BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has revealed that one of his passions is cooking and that he has been treating his family to his culinary skills every Sunday since he got married in 1977.

Mphoko made the revelations on his daughter Siduduzile’s fashion, style and culture YouTube show uploaded on December 20 where he is seen preparing a traditional meal.

Mphoko was removed from office in November 2017 alongside the late President Robert Mugabe and a number of now exiled former Zanu PF members in a coup.

The former VP has been battling to access his pension and other benefits since then. Away from politics, Mphoko loves being in the kitchen.

“When I met your mother, we established a tradition; we introduced a culture at home. Every Sundays I have cooked for my wife, up to today, but we eat good food,” Mphoko said in an episode titled: Cooking and tasting local Foods: Father Daughter moments VP Mphoko with DrBae, Part 1.

“… and my son also has adopted that policy that he cooks for his family on Sundays. And I am sure my son-in-law also has been told . . . so it’s a tradition that I started with my wife that every Sunday, it’s a must that I must make a mess of the kitchen, but they make so much noise when I go to the kitchen, but I like cooking.”

Mphoko’s daughter, a medical doctor, launched her fashion, style and culture channel in October this year.

Siduduzile said the channel was necessitated by the need to showcase the country’s luxurious style and culture.

“I am tired of watching other people expose themselves; expose their country and their culture. We are so rich in arts and culture, we are so rich in many things, so it’s time we show them what we are made of here in Bulawayo,” she said.

The channel is under the management of Khulekani Ndlovu’s LeFactory, which focuses on premium luxurious brands and provides public relations and marketing services to the elite.

BY MOSES MATENGA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said there was no unity in the country because President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has failed to unite the people and accused it of persecuting those with genuine grievances.

Speaking on the day to commemorate unity following the signing of the Unity Accord by the late former President Robert Mugabe, representing Zanu and the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s PF Zapu, to end Gukurahundi that saw 20 000 being killed in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces, Chamisa said Mnangagwa has failed on the basics of unity and there was nothing to celebrate.

“It cannot be unity when you beat up people for saying they are hungry. If doctors say they are incapacitated and they want money, you fire them, when teachers say they want money, you set dogs on them. Is that unity?” Chamisa asked.

“It cannot be unity when it appears there are two countries in one. Unity shouldn’t be between parties for power, but it must be about institutions and for the good of everyone, tribes, religion, all provinces, seeing there is something for them.”

He said he was against unity that “demonises and brutalises others” as is the case.

“Unity is important, but they think it is partisan. There is no unity when you can’t resolve issues and hold free and fair elections,” Chamisa added.

But Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo maintained the “unity” in the country since 1987 was the glue to any stability, development and prosperity.

He, however, said there was little happening across the country to celebrate the important day.

“It is most disheartening to note that although December 22 is a public holiday in honour of the Unity Accord, there are no visible activities across the country depicting such a political milestone. The young people know virtually nothing about this day,” Khaya Moyo said.

Tyson Wabantu leader Saviour Kasukuwere said unity was not the absence of conflict.

“Unity is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to manage differences and diversity amongst and within society. Unity should be about providing leadership to heal and develop the nation. Courage to move is essential than empty rhetoric,” he said.

Mnangagwa celebrated Unity Day at his farm in Kwekwe where he hosted members of the Political Actors’ Dialogue (Polad).

Polad members reportedly requested for a meeting at a more relaxed place and opted for Mnangagwa’s farm.

MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe, National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku were some of the players present at the Zanu PF leader’s farm.

BY NUNURAI JENA

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) last week told President Emmerson Mnangagwa that he would not rejoin Zanu PF because it was “infested with corrupt” members.

Mnangagwa had told the gathering at the commissioning of the Norton Road Over the Rail on Friday last week that Mliswa was rejoining the ruling party.

While handing over gifts from Norton companies and residents to Mnangagwa, Mliswa said those who wish to rejoin the party should not be forced to write letters.

