Alli- As things stand now, Mwon- ic impact on restructuring the by giving party bigwigs more
recall of an MDC Alliance MP. Guchuchu and Zanu-Ndonga, ance candidate, should contest zora is the Zanu PF-created MDC Alliance as they have had power to choose some pliable
Never. No chance in heaven. represented by Denford Musi- as MDC Alliance independents, leader of the opposition in Par- on restructuring Parliament. women and youth who are put
yarira. of course with the support of liament, while Nelson Chamisa on the party lists, under the pro-
Out of the realisation of the the MDC Alliance, whose lead- is the people’s chosen leader of Thirdly, it is notable that the portional representation system,
danger they face in recalling the The time has come for these ership should campaign for the the opposition in Zimbabwe, in entirety of Constitution of Zim- with the ever-present threat that
MDC Alliance’s directly elected parties and their leaders to stand independents. a position to form an alternative babwe (No.1), specifically and anyone on the party list can be
constituency MPs, Mwonzora up to Mwonzora’s MDC-T and government. only made possible by Mwon- removed and replaced anytime
and the CIO have adopted a bi- put a stop to the CIO pretence Their logo, as MDC Alliance It is this reality that, go- by dint of the whims and ca-
furcated strategy. that the MDC-T is also the independents, can have the prices of the party bigwigs. To
MDC Alliance. Chamisa portrait. call such a system progressive, as
First, they have targeted only Mwonzora is doing, is bizarre.
What is important is to avoid
Sixthly, it is important to
underscore that, although Con-
stitution of Zimbabwe Amend-
ment (No.1) Bill, is omnibus
and sweeping in scope, its main
beneficiaries are Malaba, who
is desperate to remain in office
beyond 15 May 2021 when he
should retire by operation of
law after reaching the age lim-
it of 70, and Mnangagwa who
wants Malaba to be available as
Chief Justice to do in the 2023
presidential election what he did
for him in the 2018 presidential
election when he covered up a
blatant and brazen theft of the
poll by Zec.
All told, the passage of Con-
stitution of Zimbabwe Amend-
ment (No.1) Bill has exposed
the fiction that Mnangagwa’s re-
gime is a Second Republic and
a new dispensation, instead, the
Bill has confirmed the regime as
a First Republic 2.0.
*About the writer: Moyo is
a former Zimbabwean Mem-
ber of Parliament, cabinet
minister, and academic.
Page 28 The Big Debate NewsHawks
Prof. Arthur Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Mutambara
Implications of constitutional
amendments for democracy
It was preceded by the
ON 20 April 2021, Zim- What is constitutionalism? is the social and econom- clearly understand as we Chief justice Luke Malaba. Constitution of Zimbabwe
babwe’s House of Assem- Democracy ic welfare of Zimbabweans explore the implication of Amendment (No. 1) Act
bly (the Lower Chamber) Democracy is a form of improved by Amendment Amendment No. 2. tionalism, here are the ques- which was passed illegally
passed the Constitution government in which the No. 2? tions we have to address: in Senate on 6 April 2021.
of Zimbabwe Amendment people have the unfettered Firstly, constitutionalism Why and how? Amendment
(No. 2) Bill by a two-thirds authority to choose those How does the amend- is the tradition, culture and Is Amendment No. 2 re- (No. 1) Bill failed to get
majority vote of 191 to 22 that govern them and legis- ment improve our economic behaviour of respecting the spectful of the supreme law? two-thirds majority support
Members of Parliament. late on their behalf. United fortunes as citizens? constitution. It is a value in senate in 2017. Thereaf-
States President Abraham system developed and nur- Is it in compliance and ter, the legislation lapsed by
And then on 4 May Lincoln taught us that de- Does the amendment en- tured over time through accordance with constitu- operation of law when the
2021, this legislation went mocracy is a government of hance democracy, or it con- social mobilisation, civic tion? 8th Parliament of Zimba-
through its third and final the people, by the people, solidates authoritarian rule? education and exemplary bwe was dissolved before the
reading in the Senate (the for the people. We can also Constitutionalism leadership. Is it within the spirit of July 2018 general elections.
Upper Chamber) where it say democracy is the sum- There are two legal con- the constitution?
was passed by a two-thirds mation of the experiences of structs of interest to our dis- Secondly, constitutional- Hence, the Constitution
majority poll of 65 to 10 struggle by the generality of cussion of the Constitution ism is a governance doctrine Is it in breach of the con- of Zimbabwe Amendment
Senators. the people as they endeav- of Zimbabwe Amendment that emphasises limited gov- stitution? (No. 1) Act was passed il-
our to improve their mate- No. 2: constitutionalism ernment or limited power of legally. It is an unconstitu-
The Bill now awaits the rial conditions. and constitutionality. Of the state. It is the opposite Is Amendment No. 2 tional law and is currently
President’s signature, af- course, our topic is focused of arbitrary powers. Consti- promotive of limited gov- being challenged in the
ter which it becomes the Now, given this under- on the former, and we will tutionalism recognises the ernment? courts for violation of Sec-
Constitution of Zimba- standing of democratic val- concentrate on that. need for a government with tion 147.
bwe Amendment (No. 2) ues, ethos and principles, powers, but at the same Does it enhance people’s
Act, thus effectively chang- here are the questions we However, the amendment time insists that limitations participation in the exercise Senate passed a non-ex-
ing Zimbabwe’s supreme have to address: also has dire implications be placed on those powers. of the powers of the state? istent Bill, thus creating a
law, which was adopted by for the latter. Constitution- legal nullity. What a travesty
94.5% of 3.3 million people Does Amendment No. ality refers to the quality of Finally, constitutionalism Is Amendment No. 2 of common sense! Indeed,
who voted in a referendum 2 advance these aspirations being in accordance with is the unequivocal commit- promotive of the functional an exercise in legislative de-
on 16 and 17 March 2013. and ambitions? the constitution. Is Amend- ment to the declaration of separation of powers? linquency and absurdity.
ment No. 2 in accordance inalienable rights (Bill of
In the main, this amend- Are the people at the cen- with the constitution? We Rights) and strict adherence Amendment (No.2) Bill: Coming to Amendment
ment seeks to change the tre of Amendment No. 2? must answer this question. to functional separation of Analysis of details No. 2, yes, the women and
retiring age for judges, ex- powers of the executive, leg- youth quotas are progres-
punge the public interview Does it promote a govern- There are three distinct, islature and judiciary. With definitional and sive, but why rush and em-
process for judges, remove ment of the people, by the but related aspects to con- conceptual matters out brace a poisoned chalice?
the presidential running people, for the people? How stitutionalism that we must Now, given these diktats of the way, let us get into We are two years away from
mate clause, extend the and imperatives of constitu- the details and import of 2023. Where is the urgency
women’s quota, introduce Amendment No. 2. As stat- on the quotas? Of course,
a youth quota, increase the ed earlier, this legislation President Emmerson Mnan-
number (from five to 7) of was passed in the Lower gagwa’s regime has a dead-
cabinet ministers chosen House on 20 April 2021 line of 15 May 2021 linked
from outside Parliament, and in the Upper House on to Chief Justice Luke Mala-
and vary the devolution 4 May 2021. ba’s retirement at the age of
clauses. 70.
Prior to all this was the Why join and enable the
Constitution of Zimbabwe regime’s nefarious agenda?
Amendment (No. 1) Act The change in the retiring
which was belatedly (after age of judges from 70 to 75
the Bill had lapsed by op- years is effectively chang-
eration of law) and hence ing the term limits of the
controversially passed in the judges. Term limits can only
senate on 6 April 2021. be changed through a ref-
erendum, and the current
The main effect of this office-bearers are not sup-
Act is to change the consti- posed to benefit from that
tutional procedure for the extension anyway.
appointment of the Chief
Justice, Deputy Chief Jus- Hence Amendment No. 2
tice and the Judge President violates Section 328(7), cre-
of the High Court. These ating a fatal and incurable
key appointments will now illegality. The attempt to dif-
be made by the President ferentiate a term limit from
after consultation with the an age limit is a false distinc-
Judicial Service Commis- tion, which should be dis-
sion, with the explicit exclu- missed with the contempt
sion of public nominations that it deserves. A term limit
and public interviews which in this case is stipulated and
were originally provided for defined by age. Thus, when
in the national charter ad- one changes the age limit, it
opted by the generality of is the same as changing the
the people of Zimbabwe in term limit. Pure and simple.
March 2013. Is this not obvious?
Definitions
Before we delve into the Thus, it can be said with-
analysis of details of the out equivocation nor ambi-
Constitution of Zimbabwe guity that Amendment No.
Amendment No. 2 and as- 2 seeks to change the term
sess the legislation’s impli- limits for judges (any alter-
cations for democracy and ation like that requires a ref-
constitutionalism, we must erendum) and also have the
revisit our understanding current judges benefit from
of these two loosely used that adjustment, an ambi-
and never-properly defined tion which is expressly for-
terms. What is democracy? bidden by the supreme law.
