BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

ZIMBABWE’S labour market is in intensive care, with workers facing a bleak festive season owing to poor or no salaries against galloping inflation that has catapulted prices through the roof.

Inflationary pressures have seen the cost of living rising beyond the reach of many workers in the country as prices of basic commodities have more than quadrupled in recent months, resulting in the poverty datum line for an average family of five skyrocketing to $2 191,62 in September 2019.

“Workers must forget about the festive season this year and focus on fighting for better lives. We must turn the festive season into a season for a sustained struggle for socio-economic freedom. We have nothing to celebrate this festive season, our dignity is lost and we have been pauperised,” Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa said.

He added: “As with the whole country, the labour market is in intensive care. We are in a vicious cycle characterised by low production, low salaries, low aggregate demand, low investment etc. We also have shortages of almost everything, energy, water, foreign currency and proper leadership.”

As a result, Mutasa said many companies were facing closure and some were already retrenching to keep afloat.

“Many workers are earning useless salaries that cannot afford them dignified lives. It is pathetic and the situation is dire,” he said.

Although he had no statistics on the number of workers who have lost their jobs so far he, however, indicated that “observations show that many have lost employment. We have some losing jobs due to retrenchment, especially in the banking sector.”

“Then some who are not even retrenched but just find the company closed on reporting for work. Others are still employed, but working a few hours due to electricity shortages and they are also only paid for the actual hours worked.

“Then the majority are either not receiving salaries or part of it. Almost all workers in the country are technically unemployed because they work, but get paid wages that cannot afford them even bus fare to work.”

The country’s difficult economic situation took a nosedive following the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, which abolished the use of multiple currencies such as British pound, United States dollar, South African rand and Botswana pula, among others.

Since then, businesses have been increasing prices in the name of tracking the exchange rate movement, currently hovering at around $19 to the green back.

Mutasa said almost every business in the country was at risk and all workers may lose jobs or remain employed, but earning nothing.

“Even those in the informal sector are being harassed, brutalised and killed for engaging in livelihood support activities. Everyone is losing their sources of livelihood. We have a national crisis and if nothing is urgently done, we will witness an implosion,” he said.

ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo weighed in, saying citizens were struggling to make ends meet.

“We have seen the number of impoverished families growing. Labour is in a very precarious situation in Zimbabwe,” he said, adding that very few people would be able to visit their extended families during the festive season due to economic hardships.

“There would be no celebration at all,” he said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Henry Ruzvidzo said generally, companies were facing a difficult time and some of them would fail to pay bonuses to their employees.

“It won’t be a surprise to see some of the companies failing to pay their employees bonuses. But those who can afford or have capacity to pay bonuses are encouraged to do so,” he said.

Going forward, workers said there was need for employers, both in the public and private sectors, to pay them salaries that are US dollar-rated or that track the exchange rate movement. Workers said it was surprising that employers were reluctant to pay them salaries that are US dollar-rated or that track the exchange rate movement, yet they were doing so for their services and products. The local currency has lost more than 93,5% of its value since introduction on February 20 2019, while the country’s economy is set to shrink by 6,5% this year, its first contraction in a decade, according to Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

“Workers and citizens do not deserve this and must fight back against austerity, repression, neoliberal policies, corruption and poor governance that have sunk the whole nation into poverty,” Mutasa said.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

OPPOSITION Zapu has pushed its elective congress to August next year, where the party will elect its substantive leader following the death of Dumiso Dabengwa in May.

Zapu had initially earmarked early next year for the holding of its elective congress, but a cash squeeze amid the ongoing harsh economic climate had reportedly forced the party to push it to August — funds permitting.

Dabengwa passed on in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 23 en route to Zimbabwe after undergoing treatment in India.

He was declared a national hero, but was buried at his family graveyard in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North province.

Zapu acting president Isaac Mabuka made the disclosure after the party’s national people’s council on Saturday that the congress would focus on leadership renewal.

