NewsHawks 18 March 2022-min

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WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 18 March 2022 BGUoSvIeNrnEmSSent to SDPyOnRamT os ‘takeover’
appoint sovereign finds support,
MNEnWanSgagwa Wealth Fund Marriot trashes
crony made board: Ncube ouster bid
US$90m in
dodgy deal Story on Page 24 Story on Page 48

Story on Page 7

NGOs Bill:
Govt cuts its
nose to spite
its own face

ALSO INSIDE Zanu PF MPs defend US$1.6bn Command Agric looting

Page 2 News NewsHawks

l US$800m at risk in 2022 Issue 72, 18 March 2022

NGOs Bill:
Govt cuts its
nose to spite
its own face
Humanitarian organisations offer a broad
MOSES MATENGA range of services that include: health, educa- African Sun Limited says international room nights declined by 78%, while local room nights decreased
tion, social protection, humanitarian assis- by 28% from 2019 as NGOs, government and quasi-governmental organisations continued to operate
THE ill-conceived Private Voluntary Organi- tance, livelihood interventions, emergency under restricted conditions.
sations Amendment Bill could cost Zimbabwe response, conflict resolution, democracy build-
close to US$800 million in development fund- ing, environmental management, and policy The 2019 Labour Force and Child Labour be threatened if the activities of NGOs are dis-
ing this year — with devastating social and analysis and advocacy. Survey from the Zimbabwe National Statistics rupted. The 2022 national budget statement
economic consequences — if the government Agency says the NGOs sector employs 1.2% of says Zimbabwe received an estimated US$13
persists with its repressive legislative agenda, a NGOs across the world help to amplify the the total employed people, which translates to million towards water and sanitation in 2021.
report by local researchers warns. voice as well enable inclusion of marginalised an aggregate figure of 17 643 formal jobs.
groups, including women, persons with dis- “Importantly, a lot of development indica-
The report, titled Punching Holes To A Frag- abilities and minority ethnic groups so that no This further translates to thousands of live- tors have been on account of the partnership
ile Economy?, compiled by Prosper Chitambara, one is left behind. Creating an enabling envi- lihoods that are being sustained through these between the government and NGOs. For in-
Clinton Musonza and Phillan Zamchiya, says ronment for NGOs to operate is recognised as jobs. To put into context, the 2019 Labour stance, the country has made some progress in
the proposed law will have a far-reaching neg- being critical for the attainment of the Agen- Force and Child Labour Survey says the share terms of reducing mortality. According to the
ative impact and implications not just for civil da 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals of informal employment to total employment 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the
society organisations, but also for government (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063: is estimated at 75.6% in 2019. maternal mortality ratio declined from 651 in
development programmes and the poor who The Africa We Want. 2015 to 525 in 2017 and then 462 in 2019.
rely on aid for survival and access to critical Moreover, according to the African Sun Lim-
social services. “In Zimbabwe, NGOs have been important ited 2020 Integrated Annual Report, conferenc- “The 2020 Zimbabwe Progress Report on
drivers of sustainable development through a ing business from NGOs has consistently an- SDGs says progress has been made with re-
“NGOs have also played a critical role in number of channels, which include: employ- chored their city and country hotels segment. gards to HIV infection, with the number of
bridging the huge financing gap in the critical ment creation, contribution to tax revenues, new HIV infections reducing from 3.9 per 1
sectors of the economy such as social protec- foreign currency receipts, provision of so- This segment was their cashcow in 2020 as 000 uninfected population in 2015 to 2.8 per
tion, education, health, water and sanitation cial protection and humanitarian assistance, the impact of the Covid-19 on the hotels and 1 000 in 2019. The malaria incidence per 1 000
among others,” the report says. growth in the local tourism sector and overall tourism sector saw other segments, particularly population has progressively declined from 29
economic growth and development,” it says. the resort hotels and leisure division, plummet- in 2014; to 14 in 2016; 10 in 2017; and only
“For instance, according to the 2022 nation- ing in sales. 5 in 2018. TB incidence has climbed down to
al budget statement, during the period January “Owing to the huge financing gap in produc- 210 per 100 000 population in 2018, from 278
to September 2021, the country received de- tivity-enhancing and poverty-reducing sectors International room nights declined by 78%, per 100 000 population in 2014.”
velopment assistance amounting to US$647.8 of the economy such as health, education, so- while local room nights decreased by only 28%
million, of which US$401.9 million was from cial protection, water and sanitation, the coun- from 2019 as NGOs, government and qua- While some might claim the government is
bilateral partners and US$245.9 million from try has had to rely on donor financing from in- si-governmental organisations continued to merely targeting NGOs that deal with political
multilateral partners. ternational NGOs and development partners. operate albeit under restricted conditions. and civil rights, international experience from
Sustained and strong partnerships with NGOs 134 countries shows that official bilateral aid
“A further US$202.4 million in develop- and other not-for-profit organisations such as “A survey we carried out with a number flows dropped by 32% in the years after aid-re-
ment assistance is projected during the fourth trade unions will strengthen the implementa- of NGOs revealed that the contribution by cipient governments introduced new restric-
quarter of 2021, giving cumulative receipts of tion of the National Development Strategy 1 as NGOs to tax revenues ranged from US$4 000 tions on humanitarian and civil society groups
US$850.2 million for the year. well as the attainment of the country’s Vision to US$35 000 per month depending on the largely because donors could no longer fund
2030: Towards a Prosperous & Empowered size of the NGO. This is quite significant and preferred activities. As many NGOs imple-
“In 2022, support from the development Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.” has provided the government with requisite re- ment social protection and other anti-poverty
partners is projected at US$761.5 million, bro- sources to finance development. interventions, reductions in foreign aid have
ken down as US$274.3 million and US$487.2 However, the government gazetted the Bill implied cuts to critical productivity-enhancing
million from multilateral and bilateral partners, which it says seeks to comply with recommen- “In general, coverage of social assistance pro- services for the poor and vulnerable.
respectively. Importantly, a lot of the gains that dations made by the Financial Action Task grammes in Zimbabwe has been low and inade-
have been registered in key health and social Force; streamline administrative procedures quate, and in fact declined since the start of the In other studies there is even a greater impact
indicators have been on account of the part- and allow for the efficient regulation and ad- Covid-19 pandemic,” the report notes. on aid flows, with 45% less foreign aid chan-
nership between the government and NGOs.” ministration of PVOs; and to prevent PVOs nelled towards countries that restrict CSOs’
from undertaking political lobbying. “According to the 2022 national budget, ability to engage in advocacy.
The PVO Amendment Bill was gazetted in Zimbabwe received an estimated US$130 mil-
November 2021 and seeks to amend the PVO The Bill also prohibits trusts that are reg- lion in humanitarian assistance in 2021. NGOs Zimbabwe is unlikely to be an exception and
Act to impose new restrictions, but civil soci- istered with the High Court, but are not reg- have also been playing a critical role in terms could suffer serious consequences.
ety organisations have warned the proposed istered PVOs, from collecting contributions of the provision of water, sanitation and hy-
amendments will constrain their work and vi- from the public or from outside Zimbabwe giene services across the country which could
olate human rights, while negatively affecting for any of the purposes specified in the defi-
communities who depend on their activities. nition of “private voluntary organisation”, that
is charitable purposes, social welfare assistance,
They also said the measures will hit the al- legal aid and animal welfare.
ready struggling economy which relies on de-
velopment partners to bridge yawning funding The 2022 monetary policy statement says
gaps due to the country’s inadequate budget NGOs are the third-biggest earners of foreign
and resources. currency in the country after export proceeds
and diaspora remittances. Total foreign curren-
The report says NGOs are playing an increas- cy receipts from NGOs rose by 50.5% from
ingly important role as agents of development. US$647.78 million in 2020 to US$975.16
The growth and expansion of NGOs across the million in 2021.
globe is testament to their increasingly import-
ant role in the development process. Foreign currency is critical in sustaining
the forex auction system. Any disruptions in
It notes effective partnerships between gov- the activities of NGOs through legal and/or
ernments and NGOs are recognised as being non-legal means could result in the country
crucial in accelerating sustainable develop- losing out massively, the report says.
ment. The role of NGOs is even more import-
ant in low-income countries where the fiscal
space is limited.

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

State fuel assets to be flogged off for song

OWEN GAGARE

THE opaque deal to sell Petrotrade and Genesis Chinyoka also questioned the transaction ad- representative on the board said that the correct gy and PetroZim line, which maintains the Feru-
Energy to IPG of Kuwait reeks of corruption with viser’s “merger proposal’’ pending the “partial pri- procedure was to write to the technical committee ka-Harare pipeline.
a local Transaction Advisory Consortium taking vatisation’’. so that they can look at the issues that I had to
in US$115 000 even before the controversial deal raise and make a decision. This is the same Tech- Noic has massive petrol storage facilities in
— still being resisted by the suspended Petrotrade “The proposal grossly undervalues both Petro- nical Committee that has consistently refused to Msasa and Southerton in Harare, as well as Bul-
board — is signed. trade and Genesis, the merging entities. The take the Board’s concerns regarding the process.” awayo and Beitbridge.
merged entity will be hawked to the ‘preferred
The consortium comprising ZB Capital, GGF buyer’, who will purchase a stake in the company. Chinyoka said the board was only given per- In 2013, however, the then Energy minister
Africa and Mushoriwa Pasi Corporate Attorneys is It is not clear from the ‘merger proposal’ what per- mission to attend on the very day of the meeting Dzikamai Mavhaire brought in Trafigura and
also expecting to reap additional financial rewards centage of the merged entity will be auctioned off, although there were four voluminous reports to Sakunda, with Trafigura consolidating its foot-
when the deal is signed, through agreed percentag- making the process appear even more opaque,” he be considered. A request for the meeting to be re- print on the market by taking over Sakunda and
es for facilitating the transaction. wrote. scheduled was ignored. Redan, trading as Puma.

Petrotrade and Genesis are government-owned “I have raised a number of issues as reasons why “But, the very fact the board must beg for per- Trafigura paid for the use of the pipeline, result-
petroleum companies. Petrotrade deals in retail I wanted to write directly to the Minister. The mission to attend such crucial meetings which ing in it seizing control of the pipeline.
fuel, while Genesis is a bulk fuel provider, which ministry’s representative on the board opposes my represent the only chance that the Petrotrade
also supplies government, parastatals and security writing to the minister. Petrotrade and Genesis board has to ask questions and highlight the se- However, Noic is now controlling the pipeline.
establishments. serve strategic markets like ZESA power genera- rious concerns around the undervaluation of the There has been speculation that mogul Kuda
tion, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zim- company is puzzling but not surprising in light of Tagwirei is behind the deal to acquire Petrotrade
Energy minister Soda Zhemu last week sus- babwe National Army. These entities are able to your office’s position that this is not a board issue,” and Genesis but industry sources insist he is not,
pended the Advocate Tinomudaishe Chinyo- access fuel using the Zimbabwe dollar. Petrotrade Chinyoka wrote. after having been elbowed out of the fuel industry
ka-led Petrotrade board after it strongly resisted and Genesis also extend lines of credit to these by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
the sale of the company for a song and exposed entities, being cognisant of government process “However, in terms of the Companies Act, it is According to a document titled Proposed
corruption allegations being perpetrated by senior regarding processing of payments. Once a private the board that must vote to approve the merger. It Merger of Petrotrade and Genesis Energy: Trans-
ministry officials. (international) entity is on board, and presumably would seem that your office is under the mistak- action Advisers’ Approach To The Valuation Exer-
running the merged entity (no buyer is likely to en apprehension that at some point, its technical cise, prepared by the Transaction Advisory Con-
The board insists an evaluation of the company put in their money and see it managed by the committee will come to the board with a prepared sortium, the purpose of the valuation exercise was
done by the Transaction Advisory Consortium is State), these relationships will likely be conducted merging resolution and instruct the board to sign to assist with preparing for negotiations on the
grossly understated to facilitate its planned cheap at arm’s length, without any regard to the strategic the same and that the board will do so without pricing of the assets to be the subject of the partial
acquisition. value of the entities concerned. This would be dire question about whether or not such decision is in privatisation.
for the country.” the best interests of the Company or the county.” It also sought to expose the underlying val-
Chinyoka has dragged Zhemu to court, fight- ue-generating potential pursuant to maximising
ing his suspension while at the same time revealing Chinyoka also argued that Petrotrade would Chinyoka also questioned if government had on the price receivable from potential investors.
the dirt around the deal, which he argues is not play a crucial role in the 2023 elections in sup- directed the merger and selling of the companies “The inputs to the valuation are typically cor-
beneficial to the country, but is being pushed by porting various arms of government to ensure the to IPG through a cabinet resolution, questioning porate information that demonstrate the current
corrupt ministry officials after elbowing out the polls run smoothly. why the resolution was not produced. capacity of the firm and its potential going into
board. the future. This approach is true where the firm is
He highlighted that the company had already “I have written to the Chief Secretary to the a going concern and possesses immense future po-
“. . . The ‘partial privatisation’ process that the been approached and extended support to the President and Cabinet, explaining the Board’s tential. Historical information, on the other hand,
first respondent’s (Zhemu) ministry was running electoral and security sectors, including scouring concerns and seeking confirmation of the cor- is useful in appreciating the firm’s background,”
at the exclusion of the board (which is unlawful) the market for Zimbabwe dollar fuel and prioritis- rect position. In a meeting attended by the Board the report reads.
was riddled with corruption and was calculated ing allocations to those sections of the state for the Vice-Chairperson and myself, the Chief Secretary Documents used include the 2021-2025 strate-
to gift the country’s only state-owned petroleum 26 March by-elections. (Misheck Sibanda) indicated that while there gy document, audited accounts (up to 2019) and
company to a pre-determined buyer (IPG of might be position that the ministry has taken on financial forecasts covering a one-year period.
Kuwait) in circumstances that reeked of corrup- A company wholly owned by the government, the issue, his office has not indicated anything of “The amalgamation of Petrotrade and Genesis
tion and backhanders to officials in his ministry,” said Chinyoka, is able to take this approach, but the sort and Government does not have a ‘preferred is to be settled through one entity ('the acquirer')
Chinyoka wrote in his founding affidavit. one with a private player cannot. buyer’. In fact, the impression I formed from the assuming control of the assets and business under-
meeting with the Chief Secretary was that govern- taking of the other ('the acquiree'). Our approach
“That an asset as valuable as Petrotrade is being “Finally, as regard the identity of IPG as the ment and the board are aligned in the desire for a to the valuation exercise seeks to establish, as ini-
valued at less that US$20 000 000, a fraction of its Ministry’s preferred buyer, there are serious professionally and lawfully managed process that tial step, the relative values of the acquirer and the
value in all probability because the intended buyer geo-political questions that seem to escape your fulfills government’s desire to ensure value in pub- acquiree,” the document reads.
has indicated the price he wants to pay.” office’s consideration. IPG is a Kuwaiti company. lic assets, as opposed to the stage-managed process “The relative values of the two entities need not
Kuwait is a client state of United States of Amer- that the Board is being pushed into adopting by be based on intrinsic valuation as the sole
Petrotrade executives this week insisted that ica. your office,” Chinyoka said. purpose is to simply determine how the Gov-
there was no need to hire the consortium to de- ernment’s portfolio can be re-arranged into a sin-
termine whether Petrotrade and Genesis could be The United States of America has imposed il- A Petrotrade executive also said in addition, the gle unit ahead of the partial-privatisation.
merged because the skills were available inhouse. legal and unilateral sanctions against Zimbabwe. company and Genesis give government a window “A net asset valuation is calculated to determine
The idea that we are witnessing the gradual han- into the petroleum industry but this will be lost if the acquisition price and number of shares to be
“Over and above being paid for advising that a dling over of the State’s only petroleum trading the companies are sold. adopted for purposes of the Merger Agreement.
merger could go ahead, which was no brainer in company to such an entity boggles the mind and “When the proposed merger structure is adopt-
any case, they will be paid more for advising on makes one wonder: prior to identifying IPG as During the inclusive government era, the Ener- ed, an intrinsic valuation of the combined entity
the actual selling price,” a senior Petrotrade official the ‘preferred buyer’, did the Ministry even have a gy ministry unbundled the corrupt National Oil is calculated to determine a range of values to be
said. conversation with the Ministry for State Security? applied in pricing negotiations with the potential
It seems unlikely,” Chinyoka said. Company of Zimbabwe (Noczim) and formed investors.
“They will be paid 1.5% for the first US$30 the National Oil Infrastructure Company (Noic)
million to be paid and 1% of anything above that.” “When I pointed out in a board meeting that and Petrotrade after consultations. The companies
I was going to write to the minister with my con- were 100% owned by the government.
The Petrotrade board was questioning and re- cerns regarding the proposed process, the ministry
sisting the deal before their suspension as seen by Noic, in turn, owned 100% of Genesis Ener-
correspondence between Chinyoka and Energy
secretary Gloria Magorimbo.

In a letter dated 28 February 2022, Chinyoka
questioned the opaque deal which was pinned on
undervaluing Petrotrade and Genesis assets while
excluding the board.

“I have repeatedly referred to the ‘partial priva-
tisation’ process, which is relevant. The ministry
representative in the board has informed the board
that ‘government’s position is that the company
be sold to its preferred buyer’, without sharing a
single document that suggests that ‘Government’
holds this position. She has identified this pre-
ferred buyer as IPG,” Chinyoka wrote.

“You will recall that your office directly excori-
ated the board for trying to have an input in the
'partial privatisation’ process, telling us pointedly
that “the partial privatisation of Petrotrade is not a
board issue, the board’s role is to implement what
government decides’’. In order to retain control
of the process, your office decided that it was the
Technical Committee, where the Ministry is rep-
resented by several persons, that would lead the
process.

“When the board asked to be involved, it took a
long time to secure agreement to second only one
member of the board, because the initial reply was
that since the ministry representative on the board
is in the technical committee, we did not need to
send another. When we pointed out that she was
on the committee representing the ministry, per-
mission was finally granted to send one member.”

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

How the US$1.3bn
Kuvimba, Zisco deal
will be structured

Disclosures of the new Zisco deal structure come amid revelations that political and corporate vultures around Mnangagwa are jostling to buy Zisco or its fines for a song.

OWEN GAGARE which is 65% controlled by the government and itor Dumisani Muleya in 2005 while he was still and Sovereignty Capital.
35% by unnamed shareholders. Market watch- working for the Zimbabwe Independent, based While Zisco is defunct and debt-ridden, owing
DETAILS on the US$1.3 billion deal between ers say local tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei is in- on an official investigation into the affairs of the
Kuvimba Mining House — a public-private part- volved, given that his mining assets are housed company detailed one looting scandal at Zisco, creditors up to US$500 million, it has iron ore
nership — and the defunct Redcliff-based steel under the company. which involved plunder of public resources by fines worth at least US$500 million, with some
giant Ziscosteel are emerging amid growing con- politicians and top management of the company, valuations putting them at US$900 million, ac-
cerns over the murky shareholding structure of Zisco is 89% owned by the government and including a number of ministers. It became em- cording to a key mining source.
the new shadowy state-owned entity. 11% by various private shareholders. blematic of Zisco corruption and the steelmaker's
downfall. This is equivalent or more than its total debt.
The structure of the deal had remained sketchy Cabinet recently approved the deal between Fines come from natural raw iron ore through the
until now. Government sources say a structure is Kuvimba and Zisco, which officials say is worth Disclosures of the new Zisco deal structure process of mining, crushing and screening, where
currently being crafted by the authorities, min- US$1.3 billion. President Emmerson Mnangag- come amid revelations that political and corpo- the ore is separated into lumps and fines. Iron ore
ing companies and corporate lawyers involved to wa recently mentioned US$460 million. rate vultures around Mnangagwa are jostling to is processed like this for the iron and steel-making
consummate and operationalise the arrangement. buy Zisco or its fines for a song. industry.
“You have heard what was announced last week
“The US$1.3 billion deal between Kuvimba that Kuvimba Mining House has partnered Zisco Mnangagwa’s son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa Although the government claims it owns 65%
and Zisco has now been closed, approved by cabi- in its revival. Zisco used to drive our industrialisa- and close associate Eddie Cross tried to take over of Kuvimba, it has failed to openly declare who
net and a structure to implement is being worked tion, but whites sabotaged us. Now government critical Zisco assets in a US$225 million arrange- owns the other 35% and lay to rest fears of dodgy
out,” a government source said. has secured the US$460 million required. We ment under ZimCoke between 2017 and 2020, deals and corruption.
used to take companies from the region, but now but the deal collapsed.
“There will be a special purpose vehicle (SPV) we say ‘the country is built by its own people’. Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and Kuvimba’s
formed comprising and run by Zisco and Kuvim- So, the company, which is owned 65% owned by There had been other bids to take over Zisco former chief executive David Brown have claimed
ba management. That SPV and its co-manage- government, is now there. We also have Manhize before that. the government owns 65% of Kuvimba’s shares,
ment will then run the Zisco resuscitation plan Steel Plant, which has an investment of over a bil- while the remaining 35% equity is held by Ziwa
on a management contract basis for 8% manage- lion dollars,” Mnangagwa said. In 2006, Global Steel Holdings from India
ment fees from gross revenue per annum. Kuvim- proposed to invest in Zisco, but the deal flopped Investments, a Zimbabwean subsidiary of the
ba will retain control of mining operations. While Mnangagwa was claiming US$460 mil- due to political interference and clashes over the Mauritius-registered Quorus Management Ser-
lion has already been secured without saying from funding model. In 2011, a US$750 million deal vices.
“The contract will be for three years after where, Kuvimba’s plan was different from this: It was struck with Essar Africa Holdings, also from
which Zisco may extend it or terminate it to take wanted to first raise US$300 million through India, to form New Zimbabwe Steel Company. Kuvimba’s labyrinth of shadowy structures
over full control. The other details are still being debt and quasi-equity arrangements and then and web of intricate offshore entities — notably
worked out. In these things, the devil lies in the US$1 billion from internal value creation activ- Essar would assume 54% shareholding, while its relationships with Sotic International, Almas
detail. The full contract will soon be completed.” ities to ultimately end up producing the targeted the government retained a 36% stake and 10% Global Opportunity Fund, formerly used by Tag-
one million tonnes a year. remained in the hands of private investors. wirei to invest in Sotic via the Cayman Islands,
A management contract is an arrangement and Quorus — has not been publicly explained.
under which operational control of an enterprise Contrary to Mnangagwa’s allegation that Zis- However, the deal fell through in 2015 over Almas owns 65% of Ziwa Resources.
– Zisco in this case — is vested by contract in a co was “sabotaged by whites”, the company was iron ore deposits. A deal with Chinese company
separate enterprise — Kuvimba through the SPV destroyed by extended periods of patronage, mis- Guangzhou R&F followed in 2017. The other 35% is owned by Zimbabwe-reg-
— to perform key managerial functions in return management and corruption involving govern- istered Pfimbi Resources, whose directors are
for a fee. ment and Zanu PF officials. Other investors that expressed interest in Zisco Tagwirei and his wife. Although Kuvimba and
in the past include ArcelorMittal, the world’s big- the government deny Tagwirei’s involvement, if
Kuvimba is a new state-owned enterprise A story written The NewsHawks managing ed- gest steel-maker, Jindal Steel, China Metallurgical Kuvimba is owned 65% by the government and
Group, Apollo Steel, Posco, Gateway Zimbabwe 35% by Ziwa, then it means he is involved.

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

NYASHA CHINGONO ZimCoke better for Zisco
than opaque Kuvimba deal
MANUFACTURING firm ZimCoke bosses be-
lieve they were better placed to resuscitate and ac- agreement with ZimCoke to sells its assets for a Economist Eddie Cross US dollars.
quire assets of the now defunct state-owned Zim- nominal US$1 on condition that the latter would ies; shares in ZimChem; gas holders; P&D offices Its linkages with ZimAlloys (for provision of
babwe Iron and Steel Company (Ziscosteel) than pay the former’s US$225 million debt to German (renamed The Revival Centre by Essar) with con-
the recently announced US$1.3 billion Kuvimba bank KfW Ipex-Bank Gmbh. tents; coke plant offices and workshops inclusive ferrochrome), Hwange (for coking coal), NRZ
Mining deal which they maintain is a pipe dream, of contents; roll design building and contents; (for transport) and Zesa (electricity) ensured it
sources familiar with the transaction have said. ZimCoke wanted to acquire Zisco’s coke bat- coke and coke breeze storage areas; slag and skull was one of the economy’s main locomotives.
teries, coal handling facilities, railway wagons and dumps with land and contents; coke and coke rail
Documents gleaned by The NewsHawks show shares in Zimchem (Pvt) Ltd. wagons at Zisco and National Railways of Zim- Various companies that relied on Zisco for
that ZimCoke (Private) Limited, fronted by babwe Dabuka, although Zisco would remain re- production purposes had to close, downsize, or
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s adviser Ed- Specifically, ZimCoke wanted 328 hectares of sponsible of NRZ storage charges; houses and wa- switch to uncompetitive imports for survival.
die Cross and his son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa’s land worth US$16m, plant and machinery val- ter rights at Kwekwe River among other aspects. These include Sable Chemicals, ZimChem, Rip-
transaction which collapsed had made consider- ued at US$168m, railway wagons and related ple Creek Mine, Zimasco, Steel Makers, Haggie
able progress towards Ziscosteel resuscitation. infrastructure (US$4m), 48% shareholding in Even though it stopped working in 2008, Rand and ZimCast.
ZimChem (US$23m) and a waste products plant Zisco, 89% owned by the government and the
In a letter addressed to ministry of Finance (US$16m). remainder by private shareholders, retains huge Zisco was founded in 1942 as Rhodesia Iron
debt management officer John Mafararikwa on residual value. The company owns Buchwa Min- and Steel Commission, the largest integrated steel
11 September 2018, ZimCoke said the company It also launched an estimated US$25m bid for ing Company, Lancashire Steel, ZimChem and plant in Africa. By 1957, it was producing 257
had secured US$200 million investment to com- Hwange Colliery Company’s underground mine, Frontier Steel. 166 tonnes of steel per year. At Independence in
mence operations. 3-Main. The full inventory which ZimCoke 1980, it was renamed Zisco and employed over 5
wanted entailed: coke batteries No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 It provided a lifeline to various companies in 500 people, which peaked at 8 000.
“It is now four months since ZimCoke com- together with by-products plant and all associated the value chain and industry, hence remains the
pleted the survey required to identify the bound- machinery and infrastructure; coal-handling facil- biggest missing link in the Zimbabwean econo- But the company was later destroyed through
aries of the ZimCoke Steel amounting to US$200 ities in their entirety inclusive of rail lines; convey- my. The company used to produce mainly for the extended periods of mismanagement, corruption
million, the investment of US$130 million in the or from local coal handling plant to coke batter- export market, earning the country millions of and incompetence.
plant itself, another US$17 million in railway ca-
pacity and infrastructure and US$35 million in A 2006 audit report and media reports showed
Hwange Colliery to ensure the supply of a million the company was looted by politicians, senior
tonnes of coking coal to the plant for 35 mega- management and their cronies through contro-
watts on site and the complete refurbishment and versial contracts parcelled out to conflicted par-
expansion of Zimchem (Private) Limited, includ- ties, airfares, hotel bookings and food for politi-
ing the assumption of their accumulated liabilities cians and extortionate directors’ fees, salaries, and
of US$50 million,” reads the letter. allowances.

The ZimCoke deal was signed in 2017 and By 2008, the company was now producing less
approved by cabinet, but later cancelled by the than 12 500 tonnes which were way below the
Zisco board and government in 2020 amid accu- break-even point of 25 000 tonnes per year. Plant
sations that it was not approved by the board and breakdown became very routine with a single
amounted to asset-stripping. blast furnace providing the lifeline.

ZimCoke held its ground-breaking ceremony Debts mounted and scaled US$340m, even
on 26 July 2018 attended by Zisco board mem- reaching US$500m by some estimates, with the
bers and the ministry of Industry. The letter also German bank owed US$240m.
reveals that ZimCoke had faced major headwinds
in its bid to occupy the Ziscosteel site in Redcliff In 2006, Global Steel Holdings from India
before the dramatic turn of events. proposed to invest in

“Would you please note that ZimCoke (Pri- Zisco, but the deal collapsed due to political
vate) Limited, a company to which I consult, has interference and clashes over the funding model.
been prevented from taking up the occupation of In 2011, a US$750m deal was struck with Essar
the site of the ZimCoke Project in Redcliff by the Africa Holdings, also from India, to form New
Directors and Management of ZiscoSteel Limit- Zimbabwe Steel Company. Essar would assume
ed. This obstruction has now gone on for several 54% shareholding while the government retained
months,” reads the letter. a 36% stake and 10% remained in the hands of
private investors.
ZimCoke further complained that delays were
resulting in higher local costs of production. However, the deal fell through in 2015 over
iron ore deposits. A deal with Chinese company
“This threatens the recovery of the railways Guangzhou R&F followed in 2017.
who will benefit from the 2 million tonnes of
bulk traffic they will handle when ZimCoke is Other investors that expressed interest in Zisco
operations. In addition, the new sales of Hwange in the past include ArcelorMittal, the world’s big-
Colliery of US$60 million a year will be a lifeline gest steelmaker, Jindal Steel, China Metallurgical
to the company and its 2 400 staff. I would also Group, Apollo Steel, Posco, Gateway Zimbabwe
point out that Redcliff has been without water for and Sovereignty Capital.
a year, and this threatens the health of its 50 000
inhabitants and the companies located there,” the Then came ZimCoke and now Kuvimba,
letter further reads. which are both associated with Mnangagwa’s
cronies. Kuvimba, which is opaque, has already
Zimbabwe’s plan to develop one of the world’s failed an Impala transparency test, which raises
biggest platinum mines stalled after Impala Plati- questions as to how it will succeed at Zisco when
num demanded greater transparency on the own- it ignores basic corporate governance and trans-
ership of Kuvimba before considering a joint ven- parency requirements.
ture. However, Kuvimba failed the transparency,
accountability, and corporate governance test, as Zimasco is among several companoes that relied on Zisco for production.
it could not disclose some of its ultimate benefi-
cial shareholders.

It is common cause that some of Kuvimba’s
mining assets are those which were owned by
local tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei — who is on
British and American sanctions — through Sotic
International. Tagwirei also owns Sakunda Hold-
ings.

Impala, the third-largest producer of platinum
group metals, was approached by Great Dyke In-
vestments, which owns the Darwendale project,
for a joint-venture, but Kuvimba failed to clarify
its opaque shareholding.

Kuvimba and Russian tycoon Vitaliy Machits-
kiy’s Vi Holding each own 50% of Great Dyke.

