NewsHawks 9 July 2021 Final-min

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Friday 9 July 2021

WHAT’S INSIDE NRdewEpWalnoSydsa ZBUimSItNraEdSeS SDPeObuRtTant
troops in deficit misses out on
Mozambique widens to milestone as
US$400m Zim collapse
Story on Page 5
Story on Page 13 Story on Page 46

Who pocketed millions
over mystery army deal?

ALSO INSIDE Exams cheating scandal rocks army

Page 2 Special Report NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

NYASHA CHINGONO ations the company would con-
sult top army officials only.
Who pocketed millionsMYSTERYoverPresidentEm-
merson Mnangagwa’s adviser “If ZMDC were the part
and shadowy businessman Ku- owner and received its share
dakwashe Tagwirei’s murky pur- over mystery army deal? of the purchase price, then the
chase of the Zimbabwe Defence amount of money paid to the
Forces (ZDF) partly-owned Pen military would have been low-
East Mining’s stake in platinum er,” reads the report. 
miner Great Dyke Investments
(GDI) deepened this week after Investigations show that the
the military officially distanced sale of Pen East was opaque by
itself from the deal. design, to avoid scrutiny, and
Tagwirei’s vast business subsequently the shares were
empire was exposed recently bought by Landela Mining
through various leaks of reveal- Ventures, a Zimbabwean com-
ing documents following a nas- pany owned by Sotic Interna-
ty fallout among its executives. tional, an offshore firm in Mau-
The tycoon’s Landela Mining ritius controlled by Tagwirei.
Ventures paid US$21.5 million
for a stake in GDI. There were Landela shareholders are
also further mysterious pay- Landela Mining Venture’s di-
ments, which included US$220 rectors were Jozef Behr, Chris-
million and ZW$300 million. topher Fourie, and Obey
The stakes were too high. Chimuka. 
Investigations this week
show the deal was brokered by “Tagwirei’s lawyer, Norman
the late Foreign Affairs and In- Chimuka, wrote to his client
ternational Trade minister Sibu- and executives at Sotic Interna-
siso Moyo, who fronted army tional and Sakunda Holdings
companies. in February 2020, reminding
The money from the deal was them that they were due to
then shared between Moyo, a pay the capital gains tax on the
retired Lieutenant-General, and US$220 million sale of Pen
two top army commanders, one East’s shareholding in GDI.
retired and another still serving Norman Chimuka’s email was
who worked closely with Moyo the second of two that he sent
as the core of army commercial- on this matter, in November
isation activities. 2019 and February 2020, each
This  raised fresh questions referring to the same US$11
over the army’s labyrinth of million capital gains tax bill
shadowy company structures derived from a $220 million
and their ultimate beneficial sale price. Norman Chimuka’s
owners. November 2019 email also re-
The Zimbabwean mili- Great Dyke Investments mining operation. ferred to a much lower ZW$46
million payment that his client
tary, which has a web of shady interest, depreciation, and am- Russian Centre For Business copied to Tagwirei,  Moyo, Ma- had made to Pen East Mining,
companies and shelf entities, ent company, Landela Mining ortisation run into the billions, Cooperation. jor-General Chris Mupande saying that because the ex-
is murky and unaccountable Ventures, to the subsidiary, according to financial projec- and Rushwaya. change rate had moved at the
to citizens, although it handles GDI, correspondence reviewed tions presented to a potential The signing of the agreement time of payment, the Pen East
millions of dollars. by The Sentry indicates that funder,” the report says. was witnessed by the ZDF’s Mupande, Rushwaya and representatives wanted a further
There is usually no transpar- Tagwirei made a payment to legal director and the Russian Moyo are also listed as direc- ZW$9 million payment. The
ency and accountability in the GDI’s former 50% sharehold- Tagwirei, one of the biggest Embassy’s defence adviser.  tors of Rusununguko Nkulu- purpose of that ZW$46 million
military’s corporate ventures, er, Pen East Mining, a com- beneficiaries of the 2017 coup leko Holdings, one of the main payment isn’t specified.”
which presents fertile ground pany controlled and owned, that toppled long-time leader The company would subse- holding companies used by the
for corruption. at least in part, by Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, clinched the quently inherit a Zimplats claim ZDF.  Moyo, who spearheaded The investigation establish-
Apart from creating condi- military. Different documents deal months after the Kgale- surrendered in 2006 as part of military commercialisation, also es that Fourie questioned the
tions for corruption, commer- indicate a range of potential ma Motlanthe commission of the government’s indigenisation served as a shareholder and di- amount for the deal and who
cialisation of the army poses a payments made by Tagwirei to inquiry into the 30 July 2018 programme, although it is not rector of other military-owned had been involved in aspects of
political and security threat. Pen East in 2019: from ZW$46 election and subsequent killing clear whether the army paid companies in Zimbabwe.  the transaction. Fourie said he
GDI was initially a joint million, to ZW$300 million, of six civilians in central Harare anything for the claims.  was not aware of Tagwirei’s ac-
venture between Russian firm to US$11 million, or possibly by marauding soldiers.  Furthermore, Moyo, who tivities and payments. He also
Afromet and Pen East Mining, even as much as US$220 mil- “Reporting by Russian busi- died early this year due to did not believe the higher figure
jointly owned by the military’s lion — and this is on top of the Tagwirei bought a stake in ness newspaper Kommersant Covid-19, was the face of the would have been appropriate.
Old Stone Investments and  the US$21.5 million paid to GDI,” GDI after the involvement and the Zimbabwe Indepen- 2017 military coup. He retired
state-owned Zimbabwe Min- the report says. of the army in the compa- dent suggests that the platinum from the army on being ap- “… the capital gains tax bill
ing Development Corporation Asked about Pen East and ny spooked potential lenders, deal took place in the context pointed Foreign Affairs minis- email from Norman Chimuka
(ZMDC), according to parlia- who took the funds, ZDF di- needed for capital investments of wider negotiations between ter after the July 2018 elections. may have been the product of
mentary records, before Tag- rector Colonel Teddy Ndlovu to commence mining.  Zimbabwe and Russia about an attempt by the military to
wirei bought Pen East’s 50% said: “That information, I do the purchase of military heli- The late minister became the squeeze more money out of the
stake. not have. I do not know how Three-way correspondence copters or fighter jets. Kom- face of the coup, announcing deal. Fourie is cited in one min-
Although ZMDC chair Pe- I can assist. I do not know between Pen-East, Tagwirei and mersant named the chairman that Mugabe had been placed ute of a meeting held on August
ter Chimbodza in 2018 told the company you are talking the Russians revealed how they of Ruschrome’s board as Martin under house arrest. 27, 2019, as saying he believed
the parliamentary portfolio about.”  grappled with the replacement Rushwaya, a relative of Mnan- the payment for the 50% share-
committee on Mines that Pen Ndlovu referred further of one controversial partner gagwa and the long-serving per- “Although Pen East’s two os- holding was ZW$300 million,”
East’s 50% stake in GDI was questions to the ZDF’s direc- with another, the report notes.  manent secretary of the Min- tensible individual shareholders further reads the report. 
composed of 30% owned by tor-general in charge of policy, istry of Defence (MOD),” The were civilians, at least one of
ZDF’s Old Stone and 20% public relations and interna- “While documents and Sentry says. them is referred to as a nominee “Whatever the price paid to
by the ZMDC, the ZDF told tional affairs, Brigadier-Gener- statements show that Zimba- by Tagwirei’s lawyer in corre- Pen East, these payments were
The NewsHawks they were not al Augustine Chipwere, who bwe’s military certainly played Rushwaya now works in the spondence seen by The Sentry. on top of the US$21.5 million
aware of the company or deal.       referred questions back to Nd- a significant role in Pen East, Office of President and Cab- Rather than these two individ- Landela Mining Ventures had
The army spokesman said he lovu. There was no information many of the transactions and inet as deputy secretary for ual shareholders, it was Rush- paid to GDI. A US$220 mil-
did not know who Pen East is, and clarity over the issue. agreements underpinning its in- administration and finance. waya who signed the agreement lion payment to a company
let alone that it is linked to the Internal communications volvement in the mining sector In 2014, Ruschrome Mining transferring Pen East Mining’s controlled by the Zimbabwean
reviewed by The Sentry show have not been subject to public changed its name to Great 50% shareholding in GDI to military, if that higher figure
ZDF. scrutiny. Correspondence re- Dyke Investments and later the Landela Mining Ventures, as was indeed paid, would have
According to an explosive that GDI has a gross asset val- viewed by The Sentry shows that Russian joint venture partner well as a later addendum to been large in public finance
investigative report by The Sen- ue “well in excess” of US$600 senior military officials were in- changed to Vi Holding, operat- the share purchase agreement,” terms. By comparison, in 2019
try which unravelled Tagwirei’s million.  volved in, or informed about, ing through Russian subsidiary reads the report.  Zimbabwe’s education budget
vast network of business rela- “In March 2020, the two negotiations for the sale of Pen Afromet. The 2019 sale of Pen was $179 million.” 
tionships with state institutions shareholders of GDI each sold East Mining’s share of Great East Mining’s share of GDI was “Once the sale of Pen East’s
such as the army and ministers, 2.2% of the company to Fos- Dyke Investments,” says The negotiated between Tagwirei’s share of GDI was completed, The report also raises a red
the payment was a shareholder sil Mines, owned by Tagwirei’s Sentry in its report titled Shad- lawyer, Norman Chimuka, GDI board minutes recorded flag on off-budget financing
loan to match the money al- reported frequent business ows and Shell Games.  while Pen East Mining was the resignation of the directors of the military which removed
ready invested by the other 50% partner Obey Chimuka. The How GDI was formed represented by Colonel Siwin- previously appointed by Pen oversight over spending by Par-
shareholder, Afromet, a subsid- US$30 million paid for that In 2006, retired Colonel Tshin- ile Tauya. According to records East. One of those directors, liament and the Auditor-Gen-
iary of Vi Holdings, a Russian 4.4% stake implies a valuation ga Dube, who was then head reviewed by The Sentry, Tauya, Major-General Grey Mashava, eral.
industrial conglomerate.  of about US$680 million for of Zimbabwe Defence Indus- an army officer, is the company is the senior principal director
“In addition to that US$21.5 GDI. Projected revenues and tries, set up a joint venture, secretary of the Zimbabwe De- in Vice-President General Chi- “It would be troubling if a
million payment from the par- lifetime earnings before tax, Ruschrome Mining, with the fence Industries. wenga’s office.”  prominent tycoon accused of
help of a Russian corporation, corruption purchased a min-
At critical moments of the Although the ZMDC was ing company from Zimbabwe’s
negotiations, several emails were supposed to be a shareholder military, but there is no conclu-
in Pen East, during the negoti- sive record of the sale price, the
ultimate recipient of the pay-
ment, or the use of the proceeds
from the deal.”

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Zimbabwe senior judges in the dock

OWEN GAGARE Some judges of the Zimbabwean judiciary.

TOP Zimbabwean judges of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chief Justice Luke Malaba and Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza. to preside over.  However, Malaba argued the
the highest court in the land Kika and the YLAZ insist- noting of the appeal had sus-
– including Deputy Chief not only be done, but mani- plicated the conundrum, Mu- Malaba’s tenure extension, and pended the judgement. 
Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza – festly and undoubtedly be seen pungu omitted to cite Malaba, their cases were consolidated ed they wanted unconflicted
will inadvertently be in the to be done. Judges – like Cae- Gwaunza and all the judges of before the Zhou judgement. judges to president over the The matter was set down
dock next when they hear an sar’s wife – should be above the Supreme Court and Con- ConCourt case. for 3 June. Then more drama
application by a Bulawayo suspicion. These principles Court party to the High Court Mupungu approached the ensued. Justice Webster Chi-
man Marx Mupungu who has will be tested and placed under matter.  court in terms of Section 175 However, Gwaunza dis- namora was forced to recuse
approached the court seek- scrutiny next Wednesday. of the constitution, arguing missed their concerns and himself amid reports that he
ing an order nullifying the He cited only Justice min- Mnangagwa acted constitu- refused to recuse herself from had met JSC secretary Wal-
High Court judgement which The situation has gradual- ister Ziyambi Ziyambi, the tionally when he extended presiding over a case manage- ter Chikwanha over the issue.
blocked Chief Justice Luke ly been building up to D-day Judicial Service Commission Malaba’s tenure by five years. ment meeting. She went on Chinamora confirmed that,
Malaba’s tenure extension in for weeks now since the rel- (JSC), Zimbabwe Human to deal with the matter and but denied that they had dis-
May.  evant application was filed Rights NGO Forum execu- Three working days after set timelines for the filing of cussed this case. Kika lost.
on this matter.  On 4 June, tive Musa Kika, Young Law- the Mupungu application, the pleadings in this case. 
The ruling by a three-judge Mupungu, represented by yers Association of Zimbabwe ConCourt registrar wrote to On 11 June, Kika filed an
panel – comprising Justices Lovemore Madhuku Lawyers, (YLAZ), businessman Fred- the parties inviting them to a In the process, Gwaunza set urgent court application for
Happias Zhou, Edith Mush- approached the ConCourt rick Mutanda, Attorney-Gen- case management meeting be- 14 July for hearing the appli- an order for leave to execute
ore and Jesta Helena Chare- seeking an order nullifying the eral Prince Machaya and fore Gwaunza.  cation. On Thursday, 8 July, pending appeal. He sought
hwa – said Malaba ceased to declaratur granted by Zhou, Mnangagwa as 1st to 7th re- the ConCourt registrar wrote to have an order that Mal-
be chief justice on 15 May Mushore and Charehwa.    spondents, respectively.  Lawyers for Kika and YLAZ to the parties advising that it aba shall immediately cease
when he turned 70.  protested having to appear be- had invited Advocate Tawan- and desist from exercising the
In a move that further com- Kika and YLAZ challenged fore Gwaunza who is party to da Zhuwarara as amicus curie functions of chief justice either
However, President Em- the matter which she wanted (friend of the court). This fu- in a judicial or administrative
merson Mnangagwa – who elled controversy. capacity unless allowed to do
wants Malaba to pivot his so pursuant to the outcome
re-election in 2023 – effective- Since 15 May, when the of the appeals filed against the
ly extended his tenure by five Malaba judgement was hand- High Court judgement. 
years on 11 May.  ed down, events have been
moving at a terrific pace. A case management hearing
This triggered public out- was scheduled for 15 June at
rage, a series of judicial bat- Ziyambi and the JSC im- 2pm before a three-judge pan-
tles and a constitutional crisis mediately appealed the judge- el comprising Justices Pisirayi
that still needs to be resolved ment after that. It was only Kwenda, Esther Muremba and
as most Constitutional Court on 27 May that Malaba and Siyabona Musithu. An hour
(ConCourt) and Supreme all other judges of the Su- before the case management
Court judges were cited as re- preme Court and ConCourt hearing, Kika filed a notice of
spondents in the High Court filed a notice of appeal. Prior withdrawal on this matter. The
case.  to that, on 17 May, Kika and mystery deepened. 
his colleagues explained that
Initially all superior courts the High Court judgement However, the 14 July hear-
judges were cited in the High was a declaratur and was not ing on Mupungu’s application
Court matter, but Mnangagwa suspended by the noting of an stands. Naturally, conflicted
later appointed new jurists to appeal. judges will rule in their own
the ConCourt and Supreme favour, further leaving the im-
Court in a bid to resolve the However, on 24 May, Mal- age and integrity of the judi-
judicial imbroglio. He also aba returned to work. Kika ciary in tatters – shattered be-
took control of the High immediately approached the yond repair and judges simply 
Court which had appeared re- High Court with a contempt damaged goods.
bellious. of court application, seek-
ing Malaba’s imprisonment.
However, Gwaunza is al-
ready dealing with the case
in which she is cited, thus an
interested party. She may be
joined by other judges who
also have a conflict of interest.
This will practically put the
judges in the dock for nemo ju-
dex in causa sua: no one should
be a judge in his or her own
cause.

The real casualty of the
ConCourt drama would be
judicial integrity, public con-
fidence in an institution that
people ought to hold in high
esteem and the rule of law.

Nemo judex in causa sua is
widely considered a pre-req-
uisite to an independent
and reliable judicial system.
This principle is meant not
merely to prevent a potential
wrong-doer from condoning
his or her errors by judging the
validity of their actions, but
also, and more importantly, to
preserve public confidence in
the sanctity and independence
of the judiciary.

But next week Gwaunza
and other judges may leave
this cardinal rule in tatters.

The principle of natural
justice encompasses two im-
portant principles: nemo judex
in causa sua (no one should
be a judge in his or her own
cause) and audi alteram par-
tem – hear the other party or
the rule of fair hearing; that no
one should be condemned un-
heard. These are buttressed by
the notion that justice should

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

OWEN GAGARE Parliament concedes Mnangagwa
did not assent to constitutional Bill
THE Parliament of Zimbabwe all proceedings pending at the
has conceded that President President Emmerson Mnangagwa. time are terminated, and every
Emmerson Mnangagwa did not Bill, motion, petition and oth-
assent to the Constitution of all proceedings pending at the the processes of its Committees ment Bill (No.1) of 2017 be- President was obtained on ba- er business lapses is intended
Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) time are terminated, and every and to ensure public consulta- came law on the 7th September sis of an invalid certificate as to ensure that with each gener-
Bill before it became an Act, Bill, motion, petition and other tion and to conduct its business 2017, long before the dissolu- there was no affirmative vote of al election, the new Parliament
paving way for a potentially in- business lapses. The Bill howev- in a transparent manner,” the tion of the eighth Parliament- two-thirds of Senate in the 8th and the government are to in-
triguing legal battle with Law er straddled the eighth parlia- application reads. hence the Bill was not pending Parliament. That assent and Sig- troduce their own agenda.  The
Society of Zimbabwe lawyers, ment which ran from 2013 to before Parliament on the 29th nature, following as it did upon Bill was initially  gazetted on 3
fighting the President’s consti- midnight on 29 July 2018 and The LSZ also challenged the of July and for this reason, it did an invalid certificate, could not January 2017 after the nullifi-
tutional amendments designed the ninth parliament, whose application on the grounds that not lapse, as alleged or at all. enact the Bill then in 2017. The cation of general notice 434 of
to facilitate his power consolida- tenure ends in 2023. a referendum was not held. President can only assent to a 2016, which was published in
tion drive. “The Act was not a Bill pend- Bill that has been passed con- the extraordinary gazette on 23
Mapara also said Parliament “Further, section 327 (3) ing before Parliament on the stitutionally by Parliament,” the December 2016.
The LSZ, through its execu- failed to ensure that the pro- requires the Speaker, when dissolution of the 8th Parlia- LSZ argued in its answering pa-
tive secretary Edward Mapara, visions of the constitution are giving notice of the Consti- ment as alleged. This Court only pers filed on Tuesday. It was then introduced to the
in May filed a Constitutional upheld and to ensure that the tutional Bill in the Gazette to suspended the declaration of in- House of Assembly later in 2017
Court application challenging House acts constitutionally and publish the precise terms of validity on condition that the “This Court has already held and passed on 25 July 2017.
the passage of Constitution of in the national interest. the Bill. Material amendments Senate complies with its order that the Senate vote was uncon-
Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) were subsequently made to the in terms of Section 175 (6) (b) stitutional as it fell short of the Senate passed it on 1 August
Bill/Act, 2017 and the Consti- “The applicant further seeks Constitutional Bill presented of the Constitution. Otherwise, two-thirds requirement. This 2017, but failed to garner the
tution of Zimbabwe Amend- an order declaring Constitu- to the public, which render the the said Act was not set aside. In Court returned a Constitution- required two-thirds majority in
ment (No.2) Act, 2021. Mnan- tion of Zimbabwe Amendment amendments unconstitutional,” any event, the declaration of in- al Bill to be voted upon. It can terms of section 328 (5). On
gagwa was cited as the fourth (No.2) Act, 2021, passed by the the application read. validity was going to take effect only become an Act through an the day, 53 senators out of the
respondent. Parliament of Zim- first respondent on 4th May from the date of judgement, be- assent given by the President af- total membership of 80 voted.
babwe (first respondent), Presi- 2021 and assented to by the However, Speaker of the Na- ing the 31st of March 2020 and ter the constitutional vote.” That was one vote short of two-
dent of Senate Mabel Chinomo- fourth respondent on 7th May tional Assembly Mudenda on not before.” thirds.
na (second respondent), Speaker 2021 invalid on grounds that behalf of Parliament argued in The LSZ further argued that
of the National Assembly Jacob the first respondent failed to fol- his opposing affidavit that there The LSZ is arguing that the the Senate of the 9th Parliament However, senate fraudulent-
Mudenda (third respondent) low the procedure as set out in was no need for Mnangagwa to admission was confirmation could not constitutionally pass ly claimed it had met the two-
and Justice minister Ziyambi terms of Section 328 (3(4)) of assent given that former pres- of a “clear violation of section a Bill that had not been passed thirds majority threshold since
Ziyambi (fifth respondent) were the Constitution,” the applica- ident Robert Mugabe had al- 328[10][b] of the Constitution by the National Assembly of the one seat was vacant and the Up-
also cited. The Amendment tion reads. ready assented to the Bill. which requires that a certificate 9th Parliament.  per House then had 79 mem-
(No.1) Act enables the President from the President of the Senate, bers, which equalled two thirds.
to appoint the Chief Justice, “The first respondent had fur- “The 1st respondent did that at its final vote in the Senate “It is a jurisdictional fact,” the But the law required at least 54
Deputy Chief Justice and Judge ther failed to comply with the not present the Constitution- the Bill received the affirmative LSZ said. votes to pass the Bill, not 53.
President without them under- requirements of Section 141(a), al Amendment Bill to the 4th votes of at least two-thirds of
going public interviews. (b), and (c) of the Constitution respondent (Mnangagwa) for the membership of Senate, be The LSZ said there was an As a result, legislators Jes-
which require Parliament to en- re-assent as alleged, as the for- presented to the President for important constitutional prin- sie Majome, now a Zimbabwe
The Amendment (No.2) Act sure that it facilitates public in- mer President had already as- assent and signature.” ciple behind section 147 of the Anti-Corruption Commission
allows judges of the Constitu- volvement in its legislative pro- sented to the Act,” Mudenda constitution.  commissioner, and Innocent
tional Court and the Supreme cesses and other processes and in said. “The assent of the former Gonese challenged the process
Court to continue to serve be- It said the requirement that at the ConCourt, arguing the
yond the previous retirement “The Constitutional Amend- on dissolution of Parliament, Bill should have been passed af-
age of 70, if the President, after ter a two-thirds affirmative vote
consulting the by members of each House, in
line with section 328 (5) of the
Judicial Service Commission, constitution. The ConCourt
consents to their doing so.  heard the consolidated case
on 31 January 2018, but only
It also permits the President passed judgment on 31 March
to promote judges of the High 2020.
Court and the Supreme Court
to a higher court on the recom- In the judgement written by
mendation of the JSC, without Malaba, the court concurred
the need for public interviews, that a two-thirds majority was
thereby opening the door to not met in the Senate, while
promotions and tenure exten- dismissing the allegation that a
sions on the basis of political two-thirds majority was not se-
suitability and cronyism, as was cured in the National Assembly.
the case with Chief Justice Luke
Malaba. The behind-the-scenes On 25 September 2020,
manoeuvres to extend Malaba’s parliament lodged two simulta-
tenure by hook or by crook were neous applications at the Con-
orchestrated by Mnangagwa – Court, a substantive application
the ultimate beneficiary of the seeking an extension to the 180-
extension. day period, and an urgent ex
parte chamber application for a
Mnangagwa needs Malaba to provisional order extending the
help him navigate possible con- 180-day period and also sus-
stitutional and legal minefields pending the coming into effect
ahead of the 2023 elections. of the court’s declaration of the
invalidity of the Bill. 
In its application, the LSZ
sought an order declaring that The ex parte order was grant-
the Constitution of Zimbabwe ed on 28 September, paving way
Amendment (No.1) Bill, 2017 for the substantive application
(alternatively Constitution of to be heard by Justices Rita Ma-
Zimbabwe Amendment No.1 karau, Anne-Marie Gowora and
Act, 2021), passed by Parlia- Bharat Patel.
ment on 6 April was invalid.
The LSZ noted that the Presi- On 25 February 2021, the
dent had not yet assented to the ConCourt granted a 90-day ex-
Bill. tension to the Senate by a 2-1
decision and, on 24 March, the
“Should he subsequently Senate approved a motion by
do so, the grounds of invalid- Justice, Legal and Parliamentary
ity remain the same, The Bill Affairs minister Ziyambi to re-
is invalid on the ground that store the Bill to the Order Paper.
Parliament failed to fulfil a con-
stitutional obligation in that: It was passed on 6 April, but
It passed the Iapsed Constitu- Mnangagwa did not assent to it,
tion of Zimbabwe Amendment hence the current legal battle.
(No.1) Bill, 2017 (“Constitu-
tional Bill No.1”) in violation of Parliament is arguing that the
section 147 of the Constitution. amendments were procedurally
done and that adequate consul-
“It failed to follow the pro- tations were done with members
cedure set out in section 328 of the public. 
of the Constitution in promul-
gating the Constitutional Bill
(No.1).” 

Section 147 states that, upon
the dissolution of Parliament,

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Rwanda deploys troops to Mozambique

BERNARD MPOFU der the Sadc resolution
while Zimbabwe and
RWANDA has de- Angola are expected to
ployed a contingent of deploy ground troops.
1 000 troops who will
reinforce a Southern The Sadc interven-
African Development tion force, accord-
Community (Sadc) ing to a leaked report
standby force which done by a regional
is yet to be deployed technical team, would
to the conflict-ridden comprise three light
northern parts of Mo- infantry battalions of
zambique. 620 soldiers each, a
As first reported by light infantry battal-
The NewsHawks early ion headquarters with
this year, Mozambican 90 troops, two special
president Filipe Nyusi forces squadrons of 70
was opting for bilater- soldiers each, 100 engi-
al military cooperation neers, 100 logistics co-
instead of a multilateral ordinators, 120 signals
approach in fighting vi- experts and 42 tech-
olent extremists in nat- nicians, among other
ural gas-endowed Cabo military personnel.
Delgado province.
Following last There are also he-
month’s Sadc decision licopters as well as
to deploy troops to transport aircraft, pa-
Mozambique following trol ships, a submarine
weeks of dithering over and a maritime aircraft
the decision, Rwanda to patrol the Cabo
this week announced Delgado coastline to
that it would send intercept insurgents’
boots on ground to the movements, supplies
troubled region where and combat their drug
the conflict has claimed trafficking activities,
thousands of lives and said to be a source of
displaced hundreds of financing the insurgen-
thousands in the last cy. 
five years.
This conflict has also The technical assess-
resulted in Total, a ment team also rec-
French-headquartered ommended a phased
energy group, sus- approach implemented
pending its multi-bil- in four stages: deploy-
lion-dollar energy proj- ment of intelligence as-
ect in the region. sets (land, air and mar-
“The Government of itime) to understand
Rwanda at the request the insurgents’ oper-
of the Government of ations; special forces
Mozambique, will to- and naval equipment;
day start the deploy- pacification operations
ment of a 1 000-per- and withdrawal. 
son contingent of
Rwanda Defence Force This plan entails the
and Rwanda National deployment of Sadc
Police to Cabo Del- troops to support the
gado Province, Mo- local army, providing
zambique, which is the Mozambican mili-
currently affected by stabilisation and secu- grounded in Rwanda’s ment of troops, Pres- tary with training and
terrorism and insecu- rity-sector reform. commitment to the Re- ident Nyusi travelled support; and ensuring
rity,” the East African sponsibility to Protect to Kigali to meet his logistical support. 
nation said in a state- “This deployment doctrine and the Kigali Rwandan counterpart
ment. is based on the good Principles  on the Pro- Paul Kagame. This, Mozambican President These combined and
“The Rwandan con- bilateral relations be- tection of Civilians.” according to security Filipe Nyusi walking with self-reinforcing actions
tingent will support tween the Republic of analysts, demonstrated his Rwandan counterpart are ultimately designed
Rwanda and the Re- Two months ago, The Maputo’s reluctance Paul Kagame. to neutralise the insur-
public of Mozambique, NewsHawks reported to invite Sadc troops. gents whose centres of
efforts to restore Mo- following the signing that on the very same Nyusi, the sources say, gravity, including stra-
zambique state au- of several agreements day Sadc was expected wants South Africa to tegic, operational, tac-
thority  by conducting between the two coun- to convene a meeting provide air support un- tical, critical capabil-
combat and security tries in 2018, and is to endorse the deploy- ities, needs, strengths
operations, as well as and vulnerabilities is-
sues, were identified
by the Sadc technical
team.

Page 6 News NewsHawks

LATENT IMAGE Issue 38, 9 July 2021
FEATURE FOR THE
PARTIALLY SIGHTED KNOW YOUR NEW BANKNOTE
SEE THROUGH
WATERMARK FEATURES OF YOUR NEW BANKNOTE

SEE THROUGH
WATERMARK

COLOUR CHANGING
HOLOGRAPHIC

SECURITY STRIP
SMALL TEXT

FEATURE FOR THE
PARTIALLY SIGHTED

MICRO TEXT
GOLD COLOURED
IRIDESCENT BAND

GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW BANKNOTE

FEEL: LOOK: TILT:

Banknotes have a See-through: Iridescent Band: The value numeral can
unique rough feel be seen in the feature
which is different from Locate the shape Moving the note on the bottom left
other printed materials above the watermark. around shows a shiny when the note is tilted.
such as magazines or Hold the note up to stripe pattern on the
computer print outs. Watermark: Windowed the light. The shape back of the note. Feature for the
Security Strip: completes with The stripe shows partially sighted:
When held against the the image on the the denomination
light the Zimbabwe The strip changes back of the note to of the banknote. Six horizontal bars
bird and ‘RBZ’ can be from red to green with form the Zimbabwe appear in the bottom
seen. In reverse this holographic element bird in a star. right and left hand
will appear backwards. when tilted. When corners. These have
held up to the light it a raised effect to help
reads as a continuous the partially sighted
line reading ‘50’ on recognise this banknote.
the front and ‘RBZ
50’ on the back.

For more information, please see www.rbz.co.zw | © Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe 2021

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Exams cheating scandal rocks army

Graduation at Zimbabwe Military Academy.

