Henry Mandishona

Paidamoyo Chipunza Harare Bureau—
THE Premier Service Medical Aid Society has suspended two more senior managers after it was discovered they were irregularly employed by suspended managing director, Henry Mandishona, who is facing allegations of mismanagement. Mandishona had begun assembling his team following his appointment in May before he was suspended earlier this month by a new board at the medical aid society.

His suspension and that of Farai Jemwa, the head of human resources, and Elliah Madondo, who heads finance, came as thousands of PSMAS members thought sanity would soon prevail at the society. Sources said there were allegations that Mandishona, Jemwa and Madondo were related and came from the same village in Chikomba.

PSMAS members have been badly prejudiced from shoddy service and their woes worsened after it was revealed in early 2013 that former group chief executive Cuthbert Dube was earning more than $500,000 per month in salary and allowances. Dube’s managers were also getting mega salaries which when combined prejudiced the medical aid society of millions of dollars at a time it was failing to pay service providers, resulting in members being denied medical attention.

Madondo and Jemwa were employed by Mandishona soon after he took office in May. In an internal memo dated September 10, 2015 and addressed to all PSMAS employees, acting PSMAS managing director Nicholas Munyonga said he had asked Madondo to leave the society because his appointment was irregular.

“Taking note of the board’s documented position that the appointment of Mr E Madondo as head of finance was irregular, I have asked him to leave the society until further notice,” reads the memo. The suspension letter to Jemwa read: “I write to advise you that at its meeting held on 15 September 2015, the society’s human resources and nominations committee resolved that your appointment as head of human resources was irregular in so far as it was not sanctioned by the committee and or the Premier Service Medical Aid Society Board.

“The committee further resolved that in the circumstances, you be asked to leave the society with immediate effect and be away until you are advised otherwise.”

Madondo was served with his suspension letter on September 9, a few days after taking up the new post. He had just returned from Lesotho where he was previously employed. Jemwa had served for about two months with the society.

PSMAS public relations manager Arthur Choga confirmed the suspensions, saying the society’s human resources and nominations committee was handling the matter. “A lot of irregularities were discovered in the engagement of these employees,” he said. “The board’s human resources and nominations committee is handling the matter. Once an official position is arrived at, taking note of all the salient facts, same will be communicated to the two employees.”

Choga could not spell out the irregularities concerning Jemwa and Madondo’s appointments. Sources however said the board was irked when it was discovered that Mandishona was recruiting his associates to the medical aid society. “We hear that they come from the same village, with Jemwa being closely related to Mandishona,” said an inside source.

Jemwa wrote to PSMAS on Thursday last week seeking clarification on his suspension. “Can you kindly clarify whether I retain my employee status during this period of absence and if so the terms thereof,” he said. “In addition, I request some indication as to when a conclusive decision will be made concerning my return to work or otherwise.”

Jemwa questioned the legal instrument PSMAS used to effect his suspension. Madondo could not be reached for comment amid reports that he had flown back to Lesotho. Mandishona was sent on forced leave at the beginning of this month, accused of multiple acts of misconduct in relation to his office, barely four months after he took the position at PSMAS.

Dube and the society’s board chairperson, Meisie Makelotso Namasasu, were forced to step aside after the financial abuse was unearthed. Subsequently, the whole board of directors resigned, leaving the government to appoint an interim management to restore normalcy at the society. The interim management served for 12 months, leading to the recruitment of Mandishona and subsequently the appointment of a new board in July chaired by Jeremiah Bvirindi.

Clemence Manyukwe News Editor
ZIMBABWE is set to fight yesterday’s auctioning of its property in Cape Town, South Africa after it emerged that the sale went ahead despite the government having settled money owed to lawyers who represented former white farmers opposed to the country’s land reform programme. The country’s Ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, last night told The Chronicle that Zimbabwe paid about R840,000 on Saturday and supplied the white farmers’ lawyers with bank documentation that the payment for legal costs only was validated for yesterday. He said the lawyers acted in bad faith and proceeded with the auction, with the property fetching R3,7 million.

Ambassador Moyo said the payment Zimbabwe made was in relation to cost orders of South Africa’s High Court‚ Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court following cases brought by the white farmers before the now disbanded Sadc Tribunal Court. He said the lawyers acted in bad faith and there was an element of deceit in their actions.

“I can vouch that we had paid. The auctioning of the property was baseless. They acted in bad faith. I think there was an element of deceit that led them to disregard that we had paid,” said Ambassador Moyo. “Our Consular General in Cape Town was there when they were auctioning it. They auctioned it from the street, they did not go inside. It was a street auction.”

Ambassador Moyo said the government was consulting its lawyers on the next course of action. South African media reports quoted Afrikaner organisation Afriforum’s legal representative Willie Spies as saying three other Zimbabwean properties they had targeted were declared to be covered by diplomatic immunity, while the Cape Town house had been rented out commercially and was therefore liable to seizure.

He said it was unlikely that the farmers would see any of the cash, which would mainly go to cover court costs. “After a five-year legal battle‚ a property belonging to the Zimbabwe government‚ number 28 Salisbury Road‚ Kenilworth‚ Cape Town‚ will be auctioned because the Zimbabwe government failed to honour cost orders of South Africa’s High Court‚ Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court‚” Spies said.

Before Sadc’s decision to disband the tribunal, Zimbabwe had insisted that the court had no legal standing and the country would not be bound by its decisions as its constitution had not been ratified by at least two-thirds of Sadc countries in line with requirements of the rules and procedures governing the regional grouping.

Theo Bronkhorst

Chronicle Reporter—
THE controversial hunter charged over the death of the famous lion is due to appear before the Beitbridge magistrate today facing allegations of wildlife smuggling. Theo Bronkhorst, 52, was interviewed by police last week in connection with 29 sable which were found in a truck in the middle of the Limpopo River which borders South Africa. Two of the sable have since died.

Police had later indicated that there would be no further action against Bronkhorst, until detectives seized him yesterday before driving him to Beitbridge. Bronkhorst is due to be tried in Hwange on September 28 for organising an “illegal hunt” which ended in the death of the world famous lion, Cecil, shot by an American dentist using a bow and arrow in July.