Further, Kuvimba, which has not yet fully paid
for Mazowe and Red Wing gold mines owned by
Metallon Corporation despite claiming to have
paid a dividend last year, is one in a series of com-
panies in the past 15 years to come making noise
about Zisco’s revival without much delivery.

Cross, a ZimCoke board member and share-
holder, and Mlotshwa, lawyer and transaction ad-
viser, tried but failed to push through their con-
troversial steelworks deal. ZimCoke was chaired
by Nicholas Ncube.

After a frustrating process, Cross threw in the
towel in September 2020. Mlotshwa persisted,
but the deal was subsequently cancelled.

Sometime in 2017, Zisco entered into an

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

ZIMBABWEAN President Emmerson Mnan- Mnangagwa crony made
gagwa’s close adviser, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, US$90m in dodgy deal
made about US$90-million in possibly unlaw-
ful payments from Zimbabwe’s central bank, The RBZ reportedly gave businessman Kuda Tagwirei preferential exchange rates for Treasury Bills.
while running a controversial agricultural sup-
port programme, according to a report pub- Agriculture programme and expressed concern found evidence that the Reserve Bank of Zim- Justyna Gudzowska, the director of Illicit
lished on Thursday by The Sentry, a US-based about potential conflicts of interest. babwe may have been used to finance other po- Finance Policy at The Sentry, said: “The cen-
anti-corruption watchdog. litically motivated expenditure beyond Com- tral bank’s granting of a seemingly favourable
Finance ministry officials told the PAC that mand Agriculture. exchange rate to an oil tycoon to pay a Zim-
Tagwirei — an oil trader — used some of Sakunda had been chosen to run Command babwean military company for a Zimbabwe-
the profits to buy gold mines and a platinum Agriculture without a tender process because It said leaked Treasury Bill issuance notes an-Russian platinum mine doesn’t pass the
mine, The Sentry, a US-based anti-corruption it had said it had its own — scarce — foreign showed potentially politicised Reserve Bank of smell test. It’s time for the Zimbabwe An-
watchdog, revealed in a major report pub- currency and so was able to supply the govern- Zimbabwe spending just before the coup that ti-Corruption Commission and police to in-
lished on Thursday: Legal Tender? The Role of ment on credit. brought down President Robert Mugabe. This vestigate properly.”
Sakunda and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe included providing US$7.5 million to buy 226
in Command Agriculture. But when it was put to these financial offi- Isuzu double-cab trucks which Mugabe was to Oliver Windridge, a senior adviser at The
cials that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had present to chiefs. Sentry, said: “The US$1 billion Command
It said Tagwirei’s Sakunda Holdings won the provided Sakunda with US$1 billion of foreign Agriculture programme was the product of a
US$1 billion concession to run the Command currency in Treasury Bills, they could offer no Sakunda told The Sentry that it was never behind-closed-doors culture. Part of the solu-
Agriculture programme in 2016 without an satisfactory response. favoured with preferential treatment by the tion is to embrace open contracting, making
open tendering process. And the Reserve Bank Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, which it said also all contracts and payments public.”
of Zimbabwe gave him local currency at far “The programme may also have served as provided favourable rates to more than 600
above the official exchange rate, in apparent part of a system of patronage,” The Sentry other companies — even though Statutory The Sentry report’s recommendations, there-
violation of Zimbabwean law. said. At least some of the Command Agricul- Instrument 33 required the Reserve Bank of fore, include procurement transparency mea-
ture programme recipients — who were not Zimbabwe to convert US dollars to Zimbabwe sures that would allow Zimbabwean citizens to
In a deep investigation, assisted by Zimba- selected by Sakunda — were past or present dollars only at the rate of 1:1. see how their money is spent. — THE SENTRY/
bwean opposition leader and former finance members of the security forces. The Sentry also
minister Tendai Biti, The Sentry found that
Tagwirei’s companies earned about US$280
million while running Command Agriculture
from 2016 to 2019.

The programme was intended to boost ag-
ricultural production through the provision of
inputs such as seed and fertiliser to commercial
farmers. No official explanation was given for
appointing an oil trading company to run an
agricultural support programme.

The Sentry’s investigation found that, over
the course of the three-year programme,
Sakunda received US$1.28-billion total —
US$230-million in hard currency and more
than US$1 billion in Treasury Bills — while
providing inputs worth US$1 billion: a surplus
of US$280-million.

One of the Treasury Bills, for US$366-mil-
lion, was improperly redeemed at a favourable
exchange rate by the Reserve Bank of Zimba-
bwe after a new law that should have reduced
the US dollar value of such assets, the report
said.

“While others saw the US dollar value of
their Treasury Bills fall, the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe protected Tagwirei’s asset from
this reduction in value when it was cashed in:
the central bank sent more Zimbabwean dol-
lars to his firms than it was obliged to by the
new law.” That concession was worth at least
US$50 million and perhaps up to US$100
million, for the oil tycoon’s companies, The
Sentry calculated.

“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s decision
does not seem to be in accordance with Zim-
babwean law, and the International Monetary
Fund reportedly blamed the Reserve Bank’s
treatment of this Treasury Bill for bloating the
money supply and contributing to inflation
and the rapid decline in the value of Zimba-
bwe’s new currency from mid-2019,” The Sen-
try’s report said.

Sakunda, which denies any wrongdoing,
testified in Zimbabwe’s Parliament that it re-
ceived the favourable rate so that it could repay
foreign suppliers — particularly of chemicals
— in hard currency.

However, The Sentry’s investigation indicat-
ed that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe gave
Tagwirei the preferential exchange rate for the
Treasury Bills to allow one of Tagwirei’s firms
to pay the government for some gold mines
and a Zimbabwean military-controlled com-
pany for its share of a platinum mining joint
venture with a Russian conglomerate.

“In effect, the publicly owned Reserve Bank
of Zimbabwe was printing money for private
companies to buy publicly owned assets,” The
Sentry said.

Zimbabwe’s parliamentary Public Accounts
Committee (PAC) has accused the Reserve
Bank of Zimbabwe and the ministry of Fi-
nance of acting “outside the law”, a charge
which they both denied.

The PAC said the Reserve Bank of Zimba-
bwe acted unconstitutionally by issuing Trea-
sury Bills to pay for Command Agriculture
and many other projects, bypassing parliamen-
tary approval of spending and borrowing. The
PAC also accused the government of breaching
procurement and public finance rules. In addi-
tion to the PAC, the Treasury’s own debt man-
agement office and the Auditor-General both
raised similar alarms about the Command

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

MOSES MATENGA Zanu PF MPs defend US$1.6bn
Command Agriculture looting
ZANU PF members of Parliament are defend-
ing the looting of US$1.6 billion under the Former Harare East MP Tendai Biti is said to be among the targeted MPs. members. So, please if you would like to contin-
Command Agriculture programme and are ue, you are supposed to be adding some points
plotting to crucify vocal individuals, mainly ceive the US dollars. Also, the suppliers were Before he could finish, Nduna was, however, and not contradict what was actually reported
from the opposition, they accuse of spreading not contracted by the ministry of Agriculture cautioned by the temporary Speaker over why in the report,” the temporary Speaker argued.
falsehoods. and that the suppliers were either supplying fer- he was seemingly opposed to a report he was
tilizer or (were) suppliers of seed,” Nduna said. part of as a PAC member. But Nduna insisted he was simply adding to
In a report by the Public Accounts Commit- the report, arguing that the money paid to some
tee (PAC) on Command Agriculture presented Nduna zeroed in on fertiliser supplier FSG “Honourable Nduna, it would appear that of the companies was in local currency and not
two weeks ago, former Finance minister Patrick and said some of the critical information the you seem to be going against your committee’s in US dollars.
Chinamasa and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe company presented was not in the report. report. You were supposed to have raised these
stand accused of superintending over a dodgy issues during your interaction,” the temporary “As I conclude, Valley Seeds proved that they
process through suspicious approvals of Trea- “The files that were brought to Parliament — Speaker said. did not receive any other payments in the form
sury Bills that left the country in debt. I attended the oral evidence session that these of Treasury Bills or bonds. I want to make it
companies came through — showed (that) the But Nduna argued he was not going against categorically clear that they received only RTGS
MPs recommended the involvement of the committee was very happy with the informa- the report, saying he was simply adding. and I do not think I am at variance with the
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission tion of the RTGS and the TBs that was used as mother-report.”
(Zacc) to probe the matter which they said bor- a mode of payment. It will boggle one’s mind “No, no, honourable Nduna, the report has
dered on criminality after several companies why now the report speaks to the issue of US been tabled and you seem to be hitting the “It is the duty of your thematic Committee
benefitted, but without going to tender. dollars. It would. . . ” points that are contrary to your report. You on Public Accounts to chastise and give advice
produced this report together with your other to those who would have been mentioned in
But in debating the report which was present- the Auditor-General’s report and also to be very
ed two weeks ago by Gweru Urban MP Brian specific, truthful and make sure we support the
Dube (MDC-T), MPs from Zanu PF led by suppliers, in particular the Command Agricul-
their chief whip Pupurai Togarepi on Wednes- ture under the circumstances of an acrimoni-
day accused some of falsifying information, in- ous relationship with the West and their allies
flating figures and harbouring a sinister an agen- who have put in sanctions and where we have
da against local companies. companies that try by all means, under the cir-
cumstances, to supply the nation for the special
“I also read that report and realise that we as maize programme.”
Parliament, do we have the power to take ac-
tion on someone who peddles falsehoods using Mberengwa MP Marko Raidza said some of
Parliament’s name? That person will be trusted the reported figures on Command Agriculture
but they tarnish the image of some companies as were distorted to suit a narrative.
well as the country. What can we do?” Togarepi
asked. “I say these words with a heavy heart because
the Zimbabwe that we have is just one country
“So what can we do if honourable members and if we develop a culture of accepting inflated
or the chairperson of the committee say some- figures that can be sold out there in other coun-
thing that is false or not correct, what can we do? tries, for example $2 billion or $3 billion. Let
If we are an honorable Parliament, let us look at me give an example, if we say $20 billion or $30
the difference of what was said and what was billion, such issues are very retrogressive,” Raid-
reported. That person who brought a false re- za said.
port must be charged. Secondly, all those things
that are being peddled are just falsehoods about “I think that is abuse of office because those
Treasury Bills and other payments,” he added. people who come here to Parliament and give us
evidence rely on us and trust us that indeed, it
It was not clear who Togarepi was targeting, will be confidential information that can only be
but observers said the Zanu PF legislators may released when the right time comes. This is the
be targeting mainly opposition MPs who were issue that I would like to address that as honour-
vocal in alleging that more than US$3 billion able members of Parliament, we must be factual
was abused under the programme that saw sev- and speak the truth that can be relied on.”
eral companies, including Sakunda Holdings,
benefitting. “Sometimes we hear of billions of monies be-
ing stolen and everyone questions in their mind
Former Harare East MP Tendai Biti, who as to who could have stolen it and the answer
chaired the PAC before he was recalled in a sus- will be on names flying around. During this
picious move, is said to be one of the targeted time of sanctions, we will have very few peo-
legislators as he has on several occasions spoken ple willing to work with us. If people go outside
out against the massive looting under the Com- spreading falsehoods, that is not good, we will
mand Agriculture facility. be tarnishing those people who work with us as
government.”
“I realise that those falsehoods were target-
ing black people and not the whites who also “I would like to encourage the use of truth
received these Treasury Bills. So, is it meant when such information is released.”
to tarnish black businesspeople by saying only
whites carry out good business practices?” Tog- Zanu PF MPs claim Command Agriculture programme transformed the agriculture sector.
arepi asked.

“This report has actually exposed the truth so
that the whole nation knows who was mislead-
ing and lying about this report. People have to
know who did what regardless of their skin co-
lour because the blacks are being tarnished,” the
Gutu South MP said.

“The Command Agriculture programme, in-
deed, transformed the agriculture sector in this
country. The black farmers were empowered just
as the whites were empowered through the Ag-
riculture Finance Corporation where they got
a lot of funding and they never returned that
money, yet they are regarded as good farmers
while the black farmers are being bad mouthed
in their quest to become successful farmers.

“The black farmers are doing very well and
the silos are full of grain, but no one acknowl-
edges that, but (they) just look for the negatives
so as to tarnish the image of the blacks. They
rush to talk about the falsehoods of Treasury
Bills, but never stop to praise Command Agri-
culture. Why only focus on the negative issues
about this country? All those who lied about
this should be brought to book and should be
punished by this august House.”

Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna said al-
though the report was presented in Parliament,
several issues were left out.

“I have read and understood the report that
was presented in this House and I have a feeling
that there are some issues that were left out of
that report that are very critical most probably
because there were a lot of pages,” Nduna said.

“The report did not make it clear that the
suppliers were not the originators of the Trea-
sury Bills and that these suppliers did not re-

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Govt misses farmers’ compensation date

BERNARD MPOFU The Zimbabwean government claims there is no money to pay former white commercial farmers.

ZIMBABWE’S cash-strapped government has 4 500 white farmers and redistributed large tracts reform programme. domestically (both listed and unlisted), bonds is-
deferred the payment of US$1.75 billion in com- of land to nearly 300 000 natives, arguing it was Last year, Treasury announced the appoint- sued into international markets (both listed and
pensation to white former commercial farmers redressing colonial land imbalances. unlisted); and listed and unlisted equity and quasi
who lost land during the country’s controversial ment of United Kingdom-based Newstate Part- type instruments.
agrarian reform programme after failing to raise The agreement, which was signed in the cap- ners as financial advisers to the agreement with
the required funds. ital Harare, showed that white farmers would effect from April 2021. The former commercial farmers last June re-
be compensated for infrastructure on the farms ceived their first pay cheque of US$1 million
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has said the and not the land itself, as per the national con- According to Ncube, the financial advisers in the form of a dividend for the 12.5% equity
government would make payments mid-year after stitution. Under the compensation agreement, have already commenced work with the Joint the government gave them in Kuvimba Mining
missing the initial date, but government officials the government made a commitment to re-pay Resource Mobilisation Committee supporting its House which they described as a only a tiny frac-
insist there is no money to pay. ex-commercial farmers for improvements under- capital-raising efforts. tion of the finances required to pay off the full
taken on the land before losing it under the land compensation amount.
Two years ago, the southern African nation Ncube then said the Newstate Partners had ta-
agreed to pay US$3.5 billion in compensation to bled funding options that include bonds issued
white farmers whose land was expropriated by the
government to resettle black families, moving a
step closer to resolving one the most divisive pol-
icies during long-time leader Robert Mugabe’s
era. At the time, Treasury hoped that half of the
amount would have been paid by mid-2021.

According to the compensation agreement be-
tween farmers and the government, Zimbabwe,
which is barely recovering from two years of eco-
nomic contraction, does not have the money and
will issue long-term bonds and jointly approach
international donors with the farmers to raise
funding.

Ncube, who was showcasing Zimbabwe as a
preferred investment destination at the ongoing
Dubai Expo, told potential investors that the
economy is experiencing a strong rebound, with
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimat-
ing growth at 6.3% during 2021 underpinned by
growth in agriculture, mining, construction and
manufacturing sectors. However, the IMF esti-
mates growth to moderate to 3% during 2022,
on account of risks from the Covid-19 pandemic
and vulnerability to climate and other exogenous
shocks.

“Government has commenced payments un-
der the Global Compensation Deed, while the
interim target for making half of the US$3.5 bil-
lion total has been extended to July 2022,” the
Finance minister said.

Initially, the government had set a target of June
2021. At the turn of the millennium, Mugabe’s
government carried out often violent evictions of

BERNARD MPOFU Ncube sends mixed signals on fuel

FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube this week Development Agency, implementation of Spe- act appropriately in terms of our subsidy pro- expected. It is because we have been running
sent mixed signals over the country’s neo-lib- cial Economic Zones and fiscal consolidation. gramme we have been running by controlling this subsidy programme.”
eral policy on fuel subsidy, as policy incon- or changing the fuel levies,” Ncube said.
sistency remains one of the major sources of However, while addressing a virtual news Oil prices last week reached 13-year record
concern for investors. conference on the same day he made the pre- “We have actually been running the fuel highs amid concerns that the surge will be in-
sentation, Ncube told local journalists that subsidies for a while . . . actually for the last flationary across the globe. At over 50% annu-
Zimbabwe is ranked 140 among 190 econ- government had over the past five months five months. We have not publicly announced al inflation as at December, Zimbabwe had the
omies in the ease of doing business, according been subsidising the commodity to cushion that that is what we have been doing. The way highest inflation figures in the region, but the
to the latest 2020 World Bank annual ratings. consumers from inflation. The subsidy, which we have done it is by reducing the fuel levy authorities remain optimistic that the rate will
Despite improving between 2017 and 2019, according to Ncube came into effect around from basically US12.11cents per litre to 8.74 slow down by year-end.
critics cite bureaucratic inertia, political inter- October last year, was introduced before glob- cents per litre. So we have been playing around
ference and policy inconsistency among the al oil prices spiked after being triggered by with that just to make sure that we lower the In 2019, a sharp rises in fuel prices on the
factors unnerving prospective investors. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month. surge in the fuel price. So if you notice, since domestic economy triggered mass protests
about October last year the prices have been which resulted in the government unleashing
During his presentation to delegates attend- “We are not rushing to revise inflation fig- reasonably stable or rather not rising as fast as a brutal crackdown which was widely con-
ing the Dubai Expo, Ncube cited the scrap- ures and growth, but we continue to watch and demned by the international community.
ping of fuel subsidies as one of the key eco-
nomic reforms Harare had adopted as it seeks
to normalise relations with multilateral cred-
itors such as the World Bank, International
Monetary Fund and the African Development
Bank.

The Dubai Expo is a global event that links
innovation, technology, art and culture to
offer a great experience. Different countries
from around the world exhibit at the expo,
showcasing products, services and new ideas.

“Ease of Doing Business Reforms are part
of broad measures on enhancing the country’s
investment environment and external compet-
itiveness,” Ncube said.

Zimbabwe, battling to extricate itself from a
huge debt overhang, has undertaken to adopt
a raft of political and neo-liberal economic
reforms. Critics however doubt the govern-
ment’s political will in building a democratic
state which upholds civil liberties.

On economic reforms undertaken to date,
he cited: the re-introduction of local currency,
introduction of the central bank’s forex auc-
tion, removal of fuel and electricity subsidies,
operationalising the Zimbabwe Investment

Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Fresh headache for Mnangagwa

MOSES MATENGA l Loses key allies as Kasukuwere plots comeback

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has lost Insiders told The NewsHawks that a team was President Emmerson Mnangagwa He would not shed light when The News-
the support of some of his key allies, including appointed to probe the Ncube matter and a re- The fears of serious fights have been buoyed Hawks contacted him for comment.
Local Government minister July Moyo who port is being finalised, while his allies are push- by reports of combative former Zanu PF na-
have stood with him throughout his political ing for Mnangagwa to retain him in cabinet. tional political commissar Savior Kasukuwere’s Fears of fresh fissures, insiders confirmed,
rise but are now being sidelined in favour of “imminent” return to challenge for the party were also fuelled by a Central Intelligence Or-
new faces. Observers say the Zanu PF leader In the Midlands, Mnangagwa is said to have leadership. This comes amid reports the former ganisation report that projected Zanu PF's
may find himself isolated as fresh fights for the installed people many believe lack the political Local Government minister is relishing massive probability of winning the 2023 elections at a
party leadership take centre stage ahead of the clout to win him votes. grassroots support from the party structures and low 45%. The report cited supporters’ disgrun-
December congress. the youths who are unhappy with the party’s tlement with internal election outcomes and
Mnangagwa is also accused within Zanu PF current state of affairs. Mnangagwa’s failure to deliver after the 2017
Mnangagwa and his ambitious deputy, Con- and the military circles of breaking a “coup co- Zanu PF is also reportedly worried that the military coup.
stantino Chiwenga, are embroiled in a fight for alition” and surrounding himself with people structures of the vanquished G40 faction which
the control of the party ahead of the congress who are mainly his relatives and cronies at the were created and strengthened during the Mug- There are also serious fights for the control of
and subsequently the 2023 elections and, in that expense of those who stood with him. abe era were still intact on the ground. These the party in the Midlands, Manicaland, Mata-
race, the grassroots have been deeply divided elements could align with a host of disgruntled beleland North, Mashonaland West and Mash-
and are at war. Mnangagwa is said to have disregarded an party activists who feel they were robbed during onaland Central provinces, among other areas,
agreement with Chiwenga to serve only a sin- the party’s provincial restructuring last Decem- with the party structures deeply divided along
Although the fights have been temporarily gle term and not go beyond 2023. Immediate- ber. factional lines.
shelved for the party to concentrate on the 26 ly after getting into power, he launched a blitz Kasukuwere would not immediately confirm
March by-elections, insiders have warned that against several army chiefs, among them, An- reports of his imminent return. But his honchos, In the Midlands, Mnangagwa’s backyard,
it will be gloves off immediately after the polls. selem Sanyatwe, who was a commander Presi- already on the ground, said it was all systems go supporters of former National Security minister
dential Guard and played a key role in the late for his comeback which they claimed has the Owen Ncube are still questioning why he was
But in the fight, insiders said, Mnangagwa is former president Robert Mugabe’s ouster in a backing of some bigwigs within the ruling party. blocked from contesting for the post of provin-
now without key loyalists who stood with him military coup in November 2017. There is speculation “Tyson”, as Kasukuw- cial chairperson and subsequently fired from his
in successive fights, including Moyo and former ere is nicknamed in Zanu PF, is coming back cabinet post.
State Security minister Owen Ncube, among Sanyatwe was appointed ambassador to Tan- to manage the tribal imbalance in the party
others. Moyo has stood by Mnangagwa’s since zania, while another army chief, the late Douglas that has angered several bigwigs, including Fights are also rife in Manicaland, where a
the 1990s. Nyikayaramba, was deployed to Mozambique. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who ac- camp linked to Albert Nyakuedzwa is bitter over
cuse Mnangagwa of filling the key portfolios in the controversial endorsement of Mike Madiro’s
He supported his bid to become national Mnangagwa has reportedly divided the war cabinet, the party and parastatals with his Ka- “victory” by the politburo in total disregard of
party chairperson in 1999, eventually losing out veterans, who are also said to be unhappy with ranga clique. those who claim he lost the internal elections.
to John Nkomo, and his bid for the vice-presi- him for failing to reward them enough — even “He is coming back,” a source close to Ka- Nyakuedzwa and others have lodged complaints.
dency at the 2004 congress, which post however though they vigorously campaigned for his as- sukuwere said. “2023 shall be exciting and
went to Joice Mujuru. Moyo has also stood with cendancy during the Mugabe days. someone is going out,” the source added. Richard Ndlovu, who lost in Matabeleland
Mnangagwa, sacrificing his own career in the Kasukuwere sparked further anxiety after North, has also complained to the national po-
process, after failing out of favour with Mugabe. War veterans feel only their leader Christo- posting a picture purportedly in Nyanga indi- litical commissar Mike Bimha.
Moyo was also with Mnangagwa ahead of the pher Mutsvangwa, their party secretary Douglas cating he was now back in the country.
2014 congress when he became vice-president. Mahiya and Victor Matemadanda were reward- “Beautiful country, Nyanga,” Kasukuwere In Harare, Mliswa warned of fresh fissures in
ed enough at the expense of the rank and file of posted. Zanu PF, saying the party was failing to handle
The Local Government minister and Zanu PF ex-combatants. Matemadanda was later demot- internal dynamics shaped by provincial and pri-
secretary for transport and welfare also played a ed from the powerful positions of Zanu PF na- mary elections which have left the party weak-
crucial role ahead of the November 2017 mil- tional political commissar and Defence deputy ened ahead of the 26 March by-elections.
itary coup that ousted Mugabe and his allies. minister, becoming ambassador to Mozambique
Moyo stood with Mnangagwa through thick where he replaced Nyikayaramba. “Instead of Zanu PF focusing on impinging
and thin, but felt he was not rewarded enough. the opposition’s operations, it should be focus-
ing on dealing with internal strife that threatens
Moyo is believed to have been the force be- the party’s candidates such as Epworth's Zaleri-
hind Ncube, who was accused by some in the ah Makari. Already, there are fatal fissures there
Midlands of pushing his own partisan agen- which need urgent attention,” Mliswa, who
da. Mnangagwa believes Ncube was militating claims to keenly know Zanu PF’s internal dy-
against his power consolidation project and, in namics, said on microblogging site Twitter.
the process, wittingly or unwittingly strengthen-
ing Chiwenga’s base. “If Zanu PF is to win Epworth, the party
needs to reconcile these people and bring them
The Local Government minister’s fallout with together,” Mliswa said before listing disgruntled
Mnangagwa has been consistently exposed by people in the area.
Norton member of Parliament Temba Mliswa,
who accused him and Ncube of working against In Mashonaland West, there are fights over
the Zanu PF leader. the control of the party with a group aligned to
Mary Mliswa-Chikoka arguing she did not win
A party insider close to Moyo insist that he fairly while similar fights have erupted in Mash-
was unhappy with the manner in which Mnan- onaland Central and Masvingo provinces.
gagwa was aligning with other people and push-
ing his “real people” away. But Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher
Mutsvangwa rubbished claims that the party
“He has been with Mnangagwa for long and faces imminent implosion amid panic over the
fought many of his battles in the ‘90s when he purported return of G40.
was trying to be the party chairman, in 2004
when he was vying for the party vice-president’s “We are strong, we never were affected by
post way until 2014 when he finally became anything. We have one leader and the parties
vice-president and ahead of the 2017 military that easily split are the MDCs. They have been
coup. He felt he did a lot but got little reward,” MDC, MDC-T now Citizens’ Coalition for
an insider said. Change (CCC). Zanu PF never breaks, so why
speak of imagination?”
Moyo was among the many prominent politi-
cians like Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda On G40, he said: “Where do they want to
and Manicaland’s Mike Madiro, among others, come back? It is a pipedream and we do not take
who fought in his corner and were ultimately it seriously. They were kicked out and will never
fired by Mugabe ahead of the 2004 congress. make it again.”

Zanu PF’s current secretary for Finance Pat- “They have absolutely no structures in the
rick Chinamasa was also among those who have party. Their only structure was Grace Mugabe
supported Mnangagwa since the 2004 pow- and when she lost they lost and that is why they
er-grab attempt and even during the 2017 coup, are still in the wilderness and the country is
but is reportedly unhappy with what he got in marching on,” he said.
return. Chinamasa joins a growing list of other
unhappy bigwigs now housed at Zanu PF head- “Why are they in exile in the first place? No-
quarters, including secretary for administration body chased them away and if you are afraid on
Obert Mpofu. your own how will they muster the courage to
take over the party. They are cowards and how
Ncube was Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy for can cowards try to usurp power?”
long in the Midlands province, particularly in
Kwekwe, where he employed all sorts of tactics, “The fear is within them so if you can’t over-
including violence, to ensure Mnangagwa re- come fear within yourself, how can you then say
tained the status of Zanu PF provincial godfa- you can organise a party? Kasukuwere came and
ther. He then used the Midlands and Masvingo left on his own, the other kingpin Grace is here
as stepping stones to national political power. and nobody touches here. Her daughter, Bona,
is every other day going to State House to see
But in a surprise turn of events, Mnangagwa the President — you can ask her. Which G40
fired Ncube this year, accusing him of behaviour kingpins are bigger than Grace?”
inconsistent with ministerial office.

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

War vets denounce Zanu abuse, deception

MOSES MATENGA cannot have that.” done so. Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri
“They have failed to deliver for the last 41 “They lied and in 2018 he said he will meet us there was a heated meeting two weeks ago in
WAR veterans have accused President Emmerson Manicaland province where the party secretary
Mnangagwa’s government of insincerity, lying years. We are not asking for the impossible, all we every April. How many Aprils have passed since for war veterans was quizzed by the ex-freedom
and abusing former freedom fighters by false- are asking for are our dues. We are asking for our then? We can’t be lied to when he meets whites fighters over the authorities’ insincerity in ad-
ly promising them money if they campaign for money, which is legally binding, but was stolen almost all the time and having dinners and all. dressing their grievances.
Zanu PF ahead of the 2023 general elections. by some of them. Imagine as we speak 39 of our Why do they launch their things in hotels and
comrades are before the courts for demanding not Zimbabwe Grounds? We can’t be fooled like “During the Manicaland meeting chaired by
The war veterans told The NewsHawks this week what is theirs.” that. We are wiser than that.” Cde Mahiya, war veterans were given the plat-
that the announcement by Defence minister Op- form to share their views. Some of the issues
pah Muchinguri this week that the government The 39 are on bail with stringent conditions “We are all war veterans and bigger in our raised include demands for a congress to elect
was looking into the plight of the ex-combatants that include reporting every Friday to their near- own right and they must not scare us to say shefu new leadership,” sources who attended the meet-
and war collaborators was a well-calculated lie to est police stations. says this or that. We are all equal and of the same ing told The NewsHawks.
lure them into campaigning for Zanu PF. age, we fought the same war and no one should
“Imagine reporting every Friday at our age threaten anyone.” “They accused (Christopher) Mutsvangwa
Muchinguri this week said pensions for war with the different (health) conditions we have. I and (Douglas) Mahiya of holding them to ran-
veterans are being reviewed upwards to match personally go for dialysis and if I do not go to re- “Tell me, who is in government now who was som and using them for their personal gain.
those of the uniformed forces and the rest of the port I am arrested. We don’t take that nonsense,” not there in 1980? What new things do they They openly demanded unity, the return of ex-
civil service. Sigauke said. want to deliver now that they failed to deliver iled G40s and declared that they are prepared to
then? Everyone is crying and it is another way of support any movement that has people at heart.”
“Government is working tirelessly to improve “Now they are negotiating with white farm- hoodwinking the people by registering their own
the welfare of the veterans of the liberation strug- ers to compensate them their US$3.5 billion and youths to benefit from the funds and campaign The war veterans, sources said, raised the is-
gle. The pensions are being reviewed and bench- they did that because they fear them. They are for them in 2023.” sue of welfare, accusing the government of giving
marked with uniformed forces and the rest of the subservient to the whites and where were these them a paltry US$30 a month, no medical aid
civil service,” Muchinguri said this week. people during the war? Most of them ran away “They should be sincere and they hired private support and the sudden cutting of fees payment
from the bush and were in hotels and universities lawyers to defend against giving us money.” to both schools and institutions of higher learn-
But the war veterans, who have traditionally while sacrificing others and they still want to sac- ing
campaigned for Zanu PF in previous elections rifice war veterans now but we are not going to Muchinguri this week urged war veterans to
and have been accused of using violence in the do that, never again.” use the “correct” channels to air their grievances “They accused the ED administration of fail-
process, particularly in rural areas, insist they will and not resort to confrontation. ing to run the country and vowed not to cam-
not be used and lied to this time. He said Mnangagwa had promised to meet paign for ED until their demands are fulfilled.”
war veterans every April since 2018, but has not War veterans are unhappy with how the Zanu
“They have always been lying to us saying they PF government is treating them. Sources say Mahiya refused to comment on the meeting.
gave us shares in mining and companies. They
say all sorts of lies to us,” war veterans’ welfare
pressure group chairperson Amos Sigauke told
The NewsHawks this week.

