THE Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) has not spoken about pushing out Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) commissioners, but will instead retreat to Nyanga next week to discuss sanctions.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

Polad co-chairperson, retired Justice Selo Nare dismissed suggestions by NCA president Lovemore Madhuku that the political negotiations would result in the ouster of Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba and her team and replace them with new people.

“I think it was an individual opinion. We went into that at our last meeting and Mr Madhuku when he made that statement was talking on behalf of his party, not the opinion of Polad,” he said.

Justice Nare said, instead, Polad, which is made out of 18 presidential candidates accompanied by three assistants, will be going to the resort town of Nyanga to discuss sanctions.

“We are now on the second leg, where we will be dealing with issues that pertain to governance.

From there, one of the areas that we will deal with is that of the economy,” he said.

“The parties are going to deal with the economy with the advice from other groups that come in. We will be able to cover a lot of ground. Next week we will be going to Troutbeck to look at the outlying things that we have missed. But the area we are going to be looking at is that of Zidera [Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act] and be able to discuss how we can approach the people who have imposed sanctions on us.”

Madhuku insisted that he would be pushing to ensure that a Zec that can inspire confidence to elections can be set up in a manner that does not leave the appointment of the body to the President.

“Why else would we be in Polad if it’s not to lay a ground that will ensure that never again we have disputed elections? We are not there to agree with Zanu PF, I can assure you and those who think Polad will not achieve anything, will see that we have teeth and they will bite,” he said.

Nelson Chamisa’s MDC has refused to join the political talks and called them a choir with no stamina or desire to bring any change.

Justice Nare, however, said it was time Chamisa and others joined the talks because they were progressive and would bring the desired change.

The Polad principals joined Acting President Kembo Mohadi for the monthly clean-up campaign in Harare yesterday.

CAPS United coach Darlington Dodo fears the log leaders could be heading towards another banana skin as they travel to TelOne tomorrow for what promises to be a tough match against the relegation strugglers.

BY HENRY MHARA

After watching his side struggle against Herentals, who are also fighting to stay up, Dodo knows all too well the dangers that are presented by clubs fighting for survival at the other end of the table.

The log leaders were lucky to get away with a point on Wednesday as they had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw.

“Playing these relegation threatened teams is very difficult. They are unpredictable, and they have more or less the same pressure like the one that we have,” Dodo said. “They will do anything to grind a result. What we need to do is to stamp authority in the game, to show why we are at the top of the standings.”

TelOne will be desperate to get something out of this match, but Caps will be hoping to crush their hopes of a Premier Soccer League survival.

United could start this match on second position if current second placed side FC Platinum beat Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava this afternoon.

With TelOne having avoided defeats against some of the big boys including Dynamos and FC Platinum in recent times, Dodo knows he cannot overlook the Rahman Gumbo-coached side.

“We need to keep working hard; we are still there at the top. As much as the gap has been reduced, we are still at the top and we need to still keep our focus. We are going to TelOne and it’s a must win game for us. We must make sure that we go and win there. But truly speaking, teams at the bottom of the log are difficult to play, but we will need to grind a result,” Dodo said.

The Green Machine has picked just one point in their last two matches, something Dodo has blamed on injuries to key players.

Defender Method Mwanjale has been ruled out for the season with an injury while goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga and Kudzi Nyamupfukudza did not feature last time out. Dominic Mukandi is serving suspension.

“I don’t want to be a cry baby but I have some injured players who have been playing a big part in the team and with where the season is, it’s difficult because the games are coming thick and fast.

There are a lot of things that will happen to the dynamics of the team when you make those adjustments so the injuries have played a big part in the way we are playing. But we can regroup and get the results that we want.”

Gumbo refused to talk to the media on Thursday after watching his side surrender a goal lead to lose 2-1 to Rhinos. It appears the former Warriors gaffer is beginning to crack under pressure as he struggles to save his team which currently sit on 16th position and fast running out of games.

They have struggled for positive results of late, having won just once in their last five matches, form that is not good enough at this stage of the season to avoid relegation.

Matchday 29 fixtures

Today: Ngezi v Manica Diamonds (Baobab), FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Mandava), Herentals v Harare City (NSS)

Tomorrow: Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro), Yadah v Chapungu (NSS), ZPC Kariba v Black Rhinos (Nyamhunga), Hwange v Mushowani (Colliery), TelOne v Caps (Ascot), Chicken Inn v Triangle (postponed)

Acting Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has urged the government to allocate adequate funds in next year’s budget to resuscitate the tourism industry which suffered a 3% decline in the first half of the year.

By Nokuthaba Dlamini

Speaking at a pre-budget meeting in Victoria Falls yesterday, Ndlovu said tourism hubs like Victoria Falls needed adequate water supply, proper sanitation and uninterrupted electricity supplies.

