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.”

BY HENRY MHARA

DYNAMOS…………………………0
FC PLATINUM…………………..0

DYNAMOS could find themselves in trouble with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after their supporters turned rowdy, protesting against a penalty decision and caused stoppages in yesterday’s league match against FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium.

The game was stopped for 16 minutes as a section of the home supporters rained missiles on the pitch.

Already frustrated after Jarrison Selemani’s goal from a free kick was disallowed for a foul earlier on, the supporters became unruly, protesting over referee Brighton Chimene’s decision to ignore a penalty appeal when striker Evans Katema went down inside the box following a challenge by FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari.

In the ensuing melee, Mhari was pelted by the supporters housed at the Mbare end of the stadium and had to be attended to by his team’s medics before continuing with the game.

The incident happened on the 79th minute and the match only resumed after the Dynamos management, led by chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze, intervened to plead with the supporters.

There were also isolated incidences of missile-throwing by the Dynamos supporters at the Vietnam stand in the first half, as the Glamour Boys’ fans protested against almost every decision by the referees.

The Harare giants are likely to face PSL sanctions for their supporters’ unruly behaviour.

Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya said his team should have been awarded the penalty.

“From where I was sitting, it was a penalty. There was clear contact so any stupid contact in the box is a penalty, but the referee saw otherwise. He was closer to action, but even though from far away and the terraces, it was clear that there was contact. He (Mhari) actually lunged on Evans; he went with his feet and brought down Evans, but at the end of the day he (referee) is the man in charge and can make such decisions, so he decided otherwise.”

Asked about the behaviour of the team’s supporters, Ndiraya said: “I don’t condone such behaviour, but sometimes if you are provoked, what do you do? They thought their team was being treated unfairly, so they are right to do that. What I am not happy about is that, of course, they can voice their anger, but in another way. The era of disturbing play is long gone.

There are other better ways of raising concerns.”

The result was Dynamos’ sixth straight draw, but Ndiraya was impressed with the performance.

“This is a draw which I am satisfied with.”

FC Platinum coach Lizwe Sweswe was happy too to walk away with a point, considering that their rivals in the title race also dropped points.

The first half was a quiet affair with both teams failing to create meaningful chances.

In contrast, the second half was full of incidences. Two minutes into the half, Dynamos had the ball in the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out.

The referee awarded an indirect free kick, but Jarrison fired directly into the nets and Chimene gave a foul.

Then the major highlight of the match arrived when Katema was put through and tried to round off Mhari before going down. The striker was yellow-carded for assimilation, a decision that did not go down well with a section of the home supporters.

Teams

Dynamos: S Chinani, E Jalayi, T Mawadza, T Muringai, T Chisi, R Sackey, A Gutu, Masilelo, Jarrison, E Sadomba (75′), E Katema

FC Platinum: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, G Bello, W Stima, T Chikore, D Chafa (G Nsiala, 63′), R Pavari, G Mbweti, R Chinyengetere, N Tigere (M Dube, 94′), P Chikwende

BY HENRY MHARA

THE Warriors technical team says they are hopeful that they will manage to naturalise all the Europe-born players named in the provisional squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Botswana and Zambia next month.

Coach Joey Antipas yesterday named a 32-member squad which includes seven players born in Europe, who will need to obtain Zimbabwean passports to feature for the Warriors.

These are Douglas Nyaupembe, Tivonge Rushesha, Jordan Zemura and Cliff Moyo playing in lower leagues and developmental sides of English and Welsh. Jonah Fabisch, the son of former Warriors coach Reinhard, who is in the books of Bundesliga side Hamburger SV has also been called up.

Charlton Athletic forward Macauley Borne, who has long been admired by Antipas, has also been included in the squad. The striker, who has already played for Zimbabwe in unofficial matches has publicly stated his desire to feature for the Warriors.

Defender Adam Chicksen of Bolton Wanderers, another player who has played for Zimbabwe in unofficial matches, is also in the 32-man squad.

“We are very hopeful that they will all get the passports,” Warriors manager Wellington Mupandare said yesterday. “I am working with the relevant ministries to make sure that the process is expedited so that all the players selected by the coach will be available.”

Antipas has named what appears to be a very strong squad for the two Group H fixtures, recalling some of the seniors, including Marvellous Nakamba of Aston Villa and skipper Knowledge Musona.

Zimbabwe host Botswana on November 15, before meeting Zambia away four days later. The group also includes African champions Algeria, who the Warriors will meet later in the campaign.

Ronald Pfumbidzai and Tino Kadewere have also bounced back in the squad. The four were overlooked in the team’s 2022 World Cup preliminary round qualifiers against Somalia.

This is the first time that the crew return to the national team since Zimbabwe exited the Afcon finals in June.

Provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka), Martin Mapisa (Velez CF), Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos)

Defenders: Douglas Nyaupembe (Stockport County), Ian Nekati (ZPC Kariba), Tivonge Rushesha (Swansea), Cliff Moyo (Kidderminister Harriers), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows), Adam Chicksen (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic), Teenage Hadebe (Yeni Malatyaspor), Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids), Partson Jaure (Manica Diamonds), Kelvin Moyo (Chippa United)

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United), Butholezwe Ncube (Amazulu), Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa), Ovidy Karuru (Amazulu), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Phenias Bamusi (Caps), Jonah Fabisch (Hamburger SV)

Strikers: Admiral Muskwe (Leicester), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Bidvest Wits), Prince Dube (Highlanders), Knowledge Musona (Anderlecht), Tinotenda Kadewere (Le Havre AC), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Macauley Bonne (Charlton Athletic), Evans Rusike (SuperSport)

BY SPORTS REPORTER

ZIMBABWE’S supreme sports governing body, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) says it will use its powers, as enshrined it its statutes to remove the entire Zimbabwe Netball Association (Zina) leadership from office.

