Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa (right) meets Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Rungsung Masakui (centre) and his embassy’s second secretary Samykannu Rajendran who paid a courtesy call at his offices in Harare yesterday.

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Several Indian companies are interested in investing in Zimbabwe’s agricultural and medical sectors, India Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Rungsung Masakui said yesterday.

Mr Masakui said this after paying a courtesy call on Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices.

The Indian envoy was seeking agricultural land for the potential investors from his country, as well as briefing the Acting President on other business developments.

The ambassador’s proposal comes as Government has introduced a raft of measures to improve food security and reduce grain imports.

Among the measures is the Targeted Command Agriculture scheme whereby Government supported farmers with irrigation equipment, inputs, chemicals and mechanised equipment to produce over two million tonnes of maize on 400 000 hectares.

In an interview after the meeting, Ambassador Masakui said Acting President Mnangagwa had assured him that Zimbabwe was open to investors in various sectors of the economy.

“This is just (a courtesy call) to renew and a follow up discussion of the meeting we had last time,” he said. “There has been some advancement in that discussion and also that in agriculture sector, we are looking for some piece of land, around 10 000 to 15 000 hectares to start with, for cultivation of sugar cane.”

BEIJING. – On the day bank branches reopened after China imposed restrictions on citizens trying to spirit money out of the country, Wendy Chen went to her branch in Shanghai and peppered staff with questions about how to get around the new controls.

She was asking after the January 1 rules required people converting yuan into dollars to provide detailed information on how they planned to use the money abroad and restricting its use.

“Would I be required to provide evidence if the regulator challenges me? Would I be caught if my family members use their quota and send the money to my account? What does blacklist mean?” Chen asked employees at Bank of Communications Co on Monday.

She was trying to convert $100 000 worth of yuan for her 13-year-old son’s eventual college education in Australia by combining her and her husband’s annual quotas for 2017. Chen said she hoped to pre-empt more tightening as a weakening yuan accelerates demand to shift money overseas. When staff told her the rules only permit current tuition payments, not future plans, she went away to ponder how to get around the restriction.

“I’m not that concerned about further depreciation,” said Chen. “I’m most worried about the extra scrutiny, so I just want to get as much money out while I still can.”

Delicate balance
Chen’s thinking puts a spotlight on a delicate balancing act for China’s authorities. By strictly enforcing existing rules and implementing new ones, they may only fuel demand to get money out in anticipation of more stringent measures.

“As always with China, we will see new leaks appear in the pipe as the money finds new avenues and loopholes in order to escape,” said Keith Pogson, a Hong Kong-based managing partner at Ernst & Young.

Among measures rolled out by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange – China’s currency regulator known as SAFE – were requirements to inform banks of the planned use of funds and to pledge that the money won’t be used to buy overseas assets such as property or investment-linked insurance products. Rule violators will go on a watch list. Chinese buying of homes overseas has prompted huge surges in property prices from Vancouver to Sydney and elsewhere.

“Stable” currency
In a statement on December 31 announcing the measures, SAFE said the yuan will remain stable and noted that China’s interest rates are higher than those in the US or the European Union. It also said it would increase oversight of individuals doing foreign-exchange trading.

“The market should build the right awareness of risks, overcome the temptation of behaving in herd actions, and make rational investments based on real demand,” SAFE’s statement said.

Chinese citizens are allowed to convert $50 000 of foreign currency a year.

The new restrictions follow a flurry of curbs late last year on everything from companies buying assets overseas to offshore purchases of life insurance and checks on capital-account transactions involving foreign exchange of $5 million or more.

While China has always maintained a tightly controlled but porous capital border, the aggressive effort to plug leaks is a clear signal that authorities are no longer in the mood to turn a blind eye to outflows, said Liao Qun, Hong Kong-based chief economist at Citic Bank International Ltd.

“In the past, they were one eye closed and one eye open, but now, they turned to both eyes open wide,” he said.

Faster outflows
Capital outflows from China accelerated in recent months as the yuan suffered its worse year of losses against the US dollar since 1994. About $760 billion left in the first 11 months of 2016, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence gauge. While the flow of money leaving, including through illicit channels, is still below the record levels of 2015 and early 2016, pressure is building.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc in December estimated that a total of $1,1 trillion of foreign currency has left China since August 2015, when authorities devalued the yuan, and the US bank has projected further outflows in this quarter. That will pressure China’s foreign-exchange reserves, the world’s largest, as authorities intervene to support the yuan. The stockpile fell to a five-year low of $3,05 trillion as of November.

To be sure, not all of the money leaving China can be dubbed as capital flight. Companies have rushed to pay down foreign debt and investors are diversifying their overseas holdings.

Cutting demand
Tighter currency rules could prove effective in curbing demand for dollars said Zhao Yang, chief China economist at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Hong Kong.

“Requirements to fill out the form before purchasing foreign currencies is a reminder that there are very limited channels to move funds out of the country,” Zhao said.

Still, previous crackdowns haven’t managed to stem the tide. One example: insurance sales in Hong Kong to Chinese residents surged to a record in the third quarter of last year even as officials tightened rules to control outflows. Mainlanders’ purchases of Hong Kong insurance more than doubled in the third quarter from a year earlier.

“Government actions tend to reinforce the fear factor,” said Kevin Lai, chief economist for Asia excluding Japan at Daiwa Capital Markets in Hong Kong. The more the government tries to stop outflows, “the more people think something is wrong and they must find ways to get out.” – Bloomberg.

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter—

GOVERNMENT yesterday led the way in rallying the Warriors ahead of their African Cup of Nations campaign with the State mobilising resources to lay out a $1 million package for the senior team’s tour of duty in Gabon.The package comes as ZIFA and the Warriors had clashed over a number of issues related to the players outstanding bonuses, accommodation for their training camp and other logistics that are key to ensuring Callisto Pasuwa and his men are adequately prepared for the continental soccer showcase which starts in Libreville on January 14.

Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane could not be drawn into giving finer details about the Government rescue package, but revealed that ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa had approached him on Tuesday for support.

This came as the impasse, highlighted in the media, seemed to spiral out of control with the players staying at a city hotel while their coach and his technical crew were housed at the ZIFA Village.

The coach and his players were only meeting at training venues.

But all that is to be cleared today as mobile network services provider NetOne have also chipped in to ensure normalcy returns to the Warriors camp by assuring ZIFA and the squad that their $250 000 package had not yet been exhausted.

Part of the NetOne package was used to fly the side that travelled to Abidjan for a Boxing Day friendly match against Cote d’Ivoire.

It is the manner in which Government has led from the front that deserves to be applauded by the entire nation.

Government is also understood to be planning a send off ceremony for the Warriors tomorrow.

Hlongwane said Government was stepping in following consultations with other departments to help raise resources for the team.

The Ministry, which receives around $2,5 million annually from Treasury against a budget in excess of $36 million to service around 60 sport codes, had to turn to the higher offices for consultations since they clearly did not have the capacity.

Hlongwane said they took up the matter with the Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa who then assisted in facilitating the mobilisation of the resources from various Government departments.

According to sources, the meetings between the Minister and the Acting President resolved that there was need “to assist the Warriors’ campaign with a stout resource envelop.”

It is the Government’s view that the package will see the Warriors’ complete their campaign without glitches.

Although Hlongwane could not let much out of the bag, the Minister paid tribute to Acting President Mnangagwa for his assistance in bailing out the Warriors.

“Yes what I can confirm is that we were indeed approached by ZIFA on Tuesday afternoon. We immediately triggered our internal consultation processes and it is true that my consultations with the Acting President assisted in the facilitation of resource provision to the disposal of the Warriors which should see the AFCON campaign get to its logical conclusion, hopefully without a glitch.