“We need to establish an enabling tourism business environment with modern technologies, modern ports of entry, water and sanitation and energy so that in the process of rebranding our country, all systems are put in place,” he said.

MDC Mashonaland West proportional representation MP, Concillia Chinanzvavana said on top of providing adequate resources, there was need to make tourism destinations more affordable.

“The visa system remains partially computerised. Government needs to expedite the whole system so that our visitors spend less time queueing to enter the country as this impact negatively on the visitor’s experience,” she said.

“There is also need to reduce the average time taken to process a tourist visa by opening more processing counters. The e-visa platform still faces teething challenges and needs upgrading so that it is easily accessed by tourists from different source markets.”

Chinanzvavana said foreign visitors were finding it difficult to buy goods and pay for services due to shortage of cash.

“Curio market vendors do not have international point of sale (POS) machines. This implies that we are limiting tourist expenditure into the economy. The government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe needs to ensure cash availability in bureaus, especially in our tourism hubs. The RBZ should also improve the availability of international POS machines,” she said.

“Fuel shortages affect the tourism operators’ ability to offer all-inclusive packages within the destination. Statutory Instrument 212 of 2019 is making it difficult to charge for future bookings to locals due to the inflationary environment while commissioning of the Zimdollar is not yet internationalised to allow for the conversion to other currencies.”

Hospitality and tourism establishments reportedly pay for 22 licences administered by 13 different agencies, hence the need to harmonise and reduce duplication.

“Government must create a one-stop shop for the multiple licensing and decentralise taxes and permits within the sector. The current system contradicts the ease of doing business and is expensive, thus government should consolidate a myriad of taxes that are making the destination uncompetitive,” Chinanzvavana said.

“Hotels are being charged individual television licences as per the Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06). All this, coupled with excess power outages in the country are heavily impacting negatively on business operations in terms of overhead costs and inconveniences which are creating negative perceptions about the destination.”

Chinanzvavana said Victoria Falls International Airport facilities must be upgraded continually to increase access to Zimbabwe by international airlines.

DOCTORS have come out guns blazing after President Emmerson Mnangagwa accused them of being sponsored by foreign hands to destabilise his government through strikes.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA / RUVIMBO MUCHENJE

The striking doctors also for the second time yesterday snubbed disciplinary hearings conducted by the Health Services Board over their failure to report for duty.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said its members were not playing politics and did not need third parties to tell them they were suffering.

“The statements are unfortunate. It is clear that government is turning a purely labour issue into a political issue. That is sad. We do not need anyone to tell us that the money we are earning is not sufficient to pay for rentals and buy food. Nobody has to come and tell me that I am struggling to pay fees for my children because my salary is insufficient, doctors are not fools,” ZHDA said.

Mnangagwa, while addressing Zanu PF youth league on Thursday, said he was aware that some doctors were actually being paid by foreign donors to stay away from work.

He said his government was investigating the issue.

But ZHDA denied the allegations, saying if doctors were getting money, they would go to work instead.

“The people who go to government hospitals are our relatives, parents and sisters. Even fellow doctors come to public hospitals. We would, therefore, want to see those hospitals fully manned by motivated doctors so that we create hope for the people,” ZHDA said.

“Not going to work also affects and delays our graduation process. We therefore want to state clearly that we want to go to work. We can only do that when government capacitates us.”

Acting Health minister Monica Mutsvangwa said government remained open to talk to doctors as soon as they come back to their senses.

“We encourage dialogue. We have always said doctors should go back to work while we talk. They should be saving lives. Human life is important,” she said.

ZHDA secretary Tawanda Zvakada said doctors also wanted dialogue, but it had to be done on fair grounds.

“You talk when conditions are right. Government said come let’s talk. When we were getting ready to talk, they abducted our leader. When he was found, we said the conditions are right now let’s talk, then they bring a court order, then letters for hearings. That is not creating a platform for talking,” he said.

ZHDA president Peter Magombeyi was allegedly abducted on September 14 from his Budiriro high-density home and found a week later in Nyabira, about 30km north-west of the capital.

The HSB confirmed that doctors boycotted yesterday’s disciplinary hearings while dismissing reports of massive firing of the striking medical personnel.

“They didn’t turn up for the hearings, but as HSB chairperson, Dr Paulinus Sikosana alluded to yesterday, we are following the right procedure, which provides for going ahead with disciplinary hearings whether the doctor is present or not,” the HSB said.

“The outcomes of the hearings are confidential, hence we will communicate to individuals.”

Local Government minister July Moyo has set up a commission of inquiry to look into the affairs of the City of Gweru, including service delivery and reports of corruption.

By Brenna Matendere

The development comes two days after suspended town clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza appeared before an independent tribunal to answer corruption charges.