BERNARD MPOFU papers or engage in various itary source said. 
dishonest methods – including “Internal investigators
AN examination cheating scan- forgery – to pass. worked with the Zimbabwe
dal has rocked the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council
National Army (ZNA) after Information gathered by (Zimsec) and it is during these
more than 100 soldiers – includ- The NewsHawks shows that the investigations that it was found
ing one with links to the Com- army careers department and out that the passes which the
mander-in-Chief President Em- units last year conducted an in- officers had presented were
merson Mnangagwa – breached vestigation into exams cheating forged. By then, all those who
rules and engaged in dishonest which revealed that the officers sat and passed the examinations
practices to forge Ordinary Lev- had misrepresented to the mil- had already been promoted to
el (O’Level) mathematics results itary that they had passed the the rank of captain. The board
to secure promotions, The New- subject yet they had not. saw it fit to instruct them to
sHawks has learnt.  rewrite the exams instead of
Officer cadets, who under- stripping them of their ranks
O’Level maths is one of the go 24 months of training at due to the large numbers. So as
prerequisites for junior com- the Gweru-based Zimbabwe it stands their results have been
missioned officers to sit military Military Academy (ZMA), are nullified.
examinations before they can be expected to have at least six “The officers were working
promoted to the rank of cap- points at Advanced Level and with colleges and some Zimsec
tain.  The officers, the sources five O’Level subjects, includ- officials who failed to beat the
said, have been given up to No- ing maths and English, to get system in terms of authenticat-
vember 2022 to present genuine enrolled.  ZMA is responsible ing the forged results.”
results slips which are confirmed for regular officer cadet train- Contacted for comment on
by the Zimbabwe School Exam- ing and basic officers’ training, Zimsec Head Office. the issue, ZNA spokesperson
inations Council.  which presents an opportunity sources said. Colonel Alphios Makotore
for non-commissioned officers circumstances. platoon commanders’ course asked The NewsHawks to send
Sources said failure to pros- to become commissioned offi- At passout from the ZNA, (PCC) at a later stage, which “A lieutenant can actually be an email to an officer named
ecute the offenders in terms of cers. is one of the prerequisites for a promoted to the rank of captain Collen Murahwa. There was no
the law was due to the fact that the young officers are deployed full lieutenant to sit the next ex- without undergoing PCC al- response to the questions at the
one of the soldiers is linked to However, during the ZMA to various units as second-lieu- aminations. At that stage, maths though they will be required to time of publication.
the commander-in-chief. recruitment exercise, maths tenants and after making a firm then becomes a must for one to under the training at Nyanga’s Efforts to get in touch with
can be waivered, especially on commitment to continue to sit these examinations, military All Arms Battle School,” a mil- Zimsec were unsuccessful.
Exams cheating is rampant potential recruits from margin- serve, they then undergo the
in Zimbabwe. Students or can- alised societies where the pass
didates sometimes get leaked rate is low due to their peculiar

NewsHawks News Page 8

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Chipinge villagers accuse
Rautenbach of land grab

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE yamukwakwa and Chisum- that seeks to set aside the Pe- of power by the 1 st Respon- Billy Rautenbach.
banje. Since 2012, Green troleum (Mandatory Blending dent (Chasi) in breach of Sec-
BUSINESSMAN and close Fuel has been expanding and of Anhydrous Ethanol with tion 134 of the Constitution
ally of President Emmerson it is not clear what hectarage Unleaded Petrol) Regulations of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mnangagwa, Billy Rauten- Green Fuel is supposed to get.  that were published in SI
bach, is in conflict with villag- We understand that they are 17/2013,” Markham’s applica- “(iii) That the Regulations
ers in Chipinge who are com- going to get 40 000 hectares,” tion read. create demand side and sup-
plaining that his company, Claris said.  ply side monopoly and are
Green Fuel, is encroaching on “It is my contentions that therefore an infringement of
their land and elbowing them “The land they should get the Regulations in question the Competition Act Chap-
out. is land that belonged to Arda, are illegal and nullity on the ter 14:28. (iv) That the Reg-
which is 5 612 hectares, but basis of the following; (i) That ulations in any event, are an
Rautenbach and Mnangag- they have already taken over the Regulations issued are ul- infringement to my right to
wa are friends, with both men 15 000 hectares.  The commu- tra vires the provisions of the equal protection and benefit
previously implicated in the nity has a problem with that, Petroleum Act Chapter 13:22. of the law as protected by Sec-
alleged plunder of precious as anything outside the Arda (ii) The Regulations are in any tion 56(1) of the Constitution
minerals in the Democratic land is communal land.” event, an unlawful usurpation of Zimbabwe.”
Republic of Congo.
“There should be engage- BANK OF ZI
Green Fuel maintains a mo- ments as people end up losing RESERVE MBABWE
nopoly in ethanol production the land and homes. The local
as the sole producer, a position communities which had been PRESS STATEMENT
which is being challenged in set up for this in 2012 were
the courts by an opposition abandoned.” INTRODUCTION INTO CIRCULATION OF ZW$50 BANKNOTE
legislator.
More than 2 000 house- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the Bank) wishes to advise the public that
Just as in the case of holds have been affected to the ZW$50 banknote issued on 6 July 2021 through Statutory Instrument 196
Chilonga, where customary date, according to Claris, of 2021 will be introduced into circulation on 7 July 2021.
land was being forcibly taken translating to over 12 000
from indigenous communities people being displaced.  The Bank shall release ZW$360 million through the normal banking channels
to benefit businesses linked to and banks are expected to fund their respective accounts held at the Reserve
Mnangagwa’s friends (Den- “After they take the 40 000 Bank and collect the cash from 7 July 2021.
dairy), so has it been for the hectares, they would have got-
Ndau people in Chipinge ten 60% of Chipinge district John P Mangudya
whose land is now being because the land takeover will Governor
grabbed for the benefit of Ra- affect four wards of Chipinge 6 July 2021
utenbach’s project. South constituency.  The vil-
lagers are also proposing that
Villagers and farmers in they remain on the land and
Chinyamukwakwa and Chi- be outgrowers,” he said. 
sumbanje in Chipinge are
now challenging Green Fuel’s Claris said they have also
takeover of their land.  been engaging the district
leadership to resolve other
Their lawyer, Lovemore conflicts which have arisen,
Madhuku, said they are pre- including the ploughing down
paring to file court papers next of villagers’ crops by Green
week. Fuel.

“There are pre-indepen- “We have been talking
dence boundaries under the to the district development
Tribal Trust Land and they coordinator (DDC), Wil-
define the Green Fuel bound- liam Mashava.  In early June,
aries because the land Green they ploughed down the crops
Fuel is supposed to occupy including sesami, maize and
was the one under the Ag- cotton. And the engagements
ricultural and Rural Devel- led to the two-month grace
opment Authority (Arda).  period,” he said. 
There’s no post-independence
ascertained demarcation,” “With the issue of com-
Madhuku said. pensation, the community
feels that the company has not
“We have tasked someone been doing anything. They
who can draw us a map of the want 10% of the land taken to
demarcation to accompany be irrigable land, the company
the application.” has been failing to meet that.
There seems to be no supervi-
Efforts to get a comment sion from government and it
from Green Fuel were fruitless is mainly because of corrup-
as the questions sent via email tion.”
were not responded to while
phone calls and messages to Harare North Member of
the person responsible for Parliament and businessman
public relations, Nicole Ra- Allan Markham last year ap-
utenbach, were not answered. proached the High Court
for an order to set aside reg-
Claris Madhuku, a com- ulations for the mandatory
munity representative and blending of anhydrous etha-
director of civil society organ- nol with unleaded petrol.
isation the Platform for Youth
and Community Develop- Markham is challenging the
ment, said the ethanol project constitutionality of the regu-
was supposed to occupy about lations, which made Billy Ra-
5 000 hectares but is now utenbach’s Green Fuel the sole
expected to take up 40 000 supplier of ethanol for blend-
hectares, which is about 60% ing purposes in Zimbabwe.
of the district.
“This is an application I
“So far the areas that are bring before this honourable
being threatened are Chin- court for a declaratory order

Page 9 News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

BERNARD MPOFU Mandela, Mugabe, Masire tried
to reform Eswatini – all in vain
WHEN the late former
South African president Nel- be an executive monarch.  Protesters burning tyres in Eswatini. to Mswati: Look, I told you. 
son Mandela became South- “If king Mswati wanted After being convulsed by
ern African Development The three leaders thought of Foreign affairs. When we Mswati on a number of oc-
Community (Sadc) chair- his role to last, he should serious reform talks on how arrived in Swaziland, instead casions about the future in demonstrations, the author-
person from 1997 to 1999 hand over responsibility for to usher in a democratic dis- of finding the king’s advis- Swaziland. I still have hope ities in  Eswatini have prom-
– replacing his late Botswana governing to the people. pensation in Eswatini were ers, we found a big gathering that he will take the initiative ised “national dialogue” in
counterpart Ketumile Masire However, the trade unions now underway, until Mswati of youth dancing around a and introduce the reforms an attempt to avert further
who had been the only chair in South Africa had been pulled a shocker. kraal. We were given a nice that are needed to provide his unrest; dozens died and
since 1980 before rotation talking with the trade unions lunch and sent on our way,” country with a representative hundreds of businesses were
was introduced – he sought in Swaziland, so the king “As I was flying to the Masire says. government responsive to the burned down in weeks of
to engineer a daring agenda was suspicious of President meeting, I learned from Pres- people.” protest.
to reform Eswatini with his Mandela. President Mande- ident Mugabe and Mandela “We found it very dis-
colleagues. la invited President Mugabe that the king had postponed couraging. But I have not Given the recent violent At the time of Swaziland’s
and me to also talk with the the meeting. I continued on given up. Since retiring as protests and the fierce back- independence in 1968, King
But in vain. king at a second meeting in and joined up with Alfred president, I have had the op- lash in Eswatini, if Masire Sobhuza II had reigned for
Mandela roped in Masire Pretoria.” Nzo, South Africa’s minister portunity to talk with King was alive, he would be saying 65 years. 
and the late former Zim-
babwean president Robert The three statesmen – “He posed a good exam-
Mugabe onto the mission Mandela, Mugabe and Ma- ple of what happens when
to engage King Mswati on sire – met with Mswati for one does not separate tradi-
the political and democratic a critical discussion which tional rule from the rule of a
framework of Swaziland, the would have far-reaching con- modern state. King Sobhuza
country’s name back then.  sequences for Eswatini and was both the head of state
Mandela died in 2013, the region had the king lis- and ruled all citizens, and
Masire in 2017 and Mugabe tened. the head of the Swazi nation,
in 2019. Sadc leaders wanted which included only ethnic
fundamental reforms in Es- “We said to him: ‘Your Swazis; there was often con-
watini, given that the coun- father was able to run Swa- fusion as to which role he
try remains the only absolute ziland as he did only because was playing,” Masire writes. 
monarchy in Africa.  South Africa, Mozambique,
Morocco, ruled by a king Zimbabwe, Botswana and “Before independence,
like Eswatini, is a constitu- Lesotho were all under mi- Swaziland had the most di-
tional monarchy. Officially, nority or colonial regimes. versified economy of the
Morocco says it is a “con- However, all of them are now three High Commission Ter-
stitutional, democratic and democracies in one form or ritories as well as the most
social monarchy”. The mon- another. Today, your people diversified and viable agricul-
archy is very old: the current cannot look at these neigh- ture. However, King Sobhu-
dynasty dates back to the bouring countries without za had no interest in modern
mid-17th century and is the thinking of demanding the democratic institutions. The
oldest surviving ruling family same thing. The demand will king suspended the consti-
in the Arab countries. be there, and it would be tution in 1973 and ruled the
Yet in reality Morocco is better if you pre-empt it and country himself. Swaziland
an authoritarian state where be seen to be willing, rather has not developed either eco-
the monarch – king – wields than being pushed’.” nomically or politically in
great political and economic line with its potential.
influence. Masire continues: “King
In his book, Very Brave or Mswati said he appreciated “When King Sobhuza died
Very Foolish: Memoirs of an what we had said, but he in 1986, he was succeeded
African Diplomat, Masire re- would have to talk with his by King Mswati III, who
counts how Sadc leaders tried advisers. We told him to re- was then only 18 years old.
to engage Mswati to reform member that his advisers had Whereas his father had a long
and move with the times, or vested interests, and what tradition of personal rule
else inevitably face a popular they told him might not be that pre-dated democratic
revolt at some point. because it was good for the institutions in other coun-
“The situation in Swazi- country or good for him, but tries, Mswati became king
land was of concern to others because it was good for them. after other monarchies had
in Sadc,” Masire writes. “Af- We suggested that he let us become constitutional mon-
ter Nelson Mandela became talk with his advisers. He archies, and after democratic
chairman of Sadc (in 1997), agreed, and a date was set.” institutions had taken hold
he went to see King Mswati. throughout the world.
He pointed out that the king
in Lesotho had been over-
thrown because he wanted to

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NewsHawks News Page 10

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

WHISTLE-BLOWERS be- Whistle-blowers cite corruption
hind the case which prompt- in US$680m tax evasion probe
ed the Zimbabwe Revenue …Zimra executives caught lying
Authority (Zimra) to launch requisite tax laws at their
a US$680 million tax eva- been flying between  Zimra the monumental tax evasion indisputable documentary register for tax purposes is it- disposal to tackle this case.
sion investigation involving and the whistle-blowers over practice by Second Nom- evidence which we have al- self a serious violation of the To begin with, when it was
BancABC-linked Second the high-stakes issue. inees (Pvt) Ltd, I submit ready supplied to buttress tax laws. reported that Second Nom-
Nominees (Pvt) Ltd, say tax hereunder the list of the this assertion.” inees was not Zimra regis-
authorities decided to close In the letter dated  1 July various tax laws which were “Fourthly, the company tered and had moved over
the file due to corruption. 2021, written by  Regina wantonly violated by both The letter says that Zim- was using BancABC staff to $680 million as of 2013,
Chinamasa, the commis- the company and Zimra of- ra officials decided to put carry out its activities and Zimra officials were put in a
This comes as the infor- sioner in charge of revenue ficials,” the letter says. their own individual inter- not remitting any PAYE scoring position to fully in-
mants also say Zimra offi- assurance, Zimra said the ests above those of the gov- (pay-as-you-earn) for these vestigate the tax affairs of the
cials should be investigated tax collector  was now basi- “From the information ernment, Treasury and the specified employees who company. But alas, nothing
as they are not telling the cally dropping the case after which we provided together public, thus they must be were double dipping. was done. It is more disturb-
truth when they now claim almost a decade. with the additional informa- investigated for undermin- ing for any right-minded tax
– as they did in an official tion in the modus operandi ing national tax collection “Fifthly, the US$200 Mil- officials to refrain from act-
letter on 1 July – that Sec- The whistle-blowers say of Second Nominees, it is efforts. lion that was used to set up ing when there is evidence
ond Nominees have no tax what Chinamasa wrote is crystal clear that this compa- is a Mauritius-based invest- that the company has violat-
obligations. untrue and amounts to a ny was formed to facilitate “Secondly, the company ment holding company by ed Section 37 of the Income
corrupt cover-up by Zimra self-enrichment through was not keeping any records former BancABC executives Tax Act.
The whistle-blowers, Ev- officials. They say the gov- tax evasion by the minority of its tax affairs as required focusing on private equi-
ans Kujinga and Martin ernment must investigate shareholders of BancABC by Section 37B of the In- ty. To date, that company “Zimra is empowered to
Macharaga, previously re- the issue and truth will in contravention of Section come Tax Act. The failure has invested in oil & gas, do assessments against Sec-
ported Zimra officials to the emerge. Despite Kujinga’s 86 of the Income Tax Act to keep such mandatory re- financial services and real es- ond Nominees in terms of
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption connections and influence, (Chapter 23: 06). It is be- cords was a deliberate and tate, yet Second Nominees, Section 45 if the client was
Commission over tax eva- Zimra has stalled the inves- yond doubt that the com- well-orchestrated plan to which those executives man- not forthcoming. The assess-
sion cases, and corruption tigations. pany was involved in high avoid detection. Any vio- aged, has not been paying ments envisaged in Section
at the associated multi-mil- value non-core banking ac- lation of Section 37B by a tax.” 45 are mandatory and more
lion-dollar whistle-blowing One source said intermit- tivities of BancABC. company is a serious offence so when we had provided a
fund. tent clashes between Kujin- and our courts of law have The whistle-blowers say six-paged bank statement
ga  and Macharaga – who “Despite the hard evi- openly deprecated such ille- they provided Zimra with that showed US$1 billion
The two whistle-blow- are frenemies – also stymied dence which we had provid- gal practice,” the letter says. well-documented dossiers, had escaped tax and result-
ers stood to get 10% of the the probe. ed in 2013, our report could including a six-page bank ing in a prejudice of over
recovered tax obligations not see the light of day be- “Thirdly, when we report- statement, but there was no US$200 million to the fis-
involving US$680 million In a letter to the then cause the Zimra top brass ed this Section 34B in 2013 meaningful action taken by cus.
worth of transactions. Zimra chairperson Callisto was blinded by the easy ac- Second Nominees was not the tax authority.
Jokonya on 16 July 2019, cess to loan facilities which even registered with Zimra “Zimra had been sup-
The whistle-blowers say Macharaga said the case had were advanced by the bank for tax purposes. The com- “This is a clear case of plied with a bank statement
contrary to what the Zimra been stalled due to “gross vi- and which in the strictest pany was not filing any re- dereliction of duty and cor- and was empowered to treat
authorities are now saying, olation of tax laws and cor- sense were bribes meant to turns as required by Section ruption by those charged all the amounts reflecting
there is evidence to show ruption in the Section 34B shield the company’s filthy 37 of the Income Tax Act with the administration of thereon as income in terms
that Second Nominees has case of Second Nominees”.  tax affairs from the tax radar and was thus not paying In- Section 34B cases,” the letter of Sections 8,10, and 12 to
accepted its tax obligations, of Zimra. There is sufficient come Tax, withholding tax, says.  come up with an estimate
hence it had by 2016 paid “Subsequent to the last Vat and Paye. The failure to of the tax liability. These
just over US$1 million detailed letter to you dated “Zimra officials had all sections are known as the
(US$1 084 001 to be pre- 04 March 2019 regarding necessary tools of trade and deeming provisions, and it
cise), according to Zimra’s is strange that no such effort
internal audit seen by The or attempt was done by the
NewsHawks. They also say, Zimra officials.
to date, Second Nominees
have actually paid US$7 The letter says Zimra offi-
million. This means Zim- cials, Chinamasa in this case,
ra owes the whistle-blowers were not telling the truth
US$700 000. when they say the company
had no tax liabilities.
As a result, Zimra offi-
cials are “telling lies” that “Chairman, we are reli-
the company has no tax li- ably informed that Second
abilities, the whistle-blowers Nominees have cumulative-
charge. The informants also ly paid Zimra US$7 million
say they have discovered in taxes from 2014 to date.
Zimra is misleading them This payment was made as
when it says it had been a direct result of the infor-
investigating Second Nom- mation and report which we
inees as no serious probe supplied to Zimra in 2013
had ever been conducted as in terms of Section 34B (2)
the tax collector’s executives of the Revenue Authority
had been compromised with Act (Chapter 23:11). “How-
loans and other induce- ever, for some unknown rea-
ments. sons and in contravention of
the said Act and the contract
The whistle-blowers say entered by us and the Com-
Zimra executives  got loans missioner-General (Faith
from BancABC and dropped Mazani at the time), Zimra
the case, a move which they has concealed this trans-
say technically amounts to action from us and has de-
bribery and hush money. prived us of our 10% mon-
etary reward. What it means
So the only checks that is that Zimra has benefitted
were done on the issue were from our information, but is
merely designed to help now depriving us of our law-
Zimra authorities to lever- ful entitlement.”
age the case against Second
Nominees for self-interest, Zimra has not been reply-
they say. ing to enquiries from The
NewsHawks.
Zimra has been prevar-
icating over the Second —STAFF WRITER.
Nominees investigation
since 2013, but last week
wrote to the whistle-blow-
ers, saying the company had
no tax obligations, thus case
closed. 

A number of meetings
have been held and numer-
ous communications  have

Page 11 News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

FARMERS at Kershelmar Seizing productive farms sure
Farms, generally known as move to sabotage agriculture
Esidakeni, in Nyamandl-
ovu, continued  planting this
week amid growing threats by
Zanu PF leaders, including
Matabeleland North  provin-
cial minister of state Richard
Moyo and party secretary for
administration Obert Mpofu,
to seize the land from its legal
owners.
Central Intelligence
co-deputy director-general
Gatsha Mazithulela is said to
be one of the agitators for the
unlawful farm seizure behind
the scenes.
This came as one of Moyo’s
cronies, Bulawayo business-
man Dumisani Madzivanyati,
who runs E68 Bar in Leeside
in the second city, invaded
the farm and attacked one of
the farm owners  Zephaniah
Dhlamini with a log in a bid
to bulldoze his way onto the
property to start pegging  his
portion that he claims he was
allocated by provincial offi-
cials.
Madzivanyati, without any
legally valid documents and
justification, arrived at the
farm and  tried to peg where
the owners are planting eight
million onions. That result-
ed in physical  confrontation
between him, farm managers
and workers.
Moyo and Mpofu are al-
ready unlawfully resettling
their associates, friends and
relatives on  other people’s
property in a brazen violation
of the law, the rule of law and
property rights. 
Their actions are also fur-
ther damaging investor con-
fidence as they reinforce the
perception of  Zimbabwe
being a hostile business envi-
ronment, while making gov-
ernment’s international re-en-
gagement more harder. Kershelmar Farm (Esidakeni) in Nyamandlovu.

Kershelmar Farm is owned indigenous black Zimbabwe- see parked inside the field, at- The farm owners recently “We risk suffering irrepara- urban residential properties
by Siphosami Malunga, ans cannot be taken. There is tacked Dhlamini with a log. wrote a letter to Lands and ble loss from all this. We have as collateral) to implement an
Dhlamini and Charles Moyo, a court judgement to that ef- We hold Moyo and those he Agriculture minister Anxious invested over US$100 000 intensive winter/summer hor-
each controlling a third of all fect already. is working with criminally li- Masuku,  explaining their this year alone and have crops ticultural programme which
the allotted shares. This means able.”  ownership of the land and the at different stages of maturity involves utilisation of 55ha of
directors and shareholders of “So Richard Moyo, pro- threat to production, as well including 8 hectares of onion, the arable land (see attached
the company that owns the vincial minister for Matabele- However, after the distur- as potential losses they might six hectares  of butternut and cropping programme). This
farm are black Zimbabweans. land North, sent Dumisani bance there was peace at the suffer if the invaders’ illegal six hectares of tomatoes (150 is supposed to yield gross re-
They have the title deed to the Madzivanyati  with whom farm yesterday as invaders did activities are allowed to con- 000 plants ) currently being turns of over ZW$60 million
property. he has a corrupt relationship not return. tinue. planted,” the letter says. between now and April 2022.
The owners of Kershelmar to peg exactly where we are We cannot be said to be un-
Farms (Pvt) Limited – which planting eight million  on- “Today was a quiet day at Malunga, Dhlamini and “There are allegations that der-utilising the land.”
legally owns Kershelmar Farm ions,” Malunga wrote on so- Esidakeni,” Malunga wrote. Moyo said the disruptions we are under-utilising the
– are  currently preparing cial media on Wednesday. “We used the opportunity to could sabotage production farm which is 530ha. We The letter says the minis-
a court application to stop plant our  onions using state- and inflict further damage on would like to bring to your at- ter was clearly being misled
Moyo, other authorities and “The lands officials say the of-the-art pneumatic fine seed commercial agriculture. tention that only 85ha of this by provincial officials lying to
their supporters from interfer- instruction to peg specifically planter which plants one mil- land is arable and irrigable. him and exposing government
ing in or grabbing their land. came from Moyo, not them.  lion onion seeds  per hectare Masuku has distanced him- to justify illegally seizing the
Legally, land belonging to with amazing precision. self from the farm grab, saying “We have invested ZW$10 farm.
Madzivanyati, who also it was provincial officials  re- million of borrowed funds
runs E68 Bar and Grill in Meanwhile, the trellising of sponsible. from local banks (using our — STAFF WRITER.
Leeside, whose car you can tomato crop continues.”

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NewsHawks News Page 12

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Fired judge hands over unclosed files

FORMER High Court judge murder and Ndewere needed against a convicted thief, in the Majecha case, Ndew- Justice Erica Ndewere tion made by the tribunal as
Erica Ndewere, who was to conduct discussions with Kenneth Majecha, substitut- ere took five months before written judgement of the tri- she will need it if she is to file
fired for incompetence, has assessors, but failed to do so ing it with an order for the reviewing it in October yet it bunal’s decision. an appeal or demand a review
handed over six cases she after they were assigned new trial magistrate to consider had been brought before her of the judgement.
was handling to the acting work. community service. in May. In her application made on
Judge President, Mary Zim- Wednesday, Ndewere cited “This is an urgent cham-
ba-Dube. Just as in the cases above, In coming up with the The JSC also says Ndewere Mnangagwa, the three-mem- ber application for an order
Ndewere said she failed to decision, Ndewere consid- failed to meet the expected ber tribunal comprising compelling the respondents
Ndewere was fired by dispose of her cases following ered that the convict was a standards of a judge in that Mubako as well as lawyers to provide me with a copy of
President Emmerson Mnan- suspension. youthful offender and had on 7 July 2017. Yvonne Masvora and Charles the determination made by
gagwa on 18 June for “gross no previous conviction, but Warara as respondents. the tribunal made up of the
incompetence” following a “I was in the bail court it was later established that Meanwhile, the handing 2nd to 4th respondents…
tribunal hearing which found from September to October Majecha had been convicted over was done at a time the She also cited the JSC and
her guilty on the allegations 2020. So, when I got sus- thrice before. former judge also has ap- Justice minister Ziyambi Zi- “In terms of the Judicial
levelled against her. pended in November, I had proached the High Court yambi. Service Act [Chapter 7:18],
some outstanding bail deci- The second complaint with an urgent chamber I am entitled to appeal any
A three-member tribunal sions. I sought clarification against the fired judge is that application seeking the full Ndewere is claiming that decision with which I am
led by retired Justice Sim- from the judge president on she has a legal right to the aggrieved, and I can only do
bi Mubako, made recom- how to proceed on outstand- full and written determina- this if I am aware of the rea-
mendations for the judge’s ing judgements. So, there are sons why such decision was
removal from the esteemed judgements whose records I arrived at.”
bench after a fully contested returned when judgements
tribunal hearing. were handed down during Ndewere also claims that
my suspension,” she wrote, the JSC, Ziyambi and all
She became the second further stating that she will those concerned with the
judge to be fired under Pres- add more cases after check- tribunal should comply with
ident Mnangagwa’s admin- ing references with the clerk her demand for a copy of the
istration after the Supreme of court. tribunal’s judgement as it is
Court’s Justice Francis Bere, her constitutional right.
who was sacked for gross Ndewere was accused by
misconduct in October last the Judicial Service Commis- “In addition, in terms of
year. sion (JSC) of being incompe- the Administrative Justice
tent and delaying in writing Act as read with Section 68
The cases she handed over judgements which made her of the Constitution of Zim-
on 21 June this year include unfit to hold office. babwe, I am entitled to be
one between the state and given promptly and in writ-
Kasikai and Pasca Goodzi But she had denied the ing the reasons why the Tri-
, Judah Chikove, Patrick charges against her, claim- bunal came to the conclusion
Mhondiwa, Chido Mtetwa, ing that Chief Justice Luke that it did.
Allen Marimbe as well as Malaba was victimising her
some bail judgements. after she defied his unlawful “I therefore contend that I
orders. have clear rights in terms of
The case against the Section 68 of the Constitu-
Goodzis was filed in March She even made several tion and the Judicial Service
2020 before the country’s unsuccessful interlocutory Act…”
initial lockdown. The ac- applications to quash the in-
cused failed to attend court quiry, including contesting She is demanding that the
due to transport challenges, the legality of the tribunal respondents give her a copy
resulting in arrest warrants appointed to probe her suit- of the written decision with-
being issued against them. ability to continue in office in 24 hours of the service of
after she openly accused the the order as there is a limited
Ndewere was suspended head of the judiciary of em- time frame within which she
before she could attend to ploying double standards. can file an appeal.
the matter which was now
due for bail determination. Ndewere was accused of The matter is yet to be
quashing a prison sentence heard.
The case of Chikove was of
— STAFF WRITER.