Three South Africans – Edwin Hewitt, 49, Hendricks Blignaut 41, and John Pretorius, 49, from the Limpopo province near the Zimbabwe border who bought sable from Zambia with Bronkhorst were arrested on Saturday.

They are accused of taking the sable by truck across an “undesignated” border with Zimbabwe and are in police cells. The South Africans did not have capture and translocation permits and export permits for the sables. The only documentation that they had was a movement permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services, according to authorities.

Bronkhorst admits that he imported sable from Zambia last month for himself and for the three South African game farmers in a deal he arranged in Zambia. He said the antelope he bought remained at his small game farm in Matetsi, near Hwange, but insists that he knew nothing about what the South Africans did with the animals they bought after they arrived in Zimbabwe last month.

The entrance to Hamilton High School in Bulawayo

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent—
EDUCATION chiefs have called on Hamilton High School in Bulawayo to investigate and punish pupils who bully other children after an incident last Friday in which Lower Sixth pupils were targeted. The school’s three most senior prefects allegedly corralled Lower Sixth pupils who started learning at the school this year in a classroom, before inviting Upper Sixth and Form 4 students to attack them as part of an “initiation” process.

It is a practice known to happen at dozens of high schools across the country, although the brutality meted varies. Teachers and pupils yesterday told The Chronicle that bullying at Hamilton was now out of control. A teacher, who cannot be named as he was not cleared to talk to the media, said: “Lower Sixth students were assaulted on Friday afternoon after most of the teachers had already left for home between 2PM and 3PM. One of the students has a heart problem and they didn’t care to consider that.

“The headboy, deputy headboy and a senior prefect mobilised Form 4 and Upper Sixth pupils who’re original Hamiltonians to attack the Lower Sixth pupils in the name of initiation. “The attack happened in the Upper Sixth arts class, which is at the far, far end of the school. The prefects are always protected as this isn’t the first bullying incident that they have initiated.”

A teacher stopped the attacks on Friday, our source said, but the prefects insisted they had been holding a sanctioned meeting with the students. The source said it is against the school’s rules for pupils to hold meetings with pupils without a teacher or the senior master, who is the patron of the prefects’ body, present.

A Lower Sixth student said: “We’re all scared. You come to school to learn but there’s an ingrained bullying culture at the school which is making it difficult to focus on my studies. The school must make a statement that bullying is unacceptable by taking action.” Hamilton High School headmaster, Jamani Fuyane, referred all questions to the Provincial Education Director Dan Moyo who said the incident had not been reported to him.

Moyo, however, said bullying was unacceptable in schools. “Those pupils who engage in bullying must be punished. It’s up to the school management to provide a safe learning environment,” he said. Last month, 10 Form 1 and 2 pupils at Milton High School were admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals after they were stoned by their seniors. Some of the pupils suffered fractured bones.

Several cases of bullying have been reported at Milton High School in the past. In 2013, a pupil at the school lost one of his testicles after a bully grabbed and twisted it. Last year, another pupil from Milton was involved in a fist-fight with a teacher. He was expelled.

Daniel Nemukuyu Harare Bureau—
THE suing of a third party for adultery is unconstitutional because the two people who enter into a marriage are the ones responsible for protecting it, a Harare woman being sued for adultery has argued. Lorraine Matione, a nurse at Harare Central Hospital, is being sued for $25,000 for allegedly having an adulterous affair with Lawrence Muzvondiwa, who was legally married to Georgina Njodzi, resulting in their marriage breaking down.

In her defence in the case which is now before the Harare High Court, Matione argued that she could not be sued since she had no obligation to protect Muzvondiwa’s marriage as the parties to the union were answerable to its demise. The adulterous relationship resulted in the birth of a child and the end of the marriage.

On that basis, Njodzi, through her lawyer Nyasha Munyuru, slapped Matione with a $25,000 adultery suit. She says $15,000 is for damages for contumelia (compensation for an offensive act) and $10,000 for loss of comfort, society and services of the husband. While defending the case, Matione, who is being represented by Wellington Pasipanodya, contested the constitutionality of adultery damages against a third party.

“In essence, the buck stops with the husband and wife who take it upon themselves to enter into a marriage and to make commitments and promises to each other,” she said. “The burden of staying faithful in a relationship and the blame for those who don’t, should be on the couple involved, not any third party they pick up on the side as part of their marital dysfunction.

“A third party, in this instance the defendant, is not party to the marriage between the plaintiff and her spouse and, therefore, the defendant can’t possibly be held liable for the demise of a contract to which she is not the proverbial signatory and which terms she is not even aware of.” Matione argued that the suing of a third party for adultery was unconstitutional.

“It’s submitted that the use of adultery damages as an actionable delict no longer holds any weight when analysed within the context of our constitutional framework,” she said. “The defendant is being sued and yet the chief architect of the relationship, that is the plaintiff’s husband, is not allowed to be cited. Why is there such a differentiation in our law when the Constitution clearly states that all must be treated equally by the law?

“It’s trite that the demise of a marriage cannot be attributed to a third party who is not a party to the marriage contract. It is, therefore, folly for the law to attribute fault where it doesn’t exist.” The lawyers further argued that there was need for the court to satisfy itself that it was indeed Matione who ruined the marriage or that the marriage was already on the rocks when she featured.

“Whether or not there is such a relationship, it is submitted that a plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that it was the conduct of the defendant that constituted a controlling cause of the injury to a spouse’s consortium interests and that the defendant’s conduct was not just incidental to other causative factors that destroyed or damaged the marriage or conjugal relationship.”

Suing a third party for adultery was a violation of his or her right to privacy, the lawyers said. “The defendant is placed in the invidious position of having to divulge the details of their relationship which, given the existence of the right to privacy in the Constitution, cannot be justified,” Matione said. “One can safely conclude that a claim for adultery damages infringes a third party’s right to privacy. This is so as there is nothing more personal than one’s sexual relations.”

The third party, who is being sued, according to Matione’s papers, will have his or her right to equal treatment before the law infringed upon. “It unnecessarily creates a rift between a married individual and the one who is not married, directly discriminating on the ground of marital status. The adulterous spouse is accorded an advantage, which the defendant does not possess, thereby further infringing on the equality clause.”

