Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development, Sithembiso Nyoni

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE will take over the presidency of the Co-ordination Committee for Development and Promotion of African Handicrafts (Codepa) when the 9th continental conference ends in Bulawayo today.

Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni will lead Codepa, which is made up of 26 African member states spread through the five regions of the continent for the coming year.

Speaking to journalists yesterday at the conference being held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Minister Nyoni said she was proud that Zimbabwe was part of Codepa, which is important for the promotion of the arts and crafts industry.

“This is the first time Codepa has come to Southern Africa. It’s been operating for the past 12 years, focused in East, North and West Africa. When I attended the Codepa conference in Cote d’Ivoire last year, I discovered that countries in Southern Africa were not part of the committee,” she said.

“I worked hard and campaigned to put my country on the map as well as Sadc countries. Fortunately, I did make the mark and I was elected the first vice president, hence the hosting of the 2017 conference in Zimbabwe. I made sure it comes to Bulawayo because the province has not hosted a big conference except the ZITF. I’m pleased that it’s successful.”

Minister Nyoni added that as president of Codepa, she’ll revive the culture and creativity of the country, which will promote even the poorest people in the villages.

“My ministry will soon establish handicrafts villages along the country’s highways as we try to revive the arts and crafts sector in the country. The revival of the handicrafts sector will go a long way in improving the economy of the country and trade among African countries.

“My ministry will make sure that we revive these villages along our highways. All of us were brought up from our mothers’ handicrafts and it died down because other countries like China took over and came up with machine-made products rather than handmade.

“Cote d’Ivoire GDP is 25 percent by handicrafts. If other countries can do it, we can do it too and I’m confident because Zimbabwe’s handicrafts are diverse. We have stone work, crocheting, traditional clothes designers, basket weaving, pottery, paintings, lala work and fibre work,” said Minister Nyoni.

She said more workshops need to be organised to improve relations among member states.

“I’m happy that India took 25 Zimbabwean women to go and be trained in bamboo weaving. These women are making beautiful bamboo products and the variety is phenomenal,” said Minister Nyoni.

She said some ministers from other countries attending the Codepa conference have selected local crafters to go to their countries to train their women in their own crafts.

“That way we’re spreading Zimbabwean crafts and expertise as well as creating jobs. Whether they are educated or not, their skills have promoted them to the globe.

“We’re also discussing with the immigration department to make sure that our crafters and those that come here from other countries have no problems when crossing the borders,” said Minister Nyoni.

The conference began Wednesday and will be officially opened today. — @pamelashumba1.

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A PASTOR from a Zion church in Gwanda allegedly beat his wife to death with a hoe handle when she denied him sex.

Misheck Ncube (54) immediately handed himself over to police in Gwanda when he realised Ms Nokuthula Khumalo (44) had stopped breathing following the attack after midnight on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Nsimbi Village under Chief Nhlamba in the Guyu area.

Ncube allegedly told police he lost his temper because his wife denied him his conjugal rights when he desperately needed to be intimate with her.

He is said to have told officers he struck his wife twice on the face with the hoe handle resulting in her death.

A source close to the couple said Ncube flew into a rage when Ms Khumalo continuously told him she was not feeling well and could not have sex.

“I heard some people saying all was not well at their homestead. On Wednesday night there was shouting and we could hear it through the night. The following morning we heard Ncube had been arrested and his wife was dead,” said the source.

“MaKhumalo had been complaining of a sharp pain in her womb for some days. I think it was very intense and might have made sex uncomfortable. With our men nowadays, they think if you can’t have sex with them, you might be having it with someone else.”

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.

“I can confirm that we have arrested a man who allegedly killed his wife after she denied him conjugal rights. He handed himself to the police after committing the crime. We are investigating the matter,” he said.

Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to refrain from engaging in violence and said they should solve their disputes amicably.

“We are advising people to seek counselling from other family members, church leaders or traditional leaders when in disputes. Fighting is never a solution but results in unnecessary loss of lives and injuries which also result in offenders being jailed,” he said.

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
NOTORIOUS robber cum-murderer Edmond Edgar Masendeke’s younger brother Andrew has been arrested for allegedly robbing and kidnapping a police officer among a raft of charges including seven counts of robbery, attempted rape, unlawful entry and carjacking.

Edgar Masendeke was half of the infamous crime duo of the 1990s with Stephen Chidhumo. They are known – together with two others – for being the only prisoners to ever successfully escape from Chikurubi Maximum Prison in 1995.

The two armed robbers and murderers are considered among the most infamous in the country’s history.

The escapees were later re-arrested after resuming their crime spree and sentenced to death. They were hanged in 2002.

The younger Masendeke and his three accomplices together with two other suspects Matrimony Nyathi and Sydney Mangisi who are still on the run, terrorised miners and businesspeople in the Midlands province and Bulawayo getting away with more than $25 000, a vehicle and six rifles.

His accomplices Tapiwa Chimuti (29), Anyway Madala (27) and Simbarashe Machiritsa (40) who are related and are all from Ascot Infill high-density suburb in Gweru, have since been sentenced to a collective 188 years after being linked to a spate of armed robberies committed in Bulawayo, Zvishavane, Gweru, Shurugwi, Kwekwe and Kadoma. Chimuti was sentenced to 91 years, Madala 76 and Machiritsa 21.

Masendeke allegedly fled to Birchenough Bridge where he changed his name and started operating a pirate taxi. However, luck ran out for Masendeke when he was involved in an accident in Chipinge and killed one person on the spot.

He was arrested after police got a tip off.

Masendeke, of Mukarati village under Chief Mukaro in Gutu, yesterday appeared before Gweru Provincial Magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing seven counts of robbery, attempted rape, unlawful entry, carjacking and kidnapping.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to today for confirmation of his warned and cautioned statement.

The State led by Mr Ernest Mzembi alleged that during the period extending from February to June this year, Masendeke and his five accomplices committed a series of robberies in the Midlands and Bulawayo and kidnapped a police officer.

Mr Mzembi alleged that on February 19 this year, and at around 8 PM, Masendeke robbed one Sergeant Alfred Zvapera, a police officer stationed at Gokwe Traffic, before kidnapping him and his girlfriend.

Sgt Zvapera surrendered himself at Nkulumane Police Station and claimed three armed men kidnapped him and his girlfriend in Gokwe and drove around committing robberies.

He is on suspension pending finalisation of his court case.

Mr Mzembi told the court that Sgt Zvapera was driving a Toyota Noah in Mapfungautsi Extension high density suburb near Kambasha Business Centre in Gokwe when Masendeke and his accomplices stopped him purporting to be looking for transport.

The court heard that Sgt Zvapera, who was with his friend Ms Faith Ngwenyenyi, stopped the vehicle and the accused persons immediately produced a pistol demanding money and other belongings.

Masendeke allegedly fired one shot in the air and ordered the complainant to hand over his vehicle keys to them.

Sgt Zvapera, the court heard, surrendered the keys and his police identity card, a Lenovo A2020 cellphone and $4.

Mr Mzembi said Masendeke and his accomplices forced the two into the vehicle and drove to Zesa offices where they ordered Sgt Zvapera to disembark from the vehicle and blindfolded him with a piece of mutton cloth before stealing fuel which they put into the complainant’s vehicle.

Masendeke’s accomplices allegedly drove the vehicle to Bulawayo together with the complainants, where they kept them hostage for two days before releasing them.

Police recovered the vehicle and guns which were used during the robberies and the property has since been forfeited to the State.

