Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga

Innocent Ruwende Harare Bureau
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces will never accept any unconstitutional change of Government and will stand firm and unequivocal by President Mugabe who was duly and democratically elected by the people of Zimbabwe, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga has said. Speaking at a press conference yesterday ahead of the 36th anniversary of the ZDF Day Commemorations to be held today, General Chiwenga said the ZDF has been watching events in the country which have a serious potential to disturb peace.

“These have to stop and people must focus on developmental programmes. The history of this country cannot, and will never be rewritten. It was only done once by colonialists in the Berlin Treaty, who by act of conquest, declared that they had brought civilisation and religion into Africa including Zimbabwe, as though we did not have our own religions and civilisation.”

“The African proverb which says, hakuna zuva rinobuda rimwe risati ranyura (two people cannot lead a country at the same time) holds true, because no nation can ever have two leaders at any one time. Therefore, the ZDF will never accept any unconstitutional change of Government and we stand firm and unequivocal by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and commander-in-chief of the ZDF, his Excellency Cde Mugabe,” he said.

“It follows that the ZDF, while remaining apolitical, would not tolerate or support any unconstitutional change of Government in the country, whether internally or externally induced.”

Gen Chiwenga who was flanked by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda and six other generals said while potential threats to Zimbabwe’s security were many, the Zimbabweans should know that the country is under the threat of asymmetric warfare.

He said to date the threat has manifested itself by way of psychological warfare, intrusive political interference, diplomatic isolation and socio-cultural intrusion.

“Where contradictions exist, we must be able to dialogue, bearing in mind that we are one people. We should learn to synchronise our approaches and have a common vision where the nation thinks with one mind, hears with one ear, speaks with one voice and collectively pulls in one direction.”

“It is the ZDF’s hope, therefore, that the internal component of this asymmetric threat to the country will take heed and desist from these divisive activities for the betterment of the whole nation,” he said.

He said recent events in Zimbabwe clearly demonstrate that State institutions, socio-political systems and even territories can now equally be threatened by manipulation of ideas through the use of social media giving an example of a communique attributed to a clique of war veterans which he said was a clear illustration of social media abuse by the fifth column and its quislings.

Gen Chiwenga said investigations were underway on the matter and culprits will face the full wrath of the law saying the ZDF will work with other security services to ensure that effects of certain information, ideas and concepts that infiltrate into the population depict what is in line with the preservation of Zimbabwe’s values, vision and culture.

The ZDF, he said, will take deliberate steps to ensure that the country’s Constitution in its entirety, is not only protected and defended but is also upheld, sustained and supported at all times.

Asked on media claims that he was supporting a faction allegedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Gen Chiwenga said, “That is nonsense. Do you believe in that? People who peddle such kind of nonsense are not worth their soul.”

Gen Chiwenga congratulated President Mugabe, the nation and all members of the defence forces and their families on the 36th Anniversary of the ZDF.

He said the celebrations will be held under the theme, ‘ZDF: Resolute in Defence of Constitution, National Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and National Interests for Social and Economic Growth’.

Chronicle Reporters
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronged various venues across the country to commemorate Heroes Day. The annual event is used to pay tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from colonial rule. In Bulawayo, scores of people converged at the Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane suburb.Although people started trickling to the venue as early as 8am, the proceedings officially began shortly after 11am with a combined brass band comprising the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) leading the crowd in singing the national anthem.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo read the President’s speech at 12.21pm. Cde Moyo laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before she was joined by the Commander of ZNA 1 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere, the Officer Commanding police in Bulawayo province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba and his counterpart from the ZPCS, Snr Asst Comm Mailos Njomani.

Family members of the heroes and heroines also had an opportunity to lay flowers on the graves of their departed beloved ones. Some of the relatives of the fallen heroes and heroines who spoke to Chronicle commended the Government for honouring fallen liberators.

“We really appreciate the gesture by our Government to honour our relatives who died for this country. We know our detractors are not happy with the freedom that we are enjoying today which is why they decided to impose sanctions on us, but that will not deter us as we will continue to defend our country,” said Mr Charles Kamusoro whose mother was the first heroine to buried at the provincial shrine in 1995.

Ms Moline Sibanda, whose husband was buried at the Nkulumane shrine, also commended the Government. She called on authorities to refurbish the shrine, which is in a poor state. The event was punctuated with scintillating performances from the ZPCS band.

A choral music group comprising war veterans entertained the gathering with superbly choreographed dances capturing the mood of the occasion in praise of the country’s fallen heroes and heroines.

Among those who attended the event were the Members of Parliament for all constituencies in Bulawayo. Senior government officials, war veterans and residents also attended the occasion.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, presided over the proceedings at the provincial shrine in Lupane. He read the President’s speech at about 12 noon before visiting the graves of heroes and heroines laid at the Matabeleland North Provincial Heroes Acre.

Senior Zanu-PF officials who include the Minister for Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Cde Obert Mpofu, his wife Sikhanyisiwe, Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Cde Thokozile Mathuthu, MP for Tsholotsho South Cde Zenzo Sibanda and Zanu-PF chairperson Cde Richard Moyo and senior Government officials and service chiefs attended the event.

Youths provided entertainment. All roads led to the Matabeleland South provincial shrine to commemorate Heroes Day in Gwanda. By 8am people had started gathering at the shrine where local poets and musicians entertained them.

At about 11am the guest of honour, the Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube arrived and was received by service chiefs before he inspected a quarter guard mounted by 1.1 Combat Group from Bulawayo.

The event started with the singing of the national anthem, before Cde Ncube read the President’s speech. After that there was laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the guest of honour, service chiefs, Zanu-PF officials and war veterans.

Cde Ncube led the entourage of VIPs to tour the graves of the departed heroes. It was a day to remember as the crowd was thrilled by entertaining groups with a new group, MaTricks, being the favourite.

Zanu-PF Gwanda District Youth League said they were challenged by the Presidential speech and promised to continue with solidarity marches in terms of economic activities in line with Government policies.

“As youth we also recognise our heroes both fallen and living with hard work which they did during the gruelling liberation struggle. We are 100 percent behind our Zanu-PF First Secretary, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, Head of State and Government His Excellency President Robert Gabriel Mugabe,” said the District Youth Secretary for Information, Cde Clement Zikhali. Cde Emmanuel Ncube, the youths’ district secretary for the commissariat also hailed the President.

In Plumtree, also in Matabeleland South, the Heroes Day commemorations were held at the Bulilima-Mangwe District Heroes Acre located in Bulilima District. Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Cde Obedingwa Mguni who is also MP for Mangwe read the President’s Speech.

Cde Mguni urged various stakeholders from the border town and the two rural districts to contribute towards sprucing up the districts’ shrine. He gave a brief background of the liberation struggle.

A total of 19 fallen heroes from Plumtree, Bulilima and Mangwe have been laid to rest at the district shrine. Also present at the commemorations were Bulilima East MP, Cde Mathias Siqhoza Ndlovu, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Mrs Evelyn Ndlovu, among others.