“I can tell you the Acting President was very helpful for us to get to this conclusion,” said Hlongwane.

Zimbabwe are in Group B which features some of the continent’s big names Senegal, Algeria and Tunisia.

The Warriors, who are expected to leave Cameroon on Sunday for the final leg of the preparations, are also set to be given a befitting send-off tomorrow. Hlongwane said Government will hold a farewell dinner for the players with dignitaries expected to deliver messages of goodwill.

“We are going to have a send-off dinner for the Warriors on Friday evening which will be headlined by very high profile people within Government,” said Hlongwane.

The Minister said the Warriors need support from all Zimbabweans since they will be in Gabon for a national cause.

Despite conducting their training sessions, their camp had been saddled by financial challenges.

NetOne also unveiled a $250 000 package to assist with the campaign. The network operator’s officials led by acting chief operations officer Clever Isaya met with Chiyangwa yesterday after the parties attended the Warriors afternoon training at the National Sports Stadium.

Chiyangwa emerged from that meeting to assure the Warriors that they would be checked into a hotel today together with their technical crew.

NetOne have been insisting that “This (the package) is for the nation and the sponsor is ready to assist for the cause of the squad.

There could have been disaster on Monday evening when the players threatened to walk out, but the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe averted the crisis when they chipped in with an alternative arrangement which was acceptable to the players.

The Union temporarily booked them at Holiday Inn until today while NetOne chipped in and pledged to take over the Warriors accommodation expenses from today.

Chiyangwa also assured the players that “things were back in track’’.

Meanwhile, Pasuwa and his players will today be in good space as they look to focus their energies on lifting the Zimbabwe flag high in Gabon.

Pasuwa yesterday postponed the announcement of his travelling squad of 23 men to today.

The Warriors gaffer will have to drop three players from the 26 players remaining in camp.

He has to drop one goalkeeper and two infield players.

ZPC Kariba’s Takabva Mawaya is likely to be the unlucky one in a line-up that also includes first choice Tatenda Mukuruva, Donovan Benard and Young Warriors goalminder Nelson Chadya.

The other local Premiership players Marshall Mudehwe, Farai Madhananga, Teenage Hadebe and Lawrence Mhlanga will have to keep their fingers crossed as the coach has to make a decision today.

Defenders could be safe since the team needs more strength in the department. Pasuwa may have to look at the strengths of each player and their ability to play different roles in deciding on his final 23.

Using versatile players will give the coach more options in cases of suspensions and injuries.

The Warriors will be without Netherlands-based midfielder Nakamba for the opening Group B game against Algeria as he will be serving a one-match suspension for having picked two yellow cards during the qualification campaign.

When President Mugabe opened Parliament, he said 13 pieces of legislation with a bearing on investment into the country would be amended. Critical to note, though, is that the process needs to be done in order of priorities.

Given the urgent need for investment, especially foreign, to drive long overdue recovery of the economy to levels that match Zimbabwe’s potential; indigenisation is one critical piece of legislation Government needs to bring finality on.

Bringing finality to the indigenisation issue through effecting appropriate amendments to the relevant legislation will go a long way in attracting the much-needed foreign direct investment and setting the economy on a sustainable growth path.

The remarks by the President provided reassuring comfort to investors for long unnerved by innumerable internal issues relating to suitability of Zimbabwe as a destination for investment.

As such, it is our fervent hope indigenisation will be prioritised.

More importantly, there is need to support President Mugabe’s vision, which saw him stepping in to clear the confusion that had engulfed the process and Government policy on indigenisation and empowerment, abused by some for selfish gains.

The debate on indigenisation had been raging for a long time and had created unnecessary tension in business when the economic situation is dire and constrained.

Addressing lingering issues regarding indigenisation will be a huge step towards making ongoing reforms to the ease of doing business conditions a success.

President Mugabe’s statement brought sobriety and a pragmatic tone to implementation, leaning towards empowerment supported by most Zimbabweans, as empowerment has more direct impact on the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, the sobriety means private sector can now focus on economic development, employment creation, inclusive value chains that benefit communities and attracting foreign direct investment.

Zimbabwe cannot afford any policy that in anyway increases cost of doing business.

We call upon all responsible stakeholders to expedite the process of finalising legislative amendments on indigenisation in accordance with His Excellence President Mugabe’s clarification, which brought palpable sanity to the blanket of confusion.

Further, it is unfortunate that foreign companies in Zimbabwe have also taken advantage of the situation regarding the issue of indigenisation to just “park” the issue and continue to buy time, as if Government no longer wants to pursue the policy.

Unbeknown to many, indigenisation is not for the benefit of the Government, which is only driving a process of ensuring participation of indigenous people in the mainstream economy, on behalf of millions who elected the current leadership.

The tranquillity brought about by the President’s clarification on the issue resulted in many agreed and signed empowerment deals, including community ownership trusts meant to benefit the generality of indigenous people, being consigned to the shelves.

Without hesitation, we call upon Government and the legislature to swiftly move away from the long-standing and retrogressive tag of being specialists in coming up with brilliant policy proposals, but always coming short on the implementation aspect.

As such, we believe that Government and without raising the dust, needs to be firm on foreign companies following the rule book to fulfil dictates of the policy and law, but this can only happen if the outstanding legislative amendments are finalised.

CAPE TOWN. — The Ex-Political Prisoner Association of South Africa (EPPA) will hold a reunion of apartheid political prisoners on Robben Island in April, its national deputy secretary, Mpho Masemola, said yesterday.

The reunion and conference follows after a meeting with President Jacob Zuma in December, where some of the former political prisoners discussed a number of issues, and the assistance they required from various government departments.

The conference would address the association’s concerns over public criticism of President Zuma and calls for him to step down, as well as how to galvanise support for a push towards agrarian and socio-economic reform.

At the meeting on December 6 in Pretoria, the EPPA representatives questioned why veterans were not included on the SA National Defence Force’s Military Veterans’ database. They also called for the presidency to honour those who had been arrested and had served time on the island during apartheid.

They want a review of their funeral scheme and for a Robben Island Institute of Leadership to be established to “restore” the history of the island.

Reunion delegates were expected to include freedom fighters from the South West African People’s Organisation (Swapo) who operated in what is now independent Namibia, including Toivo Ya Toivo. Namibia was previously part of apartheid South Africa and a protracted war for independence was led by Swapo.

The EPPA was formed by the late former president Nelson Mandela, who spent almost 30 years on the island.

The cells that he and other political prisoners were locked in, have been preserved.

Ferries are usually fully booked for days with tourists who want to make the pilgrimage to see the cells which held Mandela and other liberation leaders.

The conference comes as political veterans and former Robben Island prisoners, such as Ahmed Kathrada, have criticised President Zuma’s refusal to heed calls for him to step down after the Constitutional Court’s Nkandla judgment and “state capture” allegations.

Other high profile anti-apartheid activists, like former finance minister Trevor Manuel and struggle stalwart Cheryl Carolus, have also been critical of the ruling party.

Masemola said that “sporadic calls, by born again politicians, for regime change” were unwarranted, and that they were undermining the Constitution.

“It is surprising that these individuals and organisations have not spoken out on land, rising unemployment, monopoly capital, agrarian issues and the control of the means of production by a few foreigners,’’ he said in a statement on the reunion.

“Saving South Africa is a collective effort. Not the preserve of a self-congratulatory few who lack the moral superiority to pass judgement on our people and leadership.”

The Department of Arts and Culture would be assisting with the preparations for the reunion, said Masemola.

ANC will use the celebrations to reclaim lost support — Mbalula. — News24.

Christopher Farai Charamba Business Reporter —
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has set floor prices for voice and data for bundled services including promotional packages.