Muzvondiwa and Njodzi married in 1996 under the Marriages Act and the marriage still subsists. In 2012, it is alleged Muzvondiwa entered into an adulterous relationship with Matione and a child was born on April 9, 2014. Since then, Muzvondiwa and Matione have been staying together as husband and wife.

A recent judgement of the Supreme Court of South Africa called for the abolition of a law permitting civil litigation for damages for adultery and it generated debate among legal experts in Zimbabwe. The South African court ruled that the law permitting civil damages for adultery was “archaic’ and that “the time for its abolition has come”.

“In the light of the changing morals of our society, the delictual action based on adultery of the innocent spouse has become outdated and can no longer be sustained,” ruled Justice Fritz Brand adding: “The time for its abolition has come.” The ruling means adultery is no longer a legal basis for claiming compensation for harm in South Africa.

The ruling followed an appeal by a man ordered by the South Gauteng High Court to pay R75,000 in damages to another man with whose wife he had an illicit affair. A three-judge panel reversed the High Court decision and abolished the law.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ABOUT 10 men’s and women’s teams will battle it out in the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Cup set for Kumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday to mark the end of the season. Defending men’s champions Hippo Valley are favourites to retain their title having been instrumental in Masvingo province’s win at the HAZ Inter-Provincial finals held in Bulawayo in July.

HAZ vice-president Humphrey Chigwedere said eight men’s teams have confirmed their participation and they expect at least three women’s sides to compete for silverware.

Hippo Valley will have to overcome Rams from Masvingo, Western Knights of Mashonaland West, two Harare clubs Eradicators and Enthusiasts as well as two Bulawayo teams and one Midlands side if they hope to defend their men’s title.

In the women’s category, defending champions Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) are expected to play against Hippo Valley and either Drifters or Scorpions from Harare.

“In as far as preparations for the tournament are concerned, everything is set. It’s only in the women’s category where we’re told that one of the Harare teams has withdrawn meaning that there’s a high possibility of having three sides competing in that category,” said Chigwedere.

“Each team will pay a participation fee of $200 and all the participating clubs should get the rules and regulations of the tournament before Friday.”

After the tournament, HAZ selectors are expected to name the final men’s and women’s squads that will compete at the African Olympic Qualifiers (AOQ) to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 21 to November 1.

“The HAZ Cup will give the selectors a final assessment of the national teams. We expect a tight competition as players will be hoping to make it into the travelling party.

“Each team will have 18 players,” said Chigwedere.

Provisional Zimbabwe squads

Men

Tinavo Mushavi, Richards Michael, Pritchard Matambo, Cydreck Starch, Tapiwa Mafi, Kanyiwe Tapfuma, Neil Davidson, Tamsy Moyo, Prosper Sithole, Rowland Rixon Fuller, Donald Mutupo, Tendayi Maredza, Kudzanai Tembo, Takudzwa Mangwendeza, Keith Kachambwa, Michael Banda, Trethowan Peter, Edwin Tholanah, Matthew Williams, Ranga Mungwiniri, Arnold Mpofu, Warick Ullrich, Phillip Machaya, Gift Chomunorwa, Takudzwa Chipuma, Leecon Hadaga, Dion Wardley, Esau Mufandaedza, Dominic Ashley, Ben Muchedzi, Craig Bonethrone, Sibo Mangena, Rangarirai Museki, Stuart Murinda and Brad Hauer

Coaches

Collin Williams and Tongayi Mukwewa

Women

Jordyn Clipstone, Jaime Hasbroek, Christina Kondos, Nicky Hiripis, Cara Ross, Bridget Riley, Sarah Evans, Jenna Palmer, Mary Campbell, Bridget Hoard, Sarah McMillian, Natasha Hess, Stephanie Campbell, Kelly Kaulback, Aimee Nativel, Chantelle Zietsman, Jessica Dollar, Jessica Bray, Briony Bray, Pauline Ndlovu, Kristina Manolios, Roxy Viviers, Jessica Hilton-Barber, Chantelle Williams (nee Dexter), Melissa Sibanda, Natalie Dexter, Kirsten Godfrey, Michelle Williams, Sarah Burgess, Bridget Hatton, Rashmi Bhagat, Simone Karim, Audrey Mangwende, Runyararo Chadzinya, Melissa Warambwa, Chiyevo Chingoka, Tariro Nyamudeza, Tariro Dziso, Matiwana Madamombe, Iman Johnson, Harmony Johnson, Kelly Diplock, Anotida Chimuka, Beatrice Chada and Allison Shumba

Coach: Eddie Chitinga

Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
MAISON Nic say they will not be intimidated by leaders Railstars when the two clash in a Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts Association League match tonight. Railstars have virtually cruised this season and lost just one match out of 20. They also have had more than a week to prepare for this match as they were inactive last week.

Railstars sit on 19 points from 20 matches while Maison Nic are third on 17 points from 21 outings.

A lot is at stake in today’s match with Railstars looking to collect maximum points to continue their march towards the title.

Second placed Archers would be hoping Maison Nic can halt Railstars’ charge and they win their game to close the gap and boost their chances of retaining the crown.

Archers won last year’s championship but have largely played second fiddle to Railstars this term.

Archers will play Bellevue while struggling Parkview Khanka face bottom of the table Queens.

Fixtures

Bellevue v Archers; Bosso v Zim School of Mines; How Mine v ZRP Bulawayo; Khami v Support Unit Fairbridge; Maison Nic v Railstars; Parkview Kanka v Queens

P W L F A D PTS

Railstars 20 19 1 561 219 342 19

Archers 19 17 2 526 216 310 17

Maison Nic 21 17 4 473 346 127 17

Parkview lions 20 13 7 423 339 84 13

Bosso 20 13 7 392 388 4 13

Supp Unit Fbrdg 20 11 9 394 368 26 11

Zim Sch of Mines 20 11 9 386 394 -8 11

Bellevue 20 7 13 332 413 -81 7

ZRP Bulawayo 20 6 14 301 444 -143 6

Khami 20 6 14 308 400 -92 6

How Mine 20 5 15 314 448 -134 5

Parkview Kanka 21 3 18 317 503 -186 3

Queens 21 3 18 276 525 -249 3

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FRANCHISE cricket bosses meet in Harare this afternoon to plan for the 2015-16 season whose kick-off has been pushed back to November due to a tight international cricket schedule. Zimbabwe Cricket has advised the four franchises, Matabeleland Tuskers, Mashonaland Eagles, MidWest Rhinos and Manicaland Mountaineers that the new season will now start on November 4 instead of October 6.

