NewsHawks 7 October 2022

WHAT’S INSIDE Friday 7 October 2022 GNEoWveSrnment Price
raids
MNEnWanSgagwa ally Disabled US$1
sponsors protégés People’s Fund
to block takeover SEPvOerRtThe
of Redwing Mine Story on Page 7 perfectionist,
Houghton heads
Story on Page 5 to first T20

Story on Page 44

Zim military
commanders
investigate
Beitbridge
arms saga

ALSO INSIDE Fresh details emerge on more Parly rot

Page 2 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Zimbabwe military commanders
investigate Beitbridge arms saga

OWEN GAGARE Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. back; so he decided to take them to
ZDI as the Zimbabwe Revenue Au-
WHAT started as an arms smuggling The issue involves the botched consignment he sought to construct Mnangagwa’s security, especially go- thority and later police closed in on
racket by seasoned gun-runners who smuggling of AK-47 assault rifles and an elaborate cover-up for the costly ing to the potentially explosive elec- him. Intelligence services were also
bungled their mission like amateurs scores of ammunition magazines. mistake. tions next year. involved in nailing Mabhena. This
has now deteriorated into a major was partly because of inter-security
political scandal maddening Pres- The investigations are focusing It is said the guns were actual- It was given to a middleman who agency rivalries and grudges.
ident Emmerson Mnangagwa and on importation of a wrong consign- ly seized when his car was clamped then looked for an arms dealer, in
those close to him, The NewsHawks ment and a subsequent attempted while he was bathing. this case Mabhena, in Johannesburg. Some police officers were previous-
— which is unearthing new details cover-up amid fears he was the tar- Mabhena is originally from Bula- ly exposed by the army for allegedly
every week on the issue — has learnt. get instead of the beneficiary of the The car was taken to Manica Zim- wayo, but was in the ZNA as a medi- smuggling guns for poaching activ-
weapons smuggling. babwe Ltd clearing agency’s shed. cal doctor before he resigned and left ities and dealt with harshly by the
Military sources say Mnangagwa the country. Joint Operations Command, which
believes the guns initially ordered The guns were ordered from the After bathing Mabhena went to brings together police, army and in-
for the Presidential Guard were not ZNA for the Presidential Guard, an demand release of his car. A confron- While in Johannesburg, Mabhena telligence service chiefs. So some in
meant to protect him as expected, elite unit responsible for protecting tation developed with the police as went into private medical practice. the police force feel that army officers
but to harm or oust him from power. the President. the smuggler began name-dropping At the same time he became an arms also smuggling guns must be exposed
at the highest levels of the military dealer supplying the Zimbabwean since they like exposing others. The
The sources said Mnangagwa is The brigade is organised into two to scare away the law enforcement military. So it was not the first time situation is exacerbated by latent ten-
questioning the coincidence between units located in Harare: 1 Presiden- agents. he was smuggling guns into the sions and rivalries between the army,
the arms smuggling incident and his tial Guard Battalion based at State country. police and intelligence security ser-
presence two days apart in Beitbridge House and 2 Presidential Guard Bat- Confronted by police over his vices.
to officially commission the upgrad- talion at Dzivaresekwa Barracks. contraband, Mabhena said the guns He hustles as a gun-runner.
ed and mordenised border post on were going to the ZDI’s Alphida Pro- Mabhena had to arrange to buy Mutize then instructed Matambo
31 August. The Presidential Guard headquar- duction in Domboshava. the guns from Spartan Arms, a top to write a letter to Zimra to allow
ters is in Dzivaresekwa and is under firearms and accessories supplier in Mabhena to leave with the smuggled
Mnangagwa arrived in Beitbridge the command of Brigadier-General When police insisted on seeing the South Africa that deals with the pub- guns, but the police and other secu-
two days after the guns had been Fidelis Mhonda. documents, particularly the purchase lic as well as wholesale bulk buyers, rity agencies refused. This led to a
smuggled into the country. order to establish who was actually as Chipidza had already used some of face-off, their eventual arrest and the
New details show that the order importing the weapons, Mabhena the money from the army which was ongoing court case.
Indeed, two days after the arms came from the Zimbabwe National was found wanting. He then roped in forward payment.
dealer was arrested in a case which Army — through the G-Branch — Mutize, the ZDI boss, to rescue the So Mabhena then bought the The letter from ZDI to Zimra has
now involves Zimbabwe Defence and was first given to Ukubambana situation by claiming that the guns guns and decided to smuggle them now become a major subject of court
Industries (ZDI) general manager Commodities (Pvt) Ltd managing were ordered by his organisation. through Beitbridge to hide their inquiry. Mutize, while working with
Hope Goliath Mutize and its project director Gladman Chipidza who point of origin and destination. the then ZDI boss retired Colonel
officer, Group Captain Leonard Mat- then contracted former army doc- Mutize, who is out on bail, then However, his operation was clum- Tshinga Dube, was involved in the
ambo, an Air Force of Zimbabwe se- tor and now arms dealer, Gugulethu ordered Matambo, an Air Force of sy from day one even though he has controversial sale of arms to South
nior commissioned officer. Mabhena. Zimbabwe senior commissioned offi- experience in arms dealing. African mercenaries led by Simon
cer who works for the ZDI, to inter- Firstly, they bought a wrong mod- Mann, a British Sandhurst-trained
As a result, military sources say Mabhena then went to Spartan vene and write a letter claiming the el of guns. So the ZNA refused to former Special Air Services officer,
Mnangagwa has ordered a thorough Arms International, which sells arms consignment was theirs. accept them as that would raise se- jailed for plotting Equatorial Guinea
investigation into the recent smug- in Edenvale, Johannesburg, South curity, financial and accountability leader Teodoro Obiang’s overthrow
gling of arms into Zimbabwe from Africa, to buy the guns, sources add. Matambo was, however, arrested issues. No one wanted to touch the in a coup in 2004.
South Africa through Beitbridge, on 29 August for allegedly trying guns.
suspecting the weapons were target- However, Mabhena bought a to facilitate the smuggling into the  Secondly, he didn’t even have an The late former Zimbabwean pres-
ed at overthrowing or harming him. wrong consignment which was later country of the weapons by Mabhena. export permit from South Africa or ident Robert Mugabe, working with
rejected. an import permit for this. South African authorities, thwarted
This comes as Mnangagwa and his The two were arrested and charged Third, when those who placed the the coup, leading to the arrest of
deputy Constantino Chiwenga are He bought T-56 assault rifles — a with conspiring to smuggle 31 AK- order at the army complained the Mann and his co-conspirators in Ha-
locked in a fierce power struggle over Chinese 7.62×39mm rifle — instead 47 rifles and 62 magazines. The state guns were the wrong ones, Mabhe- rare and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea’s
an unresolved leadership issue fol- of the original Soviet-designed AK- is determined to nail them. na couldn’t take them back as that capital. Acting on a tip-off, security
lowing the ouster of the late former 47. would be risky to smuggle them agencies on 29 August found Mab-
president Robert Mugabe in Novem- In military terms, the guns are hena in possession of 31 AK-47 rifles
ber 2017. Mabhena — a gun-runner with enough to serve an army platoon. and 62 AK-47 magazines in a white
years of experience in the murky Toyota King Cab (4JK36RL GP) at
Internal Zanu PF contradictions trade — smuggled the guns into The order for the gun consign- Manica Transit Shed in Beitbridge.
and infighting has been worsening Zimbabwe through Beitbridge, but ment was generated from the Gen-
behind the scenes. instead of taking back the wrong eral Staff (GS) Branch of the ZNA Police say Mabhena had imported
for the Presidential Guard to bolster the consignment without a firearms
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have dealer’s permit.
been fighting for the heart and soul
of Zanu PF since 2017 after they In terms of Zimbabwean law,
toppled Mugabe in a coup. there are many requirements for the
registration and licencing of firearms,
The situation was exacerbated as well as getting permits.
by the July 2018 grenade attack at
White City Stadium, which Mnan- After moving to South Africa,
gagwa and his allies believe was in- Mabhena had ventured into the
tended to assassinate him. It hurt and business of supplying arms mainly to
killed some of those present. the ZDI, which largely uses under-
ground networks to buy weapons as a
After the grenade attack incident, sanctions-busting measure since it is
Mnangagwa went on a political purg- under European Union, British and
ing campaign of his rivals, removing United States arms embargoes.
and redeploying some, while others
were side-lined, or eliminated from There are other Western nations
the political terrain. which do not sell arms to Zimbabwe,
for instance Canada and Australia.
As a result of the Beitbridge arms
smuggling saga and the other previ- The targeted sanctions were im-
ous events, Mnangagwa ordered an posed on Mugabe’s regime at the
investigation to find out the story be- height of his authoritarian repres-
hind the guns and the arrests drama, sion, electoral theft and human
sources say. rights abuses, including violent at-
tacks, killings and terror.
They say a team of senior military
commanders led by Brigadier-Gen- In January, Mhonda told troops
eral Steven Gwekwerere first went to to desist from criminal activities, in-
Beitbridge to investigate the issue. cluding smuggling.

This was after the matter had been “It is a concern for commanders
discussed at the top echelons of the when soldiers deviate from their day-
executive and military circles. to-day duties and partake in criminal
acts such as abuse of Army equip-
Following the initial probe, which ment for personal gain, smuggling
did not shed enough light to the dark activities and joining criminal gangs
corners of the guns scandal, Mnan- to rob civilians instead of protecting
gagwa ordered another investigation them,” Mhonda said.
led by Zimbabwe Defence Forces
commander General Phillip Valerio
Sibanda.

NewsHawks News Page 3

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

BRENNA MATENDERE CIO boss loses service AK47
rifle during a house break-in
WHILE the majority of Zimba-
bweans are scared of the dreaded door locked and inbuilt fitted not known when the operatives went away unnoticed,” the police was still on duty at the roadblock,
Central Intelligence Organisation wooden wardrobe doors closed left his house. source said. Mtandwa phoned his workmate
(CIO) due to its brutality and no- but not locked, leaving his ser- Zachariah Manatsa requesting
torious reputation for unmitigat- vice firearm AK47 (serial number “On a date an unknown ac- On 7 September 2021 at about him to bring his cellphone – a
ed terror, others are not. 960171) with a magazine loaded cused (person) went to his 5pm Mtandwa, who original- Samsung Galaxy - which he had
with 30 live rounds and went to (Wutaunashe) house where he ly resides at BC 814 Vhengere left in the cottage going to the
The CIO’s Beitbridge boss Harare for other state security du- forcibly used an unknown object in Rusape, left his cottage at roadblock site.
Phillip Wutaunashe lost his ties. He left in his room two fe- to break a locked door and gained Wutaunashe’s house intact and
AK47 service rifle loaded with male CIO members who were on entry into the complainant’s went on roadblock duty along On the same day, Manatsa went
30 rounds of ammunition during an operation in the border area as main bedroom door and stole a Masvingo-Beitbridge Road. to the cottage at Wutaunashe’s
a break-in into his house by dar- he went to Harare, although it is service AK47 rifle loaded with a house where Mtandwa was stay-
ing thieves who took advantage of magazine of 30 live rounds and It is understood that the follow- ing and found the door wide
his absence to storm the house to ing day at about 2pm, while he open before discovering that an
steal his main weapon. unknown person had used an ob-
ject to force the door open to gain
This came as another CIO spy entry into the house.
agent who was staying in a cot-
tage at the same house had his Manatsa discovered Mtand-
fancy mobile phone stolen on the wa’s Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
same day, The NewsHawks estab- mobile phone (IMEI number
lished. 355506072327882), had been
stolen. He advised him on that.
Police sources said the rare
break-in which took place in Sep- On 9 September 2021 at about
tember last year in the border town 6pm Mtandwa left the roadblock
happened when Wutaunashe had and proceeded to his house where
travelled to Harare, leaving some he discovered that an unknown
female companions at his home. person had also broken into
Wutaunashe’s main bedroom.
His colleague, Albert Mtand-
wa, who is also a CIO operative, He immediately advised the
was not at home as he had gone CIO boss who then tasked him to
for traffic and security operations go and check whether his service
at a roadblock along the Masvin- rifle was not stolen from his fitted
go-Beitbridge highway. wooden wardrobe.

Last year's brazen theft of the Mtandwa went to the house
AK47 preceded last week’s in- and discovered the gun theft be-
cident in which a  man was shot fore reporting the matter to the
dead during a break-in at the police.
Harare home of CIO co-Dep-
uty Director-General Gatsha The scene was attended by ZRP
Mazithulela on Crichton Road in Beitbridge urban and no suspect
the Groombridge area of Mount or arrest was made.
Pleasant.
“Certain marks were observed
Also last week, a CIO train- at complainant one’s main bed-
ing centre in Harare was gutted room door indicating that a met-
by fire in what insiders described al object like iron bar was used.
as a case of arson ahead of next Dusty cover of the stolen AK47
year’s crunch watershed elections. rifle was recovered on the floor
Other sources say the attack was inside the main bedroom.  It was
calculated and motivated by in- discovered that complainant one’s
ter-security agency rivalries. main door and dining door were
malfunctional,” the source said.
The training centre is locat-
ed in Msasa Park suburb along
Homestead Road across Chirem-
ba Road. St Patrick's Road in
Hatfield suburb is to the right
when facing Msasa Homestead
from town.

The busy Chiremba Road con-
nects to Epworth from Harare’s
central business district.

The police report sheds insight
into Wutaunashe’s loss of the
AK47.

“On the 9th day of September
2021 at around 2000 hours a re-
port of unlawful entry and theft
of a firearm was received from
the informant Luke Seke, aged
34 of house number 1 PWD,
Beitbridge; business address Pres-
ident’s Office, Beitbridge. He re-
ported that his officer-in-charge’s
service AK47 rifle serial number
960171 with a magazine load-
ed with 30 live rounds was sto-
len from his officer-in-charge’s
house,” a police source said.

The NewsHawks learnt circum-
stances are that on 31 August
2021, Wutaunashe (48) who at
that time was residing at 193 Ben-
nie Knot Drive, Beitbridge, left
his house with the main bedroom
windows closed, main bedroom

Page 4 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Manicaland Zanu PF
plans to weaponise
gold in dirty 2023
elections campaign

BRENNA MATENDERE uency of Mutasa South,” Timire said. gold and we want to help you. At the parliamentary election.  Asked to comment on the state-
“So, the plan is that as small-scale moment you are playing. You see that He was however placed on the Unit- ments he made that he had been sent
ZANU PF officials in Manicaland mine, Redwing. You must go and steal by Gen Nyambuya, Timire said:
have devised a plan to rope in small- mine owners, you must produce to us gold ore there. We will protect you. No ed States sanctions list in 2005. He was
scale gold miners and their workers in registers of all your workers indicating one will arrest you. Do you know the nominated Zanu PF's candidate for “Those top leaders simply give us
a dirty 2018 elections campaign that those with identity documents (IDs) biggest thief of gold ores called Mad- the National Assembly seat in Mutasa guidelines on what we must do on the
will see the party supporting them in and where they will vote. At this stage hanzi? He is now a big guy and he rose North, a constituency in Manicaland, ground and so, yes, General is one of
the plunder of the vast Redwing gold I will not say how they will be made through stealing gold ore but he was in the March 2008 parliamentary elec- the top leaders who gave us direction
mine in Penhalonga in return for votes. to vote for Zanu PF. A different team protected by Zanu PF,” he said. tion but lost to David Chimhini who on how we could go about in our voter
will do that. But my task as a security at the time represented the MDC-T mobilisation exercise,” he said.
Investigations by The NewsHawks leader of the party is to make sure that Madhanzi is a pseudonym of a pop- led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
revealed that the plan was sold to small- we have all names of your workers and ular gold baron in Penhalonga whose Timire also exonerated Madhanzi,
scale miners by Zanu PF Mutasa dis- indications on whether they are reg- real name is not known in the commu- Contacted for comment, Nyam- saying he does not steal gold ore.
trict coordinating committee (DCC) istered to vote and, if so, their actual nity. buya expressed ignorance over the
secretary for security Timire Timire. polling stations.” meeting in Penhalonga and said who- Former Mutasa South MP Re-
Timire announced that he had been He flaunts wealth and moves ever told the miners that he had been gai Tsunga, who lost the 26 March
sent to convey the plan by top ruling He urged the small-scale miners around in sleek cars. Madhanzi owns sent by him was name dropping. by-election on a Citizens' Coalition
party politician and Deputy Senate whose workers have no IDs and who unregulated gold cyanidation sites in for Change ticket, said he was aware of
President Retired-General Michael have not registered to speedily ap- Penhalonga which process ore from “I know nothing about that meet- the Zanu PF meeting with small-scale
Nyambuya whom he said had blessings proach party offices to regularise their Redwing Mine. Gold cyanidation is a ing. Someone is just using my name,” miners and what was discussed last Sat-
from above. papers. hydrometallurgical technique for ex- he said. urday.
tracting gold from low-grade ore by
Timire addressed the small-scale “If your mine has people, say from converting the gold to a water-soluble Timire confirmed to The News- “The extent of plunder of natural
miners at about 2pm on 1 October at Bulawayo or Gweru, who will vote coordination complex. Hawks that he addressed the miners, resources in Penhalonga and elsewhere
Kasha Mine in Penhalonga’s Ward 21 in those areas, tell them that there are but said he did not urge miners to steal in the country with the tacit approval
and made the lengthy speech, obtained mines in Bulawayo and Gweru and Timire heaped praises on Madhanzi gold ore from Redwing in return for of the authorities has reached alarming
as an audio recording by The News- they must go and work there. We want in his address to the miners while urg- Zanu PF protection. proportions,” he said.
Hawks. only our sons and daughters from here ing them to take a leaf from his unorth-
in Mutasa to work in your mines be- odox operations. “That event you are talking about “Instilling fear as well as the coercion
In his opening remarks during the cause they are the ones who vote in this was a full DCC meeting and in that of and threats to small-scale miners, ar-
closed-door meeting, Timire explained area. How can you say having harvest- “No police officer can arrest him or section of Mutasa district I am the tisanal miners and illegal miners is a
to the small-scale mine owners that ed honey here you want to board a bus touch him. He is now so powerful that most senior Zanu PF official there. It is clear infringement on their rights and
Redwing Mine, which used to be un- and go to vote elsewhere? That is not he is now eyeing a parliamentary post not true that I urged the miners to steal freedoms as enshrined in our constitu-
der the control of President Emmerson the doctrine of Zanu PF,” said Timire. under Zanu PF. At one time there was gold ore at Redwing or promised them tion.
Mnangagwa’s ally Pedzisayi "Scott" a meeting and he sat next to (Vice-Pres- any protection from the law. It is not
Sakupwanya, had been returned to At this point a small-scale miner ident) Chiwenga. That is how powerful true at all. These must be words from “Of course, the people cannot be
its original owners, Metallon Gold led rose and posed a question as to how he has become through protection by people who want to destabilise our par- fooled anymore and will vote over-
by South African tycoon Mzi Khumalo the mines could be expected to recruit Zanu PF. If we work together in this ty,” he said, adding. whelmingly for change in elections
through a recent Supreme Court rul- workers only from Manicaland when you will also be protected, so I am scheduled for next year,” he said.
ing. some of them are unwilling to go into saying go and steal the gold ore and “What we discussed was in line with
mining work or lack the skills. nothing will happen to you. We want voter registration in which we urged In the past, civil society organisa-
He bemoaned the development and to see Zanu PF councillors coming the small-scale miners to register their tions (CSOs) have also advocated for
said a foreigner could not be allowed to In response, Timire said in such a from some of you,” said Timire while workers so that they can vote for Zanu a stop to the weaponisation of gold at
mop up gold at the mine and go with case the workers from out of Mutasa addressing the small-scale miners. PF next year. That is already in line with Redwing Mine, saying the country is
it to the United Kingdom with locals district were supposed to transfer their our party’s voter mobiliation drive. losing millions of dollars due to such
watching on helplessly. voting stations from other areas into He said  Nyambuya was aware of the opaque operations that were fuelling
the district. He threatened to close the plan and he was the one who sent him “As for Redwing, what I said is that smuggling of the precious metal.
“That is not my main issue, but I small-scale mines whose owners will re- to say what he was telling the miners. the mine should register all the artis-
am just saying this so that I open your fuse to cooperate with Zanu PF. anal miners working there so that they The CSOs also highlighted that the
minds. What I have been sent to tell Nyambuya is a former army general. vote and ensure that those who were plunder of gold at Redwing was not
you (by Nyambuya) is how we now Timire however dangled a “carrot” He served as governor of Manicaland in the past voting elsewhere transfer benefitting over 2 955 households with
want to work going forward. As Zanu for the small-scale miners. before being appointed minister of En- their names to Mutasa district polling an estimated population of 6 000 resi-
PF we want to win this rural constit- ergy and Power Development in mid- stations. Next weekend we are actually dents in Penhalonga, Mahwemasimike
“What we are also saying as Zanu PF April 2005, following the March 2005 going there to the mine to bolster this and Tsvingwe areas directly affected by
is that you are not producing enough position,” he said. surface mining operations by the illegal
miners who enjoy Zanu PF protection.

NewsHawks News Page 5

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Mnangagwa ally sponsors protégés
to block takeover of Redwing Mine

BRENNA MATENDERE

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnan- the hands of its shareholders Red- tions and deployment of rag-tag pany out of Redwing, but through to Fidelity Printers. Undeclared
gagwa’s ally Pedzisayi "Scott" wing Mine will go under and all illegal miners from Kwekwe and his connections he held on until tax remittances to local authori-
Sakupwanya has been fingered stakeholders including its employ- Shurugwi commonly known as last month’s Supreme Court rul- ties such as Mutasa Rural District
as the person sponsoring three ees will lose out. "mashurugwi". ing that sacked his company.” Council, National Social Securi-
workers at Redwing Gold Mine in ty Authority (Nssa), Chamber of
Penhalonga who filed High Court “The shareholders of the first During the protests, the work- “There was general jubila- Mines, and Zimbabwe Revenue
papers opposing a Supreme Court respondent either have no capac- ers openly shouted that they want- tion among workers that Better- Authority (Zimra) to name but
ruling that handed the plant back ity or interest or both, to revive its ed Metallon back and Sakupwan- brands had been stopped so we just a few.”
to the former owners, the British fortunes. ya’s company out of Penhalonga. are shocked with the High Court
company Metallon Corporation application seeking return of the In its operations at Redwing,
fronted in Zimbabwe by South “Before the placement of the Through the Associated Mine rescue operations,” said a highly BetterBrands set up mining syn-
African business magnate Mzi company on corporate rescue in Workers' Union (AMWU), the placed employee of Betterbrands. dicates to exploit shallow open
Khumalo. 2020, the company owed me US$6 employees in the past submitted pits (free digging) targeting reef
000 in salary arrears. During the a petition at the Labour ministry In January last year, Mutare civ- outcrops across the 1 254 hectares
The mine, located in Mani- period when the company was on complaining about Sakupwan- il society organisations  released a of Redwing concession without
caland province about 20 kilo- corporate rescue, the salary arrears ya’s operations and demanding damning Press statement flagging undertaking an environmental
metres northeast of the city of accumulated by RTGs 1.9 million the company’s exit from Redwing Betterbrands for its operations at impact assessment (EIA) process.
Mutare and 265 kilometres south- and US$3 000. The company was Mine. Redwing Mine.
east of Harare, was placed under unable to pay me the RTGS com- Section 97 of the Environ-
judicial management in July 2020 ponent for the entire 25 months A source at Redwing said the Part of the statement read: mental Management Act (Ema)
whereupon Betterbrands compa- that the entire company was on three workers who were calling “That for the past 10 months oblige mining companies to un-
ny, owned by Sakupwanya, was corporate rescue.” for the return to rescue operations PRA open pits mining activi- dertake an EIA and apply for an
brought in to control operations were not speaking in the interests ties at Redwing have extensively EIA certificate to Ema before the
under a rescue plan. In sharp contrast, on 3 Febru- of the other 700. damaged the environment and commencement of mining activ-
ary this year, over 200 workers at increased the vulnerability of the ities. Redwing Mining Company
The rescue plan operation was Redwing “Workers fear to come out open- community to landslides, flood- (RMC) only has a valid environ-
initially led by judicial manager ly, but it’s an open secret here at ing, and hazardous contamination mental management plan (EMP)
Cecil Madondo but were taken Mine marched at the plant in Redwing that Sakupwanya spon- of water among other environ- for underground mining.
over by David Hofisi after the for- protest over continued operations sored that High Court application mental concerns.”
mer was suspended for embezzling of Sakupwanya’s Better Brands by the three workers. A general “Mining operations were also Repeated efforts to contact
the gold proceedings. Company, saying it had brought creditors' resolution passed on 9 dominated by issues of mineral Sakupwanya for a comment did
untold suffering to their families September 2021 voted for the leakages, undeclared mineral sales not succeed.
Redwing Mine, once famous through worse working condi- kicking out of Sakupwanya’s com-
for producing huge quantities of
gold every year worth millions
of dollars, last month went back
to Khumalo’s stable which also
owns How Mine, Shamva Mine,
Mazowe Mine and Arcturus Mine
after the Supreme Court set aside
the rescue proceedings, citing le-
gal technicalities.

However, The NewsHawks this
week learnt that Sakupwanya had
sponsored three workers at the
mine to approach the High Court
with an application for a ruling
that would bring back the rescue
operations which were controlled
by the Affirmative Action Group
leader’s Betterbrands Jewellery
company.

In the matter that is under case
number HC250/2022 at the High
Court, Peter Zheke, Victor Ziva-
nai and Peter Chirakaraka argue
that the company must be placed
back into corporate rescue under
Hofisi so that they are paid their
outstanding salaries.

The three also argue that under
the former owners Metallon who
operated Redwing Mine, there
will be no prospects that the out-
standing salaries of workers will be
paid in a reasonable period of six
months.

Redwing company is cited as
first respondent while the Master
of the High Court and Registrar
of Companies are cited as second
and third respondents.