A floor price is a minimum effective tariff chargeable per minute of voice calls and per megabyte of data.

According to communications by Potraz to mobile operators, the floor price for traditional voice services shall be set at 12c per minute while the floor price for data shall be set at 2c per megabyte.

The Regulatory Determination on Floor Prices for Voice and Data for Bundled Service Packages Including Promotions will come into effect on January 9, 2017.

“All relevant licensees offering promotions and bundled service packages must review their offerings in the market in line with the floor prices set and discontinue all current offerings that are not in line with the floor prices by 9th of January 2017,” said Potraz.

According to Potraz, “the floor prices shall go a long way in addressing the apparent under-pricing of voice and data services that was characteristic of data bundles and promotions that were being offered by operators.”

In July last year, Potraz suspended all promotions citing the fact that data bundles and packages offered by telecommunications companies resulted in situations where data services were priced well below 1c per megabyte.

This they said, increased data traffic significantly without a corresponding growth in revenue realised by the operators.

“Overall revenues realised from the telecommunications sector” Potraz said, “continuously declined at the rate of 10-12 percent per quarter since the beginning of 2016.”

The new mandatory tariffs are likely to affect NetOne OneFusion customers the most, whose data tariffs are currently priced below 2c per megabyte for all the various OneFusion plans.

Econet and Telecel subscribers are set to benefit from the new floor prices as their monthly data bundles are priced between 2-3c per megabyte depending on the option selected.

In addition to the floor price for voice and data services, Potraz has invited mobile operators to submit proposals on a premium tariff to be charged on data used for OTT voice calls. This would see customers charged a levy for WhatApp calls, Viber calls and similar services.

According to the regulator: “The advent of OTT services has seen mobile operators experiencing revenue reductions as a result of the substitution of voice and SMS by Internet Protocol (IP) voice and messaging services of the international OTT players who ride on the networks of local operators

“The growth of data revenue has not been sufficient to compensate for the sharp decline in voice and SMS revenues.”

In September last year, Potraz held a consultative workshop on OTT services. Guided by the recommendations from the consultation process, the authority is considering allowing operators to charge a premium rate on data used for OTT Voice calls.

Vusa Blaqs

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Reporter —
Unheralded, film and video director Vusa Hlatshwayo, affectionately known as Vusa Blaqs, said he was happy shooting ExQ and Ammara video’s ‘‘Bhachura’’ on less than $100.

The video is said to have cost about $1 200. Blaqs is also the man behind the recent much talked video of Ammara Brown and her sister Chengeto —“What you want”.

He, however, didn’t want to share how much he got.

Blaqs said he invested a lot in the video production.

“The ‘Bhachura’ video cost about $1 200 but that is not to say that is how much I got. I invested all the money back into the project. I got less than $100. My base charge is $1 000. I can’t say artistes are undermining film directors, on this one was my choice.

“Some artistes though do undermine directors and I usually hold discussions prior to the deal and reading their minds so they understand the value of their money. As for how much I got on ‘What you want’ video, I can’t disclose,” he said.

Blaqs said is inspired by US rapper Kanye West because of his creative mind and intellect.

“My creative role model and benchmark is Kanye West. According to him, he sees music not hear it. To me every song I listen to, I am already creating visuals in my head.

“As a team we come up with concepts, discuss and in some instances I create the whole concept and pitch to the client. Sometimes client bring the synopsis, remember the audience is the boss.”

Blaqs also said professionalism and hard work constituted a well-choreographed video production.

This was also the tonic for matching international standards.

“I don’t know much about choreography but directing is in me. The three keys are technical brilliance (quality, editing), artistic vision which must be clear to the audience, how you are communicating and emotion which is a good production element on how must encourage conversations.

“The audience must take something after watching. For example, I am still affected by the first video I fell in love with ‘Bone Thugs and Harmony — Crossroads’.”

Blaqs, who has worked with a lot of local musicians and celebrities said people need to stay true to their identity.

“I have worked with EXQ, Ammara Brown, Fungisai, Chengeto, Jah Prayzah, Queen Mashie, Extra Large and 8L among others. I am set to work with Leonard Mapfumo, Killer T, Stunner and Seh Calaz.

“I have found a brother in Tehn Diamond because his music inspires me. I wouldn’t mind working again with Ammara,” he said.

Blaqs was born in Kwekwe in a family of three and is a proud father of two boys Ayanda (9) and Andile (5).

Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa

From George Maponga in BIKITA—

Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday slammed a clique of war veterans for trying to “stoke unnecessary succession fires” within Zanu-PF ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.Rogue elements among the ex-freedom fighters are fuelling the debate, despite the fact that all ruling party provinces countrywide and organs have already overwhelmingly endorsed President Mugabe as its sole candidate for the polls.

All genuine war veterans, the Acting President said, were supposed to abide by the “sacred and long-standing code’’ that politics led the gun, not the other way round.

Acting President Mnangagwa’s rebuke was in reference to a group of leaders within the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) led by expelled Mr Christopher Mutsvangwa who have been pushing a secessionist agenda in Zanu-PF ahead of next year’s polls.

Five ZNLWVA executive members — Douglas Mahiya, Francis Nhando, Victor Matemadanda, Headman Moyo and Hoyini Samuel Bhila — who were accused of denigrating President Mugabe were recently removed from remand by a Harare magistrate.

Zanu-PF provinces passed a resolution at last year’s 16th ruling party Annual National People’s Conference in Masvingo endorsing President Mugabe as the ruling party’s 2018 Presidential candidate.

Mr Mutsvangwa and his group have since been expelled from the revolutionary party though they continue to try and influence developments within it.

Addressing thousands of ruling party supporters at Gwindingwi High School grounds at Nyika Growth, here where he was officially unveiling Cde Beauty Chabaya as the ruling party candidate for the January 21 Bikita West parliamentary by-election, Acting President Mnangagwa warned ruling party supporters against following wayward war veterans.

“As we go for the 2018 elections, let me make it very clear that all the 10 Zanu-PF provinces in this country have endorsed President Mugabe as our Presidential candidate. However, there are some five or six war veterans vakadya dondo (who lost the way), they are rushing to the Press saying whatever they want, but they were expelled from the party.

“Some of us joined the liberation struggle in the early 1960s and we know that the code has always been that the party is supreme, the party commands the gun, its not the gun that commands the party.’’

The Acting President said all genuine war veterans were members of Zanu-PF save for a few rotten apples.

“It’s not all the war veterans who are wayward and rogue, so do not run away when you come across them, the party of all genuine war veterans is Zanu-PF of course they are a few ones who are lost. So if you hear a war veteran saying the gun commands the party tizai (run away).’’

He hailed the people of Bikita West for coming out in large numbers for the star rally saying this affirmed that Zanu-PF was the dominant political force in Zimbabwe.

Acting President Mnangagwa mocked local opposition parties, describing them as perennial election losers and Zanu-PF bridesmaids who would continue to watch from the sidelines with the ruling party in the driving seat.

“I am very happy with the high attendance at this rally and tomorrow (Thursday) I will be phoning the President from where he is telling him that the Bikita West seat is firmly in Zanu-PF’s bag, thank you the people of Bikita West.’’

He reminded the people of Bikita West about the pain and suffering experienced for Zimbabwe to attain independence from British colonists in 1980, saying Zimbabweans were supposed to stick to the ruling party as a way of paying homage to both living and fallen heroes of the independence war.

Bikita West, the Acting President said, was supposed to remain under Zanu-PF control to maintain the ruling party’s dominance in Masvingo.

Turning to the food situation, the Acting President reiterated that no one would die of hunger, adding that the country had eight months supply of maize.

