NewsHawks 30 September 2022

WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 30 September 2022 NJoEbWSiSkhala’s Price
continued
MNEnWanSgagwa’s imprisonment US$1
son-in-law buys riles UK
stake in Ncube’s SMPPOsR' ZTifa
media group Story on Page 8 reinstatement
demands
Story on Page 4 ‘a tricky one’

Story on Page 52

CIO training
centre gutted
in suspected
arson attack

ALSO INSIDE President, Minister July Moyo in chieftainship row

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

BRENNA MATENDERE CIO training centre gutted
in suspected arson attack
ZIMBABWE’S state security agency Central
Intelligence Organisation (CIO)’s training cen- CIO co-deputy Director-General
tre in Harare’s Msasa suburb along St Patrick's Gatsha Mazithulela
Road across Chiremba Road from Hatfield has
been burnt down by fire in a suspected case of he observed Earnest Muleya, who was on guard arship at Johns Hopkins University in the United Further, Mazithulela holds an MBA in the val-
arson with political undertones, The NewsHawks duty at the property, staggering. States (2004), Rockefeller Foundation pre-doc- uation of new technologies using real options in
has established. toral fellowship (1995 to 1998), post-doctoral financial mathematics.
Suspecting the 38-year-old was drunk, research fellowship at the University of Notting-
CIO — the dreaded local spy network noto- Mazithulela demanded that Muleya hand over ham, and post-doctoral scientist at DuPont In- He has served as an innovation manager for the
rious for hounding civilians and brutality — is his AK-47 assault rifle which he was carrying. In- corporated in the United States. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s
made up of a number of key branches where stead of handing over the rifle, Muleya cocked it Biochemtek division, director of the South Afri-
those under training are eventually deployed and pointed it at Mazithulela, who ran and took He was awarded support from the UK-South can Aids Vaccine Initiative at the South African
upon completing the course. cover behind his vehicle before making a dash for Africa Science and Technology Research Fund in Medical Research Council and was managing di-
his house where he barricaded himself inside. 1997. His interests extend to current affairs and rector of Secure Plan Investment Limited in the
Its branches are: internal and external services; military strategy. UK.
counter-intelligence; training; close security unit; Muleya was transferred to Harare and later
technical; administration; and another simply died in a mysterious accident. Mazithulela was born in 1971 and underwent The Zimbabwean technocrat served as a board
known as branch six. his secondary education in Bulawayo. He was member for the Cape Biotechnology Trust, Anvir
However, his colleagues say the story that he among the 270 pioneers at Nust in 1991. Biopharmaceticals (Pty) Ltd and chairperson of
“The CIO training school in Msasa was burnt pointed a gun at Mazithulela was fabricated as Elevation Biotechnology (Pty) Ltd.
down,” an intelligence source said. “It houses a he only cocked the gun before de-cocking as re- He graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Sci-
training centre, a workshop and fuelling depot. It quired by practice. ence (Honours) degree in biology and biochem- He also served as National Research Foun-
was gutted by a mysterious fire.” istry in 1994. He received a scholarship from the dation of South Africa vice-president, Nuclear
The intelligence establishment has of late President’s Office – under which the CIO falls Technology Products (Pty) Limited, at the South
This comes as CIO co-deputy Director-Gen- been rocked by controversy, with State Security – and later a Rockefeller Foundation doctoral African Nuclear Energy Corporation corporate
eral Gatsha Mazithulela had a suspicious break-in minister Owen Mudha Ncube being suddenly scholarship to study genetic engineering at the development consultant.
on Thursday night at his Groombridge home in removed and not replaced. Ncube, however, still John Innes Centre in the United Kingdom.
Harare. Three robbers tried to raid Mazithulela’s enjoys state functions and protection. However, Mazithulela left South Africa under
home, but were attacked by his beefed up securi- Mazithulela graduated with a PhD in genetic a cloud of controversy. When he returned home,
ty, intelligence sources said. Besides being chairperson of the National Au- engineering at the age of 27 and worked in the he became one of the successful farmers in Mata-
thority of the Chemical Weapons Convention, United States and the United Kingdom. He at- beleland region.
“There was a break-in at Mazithulela’s house in Zimbabwe chapter, Mazithulela is also a senior tained a Master of Business Administration de-
Groombridge in Harare. Three would-be robbers business executive with years of strategy and gree in London. Before formally joining the CIO, Mazithulela
raided his house, but were repelled by his security board-level experience in diverse high-technol- worked for the government as principal director
team, which has been beefed up of late. One rob- ogy industrial research environments, including He also created his own piece of history by be- in the then senior minister Simon Khaya Moyo’s
ber was killed during the clashes,” another intel- large-scale nuclear, chemical and biotechnology coming the first Nust graduate to obtain a PhD office when he was also Zanu PF chair.
ligence source said. “It’s not an ordinary robbery; energy industries. in 1998 after accepting a challenge from the in-
it’s a manifestation of a bigger political problem.” stitution’s founding vice-chancellor, the late pro- Mazithulela was also appointed Bulawayo spe-
Listed among his achievements are the Fogarty fessor Phineas Makhurane. cial councillor after losing Zanu PF primaries in
The sources said the burning down of the CIO Aids International Training and Research Schol- Bulawayo.
training school and robbery attack at Mazith-
ulela’s house must be seen in the context of the
upcoming Zanu PF elective congress later this
month and next year’s general elections.

“The Zanu PF congress and the elections next
year have created political tensions and rivalries,
so these incidents must not be seen as isolated
events, but part of political infighting with-
in Zanu PF and state institutions,” a different
source said.

Mazithulela, who was awarded a scholarship
by the President’s Office in the 1990s to study
overseas from the National University of Science
& Technology (Nust), which explains why he
eventually formally joined CIO, is also current-
ly the chairperson of the National Authority of
the Chemical Weapons Convention, Zimbabwe
chapter.

The training centre is located a few metres
away from the boundary between Harare's Msasa
and Hatfield suburbs along a path that links with
the intersection of St Patrick's and Chiremba
roads. The busy Chiremba Road connects south-
eastly to Epworth from Harare's central business
district through Hillside, Braeside, Cranborne,
Queensdale and Chadcombe suburbs.

Sources said the fire at the CIO base, which is
a major training centre for three separate squads
of the spy agency, began at about 3pm on Thurs-
day. The Zimbabwe Republic Police said it was
investigating the case, but had not concluded on
any leads.

The shock burning of the CIO offices came at
a time when there was another disturbing event
in the circles of the state security agents’ rank and
file in a space of less than 24 hours.

The man who was shot dead during a break-
in at Mazithulela’s Crichton Road residence in
Groombridge around Mt Pleasant was from
Chitungwiza. The two other suspected robbers
escaped.

The spy agents at the Msasa training centre
have been undergoing three-month training ses-
sions. The current group commenced early this
month. The training is for both newly-recruited
members and seasoned ones who play the role of
instructors.

At the Msasa training base which was burnt,
the CIO aspirants have also undergone mechani-
cal workshop skills.

Meanwhile, the attempted break-in at Mazith-
ulela’s house has set tongues wagging.

Mazithulela was appointed CIO deputy Di-
rector-General in 2020 from Nust where he was
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for innovation and business
development.

In November 2020, just months after his
appointment, a CIO agent guarding his Mata-
beleland North farm drunkenly pointed a gun at
him.

Mazithulela was leaving his farm in Norwood
in Umguza at about 7pm on 28 November when

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

OWEN GAGARE Arms smuggling saga deepens as
new details on the deal emerge
THE recent saga involving the botched smug-
gling of AK-47 assault rifles and scores of ammu- Commander Presidential Guard Brigade Brigadier-General Fidelis Mhonda addressing troops at 1 Presidential Guard Battalion on 6 January 2022.
nition magazines is deepening as it takes a new
political twist amid fresh details. from South Africa or an import permit for this. An example of T-56 assault rifles which arms dealer Gugulethu Mabhena wrongly bought.
“Third, when those who placed the order at the
Those close to President Emmerson Mnangag- AK-47 rifles which Mabhena was supposed to buy.
wa are demanding a thorough investigation into army complained the guns were the wrong ones,
the importation of a wrong consignment and a Mabhena couldn’t take them back as that would The targeted sanctions were imposed on Mug- “It is a concern for commanders when soldiers
subsequent attempted cover-up, military sources be risky to smuggle them back; so he decided to abe’s regime at the height of his authoritarian re- deviate from their day-to-day duties and partake
say. take them to ZDI as the Zimbabwe Revenue Au- pression, electoral theft and human rights abuses, in criminal acts such as abuse of Army equipment
thority (Zimra) and later police closed in on him. including violent attacks, killings and terror. for personal gain, smuggling activities and joining
As first reported by The NewsHawks, the guns Intelligence services were also involved in nailing criminal gangs to rob civilians instead of protect-
were ordered from the Zimbabwe National Army Mabhena. This was partly because of inter-securi- In January, Mhonda told troops to desist from ing them,” Mhonda said.
(ZNA) for the Presidential Guard, an elite unit ty agency rivalries and grudges. criminal activities, including smuggling.
responsible for protecting the President.
“Some police officers were previously exposed
The brigade is organised into two units located by the army for allegedly smuggling guns for
in Harare: 1 Presidential Guard Battalion based at poaching activities and dealt with harshly by the
State House and 2 Presidential Guard Battalion Joint Operations Command, which brings to-
at Dzivaresekwa Barracks. Its headquarters is in gether police, army and intelligence service chiefs.
Dzivaresekwa and it is led by Brigadier-General So some in the police force feel that army officers
Fidelis Mhonda. also smuggling guns must be exposed since they
like exposing others. The situation is exacerbated
New details show that the order came from by latent tensions and rivalries between the army,
the Zimbabwe National Army — through the police and intelligence security services.”
G-Branch — and was first given to Ukubambana
Commodities (Pvt) Ltd managing director Glad- Mutize then instructed Matambo to write a let-
man Chipidza who then contracted former army ter to Zimra to allow Mabhena to leave with the
doctor and now arms dealer Gugulethu Mabhe- smuggled guns, but the police and other security
na. agencies refused. This led to a face-off, their even-
tual arrest and the ongoing court case.
Mabhena then went to Spartan Arms Interna-
tional, which sells arms in Edenvale, Johannes- The letter from ZDI to Zimra has now become
burg, South Africa, to buy the guns, sources add. a major subject of court inquiry. Mutize, while
working with the then ZDI boss retired Colonel
However, sources say Mabhena bought a wrong Tshinga Dube, was involved in the controversial
consignment which was later rejected. He bought sale of arms to South African mercenaries led by
T-56 assault rifles — a Chinese 7.62×39mm rifle Simon Mann, a British Sandhurst-trained former
— instead of the original Soviet-designed AK-47. Special Air Services (SAS) officer, jailed for plot-
ting Equatorial Guinea leader Teodoro Obiang’s
Mabhena smuggled the guns into Zimbabwe overthrow in a coup in 2004.
through Beitbridge, but instead of taking back
the wrong consignment he sought to construct an The late former Zimbabwean president Robert
elaborate cover-up for the costly mistake. Mugabe, working with South African authorities,
thwarted the coup, leading to the arrest of Mann
Confronted by police over his contraband, he and his co-conspirators in Harare and Malabo,
said the guns were going to the Zimbabwe De- Equatorial Guinea’s capital.
fence Industries (ZDI)’s Alphida Production in
Domboshava. Acting on a tip-off, security agencies on 29 Au-
gust found Mabhena in possession of 31 AK-47
When police insisted on seeing the documents, rifles and 62 AK-47 magazines in a white Toyota
particularly the purchase order to establish who King Cab (4JK36RL GP) at Manica Transit Shed
was actually importing the weapons, Mabhena in Beitbridge.
was found wanting.
Police say Mabhena had imported the consign-
He then roped in ZDI general manager Hope ment without a firearms dealer’s permit. In terms
Goliath Mutize to rescue the situation by claiming of Zimbabwean law, there are many requirements
that the guns were ordered by his organisation. for the registration and licencing of firearms, as
well as getting permits.
Mutize, who is out on bail, then ordered Group
Captain Leonard Matambo, an Air Force of Zim- After moving to South Africa, Mabhena had
babwe senior commissioned officer who works for ventured into the business of supplying arms
the ZDI, to intervene and write a letter claiming mainly to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, which
the consignment. largely uses underground networks to buy weap-
ons as a sanctions-busting measure since it is un-
Matambo was, however, arrested on 29 August der European Union, British and United States
for allegedly trying to facilitate the smuggling into arms embargoes.
the country of the weapons by Mabhena.
There are other Western nations which do not
The two were arrested and charged with con- sell arms to Zimbabwe, for instance Canada and
spiring to smuggle 31 AK-47 rifles and 62 mag- Australia.
azines. In military terms, the guns are enough to
arm a platoon.

Military sources insist the weapons were
brought for the Presidential Guard, but Mabhena
botched the deal.

“The order for the gun consignment was gen-
erated from the General Staff (GS) Branch of
the ZNA for the Presidential Guard to bolster
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s security, espe-
cially going to the potentially explosive elections
next year. It was given to a middleman who then
looked for an arms dealer, in this case Mabhena,
in Johannesburg. Mabhena is originally from Bu-
lawayo, but was in the ZNA as a medical doctor
before he resigned and left the country,” a source
said.

“While in Johannesburg, Mabhena went into
private medical practice. At the same time he
became an arms dealer supplying the Zimba-
bwean military. So it’s not the first time he was
smuggling guns into the country. He hustles as a
gun-runner.”

Mabhena had to arrange to buy the guns from
Spartan Arms, a top firearms and accessories sup-
plier in South Africa that deals with the public
as well as wholesale bulk buyers, as Chipidza had
already used some of the money from the army
which was forward payment.

“So Mabhena then bought the guns and decid-
ed to smuggle them through Beitbridge to hide
their point of origin and destination. Howev-
er, his operation was clumsy from day one even
though he has experience in arms dealing.

“Firstly, they bought a wrong model of guns.
So the ZNA refused to accept them as that would
raise security, financial and accountability issues.
No one wanted to touch the guns.

“Secondly, he didn’t even have an export permit

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

BRENNA MATENDERE Mnangagwa’s son-in-law buys
stake in Ncube’s media group
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa's son-
in-law Gerald Mlotshwa — a prominent lawyer In the file photo (from left): Then AMH chief operating officer Kangai Maukazuva, the Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba, publisher Trevor Ncube with
married to the ruling Zanu PF leader's daughter President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices.
Farai — has now formally bought a significant
equity stake at the privately-owned multimedia rent chairperson of the Sports and Recreation Zimbabwe after about 15 years in South Africa. Settlement quasi-currency on a 1:1 exchange
house Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) owned Commission charged with the regulation and At the time of his exit, Ncube admitted his rate, which effectively meant a government sub-
by local publisher Trevor Ncube. promotion of all sport and recreation in Zim- sidy as the company would have to pay next-to-
babwe. failure: nothing to liquidate the debt.
This comes amid a cocktail of operational “I take full responsibility for the mistakes
challenges within the company after it emerged Together with his wife, they are invested in That facility applied to local companies
this week that management told representatives a number of private business interests spanning we have made,” he said. “And I know too that which had foreign debts contracted after 2015,
of workers during a works council meeting that different economic sectors. we were not alone in making these mistakes. but AMH did not qualify as its liabilities had
it intends to retrench 30% of employees due Around the world, media organisations every- accumulated before that.
to mounting recurrent losses weighing down Until the managed divorce in 2017, Ncube where are searching for the perfect solution for
the company, which has been technically insol- had worked with MDIF for 14 years. a commercially viable digital media publica- As a result, the RBZ initially rejected AMH's
vent for years due to a debt overhang and fast tion.” application for debt reprieve as it did not fall
dwindling revenue inflows fuelled by economic MDIF first provided a loan to M&G in 2003 within the prescribed timeframe for eligibili-
problems and technological disruptions. when Ncube purchased a controlling interest Following Ncube’s exit, MDIF acquired a ty — that is liabilities contracted before 2015
from the UK’s Guardian Media Group at a time majority stake in the M&G, while chief execu- — but the monetary authorities became le-
AMH, one of the biggest media groups in when the company was in a perilous financial tive Hoosain Karjieker got minority equity. nient and decided to help out. Eventually they
Zimbabwe, publishes the NewsDay, The Stan- position. accepted the application and helped to pay off
dard and the Zimbabwe Independent, as well In a bid to clear AMH’s financial mess back US$300 000 in debt on a 1:1 exchange rate,
as online broadcasting platform, Heart & Soul Further debt and equity investment helped home, Ncube frantically hunted for new in- which is practically a subsidy.
Radio/TV. stabilise the company, build its distribution vestors to inject new money to recapitalise the
network and develop its digital news site, be- company. This provided debt relief.
In terms of scale, AMH ranks high up there fore things went askew, leading to Ncube’s exit. As part of the M&G transaction, the MDIF
with the listed state-controlled Zimpapers, the A number of investors were approached and had to let go its equity stake in AMH to Ncube.
publicly-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cor- Ncube had initially fixed the then struggling they came to view the penniless books, but hur- However, MDIF had remained in AMH as
poration, privately-run Associated Newspapers M&G upon his arrival for a few years and it riedly left spooked as the company was tech- a loan client until Mlotshwa’s arrival in 2019.
of Zimbabwe and AB Communications. thrived, but then he embarked on a financially nically insolvent due to a huge MDIF debt of Initially, Mlotshwa put some money and
disastrous and unsustainable digital expansion about US$2m. sponsored Ncube’s talk show In Conversation
Mlotshwa, a renowned corporate and com- programme, which included the M&G Africa With Trevor — which is supposed to be a series
mercial lawyer, now owns 39% of AMH after project that left the company in dire straits. That was at a time when fears mounted that of candid and insightful engagements, but has
the New York-based Media Development In- creditors would apply for liquidation in the now degenerated into a self-serving and projec-
vestment Fund (MDIF) exited the group as a Suicidally, he had also fought and acrimoni- courts whenever they wanted to recover their tion ego trip.
loan client where it had remained when Ncube ously parted ways with the M&G’s cutting-edge money if push came to shove. The interviews are now only distinguished
was pushed out of South Africa’s leading inves- investigative arm, amaBhungane, which was
tigative newspaper, Mail & Guardian, due to a the heart and soul of the reputable publication As a last resort, AMH applied to the Reserve
failure of his ambitious digital expansion pro- which he left as a shell when he moved back to Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) for a bailout to pay
gramme and a concomitant financial disaster. off its debt albatross through Real Time Gross

AMH insiders say there were plans to also
make company chief executive Kenias Ma-
fukidze a shareholder as part of his generous
package which cushions him against shocks of
poor financial performance through question-
able foreign currency payouts.

Contacted for comment, Mafukidze said he
could not speak on the issue of shareholders as
it is outside his remit. He, however, confirmed
in the process that Mlotshwa had become a
shareholder at AMH by referring to him as a
"principal".

"These are shareholder issues which (I) am
not empowered to comment (on). May I hum-
bly suggest you touch base with the principals,
Gerald (Mlotshwa) and Trevor (Ncube)," he
said.

Ncube did not respond to written questions
by The NewsHawks sent to him via WhatsApp,
but the message blue-ticked, showing that it
went through and he had seen it.

He also did not pick up direct calls or re-
spond to follow-up messages on WhatsApp.
Repeated WhatsApp calls were also not picked
by the AMH proprietor.

But Mlotshwa indicated to The NewsHawks
that he was now a shareholder after the MDIF
sold its stake to him.

The MDIF is a New York-based not-for-
profit investment fund for independent media
in countries where the free Press is under threat
from repressive regimes. It has more than 20
years’ experience of helping build quality news
and information companies — print, digital
and broadcast — in emerging markets.

It has invested more than US$163 million in
113 media companies in 39 countries on five
continents; a current portfolio of more than
US$60 million invested in over 50 media or-
ganisations.

Zimbabwe was one of the countries it had
invested in through Ncube and AMH.

In South Africa, MDIF manages the South
Africa Media Innovation Programme — a three
year US$4m initiative to accelerate digital me-
dia innovation among independent media out-
lets and encourage new entrants.

Mlotshwa is founder and senior partner of
Titan Law, which has offices in Harare and Bul-
awayo. It owns the Seychelles-domiciled corpo-
rate advisory company, Titan Legal Inc, which
has a representative office in Mauritius.

He is heavily involved in sponsoring sport
and recreational activities in Zimbabwe, in-
cluding polo, rugby, cricket, golf and hockey at
all levels from schools to national teams.

Besides, he is the founder of the Sables Trust,
which looks after the financial requirements of
the national men’s rugby team. Among other
directorships and trusteeships, he is the cur-

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 100, 30 September 2022 In the file photo (from left): Then AMH chief operating officer Kangai Maukazuva, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and publisher Trevor Ncube.

for avoiding taking on Mnangagwa or asking President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa
him serious questions and other important is-
sues about the corrupt and incompetent exec-
utive.

His newspapers also sometimes do the same.
This was the editorial approach of the Financial
Gazette during the late former president Rob-
ert Mugabe’s twilight years.

After Mlotshwa’s Titan Law pulled out,
Ncube’s podcasts became funded by funeral
services company Nyaradzo Group.

With Mlotshwa now formally involved as
a shareholder, it would be even more difficult
for AMH to criticise Mnangagwa or expose his
shortcomings — meaning it would be hard to
break the chains of media capture.

The private media in Zimbabwe is now
largely captured by Mnangagwa’s cronies or
Zanu PF agents. Media capture is a form of
Press control through a series of premeditated
steps taken by governments and powerful in-
terest groups, which undermines the ability of
journalism to serve the public good.

These include taking over regulatory control,
state-owned media operations, public advertis-
ing/marketing, and politically linked owner-
ship of private media.

These manoeuvres have left the independent
media more vulnerable to being undermined
by both powerful external actors and deci-
sion-making structures or individuals within
media organisations.

Before Ncube quit over a year ago in exas-
peration after jumping onto the 2017 military
coup gravy train with intolerant exuberance, he
could not criticise Mnangagwa as he was one
of his Presidential Advisory Council members,
which has now all but collapsed.

Ncube only attacked Mnangagwa and the
coup-plotters he initially cheered in March
when he made public his resignation during his
sour grapes address at the BizNews Conference
in the Drakensberg, South Africa.

“I was approached and agreed to serve in
the Presidential Advisory Council. I have sat at
close range to the President and advised him
on a number of issues but have since stepped
down. I could see it was not going to end well.
We thought Robert Mugabe was bad,” Ncube
said.

“Sadly, President Mnangagwa has shown an
amazing [aptitude] to do things much worse
than Robert Mugabe ever did. The most fright-
ening [is that he has mutilated] our constitu-
tion and captured our judiciary.

“The people that launched the coup in Zim-
babwe were interested in protecting their small
personal interests, ethnic interests, business in-
terests and economic interests,” he said.

Ironically, Ncube had also supported the
coup and joined Mnangagwa’s team mainly for
economic interests. He wanted to leverage his
media group to exert influence in government
— Rupert Murdoch-style — to ensure proxim-
ity to power, get radio and television licences
and revive his floundering financial fortunes.

Media development expert Rashweat
Mukundu, who has vast experience in the in-
dustry, told The NewsHawks changes of own-
ership in media organisations is normal, but
hoped the new shareholding structure will not
affect AMH editorial policy.

"The expectation is that Trevor Ncube will
maintain his very independent approach to the
generation of news content that enables public
discourse regardless of those that are in power,"
he said.

"Another concern is that we are slowly see-
ing a consolidation of media ownership within
the same power circles, judging from what we
hear has happened to other private newspapers
and media entities which we understand are
now under the ownership of the same circle of
friends.

"So, the crisis that Zimbabwe may face is
that we might end up having independent me-
dia in name, but not in reality. We may have
independent media that does not demonstrate
its independence in terms of editorial content;
of course it's too early to make that judgement
on Alpha Media. We hope Alpha Media re-
mains as critical, as open as it has been regard-
less of these changes."

Mlotshwa promised not to interfere with the
editorial policy, saying his was a business not a
political move. However, analysts say it would
be difficult for him to be a bystander as a ma-
jor shareholder when his father-in-law is under
attack.

