Resettled farmers at work in a greenhouse

Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu
A Zimbabwean parliamentary committee is currently touring the country sounding public opinion on the national land resettlement programme which was launched shortly after the attainment of independence in 1980, but much more vigorously in 2000 up to now.

The resettlement programme is meant to fulfil Zimbabwe’s national objective to reclaim the land and give it back to the masses to whom it rightfully belongs.

A large number of people has already been resettled in various categories of our land. A larger number awaits resettlement as the programme is still in progress.

Comments have been made by a number of people about how well or badly the programme is being carried out. Allegations have been made about corruption, both political and traditional.

In addition to all that, suggestions about how to improve the process have also been made so as to reduce or eliminate corruption and inefficient administrative measures pertaining to the programme.

The ZRP needs to be involved much more actively to deal with corruption than it has been up to now.

Zimbabwe has 10 administrative provinces: Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Harare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Midlands, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.

Harare and Bulawayo are metropolitan provinces but the rest are rural and comprise districts in which there are areas under traditional hereditary chiefs, headmen and village heads (bosebhuku).

Although urbanisation is occurring at a fast rate in Zimbabwe as is the case in all so – called Third World countries, a larger number of people still live in the rural areas than in urban centres.

That should mean that the land resettlement exercise affects those in the rural areas more than the urban area residents.

Rural areas comprise communal lands (formerly called “Native Reserves,” later “Tribal Trust Lands” (TTLs), commercial farming (including native purchase areas) and national land and game reserves.

The resettlement programme has affected the commercial farming area almost exclusively for obvious historical reasons as that is land that was forcefully grabbed from the black people by the European colonial settlers, blacks being dumped on what are now known as communal lands.

It is called communal land because it is owned communally as opposed to commercial farms and native purchase areas for which there is private ownership legalised by  title deeds.

The resettlement programme is directed from the relevant ministry in Harare right from the first stage of identification of the land to the identification of the beneficiary.

In some cases, local leadership is involved. In such cases the resettled land becomes a part of a neighbouring communal land, and by that measure it is integrated into the appropriate chiefdom.

There is certainly nothing wrong about that, provided historically the newly resettled land was under the same chieftainship. It is very important, therefore, for the Government to make sure that it does not make the mistake of giving land that was under, say Chief Malaba, Chief Chiweshe or Chief Nekatambe before it was grabbed by Cecil John Rhodes’ administration or its successors and hand it over to a different neighbouring chief following its resettlement.

To avoid such an error, it is vital to involve appropriate local chiefs, headmen and village heads in the resettlement programme. If not, the possibility of resetting people in regions, or localities that are either culturally or ecologically inappropriate is very high.

There is also the possibility of bringing people from a faraway locality and resettling them on a former commercial farm which is next to an over populated communal land.

The local people feel hard done to see land that they thought would benefit them being utilised for people from other chiefdoms or regions.

That may cause tension most unnecessarily, and should be avoided at all cost by directly and actively involving local traditional leaders of the lands near where resettlement is planned.

The core duty of every traditional leader, from village heads, to chiefs is to administer first and foremost, the land under them.

That means resettling people, giving them arable land for schools, clinics, hospitals, dipping tanks, sports grounds, churches as well as land for commercial and industrial purposes.

That should be done in consultation with the district administrators and the district councils, of course. We should always bear in mind that every Zimbabwean locality would like to enjoy the practical benefits of the country’s political independence.

Those benefits are in the form of power and space. Power is carried and exercised by the local traditional, council and administrative authorities.

Space refers to the land and its numerous resources, the air above that land, and the water in, on and adjacent to that land.

We can add a third factor, opportunities. However, opportunities are, in effect, an extension of both power and space in that they are created by policy -makers and involve the exploitation or utilisation of land or air or water – based resources.

Be that as it may, every community wishes to be involved in the utilisation of its resources, and to benefit from and by whatever opportunities that may be created by policy – generators or by natural factors such as the weather.

Traditional leaders represent every member of their respective communities irrespective of their political or cultural (religious) affiliation, that is to say, of either the leaders themselves or of the community members as individuals.

That is an advantage in their role as arbitrators or as keepers of traditional values, natural resources and the security of their respective territories.

All this indicates that traditional leaders do have an inalienable part to play in the resettlement of the people of Zimbabwe not only because they own the land in trust for their communities but also because they are the de jure administrators (in cultural and traditional terms) of their territories.

It is not without legal and legitimate justification that many large tracts of land are called by the names of chiefs: kaBango, kwaChiweshe, kwaMarange, kwaZimunya, kaManguba, koKhumalo, kaMadlambudzi, kaMasendu, koMzimuni, kwaMakoni, kwaMutasa and so on and so forth.

To leave out traditional leaders from the land resettlement process is to exclude sources of vital information about those who are to be resettled, and about the land to be resettled.

It also renders traditional leaders irrelevant to the lives of the people in their areas. If it is not unconstitutional at worst, it is uncustomary at least and would be against the cultural norms and practices of land tenure and usage in Zimbabwe.

Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu is a retired, Bulawayo – based journalist. He can be contacted on cell 0734 328 136 or through email. sgwakuba@gmail.com

Former Old Nic Mine workers outside the company premises in Bulawayo yesterday

Nqobile Tshili, Business Correspondent
FORMER Old Nic Mine workers in Bulawayo’s Killarney suburb yesterday camped outside the company’s premises demanding their 15 months outstanding salaries.

Following a directive by Zesa to reduce its power consumption by 25 percent, the mine shut down last November leaving over 200 people jobless.

The workers whose grievances range from non-payment of outstanding salaries to poor hygienic environment at the mine’s compound said they would not go anywhere unless they are paid their dues first.

They accused the company’s management of calling police on them instead of paying them their outstanding salaries.

The workers told Business Chronicle that they were seeking an audience with the management not to be intimidated.

“There’s no point in calling police on us. We’re not violent but we want to talk to them (management) regarding our salaries,” shouted one of the employees.

The ex-employees said the company has remained mum about their outstanding salaries.

“We’re demanding our salaries that the company hasn’t paid since shutting down. The company was deducting 25 percent of our salaries before shutting claiming that it was part of the measures to ensure that the company stays afloat. But they closed the company so, we want our outstanding salaries together with the 25 percent that they were deducting,” said one of the former workers, Mr Admire Siatamuka.

The ex-workers who are still staying at the mine’s compound said they were fed up by the mine’s management for failing to address their concerns.

Another employee said schools were now sending debt collectors to them as they have failed to pay fees for their children.