He said as of the end of last year the country had imported and distributed about 643 000 tonnes of maize to alleviate the effects of the 2015-16 farming season’s El-Nino induced drought that left millions in need of food aid countrywide.

“President Mugabe has always made it a point that he does not want anyone to starve and as chairman of the task-force responsible for importing food, I want to tell you today that we have eight months supply of maize grain, which means without touching anything we have enough food to last us up to August this year.

“We have about 322 000 tonnes of grain in our Strategic Grain Reserve right now and together with the maize that awaiting shipment into the country from ports such as Beira and in countries such as South Africa and Zambia, there are sufficient stocks of food for the nation.’’

He said areas experiencing food shortages should lay the blame on the leadership there which was not knocking soon enough on the door of central government for food supplies.

‘’When distributing food aid people should not be asked to produce membership cards for their political parties, the qualification for one to get food aid is just being a Zimbabwean so please lets bear in mind that our President wants every Zimbabwean to get food aid irrespective of political affiliation,’’ he said.

The Acting President urged the people of Bikita West to exercise their right to vote in the forthcoming by election and help preserve the country’s hard-won independence.

The Acting President said the forth-coming by-election was a dress rehearsal for next year’s elections saying leaders were servants of the people.

He urged Cde Chabaya to start seriously looking into the problems of people in Bikita West with particular emphasis on roads, boreholes among other basic infrastructure that impinged on the lives of the common man and woman.

In his address Zanu PF political commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, urged Zanu PF Members of Parliament to stay connected to the people if they were to be re-elected.

He said the ruling party was confident of romping to victory in Bikita West saying other opposition parties would not withstand the Zanu PF juggernaut.

Cde Kasukuwere urged Zanu PF leaders at lower-tier levels to spread the gospel of the ruling party in Bikita West ahead of the last star rally scheduled for January 18.

Senior Masvingo Zanu PF politburo member Cde Josaya Hungwe, said the record attendance at the Zanu PF star rally was testimony that the ruling party was a people’s party.

The Bikita West parliamentary by-election will see Cde Chabaya battling it out for the right to represent the constituency with five other candidates.

Besides Cde Chabaya others eyeing the Bikita West parliamentary seat are former Zanu PF Youth leader Mr Kudakwashe Gopo who will be representing the Zimbabwe People First led by Dr Joice Mujuru together with Mr Madock Chivasa who is the national spokesperson of the National Constitutional Assembly(NCA).

Others are Mr Terence Makumbo of the little-known Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ), an Independent candidate Mr Innocent Muzvimbiri together with former Bikita West legislator Mr Heya Shoko, who is also standing as an independent.

The by-election will be held to fill a vacancy left after the incarceration of former Member of Parliament for the constituency Munyaradzi Kereke.

Kereke, who was elected Bikita West legislator on a Zanu-PF ticket during the 2013 harmonised elections, was jailed for an effective 10 years for raping his then 11 year-old niece.

The Zanu-PF Bikita West star rally was attended by top ruling party officials in Masvingo among them Politburo member Cde Lovemore Matuke, Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa and Zimbabwe chiefs council president Chief Fortune Charumbira.

James Matiza

Margaret Matibiri Herald Reporter—

Former National Social Security Authority (NSSA) general manager James Matiza yesterday appeared in court facing charges of fraud and criminal abuse of office as a public officer.

Matiza reportedly bought a Harare property for $32 million for the authority, a price inflated by over $8 million after concealing a report by Bard Real Estate which priced the building at $24 million.

Matiza appeared before magistrate Mrs Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro and was granted $500 bail coupled with stringent conditions.

He was remanded to January 18 for trial.

He is being represented by Harrisson Nkomo of Mhishi Nkomo Legal Practitioners.

Prosecuting, Ms Nancy Chandakaona alleged that in September 2014 NSSA identified a property it was keen to buy from Matay-Kingdom known as Celestial Park situated along Borrowdale Road in Harare.

It is alleged that Matiza was always physically available to represent NSSA together with his accomplices, Shadreck Vera, who was the investments director; and Samuel Chuduza, who is the former properties manager; who are still at large.

It is the State’s case that during this time, Matiza was the chairperson of the NSSA management investments committee and a member of the investment committee while his accomplices were members of the board.

The trio was mandated to first seek property valuators to determine the market value of the property for NSSA to have a benchmark price bargaining before purchasing the property, the court heard.

It is alleged that the trio obtained valuation reports from three companies.

Bard Real Estate came up with a gross replacement cost of $29 million, forced value of $18 million and a market value of $24 million.

CB Richard Ellis came up with a gross replacement cost of $24.354 million and a market price of $25.6 million while Green Plan (Pvt) Ltd came up with a market price of $36,5 million.

The three reports were supposed to be tabled to the board of adjudication before the agreement of sale was entered into by the seller.

Of the three reports, the one from Bard Real Estate was the most favourable and it would give NSSA bargaining power but Matiza allegedly worked in cahoots with his accomplices and deliberately concealed the report and referred the other two reports which were not cost effective to the board which eventually worked with a higher valuation by Green Plan.

Through this concealment the trio misrepresented to NSSA that the property was worth $36.5million yet they were aware that the property was worth $24 million as per the cheapest valuation report.

It is the State’s case that the property was eventually purchased for $32 million after bargaining, the court heard.

Matiza misrepresented to NSSA by keeping silent on the availability of the valuation report by Bard Real Estate and causing prejudice to good administration of NSSA.

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Court Reporter —
Former Turnall Holdings Private Limited finance director Kenias Horonga and Volcano Freight Services managing director, Sydney Chimberengwa yesterday appeared in court on allegations of swindling more than $115 000 from Turnall in a botched asbestos deal.

The duo appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa who charged them with fraud. They were not asked to plead to the charge and were remanded out of custody to January 31 on $500 each for their routine remand.

It is alleged that in January 2015, Turnall Holdings engaged the services of Volcano Freight Services which was headed by Chimberengwa for freight clearance services.

It is alleged that as a result of this, Horonga (49) and Chimberengwa, (48) developed a close relationship.

Prosecutor Audrey Chogumaira, told the court that on April 28, 2016, the two acted in common purpose and misrepresented to the chairperson of Turnall Holdings, Rita Likukuma where they originated an e-mail to the effect that Volcano Freight Services had free offshore funds of $116 000 that could be used to buy asbestos fibre in Russia on behalf of Turnall.

They also said that Turnall would access the fibre which was held in a bonded warehouse by MAW Investment Pvt Ltd based in Britain after paying an equivalent amount into Volcano Freight Services’ bank account.

Moreover, it is alleged that they also assured Turnall that there were no violations of any laws and as such were seeking approval for the payment.

As a result, Likukuma approved the transaction and finance manager Norman Gwangwadza was instructed to effect payment of $115 845 into Volcano Freight Services’ account.

The State alleges that on April 29 last year, Gwangwadza transferred the money which was equivalent to 90 tonnes of asbestos fibre.

On April 30, the same year Chimberengwa and one of the directors who is still at large withdrew the money through transfers.

The State also alleges that to cover up the offence Chimberengwa and his accomplice submitted fake applications to purchase foreign currency in the name of Standard Bank back-dated to April 16 2016 bearing a date stamp of a South African company, African Mutimodal Managers Pvt Ltd.

They are said to have also submitted a fake invoice in the name of Volcano Freight Services dated April 12 2016 purporting that there was an outstanding payment from the South African company to Volcano for clearance and transportation services of mining equipment from Durban to Johannesburg.

The matter only came to light when Turnall Holdings though its Purchasing manager, Tapiwa Parirenyatwa made a follow up to MAW Investment only to be told that no payment had been made to them.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.

Turnall has already told the market that it anticipates a loss position for the full year 2016 driven largely by cost initiatives whose benefits will be realised from 2017 onwards.