“His Excellency President Mnangagwa said I should come back to Zanu PF, but how can I come back to a party whose leadership is so corrupt . . . The issue of land barons is the latest as exposed by the recent report. Besides our coming back shouldn’t be conditional just as the President’s come back was not conditional. I thought President Mnangagwa was going to recall all members fired by the G40 who include Amai Joyce Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo, Jabulani Sibanda since he was also fired by the same people and came back. Mr President why do you want us to write letters when you did not?” said Mliswa
He said Zanu PF will continue losing elections in Norton because of corruption by land barons.

“Mr President Norton residents voted Zanu PF out because of land barons who you are protecting. It’s a system that was started by former (Local Government) minister Ignatius Chombo and people like Justice Mayor Wadyajena, Killer Zivhu (Chivi South MP) and Cuthbert Mupamhi have been fingered by the report,” Mliswa said.

Mupamhi, however, said Mliswa is the one who is corrupt because he wants to politicise the land issue by roping in the President.

“If there is one person who is corrupt in this whole issue, it is Temba Mliswa. He has been fighting me since he was Zanu PF provincial chairperson; he wants my private land… I was arrested by Zacc and cleared” he said.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Sale of State Land in and around urban exposed vote-buying by the ruling Zanu PF party with politicians illegally parcelling out State land in urban and peri-urban areas to lure voters.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Giants Dynamos and Highlanders have moved swiftly to snap up bargain buys at Bulawayo Chiefs in preparation for the 2020 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

A very reliable source at Chiefs said that Highlanders will make a hattrick of signings from Bulawayo Chiefs with goalkeeper David Bizabani, defender Malvin Mkolo and striker Farau Matare set to move to the Bulawayo giants.

The club’s top goal scorer for the just ended season Arthur Musiyiwa is set to join DeMbare.

Highlanders and DeMbare have not wasted time to bolster their squads as they look to launch title fights in the 2020 season.

In the just ended season Highlanders finished sixth, while Tonderai Ndiraya’s Dynamos were placed ninth in a season they struggled to make an impression.

DeMbare particularly struggled for goals, scoring just 28 goals all season and only Black Rhinos scored less in the entire league with 26 strikes.

The acquisition of Musiyiwa will help DeMbare improve their front line which has since lost Edward Sadomba, who hung his boots at the end of the season.

In the just ended season Ndiraya complained that he didn’t have quality players to mount a title challenge and the club is looking to back him in the transfer window.

Highlanders improved from a farce to a force once coach Pieter de Jongh stepped in midway through the season, but it was too late to mount any meaningful title challenge.

They won the Chibuku Super Cup and will be looking to build on that success.

For Chiefs, next term could well be another season of struggles as they are also set to lose Shadreck Nyahwa, who is on Triangle’s radar.

“We are likely to be building a new squad next season because we will be losing Diego (Musiyiwa) to Dynamos while three players, Bizabani, Matare and Malvin Mkolo are likely to go to Highlanders with Gabri (Nyahwa) wanted by Triangle,” said a reliable source.

Bulawayo Chiefs have fought relegation till the last day of the campaign for each of the two seasons, but they have produced some of the top players who are now at various clubs.
Goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, Ishmael Wadi and Last Sithole moved to FC Platinum in 2015.

Sources have also revealed Magalane could be joining his former coach Norman Mapeza at South African outfit Chippa United.

Wadi is now at Harare City while Sithole moved to Chicken Inn.

Last year Chiefs had exciting attacking midfielder Perfect Chikwende going to FC Platinum, while the duo of Barnabas Mushunje and Polite Moyo joined Ngezi Platinum.

Other players who left the club are Gracious Muleya, now at relegated Chapungu and Andrew Tandi, who is with Black Rhinos.

Stanley Ngala left Bulawayo Chiefs for Manica Diamonds.

Chiefs are, however, said to be eyeing Zifa Southern Region Division One side Bosso 90’s striker Dominic Jaricha.

Despite the player exodus, the team believe next year they will not be fighting relegation with coach Thulani Sibanda who has been linked to other clubs, likely to stay.

They ended the season on the 13th position on 41 points from 34 games and beat giants FC Platinum, Chicken Inn, Dynamos, Harare City and Triangle in the 2019 campaign.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

The Kangetsambo family farm along Nyazura-Chivhu highway has sadly become the final destination for scores of road traffic accident victims as it is located right at the black spot popularly known as PaChimbwa.