“We have our case before the courts now
where they are refusing to give us money. They
have even hired expensive lawyers to defend their
case and we wonder why we are not getting our
money.”

Thirty-nine war veterans were arrested in Oc-
tober last year and charged with inciting public
violence.

The state insists they have a case to answer.
“Why would she (Muchinguri) lie to us like
that? They are shameless and we have had enough
of their lies,” Sigauke fumed.
Sigauke said the regime has resorted to arrest-
ing the ex-freedom fighters for demanding their
dues. The timing of the new offer was suspicious
and meant to position youths linked to the ruling
elite at the feeding trough.
On suspicion that war veterans were being
lured to garner support for Zanu PF ahead of the
elections, Sigauke said this time they will not be
used.
“If it used to happen before, it will not hap-
pen again. The comrades are now wiser. If it used
to happen, we will not allow that. That will not
happen again, we cannot be used again to serve a
purpose to have few people lining their pockets,”
Sigauke said.
“We can’t have a handful benefitting from the
country’s independence while the rest suffer. We
can’t continue having such a situation. In saying
they are pushing for some mujibhas to benefit,
they want to push their own youths to get in and
benefit and get onto the feeding trough ahead of
2023, but war veterans are wiser than that. We

Illegal settlers invade Bulawayo City Council farm

LIZWE SEBATHA erty burnt. land from syndicates behind the invasion of the tor Khumalo.
Council’s Dunstal Farm is sub-divided into council-owned farm. Khumalo said he was also unaware and re-
A NUMBER of settlers have invaded the Bula-
wayo City Council-owned Dunstal Farm, join- 159 small plots averaging two hectares leased In 2014, Zanu PF youths invaded the coun- ferred questions to the public relations depart-
ing several others who illegally set up base on to tenants. cil-run Mazwi nature reserve, located near Old ment. There was no response to emailed ques-
the property in 2019. Pumula high-density suburb, parcelled out tions.
Some of the tenants include current deputy pieces of land to over 3 000 people.
Three years ago, an estimated 50 settlers in- mayor Mlandu Ncube, who was given a 25-year Indications are that part of the farm is leased
vaded Sub-division A of the farm, on the out- lease in 2015 for 10 hectares on plot number 74 Hundreds of other land seekers on the wait- out to some officials in council management for
skirts of the city, and they have stayed put de- of the property. ing list were made to pay varying amounts to grazing purposes.
spite a 2021 High Court order directing them the youth leaders involved in the Mazwi nature
to vacate. “Dunstal Council Farm was invaded in 2019 reserve land grab before their arrest and impris- Auditor-General Mildred Chiri has in the
and the number of the illegal settlers was esti- onment. past exposed how council is losing potential
Reports indicate that the number of illegal mated to be 50 and was increasing every day. revenue from unbilled properties lying idle,
settlers has been increasing. The eviction of these squatters was in the courts The Mazwi game reserve is owned by the lo- unoccupied, and not registered in the valuation
and their removal was imminent,” a report by cal authority through its commercial division. rolls.
In January this year, they encroached on council’s housing and education committee
Dunkirk Farm which is under Umguza reads in part. Cobtacted for comment, Bulawayo town In 2013, council courted controversy after it
clerk Christopher Dube professed ignorance on allocated two hectares of the farm to then may-
Rural District, pegging out plots, but they It emerged that land seekers have to part the goings-on at Dunstal Farm. He referred The or Thaba Moyo for a measly $45 per month for
were immediately chased away and their prop- with almost US$100 to secure a portion of NewsHawks to the city’s housing director, Dic- five years.

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

US ‘demystifies’ Zimbabwe sanctions

MOSES MATENGA

THE United States says its sanctions are only US describes Kuda Tagwirei, who owns Sakunda Holdings (below), as a notoriously corrupt Zimbabwean businessman.
targeted at a few Zimbabwean companies and
individuals who are dabbling in corruption and “We sanction someone when there is specif- He said the US sanctions programme pre- are not intended to be permanent. The US
undermining human rights, emphasising that it ic, verifiable evidence that they have engaged in vents those sanctioned from using the United government can lift sanctions under various cir-
is untrue the restrictive measures are to blame sanctionable activities such as stoking conflict or States as a safe haven for their ill-gotten gains. cumstances, for example when sanctioned indi-
for Zimbabwe’s current economic woes. violence, engaging in corruption, terrorist activ- viduals or entities stop engaging in activities or
ities or human rights abuses or undermining de- “We also use sanctions to influence the be- behaviour that landed them being on the sanc-
The Zanu PF government has persistently mocracy, among other destabilising activities.” haviour of sanctioned individuals and encour- tions list in the first place.”
blamed sanctions for the failing economy while age them to cease malign activities. Sanctions
the US and its Western allies attribute the coun-
try’s perennial troubles on corruption by the re-
gime and its cronies.

In a four-part podcast on the Zimbabwe
Sanctions Programme released by the US em-
bassy in Harare, the Department of State’s di-
rector for economic sanctions policy and imple-
mentation, Jim Mullinax, said Washington DC
has only targeted 83 out of 15 million Zimba-
bweans for sanctions while only 37 companies
have been sanctioned and the number did not
indicate that sanctions are targeted at the ordi-
nary people.

“There are lots of myths out there about sanc-
tions,” Mullinax said.

“The US does not have sanctions against the
government of Zimbabwe nor does it have sanc-
tions against the Zimbabwean people.”

“There is no trade embargo on Zimbabwe. As
long as an individual or an entity is not on the
sanctions list or owned by an individual or com-
pany that is on the sanctions list, that individual
or entity can trade and conduct business with
US companies freely,” he said.

Companies linked to Zanu PF and its asso-
ciates, including Mnangagwa’s ally Kudakwashe
Tagwirei, are on the sanctions list, with the US
saying the firms and individuals were sanctioned
for their participation and links to corruption
and human rights abuses in the country.

In sanctioning Tagwirei, the US government
described him as “a notoriously corrupt Zim-
babwean businessman” and said he was being
sanctioned for materially assisting senior Zim-
babwean government officials involved in pub-
lic corruption.

His company Sakunda Holdings was also
sanctioned.

“Under the Zimbabwe sanctions authority,
only 83 people and 37 companies are sanc-
tioned. In a country of over 15 million people,
US companies are free to do business with the
overwhelming majority of Zimbabweans,” he
said.

“I know some people claim that US sanctions
prevent American companies from doing busi-
ness with Zimbabwe. That is simply not true.”

He said the state of America’s “flourishing
business relationship” with Zimbabwe proves
that the US sanctions are not causing interna-
tional business to stop doing business in Zim-
babwe.

“A variety of US firms including John Deere,
KFC, General Electric, Fedex and Skechers have
found business opportunities in Zimbabwe
during difficult times,” Mullinax said.

“In 2020, the United States exported goods
totalling US$46.6 million to Zimbabwe and
imported goods worth over US$36.9 million
from Zimbabwe.”

He said in 2019, American farmers and busi-
ness exported more than US$10 million worth
of machinery, US$7 million worth of vehicles
and US$6 million worth of agricultural prod-
ucts to Zimbabwe while Zimbabwe exported
iron and steel, among other goods.

Mullinax said the US is using sanctions to
disrupt corrupt individuals, human rights abus-
ers, terrorists and others who undermine de-
mocracy, stoke instability and provoke violence.

“Sanctions are intended to impose a cost on
their behaviour. By preventing sanctioned indi-
viduals and entities from using the US financial
system, we cut off their access to resources they
use to fund their nefarious activities,” he said.

“Our US sanctions complement and not un-
dercut efforts to restore the rule of law, promote
democracy and human rights as well as fight
corruption.”

He added that sanctions were used “extreme-
ly carefully”.

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Population growth to strain ailing economy

ALEX MHANDU

ECONOMISTS have described Zimbabwe’s RBZ claims there has been an increase in local production.
projected population growth as a double-edged
sword likely to put a strain on the limited avail- services with ease,” he said. clined to an estimated US$150 million from election of a new government.
able resources. For 2022, the economy is projected to grow US$194 million recorded in 2020, which was a “The uncertain business environment charac-
further decline from 2019.
This comes as the national population is by 5.5%, a slowdown from 2021 growth rate terised by a depreciating local currency and a
projected to be around 17 million, growing by of 7.4%. “The rapid policy changes implemented in foreign currency auction allotment backlog hin-
nearly four million in the last 10 years from 13 2019 resulted in Zimbabwe losing investor con- der FDI from recovering,” said stockbrokers IH
million recorded during the 2012 national cen- Some indicators such as FDI are already fidence, which it had gained in 2018, after the Securities in their 2022 Equity Strategy Report.
sus, following a census mapping exercise done painting a gloomy picture. For 2021, FDI de-
last year by the Zimbabwe National Statistics
Agency (ZimStat). Zimbabwe risks a rise in imports, as local industry might not meet the increase in demand for local goods and services.

The ZimStat exercise projected the popula-
tion to be now at 16.9 million with 8.8 million
females and 8.1 males.

Now, economists have said the anticipated
30% growth in national population will put
more pressure on national budgets at a time the
economy is already battling energy deficits, lim-
ited foreign currency, high unemployment lev-
els, poor social service delivery, an unsustainable
external debt, inflationary pressures and declin-
ing foreign direct investment (FDI).

“The growth of the population is a dou-
ble-edged sword, depending on how authori-
ties respond to manage this reality. In terms of
economic indicators such as GDP per capita, it
will be now lower since we now have a bigger
denominator; and that should also inform on
how we should accelerate efforts to become a
middle income economy by 2030.

“On the budget front, it means the nation
now requires more resources in terms of food,
healthcare, education, water, energy, among
others,” economist Clemence Machadu said.

He said the country also risks a surge in im-
ports as local industry might not meet the in-
crease in demand for local goods and services.

According to the central bank, there has been
an increase in production, with an estimated
70% of shelf space occupied by local goods, fol-
lowing the return of the Reserve Bank of Zim-
babwe (RBZ) auction system in 2020.

Despite this increase in production, the gov-
ernment still has a tall order to bring economic
stability in a ballooning national population.
Attention must be paid towards employment
creation, education and unlocking potential
presented by domestic resource mobilisation,
according to Machadu.

He said: “Focus should be placed on increas-
ing the productivity of the economy, firstly by
optimising the currently unutilised capacity of
the productive sectors, as well as opening new
pathways for the development and growth of
new initiatives that tap into our locally available
resources.

“Further, there should me more investment
in schools, vocational and technical training
centres, housing, while prioritising agriculture
production and value addition.”

Economist Victor Bhoroma concurred, say-
ing this is a chance for local industry to en-
hance production and create new products and
services that meet the increased demand that
comes with a bigger population.

Fast-moving consumer goods, technolo-
gy-driven products and services such as broad-
band are among the top picks to appeal, espe-
cially to the young, who constitute a significant
portion of the population.

However, Bhoroma highlighted that while
businesses may capitalise on a bigger market
size, the same becomes a headache for govern-
ment currently working on a tight budget.

“This means high demand for public ser-
vices, thus the budget that the country will
now spread thin on a larger population, and it
may mean that obviously there’s going to be a
strain on public services and public goods,” he
said, adding more attention would be needed
towards reducing cases of extreme poverty while
providing safety nets to the vulnerable as well as
pensioners.

“One key issue obviously is income redistri-
bution to marginalised in our communities, bet-
ter wages for pensioners, serious investment in
water and sanitation to ensure that citizens have
good access to clean water, then investment into
basic housing, remuneration for teachers and
good road network to allow citizens access basic

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

NYASHA CHINGONO Epic defiance of CCC women

HER beaming smile and radiance exude hope. Images of Hope:
A yellow dress and headgear that blends in a — Picture Mgcini Nyoni

fascinator shaped like a sunflower — symbolis- photos depicting ordinary people's defiance um, their shear fearlessness captured the hearts ities maintaining that the gatherings were un-
ing optimism — complete her look. against the Zanu PF government's repressive of many passers-by. lawful.
lawfare.
With her index finger stuck in the air, rem- The women led a standoff between CCC Despite the move to stop the rally, Chamisa’s
iniscent of a Sudanese female protester whose Previously on the CCC's campaign trail, it supporters and police on Saturday. tone was reconciliatory, urging supporters to
image went viral in 2019 during the ouster of was Madzibaba Veshanduko with his apostolic respect the authorities.
former President Omar Al Bashir, the uniden- antics who stole the show. But in Marondera With Chamisa arriving to wild cheers, the
tified Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) it was the brave women — with their protest female supporters remained unfazed, venting Until Zimbabwe matures as a democracy
supporter’s image has stimulated debate online. songs and defiant poses — who made a lasting out their frustration at the police. and allows political opponents to campaign,
impression. these women will continue to be the voice of
Superbly shot by Bulawayo-based photo- The Marondera rally was one of the many defiance and a symbol of hope for a generation
journalist Mgcini Nyoni, the picture speaks to Although they did not make it into the stadi- campaign gatherings that have been thwarted whose time has come.
Zimbabwe’s aspirations of a better tomorrow by the police in recent weeks, with the author-
after nearly 42 years of turmoil.

Of all the photographs he took on the day,
this image stood out as it received rave reviews.

A picture tells the story of a thousand words.
The adage rings true as several images from the
campaign trail ahead of a crunch 26 March
by-election communicate deep political mean-
ing.

While the woman is still to be identified, the
iconic picture has inspired many Zimbabwe-
ans, home and abroad.

The image has been described as iconic by
lawyer Alex Magaisa.

“Once in a while there is an image that as-
sumes iconic status because of the manner in
which it captures an historic moment. This
is one of them. The author is Mgcini Nyoni.
It will make history books,” Magaisa said on
Twitter.

“This portrait penetrates the heart and soul.
Who is this lady?” asked Shelton Mununuri on
Twitter.

The Bulawayo image is among many iconic
photos on the CCC campaign trail speaking
to the immense goodwill the new party led by
Nelson Chamisa currently enjoys.

Chamisa’s new political outfit, born out of
a wrangle over the MDC-Alliance name and
years of bickering, has stood out as Zimbabwe’s
main opposition party, drawing large, animat-
ed crowds across the country.

Despite several headwinds, it is apparent
that the party commands spontaneity as wit-
nessed in photos exuding joy and enthusiasm.

A student of Zimbabwe’s Independence his-
tory would recall an unforgettable image of
women dancing when the country was born in
1980.

With jerseys strapped around their waists,
they leapt for joy as Zimbabwe attained Inde-
pendence from Ian Smith’s oppressive regime.

The image is forever etched in Zimbabwe’s
history, as an iconic kodak moment that com-
municates a deep sense of hope that swept
across the country when the Union Jack was
finally lowered, giving way to the Zimbabwean
flag.

Synonymous in these photos is the partici-
pation of women in political process as they are
no longer seen as subaltern but active partici-
pants in national discourse.

Reminiscent of the Sudan student and Nu-
bian queen, Alaa Salah, draped in white linen
leading a protest against AlBashir in 2019, im-
ages of defiance have also surfaced in Zimba-
bwe.

Imagine posing for a photo in front of armed
anti-riot police and living to tell the tale.

Such is the story of an unidentified Maron-
dera woman who dared pose for a photo with
the feared riot police last Saturday after her
party was banned from holding a rally at Rud-
haka Stadium.

While her fellow activists sang and danced,
she chose a defiant stance. Her image is among
many of women activists in Marondera who
challenged police decision to block the rally
where thousands had gathered to hear their
leader Chamisa speak.

Although she could not make it into the sta-
dium, she made a bold statement.

While she was daring the police who re-
markably exercised restraint during the long
afternoon of insults from CCC supporters, her
counterpart spewed stern words at the author-
ities.

“We are saying we no longer want Zanu PF
and if you — the police, CIO and soldiers --
say no, don’t you want US dollar salaries? Most
of you married because of the inclusive govern-
ment when Biti was Finance minister,” shouted
one woman.

Marondera, remarkably, produced iconic

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

RUVIMBO MUCHENJE The day Mwonzora attracted
‘62 000’ imaginary supporters
BY 10am on Sunday, a handful of MDC-T sup-
porters had gathered at the Zimbabwe Grounds do not force ourselves and this is why you see us MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora On the eve of the rally, pictures of him meet-
in Harare’s Highfield suburb, where faction lead- not daring the police, not even daring our oppo- denied an opportunity to erect a billboard in Ep- ing people clad in Zanu PF regalia went viral,
er Douglas Mwonzora was billed to address a nents. We want peace, we want tranquillity, we worth. amid reports his party was seeking assistance with
rally. want the integrity of our people to be respected.” crowd mobilisation.
Mwonzora is largely viewed as Mnangagwa’s
Buses and trucks from all over the country The Mwonzora MDC-T faction’s aspiring surrogate bent on destroying the real opposition Political analyst Greg Linnington dismissed
were bringing in jovial party supporters, who member of Parliament for Epworth, Zivai Mhe- in Zimbabwe. His “rational disputation” mantra Mwonzora’s claims that his party was under at-
were singing and dancing well ahead of the rally. tu, told the crowd in his address that they were has been dismissed as a ploy to perpetuate Zanu tack, saying the only reason the CCC is under
PF misrule. constant state heavyhandedness is because it is
Unlike the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens’ Co- the only party posing a threat to the ruling party.
alition for Change (CCC) which is routinely
blocked by the police from ferrying supporters, Another analyst Sydicks Muradzikwa told The
Mwonzora’s outfit was allowed to bus its support- NewsHawks that the state’s plot to disrupt CCC
ers to the rally. rallies during this campaign only reflects the level
of threat that the opposition poses to the Zanu
There were many other things that were con- PF government.
spicuous. Car rallies to drum up support were al-
lowed, a luxury which has been denied the CCC. “To say this is selective application of the law is
an understatement. I call it criminal application
Similar conduct saw the arrest and detention of the law! Obviously Mnangagwa and Chiwen-
of 13 CCC members in February ahead of the ga's calls for peace are fake. Why I say so, their
party’s first rally at the same venue and five others cronies deploy ZRP to disrupt CCC rallies hop-
a week after the launch of the party in January ing that there will be a confrontation. ZRP claim
2022. that CCC does not follow the dictates of Mopa
(Maintenance of Peace and Order Act), nonsense
There were no unreasonable police roadblocks because we do not know to what extent Zanu PF
to frustrate people from attending the rally. and MDC-T adhere to those rules. In any case,
Mopa violates the association clause in the consti-
All was smooth sailing, just like what happens tution, so it is null and void,” he said.
when Zanu PF holds its rallies.
Muradzikwa added that the MDC has been
Clad in traditional the MDC’s red colours, the used as a willing tool to decimate the CCC.
crowd danced to loud music as numbers swelled,
thanks to the buses and trucks. “Let me put it on record that, evidently, the
MDC-T has at its best morphed into a Zanu PF
This was a second attempt by Mwonzora to sideshow and at its worst, weaponised against
fill up the arena ahead of a hotly contested poll Chamisa. Therefore, its political significance in
on 26 March. genuine political contestation in Zimbabwe’s
contemporary body politic is over and done.
After a few hundreds gathered at Zororo
Grounds last month, Mwonzora was out to prove “Organised efforts and initiatives by the state
his mettle. It was meant to be some kind of show machinery to either thwart or disrupt CCC ral-
of force after an underwhelming rally. lies and political campaigns all over the country
through state-sponsored violence and lawfare are
He wanted to show that he had the masses be- a huge testament and confirmation of the fact
hind him. The palpable anxiety on the security’s that Chamisa’s party is a threatening counter-he-
faces prompted them to bar the media from en- gemonic force, causing an ailing headache to the
tering the venue before gathering a sizable crowd. Zanu PF government,” Muradzikwa said.
They wanted to ensure that optics from the rally
are good. Mwonzora’s MDC has come under fire for
supporting Mnangagwa’s mutilation of the con-
It was at the same venue that his arch-neme- stitution and causing chaos in Parliament and
sis, Chamisa, had packed a capacity crowd which local authorities after recalling legislators and
sent shockwaves across the political landscape. councillors deemed loyal to Chamisa.

Mwonzora’s party chairperson Morgan Ko- A paltry crowd that attended Mwonzora’s rally at Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare’s Highfield suburb.
michi claimed MDC-T had attracted 62 000
supporters, resulting in him becoming a joke on
social media platforms for days.

Chamisa, who at the beginning of 2022 was
in sixes and sevens battling to salvage his political
career, has remerged as Zimbabwe’s most popular
opposition leader, judging by the numbers he is
commanding.

His rallies have attracted thousands of peo-
ple despite the police throwing spanners in the
works, including banning some rallies and im-
posing unreasonable pre-conditions to derail
some public meetings.

But for Mwonzora, his rallies have been a re-
ality check.

With poor attendance bringing into question
his political methods, many were ready to write
his obituary. So this time around, optics were
crucial.

“We will not allow media in at the moment
until we are done with setup,” one of the security
persons said.

Inside, the festivities had not yet reached their
peak, while there were no riot police in sight as
witnessed at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera the
previous day where Chamisa was stopped from
convening a scheduled rally.

That Mwonzora has been receiving favourable
treatment was there for all to see.

Curiosly, while the rest of the media was ini-
tially barred from the event, state propaganda
outfit ZBC came in at around 4pm abd was swift-
ly granted an interview without a sweat. Such
luxury was not afforded other jounalsts who were
kept waiting outside the ground for hours, in case
they took pictures before the crowd had swelled.

But Mwonzora claimed his party was not get-
ting preferable treatment.

He said his party had also fallen victim to the
state’s heavy handedness, just like the CCC.

“For example, we wanted to have our rally in
Epworth on the 12th, it was refused and we did
not see it necessary to fight. We suffer the same
disadvantages and so on. If you look at the con-
ditions that were set for this rally, they are then
exactly the same that were set for the CCC at this
venue, no toyi-toying, no this no that no that no
that. The letters are identical,” he told journalists
at the venue.

“The difference between us and others is that
where we have not been given the green light we

Page 16 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Misery for relocated Chiadzwa villagers

MARTIN MULEYA l Water crisis hits hard Arda Transau
l US$350 000 Zesa debt chokes settlers
IN 2011, Chiadzwa villagers in Manicaland were
dragged from their land kicking and screaming Government has failed to deliver on promises it pledged to villagers moved from Chiadzwa to Arda Transau,
to pave way for diamond mines amid promises of
compensation and a better life. he said. He vowed never to move an inch unless the use a local church as a makeshift classroom.
“It was only recently that two diamond com- mining companies and the relocated villagers “The company that constructed this school
The widely challenged move was to facilitate climb down.
mining from the diamond-rich Chiadzwa area. panies (Anjin Investments and ZCDC) ap- had promised to build houses for teachers, but
Villagers were pushed out from their land to proached my court and told me that they erred A ministry of Primary and Secondary Educa- the programme was abandoned mid-way. No
Arda Transau, where the government promised in constructing houses without my blessings. So tion official who spoke on condition of anonym- proper house was built within the school prem-
better houses and state-of-the-art health and edu- now I await the villagers to come with their chief ity said Wellington Primary School was failing to ises, therefore 90% of teachers at Wellington Pri-
cational facilities, but a decade later, the promises so we chart the way forward.” cope with the enrolment, forcing the students to mary are commuting from Mutare,” he added.
remain unfulfilled.
Zesa is demanding 25% payment of the US$353 000 it is owed by Arda Transau to restore power.
Now home to over 5 000 households, the
area encompasses four other villages, including
1001 families relocated from Marange and 111
families comprising ex-farm workers, the area re-
sembles something of a refugee camp. It has been
forgotten and forsaken.

The Arda Transau farm, once a hugely pro-
ductive investment in its glory days, spans 1 200
hectares and runs along Odzi River. The avand-
ined villagers are struggling to settle a US$353
000 bill owed to the power utility, the Zimbabwe
Electricity Transmission and Distribution Com-
pany (ZETDC).

Villagers say the situation is unbearable and
they feel they were taken for a ride by the govern-
ment and mining companies.

Agricultural Relocation Development Trust
(ARDT) chairperson Moses Mujuru told jour-
nalists during a media tour organised by the
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) that they
were suffering from a myriad of challenges and
the government is paying lip service.

“When we were relocated, some of the things
were partially fulfilled,” Mujuru said.

The bigger challenges, Mujuru said, are water
shortages and a looming health hazard as a result.

Villagers have to walk over three kilometers to
get potable water.

Ward Three councillor Moses Mujaji con-
firmed the water crisis, saying: “We are in debt
with ZETDC, which we are failing to pay be-
cause they charge using the commercial rate. Our
plea is that if we could be charged using domestic
rates maybe it could be affordable because we do
not have reliable sources of income, occupying
one hectare constituting a house, toilet and farm-
ing area,” Mujaji said.

“We have an arrear of US$353 000 and
ZETDC required us to pay at least 25% of the
whole amount for us to have our power back.
They switched off electricity for us last year on
the 25th of November.”

On income-generating projects, the Zanu PF
councillor said: “We were offered a fish project
by Aqua Culture as an income-generating project
but this project was stillborn mainly because our
supply of water was cut off because of the debt we
have at ZETDC.

“We have five villages from Odzi being treated
by Zinwa (Zimbabwe National Aater Authority)
but pumped by ZETDC. We are failing to pay
that debt because we do not have a decent in-
come.”

Mujaji also said Chief Zimunya, under whose
jurisdiction the area falls, has not been formally
told of their presence at Arda Transau. The tradi-
tional leader has never stepped his foot in their
area since their arrival.

He said the villagers are not sure of their status,
whether they are living in a communal, resettle-
ment or township zone.

He admitted that for the period they have
been staying at Arda Transau, which spans a de-
cade, they have not been remitting any form of
revenue to Mutare Rural District Council.

Chief Zimunya, born Kiben Bvirindi, who
rules over the area encompassing Arda Transau,
said relocation of Chiadzwa villagers was done
without his consultation, with the government
bulldozing its way.

He vowed to fight the move.
“I only saw our former governor and resi-
dent minister Chris Mushohwe coming to my
land with the diamond-mining companies that
constructed houses for these villagers. Personal-
ly I was not approached as the traditional leader
within which the farm falls under my jurisdic-
tion and thus I maintained my golden silence,”

NewsHawks News Page 17

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

NYASHA CHINGONO IN BEITBRIDGE Stubborn smugglers dice with
death on treacherous Limpopo
DECENT Mbedzi (42) sits uncomfortably as he
frantically nails together some wooden boards to points used by smugglers. following the raid near Dulibadzimu Gorge. shift canoes.
make a wooden raft, just metres away from Duli- Sweat drips down the face of Carlos Mpande Mpande needs a miracle to get back into busi- “My children depend on this boat; I have to
badzimu Gorge, about five kilometres south of ness.
Beitbridge border. (40) as he tries to salvage a broken boat after a make it work. Business is growing and my only
police raid. Before the security officers manning the river means of making money has been destroyed,”
It is 2pm on a blazing Tuesday and Mbedzi is destroyed his boat, he had lost three other make- Mpande said as he gazes forlornly into the sky as
racing against time, rushing to finish crafting the His boat was shattered into pieces by soldiers if to summon divine strength.
makeshift raft before sunset, which is peak time
for the illegal business of ferrying people and “It will take me two days to get this boat work-
goods across the flooded Limpopo River river. ing again, which means I would have missed two
days of work. But it must work,” Mpande said.
“I am trying to make another raft because the
one I had was destroyed when we were raided While some choose to ferry contraband in the
a few days ago. It won’t take me long before it dead of night, others are daring enough to push
is done and business continues,” Mbedzi said, their hustle during the day.
showing off his wooden raft now big enough to
carry goods and people across the crocodile-in- The thick bushes that lead to the Limpopo
fested river. River have become a channel of smuggling goods
into the country.
“I was lucky that they left my rope. It is ex-
pensive and I do not know how I was going to Taxi drivers have also become a conduit for
continue with work if they had taken it,“ he said smuggling as they move contraband.
as he explained the raid by the police and the mil-
itary. “I charge 100 rand per customer. This is to
cater for any eventualities along the way, as you
Mbedzi says although he can bribe some secu- know there are soldiers everywhere,” a taxi driver
rity officials manning the gorge, there have been said.
constant changes to the crack team, making it
difficult for him. “You can be unlucky sometimes when you
meet an unfamiliar security official. They may
“We have some of the security guys who know impound the vehicle or arrest you. It is a dicey
how to work with us, but some just won’t have it. game, but that is the only way we survive.”
Sometimes bribes won’t work. You will just have
to work in the wee hours of the morning. Our Zimbabwean authorities have been in sixes
spot is now well known so you have to be discreet and sevens as smuggling worsens.
and smart in this game,” Mbedzi said.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Paul
A rope on each side helps keep the raft from Nyathi said the authorities are conducting week-
being swept away by heavy torrents. ly arrests.

Smuggling is rife at this crossing point, with “We have been arresting smugglers every week.
smugglers paying large sums to move contraband We urge the public to declare their goods at the
across the river into Zimbabwe in the dead of border and pay their excise duty. They risk being
night. This breach of security is a huge headache arrested if they use other means,” Nyathi said.
for the Zimbabwean authorities.
The Covid-19 pandemic worsened smuggling
The crossing point near Dulibadzimu Gorge in the country as land borders remained closed to
is also popular with undocumented immigrants ordinary travellers.
who risk their lives to enter South Africa.
Cross-border traders who survive on buying
Thousands use the illegal points to travel to and selling goods from South Africa found them-
South Africa, where many are economic refugees selves with no income, hence smuggling became
fleeing from Zimbabwe’s perennially troubled the only source of livelihood.
economy.
The smuggling of tobacco also rose during
Mbedzi’s raft is brazenly used by smugglers to the pandemic. This triggered South Africa and
transport contraband from South Africa for sale Zimbabwe to step up border patrols in a bid to
across the border. particularly stop cigarette smuggling. Authorities
from the two countries, recovered millions worth
The gorge, located near a ZimParks com- of cigarettes as smugglers looked poised to rake in
pound, is a hive of activity in the wee hours of huge profits from contraband.
the morning.
By February this year, South African police
There are flickering torches and hushed con- had recovered R670 000 worth of cigarettes.
versations as the smugglers try their best to avoid
detection by security officers manning illegal It is estimated that over 40% of cigarette
crossing points along the border. brands sold in South Africa are from Zimbabwe.

