Ndumiso Gumede

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
FORMER Zifa vice-president and Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede as well as former Premier Soccer League secretary-general Chris Sambo say they back calls to disband the PSL.

Farayi Mungazi, a Zimbabwean sports journalist working for the BBC in London, wrote in yesterday’s Chronicle that establishment of the PSL was an ill-thought and self-serving idea that should never have been allowed to happen.

Mungazi argued that Zimbabwe’s economy cannot support both Zifa and the PSL and the latter’s birth had had a corrosive effect on Zifa’s bottom line and warned that the knock-on effects would take many years to deal with.

Gumede said it was untenable for the two bodies to continue co-existing and one had to ultimately give way to the other.

Gumede told journalists at the Highlanders’ weekly press conference yesterday that Zifa could not be expected to generate funds when the easiest route was through the PSL. Zifa presently gets a six percent gate takings share from all PSL matches.

He felt the PSL, which wriggled its way out of Zifa in 1992, could be disbanded and fall under Zifa or the mother body could maintain a minimal role in the game and diplomatically run external affairs, while the PSL runs the domestic game.

“I’m talking like this because I have been through the mill and I know how things used to work when I was at Zifa and we were in charge of the Super League. Zifa managed to acquire all properties, which include the office in Bulawayo, the house in Avondale and the infamous 53 Livingstone Avenue in Harare, during this period from funds generated from football,” said Gumede.

“When I was at Zifa, companies would fall over each other to sponsor us and if an entity approached us with less than $100 000, we would just say ‘thank you please go and try Division One’. That’s how good it was; unfortunately most of my colleagues are late, but you can get hold of Frank Valdemarca, who is in Canada, I’m sure he will tell you what I am talking about.”

Gumede felt having two bodies with one calling itself the mother body and the other being a prized entity has not worked in the interest of the game in the country.

He questioned where money levied as fines on PSL teams was going and complained that touchline advertising was not benefitting clubs despite them being the crowd pullers.

Gumede also cited the patronage tendency for hindering development and sponsorship.

“This connections syndrome is the one killing our game. If you don’t have connections, you won’t get a cent irrespective of how good your idea or presentation is. I think we ought to be saying as Zimbabweans we all have a national duty to support the game and put our differences aside,” Gumede said.

Sambo concurred with Mungazi’s submission, saying a large chunk of the football cake was going to the PSL, but there was little investment in the game.

Revenues generated by the PSL, Sambo said, largely funded management salaries and allowances.

“When you stop and think about it, you will realise the PSL doesn’t fund much in terms of football development, junior programmes or national teams. Yes they hold seminars here and there, but how many are they,” said Sambo.

He said the pullout of topflight clubs to form the PSL in 1992 was caused by poor management of Zifa and if the national association were to put its house in order, there would be no need for two competing structures fighting for the same sponsors in an environment where corporate support is hard to come by.

However, former Zifa boss Vincent Pamire said he was opposed to the idea of disbanding the PSL and was of the opinion that the association should sustain itself from its own competitions that involve PSL teams rather than collapsing the Premiership.

“I was one of those at the forefront of the pullout from Zifa and I don’t think a return would help the situation,” said Pamire.

“Zifa should simply be organised and host its own tournaments such as the Zifa Cup from which they can get revenue from gate takings. Poor management led to the disappearance of such tournaments, but their return can help Zifa shore up its earnings,” he said.

Zifa is reeling from a $6 million debt they are struggling to liquidate and have battled to fund the various national teams.

Sambo said Zifa should also get a share of proceeds from television rights and touchline advertising.

“It is unfortunate our clubs are not even receiving a share of income from touchline advertising when international clubs heavily rely on them for revenues,” he said. – @rasmthembo

Mr Claudius Chauke

Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
FIVE police officers armed with knives allegedly raided the home of a State witness in a bribery case and beat him up in an effort to stop him from testifying against them in court.

The cops, a court heard yesterday, threatened to kill Mr Claudius Chauke during the mafia-style attack at midnight.  They allegedly told him that they were members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

The cops allegedly advised Mr Chauke that it would be good for his well being if he kept away from the witness box. Although he insisted all five were policemen, only Malvin Ndlovu (36) an assistant inspector, admitted he was a police officer in court.

The other four members of the terror gang — who were not named in court and are still at large — were said to be civilians.

Ndlovu appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndlovu charged with extortion and criminal abuse of office.

He appeared alongside an accomplice, another police officer, Trymore Gore (34) who allegedly demanded a bribe together with Ndlovu from Mr Chauke but did not go to threaten the witness at his home.

The magistrate remanded Gore out of custody.  Ndlovu had been initially remanded out of custody as well but his conditions were altered after the State proved that he had interfered with State witnesses.  The magistrate remanded him in custody to October 6.

Mr Chauke failed to appear in court at an initial trial date after the alleged midnight attack by the five-man gang.  He was later summoned to court and revealed that he could not come to court as he feared for his life.

“They came to my house at night and told me that they were from the President’s Office,” said Mr Chauke.

“They threatened to kill me if I testified against them in this court. They said they would slit my throat if I ever set foot in this court. Accused 1 (Ndlovu), held me by the collar and assaulted me with open hands.

“I had to leave my home and go to stay at my place of work at a mine in Inyathi. I promised them that I would not come to court, Your Worship, and I had to keep my word because I was afraid. That’s why I did not come to court.”

The State, led by Mr Busani Moyo alleges that on June 11 this year at Cowdray Park police station, Ndlovu and Gore arrested Mr Chauke for malicious damage to property.

Mr Moyo said: “Chauke’s former girlfriend had teamed up with friends to assault him, and they proceeded to the police first to file a report against him. When Chauke arrived at the station to file his own report, he was subsequently arrested by Assistant Inspector Ndlovu and Constable Trymore Gore.”

The court heard that the accused persons told Mr Chauke they were going to detain him in the cells until Monday since it was a Friday and refused to take his report.

“The accused persons then demanded $150 from the complainant to release him to go and seek medical attention as he had been assaulted earlier during the day. Chauke handed $100 to Ndlovu and $50 to Gore. He was then released on the same day,” said Mr Moyo.

It is the state’s case that Mr Chauke later filed a report against the two cops.

“While investigations were in progress, the officers allegedly reimbursed him and drafted a withdrawal affidavit statement for an illiterate Chauke so that he could withdraw the complaint,” said the prosecutor.

The affidavit was commissioned and he tendered it to the police.— @andile_tshuma.

Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba

The Constitutional Court has cleared the road for the Government to introduce bond notes next month.

This follows the top court’s dismissal, on Wednesday, of a challenge that had been filed by Zimbabwe People First leader, Dr Joice Mujuru, against the introduction of the special currency.  She was arguing that putting the money into circulation would be unconstitutional.

The court said she should wait until the Government promulgates the legislative framework for the introduction of the notes and their actual introduction and then consider a fresh constitutional challenge rather than rely on speculation.

Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba said:

“You have to wait for the promulgation of an Act of Parliament or a Statutory Instrument first and you come back to court to challenge the legal framework’s constitutionality. The applicant does not have enough facts for her case now and when she gets the full facts, she can still come back to court with the challenge. At the moment, no one knows how Government will introduce the notes and it is premature to challenge the constitutionality of the law that is not yet in place. The bond notes are not yet in circulation and no one knows what they look like. You allege that bond notes will be illegally introduced, but Government said it will do it in terms of the law. On what basis do you want us to believe you? An allegation must not just spring out from the air.”

There was little chance that the court was going to prevent the Government from putting the notes into circulation in the first place, even before it examined Dr Mujuru’s arguments against them.

We doubt that even when the law is in place and the notes are circulating any court would actually declare the money unconstitutional.

Just in what way would the notes actually violate Dr Mujuru’s, or any other Zimbabwean’s constitutional rights for that matter, which the multiple foreign currencies in circulation since 2009, are not violating? We don’t see the logic of the argument. Any sensible person would think that currencies of other countries have more potential to violate the constitutional rights of a Zimbabwean citizen than a token currency, which is local.