In his submissions in the court
papers, Zheke argues:

“The company (Redwing) is
failing to pay its debts as contem-
plated is Section 121 (f ) (i) of the
Insovency Act such that if left in

Page 6 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

BRENNA MATENDERE The PAC, in its memorandum to
Chokuda, also questioned why in
Fresh details emergeFRESH details have emerged on al- 2020 Parliament administration de-
layed in banking US$16 062 by a
leged financial mismanagement by period ranging from 60 to 135 days,
Parliament's administration, with the on Parliament rot contrary to section 48 (3) of the Pub-
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) lic Finance Management (Treasury
demanding answers from the Finance Instructions) which stipulates that
ministry and the Procurement Regu- money be deposited daily in the local
latory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz). bank for the credit of the Exchequer
The development comes as the account.
nation is in the grip of a scandal in
which clerk of Parliament Kennedy Section 46 (11) of the Public Fi-
Chokuda and his team had agreed nance Management (Treasury In-
to a tender for the supply of laptops structions) of 2019 requires sepa-
at US$9 000 each, yet on the mar- rate officials at public institutions
ket the same gadgets cost just under to perform receipting and banking
US$1 300. functions, but in the period 2019
Parliament finally cancelled a ten- and 2020 it was discovered that at
der it awarded to a shadowy com- Parliament these duties were being
pany, Blinart Investments (Private) undertaken by only one person, in
Limited, which was blacklisted re- yet another development unsettling
cently over the discredited US$1.6 the PAC.
million laptop supply deal.
Secretary for Finance and Eco- The committee, in its memoran-
nomic Development George Gu- dum, also demanded answers on the
vamatanga had previously released distribution of 11 400 litres of fuel
a damning report, saying Treasury and 11 200 litres of petrol supposedly
had rejected the tender awarded to given to MPs in 2020 after it emerged
Blinart Investments by Parliament that Parliament’s records were not
for the supply of 173 laptops priced indicating the serial numbers of the
at US$9264.48 each, translating to coupons and the dates when the fuel
US$1 602 755.77. coupons were issued, contrary to sec-
The NewsHawks this week gath- tion 104 (1) of the Public Finance
ered that Parliament’s PAC led by Management (Treasury Instructions)
Gweru Urban MP Brian Dube had of 2019.
unearthed more cases of maladminis-
tration of public funds by Parliament A review of the MPs' fuel register
between 2019 and 2020. revealed that 22 020 litres (3 760
In a consolidated memorandum petrol and 18 260 diesel) coupons
by the committee dated 20 Septem- distributed in March, June, October
ber 2022 addressed to Chokuda as and November 2020 had incomplete
Parliament's head of administration serial numbers recorded, which again
and obtained by The NewsHawks, raises eyebrows and suspicion of
the PAC expressed concern that the abuse of the facility.
2019 and 2020 financial books of the
House were in a shambles. In an interview with The New-
On reconciliation of expenditures sHawks, PAC chairperson Dube
by Parliament, the PAC noted that confirmed that the committee had
there was a total amount of ZW$47 sent the memorandum to the clerk
million which had not been account- of Parliament with the consolidated
ed for. questions and received oral answers
Part of the memorandum by the on 26 and 27 September just before
PAC reads: the issue of laptops was discussed at
“In 2019 auditors noted that there the committee’s hearing attended by
were variances in expenditure fig- Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda. Chokuda.

ures disclosed in the Sub-Paymaster “There was no evidence of exis- dit contrary to the requirement of June 2018 requested directors of fi- “The responses from Parliament
General’s Account (Sub-PMG) and tence of a control system that ensures Treasury Circular Number (2) of nance of line ministries to perform administration were generally agree-
the funds management report in the timely investigation and resolution of 2021.” monthly reconciliations of billed ing that the observations we made
Public Finance Management System the variances by relevant officials.” “At the time of audit in June 2021, amounts by the SSB against em- were correct and they were working
(PFMS).” The PAC also flagged Chokuda Sub-PMG’s Account monthly rec- ployment cost expenditure shown in on improving systems…
“The PFMS report had a total and his team over Parliament's 2020 onciliations statements for the 2020 PFMS ledgers.
expenditure of ZW$220 572 947 financial books. financial year had not been pre- However, Dube’s committee ques- They also bemoaned the Treasury’s
“In 2020, the Sub-Paymaster Gen- pared. This was in violation of Sec- tioned in its memorandum why there delay in giving concurrency for Par-
whilst the Sub-PMG had total expen- liament to beef up its staff as their
diture of ZW$173 515 670 resulting eral (PMG)’s Account Reconciliation tion (61) (1) of the Public Finance was no evidence in Parliament’s re- finance and audit units are seriously
in a variance of ZW$47 057 275.” statement was not submitted for au- Management (Treasury Instructions), cords showing that monthly recon- understaffed,” said MP Dube.
2019 which requires the Director of ciliations were being done in 2019 in
Finance to submit to the Accoun- line with the Treasury circular. Asked if the PAC was satisfied with
tant-General each month, a reconcil- The NewsHawks also gathered that the responses, MP Dube said:
iation, covering the previous month’s the same problem of non-reconcili-
transactions.” ation of funds persisted in 2020, re- “We don’t make recommendations
The PAC also discovered that sulting in a variance of ZW$13 585 without completing enquiries. We
there were discrepancies in the salary 737 between SSB records for com- are yet to invite Praz and ministry of
schedules of Parliament amounting pensation of employee costs and the Finance as well as some of the sup-
to over ZW$1 million in 2019. PFMS ledgers. The SSB records had pliers.”
The committee noted that in a total of ZW$176 398 034 while
2019, the Salary Services Bureau PFMS ledgers had a total amount of MP Dube would not shed light
(SSB) records for employment costs ZW$162 812 297. on whether his committee will rec-
at Parliament had a total of ZW$29 The PAC is also questioning revela- ommend disciplinary action against
762 918 while the Public Financial tions that a total of ZW$15 347 443 Parliament's administrators should
Management System (PFMS) ledgers (US$613 893) direct payments were investigations confirm the misappro-
at Parliament had a total amount of made on behalf of Parliament by the priation of public funds.
ZW$27 967 054, resulting in a vari- ministry of Finance and Economic
ance of ZW$1 795 864 that was not Development but were not disclosed “We do not need to speculate very
reconciled. in the House’s appropriation account far. It’s prejudicial to the ongoing
The development meant that the for the year 2020. process,” said the Gweru Urban MP.
money released by the government Another shocking revelation by the
through the SSB for Parliament's sal- PAC was that 34 documents, being Contacted for comment, Chokuda
aries exceeded what the House had hard-copy payment vouchers with said it would be premature for him
recorded in its actual financial books. a value of ZW$14 220 243, are no- to respond to allegations of financial
Blinart Investments chief executive Elizabeth Muchenje. Treasury circular B/1/88 dated 5 where to be found at Parliament. misappropriation by Parliament's
administration before the PAC con-
cludes its investigation and produces
a report spelling out the findings.

"These issues were responded to at
PAC and we await their report on the
matter. It would be improper for me
to comment further," he said.

NewsHawks News Page 7

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Govt raids Disabled People’s Fund

NATHAN GUMA could negatively affect fulfilment of most of which date as far back as Auditor-General Mildred Chiri. A family of five requires at least
the fund’s mandate of promoting the 2015, according to the report. which is in contravention of section ZW$27 000 for them not be deemed
THE Ministry of Public Service, welfare of disabled persons. 59 (17) of the Public Finance Man- poor, according to latest figures by
Labour and Social Welfare has been “The Ministry has had problems in agement Act. the Zimbabwe National Statistics
raiding the Disabled People’s Fund “The Ministry should seek prior encouraging beneficiaries under this Agency (ZimStat).
without Treasury’s knowledge, there- Treasury authority to utilise money facility to repay the loans that would Effects of the fund’s gross misman-
by prejudicing people living with dis- from a Statutory Fund as required by have been made to them for small agement are being felt by people with Organisations representing people
ability (PWDs), The NewsHawks has regulations. The Ministry should re- income-generating projects meant to disabilities, who have been receiving with disabilities (OPD) say little is
learnt.   imburse all funds that were paid for empower them,” Chiri said. paltry allowances from the Depart- being done to cushion the vulnerable
and on behalf of the Parent ment of Social Welfare. using the disability fund.   
Many PWDs are vulnerable and The fund also disclosed an amount
have over the years failed to receive Ministry by the Fund,” she said. of ZW$102 772 as sundry receiv- The NewsHawks gathered in a sur- “As far as I know, they are getting
assistance from the government The fund is also yet to recover ables arising from dual payments to vey that the ministry has been giving this ZW$3 000 and it is erratic. It
through the Social Welfare Depart- ZW$109 647 which was extended institutions and erroneous payments people with disabilities grants rang- may come this month, and maybe
ment owing to a lack of resources, to beneficiaries in the form of loans, made from the fund’s bank account, ing between ZW$1 500 and ZW$3 come again after some five months
among other factors. 000 after every three months. or so. Around some three or four
months ago, they got around ZW$11
The fund was established to pro- 000 which was some kind of a back-
mote the welfare of disabled persons pay,” said Ishmael Zhou, chairperson
by providing financial resources for of the National Association of Societ-
rehabilitation, training and engaging ies for the Care of the Handicapped
in income-generating and employ- (Nascoh).
ment creation projects.
The umbrella organisation rep-
Findings by Auditor-General Mil- resents over 70 groupings that repre-
dred Chiri in her Appropriation Ac- sent people with disabilities, includ-
counts, Finance and Revenue State- ing Jairos Jiri, Zimcare Trust, Council
ments and Fund Accounts for the for the Blind and Autism Zimbabwe,
year ended 31 December 2021, show among other prominent organisa-
that the Disabled People’s Fund made tions.
payments on behalf of the ministry
amounting to ZW$181 391 in 2019, “I think the last time, they got
an amount that has not yet been re- ZW$1 500. Some got that amount,
imbursed. and some got ZW$4 000 last year
in December. From January to early
“It is acknowledged that at the time June, that was when they got ZW$7
of audit, the sum of ZW$181 391 500. That was after going for about
was outstanding arising from advanc- six months without pay. It is money
es which had been made to the parent that is able to buy them a loaf or two.
ministry. Prior Treasury authority had
not been sought. The Ministry shall “In fact, we cannot say there is
endeavour to desist from borrowing much social protection,” Zhou said.
from the Statutory Funds and all the
amounts that have been borrowed “The legislation is there … but it is
shall be reimbursed before close of just not working. You can imagine –
the 2022 financial year,” Chiri said. it was going to be better if the money
was going to be coming every month.
“There was no evidence that Trea- These people need to pay rentals, they
sury authority had been sought as have children and need at least three
outlined by Section 116 (9) of the meals per day.
Public Finance Management (Trea-
sury Instructions), 2019 that the ac- “Disability fund, they are also say-
counting authority should seek Trea- ing that now they want to transfer
sury authority before utilising funds the fund so they can deal with small
from statutory fund accounts for projects in line with the National De-
funding the Appropriation Account,” velopment Strategy (NDS), so that
she said. NDS will administer and charge at
least five percent per annum for han-
Chiri said utilisation of the Fund`s dling the money to clients. It is still
resources for unbudgeted purposes in the pipeline. It has not started yet,”
Zhou said.

Page 8 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Bikita RDC in another corruption storm

MORRIS BISHI

BIKITA Rural District Council council offices on Monday to investi- Mark Mutengani told The News- engaging it to run council affairs as a en. We are surprised; are they immune
(BRDC) is under fire from residents gate the issue," said Masakadze. Hawks that Bikita is in the hands of private company. This is totally unac- to the law? We pray for sanity at our
after the local authority engaged a a corrupt cartel which is hampering ceptable,  dubious and corruption at council as corruption and looting is
private company owned by its chief Efforts to get a comment from Chi- the development of the district. He its highest level. How can employees taking centre stage," said Mutengani.
executive officer Peter Chibi and the bi were fruitless as he was not reach- said it is worrying that employees can form a company to run affairs of their
head of finance department to run able on mobile phone throughout the form a company to run the affairs of employer?" BIRRA together with other res-
two commercial entities and enforce week. their employer without consulting idents and business associations in
traffic by-laws at Nyika Growth Point residents. "More so, residents were never Bikita petitioned Parliament over the
on behalf of the local authority. Investigations by The NewsHawks consulted in the whole process. It's procurement of expensive vehicles
revealed that the company, which is "We wrote a letter to the relevant long overdue for a wake-up call to which were privately registered but
The development came a few days now operational, does not have an authority, calling for the termination our council employees. Just this year Parliament as well as other corruption
after council terminated the contracts office. Information about its banking of the unholy contract issued to Biki- alone, our council was involved in a watchdogs are yet to respond, raising
of 25 workers amid reports that the details and payments received so far is ta Hanyanya. We are worried as resi- vehicle scandal, borehole scandal, just fears that there might be a strong po-
local authority is in financial dire not clear. dents to note that two council bosses mention a few, and we are worried litical hand behind corrupt deals in
straits. Bikita recently acquired top- formed a company for the purpose of that no concrete  action has been tak- Bikita.
of-the-range vehicles for its executives Bikita Residents and Ratepayers
at a total cost of US$380 000. Association (BIRRA) spokesperson

According to a certificate of in-
corporation in the possession of The
NewsHawks, Bikita Hanyanya Invest-
ments (Private) Limited, which was
registered on 3 June 2021, has two
directors, namely Chibi and Never
Mavhuna, with each owning 50%
shareholding.

A special Human Resources and
Gender Committee meeting held on
30 May 2022 resolved that the private
company commence operations, with
employees enforcing traffic by-laws.
It also resolved that employees in the
security, cleaning and income-gen-
erating projects be transferred to the
company after working out their exit
packages and counselling the affected
employees on the implications of the
transfer.

The private company will also run
council's two entities, namely Pam-
budzi Lodge and a conservancy in the
Save Valley, on behalf of council.

Council chairperson Benjamin Ma-
sakadze told The NewsHawks that the
idea of forming the company came
through a council resolution but it
was not agreed to register the compa-
ny in Chibi and Mavhuna's individu-
al names. He promised to investigate
the issue, saying he is yet to see the
company’s registration certificates.

"We agreed as council to form a
private company as a way of gener-
ating and saving money for our local
authority. We resolved not to register
that company in individual names,
but l am hearing that it now belongs
to individuals. I am going to the

MORRIS BISHI Community leaders arrested as within the communities, but consulta-
Chilonga resistance intensifies tions are still ongoing and we hope all
EIGHT community leaders from parties will find a common position,"
Chilonga area were briefly detained at Staff from the Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development (MAC- security sources telling The NewsHawks said Chisema.
Chiredzi Police Station on Thursday RAD Trust) consult with members of the Chilonga community in Chiredzi. that investigations are still incomplete.
after continuously resisting the estab- © 2021 MACRAD Trust. Masvingo Centre for Research Ad-
lishment of lucerne plantations on their Chiredzi district development co- vocacy and Community Development
ancestral land. ordinator Lovemore Chisema told The (MACRAD) programmes manager
NewsHawks that he was not aware of Ephraim Mthombeni said the govern-
Lucerne products were torched at the arrest of the community leaders, but ment should find effective grievance
Chibwedziva business centre last Fri- said he was aware that a room where handling mechanisms so that the au-
day as the villagers intensify tgeif op- lucerne was stored at Chibwedziva was thorities and the effected Chilonga
position to the envisaged displacement. set on fire last Friday. He said police are community can communicate freely
investigating the matter, with the latest instead of resorting to intimidation and
Kwekwe-based dairy company Den- incident showing that resistance within arrests.
dairy sponsored selected community the community is escalating.
members to tour similar projects in "The indigenous Shangaan people
Lupane and they later brought harvest- "I am not aware of the arrest of peo- are not against any development in
ed lucerne for the community leaders ple, maybe it is because l was not in the their area. They need enough informa-
to feed their cattle, but it was set alight office. What l know is that there was tion about the whole project, which
in the middle of the night at the Vet- fire sometime last Friday at a veterenary is proving to be difficult. The govern-
erinary Services offices at Chibwedziva building where lucerne products were ment and local authority should decide 
where it was stored. being stored before distribution to the effective grievance redress and feedback
people. It shows the level of resistance mechanisms to allow communication
Among those picked up by the po- between government officials and the
lice were Chigombe Ganyani, Giresha- affected community. Intimidation and
mu Marhilele, Petro John, Macholoti petty arrests can't solve anything. The
Funny, Chandinofira Gezani, Abraham government and the investor should be
Hasani and Dickson Vhelemu. They sober and respect the supreme law of
were questioned at the police Law and land," said Mthombeni.
Order section and later released, with

NewsHawks News Page 9

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

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Page 10 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

NATHAN GUMA Advocate Thabani Mpofu employment. I 'acquitted' the
denies bribery allegation complainant.
TOP advocate Thabani Mpofu
has once again written to the Advocate Thabani Mpofu. “It is, therefore, not correct
Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) that the complainant lost his
refuting allegations raised by Jo- ployee. “I was obviously paid … for which he said can be confirmed employment by reason of any
seph Crnkovic, a former finance “That as a result of my dis- the inquiry I conducted. I had by Dallagio. partial discharge of function
officer for Chegutu-based min- to be paid by Dallagio because on my part. In fact, if he does
ing company Dallagio Invest- charge of function, and having it was its inquiry and work that He attached his report follow- not agree with my findings, he
ments. exercised such function with I had to undertake. I could not ing the inquiry. must challenge them. The clear
partiality, Crknovic lost his em- have been expected to conduct position, however, is that he has
Crnkovic says Mpofu received ployment with Dallagio. That I an inquiry for free. In fact, “It is apparent that: I acquit- nothing to challenge.
a bribe to conceal racism al- am now representing some hu- whenever I have conducted in- ted the complainant on the alle-
legations levelled against the man rights violators who have quiries or disciplinary hearings, gations he was facing. I stand by “I have since ascertained from
company and its chief executive been violating Crnkovic’s rights, I have been paid by the employ- his acquittal,” Mpofu wrote. Dallagio that it parted ways with
Michael Fowler leading to his and that I have improperly re- er party. That is how it works. the complainant for reasons that
dismissal. fused to meet Crnkovic. “Regarding the high staff had nothing to do with the in-
“I also wish to point out to turnover, I found that at least quiry. I challenge him to prove
However, Mpofu insisted he “I deny these allegations the absurdity of the allegation one person had been unfairly his contrary assertion.”
only got paid for presiding over which are in my view nonsen- that I, a private individual, act- dismissed. The person who had
the inquiry that heard the rac- sical and I respond to them in ing in my own capacity as a pro- dismissed that individual placed During his tenure as finan-
ism allegations. the manner set out below,” said fessional, could be bribed by an- evidence before me admitting to cial officer, Crnkovic said he
Mpofu in his latest letter seen by other private party. That simply having dismissed the individual received an email from Zweli
The advocate has been in- The NewsHawks. does not make legal sense,” the concerned and I saddled him Lunga,a partner in Promethio-
volved in a wrangle with Crn- letter read. with the consequences of his us Law/Lunga — Dallagio’s le-
kovic who was co-accused with Mpofu said he was instead confession. gal representative — requesting
Fowler in a racism scandal in- paid — not bribed, by Dallagio Mpofu also said he has not him to pay US$5 000 to the law
volving Dallagio workers. for the services he rendered in been responsible for the dismiss- “Whilst I made various rec- firm for onward transmission to
heading the inquiry that looked al of Crnkovic who was sacked ommendations on the human Mpofu, which he alleges was a
In February 2020, the duo into the human rights abuse al- after the inquiry since he exon- resources position in the compa- bribe for exonerating the prima-
was reported to the Zimbabwe legations levelled against Crn- erated him during the hearings, ny, my findings speak for them- ry accused suspect, Fowler.
Human Rights Commission kovic and Fowler. selves and it is false that I caused
(ZHRC) by Norton Indepen- the loss of the complainant’s Mpofu also accused Crnkovic
dent legislator Temba Mliswa, of interfering with his attorney
who had received racism and work. Crnkovic alleged that the
emotional abuse reports from the primary accuser in the racism
company’s employees, leading to case, Mliswa, was his client, in
the institution of a fact-finding an email to Mpofu — which the
independent inquiry headed by latter denies.
Mpofu.
“The allegation that Temba
Crnkovic has been alleging Mliswa is my client is nonsen-
that Mpofu received a US$5 000 sical,” Mpofu said. “I have ob-
bribe from Dallagio Investments viously represented Hon Mliswa
to exonerate Fowler, and that he just as I have represented thou-
has solely targeted him in the sands of other Zimbabweans.
tribunal that led to his dismissal. That however, does not make
him 'my client'. I am counsel.
“For what did you receive the
payment of US$5 000 . . . that “Besides, the allegations
was agreed personally between against the complainant were
yourself and Mr Hossack with made by Hon Mliswa. How
the payment administered by then does my knowledge of Hon
myself. On appearance it would Mliswa come into my acquittal
seem this payment was a finan- of the complainant?”
cial inducement to yourself to
ignore the allegation against the Mpofu said the allegations
primary accused to protect him against him have nothing to do
and allow blame to be shifted with the inquiry he headed in
only to me,” Crnkovic said in an 2020, but with the dispute in
email to Mpofu, that was copied respect of which the Crnkovic is
to the UK Legal Council, Zim- trying to compromise him.
babwe Legal Council and Croa-
tian Consul. In 2021, conflict ensued be-
tween Crnkovic and other share-
Mpofu responded, saying holders who were trying to buy
that he was facing extortionate him by offering him shares in an
means by Crnkovic, as reported extension of Glen Forest ceme-
by The NewsHawks last week. tery.

This refers to any conduct Crnkovic refused, rather opt-
that involves the use, or an ex- ing that the land be reserved for
press or implicit threat of use, residential accommodation and
of violence or other criminal agriculture.
means to cause harm to the per-
son or property of the debtor or Mpofu went on to represent
any member of his family. Candrina Investments, a compa-
ny that owns Glen Forest Cem-
In his latest letter dated 4 Oc- etery, to the disdain of Crnkovic
tober 2022 to the LSZ, Mpofu who expressed displeasure in an
also said the allegations being email.
raised against him were not
clear. “Why are you representing
Mr. (Fungai) Mparadzi and his
“Regrettably, the allegations associates when they have a his-
made against me are not easy tory of human and constitution-
to understand. They however, al rights violations against me?
seem to be the following: That I
was bribed by Dallagio in order At present I am defending at
to turn a blind eye to the alle- constitutional a criminal charge
gations made against its Mike pressed against me by Mr.
Fowler and to concentrate in- Mparadzi in his personal capaci-
stead on the allegations made ty, whilst you represent him and
against Crnkovic, a junior em- his close associates as advocate,
against the 100 UK shareholders
I represent,” he wrote.

NewsHawks News Page 11

Issue 101, 7 October 2022 Mnangagwa son-in-law
appoints AMH board rep
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangag-
wa’s son-in-law, Gerald Mlotshwa, Trevor Ncube. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa. any shareholding or structural changes
who recently acquired shares in Alpha wa and the coup-plotters he initial- in the company. But it has not done
Media Holdings (AMH), publishers ly cheered in March when he made statement obfuscates matters. place democracy, AMH has a legal ob- that yet except dropping hints here and
of NewsDay, The Zimbabwe Indepen- public his resignation during his sour In terms of labour laws and work- ligation to inform its works council of there, as it does in the statement, fuel-
dent and The Standard, has appointed grapes address at the BizNews Confer- ling confusion.
a board representative in the publishing ence in the Drakensberg, South Africa.
company as he consolidates his posi- The statement is more concerned
tion. In a statement, AMH said it had about reassuring the market and read-
brought in new shareholders through a ers that AMH's editorial independence
Mlotshwa – a prominent lawyer private placement. would not be compromised by the
married to the Zanu PF leader’s daugh- shareholder changes or Mlotshwa's
ter Farai – has appointed Brenda Ka- AMH acknowledged this without presence.
moto from his law firm Titan Law into naming the new shareholders via a
the AMH board. public statement by its Editorial Ad- It says its Public Ombudsman and
visory Board chairperson Muchadeyi the Editorial Advisory Board will pro-
AMH, which is controlled by pub- Masunda. While claiming inaccuracies tect editorial independence.
lisher Trevor Ncube, released a state- in media reports, the statement does
ment on Thursday confirming share- not provide meaningful information However, as the situation during
holder changes, but did not mention beyond pontificating and obfuscation. the coup showed, Ncube is ready to
the prominent lawyer by name. brazenly interfere and crudely manipu-
AMH said a private placement had late the editorial in pursuit of his usual
Mlotshwa first got involved with "brought in minority shareholders into dead-end politics that always lead him
AMH in 2019 when he sponsored the business". But AMH failed to ac- down a cul-de-sac or a political blind
Ncube’s talk show, In Conversation knowledge Mlotshwa as a new share- alley; inevitably ending in tears.
With Trevor — which is supposed to holder. Ncube has told senior staff that
be a series of candid and insightful en- AMH chief executive Kenias Mafukid- Mlotshwa came after buying the
gagements. ze now has 26% of shares. New York-based Media Develop-
ment Investment Fund's 39%. The
The interviews are however now However, Mafukidze told The New- statement implies the 39% is shared
only distinguished for avoiding taking sHawks last week he is not a "princi- between minority shareholders, not
on Mnangagwa or asking him serious pal" or shareholder, referring questions Mlotshwa alone. This is different from
questions and other important issues to Ncube and Mlotshwa, the equity what Mafukidze and Mlotshwa say,
about the corrupt and incompetent stake holders in the company. meaning there is no transparency in the
executive. deal. — STAFF WRITER.
This raised two narratives and eye-
After The NewsHawks reported the brows. Instead of clarifying issues, the
shareholder changes last week, which
AMH was keeping under wraps, there
was debate on whether the company’s
editorial policy would change or re-
main the same, at a time private media
organisations are being captured by the
state.

Senior staff at AMH however said
editorial changes would be subtle such
that discerning readers may not see
them.

“If there are any changes, it may be
limited to the media house failing to
hold Mnangagwa and his family to ac-
count, while remaining robust when it
comes to ministers, government minis-
tries and other senior government offi-
cials. Even as things stand now, it’s rare
to find articles criticising Mnangagwa
and his family,” a senior journalist at
AMH said.

This was the editorial approach of
The Financial Gazette during the late
former president Robert Mugabe’s twi-
light years.

With Mlotshwa now formally in-
volved as a shareholder, it would be
even more difficult for AMH to crit-
icise Mnangagwa or expose his short-
comings — meaning it would be hard
to break the chains of media capture.

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

These include taking over regulatory
control, state-owned media operations,
public advertising/marketing, and po-
litically linked ownership of private
media.

These manoeuvres have left the in-
dependent media more vulnerable to
being undermined by both powerful
external actors and decision-making
structures or individuals within media
organisations. Before Ncube quit over
a year ago in exasperation after jump-
ing onto the 2017 military coup gravy
train with intolerant exuberance, he
could not criticise Mnangagwa as he
was one of his Presidential Advisory
Council members, which has now all
but collapsed.

Ncube only attacked Mnangag-

Page 12 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Rural teachers' union petitions
Mnangagwa over New York 'lie'

BRENNA MATENDERE Amalgamated Rural Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe Obert Masaraure. 2018 to a gross income of US$297
when Covid-19 allowances are fac-
A RURAL teachers' union has ac- York speech at the TES summit. governments to spend at least 4 to could have been ZW$84.3 billion. tored in.
cused President Emmerson Mnan- “You (Mnangagwa) made it 6% of national gross domestic prod- The ZW$55.2 billion amounted to
gagwa of misleading the world at the uct towards education. 13.09% of annual national budget. “These teachers are failing to make
United Nations General Assemble known to the world that education The ZW$55.2 billion translated to it to the classroom and when they are
summit in New York. in Zimbabwe is highly accessible be- “Nominal GDP for 2021 was at US$674 million using 2021 rates. in the classroom they are not giving
cause of adequate funding with gov- ZW$2.3 trillion, (about US$29.3 This was a big drop from US$1.162 much because they are demoralised.
Mnangagwa told the UN gather- ernment spending 6% of gross do- billion), 4% would be ZW$95.9 bil- billion allocated in 2019, US$905 Your excellence US$540 was a prod-
ing that Zimbabwe was adequately mestic product on education and you lion while 6% will be ZW$143.9 bil- million 2018 and US$803 million in uct of collective bargaining but your
funding the education sector in line further pledged free basic education lion. The 2021 budget for education 2017,” reads part of the petition. government reversed a collective bar-
with dictates of the United Nations in 2023,” the teachers wrote. was ZW$55.2 billion which signifies gaining agreement,” reads the peti-
Educational, Scientific and Cultural 2.3% of 2021 national GDP.” The rural teachers further in- tion.
Organisation (Unesco). “Unfortunately your statement formed Mnangagwa that the under-
contradicts the factual reality on the The teachers said both the Dakar funding of the education sector has “That was illegal and cruel on the
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers' ground. We bring to your attention Declaration and Incheon Declaration led to multiple crises in the educa- teachers who work hard to serve our
Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) has writ- the following figures, looking at the mandate signatory states to allocate tion sector as well as incapacitation great country. Numeracy rates and
ten to Mnangagwa imploring him to 2021 budget: The Incheon Declara- 20% of national budget towards ed- of the educators whose salaries have literacy rates are resultantly drop-
bring to reality the conditions he said tion for Education (2015) to which ucation. dropped from US$540 in October ping as acknowledged in the NDS
existed in the education sector. Zimbabwe is a signatory, mandates 1 [National Development Strategy].
“The 2021 budget for education These teachers are not being afford-
The petition was presented ed a chance to engage in continuous
to Mnangagwa’s Chief Secretary learning since study leave is not paid.
Misheck Sibanda at his Munhumu-
tapa offices in Harare on Thursday. “Learners are dropping out from
A copy seen by The NewsHawks also our schools because they can no lon-
features date stamps of other arms of ger afford to pay for education. The
government that were copied. NDS 1 strategy notes that our educa-
tion is now heavily relying on fund-
These are the Parliament of Zim- ing from parents. This is at a time
babwe, ministry of Finance and Eco- when over 80% of the parents live in
nomic Development, ministry of poverty.”
Primary and Secondary Education as
well as the Public Service Commis- As a solution, the teachers want
sion. Mnangagwa to reinstate pre-Octo-
ber 2018 salaries of US$540, devolve
Obert Masaraure, the Artuz presi- management of education, address
dent, confirmed the development. curriculum deficits and skills devel-
opment for the country’s educators,
“The President of the Republic of promote labour justice and invest
Zimbabwe misinformed a gathering heavily in technology and infrastruc-
at Transforming Education Summit ture in schools.
on the 19th September. He claimed
that government is meeting the Un- The confrontation between Mnan-
esco threshold of 6% of GDP [gross gagwa and rural teachers came bare-
domestic product]. This is at a time ly a day after the country joined the
when only 2.3% was allocated to the international community in celebrat-
education sector in 2021,” Masaraure ing the World Teachers' Day whose
said. theme this year was: “The transfor-
mation of education begins with
“This angered the teachers who are teachers.” The days is celebrated on 5
enduring the impact of underfund- October every year.
ing. Both learners and teachers are in-
capacitated, but the President had the In the past, teachers in Zimbabwe
audacity to lie to the world. Teachers have held protests in the form of
are now asking the President to align strike actions like sit-ins, stayaways
what he said at the TES summit with and picketing to push for implemen-
the reality on the ground.” tation of demands they raise in their
petition.
In the petition, the teachers took
Mnangagwa to task over his New

BRENNA MATENDERE Mwonzora joins Polad useless for him to join it since he in-
ing party leader to stitch a Govern- sists the 2018 elections were rigged.
MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora. ment of National Unity (GNU),
yesterday joined the Political Actors but he was snubbed, leaving him In October last year, MDC-T
Dialogue (Polad) plartform created with no option but to join Polad. founding member Amos Kaliati
by President Emmerson Mnangag- wrote to Justice ministry secretary
wa in 2018 and will now be enti- Mwonzora touts himself as an Virginia Mabhiza, who is the coor-
tled to benefits that are enjoyed by exponent of what he calls “rational dinator of Polad, seeking to block
fringe party leaders such as an off- disputation”, which has been his Mwonzora from joining the group-
road vehicle and allowances. mantra in pushing for political di- ing before determination of a High
alogue but his effort has in the past Court application he filed challeng-
He attended his first meeting in hit a snag, compounded by his dis- ing the legitimacy of the party’s
Harare yesterday in which Mnan- mal performance in by-elections in 2021 congress.
gagwa officially welcomed him onto which his party members garnered
the gravy train. zero votes at some polling stations. Mwonzora and the MDC-T
spokesperson Witness Dube did
Mwonzora, who out-foxed Citizens' Coalition for Change not answer calls or respond to mes-
former deputy prime minister (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has sages. Ibbo Mandaza, an academic
Thokozani Khupe in the contro- refused to join the Polad platform, and seasoned political analyst, said
versial party congress held last year, saying it is a discredited grouping of Mwonzora had done what he was
had previously vowed never to join Mnangagwa’s lackeys who kowtow always expected to do for long, giv-
Polad. with official thinking, making it en the political dynamics unfolding
in the country.
He tried to push for dialogue
with Mnangagwa outside the plat- “It is not surprising. It was pre-
form in order to influence the rul- dictable,” he said.