“We’ve been called for a meeting in Harare to plan for the new season. We’ll also be briefed about financing of franchises. It’s at this meeting where we’ll get the calendar for the coming season because the initial programme has been revised due to a tight international programme,” said Stanley Staddon, Matabeleland Tuskers’ chief executive officer.

The busy international schedule starts with Pakistan playing two Twenty20 games and three one-day internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan are expected in the country this week and play their first T20 match on Sunday and the second on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club.

The ODIs are set for October 1, 3 and 5 at the same venue.

After Pakistan’s departure, Ireland will arrive for three ODIs to be played between October 9 and 15 in Harare.

International cricket will then move to Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club for the limited overs’ series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Afghanistan, who last toured Zimbabwe in 2014, arrive in Bulawayo on October 13 for a three-week visit.

Dates for the Afghanistan one-day matches are October 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24.

Afghanistan will then have a two-day rest before playing the first T20 game on October 27 and wrap up their visit to Bulawayo two days later with the last T20 encounter.

Soon after Afghanistan’s departure, Bangladesh are scheduled to arrive in Bulawayo for a three-week tour on October 31, which will see them competing in three ODIs and two four-dayers.

Bangladesh will play the first of three ODIs on November 3. The next ODI will be played two days later, with the last set for November 7.

After playing the ODIs, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will battle it out in two four-dayers to be played from November 10-13 and November 17-20.

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
AN eight-member Zimbabwe cycling team, the Flying Eagles, has embarked on an 800KM cross-country cycling tour as part of campaigns to raise awareness on climate change. The Flying Eagles joined cycling teams from eight other African countries in the climate for justice campaign. The Flying Eagles started their two-week tour at the Plumtree Border Post, and the team’s captain Thomas Classen said the campaign was being held jointly with Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Classen said each of these countries’ cycling teams was expected to complete their course before handing over the baton stick to their neighbouring country.

“We officially took the baton stick from our Botswana counterparts, Team Jonmol Cyling Club, who cycled throughout their country. Our cycle tour is from the Plumtree Border Post to the Chirundu Border where we will hand over the baton to Zambia,” said Classen.

“Along the way, our team will be disseminating information on climate change related issues and planting trees at institutions such as schools as well as collecting petitions from community members.”

The cycling tour is the brain child of the “We Have Faith Pan African Campaign for Climate Justice” that is spearheaded locally by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC).

Zimbabwe joined other African countries in petitioning their governments to show commitment towards mainstreaming climate change agendas ahead of the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris, France, in December.

During the campaign, youths from Africa are expected to cycle through their countries from border to border.

ZCC acting general secretary Gabriel Manyangadze said the campaign sought to mobilise communities across the African continent, raise awareness on climate change and support their engagement through collecting one million petitions.

“We want African youths and faith leaders to influence their national governments’ position towards climate change issues. This will be done through collecting petitions and during the process, communities or petitioners will also be encouraged to plant a tree and take maximum care of it,” said Manyangadze in a statement.

“A million trees will be planted at identified ‘green zone areas’ in nine African countries, which will mainly be at different public institutions and churches.”

Manyangadze said the cycling tour was a symbolic event to demonstrate practical action that people could adopt practices to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector.

He said bicycles were a safe mode of transport that was harmless to the environment.

The cycling tour started from Maputo, Mozambique, on August 31 and will end in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 8.

Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
ORGANISERS of this year’s Handball Presidential Trophy have revealed that preparations are underway with teams already registering for the event slated for the weekend at Houghton Park Primary School. The annual tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday with men and women’s teams from across the country expected to fight for honours.

Chairperson of the organising committee for the tournament Joan Takafuma said at least 20 teams from Masvingo and Harare have already confirmed their participation.

“Masvingo have already confirmed they’ll be sending 10 teams. Last year we had 20 teams and the two provinces we’ve so far, Masvingo and Harare have already surpassed that number. I don’t know how many teams the other provinces will send. We also have four schools, private colleges and universities that have confirmed, so we expect more teams this year,” said Takafuma.

Last year the event featured teams from Mozambique, who won the men’s event and the women’s title went to Danhamombe, who are expected to defend their title this year.

However, Takafuma said they are not certain if they will have any foreign teams coming for this year’s edition.

“Last year Mozambique’s men were number one and number two. Thunderbolt, a team based at Churchill were third. Malawi wanted to come but they changed plans, South Africa were promising to come but I didn’t do a follow-up because I wasn’t sure if we were going to succeed to host the tournament. But then we had clubs last week and at the weekend confirming their participation.

“Danhamombe have been the defending champions for women even for schools competition and they’re coming. Girls High were second.

“This is the third year we’re having the presidential trophy. The standard is high with teams like Danhamombe and Girls High. Remember they’ve travelled the world over for international games in countries as far as Sweden, Germany and Italy, so these players are now skilled. It’s good that we’ve both best teams and those that will be coming for the first time because it shapes the competition. The tournament has been helpful in the development of handball,” said Takafuma.

The teams will pay $50 participation fee and Takafuma said registration will be open until the day of competition.

Willard Katsande

KAIZER Chiefs’ reinforcer Willard Katsande admits his side is downbeat following the MTN8 final loss to Ajax Cape Town yet feels his side has the mental strength to bounce back immediately. The Glamour Boys were unable to defend their Top 8 title in Port Elizabeth, going down 1-0 to the Urban Warriors who lifted their first trophy in seven years.

Katsande says his side was disappointed with the loss, but backs his side to hit straight back in their next League fixture. “Champions always bounce back,” he told his club’s official website. “It was upsetting, especially because we wanted to keep the trophy,” said Katsande. “However, we’ve learnt from our mistakes and our focus is now on defending our Absa Premiership trophy. Unlike a cup, which is a sprint, the league is a marathon.”