“We are going to hold our elective congress in August next year. Zapu is one party which does not have external donors. We rely solely on our individual donors. Resources are pivotal in the preparation of the congress and as such efforts are underway to raise resources for the congress,” Mabuka said, adding that he would not be contesting for any post.

“The party is, however, emphasising on leadership renewal.”

Zapu had already begun a process of retiring its old guard from leadership positions to pave way for young blood as part of a renewal and rebranding exercise following a string of election losses.

Mabuka is leading the party’s renewal and rebranding process.

Zapu’s old guard will be redeployed to the party’s council of elders — a structure which is common in several political parties in Africa and elsewhere in the world — to guide the party’s ideological and policy agenda, among others.

“We will only allow campaigning after the holding of provincial elections set for April. Our fear is that if we allow campaigning now, aspiring candidates might influence the outcome of the provincial elections so that they will have an unfair advantage at the congress,” Mabuka said.

Several people, including the party’s incumbent secretary-general Strike Mkandla, treasurer-general Mark Mbaiwa and spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa, are reportedly eyeing Dabengwa’s post.

The party’s losing candidate in the recently held Mangwe parliamentary by-election, Mathew Sibanda, is also reportedly interested in taking over from Dabengwa.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

FORMER Premiership side Buffaloes registered an important 2-0 win against Grayham in an Eastern Region Division One
football match at the weekend to boost their chances of bouncing back into the elite league next year.

With the win, they closed the gap to just a point against log leaders Tenax who drew one-all against Mutare City.

The 2019 Eastern Region Division One League is heading for a photo finish with Buffaloes and Tenax left with just three matches each.

Tenax have 59 points, while Buffaloes have 58 points, both teams having played 27 matches apiece.

The table toppers escaped with a point as Mutare City Rovers missed a penalty that could have clinched them all three points.

Tenax over the years have got close to winning the title, but they have always faltered at the end and history is threatening to repeat itself.

This weekend, it doesn’t get any easier for them as they travel to Mutoko for a date with third-placed Makaha.

Buffaloes will be hoping to use their experience to win the sole Premiership promotion ticket.

Buffaloes skipper and former Dynamos player Themba Ndlovu is optimistic about promotion.

“We still have nine points to play for so we need to be optimistic and try to at least collect maximum points in our remaining matches and see what will happen to Tenax,” he said.

Phillip Chidavaenzi

THAT author John Museredzo is passionate about youth issues has never been in doubt, and his 2015 publication — Youths, Relationships & Marriage — is confirmation of that fact.

One thing that Museredzo has been able to do with this book is explore the challenges that young people face in starting and handling relationships within the confines of biblical parameters in an age in which licentiousness has become an accepted normative life standard.

In this book, which can be used by pastors, youth leaders and counsellors inside and outside the church, the author has been able to successfully define, highlight, delineate and illuminate a very sensitive subject that is often avoided within families and on pulpits, grounding it within its proper biblical context.

Young people’s failure to understand sex within its proper context in life has become a social cancer that needs to be corrected, and one way to do that is produce books such as the one under review, which is highly informative and educative on the subject of sex and marriage.

The jump from adolescence into adulthood is one of the biggest stages of life, and failure to negotiate it often ends with disastrous consequences given that many young people seek to jump the gun.

This is where this book comes in handy as it provides the necessary tools for young people to negotiate this sharp bend of life and come out victorious.

The book’s strength probably lies in the fact that it demonstrates how young people can successfully chart their way from youth to adulthood without making unnecessary mistakes that can prove costly and perhaps derail their destiny forever.

Museredzo documents many of the mistakes that young people make as part of the pre-nuptial rites of passage, including unrealistic expectations such as having an extravagant wedding to outclass all the others, failure to manage emotions in the relationship, failure to understand the differences between sex and love, experimenting with sex before marriage and absence of marriage goals.

