Fortune Mbele

HIGHLANDERS coach Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh and striker Prince Dube have been voted Castle Lager Coach and Player of the Month (October), respectively.

The Bulawayo giants, who fought relegation in the early stages of the season, have undergone a transformation since the Dutchman took over from Mandla Mpofu and Bekithemba Ndlovu at the end of September.

De Jongh amassed 11 points from a possible 15 in five games in October while Dube scored three times which earned him a call-up to the national team.

The Premier Soccer League on their Facebook page said: “It’s a Bosso affair! Congratulations to Highlanders FC coach Hendrikus Pieter De Jongh and Prince Dube for winning Coach and Player of the Month of October.”

In his first league game in charge, Highlanders beat city rivals Chicken Inn 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium on October 2 which was the beginning of the club’s resurgence.

After Chicken Inn, Highlanders went to Harare and played a 1-1 draw with Herentals at the National Sports Stadium on October 6 and Dube was on target once again, registering his name on the scoresheet in the next game at BF when the Bulawayo giants saw off TelOne 2-0 on October 13. He had scored against Chicken Inn earlier.

Highlanders drew 1-1 with ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium in the resort town on October 23 on a day Dube was shown a red card and he missed the next game against Yadah which Highlanders won 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium on October 31. Highlanders have so far registered an 11-match unbeaten run in the league.

The Dutchman has also taken the club to the final of the Chibuku Super Cup against Ngezi Platinum Stars set for November 30 at Barbourfields.Dube was also named player of the month for September by the Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe following his exploits for the Warriors in the African Nations Championships tournament where he scored five goals in the qualifiers for Zimbabwe to book a place in the finals set for Cameroon early next year.

BY CHARLES LAITON

The late Zanu PF politburo member, Kumbirai Kangai’s Luna Estates (Pvt) Ltd has been dragged to the High Court by two people seeking an order declaring as null and void the cancellation of an agreement of sale of stands entered between the parties in May 2016.

Josephat Mubvumba and Nicodemus Mubvumba recently filed summons against Luna Estates and Devine Aid Trust Company (Pvt) commonly referred to as Datco, accusing the firms of unilaterally cancelling their agreements of sale by alleging a breach of contract.

In their joint declaration, the two said between July 2015 and May 2016, they entered into agreements of sale in respect of stand numbers 69 and 275 respectively situated in the district of Zvimba.

In terms of the agreement, the two said, the purchase price of the stands were pegged at $33 600 of which a deposit of $336 was payable together with minimum monthly instalments of $150 over an 18-year period.

However, on July 5, 2019 the pair said Luna Estates wrote to them alleging breach of agreements, arguing that the pair had failed to pay 1% of the respective purchase price as deposit.
Luna Estates also alleged that they had defaulted in the payment of instalments and the sums of $4 457 and $5 057 were due and owing.

Soon after receiving the letter, the duo approached its lawyers who addressed Luna Estates requesting further particulars to the notice of cancellation of the sale agreements.

“Without responding to the letters of August 23, 2019, the first respondent (Luna Estates) proceeded to cancel the agreements between the parties. It was alleged that the plaintiffs had failed to regularise their breach,” the pair said.

“During the period February 2018 to date, the first defendant by its conduct prevented the plaintiffs from fulfilling their contractual obligations of paying monthly instalments by failing to specify where such payments were supposed to be made. For that reason, the plaintiffs cannot be held to have been in default of their monthly obligations to the first defendant,” they said, adding that they are seeking an order compelling Luna Estates to direct them to where they are supposed to pay. The matter is pending.

NewsDay

HEALTHCARE delivery remains a major concern in Zimbabwe and recent events in the public hospitals exposed a weak infrastructure and systems as well as inadequate medicines and personnel. The chronicles of patients suffering should now herald an urgent need to build a sustainable healthcare system which is pro-poor.

Healthcare is defined as the act of taking preventative or necessary medical services and procedures to improve a nation’s wellness.Healthcare delivery also means the ability of people to access health facilities, clean water, medicines and proper sanitation among other things. In short it is the delivery of health to the nation.

But at the moment the country is seized with more healthcare challenges than ever before and for many who are getting sick, it has become a nightmare and a deeply stressful experience for both the patient and their family.

The hospitals, which are supposed to be safe havens of healing and recovery, have become death traps due to years of neglect of the healthcare delivery particularly the primary healthcare.

Primary healthcare, which is the first level of contact for individuals, the family, the community, is critical in granting access to mostly lesser privileged citizens. With only 10% of the population having medical insurance it means the bulk of population is greatly in need of primary healthcare.