The gang also robbed mines and business people of money, vehicles and rifles. — @pchitumba1

Lloyd Chitembwe

Makomborero Mutimukulu in S’fax, TUNISIA
Caps United coach, Lloyd Chitembwe, was so shocked by his team’s poor defensive show in their Caf Champions League battle against Libyan team Al Ahli Tripoli here on Wednesday night that he didn’t turn up for dinner or breakfast yesterday.

The Green Machine collapsed like a deck of cards in the second half, conceding three goals, to surrender a 2-1 first half lead their strong performance had merited.

The Harare giants could even have scored about half-a-dozen goals in that first half with a number of chances being blown.

But they went to the break in the driving seat, having silenced the vociferous Libyan fans, with Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo scoring his fourth goal of the campaign to push them into the lead.

However, it was a poor Caps United that came back from the break, tormented by poor defending in which their entire defensive cast, including goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda, was at fault.

In fact, there is a feeling within the Green Machine that Sibanda is no longer pushing himself to do even better, comforted by the fact that he is the club’s number one, and noone is challenging him for that position.

The big keeper was at fault when Caps United conceded in Lubumbashi against TP Mazembe and was at fault again in this game, choosing to remain rooted to his spot when crosses were passed into the area, rather than rush out to punch the ball away given his advantage.

He was also at fault in one of the goals that Zamalek scored in Alexandria against Caps United in this Champions League.

“I am very disappointed, we had a very strong start in the first half,’’ said Chitembwe.

“It’s never easy to score two goals away at this level of the game and after leading 2-1 you should kill off the game.

“I thought it was down to lack of effort, lack of exposure, we lacked the necessary experience and I told the players what I feel after the game, very, very disappointed.

“In the second half, some of these boys were overwhelmed, I’m very, very disappointed. You can’t expect to score seven or eight, we were very, very erratic, mistakes in very, very crucial areas and you will be punished, sometimes you get get away with it at home but against this kind of opponents you’will be punished.’’

He said it was the worst performance, defensively, he has seen from his men.

“Honestly speaking, I have never seen my team play as badly as we did today, conceding goals the way we conceded, very, very disappointing to see, it goes down to lack of effort.

“This is what experience can bring to the team and I am sure we lacked the experience to manage the game and I am very, very disappointed. When you score two goals at this level you expect better, to kill off the game, to manage the game and unfortunately that was not the case with us, players failing to apply the basic principles of defending, players failing in attack.’’

The coach said he believed his men had done the hard part to come back from a goal down and show character to take the lead and silence the crowd.

But, he said, he was shocked by the way they gave everything away in the second half after having worked hard to put themselves in a position to win the crucial game.

Chitembwe said he was so hurt that, after they had held their own in that first half, they didn’t show any improvement and generate confidence from the first 45 minutes where they had shown themselves they could either match or beat their opponents.

“It’s not about the race (Champions League), as long as we are still in football we want to compete and do well,’’ said Chitembwe.

‘’It’s not about the race but the improvement that we want to see in the team. I think that is what is critical.

“The whole idea is to see those improvements. I don’t want to see such kind of performance being repeated.’’

Caps United, though, are still in the race and should they win their remaining two games against Zamalek (home) and USM Alger (away), they could even sneak into the quarter-finals.

Zamalek crashed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of USM Alger and now visit Harare next for a game that Makepekepe badly need to win to keep their slim hopes alive.

The President and Commander-In- Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Mugabe, presents a wing to pilot Campbell Mohadi Junior at the Pilot Wings presentation and commissioning parade of cadets at ThornHill Air Base in Gweru. Looking on is Air Marshal Perence Shiri. — (Picture by Eliah Saushoma)

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday presented Wings to 11 pilot cadets at Thornhill Airbase in Gweru.

The Head of State and Government and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces also commissioned 26 Basic Officers Training graduates at the 67th Pilot Training Course Wings presentation and Basic Officers Course number one of 2016 graduation ceremony at the airbase.

Of the 11 cadet pilots, three were women while there were also 10 female graduands on the Basic Officers Course.

In his speech after presenting the Wings and commissioning parade ceremony, President hailed Zimbabwe and Namibia relations.

He said the sister countries should continue strengthening the cordial relationship they have nurtured over the years, adding that number the 67 Pilot Training Course was jointly managed by Zimbabwean and Namibian Pilot Instructors.

President Mugabe said the military synergies between the two Southern African countries should enable them to develop and assist each other in every facet that concerns the two nations.

“Number 67 Pilot training Course jointly managed by Zimbabwean and Namibian pilot instructors, is indeed the first of its kind, run by the Defence Forces of our two countries. It demonstrates and underlines the depth of the relationship and understanding between our two great nations,” said President Mugabe.

“To our friends from the land of the brave, Namibia, I would like to say, let us continue to strengthen the cordial relationship which we have nurtured over the years in order to develop and assist each other in every facet that concerns our countries.”

The President said ZDF has remained steadfast regardless of the biting effects of the illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western detractors for over a decade.

“Today we are celebrating the successful completion of these two courses and indeed making recognition of the hard work and steadfastness of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, in particular and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in general. In spite of a number of challenges among them the biting effects of sanctions imposed on our country for over a decade, the Air Force of Zimbabwe ensured that the two courses were successfully conducted,” he said.

“Number 67 Pilot training Course which commenced on October 1, 2012 had 20 Pilot Cadets. It comprised of three phases namely, Military Training Phase, Ground School and Flying Phase. The military training phase was done at the school of flying training and completed on May 31, 2014, at the end of which the cadets were commissioned to the rank of Air-Sub-Lieutenant.

“During the same year students of the flying training course were posted to the Number 6 Squadron to begin Ground School Training and the Flying Phase of Pilot training. As a means of deepening the skills base within the Operations Branch, some of the students who had been posted to Number 6 Squadron were sent abroad to undertake other special flying courses.”

President Mugabe said two students in the same course returned home after completing special courses in the People’s Republic of China.

The students — His Excellency said — covered various ground lessons which are designed to equip them with in-depth knowledge of the SF260 aircraft systems and other aviation related subjects.

“The Flying Phase which is the critical phase for this course was designed to equip the student pilots with appropriate skills and techniques to enable them to excel in any platform within the Air Force of Zimbabwe. The students underwent flying exercises that included general handling, stalling, spinning, instrument flying, formation, aerobatics, night flying and navigation. They successfully completed this phase after doing at least 120 flying hours. By the end of the Course students had been rigorously examined in aviation knowledge and skills and were assessed and judged as truly ready to become part of the highly reputed Air Force of Zimbabwe flying crew,” said President Mugabe.

He said since the personnel who enrolled for the course came from various walks of life, such as doctors, engineers and administrators.

The course content, which was comprehensive, inclusive and varied, featured subjects such as Military Law, Arms and Sword Drill, Map reading, First Aid and Civil Military Relations.

“Students were after training transformed from civilian life into disciplined and quality Air Force of Zimbabwe Officers,” said President Mugabe. — @pchitumba1

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE country could be losing millions of dollars through misuse of retained funds by various Government departments such as the police and the Registrar General’s Office, Parliament’s Budget office has said.

The office has recommended that the Government should revert to the old system where all revenue is deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The Budget office said Government could have realised up to $1 billion in fines and user charges last year alone but these did not reach the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Zimbabwe could be losing millions of dollars through misuse of retained funds by various Government departments who are retaining 100 percent of the funds they are collecting.

The Auditor General has raised a red flag over lack of transparency and accountability with regards to most of these statutory and retention funds,” said the office in its June analysis of the Retention Fund.