The author also delineates how many young people make a dash for a relationship for the wrong reasons and the assumption that marriage can wash away certain character flaws. Others are out to show off their relationships while others keep in the cupboard skeletons from previous relationships or come in with all the excess baggage from the past, which will end up sinking the new relationship.

Museredzo — who wears many hats as a relationship expert, author, motivational speaker, pastor, life coach and business consultant — stresses in the book that it is important for people to understand the need for investment in a relationship or marriage if ever it is to succeed.

These are investments of time, effort, and sacrifice in building a relationship. What comes out strongly in the book is that such investments are not automatic, but they should be initiated from the time of courtship and, ultimately, it is up to the parties involved in a relationship to decide whether they want it to succeed or fail. In its presentation of the discourse on the pitfalls that lie along the way for young people exploring relationships, the book discusses key elements to safeguard such as abstinence, faithfulness and sexual purity.

It is a practical guide to living a sexually pure life, especially for the youths. Museredzo shares knowledge that is clearly not commonplace, using an honest and refreshingly candid approach that is neither judgmental nor condescending. This is a plus given the taboos that surround subjects of sex and sexuality, especially in the church.

This book is an essential tool on any young person’s bookshelf, just as much as it is relevant as a source of information and knowledge for those who work with young people in various platforms.

BY CHARLES LAITON

VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi, who has been embroiled in post-divorce lawsuits with his former wife Tambudzani Bhudagi (nee Muleya), has again approached the High Court seeking condonation for filing his heads of argument out of time in a matter in which his estranged wife is challenging the procedure adopted by a Harare Civil Court magistrate to slap her with a contempt of court order.

However, Mohadi’s lawyer, Reliance Ndou, has pleaded with the court not to punish his client for the late filing of the heads of argument, saying he had mistakenly filed them in another matter since the couple has had a plethora of cases pending before the courts.

“This is an application for the late filing of the heads of argument by the applicant (Mohadi) in HC9929/18 out of time to be condoned and for the bar currently operating against the applicant to be uplifted,” Ndou said.

“The parties in casu have been embroiled in several legal cases. The second respondent (Muleya) in HC8991/18 filed an application for review against the decision of the first respondent (magistrate Noah Gwatidzo). In HC9929/18, the second respondent filed another application for review against the decision by the second respondent. When the second respondent filed her heads in HC9929/18, they were mistakenly placed in the file for HC8991/18.

“I only realised this mistake when the prescribed time period within which the applicant’s heads of argument, that is on June 6, 2019, were supposed to be filed, and I then filed the applicant’s heads of argument on June 10, 2019 out of time. I humbly implore this honourable court not to visit my mistake on the applicant as it was not of his own making.”

Through her lawyers Scanlen and Holderness, Tambudzani filed for review on October 2, 2018 following Mohadi’s other application at the Civil Court seeking to have her charged with contempt of court for violating conditions of a protection order granted against her in September of the same year.

Tambudzani argued that the magistrate had adopted an irregular procedure when he allowed Mohadi to file a fresh contempt of court application against her without first seeking rescission of a default judgment that had earlier been entered dismissing the same matter.

In the latest application, Mohadi cited Gwatidzo, Tambudzani, Irene Mohadi, Abigail Mohadi and one Malcom Ambrose as respondents.

In August last year, Mohadi applied for the couple’s divorce matter to be transferred from Bulawayo to Harare High Court, where a determination was eventually handed down in March this year, but prior to that, the two had been in and out of court on different occasions.

At one point, Mohadi approached the Civil Court seeking a protection order and the same was granted in his favour.

Tambudzani, however, then applied for a review of the court ruling following which Mohadi filed yet another application for contempt of court, which application was dismissed and immediately thereafter made a reapplication of the dismissed contempt of court matter, prompting the pending case.pting the pending case.

BY STAFF REPORTER

THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) raked in over US$3,2 million in the sale of 101 baby elephants to China and the United Arab Emirates between 2016 and this year.

The proceeds have reportedly gone into the capacitation of ZimParks, where it reportedly bought equipment for conservation activities.