Heroes Day commemorations in the Midlands province started in earnest at the Heroes Acre in Gweru around 9am. The commemorations were held at the new-look heroes acre, which was refurbished to give respect to the 188 gallant sons and daughters interred at the shrine.

Scores of people, including former provincial governor Cde Cephas Msipa, officer commanding police in the province Senior Assistant Commissioner Abigail Moyo and senior government officials attended the important event. Provincial Administrator Mrs Cecilia Chitiyo read President Mugabe’s speech.

There was a fly past by three jets from the Airforce of Zimbabwe as Mrs Chitiyo read the President’s speech. In Masvingo a capacity crowd thronged the provincial heroes shrine in Mucheke where 50 heroes and heroines were buried to celebrate the important day amid calls for the war veterans to unite.

Celebrations were held throughout the seven administrative districts comprising Chivi, Mwenezi, Chiredzi, Zaka, Bikita and Gutu while the main provincial event was in Masvingo. The proceedings were ably supported with colourful displays by Mutimurefu Prisons inmates.

They began in the morning but reached a crescendo with the arrival of the service chiefs, Masvingo Minister of State for provincial affairs Shuvai Mahofa and Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education Josiah Hungwe.

Minister Hungwe inspected a quarter guard mounted by 4 Infantry Brigade on behalf of Minister Mahofa. Minister Mahofa delivered the Presidential speech before a 21 gun salute by the army to show respect for the fallen heroes.

Minister Hungwe together with 4 infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Exsebios Tshuma, the officer commanding in Masvingo Senior assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Masvingo officer commanding Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga and Masvingo Acting Mayor Councillor Tasicio Mandava laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

War veterans’ provincial chairman Cde Tendeukai Chinooneka led relatives of the 50 departed heroes and heroines in laying wreaths on the tombstones of their loved ones. Cde Chinooneka hailed people of Masvingo for respecting the fallen heroes and called for war veterans to unite.

“We hail people of Masvingo for coming in their thousands to join hands with the rest of the country to celebrate this day. We call upon war veterans to unite so that we don’t fail the fallen heroes and heroines,” said Cde Chinooneka.

Former Zimbabwe Sugarcane Milling Workers Union (ZSMWU) secretary general who is also a war veteran Cde Admore Hwarare said Heroes Day is a special day for every Zimbabwean regardless of political affiliation and urged freedom fighters to pull in the same direction to build the country.

Felex Share Harare Bureau
The Government’s probe into cyber terrorism has begun with preliminary investigations pointing to three Zimbabweans based outside the country as originators of subversive and inflammatory messages on social media. The inciting messages, sent mostly via WhatsApp, are aimed at destabilising the country with the ultimate goal of effecting regime change. The three terrorist suspects, according to security sources, are Victor Dube (resident in South Africa), Jeff Judah Hosanna (South Africa) and Tapiwa Marimbe (Australia).

The trio — believed to be working with MDC-T officials — has been sending messages containing threats of violence, murder as well as armed attacks against ordinary Zimbabweans and Government officials.

The messages are meant to intimidate Zimbabweans and cause instability. The revelations come in the wake of abortive calls by some shadowy and faceless groups calling for the shutting down of the country’s borders beginning yesterday, ostensibly to force Government to lift import controls on certain products from South Africa. Zimbabweans, however, ignored the messages and went about their business yesterday.

Security sources yesterday said Hosanna, who is based in South Africa, has been using mobile number +27744621779 to originate and send subversive WhatsApp messages. He claims to lead an organisation called Smoke that Thunders Brigade which intends to wage war in Zimbabwe to remove the Government.

In his video, which our Harare Bureau is in possession of, Hosanna has also threatened to kill Zimbabweans. On the other hand Dube, using mobile number +27736352897, sent a message threatening Zimbabweans, calling them to stay at home on August 11 or risk being killed.

The suspected terrorist, together with his conspirators, threatened to kill a thousand people by planting landmines on various roads in the country and other methods. Marimbe, who is based in Perth, Australia is believed to be an accountant who has been using mobile number +61466919413 to create inflammatory messages.

He sent a message and a video showing a man with a covered face packing firearms into a bag. The man threatened to come to Zimbabwe with the firearms to wage war and kill citizens.

Asked if he was behind the subversive material and if he was linked to the Smoke that Thunders Brigade, Hosanna responded: “That is very correct. Actually if you don’t mind, if you want an interview, if you want details you can phone me tomorrow (today) by 9 o’clock.”

Contacted for comment Dube first confirmed being the owner of the mobile number but when told that it was a journalist from The Herald, he distanced himself from the messages. “I am not Dube. What does that have to do with The Herald? Yes, I am a Zimbabwean and are you guys desperate for news?” Told that he has to clear his name with the police, Dube said: “To come where? For what? How am I gonna (sic) come there? I am at work.”

Marimbe could not be reached for comment. Efforts are being made to apprehend the trio, using Interpol, an intergovernmental organisation facilitating international police cooperation.

A security source yesterday said: “Should the three wish to clear their names, they are welcome to present themselves to the Zimbabwean police as soon as possible. The long arm of the law will reach out to them even if it means using international police machinery. Interpol is one such agency used to reach out to cross border criminals. We will work with other governments to extradite those who originate terrorist activities taking advantage that they are out of the country.

“Government warns Zimbabweans to desist from communicating with these and other terrorist suspects. Should anyone receive such terrorist messages, they are advised to inform the police and provide details of the person from whom they received such messages. Resending such terrorist messages to any person is aiding and abetting the terrorists. Therefore, those that resend such messages become accomplices of the originators and will be held accountable.”

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe this week warned a coterie of individuals feeding on the Western trough against causing confusion and anarchy in the country as part of the illegal regime change agenda.

He said the West was relentlessly funding opposition functionaries in a bid to effect regime change not only in Zimbabwe but the whole of Africa. As such, Dr Mushohwe said, the Government was ready to deal with all social media abusers.

Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda last week also warned malcontents and the country’s detractors against using electronic gadgets to mobilise people to do unlawful activities.

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent—
THE Bulawayo City Council has agreed to a $2,1 million project to connect water and sewer services to suburbs on the outskirts of the city that fall under Umguza Rural District Council. Suburbs that include Mbundane, Emthunzini and Emganwini West have been operating without the critical amenities, exposing residents to health risks. The city council is, however, not keen to consult residents over the issue as it suspects they will object to the idea, reads the latest council report.

The local authority, according to the report, resolved to connect water and sewer services to 66 000 housing units and will recoup its investment through water billing. The council said it will implement pre-paid water meters which were rejected in Bulawayo for the project.

“The director of engineering services (Engineer Simela Dube) advised that there was a need to connect water and sewer supply to 66 000 housing stands in the whole of Rangemore, an area which was administered by Umguza Rural District Council. The areas included Mbundane, Emthunzini, and Emganwini West etc,” reads the report.

“Through a council resolution Umguza Rural District Council had agreed to appoint Bulawayo City Council to provide water and take over the water billing while Umguza Rural District Council would provide main roads and collect rates.”