These are two distinct
violations of the Constitu-
NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 27
ing more power, authority
Issue 29, 7 May 2021 the nation must be left to and (f ) ‘to transfer respon- towards their attainment. Arthur Mutambara. and resources to the central
an insecure Mnangagwa to- sibilities and resources from Why is this the case? government.
tion of Zimbabwe. What gether with his sycophants the national government in Now it is being suggest- sources of Zanu PF’s dis-
crass and belligerent lack of who consist of clansmen order to establish a sound comfort with devolution (a) The objective of remov-
constitutionalism! Two dev- and tribesmen. financial base for each pro- ed that Amendment No. 2 total aversion to devolved ing MPs from the mem-
astating strikes against con- vincial and metropolitan is promotive of devolution. power in principle and (b) bership of PCs and MCs is
stitutionalism – piercing the This is why the running council and local authority.” If Zanu PF despises devolu- fear of opposition control two-fold: (a) undermine the
heart of the doctrine! mate clause is being re- tion and has done nothing of provincial councils (PCs) opposition-controlled MCs
moved. Needless to say, eight to advance the principle in in particular metropolitan and (b) undermine the stat-
In the Constitution of years later, the envisaged eight years, why would they councils (MCs). There are ure and impact of PCs and
Zimbabwe, the motivation With respect to the metropolitan and provin- make changes to enhance three key MCs – Bulawayo, MCs.
for having a running mate changes to the devolution cial councils, and the pre- devolution in May 2021? Harare and Mutare – which
clause is to avoid a situation clauses, the starting point scribed leadership thereof, That is illogical. Zanu PF the opposition will domi- The change to merge pro-
where the country’s Pres- is acknowledging Zanu PF’s have not been established. changes to the devolution nate. This is a major concern visions relating to PCs and
ident (or any president of unequivocal, absolute and None of the stated objec- clauses can only be meant to to Zanu PF. MCs is meant to undermine
a political party) appoints indisputable lack of com- tives of devolution has been undermine and negate local MCs, which are likely to be
or allows the ascendancy of mitment to devolution. achieved. There has not governance and devolved Clearly, the Amendment dominated by the opposi-
weak, mediocre and dispos- Eight years later, there is been even a feeble effort by authority. No. 2 devolution changes tion.
able Vice- Presidents, who no implementation of most the Zanu PF government are meant to undermine lo-
are never meant for succes- devolution provisions in There are two primary cal governance by creating For example, according
sion or assumption of the Chapter 14, Sections 264 to weaker councils, while add- to the changes, MCs will
country’s presidency. 273. Why? Why have these no longer be chaired by
clauses not seen the light of mayors (mostly from the
Classic cases of this mala- day! opposition), but officials
dy are (1) how Robert Mug- elected in terms of Section
abe used and abused Joice More specifically, Sec- 272 like PCs. The new pro-
Mujuru and (2) Morgan tion 264(1) stipulates that: vision for the election of
Tsvangirai’s similar treat- “Whenever appropriate, 10 of the members of MCs
ment of Thokozani Khupe. governmental powers and by a party-list proportional
These two examples aptly responsibilities must be de- representation system allows
describe the mischief that volved to provincial and Zanu PF to have members
the supreme law sought metropolitan councils and in MCs, where it has zero
to cure. We want clear, local authorities which are MPs or councillors.
well-defined and predictable competent to carry out
leadership succession in po- those responsibilities effi- As already explained, the
litical parties, leading to the ciently and effectively.” opposition dominates the
same effective passing of the key MCs such as Bulawayo,
baton with respect to the Section 264(2) outlines Harare and Mutare. With
national presidency. “the objectives of the devo- Amendment No. 2. Zanu
lution of governmental PF seeks to break this con-
The beauty and efficacy powers and responsibilities trol. Removing mayors from
of the running mate clause to provincial and metropol- chairing of MCs is meant
were clearly demonstrated itan councils and local au- to undermine these oppo-
with the death of Bingu wa thorities” which include (a) sition-controlled MCs. It is
Mutharika in 2012 (Joyce “to give powers of local gov- as simple as that. It is not
Banda smoothly took over) ernance to the people and rocket science. It is common
and the demise of John Ma- enhance their participation sense.
gufuli (Samia Suluhu Has- in the exercise of the powers
san smoothly ascended to of the State and in making Some have said MPs
the throne). Effectively and decisions affecting them’ could not sit in PCs or
consequently, the running and (b) ‘to promote demo- MCs because parliament
mate clause allows voters to cratic, effective, transparent, must “supervise” PCs and
be involved in the party and accountable and coherent MCs, and so there will be
national succession. The government in Zimbabwe a conflict of interest. What
choice of Vice-Presidents as a whole;” …. (d) “to rec- retarded thinking. Arrested
becomes an election issue. ognise the right of commu- intellectual development.
nities to manage their own Who says parliament must
So why does the leader- affairs and to further their supervise PCs and MCs?
ship of Zanu PF (and oth- development’; (e) ‘to ensure Whose flimsy idea is that?
er political parties) oppose the equitable sharing of lo- Obviously, that is not devo-
the running mate clause? It cal and national resources; lution.
is because the President of
the party in cahoots with PCs and MCs must be
his or her bootlickers pre- empowered, independent
fer useless, incompetent, and well-resourced so that
vulnerable, unelected and they provide strong local
unelectable Vice-Presidents governance. Responsibili-
who can be easily fired and ties and resources must be
are neither guaranteed of “transferred from the na-
succession nor the national tional government in order
presidency. to establish a sound finan-
cial base for each provincial
At the centre of the aver- and metropolitan council”
sion for the running mate as stipulated by the supreme
clause, we find the inordi- law – the national constitu-
nate lust for unbridled per- tion.
sonal power, the objective
of managing party factions Clearly, it is pure and un-
to one’s selfish ends, the ca- adulterated dishonesty to
pacity to undermine rivals say that Amendment No.
and the ambition to sin- 2 enhances devolution. It
gle-handedly control both does the opposite.
party and national succes- Implications for democra-
sion. cy
An elected Vice-President Does Amendment No.
Constantino Chiwenga will 2 further the ambitions of
be a more assertive national democracy? No. Are the
leader and a formidable ri- people at the centre of this
val in the party to President amendment? No. Does it
Emmerson Mnangagwa. He promote a government of
will be difficult to remove the people, by the people,
or manoeuvre from office, for the people? No.
while clearly guaranteed to
be the successor in Zanu Instead, it advances a
PF and maybe the country. government of Mnangag-
All that describe a totally wa (and his bootlickers/
undesirable scenario. Zanu
PF succession and that of
Page 30 The Big Debate NewsHawks
sycophants/clansmen), by
Mnangagwa (and his boot- and deepen democracy, we separation of powers? Cer- not even implemented for punitive measures against Issue 29, 7 May 2021
lickers/sycophants/clans- cannot just deploy legal ar- tainly not. It creates a pliant eight years? How do you us.
men), for Mnangagwa (and guments. and compromised judiciary. strengthen devolution by Justification for economic be an all-stakeholder driven
his bootlickers/sycophants/ We need political and It creates illegal judges. It dismantling it? sanctions ecosystem approach.
clansmen). moral ones too. The cumu- disrespects the constitution How can we be so self-de-
lative effect of the attack on and its spirit. It is a violation Zanu PF’s total and in- structive as a nation? Is it We must actively devise
No, it is not even a gov- democracy by Amendment of the constitution. Hence trinsic disdain for devolu- sheer ignorance of a lead- strategies to stop future con-
ernment of Zanu PF by No. 2 can be summarised as the amendment offends tion is unquestionable. Its ership bereft of statecraft stitutional changes and the
Zanu PF for Zanu PF. Those follows: enabling the rigging both constitutionalism and dislike of any control of de- competence, or is Zanu PF Patriotic Bill. The regime
clueless and incompetent of elections with unassail- constitutionality. The legis- volved authority by the op- just being spiteful? Which is has tasted blood. It will want
Zanu PF MPs and senators able impunity in 2023 and lation is an example of rule position is palpable. which? more. Next in line are con-
just don’t get it. beyond, the establishment by law and not the rule of stitutional amendments to
of a pliant, compromised law. This is undesirable. We Amendment No. 2 is an In a cynical way, Amend- the presidential term limit,
As explained at the be- and captured judiciary, want the rule of law, pre- egregious and unprecedent- ment No. 2 provides justifi- the presidential age require-
ginning, democracy is also and reintroduction of an dictability of rules and cer- ed breach of both constitu- cation for the maintenance ment, and brazen attacks on
about improving the materi- imperial presidency where tainty of laws. tionalism and constitution- of economic sanctions our inalienable rights con-
al conditions of folks. How Mnangagwa and his clans- ality. It is a calculated and against Zimbabwe by our tained in the Declaration of
are the social and economic men solely control and de- Amendment No. 2 is an deliberate assault of these detractors. Is that Zanu PF’s Rights. The regime must be
welfare conditions and cir- termine succession in Zanu unconscionable affront to two sacrosanct legal con- objective? Surely, the coun- stopped in its tracks.
cumstances of Zimbabwe- PF, and the country. constitutionalism. structs. try does not deserve this in-
ans improved by Amend- Indeed, Amendment No. Broader implications: dictment. We must make Amend-
ment No. 2? How does the 2 is a classic case of unbri- Specifically, breach of Sec- economy and global image ments No. 1 and No. 2
legislation improve our eco- dled weaponisation of law. tion 328 (7) on term limits Attacks on democracy and The amendment invites election campaign issues
nomic fortunes as citizens? As indicated earlier, it is part is astounding. As explained constitutionalism affect those who wish to impose for 2023. We must make
How many jobs and indus- of the consolidation of polit- earlier, (a) Section 328 can economic activities, perfor- more sanctions against us to Zanu PF pay politically for
tries would be created by ical power and repurposing only be changed through a mance and prosperity. Lack do so. Zanu PF is begging these disastrous legislative
the amendment? Absolutely of state institutions towards referendum, and (b) current of constitutionalism and for more sanctions against assaults.