Chiefs face 15th placed University of Pretoria today, yet Katsande is not underestimating the Tshwane outfit. “We respect Tuks. They’re a good side, but we’ll be ready.” The Zimbabwean thanked the Khosi faithful for their support despite the loss and aims to repay their backing with a good performance against Tuks.

“Our supporters were great. They didn’t boo us. Instead, they gave us full support until after the game, despite the disappointing result. “That’s also why we want to come up with a positive result on Wednesday. We want to reward our fans for always being behind us. They give us so much motivation and they always inspire us to do better.”

Following their match-up against Tuks today, Chiefs will look to avenge their MTN8 final defeat when they take on Ajax in a league encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday morning. — Kick Off

Stephen Mangongo

THE Zimbabwe Cricket board has appointed former Zimbabwe coach Stephen Mangongo to take charge of the national Under-19 side. Mangongo’s immediate task is to work with the provisional Under-19 squad in preparation for the International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which will be in Bangladesh from January 22 to February 13 next year.

He takes over from interim coach Walter Chawaguta, who has been appointed to the national selection panel together with David Mutendera. Both Chawaguta and Mutendera are not newcomers to the panel. Chawaguta, a former Zimbabwe coach, was national selector in 2004 and Mutendera, a former Zimbabwe international, who earlier on in his career had been one of the first students at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, sat on the panel five years ago.

Chawaguta and Mutendera join national coach Davenell Whatmore and captain Elton Chigumbura on the national selection panel that is chaired by convener Kenyon Ziehl. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket have joined the international community in mourning the late president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Dalmiya passed away on Sunday evening, three days after being admitted into hospital complaining of chest pain. In his message of condolence, ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said that his board, life presidents and life vice-presidents, the franchises and provincial associations, management, players and other staff all extended their heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Dalmiya.

“When we heard that he had been admitted to hospital on Thursday we all expected that he would recover and get back to running the game that had become an essential part of his life. Alas, it was not to be. “Zimbabwe Cricket benefited immensely from the support and guidance it received from Mr Dalmiya as your president and also during his tenure as the International Cricket Council president,” said Mukuhlani in the message to the BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur.

Describing Dalmiya as having been “a leading cricket administrator and an astute businessman,” Mukuhlani added that he had the rare ability of mixing with both the high and mighty and the common man. The ZC chairman bemoaned the passing away of Dalmiya, saying the cricket world had lost “a veritable fountain of knowledge”.

l The Zimbabwe national team continued with their preparations for the upcoming tour of Pakistan when they played their last practice match at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. Convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl said the Zimbabwe camp is happy with the progress. “I believe we’ve done thorough mental and practical preparations and what’s now left is for the guys to perform.

“Thankfully, we don’t have any injury problems and hopefully the situation remains like that,” said Ziehl. Pakistan are expected to arrive tomorrow. They will play two Twenty20 matches and three One Day Internationals starting this Sunday. — Zimcricket/Sports Reporter

Moses Chunga

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
THE survival fight for the bottom seven Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs continues this weekend with each of them facing a tricky encounter. Highlanders, Buffaloes, ZPC Kariba, Tsholotsho FC, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo are all involved in must-win matches to move away from the drop zone.

Bosso, who sit 10th on the league table with 28 points, could find themselves equal on points with 11th placed Buffaloes, if they lose to Caps United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday and the soldiers beat airforce side Chapungu. The Bulawayo giants are in an unfamiliar position on the league table and should brace for a taxing game against a Caps United side that beat them 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium in the reverse fixture in May through a strike by defender Stephen Makatuka.

Both clubs go into the match with a bit of confidence following 1-0 wins after going four games without a victory. Highlanders edged Flame Lily at Barbourfields while Caps United beat Hwange at the Colliery. What makes the two giants’ meet even more exciting is that they are both competing for different goals. Caps United are fighting for a top four finish, while Highlanders are trying to avoid the axe.

A slip by Highlanders will give Buffaloes a chance to draw level in the event that they collect maximum points at Chapungu on Saturday. Buffaloes are on 25 points, a point above ZPC Kariba. The electricity generators are three points ahead of Tsholotsho, who are 13th. Tsholotsho, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo Sawmill occupy the four relegation slots.

By this time last season, Black Rhinos, Shabanie Mine, Bantu Rovers and Chiredzi were in the red and the four failed to escape the chop. It remains to be seen whether Tsholotsho, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo Sawmill would be able to collect as many points as possible to save themselves from returning to the unfashionable Division One League after just a season in the topflight.

The Zhwane Boys are confident of surviving relegation despite their remaining tough fixtures. On Saturday, Tsholotsho welcome high-flying FC Platinum at White City Stadium. The platinum miners have gone on an unbeaten run of 14 games in the league, making them one of the most feared sides.

Following their defeat by Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final on Sunday, FC Platinum will be hoping to recover against Tsholotsho. “We’re in a precarious position where every point matters. We’re not worried about how our opponents are playing because this is a new ball game altogether. As a club, we’re confident of surviving relegation and what’s required of us is to collect as many points as possible. It won’t be easy, but the boys are giving their best and it’s evident with their performances,” said Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe.

After registering their first home victory of the season a fortnight ago when they beat How Mine 2-1, the Zhwane Boys are eager to make FC Platinum their next victims. The platinum miners come to Bulawayo without suspended ex-Tsholotsho midfielder Gerald Takwara, who joined the Zvishavane side in July. Takwara has been an integral part of FC Platinum’s central midfield, protecting the back four alongside Winston Mhango.

His unavailability could be a blessing for Tsholotsho as most players tend to give their former paymasters a hard time. Tsholotsho should be on the lookout for FC Platinum’s attacking trio of Obrey Chirwa, Brian Muzondiwa and Marshal Mudehwe, who have been terrorising most PSL defenders. The home team will bank on veteran Joel Luphahla, defensive midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, skipper William Stima and playmaker Ocient Ncube to lead their quest for maximum points against the Zvishavane side.

It will be a battle of relegation contenders at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday when Flame Lily take on Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba while Whawha are at home to troubled How Mine on Sunday. Dongo Sawmill take on Hwange at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.

