BY VENERANDA LANGA

TEMPERS flared yesterday as legislators nearly fought each other when Chegutu MP Dextor Nduna (Zanu PF) and his Mberengwa North counterpart, Tafanana Zhou disrupted a Public Accounts Committee meeting hearing which had summoned three companies to give oral evidence on the Command Agriculture programme.

Nduna together with Zhou were also responsible for disrupting the Mines Committee, then chaired by Temba Mliswa last year, which was investigating bigwigs involved in the diamond looting saga.

PAC has resolved to charge Nduna with contempt of Parliament for causing yesterday’s chaos.

Nduna and Zhou were not present when Fertiliser Seed and Grain (FSG) boss Steve Morland began giving oral evidence on the Command Agriculture programme, where US$2,9 billion was gobbled in 2017 and US$3,5 billion in 2018 without parliamentary approval.

Most of the payments were made to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s Sakunda Holdings. The two MPs later turned up in the middle of the meeting to cause chaos and traded unprintable words with their opposition counterparts.

Nduna swore that Morland and other witnesses from Pedistock and Croco Motors would not give oral evidence until the MDC legislators, who had been walking out on Mnangagwa in Parliament, recognised his legitimacy.

As they traded barbs with each other in full view of Morland and other witnesses, it was evident that the aim was to ensure that the investigations on the Command Agriculture programme are quashed.

MDC legislators accused Nduna and Zhou of getting paid to disrupt PAC investigations by some of the companies embroiled in the saga.

During the melee, PAC chair Tendai Biti kept his cool and did not involve himself too much in the harsh exchanges.

“This meeting cannot go on because we still have our own issues as a committee and if possible, can Biti step out of the chair and Mliswa proceed as chairperson as an opposition MP because we cannot be chaired by an opposition that does not recognise our President,” Nduna said.

Parliament rules stipulate that the PAC should always be chaired by a person from the opposition as it has an oversight role on public finances.

Morland was asked to go out so that the PAC tries to resolve its differences first. But even after an hour of deliberations and trading insults, the issue was not resolved.

The FSG boss was called back to continue with his oral evidence, but Nduna continued to shout that the committee meeting would not proceed.

Marondera East MP Caston Mateo (MDC Alliance) suggested that they should pretend that Nduna was not present and leave him to shout as much as he could, but continue with oral evidence from Morland.

“Legitimise the President first and everything will be okay. You cannot choose not to recognise him because according to the Constitution, Mnangagwa is part of Parliament,” Nduna shouted.

When the MDC MPs ordered him to respect the chair, Nduna hit back saying that Mnangagwa was bigger than Biti as PAC chairperson.

“There is a decision that needs to be made by the Standing Rules and Orders Committee and we cannot proceed until the legitimacy issue of Mnangagwa is resolved by the SROC,” he said.

Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa (MDC Alliance) then said: “We are not going to allow what Nduna and Zhou did to the Mines Committee to happen again to the PAC. You (Nduna) have a history of disrupting Parliament committees.

“You are claiming that you are defending Mnangagwa when you are defending yourself. You Zanu PF people even lied to the late former President Robert Mugabe claiming that you liked him, but you betrayed him. You are sell-outs and we know that you have been paid a lot of money by some of these companies that are supposed to be grilled for the Command Agriculture issue.”

In anger, Zhou hit back, calling Mushoriwa a fake pastor-turned-politician.

He also attacked Mateo over the shooting incident at his Marondera house saying that he (Mateo) had stage-managed the incident to gain sympathy. This angered Mateo, who then insulted Zhou in front of the witnesses.

Nduna also exchanged harsh words with female legislators from the MDC — Memory Mbondiah (PR) and Virginia Zengeya (PR) — as the parliamentarians continued to trade barbs.

Mliswa kept his cool during the melee and suggested that the meeting be postponed since it was now embarrassing that the media was live-streaming the programme as Nduna disrupted the proceedings.