nothing on all accounts. this objective. Amendment officer bearers cannot ben- the absence of the rule of the country. This is shame-
No. 2 is about authoritarian efit from the change. Both law create uncertainty and ful. All opposition presiden-
We are in the midst of a consolidation — an affront requirements have been vi- damage investor confidence, tial candidates (without ex-
global pandemic; lives and and negation of democracy. olated. both domestic and foreign. How do you go around ception) must declare their
livelihoods are being de- Of course, the amend- Amendment No. 2 is ru- asking for the removal of running mates in 2023 to
stroyed; there is rampant un- ment does not operate in The term limit versus age inous to the economy. It sanctions when you are do- assert their credibility in the
employment; the economy a vacuum. There are com- limit differentiation is a false undermines social and eco- ing even more of what you fight against Amendment
is in catastrophic decline, plementary strategies to it. distinction. The term limit nomic development. are being punished for? No. 2. Tell us who your suc-
and extensive corruption is These include Amendment in this case is stipulated and How dumb can one get? cessor is going to be.
our middle name. But what (No. 1) Act, the Patriotic defined by age. When you Irreparable damage has
do we do? We are obsessed Bill in the offing, which is change the age limit, you been done to our standing as Amendment No. 2 at- Just because there is no
with the politics of power lawfare (weaponisation of change the term limit. Pure a nation within the region, tracts more sanctions against legal requirement for de-
retention through weaponi- law), deployment of un- and simple. By disregarding the continent and globally. our beautiful country. You claring running mates does
sation of law. We are busy restrained, naked and vio- this commonsense position, The amendment has exten- are giving those who want not mean that it should not
repurposing institutions lent repression, widespread the amendment creates fatal sively tarnished our national to impose sanctions against be done. If you belief in the
for the consolidation of au- harassment and targeted and incurable illegalities. brand. Zimbabwe a big stick to efficacy and rationale of the
thoritarianism, while our co-optation of the oppo- whip us. Is this not obvious? running mate clause, you
citizens are overwhelmed by sition, political patronage, The result of all this in- We are irrevocably drift- Way forward — the fight- must walk the talk. The op-
abject poverty and unprece- systemic corruption, primi- cludes illegal and illegiti- ing towards a despicable back position must have different
dented economic decay. tive tribalism and shameless mate judges, a compromised pariah state devoid of any values from Zanu PF. This
clansmanship. and pliant judiciary. Can semblance of the rule of law, We cannot take these must be our lived political
Where are our priorities? Indeed, there is a meth- judges - the express benefi- thus undermining all our Zanu PF shenanigans lying reality – our progressive and
Does Amendment No. od to this madness against ciaries of the illegality - cure efforts of global re-engage- down. There are four broad revolutionary experience.
2 enhance democracy, or democratic principles: the illegality? Can turkeys ment. We can kiss goodbye classes of strategic counter-
it consolidates authoritari- power retention and consol- vote for Christmas? That is to our aspirations to re-join actions: legal efforts, polit- There must be a clear
an rule? Of course, the lat- idation at any cost, with the why we call these fatal and the Commonwealth. There ical manoeuvres, an invig- united opposition strate-
ter constitutes incorrigible obvious causalities being de- incurable illegalities. is no place for unprincipled orated civil society, and a gy to stop a Zanu PF two-
ambition and desire. The mocracy, the economy, and and unimaginative despots principled and united oppo- thirds majority (super ma-
people spoke on 16 March the national brand. Amend- After not implementing in this family of nations that sition. We must support and jority) victory in Parliament
and 17 March 2013, with ment No. 2 creates the devolution clauses in eight are rooted in democracy and buttress the ongoing legal (Lower and Upper) in 2023
94.5% of 3.3 million vot- foundation for authoritari- years, can Zanu PF be trust- constitutionalism. Rogue challenge against Amend- and beyond. In fact, stra-
ers affirming the supreme an consolidation, anchored ed to enhance these provi- nations are neither tolerated ment No. 1. If necessary, tegically, no party should
law of the land. Why are in despotic power retention. sions? How do you improve nor entertained. we must mount fresh court be allowed to attain a two-
we reversing the people’s ex- It is a total negation of that which you have not actions against this legal thirds majority in parlia-
pressed wishes? democracy. implemented? Provincial Zanu PF has embarked nullity. ment.
What Zanu PF has done and metropolitan councils on a self-inflicted global re-
in both the Lower House Implications for constitu- enshrined in the national gime-shaming journey. They We must launch legal Opposition parties must
and the senate is abuse its tionalism charter have not been con- have placed our nation in a challenges to Amendment stop the misguided and
two-thirds majority or su- Is Amendment No. 2 re- stituted since 2013. hostage to fortune scenario. No. 2, passed in the Senate misplaced concentration on
permajority. The fact that a spectful of the supreme law? For the record, I am op- on 4 May 2021. This can and obsession with the pres-
party wins such a majority Is it in compliance and ac- Amendment No. 2 chang- posed to sanctions against be done before or after the idential election at the ex-
does not justify it to abuse cordance with the constitu- es seek to dilute the devolu- Zimbabwe. I want the sanc- presidential signature. How- pense of the parliamentary
that strength against the tion? Is it within the spirit tion clauses and strengthen tions against Zimbabwe to ever, the sooner, the better. (Lower and Upper House)
people or negate the nation- of the constitution? No. Is central government control. be removed. polls. Logistical, human
al interest. After the election it in breach of the consti- The objective is to increase There must be politi- and financial resources must
of July 2018, Zanu PF had a tution? An unequivocal and presidential influence by Well, sadly, Amendment cal mobilisation, public be strategically deployed in
two-thirds majority. unambiguous yes. Amend- dismantling devolution pro- No. 2 constitutes self-im- campaigns and elaborate pursuit of parliamentary
Of course, we know that ment No. 2 constitutes an visions, while continuing posed sanctions against demonstrations against seats. We must be razor-fo-
through deaths and pending incurable fatal breach of the with the practice of appoint- Zimbabwe. We are impos- Amendment No. 2. Even cussed on legislative control.
by-elections, the numbers national charter. ment of provincial gover- ing sanctions against our- though both Houses have
have gone slightly down; in nors or resident ministers by selves by violating our con- passed it, the public must be There must be deliber-
the Lower House, they have Is Amendment No. 2 pro- the President. This practice stitution; creating illegal conscientised about the leg- ate efforts to improve the
176, short of four (the two- motive of limited govern- — an abuse of Section 104 judges; driving the country islation’s evil ambitions and quality and capacity of op-
thirds majority number is ment? No. It gives arbitrary — is, although not strictly into a constitutional crisis; detrimental impact on both position presidential and
180 in the Lower House); powers to the President. illegal, against the devolu- manufacturing a compro- our politics and the econo- parliamentary candidates.
in the senate, they have 53, Does it enhance people’s tion spirit of the constitu- mised and pliant judiciary, my. We must also mobilise This can be done by putting
short of 1 (the two-thirds participation in the exercise tion. In Amendment No. and re-establishing a cor- against the Amendment No. a premium on: meritocracy;
majority number is 54 in of the powers of the state? 2, the devolution changes rupt imperial presidency an- 1 and the sinister Patriotic technical competence; prov-
the Senate). No. It removes public rec- are deceptively couched in chored and rooted in tribal Bill being currently crafted en capabilities; demonstra-
Evidently, Zanu PF ommendations and public the language of “constitu- and clansmen politics. by Zanu PF. ble commitment and ethical
abused these still high num- interviews from the selec- tional changes to strengthen leadership strategic think-
bers, and with the help of tion of judges. Furthermore, devolution”. What crass de- These are the sanctions In all these revolutionary ing, and a track record of
a co-opted, unprincipled, it undermines devolution. ceit! Naïve and collaborative that Mnangagwa has im- activities, we must put civil measurable achievements.
and puppet opposition, it opposition MPs are easily posed on Zimbabwe. society and ordinary peo-
was able to pass the amend- Is Amendment No. 2 duped and hoodwinked by ple, particularly women and We need competent and
ments in both chambers. promotive of functional this. More importantly, these young people, at the centre. visionary leaders with tech-
In the struggle to protect egregious transgressions Civil society must be the nocratic and strategic capac-
To Zanu PF, how cynical provide those who have engine of our struggles, and ity in both the legislature
can you get? How can you imposed sanctions against ordinary people must own and the executive. We, the
“strengthen” devolution Zimbabwe with reasons why the processes. There must people, must become the
provisions which you have they should maintain their revolution we want to see in
Zimbabwe. The fightback is
on. There will be neither re-
treat nor surrender.
NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 29
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
The history, dynamics and development
of Zim judiciary: From Bisset to Malaba
This week South African-based Zimbabwean lawyer Tererai Mafukidze continues to trace the genesis and development of Zimbabwe’s judiciary and legal system from 1890 after the arrival
of the British Pioneer Column which colonised the country through the British South Africa Company (BSAC) to the present, focusing on the role of politics and the social environment in
the judiciary, and their nexus, especially in the appointment of judges and the chief justice in particular - and the execution of their duties.
Laidlaw case released. Mangesi died within he was rightfully convicted at boon had a habit of escaping. Chief Justice Luke Malaba. meyer and assessors. The trial
THE case of William Hop- 24 hours of the release, while all.” Shikube stated that on the eve- ic which swept Southern Rho- was moved to Salisbury due to
kirk Laidlaw involved a white Sixpence died within a week ning of the attack the baboon desia in the period from 1902 tensions in Bulawayo. Tredgold
farmer who found an African from the injuries. There was no Notwithstanding, Selbourne had escaped again and he had until the mid-1930s amid the prosecuted.
named Neti walking past his dispute about the beatings over then commuted Singana’s finally found the male baboon supposed sexual threat posed
land and suspected that he had three days. death penalty to 10 years im- on a tree. He then chained by the proximity of black men Lewis was defended by
deserted from working at a prisonment with hard labour. the baboon and was leading it and white women. This result- Russell, later on a High Court
neighbouring farm. The medical doctor Mack- Selbourne, bless his soul, did back to the bank when he came ed in the execution of innocent judge, who described the sup-
enzie who did the post-mortem something more than just across Falconer. She was car- men for the crimes of rape and posed “insult” made by Titus in
With the assistance of his attributed Mangesi’s death to a to alter the sentence. He or- rying a light. As he was about attempted rape. suggesting sex: “…when this in-
African workers, Laidlaw tied combination of shock, a weak- dered that an inquiry be held to pass her, her dog charged sult, this degradation, comes from
Neti to a tree and kept him ened constitution and a chill into the matter. The decision at the baboon and the baboon Sam Lewis’s case a native, one of the race which,
there overnight. He was found which caused pneumonia. caused an uproar in the white jumped on the lady. She fell The case of Sam Lewis did rightly or wrongly, for generations
dead the next morning. There community. Not any less hurt down and he pulled the ba- much to assuage the feelings past, white people have consid-
was evidence that the deceased As for Sixpence, he attribut- was Watermeyer and Tredgold boon off, and ran away with of whites who believed that the ered absolutely below them in the
had been severely assaulted. ed his death to pneumonia. senior, whose son was to later it fearing that it had bitten the notions of justice being prop- human ladder — where such an
The workers who had assisted The prosecution and jury become Chief Justice. Tredgold white woman. agated by the High Commis- insult comes from such a person,
the farmer deserted work and sympathised with the white had prosecuted the case. Water- sioner were impractical. Lewis I submit absolutely that human
went to the police and con- accused. After 20 minutes of meyer, Tredgold and the com- When this evidence emerged had two daughters. One of nature has its limits, and one can
fessed to what had actually deliberation, the jury returned plainant Falconer defended the during the inquiry, even the them aged 15 years reported quite understand a man being
happened. a verdict of not guilty on all jury verdict and sentence. sure-footed Watermeyer ac- to him that a Bulawayo na- driven to do what Mr. Lewis
charges and the men were re- cused Falconer of having in- tive newspaper vendor named did.”
At the first trial which was leased. A Mr Hulley of the Native vented much of her evidence Titus had been making sexual
held in Salisbury, the jury, Commissioner’s Office in Mu- which had led to Singana’s con- overtures to her. She claimed Watermeyer in his summing
which was required to be unan- Again, this showed that ju- tare was appointed to conduct viction. he had said he wanted to take up to the jury was clearly bi-
imous, could not agree on the ries were always ready to excuse the inquiry into the case. He her to the veld and have his way ased in favour of the accused.
verdict. During the second tri- the killing of blacks by whites. did a remarkably thorough Upon receipt of the Hulley with her. It was no surprise that the jury
al, which was moved to Bula- One of the men who wrote a job and uncovered witnesses report, Selbourne pardoned took 10 minutes to discuss and
wayo, Laidlaw was only found letter to the editor of a newspa- that had not been spoken to Singana and he was released. On 16 May 16, Lewis went returned and Lewis was acquit-
guilty of assault and sentenced per supporting the jury verdict or sought during the investiga- Falconer subsequently wrote to to the offices of the Chronicle ted.
to six months in prison. The was Sam Lewis — of whom tions. Lord Selbourne asking him to newspaper in Bulawayo where
verdict was based on nothing much will be told below. reopen the case, but he refused. Titus worked and could not The Lewis verdict was praised
other than racial prejudice. An African man named Sau- find him. He went the next by newspapers, including the
After the Battlefields case, lus confirmed that at the time As Jock McCulloch puts it in day and found him. Lewis then Bulawayo Chronicle which
The case so shocked the High Lord Selbourne who was the of the alleged attack outside her excellent book Black Peril, sent his daughters home by cab employed Titus, as a necessary
Commissioner at the Cape in High Commissioner at the Cecil Hotel in Salisbury, he White Virtue: Sexual Crime in and force-marched Titus to the response to native lawlessness.
South Africa, where appeals Cape wrote to the Adminis- was with the convict Singana Southern Rhodesia, 1902-1935: back of the building. Some of the commentary re-
were made and who had the trator of Southern Rhodesia some 20 minutes away from “In the context of Southern Rho- ferred to the need for settlers to
final say, that he remonstrated about jury trials: “These two the scene of the alleged crime. desian courts the Falconer case He pulled a revolver out of defend themselves as the BSAC
to the Administrator of South- miscarriages of justice (Laidlaw was unexceptional. At the trial his pocket and shot dead Titus had failed to defend them ef-
ern Rhodesia, saying:“…it was and Battlefields) are a stain on More evidence began to no testimony was offered in Sin- in the head. Lewis then walked fectively during the rebellion,
essential to persuade that small the British name; they also con- emerge that Singana had been gana’s defence and there was no to the police and handed him- which cost 600-700 European
minority whose moral standard stitute a public danger. Not only wrongly convicted. Hulley un- forensic evidence establishing the self over. By noon he was out lives. The principal issues be-
had become so depraved and de- is it a matter of national honour covered a man named Shikube intent to commit rape. Questions on bail. came the failure of the BSAC
formed on questions affecting na- that justice should be adminis- who was employed at the Bank about the identity of the accused and the authorities to defend
tives that any attempt to build up tered fairly between man and of Africa as some kind of guard. were ignored and the jury, like A defence fund was immedi- white women from native men.
any part of the British Empire on man of every colour throughout It was situated near Cecil Ho- the bench accepted without reser- ately started and contributions
any other foundation than that the British dominions, but I am tel. vation the victim’s account of the were made by other white Bul- Meanwhile, the British press
of justice can only end in its utter profoundly convinced that it is assault…” awayo residents to his defence. was scathing in its criticism of
destruction.” only possible for a mere handful Shikube’s duties included He was charged with murder the jury system that clearly fa-
of my fellow countrymen to fulfil looking after a baboon kept at The book deals with the pan- before and tried before Water- voured whites. Tredgold was
Attorney-General Clarkson their task of governing vast bodies the back of the bank. The ba- particularly worried that the
Tredgold complained that in of natives if they rule them with verdict enhanced the view that
Salisbury even in the clearest scrupulous justice as well as with the settler community was not
case he could never get the white absolute firmness.” yet ready for self-government.
jury to convict a white man of The Singana case This was particularly worry-
offences committed against a Injustice can never get any ing to him as the BSAC char-
native. He campaigned for the worse than in the case of one ter was coming up for review
abolition of the jury system and Singana. He was a Malawian in 1914. He was embarrassed
the return of trial by judge and who had walked all the way that he had moved the trial to
assessors. On the other hand, from his country to find work Salisbury from Bulawayo to in-
he did not receive support from in old Mutare as a housepaint- crease chances of a fair trial, but
the settlers who sat in the Leg- er. On 18 October 1908, he this had counted for nothing.
islative Council. They saw this was walking into the police
as returning judicial power to compound when one white After the Lewis verdict, leg-
the BSAC which appointed the lady walking out named Miss islation was passed tightening
judges. Janette Falconer identified him the jury trial system by letting
The Battlefields case as the man who had attempted only a few better qualified per-
This was immediately followed to sexually assault her the previ- sons sit as jurors. Despite these
by the Battlefields Case five ous evening. changes, innocent natives con-
months later. Four white men, tinued to be convicted of Black
Murdo Macauley, John Fraser, Singana was tried by the Wa- Peril offences, while guilty
George Murray, and James Mc- termeyer and jury in Salisbury, white men who killed natives
Bryde were charged with a low- but the jury failed to reach a continued to be acquitted. The
er offence of culpable homicide verdict because of differences unhappiness with the jury sys-
in case that should have been regarding identification of the tem led to the introduction of
that of murder. suspect. At the second trial, trials by a judge and assessors
Singana was found guilty of at- from 1927 onwards.
