via Govt violates Unesco statutes – Southern Eye

FORMER Education minister David Coltart has accused the Zanu PF government of violating the United Nations Educatinal, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) statutes by charging customs and import duty on textbooks and other reading material.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

In a statement on Thursday, Coltart, who served as Education minister in the inclusive government between 2009 and 2013, said the recent 40% customs duty imposed on books and other reading material violated Statutory Instruments 192 and 193 of the 1950 Unesco Treaty which prohibit charging of duty on imported educational, scientific and cultural materials.

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials, also known as the Florence Agreement, or simply the Unesco Treaty.

Materials covered by the treaty include printed books, newspapers, periodicals, government publications, printed music, works of art, antiques over 100 years old, scientific instruments used in education or research, and educational films. The agreement does not apply to materials that contain excessive amounts of advertising.’

“The law is outrageous. Not only does it breach this Unesco agreement, but it will also undermine our already battling libraries and seriously undermine the quality of education in Zimbabwe,” Coltart said.

“I call upon Patrick Chinamasa (Finance minister) to repeal this new law immediately. I trust that Unesco will also complain to the Zimbabwean government and take whatever action it is allowed to if the Zimbabwean government remains in breach.”

On September 1 this year, government gazetted duty increases and reductions for several goods and items in line with its proposals and subsequent statutory instruments on customs and excise duty. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is enforcing these new tariffs and all book imports would be charged 40% plus $1 per kilogramme.

The increase in import duty will likely cause a sharp rise in the prices of books.

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via People First disown Mliswa – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 18, 2015 by Richard Chidza

FORMER Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s People First (PF) political formation has disowned “utterances” attributed to former Hurungwe West lawmaker Temba Mliswa regarding an envisaged opposition coalition.

Mliswa, who of late has been frequenting MDC-T rallies, has reportedly indicated that any viable opposition coalition should be led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai if it is to be able to dislodge long-time ruler President Robert Mugabe.

But PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday said Mliswa was “driving a different agenda”.

Gumbo told NewsDay in an interview that while their political outfit had established contact with “like-minded” parties in the country, there was no coalition as yet.

“We are a democratic institution and will not deny anyone their right to free speech and Mliswa has a right to that as well. I would like, however, to say he is not speaking for or on behalf of anyone connected or associated with People First when he says Tsvangirai will lead whatever coalition will be formed,” Gumbo said.

“Mliswa has a different agenda from our own. We will not be drawn into speculating what he wants, but it has nothing to do with us. When we are ready, we will make a pronouncement as always and Mliswa will definitely not be the one to do that.

“No decision has been made and in any case we are still very much at the consultation stage. We are consulting with other democratic forces for a possible coalition, but to now pronounce anything related to its leadership is a bit premature.”

While addressing MDC-T supporters in Chikomba last weekend, the former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson questioned Mujuru and her group’s democratic credentials.

“If you are looking for a coalition outside Zanu PF, you have no choice because Morgan (Tsvangirai) is the leader, because he has more seats in Parliament than you guys who are coming on stage. So don’t hate me for saying that,” he said.

“Yes, I looked into the People First policy document where they say all political parties must be under her. Well! As who? And for what reason? And what are you (Mujuru) bringing to the table?”

Mliswa berated the PF group, saying they were not yet a notable or recognisable institution.

Gumbo said his party had made contact with a number of other opposition politicians.

“We have made contact with (Dumiso) Dabengwa, Simba Makoni, Tsvangirai and others, but we continue to consult for a sustainable alternative political voice that will help our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, Gumbo mourned the death of former Information minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who died in Bulawayo early this week, describing him as a dedicated liberation war hero.

“It is sad that such a sober-minded person, who comprehended fully the liberation struggle and the current socio-political and economic problems bedevilling the country at this juncture, when the revolution is at a crossroads, is taken away at a time his sober political character is needed most.”

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via Mines, Minerals Act amendments a pipe dream – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 18, 2015

AMENDMENTS to the Mines and Minerals Act to make minerals exploration more transparent, accountable and sustainable seem unlikely after President Robert Mugabe did not mention the issue when he announced 23 Bills to be brought before Parliament during the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament.

by VENERANDA LANGA

During the previous session of Parliament in 2014, Mugabe announced that the Executive would bring the Mines and Minerals Act before Parliament for amendments, but nothing was done until the session expired.