“We don’t even know what to do. Schools will end up not accepting our kids due to non-payment of fees. We’re starving.

“We don’t have running water and electricity. It won’t be shocking to see us dying of cholera. This place is very unhygienic but where will we go?” said another employee.

A comment could not be obtained from Old Nic Mine management who ordered one of the security guards to bar a Business Chronicle crew from entering the company’s premises.

@nqotshili

Some of the Bofoz 2016 finalists. (picture by Tsitsi Ndabambi)

Melissa Mpofu, Showbiz Editor
ORGANISERS of the Black Opal Face of Zimbabwe (Bofoz) beauty pageant have unveiled this year’s finalists.

Eleven ladies – Nichola Carr, Zoe Mpofu, Samukeliso Ndlovu, Marcia Chigogo, Tabeth Nyahasha, Hazvineyi Chihota, Robin Chivanga, Angela Mafuku, Gugulethu Nyathi, Mazvita Chakawa and Gina Mutemri will take to the ramp on September 17 at a finale taking place at the Glamis Arena in Harare.

The pageant, which is expected to kick off at 7PM, is being held under the theme: “Define your beauty”.

Event organiser, Tanaka Ngorora said the lady who would be crowned queen would walk away with $8 000 as well as a year’s supply of Black Opal products among many other prizes. Outgoing Bofoz queen, Cynthia Mafumhe is expected to crown this year’s winner.

Members of the public have not been left out as the person who will cast the most votes for their favourite contestant stands a chance to win a Toyota IST vehicle.

Ngorora said they had roped in top events promotion’s company, Chipaz Promotions to assist with the organisation of the event which will this year feature a performance from Jamaica’s Romain Virgo.

“This year, we’ve engaged Chipaz Promotions as the event goes a gear up. Jamaican star Romain Virgo will perform at the pageant,” said Ngorora.

Local artistes billed to perform are Jah Prayzah, Souljah Love, Freeman, Dobba Don, Judgment Yard, Garry B, Templeman and Probeatz.

“The first segment of the night, starting from 7PM, will be dedicated to pageantry. And from 9PM, we’re hoping to have crowned the queen so that the party begins with performances from all the artistes.”

Tickets to the event are already on sale at $10 for regular entry and $20 for VIP.

The pageant was last year rocked by a scandal after its second princess – Mercy Kamanura was convicted of shoplifting at an Edgars’ store. To avoid a similar situation, organisers have this year placed strict rules which if broken, will lead to immediate disqualification.

Last week, one of the finalists, Tendai Suruma, was disqualified for breaking the competition rules leaving 11 contestants in the running for the crown.

“Tendai Suruma was disqualified as a finalist for failing to attend the Bofoz 2016 boot camp and informing Bofoz project team on short notice,” said Ngorora.

But despite that setback, Bofoz has proved to be the most serious pageant in the country, crowning the crème, year in year out, while flagship pageants like Miss World Zimbabwe fail to kick off.

@maffarro

Muhammadu Buhari

Lagos — The mother of a kidnapped Chibok schoolgirl appealed on Monday for Nigeria’s president to free detained Boko Haram militants in exchange for the more than 200 girls held captive, as the Islamic extremists have offered.

A Boko Haram video posted on Sunday shows dozens of the 218 girls who were abducted from a remote school in April 2014, with one saying that “some” have died in military airstrikes.

Nigeria’s defence ministry disputed that. “It’s extremely difficult and rare to hit innocent people during airstrikes because the operation is done through precision attacks on identified and registered targets and locations,” spokesperson brigadier general Rabe Abubakar said in a statement.

In the video, one of the kidnapped girls begs their parents to press Nigeria’s government to free detained Boko Haram members so that the schoolgirls can be freed in a prisoner swap.

“The government should just release the militants,” her mother, Esther Yakubu said. She wept when she watched the first proof of life of her daughter since her capture. “All the girls that have been rescued have rescued themselves. Not any government has rescued them, no army rescued them,” she said.

Dozens escaped on their own within hours of the mass abduction of 276 students that shocked the world. In May, a lone Chibok girl escaped from the Sambisa Forest stronghold of Boko Haram, saying she was led to freedom by her disillusioned Boko Haram “husband”.

The Bring Back Our Girls campaign is also pressing for a prisoner exchange, saying President Muhammadu Buhari “rode to power” on the back of their cause but has done nothing tangible to free the girls.

“Mr Buhari can absolutely afford to trade terrorists’ lives for schoolgirls,” said human rights lawyer Emmanuele Ogebe, whose Education Must Continue campaign is paying to educate some of the escaped Chibok girls in the United States.

He questioned the president’s sincerity, noting that Buhari said in May that he had not watched a proof-of-life video sent by Boko Haram to encourage negotiations, apparently as early as January.

Officials are wary, noting previous negotiations have failed because officials have been duped into talks with the wrong people. “We are being extremely careful,” Information Minister Lai Mohammed said in a statement. “We want to be doubly sure that those we are in touch with are who they claim to be.”

A fighter who speaks in the video hints at who could mediate. “We want the government to know that we don’t trust you, except some few journalists. We have never sent out or accept to be approached by anybody except journalists that we trust.”

The video was posted on Sunday by Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida, who lives in Dubai and is known to have good contacts in Boko Haram.

Salkida said the video was sent to him by Abubakar Shekau’s wing of Boko Haram.

On Sunday night, Nigeria’s military declared Salkida a wanted man, claiming he has “information on the conditions and the exact location of these girls.”

Meanwhile, Nigerian troops have thwarted a Boko Haram attack in the country’s volatile northeast, killing 16 insurgents while 12 soldiers were wounded, an army spokesperson said on Monday.

Troops “successfully repelled” the Boko Haram attack in the town of Kangarwa on Sunday, Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement.

The military “rose to the occasion and dealt a decisive blow on the insurgents by killing 16,” he said, adding: “Unfortunately, an officer and 11 soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter.”

A cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered from the insurgents, he said.

Usman said the military rescued five people held by the jihadists in the village of Dogon Chikun early on Monday during an operation to clear the area of Islamists.

Boko Haram, which seeks to impose strict Islamic law in northern Nigeria, has been blamed for some 20 000 deaths and displacing more than 2.6 million people since 2009.

A counter-offensive spearheaded by Nigeria since January last year has recaptured swathes of territory lost to the Islamist militants in 2014.

