Ministers Nomthandazo Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere with Bulawayo mayor Clr Martin Moyo in the Bulawayo council chambers

Vusumuzi Dube, Chronicle Reporter
SENIOR officials at the Bulawayo City Council have been fingered in tender scams that could have prejudiced the local authority of more than $1 million.

A Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing report on corruption allegations levelled against officials has revealed the massive rot.

The investigation, which has resulted in the suspension of five councillors including deputy mayor, Councillor Gift Banda, has been largely commended by Bulawayo residents.

According to the report, the investigating team found a number of tenders which were awarded under unclear circumstances.

In some cases, contractors were given advance payment guarantees despite the tenders having been cancelled.

The report singled out tenders for the rehabilitation of various plant equipment at Thorngrove, Aisleby three, Luveve and Southern Areas Sewerage Treatment Works (Contract Number 24/2010); appointment of Consolidated Engineers and Merchants [CEM] by council for the same contract and the contract for the supply, installation and commissioning of a cremator at West Park crematorium.

Another contract which raised stink is the allocation of residential stands at Selbourne Brooke which were allegedly corruptly sold to Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products despite the company previously failing to develop the stands.

In the first contract which was being sponsored by the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe, council awarded the initial tender to SSI Engineering at a cost of  $6,5 million. However, IDBZ only funded the project to the tune of $800 000.

“Council then requested SSI to provide identified works that could be executed under the $800 000 budget. SSI Engineering gave a lumpsum budget for the works that were to be done under the $800 000. Council then requested for a breakdown from SSI Engineering which the latter failed to produce, leading to a dispute and council later cancelled the contract.

“SSI Engineering received advance payment guarantee of $125 129, being 30 percent advance given to them. There is no evidence of how the advance was utilised or whether it was recovered. Council did not provide evidence of the advance payment bonds for these projects,” reads the report.

Despite having paid the advance payment — which they did not recover — and later cancelling the contract, the local authority went further to award the same contract to Consolidated Engineers and Merchants (CEM), this time at a tender price of $1 035 005, which was $235 000 above the allocated budget offered by IDBZ.
CEM, however, later reduced their tender figure, under suspicious circumstances, with some documents reflecting that they reduced to $797 589 while others reflected that the figure was reduced to $798 598.

The investigating team further noted that the local authority failed to provide information detailing the actual price of the tender or whether the actual job was done despite the contract having been awarded in November 2011.

“Commencement date was agreed from 2 November 2011 to 2 April 2012. The municipal procurement Board on 28 September 2011 noted that the CEM price could have been influenced behind closed doors since they had earlier tendered in excess of a million.

“Council failed to provide further information that would make the team conclude the outcome of the project citing that the file was in the custody of World Vision Zimbabwe. This leads to suspicion of concealment of information on the part of council,” reads the report.

In the Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products tender scam, the company was offered 80 residential stands and six town houses in Selbourne Park in 2004. They were expected in terms of the agreement to fully service the area with sewer, water and roads. The developer was, however, unable to fully service the development citing economic challenges. The company owes the local authority $221 300.

Despite the company’s noted failure to service the stands, councillors in 2014 went on to award the developer a stand to construct town houses, ignoring council management’s advice against the decision.

“The plea was circulated to Management and all objected citing that the developer owed council a significant amount of money and such properties are allocated through tender and allocating him this land would set wrong precedence.

“In light of the Council resolution, the stand in question was valued at $180 000 with a requirement that the purchaser pays a deposit of $72 000.

This deposit was to be paid within two weeks of the offer dated 11/09/2014. It is alleged that the company paid the deposit but the proof of payment was not availed to the investigating team,” reads the report.

Among the recommendations passed by the investigating team, council was ordered to sue the company and further repossess the land which was offered to the company for the construction of the town houses.

President Mugabe

ZIMBABWE has been under the yoke of sanctions for close to two decades now and the punitive measures have not only strangulated the performance of the country’s economy but have also significantly lowered the quality of life of the average citizen.

While couched as targeted, sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America, Britain and their allies have made it difficult for ordinary people and business entities to conduct transactions outside the country mainly because of the high risk rating accorded to Zimbabwe and the threat of blacklisting those that wish to do business with Zimbabweans encounter.

New York and London are the world’s capitals in terms of international financial transactions and millions of dollars channelled through these cities as payment for Zimbabwean products have been frozen simply because they were destined for this country.

The fallacy that the sanctions are targeted at Zimbabwean Government officials and are only meant to restrict them from travelling have been laid bare by the numerous complaints lodged by private businesspeople who find it difficult to transact with overseas markets as red flags are raised each time they try to enter into deals with international corporations. Zimbabwe has been re-engaging the European Union and has had some sanctions lifted but the bloc still maintains an economic embargo which restricts Zimbabwean entities from doing business with EU nations.

The US is still to repeal the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act – a damaging piece of legislation which has done more to wreck the country’s economy than the recovery it purports to champion. Zidera bars all international financial institutions in which the US has representation or shareholding from cooperating with Zimbabwe.

On Wednesday, President Mugabe threw down the gauntlet at the United States, Britain and their allies to remove ruinous sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe in total as they are stifling efforts to implement the national economic blueprint — Zim-Asset — itself the pathway to fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Cde Mugabe said Zim-Asset contained objectives in tandem with the SDGs, which are also referred to as Agenda 2030. Zim-Asset came into force in 2013, two years before the global community agreed to adopt the SDGs.

However, the continued imposition of illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe by the United States and its allies were making it difficult to roll out the programme as envisaged, President Mugabe noted. He highlighted the injustice of the sanctions and demanding an end to the illegal regime.

“Our task of domesticating Agenda 2030 has been made relatively less challenging in that the vision and aspirations of our national economic blueprint and the global agenda are basically the same.

“Our biggest impediment to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda is the burden of the punitive and heinous sanctions imposed against us by some among us here,” the President said.

“My country, Zimbabwe, is the innocent victim of spiteful sanctions imposed by the United States and other powers and these countries have for some reason maintained these sanctions for some 16 years now. As a country, we are being collectively punished for exercising the one primordial principle enshrined in the United Nations Charter, that of sovereign independence. We are being punished for doing what all other nations have done, that is, possessing and owning their natural resources, and listening to and responding to the basic needs of our people”.

He added: “Those who have imposed these sanctions would rather have us pander to their interests at the expense of the basic needs of the majority of our people. As long as these economic and financial sanctions remain in place, Zimbabwe’s capacity to fully and effectively implement Agenda 2030 is deeply curtailed.

“I repeat my call to Britain and the United States and their allies to remove the illegal and unjustified sanctions against my country and its people.

We must all be bound by our commitments to Agenda 2030, under which we all agreed to eschew sanctions in favour of dialogue.”

We agree with the President that sanctions need to be removed in total if Zimbabwe is to achieve the objectives of the SDGs. Zim-Asset requires substantial financial resources to implement and Zimbabwe does not have access to cheap lines of credit due to sanctions. We also feel Western countries need to acknowledge the reforms which the Government has implemented to meet some of the conditions set out by global multilateral financial institutions for funding.

Treasury has been working the IMF and World Bank to implement measures aimed at reviving the economy and while some of the prescriptions have been very unpopular, Zimbabwe has bent over backwards to accommodate them.

There are ongoing efforts to curtail public sector spending and rationalise the civil service sand this is being done to placate these institutions which have set out conditions for resumption of budgetary support. Zimbabwe deserves a chance to implement its economic revival plan without the burden of sanctions.

National Foods in Bulawayo

Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
DIVERSIFIED conglomerate Innscor Africa Limited’s revenue grew six percent in the full year ended June 30, 2016 to $586.9 million from $554.2 million in the prior year spurred by improved efficiencies and an increase in volumes across its divisions.

The group’s financial results for the period indicate the listed concern maintained stable operations despite negative economic conditions characterised by weak consumer demand and low disposable incomes.