In March, Mines and Mining Development deputy minister Fred Moyo, however, told Senate that finalisation of amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act were underway and that a draft Bill was already in place.

Moyo even said stakeholders were being consulted with the hope that the Bill would be introduced in Parliament during the previous session.

But in his statement at the official opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament, Mugabe only announced that a Mineral Exploration and Marketing Corporation Bill will be brought before Parliament.

Mugabe said the Bill’s aim was to transform the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe into a fully-fledged mineral exploration corporation. It would also provide for a competitive and investment focused legislative framework.

Mugabe also announced that Parliament will also be expected to craft a Pan African Minerals University of Science and Technology Bill to operationalise a university which will offer postgraduate training programmes in mineral value addition and beneficiation.

Amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act have been in the pipeline for several years now, but nothing tangible has been done.
If the Mines and Minerals Act, crafted in 1963, is amended, it is likely to promote investment and sustainable development.
It is also likely to guarantee security of tenure and aid efficient use of land, as well as solve land conflicts between miners and farmers.

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association suggested an amended Mines and Minerals Act should deal with challenges affecting the mining sector today and include clauses on small-scale and artisanal miners, rural communities affected by mining activities, corporate social responsibility by mining companies and rehabilitation of the environment after mining activities.

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via Mugabe media threats ominous – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 18, 2015

President Robert Mugabe’s utterances at a luncheon hosted for him and legislators following the opening of Parliament on Tuesday where he insinuated that the media needed more controls were quite disturbing and enough to cause unnecessary anxiety.

Looked at independently, they may seem somewhat innocuous, as it seemed the President was admonishing the media for writing lies against him or anyone.

The media, both public and private, have a responsibility to write the truth, accurately and objectively and in this regard, Mugabe, or anyone, has the right to censure the media if they feel they are going overboard.

However, looked at within the wider context, a troubling pattern begins to emerge, which shows a calculated onslaught on the media is in the offing and this is cause for concern.

At the last Zanu PF politburo meeting, a subtle warning was issued to the private media, while Nathaniel Manheru, a columnist with The Herald, widely believed to be Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba, has also issued ominous warnings to the private media.

Zimbabwe’s record in the protection and preservation of individual rights is not one to write home about and we fear we are beginning to trudge down that dangerous road that we thought we had long left in the past.

We had hoped that with the new Constitution, freedoms, not just of the media or free speech, would be guaranteed, but such hopes are increasingly seeming naïve and show that when authorities feel threatened, they quickly resort to legislating against rights that are fundamental to democracy.

We acknowledge and appreciate that there has been an improvement in the legislative environment, but we have a duty to safeguard these gains, while working towards continuous improvement and in this regard, we feel Mugabe’s utterances may be taking us a few steps backwards.

What is also worrying is that some over-enthusiastic members of Mugabe’s government or party may take advantage of these statements and launch their own vigilante-like justice on the media.

It is also worrying that these threats come at a time the nation is still demanding answers on the whereabouts of journalist and activist, Itai Dzamara, who disappeared ostensibly because he dared exercise his rights to demonstrate and speak freely.

Instead of legislating against the media, we advise Mugabe and those who think like him that there are a number of civil legal avenues they may use instead of the threat to legislate the media.

While sceptics may dismiss these concerns saying the media is crying wolf and that we deserve a reprimand for the way we have carried ourselves about, the sad truth is: After they are done curtailing media freedoms, what is to stop them from coming to your sector?

It is time Zimbabweans spoke with one voice and defended each other against threats on any individual or sector’s rights.

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via Pertinent issues left out in the legislative agenda for third session – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 18, 2015

The Third Session of the Eighth Parliament commenced on Tuesday with the official opening address by President Robert Mugabe, who strangely read the wrong speech. The correct speech outlining the legislative agenda for the session was then tabled in Parliament by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday.

Many people expected the President to come back to Parliament to read the correct speech after the Tuesday confusion. While the Constitution does not compel the President to officially open a session of Parliament, it is good practice to do so, especially when the supreme law reposes in the President legislative authority together with Parliament. Furthermore, an official opening address affords the nation an opportunity to get to know and plan for the legislative proposals that will come before Parliament.