On Sunday, Boko Haram released a video showing at least one of 218 schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok more than two years ago. – AFP

Minister Mushowe

Zvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
THE Government has warned Zimbabweans in and outside the country against abuse of social media through circulating subversive material that had the effect of undermining the State.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Tuesday night, the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Christopher Mushohwe, said Government was aware of Zimbabweans circulating messages of terror against the State among them Victor Dube (resident in South Africa,) Jeff Judah Hossana (South Africa) and Tapiwa Marimbe (Australia) riding on social media.

He said some of the elements were fronted by political parties and included the so-called #Tajamuka and #This Flag.

“Often their activities have been coordinated with disgruntled elements in the diaspora who think their diaspora status gives them both immunity and impunity. The link between these elements and intelligence services of hostile nations is now well known, much as some of them vainly seek the cloak of religion, or other professional identifies,” said Dr Mushohwe.

“One such character, Evan Mawarire has since shown his true colours, and is now where he truly belongs, namely in the arms of his handlers.”

He said while Government had enough legal instruments to deal with those mischief makers, it was important for ordinary and unsuspecting Zimbabweans to be wary of the “shady characters who behave traitorously against their own country and people.”

“Let all well meaning Zimbabweans be warned and keep away from associating with programmes and activities that fall outside of the law and legal political activities. Government is aware of activists in the country collaborating with the diaspora cyber terrorists. They must be warned that the long arm of the law is encircling them,” said Dr Mushohwe.

Dr Mushohwe challenged those countries that pretended to fight terrorism to explain why they were aiding those people “squatting” in their cyber-space and how the provision of haven augured with those countries’ self proclaimed public stance denouncing terrorism.

“Zimbabwe does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country. By the same token, it brooks no such interference in its own internal affairs by any country, however, mightily that intruder may think of itself. Norms of good, interstate relations require that nations collaborate in the global fight against terrorism in all its manifestations, and at all stages in its evolution. Indeed, Zimbabwe has played its part. It expects no less contribution from other countries,” said Dr Mushohwe.

“I also wish to caution the media not to be promoters of hate, divisive and defamatory messages, especially and constantly targeting the character and personality of the President, as well as the First Family unjustifiably, all out of malice.”

Responding to allegations of harassment against journalists by law enforcement agents during demonstrations, Dr Mushohwe said while Government did not support their harassment, media practitioners should position themselves well during such disturbances to avoid being caught up in crossfire where unruly elements would be attacking the police.

“Journalists should never be part of a demonstrating mob. You must always be on the side of the law enforcement agents,” said Dr Mushohwe.

He warned people against being used by regime change merchants like Mawarire who was now housed in the United States making money for himself while his supporters continued to toil back home.

Dr Mushohwe said political instability did not help anyone as evidenced by what was happening in some countries like Libya, Syria and Iraq where several infrastructure had been destroyed owing to hostilities.

“The rich and the poor will be the same in destitution. It is not in anybody’s interest,” he said.

The Minister defended the decision by the police to invite NewsDay journalist, Richard Chidza to assist on the origin of a communiqué circulated during a press conference by the Zimbabwe National War Veterans’ Association which denounced the Government and President Mugabe.

“Richard Chidza was said to be circulating the paper to other media houses. He was asked to explain where he got it. We are not saying he originated the document, but must explain where it came from. In fact, we must thank him for that,” said Dr Mushohwe.

Snr Asst Comm Charity Charamba

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has re-deployed close to 500 officers from Beitbridge district to other stations outside Matabeleland South province following a Government directive.

Only a handful of officers from the Police Protection Unit and Law and Order sections were spared in the massive reshuffle.

Other Government departments in the border town, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said yesterday, are also set to be affected by the directive.

The massive redeployment of the police officers comes just a few weeks after an angry mob torched a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority warehouse during violent protests that rocked the border town over the implementation of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016.

SI 64 of 2016 removed the importation of listed goods, mostly basic commodities, furniture and building material under the open general import licence.

Sources yesterday told The Chronicle that the transfers were linked to rampant corruption and the manner in which police handled the violent protests in the border town in July.

State Security Minister Kembo Mohadi, at the time of the protests, blasted the police for failing to contain the situation on time despite having vital information which they could have used to prevent the violent protests.

“The police should have contained the situation on time. They had vital information which they could have used to prevent this from happening. This is wrong; we can’t accept that,” he said then.

Yesterday, Senior Asst Comm Charamba said there was nothing unusual about the transfers, describing them as a routine exercise.

“This was a Government decision to move everyone from Beitbridge. It’s not only the police who have been moved, I understand other Government departments will be affected as well and there is nothing unusual about that,” she said.

“It’s a routine exercise to move people from one station or section to another. There is absolutely no scandal. How can the whole district commit a scandal?”

The only senior officer who was not affected by the transfers is Assistant Commissioner Ali Hondo.

The Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Patrick Majuta, will swap posts with Chief Supt Martin Makusha, the former Officer Commanding Gweru District.

Explaining why Asst Comm Hondo was left out of the transfers, Snr Asst Comm Charamba said: “We didn’t deploy one senior officer and we cannot tell you why we didn’t transfer him because it’s up to us to decide”.

According to an internal radio communication from the ZRP commissioner (human resources) under RDO JC 345/16 DD16/08/16, the transfers are with immediate effect.

The cops were transferred to various parts of the country outside Matabeleland South and replaced by those from other provinces.— @mashnets.

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE June Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) O-Level and A-Level results are out and will be ready for collection today.

The candidature for the A-level examinations has decreased by 19, 37 percent.

Zimsec director Mr Esau Nhandara yesterday said he was proud that the results were released simultaneously, adding that they are being sent to Zimsec regional offices for collection by the examination centre heads.

“We look forward to the usual smooth and expeditious collection of the results. Candidates who sat for these examinations will be able to collect their results from their respective schools and centres starting Thursday 18 August 2016,” said Mr Nhandara.

He said a total number of 65 380 candidates sat for the O-Level examinations for a range of subjects from one to nine per candidate. “The number of candidates decreased from 81 083 this year to 65 380 last year. Of the 65 380 candidates, 130 were candidates with special needs. The total candidature, however decreased by 15 703 which is 19,37 percent from the previous year.

“The number of school candidates was 8 974 and for private candidates it was 56 406,” said Mr Nhandara.

He added that the number of candidates who sat for five or more subjects was 2 391 which is 3,6 percent of the total candidature of 65 380.

“The remainder, 62 989 (96,3) percent sat for four or fewer subjects.

In June 2015, the number of candidates who sat for five or more subjects was 2 760, which was 3,4 percent of the total candidature of 81 083,” said Mr Nhandara.