According to a statement released by ZimParks, the organisation pocketed $3 253 000 from the sales and spent about $3 253 225,45 to buy Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, among other accessories, for the day-to-day running of the organisation and game parks.

On average, a calf was sold at about US$32 000. The calves were taken from national parks such as Hwange.

The statement was released after animal rights activists took to social media, accusing ZimParks of misappropriating sale proceeds, while politicians have been accused of using the sales as their feeding trough.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo yesterday confirmed the figures and the expenditure of the proceeds, dispelling any mismanagement rumours.

“ZimParks sold a total of 101 elephants for the period 2016 to 2019. The tabulated figures are authentic and will dispel the malice perpetuated by misguided elements.”

He said claims that elephant sale proceeds were misappropriated by politicians were false and unfounded.

“Funds generated from live sales are used in conservation of elephants in the protected area and its immediate surroundings. ZimParks does not get funding from the fiscus so such funds go a long way in addressing the conservation requirements. ZimParks relies on internal commercial business and on public-private-partnership arrangements to generate financial resources to support all its operations,” Farawo said.

He said the sales got the nod from the Office of the President and Cabinet and that the transactions were done according to national laws, in particular the Parks and Wildlife Act: Chapter 20:14 and International laws, especially CITES.

Elephant sales and trophy hunting are a lucrative business. In Botswana, a trophy hunt costs about US$45 000 per single adult elephant, while in South Africa, it is around US$60 000.

MTHANDAZO NYONI

TANNERS and leather product manufacturers recently formed an association – Tanners Footwear Leather Manufacturers of Zimbabwe (TAFLZ) – with a view to effectively lobby government to enact policies aimed at growing the sector.

NewsDay (ND) reporter Mthandazo Nyoni caught up with the association’s chairperson, Arnold Britten (AB) and his deputy, Stuart Simali (SS) to speak on issues affecting the sector. Below are excerpts:

ND: You recently formed TAFLZ, can you tell us more about it.

AB: Previously, as industry, we had what is known as the Leather and Allied Industries Federation of Zimbabwe which represented all local manufacturers. But over the years, because of the many issues, it fell away and the industry lost its representation.

So we got together and said no, we need to reform an association, but we wanted to reform it under a new banner, to start a new beginning for the industry under different terms and constitutional value of the association.

So that led to the formation of TAFLZ. Generally, our mandate is to represent the industry, that’s large-scale manufacturers as well as small-to-medium enterprises. So the idea is to rebuild the industry by working together as leather manufacturers and leather goods manufacturers.

ND: How many members do you have?

AB: At the moment, we have 30 members across the country.

ND: What is the current state of the leather sector in Zimbabwe?

AB: Currently, the leather industry is struggling because it relies a lot on imports. Most of our raw material, shoe laces, soles, chemicals for tanning are all imported. Now due to this foreign currency situation, it makes it very difficult for the industry to operate.

So a lot of companies are working and stopping and this has led to a lot of companies to be placed under judicial management. If you go to shops you find that the local shoe is expensive. It is not because industry is overpricing, but it is because our inputs are so expensive. Our costs are high because we rely a lot on imports. So that affects our products.

We are also suffering from high cost of material, low quality material for us to work with, but we are trying to find ways to go around it. Between now and then, the challenge industry is facing is how to continue with the low quality material and how do we make value out of that low quality material.

So that is the biggest challenge the industry is facing. That is why you find there are a lot of companies that are under judicial management and some have actually closed. The industry is in a very difficult state, but we are hoping by coming together we can solve some of these problems.

SS: In addition to that, as an industry the issue of power cuts is choking us a lot. Zesa does not stick to its schedule. If they stick to the schedule, we can plan accordingly.

If they cut the residential areas during the day and give industry during the day, then at night they cut industry and give the residential areas power. That would help.

ND: How about you invest in solar energy?