The drafts of importance that are expected to come before Parliament include Banking Act Amendment Bill to strengthen the banking regulatory system, further amendments to the Labour Act to take into account the recommendations from labour and business, Code of Corporate Governance Bill, Mineral Exploration and Marketing Bill, State Procurement Amendment Bill and Public Health Bill.

The Code of Corporate Governance Bill is long overdue in order to address corporate governance deficits and rampant abuse of public resources by public officials. The State Procurement Bill is also critical to plug massive corruption and loopholes in state procurement.

Surprisingly, there is no Bill to amend the Public Finance and Management Act. This would have gone a long way in complementing the State Procurement and Corporate Governance bills in terms of strengthening public finance management. The Minister of Finance recently announced in Parliament that he was amending the Public Finance Management Act to align it with the Constitution. Those of us who strongly advocate transparency and accountability in public financial matters were therefore expecting to see the Bill featuring prominently on the list.

To make matters worse, the list of bills for this session does not include legislation that entrenches the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms. I was expecting to see amendments to the Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, among others that cannot pass the constitutional test, being included on the list.

The President in his speech believes the alignment of laws with the Constitution is being “accelerated”. He cited the passing into law of the omnibus General Laws Amendment Bill and the amendment of the Electoral Act as examples of this acceleration. I am not so sure that this is a correct interpretation of the current alignment process.

This is because the whole approach to the alignment process is seriously flawed. The current process has been lambasted for its piecemeal approach. The drafters have failed to embrace the spirit of the Constitution of an open society, fostering of fundamental human rights and freedoms, the rule of law, equality of all human beings, separation of powers between the three arms of government and accountability of institutions and agencies of government to the people through Parliament.

These are the fundamental issues that have to be addressed before we talk about an accelerated alignment process. Better to delay the process as we seek to do it better. The alignment process cannot be led by drafters who are still living in the previous constitutional dispensation. They need to be educated first on the spirit of the Constitution if we are to do justice to the alignment process.

Lawmakers have to take seriously the alignment process before the constitutional court is inundated with constitutional challenges.

One other issue that the third session should seriously address is to do with implementation of Parliament resolutions arrived at through the work of portfolio and thematic committees. Some ministers still continue not to respond to committee reports, motions and questions brought to the House by backbenchers. This is in flagrant violation of the rules of Parliament that stipulate that motions have to be responded to within 10 sitting days. The minister concerned can be charged under contempt of Parliament if he/she fails to respond as prescribed by the rules.

Parliament itself must enforce this standing order during the third session if it is to be effective in its executive oversight mandate. I am not advocating confrontation between the legislative branch and the executive, but merely reminding Parliament to enforce its own rules. Parliament operates on the basis of rules and these should be respected. Parliament cannot effectively oversee the operations of ministers and other public officials if it fails to enforce its own rules.

We have two speeches before Parliament: the State of the Nation Address and the official opening of the Third Session of Parliament Address. The MPs must debate in a robust manner the two speeches in order to enhance their executive accountability role, which has so far achieved mixed results.

It is too early for the country to slide into an election mode characterised by a partisan and non-objective approach to public policy issues. I shudder to think that for the next three years to the general election public policy decisions would be driven more by political expediency. The effect of that on the economy and society at large would be devastating.

l John Makamure is the executive director of the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust. Feedback: john.makamure@gmail.com

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via Employers, govt set for legal showdown – The Zimbabwe Independent September 18, 2015

AS the fallout from the recent labour reforms continue, employers are this week set to drag government to court to appeal against some of the clauses in the amended Labour Act, businessdigest has learnt.

Kudzai Kuwaza

Government amended the Labour Act in August this year, a process triggered by the July 17 Supreme Court ruling which allowed employers to dismiss workers on three months’ notice without a retrenchment package. This resulted in more than 20 000 employees losing their jobs.

Sources told businessdigest this week that among the clauses being contested by employers are the clauses that mandate employers to compensate workers dismissed using the ruling with a retrenchment package.

The other clause likely to be contested is the clause that stipulates that contract workers will become permanent staff should they be contracted for a particular number of times.

“Business is exploring remedies at law to get relief on some of the provisions in the revised Labour act. We hope to do this before the end of this week,” an informed source said. “Business will be clear on the clauses that require that form of attention and the decisions taken by business will be advised to stakeholders.”

