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WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 22 January 2021 BUSINESS SPORT

NEWS Stern warning Muzarabani
for accountants, gets bowling
Over 600 die Auditors award
while Mnangagwa
holidays Story on Page 17 Story on Page 31

Story on Page 3

Ministers Covid-19
deaths strike fear
into the hearts of
shaken bigwigs

ALSO INSIDE Covid-19 derails justice delivery SB Moyo: Dramatic history, critical junctures

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Ministers Covid-19 deaths strike
fear into the hearts of shaken VIPs

BERNARD MPOFU/ · Weaponisation of virus looms large long annual leave after Manicaland Pro-
OWEN GAGARE · Role of political contingency raised vincial Affairs minister Gwaradzimba
THE shock death two days ago of died due to Covid-19, a few days after
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and Inter- President Emmerson Mnangagwa Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga nationalist Morton Malianga passed on.
national Trade minister Sibusiso Busi A few ministers attended.
Moyo — the face of the military coup The late minister of Foreign Affairs Sibusiso Moyo Rtd. Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje
which ousted the late former president Shiri, who was also a major coup
Robert Mugabe and brought to power been retired by Mnangagwa in a bid to and Masvingo political allies and new- “These issues are intertwined from factor and political variable, died of
President Emmerson Mnangawga in neutralise the military faction. comers. After having been besieged a political perspective. So connect the Covid-19 amid reports of weaponisa-
2017 — has struck fear into the hearts when his close security details recently threads.” tion of the virus and poison.
of political bigwigs, security sources say. “Chiwenga was in Victoria Falls tested positive for Covid-19, Mnangag-
during the festive period, with a group wa is now facing a fresh headache after Before all this, Mnangagwa wanted In Zanu PF politics, poisoning and
This comes as Transport minister Joel of 15 family members and friends. four ministers succumbed to the virus, to enjoy his time out and not involve accidents have always loomed large, al-
Biggie Matiza died of Covid-19 today. Moyo was also there with his family, in- while several other allies, including close himself with work. But the rising cas- though their role is yet to be properly
Four ministers, including Matiza, have cluding his wife. Rugeje was also there. family members, have been under siege. es, deaths of ministers and Chiwenga’s researched and exhaustively investigat-
so far died. Others are Perrance Shiri, There were many VIPs in town. Hotels exhaustion and downheartedness got ed. During Mugabe’s succession battle,
Ellen Gwaradzimba and Moyo. For- were full, restaurants and the rainforest Sources say First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa deeply worried about the poison — real or imagined — played a
mer minister Aeneas Chigwedere and buzzing with a hive of activity. These Mnangagwa reportedly tested positive whole situation, a source said. huge role, especially when Mnangagwa
ex-Prisons commissioner-general retired VIPs couldn’t travel out of the country around the Christmas holidays, before claimed he was poisoned at a Zanu PF
major-general Paradzai Zimhondi also due to Covid-19, so they swarmed local pulling off a quick recovery. But sever- Zimbabwe has in the past few weeks youth interface rally in Gwanda.
died today. Officially, 962 people have tourist destinations,” the security source al of Mnangagwa’s other close politi- recorded a dramatic surge in deaths,
died of Covid-19. said. cal and business allies are still battling which now stand at 962 as of today. The poison incident and the atten-
Covid-19 infection. Cumulative infections are 30 523. This dant dramatic events became a catalyst
The sources said movers and shakers “Moyo was staying in the presiden- recently forced Mnangagwa to take the of the Mugabe succession fight and his
are not just viewing Moyo’s death as a tial suite at Victoria Falls Hotel, but “Following her trip to Victoria Falls country back into lockdown. downfall. It triggered a chain of events
mortality issue, but a serious political when Chiwenga arrived he vacated it last month, the First Lady tested posi- and reactions — leading to Mnangag-
contingency with far-reaching implica- for him and moved to Elephant Hills tive for Covid-19, but she self-isolated Mnangagwa, currently on annual wa’s expulsion and the subsequent coup
tions, including realignment of politics. Resort. Rugeje was also staying at El- and recovered from home. Medical ex- leave at a time Zimbabwe is battling — which actually propelled him to
Shiri and Matiza’s deaths are also politi- ephant Hills. The three had a number perts had to attend to her at home as the intensifying Covid-19 pandemic, power within three months.
cally material. After Moyo’s death, gov- of meetings, in which they discussed her security was told to stand down,” including attendant deaths, was last
erment operations almost immediately family issues, holiday events and serious the security source said. week forced to abandon a trip to his However, sources say it was Mali-
shut down, leaving just 10% of staff. political matters. Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe, anga’s death which actually prompted
“It’s only after a week that they learnt after several security personnel and his Mnangagwa to return for the burials
Sources said political gladiators fear Their meetings will have a bearing on that the First Lady had tested positive, farm manager were struck by Covid-19. yesterday. This was decided earlier this
not just Covid-19, but more its poten- how political events will unfold going but she has recovered. At least 20 police week. Malianga was a liberation strug-
tial weaponisation by their opponents forward, but Moyo’s death will affect so details (from the Police Protection Unit) Last October, Mnangagwa made gle pioneering nationalist leader who
and concomitant political contingency many things.” have also tested positive. Police are wait- drastic changes to his security team after rubbed shoulders with founding lib-
— the role of the unexpected, the ac- ing for results of nine others from the nearly 20 soldiers from the Presidential eration movement leaders like Joshua
cidental and the unforeseen in politics. Zanu PF is currently split into two same unit; they were told the testing Guard Brigade, including some that Nkomo, Michael Mawema, Ndabanin-
factions: one loyal to Mnangagwa and machine is down.” were deployed to his motorcade, tested gi Sithole, Herbert Chitepo, George
This comes at it emerged today the other one to Chiwenga. They are positive for Covid-19, a few days be- Nyandoro, James Chikerema, Robert
Moyo’s wife, Zimbabwe Anti-Cor- locked in political brinkmanship over The source added: fore the arrival of his visiting Malawian Mugabe, Jason Moyo and Enos Nkala,
ruption chairperson Loyce Matan- an unresolved leadership issue, flowing “Moyo’s illness and subsequent death counterpart Lazarus Chakwera. among others.
da-Moyo, a judge, was yesterday rushed from Mugabe’s botched succession. badly affected Chiwenga. The VP al-
to hospital for checks in panic. She is ready had family members, relatives and Due to fear of Covid-19, sources say Malianga, who was a senior National
now in isolation. Fears are that those Moyo was a Chiwenga loyalist. So is friends affected by Covid-19. For in- Mnangagwa will now only allow five Democratic Party, Zapu and later Zanu
who had exposure to Moyo, who was a Rugeje. In fact, most military players – stance, the death of his lawyer Welling- ministers with him or any acting pres- official, was detained with other top na-
retired Lieutenant-General, particular- those who executed the coup – are loyal ton Pasipanodya – who worked with ident to preside over state occasions, tionalist leaders from Zapu and Zanu
ly close associates who interacted with to Chiwenga. Mnangagwa commands Wilson Manase – was a blow to him. including funerals. Mnangagwa was from 1964 to 1974.
him during holidays and VIP parties, the support of his traditional Midlands yesterday forced to interrupt his month-
are also at risk. Although Moyo was respectful to
Mnangagwa, he was a Chiwenga loyal-
The sources say Moyo’s family is bad- ist and a military man to the core.
ly shaken and political gladiators such
as Mnangagwa and co-Vice-President “SB (Moyo) was a soldier to the core.
Constantino Chiwenga, who was not I remember during the January 2019
only close to the late minister, but also riots sparked by fuel price increases and
had close encounters with him during a cocktail of other issues, his military
the holidays, are gravely worried. instincts were back fulltime during that
time,” the security source said.
In particular, Chiwenga is said to be
looking the worse for wear - visibly in “I can tell you he used to carry an
a poor physical condition due to ex- AK-47 in his ministerial car those days.
haustion. Besides being exhausted from His thinking was if the situation dete-
battling Covid-19 in government, his riorated, it might need a military solu-
health has been badly failing. tion, driven by civilian politics. Up to
his death, that’s what he thought. He
“SB (Moyo)’s death has sent shock thought the politicians are messing up
waves across his family and the political again; as did Mugabe and his regime.
landscape, especially among the power He wasn’t happy. As a result, Moyo was
elites. There is panic in Moyo’s family going to be key to the resolution of the
and in the corridors of power,” a secu- current problem.”
rity source told The NewsHawks yester-
day. Presidential spokesman George Cha-
ramba said Mnangagwa has not been
“For the family, the fear is of infec- exposed to Covid-19 as widely feared.
tions and the impact of that. For Chi-
wenga, Moyo was a friend and close “He (President) was not exposed
ally. But beyond that the two also met and was not in isolation. I was actually
in Victoria Falls during the festive holi- with him this morning. She (First Lady
days. So there is a personal risk involved is well and you will be able to see her
and a political risk too. continuing with her humanitarian work
after the modalities of how to get her
This is critical. team back to work have been worked
“For Mnangagwa, it’s personal and out,” he said.
political too. He liked Moyo a lot for his
discipline and courage, and there was “He (Vice-President Kembo Mo-
mutual respect, but in reality the min- hadi) is back from Beitbridge and was
ister was a Chiwenga ally. Mnangagwa in the office this morning. He even had
is shaken that his ministers are dying. plans to travel and visit his late broth-
Covid-19 has struck on his doorstep at er’s grave with his family but has not yet
home and work, just like in Chiwenga’s been able to do that. But he was in the
case, as he has lost friends and relatives.” office this morning.
In a critical encounter, Chiwen-
ga met with Moyo in Victoria Falls. “He (Vice-President Chiwenga) is
Former Zanu PF national commissar at work and was even having a virtual
retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert meeting with one of the friendly coun-
Rugeje was also there. tries. He has been working really hard
This was the nucleus of the 2017 balancing as acting President and the
coup, together with some who have Health ministry and we had a spike in
deaths and new infections. So the Pres-
ident advised him to take a break and
not attend the burial at Heroes Acre.
That is the reason he did not attend.”

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

About 600
die while
Mnangagwa
holidays

NYASHA CHINGONO Covid-19 cases and deaths have action or rush back to work if they Washington Malianga, who was President Emmerson Mnangagwa
dramatically increased. would have been away – not per- also a struggle bigwig, was not ment on 20 January conveying
WHILE President Emmerson functorily go away for a holiday buried at Heroes Acre. While his his condolences on the late For-
Mnangagwa has been quietly en- On 1 January, Zimbabwe had when people are dying. regional counterparts like South eign Affairs minister retired Lieu-
joying his annual leave in the midst 14 084 cases and 369 deaths; now African President Cyril Ramapho- tenant-General Sibusiso Moyo,
of the virulent second wave of the it has 30 523 infections and 962 While Mnangagwa has been sa have been hailed for showing Mnangagwa last tweeted on
coronavirus pandemic, Zimbabwe- fatalities as of 21 January — mean- ignoring people dying, he briefly hands-on leadership, leading from Covid-19 on 5 January, saying:
an Covid-19 infections and deaths ing 593 people have died while came back for the burial of Zanu the front, providing regular up- Zimbabwe is entering a second
have been intensifying at a dramat- Mnangagwa is on leave. PF founding nationalist lead- dates on government strategy to wave lockdown to stop the spread
ic pace – 16 439 new cases and 593 er Morton Malianga and former contain the pandemic and hunting of a Covid-19 second wave. Please,
more fatalities. This has inevitably shifted the Manicaland provincial minister for the vaccine, as well as empathis- for the sake of your family and
spotlight to Mnangagwa, with Ellen Gwaradzimba at Heroes Acre ing with South Africans, Mnangag- loved ones, avoid large gatherings
Just as Covid-19 was bouncing questions being raised about the yesterday. Official sources said, al- wa is enjoying the comfort of a hol- and non-essential travel. This is the
back at the beginning of the new timing of his holiday break, his though Mnangagwa did not come iday at his farm and home quietly. final push – let’s defeat this virus
year with ferocity after a relatively sense of judgement and fitness to back to preside over the burial of for good.”
mild and contained first wave in govern. the late retired Brigadier-Gener- Apart from a few and irregular
Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa was going al Collin Moyo on 12 January at tweets casually conveying condo- While his supporters liked the
on leave. “People, including frontline Heroes Acre, he made a special ex- lences, Mnangagwa has been aloof message, critics heavily slated him
health workers, are dying while ception for Malianga, a prominent and quiet on the quickening infec- for claiming there is a final push
He left co-Vice-President Kem- Mnangagwa is on holiday; hos- liberation struggle figure. tions and escalating deaths. when he was not even there to lead
bo Mohadi as acting president pitals are empty shells without from the front like other serious
from 1 January 2021 to 14 Janu- equipment and drugs, and there is Ironically, Morton’s brother Apart from his tweet and state- leaders are doing elsewhere.
ary 2021. The other Vice-Presi- no Covid-19 strategy, vaccine plan
dent Constantino Chiwenga took and budget,” former Finance min-
over from 15 January 2021 and is ister Tendai Biti said. “What sort of
expected to be in charge up to 1 leadership is that? There is no lead-
February 2021. ership at all; we are on auto-pilot.
We are on our own.”
Mnangagwa returns to work on
2 February 2021. Since Mnangag- In other countries when emer-
wa went on his annual leave on 31 gencies or disasters arise, leaders
December 2020, the number of urgently take a hands-on approach
and push for an all-hands-the-deck

Return of indigenisation spooks the market

BERNARD MPOFU of the Indigenisation Act under fo- has returned. Minister of Mines Winston Chitando ernment is reverting to Mugabe’s
cus allowed ministers of Mines and An analysis of Mnangagwa’s un- move. indigenisation policy on mining.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnan- Finance to prescribe 51% equity
gagwa’s trademark “Zimbabwe is stake ownership by Zimbabweans expected move to revert to Mug- The analysis — on the next page “I have seen what you have sent
open for business” mantra — which only in diamond and platinum, but abe’s indigenisation policy on min- — unpacks Section 36 of the Fi- to me, but to be honest I’m not
has now gone mute — has effec- now they have powers to do so over ing done by Manokore Attorneys, nance Act (No. 2) 2020  on indi- aware of this policy shift. It’s hid-
tively been thrown out the window all other minerals in Zimbabwe, a local commercial law firm, raises genisation, promulgated in Decem- den under the Finance Act amend-
officially in one fell swoop after meaning indigenisation of mining important points and also ominous ber 2020. ment,” one minister said.
government clandestinely reverted warnings about the dangers of the
to the late former president Robert Several ministers say they are not The operative part of the recent
Mugabe’s damaging indigenisation aware that the Zimbabwean gov- amendment, Section 36 of Finance
policy on mining. Act (No. 2), 2020 (“Section 36”)
gives power to ministers of Mines
This has spooked investors who and Finance to prescribe minerals
have always thought mining pro- that must be indigenised.
vides the most attractive prospects
— a silver lining — in Zimbabwe’s This makes the ministers the new
dark economic cloud. driving force behind indigenisa-
tion.
Mining was a safe haven for in-
vestors seeking to enter the local When Mnangagwa took over in
market or grow their existing in- 2017 through a coup, he swiftly
vestment portfolios. said Mugabe’s indigenisation policy
would be put aside and be repealed,
The country is reeling from a except in relation to diamonds and
deep structural and functionality platinum. This effectively under-
economic crisis triggered by lead- mines and throws out the window
ership, governance and policy fail- the regime’s “Zimbabwe is open for
ures. business” mantra.

An amendment of Section 36 of The new amendment marks a
the Finance Act (No. 2), 2020, pro- significant departure from the In-
mulgated in December 2020, now digenisation and Economic Em-
gives the government the preroga- powerment Act [Chapter 14:33] as
tive to indigenise a controlling eq- amended by the Finance Act No.1
uity holding in any mineral in this of 2018 that allowed locals to have
country. at least 51% only in diamond or
platinum extractive industries. Be-
For perspective, the Section 3(1) fore that it was in all minerals.

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

THE IMPACT OF RE-INTRODUCTION OF INDIGENIZATION ON
ZIMBABWE’S MINING SECTOR

A scrutiny of the new Finance Act (No. 2) of 2020

INTRODUCTION
• Section 36 of the Finance Act (No. 2) of 2020 (“the Am endm ent” ) which was promulgated in December of 2020 is intended to give the Government of Zimbabwe (“GoZ”) the prerogative to indigenize a controlling equity
holding in any mineral in this country. This provision, which marks a departure from the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act [Chapter 14:33] as amended by the Finance Act No. 1 of 2018 (“the Indigenization
Act” )which restricted a 51:49 shareholding threshold in favour of locals in all foreign entities involved in the diamond or platinum extractive industries only. All other minerals were open for foreigners to hold up to 100%
ownership. This position of law has now been reversed by the introduction of this specific provision.

THE LAW
• The operative part of the recent Amendment is couched under Section 36 of Finance Act (No. 2) of 2020 (“Section 36” ) and reads as follows:
“ 36. Amendment of section 3 of Chapter 14:33
Section 3(1) of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act [Chapter 14:33] (“ the Indigenization Act”) is amended—
(a) by the insertion after “extraction of ” of ‘such mineral as may be prescribed by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Mines and the Minister responsible for Finance;
(b) by the repeal of paragraph (a);

(c) the repeal of paragraph (b).”

• For perspective, the Section 3(1) of the Indigenisation Act under focus states as follows:
“ 3. Objectives and measures in pursuance of indigenisation and economic empowerment
(1) The State shall, by this Act, or through regulations under this Act or any other law, secure at least fifty-one per centum of the shares or other ownership interest of every designated extractive business, that is to say
a company, entity or business involved in the extraction of (such mineral as may be prescribed by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Mines and the Minister responsible for Finance) ---
(a) diamond; or
(b) platinum;
shall be owned through an appropriate designated entity (with or without the participation of a community share ownership sd1eme or employee share ownership scheme or trust, or both).”
• The effect of Section 36 is such that, Section 3(1) of the Indigenization Act now reads as follows:
“The State shall, by this Act, or through regulations under this Act or any other law, secure at least fifty-one per centum of the shares or other ownership interest of every designated extractive business, that is to say a
company, entity or business involved in the extraction of such mineral as may be prescribed by the M inister in consultation with the M inister responsible for Mines and the Minister responsible for Finance, shall be
owned through an appropriate designated entity (with or without the participation of a community share ownership scheme or employee share ownership scheme or trust, or both).”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

ISSUE COMMENTARY RISK

Criteria of m inerals to be prescribed • The Amendment does not clarify the criteria upon which the Minister of • Absence of regulatory certainty.
Finance and the Minister of Mines will prescribe the minerals to be indigenized • The Minister of Finance and Mines have sweeping powers to prescribe any mineral at
in Zimbabwe. any time.
• Where a mineral is prescribed, the control and direction of the company is immediately
stripped away from the foreign investor.

Criteria for local participation • The effect of the Amendment is that the State shall secure 51% shareholding through an • The GoZ has powers to appoint an entity it thinks is an appropriate to take ownership of
Disruption of investor capital structures appropriate designated entity, but is silent as to what criteria is used to determine what the mining company without the foreign investors’ say.
and financial models constitutes an “appropriate designated entity” for such local participation. • No leeway for foreign investors to conduct due diligence on local partners appointed
Retroactive application by the State. Otherwise, the Amendment could have stated that the foreign investor will
‘nominate an appropriate indigenous partner.’

• The Amendment allows local partners to come in and alter foreign investors’ capital • Distortion of assumptions made in the financial models which form the key indicators
structures so significantly as to more than half their participation in equity. Foreign direct for investment decisions and expected outcomes.
investment in the mining sector primarily requires a stable, predictable and transparent • Operational activities affected due to material changes in management and decision
fiscal and legislative framework that will survive the life of the investor’s business plan and making (i.e., new models and methodologies imposed).
financial model. • Direct impact on the key variables used in building financial projections when planning
the mining project phases.

• The Amendment does not clarify whether the indigenization policy will apply to • Security of tenure in mining title is now limited because the Minister of Finance and
existing mining claims, Special Grants, Special Mining Leases and Exclusive Prospecting Minister of Mines can exercise their discretion to prescribe any mineral to be indigenized.
Orders held by foreign investors. While we anticipate the publication of the initial list of • Mandatory change of ownership and control
prescribed minerals through a statutory directive, we remain uncertain whether or not the
Amendment will apply retrospectively.