Fixtures
Saturday: Tsholotsho v FC Platinum (White City), Flame Lily v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro, 1PM SuperSport), Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport), Chapungu v Buffaloes (Ascot)

Sunday: Caps United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport), Whawha v How Mine (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Hwange (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)

Suspended PSL players: Passmore Bernard (Chicken Inn), Peter Muzondo (Triangle United), Vimbai Gibson Madamombe (Whawha), Livingstone Genti (Whawha), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum)

P W D L F A GD Pts

Chicken Inn 23 15 4 4 35 16 19 49

FC Platinum 23 13 5 5 43 19 24 44

Dynamos 23 11 9 3 28 17 11 42

Triangle United 23 10 7 6 36 18 18 37

Harare City 23 8 10 5 24 18 6 34

Caps United 23 8 10 5 16 16 0 34

Chapungu 23 8 8 7 20 21 -1 32

How Mine 23 8 7 8 25 26 -1 31

Hwange 23 6 11 6 24 23 1 29

Highlanders 23 7 7 9 26 23 3 28

Buffaloes 23 5 10 8 18 30 -12 25

ZPC Kariba 23 5 9 9 28 30 -2 24

Tsholotsho 23 4 9 10 14 25 -11 21

Flame Lily 23 3 10 10 17 29 -12 19

Whawha 23 4 7 12 13 41 -28 19

Dongo Sawmill 23 3 8 11 13 28 15 18

The Highlanders luxurious Marcopolo bus

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THREE months after taking delivery of a luxury bus imported from South Africa, Highlanders are yet to complete its registration formalities. Highlanders’ primary sponsors BancABC last month came to the rescue of the Bulawayo giants by paying import duty of the bus believed to be in the region of $22,000, but the bus is still grounded as they are facing more hurdles in the final registration process.

A source said Zimra has been holding onto the customs clearance certificate (CCC) that is required to get new number plates. “The club owes PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and they need to come up with a way of servicing it. Highlanders aren’t the only club that owe Zimra, but unfortunately they’ve to make some payment plan and deposit a substantial amount to show commitment before they get the CCC. Many clubs haven’t been remitting PAYE and they get caught when they want a tax clearance certificate,” said a source.

It could not be established how much the club owes Zimra in unremitted PAYE. Zimra held a workshop last year for all PSL clubs to educate them on tax issues. PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele could not be drawn into commenting about the clubs’ standing with Zimra. “As a body, we encourage clubs to be compliant with relevant statutory boards. Most issues are discussed with the PSL governors and it’ll not be fair for the league to comment on confidential matters discussed at clubs’ meetings,” Ndebele said.

Just like Ndebele, Highlanders’ chairman Peter Dube chose to be diplomatic when quizzed about the hold up on the bus’ registration. He said the club was making frantic efforts to be “compliant with a relevant statutory board” so that they complete the process. “Just like any other company or football team, we’re faced with challenges because of the environment that we’re operating in. With all things being equal, the process of registration doesn’t take a long time but one has to be compliant with all relevant bodies. We’re in the process of conforming to the demands of the bodies,” said Dube, without naming the statutory body.

After Vice-President Emmerson Mnanganwa officiated at the official hand-over ceremony of the bus at Barbourfields Stadium in June, the general view among Bosso followers was that the club would use the bus to save on transport costs. However, the bus remains parked at the Bosso offices along Robert Mugabe Way in Bulawayo due to the registration hiccups.

The process of getting the bus compliant with statutory requirements in a normal setup takes about three weeks. Highlanders need to register the bus with Zinara through Zimra, who will give them a motor vehicle registration book and number plates, since the luxury coach is an import. To get the number plates, Bosso have to obtain a police clearance from the Vehicle Theft Squad after the cops have checked with their South African counterparts that the bus was properly acquired.

This process, according to sources, takes about 24 hours. Armed with a police clearance, the Bulawayo giants will then proceed to Zimra, produce a customs clearance certificate, motor vehicle insurance and other documentation needed by the taxmen before getting the number plates. Number plates cost $160. With all the documents in order, it should take just two days to get the plates.

The process that takes longer is the application for an operator’s licence, which takes up to two weeks. Bosso would have to attach passenger insurance to the operator’s licence when taking the coach to be examined by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), who will issue them with a road worthiness certificate if the bus has no defects.

The Bulawayo giants also need about five days to apply for a permit. Once Highlanders begin using their bus for away matches, they will make significant savings on their limited resources. At present, Highlanders have been spending at least $1,200 to hire a bus for away games.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
STRUGGLING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League club Tsholotsho FC have roped in former Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu to assist Lizwe Sweswe in a bid to escape relegation. The Zhwane Boys, who are sitting precariously on 13th position, released Mighty Warriors’ assistant coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji” Sibanda to make way for Mafu.

Tsholotsho seem to have seen some potential in Mafu, who was fired with his technical team consisting of Mandla Mpofu, Peter Nkomo and Netsai Moyo for poor results at Highlanders at the beginning of this month. Bosso wielded the axe on Mafu after leading the team to three consecutive defeats resulting in the team dropping close to the relegation zone.

He was fired when Bosso was in 10th place, a position they have remained on since his axing. Some Tsholotsho players said Mafu was introduced to them as the technical advisor to Sweswe by club chairman Mlamuli Phiri during their training session at White City Stadium yesterday.

“We were told that he’ll be with the team until the end of the season and he watched Sweswe taking us through our drills. It was just a light training session and in his pep talk, Mafu was blunt saying he wants to help us survive relegation. From his talk, you can tell that he means business and our guess is that he wants to prove a point that he didn’t fail at Highlanders,” said the player.

Tsholotsho benefactor Mandla Manyathela was also present when Mafu was introduced to the players. Phiri confirmed introducing Mafu to the players but said he would be in a better position to shed more light about the engagement of the former Bosso gaffer today. “At the moment I’m on my way to Tsholotsho where I’ll brief the whole executive about the decision. I’ve to make this formal and if you call me tomorrow, I’ll be able to give you more details,” said Phiri.

Tsholotsho are left with seven crucial games, four at home and three away. Mafu’s return to the dugout is a home clash against title contenders FC Platinum at White City on Saturday. Mafu infamously branded FC Platinum’s type of play as pathetic ahead of a home tie against the Zvishavane side while still in charge of Bosso.

