The Bulawayo cityscape

Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
BULAWAYO has recorded a remarkable improvement in industrial revival since 2013, riding on interventions by the Government and private sector input, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa has said.

Once the industrial hub of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo has suffered massive de-industrialisation in the face of a harsh economic climate that has seen some companies closing shop as others scaled down or relocated.

Government recently championed policy support measures such as Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 among a host of doing business reforms that have catalysed industry revival through attracting investment.

Responding to questions in Parliament Wednesday, Deputy Minister Mabuwa said several Bulawayo firms were showing signs of rejuvenation but stressed the need to do more to consolidate gains made so far.

“As we speak right now, there are certain companies that are there in Bulawayo that have been revived. I can give you an example such as Datlabs. In 2013, when we inaugurated our focus on Bulawayo, Datlabs was operating at 18 percent, but at present, they are now operating at 78 percent,” she said.

“We have other textile industries that have been revived, but that is not sufficient.”

While some have closed, a number of companies have since set up shop in the city in the last few years.  Many, particularly in the food processing sector such as United Refineries, milling companies, bakeries and some in the service and retail sectors have also recorded improved business.

“Let me say that it is important that the country should know that yes, we are not just looking at Bulawayo, but the entire country. What is important is that Bulawayo, as we know, is the industrial hub of Zimbabwe.

“What we are doing, as we planned to do just after our promotion at the Trade Fair this year, was to ensure that we see investors focus on Bulawayo,” said Deputy Minister Mabuwa.

The Deputy Minister implored Bulawayo businesspeople and potential investors seeking opportunities in the city to approach her ministry as Government has set aside “certain” funds for industrial revival. Despite the liberalisation of the economy in February 2009, Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector has struggled to stimulate productivity to competitive levels due to cash flow challenges among other reasons.

“What I ask is that as the people are listening, those people in Bulawayo, if there are any projects that they have, they should try and ensure that as they do these businesses, they should approach us because we have certain funds that are there, that have been set aside for the revival of industries, especially those that benefit or come from Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016,” she said.

In June last year, the Government promulgated SI 64/2016 with a view to protect local industries from cheap imports by removing several goods from the Open General Import Licence.

Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha has clarified that goods listed under SI 64/2016 can only be imported when the local manufacturing sector is not able to meet demand at a particular time.

SI 64/2016, among other positives, has breathed life into some existing manufacturing firms.  Some foreign companies have are setting manufacturing plants in the country owing to a huge market share existing in the country.

According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector last year improved to 47.4 percent from 34.3 percent the previous year.

The improvement in capacity utilisation was largely a direct effect of policy interventions the Government has promulgated as well as the ease of doing business reforms being initiated in the country.

@okazunga.

Somalia’s security forces have ended a night-long siege by al-Shabab fighters at a popular Mogadishu restaurant where 20 people were taken hostage, police said.

At least 19 people were killed when a car driven by a suicide bomber rammed into the Posh Hotel in south Mogadishu on Wednesday evening before gunmen rushed into Pizza House, an adjacent restaurant, and took 20 people hostage.

Soldiers surrounded the building and used guns mounted on the backs of vehicles to kill all five attackers, officials said.

The building was secured after dawn yesterday, said senior Somali police office Mohamed Hussein.

Bodies of five girls and a Syrian man who worked as a chef were found inside the restaurant, said police.

“We are in control of the hotel but it was mostly destroyed by the suicide bomber,” Abdi Bashir, a police officer, said.

Meanwhile, survivors recounted harrowing stories of hiding under tables, as armed attackers continued firing in the restaurant on Wednesday.

Attackers moved from room to room, looking for people, said a survivor.

“I never thought I would have the chance to see the sun again. They were killing people on sight,” said Saida Hussein, a university student who survived the attack by hiding behind a large table on the ground floor.

Aden Karie was wounded by an attacker who spotted him moving behind a curtain in the dark room.

“He shot at me twice and one bullet struck me on the leg,” said Karie as he was taken to an awaiting ambulance.

The roofs were blown off the restaurant and nearby buildings from the powerful blasts.

Al-Shabab, which has carried out a campaign of suicide bombings in its bid to topple the internationally recognised Somali government, claimed responsibility.

“A mujahid [fighter] with his suicide car bomb martyred himself after he rammed into Posh Hotel, which is a nightclub. The operation goes on,” Abdiasis Abu Musab, the group’s military spokesman, said. — AFP

President Mugabe and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces yesterday presented a prize to the second best officer cadet Nyasha Kajau during the commissioning parade of officer cadets at the Zimbabwe Military Academy in Gweru. Looking on is the Commander Zimbabwe National Army Lt. Gen. Philip Valerio Sibanda.(Picture by Eliah Saushoma)

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday commissioned 136 junior officers among them 29 females at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru.
The graduation and pass-out parade of Regular Officer Cadet Course 3-33-15 is the 33rd to be held at ZMA since independence.

President Mugabe also presented the second and last phase of Unit Colours to five army establishments namely the ZMA, Zimbabwe School of Infantry, All Arms Battle School, Recruit Training Depot and One Air Defence Regiment.

The presentation by the President of the Unit Colours follows a similar event done during the Zimbabwe Defence Forces day celebrations in Harare last year when he awarded Unit Colours to all formations including units under their command as well as independent units and regiments.

President Mugabe who is the Head of State and Government and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces hailed the cordial relationship between Zimbabwe and the Republic of Namibia which he said enhances peace in Sadc.

“In light of our cordial relationship with the Republic of Namibia, the ZMA has for the past seven intakes, enrolled a number of Namibia’s cadets to train simultaneously with our own cadets. This cooperation between defence forces enhances security in our two countries and the Sadc region. Regular OfficerCadet Course 3-33-15 is the 33rd Course to be run at this academy since the attainment of our Independence and the seventh to enrol members of the Namibia Defence Forces,” he said.

President Mugabe said the enrolment of more females should be applauded as it dovetails with the national policy on gender equity which seeks to promote the advancement of women.

“Allow me to commend the resilience of 29 women officer cadets among the graduands who withstood the immense pressure associated with the officer cadet training. Their participation in this course bolsters Government’s efforts to achieve its target of gender equality in all spheres of the operation. I urge other young women to join the so-called male dominated careers. There is no doubt that the special 29 endured the course curriculum which was physically and psychologically taxing,” said the President.

President Mugabe said the completion of the 21 months training programme indicates the ZMA’s continued commitment to its mandate of identifying and moulding young Zimbabwe nationals into competent and professional junior officers.

Of the 167 officer cadets who enrolled for the course on September 1 in 2015, President Mugabe said 136 cadets, 29 of them women, were commissioned.

He also commended ZMA for living up to its mandate of identifying, training and educating officers who, over time become the country’s future military leaders.

“Thirty one fell by the way side after failing to endure the rigorous demands of cadet training. Sadly Officer Cadets Witness Simbarashe Mazibiye and Tapiwa Kelvin Ndoro on this course perished in a road traffic accident while returning from one of the routine course breaks. May their families, relatives, friends and colleagues find solace in the knowledge that we share their grief. May their dear souls rest in eternal peace,” he said.

The 21 months of intensive and comprehensive military training comprised three phases.  The first one covered basic soldiering skills which involved skill at arms, drill, field craft, map reading and communication while phase two focused on conventional warfare, leadership and command and control, phase three covered low intensity operations training.

Said the President:
“As an integral part of the training, Regular Officer Cadet Course 3-33-15 Military Relations Package had students make an educational tour to the Freedom Camp Shrine in Zambia. This strategic visit exposed the officer cadets to among other things have an in-depth knowledge of the brutality that characterised the struggle for independence. They were afforded an opportunity to appreciate the challenges and sacrifices made by freedom fighters, some of whom paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives while others were permanently maimed and remain traumatised.”

He said the collaboration between ZMA and Midlands State University enabled the graduands to study for a national diploma in Military Training and Education.

The President congratulated ZDF which has had the National Defence University Charter gazetted by Government in March this year – a development he said would soon see ZMA becoming an affiliate of the National Defence University.

On the Unit Colours for the five army establishments he said: “I urge all units and formations to jealously safeguard their colours and to always ensure that all new members posted to the units are familiar with the meaning and history of the Unit Colours.”