He said the total number of candidates who sat for five subjects or more were 668 and of these 311 passed with grade C or better, giving a percentage of 46,56 percent.

“The private candidates who sat for five subjects or more were 1 723 and of these 168 passed with Grade C or better, giving a percentage pass rate of 9,75 percent,” said Mr Nhandara.

For the A-Level results, Mr Nhandara said a total number of 4 007 candidates sat for the examinations compared to 4 086 in June last year, a decrease of 1,9 percent.

“The total number of candidates who sat for two or more subjects was 1 844 which is 46 percent of the total candidature of 4 007. The percentage pass rate for school candidates who wrote two or more subjects is 84,13 percent and 60,8 percent for private candidates”.

Mr Nhandara commended the examiners and all Zimsec staff who worked tirelessly throughout the setting, marking and results processing up to the analysis of the results.

The June examinations are meant to provide an opportunity to candidates who need to make good on their previous efforts and complete a full certificate with five subjects at Grade C or better.

A few good candidates who feel confident enough to take some of their subjects before the October and November session also register for the June examinations.

Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporter
THE Catholic-run Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo has asked the Government for permission to increase user fees by 10 percent.

The health institution has indicated it wants to generate revenue amid reports that medical aid societies are not paying the hospital. Presenting their request to the Minister of Health and Child Care, David Parirenyatwa yesterday, the board’s director of finance, Mr Gavin Stephens, said the increase was likely to improve the situation at the hospital.

“We are asking the Minister to approve our request to increase tariffs and fees by 10 percent,” he said.

In response, Minister Parirenyatwa asked the board to put their request in writing and submit a detailed report on how they got to 10 percent.

“We need to look at the request holistically bearing in mind that there will be consequences. You stated that your cash flow problems are linked to the medical insurance business which is failing due to the economic challenges facing everyone,” he said.

“However, I do not see how they will manage to pay up tariffs if they increase by 10 percent considering that they are failing clear fees which are lower than what you are asking for.”

Minister Parirenyatwa said he would not look at the proposal in isolation as it could be used by other institutions and stakeholders to hike their fees.

Mr Stephens said Mater Dei faces several peculiar challenges.

“I think our problems stem from different areas and if you go to the bottom of it, our occupancy figures are not as good as we would like them to be.

“We have not been able to admit patients if their medical aid companies have outstanding debts and that has impacted on us negatively. Medical Aid Societies make it very difficult for us to operate as most of them are failing clear their arrears.”

He said increasing occupancy would bring about a smooth flow of operations which badly needs to replace old equipmentat the old hospital. “Medical costs on our side have grown since 2010 and the CPI (Consumer Price Index) to over 160 percent and if we don’t take preventative action we will fail to operate,” said Mr Stephens.

“There comes a time when we must look at the revenue and the tariffs. I think though we’re running well, we don’t have the confidence in our future as an institution.”

A (CPI) measures changes in the price level of a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households.

Mater Dei board chairperson Dr Eric Cohen applauded Minister Parirenyatwa for taking time to visit the hospital.

The hospital charges at least $110 for a bed daily. — @thamamoe

Ndumiso Gumede

Paul Mundandi Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede yesterday took a swipe at the police, accusing them of failing his club and fans that watched the violence-marred encounter against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.

Violence broke out after referee Nkosikhona Moyo blew his whistle to end the match just as Chicken Inn were scoring a goal that would have given them maximum points.

“What are we paying the police for? They must forfeit the money we paid them so that we pay the disciplinary fees to the Premier Soccer League. The police failed us,” said Gumede.

“They are trained to deal with crowd trouble, but when they come to Barbourfields they will be busy watching football leaning on the fence. At the Olympics, the police watch the crowd, but here it’s the other way round.

“Bottles and stones are brought into the stadium and it all shows that the police are not doing their job. They were overwhelmed and the next game they will double the numbers and demand more payment.

“We as Highlanders do not condone hooligans because we believe they do not have a place in football. They must instead rot in jail and they must not be seen anywhere near a football stadium or football because they are dangerous elements. The football stadium is not a war zone. Instead, we must take our families and friends to enjoy the beautiful game, but the police must do their job. They must take pictures and the media must also take pictures, video film the culprits and splash them in newspapers and social media.”

Gumede also feels education is important to curb crowd trouble.

“Education is very important and I am not saying one has to pass O-or A-Levels to be a soccer fan. People need to be educated in a broader sense. It might take a longer route, but I feel it’s very effective. Fans must know that being in the stadium does not give them the jurisdiction to go onto the field of play, except for safety reasons. Attacking police officers is also not acceptable and whoever does that must be taken to Khami Prison. Damaging of property in whatever form is also unacceptable as one will be inconveniencing society,” he said.

The veteran football administrator also feels the violence could have been caused by fans under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“As Highlanders we do not believe that this violence emanates directly from a football atmosphere. There seems to be some underlying factors that now find space to be vented through football such as drug addiction and unemployment, among other things.

“Tribalism is also a big problem. We do not condone insults that are hurled by fans or other songs with derogatory messages. At Highlanders, three quarters of my players are Shona, but you still hear some hooligans insulting the Shona tribe. We do not condone incidents of hooliganism, pitch invasion, inflammatory tribal utterances and songs. Football is played by the players for their sustenance and to entertain fans,” Gumede said.

He warned that hooliganism would drive out corporate sponsorship from football.

“Our economy is bad and we are lucky to have BancABC sponsoring us, but they wouldn’t want their name to be associated with violence, their image needs to be protected. If they leave Bosso, where am I going to get salaries for my players. The sponsors come to football and all they need is stability and good governance. We do not want a bad story every week about Highlanders in the newspapers, on radio or television.

“I feel there is something with the Zimbabwean mentality. In South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fans watch the match sitting next to each other, but in Zimbabwe it is very different.”

Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Correspondent
Top Zimdancehall artistes, Souljah Love, Kinnah, Hwindi President and Dobba Don are expected in Victoria Falls this weekend for a performance at popular music promoter – Elder Shambare’s birthday bash.

The party will be held at Encore Budget Hotel on Saturday. Birthday boy, Shambare said he started throwing big parties in 2013 as a way to unite people in the resort town, while exposing them to good quality entertainment.

Since then, Shambare who refused to divulge his age, has hosted Zimdancehall artistes including Freeman, Lady Squanda, Ras Caleb, Ras Pompey, Chillspot’s Fantan, PTK and Levels for his birthday celebrations.

Show organiser, Chicco of Express Entertainment said all was set for the big day.