Com pensation for dilution of shares by • The Amendment does not set out if foreign mining companies with ongoing projects • GoZ may exercise free carry rights. The result of this is that the designated entities will
foreign investors will be compensated for the share dilution process under the contemplated indigeniza- acquire shares without paying for them.
tion. The Amendment simply underlines that once a mineral is prescribed, the State must • Decrease in existing shareholder returns.
‘secure’ 51% shareholding. It is not clear whether this may ultimately be a negotiation • Profitability of mining projects is significantly affected
process.

Criteria for valuation of the indigenisation • The Amendment is silent on how the 51% indigenisation portion is to be valued and • Absence of a valuation model will result in potential conflicts. The State or the desig-
portion of shares whether or not the foreign investors will be subsequently compensated for the share nated entity may want to pay a price whilst the foreign investor may want to dispose its
dilution. Our understanding is that share valuation is usually a subjective exercise due to shares at value.
the difference between ‘price’ and ‘value’.

• Whilst Section 17 of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (“ZIDA”) Act
[Chapter 14:37] provides that that no investor shall be compelled to “cede” an investment
to any person, “except for a public purpose, in accordance with due process of law, in a
non-discriminatory manner and on payment of prompt, adequate and effective compen-
sation”, the ZIDA Act binds the GoZ to compensate licensed investors at fair-market value
for the expropriated investment where foreign investments are expropriated for the public
benefit (such as suggested by the Amendment).
The ZIDA Act further provides that the valuation criteria will include a going concern
value, asset value (including declared tax value of tangible property), and other criteria,
as appropriate, to determine the fair market value. However, these provisions are only
available to investors or foreign mining com panies that are licensed under ZIDA.

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NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

BRIDGET MANANAVIRE/ Covid-19 shocker: Govt neighbouring South Africa is aim-
NYASHA CHINGONO has no vaccine plan ing to achieve 67% herd immuni-
ty to stop the spread of the deadly
AT a time the Covid-19 death rate Zimbabwe is yet to complete the the Covax vaccine issue, adding This leaves China and Russia as virus, following revelations that a
is spiraling out of control and other registration process for the Chi- a recent statement by the deputy Zimbabwe’s only realistic options deadlier variant of Covid-19 has
countries are scrambling for a limit- nese vaccine as lethargy continues Health minister was meant to man- for relatively affordable vaccines at emerged. Herd immunity is when
ed supply of vaccines, Zimbabwe is to blight the official Covid-19 re- age growing panic following a huge this stage. most of a country’s population de-
taking its sweet time in deciding the sponse at a time the country is bat- surge in Covid-related deaths and velops immunity to an infectious
vaccine it can acquire for citizens. tling a deadly second wave. cases since the Christmas holidays. The Russian embassy had not disease.
responded to questions sent by The
In the meanwhile, the govern- “The registration is going on now. “WHO only deals with coun- NewsHawks at the time of going to Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 vaccine
ment is negotiating with the Chi- It takes several steps to complete the tries who engage the body formally. print. plan, launched early this month, is
nese for the Sinovac vaccine, but has process. We cannot say when it will Zimbabwe has not written to WHO silent on the source of the vaccine,
been slow to complete the required finish because it depends on the ef- seeking assistance under Covax and While the government’s options raising doubt on the government’s
registration process. ficiency of the Zimbabwean govern- the danger here is that if the scheme on Covid-19 vaccines remain lim- sincerity in fighting the deadly pan-
ment,” an impeccable source told is oversubscribed, the country will ited, conspiracy theories have aris- demic.
President Emmerson Mnan- The NewsHawks. lose out,” a senior health official en locally, alleging that the British
gagwa’s governmnet is also yet to told The NewsHawks. embassy is seeking to manipulate Other countries like Namibia,
formally request the World Health Several African countries, in- the Zimbabwean government to ac- Botswana and Zambia have come
Organisation (WHO) for the Co- cluding Morocco and Egypt, have “The Covax vaccine facility is quire the Pfizer vaccine on uneven up with Covid-19 vaccination pro-
vax vaccine scheme, exposing the already secured the Chinese vaccine only available to 20% of the African terms. grammes which include payments
government’s lack of leadership in while 10 presidents received the population with prioritisation given to the Covax scheme for initial
fighting the deadly pandemic. Chinese jab. Other countries that to countries hardest hit like South The UK government, through doses and a distribution plan, with
have accessed life-saving jabs from Africa so any delays would be det- UK Aid, will help distribute one most earmarked for next month.
In response to questions by The China include Turkey and the Unit- rimental to the country,” the official billion doses of vaccine to 92 vul-
NewsHawks, the ministry of Health ed Arab Emirates (UAE). added. nerable countries. Zimbabwe, on one hand, has ex-
and Child Care said a scientific hibited a stark lack of planning in
committee will choose from the Zimbabwe is racing against time Deputy Health minister John “The UK’s assistance is via the its Covid-19 response.
available vaccines once the neces- to secure Covid vaccines, at a time Mangwiro recently claimed that global Covax facility, which is co-
sary tests are done, which will be in neighbouring South Africa has al- Zimbabwe could start receiving the led by CEPI, Gavi and WHO. The Chief coordinator of the nation-
about a month. ready bought 1.5 million doses first doses of Covax vaccine next UK has helped raise US$1 billion al Covid-19 taskforce Agnes Ma-
from the Serum Institute of India month. through match-funding other do- homva said Zimbabwe is still at the
“Genotyping is soon going to while other vaccine rollout pro- nors which, combined with the preparatory stages of its vaccination
be done for us to know the current grammes in southern Africa have But sources say government £548 million of UK Aid pledged, programme. She could not state the
circulating strain. After we have gathered pace. would have to reach out to the will help distribute one billion doses exact dates for the commencement
results of the current strain, a sci- WHO in order to begin the process of Covid-19 vaccines to 92 vulnera- of a national vaccine rollout pro-
entific committee will then need Contrary to a recent report in a of taking delivery of the vaccines. ble countries including Zimbabwe,” gramme.
to decide from the available… this local weekly a fortnight ago which an embassy spokesperson said.
we will know in a month’s time,” claimed that the country would WHO country representative Mahomva said the government is
Health ministry spokesperson Don- begin a Covax vaccine rollout pro- to Zimbabwe Alex Gasasira would “Covax offers a unique and coop- working with the WHO and Unicef
ald Mujiri told The NewsHawks. gramme starting next month, the not be drawn into commenting on erative way to maximise the chances to calculate the number of dos-
government has no plausible vac- Zimbabwe’s Covax appeal, but said of equitable access for all countries es needed, especially for frontline
Mujiri said a decision on which cine plan. the WHO was ready to assist the to safe and effective vaccines that workers in the health sector.
vaccine will be suitable for Zimba- country to administer the vaccines. work. On 31 December 2020, the
bwe can only be arrived at after a While the Covax vaccine is a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the “Government has said it is work-
thorough analysis of the Covid-19 cheaper option, which only covers “The application to Covax is first vaccine to receive WHO emer- ing on preparations as part of the
strain currently circulating in coun- 20% of the population, the gov- made by the country, we just pro- gency validation since the outbreak Covax programme. I cannot give
try. ernment has employed a lethargic vide technical support. We make began. you specific timelines because we
approach in securing the vaccines, sure the vaccines are safe and meet are still in our preparatory stages.
“According to the Vice-President as African countries are stampeding the general standards of safety be- With other countries in Sadc We are working flat out with WHO
(Constantino Chiwenga), who is for the limited doses. fore being administered. So, kind- having either paid deposits under and other partners to ensure the
the minister of Health, the govern- ly get in touch with the ministry the Covax scheme, which will se- rollout is successful,” Mahomva
ment is following the development Currently, the government is im- on that,” Gasasira told The News- cure enough vaccines to protect said.
and dissemination of Covid-19 plementing a vaccine rollout prepa- Hawks in a telephone interview. their most vulnerable populations,
vaccines by other states, with keen ration programme with no specific Zimbabwe is yet to announce a Doctors have warned govern-
interest. Zimbabwe adopted a mea- timelines outlining when the vac- “The preparations for the Covid plausible plan to help protect its ment’s lack of urgency in fighting
sured approach, with experts inter- cines would arrive. vaccines are being made by the min- more than 16 million citizens. Covid-19, saying it could be fatal.
rogating all safety concerns istry of Health and a lot of work is
A senior government official told going on to make sure the country While Zimbabwe is still grap- Drawing examples from Zimba-
“The ministry is doing everything The NewsHawks that there had been is well-prepared to receive the vac- pling with “elementary” issues such bwe’s tragic response to the HIV
possible to ensure that citizens are no correspondence with WHO on cine,” he added. the provision of masks to nurses, virus in the 1990s which saw the
safe from possible side effects of country only roll out a nationwide
some Covid-19 vaccines, currently anti-retroviral treatment in early
on the shelf. Specimen shall be an- 2000s, Zimbabwe Association of
alysed so that we see which strain Doctors for Human Rights presi-
is circulating in the country. Cur- dent Norman
rently, Zimbabwe is working with
various manufacturers to have their Matara said Zimbabwe should
vaccines registered here, so we are not rely on the Covax scheme alone
gathering the data. but should budget for vaccines.

“The MOHCC (ministry of “We have not heard clear com-
Health) in collaboration with WHO munication on vaccines. There are
is in the process of preparing to send reports that government will access
samples to the National Institute of vaccines from Covax and Africa
Communicable Diseases in South CDC (Centres for Disease Control)
Africa for genetic sequencing so as and we are waiting for those vac-
to ascertain the current circulating cines, but in terms of our own ini-
strains. With those results, we will tiative to purchase vaccines, there is
be able to choose which vaccine is no clear message,” Matara told The
suitable for our country.” NewsHawks.

African countries are stampeding “We need to learn from the HIV
to secure the life-saving jabs fol- response plan which was late in
lowing a second wave of infections, terms of a massive rollout of med-
which is threatening to collapse icines. It could be fatal if we fail to
weak health systems around the plan,” he warned.
continent.
Doctors say the country desper-
According to well-placed sourc- ately needs a vaccine to curb the
es, Zimbabwe has been moving at growing number of deaths, with the
snail’s pace in its registration for country now on the verge of a grim
Sinovac. The sources said the coun- 1 000 Covid-19 deaths milestone.
try’s ability to access the vaccine
would depend on the efficiency of While Zimbabwe is struggling
the Zimbabwean government. with administrative and governance
issues, the country also lacks the key
infrastructure to receive Covid-19
vaccines.

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

High profile deaths rise as Covid-19 surges

ZIMBABWE is reeling from a sharp surge in coronavirus infections and deaths. By 21 January died of Covid-19 today.
2021, the country had registered 639 new cases and 38 deaths – cumulatively 30 523 infections and Four ministers, including Matiza, have so far died. These include the Minister of Agriculture
962 fatalities. The victims include high profile figures and ministers.
Perrence Shiri, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Ellen Gwaradzimba and
Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza, former minister Aeneas Chigwedere and ex-Zimbabwe Minister of Foreign Affairs Sibusiso Moyo. See their pictures below:
Prisons and Correctional Services commissioner-general retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi
–STAFF WRITER

Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza (right) Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo

Former minister Aeneas Chigwedere Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba

Agriculture minister Perrence Shiri Former Prisons and Correctional Services commissioner-general retired Major-General
Paradzai Zimondi

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Vic Falls badly prepared for Covid-19

NOKUTHABA DLAMINI Victoria Falls isolation centres are said to be full and some patients are being staff, the health personnel disclosed
discharged to go and recover from home. “For now we are waiting for that the Covid-19 isolation cen-
THERE is growing concern over tres were not in good condition
the increasing Covid-19 cases in rapid test kits and by next week while there was also a lack of ve-
Victoria Falls since the beginning we would’ve started.” hicles to attend to emergencies as
of the festive season, amid a lack there was only one ambulance to
of isolation centres to monitor Tourism industry players, service both rural and urban Vic-
patients with severe symptoms. churches and other community toria Falls communities.
stakeholders have been helping
The city, which falls under to fight the pandemic through Another concern was that
Hwange district in Matabeleland rehabilitating the intensive care some people visit private hos-
North province, has two isolation units, providing personal pro- pitals and are not documented,
centres which have only 19 beds tective equipment and providing making contact tracing difficult.
to service a population exceeding beds for isolation centres, among
150 000 people. other initiatives. Saidi reported that mental
stress was high among medi-
The isolation centres are full. Matabeleland North province cal staff, adding there was also a
Provincial medical director had a total of 1 006 confirmed shortage of manpower.
Munekayi Padingani acknowl- cases as of Monday and nine
edged that the tourist town is deaths. The district’s precarious Zanu PF pledged to donate
strained and said an intervention situation was brought to the at- one of its vehicles that will attend
is needed. tention of Zanu PF’s district or- to Covid-19 emergencies in the
“Beat Aids Project Zimba- gan in a meeting convened with resort city and surrounding areas
bwe (BAPZ), a private clinic, Saidi. Zanu PF district coordi- such as Kazungula border, Jam-
has eight beds, Mkhosana Clin- nating committee chair Matthew bezi rural and the resettlement
ic (run by Victoria Falls City) Muleya told The NewsHawks that areas.
has 11 beds while Five Miles in
Hwange has 10, so the whole dis- CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FOR THE LATE VETERAN NATIONALIST
trict has less than 50 beds, and COMRADE MOTON DIZZY PAUL MALIANGA
that means that the challenge is
on,” Munekayi noted. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Advocate J. F. N. Mudenda, the President of the Senate, Hon. M. M. Chinomona, the
As of Tuesday, Hwange’s dis- Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. T. Gezi, the Deputy President of the Senate, Hon. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) M. R. Nyambuya,
trict medical officer Seleman Members of Parliament, the Acting Clerk of Parliament, Ms. H. B. Dingani, and Staff of Parliament join His Excellency, the President,
Saidi said the district had 121 Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, in extending their heartfelt condolences to the Malianga family and the nation at large following the tragic
active cases. passing on of the late veteran nationalist, Cde Moton Dizzy Paul Malianga, who was called to higher glory on Friday 15th January
“Victoria Falls has above 90 2021.
active cases where some of our An unflappable nationalist driven by an enduring spirit of patriotism, the late national hero’s name will go down in the annals of
patients are at our isolation cen- Zimbabwean history as one of the pioneers of the Second Chimurenga through his persistent political activism regardless of the ev-
tres which are now full, some er-present threat of persecution by the colonial regime. Indeed, his courage and fortitude in the quest for self-determination inspired
discharged and recovering from his active involvement in the founding of the National Democratic Party, the Zimbabwe African People’s Union and the Zimbabwe
their homes, but currently what African National Union, a feat which was to result in his imprisonment for 10 years by the settler regime. After this horrendous ten-
we are doing is to try and con- year stint in a maximum-security prison the late Cde Malianga did not buckle under the weight of prosecution and persecution but,
solidate results with private labs,” instead, immediately set to work with other members of the ZANU PF Central Committee in mobilizing resources for the successful
Saidi said. execution of the liberation struggle. It is only befitting, therefore, given this unflinching resolve to free Zimbabwe from the shackles
“We still have one that hasn’t of colonialism, that he was an integral part of the Victoria Falls round-table, the Geneva Conference and the Lancaster House Con-
given us all the statistics so we are ference which culminated in Zimbabwe’s independence.
waiting for them so that we can The late national hero, a long-serving Member of Mutare West constituency in post-independence Zimbabwe, continued to serve the
incorporate them into our cur- country with the same unwavering commitment and patriotic fervor throughout his various appointments as the Deputy Minister of
rent figures but, as for now, the Finance, Economic Planning and Development, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce and the Deputy Minister of Industry
community has above that num- and Commerce.
ber.” The late veteran nationalist lived a full life of exemplary service to the nation that will be difficult to emulate. May his dear departed
Munekayi said the district was soul rest in eternal peace.
also grappling with a shortage
of vehicles and fuel to attend to Go well son of the soil!!
emergencies. The increase in cas- Gamba remagamba!!
es in the district was caused by Qhawe lamaqhawe!!
frequent human interaction.
“The cases are higher in the Making Our Parliamentary Democracy Work
district because, looking at A SAZ ISO 9001: 2015 Certified Organization
Hwange being the mining area
and Victoria Falls being a tourist
destination, the cases will always
be higher compared to other dis-
tricts,”Munekayi said.
“Victoria Falls has had more
active cases because during the
(Christmas and New Year) hol-
idays, many people visited the
town and that’s how infections
were easily transmitted. Also,
looking at it being a border town
where people are coming in and
out, so when they do the testing
some come out positive and we
record them under the district.
“We are also having local cases
as well and the challenge now is
contact tracing as we don’t have
enough cars and fuel so this is
why we have to start testing peo-
ple by the roadblocks as we have
been instructed by the govern-
ment so we need to put more

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Covid-19 derails justice delivery NPA
recruits 291
LIZWE SEBATA prosecutors

THE closure of court business pres- “There is a challenge there be- sures that combat the spread of ed in an increase in the backlog of MORRIS BISHI
ents challenges for accused persons cause most of the urgent appli- Covid-19, more so when the courts cases.
seeking justice, a situation likely cations are technical and have an are dealing with self-actors,” said THE National Prosecuting Au-
to increase the backlog of cases al- effect on the person who will be lawyer Kholwani Ngwenya. “Even after the lockdown was thority (NPA) has recruited 291
though it is a necessary Covid-19 trying to make such an application partially lifted, it remained very dif- prosecutors to fill vacant positions
preventive measure, lawyers say. to appreciate the exigencies of that “It’s now up to the judicial of- ficult for witnesses to attend court at magistrates’ courts across the
application. I think, in all fairness, ficer to act in the best interest of for trials. The majority of criminal country as well as to replace pros-
The Judicial Service Commis- if one is a self-actor it is very diffi- an unrepresented accused person. cases are heard in this court and it ecutors seconded to the authority
sion (JSC) on Monday last week cult to have your rights protected.” Similarly, in urgent matters where led to the courts placing accused by security organs in line with a
suspended all court business in re- a litigant is unrepresented, there is persons on remand, causing very 2019 Constitutional Court order.
sponse to a surge in Covid-19 cases Chiwenga moved the country generally laxity in the strict adher- few cases to be finalised since there
in the country. Currently, there are from “level two” back to “level ence to the rules and procedure of were no trials,” Malaba said in his The highest court in the land
no virtual court sittings to ensure four” of the lockdown that among the court.” speech. ruled that the seconding of mem-
the smooth operations of the courts other limits such as restriction of bers of the uniformed forces to
during the lockdown. In a speech funeral gatherings to 30 people, Chief Justice Malaba, in his “This caused the increases in the prosecutorial unit is unconsti-
to mark the official opening of the closure of bars and bottle stores and speech to mark the opening of the the backlog of criminal cases at tutional.
2021 legal year, Chief Justice Luke a 6pm to 6am curfew. 2021 legal year, said the JSC would most of the courts. Processes in
Malaba said the JSC has not been thrive to maintain efficiency since the civil court are litigant driven. Prosecutor-General Kumbirai
spared the effects of Covid-19 amid “Bail has become a constitution- the courts are mandated by the law Due to lockdown-induced travel Hodzi was ordered to disengage
reports that 31 of its staffers have al right. There obviously have to to resolve disputes brought before restrictions, the court received 52 all serving members of the secu-
tested positive to the coronavirus. be some mechanisms put in place them. 655 cases less than in 2019. It also rity forces from the NPA within
to balance the rights of the accused completed 52 850 cases less than in 24 months.
The suspension of court activi- persons and litigants as well as mea- According to Malaba, the 2020 2019.”
ties applies to all courts. The only initial phase of the lockdown result- Hodzi confirmed the develop-
exceptions are urgent applications, ment to The NewsHawks, saying
bail applications or initial remands. the new prosecutors are under-
going training so that they com-
All civil matters pending in the mence work at the end of the
magistrates courts are deemed to month.
have been postponed to the first
business day after the last day of the Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi
30-day lockdown announced re-
cently by Vice-President Constan- He said despite fulfilling the re-
tino Chiwenga. quirements of the Constitutional
Court, the NPA is in the process
In respect of all criminal mat- of building a very responsive pros-
ters, all current remand dates that ecutorial service that ensures the
fall within the 30 days have been elimination of delays in bringing
pushed a month further. Normally, cases to court.
court procedures have time limits
or timeframes, and lawyers argued He added that criminal and
the suspension, though necessary, corruption cases are on the rise
presents challenges to self-actors. hence the need to assemble an ef-
ficient team which can help build
“We find ourselves in a very dif- the country`s economy through
ficult situation where the judiciary fighting crime.
has to operate in the manner which
it used to but at the same time “The NPA has a policy in place
make sure that those appearing in for a continuing recruitment to
court are safe,” lawyer Nqobani ensure that it does not depreci-
Sithole said. ate its core competencies. The
recruitment of 291 prosecutors
“The biggest challenge is on bail was to address loss of staff from
on changed circumstances because retirements, resignations, loss of
it is more technical because when prosecutors through disciplinary
there are changed circumstances in processes and natural attrition,”
prison, the most difficult thing to Hodzi said.
do is to access the court that gave
the initial decision. “We also had to abide by a
court ruling that gave the PG`s
Gweru grapples with ballooning vendors’ list office a deadline on using second-
ed staff from the uniformed forces
STEPHEN CHADENGA this week. said. the country as a whole.” and I am happy that we managed
“As you might be aware, we are ren- “As much as everyone should un- Last week, this publication report- to beat that deadline.
GWERU City Council faces head-
aches in accommodating 5 500 in- ovating old markets like Kudzanai, derstand that we cannot accommo- ed that hundreds of vendors had “We are in the process of build-
formal traders who are on the waiting Kombayi and Ivene. We are however, date all informal traders on the wait- defied council directive in Mtapa, a ing a very responsive Prosecu-
list at a time two private companies going to construct new sites and the ing list at once, it is important that Covid-19 hotspot in the city. torial Service to ensure that we
engaged by the local authority missed biggest will be at the new Mtapa Bus people exercise patience,” he said. eliminate delay in bringing cases
last year’s deadline to complete reno- Terminus where over 5 000 market But Gweru Hawkers and Vendors to court and sharpen our strate-
vating market stalls, resulting in illegal stalls will be built,” Makombe said. “That some vendors choose to en- Association acting chairperson Love- gies to fight and prosecute serious
vending at a time Covid-19 cases and gage in illegal trading, particularly at more Tingaka said council should crime. Currently our secretariat
deaths are on the rise. As a temporary measure, the city this time when coronavirus is ravag- move with speed in building new is working to make sure that the
has allocated vending space at the yet- ing, is not only a disservice to the city’s vending bays to curb illegal vending. new members will be at the new
The increase in the number of peo- to-be-constructed Mtapa Rank, he efforts to fight the pandemic but also stations by the end of this month
ple interested in vending has been at- “As vendors, it is not our intention and almost all our courts will re-
tributed to the closure of major com- to break the law,” he said. ceive new members.”
panies in the Midlands capital. Mayor
Josiah Makombe said the renovation “What is however clear is that in-
of Kudzanai and Kombayi informal formal trading has become the biggest
markets as well as construction of new employer in the country and almost
sites is expected to be completed this everyone is now an informal trader
year. He urged the informal traders to in one way or the other. So we need
be patient as the two companies con- speed in construction of proper vend-
tracted by council, Bentach Resources ing bays.”
Pvt and Casas Property Investments,
faced challenges in importing build- Tingaka urged traders not to em-
ing material from South Africa. bark on illegal trading, particularly
during the lockdown period meant to
The council boss said those on the prevent the spread of Covid-19.
waiting list should desist from illegal
vending as the practice was facilitating Gweru United Progressive Resi-
the spread of Covid-19. dents and Ratepayers Development
Association executive director David
“The informal traders’ waiting list Chikore weighed in, saying council
currently stands at 5 447,”Makombe could increase its revenue streams if it
told The NewsHawks in an interview builds more vending marts.