NewsHawks News Page 13

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Judicial capture is real: Haruzivishe

RUVIMBO MUCHENJE

SELF-EXILED opposition Citi- CCC activist Makomborero Haruzivishe (in blue mask).
zens' Coalition for Change activist
Makomborero Haruzivishe has de- into submission, be cleared?” he resisted arrest, but he claims there the use of law is weaponised to deal demic, when we were supposed to
scribed his recent acquittal by the asked. was no way that he would have with dissent,” Haruzivishe said. do social distancing, we could not
High Court on charges of inciting resisted armed officers who were do it. We were 1 000, so clearly was
public violence and resisting arrest Haruzivishe said justice should packed in three  trucks. While in prison, Haruzivishe no means for you to practise social
— after spending a year in prison go beyond acquittal. He wants the said he endured tough conditions. distancing and other basic things
— as a confirmation of judicial magistrate to account for wrong “I was accused of inciting public so it was mentally draining.
capture. doing. violence and resisting lawful arrest. “I stayed in the D-class section
It wasn’t even realistic considering where the most dangerous crimi- In April 2021, the Zimbabwe
Haruzivishe, who is now based “What must also be noted in that during the trial police officers nals are kept and I think that was Prisons and Correctional Services
the United Kingdom, was convict- that High Court judgement, is that who were witnesses said they had the first point of torture…There (ZPCS) released 320 prisoners to
ed and sentenced in April 2021 to the judges correctly pointed out over three trucks of anti- riot po- was absolutely no record or any al- decongest prisons.
24 months behind bars at the Ha- that the magistrate tampered with lice. So how could I resist arrest by legations of violence but I was kept
rare magistrates' court, only for the court records and this is proof armed people? if I committed that with the most dangerous criminals. The overcrowding was affecting
the judgement to be overturned 17 of judicial capture. If there is jus- violence and incited that violence I was kept in the D-class section hygiene of cells as toilets were con-
months later by a higher court. tice, that magistrate must also face then I should also have had some where there are murderers, serial stantly blocked.
justice, she must be arrested. Those co accused but it was just me alone, armed robbers and rapists. I was
“The sweet part in the bit- police officers who tortured me the magistrate wanted to knail kept among them and I am sure Although he was exposed to de-
ter-sweet pill is that finally I have must be brought to book and I also me. The justice system was biased you know at some point they tried humanising conditions, his resolve
been absolved by the courts. I have need to be compensated,” he said. against me,” he said. to kill me, strangle me at night,” he remains unshaken.
been cleared and this case as it is it said.
also proved that all my declarations “They must also apologise; the This is Haruzivishe’s second “Jail time, when you know that
in the past that we have a compro- state must apologise to me for ma- conviction to be quashed at the The inmate-on-inmate violence you are innocent, is one of the most
mised justice system and that is licious persecution but they are si- High Court. was rampant, and some clashes painful things. However, this hap-
weaponised against human rights lent. They are actually happy that were even fatal as described by Ha- pening strengthened my resolve.
defenders and pro- democracy ac- I suffered and for them it’s actual- In 2016 he was co-accused with ruzivishe. It made me want to fight harder
tivists. It’s there within the High ly  a message that if you practise the late Patson Dzamara of stealing at national, local, community and
Court order which acquitted me,” your freedom of expression, we a helmet and a baton from police Haruzivishe was in custody even international platforms for for
he said. will come after you; we will pro- officer during the Occupy Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. reforms; the constitutional reforms
cess you using the system; we will Unity Square demonstration and in Zimbabwe. The justice sector
Haruzivishe said there was free- process you and I was processed the duo was handed a 12-month He recalls how Harare Prison needs to be reformed; it needs to
dom to speak in Zimbabwe, but only to be found innocent. It’s just sentence. The conviction was set was not equipped to deal with the be freed from the clutches of the
thereafter you are on your own. painful that actually the system has aside at the High Court. infectious disease. dictators who have captured it,” he
mechanisms to prove me innocent said.
“This is also proof enough that when I am innocent but prove me He said lower courts have been “One more issue which was so
in Zimbabwe there is freedom of guilty when I was innocent so that used to silence people with oppos- painful was how overcrowded we “It needs to be used as an equal-
expression and freedom of speech I suffer as a guilty person I suffer ing views. were in D-class section. We were ising institution to equalise people
but, more critically freedom af- as a criminal only after suffering so over 1 000 at some point and the before the law to ensure that jus-
ter expression and freedom after much to be cleared. “This has been the second ac- D-class section is supposed to tice is delivered and not used as a
speech is a fallacy. There is nothing quittal by the High Court where house 300 inmates, but we were weapon against those who are de-
like that because whilst I exercised Haruzivishe says the state oďt I successfully won my applications over 1 000 at some point and at the manding a better Zimbabwe; not
my right of freedom of expression using the law to curtail freedom of for appeal against these unfair time that I came out they say that as a weapon against human rights
and freedom of speech, I suffered expression and setting him as an judgements by the lower court and they tried to clear out people but defenders; not as a weapon against
and definitely did not have free- example to fellow activists. sentencing by the lower court. Most still the time I got out of Harare those who are speaking out against
dom after exercising my freedom importantly, it proves that there is remand we were 966 or somewhere corruption or those who are speak-
of expression a⁴nd freedom of The state alleged that he had judicial capture in Zimbabwe and there,” he said. ing out against dictatorship.”
speech,” said Haruzivishe.
“…During the Covid-19 pan-
Haruzivishe was arrested at gun-
point by detectives from the Crim-
inal investigations Department’s
Law and Order section in February
2021. He was tortured in custody.

To him the acquittal is welcome
but the torture he experienced at
the hands of the state cannot be
undone.

“..I endured an illegal arrest and
during that illegal arrest I suffered
severe tortured in the hands of the
police. I could not walk, I suffered
a fractured arm, I was beaten, hit
on my knee caps and under the foot
with button sticks and then fists
and booted feet all over the body
indiscriminately. I served jail time
at a time when there was Covid-19
and I seriously got sick in jail spe-
cifically serving this sentence. And
still considering all the years that I
have been going to court being la-
belled a criminal when I am not a
criminal,” he said.

“So after I had endured all this;
after serving; after they intimidated
the people using me as an example
to the people not to exercise their
freedom of expression,   they then
say at the High Court, I am inno-
cent. I am cleared of all the charges
but will I be cleared of the pain
that I suffered? Will the trauma
and the terror that they used my
persecution to intimidate citizens

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Mupasiri breaks the mold in South
Africa – Challenges the extraterritorial
application of a Zimbabwean decree

TICHAONA Mupasiri, a layman, was frustrated when every senior lawyer he approached in both Set out below is what Chinamasa under oath told the court regarding the manner in which the
South Africa and Zimbabwe, refused to be engaged in resolving a number of constitutional ques- control of SMM was divested in broad daylight:
tions that arose from the issuance of an extra-judicial order in relation to the affairs of SMM Hold-
ings Private Limited (SMM) on 6 September 2004 whose effect was to divest and deprive SMM’s
UK-registered parent, SMM Holdings Limited (SMMH) of the control and management of their
Zimbabwean subsidiaries without following any due process of the law.

When Mupasiri joined the Friends of SMM (FOSMM) in June 2021, he had no idea of the real-
ity v fiction in relation to what Manikai had stated in his chat of 27 March 2021 with Mr. Frederick
Mutanda, that the origins of the SMM debacle was a political fallout between the ultimate share-
holder of SMM, Mr. Mawere, and the current President of Zimbabwe, H.E. Mnangagwa, he had
no idea what was in store for him but the constitutional implications of the contents of screenshot
below had a chilling effect on him:

The Applicant was Chinamasa, an expert on unconstitutional conduct, and it is striking that there
is no RESPONDENT in a judicial proceeding.

Mupasiri was shocked to learn that conduct that permits a Minister to issue a binding and en-
forceable order would be allowed to confirm his order by a court of law especially having regard to
the separation of powers doctrine, a fundamental tenet of the rule of law.

In addition, he had expected Chinamasa in his capacity to be represented by the Attorney General
in relation to this matter, only to find the chilling reality that the same Manikai who openly admit-
ted to be part of the Mawere & Mnangagwa feud, would be the driving force behind this frontal
attack on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, as Chinamasa’s legal counsel:

Mupasiri was shocked to read that shareholders and creditors of SMM were notified of the hijack It is clear from the above that Patel JCC was to apply to a judge in chambers for the confirmation
of their company by way of a notice in the government gazette. of an extra-territorial order.

He was also disturbed that Chinamasa had the audacity under Mugabe’s watch to openly inform In the matter under Case Number 34/21, Mupasiri believing that the constitution was binding
the Court that Patel JCC, who was the Acting AG at the time, was party to a process in which his on both Mnangagwa and Manikai sought to compel the President to give account of his state of
office’s agency was thwarted by DMH as the Minister’s legal practitioners. knowledge and involvement in the damning allegations made by Manikai that it was a political
fallout in relation to ZANU-PF affairs that seamlessly was exported to the government of Zimba-
In a landmark application under Case Number 34/21, Patel JCC saw no evil and heard no evil in bwe in which state of emergency powers were used to justify the issuance of the order without the
him being part of the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe’s (CCZ) panel to determine if the conduct involvement of parliament, he was shocked to discover that the apex court would come to the aid
of a private law firm substituting the AG’s role in prosecuting civil and constitutional matters. of President Mnangagwa to allow him to intentionally and knowingly refuse to bring the court into
his confidence on this matter.
In this matter, no records exists showing when and how DMH was hired and it would appear
that no procurement processes and procedures were used in the hiring of this firm, whose role in Notwithstanding,
the ascendancy of President Mnangagwa raises serious and fundamental legal and constitutional Mupasiri was also shocked to learn that the controversial decree was recognized and enforced in
questions. South Africa hence the applications to ascertain the title and jurisdiction of the SA to give audience
to an organ of state of Zimbabwe in judicial proceedings using the authority granted in terms of
Zimbabwean law as the bridge to asserting any rights derived from the use of public power.
He was shocked to learn that a prestigious law firm like ENS Inc., was the legal firm acting on be-
half of this legal monster called SMM under the control of a government appointed administrator.
It is important to underscore that a company under the control of a court appointed authority, is
provided for in terms of the Companies Act, a law of general application, whereas a creature whose
control is vested in a government appointed person, can only exist in terms of another law in which
the principles entrenched in the constitution have to be excluded.
It is trite an Administrator of an organ of state owes a duty of care to the Appointing Authority
but a liquidator’s conduct is controlled by the court through the Master of the High Court.
When Mupasiri discovered that although his application falls within the ambit of his constitu-
tional duties as prescribed in terms of s2 of the Constitution, and no dispute of fact existed as to
the causal link between the reconstruction and extra-judicial and constitutional considerations, he
sought the court’s intervention simply to determine whether a representative of a foreign organ of
state can be given audience in South Africa under the guise that it was a normal juristic entity seek-
ing the protection of the SA court to assert rights against SA citizens and entities.
He also sought to establish whether the effect of a foreign draconian order can be recognized and
enforced in South Africa without undermining the SA constitution, SADC Treaty and Protocol,
and international law.
Mupasiri has indeed broken the mold by stepping forward to expose the alleged complicity of
the SA justice delivery system in aiding and abetting the conduct of craftily using public power to
expropriate private property without compensation.

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Mupasiri says it is bizarre for a constitutional court
to impose a costs order in relation to an application
seeking to comply with obligations set out in s2 of

the Constitution – ITS SUPREMACY.

Litigant accuses High ri an ultimatum to apologise saying his accordance with the rule,” he ruled. DMH to represent Mnangagwa in his
Court judges of being language brought the judiciary into dis- Mupasiri had filed a ConCourt appli- official capacity as the president when
captured by Mnangagwa repute. the law says it should be done by the at-
cation seeking to be joined in the court torney-general (AG).
CAROLINE DU PLESSIS "It is ordered that the applicant proceedings citing Mawere, SMM Hold-
(Mupasiri) be and is hereby censured ings Limited, Africa Resources, TAP Mupasiri then filed an interlocuto-
A Constitutional Court judge has come for his use of inappropriate language in Building Products and Mnangagwa as ry application on January 25 this year
out guns blazing against a litigant who his founding affidavit casting aspersions respondents. which was dismissed, and the matter was
accused the bench of being captured by on the integrity and impartiality of the allegedly “swept under the carpet”.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa. court,” Patel said. On December 17, 2021, Mupasi-
Justice Bharat Patel said Tichaona Mupa- ri launched an application to have him Mupasiri was later slapped with a costs
siri must apologise and be censured after “The applicant shall file with the reg- joined to the ConCourt proceedings order in a constitutional matter which
he accused the court of being captured. istrar a letter of apology in respect of his over Shabani Mashava Mines Holdings. involved the president who was never
conduct referred to in paragraph above served with the copy of his application
Mupasiri said the ConCourt was cap- by not later than 4.00 pm on the 23rd of On December 24, Mupasiri received because his office, including the AG’s of-
tured in his application to join a case  September 2022.” opposing papers through DMH legal fice, refused to accept service.
involving Mnangagwa and his lawyer firm whose managing partner was impli-
Edwin Manikai on one hand and busi- Mupasiri’s application for a joinder cated in the case. On May 27, Mupasiri filed an appeal
nessman Mutumwa Mawere, friends of was, however, granted and with no order against the cost order, but Chief Justice
Shabani and Mashava Mines on the oth- for costs. This was despite his application having Luke Malaba dismissed the appeal saying
er hand. been served on the president as a public even wrong decisions by the ConCourt
“The applicant shall lodge his appli- office bearer under Section 167 of the are not appealable or reviewable.
In his judgement, Patel gave Mupasi- cation and founding papers in Case No. constitution.
CCZ 27/22 on or before the 30th of Mupasiri argued his application was
September 2022. Mupasiri then wrote to Manikai, one meant to test the rule of law and consti-
of the DMH managing partners, on De- tutionalism in the country. — iniAfrica.
“The matter shall thereafter proceed in cember 27 challenging the authority of

Mupasiri unpacks his application against the decision by
the ZRP to irrationally transfer a docket to Mashava as a
deliberate measure to thwart the complaints against abuse

of public power by the untouchables of Zimbabwe

The first part of the application is the in failing to give reasons for the man- • That the decision to transfer the knowingly, capriciously, and malicious-
application for direct access in which I ner in which the complaints were tossed dockets from Harare Central Police Sta- ly transfer the dockets to a district office
am asking and praying for the court to from one office to another with no ra- tion to Mashava Police Station to a juris- that lacks any jurisdictional link to the
admit the main matter as raised in the tional explanation constitutes conduct diction where no jurisdictional facts to facts in the disputes is ultra vires the ef-
substantive application. which is inconsistent with the provi- determine the merits of the complaints fective and expeditious administration
sions of administrative justice as high- constitutes conduct that is meant to de- of justice and enforcement of the rule
The 3 reliefs sought in the substantive lighted in s68(1) and s68(2) of the Zim- feat the ends of justice. of law as prescribed in the 2013 Con-
application are:- babwe Constitution, 2013. stitution.
• That the decision to intentionally,
• That the Zimbabwe Republic Police

Page 14 News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

MARY MUNDEYA Thin line between making
laws and breaking them
MEMBERS of Parliament are meant
to be lawmakers, but they sometimes
find themselves on the wrong side of
the law.

The NewsHawks takes a look at
MPs who violated the law, resulting
in their arrest on serious as well as
flimsy charges, as the case may be.

Chingosho on calling the First
Lady a prostitute
Former Local Government deputy
minister and Headlands Zanu PF leg-
islator Christopher Chingosho was in
August 2021 arrested for calling First
Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa a prosti-
tute after he was snubbed at an event
held in his constituency.

At the time, police spokesperson
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
confirmed Chingosho’s arrest, add-
ing: “We’re still investigating the na-
ture of the report.”

He was later released after being
held in police custody for a number
of hours.

Chanda on stealing food aid Senator for Mashonaland West province Prisca Mupfumira. Zanu PF member of Parliament for Nyanga South , Costa Machingauta.
Zanu PF Gokwe Sesame MP Gordon
Chanda in January 2020 was arrest-
ed for the alleged abuse of President
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s agricultural
inputs, rice and extortion.

Chanda and his alleged accom-
plice, ward 13 councillor Georgina
Chirongoma, appeared at the Gokwe
regional magistrates’ court where they
were granted bail after paying ZW$1
000 bail each.

The case was later dismissed for
lack of evidence.

Mupfumira on US$95 million cor-
ruption
Former Tourism minister and senator
for Mashonaland West province Pri-
sca Mupfumira was in 2019 charged
with corruption involving US$95
million National Social Security Au-
thority funds.

She was later fired by President
Mnangagwa for conduct inappropri-
ate for a government minister and her
case is still pending in the courts. It
has been deferred to 19 January 2023.

Mandiwanzira on criminal abuse of office
Former Information Communica-
tion Technology minister and Nyan-
ga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira
was arrested during the early days of
November 2018 for alleged criminal
abuse of office charges involving ap-
pointing Tawanda Chinembiri, his
personal assistant, to the Potraz board
as well as illegally engaging Megawatt
Energy to investigate corruption at
NetOne without going to tender.

He was later cleared of all the
charges.

Machingauta on rape Zanu PF’s Chegutu West legislator Dexter Nduna. MDC-Alliance member of Parliament for Budiriro, Costa Machingauta.
MDC-Alliance member of Parlia-
ment for Budiriro, Costa Machin- pect is expected to appear in court Thokozani Khupe’s aide Kudzanai Wadyajena on fraud and money gazetted land
gauta (45) was in April 2021 arrested soon,” Nyathi said. Mashumba at a Press conference. laundering Zanu PF’s Chegutu West legislator
on allegations of raping a woman he Controversial Zanu PF legislator for Dexter Nduna was in August this
had given a lift into Harare’s central The legislator in 2014 had also National police spokesperson As- Gokwe-Nembudziya Justice Mayor year arrested for allegedly leading and
business district (CBD). been arrested on charges of rape in- sistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi Wadyajena and four Cotton Com- influencing a foiled land invasion at
volving a university student. confirmed the incident, saying some pany of Zimbabwe officials were Risboro Farm in Chegutu alongside
National police spokesperson assis- of Musarurwa’s co-accused were on recently arrested by the Zimbabwe 30 000 Zanu PF supporters.
tant Commissioner Paul Nyathi con- He was remanded out of custody the run. Her assault-related arrest Anti-Corruption Commission over
firmed the legislator’s arrest. and the case is still before the courts. came after she allegedly disrupt- alleged fraud and money laundering The gazetted farm in question was
Musarurwa on assaulting Mashumba ed a Press conference addressed by involving US$5 million. earmarked by the government for
“It is confirmed that Costa MDC-T proportional representation Mashumba, who wanted to expose urban development under the Smart
Machingauta has been arrested in MP Yvonne Musarurwa was arrest- party leader Douglas Mwonzora’s al- The case is still before the courts. City project. The legislator has since
connection with a rape report made ed in November 2021 for allegedly leged embezzlement of funds. Nduna on unlawful occupation of been released on free bail and the case
by a 26-year-old woman he had given assaulting then party vice-president is pending.
a lift into the CBD, then to Mabvuku The case is still before the courts.
and back into the CBD. The alleged
rape happened in the CBD. The sus-

NewsHawks News Page 15

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

WHEN Lloyd Nyoni returned Illegal firearms fuel violent
to Zimbabwe from South Afri- crime spike in Zimbabwe
ca more than two decades ago,
he was a fresh-faced, immacu- A prison officer unlocks the gates to the prison to release the convicted males at CHikurubi Maximum Prison in Harare, Zimbabwe.
lately dressed man in his early
30s. (Photo by Tafadzwa Ufumeli/Getty Images)

Nyoni quickly established
himself in a Bulawayo neigh-
bourhood as one who had put
in the hours in a foreign land.
He had in triple every house-
hold possession imaginable and
purchased a four-roomed house
in a neighbouring township,
an impressive achievement in a
place where unemployed young
men were witnessing Zimba-
bwe’s rapid economic decline.

It wasn’t long before there
were whispers about Nyoni’s
source of the good life: he
had obtained illegal firearms
in South Africa and was using
them for armed robbery in Bu-
lawayo.

At the time, Bulawayo’s daily
newspaper reported cab driv-
ers being shoved into the boots
of their taxis at gunpoint, and
their cars and day’s takings sto-
len. Nyoni was said to be be-
hind the crimes, and had start-
ed recruiting local youths. This
was a period in the city where
gun-related crime was uncom-
mon.

Nyoni was eventually caught
by detectives while having a
“nice time” with his girlfriend,
as reported by a local daily, and
a bag of cash was found in his
possession.

He died of tuberculosis in
2003 inside the intimidat-
ing walls of Khami Maximum
Prison on the outskirts of Bu-
lawayo, unidentifiable by his
relatives.

It was a cautionary township
tale.

Increase in fatal robberies
Fast forward more than 20
years and armed robberies are
the new game not just in Bul-
awayo — the country’s second
city long considered to have
historical ties with South Africa
— but across the country.

While Nyoni’s era of gun-tot-
ing bandits rarely claimed lives,
today’s criminal enterprise has
assumed a deadly recklessness.

In May last year, armed rob-
bers pounced on a liquor outlet
in Bulawayo’s suburban Ascot
shopping centre and shot and
killed a female cashier.

According to the Zimba-
bwe Republic Police (ZRP),
between January and October
2021, 922 armed robberies
were reported across the coun-
try, up from 744 the previous
year during the same period.

According to the 2019 Zim-
stats Quarterly Digest of Statis-
tics, 429 armed robberies were
recorded in 2017. The number
spiked to 1 022 in 2019.

— Mail & Guardian

Page 16 International Investigative Stories NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

InInvteesrtniagtaiotinvaelStories

Serbia’s developers paid cash to have
their construction violations excused

THE longtime head of the Secretariat construction.” thing,” said Simić. “If everyone could Acquiring a construction permit can take Another former construction contrac-
stepped down in July, but is now under “Belgrade has been disfigured,” Rodić have obtained a building permit within a year and involves visits to as many as 18 tor, Goran Stakić, told KRIK and OC-
investigation for allegedly abusing his of- a normal period of time, they wouldn’t offices, most of which require fees. CRP the system is riddled with corrup-
fice. He has been accused by developers said. have taken these risks … but when tion. He claims he worked on 25 illegal
and builders of demanding large bribes in Blueprints and Money someone makes it impossible for you, of But that could all be avoided, and buildings over the years. In some cases,
exchange for deeming buildings “legal.” In the 1990s, Serbia was battered by course you need a solution.” construction could start immediately, he said their owners turned to an alleged
they said, if a builder paid bribes to the associate of Stajić, Ivan Komatina, to get
Nemanja Stajić’s former title sounds the wars that followed the breakup of In acknowledgement of these chal- Secretariat headed by Stajić. them legalized.
like something out of a Kafka story — Yugoslavia, and U.N. and U.S. sanctions lenging circumstances, the Law on Le-
“Secretary of the Secretariat for the Legal- that destroyed the country’s economy. galization was passed in 2015 to help “Nothing can be done without him,” He provided a list of some of these ad-
ization of Buildings” — but it’s a very real With the government focused on surviv- legalize structures built before that date. said Maljević earlier this year. “All chan- dresses to reporters, including four that
job here in Belgrade, where “legalization” al, and Belgrade forced to accommodate The Secretariat with Stajić at its helm was nels lead to that hub.” were built after 2015. Reporters used sat-
has become a byword for corruption. an influx of nearly 1 million refugees, il- made responsible for processing these ellite imagery to verify that all four were
legal construction flourished. claims. First, they said, a cash bribe could get built illegally.
Amid a frenzied construction boom them “permission” to build without a
in Serbia’s capital, it has become standard “It became a mess,” said Željko Simić, But in interviews with KRIK, con- permit. “Those who build illegally earn three
practice to build first and ask permission a lawyer who helps Serbians legalize their struction industry insiders said the times more,” said Stakić. “
later. The city is also home to thousands pre-2015 buildings. Construction per- process ended up being systematically Then, after the building was complet-
of so-called “wild buildings” erected amid mits were almost impossible to obtain, abused by builders of newer structures ed, another bribe would allow the builder But in the lawless world of legaliza-
the chaos of the 1990s and early 2000s, he said, and oversight was lax. Many new that simply did not meet code. to falsely back-date official satellite imag- tion, not everything went according to
when war and U.S. sanctions destroyed homes that went up during the war and ery at the Serbian Geodetic Authority, plan. After years of illegal construction,
the country’s economy. post-war period were never legally regis- “Things are [legalized] on the basis of making it seem like a building had been Stakić says he was double-crossed by Ko-
tered. blueprints and money,” said real estate there before 2015, and was eligible for matina after paying a legalization bribe.
That’s where the Legalization Secretar- developer Branko Maljević. “Something legalization. Enraged, he threw a bomb at Komatina’s
iat comes in. Illegal construction was even tacitly can be registered that would fall down on apartment building, killing his dog.
encouraged, since the state was struggling its own.” Stajić declined to comment. But he
If you have a building that was never to meet demands for housing, according has publicly touted his work at the Legal- Stakić was arrested in 2019 and
formally registered or doesn’t adhere to to a recent paper in the urban policy jour- Maljević and two other industry ex- ization Secretariat, and the law on legal- charged with illegal possession of explo-
code — maybe it’s too close to another nal Cities by researchers at the University perts — who spoke anonymously due ization, as important reforms for Serbia. sives and causing public mayhem. His
structure, or lacks the requisite parking of Belgrade. to fear of reprisals — said getting all the case is still making its way through the
spaces — you can head to the Secretariat, legal permits to build something in Bel- “More and more buildings should be Serbian court system after an initial guilty
pay a fee, and get the structure retroac- “The citizens aren’t to blame for any- grade is painfully slow and bureaucratic. legalized, not demolished,” he told Ser- verdict in 2020 was overturned. In the
tively “legalized.” bian news outlet Telegraf in an interview meantime, he says, he has lost everything.
last year.
The system was supposed to help “After the [bombing], I couldn’t get
bring more structures into compliance any work with anyone,” he said.
with building codes and get them regis-
tered with the state, allowing them to be Komatina, who attended each session
titled, taxed, and sold more easily. of Stakić’s trial, declined to comment.