The council said the infrastructure for the project will cost about $2.1 million. “In response to questions the director of engineering services explained that the project amount to be raised for this investment was $1,2 million for water and $1,9 million for sewage to meet the immediate requirements in 2017 and 2018,” read the minutes.

The Acting Town Clerk Mrs Sikhangele Zhou said the deal will be good for the city saying activities in the suburbs had a bearing on Bulawayo.

“The Acting Town Clerk advised that although the areas Rangemore, Mbundane, Emthunzini were administered by Umguza Rural District Council there was need to provide such services to the areas as they looked to Bulawayo as its main service centre. Absence of proper water and sewage system posed a health hazard not only in these areas but to Bulawayo residents as well,” the report reads. — @nqotshili

Micasa lead singer J Something

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
MI CASA lead singer J something says he still has fond memories of his father who died two months ago, describing him as an incredible man who unconditionally loved him.

The artiste, who was in Bulawayo at the weekend, revealed this after his performance saying he wished they had spent more time together.

J Something’s father, Carlos Fonseca, died in Portugal in June while the artiste was performing in Malawi. The soft spoken J Something (real name Joao da Fonseca) said the last time he saw his father was last year albeit briefly.

“The last time I saw him was last year for about an hour and a half. I’d seen him two years prior and the next thing you know, the guy is gone,” said J Something.

“There’re those moments you say to yourself, I’m so busy, I wish I could spend more time with my loved ones.”

He said although they did not live together, his father was always close to him.

Turning to Mi Casa’s musical journey, J Something said the group had come a long way ever since appearing on SABC’s Live with Bonang Matheba five years ago.

“There’s nothing that pleases me more than doing what I love. It’s a great privilege to be celebrated by people and be able to travel. I remember the first time we got a booking in Durban, we were so excited. Now we travel to other countries and continents,” said J Something.

He said ever since he was young, he wanted to be famous and perform for crowds.

“It’s been an interesting musical journey. I’ve always had this dream to be famous as a kid. I wanted to be famous, not to enjoy the perks of fame, but to have a platform where I can make a change.

“I saw all these famous people having these followers and I thought man, imagine having all these followers listening to our music,” said J Something.

“The music that we’ve produced has been of good quality, not cheesy music, something which has seen it being accepted worldwide. Among our achievements are three multi-platinum selling CDs as well as African and European tours.”

During their stay in Bulawayo, the group had an opportunity to visit orphanages where they donated some stuff and spent time playing with children there. They also toured Matopos among other activities.

Former Malawi President, Dr Joyce Banda, speaks to a reporter after the recent Women’s Power Lunch 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria

Olutimehin Adegbeye
Language shapes how we see the world. The vocabulary that labels the political, legal and social impacts of discriminatory and unjust practices as “women’s issues” serves to keep these issues on the periphery. We need to radically change the conversation by naming and addressing “women’s issues” for what they really are: issues that exist because we live in a man’s world, says Olutimehin Adegbeye.

At the recently concluded Women’s Power Lunch 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria, Dr Joyce Banda, the former president of Malawi, said, “It is time for us to take women’s issues from the periphery to the centre of the discussion.” Like the rest of her remarkable speech, this statement was urgent, clear and actionable. However, the one thing that has remained unclear to me in the days since is: Who is “us”?

In my still quite short career as a feminist writer and agitator, I have attended a few events like the Women’s Power Lunch. Convened by the CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), Aisha Oyebode (née Muhammed), the lunch is an annual event hosted by the Women in Development Enterprise Across Africa and is designed to provide a forum for the discussion of the realities of being a woman in political leadership on the continent. Presenting the keynote at this year’s edition, Dr Banda spoke passionately and clearly on “Women in Solidarity; a New Paradigm for Inclusion”, discussing, among other issues, the multiplier effect of collaborative efforts by top-tier political leaders like herself, Graça Machel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia.

Dr Banda’s speech was enlightening, inspiring and rousing. She presented the scope of the issues faced by women in general and women leaders in particular, painting with broad strokes yet managing not to lose her points in vague generalisations. She shared actions she had taken to attain her achievements and sustain them, and also discussed in detail both the barriers that she had scaled in her own ascent and those she had observed obstructing the success of women on paths different from her own. It was a fantastic exhortation, rallying cry and road map. And it was delivered to a room full of women.

As we waited for the former president of Nigeria, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, to arrive, Adesuwa Oyenokwe opened the floor by apologising to the “ladies and few gentlemen” in attendance. Of the around 400 people present, the men who were not working as security protocol, technical crew or logistics personnel must have numbered perhaps 20, including the chairman of the MMF, Obasanjo and Justice Banda. The Women’s Power lunch was an event about women, and so, in a manner typical to the social contract, it was understood to be an event for women. Women talking to women about “women’s issues”.

Moving the Centre

Joyce Banda’s goal to get women’s issues from the periphery to the centre is noble and necessary, but I suspect somewhat unachievable without some sort of radical change in how we approach the conversation. We live in a society that is content to treat issues created by governments run by men, perpetuated via institutions largely controlled by men and enforced by invoking power mostly wielded by men as being the responsibility of women. Women did not create these problems, but because women are the ones affected, women must solve them and the men go on doing what they do.

Language matters, because it determines how we think about the world. A thing that does not exist in language might as well not exist in reality.

And the description of the political, legal and social impacts of discriminatory and unjust practices as “women’s issues” is a passive framing that allows us as a society to erase the source and sustenance of the problem. While there is immense value in conversations that enlighten and inspire women to break down barriers, we must also recognise that the barriers do not materialise out of thin air. Even the world’s most high-profile idiot, Donald Trump, knows that for walls to exist, they must first be built.

Women are being told that they can dismantle systems that are tacitly exclusionary to sisters on the outside and actively hostile to sisters on the inside if only they push harder and longer than the men who keep things this way. These tactics are not entirely unsuccessful, as generations of women before us have succeeded after long years of exhausting labour to get a foot in the door, but as a member of the generation that put the “I” in instant gratification, my default response to this logic is, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

It’s time for a revolution

It is getting harder and harder to have faith in a social justice praxis that strives to dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools. How do we not all realise how utterly absurd it is that we live in countries — in the 21st century! — that have ministries for “gender” (a.k.a. the world-famous “women’s issues”)?

The problem is not gender, in much the same way as it is not race, ability, sexual orientation or class; the problem is the hoarding of power, the social sanctioning of domination and the exclusion of whole groups of people. I am tired of being a peripheral talking point, an addendum, the final feel-good element of a raucous boys’ party. I think it’s past time for us to step outside this enervating hamster wheel of ‘female empowerment’ by actively and consistently laying the blame where it belongs: at the feet of The Man.

I am immensely proud to be part of a groundswell of young people who are naming and addressing “women’s issues” for what they really are: issues that exist because we live in a man’s world. If what we want is a prominent place in the conversations that powerful men insist on having outside women’s hearing, we must change the direction of discourse. The reason “women’s issues” remain on the periphery is that women themselves are on the periphery. To get the conversation going at the centre, it might be in our interests to make these problems about the men who create them in the first place. After all, there’s nothing men like to talk about more than themselves, is there? – This Is Africa.