Despite the increased surveillance, Mbedzi Until the stubborn smugglers find other ways
and his friends, infamously known as “Maguma- to eke out a living, they will continue risking
guma”, have continued moving smuggled goods their lives along the treacherous crocodile-infest-
across the border. The contraband includes wash- ed Limpopo River.
ing powder, cooking oil, beer, alcoholic spirits,
toiletries, and other home goods. From the top: Border jumpers walk into a bush that leads to Limpopo River; smugglers emerge from a bushy area near Malindi Transit Shed in Beibridge
holding wrapped goods; and Dulibadzimu Gorge, one of the crossing points for border jumpers.
Home applieances like refrigerators, stoves,
microwaves and even beds can be moved across
the border using the wooden raft.

The authorities have recorded an increase in
the smuggling of beers and spirits, which enjoy a
lucrative market in Zimbabwe.

Ciders and premium lagers have found their
way into the Zimbabwean market without pay-
ing import duty.

In Beitbridge, imbibers admit that smuggled
beer is cheaper than local Zimbabwean-brewed
brands.

“Most of the beer sold here is smuggled into
the country through irregular means. It is cheap-
er to buy foreign beer than local lagers. This has
given incentive for smugglers to continue their
trade,” a police officer who spoke on condition of
anonymity said.

“There has been an increase in the number of
checkpoints along the river, but the trade contin-
ues. Sometimes you intercept kombis laden with
washing powder, while some carry spirits only.
No matter how many times you intercept and
impound goods, those involved will find a way,”
the policeman said.

The border line between Zimbabwe and South
Africa comprises 260 kilometres of the Limpo-
po River. Police have only eight bases, 20 miles
apart, making it difficult to control the entire
stretch.

There are also over 200 illegal crossing points
along the Limpopo River, making it nearly im-
possible for tohe authorities to stem smuggling.
Dubadzimu Gorge is one of 200 illegal crossing

Page 18 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

There is fear the rainfall being received will do little to save crops in Matabeleland region.

LIZWE SEBATHA Matabeleland chiefs call for govt
intervention as drought looms
A POOR harvest looms in rural Matabeleland
where crops are wilting owing to a prolonged Humanitarian agencies, including USAID, usually chip in with food aid to communities facing hunger.
dry spell, with traditional leaders now urging the
government to activate food assistance schemes. starts in October and ends in April. Chief Mabhikwa of Lupane in Matabeleland of Humanitarian Affairs, said an acute lack of
“We are requesting the government to start North said: “Some families have finished or funding is hampering humanitarian organisa-
While the Meteorological Services Depart- are finishing grains from last season, and what tions in Zimbabwe from providing critical ser-
ment (MSD) has predicted rains in the next rolling out programmes on food aid. We are therefore is needed is to start preparing for the vices to more people who need assistance.
few days, there are fears that the rainfall will also requesting the government to support the worst as the situation in the fields is not pleas-
do little to save the planted crops and prevent Isiphala seNkosi/Zunde Ramambo (Chief's ing.” At the end of September 2021, humanitari-
drought-induced hunger. Granary) for chiefs to distribute food aid to the an organisations had received just over 13% of
vulnerable,” Nyangazonke added. In the past, humanitarian agencies, including the US$507 million required to assist over 4.5
Last week, the MSD announced it had com- the United States Agency for International De- million people in need of food assistance, the
menced cloud-seeding to precipitate rainfall in a Under the Chief ’s Granary initiative, a tradi- velopment (USAID) have chipped in with food report reads.
bid to salvage late-planted crops ruined by mois- tional leader is tasked with the responsibility of aid to communities facing hunger.
ture stress. Most areas in rural Matabeleland last distributing food to members of the communi- “Most sectors, including nutrition, health,
received meaningful rains in January. ty, in particular the elderly, disabled, terminally But in a food security outlook on Tuesday, water, hygiene and sanitation, protection have
ill and child-headed families. the United Nations Office for the Coordination received little to no funding,” the report adds.
According to the Famine Early Warning Sys-
tems Network (Fewsnet) the majority of house-
holds in rural areas were already food insecure
after depleting their self-produced food stocks
from last year’s harvest.

This spells doom for the majority at a time
when the prices of basic goods and commodities
have been on a steady rise as the Zimbabwe dol-
lar continues to lose value.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union
(Zcfu) president Shadreck Makombe said the
region faces a poor harvest.

“We might have a few spots of rain and some
crops may survive, but generally, we face a poor
harvest,” Makombe said.

Chief Nyangazonke of Maphisa in Kezi, Ma-
tobo district, said erratic rainfall and prolonged
dry spells have contributed to large-scale crop
failure.

“We have invested so much in the fields and
appreciate the support by the government in
terms of seeds and other inputs. We are caught
in a painful situation of losing all; in fact, we
have lost everything. All we can do now is to
keep what we have in our fields for livestock.
Drought is upon us,” Nyangazonke said.

The dry spells, combined with climate change,
have disrupted rainfall patterns and shortened
by almost half the rainy season, which normally

NewsHawks News Page 19

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Zimcodd director Janet Zhou giving her keynote address. Dzikamai Bere of ZimRights speaking at the launch of the second phase of How Far 2.0.

#HowFar campaign ruffles plenty feathers

THE Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and De- Feli Nandi singing at the launch. How Far 2.0 launch.
velopment (Zimcodd) has bemoaned the in-
tolerance against its #HowFar campaign, an HOW FAR 2.0 billboard along Seke Road. — Pictures: Aaron Ufumeli
initiative to hold the government to account
on public finance management.

Zimcodd executive director Janet Zhou says
the campaign had faced headwinds in its bid
to go countrywide, with #HowFar billboards
on corruption and misuse of public funds de-
faced.

“While we recorded key successes, the path
we have traversed so far wasn’t a walk in the
park.

“The campaign was also received with hos-
tility and suspicion from some overzealous
members of the society who thought and still
think that the campaign is an attack. These
sentiments were expressed through the de-
facing and destruction of the #HowFar bill-
boards, particularly those that were focusing
on corruption and misuse of public funds,”
Zhou said during the launch of #HowFar 2.0.

Zhou said the defacing of billboards is an
attack on public accountability.

“A billboard which inquired on the progress
made on the prosecution of the

Zinara, Drax and Nssa scandals was defaced;
a billboard in Masvingo was uprooted and the
Hwange Colliery Company also deliberately
removed a billboard that requested an update
on the Zambezi Water Project. These acts were
a direct attack on the quest for a culture of
public accountability that the campaign seeks
to entrench in Zimbabwe. This brought to
light the extent of intolerance and resistance
to citizen’s quest for accountability in Zimba-
bwe,” Zhou added.

The #HowFar campaign has hinged on
activating citizens’ agency in demanding ac-
countability and is based on the contempo-
rary expression “How far?” which enquires
on progress made in addressing some of the
fundamental issues on public finance manage-
ment.

Zimcodd launched the #HowFar campaign
on 3 September 2021, as it moved to raise
awareness and promote public dialogue on
the lack of transparency and accountability
by various levels of government in public re-
source management. — STAFF WRITER.

Page 20 News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Zimbabwean elephant suffering abuse in India

FIDELICY NYAMUKONDIWA youth who regularly visits Shankar at banned the keeping of elephants in Shankar in India. between two countries. This is the ex-
"his prison". She explained that his zoos. The Central Zoo Authority of other concerned individuals across act opposite of what is happening in
HE was still breastfeeding when he aggressive behaviour towards visitors India (CZAI), a statutory body un- the world. Shankar’s case.
was taken away from his mother and zookeepers has prompted the der the ministry, ordered through a
and flown to India 24 years ago. His authorities at NZP to cordon off the gazetted notice that: “All elephants Shankar is not the only animal President Ram Nath Kovind, are
name is Shankar. viewing pathway such that visitors collections are banned for all the zoos being tormented in a zoo in India. you aware that the special elephant
can only see him from a distance. throughout the country effective im- There are two other elephants at NZP gift that Zimbabwe gave you as a
This is a real-life story of a lone An elephant can spend up to 18 mediately. All captive elephants in and at many other zoos across the show of respect for your office has
Zimbabwean elephant languishing in hours a day feeding and can eat be- zoos should be rehabilitated...” world. The Islamabad High Court turned out to be one of the most
an Indian zoo. tween 100 to 200kg of vegetation a The sad part is that the ministeri- directed the release of an elephant abused animals in India? President
day.  Disturbingly, Shankar spends 17 al directive was made 13 years ago, named Kavaan from a Pakistani zoo Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Mnangag-
In 1998, the Zimbabwean gov- hours of his day caged and in chains.    but today Shankar is still suffering at to be rehabilitated in a sanctuary in wa, do you know how the elephant
ernment presented a diplomatic gift There also exist video and picture NZP. This has prompted Nikita and Cambodia. Before then, Kavaan was that Zimbabwe presented to India as
of two baby elephants to former In- evidence of Shankar being beaten her organisation Youth for Animals described as the loneliest elephant in a special gift is being treated?
dian president Shankar Sharma. The and cruelly treated by his caretakers (YFA) to drag  the Indian Environ- the world.
elephants were named Shankar and at NZP. The zoo itself has confirmed ment ministry, CZAI and NZP  to The ambassadors of both Zimba-
Bombai. Bombai being the female Shankar's desolate confinement. the High Court of Delhi seeking an Shankar’s  court case is still pend- bwe and India should be put to task
elephant was named after the wife of They however seem not to have any order to have Shankar freed. ing  and it is  hoped that the Delhi over Shankar’s welfare at NZP. Whilst
the Zimbabwean ambassador to In- plans of releasing him. Dhawan has also initiated an on- High Court will rule in favour of  the the case is more political, environ-
dia. Shankar was named after Presi- There is good and bad news con- line petition demanding that NZP lonely 26-year-old Zimbabwean ele- ment ministries and wildlife author-
dent Shankar. cerning Shankar's fate in India. release Shankar from captivity. The phant. ities for both countries must also be
The good news is that India’s Envi- petition now has close to 160 000 seen taking some action. This is a case
As a result of the unbearable con- ronment ministry condemned and signatures from conservationists and What is most disturbing is that which should never have spilled into
ditions at the National Zoological Shankar went to India as a special the courts.
Park (NZP), formerly Delhi Zoo, diplomatic gift.  Diplomatic gifts are
Bombai died six years later.   Since meant to show respect, build rela- Shankar’s companion died as a
then, Shankar has been living alone tionships and to celebrate friendship result of hostile conditions 17 years
in a cage. There are currently two ago.  If India cannot take good care
other elephants at NZP, but they are of him, they should bring him back
kept separately from Shankar. to Africa before it is too late. There
are private organisations which are
For 17 years now, Shankar has willing and ready to fund the trans-
been living in isolation. Psycholo- location of Shankar from NZP to
gists argue that loneliness can wreak wherever is deemed appropriate.
havoc on an individual’s physical,
mental and cognitive health. It caus- As hinted earlier, there are many
es depression, poor cardiovascular other elephants facing ill-treatment
functions, impaired immunity and in zoos across the world. There is an
aggression. ongoing outcry over Namibia’s recent
decision to put   170 wild elephants
There is scientific evidence to up for auction.  A few weeks ago, 22
prove that elephants and humans elephants were exported from Na-
share similar cognitive abilities such mibia to the United Arab Emirates.
as empathy, death awareness, com-
munication, memory and self-aware- The Namibian government con-
ness. Like humans, elephants are so- firmed selling the elephants to a busi-
cial beings. Shankar has no olfactory, nessman named Gerrie Odendaal
visual and vocal communication with for N$3.3 million (US$221 000).
other elephants. Odendaal, who has been described as
Namibia's "elephants middleman",
National Geographic journalist went on to sell the jumbos to zoos
Rachel Fobar argues that solitary in the UAE at a higher price. He is
confinement damages the brain of reported to have sold them for a stag-
elephants the same way it does to gering N$50 million (US$3.3m).
humans. There is video evidence to
show that Shankar is a distressed ele- The Indian courts have in the past
phant with traits of aggression. ruled that elephants are legal persons.
That Shankar’s rights are being tram-
Zoos are animal prisons and there pled in India is beyond doubt.  He is
are several reasons why elephants an innocent being who has already
must be left in the wild. Animal cap- served 24 years imprisonment. His
tivity causes zoochosis, a form of psy- release is long overdue. #FreeShan-
chosis that develops in animals held karDelhiZoo.
in captivity. They exhibit stereotypic
behaviour which involves monoto- *About the writer: Fidelicy
nous, obsessive and repetitive actions Nyamukondiwa is a lawyer , envi-
that serve no purpose. ronmental law expert and director
of Fauna and Flora Zimbabwe(-
Elephants with zoochosis usual- FaFLoZim).  He is a former pub-
ly sway back and forth rhythmical- lic prosecutor and is a member of
ly as if they are dancing. I recently the African Wildlife Foundation
discussed Shankar’s fate with Nikita (AWF).
Dhawan, a deeply concerned Indian

NewsHawks News Page 21

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Richest Russian built business empire over
decades, but lost it in weeks amid sanctions

Vladimir Potanin
stepped down from
the Guggenheim and
CFR cut ties with him
as billionaires with
links to Russia have
their donations scru-
tinised.

BLAKE SCHMIDT

A MONTH ago, Vladimir Potanin sat Vladimir Potanin (right) with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
alongside the world’s financial and
business elite on the advisory board of directed not at ‘slamming the door’ money and where it came from.” political and philanthropic spectrum, to seize flagrant symbols of oligarchic
the New York-based Council on For- but at maintaining Russia’s economic Scant Sanctions including to the Central Park Conser- wealth, which many people resent,”
eign Relations and among the trustees position in markets that we’ve been Many of the New York donors have vancy, Carnegie Hall, the Mount Sinai said Stanislav Markus, a business pro-
of the Guggenheim Museum in Man- mastering for so long,” Potanin said on not been sanctioned. That does not Health System and New York Gover- fessor at University of South Carolina
hattan. Those power circles, which Norilsk Nickel’s Telegram channel on prevent the questions. nor Kathy Hochul. who has studied Russian wealth.
included Tom Hill, the former Black- March 11. Tough Tracking
stone Inc. executive, and billionaires Yancey Spruill, chief executive offi- It is hard to track the full extent of A CFR spokeswoman  said  in an
from Brazil and India, were cultivated Potanin, along with oligarchs  Petr cer of New York-based DigitalOcean charitable giving as institutions often email last week that “it would no lon-
over decades. Now, they are closed off Aven and Mikhail Fridman, are among Holdings Inc., was asked at a confer- don’t disclose their donors out of con- ger be appropriate” for Potanin to re-
to Potanin, Russia’s richest man. Over the billionaires with links to Russia who ence last week about Len Blavatnik, a cern they’ll receive backlash over the main a member of its global advisory
the past two weeks, he has dropped off have given more than US$300 million British-American billionaire whose Ac- politics of benefactors, Szakonyi said. board “in light of Russia’s continuing
both boards. to hundreds of the most prestigious cess Industries is the technology com- Disclosures of specific donations may aggression against Ukraine.” The Gug-
US non-profit institutions in the two pany’s largest investor. be in broad ranges or as even vaguer genheim Museum said he resigned
The nickel and palladium magnate, decades ending in 2020, according to minimum amounts, and in some cases from the board.
who is among the few original oli- the Anti-Corruption Data Collective. “Educated in American universities, there may be no values disclosed at all,
garchs who remain active in business At least US$100 million went to more Columbia, Harvard Business School, he said. Potanin has sprawling interests that
in Russia, hasn’t been sanctioned. than 100 organisations in New York, made his money as an American,” include a Russian pharmaceutical firm,
data provided to Bloomberg show. Spruill said in response on 8 March. “I And even though some institutions a ski resort, a copper project and at
Potanin, with a net worth of know there’s a lot of speculation,” he are asking billionaire donors to step least two superyachts.  After building
US$24.5  billion, is referred to as the At the Guggenheim, trustees of said, adding that Blavatnik “has been off their boards, they aren’t returning his fortune, Potanin began reinvent-
mastermind behind the controversial the board  were required to donate at knighted by the Queen of England.” funds or closing exhibits. For example, ing himself as philanthropist — be-
loans-for-shares program that led to least US$100 000 a year, according the Guggenheim still carries an ongo- coming the first Russian to join  Bill
the privatization of natural resource to Thomas Krens, director emeritus at Blavatnik was born in Soviet ing exhibition by Moscow-born artist Gates’s  and  Warren Buffett’s Giving
companies after the Soviet Union’s col- the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foun- Ukraine and grew his fortune in the Wassily Kandinsky that was sponsored Pledge in 2013. He chairs the Her-
lapse. dation, who said he had contact with Putin era when Russia’s state-owned by benefactors including Potanin -- mitage Development Foundation, an
Potanin for more than a decade. He re- Rosneft bought out his energy firm. though his name has since been re- endowment for the state museum in
For much of the past two decades, called the Russian billionaire as steadily At US$36.9  billion, his net worth moved on the museum’s website. Saint Petersburg that was founded in
US cultural institutions in the arts, supporting exhibitions of Russian art exceeds that of Potanin, according to 1764 with a collection of paintings ac-
non-profits and education were will- and being “quiet, not outspoken” at the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The display was a reminder of the quired by Catherine the Great.
ing to look past the history of how meetings. complexity in undoing philanthropic
billionaires with ties to Russia amassed “What is happening in Ukraine is support from billionaires who were On his foundation’s website, Pot-
their fortunes. In Potanin’s case, he “Many oligarchs saw an opportuni- unimaginable and we, along with all welcomed in the heyday of a globalized anin said he wants philanthropy to be
was seen publicly years ago with Vlad- ty and moved on that” to bolster their fellow Americans, hope and pray that gilded age. “more systemic, more business-like,”
imir Putin, including in an exhibition reputations with philanthropy in the the conflict ends quickly and that all calling it a “vast, endless space that will
hockey game with the Russian leader West, Krens said in a telephone inter- Ukrainian citizens are once again able It is more difficult to unwind de- never diminish.”
in Sochi. view.  to live their lives in peace and free- cades of generous oligarchic donations,
dom,” Access Industries said in a state- which, after all, have served to advance — Bloomberg.  
Potanin (61) now stands out as an “The response to this war and to ment. public interest in the West, than it is
example of how quickly Western bas- Putin’s strategy has been one of trying With assistance by Amanda L
tions of social capital are turning amid to ostracize or shine a spotlight on the Blavatnik has donated across the Gordon, and Devon Pendleton.
a pressure campaign on Putin to end
the Ukraine war. While Russia’s elite
have a number of ways to reshape their
fortunes in response to the fallout, re-
gaining their place in these institutions
will likely prove a tougher task.

“The reputational risk right now of
keeping an oligarch on an institutional
board such as CFR is just too great,”
said David Szakonyi, co-founder of
the Anti-Corruption Data Collective,
which has researched the philanthropy
of billionaires whose fortunes are tied
to Russia. “It’s going to be very diffi-
cult for Potanin to win back his former
positions.”

Potanin, president of MMC No-
rilsk Nickel PJSC, which accounts for
about 40% of global palladium output
and 10% of refined nickel, did not re-
ply to interview requests. 

The former first deputy prime min-
ister of energy and economy under Bo-
ris Yeltsin spoke publicly last week for
the first time since the Ukraine inva-
sion, criticizing Russia’s retaliation
against international penalties.

“We have to look respectable and
composed, and our efforts should be

Page 22 Editorial & Opinion NewsHawks

CARTOON Issue 72, 18 March 2022

State brutality
will backfire

IF anyone ever doubted that Zimbabwe is a criminal state, NGOs Bill a liabilty to Zim
the latest manifestation of the weaponisation of the law
has provided irrefutable evidence of the extent to which ZIMBABWEANS from various spheres very high in countries like Zimbabwe. In in bridging the huge financing gap in the
the regime is prepared to kill and maim for the sake of of life, but mainly MPs, civil society and this case it may cost the country US$800 critical sectors of the economy such as so-
power retention. the media are currently grappling with the million in 2022, an amount of aid which cial protection, education, health, water
ill-conceived Private Voluntary Organisa- makes a huge difference in a small impov- and sanitation among others,” the report
On Thursday this week, Godfrey Karembera (43), a tions Amendment Bill which could cost erished country like Zimbabwe. says.
prominent opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change ac- the country a fortune and hit poor vulner-
tivist popularly known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, was able communities the hardest. Mnangagwa may unleash a new wave “For instance, according to the 2022
accosted by the police, assaulted and brutally tortured. of political repression, but in the end gov- national budget statement, during the
He was donning the bright yellow colours of the CCC, Government, in fact Zimbabwe, stands ernment will only succeed in cutting its period January to September 2021, the
Zimbabwe’s newest opposition party which has taken the to lose close to US$800 million, a signif- country received development assis-
political landscape by storm. icant portion of the national budget, in Hawk Eye tance amounting to US$647.8 million,
development funding this year — with of which US$401.9 million was from
When pictures and videos of a badly hurt Madzibaba devastating social and economic conse- Dumisani bilateral partners and US$245.9 million
began filtering through social media, the public was out- quences — if authorities persist with the Muleya from multilateral partners.
raged. folly of their repressive legislative agenda.
nose to spite its face. “A further US$202.4 million in de-
Feeling the heat, the police then issued a bizarre state- Studies and examples around the world The report, titled Punching Holes To A velopment assistance is projected during
ment on their vicious attack on an unarmed citizen. have shown how countries lose develop- the fourth quarter of 2021, giving cumu-
ment aid due to such ill-advised legisla- Fragile Economy?, done by Prosper Chi- lative receipts of US$850.2 million for
Police are now claiming that Madzibaba attempted to tion mainly designed and calculated to tambara, Clinton Musonza and Phillan the year.
deface the Mbuya Nehanda statue in central Harare. No- silence political dissent. Zamchiya, says the proposed law will have
body will believe that. Even if it were true, does it justify a far-reaching negative impact and impli- “In 2022, support from the develop-
the brutal assault and torture? Zimbabwe is an authoritarian state cations not just for civil society organisa- ment partners is projected at US$761.5
which thrives on suppressing dissent and tions, but also for government develop- million, broken down as US$274.3 mil-
While the Zimbabwe Republic Police say they are in- curtailing democratic freedoms which ment programmes and the poor who rely lion and US$487.2 million from multi-
vestigating the matter, their objectivity is questionable as were attained by blood and sweat. on aid for survival and access to critical lateral and bilateral partners, respectively.
they are already accusing Madzibaba of using “abusive lan- social services. Importantly, a lot of the gains that have
guage” against officers. They have pre-judged the so-called There is no shadow of doubt that Presi- been registered key health and social in-
investigation — which is nothing but a shabby ruse to dent Emmerson Mnangagwa’s manoeuvre “NGOs have also played a critical role dicators have been on account of the
evade responsibility and gaslight the gullible. is about stifling civil society organisations partnership between the government and
that hold him and his officials account- NGOs.”
The police posturing is yet another stark reminder that able, while shrinking the democratic
Zimbabwe is still not compliant with section 210 of the space to keep the country in the shadows In the end, it’s very clear the Bill is a
constitution which provides for an Independent Com- of tyranny. liability to Zimbabwe and its people no
plaints Mechanism meant to enable the public to file of- matter what their political views are.
ficial complaints against members of the security services. The cost of democracy and freedom is

It has become increasingly clear that the politicised and
partisan police in this country are a law unto themselves.

They defy court orders, ride roughshod over consti-
tutional rights and are the cat’s paw of a discredited au-
thoritarian regime. This sounds like a description of racist
Rhodesia — a tragic reality of a country which has been
independent but not free for 42 long years.

When a government unleashess its instruments of coer-
cion on rural areas all in a desperate bid to block the oppo-
sition from convening a High Court-sanctioned campaign
rally, it loses its last veneer of credibility. Zanu PF thugs
armed with knives, machetes and spears are let loose on a
CCC rally to murder the innocent. Not a word from the
government; after all, no less a figure than Vice-President
Constantino Chiwenga himself recently likened the oppo-
sition to “lice” that must be mercilessly crushed.

Where are the killers of Mboneni Ncube? When will
they be brought to justice?

Far too many lives have been lost and the time has ar-
rived to draw a line in the sand and boldly declare: This far,
but no further.

The state agents who abducted the student Tawanda
Muchehiwa in Bulawayo and brutally tortured him for
days have still not been brought to justice. There is a glut of
evidence. The NewsHawks and the online tabloid ZimLive
conducted investigations into the matter and unearthed
unassailable evidence of state criminality. The state left its
fingerprints at the crime scene — which explains why the
so-called official probe hit a brick wall before it even took
off.

There is a tragic sense of impunity in all this.
The Zanu PF government is playing a dangerous game.
When you sow the wind today, do not be surprised tomor-
row when you reap the whirlwind.

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 News Page 23

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Crypto: Regulators caught wrong footed

ACCORDING to  Chainalysis, “there criminals prefer it to be the best place regulations that can control money towards closing the gaps in our finan- In addition to that, financial insti-
is a 1.964% year-over-year increase in to move their ill-gotten funds. laundering in the cryptocurrency space. cial systems that are malevolently used tutions are now required to provide
the total value of cryptocurrency laun- On 6 October 2021, US deputy At- by criminals to launder unlawful gains key customer information to FinCEN
dered through DeFi protocols, reaching To better combat money laundering torney-General Lisa O. Monaco made or finance terrorist activities. Cryp- in case of any transaction that exceeds
a total of US$900 million in 2021”. in the crypto segments, governments, an announcement about the creation to-assets are more and more at risk of a cryptocurrency worth of US$10
law enforcement agencies, regulatory of a National Cryptocurrency Enforce- being exploited for money laundering 000 on their platform as well as unhost-
This shows the growing demand for bodies, and industry experts are invest- ment Team (NCET) with a primary and criminal purposes, and I am glad ed wallets that can bypass the conven-
anti-money laundering (AML) policies ing huge time and money to get to the focus on dealing effectively with crim- the council could make swift progress tional financial institutions and their
in the crypto space. Crypto exchang- resolution. Yes, it might take some time inal/unlawful use of cryptocurrency, on this urgent proposal”. controls over the transactions. More-
es are doing pretty well in terms of but industry stakeholders are hopeful more specifically in terms of virtual Another notable reform on a global over, banks and fintechs are also re-
Know-Your-Customer client guidelines to get a complete hold of money laun- currency money laundering, mixing scale is made to the existing AML Act quired to record such transactions and
but nothing much to control money dering in crypto. and tumbling services and other similar is the revision of the Bank Secrecy Act cashflows that exceed a cryptocurrency
laundering. activities. worth US$3 000.
The current global financial system There are no-
In the crypto space, added anonym- is fully governed and controlled by the table reforms by It cannot be denied that govern-
ity is something that is discussed the governments, their regulatory bodies, countries and Econometrics ments and regulatory bodies are mak-
most. From the decentralised nature of and an international association of key their respective ing sufficient efforts to control mon-
blockchains to the virtual environment industry stakeholders. It is governed regulatory author- HawksView ey laundering in the cryptocurrency
in which digital currencies exists, every- and regulated by a set of universal pol- ities. In the US, space. While taking a closer look at
thing works together to attract cyber- icies, legislations and legal bindings for example, the the rapidly evolving legislative reforms
criminals. This, along with many oth- which also includes AML laws and reg- National Defence around the world, it can be concluded
er important reasons, raises questions ulations. Authorisation Act Tinashe Kaduwo that the latest AML developments are
about the socio-economic ethics and (NDAA) includes all focused on bringing realistic and
legal compliance of this new financial In the crypto space, AML refers to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of (BSA) which also covers the Corporate effective resolutions. In addition to
system. having a similar set of legal obligations 2020 which encompasses many new re- Transparency Act of 2019, the Illicit that, crypto exchanges are also trying
and policies that can identify, track, re- forms made in accordance to effectively CASH Act of 2020 and the  STIFLE to effectively address the rising con-
It does not matter what industry solve, and eliminate money laundering address money laundering in crypto- Act of 2020. This includes an amend- cern of money laundering within the
experts, leaders and enthusiasts have to in digital currencies. It might look like currencies and other digital assets. The ment of Section 5312 which now system which may help in determining
say, the digital currency proves to be a developing just another set of statutes European Union has also proposed a explains “money instrument” as “val- the best actions and systems to control
blessing for those who want to obscure from scratch, but a few elements have recast of many regulations to extend its ue that substitutes for any monetary illicit digital/cryptographic financial
the source of their unlawful proceeds made it a huge dilemma for everyone anti-money laundering scope to trans- instrument.” This, along with many transactions.
which includes everything from buying in the crypto world. fers of crypto-assets. other key legislative reforms, reflects
illicit goods to ransomware attacks. On 1 December 2021, Slovenian Fi- considerable progression in terms of de- *About the writer: Tinashe Kadu-
The Financial Action Task Force nance minister Andrej Šircelj said: “To- veloping and imposing improved AML wo is a researcher and economist. He
Therefore, cryptocurrencies have re- (FATF), US Financial Crimes En- day’s agreement is an important step regulations and policies globally. writes in his personal capacity. Con-
ceived huge criticism regarding money forcement Network (FinCEN),  The tact [email protected] whatsapp
laundering and other illegal financial European Commission, and regulatory +263773376128
proceeds. authorities from other countries are in
the pursuit to introduce new effective
Anonymity, ease of use, and border-
less reach are the three essential ingre-
dients for online money laundering,
and digital currencies have got all of
them. To make things work, money
launderers take advantage of Bitcoin
exchanges and Bitcoin mixing services.
Such services provide users with a new
and unique Bitcoin address to make
deposits. The service provider pays out
the recipient from its reserves and ma-
nipulates the amount and frequency
of transactions to twist the legitimacy,
resulting in cashouts disassociated with
illegal activities.

What is more surprising is that the
sky is the spending limit.

Zimbabwe through the central bank
has recently expressed immense resis-
tance to use of crypto-currency in any
form within the country. At the same
time, it is also evident that crypto has
now become a global revolution. Any
actions taken by only a few or one
country against it will not leave a huge
impact on the worldwide crypto space
but the country could be left behind
others. According to many industry
experts, banning crypto in Zimbabwe
might become a huge mistake because
it has unique benefits and use cases as
well.

A recent  publication by Coin-
Desk  highlights that many industry
leaders are expecting the government to
introduce adequate regulations instead
of banning cryptocurrency. Keeping in
mind the staggering number provided
by Chainalysis, there is a lot of room for
money launderers, but still, they need
intelligent ways to get through it. These
cryptographically recorded transactions
are publicly recorded and accessed,
which means each one of them is trace-
able.