If one visits the farm, shells of accident damaged cars, both old and fresh are strewn around while the fence has remained torn down from repeated smashes from vehicles.

The farm owner has since given up on repairing the fence.

Pachimbwa (name derived from a nearby farm) is a junction where the Harare-Murambinda road connects with the Nyazura-Chivhu highway in Zviyambe South, Wedza.

The vendors who operate at the area, farmers and other road users have witnessed a lot of horrific accidents for a number of years that include both public and private vehicles.

“It is a pity that our property has become the final end for a number of people for years now while others are seriously injured. We used to repair the fence but the frequency of the road accidents forced us to abandon the repairs,” said Arnold one of Kangetsambo’s sons.

The larger number of motorists who use the Harare-Murambinda road are oblivious of the junction’s existence and often tore through it and straight into the bushes or collide with vehicles along the Nyazura-Chivhu highway.

In a bid to reduce carnage at the spot government has erected at least four humps but all this has been in vain..

The junction has become a blackspot with some calling for both churches and traditional leaders to perform some rites and exorcise the area.

“We are tired of watching people die at this area. Something needs to be done and the road authorities know exactly the solutions to be proffered to avoid more deaths. There are humps but they are of no use. I have been selling my wares here for some time and what I have witnessed is horrific,” said Rumbidzai, a vendor at the junction.

The community leaders said they have engaged relevant authorities and hope that a solution will be found soon.

According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), about 90% of road accidents are a result of human error, with speeding and overtaking errors topping the list of major causes of road accidents in Zimbabwe. It is estimated that at least five people die daily on the country’s roads, with an average of 2 000 people losing lives in accidents annually.

TSCZ spokesperson Tatenda Chinoda said the problem lies with motorists who are not adhering to traffic rules.

“We are seized with reports from people who live around the area and we will engage all stakeholders so that we come up with solutions to the problem. However, motorists need to adhere to the road rules to avoid loss of life. The drivers should take heed of all road signs,” he said.

A local businessman Shacky Kandava said it is high time relevant authorities do more in putting more signs at Chimbwa Junction as they are ‘tired of seeing blood’.

“There are humps but they are not doing justice at all. People are dying and we are witnessing accidents frequently. I suggest that the authorities do work on increasing the signage maybe at least about 200m from the junction. The signage that is currently there is no longer visible while some of the road signs have been vandalised. We are tired of seeing blood,” he said.

Recently, the Government of Zimbabwe agreed to harmonize traffic signs with those in other Sadc countries. The Sadc-Road Traffic Signs Manual (Sadc RTSM) became native legislation in Zimbabwe in 2016, with implementation currently under way.

Apart for the Chimbwa Junction, Zimbabwe has some blackspots along major highways where a lot of people are perishing especially during the festive season. Some of these include the Gejo RaRuby stretch along Harare-Nyambapanda, the Kandava curve in Seke along Harare-Wedza, Valley of Death in Nyanga and the Odzi stretch near Odzi Bridge in Manicaland among others.

Traditional healer Sekuru Forbes Maseko (81) said there is need to cleanse the Chimbwa Junction blackspot to avoid more accidents.

“There is need to perform some cleansing rituals at the area so that we appease the spirits of those who died long back at the spot, it is possible. We can win the war that way,” he said.

After the Gejo Raruby bus disaster that claimed a total of 27 people few years ago, the Roman Catholic held a mass and prayer session to cleanse the area from any further bad lucky.

Road accidents are the leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds globally, according to a report published by the World Health Organisation. Forty of the 50 countries with the highest road-death rates across all ages are in Africa. Traffic accidents now kill more people than malaria in many African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Sudan.

The looming festive season is often characterised with numerous fatal road accidents with road safety authorities already on the highways on awareness campaigns. According to statistics, most road deaths occur between December 15 and January 2 every year.

TSCZ acting board chairperson Gift Machengete said at least 20 teams including police officers will be on the major highways to alert motorists on road safety.

Recently, First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa launched the road safety campaign dubbed “Save life #slowdown, chikuru kufunga pamigwagwa yedu” where she spoke to passengers saying curbing road carnage needed a multi-sectoral approach.