“On a continuing operations basis the group’s revenue grew by six percent against prior year. Improved efficiencies at both the margin and operating profit levels resulted in operating profit increasing by 26 percent and profit before tax increasing by 25 percent ($39 million) over the same period,” chairman Mr Addington Chinake said.

“A more balanced contribution by each business as compared to the prior year was the main reason for the group’s headline earnings per share increasing by 107 percent from 1.64 US cents to 3.40 US cents. This was a very pleasing result and management is to be commended.”

National Foods delivered a strong set of results during the period at 13 percent growth in total volumes to 560 000 tonnes and a 5.2 percent rise in revenue to $330 million with high performance at the flour and maize divisions. The business also completed the acquisition of a 40 percent non-controlling stake in Pure Oils, which produces cooking oil and as well as protein oil cakes used in production of animal feed.

Similarly Colcom recorded a 14 percent growth in pork volumes buoyed by an excellent performance at Tripple C and an increase in pig supply by auxiliary piggeries that have been brought on line in the past 18 months. Its revenue clocked $59 million.

Nampak also had a successful year with the new flexible packaging line contributing to a 57 percent growth in volumes and 46 percent in revenue over the prior period. The unit’s operating profit increased by 235 percent over the period off a low base.

Another subsidiary, Profeeds, recorded a 10 percent growth in feed volumes although lower selling prices weighed down on revenue.

During the period the group also acquired a non-controlling share at Probrands, which is involved in packaging and manufacture of a number of grocery products and beverages. The Bakery business sold 141,7 million loaves during the year a 30 percent increase on prior year while Earnings

Before Income Tax Depreciation (EBITDA) was up two percent to $67 million.

The group has since declared a dividend of 0.60 US cents per share payable to registered shareholders before end of this month.

In 2014, Innscor became the first Zimbabwean company to breach the $1 billion turnover mark. The company’s performance has somewhat tapered down since restructuring the conglomerate and focus on light manufacturing.

In addition the group disposed off its interests in the Spar retail stores and Shearwater, closed the Spar distribution centre and entered into negotiations to dispose of its interests in Spar Zambia and the River Club.

“Once we have concluded the disposal of the Zambian operations we are essentially Zimbabwean centric. We do need to look abroad but before we do that we have a lot of work to do in Zimbabwe,” chief executive officer Mr Julian Schonken has said.

“We have seen too many instances of good Zimbabwean operations ourselves included going into the region and really battling because educational levels are completely different, the infrastructure is not what we are used to, there is bureaucracy. So we are going to be careful about the way we do business before we go to other geographies.”

Looking ahead, Mr Schonken said, the group would have to address a ballooning cost base.

“We still have a long way to go in getting our costs down to really where they should be. We want to be able to compete in an open economy and we know that our cost base is too high. We need to migrate our costs from a fixed component and get our structures absolutely as lean as possible,” said Schonken.

Mr Chinake said the group has completed the strategic reconfiguration programme embarked on in the previous financial year, which helped mitigate the environmental complexities and has significantly simplified the group and created a foundation on which it can build a substantial light manufacturing business into the future.

He said the programme manifested in the acquisition of Transerve to scale up the retail and distribution segment, the acquisition of a non-controlling stake in Profeeds and the unbundling through a dividend in specie and ultimately listing of both Simbisa Brands Limited, the quick service restaurant business and Axia Corporation Limited, the speciality retail and distribution business comprising of Distribution Group Africa, Transerve and TV Sales and Home in the later part of the year under review.

 Harry K Thomas Jr

Lloyd Gumbo, Harare Bureau
AMERICAN Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Harry Thomas Jr is a hypocrite who rushes to castigate local law enforcement agents for using minimum force to quell illegal demonstrations but turns a blind eye when police officers in his country kill his kith and kin, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe said the callous killing of a disabled black American, Keith Lamonte Scott, in North Carolina in the United States on Tuesday was clear testimony of how the American ambassador has no moral ground to criticise Zimbabwe when police use tear gas and water cannons to crush illegal demonstrations.

Dr Mushohwe’s remarks follow a string of shootings of black people by American police that have stoked outrage in most parts of the US.

The killing of Scott came just a few days after a white police officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the US, again killed another black man Terence Crutcher whom video evidence indicates that he was raising his hands above his head to show the police that he was not armed.

Said Dr Mushohwe yesterday: “The issue of the wanton killing of African-Americans and the Latinos in the US is a very common feature. In fact, it happens almost every week.

“But the African-Americans just like our dear ambassador (Mr Thomas Jr) here do not open their eyes to those callous slaughter of people of colour.”

He said statistics indicated that American police had killed hundreds of African-Americans and Latinos in the last two years alone.

Dr Mushohwe said it is therefore disturbing that Ambassador Thomas Jr rushes to castigate the police here when they use water cannons and teargas on illegal demonstrators who loot shops and destroy property.

“When the American ambassador, for example, accredited to this great nation stands up and condemns us because water cannons have been used on some people and not talk about the cold-blooded and callous murder of people of his colour in his own home-backyard then you begin to wonder whether this is not a racist comment. It’s no longer to do with human rights.

“We would expect the American ambassador to make sure that he talks about the evil, brutal slaughter of African-Americans in the United States and condemn his Government not to just come here and try to meddle into our internal affairs.

“We know who these people are when they come here, we are compelled to believe that they come here with an agenda to cause regime change.

They send a character of the ambassador who is an African-American to come here.

“He has a short nose like ours and one would think that he thinks like an African. But no, when a white police officer shoots a man or woman of colour back in his home country, to him it does not matter. But if you take a bucket of water and throw it at the opposition here then it becomes a criminal offence.

“We want to hear these people if they are really concerned about human rights and democracy condemn what is happening in the United States.

What even makes it worse is that those who are complaining by and large are even white but a man of colour who sees his brother being callously shot and a disabled person for that matter does not,” said Dr Mushohwe.

He added that it was strange that some of the harshest critics of police actions in Zimbabwe did not condemn the destruction of Government property and looting of shops of ordinary people trying to eke a living.

Baby Manqoba and mother

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
AS part of efforts to raise $43 000 for baby Manqoba’s liver transplant in India, Bulawayo artistes have come together to pen a song to raise awareness.
Nine-month-old Baby Manqoba, the daughter of Zimpapers journalists Lawson Mabhena and Shamiso Yikoniko, was diagnosed with biliary atresia – a liver condition – when she was five months old. Then, surgeons could not perform any corrective surgery because the liver was showing signs of significant damage, leaving them to suggest that she gets a liver transplant.

Manqoba’s liver can fail to function anytime, something which has led musicians to chip in fast.

Khuliyo, one of the artiste’s working on the song, said they would be in studio during the weekend. He said they had come together because of their relationship with Lawson – a former Sunday News News Editor. Other than Khuliyo, the song features artistes Iyasa, Lady T, Stone, Sgeca, Donna N, Nkwali and Umdumo Wesiwe. Ingwe Studios will facilitate the recording.

“Lawson Mabhena was one of the first entertainment journalists to push local arts. We felt we needed to be involved in this cause as Bulawayo artistes to help his beautiful daughter get a liver transplant.

“We’re indebted to him as he had a hand in the growth of most of our careers,” said Khuliyo.

Once recorded, the song will be released immediately on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter as artistes want it to go viral, even beyond the country’s borders. A hash tag #SaveManqoba has since been created on social media and is trending as people are being encouraged to donate.

“Ideally, we want people to send a dollar to Shamiso’s — Lawson’s wife’s EcoCash account each time they share the song. This is an opportunity for us to show ubuntu.”

The artiste, who is also part of the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo organisers, said they had donated 50 Bayethe Bulawayo Concert VIP tickets to the #SaveManqoba cause. Once purchased, about $500 will be deposited into Mabhena’s account.

“The tickets to the Bayethe concert can be purchased at The Chronicle building. All proceeds from the tickets will be directed to the Save Manqoba fund,” said Khuliyo.