Also present at the graduation ceremony were Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, Commander Defence Forces General Constantino Chiwenga and senior government officials.

@pchitumba1

Maseru — The estranged wife of Lesotho’s  incoming prime minister was gunned down just two days before his inauguration, his party and police said yesterday, creating confusion ahead of the handover of power.

Thomas Thabane’s wife Lipolelo (58) was shot dead in the Ha Masana village, 35km south of the capital Maseru where she lives, as she was driving with a friend on Wednesday.

Samonyane Ntsekele, the secretary general of Thabane’s All Basotho Convention party, said the prime minister-elect was devastated by the shooting.

“Yes, it is true that Mrs Lipolelo was shot dead last night . . . Everyone is traumatised by these developments,” he said.

Thabane is due to replace Pakalitha Mosisili, prime minister since 2015, after forming a coalition with three other parties following elections earlier this month that handed his party most seats in parliament.

He and Lipolelo are understood to have been embroiled in a bitter divorce dispute. Lipolelo reportedly won a court case against Thabane during his first stint as prime minister affirming her position as Lesotho’s first lady instead of Thabane’s youngest wife, Liabiloe Thabane.

A police source said that Lipolelo had been driving with a friend when they spotted a man walking down the road.

“The suspect pulled out the gun and opened fire on them. Lipolelo died on the spot while the other woman is fighting for her life in hospital,” he said.

Police spokesperson Clifford Molefe confirmed there had been a shooting.

“A 58-year-old woman was shot dead last night at Ha Masana but it is too early to disclose the name of the deceased or whom she is related to,” he said.

Detectives are investigating the incident, he added.

Ntsekele said it was too early to know if the shooting would affect Thabane’s inauguration.

But Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson for South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa who has played a key mediation role in Lesotho, told broadcaster SABC he hoped the ceremony would go ahead as planned.

Thabane is due to be sworn in at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, marking the impoverished country’s third attempt at a coalition government. Both of the previous joint administrations have collapsed.

Lesotho has a long history of political instability having suffered coups in 1986 and 1991.

The small kingdom was plunged into crisis in 2014 when soldiers attempted to oust Thabane during his last stint as prime minister.

Thabane fled to South Africa, where he spent two years, while the regional bloc Sadc stepped in to end the crisis. Early elections took place in 2015.

Meanwhile, social media users have expressed  fears of continued political instability in Lesotho following the alleged killing of Lesotho incoming Thabane’s wife.

A spokesperson for, Ronnie Mamoepa, told the SABC that there was an attempt on the lives of the Thabane family on Monday. He said that Ramaphosa would proceed to the mountain kingdom for the inauguration set for today.

“The deputy president is aware of the developments,” said Mamoepa, adding that “security forces” would ensure that the inauguration “runs smoothly”.

International Relations and Co-operation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, warned on Sunday that Sadc will not allow any military coup “in any [its] corner”.

“This was made very, very clear to everyone in Lesotho two weeks ago.

“They have just had an election a year and a half ago and they have also undertaken to go back to the reforms [on the role of the police and the military, which have been supporting leaders from opposing parties] which they themselves say has bedevilled focus on governance,” she was quoted as saying. — Sapa

Thupeyo Muleya/Whinsley Masara/Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporters
ONE Zimbabwean was killed and 34 others were injured, two of them seriously when the driver of a Munhenzwa bus they were travelling in lost control, resulting in the vehicle overturning near Tweefontein area, some 20km outside Polokwane in South Africa yesterday.

The accident occurred at around 4.30 AM along South Africa’s N1 highway.

Limpopo’s Department of Transport spokesperson, Mr Joshua Kwapa, said the injured were taken to Polokwane Government Hospital and the deceased’s body was taken to the same hospital’s mortuary. He said investigations into the accident were underway, although they suspect that human error and fatigue caused the crash.

Mr Kwapa said the deceased’s relatives were yet to be advised.

“Further investigations are in progress, but indications are that the driver of a Munhenzwa bus lost control near Tweefontein area. As a result the bus overturned and killed one person on the spot. The driver and another passenger were seriously injured, while 32 others incurred minor injuries. They have been rushed to Polokwane Government Hospital for treatment,” he said.

Mr Kwapa said they were worried with the recurrence of road accidents related to fatigue and human error.

He said motorists should plan their trips properly and rest at regular intervals.

“We suspect this accident is a result of fatigue on the part of the driver. As the Department of Transport, we want to discourage drivers from forcing matters especially those on long journeys. We advise them to rest for 15 minutes at regular intervals or even after every 200km,” said Mr Kwapa.

The N1 highway is one of the busiest roads which links South Africa with the rest of Sadc countries through Zimbabwe.

Yesterday, the International Crossborder Traders’ Association president, Mr Denis Juru said it was saddening to record another fatal road accident involving a bus carrying cross- borders, a week after another one killed 43 people in Nyamakate area of Hurungwe in Mashonaland West province.

“When ICTA contacted officials of the Munenzwa Bus Company, they said that bus was new and it was it is third trip to South Africa. We encourage bus companies to give drivers enough time to rest since accidents are happening as a result of fatigue, “ Mr Juru.

On Wednesday, the director of the Civil Protection Unit Mr Nathan Nkomo said they had sent a request to Government to ban night driving for public transport vehicles.

In Bulawayo yesterday, one person died while 14 others were injured when a vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a tree after its front-left wheel came off.

The accident occurred at about 4PM along the Bulawayo-Harare Road, near One Brigade Barracks.

The vehicle which was heading to Shangani had 15 people, including the driver on-board when the accident occurred.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said one passenger was trapped inside the vehicle for some time.

“I don’t have finer details at the moment but the information I received through our radio system is that one person died on the spot while 14 others were injured and rushed to the city’s hospitals. One person was trapped in the vehicle so our fire brigade team had to cut the vehicle to rescue the passenger,” said Mr Peterson.

A Chronicle news crew visited the scene of the accident where it observed emergency services conducting the rescue mission.

The body of the deceased which had not been removed was covered with a blanket.

An emergency services official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:

“Looking at the impact, the driver could have been speeding.”

Scores of motorists parked their vehicles to get information on what caused the accident.

Others were busy taking photos with their cellphones.

Dr Karikoga Kaseke

Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
INSTEAD of being a provincial event, Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo has the potential to become a national event which can draw performances from Africa and attract tourists from all over the world, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Karikoga Kaseke has said.

A concerned Kaseke said if funding is availed, Intwasa could be the main centre of arts in the country. This is why his organisation has partnered Intwasa for this year’s event with the hope to revive it and make it more appealing. Like any annual arts festival in the country, Hifa included, Intwasa’s lackluster exhibition last year was attributed to financial constraints.

“This year, we’re going to work hand-in-hand with Intwasa. I told the organisers of the festival that their event could be bigger than Hifa. That may not happen this year or next year, but with time they’ll realise it. Intwasa should cease being a Bulawayo festival as we want it to entice tourists from all over the world. This year alone, no less than five countries should come for Intwasa,” Kaseke said.

One of the Intwasa organisers, Nkululeko Nkala said they were upbeat about their partnership with ZTA as it guarantees them that the festival will definitely take place this year.

“One thing for sure is that this year’s festival is definitely happening despite the economic hardships we’re facing. Thanks to the partnership with ZTA as they’ll be paying for some of the acts that will perform at the festival,” said Nkala.

He said as a way to return the favour, the festival will also partner ZTA’s Hlanganani/Sanganai travel expo which will run concurrently with Intwasa.

Since it was formed 13 years ago, Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo has been a buoyant point of the city’s culture. Workshops, discussions, crafts, fashion and various performances including comedy, theatre, dance and music take place as the arts momentarily colour the city of Kings and Queens.

Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo

A parliamentary committee has just laid bare the parlous nature of Bulawayo City Council’s books of accounts.

The Public Accounts Committee presented a report in Parliament on Tuesday that shows that the local authority does not have an asset register, does not produce periodic financial statements, does not keep all its records, does not reconcile its figures as regularly and accurately as it should and does not adequately punish officials for committing fraud and theft.