“Everything is now in place and we’re ready to thrill people in Victoria Falls. This party is surely going to bring the entire town to a standstill as we’re bringing in Zimbabwe’s best Zimdancehall artistes,” said Chicco.

Hwindi President who rose to fame in 2015 with song Tambirai Monarch said: “I’m very excited to be performing at this event being held to celebrate Elder Shambare’s birthday. This man has been a great force behind the growth of Zimdancehall music outside Harare.”

“I want to assure my fans that August 20 is going to be an exciting night as I’ll give them nothing but the best entertainment.”

Dobba Don who was recently in the resort town said he was more than ready for the bash.

“I was in Victoria Falls last month where I performed at Kingdom Hotel. I’m very thankful to my fans for the support they gave me when I was there. Those who missed my performance there may want to come on Saturday as we want to light up the resort town,” said Dobba Don.

Elder Shambare has been popularising Zimdancehall in Victoria Falls for the past couple of years through the various gigs he has promoted there.

Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
FRESH from his seventh album launch, contemporary musician Jah Prayzah heads to Gweru tomorrow for a show at the Midlands hotel.

The artiste, who passed through the city when he was travelling to Bulawayo for his album launch last weekend, will unveil his new offering at a show which has been dubbed: “College welcome back”.

While unleashing his new 11-track Mdhara Vachauya album, Jah Prayzah will share the Gweru stage with dancehall chanter Freeman.

The recently launched album has been received well by fans with songs Watora Mari ft. Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, Seke and Mdara Vachauya the most popular.

Show organiser Blessing Nyanhete (DJ Blesh) said: “We want to encourage people to support local music and so, Jah Prayzah’s new album will be sold for a $1 at the venue.”

“This show is a good opportunity for Jah Prayzah’s fans in the Midlands to watch him live in action with his Third Generation band.”

Maison Sere

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE competition to find the ugliest looking man in Bulawayo has been postponed to next month after sponsors highlighted they needed more time to make the event a blockbuster on the city’s entertainment calendar.

Mr Ugly Bulawayo which was supposed to be held at Cecil Hotel tomorrow will now be held at the same venue on September 30.

Event organiser Apama Machowa said: “Devine Assignments who’re hosting and sponsoring the event in Bulawayo want more time to market the event hence their suggestion to postpone the pageant to next month.”

He said the names of the 12 finalists would be unveiled a few days before the finale as they want them to be a surprise. The national finale will be held in October in Harare once again.

The contest has already held its preliminary rounds for Harare with two-time champion, William Masvinu shrugging off competition from five other contestants to win a place in the Mr Ugly Harare provincial finals.

The man who will be crowned Mr Ugly Zimbabwe will go on to represent the country at Mr Ugly Africa.

“I was in South Africa organising Mr Ugly Africa and things are shaping up. We’re yet to finalise the dates however,” said Machowa.

Last year 42-year-old Maison Sere won the Mr Ugly contest amid an uproar from fellow contestants who deemed him too handsome for the title. – Twitter @bonganinkunzi

Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa

Melissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
POPULAR ZiFM Stereo personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa has opened up about being canned from her current affairs programme – The Platform.

Ruvheneko was last heard presenting The Platform on May 16 – the day her interview with controversial Pastor Evan Mawarire of the #ThisFlag campaign and Zanu-PF activist-cum political analyst Tafadzwa Musarara spiralled out of control.

The two men went at each other on air and lost their cool. While they were at it, Twitter went into overdrive with people attacking Musarara for unprofessionalism and blaming Ruvheneko for failing to moderate the discussion.

Through her interview, Pastor Evan– who is viewed as an ally of the West bent on demonising the Government – was catapulted to fame – giving the station a headache as to how to manage the situation.

As a result of the interview, Ruvheneko had to be immediately taken off air, leaving her to focus on her job as programmes manager.

On Tuesday, as ZiFM Stereo employees celebrated the radio station’s fourth anniversary, Ruvheneko used that platform to tell her followers on social media networks that she was no longer hosting The Platform.

“Wow. Four years ago, my journey on Zim radio began. How time flies and how things change. I’ve been taken off air so I’m no longer hosting The Platform on ZiFM but every minute that I did was always so worth it,” posted Ruvheneko on her pages.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Showbiz, Ruvheneko said The Platform was still being aired on ZiFM Stereo – but with a new presenter.

“The Platform still exists but I no longer host it. My last day on air was on May 16 when I interviewed Pastor Evan and Tafadzwa Musarara. After that, there were complications and I was informed I’d been taken off air.

“Farai Mwakutuya who presents – Ask The MP and Enterprise Zimbabwe, now presents The Platform.”

Ruvheneko, who was promoted to programmes manager last year, had been responsible for The Platform– a programme she took over from the station’s founder – Supa Mandiwanzira in 2013 after he resigned to avoid conflict of interest when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services. Mandiwanzira had named the programme – Head On – before Ruvheneko rebranded it.

“I decided to rebrand the programme as I wanted to give it my personalised touch. The purpose of The Platform was to give people a platform to talk about the things they can’t always talk about to the people they can’t always talk to.”

The Platform, which airs on Mondays and Wednesdays between 7:30PM and 8:30PM, saw most decision makers and government ministers including her father – David – the Minister of Health – being put on the spot.

Her memorable interviews included that of Zifa president – Philip Chiyangwa – who got emotional after a caller requested that he tells the nation what acronyms Zifa, Caf and Fifa meant; pompous Sir Wicknell Chivhayo who was reduced to size when he failed to state his net worth; Acie Lumumba who dug deeper and clashed with Ruvheneko in the process; Mines Minister Walter Chidhakwa on the missing $15 billion diamond revenue saga and Primary and Secondary Education Minister – Lazarus Dokora when he was referred to as Dofora for his policies. Her other interviews were with a sex worker from Epworth and transgender – Tatelicious.

Through Ruvheneko’s unapologetic character on air and nose for news, she popularised The Platform– making it one of the station’s most sought after programmes. Her hard work saw her being recognised by various organisations who rewarded her and the radio station. She thanked followers for supporting her saying she had enjoyed each moment on the show describing the experience as rewarding.

“It took me a long time to talk about going off air but I’m now at peace. The show had become a part of me as my topics came naturally. I looked forward to it every week as I was passionate about it.”

Followers of the vibrant personality can still watch her on ZBCtv where she hosts another current affairs programme – My Future.

“My Future airs every Wednesday at 6:30PM. I’m glad that the show is gaining momentum and I’m confident it’ll change the game,” said Ruvheneko.