Dr Mujuru might also want to know that beyond the bond notes, the Government, for argument’s sake, can actually reintroduce the local currency today and no court can rule that unconstitutional.  The issue is only that it does not make economic sense for the Government to do so yet, for the fundamentals are not right.

But the collapse of her case also highlights the capacity, or lack of it, of her legal team. It is obvious that when anyone approaches the ConCourt, he or she has to clearly establish how his or her constitutional right is violated by a law, practice or policy that is being implemented, not being planned. In this case, Dr Mujuru did not include in her papers this critical part, to attempt to help the court understand or appreciate her plight. To us this obvious mistake speaks to the competence of her lawyers, particularly Professor Lovemore Madhuku who hasn’t been getting many positive judgments from the courts since he was readmitted to the bench some nine years ago.

Dr Mujuru was arguing that the notes pose the greatest threat to the livelihoods of the people of this country, would destroy the economy and perpetuate poverty. We wonder how an intervention such as this one would become a threat to the livelihoods it is meant to protect and promote.

We are shocked, as Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku was, why she and her legal team thought the court would agree with her when she does not explain why the negative implications would arise when the notes are introduced.

She is spot-on reminding us that one of the worst mistakes ever made during the hyperinflation era — an error that even the then Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono has admitted making — was to print loads and loads of bearer cheques. We totally agree with her, but we must add that during the hyperinflation age, there appeared to be no limit to what was being printed.  The machines were running all the time, churning out the notes that lost their value as soon as they left the printers.

However, there are fundamental differences between then and now. First, the maximum to be printed would be equivalent to $200 million, with an initial $75 million to be made available by end of next month. Second, the notes are an export incentive to be given in relation to the value of exports. This means that if there are no exports, there are no bond notes. Third, they are backed by a $200 million Afreximbank facility.

We are sure that at the height of the economic challenges, there was little consideration as to the value of Zimbabwe dollars that were being printed.  The agenda was to attempt to keep pace with run-away inflation. Now the maximum would be $200 million to be pegged on export proceeds. Unlike in the early 2000s, the notes have the backing of the Afreximbank facility. Bearer cheques were simply paper money not backed by gold, the US$ or anything.

Yes there is a perception problem partly arising from our excessively adversarial politics and also the forgettable 2000-2009 economic experience.

Some people don’t trust the notes, they don’t trust the central bank and others argue that the notes represent the local currency. Indeed, the central bank must work on recovering that trust.  Much work has been put into that already and the Government is doing likewise. But the experience the economy has had with bond coins since December 2014 must be reassuring.

President Mugabe congratulates youngest University of Zimbabwe graduate, Maud Chifamba, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the varsity campus in Harare yesterday. (Picture by John Manzongo)

Paidamoyo Chipunza, Harare Bureau
President Mugabe yesterday conferred degrees to 3 667 University of Zimbabwe graduates from nine faculties and the College of Health Sciences.

The faculties are Agriculture, Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Law, Science, Social Studies and Veterinary Science.

Of the graduates, 3 106 were conferred with first degrees, 535 with Masters Degrees and 25 with Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Among those graduating with bachelors’ degrees, 149 had first-class passes.

For the first time in the history of the university, an 18-year-old student was also conferred with her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

The graduate, Maud Chifamba, joined the university at the age of 14 years and completed her degree at the age of 18 years.

This year’s graduation ceremony also saw the pioneering graduates of the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

In his address, UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura, described this year’s ceremony as historic saying all these achievements were a first in the 61-year history of the university.

He said the university will continue to engage with various stakeholders and strategic partners for continuous improvement and to remain relevant.

“We do recognise that our society is getting more complex with dynamic varying sets of requirements,” said Prof Nyagura.

He said this presented a challenge that called for a re-think of the nature of the public service the university should provide.

Prof Nyagura said to that end, the university’s focus should be more on socialisation of knowledge by making sure that the university produced highly-qualified professionals and that the best research results were transferred to society.

He said the UZ was also open to capture the knowledge generated by society so as to sustain and further develop the intellectual and cultural base of the country.

“In this endeavour, we have committed ourselves to participate in national projects that empower our country to be competitive regionally, continentally and internationally,” said Prof Nyagura.

He said in addition, the university also reviewed its curriculum to promote innovation, application of science and technology and entrepreneurship.

“Our focus is to produce graduates with a strong foundation in science and technology and with problem solving and analytical skills,” he said.

Some of the training incorporated include Forensic Science, Geospatial Intelligence and Aeronautical Engineering.

Prof Nyagura said the university had also excelled in the development of GIS (Geographic Information System) and Earth Observation Sciences.

“The motivation for this development is the realisation that geographic sciences are key to human security including disaster and emergency response, crime and terrorism prevention, surveillance of diseases and disease vector outbreaks,” he said.

He said the university’s GIS and Earth Observation Centre had since been assigned by the African Union to carry out two major tasks.

Prof Nyagura said in line with Zim Asset, the university also embarked on a number of projects aimed at increasing infrastructure to meet the growing demand of education.

These projects include a building complex with 10 state of the art lecture rooms with a combined sitting capacity of 1 000, a pharmacy laboratory that accommodates 130 students and an engineering computer laboratory fully equipped with 100 state of the art computers.

Among notable figures that graduated yesterday are: Director General in the Office of the President Retired Major General Happyton Bonyongwe, Minister in Vice President Phelekhezela Mphoko’s Office Tabeth Kanengoni Malinga, Mbada Diamonds corporate executive George Manyaya, lawyer Godwills Masimirembwa and Highfield legislator Psychology Mazivisa.

They graduated with Masters Degrees in International Relations.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem

DIAMOND operations in Zimbabwe are among the best in Africa, a Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) official has said.

KPCS chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who was in Zimbabwe on a familiarisation tour of the country’s diamond industry, said this after touring mines in the Chiadzwa area of Marange, Manicaland province.

The KPCS, an international body charged with preventing the trade of conflict diamonds, has in the past banned Zimbabwe from selling its diamonds on allegations of human rights abuses in the Chiadzwa area.

Despite regaining KPCS certification, Zimbabwe has continued to receive undue criticism over the years mainly from Western sponsored

Non-Governmental Organisations who are keen on preventing the country from benefiting from its gems, as this could see it overcoming effects of the illegal sanctions imposed on it as punishment for implementing agrarian reforms to correct a colonial legacy.

Zimbabwe extracts alluvial diamonds mainly from the vast Chiadzwa fields which, when they were discovered in 2006, were touted to have capacity to supply 25 percent of world demand.

A frenzied rush followed the discovery of the diamond fields and when the Government moved in to secure the area and restore order, it was accused of violating human rights.

“The mines in Marange are in one of the best conditions compared to other mines in Africa,” said Bin Sulayem.

Early this year, Zimbabwe started consolidating diamond mining operations into one company, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company in which the Government became the major shareholder with 50 percent, while private firms which previously owned the ventures share the remaining 50 percent.

When diamond companies in Chiadzwa and Chimanimani refused to comply with the directive to form one company, the government ordered them to cease operations, raising fears that the country would once again attract sanctions from the KPCS.

Zimbabwe’s diamond sector had been widely expected to spur economic revival, but it has largely under-performed.

Rough diamond output for 2016 is expected to fall way below projected target of six million carats, following a dismal performance during the first half of the year in which only 972 000 carats were produced

The Government was targeting to sell around 500 000 carats per month, bringing in around $30 million per month into its coffers. — New Ziana

Errol Akbay

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS want to avoid the dreaded penalty shootout in their Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final clash with city neighbours How Mine at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Bosso coach Erol Akbay has predicted a tightly contested match against the gold miners, whom he said are no pushovers, and has demanded maximum concentration from his charges.

The Dutch coach said the fact that they beat How Mine back-to-back in the league this season counts for nothing going into the cup game. He is also hoping that the gold miners, who knocked Dynamos out in the first round, will not use a defensive approach.

How Mine beat Dynamos 5-4 on penalties and Akbay wants his boys to secure victory in regulation time.