KWEKWE-BASED Former Tiger Reef employees considering they are owing us
Homestake Mining and Techni- evicted from company houses some money. I have been with
cal Services (Pvt) Ltd is evicting the company for 40 years since
the former employees of one of on those bases. Another group “However, those arguments cation date,” acting human re- May 2020 to vacate the com- I came to this country from
its mines, Tiger Reef, from com- is that of the former employees have been thrown away by the sources manager Ephert Lungu pany house. The company took Malawi. I gave my all to the
pany houses. of the company and they were courts and evictions are going said in one of the letters written into consideration the Covid-19 company, only to be thrown out
staying in those houses as em- to continue as per judgement to a former employee.  pandemic and let you stay until like this. It’s incorrect for the
Homestake is Tiger Reef’s ployees and upon termination from the courts. We started the the situation improved,” Lungu company to say they settled our
parent company.  of their contracts they became evictions at the end of March. In September, the company said to another employee in a terminal benefits because as far
tenants and were failing to pay However, we discovered that the in further correspondence to letter gleaned by this publica- as I am concerned the company
Tiger Reef, which stopped rentals. Meanwhile, another tenants don’t want to move for the employees gave some final tion.  The employees, some of is owing me and I am going to
operations nearly a decade ago group was of those whose con- one reason or another,” Mutatu warnings. whom are of Malawian, Zam- contest this eviction,” one of the
leaving about 400 of its em- tracts were recently terminated. said. bian and Mozambican origin, former workers, Biggy Banda,
ployees in destitution, has been As part of their retrenchment “Notice to vacate company were later given up to 1 Octo- said. 
retrenching ex-employees as the packages, they were given a Documents in the possession accommodation following your ber 2020 to vacate the company
company, which was owned by choice to take the houses or oth- of this publication indicate that retrenchment from Homestake premises.  A proportional representation
LW John, is now under judicial er offers as they were on salary the former employees were giv- Mining and Technical Services legislator for Kwekwe, Persever-
management.  arrears. I may not be specific on en notice to vacate the company (Pvt) Ltd on 28 February 2017, The evictions began in March ance Zhou, said Homestake is
how many are facing eviction accommodation in late Febru- notice is hereby given in terms of this year and had to be briefly supposed to exercise leniency
Judicial manager Francis and who they are, but what i ary 2020. the retrenchment conditions for stopped after a court application during this winter period, espe-
Chingozho has assumed charge know is we have court orders to you to vacate company accom- by the former workers. cially to women and children. 
of the company while for- evict,” he said. “Our records indicated that modation. Our records indicate
mer Homestake executives are you were fully paid your out- that you were fully paid your The ex-workers and tenants “We are not against the law,
among those retrenched or serv- He said some of the affect- standing terminal benefits. You outstanding formal benefits on however lost the case at the if the ex-workers or the ten-
ing on a contract basis. ed individuals are contesting are hereby given three months’ 14 January 2020. In addition to Kwekwe magistrates’ courts. ants are to be evicted it must
the evictions in courts, arguing notice with effect from 1 March the above, you were served with Some are still contesting the be done lawfully. However, it is
Homestake company lawyer that they were not given enough 2020 to the 31st of March 2020 a letter on 27th February 2020, matter before the courts.  painful to see that the company
Valentine Mutatu confirmed time. to vacate. A premises inspection giving you 3 months’ notice ef- is throwing out some widows,
the evictions.  should be done day before a va- fective 1st March 2020 to 31st “I don’t know where the some mothers with suckling ba-
company expects us to go, bies into the cold. Where does
“There are three types of peo- the company expect these peo-
ple who are in the occupation of ple to go during this winter pe-
those houses,” Mutatu said. riod? There is really need for the
company to exercise clemency,”
“The first group is of people she said. — STAFF WRITER.
who were never employees of
the company and are tenants but
had failed to pay their monthly
rentals so they are being evicted

Page 13 News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Mwenezi farmer protests land seizure

MORRIS BISHI timatum. This was done and ironically the farm is the government more than tum he issued his workers Mwenezi lands officer is
after they had made some lying idle,” said the gov- 10 days after delivering the to vacate the farm. still silent after the lapse of
MWENEZI farmer Shel- local community members ernment official. Lucas told letter in Masvingo. He also the deadline which he gave
ton Lucas, who is facing to sign a petition after they The NewsHawks that he is said Vurayayi is still silent “I am yet to get a re- to my workers who are still
eviction from Battlefields bribed them with beer and yet to get a response from after the two-week ultima- sponse after l submitted the at the farm,” said Lucas.
Farm which he acquired it was after Vurayayi’s mis- letter here in Masvingo. The
under the land reform pro- representation of the facts
gramme, has written a letter to the community that SUPERLIFE
to senior government offi- Mutema had bought the
cials complaining about the property. STC30
behaviour of district lands
officer Boas Vurayayi and “…He was once arrest- As we age our stemcells (basic building blocks in our body for repair
accusing him of corruption. ed for selling land but was processes), like other cells, they age, get weakened, die and get depleted in
however rescued by poli-
On 18 June 2021, Vu- ticians during the (former process (owing to the heavy toll our lifestyle has on them)
rayayi visited the farm in president Robert) Mugabe
the company of Nyika busi- era. His intended move to STC30 stemcell supplement, made to allow your body to regenerate, heal
nessman Leornard Mute- withdraw my lease is part of itself and deal effectively with:
ma and instructed workers his ploy since he is intend-
at the farm to leave the ing to benefit from Mute- Ÿ Arthritis Ÿ Cysts
714-hectare property with- ma. Ÿ Diabetes
in two weeks. He told them Ÿ Acids Ÿ Skin Disease
that Mutema bought the “When there is a with- Ÿ Allergies
property from the govern- drawal according to the Ÿ Eyesight Problems, Prostrate Disorder Ÿ ETC
ment. Act there should be an in-
tention first and the bene- WhatsAPP +263 71 379 6159
Lucas, who is the Zim- ficiary is given some ample
babwean partner of Ger- time to respond. Vurayayi is
man investment company being blinded by incentives
Deutsch Connect, is un- which he is getting  from
dertaking agricultural ac- Mutema,” reads part of the
tivities at Battlefields Farm letter.
through his local  process of
setting up a US$70 million Minister of State for
farming and training proj- Masvingo Chadzamira was
ect which is projected to not answering phone calls.
benefit 30 000 people with- Provincial lands officer
in five years. A letter dated Mumera said she was was
28 June 2021 seen by The not privileged to comment
NewsHawks addressed to over the matter. However, a
Masvingo provincial lands senior government official
officer Tendai Mumera and in Masvingo told The New-
copied to the minister of sHawks that the develop-
State for Masvingo Ezra ments at Battlefields Farm
Chadzamira, secretary for are similar to other land
Lands John Bhasera and the issues in the country where
President’s Office, Lucas greedy senior government
accused Vurayayi of misrep- officials are abusing their
resenting facts to the sur- power for personal benefit.
rounding communities and
forging signatures on a pe- He said there are politi-
tition aimed at forcing him cians in the province who
to vacate the farm. are behind Mutema’s in-
tended acquisition of the
He also alleged Vurayayi, farm.
who was once arrested for
selling land, is being paid “Greed is behind the de-
by Mutema, adding that velopments around Battle-
government procedure on fields. You can call them,
land withdrawal is not be- but they will not give you
ing followed in his case. details. There are many in-
cidents of that nature in
“This letter serves to in- the country where locals
form you that Mr Vurayayi are being evicted from the
and Mr Mutema went to farms which they legally
Battlefields Farm on 18 acquired during the land
June and proceeded to give reform. If you look at this
my workers a 14-day ul- case, Mutema owns a farm
which is near Battlefields

NewsHawks Feature Page 14

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Lockdown boon for boot sales

BERNARD MPOFU

IT IS almost sunset on a A vendor is seen selling his wares from the boot of his car in Harare.
chilly winter’s afternoon
and some people are ex- battles with authorities a third wave of infections we are coming from a terventions that are not at 54 474, with 40 239
iting a popular supermar- have become the order which has seen fatalities situation where most In- guided by policy, as they recoveries and 1 878
ket in Harare’s Mabel- of the day. Last year, the also surging in the past formal traders were strug- are then subject to abuse deaths. The recovery rate
reign suburb while others High Court ordered the few weeks. Mutsvangwa gling to restock after the and patronage due to the stands at 74%, with 97%
look disappointed after security services to stop said the cabinet resolved initial lockdowns and lack of safeguards. We of Covid-19 positive cas-
failing to make it on time assaulting citizens during to introduce stringent this latest one has simply have in the past tabled a es being attributable to
for shopping. the lockdown. measures due to high exacerbated our plight,” policy paper on a com- local transmission. The
levels of complacency in Wadzai said. prehensive social security number of active cases
After enduring the first With property owners observing World Health scheme proposal for the stands at 12 357.
national Covid-19 lock- not extending any re- Organisation protocols. “We are further wit- informal sector and have
down in 2020, many prieve to the long-suffer- nessing that the dem- availed ourselves for con- “The nation is in-
are now accustomed to ing Zimbabweans, hus- “Cabinet has directed olitions that are being sultations with Minister formed that the surge re-
the drill: those in queues tling and moonlighting that the Treasury urgently conducted by local au- Mavima’s ministry, some- ported the previous week
must maintain a safe dis- has become the only way releases the first tranche thorities have caused a thing we hope he will continued, with a total
tance of one metre apart, to eke out a living.  of ZW$368.2 million it lot of suffering for the take us up on.” of 8 042 cases recorded
get their body tempera- had committed towards already crippled informal during the period under
ture checked by the shop On Tuesday, the gov- funding the enforcement sector. What is needed is The World Bank this review, compared to 3
assistant who then sprays ernment introduced fur- of Level 4 lockdown mea- an inclusive approach in year sees the Zimbabwean 882 reported the previ-
hand sanitiser and they ther restrictions when it sures,” said Mutsvangwa.  addressing the challenges economy recovering from ous week. This represents
are good to go. announced that non-es- being faced by players in two years of contraction a 107% increase. As you
sential workers getting Samuel Wadzai, Ven- the sector not demolition which was triggered by an might be aware the en-
Momentarily, a few cars into town will, with im- dors Initiative for Social of markets.   El Ninõ-induced drought tire country is now under
are seen pulling over and, mediate effect, b e re- and Economic Transfor- and Covid-19. Zimba- Level 4 lockdown, follow-
before long, car boots quired to present exemp- mation leader, says ven- “The government bwe is experiencing a ing the surge in Covid-19
are opened and business tion letters of travel at dors who are not covered needs to come in and third wave of Covid-19 cases. The worst affected
commences again. The Covid-19 security check- by the government’s so- inject money into the in- infections and the coun- provinces are Mashona-
boots are full of agricul- points as the authorities cial safety nets continue formal sector and assist try has for nearly three land West (2 114), Mash-
tural commodities being tighten restrictions to to bear the brunt of eco- players in the sector to weeks been recording onaland Central (2 957);
sold to passersby. Some slow down the spread of nomic turmoil caused by rekindle their operations. double-digit fatalities. Harare Metropolitan (1
cars are discretely selling the disease, the Infor- lockdowns. It is our considered belief 041) Mashonaland East
alcoholic beverages as po- mation minister Moni- that social security for the Official figures show (847), and Midlands
lice officers ensure that ca Mutsvangwa has an- “The fact that we are informal sector should that as at 4 July 2021, (848),” the Information
bars remain closed. nounced. unable to go to markets not be done through Zimbabwe’s cumulative minister said.
and operate means re- haphazard piecemeal in- Covid-19 cases stood
For some astute traders, The country is battling duced income. Already,
social media platforms
have become marketing
tools for selling goods
that many cannot buy
when shops close at 3pm
in line with the Covid-19
restrictions. 

The Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe last year re-
laxed its exchange con-
trol allowing the public
to use hard currencies to
buy basic commodities.
Many retailers — formal
and informal — are now
mopping the few United
States dollars during this
lockdown. A week af-
ter President Emmerson
Mnangagwa announced a
new two-week lockdown
to slow the spread of the
coronavirus, the pandem-
ic appears to have been a
boon for backyard busi-
nesses and boot sales.

While Harare’s cen-
tral business district is
typically deserted after
6pm, some shrewd infor-
mal traders are making a
killing in townships and
neighbourhoods under
the cover of darkness.

Soldiers, who in the
past were manning
checkpoints, are now tak-
ing a lesser role as munic-
ipal police take over. For
vendors with no cars to
sell their wares, running

Page 15 Feature NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

CHIPA GONDITII Zim urban transport crisis
symptom of bad governance
AS cars swarm the streets of
Harare in an effort to beat people can be seen milling a single infection could terminuses also revealed to Norton, are now costing “The problem with the
the Covid-19 curfew-in- around in queues hoping to cause a huge outbreak. that people were strug- ZW$110.  (Zupco) monopoly is that
duced rush hour, Richard be whisked away by the few gling to get transport with we are not served on time,
Tiritoga is oblivious to most Zupco buses available. At the corner of Jason the majority opting to go Meanwhile, pirate kom- they do what they want.
vehicles passing in front of Moyo Avenue and Chin- to undesignated pick-up bis, also known as mushi- Nothing has changed for
him. His keen eyes pay par- Residents from the west- hoyi Street where commut- points along Robert Mug- ka-shika have been cashing us, people are still being
ticular attention to “prom- ern suburbs are not spared ers find cheaper transport abe Street and Fidel Castro in on Zupco’s shortcomings ferried by these pirate tax-
ising vehicles” which could this same fate as Copaca- to Warren Park and nearby Road (formerly Charter). by operating secretly so as is all over Zimbabwe,” he
transport him home.  An bana terminus also resem- suburbs, the intersection is to avoid trouble with the said.
open truck is preferable. bles the Charge Office in teeming with people hop- Some desperate com- police who have merciless-
both sheer multitudes and ing to catch a lift on private muters were even walking ly cracked down on kombis He also challenged the
At 3pm, the streets are general despair at 4pm. cars.  The people here have from the Market Square and taxis not aligned with government to address the
already swarming with peo- no choice but to stare with rank to the Simon Mazo- the parastatal. issue of un-roadworthy ve-
ple eager to go home as cars Zimbabwe is currently undisguised envy at the few rodze Road flyover with the hicles being used by Zupco.
stuck in traffic resemble on Level Four lockdown individuals who are lucky hope of getting transport to In a bid to avoid the
factory assembly lines of due to the Covid-19 pan- enough to be rescued by southern suburbs like Glen police, the mushika-shika “Government must call
different makes and mod- demic which has claimed private motorists. View and Glen Norah. typically park about 300 all stakeholders, the passen-
els. almost 2 000 people. metres away from crowd- gers must be involved, the
“I do not know what the Passengers earlier this ed commuters. A tout em- Central Vehicle Registry
“I like open trucks be- The World Health Or- government wants us to do, week expressed outrage ployed by the driver then (CVR) must be involved
cause they are cheaper,” he ganisation (WHO) advises I came here because I can- over Zupco’s recently dou- shepherds a couple of peo- because we also have a lot
says. people to take  simple pre- not manage the queues at bled fares that are out of the ple from the crowd to the of un-roadworthy vehicles
cautions, such as wearing Copacabana today, if you reach of many, especially at nearby vehicle in exchange which are being hired by
Like many commuters in a mask and maintaining go there now you will no- a time the government has for a small fee. Zupco. 75% of Zupco’s
Harare, he has been forced social distancing so as to tice that there are very long imposed a tough Level Four buses are un-roadworthy
to settle for the cheaper op- curb the spread of the coro- queues and sometimes you lockdown. Passenger Association and these actually pose a
tion due to the state-owned navirus. even spend two hours just of Zimbabwe president danger to passengers,” he
bus company Zupco’s in- waiting for the bus to come. The old ZW$30 bus Tafadzwa Goliath said in- said. Goliath also said poor
ability to provide enough However, the unavailabil- routes like Warren Park and dependent transport oper- planning for the overcrowd-
buses to ferry people to and ity of adequate transport at “Another reason which Sunningdale have doubled ators were actually ferrying ing at bus terminuses were
from town. designated terminuses has actually draws us here is the to ZW$60 while the old more passengers than Zup- potential superspreaders.
seen people risking their fare because if you look at ZW$45 bus routes shot up co despite the ban on pri-
“As you can see, we are lives as they jostle for ve- the new fares you can easily to ZW$90.  vate transporters. “We do not support the
stuck here. If I go to the hicles in crowded spaces. notice that it is out of reach overcrowding of people at
Charge Office (terminus), Transport problems have for many, we simply can- The Zupco kombis, “We do not have enough pick-up points, this is also
there are not enough buses worsened in many cit- not afford it. Government which service shorter routes transport in urban areas a problem which is found
to carry us all to Chitung- ies since the government should reduce these new and used to charge ZW$60, and people are actually in bus ranks and this is
wiza, which only leaves us banned private commuter Zupco fares so that trans- are now charging ZW$80 struggling, especially in against WHO guidelines
with no choice but to seek omnibuses from operating port, especially their kom- with the longer routes Harare. We did a survey on Covid-19. 
transport here at Joina City in March last year, resulting bis, become accessible to costing ZW$120, up from and found out that inde-
(mall). The open trucks are in people spending hours in people,” said Miriam Mu- ZW$90. pendent operators who are “You do not have to
actually a blessing to us be- chaotic queues in disregard fanebadza a Warren Park not allowed to operate are blame passengers but you
cause they charge ZW$50, of social distancing. One resident. The ZW$80 kombi route ferrying 59% of the passen- have to blame the depart-
which is all I can afford,” he is the same as the ZW$60 gers in Harare and Zupco ment of Physical Planning,
says. One disturbing trend A tour of the Simon bus route and the ZW$120 is ferrying around 41% so they are the ones who do
of Covid-19 has been the Muzenda Street (formerly kombi route is the ZW$90 this actually shows that we most of the planning be-
“I stay in Zengeza 3 and growing focus on “super- Fourth) and Market Square bus route.  The longer have a serious crisis. cause it is quite evident that
it is not easy going there spreader events” where even ZW$60 bus routes, such as we need more busses. So
in an open truck because this crowding for transport
Chitungwiza is more than is a superspreader because
20km away from town. Zupco is spreading Covid,”
That is a distance you have he said.
to travel facing the brutal
cold.”  Zupco was founded in
1980.  Before Indepen-
As he narrates his chal- dence, the bus company
lenges, Richard’s prayers are was known as the  Rhode-
soon answered as a 90s-era sia  Bus Company. After
Mazda B1800 pick-up transition, the company
truck stops close by. was renamed to the Zim-
babwe United Passenger
It is suddenly open sea- Company and, by 1993,
son as the truck is quickly Zupco was operating 1 200
filled by passengers eager buses on 426 routes.
to go home, with wom-
en ignoring the niceties However, the parastatal
of etiquette as they jump has since been reduced to
into the vehicle. Like other a pale shadow of its former
commuters, he springs into self due to its failure to pro-
action. vide reliable transport in
the urban sector, let alone
Tiritoga is one of the rural areas. Last year, the
lucky passengers. Settling government opened the
into his spot in the truck Zupco franchise to hand-
came at a price after he was picked private transport-
sworn at for stepping on ers, but urban commuters
someone’s foot as he jostled are suffering immensely in
to hop onto the truck. their hunt for transport.

Someone else who hopes
to replicate Richard’s “for-
tune” quickly replaces the
very spot he was standing
in just a few seconds before.

Charge Office, the ter-
minus where Richard is
supposed to find transport,
resembles a refugee camp as

NewsHawks Feature Page 16

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

VIRGINIA ZIFESHO One man’s rubbish is Besides plastic, metals in-
another man’s treasure cluding aluminium are also
AFTER a long day of toil- being picked for recycling.
ing around Harare’s Budiriro An unidentified woman seen carrying a sack full of used plastic bottles which she sells to recycling firms.
suburb with a 90-kilograme Chief operating officer
sack picking up plastic bot- because of this job. It’s a job bags on the environment agement Agency (Ema) ac- tablish what are called waste of the  Polyethylene Tere-
tles and paper for recycling, that many look down on, but has become one of the most knowledges the role played transfer stations or centres phthalate (PET) Recycling
Agness Kapfupi (37) finally that is what is putting food on pressing environmental issues by plastic collectors and recy- where, rather than them mov- Company (PETRECO) ZIM 
gets home at 3pm with her my table,” Kadzimu says. worldwide. cling companies in preserving ing around picking waste, Tawanda Masuka said plastic
two minor children aged 11 the environment. The agency we want to establish these collectors were playing an im-
and eight. “If you work hard, you Plastic pollution is most- told The NewsHawks it is stations so that people will portant role in providing ma-
get paid well and it’s not on ly visible in underdeveloped  looking at ways of enhancing separate at homes the plas- terial for business.
There is no rest for the trio.  a monthly basis, but when l countries because of improper their work. tic, paper and bio-degradable
As soon as she drops her deliver the plastics l get paid refuse disposal. waste, which will be taken to “We do have a multi-chan-
sack, she gets busy with instantly.”  Ema senior environmen- recycling companies. Willing nel approach to raw material
household chores while the Plastic is slow to degrade tal education and publicity community members will collection. We receive raw
children set up a stall for the The father-of-five makes because of the chemicals used officer Liberty Mugadza said get an incentive for that,” material (waste bottles) from
family’s vending business.  sure that by 8am every day he in manufacturing it and it recycling is the solution to Mugadza said. pretty much everybody. We
“To others it is just mere would have arrived in Hara- affects oceans, land and wa- improper waste management receive the material from
waste, but to me l see money re’s central business district terways. When burnt, plastic in Zimbabwe. “All in pursuit of recycling, individual pickers, coop-
from it,” Kapfupi said, refer- so that he has much time to releases a toxic substance into people are realising that some eratives, community-based
ring to the garbage she had move around the city centre, the air which causes air pol- “At the moment we are in of the products disposed as groups, social enterprises/en-
just collected. picking uo plastic, bond pa- lution. the process of working with waste still have some value.” trepreneurs as well as directly
“When l picked the gar- per and cardboard. community groups to es- from packaging and bottling
bage for the first time last The Environmental Man- companies.”
year, l noticed it’s not bad. l He said there are types of
managed to raise money to plastic which are more lucra- Masuka, who founded
enable me to start a vegetable tive than others, hence the PETRECO in 2011 with
and fruit selling venture to importance of knowing the the motivation to address an
sustain the family. My chil- value of various materials. environmental concern as
dren are also used to the trade flagged by Ema, said his busi-
and sometimes go around “Plastic bottles of Cascade ness has been affected by the
picking up plastic containers and Pfuko Maheu which lockdown.
when l can’t make it.” are classified as high-density
Kapfupi is among many polyethylene (HDPE) are a “We were affected by the
people who have ventured bit profitable and a lot of peo- lockdown as we depend heav-
into the waste management ple go for that, which makes ily on the informal sector for
business at a time economic it difficult to find them,” he raw material feedstock. So,
hardships have been worsened said. access to raw material was
by the Covid-19-induced a big issue but also access to
lockdowns. Despite people like Kap- the end market was a problem
She says the business helps fupi and Kadzimu making a due to restrictions on move-
her fend for the family. It also living out of collecting and ment of people and goods
enables her to play a role in selling plastic, they are also across borders. The reduced
fighting environmental pol- playing a critical role in curb- economic activity also meant
lution, after being motivated ing environmental pollution, reduced raw material inflows
to be productive in a women’s more so at a time the City of and that hurt our business be-
WhatsApp group. Harare is struggling to collect cause we are volume driven.
“With this business, l am refuse. Further, the Covid-19 situ-
guaranteed of profits so it’s a ation added another layer of
business different from sell- Plastic collectors have gone cost to the business through
ing tomatoes as they can get a long way in restoring clean- sanitisation and fumigation
rotten before l sell them and liness in towns and cities. of premises, special transport
experience loss. I don’t need arrangements for employ-
any capital,” she said. Generally, pollution caused ees, PPE (personal protec-
Kapfupi sells the plastic by plastic bottles, paper and tive equipment) and general
bottles to a middleman who Covid-19 compliance costs.”
sells plastic containers to re-
cycling companies in bulk. PETRECO recycles a
“They charge 30 US cents number of products, which
per kg, meaning a 90kg sack has lessoned the costs of pro-
full of these plastics will ducing new material as what
weigh 10kgs which will make is produced remains in circu-
me have US$3,” she says. lation.
It may not be much money
to many Zimbabweans, but “We produce flakes, which
Kapfupi is content. Besides, are an intermediate product
finding the plastics is relative- for plenty of downstream
ly easy, she says. products like duvets, pillows,
“On weekends, l go to polyester yarn for fabrics,
Chivero Dam because l know shirts , bedding, automotive
its a place where people meet components, geotextiles (con-
for different occasions such struction-related products),
as parties, weddings and an- the list is endless,” he said.
niversaries so after they are
done with PET (polyethylene Oleans Waste Management
terephthalate) bottles l pick Services, one of the compa-
them,” she says. nies that work with people
Kapfupi is not the only one who pick up recyclables, also
making a living out of dis- helps households, church-
carded plastic. Blessed Kadzi- es, schools, shopping centres
mu (41) has managed to raise and businesses manage their
his five children from it. waste. 
In his worksuit and gum-
boots, he moves from one Odilo Linzi, the owner of
rubbish bin to another and the firm, said they encourage
from one surburb to anoth- segregation of waste at source
er. Kadzimu said he ventured point through an integrated
into the business way be- waste management system.
fore many people deemed it
worthwhile. “Waste management is
“l can say l have been doing capital intensive but high-
this for the past 12 years and ly  rewarding. We buy some
l am in the process of build- of the stuff from those who
ing my own house in Ruwa move around picking through
paying per kilogramme and
send to recyclers and middle-
men who transport to South
Africa,” he said.

But by far the biggest bene-
ficiary of the recycling work is
the environment, which con-
tributes to healthy living.

Page 17 Feature NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

RUVIMBO MUSIKWE Mother recalls the day when
her newborn baby was stolen
EMMA Monde (35) sits loss when her baby was
on a wooden stool in the stolen by a stranger, sus- to seat because I was in down when he watched Emma Monde. that he helps us through
corner of a three-roomed pected to be a child traf- shock.”   a video showing Gwasha- “It was so painful be- this problem because
house as she washes her ficker.  vanhu explaining how she cause I had just lost an- things have turned sour
baby’s clothes, while two Her husband, Aleck had stolen the baby. other child recently, and for us, but we just put
of her minor children play The baby snatcher, Musakari (40), broke now I was thinking that I it all to God,” Musakari
with other youngsters Christina Gwashavanhu, have given birth to anoth- said.
nearby.  made headline news after er one and this happens,”
she was caught by an alert Monde said. The story has left her
She is uneasy. Monde security guard as she tried Monde never imagined neighbours and the wid-
constantly checks on her escaping with the new- that one day she would er Epworth community
two-year-old daughter, born baby from Epworth almost lose her baby to shell-shocked.
sleeping in the room.  Polyclinic.  child traffickers. 
“I felt so much pain af- After hearing that she
In between play, her el- Gwashavanhu had dis- ter hearing that she want- had given birth safely, the
dest daughter also attends guised herself as a nurse ed to inject the baby and neighbours were stunned
to the baby who is sleep- to gain access to the child.  cut the head so that she as news of her baby’s theft
ing soundly on the cold could get a commuter filtered through.
morning.   Clad in nurse uniform omnibus from the buyers.
and a cap, she sneaked in I can only thank God that “I got so relieved when
The unease is palpable and grabbed the newborn this woman was caught,” I heard that she had deliv-
and Monde has good rea- as Monde slept, recover- Monde said.  ered after losing another
son to be on edge. She is ing from labour fatigue.  “The baby was named child, but the news came
haunted by the traumatic Zvikomborero by the as a shock when we heard
experience of almost los- A teary Monde said: nurses because they be- that she almost lost the
ing her baby to a cunning “When the nurses told me lieve she is truly a bless- baby,” said one neigh-
thief last month, on the that my baby was almost ing.” bour, identified as Mbuya
very day she gave birth. stolen, I could not even Still shaken, Monde ex- Jealousy.
stand, one of the nurses plains how the incident
The mother-of-three had to give me somewhere has created a rift with “We do not even know
reminisces how she lost some family members, how we can protect our
her one-year-old baby in who believe she has bad children from these kinds
August last year after a luck.  of cases so it is best that
short illness.  She however cherish- she is given a life sentence
es her husband’s support and others who commit
On 24 July, Monde suf- throughout the ordeal. the same crime should not
fered another traumatic “They (husband’s rela- be brought be back to the
tives) are saying I should community”. 
go back to the village
since they believe this is Cases of child kidnap-
happening because I must ping and ritual murders
have done something have been rampant in
wrong and that there is no Zimbabwe, with some
one manning our home- found decapitated.
stead.”
Despite the painful or- A seven-year-old Mure-
deal, Monde is grateful wa child, Tapiwa Makore,
to God for protecting her was decapitated last year.
child.  Musakari also be-
lieves the child is safe ow- He lost his life allegedly
ing to divine grace. at the hands of close rela-
“We just pray to God tives that he trusted.

Tapiwa went missing in
September, last year as he
tended to his parents’ gar-
den. His torso was found
the following morning,
with some parts, includ-
ing the head, missing. 

Six suspects, including
relatives, were arrested
while others were ques-
tioned in connection with
the kidnapping and mur-
der. The killers and their
accomplices abducted the
boy, took him to a moun-
tain before murdering
him and then chopping
off his head, arms and
legs at night. At least 1.2
million cases of child traf-
ficking are recorded every
year across the globe.

In November last year,
the police rescued two
children in the compa-
ny of a woman who is
believed to have escaped
into South Africa. 

NewsHawks News Page 18

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Special Covid-19

PANDEMIC coverage

NYASHA CHINGONO Government races to shore up
hospitals as Covid-19 surges
THE government of Zimba-
bwe is racing against time to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals has been admitting 100 critical patients every week and the numbers are expected to rise. Picture: Aaron Ufumeli now require people to book to
build hospital capacity in an- get the vaccine. 
ticipation of a continued surge be expected in line with the At that time, nurses and scale.  their neighbourhoods. 
in Covid cases, with the coun- national picture,” Dhire said.  doctors were also threatening Current hotspots include “Stiffer penalties will be Although the new system
try’s health institutions already to strike over low pay, lack of has had teething problems,
overwhelmed with the num- Although the government protective clothing and sun- Kariba, Chidamoyo, Karoi, imposed for violations,” in- with some unscrupulous indi-
ber of patients on admission.  had swiftly placed the country dries.  Chinhoyi, Guruve, Maronde- cluding revoking the licences viduals and companies bribing
on successive hard lockdowns ra, Murehwa, Chiredzi, Mas- of offending businesses, she their way into vaccination, it
The country officially en- since the first Covid-19 case Current Covid-19 statistics vingo, Kwekwe, Harare and warned.  has managed to decongest the
tered the third wave of the was reported in March last show a grim picture as govern- three areas of Bulawayo north- hospital. 
pandemic at the start of win- year, little had been done to ment battles a surge in peri-ur- ern suburbs, Nkulumane, With infections shooting
ter and the prevalence of the increase hospital capacity, im- ban and rural areas.  Emakhandeni.  up, Zimbabwe’s seven-day Officials feared that people
Delta variant has not made prove oxygen supply and in- rolling average of daily new would contract the corona-
things easier for the struggling tensive care unit (ICU) facili- Although Covid-19 was Zimbabwe this week re- cases quadrupled over the past virus while standing in long
government which was initial- ties for critical patients.  once considered a city prob- turned to a strict lockdown two weeks from 2.04 new cases winding queues where there
ly commended for its swift re- lem, the prevalence of the to combat a resurgence of per 100 000 people on 21 June is hardly any social distancing. 
sponse to the pandemic.  By the time Covid-19 virus in the rural areas shows Covid-19.  to 8.39 new cases per 100 000
claimed its first victim during that no one is spared.  people on 5 July, according to “We are seeing an increase
The country’s major refer- the same month, authorities Despite imposing a night Johns Hopkins University. in the number of people com-
ral hospitals like Parirenyatwa awoke to the fact that the Mashonaland West prov- curfew, reduced business ing to receive their first dose.
and Sally Mugabe in Harare country was ill prepared to ince, especially low-lying ar- hours, localised lockdowns Tuesday was Zimbabwe’s Daily we receive more than
have been recording a surge deal with a surge in cases.  eas like Hurungwe and Karoi, in hotspots and a ban on in- worst day so far in the third 500 people, so we try to con-
in critical patients in need of have been hit hard, heralding ter-city travel, cases have con- wave, with 2 264 new cases gest the hospital through the
intensive care. Mpilo Hospital As panic gripped the public, the deadly third wave triggered tinued increasing. Rural areas, and 34 deaths while the gov- booking system. We however
in Bulawayo has also witnessed some Zimbabweans nursing by the Delta variant.  which used to be safe havens, ernment recorded 706 recov- ask government to redistribute
an increase in Covid-19 pa- Covid-19 patients had to part have become hotspots.  eries.  the vaccines to polyclinics so
tients with officials warning of with large sums of money to Although the government that we decongest this place,”
complacency in the face of a secure beds in private wards has placed Mashonaland West, Information minister Mon- As cases rise, the demand Dhire said. 
devastating wave.  as the public hospitals failed parts of Bulawayo, Kwekwe ica Mutsvangwa this week said for vaccines has also grown,
to accommodate the surging and Mashonaland Central un- Zimbabweans now require let- with Zimbabweans jostling to At Parirenyatwa, scores of
According to officials at numbers.  der localised lockdowns, cases ters from employers to justify get their first and second jab.  people queue to get the vac-
Parirenyatwa, the hospital has have continued an upward why they must venture out of cine, but announcement that
been admitting 100 critical At Parirenyatwa, officials vaccines have run out irks the
patients every week and the impatient crowd. 
numbers are expected to surge
to critical levels.  Some have braved the
morning chill to queue, but
About 450 beds have been it seems their turn will never
allocated for Covid-19 pa- come. 
tients, while other hospitals
around the country are also Part of the problem is at-
creating excess capacity in tributed to companies busing
anticipation of a sharp rise in employees for vaccination.
cases.  Apart from their large num-
bers, they have been accused
Chief coordinator if the na- by restless crowds of jumping
tional Covid-19 taskforce Dr the queue. 
Agnes Mahomva said the min-
istry of Health is working with “I came here at 4.30am
medical facilities around the and should have been gone by
country to increase capacity.  now, but I am still at the end
of the queue. There are people
“We have been witnessing with uniforms who have just
a surge in cases and deaths, been going in and out. We de-
hence we are building capacity. mand an explanation now,” a
Parirenyatwa, for example, has resident shouted. 
over 400 beds designated for
Covid-19, and we have been Zimbabwe aims to vacci-
pushing our teams around the nate 60% of the population by
provinces to also create capac- December to achieve herd im-
ity,” Mahomva told The New- munity, but vaccine shortages
sHawks.  have blighted an otherwise
good start to the national roll-
Parirenyatwa Group of out in February. 
Hospitals head of public rela-
tions Linos Dhire confirmed So far, Zimbabwe has re-
that the hospitals had wit- ceived 2.26 million doses, the
nessed a surge in admissions last 500 000 having arrived
and patients seeking Covid-19 just under two weeks ago. This
treatment.  week’s shipment of 2 million
doses from China almost dou-
While the majority recuper- bles the total vaccine imports
ate at home, numbers of crit- to 4.26 million.
ical patients needing hospital
care have also increased.  This is expected to boost the
vaccine outreach programme,
“There has been a surge as the country desperately
in in the number of patients needs to return to normalcy.
coming to the hospital. Our
hospital has 450 beds ready,
and we had as of last week ad-
mitted 100 patients. However,
everything is under control as
of now, but another surge is to

Page 19 News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Zim govt ment day schools and those
channels with limited infrastructure,
ZW$368m in controlling the spread of
to Covid-19 the coronavirus.