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Sanctions not root cause of crisis: SA

BERNARD MPOFU Deputy director-general of South Africa’s ues to divide opinion both at home and abroad. ing electoral laws, upholding the rule of law and
public diplomacy Clayson Monyela Some scholars and Zanu PF sympathisers say the property, this could be an exercise in futility.
SOUTH Africa does not believe that the root sanctions, particularly the US enacted the Zim-
cause of Zimbabwe’s socio-economic problems Monyela said. babwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act “Having said that, that call does not mean
is sanctions imposed on Harare by the West as “That would not be correct. That’s not what (Zidera) has restricted Zimbabwe from being an that South Africa believes that the genesis of the
widely thought. active member of the international community. challenges that have been previously referred to
South Africa believes and we have never said that. in the discussion is the sanctions. So its incorrect,
Instead Pretoria says it currently supports the So when you hear President Ramaphosa speak- A new school of thought blames rising levels it will not be factually correct, it would be wrong
anti-sanctions drive in solidarity with a common ing on any international platform calling for the of corruption, mismanagement of state resourc- to say that South Africa believes, the problems
position taken by regional bloc Sadc, a senior sanctions in Zimbabwe to be lifted, you can trace es, and policy inconsistency for Zimbabwe’s eco- there are caused by sanctions,” Monyela added.
Department of International Relations and Co- that call to a decision of Sadc — the leadership nomic woes.
operation official has said. of the region who met at summit level. So this is “In fact, if South Africa believed that, we would
at head of state level and this would have been The regional bloc set an Anti-Sanctions Day a be ahistorical, we would be forgetting what hap-
Zimbabwe has since the turn of the millen- from a recommendation of the ministers in the few years back as a collective plea to push for the pened over the couple of years including the role
nium experienced an economic tailspin exacer- region. They took a decision that this has to be a removal of the measures but critics say without that South Africa played in the affairs of Zimba-
bated by a toxic political situation and a chaotic call made by the entire leadership of the region in any political governance reforms such as amend- bwe, where we played a mediation role mandat-
land reform programme which saw white former their individual and collective capacities.” ed by Sadc, with the concurrence of the African
commercial farmers losing large swathes of land Union and other international partners — the
to locals. Debate on the efficacy of sanctions contin- role played by former president Thabo Mbeki.
President Jacob Zuma also took over elements of
Harare was then slapped with sanctions im- that responsibility when he became president. So
posed by the European Union (EU) and the you can’t have a country that played that type of
United States following a violent land reform role forgetting that history and context and wake
programme, amid allegations of electoral fraud up and say it’s the sanctions.”
and over the deteriorating human rights.
Former South African leader Mbeki, who for
The EU and Britain have since eased the re- years had been criticised for his policy of non-in-
strictive measures although they still maintain terference on Zimbabwe and African renaissance
an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and a few state agenda took a leading role in forging the Global
security chiefs and Zanu PF acolytes. Political Agreement, a power-sharing pact which
gave birth to the formation of the coalition gov-
Clayson Monyela, deputy director-general of ernment involving Zanu PF and two Movement
South Africa’s public diplomacy, said Pretoria for Democratic Change (MDC) formations.
which has over the years played a key mediato-
ry role in Zimbabwe, is mindful of the complex The coalition was consummated after Sadc,
Zimbabwean crisis, which has led to millions AU and the international community described
leaving the country to neighbouring countries the 2008 presidential election as a sham after
and abroad. Zanu PF and the state embarked on an orgy of
violence. The late former opposition leader Mor-
“The one issue I wanted to clarify and you can gan Tsvangirai won the first round of the poll but
quote me on this. I’m on the record with what did not garner enough votes to form the next
I’m about to say, I am happy to be quoted any- government and this resulted in a run which was
where. It is this idea that South Africa believes marred by violence and impunity.
that the genesis of the challenges currently play-
ing themselves out in Zimbabwe is sanctions,”

ZIMBABWE’S diplomatic relations with Rwan- Zim, Rwanda relations put to test again
da face a new test as it emerged a prominent
Zanu PF and anti-sanctions activist has launched . . . as Zanu PF activist forments tensions
a tirade against President Paul Kagame.
grave in Harare’s outskirts. Chairperson of Zimbabwe occupied by Habyarimana’s own presidential
Apart from denouncing the Rwandan leader Matinyarare, based in South Africa, is accusing Anti-Sanctions Movement and guard.
on his digital platforms, Rutendo Matinyarare, founder of Zimbabweans Unite
the chairperson of Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Kagame of stoking the genocide against the Tutsi This completely absolves Kagame and his
Movement and founder of Zimbabweans Unite in which a million people were killed. Against US War Sanctions Rwanda Patriotic Front soldiers from the plane
Against US War Sanctions, is accused of down- Rutendo Matinyarare attack.
playing the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. In addition, Matinyarare is also portraying
Kagame as a threat to peace and unity on the Af- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the ruling But writing on his anti-Rwanda platform,
The Zimbabwean activist is being accused of rican continent. Surprisingly, on the same plat- Zanu PF and its senior officials. Matinyarare wrote: “Most Rwandans (300 000
fomenting tensions among Rwandans whose forms, he praises and defends the Zimbabwean Tutsis and 600 000 Hutus) murdered in the
country was torn apart during the genocide On his blog post, Matinyarare accuses Kagame Rwandan genocide, were massacred by Kagame’s
against the Tutsi in which the hardline Hutu of shooting down the plane carrying the then RPF forces, to sell the story that he took up arms
government ruthlessly exterminated Rwandans Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana so that against a democratically elected government to
on ethnic lines. One million people died in cold “he could justify taking power by force”. stop a genocide.”
blood over a period of 100 days.
However, expert reports have concluded that He repeated the claims this week on a broad-
This has disturbed officials at Zimbabwe’s For- the plane was hit by missiles fired from a camp cast interview he posted on his Twitter account.
eign Affairs ministry who are keen to strengthen
relations with Rwanda, a key and strategic coun- However, the sentiments incensed a multitude
try that is lobbying for the removal of Western of people who questioned his knowledge of the
sanctions on Harare. Rwanda, the current chair genocide against the Tutsi and denounced him
of the Commonwealth, is also working to have for being a genocide denier whose agenda is to
Zimbabwe readmitted into the Anglophone stoke tension among Rwandans.
grouping.
Ironically, Matinyarare also disputes the num-
What has further concerned those in the cor- ber of people killed during the Gukurahundi
ridors of Munhumutapa Building is that Mat- genocide in the Matabeland and Midlands re-
inyarare is known to work with the ruling Zanu gions, arguing that there were 1 437 total deaths,
PF and the government in lobbying against sanc- 1 134 killed by the 5 Brigade, 116 by the regular
tions. army, 24 by the Central Intelligence Organisa-
tion, 29 by Zanu PF youths and 110 killed by
His shadowy Zanu PF-linked outfit has filed a dissidents, apartheid terrorists and criminals.
High Court application in Johannesburg, South
Africa, seeking the declaration of United States “Where do we get 20 000 dead?” Matinyarare
sanctions on Zimbabwe "unlawful, unconstitu- queried on his Twitter handle on 23 September.
tional and invalid".
On Rwanda, he castigates Kagame, saying
“It’s important for this guy to be restrained be- “he is no Pan-Africanist, he is a dangerous tool
cause the agenda he is promoting is dangerous,” of the west, no different to CIA agent Mobutu
said one official based at Munhumutapa Build- Sese Seko”
ing.
Zimbabwe and Rwanda have so far signed an
“We all know that he works with the party and array of bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing
government so we can’t allow him to foment ten- trade and investment ties.
sions among the people of Rwanda. Rwanda is
very sensitive to what he is doing." Several companies from Zimbabwe are setting
base in Rwanda whose economy is fast growing.
This is the second time that the warm relations Rwanda is also recruiting professionals from
between Harare and Kigali have been put under Zimbabwe to fill skill gaps in its economy.
the spotlight after it was discovered early this year
that the most wanted Rwandan genocidaire, Pro- — STAFF WRITER
tais Mpiranya, had been harboured by Zimbabwe
until his death. Mpiranya’s remains were embar-
rassingly discovered by the United Nations at a

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

President, Minister in chieftainship row

MOSES MATENGA Local Government minister July Moyo

THE Nemanwa chieftainship row in Masvin-
go province has sucked in President Emmerson
Mnangagwa and Local Government minister July
Moyo with the cabinet minister now accused of
facilitating the installation of a new traditional
leader after allegedly disregarding long-standing
traditions and input from the family.

Moyo is said to have facilitated the process to
have Tranos Manjiva installed as the new chief in
a move that has incensed other family members.

The Local Government minister has since been
dragged to the High Court, with Matambo seek-
ing an interdict to stop the official installation of
Manjiva. Matambo claims to be the rightful per-
son to take over.

In his High Court urgent application, Matam-
bo cited Manjiva, Moyo and Mnangagwa as the
first, second and third respondents in the matter
that has been set for hearing before Justice Rodg-
ers Manyangadze.

“It emerged on Friday 9 September, 2022 that
the 1st Respondent had been sneaked into the
position and has now been recommended by the
2nd Respondent to hold the restored position of
Chief Nemanwa,” Matambo said in his affidavit.

“This was not disclosed to me or other family
members nor were the two houses that sit on the
Chieftainship’s throne consulted or advised of the
decision by the 2nd Respondent.”

Matambo accused Moyo of not getting any
recommendations from the provincial chiefs’
council and accused of him of misrepresenting
that he had gotten recommendations from other
family members as he had alleged in his confirma-
tion of Manjiva as the new chief.

“In terms of the traditions of the Chieftain-
ships, it is known in the Nemanwa clan that the
house to which 1st Respondent belongs is not
on the original family tree. The 1st Respondent's
house was never considered for chieftainship be-
cause it was reserved for priesthood of the rain-
making ceremonies which is called Mutoro.”

“lt is my submission that the holding of the
meeting by officials who are not designated to do
that function rendered the appointment of the 1st
Respondent a nullity,” Matambo said.

He alleged the failure to properly coordinate
the meeting by Moyo was confirmation the meet-
ing was set up with a predetermined outcome.

Manjiva was confirmed substantive chief by
Minister Moyo in a letter dated 5 September
2022.

“This recommendation was made by the 2nd
Respondent to the 3rd Respondent in terms of a
Cabinet minute CM/S1/22 done by 2nd Respon-
dent on 24 June 2022 but which was approved by
the 3rd Respondent on 30 August, 2022.”

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Sikhala’s continued imprisonment riles UK

MOSES MATENGA l Close to 50 000 petition President Mnangagwa

THE continued incarceration of opposition Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala (wearing blue-T-shirt)
lawmakers Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, to-
gether with 14 Nyatsime residents for over 100 (PCC) are academic Ibbo Mandaza, businessmen President Emmerson Mnangagwa-initiated Po- Recently, Polad member and National Con-
days, has cast Zimbabwe’s deteriorating political Strive Masiyiwa and Mutumwa Mawere, author litical Actors’ Dialogue (Polad). stitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore
situation under the spotlight as the United King- Tsitsi Dangarembga, scholars Tony Reeler, Phi- Madhuku said there was a need for political di-
dom House of Commons keeps an eye on the lani Zamchiya and politician Simba Makoni. Mnangagwa set up Polad in 2018 when he in- alogue between the CCC leadership and Mnan-
developments. vited all political actors who participated in the gagwa to rescue Sikhala and other activists from
Sikhala’s lawyers led by Beatrice Mtetwa said presidential race to dialogue. political persecution.
Sikhala and 15 others have been behind bars the incarceration and persecution of the Zenge-
for over 100 days since mid-June and are fac- za West MP are political and meant to force the Chamisa has snubbed the platform, describ- He said the matter was political and therefore
ing charges of allegedly inciting violence in the CCC and its leader Nelson Chamisa into the ing as a monologue while calling for genuine di- a political solution was critical.
Nyatsime area following the callous murder of alogue between him and Mnangagwa.
Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) activist
Moreblessing Ali.

Ali was murdered allegedly by a Zanu PF-
linked activist who was arrested after her body
was found in a disused shallow well on the out-
skirts of the capital.

Lord Jonathan Oates, a strong critic of Pres-
ident Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration
over human rights violations asked the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development office what
was being done by the office on the continuous
detention of the opposition activists.

In response, Lord Goldsmith of Richmond
Park who was only appointed minister of State
and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Develop-
ment Office (FCDO) on 22 September 2022
following the coming in of new Prime Minister
Liz Truss said the UK was monitoring the issue
closely.

“The UK is monitoring the ongoing detention
of opposition members of Parliament Job Sikhala
and Godfrey Sithole in Zimbabwe,” Goldsmith
said.

“I met with the Foreign minister of Zimba-
bwe on 30 June and reiterated the need for all
political parties to respect the rule of law, refrain
from violence and respect the right of others to
campaign freely ahead of upcoming elections in
2023.”

When Oates asked the question on September
6 this year, Vicky Ford was the responsible min-
ister and had met with officials from Zimbabwe
who included Foreign minister Frederick Shava
and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

The arrest and continuous detention of Sikha-
la, Sithole and others at Chikurubi Maximum
Security Prison has seen close to 50 000 people
petitioning President Emmerson Mnangagwa to
act on the issue observers say has become polit-
ical.

Among those who signed the petition organ-
ised by the Platform for Concerned Citizens

Lord Jonathan Oates Lord Goldsmith of Richmond

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Living under the jackboot of repression

CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere

Zengeza West MPJob Sikhala

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure (wear-
ing white shirt)

Harare West MP Joana Mamombe

Journalist Julie Barnes

Political activist Mokomborero Haruzivishe Author Tsitsi Dangarembga

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

NATHAN GUMA Public Service Ministry fails
to account for donated fuel
THE ministry of Public Service, Labour and So-
cial Welfare has failed to account for thousands Auditor-General Mildred Chiri
of litres of fuel donated to the government to al-
leviate the effects of drought and other natural lised for the intended purposes as provided for by “The Fund should ensure that funds are uti- a gloomy future on food security.
hazards under the National Drought Fund, the its constitution and the balance should be fully lised for the intended purposes as provided for by Geopolitical tensions have also disrupted food
latest Auditor-General’s report has revealed. recovered. In future the Ministry will desist from its constitution and the balance should be fully
borrowing from the Fund,” she said. recovered,” she said. supply chains, which may also spell danger for
The fund was established for the purpose of Zimbabwe.
counteracting drought effects that include food Chiri said the fund drought fund may fail to Projections by the Famine Early Warning Sys-
insecurity. fulfil its obligations should it continue being di- tems Network (FewsNet), a leading provider of The murky dealings under the National
verted to meet the expenses of the ministry. early warning and analysis on food security, show Drought Fund are likely to plunge the country
Zimbabwe has been affected by various nat- into heightened food insecurity.
ural disasters since 2018, with one of the most
violent ones being Cyclone Idai, which claimed
the lives of at least 1 593 people, affecting more
than three million others.

These have fuelled food insecurity, adding to
the effects of the 2019-2020 drought.

Findings by Auditor-General Mildred Chiri
have revealed the possible misuse of distributed
fuel in drought relief programmes, thereby rais-
ing serious questions on accountability.

“There was no record in the fuel register of
how 9 285 litres of diesel coupons and 1 710 li-
tres of petrol coupons worth $1 448 390 were
utilised, although the coupons were recorded as
received.

“I therefore could not validate whether they
were used for the purposes of the Fund. This
was contrary to Section 104 (1) of the Public Fi-
nance Management (Treasury Instructions) 2019
which requires maintenance of fuel coupons re-
cords,” Chiri said.

The ministry has not been keeping a proper
record book, thereby undermining accountabil-
ity around the usage and management of fuel
coupons.

The fuel procured for the drought fund was
issued to districts in line with issued vouchers.
However, the Auditor-General showed that only
1 760 litres of fuel had been issued, leaving a bal-
ance of 7 525 litres unaccounted for.

Further revelations by Chiri revealed that the
ministry has borrowed from the drought fund
without the authorisation of Treasury as required
by regulations.

“The Fund made an advance of $992 482 to
the parent Ministry during the period under re-
view without obtaining authority from Treasury
as required by regulations. This amount increased
the total owing to $1 117 108 from the $128 260
brought forward from the 2019 financial year.

“However, at the time of concluding my audit
on January 6, 2022, the Ministry had reimbursed
$480 371. The Fund may fail to achieve its obli-
gations if funds are diverted to meet expenses on
behalf of the Ministry.

“The Fund should ensure that funds are uti-

The murky dealings under the National Drought Fund are likely to plunge the country into heightened food insecurity.

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

BERNARD MPOFU CZI raises alarm on rising crime

THE country’s organised manufacturing sec- The Zimbabwe Republic Police managed to account for 561 persons accused of armed robbery.
tor lobby group, the Confederation of Zimba-
bwe Industries (CZI) has sounded the alarm
bells over rising crime levels, warning that this
may affect foreign direct investments.

In its latest report titled Crime Trends in
Zimbabwe, the CZI says crime has been on an
upward trend, increasing by 12% compared in
the first half of 2022 compared to the corre-
sponding period in 2021.

At the core of this increase are cases of fraud,
armed robbery, unlawful entry into premises
and theft, evidently resulting in massive losses
for the business community and households.
Before this report, the manufacturers were
mainly lobbying for policy shift on macro-eco-
nomic stability.

The report shows that various businesses
and households have been subjected to armed
robberies.

Recorded cases of armed robbery in which
firearms were used increased to 695 from Jan-
uary to July 2022 from 640 cases in the same
period in 2021. Out of these 695 cases, a to-
tal of 100 accused persons were arrested and
taken to court, where 28 of them have been
convicted. The 9% increase in armed robberies
is of great concern to business and the general
public.

On a positive note, cases of armed robbery
where other weapons were used have been on
a decline. From January to July 2022 a total
of 2 426 cases were recorded, which is a 4%
decline from the 2 516 cases recorded in the
same period in 2021.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police managed to
account for 561 accused persons and 193 of
them were convicted at courts.

“Crime is also a major factor in the cost of
doing business. Businesses operating in a high
crime environment have to spend more on
crime prevention and insurance. Sadly, crime
in Zimbabwe is increasing which negatively
impact on the operating environment for the
Zimbabwean business,” the report reads.

“High crime rates damage the country’s im-
age, which affects the countries’ ability to at-
tract foreign direct investments. Additionally,
a high crime rate increases the cost of doing
business since corporations will be obligated to
safeguard their assets using sophisticated gad-
getry and mechanisms, the cost of insurance
also goes up. Business must continue to work
hand-in-hand with police through the Busi-
ness Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe to
combat crime and create a safe doing business
environment.”

Fraud cases, according to the report, in-
creased by 4% to a total of 5 875 from January
to July 2022 compared to 5 650 cases recorded
during the same period last year.

Out of these cases, a total of 3 045 accused
persons were arrested and taken to court where
846 of them have been convicted, the report
shows.

“Due to the worldwide increase in the use
of e-commerce, businesses are more suscepti-
ble to fraud cases. Businesses and individuals
are losing large sums of money through trans-
actions conducted via the internet,” the report
reads.

“According to ZRP, most criminals are pos-
ing like potential customers intending to buy
large quantities of products which they would
propose to pay for using international trans-
acting platforms. The business would receive
text messages confirming that money has been
transferred into their account when in actual
fact, the message would be fake.”

The report further shows that in 2022, cases
of unlawful entry and theft has been on the
rise.

Since January up to July 2022, about 23
304 cases had been recorded, compared to 21
144 cases in the same period in 2021.

The 9% increase is of great concern for busi-
ness and individuals, as it will likely result in
increased insurance premiums.

A total of 360 cases of theft of motor ve-
hicles were recorded during the period from
January to July 2022 compared to 340 cases
recorded during the same period last year. This
translates to a 6% increase.

Out of the 360 cases, 88 accused persons
were apprehended and 24 of them have since
been convicted at courts.

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

NHAU MANGIRAZI US$400 000 ZimStat debt
plunge school into trouble
THE Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency
(ZimStat) is locked in a bitter wrangle caused ZimStat gets funding from Treasury, but has failed to pay some enumerators hired in the past.
by its refusal to pay US$400 000 for services
rendered by a Karoi school during the training dered and the school is in the red financially.
of census enumerators in April. Boarding facilities were used and the trainers
were well fed, getting water, electricity and
The enumerators were later deployed na- wifi access without limitations,’’ said a source.
tionwide to conduct the census.
Recently, the school had its wifi disconnect-
Investigations have revealed that ZimStat ed by TeIOne, affecting the learning of stu-
has not been forthcoming in settling the bill dents, some whom are due to sit Ordinary and
for services rendered by Chikangwe High Advanced national examinations next month.
School in Hurungwe district,
It was only restored after the authorities
Mashonaland West province. As a result, made assurances that they would pay up soon.
the school is now struggling to cater for its
boarders as internal resources were used to ‘‘The non-payment by ZimStat has affected
cover part of the ZimStat programme on the the school operations,’’ added another source.
understanding that the national body would
make swift payments. ZimStat used the school's strong-room for
10 days at a charge of US$100 per day, sec-
The school was selected as one of the board- retarial room at US$50 per day for 10 days,
ing facilities to host the training of enumera- among other charges.
tors and accommodated more than 450 offi-
cers for 12 days. There were 40 people hired for the days
ZimStat conducted its training and labour was
Ironically, Vuti Secondary School, situat- pegged at US$31 200, according to informa-
ed about 55 kilometres out of Karoi town, tion gathered by this newspaper.
received payment for the use of its boarding
facilities and used the money and buy a mini- Water used is US$750, electricity US$900,
bus, according to sources. But Vuti hosted firewood US$1 300, fuel US$1 200, deter-
fewer enumerators, compared to Chikangwe, gents US$3 500, public announcement sys-
during training. tem US$715.

Information gathered revealed that 451 ZimStat is one of the agencies that get
participants were catered for at Chikangwe funding from Treasury, but has failed to pay
High School. some of the civil servants hired in the past.

They were offered accommodation, meals,
and other daily services from 7 April to 18
April 2022 during the training of enumerators
and trainers.

The non-payment has caused a standoff,
with the school authorities resolving to seek
legal remedies to recover the money, according
to informed sources.

‘‘As it stands, school authorities are bitter
over the unpaid monies. They want the mon-
ies paid so that they can settle outstanding
credits incurred after ZimStat was offered ser-
vices that they have not paid for yet,’’ said one
of our sources.

The charges for accommodation were
pegged at US$20, breakfast was pegged at
US$10 per individual.

Lunch was being sold at US$20 while after-
noon tea was US$10 daily.

ZimStat's failure or refusal to pay has forced
the school to use its own resources to cover for
the censys trainjng programme.

Chikangwe High School headmaster Helen
Nyanzira was not at liberty to discuss the is-
sue.

He downplayed it, saying he has no man-
date to speak to the media.

‘‘Unfortunately, I was committed and away
during that time that you are asking about.
Officially, I cannot comment on anything to
the media. I am sorry,’’ said Nyanzira in a tele-
phone interview.

However, sources explained that the school
authorities are battling to make ends meet fi-
nancially over outstanding debt amounting
to US$400 000 owed by ZimStat which con-
ducts a census every 10 years.

ZimStat spokesperson Mercy Chidemo said
all service providers were paid by the agency.

‘‘Any payments were made long ago. Enu-
meration allowances were outstanding, but we
have paid some of them,’’ said Chidemo in a
written response.

She explained that the school must raise the
issue with the ZimStat accounts department
so that payment is effected.

‘‘If anyone or organisation was not paid,
they have to check with our accounts if they
didn't get it. It is easier for the payment to be
traced,’’ Chidemo said.

It is understood that the school was paid
ZW$8 million before the training.

‘‘ZimStat paid ZW$8 million to the school
to kickstart the training. This was not enough
and school authorities had to divert some
funds to sponsor the training with the hope
ZimStat will pay what is due on time. They
have not done so yet. The amount outstanding
is over ZW$10 million,’’ said a source, speak-
ing on condition of anonymity.

According to a breakdown of the debt,
US$333 300 is for bedding, food, conferenc-
ing, among other services, while US$67 578 is
for consumables.

‘‘ZimStat has failed to pay for services ren-

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

NHAU MANGIRAZI Zec fails to pay voter educators

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) president. ‘‘Training went on until the 15th. On the be handled by Zec chief election officer (Utloile
has failed to pay civil servants it hired as voter Civil servants are already at loggerheads with 16th, voter inspectors were deployed to their in- Silaigwana) himself.”
educators and inspectors for a 10-day voter ed- specting polling stations. The exercise went on
ucation blitz conducted in July, The NewsHawks the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zim- until the 27th of July. Voter inspectors (VI) were Zec public relations officer, Jasper Mangwa-
has gathered. Stat) over payment of outstanding allowances asked to bring back materials and statistics at na, could not confirm the number that were
for the 2022 census. Zec offices in Karoi,” said an educator. hired for the 10-day exercise, referring further
Zec, which has the mandate of running elec- questions to Silaigwana.
tions in Zimbabwe, recruited civil servants from It has also emerged that Zec officers allocated Another voter educator in Karoi said inspec-
the ministry of Education, ministry of Local the officers condoms only, upon deployment. tors that spoke to Hurungwe Zec district offi- ‘‘Please get in touch with CEO (Silaigwana)
Government and the Zimbabwe Republic Po- cer Taona Pfunye has been assured of getting a over the non-payment issue. He is the best per-
lice (ZRP), among others. In Karoi, voter educators said they were di- US$30 payment per day — that would include son to talk to,’’ said Mangwana in a telephone
rected by Zec to use their own money to during training and deployment days, but nothing ma- interview.
The government workers were promised a the 10-day training process. terialised.
daily allowance of US$30 at an interbank rate Repeated efforts to get a comment from Si-
of ZW$450 by 13 July, an amount which they Investigations reveal that the affected civil In response, Pfunye said: “The issue can best laigwana failed as he did not respond to calls on
say is being eroded by inflation. servants were assigned by Zec on the 13th, to his mobile phone, and WhatsApp messages
educate people about the voters' roll.
‘‘There is no joy from local district offices as
officials have no idea as to when we will get the
payments. Inflation is getting higher and the
amount is getting weaker daily,’’ said a voter
educator deployed in Hurungwe Central, that
covers Karoi farming town.

Teachers recruited for the exercise who spoke
to The NewsHawks said they have failed to get a
positive response from Zec district and provin-
cial offices as to when they will be paid.

"Up to now voter educators and inspectors
have given up. The exchange rate has doubled
since then,’’ they said.

Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (Zimta), a
union representing educators, confirmed the
non-payment of its members recruited for the
voter education exercise.

“There is a big grievance around that. The
teachers who participated in the exercise have
been complaining. They expected to be paid
promptly after the exercise, but the majority say
they have not yet been paid.

“So, when we look at inflation, and we also
see that someone has worked but hasn’t been
paid, then that becomes a problem. So, what
Zec should do is to keep their people informed
so that they know what is happening,” said
Richard Gundane, Zimta president.

The Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zim-
babwe (PTUZ) said teachers should demand
payment in advance before providing services as
“it has become traditional for organisations to
abuse their funds".

“A considerable number of teachers were en-
gaged nationally, and they have not been paid
until now. We urge Zec to mellow down to a
more constructive approach permeable to rea-
son and facts,” said Takavafira Zhou, PTUZ

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

LIZWE SEBATA Byo, Mat North, Mat South
risk losing constituencies
THE latest Afrobarometer survey says Bula-
wayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland A survey says Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces have the least number of potential voters.
South provinces have the least number of po-
tential voters and could risk losing constitu-
encies during the upcoming delimitation ex-
ercise.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec)
has already warned that the three provinces
may lose some constituencies as they fall be-
low the delimitation threshold of plus or mi-
nus 20% of 26 308 per constituency.

Zimbabwe last carried out a delimitation
exercise ahead of the 2008 general elections.

Statistics provided by Zec show that Ma-
tabeleland North and South had a combined
total of just over 4 000 new voter registrants
during the first phase of the voter registration
blitz which ended on 28 February.

The blitz began on February 1.
According to Afrobarometer, this was not
surprising as the research group confirmed
public disinterest in participating in electoral
processes in the three provinces.
“Looking at those who are not registered to
vote, more than half of Masvingo (58%) and
Bulawayo/Matabeleland North/Matabeleland
South (53%) residents fall into this category.
Rural residents (32%) are more likely to re-
port not having registered to vote than their
urban counterparts (25%), as are the youth
(41%) compared to the middle-aged (17%)
and the elderly (27%),” the Afrobarometer
survey says.
“Midlands (80%) and Masvingo (78%)
have the largest shares of “definite” voters,
while the smallest proportion is recorded in
Bulawayo/Matabeleland North/Matabeleland
South (57%).
“The poorest citizens (75%) are more like-
ly to say they will vote than their better-off
counterparts (59%-66%). Young respondents
(52%) are considerably less likely to indicate
an intention to vote than their elders (77%-
80%).”
During the February voter registration
blitz, Matabeleland North had the least num-
ber of new registrants across the country at 2
091 followed by Matabeleland South at 2 244.
Harare had the highest at 16 437 followed
by Mashonaland West at 5 275 and Midlands
at 4 391.
Bulawayo recorded 4 219 registrants.
Critics have said the low turnout during the
voter registration blitz could be blamed on a
number of reasons including poor timing, lack
of voter education and identity documents.
Commenting on the Afrobarometer report,
Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) nation-
al youth spokesperson Stephen Chuma said
the revelations were worrying.
“Indeed it is disheartening that we still have
young people of voting age who are still un-
registered as voters,” Chuma said.
“They are however not beyond redemption
and there is still time to change those statis-
tics.
“Youths must know that the jobs and op-
portunities they crave for will only come if
they participate in political processes like vot-
er registration and voting itself.
“Youths make up the majority of our pop-
ulation. Henceforth it is important that they
participate in electoral processes in their num-
bers.”
Zanu PF director for communications
Tafadzwa Mugwadi said there was a need to
ensure new potential voters are registered to
vote.
“Zanu PF is satisfied with the zeal and
enthusiasm shown by young people thus far
ahead of the 2023 elections,” Mugwadi said.
“However, we continue to call upon our
structures to coordinate and assist young new
potential voters to get them registered to vote.
The process is continuous and the signs thus
far are very positive for us.”
Afrobarometer is a pan-African and
non-partisan survey research network that
provides data on African experiences and eval-
uations of democracy, governance, and quality
of life.
The Afrobarometer team in Zimbabwe, led
by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI)
interviewed 1 200 adult citizens during the
survey conducted between 28 March and 10
April this year.