Peter Matika, Showbiz Reporter
NHIMBE Trust will this week play host to Argentina’s Mandragora Circus in Bulawayo as part of the circus’ worldwide tour.

Mandragora Circus is a 55-minute long wordless performance where two clowns tell a story of comedy and love. Circus stunts, music and unconventional instruments weave acts of this play together allowing the audience to imagine situations, conflicts and solutions in a delicate story for all.

In a statement, Nhimbe Trust said the circus act would have three performances in the City of Kings, one at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe tomorrow starting at 2:30PM, followed by two at the Zimbabwe Academy of Music on Friday and Saturday, starting at 6PM and 5PM respectively.

“The performance is part of Mandragora’s worldwide tour which has covered the American continent, Europe and now Africa in the past six years.”

The circus act pegged at $3 is open to audiences of all ages. Part of the proceeds from the shows will go towards the “Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Exhibition” by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Mandragora Circus started as an independent theatre company in 2002 in Trelew, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina.

It was formed by Mariana Silva and Juan Cruz Bracamonte who previously had been members of other  companies performing music, theatre, dance and circus since 1998.

@peterkmatika

Lloyd Chitembwe

Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
ZDF Select 2-0 Caps United

ZIMBABWE Defence Forces Soccer Select team yesterday proved that there is a lot of depth within its soccer teams when they beat Premiership side Caps United in the Defence Forces Cup at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

ZDF soccer clubs have dominated for a long time and over the years they have produced quality players that have played for the national team and other big clubs.

Yesterday, the Select team featured players from the Premiership side Chapungu and Division One sides Black Rhinos and Tongogara with the players a mixture of youth and veteran players exhibiting some good football as they stood against Caps United.

The match capped the Defence Forces day celebrations which had begun with a number of activities and displays.

The Minister of Defence Sydney Sekeramayi presented the winners with a trophy.

For winning the Cup the Select side was rewarded with $7 000 prize money while the losing finalists Caps United pocketed $5 000.

Some of the important guests at the stadium were Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda.

Goals from Black Rhinos forward Vincent Mhandu in the 16th minute  and veteran striker Phillip Marufu 55th minute saw the ZDF Select make light work of the former champions in an exciting match which was watched by a near capacity crowd at the giant facility.

Former Premiership side Black Rhinos showed that it is not a fluke that they are on summit of the Zifa Northern Region Division One standings as they provided the bulk of the players in the team with their attacking players Maheya and Vincent Mhandu on song the whole afternoon.

ZDF Select coach Maronga Nyangela was happy with the victory.

“It is a great victory indeed. I am happy because we have claimed back the trophy which was taken by Dynamos last year. The team played according to plan despite the fact that we only trained for three days.

“There is depth in defence forces teams and this team is going to be one of the best defence teams.

“Caps United is a good team. They are on top of the log, we respect them but today we didn’t give them much respect.

“We wanted to win,” said Nyangela.

Caps United did not hang their heads in shame with assistant coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi saying they drew a lot of positives from the game.

Going into the game gaffer Lloyd Chitembwe said he wanted to have a closer look at some of the players at the same time maintaining their momentum as they travel to Hwange for a tricky league assignment this weekend.

The technical team was left satisfied with some of the players they threw into the fray.

“It was a good game of football. We dominated possession but didn’t have the decisiveness in the final third. We are grateful for being invited here, even though we rested eight regular starters we were able to play well and see what other players have got to offer.

“I was so impressed with this game. We now know the level of the performances of all our players because a match situation is different to a training session.

“If you look at young players like Amon (Kambanje, striker) he had a great game and kept possession. Valentine (Musarurwa) was on as well.

“In a squad of many players, it is important to rotate the players and they should always fight for their places.

“Overall, I am happy. I am not worried about the result as it was all about the football skills being displayed,” said Kwashi.

The former Caps United attacking midfielder also hailed the ZDF Select team.

“Well done to ZDF team. They showed discipline, tight defence and solid midfield. They managed to hit us on the counter,” he said.

Caps United gave a run to some of the players that are not commanding first team places while midfielder Devon Chafa and skipper Stephen Makatuka provided the stability.

Chafa was replaced by Archieford Gutu at half time as the coaches sought to give Gutu who is lacking match fitness some game time.

However, it was not a perfect day for Caps United goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo on his return as he conceded two goals.

Caps United first choice goalkeeper Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda was having fun in the match as he later came in the second period trading his gloves for a right back position as he replaced injured Zvikomborero Biseki.

Teams
ZDF Select: H. Rusawo, J. Mabhugu, W. Chakanyuka, B. Homora, T. Chokuwamba, P. Ngwenya, N. Murisa, M. Mine, C. Maheya (B. Chandisaita 57th minute), V. Mhandu, P. Marufu (M. Mavhuto 90th minute)

Caps United: J. Muchambo, Z. Biseki (E. Sibanda 36th minute), J. Jangano, C. Munzambwa, S. Makatuka, D. Chafa (A. Gutu 46th minute), K. Nyamupfukudza, V. Musarurwa, C. Kamhapa, J. Ngodzo, A. Kambanje.

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
FOURTEEN headmasters from schools in Luveve, Gwabalanda and Cowdray Park suburbs in Bulawayo recently met to discuss the non-payment of fees at their schools.

The headmasters invited Luveve-Gwabalanda Member of Parliament, Cde Ntando Mlilo, whose constituency also covers Cowdray Park suburb, to the meeting.

The MP yesterday revealed that most school coffers have run dry due to failure by parents to pay fees, throwing schools into a crisis.

Cde Mlilo said he was invited to the meeting that was held at Mafakela primary school in Luveve suburb last week on Tuesday by headmasters to discuss the non-payment of fees.

Headmasters resolved to hold meetings at affected schools with parents and School Development Committees over the problem.

“I was invited to a meeting by heads from all schools and they said they have no money in their coffers due to non-payment of fees by my most parents. It’s a pity that they (parents) want to abuse the Government policy at the same time crippling development in their own schools,” said Cde Mlilo.

“Some of these parents spend a lot of money on other things like clothes and gadgets yet they fail to raise $40 for fees. We understand that we’re living in tough times as some have no jobs but we’re asking them to support the Government at least by making payment plans instead of totally abandoning payment of fees.”

Cde Mlilo said money was needed to cover administrative costs, pay workers and for school development.

“We encourage our parents to partner with the Government because their attitude towards payment of fees determines the quality of pupils we produce. We too can improve our standards like our peers from the eastern suburbs by paying fees and engaging schools when we have genuine challenges,” he said.

Cde Mlilo also rubbished reports that he was organising a pupils’ demonstration against their parents as reported by some online media outlets.

“I’m aware that there is a malicious message circulating via social networks that I’m planning a massive demonstration. I’m a public official who      was only invited to the meeting, I don’t have such powers to organise a demonstration,” he said.

@thamamoe.