It said a 2013 Supreme Court ruling in a case involving the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), delivered by the Chief Justice who was then the Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba with Justice Vernanda Ziyambi and Justice Yunus Omerjee concurring, affirmed that in terms of the constitution such funds should be transferred to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri

“It is reported that the combined revenues collected by government institutions or departments outside the budget could have well reached over $1 billion in 2016 had they been properly and accurately accounted for. This includes revenues from fines and user charges collected by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zinara, Environmental Management Agency, Judicial Services Commission and the Registrar General’s Office, among many other Government agencies,” the budget office said.

It said in January this year, Treasury directed all Government departments who collect statutory funds or retain other funds to open accounts with the Central Bank to enhance transparency and accountability, failure of which they threatened to revoke the retention authority.

The budget office said all concerned departments have complied with the directive, but it should be noted that this has not addressed the issue of abuse of funds and the constitutional requirements for all monies to go into the Consolidated Revenue fund.

It said since June last year, Treasury stopped the creation of additional funds after noting a suspicious increase in applications for retention authority by line Ministries and Departments.

“The increase in cases of abuse of public funds justify calls for Treasury to be the only department entrusted with the responsibility to manage public resources. It has also been noted that a lot of money is spent on non-essential goods and services at the expense of critical issues,” it said.

“This is the highest level of disservice to the citizens and taxpayers when privileged departments splash on luxuries like cars while critical service provision like health delivery are underfunded to the extent of failing to provide basic painkillers. It defeats the whole purpose and is illogical for the same institutions with retention funds to then look up to Treasury for financial support especially for salaries. Universities are a clear case in point,” it said.

It also said Section 32 of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) Act specifies that the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) is supposed to retain 40 percent of revenue, while allocating 30 percent to the NPA, 20 percent to the AG’s Office and 10 percent to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

“There are reports that the JSC is still retaining 80 percent and disbursing 20 percent in contravention of the Act. Before the NPA Act came into force in January 2015, the JSC retained 80 percent of the funds while 20 percent was disbursed to the AG’s Office,” it said. — @AuxiliaK

Bulawayo Arts Awards bin

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
WITH just a week left, the Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) organisers have gone all out to market the ceremony with the latest addition to the campaign trail being branded bins dotted around the city.

The BAAs will be taking place at the Large City Hall next Friday to celebrate arts personalities.

While promoting the awards ceremony and helping to keep Bulawayo clean, Boom City Advertising, one of the partners of the awards, have branded bins around the city with faces of some of the nominees.

Boom City Advertising secured a deal with the Bulawayo City Council in 2015 to supply the city with 1 000 refuse bins for free and they have been creative with the placement of the bins as they are always attractive, enticing people to get closer to them.

The company’s managing director, Reason “Rizzla” Sibanda, said they decided to brand the bins with the arts personalities and details of the awards as a way to market both the awards and the personalities.

“Branding the bins is part of the marketing partnership with the BAAs as I’m part of the committee. We’re promoting the arts and also keeping the city clean as Boom City is the biggest supporter of the arts,” said Sibanda.

He said they had placed 16 bins around the city along busy roads such as Robert Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and 9th Avenue adding that their aim was to get people talking.

“We want people to know more about the awards and the nominees’ faces.”

The names of the nominees were not put against their images, something the advertising company may want to look into as most of their faces are not known by the public.

In response, Rizzla said: “We couldn’t put their names because we didn’t want to squash words and pictures making the whole banner clumsy. What we put instead is the date and times of the awards with the human faces.”

Reacting to the poster on the bin, one of the nominees, comedian Oliver Keith — who had his cousins excited after they saw his face on one of the bins — applauded Boom City for that initiative saying it was boosting his popularity.

Mr Pikirayi Deketeke

Harare Bureau
Listed diversified media group Zimbabwe Newspapers’ registered a modest revenue growth for the five months to May 2017 mainly driven by its commercial printing division which recorded a 33 percent growth in revenue.

The growth in the commercial printing division driven by Natprint was on the back of the introduction of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which saw most local companies getting their packaging done locally.

The group’s broadcast revenue for the period under review was up 6 percent while the print division recorded a 10 percent drop in revenue as the newspaper market continues to be subjected to serious pressure the world over.

Zimpapers chief executive Pikirayi Deketeke told the company’s annual general meeting the media group had made significant investment in business development, introducing strategies that will enable maximisation of returns.

“Being a content factory our objective is to ensure that our content can be shared on as many diverse platforms as possible. Our goal is to reach all our readers on their platform of choice.

“Digital provides us with a different platform where our readers are consulting our content so it behooves us to have a presence on those platforms, hence the inception of digital at Zimpapers,” said Mr Deketeke.

He said new innovative electronic and digital products introduced by the group are expected to bolster growth.

On revenue contribution, the print division contributed the most at 74 percent followed by the commercial printing at 13 percent, radio division at 12 percent digital and digital at one percent.

In terms of the profit, the Harare branch contributed 42 percent, Bulawayo (20 percent), Star FM (19 percent), Natprint (19 percent) and there was no contribution from Diamond FM.

“While the print revenues are declining, the print business still brings in the bulk of our revenues. The diversified portfolio ensures that the group’s profitability is anchored on various pillars.

“We have 12 newspapers which are still holding fort despite the newspaper market being subjected to serious pressure the world over,” said Mr Deketeke.
He added that the group is resuscitating Natprint (the commercial printing division) through further investment.

Mr Deketeke said Natprint has come back stronger on the back of the introduction of industry protection measures by Government.

“Most companies are now manufacturing locally and we have benefitted from doing packaging for them. We were operating at 40 percent at Natprint but capacity has since jumped to 100 percent. We are also working on introducing a new printing press,” said Mr Deketeke.

The Herald remained the market leader in terms of market share for dailies registering a growth of 31 percent from 26 percent followed by Daily news while H-Metro registered growth from 14 percent to 20 percent.

Sunday Mail leads the weeklies after registering growing to 27 percent from 19 percent while Star FM remained the market leader in terms of radios after a marginal rise to 51 percent from 50 percent.

“Our aim as a company is to create an integrated media house and we have various assets in the radio as well besides the print,” he said.

A Bulawayo Fire Brigade official attempting to put out the fire. (Pictures by Fortune Muzarabane)

BULAWAYO was on Wednesday rocked by a massive fire which gutted an unoccupied building and reduced five cars to shells in the Central Business District. It is suspected the fire was caused by homeless people who were sheltering inside the building and the situation was worsened by fuel which was kept in the building by illegal fuel dealers.

No one was injured in the fire which torched a building at the corner of Joshua Nkomo Street and 11th Avenue near Magnet House at 2PM. The city’s firefighters and a few brave members of the public were the heroes of the day as they teamed up to put out the fire before it spread to other buildings nearby. We commiserate with the owners of the building which was completely destroyed in the inferno and proprietors of the five vehicles which were reduced to shells.

We also pay tribute to members of the public who joined the Fire Brigade in trying to contain the fire which was raging and threatening to engulf other properties. We are, however worried about the lack of care for the building by its owners as it appeared to have been abandoned with street kids and other homeless people making it their home.

Illegal fuel dealers also seem to have taken advantage of the vacant building to conduct their business and the presence of petrol could have contributed to the extent of the damage. Fire hazards increase in winter and in the wake of the latest incident, we feel it is incumbent upon every resident of Bulawayo to be vigilant and guard against fires.

The Fire Brigade has identified the leading cause of fires as faulty electrical appliances, overloading of electrical circuits, carelessness in handling fuel and children playing with matches. During times of load shedding, there were high incidents of electrical faults due to power surges but that has gone down since Zesa suspended power outages as electricity supplies improved.