“Let us unite and be champions of road safety at all levels, from families, villages, churches and workplaces. Each social group must have distinguished road safety champions and play an important role is saving lives,”she said.

At least 111 people died on the country’s roads during the last festive season.

Reforms to Rig Elections: Arthur Mutambara, former Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister

WE have been talking about the need for political reforms to level the playing field thus facilitating credible, free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. While we have argued that political reforms are necessary, but not sufficient, we have also emphasised that without these reforms all other interventions are futile.

We having been insisting on dialogue and agreement about these reforms, and thereafter their effective implementation.

As we posit these averments, it is instructive to note that Zanu PF is actually designing and implementing political reforms — albeit in the opposite direction!

While we are in a political slumber and majoring in minors, Zanu PF is busy carrying out political changes to enable the theft and rigging of elections.

More importantly, they are putting in place political reforms that will allow them to steal or rig those polls with absolute impunity.

One of the key objectives of the 2013 Constitution was to whittle down the authority of an all-powerful presidency. This was not sufficiently addressed but significant inroads were made.

However, on December 17, 2019, the Zanu PF government announced a raft of measures to roll back that progress and reintroduce an imperial presidency through Constitutional Amendment Bill 2019.

They seek to remove the running mate clause so that the President will appoint and fire his two deputies. They intend to abolish the use of public hearings for the appointment of Judges and return that authority to the President.

Furthermore, they propose the appointment by the President of the following: Chief Secretary to President and Cabinet and the deputies; Public Protector and deputy; and the Prosecutor-General.

This is an unequivocal and unambiguous reconstruction of the pre-2013 all-powerful presidency. In fact, it is even more consolidated and over-reaching than that obtaining pre-2013.

An imperial presidency is central to the orchestration of fraudulent electoral processes. It enables the rigging of elections and guarantees impunity for electoral theft.

When one is aggrieved with electoral outcomes, where do you go? To the courts (High Court, Supreme
Court, and Constitutional Court), right? Who will be manning those courts? Compromised judges appointed by an illegitimate President who is a product of electoral theft! What justice do you expect?

A further cynical part of the Zanu PF’s constitutional changes announced on December 17 is the obvious and shameless reward to Chief Justice Luke Malaba for his role in upholding the results of the fraudulent 2018 presidential elections.

He is due for retirement soon, but Zanu PF has put a specific provision that allows him (beyond the retirement age of 70) to renew his contract annually, for a period not exceeding five years.
How sick can we get?

Let us be woke. Political reforms are taking place. They are just in the opposite direction. Zanu PF is busy implementing reforms to rig elections with absolute impunity.

Another fool’s errand: Advocate Thabani Mpofu

On December 17, 2019, the nation became aware that Cabinet had considered and approved Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019, which seeks to introduce a gamut of amendments to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013.

The contemplated amendment is a sovereign disgrace which shows that this government feels little disposition to submit to the wholesome restraints of constitutionalism.

Although the whole amendment is the relentless work of rascals, I am particularly taken by the invalid attempt to increase the retirement ages of the Chief Justice, his deputy, judges of the Constitutional and Supreme courts.

The attempt to amend the Constitution is in that regard an unprovoked and unjustified vote of no confidence in the entire judiciary. There is evidence that it is meant to benefit only one person, with other senior judges being used as a cover up.

Various learned and eminent citizens have already panned this as an attack on judicial independence, democracy and constitutionalism. I add my voice to the loud chorus of boos. This is what all modesty wish to see buried in everlasting oblivion.

The intention to amend is, however, not well thought out and is quite frankly illiterate nonsense.
It seems to me that the regime has not considered provisions of section 328(7) of the Constitution, which reads as follows:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a term-limit provision, the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office, does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, or an equivalent office, at any time before the amendment.”

The effect of this provision, being underpinned as it is by a non-obstante clause, is that if the amendment sails through, the new law will have no effect on the tenure of office of the Chief Justice, his deputy and the current judges of the Supreme Court who must all retire once they reach the age of 70.