But in practice, it has let developers Alleged corruption at the Secretariat
cut corners by embarking on projects has taken its toll not only on the con-
that blatantly flout regulations, then get struction industry, but on Belgrade itself.
them “legalized” with the stroke of a pen
— and a bribe. The city’s newspapers carry frequent
headlines about building collapses and
In May, OCCRP’s Serbian partner, construction accidents. In one case,
KRIK, published an investigation show- several families and a retired Orthodox
ing how the legalization process benefit- priest were walled into their homes after
ted corrupt officials and shoddy builders an illegal building was hastily erected in
at the expense of ordinary Serbs. Several front of their driveway. Last summer, an
experts and construction industry insid- entire building collapsed in the Vracar
ers accused Stajić — who was head of neighborhood due to poorly planned
the Secretariat until his nearly nine-year construction nearby
tenure in office ended this summer — of
presiding over a corrupt system that had Dubravka Vukoje, 69, remembers a
created powerful financial incentives for more verdant Belgrade when families
builders to flout the law. like hers could cultivate small orchards in
their backyards. But last year, she told re-
Now, Serbian prosecutors have porters, a construction company moved
launched an investigation into whether in and began ripping up her cherry and
Stajić abused his position. The ex-official walnut trees to build a four-story build-
was questioned today by prosecutors, ing right outside her house. She is furi-
who confirmed the probe but declined to ous.
comment further.
The company erecting the building,
But experts say the damage has already she has learned, is Loyal Building — the
been done in Belgrade, which is home to same one that was owned by the offshore
an estimated hundreds of thousands of company belonging to Stajić’s brother.
illegal structures. It obtained the correct permit to build a
three-story structure, but added an ille-
“In the past five or six years, the fact gal floor on top, which Vukoje says is an
that so much has been built [in Belgrade] eyesore in an otherwise low-slung neigh-
is only because a huge number of build- borhood.
ings and construction sites have been il-
legal, without a single paper,” said Goran “It bothers the whole neighborhood
Rodić, the vice president of the Serbian but it bothers me the most,” she said,
Construction Chamber of Commerce. showing a journalist how close the new
apartment tower is to her windows. “He
He said the law passed in 2015 to blocked my air and sun and light.”
promote building legalization, although
well-intended, had signaled to developers — Organised Crime and Corrup-
that they could get “a free pass for wild tion Reporting Project.

NewsHawks Editorial & Opinion Page 17

Issue 101, 7 October 2022 CARTOON

Shattered
livelihoods
demand action

THE World Bank has announced its economic outlook for sub-Sa- Armed robberies spike scary
haran Africa and the report makes for depressing reading, amid clear
indications the dire situation demands rebust policy interventions Hawk Eye
from governments on the continent.
Dumisani
Economic growth in this region of Africa is set to decelerate from Muleya
4.1% in 2021 to 3.3% in 2022, as a result of a slowdown in global
growth, rising inflation exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
adverse weather conditions, a tightening in global financial condi-
tions, and the rising risk of debt distress.

Economic activity in Sub-Saharan Africa is slowing in the face of
global headwinds, hindering poverty reduction.

For Zimbabwe, the turbulence could not have come at a worse
time.

Even before Russia's war of aggression, Zimbabwe's macro-eco-
nomic fundamentals were already shaky, exacerbated by a global
Covid-19 pandemic whose effects are still with us.

If Covid-19 left the national economy on its knees, then the geo-
political mayhem in eastern Europe could leave it in the intensive
care unit.

Africa is particularly vulnerable to food and energy price inflation.
We must come to terms with the brutal reality that although Africa
cannot be held responsible for the consequences of geopolitical inci-
dents on other continents, our leaders must take full responsibility for
their lack of strategic foresight. Africa has the world's largest swathe
of arable land; there is really no reason for people to be scrounging for
food from Europe or Russia.
According to the World Bank, Zimbabwe has the highest food in-
flation rate on the planet, at 353%. The ramifications are frightening:
Chronic hunger, endemic malnutrition and child stunting. The food
security situation is so unsettling that Zimbabwe is now begging for
food from the likes of Malawi and Zambia.
Wherever you look in Africa, the leadership failings are difficult
to miss. Why on earth are Africans dependent on maize and wheat
imports? This continent possesses not only the requisite land, but also
the world’s youngest population, the necessary human capital, a vast
market of 1.4 billion people and the technical know-how to achieve
food self-sufficiency.
Climatic shocks are a major factor in this part of the world, but
this can only be ameliorated through better economic planning. It is
true that most of the pollution contributing to the climate emergency
is caused by developed countries which should pick up the tab for
climate crisis mitigation and adaptation programmes in the Global
South. However, the affected nations cannot just sit idly, waiting in
vain for a gallant saviour. Realpolitik does not work like that. In any
case, he who feeds you controls you.
The countries worst affected by the climate emergency must take
a more proactive stance in safeguarding their own survival. Cli-
mate-proofing the agricultural sector requires a rethink on: the ramp-
ing up of productivity and incomes; buttressing the resilience of live-
lihoods; conserving the ecosystem and cutting greenhouse emissions.
We may have to come up with climate-smart approaches, includ-
ing better irrigation methods, using better seed varieties; encouraging
organic farming; introducing sustainable soil management; as well as
embracing efficient technology and mechanisation.
But Zimbabwe has a bigger challenge than just improving its food
security.
At the heart of the country’s multi-faceted crisis is a governance
problem that must be tackled without further delay in the national
interest.
Rebuilding this economy will need serious implementation of both
the national governance framework and anti-corruption measures.
In the absence of a swift turnaround plan, hunger and poverty can
only get worse as Zimbabweans brace for yet another uncertain sum-
mer cropping season.
It will take solid leadership to salvage shattered livelihoods.

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
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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
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corruption to ensure good governance Beatrice Mtetwa, Raphael Khumalo, Reporters: at No.: 34, Colenbrander Rd, Milton Park, Harare.
and accountability in the public inter- Professor Wallace Chuma, Teldah Mawarire, Nyasha Chingono, Enoch Muchinjo, Moses Matenga,
est. Doug Coltart Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Telephone: 024-2778096 or 024-2778006,
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WhatsApp: 0772 125 658, Twitter: @vmcz

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NewsHawks

Issue 76, 15 April 2022
BusinessPage26
MATTERSNewsHawks

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

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

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

BERNARD MPOFU ZimStat 48% jobless
rate raises eyebrows
DESPITE the endless exodus of locals to
other countries in search of greener pas- but were not seeking for work. Persons in tal development strategies, macro-econom- is determined by the characteristics of the
tures, Zimbabwe’s statistical agency says unemployment are defined as persons who ic development, incomes support and social enterprise in which a person is employed.
the country’s unemployment rate stands at during the reference period; were without programmes. The survey findings also feed
48%. paid work, were seeking for work and were into the compilation of the quarterly gross A production unit is considered to be in
available to start working. domestic product (GDP) of the economy. the informal sector if the establishment is
This figure downplays independent es- not registered with the Registrar of Com-
timates putting unemployment at around ZimStat conducts Quarterly Labour The Quarterly Labour Force Survey panies. Informal employment is determined
80%. Force Surveys (QLFSs) as a way of ensuring (QLFS) is a national household-based sam- by the characteristics of the job a person
timely provision of high frequency labour ple survey which was conducted in private holds. Informal employment includes the
The country’s unstable socio-econom- market statistics that informs planning and households both in rural and urban areas following jobs: own account workers and
ic environment has been one of the major decision making. This report presents the across all provinces of Zimbabwe. The sur- employers employed in their own infor-
push factors driving thousands to neigh- 2022 second quarter QLFS results. The vey produces key labour market indicators mal sector enterprises; unpaid contributing
bouring countries and further afield in QLFS provides key labour market indica- which include levels of formal and informal family workers irrespective of whether they
search of better employment prospects. The tors which include but not limited to levels employment, unemployment and other la- work in formal or informal sector enterpris-
growing number of Zimbabweans in re- of employment both formal and informal, bour under-utilisation indicators, labour es; members of informal producers’ coop-
gional countries like South Africa has been unemployment and some labour under-util- migrants as well as job losses. erative, and paid employees not entitled to
one of the factors behind the xenophobic isation indicators, income levels, labour mi- any of the following: contribution to pen-
attacks targeting foreign nationals in the gration and job losses. These statistics are Employment in the informal economy, sion fund by employer, paid annual leave,
neighbouring country. useful in providing information for policy according to the report, covers two con- paid sick leave and written contract with
formulation on employment, human capi- cepts: informal sector and informal employ- employer.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agen- ment. Employment in the informal sector
cy (ZimStat), which recently announced
that the country recorded a spike in locals
who left the country over the past few years,
has revealed the working age population
was estimated at nine million, constituting
59% of the total population.

According to the latest ZimStat 2022
Second Quarter Labour Force Survey, the
total labour force stood at four million, giv-
ing a total labour force participation rate of
44%.

Around 3.3 million of the working age
population were currently employed. The
national employment-to-population ratio
(EPR) stood at 35%. Harare had the high-
est proportion of the employed population
at around 26% followed by Mashonaland
West at 13%.

“The expanded national unemployment
rate for persons 15 years and above was
48%. It was higher for females at 53% than
males with 43%. Matabeleland North had
the highest expanded unemployment rate
of 65%,”the report reads.

“The age group (15-19) years had the
highest expanded unemployment rate of
73%. Youths (15-24) years had a national
expanded unemployment rate of 67% while
the national expanded unemployment rate
for youths (15-34) years was 58%. The
expanded unemployment rate was high-
er among those staying in the rural areas
at 56% than those in urban area at 40%.
Twenty-nine percent of persons in potential
labour force were discouraged job seekers.
Mashonaland East with 17% had the high-
est proportion of discouraged job seekers.”

Expanded unemployment rate is basical-
ly the combined rate of unemployment and
potential labour force (PLF), where poten-
tial labour force consist of working age per-
sons who during the reference period; were
without paid work and either were seeking
for work but were not available to start
working or were available to start working

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 19

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Lint shortage hampers local ginners

BERNARD MPOFU for this were not successful. In addition, en- for an interim mechanism that is intended to and support job creation at different nodes in
gagements with spinners, ginners, the ministry bail out both the ginners and spinners by cush- the value chain. Cotton and yarn exports from
ZIMBABWE’S cotton industry value chain of Industry and Commerce and the Agricul- ioning them against the effects of the parallel Zimbabwe increased from US$30.1 million in
could be brought to its knees after it emerged ture Marketing Authority to get reference to market premium. 2020 to US$85.7 million in 2021.
that the sector is exporting 90% of lint, leaving the specific policy document or regulations
processors with insignificant quantities, a new through which this could be enforced were not Official figures show that the cotton value Lint is the major ingredient of the down-
report by the Confederation of Zimbabwe In- successful. It therefore remains unclear wheth- chain provides economic and livelihood syn- stream value addition manufacturing process-
dustries (CZI) has shown. er this was a policy pronouncement which was ergies through vertical and horizontal linkages es in the textile industry. Spinning is the first
not later followed by legislation and whether it with the textile, apparels, yarn, fabric, oil pro- process of the textile value chain and involves
According to a new CZI report titled Pricing was a temporary or permanent measure. This cessing, and stockfeed, among other industries. the conversion of cotton lint (produced at gin-
Distortions as a Constraint to Smooth Value absence of the legal provisions could be what ning), into spun yarn.
Chain Operations: The Case of Cotton Lint in is emboldening ginners to disregard the pro- According to the United Nations Confer-
Zimbabwe, there is an outcry over lint shortag- vision.” ence on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Official figures show that Zimbabwe has
es faced by local spinning factories and this has cotton production supports the livelihoods of a ginning capacity of up to 700 000 metric
led to problems in the downstream industries. The report says while the resolution of the over 500 000 families directly and is principal- tonnes per year against the yearly production
exchange rate remains a priority for both mon- ly grown in marginal low-rainfall areas of Nat- of 195 991 metric tons and 101 000 metric
Experts say the pricing issue, which can be etary and fiscal policy, there is an urgent need ural Region 4.  Cotton is also one of the cash tons in 2020/21 and 2019/20 season respec-
traced to the general exchange rate distortions crops in Zimbabwe that bring foreign currency tively.
in the country, remain at the core of having
enough cotton lint for the well-functioning of
the cotton-to-clothing value chain.

“CZI engagements with different players in
the value chain have shown that there is a dis-
course and dialogue between spinners and gin-
ners on the marketing of lint and the pricing
model to be used. Spinners cited that about
90% of the lint is exported, leaving them with
about 10% in a season (from May to Septem-
ber) which is insufficient to keep them spin-
ning all year round. For example, during the
2020 season 45 000 metric tonnes (MT) of
lint was exported and 4 500 MT was left for
local spinners. In the 2021 season, 56 000MT
of lint were exported and 6 000 MT was left
for local spinners,” the report reads.

“The need to balance between quantities
that can be exported and what can be left for
local value addition was anticipated by policy.
According to literature as well as players in the
cotton value chain, there is a policy require-
ment that about 30% of the lint should be
reserved for local players, while the remaining
70% can be exported by the ginners. Cotton
lint had to be controlled to avoid the collapse
of the textile industry.

“This means that the current practice goes
against what policy had anticipated, calling for
the need to interrogate the main reasons for
this development. It is surprising, however, de-
spite the general acknowledgement that there
is a 70:30 ratio for exports and local usage of
lint, all efforts to locate the policy statement
or the regulations which specifically provide

RioZim going concern status under threat

BERNARD MPOFU a month-long labour dispute in the second quar- produced for the period against 105kg produced an extensive de-watering exercise to bring them to
ter. RioZim says Dalny Mine suffered from unsus- in the comparative period when the mine was fully mineable conditions.
RESOURCES group RioZim says it is making tainable low grades from its pits which resulted in operational.
frantic efforts to shore up its balance sheet and stay the mine suspending operations for the six-month “These factors ordinarily indicate the existence
afloat after its liabilities outstripped assets, thereby period under review. A marginal 8kg of gold was The mine’s underground shafts are currently of a material uncertainty on the group’s ability to
threatening its going concern status. flooded and will, according to the group, require continue as a going concern and that it may be un-
able to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities
RioZim has been in the red at a time its gold in the normal course of business, the group says.
mines have been recording depressed output.
“The group continues to receive substantial
Going concern is an accounting term for  a financial support from its major shareholders
company that has the resources needed to contin- through shareholder loans to stabilise working
ue operating indefinitely until it provides evidence capital… The directors believe that the group
to the contrary. This term also refers to a compa- will continue to operate as a going concern and
ny's ability to make enough money to stay afloat preparation of the financial statements on a going
or to avoid bankruptcy. concern basis is still appropriate. This basis as-
sumes that the realisation of assets and settlement
As at 30 June, RioZim’s current liabilities ex- of liabilities will occur in the ordinary course of
ceeded current assets by ZW$13.1 billion (De- business.”
cember 2021: ZW$2.7 billion) and the group re-
ported a net loss for the period of ZW$5.4 billion After successful commissioning of the BIOX
(June 2021 (ZW$1.5 billion). Plant in April 2022, the group is set to ramp up
production at Cam & Motor mine in the second
The group’s gold production for the period was half of the year. The expected increase in gold
subdued as operations were significantly impacted production volumes will take the group back to
by suspension of operations at Dalny Mine and profitability and generating positive cashflows. Ri-
One Step operations which negatively affected oZim also says it will carry out cost saving initia-
production volumes at Dalny and Cam & Motor tives which will contribute positively to the group’s
Mine respectively. profitability.

Renco Mine’s production for the period fell by “The group is forecast to install an additional
37% to 174kg from 278kg achieved in the same ball mill at Renco in the short term which will
period in prior year. The low gold production was, increase the current plant processing capacity by
according to the company's half-year financials for 30%. The increased throughput will enable the
the period ending 30 June,  a result of low milled mine to increase gold production volumes even at
tonnage arising from severe power challenges lower grades,” RioZim says.
during the first quarter and lost production due to

Page 20 Companies & Markets NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

BERNARD MPOFU Zeco results receive consolidated financial statements of
adverse audit report this departure were not determined.
ZECO Holdings Limited's indepen- Furthermore, our conclusion on the
dent auditors have issued an adverse of 2019 (“SI 33/19”),” MGI said in riod from 1 October, 2018, the ad- the departure from the requirements current period’s financial results is
conclusion on the company’s half- note accompanying the financials. justments that were recognised in the of IAS 21 were considered to be per- modified because of the possible ef-
year financials as the currency co- comparative 2019 period would have vasive in the prior period. The finan- fects of the matter on the compara-
nundrum continues to trouble local “Had the assessment required by been materially different. Therefore, cial effects on the inflation-adjusted bility of the current period’s financial
firms. IAS 21 occurred in the correct pe- results with that of the prior year.

Rising inflation and currency vol- “Due to the significance of the
atility have stood out as some of the matters described in the Basis for
key issues arising from the reporting Adverse Conclusion paragraphs, we
period, with several companies an- conclude that the accompanying in-
nouncing they were coming up with terim financial information of the
strategies to ensure their balance Group does not present fairly, in all
sheets remain strong. Some com- material respects, the consolidated
panies have in the past been fined interim inflation-adjusted finan-
or suspended from the Zimbabwe cial position of the group as at 30
Stock Exchange (ZSE) for failing June 2022, and of its consolidated
to comply with listing requirements interim inflation-adjusted finan-
such as timely publication of finan- cial performance and cashflows for
cials. the six-month period then ended
in accordance with International
According to the group’s results for Accounting Standards on Interim
the six months ending 30 June, Zeco Financial Reporting (IAS 34) and
recorded revenues of ZW$23 mil- the requirements of the Companies
lion (inflation-adjusted ZW$46m) and Other Business Entities Act
for the six months ended 30 June (24:31).”
2022 compared to ZW$29 million
(inflation-adjusted ZW$56m) for International Accounting Stan-
the corresponding period last year. dard 21 gives guidance relating to
the effects of changes in foreign ex-
During the period, the group in- change rates in volatile markets.
curred a loss of ZW$4 million (in-
flation-adjusted ZW$3.6m). Total Last month, Zeco Holdings share-
assets as at 30 June 2022 amounted holders gave a nod to the company’s
to ZW$1.7 billion (inflation-adjust- plan to transform the manufacturing
ed ZW$1.9bn). entity into a real estate firm follow-
ing years of waning fortunes.
MGI Chartered Accounts how-
ever raised the red flag, saying the The perennially under-performing
exchange rates used in preparing the ZSE-listed manufacturing concern
financial statements did not meet recently held a virtual extraordinary
International Accounting Standards general meeting to ratify a change in
(IAS). its business model after disposing of
rolling stock for US$4.5 million as
“The group and company did not the moribund state of the country’s
comply with IAS 21 in the prior fi- rail infrastructure threatens the com-
nancial period, as it elected to com- pany’s viability.
ply with Statutory Instrument 33

Zimplats declares US$120m dividend

BERNARD MPOFU (Implats). associated metals. significant PGM-bearing ore bodies in ous).
The local platinum miner’s ma- The operating subsidiary mines and the world. Production from the mining oper-
THE local unit of South African-head-
quartered platinum miner Impala jority-owned operating subsidiary is processes high quality metal products The operating subsidiary operates ations is processed by the three con-
Platinum, Zimplats, has declared a Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Private) safely, efficiently, and responsibly from five underground mines which sup- centrators and then further refined at
whopping US$120 million dividend Limited, which is a key producer of the ore bodies located on the Great ply ore to three concentrator modules Selous Metallurgical Complex where
after posting a nearly US$300 mil- platinum-group metals (PGMs) and Dyke in Zimbabwe, one of the most (two at Ngezi and the third one at Sel- the smelter is located.
lion profit for the year ending 30 June
compared to US$329 million record-
ed in prior comparative period.

The company’s revenue rose to
US$356 million during the period
under review from US$328 million
recorded on account of bullish com-
modity prices during the year. As
global economies continue to feel the
shocks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
Zimbabwe’s large mining companies
have projected a bullish outturn of the
commodities market.

“After the reporting date, the board
of directors declared a final dividend
of US$120 million (equating to
US$1.11 per share) to shareholders
on record as at 22 August 2022,” the
company said in a statement accom-
panying the financials.

Zimplats is a limited liability com-
pany which is registered in Guernsey
and is listed on the Australian Stock
Exchange.

Impala group’s principal business
is producing platinum group metals
(which primarily include platinum,
palladium, rhodium, iridium and ru-
thenium) and associated metals (nick-
el, gold, copper, cobalt and silver).

Zimplats is a subsidiary (87% share-
holding) of one of the world’s leading
globally integrated metals producer,
the South African-based and listed
Impala Platinum Holdings Limited

NewsHawks Companies & Markets Page 21

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

ZIMBABWE will host the Sanganai/ Why Sanganai/Hlanganani 2022
Hlanganani World Travel Expo this week
and it is being staged by the Zimbabwe exhibitors need social media strategy
Tourism Authority (ZTA).
audience in a way that is not only inter- and inviting people to it would be one traffic to your booth and sparking con- the booth. We suggest LinkedIn as an ex-
It is a tourism trade show that happens active but also efficient and cost-effective. way. versation,” advises exhibit company EDE cellent tool for this. A blog post on your
every year in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The Sanganai/Hlanganani uses the hashtags The second is to pre-schedule most of Corporation. websites should be able to tie together
15th edition of the travel expo will take #Sanganai2022 the social media posts using tools that are Apart from drawing attention to the pre-show, show floor, and post show ac-
place from 13th to 15th October 2022 available, such as Hootsuite. Time is of booth through your conventional activi- tivities. Blog posts are useful for contin-
under the payoff line "Africa’s Premier #Hlanganani2022 #VisitZimbabwe a premium as the expo approaches and ties such as contests, making a social con- uous conversations with your audience
Business Exchange." #ZimBho and #MeetInZim, which will automating posts before and during the nection with visitors is important when and getting feedback.
be handy in driving traffic to the exhib- exhibition will be a welcome time saving intending to expand one’s audience. It’s
The show is an opportunity for tour- itor’s platforms. option. Most exhibitors cannot afford also a way of spreading awareness and The traction created and the number
ism-related businesses to meet with travel full-time social media managers, though contact lists by creating an army of ac- of leads that are converted into business
agents, buyers and other tourism players. There are several ways the exhibitor this would be ideal for continuous en- tive ambassadors and advocates. Social measures the success of a show. Social me-
It is also a chance to learn about new can make the most of their trade show ex- gagement with audiences on those plat- interaction follow-up is important after dia has grown into one of the top promo-
tourism trends and to find out what is hibit using social media. They can use so- forms. tional tools used at exhibitions. We can
happening in the travel industry in Zim- cial media to create a buzz or build excite- Joining social only guarantee success through strategic
babwe and in other countries. ment before the trade show. Behind the conversations Corporate planning, precision execution, teamwork,
scenes, snippets or a ‘sneak peek’ of up- with other attend- and creating a memorable experience and
ZTA has been hard at preparations for loaded content of show preparations will Communicationsees online before social connections. Wishing all exhibitors
this tourism showcase, adding value for help ensure that potential customers and and buyers a successful Sanganai/Hlanga-
exhibitors through training programmes clients are aware of your exhibit. Posting and during the nani International Tourism Expo!
and forging strategic partnerships with about the event on your company’s social exhibition itself is
organisations such as airlines Air Zim- media channels in the weeks leading up advisable. In fact, *About the writer: Lenox Mhlanga is
babwe and Ethiopian Airlines for local, to the show will generate excitement and novel ways of at- a specialist communications consultant
regional and international flights to and anticipation among your followers and tracting attention Lenox Lizwi Mhlanga with 20 years’ experience in the PR and
from the exhibition. The Airports Com- encourage them to come to your booth. during the show media space. He has worked with the
pany of Zimbabwe (ACZ) is also in the itself will keep your International Monetary Fund (IMF)
mix, ensuring that passenger and cargo You can also use social media to con- exhibit top of mind with those the exhib- the show. and blue chip clients across many sec-
handling is on spec. nect with potential customers and clients itor engages with before opening day. EDE Corporation advises the sales tor in Zimbabwe and abroad. He can
at the trade show itself. Social media is a “Live tweeting and streaming of vid- team should follow-up within a week be contacted at Email: lenoxmhlanga@
The latest figures are that over 250 ex- great way to increase the reach of a trade eos of the show are excellent methods of after the show while you and the brand gmail.com and Mobile: +263 772 400
hibitors and 100 buyers have confirmed show exhibit. There are a few steps to showcasing real-time content, drawing are still fresh in the minds of visitors to 656.
their attendance at the Sanganai/Hlanga- make sure that the exhibit reaches its full
nani International Travel Expo. potential. Creating a social media event

Last week’s article was about how pub-
lic relations can enhance that experience
for the attendees and exhibitors alike. The
aim is to maximise exposure both at the
expo itself and for their online audiences
as well. In order to do that, a social media
strategy should be an integral part of their
marketing and advertising efforts.

In this article, we will discuss how
to generate a social media strategy for a
tourism trade show, such as the Sanganai/
Hlanganani World Travel Expo 2022. It
is a follow-up to last week’s article on how
public relations is key to tourism expos
such as Sanganai/Hlanganani.

A social media strategy summarises
everything you plan to do and hope to
achieve on social media. It guides your
actions and lets you know whether you
are succeeding or failing. It can be an ef-
fective way to connect with your target
audience. Every post, reply, like, and
comment should serve a purpose. The
more specific your strategy is, the more
likely you are to achieve it.

An integral part of any organisation’s
marketing and advertising efforts, the
strategy allows organisations to connect
with their target audiences and create
a two-way dialogue that can lead to in-
creased brand awareness and sales. A so-
cial media strategy can be a promotional
tool for the exhibit as well.

The exhibitor should begin by under-
standing their audience, and the content
will resonate with them. Once they have
a good grasp of that, they can start cre-
ating content and sharing it across their
various channels. And finally, they need
to make sure that they are constantly
monitoring and evaluating performance
to make adjustments along the way.

There are many social media platforms
that are suitable for a tourism exhibition,
such as Sanganai/Hlanganani. Exhibitors
can post on social media, websites, use
online marketing tools, or hold virtual
tours. The ZTA used a virtual then hy-
brid format to hold the 2020 and 2021
Expo during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Virtual tours and exhibitions are now in-
corporated into many exhibitions around
the world.

The best social media platforms for
businesses include Facebook, Insta-
gram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
WhatsApp, TikTok or Pinterest are fast
growing mass market alternatives aimed
at the wider audience, which includes
potential tourists. Their suitability hing-
es on the content one wants to share. By
engaging with one’s audiences on vari-
ous platforms, the exhibitor can create a
connection that is both informative and
entertaining.