AB: Solar is a noble cause, but the cost of investing in it is very high. As an industry, we have companies that are struggling. For example, to install a solar unit in our factory we were quoted US$500 000. So it is beyond us. So we have no choice for now, but to rely on Zesa.

ND: Any opportunities in the leather sector?

AB: I think there are a lot of opportunities for people who want to get into the leather sector. There is lots of space for you to be created. The leather industry has changed from the old days where it was very standard in the way things were done, but if you are creative, there is scope for you to come in and be creative by making some of the defects look nicer and presentable.

And you could find a market for it. But it takes a creative mind. So there is scope for those that are creative. So for those people who are hands-on, who like to do things, it’s a good industry to get into.

ND: Some of the companies in the sector, I understand, are in dire need of retooling. How much would your members need for retooling?

AB: To be honest, the entire industry needs retooling. To put a figure on that is not a simple task because every business operates differently. So each cost for retooling is very unique.

ND: Currently, how many people does the sector employ?

AB: At the moment we employ probably around 1 100 people, but the numbers are going down. And most of them are contract employees.

ND: Any chances of you increasing the figures?

AB: Yes, with the right support. We need access to foreign currency and access consistent supply of power. It will help us reduce costs. The industry can increase and employ a lot more people like we did in the old days. It is support that we need.

ND: How do you intend to revive the industry as an association?

AB: As an association, it’s one step at a time. We have to deal with, firstly, the issues that we have among ourselves. Then it’s important that we set measurable targets. You know we can’t always say we want to increase production by 20% next year. We have to be very practical. Currently, we are working on a leather recovery strategy as a whole value chain. I think that will be released in December or January.

SS: And also to help each other technically and with marketing in terms of information. We are trying to change the mentality whereby I see someone in leather as my competitor.

We are partners, not competitors. What is competing are our products. We need to work together as partners so that we move the industry forward.

BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

A 40-YEAR-OLD Guruve teacher was last week sentenced to an effective four years behind bars after stealing building materials worth $30 000.

Isaah Wachenuka (40) of Chipangura Secondary School was convicted after full trial by Guruve magistrate Shingirai Mutiro.

Prosecutor Carson Kundiona told the court that on August 19 and at Chipangura School, Wachenuka unlawfully took duplicate keys to a storeroom.

He connived with his son and two other school children, who are yet to be sentenced for stealing various building materials.

Police then promised $800 reward to anyone with information on the theft and following a tip-off they recovered some of the stolen building material from the teacher.

In another case, a 32-year-old Mvurwi farm worker was sentenced to four years by Mutiro after he stole a motor bike, five crates of eggs and 15 litres of petrol valued at $26 000 from his employer.

George Zimbudzi Tigere Mazuva will, however, spend three years in prison after the magistrate conditionally suspended a year.

The court heard that on October 3, Davison Chirenje (62) left his motorbike parked in a kitchen with its ignition keys, the convict stole the motorbike, petrol and eggs.

Soon after the discovery of the theft, Chirenje filed a police report at Mvurwi Police Station who then found the stolen bike in Muzarabani after it was sold to one Dhirau.
Upon interrogation, Dhirau implicated Mazuva, leading to his arrest.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

ZANU PF youths in Mashonaland East have vowed to defend President Emmerson Mnangagwa (pictured) at all costs, saying they will effect a citizens arrest to anyone who insults their leader.

Speaking at a victory celebration event held at Masenda Secondary School, ward 6, in Mudzi West on Saturday, provincial youth chairperson Kelvin Mutsvairo said the youth league will do anything to defend Mnangagwa’s rule and that they will deal with anyone who criticises their leader.

“We are going to defend President Mnangagwa until eternity, we will also defend Zanu PF as a party until eternity. We are going to deal with anyone who insults our President. If the police fail to arrest anyone insulting the President, we, as youths, will do so in our own capacity,” he said.

Mnangagwa is currently under pressure from both internal cadres and opposition party members over how he is running the country’s economy. Last week, Mnangagwa told party youths that there were some G40 elements in Zanu PF who were burning the midnight oil to destabilise the party as well as criticising his rule. The ruling party leader has been relying on the youth league’s support who have been attacking perceived economy saboteurs, among them party officials.