Zhou shouted: “The MDC strategy is to walk out on Mnangagwa, and so as Zanu PF, this is our strategy.”

Biti then made a ruling that all witnesses should go back and will be re-called to give oral evidence after November 28 when the SROC would have made a decision on the matter.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is headed for another clash with cross-border traders and ordinary citizens after announcing plans to compel travellers to disclose their source of foreign currency at the country’s border posts, failure of which the State will forfeit their imported goods.

Finance deputy minister Clemence Chiduwa Chiduwa made the revelations during a Press conference in Harare yesterday. He claimed the measures were geared towards taming black market operations.

“What we should do as government, which is what we are working on now, is to refine the policy to say we have designated commercial banks, where we get our foreign currency freely from our nostro accounts,” Chiduwa said.

“What is needed on our part is compliance and enforcement. Just to give you a bit on what we are working on at the moment, we are all aware that most of the people buy money on the parallel market and they go to buy goods outside the country.

“But when you are coming back, before you declare the goods, you have to first declare the official source of the foreign currency. The moment you declare goods, in the event that you are not able to declare the official source of foreign currency, you forfeit whatever you have to the State. So this will deal with black market operations.”

Chiduwa said indexing prices to the United States dollar was a major driver of inflation, estimated at 440% in October.

“Government is committed to the use of the Zimdollar as a unit of exchange. There has been an indexation of prices against the exchange rate. All the laws guiding the operations of economic agency are in place,” he said.

Government has failed to control parallel market activities and currently, the greenback is trading against the Zimbabwe dollar at 1:21, while the official rate is pegged at 1:15.
The selling of money on the black market was banned in September 2017 when the now late former President Robert Mugabe issued Statutory Instrument 122A of 2017 Exchange Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (No 5) to tame rife cash vending on the streets.

The law empowered police to arrest money peddlers and take hold of the traded currency.

Meanwhile, Finance secretary George Guvamatanga said government would soon unveil higher denominations of money to bring convenience to the transacting public.

Guvamatanga said some of the bond coins and notes would gradually be withdrawn from circulation.

BY FARAI MATIASHE

A MEMBER of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Presidential Advisory Council, Jana Ncube, has openly expressed her frustration at the government in the wake of rampant human rights abuses in the country, saying Zimbabwe remains in the news headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Writing on her Facebook page, Ncube, an international civil society activist, said the State was blaming sanctions for difficulties faced by citizens without accepting responsibility for the things it has power over and power to do.

Ncube last night confirmed to NewsDay Weekender that she had indeed posted the messages on her Facebook wall.

“I am not keen on articles because I think my words speak for me best. Thanks for checking,” she said.

“For instance, the government has power over what the police do. The Zimbabwe Republic Police can be like police in many countries across Africa, where they serve and protect citizens and are not unleashed to bash, beat and maim their own people,” she wrote on the day police brutally crushed a gathering by MDC supporters who wanted to listen to an address by their leader, Nelson Chamisa.

“Being in the opposition doesn’t make one less Zimbabwean. The ZRP have responsibility to care for and protect for all. Our military has no business in police uniforms and no business operating within Zimbabwe against Zimbabweans. Police beating women and young people and the elderly who want to protest against the government or want to support their party is wrong by all moral and just laws. The government of Zimbabwe has power over this.”

Ncube said government has the power to do what was right for the country.

Without mentioning names, she questioned why Energy minister Fortune Chasi appointed former Zesa Holdings executive chairman, Sydney Gata, to the same position, decades after leaving the same institution under a cloud.

“How does appointing a person who dishonourably left an institution (get) back into that institution with supra Executive power make our institutions and governance stronger?” she asked rhetorically.

“With the many reports and evidence of corruption, theft, pilfering from the State by political and military elites and no action against those guilty, how do we justify this? We fire doctors and nurses for asking for living wages and ask Parliament for overlook (over) billions stolen by a few elites who continue to live in luxury.”