You don’t need to be an accounting expert to conclude that the state of affairs at council reeks of corruption and systematic theft of public funds.
Council hasn’t responded yet but it’s justifiable to state that the situation isn’t that disorderly innocently, but is, to some extent, like that by design. We suspect that influential elements at council don’t want an updated asset inventory because it can be used to track revenues – who is paying how much, for using which council property and where that money is going. With no property record it is difficult for anyone to have a basis to pin down anyone for any crime related to abuse of the properties.

Yet an asset register is one document that any organisation of Bulawayo City Council’s stature must have. Council obviously owns a lot of properties in the city — land, houses, residential flats, office space, recreational clubs and other infrastructure of commercial value. As the parliamentary committee established, no one seems to know the number of assets council   owns, their value, their locations and level of utilisation.

There is therefore a strong possibility that some at City Hall are collecting rentals for some council properties and pocketing them with no one detecting the maleficence. There is also a possibility that some of council’s properties have been totally grabbed. Such crimes are typically committed by senior officials who not only know the properties council owns but also the weaknesses in the system. A new hand is unlikely to dream up these and get away with it.

Also, we suspect that the powers-that-be at City Hall find no reason to produce regular financials as they know that their absence creates an opaque climate that they need to be able loot undetected. Not reconciling figures creates the same conditions which the officials take advantage of to help themselves to public funds.  No one knows how much money the next office is holding so officials in this or that office can easily steal whatever they have.

Any organisation worth its salt must have mechanisms that inculcate discipline among its workers and management. Anyone who misappropriates money or acts inappropriately should be exposed. After being exposed they should be punished accordingly. However, if officials work in an environment where they can steal money knowing that in the unlikely event that they are caught as is the case with Bulawayo City Council, they will simply be fired with no subsequent criminal proceedings, a free-for-all situation will obtain. This actually encourages them to steal as much as they can so that when they are caught, they know they have stolen more than enough already and will happily leave to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth later.

Because of these findings by the parliamentary committee, it is impossible at this stage for anyone to accurately determine how much Bulawayo’s hard-pressed residents and ratepayers are losing to corruption within council or to a poorly-run system. This concerns us a lot because times are tough for everyone. People are working very hard to pay that little they do for council water and other services. Ratepayers would be unhappy when their hard-earned money that should help improve service delivery is stolen.

While the committee’s report is a matter of concern on one hand it, on the other, must be used as a useful starting point to correct the identified loopholes.
Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube and their team are encouraged to take the parliamentary report seriously as a tool to improve service delivery at council, not, as often happens when allegations of corruption and possible underhand dealings are raised, to adopt a defensive stance. They must urgently account for all council properties wherever they are, establish their utilisation level and come up with an inventory that can be a basis for the local authority to achieve the best return on the assets.

Clr Moyo and Mr Dube have to make sure that council produces regular financial statements and begin to keep updated records. Also, they should come up with a system that detects corruption and punish those who commit it. If internal remedies are not tough enough, those who are found stealing or are found to be corrupt can be reported to the police for criminal investigations to be conducted and criminal charges to be preferred where appropriate.

In saying this, however, we are mindful of the fact that councils across the country tend to have a culture of corruption. In addition to that the other reason why some of our councils lose money may not be corruption but simply a lackadaisical approach to work. In our view, Harare City Council ranks as the country’s worst-run and most corrupt local authority, followed by Chitungwiza. Therefore, parliament can do us much good if it goes through the books of all the country’s local authorities and publish relevant reports for corrective measures to be instituted by those concerned. Other arms of Government such as the Auditor-General’s Office, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and police have, from time to time, been relied upon in cleaning up councils. The joint effort must continue.

Leonard Ncube recently in Hwange
GOVERNMENT has sourced equipment worth $12 million to boost power generation at the Hwange Thermal Power Station in Matabeleland North province.

With an installed capacity of 920MW, power output at Hwange Thermal has over the years dropped to about 500MW and below due to constant equipment breakdown and low coal supplies among other challenges.

The Ash handling plant has newly fitted equipment that sucks out waste from turbines including ash and water, which are then pumped to a disposal collection point about 5km away from the power station and is meant to prevent overspill of environmentally hazardous chemicals besides improving the performance of power generators.

The Ash handling and moveable plant equipment worth $12 million was sourced through the Zimbabwe Multi-donor Trust Fund (ZimFund).

Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge handed over the equipment at the plant on Wednesday where he was briefed about the constraints facing the country’s main thermal power producer.

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) Hwange Thermal Station manager, Engineer Arnold Chiuraise, said the plant was crippled by a shortage of critical spares and raw materials such as coal.

He reported that five of the six units are operational producing about 560MW against a capacity of 920MW, with Unit 6 undergoing refurbishment.

“We are having challenges sourcing spares for ageing tubes for boilers because of inadequate funding. We have started refurbishing Unit 6 but we are facing challenges of raw materials hence we are currently operating below our recommended stock. We are not receiving adequate coal supply from the source such as Hwange Colliery though they have now promised to improve,” said Eng Chiuraise.

He said if all units were functional, ZPC would be scaling down some of them because of inadequate coal supply.

In his official address, Dr Undenge said rehabilitation of power infrastructure was a national priority since energy is key for economic recovery.

“The project is meant to help improve the reliability of electricity supply to various urban water treatment plants and sewage plants. The capacity to move ash from the boilers to the disposal dams was restricted leading to ash build up hence curtailing generation,” he said.

Dr Undenge said Hwange Power Station was losing 1 000 gigawatts of electricity due to high concentration of ash in the plants.

“Rehabilitation of the ash handling plant has been critical to ensure continuous operation of power generation units at the power station by preventing build-up of ash in the boilers that could lead to a complete shutdown of generating units,” he said.

“I am glad that this mobile plant equipment will be used to ensure effective ash dam management and containment of ash dust pollution.”

The movable equipment includes compactors, hydraulic excavators, articulated water and pipe trucks and will be used to rehabilitate the waste collection site.

Dr Undenge said rehabilitation of the ash plant will result in improved power supply. ZimFund has contributions from the African Development Bank (AfDB, and donor countries namely Australia, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and United Kingdom. ZimFund started in 2010 and country representative Mrs Christina Landsberg said it will wind up in 2019.

“ZimFund aims to improve the quality of life of people of Zimbabwe through access to energy and has mobilized $140.86 million since 2010,” she said.

The rehabilitation of the ash plant started in 2013 and was done in two phases. Work comprised replacement of pumps, sub transmission cables and construction of a building from where the plant will be remotely controlled. In attendance were traditional leaders Chiefs Shana who represented the

Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Nekatambe, Mvuthu and Hwange as well as heads of various government departments and development partners.

@ncubeleon.

Joel Christian Epoupa

Eddie Chikamhi , Harare Bureau
Dynamos  3 – 2 Ngezi Platinum Stars
CAMEROONIAN striker Joel Christian Epoupa once again proved the hero as he scored a beauty, which provided a fitting difference in this five-goal thriller, which powered a resilient Dynamos to within just three points of surprise leaders Black Rhinos on the Castle Lager Premiership table.

The Glamour Boys showed great character, refusing to be bullied by their plucky opponents in one of the best league matches this season that illuminated the National Sports Stadium last night, to emerge victorious and ignite wild celebrations among their fans in the stands.

Dubbed the battle between “DeMbare Urban and DeMbare Rural”, because of the number of coaches and players in the Ngezi Platinum Stars’ side who used to be Glamour Boys, this grudge showdown produced a thriller that was spiced by five goals.

Epoupa, as he has so often down this season, fired home a rocket with eight minutes remaining on the board for the golden winning goal.

Denver Mukamba opened the scoring on 29 minutes but the platinum miners equalised exactly 10 minutes later through Terrence Dzvukamanja before even having the nerve to take the lead midway through the second half courtesy of Dominic Mukandi.

However, DeMbare skipper Ocean Mushure, who is having a dream season, gave the Glamour Boys hope with a well-struck freekick which brought the scores at par with a quarter of an hour to go.

A draw was probably going to be a fair result but then the stands exploded into delirium as Epoupa struck a ferocious shot to lift the giants to within three points of leaders Rhinos.

“I think all along we have been talking about this fixture that probably for us to be reckoned as Dynamos we need to beat the contenders,’’ coach Lloyd Mutasa said.