Two workers Mangesi and tempted rape of a white wom-
Sixpence had been killed at an and sentenced to death. To be continued…
Battlefields. The case was heard *About the writer: Advo-
by Justice Watermeyer in 1908. As was required, the death cate Tererai Mafukidze is a
Three African men had been penalty had to be ratified by the member of the Johannesburg
arrested following an alleged British High Commissioner at Bar. He practises with Group
theft of two pounds from Rev. the Cape. Lord Selbourne ex- One Sandown Chambers in
Davies. For three days, the amined the transcript and was Sandton, Johannesburg. His
three Africans were flogged doubtful of the correctness of practice areas at the Bar are:
brutally by the four white men. the conviction. He wrote to the general commercial law, com-
At the end of the third straight Resident Commissioner Fair: petition law, human rights,
day of attacks, the three were “Under these circumstances I feel administrative and constitu-
the gravest doubts as to whether tional law.
Page 30 Reframing Issues NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Zimbabwe 2020 ‘O’ Level results disastrous
century where education is not the best means to measure
TAKAVAFIRA ZHOU driven by information com- learning achievements.
munication technologies.
THE Zimbabwe School Ex- Computers are accessed by A situation where the vast
aminations Council (Zimsec) only a few schools, with the majority fail and have noth-
has released Ordinary Level majority remaining offline. ing to do is not enviable in
results for the 2020 academic With a restricted education society. Worse still, even those
year. budget, the government is not who pass have limited oppor-
able to give educational equal- tunities in a shrinking econo-
A total of 184 249 students isation funds to help most my.
wrote five or more subjects rural schools to catch up with
and 45 644 passed five or urban and mission schools. This has also instilled a neg-
more subjects with grade C or Such schools have continued ative attitude towards learning
better, giving an average pass to produce dismal results. and contributes to low pass
rate of 24.8%. This represents After Covid-19 there was rates at all levels, and thus so-
a decrease of 6.8% from the a need for new pedagogi- cial ills.
31.6% pass rate for 2019. cal teaching methods such
as e-learning. But with most When students think better
It is also noteworthy schools having no electricity opportunities for the future lie
that 15 813 other candidates and computers, this was futile. in becoming a border jumper
wrote less than five subjects While the efficiency of radio into South Africa, Mozam-
because they were ill-prepared and television lessons is not in bique, Botswana, Namibia
to write more than five sub- doubt, it is also puzzling for and Zambia, or even in engag-
jects, or failed to get money government to adopt such an ing in the growing practice of
to register for more than five approach in a situation where illegal gold digging and pan-
subjects. 75% of schools, particularly ning in rivers, then there is a
in rural areas, have no radio big problem.
Furthermore, more than 16 and television frequencies and
000 other students did not reception. The government has to
write examinations after realis- Connectivity is also a come up with robust plans to
ing that they had not prepared problem. Teachers had inspire confidence among the
well or at all for examinations. designed appropriate youth to learn, and that can
The 24.8% is not, therefore, class WhatsApp groups only be possible if the educa-
reflective of a greater disaster for primary and secondary tion system has utilitarian val-
that would have ensued had schools, but then needed data ue in practical life.
the more than 32 000 other bundles for effective commu-
students not accounted for in nication with students. It is also noteworthy that
Zimsec statistics written the As such, if the monies from when teachers were earning
examinations or more than the United Nations Children’s salaries above US$500 in the
five subjects. Fund were channelled towards
teachers’ data bundles and the 1980s and 1990s, the pass
In light of this reality, it is purchase of educational gad- rates at Grade 7, “O” and “A”
therefore puzzling that Zim- The minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema. gets for a few pupils whose levels were very high. The is-
sec perceives the 24.8% as a sues of welfare of teachers,
commendable outcome and It is important for Math- US$520 and US$550 to It is noteworthy that one of parents or guardians had no government support for teach-
has the temerity to justify such ema and Mwenje to under- the current equivalent of the overriding objectives of phones, an appropriate way ers and conducive teaching
poor performance (compared stand that there is nothing to US$100-US$130 has left education is the provision of would have been designed to and learning environments are
to previous good results), cit- celebrate over a 24.8% pass teachers demoralised, dejected school facilities. ensure that students contin- crucial in driving a skills-fo-
ing unnamed countries that rate, especially if you con- and deflated, therefore unable ued to learn effectively even cused education approach
allegedly went into national sider the previous pass rates to perform at their best. The liberation struggle was during Covid-19 period. that students can use in life or
lockdown due to Covid-19 of 66.6% in 1980, 57.1% in partly fought for equal access Our politics has trumped beyond the classroom.
and experienced a similar de- 1981, 59.2% in 1982, and Needless to mention that, to education by children of all pragmatism and realism, leav-
crease in pass rate. 54.6% in 1983, to mention before June 2020, teachers’ races and ethnicities. It is thus ing a legacy of failure which It is therefore prudent to
just a few. salaries had gone down to as baffling for the government to we must collectively over- invest in the knowledge, in-
The minister of Primary little as US$35. allocate a mere 12.7% of the come. De-industrialisation, novation and motivation of
and Secondary Education, The great question that total budget to primary and corruption and predatory teachers so that they can effec-
Cain Mathema, has also amaz- Mathema and Mwenje must Teachers have been finan- secondary education against leadership have collectively tively blend theory and practi-
ingly joined Zimsec chairper- answer is: What happened cially emasculated, margin- the Dakar framework that destroyed our education sys- cal experience in learning and
son Professor Eddie Mwenje to 75.2% of the students? alised and impoverished to agreed on a budget above 22% tem in Zimbabwe, just like all teaching. That feat can never
in welcoming and hyping up Should we not worry over this an extent that they no longer of the national budget. other sectors of the economy be achieved by incapacitated
the 24.8% pass rate. rather than celebrate a 24.8% have the energy and stamina and society. teachers.
pass rate? to operate at their maximum. With such a limited bud- We need to retool our in-
Mathema surprised many get, it has been difficult to pay dustries, be productive and Teachers are the heartbeat
by thanking parents, pupils While the effects of The concept of intrinsic reasonable salaries to teachers, inspire students to have hope of the economy and society;
and President Emmerson Covid-19 cannot be down- motivation is crucial in the let alone invest in infrastruc- in our country. A country that for they produce all other pro-
Mnangagwa for the “good pass played, major factors in the dissemination of knowledge tural development in rural has largely become a super- fessionals and lead by example
rate” to the total exclusion of demotivation and incapac- – teaching – and where both schools with the consequent market for products produced in most cases.
teachers. This is understand- itation of teachers include intrinsic and extrinsic motiva- negative effects on pass rates. by China and neighbouring
able given his commandist limited investment in quality tion are absent, we certainly countries, let alone reduced They are role models or
approach to the education public education, poor in- cannot achieve good results. Most students who passed to a nation of street vendors, ought to be. To perform those
system, lack of educational frastructural development in were attending urban schools cannot inspire students to roles properly, they need sup-
taxonomy, and threats to in- rural schools, and inaccessible It is dangerous to entrust and mission schools, with very pursue education. port from the government and
capacitated teachers that he pedagogical methods of televi- the future of pupils – which few from rural day secondary Our education system has communities.
would employ the principle sion and radio lessons adopted means their lives – to hungry, schools making it. It is im- also remained largely aca-
of “no work, no pay” which by the government in a situa- angry and poverty-stricken portant to note that 80% of demic-oriented and examina- It is critical for the govern-
unfortunately may worsen the tion where more than 75% of teachers. Teachers who have primary schools in Zimbabwe tion-driven at a time we must ment to focus on key issues
plight of students in the 2021 students in rural areas had no tested positive to poverty and do not have electricity, while be focusing on functional such as education and not
academic year, as teachers may radio and television frequency. misery cannot produce good 65% of secondary schools do literacy or life-serving skills. waste time, energy and re-
also apply the principle of “no results. not have power. Examinations are certainly sources pursuing retrogressive
pay, no work”. Indeed, the government’s political and power retention
unilateral reduction of teach- Equally important is in- The majority of students, agendas.
Mathema should be re- ers’ salaries from between vestment in quality public therefore, do not have basic
minded of the importance of education and infrastructural facilities and tools in the 21st Venceremos (we will over-
dialogue in resolving these is- development in rural schools. come or win)!
sues and ensuring progress in
the education system. *About the writer: Dr
Takavafira M. Zhou is Pro-
gressive Teachers’ Union of
Zimbabwe president.
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NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 31
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model
&Life Style
STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING
Page 32 Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Gemma reflects on
humble beginnings
from city life to star life
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA So far, Gemma is showing day we were in studio. It was an on the road,” Gemma says. . . which I love. I produce all my Her most memorable gig was
traits of a well-rounded act, she amazing whirlwind of creativity Arguably one of the most own videos, and just codirected when she performed Mugarden
ZIMBABWE’S Gemma Grif- can compose, perform and en- and, before long, we shot the vid- my first one! Easy, the remix, for the first time alongside
fiths says she grew up in a hap- tertain audiences, almost like a eo, which was such a fun shoot!” travelled contemporary artistes, featuring the amazing Chima- Winky D at the Harare Interna-
py music-filled home just a few crossover artiste. Gemma finds inspiration on no from Sauti Sol was released a tional Conference Centre.
blocks away from the city centre Although many describe her the road, having spent two years week ago. I travelled to Nairobi
in Harare. Before her come up in 2015, music as Afro-fusion, Gemma travelling across the continent. and we filmed the video in Kib- “That crowd was electric, and
most people knew her as a cover has several music influences. era,” she said. Kibera is one of it was one of the best nights of
It was a very warm and loving artiste riding on the popularity This has brought colour to her Kenya’s most populous slums. my life.
home with talented musicians. of Winky D’s hit --- Musarova “I have so many, I believe you music and video productions.