Last night on My Future, Ruvheneko interviewed tycoon, Frank Buyanga.

– Twitter @maffarro

Nqobile Tshili, Online Reporter
POLICE in Bulawayo have said 75 percent of plain robberies that occurred in the city in July were committed by drivers of pirating Honda Fit vehicles.

A total of 91 plain robbery cases were recorded in Bulawayo last month.

Plain robberies are crimes committed without using dangerous weapons such as guns.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube urged members of the public to shun from boarding the Honda Fit as public transport.

Asst Insp Ncube said the police have intensified arrest of pirating Honda Fit drivers.

On Wednesday the police’s Traffic West unit impounded 45 vehicles mostly Honda Fit vehicles and arrested six drivers for various crimes.

He said by using Honda Fits members of the public were exposing themselves to dangerous crimes.

“These Honda Fit vehicles are linked to the commission of dangerous crimes of concern to us as police. They’re linked to robbery, rape and unlawful entry and theft cases happening in the city. Of the 91 robbery cases that were recorded in July, 75 percent have been linked to Honda Fit vehicle drivers,” he said.

Asst Insp Ncube said members of the public are robbed while being taken home by the Honda Fit drivers.

“They usually target the last person on the vehicle. Instead of dropping them on their intended destination they drive the client to some secluded place where they rob and dumb them. It becomes difficult to trace their vehicles because most of them remove registration number plates,” said Asst Insp Ncube.

He said some of the drivers who conduct door to door deliveries, to return to those premises to rob them.

“They conduct surveillance services in the pretext of door to door deliveries. After doing so they then inform their group who then go and break into those premises. We’re having many cases of unlawful entries being linked to Honda Fit vehicles. Members of the public are now targeting softening instead of target hardening. Meaning they expose themselves to criminals through exposing their properties to these criminals,” he said.

Asst Insp Ncube said Honda Fit drivers have become a menace in the city centre, especially along Robert Mugabe Way and 9TH Avenue where they have made driving difficult for other motorists.

He said police will continue to ridding the city’s public transport sector of Honda Fit.

“As police we’re mandated to uphold and safeguard members of the public. We’re concerned when members of the public are putting their lives at risk,” he said.

Asst Insp Ncube said concerted efforts are needed if police are to succeed in fighting crime.

He urged the public to report to the police any suspicious vehicles in their residential homes.
@nqotshili

Nigel Chanakira

Zvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT has ordered Zimbabwe Investment Authority board chairperson Dr Nigel Chanakira to personally handle Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s $1,2 billion investment project and pursue all the outstanding regulatory requirements to enable his plans to take off.

This was revealed by Dr Chanakira yesterday while giving oral evidence before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment chaired by Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena on the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.

The directive by the Government comes in the wake of false media reports recently that officials from the Dangote Group had been denied visas to Harare.

Dr Chanakira said he met Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Planning Minister Dr Obert Mpofu where it was agreed that he takes full charge of Dangote investment plans in Zimbabwe to ensure they materialise.

“Tomorrow I am meeting Dangote point person in Zimbabwe Josey Mahachi so that we can make a follow up to say is there anything else we can do as Government. When we met with our Minister to brief him, we agreed that I singlehandedly take charge of Dangote file,” said Dr Chanakira.

He said some outstanding regulatory approval had delayed the commencement of the Dangote deal.

“Yesterday we made a review of the Dangote project. There are issues to do with Environmental Management Agency and mining rights and permit. We also had bad public relations that was done courtesy of the Financial Gazette saying Dangote staff had been denied visas which was not true,” he said.

Mr Dangote, ranked among the wealthiest persons in Africa, had expressed interest in power generation, cement production and coal mining when he met President Mugabe in September last year.

Commenting on the indigenisation law, Dr Chanakira said there was a need to consider empowerment credits and quotas to be conferred on companies that would have made infrastructural investments like road construction, sewage reticulation like Zimplats and Mimosa, which was ordinarily a role of local authorities.

He said investors in the mining sector were encouraged by the pending introduction of bond notes particularly the entitlement of a five percent incentive which he said they could convert it into hard currency.

“But I have also received a lot of calls on people expressing reservations on the bond notes. I have noted that they were not popular,” he said.

He said there was a need to give legal effect to capture the clarification made by President Mugabe on the three categories of the economy namely, the resources, non resources and reserved sector where it was said the Government gave great weight to resource sector.

Some of the clarification made by President Mugabe was when there appeared to be a stand-off between Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Dr John Mangudya on one hand and Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao.

“President talked of grey areas in the law. Investors are saying yes your President has said that, but where is the law. So there is need to align the law,” said Dr Chanakira.

He said reports of diamond take over in Chiadzwa had also shaken some foreign investors.

“Capital is shy and when you fickle with it, it tends to frighten investors. We will continue to raise awareness campaigns,” said Dr Chanakira.

Mr Charamba

Fidelis Munyoro Harare Bureau
ZimPF leader Dr Joice Mujuru has a lot to be grateful to President Mugabe who transformed her from a nonentity to a respectable political figure in the country’s history, Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba has said.

Mr Charamba was responding to Dr Mujuru’s attack on President Mugabe in the NewsDay on Tuesday where she brazenly claimed that her late husband, General Solomon Mujuru, “handpicked” President Mugabe to lead Zanu-PF at the height of the liberation struggle.

History, Mr Charamba said, shows that following the tragic assassination of Zanu chairman, Cde Herbert Wiltshire Hamandishe Chitepo, by Rhodesian agents on March 18, 1975, the Zanu leadership held a crisis meeting in Highfield, Salisbury.

“That meeting directed that Cde Mugabe, as Secretary General, accompanied by the late Cde Edgar Zivanai Tekere, promptly leave the country to lead the liberation struggle following the said death and the crisis that followed which threatened to derail the struggle. The decision was thus of the Party, Zanu, and was taken inside the then Rhodesia, in the interest of furthering the liberation struggle. Needless to say trained cadres who included Cde Rex Nhongo (Dr Mujuru’s husband) could not have been at that meeting, or in the country,’’ he said.

After independence President Mugabe, then Prime Minister, appointed Dr Mujuru as a minister of Government.

He said Dr Mujuru by her own admission, felt ill-equipped and undeserving of the appointment, but only obliged on the insistence of President Mugabe who hand-held her all the way, including helping her resume her schooling within the precincts of Zimbabwe House.

“She has a lot to be grateful for to the man she now vilifies,” Mr Charamba said. “These are the hard facts of history which cannot be wished away, or manipulated to manufacture false profiles. Or used to invent unmerited political importance, whether in the past, now or in future. Equally, readers expect newspapers to know and respect facts of our history, and never to be accessories in its falsification.”