THE dire economic conditions in South Africa, and in some parts of the banking group’s African operations, reflected in Barclays Africa Group’s results when credit impairment losses rocketed in the six months to June.

The credit impairments jumped 46 percent to R5.2bn, raising Maria Ramos’s bank’s credit loss ratio to 1.29 percent, from just under one percent a year earlier.

But this measure was amended in the period, said Barclays, “to use gross customer loans and loans to banks, rather than customer loans”.

This had the effect of making the credit loss ratio look significantly better than it really was on the old disclosure method. On that old measure, the measure would have surged to 1.48 percent from 1.11 percent.

It is retail customers, rather than corporates, that are more likely to default in depressed economic environments.

Among Barclays’ operations are markets like Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria and Mozambique, which are all going through varying degrees of economic trouble.

After declining 0.36 percent in the first quarter, Nigeria’s economy — heavily reliant on oil prices, which have dropped more than 70 percent over the past two years — will probably shrink 1.8 percent this year, said the International Monetary Fund earlier in July.

Mozambique’s economy is also in difficulty as internal strife threatens to return the country to a civil war. Cash shortages and a blockade of imported goods will likely also tip Zimbabwe into a recession this year.

Both the IMF and the South Africa Reserve predict SA will narrowly avoid a recession this year.

The bank says non-performing loans increased 17 percent to R31.4bn, or 3.8 percent of gross loans and advances. Most of the losses came from the SA unit. Perhaps as a sign of the tough economic conditions, personal loans credit impairments jumped 22 percent.

On the good side, headline earnings from the rest of Africa jumped 33 percent, dwarfing the pedestrian three percent growth in SA. — financial mail

President Mugabe

PRESIDENT Mugabe has called for unity and peace among Zimbabweans, saying violent protest being engineered by opposition parties and shadowy groups to subvert the Government would fail. Addressing thousands of people gathered at the National Heroes’ Acre to celebrate Heroes’ Day, President Mugabe said a constitutionally-elected Government could only be removed through democratic elections not Arab spring type of protests. He said while it was everyone’s constitutional right to hold demonstrations, they should be done in a peaceful manner. “Let us remain united in defence of our sovereignty, in defence of what our national heroes fought for,” President Mugabe said.

“We should remain united, remain cognisant of the fact that without unity we cannot make much progress. There will be divisions, quarrelling, fighting, violence and that is why things like protests don’t pay because usually they end up being violent protests. What benefit do you derive from conducting street protests only to show that you are violent? We don’t want that!”

He added: “If it is a police sanctioned demonstration, let it be done in a peaceful manner. If it is a political party seeking relevance and recognition, it is allowed but for them to stone people and property, it is not allowed. We don’t want that violence.

“Joining hands to foment chaos to effect regime change as is being done in some Arab countries will never be tolerated. Why not wait for elections.

You don’t want to wait for them. But that’s democracy! I heard Tsvangirai calling for a coalition to stage protests to topple the Government. That shows that the opposition have no confidence in their own electoral chances against Zanu-PF”.

President Mugabe’s remarks came in the wake of violent demonstrations being organised by shadowy groups such as Tajamuka/Sesijikile and

#This Flag fronted by Pastor Evan Mawarire The groups have been on a crusade to foment an uprising against the Government using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to spread subversive messages denigrating President Mugabe and calling for street protests.

It has also since emerged that the embassies of France, the United States and Britain are heavily involved in coordinating the anti-Government movement by providing logistical and financial support.

The Arab Spring uprisings were sponsored by the West to topple Governments which did not tow their line in countries such as Tunisia, Syria, Egypt and Libya. However, chaos reigns to this day in those states where the US and its allies sought to install puppet regimes.

Libya is a chaotic lawless jungle where rag tag militias roam the countryside. It is a pale shadow of its former orderly state where citizens lived a prosperous life under their late leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Tunisia is also not stable while Syria is engulfed in a never ending war and is a bastion of Muslim extremism with ISIS establishing itself firmly in that country.

The Arab Springs are therefore a perfect example of the chaos and lawlessness which visits nations that unseat democratically elected Governments and replace them with pliant and willing tools of the West.

Democracy can never be foisted on a people and nations should be allowed to determine their own internal electoral processes. Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy and has held elections whenever they are due and without fail since independence in 1980.

Despite several attempts to topple the Government, the various arms of State have stood firm and valiantly defended the flag and the constitution of Zimbabwe. For that we tip our hats to them and urge them to continue protecting this country from its enemies. President Mugabe on Monday commended the country’s security sectors for maintaining law and order.

“When all is said and done, what is important is in our circumstances we have peace, law and  order and we praise our security forces for that,” he said.

“We praise them for the calm there has been, the peace there has been but we praise them also for fulfilling international obligations by subscribing members to both regional and international peace support operations. Thus, under the auspices of Sadc, African Union and United Nations our security forces continue to raise the Zimbabwean flag high.” We also applaud the country’s security arms for diligently maintaining peace in Zimbabwe despite their patience and resolve being stretched to the limit by subversive elements.

We urge them to stay true to the ideals of the liberation struggle and ensure that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Zimbabwe is protected at all costs.

The country faces a new threat in the form of cyber terrorism and our security apparatus should be alive to this development and devise strategies of neutralising this form of aggression.

We also call on Zimbabweans to heed the President’s call for unity and peace and not allow foreigners to push them to burn down their own country.

Engineer Louise Mukwada

Business Editor
ZIMBABWEAN companies need urgent re-tooling if the country is to derive increased earnings through a value chain economic model.

With the rise of merchandise imports in the past few years and more concentration on minerals and metals exports as well as importation of services, the country’s value chain link has been weakened.

This calls for coordinated policy interventions that will facilitate the creation of vibrant value chains in the economy, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) general manager Engineer Louise Mukwada said.

“One of the things we are looking at as the railways is import substitution in light of strengthening value chains. I think this is now critical in Zimbabwe given challenges of capital flight through importation,” he said.

While value addition is an integral approach in line with the country’s blueprint, Zim-Asset, Eng Mukwada says replacing imports through local supply and increased production is still a challenge due to a number of hurdles.

One major challenge is ageing equipment that is still used by local firms. This, together with labour, water, power, taxation and finance costs, continue to weigh down on industry efficiency.

“We have faced certain challenges. One example was that we engaged a local company to try and produce brake blocks that are used on locomotives and wagons to brake the train.

“These are like brake pads of a vehicle but are much bigger and we import these. We engaged a local company to produce them locally,” said Eng Mukwada.

“Our engineers and those from the company we engaged worked together and we were able to come up with a product but they were producing it at thrice the price of the imported product.

“The challenge was the equipment that they were using. It was just not appropriate.”

He said NRZ has also been struggling to get local suppliers of critical components to sustain the operations of the giant parastatal due to capacity constraints facing local firms.

“The second example was on timber slippers. Our railway line rests on timber slippers. These were put in the 1960s to 1970s and a lot of them are rotten and we need to replace about a million of them. We engaged Sawmills and other companies to produce so that we can do trials,” said Eng Mukwada.