“In cup games, you get only one chance to win, that’s why you’ve to be more focused. How Mine are very difficult to beat. Everyone has a problem beating them. We beat them twice, but it was not an easy job and playing them now will be even tougher. If they play like Ngezi Platinum with 10 men behind the ball, it will be difficult to create chances. I hope they (How Mine) will open the game and avoid penalties. I understand that being defensive is part of football tactics, but I want us to win the game in 90 minutes,” said Akbay.

“Obviously as a coach you work on everything so that you win the tournament. You can train players on taking penalties, but what is important is not to allow the game to go to penalties, which is why I said we have to try to win the match in 90 minutes.”

Highlanders booked their quarter-final slot a fortnight ago when they knocked Mutare City 2-1 at Barbourfields Stadium. An own goal by Mutare City defender Munyaradzi Sako and a Ralph Matema strike were enough for Bosso to sail through, while their opponents scored through Agrippa Murimba.

Akbay, who has seen his team getting last gasp wins of late, is worried about this growing trend.

“We’ve shown character to fight and win games coming from behind, but I’m not happy with that because it puts us under pressure. It forces us to make tactical changes as we try to win the games and going forward I will be happy if we lead and maintain that lead for the entire game,” he said.

Highlanders will bank on goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, defenders Peter Muduhwa and Tendai Ndlovu, skipper Felix Chindungwe, Rahman Kutsanzira and Simon Munawa to control their midfield, while Prince Dube and Nhlanhla Ndlovu will lead their strike force.

How Mine will be hoping goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, the backline of Victor Kamhuka, Praise Tonha, Qadr Amini and Tapiwa Khumbuyani can stand firm.

Zambian Mukundika Sakala will play as an anchorman for the gold miners, with Pasca Manhanga, Timothy January expected to do battle in the midfield, while Milton Ncube and Tinashe Makanda will be deployed to hunt for goals.

It is in the midfield where the battle will be won and the team that dominates that department is likely to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Both teams like positional dominance and are patient with their build-ups from the back.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Tsholotsho FC (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Nyamhunga)

Sunday: Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields). – @ZililoR

Minister Walter Mzembi

Perspective, Stephen Mpofu
The anti-Zimbabwe campaign in the West — particularly by the United States and Britain — appears to be trending ominously annihilative and this behooves on this country to tread cautiously in order to avoid falling into the trap of her enemies.

The two chief proponents of regime change are now hell-bent on destroying tourism; the goose that continues to lay the golden eggs for Zimbabwe after illegal economic and financial sanctions virtually ruined other sectors of the economy with business closures worsening joblessness and poverty among families of former employees.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi has decried travel warnings by Britain and the United States to their citizens, to frighten them off any dream of visiting this country as tourists — this heinous move being intended to act as the straw to break the camel’s back as it were. But why such warnings when Zimbabwe probably remains one the safest tourist destinations on the African continent, even in comparison with Europe and America where reports about acts of violence are reeled out daily, like weather bulletins.

In fact, one might suggest with equanimity that continuous political fixations on Zimbabwe by those two countries are meant to divert world attention from crises in which those two countries find themselves at this point in time in their history.

While a majority of the British people voted in a referendum in June to pull out of the European community, recent developments have left that country in a dilemma as more and more people there now say no to Brexit, leaving the country parked at a cross roads.

Apparently, reality has dawned on those British people, who may have been swayed, blinded by mob psychology, to vote for their country to leave the union, but are now persuaded especially by economic benefits accruing from membership of the union to change their minds about quitting continental Europe.

If not knowing exactly which safe way to go when a country hits a crossroads, as Britain has now found itself, then what amounts to a crisis?

But worse than the British predicament over Brexit is the trigger happiness of white American police officers who have been gunning down blacks, even unarmed victims for that matter, as though in a shooting range practice.

The callousness of the white officers, which cuts across the grain of the sanctity of human life, would appear to be driven by racism which regards blacks wherever it has reared its ugly face including in former colonial Africa, as being less human than people with a white pigment and therefore their lives being similar to those of flies that one swats as a nuisance and without any fear of the law catching up on them.

Statistics released by the police in the United States say 173 blacks have so far been shot dead by the police, against an alleged tally of 300 whites also reported shot by police officers.

In recent weeks, several American cities including New York, America’s commercial capital, have been embroiled in demonstrations by blacks after white police officers shot some of their kind even without provocation and none of the trigger-happy officers are known to have been charged with murder or much less so to have been fired.

Now if so many whites have also been shot and killed, as alleged, one really wonders why no demonstrations against the shootings were reported.

Which suggests that the high figure of whites allegedly shot by white officers may have been cooked up to try to give the impression that white police officers exercised extreme impartiality in their law enforcement duties.

Perhaps the two top American leaders, on either side of the political isle now, jockeying for the White House painted a more succinct picture on Monday of the fate of blacks in that country during one of three scheduled Presidential debates.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump – reputed for shooting from the hip, said blacks and Hispanics in America “live in hell” as they risk getting shot when getting out of their homes.

There was “no law and order” in the United States, Trump added, with Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate concurring by saying the question of race was a big challenge in that country.

A former Secretary of State, Mrs Clinton spoke of a need for better relations between black communities and white police officers. Or would one be accused of too much exaggeration by suggesting that the whites in America seem to want to put the political legacy of Barack Obama, himself the son a Kenyan father and white American mother, and therefore an African American, in shambles by the time he leaves office next January after the presidential elections in November?

White Americans also through their kith and kin in the police force may also be secretly trying to antagonise blacks into believing that their fellow black in power under the Democratic Party has failed to protect them and so they should ditch the party they have traditionally supported in favour of the Republican Party in the forthcoming elections.

Coming back to Zimbabwe, worse might happen as America tries to make itself holier than this country to face-lift its face, painted ugly by the violence against blacks there, who no doubt have gone down memory lane to the days of their slavery when they were treated worse than animals in the bush by their white masters and then to the civil rights period and then the current racism that has even manifested itself in some educational institutions there, not to mention in jobs.

Actually, this pen believes the restraint exercised by our police officers during recent violent demonstrations by supporters of opposition parties and at the behest, no doubt of the same Western powers wanting to topple our government, temporarily delayed rather than stopped altogether more satanic moves by the enemy against our country.

For instance during recent demonstrations, apparently meant to shut down the country, the demonstrators burnt a police car as well as a car belonging to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, looted shops and harassed innocent people, the police acted with extreme caution.

Had these violent acts been in the United States or in Europe, blood would have flowed.

And yet what shrill noises do Zimbabweans hear from the Western enemy and its lackeys, including lawyers who are not apolitical?

The police are accused of cruelty in dealing with violent demonstrators by critics who say the constitution gives Zimbabweans the right of assembly as well as the right to demonstrate as an expression of their grievances.

True, those rights are enshrined in the law of the country but also with a silent yet, loud rider.

It is the silent-loud paradox that unscrupulous opposition political parties and lawyers who back them have found it necessary to exploit in an apparent bid to besmirch the image of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

All reasonable and impartial Zimbabweans are aware that the constitution, while giving the people the right to make a statement through demonstrations also carries the loud injunction banning demonstrators from infringing the rights of other people.

Yet those keen to take a dig at the government and the police for their own political expediency as well as on behalf of the proponents of regime change would make us believe that demonstrators have the right to vent their grievances in whichever way they choose including violence.

But, of course, the bottom line here is that the police in this country, as elsewhere in the world have a right to protect law and order in a civilised manner for the good of every citizen

Thus, had anyone been shot even by a bullet accidentally discharged during those violent demonstrations, the enemies of this country might have used those incidents as an excuse to invade Zimbabwe on the pretext of protecting lives, human rights or democracy while deep down in their hearts they would be pursuing the regime change agenda.

That the enemies of this country continue to create ploys to annihilate our government, witness the latest move to stop tourists coming to this country in order to destroy the economy and cause an uprising by disgruntled Zimbabweans against their government suggests that the worst is yet to come so our people should brace for it.

