BY BRENNA MATENDERE

HEAVY rains which are currently pounding Gweru have overwhelmed the city’s cemeteries where de-watering of graves has become a nightmare.

The revelations came out at a full council meeting held at Town House yesterday. Ward 11 councillor, Albert Chirau implored city management to urgently address the problem saying council workers and bereaved families were facing serious challenges when burying their loved ones.

“The problem that we are facing is that council is still using manual means to dig graves. Due to the rains, graves are being submerged. We do not have equipment to deal with the crisis,” he said.

“We have some chemicals that will be in the water and grave diggers use bare hands to dewater the graves. That situation exposes our workers to diseases,” added Chirau.

Councillor Trust Chineni weighed in saying some families were de-watering the graves on their own due to manpower shortages at the cemeteries.

“I saw some families using buckets to de-water graves manually. It does not augur well. Council needs to get modern machinery to deal with the problem,” he said. Mayor Josiah Makombe promised that council would swiftly deal with the problem.

“We are in the process of formulating the 2020 budget. Such a critical item of expenditure will need to be included. I understand we only have one machine for de-watering graves, but our cemeteries are many. Council will take measures to address that situation,” he said. Last week council was found wanting after the rains also submerged the city’s drainage system, with motorists struggling to drive around town.

BY rex mphisa

ZIMBABWE may have lost millions of dollars in unpaid duty through a fine-tuned vehicle smuggling scheme operated at some of its ports, Southern Eye has learnt.

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials, working hand in glove with some unscrupulous shipping agents or third parties, are believed to be behind the scheme whose epicentre was at Beitbridge, the country and region’s busiest port.

The scheme, run by various syndicates, was exposed after some vehicles were intercepted by the department and other government agencies.

Other ports might have been involved in the scam which exposes how porous the customs and excise systems could be.

On Sunday, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), of which customs and excise is part, issued a notice recalling vehicles suspected to have been smuggled.

Zimra spokesperson Francis Chimanda had not responded to questions at the time of going to print, despite making an undertaking to do so.

Zimra Commissioner-General Faith Mazani said she was out of the country. “Francis (Chimanda) will respond to you,” she said.

Panic gripped the border town of Beitbridge on Sunday and yesterday after the recall of about 400 vehicles believed to have been fraudulently imported since the beginning of the year.
A newspaper vendor said people fell over one another to buy a copy of a government — controlled weekly paper in which the Zimra list of recalled vehicles appeared.

“The Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is hereby notifying the owners of vehicles listed below to visit Zimra loss control offices at ZB Centre corner First Street and Kwame Nkrumah in Harare for vehicle registration verification. The vehicle owners are instructed to bring the vehicle together with all customs clearance documents pertaining to their vehicles not later than 23 November 2019,” the Zimra notice read.

It was followed by a list of the vehicle registration numbers, chassis numbers, vehicle type and its owner’s name.

A well-placed source at customs and excise said authorised officials used fictitious clearing details to process customs clearing certificates (CCC) used to release and register vehicles as duly imported.

“After releasing these vehicles the official would share with the agent part of the duty they would have retained. Details of cars used on the CCC would be far inferior to the car to enable payment of lower duties and criminal retention of the balance,” said the source.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

MDC acting president Lynnete Karenyi-Kore has called on Zimbabweans to occupy all democratic spaces to demand accountability and an end to unchecked deaths at government hospitals as a result of the ongoing strike by government doctors who are demanding better wages and working conditions.

Addressing hundreds of supporters who braved the rains to attend a rally in Mabvuku, Harare, Karenyi-Kore said time was ripe for Zimbabweans to take the country’s political destiny into their hands and map a way forward ending their suffering at the hands of an “illegitimate” government.

“For how long do we keep watching this failure which is claiming lives; a government that has failed to deliver health to its people; doctors not being paid; the hospitals themselves have dilapidated infrastructure, making them unsafe for patients; and doctors who work in them?” she charged.

The opposition executive said the failure to adequately fund health had taken its toll on women especially pregnant mothers who are now delivering at home through traditional methods.

“Women are losing lives during birth and child mortality rate is rising on a daily basis while those who claim to govern are firing all the doctors and their wives are celebrating home deliveries in this day and time,” she said.