“I am happy the youngsters came to the party, we scored three goals and we collected three points.

“Four wins in a row, I think it’s a good progress for the institution.”

DeMbare appear to have recovered from a slow start this season as they have now taken their points tally to 23 while Ngezi Platinum Stars and new log leaders Black Rhinos are tied on 26 points.

To their credit, Ngezi Platinum Stars under former Dynamos coaches Tonderayi Ndiraya and Gift Muzadzi and featuring eight former DeMbare players in yesterday’s match, had started at electric pace.

But DeMbare managed to soak the early pressure thanks to the vociferous fans who kept propping them up for the fight.

The Glamour Boys then took an unexpected lead through Mukamba when the midfielder placed the ball beyond the goalkeeper from a low cross by Peace Makaha.

The platinum miners hit back with a fine strike from Terrence Dzvukamanja to ensure the scores were at par by the half-time break.

The lead exchanged hands in the 69th minute when Mukandi jumped above everyone else in the box to plant a firm header from Tichaona Mabvura’s corner kick.

But DeMbare refused to be buried at home and were back at par courtesy of their captain’s well struck free-kick after second half substitute Kelvin Bulaji was penalised for a high boot on Takunda Sadiki just outside the penalty box.

The final minutes of the game were tense and it needed something special to separate these teams.

And, as has become the norm, it came from Epoupa who controlled a pass threaded into his path by Peace Makaha and fired a blistering shot past the goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya.

Ngezi Platinum coach, Ndiraya, rued the missed opportunities which his men blew in the first half.

Midfielder Liberty Chakoroma almost caught DeMbare goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga off guard early in the game with a long range shot.

Then Walter Mukanga came close with a curling shot which just went over before Donald Teguru’s shot at the near post presented Mateyaunga with all sorts of problems.

Dynamos defender Marshal Machazane made a timely interception to block Mabvura’s grounder moments later.

The hosts suffered a further setback early into the second half after losing Quality Kangadze through injury.

“Five goals, I thought the fans were in for a treat but a disappointing result for my team. We defended badly today. We conceded three goals through lack of concentration.

“We started the game well. We dominated, we created some opportunities and that has been our way of doing things since the start of the season.

“We create so many opportunities but we fail to put them away. Dynamos got that goal against run of play and I thought we came back strongly and equalised, took the lead but again our defending has been so atrocious in this game.’’

Teams
Dynamos: T Mateyaunga P Makaha, O Mushure, L Zvasiya, M Machazane, T Chipunza, O Mwerahari, D Mukamba (T Macheke, 71st min), E Mandiranga (T Sadiki, 67th min), Q Kangadze (Kapupurika, 48th min), C Epoupa.

Ngezi Platinum: T Mawaya, K Murera, Q Amini, P Jaure, W Mukanga, L Chakoroma, D Mukandi (C Augusto, 87th min), G Murwira, T Mabvura (Pakamisa, 87th min), T Dzvukamanja, D Teguru (K Bulaji, 67th min)

Sunday Chidzambwa

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
VETERAN gaffer Sunday Chidzambwa has bounced back as the Warriors’ interim coach for the Cosafa Senior Men Championship set to be played in South Africa while How Mine assistant coach Bekithemba Ndlovu gets his first national coaching job as the Under-20 head coach.

Godfrey Tamirepi and Tafadzwa Mashiri will be in charge of the national Under-23 and Under-15 sides respectively.

In a communiqué released last night, Zifa also named another football legend Moses Chunga as the national Under-17 head coach and will immediately need to assembly a team for the Cosafa Under-17 Championship set for Mauritius.

“The selected head coaches will appoint assistant coaches of their choice,” read the Zifa communique.

Kisido Matsika and Tizirayi Lupahla are the new Under-23 and 20 managers respectively while Jabulani Zwangubani and Alois Bunjira will manage the Under-17 and Under-15 squads.

Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda becomes the substantive Mighty Warriors coach while former gaffer Rosemary Mugadza will take charge of the Under-20 girls side. Sibanda will be assisted by Paddington Chinyananya and Mebelo Njekwa with legendary goalkeeper Peter Nkomo coming in as the goalkeepers’ coach while Tavaka Gumbo is the technical advisor.

Hwange High School English teacher Evelyn Rimai is the new Women Under-17 coach while the Under-15 girls’ national side will be led by one Prosper Manzunga.

Mugadza’s assistants will be Guthrie Chipuka and Annie Konje.

Rimai will be assisted by Langton Giwa and Nomsa Boyz Moyo while Yohanne Chikaola and Alex Mudirira will assist Manzunga.

Refugees rest after being rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard at a naval post in the coastal town of Tajoura in May. — Reuters

The United Nations migration agency said it was “deeply concerned” about some 260 Somali and Ethiopian refugees allegedly held and mistreated by criminal gangs in Libya, saying it believed a harrowing video of them posted on social media was authentic.

The International Organisation for Migration noted the video posted June 9 on Facebook, in which it said many “abused Somalis and Ethiopians are seen huddled fearfully in a concrete room”.

The IOM said a Somali journalist based in Turkey recorded the video call from a gang in which some refugees claimed to have been beaten. Some alleged having their teeth pulled out and arms broken.

The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified. The agency said some captives’ relatives had received videos asking them to pay $8 000 to $10 000 “or their child or relative will be killed”. The relatives’ exact location was not known, but the IOM said “the relevant authorities in this situation have been informed”.

The IOM has long decried risks taken by human traffickers with the migrants and refugees they ferry through relatively lawless Libya and into the Mediterranean Sea by boat en route to Italy.

Libya has been without a stable, central government since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 and has been a major departure point for tens of thousands of people, mostly from the Horn of Africa, who seek to cross the Mediterranean to reach relative peace and economic opportunity in Europe.

In the video posted on Facebook, a man calling himself Abdinajib Mohamed speaks to the camera: “I am here for a year now. I am in trouble. I am starved. Anyone who has gone through such ordeal would have hated life altogether. Look at my body, they beat me every day with batons. They don’t want to release me.”

Another young man who called himself Nur Ali Awale said he had been held for 15 months.

“They beat me with iron bars,” he said. “I travelled from Ethiopia. They ordered me to pay $8 300, and my family cannot afford to pay that amount.”

A veiled woman who said she had travelled from Bossaso city in northern Somalia with her two children said she had been beaten daily. — AFP

Dr Lazarus Dokora

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora, has pacified Senators and parents opposed to his directive to abolish School Development Committees and transfer their funds to the School Services Fund (SSF) saying at the moment he does not have legal powers to do so.

Dr Dokora said a law is required to ensure the transfer of the funds, but so far no proposed legislation is on the table.

The Minister was responding to a motion on the need to align the Education Act to the Constitution.

The motion emanated from the directive for schools to close all SDCs accounts and remain with the SSF accounts.

Senators used the debate to criticise the Minister’s plans, arguing that the planned replacement of SDCs with the School Services Fund (SSF) will leave parents at the mercy of school authorities and affect the quality of education.

“We have got a Statutory Instrument that governs SDCs and a Statutory Instrument that governs SDAs and these are separate instruments which we are trying to harmonise in the Bill. So, we must debate those issues first. I have no legal instrument to transfer the money,” said Dr Dokora.

He was responding to a question by MDC-T Senator Theresa Makone who asked him the Government’s position regarding the transfer of funds as earlier directed.

Dr Dokora said the Ministry was working on the Bill and encouraged Senators to take part in its crafting.

“I wish to advice that as of now, the Ministry is busy aligning the Education Act to the Constitution and I would want honourable Senators to engage with the Bill when it comes to Senate with the realistic prospect of contributing to the wholesome development of our education system,” he said.

“As it stands, debating as it is put here is really debating on a matter that has originated on social media which has no legal force and is really wasting honourable Senators’ time. So, I will bring the Bill and that would then become a substantive issue for debate”.

@AuxiliaK

B Mnguni

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
SEVERAL children in Hwange District are dropping out of school owing to early child marriages and lack of school fees.

The Chronicle last week visited Luseche village, one of the worst affected areas in the district and established that at least 54 children failed to return to school at the beginning of the second term.