Bosso went on to be outplayed and lost the match 1-2 in what was the first of three consecutive defeats that eventually resulted in his sacking. Tsholotsho’s next game will be away to Buffaloes and then Whawha (at home), Triangle United (away), Chicken Inn (home) before another derby against Highlanders. They end the season with a home game against Harare City.

The road to survival will not be easy for Tsholotsho even though Sweswe was confident they could still move out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, rumours swirled last night that another former Bosso gaffer Kelvin Kaindu had stepped down as Triangle United coach following a poor run that saw them being drabbed 0-5 by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, but the club issued a brief statement quashing the rumours.

“Kelvin Kaindu is Triangle FC club (technical) manager contrary to some speculative rumours that he has left the job to fill the vacancy left by Luke ‘Vahombe’ Masomere at How Mine. Kaindu is here to stay, wait until he resigns. “Those vying for his post, stop the sabotage,” read the club’s statement posted on their official Facebook timeline last night.

Wheels seem to have come off at Triangle United after going for five league games without a win. The Lowveld side only managed two draws. Triangle United were championship contenders up to the halfway stage of the league when they started faltering.

Jessie Majome

Clemence Manyukwe News Editor
LAWMAKERS have proposed a referendum to review the age of consent as opposition to the existing 16 years — which has been progressively lowered by the courts to 12 — gains momentum among those seeking to strengthen children’s rights.

MPs flagged the age of consent during Tuesday’s debate on the customary motion thanking President Robert Mugabe for the speech made last week while opening the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament in which he expressed his disgust towards those who rape children, who legally cannot consent to sex.

Harare West MP Jessie Majome (MDC-T), contributing to the debate, said there was need to go to a referendum for the country to decide the age of consent as the existing 16 years was unacceptable.

The lawmaker said the issue was of grave concern and was more urgent than political matters dividing MPs in Parliament.

“I’m proposing that the issue of the age of consent is one issue that should be subjected to a referendum,” said Majome, a lawyer.

“Referendums have only been known to be about political issues that are high. The issue of what age is it that our girls and boys should be able to indulge in sexual intercourse is a matter of grave concern that is even more important than all these other political issues that we talk about.

“I want to propose that we move away from the beaten track and actually conduct a referendum on the age of consent so that we can arrive at a destination where we protect our girls from abuse by setting the correct age and the boys also from maybe the diseases and issues like that.”

Majome said Parliament should give the matter its “very considered and very exhaustive attention.”

The legislator said Zimbabwe must demonstrate absolute zero tolerance to any form of rape.

Umzingwane MP Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC) said if MPs could be called to report to Parliament on urgent business to deal with labour law amendments, the same urgency could be given to reviewing the issue of the age of consent, which was brought into sharp national attention when the Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana appeared to suggest that children as young as nine should be allowed to have sex, if they have nothing to occupy their lives, like going to school.

The lawmaker said it was unacceptable that there was a minimum mandatory sentence of nine years for stock theft, yet some rapists walk away with community service.

“We’ve a minimum mandatory sentence of nine years yet people can afford to give community service to the perpetrator when a child is raped. I think the world has spoken, people have spoken, that’s wrong. We don’t want it. Do you necessarily want women to march, to lie on our tummies, to undress?” asked Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

“What’s it that you want us to do for you to understand that we don’t want this law? You can’t tell me that my sixteen-year-old girl can consent to sexual intercourse with any man. I don’t care whether that man is 20, 30 or 75-years-old. Let’s immediately have a law that speaks to that issue where we review the 16-years-old and put it to 18-years-old which is the legal age of majority.”

Another MP Melody Dziva, from Manicaland, applauded President Mugabe for prioritising young people in his speech and making sure that there will be protection of children’s rights in the Bill that will be presented before Parliament.

In his speech to officially open Parliament, President Mugabe said a Children’s Amendment Bill was on the cards as extensive consultations had been completed on issues affecting children, including issues raised by young people themselves during the 2015 session of the Junior Parliament.

The President said the government was re-examining the country’s laws with a view to imposing mandatory sentences on perpetrators.

Michel Kafando

Ouagadougou — Burkina Faso’s interim president Michel Kafando, who was taken hostage during a coup a week ago, said he was back in power and had restored a civilian transitional government.

“I’ve returned to work,” he said in a brief speech to journalists at the foreign ministry in the capital yesterday. “The transition is back and at this very minute is exercising the power of the state.”

Burkina Faso coup leaders agreed to return to their barracks, signing a deal with the army that apparently defused the standoff sparked by last week’s coup.

The breakthrough came on Tuesday night after marathon talks in Nigeria’s Abuja, where West African heads of state had sought to break the impasse fuelled by angry threats on both sides.

The deal was signed a day after troops entered Burkina’s capital of Ouagadougou, turning up the pressure on the elite presidential guards (RSP), who staged the coup.

Under its terms, the RSP agreed to step down from the positions they had taken up in Ouagadougou, while the army also agreed to withdraw its troops 50km from the capital and guarantee the safety of the RSP members as well as their families.

The deal was presented to the Mogho Naba, or “king” of Burkina Faso’s leading Mossi tribe, in front of the media early yesterday.

Burkina Faso plunged into crisis last Wednesday when the powerful RSP detained the interim leaders who had been running the country since a popular uprising deposed iron-fisted president Blaise Compaore last October.

The elite unit of 1,300 men loyal to Compaore officially declared a coup on Thursday and installed rebel leader General Gilbert Diendere, Compaore’s former chief of staff, as the country’s new leader.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Economic Community of West African States said it planned to reinstate and demonstrate solidarity with the Kafando, who was released on Friday. — Al Jazeera

Bongani Mafu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY appointed Tsholotsho FC assistant coach Bongani Mafu has told his paymasters that he has taken up the post to show Zimbabweans how an assistant coach should behave and conduct his duties.

Mafu’s pronouncements appear to be a veiled claim that his assistants at Bosso were sabotaging him.

He was fired at the beginning of this month together with his assistant Mandla Mpofu, goalkeepers’ coach Peter Nkomo and welfare manager Netsai Moyo following a string of poor results.

An unprecedented hat-trick of losses that plunged the Bulawayo giants onto the edge of relegation were the final straw and the Bosso executive wielded the axe.

