Lovemore Sibanda

ZIMBABWE is in the throes of a political and economic crisis of gigantic proportions. The country is literally burning. Unemployment has reached unacceptable and alarming levels.

Salaries and wages are eroded daily. Public service employees are either on strike or threatening to take industrial action. Doctors, who took the Hippocratic Oath, have been on strike for nearly two months now. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to see that the two major political parties in our country, Zanu PF and the MDC Alliance contribute differently to this political and economic crises. Both parties are to blame, but Zanu PF as the governing party since independence, is largely to blame.

By their very nature political parties, particularly in times of crisis are polarising entities who generate feelings of animosity and hatred. Arguably, the leadership of both parties is in politics for personal aggrandisement and gratification, not for the welfare of the people. Whereas Zanu PF aims at remaining in power at all costs, the MDC Alliance is desperate to grab the levers of power by all means necessary. Within the MDC Alliance leadership there is this misplaced hope that the economic and financial crisis currently gripping the country, will lead to the collapse of the government and ultimately Zanu PF as a party.

The different vision for Zimbabwe of the two parties after the sudden and unanticipated fall of the late former President Robert Mugabe has created this economic and political impasse.

As Zimbabweans, how do we extricate ourselves from this political and economic crisis? History has shown us that in times of polarity and deep divisions, compromise is the best course of action.

Compromise is not a weakness but strength and sign of maturity. Leaders who compromise for national progress demonstrate beyond doubt their selflessness and humility and love for their country. To them, the country is bigger than their political views, party or themselves.

Compromise is the hallmark of statesmanship. The United States is what it is today — the most powerful country in the world — because its leaders engage in compromise at critical moments in their history. To the Americans, the US and national interests matter most, not political parties or personalities. For example, the US constitution was birthed in compromise — the “Great Compromise”. Compromise is the catchword in American politics and the Americans have managed to navigate difficult periods in their history. At this critical juncture in our history, we desperately need a Zimbabwean version of the “great compromise”. The country needs both the MDC Alliance and Zanu PF. No party, MDC Alliance or Zanu PF can take us out of this economic and political quagmire. We are aware that some people are benefiting from this polarity and economic crisis, hence they want it to go on unabated.

Decades of Zanu PF misrule, tyranny, and gross economic incompetence under Mugabe and the 2018 election have deeply divided and polarised our country. The election of 2018 widened the urban and rural divide. A rigid dichotomy now exists between the urban areas controlled by the MDC Alliance and the rural areas still under the stranglehold of Zanu PF. Seemingly, the youth, born after 1980, intensely dislike the generation who participated in the armed struggle. To complicate matters the army viewed by many as the kingmakers are losing the support and goodwill of the people. As Zimbabweans, we do not speak with one voice either domestically or internationally. We sacrifice national interests and values on the altar of sectional and personal interests.

In the context of the unfolding debilitating political and economic crisis and polarisation of our politics we need a Zimbabwean version of the “great compromise”. Our people are suffering and our leaders both in government and opposition do not care. The masses who made heroic sacrifices during our armed revolution have not reaped the full benefits of our armed struggle. It’s for their sake that we urgently need a “great compromise”.

Zanu PF, MDC Alliance, other political parties, civil society, churches, students, and workers must engage in a robust and no-holds-barred national dialogue to unlock this impasse. We have reached a stage where the solutions to the myriad of problems bedevilling Zimbabwe cannot be left to MDC Alliance and Zanu PF alone. This was the mistake of the GNU. The government through Parliament should take the lead in this regard by providing a platform and framework for an inclusive dialogue. The pre-conditions for dialogue set by both MDC Alliance and Zanu PF are unacceptable. We are our own liberators and do not need foreigners to pull us out of our self-inflicted wounds.

MDC Alliance and Zanu PF need to move away from the election mode. People’s lives are at stake here and they are crying for solutions from their leaders. Name-calling and inflammatory statements from hardliners in both MDC Alliance and Zanu PF must cease forthwith.

That is the legacy of Mugabe politics which must be buried in the dustbin of history. MDC Alliance should learn to acknowledge where Zanu PF has done well and respect the institutions of Zimbabwe.