Traditional leaders and teachers who spoke to The Chronicle attributed the drop-outs to early child marriages both at primary and secondary level.

The councillor for Nekabandama Ward, Mr Aloisio Chibuswa, said the rate at which girls were dropping out of school was alarming.

“In my ward we have a big challenge of girls dropping out of school to get married at a very young age and this is a worrying trend. There is a low turnout of children proceeding to secondary school due to drop outs. As a councillor for the area, I continue to urge the Government and other players to join hands in addressing this challenge. We need to intensify awareness campaigns as a way of conscientising the community,” he said.

Mr Chibuswa said a 36-year-old villager was last week arrested for marrying a 14-year-old girl and the case is still pending before the courts.

Mr Christopher Munkombwe, a village head at Tontola under Chief Nekatambe area, said cases of child marriages in the village were high resulting in a sharp increase in school drop outs.

“We have a serious problem of children some as young as 13 being forced into early marriages by their guardians and subsequently dropping out of school.

This is an issue that needs urgent attention considering that these children are the future of this nation,” he said.

Mr Sianyweta Nyathi, a village head for Chimbona village in the same area, said long distances travelled by children to school was another factor contributing to massive school drops outs.

“We also have children staying in villages such as Mudinguli and Chibala attending school at Nekabandama Primary School and Kulibambila Secondary School and they are forced to travel a distance of about 20km to and from school every day. You will therefore find that some of these children end up dropping out of school resulting in a decline in enrolment and marriages at a tender age,” he said.

“Kulibambila Secondary School is an annex school and so when children write examinations they have to go to Neshaya Secondary, which is about 50km away.”

Other schools servicing the area include Lukosi and St Mary’s and they are also situated several kilometres away.

The provincial education director for Matabeleland North, Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni, confirmed that school drop outs were a major problem in the largely rural province.

“There are a lot of things that militate against children going to school and dropping out. We have a high rate of drop outs and absenteeism in schools in Matabeleland North.

“The issue of child marriages is one of the major reasons behind drop outs and it is a vicious circle and we don’t know who to blame,” she said.
Mrs Mnguni said despite opening avenues for school dropouts to return to classes, most of them were no longer interested in school.

“We have opened avenues for those who dropped out of school to return but sadly most of them are not willing largely because of issues to do with stigmatisation and multiple house chores, which at the end of the day militate against our efforts.

“At one school in Hwange, teachers tried to plead with a brilliant pupil to return to school after she got married but sadly she declined,” she said.
Mrs Mnguni also expressed concern over the rate at which pupils were absconding classes in rural schools in the province.

“Weather is another contributory factor when it comes to absenteeism. During the rainy season and winter most of these children especially ECD and primary pupils don’t go to school. In Lupane we had to provide a tent at Masungamala Primary because children were no longer coming to school as they were attending classes under trees. Those are some of the factors that result in children absconding,” she said.

Statistics availed to The Chronicle show that schools in Luseche area recorded a sharp decline in enrolment as a result of drop-outs.

Last term Kulibambili Secondary School had a total enrolment of 169 pupils compared to this term’s 143 while Luseche Primary last term had 202 pupils and the figure declined to 174 this term.

Investigations by this paper also revealed that some of the school drop-outs resort to prostitution after failed marriages.

One victim of child marriage who identified herself as Patience Nyathi (19) told The Chronicle that she was forced to marry a 50-year-old man by her aunt at the age of 15.

“My parents died in 2007 when I was still very young and my aunt took custody of me and my two siblings. I had to drop out of school when I was doing Form One after my aunt arranged a marriage for me. I married a 50-year-old man who continuously abused me until I left his home and joined my peers in Dete where we are now into sex work,” she said.

Patience stays with her two siblings aged 14 and 10 at Hwange’s Mpumalanga suburb.

“I had to take away my two siblings from my aunt because I don’t want them to end up in the same predicament. I am staying with them and they are both at school and I pay their fees through sex work,” she said.

According to a 2013 Education Management System report released by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the number of drop-outs at primary education level increased from 23 percent in 2012 to 43 percent in 2013 countrywide.

The report stated that more than 13 000 primary and secondary school pupils dropped out of school in 2013 owing to early marriages and lack of school fees.

The ministry revealed that about 52 percent of secondary school drop-outs were females, adding that 40 percent of all primary school pupils who failed to proceed with their education were also females.

A local human rights watchdog, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said in areas such as Binga and Hwange, girls aged between 13 and 15 were being forced into early child marriages by their parents or guardians in a bid to raise money for food.

“Most of the girls aged between 13 and 15 are forced into early sexual abuses and marriages, especially in Binga and Hwange districts. Some parents send their girl children into early marriages just to raise money for food,” said the report.

Despite the challenges rocking the education sector, Zimbabwe has the highest literacy rate in Africa at 91 percent.

@mashnets

Minister  Simon Khaya Moyo

Felex Share, Harare Bureau
THE Government and China Machinery Engineering Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to kick-start the implementation of the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone as mega deals signed between Zimbabwe and China continue to bear fruits.

The special economic zones, identified in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, are expected to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

Victoria Falls is earmarked for development as a hub for tourism, leisure and financial business.

Minister of Policy Co-ordination and Promotion of Socio-Economic Ventures in the President’s Office Simon Khaya Moyo signed the MOU on behalf of Government while Mr Cao Yang represented CMEC, a State-owned entity.

Min Khaya Moyo said the special economic zones were expected to stimulate economic growth.

“The signing ceremony marks the beginning of a new trajectory in our national development agenda, in line with the objectives of ZimAsset and the Ten-Point Plan as enunciated by President Mugabe,” he said.

“Another partner has already been identified for the development of the special economic zone in Harare and the partner will be revealed to you at the appropriate time when we have a signing ceremony of a similar nature.”

Min Khaya Moyo said the next step in the implementation of the Victoria Falls project would be the formation of a joint venture company between the two parties.

“This joint venture company will comprise the Victoria Falls Town Council, Mosi oa Tunya Development Company and CMEC,” he said.

“Once the joint venture company is in place in line with the JVC Act, the company will be expected to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the development of the special economic zone as well as prepare timelines for the implementation.”

He added: “The implementation of the special economic zone will not be exclusive to the joint venture company but will entail collaboration with other key stakeholders in Government, private sector as well as communities living in the vicinity of Victoria Falls. The master plan will guide this collaboration.

“Let us move with speed in the implementation of this project but mindful of the fact that we have to maintain our flora and fauna in the Victoria Falls environments in line with our national heritage site status.”
Min Khaya Moyo said the engagement of CMEC was done after “thorough consultation” with the Chinese embassy in Harare.

The company has vast experience in the implementation of special economic zones in China.

Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Retired Colonel Christian Katsande said: “We are delighted that no so long ago we were in China seeing for ourselves what has happened there. We saw concrete results of the reform agenda that China implemented over the past years.

“We are delighted that you are now coming in as a partner and you now have a big challenge to help us achieve what we desire as a nation. We will work with you and be supportive.”

Mr Cao said Zimbabwe and China’s partnership had brought “innumerable” achievements in social, economic and political sectors.

“I am proud to say CMEC is experienced in the development of special economic zones and is willing to join with the Government of Zimbabwe to develop Victoria Falls into a new successful economic zone,” he said.

“The Victoria Falls was declared a World Heritage Site for being one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, with gorgeous nature resources, we are going to help develop, construct and operate infrastructure, tourism and hospitality industries through this project to appeal to more visitors, attract more investments and stimulate the economy.”

Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Sifiso Mpofu was also part of Thursday’s signing ceremony.

Bruce Ndlovu and Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondents
IT was supposed to be the biggest party of the year so far.
For weeks during the lead up to last Saturday’s Lost Train Party, the hype around the event started slowly building up and it was almost impossible to ignore the excitement around the gig.

Needless to say, the unique partying experience that the party offered was just too tantalising for the average Bulawayo revellers who were tired of doing the same old things every other weekend.

The idea for most of boarding a train, partying on it, before one was dumped at a remote location where they could dance their feet off with reckless abandon, promised an experience not to be missed.

A mix of people who have gone to the Jameson Victoria Falls Carnival and those who have yearned to go there had jumped at the opportunity to either relive or have a taste of the carnival’s train party experience right on their doorstep.