The quiet but highly temperamental Mafu was handed a seven-game contract by Tsholotsho to assist head coach Lizwe Sweswe in a technical bench reshuffle that saw assistant coach Sithethelewe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda being demoted to the development side.

Tsholotsho chairman Mlamuli Phiri said while the club roped in Mafu as part of their survival strategy, they believe the gaffer also has a point to prove to the football fraternity after his much publicised arrival at Bosso that ended unceremoniously.

“As we were talking to him, he said he was eager to show Zimbabwe what an assistant coach is and does. He said even though he was much older than Sweswe, he was prepared to work under him so as to show what the second in charge ought to do,” said Phiri.

The Tsholotsho chairman said Mafu could be on the bench when they take on wounded FC Platinum in a must-win tie at White City Stadium on Saturday.

The Zvishavane side was dumped out of the Chibuku Super Cup by Dynamos in a penalty shootout after regulation time failed to separate the two sides and they are likely to vent their frustrations on the relegation threatened league debutants.

Iziqholo zeZhwane need at least three wins from their remaining seven games to seal their place in the elite league and according to Phiri, the dream is still very much alive.

“We are still there. It’s not over for us. We will push even harder and what is also good is that the boys are showing their hunger to continue playing in the Premiership,” he said.

Cde Mandiwanzira

Golden Sibanda Harare Bureau
FIXED telecommunications operator TelOne’s unilateral 15 percent pay cut for all staff has riled the communications workers’ union. The Telecommunications and Allied Services Workers Union claims that it was not consulted on behalf of its members.

The union was also angered by the government’s endorsement of the pay cut. The government, through Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, said this was in line with the prevailing economic conditions.

TelOne cut salaries for all its staff by 15 percent, effective last month, in a move managing director Chipo Mutasa said was meant to cut costs.

But the Communications and Allied Services Workers Union this week said the reason was not justified for a company that posted half-year profit of $1,6 million.

TelOne workers were allegedly made to sign for the pay cut, after threats that the alternative was retrenchment on three months’ notice, to make it uncontestable in court.

CASWUZ president Lovemore Matombo said that the pay cut was insensitive, created hardships for workers and caused them to be unpredictable.

“The $1,6 million profit means the workers played their part, why are they being punished and the other thing is that the salaries being cut are from 2012.

“The minister is out of touch with reality on the ground. He is supposed to protect TelOne from risk caused by unpredictability,” said Matombo.

“The worst thing is that the minister failed to find another solution other than cutting costs, which was very surprising to many,” the CASWUZ president said.

He said the country’s sole provider of fixed telecommunications service, while faced with challenges, could not have been affected as much as most firms across the country’s economic sectors.

Most of TelOne’s employees, numbering about 1,500 workers, are members of the union and were allegedly coerced into accepting the 15 percent pay cut.

“The workers were told that if they didn’t sign to accept the cuts, they would be retrenched on the basis of the Supreme Court judgment,” Matombo said.

CASWUZ is also unhappy that Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira’s, who approved the pay cut.

In a letter to Matombo, Minister Mandiwanzira said the salary cuts by TelOne were plausible at a time other entities were laying off staff.

An estimated 25,000 workers lost their jobs after the June 17 Supreme Court ruling that companies could lay off workers upon issuing three months notice.

The endorsement by the minister, CASWUZ said, has left the workers without recourse because as a dispute of right, the workers could not go on strike.

CDE PATRICK ZHUWAO

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S Diaspora has potential to invest at least US$50 billion in the economy, but the country needs clear strategies on how to reach out to its expatriates and address policy inconsistencies, a minister has said.

Patrick Zhuwao, the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Development, said Diaspora engagement was a more viable policy to find new money for the struggling economy than dependence on the charity of Western countries, who often attach unacceptable strings to their funds.

“There’s at least $50 billion worth of investment among our people in the Diaspora that we’re not utilising,” Zhuwao told his ministry’s staff during a familiarisation visit to Masvingo yesterday following his appointment on September 11.

He added: “If we approach our own nationals living outside the country, we can attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Let our people be the first when we’re talking of economic growth.

“There’s need for financial literacy among our people and we’ve all that it takes to coordinate resources from our own people rather than going to the USA and other Western countries for FDI. They’ll tell us that you’ve to change your government.”

The minister said there were at least half-a-million skilled Zimbabweans living outside the country with resources that can help the country attain its economic growth targets.

Minister Zhuwao has taken over a ministry which faces accusations of failing to manage an $11m Old Mutual Kurera/Ukondla Youth Fund after most recipients failed to repay loans.

But more critically, the ministry has battled claims from the opposition and foreign embassies that it has failed to craft a clear policy on the country’s indigenisation programme which seeks to find space for locals in major companies.

All companies must have at least 51 percent local shareholding, according to the policy, which has been altered slightly to give ministers some leeway on a case-by-case basis, although this compromise is not available in the exploitation of natural resources including mining.

Zhuwao said the indigenisation policy had largely been mischaracterised, and not because it was a bad policy.

The new minister said he had given himself a deadline of the end of October (next month) to frame the policy in a way that removes any inconsistencies or doubts.

“There has been wrong pronunciations made on the indigenisation policy and I hope by the end of October there won’t be any policy inconsistency. These inconsistencies are caused by those who are ignorant on what exactly the law on indigenisation says,” he added.

“All foreign investors will always demand great concessions that favour themselves at the expense of local people. No-one should advocate for a foreign investor. You mustn’t tell me what a foreign investor wants, we’re for the people of Zimbabwe.”

He said the Youth Fund would be resuscitated, insisting that the rate of failure to repay had been exaggerated.

He called on the Youth Council, which has structures in all provinces, to set up sound management structures for the administration of the Youth Fund that would be re-introduced.

He said the issue of Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) – a fund set up to extract benefit for locals from the exploitation of natural resources in the community – was on top of his agenda. Local chiefs in Masvingo say the mines have been reluctant to make contributions in line with the indigenisation laws.

Zhuwao raised concern on some wrong pronouncements made by some government officials on the indigenisation policy, which was a matter of the law.

As Indigenisation Minister, he said, it was his duty to correct those who display ignorance on the black empowerment law, signalling that he would not bend over backwards to make foreigners comfortable at the expense of indigenous Zimbabweans.