A sponsored walk is also on the cards and will be held next week Saturday.

Comedian, Oliver Keith, popularly known as NaJesca, has also come on board with a video clip in which he pleads with his followers to donate.

“No amount is too small to donate, no amount is too big. We need to support baby Manqoba because at this stage, it’s very fatal, the doctors say her liver can stop working at any time,” pleads Keith while asking people to spread the video.

For those who want to assist save Manqoba, they can get in touch with Shamiso on +263772935224 or deposit any amount to the banking details below:

Name: Shamiso Yikoniko

Bank: FBC Bank

Branch: FBC Centre

Account Number: 3070070770125

- @bonganinkunzi

President Mugabe

Opinion, Nduduzo Tshuma
THE campaign by #ThisFlag front man Pastor Evan Mawarire and a handful of shadowy characters at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, not only spectacularly failed but was largely ignored by the local media.

Mr Mawarire was joined by Mr Patson Dzamara and other protestors in demonstrating against President Mugabe as he attended the General Assembly in a bid to attract international attention but all those plans came crumbling down.

CNN, the American propaganda mouth piece that the group was hoping would give them coverage rather concentrated on the US President, Mr Barack Obama’s last address at the UN ahead of the country’s presidential elections in November.

Instead, they faced a moment of truth when the December 12 Movement, an organisation of people of colour living in the United States, exposed the folly behind the planned demonstrations by Mr Mawarire and his friends.

And that lesson was recorded, ironically, by the Voice of America, which had covered the story hoping to flash images of a successful demonstration against President Mugabe and the Zimbabwean government, a demonstration that failed dismally.

In an interview with VOA’s Marvellous Mhlanga Nyabuye, the D12, who outnumbered Mr Mawarire’s handful of demonstrators and were better organised, insisted that the problems in Zimbabwe have roots in the illegal sanctions imposed by the West and the misdirection of the western-funded opposition.

Interestingly also, the D12 demonstrators in their responses made no distinction between Mr Mawarire, his friends and the VOA.

“I’m representing (President) Mugabe and the Zimbabwean people because there is an African struggle all over the world, the capitalists want everything and they want every country, they want everything in Africa and they plan to take it and you people are helping them, “ said a D12 member after being asked whom he was representing.

“They (West) are angry that (Cde) Mugabe took the land back that was stolen at the beginning and he gave it to the people who were struggling in the revolution, that’s why the United States and Britain are angry at (Cde) Mugabe because he won’t let them take over the country like they want to.”

Another demonstrator concurred in the interview adding: ‘‘The cause of the problem is the sanction giver who put sanctions on a little country that’s trying to survive, who put sanctions on Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela.

“Attack the sanction giver first, the people who put sanctions on you, attack them first and we will be with you but you are attacking the man who brought freedom to your country.”

When the VOA reporter asked him if he was aware of the situation in Zimbabwe at the moment, the demonstrator shot back, “I know that if you go back to England it’s going to be worse, I know that when Zimbabwe was Rhodesia, Ian Smith gave hundreds of thousands of acres of land to one family while all of you had nothing.

“Look at Cuba, 50 years of sanctions on that country, look at Haiti, look at what they did to Haiti, they destroyed Haiti because they defeated the French, now they are going against Zimbabwe, leave Zimbabwe alone.

‘‘They put sanctions on that country for how many years, how many years did they promise to give back the land at the Lancaster Conference but they changed.

“I’m supporting a man that says take back the land from the Europeans, they have no business coming here taking the land saying they were sent by God.” The third D12 demonstrator finished the argument off saying: “Zimbabwe is having problems but the problems are not because of the leadership of President Mugabe, the problems come from the sanctions that were put in place by the people supporting your being here and those are the same people who oppress us here.

“That’s the principal problem that the western countries have decided that President Mugabe is going to have to pay for returning the land to the Zimbabwean people otherwise they had no contradiction with him until the land reform programme”.

He added: ‘‘He was their model of the great post colonial President but once he instituted the land reform programme, he went from Angel to a Devil, he became the black Hitler over night and the US and Britain reneged on the Lancaster Agreement in terms of the land question.

“That’s what the problem is, it’s the sanctions which are designed to create an opposition that you all represent because they have people misunderstanding and misdirecting their activities when the activities must be on ending sanctions and not against President Mugabe and Zanu-PF.”

The above quotations in verbatim were deliberate to illustrate the depth of knowledge exhibited by the D12 movement on issues that Mr Mawarire should know more by virtue of being a resident of Zimbabwe but conveniently chooses to ignore.

The failure of the UN campaign by Mr Mawarire all but confirms the end of his manufactured legacy of a hero Pastor with bravery of unimaginable proportions, who stood up against the Government of Zimbabwe and organised the mother of all stay aways in July.

In his mind, Mr Mawarire thought the UN General Assembly was the greatest stage to alert the world to his campaign and most importantly attract the pullers of strings and holders of the purse.

He has flown to the very turf of the imperialists to lay bare his credentials, albeit false, of a giant feller.

The result was not what Mr Mawarire expected.Instead of splashing headlines of his demonstration, he got none but only the VOA coverage which did not help things as it served as testimony of how the power of his cause and movement has been exaggerated from day one.

The VOA clip was a lesson to Mr Mawarire and like minded members of the opposition that you can’t manufacture stories and expect people to believe you because they live thousands of kilometres from Zimbabwe.

The D12 Movement gave Mr Mawarire that lesson in a way he will never forget in his life. In an act of desperation, Mr Mawarire posted a picture on Twitter with Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote and in the caption said he had dissuaded the business mogul from investing in Zimbabwe over unsubstantiated claims of corruption in  government.

What is apparent is that Mr Mawarire is yet to free himself from the clutches of deception and illusion.

He still believes the lie that he successfully organised the July 6 stayaway when in actual fact, he hijacked the civil servants strike that did not in any way share his agenda.

An attempt to organise “another’’ stay away by Mr Mawarire failed the same way as the Barbourfields campaign where he tried to smuggle destructive politics into the beautiful game of soccer at a recent encounter between local giants Highlanders and Dynamos Football clubs. He took his campaign beyond borders hoping for different fortunes but that was not to be.

The New York campaign is enough reason therefore, going forward, to totally forget about Mr Mawarire.

THE late kwaito superstar Mduduzi Mandoza Tshabalala was laid to rest next to South African legends Gugu Zulu, Flabba and Simba Mhere yesterday afternoon.

Mourners made their way to West Park Cemetery following an emotionally-charged funeral service for a person many described as a “hero.”

So it was only fitting that Mandoza be laid to rest next to other SA heroes including racing car driver Gugu Zulu who died two months ago‚ rapper Flabba‚ Simba Mhere‚ Baby Jake and Eddie Zondi.

Speaking at Mandoza’s funeral service his widow‚ Mpho, promised to keep her husband’s legacy alive and thanked the nation for the overwhelming support that she had received during this difficult time.

“It’s been 18 years now‚ I love him and I will love him till I die. I know he will send me a ball of fire from heaven and I will raise our children‚” she said.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto to bid a final farewell to the kwaito legend.

The mood at the church was sombre as the funeral service got underway.

A giant sized picture of Mandoza stood at the front on the stage as soft religious hymns were played.

At the memorial service held to celebrate the legend’s life on Thursday, MEC of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Gauteng, Faith Mazibuko, hailed Mandoza as an ambassador of Zola, the township in which he grew up.

She said it was because of him that artistes from Zola such as Mzambiya and Mshoza had the confidence to join the industry and believe in their talent.

Mandoza was full of life and did not allow anything to get him down, even in his final days, said Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

“This was a brave lion. He looked death in the eye and said ‘iyahlanya le cancer’,” Mthethwa said.

The service was a tribute and a coming together of veteran kwaito artists. —Times Live

Cape Town — University education must be free for everybody by January 2017, UCT student leader Mlingane Matiwane said.