When contacted for comment on the pending court case on Wednesday, Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe president Jack Murehwa would not be drown into commentry saying:

“ We do not deal with issues through the press.”

The amendments which sailed through Parliament in August angered employers who accused government of ignoring their contributions to the amendments.

“The current Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare is the first minister to have totally ignored the contributions from a social partner (business) and therefore the concept of tripartism,” Emcoz wrote in a statement after the amendments passed through Parliament.

The statement was signed by representatives of various business organisations which include Chamber of Mines , Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Zimbabwe Council for Tourism. “Business reiterates that HB7/2015 will result in further deterioration of economic activity, resulting in further closure of companies, loss of jobs, less income to the fiscus, decline in social fabric and more importantly reduction in investor attraction into Zimbabwe,”the statement added.

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via Atterbell Maplanka faces deportation to Zimbabwe after weight gain | Daily Mail Online 17 September 2015

A Zimbabwean father of four is facing deportation because he has gained so much weight since coming to the UK that he no longer looks like his passport photo.

Atterbell Maplanka, 36, moved to the UK in 2000, when he was just ten stone, but has almost doubled in size since.

Mr Maplanka, who lives in Eastbourne, East Sussex, now weighs nineteen stone, and his appearance has changed so much that border officials barred him from re-entering the country.

He was on his way back from his mother’s funeral in Zimbabwe earlier this month when he was pulled aside by guards at Heathrow, who doubted that he was the same man.

They sent him to a holding centre near the airport, where he is being detained as his distraught wife tries to secure his release.

Mr Maplanka, who works as a housing officer in Eastbourne, said: ‘I did not believe what they were saying – I thought it was a distasteful joke’.

Speaking from Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, he said: ‘At first I thought I just had to prove to these guys who I was and I thought it was going to be a matter of finger prints, but when they took me away I could not believe it and I broke down and cried.’

Both Mr Maplanka’s passports include fingerprints, but the Home Office said it does not store its own fingerprint records for more than 10 years, so has nothing to compare it to.

Mr Maplanka, who works as a housing officer, was given indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2003, and the documentation was attached to his Zimbabwean passport, issued in 1999.

The image on the passport shows his slender face years before his markedly different appearance today.

He was issued a new passport in 2014, with an up-to-date picture, and told to bring both passports to be allowed back into the UK.

However, the Home Office did not believe that the two documents show the same man, so started deportation proceedings.

Mr Maplanka has been allowed to remain at the holding centre after a legal challenge by RBM Solicitors.

His wife, Bibian, was at home waiting for her husband to return when she received a call from him and said: ‘Listen, love, I have been detained.’

Mrs Maplanka, 33, said: ‘First I just thought he was joking. I said to him “obviously we just lost your mum, I am not ready for this kind of joke”.

‘I was planning on preparing his favourite meal, I changed the linen so he would come home to a clean bed – he had not been home in two weeks.’

She added: ‘I was in shock, I hoped maybe it would all be sorted, he has lived in England for 15 years. He is a very kind and genuine man and now this is ruining our lives.’

The couple have two children Lilly-May, 6, and Prince, 14, and Mr Maplanka has two other children who live in Surrey from a previous relationship.

They originally knew each other in Zimbabwe, where Prince was born, but rekindled their relationship when Mrs Maplanka moved to the UK as a refugee.

His family is now locked in a legal battle to get Mr Maplanka home as he is currently being held at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow.

If they fail, Mr Maplanka will be deported back to Zimbabwe.

He was due to be deported yesterday but a last minute legal challenge from the team at RBM Solicitors has given them more time to prepare a case and get him released on bail.

Mr Maplanka moved here to study and gained indefinite leave to remain in 2003 – moving to Eastbourne eight years ago be with his now-wife Bibian, also from Zimbabwe.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: ‘We do not routinely comment on individual cases and it would be inappropriate to do so while proceedings are ongoing.’

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via Govt row: Min slams pro-whites Chinamasa – New Zimbabwe 17/09/2015

IN A sign of confusion in the cabinet linked to the bitter fights over President Robert Mugabe’s succession, war veterans minister Chris Mutsvangwa has hit out at finance minister Patrick Chinamasa’s pro-IMF strategy.

The outspoken Mutsvangwa further attacked “some of ministers in the cabinet (who) still think the white man is superior”.