However, he called on city officials
to be transparent when allocating
vending sites.

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

OWEN GAGARE Covid-19 poses headache for
Zim-Moza border communities
HEALTH and administration au-
thorities in Nyanga, a district which A villager from Nyachigo Village in Mozambique crosses a log foot bridge along Gairezi River carrying a sack of show that the community made a
shares a border with Mozambique, mealie meal. People from Nyachigo use grinding mills and shop at Nyamaropa Business Centre while some Zimba- commitment to help contain the vi-
are at pains as to how to deal with the bweans do their bulk shopping in Katandika, Mozambique. rus while interacting safely with rel-
Covid-19 pandemic should it hit the atives.
border area, given the family ties and munity with the help of a commu-
close interactions between people of nity-based organisation operating in They called on the government
the two countries as well as unregu- the area, to find ways of containing and the local authority to ensure the
lated movement across the border, the virus should it hit the border provision of water, masks and to peri-
minutes show. community. odically disinfect shopping and mar-
ket centres. The community leaders
There is no official border post be- “We have been engaging the com- pledged to ensure hygiene and social
tween the two countries in Nyanga munity because our border with distancing is maintained in their ar-
although Gairezi River divides the Mozambique is very porous. Our eas as well as to speedily report sus-
two countries, separating a cultural situation is made worse by the fact pected cases.
community which has interacted for that the community throughout the
generations. A recent visit to Nyam- stretch of Gairezi River is related and The meeting was attended by vil-
aropa in Zimbabwe and Nyachigo very close to each other. On a daily lage heads and their secretaries as well
in Mozambique --- which are di- basis, we have many people crossing as community leaders and volunteers
vided by the river --- revealed that into Mozambique from Zimbabwe such as village health workers and wa-
people from the two villages across and vice versa either for shopping or ter point committee chairpersons and
the border regard themselves as one to spend time with relatives,” the of- senior officials from the district, in-
and interact daily, making it easy to ficial said. cluding the assistant district develop-
transmit Covid-19 between the two ment coordinator Trust Mangoma,
countries. “Even from the meetings we have Nyanga Rural District Council en-
held, it’s clear that we can’t stop the vironmental health technician Chris-
Villagers in Nyamaropa and movement of people because the topher Manyau and district environ-
Nyachigo told The NewsHawks that community is saying we are one. mental health technician Tichawana
they are one people before colonial The community will tell you that Muzore. A community leader from
borders divided them. my blood brother and his family or Sanyamaropa village, Evermarry Sa-
my in-laws are on the other side of mungure (pictured), said the border
An official from Nyanga said a the border, so there is no way I can’t community was benefitting from the
team comprising stakeholders from accommodate them when they visit interaction between from the two
the district had engaged the com- and there is no way I can live without countries.
visiting them.”
“There is a lot of movement be-
Minutes of a meeting held be- tween the two countries because
tween the taskforce and community we are related and depend on each
leaders from Nyakomba, Samanyika, other. For example, people from
Nyadowa and Bumhira attended by Mozambique come to Zimbabwe to
118 villagers between 9 and 10 June access schools and shops, because on
2020, organised by Diocese of Mu- their side the shops are far although
tare Community Care Programme it’s cheaper to buy in Mozambique.
But if we want to buy in bulk, we
cross over into Mozambique and go
to Katandika because it’s way, way
cheaper,” Samungure said.

“It’s a punishing journey but worth
it because we travel for two hours on
foot to Rwenze in Mozambique be-
fore catching a lift to Katandika. It is
an hour’s journey. For cheaper stuff,
you travel further to Chimoio, which
is 70 kilometres from Katandika, but
for most Zimbabweans Katandika is
good enough, especially if one wants
things such as rice, cooking oil and
other groceries.”

Samungure said villagers were
aware of the risks of Covid-19 and
were taking measures to protect
themselves at individual and com-
munity levels, thanks to outreach
programmes.

Karoi courts suspend operations as
six officials test Covid-19 positive

THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has been forced to suspend
operations at Karoi magistrates’ court after six officials tested positive
for Covid-19.

The suspension will be in effect until 25 January.
In a statement, the JSC said: “The Judicial Service Commission (JSC)
regrets to advise all stakeholders, legal practitioners and all litigants that
effective Tuesday 19 January 2021, all operations at the Karoi Magis-
trates’ Court in Mashonaland West will be suspended until Monday
the 25th of January 2021. The measure is a precaution taken to allow
the decontamination of the premises, contact tracing and further tests
after some members of staff at the station recently tested positive for
Covid-19.
“We are working with officials from the Ministry of Health and Child
Care and all stakeholders to ensure a safe reopening of the station.”
Urgent matters are being referred to the Chinhoyi magistrates’ court.
The NewsHawks understands six officials tested positive of Covid-19
and are in isolation. —STAFF WRITER

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Scenes of Corona virus victims being burried in and around Harare. /Pic: Aaron Ufumeli

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Regional authorities tackle smugglers

MOSES NGWERE thorities from other countries
they share borders with to try
REVENUE authorities in south- These commodities are being smuggled into South Africa through undesignated entry points along the Limpopo river. and curb smuggling.
ern Africa say they have had to
scale up efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus. and services. Illicit trade, mostly “We have declared zero toler-
smuggling of goods in the re- Sadc countries are highly de- South Africa, the region’s man- in consumables like ance on smuggling of all forms,
gion after cunning syndicates transit frauds, under-declara-
returned to action in full force pendent on each other for goods ufacturing hub, has also suffered tions, under-valuations, miscal-
as governments moved to rein- culations and false documenta-
troduce stricter Covid-19 control tions, among others. This is our
measures. hope for closing the gap on lost
revenue and all our neighbours
The control measures, com- are collaborating with us,” Sika-
monly referred to as lockdown linda said.
regulations, have seen govern-
ments in South Africa, Malawi, He added that the authority
Botswana and Zimbabwe closing was now making use of informa-
their borders to both human and tion and communication tools
vehicular traffic, except for vital that help combat smuggling.
cargo. They have used this information
to intercept huge quantities of al-
This has however led to the cohol and groceries, which were
proliferation of illicit trade as being smuggled from Zimbabwe
syndicates move to exploit leak- to Zambia.
ages at the formal ports of entry
and many illegal trade routes to “We are now more aggressive
move goods between countries. than ever and our customs and
inspectorate officials are on the
Interviews with revenue au- ground patrolling, fully equipped
thorities from five countries re- with various ICT tools such as
vealed that illicit trade, mostly in specialised advanced fighter
consumables like alcohol, ciga- drones. In the past few weeks, we
rettes and groceries, has boomed have intercepted various goods
since the turn of the year when such as alcohol, cooking oil and
countries imposed restrictions used clothing coming from Zim-
on movement to contain the babwe. Most of these goods are
brought all the way from South
alcohol, cigarettes Africa and Zimbabwe is used just
as a transit route,” Sikalinda said.
and groceries,
“We are working closely with
has boomed since the law enforcement agents and
the judiciary to ensure success-
countries imposed ful prosecution of offenders and,
only last week, we had our first
restrictions on conviction by the courts of a
Zambian smuggler in Nakonde
movement to con- who was jailed for two years. We
are also relying on data exchange
Notice of Interruption of the Electricity tain the spread of with other revenue authorities in
the coronavirus. the region to help us know what
is being exported to Zambia well
Vending System serious revenue losses at the before the goods reach our bor-
hands of smugglers. Although ders,” Sikalinda added.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) the country is mostly a source
would like to advise its valued customers that there will be interruption of the of the goods being smuggled, it Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
Prepaid Electricity Vending system on Saturday, 23rd January during the period has in recent months suffered a (Zimra) public relations manag-
1300hrs to 1700hrs and on Sunday, 24th January 2021 between the period huge influx of cigarettes smug- er Francis Chimanda said: “Nu-
0830hrs to 1130hrs to facilitate for a major system upgrade. gled from Zimbabwe, driven by merous measures have been put
high demand on the black mar- in place to deal with smuggling,
ZETDC further advises consumers on the prepaid channel to ensure that they ket following a ban on the sale of which include collaborative
purchase enough power so that they do not run out of credit during the cigarettes in the country. borderline patrols, roadblocks,
maintenance period of the electricity vending system. post- clearance verifications
“Despite the challenges ex- and audits, use of risk manage-
The upgrade is necessary to ensure the efficient performance of the prepaid perienced during the Covid-19 ment, collaboration with other
electricity vending system. crisis, SARS (South African Rev- law enforcement and security
enue Service) has continued to agents. Bilateral and regional
The inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted. focus on goods control in terms engagements have been taking
of its risk identification‚ target- place to ensure that cross-border
Stakeholder Relations ing capabilities and inspection movements of cargo are carefully
strategies. The specialised cargo monitored to reduce incidents of
For more information contact us on: scanners have also assisted in smuggling.”
stopping the illicit movement of
Email : [email protected] goods across our borders, leaving Malawi, Botswana and Mo-
: [email protected] smugglers with fewer options to zambique are also implementing
Twitter : @ZetdcOfficial facilitate the illicit movement of strict border control regulations
Facebook : www.facebook.com/ZetdcOfficial goods. SARS Customs also con- to curb smuggling.
WhatsApp ONLY : +263 784707470 tinues to work closely with sister
Website : www.zetdc.co.zw revenue authorities from the re- “We are a landlocked country
gion to fight the scourge of agen- and goods are mainly brought
Client Service Excellence is our Hallmark cies in order to combat the illicit into the country through Tan-
trade,” SARS head of media and zania, and Mozambique and we
VIC-PROOF communications Sicelo Mkosi have received a lot of help from
said. authorities there to curb the
smuggling,”
Zambia Revenue Authority
(ZRA) public relations officer Malawi Revenue Services head
Topys Sikalinda said they were of corporate affairs Steven Ka-
collaborating with revenue au- poloma said.

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Opaque Chiredzi land deals spark controversy

MORRIS BISHI dissolved last year via a phone Minister of State for Masvingo province Ezra Chadzamira schedules and I don’t think
call from Chadzamira who is there is anyone with rights
WAR veterans have criticised the chairperson of the pro- to demand names of benefi-
the minister of State for Mas- vincial committee. ciaries. Those are just allega-
vingo province, Ezra Chad- tions being raised by people
zamira, of presiding over the Despite the absence of the who are ignorant of proce-
unprocedural parcelling out district lands committee, 24 dures,” said Chadzamira.
of sugarcane plots in Chiredzi sugarcane plots were allocat-
after the district lands com- ed to various people in Hip- However, Masvingo pro-
mittee was disbanded early po Valley and Triangle Estates vincial lands officer Tendai
last year. last year alone. Currently, 65 Mumera confirmed that all
plots on dry land measuring other land committees from
The committee, whose 70 hectares each are being other districts in the prov-
mandate was to approve land allocated to people at an area ince are convening meetings
allocations in the district be- which expands from Chitsan- except for Chiredzi. She said
fore forwarding the schedules ga Hill to Mkwasine River she was not aware of the
to the provincial lands com- without the input of officials person who was involved
mittee pending approval by from Chiredzi. in disbanding the Chiredzi
the ministry of Lands, was committee.
Zimbabwe Liberation War
“Land committees from
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE Veterans Association chair- other districts across the
HON. SEN. DR. ELLEN GWARADZIMBA person for Chiredzi district province are bringing their
Killer Makuni, who was minutes to my office but
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Advocate J. F.N. Mudenda, the President of the Senate, Hon. M.M. Chinomona, the also vice-chairperson of the Chiredzi is not. I don’t know
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. T. Gezi, the Deputy President of the Senate, Hon. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) M. R. Nyambuya, dissolved district lands com- what happened, if they were
Members of Parliament, the Acting Clerk of Parliament, Ms. H. B. Dingani, and Staff of Parliament join His Excellency, the President mittee, told The NewsHawks stopped, I am not sure of
of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, and the people of Manicaland in conveying their heartfelt condolences to the in an interview that the panel the person who stopped
Gwaradzimba family and the nation at large following the untimely passing on of Hon. Senator Dr. Ellen Gwaradzimba, the Minister was dissolved by the minister them. What I know is land
of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland Province. early last year. Makuni said distribution is ongoing in
An unapologetic nationalist who firmly believed in the value of education in uplifting the disenfranchised and downtrodden black the move is promoting cor- Chiredzi,” said Mumera.
Zimbabwean, the late Dr Gwaradzimba selflessly sacrificed all physical and material comforts to join the liberation struggle at a very ruption in the allocation of
tender age. Instead of dousing the flames of her passionate belief in the emancipatory power of education, the liberation struggle and land while sidelining locals A senior official at the
its myriad of challenges only magnified her conviction, as she played a pivotal role in developing learning resources for refugees in from benefitting from the ministry of Lands head of-
the refugee camps. A lifelong educationist, her passion for education unfurled post-independence, hence she served with distinction land reform programme. fice alleged that the land al-
as a Principal Lecturer at Mutare Polytechnic College, a Dean of Students at Africa University and a Senior Lecturer at the University location chaos in Chiredzi,
of Zimbabwe prior to her appointment as the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland Province. He said they engaged which is the economic capi-
Despite shedding the academic gown for the political jacket, the late national heroine took up this challenge with the dignified grace Chadzamira on several occa- tal of Masvingo province, is
of a veteran and lived true to the words of the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who said “Educating the mind without educating the sions but their calls are falling being caused by a team of
heart is no education at all.” Not only was her educated mind evident in the manner she steered Manicaland Province’s response to on deaf ears. soldiers which was seconded
the ravages of Cyclone Idai, but her educated heart came to the fore in the empathy she displayed for those affected and the initiatives to the ministry by the late
she was putting in place to ensure the Province’s preparedness for future disasters. “As war veterans we are the Shiri. He said the team led
Hon. Dr. Ellen Gwaradzimba leaves behind an indelible legacy of dedicated service driven by an unshakeable commitment to the custodians of the land but we by a colonel, is processing
upliftment of the generality of Zimbabweans. May her dear departed soul rest in eternal peace. are in shock after the lands offer letters at the head office
committee for our district after identifying idle land in
Making our Parliamentary democracy work. was dissolved last year. They Chiredzi.
are still parcelling out land,
“A SAZ ISO 9001:2015 Certified Organization” including sugarcane plots to “This army guy is one of
people who are coming out the army officers who were
of our district, without our attached to the ministry. The
input. attachment of army officers
to civilian ministry offices is
“This was done to promote not supported by any stat-
corruption because people utes. He started to abuse
are coming here with offer office by making clandestine
letters on a daily basis and withdrawals of which he
this is done without the in- would re-allocate the land.
put of locals,” Makuni said. The recent withdrawals and
re-allocations happened at
“People are making mon- Triangle Estate where about
ey through selling sugarcane 13 farmers were displaced
plots and dry land and if this and replaced under question-
continues we will be left with able circumstances,” said the
no option but to put the law official.
into our own hands.
The colonel confirmed to
“We will turn them away The NewsHawks that he was
so that they bring the people involved in land issues in
who are giving them those Chiredzi but denied having
offer letters.” the powers to offer people
land. He said land allocation
Chadzamira dismissed is done by Chadzamira, who
the allegations when The is the chairperson of the pro-
NewsHawks called him for a vincial lands committee.
comment. He said the lands
committees for all districts “Being involved in land
were disbanded by the late issues does not mean that I
Lands minister Perrance Shi- have powers to give people
ri three years ago. He said his land. I usually take grievanc-
only duty is to recommend es for submission to relevant
schedules for approval by the authorities but I don’t have
ministry of Lands and people powers to offer anyone land.
have no rights to know the
names of beneficiaries. “Land is given by the
minister of state; if there are
“Those committees were any grievances they should
disbanded by the late min- approach the minister,” said
ister Shiri throughout the the colonel.
country. That is done by the
ministry at national level, not
us. My duty is to approve

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

OWEN GAGARE

IN life as in history, there are criti- SB Moyo went to Masvingo Primary School in Mberengwa
cal junctures that define how a sit-
uation pans out and its outcomes. SB Moyo: Dramatic history
They are often marked by height- and risky critical junctures
ened contingency; characterised
by historical moments, dramatic themselves nationally and beyond. however, later to diverge for a while
events and a turning point. Zipra commander Alfred Nikita on that fateful day – 14 November
2017 – when they found themselves
For the late Foreign Affairs and Mangena went to Chegato. A num- crossing swords, or so it appears, in
International Trade minister Sibu- ber of key military and intelligence the midst of an unfolding coup.
siso Busi Moyo, who died on 20 officers came from that Manama
January in Harare, two events sig- group. Although Nguluvhe was mere-
nificantly defined his life and ca- ly doing his job professionally to
reer: the recruitment of 400 Mana- Arriving at Manama at the begin- protect Mugabe in an hour of dan-
ma High School students by Zipra ning of 1975 as a boarding student, ger, some of Moyo’s foot soldiers
guerrillas on 30 January 1977 and Moyo was only 14 at the time doing thought he was an enemy and at-
announcement of the military coup Form 1. tacked him viciously.
that ousted the late former pres-
ident Robert Mugabe on 15 No- One of his classmates and close Sadly, on the day Moyo and
vember 2017. friends was Albert Nguluvhe (spelt Nguluvhe’s friendship was stretched
Ngulube in Ndebele, but Ngulu- to the limit.
Although these events were 40 vhe in Venda), current Beitbridge
years apart, they defined Moyo’s East MP who was Mugabe’s close The tensions and hostilities be-
life history and career path in many security boss as National Security tween the army and the CIO did
ways. Interestingly, when Moyo was Director in the Central Intelligence not help matters.
being seized with other children Organisation (CIO). They sat at the
from school in Manama in Gwan- same desk in class. However, Nguluvhe’s former
da, Matabeleland South province, Zipra colleagues in the army quick-
as a teenager to join the liberation Moyo and Nguluvhe’s paths were, ly came to his rescue after days and
struggle, Mugabe was about to seize
power at the helm of Zanu after a instructors in Guinea Fowl in Gwe- High School in Gwanda, a Luther-
two-year interregnum without set- ru when they tried to downgrade an mission. Interestingly, he was
tled leadership. former guerrillas in ranks during born at Mnene Hospital, also a Lu-
re-training upon his return in 1980, theran mission.
Despite the Mgagao Declaration defined his stubborn and daring
in October 1975 which affirmed persona. The Lutheran Church had built
support for Mugabe to oust found- six sister missions, with schools and
ing leader Ndabaningi Sithole, At the time of his death two days hospitals in Midlands and Mata-
Zanu had not had a substantive ago, at 60, he had risen well above beleland South: Chegato, Mnene,
leader since Sithole was removed in his mentors and peers, including Musume, Masase, Manama and
a prison coup in 1974. those who trained him in Zambia. Zezani. The first four are in Mber-
engwa in the Midlands, while Ma-
Moyo’s story is as gripping as his But it had all started on a scary nama is in Gwanda and Zezani in
rise to the top. and dramatic day on 30 January Beitbridge.
1977.
Born on 20 November 1961 at The schools came to define sec-
Mnene Mission in Mberengwa, Having completed his early edu- ondary education in those areas
Moyo grew up in a rural village cation at Masvingo Primary School over decades and produce great stu-
with his parents and seven siblings. in Mberengwa, Moyo then went dents who went on to distinguish
He was the third born in a family for secondary schooling at Manama
of eight.