Opposition for the sake of opposition will take us nowhere. Zanu PF as the governing party must behave responsibly and maturely, and stop scorched earth politics. Both Zanu PF and MDC Alliance should understand that politics is a zero-sum game. We are all Zimbabweans. Our differences do not make us enemies.

History will judge harshly the leadership of both Zanu PF and MDC Alliance for their failure to put the country first.

If there is a time in the history of our nation we needed visionary and bold leadership, it is now. Our problem is the lack of leadership at this critical moment in our history.

BY MISHMA CHAKANYUKA

ZIMBABWE recorded a 3% decline in tourist arrivals to 1,115 million in the first half ended June 30, 2019 from 1,148 million arrivals recorded in the same period last year.

During the period under review, the country received most visitors from within Africa and the Middle East region.

Visitors from within Africa increased by 0,3% to 921 324 from a comparative 2018 figure of 919 023, while tourists from the Middle East region grew by 4% to 3 513 visitors from 3 364 recorded in the same period last year.

The European, American, Oceanian and Asian regions recorded a decline in tourists numbers to Zimbabwe.

Europe contributed 79 939 visitors to the total tourist arrivals, a 21% decline from 101 101 tourists recorded in the prior year.

American tourists to the southern African country nosedived 17% from 56 682 to 47 099 tourists in 2019.

Sixteen thousand two hundred and forty-four tourists from Oceania visited Zimbabwe during the period, a 7% drop from a comparative 17 511 visitors that were recorded in 2018.

Zimbabwe also saw a decline in visitors from Asia as the number of tourists was down 6% to 47 223 tourists from 50 433 visitors that were recorded last year.

The country’s tourist arrivals are expected to grow by a minimum of 10% by year end from 2,6 million arrivals recorded last year.

The tourism sector has stagnated, as tourist arrivals growth trajectory has remained steady since the first quarter of the year owing to the struggling domestic economy.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is focusing on growing the tourism industry by expanding the source markets, particularly the overseas markets covering Asia, the United Kingdom and the Americas.

In 2018, the southern African nation recorded a 6% growth in international tourist arrivals to 2,567 million from the 2,4 million received in 2017.

The growth was driven by the notable increase in arrivals from all source regions and most major markets, with the exception of the Americas.

Tourism players have in the past blamed negative country perceptions as contributing to depressed tourist arrivals.

Government’s transitional stabilisation programme identified tourism as a key economic pillar contributing 15% to the gross domestic product from the current 8%.

news reporter

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has impounded an aircraft owned by Air Zimbabwe over an unpaid debt.

Insiders at Air Zimbabwe told TimesLIVE that one of the national airline’s aircraft, a Boeing 767-200, was impounded at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.
This came as Air Zimbabwe was suspended from using the airport due to non-payment of debt.

Air Zimbabwe owes ACSA, South Africa’s airports management company, outstanding fees for landing, parking and passenger service for its flights into Johannesburg.

As a result of the suspension by ACSA, Air Zimbabwe could not operate its Johannesburg-Harare flight on Wednesday and this resulted in some passengers failing to travel while others were accommodated on other airlines.

The seizure of Air Zimbabwe’s aircraft in South Africa, which is the airline’s only operational aircraft after all of its planes were grounded, forced it to cancel its Harare-Johannesburg flight yesterday including its domestic flights between Harare-Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

Air Zimbabwe spokesperson Tafadzwa Mazonde confirmed the seizure of the aircraft stating that airline officials were engaging ACSA to release the aircraft.

“That’s what is happening. It’s a temporary suspension over a cumulative debt. We are in discussion with our shareholder and we are hopeful that we will find a solution,” Mazonde said.
Apart from ACSA, Air Zimbabwe has over the years had its aircraft seized by creditors including Bid Air Services in South Africa and American General Suppliers in London for debts which Air Zimbabwe had neglected to pay.

The seizure of Air Zimbabwe’s aircraft is a new low for the airline which has over the years broken records, including flying with only one passenger as it struggles to restore customer confidence following successive years of mismanagement.
— Timeslive

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

AIM-listed mining group, Vast Resources plc, has inked documentation for a new US$13,5 million financing arrangement which is set to cover the costs of reaching production at both the Baita Plai Mine in Romania and the Chiadzwa diamond project in Zimbabwe.