Lovemore Chikova —
Top gospel music group, Mahendere Brothers, is back with a good album after a number of years since their last release. Many who had thought that the group had disbanded, especially after one of the four siblings went solo in recent years, will be surprised to discover that the group is still alive and well.

What is unique about the group is that it is made up of siblings who are gifted in different areas of music.

Mahendere Brothers stamped its authority on the local music scene since their first release in 1994.

The brothers — Amos, Akim, Mischeck and Michael — never looked back since then.

Now, they are on the right stream again with their latest offering simply titled “Rebirth”.

The album, which is destined to set tongues wagging because of its top notch production, is certainly destined for the top.

To show that the future is bright for the group, the singers roped in six-year old Joshua Mahendere, who does some vocals on the song “Vanouya Chete”.

In the last few months, Joshua has been joining the group on stage and proved that his talent is beyond the normal expectations from a six-year-old.

What makes “Rebirth” unique is that the group roped in veteran guitarists who provided a polished performance.

Lead and rhythm guitars experts Clive “Mono” Mukundu, Antony Gasani and Mischeck prove they are a cut above the rest on this album.

Another veteran guitarist Carven Gumbanjera provides the bass, while Minister Michael Mahendere does the drums.

The four Mahendere brothers do the vocals, with Amos on the lead vocals on most of the songs.

What is also important on this album is that one of the tracks “Tinokusuwa/We miss you” was done in remembrance of Amos’ daughter Happiness, who died at the age of five in 2014.

“She was an active actress who could actuate with a beautiful smile that could tell a story,” the group wrote on the sleeve of the album. “She enjoyed her life as a silent celebrity, a non-competitor, but lived as a princess.

“Her death will remain a nightmare to the whole family because we now feel how much happiness she had brought into the family just like her name.”

Before she died, Happiness provided some vocals on the song “He butters my bread”.

The album opens with my pick as the hit song titled “Mukadzi waPotifa”.

The song, which fights the demon of lying, is done with a pure sungura beat, has the correct message and is equally danceable.

“He butters my bread” is another song that is destined to bring joy to gospel music lovers because of its high tempo.

This time the group went all out to rope in Lean Mukendi Kalonji from the Democratic Republic of Congo on the song Farai Munashe, a remix which is now in purely rhumba beat.

Other remixes on the album are “Makafanira kurumbidzwa”, “Hupenyu hwapanyika” and “Jehovha ndiye mufudzi wangu”.

The other songs on the albums are “Rudo rwechokwadi”, “Chitujaule Kwiinani”, “One thing I know” and “Sindiopa”.

Some of Mahendere Brothers’ albums which took the music scene by storm were “Hupenyu Hwepanyika”, “Psalm 23”and “The Good Shepherd”.

Dr Made

Prosper Ndlovu Bulawayo Bureau
ZIMBABWE is on high alert for a possible armyworm attack on crops with Government encouraging farmers and extension officers across the country to take precautionary measures.

In view of the recent invasion of armyworms in the Zambian maize fields, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said yesterday that the ministry had put in place mechanisms to avert destruction of crops by the pest.

He urged farmers and extension officers to monitor their crops each day and detect any attacks early to enable timely and effective control measures.

“Farmers should be on alert and be on the fields at sunrise to scout for these insects. Here in Zimbabwe we started with the fall worm that attacked mainly Matabeleland North with the early planted maize under Command Agriculture.

“What happens with various worms is that when we are coming out of drought it means most of the material that they feed on will not be available in the veld. So any irrigated crop becomes the first target because it is the first green material that is there,” said Dr Made at a Press briefing in Bulawayo.

“And if your weather is such that there is sunshine and rain, it is very conducive to the breeding and habitat of the army worm.

“So, what we have in Zambia in this case is the army worm and it is residing in the Zambian river systems. That is the first outbreak.”

He said local farmers need to work closely with their extension officers and report any cases of attacks on crops by armyworms and locusts.

“We have to be on full alert in Zimbabwe and the alerts have already been given and the best way is to scout very early on.

“When you see the worm already grown, it is a little bit too late to control it. It becomes a bit difficult but we must tell our farmers to scout and there are certain traps that we have already put in order to trap the moth in its moth form,” he said.

“So, we are on full alert on that particular aspect. Obviously, once the outbreak is there everybody has got to play their part.

“But the first people who play a part are the farmers and the extension people. It is a notifiable pest and we immediately move in to control as a country. And once we have an armyworm we must also be alert on the locusts as well because these pests and insects are kind of interrelated.”

Zambian President Edgar Lungu recently had to call the military to help farmers contain an invasion on the maize crops by the insects, the country’s official media reported.

“The president is concerned that if the outbreak of the worms is not controlled speedily, the crop yield for 2016/2017 may be negatively affected,” President Lungu’s spokesperson said in a recent statement.

Military planes were used to spray pesticides to the worst-affected areas in the neighbouring country so as to protect crops. Army worms eat most vegetation in their way and can destroy entire fields.

Media reports indicate the insects posed a threat to crops in six Zambian provinces.

Zimbabwe has not been immune to armyworm attacks and over the years some farmers have been forced to replant after their crops were destroyed by these insects.

Callisto Pasuwa

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter—

ZIMBABWE coach Callisto Pasuwa has revealed that naming his final 23-man side for the African Cup of Nations was a tough call as he found it difficult to drop some of the players he had been working with all along.Pasuwa yesterday ended weeks of speculation when he announced the side that will do duty in Zimbabwe’s third appearance at the Nations Cup which will run in Gabon from January 14 to February 5.

The Warriors are in Group B along with continental football heavyweights Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia and it is against the background of the high profile nature of their opponents that all eyes were on the side that Pasuwa would pick for the Nations Cup campaign.

The former Dynamos coach finally let the cat out of the bag when he went for experience and also had versatility playing an important part in influencing his selection.

Pasuwa, however, said he drew some satisfaction that he encountered a “positive selection headache’’ in coming up with his squad as there were a number of players who fitted the bill.

The 46-year-old coach cited the decision to leave out such players like Harare City’s Farai Madhanhanga and speedy FC Platinum winger Marshal Mudehwe as some of the toughest decisions he had to make in camp.

“As a coach you have to come up with a decision at the end of the day but I must say it was not easy including some and having to leave others.

“We had many strikers to choose from and in the end we also had to look at the utility ones . . . those we can use in midfield and in attack.

“Madhanhanga is an example of a difficult choice to drop because he also gave us a lot of options. He is gritty and can play in midfield and defence and he really played well in Abidjan.

“It’s the same story with Mudehwe who has been with us from the Under-23 and played some of the qualifiers for this Nations Cup including a good game when he came on in Swaziland.

“We also had Blessing Moyo who couldn’t make it because of injury.

“But the good thing is that they are all still young, they have age on their side and can get another chance to play at such a big tournament. I hope they have also gained experience from working with the squad.

“I also wish that the authorities will not forget to reward these players we have had to drop because they contributed a lot in getting us to where we are right now,’’ Pasuwa said.

Kaizer Chiefs hardman Willard Katsande leads the squad that built around the experience of European based players such as Marvelous Nakamba of Vitesse Arnhem (Netherlands), Costa Nhamoinesu who plays for Sparta Praha — the most successful club in the Czech Republic — and KV Oostende forward Knowledge Musona who has proved to be the Warriors talisman in the last few years.

Zimbabwe have big prospects after the coach also included gifted players such as man of the moment Khama Billiat, Danny Phiri, Kuda Mahachi, Cuthbert Malajila, Evans Rusike, Nyasha Mushekwi, Mathew Rusike and current South Africa Premiership Top Goal Scorer Tendai Ndoro.