The effort is, therefore, a pointless re-arranging of the deck chairs on the Titanic. I bet my last dollar, the miscreants who are behind this amendment are not alive to this legal position.
They have accordingly wasted time but have in the process shown us the lengths to which they are prepared to go in undercutting the spirit of the constitution. Mwari ave navo!

Towards a dictatorship: LSZ

On December 17, 2019, Cabinet at its 45th meeting approved several amendments to the Constitution.
Some of the notable proposed amendments relate to the appointments of vice-Presidents, Prosecutor-General, Public Protector, promotion of judges and the terms of office of judges.

The other notable proposed amendments relate to the composition of the provincial councils and the extension of the provision on the women’s quota which was scheduled to end in 2023.

The Constitution provides for its amendment. Although amendments to the Constitution are allowed these ought to be necessary for the promotion of the rule of law and protection of the principles of democracy.

Our Constitution is a democratic document which came out of extensive consultations. It is a national document which should be enduring. Amendments to the Constitution must be necessary for the enhancement of enshrined rights, accountability and good governance. Amendments must not be retrogressive.

In terms of section 92 of the Constitution, the presidential candidate chooses running mates who upon election become the national Vice-Presidents. The rationale for the provision was to introduce a non-disruptive succession plan while ensuring that in the event of a Vice-President taking over the office of President he would be having the people’s mandate.

The effect of the proposed amendment to section 94 means that Vice-Presidents will no longer be elected, but appointed by the President. This removes the transparency and democratic process sought to be achieved by section 92 in relation to the assumption of these important offices.

In addition, the Vice-President’s tenure will be at the pleasure of the President. An amendment is expected to cure a problem or mischief. This is not apparent in the present case. The proposed amendments further seek to change the procedures for the appointment of the Prosecutor-General.

The current procedure for the appointment of the Prosecutor-General is similar to that of the judges. This is a transparent way of appointing this important office, which like the judiciary ought to enjoy prosecutorial independence.

The proposed amendment whereby the President appoints the Prosecutor-General upon consultation with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) is reverting to the old constitution.

The current provisions promote transparency in the appointment process. This will not be achieved under the proposed amendment. It is not clear what mischief the proposed amendment seeks to address. The fact of the matter though is that the amendment is retrogressive. It emasculates a position that is pivotal to our criminal justice.

The amendment will remove the Prosecutor-General’s independence. The appointment system also does not guarantee meritocracy as the basis for appointment. This cannot be achieved by simply consulting the JSC. In any case in terms of section 339, such consultation may not be binding on the President.

Section 180 sets out the conditions that must be met in relation to the appointment of judges. The proposed amendment seeks to provide for the President to appoint a sitting judge to a higher court upon consultation with JSC.

This approach seeks to reverse the elaborate, and transparent system currently in place. It is not clear why we should depart from the current system. The proposed changes will take us back to the pre-2013 era, where judicial appointments were shrouded in a veil of secrecy.

The proposed extension of the tenure of judges albeit on a contract basis and subject to medical certification on fitness, is not desirable in a country with a vibrant legal profession. There are many legal practitioners who are fit to hold the office of judge.

The introduction of the office of the Public Protector should be based on a true desire to achieve administrative justice especially by public offices. The 2013 Constitution deliberately omitted this institution on the basis that the functions could be effectively undertaken by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

The Justice ministry recently lamented that this commission is under-resourced. Instead of properly funding the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, the Cabinet is creating another institution which will have its own resource-chewing bureaucracy.

On the other hand, the present Constitution already provides for the establishment of an independent complaints mechanism to deal with misconduct by members of the security sector.

This has not been instituted and yet Cabinet finds it necessary to create the Public Protector’s Office. The Executive is failing to diligently and without delay perform all constitutional obligations as provided in section 324.

The proposal to remove MPs and Senators from provincial councils also appear ill conceived. The presence of these members was supposed to bring the nexus between national and local development.

The proposed amendments will perpetuate the disconnect between the national programmes and the local/provincial programmes, thus creating development inertia.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe reiterates that the provisions to the Constitution ought to be guarded jealously. Any proposed amendments to the Constitution should be for the people and by the people.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe further reiterates its position that the Constitution of Zimbabwe should be jealously guarded and protected in pursuance of the supremacy of the rule of law.