Countries ill at ease with themselves for failing to come to grips with their own domestic stripes are always wont to use other innocent states as victims in an act of escapism.

But guess what?

Imperialist stooges who even stage demonstrations in foreign lands to try to make Zimbabwe a pariah state will not be spared when their masters succeed in their hegemonic push against Zimbabweans.

To be sure, these people do not realise that they are being used as cat’s paws by this country’s enemies.

But all in all this pen believes that intervention by God’s spirit and not new leadership either in the Western countries or in this country and elsewhere on this globe will succeed in healing the people to bring about a new order of peace and stability.

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
SEVEN lawyers from Bulawayo are among 51 candidates short-listed for public interviews by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to fill eight vacancies on the High Court bench.

Mr Thompson James Mabhikwa of TJ Mabhikwa and Partners, Mr Austin Sibanda of Joel, Pincus, Konson & Wolhuter, former magistrate Mr Simba Mawere, Ms Sethulo Ncube, a coordinator at the Southern Region Office of the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA), Legal Resources Foundation’s Bulawayo director, Mr Victor Ruombwa, Mr Bongani Ndlovu and Ms Abigail Masawi, all from Bulawayo, will be interviewed in Harare from October 24 to October 28.

In a statement yesterday, the JSC said the nomination and interview process was being done in terms of the Constitution.

“Following the invitation to members of the public and to His Excellency, the President, to nominate suitably qualified persons in terms of Section 180 (2) of the Constitution, the Judicial Service Commission received a number of nominations which meet the qualifications stipulated in the law,” reads the statement.

The interviews will be open to members of the public and the media.

Some of the candidates will be taking part in the interviews for the second time after having failed to make it in previous interviews.

In terms of the Constitution, President Mugabe and members of the public propose candidates, who will then be interviewed by the JSC.

The commission will then forward a  list of successful candidates to the President to choose from.

Only eight best performers will make it to the High Court bench.

Most of the questions mainly deal with the candidates’ records as lawyers, magistrates, law officers, their experience and issues related to their integrity.

In terms of Section 180 of the Constitution, the JSC will conduct these interviews in public. All members of the public have the right to attend and observe the proceedings.

Public interviews, which started two years ago in Zimbabwe, have been hailed as a milestone in promoting constitutionalism and transparency in the appointment of people into public office. — @mashnets

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC who are threatened with relegation are determined to go all the way to the finals of Chibuku Super Cup hence  the Zhwane Boys are taking today’s clash against Ngezi Platinum seriously.

They knocked out Harare giants Caps United in the first round of the Cup a fortnight ago, beating the Green Machine 5-4 after penalty shootouts at the National Sports Stadium.

Lizwe Sweswe, Tsholotsho’s coach said his side is ready to spring another shocker and dump Ngezi Platinum out of the Chibuku Super Cup whose winners will pocket $75 000.

Losing finalists will get $50 000 with teams that bow out of the tournament after the weekend games each pocketing $15 000. The losing semi-finalists will each get $25 000.

“It’s a tough game because this is the first of the two games we will play Ngezi Platinum within a week. Remember our next league game is another visit to Ngezi Platinum and we just have to show character in both games. They’re a well sponsored side but tomorrow what matters is the money at stake. This is a money game and we want to win this encounter because we’re a small team that doesn’t have sound sponsorship. The boys are raring to go and the opportunity of playing in this cup is motivating them,” said Sweswe.

Tsholotsho, with nothing to lose should be wary of Ngezi Platinum who beat Hwange 3-1 in the first round getting their goals from Donald Teguru and a brace by Terrence Dzukamanja.

Tsholotsho who play as a unit will pin their hopes on utility player Zimiseleni Moyo, exciting right back MacClive Phiri, striker Mostafa Ponyera, defender Thando Ncube and midfielder Ocient Ncube.

The platinum miners boast of a number of experienced players like former national team central defenders Patson Jaure and Liberty Chakoroma, midfielders James Nguluve and Walter Mukanga as well as striker Washington Pakamisa.

Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba who knocked out Bulawayo City in the first round will be at home against defending champions Harare City this afternoon at Nyamhunga Stadium.

Tomorrow, FC Platinum travels to Gibbo Stadium to play against Triangle United while Highlanders are away to How Mine at Barbourfields Stadium. — @ZililoR

First Lady Grace Mugabe

Daniel Nemukuyu, Harare Bureau
Zanu-PF secretary for Women Affairs Dr Grace Mugabe, yesterday said the Zanu-PF Women’s League was in full support of the party’s two Vice Presidents, Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko.

She dismissed any wrong insinuations and misunderstandings drawn from the women’s cry to be represented in the party’s presidium as implying efforts to remove one of the two VPs.

Speaking at a Women’s League National Assembly Meeting in Harare yesterday, Dr Mugabe said the proposed amendments to a section of the Zanu-PF constitution were wrongly misinterpreted as a strategy by the women to oust one of the reigning VPs, stressing that the Women’s League was solidly behind the VPs’ leadership.

“Your Excellency, just to put the record straight, our resolution was misunderstood and misinterpreted. The resolution was never meant to dispense with anyone. On this note, I wish to assure ubaba uVice Presidents and Second Secretary, Cdes Mnangagwa and Mphoko that you have our full support,” said Dr Mugabe.

During the 15th National Annual People’s Conference in Victoria Falls last year, the Women’s League resolved to push for the amendment of the revolutionary party’s constitution to allow for the appointment of a female Vice President.

They wanted Article 7 (1) (b) of the ruling party’s constitution amended to reinstate the previous provision that one of the two VPs and Second Secretary shall be a woman.

The women gave the party up to end of 2016 to effect the amendment ahead of the 2019 Congress.

Yesterday, the women hailed Government, under the leadership of President Mugabe, for making great strides in promoting gender equity.

“It is gratifying to note that among our National Assembly members are women, whom you elevated to positions of decision-making both in the Party and Government, to promote gender equity as well as to dilute the male-dominated political space.

“In this regard, Cde President, on behalf of the members of the Women’s League National Assembly and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable support.

“Furthermore, we appreciate the initiatives undertaken by Government under your (President Mugabe) wise stewardship in transforming the lives of women in Zimbabwe through progressive policies and legislation enacted since 1980,” said Dr Mugabe.

She urged the private sector to play its part in complementing Government efforts to empower women.

“In this regard, we call upon the private sector to take a cue from the initiatives being undertaken by Government towards attaining 50:50 gender representation at all institutional levels as the constitutional obligation equally applies to them. We are hoping that the newly formed Gender Commission will work tirelessly towards the realisation of this constitutional requirement,” she said.

The Women’s League hailed President Mugabe for his stance against child marriages.

The First Lady reiterated the women league’s support for the President in in 2018 elections.

“We want to reiterate our first resolution passed during the 15th National Annual People’s Conference that is, ‘to support President Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe as the sole candidate for position of President and First Secretary for Zanu-PF as well as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe for 2018 and beyond’.”

President Mugabe speaks to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa while Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and Secretary for Commissariat Saviour Kasukuwere looks on at the Women’s league National Assembly meeting in Harare yesterday. Picture by Justin Mutenda

Elita Chikwati, Harare Bureau
President Mugabe yesterday said Zanu-PF was solidly united and would not allow rumours to divide and destroy top leadership including his two deputies with whom he has worked since the days of the liberation struggle.

He said factions did not exist in Zanu-PF as it only had some distinctive organs.

Addressing the Zanu-PF Women’s League National Assembly meeting at the party’s headquarters in Harare yesterday, President Mugabe called for unity among party members.

The meeting was also attended by Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekhezela Mphoko, Women’s League National Assembly members, National Executive Council members, Politburo and Central Committee members among others.

He warned those spreading rumours of divisions between him and his deputies that they would yield nothing.

“We are united at the top. Whatever people might say, we just continue and continue to do our work. Lots of things have been said about my VPs and we have said let’s do our work and ignore them. Serve the people and that’s it.

“Rumours hatidi, hatidi marumours isusu. Talk to the people using the voice of unity, language of unity and not language of division. Don’t divide.