Big AS Vita Club defender Oscar Machapa and Tino Kadewere gate-crashed into the travelling party after impressing the coach during the last two months he had to assess them on club showings and during the few international friendly matches.

Pasuwa, who dropped five local based players earlier this week when he begun the process of trimming down the squad, had to make tough decisions yesterday as three more players had to be axed ahead of the Confederation of African Football’s deadline.

While the prospects of missing the biggest football tournament should have been hurting to the affected players, the pair of Machapa and Kadewere could count themselves the most blessed footballers on this part of the continent.

Both Machapa and Kadewere had not played a part in the qualifiers and were called up for the international friendly match against Tanzania two months ago and they didn’t disappoint.

Machapa, who had not played in the national team for two years, was roped in late last year to give option on the right back position and the former CAPS United man’s place was almost guaranteed when Maritzburg United defender Moyo was ruled out because of an ankle injury.

Pasuwa has sought to strengthen his rearguard as they hope to stand their ground in Group B where they are regarded as the underdogs.

However, Pasuwa and his men have maintained they want to shock the continent despite being pooled in a tough pool that includes the confederation’s bigwigs Senegal, Algeria and Tunisia.

Former Highlanders man Bruce Kangwa and Onismor Bhasera are the options for the left back position while one of the locally based players who include Dynamos’ Elisha Muroiwa and the Chicken Inn duo of Teenage Hadebe and Lawrence Mhlanga are the centre backs together with Nhamoinesu.

Pasuwa has also gone for versatility in case some of the players get injured during the course of the tournament.

The coach also has it in mind that key midfielder Nakamba will miss the first game against Algeria through suspension and would need cover.

But they still have Katsande and Phiri.

Pasuwa made a brave decision to retain all the strikers who had been called in camp.

This would mean he travels with seven strikers in his arsenal with vice captain Cuthbert Malajila, Evans Rusike, Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi, Mathew Rusike, Ndoro and Sweden based Kadewere all making the traveling squad.

Kadewere, a late comer, is one of the prospects for Zimbabwe at the age of 22. The coach could not afford to ignore his form at Swedish side Djurgardens IF late last year.

The former Prince Edward High School student was part of the Warriors second string side that played a goalless draw against Cote d’Ivoire on Boxing Day.

Zimbabwe are expected to leave at the weekend. They will round off their preparations in Cameroon where they are scheduled to play an international friendly match against the Indomitable Lions next Tuesday.

Senegal and Algeria had already named their 23-men squads while Tunisia who had been camping in Spain before beating Uganda 2-0 in a friendly in Tunis on Wednesday also announced their side last night.

The Carthage Eagles will wind off their preparations from Egypt where they will play the Pharaohs on Sunday before flying out to Gabon next Wednesday.

Warriors Squad:

Goalkeepers

Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange)

Defenders

Costa Nhamoinesu (AC Sparta Praha), Bruce Kangwa (Azam FC), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Oscar Machapa (AS Vita Club), Onismor Bhasera (Supersport United), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn)

Midfielders

Danny Phiri (Golden Arrows), Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Golden Arrows), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem),

Strikers

Cuthbert Malajila (Bidvest Wits), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg United), Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang), Mathew Rusike (CS Sfaxien), Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates), Tinotenda Kadewere (Djurgardens IF).

Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter—

Zimbabwe has exported 35 African elephants from Hwange National Park to China after satisfying Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) requirements on wildlife translocation.The translocation also followed a visit to the Asian country by local game stakeholders to inspect facilities and conditions under which the jumbos would live.

The team expressed satisfaction with the condition, resulting in the elephants being flown to China on December 23, last year.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, in a statement yesterday, said the live sale of the elephants and translocation was done in line with international wildlife translocation regulations.

“The team visited and assessed Shanghai Exhibition Park, Beijing Wildlife Park and Hangzhou Wildlife Park. Zimparks was satisfied that the translocation process could go ahead. CITES and national rules and regulations pertaining to the live sales were religiously followed.

“The process of crating and ground transport and loading of elephants into the air cargo was monitored and observed by various stakeholders who comprised national security agencies and the Zimbabwe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZSPCA).

“Destinations for any live sales undergo thorough suitability assessments, a pre-requisite for CITES, before any translocations occur and follow ups are made to any destinations to ensure compliance to international best practice.”

The authority said for that reason, the ZSPCA was involved throughout the process and the translocation to China was done with escort by a wildlife specialist, wildlife veterinarian and elephant keeper as per CITES requirements. Zimparks added that translocation of elephants from highly concentrated areas to other local national parks was an ongoing process and in line with the current national elephant management strategy, with the relocation done in phases.

The first phase would focus on Sebungwe region that has protected areas such as Chizarira National Park and Chirisa Safari Area, with assessment of some of the destinations having already been done in terms of ecological and security requirements.

“It is not a secret that the exercises to translocate wildlife is capital intensive, thus requires funding. Zimbabwe believes that wildlife conversation should pay for itself,” said Zimparks.

“Live sales of elephants to international destinations are done to generate financial resources for conservation programmes. It is also not a secret that Zimbabwe has been slammed with trade restrictions on hunted trophies of some wildlife species and raw ivory that make it almost difficult to utilise our wildlife to fund conversation.

“We are, therefore, turning to friendly countries to extract value out of our wildlife. Zimbabwe, unlike other countries has a unique wildlife conservation funding system that no amount is budgeted for conservation in the national budget.”

A story published by China Central Television (CCTV) on December 30 quoted several Chinese officials indicating that the importation of the 35 African elephants was a legal commercial activity that aligned with the rules and regulations.

Song Li, from China-Zimbabwe Wildlife Foundation, confirmed the elephants were imported by wild animal parks from Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou.

China’s State Forestry Administration (SFA) also confirmed that Zimbabwe sent the animals to China, adding that it was under the legal terms of “a commercial activity”.

Hu Chunmei, secretary of the Endangered Species Fund of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, said China had been importing elephants from Zimbabwe and such trade was legal.

Zimparks said Zimbabwe had an elephant population of over 83 000, which was the second highest in Africa, with the greatest population in north-west Matabeleland.

Hwange National Park has more than 45 000 elephants against an ecological carrying capacity of 15 000, while Gonarezhou National Park has over 11 000 elephants against an ecological carrying capacity of 5 000.

“This is an indication of the country’s best elephant management programme,” said the authority. “However, these figures, in Hwange National Park, indicate what is termed localised over-abundance.

“The scenario has led to severe ecological damage that has affected other wildlife species. The high elephant population results in severe environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and increased competition for scarce resources, resulting in some elephants being pushed to the peripheries of the park, a situation that increases their vulnerability to poaching as well as heightening human-wildlife conflict.”

Zimparks said as a result of overpopulation, the cost per unit area to manage such animals, particularly protection and water provision, surged significantly as the elephant population increased.

To manage the ever increasing elephant population, Zimparks has embarked on a population reduction exercise that seeks to reduce elephant populations in the park.

Available options were culling, translocations and conducting live sales.

Of the three options, culling, which is the periodic killing of elephant herds, families and individuals has not been considered given that little or no value can be extracted from the exercise.

The authority said the Zambezi Valley and Sebungwe regions were two of the elephant ranges that have experienced declining elephant populations, with the major reason including human encroachment into wildlife zones, resulting in habitat loss and increased poaching.

To that end, elephant management plans are being implemented to address the challenges with restocking being high on the priority list.

“Increased intelligence gathering has also been instituted through recruitment of intelligence details as well as increased international cooperation through structures such as Interpol to ensure timeous information gathering to fight wildlife crimes,” said the authority.

The Campfire programme was also undergoing a revamp to ensure communities realised maximum value from wildlife as an incentive for them to protect the animals.