Bulawayo recorded 383 fire incidents last year, a sharp decrease of 45 percent compared to 691 recorded over the same period in 2015. The city’s chief fire officer Mr Richard Petersen shared the statistics during a handover and unveiling of fire and rescue equipment by United Kingdom based by Operation Florian at the Famona Fire Station in March.

“As at December 31, 2016, the service recorded a reduction in the occurrence of fires from 691 in 2015 to 383 in 2016, representing a 45 percent decrease in fire outbreaks in the city. This was a consequence of improved fire safety information, systems, programmes targeted at mitigating risks of fire outbreaks and improved strategies in the enforcement of the city’s fire safety by-laws,” said Mr Petersen.

He said the partnership with Operation Florian has seen them receive 13 vehicles, materials and training of students and personnel in the past seven years. The chief fire officer said the emergency service now has the capacity to respond to all distress calls within 10 minutes, the exception being Mahatshula, Woodville, Waterford and Cowdray Park suburbs due to longer distances from the nearest station.

The partnership had resulted in the re-opening of Nkulumane and Northend fire stations in 2012 after their closure in 2008 due to economic challenges.

“Our neighbouring fire services operational capabilities have also improved in the past six years through donations of fire engines, firefighting and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment, clothing and training of personnel by Operation Florian,” said Mr Petersen.

“As a result Bulawayo has benefited in that Gweru, Gwanda, Zvishavane, Victoria Falls and Plumtree are now responding to emergencies occurring along their respective major highways that link with Bulawayo.

There is greater collaboration between Bulawayo Emergency Services and its neighbours and this has resulted in reduced pressure on the Bulawayo Fire Emergency Services’ resources”.

While this is a welcome and commendable development, we feel the emergency services should conduct more awareness programmes to educate members of the public on fire hazards. It should also forcefully enforce the city’s by-laws on safety. With the onset of winter, electricity usage increases as people use more appliances in their homes. This usually results in overloading of electrical circuits and use of braziers which could cause fires. Efforts should also be made to inspect all the city’s buildings to ensure that they have adequate fire safety measures in place.

Most of the city’s buildings are old and dilapidated and this could expose them to fire hazards. We are particularly worried about the state of high rise buildings such as the NRZ building, the City Council Tower Block and Kenilworth Towers in Ascot where a disaster of unmitigated proportions could occur should they be gutted by fire. This is more so following the Grenfell Tower disaster in London where 79 people lost their lives to a huge fire which engulfed the building.

Akbay

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ first team players are training in two groups, with coach Erol Akbay saying working without assistant coaches is “uncomfortable”.

The Bulawayo giants suspended assistant coach Amini Soma-Phiri and goalkeepers’ trainer Cosmas Zulu last week for “misdemeanours” and elevated development gaffer Melusi “Mabaleka” Sibanda to assist Akbay.

Sibanda sat on the bench with Akbay when Highlanders beat Hwange 3-0 at Barbourfields Stadium and will continue assisting the Dutchman until the club deals with the Soma-Phiri and Zulu matter.

Akbay said in the build-up to Sunday’s tie against How Mine, his squad has been training in two groups.

“It’s not comfortable to work without assistant coaches because I have to do everything alone and that puts more pressure on me. The stand-in assistant coach (Sibanda) is still familiarising himself with my philosophy. What I’ve since resorted to is to conduct training in two groups, so that I have an eye on all the players. Splitting the squad into two groups is meant to see the players’ weaknesses and work on them,” said Akbay.

Sibanda will have to quickly grasp Akbay’s philosophy as the club is yet to appoint an independent disciplinary committee that will hear Zulu and Soma-Phiri’s cases.

This means Sibanda, an ex-Highlanders utility player, who was head coach for the club’s developmental side Bosso 90 that competes in the Southern Region Division One League, will be with the first team for some time.

Despite admitting feeling pressure, Akbay is optimistic they will beat How Mine.

Akbay made several changes to the team that beat Hwange, leaving out regulars Rodreck Mutuma, Tendai Ngulube, Allen Gahadzikwa, Simon Munawa and Benson Dube, but indicated that he will bring them back for the How Mine tie.

“I want to win all the times and I’m going to make changes to the squad that played against Hwange. This will depend on the formation that we will use. I also think that this will be a physical game, so experienced guys will be needed,” Akbay said.

Bosso will be without striker Prince Dube and left-back Honest Sibanda, who are with the Warriors’ squad that leaves today for South Africa to compete in the Cosafa Cup.

Highlanders face a resurgent How Mine outfit, which has lost only once in the last five games, going down 0-2 away at Triangle United on May 21.

The gold miners recovered from that defeat and have gone on a four-match unbeaten run.

Highlanders have in their last five games won three matches and lost twice, 0-1 to Chicken Inn and 3-0 to Black Rhinos.

Bosso are tied on 24 points with How Mine, with the former in fourth place because of a superior goal difference. They trail leaders Black Rhinos by three points.

To keep up with the championship chasing teams, both teams are hard-pressed for maximum points on Sunday.

Meanwhile, table anchors Tsholotsho FC are away to FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium tomorrow.

Leaders Rhinos will be out to consolidate their top spot when they play host to Harare City at Morris Depot on Sunday, with second from the bottom Bantu Rovers hosting Chapungu at Luveve Stadium.

In form former champions, Dynamos, are home to Bulawayo City at the National Sports Stadium, hoping to take their unbeaten run to six games.
Bulawayo City travel to Harare with their heads high following last weekend’s 2-1 win over struggling Yadah FC.

Bulawayo City should brace for a tough encounter from a Dynamos side that scored four goals in 58 minutes against Chapungu before their game was abandoned after the goal post fell in Gweru.

Dynamos will be without head coach Lloyd Mutasa, who is assisting stand-in Warriors’ coach for the Cosafa Cup tournament Sunday Chidzambwa. The former champions will also be without left-back Ocean Mushure.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum (Luveve), FC Platinum v Tsholotsho FC (Mandava)

Sunday: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Bantu Rovers v Chapungu (Luveve), Triangle United v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Hwange v Shabanie Mine (Colliery), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Morris Depot), Dynamos v Bulawayo City (National Sports Stadium)
Tuesday: Yadah FC v Caps United (Morris Depot)
- @ZililoR

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko (right) receives footballs from the Minister of Sport and Recreation Cde Makhosini Hlongwane as a token of appreciation after the VP officially launched the Community Sports and Recreation Club System at Nyamandlovu primary school in Nyamandlovu yesterday.

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE delivery of sport and recreation before independence was deliberately designed to exclude blacks from opportunities provided by sport and recreation.

Also the minority white population reserved some sport codes for themselves.

This was said by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko when he launched the historic Community Sports and Recreation Club system at Nyamandlovu Primary School in Umguza district, Matabeleland North province  yesterday.

In order to correct the anomalous situation VP Mphoko said, Cabinet adopted the Community Sport and Recreation Club system and directed its immediate implementation.

“The national launch of the club system is the first of a series of events aimed at promoting the program which is a lifeline for the thousands if not millions of youths in Zimbabwe. The club system is expected to introduce organised sport and recreation in rural and formerly marginalised communities at the ward level throughout the country,” said VP Mphoko.

He said the clubs being formed will be complete with elected executives and constitutions to guide their operations.  He added that it was a ground breaking institutional intervention that will provide clear career pathways for the previously disadvantaged youths and marginalised talent from the rural communities.

“Sport and recreation provide the lungs for a nation and must be taken very seriously by all institutions and stakeholders across the country. This club system we are launching today will not only contribute to the healthy life styles of our nation but will stimulate a massive grassroots sports economy of its own, in the form of kitting, infrastructure development and production of sport and recreation equipment,” VP Mphoko told thousands of villagers who graced the occasion.