His father Cephas John Moyo
has described him in the media,
including in the state-controlled
daily The Herald, as a sturdy and
studious child, yet quiet boy. He
did not like mixing and mingling
with other kids until when he
joined a school church choir. He
always played on the fringes. But in
all that he showed personality traits
which would define him and his
life – he was observant, calculating,
liked commanding other children,
issuing instructions and having the
final say.

Such was his bravey and self-as-
sured bossy attitude – which some-
times exuded toxic masculinity –
that he would even deny that his
elder sister was older than him. He
could not imagine as a kid that a
woman could be older than him.

Moyo grew up as a tough rural
boy who did all the rustic activities
done by other kids with his sisters,
brothers and friends. His father says
he always wanted to finish his job –
he was hands-on – ahead of every-
one else and take the lead.

As a result, the father says, he
showed clear intelligence and lead-
ership qualities at a tender age.
These became some of his endur-
ing character traits. He was good
in maths and his father desperately
wanted him to be a doctor, but fate
had other plans for him.

Even though he was to arrive in
the liberation struggle at only 16
years old and return home after the
war at 19, his willpower and brain-
power carried him through to the
top. His bitter fight with Rhodesian

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

nights of vicious brutalisation. But SB Moyo later attended Manama High School in Gwanda months training at CGT Military
Nguluvhe remained loyal to the Camp in Zambia under the tutelage
system, as they say. Despite having guerrilla training, the Rhodesian said he would kill those who didn’t flew over as they tried to stop the of General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
been school mates, trained togeth- military announced tonight”. come, but I couldn’t really tell mass exodus. Other instructors who trained us
er and became family friends, they whether the children were going of include the likes of the late (nation-
found themselves on a collision The Rhodesian government state- their free will or not,” he said. “We managed to cross the river al hero) Stanley ‘Gagisa’ Nleya and
course during critical moments as ment also said that the Zipra raiders into Botswana and proceeded to after training we were selected to be
the coup unfolded. “stole $20 000  in school fees and The recruitment was essential to Gobajangu until we reached Bu- instructors of Zipra cadres,” he said.
kidnaped five teachers, two nurses Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo and bonong,” he said.
Their communication on the and a clerk”. The Rhodesian For- Zipra to build up his own fighting “We helped establish several
very day of the coup – through calls eign Ministry said that 230 male forces. Botswana had frequently “The planes flew over us, but they training camps such CGT 1 and 2,
- failed them. Nguluvhe’s attempt students and 170 females aged be- denied that it allowed guerrillas use didn’t bomb us. The Botswana po- Fox Hall, Maheba and Solwezi in
to understand what was happening tween 13 and 19 were kidnaped. of its territory as a base for attacks lice ferried us using their trucks to the northern part of Zambia where
did not get clarity from Moyo. That on Rhodesia. But there had been Francistown and when we got there, we trained Zipra Cadres.”
led to Nguluvhe being viciously at- The mass abduction immedi- little attempt to conceal the fact within a day or two, the Rhodesians
tacked by soldiers at Josiah Tongog- ately recalled a similar incident in that guerrillas recruited through the sent a bus with parents to plead The late Eddie Sigoge Mlotshwa
ara Barracks in Harare to a point of mid-1973 when guerrillas took 350 country. with us to go back home. When the was also one of the commanders.
nearly losing his life when he was students from St. Albert’s Roman buses came, I think about 50 pupils
coming from Mugabe’s Blue Roof Catholic mission in north-eastern While Moyo and other students went back to Rhodesia with one Ndlovu said he and Moyo re-
home going to his Chaminuka Rhodesia. Pursuit by security forces were marching through the bush teacher. The rest said we are going mained behind in Zambia when
Building offices, CIO headquarters. brought the return. into Botswana, in Lusaka, Zam- to war and within a week we were others entered the country in 1977
bia, British envoy Ivor Richard was flown to Lusaka and then taken to a as they continued training other
An acid test to their comrade- In the Manama Mission incident, ending his month-long shuttle tour camp called Nampundu.” Zipra cadres until 1979. A senior
ship, but they remained friends. It a Rhodesian rescue mission failed. of southern Africa in a bid to find military commander said Moyo and
was, however, no longer the same. a settlement to the Rhodesia crisis, Nguluvhe said in Zambia, then others in training only went to the
The school’s headmaster, Jeffias Reuters reported then. the reality of war kicked in during front with detachments occasional-
Yet in 1976, when Moyo was in Diza (39), was later quoted as say- training. Retired Lieutenant-Colo- ly.
Form 2 they sat at the same desk. ing the incident had began when This was after the Geneva Con- nel Collen Ndlovu told The Chroni-
At the beginning of 1977, Moyo guerrillas burst into his office de- ference on black majority rule in cle Moyo was trained for six months “We trained recruits and de-
was going to Form 3 when an event manding school fees for the current Rhodesia. and later became instrumental in ployed them to the battlefields and
that would change his life forever term that had been collected that establishing Zipra military camps in we produced the cream of Zipra
occurred. On the fateful day, Zip- morning. As Nguluvhe recounted the sto- Zambia. fighters who operated in Chinhoyi,
ra guerrillas, led by Moses Hawelo ry, to The Chronicle, the students Gokwe, Hurungwe. Other instruc-
Mguni and Mdubane Ndlovu, raid- “There was no violence, but the marched throughout the night un- “We underwent an intensive six tors that we worked with included
ed the school. They assembled ev- terrorists were shouting and saying til they reached Shashe River in the the likes of late Lieutenant-Colonel
eryone – some ran away – in a bid that everybody had to come and morning. Rhodesian spotter planes Abednico Shoko, Lieutenant-Colo-
to recruit them through capture to join the Zapu army. One of them nel Leonard Gwanzura and others,”
join the liberation struggle in Zam- he said.
bia through Botswana.
Ndlovu said after ceasefire he
All teachers, students and nurses, met Moyo at the Romeo Assembly
as well as school staff was gathered Point in Chinhoyi. From there, they
at assembly and told them that were taken to Gweru for integration
their schooling journey had abrupt- into the national army. Rhodesian
ly come to an — a national call of officers tried to frustrate them, but
duty had arrived. They had to stop Moyo led a fight with the likes of
and put everything aside and begin Retired Lieutenant-General Doug-
a long march to freedom via an un- las Brigadier Nyikayaramba, Colo-
certain future fraught with adversi- nel Gutu and Major Mpofu, among
ty and danger through valleys and others. They were later integrated
shadows of death. with over 500 others.

The young Moyo was taken to- Moyo was integrated as a captain
gether with his classmate Nguluvhe, and Lieutenant-Colonel Happyton
Air Force of Zimbabwe commander Bonyongwe became colonel and
Air Marshal Elson Moyo — who was appointed the commanding of-
was doing Form 4 — former min- ficer of their unit 2.2 Battalion.
ister Chiratidzo Mabuwa, Mercy
Sibanda, the wife of the Command- From there it was one way up for
er Zimbabwe Defence Forces Gen- Moyo who went on to command 6
eral Phillip Valerio Sibanda, and Brigade and fight in Mozambique
many others. and the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
Coincidentally, Sibanda was to
become Moyo’s trainer in Zambia In between, he went on
and marry his classmate — Mercy. peace-keeping missions in Angola
and Somalia. But after the coup, he
Moyo and his classmates were became Foreign minister until his
taken with their teachers, includ- death two days ago – marking the
ing Obert Matshalaga. The event end of a remarkable and dramatic
made international news. Although life story.
some pupils and teachers hid at the
school, some dropped along the
way and others were returned from
Botswana, Moyo stuck it out. His
father’s attempt to join other par-
ents travelling in government bus-
es to Botswana to bring back their
children failed as Zanla guerrillas
arrived at the school where he was
teaching in Mberengwa, stalling his
mission to rescue his child.

But Moyo’s father remained wor-
ried and after the war had ended
with former guerrillas in the assem-
bly points, he travelled to Bulawayo
and all the way to Zipra’s main camp
in Gwayi in Matabeleland North to
look for his son, but all in vain.

Moyo was at Romeo Assembly
Point, far away in the north – in
Chinhoyi. The Washington Post at
the time reported that nationalist
guerrillas had “abducted 400 Afri-
can pupils from a protestant mis-
sion over the weekend and took
them to neighboring Botswana for

NewsHawks Editorial & Opinion Page 15

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021 CARTOON

Mnangagwa where
is the vaccine plan?

MANY countries across the world are vaccinating their cit- Covid-19 fatalities: The role of
izens against Covid-19, with the incoming United States political contigency in politics
President Joe Biden announcing a massive plan to adminis-
ter 100 million vaccines in 100 days. THE Covid-19 pandemic, which is ravag- Officially 917 people have died of In a critical encounter, Chiwenga met
ing the country amid dramatic surges in Covid-19, but the figure will certainly go with Moyo in Victoria Falls for serious po-
Predictably, Zimbabwe is not among these organised infections and deaths, has brought a new up tonight when today’s tally is added. In- litical reflection.
countries. The government has not put on the table a co- dynamic in local politics: the role of politi- siders say political movers and shakers are
herent Covid-19 vaccine rollout strategy. cal contigency - that is the unexpected, the not just viewing Moyo’s death as a mortali- Former Zanu PF national commissar
accidental and unforseen. ty issue, but a serious political contingency retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert Ru-
Several weeks ago, The NewsHawks revealed in these pag- with far-reaching implications, including geje was also there. This was the nucleus
es that Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also At its starkest, contingency constitutes realignment of politics. of the 2017 coup, together some who have
Health minister, was in discussions with Chinese authori- the role of accidents and challenges the been retired by Mnangagwa in a bid to
ties to acquire supplies of the Sinopharm vaccine which has very possibility of science. Shiri and Matiza’s death are also politi- neutralise the military faction.
been approved by countries including Serbia, Bahrain and cally material. Political gladiators fear not
the United Arab Emirates. In other words, how do such eventual- just Covid-19, but more its potential wea- The three discussed critical issues about
ities affect politics. In this case, how will ponisation by their opponents and con- politics and how things should shape up
The Zimbabwean government never loses an opportunity Covid-19 impact on politics? comitant political contingency. going forward. That is why Moyo’s loss is a
to brag about its so-called close ties with the Communist major political contingency.
Party of China. Well, the true state of relations between The coronavirus will certainly, in fact Moyo’s death has sent shock waves
two nations can only be measured through pragmatic win- is already changing the world: the social across his family and the political land- Moyo was critical, not just for is hands-
win actions on the ground and not just on the basis of hol- order, how we live, interact; our cultures, scape, especially among the power elites. on approach and bravery, but also his
low rhetoric. President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs to norms and traditions. There is panic in Moyo’s family and in the willpower and brainpower. In his field, he
be told that the imperatives of good governance, as lucidly corridors of power. Government was im- was always sharp and decisive. Mnangag-
enunciated in the national Constitution, enjoin his gov- It is changing economies and how they mediately almost shut down thereafter. wa himself said after the coup while on a
ernment to be transparent, accountable and responsive in are run. Inevitably, it is changing politics at state visit to Namibia that for him to rise
the discharge of its duties and responsibilities. Currently, various levels. Covid-19 has in Zimbabwe While for the family, the fear is of in- to the top, he needed brave and astute lieu-
public policy with regards the official stance on Covid-19 given President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s fections and the impact of that, politically tenants like Moyo who happend to be a
vaccination is not being clearly communicated. If there is regime a pretext for authoritarian repres- it is different. For Chiwenga, Moyo was a retired Lieutenant-General.
no plan, Mnangagwa must just swallow his pride and own sion and consolidation. This is the same in friend and close politcal ally.
up. The poverty-stricken country is already fed by foreign many other similar environments. This is important a question because
donors, anyway. Hawk Eye Zanu PF is currently split into two fac-
But then in this case, the question tions; one loyal to Mnangagwa and the
Chiwenga’s statement last week was a squandered oppor- here is rather different. It is about pow- Dumisani other one to Chiwenga. They are locked
tunity. Instead of expending his energies on the enforce- er, its structure and distribution - in Muleya in political brinkmanship over an un-
ment of a law-and-order approach, he should have spelt other words the balance of power - and resolved leadership issue, flowing from
out concrete measures to address the twin challenges of a Covid-19’s role and impact on that. The two met in Victoria Falls during Mugabe’s botched succession.
Covid-19 vaccination rollout plan and what is being done the festive holidays. So there is a personal
about shattered livelihoods. By calling something contingent, at a risk involved and a political risk too. This Moyo was a Chiwenga loyalist. So is
minimum we are saying that it did not is critical. For Mnangagwa, it’s personal Rugeje. In fact, most military cadres –
Health professionals are perishing on the Covid-19 have to be as it is. Things could have and political too. He liked Moyo a lot for those who executed the coup - are loyal
frontlines partly due to inadequate provision of personal been otherwise, and they would have his discipline and courage, and there was to Chiwenga.
protective equipment (PPE). This is criminal negligence by been different if Covid-19 had not come mutual respect, meaning he could have
the government. or happened differently. been useful in calculation to fight to hang Mnangagwa commands the support
onto power, but then in reality the minis- of his traditional Midlands and Masvingo
How many more nurses and doctors must Zimbabwe Science is designed to explain what- ter was a Chiwenga ally. political allies and newcomers.
lose to this pandemic before the country’s leadership begins must-be phenomena; contigency is the
to show seriousness in tackling the coronavirus? By now, opposite. The shock death two days ago of Mnangagwa is shaken that his minis- Will Moyo’s death affect Chiwenga’s
if we had a competent administration, we would not be Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and Interna- ters are dying, some key allies like Matiza. plans? Will it affect Mnangagwa’s position
talking of PPE but a swift vaccination programme for our tional Trade minister Sibusiso Busi Moyo Covid-19 has struck on his doorstep at for better or worse? Does it affect military,
heroic health professionals who are placing their lives on – the face of the military coup which oust- home and work, just like in Chiwenga’s hence political dynamics and alignments?
the line every time they venture into crumbling and grossly ed the late former president Robert Mug- case as he has lost friends and relatives, but These are the issues that arise to those who
underfunded hospitals. abe and brought to power President Em- it is the impact of Covid-19 on politics know how Chiwenga has arranged his po-
merson Mnangawga in 2017 - has struck that has triggered new debate. litical chessboard and its pieces.
The African Union has reportedly acquired some 50 mil- fear into the hearts of political bigwigs and
lion doses of Covid-19 vaccines for the entire continent. dramatised the role of contigency. Indeed, the same can be said about Shi-
That is a drop in the ocean, considering Africa’s population ri, who was a major figure in the military
stands at a staggering 1.2 billion. This comes as Transport minister Joel shadows and Zanu PF politics.
Biggie Matiza died of Covid-19 today.
The vaccines do not come cheap, of course. By some in- Four ministers, including Matiza, have Matiza was a key Mnangagwa ally in
formed estimates, they range between US$19 to US$37. so far died. These include Perrence Shiri, Mashonaland East.
Ellen Gwaradzimba and Moyo. Former
As usual, many countries in Africa seem to be holding minister Aeneas Chigwedere also died to- How will these high profile deaths af-
out for free vaccines. Some of these nations are endowed day. fect the balance of power and its retention
with vast mineral resources. Where is the mineral wealth or seizure in Zanu PF as the ruling party
going? and also in Zimbabwe?

It is a tragic indictment on the calibre of African leader-
ship that such a continent, rich in natural and human re-
sources, is always reduced to a charity case by inept, corrupt
and selfish leaders.

Make no mistake, Covid-19 is indeed a global crisis; but
in Africa it has been elevated to the level of catastrophe by
incompetent leaders.

Reaffirming the fundamental importance The NewsHawks is published on different EDITORIAL STAFF: Marketing Officer: Voluntary Media
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Page 16 New Perspective NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Is current price stability sustainable?