Zimbabwe started exporting sub-adult elephants to China in July 2015 before drawing criticism from animal rights activists and Western European governments.

By early last year, Zimbabwe had exported about 100 sub-adult elephants aged between five years and seven years, which animal activists said were babies in an attempt to attract world sympathy.

Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri is on record saying Zimbabwe would continue to carry out live elephant sales as a way decongesting elephant ranges that were overpopulated and for the country and communities to draw value from the jumbos.

Chief Justice Chidyausiku

Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter—

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku is expected to open the 2017 legal year in a week’s time ahead of his retirement next month.

He will be stepping down at the end of February when he will reach the mandatory age of 70.

The opening of the legal year is one of the most celebrated event in the legal calendar. The event reminds all those involved within the Judiciary and legal fraternity of the need to uphold the principles that drive the country’s justice delivery system to the benefit of society.

Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba is expected to take over in an acting capacity in March pending the amendment of the Constitution to facilitate the appointment of the new Chief Justice.

The amendment seeks to give the President constitutional powers to hand pick the Chief Justice and Judge President.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (Number 1) meant to change the Constitution has since been gazetted.

Chief Justice Chidyausiku was appointed to his post in July 2001 and during his tenure he presided over a number of reforms within the Judiciary.

Two years ago, Chief Justice Chidyausiku courted controversy when he criticised “under-performing” High Court judges during the official opening of the 2015 judicial year.

He claimed that one of the judges had managed to deliver only two judgments during the course of the whole year.

The High Court judges hit back, saying Chief Justice Chidyausiku was out of touch with the modern judiciary delivery trends. They wrote a petition to him demanding that he withdrew his statement, which they said was made in bad faith.

Last month, Chief Justice Chidyausiku found himself in controversy for conducting public interviews to choose his successor in the face of the pending constitutional amendment.

The High Court stopped the public interviews to select the next Chief Justice.

The court granted the interdict that was sought by Romeo Taombera Zibani, a fourth year law student at the University of Zimbabwe.

But the interviews went ahead after the Judicial Services Commission filed a notice of appeal against Justice Charles Hungwe’s decision to stop the interviews.

In his ruling, Justice Hungwe rapped the JSC’s decision to hold interviews for the new Chief Justice when it was aware Government had initiated a process to amend the Constitution and that the selection process was being contested in court.

He said Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who oversees the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, should be allowed to steer the changes to the Constitution.

Donald Trump

ON January 20, president-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the United States of America’s 45th president.

However, the transitional period has been more intriguing, showing that in terms of governance, the US system is no different from other systems the world over.

The weaknesses so far displayed are intriguing. Electoral violence and other vices were replete and efforts to overturn the electoral result almost made Hillary Clinton’s dream a reality.

We had the losing Clinton using third parties to try and force a recount of votes in certain states. It might have been her constitutional right, she could have blocked it, considering that she had conceded defeat. What then is the difference with what the Gambian president has done — concede and then reverse the decision?

Western governments have also accused African leaders of wanting to hold on to power. Outgoing president Barack Obama’s claim that if he had contested, he would have won is pregnant with meaning. Despite showing support for Secretary Clinton, Obama wants the world to believe that he is the best president that the US has ever produced. It was a stab in the back for Clinton. Simply put, Obama is saying that if he had his way, he would have run for a third term.

During this transitional phase, we are also witnessing claims about the United States’ exceptionalism and its standing as a beacon of democracy are nothing, but a facade.

In a fortnight’s time the geo-political sphere will welcome the new player — Donald Trump, and depending on which report and analysis you want to believe — the next four years will be interesting.

Some are already painting them as doom and gloom, with the potential of the breakout of a Third World War, while others believe that Trump’s presidency will signal the demise of US influence on the world stage, just like what the UK did after Brexit. Only time will tell!

But one thing is for sure. International mainstream media are ratcheting their reports to build a case against president-elect Donald Trump. Although he won the elections on the mantra of “making America great again”, the thinking in the international media is that his way of conducting business leave a lot to be desired.

He is unconventional and he continues to demonstrate that he is anti-establishment. This paradox will stand the test of his presidency, and also the test of the United States’ place in geo-political issues. Will Trump’s approach have takers or it might alienate the US, like the UK again?

There is no denying that the president-elect is a Twitter fanatic, but after January 20, will he continue to issue official statements through social media, without due regard to their impact on national security?

The incoming president’s communication preferences are ruffling feathers not only among US citizens, but its international partners as well. He is creating an atmosphere of wild guesses about how he would run issues, if Twitter and social media are his modus operandi, unless of course if he wants to institutionalise open societies.

How will his use of Twitter translate into a policy-making instrument?

But the rebuke from the Chinese news agency Xinhua, in their commentary is worthy reflecting upon. They warned Trump that his continued use of Twitter was an unhealthy development, saying that “diplomacy is not a child’s game”.

What a description — Twitter reduced to a child’s game, for locally, we have witnessed unparalleled obsessions with this social media platform, an obsession that has exposed Zimbabwe. The concerned individuals have been warned time and again, but to no avail. It will be interesting to see whether they will change after January 20.

If the US Secret Service limited Obama’s love of his Blackberry phone, they will do the same with Trump and Twitter, for running a country is not playing games.

As the world awaits, it has also been disappointing to see that the majority of reports around the Trump presidency are centred on the alleged hacking of Democratic and federal systems by Russia and Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks.

China has also featured a number of times and so too the European Union. But, it is as though the rest of the world is non-existent. Maybe the media has taken a cue to Trump’s distaste of globalisation!

But that Russia and President Putin in particular are taking a major chunk of what we expect to see in the Trump foreign policy, as the outgoing administration are working day-and-night to keep Trump away from Putin, is telling. Obama cannot have him wreak his legacy.

Until Trump acknowledges that Russia is an enemy, Africa will have to wait. But we still hope that when they finally do, Trump will adopt a humane Africa policy.

Enacy Mapakame Business Reporter —
GOVERNMENT is considering the addition of second-hand vehicle imports from Japan on the list for conformity assessment in order to protect consumers from sub-standard vehicles as well as to promote local assemblers.

This means that if approved, all vehicle imports from Japan will be subject to evaluation by Bureau Veritas and issued with conformity assessment certificates before they can be allowed into the country.

Zimbabwe is currently the only country that allows car imports from Japan to enter the country without conformity assessment certificates, subjecting local consumers to sub-standard vehicles.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha said the country had the flexibility to add more products on the list as well as to remove some from the list.

Although the process could be costly, Minister Bimha said the benefits would outweigh the perceived costs of such a move.

“In a number of countries, cars from Japan especially cannot just come into countries due to issues to do with radiation,” he said responding to questions at a recent media briefing.

“Some countries are very strict about the importation of cars from Japan, which I think we need to move towards to as well.

“It is incumbent for every country to ensure its citizens are protected against sub-standard products. It may be costly but the benefits outweigh the cost,” he said.

The importation of second-hand vehicles has been a contentious issue as local assemblers feel short-changed over the loss of business.

The market, however, prefers the imports due to affordability, compared to locally manufactured vehicles.

During the first half of 2016, car imports into the country amounted to $250 million down from $365 million during the same period in 2015 on tighter duty tariffs coupled with liquidity challenges.

At the close of 2015, $469 million was spent on vehicle imports from $452 million used for the same purpose in 2014, adding to the huge import bill.

Top sources for car imports in Zimbabwe are Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Germany, according to Zimstats.

While there have been some sticky issues with Bureau Veritas especially with regards to delays in issuing out conformity certificates, Minister Bimha said there had been a general remarkable improvement in the quality of goods that are imported into the country.