Mayor Josiah Makombe yesterday confirmed the development, but was coy on divulging its mandate.
“Yes, there is an investigation team that is coming, but it is not true that they want Gwatipedza to be back in office,” he said, commenting on reports that the inquiry was meant to find ways to reinstate the suspended town clerk.

“The team has got its own terms of reference and, as council, we see nothing bad in that.”

Makombe also revealed that he had a discussion with Moyo about the commission.

However, sources told NewsDay Weekender that the tide could be turning on the councillors over the suspension of the town clerk.

“The position of a town clerk is a very powerful portfolio and the government of the day would want to protect it through a person loyal to them. While the MDC controls Gweru, it is Zanu PF which formed government and so it looks like the ruling party is moving to fight back the suspension of the town clerk,” said a source.

However, Makombe allayed the fears.

“Actually, I was aware of such a team coming because we discussed that with the minister before,” he said.

Asked whether the coming of the commission will not set a parallel process in the handling of the issue of the town clerk who is already under investigation, Makombe said: “I don’t think so, but we will see.”

In August 2015, the government, through then Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere dispatched a commission to Gweru led by former Masvingo town clerk Tsungai Mhangami.

There was, however, an outcry from residents that the commission looted council resources by awarding themselves hefty allowances and packages.

THREE elderly members of an Indian family have been arrested on charges of defrauding a British citizen of £67 400 in a travel scam.

By Harriet Chikandiwa

Musa Ahmed Yousaf (83), former director of Carefree Travel, Musa Akil Yousaf (51), Yousaf Aisha Musa (80), former managing director of Carefree Travel, as well as Rutendo Berejena (44), who is also a director of the company, appeared before Harare magistrate Victoria Mushamba, who granted them $1 000 bail each.

They were remanded to November 27 for possible trial.

The complainant is British-based Mohammed Ahmed.

Allegations are that sometime in September 2017, the accused persons allegedly misrepresented to Ahmed that Carefree Travel was in need of capital injection in order to finance a facility which they claimed to have with Emirates Airlines.

It is alleged that Emirates would enable Carefree Travel to buy tickets at discounted prices for resale to its customers, yet in actual fact they knew that no such facility
existed.

Because of the misrepresentation, Ahmed injected £67 400 into Carefree Travel, which he lost and nothing was recovered.

ANCHORED on public pre-budget consultations, the process to formulate the 2020 National Budget Statement is underway. Public participation during budget formulation is fundamental. Citizens and civil society must grab the opportunity to influence how public revenues are generated and allocated to address the stubborn challenges posed by inequality and poverty.

Obviously, citizen participation must not be restricted to budget input, but across the whole value chain of service delivery. This entails public participation in processes which determine how public resources are raised, allocated, disbursed, spent and accounted for to ensure progressive realisation of socio-economic rights embodied in the Constitution.

The nation is quite plugged in on the increasingly domineering role of mining in the economy.

Therefore, it is critical for civil society organisations like the Zimbabwe Environment Law Association (ZELA) to give input on how the budget can hinge more on mining potential on domestic resource mobilisation.

An input harvested through multi-stakeholder engagement meetings which feed into the provincial and national alternative mining indabas. Primarily, the focus on such indabas is to push for conducive policy and practise reforms to have grip for the slippery sustainable development dividend from mining. Recently, government launched its strategy to realise a US$12 billion mining economy by 2023.

Given this significant development, it is imperative to influence the budget formulation to ensure the national budget is primed to capture a fair share of revenue from this anticipated remarkable growth.

Below are key pointers of how the 2020 National Budget Statement must enhance mining fiscal linkages by ensuring greater transparency and accountability. Essentially, the pointers raised here are not new; resource rich communities have made such demands for years, with mixed success.

Deliver transparency reforms

Six years have passed now since the new Constitution was adopted in 2013, but mining sector transparency reforms as required by the new Constitution remain a mirage.

The Constitution requires an Act of Parliament to guide negotiation and performance of mining agreements to ensure transparency, honesty, cost-effectiveness and competitiveness, Section 315 (2) (c). With the launch of a strategy to realise US$12 billion contribution from the mining sector by 2023, more mega mining deals are in the pipeline. The secrecy around how these deals are negotiated must be ended as required by the Constitution. Further, existing and new deals must be monitored to ensure mining growth is not unhinged from national budget contribution. As such, the budget must set the context for Parliament to review the fiscal terms of past, new and prospective mining mega deals.

Public financial management principles embedded in the Constitution under Section 298 requires transparency and accountability in all financial matters among others. The budget, therefore, must put in place tangible steps to harness low hanging fruits to deliver mining tax revenue transparency reforms. Low hanging fruits include the disclosure of mining sector performance across each revenue head and the revenue performance of key mining sectors like gold, platinum, diamonds, chrome and coal, for example. Already, the country’s tax collector, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), is disclosing quarterly and annual tax revenue performance reports per revenue head. Such revenue heads include corporate income tax (CIT), customs duty, royalties, withholding tax, Pay As You Earn (Paye) and Value Added Tax (Vat).