A United Kingdom-based fund, Atlas Capital Markets, is to be issued US$15 million of secured convertible bonds at 90% of par, and, carrying 5% interest per year. The bonds mature two years after issuance.

Included in the terms is a “non-conversion period” giving protection from equity dilution following the date of the second tranche of bonds — it provides for six months protection after the first tranche and potentially then 12 months after the second tranche of bonds.

“The bonds provide the required capital to enable the company to bring its two core assets, Baita Plai in Romania and the diamond concession in Zimbabwe, into production,” Vast chief executive Andrew Prelea said in a statement yesterday.

“The agreed non-conversion period, the early redemption and cash settlement options give us flexibility and enable us to limit dilution. The Atlas facility will accelerate the start of production at Baita Plai, while we continue to work on the establishment of a long-term finance facility for Baita Plai and other assets in Romania, whether with the Swiss bank or otherwise.

“We are pleased to have established a new relationship with Atlas Capital Markets and look forward to working together.”

Proceeds will be released to Vast in four tranches, tied to cash flow, with the first tranche comprising US$7,1 million of bonds.

The bond funding proposal will require shareholder approval at a general meeting, to be held on November 8.

Vast Resources plc, which also operates gold mines in Zimbabwe, recently signed a joint venture agreement with Chiadzwa Mineral Resources (Pvt) Limited, a company that represents the Chiadzwa community interests in diamond mining.

Vast told investors that the bond financing does not affect the ongoing process with a Swiss bank or other potential financiers and it continues efforts to secure a long-term financing facility for its Romanian assets, including Baita Plai.

business reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is among at least 43 African leaders who have flown to Russia, hoping to take a bite out of that country’s growing commercial interest on the continent.

But he goes there without having solved any of the old gripes that have kept investors, including Russians, at bay; red tape and a cloudy, unstable economic environment. Russia’s trade with Africa almost tripled from US$6,6 billion in 2010 to US$18,9 billion last year, and, at the Russia-Africa Summit, which opened in Sochi on Wednesday, Vladimir Putin is laying out a plan to grow it further.

Over the first five months of 2019, Russia-Zimbabwe trade rose 9,5% year-on-year to US$18,5 million, according to data from the Russian government. Trade in 2018 stood at US$45,9 million, down 13,6% from the previous year.

Snubbed by the West, which he courted earlier in his presidency, Mnangagwa is hoping to convince Russia to expand its interests in Zimbabwe. But this would mean Zimbabwe stepping up to negotiate better than it previously has, and to make itself look attractive as an investment destination.

So far, the Mnangagwa administration has failed on both accounts. Ahead of the summit, Putin has been clear on what Russia expects.

First, African leaders have to come to Sochi with a solid plan of what they really want.

“We expect that our African colleagues, representatives of the business community, will come to Sochi with a solid package of proposals aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, while heads of Africa’s regional organisations will share their ideas as to how we could jointly develop our multilateral co-operation.

We will consider these initiatives with great interest and decide what could be launched right away and what will require further elaboration,” Putin said in an interview with Russian news agency Tass.

Second, like any investor, Russia needs a stable, predictable environment.

“Both Russia and Russian companies have substantial resources. We hope that our partners, in turn, will create the necessary stable and predictable business environment and investment protection mechanisms and ensure favourable investment climate,” said Putin.

On both fronts — presenting specific projects to investors and providing a “predictable” environment — Zimbabwe has not delivered. As we have reported previously, an attempt to sell-off State mining assets failed because the government itself was unsure as to what it was selling.

One plan to cut the red tape, the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Bill, which would reduce the number of doors an investor needs to knock on to enter Zimbabwe, has been allowed to lapse in Parliament, a further sign of the lethargy on reforms under Mnangagwa’s government.

Mike Sango, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Russia, admits that Russian companies have been frustrated by bureaucracy. A joint commission between the two countries, held earlier this year, has not yielded any concrete projects.

“During the Joint Commission we had companies that showed interest in investing in the country and presented projects in the area of energy and mining, but they are still waiting for the responses from our government.

“This is the challenge we have. I briefed the President about this and I hope that he is going to help us address this situation,” Sango said.