By using social media handles as part
of your exhibit strategy, leveraging on
the relevant show and customer hashtags
can help the exhibitor reach their target

Property
NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022 PROPERTY INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE GARDENING Page 22

The home of prime property: [email protected]

Meikles building renovations on course

Meikles Building is being renovated to pake way for TM Pick n Pay supermarket. — Pictures: Aaron Ufumeli

NewsHawks Stock Taking Page 23

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Price Sheet A MEMBER OF FINSEC & THE ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE

Friday, 07 October 2022

Company Sector Bloomberg Previous Last VWAP (cents) Total Total Price Price YTD Market
Traded Traded Change Change (%) Cap
AFDIS Consumer Goods Ticker Price (cents) Traded Volume Value ($) (cents) ($m)
African Sun Consumer Services (%)
ART Price -
Ariston Industrials 1,400
Axia Consumer Services AFDIS: ZH 27577.42 - 27577.42 - - - 120.62 32,953.51
BAT 200 26,100 8.91 0.48 190.27 27,552.37
Bridgefort Capital Consumer Goods ASUN: ZH 1855.38 1865.00 1864.29 50,000 62.68
Bridgefort Class B Consumer Goods ARTD: ZH 1700.00 1700.00 1700.00 3,400 - - 7,428.62
CAFCA 6,600 192,282 9.56 2.55 3.32 6,258.31
CBZ Industrials ARISTON: ZH 375.00 385.00 384.56 - 324,495 -4.93 -0.10 63.61 27,146.97
CFI Financial Services -6.28 61,900.55
Dairibord AXIA: ZH 4921.52 4900.00 4916.59 200 - - - -78.83
Delta Industrials - 1,482 - - 4.00 88.92
Ecocash Banking BAT: ZH 300000.00 - 300000.00 - - - 17.65 34.89
Econet BFCA: ZH 741.00 741.00 741.00 - - - 72.95 1,747.02
Edgars Industrials BFCB: ZH 2600.00 2600.00 1,400 - -43.48 -0.33 282.18 67,945.99
FBC Consumer Goods CAFCA: ZH - - 182,000 - - -27.71 37,921.49
Fidelity Consumer Goods 20000.00 - 20000.00 - - - - 11.39 9,057.42
First Capital CBZ: ZH 13043.48 13000.00 13000.00 - -2337.52 -11.43 22.46 236,118.65
FML Technology CFI:ZH 35761.20 - 35761.20 478,600 86,649,650 -3.43 -0.07 -0.36 128,965.15
FMP Telecommunications 4,300,400 214,084,400 -532.56 -5.92 72.41 219,396.99
GBH Consumer Services DZL: ZH 2530.00 - 2530.00 4,321,800 366,014,900 - - 35.04 4,531.86
Getbucks - -28.57 -0.62 52.04 30,717.72
Hippo Banking DLTA: ZH 20442.33 20000.00 18104.82 - 32,000 - - 191.10 2,614.16
Innscor Financial Services EHZL: ZH 4981.67 5000.00 4978.24 700 - -23.99 -2.33 34.58 21,716.86
Lafarge ECO: ZH 9001.60 8500.00 8469.04 22,120 -61.60 -2.24 -11.45 18,575.75
Mash Banking - 255,700 -6.45 -0.93 -12.85 8,551.46
Masimba Financial Services EDGR: ZH 750.00 - 750.00 2,200 129,845 - - 192.50 1,073.18
Meikles FBC: ZH 4600.00 4500.00 4571.43 9,500 1,200 - - -26.07 20,412.73
Nampak Real Estate 18,800 - -2300.00 -10.00 66.03 39,955.26
NatFoods Industrials FIDL: ZH 2400.00 - 2400.00 1,262,700 -45.34 -0.17 56.25 153,657.67
NTS FCA: ZH 1029.44 1000.00 1005.45 600 1,617,800 - - 115.74 10,000.00
NMBZ Financial Services FMHL: ZH 2753.18 2760.00 2691.58 - - - - 30.91 13,013.52
OK Zim Consumer Goods FMP: ZH 697.11 695.00 690.66 105,000 - - -20.06 17,399.07
Proplastics GBH: ZH 200.00 200.00 200.00 6,100 - -999.23 -9.08 -19.33 25,617.05
RTG Industrials GBFS: ZH 1755.00 1755.00 6,000 12,911,000 -50.00 -5.26 -25.80 6,800.83
RioZim Industrials HIPO: ZH 23000.00 - 20700.00 15,300 -18000.00 -15.00 106.35 69,768.11
SeedCo Real Estate INN: ZH 27008.67 20700.00 26963.33 - 19,584,000 - - 148.35 3,300.34
Simbisa Industrials LACZ: ZH 12500.00 27000.00 12500.00 15,000 - 100.00 5.26 12.88 8,083.43
Star Africa Industrials 2,000 -30.42 -0.97 -10.34 40,161.68
Tanganda Industrials - - 57,380,890 92.59 3.69 -11.67 6,550.33
Truworths Consumer Goods 129,100 5,200 -14.90 -2.12 187.42 17,193.96
TSL Industrials MASH: ZH 700.00 700.00 700.00 22,048 - - -24.22 14,029.57
Turnall MSHL: ZH 7200.00 - 7200.00 1,700 - -1000.00 -11.11 79.20 19,817.26
Unifreight Banking MEIK: ZH 11000.00 10000.77 19,200 192,000 8.81 0.05 37.64 90,669.78
Willdale Consumer Services 10000.00 25,853,360 -2.78 -1.71 19.27 7,519.14
ZB - 208,901 -40.04 -0.50 27.00 20,881.04
Zeco Industrials NPKZ: ZH 950.00 900.00 900.00 100 479,905 - - -43.00 975.53
Zimpapers Consumer Services 1,852,100 - - - -14.66 14,284.10
Zimplow NTFD: ZH 120000.00 102000.00 102000.00 200 - - - 58.51 1,725.64
ZHL Basic Materials 3,200 22,050 - - -32.14 5,057.53
TOTAL Consumer Goods NTS: ZH 1300.00 - 1300.00 - - - -22.08 3,733.80
Consumer Goods - 22,050 -600.00 -9.09 589.58 10,511.44
Consumer Goods NMB: ZH 1900.00 2000.00 2000.00 2,400 72,000 - - 3.09 15.34
Consumer Goods 160,300 - - - -40.04 1,728.00
Consumer Services OKZ: ZH 3128.57 3100.00 3098.15 131,000 4,500 - - 22.84 4,875.81
Consumer Goods PROL: ZH 2507.41 2600.00 2600.00 6,000 - -38.02 -7.60 8,399.81
121,500 1,588,435.61
Industrials RTG: ZH 703.90 689.00 689.00 - 787,801,778
Industrials RIOZ: ZH 11496.87 - 11496.87 -
Industrials SEED: ZH 9000.00 8000.00 6,300
8000.00 -
Banking 10,500
Industrials SIM: ZH 16119.30 16115.00 16128.11 1,200
Consumer Services -
Industrials SACL: ZH 162.25 155.00 159.47 1,500
Financial Services -
TANG: ZH 8038.46 8000.00 7998.42 26,300
11,570,600
TRUW: ZH 254.00 - 254.00

TSL: ZH 4000.00 - 4000.00
TURN: ZH 350.00 350.00 350.00
UNIF: ZH 4750.00 4750.00
WILD: ZH 210.00 - 210.00
ZBFH: ZH 6600.00 210.00 6000.00
ZECO: ZH 6000.00
3.31 3.31
-

ZIMP: ZH 300.00 300.00 300.00
ZIMPLOW: ZH 1415.00 - 1415.00
500.00 461.98
ZHL: ZH 500.00

ETFs CSAG.zw 180.51 - 180.51 - - - - 80.51 65.34
Cass Saddle Agriculture ETF DMCS.zw 174.14 174.00 174.11 31,757 55,292 -0.03 -0.02 74.11 122.81
Datvest Modified Consumer Staples ETF 128.86 128.00 128.00 -0.86 -0.67 28.00 3,060.49
Morgan&Co Made in Zimbabwe ETF MIZ.zw 2717.65 2700.00 2700.00 1,280 1,638 -17.65 -0.65 170.00 3,474.17
Morgan&Co Multi-Sector ETF MCMS.zw 523.46 520.00 520.00 3,459 93,393 -3.46 -0.66 18.16 746.85
33,292 173,118
Old Mutual ZSE Top 10 ETF OMTT.zw

FINSEC Financial Services OMZIL 15000.00 15000.00 15000.00 -- - 50.00 12,451.76
Old Mutual Zimbabwe

VFEX (US cents) Mining BIND:VX 3.00 - 3.00 - - - - -45.45 US$m
Mining CMCL:VX 1300.00 - 1300.00 - - - - - 38.18
BNC Consumer Goods 33.50 2,555 867.21 -2.06 -5.72 8.06
Caledonia Consumer Goods PHL:VX 36.00 - 33.94 - - - - 61.62
Padenga SCIL:VX 39.95 39.95 42.42 183.82
SeedCo International 152.39

Index Close Change (%) Open YTD % Top 5 Risers Price Change % YTD %
ZSE All Share 13,068.97 -4.13 13,632.14 +20.76 NMBZ 2000.00c +100.00c +5.26 +148.35
Top 10 7,685.06 -5.22 +12.83 Proplastics 2600.00c +92.59c +3.69 -10.34
Top 15 8,565.36 -4.63 8,108.26 +13.76 Ariston +9.56c +2.55
Small Cap 8,981.23 +23.10 African Sun 384.56c +8.91c +0.48 +3.32
Medium Cap 495,776.26 -1.80 495,776.26 +41.51 Simbisa 1864.29c +8.81c +0.05 +190.27
28,877.44 29,405.77 16128.11c +79.20

Top 5 Fallers Price Change % YTD %
NatFoods 102000.00c -18000.00c -15.00 -25.80
Delta -11.43 +11.39
SeedCo 18104.82c -2337.52c -11.11 -24.22
Hippo 8000.00c -1000.00c -10.00 -26.07
ZB -2300.00c -9.09 -22.08
20700.00c
6000.00c -600.00c

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

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

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.

Page 24 News Analysis NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

BRENNA MATENDERE Corruption at Parliament,
Zacc sets terrifying trend
IF gold rusts, what shall iron
do? pliance with rules and regu- ty. It is therefore betrayal to 2019 precluded the commis- be exemplary in the manage-
lations as well as other best the people of Zimbabwe that sion from applying an inde- ment of public resources. It
This is the question on citi- practices where there are no Parliament is being entangled pendent assessment of func- is a cause for concern to note
zens' minds following reports formalised procedures. with cases of corruption,” he tional currency as required by that there is unclear utilisa-
of corruption and maladmin- said. the accounting standard and tion of public resources at
istration in Parliament and In terms of the provisions in terms of the guidance pro- Zacc,” he said.
the Zimbabwe Anti-Corrup- of the constitution of Zim- Recently it also emerged vided by the Public Accoun-
tion Commission. babwe, as well as standing that the Zacc had failed to tants and Auditors Board Obert Chinhamo, the di-
orders, Parliament has pow- produce supporting docu- (PAAB),” Chiri said. rector of the Anti-Corrup-
Last month, the nation er to exercise oversight on ments to validate its expen- tion Trust of Southern Afri-
wake up to news that Par- all organs of state, including diture in the previous year After Parliament, the na- ca (ACT-SA), added that it
liament administration led those at provincial and local to Auditor-General Mildred tion looks up to Zacc insofar is imperative that those who
by clerk Kennedy Chokuda government levels. Chiri. as weeding out corruption is have betrayed the vision of
had agreed to a tender for the concerned. It is tragic that good governance at Parlia-
supply of laptops at US$9 Tafadzwa Chikumbu, the In her report on state- both Parliament and Zacc are ment and Zacc be brought to
000 each. Transparency International owned enterprises and enti- themselves not clean. book.
of Zimbabwe (TIZ) director, ties, Chiri said the audit find-
The matter only came to said section 119 of the con- ings warranted the attention TIZ boss Chikumbu told “Institutions of integrity
light when a leaked letter by stitution is clear about how of management and those The NewsHawks that the ab- must be exemplary in terms
Treasury through secretary Parliament must be an insti- charged with governance. sence of the supporting doc- of procurement and finan-
for Finance and Economic tution that abides by strict uments on how Zacc spent cial transparency and ac-
Development George Guva- accountability and integrity. “The commission did not public funds suggested that countability. We hope that all
matanga announced that the fully comply with the pro- money may have been looted. those responsible are brought
ministry had reservations on “The fact that every other visions of International Ac- to book. The earlier this is
a tender awarded to Blinart institution must be account- counting Standards (IAS 21), “Zacc is a critical institu- done, the better, since it tar-
Investments (Private) Limit- able to Parliament does not 'The Effects of Changes in tion of accountability and nishes the image of the coun-
ed by Parliament for the sup- mean that Parliament itself Foreign Exchange Rates' as transparency. Given their try,” he said.
ply of 173 laptops priced at is immune to accountabili- Statutory Instrument 33 of mandate, they should also
US$9264.48 each, translat-
ing to US$1 602 755.77.

Under pressure from vari-
ous stakeholders amid a pub-
lic outcry, Parliament finally
cancelled the tender it award-
ed to the shadowy company.

At present, Parliament’s
Public Accounts Committee
(PAC) led by Gweru Urban
MP and seasoned lawyer Bri-
an Dube, is seized with other
cases that reek of corruption,
judging from the way the au-
gust House’s administration
handled public funds in 2019
and 2020. The sad reality of
these developments is that
Parliament is a constitution-
al institution expected to be
incorruptible, given its over-
sight role on the executive.

Besides the other two roles
of making laws (legislative)
and representing citizens,
Parliament’s other mandate
is to put checks on the ex-
ecutive and guard against all
forms of corruption.

The oversight role entails
the informal and formal,
watchful, strategic and struc-
tured scrutiny exercised by
the legislature in respect of
the implementation of laws,
the application of the budget
and the strict observance of
statutes and the constitution.

Now that Parliament itself
has proven to be corrupt, its
capacity to tackle the vice has
been put in question.

It is useful to note that
oversight extends to the mon-
itoring of the performance
of government departments
through establishing com-

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 25

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Status of women in African churches

MATTHEW MARE the political dimension to AICs. He in political mobilisation of the mass- President Mnangagwa in the build nent.
indicated that, post 2000, the AICs es and instilling hope. up to the 2018 elections, the church’s According to Qu Haiyuan’s anal-
THERE are divergent scholarly became active political participants spokesperson made an important
perspectives with regard to the true and would openly attend national While AICs were against sex- observation which helped to explain ysis in his work A Socio-Political
status of women in African indepen- events like heroes' burials, indepen- ism and injustice, their theologies the church’s church-state relations. Analysis of the Evolution of Religion
dent churches (AICs). dence, heroes’ celebrations, political failed to address the same with- in Taiwan, while the constitutions
gatherings, prophesy and direct po- in their wholly founded religious Madzibaba Chimbodza, the of over 70 states guarantee freedom
Some scholars believe that in AICs litical direction. movements. In fact, there is a sense church’s spokesperson, told President of religious belief, this is also limit-
women play important roles, while in which AICs perpetuated key ele- Mnangagwa that people might be ed by certain conditions, which may
others say that there is gender dis- Towards the 2013 general election, ments of colonisation in their the- given the right to vote by the con- be summarised in the following four
parity. Robert Mugabe, Joice Mujuru and ologies, for example on democracy, stitution and various electoral bod- categories: (1) religious freedom
Morgan Tsvangirai would be seen in elections, gender, human rights and ies but God who spoke through Jo- must not violate social order, public
Lilian Dube (1999) highlighted apostolic garments holding the staff rule of law, among others. In JMAC, hanne Marange has the final say on morality and decent habits; (2) reli-
the importance of women healers to (tsvimbo) suggestive of the political minors are being married off to older who should be the President. gious freedom must not be harmful
the AICs movement and even cited influence of AICs in the outcome of man above 60 years. to national defence, public safety,
AICs women-led movements, for ex- elections, politics and governance. Chimbodza further stated that public order, public morality, decent
ample Mai Chaza, the leader of Guta Children are not attending school, the prophet Noah Taguta-Johanne habits, etc.; (3) political propaganda
RaJehova Apostolic church. This is against the backdrop that and are being used as a source of Marange prophesied on President or the obtaining of political advan-
Mugabe, Mujuru and Tsvangirai labour, with congregants barred to Mnangagwa's victory. To quote him tage must not be carried out in the
Loveness Mabhunu (2010:63-84) were staunch Catholic, Salvation work for white firms or be formally verbatim, he said: “Even if thousands name of religious freedom; (4) the
points to the existence of prophet- Army and Methodist members re- employed by the government. Con- of people vote for someone, that will specific banning of certain religions.
esses within some AICs as evidence spectively. This position by Machoko gregants are barred from accessing not change. You are sitting next to
of women in influential positions; in is also shared by Vengeyi, Manyon- healthcare facilities, women do not the true Man of God (Noah Tagu- The work of Haiyuan helps in un-
African-initiated churches. Tapiwa P. ganise (2011:351-368), Sibanda and have full sexual reproductive rights, ta); what he says is what the Lord has derstanding that religions are as free
Mapuranga (2013) highlighted the Maphosa (2013) and Mwandayi, girls are subjected to virginity tests, said.” as far as they are not infringing into
ambivalence of the status of wom- among others. This relationship is there is segregation in terms of the the right of others as well as the con-
en in AICs, and Elizabeth Vengeyi negatively impacting on the rights church’s sitting arrangements, among Furthermore, he then advised Pres- stitution. Respect of the constitution
(2013) postulates that women in of women and children as the gov- others (Isichei, 1995:255). ident Mnangagwa to stop campaign- means that the church is not above
AICs had to adopt survival strategies ernment and political persuasions ing, because JMAC leader Noah the law.
in a patriarchal environment. Mean- are turning a blind eye on the human Kirby (1994:60-61 corrobo- Taguta-Johanne Marange claimed
while, Mukonyora (2007), in Wan- rights violations obtaining therein. rates Ranger, (2005:2 and Engelke’s that he had won the elections in the Taking a leaf from Haiyuan’s mod-
dering a Gendered Wilderness, talks (2007:5) argument that the quest for spirit. This confirms the assumption el, JMAC should theologise within
of gender dynamics within the AICs. The state being a guarantor and identity influenced the rise of AICs. of this study; AICs are reluctant to the confines of the Zimbabwean con-
promoter of the rights of its citizens Africans considered religious free- follow the state’s authority because it stitution. It is, therefore, the aim of
What is perplexing is that even lit- under the United Nations Responsi- dom as a key step towards self-eman- sees the state as subject to the church. this study to give a theological explo-
erature and inquiries by prominent bility to Protect principle is perhaps cipation and self-determination in ration of the relationship that exists
Zimbabwean women such as Ma- deliberately failing to end the abuse response to the theology of discovery. The church believes that it holds between human rights and the rights
puranga do not explicitly mention on women and children in the eccle- the key to state authority and its of women and children in JMAC.
how the rights of women are being sia. It is such nuances that prompted In this perspective the issue of leader is endowed by God to choose His work also gives the study the ide-
infringed upon in Johanne Masowe this research to examine the impact identity was central to the rise of the President. al situation that must exist between
Apostolic Church (JMAC). There of church-state relationships on the AICs. According to Ranger (2005:2), the church and the state.
is remarkable dialectical evidence of rights of women and children. missionary churches were too aca- Evidently, politicians annually jos-
reference to the links between JMAC demic, hence they failed to address tle to attend the Passover ceremonies *About the writer: Matthew
theology and African traditional reli- Daneel (1974:7) argued that there the issue of African identity. Mis- in AICs. The relationship between Mare is a Zimbabwean academic
gion (ATR). is a direct relationship between col- sionaries were blamed for attacking theology and human rights in Zim- who holds two bachelor’s degrees,
onisation and the rise of AICs. He the African identity which define babwe must be understood in this five master’s qualifications and a
However, there is lack of statistical opined that socio-political factors them and explain their existence. The context as determined by the existing PhD. He is also doing another PhD
evidence, for example, of many child such as sexism and injustice during colonial history has raised JMAC’s church-state relations. and has 12 executive certificates in
marriages taking place annually. In the colonial era when Africans were political consciousness. different fields. Professionally, he is
addition, there is reference to human segregated, forced Africans to use The study reviewed a study carried a civil servant and also board mem-
rights violations without reference to religion to fight the colonial admin- JMAC leadership claims that God out in Taiwan which tried to give a ber at the National Aids Council of
the constitution. istration. Spirit mediums (within loves Zimbabwe and he personal- model relationship that must exist Zimbabwe.
ATR) and AICs played a critical role ly chose its political leadership. In between the church and the state. In
According to Jules-Rosette a televised interview of the visit by that context, the church is obligated
(1987:24), Momberume took the to fulfil the human tights compo-
name Johanne from John the Baptist
and Marange from the tribal name
of the Marange Reserve. He further
stated that he himself was from the
Sithole royal lineage. There is a pos-
sibility that Johanne Marange and
Johanne Masowe do share some
common background. The political
theology of these churches seems to
have some affinities. Both seem to
have had some links or relationship
with some royal families, hence their
theologies got shaped by that back-
ground.

Chiefs in Zimbabwe are an ap-
pendage of the government and the
ruling party’s political commissariat.
The JMAC’s church-state relations
must be understood from this per-
spective. These state-church relations
are central to this research because it
has an impact on the rights of wom-
en and children.

Terence Ranger (1985:27-28)
points at the ill-treatment of Africans
and their culture by colonial govern-
ment; as the cause for the displeasure
in Western civilisation.

He goes on to state that the violent
behaviour, beating of chiefs, con-
fiscation of their cattle, goats, fowls
debilitated the African economic
enterprise, thus paining Africans to
the core. According to Randolph
(1985:2), these drastic measures like
torched maize and granaries caused
great famine and traumatic suffering.
The mistake of Western-founded
churches was their links with the co-
lonial government. The political the-
ology of AICs was informed by this
background.

Machoko (2013:1) highlighted

Page 26 Critical Thinking NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

AMH capture a death knell for
media plurality and press reform

Luke
Tamborinyoka

Introduction In the file photo (from left): Then AMH chief operating officer Kangai Maukazuva, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and publisher Trevor Ncube.
ALL politics is a battle of messages,
hence the importance of the media bodies, Mlotshwa is also the chair- The Daily News and The Financial house in the country. Except a few impartiality and presentation of di-
in the industry of politics. It came person of the Sport and Recreation Gazette, once fierce critics of the gov- bold online newspapers like The vergent views as exhorted by section
as no surprise therefore when Zim- Commission under whose steward- ernent, have since been captured by NewsHawks and other online plat- 61 of the Zimbabwean constitution.
babweans learnt early this week that ship Zimbabwean football has been the regime and have become pliable forms that are still courageously tell- Where a media house is co-owned by
Emmerson Mnangagwa's son-in-law suspended from Fifa and banned shadows of their former bold selves. ing the Zimbabwe story, one might as the President's son-in-law, as is now
Gerald Mlotshwa had bought signifi- from participating in all international well begin writing the epitaph on the the case with AMH, impartiality and
cant shares in Alpha Media Holdings football competitions. By virtue of his The late Douglas Munatsi, yet era of bold and audacious journalism editorial independence become ques-
(AMH), the remaining vestige of the links to the citadel of power, Mlotsh- another ED ally and former chair in this country. tionable and the pertinent media re-
privately-owned media houses in wa has even afforded the luxury of of the Zimbabwe Investment Devel- form agenda to bring in a diversity of
Zimbabwe. snubbing the parliamentary portfo- opment Authority (Zida) was in the The capture of AMH comes after players gets defeated.
lio committee on Youth, Soort and forefront of the capture of a private last year's capture of the envisaged
Most of the privately-owned media the Arts. Mnangagwa's son-in-law, a media house, the Associated Newspa- opened-up broadcast media sector The three arms of the state have
have been captured by the regime. As lawyer by profession, is the same guy pers of Zimbabwe, now the publish- when the regime doled out indepen- now been fully captured. First the
for the publicly-owned media, they who without any explanation what- ers of both The Daily News and The dent television licences to its surro- Executive was captured by the looters
have since time immemorial been soever transferred the ownership of a Financial Gazette. Munatsi organised gates. AMH's capture by Mnangag- and kleptocrats who foisted them-
captive to the ruling regime's political client's private property to the Zim- the financial package that took over wa's family is just but the icing of a selves through a coup in November
interests. The public media have since babwe National Army (ZNA). both newspapers that are now under deliberate and systematic crusade to 2017. Then the Judiciary was cap-
become an extension of the Zanu PF one stable. Both newspapers are now capture Zimbabwe's media industry. tured mainly through the controver-
information department. In fact, the It must be a sad day in the coun- parroting the views of the ruling elite. There is no diversification whatsoever sial and unconstitutional extension
public media have become so em- try's journalism industry that it is this It was particularly during the capture of the media industry as exhorted by of the term of the Chief Justice. And
barassingly captive to Zanu PF that kantakerous guy, the President's son- of The Daily News that its then editor the constitution when regime apolo- Parliament showed that it was cap-
announcements and notifications of in-law, who now owns a huge chunk Stanley Gama unceremoniously left gists take over national communica- tured when it allowed a different po-
Zanu PF parliamentary caucus and of the only remaining private media the paper in a move that paved the tion platforms. Just as happened with litical party to recalll MPs that it had
politburo meetings are now prime house in the country. way for the promotion of more pli- the creation of the Political Actors not deployed to the august House.
time news items. So embedded in able editorial staff to the helm of the Dialogue (Polad) platform, the media
Zanu PF are state media journalists to Indeed, the private media has be- editorial team. terrain has become a "Dzepfunde" Through the capture of AMH
the extent that a host of them partici- come the last frontier in the regime's (folktale) arena where captured media and other private media houses and
pated in the party's primary elections well-calculated ploy to capture the At a personal level, I feel greatly platforms will eternally nod in agree- broadcasting stations, the so-called
in 2018 while the Zimbabwe Broad- country's media industry. With most pained by the capture of The Daily ment with whatever government says Fourth Estate now almost appears
casting Corporation's chief reporter Zimbabweans now getting their news News and The Financial Gazette, the or does. Yes, government media has entirely captured in what is most cer-
Reuben Barwe was unashamedly from various digital platforms, that two papers which at two different now been replicated in the former tainly a tempestuous moment for de-
nominated into the Zanu PF district sector too is under the regime's firm periods I had the priviledge to work private media sector, itself a crude mocracy and media pluralism.
co-ordinating vommittee for Makoni control as the Postal and Telecom- for as chief news editor during our polad-isation of Zimbabwe's private Mnangagwa's octopus grip and po-
district last year. munications Regulatory Authority of era of audacious journalism when media. lad-isation of media
Zimbabwe (Potraz) which is in charge the private and independently-owned Media capture as a crusade has been
It is important to state from the of all internet portals, is headed by media did not parrot the views of the The capture of AMH and the thriving under the Mnangagwa re-
outset that among the key reform one Gift Machengete, a former direc- ruling elite. broadcasting sector now teeming gime. Late last year, the regime
demands ahead of the 2023 elections tor (administration) of the country's with regime surrogates who were through the Broadcasting Authori-
is media reform. Put simply, the citi- spy agency, the Central Intelligence It is against this sad and grim back- awarded licences compromises the ty of Zimbabwe brewed yet another
zens expect Mnangagwa and his gov- Organisation (CIO). ground that Mlotshwa has captured constitutional cardinal principles of
ernment to reform the media and not the only remaining private media
to capture them. The citizens want
a diversified impartial media owned
by truly independent players outside
political and commercial control as
exhorted by the supreme law of the
land.

The capture of the public media is
no longer news. But it is the regime's
capture of AMH, the publishers of
The Zimbabwe Independent, The
Standard and NewsDay, that has awo-
ken the nation to the piranha instinct
of the so-called Second Republic.
AMH are also owners of Heart and
Soul TV and the capture of the heart
and soul of the only remaining pri-
vately-owned media house has shak-
en the media industry to the core.

Mlotshwa, Mnangagwa's son-in-
law who is husband to ED's daughter
Farai, is one controversial guy. ED's
daughter Farai and Mlotshwa, both
divorcees at the time of their mar-
riage, wedded at a lavish ceremony at
the upmarket Leopard Rock Hotel in
Vumba, Manicaland.