“We are not protesting cows and have no intention of picketing every year,” Matiwane told students assembled on a lawn at the university, after they rejected an invitation to join a picket by lecturers and other students at Parliament.

Reading a statement, he said they wanted nothing to do with the picket, and said an email by Vice Chancellor Max Price inviting the UCT community to join the picket was astounding. He said Price was responsible for the suspensions, expulsions and interdicts of several students.

“What does it mean, for instance, to condemn protest action over the last 18 months and now call on students to join them in protest?” asked Matiwane.

He said it was Price who had submitted to the fees commission that UCT needed an 8 percent fee increase.

The estimated 200 students, listening and clicking their fingers in support of the statement Matiwane read, demanded that lecturers remove any affiliation to the student movement from their communications. They should remove any of the student movement’s Fees Must Fall-related hashtags from university statements and tweets.

He said the deanery of the Faculty of Health Sciences had called for the picket to Parliament. He told the students that after the Dean’s Forum on Student Protests, students had met and consolidated four demands to be presented to government.

They wanted free, decolonised education, doubling of spending on higher education to 1.5 percent of the GDP, and commentary on and acknowledgement of their demands by next Tuesday, plus a plan for free education by January 2017.

Finally, they wanted clarity on the return of suspended UCT students. This relates to a group of students who, in May, participated in the

“Shackville” protest over the shortage of student accommodation, and who allegedly defaced statues and paintings of colonial and apartheid-era figures.

GroundUp reported that the five students were: Alex Hotz, Masixole Mlandu, Chumani Maxwele, Slovo Magida, and Zola Shokane.

Students believed government was not taking them seriously and was watering down and sidelining their demands. They didn’t want to talk about the rise and fall of fees as a commodity anymore and wanted all education to be free from pre-school.

They questioned how the university could afford the security used to keep them at bay when it said it was so short of money.

“We demand clarity as to why free education cannot be achieved, but the militarisation of a campus can,” the statement continued.

There were many familiar faces in the group, such as suspended politics student Masixole Mlandu, who, earlier this year, led a campaign questioning the presence of colonial era works of art and sculpture on campus.

Also present were some faces from the “Shackville” protest.

They were part of a group of students who stormed the parliamentary precinct during then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene’s mid-term budget speech on October 21. Police pushed them back using rubber bullets and stun grenades.

On October 23, President Jacob Zuma announced a fee freeze at tertiary institutions for 2016 and an inquiry into university fees. On Monday, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced that poor pupils and those from homes with an annual income lower than R600 000 a year would not see fees increased. He left it up to universities to announce their own increases, up to a maximum of 8 percent, for students who fell outside those categories.

A call to show solidarity with students at Stellenbosch University and the University of the Western Cape was made before students dispersed.

Following the picket at Parliament, Price said a plan on funding higher education institutions was needed by year end so it could be implemented by January 2018.

He said at the heart of the picket was the university’s plea to Parliament to help it find a solution to the ongoing unrest, but, more fundamentally, the funding of higher education.

He said in a statement that he was thankful for Nzimande’s moratorium on fee increases for 2017, but that it was a short-term solution.

“We will face the same issues every year. We must find a longer-term solution, in terms of investment into higher education that will also help us with bringing the unrest to an end.”

He said the Heher Commission’s timelines “might only have an actual impact in 2020, if we are lucky”.

The Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training (fees commission), chaired by Judge Jonathan Heher, is looking into the feasibility of free tertiary education in South Africa.

Minister Walter Mzembi

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE Government has slammed the British and United States embassies for issuing travel warnings on Zimbabwe following recent protests.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Dr Walter Mzembi said the issuance of the travel warnings will affect the tourism industry which remains the only performing pillar of the economy.

“Following protests on the streets of Harare, and campaigns by the #this Flag movement, the United States of America issued travel warnings on Zimbabwe simultaneously invoked together with the UK.

“Basically they advise against travel to Zimbabwe, hurting in the process the only performing pillar in the Zimbabwe economy which receipted in excess of $600 million half year up to June, and expected to do more than this figure in the second half,” wrote Dr Mzembi on his Facebook page on Thursday.

“Apart from wanting to foreclose the Zimbabwe economy as part of wanting to “shut down Zimbabwe” which has been the clarion call of the protest movement, I can’t help but conclude that the two countries are sucking themselves into internal disputes and exacerbating the situation by this inordinate response which sinks additional millions of innocent Zimbabwean civilians into abject poverty.”

Dr Mzembi said Article 6 of the Global Code of Ethics restrains countries from unilateral action on countries without engaging them.

He said Zimbabwe has a 33-year tourism safety and security record and there are no explosions on its streets or bombings to warrant the US and UK  action.

“I am in the USA watching Fox News Agency, and the America you will never see and police brutality on protesters which will make the ZRP behaviour of the last three months and by the way I don’t subscribe to it, look like they are our peaceful municipal police force,” Dr Mzembi said.

“The lesson is when citizens declare war on police, it invites brutality until the politicians come in to talk people off the streets and into dialogue.”

The Minister said Zimbabwe like many African countries was a victim of bullying from the West.

He said as an African candidate for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretary General post, he was hoping to redress the anomaly.

“I haven’t heard a single American inviting sanctions on their country in the wake of these scuffles. They understand National Interest, period!” said Dr Mzembi  adding that all patriotic citizens must implore the USA and UK to remove the illegal travel warnings.

On September 6, the British Embassy, in a travel warning to its nationals, said:

“There have been demonstrations in towns and cities in recent months, some of which have been violent. You should avoid areas where demonstrations may be held, or where there are large gatherings of people. If a demonstration or disturbance is taking place, leave quickly and don’t attempt to watch or photograph it. Monitor this travel advice and local media (including radio and social media) for updates.” — @AuxiliaK

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S like having Manchester United fans rallying behind Arsenal in England or Barcelona cheering Real Madrid, never mind the opponent.  It’s unthinkable.

Such is the rivalry between these football fans that they would rather have their opponents losing even if a win would have done them a big favour.

Well, back home such an unlikely situation has presented itself this afternoon when FC Platinum host Dynamos at Mandava Stadium and the big question is will the unthinkable happen where Highlanders supporters trade their legendary black and white regalia and wear a blue and white attire as they cheer their biggest football rivals in Zimbabwe, Dynamos?

It’s just unimaginable but possible.

A win for the Glamour Boys this afternoon and a similar for Amahlolanyama at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow against Ngezi Platinum will see the Bulawayo giants reduce the gap between them and FC Platinum to just a point with the two sides yet to clash on Week 29. It will surely be Armageddon.

While in the capital tomorrow another side still in the equation Caps United face How Mine, many within the Highlanders circle believe FC Platinum are the real threat to their first league title in 10 years and perhaps, just perhaps and for 90 minutes they might be forced to dine with their rivals.

DeMbare themselves are not exactly out of it and will tell themselves that they are not doing Highlanders a favour but merely fighting their own cause.

With Dynamos still to play Caps United, the Harare giants might as well be the party spoilers or makers this season.

Statistics in the past three years do not however favour Dynamos as they have not beaten FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.

DeMbare fell 0-2 in 2013, drew nil-all the following year and last year they were handed a 1-3 hiding but Dynamos came out 1-0 winners in FC Platinum’s maiden season in the league in 2011 and in 2012 they posted a 2-1 win.

Meanwhile, the FC Platinum and Dynamos encounter will be beamed live today on Superport.