Most of the crypto exchanges and
virtual asset service providers (VASPs)
globally operate with considerably less
scrutiny and verification process due
to which money launderers and cyber

Business

MATTERSNewsHawks

MARKETS CURRENCIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE COMMODITIES LAST CHANGE %CHANGE
EUR/USD 1.168 +0.001 +0.05 -1.402
USD/JPY 109.75 +0.03 +0.03 *OIL 62.61 -0.89 +0.123
GBP/USD 1.362 -0.002 -0.154 -0.39
USD/CAD 1.29 +0.007 +0.55 *GOLD 1,785.3 +2.2 +0.44
AUD/USD 0.713 -0.001 -0.098 +1.14
*SILVER 23.14 -0.09

*PLATINUM 975.5 +4.3

*COPPER 4.087 +0.046

BERNARD MPOFU Govt to appoint sovereign
Wealth Fund board: Ncube
FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube
says plans are underway to revive Zim- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube
babwe’s dormant Sovereign Wealth Ncube says government will add more assets under the institution in the form of, among others, gold assets.
Fund which will be backed by the
country’s mining resources.

Nearly 10 years ago the govern-
ment launched the country’s first-ever
Sovereign Wealth Fund, an initiative
meant to benefit future generations
even when finite natural resources
eventually get depleted. At its launch,
the fund was expected to be financed
through proceeds of the government’s
shareholding in mining assets. Experts
say Zimbabwe is endowed with over
40 base minerals and several precious
stones.

A sovereign wealth fund is a pool of
money set aside by a government to
benefit an economy and citizens. The
money from a sovereign wealth fund
comes from the country’s reserves that
have grown due to budget surpluses,
trade surpluses and revenue gained
from exporting natural resources.

Ncube, who is attending the ongo-
ing Dubai Expo, told The NewsHawks
that government would soon appoint a
board to run the institution following
years of redundancy.

“It’s a very important institution for
preserving wealth for future genera-
tions of Zimbabwe and as government
we are really strengthening this institu-
tion. It was created a few years ago, but
has not been as active,” Ncube said.

“The Sovereign Wealth Fund is be-
ing strengthened. We are appointing a
new board as a first thing to lead the
institution. Secondly, we are going to
add more assets under the institution
in the form of gold assets, coal assets
and then oil and gas assets, among oth-
er assets, so that it becomes a safe of
future generations in terms of wealth
preservation which will deal with in-
ter-generational issues in the country.”

Experts say sovereign wealth funds
are gaining ground in Africa, although
urgent financial reforms are needed to
boost foreign investment following the
Covid-19 pandemic.

Munashe Matambo, an associate re-
search scientist at the Zimbabwe-based
Scientific and Industrial Research and
Development Centre, last year told
delegates attending the 2021 African
Economic Conference in Cabo Verde
that there are at least 117 sovereign
wealth funds currently operating or in
the pipeline around the world, man-
aging US$9.1 trillion — equivalent to
10% of global gross domestic product.

Matambo said currently 24 African
countries have established or are con-
sidering establishing sovereign wealth
funds, but the process is not advanced.
He referred to funds established in Bo-
tswana and Zimbabwe. According to
Matambo’s paper, the Pula

Fund in Botswana has strong man-
agement and is governed well. In Zim-
babwe, the sovereign fund was “unable
to perform its role” given the existing
governance framework.

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 25

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

DUMISANI NYONI ‘Mining, agric still sources
of investment opportunities’
ZIMBABWE’S traditional economic performers
— mining and agriculture — will continue pre- Mining (above) and agriculture will continue to offer growth opportunities for Zimbabwe, since they are supported by government policies with tax concessions.
senting huge opportunities for investment and
growth in the country due to support the sectors This has affected the general business mood general business trajectory in the next 18 months. the optimistic angle looks at recent infrastructure
get from the government, DLA Piper Africa has in Zimbabwe as investors have been reluctant to It said this can be viewed from two angles: the developments (the modernisation of the Beit-
said. invest in the country and lenders have been reluc- bridge Border Post, for example) and more inves-
tant to lend. cautious angle observes whether or not govern- tor-friendly policies by the government and recog-
In its latest 2022 report, the Swiss verein firm ment policies aimed at resolving the macro-eco- nises that there are huge opportunities waiting to
said mining and agriculture will continue offer- Looking ahead, however, DLA Piper Africa said nomic issues such as curbing high inflation and be explored.
ing growth opportunities for the country, as these there is cautious optimism regarding the country’s foreign currency shortages will succeed; whereas
sectors are supported by government policies with
tax concessions and favourable exchange control
treatment being granted to qualifying investors.

“Zimbabwe’s traditional economic perform-
ers like mining and agriculture will continue to
present opportunities for investment and growth.
These sectors are supported by government poli-
cies with tax concessions and favourable exchange
control treatment being granted to qualifying in-
vestors,” the report reads in part.

The mining sector contributes about 60% to
the country’s annual export receipts and at least
14% to gross domestic product (GDP), while ag-
riculture contributes 40% of total export earnings
and approximately 17% to GDP.

Agriculture is projected to grow by 5.1% this
year while mining is expected to grow by 8%.

Zimbabwe’s main exports are minerals, soft
commodities and agricultural produce. The coun-
try has large reserves of chromite, coal, gold and
iron ore, among others. It is also one of the world’s
largest growers of tobacco.

In addition to the mining and agriculture sec-
tors, DLA Piper Africa said investment in infra-
structure development would grow on the back of
a massive infrastructure deficit in the country.

“The government, facing this infrastructure
gap, has become more amenable to private-public
partnerships in infrastructure projects. These ar-
rangements allow investors to benefit from imple-
menting projects through a government-backed
framework,” it said.

In terms of investment opportunities, DLA
Piper Africa said Zimbabwe has limited access to
finance from international financial institutions,
and this provides an opportunity for other types
of financiers and lenders to fill the gap depending
on a particular investor’s investment profile and
risk appetite.

The organisation said because of the country’s
foreign currency shortages, there is significant fo-
cus on export-oriented and foreign currency-gen-
erating activities. This allows investors, businesses
and the government to retain value and meet the
country’s forex needs.

Due to the foreign currency earning potential,
DLA Piper Africa said investment will grow in
these sectors to meet the capitalisation require-
ments of businesses operating in them.

“These strategic sectors are also typically sup-
ported through investor-friendly policies and in-
centives that aim to encourage investment, with
the ultimate aim of achieving the government’s
objective of making Zimbabwe a net exporter by
2030,” it said.

“As the consistency and implementation of
these policies improve, there will be increased
investment and financial movement in these sec-
tors.”

In the last two decades, Zimbabwe has expe-
rienced unprecedented economic decline, hyper-
inflation and international isolation, particularly
with respect to accessing lines of credit.

LISTED agro-business concern Ariston Hold- Ariston confident of its cash position
ings says it will meet its obligations from cash-
flows and proceeds from maturing financial above balance required for working capital man- this background, the directors have every reason the contribution of local perennial crops so as
assets, with the group also having access to fi- agement is invested in time deposits, choosing to believe that the group has adequate resources to increase capacity utilisation and broaden the
nancing facilities at the end of the 2021 report- instruments with appropriate maturities or suf- to continue in operation for the foreseeable fu- group’s product offering. Current year gross mar-
ing period. ficient liquidity to provide sufficient headroom. ture.” gin was maintained at the same level as in prior
The directors of the group have reviewed the fi- year of 55%. Current year profit from operations
The facilities, amounting ZW$353 737 045 nancial impact of the effects of Covid-19 and the The group continued to invest heavily in capi- declined to 11% of revenue compared to 21%
from a 2021 figure of ZW$344 720 932, were related national and global lockdown orders on tal expenditure which was primarily funded from of revenue experienced in the prior year compar-
unused at the end of the reporting period. The the business,” Ariston said. internally generated funds, allowing for sufficient ative period due to the impact of the mismatch
group expects to meet its obligations. liquid funds and access to overdraft facilities to arising from revenue from exports, where RBZ
“They have also performed an overall assess- enable the operating entities within the company (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) retention at 40% is
In its 2021 annual report, Ariston said sur- ment of the ability of the group to continue op- to meet short-term obligations as they become being paid at a rate significantly lower than that
plus cash held by the operating entity over and erating as a going concern by reviewing the pros- due. being charged by suppliers, resulting in erosion
above balance required for working capital man- pects of the group. These assessments considered of value. In the year under review approximately
agement was invested in time deposits, choosing the group’s financial performance for the period During the period under review, the group's 20% was lost from the revenue line as a result of
instruments with appropriate maturities or suf- ended 30 September 2021, the financial position revenue reflected 31% growth compared to prior the 40% RBZ retention,” Ariston said. — STAFF
ficient liquidity to provide sufficient headroom. as at 30 September 2021 and the current and year, mainly driven by increases in sales of prod-
medium term forecasts for the group. Based on ucts grown and consumed in the local market. WRITER.
“The group has access to financing facilities
amounting to ZW$353 737 045 up from a 2020 “There has been increased focus on growing
figure of ZW$344 720 932 which remained
unused at the end of the reporting period. Sur-
plus cash held by the operating entity over and

Page 26 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

MOSES MATENGA Zesa loses US$4m to vandals

POWER utility Zesa says it has recorded more l Looters target Botswana, SA markets
than 1 200 cases of theft and vandalism of its ca-
bles, translating to over US$4 million as copper former oil. found. He was in the company of his friend Mac- fied with locals and after we were convinced we
dealers are on the prowl in suburbs and farms. Last month, a man was electrocuted after at- donald Makelo all from Spar Farm Mazowe,” an made a report to Mutapa Police. We then teamed
internal report gleaned by The NewsHawks reads up with a police team and proceeded to the ad-
More worryingly, the stolen cables are finding tempting to vandalise a transformer and steal ar- in part. dress. We then encountered one suspect who had
their way outside the country, mainly to South moured cables at Derby Farm at the Guinea Fowl some serious burns on both hands and on the left
Africa and Botswana, through porous borders, sub-station. “Upon interrogation the driver of the truck armpit.”
amid fears that bigger forces are involved. narrated that he was hired to transport scrap met-
In another incident on 21February, two sus- al and he was not aware of copper in satchel. The Authorities said the suspect was interviewed by
In the wake of increased cases of copper cable pects were arrested in Karoi for possession of duo led us to house number 20771 Overspill Ep- police and admitted having stolen copper cables
theft and vandalism of transformers, The News- copper wires they had stashed in satchels while worth where they intended to sell their copper.” at Clifton Park Church Garden in Gweru.
Hawks spoke to several Zesa officials who said the travelling from Karoi to Chinhoyi.
power utility is pushing for the government to In another incident, the authorities said they Other cases were recorded in Mhondoro,
come up with strict measures to arrest the crime Last week, a Zesa loss control team together received information from an anonymous caller where copper worth US$2 000 was stolen be-
which has left several areas in the dark. with CID officers intercepted a truck loaded of on 25 February that a suspect was injured while tween 25 and 26 February this year.
scrap metal at corner Mutare Road and Corona- attempting to steal copper cables and was re-
A latest internal report reads: “The whole of tion Road and recovered scrap metal. ceiving medical attention at a private location in Another incident took place in Marondera on
last year (2021) we had 1 267 cases which trans- Gweru. 3 March 2022 where copper worth US$700 were
late to a loss of US$4 406 000.” “Upon searching passengers’ belongings, cop- stolen while several other cases were also recorded
per conductors in Martin Chimasha's satchel as “We proceeded to the given address and veri- in Shamva.
“In 2020 we had 937 cases,” the internal corre- well as brass water taps approximately 5kgs were
spondence reads in part.

This year, the authorities said, theft of copper
cables and transformer oil is on the increase, with
the Zesa general manager (loss control) Festo Ma-
dembo saying the company is now conducting
“copper harvesting”, which involves the inser-
tion of cables made of materials not appealing to
thieves.

“Copper harvesting is one of the key strategies
that we are employing to improve such cables and
replace them with alternatives that do not have
appeal and market for thieves and vandals,” Ma-
dembo said.

He said Matabeleland in general and Bulawayo
in particular are hotspots for theft and vandalism.

“The community has a moral obligation to
jealously protect national infrastructure from
theft and vandalism,” he said.

Zesa officials who spoke to The NewsHawks
said there was a need to invest in technology to
ensure no cables or any property is allowed to be
smuggled across the country’s borders.

“Why not invest in scanners for copper at bor-
ders knowing well that lorries drive in and out
every day with stolen Zesa property?” an insider
asked.

“Those arrested should say who are the real
drivers of these syndicates; we see mainly very
young people being the only ones on the ground.
We never get to know the end of many of these
issues.”

In reports gleaned by this paper, Zesa work-
ing together with the Criminal Investigations
Department (CID) has arrested dozens of people
this year alone while others were electrocuted in

the process of trying to steal cables and trans-

Ernst & Young cautions TSL over valuations

ERNST & Young (EY) Zimbabwe has raised proxy for the ZWL amounts in which rentals are ZWL terms which are not necessarily limited to properties and freehold land and buildings are car-
concern over Tobacco Sales Limited’s propriety settled. While historical USD amounts based on an exchange rate,” EY said ried at ZW$3 246 257 520 and ZW$1 953 412
in using foreign currency for property valuations, similar transactions have been used as a starting 955 respectively as at 31 October 2021.
saying it might not be an accurate reflection of the point in determining comparable values on the Consequently, EY said the property values may
current market dynamics as exchange rates contin- market comparable approach, it is noted that be materially misstated. The audit firm said it was Policy inconsistencies, which have also played
ue to take a toll on entities. market participants take into account different unable to determine what adjustments may be a significant role in fuelling inflation, have seen a
risk factors in determining an appropriate value in necessary to correct for these amounts. number of companies failing to comply with in-
This comes as the Chartered Accountants of ternational accounting standards. — STAFF WRITER.
Zimbabwe (Icaz) recently raised a red flag over During the period, the group’s investment
determination of an appropriate exchange rate for
property valuations, saying they have always been
overshadowed by the need to comply with Inter-
national Accounting Standard (IAS) 21.

Exchange rate volatility and high inflation have
forced the market to opt for US dollar-pegged
trades to preserve value while currency fragilities
have continued to haunt the accounting profes-
sion. In its report upon completing auditing the
2021 financial results for TSL, EY said while
historical US dollar amounts based on similar
transactions have been used as a starting point
in determining values on the market-comparable
approach, it noted that market participants take
into account different risk factors in determining
an appropriate value in Zimdollar terms which are
not necessarily limited to an exchange rate.

“We have concerns over the appropriateness of
using a foreign currency for the valuation inputs
and then applying a conversion rate to a US dollar
valuation to calculate ZWL property values as in
our opinion this may not be an accurate reflec-
tion of the current market dynamics where there
is a disparity between exchange rates. With respect
to the implicit investment approach, the US dol-
lar-estimated rentals may not be an appropriate

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 27

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Caledonia finds glitter at Blanket Mine

Blanket Mine

DUMISANI NYONI ounces — 38% higher than in 2020,” Curtis Caledonia chief duction, reduce operating costs and increase the
said. executive officer flexibility to undertake further exploration and
CALEDONIA Mining Corporation says gold development at depth, thereby safeguarding and
production at its Zimbabwean unit increased by “To improve the quality and security of Blan- Steve Curtis enhancing Blanket’s long-term future.
15% to 67 476 ounces during the financial year ket’s electricity supply, minimise our environmen- electricity demand at Blanket Mine.”
ended 31 December 2021, a new record for an- tal footprint and help create a more sustainable “We also believe there is excellent exploration
nual output. future for our business, Caledonia is constructing This project, expected to yield a modest return potential in the older shallower areas of the mine
the first phase of a 12 MWac solar plant that will to shareholders, is expected to be completed in and in brownfield sites immediately adjacent to
In the corresponding period in 2020, gold provide approximately 27% of the average daily mid-2022. the existing Blanket footprint.”
production stood at 57 899 ounces.
The Caledonia boss said their immediate stra- During the year under review, Curtis said they
Caledonia operates Gwanda-based gold pro- tegic focus is to complete the remaining under- acquired the mining claims at Maligreen in the
ducer Blanket Mine, its flagship operation. ground development associated with the Central Midlands which is estimated to host a mineral re-
Shaft project, which is expected to increase pro- source of approximately 940 000 ounces of gold
According to its operating and financial results in 15.6 million tonnes.
for the year ended 31 December 2021, Caledo-
nia said gross revenue rose by 21% to US$121 He said their immediate focus on this asset is
million, while gross profit stood at US$54.1 mil- to improve the confidence level of the existing
lion, 16% up compared to the same period in resource base and they are currently re-assaying
2020. historic drill cores.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, “Thereafter, we expect to prepare a feasibili-
and amortisation in the period under review rose ty study to commercialise the existing resource
slightly from US$45.4 million to US$46.4 mil- before we engage in further exploration on the
lion. claims area along strike, at depth and at a pre-
viously unexplored zone in the claims area,” he
Commenting on the results, Caledonia chief said.
executive officer Steve Curtis said the gold pro-
duction of 67 476 ounces was above the top end “Our approach to new projects is highly disci-
of the guidance range and was a new record for plined: after further evaluation, the company has
annual output. decided not to exercise the options to acquire the
Connemara North property as it does not meet
Curtis said the robust operating performance our investment criteria.”
was supported by good cost control; hence the
increase in gross profit for the year. During the year, Caledonia said the company
also divested non-core assets in the vicinity of
Cash generated from operations before work- Blanket.
ing capital increased by 17% from US$42.4 mil-
lion to US$49.6 million. “Caledonia continues to evaluate further in-
vestment opportunities in the Zimbabwe gold
“Now that the Central Shaft is commissioned, sector with a view to transforming the company
we expect further increases in production: guid- into a mid-tier, multi-asset Zimbabwe-focussed
ance for 2022 is a range of 73 000 to 80 000 gold producer,” he said.
ounces while from 2023 onwards it is 80 000

Page 28 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

US$88m Harare
roundabout
project underway
ahead of launch
expected month-end

CONSTRUCTION work on Fossil, initially linked to tycoon ka are friends, Fossil says Chimuka and Malvern in Waterfalls back to tractors currently working on the
the government's US$88 million Kudakwashe Tagwirei before it was started the business by himself and Beatrice Road which are currently first phase and expanding the Glen
Mbudzi traffic interchange project clarified that it is entirely owned by his workers with little capital until it under construction. These diversion Norah bridge to house a slip lane
in Harare designed to improve the Chimuka, says the cost is justified, grew to where it is now. roads are a total of 8km. leading onto the Harare-Masvingo
infrastructural links of the Hara- all things considered. highway.
re-Beitbridge highway while decon- The Transport ministry has been “This includes the missing link of
gesting Simon Mazorodze, Chitung- The total cost of the forced to explain the cost of the proj- Harare Drive from Masotsha Ndl- The ongoing activities will follow
wiza and High Glen roads is now in interchange includes ect after initial public complaints. ovu into Houghton Park traffic cir- the completion of geotechnical engi-
full swing. diversion roads from cle and the bridge across Mukuvisi neering tests, which include obtain-
Stoneridge, Hopley, “The Mbudzi interchange design which brings the total cost of the ing soil and rock samples to deter-
A visit to the project this week Forbes and Malvern engineers were procured in accor- interchange to US$88 million ex- mine the strength of materials to be
showed a hive of activities, with in Waterfalls back to dance with the Procurement Act. clusive VAT charges.” used to build the foundation.
workers, different construction vehi- Beatrice road which The winning design consultancy
cles, equipment and steel materials are currently under firm has both South African and The Mbudzi project will decon- After that it requires that massive
in place, showing work is now seri- construction. These Zimbabwean registered engineers as gest the interchange which had be- reinforced concrete structure be se-
ously being done. The project could diversion roads are a per the laws governing engineering come a nightmare for drivers and curely attached to the bedrock to
be launched this month-end. total of 8 kilometres. practice,” the ministry recently said. travellers. It always caused delays withstand the weight of heavy vehi-
that had become a huge inconve- cles.
There was outrage over the proj- Although Tagwirei and Chimu- “As standard practice, on com- nience.
ect from a costing perspective, but pletion of design, the engineers pro- The project is expected to change
the company implementing it, Fossil vided the estimate of construction Government also says it is still the infrastructural face of the Ha-
Contracting headed by businessman cost at US$65 million for the inter- working on a funding model for the rare-Beitbridge highway, part of
Obey Chimuka, — who says he change only and the engineers stand rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country’s busiest North-South
built the firm from the ground up by that figure.  state-of-the-art toll gates compatible trade corridor that links Zimbabwe
with his wife and a few colleagues — with an e-tolling system. to South Africa and to the northern
has cleared the air on the issue. “The total cost of the inter- interior of the continent.
change includes diversion of roads Construction of the Mbudzi in-
from Stoneridge, Hopley, Forbes terchange has accelerated, with con- — STAFF WRITER.

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 29

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Page 30 Stock Taking NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Friday, 18 March 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 17,900 3,937,960
Ariston Industrials 2,600 16,640
Axia Consumer Services AFDIS: ZH 22000.00 21995.00 21999.78 -0.22 -0.00 76.00 26,288.53
BAT ASUN: ZH 541.58 640.00 640.00 402,600 6,410,100 98.42 18.17 -0.35 9,113.16
CAFCA Consumer Goods ARTD: ZH 1590.00 1600.00 1592.18 353,500 1,189,365 2.18 0.14 52.36 6,957.47
CBZ Consumer Goods 338.99 330.00 336.45 2,145,095 -2.54 -0.75 -9.61 5,475.37
CFI ARISTON: ZH 5997.94 6300.00 6025.55 35,600 27.61 0.46 100.52
Dairibord Industrials AXIA: ZH - - - 14.56 33,270.09
Delta Banking BAT: ZH 366700.00 - 366700.00 - - - - 75,663.11
Ecocash 17000.00 8500.00 17000.00 195,500 - - -
Econet Industrials CAFCA: ZH 8500.00 - 8500.00 2,300 - - - 13.08 1,484.97
Edgars Consumer Goods CBZ: ZH 12000.00 3400.00 12000.00 - 13,600 - - 28.24 44,426.22
FBC Consumer Goods CFI:ZH 3400.00 3400.00 38,607,940 - - -2.86 12,724.91
Fidelity 22024.48 23000.00 22657.24 400 14,714,810 632.76 2.87 39.40 12,172.03
First Capital Technology DZL: ZH 6106.04 6200.00 6174.91 170,400 215,016,500 68.87 1.13 51.89 295,490.20
FML Telecommunications DLTA: ZH 12918.56 13530.00 13508.61 238,300 7,120 590.05 4.57 58.92 159,965.81
FMP Consumer Services EHZL: ZH 580.00 1,591,700 930,600 -6.67 -1.11 36.40 349,950.92
GBH ECO: ZH 600.00 3200.00 593.33 1,200 1.94 0.06 -11.33
Getbucks Banking 3000.00 1200.00 3001.94 1,200 2,537,479 130.00 12.15 -23.98 3,585.18
Hippo Financial Services EDGR: ZH 1070.00 380.00 1200.00 31,000 906,700 0.01 0.00 6.26 20,171.53
Innscor FBC: ZH 367.00 1700.00 367.01 18,900 -179.25 -9.48 -14.46
Lafarge Banking FIDL: ZH 1890.00 700.00 1710.75 100 16,562 - - -10.26 1,307.08
Mash Financial Services FCA: ZH 700.00 169.00 700.00 691,400 500 0.85 0.51 -26.36 7,926.74
Masimba 168.15 500.00 169.00 1,627,500 - - -16.67 11,806.62
Medtech Real Estate FMHL: ZH 500.00 30000.00 500.00 53,000 17,574,140 1798.08 6.10 11.78 8,667.10
Medtech Class B Industrials FMP: ZH 29500.00 29520.00 31298.08 2,700 179,000 2106.86 7.75 80.36
Meikles GBH: ZH 27183.37 12700.00 29290.23 9,800 8,067 84.44 0.66 59.82 906.83
Nampak Financial Services 12701.27 340.00 12785.71 100 - -31.26 -10.10 -14.27 5,815.59
NatFoods Consumer Goods GBFS: ZH 309.43 278.17 5,200 40,450 - - -3.27 60,411.73
NTS HIPO: ZH 5320.00 - 5320.00 20,400 122.50 6.45 -42.21 166,918.12
NMBZ Industrials 1900.00 1700.00 2022.50 60,000 1,358,000 50.00 1.49 36.00 10,228.57
OK Zim Industrials INN: ZH 3350.00 3400.00 3400.00 1,400 62,800 32.20 0.23 11.91 5,171.39
Proplastics Real Estate LACZ: ZH 13967.80 14000.00 14000.00 2,900 7,004,000 -3.31 -0.26 12.58 12,855.98
RTG Industrials MASH: ZH 1259.31 1260.00 1256.00 - 170,520 100.00 0.06 27.38
RioZim Financial Services MSHL: ZH 175000.00 175100.00 175100.00 2,000 5,452,900 - - 33.33 242.70
SeedCo Financial Services MMDZ: ZH 840.00 840.00 840.00 600 11,263,000 -0.06 -0.01 48.98 45.63
Simbisa Industrials MMDZB: ZH 1199.82 1200.00 1199.76 9,700 - 39.06 1.40 2.85
Star Africa Industrials MEIK: ZH 2783.75 2800.00 2822.81 5,000 630 - - 15.47 35,370.45
Tanganda Consumer Goods NPKZ: ZH 3348.50 3348.50 4,000 249,600 10.00 1.61 -19.23 9,490.94
Truworths Industrials 620.00 - 630.00 4,326,000 - - 30.00
TSL NTFD: ZH 5200.00 630.00 5200.00 20,300 19,644,770 450.21 2.57 70.04 119,768.59
Turnall Banking NTS: ZH 17500.00 5200.00 17950.21 454,500 862,856 304.89 1.69 103.43 2,132.53
Unifreight Consumer Services NMB: ZH 18003.38 18000.00 18308.27 399,000 930,745 8.68 6.20 28.29 4,849.09
Willdale 139.96 19000.00 148.64 7,898 864.24 10.80 32.18
ZB Industrials OKZ: ZH 8000.00 150.00 8864.24 - 4,532,000 4.44 2.77 -17.74 36,298.07
Zeco Consumer Services PROL: ZH 160.09 8005.00 164.53 100 - - - 56.76 8,436.06
Zimpapers 11000.00 165.00 11000.00 4,800 3,360 - - 21.92
Zimplow Basic Materials RTG: ZH 500.00 11000.00 500.00 24,100 86,850 560.00 20.00 12.12 15,721.62
ZHL Consumer Goods RIOZ: ZH 2800.00 3360.00 107,300 72,000 0.52 0.17 -2.89 6,345.53
TOTAL Consumer Goods SEED: ZH 300.00 - 300.52 580,500 - - - -22.08
Consumer Goods 6000.00 3360.00 6000.00 10,500 - - - 316.67 44,373.39
Consumer Goods SIM: ZH 300.00 4,800 32,720 - - -15.46 102,926.31
Consumer Services SACL: ZH 2.00 6000.00 2.00 41,200 552,171 40.41 2.02 -13.35
Consumer Goods TANG: ZH 246.01 246.01 362,728,948 -0.46 -0.12 6.24 7,008.50
TRUW: ZH 2004.59 - 2045.00 - 23,141.39
Industrials 400.00 - 399.54 100
Industrials TSL: ZH 2100.00 28,900 631.91
Industrials TURN: ZH 400.00 1,200 39,281.27
UNIF: ZH
Banking WILD: ZH - 2,465.20
Industrials ZBFH: ZH - 3,577.53
Consumer Services ZECO: ZH 1,600 5,343.25
Industrials 138,200 10,511.44
Financial Services ZIMP: ZH 5,512,500
ZIMPLOW: ZH 9.27
1,417.02
ZHL: ZH 7,046.67
7,264.51
1,842,454.14

ETFs DMCS.zw 173.65 165.00 167.11 515,501 861,461 -6.54 -3.77 67.11 117.87
MCMS.zw 1400.00 1395.00 1397.94 1,190 16,636 -2.06 -0.15 39.79 1,798.77
Datvest Modified Consumer Staples ETF OMTT.zw 797.70 700.00 746.63 -51.07 -6.40 69.65 1,072.35
Morgan&Co Multi-Sector ETF 1,249,412 9,328,508
Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF 11,621.64

FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 14000.00 14050.00 14000.00 1 141 - - 40.00 US$m
69.87
Old Mutual Zimbabwe 8.06

VFEX (US cents) Mining BIND:VX 5.51 5.00 5.49 249,537 13,700.50 -0.02 -0.36 -0.18 113.73
Mining CMCL:VX 1300.00 - 1300.00 - - - - - 106.81
BNC Consumer Goods - - -
Caledonia Consumer Goods PHL:VX 21.00 21.00 21.00 42,572 8,940.12 - - YTD %
Padenga SCIL:VX 28.00 - 28.00 - - -0.18 +12.12
SeedCo International -0.35
-23.98
Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % +32.18
ZSE All Share 14,870.68 +2.52 14,505.38 +37.41 Unifreight 3360.00c +560.00c +20.00 +80.36
Top 10 9,868.52 +2.97 +44.88 African Sun +98.42c +18.17
Top 15 10,842.53 +2.73 9,584.06 +44.00 Fidelity 640.00c +130.00c +12.15 YTD %
Small Cap +1.70 10,554.05 -2.86 Tanganda 1200.00c +864.24c +10.80 -14.27
Medium Cap 391,221.56 +0.69 384,669.40 +18.69 Innscor 8864.24c +7.75 -14.46
24,220.78 24,054.59 29290.23c +2106.86c +36.40
-9.61
Top 5 Fallers Price Change % +12.58
Mash
FML 278.17c -31.26c -10.10
Edgars 1710.75c -179.25c -9.48
Ariston -1.11
Nampak 593.33c -6.67c -0.75
336.45c -2.54c -0.26
1256.00c -3.31c

SALES & TRADING: Davide Muchengi: [email protected] | Lungani Nyamazana: [email protected] | Tatenda Jasi: [email protected]
RESEARCH: Batanai Matsika: [email protected] | Precious Chagwedera: [email protected] | Tafara Mtutu: [email protected]
Tel: (+263) 08677008101-2 | Email: [email protected] | Address: 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 independently

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

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 31

The home of prime property: [email protected]

New Parly building nears completion

CONSTRUCTION of Zimbabwe’s new imposing six-storey Parliament Building
in Mt Hampden is almost complete, with contractors estimating that 95% of the
project has been done. Work is continuing on two remaining floors.

The project is being implemented by top Chinese firm Shanghai Construction
Group and is being funded by the Chinese government through China Aid.