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE West, Mashonaland Cen- Two million covid -19 Covax vaccines bought from China arrived at Robert Mugabe Interna- “The Ministry of Primary
tral, Harare Metropolitan, tional Airport on Thursday. and Secondary Education
CABINET this week di- Mashonaland East and the is working on modalities
rected Treasury to urgently Midlands. “There are inadequate cated that there is erratic headcount limits. to enable a blend of face-
release ZW$368.2 million tools of trade such as desk- fuel supply and inadequate “While village health to-face classroom learning,
it had committed towards Reports from provinces tops, laptops and vehicles vehicles for operations.” remote learning at home
funding the enforcement to cabinet indicated mas- including provision of ade- workers are playing their and in communities, as
of Level Four lockdown sive shortages that might quate data to ensure com- This comes as the coun- part in educating villag- well as alternative learning
measures, as hospitals and affect health institutions’ pliance by civil servants to try has recorded 21% oc- ers, we implore traditional platforms, such as e-learn-
government departments response to Covid-19. the 40% staff requirements cupancy rate in Covid-19 leaders to be more visible ing, radio and television,”
face shortages of personal and all efforts are being hospital admissions. and forceful in the enforce- cabinet said in the briefing.
protective equipment and “Shortage of some PPE made to redress the situa- ment of lockdown regula-
other critical supplies.  (protective clothing); mis- tion. Cabinet expressed con- tions.” Cabinet also announced
information on vaccines cern on how funerals have the dispatching of eight
Zimbabwe is experienc- about their alleged nega- “There is poor network become superspreaders in The government will also oxygen concentrators and
ing a third-wave spike in tive effects; and shortage of connectivity for both staff the provinces, mandat- be dispatching inspectors 1 420 pulse oximeters to
Covid-19 infections, with healthcare workers at some reporting for duty and those ing environmental health to assess the preparedness provincial and district hos-
the government imposing stations. Some district hos- working from home. Some workers and the police to of primary and secondary pitals, in support of the vir-
national lockdown mea- pitals, such as Nyanga and provincial taskforces indi- up their game in the en- schools, particularly board- tual hospitals concept. 
sures to curb the spread of Chipinge, require bulk ox- forcement of mandatory ing schools, high-enrol-
the coronavirus including ygen tanks, while some like “The ministry is in the
prohibiting gatherings, in- Zvimba in Mashonaland process of procuring 3 000
ter-city travel and impos- West, Plumtree and Gwan- oxygen concentrators, pulse
ing a 6pm to 6am curfew.  da in Matabeleland South oximeters, thermometers,
require functional isola- glucometers and blood
According to Tuesday’s tion centres.  Construction pressure machines for the
post-cabinet briefing, there works at Mvurwi Hospital virtual hospital concept. 
was a 107% increase in in Mashonaland Central The nation is also informed
cases recorded during the province should be expedi- that the distribution of
week. tiously completed to meet the Sinopharm vaccine to
the current rising demand,” provinces commenced on
The worst affected prov- the cabinet briefing read. Friday 2 July 2021. 
inces are Mashonaland
“Every province received
15 000 first doses except
for Harare metropolitan,
Manicaland and Mashona-
land West provinces which
received 20 000 doses each.
The nation is advised that
a total of 2 000 000 doses
procured from the People’s
Republic of China are ex-
pected in the country by
the 8th of July, 2021,” cab-
inet said.

BERNARD MPOFU Ugandan variant detected in Zim was present in Zimbabwe in
both December 2020, and Jan-
A STUDY conducted by The of SARS-CoV-2 by genome with multiple separate intro- increased transmissibility, re- in December, but was not ob- uary 2021,” the report reads.
Lancet Microbe medical jour- sequencing in Zimbabwe be- ductions. Zimbabwe is the sec- sulting in overwhelmed health- served in 104 sequenced cases
nal in March has shown that a tween December 2020, and ond country other than South care systems and in higher mor- in January. Thirdly, a variant “In conclusion, variants with
Covid-19 variant first detect- January, 2021 (the period of Africa to report B.1.351 as the tality than the first wave.  designated C.2 and contain- concerning mutations identi-
ed in Uganda was detected in the so-called second wave), has dominant variant to date.” ing a spike protein mutation fied in December 2020, and
Zimbabwe during the second identified that variants with “Secondly, the A.23.1 vari- (N501T) that was previously January 2021, have replaced
wave of infections although of- concerning mutations are prev- As in other countries, this ant of concern, first reported reported in another lineage of previously identified lineages
ficial genome sequencing is yet alent in sequenced samples. In variant, the report further in Uganda, was observed in 3 SARS-CoV-2 found in mink in Zimbabwe. This observation
to prove that. December 2020, 95 (89%) of states, has been associated with (3%) of 107 sequenced cases highlights the importance of
107 sequenced cases contained global surveillance by whole-ge-
The southern African coun- mutations of concern, rising to nome sequencing of SARS-
try has in recent weeks been hit 102 (98%) of 104 in January CoV-2 to identify sources and
by a surge in new infections and 2021. The identified variants transmission routes, and to
mortality with expects blaming included the previously report- provide supporting evidence for
this on low adherence to World ed B.1.351 (501Y.V2) and policy decisions.”
Health Organisation protocols. A.23.1 variants, along with a
Before this, the government en- novel variant under investiga- Meanwhile, a study carried
forced a lockdown in January tion (C.2),” the report says. by the Ministry of Health has
following a second wave of in- shown that 80% of Covid-19
fections. The B.1.1.7, B.1.525, P.1, cases which were reported in
and P.2 variants were not identi- Zimbabwe after the Christmas
The research by The Lancet fied in Zimbabwe. Variants with holidays were linked to a vari-
Microbe has shown that Zim- concerning mutations have all ant first reported in South Af-
babwe has variants of concern. replaced previously identified rica.
lineages in Zimbabwe.
According to the report, less According to research con-
than 5% (23 815 of 537 360) of Firstly, the B.1.351 variant of ducted by the country’s nation-
public SARS-CoV-2 genomes concern, originally identified in al Covid-19 coordinator, Dr
are from low-income and mid- South Africa, accounted for 74 Agnes Mahomva, Zimbabwe’s
dle-income countries, where (69%) of 107 sequenced cas- sequencing done during the
80% of the world’s population es in December, 2020, and 99 second wave confirmed that
resides and has been similarly (95%) of 104 sequenced cases the Beta variant accounted for
affected by Covid-19. The re- in January, 2021. The popula- 80% of the cases which were
cent worldwide spread of vari- tion structure was consistent reported. The ancestral variant,
ants of concern has highlighted first reported in Wuhan, China,
the need for global vigilance. in 2019, the report showed, ac-
counted for 20%.
“Prospective surveillance

NewsHawks Editorial & Opinion Page 20

Issue 38, 9 July 2021 CARTOON

Stark realities
of state capture

WHEN a government uses lies as an instrument of Judges must recuse themselves
public policy, it has lost all credibility and must not
be taken seriously. ONE of the fundamental principles of Mnangagwa should there be another elec- ter. On 4 June, Mupungu, represented by
natural justice is  nemo judex in causa sua toral dispute. Lovemore Madhuku Lawyers, approached
If the long-suffering citizens choose to continue (one can’t be a judge in their own cause), the ConCourt seeking an order nullifying
believing the naked lies, then the joke is on them. widely considered a sine qua non to an in- Malaba led a Constitutional Court the declaratur granted by Zhou, Mushore
dependent and reliable judicial system.  (ConCourt) bench that rescued Mnangag- and Charehwa.
Kuvimba Mining House, the government’s new wa against main opposition MDC Alliance
mining investment vehicle, this week issued a state- This principle is meant not merely to leader Nelson Chamisa. In a move that further complicated the
ment in response to a 38-page investigative report prevent potential wrong-doers from con- conundrum, Mupungu omitted to cite
by an anti-corruption NGO, The Sentry. The report doning their misdeeds by judging the va- The High Court judgement triggered Malaba, Gwaunza and all the judges of the
details the hidden business practices of the oligarch lidity of their actions, but also, and more official outrage, a series of judicial battles Supreme Court and ConCourt party to
and presidential adviser Kudakwashe Tagwirei. importantly, to preserve public confidence and a constitutional crisis that still needs the High Court matter.
in the sanctity and independence of the to be resolved as most ConCourt and Su-
Despite Kuvimba’s statement, questions remain judiciary. preme Court judges were cited as respon- He only cited Justice minister Ziyambi
unanswered. Far from allaying fears of state capture, dents in the High Court case. Ziyambi, the Judicial Service Commission
the statement has in fact roused further suspicion. Natural justice encompasses two im- (JSC), Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO
portant principles:  nemo judex in causa Initially all superior courts judges were Forum executive Musa Kika, Young Law-
How come mining assets bought by sua (no one should be a judge in his or her cited in the High Court matter, but Mnan- yers Association of Zimbabwe (YLAZ),
Tagwirei through various companies in the past own cause) and audi alteram partem – hear gagwa later appointed new jurists to the businessman Fredrick Mutanda, Attor-
two years now suddenly belong to Kuvimba? the other party or the rule of fair hearing; ConCourt and Supreme Court in a bid ney-General Prince Machaya and Mnan-
Is Kuvimba part of an elaborate ploy to hide his that no one should be condemned un- to resolve the judicial imbroglio. He also gagwa as 1st to 7th respondents, respec-
assets, making them invisible to US sanctions radar? heard.  took control of the High Court which had tively.
With no sense of irony, Kuvimba is distancing it- appeared rebellious by removing former
self from Tagwirei and says it has no dealings with These are buttressed by the notion that Kika and YLAZ challenged Malaba’s
him. This is a scandalous stance--it amounts to con- justice should not only be done, but mani- Hawk Eye tenure extension, and their cases were con-
firmatory denial. festly and undoubtedly be seen to be done. solidated before the Zhou judgement.
As the investigation reveals, and even Finance Dumisani
minister Mthuli Ncube has confirmed this, Ziwa The integrity, reliability and credibility Muleya Mupungu approached the court in
Investments (Pvt) Ltd is among the shareholders of the judiciary largely depend on these terms of Section 175 of the constitution,
of Kuvimba. It gets interesting: one shareholder of canons. Judge President George Chiweshe. arguing Mnangagwa acted constitutionally
Ziwa is Pfimbi Resources (Pvt) Ltd, whose share- But judges face a big conundrum. when he extended Malaba’s tenure by five
holders are Tagwirei and his wife. Who is fooling Yet top Zimbabwean judges of the Gwaunza is already dealing with the case years. Three working days after the Mu-
who? highest court in the land – including pungu application, the ConCourt registrar
Until recently, Tagwirei’s Sotic International Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza in which she is cited, thus an interested wrote to the parties inviting them to a case
owned the assets which Kuvimba now claims own- – will inadvertently be in the dock next party. She may be joined by other judges management meeting before Gwaunza.
ership over. What Kuvimba and Tagwirei have failed week when they hear an application by a who also have a conflict of interest. 
to explain is how these assets changed hands over- Bulawayo man Marx Mupungu who has Lawyers for Kika and YLAZ protested
night. How much was paid for those mining assets? approached the court seeking an order nul- This will practically put the judges in the having to appear before Gwaunza who is
Tagwirei’s fingerprints and footprints are all over lifying the High Court judgement which dock for nemo judex in causa sua: no one party to the matter which she wanted to
Kuvimba. It is utterly ludicrous for anyone to deny blocked Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s tenure should be a judge in his or her own cause. preside over. Kika and the YLAZ insisted
the obvious: that there is a direct relationship be- extension in May. they wanted unconflicted judges to presi-
tween Kuvimba and Tagwirei. The real casualty of the ConCourt dra- dent over the ConCourt case.
The vast web of companies laid bare by the inves- Gwaunza and most superior courts ma would be judicial integrity, public con-
tigation is a stark reminder that Zimbabwe’s state judges were cited in the High Court case. fidence in an institution that people ought However, Gwaunza dismissed their con-
capture is not only a domestic issue but also an to hold in high esteem and the rule of law. cerns and refused to recuse herself from
international matter whose tentacles extend to off- The High Court ruling by a three-judge presiding over a case management meet-
shore tax havens. In many ways, this is Zimbabwe’s panel – comprising Justices Happias Zhou, Judges - like Caesar’s wife - should be ing. She went on to deal with the matter
own version of the Panama Papers, a blockbuster Edith Mushore and Jesta Helena Chare- above suspicion. and set timelines for the filing of pleadings
exposition of investigative journalism which shook hwa – said Malaba ceased to be chief jus- in this case.
the world. But the probe must go deeper by follow- tice on 15 May when he turned 70. These principles will be tested and put
ing the money. Where is it stashed? Who are the under scrutiny next Wednesday. In the process, Gwaunza set 14 July for
beneficial owners of the implicated entities? What However, President Emmerson Mnan- the hearing. Naturally, conflicted judges
other unsavoury dealings have gone undetected? gagwa – who wants Malaba to pivot his The situation has gradually been build- will rule in their own favour, further leav-
The Zimbabwean government’s murky dealings re-election in 2023 – effectively extended ing up to D-day for weeks now since the ing the image and integrity of the judges in
demonstrate how a richly endowed country locat- his tenure by five years on 11 May. relevant application was filed on this mat- tatters – damaged beyond repair and judg-
ed in a region described as “the Persian Gulf of es simply  damaged goods.
strategic minerals” continues wallowing in abject This was done for political reasons. Giv-
poverty while its precious resources are relentlessly en that Zimbabwe’s elections for the past To avoid this, judges should recuse
plundered. two decades have always ended up in the themselves.
courts, Malaba would come in handy for

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

DUMISANI NYONI Zim trade deficit versification, this would leave
widens to US$400m the economy with a void.
ZIMBABWE’S trade defi-
cit widened by 44% to system, which prioritise al- Imports are projected in doubt. um (US$89.8m), platinum The bulk of the country’s
US$399.9 million during locating foreign currency to to grow in line with the In the period under re- (US$69m) and diamonds at imports in the period un-
the first four months of this industry raw materials, rather re-opening of the economy US$63.3m.  der review remained heavily
year, putting into doubt the than consumptive goods. and attendant growth pres- view, Zimbabwe’s export was skewed towards consumptive
government’s projection that sures, he said. dominated by primary com- One of the challenges of products, which comprise
balance of trade will remain Ncube said the growth in modities, with nickel ores relying on primary product fuel, wheat, medicines and
positive in 2021. exports will be driven mainly However, with the coun- and concentrates account- exports is that the country vehicles.
by increased production and try recording a negative trade ing for US$367 million, might run out of its finite
Latest data from the Zim- productivity riding on a sta- balance of nearly US$400 nickel mattes (US$329m), primary products, for ex- For instance, fuel gobbled
babwe National Statistics ble domestic macro-econom- million within four months, gold (US$313.4m), tobacco ample precious metals could US$109.9 million, crude
Agency (ZimStat) shows ic environment. Ncube’s projections remain (US$121.8m), ferro-chromi- become scarce. Without di- soyabean oil (US$56 mil-
that between January and lion), electricity (US$39.9
April this year, the country million) and maize (US$99.9
exported goods and ser- million). 
vices worth US$1.5 billion
against imports of US$1.9 To generate export orders
billion, giving a trade deficit for Zimbabwean products
of US$399.9 million. and establish new sup-
ply-chains that will work to
During the correspond- increase the country’s ex-
ing period last year, exports ports, the country’s export
stood at US$1.2 billion with promotion body, ZimTrade,
imports at US$1.5 million, will deploy an outward mis-
resulting in the country ex- sion to South Africa in Au-
periencing a negative trade gust this year.
balance of US$278 billion.
South Africa is Zimba-
The widening trade defi- bwe’s largest trading partner.
cit, according to analysts, is
mainly attributed to the eco- “The outward mission
nomic instability experienced will accommodate 20 ex-
in Zimbabwe, the outbreak port-ready Zimbabwean
of Covid-19 which disrupted companies and SMEs (small
the movement of goods and and medium enterprises) in
the volatility of the South Af- sectors that include agricul-
rican rand to the US dollar. tural implements and inputs,
building and construction,
In his 2021 national bud- protective clothing, engi-
get, Finance minister Mthuli neering, processed foods and
Ncube projected the current beverages,” ZimTrade said in
account to remain positive a recent statement.
despite vulnerabilities in the
global economy, driven by “While there is a need to
continued recovery of ex- diversify export markets to
ports and imports, coupled minimise trade risks, it is im-
with an increase in remit- portant to continue to har-
tances and efficient foreign ness the export potential in
exchange market auction South Africa, leaning on the
country’s advanced develop-
ment.”

Govt grapples with debt assumption crisis

RONALD MUCHENJE said the procedure will be dation and reconciliation by “The procedures include the settlement plan will use external debt stock excludes
guided by provisions of the the ZPDMO (Zimbabwe validation and reconciliation long-term instruments, tak- non-guaranteed facilities and
GOVERNMENT says it is Public Debt Management Act Public Debt Management process, Cabinet and Parlia- ing into account fiscal capaci- blocked funds. 
working on debt assumption (Chapter 22:21). Office). Following the policy ment approval for the Debt ty and debt sustainability.
procedures for the resolution announcement in the 2021 Assumption Bill,” read the “Government is closely
of blocked funds and foreign The central bank has since Monetary Policy Statement document.  Meanwhile, RBZ external monitoring RBZ debt to as-
exchange legacy debts, two 2019 accrued legacy debts on the resolution of blocked debt stood at US$2.9 billion certain the fiscal risks emanat-
years after committing to as- during the US dollar-Zimdol- funds and foreign exchange While there have been as at the end of December ing from contingent liabilities
sume the debts through the lar exchange rate parity era, legacy debts, Treasury is fears that a resolution of this 2020 mainly consisting of in the form of called-up guar-
central bank. estimated at US$2.9 billion, working on the debt assump- debt would cause a crisis in guaranteed facilities for the antees,” read the document.
having closed applications for tion procedures guided by the the economy, the document importation of strategic com-
In a ministry of Finance qualification under the Lega- provisions of the Public Debt further states that the legacy modities and raw materials Zimbabwe is in debt dis-
annual public debt bulletin cy Debts Framework in Au- Management Act (Chapter debts resolution framework which were done on behalf of tress, having closed the year
for the 2020 financial year gust 2020. 22:21). will be designed to ensure the government. 2020 with external public and
released last week, Treasury that it is not inflationary and publicly guaranteed debts to-
“These are pending vali- The bulletin noted that this talling US$10.523 billion

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 22

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

DUMISANI NYONI Govt should probe Tagwirei: According to section
Civil society groups demand 3(2) of the constitution,
GOVERNMENT should the principles of good
set up an independent governance which bind
commission of inquiry to the state and all insti-
investigate Kudakwashe tutions and agencies of
Tagwirei’s business em- government at every lev-
pire following the release el, include: transparency,
of a report by The Sentry justice, accountability,
lifting the lid on his hid- responsiveness and the
den practices which have equitable sharing of na-
sparked cries of state cap- tional resources, includ-
ture. ing land.
The organisation then
The US anti-corrup- called for the setting up of
tion NGO’s report, titled an independent commis-
“Uncovering an Offshore sion of inquiry to inves-
Business Empire in Zim- tigate Tagwirei’s business
babwe”, detailed how the empire; a forensic audit
tycoon uses dozens of of how he and his shadow
companies and fronts in a companies acquired min-
vast empire including off- eral assets. It also said the
shore havens. Zimbabwe Anti-Corrup-
tion Commission should
The Sentry report investigate all deals in-
comes barely five months volving Tagwirei and his
after The Daily Maverick companies.
published a report titled: “President Mnangagwa
“Cartel Power Dynamics should declare his posi-
in Zimbabwe” which ex- tion on reports of cartels
posed a web of cartels and within and around his
criminal networks looting government, which are
Zimbabwe’s natural and blamed for undermining
financial resources en- the economic interests of
abled by key figures in the Zimbabwe,” CNRG said.
government.  The organisation said
Parliament should play
Civil society organisa- its oversight role by inves-
tions who spoke to The tigating and holding the
NewsHawks said the gov- Executive accountable to
ernment, led by President its relationship with Tag-
Emmerson Mnangagwa, wirei and several other
should come clean and cartels cited in both The
explain its position con- Daily Maverick and Sen-
cerning the Tagwirei is- try reports.
sue. Efforts to get a com-
ment from RBZ governor
“ZIMCODD urges John Mangudya and Tag-
the government not to wirei were fruitless.
neglect its stewardship Kuvimba Mining
role, as the government House, however, this
has a fiduciary responsi- week released a statement
bility to the citizens who attempting to distance it-
are the shareholders of Kuda Tagwirei. self from Tagwirei.
this country,” Zimbabwe officials should be ac- the Centre for Natural Kopje, and Sandawana. “Kuvimba notes the
Coalition on Debt and countable to the citizens Resource Governance Suddenly, and without has, for a long time, been contents and distances
Development (Zimcodd) and come clean, stating (CNRG) said it holds advocating for natural itself from the report and
executive director Janet their position on wheth- “these criminal relation- a convincing explanation, resources governance re- reiterates that Mr Tag-
Zhou said. er they are involved in ships” responsible for the these same mines are now form so that Zimbabwe- wirei is neither a share-
dodgy dealings or at least failure of the Zimbabwe said to be owned by the ans benefit from their holder nor is he involved
Zhou said the govern- explain the situation for government to meet its government through Ku- natural wealth,” the or- in any activities of the
ment should strive to public accountability. service delivery and de- vimba Mining House.  ganisation said. business. In fact, we dis-
promote transparency, velopment obligations to tance ourselves from Mr
responsibility and ac- “What should organ- its citizens. CNGR, therefore, said “However, the situation Tagwirei,” the statement
countability which are ised citizens do as the it defies logic that the is getting worse as the reads in part.
the nerve-centre of good military or party or state CNGR said while Tag- government would sell government is increas- The company said its
governance.  complex pillages Zim- wirei’s interests in min- ZMDC mines to itself. ingly getting paralysed shareholders are Sov-
babwe? Any citizen in- ing were hidden in plain by organised crime syn- ereign Wealth Fund of
“This is because across tervention that does not sight, The Sentry report The report also exposed dicates that have captured Zimbabwe, Public Service
the globe, modern (de- involve using the streets exposed the state as an the extent of involvement the state. The resistance Pension Management
veloped or developing) as a point of entry (using active player in mortgag- of these organised crimi- to reform and silence of Fund, Deposit Protection
governance is premised section 59 of the consti- ing Zimbabwe’s mineral nal syndicates in policy government in light of Corporation, Insurance
on the social contract tution) to demand for an resources to politically changes to aid money numerous reports from and Pensions Commis-
between citizens and the end to the status quo will connected individuals at laundering and mineral credible local and in- sion,  Farmers Deed of
state in which rights and surely be a waste of time,” the expense of the general resources plunder.  ternational institutions Settlement (Pvt) Ltd,
duties are agreed to by all she said.  citizens.  pointing to state-linked National Venture Capital
to further the common The Sentry report links criminal networks gives Company of Zimbabwe
interest,” she said. She said while in the According to the report, the dubious tax holiday credence to The Sentry (Pvt) Ltd, Government of
streets, citizens can call since President Emmer- awarded to Great Dyke report which implicates Zimbabwe and Ziwa In-
“Thus, citizens offer for the setting up of an son Mnangagwa ascend- Investments (GDI) to government officials and vestments (Pvt) Ltd.
their support to a gov- independent commission ed to power, Tagwirei has Tagwirei’s influence over government institutions However, according to
ernment through taxes (chosen by Parliament, bought 100% of mines the country’s political in Tagwirei’s business em- media reports, one share-
and efforts to a country’s the Law Society of Zim- formerly owned by the leadership and the exec- pire.”  holder of Ziwa is Pfimbi
good; in return, govern- babwe and civil society) state-owned Zimbabwe utive.  Resources whose share-
ments attain legitimacy of inquiry to investigate Mining Development CNRG urged the gov- holders are Kuda Tagwirei
by protecting the people’s state capture and corrup- Corporation. These in- “CNRG calls on the ernment to uphold the and his wife.
rights and through good tion. clude Jena Mines, Elving- Executive and the Re- founding values and prin-
governance and inclusive ton Mine, Sabi, Golden serve Bank of Zimbabwe ciples of the constitution
policies that promote In a scathing statement, to come clean on the is- of Zimbabwe. 
social and economic jus- sues that have been raised
tice,” Zhou said. in this report. CNRG

In a normal situation,
Zhou said, government

Page 23 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Cheap mobile and fintech innovator Greydot
Telecoms a solution for the African market

WHILE all eyes are on large Greydot chairperson Chris Phaladze says his company’s cheap mobile and financial technology innova- For international calls, bundle by 14% to R85, while
mobile network providers to tions are a solution for the African market. Greydot to Greydot connec- bundles between 3GB ad
reduce their charges, an Af- tion is also charged at 35 20GB remained unchanged.
rican telecommunications overhead costs that MTN Greydot charges 35 cents ca, enabled by its local inter- cents per minute irrespective MTN and Telkom charge
company is slowly encroach- has, such as generators, fibres per minute for calls to any connection with Telkom and of where the recipient is on R99 for 1GB data, while Cell
ing on the space with its in- and office staff,” he said. number within South Afri- Liquid Telecom. the globe. C charges R95. The cheapest
novation of cheap calls and is Rain, which costs R50.
finance technology solutions. The same rate applies to
calls to any number in the Telecommunications com-
Greydot Telecoms’ secret 170 countries at which Grey- panies have been capitalising
to being the cheapest tele- dot has interconnection with on the remote working trend
communications provider lies Indian telecommunications recently due to the Covid-19
in the fact that its whole busi- provider Tata Communica- pandemic by adding free data
ness is internet-based, with tions. These 170 countries are benefits on their router-based
no terrestrial technology such the most industrialised econ- offerings.
as towers which other mobile omies of the world, where
network providers use. most Africans live in diaspo- Another advantage of us-
ra. To access its services, one ing Greydot is that customers
The Botswana-based com- downloads the Greydot app do not need to roam in 170
pany has 700 000 users in on their Android- or iOS-en- countries, said Phaladze.
Botswana, South Africa, abled cellphone and uses the
Zimbabwe, Kenya and the SIM card of whichever net- The company understands
Democratic Republic of work provider that the cus- evolution, and in its years of
Congo. tomer already uses. For data, existence it has transitioned
Greydot uses a customer’s from providing fax-to-email
“We’ve achieved this num- network provider and pays a technology to now being a
ber without aggressive mar- smaller fee. “next-generation digital voice
keting, only word of mouth,” network”.
said Greydot chairperson Major mobile network
Chris Phaladze, adding that providers in South Africa Greydot financial technol-
“soon we will be expanding such as Vodacom, MTN, Tel- ogy allows for third-party
to Gabon”. kom and Cell C have been payments through a digital
in trouble with the Compe- wallet that Zimbabweans
The company’s CEO is tition Commission for their living in South Africa and
Zimbabwe-based Siqokoqela exorbitant charges, particu- Botswana can load at any of
Mphoko, the son of former larly for data. more than 75 000 participat-
Zimbabwean vice-president ing outlets so that their rela-
Phelekezela Mphoko. In response to this, last tives can access a voucher via
year Vodacom decided to WhatsApp to buy groceries
“We are cheaper because reduce its 30-day 1GB data at partner markets in Zimba-
our technology sits on the bwe. — City Press.
cloud and we don’t have the

There is a future.

ZIMBABWE
CHILDREN’S CANCER RELIEF

EARLY
DETECTION

IS THE BEST PROTECTION!