Bigman. can learn from so many differ- The song is off Gemma’s 2020 “I have just released a new
Her grandmother was a pia- ent people, and styles of music. “In 2018, I began a journey EP titled Pamwe which also fea- track and video filmed in Kenya.
nist and her grandfather played “I’ve always been a big fan of I grew up listening to baba Tuku of almost two years driving the tures the tracks Titungamire and Easy (Remix) featuring Chimano
clarinet while her mother played Winky D, and Musarova Big- (Oliver Mtukudzi). . . my mom African continent. I made music, Mambokadzi. Both tracks have from Sauti Sol is out now! Make
flugel horn and a variety of brass man was one of my favourite was a big fan and played his mu- wrote, met artists and got incred- been doing well on the airwaves sure to check it out,” she said.
instruments. tracks on my playlist back in sic a lot. ible life experiences and inspira- as well as digital platforms.
2015. I wanted to tell the girls’ tions,” she says. Critics attribute her success
That provided her wonderful side of the story, and so my ver- “I listened to lots of dancehall Easy (Remix) has so far gar- in winning over followers to her
opportunities to try different in- sion of Musarova Bigman was in high school and still today, “I continue to visit places, nered 114 520 streams on You- positive music and attitude.
struments. born,” she explained. and I studied jazz and soul music I’m actually in Nairobi at the Tube and she commands 46 200
. . . so the range is pretty wide,” moment! Also, if anyone knows subscribers on the channel. The positivity she infuses into
She took to the piano at the She shed light on her memo- Gemma said. me or follows me, you’ll see pret- her music has put not just her
tender age of 6 and trumpet and rable collaboration with Winky ty quickly that I am extremely Asked how she describes her but also Zimbabwe on the glob-
guitar in high school. D on the song Mugarden: “It was She says her music is definitely proud to be Zimbabwean, and I sound, she simply said: “Decid- al stage. She says she is “proudly
a few years after my Musarova a very personal expression of self. love my home. edly Gemma.” Zimbabwean” although she was
She also learnt how to speak Bigman rendition when Winky born in South Africa.
Shona at school and then contin- gave me a call, and said he had “Gosh . . . I’ve never attempt- “I think I’m a bit of a worka- In the next five or so years to
ued through church hymns and an idea. We sat in the car and lis- ed to copy, so I believe that’s a holic too haha. I absolutely love come Gemma says she will be Those who doubted Gem-
the band she played with since tened to the track, and the next good representation of myself what I do and I love being pro- “Happy, and still hard at work ma’s music prowess should think
high school. Gemma is a mem- and my personality. I travel a ductive. I’ve expanded my work on the creative journey.” again as she is showing no signs
ber of Glen Lorne Fellowship. huge amount, and I love living too, to music video production . of slowing down.
NewsHawks Life & Style Page 33
lating to the use and utilisation
Issue 29, 7 May 2021 Tinashe Mutarisi. of the content.”
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA NashTV’s raw deal for artistes Polisile Ncube, director of
the Zimbabwe Music Rights
RECENTLY, NashTV, an on- . . . But musicians to blame for Association and copyright ex-
line entertainment channel prioritising fame over fortune pert, said intellectual property
which grew in popularity during belongs to artistes.
the Covid-19 lockdowns, ad- All it takes are talent, a good Tariro Mharapara aka Butterphly of NashTV..
mitted that its contracts for ar- quality product and artistry “In such cases both are to
tistes are lopsided. for a musician to gain traction reads: “Do hereby grant to recordings included, but is not ing any right of prior approval, blame. One for a criminal mind
through a personal YouTube NashTV and its companies, limited to, digital images, video and release NashTV from, and and the other through either
This follows a social media channel. Once an artiste’s video associates, licensees, beneficia- and audio . . . all will not take legal action, ignorance or a poverty-driven
uproar over a leaked contract goes viral, the recognition and ries and give (collectively Nash sue or bring any proceedings mind. My rationale is that a
from NashTV showing that ar- money follow. Group) an unlimited, sub-li- “This licence includes the against NashTV for, any claim corporate body should know
tistes literally surrendered their censable, transferable, irrevers- right to: publicly exhibit, per- or cause of action, whether now very well that intellectual prop-
copyrights to the channel. These days it is easy to be ible, permanent, universal, form, sell, lease, distribute (di- recognised or unrecognised, for erty belongs to the artiste who
popular without being played royalty — free licence to my rectly or indirectly), transmit slander, copyright infringement produces a work through their
In an interview on Centre on radio because of digital plat- pictures, portrayal, likeness, or air the content by any means and invasion of the rights to intellectual capacity and they
Stage with Power FM’s hostess forms such as Spotify, Deezer, voice and performance in any now identified or hereafter con- confidentiality, publicity or any should benefit from it.
— Chamvary — NashTV exec- iTunes and YouTube, which audio, visual or audio-visual ceived. similar matter, or based upon re-
utive producer Tariro Mharapa- enable artistes to get paid for “Instead, the corporate goes
ra aka Butterphly said they did streams. But local musicians “I relinquish all right, includ- on to strip an artiste of their
not consult widely when draft- need to guard their interests right. That is witchcraft. On the
ing the contracts, also referred when signing contracts. Basical- other hand, the artiste should
to as release forms. ly, they must understand what a know better than to part with
contract is. A dictionary mean- their rights in order to receive
“It was messed up, we did ing says a contract is a written peanuts or the so-called expo-
not consult. However, we are or spoken agreement, especially sure.
going to come up with individ- one concerning employment,
ual contracts that benefit both sales, or tenancy, that is intend- “The onus is on every artiste
NashTV and the artistes since ed to be enforceable by law. to find out about their rights
our main objective is to pro- and protect them by all means
mote and develop the artistes,” Intellectual property refers to possible. I do not know the
she explained. any creation of the mind such circumstances surrounding the
as names, designs, products and signing of those contracts but it
“It was never our objective to images used in business and seems artistes failed to read be-
make money but to develop the this is protected by the law of tween the lines.
artistes who wanted to be seen patenting, copyrights and trade-
and heard. It took a lot of invest- marking and covered in the con- “I was even shocked to learn
ment of up to US$200 000 on tract. that artistes were not allowed to
just the equipment. get a copy of the contract! Clear-
There is a general feeling that ly proving that someone knew
“We’re learning because there the contentious NashTV con- they were doing something
were a lot of things we did right tract exploited artistes, whose wrong/unethical. I personally
and also a lot of things we did only discernible returns were tried hard to get a copy of the
wrong.” primarily views and likes. The contract, to no avail,” she said.
channel has more than 300 000
Several musicians, both up- subscribers, a huge audience “When signing a contract, ar-
and-coming and established, which musicians are drawn to. tistes must make sure that their
were surrendering their copy- copyright is preserved in the
rights to the channel after sign- Part of the leaked contract contract. In fact, get a copy of
ing contracts, only to get views the contract and seek legal assis-
and likes in return. tance from Zimura or a lawyer if
you do not understand the pro-
According to Butterphly, visions of a contract or to have
NashTV was not making mon- same explained to you. Rule
ey from YouTube and Facebook. number one: never put your sig-
nature on a document that you
“As at 25th April we made do not understand. Being sober
about US$300 000 from all the at the time of signing might
videos on our channel against help as well.”
US$200 000 worth of invest-
ment on equipment. So most Renowned music critic and
people think we’re making so producer Mono Mukundu said
much money from the calcu- artistes were to blame for their
lations they do that if, say, an ignorance.
artiste gets one million views,
therefore they made this much “Artistes should attend mu-
money. sic rights workshops and learn.
Many workshops are held ev-
“I would give you an exam- ery now and then and artistes
ple. always snub, yet they cry foul
when such things happen.
Rokie streamed 100 000
views for Miracle, which means “Contracts are not forced on
he made about US$103 but, anybody, contracts are nego-
again, this varies, it’s not the tiated. They should take time
same figure for every other ar- to read and seek advice before
tiste,” Butterphy, a former Pow- signing. I don’t even blame
er FM, presenter said. NashTV; anybody who drafts a
contract does so to protect their
She explained that in some interests. That’s when you nego-
cases NashTV owns the video tiate to include your interests if
performance but not the ac- they are not catered for.
tual song, while in other cases
it owns the riddim or the song “When artistes fail to at-
performed. tend workshops, I assume they
know music business principles
“At times we contract various and entertainment law, then
producers to create works that I’m shocked everytime when I
will be owned by us. We have see them fuming on social me-
instances where we pay out the dia and they are on the wrong
artiste and we own the right to side. Many times I actually feel
the song and we collect royal- ashamed as a musician.
ties from all the platforms you
can think of such as having the “These days, hurling abuse is
rights to the YouTube videos fashionable on social media, so
and with other artistes we can once one starts, you see so many
just upload their music with views and responses, yet they
no pecuniary benefit to us,” she hurl abuse from an uninformed
said. position.”
The copyright issue within It appears most musicians, in
Zimbabwe’s music scene con- their craving for fame, fail to pay
tinues with most artistes singing attention to the business side of
the blues because they tend to the equation, leaving themselves
sign unhelpful contracts. vulnerable.