It will house both the National Assembly and the Senate.
It consists of two conference centres, each with a capacity to accommodate 350
people, a banquet hall capable of accommodating 1 000 people, offices for parlia-
mentary officers, and many boardrooms for parliamentary committee sessions as
well as parking space. — STAFF WRITER

Page 32 News Analysis NewsHawks

MOSES MATENGA Issue 72, 18 March 2022

DOZENS of armed police officers, Dark days back for Zim
two water cannons commandeered
from Harare, three smaller trucks …emotions as troubled Zimbos vent out on cops
and two dogs — all belonging to the …police working on political orders, say analysts
Zimbabwe Republic Police — lined
up to barricade the entrance to Rud- CCC leader Nelson Chamisa talks to some injured party supporters after suspected Zanu PF youths attacked them at a rally in Kwekwe.
haka Stadium last Saturday where
opposition supporters were gathered, that,” Rusero said. Mopa law is as bad, if not worse, be- will not bring benefits to the Zanu PF telling them that their actions against
in scenes described by analysts as sig- “A government that does not derive cause it is insidious in its denial of po- government. the opposition were illegal.
naling the country’s return to the dark litical rights as compared to the Public
days. consent from the people, even if it is Order and Security Act (Posa).” “The thing is you can ban as many So far, police have blocked Cha-
an authoritarian regime, is not sus- opposition rallies as you like, but if misa’s rallies in Gokwe, Binga and
The stadium resembled a war zone tainable and it will not last long.” “When this is happening at a time you have no track record on which Marondera, citing non-compliance
with police insisting they were work- Zanu PF is allowed to roam around you run, it will be you who lose votes with Mopa. Where rallies have been
ing on orders from above, refusing Analyst Rashweat Mukundu said the country as it pleases, it raises a lot rather than the opposition gaining allowed, the police have often put in
to let Citizens' Coalition for Change the police were working under po- questions on the fairness and freeness them.” place unreasonable roadblocks to sty-
(CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa ad- litical instruction to block Chamisa of the electoral playing field in Zim- mie the free movement of people.
dress party supporters despite the rallies and this is indicative of panic babwe and what we may see are nasty This comes as observers insist there
44-year-old politician’s attempts to within the ruling party. confrontations between the support- is panic within the ruling Zanu PF Curiously, Zanu PF and MDC-T
engage the officers. ers of CCC and the security agents. over the resurgence of Chamisa under rallies addressed by party leaders
This is despite Vice-President Con- the CCC movement. Chamisa has Mnangagwa and Douglas Mwonzora
Analysts said the behaviour of the stantino Chiwenga’s claims that the “You can make a guess that the po- been attracting bumper crowds in all respectively have been allowed to pro-
police was confirmation of the contin- ruling party had no hand in the rally lice are provoking the CCC support- his meetings, posing a potent politi- ceed.
uation of heavy-handedness despite ban. ers to react so that they effectively ban cal threat to Mnangagwa’s three-year
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s political activity by the opposition. reign. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
reassurances that he would chart a “There is every indication that the This is part of the strategy to provoke said the situation on the ground is
different path to the late former pres- police is working under political in- them to react and they beat or shoot. Mnangagwa’s time at the helm has providing sufficient evidence to the
ident Robert Mugabe’s authoritarian struction in banning CCC rallies and This is one clear indication that we are been marred by a severe economic cri- international community that the
rule. the excuses are inexcusable,” Mukun- back, if not in a far worse, political en- sis, drought and continued incapaci- country faces serious challenges.
du said. vironment than we were under Robert tation of civil servants, among other
Chamisa was disqualified from Mugabe and there is nothing reform- issues haunting the regime which “Fellow Zimbabweans, let the
addressing the swelling crowd after “These are politically conjured ex- ist about this new administration.” fashions itself as the "Second Repub- world know of the rights violations
police said he failed to satisfy the dic- cuses that deny the political support- lic". ahead of the March 26 by-elections.
tates of the Maintenance of Peace and ers of Nelson Chamisa their right to Academic and analyst Stephen Zanu PF and the police have teamed
Order (Mopa) but, curiously, Zanu freedom of association and move- Chan said banning opposition rallies Last week, Chamisa's supporters re- up against the opposition and this
PF and the opposition MDC-T con- ment. fused to be intimidated by the police, must be exposed.”
tinued with their programmes unhin-
dered. “What we are seeing is (that) the

The heavy police presence, ana-
lysts said, resembled a war-zone and
one could be forgiven for thinking
that the heavily armed police were
on a mission to subdue a dangerous
militia. The heavy-handed treatment
of the main opposition as though it
were a banned organisation has ex-
posed Mnangagwa’s administration
for failing to move beyond Mugabe’s
shadow.

“It cannot be politics as usual when
Zanu PF wants to contest on its own.
The behaviour of banning rallies of
opposition in the 21st century is ar-
chaic and pathetic,” political analyst
and academic Alexander Rusero said.

“It is unheard of in the 21st century
where the ruling party still perceives
opposition as enemies. It is tanta-
mount to saying we are at war, which
is not progressive,” he added.

Rusero said the banning of CCC
rallies was a validation of claims that
Zanu PF is suffering from internal
contradictions.

“It actually confirms the internal
contradictions within the Mnangag-
wa government. On one hand, you
have a regime that wants to posture as
a progressive, outward-looking, open-
ing up, engaging and all, but on the
other you still see the dark side of the
erstwhile era. You still see the appetite
to muzzle the media, muzzle civil so-
ciety and the opposition and close all
the democratic space,” he said.

“What we are witnessing is the per-
fecting of a competitive authoritarian
regime which thrives on trying to pos-
ture to the world that it has everything
in place, including some semblance
of opposition, yet in essence it is not
even prepared to relinquish power
even if it loses elections.

“The politics of the 21st century
is a competition of ideas. Those ideas
that make sense will win it.”

He said the Mnangagwa regime
is showing an insatiable appetite for
power accumulation and consolida-
tion.

“But it needs to be creative in doing

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 33

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

SIKHULULEKILE MASHINGAIDZE A bloody road to Zim police shut down the rally.
26 March by-elections In another CCC rally held in
ON 26 February, Zimbabwe’s
Vice-President, Constantino Chi- Nelson Chamisa leader of the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change gestures to supporters during an electoral rally the same province, in Kwekwe, sus-
wenga, warned the Citizens’ Co- at White City Stadium in Bulawayo. Photo: Zinyange Auntony/AFP pected Zanu-PF youths disrupted
alition for Change (CCC) and its the rally, leaving one person dead.
leader, Nelson Chamisa, that Za- those taken by the Ian Smith re- In contrast, rallies by Mwonzora’s Reaction by the Zimbabwe Re-
nu-PF will crush the party like lice. gime in 1978, where a pliant wing MDC have seen  poor attendance public Police to the CCC rallies Despite these onslaughts, the
of the nationalist movement was numbers. ahead of the March by-elections CCC supporters seem determined
He told a Zanu-PF rally in co-opted into the internal settle- demonstrates how state security to continue exercising their rights,
Kwekwe: “Let me assure you that ment arrangement. The Political Actors Dialogue, institutions continue to be ma- enduring the known risk of state vi-
there is nothing that it [CCC] can which was created by President Em- nipulated in service to the current olence and police brutality to place
achieve; you see how we crush lice Today, Zanu-PF can boast of a merson Mnangagwa after the 2018 ruling party, with several incidents their seal of approval on what they
with a stone. You put it on a flat “loyal opposition” wing, courtesy elections, ostensibly to encourage of violence and coercion being re- believe is a better alternative to Za-
stone and then flatten it to the ex- of the supreme court’s judicial en- discussions between the president ported. The police placed  unusu- nu-PF rule.
tent that even flies will not make a dorsement. Until 24 January this and his political opponents about ally stringent  conditions to the
meal out of it.” year, the Chamisa-led opposition how to move the country out of CCC’s maiden # yellow Sunday This substantial support places
movement seemed all but dead and political and economic crisis, has Star rally held on 20 February. The a huge responsibility on the CCC.
As he spoke, CCC supporters buried. been widely criticised as a tool to conditions included orders against
were tear-gassed by the police to further divide and co-opt opposi- “bussing in of people from oth- Apart from remaining vigilant
prevent them holding a rally at But, in just over a month since tion parties. er constituencies” and “chanting in the face of continuing attacks,
Gokwe centre. its launch on 24 January, the CCC slogans and singing and dissemi- Raftopoulos has cautioned the
has overhauled the Zimbabwean Professor Brian Raftopoulos, a nating hateful and defaming infor- CCC to “take a critical look at
On 27 February, a ma- electoral environment. The intend- leading Zimbabwean scholar and mation”. No such restrictions are how it got to this place in the first
chete-wielding gang stabbed to ed effect of the  March 2020 su- activist, said: “I think the  emer- placed on Mwonzora’s MDC rallies place … not only through the state
death Mboneni Ncube (35), and preme court ruling was designed to gence of the Citizens’ Coalition for held earlier. actions but also through bad deci-
seriously injured 22 other people sign over the MDC-Alliance’s 2018 Change is going to face major chal- sions internally … which date back
in a bid to prevent people from at- base of 2 147 436 voters, constitut- lenges … it’s remarkable that they On 26 February, reports of po- to the year 2005 split”.
tending a CCC rally in Kwekwe. ing 44.3% of the electorate, but have survived this major onslaught lice violence against CCC support-
seems to have come to naught. of the state … because the state has ers arose after a rally scheduled for Clearly, all democratically in-
“The government’s rhetoric has really gone at them through the ju- Gokwe, a rural district in Zimba- spired movements in Zimbabwe
done much to incite such ferocious Events in the past two weeks diciary, through violence, through bwe’s Midlands province, the polit- face a huge task in entrenching a
violence and little to ensure the free have confirmed that legitimate op- attacks on their alliances … and so, ical home of Mnangagwa. Despite new culture of political engage-
exercise of the rights to freedom position is far from defeated. they have had to really fight this the CCC having been given the ment and advancing good gover-
of assembly and association,” said battle on a terrain which is disad- green light by the high court, the nance. They must exercise sincerity
Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty The CCC has seen a wave of pub- vantageous to them”. in fighting the culture of violence
International’s deputy director for lic support, with citizens turning and corruption, cultures which,
southern Africa. out in their thousands at its rallies. over the years, have become a de-
fining feature of the country’s pol-
“This assault bears all the hall- itics.
marks of a premeditated attack that
aims to intimidate political opposi- They must also promote inclu-
tion and block access to their con- sivity and unity, and strive to build
stituents ahead of the upcoming strong alliances across business,
by-elections in March.” civil society and religious sectors.
Citizens must be united around
In March 2020, electoral activi- broad, progressive concerns aimed
ties were suspended under the guise at moving the country towards a
of Covid-19 regulations, which truly democratic, better governed
have been  used  to undermine the future.
rule of law, control political be-
haviour and curtail citizens’ consti- The 26 March by-election is no
tutionally mandated freedoms. ordinary by-election and, after a
failed effort to dismantle the main
On 26 March, Zimbabwe will opposition, the stakes are higher
hold the first by-elections in a year than ever for all the major parties.
to fill 133 vacancies. These vacan- A new wave of energy has taken
cies comprise 28 parliamentary over Zimbabwe’s electoral space,
seats and 105 council seats ema- transforming the by-election from
nating from recalls, deaths and dis- what had begun to feel like a bland
missals. process to a highly contested one.

Ahead of next year’s national It is incumbent upon the state,
elections, these by-elections are a in the build-up to election day,
harbinger of things to come. They to uphold citizens’ freedoms of
provide insights into how Zanu-PF speech, assembly and participa-
will work to guarantee its victory tion in a free, fair and credible
through the use of co-optation, by-election. The electorate must
intimidation and vote rigging, and be enabled the exercise of their
whether the CCC will be able to political choices without violence
adapt and navigate this fraught po- and intimidation. Unless the state
litical landscape. exercises restraint and upholds the
electorate’s and all parties’ constitu-
On 31 March 2020, Zimbabwe’s tionally mandated political rights,
supreme court ruled in favour of as espoused in section 67 of Zim-
Douglas Mwonzora to lead the babwe’s Constitution, it could be a
Movement for Democratic Change long and bloody walk to March 26
(MDC). The ruling was  widely — a discouraging picture of the po-
viewed  as a move by the Zanu-PF litical road ahead between now and
government to destroy legitimate next year’s general election.--Good
political opposition, while co-opt- Governance Africa.
ing pliant members in the move-
ment. *About the writer: Sikhulule-

Devoid of any public mandate, kile Mashingaidze started off as
Mwonzora suddenly had access
to the  political party finances, the a part-time enumerator for the
Harvest House offices, the power
to recall legislators and even to ap- Mass Public Opinion Institute.
propriate the name Movement for
Democratic Change-Alliance. She has worked with Habakkuk

These actions by the Zanu-PF Trust, Centre for Conflict Resolu-
government were reminiscent of
tion (CCR-Kenya), Mercy Corps

Zimbabwe and Action Aid Inter-

national Zimbabwe.

Page 34 Critical Thinking NewsHawks

Alex T. Issue 72, 18 March 2022
Magaisa
What happens when Zanu
AS the Citizens' Coalition for Change PF faces an existential threat
(CCC) basks in the glory of its early
gains across the country, it is import- Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa. and positive messaging to Zanu PF.
ant to remember that they are dealing There is an increased use of repressive
with an adversary that has no scruples. gathering. The police have also tried PF regime used to target the MDC, his life and liberty to bring it to the power, just to thwart the perceived
to impose highly restrictive measures it must now contend with the CCC table when Mnangagwa was hiding existential threat posed by the CCC.
Even in ordinary times, Zanu PF on rallies held by the CCC. These with all the energy and adventure in the safety of South Africa. Howev- Indeed, the CCC must brace itself for
goes for low blows. And when the tide measures are very different from how that it brings to the political market. er, while both men have contrasting more repressive strategies from the
is against it, Zanu PF bristles, ready to the police treat Zanu PF rallies which The numbers that Nelson Chamisa personal political ambitions, Chamisa dictator’s playbook.
pounce on anything in its way. With are generally unconditional. Still, the and the CCC have pulled in the ral- and the CCC represent a common
only a couple of weeks before the presence and defiance of thousands lies held in Harare, Bulawayo, Gwe- threat to both of them.  The third type of response is the
by-elections and just over a year be- of people who came to Gokwe were ru, Kwekwe, and Gokwe so far have use of  political violence. Zanu PF
fore the crucial general elections, the more than enough to demonstrate the spooked the regime. After two years It has become more apparent in re- does not care about opposition par-
stakes could not be any higher. CCC’s pulling power. of trying to decimate Chamisa and cent weeks that neither of these two ties that pose no threat to its hold
his allies, their resistance and resur- older men can legitimately win a free on power. That is why it treats the
Already, there are signs of deploy- The banning of CCC rallies indi- gence have confounded the regime and fair election against the young MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora
ing dirty tricks such as restricting po- cates a clear pattern that is familiar and caused panic. opposition leader. In the absence of a with much favour. It does not regard
litical freedoms and violence are evi- in authoritarian environments: the Existential threat political deal, they are united by their it as a political threat. If anything, the
dent. Electoral watchdogs in formal ruling party will use state institutions It is clear to Zanu PF that the CCC need to resort to political skulldug- MDC-T is both a shield and a sword
and informal spaces have their work and the cover of law to stifle its ri- poses a political threat of existential gery to protect their common turf. in the hands of Zanu PF – a shield be-
cut out but, as this article examines, vals. During the election campaign, proportions. In other words, the very Between each other and Chamisa, the cause by giving it airtime and treating
there are worrying signs of hesitation no other party has been subjected to existence of Zanu PF is at stake. And latter is the greater enemy who must it kindly, Zanu PF creates a defence
by those carrying the duty to keep a similar rally bans or restrictions as the anytime that Zanu PF faces an exis- be resisted at all costs. against accusations of partisanship;
watchful and frank eye on the elector- CCC, but the police can still wave tential threat, it responds in a typi- but a sword because Zanu PF can rely
al processes. They must step up and the Maintenance of Order and Peace cally ultra-defensive and often brutal Their factional fight can resume on the MDC-T to spend most of its
speak truth to power if they are to Act as justification for their actions. fashion. The first response is to close later. As Chamisa navigates the polit- time attacking the CCC. 
avoid being political laundromats for Zanu PF has never been stopped from ranks and defend common interests. ical landscape, he must know that the
authoritarians.  holding its rallies in the same places While it is true that there are com- two men are closer to each other than The killing of CCC supporter
Political laundering that the CCC is being denied. The peting factions within Zanu PF, when they are to him, their differences not- Mboneni Ncube at the Kwekwe rally
Political laundromats sanitise the rep- different application of rules by the they face a common threat, they put withstanding. He is the outsider who exemplifies the extent to which Zanu
utation of authoritarian regimes. Po- police is yet another demonstration aside their differences and usually find is threatening to grab the pie from PF is prepared to go to defend its
litical laundering, like its counterpart of the weaponisation of the law. Law common ground to defend their loot- right under their mouths and they status. Many others were injured in
money laundering in the financial is applied selectively to give an unfair ing space. will gang up against him. that incident which was instigated by
sector, is a process where dirty polit- advantage to Zanu PF by denying the Zanu PF supporters. This brutal kill-
ical reputations undergo a cleansing CCC opportunities to carry out an President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s The second type of response, which ing followed irresponsible statements
process, making them look cleaner effective campaign. first term is nearing completion. The is part of the political skullduggery, by Chiwenga the previous day when
than they are. The most obvious po- military general who led the coup is to raise the authoritarian factor to he threatened to “crush” opposition
litical laundromats are media organ- All this is testament to the early that toppled Robert Mugabe, Con- stifle Chamisa and the CCC. This supporters like “lice”. Previous geno-
isations that do propaganda, heap- success of the CCC after its dramat- stantino Chiwenga, has been linger- includes using the coercive apparatus cides have been preceded by such hate
ing unearned praise while ignoring ic entry into the political arena in the ing rather impatiently for his turn. of the state to prevent Chamisa and speech by leaders.
the repression and corruption of the last week of January. Zanu PF had But Mnangagwa’s desire to carry on the CCC from carrying out political
regime. State-related actors like the hoped to go into the by-elections has long been a source of latent ten- activities. This followed the tear-gassing of
ZBC, the national broadcaster, and against a battered and mentally ex- sion with the ambitious but fragile CCC supporters by police in Gokwe
Zimpapers which publishes The Her- hausted MDC Alliance. It had not lieutenant who also wants a piece of This explains the recent spate of and Kwekwe and the beatings and
ald, The Sunday Mail and The Chroni- budgeted for a new kid on the block the cake. After all, it is he who risked police bans on the CCC’s political arrests of other supporters in Hara-
cle, among other titles, are typical po- that would fundamentally disrupt rallies. The authoritarian factor is re. CCC vice-president Tendai Biti’s
litical laundromats that specialise in the political market. Where the Zanu also apparent in the partisan media home was also attacked, leading to
cleaning the reputation of the regime. coverage, with the state media giving the assault of his staff member who
The Daily News has joined that stable a disproportionate amount of time was left severely wounded. CCC na-
in recent years. Those who invest in tional spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere
them are enablers of this process of was attacked by a gang of assailants
political laundering.  who sped away with her possessions.
The regime will probably dismiss it as
On the international scene, political criminal activity but, in the circum-
laundering of authoritarian regimes is stances, there are legitimate concerns
performed by wealthy international that it is a politically targeted attack. 
public relations and lobbying firms.
The Mnangagwa regime has invested These incidents of violence are wor-
millions of dollars in Western public rying signals of what is likely to come,
relations (PR) firms under the guise especially as Zimbabwe prepares for
of promoting re-engagement with the the general elections in 2023. If a
West. Non-state actors including civil small set of by-elections that have lit-
society organisations (CSOs) also risk tle bearing on the balance of power
assuming the role of political laundro- can result in so much violence which
mats when they deliberately restrain involves death and serious injury, one
themselves from speaking truth to can only imagine how this will play
power or ignore or underplay blatant out as major elections loom where
violations. It is easy to recoil in fear power for the next five years will be
when operating in a repressive envi- decided. The stakes will be a lot high-
ronment. They contribute to political er in 2023, and this can only lead to
laundering through self-censorship an escalation of political violence if
or under-reporting of repression and Zanu PF senses, as it surely must, that
corruption. It is within this context power is at risk of slipping away. 
that we analyse the current conduct
of the Zimbabwean regime and how The problem for those operating
it has been reported.    in repressive environments is that
Banning the CCC’s rallies  the Russian war in Ukraine has taken
Zimbabwean police have banned the centre stage and it is likely to do so
CCC from holding its by-election ral- the longer it goes on. With the eyes
ly in Marondera last weekend. of the world on Ukraine, and no one
restraining them, dictators around the
The police are also understood world are going to have a field day.
to have banned another CCC rally
scheduled for Binga in Matabeleland Even Zimbabwe’s neighbour, South
North province. This follows anoth- Africa, which has dismally failed to
er ban of a rally in Gokwe two weeks deal with a problem at its doorstep,
ago. Although a High Court judge has latched onto the Ukraine crisis,
overturned the police ban on that fancying itself as some sort of media-
occasion, the CCC was unable to tor. The risk that the Zanu PF regime
hold its rally as local police ensured will fully switch on the apparatus of
it did not happen by disrupting the violence in the run-up to the 2023
elections while both global and re-
gional attention is turned elsewhere
is very real.

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 35

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

CSOs as watchdogs Citizens' Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa. were scores of victims who were im-
In this context, the role of local civil paled and struck with weapons by the
society organisations assumes greater during the pre-by-elections period, and were attending some rallies out of supporters and those of the CCC party Zanu PF supporters. If anything, this
significance. While Zimbabwe’s con- with a lot of concerns over the state fear of possible victimisation if they did which resulted in the death of one per- politically motivated killing should
stitution has an entire chapter dedi- of the voters’ roll. It is the document not attend”. The culprit that uses such son, at a CCC rally in Kwekwe”. That’s be a big highlight in the pre-election
cated to institutions designed to sup- that determines whether citizens can methods is known. It can never be the all the electoral watchdog had to say report, signaling a red flag that needs
port democracy, most of them have vote in the by-elections. Indeed, Zec opposition because it cannot victimise on this blatant political murder and to be carefully watched as Zimbabwe
been woefully inadequate. It is either has been forced on more than two oc- the ruling party. Although the report the report moves on to other issues. hurtles towards the next general elec-
they are grossly under-resourced or casions to make official statements in refers to the issue of access to the me- Clearly, the matter is not treated with tions.
they are captured by the ruling party. response to concerns over the voters’ dia, there is nothing to demonstrate the seriousness it deserves. There are
Therefore, instead of acting as effec- roll. There are several allegations con- the blatant bias in favour of Zanu PF, several problems with this reporting: Finally, there is no mention of
tive watchdogs of the state and its or- cerning the high number of duplicate itself a perennial problem that has It trivialises the circumstances of the the incendiary statements made
gans and supporting democracy, these entries, unauthorised movement of been raised by election observers in death as arising from an “altercation” by vice-president Chiwenga before
institutions have become enablers of voters from their constituencies and the past but has never been addressed. between the ruling party and opposi- the Kwekwe rally at which Mbone-
authoritarianism.  wards, and changes to information on tion supporters. ni Ncube was slain. Chiwenga had
the voters’ roll which have been high- A report states that likened opposition supporters to
In the absence of effective watch- lighted by citizens and social move- some “people were This is grossly misleading because “lice” that would be “crushed”, a vi-
dogs envisaged under the constitu- ments such as Pachedu. generally afraid to it gives an impression of parties that olent metaphor that constitutes hate
tion, non-state actors such as CSOs talk about politics bear equal responsibility for the speech. That it preceded the killing of
assume a greater role and they have Zec has, rather incredibly, tried to and were attending death. This was a situation where an opposition supporter is worrying
done a great deal over the past few dismiss the voters’ roll that it issued, some rallies out of ruling party supporters unlawfully as it may be treated as unlawful incite-
decades. The story of Gukurahundi claiming that it was leaked. Another fear of possible vic- invaded an opposition political rally ment of violence. As already stated,
as it is known today would be differ- Zec commissioner has claimed that timisation if they and used force against its supporters genocidal periods have been preceded
ent if organisations like the Catholic the chaotic voters’ roll which has been did not attend”. The to cause fatal harm and severe inju- by the use of hate speech like that and
Commission for Justice and Peace, the subject of much criticism was culprit that uses such ries. They had no right to be there, one would expect electoral watchdogs
the Legal Resources Foundation and only a “draft”. methods is known. and they were the provocateurs and to raise concerns over the use of such
the Lawyers for Human Rights, an It can never be the aggressors. To describe it as an “alter- language in the context of electoral
international organisation, had not But this is inconsistent with the opposition because it cation” is to minimise the blamewor- contests, especially given the history
stepped up to document the gory de- legal requirement, which is that there cannot victimise the thiness of the Zanu PF aggressors and of political violence. Interestingly, the
tails of the atrocities. The Zimbabwe must be a final voters' roll within a ruling party. to gaslight the victims who are made Zesn report recommends that “politi-
Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) specific period before the next elec- to shoulder responsibility for their sit- cal parties desist from using hate speech
continues to be a marquee example of tion. Indeed, Zec has used this rule Lightening political violence uation. It was an unlawful attack, not and insightful language”  (sic) and yet
a CSO that is vigilant and active in to disqualify an MDC-T candidate On electoral violations, despite there an altercation and an electoral watch- its report omits detail that informs
defending rights and freedoms when- on the basis that he was not regis- being a cold-blooded killing of an op- dog should be bold enough to report this important recommendation. Did
ever they are threatened by the state. tered before the closure of the voters’ position supporter by named Zanu PF these facts.   they accidentally omit or remove the
roll. How then can he be disqualified supporters, the Zesn report starts with section of the report that described
The Zimbabwe Human Rights when Zec claims the voters’ roll to a mild statement saying, “cases of elec- The irony is that the Zimbabwe the use of hate speech and inciteful
NGO Forum, ZimRights and the have been a draft? toral violations were minimal”. Perhaps Republic Police, which is notori- language?
Zimbabwe Peace Project have shown it reflects the extent to which political ously partisan, did a better job than Conclusion
great initiative and leadership in re- All this highlights that there are violence has become normalised — the electoral watchdog in reporting The by-election campaigns have re-
cent years. serious concerns over the voters’ roll. that an electoral watchdog relegates the circumstances of the murder. It vealed worrying signs of a violent po-
Yet amid this chaos, the country’s the murder of a political opponent to treated the victim Mboneni Ncube litical process leading up to the 2023
The situation concerning electoral premier electoral watchdog has not the margins of the narrative. A single with respect by naming him, some- elections. The killing of Mboneni
matters however needs urgent atten- a single word on the voters’ roll. The politically motivated killing should thing that the Zesn report does not Ncube in cold blood by Zanu PF
tion. The Zimbabwe Election Sup- problem with these glaring omissions be serious enough to warrant a big even do. The police also named the supporters who invaded a CCC ral-
port Network (Zesn) and Electoral is that they create a false picture of red flag in the report of an electoral accused persons, making it clear that ly is not to be taken lightly. It is a
Resource Centre (ERC) have provid- normalcy. It is as if voter registration watchdog. Instead, the report de- they were Zanu PF members who politically motivated murder whose
ed leadership in this area for a long went ahead and there is a credible vot- scribes it in the following terms: “The unlawfully entered a CCC rally. Any- consequences could prove dire for
time. This is why a review of the latest ers’ roll when in reality there is none. worst case that was reported was the al- one reading the police memo would the legitimacy of the 2023 elections.
election observation report by Zesn is If there are questions over the voters’ tercation between suspected ruling party have a clear picture of who was to If perpetrators are not held account-
underwhelming. Someone unfamiliar roll, as there are, electoral watchdogs blame for the political violence. But able, it will only give licence for more
with the ongoing political develop- should highlight them. If they do not the Zesn report presents a mild and political violence. The banning of the
ments might think that circumstanc- talk about them, people might think sanitised picture that vaguely refers to CCC’s political rallies, while Zanu PF
es leading up to the by-elections are they are burying their heads in the “ruling party supporters” who were and the MDC-T have a free pass, is
mild and that the risk of political vi- sand. Electoral watchdogs should not party to an “altercation” with CCC a sign of the selective application of
olence is minimal when in fact there fear offending Zec. Citizens whom supporters. The irony is that Zesn had the rules.
has been a brutal killing at a political they represent expect them to be their all this information from the police
rally and there is an escalation of re- leading voices in these matters.        when it compiled its report, and yet, Most of the political referees pro-
pression by the Zanu PF regime. Lacking boldness somehow, its report is more hesitant vided for in the constitution are com-
Weakness of voter registration One of the problems with this report than the police report. promised. They lack independence
Zesn is a long-term election observ- is its lack of boldness in highlighting from Zanu PF and the men and wom-
er, which places it in an important the source of problems affecting the Furthermore, the Zesn report en who run them do not have the
watchdog role over the political and electoral environment. There seems makes no mention at all of the sev- courage to hold the ruling party to ac-
electoral processes. Its latest report, to be a timidness that restrains Zesn eral victims of injuries caused by the count. In the absence of these consti-
published on the Kubatana website, from naming Zanu PF as the trouble Zanu PF aggressors at the rally. Surely, tutional restraints, the last guardians
covers the last two weeks of Febru- causer. For example, in one part the Zesn’s observers who were at the rally are to be found in areas such as the
ary. While the report states that the report states that some  “people were would have witnessed these injured media, civil society and intellectuals.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission generally afraid to talk about politics parties. In any event, one did not have They have an important duty to chal-
(Zec) conducted the first phase of its to be at the rally to know that there lenge the partial narratives promoted
mobile voter registration exercises, by the regime and its surrogates; to
it has only a superficial reference to challenge the abuse of law.
the problems associated with this im-
portant exercise. The lack of national Some of these battles, such as legal
identity cards is a key issue that the battles in the politicised judicial are-
report refers to, but the enormity of na, might seem like lost causes, but it
this handicap, especially for young is important to keep knocking on the
voters, could have been given more door and, if anything, to challenge
prominence. the courts to make decisions.