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Mawarire denounces Mnangagwa’s record

OWEN GAGARE

ZIMBABWEAN pastor and international hu- Human rights activist Evan Mawarire (left) with United States secretary of State Anthony J Blinken on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in
man rights activist Evan Mawarire had a meeting New York recently.
with United States secretary of State Anthony J
Blinken on the sidelines of the United Nations Mawarire rose to prominence in 2016 after founding the #ThisFlag peaceful protest movement in Zimbabwe.
General Assembly in New York, where he in-
formed the senior US official that rights viola-
tions in Harare had worsened under President
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

The pre-arranged meeting was held at the US
State Department Foreign Press Centre, oppo-
site the UN headquarters on 19 September.

Blinken also met five other activists from Iran,
Russia, Pakistan, Cuba and East Turkestan.

Mawarire, now a fellow with the National En-
dowment for Democracy in the US, confirmed
the meeting to The NewsHawks.

“The Secretary of State was keen to know what
my personal experience was under former presi-
dent Robert Mugabe and what my experience is,
post the Mugabe era. I told him how we started
the people’s movement #ThisFlag in 2016; how
people responded to the movement; and how we
were arrested and tortured by the Mugabe re-
gime in 2016 and 2017,” Mawarire said.

“I told him how the Mnangagwa regime did
the same to us in January 2019, when we were
arrested together with Peter Mutasa over demon-
strations in the country.”

At this point Blinken said: “So have things
changed since Mugabe left? Are Zimbabweans
allowed to demonstrate or express themselves?”

Mawarire said: “My answer was, ‘no, Mr Sec-
retary, things have not changed. In fact, things
have gone worse’.”

Mawarire reminded Blinken of the 1 August
2018 shootings, where six civilians were killed by
members of the security forces in broad daylight
on the streets of Harare. Most of the victims
were shot in the back as they fled from armed
soldiers who had been deployed to quell protests
over the late announcement of election results by
the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

“I also reminded him that people were killed
in January 2019 by the security forces. I told him
we were meeting at a time legislators Job Sikhala
and Godfrey Sithole and 14 other people from
Nyatsime had spent close to 100 days in pre-tri-
al detention, in a clear case of political persecu-
tion,” Mawarire said.

“I told him that people who speak out are ar-
rested and denied bail.

“I highlighted that those in the opposition
parties were being persecuted and described how
opposition rallies were being banned by the po-
lice and how people were, in some cases, being
attacked at rallies.

“I told the secretary how the government was
at an advanced stage in pushing the PVO Bill
which seeks to monitor, police and constrict the
civil space.”

Blinken also asked Mawarire what he thought
about the request by some Sadc and African
leaders for the US to lift its targeted sanctions
on Harare.

“I told him that we are concerned that leaders
in the region and the continent would come to
the UN to do the bidding for the Zimbabwe-
an government yet they do not have the same
zeal in confronting the government over human
rights violations, looting and corruption and vi-
olation of democratic principles,” Mawire said.

“It’s a concern because we saw what happened
to us in 2008 as a result of economic and polit-
ical collapse. The region hindered democracy by
assisting a person (Mugabe) who had lost pow-
er.”

Mawarire said Blinken did not believe that
US sanctions were affecting the Zimbabwean
economy as they were targeted.

“I believe that he communicated this position
to (South African) President (Cyril) Ramaphosa,
because he told me he had communicated the
position to him,” he said.

Mawarire rose to prominence in 2016 after
founding the #ThisFlag peaceful protest move-
ment, which utilised the Zimbabwean flag as a
symbol of national pride in a social media cam-
paign to ignite public demand for accountability
of the government’s widespread corruption and
abuse of office.

Page 16 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

NATHAN GUMA Top lawyer Mpofu says he
faces ‘extortionate’ means
PROMINENT attorney Advocate Thabani
Mpofu, involved in a wrangle with Zimba- Attorney Advocate Thabani Mpofu
bwean-Croat Joseph Crnkovic, a former fi-
nance officer for Chegutu-based mining com- his gain and the loss of my career for a mere close associates as advocate, against the 100 tions between the company and its protago-
pany Dallaglio Investments, over allegations US$5 000,” he said. UK shareholders I represent,” he writes. nist, an entity named Folpud. It turned out
that he received a bribe to conceal racism that Mr. Crnkovic was one of the officials at
allegations levelled against the company and Crnkovic has also torn into Mpofu for rep- “What happened to your morality and eth- Folpud. Incidentally, Candrina alleges Crn-
its chief executive Michael Fowler, says he is resenting Candrina Investments, a company ics Mr Mpofu? I know they are both bankrupt kovic has been involved in a social media cam-
facing “extortionate means” from his accuser. that owns Glen Forest cemetery that is headed and for sale, but is not time to ask God to bail paign to force its hand.
by Fungai Mparadzi, which he says has a track you out.”
Mpofu bitterly complains to the Law Soci- record of human rights abuses against him. “Barely two days after, I received an email
ety of Zimbabwe (LSZ) that he faces extor- Mpofu has hit back in a letter to the LSZ, from Crnkovic. Various incomprehensible al-
tionate means from Crnkovic. However, Mpofu says Crnkovic is interfer- saying Crnkovic is bitter over the outcome of legations are made that I must stop represent-
ing in his professional discharge of duty. the tribunal. ing Candrina,” he said.
Extortionate conduct is any means that in-
volves the use, or an express or implicit threat In 2021, conflict ensued between Crnkovic “I want to bring to your attention an un- Mpofu said Crnkovic should desist from
of use, of violence or other criminal means to and other shareholders who were trying to buy folding attempt by Mr. Joseph Crnkovic to in- dictating how he should be representing his
cause harm to the person or property of the him by offering him shares in an extension of terfere with my discharge of function as an ad- clients.
debtor or any member of his family. Glen Forest cemetery. Crnkovic refused and vocate. The attempt is in my view extortionate
said the land should be reserved for residential and I have for that reason taken a very serious “After a hearing in which evidence was
Information obtained by The NewsHawks accommodation and agriculture. view of it,” Mpofu says. tested by an evidence leader . . . I produced a
shows that Mpofu complained to the LSZ ear- report. The report completely exonerated Mr.
ly last month, saying that he was being sub- “Why are you representing Mr. (Fungai) Mpofu said the dispute has also stemmed Crnkovic in respect of the allegations of rac-
jected to undue interference in his work as an Mparadzi and his associates when they have from his representation of Candrina Invest- ism. I must state that in my discharge . . . I
advocate by Crnkovic. a history of human and constitutional rights ments. have conducted myself with absolute honour
violations against me? At present I am defend- and professionalism. Indeed, Crnkovic had no
This comes amid complaints by Crnkovic ing at constitutional a criminal charge pressed “Sometime ago in 2022, I was briefed by complaints against me after my Dallagio task,”
that Mpofu targeted him in his independent against me by Mr. Mparadzi in his personal Costa and Madzonga Legal Practitioners to Mpofu said.
tribunal into allegations of racism against him capacity, whilst you represent him and his represent an entity known as Candrina. I pro-
and Fowler. vided certain evidence which led to negotia-

The NewsHawks gathered that the dispute
dates back to February 2020 when Crnkovic,
together with Fowler, was implicated in a hu-
man rights abuse scandal that was reported to
the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission by
independent Norton legislator Temba Mliswa.

Mliswa reported that he had been ap-
proached by workers who said they were be-
ing subjected to racial and emotional abuse by
Crnkovic and Fowler at the Chegutu mine.

An independent tribunal headed by Mpofu
was set up to look into the matter, but, ac-
cording to Crnkovic, he was told by his boss
Matthew Hossack that he would face the tri-
bunal alone.

Crnkovic’s legal fees were settled by Breck-
ridge Investments’ lawyers, Promethious Law/
Lunga and Partners, while the workers were
represented by Marufu Mandevere Legal Prac-
titioners.

He then received an email from Zweli Lun-
ga, a partner in Promethious Law/Lunga and
Partners, requesting him to pay US$5 000 to
the law firm for onward transmission to Mpo-
fu, which he alleges was a bribe for exonerat-
ing the primary accused suspect, Fowler.

“Why did you only investigate myself
and not the primary accused in Honourable
Mliswa's accusations attached? It appears as if
you personally targeted me in blatant disre-
gard of the totality of the allegations by Hon-
ourable Mliswa in which Mr. Fowler was pri-
marily accused," Crnkovic writes to Mpofu.

Crnkovic also alleges that Dallaglio Invest-
ments chairperson Matthew Hossack held
private conversations with Mpofu, in which it
was agreed that he would look into allegations
levelled against him, and not Fowler — de-
spite his being the primary accused.

“For what did you receive the payment of
US$5 000 . . . that was agreed personally be-
tween yourself and Mr Hossack with the pay-
ment administered by myself. On appearance
it would seem this payment was a financial in-
ducement to yourself to ignore the allegation
against the primary accused to protect him
and allow blame to be shifted only to me,”
Crnkovic said in an email to Mpofu, that was
copied to the UK Legal Council, Zimbabwe
Legal Council and Croatian Consul.

Crnkovic has since lost his job, and plac-
es the blame on Mpofu, whom he accuses of
taking a bribe to help his company throw him
under the bus.

“After your independent public inquiry, I
was asked to leave the company under duress
with no reasons given,” he says.

"The publicity . . . rendered me unemploy-
able, but for a mere US$5 000 which yourself
and Mr. Matthew Hossack agreed to exclude
the primary accused Mr. Michael Fowler — to

NewsHawks News Page 17

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

BRENNA MATENDERE Pressure mounts on Home
Affairs over Itai Dzamara
MEMBERS of Parliament on Tuesday renewed
pressure on Home Affairs minister Kazembe Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe
Kazembe to give an official update in the au- Itai Dzamara was last seen on 15 March 2015
gust House on the findings of investigations
into the disappearance of a fierce critic of the
Robert Mugabe administration, Itai Dzamara.

He was last seen on 15 March 2015 when he
was bundled into an unmarked vehicle by sus-
pected state security agents who had dragged
him from a barber shop in Harare.

Before that, Dzamara had been a thorn in
the flesh of Mugabe's government through his
famous "Occupy Africa Unity Square" demon-
strations that demanded the resignation of the
long-time ruler.

He had also been arrested and tortured sev-
eral times for resisting the Mugabe regime.

On Tuesday this week, Kambuzuma MP
Willias Madzimure and Norton legislator
Themba Mliswa reiterated that Kazembe must
bring a ministerial statement on Dzamara so
that his family and the entire nation can know
what became of investigations into his disap-
pearance.

Said MP Madzimure: "Every Zimbabwean
national has a democratic right to be protected
by the law to move freely around the country.
On the 15th March, 2015, a certain man who
was a reporter and used to write, Itai Dzamara,
was taken by unknown people and this issue
was taken up to government structures and
government communicated that they were in-
vestigating the disappearance."

"The Honourable minister (Kazembe) came
to this august House and promised the House
that investigations were in progress, so they as-
certain his whereabouts, but until now there is
no feedback to the august House."

"The Dzamara family is still in pain because
in our traditions, there are things that should
be done when a person is lost or that person is
dead because the issue is still within the hands
of the police and the government."

Madzimure added that the Dzamara family
needed closure on the matter.

"The family does not have closure regarding
their child and for them to have closure there
must be communication as to whether Itai Dz-
amara disappeared for good or what happened.
So, like what the minister of Home Affairs
promised, there must be an explanation regard-
ing the investigations."

"There must be a statement to this august
House to communicate to the nation and the
Dzamara family that Dzamara is dead so that
when his children need birth certificates and
assistance, the family should seek assistance
knowing that the investigations were complet-
ed," he said.

Independent MP Mliswa pointed out that
there was actually a court order that directed
minister Kazembe to update the nation from
time to time on investigations into Dzamara's
disappearance.

"So it is really in compliance with the court
order. The minister has not been able to com-
ply with the court order because this is a mat-
ter of national interest which went before the
courts. The minister has got to comply with the
court order. It is not a matter of even asking
him to do us a favour, but he is complying with
the laws of the country."

"So, maybe if he needs to be reminded about
it that there is a court order to that, I think he
would also realise that he cannot be seen to be
in contempt. It is a very serious issue..."

Kazembe was not in the House when the
issues were being raised, but deputy Speaker
Gezi promised that she will take action to en-
sure that Kazembe updates the nation on Dz-
amara's case.

During the Mugabe era, the opposition,
from the time of the late MDC icon Morgan
Tsvangirai, complained that its supporters
faced similar disapperances as happened to Dz-
amara.

When President Emmerson Mnangagwa
succeeded Mugabe, the cases continued to
be reported, with the most popular being the
abduction of legislator Joana Mamombe and
her opposition party colleagues. Amalgamated
Rural Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe president
Obert Masaraure also disappeared after being
abducted by state security agents who severely
tortured him before dumping him at the Hara-
re Central police station.

Page 18 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

MOSES MATENGA Inspire investor confidence,
end corruption: US tells Zim
THE United States has said Zimbabwe should
create an environment conducive for invest- The United States embassy in Zimbabwe
ment and ensure there is respect for the rule of
law, human rights and an end to corruption to Deputy economic chief at the United States embassy in Zimbabwe Aja C. Stefanon says Zim-
attract foreign investors. babwe’s mining sector lacks safeguards that ensure benefits for local communities.

The southern African nation is one of the would ensure benefits for the local community “This is why we value our partnerships with plays its watchdog role in safeguarding shared
lowly ranked countries on the World Bank and contribute to the country’s sustainable de- Zimbabweans; and supporting the work that goals in labour, human rights, and natural re-
Ease of Doing velopment,” she said. IDT does. This work has ensured that media sources governance.”

Business rankings. Investors, according to
critics, fret over the country’s policy inconsis-
tencies, bureaucratic inertia and broken down
infrastructure, among other key factors.

A senior US embassy official said the world’s
biggest economy was keen on investing in
Zimbabwe as shown by the coming in of sev-
eral of its companies to explore opportunities.

Aja C. Stefanon, deputy economic chief at
the United States embassy in Zimbabwe said
this during an online public dialogue forum
on foreign investments in Zimbabwe organ-
ised by the Information for Development
Trust (IDT), a non-profit organisation help-
ing journalists to expose corruption and bad
governance, and the Sapes Trust.

“Governments seeking domestic and foreign
investment — including from US companies
—can increase the attractiveness of their in-
vestment climate by pursuing policies char-
acterised by fair, transparent, and predictable
conditions for investment,” she said.

“There are several elements that create an
enabling environment for foreign direct invest-
ment like respect for rule of law and private
property rights, effective measures to combat
corruption and to ensure government action
is guided by rule of law, and the free trans-
fer of funds into and out of the country and
exchange of currency, at a market rate of ex-
change, without delay.”

She said Zimbabwe was failing to combat
corruption and deal with laws that give hope
to prospective investors.

“Many of the elements that create an attrac-
tive investment climate for companies — US
companies specifically — remain a challenge
for the Zimbabwean government to put in
place or enforce,” she said.

“For example, endemic corruption presents
a serious challenge to businesses operating in
Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s scores on governance,
transparency, and corruption perception in-
dices are well below the regional average. US
firms have identified corruption as an obstacle
to FDI [foreign direct investment], with many
corruption allegations stemming from opaque
procurement processes.”

She said the power of investigative jour-
nalism should not be underestimated, adding
that the partnership with IDT has proven to
be influential in the communities and business
world.

“We have enjoyed this continuing partner-
ship with the IDT. In it, we have seen the pow-
er of investigative journalism in influencing
positive outcomes for both communities and
investors,” she said.

Farai Maguwu of the Centre for Natural Re-
sources Governance (CNRG), natural resource
governance expert Solomon Mungure and The
Standard editor Kholwani Nyathi were part of
the panelists during the discussion.

Stefanon added: “One embassy priority is to
improve engagement between the US private
sector and Zimbabwean entrepreneurs to en-
courage more trade and investment between
our countries. The US government recognizes
the important role responsible foreign direct
investment, or FDI, can play in a country’s
sustainable development plans. FDI brings
significant benefits by creating high-quality
jobs and introducing modern production and
management practices.”

“Nevertheless, Zimbabwe continues to re-
ceive FDI although the amount has dropped
significantly since 2014. We must acknowl-
edge foreign investment does not always bring
benefits to the community.”

She said some foreign companies have been
accused of taking advantage of low wages and
violating human rights and labour rights in
countries where governments fail to enforce
rights effectively.

“We note the specific concerns communi-
ties in Zimbabwe have regarding foreign in-
vestments in the extractive sector. Zimbabwe’s
mining sector currently lacks safeguards that

NewsHawks News Page 19

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

ZANU PF activist Sybeth Musengezi, who Musengezi appeals ruling allowing
is seeking to overturn President Emmerson Zanu PF activist to join proceedings
Mnangagwa’s ascendency to Zanu PF lead-
ership, has approached the Supreme Court, application in which he also cited Mnangagwa’s the Zanu PF central committee which was con- Zanu PF activist Sybeth Musengezi
challenging a High Court decision to join a dismissal as president and Zanu PF member. vened by unknown people including Chinam- He accused the parties of taking advantage
party activist, Goodson Nguni, in the court The activist said Mnangagwa was ushered into sa and Obert Mpofu in violation of the party’s of the unfolding "Operation Restore Legacy", a
proceedings. office following an unlawful special session of constitution. code name for the coup, to topple Mugabe.

Musengezi launched the Mnangagwa legit- — STAFF WRITER
imacy challenge last year, arguing that he ille-
gally took advantage of a military coup which
toppled the then president Robert Mugabe in
November 2017.

Besides, Musengezi also wants to block the
upcoming Zanu PF congress later this month.

Recently, Nguni through his organisation,
Federation of Non-Governmental Organisa-
tions (Fongo) Trust, was allowed to join pro-
ceedings by a High Court judge after he indi-
cated he was an interested party.

Musengezi feels the Judge President, Justice
Mary Zimba-Dube, erred in reaching that de-
cision.

“The High Court erred in adjudging that first
Respondent (Federation of Non-Governmen-
tal Organisations Trust) had the requisite locus
standi to institute the proceedings that it did in
circumstances where the law prescribes that it
is not a legal persona and cannot thus initiate
litigation.

“No evidence had been placed before it of the
trustees of the first Respondent and the author-
ity upon which the second Respondent was act-
ing. The court aquo erred and grossly misdirect-
ed itself in granting an order for joinder where
no case had been pleaded by the first and Nguni
against the appellant (Musengezi)."

Musengezi said nothing was placed before the
courts to support Nguni’s interests.

He wants the judge’s ruling set aside and dis-
missed.

“Wherefore appellant prays for relief to the
following effect, that:-the appeal be and is here-
by allowed with costs."

In her ruling, Justcie Zimba-Dube said
Musengezi did not show how he would be prej-
udiced if Nguni were to be joined in the pro-
ceedings.

“As the applicants have a legal interest in the
subject matter of the proceedings and the out-
come of the proceedings , they are likely to be
prejudicially affected if they are unable to pursue
the objectives of the trust and personal interests
of the second applicant. Pertinent is that the ap-
plicants have shown that the litigation brought
by the respondent may lead to a result which
may affect not only their rights but the public
interest, “ said the judge.

In October last year, Musengezi dragged
Mnangagwa to court, challenging his legitimacy
and claiming that he was unlawfully handpicked
into the presidency.

Musengezi also cited Zanu PF as a party,
as well as senior members Obert Mpofu, Pat-
rick Chinamasa, Phelekezela Mphoko, Ignati-
us Chombo as respondents in his High Court

Supreme Court of Zimbabwe

Page 20 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Planning a Meeting or
Training Session?

Ÿ Choose The NewsHawks Executive Conference Room

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NewsHawks News Page 21

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

PROMINENT Zimbabwean lawyer Sternford Moyo: From Mzilikazi High
Sternford Moyo is flying high — literally to the world flying high and far-flung
and figuratively. He has been traversing
the world as International Bar Association Lawyer Sternford Moyo receives the Freedom of the City of London, an award given to high impact international professional persons across the world.
(IBA) president — from Harare to Sin-
gapore and London. Prior to that, he was
in Paris and Vienna, among other places.

This week, Moyo witnessed the open-
ing of the legal year for England and
Wales. The service in Westminster Abbey
dates back to 1897 when judges prayed
for guidance at the start of the legal term.

Judges, whose courts were held in
Westminster Hall, left the city and walked
to the abbey to take part in the service.

In the process, Moyo was given the
Freedom of the City of London, an award
given to high-impact international profes-
sional persons across the world.

The granting of Freedom Honoris Cau-
sa is extremely rare and generally awarded
today only to royalty, heads of state or
figures of genuine global standing. From
Africa, it has been granted to figures like
the late Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and
Desmond Tutu, among many others.

Over the last 300 years, about 300 000
ordinary people have been made Free of
the City of London.

The benefits of membership are a full
programme of social events, ranging from
events of historical interest, dinners and
receptions in historic locations, to an an-
nual banquet with the Lord Mayor at the
Guildhall, and an annual service in the
church of St Lawrence Jewry next Guild-
hall.

Moyo has joined that illustrious class of
high-profile movers given the Freedom of
the City of London.

Besides being IBA president and board
member in various companies, Moyo is
senior partner and chairperson of Scanlen
& Holderness law firm which he joined
in 1981 from Mzilikazi High School in
Bulawayo where he did his Ordinary and
Advanced levels before proceeding to the
then University of Rhodesia in 1978. He
completed a Bachelor of Laws degree in
1980 and a post-graduate LLB in 1981.

Moyo provides overall leadership in
addition to taking special responsibility
for mining, commercial and corporate
law at the his law firm. He coordinates all
activities in the firm and looks after un-
allocated functions such as responsibility
for non-professional staff. His practice is
mostly mining, commercial and corpo-
rate law related.

Moyo has advised financial institutions
and loan underwriters in most of the large
infrastructure projects that have taken
place in post-independence Zimbabwe in
areas such as forestry, energy, water supply
and telecommunications.

Besides, he has provided advice on nav-
igating Zimbabwe’s empowerment laws
and has been actively involved in most
of the empowerment transactions which
have been publicised so far. He is a for-
mer president of both the Law Society
of Zimbabwe and the Southern African
Development Community Lawyers’ As-
sociation, co-chairperson of the Human
Rights

Institute of the International Bar As-
sociation, former chairperson of Stanbic
Bank Zimbabwe Limited — a leading
commercial bank which is a member of
the Standard Bank group, chairperson of
Schweppes

Zimbabwe Limited, former Zimbabwe
Revenue Authority chair and director of
Alpha Media Holdings, and PPC Zimba-
bwe Limited, the largest cement company
in Zimbabwe.

He is one of the leading corporate and
commercial lawyers in southern Africa.
During the early part of his career, he
taught corporate, commercial and consti-
tutional law. He completed the media law
advocates training programme run by the
University of Oxford.

Moyo graduated with distinction and
was named by Butterworths as one of the
most outstanding post-graduate law stu-
dents in 1981. — STAFF WRITER

Page 22 News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Zanu PF-govt conflation deepens

BRENNA MATENDERE Former vice-president the elections. "This briefing posits that, with a huge fund-
Kembo Mohadi Part of the journal that is accessed online ing base, abuse of public resources and mas-
CONFLATION between Zanu PF as a politi- sive vote buying, materially, Zimbabwe's 2018
cal party and the government spheres is deep- sponsor party business," he said. after a certain payment, in its summary reads: elections were heavily slanted in favour of
ening as shown by the increasing involvement During Mnangagwa's reign, the state and "Using the concept of ‘competitive author- Zanu PF."
in state activities by former vice-president
Kembo Mohadi, The NewsHawks can report. party conflation in his leadership style became itarianism’, this briefing examines how the Stretching back from the Mugabe era the
brazen ahead of the 2018 elections when he governing Zimbabwe African National Union party-state conflation was evident in Zanu PF
Mohadi resigned from the government in campaigned for his first term after grabbing – Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) retained power in using state resources to fund its campaigns
March 2020 following sex scandals and is cur- power in the November 2017 military coup. the July 2018 presidential, parliamentary and like buying regalia materials, including cars,
rently a second secretary in the ruling party, local government elections." using army helicopters to criss-cross the coun-
but he has been playing official roles on behalf It is captured in a journal titled "Zimba- try, forcing national broadcaster ZBC to live-
of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's admin- bwe's 2018 elections: funding, public resourc- "It advances that, having come to pow- stream its activities during election time and
istration. es and vote buying," by Musiwaro Ndakaripa, er through military assistance in November forcing civil servants like millitary personnel
a research fellow in the Unit of Zimbabwean 2017, the new Zanu PF government institut- and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO)
He represented Zimbabwe at Tuesday’s fu- Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Rhodes Uni- ed cosmetic political reforms to gain domestic operatives to drum up support in rural areas
neral of ex-Japanese prime minister Shinzo versity, South Africa, and a senior lecturer in and international legitimacy while maintain- and harrass political opponents.
Abe in Tokyo accompanied by eight aides. history and political economy at the University ing financial networks and tentacles on public
of Zimbabwe. institutions."
The travel bill was picked up by Finance
minister Mthuli Ncube using taxpayers' mon- The research paper points out that it is the
ey. state, party conflation that made Zanu PF win

In a rare incident considering strict gun
control measures in Japan, Abe was assassinat-
ed on 8 July by a gunman who opened fire on
him from behind as he delivered a campaign
speech.

He died aged 67 after having been Japan’s
longest-serving leader when he resigned in
2020.