The VP called upon established clubs to partner and mentor some of the newly formed clubs to provide leadership, development and experience.

“I am informed that these clubs will be given life in the form of the revised National Youth Games strategy, a crucial competition structure which now starts at the ward level leading all the way up to the national competition in a pyramidised structure starting at grassroots level. Let me commend the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, the Sport and Recreation Commission and other stakeholders for conceiving this game changing programme which I believe will unleash Zimbabwe’s untapped talent on to the national, regional, continental and international stage,” said VP Mphoko.

The Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane, Provincial Affairs Minister for Matabeleland North Cain Mathema, senior government and sports ministry officials, acting director general for the Sports and Recreation Commission Joseph Muchechetere and traditional leaders attended the launch. — @skhumoyo2000.

Dr David Parirenyatwa

Paidamoyo Chipunza, Harare Bureau
Government does not anticipate major price increases on fortified food as the cost of ingredients used during the process are not significant to influence any changes, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Food fortification is the process of adding nutrients such as vitamins and minerals to food to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Government has made it mandatory that food processors fortify food; mealie meal, cooking oil, flour and sugar with effect from July 1.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said no major price increases were anticipated once food fortification becomes mandatory.

In an interview on the impact of the new Government policy, which becomes effective on July 1, 2017, Dr Parirenyatwa said the cost of fortification ranged from $3.50 to $4.50 per tonne, which translated to about 0.05c per kg of mealie meal.

“Cost of food fortification is miniscule, ranging from $3.50 to $4.50 per tonne or just about $0.05c per 10 kg of mealie meal, which is minimal,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said while some manufacturers such as those in the cooking oil and sugar industries have already started fortifying their products, no major price increases have so far been noted. “Most of the manufacturers have responded positively and are ready to comply since there had been extensive consultations by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

A snap survey by The Herald in some supermarkets in the Central Business District (CBD) on products that have since been fortified, bore evidence to the fact that no major price increases have been effected.

However, prices for other commodities had gone up slightly.

A 2 litre bottle of fortified Zim Gold cooking oil is going for $2.85 while Huletts brown sugar cost $1,95 and $1.79 for white sugar. Fortified Sunrise 2kg flour is going for $1,85, Snow White $2,39 and Self Raising $1,65.

A 10 kg of Pearlenta mealie meal is going for $7,65, Probrands $7,15, Roller Meal $6,55 and Chibataura $5.09.

“These prices have not changed. They were like that even before fortification unless the producers are going to increase after July 1, but still prices for some commodities, which are not even on the fortification list have already gone up. For example, we used to sell Lifebuoy soap for 99c, but it now costs $1.35 a tablet,” said a merchandiser from one of the supermarkets in the CBD.

Government, through Statutory Instrument 120 of 2017, recently made it mandatory for cooking oil, sugar, mealie meal and flour producers to fortify their products with effect from July 1, 2017. Some producers have already indicated their readiness to comply with the new law, others are already fortifying yet some sectors of industry are still seeking a reversal of the new policy arguing that they were not yet ready for fortification.

Government has, however, maintained that it was not going to rescind its decision to make fortification for the four products mandatory come July 1, 2017, urging those that have not yet complied to apply for a waiver for a period of time until they are compliant.

Keitumile Masire

Gaborone — Former Botswana president Sir Ketumile Masire has died. He was 91.

Reports yesterday indicated that Masire died on Thursday night after he was hospitalised last weekend in a critical condition.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Botswana government said: “This is to confirm that our beloved Former President Sir Ketumile Quett Joni Masire has passed away. May His Soul Rest in Peace and his family and the nation as a whole be comforted.”

Masire was the president of Botswana from 1980 to 1998.

He led various diplomatic initiatives in Africa, including chairing a panel that investigated the 1994 Rwanda genocide, and co-ordinating the Inter-Congolese National Dialogue.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s High Commission to Botswana, Mdu Lembede, has reportedly said that Sir Masire was instrumental in the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

According to SABC, Lembede said Masire “created a passage for freedom fighters”.

“He did not only do it for South Africans. It’s on the record that he did it for the region. I mean all the leaders from countries around the region, at one stage or the other, they went through Botswana, whether it Sam Nojuma from Namibia, Samora Machel in Mozambique, they all came here.

“And they were taken care of, and he was the person in the forefront, and he was seeing to it that people are safe,” Lembede was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said it was saddened by the passing of Masire.

“We have lost another great leader in Sir Ketumile Masire, a teacher who cared deeply about youth development to the very end.”

The foundation quoted what Mandela said during a state banquet for Masire on April 23, 1996: “Our country has much to learn from Botswana — both from your towering successes and your efforts to deal with the difficulties. All these attributes have made Botswana, and you Mr President, a natural and capable leader of the region’s collective efforts towards growth and development, within the framework of Sadc. We also value your leadership in the region’s efforts to promote peace and stability on our sub-continent and further afield.”

Masire was the president of Botswana from 1980 to 1998.

He led various diplomatic initiatives in Africa, including chairing a panel that investigated the 1994 Rwanda genocide, and co-ordinating the Inter-Congolese National Dialogue.

“In all these spheres, South Africa stands ready to work with Botswana and other neighbours to attain the best for our peoples.

“In his honour, the Nelson Mandela Foundation will continue to work with the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation through the “Caring4Girls” Initiative in Botswana, and Mandela Day Libraries in an effort to deepen work he was passionate about to further youth development,” read the statement. — AFP

Mbusi Mhlanga’s father (right), narrates his son’s death at his house in Nkulumane yesterday

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A ZIMBABWEAN couple from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb was gunned down at their home in South Africa’s Johannesburg but the killers spared their one-year-old child.

Mbusi Mhlanga (41) and his wife whose name was not established were shot dead in South Africa on Wednesday and their bodies were discovered on Thursday morning.

The couple is said to have been gunned down as they were coming out of their home.

Family sources said South African police used the contact list in Mbusi’s phone to locate his siblings who are also based in the neighbouring country.

The Chronicle caught up with Mbusi’s father who identified himself only as Mr Mhlanga at his home in Nkulumane suburb.

He broke down while narrating how he learnt about the death of his son and daughter-in-law.

He said the family was groping for answers and wondering why Mbusi and his family were targeted for the brutal killing.

“My other children in South Africa called me saying they had been phoned by police informing them to come to the station as there was an emergency,” said Mr Mhlanga, battling emotion.

“The police informed them that there was a man and a woman who were shot dead at their place of residence. They said the police said after scrolling down on the man’s cellphone contact list they came across their numbers. So the police wanted them to assist in the identification of the bodies,” he said.

Mr Mhlanga said the phone call disturbed him as he could not make head or tail about what his son was talking about. He said his son left him in suspense by hanging up the phone before providing further details.

“At about 9:30AM I received another call informing me that the bodies had been identified as his son and daughter- in-law,” added Mr Mhlanga who was struggling to hold back tears.

He paused momentarily before saying: “I asked, what are you talking about? Whose bodies? He started crying saying his brother and my daughter-in-law had been shot dead.”

Mr Mhlanga said details of what transpired leading to the couple’s shooting were still unknown.

He said the killers spared the couple’s one-year-old child.

He could not explain where the child had been during more than 12 hours before its parents’ bodies were discovered.

The interview was, however, cut short by one of Mr Mhlanga’s sons who said it will not aid the family’s case to provide information to this publication.

He ordered the news crew to leave his father’s house. — @nqotshili.

The Government will, with effect from July 1, enforce mandatory fortification of selected foods, a strategy announced two years ago to fight micro-nutrient deficiency in the country, especially among women and children.