The practical bottlenecks, such as However, civil society organisa-
the long queues and frustrating delays tions, whose own existence is under
are not highlighted. In some cases, threat from a retrogressive Bill cur-
people reported that Zec was not pres- rently before Parliament, have a key
ent in places where it had announced role to play. They might try to play
that it would be conducting voter reg- it safe by using mild and sanitised
istration. These issues do not appear language when reporting  electoral
in the report. Zesn’s observers might malpractices and political violence,
say they did not witness these things, but this will not save them from the
but it may be that their monitoring authoritarian regime. Appeasement
was not comprehensive enough to de- towards authoritarian regimes always
tect these weaknesses. There is a reluc- fails in the end because these regimes
tance to be critical of Zec, although keep turning the screws. If CSOs are
its performance has been dismal.   not bold enough, they risk being per-
No word on the voters’ roll ceived as political laundromats for the
Having commented on voter regis- authoritarian regime.
tration, the expectation was that the
Zesn report would say something on *About the writer: Dr Alex
the state of the voters’ roll. This is par- Magaisa is a law lecturer at Kent
ticularly important given that this has University in Britain and former
been one of the most topical issues adviser to the late Zimbabwean
prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Page 36 Critical Thinking NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Redefining African Union’s utility

PAUL-SIMON HANDY/ FÉLICITÉ DJILO

AS it turns 20, hard questions are be- those between Morocco-Algeria, (EU), whose members must qualify to daily functioning of member states is fortable with the decisions of regional
ing asked about the African Union’s Egypt-Ethiopia, Kenya-Somalia and be included, joining the AU is subject limited. This means that African gov- legal bodies. Tanzania for example re-
authority to resolve security challenges Rwanda-Uganda, for example, the AU only to geography. Despite strong rhet- ernments’ dependency on the AU is cently denied its people direct access to
in Africa. struggles to mediate due to the uneven oric about how integrated the body relatively minimal. The exception has the African Court of Human and Peo-
interest from the states involved. If we is, the AU comprises highly heteroge- been its significant role in fighting pan- ples’ Rights, which is ironically head-
February’s AU summit was symbolic add the AU Peace and Security Coun- neous types of governments with varied demics and epidemics, although this is quartered in Arusha. It remains to be
in several ways. It was held in person cil’s inconsistent handling of unconsti- commitments to human rights. Most more reactive than proactive. seen how AU member states respond
in Addis Ababa after nearly two years tutional changes of government in Mali member states favour a traditional view to the AfCFTA dispute mechanism’s
of online meetings due to Covid-19, and Chad, it could be argued that the The AU is an international organisa- decisions.
signalling a growing confidence in the AU faces a decline of authority. Howev- When facing crises, tion with as much authority and influ-
management of the pandemic. For er the trend could be reversed if several African governments ence as its member states want to give As the AU marks its 20th anniversa-
Ethiopian authorities, the summit was structural and cyclical fragilities were often resort to various it. Beyond fierce rhetoric, it remains ry, it is coming to the end of a cycle
an opportunity to show the govern- addressed. strategies to limit the unclear how much appetite African where member states intuitively re-
ment’s control over the fragile security AU’s role. leaders have for effective continental spected its authority without needing
situation in the country. One systemic fragility is that most integration that goes beyond pan-Afri- to call on its binding instruments. To
African states oppose any interference of sovereignty that prevents any inter- canist slogans. It is unclear how much remain relevant, key AU member states
AU Commission chairperson Mous- in their internal affairs. While the ference to boost governance and hu- appetite African leaders have for real must find a way to bridge the expecta-
sa Faki Mahamat’s opening speech was AU has normatively shifted from the man rights. continental integration. tions-capabilities gap.
another positive surprise of the summit. non-interference position of its pre-
He was uncharacteristically confronta- decessor (the Organisation of African The AU’s role as an entrepreneur of It could be argued that the African Should African states see integration
tional with heads of state, using lucid Unity) to non-indifference, the gap shared values is complicated because it Continental Free Trade Area agreement and a limited degree of supranational-
and courageous words to describe what between a pro-active AU Commission doesn’t encourage the democratic con- (AfCFTA) illustrates a commitment to ism as going against their interests, the
he called the ‘immensity of African and reluctant member states is huge. vergence it needs from members, even regional integration. But would the AU focus will need to shift to greater re-
paralysis with regard to neighbouring This causes inconsistencies in how the though it has the power to issue sanc- be able to settle, for example, trade dis- gional cooperation that provides better
homes that are going up in flames.’ AU applies its rules and frameworks, tions in situations of unconstitutional putes between Kenya and Somalia if it added value. This would already be an
which weakens the body. government changes. isn’t trusted as an impartial broker for impressive step on Africa’s road to in-
Faki was referring to the AU’s  un- political and security matters? tegration.
even peace and security record in 2021, Unlike the EU, joining the AU is not As the AU does not provide subsi-
one year after its Commission was re- subject to anything other than geogra- dies or significant funds for economic The success of any trade agreement *About the writers: Paul-Simon
formed and restructured. But he was phy. modernisation, its value-add in the depends on the independence and im- Handy, ISS Regional Director for the
also raising fundamental questions partiality of dispute settlement mech- Horn of Africa and Representative to
around the continental body’s author- Another serious fragility is the rela- anisms and the upholding of their the AU and Félicité Djilo, Indepen-
ity to weigh in on challenges to state tionship between member states and decisions by signatory states. Over the dent Analyst.
stability. the AU. Unlike the European Union years, African states have been uncom-

What does the AU need to exert
more profound impacts on conflict
situations? The time is right to ask this
question. As the body turns 20, pro-
tracted and emerging conflicts are test-
ing the coherence of the AU’s African
Peace and Security Architecture and its
goal of silencing the guns by 2030.

When facing crises, African govern-
ments use various strategies to limit
the AU’s involvement. Based on phi-
losopher Hannah Arendt’s definition,
authority is generally understood as the
ability to obtain consent without coer-
cion. As a continental organisation, the
AU draws its influence from the volun-
tary adherence of member states to the
pan-African project. But governments
often don’t back the AU when it tries to
enforce its authority, especially on early
action and conflict prevention.

When facing crises, African govern-
ments often resort to various strategies
to limit the AU’s role. They politely
reject its involvement in their internal
affairs (Cameroon), contest its action
when it is already deployed (Somalia),
sideline it in favour of regional bodies
(Central African Republic and Mo-
zambique), or just prefer working with
better-resourced international actors
(Libya and Sudan).

In inter-state disputes, such as

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 37

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Page 38 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Risky status of Ukraine’s foreign fighters

DAVID MALET Russia has labeled Ukraine’s foreign fighters “mercenaries”

ON 27 February, Ukrainian — raising questions about their legal status if captured.
President Volodymyr Zelen-
sky announced the formation of Mercenaries do not enjoy the same protections as lawful combatants, including the rights afforded to prisoners of war, and mo, and later at Abu Ghraib in
a foreign legion, called the Inter- governments are free to treat them as they see fit. Iraq, appeared in jihadi propagan-
national Legion for the Territorial da recruiting more foreign fighters
Defense of Ukraine, that incorpo- tried on the spot in “people’s tri- such as jihadi suicide bombers for outlaws.” But his mass executions to Afghanistan and Iraq to fight
rates the foreign volunteers who bunals” rather than by the regular the Islamic State. of European and American pris- against American occupation in
had already come to Ukraine to courts. oners after battles like the Alamo the name of saving Muslims from
fight Russia and aims to  recruit Technically, the volunteers swung public support in the Unit- such treatment. Arguably, the ex-
others via a tourism website. Russia has already acted on its fighting alongside pro-Russian ed States and elsewhere in favor pedient of depriving foreign fight-
threats with the aggressive step of separatists in Donbas are the only of Texas independence to escape ers of any rights undermined US
Ten days later, Ukraine report- a missile strike on a military facil- ones in Ukraine who would count such brutality. And they produced efforts in Afghanistan and con-
ed that it had received 20 000 re- ity near Ukraine’s border with Po- as foreign fighters in this conflict. new waves of volunteers seeking tributed to its defeat.
quests to join from people in 52 land on March 13, on the grounds Still, the harsh treatment that for- vengeance who succeeded in end-
countries. US citizens were among that it was “a training facility for eign fighters typically receive and ing Mexican rule in Texas. Russia has not provided any in-
the first new enlistees. Western mercenaries.” If no for- the backlash that this can create dication that it is concerned about
eign volunteers were killed, it was provides a valuable lesson that More recently, it was the Unit- such a backlash from its actions in
But what will happen to those not due to restraint. how Russia treats captured for- ed States that employed the term Ukraine. Few other governments
foreign volunteers when some eigners on a Ukrainian battlefield “unlawful enemy combatant” have either. A handful, including
are inevitably captured or killed? If history is any guide, this pol- or city street might only increase against its adversaries, starting Algeria and Senegal, have prohib-
If Ukraine is enlisting foreign icy could lead to significant un- the resolve of its adversaries and with Afghanistan in 2001. Like ited  their citizens from going to
volunteers into its regular mili- intended consequences, because perhaps provoke them to war. the Russian response in Chechn- Ukraine by arguing that interna-
tary, something it also did in the accompanying the question of the ya, the United States also did not tional law does not permit it. The
2010s with the foreigners who legal status of foreign combatants Foreign fighters have been a seek prosecutions of detained United States and most others
joined nationalist militias to fight is the question of how the govern- feature of conflicts for centuries. suspected al Qaeda operatives have issued statements from skep-
pro-Russian separatists, then they ments and publics of their home One instance the Russian policy through the normal criminal jus- ticism  and suggestions the citi-
should have full rights as soldiers countries will react to executions in Ukraine echoes is that of Mexi- tice system. Instead, it declared zens perform aid work instead to
under the Geneva Conventions. or other mistreatment of their cit- co in 1836 when it faced an inde- that because the foreigners were full-throated endorsements of for-
izens. pendence movement in Texas bol- not part of a national military, eign volunteers  fighting against
Under international law, when stered by roughly 2 000 foreign they were not soldiers and there- Russia.
soldiers become noncombatants This is evident throughout volunteers. Like Russian President fore had no rights as prisoners
when wounded or captured, they modern history in cases of foreign Vladimir Putin today, Mexican of war. The solution was to send They have not, however, ad-
are supposed to be protected from fighters, which security analysts President Antonio López de San- them, in some cases indefinitely, dressed what if anything they
reprisals, torture, or degrading define differently than foreign ta Anna at the time dismissed his for interrogation and torture at would do to secure the release of
treatment as hostages, and they legionnaires because the former adversaries as unlawful and there- the US detention facility at Guan- their citizens if they are captured
must be provided legal protec- fight with rebels and militias rath- fore decreed summary executions tanamo Bay in Cuba. or facing execution. Imagine this
tions against collective punish- er than joining recognized nation- for any foreigners. happening to American, Japa-
ment for acts of their country. al militaries. Most definitions of This policy undermined inter- nese, Indian, or British fighters,
However, mercenaries do not en- foreign fighters distinguish them He claimed that “all the existing national public support for the nationalities all reportedly on the
joy the same protections as lawful from mercenaries because they are laws, whose strict observance the US war on terror. And the treat- ground already. Public outrage
combatants, including the rights not employed by states and are of- government had just recommend- ment of prisoners at Guantana- might not push those govern-
afforded to prisoners of war, and ten clearly not in it for the money, ed, marked them as pirates and ments into open war with Russia,
governments are free to treat them but it might make deescalation or
as they see fit. negotiated settlements more diffi-
cult to support.
The standards for identifying
mercenaries are also arbitrary. To minimize this risk, govern-
Under international law, they are ments need to announce policies
foreign participants in the conflict on foreign volunteers now. They
who are motivated primarily by could choose to disavow their own
personal gain. That motivation is citizens. However, the possibility
difficult to prove or disprove for of a video showing the torture or
anyone. And there are in fact some execution of a foreign volunteer
soldiers for hire among the num- going viral cannot be discounted.
ber of legionnaires who have trav- This would similarly produce a
eled to Ukraine, blurring the dis- drumbeat for action to avenge na-
tinction. Moscow even appears to tional martyrs and protect other
be importing its own mercenaries volunteers that would be difficult
from Syria. But Russia can claim to ignore.
it is following international law in
any actions it might take against Instead, just as most govern-
foreign legionnaires if they are not ments in the world recognize
regarded as legitimate soldiers. Ukraine’s claim to sovereignty,
they must also reiterate now that
Indeed, it took just four days for they will recognize the legal stand-
Russia to declare that it would not ing of all enlisted members of
treat foreign volunteers fighting Ukraine’s military as lawful com-
for Ukraine as lawful combatants, batants. This may be the only way
raising uncomfortable questions to protect the rights of their citi-
not only about the risks facing the zens and their national interests,
volunteers but the potential great- even when their own citizens have
er risk that their home countries opted to put Ukraine’s national
will be drawn more directly into interests ahead of their own.
the conflict as well.
— Foreign Policy.
During the war in Chechnya, *About the writer: David
Russia announced that any for- Malet is an associate professor
eigner suspected of being on the of public affairs at American
side of terrorists would be  killed University in Washington DC,
on sight, which is what happened United States. He is the author
in 2004 to one Canadian film- of the book  Foreign Fighters:
maker whom Moscow claimed Transnational Identity in Civil
was really training rebels in how Conflicts.
to use explosives. In the Soviet
era, the Kremlin described foreign
fighters as “bandits” and had them

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 39

Issue 72, 18 March 2022 How Russia-Ukraine War could
influence Africa's food supplies
WANDILE SIHLOBO
Police officers stand guard at a damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. accounted for 7% of South Africa’s cit-
"No man qualifies as a statesman who AFP/Genya Savilov rus exports in value terms. And it ac-
is entirely ignorant of the problems of counted for 12% of South Africa’s ap-
wheat." ly the consequences of big rises in flation in a region that is an importer farmers. For grain and oilseed farmers, ples and pears exports in the same year
the price of global grains and oilseed. of wheat. the surge in prices presents an oppor- — the country’s second largest market.
The words of the ancient Greek phi- They have been among the key drivers What to expect tunity for financial gains. This will be
losopher, Socrates. of global food price rises  since 2020. The scale of the potential upswing in particularly welcome given  higher fer- But from Africa’s perspective, Rus-
This has been primarily because of dry the global grains and oilseed prices will tiliser costs which have strained farmers’ sia and Ukraine’s agricultural imports
WGEAT and other grains are back weather conditions in South America depend on the magnitude of disruption finances. The Russia-Ukraine conflict from the continent are marginal – av-
at the heart of geopolitics following and Indonesia that resulted in poor and the length of time that trade will also comes at a time when the drought eraging only US$1.6 billion in the past
Russia’s  invasion  of Ukraine. Both harvests combined with rising demand be affected. in South America and rising demand three years. The dominant products are
countries play a major role in the glob- in China and India. for grains and oilseeds in India and fruits, tobacco, coffee, and beverages in
al agricultural market. African leaders For now, this can be viewed as an China has put pressure on prices. both countries.
must pay attention. Disruption in trade, because of the upside risk to global agricultural com- Ripple effects
invasion, in the significant producing modity prices, which are already ele- But rising commodity prices are bad Every agricultural role-player is keep-
There is significant agricultural trade region of the Black Sea would add to vated. In January 2022, the FAO Food news for consumers who have already ing an eye on the developments in the
between countries on the continent elevated global agricultural commodity Price Index averaged 136 points up by experienced food price rises over the Black Sea region. The impact will be
and Russia and Ukraine. African coun- prices – with potential knock on effects 1% from December 2021 – its highest past two years. felt in other regions, such as the Middle
tries imported agricultural products for global food prices. A  rise in com- since April 2011. Vegetable oils and East and Asia, which also import a sub-
worth  US$4 billion from Russia in modities prices was already evident just dairy products mainly underpinned the The Russia-Ukraine conflict means stantial volume of grains and oilseeds
2020. About 90% of this was wheat, days into the conflict. increases. This is noteworthy as 2021 that pressure on prices will persist. The from Ukraine and Russia. They too will
and 6% was sunflower oil. Major im- prices were already elevated. two countries are major contributors to be directly affected by the disruption in
porting countries were Egypt, which This is a concern for the African con- global grain supplies. trade.
accounted for nearly half of the im- tinent, which is a net importer of wheat From an African agriculture perspec-
ports, followed by Sudan, Nigeria, Tan- and sunflower oil. On top of this there tive, the impact of the war will be felt in The impact on prices from develop- There is still a lot that’s not known
zania, Algeria, Kenya and South Africa. are worries about drought in some re- the near term through the global agri- ments affecting their output cannot be about the geopolitical challenges that
gions of the continent. Disruption to culture commodity prices channel. understated. lie ahead. But for African countries
Similarly, Ukraine exported US$2.9 shipments of commodities would add there are reasons to be worried given
billion worth of agricultural prod- to the general worries of food price in- A rise in prices will be beneficial for Some countries on the continent, their dependency for grains imports. In
ucts to the African continent in 2020. such as South Africa, benefit from ex- the near term, countries are likely see
About 48% of this was wheat, 31% porting fruit to Russia. In 2020 Russia the impact through a surge in prices,
maize, and the rest included sunflower rather than an actual shortage of the
oil, barley, and soybeans. commodities. Other wheat exporting
countries such as Canada, Australia and
Russia and Ukraine are substan- the US stand to benefit from any po-
tial players in the global commodities tential near term surge in demand.
market. Russia produces about 10% of
global wheat while Ukraine accounts Ultimately, the goal should be to
for 4%. Combined, this is nearly the deescalate the conflict. Russia and
size of the European Union’s total Ukraine are deeply embedded in the
wheat production. The wheat is for do- world’s agricultural and food markets.
mestic consumption and well as export This is not only through supplies but
markets. Together the two countries also through agricultural inputs such as
account for a quarter of global wheat oil and fertiliser.
exports. In 2020 Russia accounted for
18%, and Ukraine 8%. *About the writer: Wandile Sihlo-
bo is a senior fellow in the Depart-
Both countries are also notable ment of Agricultural Economics at
players in maize, responsible for a Stellenbosch University in South Af-
combined maize production of 4%. rica. He is chief economist of the Ag-
However, Ukraine and Russia’s con- ricultural Business Chamber of South
tribution is even more significant in Africa and a member of the Presiden-
exports, accounting for 14% of global tial Economic Advisory Council.
maize exports in 2020. Both countries
are also among the  leading produc-
ers and exporters of sunflower oil. In
2020, Ukraine’s sunflower oil exports
accounted for 40% of global exports,
with Russia accounting for 18% of
global sunflower oil exports.

Russia’s military action has  caused
panic among some analysts. The fear is
that intensifying conflict could disrupt
trade with significant consequences for
global food stability.

I share these concerns, particular-

‘There are no illegal There is no illegal human being: tion that we, as a nation, do not revile
human beings and we Undocumented immigrants targeted xenophobia as we do GBV is concern-
have to stop using this ing. South Africa as a whole has not
word… they may not premises were being used to harbour country.  dom of speech, no LGBTQI rights purged itself of its historic demons…
have proper documen- criminals and drug dealers. He said “The Department of Home Af- and no jobs. He said sanctions on Since democratisation, we have not
tation but they are not his church was a place of refuge for Zimbabwe were affecting the poor and forged a national effort to create a new
illegal’ – Anti-xenopho- displaced migrants. Verryn said police fairs is talking about people getting not the ruling elite. outlook and a new perspective.”
bia activists. had told him there was no evidence the mainstream visa, but most people
linking the migrants living on church went on the ZEP because they did not Sharon Ekambaram from Lawyers Chohan said the media’s dealings
THE Southern African Liaison Office property to any crimes. Verryn said qualify for the mainstream visas… for Human Rights described xeno- with African migrants lacked human-
— an organisation focused on build- that children were among the migrants they cannot move to the mainstream phobia as a “crisis of humanity”. She ity and focus on the lived realities of
ing national, regional and internation- when members of Operation Dudula visas now,” said Million. said anti-foreigner sentiment in SA migrants, and that the constitutional
al cohesion — has held a discussion on began banging on the church doors was a deliberate campaign to divert right to security was not only for cit-
xenophobia and the Zimbabwean Ex- and windows, demanding that the mi- “We have a lot of children born in attention from government’s failure to izens, but for all who lived in South
emption Permit (ZEP) which expired grants come out. He said the children South Africa who have never been to deliver services to communities.  Africa. 
in December 2021, affecting up to were afraid because they thought they Zimbabwe and who speak local lan-
250 000 Zimbabweans living in South were going to be killed. guages… Some of them are domestic “We need to remember, as we go “We as individuals are all implicat-
Africa.  workers who get assistance from their towards 2024, that many political par- ed… This must be a national effort,
“If we’re serious about creating a employers in order for their children ties are scapegoating migrants… this not an event. It must be a process and
The South African government has sustainable economy in this country to get an education, and they will be talk of ‘flooding of migrants’ is lies,” the end goal should be greater soli-
decided that the permit will not be re- and not seeing the ‘other’ as a threat, stuck without a future should the per- said Ekambaram, adding that statistics darity amongst all who live in South
newed. but as a partner, we would begin to mit not be renewed.” showed migrant numbers falling in Africa.”
capacitate employment, particularly of SA, probably as a result of xenophobia.
“We must abhor xenophobia in young people.  Million believes that xenophobia Representing Social Surveys Africa,
the same way that we abhor racism filters down from those in power.  Ekambaram appealed to partic- Dr Tara Polzer Ngwato said: “We are
and gender-based violence,” said Ga- “Absolutely no human being should ipants to join the anti-xenophobia not just looking at migration manage-
briel Shumba from the Zimbabwe be considered a pest, no matter who “We feel like we have been targeted movement, Kopanang Africa Against ment policy here, we are also looking
Exiles’ Forum, adding that xenopho- they are,” Verryn said. and that it is starting from the top, in Xenophobia, on their upcoming Hu- at xenophobia. We are coming up to
bia “undermines the ubuntu that was that one day we are legal with a ZEP, man Rights Day march through the uncertain South African and Zimba-
preached by Archbishop Desmond Dudzai Million from the ZEP cam- and the next day we are not.” streets of Hillbrow. bwean elections and we know from
Tutu”. paign explained that Zimbabweans history that narratives around migra-
had forfeited other documents to get Million told those attending the Speaking on behalf of the South tion are an easy way into power for
Methodist Bishop Paul Verryn said the now-expired ZEP, and that this discussion that the conditions in Zim- African Human Rights Commission, populists.
that anti-immigrant outfit Operation would jeopardise their standing in the babwe were only getting worse, with Fatima Chohan, former deputy minis-
Dudula had claimed that his church growing instability, human rights vi- ter of home affairs, said: “The sugges- “It is absolutely essential that these
olations, police intimidation, no free- conversations about migration policies
are taken with a long-term view in
mind,” Ngwato said.

— Daily Maverick.

Page 40 Africa News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Social media being misused in Kenya’s
political arena. Why it’s hard to stop it

GEORGE OGOLA

THE information landscape in Africa In Kenya, social media has become a new battleground in electoral campaigns. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
— as elsewhere in the world — has
expanded exponentially over the last rithms to determine trending topics. zilla report uncovered a sophisticated interests and priorities don’t always spending large amounts of money
decade. This is significant because such topics strategy to counter the largely incrim- converge. This makes policy responses online to popularise their candidature
tend to shape editorial agendas out- inating evidence against the presi- particularly challenging. and undermine opponents. These on-
The proliferation of platform me- side the online platform. dent’s family. It involved astroturfing line platforms offer immediacy and
dia, including Facebook, Twitter and and the use of hashtags such as #pho- In addition, many governments scale.
YouTube, has been instrumental in The report identifies the use of a neyleaks and #offshoreaccountsfacts. are failing to act because of conflict-
this expansion. This has created im- combination of methods to facilitate ing demands. On the one hand, they Still, some policy responses from
portant new debating spaces. manipulation. One is the use of sock Disinformation and misinforma- need to protect the public from per- Canada and Sweden could form the
puppet accounts — multiple accounts tion practices, especially at election ceived harmful information. On the basis for the development of local
These platforms have now become controlled by the same user. Another time in Kenya, aren’t new. But plat- other, they need to protect citizens’ solutions.
essential for political campaigns across is astroturfing. This is the practice of form media provide easier and faster rights to information and freedom of
the continent. In Kenya, for example, masking the sponsors of online mes- ways of fabricating information and expression. Canada has taken the problem
social media has turned into a pow- sages so that they appear organic. distributing it at scale. Those involved out of the state’s hands. It has done
erful new battleground in electoral are doing so with little fear due to the It gets even more complicated in this by creating a nonpartisan panel
politics. Using these kinds of tools, social platforms’ ability to enable anonymity countries such as Kenya where the tasked with decisions on disinfor-
media influencers can counter any and pseudonimity. state, as well as extensions of the state, mation practices. In Sweden, intelli-
Traditionally, political debates negative stories about the people who are actively involved in misinforma- gence agencies work with journalists
have been shaped by mainstream me- are paying them — or malign oppo- The rise of these practices was ev- tion and disinformation campaigns. to address disinformation. As Chris
dia. However, over the years,  public nents. ident in Kenya’s 2017 elections, at- Tenove, a research fellow at the Uni-
trust in these media  has waned. The tracting both local and international In Kenya, media owners are typi- versity of British Columbia,  puts it:
country’s mainstream media remains The Mozilla report cites the online actors. An example was the infamous cally the beneficiaries of a licensing "This uses the insights of intelligence
strongly wedded to factional ethnic reaction to the Pandora Papers leaks. "Cambridge Analytica" case. This regime that rewards supporters of agencies but leaves public communi-
and class interests. This has increas- This was an investigative report by involved massive data manipulation the government. In most cases, these cation up to independent journalists."
ingly undermined its capacity to fa- the International Consortium of In- done through the  deliberate posting politicians are keen to use their media
cilitate fair and open debate. This is vestigative Journalists that exposed of fake news. for political mobilisation, sometimes These may not necessarily be the
particularly true during elections. a “shadow financial system that ben- through misinformation and disinfor- panacea to these practices. However,
efits the world’s most rich and pow- There is evidence that these prac- mation campaigns. This can involve they offer a good starting point from
Social media platforms have ex- erful”. tices are on the rise for the upcom- politicians actively undermining po- which relevant context-specific re-
ploited this trust deficit, acting as im- ing poll scheduled for August 2022. tentially effective policy responses that sponses may be developed.
portant alternative sites for political The papers revealed how powerful Why solutions are hard to come by don’t suit their interests.
deliberation. However, they have also individuals, including the family of Disinformation and misinformation *About the writer: George Ogola
become powerful tools for disinfor- Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, practices involve big tech companies, Another major problem is that so- is a reader in journalism at the Uni-
mation and misinformation. were using tax havens and secrecy ju- governments and the public. Their cial media influencers have a financial versity of Central Lancashire, Unit-
risdictions to avoid public scrutiny of incentive to participate in disinfor- ed Kingdom.
According to a  recent report  by their assets. The authors of the Mo- mation practices. Political players are
the Mozilla Foundation, which cam-
paigns for an open and accessible
internet, there is now a relatively
well-established disinformation in-
dustry in Kenya. It is largely driven by
social media influencers.

Over the last 10 years, I have car-
ried out research on the interface be-
tween digital technologies and politics
in Kenya. The Mozilla report demon-
strates what I have witnessed — the
evolution of the political role of some
of the country’s digital spaces.

There is no evidence that disinfor-
mation and misinformation practices
can on their own influence the out-
come of elections. Nevertheless, they
pose a danger to democratic processes.

They also poison an important
space in which deliberative poli-
tics should take place. In politically
charged environments, such as Ken-
ya’s, they have the capacity to exploit
long-held divisions with the potential
to trigger violence.
Manipulation tools
The Mozilla Foundation report notes
that social media influencers are ca-
pable of manipulating Twitter’s algo-

NewsHawks Africa News Page 41

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Early pregnancy put young women’s mental
health at risk: A review of African evidence

MANASI KUMAR

THE rates of adolescent preg- disorders make it harder to get dence-based solutions are scarce stereotypes and the challenges or ple must design effective interven-
nancies in sub-Saharan Africa healthcare. The mental health ser- in the African region. distress these young women expe- tions.
are among the world’s  highest. vices that are available for adults rience. The mental health conse-
The adolescent birth rate is as high may not be able to help pregnant We found that the studies cov- quences of restrictive gender and These should be led by young
as 139 per 1 000 girls in Tanza- adolescents and young women. cultural norms, female oppression mothers and pregnant adolescents
nia and 96 per 1 000 in Kenya. Financial depen- and exploitation, and patriarchal and key stakeholders, and tailored
This is significantly higher than In the research we reviewed, dence, complex power structures in the sub-Saha- to this unique group.
developed countries like Canada depression and general psycho- relationships and ran African region merit further
where the adolescent birth rate is logical distress were frequently stigma about youth investigation in general. Improving comprehensive and
8 births per 1 000 girls. reported as having an  impact  on pregnancy and Implications integrated mental health services
young mothers. These effects may mental disorders Future studies among pregnant within schools, communities,
Adolescent pregnancies are a be more significant and prolonged make it harder to adolescents and young women and healthcare settings to address
major public health concern. They among younger girls and adoles- get healthcare. The should evaluate common men- the needs of this group is critical.
can lead to unplanned parent- cents than older women. mental health ser- tal health disorders in adolescent Quality care must be provided in
hood and poor health outcomes vices that are avail- populations, such as trauma, sub- a youth-friendly manner that pro-
for young women. Early, unin- Adolescence is a life stage that able for adults may stance use, self-harm, stress, and tects dignity and privacy.
tended pregnancy can add stress is heavily influenced by peer inter- not be able to help suicidal tendencies using validat-
to the normal physiological and action. That’s why social rejection pregnant adoles- ed and culturally contextualised Integrating tailored mental
behavioural changes of this time and exclusion may be especially cents and young approaches. health services for this group
of life. In sub-Saharan African harmful to mental health among women. of young women can enhance
countries,  adolescents and young pregnant adolescents. There is also a need for as- maternal and child health and
women may also experience poor ering this population did not sessments of common maternal strengthen health systems in the
antenatal service provision, bla- Early motherhood can put a closely examine the relationships mental health conditions, such region. Investment is urgently re-
tant social and gender discrimina- young woman’s dreams out of between gender, cultural norms, as postpartum psychosis, anxiety, quired to advance the well-being
tion, violence and stigma. reach. This can be  dishearten- and bipolar disorders. Assessing of adolescents and young women
ing for those who have yet to ex- quality of life, resilience, mul- as part of the current sustainable
All these experiences have im- perience independence. tidimensional disabilities and development agenda in sub-Saha-
pacts on mental and physical functional impairments would ran Africa.
health. Social isolation and rejection, also help chart the psychological
limited opportunities, stalled ca- well-being of pregnant adoles- — The Conversation.
Despite the high incidence of reers and education, and limited cents and young women. *About the writer: Manasi Ku-
adolescent pregnancy and the access to healthcare are all indi- mar is a senior implementation
risks it poses, there isn’t much data cators of significant concerns to Clinicians, researchers and ad- scientist and mental health con-
on maternal mental health in this come. vocates working with young peo- sultant​at the Brain and Mind
age group in sub-Saharan Africa. Institute at Aga Khan University
My colleagues and I performed The impact on this population in Pakistan.
a  systematic review  of the evi- is disproportionate. But  research
dence about mental health prob- and implementation  of evi-
lems and service delivery gaps ex-
perienced by adolescent girls and
young women in the region.

Our review aimed to show
where more information is need-
ed, fill some gaps and stimulate
efforts to improve the outcomes
of vulnerable adolescents.
What we found
We looked at research done be-
tween 2007 and 2020. The studies
in our review highlighted a list of
challenges.