And the promises made by the organisers of the Lost Train Party Heritage Steam Safaris’ — Basil Mapfumo and crew — were too good to be true.

The cheapest ticket was $15, the next being $25 with a promise of a braai pack and six pack of whatever beverage one wanted. For $50 they could get the same with an added serving of breakfast, while those who forked out $100 got all of those perks plus the added incentive of accommodation.

Sceptics observed that since the gig was in the middle of winter, over excited revellers would find themselves freezing in the middle of nowhere without a source of heat in sight. For this particular problem, the organisers prescribed bonfires that would be dotted around the final destination to warm whoever started to feel the winter chill.

With such assurances and promises, people came out in their numbers and made the trek to the train station for the night adventure to an unknown location.

Something was fishy from the onset as the two trains that were promised had been cut down to one and that one train instead of leaving at 8PM left at 7.20PM. This change was made at the 11th hour by the organisers and saw some people being left behind. A lucky few caught the train at Mpopoma Train station and continued the journey with the other revellers.

The excitement that engulfed the revellers in the train was nurtured by the DJ who gave a wide range of dance beats to keep the dance coach packed.

Once on the train, it was clear that male revellers far outnumbered female ones. Inevitably with such a male-female ratio, testosterone levels were sky high and the train had not ventured far into the night when sporadic fist fights broke out. Some of them, it seemed, were racially motivated as youths began segregating themselves through creed and colour. Each one of these scuffles was extinguished quickly as it became clear that revellers were in a party, not fighting mood.

As the trolley waddled along the tracks, drinks were flowing and the party mood was getting to fever pitch. This is when things started going pear shaped.

Getting a refill of one’s favoured beverage became a headache as there was a long queue where the beverages were being sold.

They were sold out on one of the sleeper compartments which was also a problem as the corridors were narrow and the number of people who wanted their beverages outstripped the rate at which the bar people could supply them.

The prices were reasonable but the delivery to the masses was poor. What could have helped the organisers was to have one empty coach where the bar area could have been situated for a smooth sale of booze.

Those who had brought their own booze in cooler boxes were not affected much as they continued to dance the night away. They were however, affected by the fact that there were not enough toilets to accommodate people, especially women who said they would test their continence to the limit by holding it in until they got to the secret destination.

Somewhere along the way, the train slowed down and on the left hand side there appeared to be a white tent pitched in the middle of nowhere. As soon as the train stopped, those who were holding it in ran into the bush not knowing what they would stumble upon to relieve themselves, while others looked for the right spot to hump each other.

Nothing had been put in place by the organisers as the tent had no lighting, while the people who were serving food only started to set up when everyone else was there. The bar took a while to set up as well and the end result was that there was a lull for a full hour.

What was mind boggling is the fact that the same organisers were on the train partying with the revellers rather than going ahead to set things up in preparation for the incoming revellers.

For those that have experienced better organised gigs like the Vic Falls Carnival train party or Babongile Sikhonjwa’s train bash, the Lost party was nothing less than disappointing. While the people had turned up in their numbers ready for a night of excitement, the poor organisation around the event killed the sense of fun and adventure that was almost contagious among revellers.

The bonfires that were promised to people were non-existent, the free six pack of beer and braai pack were also not given to their intended recipients.

Security was at a minimum when revellers arrived at the venue as villagers made their way and mixed with the crowd. Some were not comfortable with the new faces that had come on board to party with them.

The stage that was supposed to house performers such as local Zimdancehall chanter Senko, Thabbz and Mzoe 7 did not materialise as it was not set up. Even Djembe Monks who were billed to perform did not turn up while the likes of DJs Barry Weber, Victor Bravo and Mzoe were conspicuous by their absence.

No ablution facilities were provided and the various flora at Red Bank, the final destination, were adequately watered by the revellers litres of body fluids.

Other revellers decided they could not wait for the train to set off for Bulawayo and decided to slog it out with a 10km journey along a bush path leading to the main road at 7AM.

After more than an hour, they got to the Victoria Falls road, caught a bus, paid $2 and in 30 minutes they were in the city.

The train left Red Bank the next day at around 10.30AM and arrived in Bulawayo at midday with tired and frustrated revellers who made their way home.

Heritage Steam Safaris will have a difficult time to convince people to buy into their product next time as Bulawayo revellers are a once bitten twice shy type of people. For all the promises that they made, they did not deliver and at the end of the day made money by only providing a train and not delivering on 90 percent of their promises.

This was surely one of the Greatest Train heists of all time!

The late Edzai Kasinauyo

Petros Kausiyo and Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S football family was yesterday plunged into mourning following the death of former Warriors, Ajax Cape Town and Moroka Swallows winger, Edzai Kasinauyo, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He was 42.

Kasinauyo died at Donald Gordon Medical Centre, a private hospital in Johannesburg where he had been admitted for a few days.

Although it was still unclear what had caused his death, Kasinauyo’s former Warriors  teammates Ian Gorowa and Peter Ndlovu confirmed that the former roving midfielder passed away earlier yesterday.

His close friend, former Premier Soccer League Twine Phiri had first broken the news earlier in the day.

Tributes poured in from across the continent and Europe following the death of the former Zifa executive member in charge of development.

German-based George Mbwando said he had been shocked by the news of his close friend with whom he partnered on a number of programmes after their retirement from the game, including catering for orphaned children in Hwange through the Football Against HIV/AIDS project.

“I am just in state of shock. We had big dreams but it is God who gives and takes. I can’t believe I am not going to see you again or hear your voice. You played your part… go well my friend,’’ Mbwando said.

Zifa expressed shock following Kasinauyo’s death with the Association’s president Philip Chiyangwa describing the VW football ambassador to Zimbabwe as a legend.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association has learnt with great consternation and immense sadness the passing away of our former Executive Committee member and legend, Edzai Kasinauyo,” Chiyangwa said in a statement.

“It’s a huge shock to us that he has passed away without even hearing about his illness.

“Eddie’s professional career as a player was inspirational and it touched the lives of many not only in Zimbabwe but on the globe.

“He was a great player and administrator with a great personality.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association is immensely hurt by the departure of such a splendid administrator and legend who had a passion for development and invested a lot in youth football.

“It is undeniable veracity that he served the game of football with distinction and it will be very difficult to fill the void he has left. Edzai worked resolutely for Zimbabwean Football and the association is hurt by the loss of such an intelligent administrator.

“On behalf of the Zifa Executive Committee, the Zifa Assembly, the entire football family and on my own behalf, I extend deepest condolences to the bereaved Kasinauyo family and the football fraternity during this painful period.’’

Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters’ Association leader Eddie “Mboma’’ Nyatanga described Kasinauyo as a “humble young man who was dedicated to football’’.
In 2010 Kasinauyo and Ndlovu were appointed VW ambassadors in Zimbabwe with the pair leading a group of Under-13 players drawn from various schools on a dream trip to Madrid Spain for the VW World Masters’ tournament.

Yesterday, football supporters, players and administrators said it was a blow that the former player, who had ventured into player management and administration, had “gone too soon’’.

Apart from his ventures into sportswear retail, Kasinauyo through his company Tamba Sport International managed a number of players and helped them secure professional careers mostly at South African top-flight clubs.

They include Zimbabwe skipper Knowledge Musona,  Mamelodi Sundowns’ Khama Billiat, Evans Rusike, Tafadzwa Rusike, Willard Katsande, Thomas Sweswe, Zhaimu Jambo, Oscar Machapa, Gilbert Mapemba and Ronald Chitiyo.

Billiat’s mother said she was also devastated by the news of Kasinauyo’s death.

“I heard it a while ago. I broke down, I just couldn’t take it. We have lost a good manager whom we trusted with Khama’s career.

“He was always there for him guiding him with football decisions and personal decisions. He would always come here and was hardworking. Rest in peace Edzai,” she said.

Caps United midfielder Chitiyo said he had been shocked by the death of his manager, who was currently lining up a fresh deal for him for a move to a South African Premiership outfit.

“It’s sad. I cannot really say much at the moment. I am in shock. I was only talking to him yesterday (Thursday) over the phone and I cannot believe it that he is no longer with us.

“It is very painful.