Food fortification is a process of adding micro-nutrients to food and is meant to prevent deficiency diseases such as anaemia, mental retardation and goitre. The Government is targeting to add nutrients to mealie-meal, wheat flour, sugar and cooking oil.

The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa announced in November 2015 that the country would adopt compulsory fortification of the foods this year. He launched the Zimbabwe National Food Fortification Strategy (2014-2018), which is aligned to the National Food and Nutrition Strategy for Zimbabwe and serves as a guide at both policy and implementation levels to prevent micro-nutrient deficiencies. An enabling statutory instrument was issued a few months ago.

The strategy was developed in response to the 2012 Zimbabwe Micro-nutrient Survey that showed that 19 percent of children aged 6-59 months are vitamin A deficient, while 72 percent have iron deficiency, and 31 percent are anaemic, and nearly 1,5 million working age adults with anaemia suffer deficits in work performance.

Vitamin A deficiency in children under the age of five increases the risk of a child’s death before their fifth birthday, while anaemia due to iron deficiency among pregnant women contributed to high rates of prematurity, low birth weight and infant mortality. Zimbabweans no longer have a problem of goitre, the swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland since the Government introduced iodised salt.

The health implications caused by a business as usual approach towards the food that the people eat are ghastly to contemplate. The fortification strategy is therefore a plausible step that should promote the health of the people – the resource-poor, women and children under five years of age, especially those resident in rural areas.

Already 10 big local food processing companies have complied or have indicated their willingness to do so. They are National Foods, Grain Marketing Board, Mega Foods, Tongaat Hulett, Blue Ribbon, Parrogate, Gutsamhuri, UniFoods, starafricacorporation and Zim Source Foods.

The firms must be commended for doing the right thing. It is good for their business, it is good for their public images. It shows they don’t pursue profit and profit alone, but are also socially responsible, cognisant of the obvious adverse impacts their products have on the people who consume them.

While the 10 companies have complied, the Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) is putting pressure on the Government to suspend food fortification.

“If this mandatory fortification programme is enforced as from July 1, 2017,  as being threatened, we will see many millers unable to continue production especially our small-scale black indigenous grain millers. The economic challenges of the past 10 years have seen the country’s operating black maize millers dwindling to 23 in May 2017 from 128 in 2009; the country’s operating wheat black millers have fallen to one in May 2017 from five in 2009.

Mandatory fortification cannot and must not be allowed to come and finish them off,” GMAZ chairman, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said recently at a Command Agriculture review workshop in Harare.

His organisation has also written a letter to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare pleading for the exercise to be postponed. Dr Parirenyatwa has rejected their proposal, insisting yesterday that the cost for compliance was negligible.

This week, the association wrote to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Mike Bimha raising the same issues.

Mr Musarara, in his letter to Dr Bimha raises the cost issue, which we think makes sense. Twenty million dollars is a huge sum of money that he said members of his organisation will cumulatively incur in equipping themselves and the $7 million monthly bill for importation of fortificants is a substantial sum of money too.

We are confident the Government is seized with these matters and will, in consultation with the millers, find a way to go round the cost implications.  We remember that in November 2015, the millers asked the Government to consider reducing or totally removing import duty on the fortificants.  We have no doubt that the Government will listen to them on this.

We note the millers’ argument, but there are food processors that are already compliant.  Tongaat Hulett announced on Sunday that it was already selling white and brown sugar that is fortified with vitamin A.  Starafricacorporation who manufacture white sugar has also made a similar announcement.
Could it be that the cost implications for fortification are less on sugar, but higher on maize, wheat and other grains? We are unsure.  The Government is urged to establish the full cost structures for all foods for which micro-nutrients would be added and see if GMAZ can be trusted.

The point to be made in the final analysis is that the drive towards food fortification must not be slowed down or halted. It, as they say, is what the doctor ordered.  People’s health and welfare are more important than profit.

Jacob Zuma

Cape Town — The African National Congress in Parliament has welcomed the Constitutional Court’s ruling that Speaker Baleka Mbete must decide again on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, saying it doesn’t change its stance.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu on Wednesday said the party will consult with its members and legal advisors on the implications of the judgment, but that it in effect won’t change their expressed position.

“ . . . Our initial understanding of the judgment is that it gives the Speaker of the National Assembly, who is the chairperson of the rules committee of Parliament, the powers to decide on a secret ballot . . .” Mthembu said in a statement.

“Notwithstanding these matters and the effects of the engagements that will ensue in the rules committee, we are still steadfast that whether such engagement will result in a vote by secret ballot or not, we have unqualified and unequivocal confidence in the ANC caucus not to vote in support of a motion to remove the President of the ANC, who is also the President of the Republic of South Africa and our government, from office.”

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled on Thursday that Mbete as speaker does have the constitutional power to decide whether or not to hold a secret ballot for a motion of no confidence in the president.

She had erred in her previous stance that she did not have the authority, he said.

She and President Jacob Zuma were ordered to pay costs of the opposition counsel as well.

Mthembu said the party’s caucus will engage positively on the matter going forward, as eyes now turn to Mbete to make a decision.

He also affirmed the party’s right to decide how its members conduct itself in Parliament according to their party’s constitution.

“As Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng reminded us today, the South African electoral system is a party political system. The electorate votes for political parties who represent them in the legislature.

“ANC members of Parliament are therefore representatives of the ANC in Parliament and derive their mandate from the political party which deployed them in the same way as members of other political parties derive their mandate from their political parties.”

Mthembu cited examples in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature where the Democratic Alliance refused to vote with the ANC to remove Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

In Mogale City, the DA also instructed councillors to take a lie detector test after some of members voted in favour of removing the mayor.

“This is the level of hypocrisy of the opposition who expect the ANC to do something which they flatly refuse to do.

“We reiterate our long stated position that we will not support the motion of no confidence on President Jacob Zuma by opposition parties. We will defeat this motion of no confidence by the opposition as we have successfully done so in the previous four motions tabled in this fifth term of Parliament.”

Meanwhile, DA leader Mmusi Maimane called on all political parties, especially the ANC, to allow their members to “do what they know is right, and to vote Jacob Zuma out”.

Maimane described the motion as “a pivotal moment for our country and its future.

“Jacob Zuma has abandoned the interests of the people, the economy, and South Africa, in favour of a kleptocratic Guptamocracy. We cannot allow this to continue any longer.

“For the sake of the country, it is important that members of Parliament, regardless of political affiliation, come together and put South Africa first by voting to protect the Constitution and to end corruption. Public representatives in Parliament are accountable to the people — first and foremost.

“The removal of Jacob Zuma is the first step in stopping the ANC that is destroying our country and its future.”

Shortly after Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng delivered his judgment, Maimane sent out a press release stating that he wrote to Mbete to request her to schedule the motion of no confidence at the earliest available opportunity.

Parliament, however, enters its winter recess on July 3, and there are no plenaries scheduled for next week.

“Regardless of today’s [Thursday’s] ruling by the Constitutional Court, the Democratic Alliance’s vote in the upcoming motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma will be no secret,” said Maimane.

“The DA will vote to fire Jacob Zuma — and we call on every other Member of Parliament, from all political parties, to do the same.” — Sapa

Chicken Inn players wheel away in celebration after Moses Jackson heads in a corner kick (file pic)

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
POTENTIALLY explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches are lined up for the weekend with the top teams hoping to cling on to their positions.

Four points separate the top team Black Rhinos, who have amassed 27 points, and eighth placed ZPC Kariba.

The few points’ difference between the top eight teams have made the championship race interesting with no clear championship favourite yet.

This means that the teams which are in the title race cannot afford to drop points as doing so could see them lose grip in the contest.