Representing Zimbabwe, Mohadi was part
of the strong 4 300 cosmopolitan gathering of
mourners who included various world leaders
like United States Vice-President Kamala Har-
ris, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The former Beitbridge MP travelled on Sun-
day and was expected back home with his del-
egation on Thursday after blowing taxpayers'
money on travel, allowances, accommodation
at plush hotels and living costs in Tokyo, one
of the most expensive cities in the world.

Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu said in
a normal state there must be separation of par-
ty and state activities.

"The Mohadi trip is a disregard for separa-
tion of party and state businesses. In essence,
this is the undermining of good governance by
Zanu PF. A notable deterioration in Zimbabwe
is how state and party businesses are all mixed
up, which demonstrates how the so-called sec-
ond republic has essentially undermined the
state by its disregard of rules," he said.

Professor Stephen Chan, a political analyst,
told The NewsHawks that Zimbabwe failed to
be properly represented at Abe's funeral by
sending Mohadi and, in the process, losing an
opportunity for diplomatic engagement with
Japan.

"One would have thought that sending
someone with current authority — to lobby
the Japanese and other leaders at an important
funeral — was necessary. Abe was an incred-
ibly meaningful world figure and, effectively,
Zimbabwe was not represented at a proper lev-
el," he said.

Before Mohadi could return to Zimbabwe
from Tokyo, another revelation of his involve-
ment in government activities emerged.

A leaked government document revealed
that Mohadi was going to draw resources from
the government.

Felix Chikovo, the acting chief director
for traditional leaders support services in the
ministry of Local Government was quoted
in a memo dated 28 September directing the
“acting director administration” to process fuel
coupons for “pending department activities”.

The activities include the installation of
three chiefs — Nemanwa, Nemashakwe and
Benhura — as well as a “selection meeting”,
believed to be for Chief Chirumhanzu. The
four events were allocated 6 200 litres of fuel.

On the third item of the memo it says that
there will be a “VP Mohadi Tour of Mashona-
land Central 4-12 October 2022” for which
1,960 litres of fuel would be allocated to Mo-
hadi and his entourage.

The cost of the fuel allocated to Mohadi at
the prevailing average market rate of US$1.55
per litre is approximately US$3 000.

Mukundu decried the development.
"In a normal environment there is a clear
separation of duties and state funds cannot

NewsHawks News Page 23

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

WHILE Zimbabwe currently enjoys relative Zim must deploy border guards as
peace and harmony, the state should immedi- extremism fears mount — Report
ately deploy border guards at ports of entry and
strengthen terrorism laws amid concern that the with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organ- of regional parliamentary assemblies, victims of and the seventh review resolution of the UN
outbreak of the violent extremism in Mozam- isation for Security and Co-operation in Europe terrorism, victims’ associations, and civil society Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted in
bique’s gas-rich northern Cabo Delgado region (OSCEPA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the organisations, to discuss the best way for parlia- June 2021, urges member states to strengthen
may have ripple geo-political contagion effect on Mediterranean (PAM), the African conference mentarians address the rights and needs of victims their efforts to support victims and this support
the region, a new parliamentary report has ad- brought together various stakeholders, including of terrorism and to find tangible legislative mea- ranges from advocacy and solidarity to more prac-
vised. parliamentarians, representatives of the United sures that can be implemented. tical measures such as capacity building and tech-
Nations (UN) entities, leading experts, members nical assistance. — STAFF WRITER
Regional bloc Sadc and allied forces are cur- The 2019 UN Assembly Resolution 73/305
rently battling to restore calm in Mozambique
after the conflict broke out.

As fears of escalating terrorist attacks spread
across the world, the United Nations Office of
Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) programme office
on parliamentary engagement, in cooperation

Page 24 International Investigative Stories NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

InInvteesrtniagtaiotinvaelStories

Demise of Vietnamese wildlife kingpin

NOT many people seemed to no- investigators first encountered him in show the smugglers used various curity, always using the same phone Then in August 2018 authorities
tice when Nguyen Van Nam was 2016, but he swiftly grew in promi- techniques to try to disguise their number, bank accounts, and cafes to at Kuala Lumpur International Air-
sentenced to 11 years in prison for nence. His success was mainly down products, including painting ivory do his business. At one point he even port had discovered a shipment of 50
trafficking in rhinoceros horn in July to his Chinese language skills and ex- black so it looked like wood, covering shared a picture of a baggage handler rhino horns — the largest seizure of
2020. Journalists filed a few brief tensive network of contacts in Viet- it with wax, or staining it so it looked he used to smuggle goods from Africa horns on record in Malaysia at that
stories on his trial, which were soon nam and China, which included all antique. walking through customs in Malay- point — together with a stash of big
forgotten in the daily onslaught of of the top buyers and sellers in the sia. cat bones destined for Vietnam. Two
global news. illegal wildlife trade. This network supplied Ah Nam days later, the Malaysian suspect met
with a steady stream of illegal animal ​“​Ah Nam was arrogant, to the with Ah Nam in Hanoi, in a rare face-
But Nguyen Van Nam, better As a kingpin, Ah Nam rarely met products. In one memorable meeting point of stupidity. He was totally to-face encounter that underlined his
known by his alias Ah Nam, bears buyers himself, instead sending his in August 2017, WJC investigators confident that his corrupt connec- major role in the international wild-
remembering. For years he was one associate, known as Ah Phong, to were invited to buy 76 rhino horns tions could protect him and that he life smuggling trade.
of the top illegal wildlife traffickers in do much of his dirty work. The pair — the largest batch of raw horns that was untouchable in Vietnam,” a WJC
Vietnam, a key hub in the multi-bil- acted as brokers of trafficked animal they had ever seen. investigator told OCCRP on condi- After Vietnamese environmental
lion-dollar global trade in animal parts, sourcing them from Africa, tion of anonymity. police raided a cafe in Hanoi in June
parts that is driving species such as stashing them in homes, shops, or “I have so much stuff, I’m just 2019, seizing over 200 kilograms of
rhinos and elephants to extinction. factories in Hanoi and the surround- afraid you don’t have enough money,” “We called him the virus because ivory, Ah Nam began to grow wor-
ing area, then smuggling them to Ah Nam boasted in one encounter. everyone he touched, he infected. ried, telling WJC operatives that he
Ah Nam was arrested in Septem- buyers in China. He also liked living the highlife, hol- had become “a big risk in Vietnam”
ber 2019 after he was busted with a Despite having no discernable of- idays, nice cars, expensive restaurants and he was “afraid of being caught.”
little over 200 kilograms of ivory. But Ah Nam claimed to have a net- ficial income, Ah Nam lived lavishly. and partying with his friends.”
this was just the tip of the iceberg: work of contacts across South Africa, As well as owning at least two proper- He was right to be concerned: Ah
investigators with the anti-trafficking Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and ties in Hanoi, he was often seen driv- But by 2018, authorities already Nam and his associate Ah Phong
Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) Zambia who helped him source ivory ing high-end SUVs, while his wife had Ah Nam in their sights. were arrested a few months later and
found that over the previous few and rhino horn. He then transported liked to post pictures on social media sentenced to 11 years in jail each the
years he had access to over 17.6 met- them to Vietnam, often via air cargo of designer accessories and upmarket In January that year a shipment of following year. But while much of Ah
ric tons of ivory and 477 kilograms or stashed inside the hand luggage holidays. On one occasion she posted rhino horn was seized in China that Nam’s network has been dismantled,
of rhino horn worth more than $17 of couriers. Larger shipments mostly a picture of a large pile of bills, worth was allegedly traced back to him. The the illegal wildlife trade continues to
million. entered through major seaports, be- an estimated $10,000. following month, Vietnam’s environ- grow.
fore being transported to Hanoi by mental crime police raided a house
That equates to the slaughter of truck. As well as flashing his cash, Ah in the village of ​K​ hanh Ha, seizing a — Organised Crime and Cor-
around 1,760 elephants and more Nam also liked to boast about his total of 971 kilograms of ivory and ruption Reporting Project.
than 100 rhinos, the WJC said in a Pictures obtained by the WJC criminal activities to people he met. ivory products stashed there by Ah
report released today, noting that this He operated with little regard for se- Nam and arresting four people.
“represents only a fraction of what he
is likely to have trafficked.”

Undercover operatives from the
WJC spent three years following Ah
Nam, documenting his rise from a
low-level broker to a kingpin of Viet-
nam’s wildlife trafficking underworld.
At the time of his arrest, Ah Nam’s il-
licit network stretched from Africa to
Asia, ending in China, where endan-
gered animal parts are prized for use
in traditional medicines or as displays
of wealth.

Codenamed Operation Medusa,
the investigation into Ah Nam led to
dozens of prosecutions in Vietnam,
China, and Malaysia. More than 3.8
tons of ivory, nearly 200 kilograms of
rhino horn, and close to 30 kilograms
of pangolin scales were seized in mul-
tiple raids by law enforcement.

“The removal of one of the most
prolific wildlife traffickers [Ah Nam]
has not only severely disrupted his
criminal network, but due to the
major role Vietnam plays in the in-
ternational illegal wildlife trade, the
impact has extended across the re-
gion and globally,” the WJC wrote in
a newly released report on the inves-
tigation.

“Many Vietnamese traders are no
longer operating due to the increased
fear of arrest and difficulties in smug-
gling products across the border into
China.”

Ah Nam was a small player when

NewsHawks Editorial & Opinion Page 25

Issue 100, 30 September 2022 CARTOON

Gravy train clearly
proves state capture

MANY of the loud-mouthed wheeler-deelers who masquerade as self-made Zim media capture intensifies
millionaires in Harare are actually fly-by-night beneficiaries of Zimbabwe’s
gravy train. Hawk Eye

Everywhere you look, there is plenty evidence of this. Dumisani
The country's proverbial "gravy train" is the sum total of murky public Muleya
procurement tenders. The rot runs deep. Everyone is hungry for "a cut". As
they say on the fast-paced streets of the capital, every man must eat. The
"food chain" of sleaze is an entire ecosystem: there are powerful political god-
fathers who steer the ship; there are well-positioned officials who facilitate
the corrupt deals; there are connected individuals who serve as fronts; there
are sleek middlemen who extract money at every turn; there are shady chaps
in regulatory and law-enforcement institutions who demand their pound of
flesh; then there are those who will not process the final payment until they
get a chunky piece of the cake.
All these characters are the greedy parasites of Zimbabwe's capitalist decay.
Their corrupt actions amplify various types of integrity risks in the public
procurement process.
An ongoing scandal has focused the spotlight on dubious tenders. What
makes the case quite remarkable is that it involves Parliament — a vitally im-
portant institution mandated with three key functions: legislative, represen-
tative and oversight. But how can Parliament check and challenge the work
of the executive arm of government if the House is itself mired in sordid acts?
Indeed, if gold can rust so spectacularly, what of mere iron?
Two local companies were awarded tenders to supply Parliament with lap-
tops and desktops, with one of them contracted to procure 173 laptops at
US$9 200 each. The price was ridiculously inflated. A laptop for US$9 200?
Is it gold coated? Those who are familiar with the "food chain" allusion will
understand how these strange deals are structured.
It is interesting that people are only coming to grips with companies which
have been minting it as far back as 2010.
Treasury blocked the US$1.6 million deal, correctly arguing that such out-
rageously inflated prices could not be justified. The authorities proceeded to
blacklist the laptop supplier, Blinart Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
Mid-End Computers and Hardware (Pvt) Ltd, another company, had
been awarded a tender to supply 79 desktop computers to Parliament, pric-
ing each desktop computer at above US$3 000. Treasury also blacklisted this
particular firm.
These two cases exemplify the public procurement rot that has spiralled
out of control in this country.
There is no "value for money" proposition in these murky deals. When
prices of goods and services are gouged in this manner, the taxpayer is fleeced
and money that could have been better spent on, say, healthcare or education,
is diverted into the private pockets of fat cats.
The "value for money" concept is anchored on the realisation that the
desired procurement outcome must be achieved at the best possible price.
In the process of awarding tenders, the authorities have a legal responsibility
to ensure that utility is derived from each particular purchase. They must
consider the cost minimisation (economy) as well as the maximum efficiency
and effectiveness of the purchase. These three "e"s are at the heart of any val-
ue-for-money proposition. And the value of equity cannot be ignored; in oth-
er words, there must be a diverse set of suppliers, not just a few handpicked
players who are part of an elaborate con.
In public procurement, the quality must meet the price. Sub-standard
goods will ultimately prove costly to the taxpayer. The direct costs of corrup-
tion are staggering.
Considering that public procurement gobbles up billions of dollars at any
given time, the time has now come — in the national interest and without
fear or favour — to tighten the screws and conduct value-for-money audits
into these opaque public tenders.
Tackling corruption in Zimbabwe is difficult because the Zanu PF system
has fostered a deeply ingrained culture of malfeasance. There is a whole gen-
eration of self-styled "dealers" who are sucking the life out the public purse.
They do so with impunity, openly flaunting their ill-gotten riches and recruit-
ing naive youngsters. Should they run afoul of the law, they can always count
on the Zanu PF godfathers to see to it that they are easily granted bail.
The corruption-induced suffering being experienced by Zimbabweans is
the logical outcome of a fully fledged authoritarian kleptocracy.
This crisis calls for the implementation of serious corruption prevention
and risk mitigation strategies. The country does not need yet another an-
ti-corruption blueprint. The point of departure is the national constitution,
which spells out the principles of good governance that must guide every
public officer and institution. The supreme law of the land enjoins the state
to adopt and implement policies and legislation to develop
efficiency, competence, accountability, transparency, personal integrity
and financial probity in all institutions and agencies of government at every
level and in every public institution. But the politically connected thieves will
always subvert the law — will they not?

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

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
WhatsApp: 0772 125 658, Twitter: @vmcz

Website: www.vmcz.co.zw, Facebook: vmcz Zimbabwe

NewsHawks

Issue 76, 15 April 2022
BusinessPage26
MATTERSNewsHawks

MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
USD/JPY
GBP/USD 109.29 +0.38 +0.35 *OIL 63.47 -1.54 -2.37
USD/CAD
USD/CHF 1.38 -0.014 -0.997 *GOLD 1,769.5 +1.2 +0.068
AUD/USD
1.229 +0.001 +0.07 *SILVER 25.94 -0.145 -0.56

0.913 +0.005 +0.53 *PLATINUM 1,201.6 +4 +0.33

0.771 -0.006 -0.76 *COPPER 4.458 -0.029 -0.65

‘High interest, taxes to harm firms’

BERNARD MPOFU the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe foreign currency prospects for the Group. The Group has a signif- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube
auction system. icant pipeline of new stores and expects to open in particular Intermediated Money Transfer Tax
ZIMBABWE’S largest fast food chain Simbisa 87 new stores in FY23 [full-year 2023], mainly in (IMTT). In the Regional businesses, global infla-
Brands has warned that the country’s high inter- Going forward, the group says it will embark Zimbabwe (45) and Kenya (30) at a cost of about tion will continue to be the single biggest factor
est rate and tax regimes may choke the economy on an aggressive drive to expand its branch net- US$23 million,” the company says. influencing the group’s plans. The Board is con-
in the medium term as companies battle to stay work in the region to grow foreign currency rev- fident that the measures put in place by manage-
afloat. enues. “There is a dire and urgent need to address the ment in the respective countries to address these
current and unnecessarily punitive Taxation laws challenges.”
Monetary and fiscal authorities have over the “The upcoming financial year has exciting
past few weeks announced several measures to
tame inflation and stabilise the domestic currency
such as hiking interest rates to discourage borrow-
ing for speculative purposes.

Already, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has
hinted that Zimbabwe may soon review its eco-
nomic growth estimates due to several internal
and external headwinds buffeting the economy as
International Monetary Fund and independent
estimates project a sceptical picture of the current
growth targets.

Ncube recently revised the economic growth
projection to 4.6% from 5.5% despite maintain-
ing a bullish outlook in the mining sector, the
country’s key economic driver, accounting for
more than half of export receipts.

Simbisa, in its financials for the full year ending
30 June, says while measures announced by the
authorities will stabilise the domestic currency,
high interest rates would slow down economic
activity.

“The group commends efforts by the Reserve
Bank to stabilise the country’s local currency in
the period after the Group’s reporting date,” the
company says.

“However, the Group urges the Reserve Bank
of Zimbabwe to review minimum productive sec-
tor lending rates which are currently set at 200%
as this may stifle growth in the medium term.

The group’s Zimbabwean operation, the finan-
cials show, continues to generate all its foreign
currency from the sale of products in the local
market in line with the prevailing multi-currency
framework and therefore does not have access to

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 27

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

‘Funeral sector lacks reassurance cover’

BERNARD MPOFU

ZIMBABWE’S insurance regulator says the
country’s funeral assurance sector — currently
dominated by two players — has no reassurance
arrangements, warning that the sector may col-
lapse if the country is hit by an emergency crisis.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic
stretched some players to the limits after the Delta
variant drove fatalities in the country.

According to the latest Insurance and Pension
Commission (Ipec) report for the six months to
June, the funeral assurance sector recorded nom-
inal gross premium of ZW$1.62 billion for the
half-year ended 30 June 2022, an increase of
241.71% compared to ZW$474.61 million re-
ported for the half-year ended 30 June 2021.

After adjusting for inflation, the funeral as-
surance sector’s gross premium written (GPW)
increased by 17.20% from ZW$474.61 million
reported for the six months ended 30 June 2021
to ZW$556.24 million for the six months ended
30 June 2022. In terms of forex business, the sec-
tor wrote gross premium of US$132 359 and 119
082 rands for the half-year ended 30 June 2022.

“All funeral assurers had no reassurance ar-
rangements in place for the half-year ended 30
June 2022," Ipec says.

“The Commission is aware of various engage-
ments which the sector is having with their reas-
surers to ensure that there are suitable reassurance
arrangements in place. The sector is however en-
couraged to expedite the process, to ensure that
players are effectively reassured, to enable them to
pay high claims in the event of catastrophes.

“For the six months ended 30 June 2022, two
players dominated the Funeral Assurance Sector
in terms of GPW, with a total market share of
83.92%. The remaining six (6) funeral assurers
accounted for the 16.08% difference.”

The report further shows that as at 30 June
2022, seven (7) out of the eight (8) funeral assur-
ers were compliant with the regulatory minimum
capital requirements (MCR) of ZW$62.50 mil-
lion as prescribed by Statutory Instrument 59 of
2020. During the same period under review, all
funeral assurers were not compliant with the min-
imum prescribed asset ratio of 10%, as stipulated
by Statutory Instrument 206 of 2019. Prescribed
asset investments were very small as they account-
ed for an average of only 0.08% of the total asset
portfolio.

BERNARD MPOFU Forex-dominated sales tonic for Proplastics

LISTED manufacturing concern Proplastics says inadvertently, result in an upward movement in “We expect this demand to be underpinned bore pipes will be effectively and efficiently ad-
an increase in United States dollar sales resulting the debt/equity ratio, which will still be main- by both public and private sector-initiated proj- dressed as has already been experienced towards
from a Zimbabwe dollar liquidity crunch will be tained within manageable levels.” ects,” the company said. the end of the f­irst half of the year. This will aug-
a tonic for the business as authorities battle to ment the reduction in fuel prices as well as the
defend the value of the domestic currency. The company says an uptick in contracting “With the new 500mm PVC line having been reduction in the price of the major component
projects was also good for the business. successfully commissioned, demand for large of our raw materials which we have started to
Authorities have over the past few weeks tight- experience. In addition, the power supply situ-
ened money supply to tame inflation and defend ation seems to have improved slightly from the
the value of the local unit. The measures have beginning of the year.”
however triggered scarcity of the local dollar, re-
sulting in most retailers and businesses recording Outstanding foreign obligations as of 30 June
more US dollar sales. Proplastics says although 2022 amounted to US$3.7 million. As a result,
the group expects the operating environment the group recorded an Earnings Before Interest
to continue being fraught with challenges, it is Tax Depreciation and Amortisation (Ebitda)
hopeful that demand for its products will im- of ZW$297 million (historical ZW$54 mil-
prove, thereby increasing the performance in the lion) compared to ZW$616 million (historical
second half of the year. ZW$232 million) in the prior period.

“The operating environment is showing that The group recorded a break-even position be-
customers are preferring to settle their transac- fore tax and loss position after tax. The statement
tions in United States Dollars," Greg Sebborn, of ­financial position remained strong, with total
the group’s chairperson, said in a statement ac- assets now sitting at ZW$8 billion (historical
companying half-year financials financials for ZW$5 billion) with non-current assets alone
the period ending 30 June. amounting to ZW$5 billion (historical ZW$2.5
billion). The exposure from foreign obligations
“This, coupled with the liquidity constraints resulted in the working capital easing to 1.22
following the introduction of gold coins and the from 1.87 in prior period.
tightening of money supply, is likely to see the
Group trading less in Zimbabwe dollars, thus The debt-to-equity ratio remained low at
signaling a change in functional currency to the 7% at the close of the period. The group will
United States dollars. This will, in my view, help be leveraging on this to increase its borrowings
the group to be able to report fairly on its fi­ and improve the working capital position. This
nancial performance going forward. In the same is envisaged to enable direct and smart procure-
vein, participation on the auction platform will ment of imported raw materials for the business.
be reduced with most of the foreign obligations The group closed the period with cash and cash
being settled through internal resources. With equivalents amounting to ZW$166 million.
the current debt/equity ratio very low, the group
is working on increasing its levels of borrowing
to bolster its working capital position. This will,

Page 28 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority How PR is key to tourism expos
(ZTA) hosts the Sanganai/Hlanga- like Sanganai/Hlanganani 2022
nani World Tourism Expo in Bula-
wayo from the 13 to15 October.
It highlights the most diverse
range of our continent's top tourism
products and attracts international
visitors and journalists.
Over the years, Sanganai/Hlanga-
nani has been a tremendous success,
attracting prominent African desti-
nations and global tourism markets
such as South Africa, Botswana, Ma-
laysia, China, Zambia, Malawi, Ken-
ya, Mozambique, Namibia, Indone-
sia, India, Italy, and many others.
ZTA's 15th edition of the annual
tourism showcase returns after a hia-
tus caused by the Covid-19 pandem-
ic that adversely affected the tourism
industry, resulting in crippling lock-
downs and deaths. The expo had to
adapt and implement a virtual mod-
el.
The United Nations World Tour-
ism Organisation (UNWTO) esti-
mated that the industry's losses to
the pandemic were close to US$2.1
trillion and that in Africa, arrivals
shrunk as much as 74%.
However, Environment, Climate,
Tourism and Hospitality Industry
minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has re-
vealed that Zimbabwe recorded 352
719 tourism arrivals in the first half
of this year, a 115% increase from
164 062 tourist arrivals in the same
period in 2021.
Minister Ndlovu attributed the
tourism recovery to the removal
of Covid-19 travel restrictions and
lockdowns, with tourist receipts
jumping by 121% to US$337.5
million, up from US$152.8 million
during the same period last year.
Sanganai/Hlanganani World
Tourism Expo comes at an oppor-
tune time to highlight the recovery
and once again endeavour to provide
stakeholders with business prospects
from traditional and new foreign
source markets.
Tourism industry is one of the
most profitable industries in the
world. It is also a global industry that
relies on networks to connect people
and places. Therefore, the industry is
to reach as many people as possible.
ZTA corporate affairs manager
Godfrey Koti agrees that communi-
cation plays an important role, be it
through text, videos, or life experi-
ences.
“Communications are part of cre-
ating a connection between people
and places. It can show what is hap-
pening in real-time or help tell sto-
ries about places, cultures, or events.
In this way, exhibitions are a great Cottco offices in Harare.
way for exhibitors to showcase their offers several benefits.
products and services to a bigger erations. release and, if it piques their interest, torials. Other promotional activities
audience. They are also an excellent “Visitors from the media and they write an article about it. Best of include staging competitions on the Pre-show social media activities
opportunity to network with other all, whatever marketing your compa- exhibit and using the opportunity to should focus on raising awareness of
exhibitors and potential customers,” tourist buyers visit and write or ny receives, as a result, is free! make announcements that promote the exhibit and encouraging show at-
Koti says. speak about their experiences when Exhibitions can be very competi- the business or community activities tendees to visit it.
By being "newsworthy" and get- they return home. These trips create tive, and fighting for the attention of worth boasting about.
ting free advertising in newspapers a lot of publicity and exposure for the same media is a reality. So, ex- Trade shows and events can be Teasers, unique sneak peeks, and
and magazines, tour operators may Zimbabwe and the tourism destina- hibitors have the challenge to ensure costly endeavours. To help offset ex- competitions are excellent marketing
bring attention to their businesses tions and products that form part of that their media tactics catch the at- penses and assure consistent future tools. Calls to action might include
and tourism packages. They will ob- the familiarisation tours,” says Koti. tention of journalists. They have to budgeting, social media can increase coupons used only on the exhibi-
viously need the services of public present a unique perspective about exposure at a show like Sanganai/ tion floor, a contest entry with prizes
relations (PR) experts to create news Media relations is the PR tactic of their product awarded on the show floor, or an in-
articles and media releases for distri- managing the media to benefit the and participa- centive for scheduling a meeting on
bution to the media. exhibitors by ensuring maximum tion in order the exhibit.
They should invest in PR to reap coverage at little cost. There are sev- that they stand Corporate
significant mileage by maintaining eral ways exhibitors can showcase out. Social media as an exhibit strate-
regular contact with local media and their tourism products in the print Another bril- Communications gy will be the subject of next week's
travel writers for state newspapers, media, television and radio and the column.
ZTA has applied it to a tee. liant strategy
magazines, and journals. Keeping would be to *About the writer: Lenox Mhlan-
them updated on any developments They engage in interviews, gen- grow the brand ga is a specialist communications
that may be of interest, and trying to erating content, and making an- by positioning Lenox Lizwi Mhlanga consultant with over 20 years’ ex-
recreate the experience at the exhibi- nouncements to promote the expo one as an indus- perience in the profession. He has
tion, pays dividends. and they encourage exhibiters to do try thought lead- worked with high-profile clients
Familiarisation tours are media the same. It is up to them to create er and earn industry credibility. Hlanganani. When used with other such as the International Monetary
or trade visits set up by the ZTA, ei- opportunities to promote their tour- There are other ways exhibitors direct marketing initiatives, an em- Fund, CIMAS and the Securities
ther through online bookings, ZTA's ism products.  can use by marketing themselves on phasis on social media marketing in and Exchange Commission of Zim-
hosting programme, or through the television and radio, through live in- pre-show campaigns, during and af- babwe. He can be contacted on mo-
exhibitors' own media and trade op- A media release is a document terviews and recording short adver- ter the event, provides visibility and bile: +263 772 400 656 or email:
composed and submitted to the me- [email protected]
dia detailing anything that may be
"news". Journalists read this Press

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 99, 23 September 2022 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 29

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Beitbridge Border Post assumes new look