Meanwhile, Mudzi West Zanu PF ward 6 councillor Arnold Katsande said it is high time the constituency, a Zanu PF stronghold, was electrified.

Katsande, who is one of the Zanu PF youthful councillors, has embarked on a road rehabilitation programme in his ward.

“Zanu PF is a party that fulfils its election promises. We are happy that we have youthful councillors who have excelled in delivering their election promises,” Mutsvairo said.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

Dynamos……………(0)1
Highlanders…….(0)1

DYNAMOS players sunk to their knees at the final whistle after they once again failed to beat Highlanders in a competitive match, something that they have struggled to do since 2015.

The Harare giants’ last victory over their old foes two years ago was clouded in controversy as it needed a boardroom decision after the match had been abandoned at Barbourfields Stadium following a disputed goal by Cameroonian striker Christian Ntouba Epoupa.

Having struggled to win in their last eight matches which have all ended in draws, Dynamos badly needed a victory at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, more so before their home fans.

However, they found themselves trailing behind courtesy of a strike by Tinashe Mukanda in the 71st minute in an ill-tempered match characterised by intermittent stoppages as tempers flared.

Highlanders, who impressed with their passing game, had earlier missed several chances in the first half with Shawn Zonda, Peter Muduwa and Denzel Khumalo all coming close.

Bouyed by a vociferous band of travelling fans, they fought for every ball and looked determined to secure maximum points.

Seemingly headed for a victory, Highlanders’ lead proved temporary with top marksman Evans Katema levelling matters with a header seven minutes from full time following a freekick by substitute Seremani Jarrison.

The goal lit up Rufaro. It almost got better a minute later for the hosts, but another goal-bound shot from yet another set piece was cleared off the line by Andrew Mbeba.

Great teams often respond like this. Things often go their way in knife edge moments like these. Fighting from a goal down to finally secure a share of the spoils in games like this is a mark of a great team.

There is this feeling that Dynamos could have, with a little bit of luck, won the contest as Katema was also denied a goal early into the second half after finding himself unmarked in the danger zone, but his header crashed against the upright on 56 minutes.

However, a draw was a fair result considering the hard work put in by the visitors.

It was perhaps a bad advertisement for the local game as the match became more about the result and less about performance with especially Highlanders employing all tricks to disturb the flow of the match, including remonstrating with referee Munyaradzi Majoni every time a decision went against them.

Although Highlanders coach Pieter De Jong welcomed the draw, he condemned the way his side had been treated before the match when they were refused entry into the stadium by the home team in a bid to frustrate them.

“I think the match was 50-50. It ended 1-1, but in my coaching career, in 29 years I am surprised how does it happen that the away team spend 35 minutes outside failing to enter the stadium. It’s unprofessional. How does that happen,” said De Jong, who also bemoaning the poor state of Rufaro.

His counterpart Tonderai Ndiraya also complained about the pitch.

“The surface was not good for the flow of football. It made it difficult to implement tactics, but I thought we had a good performance in the first half. I was surprised we never took a shot at goal. In the second half, I was disappointed that we controlled play, but conceded a very soft goal. It was down to inexperience, but I am happy we showed some character in coming back. It’s a good result, especially against an improved Highlanders. I am worried though we have become draw specialists, we are conceding stupid goals,” he said.

Teams
Dynamos: S Chinani, E Jalayi, T Muringani, M Mawadza, G Mukambi, T Chisi, (N Claude Junior, 78’), A Maliselo, A Gutu, (N Katawa, 68’), E Sadomba, E Katema, S Gonda,(S Jarrison, 55’)
Highlanders: A Sibanda, M Phiri, M Ndlovu, A Mbepa, N Masunda, G Makaruse, (T Ndlovu, 81’), B Banda, A Silla, T Makanda, D Khumalo