By the end of today’s fixtures, leaders Black Rhinos who are in action tomorrow may find themselves either in position two or third on the table.

Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Today, Luveve Stadium): It’s a stern test for 2015 champions Chicken Inn who are third on the table tied on 27 points with leaders Rhinos and Ngezi Platinum. The platinum miners are the most lethal side in the league, scoring 23 goals in 14 outings. Chicken Inn on the other hand have a joint-second best defence with FC Platinum which has conceded five goals. The most watertight defence is that of Rhinos that has let in four goals in 13 games.

Chicken Inn come into today’s game with their heads high as they enjoy a five-match winning streak. Beating Ngezi Platinum will take their tally to 30 points, three ahead of Rhinos who play Harare City tomorrow.

A win for Ngezi Platinum can also take them to the top.

Chicken Inn and Ngezi Platinum can move above Rhinos only for 24 hours in the event that they draw.

Ngezi Platinum who were held to a 2-2 draw by Bantu Rovers go to Luveve Stadium without utility player Liberty Chakoroma and goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya who are in South Africa with Warriors’ Coasafa Cup squad. They are also said to be missing the services of injured central defender Patson Jaure. Chicken Inn will only miss midfielder Innocent Mucheneka who is on national duty.

Players expected to carry the day for Chicken Inn include goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze who has kept five consecutive clean sheets, defenders Moses Jackson, Guide Goddard, Divine Lunga and Passmore Bernard.

The midfield quintet of Clemence Matawu, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Thabani Goredema, Chris Samakweri and George Majika as well as favoured forward Darryl Nyandoro complete Chicken Inn’s team likely to start.

Ngezi Platinum’s hopes will be pinned on goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, midfielders Xolisani Moyo, Dominic Mukandi and Walter Mukanga and offensive players Donald Teguru, Clive Augusto and Terrence Dzukamanja.

FC Platinum v Tsholotsho FC (Today, Mandava): FC Platinum’s 13-match unbeaten run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League might count for nothing in the championship race unless they start turning draws into wins.

The platinum miners are seventh on the table with 23 points from 13 outings and  last weekend drew their eighth match of the season, a 0-0 stalemate with ZPC Kariba.

Being the only unbeaten team in the league, the platinum miners face rock bottom Tsholotsho FC side who are still hunting for their first victory of the season.

The odds favour FC Platinum with a victory taking them to position four.

How Mine v Highlanders (Tomorrow, Barbourfields): This is a match that Highlanders will want to maintain their dominance while the gold miners will be searching for their third win over Highlanders.

In their last eight meetings, How Mine have won twice, 1-0 and 2-1 in 2013 during their maiden PSL season. Since then, Highlanders have won four times, drawing twice.

Highlanders and How Mine are tied on 24 points, with the former sitting on position four because of a superior goal difference.

Bosso who bounced back to winning ways last week, beating Hwange 3-0 a week after losing by the same scoreline to Rhinos need to be at their best to beat How Mine who have gone for four games without a defeat.

How Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu said they will miss utility player Thembani Masuku, defensive pair of Nelson Tachi and Brian Mbiriri through injury.

They welcome back Milton Ncube who missed their 2-1 win over Yadah FC because of suspension.

“I believe this will be an exciting game and the best team of the day will win. They have good youngsters with flair as well as seasoned players so we expect a great game. Hopefully we will be able to continue with our good run,” Kaindu said.

Bosso who are without striker Prince Dube and leftback Honest Moyo who are participating at the Cosafa Cup are likely to include regulars Rodreck Mutuma, Tendai Ngulube, Allen Gahadzikwa, Simon Munawa and Benson Dube who missed the Hwange game.

The youngsters likely to be retained include defender Bukhosi Ncube, midfield pair of King Nadolo and Brian Banda as well as striker Godfrey Makaruse.

Fixtures

Today: Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum (Luveve), FC Platinum v Tsholotsho FC (Mandava)

Tomorrow: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Bantu Rovers v Chapungu (Luveve), Triangle United v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Hwange v Shabanie Mine (Colliery), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Morris Depot), Dynamos v Bulawayo City (National Sports Stadium)

Tuesday: Yadah FC v Caps United (Morris Depot) -@ZililoR

Honest Moyo

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Gwanda has been arrested after being found with a human head and male private parts.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident yesterday.

Honest Moyo had allegedly packed the head and scrotum that had two testicles in a bag in a kitchen hut at his rural homestead of Garanyemba when police caught up with him. He denied having killed the man, saying he just “saw” the body at a dumpsite and decided to remove its head and testicles with a view to selling them.

The incident has left the community of Garanyemba in Gwanda Central shell shocked.

A source close to the matter said the heinous act came to light when Moyo was visited by his cousin, Mr Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu (19), at his mother’s homestead on Thursday afternoon.

Moyo’s mother, Ms Beauty Ndlovu, was not at home as she works at a farm in the Limpopo province of South Africa.

The Chronicle caught up with Mr Ndlovu yesterday and he narrated the hair-raising story of his grisly find.

He said he had heard rumours that his cousin, Moyo was in possession of human body parts.

“I left my grandmother’s homestead going to my aunt’s homestead who is Honest’s mother. When I arrived he heard my footsteps and came out of the kitchen hut in a huff. He was holding a bloodied scissors,” said Mr Moyo, who added that recalling the incident still caused him to break out in goosebumps.

“When I asked him where the blood was coming from he said he had cut himself while shaving his armpit,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu

He said his cousin blocked him from entering the kitchen hut, which made him more curious.

“I then forced my way in and came face-to-face with the greatest horror of my life. I was greeted by a bearded human head which was on top of a bloodied sack and a bloodied satchel was on its side. I blindly stumbled out of the house and ran away,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He said Moyo pursued him, threatening to kill him if he told anyone about the human body parts.

Mr Ndlovu said he outpaced his cousin, who fled from the homestead.

“I still can’t believe what I saw. I told my grandmother and other villagers. Muchengeti Mazondo, one of the villagers, called Guyu Police Station and reported the incident,” he said.

Moyo, Mr Ndlovu said, was apprehended by villagers at Garanyemba Business Centre, who handed him over to the police.

Mr Ndlovu said the experience had traumatised him and he was having nightmares.

“It’s haunting me. I didn’t suspect my cousin could do such a thing,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said Moyo told the police that he did not kill the person but found him dead at a dumpsite in Colleen Bawn.

“He said when he saw the body while herding cattle, he thought of a certain businessman in West Nicholson who once told him he wanted a human head and testicles. He said he just harvested the parts from the body,” he said.

Yesterday, Moyo led police to a dumpsite in Colleen Bawn where he allegedly said he had left the mutilated body in a shallow grave.

Detectives recovered the headless body and conveyed it to Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary for postmortem. — @richardmuponde.

KVG and Pathisani

Danisa Masuku
Yesterday Star FM celebrated its fifth birthday.

It has been a wonderful journey that started in 2012 for Zimpapers’ first commercial radio station.

With the station having a blend of new and old blood, it has grown in leaps and bounds making it gain popularity across the world.

Behind this success is a dedicated team of radio personalities that have given their all for the evergreen radio station.

Saturday Leisure spoke to the following presenters who shared their journey.

Fiona Itayi Takaendesa aka Iyati (Programming Manager)

She has risen through the ranks from being a presenter of the Breeze show to being the programming manager. She attributes her rise to the grace of God.

“I’d quit radio in 2000 and in 2012, I joined StarFM. During my second year, I managed to scoop the DJ of the year award. Besides that, working for Star FM has made me travel to places like Egypt and Dubai,” she said.