Top four teams’ remaining matches:

FC Platinum: Dynamos (home), Harare City (away), Ngezi Platinum (home), Chapungu (away), Highlanders (home), Tsholotsho (away)

Caps United: How Mine (home), Border Strikers (away), Dynamos (home), Harare City (away), Ngezi Platinum (home), Chapungu (away)

Highlanders: Ngezi Platinum (home), Chapungu (away), Bulawayo City (home), Tsholotsho (home), FC Platinum (away), Hwange (home)

Dynamos: FC Platinum (away), Hwange (home), Caps United (away), Mutare City (home), Triangle (away), Chicken Inn (home)

Table

P    W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts

FC Platinum     24    13    9    2    26    12    14    48

Caps United     24    13    8    3    30    15    15    47

Highlanders     24    13    5    6    31    17    14    44

Dynamos        24    10    8    6    20    15    5        38

ZPC Kariba     24    9    10    5    20    16    4     37

Chicken Inn     24     9    7    8    23    16    7      34

Ngezi Platinum   24    9    6    9    21    22     -1    33

Triangle United     24    9    6    9    23    27    -4     33

Harare City          24    9    5     10    25    21    4    32

How Mine           24    7    10    7    22    20    2    31

Bulawayo City     24    8    7    9    20    21    -1    31

Chapungu            24    7    9    8    21    21    0    30

Hwange                24     7    7    10    19    27    -8     28

*Mutare City     24     6    5    13     19    37    -18    20

Tsholotsho FC     24    5    4     15    17    28    -10    19

Border Strikers     24    4     2    18    9    31    -22    14

*Three points deducted for use of a suspended player

— @skhumoyo2000

VP Mnangagwa

Restrictions that the Government has imposed on imported products, starting in 2014 with respect to cooking oil followed by an expanded list that took effect in June were opposed in some circles but their benefits are now self-evident.

D’Lite, SunStar and Sunfoil dominated local supermarket shelves for about a decade as local manufacturers faced a range of challenges but in January 2014 the government increased import duty on cooking oil, margarine, soap tablets and bars and washing powder, sugar, poultry, milk, vegetables, cement and plastic bags from 10 to 40 percent.

Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 became a huge story when it was gazetted on June 17, even sparking violent demonstrations in Chitungwiza and Beitbridge where a warehouse and vehicles were torched. The SI imposes restrictions on the importation of dozens of products, among them Cremora, Camphor creams, baked beans, bottled water, cereals, certain cotton fabrics, fertilisers, petroleum jellies, iron and steel building materials and fittings.

Alarmists and the opposition warned of possible shortages of the products, particularly the basics, attacking the Government for seeking to protect a manufacturing sector “that does not exist.”

Such baseless criticism from the opposition actually discredits them as it is criticism for criticism’s sake even when the Government is genuinely working to revive manufacturing and the wider economy.

A country such as ours which has a strong manufacturing base cannot afford to resign itself to the position of a supermarket economy for foreign products.

It is now clear that the criticism was unfounded because milk processors, oil manufacturers, farmers, petroleum jelly and Camphor cream producers have increased production for markets that were once dominated by South African producers.

By May this year, 95 percent of the cooking oil that was on supermarket shelves across the country was made locally from 15 percent prior to the restrictions two years ago, according to the Oil Expressers Association of Zimbabwe.  Milk processor, Dairibord Zimbabwe Private Limited said last week that it was investing up to $6 million in plants to manufacture maheu and long life milk.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries reported this week that demand for locally manufactured products has risen by an average 30 percent since the implementation of SI 64 in June.  CZI president Mr Busisa Moyo hailed the controls for helping revive local industry, adding the organisation was conducting a study to evaluate the impact of SI 64.

On Wednesday, Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa toured two oil manufacturing plants in Harare — Wilmar Surface and Pure Oil Industries.  The former makes Pure Drop and Golden Glow cooking oil while the latter makes Zimgold cooking oil.

“This has shown that our Ministry of Industry, Trade and Commerce made correct recommendations to the Government and as a result of that we are now producing cooking oil in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“I am advised that currently the two plants we have visited are producing domestic supplies and this has reduced our import bill and that is how we must go.”

Across the country in Mutare, the South African company Willowton, that gave us D’Lite in large amounts before the restrictions took effect in 2014 has completed the construction of a $40 million cooking oil plant, with production expected to begin in the next two months.

The investment has 100 direct jobs. Apart from D’Lite, the plant would manufacture margarines and spreads, toiletries, laundry and bathing soaps, candles, chocolates, baking and industrial fats.

We look forward to growth in capacity utilisation for local manufacturers of items like door frames, cereals, certain cotton fabrics, fertilisers, petroleum jellies, iron and steel building materials and fittings as well since the restrictions have created a bigger market for them.

We therefore hail the Government’s foresight and commitment to creating conditions for local industry to recover and grow amid strong opposition.  Local manufacturers have proved that the negative sentiments that came after the measures were misguided.

While we are happy with the improvements in the edible oils sector, for instance, we also note that the recovery has just been on one part of the value chain, minus farmers who grow the raw materials — soya beans and cotton seed.

Manufacturers have made the point about this missing link and, to correct that, they have rolled out a plan to invest $200 million in contract schemes to boost the growing of soya beans and cotton seed.  That is encouraging.

A lot is also happening in the dairy sector where processors such as Dairibord, Dendairy and Alpha Omega, working with the Government, are importing heifers to improve raw milk output.

But one area of concern where the Government has controls in place that appear to have been ineffective is on the importation of used clothes.

Despite the presence of a government ban on these items, we see loads of them on the streets in towns and cities countrywide, proof that the used clothes are being smuggled.

More diligent policing to prevent smuggling as well as confiscation of the items wherever they are found can help in recovering the clothing and textiles sector, the same way controls and robust policing have stimulated the recovery and growth of the cooking oil and milk processing sectors.

President Ian Khama

Tendai Mugabe, Harare Bureau
THE Government says it has been shocked by the strange behaviour displayed by the President of Botswana Ian Khama who this week chose to throw the tenets of diplomatic etiquette out of the window and publicly criticised President Mugabe.

In an interview with the Reuters news agency in Gaborone this week, Mr Khama provocatively insinuated that President Mugabe was now too old and should retire.

This is despite the fact that President Mugabe was constitutionally elected and has a running term until 2018.

Responding to Mr Khama’s disparaging remarks, Information, Media and Broadcasting Minister Dr Chris Mushohwe said the sentiments by the Botswana leader were a taboo in African etiquette and diplomatic parlance.

“The Government of Zimbabwe is shocked by this uncharacteristic behaviour on the part of President Khama who until last month, was at the helm of Sadc and should know better that you don’t use the media platform to criticise fellow Sadc leaders as he has just done with President Mugabe,” he said.

“It is a taboo in African etiquette and diplomacy. Cde Mugabe has at all times cautioned African leaders against attacking each other in public as this would serve to strengthen the hand of Western imperialism at the expense of African unity.

“In the case of President Khama, we need not to point out that he should have known better to keep his views about President Mugabe’s age and administration to himself.”

Dr Mushohwe said anyone who applauded Mr Khama for such untoward and unbecoming behaviour was not only an enemy of Zimbabwe but the entire region.

“All those patting him on the back for a job well done are hypocrites who have sold their souls to the devil and do not mean well neither for Zimbabwe nor this sub-region,” he said.

“They are agents of regime change driving a foreign political agenda against national and regional interests. President Mugabe is a liberation icon and solid statesman who has fought for democracy and total emancipation not only for Zimbabwe but even the African continent as a whole.”

Dr Mushohwe continued: “The African position and that of Sadc is that African leaders are elected to lead by the people they seek to lead through the democratic process of an election.

“Similarly, it follows that the same leaders can only be removed from office through the same process. Need we ask, why is Zimbabwe not allowed to choose its leaders and change them using the same democratic process?

“Why should President Mugabe be removed from office unconstitutionally as President Khama’s sentiments seem to suggest? President Mugabe’s term of office runs until 2018 and anybody suggesting that he should leave office now is an enemy of the people of Zimbabwe who continue to rally behind his popular leadership.

“The race to the 2018 harmonised elections has just begun.”

Dr Mushohwe further stressed that if Mr Khama had issues with President Mugabe, he knows the proper channels to engage his counterpart.