Works at the new Beitbridge Border Post expansion. — Pictures: Aaron Ufumeli

Page 30 Stock Taking NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Friday, 30 September 2022

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Traded Traded Change Change (%) Cap
AFDIS Consumer Goods Ticker Price (cents) Traded Volume Value ($) (cents) ($m)
African Sun Consumer Services (%)
ART Price -
Ariston Industrials 4,800
Axia Consumer Services AFDIS: ZH 30000.00 - 30000.00 - - - 140.00 35,848.36
BAT - 86,130 46.60 2.67 179.39 26,519.17
Bridgefort Capital Consumer Goods ASUN: ZH 1747.78 1780.00 1794.38 3,400 62.68
Bridgefort Class B Consumer Goods ARTD: ZH 1700.00 - 1700.00 16,600 - - - 7,428.62
CAFCA 13,098 -1.59 -0.41 3.50 6,269.38
CBZ Industrials ARISTON: ZH 386.83 384.00 385.24 300 831,810 97.74 1.99 66.75 27,667.70
CFI Financial Services 3,000 942,000 16133.33 5.42 -1.91 64,789.24
Dairibord AXIA: ZH 4913.16 5000.00 5010.90 23,100 -130.00 -14.44 -78.00
Delta Industrials - 4.00 92.40
Ecocash Banking BAT: ZH 297866.67 314000.00 314000.00 - - - - 34.89
Econet BFCA: ZH 900.00 770.00 770.00 158,400 - - - - 1,484.97
Edgars Industrials BFCB: ZH 2600.00 - 2600.00 101,700 22,176,000 - - 86.25 73,172.61
FBC Consumer Goods CAFCA: ZH - - 36,369,140 -6238.80 -14.85 282.18 37,921.49
Fidelity Consumer Goods 17000.00 17000.00 36,700 - - - -36.61 7,943.32
First Capital CBZ: ZH 14000.00 14000.00 14000.00 60,200 9,128,725 -1058.99 -4.08 53.04 324,399.47
FML Technology CFI:ZH 42000.00 36005.00 35761.20 593,200 3,370,730 51.92 0.94 37.73 145,052.12
FMP Telecommunications 2,200 68,116,900 -290.28 -2.47 35.09 297,474.90
GBH Consumer Services DZL: ZH 2218.80 - 2218.80 200 14,960 -20.00 -2.86 56.32 4,108.88
Getbucks - 9,000 - - 32.93 30,237.75
Hippo Banking DLTA: ZH 25932.90 24870.00 24873.91 70,800 - - - 52.04 2,614.16
Innscor Financial Services EHZL: ZH 5547.30 5600.00 5599.22 2,500 650,221 -18.58 -1.98 165.89 19,836.44
Lafarge ECO: ZH 11773.24 11475.00 11482.96 18,100 49,375 255.00 14.83 -1.25 13,630.33
Mash Banking 1,300 124,050 35.36 5.44 -12.13 8,485.83
Masimba Financial Services EDGR: ZH 700.00 680.00 680.00 - 2,600 10.00 5.26 -12.85 1,073.18
Meikles FBC: ZH 4500.00 4500.00 4500.00 - - - - 192.50 20,412.73
Nampak Real Estate 40,300 - - - -26.07 39,955.26
NatFoods Industrials FIDL: ZH 2400.00 - 2400.00 1,000 12,409,580 -61.43 -0.20 89.62 175,482.00
NTS FCA: ZH 936.97 915.00 918.39 - 98,900 1290.00 15.00 23.63 7,912.00
NMBZ Financial Services FMHL: ZH 1720.00 1975.00 1975.00 100 - - - 93.34 11,662.53
OK Zim Consumer Goods FMP: ZH 650.00 710.00 685.36 62,700 6,495 4.75 0.07 18.09 15,695.41
Proplastics GBH: ZH 190.00 200.00 200.00 1,600 6,270,000 -1400.00 -12.28 -20.06 25,615.07
RTG Industrials GBFS: ZH 1755.00 1755.00 - 15,200 - - -14.85 7,178.66
RioZim Industrials HIPO: ZH 20700.00 - 20700.00 - - - - -12.70 82,080.13
SeedCo Real Estate INN: ZH 30854.42 - 30792.99 1,100 - - - 106.35 3,300.34
Simbisa Industrials LACZ: ZH 8600.00 30800.00 9890.00 815,700 20,185 1.67 0.09 127.86 7,416.55
Star Africa Industrials 9890.00 2,000 28,970,340 46.97 1.34 29.40 46,039.68
Tanganda Industrials - 52,000 -2.06 -0.08 -10.34 6,550.33
Truworths Consumer Goods MASH: ZH 627.33 - 627.33 - - - - -11.67 17,193.96
TSL Industrials MSHL: ZH 6490.25 6495.00 6495.00 77,400 - - - 160.00 12,691.06
Turnall MEIK: ZH 11400.00 10000.00 10000.00 494,800 8,359,580 -199.51 -1.81 2.31 26,754.52
Unifreight Banking 18,700 78,730,820 -11.47 -0.07 76.80 89,452.82
Willdale Consumer Services NPKZ: ZH 950.00 950.00 950.00 102,900 30,145 5.96 3.84 39.13 7,600.72
ZB 400 8,746,500 500.15 6.25 26.75 22,190.49
Zeco Industrials NTFD: ZH 120000.00 - 120000.00 800 1,040 - - 30.00 998.58
Zimpapers Consumer Services NTS: ZH 1300.00 - 1300.00 - 32,000 -50.00 -1.23 -43.00 14,284.10
Zimplow 10,000 - - - -19.17 1,634.43
ZHL Basic Materials NMB: ZH 1833.33 1835.00 1835.00 2,600 475,000 -57.00 -1.19 58.51 5,057.53
TOTAL Consumer Goods - 5,155 -1.73 -0.87 -35.93 3,525.24
Consumer Goods OKZ: ZH 3504.62 3600.00 3551.59 - - - - -14.29 11,562.58
Consumer Goods PROL: ZH 2602.06 2600.00 2600.00 4,900 - - - 589.58 15.34
Consumer Goods - 14,700 - - 3.09 1,728.00
Consumer Services RTG: ZH 689.00 - 689.00 111,300 - - - -40.47 4,841.36
Consumer Goods RIOZ: ZH 10400.00 - 10400.00 2,821,700 556,500 -0.95 -0.19 32.95 9,091.09
SEED: ZH 11000.00 10795.00 10800.49 286,701,979 1,814,007.69
Industrials
Industrials SIM: ZH 15923.11 15900.00 15911.64
Industrials
SACL: ZH 155.24 161.50 161.20
Banking
Industrials TANG: ZH 7999.85 8500.00 8500.00
Consumer Services
Industrials TRUW: ZH 260.00 260.00 260.00
Financial Services
TSL: ZH 4050.00 4000.00 4000.00
TURN: ZH 331.50 - 331.50
UNIF: ZH 4807.00 4750.00
WILD: ZH 200.00 4750.00 198.27
ZBFH: ZH 6600.00 180.00 6600.00
ZECO: ZH
3.31 - 3.31
-

ZIMP: ZH 300.00 300.00 300.00
ZIMPLOW: ZH 1405.00 - 1405.00
500.95 500.00
ZHL: ZH 500.00

ETFs CSAG.zw 180.00 207.00 207.00 4,400 9,108 27.00 15.00 107.00 74.93
Cass Saddle Agriculture ETF DMCS.zw 179.94 200.00 198.86 5,000 9,943 18.92 10.51 98.86 140.27
Datvest Modified Consumer Staples ETF 130.00 130.00 130.00 20,000 26,000 30.00 3,108.31
Morgan&Co Made in Zimbabwe ETF MIZ.zw 2700.00 2850.00 2762.18 26,655 - - 176.22 3,554.18
Morgan&Co Multi-Sector ETF MCMS.zw 518.66 518.00 516.86 965 807,453 62.18 2.30 17.44 742.34
156,222 -1.80 -0.35
Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF OMTT.zw

FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 15000.00 15000.00 15000.00 1,938 290,700 - - 50.00 12,451.76
Old Mutual Zimbabwe

VFEX (US cents) Mining BIND:VX US$m
Mining CMCL:VX
BNC Consumer Goods 3.06 3.06 3.06 - -- - -44.36 38.95
Caledonia Consumer Goods PHL:VX 1300.00 - 1300.00 - -- -- 8.06
Padenga SCIL:VX - -- - 71.43 194.97
SeedCo International 36.00 36.00 36.00 - -- - 42.42 152.39
39.95 - 39.95

Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
ZSE All Share 14,771.65 -1.11 14,937.06 +36.49 Lafarge 9890.00c +1290.00c +15.00 +23.63
Top 10 9,140.55 -1.12 +34.19 FML 1975.00c +14.83 -1.25
Top 15 10,051.47 -1.15 9,244.10 +33.50 Tanganda 8500.00c +255.00c +6.25 +26.75
Small Cap -0.48 10,168.74 +20.08 FMP +500.15c +5.44 -12.13
Medium Cap 483,615.64 -1.10 485,956.68 +42.36 BAT 685.36c +5.42 -1.91
29,051.67 29,374.00 314000.00c +35.36c
+16133.33c

Top 5 Fallers Price Change % YTD %
CFI 35761.20c -6238.80c -14.85 +282.18
Bridgefort Capital -14.44 -78.00
Meikles 770.00c -130.00c -12.28 -20.06
Delta 10000.00c -1400.00c -4.08 +53.04
Edgars 24873.91c -1058.99c -2.86 +56.32

680.00c -20.00c

SALES & TRADING: Davide Muchengi: [email protected] | Lungani Nyamazana: [email protected] | Precious Chagwedera: [email protected]
RESEARCH: Batanai Matsika: [email protected] | Tafara Mtutu: [email protected] | Gabriel Manjonjo: [email protected]
Tel: (+263) 08677008101-2 | Email: [email protected] | Address: 14165 Sauer Road, Gunhill, Harare

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

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NewsHawks News Analysis Page 31

Issue 100, 30 September 2022 Sanctions: President Mnangagwa’s
scapegoat for governance failure
BRENNA MATENDERE
President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
AHEAD of the 2023 polls,
President Emmerson Mnan- prolonged crisis. form, the Mnangagwa ad- the broad reforms the coun- our case it is not true that
gagwa's government — after ZDERA only restricts US ministration continues to try needs." they are the reason why the
largely failing to fulfill its use violence against peaceful country is at this bad stage,"
2018 election promises — support for multilateral fi- protestors and civil society, as The sanctions by the Unit- he said.
has found a scapegoat to jus- nancing to Zimbabwe and well as against labour leaders ed Kingdom  and European
tify its dismal bad governance imposes a travel ban on those and members of the political Union have been scaled down "There are several factors
record by way of Western responsible for undermin- to such an extent that they that come into play. Cor-
sanctions. ing democracy, human rights There are cannot in any significant way ruption is one of them. Mis-
abuses and corruption. several fac- cause governance failures for management of the economy
The government has even tors that come into the Zimbabwean government is another reason, including
roped in some African leaders In addition, the US im- play. Corruption is as convenienly claimed by of- lack of skills by people who
to call for the lifting of sanc- posed a ban on transfers of one of them. Mis- ficials in Harare. are in government in as far as
tions. defence items and services management of the growing the economy is con-
destined for or originating economy is another Academic Ibbo Manda- cerned," added Mandaza.
However, while the Zanu in Zimbabwe, and suspend- reason, including za told The NewsHawks that
PF government hides behind ed certain government assis- lack of skills by it is not true that sanctions He also opined that Zanu
the finger by attributing Zim- tance. people who are in are to blame for the failures PF cannot complain about
babwe's multi-faceted crisis government in as of the Zimbabwean govern- sanctions, yet it is continuing
to the sanctions, the failings The conditions for the re- far as growing the ment in fulfilling its 2018 to commit the same undem-
of the Mnangagwa admin- moval of the ZDERA are economy is con- election promises and solving ocratic practices that invited
stration are too numerous to simple as they relate to im- cerned the long-running economic international censure, such
ignore. plementation of democratic instability. as the imprisonment without
practices that are already pro- opposition. The Zimbabwe- trial of opposition activists
At the recently held 77th vided for in the constitution an government has made lit- He said it would also be and the shrinking of demo-
United Nations General As- as well as restoring the rule of tle progress in implementing a mockery to the people of cratic space.
sembly (UNGA) summit, Af- law. Zimbabwe if Zanu PF tried
rican Union (AU) chairper- to say so. He cited the case of Zenge-
son and Senegalese President In a statement on 28 Jan- za West legislator Job Sikha-
Macky Sall led the call for the uary 2022, the US State De- "While we know that sanc- la and the Nyatsime 14 who
removal of the sanctions, say- partment summarised why tions can scare away investors have been on pre-trial deten-
ing this would enable Zimba- the sanctions are still in place. at their mention when they tion since mid-June.
bwe to realise its full poten- exist in a certain country, in
tial. "Despite promises of re-

South African leader Cyr-
il Ramaphosa made similar
sentiments while newly elect-
ed Kenyan President Samuel
Ruto also added his voice on
the need for the removal of
the sanctions.

Democratic Republic of
Congo President Felix Tshise-
kedi, the current chair of the
Southern African Develop-
ment Community, described
the sanctions on Zimbabwe
as “a crime against an inno-
cent people".

To say the sanctions are
hampering Harare from turn-
ing around the fortunes of the
country would be farfetched. 

Zimbabwe was never
banned from exporting its
goods to the world.

What is banned under
the Zimbabwe Democracy
and Economic Recovery Act
(ZDERA)passed by the Unit-
ed States in 2001 is the pur-
chase of millitary hardware
by the Zimbabwe Defence
Industries, but the Hara-
re regime has always looked
elsewhere for weapons as ev-
idenced by Vice-President
Constantino Chiwenga's
arms deal in Indonesia early
this year.

Analysts are therefore
agreed that the government's
inability to create a condu-
cive business environment
and attract investors is the
major reason for Zimbabwe's

Page 32 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

JUSTICE ALFRED MAVEDZENGE Critical analysis of CCC’s list
of electoral reform demands
Introduction ation of its leader Sikhala and the
ZIMBABWE is due to conduct its weaponisation of the legal system to
harmonised elections in 2023. target its supporters as an election is-
sue and would frame urgent demands
On 29 September 2022, Nelson which speak directly and unequivo-
Chamisa and a group of people from cally to these issues.
the Citizens' Coalition for Change
(CCC) launched what they describe The failure by CCC to include
as the Pre-election Pact on Electoral these as part of the seven urgent elec-
Reforms (PREPARE). The CCC de- toral reform demands may further
scribes the document as consisting cement the perception that either the
“of seven (7) minimum electoral reform party and its leadership lack the nec-
pillars which should urgently be imple- essary seriousness or they simply do
mented to ensure that the 2023 har- not care about Sikhala and the other
monised elections and future elections colleagues who are in detention and
in Zimbabwe pass the credibility and some who are undergoing various
integrity tests.” frivolous criminal trials.

The document lists the following CCC launched its electoral reform demands on 29 September. Silence on civic space laws, includ-
as the pillars: (i) the right to vote (ii) ing the PVO Bill
credibility of the Voters' Roll (iii) who was the National Organising who have lost their lives and families Sikhala and the #Nyatsime 16 is very The CCC’s PREPARE document is
Real-time and credible Results Man- Secretary of Zum, who was shot six to who have lost their loved ones for de- worrying.  The continued incarcera- silent on the Private Voluntary Or-
agement and Transmission System. eight times on his groin by suspected manding the right to vote since 1980. tion of Sikhala and the #Nyatsime16 ganisations (PVO) Bill and the re-
(iv) Integrity of Election Processes (v) state agents. Kombai died in 2009 as This history cannot just be ignored. is a fundamental election issue which peal of other laws which shrink civic
Political freedoms and Media access a result of those wounds. In 1999, the cannot be ignored in a document that space.
(vi) Security of the vote and (vii) Se- Movement for Democratic Change It would have been appropriate for purports to identify urgent demands
curity of the Voter.  Under each pillar, (MDC) was formed and picked up Nelson Chamisa to acknowledge the for electoral reforms by citizens. The government of Zimbabwe
the document identifies issues which the struggle for free and fair elections sacrifices made by these people in his has introduced the PVO Bill which
the CCC would like to be addressed and in the process hundreds of people foreword. Acknowledging the liber- The continued detention of Sikha- contains several draconian provisions
as part of its demands for electoral affiliated to the party were tortured ation struggle is important, but the la, and the #Nyatsime 16 appears to whose effect is to shrink the operating
reforms.  In this analysis, I offer my and murdered, while others were dis- history of the struggle for the right be part of the regime’s  plan to ensure space for civil society organisations.
views on what I think is the good and appeared for demanding free and fair to vote in Zimbabwe is incomplete that these leaders are removed from Amongst these draconian provisions
the shortcomings of this document elections. without acknowledging the post- the election scene as part of under- are clauses which seek to prohibit
and the implications it may have 1980 struggles waged by the oppo- mining the citizens’ capacity to or- CSOs from political lobbying and
on advocacy for electoral reforms in The abduction and forced disap- sition, labour, students and women’s ganise and mobilise communities to which criminalise any operation of
Zimbabwe. pearance of MDC activist Patrick movements. vote and to protect the vote. an unregistered NGO.
Incomplete historicisation of the Nabanyama, the petrol-bombing
struggle for the right to vote and killing of MDC activists Ticha- To ignore these struggles when Their incarceration appears to be If this Bill is enacted into law, sev-
In his foreword, CCC leader Chami- ona Chiminya and Talent Mabika re- historicising the fight for electoral targeted at intimidating anyone from eral civil society organisations may
sa attempts to foreground the docu- main the most vivid reminders of reforms in an important document engaging in any peaceful confronta- find themselves unable to implement
ment in Zimbabwe’s liberation strug- the early days of the terror campaign such as the PREPARE,   is not only tion against the state in the run up programmes to promote citizen par-
gle against British colonialism. against the MDC.  insensitive on the part of Chamisa and post the 2023 elections. Several ticipation in elections (including vot-
and CCC, but may also further alien- other CCC members, as well as activ- er education, voter registration and
He notes that: “The liberation strug- Various reports indicate that in the ate the party from its traditional al- ists from the students, labour move- voter mobilisation), and hold govern-
gle in Zimbabwe was a collective quest period after the first round of the 2008 lies, particularly the student, labour ments and civil society have been ment accountable for abuse of power,
to create a nation founded upon the presidential election, at least 200 sup- and women’s movements who bore slapped with various spurious crimi- including in the run up towards the
people’s sovereignty and the time-tested porters of the MDC were murdered, the brunt of state-sponsored violence nal charges, including “faking abduc- elections. CCC poses as a democratic
principle of one-man one-vote. Our 137 cases of abductions were record- as they struggled for the right to vote. tions” and   participating in “illegal alternative to Zanu PF.
forebears sacrificed life and limb to ed, while 629 people  were displaced The missing demand for release of demonstrations.”
birth this great nation where the right from their homes for demanding and political prisoners It therefore appears odd that
of every citizen to vote and self-deter- exercising their right to vote.  In the The PREPARE document makes a Most of these activists are what amongst its demands for electoral
mine is guaranteed and secured. The post-2013 election period, Itai Dz- very good point regarding the de- one would consider to be the ground reforms, the CCC does not say any-
right to vote is so fundamental and so amara was abducted and was never mand for respect of political free- forces when it comes to voter mobil- thing about the PVO Bill. One would
precious without which a people cannot seen again for, amongst other things, doms. In paragraph 5.1.1 it states isation.   have expected that a party which pur-
truly be free and independent. A vote demanding electoral reforms.  that  “Citizens should always be guar- ports to champion democracy on be-
is the basis of any social contract; the anteed of their political rights and free- These charges are meant to restrict half of citizens would unequivocally
source of authority for any person to Quite recently, on 1 August 2018, doms.” This is crucial for the holding these ground forces from mobilising call for the reversal of this Bill whose
govern in a modern democratic society.” six people were shot and killed for of elections that are free and fair. support for the party as they con- effect would be to close off civic space
asserting their tight to a free and fair stantly have to attend trial and report if enacted into law.
In my view, this is quite correct election by participating in a protest However, the fact that the CCC to the various police stations as part
and is commendable in the sense that in which they were demanding the makes no mention of the release of of their bail conditions. Without an open civic space, it is
it locates the struggle for free and fair release of the presidential election re- political prisoners who include Job simply impossible to have a free and
elections in Zimbabwe as a continua- sults. There are far too many people In this context, one would have fair election. 
tion of the struggle for freedom and expected that the CCC leadership
sovereignty which commenced as far would treat the arbitrary incarcer- The silence in the CCC’s PRE-
back as the liberation struggle.   PARE document about the PVO
Bill is very loud and may cement the
However, Chamisa does not men- perception that the party’s leadership
tion anything about the post-colonial is not serious about its commitment
struggles for free and fair elections by to democracy. There are several oth-
his predecessors in Zimbabwe’s oppo- er laws which threaten to close civic
sition politics and in the civil society.  space. The existence of “insult laws”
in Zimbabwe’s statutes further stifles
In the early 1980s, Joshua Nkomo freedom of expression by prohibiting
and Zapu struggled for a free and fair citizens from critiquing the President
election, and the Mugabe regime re- of the country.
sponded violently through Gukura-
hundi. In 1990 Edgar Tekere and the The late Dr Alex Magaisa once
Zimbabwe Unity Movement (Zum) wrote an article on this issue. This
resisted Robert Mugabe’s attempt to law is applied by the incumbent,
introduce a one-party state, and in especially during election season to
the process several people were killed muzzle dissenting voices. Several
by Mugabe’s regime, and the election people have been arrested, including
was rigged. journalists and some are facing trial
on the basis of the insult laws.
Zimbabweans would probably
recall the case of Israel Mutanhaur- Again, one would have expected
wa who was a student representative
affiliated to Zum who was abducted
in broad daylight by suspected state
agents in Gweru and was later found
dumped in Mkoba surburb. Then
there is the case of Patrick Kombayi,

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 33

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

the CCC to categorically identify the toral reforms in Zimbabwe is the From paragraphs 6.2.9 to 6.2.14,  the tions, all I can say is for sure hapana the news.
repeal of these laws as part of its ur- introduction or provision of Braille CCC’s PREPARE document makes plan (there is no plan). These guys are Assuming that these so-called ex-
gent demands for electoral reforms. ballot papers to enable persons who general demands to the effect that not strategically equipped to defeat
Media freedom are visually impaired to vote secretly the police and defence forces must ZANU PF.” I share the same views as tensive consultations were done, how
The CCC’s PREPARE document if they so choose. conduct themselves professionally. Zigo. is it possible that the party has pro-
makes various important demands The document does not say anything duced a document with such glaring
relating to free access to the media, In 2018, I represented Abraham about the establishment of the Inde- In my view, the PREPARE doc- gaps?
which is important for the holding of Mateta at the High Court of Zimba- pendent Complaints Mechanism. ument serves as further evidence of
free and fair elections. bwe, but the litigation could not be why (in my previous pieces) I ex- Is it possible that the CCC lead-
finalised before polling day. Following the adoption of the new pressed outrage at Chamisa’s leader- ership consulted the citizens and the
However, the document is dead si- constitution in 2013, the government ship style. citizens forgot the urgent need to in-
lent about the onerous requirements There is a huge constituency of of Zimbabwe is obliged, under sec- clude Sikhala and #Nyatsime 16 as
that are imposed by the government visually impaired voters who are de- tion 210, to establish what is called In my view, the glaring gaps in the part of their urgent election reform
for journalists to register for accredi- prived of their right to vote secretly an Independent Complaints Mecha- PREPARE document are not nec- demands?
tation in order for them to cover and on their own because the Zimbabwe nism, which is supposed to perform essarily because the party does not
observe the elections. Electoral Commission does not make oversight functions on the security have thought leaders. It has plenty of Is it possible that the CCC lead-
provision for Braille ballots. services sector. them, but there is simply no space for ership consulted the students'
Local and foreign journalists who ideas to flourish. Fear and individual- movement and the students forgot
are already accredited to practise in I discussed this issue in one of my Amongst other functions, this ism flourish in that party. to remind the party to ensure that
Zimbabwe should not be additional- recent academic papers titled Taking body is mandated with receiving the dropping of spurious criminal
ly required to seek accreditation for Stock of Zimbabwe’s 2018 Elections and dealing with complaints against The title of the document (Pre-elec- charges against activists in treated as
them to cover elections. and Evaluating Prospects for Demo- police misconduct, including the un- tion Pact on Electoral Reforms) sug- part of the list of urgent demands for
cratic, Free and Fair Elections in the fair treatment of political parties and gests that there is a pact or some form election reforms?
Yet in past elections, the govern- Future. members of the public by the police. of agreement/consensus amongst the
ment has required all journalists who The government is yet to establish citizens on the list of the demands set Is it possible that the CCC leader-
want to cover elections to seek ac- Unfortunately, the CCC’s PRE- this body and seems reluctant to do out in the document. It takes a pro- ship consulted with representatives of
creditation. Journalists and citizens PARE document is silent on this issue so. cess of robust and extensive consul- the labour and women’s movements,
would have expected the CCC to but simply mentions that appropriate tations with citizens in their different media and civil society and these
frame a demand on this issue. measures should be introduced to The failure of the CCC to identifyi groups, in order to achieve a consen- groups forgot to remind the CCC
Voting needs of visually impaired fulfil the right to vote by people with the establishment of this body as an sus. leadership to ensure that civic space
persons disabilities. One would have thought urgent election reform issue creates a restrictions, the provision of Braille
Under paragraph 1.1.2, the CCC’s that a serious party would have made perception that the CCC leadership In the foreword of the document, ballots, the establishment of the In-
PREPARE document demands ap- an unequivocal demand for visually is simply not serious or lacks the req- Chamisa makes a very huge claim by dependent Complaints Mechanism,
propriate and necessary measures to impaired voters to be provided with uisite diligence. stating that  “It is therefore after ex- and automatic accreditation of jour-
be put in place to ensure the fulfil- Braille ballots rather than treating Conclusion tensive consultations with Citizens, nalists are key and urgent demands
ment of the voting rights of certain this as a general issue. A popular Facebook commentator by and with profound modesty that I for electoral reform?
disfranchised citizens. People With the name Zigo made a post which at- present the seven minimum electoral
Disabilities (PWDs) are identified as For that reason, it may be very dif- tracted a lot of attention. reform pillars which should urgently *About the writer: Dr Justice
one of these groups. ficult for the constituency of visually He said: “Listening to CCC President inform Zimbabwe’s electoral reforms Alfred Mavedzenge is a constitu-
impaired voters to identify with the Nelson Chamisa press conference on dialogue to avoid a contested 2023 tional law academic committed to
One of the long outstanding elec- CCC’s PREPARE document. PREPARE DOCUMENT for elec- election outcome.” the building of democracy in Zim-
Silence on establishment of Inde- babwe and Africa. He writes in his
pendent Complaints Mechanism Perhaps these consultations were personal capacity.
done in secret, or maybe I just missed