BANGUI. – Blindfolds secured tightly, more than a dozen men and women are led by their partners around leafy plants and trees in the compound of an international charity in the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui.

The occasional stumble sends nervous laughter around the group of Christians and Muslims who have been paired up at random for the experiment — an exercise in building trust between communities torn apart by conflict.

At the end of the session, those guiding the “blind” along cracked concrete and pebble paths spoke of having to be patient, responsible and compassionate.

“We all have a need for each other,” community worker Nicaise Gounoumoundjou told the group.

For a long time, Hada Katidja Siba was skeptical.

One of the participants, Siba saw her house burned to the ground in 2013 when mainly Muslim Seleka rebels toppled the government in the majority Christian nation, sparking a backlash from Christian anti-balaka militias.

Thousands of people were killed in the ensuing ethnic cleansing and the country’s defacto partition between the Muslim northeast and Christian southwest.

For Siba, a Muslim, seeing her home disappear in flames caused her to anger ‘very easily’, and to distrust and fear Christians.

“I would see a Christian coming toward me and I would just think: ‘What is he coming to do to me? Is he coming to kill me or to do something to me?’” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Despite successful polls in 2016 – regarded as essential to ending the violence – and a new, elected government, reconciliation has barely been addressed in the country of 4.6 million save for grassroot efforts like last month’s workshop.

Florence Ntakarutimana, a trauma healing specialist from Burundi, who led the workshop, said most Central Africans have experienced some form of depression and shame from the crisis.

Many suffer from insomnia, loss of appetite and bad dreams. Others react to trauma with anger and aggression.

Ntakarutimana said some people lose interest in activities that they previously cared about, like going to their church or mosque. “They say: ‘Where was God when we were suffering?’”

She has conducted dozens of healing workshops across Central African Republic, starting each one with a song led by a participant, followed by prayers led by a minister or imam.

The Central Africans are given a chance to share stories of witnessing killings, experiencing sexual assault or losing their family, friends and homes.

Many tears are shed.

“When someone is not healed, he’s not ready for social cohesion. He’s not ready for reconciliation. He’s not ready for livelihood activities,” Ntakarutimana said.

Reverend Senjajbazia Nicolas Aime Simpliec, a 46-year-old Protestant, became ‘very nervous’ after a close friend was killed in 2014.

“I started making bad decisions,” he said. “Even though I was a pastor, I wanted to act. I was ready for revenge.”

But he said the workshop has taught him that vengeance is not the solution – a lesson he plans to share with his community and congregation.

“It’s about forgiving and living with what happened and going beyond it, so I can reconcile even with those who have killed my colleague,” Simpliec said.

The workshop involves the participants sharing some characteristics they appreciate in each other, switching seamlessly between French and the local language Sangho.

It ends with discussions on how they could uproot mistrust in their communities. On an easel, the participants wrote that they planned to provide ‘sincere apologies,’ ‘love,’ ‘trust,’ and ‘dialogue’ in order to ‘search for common ground’.

These efforts are part of the CAR Interfaith Peacebuilding Partnership, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

In partnership with the Catholic Relief Services, World Vision and Islamic Relief aid agencies and Palo Alto University, the five-year project aims to promote reconciliation by supporting local religious leaders, improving opportunities to make a living and providing psychosocial trauma healing.

“Religious actors are the bedrock of society in countries where institutions are fragile,” said Andreas Hipple of GHR Foundation, which co-funded the project.

“The religious leaders can not just guide people in their faith but also help them deal with the challenges of life.”

The workshop is just the start, Ntakarutimana said.

“They will continue to have those scars but it’s not really bleeding like a fresh wound,” she added. - Reuters.

John McCain

NEW YORK. – Hawkish US Republican Senator John McCain has once again accused Moscow of waging a war against the United States. He says Russia’s alleged cyberattacks against US political organisations to influence the 2016 presidential election amount to an “act of war.”

A political commentator says McCain is part of the oligarchy that thrives on war, destruction and reconstruction.

“They are in the pockets of the militarists, of the Zionists. They do not see their role as politicians to build America. They want to destroy Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Somalia and Iraq,” Randy Short told Press TV in an interview on Thursday.

He also dismissed McCain’s claim that Moscow is waging a war on Washington, adding that Russia is an integral part of a global peace that the United States has been trying to upset with its last two “bellicose” administrations.

The commentator also argued McCain seeks to start a new Cold War in an attempt to “get his mojo back” because he was a “failure” in the previous one.

Short further praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for not responding in kind to constant provocations by US President Barack Obama.

He also highlighted Russia’s achievements in Syria, asserting that if US Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was elected president, there could have been a World War III.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the commentator said efforts to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president failed because his message resonated with American voters.

“Trump is going to do just fine because the masses of American people want peace. They want the infrastructure built, they want jobs and they are tired of war and when Trump comes in, there is going to be a change in one of the greatest weapons of the militarists which is the US media which is completely infiltrated by the CIA and Zionists that love these wars,” he said.

Short further noted that people like McCain are “war criminals” and they are enemies to US democracy, human rights and peace.

He also predicted that once Trump takes office, a lot of these people “are going to find themselves investigated” which will be great for world peace and rebuilding a new America. - Press TV.

Sophie Chese-Msowa and Naledi Sande —
Having gone through a turbulent period in the early stages of her career, 31-year-old songstress Pauline Gundidza who hogged the limelight in the early millennium as a member of Mafrique has realised her mistakes and wants to make a new start.

Born on July 8 1985, Gundidza, a proud mother of two girls – 11-year-old Skye and Minana who is six years old – whom she sired with urban groove musician, Roki, says she has found love again.

And she did not need to go very far, when she was looking for a soul mate. She is now dating her former husband’s friend Fuzzy L. The two, who seem to be head over heels with each other, are working together on a number of musical projects.

In an interview, Pauline said the future looks so bright for the two, both in their careers and personal lives.

“At present I am in a new phase, with new love, new goals and a new sound. I am now a confident mbira player. I am under sound management too, so the future is very bright.

“As for me and Fuzzy, we are focusing on our careers at the moment and we are business partners,” said Pauline.

She said they had plans to get married, and will concretise the plans once they have polished up their careers in the arts.

“It has only been a year since we came together officially and we will settle down when we have established a promising future for us and our children,” she said.

The “Ndokuudza sei?” hit-maker, however, encouraged women to take their time when making important decisions such as settling down and marriage.

“I would like to encourage women out there to think clearly when it comes to relationships. There is more to life like achieving our goals and having self respect. We should not tolerate anything and everything in the name of love,

“Time waits for no man. Some of us had to go back to school at the age of 30 because takamhanyira zvamarelationships izvi . . . We rushed for the wrong things, for instance, my relationship with Roki,

“Women should focus on right things,” she said.

Pauline revealed that she was enjoying her life at the moment and had no regrets.

“I am very happy, I have beautiful children, a lovely boyfriend, a promising career and a supportive family,” she said.

She highlighted that they were going to release their first project as Pauline featuring Fuzzy L this month.

“The first solo project which is going to be a video for our song ‘Isu Takunda’ is going to be out this month. I collaborated with Fuzzy L.

The song was produced by Oskid, while Brighton Tazarurwa did the video. Musarurwa previously worked with Mafriq and produced the videos for the songs “Ndokuudza Sei” and “Chizevezeve”.

Pauline said she has been working on a number of health and developmental projects.

“I have been working though on a lot of health and community development projects such as ZIMPHIA, which was an AIDS survey that I participated in all year alongside Albert Nyathi, Dereck Mpofu Tererai Mugwadi and Adiona Chidzonga,” she said.

Pauline, who recently enrolled at Music Crossroads Academy for a Certificate in music, said she had been performing at both corporate and public entertainment venues.