Brett
Chulu

BOTH the official exchange rate
as determined by the forex auction
market and the unofficial markets
are more or less stable.
Likewise, the prices of goods
and services are not rising at
alarming rates. Does this sem-
blance of stability of prices indi-
cate that our economy has turned
the corner , signalling that our
economy is on the mend?
We need to briefly look at what
two famous schools of economic
thought have to say concerning
economic growth and prices of
goods and services. The two dom-
inant views are from the British
mathematician-turned-econo-
mist John Maynard Keynes and
the American economist Milton
Friedman. Keynes’s thoughts are
packaged under the name Keynes-
ianism. These intellections are
also known as fiscalism. Fried-
man’s ideas are known as mone-
tarism. Friedman’s thinking was
a break from Keynesianism, the 
long-time mainstream economic
thought and practice beloved of
governments. 
We begin with Friedman’s view Does this semblance of stability of prices signalling that our economy is on the mend?

of how the economy works. He government has to get more mon- The central bank has a clear mon- been declining for two consecu- employment. 
suggested that governments or ey into the hands of the people by ey supply growth target. In order tive years. The greatest decline has The year 2021 will be the ulti-
central banks should always main- increasing money supply.  Mone- to build trust in the central bank’s been shown by a huge drop in ex-
tain a steady growth of money tarists are quick to caution that the policy implementation, the cen- penditures by households. Clearly, mate test for monetarism. Good
supply each year to  bring certain- money supply should be minimal tral bank has  been publishing the effects of Covid-19, droughts rains and a fairly better prepa-
ty to producers. and predictable or inflation will weekly updates of money supply of 2019 and 2020, lack of foreign ration for the cropping season
The argument is that if pro- increase (price instability). Mon- targets. To remove pressure from direct investment as a result of a (marred by heavy shortage of fer-
ducers know that each year the etarists argue that this increase in the central bank, Treasury has poor perception of Zimbabwe as tiliser) should contribute towards
government or central bank will prices (inflation) will not be com- committed to keeping budget a safe destination of investment, real growth (minimal) of the econ-
increase money supply by a pre- pensated by an increase in goods deficits very low and, in addition, lack of entrepreneurship in the omy with incomes from the in-
dictable quantum, the producers and services, meaning that there is Treasury has said it will not go to key sector of agriculture due to creased production in agriculture
can adjust their production in no real growth in the economy. the central bank to borrow from it a lack of security of tenure and lifting aggregate demand.
tandem. This upward adjustment For monetarists, production to meet government’s expenditure non-market selection of players
in the production of goods and increases before money supply shortfalls. in the commercial agriculture sec- Under those conditions, we
services is said to result in a steady increases; producers have the con- It is clear that the Treasury is tor have depressed production. So should be able to determine if the
growth of the economy and the fidence that monetary authorities committed to a Friedman way of clearly, with money supply under money supply growth targets are
development of minimal inflation will responsibly increase money doing things. Clearly, the central control, we find ourselves with a deep enough to absorb the expect-
(price stability). supply. Producers increase invest- bank and Treasury share the same classic Keynesian problem: we do ed increase in aggregate demand
Friedman argued that when the ment and create more employ- economic ideology. That is a great not have sufficient aggregate de- fuelled by increase in incomes
quantity of goods and services in- ment; the increase in expected development. It boosts confidence mand. from agriculture; inflation should
creases, prices will remain relative- profits will result in better wages, that there will be policy consisten- So we have stable prices of keep declining, not rising.  
ly constant. Friedman is about a hence increase in aggregate de- cy and policy harmony insofar as goods and services that cannot be
steady economic growth rate pol- mand.   monetary policy and fiscal policy afforded by large sections of the The resurgence of Covid-19 in
icy driven by predictable minimal To what extent have the ideas are concerned.  population. The official-partial  the first month of the year, the
increase in money supply as a cue of Friedman and Keynes had an The control of mobile money dollarisation system we are under very month the National Devel-
for producers to adjust produc- influence on the stabilisation of transactions was designed to en- is also responsible for stable but opment Strategy One (NDS1)
tion upwards.  prices in Zimbabwe over the past sure that money supply growth elevated prices. (2021-2025) began, is a cause for
How do adherents of Keynes’s months? cannot happen outside the control We do not have the evidence yet concern.
ideas view things economically?   Friedman’s ideas are being heav- of monetary authorities. that the central bank’s money sup-
Keynesians argue that the driver ily leased by the Monetary Poli- The question that arises is: is ply growth control has translated If the pandemic persists for
of economic growth (increase in cy Committee (MPC). Their key this money supply control respon- into giving producers the confi- long, we should expect the repeat
production of goods and services) policy tool is reserve money tar- sible for the current price stabili- dence to make sustained invest- of 2020 in terms of economic
is an increase in aggregate demand geting. Reserve money is money ty? Money supply growth is being ments and create more jobs. The growth. With the good rains, a re-
(meaning the entire population directly under the control of the successfully controlled but the current indicators on the ground cession in 2021 will not be as deep
wants to consume more and more central bank. economy has not been growing. point to job losses and low private as that of 2020--at best, negligible
goods and services). The thinking is that if the cen- In fact, we have experienced a re- sector investment. real economic growth can be ex-
The question then is how do tral bank keeps reserve money cession for two consecutive years. Monetarism has not yet started pected. 
Keynesians ensure the population under check, it can contribute There has been a real decline to work the way monetarists ex-
keeps wanting to consume more towards controlling the growth in the economy for two consecu- pect it--monetarists expected price Brett is a management con-
and more goods and services? of broad money supply (mainly tive years, meaning the amount of stability to engender an increase in sultant and a classic grounded
Their strategy is simply this:  The through credit creation by banks). goods and services produced has investments and reduction of un- theory researcher who has pub-
lished research in an academic
peer reviewed international
journal. He can be contacted
through email: brettchulucon-
[email protected]

Business

MATTERSNewsHawks

MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
EUR/USD
USD/JPY 1.225 -0.001 -0.098 *NAT GAS 2.681 +0.045 +1.71
GBP/USD
USD/CAD 103.51 +0.41 +0.4 *SILVER 26 -0.181 -0.69
AUD/USD
1.352 -0.007 -0.486 *COPPER 3.626 +0.025 +0.68

1.275 +0.003 +0.24 *GOLD 1,884.7 -5.7 -0.302

0.759 -0.003 -0.394 *OIL 48.29 -0.07 -0.14

Don’t sweep
corporate
malpractices under
the carpet: PAAB

DUMISANI NYONI from Covid-19 and other Zimba- comes to help users of the accounts babwe (RBZ)’s financial results for PAAB secretary Admire Ndururu
bwe-specific economic and social understand the assumptions made the year ended 31 December 2019, pects, Ndurunduru said it is expect-
THE Public Accountants and Audi- issues. and the extent of the changes that saying they were misrepresented, ed that entities will clearly articulate
tors Board (PAAB) has warned ac- might be reasonably possible in the mis-stated, and do not accurately the impact of Covid-19 on their
counting officers against sweeping The entities, Ndurunduru said, next twelve months,” he said. reflect its financial performance business models and strategies, and
corporate malpractices under the are also dealing with commercial and health. It, therefore, issued an how the changes are compatible
carpet as companies conveniently and operational change associated In view of the exchange control adverse opinion, condemning the with future forecasting assump-
use the after-shocks of Covid-19 to with economic stabilisation and regulations promulgated during central bank’s results. tions used in other areas of finan-
cook financial books. realignment programmes under the current reporting period, Ndu- cial statements.
In a communique directed to chief the Transitional Stabilisation Pro- runduru said entities are expected Basis of adverse opinion includ-
executive officers, chief financial gramme initiated by government a to determine whether there was a ed non-compliance with IAS 21 “In particular, it is expected that
officers and audit committee chair- few years ago. change in their functional curren- relating to the effects of changes in significant judgements made in de-
persons, PAAB secretary Admire cy. The functional currency of an foreign exchange rates in prior pe- termining whether or not there is a
Ndurunduru said Covid-19 should He said public health measures entity reflects the underlying trans- riod, and inappropriate application material uncertainty in relation to
not be used by reporting entities to taken in response to Covid-19 seem actions, events and conditions that of IAS 8. going concern will be disclosed and
cover up bad news with “kitchen likely to continue beyond the first are relevant to the entity. explained. Preparers are reminded
sink” provisions. quarter of 2021 while remote work- The auditors said the RBZ ap- that significant judgements made
ing and travel restrictions are like- The PAAB also said the restate- plied the US dollar as its functional in deciding whether impairment
“As you will be aware, Covid-19 ly to bring challenges for finance ment of financial statements in ac- currency for the period 1 January indicators exist should be disclosed
is having a devastating effect on teams and auditors. cordance with IAS 29 requires the 2018 to 22 February 2019 and the and explained.”
people’s health, way of life and the use of a general price index that Zimbabwean dollars for the period
economy. Many businesses are suf- “Against this background, we en- reflects changes in general purchas- 23 February 2019 to 31 December “As required by IFRS, disclosures
fering from the consequences of the couraged entities to consider careful ing power. 2019. should describe the approach used
pandemic as it continues to affect whether they should lengthen their to determine key impairment as-
their ability to trade, among other reporting timetables for 2020/21, The currency that was assessed Ndurunduru said narrative dis- sumptions and explain any signifi-
effects,” he said. making use of the extensions to and continues to be in hyperin- closures within the annual report cant year-on-year changes, includ-
reporting deadlines announced by flation is the Zimbabwean dollar. should aim to quantify the histori- ing any changes due to Covid-19,”
“I expect entities the various sector regulators, which As such, entities whose functional cal effect of Covid-19. he said.
to have more focus remain in place and/or engage their currency continue to be the Zimba-
on the disclosure sector regulators in cases where bwe dollar are expected to apply the However, arbitrary splitting Despite the ongoing challenges
of liquidity risk, such extensions have lapsed and are Zimbabwean dollar consumer price of items is discouraged between created by the pandemic, Ndu-
going concern and considered necessary,” he said. index (CPI) and not a blended CPI Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 finan- runduru said preparers and those
viability among in their preparation of inflation-ad- cial statement captions. charged with governance are re-
other relevant He said the Covid-19 pandemic justed financial statements in terms quired to apply and follow the appli-
factors in terms of presents businesses with the chal- of the requirements of Internation- “Such allocations are likely to be cable financial reporting standards
financial reporting lenge of providing clear and trans- al Financial Reporting Standards highly subjective and, therefore, and auditors remain responsible for
standards promul- parent information that focuses on (IFRS). unreliable. Entities should also ap- conducting audits in accordance
gated issues of utmost interest to users. ply existing accounting policies for with the applicable auditing stan-
Recently, Ernst & Young Char- exceptional and other similar items dards and pronouncements as well
“Directors will need to con- “I expect entities to have more tered Accountants (EY) con- consistently to Covid-19-related in- as other regulatory and professional
sider how to reflect the impact of focus on the disclosure of liquidi- demned the Reserve Bank of Zim- come and expenditure,” he said. standards.
Covid-19 on not just the numbers ty risk, going concern and viabili-
but also the disclosures in the fi- ty among other relevant factors in In considering their future pros-
nancial statements. Also, they terms of financial reporting stan-
should be mindful of the risk that dards promulgated,” he said.
Covid-19 is used as an opportunity
by some reporting entities to bury Ndurunduru also said he is ex-
bad news with ‘kitchen sink’ provi- pecting preparers to consider the
sions,” Ndurunduru said. principles contained in Interna-
tional Accounting Standard (IAS)
He said the forthcoming finan- 1 and provide disclosures that allow
cial statements (2020 year-end- users to understand the impact of
ing reporting) would be pub- events and conditions on an entity’s
lished against the backdrop of financial position and financial per-
economic uncertainties resulting formance, even if those disclosures
are not explicitly prescribed.

Such disclosures should, where
possible, clearly quantify the im-
pact of Covid-19 on a company’s
financial performance, financial
position, and prospects, he said.

“Where judgements have been
involving significant estimation
uncertainty, it is expected that in-
creased disclosure of relevant sen-
sitivities or ranges of possible out-

Page 18 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Zimbabwean banker Manyere’s battle
for MyBucks Zambia takes new twist

BERNARD MPOFU ing of 45% in MyBucks Zambia, whose group executive chairman George Manyere 2021, but, unfortunately, failed to
which was subject to a Call and is Dr. Rajan Mahtani. Dr Mahtani pany,” MyBucks announced this complete this sale and purchase
THE ongoing fight for the control Put Option Agreement (which is an indirect shareholder of the week. on the set date. Accordingly, My-
of MyBucks Zambia, co-owned had an expiry date of 31 Decem- company through his interest in Bucks has entered into a sale and
by Zimbabwean banker George ber 2020) between MyBucks and Leighlinbridge Limited which is “On 22 December 2020, Fins- purchase agreement with Xtenda
Manyere through his listed com- Finsbury Investments Limited a holder of approximately 15% of bury irrevocably exercised the call whereby MyBucks shall sell the
panies Mybucks S.A. and Ecspo- (“Finsbury”), a Zambian company shares in the capital of the com- option for it to acquire the 45% 45% stake in MyBucks Zambia
nent Limited, has taken a new stake in MyBucks Zambia and set to Xtenda (subject to approval by
twist. a completion date of 14 January regulatory authorities in Zambia).

This comes after the company “The Company has noted with
made an offer to a new suitor as disappointment recent incom-
one of the frontrunners who was plete media reporting relating to
eyeing the stake failed to complete confidential correspondence with
the acquisition of the 45% equity regulatory authorities in Zambia.
in the deposit-taking microfi- MyBucks rebuts this incomplete
nance institution within the stated coverage in the strongest possible
time frame. terms. MyBucks remains commit-
ted to complete its corporate re-
Further, this is occurring as structuring and ensure the finan-
the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) got cial health of the Company going
entangled in the tussle, ordering forward.”
Manyere to exit from both con-
trolling shareholding and direc- BoZ director of non-bank fi-
torship in the MyBucks Zambia nancial institutions supervision,
after violating banking rules. Freda Tamba, waded into the
fight, triggering what could be a
Information at hand shows protracted battle.
that last June, MyBucks S.A. an-
nounced that it had completed, “The view of the bank is that
subject to approval by regulatory the transaction was irrational and
authorities in Zambia, a sale of failed to satisfy the requirement
20% of Ecsponent Financial Ser- that it was done in the ordinary
vices Limited trading as MyBucks course of business of MyBucks.
Zambia to Xtenda Finance Limit- These actions constitute unsafe
ed. and unsound practices as defined
by section 2 of the Banking and
At the same time, Ecsponent Financial Services Act (BFSA),”
Limited and Barkat Ali (former said Tamba in a letter that was
CE of MyBucks Zambia) also sold quoted by online publications.
their 25% and 10% shareholding
in MyBucks Zambia, respectively. MyBucks S.A. is a fintech com-
pany domiciled in Luxembourg
These transactions remain sub- that delivers financial services
ject to regulatory approval and through technology. MyBucks
MyBucks, Ecsponent Limited and operates four banks in Africa.
Barkat Ali and Xtenda have ex- Last October, MyBucks S.A. an-
tended the long-stop date to ob- nounced that it had begun its debt
tain necessary regulatory approval restructuring process as it pre-
to 31 March 2021. pares for delisting from the Frank-
furt Stock Exchange.
“Following the above sale, My-
Bucks was left with a sharehold-

Zimcodd calls for forex policy rethink

RONALD MUCHENJE ensure that the allotment of foreign While the scrapping of the com- most of the local producers especially the policy to ensure the allotment of
currency on the weekly forex auction pulsory requirement to liquidate all individual farmers are not privileged foreign currency on the forex auction
A CIVIL society organisation, the and interbank market continues to be unutilised export proceeds was a wel- to access foreign currency on the and interbank market continues to be
Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and guided by the priority list. come move, Zimcodd said the RBZ Foreign Currency Auction and they guided by the priority list, it is open
Development (Zimcodd), says the needed to close all the loopholes and are accessing the US$ on parallel to abuse and manipulation by the
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe needs Commenting on the increase in strictly monitor possible externalisa- market to buy inputs, maintaining awarded companies.
to reconsider some resolutions it re- exporters’ forex retention thresholds tion of foreign currency receipts by liquidation requirement for domestic
cently passed on foreign currency re- from 30% to 40%, Zimcodd said unscrupulous companies. exchange sale at 20% net of sales tax Zimcodd said some companies
tention thresholds. The organisation most companies are still facing chal- was not favourable to them. were engaged in nefarious activities,
also says the central bank is facing a lenges in accessing adequate foreign “Now the exporters can hold their like inflating the supplier invoices,
herculean task in plugging the forex currency on the forex auction system, foreign currency indefinitely and be Zimcodd said forcing them to ac- using parallel market rate to price
externalisation loopholes. and this recent increase will continue able to plan on when and how to use cept 80% of their sales in local cur- their products and abusing the priv-
to reduce the foreign currency bal- their foreign currency receipts. The rency was unfair as it puts them at a ilege of being on the priority list. The
The Monetary Policy Committee ances of the exporters. previous policy directive was forcing disadvantage when procuring inputs, illegal activities are hurting the vul-
recently made resolutions in respect the exporters to spend their foreign which are denominated in US dol- nerable and disadvantaged members
of surrender and liquidation of for- “This will weaken their ability to receipts on the items which may not lars. of society.
eign exchange receipts which include be able to procure necessary raw ma- be of current necessity, but they were
removing the compulsory require- terials which require foreign curren- doing so in a way not to lose their for- “It is therefore strongly encour- “The RBZ needs to prioritise the
ment to liquidate all unutilised ex- cy. Therefore, the RBZ through the eign currency receipts. However, the aged for the RBZ to relook at this provision of basic services like health
port proceeds after 60 days, increas- Auction System should be able to RBZ needs to close all the loopholes policy directive and find ways of pro- and education, especially, in this crisis
ing export surrender requirements adequately meet the foreign currency and strictly monitor possible exter- moting domestic producers, especial- of Covid-19 pandemic. It is highly
from 30% to 40% on all export re- requirements of the companies so as nalisation of these foreign currency ly small-scale miners and small-scale recommended for the priority list to
ceipts, maintaining the liquidation to enable their companies to access receipts by unscrupulous companies,” farmers by a possible increase on the balance between procurement of raw
requirement for domestic exchange adequate foreign currency so as to Zimcodd said. liquidation of domestic sales,” said materials and provision of basic ser-
sale at 20% net of sales tax and to smoothen their operations,” Zim- Zimcodd. vices like health and, water and edu-
codd said. On the other hand, given that cation,” noted Zimcodd.
The organisation said although

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 19

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Zimra boss excited about new assignment

DUMISANI NYONI curement of the tax and revenue Financial Intelligence Unit and oth-
management system (TaRMS) was er government institutions in their
ZIMBABWE Revenue Authori- Outgoing Zimbabwe Revenue Authority commissioner-general Faith Mazani delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, fight against corruption.
ty (Zimra) commissioner-general but the few system upgrades we did
Faith Mazani says she is excited collections above the ZW$44.83 tributed 14.17%, Value Added Tax in both the current tax system and “Our revenue assurance division
about re-joining the International billion target for the third quarter (VAT) on local sales (13.24%) and the ASYCUDA system have deliv- is being strengthened through re-
Monetary Fund (IMF) and will use ended 30 September 2020. VAT on imports (13.08%). ered some visible improvements in cruitments and training to conduct
the opportunity to mobilise techni- our processes,” Mazani said. serious enforcement programmes,
cal assistance and capacity building During the period, major reve- “It is unfortunate that our pro- including prosecuting tax offenders
for the tax collector. nue contributions came from indi- Mazani said the biggest challenge and smugglers, as well as asset for-
vidual tax at 15,26%, companies’ to the country’s domestic resource feiture of proceeds of crime,” she
Mazani, who re-joined the tax tax 14,63% while excise duties con- mobilisation efforts is the low com- said.
body in February 2018, will leave pliance culture where citizens do
Zimra with effect from the end of not appreciate the need to pay their “Corruption is every citizen’s
January 2021 to join the IMF early taxes and contribute to the fiscus. business and requires awareness and
February. education on tax obligations, and
“This is compounded by the high commitment from everyone.”
“The three years have been ex- levels of corruption. Zimbabwe
citing for me as I saw some of the therefore needs to seriously make Mazani joined Zimra at its incep-
small changes that are showing from concerted efforts to fight corrup- tion and was one of its first revenue
implementing the strategies and tion,” she said. commissioners, but left in 2007 and
reforms we have introduced,” she worked briefly for Deloitte before
told The NewsHawks in emailed “I am happy that the Zimbabwe joining the South African Revenue
responses. Anti-Corruption Commission is Service.
championing the anti-corruption
“I am also excited about re-join- strategy and Zimra will play its part Before joining Zimra in 2018,
ing the IMF because this will give through the MoU we signed with she served as a tax administration
me an opportunity to mobilise tech- ZACC and through participation in expert/adviser for the IMF Re-
nical assistance and capacity build- the different structures set up under gional Technical Assistance Centre
ing for Zimra to complete some of the strategy.” (RTAC) since 2014.
the reforms we had started.”
Mazani said Zimra has been col- Mazani holds a Bachelor’s degree
Mazani said despite the econom- laborating with other security and in Business Studies from the Uni-
ic challenges, Zimra managed to enforcement agents like the Nation- versity of Zimbabwe and a Master’s
exceed targets and upgrade their al Prosecuting Authority, Zimbabwe degree in Economic, Public Policy
systems. Republic Police, the Reserve Bank’s and Taxation from the National
University of Japan.
Under her leadership, Zim-
ra recorded a 31.19% jump to
ZW$58,81 billion in gross revenue

Massive drop in
Zim fuel imports

DUMISANI NYONI buying fuel in South Africa ostensibly
for delivery to Zimbabwe, securing
ZIMBABWE’S fuel import bill false documents at the border from the
dropped by more than 50% to Zimbabwean customs authorities and
US$524.2 million during the first 11 then selling the fuel in South Africa.”
months to November last year, with
analysts attributing the decrease to the Cross said this came to light when
removal of the fuel subsidy and the South African authorities found three
outbreak of Covid-19 which slowed tankers with diesel destined for Zim-
down economic activity. babwe offloading in Johannesburg.

Figures released by the Zimbabwe “I understand that this practice for
National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) a while was very extensive. That boost-
show that between January and No- ed our import bill but the product was
vember last year the country imported not delivered here,” he said.
diesel worth US$358.9 million and
unleaded petrol worth US$165.3 mil- Cross said in August last year the
lion. Cabinet appointed a sub-committee
chaired by Foreign Affairs minister Si-
In the prior year, diesel imports busiso Moyo to consider the importa-
stood at US$797.8 million while tion of essential commodities and the
unleaded petrol stood at US$344.5 committee decided to transfer the im-
million, giving a total of US$1.142 portation and financing of fuel to the
billion. Compared to the 2020 figures, private sector.
it means diesel dropped by 55% while
unleaded petrol fell by 52%. “That resulted in the market for fuel
normalising and that brought fuel into
Economic analysts who spoke to free supply but it halted the export of
The NewsHawks attributed the de- fuel to neighbouring states and the
cline to the removal of fuel subsidy as South African scam on false imports.
well as the outbreak of the Covid-19 That resulted in a very substantial drop
pandemic which prompted Zimba- in the level of expenditure on fuel,”
bwe to impose a national lockdown. Cross said.