Page 34 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Theological perspectives on the doctrine
and key religious practices of the JMAC

MATTHEW MARE

PATRIARCHY stands accused of Haralambos and Holborn (2007), in patriarchy to maintain dominance women. For example, the fallacy at- guage within the religious sphere is
leading to the marginalisation of their work on rape, state that early on and subjugation of women. From tributing all contemporary abuse to ultra vires the dictates of Zimbabwe-
women and the girl child, and is seen in human history, rape became men’s this perspective, it can be argued that patriarchy can be challenged by rais- an laws and government policies.
as the ultimate cause of major abuses basic weapon of force against woman there is nothing religious or spiritual ing an obvious question; if patriarchy
against women in all spheres of life. and became the ultimate triumph of in JMAC or any form of patriarchy. is the ultimate basis for all violence According to Lovejoy Mutongwizo
manhood. Furthermore, they argued against women, why is it that there (2018:2), JMAC during its Passover
According to Haralambos and that from prehistoric times up to the Similarly, Haralambos and Hal- are some men who are being abused ceremony of 14 July 2018 warned
Holdorn (2007), patriarchy originally present, rape has always played a crit- born (2007), hold that domestic vi- by women? president Mnangagwa not to involve
meant domination by the father and ical function. olence against women battering or his wife in his leadership. Daneel
was used by social anthropologists to beating is rooted in and is the logical However, this reductionist view (1971:2) AICs copied the Shona
describe family structures where the It is nothing more than a conscious conclusion of basic patriarchal as- point may not be too relevant in the cultural practice where no woman is
father rather than the mother ruled. process by which all men keep all sumptions about women’s subordi- JMAC context where the theology of allowed to occupy key political soci-
women in a state of fear. nate status. After carefully document- JMAC ensures that no woman is able etal positions like being a headman,
In feministic literature, Fulcher ing historical and religious incidents to challenge patriarchy. The church adviser and kingship. According to
and Scott (2007) define patriarchy Various religious feminists and and justifications for the abuse of permanently expels any divergence Jules-Rosette (1987:7), whilst wom-
as simply male domination. It has egalitarians have also argued that pa- women, Fulcher and Scott (2007) ar- from its ethos. It is worthy to note en in JMAC are continuously being
only been in the past few decades that triarchy is the ultimate and necessary gue that ideologies of inequity (patri- that even those that are expelled seem denied leadership positions in the
women and girl child abuse has been cause of all abuse against women. Per- archy) and the practice of violence are unwilling to expose the church. church, they are numerically the ma-
studied in detail. haps child marriages, arranged mar- inextricably linked because the logic jority and through large families they
riages and forced marriages in JMAC of patriarchy provides one just cause Sundkler (1961:12) argues that in are making JMAC to grow internal-
When feminism emerged in the can best be explained from the per- for battery, namely, female subordi- terms of gender imbalances, the the- ly. The JMAC church should reflect
1960s and '70s, feminist scholars be- spective of Haralambos and Holborn nation. This perhaps best explains ology of AICs is not different from and realise that JMAC women are the
gan assessing the history and impact who view sex as a tool of trade in fos- why women in JMAC are reluctant to those of Western-founded church- ones sustaining the church in numer-
of misogyny and gender inequality tering patriarchy. Thus, men use sex report gender-based violence. Wom- es, except perhaps in regard to lead- ic terms.
in various spheres of life. This led to to dominate, instil submission and en in JMAC are known for defending ership. Thus, AICs founded their
the first modern works on abuse on scare women into perpetual silence. their abusers, which is an indication churches based on patriarchy so that The theology of JMAC must,
women being published in the mid- of deep-rooted patriarchy in (African men became leaders and women sub- therefore, cease to vilify women be-
1970s. Like secular feminists, these writ- indigenous chirches) AICs. jects. cause the church risks losing its im-
ers also tend to indict patriarchy in portant constituency like what West-
The patriarchal theory is important all forms as a key determinant of all Most of the religious feminists and He has brought the gender power ern-funded churches did by their
in this research in that Johanne Ma- abuses against women. Westmarland egalitarians cite historical religious dynamic angle to the issue of why failure to come up with effective
range Apostolic Church (JMAC) is (2001) states that the inherent logic documents or other modern feminist AICs were formed. The objectifica- futuristic plans for the survival and
predominantly patriarchal and most of patriarchy says that; if men have writers to support their hypothesis tion of women and children in most the growth of the sector. Informa-
of its doctrines enhance theological- the right to power and control over that patriarchy in all its forms is the AICs is the primary concern in this tion technology and social media is
ly sanctioned human rights abuses women and children, they also have ultimate cause of all abuses against research. This work pushes for gender transforming a number of previously
on women and children. It is the as- the right to enforce that control. In women. equity and equality in terms of roles, closed societies and JMAC risks inad-
sumption of this study that feminists patriarchy, women and children are language, and opportunities between vertent socialisation.
are a major let down to human rights defined in relation to men who con- However, not much research has men and women. The constant use
abuses and gender inequalities on trol the resources and power. advanced the understanding of the of theological language to label and *About the writer: Matthew
women and children in the ecclesias- girl child abuse by highlighting the demean women as second Eves who Mare is a Zimbabwean academic
tical arena. Women and children are the oth- broad social context in which abuse caused the fall of humanity is being who holds two bachelor’s degrees,
er, the object, men are the norm, the often occurs and the manner in which regarded as not only sexist but also a five master’s qualifications and a
During this period of early modern subject. In a dominance-and-sub- patriarchy has historically spawned matter of human rights concern.  PhD. He is also doing another PhD
feminism, it came out that patriarchy, mission social order, there is no true violence against women. The feminis- and has 12 executive certificates in
in all its forms, is the ultimate cause mutual care. Subordinates are to tic explanation for domestic violence This is a human rights concern in different fields. Professionally, he is
of all abuse against women. Walker care for the needs of the dominants. gives many helpful insights, but it is that the constitution of Zimbabwe a civil servant and also board mem-
cited in Fulcher and Scott (2007) in From this point of view, the abuse of reductionistic as the complete and and gender policies do not condone ber at the National Aids Council of
his early classic work on domestic vi- women is not theologically and legal- final explanation for abuse against sexist language in all spheres of life. Zimbabwe.
olence asserts that sexism is the real ly sanctioned but a weapon used by This is to say sexist theological lan-
underbelly of women's suffering. He
asserts that violence against women
or any form of abuse are explained in
terms of power struggles.

Walker cited in Fulcher and Scott
(ibid) argues that in a patriarchal so-
ciety those with all the power, in this
case males, tend to resort to violence
when their position of dominance is
threatened.

This feminist perspective on do-
mestic violence is still uncommon
in the contemporary society. Whilst
JMAC members are not allowed to
report any offences to secular author-
ities, the evidence of violence with
impunity by JMAC males on succes-
sion and leadership is indicative of
the violent behaviour of the JMAC
patriarchy.

They go to the extent of attacking
law enforcement agents and speaking
in glossolalia in a bid to scare the law
(Engelke, 2005:804). This also points
to the abuse of the doctrine of holy
spirit, which is a central feature of
JMAC to evade justice and scrutiny
(Daneel,1971:23).

Much of the early feminist abuse
literature is universal in its censure
of male power and domination and
strident in its condemnation of patri-
archy and even of males. For instance,

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 35

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

LYNETTE MUDEKUNYE Safe abortion: New calls Community (SADC) with the ex-
for full decriminalisation ception of South Africa, Mozam-
ON 28 September the world ob- bique and, to some extent, DRC
serves International Safe Abortion mation, free of force, coercion, vio- whether, when and with whom many unintended pregnancies as and Zambia.
Day. Never before has the tug-of- lence and discrimination. Abortion to become pregnant.” This can be possible. They also need access to
war over women’s rights to make should be removed from criminal extended to “being able to choose safe abortion care so that any unin- Most of these countries inherited
choices over their bodies versus law and regulated by laws consistent whether and when to give birth and tended pregnancies that do occur do restrictive legislation from colonial
those wishing to deny those rights with every other medical procedure, become a parent.” not result in the births of unwanted regimes. The legislation has not
been more intense. and with the wellbeing of women children. been reviewed, even as those from
and girls placed at the centre of their To be able to exercise these rights whom it was inherited have radi-
Abortion is a medical proce- care.” those who can become pregnant Many women live in countries cally revised their own legislation. It
dure that is safe and far less costly need access to comprehensive sexu- that have very restrictive legisla- is ironic that so many countries in
in human and financial terms than On the Global Day of Action for ality education, good quality contra- tion controlling access to abortion. southern Africa, a region that fought
backstreet procedures that are a Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, ceptives and safety from sexual and This includes most countries in the so hard for the right to self-determi-
major cause of maternal mortality last year the AU special rappor- gender-based violence to prevent as Southern African Development nation, are clinging so tightly to an-
in southern Africa and around the teur on the rights of women, com- tiquated legislation that denies half
world. missioner Maria Teresa Manuela, of a country’s population the right to
reminded “African states of their control their own reproduction. The
In the United States, the over- obligations under the Maputo Pro- UN Population Fund has described
turning of the Roe vs Wade ruling tocol.” The Protocol to the African such restrictive legislation as “com-
in favour of women’s choice by a Charter on Human and Peoples’ pulsory child-bearing”.
conservative Supreme Court put in Rights on the Rights of Women in
place by Donald Trump before he Africa, better known as the Maputo Laws that outlaw abortion neither
lost the 2020 elections has empow- Protocol, is the only international stop the demand for nor access to
ered anti-abortion activists around instrument that mentions the right abortions. They do make safe abor-
the world. to abortion in certain circumstances tion unavailable, forcing women to
such as rape and threats to a moth- resort to illegal and less safe forms of
Globally, several countries, in- er’s life. abortion. The WHO classifies abor-
cluding Canada, China, Northern tions as safe, unsafe and dangerous.
Ireland, New Zealand and Austra- The special rapporteur further WHO estimates that almost 50% of
lia have decriminalised abortion called on states  to  “decriminalise abortions in Africa are least unsafe,
completely. The movement is led abortion” and empower women or dangerous, which often result in
by the World Health Organisation and girls to make their own choices serious illness, infertility and even
(WHO), the International Federa- about their reproductive health.” death.
tion of Gynecology and Obstetrics
and the African Union’s special rap- In the foreword to the UN Pop- While many countries have been
porteur on the rights of women. ulation Fund’s 2022 report on the engaging in drawn-out debates
State of the World’s Population, the on different grounds under which
The WHO’s members include body’s executive director, Dr Na- abortion may or may not be al-
the most progressive and regressive talie Kanem, claims: “Every hu- lowed, with painfully slow progress
on the subject of safe abortion. UN man being has the right to bodily in actual legislation, there is a grow-
positions usually gravitate towards autonomy, and perhaps nothing is ing movement for the total decrimi-
the lowest common denominator more fundamental to the exercise of nalisation of abortion.
on contentious issues. Yet in a bold that right than the ability to choose
move, the first recommendation — Mail & Guardian.
in the WHO 2022 Abortion Care
Guideline is “the full decriminalisa- *About the writer: Lynette
tion of abortion”. Mudekunye is a public health spe-
cialist who has worked as an inde-
This means, according to the pendent consultant for NGOs in
WHO, “removing abortion from southern Africa, focusing on psy-
all penal/criminal laws, not apply- chosocial support, children’s and
ing other criminal offences (such as adolescents’ rights, HIV and sexu-
murder, manslaughter) to abortion, al and reproductive health rights.
and ensuring there are no criminal The author wrote the Safe Abor-
penalties for having, assisting with, tion chapter in Gender Links’s
providing information about, or Voice and Choice Barometer that
providing abortion, for all relevant will be  launched  on 14 October
actors.”  2022.

The guidelines further recom-
mend against laws and other reg-
ulations that restrict abortion on
grounds of gestational age limits and
that abortion should be available at
the request of the woman, girl or
other pregnant people. 

The  International Federation of
Gynaecology and Obstetrics  de-
scribes decriminalisation as “the re-
moval of specific criminal sanctions
against abortion from the law so that
no one is punished for providing safe
abortion or for having an abortion.
In practice, decriminalisation means
that the police and the legal system
are not involved in the investigation
or prosecution of safe abortions. In-
stead, abortion care is treated like
any other essential health issue in
medicine.” 

The federation issued a statement
in February 2022 that called for “the
total decriminalisation of safe abor-
tion, and for the promotion of uni-
versal access to abortion, post-abor-
tion care and evidence-based,
non-biased abortion-related infor-

Page 36 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Kenya has breached its public debt ceiling
— How it got there and what that means

ODONGO KODONGO

KENYA’S newly elected President, Wil-
liam Ruto, has earned more legal space
to borrow for his grandiose  economic
plan  after Parliament recently raised the
country’s public debt ceiling to KSh10 tril-
lion (US$100 billion). The new adminis-
tration says the country is broke but Kenya
is already living beyond its means and the
World Bank has warned of a high risk of
debt default. We asked Odongo Kodon-
go, a finance scholar, to explain the debt
ceiling and why Kenya needs to pay more
attention to it.

What is the debt ceiling? Former president Uhuru Kenyatta, left, congratulates President William Ruto at the September 13, 2022 inauguration ceremony
First let’s understand what public debt
is. Article 214(2) of the constitution of 2022. ling and the economic slump that fol- In June this year, the government had the debt reduces resources available for
Kenya defines public debt as all finan- Kenya has already broken through lowed the COVID-19 restrictions. to abandon a planned KSh115 billion funding the government’s other pro-
cial obligations arising from loans raised Eurobond issuance because yields had grammes.
or guaranteed and securities issued or the proposed ceiling. The national Trea- The worsening overall debt burden increased beyond 12.5%, meaning that
guaranteed by the national government. sury estimates the present value of Ken- has prompted the International Mone- it would have been too expensive to re- Second, it means government cannot
Governments need to borrow money to ya’s public debt as a proportion of GDP tary Fund to  downgrade the country’s pay. afford to stimulate economic activi-
pay their bills when they cannot fund all for 2022 at 64.2%. This figure is higher debt risk  from moderate to high in ty by, for example, lowering taxes, or to
their activities using its revenues alone. than the proposed ceiling of 55%. 2020 just two years after downgrad- Third, the government has blamed provide welfare support to citizens. An
ing it from low to moderate in 2018. unanticipated economic shocks such example of welfare support is cash pay-
A public debt ceiling is a legally The high debt usage has  driven the The downgrade of a country’s debt risk as drought and Covid-19. Fourth, crit- ments to dependants of dead retirees.
imposed upper limit on the stock of cost of annual debt servicing to almost makes it more expensive for the country ics have cited financial impropriety  as
public debt of a country. For emerging 54% of domestic revenues. This is  an to borrow, leaving it with less to spend another possible reason. They point Third, government borrowing essen-
and developing economies, a debt limit increment  of 14% compared to 2020 on other economic programmes. out that the growth in infrastructure tially transfers wealth from the poor,
of no more than 64% of the country’s when the ratio was about 40%. How did Kenya get to this point? and welfare spending does not match who must pay increased taxes for debt
production (gross domestic product or What are the recent warning signs? Kenya has not witnessed such high the growth in debt since 2013 and repayment, to the rich, who lend mon-
GDP) is recommended. In Kenya, the Given the high proportion of revenues levels of indebtedness  in recent histo- that there are no proper records of debt ey to the government and earn interest
public debt ceiling is anchored by the that debt servicing gobbles up, the gov- ry. The country’s growing debt burden spending. from it. Excessive public debt therefore
Public Finance Management Act of ernment appears to be borrowing be- has been attributed to many causes. Why does the debt ceiling matter? widens the welfare divide between the
2012. yond the country’s means. Increasing- First,  official sources point to  high in- Ceilings are imposed to ensure that rich and the poor.
ly, concerns are also being raised about frastructure spending, increased recur- countries employ public debt sustain-
Section 50(2) of the Act caps nation- the shifting composition of public debt rent expenditures (payment of regular ably. Debt sustainability is about the Fourth, research suggests that exces-
al government borrowing to a limit set in favour of external debt (lenders out- expenses like public wages and interest ability of a country’s current and expect- sive public debt negatively affects long-
by the national assembly. side Kenya.) External debt burden is on loans), revenue collection shortfalls, ed future income to cover debt servicing run economic growth.
usually heavier because it depletes the and constraints in institutional capacity costs.
This clause was recently amended to country of foreign exchange reserves. for public expenditure management. Finally, one of the most painful con-
allow the government to exceed the lim- This may trigger a fall in the value of the A breach of the debt ceiling signals sequences of excessive debt is possible
it under certain circumstances. The cir- shilling. Second, increased reliance on com- the possibility that the country’s debt default as has recently happened to Ar-
cumstances include depreciation of the mercial external debt with short tenors could be excessive and unsustainable. gentina and Zambia. Debt default could
shilling, material balance of payments As of June 2022, external debt con- (debt that must be repaid quickly) has result in loss of sovereignty as creditors
imbalances, or fiscal disruptions caused stituted about 50% of total public debt, put pressure on government to refi- Public debt is regarded as excessive if demand austerity measures (budget
by wars, health pandemics, or national up from 45% as of March 2013. The nance at short intervals and on worsen- it substantially reduces the amount of cuts) as part of any debt restructuring
disasters. more expensive commercial debt com- ing terms. In other words, an existing goods and services available to future deal. Kenya needs to draw some lessons
prised more than 25% of the external debt must be replaced with new debt generations, and if the country could from such undesirable cases.
Another amendment gives the Public debt as of June 2022. at a higher interest rate. The higher lose or only have reduced access to fi-
Debt Management Office the responsi- rate signals that lenders now have more nancing. — The Conversation.
bility to advise the national assembly on In real terms, the external debt bur- doubts about getting their money back.
an annual borrowing limit. Thus, the den has worsened due to the persistent Excessive public debt has several eco- *About the writer: Odongo Kodon-
government now has the flexibility to fall in the value of the Kenya shil- nomic consequences. First, servicing go is associate professor of finance at
adjust the borrowing limit every year. tge University of the Witwatersrand
in South Africa.
My concern is that the flexibility
introduced by these new amendments
can be abused by an irresponsible gov-
ernment.

But all is not lost. Before exploiting
this flexibility, the Treasury cabinet sec-
retary must explain the circumstances
to the national assembly and provide
a time-bound plan for remedying the
breach of the ceiling. Thus, all would be
well if the national assembly cannot be
unduly influenced by the executive.
How much is Kenya’s public debt
ceiling?
National government finances are gov-
erned by the  Public Finance Manage-
ment (National Government) Regu-
lations of 2015, which set the ceiling
at 50% of the present value of GDP.
The national Treasury has recently pro-
posed to change the limit to 55%.

The proposed change translates to a
debt ceiling of about KSh8.579 trillion
for 2022. This figure is calculated from
the official forecast for 2021 economic
production of KSh12.1 trillion and its
projected growth rate  of 5.9% during

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 37

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Child marriage comes with heavy cost
in Africa – But there’s one clear way out

SATHIYA SUSUMAN APPUNNI

650 million women and girls deal in common, including high clear-cut. What is more, there were Amid the many statistical vari- or even attend school  is discour-
alive today were married before poverty levels and substantial un- lots of statistical variations across ables that emerged, we were espe- aged as it is feared that an educated
their 18th birthday. That is one of der-15 and rural populations. the four countries and contradic- cially struck by the relationship girl is less likely to get a husband or
the startling figures contained in tions, as was to be expected. between educational levels and av- be a good wife.
a  2021 Unicef report  about child In each country, around 50% erage age at first marriage.
marriage. of people are younger than 15, For example, the average age of The role of education In Malawi, less than 15% of
and around half of the countries’ first marriage ranged from 15.3 in We found that the average age at women have any secondary school
Africa’s sub-Saharan region is respective populations live in rural Niger to 17.1 in Malawi. There first marriage in Niger, Mali, DRC, education, and 42% of girls are
home to  nine of the 10 coun- areas (a full 84% in the case of Ma- was also a range in the percent- and Malawi increased from young married before the age of 18 – the
tries with the highest rates of child lawi). age of women from the poorest people with no education (15.1, twelfth highest rate of child mar-
marriage in the world. wealth category in the countries 15.4, 16.2, and 16.4, respectively) riage in the world.
Among the four countries in our who had been married by 18: Ni- to those with secondary and high-
Ingrained traditions and cultur- study, Niger has the highest child ger (90.9%), Mali (80%), DRC er education (17.0, 16.6, 17.1 and Next steps
al practices typically entrench such marriage prevalence worldwide – (70.3%), Malawi (63.1%). 18.5 in that order). There is an urgent need for gov-
early marriages. State or customary 76% of girls are married before the ernments in these countries to in-
laws in  146 countries  allow girls age of 18. The rates stand at 52% Rates of early marriage dropped In addition, we saw that the troduce programmes that promote
younger than 18 to marry with the in Mali, 42% in Malawi, and 37% among women from richer cate- highest prevalence of early mar- delaying the age at which girls first
consent of their parents or other in the DRC. gories, but were still high: Niger riage (by 18 years) was found have sex and to equip adolescents
authorities. In  52 nations, girls (72.7%), Mali (65.4%), DRC among young women with no ed- with knowledge about responsible
under 15 can marry with parental For our analysis, we turned to (60.3%) and Malawi (42.5%). ucation (90.6%, 80.3%, 70.9%, and safer sex.
consent. the most recently available demo- and 70.3%). It was lowest among
graphic and health surveys from The study also showed that women with secondary and higher Policymakers should also work
Early marriage among boys each of the four countries. We then young women living in rural areas education (64.2%, 62.9%, 58.9%, to promote prolonged enrolment
is  also widespread, though the applied a framework that seeks to were likely to marry earlier than and 30.2%). in school for adolescent girls. And,
numbers are far lower than they describe the important social-cul- those from urban areas. crucially, laws are needed – and
are for girls and young women. tural and cognitive variables and Malawi is the only one of the must be enforced – that criminal-
their interrelationships that un- These variations’ social, eco- four countries where school ed- ise child marriages.
And it is girls and young women derlie behaviours and decisions nomic, and cultural underpinnings ucation is universal, accessible
who pay the heaviest costs for early around reproductive health. are likely complex and would need and compulsory. Education of- *About the writer: Sathiya Su-
marriage. Girls who marry before Statistical variables some unpacking. In some cultures, fers young women opportunities suman Appunni is professor of
18 are more likely to be subjected The answers we found as to why for example, girls are married off in life. In some African cultures, demography at the University of
to domestic violence and less likely early marriage is so commonplace young as they are considered to be however, allowing girls to finish the Western Cape in South Afri-
to continue schooling than their in these countries were not always more likely to be virgins still and ca. — The Conversation.
peers. They have worse econom- can thus fetch a higher payment of
ic and health outcomes, a burden what’s known as the bride price.
they almost inevitably pass on to
their children.

Early marriage has been linked
to poorer  cognitive develop-
ment and stunting among the chil-
dren of such women.

Today, the practice is declining
thanks to national and interna-
tional policies, global treaties and,
since 2016, the UNFPA-Unicef
Global Programme to End Child
Marriage. But gains have been slow
in sub-Saharan Africa.

What is it that drives the prac-
tice in the region? That’s what we
examined in a recent study. Using
statistical analysis, we looked at the
socio-economic and demograph-
ic determinants of early marriage
among young women the Demo-
cratic Republic of Congo (DRC),
Malawi, Mali and Niger. Each of
the four countries has sought to
introduce measures to discourage
early marriage, but their challenges
remain formidable.

We explored several possible ex-
planations and variables: age at first
intercourse, education and literacy,
women’s current age, region and
type of place of residence, family
wealth index, ethnicity, employ-
ment status, and even mass media
exposure.

One factor stands out across the
four countries in our study: edu-
cation. Women without formal
education are more likely to marry
early than those who completed
secondary or higher education.
Our study countries
The four countries have a great

Page 38 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

ANTHONY KAZIBONI Xenophobic myths about
SA immigrants debunked
IN South Africa, immigrants are
often scapegoated as the root of Protesters during a march against illegal immigrants in South Africa.
socio-economic problems. In the Myth 4: Most immigrants are in
post-apartheid landscape, Black the country illegally
African immigrants, mainly, from Often, immigrants enter South Af-
other African countries, have been rica with a regular status but fall
negatively stereotyped  as “illegal” into irregular status due to poor
and “job stealers” who are “crimi- immigration policy management.
nal” as well as “diseased”. The Department of Home Affairs is
struggling with a visa backlog part-
This attitudinal orientation of ly due to departmental dysfunction
hostility against non-nationals in a and corruption. In addition to the
given population is xenophobia. department’s backlogs, the cost of
applying for visas is exorbitant.
Since 1994,  more than 900 vi-
olent xenophobic incidents have Myth 5: Migrants are flooding
been recorded in South Africa, re- public healthcare services
sulting in at least 630 deaths, dis- The Limpopo health MEC, Dr
placement of 123 700 people, and Phophi Ramathuba, recently came
looting of about 4 850 shops. under the spotlight for berating an
immigrant woman. The moment
The eruption of xenophobic vi- was caught on video which then
olence undermines social stability went viral. Her remarks seemed
and cohesion, tolerance, the con- to  reinforce the myth  that immi-
stitution of South Africa, and the grants are overburdening the coun-
social fabric on which the country’s try’s public healthcare system. At
democracy is founded. about 6.5% of the population, it
is statistically impossible for immi-
Misstatements by public officials grants to be responsible for the na-
and politicians have time and again tional healthcare system’s failings.
fanned the flames of xenophobia
and violence associated with it. immigrants. from locals. to 66% . Paradoxically, when asked Futility in scapegoating
This belief is incorrect. Statistics In South Africa,  “one {regular} who commits crime in their com- Scapegoating immigrants will not
United Nations experts  recently munities, most people say it is lo- result in significantly improved
warned that “the country is on the South Africa (StatsSA)  estimates immigrant worker generates ap- cals. For example, between 2011 healthcare service provision, re-
precipice of explosive violence”. the number to be about 3.95 mil- proximately two jobs for locals.” and 2017, the national Victims of duced crime or less unemployment.
lion, accounting for 6.5% of the Crime surveys showed that 5.7%–
Almost three decades after the country’s population. This is not Migrants are also more likely 6.7% of households stated that — The Conversation.
county’s first democratic election, unique to South Africa. to be self-employed and employ crime in their areas was caused by
South Africa faces what  commen- South Africans. “people from outside South Afri- *About the writers: The re-
tators have dubbed the triple chal- This figure includes regular and Myth 3: Immigrants contribute ca”. search was conducted by Antho-
lenge of poverty, unemployment irregular immigrants to, or are responsible for, high ny Kaziboni and three colleagues
and inequality. Myth 2: Immigrants steal jobs levels of crime Statistically, there is no relation- from the Institute for Security
and employment opportunities Our report cites  2008 South Af- ship between international migra- Studies: Lizette Lancaster, Thato
More than half of the coun- from locals rican Social Attitudes Survey data tion in South Africa and crime.  Machabaphala and Godfrey Mu-
try’s population lives in poverty, While there is anecdotal evidence which showed that 62% of the laudzi. Anthony Kaziboni is head
with  close to 12 million people that migrants are “job stealers”, in sample believed that immigrants There is no evidence that most of research at the Institute for the
hungry and 2.5 million experienc- general, migrants do not appear were responsible for crime in the foreign-born nationals commit Future of Knowledge (IFK), Uni-
ing hunger daily. The country has a to take employment opportunities country. By 2016 it had gone up crime, or that they are responsible versity of Johannesburg, South
Gini coefficient of 0.65, making it for most crime in the country. Africa.
one of the most unequal countries
in the world.