Mutsvangwa is a key ally of vice president and succession aspirant Emmerson Mnangagwa while Chinamasa is close to the Zanu PF faction working to block a Mnangagwa presidency.

And indicating that the succession question is also impacting efforts to right the failing economy Mutsvangwa effectively accused Chinamasa of treachery by claiming the IMF which the Finance Minister is actively wooing wants to topple Mugabe.

“They (IMF) want to remove Mugabe … they want Tsvangirai to be on the helm,” Mutsvangwa told a war veterans meeting in Mutare this week.

Chinamasa has been working hard to get Zimbabwe back into the good graces of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a desperate bid to secure debt relief, new financial support and to improve the country’s battered image in the West.

He has made some progress which is why he reacted with annoyance when Mutsvangwa tried to throw spanners into the works by attacking the IMF at a meeting with a delegation from the institution last week.

Chinamasa, at the time, called his cabinet colleague to order, reminding him that Zimbabwe was not paying its debts.

“We owe countries and international financial institutions huge amounts of money, hence we should not politicize the situation,” said the treasury chief.

But Mutsvangwa hit back while addressing a provincial war veterans meeting in Mutare recently.

“Some ministers in the cabinet still think white man is superior,” he said.

“They have the mentality that whatever comes from America is number one; whatever comes from British is first.

“That’s a wrong mentality but I will stand by you. We are the brave of the brave.”

Mutsvangwa then went for the jugular, effectively accusing Chinamasa of trying to topple Mugabe by working with the IMF.

“We have nothing to do with IMF because their agenda is removing war veterans from influential positions in government,” he said.

“They want security sector reform and they want Tsvangirai to be on the helm of the government.

“They want to remove Mugabe and war veterans from power because they want access to our wealth.”

Zimbabwe’s economic salvation, Mutsvangwa stated, could only be secured through Mnangangwa’s China strategy.

“There are plans to build a new Harare city and VP Mnangagwa has met the Chinese to discuss the project,” he said.

“The matter will be soon taken to cabinet for consideration. It involves links of roads to South Africa as well as links to Beira. This means it’s a multi-billion dollar investment.

“Initially, capital will be around $5 billion which is not coming from the government but we will use our minerals as a guarantee to Chinese which President Mugabe agreed to.

“We will call the Canadians and Australians to evaluate our minerals and we pay back the Chinese using our minerals.

“The new city will generate money to pay back the debt.”

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via Speaker’s property auctioned over debt – New Zimbabwe 17/09/2015

PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars belonging to Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mabel Chinomona, is set for auction on Friday to settle a loan which she owes a local financial institution.

The bank, majority-owned by the government, also recently attached property belonging to politician Temba Mliswa, who was expelled from the ruling Zanu PF party, over a $2 million debt.

Chinomona, who is also the MP for Mutoko North, and relative Farai Chinomona owe CBZ Bank an unconfirmed amount of money which the two failed to pay.

The property was attached recently by the Sheriff of the High Court.

A notice by the auctioneers, Revelations Auctioneers, property to be auctioned is mostly housing furniture which includes sofas, kitchen tables and chairs, a gas stove with gas tank, refrigerator and flat screen television sets.

The sale will be conducted at the CSC Complex in Willowvale, Harare.

Meanwhile, in a related development, a house in Waterfalls, Harare, which is said to belong to under fire ZIFA and its president, Cuthbert Dube, will also go under the hammer at a public auction on 2 October.

The five-bedroomed property will be conducted at the Raylton Sports Club. ZIFA and Dube also owe the CBZ Bank an unspecified amount.

A notice by the auctioneers, Property Heights Real Estate says the house comprises a dining room, two lounges, swimming pool, braai area and a fish pond among other features.

The next day after the auction, on 3 October, the ZIFA board will hold a special meeting in another fresh attempt to boot out Dube.

ZIFA and Dube’s properties have in the recent past recent been attached and auctioned in order to offset money owed to several companies, individuals and former employees, despite the organisation receiving millions of grants from the international football association, FIFA.

Early this week, President Robert Mugabe castigated Dube for abusing the association’s funds.

“I don’t believe it when I hear that Dube is taking money, but haa, this is worrying,” Mugabe said on Tuesday.