Mr Charamba said the NewsDay article headlined, “Mugabe is ungrateful: Mujuru” preposterously sought to re-write history in the vain hope of a hard-to-achieve political gain.

He said the ZimPF leader should take her time to brief her spokesperson, the green Gift Nyandoro factually and accurately on well-known matters of history before the issuance of statements.

“Those who provoke history are sure to reap grief from offended facts,” said Mr Charamba.

He chronicled President Mugabe’s formal involvement in party politics from 1960 when he joined the National Democratic Party (NDP) after his recall from Ghana when he was elected its Publicity Secretary at the party’s inaugural Congress whose proceedings he chaired. By then Dr Mujuru was a small girl barely five years old.

Mr Charamba said there was no Zanu-PF at the height of the liberation struggle. Only Zanu and its military wing, Zanla, contrary to Dr Mujuru’s claims.

“Zanu-PF” as an acronym only emerged and came into usage just before the inaugural elections of 1980, when the late Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole challenged the party’s use of both the acronym “Zanu”, and the symbol of the Great Zimbabwe, an application which an all Rhodesian Bench expectedly granted.

He said the second time the acronym came into use, albeit with a different meaning and without brackets, was after the signing of the historic Unity Accord of 1987, which brought together the two former liberation movements, Zanu (PF) and PF Zapu.

“Teurai Ropa Nhongo, later on Joice Teurai Ropa Runaida Mujuru, was near and mature enough to know about both developments,” said Cde Charamba.

“Secondly, President Mugabe’s formal involvement in party politics dates back to 1960 when he joined the National Democratic Party (NDP) after his recall from Ghana.”

President Mugabe, he said, was elected NDP publicity secretary at its inaugural Congress whose proceedings he chaired.

“At that time Joice Runaida Mugari, was a small girl of nearly five,” he said. “Solomon Ruzambo Tapfumaneyi Mutusva Mujuru, the man who was later to become her husband, was still in primary school in the then Charter District, now Chikomba District.”

Cde Charamba said between 1963 and 1974, President Mugabe was not only active in politics, but also suffered countless restrictions, detentions and imprisonment.

President Mugabe, he added, spent 11 years in prison for his nationalist activism. He said at the time of President Mugabe’s release from prison, Dr Mujuru was in Zambia, where she stayed with the late Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara’s family.

This, he said, was after her evacuation to that country in late 1973, after a battle in the Dotito area, which claimed the life of Cde Joseph Chipembere, the commander of a group of freedom fighters who recruited her.

“The battle, and especially the death of Cde Chipembere with whom she was involved, left her traumatised and had to be evacuated to Zambia on a makeshift stretcher,” said Cde Charamba.

“In Zambia she was put under the special care of Amai Tongogara, whose medical background was invaluable to her recovery.”

He said a handful of cadres who either survived that battle or were involved with her evacuation to Chifombo, were still alive and ready to give testimony.

Dr Parirenyatwa

Elita Chikwati Harare Bureau
THE Government is in the process of drafting a statutory instrument making it mandatory for industry to fortify (add nutrients to) food during manufacturing and processing to curb malnutrition, a senior official has said.

This comes as the agriculture industry has developed high nutrient crop varieties, also called bio-fortified crops, that include vitamin A maize and iron and zinc beans.

The Department of Research Specialist Services in the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development in collaboration with International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) came up with high nutrient crops which are now available on the market.

Launching the marketing and distribution of the fortified crops for the 2016/2017 farming season at Stapleford in Harare yesterday, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said the Government launched a National Food Fortification Strategy to prevent and control micro nutrient deficiency disorders among people.

Micro nutrient deficiency is prevalent in women and children under five years, especially in rural areas.

He said vitamin A deficient children under the age of five face a higher risk of death before their fifth birthday while anemia due to iron deficiency among pregnant women contributed to high rates of prematurity, low birth weight and infant mortality.

Cooking oil, wheat flour, maize meal and sugar will be put under compulsory fortification as the products reach up to 90 percent of the population.

“Addressing the widespread of malnutrition in Zimbabwe requires a comprehensive approach. Potential interventions include micro-nutrient supplementation, industrial food fortification, bio fortification; dietary diversification coupled with nutrition education and synergistic public health interventions such as control of intestinal parasites.

“National fortification standards have been developed and a statutory instrument to mandate fortification is being drafted. Technical officers in the ministry are in discussions with the industry to support them initiate fortification of these vehicles and you may already have seen some products indicating that these foods are fortified,” he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa said an assessment on the development of the strategy revealed that while consumption of maize was high in Zimbabwe, less than 40 percent of consumers relied on the market for accessing it.

He said the larger proportion, especially in rural areas, rely on own production or buying from other farmers.

“It is for this reason that in addition to industrial fortification other fortification technologies will be employed and promoted to ensure maximum reach of all people in a sustainable way. These will include promotion of production and consumption of high nutrient crop varieties particularly maize, beans and orange fleshed sweet potatoes,” he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa commended the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Food for Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and seed companies for coming up with the technology of producing high nutrient crops. He said there is a need to invest in the marketing and nutrition behaviour change communication to raise awareness on the magnitude of the problem of micronutrient deficiencies in the country and its consequences on the health and development of the nation.

Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said his ministry is concerned about the impact of production on the quantity, quality and nutritive value of food.

In a speech read on his behalf by Department of Research and Specialist Services principal director Dr Danisile Hikwa, Dr Made said his ministry collaborated with other partners and institutions nationally, regionally and internationally.

“The bio fortification of crops is a component of the DFID funded Livelihood and Food security Programme aimed at promoting production and consumption of biologically fortified crop varieties and in this case vitamin A and beans with iron and zinc.

“The Crop Breeding Institute has continued to partner the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and CIAT to develop, test and register maize and bean varieties with high vitamins and mineral content.

“The biological fortification process of developing nutrient dense varieties has been done using conventional breeding methods of germplasm selection. Zimbabwe has now fortified crop varieties.

VP Mnangagwa

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
RELATIVES of victims of political disturbances in the 1980s in Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces seeking to exhume remains of their family members for reburials should approach the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, told Members of Parliament on Wednesday that every Zimbabwean deserves a decent burial, thus the need to approach the relevant Ministry.

President Mugabe has described the period of political disturbances as a moment of madness and a sad chapter in the country’s history.