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

Page 24 Stock Taking NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Friday, 09 July 2021

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Ticker Price Traded (cents) Traded
(cents) Volume Traded Change Change (%) Cap
AFDIS: ZH Price 6800.00
ASUN: ZH 6800.00 540.00 100 Value ($) (cents) (%) ($m)
ARTD: ZH 511.50 6800.00 762.73 77,200
AFDIS Consumer Goods ARISTON: ZH 757.31 540.00 388.11 6,800.00 - - 183.33 7,976.81
African Sun Consumer Services AXIA: ZH 390.27 760.00 2054.85 8,800 416,880.00 28.50 5.57 217.65 4,653.57
ART BIND: ZH 2039.90 390.00 509.43 70,600 5.42 0.72 59.80 3,332.96
Ariston Industrials 509.30 2035.00 89900.00 117,600 67,120.00 -2.16 -0.55 189.63 6,316.09
Axia Consumer Services BAT: ZH 89900.00 510.00 12566.67 3,140,400 274,005.00 14.95 0.73 124.33 11,196.76
BNC CAFCA: ZH 12566.67 1500.00 2,416,505.00 0.13 0.03 34.06 6,367.15
BAT Consumer Goods 1500.01 - 8510.00 - 15,998,180.00 63.45 18,549.53
CAFCA Basic Materials CSZL: ZH 8510.00 - 3064.54 - - - 39.78 1,097.71
Cassava CBZ: ZH 3210.00 1500.00 6907.11 337,400 - - - 130.77 38,858.66
CBZ Consumer Goods DZL: ZH 6816.57 8510.00 2701.90 3,100 - -0.01 -0.00 -0.42 58,483.42
Dairibord Industrials DLTA: ZH 2689.29 3185.00 459.29 10,800 5,061,000.00 - - 133.93 10,971.07
Delta ECO: ZH 459.29 6925.00 2990.00 21,800 263,810.00 -145.00 -4.53 203.60 88,719.15
Econet Technology EDGR: ZH 2990.00 2705.00 1200.00 98,700 330,970.00 90.54 1.33 185.92 69,994.80
Edgars Banking FBC: ZH 1250.00 - 352.39 - 1,505,750.00 12.61 0.47 282.74 1,501.84
FBC FIDL: ZH 342.81 2990.00 2600.00 50,600 2,666,775.00 - - 99.15 20,091.30
Fidelity Consumer Goods FCA: ZH 2600.00 1200.00 1452.78 300 - - - 529.26 1,307.08
First Capital Consumer Goods FMHL: ZH 1500.00 350.00 196.87 9,800 1,512,940.00 -50.00 -4.00 220.35 7,600.07
FML Telecommunications FMP: ZH 200.11 - 1000.00 - 3,600.00 9.58 2.79 147.62 17,943.72
FMP Consumer Services GBH: ZH 997.50 1550.00 16198.41 1,800 34,534.00 - - 348.39 17,987.70
GBH GBFS: ZH 16112.50 195.00 8505.00 47,700 - -47.22 -3.15 720.29 1,056.38
Getbucks Banking HIPO: ZH 8356.12 1000.00 6000.00 600 26,150.00 -3.24 -1.62 7900.00 11,631.18
Hippo Financial Services INN: ZH 6000.00 16200.00 339.13 25,100 93,905.00 2.50 0.25 79.98 31,266.26
Innscor LACZ: ZH 340.02 8505.00 4393.08 15,300 6,000.00 85.91 0.53 129.68 48,034.24
Lafarge Banking MASH: ZH 4399.96 6000.00 27.83 300 4,065,800.00 148.88 1.78 525.00 4,800.00
Mash Financial Services MSHL: ZH 27.51 340.00 8471.32 1,600 1,301,265.00 - - 264.66 6,304.68
Masimba MMDZ: ZH 8464.29 4395.00 1324.55 9,100 18,000.00 -0.90 -0.26 292.24 10,616.04
Medtech Real Estate MEIK: ZH 1345.00 27.00 52000.00 503,800 5,426.00 -6.88 -0.16 252.28
Meikles Industrials NPKZ: ZH 52000.00 8400.00 1300.00 16,700 399,770.00 0.32 1.16 284.98 845.97
Nampak NTFD: ZH 1300.00 1340.00 1400.00 4,400 140,195.30 7.03 0.08 480.31 21,402.46
NatFoods Financial Services NTS: ZH 1399.99 - 1635.25 - 1,414,710.00 -20.45 -1.52 765.22 10,008.94
NTS Consumer Goods NMB: ZH 1549.99 1300.00 3087.61 1,000 58,280.00 - - 4635.88 35,568.06
NMBZ OKZ: ZH 3087.61 1400.00 2653.22 1,026,500 - - - 249.96 3,300.34
OK Zim Industrials PHL: ZH 2466.67 1650.00 499.86 1,351,600 13,000.00 0.01 0.00 81.69 5,658.40
Padenga Industrials PROL: ZH 500.00 - 2650.00 - 14,371,000.00 85.26 5.50 46.93 20,388.51
Proplastics Real Estate RTG: ZH 2650.00 2790.00 5005.00 62,200 22,106,360.00 - - 208.16 16,722.29
RTG Industrials RIOZ: ZH 499.00 700 - 186.55 7.56 160.68 6,684.41
RioZim Healthcare 5004.72 - 3691.01 - 1,650,300.00 -0.14 -0.03 77.24 12,473.98
Industrials SEED: ZH 203.40 3,499.00 - - 3,233.78
SeedCo Industrials 3503.58 5005.00 200.00 100,000 - 117.61
Consumer Goods SIM: ZH 201.38 4005.00 0.28 0.01 12,288.68
Simbisa Industrials SACL: ZH 247.00 3680.00 470.00 21,200 5,005,000.00
Star Africa TRUW: ZH 4000.00 210.00 2850.00 75,500
Truworths Banking 470.00 200.00 347.97 782,495.00 187.43 5.35 207.13 20,750.30
TSL Consumer Services TSL: ZH 2850.00 4005.00 7700.00 1,500 153,534.00 2.00 0.98 653.33 9,590.48
Turnall TURN: ZH 301.83 470.00 0.03 46,600 -47.00 -19.03 577.97
Unifreight Consumer Goods UNIF: ZH 7100.00 2850.00 264.66 3,000.00 5.00 0.13 132.17 768.14
Willdale Industrials WILD: ZH 0.03 350.00 1304.97 300 1,866,330.00 405.38 14,301.95
ZB ZBFH: ZH 309.29 7700.00 329.89 600 - - 15222.58 2,317.29
Zeco Consumer Services ZECO: ZH 1170.80 389,100 1,410.00 - - 987.41 3,034.52
Zimpapers Basic Materials ZIMP: ZH 326.48 - 1,700 17,100.00 46.14 15.29 220.83 6,186.91
Zimplow ZIMPLOW: ZH 309.00 1,353,969.00 600.00 8.45 50.00 13,489.68
ZHL Consumer Goods 1300.00 - 130,900.00 - - 170.06
TOTAL ZHL: ZH 330.00 24,400 -44.63 -14.43 160.99 0.14
Consumer Goods 116,200 - 134.17 11.46 5.23 1,524.44
Consumer Goods 67,600 64,577.00 3.41 1.04 3,110.80
Consumer Services 7,860,300 1,516,380.00 5,999.56
Consumer Goods 223,005.00 736,308.17
87,350,229.30
Industrials
Industrials
Industrials

Banking
Industrials
Consumer Services
Industrials
Financial Services

ETFs OMTT.zw 186.22 186.00 179.07 9,200 16,474.00 -7.15 -3.84 78.68 143.26

Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF

FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 4000.00 - 4000.00 -- - 50.94 3,320.47

Old Mutual Zimbabwe

VFEX (US cents) Consumer Goods SCIL:VX 25.20 25.20 -- US$m
25.20 - - 40.00 60.76
SeedCo International

Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
ZSE All Share 6,094.95 +0.92 6,039.44 +131.80 Willdale 347.97c +46.14c +15.29 +987.41
Top 10 3,164.59 +1.17 3,128.12 +91.27 Zimplow 1304.97c +11.46 +160.99
Top 15 3,667.86 +0.96 3,633.12 +88.28 ZB 7700.00c +134.17c +8.45 +220.83
Small Cap -1.17 220,635.65 +1736.01 Proplastics 2653.22c +600.00c +7.56 +208.16
Medium Cap 218,047.66 +0.70 16,333.23 +195.60 African Sun 540.00c +186.55c +5.57 +217.65
16,448.20 +28.50c

Top 5 Fallers Price Change % YTD %
Truworths 200.00c -47.00c -19.03 +577.97
Zimpapers 264.66c -44.63c -14.43 +170.06
Dairibord 3064.54c -4.53 +133.93
Fidelity 1200.00c -145.00c -4.00 +529.26
FMP 1452.78c 187.43c -3.15 +348.39
-47.22c

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NewsHawks News Analysis Page 25

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

The Zimbabwean state is captured
NYASHA CHINGONO to run a US$1 billion agri-
government.  be speaking loudest.  cusations of cronyism and Kuda Tagwirei. culture project.
THE unmasking of dodgy But nearly four years after The general silence from corruption. The documents
businessman Kudakwashe uncovered by The Sentry may warrant further investi- In addition to alleged
Tagwirei’s vast business the coup, the regime is har- the opposition is worrying, also show how Tagwirei has gation by regulators and law business dealings with the
empire outside the country bouring dodgy businessmen considering the deep-seated used similar networks to enforcement. Zimbabwean military, Tag-
consisting of 40 companies and lavishing them with corruption which costs the hide his financial interests in wirei appears to have the
mostly operating outside the major public tenders worth country more than US$1 Zimbabwe’s new public-pri- On 27 January 2021, over ability to contact senior ci-
public eye, and how he has billions of dollars.  billion annually.  vate partnership mining a year after Landela Min- vilian officials in Zimbabwe
benefitted from preferential company, Kuvimba Mining ing Ventures had bought at short notice, particularly
government treatment since Such tycoons are not only The media, except a few House, with Zimbabwe’s half of the platinum entity, at the Reserve Bank of Zim-
the 2017 military coup has fattening their pockets but outlets, have published The Finance ministry reported- Zimbabwe granted GDI a babwe.
brought to the fore the real- also enjoying the protection Sentry’s investigative report ly collaborating to deflect five-year corporate income
ity of deep-seated state cap- of the state.  into Tagwirei’s vast wealth public scrutiny from these tax holiday and exempted Such high-level access,
ture in Zimbabwe, analysts in a number of countries, arrangements. its shareholders resident in together with the pattern
say.  Tagwirei, a Zanu PF including offshore havens.  Zimbabwe from resident of previous decisions, raises
benefactor who has over the In 2019, Tagwirei paid shareholders’ taxes on GDI the possibility of state cap-
It is apparent that Tag- years bankrolled the party’s By analysing hundreds of millions of dollars to a Zim- dividends—retroactively ap- ture, when the public realm
wirei’s vast wealth has grown salaries, vehicles and day-to- company documents, court babwean military-owned plied to January 1, 2020. — particularly regulatory,
since the coup which top- day operations, has the state filings, and communica- company so that Landela legal, and public policy de-
pled the late former presi- eating from his palm.  tions, The Sentry’s investi- Mining Ventures, a compa- Auditors investigating cision-making — has been
dent Robert Mugabe with gation shows how Tagwirei ny he controlled, could pur- corruption red flags in a influenced to benefit private
President Emmerson Mnan- Other conspicuously well- used complex corporate chase 50% of Great Dyke 2016 US$630 million die- interests. Senior officials at
gagwa’s government playing timed government directives structures to build and hide Investments (GDI), a plati- sel-powered electricity gen- Tagwirei’s companies have
a major role in facilitating – about importing buses, his wealth, potentially ben- num entity worth hundreds erating plant contract found denied state capture.
the expansion. buying gold, tax breaks, and efiting from preferential of millions and run as a joint that the Office of the Pres-
purchasing water purifica- government treatment along venture with a Russian firm. ident had improperly inter- The operations of Tag-
The investigative report, tion chemicals – may have the way. fered with the procurement wirei’s network are em-
by The Sentry, an anti-cor- disproportionately benefited The payment raises fears process, ordering officials to blematic of larger structural
ruption NGO, was released Tagwirei’s companies and Tagwirei has invested in about off-budget financing evaluate Tagwirei’s sole bid problems in Zimbabwe.
last week. It sparked outrage should be investigated for gold, nickel, platinum and of Zimbabwe’s abusive and outside the standard pro-
on social media, with Zim- evidence of his influence on chrome mines by hiding partisan military. An exam- cess. A select group of pol-
babwean calling for urgent public decision-making. behind South African busi- ination of Tagwirei’s busi- iticians, the military and
action to stop state capture.  nesspeople and offshore ness track record reveals a Other decisions worthy of businesspeople dominate
Tagwirei has hogged the structures in Mauritius and pattern of accusations of further investigation include government decision-mak-
Once again, Mnangagwa’s limelight-for the wrong rea- the Cayman Islands and by privileged access and special allegations of preferential ing with little oversight or
rhetoric of the fight against sons, amid a deafening si- using lawyers and financiers treatment, some of which access to hard currency and scrutiny. Key information
corruption rang hollow in lence from Mnangagwa, the who are seemingly happy the appointment of Tag- about public finances re-
the face of growing criticism opposition and civil society to turn a blind eye to ac- wirei’s oil trading company, mains shrouded in secrecy.
of how the state has awarded organisations – who should without a tendering process,
Tagwirei’s Sakunda Hold- Political analyst Stephen
ings more than US$1.6 Chan said the report re-
billion in contracts and pro- vealed corporate capture of
curement deals.  the state. 

But the question is: Who While it is nothing new
is benefitting from the vast in the international finan-
business interests? cial world, it is apparent
that the state has become a
Government officials’ un- vehicle for corruption by the
holy alliance with Tagwirei corporates. 
could mean the state is col-
luding with businessmen to “The creation of a vast
milk the country’s resources web of often legal, but
while millions of citizens are sometimes borderline com-
wallowing in extreme pov- panies is almost always de-
erty.  signed to cover something
illegal or to launder money
It is also worrying that the gained by corrupt means. It
flirtatious relationship be- requires much international
tween the state and Tagwirei cooperation to do this – so it
blossomed after the coup, is the international relations
making him one of the of a twilight zone of lawyers
biggest beneficiaries of the and accountants in Western
military operation dubbed countries, including in the
“restore legacy” which was USA,” Chan said. 
undertaken ostensibly to
fight criminality. “But the Tagwirei ‘twi-
light empire’, while in fact
The late Foreign minister nothing new in the interna-
Sibusiso Moyo is on record tional financial world, nev-
as asserting: “We are only ertheless is a clear indication
targeting criminals around of what some people would
him (Mugabe) who are call corporate capture of the
committing crimes that are state. I think, in the case of
causing social and economic Zimbabwe, it is the state be-
suffering in the country in coming itself a corporation.
order to bring them to jus- A corrupt corporation. Such
tice. As soon as we have ac- a state does not prioritise at
complished our mission, we all the welfare of the com-
expect that the situation will mon
return to normalcy.” 
people, but is a vehicle for
According to Moyo’s ad- the corrupt capture and mo-
dress to the nation, after nopoly of funds for selfish
military tanks stormed the purposes,” he added. 
streets of Harare, the “new”
dispensation’s main thrust Political analyst Ibbo
was to deal with corruption Mandaza said the report,
and corrupt individuals in “speaks for itself on the lev-
el of government involve-
ment.” 

Page 26 The Big Debate NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

From Enoch Dumbutshena to Anthony 
Gubbay and then Godfrey Chidyausiku
were “simply untrue and offen-
Tererai South African-based Zimbabwean lawyer Tererai Mafukidze continues with his sive”. Gubbay also referred to
Mafukidze series on the Zimbabwean judiciary, particularly focusing on the chief justices. Chidauysiku’s public condem-
nation of the overturning of his
AT the end of April 1990, Zim- Former Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay. ruling by the Supreme Court.
babwe’s first indigenous black He said: “No judge should ap-
chief justice, Enoch Dumbut- in pursuance of the policy of af- ausiku the white farmers that: ‘We have On 17 January 2001, Gub- peal to the public to support his
shena, reached the retirement firmative action, a black judge On 14 December 2000, Mug- the Supreme Court in our pock- bay issued a public “severe rep- view. The reason is obvious. He
age of 70 years. He was there- would be appointed.” abe addressed the extraordi- et’. The meeting ended with rimand” and rebuke of Chidy- is seeking to undermine the very
fore required to leave office.   nary Zanu PF congress. During my being accused of aiding and ausiku. Jonathan Moyo, then legal system of which he is part.”
Gubbay was born on 26 April his speech he stated that: “The abetting racism’.” minister of Information, said
The man who was to replace 1932 in Manchester, England. courts can do what they want. that the reprimand “smacks of Gubbay said he had stopped
him as chief justice, Anthony He grew up in Zimbabwe. He They are not courts for our In early January 2001, the a kangaroo type of reprimand” short of formally advising Mug-
Gubbay, decided to  write to was educated at the Universi- people and we shall not even Judge President of the High and  also called for an interna- abe that Chidyausiku’s “removal
President Robert Mugabe sug- ty of Witwatersrand in South be defending ourselves in these Court, Justice Godfrey Chidy- tional tribunal to investigate the from office ought to be investi-
gesting that Dumbutshena’s Africa and at Cambridge in courts.”  ausiku, while delivering a speech judiciary.  gated”. Instead, he had decided
term be extended for at least England. He commenced prac- opening the legal year at the Bu- to reprimand Chidyausiku pub-
two years. There was a historic tice as an advocate in Bulawayo On 21 December 2000, the lawayo High Court, publicly ac- Gubbay had said: “In the licly and told him “to refrain in
precedent for this — as notably upon admission on 6 June 1957. Supreme Court led by Gub- cused the Supreme Court of bias tense situation prevailing in the future from such conduct”.
happened with Hugh Beadle.  bay handed down its judgment in favour of white commercial Zimbabwe at present, the judge The four other Supreme Court
In 1959, in the early years of declaring that the govern- farmers. He accused Gubbay president should avoid making judges – one white, two blacks
Gubbay says he did this in practice, Gubbay was briefed ment-sponsored land invasions of having pre-judged the land inflammatory statements.” He and an Asian – supported him
“an effort to retain his outstand- with others to challenge the were illegal.  Two days after issue. Chidyausiku referred to said Chidyausiku had made “an fully, said Gubbay. Chidyausiku
ing personal and professional detention without trial of 100 delivering the judgment, the Gubbay’s 1991 criticism of the astonishing and quite unwar- told the state-controlled Herald
qualities to the country”. In the African nationalists who sup- leader of the Zimbabwe Na- proposed land constitutional ranted attack” on him and the newspaper that he and Gub-
letter to Mugabe, he pointed ported Joshua Nkomo.  tional Liberation War Veterans’ amendment that would remove other judges who had delivered bay had met and had “frank
out that “Enoch Dumbutshena Association, Chenjerai “Hitler” the power of the court to deter- judgments against the govern- exchanges and I expressed my
had secured for the judiciary of One of his earliest clients in Hunzvi, attacked the Supreme mine the fairness of compensa- ment on the land issue. He also opinion”. 
Zimbabwe an international rep- this regard was Joseph Msika, Court and demanded that all its tion to be paid for land expro- pointed out that in each case,
utation of high standing.”   who later on became Zimba- judges resign within 14 days or priated.  And said the remarks the government’s own lawyers In the morning of 24 No-
bwe’s vice-president. Gubbay else.  by Gubbay then: “…gave an had agreed with attorneys for vember 2000, several hundreds
Mugabe declined, but did not also represented Joshua Nkomo implicit assurance to the white white farmers that “their posi- of veterans of the Zimbabwe
provide reasons. Gubbay states: in 1966 when he challenged his Reacting to the threat, Gub- commercial farmers that if they tion was legally indefensible”. liberation struggle had invaded
“I suspect that the government restriction to one of the coun- bay requested and met the Act- sued the government after being the Supreme Court just as it was
believed that Dumbutshena CJ try’s remotest areas.  ing President and two cabinet evicted they would win their Chidyausiku, he said, “can- to commence the hearing of a
was not sufficiently on side and ministers seeking protection cases. This encouraged the farm- not defend the failure to obey matter concerning land. They
that under his direction and In 1975, Gubbay also de- for the judges. At the meeting, ers to sue and they have won court orders on the basis that threatened the judges and as-
influence the Supreme Court fended Moven Mahachi when Gubbay was attacked by the their cases as promised.”  land distribution is a political saulted the police orderly. 
was giving too many judgments he was charged with assisting Acting President and ministers.  and not a legal issue. Such an at-
against it.” persons who left the country Chidyausiku also angrily at- titude conflicts with the rule of The then minister of Justice
to join the liberation struggle. He states: “No sympathy was tacked the Supreme Court be- law and his oath of office”.  Patrick Chinamasa told Gubbay
Dumbutshena retired and The late former president Rob- shown to the judiciary’s pre- cause in November it overturned that unless he resigned the gov-
accepted appointment as a ert Mugabe and Zanu nation- dicament. Quite the reverse, it his own judgment setting aside “His attack on myself as chief ernment could not guarantee
judge of appeal in Namibia. alist Edgar Tekere were some was said to me ‘you say you feel an earlier Supreme Court ruling justice is essentially a political his safety. The same threats were
He also accepted appointment of them. Mahachi managed to threatened by the war veterans; against state-organised land sei- attack,” said Gubbay. “I will not made to Justice Nick McNally
to the bench of the Transkei escape the death penalty. Gub- but they are threatened by your zures. Chidyausiku also accused follow the judge president into and his other colleague Justice
High Court before South Afri- bay took silk in May 1974, and judgments. You are not giving other judges of obstructing the political arena. His allega- Ahmed Ebrahim. As a result of
ca achieved democracy. He also was appointed by Smith to the the right direction to your judg- Mugabe’s political campaign to tions are rejected.”  the threats, Gubbay resigned in
accepted special appointment position of High Court judge in es.’ The Acting President went hinder the president’s “revolu- February 2001. Ebrahim soon
by the Government of Lesotho May 1977.  on to blame me for a boast he tionary land programme”. Chidyausiku’s allegations that followed. McNally refused to
to hear the dispute on the resto- Gubbay vs Godfrey Chidy- claimed was being circulated by Gubbay had “promised” white resign and continued in office
ration of the Crown — a deci- farmers success in the courts until he reached the mandato-
sion he made with longstanding ry retirement age in December
repercussions for Lesotho’s con- 2001. 
stitutional order. It is the judg-
ment that resulted in the coro- When Gubbay resigned,
nation of King Letsie III. Philip Chiyangwa,  a Zanu PF
MP for Chinhoyi, told The
During the early 1990s, Standard newspaper that he
Dumbutshena entered politics. was “delighted but not yet sat-
He led the Forum Party of Zim- isfied…my mandate is not com-
babwe and contested the 1995 plete without the removal of the
elections. His party performed entire Supreme Court justices.
dismally. He quit politics.  These are Wilson Sandura, Sim-
Anthony Roy Gubbay ba Muchechetere, Ebrahim and
Gubbay had been appointed McNally’.  Of his own resigna-
judge of the High Court in May tion, Gubbay states: “At the end
1977 by Rhodesian prime min- of June 2001, I left the bench
ister Ian Smith. He was promot- with a heavy heart. It was clear
ed by Mugabe to the Supreme to me that the judiciary was up
Court after Independence in against the executive whose ex-
1980. Mugabe appointed him press object was to staff it with
chief justice on 5 August 1990.  those black lawyers sympathetic
to its political designs. In this it
On his own appointment as has been successful.
chief justice, Gubbay says it was
a surprise decision: “I was never The Supreme Court soon lost
told why the President chose me three of the judges who served
to succeed Enoch Dumbutshe- with me. Immediately after my
na as chief justice. It was unex- departure its composition was
pected. I did not regard myself increased from five to eight. The
as in the running. First, I have High Court lost six of its judges,
been appointed to the judiciary most of whom resigned, during
by the Smith regime in 1977. or after 2001, in the face of per-
Secondly, it must have been sonal adversity.”
appreciated that Dumbutshena
CJ and I had worked closely ...To be continued
together and shared a determi- *About the writer: Advo-
nation to accord persons their cate Tererai Mafukidze is a
basic  rights. Almost invariably, member of the Johannesburg
we had always been on the same Bar. He practises with Group
side in such judgments. Thirdly, One Sandown Chambers in
it had been widely forecast that Sandton, Johannesburg. His
practice areas at the Bar are:
general commercial law, com-
petition law, human rights,
administrative and constitu-
tional law.

NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 27

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

PHILLAN ZAMCHIYA The people’s verdict paints  locate residential and agri-
cultural land but with the
THE Mass Public Opinion consent of district councils
Institute (Mpoi) conducted dark picture for Zimbabwe and in line with custom-
a national survey on be- ary law. Some rate chiefs in
half of the Afrobarometer line with their spiritual and
Network on “The Quality cultural functions in societ-
of Democracy and Gover- ies where people believe in
nance in Zimbabwe’’ be- ancestral veneration. If we
tween 16 April and 1 May look at the actual function-
2021. On 7 July 2021, ing of traditional leaders,
Mpoi disseminated the sec- we can find that they play
ond round of findings fo- a more complex role than
cusing on:  just being “decentralised
•People’s development despots” and are more than
agenda; socially embedded in the
• Leaders’ performance; rural areas.
• National dialogue; Third, the survey indi-
• Freedoms (of speech, of cates that the most im-
association and assembly); portant problem facing the
and country that the govern-
• Perceptions of social me- ment must address is un-
dia. employment. It was cited
I INTEND to share my by 38% of respondents as
immediate reflections and one of their three priorities.
wider political implications Why would this be so in a
of the findings.  country that is said to have
a low unemployment rate of
The people’s verdict in 5.7% as of 2020 according
the Mpoi survey paints a to the International Labour
gloomy picture on pros- Organisation (ILO)? 
pects of economic and po- This was much lower
litical recovery for Zimba- than South Africa’s unem-
bwe. President Emmerson ployment  rate which stood
Mnangagwa is performing at 28.48%.  Most scholars
dismally, unemployment is count Zimbabweans as em-
a major concern, the elect- ployed because they work
ed Members of Parliament in the informal sector and
(MPs) and councillors’ per- are not just sitting at home.
formance rate is way below This is also in line with the
that of appointed tradition- ILO definition. 
al leaders, there is limited Perhaps, the Mpoi find-
freedom of association and ings raise conceptual issues
expression and the main about the definition of un-
sources of news to the ma- employment in relation to
jority of citizens living in people’s everyday aspira-
rural areas remain partisan tions. In everyday life, some
radio stations and tradition- Zimbabweans do not con-
al leaders.  sider working in informal
family businesses as em-
Perhaps the ray of hope ployment because they are
is the citizens’ high demand “not paid”. The challenge
for all-inclusive national di- is to draw a line between
alogue.  However, this can the production and repro-
only bear fruit if citizens duction sphere in a highly
can converge and actualise informalised and shadow
their demand through sus- economy. 
tained social pressure from In addition, smallhold-
below. Otherwise, Zimba- er farmers who use unpaid
bwe is heading towards its family labour have also been
fifth lost decade since the proved of his job perfor- rural hinterland. However, opposition Movement for politics. They convene and counted as employed in of-
end of British colonial rule. mance. The most popular within his Zanu PF, he has Democratic Change led by chair the village assemblies ficial Zimbabwe National
Reflections on findings narrative is that the Presi- a decent approval of 67%. Chamisa (MDC Chamisa) where every adult member Statistics Agency figures.
First, it is striking to note dent’s legitimacy failed at This possibly means he has and Zanu PF believe that of the village is a member, What I discern  from the
that only 35% of Zimba- the input side of the polit- been working to increase traditional leaders are per- the village heads chair vil- survey is that the citizens
bweans approve or strong- ical system through failure his grip on the party.  forming well. So this means lage development commit- tend to prefer formal em-
ly approve Mnangagwa’s to hold a democratic elec- Zimbabwe is likely to see tees (Vidcos) and headmen ployment where they can
performance in the past 12 tion in 2018.  Second, 72% approve or the survival of chiefs which- sit in ward development have social security, better
months. The lowest rating strongly approve the perfor- ever party is in power. A committees (Wadcos) wages and better working
for his predecessor, Robert However, this data shows mance of traditional leaders total of 57% of MDC Cha- which plan and coordinate conditions. This is also in
Mugabe, was  20% in 1999 that Mnangagwa has even in the past 12 months. They misa supporters believe that development at local levels.  line with Afrobarometer’s
though it was up to 69% failed to create legitimacy have a higher approval rate traditional leaders are per- The Traditional Leaders pre-election 2018 survey
at the time of his ouster from the output side of the than elected MPs at 29% forming well. This might Act increased functions of where most people thought
in November 2017. There political system through and councillors at 48%. Yet be surprising for a party a chief from three to 22; a that the election campaign
is evidently a continuous effective performance. In one reality is that some tra- whose leadership articulates headman from three to 11 was mainly about job cre-
erosion of Mnangagwa’s le- addition, what is striking is ditional leaders are subor- a modernist vision built on and village heads were al- ation. 
gitimacy since he assumed that the loss of legitimacy dinated to a partisan ruling democratically elected and located 16 functions. The
power in the 2017 military is permeating to the ruling party. On that basis some accountable institutions.  2013 constitution also Fourth, the findings on
coup.  Zanu PF’s electoral strong- liberal democrats delegiti- bolstered chiefs’ powers by national dialogue are infor-
holds in the rural areas.  mise them as “decentralised However, the findings are giving them “jurisdiction mative to ongoing national
In Afrobarometer’s April/ despots”.  not surprising if we look and control over the com- and regional efforts to fos-
May 2018 survey, almost Only 44% approve of at the actual functioning munal land”. They can al- ter dialogue.  Almost three
half of citizens (49%) ap- the President’s performance However, from the sur- of chiefs outside the party out of four Zimbabweans
and 40 % disapprove in the vey, supporters of both the