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via Zim croc processor hit by animal cruelty – New Zimbabwe 17/09/2015

CROCODILE breeder Padenga Holdings on Thursday reported an operating loss of $2,5 million in the six months to June citing disruptions in its operations over animal cruelty claims.

The company, which provides French based luxury bag maker Hermes with alligator and crocodile skins, earlier this year came under the spotlight with animal rights activists claiming the animals were not always treated or slaughtered humanely.

In a statement accompanying company results on Thursday chairman, Kenneth Calder, said operations were seriously disrupted by unexpected and intense inspections by the statutory authorities.

The charge was subsequently dismissed.

“For the alligator business, there were disturbances to production which will impact on the value of skins sold in 2015.

“We therefore anticipate this operation will only break even in the current year, but expect to return to normal high quality skins production in 2016,” Calder said.

Revenue in the half was down to $4,3 million from $4,7 million last year.

During the period 9,144 skins were sold compared to 9,299 last year.

The Zimbabwe crocodile operation achieved an operating loss of $2,3 million compared to $2,4 million last year although revenue increased by three percent to $4,2 million.

The number of skins sold was higher at 8,895 from 7,467.

Padenga’s alligator operation in Texas, United States, recorded revenue of $79,789 compared to $646,550 with no sales.

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FILIPE Nyusi

Lovemore Chikova in MAPUTO, Mozambique—
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday met Mozambican President Philipe Nyusi and discussed several issues to do with relations between the two countries. The meeting was held at President Nyusi’s office at State House. Earlier on VP Mphoko had paid a courtesy call on former Mozambican President Armando Guebuza at his offices in central Maputo.

VP Mphoko also met former President Joachim Chissano in a private meeting at his house on Thursday evening. Speaking after separately meeting President Nyusi and Mr Guebuza, VP Mphoko said he was on a special assignment by President Mugabe to meet the Mozambican and ruling Frelimo leaders.

“I had to pay a courtesy call on President Nyusi as part of my special mission,” he said. “I will not discuss the subject of the meetings until I report back. “The meeting was very good and the points we presented were well understood by the President.”

VP Mphoko said apart from meeting President Nyusi, Mr Chissano and Mr Guebuza he had also paid a visit on other Frelimo officials some of whom he used to work closely with when he was posted here during the liberation struggle. “I paid the courtesy calls to touch base with some old friends we worked together with during the liberation war,” he said.

The courtesy call on President Nyusi was discussed when he visited Harare at the end of last month where he opened the Harare Agricultural Show. Later in the day yesterday, VP Mphoko visited the National Mozambican Historical Archives in Maputo where he went through material about the liberation war history of both Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The material was in both pictorial and book form and captured historic moments such as Zimbabwe’s independence day on April 18, 1980 which was attended by several world leaders including the late Mozambican President Samora Machel. Some of the pictures showed liberation war fighters from both countries in the bush.

VP Mphoko also toured the Mozambican cost line where construction of roads and other projects, which are set to change the face of Mozambique, is taking place. VP Mphoko was accompanied by his wife Laurinda and Zimbabwean ambassador to Mozambique Nicholas Dube.

On Tuesday, VP Mphoko met with Frelimo secretary general Mr Eliseu Joaquim Machava and discussed several issues on relations between the party and Zanu-PF. The meeting was held at the Frelimo headquarters in central Maputo and attended by officials from VP Mphoko’s office and those from Frelimo headquarters.

VP Mphoko has been here since Sunday evening on a special mission assigned by President Mugabe and has so far been interacting with embassy staff and touring their residence. On Monday, VP Mphoko held his first meeting with the embassy staff where he was briefed on various issues.

Zimbabwe and Mozambique share a vast border line with a lot of interaction between the two countries and their citizens. The bond between the two countries grew during the liberation struggle when Mozambique offered rear bases for the liberation war fighters to launch attacks on the racist Ian Smith regime.

The late Mozambican President Samora Machel is held in high esteem in Zimbabwe because of his generosity and hospitality to the liberation war fighters.

Vice President Mnangagwa

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter—
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late national hero Cde Sikhanyiso Ndlovu as a patriot who cherished national unity. Cde Ndlovu (78) died on Tuesday at Mater Dei Hospital following an asthma attack and subsequent stroke last week. “We worked with him in the national leadership at national level and he was one of the comrades who cherished unity and cooperation among members of the party and the nation as a whole.