NashTV is owned and con- Like most people and profes-
trolled by businessman Tinashe sionals, musicians hardly read
Mutarisi, who has business in- through contracts until they see
terests in music promotion, fur- someone making a fortune out
niture and paint. of their ignorance.
NashTV has the equipment
and studios but, again, artistes
forget it is better to learn how to
fish than to be given fish.
Page 34 Life & Style NewsHawks
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
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NewsHawks People & Places Page 35
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Kazungula Bridge to boost tourism
THE much-awaited opening mentors of the project. Okavango Delta, a lush wild- the park and the village, game the river and its wildlife. Victoria Falls National Park
next week of the US$260 mil- The bridge replaces the life habitat during seasonal such as elephant and hippo Activities include game in 1979 and is bisected by a
lion Kazungula Bridge across floods. The delta, the largest can frequently be seen wan- road to Kazungula, dividing
the Zambezi River between limited capacity and risky freshwater wetland ecosystem dering down the road and drives, sightseeing, cultural it into a riverine side and a
Botswana and Zambia is ex- ferryboat transport system of international importance, through campsites. tours and river cruises. Chamabonda Vlei side.
pected to boost tourism in the which has been used to cross is a treasure to tourism in Bo-
region, including in Zimba- the river for a long time. tswana and the region. Kasane is the gateway to Further, the Kazungu- With the Kazungula Road
bwe and Namibia. Chobe National Park, known la Bridge is about an hour’s set to be upgraded, that will
Kasane town, in the In the delta, safari camps for its herds of elephants drive to the world-famous provide a quick link between
The Kazungula Bridge north-eastern corner of Bo- dot Moremi Game Reserve, which converge on the Chobe Victoria Falls – a tourism Victoria Falls and the Chobe
lies at the confluence of the tswana, is just around the home to a wide array of wild- River in the dry season. Car- magnet - across the Zambezi region. It is the same distance
Zambezi and Chobe Rivers; bridge and has an interna- life, birds and flora, including acal Biodiversity Centre there River which forms a border from Kazungula to Living-
strategically situated at the tional airport. The airport the Big Five, elephant, buf- shelters rescued wildlife. The between Zambia and Zim- stone in Zambia, as it is to
intersection of the borders is along the A33 Road, four falo, rhino, leopard and lion Chobe Crocodile Farm is babwe. Overall, the bridge Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
of Botswana, Zambia, Na- kilometres south of the town found all over that region. nearby. will greatly facilitate access to
mibia and Zimbabwe. Apart and four kilometres south of the Chobe National Park in From the Zambian side,
from its economic utility, the border with Namibia into But the bridge will bring Spread out along the banks Botswana, Hwange National it will now be easier to cross
the bridge will boost tourism the Caprivi, now Zambezi re- more relieve and activity of the Chobe River, Kasane Park in Zimbabwe, Victoria over to Botswana and back,
between the four countries, gion. in Kasane. Situated on the presents an array of hotels, Falls National Park and the all the way to Livingstone,
mainly as its provides easy Chobe River, Kasane is a bus- lodges, guest houses and Zambezi National Park, lo- and across to Victoria Falls
crossing back and forth, par- It is an hour’s flight from tling little town offering trou- campsites that accommodate cated upstream from Victoria in Zimbabwe, completing
ticularly between Botswana Kasane to Maun, a town on ble-free access to the Chobe visitors to the national park. Falls on the Zambezi River in a route for an extraordinary
and Zambia, the two imple- the Thamalakane River in National Park. As there are Zimbabwe. The Zambezi Na- tourism roundtrip.
northern Botswana which is a no boundary fences between Some are splendidly situat- tional Park was split off from
landing pad to the vast inland ed, with wonderful views of — STAFF WRITER
Kazungula Bridge Chobe boat cruise
Victoria Falls
Property
NewsHawks
Page 36 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Issue 29, 7 May 2021
The home of prime property: [email protected]
YMCA Zimbabwe seeks better return on property
RONALD MUCHENJE nanciers to run the property over ing is transferred to the property of an overall revitalisation plan space in the development for
an agreed period, for example 20 owner. for YMCA Zimbabwe. administrative offices, meet-
A LOCAL youth organisa- years. ings and training programmes
tion, YMCA Zimbabwe, is set The YMCA was founded in The building is sitting on 1.5 (approximately 500-700 square
to adopt a built, own, transfer The financiers, through a spe- 1968 and is part of the Africa acres of land with zoning ap- feet), be a participant in detailed
(BOT) arrangement for its com- cial purpose vehicle, typically Alliance of the YMCA, which proval as a commercial property. site plan design,” the YMCA
mercial property at Harare’s Ma- build and operate the property describes itself as the largest said.
belreign Shopping Centre as it over the agreed period and this pan-African movement serving As of 2019, it had a gross re-
seeks the best way of benefitting has been proved to allow finan- young people. placement value of US$297 333. While the YMCA as a project
from its real estate. ciers to recoup their investment partner will assist developers in
through the fees and other in- The YMCA, in a paper pre- “Zimbabwe YMCA believes it finding the best use of the prop-
Under a BOT funding struc- come streams that will be levied pared for property developers needs a development partner in erty and support the developer
ture, an organisation provides for the property. and investors for a property de- order to make the highest and in securing funding, the organ-
land for the development as well velopment partnership, said the best use of this valuable asset. isation said it would retain ulti-
as a concession to allow the fi- At the expiry of the BOT pe- Mabelreign YMCA site develop- YMCA expectations of agree- mate ownership of the property.
riod, the ownership of the build- ment was a critical component ment include ongoing cash flow
from the development, use of
NewsHawks Sport Page 37
Issue 29, 7 May 2021
Man City are the benchmark: Tuchel
CHELSEA boss Thomas City entertain Chelsea in with a three-point cushion on Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel says Manchester City the league on Saturday know- fifth-placed West Ham, Chel-
are the “benchmark”, after ing victory will earn them a sea face Leicester City in the
his side secured a famous win third league crown in four sea- FA Cup final on 15 May and
over Real Madrid to set up an sons. now have a third Champions
all-English Champions League League final to look forward
final. “This one match in the to.
semi-final, we did that with a
The Blues beat the record very impressive performance Having lost to Manchester
13-time European champions and we need that again,” add- United on penalties in Mos-
2-0 at Stamford Bridge to win ed Tuchel, when asked about cow in 2008, they beat Bayern
3-1 on aggregate. his thoughts about an all-En- Munich in Munich four years
glish Champions League final. later.
Chelsea will face Pep Guar-
diola’s side in Istanbul on 29 “It gave us belief and confi- “We are in two finals now
May. dence for every game after that and the sacrifice that I, per-
because it is the highest level sonally have made, has been
“This is really huge so I’m you can face. worth it since day one,” added
absolutely delighted with this Chelsea’s German boss.
spirit and big credit to this “We had huge challeng-
team,” said Tuchel. es in the Premier League and “I was part of an amazing
we came out of it very strong club from the first day, and
“I will say it always, for me and showed our mentality and I felt huge support from day
Bayern Munich with Man- quality in all of these matches. one. I’m very grateful to be on
chester City are the bench- the sideline with this team.
mark and we wanted to close “So yes, we will arrive with
the gap to Manchester City.” self-confidence and with a “This was an energetic per-
positive energy in Istanbul. formance, full of positive atti-
The final at the end of the With no injuries, just the pos- tude and hunger.
month will be the fourth time itive energy to win, to be one
Chelsea and City will have of the participants. We want “We showed spirit, we
met this season. to arrive with the clear focus fought hard and came through
to win.” in the moments to suffer. We
While City won 3-1 at showed a big reaction in the
Stamford Bridge in the Pre- Chelsea were ninth in the second half, and the heads
mier League before Tuchel Premier League when former were never down, even after
took over from Frank Lam- Borussia Dortmund and Paris the big chances we missed.
pard, Chelsea ended Guardi- St-Germain boss Tuchel took
ola’s hopes of a quadruple by charge in January. “We always stayed positive,
winning 1-0 in the FA Cup and we kept working.” – BBC
semi-final on 17 April. As well as being fourth
ADVENTUROUS, easy-go- Talent’s beautiful soul should The two had gone to Victo-
ing and fun-loving journal- be smiling down from above ria High School in their home-
ist-cum-author Bharat Sund- before. But she was in her late culture of their town, which the airport. Talent had turned into a well- town, Masvingo, where Rus-
aresan – the writer of Indian 20s, stunningly gorgeous, in- makes you feel the air and the It was on this part of the known broadcast journalist ere was introduced to cricket.
cricket superstar MS Dhoni’s telligent and a rising start in magic of the place even more. journey that I discovered what – producing and presenting a Rusere never played cricket
best-selling biography – came the civil society sector where made Talent tick. We spoke breakfast show on local radio to a reasonably high level.
up with what initially sound- she worked for a prominent In the evening, we manoeu- freely, the three of us delving station Capitalk – an articulate He found solace in his deep
ed like an odd idea at the end non-governmental organisa- vred up and down the hills to deep into the heart of stuff and knowledgeable presenter knowledge of the game, so
of his country’s national team tion. a tourism village where visitors that affect our two countries, who had amassed quite a fol- turned to umpiring early, then
tour here deep in the Zimba- can experience the Zimba- and the world in general. lowing over a short period of a rare occupation for someone
bwean winter of 2016. Talent was also an activist of bwean rural way of life, get a time. young, especially a person of
note, I later learnt, fighting for taste of local dishes and, if you I was not able colour.
The tour, which he was cov- social justice and a better life want, play traditional games, to write when she
ering for The Indian Express, for her fellow citizens. have a home-fire hot bath HawkZone died, because of Talent opined in 2016 that
had ended on a Wednesday and retire to bed in one of the other commit- umpiring suited her dear old
with the tourists winning both She gracefully strode to- homestead huts. ments, but an op- friend because at school he had
the ODI and T20I contests in wards the car and, as I would portunity has pre- been a bright student, focused,
Harare. But Bharat’s journey find out for myself, Talent was Tempting, but Bharat – Enock sented itself now, disciplined and well-ground-
back home, from his maiden not just a pretty face. She was ever thirsty for adventure and albeit in happier ed.
trip to Zimbabwe, would only indeed smart, a focused young reckoning he had experienced Muchinjo circumstances.
begin at 4pm on the Saturday professional woman, and a enough of one place – want- Talent was a How those words also apt-
aboard an Emirates flight. beautiful soul, for good mea- ed to see more of the Zimba- proud person, ly described Talent herself, I
sure. bwean landscape. So he had proud of her thought to myself. Maybe this
The call came early Thurs- another idea: drive to Nyan- Talent had very strong views achievements, proud of the is how they make them at Vic
day morning from Bharat, full So, in what direction would ga overnight, sightsee in the on things that mattered to her, people closest to her and High, or in Masvingo. They
of familiar playfulness, like we go? She suggested Chim- morning and then drive to her family, her friends and her proud of the success of every- ought to be extremely proud
he’s playing a prank on you. animani, where she had al- Harare to be at the airport in country – a brilliant mind that body whose paths she crossed of their ilk over there.
ways wanted to visit, to see the time for his flight! begged for a bigger platform to during her short but fulfilling
“What if we take a long Bridal Veil Falls, and all the shine to the world. life. Last week, Rusere’s umpir-
road trip around the coun- other stunning sights of one of I hated to be the spoil- On occasions on the trip, She was not a sport fan, but ing career finally propelled
try? As long as I don’t miss my Zimbabwe’s most ecologically sport. But thankfully, quick we held opinions different on that trip four years ago, she him to the highest level of the
flight (…laughs). So, let’s say fascinating areas. as a flash, Talent – calculated, from each other, and we would told us of her pleasant surprise game when the 35-year-old
we’ll be back in Harare by Sat- fun and a sister figure – shot openly express these contrast- one day at coming across a was one of the on-field um-
urday morning!” I had also never been there, down the idea. Not the best of ing viewpoints, with Bharat newspaper article about a for- pires for the first Test match
despite my Manicaland roots. decisions for sore heads to get typically smiling and nod- mer classmate of hers, Lang- between Zimbabwe and Paki-
The trip would be all-ex- We took off, the two men up in the morning, explore a ding as his two Zimbabwean ton Rusere, who was now stan in Harare.
penses paid for by Bharat, swapping over driving duties magnificent holiday destina- friends engaged in good-na- rising quickly as an umpire in
came the offer. All I needed to through the evening to Mu- tion, then drive 268 kilome- tured debate. Zimbabwean cricket. In doing so, Rusere made
do was to find a small fuel-effi- tare, where after some beers at tres for an afternoon flight! I had only known Talent for Three months after Talent’s history by becoming the first
cient vehicle and we were good a popular pub – the teetotal- a couple of days, on that road passing, black African to umpire in
to go – in any direction! ler Talent sticking to her fruit A safer idea, which we set- trip covering around 1 000km. Rusere was becoming the Test cricket.
juice – we retired to our sepa- tled for, was to drive some- But I felt I had known her first Zimbabwean umpire to
A third person would join rate rooms at a city hotel for where closer to Harare during enough over the days to pay stand in the final of a major Previously, only blacks from
us on the fun trip, a female the night. the night, rest, and see around fitting tribute when I learnt global cricket tournament, the West Indies had officiated
ex-university mate of Bharat’s in the morning, in the comfort of the devastating news of her when he officiated in the last in the game’s premier format,
Indian colleague. She was Tal- On Friday morning, we left of being a short distance from passing in August 2018 at the match of the ICC Women’s with some of us having grown
ent Chademana, who held an for Chimanimani after break- the airport. young age of 31, following a World T20 between Australia up on a strong diet of the leg-
MA in development studies fast, and this hidden beauty of short illness. and England in the West in- endary Jamaican umpire Steve
from ISS Erasmus our country – its mountainous Chinhoyi Caves it was and At the time of her death, dies in 2018. Bucknor.
national park as well as majes- it meant driving back to Ha-
University Rotterdam in the tic and exotic bushes – was ev- rare, passing through the cap- It is no mean feat for Rus-
Netherlands. erything I had expected. ital city, getting a few hours of ere when you also take into
sleep and touring for an hour account that just three Zimba-
I picked up Bharat at his The friendly locals are deep- or two before a relaxed drive to bwean umpires before him –
modest hotel lodging around ly immersed into the tourism Kevan Barbour, Russell Tiffin
5pm later in the day. He wait- and the late Ian Robinson –
ed outside, all packed up and have umpired in Test matches.
checked out of the hotel.
Well done, Langton, the sky
We proceeded to collect is the limit, champ. I know,
Talent at her family’s comfort- too, that Talent would have
able suburban home in Emer- been so proud of you.
ald Hill.
I had never heard of her
Sports A winter of
Zim to reject hope and
expectation
Test cricket
model
Thursday 1 October 2020
Friday 7 May 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com
Pakistan claimNEWS WHAT’S INSIDE Neymar:CULTURE
$60 Covid
tariff for Community
visitors & I’llradio visit
regulations
under review
Story on Page 8
WORLD football superstar Neymar
says he will visit Zimbabwe “one day”
after being enticed to the African
day-one tourists
hCohnaomuirssaZoimrnebeadbawyae cStoryonPage 3
country by Zimbabwean hotshot Tino
out to KhupeKadewere, a friend of the Brazilian ace.
In-form 25-year-old Zimbabwe in-
ternational Kadewere, who plays for
Lyon in France, has established a bond
with the Brazil talismanic forward, de-
spite the two being club rivals in the
French top-flight league.
Neymar (29) turns out for Paris
Unofficial president calls for emergeSaint-Germain, who were knocked out
of the European Champions League
at the semi-final stage by English side
Manchester City this week.
In a short video recorded by the
footballers on an unknown date – be-
lieved to be after PSG’s 4-2 win over
Lyon in March – one of the best play-
ers in world football expresses his great
desire to take a trip to Zimbabwe, a
troubled country with an assortment of
fascinating tourist attractions.
Pakistan centurions Azhar Ali and Abid Ali (left) “I’m with Tino here my friend,” says
shared a 236-run second-wicket partnership.
a beaming Neymar in the video. “Guys,
/Pic: ZimCricket go visit Zimbabwe! I’m sure I’m gonna
come there one day, you know, visit my
friend (Kadewere). I have heard a lot of
good energy there, and good vibe, so
you should check it out with yourself
and visit the country. Ciao!”
Ever-smiling Kadewere reacts to
Neymar’s message with equal enthusi-
ENOCK MUCHINJO The Zimbabwean bowlers would however show some $3.2 Billion asm. c
at Harare Sports Club improvement with the new ball, particularly pace spear-
head Blessing Muzarabani. Says the Harare-born striker: “You’ve
AZHAR Ali and Abid Ali both hit centuries as Paki- heard it from the captain, he’s gonna be
stan claimed the honours on day one of the second Test Zimbabwe got off to a promising start after a short- there in Zimbabwe! Visit Zimbabwe,
against Zimbabwe here, with the in-form tourists closing of-length Richard Ngarava ball was top-edged by Imram guys!”
on 268-4 on Friday.
ALBSuAtOtz(h2Ia)NrtowSaDIsDoonEuatldinTitrFhipienapnaoonsatc-ttemeaiMdse-wsinsiiociksnettoy.nw1i2p6ewshoenut deposito–rKsAanfduoetnwhederresB’srtaezailmiamnZ,aidtmeefae'stndLleayrotMnes–atrcalelasloond
On a wicket that did not offer much assistance to the
bowlers, the namesakes shared a second-wicket partner- Muzarabani, who had bowled tidy spells earlier without speaks in the video.
ship of 236 runs as the tourists target a series-clinching success, took his first wicket of the Test before finishing “Hello guys, it’s Marcelo from
win in the two-match Test contest. the day as the pick of the hosts’ bowlers with three scalps.
Olympique Lyonnais,” says the cen-
The pair batted through most of the first day sessions Muzarabani had Azhar caught by Milton Shumba at tre-back. “I just want you to visit Zim-
against a Zimbabwe bowling attack that generally lacked gully off a full delivery before the tall quick accounted babwe, it’s a great country. And I just
discipline, penetration and control. for Pakistan. hope that you guys enjoy. Thank you
very much, see you in Zimbabwe!”
– STAFF WRITER
ALSO INSIDE Man City are the benchmark: Thomas Tuchel
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