Page 28 The Big Debate NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

(73%) call for a national di- volved. Only 28% agree or Geographically, fear is everyday securitised surveil- impact on political process- social pressure. Otherwise,
alogue that extends beyond strongly agree that Polad more prevalent in the Zanu lance remain the principal es.  Zimbabwe is heading to-
political parties to include is the only option to bring PF rural strongholds and in autocratic features from the wards its fifth lost decade
other stakeholders such as about national stability and political violence hotspots. centre down to the village The major sources of since the end of British co-
businesses, churches, and development in Zimbabwe. These include Manicaland, level. Any general election news in the rural areas are lonial rule in 1980.
civil society. What this reveals is that Mashonaland West, Mash- held under these conditions government-owned radio
there is no widespread sup- onaland East  and Masho- will be a structured product and traditional leaders.  *About the writer: Dr
There has been a bina- port for Polad even with- naland West provinces. It of fear. Conclusion Phillan Zamchiya is a se-
ry political discourse on in Zanu PF’s social base. shows that Zanu PF rules by The people’s verdict in the nior researcher with the
whether there is a crisis For civil society, church- coercion. The late national- Sixth,  there is a general Mpoi survey paints a sad Institute for Poverty, Land
or no crisis in Zimbabwe. es, South Africa and the ist Joshua Nkomo once said sense that the increased ac- picture on prospects of and Agrarian Studies
What this survey inadver- Southern African Develop- “Zimbabwe will never die, cess to social media is good economic and political re- (Plaas) at the University of
tently shows is that the ment Community region, young people will save it”. for democracy and devel- covery for Zimbabwe. The the Western Cape in South
country is mired in a crisis this should bolster calls But the survey shows that opment. In addition, more President is performing Africa since 2017. He
that needs a collective res- for all-inclusive nation- young people are also con- than four in 10 (42%) say dismally and is struggling holds a Doctor of Philos-
olution. What is striking is al dialogue to resolve the strained by fear. A total of they get news from social to create legitimacy from ophy (DPhil) in Interna-
that the acknowledgement multi-faceted crisis facing 76% of those aged between media “every day” or “a few the output side of the po- tional Development from
of crisis now transcends the Zimbabwe. 18 years and 35 years are times a week.”  litical system. Unemploy- the University of Oxford.
urban and rural divide.  scared to talk about politics.  ment is a major concern for His academic interests are
Fifth, Zimbabwean citi- Social media news is citizens.  Elected MPs and twofold: He studies con-
In fact, more rural resi- zens are not free to express On the other hand, 48% reaching out more to the councillors have done very temporary trajectories of
dents (76%) than urban- their political views and this of young people aged 18-35 young with post-secondary little to help as their per- land and agrarian change
ites (68%) are supportive seems to take a gendered, years are not free to join a education. Also more men formance rate is way below in southern Africa and the
of an all-inclusive national geographical and a surpris- political party they want.   (49%) than women (34%) that of appointed tradition- politics of post-colonial
dialogue. This shows that, ing demographic pattern.  get news more often from al leaders.  states in democratic tran-
given a platform, even the Overall, close to eight out of Overall, more than four social media. sitions, and is currently
rural constituencies consid- 10 citizens (79%) say they out of 10 respondents In terms of political the regional coordinator
ered to be the support base “often” or “always” have to (42%) say they are “not The urban-rural digital rights and civil rights, Zim- of Plaas’s new project on
for Zanu PF have grievanc- be careful about what they very free” or “not at all free” divide is stark. A total of babwe remains unfree.  Per- the privatisation of cus-
es that they want addressed say regarding politics.  to join any political organ- 67% of  urbanites get news haps, the only hope is for tomary land and women’s
through peaceful dialogue.  isation they want. This is from social media often citizens to converge and land rights in Zimbabwe,
On gender, the fear is exacerbated by the finding compared to 26% of resi- actualise their high demand Mozambique, South Afri-
The Political Actors Dia- more prevalent among that 30% of citizens are not dents in rural areas. How- for all-inclusive national ca and Zambia.
logue (Polad) has struggled women where 85% are un- free to vote. It means that ever, of importance is that dialogue through sustained
to gain social legitimacy free to talk about politics.  coercion, harvest of fear and only 49% of Zimbabweans
despite Zanu PF being in- believe social media has an

NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 29

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Obsession
with power
erodes Zim
judiciary
independence

Musa parties to the 15 May 2021 President Emmerson Mnangagwa (left) and Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
Kika matter, but conveniently omit-
ted to cite the judges of the from the integrity of the office there was confidence in both in acquiescence, oversee the whose leader’s incumbency is
ZIMBABWE’S modern ju- Supreme and Constitutional of the chief justice and the es- the appointing authority and institution’s downfall, on ac- questioned, whose untenable
diciary has come a long way Court who were parties in the teem in which it is held”.  Malaba in the efficacy of the count of the self-preservation position is abated and salvaged
since the 1890s, with many Kika and YLAZ matter which plan that had been hatched. of one man. The damage to by fellow judges, will be the
highs and lows, but perhaps he now seeks to nullify.  What is obtaining in Zim- And that manifested, with the judiciary is monumental; death of moral legitimacy for
the lowest point of the post-in- babwe is the opposite. Malaba the fast-tracked extension of Malaba has not only soiled his such a judiciary. 
dependence judiciary was in Those judges who were con- is dragging down with him the Malaba’s office, days after the name, but he has also soiled
the early 2000s period when veniently not cited are now sit- entire judiciary and its integ- Amendment No.2 Act was the names of judges of the Yet courts thrive on integri-
the bench was decimated and ting to likely reverse the deci- rity in pursuit of self-preser- passed.  Constitutional Court who will ty and legitimacy. That is the
packed at the height of the sion of the High Court which vation, with all manner of law breach known conventions of currency of courts. Whereas
fast-track land redistribution affects them. In a case man- and legal convention being Just when the processes natural justice, and be judges courts are ordinarily supposed
programme.  agement meeting last month broken in seeking to undo the contemplated in the Amend- in their own matter on 14 July to be protectors of democracy,
over the matter presided over ruling of 15 May 2021.  ment Act for extension of 2021.  if what is happening currently
That may now have been by Deputy Chief Justice Eliz- tenure had been met is be- Controlling the judiciary  in the Zimbabwean judiciary
overtaken by the current new abeth Gwaunza, Kika’s and Whatever may be the reason yond comprehension. Yet the Believing that the High is anything to go by, we have
low. More troubling is that YLAZ’s lawyers unsuccessfully for Malaba’s continued cling- nation was faced with a letter Court had rebelled, last the judiciary enabling capture
this new low has been reached sought Gwaunza’s recusal from ing onto office, one would confirming that President Em- month Mnangagwa invoked and democratic regression, a
in what is supposed to be a the matter.   have expected him to resign merson Mnangagwa had ex- his newly-given powers un- judiciary that is being an ac-
new constitutional and politi- in the face of this controver- tended Chief Justice Malaba’s der Amendment No.2 to the tive participant in the erosion
cal dispensation post-2017.  While the parties cited by sy, that is act with integrity, as tenure of office. This amid re- constitution, and handpicked of its own independence and
Mupungu may be none of Ngcobo did. ports that Mnangagwa wanted judges for elevation to the Su- moral integrity.  
Like the early 2000s, the ju- the judges who were party to Malaba to stay for political preme Court. 
diciary of 2021 has hogged the the 15 May 2021 matter, the The reality is opposite. Mal- designs. By hook or by crook, Mal-
limelight, locally, regionally reality is that the judges of aba himself has actively engi- Among these were Judge aba may remain in office, but
and internationally for all the the Constitutional Court are neered processes that have led Then came the emotional President George Chiweshe, the reality is that he is dam-
wrong reasons. Various rule- themselves on trial on 14 July; to the illegal extension of his outburst by Justice minister in a classic case described by aged goods. No right-thinking
of-law institutions regionally their integrity, fidelity to the tenure. Amendments No.1 Ziyambi Ziyambi after the some as demotion by promo- citizen or jurist would look at
and globally have raised their rule of law; and their recogni- and No.2 to the constitution 15 May ruling, attacking the tion. By so doing, the Presi- that office and view it with
eyebrows following what is tion and respect of the funda- of Zimbabwe, 2013, were litigants and the judges who dent was seemingly intent on credibility anymore after all
happening Zimbabwe. But it mentals of natural justice, or carefully engineered to allow made the judgment. It is quite removing a Judge President this damaging controversy. 
looks set for worse, come 14 lack thereof, are on display.  for the continued stay in office telling that the statement by he considered hostile, allow-
July 2021, when a conflicted of Malaba beyond 15 May.  Ziyambi went without cen- ing him to recapture the High There are various challeng-
Constitutional Court bench It would be folly of anyone sure, showing the contempt Court bench.  es to Amendments No.1 and
will sit for a ruling that may be to believe that the court will Even though the Constitu- with which the government No.2 to the constitution. So
the lowest point of the Zim- sit on 14 July 2021 and make tional Court, in which Mal- perceives the judiciary, espe- At the same time, it allowed even if the conflicted Consti-
babwean apex court, and the a ruling thereafter, and the aba sat and made ruling, had cially when rulings do not go the President to have in place tutional Court delivers rul-
judiciary as a whole since In- integrity of the court would found that Amendment No.1 in its favour.   judges who would hear the ing for Malaba on 14 July,
dependence.   remain unscathed, with such was passed unprocedurally for government’s appeal to the Malaba’s position remains
Judges in own matter  monumental moral and legal failing to meet the two-thirds Then came the recusal of Supreme Court against the 15 precarious, with questionable
On 14 July 2021, a conflicted failures in recognising the con- majority votes threshold in the Justice Webster Chinamora May  ruling. An application amendments to the constitu-
bench of the Constitutional flict of interest that is patently Senate, the court gave a win- in the contempt of court ap- by a concerned citizen, Cha- tion which are currently being
Court will sit to determine a obvious even to the layman.   dow for the Senate to correct plication filed by Kika. The munorwa Chingwe, seeking challenged before the courts. 
matter in which the judges Judiciary paying a price  that, leading to present con- lawyers of Kika had evidence that a public interview process
are interested parties. The case At the core of this saga is troversies of an Amendment that Chinamora had met with be done for those not already It will be hard for the Zim-
was crafted to undo the 15 self-interest, motivated by Act deemed to be revived the secretary of the Judicial on the bench for consideration babwean judiciary to recover.
May 2021 judgment in which power retention. In 2011, against all manner of legal Service Commission (JSC), to the Supreme Court was For now, it is still sinking into
Justice Edith Mushore, Justice when the then South African convention in the law-making Walter Chikwana, a fact that thrown out by Justice Tawan- new lows as the nation and the
Happias Zhou and Justice Jes- president Jacob Zuma ex- process. But this would benefit Chinamora confirmed when da Chitapi. world watch in horror.
ta Helena Charewa ruled in tended the tenure of former Malaba soon after, as we were he was confronted with the Judicial corruption 
favour of Zimbabwe Human chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, to see in May 2021.  information and was asked to Judicial corruption manifests *About the writer:
Rights NGO Forum executive the move sparked a Consti- recuse himself.  in more ways than just bribery; Dr  Musa Kika  is a  Zimba-
director Musa Kika, and the tutional Court challenge by What makes this scheme so it equally manifests in political bwean constitutional and
Young Lawyers Association of civil society organisations — patently contrived is that May Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa machinations to retain judi- human rights lawyer. He
Zimbabwe (YLAZ) that Luke the Justice Alliance of South 2021 arrived, with Malaba wrote to the JSC seeking an cial power. The Malaba matter studied at the University of
Malaba ceased to be the Chief Africa, Freedom Under Law, having by then failed to trigger investigation into this serious has long seized to be legal; it KwaZulu-Natal, University
Justice on 15 May 2021 when the Centre for Applied Legal the process of facilitating for a matter and, to date, no results is now political. A judiciary of Cape Town (South Africa)
he turned 70.  Studies and the Council for successor, which ought to have of such an investigation have and Harvard Law School in
the Advancement of the South been started at least months been put in the public domain.   the United States. He is the
Malaba is, however, still at African Constitution.  before then as the late former current Executive Director
work despite the judgement Chief Justice Godfrey Chidy- It is unfathomable how an of the Zimbabwe Human
after his appeal which trig- Immediately, Ngcobo ten- ausiku did. It would appear entire judiciary would stand Rights NGO Forum.
gered controversy on whether dered his resignation, recog-
it suspended the judgement or nising that preservation of the
not.  A recent application by integrity of the judiciary was
one Max Mupungu, represent- key over furthering his own
ed by Lovemore Madhuku, a personal and selfish interests. 
professor of law, cited all the
According to then Justice
minister Jeff Radebe, “Chief
Justice Ngcobo said he found
it undesirable for a chief jus-
tice to be party in litigation in-
volving the question of wheth-
er or not he should continue
to hold office as this detracts

Page 30 The Big Debate NewsHawks

WILBERT MANDINDE Issue 38, 9 July 2021

THE fight for constitutional- The people versus authoritarians: 
ism in Zimbabwe has always Journey towards constitutionalism
been shrouded in controver-
sy with citizens always on the ue on the bench.  Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza. Malaba and approved Malaba’s
receiving end. Zimbabweans Section 328 requires the election to continue in office as
went for a referendum and of Zimbabwe. It did not both- ise the fruits of the High Court had withdrawn the entire Kika chief justice for an additional
voted for a constitution which holding of a referendum where er him that he had not noted judgment.  matter, including the one that five years. 
they wanted in 2013.  an amendment Bill seeks to any appeal. Kika immediately it has already won. The Forum
amend a term-limiting pro- approached the High Court On 11 June, the Human cannot withdraw a matter that Some three working days af-
The late former president vision. Section 328(7) also on an urgent basis wherein Rights NGO Forum filed an has already been determined ter the filing of the Mupungu
Robert Mugabe subsequently makes it clear that any amend- he brought an application for urgent court application for by the court. The High Court application, the registrar of the
signed the constitution into ment to a term-limit provision contempt of court seeking an an order for leave to execute was unequivocal. Malaba ConCourt wrote to the parties
law on 22 May 2013. Since does not apply to any person order for the incarceration of pending appeal. The Forum ceased being chief justice on inviting them to attend a case
then, there has been an expec- who held or occupied that Malaba.  sought to have an order Mal- 15 May. That is the position management meeting before
tation that everyone, including office at the time before the aba shall immediately cease at law.  Gwaunza. Lawyers for Kika
the government, would respect amendment.  However, in his opposition and desist from exercising the as well as YLAZ responded by
the new constitution. Re- to the application Malaba ar- functions of Chief Justice of In between these events, addressing letters to the Con-
specting this constitution also Kika cited as respondents all gued that the noting of the ap- Zimbabwe either in a judicial on 4 June, a Bulawayo man, Court registry protesting hav-
meant following its dictates the ConCourt and Supreme peal had suspended the judg- or administrative capacity un- Marx Mupungu, represented ing to appear before Gwaun-
and respecting it. Court judges. ment of the High Court. This less allowed to do so pursuant by Lovemore Madhuku Law- za, who is party to the matter
was a surprising interpretation to the outcome of the appeals yers, approached the Con- which she wanted to preside
The constitution has already The hearing of the urgent of the High Court judgement, filed against the High Court stitutional Court seeking an over. 
been amended twice. The court application commenced coming as it was from a career judgement.  order nullifying the declarator
first constitutional amend- at 2.30pm on 14 May  and judicial officer who had the granted by Zhou, Mushore Kika and the YLAZ were
ment suffered a setback when ended at around 12:30am privilege to sit as the country’s A case management hearing and Charehwa.   Curious- categorical that their submis-
the Constitutional Court on 15 May. On 15 May, the chief justice. was scheduled for 15 June at ly Mupungu omitted to cite sion to the jurisdiction of the
(ConCourt) ruled, in a mat- High Court of Zimbabwe, 2pm before a three-judge pan- Malaba, Gwaunza and all the ConCourt was to first be pred-
ter brought before it by MPs in a matter heard by a three- The matter was set down for el comprising of Justices Pisir- judges of the Supreme Court icated on a bench comprising
Innocent Gonese and Jessie judge panel which comprised 3 June. It transpired through ayi Kwenda, Esther Muremba and Constitutional Court who non-conflicted or affected per-
Majome (now a Zimbabwe justices Happias Zhou, Edith social media that one of the and Siyabona Musithu. An were cited in the High Court sonalities. 
Anti-Corruption Commission Mushore and Jesta Charehwa, judges to hear this matter, hour before the case manage- matter. He cited only Ziyam-
member), that there was no issued an abridged judgment Justice Webster Chinamora, ment hearing, the Forum filed bi, JSC, Kika, Young Lawyers However, Gwaunza ex-
two-thirds majority in the Sen- in terms of which it found that had been approached by JSC a notice of withdrawal on this Association of Zimbabwe pressed disquiet over the way
ate when passing the Bill and Malaba’s tenure as a judge and secretary Walter Chikwanha matter.  (YLAZ), Fredrick Charles Mo- letters objecting to her presid-
therefore the amendment had Chief Justice of Zimbabwe had to ensure that the application ses Mutanda, Attorney-Gen- ing over the case management
not been properly passed.  come to an end at 00:00hrs on failed. Chinamora confirmed The withdrawal was received eral Prince Machaya and meeting were crafted. She stat-
15 May.  that indeed he met with Chik- with mixed reactions. Those Mnangagwa as 1st to 7th re- ed that she was not accepting
Subsequent actions by Par- wanha though he denied that representing the respondents spondents, respectively.  that she was conflicted to the
liament to remedy the wrong After the judgment was is- they had discussed this case. proceeded to court for the case extent that she should recuse
resulted in litigation. The sued, the Judicial Service Com- He recused himself from hear- management hearing insisting Mupungu approached the herself from presiding over a
Law Society of Zimbabwe is mission (JSC) immediately ing the case all the same.  then that the Forum could not court in terms of Section 175 case management meeting. 
among those who have litigat- issued a statement in which it withdraw the matter that had of the constitution which re-
ed against the unprocedural acknowledged the judgment However, by the time he re- already been set down. The quires the confirmation of an She therefore proceeded to
and unlawful passing of this of the court. The statement cused himself, he had already truth was that the matter had order concerning the constitu- deal with the matter and de-
amendment. also stated that in line with had access to the judges who not been set down and none tional invalidity of any law or termined the timelines for the
provisions of section 181 of eventually heard the matter. of the respondents had filed any conduct of the President filing of pleadings in this case.
The Constitution of Zim- the Constitution of Zimba- The application was dismissed. any opposing papers. The ea- or Parliament. He is arguing She set 14 July as the day in
babwe Amendment (No.2) bwe, the deputy Chief Justice The judgment effectively gerness of the respondents to that Mnangagwa acted con- which the ConCourt would
Act was signed into law by (Gwaunza) had assumed the found that the appeals that had proceed with this matter was a stitutionally when he accept- hear this application.
President Emmerson Mnan- position of the Acting Chief been noted were effectual and surprise.  ed the medical report on the
gagwa on 7 May 2021. The Justice of Zimbabwe.  that further action was neces- mental and physical fitness of On 8 July, the registrar of
amendment had far-reaching sary if the Forum were to real- Some members of the pub- the ConCourt wrote to the
ramifications. It changed the That position has not been lic thought that the Forum parties in the Mupungu mat-
appointment criteria for judg- officially retracted. The Deputy ter advising that it had invited
es of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice began to exercise Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara
ConCourt and extended the in earnest the functions of the as amicus curie (friend of the
age of retirement for the Su- Acting Chief Justice.  As the court). Questions are being
preme Court and ConCourt Acting Chief Justice, she swore asked about this invitation.
judges from 70 years to 75 in the judges of the ConCourt This is a bench with an interest
years.  who were recently appointed in the matter which has now
by Mnangagwa. The Acting invited a lawyer to befriend it.
On 11 May, Chief Secretary Chief Justice also toured the There is belief that Zhuwarara
to the President and Cabi- Chinhoyi courthouse that has clear instructions of what
net Misheck Sibanda wrote a is under construction and is to say. Could it be that the
letter, which was widely cir- nearing completion. bench has lost confidence in
culated, announcing that the the submission made by Mad-
President had accepted Chief Justice Legal and Parlia- huku Lawyers?
Justice Luke Malaba’s election mentary Affairs minister Zi-
to continue as Chief Justice yambi Ziyambi as well as the The fight for constitution-
for another five years. Mala- JSC immediately appealed the alism can be prosecuted on
ba’s tenure extension has been judgment. It was only on 27 different fronts. The Forum is
blocked as he ceased to be May that Malaba and all other happy with the impact of the
chief justice on 15 May. judges of the Supreme Court fight in the High Court. 
and ConCourt filed a notice of
Zimbabwe Human Rights appeal against the High Court However, it is becoming ap-
NGO Forum executive direc- decision. parent that the Forum’s efforts
tor Dr Musa Kika immediately to entrench ethos of constitu-
approached the High Court Prior to that, on 17 May, tionalism and the rule of law
on an urgent basis seeking to following the victory in the are now under serious threat as
bar the extension of Malaba’s High Court, the Human the forces of authoritarianism
tenure. Kika argued that the Rights NGO Forum held a appear to have regrouped and
provisions under which Mala- Press conference in which it are staging a comeback. So 14
ba would benefit from, which explained that the judgment of July will be D-day. They will
were introduced in terms of an the High Court was a declara- preside over their own matter,
amendment to Section 328(7) tur and was not suspended by in their own court room and
of the constitution, would al- the noting of an appeal. unashamedly trample on the
low the Chief Justice, his dep- rules of natural justice and ju-
uty, Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza However, on 24 May, Mala- dicial integrity.
as well as ConCourt and Su- ba simply decided that he was
preme Court judges to have going to return to work. He *About the writer:
their terms of office extended did. He was defiant in doing Mandinde is the Zimbabwe
by the President on produc- so. He began to exercise the Human Rights NGO Forum
tion of a medical certificate functions of the Chief Justice programmes coordinator.
confirming that such a judge
would be fit enough to contin-

NewsHawks The Big Debate Page 31

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Page 32 Africa News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Jacob Zuma’s fate is but a  symptom of deep, 
dramatic power shift within the ruling ANC

STEPHEN GROOTES

THE statement of the ANC From left to right, South Africa’s governing ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte. (Photo: Gallo Images/Netwerk24 / Lulama Zenzile)|Deputy President David Mabuza.
published on Tuesday in re- (Photo: Gallo Images/ Sharon Seretlo) |National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe. (Photo: Gallo Images/Business Day/Freddy Mavunda) | Former president Jacob Zuma. (Photo:
sponse to the public show of Getty Images / Bloomberg/Waldo Swiegers) | President Cyril Ramaphosa. |Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile. (Photo: Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi)|Suspended Secretary-General
support for Zuma on Sunday Ace Magashule.
at Nkandla is a demonstration
of how, step by infinitesimal followed the publication of so rare. meeting, that they back the going testimony at the Zondo end of public resistance from
step, the balance of power in the statement, ANC Deputy At the same time, while judiciary, that the “interests of Commission, Zuma’s failure ANC figures towards Rama-
the party has changed funda- Secretary-General Jessie Duar- an individual cannot take pre- to stop the election of a joint phosa. 
mentally. te said she still hoped that the Zuma and his supporters have cedence… over the interests of ANC leadership in KwaZu-
Constitutional Court would issued direct public challenges our democracy”.  lu-Natal, the NEC’s “step-aside This does not mean there
As the legal wrangling over not order Zuma to go to jail. to the rule of law and the au- resolution”, and the decision will be no opposition, or that
whether or not former presi- thority of the Constitutional While Zuma still does have that Ace Magashule should be he will be able to do what he
dent Jacob Zuma will be arrest- Some have seen this as a Court, this NEC statement is some support, the vast major- suspended as secretary-general. wants in the ANC. There are
ed and how that will happen contradiction of the main vital for many other reasons. ity of South Africans are ap- simply too many constituen-
continued deep into the night thrust of the statement, but palled by the corruption and All of these, and others, have cies within the party for that
on Wednesday, and even as he that may not necessarily be the There have been some incompetence that crippled been crucial moments in this to happen. But it could be the
was on his way to jail (he was case. It is clear that the party suggestions that Ramaphosa the country while he was pres- process, but that process is not end of this phase of our poli-
taken into Estcourt Prison in believes, firmly, that the rule should speak up for the rule ident. Zuma is the symbol of necessarily complete. tics.
the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands of law must be followed. But of law. But the message of sup- everything that was wrong,
on Wednesday night), over there is nothing wrong with port for the judiciary is now and the testimony of multiple While it is still likely that All of this, should it play out
the longer term it may be the also hoping, as a human being, that much stronger, coming witnesses at the Zondo Com- this will end with Zuma going in this way, could be a vindi-
underpinning political events that someone you worked with from the NEC. While Rama- mission has revealed the role to prison (which has now hap- cation of Ramaphosa’s “long
that prove to be much more for many years does not have phosa could have spoken up, that he played. pened), there are others who game” approach. It would sug-
important. The ANC’s attitude to spend time behind bars. any comments by him could are now going to find them- gest that he was right to take
to this situation, and its strong That would allow someone to have been used against him, For the party to shield him selves in a difficult political the longer, more difficult route
backing of the judiciary, the both show sympathy and to and he could have been ac- from jail could well cost them position. of using legal processes, both in
constitution and constitution- uphold the rule of law. cused of using the law to deal many votes in the coming elec- South Africa and in the ANC,
alism in general, may turn out with personal opponents. tions. The NEC has resolved that rather than the quicker, more
to be more significant in the The more important issue is there will be investigations direct methods of majoritarian
years to come than Zuma’s sen- how things have changed.  Now it is the might of the This could even be a useful into those who were at Nkand- politics.
tence of imprisonment. ANC NEC that has made this moment for the party. Zuma la and who spoke in favour of
In December 2017, just statement. And any comment could be turned into the sym- Zuma.  As Professor Anthony Butler
The ANC’s recent National three-and-a-half years ago, by Ramaphosa will simply be bol of corruption and on the once noted, it shows how Ra-
Executive Committee (NEC) Zuma’s preferred candidate for a reiteration of the substance. campaign trail the ANC lead- These would appear to maphosa first used the power
meeting and its emphatic de- the presidency of the ANC, He can preface answers to ers could claim that they are include Tony Yengeni, Ma- of ANC process against Ma-
cisions also show just how Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zu- questions with, “Well, as the prepared to take action against gashule and perhaps even the gashule, and thus ensured that
significantly the power in the ma, lost by just 179 votes to NEC of the governing party corruption by their own, as Human Settlements Minister, no one in the party could re-
party has changed, to a point Ramaphosa. Very few people has said…”. evidenced by Zuma’s incarcer- Lindiwe Sisulu, along with tain their position after being
where it is now prepared to then would have believed that ation. several others. Even a man as criminally charged. It also sug-
support the jailing of the man just three-and-a-half years ‘While Zuma still does have insignificant as Carl Niehaus is gests, as  Jonny Steinberg has
who dominated it so emphati- later the ANC NEC would some support, the vast major- This could be useful with not being spared. pointed out, that Ramaphosa
cally for so long.  stand behind the constitution ity of South Africans are ap- some voters.  has been right to prioritise the
and against Zuma. Or that an palled by the corruption and By going to Nkandla and rule of law in all ways, rather
All of this is, of course, a ANC-appointed police minis- incompetence that crippled Of course, there have been displaying their support for than to abuse his position as
boost for President Cyril Ra- ter, himself from KZN (Bheki the country while he was pres- important steps along the way Zuma, it is possible that they president to achieve his aims.
maphosa, and could further Cele), would say in public the ident. Zuma is the symbol of to this moment. will be accused of also dis-
help the removal of those who South African Police Service everything that was wrong, playing their rejection of Ra- Of course, the focus over
have opposed him, personally, were prepared to arrest Zuma and the testimony of multiple The first was the NEC (the maphosa and of the NEC’s the short term is on Zuma and
and his agenda. to comply with the law. witnesses at the Zondo Com- same group of people which statement. As a result, there his possible or probable arrest.
mission has revealed the role make up the NEC now) could be disciplinary processes While that is important, it may
The NEC said that it not- This again underscores the that he played.’ who  voted overwhelming- against them. And thus Ra- symbolise something much
ed, “Our unequivocal com- unique nature of this situation. ly that Zuma should vacate his maphosa may now be able to more significant for our future:
mitment to and defence of It is not just that a former pres- It would now appear virtu- position as president of South oversee their removal. that the politics of the ANC
the constitution, in particular ident is being arrested, it is that ally impossible for the ANC, Africa in 2018. has changed dramatically. At
the supremacy of the consti- that person’s political party is and the NEC, to walk their This could spell the end of least for now. 
tution, the rule of law and the still in power, which makes this strong statement back. They Then there were the difficult major resistance to Ramaphosa
independence of the judiciary, have said, publicly, after a full moments when it appeared within the ANC. And, perhaps – Daily Meverick.
amongst the founding princi- Zuma might refuse to leave, as important, it could be the
ples and values of the repub- his  actual resignation, the  on-
lic.” 

It went on to say that the
NEC “reaffirmed our under-
standing that we consciously
chose a democratic system
and constitutional dispensa-
tion. It was not an accident,
concession or a compromise,
but rather an expression of our
fundamental values and beliefs
as espoused by the African
Claims, the Freedom Charter,
the Harare Declaration and
the Constitutional Principles.
The meeting stressed that it
must always be clear that the
interests of an individual can-
not take precedence over or
jeopardise the interests of our
democracy or of the nation.”

While the statement did
not mention Zuma by name,
it was obvious who was being
referred to.