The MDC, which has maintained that Mnangagwa and his government are illegitimate, says the problems the country is facing are caused by the contest around the 2018 presidential elections which was decided by the Constitutional Court in favour of Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Its leader Nelson Chamisa has insisted that his government will reintroduce the United States dollar as the official currency, doing away with the local currency which has not been fully accepted as it continues to lose value against the greenback.

Chamisa, who was supposed to address the rally, was still in Sweden and is expected back home for the Hope of the Nation Address (Hona) which he plans to deliver in the African Unity Square, next to Parliament on Wednesday.

The party is still, however, waiting for a police clearance for the event.

BY TAFADZWA MHLANGA

FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube has reviewed upwards the minimum capital requirements for insurance entities to $75 million to ensure that they are well-capitalised to protect value for policyholders and pension members.

In a budget presentation on Friday, Ncube said the minimum capital requirements for short-term and funeral insurance entities will be reviewed to $37,5m from $2,5m, life assurance and re-insurance to $75m from $5m and micro-insurance to $4,5m from $0,3m with immediate effect.

“The obtaining macro-economic environment has necessitated upward review of minimum capital requirements for different players in the insurance industry to ensure that entities are well-capitalised for the protection of value for policyholders and pension members,” Ncube said.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s insurance and pensions regulator, Insurance and Pensions Commission (Ipec) is developing a risk-based capital framework called the Zimbabwe Integrated Capital and Risk Project (Zicarp), which will be launched in 2020.

The programme seeks to improve the regulator’s oversight of the industry focusing on compliance based on risks associated with insurance firms shifting from assessing solvency using capital threshold.

The initiative, running under the theme Treating Customer Fairly and Market Disclosure Framework, aims to improve conduct of business in the industry.

Currently, lack of confidence continues to haunt the country’s insurance and pensions industry following the erosion of policyholder accounts due to the conversion of value from Zimbabwean dollar to the United States dollar during the February 2009 period.

A survey conducted recently by African Actuarial Consultants under Zicarp, spearheaded by Ipec, showed that at least 62% of Zimbabwe’s insurance firms do not have software to analyse and debunk risks associated with their business.

Certain entities did not have documented framework for managing underwriting risk.

The survey also revealed that only 54% firms had documented policies and procedure manuals for managing material risk and 42% partially had, suggesting that the industry had challenges in implementing good corporate governance.

The survey was aimed at bringing about transition from capital threshold compliance to a more integrated framework that looks at credit, strategic, operational and insurance risks associated with insurance companies.

FIDELITY MHLANGA

LISTED diversified food processor, Innscor’s volumes plunged in the first quarter ended September 30 as the company reels under one of the worst economic crisis bedevilling the economy.

The company’s financial year starts in July every year.

Zimbabwe’s tanking economy is saddled by power shortages, foreign currency dearth, run-away inflation, skyrocketing prices amid eroded purchasing power.

The company’s subsidiaries that recorded a slump in volumes include Profeeds, Colcom, National Foods, Probottlers, Bakery operations and Probrands.

In a trading update, the firm said production levels in the bakery operations were constrained by reduced availability of wheat supplies into the country, and this affected the ability of the business to adequately service the market demand.

Consequently, total loaf volumes were 38% behind those recorded in the comparative period.

Industry is currently utilising government subsidised flour.

Going forward, the availability and pricing of this stock, will largely determine supply and pricing levels of bread on the market.

This comes as Treasury is set to remove subsidies for maize and wheat, which were being provided to grain millers through the Grain Marketing Board.

“We remain extremely focused on working with the authorities in determining a long-term solution that will allow for more consistent bread supplies to consumers as well as a more sustainable business model for bakers,” Innscor said

Quarter one volumes at National Foods were also subdued, closing the period at 36% below the same period last year.

Although volumes were affected across all categories, flour was heavily impacted, closing 50% below last year, on the back of intermittent supply and increased cost of wheat.

The maize category was the least impacted, with volumes for the quarter closing 5% below the prior period, as subsidies on raw maize assisted with maize meal affordability, driving consumption. Total volumes at Colcom were 17% below those recorded in the comparative period.

Innscor said volumes across the operation’s processed lines were generally subdued, but were partially off-set by continued growth in the fresh lines which grew by 43% over the comparative period.