Rumours hatidi, running from one area to another. No that’s not Zanu-PF. You may see the information coming to you, fine. But you should not be the rumour monger yourself nekuti dzimwe nhema dzinotitemesa musoro, dzimwe dzehuroyi dzimwe dzei aah. Unosvika kupi nadzo uchiti pautautu hwedu apa, tinotovareva. Chero mumwe auya oti musapiwa maranjisi navanaMnangagwa anenge azodzwa vanenge vabva kun’anga dzavo. Iro ranjisi rine makoko! Kana! takabvira kupi nerwendo urwu tiri pamwechete? (Some make allegations of witchcraft meant to divide us not knowing that our unity dates back many years ago)

“This is 2016, takararama jeri tiri tose tikabuda, kunana Mozambique tiri tose, tikaona independence tiri tose. Muroyi azouya nhasi? ( We were together in jail and later released, we were together in Mozambique and we witnessed out independence together so today we have a wizard among us?) Ndingade kuziva anonzi ndiye muroyi wacho, inonzi ndiyo n’anga yacho ndogoionawo ini. (I would like to know the one who is said to be a wizard or to see the so called inyanga)

“So let’s be united. But unity must recognise others who do not belong to us. Leave them in peace.”

President Mugabe commended youth secretary, Cde Kudzai Chipanga, for organising the One Million Man march, which he said went on well.

He said the youths were important in the party as they were the future and heirs of the inheritance.

“Vana Chipanga tinoda kukutendai. I am glad you are here. Mukomana uyu akaorganiser One Million Man March yakavhundutsa. That was a demonstration of what we can do in the future and the party. So we say to you well done, congratulations. Ndimi the youths vanotumwa nanamai vanodefender vanamai nababa. Ndimi vagari venhaka and you should be worried about the future of the party much more than the Women’s League.

President Mugabe said factions did not have any place in the ruling party as Zanu-PF operated on organs and not factions.

“To hell with factions I would say. The party knows nothing that is a faction. Our constitution doesn’t allow factions, we only have party organs but you will find people wanting to divide the party.

“There had been some instances by outsiders thinking the party is divided, demonstrating and appealing nationally for persons within the party to join and I am glad they have been shown that our party is not that stupid,” he said.

He said Pastor Evans Mawarire of the #This Flag, failed to divide the people when he called for demonstrations against the Statutory Instrument 64.

‘‘Mawarire thought he could mobilise thousands of people to demonstrate against the banning of the importation of commodities manufactured locally but was embarrassed when people ignored him. He thereafter fled to America in shame,” he said.

President Mugabe dismissed allegations that there were demonstrations against him at the United Nations and said he did not see the demonstrators, but only members of the December 12 movement.

“I didn’t see any demonstrators at the UN but our friends, December 12 movement, supported us well.

“So let’s remain this tight and not allow these outsiders to penetrate us. Parties like Mai (Joice) Mujuru’s,  the likes of Dumiso (Dabengwa), Welshman Ncube or even  (Tendai) Biti keep on disintegrating into pieces like an amoeba.

“The outsiders will not stop their attempts — their efforts to undermine our unity. They will look at the various ways of dividing us. Be wary of diplomats who use money to influence us .

‘‘When diplomats invite our people to corrupt them, quite often, we get the stories that so and so was invited by Americans and the British. You have stood firm. Let’s continue to stand firm as we have done before,” he said.

President Mugabe applauded the support the party got from the Women’s League and said he preferred to attend their meeting than going to Botswana where he was invited for an independence anniversary.

Robert Mukondiwa, Album Review
It’s an assessment that some people have made. An argument. They say that Oliver Mtukudzi, like wine, gets better with age.

It’s a wrong assessment. Especially if you listen to his latest album Eheka! Nhai Yahwe (Enjoy, My Dear Friend). It’s perhaps much more appropriate to say WINE, like Oliver Mtukudzi, gets better with age!

It is a very scary feeling. Frightening. Creepy. Chilling. How does a man create something that perfect? Near-faultless? Flawless?

Is it even constitutional? Allowed? Legal? But Oliver does it anyway. And we have come to expect it of him.

The album, a 12 track release is Oliver’s 65th album.

And there’s a sad feeling one gets when you listen to it because it feels like Oliver isn’t going to release any more albums after this. It’s too perfect, too crisp and too undying that one can’t possibly have any more genius in him to create another similar masterpiece. Or can he?

It has a distinctly aged and mature feel to it, being more of a serving for the mature ear than the frivolous wet-behind-the-ears music connoisseur.

The track Chori Nevamwe may prove to be the up-tempo track that people will fall in love with. It’s significant in a million ways. In it, Tuku celebrates like he has not done before since March 15 of 2009 when he lost his only son Sam Mtukudzi. In it one can feel the Tuku Music mourning blanket has been ripped off. For the first time in his post 2009 music, one can hear Tuku’s voice tear through the instrumentation running unbridled like a wild horse.

There seem to be certain sections of his lungs and vocal chords that had been shut down for the five years of mourning that have been re-opened for celebration and business. Tuku can laugh again. Those crevices of his lungs that had become coy have a sudden light in them again. And that’s what his late son would like to see of him. A happy Tuku.

One imagines a celebratory mood in his Pakasimbwi rural home, where he invites people to come and partake of the party. Of the merry making and feasting. His mates —anaYahwe, should come and enjoy with him. It is Tuku at his fresh height.

In Bhiza Ramambo, Tuku brings a percussion gallop feel of conquest and military banner-men to his message. When you are down and out, kneel down and say a prayer, he implores the listener. A prayer is like Bhiza Ramambo, the king’s horse. A stallion that will help you gallop to heavenly soothing from the ultimate great physician — God — who will heal your suffering. It sounds like a battle victory scene out of Games of Thrones. And the horns by legendary trumpeter bra Hugh Masekela help cement the battle hymn of the Republic nature of heavenly horns. Masekela brings that wizardry on the track Kusateerera as well! The trumpeter, flugelhornist and cornetist is at his very best on the album.

And in Ndinecha, that cough is back. And so is a laugh which is playful in Dzivirira, a song about safety of workers in the workplace. The joy in him is palpable.

He unleashes the instrument he has swallowed, that gritty voice-box, on several instances in this album, letting his voice have a heart of its own.

He is thankful too. “Thank you for wishing me well and praying for me. God bless and protect you”, he sings in the track Ndinecha. What is a Tuku album without a bit of calm meditation to the Divine after all?

Overall the album is a lyrical didactic trip down the intellectual genius of a philosophical pen-master that is Oliver Mtukudzi.

But a sad hard truth is that owing to the beauty of the mild tempo throughout most of the effort, few of these songs have the stamina and energy to make it onto Tuku’s live show repertoire for the mass market. It is a genius more for the laid back listener. The cleavage he exposes into his words is enough to give the brilliant mind an orgasm without any physicality.

Yet Pabodzi (Together) may be a great track for the dance element. Don’t compete with me. I’m a master of my trade and a master at my talent. I have my gift and you have your gift he sings in Pabodzi. It’s probably a fitting message to the youth creating bubblegum music and trying to equal or ‘beat’ Tuku. “Calm down, we are different,” he tells the competition. We can all make it in the same space. Life is not a competition. He truly is inimitable. The track is accompanied by a percussive trance induced by the traditional Katekwe hide skin African drum which sweetens the madness of a magical danceable track and master by Chinembiri Chidodo.

The backing vocals aren’t the traditional strong Tuku voices we have grown accustomed to and often pale in the shadow of Tuku’s voice, which could annoy, but the beauty is that it makes the effort a truly Tuku album because his voice and its nuances then loom large. Colossal even.

But he strays a bit from traditional Tuku territory by deploring slavery openly in Hunhapwa (Slavery). In this case, he talks of the prevailing social and economic slavery induced by unfair labour and socio-political practices and systems.

Those in power say ‘work for me and my children while your scrawny little ones linger at the periphery, at the fringes, starving and naked’, he says.