She said no woman, man or child deserved to live the way most Zimbabweans are being forced to live.

“No woman should give birth in the conditions circulating on social media. No one should die for lack of medical care. It’s happening every day. My heart, is broken,” Ncube said.

She said Zimbabweans have been praying for rains which have come and now continue to pray for good leadership which will take responsibility for what is not working and commit to fix it.

“Leadership that will implement political reforms that allow our democracy to grow and for ordinary citizens to enjoy their freedoms; a democracy that is not afraid of differences in our political opinions and choices but rather thrives because of them,” Ncube said.

“We search for leaders who are accountable for every minute of their time in positions of decision making and also for every cent that belongs to this country. Leaders who won’t steal or cheat nor allow anyone else to steal or cheat.”

BY Kevin Mapasure

Despite his team’s failure to compete for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) title this season, Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalayi is impressed with the season he has had so far and is targeting a flourishing finish by shining on the big stage set by the big Harare derby against Caps United tomorrow.

The right back has been Dynamos’ shining star despite it being his first season in the top-flight where he is well set to finish among the Soccer Stars of the Year finalists.

DeMbare have experienced an average season where they have failed to put up a fight for the league title, but they have been one of the most difficult sides to beat since Tonderai Ndiraya took over as coach following the sacking of Lloyd Chigowe.

Ndiraya has spent much of the season complaining about the quality of players at his disposal, but among the rubble he has found a gem in Jalayi, who has since become one of the most sought-after players as some of the serious teams have already started planning for next season.

Jalayi shone in the first league match against Caps which ended in a one-all draw at Rufaro Stadium and is looking to shut out the Green Machine attackers, particularly speed merchant Phineas Bamusi, when the two square up tomorrow.

Theirs should be one of the key contests in the derby which Caps will be desperate to win.

“In the derby, everyone wants to do well. I did well in the first one and hopefully I will also play well in this one,” Jalayi said.

“The Harare derby is a big stage and there will be a lot of people watching so it’s an extra motivation to do well. Caps are fighting to win the title and they want to win this match, but we also have a target of finishing among the top four, so the match is just as important to us as it is to them.”

He said he had received a lot of encouragement from the watchers of the game in his maiden year in the topflight and wanted to keep improving.

“I am one of the players at Dynamos who only started playing in the PSL this year. I feel it’s a massive achievement for someone of my age to come in and play for a big club like Dynamos. I have received a lot of support and encouragement from the supporters which has made it easier to for me in my debut year. I am quite pleased with what I have achieved so far and only hope to get better next season.”

The Aces Youth Academy product had a six-month stint at Caps last year, but failed to win a first team cap.

Tomorrow, the 20-year-old will be looking to hurt the Green Machine’s title ambitions and advance DeMbare’s cause of going 23 matches unbeaten.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

THE Zifa Central Region Soccer League race for promotion is set for a nervy conclusion as three teams – Sheasham, Whawha and ZPC Munyati – go into the last round of fixtures today fancying chances of winning the championship.

Leaders Sheasham go into this final lap riding on a two-point cushion with 72 points while WhaWha have 70 points on their tally.

Third-placed ZPC Munyati has 69 points.

The three sides face teams that have nothing left to play for except the mandatory completion of fixtures, but it is the Dulibadzimu versus Sheasham match that will be the centre of attraction due to the fact that the latter are favourites to be crowned 2019 champions.

The reverse fixture between the two sides ended with fits-fights, as Dulibadzimu players and supporters protested a penalty awarded to Sheasham.

Sheasham travel to Beitbridge with head coach John Nyikadzino pretty poised to lead another team into the top-flight having presided over the promotion of Chapungu in 2013 and the now-defunct Nichrut in 2017.

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Luke Petros is also targeting to lead the WhaWha prison wardens into the fashionable league for the second time when they face Shabanie Mine at Maglas.