“Pig supply improved by 26% over the comparative period, as a result of the additional pig unit now supplying at full capacity. In addition to the volume growth levels, this part of the operation continued to see outstanding production metrics being achieved,” Innscor said.

At Probottlers, production was affected by extremely poor power supply and this negatively affected volumes in quarter one, which were 44% down on the comparative period.

In addition, volumes at Profeeds were 11% below those recorded in the comparative period, with increased raw material replacement costs impacting on selling prices.

Both frozen poultry and day old chick volumes saw volume declines against the comparative period, with frozen poultry numbers being 18% lower, and day old chick sales reducing by 44%. Both lines were affected by the steep increases in key raw material costs which subsequently affected overall demand.

Moreso, volumes at Probrands were 40% below those recorded in the comparative period, with much of this decline occurring in the rice category as consumers switched to cheaper local alternatives.

However, there was a silver lining as volumes at Associated Meat Packers (AMP) , Natpak, eggs and raw milk were positive.

AMP, which was previously reported under Colcom, has now been unbundled into a stand-alone operation and has had its overall volumes for the business 18% above the comparative period.

The business consists of a cattle-buying and slaughter operation, a down packing and processing facility and the wholesale network, which operates under the AMP and Texas brands.

Natpak delivered solid financial performance with an overall volume increase of 26% over the comparative period.

Table egg volumes were 39% above the comparative quarter, arising from the operation returning to full production capacity, following the re-building of the layer production base.

Overall raw milk intake volumes achieved in the quarter were 30% above those recorded in the comparative period, with good performances in the Cultured Milk, UHT Milk and Dairy Blend categories, following the completion of capacity enhancement investments.

BY PATRICIA SIBANDA

BULAWAYO provincial education director Olicah Kaira has challenged youths to consider taking up life skills training programmes because government is facing challengers in employment creation.

Speaking at an event to recognise academic achievements of youths held at United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in Mzilikazi, Bulawayo on Sunday, Kaira said the new curriculum’s primary goal is for learners and school dropouts to take life skills training seriously for them to survive in the harsh economic environment.

“Those of us who are familiar with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s competence-based curriculum will recall that its thrust is on exit profiling. This means, therefore, that if learners leave school at whatever level they will exit with life skills that should enable them to survive and compete with the demands of everyday life,” Kaira said.

“The individuals who are not academically gifted can join the non-formal education which is second chance education. In schools, we have already adopted that in our curriculum through income-generating projects, self-help projects among others. Nowadays in school it’s no longer an issue to find a student running a small business just to make ends meet,” Kaira said.

Kaira urged school dropouts to return to school and acquire life skills.

“All these forms of livelihoods are being celebrated in many countries which we, as Zimbabweans, look down upon. Some of us, especially the young people here present, could be viewing this ceremony with hazy glasses because they don’t envision themselves taking any leading role or being recognised in their life time. What I have mentioned is just the tip of the ice-berg to open up our minds to make us realise that we also have an opportunity to be celebrated,” Kaira said.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday declared that he will implement political and economic reforms at his own pace, and insisted that the impetus for change and reform comes from within.

In a statement reflecting on his two-year rule after taking over power at the back of a coup that toppled long-time ruler, the late Robert Mugabe in November 2017, Mnangagwa said the sanctions being used by the West as a tool to demand reforms, were not achieving their desired effect.

Mnangagwa’s statement came at a time the European Union and United States of America were insisting on reforms as a precondition for the removal of economic sanctions imposed on the country two decades ago over gross human rights abuses by Mugabe’s administration.

The Zanu PF leader, who released the statement after leaving the country for the
United Arab Emirates for an economic forum, said his government had tried to make reforms in line with the demands of the international community, and will continue to do so, not as a result of pressure from sanctions, but for the good of the country.

“These have been key demands of the international community, and should be interpreted as a sign of our commitment to reform,” Mnangagwa said.

“Yet the impetus for change and reform comes from within. We are not reforming to appease the nations of the world, but because reform is necessary to build the future our people desire. Of course, there is still much work to do, but we are heading in the right direction.”