Adversities and stress during
pregnancy are  linked  to mental
disorders. Depression and anxiety
are the most common.

Pregnant adolescents and young
women go through a unique com-
bination of hormonal changes
and stressful experiences. These
may trigger adverse outcomes.
Girls may have to leave school
and find it difficult to go back af-
ter their child is born. Family rela-
tionships may be difficult or even
abusive. These young women are
also at risk of future unplanned
pregnancy. Their society may
judge them harshly and discrim-
inate against them. And they are
expected to “be an adult” before
they are ready.

Financial dependence, complex
relationships and stigma about
youth pregnancy and mental

Page 42 World News NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Why West is principally responsible
for the crisis with Ukrainian people

JOHN MEARSHEIMER Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. and European policymakers could
not admit they had provoked it by
THE war in Ukraine is the most co-hosted a major naval exercise in had no effect, as the Biden admin- rope would be prohibitive for Rus- trying to integrate Ukraine into the
dangerous international conflict the Black Sea region involving na- istration continued to move clos- sia. As he once put it, “Whoever West. They declared the real source
since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. vies from 32 countries. Operation er to Ukraine. This led Russia to does not miss the Soviet Union has of the problem was Russia’s revan-
Understanding its root causes is es- Sea Breeze almost provoked Russia precipitate a full-blown diplomatic no heart. Whoever wants it back chism and its desire to dominate if
sential if we are to prevent it from to fire at a British naval destroyer stand-off in December. As Sergey has no brain.” His beliefs about the not conquer Ukraine.
getting worse and, instead, to find a that deliberately entered what Rus- Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign minister, tight bonds between Russia and
way to bring it to a close. sia considers its territorial waters. put it: “We reached our boiling Ukraine notwithstanding, trying to My story about the conflict’s caus-
point.” Russia demanded a written take back all of Ukraine would be es should not be controversial, giv-
There is no question that Vladi- The links between Ukraine and guarantee that Ukraine would never like trying to swallow a porcupine. en that many prominent American
mir Putin started the war and is re- America continued growing un- become a part of Nato and that the Furthermore, Russian policymak- foreign-policy experts have warned
sponsible for how it is being waged. der the Biden administration. This alliance remove the military assets ers — including Putin — have said against Nato expansion since the
But why he did so is another matter. commitment is reflected through- it had deployed in eastern Europe hardly anything about conquering late 1990s. America’s secretary of
The mainstream view in the West is out an important document — the since 1997. The subsequent negoti- new territory to recreate the Sovi- defence at the time of the Bucharest
that he is an irrational, out-of-touch “us-Ukraine Charter on Strategic ations failed, as Blinken made clear: et Union or build a greater Russia. summit, Robert Gates, recognised
aggressor bent on creating a greater Partnership” — that was signed “There is no change. There will be Rather, since the 2008 Bucharest that “trying to bring Georgia and
Russia in the mould of the former in November by Antony Blinken, no change.” A month later Mr Pu- summit Russian leaders have repeat- Ukraine into Nato was truly over-
Soviet Union. Thus, he alone bears America’s secretary of state, and tin launched an invasion of Ukraine edly said that they view Ukraine reaching”. Indeed, at that summit,
full responsibility for the Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, his Ukrainian to eliminate the threat he saw from joining Nato as an existential threat both the German chancellor, Angela
crisis. counterpart. The aim was to “under- Nato. that must be prevented. As Lavrov Merkel, and the French president,
score … a commitment to Ukraine’s noted in January, “the key to every- Nicolas Sarkozy, were opposed to
But that story is wrong. The implementation of the deep and This interpretation of events is at thing is the guarantee that Nato will moving forward on Nato member-
West, and especially America, is comprehensive reforms necessary odds with the prevailing mantra in not expand eastward.” ship for Ukraine because they feared
principally responsible for the crisis for full integration into European the West, which portrays Nato ex- it would infuriate Russia.
which began in February 2014. It and Euro-Atlantic institutions.” The pansion as irrelevant to the Ukraine Tellingly, Western leaders rarely
has now turned into a war that not document explicitly builds on “the crisis, blaming instead Putin’s ex- described Russia as a military threat The upshot of my interpretation
only threatens to destroy Ukraine, commitments made to strengthen pansionist goals. According to a re- to Europe before  2014. As Ameri- is that we are in an extremely dan-
but also has the potential to escalate the Ukraine-u.s. strategic partner- cent Nato document sent to Russian ca’s former ambassador to Moscow gerous situation, and Western pol-
into a nuclear war between Russia ship by Presidents Zelensky and leaders, “Nato is a defensive alliance Michael McFaul notes, Putin’s sei- icy is exacerbating these risks. For
and Nato. Biden,” and also emphasises that the and poses no threat to Russia.” The zure of Crimea was not planned for Russia’s leaders, what happens in
two countries will be guided by the available evidence contradicts these long; it was an impulsive move in Ukraine has little to do with their
The trouble over Ukraine actually “2008 Bucharest Summit Declara- claims. For starters, the issue at hand response to the coup that overthrew imperial ambitions being thwarted;
started at Nato’s Bucharest summit tion.” is not what Western leaders say Na- Ukraine’s pro-Russian leader. In it is about dealing with what they
in April 2008, when George W. to’s purpose or intentions are; it is fact, until then, Nato expansion was regard as a direct threat to Russia’s
Bush’s administration pushed the al- Unsurprisingly, Moscow found how Moscow sees Nato’s actions. aimed at turning all of Europe into future. Putin may have misjudged
liance to announce that Ukraine and this evolving situation intolerable a giant zone of peace, not contain- Russia’s military capabilities, the
Georgia “will become members”. and began mobilising its army on Putin surely knows that the costs ing a dangerous Russia. Once the effectiveness of the Ukrainian resis-
Russian leaders responded imme- Ukraine’s border last spring to sig- of conquering and occupying large crisis started, however, American tance and the scope and speed of the
diately with outrage, characterising nal its resolve to Washington. But it amounts of territory in eastern Eu- Western response, but one should
this decision as an existential threat never underestimate how ruthless
to Russia and vowing to thwart it. great powers can be when they be-
According to a respected Russian lieve they are in dire straits. America
journalist, Putin “flew into a rage” and its allies, however, are doubling
and warned that “if Ukraine joins down, hoping to inflict a humiliat-
Nato, it will do so without Crimea ing defeat on Putin and to maybe
and the eastern regions. It will sim- even trigger his removal. They are
ply fall apart.” America ignored increasing aid to Ukraine while us-
Moscow’s red line, however, and ing economic sanctions to inflict
pushed forward to make Ukraine a massive punishment on Russia, a
Western bulwark on Russia’s border. step that Putin now sees as “akin to
That strategy included two other el- a declaration of war”.
ements: bringing Ukraine closer to
the European Union and making it America and its allies may be
a pro-American democracy. able to prevent a Russian victory
in Ukraine, but the country will be
These efforts eventually sparked gravely damaged, if not dismem-
hostilities in February 2014, after bered.
an uprising (which was support-
ed by America) caused Ukraine’s Moreover, there is a serious threat
pro-Russian president, Viktor Ya- of escalation beyond Ukraine, not
nukovych, to flee the country. In to mention the danger of nuclear
response, Russia took Crimea from war. If the West not only thwarts
Ukraine and helped fuel a civil war Moscow on Ukraine’s battlefields,
that broke out in the Donbas region but also does serious, lasting dam-
of eastern Ukraine. age to Russia’s economy, it is in
effect pushing a great power to the
The next major confrontation brink. Putin might then turn to nu-
came in December 2021 and led di- clear weapons.
rectly to the current war. The main
cause was that Ukraine was becom- At this point it is impossible to
ing a de facto member of Nato. The know the terms on which this con-
process started in December 2017, flict will be settled. But, if we do not
when the Trump administration de- understand its deep cause, we will
cided to sell Kyiv “defensive weap- be unable to end it before Ukraine
ons”. What counts as “defensive” is is wrecked and Nato ends up in a
hardly clear-cut, however, and these war with Russia.
weapons certainly looked offensive
to Moscow and its allies in the Don- — Economist.
bas region. Other Nato countries
got in on the act, shipping weap- *About the writer: Prof John
ons to Ukraine, training its armed J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell
forces and allowing it to participate Harrison Distinguished Service
in joint air and naval exercises. In Professor of political science at the
July 2021, Ukraine and America University of Chicago in the Unit-
ed States.

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 43 Issue 72, 18 March 2022

When Jah Prayzah
turned Dubai into

a ‘little Harare’

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA

FOR any musician, having a receptive audience away from your own country is a
gratifying feeling.

It is testimony that you have made inroads beyond the comfort of home, an interna-
tional artiste of note. Jah Prayzah might have felt that way when he performed before a
packed Millennium Amphitheatre in Dubai last week.

He had great energy on and off stage as fans sang along to almost every song.
While the Hokoyo singer gave his all on stage, the one thing that was showcased at the
Dubai Expo 2022 was the Zimbabwean dream.
It seemed the entire Zimbabwean community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
turned up for this glamourous show.
In was a rare scene if the social media videos are anything to go by.
Zimbabweans across the political divide, for once, united on stage in song and dance.
The whole ambience added colour to Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up
what is commonly known as the UAE.
It is known globally for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively night-
life scene as well as the famed Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower that dominates the sky-
scraper-filled skyline.
At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On ar-
tificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal
parks.
And Jah Prayzah was among the glitterati that showed up in Dubai alongside Zim-
babwean businessman Ken Sharpe, who offered the entire 18-member piece band an
all-expenses-paid trip.
It was a wonderful experience as Jah Prayzah staged a free show to visitors during the
Zimbabwe National Day, where the country charmed the world through its people, cul-
ture and heritage.
Reports say Jah Prayzah performed to expectation and those who attended had a whale
of a time.
And if one threw a stone, it would surely hit a Zimbabwean, for nearly everyone hail-
ing from this country was there.
From captains of industry, celebrity preachers to several government officials, they were
all in attendance. One social media user quipped that Zimbabweans turned the Dubai
Expo 2022 into the Harare Agricultural Show.
“It is a privilege and honour to be here today in Dubai and witness the National day of
Zimbabwe at the Expo 2020,” funder Sharpe said in his speech.
“We are supporting the sustainability of our communities in Zimbabwe by commit-
ting ourselves to building our country, one brick at a time. We are honoured today to
have the opportunity to sponsor Jah Prazah and his ensemble of performers. He is an
icon of Zimbabwean culture in music and his Godly talent must be recognised by the
world. We hope those that attend tonight‘s concert will hear and feel of the Zimbabwe
spirit that comes from his music. Tatenda, Thank you, Makorokoto Zimbabwe, today we
celebrate you.”
Dubai Expo 2020 is a world platform for countries to showcase their best. It is current-
ly running under theme: "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future."

Page 44 State of the culture NewsHawks

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

NewsHawks Poetry Corner Page 45

Issue 72, 18 March 2022

Title: The Poisoned Quiver Igloo too small to house even their hair, Title: Edson Sithole!
Poet: Stephen Mupoto the heads nestled in Vancouver, British Colum- Author: Obey Chiyangwa
bia, the breasts rested in Cairo-
Playing in the gallery, firm and bloated as serpents drank their fill! Then truth perished in a wilderness coated
Of my oppressor, Their knees in Zimbabwe- of thick lies.
Like a fly fallen in a cup of smouldering coffee, grounded in the German mines for traction! Burnt to ashes to dust on the lips of the
Struggling for an exit, Their toes firmly entrenched, lords of war.
And ending stuck on a web, at Robin Island quarry, A heroic figure dispensed of in mists of
Where a giant spider naps, for purchase! well-knit mistery.
And yawns like an exhausted work man. Single twerk, The rank smell of acid still lingers in the
These eyes are like pepper, a single spasm; 'liberated' air.
Red like embers, to unleash generative & cytological desires! Partaken of by rodents, maggots and silly
Because they have seen a lot. The world reverberated, flies, was he?
These waters of anguish, multiverse in limbo; Maybe he died in a jungle where he got
Do not just fall, like a ballerina in faux pas, all sun-fried. Could he have perished in
They are the panacea, Richter scale oscillated, a desert, And got his hero's body all sun-
Of all the hell fires I bottle up, alack, dried? They dropped beautiful pamphlets
In this little closet I call my heart. hopelessly, and little fliers then.
At the very mountain tops, as collective orgasmic vim precipitated! Rewards and awards promised to all and
Where we imbibed the opium of slavery, In Muzarabani the god of energy smiled, sundry. Who would have found the fiery
Capped with a curse, to reveal the hidden secrets of the Earth, soldier and loving father.
We roam the streets with no vision, as the inhabitants yet slumbered, Including the wasted body of his broken
The Poisoned quiver, gloried in carnal knowledge; heroic soul.
Drowned me in its wake, hams pivoted in unison, The blatant audacity of those with decep-
Like a tide of life's sorrows, in tandem with the gods' tive intentions.
That bruise the ego, Just as the hounds howled, Perhaps they swallowed him whole and
And escort one to Valhalla. they exploded, jailed his soul.
Tell me not of hope, as Freyja shrieked! We still wait with wilted hope.
For beyond is only a rope, Both gods and sons of men somersaulted, Those who loved him so at home.
To tie my neck to a deep end's slope. Proboscidea wailed in the Savannah escarp- A nation still holds bated breath.
Leave not this mop, ments, Seagull spined out of orbit in Kariba,
For my blood it will clear, the blue whale jived mid-air in the Indies- Title: Black
And I will sit silently at the rear, saint and heathen panted, Poet: Clemence Takawira
As Valhalla welcomes all, at the whims of cosmic nurturance,
The saints without sense, to unleash the creative sap in nature! Their intonations are bereft of malice,
And the sinful without a cent. As all take a sigh, Devoid of hurt,
to dream yet of another jaunt! Sterile of favour.
Title: Pareunian Gods My parents' vocalisations are deceit-free.
Poet: Temba Munsaka ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK, “WHEN THE Insinuations
DEAD WALK” Can only be deduced in their non-verbal
Nefarious loins amok, cues.
powered by lighting, It's in the spark of their eyes,
in Zeus's residence. The firmness of their handshakes,
Watched by the god lore, The tightness of their embrace,
perverted hips gyrating, Inferences,
in sync with the rotating universe, That they treat us differently.
to bewitch children of men, It's in how my decisions are disparaged,
to prostitute self in orgies; No matter how superior.
as they tap into the cosmic vigor! And hers hallowed
Seas of gamete, No matter how outrageous.
Millions of eggs unhatched - It's in how her groceries
```sssh```, Are received with ululations,
```perpetuation ``` in ```progress```! While mine
In an embrace of death, Elicit no cheers
the statuette deities in tango; They honour my affluent siblings
Their legs stretched the globe, Like they are older
torso somewhere along the equator, And deprecate my impoverished self
arms at the back of North America, The only essence of a family black sheep
Is being black.

Page 46 People & Places NewsHawks

West Property top management Issue 72, 18 March 2022
chills with Jah Prayzah in Dubai

ZIMBABWE'S prominent real estate development tycoon Ken Sharpe and his
company West Property's top management hosted the country's trailblazing
music award-winning artist Jah Prayzah on Monday at the Expo 2020 Dubai to
celebrate Zimbabwe's National Day, which was a culmination of the country's
six-month long marketing process in the United Arab Emirates that attracted
many potentially lucrative investment and trade engagements.

Expo 2020 Dubai, featuring 192 participating countries including Zimba-
bwe, began on 1 October 2021 and will end on 31 March 2022, with each
participating nation getting an opportunity to share its history, heritage and
culture, as well as natural endowments and developments that makes it unique.

For the first time in World Expo history, every participating country had its
own pavilion, capturing vast historical, cultural and economic experiences as
well as what makes each country unique in its own way.

The Zimbabwe National Day proceedings, running under the theme "Con-
necting Minds, Creating the Future", were officially opened by President Em-
merson Mnangagwa.

The photo collage show West Property owner Sharpe, his wife and her twin
sister, his management, including marketing executive Marilyn Mosha, and
Prayzah enjoying at the expo.

NewsHawks Sport Page 47

Issue 72, 18 March 2022 18yrs later,
have CAPS
‘Cricketing world has been
robbed of a piece of its fabric’ already
moved on?
ONE of the most memorable under- Steve Mangongo, describes Warne as The late Shane Warne. global superstars like Warne should be
dog fairytales in the history of crick- a “monumental giant” of internation- giant of the game, on and off the field, used to inspire future generations of ALWYN MABEHLA
et’s World Cup – Kenya’s astonishing al cricket. The Zimbabwean cricket Shane Warne,” Mangongo tells TIA. world-class cricketers from the conti-
march to the semi-finals of the 2003 development stalwart – who groomed nent. LAST Sunday marked exactly 18 years
edition – was built around the heroics a great number of Zimbabwe’s best- “The cricketing world has been since the tragic demise of three CAPS
of a young leg-spinner called Collins known black cricketers and went on robbed of a piece of it’s fabric. The To him, the iconic Australian is a United players – Blessing Makuni-
Obuya. to coach the national team – draws Mike Gatting dismissal shall remain genuine hero of the game to millions ke, Gary Mashoko and Shingi Arlon
attention to Warne’s marvellous deliv- a fairy-tale. It was that Shane Warne of the game’s followers worldwide. – along with two fans, in a fatal road
Obuya had modelled himself in the ery to dismiss England’s Mike Gatting dazzling magic. Shane had the cha- accident near Norton.
art of leg-spin after the great Shane in the 1993 Ashes series, famously risma on the cricket field, so was his “Shane Warne was in the class of
Warne, and it was fitting that his hero known as the “ball of the century” in skills-sets.” the game’s giants, such as (West In- The CAPS trio was travelling from
was a key member of the powerful the cricketing world. dies luminary) Sir Viv Richards, who Bulawayo after beating Njube Sun-
Australia team that went on to lift that Mangongo, a firm believer in the shaped the course of a match sin- downs in what was their second game
World Cup 19 years ago, their third “A dark space indeed has engulfed natural ability of indigenous African gle-handedly on many, many good of the 2004 Premier Soccer League
title. the global cricket fraternity with the cricketers, is presently setting up an days. It is extremely sad that the gen- (PSL) season. 
news of the death of the monumental ambitious Pan-African cricket acad- tleman’s game has been robbed of one
“He (Warne) inspired a lot of emy to be based in Ugandan capital of its stars,” adds Mangongo. The tragic loss of their players
young players during our time to take Kampala. He remarks that the feats of seemed to galvanise the Green Ma-
up leg-spin bowling,” Steve Tikolo, Mangongo’s sentiments are echoed chine, as they went on to lift the league
who captained Kenya in that World by one of his proteges, Prosper Ut- title under the guidance of a then
Cup, tells This Is Africa. seya, a township cricketer from Hara- young and innovative coach in Charles
re and off-spinner who rose to captain Mhlauri, who had assembled one of
“There are two names in Kenya his country in limited-overs cricket, the finest squads in the history of the
that come up: Collins Obuya, whose including at the 2007 World Cup. Harare giants.
achievements we all know from the
successful 2003 World Cup for Ken- “Shane Warne made me fall in love So united was the Makepekepe
ya. Then there is Zafir Din, who with the art of spin-bowling,” says family that during their games, their
played for Kenya on a number of oc- Utseya. “He excelled in the world of faithful would always belt out touching
casions. Zafir Din could turn the ball cricket and sport, which was very in- songs in honour of their fallen heroes.
a mile, and he had the wrong one too. spiring. I grew up watching him and
We nicknamed him ‘Warnie’ for his I’m genuinely shocked and saddened That swashbuckling CAPS side won
ability to turn the ball big, with good to hear the news of his passing. To his the hearts of many neutrals with its
control.” family, friends and ex-teammates, I free-flowing football and, to this day,
offer my condolences.” those who witnessed it speak with great
50-year-old Tikolo, the best play- admiration of Mhlauri and his group
er Kenya has produced, further pays South African Hossain Ayoub – of superbly gifted young players.
tribute to Australian and world crick- another strong advocate of cricket
et legend Warne, who died aged 52 growth among people of colour and Fast-forward, it must have been 18
this week of a suspected heart attack previously disadvantaged communi- painful years for the families of the de-
while holidaying in Thailand. ties – has also saluted Warne’s positive ceased that the club their sons diligent-
impact on cricket in Africa. ly served seems to have all but forgot-
“Shane Warne will always be re- ten about them.
membered as a legend of the game, “Shane Warne was an inspiration
one of the greatest spinners of our and motivating personality for our On Sunday, CAPS face rivals High-
time,” continues Tikolo, regarded as youth in South Africa,” Ayoub, a for- landers at the National Sports Stadium
one of the best players in the world mer International Cricket Council in Harare in what is sure to be a thriller.
never to play Test cricket. (ICC) development director for Afri-
ca, tells TIA. Ironically at the time of his death,
“Together with (Sri Lanka legend) Mashoko, who was still recovering
Muttiah Muralitharan, they revo- “Together with (West Indies leg- from a broken ankle, had last played for
lutionised the art of spin bowling. end) Brian Lara, they went on visits United in the 2003 season, in a match
He was one of the top spinners that around the townships to spread the against Sunday’s opponents Bosso.
I faced – a tough competitor on the game of cricket. He was prepared to
field but a gentleman off it. It is a sad give advice and sign autographs to the Sunday could be the perfect stage
time for the game of cricket all over youngsters. He inspired everyone to for the Green Machine to pose a united
the world to lose a legend at such a take up spin-bowling. He built a ca- front in memory of their dearly depart-
time. We mourn with family, friends, reer we see today around the world ed stars.
the Australian cricket fraternity and after the impact he made since he
the country as a whole. May his soul bowled Mike Gatting with the ‘ball of In Europe, Manchester United have
rest in eternal peace.” the century’. His death has come as a made it a religion that every 6 Febru-
shock to many of his followers. May ary, they commemorate the lives of
Tikolo’s namesake and good friend, his soul rest in peace.” – This Is Africa their players who perished in what has
MARCA and Madrid are two legendary forever been known as the Munich Di-
names in sports, two monumental institu- When football handbook Andtheyknowrugbytalentwhenthey saster.
tions in Spanish and world football. see it. Shingi Katsvere, one of Zimbabwe’s
brightest rugby prospects, plays in Spain Sadly, as CAPS United travelled to
Marca is, of course, Spain’s largest Marca couldn’t resist these days and has been quite a revelation Bulawayo last Sunday for their match
circulating daily newspaper, with a read- on the domestic scene over there. Grow- against Bulawayo City, it was business
ership of nearly three million, by far the ing up playing football on the streets of as usual – never a word about their late
biggest in the country. Mbare, and being the son of a former Dy- comrades.
is not so unthinkable, if you follow your totally survive as a world power with the namos footballer, had one told a young
With these kinds of statistics, to think sport, that Marca decided to break away identity of one team-sport. Shingi 20 years ago that one day he would In this era of convergence, it is sure-
that Marca is an exclusively sports news- from tradition this week. The Spaniards have therefore long be a professional sportsman in Spain, he ly never a hard thing to communicate
paper with a heavy bias towards football, Marca’s Monday front page was of adopted rugby as their second national would have imagined himself using his a message to their multitudes of fans
tells you how much the “beautiful game” Spain’s qualification to the Rugby World team-sport, and they have a strong com- scintillating pace and finishing prowess to across the country.
means to the folk of this south-western Cup, after beating rivals Portugal in a final munity over there that can identify with score lots of goals in La Liga, not tries in
European nation, world champions 12 phase of qualifiers, before a partisan home this game and the top-flight rug- The Green Machine sadly have no
years ago.  Football in Spain is a culture crowd in Madrid. know it well. So by competition of official Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
and a way of life. It was good journalistic instinct by the they have been that country. accounts to interact with their support-
tabloid, because it is no mean feat for this putting their HawkZone Now, Katsvere ers.
Unidad Editorial, the Madrid-based football-crazy nation, if you consider that money where
publishers of Marca, know where their is one of the play- Perhaps the club's leadership could
bread is buttered so they do not feign France 2023 will only be Spain’s second their mouth is, ers tipped to help take a leaf out of their coach Lloyd
neutrality.  Their biggest selling point is EnockRugby World Cup appearance in history, and it is paying Zimbabwe follow Chitembwe’s book, who for the game
the country’s biggest three football clubs – since the first time in 1999. off. You can his Spanish hosts to against Whawha FC a fortnight ago
Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atletico Zimbabwe, in comparison, had prior see that by the the Rugby World wore a t-shirt inscribed "Joe ‘Kode'
Madrid – so the coverage is unapologeti- Cup next year. Mugabe" in memory of his former
cally slanted towards these teams. Muchinjobeen to the World Cup more times than passion of the It is just one of CAPS teammate, who sadly passed on
Spain – in 1987 and 1991 – where the crowd that ran last August in the United Kingdom at a
This week, though, Marca did the un- Sables were the only African team in the onto the field quite a few inspira- time when local football was suspend-
thinkable. On Monday, even after a week- tournament in both editions. and mobbed tional stories in the ed because of Covid-19.
end of La Liga football action, Marca did Rugby is the fastest-growing team sport the players after their team defeated Por- Sables’ bid to qualify for their first World
not feature football on its front page. Nei- on the planet, including Spain where na- tugal to seal World Cup qualification on Cup since 1991. CAPS will surely lose nothing in
ther was the face of the paper about other tional team matches at home are watched Sunday. With our football in Zimbabwe facing making it a tradition to remember their
world-famous Spanish sporting heroes of by no less than 15 000 spectators, all gen- It is not difficult to switch Spanish peo- an uncertain future under the dark cloud fallen heroes every March. They will,
all time, like Rafael Nadal or Fernando uine rugby people who can lay claim to ple into very good rugby players. of an international ban, what an opportu- instead, gain respect and admiration.
Alonso. this special game as their first choice. Natural footballing talent can easily be nity it is for our rugby to make its way into
For all their strengths in individual converted to rugby, or vice versa – given the national psyche, for a change, such *Alwyn Mabehla is a former Dai-
In fact, it was rugby, of all sporting sports – I have already mentioned ten- the natural flair and technique that the that not even our own versions of Marca ly News sub-editor and sports writer
disciplines, gracing the cover of the iconic nis and Formula One – no country can Spaniards possess in football. can no longer ignore. who contributes to The NewsHawks.
Marca!

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ENOCK MUCHINJO out to Khupeers might be driven by desire for mon-
ey since the club is lately enjoying
A FORMER executive of Dynamos rare financial stability due to generous
has backed a dramatic takeover of the corporate sponsorship, Murerekwa ar-
club by ex-players of the Harare giants gued that it would be “justified” if that
as the battle for control of the coun- was part of the motive.
try’s most successful football team has Unofficial president calls for emerge“It’s justified,” he commented.
resurfaced following over a decade of “These guys served Dynamos selfless-
Bernard Marriot’s firm grip on affairs. ly before football started paying, they
A group calling itself an electoral also deserve the benefits now.”
college of the club this week chose a As expected, and is often the case in
new board of trustees — comprising Dynamos wars, Marriot is not giving
former players from different genera- in without a fight and his rivals can
tions — to elbow out a board of direc- brace for a prolonged and bruising
tors led by Marriot, also an ex-Dyna- battle. He dismissed the new board of
mos player. trustees as “greedy individuals”, saying
The board of trustees is chaired by such doesn’t exist in the set-up of the
Ernest Kamba and deputised by leg- private firm, Dynamos Football Club
endary club player and coach Sunday (Pvt) Ltd, which he claims to be the
Chidzambwa. holding company of the club.
Tawanda Murerekwa, a former Dy- “One cannot wake up one day and
namos secretary-general, said should suddenly declare that they now own
they successfully seize control, the ex- the publication you work for, can
stars must eventually facilitate the sale they? These are just greedy individu-
of the club to a stable owner who will als,” Marriot told The NewsHawks.
usher in progress and settle the owner- “Dynamos is not a trustee, but a
ship disputes that recurrently besiege private company operating within the
the team. laws of Zimbabwe. It is regulated by
“It’s a very good development,” the Companies Act and the memoran-
Murerekwa told The NewsHawks this dum and articles of association. Dyna-
week. “We cannot have a club being mos is a private company with its own
run like the storyline of Macbeth. shareholders, who are the directors of
Bring in investors with money. Look the club. The company was founded
at what has happened with some of on 6 January 1999 and the club was
the world’s biggest clubs under single registered under it later that year.”
owners. It’s sad what is happening The club, therefore, according to
to Chelsea right now with (Roman) Marriot, has long stopped using the
Abramovich, but look at the Glazers, constitution from the formative years
Stan Kroenke and even closer to us, in the 1960s.
Patrice Motsepe. If the rumour that “The old constitution was supersed-
someone wants to buy the club (Dy- Bernard Lusengo Marriot. ed upon registration of the company,”

namos) is anything to go by, why not? you can have 5% of an elephant? An interesting twist is that, except of the pioneers. he said. “The so-called electoral college
Gone are the days when a club is run When I was there, some of the (board) Marriot, all founding members are He queried: “What happened to the and the board of trustees are dead.
from tobacco floors, which is where members couldn’t even come to meet- now deceased. As a result, Marriot shares of the late (Richard) Chiminya? There cannot be two boards for Dy-
Dynamos was formed many years ings because they didn’t have bus fare, has been left firmly in charge, which What happened to the shares of the namos.
ago.” yet you are holding on to such a big ALhSasOcoIuNrtSedIDtroEuble fFoirnhaimncweitMh tihneistylawtei(pNeasthoanu)tM$a3z.i2ti?Bwihllaiot hnapdpeenpeodsitorsThfueynsdaysthey waZnitmto'sfolramteasctolma-nd c
Murerekwa said that Dynamos’ asset,” lamented Murerekwa. law in recent times. He was arrested to the shares of the late (Freddy) Muk- mittee to run the trust. The company
potential growth has been suffocat- The founders, mostly pioneering last August on allegations of illegally wesha? Where are the certificates? doesn’t have trustees, it has a board of
ed by outdated management styles, players, have been empowered to run awarding himself 51% shares of the Does the constitution say that when directors. That board of directors work
with some ageing founding members, the show for many years by the club’s club and has been in and out of court, members die, their shares remain with well with a club executive committee
who constitute the board of directors, founding constitutional structure, facing fraud charges. the surviving member? Who gave him made up of people totally committed
having an overbearing presence at which is now a centre of dispute and Murerekwa, meanwhile, has ques- (Marriot) 51%?” to ethics, transparency, and good gov-
the 1963-founded club. “What is the contrasting interpretations in the latest tioned the shareholding structure of Questioned about the timing of the ernance. It’s a no-nonsense and practi-
point of having 100% of a rat when wrangle. the club following the demise of most takeover bid, that the fighting ex-play- cal executive.”

ALSO INSIDE 18 years later, have CAPS already moved on?