As part of the First Family's octopus
grip on strategic state and quasi-state

NewsHawks Critical Thinking Page 27

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

shocker when it awarded six televi- showed its over-arching hand across try during our days. subservient sunshine journalism. munication tutelage bar too high for
sion licences to its surrogates in a the country’s body politic as it was The government-controlled Zim- The regime has simply granted it- this naive military regime that is so
desperate attempt to polad-ise Zim- deemed to be stakeholders in two of desperate to stage yet another coup in
babwe’s television sector. the six companies awarded television babwe Newspapers Group (1980) self television licences. Yes, they are the country’s media.
licences. The rest are simply the re- Limited, which already runs several doing it unto themselves by promot-
Polad is a grouping of pliant and gime’s surrogates. newspaper titles and radio stations, ing self-serving media outposts. Conclusion
captured political outfits that are pur- was unsurprisingly awarded a televi- The capture of AMH is a sad indict-
portedly in dialogue with Zanu PF Yes, the television sector has yet sion licence. Put simply, it is a crude form of ment on the Mnangagwa regime. It
when in actual fact Zanu PF is having again been militarised and propagan- informational masturbation in which shows that they are not sincere on
a monologue because by speaking to da bombs will rain from across the Channel Dzimbabwe, fronted by officials in this decrepit government media reform. In a country where the
political groups with which they are country’s television sector. The mili- war veteran and former ZBC CEO have sought to do it to themselves for media reform agenda must promote
in agreement, the regime is basically tary has direct interest in Rusunungu- Happison Muchechetere, is also part their own propaganda pleasure. media plurality and media diversity,
speaking to itself. ko Media, directly owned by the min- of this despicable cast of Zanu PF it is sad that the piranha, octopus re-
istry of Defence, which was awarded apologists that were awarded televi- So much for the polad-isation of gime is centralising the control of the
Similarly, instead of creating diver- a television licence probably in a bid sion licences and will now masquer- the country’s television sector. Mil- media industry within the ruling elite
sity by awarding television licences to to ensure our esteemed armed forces ade as “independent” media players. itary dictatorships falsely presume as well as those individuals and insti-
independent and diverse players, the mount a propaganda coup this time that by controlling the media they tutions related to it.
regime has ensured its surrogates and around. So much for this regime’s warped end up controlling the people, which
the same players already operating in sense of media diversity! is the reason why before every mili- We have seen the regime and its
the print and broadcast media sectors The sight of the November 2017 tary coup, soldiers first take over the surrogates directly connected to Mr
are awarded the television licences. coup frontman Sibusiso Moyo as a Zanu PF Goromonzi South con- country’s main radio and television Mnangagwa take control of the min-
news anchor on 15 November 2017 stituency aspirant Sharon Mugabe stations. In communication theory, it ing and extractive sector, fuel pro-
In 2021 and in the week that the may have inspired our soldiers to na- fronts the Acacia Media group, yet is called the magic bullet or the hypo- curement and distribution, fertiliser
world lost a football legend called ively assume they can now run a tele- another of the regime-linked compa- dermic syringe theory in which mes- supply, the procurement of Zupco
Diego Maradona, this illegitimate re- vision station! nies awarded a television licence last sages are treated as bullets that have buses, etc.
gime did yet another "hand of God" year. It is equally predictable what an overwhelming effect on passive
through unbridled political chicanery The military are also deemed to Acacia Media Group will broadcast, recipients and soldiers assume, right- Now his son-in-law has taken over
that simply showcased the govern- have interests in Fairtalk Communi- given Sharon’s political credentials. ly or wrongly, that by controlling the the only remaining private media
ment's naked pretence at media re- cations, one of the companies award- Sharon successfully battled it out country's main media outlets, they house in the country. They have tak-
form. ed a television licence when they are with Biata Nyamupinga for the top will be able to control the people. en over Alpha Media House, maybe
already running Skyz Metro FM, a women’s post in the Zanu PF DCC because they now fancy themselves
At his inauguration after pilfering radio station based in the country’s elections in my rural home district of Yet this is the brave new world and the alpha and omega of Zimbabwe's
his way into office through the mili- second biggest city, Bulawayo. Goromonzi. this military dictatorship has to read media industry.
tary’s condign power in 2017, Mnan- around the reception theory in com-
gagwa promised to implement a com- Other companies awarded televi- The licences could as well have munication studies, which rightly as- The capture of AMH is a sad story
prehensive reform agenda, including sion licences include my former work been granted at Zanu PF headquar- serts that the reader or viewer is not not only in Zimbabwean journalism
media reforms. station, The Daily News, now fully ters and not by a highly regarded a passive recipient of communication but in the crusade and fight for me-
captured by the regime to the extent institution such as the Broadcasting but is always an active player in com- dia reforms in the country.
Many expected him to walk the that I am now embarrassed to be as- Authority of Zimbabwe. munication because meaning does
talk by bringing truly diverse players sociated with it. not solely reside in the message and *About the writer: Luke Tambo-
and not these Zanu PF surrogates and There is definitely no diversity in whoever controls it. rinyoka, an award-winning jour-
his antics of brazenly capturing both And we are told a Mnangagwa ally, introducing more of the same. In- nalist and ardent political scientist,
the private and public media in the the late Harare minister of State for deed, sameness is not diversity and The reader or viewer is not a pas- writes from Domboshava. He is the
country. The man has shown he is Provincial Affairs, Oliver Chidawu, these Zanu PF-linked players award- sive recipient of message. Meaning interim deputy secretary for pres-
not committed to any kind of reform, was now one of the shareholders of ed television licences are the true comes alive in the reader or viewer's idential affairs in the opposition
including media reforms. Mnangag- The Daily News' Jester Media (Pvt) replica of the fawning broadcast jour- interaction with the message. The Citizens' Coalition for Change. You
wa is simply no reformer and, as we Ltd, which trades under the name nalism that we have endured under human mind is not always suscepti- can interact with him on his Face-
have always said, there cannot be any 3K TV. Indeed, it is no jest that Zanu the monopoly of the ZBC. ble to messages. In short, controlling book page or via his Twitter handle
reform when we have no reformers in PF’s footprints are now all over this the media does not always translate to @luke_tambo.
this government! popular media house, once the cradle Just as they have done with Polad, controlling the people.
of audacious journalism in the coun- the regime has created a "Dzepfunde"
In 2021, the country’s military (ancient folktale) television broadcast Well, maybe I am raising the com-
sector with a penchant for soporific,

Page 28 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Three scenarios for Zim’s 2023 general elections

JUSTICE ALFRED MAVEDZENGE/
TOENDEPI SHONHE/ ANONYMOUS

Whatever the outcome
of the 2023 general elec-
tion, Zimbabweans need
to scale up and sustain
democratic vigilance. It
is not enough to have
new leaders — the coun-
try needs leaders com-
mitted to democracy
and good governance,
and those leaders must
be subjected to constant
democratic scrutiny.

SCENARIO mapping is a methodi- A Zanu-PF supporter holds a poster of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
cal way of imagining how the future
might pan out. It is usually carried is to provoke a public conversation This scenario is likely to manifest for oil in Muzarabani-Mbire. in addressing some of the econom-
out to give context and situate strate- on the possible main scenarios which if Zanu PF maintains its autocratic According to recent media reports, ic challenges. However, without a
gic planning processes. Zimbabweans and the international nature or presents a facade of reforms genuine commitment to democratic
community may need to plan and to confuse voters and international data analysed has revealed potential principles backed up by substan-
In this opinion piece, we discuss strategise around in their quest for audiences, leading to “victory” in the production of around 283.2 billion tive democratic governance reforms,
three possible scenarios that could democracy.  2023 elections. cubic metres of natural gas, which is Zimbabwe will most likely backslide
manifest during the period leading to Scenario 1: Status quo maintained a substantial amount, and almost 40 to the status quo.
and in the aftermath of Zimbabwe’s By “status quo” we mean the scenario Having succeeded in retaining million cubic metres of oil conden-
2023 elections. Scenarios capture the whereby the current autocratic sys- power, the regime would be more sate. If this exploration results in the Frederick Chiluba  and  Michael
totality of mediating factors or vari- tem of governance and its laws, pol- likely inclined towards endearing it- discovery of sizeable oil deposits, the Sata  of Zambia are examples (clos-
ables that may influence the future icies and practices remain in place. self with the international commu- Zanu PF regime may be tempted to er to home) where the opposition
for the period assessed. It is likely to be the result of Zanu nity, particularly Western countries. not care much about what the world campaigned on the promise of being
PF’s autocratic consolidation against This will be very important as a way thinks of it. It is likely to restructure committed to democracy, but insti-
The scenarios presented here a weak and fragmented opposition.  to end decades of international polit- international relations between Zim- tuted one of the worst and most vi-
would result from the interaction of ical isolation and attract the foreign babwe and the world, especially the cious autocracies in the region after
domestic and external variables. The  Citizens' Coalition for direct investment necessary for bring- West, in the context of the ongoing a temporary reprieve. It took blood,
Change (CCC) is the country’s main ing some stability to the economy. war in Ukraine. tears and sweat for Zambians to re-
Critical domestic variables include opposition party. While Zanu PF is move Chiluba, as much as it took
incremental democratic political re- entrenching and marshalling its re- A number of Western countries An anti-democratic opposition them to remove Sata’s PF party from
forms, the existence of a coherent pressive machinery to “win” the next have begun warming to the Zanu-PF could also replace Zanu PF. A change government.
and united opposition, a distressed elections, the CCC continues to score regime, if the recent invitation of of political leadership does not nec- Scenario 2: Stalemate
economy accompanied by poor pub- own goals, most of which are a result President Emmerson Mnangagwa to essarily lead to a democratic break- The presence of a formidable opposi-
lic service delivery, vibrant civil soci- of its individual-centred approach to the 2022  USA-Africa Summit, and through and should not be assumed tion and a deep state led by a violent
ety participation, mass mobilisation building the party. Some of the issues the invitation to  Queen Elizabeth’s as such, unless the new political lead- military may create a stalemate.
encompassing differentiated genera- are highlighted here. funeral, are anything to go by.  ership is committed to democratic
tional cohorts and social bases, inclu- Pseudo democracy rule. A formidable opposition may
sive information flows, robust “reg- Literature on the behaviour of dic- Zanu PF would be more likely in- manage to unify itself around an
ister to vote” and “get out to vote” tatorships, including the work of Na- clined to sustain this momentum by Although the leadership of the agenda or a charismatic leader, and
campaigns and a watertight vote and tasha Ezrow, shows that autocratic introducing more pseudo-democratic CCC is making strategic blunders effectively master mass mobilisation,
voter protection mechanism. regimes are largely preoccupied with reforms. which weaken the party’s chances of attracting citizens from diverse back-
power retention and consolidation, wresting power from Zanu PF, its grounds to support it. However, this
External variables include direct and not the welfare of the people they Recently, after concluding its staff leader, Nelson Chamisa, enjoys pop- would threaten the military element
democratic support, economic influ- govern. assessment visit to Zimbabwe, the ularity across the country, mainly as a of the Zanu PF regime, which would
ence, diplomatic influence, the war in International Monetary Fund urged result of  Zanu PF’s corrupt rule and take urgent steps to stop the opposi-
Ukraine, global economic shocks of They are aware that they are in the government to introduce “gover- failure to turn around the economy. tion.
the Covid pandemic and reputational power illegitimately and therefore use nance and transparency reforms” — a
influence.  repressive means to protect and con- euphemism for democratic reforms. In the event of factors such as an Without a negotiated exit for the
solidate their power.  This is likely to influence how Za- implosion in Zanu PF, Chamisa authoritarian leader and the military
How these variables interact with nu-PF will govern after 2023, should could emerge victorious in the next that installed him following the 2017
each other over time shapes scenari- In some cases, autocratic regimes it retain power. election. However, given his appar- coup, a successful democratic transi-
os into the future. In each scenario, institute pseudo-democratic reforms ent reluctance to promote internal tion may be hindered.
these variables interact differently to portray themselves to outsiders Some factors which may influence party democracy and his disdain for
depending on how the military and (the international community) as the Zanu PF regime to abandon any public scrutiny, it is possible that his A major underlying domestic fac-
the political class, collectively and as democratic. For example, they in- pretence of democratic reform — government would attempt to fix the tor in Zimbabwe’s political trajectory
individuals, behave. troduce new laws and policies which and slide into the default mode of economic crisis without introducing and decision-making by key stake-
Three scenarios appear to protect human rights and openly employing vicious, autocratic substantive democratic reforms. holders such as the military and po-
The following three scenarios are like- democratic principles, but these are means of governance — include the litical elites (never mind its effect on
ly to emerge after the 2023 general not implemented or complied with. outcome of the ongoing exploration Due to international goodwill the voting patterns) is the role of fear.
election: (among other factors), Chamisa’s
government may temporarily succeed
(i) Status quo maintained;
(ii) Stalemate; and
(iii) Democratic breakthrough. 
Based on our past and ongoing re-
search, we discuss what it would take
for each scenario to manifest, and
offer broad suggestions on how Zim-
babweans should respond to each
scenario. 
We offer no opinion on which sce-
nario is most or least likely to mani-
fest, because such an opinion would
need to be informed by an opinion
poll. 
The purpose of this opinion piece

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 29

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

The military dictatorship which un- within and outside his structureless a radical and collective approach that and rising joblessness may result in We must resist the temptation to
derpins the Zanu PF regime is driven party and is a source of disunity at the is genuinely citizen-driven, built on growing support for the opposition. relax and take a backseat as some did
and controlled by fear. Its beneficia- elite level. Only a Damascus moment issues rather than on an individual or during the period of the government
ries are afraid that if they lose gov- can change the course. individuals. Although a charismatic These conditions may result in of national unity between 2009 and
ernmental power, they will also lose leader is a necessary building block, growing citizen disenchantment, 2013, believing that we had arrived.
their ill-gotten wealth and be held ac- In Chile and Ghana, among other the movement should not be about which can become a bedrock for Robust citizen-driven processes must
countable for the human rights viola- places, the union of opposition forces the leader. Individual-centred move- opposition mobilisation. Economic be introduced to constantly monitor
tions they committed while in power. was a precondition and the magnet ments rarely succeed in removing dic- shocks such as a rapid fall in the local and speak out against any signs of
that attracted credibility and good- tatorships. currency or a sharp rise in the price abuse of power.
Their fear is based on their eco- will.  of fuel and other basic commodities,
nomic interests emanating from il- We learn from the recent victo- coupled with poor service delivery, If the 2023 elections produce sta-
licit gains from their Democratic However, even if the Chamisa-led ry of the United Party for National may trigger protest action that could tus quo results, Zimbabweans will
Republic of Congo expeditions and opposition remains obstinate about Development in the 2021 Zambian cause rifts among Zanu PF regime need to go back to the drawing board,
local mining and agricultural accu- endowing democratic values, citizens elections, and the fall of    Slobodan elites and force the government to think outside the box and create a
mulation efforts, and the fear of ret- may still vote for Chamisa thanks to Milošević of Yugoslavia in 2005, that make some economic and political formidable democratic alternative.
ribution for the crimes committed his oratorial skills and their pentecos- it takes a collective effort to resist and concessions.
during Gukurahundi, the torture tal mobilisation potential, as well as dislodge autocratic regimes. There will be a need to reconsid-
and killings of opposition activists the extreme desperation for change Even if small, such concessions er the effectiveness of an individ-
and human rights defenders, and the among Zimbabweans.  Zimbabwe seems to have an in- may embolden the citizenry and cre- ual-centred opposition which cre-
state-sponsored corruption ravaging dividual-centered opposition in the ate islands of hope that may make ates “strongmen” rather than strong
the economy. The challenge is that he might CCC, with very little capacity to them start believing that a demo- movements.
win without a critical mass, and fail wrestle against Zanu-PF. However, cratic breakthrough is possible. This
It is in this context that the consol- to protect the vote, especially given the CCC is also undermining itself would result in such a breakthrough A stalemate would require the in-
idation of a deep state in Zimbabwe the pacifying nature of Christiani- by building an individual-centered if there is a formidable opposition tervention of the international com-
ought to be understood. The security ty-based political activism, leading movement whose commitment to de- committed to a democratic culture munity, especially African leaders
forces are predisposed to supporting to a stalemate. This may trigger an mocracy appears suspicious to some of governance and able to take advan- and bodies, to create conditions for
Mnangagwa to remain in power at inter-party negotiation process that of the voting constituencies. tage of these conditions. dialogue with a view to establishing a
all costs, notwithstanding Zanu PF may result in some kind of a political unity government capable of institut-
internal fissures. settlement. An implosion or serious disharmo- A resurgent, strong democratic op- ing the political reforms that ought to
Formidable opposition ny in the ruling class may catalyse a position with a strong resource base have been implemented before 2023.
A formidable opposition movement In the face of the low-key impact democratic breakthrough if there is can mobilise potential voters to regis-
could still push the boundaries and of economic sanctions on behavioural a strong opposition capable of cap- ter to vote and to turn out on voting Whatever the outcome of the 2023
threaten to capture power from Zanu change of the ruling elites, and the italising on that. Lack of cohesion day. general election, Zimbabweans need
PF. There are preconditions for the long-standing fatigue of direct demo- among the  Zanu-PF elite may result to scale up and sustain democratic
opposition to transform into a formi- cratic support, diplomatic efforts un- in a 2008-style internal rebellion that Preliminary data from recent mo- vigilance.
dable force. derpinned by reputational influence could see a strong opposition capital- bile voter registration blitzes points
could sway regional and global action ising on a divided Zanu PF vote. to very low registration figures in the There is a need to continue increas-
First, it must be a genuinely citi- to support inter-party negotiations in CCC’s strongholds. Although this ing democratic consciousness in soci-
zen-driven, issue-based movement the event of a stalemate. Much may depend on how Zanu can be attributed to the government’s ety, particularly inculcating and nur-
coalescing under a single figure in or- PF will manage its October elective reluctance to issue national identity turing a culture of demanding and
der to avoid splitting the vote. Whether Chamisa can master rep- congress and its primary elections. registration documents, these figures enforcing accountability at all levels
utational influence in the intervening Although Mnangagwa is unlikely to also reflect the CCC’s lack of a cre- of government and across political
Second, there must be coherent period, and before the 2023 elec- be challenged for the post of first sec- ative robust mobilisation strategy. parties.
messaging on the part of the opposi- tions, is anybody’s guess. retary of Zanu PF at the party’s elec-
tion movement. Scenario 3:  Democratic break- tive congress, his quest to consolidate For instance, there are over two Public intellectuals and civil soci-
through his position as the party’s sole candi- million people who are not young ety have an important role to play in
Third, there must be substantive The two domestic influences likely date for 2023 may further divide the voters and who already have national this. They must speak truth to power
electoral reforms and vibrant “register to trigger a democratic breakthrough party. The imposition of candidates identity documents whom the party without fear or favour.
to vote” and “get out to vote” cam- scenario are democratic political re- during primary elections may further could target for registration.
paigns, as well as assurances of an ef- forms, which may reinvigorate the weaken Zanu PF. There is a need to create a critical
fective “protect the vote” mechanism. opposition into hyper-action, and the There is no doubt about Chamisa’s mass (within society) of people who
These could sway the vote in favour emergence of a united coherent and Assuming that there will be a strong popularity. What remains a concern are prepared to disrupt the status quo
of the opposition in 2023. democratic opposition which would democratic opposition able to take is whether his popularity is amongst by questioning the dominant, and of-
also guarantee post-election demo- advantage of that, Zimbabwe may see registered voters and whether his ten superficial, thinking.
A formidable opposition presup- cratic consolidation. the opposition upending Zanu PF’s popularity can convince non-tradi-
poses the prevalence of a unifying rural dominance and achieve a deci- tional opposition supporters to vote It is not enough to have new lead-
agenda, shared vision, trust and as- A democratic breakthrough will sive victory. In this scenario, Zimba- for him and his party. ers.
surance of post-election democratic depend on the existence of a vibrant, bwe’s securocrats may be reluctant to
consolidation by the main actors. integrated citizen-driven political countenance a blocked power trans- Evidence from countries that Zimbabwe needs leaders who are
movement anchored in clear ideo- fer, while the regional and interna- have experienced democratic break- committed to democracy and good
The CCC lacks basic systems to logical grounding, led by a leadership tional community may exert pressure throughs shows that effective mobil- governance, and those leaders must
ensure internal party democracy and collective able to galvanise citizens on the regime to concede defeat and isation that attracts large numbers be subjected to constant democratic
endow accountability and appears in- to push back against state repression allow power transfer.  from diverse social classes and gener- scrutiny.
capable of democratic consolidation and capable of mastering a strong will Mobilisation ational cohorts is a key ingredient for
guarantees. to register to vote and defend the vote A continued downward economic success.  — Daily Maverick.
programmes. spiral characterised by rising infla- How should Zimbabweans react? 
Whereas citizens generally view tion, currency instability, rising levels In the event of a democratic break- *About the writers: Dr Justice Al-
Chamisa and the CCC as the le- It takes a lot to build such a move- of grand corruption, falling wages through in 2023, Zimbabweans will fred Mavedzenge is a constitutional
gitimate opposition, his leadership ment. need to safeguard and use it as a law scholar. Dr Toendepi Shonhe is
style — informed by self-conferred springboard to deepen democracy. a political economist. Anonymous is
omnipotence — breeds decohesion Building such a movement requires a political scientist who fears retri-
bution if he comments publicly. The
views expressed in this article are
their personal opinions.

Page 30 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

PRIDE MKONO Why democratic alternative
should be above reproach
POLITICS is a socially construct-
ed process of consuming power for of democrats
purposes of appropriating scarce re- Struggles for democracy involve a
sources. wide range of players like civil so-
ciety, labour, regional and interna-
It is through politics that com- tional solidarity networks. A dem-
plex modern societies are managed ocratic alternative must be part of
to either progress or stagnate or this large ecosystem of democratic
even crumble. As a reality, power champions. Within such an ecosys-
works through structures such as tem, the democratic commitment
laws, institutions and relationships of the political organisation is put
between those wielding it and those to the test by its peers.
who must consent to be governed.
This process results in the creation A political organisation which
of a state and its institutions. Most does not engage or consult others in
modern societies exercise political the broader democratic ecosystem
power through organs of the state cannot learn to do so when in pow-
popularly known as the three es- er. Arbitrary actions and top-down
tates. approaches can never be changed
when a political organisation is at
These are the legislature, which the zenith of state power.
makes laws; the executive, which
implements laws; and the judicia- Leaders of the democratic alter-
ry, which interprets laws and ad- native need to learn the art of con-
judicates disputes. Democracy is a sensus building by engaging before
process to try and have the affairs they are in power. Such engagement
of the state managed by consent of is more important when develop-
the majority of the population. This ing blueprints and policies that are
consent is derived through free, supposed to be national in nature.
fair and credible elections and oth- Authoritarian regimes abhor con-
er checks and balances within the sulting citizens because they lack
system. In its most advanced form, legitimacy so those in the demo-
democracy also guarantees the pro- cratic alternative must do the exact
tection of minorities and the vul- opposite.
nerable through state institutions
and policies. It also entails the rule President Emmerson Mnangagwa seized power on the back of a military coup which deposed Robert Mugabe. Offer solidarity
of law and equality of all citizens Fighting authoritarian regimes is
before the law. questioning if the opposition will alternative. at, structures to implement deci- fraught with risks. Those leading
govern differently is not a matter Democracy demands tolerance sions, structures to manage mem- and the most vocal are subjected
I have given these simple work- of casting aspersions but a genuine bership and get feedback, structures to overt and covert strategies of
ing definitions so that we can be on and rational exercise. As the adage of religious freedoms and therefore to hold those implementing deci- coercion. Abduction, enforced dis-
the same page as I present my argu- goes, once bitten, twice shy. Zimba- a political movement based on the sions to account and structures to appearances, murder, and unlaw-
ment on the case for a democratic bweans seeking democratic alterna- advancement of Judio-Christian manage external communication ful arrests and detention are some
alternative below. tives must ask this very important values cannot produce a tolerant and resources. of gruesome methods applied to
question. state that will respect those of alter- silence dissent. There is very lit-
Political power in Zimbabwe has native faith or those who interpret A truly democratic alternative tle that individual citizens can do
been enjoyed by the ruling party, In asking this question, I want the principles differently. cannot function on the basis of ar- when the might of the state in the
Zanu PF, since Independence from to look at four aspects which can bitrary decisions of its leader or the hands of a tyrant falls on them.
white minority rule in 1980. For help illuminate if we are able to European history is awash with consensus of a clique surrounding
over  four decades, Zanu PF has sufficiently answer the question of religious wars amongst those who its leader. In fact, the leader of a However, it is the duty of the
ruled using authoritarian meth- the democratic alternative in Zim- professed belief in the same faith democratic alternative must seek collective democratic ecosystem to
ods as opposed to democratic best babwe.  but interpreted it differently. Local a mandate from its structures and organise solidarity responses as the
practice. The consent of citizens has  Ideological grounding  Christian cults and churches reg- membership. One cannot just de- case maybe. 
been obtained through coercion History teaches us that those fight- ularly engage in violence over the clare themselves as a leader even if
and state institutions have been ing for a democratic alternative interpretation of the same faith. they have formed a political organi- Therefore, a political organisa-
captured to centralise power in a must ground themselves in a pro- This is not to say those leading the sation, unless the whole thing is like tion pushing for a democratic al-
deep state controlled by a few elites gressive ideology. From the declara- opposition must not have religious a pentecostal cult. ternative must offer solidarity. At
in Zanu PF, state security apparatus, tion of independence of the United freedom to the contrary, the beliefs all times it ought to identify with
private businesses and international States of America, to the demands must remain private and politics If a political movement is formed the victims of state abuses, it must
cartels. As an alternative, the oppo- of a republican government of the public. Therefore, without a clear and functions like a pentecostal cult actively work to amplify the voices
sition has campaigned on the back French Revolution, to communist progressive ideology shared by the then it cannot lead to democratic of the most downtrodden and poor.
of establishing a democratic state. war of national emancipation in masses, it is impossible to attain a outcomes and this is not to say it Solidarity should not be used as a
The most fierce challenge to Zanu China, to the fierce fight for free- democratic alternative. cannot attain power. In fact, the moment of political posturing but
PF’s stranglehold on power came dom from apartheid in South Af- Vibrant political institution biggest public danger arises when as a deep  moment to show collec-
from the MDC and, most recently, rica and to our war of national The state is governed by institutions such a political formation takes tive humanity and people power.
the CCC. Over the years and more liberation, progressive ideological and organs. Authoritarian regimes power as it is bound to subvert in-
importantly recently, questions grounding provided a campus in all undermine and erode the effective- stitutions of the state so they func- The four aspects I have discussed
have been raised as to whether the those instances. ness of these institutions to provide tion like it has been doing while in above are not conclusive, but when
opposition itself will be able to free checks and balances which are im- opposition. applied can illuminate if a political
the state from authoritarian tenta- A democratic alternative cannot portant for democracy. A democrat- organisation in the opposition like
cles towards a more democratic dis- be born out of reactionary and right ic alternative must therefore have a A real democratic alternative CCC can be a democratic alterna-
pensation. wing populism. The phenomenon vibrant political institution guided must exercise the democracy it will tive. By offering these aspects I am
of political pentecostalism, whereby by rules and procedures that pro- exercise when in power, its vibrant not in any way insinuating that
These questions are not without a political movement is guided by mote internal democracy. Put sim- institution ought to serve as a train- these are the deficits in the main-
basis because Zimbabwe has a his- fervent appeals to Judio-Christian ply, it must have structures where ing ground for democratic gover- stream opposition but should they
tory of changing only faces yet the values cannot result in a democratic decisions are discussed and reached nance. be then it is an opportunity to cor-
repressive authoritarian system has Must belong to the larger family rect. Finally, this is part of my con-
stayed intact and even becoming tribution to the collective effort of
entrenched. Zanu PF fought the building democracy in Zimbabwe,
liberation struggle from white mi- which is everyone’s responsibility.
nority rule vociferously declaring
that in a free Zimbabwe democ- *About the writer: Pride Mko-
racy shall reign. Its leader, Robert no is a social justice activist. He
Mugabe, eloquently articulated this writes in his personal capacity
vision, yet he ruled for over three and can be reached on: pridemko-
decades with an iron fist. The cur- [email protected]
rent President, Emmerson Mnan-
gagwa, seized power on the back
of a military coup which deposed
Mugabe and he, too, pontificated
about returning to democracy, but
the lived reality is that he has be-
come a brazen autocrat. Therefore