ZPC Munyati date ZRP Gweru, however, their chances of promotion are slim compared to their rivals, as they will only be promoted if they win by a 10-goal margin, with both Sheasham and WhaWha losing heavily. Nyikadzino is confident that they will be promoted.

“We are going to conclude this day on a high note and I am confident that we will achieve our ultimate objectives. The players are in high spirits, but we are not going to be over excited,” Nyikadzino said.

Petros is also confident of promotion.

“This one is a nervy ending but I hope we are going to pass this hurdle. It is everyone’s dream to be promoted, and despite that we are trailing we remain optimistic,” he said.

BY HENRY MHARA

Last five matches

Caps D W L D L Dynamos D W D D D

Dynamos are in no mood to do championship-chasing Caps United any favours ahead of the big Harare derby at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

Caps played a big role in helping Dynamos win the league title in 2013 and 2014 by derailing the teams that were tussling with the Glamour Boys for the title.

In 2013, Caps held Harare City in the last game of the season when the local authority side sought victory in that match to clinch the title. Dynamos, who were second on the log, took full advantage to clinch the main prize.

The following year, Caps beat ZPC Kariba in the last game of the season, with the latter needing just a draw in the match to lift the title in their debut season. Dynamos, second on the standings prior to the last round of matches, again, exploited the chance and grabbed the title.

Now Caps are two points clear of nearest rivals FC Platinum and Chicken Inn at the top of the league table with three matches to go, and if they beat Dynamos, they will make a huge step towards claiming the main prize.

As the two rivals prepare to face off in the biggest match of the weekend, there is a general feeling among Caps fans that their city rivals owe them big.

But Ndiraya has bad news for them.

“They played ZPC Kariba and Harare City, and not Dynamos. If we were playing their rivals in the title race, maybe we might have considered that and do them a favour by beating those other teams.
But this is a derby and the scenarios are different, so there are no favours which we will extend to them. They (Caps) want to achieve something, and we also have our season targets, so no favours,” Ndiraya said.

Dynamos are targeting to finish in the top four.

Ndiraya’s side started the season badly, but have since improved and are currently fifth on the log, just two points behind the team sitting on fourth. They could, however, fall to 10th position if they lose this match.

They are unbeaten in their last 19 matches although they drew most of those matches. DeMbare have vowed to continue with their undefeated run until the end of the season.

“We want to add this match to our unbeaten run. We want to remain undefeated in the remaining three matches, but most importantly, we want maximum points in those matches so that we can push to get into the top four.”

Caps have been huffing and puffing of late. Luckily, for them, their nearest rivals FC Platinum and Chicken Inn have also been dropping points regularly.

But the Green Machine cannot continue to ride on their luck. If they lose this one, then they will complicate the situation for themselves.

Caps coach Darlington Dodo, who watched in anguish as his team squandered a 2-0 lead to share the spoils with Yadah in their last match, is confident that the 2016 champions can recover from that setback in the Harare derby.

“Derbies are always difficult and it will not be easy facing Dynamos. But I am happy we are facing them at a time they are enjoying good form. It makes it interesting and it motivates us. Looking at the boys at training, there is great desire, hunger and enthusiasm. We really want to win this one and we are going for maximum points, nothing less,” he said.

Dodo will be without his top goalscorer John Zhuwawo, who is serving suspension, but Newman Sianchali returns after missing the last game.

Dynamos welcome back a number of senior players, including Archford Gutu, Simba Nhivi, Munyaradzi Mawadza, Godfrey Mukambi and Godknows Murwira, who missed the team’s last two matches due to varying reasons.

Ndiraya has, however, said the returning players will have to prove that they deserve to start in the match, ahead of the youngsters who have done well in the team’s last two matches.

The cheapest ticket for the match has been pegged at $20.