“I think there are many contribut- Persistence Gwanyanya, another
ing factors. At the beginning of the economic analyst, attributed the de-
year, we were supplying foreign ex- cline to the outbreak of the Covid-19
change for the importation of fuel by pandemic which disrupted economic
the subsidised exchange rate and this activities across the world.
resulted in the price of fuel in Zimba-
bwe being at a low level in relation to Zimbabwe’s economy, according
our neighbouring states. We were ex- to Finance minister Mthuli Ncube,
porting fuel from Zimbabwe to places was projected to shrink by 4.5% in
like Zambia and DRC (Democratic 2020 due to the negative impact of the
Republic of Congo),” economic ana- Covid-19.
lyst Eddie Cross said.
Cumulative imports to November
“In addition to that, we discovered 2020 stood at US$4.49 billion, up
a criminal practice where people were 3% compared to the same period in
taking the foreign exchange from the 2019. On the other hand, exports also
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and were increased by 3% to US$3.91 billion,
with the balance of trade remaining
flat at US$581.58 million.

Page 20 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Ipec warns of pension time bomb

BERNARD MPOFU Repayment Agreements. Ipec commissioner-general Grace Muradzikwa line with the national develop-
“The Commission urges the mental thrust as espoused in the
ZIMBABWE’S pensioners may come up with value-preserv- status so that the minimum re- National Development Strategy
face a bleak future as it emerged industry to be innovative and ing instruments which can be quirement of 20% can be met. 1 (2021-2025) and the 2021
that pension contribution arrears considered for prescribed asset The instruments should be in National Budget Statement. In
nearly doubled to ZW$1.28 bil- addition, industry is urged to
lion as most companies struggled support Government efforts in
to make the payments due to mobilising resources for critical
economic headwinds, a regula- developmental projects that will
tor’s report has shown. also directly or indirectly benefit
pensioners and policyholders.”
The Zimbabwean economy,
battling Covid-19, high unem- Unclaimed benefit liabilities,
ployment, a weakening domestic the report further showed, in-
currency and chronic high in- creased significantly by 522.07%
flation, is this year expected to from ZW$32.44 million as at 30
recover on the back of improved September 2019 to ZW$201.80
agricultural output. million as at 30 September 2020.

A latest Insurance and Pension “The notable increase was
Commission (Ipec) third quar- mainly as a result of revaluation
ter report for the period ending gains and previously omitted
September 2020 has shown that unclaimed benefits which are
contribution arrears increased to now being reported. The Com-
ZW$1.28 billion during the peri- mission calls upon the industry
od under review from ZW$0.62 to sanitise their data to improve
billion as at 30 September 2019. data integrity. Additionally, the
The insurance sector regulator industry is urged to enhance
also noted that while there was a awareness initiatives and come
nominal increase in contribution up with measures to track ben-
arrears, the proportion of contri- eficiaries of unclaimed benefits,”
bution arrears to total assets de- the report reads.
clined from 6.52% as at 30 Sep-
tember 2019 to 1.18% as at 30 “The income for the period
September 2020, indicating the under review was mainly driven
extent to which members are los- by fair value gains and interest
ing value should employers not from investments amounting to
make good the arrears. ZW$50.92 billion. The fair val-
ue gains were mainly due to the
“The Commission is con- revaluation of investment prop-
cerned about the increase in erties and listed equities.”
absolute values of contribution
arrears given the negative im- Total expenditure increased by
pact on the adequacy, sustain- 541.18% from ZW$0.34 billion
ability, and security of pension for the period ended 30 Septem-
schemes,” Ipec said. ber 2019 to ZW$2.18 billion
for the same period in 2020.
“Trustees are, therefore, being The increase was mainly driven
urged to do everything in their by total benefits paid, invest-
capacity to recover the arrears, ment management expenses and
including imposing liens on as- administration expenses which
sets, seizing and selling assets, accounted for 59.41%, 13.12%
initiating bankruptcy proce- and 7.61% respectively, the in-
dures, and negotiating Certified surance regulator said.

NewsHawks STOCK TAKING Page 21

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Price Sheet

Friday, 22 January 2021 A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Ticker Price Traded Traded Change Change (%) Cap
(cents) Traded Volume Value ($) (cents) ($m)
(%)
2000.00 Price -
146.82 11,800
AFDIS Consumer Goods AFDIS: ZH 380.03 - 2000.00 756,100 - - - -16.67 2,346.12
African Sun Consumer Services ASUN: ZH 120.50 150.00 145.76 17,200.00 -1.06 -0.72 -14.26 1,256.12
ART ARTD: ZH 1297.84 1,400 2,914,837.00 5.48 1.44 -19.23 1,684.59
Ariston Industrials ARISTON: ZH 398.28 400.00 385.51 18,800 1,795.00 7.71 6.40 -4.32 2,086.48
Axia Consumer Services 65000.00 129.00 128.21 124,700 252,730.00 46.47 3.58 46.76 7,325.07
BNC AXIA: ZH 9000.00 1400.00 1344.31 463,335.50 -26.72 -6.71 -2.22 4,643.97
BAT Consumer Goods BIND: ZH 707.37 390.00 371.56 1,300 962,000.00 9000.00 13.85 34.55 15,268.80
CAFCA Basic Materials BAT: ZH 9607.80 74000.00 74000.00 600 48,000.00 -1000.00 -11.11 -11.01
Cassava CAFCA: ZH 1500.00 8000.00 8000.00 4,629,742.00 42.39 5.99 15.35 698.81
CBZ Consumer Goods CSZL: ZH 56.33 760.00 749.76 617,500 10,000.00 392.20 4.08 17.01 19,423.11
Dairibord Industrials CBZ: ZH 3051.57 10000.00 10000.00 100 1,611,190.00 2.98 0.20 14.73 68,723.17
Dawn DZL: ZH 927.44 1800.00 1502.98 17,821.50 -1.33 -2.36 -6.89 5,380.68
Delta Technology DAWN: ZH 95.13 107,200 7,576,260.00 490.39 16.07 55.68 1,351.44
Econet Banking DLTA: ZH 1440.00 45.25 55.00 32,400 193,395.00 95.81 10.33 8.28 45,495.10
Edgars ECO: ZH 190.00 3660.00 3541.96 213,900 -20.73 26,508.08
FBC Consumer Goods EDGR: ZH 105.25 1070.00 1023.25 18,900 - - - -4.09
Fidelity Real Estate FBC: ZH 1009.41 1,440.00 - - -0.37 311.07
First Capital FIDL: ZH 400.00 - 95.13 - 2,660.00 - - 14.34 9,676.08
FML Consumer Goods FCA: ZH 24.20 1440.00 1440.00 100 46,910.75 20.52 19.50
FMP Telecommunications FMHL: ZH 18.00 190.00 190.00 1,400 201,600.00 40.59 4.02 - 206.95
GBH Consumer Services FMP: ZH 9300.00 126.25 125.77 37,300 - - 23.46 2,712.51
Getbucks GBH: ZH 4304.53 1050.00 1050.00 19,200 - 0.80 3.31 4.17 7,246.50
Hippo Banking GBFS: ZH 1310.00 400.00 25,550.00 - - 44.00 4,952.63
Innscor Financial Services HIPO: ZH 80.13 - - 700.00 7.53 11.11
Lafarge 1133.23 102,200 - 3.97 0.09 16.35 134.15
Mash Banking INN: ZH 25.00 25.00 450,000.00 - - 36.46 209.36
Masimba Financial Services LACZ: ZH 7.50 - 18.00 - 659,200.00 15.87 19.81 3.23 19,302.06
Medtech MASH: ZH 2847.56 10000.00 4,500 116.59 10.29 11.59 24,333.39
Meikles Real Estate MSHL: ZH 219.01 10000.00 4308.50 15,300 - - - -5.06 1,048.00
Nampak Industrials MMDZ: ZH 7210.00 4400.00 1310.00 70,656.00 152.39 5.35 36.33 1,784.71
NatFoods MEIK: ZH 96.00 - 1,032,350.00 35.99 16.43 11.72 3,020.24
NTS Financial Services NPKZ: ZH 27.45 - 1249.82 73,600 134,377.50 - - 19.97 227.98
NMBZ Consumer Goods NTFD: ZH 400.00 96.00 7.50 82,600 12,005,790.00 - - 7,579.26
OK Zim 1143.24 1250.00 2999.95 1,791,700 15.06 3.77 - 1,926.90
Padenga Industrials NTS: ZH 2117.36 7.50 255.00 400,200 510.00 95.26 8.33 3.75 4,931.65
Proplastics Industrials NMB: ZH 1325.00 3000.00 7210.00 - 362.97 17.14 37.61 69.69
RTG Real Estate OKZ: ZH 191.75 255.00 27.45 200 - 108.10 8.16 18.03 1,677.56
RioZim Industrials PHL: ZH 1294.62 415.06 - -4.41 -2.30 66.45 15,441.78
SeedCo Healthcare PROL: ZH 3333.33 - - 129,500.00 - - -2.30 13,433.30
Simbisa Industrials RTG: ZH 1278.59 - 931,350.00 28.00 0.84 -13.41 3,610.49
Star Africa Industrials RIOZ: ZH 27.91 420.00 31,200 1,733,750.00 115.03 9.00 46.14 4,675.06
Truworths Consumer Goods SEED: ZH 40.04 75,200 2.09 7.49 15.96 1,579.82
TSL Industrials SIM: ZH 2300.00 1300.00 1238.50 69,900 30,095.00 7.96 19.88 11.11 8,253.01
Turnall SACL: ZH 79.90 2540.00 2480.33 1,498.75 417.24 18.14 62.71 7,834.72
Unifreight Banking TRUW: ZH 22.30 1410.00 1433.10 2,100 5.10 6.38 57.52 1,414.53
Willdale Consumer Services TSL: ZH 31.00 180.00 187.34 800 - 4.45 19.96 -8.60 184.35
ZB TURN: ZH 4000.00 1294.62 - 1,112,600.00 0.04 0.13 43.82 9,703.33
Zeco Consumer Goods UNIF: ZH - 3361.33 1,325,335.00 - - -3.00 419.08
Zimpapers Industrials WILD: ZH 0.02 3500.00 1393.62 33,100 - - 66.67 28.48
Zimplow ZBFH: ZH 98.00 1400.00 95,100 54,330.00 - - 551.89
ZHL Consumer Services ZECO: ZH 420.20 30.00 181,100 1,008.00 - - - 7,007.63
Basic Materials ZIMP: ZH 280.00 30.00 48.00 27,164,250.00 - - -
TOTAL ZIMPLOW: ZH 48.00 2,100 176,715.00 -15.96 0.09
Consumer Goods ZHL: ZH 999,700 -10.68 564.48
Consumer Goods 2715.00 2717.24 207,900 107.00 1,001.68
Consumer Goods 85.00 85.00 65,066.00 4,293.35
Consumer Services 26.75 26.75 400 20,000.00 373,539.29
Consumer Goods 31.00 31.04 209,600
-
Industrials 4000.00 4000.00 500 294.00
Industrials - 0.02 -
Industrials 98.00 -
98.00 300 -
Banking - 420.20 - 66,075,249.00
Industrials - 280.00 -
Consumer Services
Industrials 6,342,000
Financial Services
4,472,920
ETFs OMTT.zw 110.00 125.00 122.12 5,462,504.00 12.12 11.02 21.85 97.70

Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF

VFEX Open (US cents) Close (US cents) Change (%) YTD (%) Mkt Cap (US$m) Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
SCIL 18.00 0.00 43.40 Unifreight 26.75c +4.45c +19.96 +43.82
18.00 - Truworths 48.00c +7.96c +19.88 +62.71
FINSEC Open (cents) YTD (%) Mkt Cap ($m) Mash 96.00c +19.81 +3.23
OMZIL 2652.11 Close (cents) Change (%) 0.08 2,201.56 First Capital 125.77c +15.87c +19.50 +14.34
2652.11 - TSL 2717.24c +20.52c +18.14 +57.52
Index +417.24c
ZSE All Share Top 5 Fallers YTD %
Top 10 Close Change (%) Open YTD % CAFCA Price Change % -11.01
Top 15 3,171.15 +6.58 2,975.24 +20.60 BNC 8000.00c -1000.00c -11.11 -2.22
Small Cap 2,025.06 +7.86 1,877.55 +22.40 Dawn -6.71 -6.89
Medium Cap 2,366.40 +6.95 2,212.72 +21.47 RTG 371.56c -26.72c -2.36 -2.30
+2.45 11,368.00 -1.94 African Sun 55.00c -1.33c -2.30 -14.26
11,646.10 +4.03 6,286.00 +17.52 -4.41c -0.72
6,539.40 187.34c -1.06c
145.76c

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Page 22 Opinion NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Africa’s perennial problem of sham elections:
Zimbabwe part of the super league of riggers

NYASHA CHINGONO Uganda’s leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine in white shirt. tions of rigging.
The Zimbabwean script of disputed
THE recently held violent and disput- “This is what it has come down to. tion. Zimbabwe there is no true commit-
ed elections in Uganda were yet another Unlike their counterparts in Ghana Museveni responded to Wine’s ris- ment to plurality and democracy. The polls recently played out with unset-
reminder of how authoritarian regimes and Malawi , opposition leaders in polls are shows of validation of the tling familiarity in Uganda, with Wine
on the continent, including Zimbabwe, authoritarian states such as Tanzania, ing popularity and influence among government, but that show is turning mounting campaigning under fire, be-
have leveraged the power of incumben- Guinea, Uganda, Cameroon, Zam- the youth by unleashing his brutal state into a charade. So, even though the Af- ing attacked and rejecting the outcome
cy and instruments of coercion to rob a bia, Togo and Zimbabwe are not able machinery on him before, during and rican Union endorsed the results of the before threatening to file a court peti-
new generation of leaders of a fair crack to focus solely on the task of defeating after the elections. Interference by the Uganda elections, it has been less than tion. That is how elections usually pan
at acquiring power through elections. entrenched ruling parties at the ballot country’s securocrats and a compro- fulsome in endorsing some of the criti- out in Zimbabwe. Although observers
box. Instead, they have to invest scarce mised electoral commission conjured cal processes.” would be anticipating the overturning
As British scholar of democracy at time and energy in evading physical memories of how the Zimbabwean of the election in the mould of the
the University of Birmingham and attacks and arbitrary imprisonment on electoral system and state apparatchiks As part of the incumbents’ strategy Malawian Constitutional Court ruling
founding editor of the Oxford Ency- trumped up charges – including trea- behaved, first under Mugabe and now to subvert the will of the voters, the two that set aside Peter Mutharika’s disput-
clopaedia Professor Nic Cheeseman re- son – that could see them locked up under President Emmerson Mnangag- regimes have mastered the art of con- ed victory after overwhelming evidence
cently said after the Ugandan polls, op- in prison with limited or no protection wa. Stephen Chan, professor of world flating party and state to an extent that of vote-rigging surfaced, the conflation
position parties in authoritarian states against Covid-19.” of politics at the University of London, observers cannot separate the two enti- of the state and the ruling party in
like Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Togo, says Zimbabwe and Uganda share a lot ties. Use of the security forces to clamp- Uganda, as well as judicial capture, as
for instance, have to contend with ar- Museveni, a close friend of the late in common in relation to politics and down on any opposition challenge in Zimbabwe, leave Museveni in the
rests, jails and violence instead of only former president Robert Mugabe who elections. was rife during the Ugandan elections. driving seat.
fighting elections. was ousted in a military coup in 2017, Wine was assaulted while his support-
seems to have learnt a lot from Zim- “Neither Uganda nor Zimbabwe ers were killed. Now under house arrest since Friday
Last week, Ugandan long-time lead- babwe’s late long-time ruler since his have long records of clean elections. In when he alleged massive vote-rigging
er President Yoweri Museveni went takeover of power in 1986 from Mil- the past, incumbent governments have The ruthless tactics of using state after Ugandans went to vote under
head-to-head with youthful music star- ton Obote even though he himself is sought to make them seem plausible, machinery to intimidate and cow op- the dark cloud of an internet blackout,
turned opposition leader Robert Kya- schooled in violence, having come in but the steps taken in Uganda: internet position leaders, who are routinely at- Wine is being accused of being as a tool
gulanyi Ssentamu - Bobi Wine - in a through a military campaign. blackouts, hounding of the opposition tacked, jailed or abducted, have been of the West. Incumbents in Africa of-
hotly-contested election. Campaigning leaders and the killings of opposition perfected in the two countries, leaving ten label opposition leaders “puppets”
under systematic and sustained attack, Like Mugabe would do, Museveni supporters, have made even the African a dent on the reputation of the incum- of the West when their stranglehold on
harassment, intimidation, violence and went for broke, silencing dissenting observer groups dubious about the exis- bents and elections. power is threatened to justify attacking
literally under gunfire, Wine gave Mu- voices, particularly his rival Wine, an tence of fair process,” Chan said. them and stealing elections.
seveni a good run for his money. But influential young musician who sought Well-documented post-election vi-
well after the election, Wine remains to capitalise on the generational discon- “In short, ‘getting away with it’ in olence in Zimbabwe since 1980 reflect In Zimbabwe, the MDC Alliance
under house arrest with his wife Bar- nect between the incumbent and 80% the past seems to be leading to ‘steps the country’s authoritarian nature and has always come under a barrage of
bara for daring to challenge the Ugan- of the youthful population. Zimbabwe too far’. Elections are held primarily why it has been a disastrous failure. attacks for constantly standing against
dan strongman. The poll, marred by a also has a huge young voting popula- to give the impression of a plural and the Zanu PF regime. The opposition,
violent clampdown on the opposition democratic society and in Uganda and True to the realist dictum “the end always accused of being a puppet of
by the country’s armed forces, with 54 justifies the means”, electoral processes the West, has been violently attacked,
people killed since the two frontrun- in both countries have been designed to brutalised and demonised. Despite ev-
ners filed their nomination papers in entrench the incumbent’s power at the idence that the post-election violence
November last year, has been described expense of millions of voters. is often perpetrated by the state, the
as a tragic farce by analysts. African Union has repeatedly endorsed
Although opposition figures in au- such polls, even when the brutality on
Following the Ugandan election, thoritarian states may not produce unarmed civilians is unleashed in the
several parallels could be drawn be- evidence of vote-rigging, the polarised full glare of international media like in
tween how elections are run in Zim- political environments created by the Zimbabwe on 1 August 2018.
babwe and Uganda. Cheeseman said state and judicial capture always help
elections in countries like Uganda and the incumbents. Harare-based political Described as a textbook case of tam-
Zimbabwe are fraught with violence analyst Ibbo Mandaza said the power pering with the internet to achieve a po-
and physical danger, hence complex of incumbency has often been used to litical goal by a British think-tank, Mu-
and complicated. steal the people’s vote and undermine seveni’s conduct as an elderly statesman
political transitions . in Africa has fuelled conversations on
“As I sat down to write this month’s the need for younger and forward-look-
column opposition leader Bobi Wine “The power of incumbency and the ing leaders.
was casting his ballot in the Ugandan role of the military have played out in
presidential election. Confident of vic- both elections. But this shows the vul- Wole Soyinka, a Nobel literature lau-
tory given the wave of fervent support nerability of the systems, they are fragile reate, says if Wine had won that could
for him both online and at rallies, some and will not hold on longer,” Mandaza have sparked a revolution across Africa
of his advisors began to discuss the best said. where countries may start demanding
ways to safeguard the vote. They also youthful leaders. However, Uganda’s
talked about how to keep him alive While other countries like South poll results mean the continent must
and well in the event of a mass uprising Africa, Botswana and Namibia have wait a little longer. Similarly, youthful
against any attempt to rig the election consistently held credible elections, politicians like Zimbabwe’s Nelson
for the incumbent, President Yoweri Uganda and Zimbabwe’s polls, and in- Chamisa, who claims to have won the
Museveni, and the inevitable violent deed many other African countries, are 2018 poll, garnering more than two
government crackdown that would usually marred by violence and allega- million votes, would find comfort in
result,” he wrote about the Ugandan numbers. However, Chamisa should
elections. draw lessons in bravery and support
mobilisation from the Ugandan polls.
Wine exhibited resilience in the face of
a ruthless regime seeking to suffocate
him.