This makes the revival of this critical structure more eminent and efforts should be rerouted towards creating a system which will service the marginalised with particular focus on women and children.

By virtue of their design, primary healthcare facilities are within communities and this increases access and halts delays in seeking services when needed.To date, primary healthcare nurses are still running rural hospitals, a sure sign that the concept works but in the absence of funding it will go to waste.

The recent strike by Harare council nurses saw a spate of cases of women giving birth at home or in other unsafe places in the absence of trained personnel. This should not be happening in the 21st century. It is a direct threat to containment of the maternal mortality ratio which is still unacceptably high at 522 deaths per every 100 000 live births.

Solutions to healthcare are determined by the ability to appreciate the importance of health which is increasingly being recognised as a driver of human and economic development.

Some African countries are increasing investments and reforms to improve health outcomes and accelerate progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal on health.

Internationally, primary healthcare is highly prioritised and across the border in South Africa this has worked very well for the masses.Zimbabweans are even going over to give birth in South African facilities which are well resourced and guarantee that the mother and baby have a fair chance of survival. Besides, these services are free while in most local council clinics user fees are still being demanded. Government should subsidise the services and allow citizens to access free medical care. It is a basic human right.We call on the government to take bold steps in revamping the primary healthcare and save lives.

BY TAFADZWA MHLANGA

DESPITE the deteriorating operating environment in the country, Unifreight’s revenue was up 229% to $46,2 million owing to good customer services and fleet availability in the third quarter period ended September 30, 2019.

In a trading update, Unifreight recorded a profit of $12,8 million compared to the previous year’s profit of $1,2 million.During the period under review, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 449% to $16,4 million.

“Revenue generation continues to be positive from all the group’s brands. The results for Q3 2019 (third quarter) are still good, despite a deteriorating business climate in the country. Revenue is up $46,2m (229%) on prior year, and $37,6m (130%) ahead of budget. EBITDA is up $16,4m (449%) on prior year, $14,6m (263%) ahead of budget,” said the company secretary Moreblessing Mukamba.

“We are pleased to report a profit of $12,8m for Q3 2019, which is $10,1m ahead of budget and $11,6m ahead of the previous year. The positive out-turn is attributed to good customer care and service, consistency in fleet availability and alignment in business operations.”

Mukamba said the group continues to feel the pinch of the economic upheavals being experienced in the country resulting in the increase of operational expenses due to foreign currency shortages and hyperinflation.

He added that fuel and repairs and maintenance (R&M) costs remained within budget, however, the company faced fuel shortages with the R&M costs spiking due to the fluctuation of the foreign currency exchange rate which had a direct impact on procurement of spares.

The group’s major focus will be on growing revenues, ensuring right pricing and maintaining costs within threshold.Unifreight seeks to focus on growing volumes on the low margin less than truckload in the Swift business, which is yielding positive results and the specialised dedicated service through their Bulwark brand.

Skynet Worldwide Express Zimbabwe which operates under Swift Transport is also expanding its footprint on the international courier service.Unifreight Africa Limited (formerly Pioneer Corporation Africa Limited) was incorporated in Zimbabwe in 1970. It is a holding company of a group of companies primarily involved in the road transport industry whose activities include inter-city freight consolidations, the distribution of general goods, and an international courier service.

BY MOSES MATENGA

China, Zimbabwe’s long-time ally, yesterday reacted angrily to Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s budget announcement, saying the figure mentioned as having been given to the country was much lower than what was availed by the Asian giant.

In his budget presentation, Ncube said Zimbabwe received over US$3,6 million from China under the development partner support received through bilateral channels.
“This is very different from the actual situation on the ground,” the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

“In the meantime, the embassy has noted that in the statement, among development partner support received by the Zimbabwean government through bilateral channels, the figure of bilateral support provided by China to Zimbabwe is US$3 631 500. This is very different from the actual situation on the ground,” the statement read.

The embassy said its records showed that from January to September 2019, the actual bilateral support provided to Zimbabwe by China was US$136,8 million.

“Such a figure does not include the other bilateral supports such as the expense of expert assistance, embassy donations to local vulnerable groups and so on,” the statement said.
The embassy said relevant departments of the Zimbabwean government should make comprehensive assessments on the statistics of bilateral support and accurately reflect the actual situation when formulating the budget statement.

“The embassy believes that with the efforts of Zimbabwean government and people, and with international support, Zimbabwe will achieve prosperity and development and realise the vision 2030,” the statement read.