There is room to fine tune such reports to track the performance of the mining sector.

The Budget can also borrow inspiration from how the Intermediated Mobile Money Transfer Tax is handled in order to improve mineral revenue transparency. This can be done by earmarking a portion of mining revenue, 50% for instance, towards human development and infrastructure programmes.

Further, billboards can be erected to show clinics, schools, roads and dams being funded by revenue from diamonds, platinum, gold and other minerals. By doing so, the budget can send the message to citizens that the depletion of the country’s mineral reserves through mining is not a plunder of resources, but a catalyst for sustainable development.

Another milestone which the upcoming budget must deliver is disclosure of the tax incentives. That is, tax revenue forgone to attract investments in the mining sector. Disclosure of tax incentives is fundamental to fulfil the promise made in the 2019 National Budget Statement on monitoring and evaluation of tax incentives.

The 2020 budget must give a clear update on funding for modernising the mining title administration system; a computerised mining cadastre. The current mining cadastre is outdated, a source of claim ownership disputes and a corruption enabler. It is critical that the budget addresses perennial nagging challenges associated with funding for computerising the cadastre mining system.

In the medium term, focus should be on adoption and implementation of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) to enable open and accountable governance of the mining sector. Remarkably, the 2020 pre-budget strategy paper embraces EITI. Concreate steps, such as the creation of a multi-stakeholder grouping and budgeting for implementation of EITI, must be included in the budget.

Review platinum royalties

A commitment was made in the 2018 National Budget Statement to review platinum royalties by August 2019. A result of the lowering of platinum royalty rate from 10% to 2,5% is to ensure equity and fairness among all platinum players.

Prior to this arrangement, ordinary platinum lease holders, Mimosa specifically, was paying a 10% royalty rate while special lease holders like Zimplats and Unki mine were paying a 2,5% royalty rate. Given that the Midterm Budget Review in August failed to review platinum royalties as promised, it is critical for the 2020 National Budget to review platinum royalties upwards to increase mining tax revenue contribution.

As it stands, platinum royalty rates are now half the rate of the gold sector and higher than those for base metals by 0,5 percentage points.

Share the wealth

Previous budget instruments are responsible for dismantling the indigenisation and economic empowerment framework, in the process removing legal backing for Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs).

We now need a vehicle tailored to hinge sustainable local economic and social development on mining. The right of communities to benefit from resources in their localities is a Constitutional issue through Section 13 (40 of the Constitution.

Therefore, the Budget must embrace mineral revenue sharing arrangements between the central government and local governments. For instance, 20% of mineral royalties must be ploughed back to areas from where the resources are extracted. That way, CSOTs will have a sustainable revenue stream to finance local development.

The road ahead

Policy coherence is an important ingredient for government to spearhead sustainable and broad-based socio-economic development. Now that the Ministry has a strategy to realise a US$12 billion mining economy by 2023, the national budget must clearly speak to the mining fiscal linkages hinged on this remarkable projected growth.

The journey towards EITI must be marked with clear road signs which are to be benchmarked with constitutional requirements, tax and contract transparency. It is imperative that a budget which dismantled legal backing for CSOTs should come up with measures to ensure communities benefit from resources in their areas, as required by the Constitution. In this regard, government must consider mineral revenue sharing arrangements with communities from where resources are extracted.

 Mukasiri Sibanda is an economic governance officer at the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association. He writes in his personal capacity

A LOCAL energy company has urged Zimbabwe to turn to solar as hydro-power was becoming more expensive and vulnerable to the vagaries of nature.

BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of its new branch in Guruve yesterday, Zonful Energy chief executive officer William Ponela said there was need to ensure that every household generates its own energy.

“If you look at the cost of hydro power over solar, hydro has become too high and it doesn’t make sense for us to continue using it,” he said.

“Our solar panels are now wireless unlike the traditional way of solar connections. It has become cheaper so you can see that the conversions in technology have made it easier for people to move to solar.”

Ponela said the organisation was targeting to power 20 000 households in Guruve district and one million countrywide by 2025.

Energy minister Fortune Chasi commended Zonful for bringing clean and affordable energy to rural communities.

“At least, 80% of the rural population in Zimbabwe is off-grid which means these areas have no grid connections and they are using unsafe energy sources. I, therefore, commend the Zonful Energy team for its unwavering efforts to bring clean and affordable energy to both the peri-urban and the rural communities of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Zonful donated solar lights and other gadgets to traditional leaders and pupils at primary schools.