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 31

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

‘Let us vote’: Zimbabweans living outside
the country appeal for Sadc intervention

PADMORE KUFA Media reports have contradicted President Mnangagwa’s commitment to implementing the diaspora vote. cies”, and how these Zimbabweans
“remain connected to and engaged
Although it is difficult to that “the Electoral law may prescribe The contradictions that have come On 26 September 2022, we peti- with their homeland”.
come up with an accurate additional residential requirements to from officials of the ruling party in- tioned President Mnangagwa in ac-
figure, the International ensure that voters are registered on the dicate a deliberate attempt to violate cordance with section 59 of the con- President Mnangagwa has cor-
Organisation for Migra- most appropriate voters roll, but any our right to vote, as enshrined in the stitution of Zimbabwe, which grants rectly pointed out that diaspora re-
tion office estimates that such requirements must be consistent constitution. We believe if there is citizens the freedom to demonstrate mittances have surpassed the US$1
four million Zimbabwe- with this constitution, in particular the will to grant the diaspora vote, and to petition authorities peaceful- billion mark, making the Zimba-
ans are living abroad. with section 67.” as the president led the world to be- ly. bwean diaspora community “a veri-
While their rights to lieve, the process to amend the Elec- table factor in national development
vote are enshrined in the The Electoral Act can be amended toral Act or constitution would have There has been no acknowledge- — indeed, a force for greater good”.
Zimbabwean constitu- to enable polling stations to be cre- commenced immediately after the ment of receipt of the petition.
tion, most are unable to ated in the country of residency of announcement. In the  Sunday Mail  article, Pres-
do so as the Electoral Act diaspora voters. Snubbed by Parliament and by ident Mnangagwa described the
excludes diaspora voting. After getting no response to our the President, we have approached diaspora as “equal to, and just as
All the same, if a constitutional letter to the president, we petitioned Sadc, through the chairperson of the important and as deserving” as the
THE Diaspora Vote Initiative is a amendment was necessary, parlia- the parliament of Zimbabwe on 8 Organ on Politics, Defence and Se- Zimbabwean citizens based in Zim-
non-partisan group of Zimbabweans ment should have moved to make September 2022, praying for Parlia- curity Affairs, for intervention. We babwe. 
living in the diaspora who want to the amendment. But even if the ment to make legislative and/or con- wrote to the current chairperson,
vote during Zimbabwe’s elections. minister’s interpretation of the con- stitutional amendments to enable us President Hage Geingob, on 30 Sep- Baffling
People from other Southern African stitution is right, the constitution to vote. tember 2022 inviting intervention. If the diaspora is “equal to, and just
Development Community (Sadc) is not cast in concrete and can be as important and as deserving” as de-
countries such as Angola, Botswana, amended. It has been amended by Again, there was no response. We view the failure to at least ac- scribed by the President, it is baffling
Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia parliament before, to remove the After submitting our petition to knowledge our correspondence to why our approaches to his office and
and South Africa allow their citizens running mate clause, and to include Parliament, we came across mem- President Mnangagwa, and our pe- to parliament have been ignored.
living abroad to vote in national proportional representation youth bers of another group of Zimbabwe- titions to Parliament and the Pres-
elections, and other countries are parliamentary seats. ans who had, in May 2021, submit- ident, as deliberate efforts to deny Diaspora support is relied on
working towards putting in place ted a similar petition to Parliament. us the diaspora vote. The president during critical times. An  article by
mechanisms to allow their citizens Zanu PF’s secretary for finance More than a year later, Parliament should have used his executive au- Farai Marapira posted on the Zanu
living in the diaspora to vote. and former acting commissar, Pat- has not moved to take the necessary thority to get the minister of Justice PF website quotes President Mnan-
rick Chinamasa,  said the diaspo- steps to ensure the diaspora vote will to look into the necessary amend- gagwa as saying:
Item 1(2) of the Fourth Schedule ra vote would only take place after be possible in 2023, in line with ments.
of the constitution of Zimbabwe sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa’s expressed “In view of the ongoing Covid-19
states:  “The Electoral Law may pre- had been removed. It should be commitment. While Mnangagwa and Parlia- related National Lockdown and
scribe additional residential require- noted that it is not the Zimbabwe- It appears, then, that some ele- ment snubbed us, the President and following concerns from users of
ments to ensure that voters are regis- ans living in the diaspora who have ments in parliament are determined many government officials acknowl- money transfer services, I have now
tered on the most appropriate voters caused sanctions to be imposed on to suppress our right to vote, and we edge the critical role that the diaspo- directed the Governor of Reserve
roll, but any such requirements must Zimbabwe, so sanctions should not have to fight hard and expose this ra can play in national development. Bank of Zimbabwe to immediately
be consistent with this Constitution, in be used as an excuse to deny us our corruption in parliament, to ensure address constraints around this es-
particular with section 67.” right to vote. that our vote is granted. The President has penned an arti- sential financial service…
Deliberate attempt to violate the Petition to Mnangagwa cle titled, “None but ourselves”, pub-
Aware that Zimbabwean Pres- right to vote lished in the  Sunday Mail  of 20 “The new environment arising
ident Emmerson Mnangagwa March 2022, in which he acknowl- from the National Lockdown has
had announced his commitment to edges diaspora Zimbabweans’ “rep- increased our people’s dependence
work towards implementing the di- ertoire of top skills and competen- on remittances which also have the
aspora vote by 2023, we wrote to the added advantage of reaching directly
President on 15 April 2022 remind- the most marginalized numbers of
ing him of his 2018 commitment, our nation.
asking what progress had been made
to implement the diaspora vote, re- “Because of the necessary Nation-
questing to know the challenges, if al Lockdown, livelihoods in the in-
any, faced in fulfilling the commit- formal sector have been disrupted,
ment, and offering to help if we thus forcing many households to
could. depend on the support from their
loved ones abroad. It is thus critical
There was no response. for our financial services institutions
Contradictions to adapt their operations to the new
After our letter, there were media re- emergency situation.”
ports contradicting President Mnan-
gagwa’s commitment to implement- The government has announced
ing the diaspora vote. Justice, Legal it is finalising modalities for the es-
and Parliamentary Affairs minister tablishment of a diaspora bond for
Ziyambi Ziyambi told Parliament Zimbabweans in the diaspora to
that there would be no diaspora contribute to national development.
vote. According to him, the consti- Ironically, government institutions
tution has to be amended to allow do not move with speed to put in
the diaspora vote. place modalities for the diaspora
vote.
In our view, it is not necessary to
amend the constitution to allow the The authorities in Zimbabwe
diaspora vote, because Item 1(2) of responsible for elections must act
the Fourth Schedule of the constitu- with urgency to ensure that Zim-
tion of Zimbabwe specifically states babweans living in the diaspora are
accorded their right to vote — 2023
is possible.

— Daily Maverick.

*About the writer: Padmore
Kufa writes in his capacity as
spokesperson for the Zimbabwe
DiasporaVote Initiative. He can be
reached by email on: zimdiaspora-
[email protected].

Page 32 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

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NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 33

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Disband dysfunctional UN Security Council

TIM MURITHI the UN Charter provides for a “Gen-
eral Conference of the Members for
THE conscription of an additional A high-level meeting of the U.N. Security Council is held at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 22, 2022, to discuss the purpose of reviewing the present
300 000 troops in Russia is a sign that  the Ukraine crisis. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images) Charter”.
President Vladimir Putin is hunkering
down for the long haul in the Ukraine the composite formation of its Sec- mechanisms and strategies to manage the council and the indefinite post- According to Article 109 of the UN
war, which was launched by a Russian retariat, the member states and its and resolve conflicts relied on coercive ponement of UN reform, the world Charter, a Charter Review Confer-
invasion on 24 February this year. numerous agencies. But the Security political negotiations in the context of needs to dismantle it and establish a ence could be convened at a specific
Council is the most powerful of these the prevailing superpower rivalry. process for the radical transformation date and place if it is approved by “a
Despite the escalation of violence institutions and it has a primary re- In effect, the involvement of other of the international system and the ar- two-thirds vote of the members of the
and the endless supply of weapons sponsibility to create and establish collective security organisations and ticulation of a new global democratic General Assembly and by a vote of any
from the West, mainly the United the framework conditions for other third parties was restrained and possi- architecture, which will include a new nine members of the Security Coun-
States and Western European coun- branches and institutions of the UN ble only in conflicts in which the great global infrastructure for mediation, cil”.
tries, the  United Nations Security to contribute toward the peaceful res- powers did not have a direct stake or peacemaking and peacebuilding.
Council  has failed to de-escalate the olution of disputes. in which they had shared interests. So There is a pathway for members of Therefore in practice, there are no
crisis, which indicates it is no longer What seemed initially to be a re- even though the UN established what the UN General Assembly to embark major obstacles to convening a Char-
a useful institution when it comes sourceful array of mechanisms and could have served as institutions capa- on a UN Charter review process that ter Review Conference apart from
to making peace in the 21st century. processes to resolve conflicts were soon ble of creating the framework condi- can lay the foundation for the estab- securing the necessary percentages de-
There is a clear case for dismantling to be confronted by the structural lim- tions for peacemaking, it was severely lishment of this new global democrat- scribed above.
the council and establishing a new itations and the egotistical imperatives undermined by the exigencies of Ma- ic dispensation. Based on ideas that
global collective security system. of the superpowers that dominated the chiavellian superpower politics during have been promoted by the  World In addition, the decision-making
Cold War era. The superpowers (the the Cold War. Federalist Movement for close to half process at such a Charter Review Con-
The images of millions of Ukrai- US and the Soviet Union) and their The self-interested agendas and a century, the time has come to think ference would be relatively democratic
nians, and citizens of other countries client states in the UN framework, cynical actions of the five permanent about creating a new structure for in the sense that “each member of the
fleeing the Russian assault at the out- formed de facto alliances along ideo- members of the Security Council have global governance. United Nations shall have one vote in
set of the war evokes memories of the logical lines and institutionalised an transformed it into a net contributor Such a structure would be premised the conference”. This Charter Review
millions of refugees from the violence oligarchy of power. to global insecurity, as evidenced by on a fundamental shift away from Conference could be initiated through
of the first and second world wars. This appropriation of global power the effect worldwide of the Russian-in- privileging the nation-state in glob- a process of mobilising the will of two-
The brutality of the Russian attack manifested itself through the dom- stigated crisis in Ukraine. The systemic al affairs. A newly established World thirds of the General Assembly and
on Ukraine cannot be questioned and inance of the Security Council in all failure of the council suggests the need Federation of Nations would feasibly nine members of the Security Coun-
the urgency of a mediation process is major decisions and meant that the for an urgent transformation of the in- include the following organs: World cil. The latter provision means that the
self-evident. Efforts to mediate ongo- UN’s ability to resolve conflicts and ternational system. Parliament, Council of Supra-nations, five permanent members cannot veto
ing and future crises in which one or build peace became structurally par- Since the idea of transforming the Assembly of Nation-states, Commit- any proposed UN Charter Review
more members of the permanent five alysed. Rarely, if at all, did the inter- global system was muted after the end tee of Sub-national Groups, Global Conference.
members of the Security Council — ests of the US or the Soviet Union of the Cold War, in the early 1990s, Forum of NGOs, Global Committee
Russia, China, France, the United converge. The greatest threat to in- and after close to three decades of the of Unions and Transnational Corpora- Such a Charter Review Conference
States and the United Kingdom — ternational peace and security, there- rhetoric of restructuring, the fallacy of tions, a Global Court of Justice and an could adopt a recommendation to
are involved will be confronted by the fore, arose from the conflict between UN reform has become a self-evident International Security Force. substantially alter the UN Charter and
same systemic failure.  the Security Council’s most powerful truth. Powerful countries in the UN The founders of the UN recognised introduce new provisions including a
members. system, in particular the five perma- that the moment would arrive when change in the name of the institution
The council’s inability to intervene The Cold War period witnessed over nent members, continue to dangle the it became imperative to transform to, for example, the World Federation
through mediation and preventive di- 150 armed conflicts which claimed perpetual promise of reform, which the organisation and included a prac- of Nations. The adoption of these new
plomacy has led to the resurgence of about 25 to 30 million lives. In this they have no intention of honouring. tical mechanism to review the body’s recommendations could be on the
power politics and the proliferation climate of East-West competition the Given the reality of the paralysis of Charter. Specifically, Article 109 of basis of a two-thirds vote of the con-
of authoritarian regimes that are pre- ference and each member of the UN
pared to defy the will of the interna- General Assembly would have one
tional system of rules and regulations vote.
governing the conduct between states.
There are precedents for Char-
The founding principles of the UN ter Review processes leading to the
as the world’s self-designated purvey- establishment of new international
or of international peace and security organisations, notably the Organisa-
have become paralysed by the realpo- tion of African Unity’s transformation
litik of the permanent members of the into the African Union, initiated by a
Security Council, which was already meeting of Heads of State and Gov-
a feature of the Cold War, and which ernment in 1999.
has rendered it impotent and ineffec-
tual in preventing and resolving vio- Therefore, a UN Charter Review
lent conflict. Conference could lead to the for-
mation of the World Federation of
After the subjugation of the fascist Nations through broad-based and
and totalitarian powers at the end of inclusive consultations that include
World War II, the wartime allies de- governments, civil society, business,
cided to construct a new framework trade unions, and academics.
for the post-war world order. The UN
was the progeny of this endeavour and The trajectory of the UN Security
its primary purpose was to ensure that Council’s dysfunctionality and sys-
there was an institutional mechanism temic failure created the conditions
that, according to the UN Charter of that rendered it ineffective in the face
1945, would encourage its members of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis. This
to “settle their international disputes crisis strengthens the case for the dis-
by peaceful means in such a manner mantling and radical overhaul of the
that the international peace and secu- UN Security Council as an institu-
rity, and justice are not endangered’”. tional framework.

Through the mechanisms of the The UN began with only 51 mem-
Security Council and the General As- bers and now includes 193 countries.
sembly, the UN was provided with the In a similar fashion, a new global dem-
ability to oversee the peaceful settle- ocratic system can begin with a small
ment of disputes. Specifically, Article coalition of like-minded states, and as
33 of Chapter VI of the UN Charter the UN system withers away, an insti-
states that “the parties to any dispute, tution fit for purpose will emerge to
the continuance of which is likely to address the challenges that humanity
endanger the maintenance of inter- faces in the 21st century.
national peace and security, shall, first
of all, seek a solution by negotiation, — Mail & Guardian.
enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbi-
tration, judicial settlement”. *About the writer: Tim  Murithi
is the head of the Peacebuilding In-
To operationalise these interven- terventions Programme at the Insti-
tions, the broad range of institutions tute for Justice and Reconciliation in
in the UN could be used. The UN is Cape Town, South Africa and editor
of the  Routledge Handbook of Afri-
ca’s International Relations.

Page 34 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

A basic income grant for SA: More money
in poor people’s pockets, but at a heavy cost

HYLTON HOLLANDER/ DAAN STEENKAMP/ Different eligibility criteria can rise by 7.7 percentage points of GDP, sic income at the food poverty line the transfer expansion.
ROY HAVEMANN also be inferred. These include con- VAT by about half a percentage point financed by an increase in taxes (a This scenario is estimated to lead
sidering four potential eligibility and personal income tax by about 5.3 “balanced budget” scenario). Debt
ANALYSES of the implications of groups. They are: percentage points. would still rise marginally because to job gains but only because the
extending income support measures the economy would slow. If the new structural reforms permanently raise
in South Africa, including a basic in- • covering 8.3 million people The model predicts job losses grant was funded by VAT alone, this long-run growth and, therefore, gov-
come grant, have focused on one of • reaching the same as the current amounting to about 200 000. These would require an increase of 7 per- ernment revenue.
three things: how much it will cost, social relief of distress grant (10.5 come about because of the fiscal centage points in the rate – from 15%
calculations about how much revenue million people) impact of a permanent increase in currently to 22%. Moreover, by enhancing the econ-
would need to be raised (but without • a grant targeting all poor people spending (higher taxes and higher in- omy’s productive capacity, govern-
assessing the ripple effects), and how (33 million). terest rates). If funded from a combination of ment investment would have long-
it might affect the incomes of the rich • a universal basic income grant to higher VAT and personal income tax, run growth-enhancing effects.
and the poor. the whole population (60 million) The contractionary effects operate VAT would need to rise by 4 percent-
Converting the R350 (US$20) through: age points and personal income tax The take-away
Each of these provide important social relief of distress grant into a would rise by almost 3.5 percentage Our paper shows that the intro-
contributions. But they don’t address permanent basic income grant is es- • higher debt, which leads to rel- points. For the average taxpayer, who duction of a basic income grant
the dynamic and long-term impli- timated to require an increase in pub- atively higher borrowing costs and earns R370 000 (US$21 000) and would require significant long-term
cations of basic income support op- lic debt of about 3 percentage points lower long-term economic growth pays an effective rate of 21.3%, this tax increases and would likely lead
tions on the country’s economy and of gross domestic product after five would mean an increase in taxes from to employment losses. We also show
its finances. What has been missing is years. It would require a marginal • direct crowding-out of govern- R79 000 (US$4 500) per year to R91 that without sustained higher eco-
a modelling that compares – or tests increase in effective indirect tax- ment expenditure in an attempt to 500 (US$5 200) per year. This, in nomic growth, much higher social
– the impact of the different policy es (mainly the value added tax rate, maintain fiscal sustainability turn, would lead to significant con- transfers could threaten fiscal sustain-
choices and their permutations and VAT), an increase in the effective per- traction in the economy, even though ability.
how these are funded and who ben- sonal income tax rate of about 2 per- • crowding-out of private sector there would be some short-term em- Poverty, inequality and unem-
efits and who loses. centage points, and an increase in the expenditure through higher taxes. ployment gains from the large direct ployment are three interdependent
effective corporate income tax rate of income effects from higher transfers. socio-economic challenges South Af-
In a recent paper we attempt to do about 0.25 percentage points. These effects dominate any expan- rican policymakers are seeking to ad-
just that. The model shows that the con- sionary effects from higher transfers. Scenario 3.  This models a grant dress. Addressing this triple challenge
sumption of poor households would at the food poverty line financed by is critical for the future of the coun-
Our model allows for both posi- rise. But it predicts that there would As a result, a large fiscal transfer a combination of higher VAT but try. But an unfunded expansion of
tive and negative economic effects of be some job losses owing to the con- of the type proposed by advocates of also higher economic growth. In the social transfer system could lead
higher direct transfers to households. tractionary impact on investment BIG is not estimated to boost eco- this scenario, the assumption is that to even worse economic outcomes
The model thus captures feedback and growth from higher debt and nomic growth. government simultaneously expands — the medicine should not be worse
effects between government expendi- higher taxes. government investment by R60 bil- than the disease.
ture, taxation, household consump- Introducing a grant at the food The largest transfer expansion con- lion (US$3.4 billion) and successfully — The Conversation.
tion, firm investment, debt, interest poverty line [R624 (US$35) per per- sidered is a grant of R840 (US$47) undertakes structural reforms (such *About the writers: Hylton Hol-
rates and economic growth. son in 2022 prices for an eligible pop- per month for 33 million households as removing constraints on electricity lander is a senior lecturer at Stel-
ulation of 10.5 million at a cost of at a cost of R333 billion (US$19 availability). lenbosch University in South Africa.
On the one hand, our model shows R79 billion (US$4.4 billion)] would billion). This, the model suggests, Daan Steenkamp is a research asso-
that a basic income grant would de- lead to higher debt, VAT and person- would increase debt by 42 percentage In this scenario, VAT would still ciate at Stellenbosch University. Roy
crease economic growth through al income tax increases. Debt would points of GDP, requiring higher VAT need to rise (by 9 percentage points Havemann is a research associate at
three main channels: an increase in of 3 percentage points and personal without structural reform, and 5 per- Stellenbosch University.
borrowing costs, an increase in taxes, income tax to rise by 29 percentage centage points with reform) to fund
and crowding-out of private and oth- points, essentially a doubling.
er forms of public spending.
The contractionary impact on the
On the other hand, it would economy would be estimated to lead
have a positive impact on economic to nearly a million job losses.
growth through one main channel:
an increase in consumption by poor Scenario 2. This focuses on a ba-
households.

Overall, the results suggest that
the negative economic effects of an
expansion in social grants would
outweigh the positive. We conclude
that, without structural reform of the
economy and sustained economic
growth, introducing additional per-
manent social transfers could threat-
en South Africa’s macroeconomic and
fiscal stability.

Three possibilities
The paper considers three basic
income grant scenarios. And it esti-
mates different combinations of tax
and debt funding.
Scenario 1: This estimates tax and
debt outcomes for different grant
sizes without imposing any specif-
ic “funding policy”. The estimated
model based on historical data guides
the macro-fiscal dynamics.
The scenario estimates two possi-
bilities for expanding social transfers:
• convert the R350 (US$20) tem-
porary social relief of distress grant
into a permanent basic income grant
• raise the grant in three possible
ways – to the food poverty line (R624
in current prices or US$35); the lower
bound poverty line (R890 in current
prices or US$50); the upper bound
estimate of the poverty line (R1 335
in current prices or US$75.50).

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 35

Issue 101, 7 October 2022 AU @20 — Burkina Faso
and the curse of coups
ADEOYE O AKINOLA
People take part in a rally in support of the coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
AS the African Union (AU) contin-
ues to celebrate its 20-year anniver- an attack by terrorists and an out- reign of terror through the traffick- efforts at repackaging its stance on To gain a deeper understanding
sary, the resurgence of coups d’état break of intercommunal violence in ing of illicit goods in collaboration military takeovers. One such was the of the root and immediate causes
in the Sahel has called into question Arbinda, northern Burkina Faso. In with existing organised criminal net- convening of the 16th Extraordinary of military interventions in politics
its seriousness in combating “uncon- August 2022, an Islamist fundamen- works, including armed robbery, and Session of the Assembly of the AU and attempt to proffer sustainable
stitutional change” of government. talist group killed four soldiers and kidnapping. on Terrorism and Unconstitutional policy frameworks to deter coups in
nine civilian army volunteers in an Changes of Government in Africa in Africa, the Institute for Pan-African
On 30 September, news of  an- ambush in northern Burkina Faso, They have also targeted the re- May. The rate of military interven- Thought and Conversation, Codes-
other coup d’état filtered through while the army also claimed to have source community during gold min- tions in politics and the boldness of ria, and TrustAfrica’s forthcom-
from Burkina Faso. Sporadic shots killed 34 militants during the attack. ing operations. Despite the exploita- the military to strike for the second ing  AU@20  symposium  between
were heard at the heart of the coun- tion of resources in the country, time in eight months since January 2-4 November has become more
try’s capital city, Ouagadougou. The Both state security and the in- more than 42% of the population is shows how little they “feared” the important. A conversation like this
news of a coup is gradually becom- surgent groups have killed innocent living in poverty — Burkina Faso is AU. is an essential corollary for the peace
ing a familiar narrative in the Sahel. civilians during several gun battles. the fourth largest producer of gold and security of Africa.
In Burkina Faso alone, the military Burkina Faso has become the most in Africa. Unregulated exploration The declining fearsomeness of Ni-
has struck nine times since its inde- insecure country in the Sahel. has also come with its own threats. geria within Ecowas has also limit- — Daily Maverick.
pendence in 1960. ed its deterrence capability in West
Apart from terrorism, the country In addition, the country is at Africa. Thus, the region may experi- *About the writer: Dr Adeoye
Prior to the announcement of also harbours crimes such as kidnap- risk from climate change, which is ence more military coups if the AU O Akinola is head of research
this military takeover by a section ping, banditry, money laundering evident in the loss of agricultural and international community are and teaching at the Institute for
of the military, things had fallen and terrorism bankrolling. Based productivity and land degradation, not more rigid in their opposition to Pan-African Thought and Conver-
apart within the military leadership, on reports by the US Department including restricted access to water the unlawful use of instruments of sation, University of Johannesburg,
and the sacking of the interim presi- of State, terrorist organisations op- resources. The AU has responded to coercion by the military. South Africa.
dent, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Hen- erating in the country fund their the waves of coups with intensified
ri Sandaogo Damiba did not really
come as a rude shock. Damiba as-
cended to power in a coup d’état on
31 January 2022, ousting the civil-
ian administration of president Roch
Kabore. Captain Ibrahim Traore has
now taken over as interim leader of
the military insurgent group until a
new leadership arrangement can be
negotiated.

The inability to combat terrorism
and restore order to the country was
given as the reason for the military
putsch. Ironically, Damiba had giv-
en the same reason for the sacking
of Ibrahim Traore earlier this year.
Stakeholders in Africa’s governance,
peace and security need to be very
worried about the character and er-
ratic nature of the Burkinabé mili-
tary.

As usual, the international com-
munity, including the United Na-
tions, the Economic Community of
West African States (Ecowas), and
the African Union (AU), has con-
demned the military takeover.

While a military coup remains an
aberration and condemnable, it is
also an aberration for a state to con-
trol only 60% of its territory, losing
the other 40% to armed groups.
Since the 2015 outbreak of terror-
ism in Burkina Faso, tens of thou-
sands of people have lost their lives,
and millions have been internally
displaced.

The depth of terror has increased
at an alarming rate since 2020, with
the use of improvised explosive de-
vices (IEDs), small arms and light
weapons. Across the country, the
targets of the attacks have changed
from state security to volunteer de-
fence forces and the civilian popula-
tion.

In the first week of April 2019,
more than 60 people died during

Page 36 Reframing Issues NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Nigeria ticks some boxes as a democracy. Why
this hasn’t translated into a better life for most

ABIODUN FATAI

SINCE gaining independence on 1
October 1960, Nigeria has strug-
gled to maintain a democratic gov-
ernment.

The election of 1999 offered re-
newed hope after a series of military
coups  and periods of generals in
uniform running the country.

More elections followed over the
years. Holding elections is a com-
monly accepted feature of democra-
cy, along with having an informed
electorate and protecting basic hu-
man rights.

My  doctoral study  explored Ni-
geria’s (and Senegal’s) progress with
consolidating democracy between
1999 and 2012. As a researcher on
elections and democratisation a key
question that’s emerged for me is
whether democracy has led to de-
velopment in Nigeria.

Democracy and development interruption of the electoral cycle. countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, Democratic institutions such as of democracy and development.
The  dominant perspective  in the The regularity of the electoral cycle Egypt and Tunisia. parliament, political parties and the There are issues of leadership, weak
literature is that there’s a strong led to the first electoral turnover in judicial system are still affected by institutions and governance, acute
correlation between democracy and 2015, when the incumbent Presi- The low development index is this legacy. They have become less corruption and insecurity.
development. In most developed dent Goodluck Jonathan  handed related to the fact that  about 40% reflective of citizens’ demands. And
democracies, it is assumed that de- over power to Muhammadu Buhari of the Nigerian population  (about they have become corrupt. These should be tackled by elect-
mocracy and economic develop- after a peaceful electoral outcome. 83 million people) still live on less ing developmental and transforma-
ment are linked. than US$1 dollar a day. Nigeria has been ranked as one tional leadership whose vision is an-
But  Nigeria is yet to attain the What’s gone wrong? of the most corrupt countries in the chored on democratic culture and
But in fact the impact of democ- desired economic development  de- In my view there are two issues that world. It is ranked 154 out of 180 collective national interest rather
racy on development is not linear. spite its democratic practice since have stopped Nigeria translating in the Transparency International than politics of self-enrichment.
There is growing evidence that de- 1999. its democratic dividend into better Perception Index.
velopment can occur in both dem- economic outcomes. Nigeria should strengthen demo-
ocratic and non-democratic states. Nigeria faces acute poverty, The ruling elites frequently re- cratic institutions and improve gov-
youth unemployment, institutional The first is poor quality leader- serve government appointments ernance for economic development.
There is therefore a need for cau- corruption and widespread insecu- ship. The second is weak institu- and contracts for cronies without I think if the security architecture
tion in correlating democracy to de- rity. tions. This has led to poor gover- due process and merit. Some polit- is strengthened, democracy and de-
velopment. The freedom of choice nance, corruption and insecurity. ical leaders have been convicted for velopment will thrive.
and political pluralism offered A 2022 World Bank report stated corruption. At the same time the
by democracy may not necessari- that: Without strong and ethical lead- rule of law and constitutionalism Similarly, the country needs an
ly translate to improving material ership, institutions are weakened are at a low ebb. intense effort to transform and di-
conditions. Empirical evidence also Tens of millions Nigerians can- and the established culture of de- versify the economy through hu-
suggests a weak link between de- not access education, basic infra- mocracy frequently withers.  Dem- Security has waned due to Boko man capital and infrastructural
mocracy and economic growth. structure, safe drinking water and ocratic culture  is a set of values, Haram insurgency and bandits. Ag- development. This will address the
healthcare service as a result of pov- attitudes, and practices shared by itations by groups seeking self-de- problem of corruption, poverty and
There are conscious efforts by erty. Poverty has been further wors- citizens and institutions, without termination are also on the rise. unemployment.
African countries to embrace de- ened by climate change variability which democracy cannot exist. How can democracy work better
mocracy as a form of government and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. for citizens? — The Conversation.
that will strengthen development. Democratic culture is missing I  discovered  that 23 years of de-
Botswana and Mauritius are good Nigeria was ranked 163  in the because of the  enduring legacy of mocracy in Nigeria are an illusion *About the writer: Dr Abiodun
examples. In both,  democracy has Human Development Index for military and authoritarian rule. Fatai is a senior lecturer at Lagos
been pinpointed as one of the main 2020 and 2021 out of 189 coun- State University in Nigeria.
reasons for economic growth. tries.  It compares badly  with other

Others on the list of countries
that have advanced their democrat-
ic practices and achieved develop-
ment outcomes are Ghana, the Sey-
chelles and Cape Verde.