“I know him as an individual who did not feel issues of tribalism and regionalism, he was above that. He was a person who mixed with everyone across the breadth of the country. He was at home anywhere,” VP Mnangagwa said. The Vice President said Cde Ndlovu valued education and played a role in the development of the sector even during the liberation war.

“He served in Government and was doing well and in the Politburo, he served in various positions particularly as secretary for education. I feel as a party, nation and Government we have lost a colleague, a patriot with a wealth of experience.

“He could have done a lot by writing about the history of the country because of his wealth of experience,” he said. He added that Cde Ndlovu’s passion for education resulted in his founding of the Zimbabwe Distance Education College that has seen thousands of Zimbabweans attaining various academic and professional qualifications.

VP Mnangagwa said he got to know Cde Ndlovu in the early 1960s when they were imprisoned at Gonakudzingwa. “I came to know Duke in the early 60s when he was at Gonakudzingwa together with the late former Vice President Joshua Nkomo when we ourselves were also in prison.

“After he left Gonakudzingwa, he went to the US to study and during his stay we were fully aware of his activities as a Zapu activist. “He came from the Midlands in Mberengwa and was a personal friend of mine for over 40 years,” the Vice President said.

Cde Ndlovu will be buried at the National Heroes Acre today.

PALLBEARERS carry the casket bearing the body of National Hero Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu (inset) at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo before leaving for Harare yesterday

Herald Reporters—
All is set for the burial of educationist and national hero Cde Sikhanyiso “Duke” Ndlovu at the National Heroes Acre today. Cde Ndlovu’s body arrived in Harare yesterday evening in an Air Force of Zimbabwe plane, accompanied by his widow Dr Rose, Politburo member Cde Absolom Sikhosana and Cde Angeline Masuku.

The body was received by senior Government officials and Cabinet ministers who included Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Former Political Detainees and Restrictees Minister Chris Mutsvangwa and his deputy Cde Tshinga Dube, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Cde Annastasia Ndlovu and Major-General Douglas Nyikayaramba, among others.

Friends and relatives were also at the airport to receive the body.

The body was taken to his Bluffhill house before being taken to One Commando Barracks last night. Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa said all was set for the burial. She said 30 buses had been provided by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to ferry mourners to and from the National Heroes Acre.

Minister Chikukwa said the buses would start picking people around 5am at the usual pick-up points. “We have lost a liberator, a freedom fighter, a national hero, an educationist as well as a father,” she said.

“We knew Cde Ndlovu as one of the leaders you would emulate and a leader who had a vision. He was also a leader that the young ones would want to associate with.” Minister Chikukwa appealed to motorists to also assist in picking up people going to the National Heroes Acre. Harare Provincial Administrator Mr Alfred Tome, urged Zimbabweans across the political divide to throng the National Heroes Acre for a befitting send-off to the national hero.

“They must be seated by 10 am before the proceedings start. We urge every patriotic Zimbabwean to come to the national shrine. “Zimbabwe is a revolutionary State, which came about by this great son, the son of the soil who fought tirelessly and never looked back until we got our independence. So he wants a great send off to the creator,” he said.

Mr Tome urged the youths to come and hear, “the wise words of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. He is going to give you and hand you something.” The former Cabinet Minister and Zanu-PF politburo member, who was 78 years old, died at the Mater Dei Hospital on Tuesday morning where he had been admitted in the intensive care unit after an asthmatic attack and subsequent stroke last week.

Earlier on Cde Ndlovu was given a befitting send off by Bulawayo residents who came in their numbers to pay their last respects before his body was flown to Harare.

Speakers spoke glowingly of the revered educationist during a service at his Sunninghill home describing him as a committed revolutionary and passionate educationist. The city came to a standstill as the police escorted convoy accompanying Cde Ndlovu’s body made its way from his home to the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport where it was flown in a military plane to Harare.

Party officials from Matabeleland South and North including Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Obert Mpofu, his wife and legislator Sikhanyisiwe, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Cde Obedingwa Mguni, Matabeleland North provincial administrator Lathiso Dlamini and provincial service chiefs were among those who attended a service at Sunninghill.

Also present were Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo, chairperson of the women’s league Cde Medeline Bhebhe, Central Committee member Cde Alice Dube and Matabeleland South provincial youth chairperson Cde Washington Nkomo as well as central committee member Richard Ndlovu also from Matabeleland South and Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa.