Said Dr Mushohwe: “If he felt so passionately that he needed to express those views, engaging his elder stateman and neighbour bilaterally was the appropriate route to       take.

“Opportunities for him to discuss matters in private with President Mugabe are there. The two leaders met recently at the African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Sadc Summit in Mbabane, Swaziland and last Tuesday sat side by side at the inauguration of President Edgar Lungu in Lusaka, Zambia where President Mugabe spoke glowingly about his late father, Sir Seretse Khama.

“Why didn’t he raise his concerns with him then? We sincerely hope that this will be the last time that the Botswana leader opens his mouth to bad-mouth President Mugabe and fellow African leaders in the manner that he did.”

President Mugabe

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe will officially open the 4th session of Parliament on October 4.

The Clerk Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda, yesterday said President Mugabe would also present the legislative agenda  for the upcoming new session for parliament on the same day.

“President Mugabe will open the 4th session of the 8th Parliament of Zimbabwe on October 4. He will also present the legislative agenda for Parliament,” said Mr Chokuda.

“The outline of the legislative bills are expected to be brought before Parliament for consideration.”

Some of the laws that are likely to be on the next Parliament session’s legislative agenda have to do with cyber-crimes following the abuse of social media in a bid to destabilise the country.

This week, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira said Zimbabwe has formulated the National Cyber Security Policy on computer crimes such as data protection, electronic transactions and commerce to ensure that commercial activities are protected and regulated.

The Bills that are expected to deal with cyber-crimes include the Cyber Security Bill, the Data Protection Bill and the E-Commerce Bill.

Recently, Minister Mandiwanzira said: “Some of the issues the ICT Policy and the Bills (Cyber Security Bill, Data Protection Bill, and the E-Commerce Bill) will respond to include abuse of people’s data when they go to banks, insurance houses, and medical aid societies. Data is now being spread all over, people hacking into accounts and sending negative stuff all over. We are going to address these issues very soon.”

—@thamamoe

Erol Akbay

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum have vowed to stop the Bosso juggernaut when the two sides collide at Barbourfields Stadium in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter tomorrow afternoon.

Highlanders have been invincible in their last five matches, brushing aside all that has come before them, including two impressive come-backs against Border Strikers and that famous win over arch rivals Dynamos, in the process breaking records.

Their win over Harare City in the capital on Thursday was a first against the Sunshine Boys in Harare since their promotion in 2012 while it was a first back to back win over Dynamos since 2006.

All these statistics however do not seem to mean anything for Ngezi Platinum who were early season relegation candidates until the arrival of Tonderayi Ndiraya and an injection of cash by the club’s principals that saw them raid the market during the second transfer window.

One of the players acquired from Dynamos during the second transfer window, talented midfielder Walter Mukanga says they are coming to Bulawayo for business and not planning to lose the match.

“We are not coming there to lose a match,” said Mukanga who is nevertheless doubtful as he only started training on Thursday due to a knee injury.

Tonderai Ndiraya

He has been very influential to the Ndiraya squad and if he makes it into the travelling party, the platinum miners might live true to their threats.
Mukanga said the intimidating atmosphere at Barbourfields Stadium will have little effect on their performance.

“I am not scared about the atmosphere at BF partly  because I grew up in Bulawayo and secondly we always prevailed when I was with Dynamos.

Yes the atmosphere can be intimidating if you are not used to it but we are more than ready,” said Mukanga.

They have only lost once in Bulawayo  from their four visits so far, 0-1 to Bulawayo City but their other visits has seen them draw 0-0 against defending champions Chicken Inn, beat Tsholotsho 2-0 while How Mine suffered a 1-2 loss.

Ngezi Platinum suffered a heavy 1-4 loss at home to Bosso in the reverse fixture.

Highlanders coach Erol Akbay on Thursday told Chronicle Sport that they have not diverted from their declaration that every match now is a must-win for them.

“Like we said recently all the remaining matches are cup finals for us which we must win, it doesn’t matter who our opponents are,” said Akbay.

He said what was important for them was to remain focused and not get carried away as that might see them make silly but deathly mistakes.

“The guys have been told to remain focused and avoid being carried away as we march towards our targets and I must say that so far I am happy with the players, they are more professional now than they were earlier into the season. It’s a marvel to see them go about their business, which is what I want,” said Akbay.

The match will be beamed live on SuperSport.

At Ascot Stadium luckless Bulawayo City will be hoping for a change of fortunes against Chapungu this afternoon.

Bulawayo City were unlucky to lose to Triangle United in a midweek encounter at Barbourfields Stadium in their last league match with goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda gifting the visitors with a priceless second goal which proved to be the match winner.

At the Colliery, Hwange will be eager to compound relegation candidates Border Strikers’ misery tomorrow although the presence of Luke Masomere on the visitors’ bench might unsettle the coalminers.

Soccer Star of the Year finalist favorite Gift Mbweti will lead the Mebelo Njekwa coached Hwange’s strike force.

Today:  Chapungu v Bulawayo City (Ascot), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava) SS

Sunday: Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum (Barbourfields) SS , Hwange FC v Border Strikers (Colliery),
Caps United v How Mine (National Sports Stadium), Mutare City Rovers v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva),
Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo)

Monday: Tsholotsho v Harare City (Luveve ) SS

— @skhumoyo2000.

Minister Sithembiso Nyoni and husband Rev Peter

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
SMALL to Medium Enterprises Minister Sithembiso Nyoni and her husband Reverend Peter will today celebrate their 40th anniversary at Busters Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Minister Nyoni and her husband will renew their marriage vows in front of friends and family and celebrate their love at a strictly by invite party.

The celebration that will commence at 1PM and end at 7PM will feature dance groups, Intombi Zomqangala, Siyaya and Khaya Arts alongside DJ Taku.

Minister Nyoni said the merrymaking was to celebrate their 40-year journey as a couple.

“I’m celebrating the 40 years I’ve spent with someone I call my best friend. We’ve been married for so long and it has been a blissful union filled with happiness,” said Minister Nyoni.

She said their marriage had many joyous occasions but the most significant was spending time together.

“I enjoy spending some alone time with my love. We talk about a lot of things, he reads the newspaper articles for me and I as the custodian of health in the home, share what I’ve found out about health,” said Minister Nyoni.

The minister’s daughter, Mvuselelo Huni, said they were hoping to host some important guests.

“We’re still waiting for people to RSVP. A blessing at such occasions is the presence of my 95-year-old grandfather whom we’ll celebrate with,” said Huni.

“Before partying, we’ll have a brunch where my parents will renew their vows. That’ll be for close family and friends. Afterwards, a party will be held at Busters where we’ll dance and have a good time celebrating their anniversary.” — @bonganinkunzi

Vusumuzi Dube, Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council’s audit system is reportedly in shambles amid revelations that the local authority is only auditing books for 2012, a move which the Government said was meant to cover up corruption.

The Government has since ordered the local authority to audit their books for the three years (2013-2015) before the end of the year or risk State intervention.

A forensic audit has also been ordered on the council’s department of engineering services as it has emerged that they failed to provide guarantee bonds for all projects being done by the local authority.

These revelations emerged as part of a Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing investigation report on corruption at the Bulawayo City Council (BCC).

It was revealed that the council’s internal audit section was inefficient as it was only activated when assigned specific functions hence some matters could go undetected as long as the section had not been assigned by senior management to look into the matters.

“The team observed that internal audit in terms of the functions of Bulawayo City Council is playing a peripheral role and is only active when it is assigned specific functions. This has resulted in it failing to play its role of internal policing of council systems, rules, regulations and issues of good corporate governance.

“It was further observed that some if not all the contractual project management issues could have been picked up by internal audit and could have been dealt with without the involvement of this team,” reads part of the report.