But democratic countries like
Lesotho, Senegal and Madagas-
car all score low on human develop-
ment. In 2019, 73.2% of Madagas-
car’s population lived on less than
US$1.90 a day. For Lesotho it was
36.4% and Senegal 29.7%.

Countries such as Namibia, Tan-
zania  and  Zambia  conduct regular
elections. Yet they are underdevel-
oped. And despite periodic elec-
tions Niger, Chad, Guinea, Burki-
na Faso, Sierra Leone and Burundi
score low on development indices.
Nigeria’s experience
Nigeria has shown signs of consol-
idating its democracy. It has held
elections in 1999, 2003, 2007,
2011, 2015 and 2019 without an

NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 37

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Zulu monarchy: How royal women have
asserted agency, power throughout history

JILL E KELLY/ LIZ TIMBS/ J
ABULANI SITHOLE

THE passing away of South Africa’s Royal women defended the Zulu monarchy during times of assault and civil war.
Zulu king  Zwelithini kaBhekuzu-
lu  in March 2021 refocused atten- points out, some of the praises of bi okaMsweli advised her son Di- through her contribution to his au- kingdom, there are instances of
tion on the role of royal women in royal women masculinise them. nuzulu kaCetshwayo in the wake thorised biography. women sustaining chiefdoms in
Zulu leadership. The izibongo of Queen okaMsweli, of the Zulu civil war that followed the early decades of colonial rule
who was the mother of King  Di- the British annexation of Zulu- During King Zwelithini kaBhek- in Natal. The scholar Felix Jack-
After the official mourning pe- nuzulu kaCetshwayo, describe her land. While he was exiled to Saint uzulu’s long reign, royal women son  shows women members of
riod, and to the surprise of many as “uSomakoyisa”. This praise po- Helena, she kept him updated and played key roles in sustaining and chiefly elites  attempting to rees-
observers, the late king’s will  ap- sitions her as “the tough and un- cooperated with the prime min- reestablishing cultural inheritances. tablish polities in these difficult
pointed  his senior wife Queen compromising one”. The prefix “so” ister of the Zulu, Mankulumana The late king’s fourth wife, Queen years.
Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu to hold depicts a male figure (versus “no” to kaSophunga. Buhle kaMathe, revitalised uMk-
the throne for his successor. refer to a female). hosi woMhlanga (the Reed Dance), Zulu women don’t have a sin-
Reinforcing customs, fighting Royal women also defended King a long-standing ceremony to cele- gle, homogeneous status. Not all
Queen Mantfombi died six weeks succession battles Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo during his brate Zulu womanhood, and held women enjoyed access to political
later. Her will named her son Misu- Perhaps most famous of the power- trial after  impi yamakhanda  (the major cultural events at her palace. power. But there were those who
zulu kaZwelithini as the heir. ful Zulu women are Regent Queen war of the heads, or Bambatha’s Re- actively engaged in politics and
Mkabayi kaJama, regent for Senzan- bellion) in 1906, collaborating with Princess Ntandoyenkosi was governance. Their influence is yet
In response, Zwelithini’s first wife gakhona kaJama, and the Queen Anglican missionary  Harriette Co- granted the title of “head of the to get full attention and under-
Queen Sibongile Dlamini Zulu and Mother Nandi. lenso to position the leader as pro- maidens” in 2005. Mukelile kaTh- standing.
her daughters, Ntombizosuthu tecting Zulu autonomy. andekile Jane Ndlovu Zulu and
kaZwelithini and Ntandokayise Regent Queen Mkabayi operat- Nqobangothando kaNophumelelo The intrigues of the succession
kaZwelithini,  challenged the late ed as a senior member of the Zulu These royal women played im- MaMchiza Zulu promoted  izin- dispute remind us that much more
king’s will in court. They tried to kingdom during its height in the portant roles in succession dis- tombi zomhlanga (virginity testing) historical research is needed on
prevent Misuzulu’s installation. early 19th century. She was re- putes. Christina Sibiya, the wife of revivals and a controversial bursary women’s access to power.
sponsible for enforcing custom and King Solomon kaDinuzulu, provid- for “maidens” proposed in 2016.
These contestations are only the advising kings  Shaka kaSenzanga- ed her son Cyprian Nyangayezinzwe — The Conversation.
latest episodes in a long history of khona  and  Dingane kaSenzangak- Bhekuzulu kaSolomon with the im- The claim by Queen Sibon- *About the writers: Jill E. Kel-
royal women’s agency in the affairs hona  as part of a military council. petus to claim the throne. She also gile that she is entitled to half of ly is associate professor of histo-
of the Zulu kingdom. The izibongo of Queen Nandi pres- testified in 1945 to the government the  royal estate  as Zwelithini’s ry at Southern Methodist Uni-
ent her as a strong-willed and pro- commission that found her son to only legal wife shows new forms of versity in the United States. Liz
Since 2010, the South African tective mother who advocated for be the rightful heir. agency for the women of the royal Timbs is assistant professor at
government has formally recognised her son Shaka’s ascendancy. family. It remains to be seen what the University of North Carolina
seven kingdoms in the country. Of In 1969, King Cyprian’s widows role King Misuzulu’s new wife, Wilmington in the US. Jabulani
these, the Zulu royal house is the Royal women defended the Zulu and Princess Greta  manoeuvred  to Queen Ntokozo Mayisela, will take Sithole, a commissioner in the
best financially supported. As a re- monarchy during times of assault have Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhek- in the public sphere. KwaZulu-Natal Commission for
sult of secret negotiations in the last and civil war. For example, Novim- uzulu installed. Princess Nonhlan- Sustaining chiefdoms Traditional Leadership Disputes
days of apartheid, the Zulu king is hla shaped the official account of Beyond the inner circle of the Zulu and Claims, contributed to the
the largest landowner in the prov- Zwelithini’s ascendancy and rule research.
ince of KwaZulu-Natal. He is the
sole trustee of nearly 30% of Kwa-
Zulu-Natal’s land. South African
taxpayers  support the royal fami-
ly to the tune of R75 million (over
US$4 million) each year.

As scholars of traditional author-
ity in the region that is now Kwa-
Zulu-Natal,  we convened  a round-
table after Zwelithini’s passing with
historian Jabulani Sithole to reflect
on how historians have written
about the king. As we noted in the
roundtable, this necessary attention
to Zwelithini and his forefathers has
obscured the agency exerted by roy-
al Zulu women in state-building.
Historians still have much to ex-
plore on this topic. The isiZulu lan-
guage, izibongo (praises) and place
names are among the sources still to
be mined in depth. But Zwelithini’s
passing provides a starting point for
reflection on the role of senior royal
women in Zulu history.
Gender, status and access to power
In the historical polities of south-
eastern Africa, gender and genera-
tion shaped a person’s status and ac-
cess to power. Respect for elders was
encouraged. Women carried many
responsibilities in showing respect
for men. Men, too, were required to
show deference for senior women –
including mothers, mothers-in-law
and royal women.

As the historian  Sifiso Ndl-
ovu  has argued, among royals, the
primary principles of social organ-
isation were seniority, defined by
lineage and relative age.

This does not mean gender did
not come into play. As Ndlovu

Page 38 World News NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

EMMANUEL MATAMBO Africa can capitalise on
China’s ascendancy
THE first of October 2022 marked 73
years since Mao Zedong stood at Ti- not conform to the post-1949 com- for global dominance did little to lift The 2007 to 2008 global economic an object of their global dominance.
ananmen Square and proclaimed the munist invention. All these initiatives Chinese people from their desperate recession had hobbled major Western The West comes with a history of co-
founding of the People’s Republic of did marginal work in ending China’s poverty. It seemed that, for as long as economies, while China was consid- lonial, racial and economic domina-
China. poverty and the country, proud as it is, Mao remained the helmsman, Chi- erably unscathed. China would  re- tion, which China does a good job to
was relegated to play second fiddle to na’s economic situation would remain peat this resilience more than a decade highlight as it seeks deeper interaction
The event came at great cost – the the Soviet Union in the latter’s tussle unchanged. The chairman’s death in later when, amid the Covid-19 assault with the historically colonised regions
communist victory that Mao and with the United States for global dom- 1976, and the liquidation of his no- in 2020, it would be the only major of the world. The United States was
comrades accomplished was riddled inance. torious acolytes called the Gang of country to register appreciable eco- stunned, for example when the Solo-
with millions of casualties, warlord Four, opened up opportunities for the nomic growth. mon Islands rejected an American deal
anarchy, fleeting and failed attempts This status quo benefited the main full rehabilitation of some commu- with Pacific Islands, citing the need for
at synergy with the nationalist or Kuo- Cold War belligerents. However, the nist members who had been purged All this bodes ill for China’s detrac- “time to reflect”. This comes against
mintang leadership of Chiang Kai- United States was aware of China’s in- during the Cultural Revolution. Chief tors – a formidable pack led by the the backdrop of China’s diplomatic
Shek, Japanese occupation and World strumental value in undercutting Sovi- among them was Deng Xiaoping, the  United States. America is particular- victories and economic sallies in the
War II.  et influence. Getting China in Amer- architect of China’s successful reforms. ly unnerved by China’s economic suc- Pacific Islands. As one would expect,
ica’s camp of allies offered economic cess and it has dramatically recanted this will deepen American rancour.
“The Chinese people have stood promise by unlocking the world’s larg- Deng was a communist but of a the Nixon-era overtures and realism.
up,” Mao asserted on that October est market for American goods but more pragmatic mould. “Let China sleep, for when she awakes, While a rejuvenated China is an
day in 1949. Notwithstanding Chi- was also crucial in stripping the Soviet she will shape the world,” Napoleon ogre to its critics, it might offer some
na’s rich history, the People’s Repub- Union of crucial allies. It is notewor- During Mao’s overreaching stay at had warned. The United States and lessons to countries whose circum-
lic was born under very inauspicious thy that, even though China was not the summit, Deng could not suggest, its allies, were content with a sleeping stances mirror those of China at the
circumstances which make its current a member of United Nations up to let alone press forcefully for, China to China, not the bullish one that Xi pre- time of its founding 73 years ago.
affluence more remarkable. 1949 was 1971, America, as Richard Nixon’s open up to the rest of the world eco- sides over. The obvious reference here is Africa,
two years after the declaration of the now fabled 1967 piece in Foreign Af- nomically. When he had the chance, of course. As the continent interacts
Truman Doctrine, which heralded the fairs titled Asia after Viet Nam reveals, starting from 1978, he led China to America has been accustomed to with both the West and East, upper-
Cold War. China was ideologically on realised that China was too important one of the most stunning economic being at the pinnacle of the global most should be African interests and
the side of the Soviet Union and hence a country and aspiring global pow- successes in history. China’s econom- pecking order and is understandably putting a higher premium on partners
could not have openly cordial relations er to be left in perpetual and rueful ic growth was averaging around 9%, loath to cede this comfort to an erst- that acknowledge and respect African
with America. China also had to deal isolation. China’s ideological discord about three times that of America. In while Third World country. America’s agency.
with the affront that the Kuomintang, with the Soviet Union under Nikita 1997 it reclaimed Hong Kong, there- missionary and universalist way of
who fled to the island of Taiwan to Khrushchev was an opportune epoch by gaining effective control of an edu- thinking creates the premise on which Thus far, China seems to be bring-
establish the Republic of China there, for America to court China. cated citizenry endowed with a lucra- its hostility to China’s rise rests. It be- ing to Africa’s relations an aspect that
took with them diplomatic recogni- tive port system. lieves that American values (politics, was missing postcolonialism – a ma-
tion at the global stage and occupied To the United States, therefore, culture and economics) should be the jor player with a keen understanding
China’s permanent seat at the United China was a blessing in the fight For the first 35 years of its growth global norm and hence, with mission- of foreign dominance and relentless
Nations Security Council.  against what Ronald Reagan famously (1978 to 2013), China was assiduous- ary zeal, wants to convert the rest of the instability. China, like any other coun-
described as the evil empire, and the ly building a sturdy economy but was world. China seems to be presenting try, is a fallible player, but it might be
Seventy-three years later, China’s ideology it represented. To the devel- a diffident player on the global stage. It an alternative dissenting view and it is a blessing to Africa’s own quest for
political system remains largely un- oping world, especially the colonised contented itself with reclaiming Hong emboldened by its economic growth rejuvenation. The responsibility to
changed but its economic profile is regions, China was a dependable kin- Kong, containing Taiwan’s sovereignty and growing footprint the world over. use China’s growth to Africa’s advan-
staggeringly impressive. China is now dred spirit and its solidarity was hand- ambitions, and campaigning for inclu- These ideological divergences were the tage squarely resides with Africa – of
a credible claimant to superpower sta- somely rewarded when in 1971, with sion in the World Trade Organisation. lynchpin of the Cold War. course.
tus. massive African support, China gained
a permanent United Nations seat at The plodding and diffidence seemed Fears of a new Cold War have be- — Mail & Guardian.
Its growth has divided opinion. To Taiwan’s expense. to change after the 18th  National come quotidian features in American
those, like the developing and pre- Congress in 2012, which propelled Xi political debates and contests. China’s *About the writer: Emmanuel
viously colonised regions to whom But China was still confined in Jinping to the helm of the Commu- allure to the developing world excites Matambo is the research director at
China provides alternative ways to Mao’s straitjacket and its instrumen- nist Party of China. By this time, Chi- the anxieties of players who for centu- the Centre for Africa-China Studies,
economic success, China is a good ex- tal importance to America’s quest na was the second biggest economy in ries have treated the “Third World” as University of Johannesburg.
ample and template. To Western glob- the world, having supplanted Japan.
al players, especially, for whom China
is a different political system, with an
alien culture, but with a growing num-
ber of admirers, the country presents
a mortal threat to their dominance. It
is noteworthy that, when China was
mired in poverty and internecine in-
stability, Western attitudes were mark-
edly different – certainly not as hostile
as they are currently.

At its founding in 1949, China
was a Third World backwater with a
per capita income of about US$23.
The  expression  “Sick Man of Asia”,
which was hurled at the Qing Dy-
nasty for losing the Sino-Japanese war
came to symbolise China’s seemingly
congenitally bad governance. Mao’s
leadership style, centred around his
predilection for violence, communist
zealotry and accumulation of untram-
melled personal power, isolated China
from the rest of the world on ideolog-
ical terms, while some grave atrocities
were carried out on home soil.

The Hundred Flowers Campaign
pretended to support the free flow of
ideas and scrutiny led by communist
and non-communist intellectuals but
morphed into a far-reaching persecu-
tion of those who heeded the call to
criticise the communist leadership.
The campaign lasted from 1957 to
1957 but it partly created the basis for
the Cultural Revolution which started
in 1966.

The Cultural Revolution was Mao’s
attempt to create in China a commu-
nist heaven, rid of the blasphemous in-
tellectualism that was against commu-
nist ideology. The intent was also to
break with Chinese history that could

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 39 Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Civil Sosiety actors Terence Chitapi, Calvin Fambirai, Bless-
ing Vava and Beloved Chiweshe

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA ‘ZEEM TV set to be a game
changer in Digital, Online TV’
A NEW online television station,
ZeemTV, is offering a range of rate, widespread and consistent country. quest for oneness as enshrined in aired special programmes, one fo-
thought-provoking stories from information as a necessary catalyst “Powder Room is a discussion the founding values of our Con- cusing on the role of the unnamed
around Zimbabwe while amplify- to increase citizen demand for im- stitution. women heroes who participated in
ing citizens’ voices. plementation of the constitution,” point on issues affecting women the liberation struggle.
said Blessing Vava, who is also Cri- on a daily basis, and African Yut, Zeem TV also has a weekly news
The channel, formed by a con- sis in Zimbabwe Coalition head. a programme that amplifies the analysis programme that looks at “The other on the paradoxical
sortium of civil society organisa- voices of young people making a excusive headlines. life of the Kanyemba people who
tions, will air content on Twitter, “So far, ZeemTV has five key difference in their communities, have to risk their lives while try-
Facebook, Tik-Tok, YouTube as programmes; We The People, while highlighting issues around Asked what differentiates Zeem ing to cross the Zambezi River in
well as on its website. which focuses on discussing the their participation in civil, po- TV from other mainstream tele- order to get treatment in Zambia.
relevant provisions of the consti- litical and economic process,” he vision stations like ZBCTV, Vava
According to producers, tution of the day, Around Zeem; said. said they were bringing diversity. “Zeem TV has also run a spe-
ZeemTV will feature exclusive vi- which seeks to tell the story of cial programme documenting the
sual content that tells the story of Zimbabweans from across the Vava said the station celebrates “To date, Zeem TV, which has story of the Domboshawa Hills,”
the lived realities of Zimbabweans the country’s diversity and its been running its programmes pri- he said.
from across all social, political and or to the launch, has successfully
economic sectors.

“Zeem TV is a great source of
soft and hard edutainment stories
on citizens' constitutionally guar-
anteed rights and aims to ensure
access to reliable, relevant, accu-

Page 40 Poetry Corner NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

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

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

NewsHawks People & Places Page 41

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

Some of the visitors attending the Sanganai/Hlanganani 2022 exhibition in Bulawayo.

Page 42 State of the culture NewsHawks

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

NewsHawks Sport Page 43

Issue 101, 7 October 2022

ENOCK MUCHINJO ‘We’ll cause some upsets’:
Zim’s new bowling coach
STEVE Kirby, Zimbabwe’s new bowl-
ing coach, is confident the team can Steve Kirby (left) chats with Zimbabwe head coach Dave Houghton at RG Mugabe International Airport before the team's departure. Pic: ZC Media
“cause some upsets” if the players ex-
press themselves and play with free- Zimbabwe’s batting coach with im- to his agent, the decision follows Klus- expected to assume the batting coach Zim T20 World Cup squad: Craig
dom at the forthcoming T20 World mediate effect. ener's desire to pursue professional role Down Under. Ervine (c), Ryan Burl, Regis Chak-
Cup, following an encouraging run of engagements around the globe which abva, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans,
form ahead of the tournament. It was reported in the day that Klus- will impact his full-time availability The Chevrons are pooled with Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Wessly
ener, who only re-joined Zimbabwe in for the national team's programmes.” Ireland, Scotland and West Indies in Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza,
45-year-old Englishman Kirby March for a second spell in the same Group B. Zimbabwe’s campaign will Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzaraba-
joined the Zimbabwean side before position, “reached a mutual agreement ZC is unlikely to replace Klusener start against the Irish on 17 October ni, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza,
the World Cup after leaving county with the (Zimbabwe Cricket) board.” for the World Cup, with Zimbabwe’s in Hobart. Milton Shumba, Sean Williams.
side Somerset at the end of last season, assistant coach Stuart Matsikenyeri
revealing that an opportunity to coach Said ZC in a statement: "According
at international level was too tempting
to resist.

The former fast bowler spoke to lo-
cal media for the first time at a send-
off event for the team hosted at the
airport in Harare on Friday afternoon,
hours before the 15-man squad and
support staff flew to Australia.

“That’s what I’m expecting – stick
together, and work together as a
group, bowl together in partnerships,
which I’m sure we will do,” Kirby told
reporters.

“We’ll cause some upsets.”
Under new head coach Dave
Houghton – appointed for a second
tenure in June – Zimbabwe has quick-
ly transformed into a competitive
outfit over the past few months since
winning all five qualification matches
in Bulawayo in July to book a ticket at
the T20 World Cup.
The turnaround has been largely
credited to the arrival of Houghton,
who has now recruited his former
Derbyshire workmate Kirby to be part
of Zimbabwe’s coaching staff.
Kirby, in his introduction to the
World Cup-bound squad, urged the
players to play with personality if they
are to leave a mark on the tournament.
“We are all about making sure that
the lads go out and enjoy themselves,
and express themselves,” he told the
reporters. “There is no fear of failure
here, we just go and enjoy each other’s
company, and play some really strong
aggressive cricket.”
Kirby also commented on his sim-
ple approach to coaching, saying he
prioritises closer bonds with the play-
ers.
“I keep things remarkably simple,”
he remarked. “I never tell the lads
what to do. I’m always about making
sure that whatever ideas I come up
with are backed with evidence, (if )
they know that you care about them,
only then can you challenge (them).
Building relationships with players,
that’s kind of how my philosophy is
really; trying to make sure we enjoy
each other’s company, work hard for
each other. Which I know they will
do.”
Meanwhile, Lance Klusener did
not fly with the rest of the team to
Australia after it was announced hours
before the flight that the former South
Africa all-rounder had left his role as

No decision on coach yet: ZRU

BRENDAN Dawson has not been re-appointed Zimba- Without any matches for the rest of the year and no fix-
bwe’s rugby coach, but will see out the rest of his contract tures confirmed yet for 2023, the ZRU was not in a hurry
concurrently with the term of the current board, the Zim- to replace Dawson, whose contract expires next October.
babwe Rugby Union (ZRU) has explained.
“This just means no decision has been made on the
The ZRU announced this week that Dawson had been coach,” ZRU vice-president Losson Mtongwiza told The
retained as Sables mentor despite failing to guide the NewsHawks.
country to its first World Cup since 1991.
“He (Dawson) has a contract that runs until the end
Zimbabwe fluffed another chance of qualifying after of 2023, so does our (ZRU executive) tenure too. It’s not
losing to old foes Namibia in the semi-final of an African written down, but in rugby you don’t appoint a coach for
qualification tournament in France in July. Former Zim- the next executive. You run with your appointed coaches
babwe captain Dawson was also at the helm when the Sa- and when your mandate runs out, so does the coaches’
bles did not make it to the 2015 World Cup. mandate. If we do not continue in the next election it
gives the new leadership a chance to appoint a coach or
And after experimenting with former Springboks coach coaches of their choice. They won’t be stuck contractually
Peter de Villiers, who was sacked following another dis- to a coach we hired.”
appointing qualification quest for the 2019 World Cup
edition, the ZRU turned to Dawson again. — SPORTS WRITER.

Sports Some casualties
Punished for calling in World Cup
himself ‘Beast’, but squad, it can’t be
now tracing his business as usual
Thursday 1 hOcetorboer’s202f0ootsteps

Friday 7 October 2022 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE

Ever the perfectionist, Houghton$60 Covid
tariff for
visitors &
Community
radio
regulations

heads to first T20 World Cuptourists
Story on Page 3
under review

Story on Page 8

YOU blew it but well Chamisa reacany new coach is going to wave the
done, coach tells Zimba- magic wand immediately, if at all.
bwean World Cup stars Dav Whatmore turned Sri Lan-
ka into world-beaters and famously
out to Khupeguided the Asian side to World Cup
The above was the headline for an glory in 1996. But the Australian
Agence France-Presse (AFP) news had a forgettable stint as Zimbabwe’s
story 23 years, with a London date- coach and was fired in 2016 following
line, quoting Zimbabwe coach Dave a horrible run of form.
Houghton after his gallant team But therein lies the masterstroke
bowed out of the 1999 Cricket World Unofficial president calls for emergeof Houghton’s appointment. On top
Cup in the United Kingdom. of his ability to ably help the captain
Under the inimitable Alistair with strategies ahead of the game as
Campbell’s captaincy, Zimbabwe su- well as being a “brilliant tactician”
perbly reached the Super Six stage of and good “man manager” in Flower’s
that World Cup, famously defeating words, Houghton knows the psyche
giants India and South Africa in the of the Zimbabwean cricketer like the
tournament. back of his hand.
For many cricket lovers across the He knows the terrain and he has al-
world, that alone constituted success ready told us that the standards in the
for the African side and the general domestic game today in this country
impression was that the Zimbabwe- are higher than it in his time.
ans really could not ask for more. Soon after his appointment,
It is fair to say those saying Zim- Houghton also remarked how the
babwe ought to leave the UK with players in the current national team
their heads high were right. But many are way better than they have been
probably did not fully appreciate the perceived by the public. With each
depth of talent in that side, the long passing outing, this is being proven
hours put in preparation way before correct.
the World Cup, the expectations of Just four months into Houghton’s
those closest to the team, as well as tenure, take a look at what has been
the self-belief and unbreakable spirit Dave Hoghton. achieved by Zimbabwe: winning all

within the group of players itself. “We did ourselves proud at times,” his former teammate and coach, de- plummeted to the realms of medioc- five matches to qualify for the T20
Houghton knew about this, he remarked Houghton. scribing him as a “tactical genius” af- rity under Lalchand Rajput, and then World Cup, defeating Bangladesh in
had been part of the system as a play- But then the Zimbabwean cricket ter Houghton has transformed Zim- the quick turnaround with Hough- both white-ball format series, com-
er only a few seasons earlier, and now great, never one to mince his words, babwe’s fortunes in a short period of ton now at helm. peting well against a strong India side,
as a national coach, Zimbabwe’s first poured out his frustration over how time in his second spell in charge beating Australia in an ODI to record
Test captain and ex-batting kingpin his charges had played “schoolboy of the side. a historic first win Down Under, pro-
had capably prepared his “minnows” cricket” and “choked” under pressure The role of a cricket coach in ducing the country’s first ICC player-
to go to the World Cup to make a to deny themselves a semi-final place. international cricket has repeated- HawkZone of-the-month who has also bagged
bold statement and turn heads. “Schoolboy cricket” is a pretty ly been a subject of much debate. the record of most runs in a single
Turn heads they did, treating strong statement to make against a A generally accepted view is that
packed stadiums across England to team that has somebody like Andy ALmfeoSl,rinaOanimcdIruNitchmkSisetItecDeronaEadtchtionintaegprFnpiilansytiamorennoqacruleeilrefeovMdr- iniMEstnyuowcicphkeisnoujot $3.2 venue in the same calendar year.
some entertaining brand of cricket, Flower, the country’s greatest ever depositorsAfsuZnimdsbabwe hZeiamds'stolattheestTl2a0nd
marvelously sealing a place in the Su- batsman and one-time number one Billion World Cup in Australia this Octo- c
ber –Houghton’s first in the shortest
per Six stage. Test batsman in the world. teams with red-hot stars all round. format of the game – the gaffer has
But ever the perfectionist, Hough- But respect is often reciprocal and But if you want to see the im-
ton told the AFP how he felt his side last week Flower – later to gain wide- portance of coaching in a side like sparked off a vibe shift and got Zim-
babwe fans talking positively again,
should have gone all the way to the spread recognition as England’s best Zimbabwe, just go some months Circumstances are different for a change.
semi-finals of that World Cup. ever coach – came out in praise of back and recollect how the team had though, and it’s never guaranteed that Here is to the next chapter.

ALSO INSIDE ‘We’ll cause some upsets’: Zimbabwe’s new bowling coach