VP Mnangagwa was responding to a question posed by Matabeleland South proportional representation MP Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who asked the VP on procedures to be taken by relatives of victims seeking to re-bury their relatives. “There are a lot of people who were killed during the Gukurahundi period. I am saying the villagers want the bodies to be exhumed and reburied properly, how can they go about it,” she asked.

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga said her question was emanating from what she observed in Mashonaland where war veterans were exhuming and reburying remains of freedom fighters that are not properly buried.

VP Mnangagwa said all matters of reburials should be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“If my niece was listening properly, I have said that all those whose remains have not been properly buried all over the country, all such matters should be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, they are the relevant authority that deals with such issues,” said the VP.

“It could be that they know that here in Mashonaland, the war veterans are going around the country looking for their fellow veterans who were not properly buried and reburying them. We cannot order these war veterans to do that but this can be done by the Ministry of Home Affairs. They have a department that could deal with that. If there are remains that need to be reburied, that can be done by that Ministry.” — @nqotshili

Wynne Zanamwe Midlands Reporter
TWO policeman allegedly stole two pairs of shoes worth $40 which they had recovered as stolen property.

Logistics Muzvuve and Brighton Zimiso Sibanda who are both constables based at ZRP Gweru Central yesterday appeared before Provincial Magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing one count each of theft of trust property.

They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to September 15.

Mrs Msipa advised the pair to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecuting, Mr Andrew Marimo told the court that on July 21 Kenneth Keche stole 35 pairs of shoes from a flea market in the city.

He gave two pairs of the shoes to Lameck Toperesu for safe-keeping.

Keche was sentenced to six months in prison on July 27 of which two months were suspended on condition he restitutes the complainant of $500.

He is now a State witness against Muzvuve and Sibanda.

Mr Marimo said Muzvuve and Sibanda approached Toperesu demanding that he hands over the shoes he had received from Keche.

“It is alleged that Toperesu was ordered by the accused persons to accompany them to Gweru Central Police Station for receiving stolen goods. However, along the way, Cst Muzvuve gave him his cellphone number and told him to go back and use the number in case he came across Keche,” he said.

The court heard the cops took the two pairs of shoes and did not hand them over when they arrived at the police station.

Mr Marimo said Toperesu was later apprehended by another police officer after Keche’s arrest. — @wynnezane

The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) has a longstanding reputation for corruption, just like the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority .

It is an open secret that many people are forced to pay some VID officials for them to be declared to have passed especially the practical road test. Adverse circumstances are created and hints dropped to prod learner drivers into paying the examiner a bribe. Without it, chances of one getting the coveted drivers’ licence are slim. There have been complaints that even if one passes the in-depot tests — the hill-start, parallel parking and the feared reverse maneuver “into drums” —aspiring drivers that don’t pay the bribes are often deliberately failed when they go on the road drive, the final leg of the examination.

It is said one must go through all the in-depot tests for the deal to work. Once they do that, even if they drive inappropriately on the road, they are guaranteed the licence.

In extreme cases some people don’t have to go through all these formalities. Their driver’s licences are actually posted to wherever they are. The word is that the bribe in this instance is double the normal one.

In addition, bribes are said to also exchange hands in the issuance of certificates of fitness for public service vehicles. In this area, officials will be checking the functionality of brakes, lights, mirrors and suspension of taxis, buses and other public passenger or cargo vehicles. Vehicles belonging to those that don’t pay even if they are in an acceptable condition, it is said, would be failed. This means that their vehicles will have to be parked until identified defects are fixed. A businessperson for whom a parked truck, bus or taxi equals business lost, might find the temptation to give a bribe tolerable.

Corruption is criminal and for the VID the implications are much worse because they compromise road safety. Like we pointed out, it is possible for an incompetent person to get a licence as they sit at home as long as they have the money to bribe an officer, the same manner in which a public transport operator can get certificates of fitness for unroadworthy vehicles as long as they have money to pay a bribe.

A driver who secures a licence in a corrupt manner is a danger to himself and other road users. A vehicle that is licensed to move on the roads when it mustn’t is equally dangerous.

We note the work that the Government is doing to rid the VID of corruption as Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joram Gumbo said elsewhere in this issue. He said the Government has fired 32 officers for corruption and cancelled 199 drivers’ and provisional licences that were irregularly issued countrywide.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Gumbo said:

“VID depots are grouped into three categories, that is, small, medium and big, respectively for purposes of analysing their performance and the strategy helps the ministry to monitor performance per depot and be able to identify the existence of wayward behaviour through daily, weekly and monthly returns and reports analysis. This strategy has demonstrated its effectiveness from 2009 to current, where 32 officers were fired when it surfaced from the analysis on the returns that corruption was taking place at 13 VID depots namely, Eastlea, Belvedere, Chitungwiza, Gweru, Mutare, Chiredzi, Bindura, Kadoma, Victoria Falls, Zvishavane, Nyamapanda, Chinhoyi and Marondera, which issued 199 drivers and provisional licences to undeserving applicants and were cancelled by the ministry.”

In addition to the firing of corrupt officers, he said the Government has put up notice boards at all VID depots and introduced three toll free numbers, informing members of the public to call the supplied numbers if they have been asked for consideration or bribe by VID officials in order to pass a driver’s licence or a provisional licence test.

He spoke about a policy to constantly move officers around to ensure that they don’t build strong relationships with clients, relationships that often deteriorate into corrupt liaisons. Automation of the VID, he said would help stem corrupt activities, the same way commercialisation of the Government department would.

Constant movement of officers can be very effective because people who are comfortable engaging in corrupt activities are those that have been in their posts and work stations for long periods. A new person needs time to familiarise themselves with their new environment and the public he serves also need time to understand the officer, whether he can be corrupted or not. If that officer is moved after three years, chances are that they would not have entrenched themselves yet to engage in corruption as much as one who is deployed at one station for 10 years.

Automation should work as well as it minimises the interface of the officials and their publics, with that, the possibility of both parties striking dirty deals.

However, we argue that commercialisation of VID will be important in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the department but is unlikely to do anything in reducing corruption.

While, we condemn officers for demanding and receiving bribes, we acknowledge that they only do so because someone is willing to pay the inducements. We therefore urge the people to shun corruption and the Government to also target members of the public who compromise officials.

It is plausible that in addition to firing the 32 officers, the Government also punished the 199 people who had acquired drivers’ licences corruptly by cancelling them.

Driving school instructors are often the conduit linking the aspiring driver and the VID officials. Thus, efforts to defeat corruption in the acquisition of drivers’ licences should cover the instructors as well.