He added: “If the goal of sanctions is to stimulate the reform process, their effect is the opposite. They slow down our progress, inhibit our economic recovery and empower those who do not wish to see Zimbabwe change. Their removal will, therefore, be an important step on the road to a better future for all the people of this country.”

When Mnangagwa took over power, he claimed he was a reformist, promising to embark on a new political journey of reform and international engagement.

Insiders in his government, however, claim there are some hardliners stalling the reform process, warning him that he risked reforming himself out of power.

Upon returning to Zimbabwe last week, EU ambassador Timo Olkkonen raised the ire of Zanu PF supporters, when he said the putting up of expensive billboards to denounce non-existent sanctions was disingenuous.

“Good to return to Harare after a busy week in Brussels. Heard about these billboards (how much do they cost?) on all major airport roads, but hadn’t seen one due to having had few flights recently. Seems there still are things that need to be clarified,” Olkkonen said.

The EU and the US have insisted that Zimbabwe has been hurt more by corruption than the sanctions, calling on government to deal with the scourge instead of hiding behind a finger.

For the sanctions to be lifted, the West has been demanding legislative, political and electoral reforms, including bringing to book members of the army and police involved in the brutal killings of innocent civilians during the post-election demonstration on August 1, 2018 and the January 14 to 16 demonstrations which left a combined 23 civilians dead.

In his statement, Mnangagwa, however, was silent about the killings and the closure of the democratic space, which has seen the opposition being denied their rights to take to the streets through a brutal crackdown by the police.

Instead, he claimed that his presidency had opened up democratic space and done away with the old Mugabe ways.

“Coming into office a few days later, we committed to saying goodbye to the ways of the past, and to doing things differently. I immediately moved to give the people their voices back, opening new channels of communication between the people and their representatives.

“Criticism of the government and the presidency would no longer be taboo, but welcomed, even encouraged. I answered tough questions on my Facebook page, as I promised to be a listening President.”

Mnangagwa’s claims contradict a report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule which concluded that human rights violations and stifling of the freedoms of expression were growing under his government.

Currently there are also several cases before the courts of people facing charges of insulting Mnangagwa.

“Just last week, we removed the much-maligned Posa (Public Order and Security Act), a remnant of the old Zimbabwe that limited the right to protest, and replaced it with a new Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, devised with input from civil society and our friends around the world,” Mnangagwa said.

Turning to the economy, Mnangagwa claimed he took over from Mugabe when the country was in an economic mess and has moved with speed to balance the country’s books through his Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, who he described as an “internationally” recognised minister.

“Of course, too many Zimbabweans still suffer, but austerity is a painful, but necessary part of the recovery process. Led by our internationally recognised Finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, we will continue to restructure, revamp and rebuild our economy. We cannot and will not hold up our hands. We must reform or perish,” he said.

BY TAFADZWA KACHIKO

AFTER making headlines with Operation Restore Regasi last year, Masvingo’s Charles Austin Theatre is bringing another intriguing political piece titled A Live Discussion with the Late Robert Mugabe, set for premiere on Friday evening.

Characters featuring prominently in the play, whose concept was developed by Charles Munganasa, are Mugabe, played by Khetani Banda, and Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa, played by Candyce Masimba.

Munganasa told NewsDay Life & Style that the choice of the character Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa was based on the real person’s excellence in her career.

“It’s one of those ideas which came out of the prison of my imagination two years after Operation Restore Legacy and as we still mourn the death of the former President Robert Mugabe. November 22 marks his resurrection but this time we get to see and understand his deepest thoughts, his other side and above all, his inner soul,” he said.

“It’s a live interview, not really following theatre format. We chose Ruvheneko because she has been moderating interviews very well and currently she is rated among the best in Africa.”

The play introduces a new actress, Tariro Musuvi, playing the character Grace Mugabe. In Operation Restore Regasi Carol Magenga — who is now with Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre —played the role with aplomb.

“This time Grace plays cameo role and only appears towards the end of the show. Magenga now works for another theatre company in Harare so we could not rehearse with her,” Munganasa said.

The play also stars Munganasa as General Chiwenga, FS Mapfumo (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and Hardy as Victor Matemadanda.

Admission is ZWL$10 for children and ZWL$15 adults.

Supporting performances will come from WekwaMaramba, Ngoni the Poet, John Dancer and Cyclone.