In the Press conference that

NewsHawks ThAefrBiciga DNebwaste Page 33

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Eswatini has had enough 
of despotic King Mswati

FRIDA GHITIS worse. The high poverty rate ob- launched “a full-frontal assault The current generation of Swa- ESwatini (formerly Swaziland) recently on fire.
scures the fact that the country on human rights,” with “dozens zis is not the first to want change.
MANY years ago, an acquain- is, in fact, classified as middle in- killed, tortured, abducted,” by But  opposition figures say they
tance told me a story from her come. But income distribution is security forces. are determined to obtain “free-
childhood in the country then extremely unequal. In fact, Eswa- dom in our lifetime.” More than
known as Swaziland (now Eswa- tini ranks among the world’s top During an earlier wave of anything, they say, they want a
tini) that sounded like something 10 in income inequality. protests in 2020, labour groups, government that will serve the
from out of the distant past. One public servants and democracy interests of the people, not just
day, she said, officials from the Atop the pyramid of inequali- activists braved security forces those of the king.
king’s palace came to her high ty sits the reigning monarch. No- who responded with tear gas and
school and left with one of her body knows exactly how much water cannons. This year the con- *About the writer: Ghitis
friends, a beautiful girl, in tow. money Mswati has today, but in flict has only intensified. is a world affairs columnist.
The country’s king, Mswati III, 2008,  Forbes listed him among A former CNN producer and
had caught sight of the girl and the world’s 15 wealthiest royals, One of the groups organizing correspondent, she is a regular
decided he wanted her as one of estimating his fortune at US$200 the latest wave of protests, the contributor to CNN and The
his many wives, who now num- million.  Economic Freedom Fighters of Washington Post. Follow her on
ber 15.  Swaziland, describes them as a Twitter at @fridaghitis.
Local media may find it per- revolution. 
As startling as Mswati’s preda- ilous to delve into his profligate
tory marital practices are, so too is spending, but the king’s lavish CORONA VIRUS
the fact that the depth of his des- lifestyle and eye-popping shop- COVID-19
potism, then and now, has largely ping sprees occasionally make
played out under the world’s ra- headlines around the world. In SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP
dar. 2019, the Times of London re- STOP THE SPREAD
ported on his purchase of “at least
The world may not have been 15 Rolls-Royces and dozens of Cough and sneeze Use a tissue
paying a lot of attention to the BMWs,” part of a luxury fleet he into your arm
tyranny of Africa’s last absolute provides for his wives. 
monarch, who has ruled the Bin the tissue Wash your hands
country he renamed Eswatini The opulent spending would
for 35 years. But the people of turn heads anywhere, but it is TOGETHER WE CAN STOP THE
Eswatini have, and now they are particularly galling to a people SPREAD AND STAY HEALTHY
demanding change. whose needs are so pressing. 
The NewsHawks TheNewsHawksLive www.thenewshawks.com join@thenewshawks.com
Demonstrators in the small, Long before the coronavirus
landlocked nation, which is pandemic made public health
enclaved within South Africa’s a major issue across the globe,
borders, have been taking to the Swaziland had been battered by
streets since late June, demanding another devastating pathogen it
major constitutional changes, in- failed to contain. The country
cluding an end to a ban on polit- has the world’s highest preva-
ical parties and, at long last, the lence of HIV, with more than
introduction of democracy.  Im- one-in-four residents carrying the
ages circulating on social media virus that causes Aids. Prevalence
show fires, burning vehicles and among women is even higher,
other disturbances in several cit- at more than one-in-three. As
ies.   a result,  more than half of the
country’s children under 17 are
Security forces, including the orphans. 
military, have responded force-
fully, firing live ammunition and It is unclear just how badly the
tear gas to quell the demonstra- coronavirus pandemic has affect-
tions. Businesses have been or- ed Eswatini. The king acknowl-
dered to close by 3.30pm, and a edged he contracted Covid-19
6pm curfew has been imposed. and received treatment abroad. In
Acting Prime Minister Them- December, the government an-
ba Masuku has called for calm, nounced that 52-year-old Prime
trying to ease the tensions with Minister Ambrose Dlamini had
a conciliatory tone, saying the died, without giving a cause.
government has heard the dem- It is widely believed he died of
onstrators’ demands and will take Covid-19.
action. 
In addition to the enduringly
Opposition leaders claim the dismal public health and harsh
king has fled, but Masuku denies economic conditions, Swazis live
it. under repressive rule. The king
enjoys practically unlimited pow-
The problem with King er. He controls all branches of
Mswati’s rule goes beyond the the national government, accord-
lack of democracy. Under his im- ing to Freedom House, and can
perious, extravagant lifestyle, the hire and fire the prime minister
1.1 million inhabitants of Eswati- and his cabinet members at will.
ni live in misery. Mswati’s regime In addition, he dominates local
combines tyranny with incompe- politics by influencing tradition-
tence. al chiefs, some of whom inherit
their positions and still govern
Swaziland gained indepen- their localities but report directly
dence from Britain in 1968, and a to Mswati.
few years later, then-King Sobhu-
za, Mswati’s father, suspended Meanwhile, criticism of the
the constitution. Sobhuza ended regime in the media is violently
up ruling for 82 years, making silenced. The parliament, many
him possibly the longest-reign- of whose members are appoint-
ing monarch in history. Upon his ed by the king, has shown some
death in 1986, Mswati ascended signs of independence recently,
to the throne and has ruled ever but it is still controlled by the
since. monarch and has passed laws that
the government exploits to main-
In 2018, on the 50th an- tain tight control.  In its 2020
niversary of independence, he country report, Amnesty Interna-
renamed the country, claiming tional said  the government uses
that people kept confusing it “draconian legislation, including
with Switzerland. Swazis said the the Suppression of Terrorism Act
monarch was worrying about the and the Sedition and Subversive
wrong problem. Activities Act, to silence the me-
dia,” citing multiple instances
According to World Bank of arrests and torture of journal-
figures from 2017,  almost 60% ists and their relatives.  Amnesty
of the population lives below now says  the government has
the poverty line. The pandemic
has undoubtedly made matters

Page 34 World News NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

JEAN France’s incomplete reckoning 
BEAMAN with its troubling colonial past

I FIRST met Salim, a French President Emmanuel Macron.
35-year-old French citizen of
Algerian origin, about 10 years I am French material difficulties because “terrible crimes” had occurred hundred protesters in the riv- Thomas Robert Bugeaud,
ago at a cafe near Levallois, Salim’s words came back to me of their racial identities and on both sides,  but refused to er. Weeks later, a hand-paint- who was known for demol-
the Parisian  banlieue — or in January, when Benjamin ethnic origins. It also raises apologise for colonialism, as ed message appeared on the ishing Algerian villages in the
peri-urban ghetto — where he Stora, a noted French histo- the question: Is it possible to the Algerian newspaper El quay, reading, “Ici on noie 19th century. Then there is
lived at the time. In the course rian of immigration, released reckon with colonialism while Khabar had demanded. Five les Algeriens,” or “Algerians Rue Bonaporte in the 6th ar-
of our wide-ranging discus- a government-commissioned simultaneously ignoring its years later, Sarkozy’s successor, are drowned here.” Despite rondissement, which is named
sion about French history and report on the memories and connection to racism? Francois Hollande, acknowl- that haunting memorial, the after Napoleon Bonaparte,
identity, part of the fieldwork legacy of France’s colonisation The unacknowledged lega- edged the crimes of colonial- memory of this massacre was who, as Macron recently ac-
for my doctoral dissertation, of Algeria, which lasted from cies of colonialism ism, but also refused to issue not recognised for many years. knowledged in a speech com-
he told me that while it is 1830 to 1962.  To say that France’s recogni- an official apology for them. Hollande finally acknowl- memorating the bicentennial
possible for some immigrants tion of its colonial past in Al- In 2017, while still a candi- edged the attack in 2012, but anniversary of his death,  re-
to become “French,” that isn’t French President Emman- geria and elsewhere has been date in that year’s presidential today, even basic facts of what stored slavery to the French
the case for everyone. uel Macron commissioned troubled would be an under- election, Macron acknowl- happened continue to be dis- colonies in the Caribbean after
the report late last year and statement. After years of being edged that French colonialism puted. Estimates for the num- it had been abolished during
“To actually be French, you has pledged to follow up on downplayed, it re-emerged in Algeria was a crime against ber of people killed in the at- the French Revolution. And
have to forget yourself a little some of its recommendations, as a contested issue in 2005, humanity and stated that, if tack, for instance, range from in supermarkets across France,
bit [and] adopt the behaviours including by establishing a when a proposed law seeking elected, he would issue an of- 40 to up to 300. one can still see the caricature
that are imposed on us,” he “memories and truth” com- to compensate Harkis — Al- ficial apology to all its victims. of a Sengalese Tirailleur — a
said. “There is a path to follow mission, headed by Stora, to gerians who fought alongside Yet the descendants of French There are many such mark- Black colonial infantryman
to become French.” review the history of the war; the French military during colonialism in both France ers of colonialism throughout — on the jars and packages of
increasing access to archival the Algerian War — and their and Algeria are still waiting France. One is the statue of Banania, a popular chocolate
What it means to be French materials from this period; descendants was amended to for him to follow through. Jean-Baptiste Colbert that breakfast drink, that line the
— outside of official legal and holding three ceremonies include a measure requiring stands outside the Nation- shelves.
definitions — has long been to recognise Algerians who educators to emphasise the Recognising this history al Assembly in Paris, which
subject to debate in France. In fought on both sides of the “positive aspects” of French matters, because colonial rule was  defaced with red paint In other words, the legacy
recent years, that debate has war and the agreement that colonialism when teaching and the subsequent war of in- by an anti-racism activist last of French colonialism is on
become increasingly politi- ended it. French history. That amend- dependence shaped not only summer.  prominent display in contem-
cised and — with the rise ment was repealed in early Algeria, but also France itself. porary France, and it takes ef-
of France’s anti-immigrant, Controversially, the Stora 2006 following an  uproar by In 1961, for example, during Colbert is known for writ- fort not to see it.
far-right — increasingly en- report stops short of recom- some activists, historians and the war, the Parisian police ing the  Code Noir, or Black A practice in colourblind
twined with the question of mending that France issue an other scholars. attacked demonstrators from Code, a decree passed by King mythmaking
immigration. Now, as next official apology for its colonial the Algerian nationalist party, Louis XIV in 1685 that cod- As historian Itay Lotem has
year’s presidential election rule. Since then, successive the National Liberation Front ified how slavery would be noted, documenting and re-
approaches, and as recent so- French presidents have strug- or FLN, who had gathered in instituted in France’s colonial membering the history of co-
cial movements across Europe The Stora report reveals the gled to tackle France’s colonial the 6th arrondissement near empire.  lonialism is not a benign act.
demand a reckoning with the ways in which French colo- history and its legacy. In 2007, Pont St. Michel, a bridge on Rather, it is political in nature
continent’s colonial history, nial history has been silenced ahead of a state visit to Algeria, the Seine. By the end of the For another, look to Av- and therefore crucial to pres-
what French identity actually despite its omnipresence in Sarkozy acknowledged that assault, security forces had enue Bugeaud in the 16th ent-day, anti-racist struggles.
means is once again a central contemporary French society, beaten and drowned over a arrondissement, which is
feature of political and societal where individuals like Salim named after a former French
debates. continue to face social and governor-general of Algeria,

Salim, whose parents mi-
grated to the country around
the time of the Algerian War
of Independence, which be-
gan in 1954 and ended in
1962, said he is often treated
like an outsider because he
does not fit the stereotypical
image of a French person.

“As a French person
of Algerian origin, when
I am in France, I don’t
feel  French  French. … But I
have a million more reasons
to be here than Nicolas Sar-
kozy,” he said, referring to the
then-French president, whose
father was Hungarian. “In the
past few centuries there wasn’t
a shared history between
France and Hungary, right?
But between France and Alge-
ria — I mean, we used to be a
French colony.”

Salim bemoaned the fact
that, despite being born and
raised in France, and despite
his high level of education
and various accomplishments,
he is still treated as less than
his fellow citizens, many of
whom do not even consider
him to be French. “But I am
French. Whether they want
it or not, I am French,” he
insisted. “France has to ac-
cept all French people as they
are, and not as they wish they
were.”
Whether they want it or not,

NewsHawks World News Page 35

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

The Stora report purports to Statue of Jean-Baptiste Colbert stands outside the National Assembly in Paris. He is known for writing the Code Noir, or Black Code, a typified by Macron’s charac-
help France face its colonial decree passed by King Louis XIV in 1685 that codified how slavery would be instituted in France’s colonial empire. teridation of them as divisive
history, but it does so while ideas imported from abroad,
deploying a colonial logic that France continues to fail are in incorporating all indi- creasingly seen as a threat to furious debate in France  be- blatantly serves political aims
allows it to avoid acknowledg- these postcolonial migrants viduals in a plural society. France’s universalist ideals and tween those who saw the re- in advance of the country’s
ing responsibility — and pay- and their descendants. Data The Anti-Racism Movement national cohesion. Macron, port as a missed opportunity 2022 presidential elections,
ing reparations. is sparse, of course — but Today, the children of French for his part, has stated that the and those who felt it went when he will almost certainly
several studies have demon- colonialism are fighting back. country’s anti-racism activists too far. On the one hand, the face off against Marine Le Pen,
The limitations imposed by strated race-based gaps in ed- We see this in recent anti-rac- have been inspired by “certain Stora report does not discuss the leader of the far-right, an-
this balancing act are reflected ucational attainment and em- ist mobilisations sparked by social science theories entire- racism, despite it being key to ti-immigrant National Rally
in the myths and stories ployment. Another study the police killings of racial mi- ly imported from the United understanding the legacies of party, in the second-round
conducted by the Paris-based norities, including of Lamine States,” posing a danger to the colonialism. On the other, the run-off. But it is also clear that
France tells about itself. National Centre for Scientific Dieng in 2007 and Adama cohesiveness of French society. virulent criticism the report France is still trying to have it
Salim, like many children of Research in 2009 found that Traore in 2016. This social The suggestion was that race received for even acknowledg- both ways, acknowledging
French colonialism, did not black and Maghrebin-origin movement grew even larg- and racism are foreign ideas ing France’s responsibility for that it was once a colonial em-
learn about the horrors of individuals were  six to seven er in the past 12 months, as with no analytical relevance in colonial-era violence reflects pire while denying that racism
colonial rule in Algeria while times more likely than white the May 2020 police killing France. the pressure French politicians was a part of that history—
attending French schools; he individuals  to be stopped by of George Floyd in the Unit- face to advocate moving be- and is still part of contempo-
learned about them from the the police.  ed States reverberated across That is especially ironic yond or forgetting this diffi- rary French society.
stories his family and relatives Europe and connected to an- considering that ideas of racial cult history.
shared with him. Their mem- Meanwhile, black and ti-racism activism in France.  difference in the U.S. have France’s minorities know
ories, which, as Salim notes Maghrebin voters have not their origins in European En- Meanwhile, the notion that better. Houria Bouteldja, a
are a part of French history, been adequately represented The demands of these ac- lightenment thinkers, includ- colonisation brought civilisa- French activist of Algerian
have been downplayed or mi- in national government, with tivists — including justice ing French writers Arthur de tion to parts of Africa, Asia origin who started the Party
nimised, signalling to him and only a few notable exceptions, for the victims of police kill- Gobineau and Francois Ber- and the Caribbean — a logic of the Indigenous of the Re-
others of Maghrebin heritage like Christiane Taubira and ings, punishment of the police nier, and that today, the field once used to justify French public,  wrote in her recent
that they are not as French as Rachida Dati, both former officers, and apologies and of postcolonial studies in the colonial rule —persists today.  book  that, “It only takes one
their white peers. ministers of justice, and cur- reparations for colonial slav- U.S. has itself been heavily in- generation for an Italian, a
rent National Assembly mem- ery — boil down to a call for fluenced by the works of Aime In a recent television ap- Portuguese, or a Pole to be-
Stora himself has noted that ber Daniele Obono. the French political system to Cesaire and Frantz Fanon, pearance, for instance, French come really French, while this
the history of immigration represent and protect all of its both of whom were born in columnist  Guillaume Big- dignity will always in effect be
and immigrants is often seen Acknowledging French constituents, not just its white French-administered, overseas ot urged Algerians to “feel denied to the old, deported
as separate from convention- colonialism therefore neces- ones. territories. proud” of being colonized by Africans who remain relegated
al narratives of French his- sitates acknowledging French France.  Examples of other to [an inferior status in] the
tory. This is partly because racism. France has never been, And this matters now be- The Stora report — partic- colonial-era logics  that have Hexagon or the dusty corners
of  France’s commitment to and is not now, colourblind. cause any mention of race, ularly its omission of an apol- hung around to this day are of the Empire — as if they
its “republican values” and Rather, its political history racism or Islamophobia, even ogy for colonialism and the easy to find. were forever in training.”
universalist ideals, a “colour- serves as a case study for how by white French people, is in- promised “memory and truth”
blind” political framework inadequate such approaches commission — prompted Today the discourse sur- The discrimination and rac-
that asserts that a French per- rounding anti-racism efforts, ism that Salim and other “vis-
son’s primary identity must be ible minorities” continue to
their French identity — not experience in France continu-
their religious or ethnic iden- ally reminds French society of
tity. Officially, race, ethnicity the failures of its universalist
and religion are not even ac- model. 
knowledged as categories, and
the French state keeps no re- But in another way, their
cord of them in census forms desire to be recognised as full
and identification documents, citizens, rather than as immi-
for instance. grants or foreigners, shows
how deeply invested they
Yet, France is multicultural, are in French republicanism,
diverse and cosmopolitan to- despite how it marginalis-
day because of its colonial his- es them. Their claims that
tory and subsequent migration France suffers from systemic
to the metropole. Emigration racism are not a disavowal of
from former French colonies the country they call home,
in the Maghreb began as early but rather a critique of how it
as the start of the 20th centu- has failed to live up to its own
ry, when World War I inspired ideals.
people from France’s colonies
and overseas departments We cannot make sense of
to move to the Hexagon, as contemporary France without
mainland France is called, in accounting for this history of
search of work. The number racism. 
of migrants from the Maghreb
increased again in the late And without an official
1940s to early 1960s, coin- apology for colonialism, and
ciding with the end of World a comprehensive education
War II in 1945, the end of the as to the role of colonial rule
Fourth Republic in 1958 and of Algeria in French history,
the end of the Algerian War of the wounds it inflicted will
Independence in 1962. These remain. Stora’s commission
migrants, many of whom set- might not fill in this blind
tled in the banlieues of major spot, but France still has to try.
cities, were only expected to Otherwise, Macron’s warning
be temporary residents, but that the country might end up
due to changes in immigra- divided by these issues could
tion policies, they ended up very well be a self-fulfilling
settling in France and having prophecy. – World Politics
families. Review.

Salim is a descendant of *About the writer: Jean
two of these migrants. Today, Beaman is an associate pro-
approximately 9% of France’s fessor of sociology at the Uni-
population is foreign-born, versity of California, San-
including more than 1.8 mil- ta Barbara, and author of
lion migrants from Algeria, “Citizen Outsider: Children
Morocco and Tunisia, accord- of North African Immigrants
ing to the National Institute in France” (University of
of Statistics and Economic California Press, 2017). She
Studies, or INSEE. Another is currently writing a new,
10% are the  descendants of ethnographic book on an-
either one or two immigrant ti-racism and police violence
parents. in France.

Page 36 NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

LADIES’ CHOICE
Women on the Move

The NewsHawks introduced a section on its digital publication covering issues about women’s endeavours – under Ladies’ Choices: Women on the Move - to provide women
with opportunities to succeed in their professional and personal lives. Empowering women is empowering families, communities and societies. The coverage’s key objectives are
to highlight women’s careers, endeavours, businesses, financial issues and advance their career growth, as well as contribute to fulfilling their hopes and aspirations. Through this
initiative, our goal is ultimately to contribute, while also helping to secure an equal future for our fellow female citizens, entrepreneurs, employees, clients, consumers and the
communities we serve. In recent years conversations around patriarchy and social tenets of equality have been at the forefront of feminism, but now campaigns and demands for
equality are nearing a fever pitch. However, economic equality – which matters the most – is still a pipe dream.

Judith Mujegu née Mudonhi
(Acting City Planner)

Judith Mujegu née Mudonhi is married with three lovely daughters. She hold a Bachelor of Science
degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Master of Science in Urban Planning. She also has a
Post-Graduate Certificate in Diplomatic Events and Management  and Sustainable Transport Plan-
ning. Mujegu is a philanthropist specialising in caring for old people, orphans and the less privileged.
She is a women and youth advisor by nature. She joined City of Harare in 1996 and rose through
the ranks to the present Acting City Planner. Her hobbies including knitting, providing catering and
decorating services.

Eng. Faith Maidei Kashangura
(Acting Land Management
and Development Manager)

Eng Faith Maidei Kashangura is a strategist, a coach, trailblazer and a technocrat launching the
geospatial profession into the 21st century by elevating the Geographical Information Technology
and being the hub of geospatial knowledge. Eng Kashangura is a registered land surveyor in Zim-
babwe in terms of the Land Surveyors Act, Chapter [27:06] becoming the first female registered
land surveyor in Zimbabwe; ex officio Commissioner of Oaths in all districts in Zimbabwe in
terms of Justices of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act, Chapter [7:09]. She is also registered
by the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe as a professional engineer in the field of Surveying and
Geomatics Engineering. She holds a Master if Science degree in Geo-Information Science and
Earth Observation from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She also holds a BSc Honours
degree in Geo-Informatics and Surveying from the University of Zimbabwe. Eng Kashangura is
the City of Harare’s Acting Land Management and Development Manager in the Department of
Works responsible for Land Surveying and Mapping, Geographic Information System application
in data collection storage and management as well as Development Control and Regulation. Eng
Kashangura also served as the chair: Affiliations Committee, Survey Institute of Zimbabwe, the
Honorary Secretary, Survey Institute Of Zimbabwe, the chair: Building Committee, United Meth-
odist Church, Mabelreign Circuit and as a Committee Member: African Institute For Agrarian
Studies (Aias) Land Tenure Dialogue.

NewsHawks Ladies’ Choice Page 37

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Mercy Christine Makwatsine
(Customer Relations Officer)

Mercy Christine Makwatsine was born on 1 August 1980 and she is happily married with one
child. She is the customer relations officer.  She holds Bachelor of Technology Honours degree in
Information Technology from the Harare Institute of Technology,  Mass Media Communications
and Journalism Diploma from the Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA) and a Higher
National Diploma in Computer Studies from CCOSA. She is one of the pioneers of the customer
care centre responsible for awareness campaigns and catch them young programmes. She is the pro-
ducer of Sunshine News Weekly bulletins.    Between 2009 and 2013, Makwatsine was employed
by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation as an Assistant Online Editor.

Eng. Lovejoy Rumbidzai Chimoto Denhere
(Engineer in the Water Department)

Lovejoy Rumbidzai Chimoto Denhere was born on 12 June 1983 in a family of seven. She is hap-
pily married. She holds a degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, a Master’s degree
in Engineering Project Management from the National University of Science and Technology and
also Management from Chinhoyi University of Technology. She has a post-graduate degree in Geo-
graphic Information Systems and has 10 years’ experience working in the mining industry and four
years in manufacturing. She has been with City of Harare for three years.

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 38 Gwara: Jah Prayzah’s highly Issue 38, 9 July 2021
risky but successful offering!
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA light of his cult-like fan-
There is no doubt that Zimbabwean. base.
EXPERIMENTS can ei- Jah Prayzah believes in his You cannot fail to notice
ther be risky or turn out traditions and customs. It A fan commented on
successful. should come as no surprise the rhythms by Rodney YouTube about Mhon-
that he consulted the guid- Beatz and Young DLC, doro: “This song gives me
In his latest album, ance of the “elders and tra- whose signature “Young goose bumps and touches
Gwara, Zimbabwean trail- ditionalists” on Gwara.  Dee on the Beat”, which my soul. It awakens the
blazing singer Jah Prayzah preface the beat, in a man- Zimbabwean warrior with-
has delivered on both It is easy to see why he ner somewhat similar to in. JP’s raspy voice, the
fronts.  often refers to “machem- how some American ar- melody, the beat, the fu-
bere”, “mhondoro” and tistes arrange their music. sion of modern and tradi-
The new offering is a “machangamire”, terms tional instruments, created
sparkling collection of Jah that are steeped in Zimba- Jah Prayzah has come one of the most powerful
Prayzah’s trademark con- bwean tradition and cus- up with his “Wagwizi” and moving songs I have
temporary music, and his toms. chant which he says simply ever heard in all my life. 
fans are already raving over means “Hi” in colloquial
it.  Of course, he tried to language. “I live overseas and this
fuse the music with mod- song makes me so home-
The first thing I noticed ern instruments – the gui- Frankly speaking, Jah sick. It also makes me
is that the album is highly tars and drums – but then Prayzah exhibited his un- incredibly proud to be
experimental. But then, in the experiment yielded adulterated raspy voice on Zimbabwean. I feel like
the same vein, I immedi- a sound that is uniquely almost every track on the walking around these Lon-
ately concluded that this album, much to the de- don streets draped in the
is yet another masterpiece Zimbabwean flag from
from Jah Prayzah. head to toe blasting this
song at maximum volume. 
As an art critic, yes, you
heard me, not as a music “I wish I personally
critic, the first thing that knew all the top DJs in
caught my attention was every station worldwide
in fact the album cover and all the playlist selec-
and the title of the album. tors at all the major music
streaming platforms so I
Most people have seen could ask them to put this
the cover, which has cir- song on heavy rotation so
culated widely on social the masses can hear how
media platforms. It fea- powerful and inspiring
tures a young woman on Zimbabwean music is.
a journey in a picturesque Thank you so much JP for
countryside setting, down blessing us with this musi-
a dusty path, surrounded cal masterpiece.”
by nature, in what appears
to be sunset.  The subjects on the al-
bum are as varied as the
“Gwara” means “a way” tracks themselves. He is
in Zimbabwe’s Shona lan- talking about divine pro-
guage, so the young wom- tection on Bvumbamirai,
an, befittingly, is on her lamentations on Chimwe
way somewhere.  neChimwe and Mhaka,
inheritance in Nherera.
But again, “gwara” car-
ries quite a few meanings He also brings his spir-
in Shona. It could also ituality in songs such as
mean a “coward”, or “guid- Gone (pronounced as
ance”.  gonee) and the title track
where he talks about miss-
So after scrutinising the ing the entrance to a place
album cover art and the that is hidden (muninga).
title, I therefore concluded
that Jah Prayzah has in- To appease his female
deed chosen a certain path, fans, as he is always keen
or direction, that he wants to do so, Jah Prayzah in-
to take.  cluded a few love tracks
showing his tenderness on
And that direction will the song Nyeredzi, about
take him to his final desti- a beautiful and well-en-
nation where he has set his dowed woman. And then
eyes on. there is Ndichiyamwa,
which talks about moth-
I also looked at the al- er’s love. On a scale of one
bum cover art, this time on to 10, Gwara is an above
the flip side, and I noticed average effort, considering
there are no featured ar- that it is experimental and
tistes on the album, a sign something new.
that tells you, perhaps,
that Jah Prayzah has full On the whole, if you are
confidence in his artistry. a fan, it makes for enjoy-
able listening. But if you
Music-wise, at first the are not, then you probably
album sounds like it was do not know what you are
pulled out of the bottom missing! 
drawer of the archives,
but again I realised it was
penned from yonder after
serious consultations.

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 39

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA

THEY met exactly two days Unveiled.
before the deadline to sub-
mit their entry for the Old Unveiled remains hopeful after missing
Mutual Amazing Voices Old Mutual Amazing Voices grand prize
competition.
to continue with their music but taking part was all the then invited Mary, Ashley During bootcamp at Sun What happened next may
Sadly, the Zimbabwean journey. more rewarding. and Rejoice and then we in- City, the surviving groups, now be history but has left
group, Unveiled, bowed out vited more people, bringing ranging between four and South Africa  with an acco-
of the competition in the fi- “We are actually work- “It made us feel proud the total number of group eight members, were put lade of national singing sen-
nale. ing on new projects. We are of ourselves and it made us members to 13. through vocal as well as sations whose voices could
working on a single, and are realise how much talent we stage presence training.  be the ticket to international
Amazing Voices is open still putting together songs have and that nothing can “However, because they stardom and further ambas-
to singing groups made up for an album,” Mapfumo stop us as Zimbabweans wanted only eight   people They were mentored by sadorship for the country
of 4 to 8 members in the said.  from believing in our tal- with passports, we had to Khaya Mthethwa to refine and its people.
Afro-pop, R&B and gos- ents.” drop some members,” he their musicality. 
pel categories.  Each of the “It was such a good ex- explained.  “MultiChoice Zimbabwe
participating countries pro- perience, we learnt a lot So far, the members re- During an extreme three believes that  music is an
duces one team that will about music, performance main hopeful that they Like other groups, they weeks, the finalists prepared international language that
advance to the finals sched- and showbiz. It was also will continue working as a submitted a one-minute for the final phase sing-off crosses borders and brings
uled for South Africa. This good that we got a chance group.  video online and, luckily, by having their vocal and people of different national-
year’s second season of Old to showcase Zimbabwean out of 157 submissions Un- performance abilities honed ities together. 
Mutual Amazing Voices talent.” “We are planning to re- veiled was called for the final by the  Amazing Voices
competition attracted 546 main intact and work on audition at Rainbow Towers team.  “We are happy to have
initial online video entries He said one of the cher- various projects which in- in Harare where there were been able to broadcast this
from Nigeria, Ghana, Ken- ished experiences at the clude community devel- more than 20 groups. The drama, the build- competition to our DStv
ya, Zimbabwe and South competition was working opment, concerts, music up, and tensions of Africa’s customers and proud that
Africa. with renowned South Afri- development and making Unveiled was selected prime musical event had two local groups,  Un-
can musician Zwai Bala. more good music,” he said.  together with Effect from been eagerly followed by a veiled and Effect, represent-
“We feel so honoured and Bulawayo to represent Zim- pan-African television au- ed our country well. We
privileged to represent Zim- “It was such a huge priv- The group started out as babwe.  The competition dience since Amazing Voic- will continue to air content
babwe in the finale. We met ilege, the man has so much just an idea.  enables Africans across es Season Two launched in which showcases and rec-
through Joshua inviting a wisdom! He gave us a lot of the continent to connect April. For many other con- ognises great African tal-
few friends, we met with 2 musical tips. It was also a “Joshua Mtima (one of through the universal lan- testants and not just Un- ents and our rich heritage,”
days to go before the dead- pleasure working with other the members) and his two guage of music and demon- veiled, it was their first ex- says Liz Dziva, publicity and
line to submit the online big artistes,” he said. sisters were always sing- strates that with the right fi- posure to the glittering but public relations manager  at
auditioning video,” Ashy ing together but never re- nancial partner, anyone can demanding world of world- MultiChoice Zimbabwe.
Mapfumo, the group’s pub- However, a win would ally thought of forming a achieve greatness. class TV productions.
licist, said. have been a life-changing group.   When the call for
opportunity for the group, auditions was made, Joshua
Asked if they felt let down
by voter apathy by Zimba-
bweans around the world,
Mapfumo said it was be-
cause most people got in-
volved at the last minute.

“On the contrary, we feel
Zimbabweans tried their
best (to vote), it’s unfor-
tunate most people got to
know about the show a little
bit late,” he explained.

South African group
Hush SA were picked as
the 2021 winners of the
pan-African Old Mutu-
al Amazing Voices crown
and took home a massive
US$100 000.

The group had secured
five Golden Voice wins for
best performance through-
out the season and were
crowned winners of the sen-
sational continental singing
competition during a spec-
tacular finale held recently. 

They are an all-male gos-
pel group of six members,
formed as a brotherhood of
childhood friends spanning
over 10 years.  Tsholofelo
Ntuli,  Phumlani Tshabala-
la, Sinethemba Magubane,
Zamokuhle Nkosi, Tham-
sanqa Mthabela, Nicho-
las Malimba,  also  known
as  Hush SA to their new
fans who have followed
their progress across the
DStv Amazing Voices com-
petition, all hail from Johan-
nesburg, South Africa.