“He motivated me a lot, gave me hope in my career. He started managing me in 2013 and is the one who took me to Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town for trials. This is sad,” said Chitiyo.

Dynamos president Kenny Mubaiwa, who is also the PSL leader, said it was a sad day for domestic football.

“My sincere condolences to the Kasinauyo family for their loss. It’s our loss too. We worked with him well with the BancABC kits deal.

“We have lost a hardworking young man. Whenever we would run short of soccer balls, he would quickly supply us from his shop.

“On behalf of the Dynamos Football Club and on my behalf, we say rest in peace Edzai. We are very sorry, he had a great future in football administration,” said Mubaiwa.

PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele joined in the tributes.

“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the untimely death of football legend Edzai Kasinauyo. On behalf of the PSL Board of Governors, clubs and staff, we would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Kasinauyo family, friends, and the entire football fraternity.

“Edzai Kasinauyo was a dedicated man and hard worker who achieved an incredible career as a football administrator as well as a businessman.

“He will be remembered as a legend who transformed the game of football in so many ways. His service to football will forever be cherished.

“May his soul rest in peace,” wrote Ndebele.

Footballers Union of Zimbabwe also wrote on their Twitter account, “We’re devastated to hear the news that Edzai Kasinauyo has passed away. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.”

South African clubs and sections of the country’s sports media also expressed their condolences on the social media.

Ajax posted “Rest in Peace Edzai” on Twitter while Soccer Laduma also paid tribute to the former player.

“Everyone at Soccer Laduma wishes to send their condolences to the Kasinauyo family and his friends following the tragic news.”

Malawian football agent Felix Sapao said he was in shock.

“I can’t believe what I am hearing, he was a young man who always strived to do more for the game and we are poorer without him and it’s a shock to football not only in Zimbabwe but across Southern Africa,” said Sapao.

Jacob Zuma

Ventersdorp — President Jacob Zuma bandied about some of the bard’s most famous lines from Julius Caesar and Macbeth during an address to young people in Ventersdorp yesterday.

“You know, if I tell people I never went to school, they don’t believe it!” said Zuma in sharing his story of forging an education for himself despite limited opportunities.

“Not a single teacher in South Africa can claim he ever saw this forehead of mine in his/her class. Never!” he declared, chuckling.

“I never went to school because I had problems, but I took a decision to educate myself.”

Zuma suggested that he was not intimidated by those who received a formal education. “Tell me today, you are educated, I don’t care. I am not worried,” he said.

The relaxed-looking president, dressed in a dark suit and red polka-dot tie, said that because he studied for “knowledge, not for the examination,” he retains all his information.

He then offered to quote Shakespeare “to prove the point”.

Taking suggestions from the crowd, Zuma then delivered an extract from Mark Antony’s funeral oration from Julius Caesar, a play known for its commentary on political betrayal. “I have come here to bury Caesar, not to praise him,” quoted the President with gravitas, to the cheers of the crowd.

Revelling in the recital, Zuma then switched to another work and gave a brief synopsis of some of the key events that led up to the power-hungry Macbeth’s downfall. “Macbeth was told by a soothsayer that no one man born of a woman can kill him unless the Birnam Wood moved . . . And what happened?

“In some mysterious situation, he was told the Birnam Wood is moving, and he knew that was the end of him because the enemy had taken cover there… [They] took the branches as camouflage. As they moved out they looked like the whole wood was moving…

“While he was in trouble, someone comes and tells him that the wife has just died. What does he say in the soliloquy?”
Zuma then proceeded to deliver Macbeth’s lines word perfectly: “She should have died hereafter. There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…”

In 2013, political analyst Richard Calland criticised the president’s reading habits or alleged lack thereof, suggesting: “It’s not that he can’t read, it’s that he doesn’t read and he doesn’t read the proper stuff; he doesn’t read Cabinet briefs, he doesn’t read stuff that is the meat and drink of modern, sophisticated government,” Calland told the Cape Town Press Club in September of that year.

“It is not easy for one to have such disrespect for our president. The truth is we have a leader who encourages that . . . and who is, in many ways, the embodiment of anti-intellectualism.”

Yesterday, leaving lines from the iconic playwright behind, Zuma nevertheless continued on his poetic bend in inspiring the youth to put education first.

“I wish I was still a youth,” he said. “In this freedom, I would be everything — I would even have the wings to fly . . .”

He said that new opportunities after apartheid meant local scientists could now go to the moon. You must always want to jump and catch the moon…”

While Zuma did not complete formal schooling, independently, he pursued learning.

His official biography on the ANC website describes, in particular, his years of imprisonment on Robben Island as a time which “taught president Zuma and many of his peers many things about our country and struggle. It became a university in the true sense of the word.”

Earlier during yesterday’s address, Zuma introduced a number of young people attending the ceremony who were being honoured for achievements. One was a woman Zuma reassured the crowd who was, despite her apparently youthful appearance, “a qualified doctor”.

Another was a young man who had invented items including an electronic vuvuzela and automatic shoe polisher.

Zuma also made mention of the need for physical wellbeing for the youth.

“You can be a young person but have the body of an old person because you are not exercising and you are going to get sick.”

During his speech, Zuma commented on the court case involving the death of 16-year-old Matlhomola Mosweu, who died after allegedly being caught stealing sunflowers in Coligny.

According to allegations, the boy broke his neck while jumping off a moving bakkie.

Two farm workers were arrested for the death and subsequently released on bail. Outraged residents burned homes and looted shops in the town. “The town of Coligny here in North West lost a young person… who was brutally murdered,” Zuma said.

“The circumstances of this murder will be determined by the courts and we should allow the law to take its course.”
Zuma urged that the death “should unite the people of Coligny in the determination to defeat racism”.

Youth Day marks the anniversary of protest action on this date in 1976 by black schoolchildren against the oppressive Bantu education.  The demonstrations were marked by police brutality and violence against the youth.

Meanwhile, Polokwane – ANC presidential race contender Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma asked her backers to accelerate lobbying in the party’s branches and ensure she wins in December.

Dlamini-Zuma made the appeal during the Peter Mokaba memorial lecture at Polokwane’s Jack Bores municipal hall on Thursday evening.

She told ANC Youth League president Collen Maine and her supporters that they must work hard and recruit branches to endorse her.

“I have spent my life dedicated to the ANC, and there is no way I can turn down the nomination. But you have to work towards it so that the branches share that view,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

The Youth League used the memorial lecture to parade the former African Union leader as presidential material to the people of Limpopo.

Maine told hundreds of ANC supporters that the national executive committee of the ANCYL has resolved to support Dlamini-Zuma.

He claimed it was not an easy decision, saying the league had to deliberate and concluded that they would rally behind Dlamini-Zuma.

The league also made it clear that it does not want to see current ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe retaining his position.  Instead Maine said current Free State chairperson Ace Magashule is their preferred candidate.

“The secretary general will be Ace Magashule, and we don’t believe that he will kill the ANC,” said Maine.

The league has garnered controversy after its alleged association with the Gupta family, who are fingered in the Public Protector’s State of Capture report, and in the subsequent leaked Gupta emails.

The ANC’s upcoming December elective conference has left the tripartite alliance divided and worsened the leadership crisis as Cosatu and the SACP have both thrown their weight behind deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to become next ANC president.

Addressing ANC supporters, Dlamini-Zuma described Peter Mokaba as the leader who was dedicated to the party mandate and its values. — Sapa

TWO remarkable things happened in Hwange Town this week that cannot go unnoticed and deserve to be commended. The Hwange community has all reasons to smile as their largest employer Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) has started giving its workers part of their outstanding salaries as part of the implementation of a Scheme of Arrangement that was recently approved by the company’s creditors. The arrangement offers the ailing company a window to revamp its operations without threats of litigation from its creditors.

Secondly, the Government on Wednesday handed over new power generation equipment worth $12 million to Hwange Power Station, the largest thermal power plant in the country. Despite having 920MW installed capacity, the output at Hwange Thermal has over the years dropped to about 500MW and below due to constant equipment breakdown and low coal supplies among other challenges.

We cannot underestimate the synergy between Hwange Colliery Company and Hwange Thermal Power Station whose viability and efficient operations are interdependent. The power station depends on the colliery for coal supply and the former is a big customer for the colliery. The two entities are the biggest economic actors and employers in Hwange District whose operations impact greatly on the overall Matabeleland North province and the country at large.