Childfen to the late vice presidents Dr Joshua Nkomo, Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim, and John Nkomo, Jabulani were among other notable figures.

Fidelis Munyoro Chief Reporter—
Government has revised the country’s fuel pricing model to place it on the same level with regional standards and halt gross overcharging of petroleum products by some unscrupulous dealers. According to the new regulations, applicable profit margins for fuel wholesale and retail are now $0.06 (six cents) per litre, instead of the current seven percent, which unnecessarily varies margins for operators when external factors change.

This has seen the price of petrol falling to between $1,22 and $1,33 per litre, while diesel is costing between $1,07 and $1.18 per litre, bringing huge relief to consumers. Since last year, global oil prices have been taking a nosedive due to excess supply on the world market. Since June last year, international crude oil prices have been falling from $90 per barrel to as low as $46,93 yesterday. A barrel has 159 litres of fuel.

Government issued Statutory Instrument 100 of 2015 titled “Petroleum (Fuels Pricing) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (No. 2), in the Government Gazette yesterday to enforce the price reduction. “The price at which a petroleum company sells any petroleum product shall not exceed the oil company purchase price plus six United States cents (US$0, 06) per litre of the oil company purchase price,” reads the SI in part.

“The price at which a retail outlet sells any petroleum products shall not be more or less than six United States cents ($0,06) per litre of the oil company’s selling price per litre of that product.” Zimbabwe relies on imports and fuel prices are determined through a Government-approved model that takes into cognisance various cost elements with wholesalers and retailers alike restricted to pegging their prices at a margin of not more than seven percent.

But the local oil companies have been overcharging petroleum products despite glaring price changes on the global market. This prompted Government to intervene to protect the public.

Government, through the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, hired a consultant to come up with a pricing formula for the sector. Zera chief executive Engineer Gloria Magombo recently told The Sunday Mail that the price of diesel and petrol would come down by five cents and seven cents respectively.

She said other adjustments due to ongoing changes in the international fuel price would be factored in accordingly as they occur. Zimbabwe Energy Council executive director Mr Panganayi Sithole, welcomed the Government move saying it was in the best interest of the nation as fuel was one of the cost drivers. He said the price of fuel on the global market had been coming down, but this had not been translated at local levels.

“If you recall the Government a couple of months ago has been asking petroleum companies to reduce their prices in accordance with what is happening on the international market, but they did not play the ball,” said Mr Sithole. “Government was left with no option apart from introducing a statutory instrument, which now guides the pricing and profit margins petroleum companies have to benefit from.”

Mr Sithole said had the companies played their party, it was not necessary for Government to intervene with a legal instrument. “So the government has acted in the best interest of the nation by curtailing profiteering by these petroleum companies.”

Hardly two weeks after its inaugural congress, the MDC-T breakaway People’s Democratic Party, has developed internal fissures with deputy secretary general, Tongai Matutu, saying there are problems in the party that should be ironed out as a matter of urgency. In an interview with VOA Studio 7, Matutu, who refuted allegations that he had resigned

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RAUNCHY dancer Beverly Sibanda (real name Junior Lizzy Zinhu) says she is disturbed that people want her dead after another death hoax emerged this week and was circulating on social media. This time around, rumour mongers claimed that the popular dancer was stabbed at an undisclosed bar. Last year in August, Bev was said to

By Costa Mano and Lincoln Towindo

1931: Defence Minister Cde Sydney Sekeramayi who is accompanied by his wife arrives.

1920: Scores of people have now gathered outside the hall awaiting the start of proceedings.

Some of the family members.

0914: Speaker of Parliament advocate Jacob Mudenda has arrived at Stodart Hall.

The casket carrying the body of Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu arrives on a gun carriage.

0900: The body of late national hero Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu arrives at Stodart Hall. The body is accompanied by members of the Ndlovu family.

The casket is carried into Stodart Hall. All pictures by Lincoln Towindo.

Despite the minister’s less than eloquent responses in a radio interview, Infrastructure Sharing must proceed and Econet must work out its strategy especially where it may relate to how they source the funding for its infrastructure expansion.

Articles appeared first on Techzim;
No going back on Infrastructure Sharing despite Econet conundrum