Fixtures

Today: Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve), Harare City v Yadah (Rufaro)

Tomorrow: Black Rhinos v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro), Caps v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium), Mushowani v TelOne (Trojan Mine), Hwange v Herentals (Colliery), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Highlanders v Manica Diamonds (Barbourfields), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot)

BY Kevin Mapasure

The Caps United management has dangled the entire Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions prize money in a bid to coax the players to play their hearts out against Chicken Inn and FC Platinum who are both two points behind them on the log table.

Of the title-chasing trio, Caps have endured the worst run in their last five matches, managing just one win, two draws and two defeats.

In comparison, second-placed Chicken Inn have three wins, one draw and one defeat while FC Platinum have collected the second highest number of points after posting two wins, two draws and a single defeat.

And to try and psyche up the spirits of the players ahead of the Harare derby against Dynamos tomorrow in a must-win match for the Green Machine, the management has told the players and technical team that the club will not take anything from the prize money.

A group of about 40 individuals, including 23 players and 16 technical team members, will share all the loot if the Green Machine manage to hold on to the top spot at the end of the season.

“The boys have been told that the club will not take anything from the prize money if the team wins the league title. All the money will be shared by the players, technical staff as well as office personnel,” a club official, who requested anonymity, said yesterday.

“So while we do not know the prize money yet, everyone is motivated to do well and win the league title. The motivation has always been there, but this is a big incentive and we are sure the team will do their best to win the championship.”

The Premier Soccer League and sponsors Delta Beverages are yet to announce this season’s prize money after promising earlier in the year that the package would be reviewed upwards, but the players know that they are set for a big bonus if they can coast to the podium.

Last season’s champions FC Platinum were given $100 000 for their efforts, but the amount is set to more than double this time around, given the rate of inflation obtaining in the country.

Delta increased the Chibuku Super Cup prize money from last year’s $75 000 to $225 000 for this year’s winners.

The runners-up will get $150 000.

If the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League winners’ prize money is pegged above that of the Chibuku Super Cup as it has been over the years, then Caps players could be looking at figures around $8 000 each, if they are to clinch the title.

After meeting Dynamos, Caps will still have to play Ngezi Platinum Stars away before hosting FC Platinum on the last day of this year’s edition.

Chicken Inn play Bulawayo Chiefs today, Herentals in their penultimate match of the season before they clash with TelOne, who are fighting to stay above the water line.

It’s not easier for FC Platinum, who play Chapungu in Gweru before they play Black Rhinos, while the Caps match concludes their season.

Thamsanqa “Tamy” Moyo

BY LORRAINE MUROMO

MULTI-TALENTED songbird Thamsanqa “Tamy” Moyo says she has broken down a million times despite having a blossoming career.

The Kwandinobva hitmaker said she had a support mechanism to help her overcome low moments in the limelight.

In a wide-ranging interview with NewsDay Weekender Life & Style, the young and talented vocalist said being in the limelight had exerted a lot of pressure on her to attain perfection.

Dealing with fame

While many a musician has been content sticking to the music lane, Tamy’s creative scope has seen her broaden her horizon and branch into her other favourite hobbies.

She says there was more to her than met the eye.

“Fame is quite a task. It is tough to live in the limelight but I am grateful all the same. The pressure to deliver is hectic and sometimes it can cripple me in the hope of attaining perfection,” she said.

“I break down a million times but being surrounded by good people with good energy and good cheer helps a lot.”

Tamy says prayer has also been her weapon of strength as there are many challenges that artistes have to surmount, but they choose to keep the lid closed due to various reasons.

“There are so many challenges that artistes deal with that they can’t disclose on so many occasions in a bid to protect themselves from public opinion, but they are human too and sometimes people do not understand that prayer is key,” she said.

Good food and the outdoors

Apart from music, Tamy also enjoys the outdoors and the “awesome taste of good food”.

“Tamy enjoys swimming occasionally. I am a sucker for good food, so I enjoy some quiet time getting some food. I love Thai food, fried rice with chicken. Anything with rice goes down,” the singer said.