The investigating team further revealed that senior management and councillors continuously barred the local authority’s chief internal auditor from sitting at key council meetings. This, they noted rendered the office useless as the auditor only accesses documents which the senior management and councillors would want him to access.

“The importance of internal audit cannot be overemphasised and as such the chief internal auditor should be part of council senior management meetings as an ex-oficio member. The audit section should be empowered to make ad hoc audits in any department of their interest.

“The internal audit should be timeously responsive to issues either raised internally or from external stakeholders. Given that most advance guarantee bonds were never availed to the investigation team for all projects, there is need for an intensive audit on the operations of the department,” reads part of the report.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere had no kind words for the council noting that the delay in audits showed that the local authority had a lot to hide.

He warned the council’s management from relaxing, thinking the current investigation was the end of the process, revealing that officials from his ministry would be keeping tabs on the local authority to weed out all the corrupt elements.

“It is unacceptable that a whole management is auditing their 2012 books in 2016. Clearly someone is not doing what they were employed to do and we cannot just sit back and let this mess continue. I have instructed them to audit all their books before the end of the year or else we will descend on them again and more people will be dismissed.

“To show you the magnitude of this situation, this current council (elected in 2013) has not been audited at all, which is not surprising considering the level of corruption which is here.  Something is amiss and we will get to the bottom of it,” said Minister Kasukuwere after presenting the findings of the investigation team on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the local authority could have lost close to $100 000 in a deal for the supply, installation and commissioning of a crematory at West Park Crematorium. The local authority reportedly entered into a deal with Masen Engineering in November 2013 for the job but to date nothing has been supplied or installed.

“Council entered into a contract with Masen Engineering on the 27th of November 2013, for the supply, installation and commissioning of a crematory at West Park Crematorium. The duration of the contract was 15 weeks commencing 10 January 2014 (advance payment date). However, up to the time of investigation nothing was delivered to West Park Cemetery.

“The contractor was given an advance payment of $97 120 for purchasing the crematory from China since he did not have the capacity to do so. The contractor failed to perform within the contract period but council did not invoke the liquidated damages clause 9 of the contract,” reads the report.

— @vusadb

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe is in full control of the country and is doing his work as mandated, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko said yesterday.

His remarks follow a Constitutional Court application filed by the leader of a shadowy group Tajamuka/Sesijikile spokesperson and former MDC-T youth leader Promise Mkwananzi, who is seeking an order compelling President Mugabe to step down on allegations that he has failed to properly run the country.

In his application, Mkwananzi claims that President Mugabe is incapable of carrying out his work due to advanced age and was failing to properly execute some of his duties as stipulated in the country’s Constitution.

VP Mphoko described Mkwananzi as an ignorant young man, who had no idea of President Mugabe’s duties and the country’s electoral systems.

“I find it strange for someone to say President Mugabe is not doing his work. The President is fully in control of the country and he’s doing his work as expected as the Head of State.

“This young man called Mkwananzi is lost. He should not be blaming the President for what is happening in the country because he [the President] is a victim too. He should confront his uncles in Britain because they’re responsible for imposing sanctions on the country and brought a lot of suffering to the people of Zimbabwe,” said VP Mphoko, at an event where he donated 3 000 day old chicks to residents at Iminyela grounds.

He said Mkwananzi should wait for the 2018 elections if he wanted a change in the country’s leadership.

“The President works hard every day and performs his duties as expected. He works from Monday to Friday and attends Cabinet meetings. He also meets various envoys and attends to all other issues that need his attention. Mkwananzi has no idea what the President’s duties are and this is a wrong channel that he’s using. We elected President into power through elections in 2013. If he wants to rule this country or someone else to take over, he knows what to do in 2018,” said VP Mphoko.

The VP also slammed Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general Mr Victor Matemadanda for alleging that there was no democracy in the country.

During an interview with the Voice of America recently, Mr Matemadanda said when Zimbabwe fought the liberation struggle, it was against an unfair colonial system as opposed to a racial war.

He, however, said the same issues that Zimbabweans fought against are still prevailing in the country after independence.

VP Mphoko accused the war veteran of being a sell-out.

“It’s sad to hear people like Matemadanda turning against the President and calling for the Rhodesian government to come back. He’s a sell-out and what he’s doing is embarrassing,” said VP Mphoko.

Mkwananzi recently appeared in court in Harare for allegedly stoning VP Mphoko’s Choppies supermarket in Harare together with 20 others.

Mkwananzi and his accomplices reportedly moved around the central business district where they approached members of the public standing in queues at various banks and told them that there was no money in banks because VP Mphoko “was a thief.”

They alleged that the Vice President was stealing cash from banks to sustain his Choppies supermarkets and to pay hotel bills at Rainbow Towers in Harare.

Mr Matemadanda is part of a group of war veterans who were arrested recently for allegedly undermining the President’s authority.

@pamelashumba1

THE cooking oil manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe is now able to produce enough to meet local demand but is being constrained by shortages of raw materials.

As such the Government is considering including soya bean among crops whose production it will be supporting through various initiatives, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said last week.

He said this after touring two local cooking oil producers, Surface Wilmar and Pure Oil Industries, to get an appreciation of the operations of the industry and the constraints they were facing.

Officials at the companies said they had increased production after the Government restricted importation of cooking oil but were being constrained by shortage of soya bean and cotton seed, which are used to produce the commodity and other by-products.

As a result, Pure Oil for example, was importing at least 50 percent of its raw materials, which could be easily produced locally. Zimbabwe requires at least 12 million litres of cooking oil per month.

VP Mnangagwa told journalists after the tour that the Government would also consider prioritising soya bean production as well as improve farmer awareness on the need to take up production of the crop.

“Because of this exposure we can also take soya bean on board and have a programme (to support its production). We’ve asked the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to give us statistics on how much soya bean is required in the oil industry in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“When quantified, we should then be able to say how much soya bean is produced per hectare, then we know how many hectares must be put to soya bean production, and we support the programme. At the end of perhaps three or four seasons, we should have adequate production of soya bean.”

He said local farmers were not aware of the importance of growing soya bean and that it had a ready market. The Government recently adopted a command agriculture scheme to boost maize production and the VP said a similar scheme could be adopted for soya bean production.

“There are companies that are ready to move with the Government programme and have local production grow and therefore we’re going to bring the subject of soya bean to our committee for national food production and security,” he said.

VP Mnangagwa also lauded the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for making “correct recommendations” to the Government on restricting imports of cooking oil through Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, which came into effect at the beginning of July this year.

“It (the tour) has shown that our Ministry of Industry and Commerce made correct recommendations to the Government through SI 64 because as a result of that, we’re now producing cooking oil in Zimbabwe and I’m advised that we’ve domestic supplies being produced locally and this has reduced our import bill,” he said.

Officials from the two companies also encouraged the Government to consider proposals by industry to support corporate farming initiatives to boost agricultural production. National Foods chief executive Mr Michael Lashbrook said his firm was investing over $8 million annually in contract farming for its raw materials.

“We’ve the appetite to invest more given the right environment,” he said.

Surface Wilmar chief executive Mr Slyvester Mangani said his firm was exploring options to support soya bean production on 1 500 hectares of land in Karoi and Bindura.

“Surface is also supporting farmers by offering to buy all soya bean available and paying prices consistently above the import parity price,” he said. — New Ziana

Lloyd Chitembwe

Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Caps United  3 -  2 How Mine

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe yesterday applauded the strong character demonstrated by his championship chasing side after Dominic Chungwa’s dramatic injury-time header against How Mine at the National Sports Stadium kept the Green Machine forcefully in the hunt for this year’s Castle Lager Premiership soccer crown.

Makepekepe needed to soak the pressure playing with the knowledge that their main rivals in the race, FC Platinum, had won a big match against Dynamos at Mandava on Saturday to open a four-point gap between them.

Highlanders, who are in third place, also made sure that the last five games of the season will be captivating when they won their match against newboys Ngezi Platinum 2-1 at Barbourfields yesterday.