A meagre 10% of the population
owns more than 80% of the wealth.
South Africa is still “a country of
two nations”, as former president
Thabo Mbeki once described it.

Youth unemployment is a huge
problem. Of the more than 10 mil-
lion people aged 15-24 years, only
2.5 million are active in the labour
force, either working or searching
for work. Over 75% of this group
is out of the labour force.

The significance of negative ste-
reotyping and scapegoating in re-
lation to the “triple challenge” is
that immigrants are portrayed as
the cause and a threat to national
sovereignty. Inflammatory remarks
about migrants by public officials
and  politicians harden mytholo-
gies.

In a recent  research paper  we
set out to debunk negative immi-
grant myths. We provided evidence
demonstrating the influence of
myths on the citizenry’s percep-
tions, as well as contradictions.

The research drew from author-
itative and credible sources of data
and information.

Beyond debunking the myths,
this research sets a baseline of what
facts exist regarding immigrants in
South Africa.
Myth 1: South Africa is swamped
with immigrants
It is widely believed that the coun-
try is flooded with immigrants.
The 2021 South African Social
Attitudes Survey indicates that al-
most half the sample believed the
country had between 17-40 million

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 39

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Ebola outbreak in Uganda: The health
system has never been better prepared

ABDHALAH ZIRABA Uganda has recorded an outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola virus. Institute at Entebbe. The laboratory
has the capacity to test and confirm
AN outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus between 25% and 90% of those in- laboratory, staff, supplies and senti- symptoms and what to do in case of whether suspect cases are indeed
was  announced  by Uganda’s minis- fected. The 2000  outbreak  resulted nel surveillance centres for the rapid contact or infection. Ebola virus disease cases. Timely
try of health on 21 September 2022. in 224 deaths out of 425 cases that detection of outbreaks. In the cur- confirmation is important to trig-
Uganda has had at least six  previous were reported countrywide. rent outbreak, the turnaround time Another critical factor is hav- ger the rapid response required. This
episodes of Ebola in 2000 (224 dead), What response measures has (24-48 hours) for laboratory testing ing rapid response teams on standby. includes contact tracing, health ed-
2007 (37 dead), 2011 (1 dead), two Uganda put in place over the years? was short and done at a laboratory Uganda has developed this capabil- ucation and care for those who are
events in 2012 (21 dead) and 2019 (4 Uganda borders on regions of the located within the country. ity. infected.
dead). The recently confirmed case is of Democratic Republic of Congo that
the less deadly Sudan strain. Abdhalah have suffered numerous outbreaks of Delayed action, poor health ed- Just as important is the need for Uganda has also learnt the value
Ziraba, a public health researcher who Ebola. The last of these was  report- ucation messaging and slow be- a strong surveillance system to pick of sounding the international alarm
heads the emerging and re-emerging ed in August 2022. Uganda itself has haviour change helped spur the out- up suspicious cases early. Front- at the earliest. It did so this time
infectious diseases research unit at Af- experienced several past outbreaks. breaks in West Africa in 2014-2016 line health care workers have been round, alerting the WHO within
rican Population and Health Research For these reasons the country has and eastern DRC in 2019. Uganda trained to be able to pick out sus- hours of detecting the first suspected
Centre, outlines Uganda’s preparedness developed a functional  surveillance has drawn lessons from these and its pected cases, which in turn get case.
this time around. system  to flag and confirm suspi- own large outbreak in 2000 and it is isolated. Suspected cases are given
What is known about the latest cious cases early. not taking chances. supportive treatment, reported and What challenges remain?
outbreak of Ebola in Uganda? What useful lessons can Uganda specimens collected and sent to the Tracing of contact cases can be chal-
The first confirmed case is a 24-year- Uganda’s viral haemorrhagic fever offer based on previous experi- reference lab for analysis. Once a lenging due to population mobili-
old man who presented on the 11th surveillance programme was  estab- ence? case is confirmed efforts are made ty. For example, an infected person
of September 2022 with symptoms lished in 2010 in collaboration with Public health messaging is critical to manage cases and prevent further might travel to a populated urban
of Ebola. The case was confirmed the viral special pathogens branch of and has worked well for Uganda in transmission. The ministry of health centre using public transport and
on 19 September 2022 through lab- the US Centres for Disease Control past outbreaks. Health education and partners also provide the capaci- possibly get attended to in a health
oratory testing. Laboratory results and Prevention (CDC). The surveil- campaigns carry messages on pre- ty to evaluate and care for a marked- facility by unsuspecting health
showed that he died from the Su- lance programme has a diagnostic vention practices, manifestation of ly increased volume of patients. workers. Along the way many con-
dan strain of Ebola, which was last tacts will be made which are difficult
identified in the country in 2012. Uganda has local laboratory ca- to trace should the suspect case be
The Sudan ebolavirus generally has a pacity at the Uganda Virus Research confirmed.
lower case fatality rate than the Zaire
strain, which broke out in DRC and On top of this, rigorous contact
parts of Uganda in 2018. tracing and treatment of confirmed
cases costs money. So technical sup-
Other  suspicious deaths  in the port and resources need to be made
month of September 2022 and pa- available.
tients in the same district are being
investigated to establish whether Looking to the future, the EVD
they succumbed to Ebola. As of the problem needs to be addressed from
23rd September 2022, there were 11 all angles. Human-wildlife contacts,
confirmed cases. including eating wild meat, is a risk
What are the risks to public health? for transmission. It is suspected that
The Ebola virus is  highly infec- bats and primates are the animal
tious  and mainly transmitted sources of the virus and therefore
through contact with body fluid of they are better avoided, especially in
infected persons. endemic areas.

The risk to the public is real as the Lastly, the available vaccine may
first documented case could have not be effective against the strain
exposed family members and also that has broken out in Uganda. Cur-
members of the public in close con- rently, the only approved vaccine is
tact. The next few days are critical one for the Zaire strain. The vaccine
to identify any secondary cases and for the Sudan strain has not yet been
their potential contacts. approved.

Ebola tends to have a high case This Ebola virus disease outbreak
fatality rate – out of those infected a and others before it as well as the
high proportion end up dying. In the COVID-19 pandemic are a remind-
2000 outbreak in northern Uganda, er that infectious diseases – new or
more than half (53%) of all those in- old – pose a major threat to public
fected with the virus succumbed to it. health that requires investment and
Depending on the strain of the virus action to safeguard human health.
and public health response in place,
the fatality rate can range anywhere — The Conversation.

*About the writer: Abdhalah
Ziraba is a research scientist at the
African Population and Health Re-
search Centre in Kenya.

Page 40 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

MARK PATERSON / THIERRY LUESCHER Universities in Africa ‘don’t
understand what they are’
AFRICAN universities must resist be abandoned on the basis of an “un-
the blandishments of short-sighted Discretion about indigenous as “primitive” even though “these proach would be to frame the positive founded assumption that the English
politicians, wealthy donors and the knowledge scholars, themselves depend, or have contributions that African institu- in Britain are the ones who own the
advocates of radical change in high- Nkhoma also sounds a note of cau- depended, on this knowledge, ex- tions are making in various sectors of language”.
er education if they are to deliver on tion around how the concept of propriating it for themselves – and society and to deploy that outlook as
their core mandate of supporting indigenous knowledge has been de- have then sought to export it back to a platform for solving problems, cre- “The reality is that English has
local and national development, ac- ployed as a cause for transformation. where it originated as if it were not ating new knowledge, and developing been adopted by many systems and
cording to Nelson Masanche Nkho- already there”. innovations for dealing with different can be used as one’s own language on
ma, a researcher at the Institute for “The question here concerns which situations." the basis that it is a joint creation.
Post-School Studies at the University knowledge is indigenous, and which In place of this perspective, Nk-
of the Western Cape in South Africa. is not, given that all knowledge has a homa says, there should be greater Nkhoma sees such self-reliance as Nkhoma advises that, rather than
genesis,” he notes. appreciation of Africa’s capacity for fundamental to Africa’s quest to forge seeking to promote alternative sys-
Rather, Nkhoma says, the universi- knowledge production – the fact that a developmental path that is genu- tems of teaching and research, uni-
ties should be proactive, practical and “In this regard, it can be quite un- the continent’s education systems al- inely independent of external inter- versities should focus on their core
confident in their ability to solve the helpful to categorise certain knowl- ready hold the knowledge required to ference. “No one is going to beat the mission of teaching advanced skills so
problems faced by African societies edge as indigenous or as externally foster development. African drum if the Africans, them- that graduates can meet present eco-
and economies, while also taking a produced, without paying attention A change in approach selves, can’t do it,” he says. nomic needs and demands and pro-
long, hard look at the extent and na- to where and how it has come to be “A change in approach is required,” English as medium of instruction duce relevant knowledge that has a
ture of their limitations. made. In fact, all knowledge is indig- he says. In this context, he opposes the widely practical application in the local and
enous to a specific context, and must promoted decolonialist position that national context.
Acknowledging that the relevance be applied in relation to a particular “Many of those in influential po- English is inadequate as a medium of
of the contribution made by univer- context, if it is to be meaningful. sitions adopt a deficit approach, instruction. “All knowledge … must be applied
sities has been “somewhat mixed” perhaps as a means of raising mon- in relation to a particular context if it
he, nevertheless, envisages a crucial “Accordingly, I become concerned ey. When describing the character of “I do not believe there is any need is to be meaningful,” he says.
role for them in training, knowledge when someone says: ‘No, we should the higher education system in Afri- to replace English … as a technology
production and “creating a particular be bringing indigenous knowledge ca, they place the emphasis on what for communication, with isiZulu or Accordingly, he notes, the priority
vision of society”. into the university’… Such a dis- the universities lack, for example, in Shona or Chichewa or Kiswahili. In for universities should be the practical
course can exacerbate divisions within relation to their infrastructure. Then my mind, English is an inductor lan- steps that may be taken in support of
“They are well-positioned com- knowledge that should not be there.” there is a call that help is needed to be guage. It changes. It adopts. It is not a development, rather than the formu-
pared with other external stakeholders able to achieve A, B or C. stagnant language,” he says. lation of grand theories for change.
or politicians whose efforts to shape He describes how this kind of de-
the direction that African countries marcation of knowledge has allowed “However, a more effective ap- He advises that English should not “There’s a saying that my grandfa-
should take may be undermined by academics in Europe to describe ther taught me which I find valuable,
a relative lack of expertise and their African knowledge or technologies which translates literally as: ‘Being
own parochial interests, which may smart doesn’t catch fish; what catches
be corrupt,” he says. fish is the hook.”

In this context, he argues that ef- “For me, the lesson of this is that
forts to shift knowledge-production there is little point in pretending to
agendas so they address national be smart about the pressing problems
development concerns effectively being faced; rather the focus should
should be grounded on a clear under- be on the materials and the methods
standing of universities’ current insti- that may be used to deal with these
tutional reality. challenges.”

“The challenge for universities in In this context, the key questions
Africa is that they don’t understand that should be addressed, according
what they are,” he says. to Nkhoma are: “What hook do we
have to create a university of the pres-
“The problem is exacerbated by the ent that can spearhead development
influence being wielded by people into the future? What hook do we
with money who have different agen- have to create the knowledge that is
das for what the university should try necessary to change the systems in
to achieve. Without a clear under- Africa so that the continent can move
standing of its own role and, thus, its from dependency to actual indepen-
future direction, the university is in dence?”
danger of becoming just an instru-
ment in other people’s games.” This is an edited version of an ar-
ticle first published by  University
In this regard, Nkhoma warns World News and is based on an inter-
that universities should be wary of view conducted by Professor Cather-
sacrificing their present institutional ine Odora Hoppers for The Imprint
strengths on the altar of purportedly of Education project, which is being
radical transformation. implemented by the Human Scienc-
es Research Council, South Africa,
In particular, he advises South in partnership with the Mastercard
African universities to take careful Foundation.
stock of what is being proposed in
the name of “decolonisation” before This project, which includes a se-
taking action. ries of critical engagements with ex-
perienced scholars and thought lead-
“The debate about decolonising ers on their reimaginings of higher
the university which is taking place education in Africa, investigates cur-
in South Africa is quite unclear about rent and future challenges facing the
what the university is supposed to sector, including best practices and
be decolonised from, although such innovations.
clarity is necessary if the university
is to move forward in relation to this Mark Paterson and Thierry Lu-
idea,” he says. escher edited the transcript for focus
and length.
Nkhoma advises that, since high-
er education systems and institutions — Mail & Guardian.
are generally slow to change, their
transformation can only be imple- *About the writers: Mark Pater-
mented gradually and with due con- son is a communications and pol-
sideration. icy consultant, writer and editor.
Thierry Luescher is a South Afri-
“So, I am wary of people who use can-Swiss author and researcher
cheap rhetoric, which is quite com- at the Human Sciences Research
mon now,” he says. Council and an affiliated professor
at the University of the Free State.
“For example, the debate around
decolonisation taking place in South
African universities feels somewhat
detached from the discourse among
other higher education institutions in
Africa, perhaps because the country is
in a relatively remote part of the con-
tinent.”

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 41

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Africa risks losing out on trade as rich countries

cement relationships with trusted partners

JONATHAN MUNEMO

OVER the past few years, the world’s portance of friend-shoring. Speak- chains is also underway in Eu- Their economies will benefit from What’s to be done?
supply chains have been strained ing in Tokyo she said: rope. According to European the boost given to trade, production Looking forward, there are at least
and disrupted by the Covid-19 pan- Central Bank President Christine plants, jobs and investments. three essential things that can be
demic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, …it is important that we and our Lagarde,  nearly half of compa- done to mitigate negative impacts
and rising geopolitical tensions. allies partner in a way that allows us nies  had diversified their supplier In addition, friend-shoring also on Africa.
These started with the US-China to grow, and in a way that allows us base by the end of 2021. As the threatens to undermine the World
trade war and then intensified fol- to function at a very practical level. world’s largest single market, the Trade Organisation’s  Aid for Trade First, effective friend-shoring
lowing the war in Ukraine. EU is able to use its strong regional initiative. This was launched in alliances should be included as a
US President Joe Biden has been base to diversify supply chains with- 2005 to assist developing countries centerpiece of the new US strategy
In response to the cumulative pushing the same supply-chain in the bloc. reduce trade costs and thereby en- towards sub-Saharan Africa. African
economic and security fallout that strategy in Asia. A centerpiece of hance export competitiveness. Its policy makers should strongly urge
has ensued, some advanced coun- the Indo-Pacific Economic Frame- While the Covid-19 pandemic significance has steadily increased the Biden administration to do this
tries are now ramping up efforts to work he unveiled in Asia is bolster- certainly played an important role in the years after it was launched. and demonstrate commitment on
divert their supply chains away from ing regional supply chains as part of in spurring the shift from depen- At this year’s WTO meeting in July, their part to be trusted partners.
countries that are not like-minded Washington’s efforts to strengthen dence to diversification, the war in Aid for Trade discussions focused
and that do not have shared com- ties with trusted Asian partners. Ukraine was a tipping point for Eu- on helping Africa and other devel- Second, the EU should also de-
mon values. And to counter China. rope from an economic and securi- oping countries recover and build velop an effective friend-shoring
ty standpoint. It further intensified long-term sustainable development strategy with African partners,
This new supply chain strategy is The framework is also a big deal the drive to diversify supply lines by supporting priority needs they even as it pushes for an expansion
called “friend-shoring.” Advanced for the US because it brings togeth- away from Russian suppliers of crit- had identified. of intra-bloc supply chains. Again,
countries are creating friend-shor- er economies that contribute near- ical commodities, especially energy, it is paramount that African poli-
ing alliances which are, in turn, re- ly 40% of global GDP. Along with food, and fertiliser. The strategy is These needs include trade facili- cy makers take the lead and justify
shaping our global economy. the US, its other key members in- to friend-shore them to countries tation, digital connectivity, export the importance of entering into a
clude Australia, India, Japan, South deemed reliable and with shared diversification, connecting to value strong friend -shoring relationship
These shifts have adverse impli- Korea, New Zealand and several strategic interests. chains, and women’s economic em- with the EU.
cations for Africa. The approaches Southeast Asian countries. Africa stands to lose out powerment.
to reconfiguring supply chains cur- Africa has nothing to gain from Finally, defending the rules-
rently unfolding threaten to heap The Biden administration also the current reshaping of supply They also focused on how envi- based multilateral trading system is
more stress on a continent already unveiled a new US strategy towards chains. This is because US and EU ronmentally sustainable develop- important to ensure that it contin-
weighed down by multiple crises. Sub-Saharan Africa in August. But, friend-shoring initiatives heavily ment can contribute to achieving ues to deliver benefits for develop-
in sharp contrast to the Indo-Pa- favour Asian and Indo-pacific part- these priority needs. ing and least developed countries,
Africa stands to lose out because cific Economic Framework, it does ners. Winners from these initiatives including those in Africa.
the current reshaping of supply not include any specific and con- include Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet- Reconfiguring supply chains in
chains is not intended to shift trade, crete friend-shoring commitments nam and other Indo-Pacific coun- ways that exclusively lend a helping — The Conversation.
investments and jobs towards Afri- for African countries. And appears tries deemed to be trustworthy. hand to current US and EU ma-
can trade partners. Rather it’s got to mainly to be another counter play noeuvring will only make it more *About the writer: Jonathan
do with efforts by the EU and US against China and Russia — the difficult for Africa to benefit from Munemo is professor of econom-
to insulate their supply chains from US’s two top adversaries. WTO support in these important ics at Salisbury University in the
being disrupted for geopolitical rea- areas. United States.
sons by less trusted partners with The push to diversify supply
significant global market share in
key raw materials, commodities and
other essential products.

Steps can be taken to mitigate
the negative economic effects that
will be imposed on Africa by this
supply chain reorientation. These
include forging strong and effective
friend -shoring alliances with the
advanced economies and defending
the rules-based multilateral trading
system.
The push for a friend-shoring
strategy
In the US, friend-shoring as a pol-
icy goal was first proposed by Trea-
sury secretary Janet Yellen in April
this year. In her remarks on the
way forward for the global econo-
my, she identified friend-shoring
of supply chains as a strategy that
could achieve two outcomes. First-
ly it could securely extend market
access. Secondly it could simulta-
neously lower the risks to the US
economy and its trusted trade part-
ners.

Then  during a tour  of East Asia
in July, Yellen sought to promote
the US administration’s proposed
friend-shoring policy first in Tokyo
and later on in a speech delivered in
Seoul. She said:

In so doing, we can help to in-
sulate both American and Korean
households from the price increases
and disruptions caused by geopolit-
ical and economic risks.

And during a recent visit to Japan
and South Korea, Vice President
Kamala Harris emphasised the im-

Page 42 World News NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Sterling hits all-time low: Two things can turn
this around but neither is straightforward

JEAN-PHILIPPE SERBERA

WHILE most people in the United
Kingdom were still in bed in the early
hours of Monday morning, the pound
dived.

It fell over 4% during Asia trading
to reach its lowest ever level against the
dollar of US$1.035, while also hitting
€1.079 against the euro. This was an
exceptional fall, and continues its 3%
decline against the US dollar on Fri-
day in response to the hefty borrowing
and tax-cutting in Chancellor Kwasi
Kwarteng’s mini-budget.

Pound versus US dollar
In parallel, traders have been dump-
ing British government bonds, which
is driving up long-term interest rates
or yields. The yield on 10-year bonds,
which heavily influences mortgage
rates and other bank lending, is now
above 4% for the first time since its
highs following the 2007-09 financial
crisis.

UK 10-year bond yields 2007-2022 In a situation where there is argu- would then increase and the tax cuts the government stimulating while the headline rates, possibly by 0.5 percent-
The pound rebounded back above ably a need for immediate action to would be counterproductive. Bank of England is tightening mon- age points or more, this would have a
US$1.08 in the hours after the Euro- support consumption because people’s etary policy by raising rates, they are detrimental effect on business financ-
pean markets opened, while ten-year purchasing power is being eroded by Either way, the weaker pound is go- also acting as two opposing forces ing and economic activity by further
bond yields have also eased a little. It rising inflation, direct cash transfers ing to further exacerbate UK inflation when it would be better for them to increasing the likelihood of higher
is possible that the pound crash during would have been faster acting. by making imports more expensive. At coordinate with one another. rates on mortgages and business loans.
the Asia session was over-extended be- the same time, the rise in bond yields What a turnaround looks like This might completely negate the
cause trading volumes in the British Tax cuts may not even work here. will potentially damage growth by It is nevertheless possible that the government’s attempts to support the
currency are lower, which makes it People in the UK may well see the increasing lending costs and making pound is now steadying amid specu- economy by cutting stamp duty and
easier for smaller amounts of money to negative reaction from the markets consumers feel poorer. lation that the Bank of England may reversing the planned corporation tax
make a bigger impact on the market. It and become more pessimistic about intervene with a rate rise to support hike – again undermining the growth
is not uncommon for lows to be made the prospects for the economy. If so, It will also make the extra govern- the currency. This would echo the plan.
in early Asia trading, as has been the they are likely to spend less, which ment borrowing in the mini-budget Japanese central bank’s  recent inter-
case in previous currency crashes. would weaken growth as opposed to even more expensive than it was go- vention  to support the yen, which is The bigger question is what hap-
increasing it in the way that the gov- ing to be already. All of this is likely also in a historic decline against the pens to US inflation. If it were to fall
On the other hand, many analysts ernment is hoping for. to put further pressure on the public US dollar. thanks to a drop in the cost of energy
think the pound reaching parity with finances. imports and an improved global sup-
the US dollar is increasingly likely. So The government deficit — the gap Yet if the Bank of England does raise ply chain, the Federal Reserve may
where is all this heading and what will between how much it spends com- This is all a reminder that politi- pivot on monetary policy. This would
the consequences be? pared to how much it brings in — cally motivated economic policy does entail a pause on recent interest-rate
The mini-budget gamble not sit well with the markets. With increases or even the start of a reversal,
The pound has already been weaken- which would take pressure off curren-
ing  for over a year. This is partly be- cies such as the pound and help rescue
cause the US dollar has been getting the UK economy.
stronger as the US Federal Reserve has
raised interest rates and reduced the Only then would the supply-side
supply of dollars to try and get infla- measures in the mini-budget geared
tion under control, and partly because towards helping businesses with lower
the UK with its exposure to high gas corporation tax, simpler planning and
prices and post-Brexit challenges does low-tax investment zones bear fruit.
not look like a great prospect for eco- Even then, the government would
nomic growth. have to hope that consumer and busi-
Pound versus US dollar 1972-2022 ness sentiment had not deteriorated
The new Truss government’s economic too much in the meantime. That all
and fiscal policies have made the mar- amounts to an extraordinarily risky
ket even more uneasy. They are based gamble — if it doesn’t pay off, expect
on a combination of energy subsidies more trouble ahead.
and huge tax giveaways — particu-
larly to high-income households and — The Conversation.
homeowners — which will increase
annual borrowing by more than £100 *About the writer: Dr Jean-
billion. Philippe Serbera, an economist, lec-
tures at Sheffield Hallam University
The tax-cutting, which covers £45 in the United Kingdom.
billion of that increase, is a shift away
from the direct transfers of money
from governments to households and
businesses that have been used to help
maintain consumption since 2008 in
the UK and many other countries.

The benefits of tax-cutting in stim-
ulating the economy are more delayed,
which makes them more uncertain
than direct handouts.

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 43 Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Victor Matiyenga

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA I am not a front of anybody “I enjoy real estate and property
— Exquisite Car Sales owner development, this is why the show-
BLACK-OWNED businesses, all room you see here is not top class but
over the world, face the reality of ste- that is of high quality and owned by the car industry is run. I also learn a The former Prince Edward School exquisite as well,” he said.
reotypes. a black Zimbabwean, people quickly lot from other established dealers pupil remembers how his father de-
think you’re fronting for somebody. like FaraMatsi who have been in the nied him the opportunity to pursue a Victor, who is the managing direc-
For the successful ones, the un- My father gave me US$10 000 to industry for long. And I also add university degree. tor of Exquisite Car Sales, won Busi-
wanted label is that the entrepreneur start Exquisite Car Sales and I would innovation to come up with quality nessman of the Year (automotive ser-
is a “front”, that they are managing ride the buses to Musina to buy products. I’m not worried about the And the worst was that Victor vices) and his company was adjudged
the business on behalf of a silent ex-Japanese cars for resale. I started quantity of cars I sell,” he said. started off as a janitor and his father Company of the Year (automotive
wealthy owner in the background. with just one car.” never allowed him to engage with cli- services) in 2020.
But what sets him apart from his ents. The reason was that he was not
This is the sort of narrative that The journey to success was arduous peers is that Victor is a perfectionist qualified to talk about cars and there And what is in store for the future?
Victor Matiyenga has had to put up and long but Matiyenga was passion- and driven by passion. was no value in having him engag- “The future should see us go across
with ever since he started out his ate. ing with clients but he would rather borders and open shops,” he add-
booming car sale venture in 2014. At the corner of Tongogara and would be assigned to assisting with ed. “We are targeting service centres
“What people do not know is that Mazowe streets in the Avenues area of car-wash duties. where we not only sell but maintain
“If a business is black owned and everything you see here is built with Harare is a state-of-the art showroom the cars.
successful, then you’re labelled a passion, prayer and hard work,” he and a first in the capital. Surprisingly, his father is now “We are not going to stop innovat-
front,” said Matiyenga. explained. proud that he groomed him well. ing because now the young entrepre-
And inside, there are super cars neur have somewhere to start from
“I have been associated with pol- The 33-year-old insisted he is his only for the well-heeled. “Here am I, I have surpassed my so they will be ahead of us. We must
iticians for the longest time now own man and that he learnt a lot father’s expectations and now offer now apply for a dealership licence
and there are many people who have while he worked under his father Although some cars are new and quality products,” he said. and sell brand new. However, unlike
been labelled as fronts as in the case Washington Matiyenga, who runs pre-owned, it is the quality that others, we want a situation where we
of Chicken Slice (owner Tawanda Harare City Motors. meets the eye. The cars are high-end Asked what he would have become can do all brands instead of focusing
Mutyebere).” imports from Australia, South Africa if he had continued with his educa- on just one. Brands like Porsche, Tes-
“The one good thing about me is and Thailand, to mention just a few tion, Victor said he would have been la and Toyota.”
He explained further when asked that I travel a lot to Europe to see how countries. a property developer. He said the one of the biggest chal-
to comment on why people view him lenges afflicting the car industry, par-
as a front of Emmerson Mnangagwa ticularly pre-owned vehicles, was sup-
Jnr, the son of President Emmerson pliers who tamper with the mileage
Mnangagwa. and those that sell accident-damaged
vehicles.
“I started Exquisite Car Sales in
2014 having worked under the tute-
lage of my father for years,” he said.