“The MDC should learn to be pro-
active than just reactive,” Mandaza said.

Chamisa’s MDC Alliance expressed
grave concern about the Ugandan elec-
tions, saying they were “fundamentally
flawed”. It also said it was deeply con-
cerned about the rise of electoral au-
thoritarianism and elections without
democracy in countries like Tanzania,
Uganda and Zimbabwe where dictato-
rial leaders are more motivated by au-
thoritarian consolidation, not democ-
ratisation.

“In these countries, elections have
been punctuated by weaponisation of
the law, abuse of state resources and
institutions, violence, intimidation
and outright rigging, among a menu
of electoral manipulation,” the MDC
Alliance said in a statement on Uganda,
pointing out Wine’s siege and the kill-
ings of opposition supporters.

NewsHawks Opinion Page 23

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

I never thought of Zimbabwe as a haven of
stability which, I finally could: Kambasha

MICHELLE KAMBASHA

WHEN I tell white British people HealthPoint Hospital in Belgravia, Harare
I’m going to Zimbabwe, I’m used
to seeing two emotions quickly ease. across the region, most infamous- minded of his comments about saw animals that many will never
flash across their faces. The first is Why? It’s no secret that En- ly HIV, Moeti urged pre-emptive Britain’s former African colonies: see in their lifetimes – impalas,
excitement and the second is fear. lockdown measures right at the “The problem is not that we were lions, giraffes, zebras. We bond-
Who can blame them? Excitement gland’s response to the coronavirus beginning of the pandemic, con- once in charge, but that we are not ed with the lodge’s pet water hog,
and fear are how the continent of pandemic has been at best lacklus- scious of the fragility of healthcare in charge any more.” Those words who most evenings we’d find
Africa has been painted for decades tre and at worst fatal. Lockdown systems on the continent. seem even more laden with hubris splayed across the sofa closest to
– long before malnourished chil- was delayed until it was too late, now than when they were written fireplace in the deepest, peaceful
dren with flies orbiting the crowns frontline workers were left without Countries were encouraged to in 2002, especially as just before looking sleep. It was the first time
of their head became a staple of PPE, testing was woefully inade- repurpose existing disease control Christmas the UK faced potential since March that I’d felt safe.
charity appeals. quate, among many other things. operations. Moeti told the Finan- food shortages and travel bans –
England alone has seen about cial Times that it’s “only when you the kind of chaos people normally Before Covid-19, going to Zim-
It’s not just British people who 77,400 people die after contract- get to know the communities that associate with developing coun- babwe felt like an obligation to
have been taught to feel this way. ing Covid – roughly the same as are affected that you can find the tries. I felt no schadenfreude, but my ancestry. This time it felt like
The political and economic up- the entire continent of Africa. most effective way to intervene”. as I sat on my flight to the rela- a luxury, and one that I’d know to
heavals of post-colonial Africa have tive safety of an African country, never take for granted. It was like
even coloured how the colonised There are scientific and demo- The days ahead are undoubted- I considered whether there were escaping a burning building into
feel about their lives and their fu- graphic reasons for this, sure – the ly going to be difficult. Infections some lessons in humility to learn one that stood firm – at least for
tures. Africa as a “basket case” is an population skews younger, and the have jumped recently, partly as a among an elite that projected such the time being.
idea that has infiltrated even Afri- weather can be less conducive to result of Zimbabweans returning confidence in its ability to mount
cans’ minds. But the truth is always viral transmission. But that’s not from South Africa, where the new a “world-beating” response to the The irony of our reverse scram-
far more complicated than any lazy the whole story. Because many variant has been spreading rapidly, virus. ble to Africa wasn’t lost on us. In
stereotype can convey – and recent African countries, scarred by pre- for the holidays. today’s Zimbabwe we found the
events have brought that home to vious pandemics, realised quickly While my friends in England exact opposite of what my parents
me in dramatic fashion. that there was very little room for This is clearly a virus that is acquainted themselves with tier had run away from in the 1990s.
error, and did what they needed to going to keep presenting us with 4 restrictions, my family had big
My family moved to England do. new challenges, and no one has a plans. We stayed at a lodge just I overcame the naive embarrass-
as economic immigrants want- magic wand to wave it all away. I three hours outside Harare. Our ment of being Zimbabwean many
ing to make a better life for their Under the tutelage of World was reassured, though, by the fact temperatures were checked every years ago but am left with guilt
children. The collapse of the Zim- Health Organization regional di- that the reaction to the rise wasn’t day and all staff and visitors, with- and anger at this inferiority com-
babwean economy in the 1990s rector for Africa, Matshidiso Moe- dithering and debate, but a swift out exception, wore PPE to ensure plex that had been slowly embed-
spelled the end of their time as ti, governments like Zimbabwe’s 30-day national lockdown. our safety. ded in me all these years. I wonder
freewheeling twentysomethings, did as much as they could. how long it will take to undo that.
raising a small child. And while Boris Johnson proved We went on a game drive and
With her four-decade long ex- his incompetence as a leader in Kambasha works in the music
So, in 1996, when I was four, we perience of containing outbreaks crisis, I couldn’t help but be re- industry
packed up. England offered educa-
tion, amenities, healthcare and a
stable government. As children of
Rhodesia, where speaking English
was mandatory, my parents’ lan-
guage skills were especially good
– they had been taught at the best
schools in Salisbury (now Harare).
This made their assimilation easier
and quicker.

For years, we never looked back.
At that time being Zimbabwean
was particularly stigmatised and
my parents would often deny their
true nationality, opting instead for
South African. In year six, I found
myself at primary school with a
white Zimbabwean.

Testing the waters, I’d told her
where I was really from, thinking
we’d have something in common.
But the ensuing discussion about
white Zimbabweans being thrown
off their farms on the orders of
Robert Mugabe proved too con-
tentious for my little 11-year-old
brain, and for years afterwards I
assumed my parent’s pseudo-South
African identity.

As the political climate settled,
so did our qualms. Ten years ago,
we began going back to Zimbabwe
every other Christmas. At first it
was a culture shock. It’s not easy
to readapt to a land that you know
is yours, but somehow doesn’t feel
like that. That slight discomfort
lingered. But flying to Zimbabwe
this Christmas felt different. Yes,
there was a pandemic on. For the
first time, though, I was fully at

Page 24 Africa News NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Uganda’s Yoweri
Museveni clings
to power – But
trouble lies ahead

UGANDAN election authori- hotly contested than past ones?
ties announced on 16 January
that President Yoweri Museveni Bobi Wine, the 38-year-old mu-
had secured a sixth term in of- sician-turned-politician, provid-
fice, claiming 58.64 per cent of ed Museveni with a challenge
the vote. His main challenger, unlike any he had confronted
Robert Kyagulanyi, best known before. Wine assembled a cast
by his stage name Bobi Wine, re- of popular musicians to channel
ceived 34.83 per cent of ballots, into song widespread frustra-
according to official tallies. Wine tion with Museveni’s rule, elec-
immediately rejected the re- trifying audiences among urban
sults, denouncing the election as youth in particular that might
marred by widespread fraud. In a otherwise have sat out the polit-
lengthy televised address after the
tallies were released, Museveni “ical process.
thanked voters and claimed that Bobi Wine, the
the outcome reflected the will of 38-year-old musi-
the people. cian-turned-politician,

The playing field going into provided Museveni
the vote could scarcely have
been more uneven. with a challenge un-

Even by the low standards of like any he had con- Official results indicate that President Yoweri Museveni will extend his 35-year rule in Uganda. But the contested election, marred
recent Ugandan elections, the fronted before. by fraud claims, illustrated many citizens’ frustration with his administration.
2021 election cycle stood out
for the brazenness of official at- He also turned the lopsid- sweep of parliamentary seats in most people stayed home, amid ty forces in recent weeks, placing
tempts to intimidate the opposi- ed political environment on Kampala and in much of central a massive police and army pres- loyalists in key posts. Officers
tion and the ferocity of the po- its head, countering repression Uganda. It and the other major ence. who fought in Somalia and took
lice response to protests. with ever-more creative, low- opposition outfit, the Forum for part in the 2010-2012 urban
cost methods that further en- Democratic Change, which won A few sporadic protests re- warfare that ousted Al-Shabaab
Hundreds of opposition sup- deared him to his supporters. 29 seats, also unseated more portedly took place in some from that country’s capital Mog-
porters, human rights activists than a dozen ministers from districts of Kampala after tallies adishu, where Ugandan soldiers
and journalists were detained He was largely locked out of Museveni’s incumbent govern- were announced but protesters are deployed as part of an Afri-
during the campaign and a mainstream TV and radio. In- ment. were quickly dispersed. can Union mission, now hold
number kidnapped, according stead, he set up a number of What’s likely to come next? key posts at home, including
to local media reports and rights free online channels whose live Opposition protests are likely The next few days almost cer- that of deputy inspector general
groups. broadcasts of his rallies drew in the days ahead. Kampala was tainly will see more substantial of police and commander of the
tens of thousands of viewers. mostly calm on 17 January, a day protests. security forces in Kampala.
Opposition leader Wine was His snappy social media posts after results were released, and
arrested multiple times and one provided a stark contrast to on 18 January when authorities In a BBC radio interview, Museveni’s son Muhoozi Ka-
of his aides killed during the Museveni’s hours-long evening restored internet access. The Wine said he and his support- inerugaba was in mid-December
campaign, reportedly after an addresses in mainstream media. internet shutdown during bal- ers would pursue all options to appointed head of the special
army truck ran over him. Aggressive police action against loting rendered it difficult for overturn what he termed a sto- forces, an elite force that guards
him also boomeranged on the the opposition to mobilise and len election, including peaceful the president. The army and po-
The bloodiest episode came authorities. protests. lice have engaged in a show of
in the third week of November, force over the past few days.
when protests erupted in many A day after officers shot at Authorities are liable to re-
parts of the capital Kampala fol- Wine’s vehicle on a campaign spond to any demonstrations Snipers were placed on roof-
lowing one of Wine’s arrests. Po- stop, the candidate began ap- with force. Museveni has shuf- tops, helicopters buzzed over-
lice responded with lethal force. pearing in public dressed in a fled the leadership of his securi- head in Kampala most hours of
At least 54 were killed in a 48- bulletproof vest, dramatically the day and soldiers patrolled in
hour period, mostly by police illustrating the risks he was tak- Bobi Wine armoured personnel carriers.
bullets. ing and further entrenching his
support. Before the results were an-
Officials also barred many nounced, police deployed to
election observers from taking His campaign brought divi- the homes of several opposition
part, denied some foreign media dends in the parliamentary vote. candidates, including Wine, and
outlets accreditation and shut- His National Unity Party (NUP) barred visitors.
tered the internet on the eve of secured 61 seats, an impressive
the election. haul for an outfit formed only six Wine reported that the police
months ago. badly beat an opposition MP
The opposition said the inter- who tried to enter his home.
net shutdown was designed to It will now be the second big-
thwart their efforts to compile a gest party in parliament (Musev- What are the implications for
parallel tally. eni’s ruling party won 310 seats) Uganda’s future?
and an NUP party nominee will
They said they would soon take the post of official opposi- The election, in which Museveni
table evidence of widespread tion leader. received his lowest percentage of
electoral manipulation, includ- the vote since multiparty elec-
ing video evidence showing pre- The party completed a near-
marked ballots in some polling
centres.
Why were these elections more

NewsHawks Africa News Page 25

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

tions were reintroduced in 1996, After coming to power in 1986, The longer he has stayed in ward spiral of declining gover- unpopularity. His young challeng-
has once again highlighted deep following a guerrilla campaign, power, the more Museveni has re- nance, poor economic manage- er, or indeed a similar candidate
frustration at the incumbent’s Museveni was widely hailed for lied on patronage politics, breed- ment and local insecurity. in the future, is likely to continue
rule, primarily among the coun- bringing stability, for presiding ing a bloated, ineffective gov- to draw strong support from the
try’s youth. over a period of economic growth ernment with one of the largest These problems could grow street.
and for one of the continent’s cabinets on the continent. worse in the years ahead, par-
Uganda is one of the youngest most effective responses to the ticularly as suspicion heightens If Museveni seeks another term,
countries in the world with 78 per HIV/AIDS pandemic. State-driven spending has fu- that Museveni seeks to engineer he could face an even stronger
cent of the population below 30 elled economic growth but failed a succession to his son Muhoozi challenge next time around, and
and a median age of just sixteen. Even today, older Ugandans to spur employment even as the Kainerugaba, the special forces so could any successor he might
who recall the turmoil of the security forces have grown ev- commander. Instability in Ugan- anoint. Uganda’s Catholic bishops
Many young people see Musev- 1970s back him. So, too, do farm- er-more undisciplined and pred- da would have negative conse- have already called for a broad-
eni as the face of an out-of-touch ers who appreciate efforts to im- atory. Ideally, Museveni would quences for a region in which based national dialogue. Such a
gerontocracy unable to meet the prove infrastructure that have signal early on that his sixth term Kampala is a central security and process might offer the president
needs of the country’s masses of opened up markets for their pro- will be his last and, if he is to mol- political actor, influential in coun- a venue in which to pledge not
unemployed. These frustrations, duce in neighbouring countries lify the opposition, show he is tries ranging from South Sudan to to seek a new mandate and dis-
tapped adroitly by Wine, who such as South Sudan, the Demo- willing to accept a succession pro- Somalia, Burundi and the DRC. cuss institutional reforms that
made pursuing solutions to un- cratic Republic of Congo (DRC) cess that is fairer than the election will level the playing field for the
employment the centrepiece of and Rwanda. Still, for many he just presided over. To prevent this outcome, Mu- time when the succession election
his campaign, are likely to rever- Ugandans, the overwhelming im- seveni should draw the right les- comes around.
berate throughout the last years of pulse is one of frustration. As Crisis Group reported in sons from a campaign that has re-
Museveni’s presidency. 2017, Uganda is stuck in a down- vealed in stark terms his growing –International Crisis Group

The immediate priority will be
to ensure that protests are not met
by brute force.

Uganda’s partners, including
the incoming Biden administra-
tion in the U.S. and the Europe-
an Union, should strongly urge
Museveni to restrain the security
forces from using live ammuni-
tion in response to protests.

“ The imme-

diate priority
will be to ensure
that protests are
not met by brute
force.

They should further call for the
release of all opposition support-
ers detained merely for backing
Wine and the safe return of those
that have gone missing.

In a welcome first step, Biden’s
nominee for national security ad-
visor, Jake Sullivan, warned the
authorities that the world was
watching and that “Bobi Wine
[and his] supporters should not
be harmed”. International actors
should sustain that pressure.

The opposition has thus far ex-
ercised considerable restraint and
vowed to pursue only peaceful
methods of protest. In a welcome
move, Wine promised to go to
court to press the NUP’s claims
that the vote was tainted by wide-
spread fraud.

This step is wise. Even if Ugan-
da’s courts rarely rule against the
executive in matters of real im-
port, the court challenge could of-
fer Wine and his team the chance
to demonstrate the election was
unfair, which would win them a
notable moral victory at home
and beyond.

The more difficult issue is a lon-
ger-term one: succession manage-
ment. At 76, Museveni is unlikely
to be in a position to secure a sev-
enth mandate in 2026.

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Page 26 Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Lazarus Takawira: International sculptor
who appreciated women finally sleeps alone

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA

LAST week, the Zimbabwean and The late renowned sculptor Lazarus Takawira
international arts community lost
a gentle giant — Lazarus Takawira “Many of my sculptures are of According to Takawira, each “When I drove him in a esteem.
— a stone sculptor whose apprecia- women — this is because when I was stone was made out of love. He said Mini-Cooper, which he joking- Much of his career was built
tion and respect for women was well very young, my life centred around to me: “Young man, you should ly thought he could not fit in, he
documented. my mother — even today. As a boy learn to love your partner. Make laughed so much about it when we around the theme of the woman’s
I always wanted to be around my sure that you have that special wom- got back,” Benhura remembers. figure and he openly voiced his love
Takawira succumbed to Covid-19 mother, I enjoyed her face, what she an in your life who you give all the for the women in his life.
aged 69. wore, what she did. It is my feeling love. Takawira belonged to the Nyan-
for my mother, and today my mem- ga group of sculptors which started In his decades-long career,
Through his sculptures, it was ories of my mother, that encourages “Women need to be loved but under the guidance of the late god- Takawira was a recipient of many
easy to see why Takawira loved me to make sculptures of women. I then most men do not know that father Joram Mariga. local and international awards, in-
women. So passionate was Takawira feel I got and still get my strength and this is why they abuse women.” cluding the National Arts Merit
about his subject that every stone, from my mother, somehow that her From the late 1970s, Takawira Award in 2008, Zimbabwe Heri-
though different, portrayed women strength has been transmitted and is He was a charismatic, affable committed himself to stone sculp- tage Exhibition, National Gallery of
in highest regard. still transmitted to me. My feelings character, always in a jovial mood ture and, together with his brothers, Zimbabwe (1993 Award of Distinc-
about my mother, I stream into my and generous too. they took a different trajectory from tion), Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibi-
Back in the days, when I was work,” he explained. other artists, choosing instead the tion, National Gallery of Zimbabwe
an arts reporter with The Herald Dominic Benhura, a renowned hardest of stones like marble and (1991 Certificate of Excellence),
around 2003 I was introduced to In a book titled Spirit of a Wom- sculptor, also had fond memories of dolomite, while leaving much of it Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition,
sculpture by the then editor Pikirayi an: A Journey Through the Scult- Takawira. in its natural state. National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Deketeke who took me to Celia pure of Lazarus Takawira written (1990 Award of Merit), Zimbabwe
Winter-Irving, a renowned sculp- by Winter-Irving and published Much more than a sculptor, Heritage Exhibition, National Gal-
ture critic. by Marie Imbrova, former charge Takawira did not hide his beliefs as lery of Zimbabwe (1989 Certificate
de affairs of the Czech Republic to a Christian. of Excellence), Zimbabwe Heritage
The late Celia (may her soul rest Zimbabwe, sculpture enthusiasts Exhibition, National Gallery of
in peace) was a great writer and get a glimpse into Takawira’s life as a “His Christian beliefs are cen- Zimbabwe (1988) and the Com-
enthusiastic about stone sculpture. Christian and stone carver. tral to his life, his relationship with mission for Old Mutual (1987).
Her career centred around the pub- Christ is one of friendship and of
lication of 13 internationally re- In a foreword, Titus Chipangu- respect for a mentor,” wrote Win- A true Zimbabwean art ambassa-
spected books on Zimbabwe’s stone ra, the then National Arts Council ter-Irving. dor, Takawira will be sadly missed
sculpture. of Zimbabwe’s director, described not only in the local stone sculpture
Takawira as “firstly a great sculp- Usually, he would take time off community but also internationally.
However, as a published writer tor whose work is comparable to his busy schedule to preach the
Celia told me she had some difficul- figurative sculpture within longer word of God. This, he said, made Perhapswe can derive solace from
ties in writing about sculpture be- traditions than his own. Secondly, him a better and well-rounded art- the fact that his works in private
cause as an Australian she could nei- he defies classification into any par- ist. Born in Nyanga in 1952, he cel- collections, international galleries
ther speak nor understand Shona. ticular school of Zimbabwean stone ebrated women through his sculp- and public spaces will remain for
sculpture.” tures. the world to appreciate
So, as she showed me around
the sculpture community, she told His mother was a traditional pot- Rest in peace, gentle giant.
me one of the secrets in critiquing tery maker and he held her in great
sculpture.

She said: “I’m glad that you can
speak and understand Shona, that is
your strength. You need to speak to
the sculptors and let them express
themselves fully in Shona so that
you know what goes through their
minds and how they feel.”

Since then, my appreciation of
sculpture, in fact fine art, has gotten
better over the years, thanks to Celia
for her support and the knowledge
she imparted in me.

During our routine visits, Celia
took me to Takawira’s farm in Ruwa
along Mutare Road.

Near the entrance, a huge spring-
stone torso of a woman welcomed
guests to the farm.

As you proceeded to his work-
place, you would see only female
figures in different forms, colour
and sizes.