According to Sango, Russian investors’ response to Zimbabwe will be determined by the success of two key projects; a platinum venture in Darwendale and the Alrosa diamond investment.

“The success of the two mega projects is critical in attracting other Russian investors. Where big business succeeds, smaller players follow. But, if they fail, no other business will enter that market. It is, therefore, important that these two investors succeed, otherwise other businesses will shy away from the Zimbabwe market,” Sango said.

Below we look at some of the major Russian commercial interests in the country, and where they are on implementation. In January, Alrosa, the world’s largest diamond producer by output, announced that it was investing in a new operation in Zimbabwe.

Alrosa had first showed interest in Zimbabwe in 2014, but the company dropped its interest in investing two years later and let go of its exploration licences in the country. The company renewed its interest after talks with Mnangagwa, early into his term, where they got more assurances and concessions on ownership.

Alrosa’s CEO Sergey Ivanov flew to Harare in April 2018 and held meetings with business executives and Mnangagwa. A diamond policy, announced in December 2018, would allow Alrosa to be one of only four companies allowed to mine diamonds in Zimbabwe. Previously, Zimbabwe had banned all private companies from diamonds. In July, Alrosa signed an MoU with State-owned Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) for exploration and development.

Under that agreement, Alrosa got a 70% controlling stake in the development of greenfield projects, while ZCDC will control the remaining 30%. The split was a concession to Alrosa, as, under the diamond policy, the Zimbabwe government gets to hold 46% of all diamond mining in the country, while local investors own 5% of any new operations.

As part of the ZCDC deal, Alrosa released an initial US$12 million for exploration, which was supposed to start in August. Zimbabwe is desperate to reboot diamond production, which had fallen almost 75% over the past five years.

Great Dyke Investments (GDI), a joint venture between Russian and Zimbabwean investors, plans to develop a mine near Darwendale, expected to produce 860 000 ounces of platinum and gold at peak.

The project’s first phase is expected to cost US$500 million, targeting annual output of 280 000 ounces of platinum group metals and gold. Afreximbank is the mandated lead arranger on the project, a mandate that covers both debt financing and the equity raising to fund Phase 1 of the project. On Tuesday, GDI announced that the target financial close date for the transaction is March 31, 2020.

The project has not been without controversy. At inception, the military had interests in the project, through a company called Pen East Mining, a partnership with ZCDC. The Russian share was held through Vi Holdings, which includes state-controlled industrial conglomerate Rostec Corporation. In May, Bloomberg reported that a Zimbabwe army investment vehicle’s shareholding in the project was putting off potential financiers.

But Mnangagwa said the military had been bought out by a private company, now identified as Kuda Tagwirei’s Landela Mining Ventures, which now owns 50% of the mining venture.
DTZ-Ozgeo and the ‘mafia’

Initially, Alrosa will develop the Chimanimani claims that were previously held by DTZ-Ozgeo, another Russian joint venture. The story of how DTZ-Ozgeo lost the claims, now held by ZCDC, reflects the fears Russians still have over their assets. DTZ-Ozgeo was a joint-venture between the Development Trust of Zimbabwe and Russian firm Econedra. It was one of the diamond miners booted out of diamond mining in 2016 when the government of Robert Mugabe nationalised the diamond fields.

In 2018, appearing before a parliamentary committee, DTZ Ozgeo managing director Victor Kusyla recounted how, in 2016, former Mines minister Walter Chidakwa and his then permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga sent in an armed police unit to take over the operation “mafia style”.

Chemplex: Russian target

Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin has, for over a year, been trying to take over Chemplex, the State-owned chemicals and fertiliser company that owns Zimbabwe’s sole phosphate mine.
Through his company Uralchem, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of ammonium nitrate, Mazepin controls a lucrative share of the global fertiliser market.

In 2013, Mazepin bought an interest in Uralkali, the world’s largest miner of potash, which is used in the manufacture of fertiliser. Uralkali is worth $15 billion. In 2018, the government announced that Chemplex, a unit of the Industrial Development Corporation, was one of the companies to be sold off under the privatisation plan.

Mazepin is one of the bidders, but, more than a year after he first showed interest during a visit to Zimbabwe in February 2018, the deal has not happened. In January this year, Mazepin said he would not accept any deal that gives him a minority interest in Chemplex.