She said veteran broadcasters like Comfort Mbofana, Innocent Tshuma, Leander Kandiero, and Tich Mataz laid the solid foundation for the success of the station but there was a gap which was to be filled by the new presenters.

“The wonderful mixture of the veteran and new presenters ignited the spark which made Star FM a station of choice. The dedication of the team has made the station to be ranked as the best commercial radio station [in the country].

“At first it was tough as we had few adverts to sustain us, but because of the team’s dedication, advertisers started to believe in our brand and adverts started coming through. We’d like to thank them for their unwavering support as well as the listeners for their support for the past five years,” she said.

Napoleon Nyanhi aka DJ Napster (former breakfast show presenter and programming manager).

Popularly known as Napster, Nyanhi joined the station as a part-time presenter in 2012.

“It was my first time to be on radio and I was trained by Innocent Tshuma. During one of my first shows, I made a blunder while I was on air as one of my workmates sent me a text message asking me to buy him electricity and I had to phone him back using the company’s landline. I did so while I had not switched off the air button so listeners followed my conversation where I told my workmate that I didn’t have money and he kept insisting. After the show, my phone was inundated with calls from listeners saying I should give him money for electricity then I realised I hadn’t switched off the on-air button,” he said.

Napster who has risen through the ranks to become Capitalk station manager, credits the station’s management for grooming him to become a broadcaster of repute.

“At Star FM, I was promoted from being a presenter to producer before eventually being the programming manager. I learnt a lot during my stint there especially when I co-hosted the breakfast show with Nikki.”

Phathisani Sibanda aka Mkwasha Mboko (producer, 3-6 Express presenter)

Joining Star FM after he was fired from Diamond Studios, Mkwasha Mboko who co-hosts drive time show – 3-6 Express with Kudzai Violet Gwara aka KVG has become a popular presenter on the station.

“On my first shift, I talked for 30 minutes while the mic was off. Innocent Tshuma phoned me asking why I wasn’t talking live and I realised I hadn’t switched on the mic,” he said.

Mkwasha Mboko said he was thankful to the station’s management for believing in him as he has toured the world on business.

“I’ve been to South Africa, United Kingdom and we’ll soon be returning to the UK after then we’ll go to Canada, taking radio to the people.”

Together with KVG, the two have made radio worth listening to with their inimitable combination. As a result, numerous companies have made them their brand ambassadors.

Kudzai Violet “KVG” Gwara (3-6 Express presenter)

Having started at the launch of the station, KVG almost quit her job on the first day as she was not confident, but the passion to be a broadcaster kept her going.

“When I was about to go on air, I went to Admire Taderera who was my former boss and told him that I couldn’t be on air. He said if I fail, then I should go home and never come back.

“I gathered the courage and went on air and improved with each passing day.”

She said being on radio had attracted the good and the bad.

“There’s a guy who used to call me telling me he was mesmerised with my voice and wanted to marry me. At times, he’d send me a WhatsApp message and I’d respond informing him that I wasn’t interested. Gradually, he stopped his stalking tendencies.”

KVG regards her trip to the UK last year as a great milestone in her broadcasting career adding that her mother has been her pillar of strength.
Nicola “Nikki” Ndoro (Breakfast Club presenter)

From a housewife to a radio presenter, Nicola Ndoro, fondly known as Nikki says her stint at Star FM has made her find her purpose to change lives.

“My hope is to change lives and being a presenter gives me a platform to do so. When I was hosting Starship, I interviewed a child who was suffering from hydrocephalus and we had to ask people to assist. The response was overwhelming as one man bought him a wheelchair and that inspired me to do more to change lives through radio.”

It has not been all rosy for the presenter who has been a victim of cyber attack.

“I’ve been a victim of cyber bullying. An unknown person insulted me on Facebook but I’ve learnt to put that aside and continue with my job, changing lives,” she said.

Tapuwa Musoni aka Day Walker (Chief Producer)

He has been with the station since its inception and has risen from being a junior producer to chief producer. Now, he co-hosts the Loony breakfast show with veteran broadcaster Davies Mugadza on Saturday. His exciting moment in this journey was when they hosted politicians Tendai Biti and Saviour Kasukuwere on a programme called Art of Power.

“The two politicians were discussing the indigenisation policy and they stole the limelight as they argued non-stop. The programme host Innocent Tshuma had to intervene and told them to adhere to set rules,” he said.

However, his worst moment was when he had invited former Speaker of Parliament Austin Zvoma for a live programme but had to cancel at the last moment.

“I’d invited Mr Zvoma but on the day, I got too busy and forgot that I’d invited him so we had to cancel the interview. For his slot, we put another speaker and had to apologise to Mr Zvoma and he got upset with me.”

VP Emmerson Mnangagwa

Farirai Machivenyika in Johannesburg, South Africa
Zimbabwe has abundant investment opportunities cutting across various sectors of the economy and is working on policies to improve business conditions for investors.

This was said by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while officially opening the Zimbabwe-South Africa (ZIMSA) Investment Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday.

“In order to adequately exploit investment opportunities in Zimbabwe, Government is implementing various reforms across the entire public sector to improve the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and create a robust private sector which fosters growth and sustainable development. The main objectives of undertaking the reforms are to; improve the business environment in order to boost local and foreign investment, improve performance of the public sector institutions in delivering quality service to the people, reduce the cost and enhance the ease of doing business and create value for money,” he said.

VP Mnangagwa said that Government had crafted nine Bills to address the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe and were at various stages of promulgation.

He added that Government had adopted the Zim-Asset economic blueprint to stimulate investment and growth.

“In order to stimulate investment in Zimbabwe and complement development in the Sadc region through economic intergration, Zimbabwe has formulated Zim-Asset 2013-2018 to achieve sustainable development and social equity that is anchored on indigenisation, empowerment and employment creation through the judicious exploitation of the country’s abundant human and natural resources. Zimbabwe is endowed with various trade and investment opportunities, which cut across value chains. Opportunities exist in such areas as beneficiation and technology transfer, supply of production equipment and capacity enhancement among others,” VP Mnangagwa said.

He said opportunities for investments existed in the Special Economic Zones sector, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure, ICTs, water, financial services and health.

VP Mnangagwa said three pilot SECs had been established and these were the Sunway City Integrated Industrial Park, Victoria Falls Integrated Tourism Park and the Bulawayo Industrial hub.

On agriculture, he said Zimbabwe had a favourable climate and land suitable for all-year-round farming and had strong backward and forward linkages that enhanced production value chain like maize to maize meal and stock feeds.

“Zimbabwe has started implementing Public Private Partnerships in the agricultural sector, notably the Special Programme on Maize Production for Import Substitution commonly known as Command Agriculture. I therefore, urge potential investors to come on board and join such Government initiated programmes. Results in the first year of this organic maize production programme are encouraging and have reached as much as 20 tonnes per hectare in one areas,” VP Mnangagwa added.

The Vice President added that mining offered abundant opportunities especially in value addition especially on minerals like platinum, asbestos, gold and diamond among others.

He said Government was keen on entering into partnerships for transport and infrastructure development to enhance access to local, regional and international markets. “The Government of Zimbabwe has set a target of universal access to ICT services through the telecommunications services, postal and courier services and value added services such as electronic money, applications and social media.

“Demand for Internet services has been spurred through the widespread increase in the use of smart phones and smart devices, thus calling for further telecommunications infrastructure development, e-services, advanced technologies, ICT software development, local assembly of ICT gadgets, content provision, satellite services and establishment of data centres and call centres,” he said.

On health, he said opportunities were there in the provision of specialist health services and rehabilitation of infrastructure, while the financial services sector needed lines of credit for on-lending to others.