When will this end he begs. It’s a question many in Zimbabwe find themselves asking as they work for an unfeeling oppressive elite. And the song cries along with him.

Masanga Bodo — not a coincidence, a track with his wife Daisy has made waves, but it was a labour of love for Tuku, having started work on that track over three years ago, which shows that the man creates quality not just songs to add onto an album. That is why his music has stood the test of time. Which explains why this album is sprinkled with retouched oldies, Dzikama Wakura (Pss-Pss Hello), Tamba Tamba Chidembo and Hadzivake.

In Masanga Bodo, Tuku says everything is predestined. It is not by coincidence that we are who we are, born where we were or born into our totems — nzou, elephant for example.

In this album, the elephant has regained his voice. Standing large and imposing on his rear legs, Tuku wheezes then explodes into a loud Bull Elephant’s trumpet.

This could have passed for the top of every music rack . . . except the top is not high enough! — @zimrobbie

Professor Jonathan Moyo

Lloyd Gumbo, Harare Bureau
Plans to transform teachers colleges and polytechnics into degree awarding institutions have gone a notch up with Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo appointing committees to look into the matter.

Prof Moyo appointed a foundation committee recently chaired by former University of Zimbabwe Pro-Vice Chancellor Chipo Dyanda, to look into the transformation of all teachers colleges into universities of education while Chinhoyi University of Technology’s Professor David Simbi will head the steering committee that will consider the feasibility of turning polytechnics into degree awarding institutions.

Prof Moyo met some of the members of the two committees at his offices in Harare recently where he implored them to diligently look into the matter and make informed recommendations by the end of November this year.

In a statement read by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Dr Machivenyika Mapuranga after the meeting, Prof Moyo said the new policy recommendations arose during his extensive consultative meetings with various stakeholders between July 2015 and February 2016.

He outlined terms of reference for the two committees.

“Outline the history, challenges and achievements against the background of teacher or polytechnics education in Zimbabwe,” reads the terms of reference.

“Identify areas requiring short-term and long-term policy interventions to correct the current problems and to enhance the capacity of teachers colleges or polytechnics in Zimbabwe.

“Re-align current mandates, structure, institutional governance and legislative frameworks, programmes, projects and research plans of teachers colleges or polytechnics for industrialisation through the STEM initiative.”

The committees will then make recommendations to the ministry on whether teachers colleges can be turned into degree awarding institutions with Mkoba Teachers College as the National University of Education with a special mandate on teachers education.

Prof Moyo said the committees’ specific terms of reference were to critically examine current governance and management structures, study programmes, staff and student recruitment policies identifying strengths and weaknesses and then come up with preferred alternatives.

They are also expected to identify funding implications of the proposals and what sources of funding were available and enabling the teachers colleges or polytechnics to offer degrees as stand-alone institutions capable of offering at least four degree specialists.

The two committees will also be expected to identify opportunities to collaborate with universities to help capacitate teachers colleges or polytechnics.

“We consider this to be a very significant development in line with His Excellency’s policy charge that our country must now industrialise and modernise,” said Prof Moyo.

“Industrialisation of our country is in the context of the Sadc Industrialisation Strategy as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both which were adopted by the two organisations when His Excellency was their chairperson.

“We are doing so in terms of our mandate derived from the Manpower Development Act, which endears us to plan, develop and train manpower or human capital or skills that are required by our economy to achieve a given policy objective from the national leadership. And the policy objective now is industrialisation.”

Prof Moyo said recommendations from the committees would be taken to Cabinet for consideration.

Other members of the committee on transformation of teachers colleges are Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni, Dr Attwell Mamvuto, Dr Evelyn Garwe, Mr Jason Muwandi, Mrs Rosemary Nyarugwe and Dr Florence Dube.

Members of the committee on transformation of polytechnics are Dr Zwelibanzi Dlodlo, Dr Nduduzo Phuthi, Ms Poniso Watema, Mrs Magripa Nleya, Engineer Martin Manuhwa and Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo.

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine who lost two league matches to Highlanders, will be on a revenge mission when they face Bosso in a quarter-final match at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

The gold miners lost the two league encounters against Bosso with identical 2-0 scorelines, results that How Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu feels were not a true reflection of how they played.

The goldminers enjoyed superior ball possession in both league encounters against the Bulawayo giants who pounced on How Mine’s mistakes and hit them on counter attacks.

Football fans who will attend the quarter-final clash should brace for an interesting game as Kaindu and his How Mine side are expected to throw everything at Highlanders.

Highlanders coach Erol Akbay told journalists at his club’s Thursday press conference that he is hoping their opponents won’t be ultra-defensive but open play so that they go pound for pound.

Kaindu says he intends to make use of his team’s dominance tomorrow which means the game will be open.

“In the previous league meetings which we lost by identical 2-0 scorelines we really had an upper hand in both encounters and coming into Sunday’s game we’re hoping to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball and make use of it. We’ve been discussing the mistakes we made in the past games and everyone seems to be on the same page with regards to avoiding the past errors. What we’re praying for is to get a positive result,” said Kaindu.

The Zambian expatriate, who led Highlanders to a major cup victory in 2013 when they beat How Mine in the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup will be hoping to beat Bosso in this game.

Kaindu hopes that the quartet of striker Tinashe Makanda, attacking midfielders Toto Banda and Timothy January as well as defender Praise Tonha pass late fitness tests following knocks picked up last week.

“I think we’re lucky in the sense that we’ve been drawn home, meaning we’ve an extra day to train and assess some of the guys with minor knocks.

Otherwise everyone else is raring to go,” Kaindu said.

The battle between Highlanders and How Mine will be won and lost in the midfield.

The team whose midfielders will settle first and manage to dictate the pace of the game will have better chances of winning the match.

How Mine’s midfielders fighting for places in the starting team are Zambian anchorman who has been their cornerstone in that department Mukundika Sakala, Thembani Masuku, January, Banda, Tsepo Ranthokoane, Pasca Manhanga, Adolf Muganyi and Tawanda Muparati.
Makanda, Godfrey Nguwodzawo and Kuda Musharu will lead their strike force.

On the other hand Highlanders’ will bank on goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, defenders Peter Muduhwa and Tendai Ndlovu, stand-in skipper Erick Mudzingwa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Allan Gahadzikwa and Simon Munawa to control their midfield, while Prince Dube and Nhlanhla Ndlovu will lead their strike force.

Predicting a tightly contested match and demanding maximum concentration from his charges, Akbay said his side will be out to avoid the dreaded penalty shootout.

The Dutch coach said the fact that they beat How Mine back-to-back in the league this season counts for nothing going into the cup game.

How Mine beat Dynamos 5-4 on penalties and Akbay wants his boys to secure victory in regulation time.

“In cup games, you get only one chance to win, that’s why you’ve to be more focused. How Mine are very difficult to beat. Everyone has a problem beating them. We beat them twice, but it was not an easy job and playing them now will be even tougher. If they play like Ngezi Platinum with 10 men behind the ball, it will be difficult to create chances. I hope they (How Mine) will open the game and avoid penalties. I understand that being defensive is part of football tactics, but I want us to win the game in 90 minutes,” said Akbay.

Fixtures

Today: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Tsholotsho FC (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Nyamhunga)

Tomorrow: Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields).

– @ZililoR

Mpumelelo Moyo

Tanaka Mrewa, Court Reporter
A MAN from Insiza who robbed two osiphatheleni of more than R30 000 at gunpoint at Selbourne Hotel in Bulawayo has been sentenced to 22 years in jail.

Mpumelelo Moyo (41) and his accomplice Zama Tshuma, who is still at large, shot one of their victims on the knee before robbing him of R30 000 and $600.

Moyo pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and attempted murder but Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Mark Dzira convicted him of both charges and sentenced him to 12 years in jail for armed robbery and 10 years for attempted murder.

Moyo seemed unrepentant as Mr Dzira delivered his judgment and threatened his victim.