She also highlighted that she was a cartoon fanatic and enjoyed watching them from time to time.

Nagging sex pests

Asked how she dealt with unwanted male attention and sex pests, Tamy says she takes it one step at a time and that was the least of her worries.

“Such attention comes with the territory. I don’t really pay much attention to it though. I am always with my managers, who happen to be my parents, so many males keep the distance,” she said.

Tamy has, over the years, released a string of songs that have won her many fans across the country, setting the bar high for fellow female musicians her age.

Devotion Column: Erasmus Makarimayi

DOES God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ work hand in glove with ancestral spirits? Can we appeal to both Jehovah God and the spirits of long dead people? After a milestone achievement we hear some people say that they want to thank God as well as their ancestors for making it possible. Some people think that God works in tandem with their ancestral spirits to bless them.

The assumption is that in case God is angry at them then their ancestors will plead their cause.
To some people God’s power is limited in certain areas where ancestral spirits will be the solution. There are some who think that they will be doubly secure to worship both God and their ancestral spirits. They call it comprehensive cover.

People experience dreams where they assume they are hearing instructions from their departed relatives and are thus convinced that their ancestors are involved in taking care of them.

The situation is made worse in our cultural setting where people think that there are issues that don’t need God but the ancestors who are deemed to be more versed and capable.

You have heard the expression, “Izvi zvakuda chivanhu” loosely meaning the issue is now beyond the scope of God’s power but within the jurisdiction of spirit mediums. Satan takes the form, and in some instances, the voice of the long dead so that you believe. Devils or demons are disembodied spirits, they look for bodies to possess.

Does God work hand-in-hand with ancestral spirits? Are there certain issues of our life that God cannot solve but our ancestors?

God makes it very clear in His Word that there is only one God and no one else and we should worship that one alone.

His glory is not to be shared among any other gods or anything that is placed to take His stead. In Deuteronomy 4:24, He states, “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

The jealousy spoken of here is that if you choose God then it should be God alone otherwise if you bring in other gods, He excuses Himself. Deuteronomy 6:14, states, “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;”

In case you doubt His ability, He emphasises it in rhetoric in Jeremiah 32:27, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” There is nothing beyond the scope of His ability.

As the creator, nothing is impossible with Him. So you can put all your trust in Him, He is able. He commands us not to get answers from the dead. The dead cannot intercede on behalf of the living.

The Bible says of the dead in Ecclesiastes 9:5, “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they anymore a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”

The dead have no knowledge at all of what happens in the realm of the living. The devil manipulates the dead by bringing their images to you in dreams or when you visit the witch doctor and out of fear you believe the tricks of Satan. Because you used to love and respect the departed while they were still alive, the devil pins you down on that.

The formula to reach out to God is spelt out clearly in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The only medium to God is Jesus. John 1:18, Amplified, illustrates, “No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].”

Any other medium, spiritual or physical connects you to Satan. If you are living an upright life, your success comes from God.

You cannot pray to God and to ancestral spirits at the same time. I know that when a thief, armed robber or professional prostitute goes out for business they trust their ancestors to lead them.

Do you suppose they pray to God and ask for success in their “business” venture? It is a waste of time to go to church to get a blessing to engage in evil deeds. If you brew beer to appease your ancestors and also go to an all-night prayer session to ask God to bless you, who would you give credit to if you get your desired answer?

God will not involve Himself where evil is practised. When you get a breakthrough from Satan, please be honest and tell us that you got it from the devil. Don’t give us a false testimony. I always hear cross border traders who smuggle goods and testify that God is good because He led them to go through customs undetected. Don’t play around with the name of God. We cannot attribute the coming of rains to God and the devil at the same time.

Leave your dear departed in the grave and worship the living God. If you want God then choose God and if you want Satan don’t drag the name of God into it.

I advise you to choose God and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.

All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

Feedback: pastor@newgatechapel.org Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI.