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

BY Tinashe Mungazi

Hwange…………(0)1
Mushowani ……..0

A NOMORE Chinyerere goal right at the death saw Hwange beat Mushowani Stars in a relegation scrap at the Colliery Stadium yesterday, a victory that saw the home side arresting a 13-match winless streak.

More importantly, the victory gave them hope of surviving as they moved to within a point of TelOne, a team that sit above the relegation zone.

Hwange is on 16th position on the log standings with 31 points, the same as Herentals who sit on the relegation cut-off point.

Chinyerere, a Warriors trialist, curled in a free-kick on the 90th minute to give his side victory, and much-needed confidence going into the final six games of the season in which they need to win at least three to have a realistic chance of surviving relegation.

This clash of the relegation strugglers was a tight affair although Hwange had a slight edge as the first half wore on with Kasimero Chimbadzwa wasting some good chances.

Chipangano got another chance through Shepherd Gadzikwa, who was denied by goalkeeper Admire Masuku after receiving a great cross from Ted Ncube from the left flank.

Mushowani got their first real chance on the 30th minute when Joseph Tulani outpaced Andrew Chuma before unleashing a powerful shot which was deflected off play by goalkeeper Taimon Mvula.

Hwange continued on their goal-searching campaign with Chimbadzwa and Enerst Gwitima’s efforts yielding no result. Mushowani seemed to pick up pace in the second half as Paul Chiramba and Tulani turning the fire on Chipangano.

This battle looked as if it would end in a draw before Chinyerere intervened.

Hwange gaffer Nation Dube said they were going all out to avoid the dreaded chop as displayed by their boys’ spirited performance.

“This win has seen us switching places with Mushowani. The points separating us are not a big margin. We will survive the chop. We are determined. Everything is on the right track. If we win two or three games, we will find ourselves somewhere safe,” Dube said.

Conceding defeat, his counterpart Newman Mashipe said: “My boys did well considering the high temperatures here. It’s unfortunate and disappointing that when we thought the game was over, we conceded.”

Results at glance
Saturday: Ngezi Platinum 1–0 Manica Diamonds, FC Platinum 0–1 Bulawayo Chiefs, Herentals 0–0 Harare City
Yesterday: TelOne 2–0 Caps United, Dynamos 1–1 Highlanders, Yadah 1–0 Chapungu United, ZPC Kariba 1–0 Black Rhinos, Hwange 1–0 Mushowani Stars, Chicken Inn v Triangle (postponed)

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

TELONE…………….(2)2
CAPS UNITED……….0

IF Caps United are going to lose this championship at the end of the season, they will probably look back at this defeat as the day they gave it away.

After rivals FC Platinum fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bulawayo Chiefs on Saturday, this match against relegation strugglers TelOne presented an opportunity for the Green Machine to extend their lead at the top by five points.

This was a chance for them to put one hand on the trophy.

But typical of their performance in recent weeks, they blew the chance after they were blown away by a clinical TelOne side in what was an entertaining match at Ascot Stadium yesterday.

Caps remain top of the log standings by just two points and any slip up in the coming weeks, it’s highly unlikely they will be this lucky.

With five games remaining, they won’t afford any more slip ups in this tight race which no one seems keen to win.

To their credit though, Caps created a number of chances, but their poor conversion let them down, with the attacking trio of Dominic Chungwa, Newman Sianchali and Phineas Bamusi having a bad day at the office.

For the hosts, they did the job early with two first half goals from King Nadolo and Fradrick Muza sealing maximum points for the Rahman Gumbo-coached side.

The WiFi Boys were also denied what appeared three genuine penalties by match day referee Nkosana Nduna.

Nadolo broke the deadlock on the 37th minute when he tapped home a long clearance from goalie Rapheal Pitisi.

Muza doubled the scores seven minutes later with a powerful volley, just about 20 yards from the box after being picked up by an unmarked by Nadolo.

After the defeat, Caps remained stuck on 51 points, while TelOne moved out of the relegation zone to 14th position with 32 points, one point above Herentals and Hwange who are sitting on the relegation cut-off point.

Caps coach Darlington Dodo was a frustrated man.

“Obviously, I am disappointed with the loss, especially after missing so many clear-cut chances in the first half and then we made mistakes, literally presenting them with goals,” he said.

“We are still in it, the boys are mentally strong enough to finish off the season, but there is need for us to correct the mistakes we made today.”

Gumbo said: “To be honest, it was a balanced game. Caps had their chances in the first 20 minutes, but failed to convert. We had our chances and we got two brilliant goals which could win a match any day. Today, we dominated, but later on collapsed in the final minutes, but I am happy they managed to hold on until the final whistle.”

Caps had chances, but were let down by a combination of poor finishing and bad luck.

Blessing Sarupinda weaved past two TelOne defenders Steven Phiri and Trust Nyabinde before unleashing a thunderbolt that hit the upright. Hardlife Zvirekwi’s effort from the rebound was tame.

Phineas Bamusi also neatly worked his way into the box, carving in a low cross that found no takers with Pitisi flat footed.

Teams
TelOne: R Pitisi, M Chigumira, S Phiri, T Nyabinde, I Zambezi, E Zinyama, K Nadolo (J Muzokomba 90’), E Mandiranga, M Moyo, F Muza (G Bvundura, 77’), F Nkala (D Temwanjira, 37’).
Caps United: P Chigumba, H Zvirekwi, J Jangano, L Zvasiya, V Ndaba, D Mukandi, B Sarupinda (J Ngodzo, 46’), P Bamusi, R Chitiyo, N Sianchalli (K Ndebele, 46’), D Chungwa (J Zhuwao, 73’)

BY NUNURAI JENA

ZPC KARIBA…………..(0)1
BLACK RHINOS………….0

ZPC Kariba substitute Samuel Makawa rose from the bench and scored the all-important goal that kept his side within championship-shouting distance at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.

A halftime pep talk and what turned out to be a shrewd substitution by ZPC Kariba coach Godfrey Tamirepi did the trick as Makawa ghosted from the blind side on the 68th minute to seal a victory for the electricity men.

The victory pushed ZPC Kariba back in the top four and Tamirepi believes that the championship is still within their reach.

“I’m happy with the victory. The game was a difficult one and that shows how competitive our league is. Now any team in the top four can snatch the championship,” Tamirepi said.

In the first half, there was minimal goal-mouth action, save for in the 37th minute when ZPC Kariba winger Talent Chamboko was guilty of skying the ball from a good position.

Three minutes later, the home side winger Jimu Gwara failed to beat Rhinos keeper Ashley Rayners when referee waved play on with Rhinos players expecting a foul.

In the second half, play continued to swing from one end to another with no breakthrough.

Rhinos veteran midfielder Alla Gahadzikwa failed to score on the 53rd minute when his shot, from a tight angle, missed the goalpost by inches with ZPC Kariba keeper a beaten man.

There was also an incident when members of the Rhinos bench tried to manhandle a ball boy for allegedly disturbing their goalkeeper.

Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa said the ball boy was a nuisance.

“We complained since the first half that this ball boy was disturbing our goalkeeper. It’s an unfortunate incident,” he said.

Maruwa, however, conceded that they had lost to a better team.

Teams
ZPC Kariba: T Mawaya, I Nekati, D Phiri (S Makawa, 46′) B Mutukure, J Marufu, B Juru, D Chakupe, C Muleya, T Nyamandwe, J Gwara, T Chamboko
Black Rhinos: A Rayners, J Mukombwe, W Chakanya, T Taravani, M Mekiwa, A Tandi, M Demera (G Saunyama, 55′), M Mukumba, W Mutasa, W Taderera, A Gahadzikwa

BY FORTUNE MBELE

TRIANGLE………….. (0)3
FC NOUADHIBOU….(1)2

Triangle lose 4-3 on goal aggregate

TRIANGLE have failed to progress to the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup after they failed to overturn a two-goal deficit on Mauritanian side FC Nouadhibou in the second leg play-off at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

The Lowveld side needed to score two goals yesterday without reply to force the match into extra time or win the match by a three-goal margin to progress to the group stages, having lost the first leg match 2-0 last week.

Things started horribly for Triangle when FC Nouadhibou took an early lead through Yassin Elwely in the 7th minute.

That means the Taurai Mangwiro-coached side needed to score four goals to advance to the next stage.

They managed to score three, but it proved little after the visitors also scored another goal which saw them progressing to the group stages.

Elwely beat goalkeeper Ronald Mudimu from inside the penalty box after he was set up by Sida Touda.

The visitors also had a penalty by Touda saved by Mudimu two minutes before the breather after the striker was brought down inside the box by Kudzai Chigwida.

A revamped Triangle came back from the break on fire with substitute Simba Makoni equalising on the 49th minute with a header before captain Ralph Kawondera scored the second five minutes later.

The Sugar Sugar Boys continued to pile pressure on Nouadhibou as they looked to overturn the scores and Kawondera had what appeared likeed a genuine goal flagged for off side by the South Sudanese referee.

Pressing for a third goal that would have brought them back into the contest, Triangle were caught on a counter although Mudimu should have done better to an Elwely’s loose shot on the 56th minute, a goal that took the wind out of the hosts’ sails.

Mangwiro’s men managed to score a third nine minutes from time through Tinashe Chivandire, but the damage had already been done.

Mangwiro said: “We were not good enough today. We gave it a fight, but fell short. It is so painful that it’s a matter of being so near yet so far.”

Nouadhibou manager Mauril Njoya said: “I would like to congratulate the Triangle coach. They played a good game. They are a good team. In football, there is something that is called luck. They just didn’t have the luck. My team did not play well. It’s just that God was with us and we scored two goals,” Njoya said.

The visitors finished with 10 men after substitute Sidi Yacoub was shown a straight red card on the 70th minute.

Teams

Triangle: R Mudimu, A Chiveya, D Dzvinyai, C Duwa, T January, O Mwerahari (B Chikwenya, 17′), T Chivandire, R Kawondera, G Bero (S Makoni, 32′), A Tavarwisa (D Murimba, 61′), K Chigwida
Nouadhibou: Ndiaye, A Sy, M Cisse, M Kante, S Mhaimid, O Mangane, J Depode (S Yacoub, 51′, red card 70’), S Touda, Y Elwely, A Gaye (E H Tegued, 78′), E Lemrabott

BY VENERANDA LANGA

PARLIAMENT has urged government to deal with key factors that are hindering industrialisation in the country in its forthcoming 2020 budget expected to be announced on November 14.

The Felix Mhona-led Budget and Finance Parliamentary Portfolio Committee told delegates at the 2020 pre-budget seminar in Victoria Falls that the deteriorating energy situation in the country and acute shortage of foreign currency were seriously affecting industry.

The factors to be tackled include erratic electricity and water supplies so that the country is at par with other African countries in the Accelerated Industrial growth for Africa.

“Erratic key enablers of industry such as water, electricity and good transport networks is affecting industrial growth and heavy reliance on generators for power back up is unsustainable,” the Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee report read.

“The acute shortages of foreign currency, unstable macro-economic environment epitomised by rising inflation, legacy debts for companies, and negative growth and influx of consumables, constituting 82% of import expenditure, are affecting business.”

Mhona said at recent public hearings by the committee, participants noted that lack of proper manufacturing infrastructure could affect the industrialisation programme.

“The public noted with concern the lack of proper infrastructure and control systems at most ports of entry, resulting in rampant smuggling which is hurting the local industry. The business community raised concern that they are subjected to double taxation through corporate tax and the 2% (intermediated electronic) transaction tax. Members of the public also vehemently opposed the 2% tax and called for its scrapping,” the committee said.

Recently when different captains of industry appeared before the Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee to speak on their 2020 budget proposals, they bemoaned the need for clarity on deficit financing in the country.

“They said there is need for adequate funding of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority so that it plugs loopholes to improve border systems efficiency as well as modernisation of infrastructure at the country’s ports as the country prepares for industrialisation,” Mhona said.

On tax incentives, the committee said companies that invest in new plant and equipment and demonstrate the number of new jobs that are likely to be created from the new investment should be awarded significant tax incentives.

“The 2020 Finance Act should provide for rationalisation of duty regimes for imported raw materials and finished products by removing inconsistencies like on fluorescent bulbs where no duty is charged on finished products yet there is duty on components for the local manufacture of the same products,” the committee said.

To ensure that mining was also in line with the industrialisation agenda, the committee said there was need to review the numerous taxes charged to mining companies so that they are in line with best practices.

“The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority must respect the contracts it has with miners, where they pay for electricity in foreign currency and yet they do not get the power. It must respect the uninterrupted power agreements,” the committee said.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

TEACHERS and civil servants have scoffed at an announcement by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube that his austerity measures will result in civil servants getting a bonus before year-end, saying his statement was an insult.

Using his social media account, Ncube made the announcement on bonuses.

“Civil servants to get bonus thanks to austerity: Mthuli,” he announced on social media without giving details.

The statement, however, attracted scorn from Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PUTZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, who said the minister should stop propagating falsehoods.
“For the past 38 years, civil servants have been getting a bonus save for just one year. To want to make the nation believe that we are getting a bonus because of austerity is not only misleading, but dangerous. He wants us to glorify a tool that is behind our suffering, as if we have ever failed to get a bonus,” Majongwe told NewsDay.

The PTUZ said given the poor salaries the civil service was getting and the price increases which always jump every time civil servants are awarded salary increases, the bonus will be a curse for many.

“What bonus? That statement by the minister is an understatement. In fact, for us, it’s going to be the reason of our suffering. It’s a punishment. That bonus is a curse. It will worsen our plight because every service provider will be increasing prices tracking the bonus that will be paid and the civil servants will be worse off,” Manjongwe said.

Former Finance minister and MDC deputy president, Tendai Biti, said Ncube needed a mental medical examination to determine his state of mind.

“The Professor is mad. He needs mental examination. He can’t say thanks to austerity he will be paying bonus when civil servants were actually getting bonuses all along,” Biti said.

He added that the bonus payments would amount to nothing for the long suffering workers in Zimbabwe.

“There is no bonus as long as he is paying them in devalued local currency. It’s nothing. If you add nothing to nothing, you get nothing. The only way to adequately compensate workers is to pay them in US dollar. You can’t pay people inflation,” Biti said.

“The salaries of civil servants has been devalued by over 90%, thanks to runaway exchange rate, runaway inflation. The only way is to go back to the multi-currency regime. We need to close the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) because all they have been doing is printing money, generating money supply without productivity, thereby fuelling inflation.”

Said Information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana: “To alleviate the current challenges faced by civil servants, the bonus will be calculated on the total package that is including allowances. Bonuses will be paid in November and December.”