But all hope is not lost for
Unveiled who have vowed

Page 40 Life & Style NewsHawks

Addy Mbuya Chiweshe versus Issue 38, 9 July 2021
Kudita Mukundus: The issues
industry and your father is
THIS here marks a return cess her contact through song that I had sung,” she over-reacted like that. Mbuya Stella Chiweshe. that senior in the industry
to column business. Look- an acquaintance who posted. “After all, YouTube is full there is no excuse.
ing at society through the knows her daughter. own issues.
prism of culture and of “Please, I would like to of young artists paying hom- 4) Why was Taka putting Leave Mbuya Chiweshe
course the arts is just one Still, I care about facts let you know that I am very age to their idols, bringing alone hamumbovagoni;
of the integral elements and narratives that grip disappointed. Who edited relevance to their music by his *brand* on that video as mutupo wavo munouziva
the column will tackle be- the popular imagination. that and added a guitarist? adding some modern touch. if it’s his work? here?”
cause a simple definition The facts are that the vid- If you listen to the guitar it’s This is not something that is
of culture can be rendered eo, which has since been just spoiling my voice, it’s done out of malice, it’s mere 5) Did Taka and Mono I reached out to Mono
as a people’s way of life at pulled down from social not playing along with it. admiration.” miss the *spiritual rele- Mukundu over the points
a given time; their norms, media, depicts a superim- I was alone on stage, now Zimbos divided on social vance* of that Mbuya Stel- raised. The following is his
practices, traditions, be- posed accompaniment by I see a wicked guitarist be- media la performance or they just response  (translated from
liefs and values. Takakunda Mukundu and hind me, who is he?  Some Zimbos believe that don’t care? That sounded Shona and abridged).
Storm in a teapot? at the end is his name or Mono’s reaction should like a very spiritual piece to
Zimbabweans far and logo and sig tune.  “Can someone please ex- have been conciliatory me, no wonder she was that Mono Mukundu: “Con-
afield on social media Two sides plain to me why it was ed- and apologetic. Consider upset. cerning the issue of ambuya,
were engrossed in the past The following is Mbuya ited afterwards without my for example, the follow- I acknowledged that the
week on social media with Stella Chiweshe’s reaction knowledge? Who did that? I ing opinion (with name 6) When you have young should have asked for
hoopla surrounding the on social media at the start want an answer please, be- redacted) which encap- *wronged someone,* do permission. There is how-
video posted by one musi- of the furore: “To all the cause even Lucifer does not sulates those siding with you have a right to decide ever a trend globally with
cal lad of 21 years, Taka- people who were at the have such cruelty.” Mbuya Stella Chiweshe: how severe their *reaction* people doing covers with-
kunda Mukundu. Just over unveiling of Mbuya Ne- should be? It’s like saying I out seeking permission from
a minute long, the video handa medium’s statue, Mono Mukundu, on his 1) How hard was it for know my son slept with your original artists as a way of
contains footage of mbira I would like to ask you if Facebook account, wrote: Taka to ask for *permis- wife but you didn’t have to honouring the past genera-
music icon Mbuya Stella you saw me with anybody “..I am not forcing you to sion?* beat him up, now you owe tion and the proper thing is
Chiweshe singing acappel- on stage. like his version, but this is us an apology I don’t think to ask for permission because
la at the inauguration of his own artistic interpreta- 2) After Stella reacted, *the wrongdoer has any at law there are moral rights
the statue of Mbuya Ne- Now I have seen a video tion. Art is subjective, that’s how hard was it for him to standing to determine how because he did not cover the
handa a few weeks ago. of a guitarist sitting behind why there are some who ask for *forgiveness?* upset the wronged should song but used digital means
me playing a guitar that is loved it, but all the same, be.* to superimpose his perfor-
Young  Mukundu, the spoiling my voice and the he should have asked for 3) Mono needs to realise mance onto her rendition
son of celebrated guitarist permission, but on the oth- his son is a *grown man* 7) We need to respect *in- like he was performing with
and music producer Clive er hand, you shouldn’t have and let him deal with his tellectual property* as Zim- her. “Some people love it
Mono Mukundu, thought bos, someone will get into but she was not for spiritual
to pay homage to the mu- trouble one day. Especially reasons.  He (Takakunda)
sic legend by, ex post facto, if you are already in the once also did a cover version
adding his guitar accom- of Thomas Mapfumo and
paniment to the Chiweshe he liked it, encouraging the
rendition.     young man and offering to
assist the budding musician.
She unleashed invectives He also did Sulumani’s song
upon him on social media, who was also happy about
hurling derogatory words the young man’s efforts…
at the young man. The Still, mbuya has moral
father naturally jumped rights to her performance
to his son’s defence and, and for that reason she
whilst acknowledging should have been consulted
Mbuya Chiweshe’s right and we cannot force her to
to her performance, stat- be happy about it.
ed his displeasure at the
attack on his son as un- “I understand also the
measured. And so it went, spiritual dimension which
snowballing and trending is being mentioned. So yes
and dividing Zimbos on the copyright issue yes the
social media along two young man should have
camps. I found it amusing sought performance. In my
that people got worked up post I did not insult her; I
over the matter. merely called her out for
calling my son wicked and
I did think the reaction being a devil. She responded
of Zimbos was over the and people were also siding
top. We tend to go over with her and some female
the top when it comes to musicians charging me for
trivialities. So as a good cyber bulling.”
hack, I reached out to
both parties. I had Mono’s The above is an abridged
digits. and translated ver-
sion, where necessary, as
For the sake of full Mukundu’s responses to
disclosure, Mukundu is my questions were in both
my homeboy from way Shona and English. At the
back and someone I have time of going to print, I
thought of in friendly had not yet managed to get
terms. Mbuya Stella Chiweshe’s
reaction to the debacle. 
So I had to check my-
self for partiality. I have The law
watched Mbuya Stella I looked  at the law sur-
Chiweshe from a distance rounding copyright
and only managed to ac- (Copyright and Neighbor-
ing Rights Act [Chapter
26:05] 2000 and Copy-
right and Neighbouring
Rights Regulations 2006
from the following site:
http://www.unesco.org/
n e w / f i l e a d m i n / M U LT I -
M E D I A / H Q / C LT / d i v e r -

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 41

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

s i t y / p d f / WA P O / N a t i o n - calling out Mbuya on her way and these youngsters names such as Mbuya insert his logo and signa- fringed clearly. As to
al_copyright_laws/Africa/ reaction, I feel that that are following in our foot- Shumba who do our tra- ture tune at the end of his whether she was justified
zb_copyright_2000_en.pdf does not make sense be- steps. Still, if young peo- ditional music. That is own edit of Mbuya Stella in calling the young man
cause even with crime, the ple want to do copyright how our music becomes Chiweshe’s performance).  wicked, it is in my opin-
and managed to glean punishment must be com- music they should follow more popular… As for the Alongside the young man’s ion far-fetched because it
the following regarding a mensurate with the crime. the rules like seeking per- spiritual dimension being action are a protective fa- implies that she has the
performer’s rights to their A small infraction like mission from the creator mentioned, how will that ther’s reaction and some ability to read hearts and
performance: stealing sweets should not but there is no harm in be affected? The ancestors say ( over-reaction).In the motives.
be burnt alive for example. doing covers like some are would be happy, actually end, it may be argued that
Exclusive rights of owners She did not have a right saying. We all started do- I do not see the problem Takakunda Mukundu rode But mbuya, in tradition-
of neighbouring rights to call my son Lucifer for ing cover versions. I have there.” on the legend’s name to al culture, denotes an elder
merely accompanying her never seen a musician who Summation advertise his guitar-play- who must be revered even
Neighbouring rights are performance. In my view, did not do covers. Person- This piece is not about jus- ing prowess wittingly or as she imparts wisdom and
enforced in the same way the matter was not worth ally, I used to do covers of tifying either of the war- unwittingly and got right- compassion.
as copyright is enforced (sec- the over-reaction. After the likes of Franco chang- ring parties but looking ly “cyber slapped” for it.
tion 77). all, the song is not even ing his Lingala lyrics … As at what I feel are the crit- Still, Takakunda is 21 and Next instalment will
hers, so there is zero apol- for covering our tradition- ical issues. The incident though he may be a legal feature an exclusive inter-
The performers’ rights in- ogy coming from me as a al music vadzimu vacho can be broken down to a major, I know from expe- view with Thomas Mapfu-
clude the following: result. My admission that vanotodawo mbiri (ances- combination of homage, rience that even at 21, like mo and his take on music,
she should have been con- tral spirits also want to be youthful exuberance gone my own son, he is prone to struggle, revolution, in-
• Making a recording sulted is apology enough honoured). Here in Amer- awry and a tad bit of ego making many mistakes. spiration, influences and
of a performance but her reaction is ridic- ica there are even white (because Takakunda did thoughts on topical issues
ulous. There is nowhere people calling themselves Suffice to say then that of the day.
• Broadcasting a per- I insulted her so where is Mbuya had her right in-
formance live the cyberbullying claim Follow me on Twitter:
coming from? My issue is @KuditaAddy
• Being remunerated only one: calling my son
for commercial use of wicked and Lucifer.”
a sound recording of
a performance The right of the wronged
and the wrong of the
A creator’s moral rights right
are established under sec- There is validity in the
tion 61 and 64 of the point raised by some that
Copyright Act and these those who offend do not
include the right to be get to dictate how the of-
included as the author of fended should react to
the work and the right to perceived infractions. On
object to derogatory treat- another hand, there is
ment of work. These rights something to be said for
are not transferable and measured responses to
enforceable as per section those same infractions.
67.  The offence must always
suit the punishment and,
Copyright is infringed by of course, many factors can
any person who is not the be taken into account such
owner of the copyright and as harm, motive and even
who, without the owner’s benefit or prejudice arising
authority, does or causes an- out of the infringement.      
other person to do an act in Lawyers can go to town
Zimbabwe which the owner over such minutiae. I did
has the exclusive right to do reach out to Chimuren-
or to authorise. Infringe- ga music guru Thomas
ment involves doing any of Mapfumo whom Mukun-
the following acts (section du senior mentioned in
59): his defence as one of the
artists whose works have
•   Making an infring- been covered by Mukundu
ing copy junior, the effect of which
can be construed as justifi-
•  Importing or export- cation for his son’s action. 
ing otherwise than
for private use Zim- Here is Mapfumo’s
babwe abridged and translated
reaction: “This is a young
• In the course of busi- man and we must teach
ness, exhibiting, or them properly. What he
distributing to the did was not meant to harm
public ambuya. We as elders
must teach young people
• Selling it or letting it the correct way of doing
for hire or offering it things instead of merely
for sale or hire insulting them. “We see
it on the internet young
• Distributing it to people doing it. There is
such an extent that one who did a cover of my
the owner of the copy- song from Bulawayo and
right is prejudiced sent it to me. I was hap-
py. Mono’s son played my
• Transmitting the in- music and his father sent
fringing copies to the it to me and I told him to
public; and encourage the young man.
If we fight with young peo-
• Permitting a place ple we are not going any-
of public entertain-
ment to be used for
a performance of the
work, where the per-
formance constitutes
an infringement.

On the basis of the law,
there does appear to be
a prima facie case of in-
fringement against Taka-
kunda Mukundu and so
far the Mukundus are not
disputing that fact. His is-
sue was over the name call-
ing. “On the point about

Page 42 Life & Style NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Title: Battered Title: Against the odds Title: This hypnosis
Poet: Andy Kahari Author: Obey Chiyangwa Poet: Dube Blessing M
Father rose abruptly, sat straight-backed
Downtown of a battered nation. and proud, in the stirrups of a faltering No one has the guts!
Rats still feed on poison baited bread crumbs. family. He screamed obscenities at pover- To boo and heckle
Smell of rotten eggs, tomatoes ty, cursing the vile visage of ill- health. The protagonists in this bizarre wagon.
and cabbages, sweet and serene Father laughed scornfully at superstition, Albeit we traverse thorny territories with
to hunger sweating bellies! deriding the pitiful image of debauchery. our silk naked feet. The seed we are
Sand shores of battered hooting go fasters, He farted at the sight of threatening death, planting in this garden. Will keep the flute
Snaking and competing and swore to fight against the possible and xylophone beyond proximity,
for road space with battered death of a nation. Continue sending hearts stone cold,
over populated bastard masses! Mother stood stubbornly, tall, firm and de- Rendering clocks stop dead, Churning out
Hungry and immune; termined, resolute feet clad in new black mazes of cobwebs into our chimneyless
rove over poisoned infested roads, tennis shoes. huts Plundering all the sunshine, Painting
Setting site and stalls, She shooed away at gathering phantoms everything ebony black
to sell souls to city fathers! of temptation, Sustaining our perpetual infancy.
Downtown of a battered nation. scowled sternly at shadows of false re-
Fathers who have always ligion, shouted down eerie whispers of Title: Incarnation of the soulful
bated bread from the children. dishonesty, Poet: Dube Blessing M
Now we no naught and proudly shouldered burdens of a
Street kids or street vendors, floundering nation. Who smacks off your cogitation?
vagabonds or vulgar bonded! Brother Thomas stood at smart attention, Battering your valiant soul to mend the
Downtown of a battered nation. a grim-faced salute at fate, listening to the broken ceramic pot, the essence of Afri-
Uptown of a buttered ration. silence of a shocked moment. can existence? Who makes your tomor-
City fathers feast on butter Waving a clenched fist at the swirling mist row? Never come when you declare:
from unbuttered hands of chicanery, a baleful stare at gathering Freedom will come tomorrow?
of battered masses. clouds of dishonesty, Who keeps shifting your tomorrow into the
Daily Caesar’s pennies a middle-fingered swear at tempting cor- deep guts of an unyielding posterity?
demanded to walk the streets! ruption, and the odds favoured a nation to When you tell your inner self:
Daily promises made heal in time for salvation. “I shall not remain the same”;
to cheese hopes. Who keeps you far, From your marriage
Cheers never rewarded Title: Sleepless in Sunningdale with sandwiched realities? Where is that
in daily cursed toils. Poet: Obey Chiyangwa valiant propensity? And inherent instinct
Days ending in cheated pockets to declare: Enough is enough, Who really
by men less in chastity! In a dirty single room in the sprawling fools you, To vent out your anger?
Still down town of a battered nation, high-density suburb of sunningdale. Into your innocent armpit and shy away
The masses flock Cockroaches climb the broken spines of From directing it, to the impious recipients;
to be irked by a living! rancid morsels of gangrene-coated food the unsanctified deities! Who can only be
scattering the crowded floor. deposed by a damn holy putsch?
Poem: De Javu Like frenzied human beings climbing the
Poet : Andy Kahari summit of empty mountains in search of Title: Hard Times
remote sustenance. Author: Dube Blessing M
I wish days were fools As crafty mice are in endless running bat-
and be always full, tles with an agile black cat that lashes at I am in Nervous Conditions, Without even
that my toils their backs and tears at their tails. A Grain of Wheat, As the Black Sunlight
they may not absorb Fat flies hover clandestinely above green- maintains its tight grip Exposing me to a
and embrace my troubles ish ruins of yesterday’s smelly left overs lethal Mind Blast. Thus the Devil should
and forget my ills piling up a crumbled three-legged table. be put on the Cross, With his Ancestors
De javu As shiny-skinned maggots gnaw away making Things Fall Apart., Barring The
days aren’t fools at remnants of a giant cake left to rot Grass from Singing, Yet l have so long
neither are they beneficent in a dirty sink where water rarely ever been Waiting for the Rain Desiring to build
nor will they take benedictions trickles. Sleep is a luxury that refuses to a Castle in my Skin; To paint my destiny
to erase usher my being from this misery into the Color Purple, To beat Hard Times before
yesterday’s predicaments much-awaited fantasy of dreamland. the Twelfth Night. Unlike the Mayor of
now tomorrow’s predictions Casterbridge, I will write So Long a Letter
awaiting reliving To avoid Anthills of the Savanna In this
House of Hunger. l am No Longer at Ease
Having a Harvest of Thorns Like Oliver
Twist.

NewsHawks People & Places Page 43

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

An Emirates flight taking off over Dubai.

EMIRATES’ customers from Quarantine-free destinations for amongst travellers for its spa-
Zimbabwe can now enjoy Zimbabwean Emirates travellers cious and comfortable cabins
quarantine-free travel to over and the airline will continue
eight destinations in Europe, Moscow and Istanbul, while offering over 26 000 seats experience at the airport its iconic Emirates A380 air- to expand its deployment in
Middle East and the United holidaymakers yearning a across 12 gateways including with contactless check-in, craft to Mauritius starting 1 line with the gradual return
States.  beach escape or romantic New York, Los Angeles and its biometric path and en- August.  in demand.  Emirates cur-
destination to relax and un- Dallas.” hanced digital verification rently operates the A380 to
The implementation of wind, have the option to of Covid-19 medical in- Emirates’ flights to Mau- New York JFK, Los Ange-
safe travel protocols, coupled travel to the Maldives which Emirates is slowly, but formation. The airline has ritius will operate on Thurs- les, Washington DC, Toron-
with rapid Covid-19 vaccine is open to tourists,” the air- surely, resuming flights to sharpened its focus on tech- days and Saturdays. Starting to, Paris, Munich, Vienna,
rollouts in several countries, line said yesterday.  various destinations, includ- nologies and services that from 15 July, the route will Frankfurt, Moscow, Amman,
including Zimbabwe, have ing Mauritius.  optimise passenger process- be served utilising a Boeing Cairo, and Guangzhou.
allowed an increasing num- “Choosing to either visit ing to minimise queues, for 777-300ER aircraft and,
ber of tourist destinations Dubai and make the best of “Customers can also re- a fast-tracked experience that from 1 August, utilising the From white sandy beaches,
to ease travel restrictions by a stopover, the city offers an view the latest travel require- prioritises safety and efficien- Emirates A380 aircraft.  crystal clear water, and lus-
removing the need to quar- eclectic mix of an ultra-mod- ments to their booked des- cy. cious landscapes – Mauritius
antine upon arrival. ern city with the traditional, tination, including whether Emirates flight EK 701 will remains one the most popu-
with endless entertainment forms, vaccination certifi- Meanwhile, Emirates has depart Dubai 2.35am and ar- lar holiday destinations, at-
Emirates will also boost its and dining options as well as cates or negative PCR tests announced it will restart rive in Mauritius at 9.10am tracting travellers across the
summer schedules with ad- sightseeing and shopping to are required on the Emirates passenger services to Mau- local time. The return flight Americas, Europe, and the
ditional flights being intro- suit all tastes and budgets. Travel Hub, which has the ritius soon with two weekly will operate on Fridays and Middle East. Emirates pas-
duced on high traffic routes. latest information for every flights from 15 July, as the Sundays. Emirates flight EK sengers can also enjoy other
Additionally, with Emirates “In the United States, country on the airline’s route island-nation gradually re- 704 will depart Mauritius at Indian Ocean destinations,
reactivating its partnership Emirates will continue to network,” it said. opens its borders to interna- 11.10pm and arrive in Dubai as the airline offers 28 weekly
with flydubai, customers can build its presence with the tional tourists. To serve mar- at 5.45am local time, the fol- flights to Maldives and seven
also choose to travel across addition of Miami to its net- “As an additional layer ket demand, the airline has lowing day. weekly flights to Seychelles.
168 destinations of the air- work this month and will op- towards hassle-free travel, also announced it will deploy
line’s combined network.  erate over 70 weekly flights, Emirates has introduced The Emirates A380 expe- From 15 July to 30 Sep-
a touchless and paperless rience remains a favourite tember 2021, Mauritius will
“For those seeking a get- open its borders to vaccinat-
away to Europe, travellers ed passengers and Mauritian
can explore and experience nationals.
the culture, architecture and
gastronomy in Copenhagen, —STAFF WRITER.

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 38, 9 July 2021 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 44

The home of prime property: property@newshawks.com

RONALD MUCHENJE Brick maker sees uptick amid 2030 (Sustainable Development
high demand in construction Goals), the African Union Agen-
HIGH demand for housing is da 2063, Zimbabwe’s Vision
seen providing a critical mass for contribute significantly to the opportunities for real growth Production   resumed in Feb- 2030, the national constitution
a profitable year for local brick topline given the   government’s in the industry. We anticipate a ruary after the rainy season and and national and international
maker Wildale Limited, with current drive to reduce the hous- return to affordable lending for is currently close to optimal lev- resilience frameworks. 
the firm having recorded 20% ing backlog. housing   development as a re- els.
revenue growth in the half year sult of economic stability. We The policy will introduce a
ended 31 March 2021. The ongoing improvements in are encouraged by the nation- Targets for the year are on raft of changes that will ensure
the economic conditions should wide Covid-19   vaccination course to be met if electricity that planning, development and
Zimbabwe’s housing backlog unlock a lot of projects which programme championed by the supply remains stable. management of settlements is
stands at 1.5 million but the gov- have been dormant. government,” he said. in line with national and inter-
ernment early this year pledged The government also con- national disaster risk reduction
to clear it despite Covid-19-re- “High demand for housing During the period, the Wildale sidered and approved the Zim- frameworks, and with environ-
lated challenges. will provide the critical mass for production plant   underwent babwe National Human Set- mental and climate change poli-
a profitable year, the declining extensive annual planned main- tlements Policy which sought cies, laws and standards.  
Willdale chairperson Wash- inflation rate and a stable ex- tenance. to inform implementation of
ington Chidziwo, in a statement change rate should bring about the relevant aspects of Agenda This is expected to address the
accompanying the company’s re- huge housing and social ameni-
sults, said the brand continued ties backlog as well as widening
to exert its dominance in various disparities between rural and
projects nationally, particularly urban areas while reducing the
in housing  development as the high costs of building materials
line of business is expected to and housing finance.

NewsHawks Sport Page 45

Issue 38, 9 July 2021

Southgate calls on England to ‘finish the job’

GARETH Southgate be- get there, but I thought England captain Harry Kane celebrates with teammates after his match-winning extra-time goal. The final whistle sparked
lieves his heroes have ex- we’d have different sorts of bedlam on the pitch and
orcised the demons of the (challenges). Denmark are so underrated as a team, as long as we have to get their limited experience in- in the stands on what was
heartbreaking World Cup they caused us some prob- through a semi-final, the ternationally, they’ve done one of the most emotional
2018 semi-final loss to lems, when you’ve waited players when you consider an incredible job. nights in English football
Croatia after reaching their history.
first major final in 55 years
on a euphoric Wembley But while Southgate be-
night. lieves his team deserved
their celebrations, he fired
The Three Lions will a warning to his team, say-
play Italy in the Europe- ing: “It looked like may-
an Championship final on hem on the pitch to me
Sunday after Harry Kane and I was part of it.
slammed home his own
missed penalty in extra “Look, we’re in the final
time to send the nation and we have to enjoy that
into raptures and dump fact. But there’s one final
Denmark out of the com- hurdle we have to conquer.”
petition. Having lost to
Croatia in Russia at the On the prospect of de-
same stage three years ago feating Italy in the final,
– Wednesday night laid to Southgate added: “Finals
rest the ghosts of that ago- are to be won, we’ve got to
nising night in Moscow. regroup, prepare proper-
ly, tonight has taken a lot
“The most pleasing thing physically and emotionally.
is that we’ve given our
fans and our nation an- “Italy had that last night,
other amazing night, and so they’ve had an extra
the journey carries on for day to recover, we’ll think
another four days,” said about (the game) on the
Southgate. way home.

“In terms of the team, “They’re a very good
to come through that sort side, I’ve thought that for
of night, we’ve suffered in the last couple of years.
Moscow on a night like They’ve shown fantastic
this, and we’ve managed to form, they’ve got defensive
put that right. warriors at the back who
have been through every-
“I’m so proud of the thing, it’s a great game to
players, an incredible oc- look forward to.
casion to be a part of. The
fans were incredible all “I think we’ve had three
night, we knew it wouldn’t memorable games on the
be straight forward. bounce now. We’ve said we
want to create memories
“I thought we would for the nation.”

– The Daily Mail (UK)

We must ask ourselves why we have regressed

ZIMBABWE, the last name qualification of the nation- only based on her status as who caught the imagination have not missed the op- ries of allocated special invi-
on the alphabet of nations al women’s football team, Africa’s best. In Rio, Coven- of the sporting world five portunity of taking a dig at tation slots. 
and the last delegation to whose feat – against great try just needed one podium years ago just by qualifying the composition of the To-
walk into the Olympic odds – touched the hearts of finish to break the record of for Rio under extremely dif- kyo-bound delegation. We It begs the questions:
Games opening ceremony, a global audience fascinated the Olympics’ most can never change ourselves Where are we getting it
received a warm round of by fairy-tales. individual female for the better when we are wrong as a nation, and why
applause inside the giant swimming medals, incapable of laughing out do we continue to retrogress?
arena in Rio de Janeiro five This was one of the major held by Hungary’s HawkZone ourselves at times. 
years ago. two reasons why the specta- Krisztina Egerseze- The answer lies deep is
tors cheered and applauded gi.   However, when criticism our approach to sports as
Not a lot of people would as Zimbabwe’s finest sports- She did not man- ignores the fact that a lot of country. For the most part,
have been surprised by that men and women paraded age to do that, but Enock our athletes did not make our athlete development is
kind of reception from a sec- last inside Brazil’s world-fa- the cut for Tokyo, we will not a result of national ef-
tion of the crowd inside the mous stadium on 5 August bowed out graceful- Muchinjo not have started to acknowl- fort. Individual and family
Maracanã Stadium.  2016. ly nonetheless, with edge our problems in order effort have traditionally nur-
an African record to properly address them.  tured the biggest number of
To the well-read and in- The other reason for for the Olympic our Olympians over the past
formed spectators among the cheers, no prizes for Games – the envy of even ficult circumstances, did not None of the officials go- four decades of participation
the big crowd, the signifi- guessing, was Zimbabwe’s the great distance runners make it to the postponed ing to Tokyo took the place at the games.
cance of that Olympics edi- flag-bearer at Rio 2016 from Kenya and Ethiopia. Tokyo edition beginning on of any athlete. It is also im-
tion to Zimbabwe was not and Africa’s most decorated These days, Coventry oc- 23 July. A paltry number of portant to bear in mind that Thanks to the Olympic
lost on them. Olympian, Kirsty Coventry.  cupies the office of Zimba- athletes, five, are represent- the Olympics are not just scholarships, which help to
bwe’s minister of Sports. In ing Zimbabwe at the Olym- about the sportsmen and fund athletes’ training pro-
To Zimbabweans, Rio Coventry had an impecca- the pool, the southern Afri- pics this time around. women who entertain us in grammes and participation
2016 marked the beginning ble record arriving in Brazil can country is still searching The five athletes – two the different events on offer. in qualification competi-
of a new dawn, as well as the for her Olympics swansong for the heir apparent to her swimmers, a golfer, a rower The Olympics are also about tions, countries like Zimba-
end of a glittering era. in 2016. The African with throne. and a sprinter – will be ac- the coaches, the technical bwe have a chance to be in at
the most Olympic medals What of the female foot- companied to Japan by 13 officials, the administrators the games every four years.
It was the largest dele- at a haul of seven, Coventry ballers who went to Rio five officials in a development – in keeping with the ethos
gation that Zimbabwe has was competing at the games years ago?  A handful of that has courted some kind of the games.  But when you prefer being
sent to the games since 1980 for the fifth and final time, them have secured profes- of ridicule for Zimbabwean spoon-fed, and do not gal-
when the new African coun- just like fellow swimmer sional contracts abroad. But sport, albeit from mostly un- Of the five athletes going vanise your own support sys-
try made its Olympics debut Michael Phelps, the greatest on the whole, it has not been informed positions.   to Tokyo, only two – the tem to produce more quality
at the boycott-hit event in Olympian of all time.  the smooth progression we The problem here, in my golfer Scott Vincent and sportspeople, you can only
Moscow. had anticipated. The ladies, view, is not that some folks rower Peter Purcell-Gilpin – blame yourself for failing to
For Coventry, her stand- qualified directly while the produce a decent number of
Zimbabwe’s numbers in ing in front of a global other three were beneficia- athletes good enough to go
Rio, 31 athletes in total, sporting fanbase was not to the Olympics. 
were boosted by the historic

Sports Debutant
Cosafa: Warriors misses out on
share spoils with milestone as
Thursday 1FOlcatombeer 2s02o0f Malawi Zim collapse

Friday 9 July 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

Debutant misses out onNEWS WHAT’S INSIDE CULTURE Zim host
$60 Covid Burkina
tariff for Community
radio
regulations

Faso inunder review
RWCStory on Page 8

qualifiers

ZIMBABWE will host emerg-
ing rugby nation Burkina Faso
visitors &
tourists

milestone asCZihmacomllaipssae reacStoryonPage 3
for two back-to-back World
out to KhupeCup qualifiers on 16 and 20
July in a maiden meeting be-
tween the two countries in
this sport.
The double-header between
the Sables and West African
minnows is a re-arranged fix-
Unofficial president calls for emergeture because Tunisia, which
was originally scheduled to
stage a three-team competi-
tion between 7 and 18 July,
pulled out of hosting follow-
ing a worrying upsurge of
Covid-19 cases in the North
African country.
Tunisia, Zimbabwe and
Burkina Faso were grouped
in Pool D of this year’s Africa
Cup, which is also doubling as
qualifiers for the 2023 World
Cup in France.
With Tunisia withdrawing
from hosting, the Zimbabwe
Rugby Union (ZRU) has been
granted permission to replace
the North Africans.
The Tunisian team, mean-
while, has not been authorised
to travel by their government
amid the new coronavirus
scare, leaving Zimbabwe and
Takudzwanashe Kaitano raises his bat to acknowledge his half-century. Pic ZimCricket Burkina Faso to face-off in a
double-header. 
ENOCK MUCHINJO nashe Kaitano put himself on debutant in history to face 300- theless a takeaway of sorts for balanced approach. In all this, With two teams from
at Harare Sports Club the verge of a milestone on the plus deliveries and not go on Zimbabwe, and the African Kaitano hit the ball along the each of this year’s Africa Cup
third day of the Test, before fall- to convert into a hundred.  19 side will be hoping for more ground many a time. These groups pencilled in to prog-
BANGLADESH are piling on ing 13 runs short of a maiden others before him became cen- of this to breathe life into their are the qualities required from ress to next year’s last phase
the lead in their second innings century at the first attempt. turions. feeble Test performances.  an opening batsman, and his of World Cup qualifiers, both
against Zimbabwe in the one- Another mark missed by He looked composed, self-assuredness is a rare qual- Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso
off Test here, after the Asian Kaitano had batted with Kaitano was to join Dave technically competent, and ity among the current crop of will seal passage from Pool D
tourists earlier totalled 468 composure and determination, Houghton and Hamilton Ma- well-balance at the crease – Zimbabwean batsmen. if Tunisia fail to turn up in
thanks to a record second-high- probably beyond what was ex- sakadza as the only Zimbabwe- showing admirable patience Continuing 114-1 from day Harare.
est ninth wicket partnership of pected of him, until he flicked a an TbeasttsmdeebnAuttLo. SscOoreINa SceInDtuEry aFnidnAnagoonothcdeesrhMontoisnteicliesecattbyiolenw. fiepateusreoutgtwi$voe3,n.2BZriBemnibdllaaibnownTeadhyoleoprpe ohofasdrietcoaolsrvos- fuwnidlTlshtheetnwoonmZlyiamstecrh'vseeslpaiuntrepHsoatsrelaaorefnd c
191 runs between Mahmud- good length delivery by Bangla- onKadoma-born Kaitano of Kaitano’s game was how ery, but the hosts’ stand-in skip- rankings and match practice.
ullah and Riyad and Taskin desh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan
Ahmed. to wicketkeeper Liton Das. would also have become the well he played the short ball, per fell on 81, cheaply so to the It is understood, though,
fifth black Zimbabwean to hit moving out of the way swiftly spinner Hasan, who was Ban- that the Tunisian rugby feder-
But there was at least some- What an opportunity it was a Test ton after Masakadza, Ta- when the ball was pitched up. gladesh’s best bowler with 5-82. ation is making frantic efforts
thing to write about from the for Kaitano! Fewer will present tenda Taibu, Tino Mawoyo and He had a good stride forward, Zimbabwe were eventually all to persuade the government to
Zimbabwean side of things themselves in future. Scoring Regis Chakabva. moving his body weight to- out for 276 runs, handing the approve the tour.
when debuting 28-year-old a well-played 87 off 311 balls, Kaitano’s knock was none- wards the line of delivery in a visitors a lead of 192.
opening batsman Takudzwa- the right-handed Zimbabwean — STAFF WRITER.
opener becomes the only Test

ALSO INSIDE We must ask ourselves why we have regressed