“And what is shocking is anything

Page 44 Life & Style NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA Government to develop Tugwi
Mukosi as tourism destination
ENVIRONMENT, Climate, Tour- “On World Tourism Day 2022,
ism and Hospitality Industry depu- people everywhere. Goals, remain the ultimate objectivs. not easy but was on the way. UNWTO calls on both tourism lead-
ty minister Barbara Rwodzi says the “However, this year especially we “However, every part of the sector, “Crisis has inspired and catalysed ers and everyone at the base of the
government is looking at ways of broad and diverse tourism pyramid
developing Tugwi Mukosi Dam as a also recognize that we cannot go back from UNWTO and governments creativity. And the pandemic accel- to pause, reflect and rethink what we
tourism destination for the benefit of to the old ways of working. We must at the top down to destinations and erated the transformation of work, do and how we do it. The future of
local community. Rethink Tourism,” Pololikashvili small businesses at the bottom, must bringing both challenges as well as tourism starts today,” he said.
said. rethink how we get there. enormous opportunities to ensure
Tugwi Mukosi is the second largest even more people get to benefit from Tourism Business Council of Zim-
man made dam after Kariba. “As the world opens up again, “This will require restructuring tourism’s restart. babwe president Wengai Nhau said
we must learn the lessons of the business models so that they put peo- the concept of rethinking suggests
The dam could have the same [Covid-19] pandemic and the asso- ple first. Tourism has always worked “We are also making significant re- strategising for better results and
aquatic benefits as Kariba Dam inso- ciated pause in international travel. for young people, for women and for progress in making tourism a central outcomes.
far as sustaining livelihoods. In exposing weaknesses, the crisis communities. driver of the green, the blue and the
showed us where we can build more digital economies, ensuring growth “Covid-19 came and made some
Zimbabwe joined the rest of the resilience. And in exposing inequali- “But now it must truly work with does not come at the expense of peo- damage to the world in terms of hu-
world in celebrating World Tourism ties, it also showed us where we can them as well. We need new voices as ple or planet.” man resources situation.
Day on Friday at Tugwi Mukosi Dam deliver more fairness.” well as new ideas if we are to trans-
in Masvingo.  form our sector and build a better Pololikashvili said the potential of “Business lost a lot of actively em-
Fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda tourism for all.” tourism was enormous and there was ployed productive personnel during
World Tourism Day is observed for Sustainable Development, along a shared responsibility to make sure it the height of the attack. That resulted
every year to celebrate tourism’s with its 17 Sustainable Development He said rethinking one of the was fully realised. in a lot of rethinking for businesses to
growth and achievements in recent world’s major economic sectors was remain operational, let alone viable,”
times on 27 September. he said.

Addressing guests, Rwodzi said “New business models and new
the theme, "Rethink Tourism", also ways of doing business proficiently
dovetails into President Emmerson are now called for to sustain tourism.
Mnangagwa’s vision of “leaving no Now more than even before, business
one and no place behind”. think-tanks are important depart-
ments for business with an eye on the
Rwodzi said the focus should be future.”
on women and other marginalised
groups that could benefit from the He said innovation was key in nav-
tourism industry, while ensuring the igating the future business environ-
sector's growth does not come at the ment.
expense of people or planet.
World Tourism Day was estab-
She said this year’s theme was cen- lished in 1970 as a means for the
tred on the theme and the impor- world to recognize the importance of
tance of inclusivity in tourism the tourism.
sector, quoting from the United Na-
tions World Tourism Organisation The occasion was only celebrated
(UNWTO) official message. first time on 27 September 1980.

In his official message on World In Zimbabwe, tourism is a major
Tourism Day, UNWTO secre- contributor to gross domestic prod-
tary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said uct, employment, foreign currency
the day presented a chance to come generation and a good distributor of
together and celebrate the many and wealth to remote areas of the country
varied accomplishments of the sector. where little economic activity usually
takes place.
“For the best part of four decades,
we celebrated tourism’s unparalleled
growth — in size, in reach and in sig-
nificance.

“In 2022, we once again recognize
the opportunities that tourism has
brought – and continues to bring —

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 45

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel “As we speak both buyers and
(ZTA) says part of the 100 inter- Expo 15th edition on schedule sellers have begun to initiate ap-
national buyers for 15th edition of pointments online and they are able
Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel are 250 exhibitors at and also 20 Travel Expo is in its 15th year run- reposition the destination to both to maximise on the platform since
Expo are expected to start arriving countries. ning. This year's version is the first the local and international markets. there are many buyers and sellers
in the country this weekend for the in-person event after the Covid-19 who are coming. So they book for an
scheduled pre-tours. “South Africa Tourism has come pandemic disruptions. Meanwhile, Koti says that major appointment online and then meet
up in a big way with a large number highlights for this year’s edition of physically much later," he said.
ZTA Head Corporate Affairs of exhibitors at Sanganai/Hlanga- The tourism event brings a becon Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tour-
Godfrey Koti said the buyers will ar- nani." of hope for the sector as it connects ism Expo include speed networking, “One of the highlights is the
rive tomorrow, signaling the start of local operators and businesses with pre-arranged buyers and exhibitors famed Speed Networking where
the expo. Besides Botswana, South Afri- buyers from across the world. meetings, a Tourism Investment Fo- buyers and sellers derive maximum
ca which is arguably an important rum, a Sports Tourism Symposium, value since they meet and interact
“For us Sanganai/Hlanganani es- source market for Zimbabwe on the Tourism was one of the hardest hit an electric concert on the closing face to face under one roof.
sentially kicks off on Sunday with the continent, is bringing about three sectors by the Covid-19 Pandemic night of the Public Day and culinary
arrival of the first batch of interna- provinces to the expo. and Zimbabweis using the upcom- demos among many others. “The hosted buyers’ tours will
tional buyers into Destination Zim- ing show as a platform to market and provide ZTA with a win-win situa-
babwe. We're expecting three buyers Sanganai/Hlanganani World tion whereby the service providers
from Europe, one from France and have an uninterrupted opportunity
two from Germany," said Koti. to subsidize products and get the
exposure and the much needed pub-
“We are looking at 100 hosted licity."
buyers who are coming and various
international media houses. There — STAFF WRITER.

Page 46 Life & Style NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 47
ued Harare listeners and beyond anoth-
Issue 100, 30 September 2022 More legendary DJs sign er legendary offering, we have regrouped
up for Flowtymeradio.com and have extended more time, more leg-
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA ends and more legendary selections on
Felix "The Happy Smiler" our personal platform, @flowtymeradio.
THE good days of radio are on their way Nganjo and Donald “The com, so we are pleased to announce that
back, so it seems! Main Attraction” FlowtymeRadio.com is back with a Leg-
endary instalment, one of many in the
The newly-launched hottest online works.”
station – Flowtymeradio.com – contin-
ue to sign more big-name DJs of the The Weekend of Legends will official-
past, to cure the nostalgia of Zimbabwe- ly be flowing from 30 September 2022
an radio enthusiasts. which will kick off the weekend on Fri-
day from 6pm till midnight.
The station has partnered Harare’s
talk radio Capitalk100.4. The show is dubbed Club Flowtyme
featuring legendary club DJs from
Already, the online radio station around the globe, DJ Fresh (South Af-
boasts big names including George rica), Donald.
Munetsi, Donald “The Main Attrac-
tion”, Otis Fraser and veteran broadcast- The Main Attraction (United States), 
er John Matinde. DJ C4 (South Africa), Tha Ei8th One-
Duh (United States).
Now the latest additions to the roster
are the vivacious Sophie Chamboko, Fe- And Saturday's show under The
lix Nganjo, DJ Momo Burrd, DJ Run Weekend of Legends theme will be
and DJ Fresh. dubbed The Return of The Legends
flowing from 1 October 2022 from 9am
According to a Flowtymeradio.com to 3pm (Central African Time) featuring
publicist, the station has hailed the col- Zimbabwe's Radio Dream Team, Don-
laboration with Capitalk100.4FM. ald The Main Attraction (United States), 
Sophie Chamboko (South Africa),
“The station of Flowtymeradio. George Munetsi (South Africa),  John
com would like to extend a message of Matinde (United Kingdom), DJ Momo
gratitude to Capitalk 100.4 FM, for Burrd (United States) & Otis The Flow
graciously partnering and hosting The (Botswana).
Flowtyme Radio Sunday Takeover. The
collaboration really showed that there's Lastly, Sunday's show under the
power in unity and numbers, we pull Weekend of Legends theme will be
stronger together,” he said. dubbed The Sunday Flow flowing from
2 October from 9am to 3pm (Central
“We will always treasure the memo- African Time) will feature legends of
ries, the history that we made together the industry, namely Felix "The Happy
and, most importantly, the 500 000- Smiler" Nganjo (United Kingdom), DJ
plus listeners from Harare, surrounding Run (United States). On the Overflow
areas and online that tuned in every there will be broadcasts and reruns of
Sunday Morning and made our job so past shows.
meaningful & fulfilling.

“We say thank you for the memo-
rable time and your invaluable listen-
ership. As a result Flowtyme Radio has
been working diligently to give our val-

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Page 48 State of the culture NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Journalism serves a higher purpose

WRITING a column requires a Filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga and journalist Julie Barnes.
unique perspective on topical is-
sues. It requires a certain irreverence tender award. There is no need for found them guilty of inciting public as long as they do necessary things will remain on the matter till further
about society’s sacred cows. discussions around the issue, which violence and breaching the peace. such as to steward the country’s re- measures are put in place to ensure
is clearly an abuse of public office The magistrate went further to ex- sources with vigilance, diligence that the such scandals do not recur.
I imagine that those that read matter. But, as has consistently been plain that as a result of their actions, and excellence. We cannot all work It is only proper to do this. How ex-
this column or any other consistent- the case, the public officials will live images were shared on social media for state media and we cannot all actly a ruling party functionary will
ly share the writer’s concerns and to lie another day. Worse still, they and that others could have been in- sing from that hym book. What re- perceive our work as anti-govern-
maintain a healthy curiosity about will be around long enough to award cited to protest. The two were fined mains is that we in the media work ment is befuddling. I imagine that
their pet peeves and worldview. It is another shady tender to another cro- ZW$70 000 to escape serving a six- as "scribe sentinels" and in this re- as patriots, we should all be on the
draining at times and being a jour- ny. Questions arise as to how many month jail term. If they re-offend gard there is no need for partiality. same page with regards to the man-
nalist in Zimbabwe is not an easy other tenders have been awarded in within the next five years, they will Thus when security detail from the agement of national resources. Alas,
thing. I am not complaining. I am similar fashion. This particular case have to serve six months in jail as opposition Citizens' Coalition for some become defensive and begin
just saying that it is easy to trip over should, under normal, circumstanc- per the judgement. Dangarembga is Change attacked colleague journal- to wax lyrical about patriotism blah
the socio-political quagmire our na- es have triggered a thorough inves- one of our most celebrated authors ist Ruvimbo Muchenje a few weeks blah. We are not children. No one
tion finds itself in. tigation and audit of all parliamen- and her literary works have carved a ago, the fraternity did not gloss over gets to pose as if they have the mo-
Misconception tary business involving money. But niche for her globally. Her current the issue but came out strongly to nopoly fealty to this nation.
On one hand, there are those within I imagine that might already have book, "This Mournable Body", has condemn it. It was a teaching mo- Country brand
the state machinery who appreciate been done. been shortlisted for the Booker Prize ment. All power must be checked. Cumulatively, the actions of all
the role journalists play in highlight- Auditor-General award. In essence, the judgement Yes, CCC issued an apology, but it Zimbabweans, within and without,
ing and spotlighting the issues that Quite easily one of the most import- deals a further blow to freedom of was just a sad incident. Politicians’ contribute to a country brand. I am
are critical to our nation’s progress. ant offices in the country is the office expression, especially given the rea- view of the media is warped, gener- afraid that in a nation where truth
On another hand there are those of the Auditor-General. But its out- soning for the judgement. What ally speaking, and it is necessary to is a casualty and expressing unpop-
who believe that journalists are put has largely been ignored by the people do online with what they see highlight it here. In my considered ular opinions publicly is a health
hatchet folk for the opposition. It powers that be. I imagine that with offline should be their responsibili- view, the attitude toward journalists hazardous, the country’s image will
is so bad that when journalists call regards to the Parliament tender ty. Criminalising someone’s physical is an attitude toward the power of continue to suffer so much so that
on them to enquire about their ac- scandal, the Auditor-General’s office conduct because of what someone narratives. What is feared is a jour- to foreigners, we emerge as a people
tivities as government functionaries, would be ideal. This office, along may potentially do in cyberspace is nalist’s ability to tell the story which devoid of sense and direction. What
they clam up and give you the run with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corrup- too weird for me.  It can essentially is not palatable to those who wish to are Zimbabweans known for at pres-
around. It is pretty exhausting stuff. tion Commission (Zacc), would be be construed as a message to citi- control the narrative of their politi- ent?
Ultimately, you come to appreciate ideal for scrutinising the operations zens not to publicly disagree with Parting shot
that it is a cultural thing. An adver- of Parliament. But will this happen? the way government conducts its Addy Once upon a time we were known
sarial culture thing. I doubt very much. business. It is of course strange for Kudita for excellence in education and rev-
a nation whose leaders waged a war olutionary spirit. Once upon a time
As members of the Fourth Estate, There are annual reports chroni- on the premise of a desire to free cal activities. In the case of Zimba- is not good enough. We need lead-
we have an obligation to our reader- cle debilitating malfeasance across a people to have rights to self-deter- bwean society, it is compounded by ers with at least three keys to unlock
ship and the citizenry at large and, number of state departments. Cor- mination. Ian Smith was intolerant the adversarial political culture. this nation’s potential. Vigilance, be-
as I once explained to colleagues and ruption undermines public confi- and his conduct was dehumanising The Fourth Estate cause we must pore over every detail
deputy minister Kindness Parad- dence in government. The message to the majority of the country’s citi- Scholars far and wide accept that in every agreement with any foreign
za, well-intentioned journalists are with all these misdeeds to the citi- zens. There must be a change of tack though the media is given to excesses entity to plug the proverbial holes
not out here doing PR for either zens is: corruption pays and that as and this is exactly 42 years down the itself, it is essential for the political and potential leakages. Diligence be-
the government or opposition par- long as you can get away with it, line. legitimation of political actors. How cause we need a people who work till
ty interests. We are not recruited to do anything you can to steal public The adversarial culture is this done? Well, when we flag is- the task is completed. Excellence be-
propagate partisan interests. We just funds. To be fair, one or two persons Now, to my mind, a marketplace of sues on our platforms, the onus is cause when we waged the war to dis-
want to get the factual story out! Ad- have had a day in court but it is con- ideas is a place in which humans best on state actors to pursue them fur- lodge the colonial masters, we were
mittedly, doing our job can be hard sidered piecemeal by many good-in- flourish. To disagree with someone is ther in the effort to improve effi- convinced by the freedom fighters
because of our frail humanity, in tentioned folks. not necessarily to wish them doom. ciency and cut down on waste. For that black people indeed have a right
which case personal feelings can and Conviction of author Tsitsi Dan- To try to conform everyone to see instance, the issue of Parliament’s to self-determination and can actu-
will sometimes get in the way of the garembga and lawyer Julie Barnes things one’s way is to miss out on laptop tenders. The media spotlight ally run a whole state with pride.
narrative. It is mainly unavoidable. Dangarembga and Barnes staged the perspective of others which can What is happening currently across
a peaceful protest two years ago, be helpful. One time, a member of the continent is a shambles. It is
Take the events of the last week which entailed wielding placards the government asked me what my treacherous, treasonous and down-
in Parliament, for example. The calling for the release of two govern- thoughts on the leadership of the right despicable. We need a new
video of the proceedings is all over ment critics. They thought their pro- country were. I told them that I do ethos. It can start in Zimbabwe.
social media and one woman stood test was peaceful, but the magistrate not really care who rules the country
out in particular for me. It is the
woman who deadpan tried to justify
the attempted heist of public funds
through the ridiculous tender award
for the purchase of laptops for use by
parliamentarians.
A sure sign of the times
I did even bother to know what her
real name is. It is what she said in
the brazen attempt to justify the il-
licit tender that was mind boggling
and stupefying. She had the temer-
ity to explain what anyone familiar
with these platforms knows is utter
nonsense. Paying such exorbitant
amounts to buy machines via which
to do Microsoft Teams meetings
with is unjustifiable and frankly
criminal. One does not need laptops
with core i9 processing capacities for
performing such functions and for
general parliamentary business. Ac-
cording to the now cancelled tender,
each laptop would have cost over-
US$9 000. It was breathtaking to
watch her and I realised there and
then just how far gone some folk
in charge of our state functions are
in terms of their inability to deal
in truth. When journalists write
about these things and raise con-
cern, they are opposition or unpa-
triotic. I cannot deal. Zimbabwe is
in a funk right now and it is public
officials like her who need to sim-
ply be shown the door, along with
the person who signed off on the

NewsHawks Poetry Corner Page 49

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

Poet: Patrick Hwande Title: Sequential Insanity! Title: Roles Reversed
Title: Of cows and donkeys. Poet: Obey Chiyangwa Poet: Hebert TD Chiweshe aka Nyati
(jindadzi)
Welcome to the land of lunatics, Most corpses are learning to walk again...
Where a donkey and a cow, A congregation of death standing in rigid limbo The heifer draws near a Bullock.
Are two sides of a coin. though... It befriends it.
Can you please bid farewell, Contemplating their first step out of eternal At the back of its mind,
Farewell to stinking poverty? stiffness... It has contrived a ruse.
Welcome to the land of lunatics, Missing limbs dangling on flimsy branches of It lowers its young head.
Where the collected cows, maggot-gnawed imaginations... It smells the underbelly of the bullock.
Evaporate from the village pen, Sun comes down blazing hot to torture exposed Its main target,
Under the cover of thick darkness, torsos... Being the virgin crotch.
Leaving paper tigers to rule the roost. Blisters on rotting skins afflicted of death... Its nose touches, caressingly the dormant
Welcome to the land of lunatics, Defiant of death... muzzle.
Where a single cow now, Some storms would not relent... It lifts its impudent head,
Fetches a thousand donkeys on the market! They want all the offending corpses blown To sniff the air.
Tomorrow the rate is abnormal, away… Which is fertile with male genital scent.
Procrastinate, but your fate you castrate. Shunted into oblivion by the violence of na- It lines itself behind the bullock.
Welcome to the land of lunatics, ture... With intrepid nerve it mounts the bullock.
Where demanding your 540 cows, Shrugged back into their graves their fate Which, in turn, rapidly interprets the scantily
Cows swallowed by the gluttonous pen, sealed by drowning... clothed hint.
Is scoffed at as unprecedented lunacy, Weary sunshine would love to retire from light- It ambles forward to dislodge the burden.
By the architects of your misery. ing paths of evil... The heifer dismounts.
Receding well into the unknown... It positions its head
Feel free on this land, Shielding shoving and bullying darkness out of Alongside the bullock's.
Zvinhu Zvakarongeka! her way... It rubs it against the male's receptive coun-
Laughing all the way back to the safety of tenance.
***************************************************** peaceful ways... The latter's manhood is ignited.
Her rays piercing away the threat of lurking The crotch experiences incipient arousal.
Title: Suitor madness... The theme of equality?
Poet: Samuel Chuma Is it here now being expressed by non- hu-
.************************************************ mans?
He sought her heart Can a lesson be learnt
Aboard chariots of fervour Poet: Patrick Hwande From the enterprising heifer?
With none to bear witness Title: When enemies prowl Can animalistic instinct
Save for the snoring night Instil in the human mind,
And the mouth less moon Like a pangolin, A novel, or rather, an infrequent angle,
He entered through Learn to curl into a ball, Of consummating coitus?
The pools in her eyes And issue out unpleasant smell, Or, alternatively.
And swam through When enemies prowl. Can female human species
Oceans of bloodied tears When enemies prowl, Emulate the heifer's antics
To land triumphant Like a viper, In stimulating slumbering libidos
On the shores Learn to sprinkle spit, In their indifferent opposites?
Of her secluded heart Into the eyes of tormentors.
He walked barefoot Like a porcupine,
On the sands Learn to tense and expose spikes,
Of her affection You should not just die,
Leaving deep footprints Like a bedbug in a filthy hem.
That even gales of scorn Like a talented zebra,
Would blow in vain Learn to let go of,
To eradicate A series of quality, hefty kicks,
And she saw him When enemies prowl.
Approach determinedly When enemies prowl,
As she pulled shut Noise should inundate ears,
The curtain of her consent Ears of potential good Samaritans,
Leaving him to roam For shame to get the better of falcons.
The perimeters of her Even in the absence of donors of danger,
Magnetic desirability Learn to pray for longevity,
In confused hope What's peculiar about the Galapagos tortoise?

.***************************************************** ***********************************************

Page 50 Ladies' Choice NewsHawks

Issue 100, 30 September 2022

LADIES’ CHOICE
Women on the Move

Faith Zaba shines in Spain

THREE outstanding female editors, including ghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and other conflict zones, Editor of the Zimbabwe Independent Faith Zaba.
the Zimbabwe Independent boss Faith Zaba, and has shot more than 50 hours of documen-
have won the WAN-IFRA Women in News’s taries, tackling socio-political issues in the Arab verely challenged on many fronts.   I am deeply
2022 Editorial Leadership Award. region and globally. moved and humbled to receive this recognition
on behalf of my entire news team, most especial-
Zaba, editor of the Independent since 2019, Moukalled is also a columnist and a media and ly the women in our newsroom and in the field.
has been named 2022 laureate for Africa; Diana gender trainer. They are at the forefront of our battle to defend
Moukalled, co-founder of Daraj Media in Leb- media freedom in our country and preserve the
anon for the Arab region; and  Regina “Ging” “I am deeply touched by this award. It’s an ac- values of our profession.”
Reyes, senior vice-president and head of integrat- knowledgment that goes beyond individuals to
ed news and current affairs division of ABS-CBN highlight the challenges journalists in general and Previous Laureates of the WIN Editorial Lead-
Corporation in Philippines for Southeast Asia. women journalists in particular face. The current ership Award include:  Toyosi Ogunseye, Head
political, economic and security conditions in of West Africa at BBC World Service,  Karima
The annual WIN Editorial Leadership Award the Arab region may lead only to more discon- Kamal, columnist and contributing editor for
recognises exemplary contribution of an editor to tent and frustration. The situation simply doesn’t the Egyptian daily Al Masry Al Youm,  Pamella
her newsroom, and under her leadership, her me- encourage optimism. It is, however, a road worth Sittoni, executive editor for the Daily Nation
dia organisation’s contribution to society. taking, with genuine commitment, patience, and in Kenya, Noura al-Hourani, lead Arabic editor
enthusiasm," said Moukalled.  at Syria Direct,  Barbara Kaija, Editor-in-Chief
The three editors honoured were selected by of the Vision Group in Uganda,  Anna Ni-
members of the Women in News Global Steering Reyes,   a seasoned news executive with more miriano, editor-in-chief of the Juba Monitor in
Committee based on criteria such as commit- than 30 years’ experience as a journalist, is cur- South Sudan,  Acil Tabbara, senior editor at the
ment to editorial excellence, gender equality and rently the senior vice-president and head of in- French-language Lebanese daily L’Orient Le
supporting the next generation of media leaders. tegrated news and current affairs division of Jour, Mary Mbewe, executive editor of Zambia’s
ABS-CBN Corporation, one of the Philippines’ Daily Nation,  Etaf Roudan, director of Radio
The 2022 laureates were honoured at WAN-IF- leading media and entertainment companies. al-Balad in Jordan, Edyth Kambalame, editor at
RA’s World News Media congress taking place The Nation on Sunday and vice-president of the
from 28-30 September in Zaragoza, Spain. A premier news personality in the Filipi- Malawi Editors’ Forum, Samia Nakhoul, Middle
no-American community, Reyes established and East Editor at Thomson Reuters and multi-award
In his congratulatory message, WAN-IFRA’s expanded ABS-CBN’s news operations in the winning journalist, and Nyein Nyein Naing, ed-
chief executive Vincent  Peyregne said: “Equali- United States and Canada. itor-in-chief at 7Day News digital in Myanmar.
ty and inclusion in the media are essential for a
healthy and representative society. We are happy Said Reyes: “This honour comes at a time — STAFF WRITER.
to welcome our 2022 laureates, Zaba, Moukalled when our news organisation continues to be se-
and Reyes to the group of media leaders who
play an exceptional role in making a difference in
media while contributing to these fundamental
ideals.”

Zaba, who is the first woman to edit the Inde-
pendent, which is owned by Alpha Media Hold-
ings, publishers of the NewsDay and The Stan-
dard, as well as owners of Heart & Soul online
radio station, has more than 27 years of experi-
ence in the news industry.

She was also the first woman to be appointed
deputy editor in 2016 by her predecessor Dumis-
ani Muleya, who ran the paper for nearly a de-
cade, the first of many other appointments until
she became editor in 2019.

Zaba said: “This award is a message to young
women in the media and those who have the
beautiful dream of joining this amazing profes-
sion; they too can sit at the table. Through sheer
hard work, perseverance and determination,
glass ceilings can be shattered. My message to the
young women journalists is to never give up. You
are worthy and, yes, you can. I am deeply hum-
bled and honoured to receive this prestigious
global recognition.”

Moukalled is the co-founder of Daraj.com, an
independent media platform addressing contro-
versial issues in the Arab region. She is a Leb-
anese journalist and documentary producer and
director with almost 30 years of experience in the
media industry.

She has covered hot zones in Lebanon, Af-