I quickly fell in love with his
sculptures because each piece had a
story to tell. Some told of sad love
stories while others told of inspi-
rational stories about women in
their most fragile and feminine and
strongest state.

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 27

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021 ‘oIa’ofmnftdhtahseelpeyetaoarduuketterhhr’

Holy Ten JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA

ZIM hip-hop prodigy — Holy Ten — says he is the leader of the youth and speaker of the
truth. The rapper, who blew up in 2016, has long endeared himself with youths, the majority
of whom relate to his upbringing through music. Quite honestly, Holy Ten, whose real real
name is Mukudzei Chitsama, is heir apparent to the Zim hip-hop throne and he is not apol-
ogetic about it.

“The people have received the message and people have received the leader. I always make
reference to the Game of Thrones. . . John Snow started as a very simple man, a very simple
boy in episode one, but when it’s time for the king to take the throne, the king will take throne,
and the people will accept their leader. As the leader of the youth, I am here.

“I am always talking about this, what motivated me to be a musician is this. I needed a chair
I could sit in, just like this one, a comfortable chair where I could deliver a message because
inini ndakatumwa ne message (I’m a messenger). I see things, I observe and I watch. I’m con-
cerned and I write it down and I report it,” he explained.

He said he once tried poetry, acting and literature in a quest to put his messages across but
music is his fortè. At 22-years-old, Holy Ten has got the youths gravitating towards his beat for
more reasons than one.

“I am inspired by two artists — one is Winky D because he keeps his private life private and
secondly, Tupac (Shakur),” he said.

Being inspired by the slain mega-star rapper Tupac means that one has to not only rhyme
but also reason at the same time. Holy Ten who claims that he carries a thousand stories in his
heart, making music seem easy because he tells the situation as he sees it.

“I tell stories in the best way I know how and perhaps my gift is how I interpret and make
it into a song,” he said.

Besides this, Holy Ten has that signature deep voice which, when he raps, sounds like he is
talking, and he does so effortlessly. While longevity at the top is never guaranteed, at the mo-
ment Holy Ten has everyone under lockdown and in check. He made a breakthrough with his
album — Early Retirement — and has consistently been churning out hit after hit.

Songs that include Amai, Ndaremerwa, Kumba Kune Vanhu, Musatinetse and Bho Zvangu,
show his conscious side and tell of everyday life in the ghetto.

But on Tavada, a tribute to his brother, which samples one of Matshikos’ classic hits, sort of
bridges the gap between old school and new school hip-hop heads.

The track is laidback but at the same time engages the listener to either nod or get up and
dance to it. But again it is his deep voice which sets him apart from his contemporaries.

Showing his prowess, Holy Ten bagged three accolades at the 2020 Zim Hip Hop Awards.
The trendsetting hip-hop chanter scooped three awards out of the seven categories he was
nominated in. He took home the Best Upcoming, Song of the Year (Ndaremerwa) and People’s
Choice, proving his growing status as the youth leader in hip-hop. Asked who Holy Ten is
he said: “Holy Ten is the attitude, the message, a movement, it’s me the artiste who carries a
thousand stories on his back. I’m a youth leader and speaker of the truth.”

And where does he put himself in the old beef between the northern and southern suburbs
of Harare. Previously, there was beef between rappers from Harare’s southern and northern
suburbs which ignited a war of words.

“I don’t believe in gangs. I just do music and am proud of where I come from and that is
Zimre Park,” he said.

While he says he experienced hardships as a youngster, Holy Ten says he owes his success
to God.

“I have an obligation to speak for what I stand for. I possess that gift that allows me to
observe and to be able to report, to translate it into a song. So I give all the credit to God and
I blame it on my experiences and I say I blame it because most of them have been negative,
that’s why we pump so much darkness, we pump so much feeling and emotion into the music
because we’ve been attached to so many memories and most of them have been dark,” he said.

Page 28 People & Places NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Singita: One of Zimbabwe’s
most beautiful lodges in the
midst of unspoilt wilderness

ZIMBABWE has so many beautiful bwe’s land occupants forerunners Perched high on a sandstone leather elements. stars.
places. Even though the tourism at- through scenes of hunting and cel- ridge, the lodge’s eight elegant The organic-shaped buildings The spacious suites include four
tractions are very expensive to visit, ebration depicted in the sandstone suites – all with private plunge
they are usually breathtaking. caves and on rock faces throughout pools – is set within the 130 000- feature detailed thatch and stone- one-bedroom suites, one two-bed-
the reserve. acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve work, carefully curated interiors, room family suite (perfect for
One of the least-spoken-about in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast. and picturesque views of the land- two adults and two children), one
beautiful place in Zimbabwe is The trust has also partnered with scape and Malilangwe Dam below, three-bedroom family suite (perfect
Singita Pamushana lodge. a local village of Shangani people Drawing inspiration from the while the lodge’s expansive decks for two adults and four children)
who invite the lodge’s guests to rich tribal history of the region, the deepen links and connections with and two two-bedroom suites, ideal
Singita — Pamushana as some witness their rich culture and its lodge’s design features bold geomet- nature. for four adults travelling together.
simply call it — is the commercial unique traditional practices still in ric patterns, tile inlays and carved
ecotourism arm of the Malilangwe effect today throughout much of furniture, as well as comforting A cliff-top firepit and signature The Malilangwe Reserve boasts
Trust, established as a means of gen- rural Africa. natural fabrics, raw silks and woven Singita “bar-deli” invite al fresco one of the highest concentrations
erating revenue to directly support dining and storytelling under the of the endangered black rhino and
the trust’s conservation and com- its abundant wildlife makes for un-
munity development initiatives. paralleled game-viewing opportu-
nities. \
The Singita portfolio is made up
of an iconic collection of conser- With private access to this un-
vation properties around southern touched wilderness, guests can
and East Africa. immerse themselves in nature
on twice-daily game drives, bush
Singita is set upon a well-wood- walks, sundowner boat cruises, ex-
ed sandstone kopje, overlooking cursions to rock art sites and more.
the Malilangwe Dam and Mupata
Wasatani (Devil’s Jungle), a densely - STAFF WRITER.
vegetated valley running from east
to west on the reserve.

The inspiration for the lodge’s
design and architecture is taken
from the traditional cultures of
south-eastern Zimbabwe, with el-
ements from the Great Zimbabwe
monument and artwork inspired
by the local Shangani people. The
lodge has won numerous awards
including the 2011 World Travel
and Tourism Council’s – Tour-
ism for Tomorrow Award and the
World Travel Award’s Leading Safa-
ri Lodge in Zimbabwe 2009-2015.

It offers guests the opportunity
to experience a centuries-old wil-
derness area with rich cultural her-
itage.

Ancient San rock art gives guests
a glimpse into the life of Zimba-

Property
NewsHawks

Page 29 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Issue 13, 15 Jan 2021

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Gloomy prospects for
real estate demand

Retailers are moving to suburban shopping malls and commercial businesses are opting to relocate to office parks on the outer edges of the city centre. Pictures above show the spacious Smatsatsa
Office Park situated in Borrowdale, west of the Borrowdale Race Course.

RONALD MUCHENJE productive sector capacity. remains uncertain due to climate ary trends. Commercial property Meanwhile, an international re-
In 2020, the Zimbabwean prop- change, power supply inconsisten- development activity remained low search firm, BMI Research, forecasts
DEMAND for real estate products cies, foreign currency imbalances, during the year, with most of the a minor rebound in the growth of
is seen taking a dip this year given erty market remained subdued, low productive sector capacity util- activity in the residential segment of the sector in 2021 after a significant
that the economy is not expected to characterised by high levels of voids isation and the potential adverse the market. contraction on the market in 2020
recover at a time the Covid-19 pan- as a result of the Covid-19 strain effects of Covid-19. These factors partially attributed to Covid-19-re-
demic is expected to worsen Zimba- and a general decline in economic have ramifications for the country’s Due to the Covid-19-induced lated headwinds.
bwe’s vulnerable economy. activity. recovery prospects and will affect lockdown, a lot of property devel-
demand for various real estate prod- opment projects were halted or are “The macro-economic environ-
Other than Covid-19, factors Research and investment analyst ucts,” he said. moving at a very slow pace. ment will improve slightly, but
likely to have a negative effect on Enock Rukarwa told The News- reduced public financing coupled
the economy, thus affect the prop- Hawks that the factors were mili- In the previous year, rental in- “More so, construction and with the unattractive business en-
erty sector, include climate change, tating against the country’s recovery come relatively improved due to maintenance costs are now ele- vironment and ongoing political
power supply inconsistencies, for- prospects, thereby affecting real es- frequent re-pricing in line with vated as service providers have in- uncertainty will deter investment,”
eign currency imbalances and low tate products. currency dynamics and inflation- dex-priced against the US dollar,” BMI noted.
he said.
“Outlook for the property sector

Page 30 Sport NewsHawks

Issue 14, 22 Jan 2021

Muzarabani gets bowling performance award

A MAN who appeared to have in Pakistan’s favour. Muzarabani heen Afridi with a slower ball that magical short ball to Azam that Blessing Muzarabani (right)
moved on from Zimbabwe two got him off strike and with his he would scoop tamely to Raza. threatened to lodge itself up the
years earlier, the 6’ 6” Muzaraba- penultimate delivery fooled Sha- Muzarabani then sent down a batsman’s nostrils. As he franti- cally tried to fend it off, he got a
ni was fast-tracked back into the tickle through to the keeper.
national side at the first opportu-
nity, and in the final ODI against – Cricinfo
Pakistan, he justified why the se-
lectors had been so keen.

He started with a wicket in the
first over of Pakistan’s chase, and
his efforts stretched beyond the
regulation innings and into a wild
Super Over. After he breached
Imam-ul-Haq’s defences with his
third ball, Zimbabwe let the game
drift as Pakistan chased 279.
Middle-overs partnerships by
Babar Azam with Khushdil Shah
and Wahab Riaz inched Pakistan
closer to their target. Muzaraba-
ni returned to break both stands,
then got rid of Shaheen Afridi,
and off the last ball of his spell,
snared Azam for 125.

With Pakistan nine down and
needing 13, it seemed that Mu-
zarabani had got his side over
the line, only for a four off the
final delivery to take it to a Super
Over. Here, the inspired Muzara-
bani rose once more, demonstrat-
ing his composure as he outfoxed
Iftikhar Ahmed with a slower
ball first up, before taking care of
Shah two balls later. Zimbabwe
needed just three to win, which
they got in three balls.

It was the 49th over, and Paki-
stan needed 20 to win. Muzara-
bani came in to bowl his last, and
Azam flicked his second ball away
for six to swing the game back

Mid-air meeting with a visionary who saw far

I HAD the most fortuitous reputation and integrity were his regular trips down south A young brother of Bwan- so Tom spent the remain- babwe at the 2013 Africa
pleasure in 2006 to sit next everything. to seek out opportunities in ya’s close friend and fellow der of his career playing and Cup tournament in Mada-
to Shepherd Bwanya on an that field ahead of the first CAPS United official Wel- coaching on the English club gascar in a Sables side hard
Air Zimbabwe flight from Bwanya had since exited African football World Cup. lington Dangarembizi, Tom cricket circuit. A business hit by a strike involving most
Harare to Johannesburg. football governance when I This was four years before – as we call him – was a management degree-holder, of the team’s senior players.
was taking baby steps in this the 2010 World Cup when, batsman and off-spin bowl- the younger Dangarembizi
The astute football admin- job a few years into the new to a lot of people on this er who captained Alexandra now lives and works in the Zimbabwe surrendered
istrator – a gentleman of the millennium. This therefore continent and beyond, the Sports Club and played four UK, where he has carved a their Africa Cup title in that
highest order who prided meant that the two of us thought of the world’s great- List “A” matches for Mani- niche for himself in com- edition, but representing his
himself on his historic suc- never interacted at profes- est sporting jamboree taking caland in 2006. merce. country was an achievement
cess with one of our coun- sional level, two men sepa- place on African soil was that Simba’s father, no doubt,
try’s biggest clubs – was in rated significantly by age and still surreal. Another young felt proud of nonetheless.
buoyant mood as we chatted generations. Such foresight and sportsman we spoke
away on that short trip to the business acumen by HawkZone about on the flight was We said our goodbyes at
City of Gold. The one and only oppor- Bwanya, I thought to Simba Bwanya, the ex- OR Tambo Internation-
tunity to interact face-to-face myself, was probably CAPS boss’s own son, al Airport as Bwanya and
I was still a schoolboy in presented itself on that flight what set professionals Enock a gifted rugby player I went our separate ways,
1996 when CAPS United nearly 15 years ago when Air- like him apart from the who had represented promising to talk more of-
won their first Zimbabwe- Zim, to my delight, paired rest. Muchinjo Zimbabwe Schools at ten and share goings-on in
an top-flight league title in me with this role model of a What also particular- Craven Week in 2014. the sporting industry of our
the post-independence era, football administrator. ly impressed me about country.
under the chairmanship of Bwanya was his knowledge I knew Tom well back in Simba had joined
Shepherd Bwanya, whose I was travelling with Zim- of the other major sporting the day, a well-grounded and Sharks Academy in Unfortunately, we were
administrative competence babwe’s cricket team, which disciplines in Zimbabwe, polite young man who was Durban at the beginning of never able to fulfil that
was credited with assembling was scheduled to play a cou- greatly due in part to friends no less gifted on a cricket 2006 after leaving Prince pledge, but I take comfort
one of the greatest attacking ple of preparatory matches at and family connections. field. Edward School in Harare, in that for about an hour
teams ever seen in the history Pretoria’s High Performance Taking a keen interest in He was only 20 back then where he was the deputy and 40 minutes, I shared an
of domestic football in this Centre, to fine-tune for a the make-up of the Zimba- in 2006 and I confidently headboy in his final year. So enlightening and hearty chat
country. five-match ODI series at bwe cricket squad on that told Bwanya that Tom’s hour a proud Bwanya Snr, away with a fine football adminis-
home against Bangladesh in flight, Bwanya, showing would certainly arrive and from his pressing business trator I had greatly admired
As a keen student and a month’s time. genuine concern, wanted that one day he was going commitments, was also keen- while growing up.
follower of Zimbabwean to know from me why one to play international cricket ly looking forward to paying
football, the fact that I had Two years earlier, South Thomas Dangarembizi kept for his country. Of course, a quick visit to his lookalike Shepherd Bwanya was ad-
grown up supporting a great Africa had won the rights being overlooked for selec- somehow, it never happened, son in KwaZulu-Natal. mitted to a Harare hospital
cross-city rival of CAPS to host the 2010 Fifa World tion. despite his obvious talents, A mobile, agile and tall with a stroke and died on
United did nothing at all Cup. So Bwanya, who plied lock-forward – Simba later Saturday at the age of 59. He
to diminish my respect for his trade in the pharmaceu- made his Test debut for Zim- was buried the following day
Bwanya, a man to whom tical business, revealed to at Glen Forest Cemetery in
me that he was on one of the capital.

Sports Muzarabani gets Mid-air meeting
with a visionary
who saw far

– Page 26

ODI bowling

performance

awardThursday 1 October 2020
– Page 27

Friday 22 January 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com new

CULTURE SPO

Community Zim
radio laun
regulations Prem
We have a better chanceNEWS WHAT’S INSIDE
$60 Covid
tariff for
visitors &
in Tests: Brendan Taylortourists Leag
Story on Page 3
under review Story o

Story on Page 8

BRIAN GOREDEMA Chamisa reachplayed a lot of cricket recently, my
body is still fresh. I certainly feel
BRENDAN Taylor reckons Zim- fresh enough to keep going for an-
babwe have the superior skills and other couple of years, the passion
experience to beat Test cricket new- is still there. I want to contribute
comers Afghanistan in that version Khupemore to Zimbabwe’s victories. I
of the game, despite falling behind out to will take each series as it comes and
the Asian side in the shorter for- continue to put maximum effort
mats in recent times. each time I walk onto the pitch to
play. That’s always my mindset.”
Afghanistan have since defeated A major concern for Zimbabwe
Bangladesh and fellow Test novices
Ireland since being granted five- is the future of the team when Tay-
day status in 2017, but Zimbabwe Unofficial president calls for emergencylor and a few other senior players
batting kingpin Taylor believes the retire. Taylor, though, has named
African side hold all the cards when some younger players he believes
the two teams clash in a historic se- can take the team forward.
ries next month. “I feel we have a nice balance
The two Tests and three T20s, in between some experienced play-
which Afghanistan are officially the ers and some youngsters coming
hosts, will take place in a neutral through – the likes of Wesley Mad-
country due to the volatile securi- hevere, Milton Shumba and Ryan
ty situation in the Asian country. It Burl. They are going be playing
is the first time the two teams will Afghanistan a lot more in the fu-
play each other in Tests. ture, once we have retired, and they
Being overtaken by Afghanistan have to find a way to turn them
in white-ball cricket is one of the over. I’m happy with the way the
major indicators of Zimbabwe’s (Zimbabwe) team is sitting at the
fall in the past 15 years. The Af- moment and the balance that we
ghans have dominated Zimbabwe have.”
in ODIs and Twenty20s over the Exciting 20-year-old batsman
last five years, and Taylor sees Test Madhevere, who has made a prom-
cricket as an opportunity for his ising start to his international ca-
team to redeem itself. reer, particularly gives Taylor im-
“Afghanistan are still in their Brendan Tylor mense hope for the future.

Test infancy, so its certainly a for- If we play them in Harare, I feel we fears that the team might be ill-pre- proved as quickly as they have,” “Wes is the new shining light
mat we feel we can challenge them can beat them. But playing in Shar- pared for the series if the SRC ap- said Taylor. “That’s pretty phenom- of Zimbabwe cricket,” remarked
a lot better than in the ODIs and jah, or India, or any place like that, proval delays. enal to see. I played in a tourna- Taylor. “He ticks all the boxes. He
T20s,” Taylor told The NewsHawks is always going to be a challenge.” “Unfortunately, the scheduled ment there last year, the amount is a great kid, he has a wonderful
this week. Meanwhile, the Chevrons are dates are getting closer,” he said. of talent they have is unbelievable. attitude, he wants to learn, and he
Afghanistan have been using still awaiting clearance from the “Hopefully, the dates can be pushed They work extremely hard, it’s an works hard. Having him around the
India as their adopted home, but Sports and Recreation (SRC) to back a little to give us ample time opportunity out of poverty for group is a breath of fresh air. But
due to a rise in coronavirus cases in resume training as well as to trav- to prepare. But just to be out there many of them. Being a war-torn you don’t want to flood him with
that country, the matches are now el for the Afghanistan clash, amid playing cricket after missing out on country, they pride themselves in too much, you want to nurture him
likely to be played in Oman, whose a nationwide lockdown that began a lot of cricket last year is hugely representing their country. You by encouraging him because he is
conditions are likely to give the Af- early this month. important.” look at their players, they play in already doing all the right things.
“We are desperate to get out Pressed whether he admits that some big (T20) leagues around the “His work ethic is right up
ghans an advantage.
“The conditions there will suit there and play again,” commented Afghanistan were now ahead of world. It’s truly remarkable.” there and he has a great mentor in
them and their spinners,” said Tay- pTearyeldor.ev“eTrhyeonleo.ckIdt’sowbnittheAralsyLShfarOums--INSoZfIiDmthbEeabgawmeFei,innTaatyhnleocrsehchoMortsieenrtiosfotprymrawaisteispeesr-oTbuhatetsm$ae3nx.p,2erBwieihnlolcioedtnurdnwseicp3ko5etskineteeopxr-ts fuM(Znaimdtssibkaebnwyee’rsiZ,bwiamthtoi'nshglaacsotkeancshotw)lnaStnuhdaimrtcontrov
lor. “We feel we can play spin quite
well, so if we can counter their trating. But I’m told there are great the Asian side for its rapid progress. month, has targeted “a couple of for a long time. I also have a good
spinners, I believe we have the skill- strides being made by ZC (Zimba- “To give Afghanistan some sort years” before hanging up his gloves. relationship with Wesley. He has a
set and experience to get over them bwe Cricket) and SRC to get the of credit, I don’t think there has “I have thought of that (retire- bright future and I hope I can still
in this series, for sure. Conditions clearance.” been any other team in history of ment) for the last couple of years, play with him in the next couple of
are always going to be important. The former Zimbabwe captain international cricket that has im- for sure,” Taylor said. “Having not years.”

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