“You claimed that you are the one who was robbed but you could not produce any evidence. This court could not doubt the complainant’s evidence that you shot him because even when the police searched you they found the gun used at the scene in your underpants. You could not challenge that,” said Mr Dzira.

“The fact that you pointed the gun at the complainant and pulled the trigger shows that you intended to kill him. It was fortunate that the gun jammed as you tried to shoot at him the first time. It was during a fight over the gun that complainant was shot on the knee. He could have died on the spot had you aimed at a delicate part of his body.”

In mitigation, Moyo said he did not care what sentence was imposed on him as the judgment was against him.

“You can pass any sentence that you want. I’m not satisfied with this judgment and I want to appeal. Just give my sentence so that I can go.

“Pass me some papers so that I can appeal at the High Court. Whether this court exercises lenience or not I don’t care,” said Moyo.

Mr Dzira told Moyo that he was an undesirable member of society who had no respect for life.

“You can’t even ask politely for papers so I won’t give you. Your offences were committed in aggravating circumstances. On top of that you show no remorse over your actions. You’re a societal misfit. You have no respect for life. There’s no room for lenience for you so no years will be suspended from your sentence.”

As Moyo was being led away by prison officers, he pointed two fingers at Ngulube who was in the gallery in a gun pose.

Mr Tinashe Dzipe, for the State, said on February 22 this year, Moyo and his accomplice Tshuma, who is still on the run, fired two bullets and one hit Ngulube on the knee.

The duo had booked a room at the hotel and lured the osiphatheleni Simbarashe Nyamutero and Ngulube to their hotel room.

They pretended that they wanted to change South African currency before robbing them of R30 000 and $600.

“Ngulube attempted to run away but he was shot on the knee and the second bullet missed him. Nyamutero forced open a door to the balcony and shouted for help from members of the public. The accused persons fled from the room. Moyo was apprehended by members of the public who assaulted him,” said Mr Dzipe. — @tannytkay

Dr David Parirenyatwa

Recent statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicating that Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South province has the highest HIV and STI rates in the country is very disturbing indeed. Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said such high rates are expected in border towns yet Umzingwane which is one of the smallest districts in the country, does not have a border town.

It is therefore puzzling that the district whose greater number of people live in the rural areas, is leading in HIV and STI rates. Dr Parirenyatwa said the ministry had no answer for what is obtaining in Umzingwane hence it wants to conduct a study to find out the reasons for such a negative development.

According to the statistics young people aged between 16 and 25 have a 21 percent HIV prevalence rate yet the national rate is at 15 percent, sex workers’ prevalence rate is at 30 percent while that of prisons and long distance truck drivers is at 28 percent. It is a fact that Umzingwane has been invaded by thousands of gold panners from different corners of the country because of its rich gold deposits.

This has fuelled prostitution in the district and it is therefore not surprising that HIV and STI rates are very high. Measures should therefore be put in place to urgently address the challenge facing the people of Umzingwane. Zimbabwe is among the first countries to mobilise resources nationally through its Aids levy to fight HIV/Aids.

The country which has an estimated 1,4 million people living with HIV, has managed to put more than 800 000 people on Antiretroviral treatment.  Districts like Umzingwane should therefore be prioritised when it comes to putting people on ART. Children and pregnant women who test HIV  positive as well as other adults whose CD4 count is 500 or less are immediately put on ART.

An individual who is HIV positive but his or her partner is HIV negative is also put on ART immediately regardless of his or her CD4 count.  A pilot project to initiate everyone who tests HIV positive on ART has started in Gwanda, Bulilima and Mangwe in Matabeleland South province but we do not understand why the worst affected district in the country, Umzingwane, was left out.

Under the programme dubbed Treat All Initiative, people who test HIV positive are immediately put on ART regardless of their CD4 count. We therefore urge those that have not been tested to take advantage of this pilot project to get tested so that those found positive can be put on ART.

There is increasing evidence that earlier ART initiation reduces HIV transmission, HIV related illnesses and deaths. Art can keep people with HIV healthy for many years and adhering to treatment greatly reduces the chance of transmitting HIV to sex partners.

We want to once again implore the Ministry of Health and Child Care to urgently intervene and stop the looming HIV/Aids scourge disaster in Umzingwane district.

Jah Prayzah

Showbiz Reporter
Jah Prayzah, in the eye of a sex storm triggered by his former dancer recently, has something to smile about as his collaboration with Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz on song Watora Mari seems to be paying dividends.

The track released in August has been heavily rotated on international music station – MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and it is no surprise that Jah Prayzah has been included on the channel’s awards nominees. Jah Prayzah was at the weekend announced as a nominee in the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) 2016 Listener’s Choice category together with Uganda’s Bebe Cool and Nigeria’s Burna Boy among many others.
Organisers of the awards, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa and MTV Base announced the final set of nominees for the MAMAs at the Lagos leg of the Road to MAMA on Sunday.

The awards ceremony taking place in Johannesburg at the Ticketpro Dome on October 22 will see Black Coffee (South Africa), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Sauti Sol (Kenya), Wizkid (Nigeria) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria) battling it out for artiste of the year. Tiwa Savage has been nominated in two categories – Best Female with Yemi Alade, Josey (Ivory Coast), Mz Vee (Ghana) and Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania) and Video of The Year with her recent music video ‘If I start to talk’.

Babes Wodumo, Falz, Simi and Tekno will go head to head in the Best Breakthrough category.

Alex Okosi, VIMN Africa senior vice president and managing director said: “This year’s nominations are truly pan-African, coming from all corners of the continent, and honouring artistes and achievers from more countries than ever before.” Below is the second list of nominees:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

BEST FEMALE
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Mz Vee (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

BEST BREAKTHROUGH
Babes Wodumo (South Africa)
Emtee (South Africa)
Falz (Nigeria)
Franko (Cameroon)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Nathi (South Africa)
Raymond (Tanzania)
Simi (Nigeria)
Tekno (Nigeria)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Jump” – Anatii & Cassper feat. Nasty C (South Africa); Director: Kyle Lewis
“Caviar Dreams” – AL Bairre & PhFAT (South Africa); Director: Daniel Levi
“If I Start to Talk” – Tiwa Savage feat. Dr Sid (Nigeria); Director: Clarence Peters
“Kisasi Kumi” – Sheeba (Uganda) – Director: Sasha Vybz
“ Niquer Ma Vie“ – Youssoupha (Congo) – Director: Antony Abdelli & Jose Eon

SONG OF THE YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOGLE
“Shaktibobo” – Olamide (Nigeria)
“Reggae Blues” – Harrysongz feat Olamide, Kcee & Iyanya, Orezi (Nigeria)
“My Woman, My Everything” – Patoranking feat. Wande Coal (Nigeria)
“Godwin” – Korede Bello (Nigeria)
“Ngud” – Kwesta feat. Cassper (South Africa)
“Roll Up Re-Up” – Emtee feat. Wizkid and AKA (South Africa/Nigeria)
“Soweto Baby” – DJ Maphorisa feat. Wizkid (South Africa/Nigeria)
“Baddest” – AKA feat. Burna Boy, Khuli Chana, Yanga (South Africa/Nigeria)
“Wololo” – Babes Wodumo feat. Mampintsha (South Africa)
“Coller la Petite“ – Franko (Cameroon)
“Unconditionally bae” – Sauti Sol feat. Alikiba (Kenya/Tanzania)

BEST FRANCOPHONE
Franko (Cameroon)
J-Rio (Gabon)
Magasco (Cameroon)
Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
Toofan (Togo)

LISTENER’S CHOICE
Adiouza (Senegal)
Bebe Cool (Uganda)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Den G (Liberia)
EL (Ghana)
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Jay Rox (Zambia)
Kansoul (Kenya)
Kiss Daniel (Nigeria)
Lij Michael (Ethiopia)
LXG (Sierra Leone)
Meddy (Rwanda)
Messias Marioca (Mozambique)
Prince Kaybee (South Africa)
Reda Taliani (Algeria)
Saad Lamjarred (Morocco)
Sabri Mosbah (Tunisia)
Sidiki Diabate (Mali)
Tamer Hosny (Egypt)
The Dogg (Namibia)
Yamoto Band (Tanzania)

Clients queue for cash outside a Bulawayo bank yesterday

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
SOME banks have slashed cash withdrawal limits to $50 per day, while others are failing to offer clients their money as the cash crisis worsens in the country.