We are encouraged by the fact that the Scheme of Arrangement deal seems to be paying dividends for the strategic company judging by reports of improved output from the record lowest of 36 000 tonnes early this year to 170 000 tonnes this month. The ability to pay salaries since last December, as indicated by managing director Engineer Thomas Makore, is a milestone achievement for a company that has been in the red for the past few years.

Many had feared Hwange Colliery, which is saddled with a $300 million debt, would slip into the inevitable dead end as disgruntled creditors were left with no option but to litigate and perhaps force liquidation.

We hope the positive gains shown this month will be maintained and also urge management to continue working closely with workers and its stakeholders to ensure that Hwange Colliery does not die but is restored to its former glory. As we report today, Hwange Town has burst into life with consumer spending rising in service sectors as a result of a once off payment of outstanding pay at an average of $800 per worker, which is seven percent of what employees are owed.

This shows the impact of Hwange in the community and its significance to the survival of other businesses downstream. This has an effect of boosting business morale and attracting investment to Hwange.

We expect the improvement in coal output to impact positively on power generation capacity and reverse coal supply shortages that have dogged the Zimbabwe Power Station.

The equipment consignment, which was handed over by Energy and Power Development Minister, Dr Samuel Undenge, includes compactors, hydraulic excavators, articulated water and pipe trucks and will be used to rehabilitate the waste collection site.

The Ash handling plant has newly fitted equipment that sucks out waste from turbines including ash and water. These are then pumped to a disposal collection point about 5km away from the power station and is meant to prevent overspill of environmentally hazardous chemicals besides improving the performance of power generators.

We also applaud the Zimbabwe Multi-donor Trust Fund (ZimFund) through, which the $12 million was secured to procure the new equipment. This shows the benefits of public private sector partnerships (PPPs), which are a crucial strategy in developing sound infrastructure to support economic growth. We concur with Dr Undenge that the rehabilitation of power infrastructure should be a national priority since energy is key for economic recovery.

“The project is meant to help improve the reliability of electricity supply to various urban water treatment plants and sewage plants. The capacity to move ash from the boilers to the disposal dams was restricted leading to ash build up hence curtailing generation,” said Dr Undenge.

We also urge the Government to speed up rehabilitation of small thermals in       Bulawayo, Harare and Munyati so as to ensure the country has enough energy and stops power imports.

President Mugabe and First Lady Dr Amai Grace Mugabe

Cletus Mushanawani in Mutare
PRESIDENT Mugabe has said the coalition being mooted by opposition parties is good for Zanu-PF as the revolutionary party will simply crush them as an entity rather than dealing with them individually.

The President and First Secretary of the ruling party said defeat for the envisaged coalition was certain so long as Zanu-PF remained united as demonstrated by yesterday’s rally in Mutare.

Addressing more than 40 000 party supporters composed mainly of youths who filled Sakubva Stadium beyond its official capacity with a spill-over into the Mutare-Chimanimani Highway, President Mugabe said:

“United as we are now, those that say we want to change things in Zimbabwe will never beat us in an election. United as we are, even their sanctions won’t affect us. The sanctions might make things difficult for us but we won’t change. United as we are our programmes  like Command Agriculture, command again in other areas  will be a success.

“Let’s remain united. These small parties think that if they form a coalition they can beat Zanu-PF in elections, aah, we say if they form a coalition it makes things easier for us. One blow will finish them.

“We are not worried about what we do with Mai Mujuru, or Biti (Tendai) what we do with him, aaa  they have formed a coalition, one blow and they will be down.”

The Sakubva Stadium rally was the second of President Mugabe’s Youth Interface meetings this month following another highly subscribed one in Marondera, Mashonaland East a fortnight ago.

The President promised the electorate he will live up to their expectations and deliver on promises made.

“I will try my best to live up to what I regard as the calling of the people. I will remain the same, I will remain the same yesterday, the same today, the same tomorrow,” he said.

“We should live and work together. I am not a President of one section, but the President of the whole country,” he said.

President Mugabe reiterated his call on senior party members to leave the youths to organise their programmes and not to use them for personal gain.

“Let us leave the youths free to organise their programmes the way they desire, provided the way is in accordance with the party principles and objectives. Give them assistance, but let us not let the youths betray the struggle.”

He bemoaned divisions in the main wings of the party.

“What the youths have done should show the seniors that they also must unite. I don’t see the unity in the main wing like the youths have shown. I don’t want to see the leaders destroy the unity shown by the youths because now there are some provinces who are trying to lead the youths astray by supporting factions,” President Mugabe.

“In some case these leaders are using tribalism to destroy unity in the party. Cde VaChipanga (Kudzi) we want to know if you are following the party ideology? We are not given to subvert the party, even as individuals it was difficult to approach us offering money to sell out, saying leave leaders like Cde Nkomo (late Vice President Joshua), aaah, who knew that you can not sell out, we have one goal we want to achieve,” he said to applause from the cheering crowd.

“We have a goal we want to achieve. So just ignore leaders or even ministers, who say to you do this and that and we will buy you cars. We want you to support us in this.

“If you accept gifts you will have sold out the party. If you do that and you are a leader like you Cde Chipanga, don’t think your subordinates have not seen it.

“You are showing them that you are not worth  their trust, you can sell out. If you are offered money you take it, aah no. If you take the money the other people will say now what’s this,” said President Mugabe.

Earlier, the First Lady, Dr Amai Mugabe had called for unity among all party cadres.

“If we remain united, no-one will come among us and destroys us. Youths you should not allow some individuals to use you for their selfish gains. Zanu-PF is a brand and youths should continue with the legacy left behind by the founding fathers of the struggle,” said the First Lady.

“It is up to you to carry the struggle forward as the vanguard of the party.

“The party leaders should lead by example. Let’s not do things that will put us in bad light. Unity of purpose should prevail. Youths have more energy, but they should use that energy to develop the country,” she said.

“You should shun all divisive elements. I hope and trust we are all working together. The Presidential Youth Interface Rallies should unite all the provinces. If we are united, we are assured of victory in next year’s harmonised elections,” she said.

On the welfare of liberation war veterans, President Mugabe said the Government was trying its best to cushion them despite the financial challenges it was facing.

“We managed to give some of them jobs, so let’s not just complain, let’s not forget what the Government did for us, let’s be honest, and say this is what has been done for us, but we need more. We had aims and aspirations, to help people and help solve their problems . . .” he said.

Part of Kariyangwe High School boys team

From Fungai Muderere in Binga

Chibila High School advanced to the Copa Coca Cola Under 15 boys Matabeleland North provincial finals after they beat Zambezi 5-4 in a Binga District final match played at Kariyangwe High yesterday.

The provincial finals will be played at David Livingstone early next month.

Chibila will represent Binga District at the Matabeleland North contest together with Tinde High who got the better of Binga High in the girls’ final match on a 1-0 score line.

“We are happy that we have progressed to the provincial finals. We will need to work extra hard and make sure we go to the national finals. Special mention goes to our coaches and the boys. It was a job well done,” said an ecstatic Lawrence Sangurukani who is the deputy headmaster at Chibila.

On their way to the final Chibila edged Lubu 1-0 in a semi- final match.

At the provincial finals, fierce competition from Mosi Oa Tunya, Mabhikwa and Tsholotsho among other schools awaits Chibila.

Tinde will fight out against schools that include Vulindlela of Victoria Falls, Tsholotsho, Mabhikwa and Madlelenyoni from Umguza district.

Meanwhile, Kariyangwe High came to a standstill after their Under 17 boys soccer team beat Ntivhule 3-1 after a pwnalty lottery in a Nash Binga district Arenel sponsored tournament yesterday.

The game had ended nil all in regulation time.

Under the tutelage of Godrey Godaya, Kariyangwe had a dream comeback against Binga High in a semi-final tie that ended 3-1 in favour of the former courtesy of three superb goals that came deep into second half.

To book their final berth Ntivhule thumped hapless Nakapande 3-0.

The final match was witnessed by Chief Siansali together with the Binga business community and dignitaries from the Ministry of Education.