Ncube was not immediately available for comment as he is in the United Arab Emirates where he is part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s delegation.The Information ministry said government has noted the query raised by the Chinese embassy.

“Necessary consultations are underway to establish a common accounting position. We thank the Chinese government for their support,” the ministry said in a statement.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

COMEDIENNE Felistas “Mai Titi” Edwards yesterday dismissed social media gossip that she had earned her keep through prostitution.Mai Titi told NewsDay Life & Style that claims by socialite Jackie Ngarande that the former lived off sex work were baseless and unfounded as she runs luxury stores in the central business district.

Mai Titi, who recently bought a house and is building another two-storey mansion, said an associate of Ngarande fuelled the rumours after having been engaged to put up curtains at the latter’s house.

“Lately, people are bitter that I bought a house and jealous can make someone lie about people they don’t know. Someone went to Jackie’s house to put curtains and they started gossiping about me, that’s when she said do you know that Mai Titi drilled a borehole for the community and the house is not hers, so it’s crazy, how can I put a borehole at the house which is not mine?” Mai Titi quipped.

“Imagine I paid US$5 000 for that borehole and they say it’s not mine. Thereafter she called the person and that person phoned me now because she thought we were not friends, so she told me that that’s what Jackie is saying. That’s why I got angry and made a video to set things straight.”

This was after Mai Titi had posted a video hitting back at Ngarande, whom she accuses of spreading gossip about her.She, however, refused to disclose where the properties are located.

“I work hard; I have shops all over town, luxury and epic stores known as “Zvemukati kwaMai Titi. I think my work is seen everywhere. I don’t do (dirty) businesses like these stupid clouts are doing. I am a hard working single mother,” she said.

“I know my house is causing all this alarm, of which it’s not even the only one. I am actually building a double-storey (house) and everyone knows that, so people should not be jealous, but should work hard and believe in God.”

Mai Titi, who wears many hats including gospel artiste, entrepreneur and MC, aid she was “a prayer warrior” and earned her money through hard work.

In March last year, she received an award as the Top Female Entertainment and Social Media Enterprise Business Leader of the Year Award (2018). She was presented the award by the Women’s Business and Leadership Awards.

BY RICHARD MUPONDE

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa will not enter into dialogue with his arch-rival President Emmerson Mnangagwa as long as Zanu PF keeps on scoffing at the opposition party’s preconditions, an MDC executive has said.

“We have spoken about dialogue and its benchmarks, it is up to Zanu PF to take it or leave as they stole the election,” MDC national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo (pictured) said yesterday.

“There is no contemplation of holding talks with Zanu PF and its leader Emmerson Mnangagwa before the end of the year to solve the economic and political crises the country is facing.”
There have been growing calls for Chamisa and Mnangagwa to dialogue and solve the country’s political and economic crisis. Churches, political players and economists have been pressuring the two antagonists to put the plight of the people first and enter into sincere dialogue.

Chamisa has snubbed the dialogue between Mnangagwa and fringe losing presidential candidates in last years’ general elections, demanding that any dialogue with the Zanu PF leader will have to be predicated in his admission that he was not a legitimate leader, apart from engaging a foreign and independent mediator.

The MDC has refused to recognise Mnangagwa as President, accusing him of stealing last year’s election, and its MPs have on repeated occasions walked out on him in Parliament.

Zanu PF has scoffed at the demands, but insists it was ready to dialogue with the youthful leader and his party, seen by many as the custodian of the keys to economic recovery for the country pummelled by hyperinflation and shortages of electricity and fuel.

But Zanu PF had seemed warning up for talks when the MDC did not mention its legitimacy demand in a statement released after the party’s national executive meeting held at Richard Morgan Tsvangirai Building, a fortnight ago.

Mnangagwa’s government seemed to have adopted a conciliatory tone saying there was need to depolarise the country and focus on developmental issues.

But Khumalo said there was no likelihood of talks between Chamisa and Mnangagwa this year as long as the latter does not accede to the opposition’s set of demands. The MDC is calling on Sadc and the African Union to intervene and mediate to save the suffering masses.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said the opposition was playing games with the people and should concentrate on the 2023 elections for them to be relevant.

“What are their demands? They should tell us their demands. We are not aware of them. These people have been saying a lot, they are playing games with the people. The issue of legitimacy is irrelevant. The matter went to the Concourt (Constitutional Court) and it made a ruling that the legitimate leader is President Mnangagwa. What can we do about what was said by the highest court on the land? They want us to reverse that?” Moyo charged.