He said although local companies were able to make satisfactory samples, they could not produce the required volumes because of limited capacity.
Said Eng Mukwada: “This again is related to the equipment they used. It was good enough to produce a single or two samples but to produce volumes they now needed to re-equip”.

He made reference to a third scenario in which NRZ engaged another local firm for supplies in a deal that later collapsed because of capacity issues.

“There is a local company that was producing some pads. These are synthetic material pads that we use on the rail. We used to import quantities of these.

“This company went into trials with us and we eventually managed to perfect the pads that we wanted and for a couple of years they were supplying us but eventually they faced capital challenges and went underground,” said Eng Mukwada.

“So, my point is that perhaps we need coordinated policy interventions. The SMEs sector for example, I have heard from time to time, facilities being given to companies to support SMEs.

“Perhaps . . . this could be more targeted so that those that can add value in a particular value chain, like in our case, we are looking at the maintenance of the track and we have identified companies who can participate in that value chain. The business there is guaranteed. So, if there is intervention to support the rail or even working capital then we can substitute the imports and then save on our currency.”

Eng Mukwada revealed this during the recent Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) congress in Bulawayo where he made a presentation focusing on cost competitiveness in relation to export performance.

During the discussion, CZI deputy president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe said his organisation was keen to engage NRZ on how to increase business volumes in bulk transportation.

He stressed the need to fine tune the cost structure to ensure symbiotic benefits to parties involved for purposes of competitiveness.

@ProsperNdlovu

Rahman Kutsanzira

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
TWO senior Highlanders players have described their poor run of form as a passing phase and declared that they are still in the championship race despite the team remaining rooted at the bottom of the second half of the season table with no points.

Highlanders have conceded five goals in the three second half matches played so far, a record worse than any of the 16 teams. They are one of the five sides yet to pick up a win but are the only team still to pick a point, a record that has seen them anchor the table, seven points adrift of leaders

How Mine and second placed Caps United.

The statistics must be worrying for the Highlanders faithfuls but for vice captain Erick Mudzingwa and lively winger Rahman Kutsanzira, it is a phase that they will soon get past.

The duo ruled out any outside forces or reasons for their bad patch.

“We are just going through a bad patch, nothing else. We have done everything there is to do on the pitch but goals are not coming,” said Kutsanzira, sentiments echoed by Mudzingwa during two separate interviews yesterday.

Kutsanzira also said some of the youngsters could be weighed down by pressure from supporters who are hungry for success in the form of a league title which has eluded them since 2006.

“I know that from the club administration, the league title might not be a priority this year but the honest truth and reality is that our fans need that like yesterday and to us senior players we understand where that comes from because this is Highlanders. It can’t be expected that we should be rebuilding at 90 years old but that might be too much for the youngsters in the team,” said Kutsanzira.

He said the three losses have badly affected them especially as they came against some good performances on the pitch with goals just eluding them.

“We know some people could have ruled us out and maybe it is good for us as it can take away some pressure but we will rise up,” said Kutsanzira.

Vice captain Mudzingwa also lamented the departure and injury to key players as another possible cause for their terrible second half of the season run.

Bosso lost Bruce Kangwa and Knox Mutizwa to Azam of Tanzania and Bidvets Wits of South Africa respectively while injuries have claimed Benson Phiri, King Nadolo, Honest Moyo, Kutsanzira, Prince Dube and Nhlanhla Ndlovu. Veteran Ralph Matema has been in and out of the squad.

“Goals have been eluding us despite good performances on the pitch where we  have done literally everything there is to do except scoring. This is something we have to work on as  a team. I am confident though we will turn the corner very soon. Let those who dream of a finished Highlanders continue doing so,” said Mudzingwa.

While there is little that could be done to avoid injuries, the Bosso technical team has also been blamed for failing to prepare for the departure of Mutizwa and Kangwa by gradually introducing some of their fringe or new players so that they could gel with the rest of the old guard.

Questions have been asked as to why Kangwa and Mutizwa lasted for 90 minutes on the pitch until their last games yet the team either had young and inexperienced or new guys like Kasimero Chimbadzwa on the bench who they could have thrown in even for just 10 minutes.

Bosso take on Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Minister Patrick Chinamasa

Harare Bureau
The Government is targeting an average economic growth rate of 6,6 percent over 2016 to 2018 driven by manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

The economic growth targets are contained in the final draft of the interim poverty reduction strategy paper for the period 2016-2018, which looks at virtually all sectors of the domestic economy. The policy thrust was crafted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development with input from stakeholders.

The strategy paper envisages near double digit growth of the economy in the final two years of its implementation, which is 2017 /18. Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa had initially forecast the economy to expand by 2,7 percent this year, but revised the growth target to 1,4 percent on account of falling global commodity prices and the negative impact of the drought.

“The strategy targets an average annual growth rate of 6,6 percent during the period 2016-2018, with 2017 and 2018 projected to grow by 9,5 percent and 8,9 percent, respectively,” reads an excerpt from the poverty reduction paper dated August 1, 2016.

In terms of other macro-economic targets, the poverty reduction strategy paper is targeting annual inflation of 0,6 percent, an interest rate regime that promotes savings and fosters investment, current account deficit of not more than 10 percent of GDP.

In addition, other macroeconomic targets in the paper include reserves of at least three months import cover by 2018 and budget deficit of 1,2 percent of gross domestic product in 2017 and 2018.

In essence economic growth is envisaged to be driven by agriculture, hunting and fishing; manufacturing; electricity and water; construction; finance and insurance; real estate; distribution, hotels and restaurants; and transport and communication.

Government is still battling a multiplicity of factors militating against growth of the economy, after the post dollarisation boom that lasted only until 2012, before starting to decline sharply in 2013.

After Government introduced the multi-currency system in January 2009, Zimbabwe witnessed price stability and improved business confidence, resulting in an increase in capacity utilisation from around 10 percent during recession to around 40 percent by end 2009, and positive economic growth of 5,4 percent. This policy slowed down black market activities, eliminated arbitrage opportunities and dissipated inflation expectations and immediately killed-off hyper-inflation. Goods became available in formal markets.

The multi-currency anchored economic recovery saw real GDP growth peaking at 11,9 percent in 2011, before declining to 10,6 percent in 2012.

However, the recovery remained highly fragile because of infrastructure and other macro-economic fundamentals, which remained weak, resulting in a real GDP growth of 4,5 percent in 2013.

The trend in economic growth is now around 1-2 percent per annum following the end of the multi-currency economic growth boom in 2012. Real GDP growth slowed down from 3,8 percent in 2014 to 1,5 percent in 2015 and 2016 forecast, largely due to the impact of the drought, which is taking a toll on agriculture production.

Agricultural production represents a broadly constant share of total output (12 percent in 2014), while service sectors are generally experiencing dynamic growth. However, the manufacturing and mining sectors are struggling to cope with rising capital costs, a difficult business climate and declining competitiveness. The depreciation of the South African rand against the US dollar in particular has weakened Zimbabwe’s competitiveness against its main trading partner, South Africa.

The mining sector is experiencing a structural transition, as the commodity price super-cycle ends. As a result there has been a shift in economic activity from industry to services, particularly finance, insurance, construction and information and communication technology (ICT).

Bianca Mlilo, Business Reporter
METALLON Gold group production has increased by nine percent in the second quarter (Q2) of this year compared to the first.

In a statement accompanying its unaudited Q2 production results, Metallon Gold attributed the increase in its overall figures to How Mine which reportedly performed exceptionally well.

“Group gold production for Q2, 2016 was 22,565 ounces, nine percent higher than the previous quarter (Q1, 2016: 20,673 ounces).Production for the year to date stands at 43,238 ounces.

“The increase in gold production in Q2, 2016 was mostly due to an outstanding performance at How Mine.”

The mining entity said its second quarter group costs had decreased. It said this was a result of increased production and cost savings from overtime control and central procurement. Metallon Gold Group expects the costs to reduce further.

Chief executive officer of Metallon Corporation Ken Mekani said: “Metallon delivered a positive performance in Q2, 2016. Production increased almost 10 percent and all-in-sustaining-costs (AISC) reduced by 16 percent quarter on quarter, with the operations at How Mine especially achieving strong results.

“Metallon is investing significantly in Zimbabwe with the deepening of the shaft at How Mine, the refurbishment of the Processing Plant at Shamva Mine, the expansion at Redwing Mine and a targeted exploration programme across the Group.”

Metallon Corporation Limited is the leading gold mining company in Zimbabwe. It owns and operates four gold mining operations and has a gold resource of over 8.3 million ounces.

The mining entity owns How Mine near Bulawayo, Shamva and Mazowe Mines near Harare and Redwing Mine, near Mutare.

@BiancaMlilo

Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo has run out of sedative drugs, which are important in suppressing violent behaviour in psychiatric patients. Staff at the hospital said last week, two nurses were beaten up by patients who are not being given drugs to calm them.

“There are no drugs to sedate the mentally ill patients at the hospital. Matrons are forcing nurses to work under these conditions and threatening to dismiss them if they don’t comply.

“Last week two nurses were beaten up by violent patients and the matter was swept under the carpet. The limited tranquilisers that are available have expired but they are still being administered on patients yet they don’t have any effect,” said a source.

Ingutsheni Hospital does not charge patients for its services and the institution depends entirely on the government’s budgetary allocation for its recurrent expenditure and capital projects.

Hospital authorities have on several occasions appealed for donations from well-wishers to cater for the needs of patients at the institution.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa recently expressed concern over acute food and medicine shortages at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo and said the government was struggling to provide for the increasing number of patients at the institution.

The troubles facing the institution have been compounded by some of the patients who have since made the hospital their permanent home for various reasons.

Reports of the drug shortage emerged as a patient at the hospital reportedly killed herself by covering her head with a plastic bag after a doctor had refused to discharge her.

Sources at the hospital said the patient, only identified as Paida had demanded to be discharged before she decided to take her life at about 5.30PM on Saturday last week.

“The lady committed suicide because the doctor who was attending to her refused to give her leave of absence because she was a prostitute.

“She had been discharged earlier but was brought back by her family.

“When the doctor insisted that she was not going home, she covered her head with a plastic and covered her body with a blanket at about 5.30PM. At that time the day shift nurses were waiting to hand over to their colleagues who were on night shift,” said a source at the hospital.

The source said the nurses were alerted by other patients who heard her gasping but they found her dead.

The hospital’s public relations officer, Mrs Vongai Chimbwindi yesterday declined to comment and referred questions to the clinical director, a Dr Ranga.

Dr Ranga, who demanded questions in writing on hard copy also declined to comment, saying he needed time to gather facts.

Cde Jonathan Samkange

Zvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Bill, which seeks to strip the State Procurement Board of its powers to award tenders, is expected to be gazetted tomorrow before it is tabled in Parliament for debate.

After the initial gazetting by Parliament, the Bill goes through procedures including debates in the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament and public hearings. If the Bill passes, it is sent for Presidential assent after which it will be gazetted to become law.

According to the proposed law, the awarding of tenders would now be done by accounting officers in various State departments and companies with the SPB playing a supervisory and monitoring role to ensure Government entities comply with the law and other set standards.

This is also in line with the Government’s intention to improve the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.

There have been allegations of corruption in awarding of tenders at SPB, while other stakeholders complained of delays in adjudicating tenders thereby affecting efficiency in Government.

Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda said the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Bill was one of the Bills that were due for gazetting.

“We’ve received Bills from parent ministries and have submitted them to the printers for gazetting,” said Mr Chokuda.

Soon after gazetting, the Bill would immediately be referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee for scrutiny if it is consistent with the Constitution.

Mudzi South MP Cde Jonathan Samkange chairs the PLC.

The relevant portfolio committee would also be expected to convene public hearings to get views of stakeholders on the Bill before tabling a report in Parliament’s plenary on their findings.

The Government’s decision to abolish the SPB followed the discovery that there could be loopholes that could have facilitated corrupt activities in procurement of goods and services.

The Government wants the SPB to be a standard setting agency as part of broader strategies to eliminate bureaucratic red tape hindering Foreign Direct Investment inflows in the country.

Public procurement entities, in this case, included Government ministries, parastatals, state entities and local authorities.

Existing procurement processes for State-run institutions and parastatals have been taking too long to approve, whereas their private sector counterparts were not bound by the same system in procuring goods and services.

The transformation of the SPB was consistent with the implementation of Government’s economic blueprint Zim-Asset calling for high efficiency in the service delivery system.

Also to be gazetted, is the Judiciary Laws Amendment Bill that is set to align the laws with the Constitution.

The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill has been referred to the Attorney General’s office for further refinement.

The Bill is set to strengthen mineral exploration as the Government pushes the ‘‘use it or lose it’’ principle to combat people who hold claims for speculative purposes.

There have been several complaints of people holding on to claims for speculative purposes, thus undermining economic activity in the mining sector which has the potential of enhancing gross domestic product.

Deeds Registries Amendment Bill is also due for gazetting.

Farmers have taken advantage of the ongoing public consultations on the Land Commission Bill to express their frustrations with the Government over the retrospective application of a new land tax.

Introduced last year, the $5 land levy for every hectare an A2 farmer owns, is meant to not only promote production but also raise money to fund periodic land audits and compensate white former farmers. The idea behind the levy is that a farmer would be forced to enhance his or her production to be able to raise enough money, part of which he or she would use to pay the rental to the Government. If one doesn’t farm, and resultantly can’t pay the rental, it is believed, he or she would be forced to give up part of their land, which would be allocated to other able farmers, many of whom are on waiting lists across the provinces.

If one strives to boost farm production, the country would be in a good position to achieve greater utilisation of farms, after years of complaints that some new farmers are sitting on their farms, only finding use for them as venues for weekend braai parties.

All factors taken together, the land levy can be an instrument to widen the number of beneficiaries of the land reform programme, stimulate greater production and raise money to pay the former farmers and to finance infrastructural development in farming areas.

In terms of the Finance Act No. 8 of 2015 an A2 farmer must pay $3 land rentals per hectare per year, and $2 unit tax per hectare annually, which works out to $5 per hectare per year. A1 communal farmers pay $10 land rentals per year, and $5 unit tax over the same period, a total of $15 per year. The Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement collects the money and forwards it to Treasury before the latter allocates the unit tax to respective local authorities. An estimated $20 million would be raised annually.

However, in contributions for the Land Commission Bill, farmers in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Masvingo are unhappy that they have to pay large sums of money with effect from when they were allocated the farms. At the same time, some farmers feel that at $5 per hectare per year, the levy is too high for cattle ranchers on typically larger pieces of land, up to 1 500ha.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union Masvingo provincial chairperson Mr Livingstone Mabika told the joint committee of the Senate Thematic Committee on Peace and Security, and the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Irrigation Development at Roy Business Centre in Masvingo North that the blanket charge of $5 was not sustainable for farmers in Regions Three, Four and Five.

“Each beast takes about three years to mature, of which it grazes about 12 hectares per year, meaning that if you sell it at two years, you would have paid $120 land levy without factoring in the other costs, which are obviously way more than that,” said Mr Mabika.

“It is gloomy in the sense that in this province, some farmers have about 1 500 hectares for cattle ranching, meaning that they are expected to pay $7 500 in rentals per year. To make it worse, they backdated the rentals to when we dollarised in 2009. In essence, some farmers are expected to have paid about $60 000 in rentals.”

Mashonaland Central farmer, Mrs Buppe Changara, also told the committee that the land levy made it difficult for the majority of farmers.

“Government introduced land tax as from last year but when we were given invoices, you find that land taxes have been implemented from the date one was given an offer letter. I was given an offer letter after the death of my husband in 2007, which comes into thousands of dollars — about $40 000. I don’t know how I am going to pay that,” she said.

It is encouraging that the farmers are not rejecting the introduction of the levy. They know the rationale behind it but cannot understand why the Government gave it a retrospective effect. Yes, many farmers had been producing well before last year’s implementation of the policy and earned money from their farm operations, but to demand that they pay the tax backdated to the time when the economy was dollarised looks most unfair.

We can only imagine the shock farmers had on seeing huge sums on invoices from the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, huge sums that came without any warning.

We are concerned that if the policy is not reviewed and, for example, Mrs Changara is forced to pay $40 000 and other farmers up to $60 000, the levy could pose a negative impact thus hamper ongoing efforts to nurture our new farmers and grow the agriculture industry.

However, we don’t agree with Mr Mabika that $5 per hectare per year is too high for beef producers who normally have bigger farms. We argue that at the present level, a productive farmer should be able to afford paying the tax, but would find it problematic if he has to pay it backdated to 2009.

It would be a great decision, one which would be also fair, if the Government does away with the retrospective application of the tax and start billing farmers with effect from when the policy was promulgated last year.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League reigning champions Chicken Inn are rallying behind their coach Rahman Gumbo despite the gaffer failing to meet his target.

According to sources at the club, Gumbo was given a target of 20 points from 10 games but he amassed 15.

Following last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Chapungu, Chicken Inn’s executive members – chairman Lifa Ncube, treasurer Mlungisi Moyo and vice-chairman Juta Tshuma – held a “crisis meeting” at their head office in Bulawayo.

The meeting didn’t last long as Gumbo was in a hurry to attend some business in Botswana.

Ncube said there was nothing amiss with the meeting they held, adding that they still have faith in Gumbo.

“There is no grain of truth in rumours circulating that we’ve given the coach an ultimatum. He is still settling and it takes long for players to understand his philosophy. We’re hopeful that he will be able to get the desired results soon. Actually, Gumbo has earned our vote of confidence,” said Ncube.

Chicken Inn are on position 10 with 23 points and on Sunday take on third placed Highlanders who are hard-pressed for a victory following three consecutive defeats.

A loss for Gumbo against Highlanders is likely to pile pressure on the veteran gaffer and could lead to an early exit at the home of champions.

Gumbo had an opportunity to replace Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo who joined Kaizer Chiefs in June as well as skipper Danny Phiri who moved to Golden Arrows during the midseason transfer window.

His additions Ozias Zibande and Darryl Nyandoro seem to be taking long to settle while Chris Samakweri has been a regular feature.

Gumbo will need a host of Chicken Inn’s experienced players to come to party and save his job by defeating Highlanders who they beat 2-0 in the first leg. Players like Clemence Matawu, Obidiah Tarumbwa, Moses Jackson, Passmore Bernard, Pride Tafirenyika and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze are expected to drive the Gamecocks against Bosso.

They also have youngsters like Divine Lunga and Tafadzwa Kutinyu who they can bank on. -@ZililoR

Zimbabwe’s mobile telecommunication services providers saw their revenues for the first quarter of this year decline 12 percent, latest Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) figures show.

During the quarter, Econet, NetOne and Telecel all posted declines in their revenues.

The telcos generated a total of $167, 7 million during the first quarter of 2016, which is a 12,3 percent decline from the $191,1 million recorded in the prior comparable period.

The regulatory body attributed the decline to the increased utilisation of over-the-top (OTT) services by users, as well as a generally challenging economy that has constrained spending power.

“Mobile revenues have been declining due to the substitution of traditional mobile services with Over-the-Top services as well as the general economic environment,” said Potraz.

“OTT voice applications such as Viber, Skype and WhatsApp calling have become popular alternatives for international calling as they are significantly cheaper; this has resulted in falling international voice traffic and in turn falling revenue from international voice services.”

The increasing impact of OTT services is indicated in an analysis which shows that during the period under review, national voice traffic declined by 15,3 percent to record 1 billion minutes from 1,2 billion minutes recorded in the previous quarter.

At the same time, international incoming and outgoing traffic declined by 16,5 percent and 13,8 percent, respectively.

And due to the impact of OTT services, Potraz noted a jump in mobile data utilisation by 25,5 percent during the period to 1 510 379 839MB from 1 203 378 839MB in the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

The statistics show that although Econet lost 1 percent market share during the quarter, it still held the majority at 53,3 percent, followed by NetOne with 32,1 percent and Telecel with 14,6 percent.

NetOne was the only operator to gain market share of base stations as they commissioned the highest number of base stations.

Notwithstanding the ongoing debate about infrastructure sharing, Potraz says the total number of base stations in the country increased by 6,5 percent to 6 720 from 6 311 in the prior quarter.

“The total number of LTE eNodeBs (eNBs) (‘base stations’) in the country increased from 312 to 326 as NetOne commissioned 14 new LTE eNBs in the quarter under review,” noted the regulator.

Further analysis shows that the total number of base stations in urban areas stood at 1 940 versus  4 780 base stations in urban areas. And a comparison with the fourth quarter figures shows that base stations in rural areas increased by 11 percent from 1 748 to reach 1 940 base stations (although the increase was mostly in 2G technology). — BH24.