The proposed amendments to the Constitution at most, are unnecessary, retrogressive and are not in the interest of transparency, good governance and respect for the rule of law. Accordingly, the LSZ categorically denounces them.

BY TAFADZWA MHLANGA

THE Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHCD), civic society organisations professional bodies and business last week launched the much-anticipated National Convergence Platform (NCP), which is meant to co-ordinate non-political actors as they deliberate on ways to solve the socio-economic and political crises prevailing in the country.

In a statement, NCP urged citizens to join them in finding a lasting solution to crises pervading the nation, including collapsing health and social services and the chronic food shortages.

“Following the issuing of compelling Sabbath call by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations, on October 7, 2019, which sought to invite the whole nation towards finding a lasting comprehensive solution to the many crises affecting the nation, leaders of various apex bodies of civil society organisations came together to establish the National Convergence Platform as a space for deliberating and exploring ways to collectively contribute towards finding a lasting solution to the national crisis through national dialogue,” NCP said in a statement.

The seven-year sabbatical from polls was rejected by the ruling Zanu PF party and the main opposition MDC on the grounds that it was an extraordinary and difficult ask, with legal and constitutional ramifications since the national Constitution provides for regular elections.

NCP said the organisations that make up the platform were driven by a “shared realisation that the socio-economic and political situation in Zimbabwe had continued to deteriorate”.

“This deterioration was most evident in the failing health and other social services, the looming catastrophic food shortages, the broken mistrust and confidence among citizens, the continuing breakdown of social cohesion, deepening political paralysis and polarisation seen by the failure of the main political parties in Parliament to co-operate for the sake of the nation. They were also worried that there seemed to be no solution being proffered towards a credible solution both in the immediate and even long-term future,” the statement read.

The NPC, which will be housed under ZHCD, would be made up of “various actors, including but not limited to churches, civil society organisations, professional bodies, women and youth organisations business as formally represented by the apex bodies where possible”.

The statement said inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue was the only credible route towards finding a lasting solution to the country’s deep-seated and recurrent problems.

BY MOSES MATENGA

ZIMBABWEANS are supposed to join the world in celebrating Christmas in a few days, but the mood remains sombre in the country with nothing to show that it is time to be merry.

With only three days to Christmas, workers, who spoke to NewsDay Weekender yesterday, said there was nothing to celebrate this festive season as the future remained bleak.

Several companies are failing to pay workers and to those who can, local banks are not able to avail cash, hence meandering queues being the order of the day around the country.

A survey by NewsDay Weekender last week showed desperation among Zimbabweans who queued for cash, fuel and struggled to plan for the holidays amid speculation that schools were planning to raise fees.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said 2019 had been a tough year for the workers and there was no joy this festive season.

“It has been a difficult year for Zimbabweans. It has been one of the difficult years for workers.
We are not sure if the majority will be able to enjoy their festive season. We are not sure if the majority of workers will be able to visit their loved ones. We are not sure the majority of workers will be able to pay school fees for their children come January,” ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said.

“The majority of people have not been able to access their money from banks and are resorting to buying money through EcoCash. It is really tough,” he said.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition spokesperson Marvellous Khumalo said there was nothing in the country and this was a desperate situation for Zimbabweans.

“There is nothing in the country, but unfortunately we are lacking leadership. The leadership is focusing on wrong things despite a myriad of challenges we have. In the current crisis, instead of leaders focusing on how to give a good festive season by addressing economic challenges, we are witnessing sideshows,” he said.

“As we go into this festive season, prices of basic commodities have sky-rocketed. Early next year, we will be talking of school fees when children will be expected to go back to school.”

The crisis in Zimbabwe has reached boiling point and people are set for a Christmas without basics, water, fuel and cash among other necessities, making it one of the worst ever for the country.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailer’s Association president Denford Mutashu said although the last days have been slow, the situation seemed to have improved yesterday as more people did their shopping.

“Business has started picking up and this has been the trend even in the past two years.
Business picks up even a few days before the actual Christmas itself and there has been some movement as compared to the previous days. Most consumers are doing their last-minute shopping and the basket composition has improved from basics,” he said.