The acute shortage of cash has also seen traditionally bigger and more liquid foreign-owned banks reducing daily cash withdrawal limits from $300 to $200 while some indigenous banks are disbursing as little as $50 per day.

Most people had turned to supermarkets for the cash-back facility whereby an account holder swipes to buy some items and is given some cash in return.  However, some supermarkets have closed that option.

Businesspeople who receive cash every day have taken advantage of the situation as they are now offering cash to stranded clients for a fee.  Some unscrupulous bank officials are also cashing in on the crisis as desperate clients are now paying to withdraw more than the limit.

Sources in the banking industry said some banks are already suffering from dwindling deposits.

Others are allegedly taking longer than normal to honour bank transfers.

A snap survey yesterday revealed that people are queueing for several hours at banks for as little as $50 while some are being told that there’s no cash.

Long queues were seen at most banks over the past seven or so days with bankers saying the situation was worsening every day.

“I was here on Friday afternoon and I was told that there was no money. I came back today and I’ve been queueing for the past two hours just to withdraw $100.

“This means I’ve to come back tomorrow for the same amount of money. I’ve paid my bills using my bank card but I still need cash,” said Mr Nkosenhle Tshuma from Cowdray Park.

Ms Florence Maseko said she was tired of making numerous trips to the bank to access small sums of cash.

“This is getting out of hand. I don’t know how we’re expected to operate under such circumstances. I would prefer getting at least $500 for the whole week, so that I don’t come to the bank everyday. It’s frustrating and time consuming.

“I hope the authorities are working on a permanent solution to address the situation. We can’t have a nation of people who spend most of their time trying to get cash from the banks,” said Ms Maseko.

She said a week ago, she had to pay a fee to a businessperson who offered her cash.

“I needed $1 000 cash and a businessman, who runs a bottle store charged me five percent of the amount for the transaction. I transferred the money into his account and I got the cash,” she said.

Efforts to get a comment from Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe president Dr Charity Jinya were fruitless as her mobile phone was not being answered. There was also no response yesterday to written questions sent to the association by The Chronicle.

The Government has been encouraging the use of plastic money in view of the cash shortages, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe reducing charges on all electronic transactions to ease the burden on clients and promote the use of electronic banking services. The Government will at the end of this month introduce bond notes, an export promotion initiative which is expected to also help reduce the cash crisis.

RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said to curb the current foreign currency deficit, the central bank was in the process of coming up with a stabilisation facility aimed at ensuring that the gap between demand for foreign currency and the money available is narrowed.

@pamelashumba1.

Donald Trump

Two of Donald Trump’s senior advisors say allegations that the Republican candidate for US president avoided paying income tax for 18 years highlight his “genius” at using tax laws to his advantage.

Chris Christie, a New Jersey Governor and head of Trump’s presidential transition team, told Fox News on Sunday that the Republican candidate was good at figuring out how to circumvent tax laws.

“There’s no one who has shown more genius in their way to manoeuvre about the tax code as he rightfully used the laws to do that,” Christie told Fox News.

“This was actually a very, very good story for him.”

In a story published by the New York Times on Sunday, the newspaper said it anonymously received the first pages of Trump’s 1995 state income tax filings in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – showing a net loss of $915 729 293 in federal taxable income for that year.

According to tax experts hired by the Times, provisions in the tax code would have allowed Trump to use his near $916m loss to wipe out more than $50m a year in taxable income over 18 years.

Trump advisor and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani went further than Christie, describing Trump as an “absolute genius” for his understanding of the tax code.

“This is a perfectly legal application of the tax code. And he would have been a fool not to take advantage of it,” Giuliani told ABC’s This Week programme.

Giuliani compared Trump’s ability to come back from the nearly $1-billion loss to turnarounds made by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Winston Churchill, the former British prime minister who led the United Kingdom through World War Two.

“It shows what a genius he is. It shows he was able to preserve his enterprise, and then he was able to build it,” Giuliani said.

Trump’s campaign did not directly address the authenticity of the excerpts from Trump’s tax filings, but issued a statement saying the tax documents were obtained illegally and accused the New York Times of operating as an extension of the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.

“I know our complex tax laws better than anyone who has ever run for president and am the only one who can fix them,” Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said the tax writeoff “shows the colossal scale of his business failures” and that the wealthy real estate developer operates under a different set of rules than ordinary taxpayers.

Clinton has repeatedly called on Trump to release his tax returns, as has been standard practice for presidential candidates in modern times.

In August, Clinton released her 2015 tax return, along with her husband and former president Bill, reporting $10.6m in income for 2015.

They paid $3.6m in federal income tax, according to documents posted on her campaign website.

Democrats had hinted that by not releasing his tax returns, Trump may have been trying to hide that he paid little to no tax, made less money than he claims, or gave a negligible amount to charity.

Trump has declined to release his tax records, saying he will not do so until an audit of his returns by the Internal Revenue Service is complete.

The IRS has said that an audit does not bar an individual from sharing their own tax information.

Meanwhile, Trump’s new luxury hotel in downtown Washington has been vandalised.

District of Columbia police say someone spray-painted the phrases “black lives matter” and “no justice no peace” on the front of the building on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, the phrases were covered up with pieces of plywood.

Police spokesperson Aquita Brown said on Sunday that police have not identified any suspects. The incident occurred just after 16:00 on Saturday, and police are investigating.

The Trump International Hotel opened on September 12. The Trump Organisation won a 60-year lease from the federal government to transform the historic Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue into a hotel. Rooms at the hotel start at just under $400 a night.

A publicist for the hotel declined to comment on Sunday. — AFP

Minister Patrick Chinamasa

Felex Share, Harare Bureau
THE Government yesterday began a three-day engagement with civil servants meant to apprise them of their conditions of service and also the non-monetary incentives such as housing, that are being worked out.

The workers are also expected to be informed about the on-going rationalisation exercise in the civil service, shift in pay dates, impending introduction of bond notes as well as pensions and medical aid benefits.

The Government has invited various experts in different areas that have an impact on conditions of service for civil servants to attend the meetings.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare permanent secretary Mr Ngoni Masoka said the engagement was a culmination of the meetings civil servants had with Ministers Prisca Mupfumira (Public Service) and Patrick Chinamasa (Finance), and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya two months ago.

“In the same spirit, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has considered it necessary for staff association representatives and their Government counterparts to continuously engage in the National Joint Negotiating Council and others, on matters of mutual interest, which include among other things, shift of pay dates and ways to improve revenue collection,” he said.

“The programme for this engagement includes various topics for issues that generally affect members of the public service and their conditions of service. To this end, the ministry has invited various experts in the different areas that have an impact on conditions of service for civil servants, be they monetary or non-monetary.

“It should be borne in mind that the aim of improving conditions of service for the worker is to ensure continued and quality service delivery in the public service. Conditions of service can only be improved through negotiations and as we continue with the process, we should not renege on our mandate of providing the essential services to the public.”

The civil servants representatives welcomed the engagement, saying it should “become the culture.”

“The process of engagement must not be cherry-picked,” said Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary general Mr Raymond Majongwe.

“We must discuss everything. We must not discuss for window dressing purposes. It must become part of our psyche; it must become a culture that workers and the Government need to disagree or to agree. At the end of the day, when these things happen, we benefit as a nation.

“These initiatives must not be meant to create an environment of selling out, but it must be a notion of enrichment on both ends. Government must know the psyche of their workers, why they are angry or are making these demands.”

College Lecturers’ Association of Zimbabwe president Mr David Dzatsunga said: “Most of the things we have presented to Government have not been given enough time to be digested, and we hope such ample time will take us somewhere. As workers, we have a lot of unanswered questions and we hope some of them will be answered by this engagement.”