FC Platinum lead the marathon with 51 points while Caps United moved to 50 in second place. Highlanders are breathing down their necks on 47 points.

Chitembwe was a happy man yesterday as goals from Dennis Dauda, Leonard Tsipa and Chungwa secured maximum points for the Green Machine.

The ending was magical as emotions took over the show both on the pitch and on the terraces with two goals scored in the last three minutes of the game.

It had looked like the match would end in a share of the spoils when How Mine’s Milton Ncube scored from the spot right on the stroke of time to level the scores after Godfrey Nguwodzawo had reduced the arrears in the 71st minute.

Chungwa then settled the matters with a brilliant header just moments into added time to ignite wild celebrations among the Makepekepe faithfuls.

Their coach Chitembwe should have felt the greatest relief with the victory after his team had apparently given away a two-goal lead.

The former midfielder was impressed with his charges performance although he felt his team lost the steam in the second half. Caps United are desperate to end an 11-year barren spell in the quest for the Premiership title.

“I think it was very vital for us to collect the three points so that we keep the momentum and keep the pressure on the leaders. Of course, I am naturally happy with the result but I thought it was a game of two halves. The first half was absolutely perfect but the second was not as good.

“All the same, the resilience and the character the boys showed was out of this world. When everything got gloomy, the boys rose (to the ocassion) and we got what we deserved out of this match.

“I honestly believe we deserved three points considering the way we dominated in the first half. I thought the game was for us. It was going to be very unfair for us not to collect the three points.

“All the same, what’s more important is the result,” said Chitembwe.

Caps United and FC Platinum are running neck and neck with five games remaining in the season. FC Platinum though have a one point advantage.
Makepekepe needed nothing short of victory yesterday to boost their confidence. They got all their goals from corner kicks as their opponents struggled to deal with set-pieces.

Dauda gave Caps United the strong start they had hoped for when he made a suicidal slide at the back post to bury a corner from Ronald Pfumbidzayi.

Tsipa added to their tally when he headed home from close range after Pfumbidzayi had kept the ball in from another Caps United corner taken by Hardlife Zvirekwi.

The 34-year-old striker took his tally to nine goals this season and remained joint top scorer with Hwange’s Gift Mbweti who was also on target yesterday to take the tally to nine goals.

But How Mine returned from the breather stronger and hit back through substitute Nguwodzawo who also took advantage of poor defending by Caps United from a corner by Thembai Masuku.

How Mine then won a penalty when Dauda fouled Toto Banda inside the box. Former Warriors leftback Ncube stepped up and levelled the scores in the 90th minute.

The home side’s supporters, who were singing and dancing all along, had suddenly frozen. But then Makepekepe were not done.

Caps United won a corner and Pfumbidzayi swerved the ball to the near post where Chungwa, who had not featured for Makepekepe since last month following an abortive deal to move in South Africa, connected first time to beat goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.

“It’s good for the boy and it’s also good for the team. I have always believed in Dominic. He is one kind of a player who always gives you the maximum and for him to come in at the right moment and get us the goal at the right time, I think it’s good for his confidence,” said Chitembwe.

How Mine remained 11th on the log standings with 31 points from 25 starts. They had put in a good shift yesterday but their failure to deal with set-pieces was their biggest undoing. Their coach Kelvin Kaindu was not impressed.

“I’m very disappointed that we failed to defend when we had come from 2-0 down and managed to equalise. We looked strong in the second half but we failed to capitalise on the so many errors that the Caps United defenders made. Just one mistake, I think we lacked concentration and the opponents managed to get maximum points,” said Kaindu.

Teams

Caps United: J. Muchambo, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzayi, D. Dauda, S. Makatuka, D. Chafa, A. Amidu (D. Chungwa, 65th minute), P. Bamusi, J. Ngodzo, S. Nhivi, L. Tsipa (C. Munzabwa, 77th minute).

How Mine: D. Bernard, T. Ranthokoane, M. Ncube, V. Kamhuka, T. Khumbuyani, M. Sakala, T. Banda, P. Manhanga (T. Masuku, 54th minute), T. Makanda (G. Nguwodzwawo, 31st minute), K. Musharu, T. January (A. Muganyi, 37th minute)

Ian Khama

Botswana President Ian Khama entertains illusions of himself as a brave, strong leader who is able to speak his mind on anything.

Some in his country actually think he is, perhaps given his background as an officer in the Botswana military. Some out of his country, seeking to exploit his lack of tact, think he is as well.  They also see him as a democrat whose views are worthwhile.

The proud people of Zimbabwe don’t think he is. He is simply a loud mouth, a pitiable figure who actually runs his people like a feudal lord but whose autocracy is condoned by his Western friends.

Speaking at a time when world leaders were gathered for the UN General Assembly in New York last week, President Khama tackled a theme that only he, out of all 50-plus African Heads of State has, telling President Mugabe to give up power. In his mind President Mugabe is too old to run this country well and should allow someone else to succeed him.

We are not too surprised at President Khama’s impetuous tantrum. He has thrown a few before, making some headlines for himself in the Western Press and the local private media, but was largely ignored by those who matter.

Soon after the 2013 elections that President Mugabe won most resoundingly after polling 2 110 434 votes — 89 434 more than Botswana’s total population — President Khama went against a Sadc observer mission’s official report that endorsed the poll as free, fair and representative of the will of the electorate. He called for an audit of the votes and announced that his country would, from then on, not second people to observe elections in the bloc.

“I want to correct the word fairness . . . the Sadc observer statement said the elections were free and peaceful, they never used the word fair . . . that’s why we asked for an audit of the Zimbabwe election,” he told BTV.

“Sadc has set itself guidelines for the conduct of free and fair elections and, therefore, it’s incumbent on all of us in Sadc to conform to those set of guidelines and if there is a breach of those guidelines then we have to say, ‘Fine, we have breached these guidelines; what now happens? What do we do about it? And in Zimbabwe, we sent 80 plus or so observers and almost every one of them said there were irregularities in that election, and there were. I am convinced of it . . . So, do we say Zimbabwe is an exception to the Sadc guidelines?”

Therefore, his silly remarks last week don’t surprise us. He has always been a puppet of the West, who shamelessly serves as their megaphone against President Mugabe in their vain attempt to lend some African credibility to their views.

He has always been pro-opposition. We recall his warm embrace of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai when he went to temporarily stay in Botswana in April 2008, seeking to dramatise the immediate aftermath of the inconclusive March 31, 2008, elections.

President Khama must take note that President Mugabe was elected in 2013 and his term ends in two years’ time. He has the people’s popular mandate and cannot be removed from office simply because a Western puppet thinks he should.

We know that it is not by coincidence that the Botswana leader is saying this at this time when the local opposition has been demanding the same, going further to try a forcible overthrow of a democratically elected government through street demonstrations and terror attacks. His remarks are meant to provide impetus to the opposition regime change agenda, which needless to say, has already failed and will fail next time.

“The Government of Zimbabwe,” said Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Chris Mushohwe, “is shocked by this uncharacteristic behaviour on the part of President Khama who until last month, was at the helm of Sadc and should know better that you don’t use the media platform to criticise fellow Sadc leaders as he has just done with President Mugabe. It is taboo in African etiquette and diplomacy. Cde Mugabe has at all times cautioned African leaders against attacking each other in public as this would serve to strengthen the hand of Western imperialism at the expense of African unity.”

But President Khama must know that the reason why the Government of Zimbabwe has been measured in its responses to his undiplomatic statements is because it is experienced and understands how inter-state relations work, not because they do not have intensely uncomplimentary words to say about him personally and his iron-fisted regime.

Having said that, our sixth sense tells us that the Botswana leader is crossing the red line and gloves must come off. The Government of Zimbabwe has a natural obligation to defend itself from malicious attacks. Zanu-PF has an obligation to defend its thumping mandate without seeking favours from partial outsiders.