“Well of course I don’t think we’ll agree to less than 50/50…we will not be simple minority shareholders there,” Mazepin said then.

— newZWire

In Russia this week, Mnangagwa held another meeting with Mazepin. Chemplex owns half of the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company, 36% of Sable Chemicals and wholly owns ZimPhos, the only producer of phosphatic fertiliser raw materials in the country. ZimPhos in turn owns Dorowa Minerals, the country’s sole phosphate mine, which is also a major target for Mazepin.

Mazepin is one of Russia’s richest businessmen. According to Forbes, his net worth is $3,2 billion, although various Russian media value him at up to $7,7 billion. Forbes places him in the Top 100 of richest Russians. Mazepin has links to Russia’s top lenders, such as Sberbank, VTB and Renaissance Capital. VTB and RenCap have previously done business in Zimbabwe.

Liberation Mining: ‘Down from the middle’

Liberation Mining, which is partly Russian-owned, has had trouble getting its Lubimbi coal project in Matabeleland North off the ground due to high costs and red tape. Liberation Mining is controlled by Russian businessman Alexander Isaev, co-owner of VostokCoal, one of Russia’s big coal miners.

The company’s MD, Victor Tskhovrebov, has publicly expressed his frustration over red tape and the currency crisis. At a packed mining investment conference in February last year, he got Zimbabwean bureaucrats shifting uncomfortably in their seats when he warned prospective investors, then still excited about Zimbabwe’s prospects, to prepare for bureaucracy and inefficiency. Tskhovrebov has ranked Zimbabwe “slightly down from the middle” on the list of the countries in which his company is invested, in terms of attractiveness. Liberation says it has the potential to haul 15 million tonnes of coal over five years, but for Zimbabwe’s bureaucracy, forex shortages and the collapsed rail system.

— newZWire

BY HUBERT SITHOLE

KINGDOM Embassy church leader and controversial socialite Passion Java, whose 30-day birthday celebrations with a $320 000 budget have raised eyebrows, is in South Africa for a 263 Nights event dubbed All Fly Friday on Friday.

263 Nights, organised by South Africa-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur and promoter Batsirai Masvinge, is a series of premium events held in Sandton and is frequented by elite Zimbabweans living and working in Johannesburg.

Masvinge said he appreciated Java’s role in the entertainment industry in which he has worked with Chillspot Records and supported rising artistes including Enzo Ishall.

“The prophet is a true champion of the arts who works hard to empower youths without fear of being judged by the masses. He has made many dreams come true and flourish and that is a positive attribute which goes in line with our brand, exposing artistes to the world stage,” he said.

Masvinge said tonight Java would be at their new flagship store, 263 Nights on Asanka in Sandton.

The event is hosted by Zim Celebs and over 500 people are expected to attend, with some guests flying in from as far as the United Kingdom.

Chillspot family landed in Johannesburg last Tuesday ahead of a tour of Cape Town.

Over the past years, many celebrities have frequented 263 Nights with high-profile guests such as Nollywood superstar, Mike Ezuruonye, socialite Zari the Boss Lady, Soccer legends Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari, businessmen James Makamba and Tazvi Mhaka as well as high-profile artistes like Mafikizolo, Ex Q, Judgement Yard, Killer T and Ammara Brown.

By NQOBANI NDLOVU

Outspoken Ntabazinduna traditional leader, Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni has stirred new controversy by calling on Zimbabweans to take advantage of the anti-sanctions march tomorrow to call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration to step down for running down the economy.

Sadc member countries have pledged to rally behind Zimbabwe tomorrow in a regional campaign for the lifting of sanctions.

Ndiweni, who claimed to have been speaking on behalf of other traditional leaders in the region said long-suffering Zimbabweans must take advantage of the anti-sanctions march to call on Mnangagwa to step down.

“Those who wish to join the sanctions march on October 25, go out, join the marches and call out loudly for Mnangagwa and his administration to resign because of their failed sanctions strategy,” Ndiweni told journalists in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Ndiweni, a known sharp-tongued government critic, accuses Mnangagwa of rigging his way to victory in the 2018 harmonized elections.

Government has challenged the chief to join the political terrain, accusing him of being an opposition activist.

Ndiweni is currently out of custody on $500 bail pending appeal after he was recently jailed for destroying property worth $300 (US$30) belonging to one of his subject. Ndiweni was serving an 18-month jail term, while his co-accused 23 other villagers were given a community service sentence by a lower court.

“Mnangagwa has failed to manage our economy and now wants us to believe it is because of sanctions. That logic has no credibility. We are formally asking Mnangagwa to do the honourable thing and resign with his administration for they have failed the economy, they have failed this nation, they have failed the people, and they have bankrupted the country,” Ndiweni said. In September, Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Sibusiso Moyo said Zimbabwe has lost over US$70 billion to sanctions imposed by the West and the European Union.

According to Moyo, Zimbabwe lost over US$42 billion in revenue over the past 18 years due to sanctions, US$4,5 billion in bilateral donor support, US$12 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and African Development Bank and a further US$18 billion in commercial loans.

However, Ndiweni said the sanctions must be maintained to force government to reform.

“The current targeted international sanctions must not be removed or relaxed for they are not responsible for the current economic meltdown and social meltdown in Zimbabwe. As long as reforms are not implemented, the targeted sanctions must remain. This is the narrative from the new breed of traditional leaders in Zimbabwe,” Ndiweni said.

“For many years now, the leaders of the Sadc countries have chosen to listen to only the narrative of this administration in Zimbabwe. That course of action has not yielded the required results. Perhaps it is now time that the true narrative of the people of Zimbabwe is given a chance to be heard.

“Should that be agreeable, then the probability is that the Zimbabwean problem may finally be resolved. However, should the Sadc leaders still find issue with the true narrative of the people of Zimbabwe then the Zimbabwean problem will continue.”

By Harriet Chikandiwa

FORMER Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) chief executive Frank Chitukutuku, who was arrested this week on allegations of fraud, will spend more days in custody after Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo deferred his bail ruling to a date to be advised.

Mapfumo deferred the bail hearings following arguments between the State and Chitukutuku’s lawyers over allegations that the accused was a flight risk.

Chitukutuku’s lawyer Jonas Dondo argued that the accused could submit his passport to the clerk of court as surety if bail is granted.

The State argued that there were compelling reasons justifying Chitukutuku’s continued detention as there were fears that he could abscond court or interfere with witnesses.

It is alleged that between January 2009 and May 31, 2016, Chitukutuku being a public officer, corruptly influenced the awarding of contracts worth US$20 million for the rehabilitation of roads to Fremus Enterprisers (Pvt) Ltd without following tender procedures.

The prosecution alleged that Chitukutuku connived with former Zinara technical director Julius Juma to award road works rehabilitation contracts in several rural district councils without following dure process.

The court heard that Chitukutuku had a long list of expensive properties and was also the owner of two renowned companies, Farm Pride (Pvt) Limited and an insurance company, Champions Insurance, which boasts of assets estimated at over US$15 million.

Investigations of where he acquired the money are still in progress and the matter will be ready for trial soon.

By Everson Mushava

Striking doctors have stuck to their guns, snubbing disciplinary hearings called by the Health Services Board, saying they were still financially incapacitated to attend the hearings.

In a letter to Health Services Board chairman Sikhosana Moyo yesterday, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association said: “This serves to inform you that the incapacitated doctors nationwide will not be able to attend the disciplinary hearings and any threats should stop forthwith to pave way for dialogue, provided an offer is made at the interbank rate.”

Doctors downed tools more than 50 days ago citing incapacitation and indicated they would only resume their duties after government has acceded to their demand for United States dollar-interbank rated salaries.

But government has shot down the doctors’ demands, fearing that it could open floodgates for other government workers to clamour for huge salary adjustments to cushion themselves against inflationary pressures.

Government recently took the doctors to court, which ruled that the strike was illegal and ordered them to return to work within 48 hours.

The doctors, however, refused to honour the court ruling, claiming they were not on strike, but incapacitated.

Government then threatened disciplinary action against the doctors, accusing them of refusing to obey a court ruling.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week claimed there was a third force behind the doctors’ strike, a statement dismissed by the medical practitioners.

The doctors yesterday said: “We believe we have not committed any misconduct by demanding a fair living wage.”