In a statement yesterday, SRC said it would invoke section 30, chapter 25:15 of its constitution, a section which allows the commission to dissolve any national association’s board considered to have failed to comply with the body’s provisions.

“The SRC board, in light of the many controversies affecting the Zimbabwe Netball Association has resolved to institute the appropriate disciplinary action against Zina in terms of section 30 of the SRC Act. Zina has up to November 1, 2019 to respond to the several allegations levelled against it,” SRC said in a statement.

The decision comes barely a month after the SRC revealed that it was probing the operations of the Leticia Chipandu-led Zina board following “allegations of governance shortcomings” in the wake of clashes with national team players during the World Cup in Liverpool over allowances.

Chipandu, a long-serving netball administrator, has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after the Zimbabwe team almost failed to travel for the Africa Netball Cup tournament which ended in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The Gems suffered a walkover defeat against Uganda in their opening match after arriving in Cape Town hours after the scheduled start of their match against the east Africans.

Zimbabwe, whose hopes of a podium finish were virtually ended by the walkover, went on to finish fourth in the tournament after registering wins against Lesotho, Kenya and Zambia in addition to losses against the eventual winners South Africa and runners-up Malawi.

BY NUNURAI JENA

ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . . . (1)1
Highlanders . . . . . . (0)1

Red-hot Highlanders striker Prince Dube, still celebrating his inclusion into the Warriors Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers squad, returned home from the Lesotho expedition to a red card. Despite the talented striker having been sent off by referee Tatenda Bvekerwa, the 10-man Highlanders side managed to steal a point from ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.

Dube, who has been lucky to score in recent matches, was given the marching orders on the stroke of half-time for allegedly stepping on ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Future Sibanda, to spoil his day which had begun well when he was included in the provisional squad for the 2021 Afcon qualifiers next month. The expulsion of Dube led to a five-minute stoppage as players pushed and shoved with Dube appearing to refuse leaving the pitch. It took Highlanders coach Hendrikus Pieter De Jongh’s intervention to knock sense into Dube’s head.

De Jongh had no kind words for the referee.

“Dubes’s expulsion was totally wrong; nothing happened. It is unbelievable … big mistake from the referee,” De Jongh said.

ZPC Kariba took the lead on the 19th minute against the run of play when a long ball found Samuel Makawa who shrugged off a challenge by Mbongeni Ndlovu and Peter Muduwa before slotting the ball beyond Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda’s reach.

Highlanders equalised on the 75th minute through Muduwa. Bosso started well with Andrew Mbeba and Dube giving ZPC defenders a torrid time.

ZPC Kariba coach Godfrey Tamirepi said: “Today, we never kept the ball. Highlanders were the better team even when they were reduced to 10 men,” he said. Tamirepi reckoned that the draw effectively put his side out of the title race.

Teams

ZPC Kariba: F Sibanda, I Nekati, M Kunyarimwe, S Appiah, B Mutukure, B Jury, D Chakupe (T Ranthokoane, 57′), C Muleya, T Nyamandwe, S Makawa, S Gorogodyo.

Highlanders: A Sibanda, M Phiri, A Silla, B Banda (C Siamalonga, 88′), N Masuku, A Mbeba, P Muduwa, M Ndlovu, M Sibanda, P Dube, B Sibanda

BY FORTUNE MBELE

CHICKEN INN………………….(0)1
CAPS UNITED……………………. 0

CAPS United missed the chance of opening a seven-point lead at the top of the log standings after they were beaten by Chicken Inn in a match that was marred by disturbances at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

On a day that their closest rival FC Platinum were held to a nil-all draw by Dynamos in Harare, in an equally chaotic match, Caps needed to win to move closer to the title.

However, they left Bulawayo empty handed and could face sanctions from the Premier Soccer League after their players walked off the pitch protesting against a penalty awarded to the home side in an ill-tempered clash.

Referee Happy Mabhena gave the hosts a disputed penalty which was converted by Passmore Bernard deep into the second half to thrust Chicken Inn back into title matrix.

Some Caps players, notably Carlos Rusere, substitute Blessing Sarupinda and Dominic Chungwa, appeared to be manhandling the referee after the game.

The fracas spilled over to the dressing rooms where windowpanes and doors to the match officials’ changing room were smashed.

With 17 minutes left to the final whistle, Mabhena adjudged that an attacking Obriel Chirinda was impeded inside the penalty box by goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.

The referee’s decision did not go down well with Caps players who protested and walked off the pitch only to be persuaded back by the club’s technical bench. The spot-kick was taken after a six-minute stoppage.

Chicken Inn could have doubled the lead two minutes into stoppage time, but substitute Sipho Ndlovu missed a sitter in a face-to-face encounter with Mateyaunga.

Coach Joey Antipas was excited after his side closed the gap to four points on Caps.

“This brings us back into the equation. I thought we should have blown them into oblivion in the first half because we had so many chances, but the guys did not take their chances. But all-in-all those three points are valuable,” Antipas said.

His counterpart Darlington Dodo was nowhere to be seen after the match in the ensuing commotion as the Caps entourage quickly got into their bus and left.

By Charles Laiton

THE muddled fight between MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and his arch-rival MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe was yesterday put on ice after the Supreme Court reserved judgment in a case where the two are battling for control of the main opposition MDC.

The decision by Justices Paddington Garwe, Antoinette Guvava and Bharat Patel has effectively left the two protagonists hung out to dry, meaning that the matter may never be resolved any time soon.

During the Supreme Court hearing, Khupe had urged the judges’ bench to recognise the opposition’s party structures that existed in 2014 when the opposition party was being led by the late founder Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Khupe made the remarks through her lawyer Lovemore Madhuku while responding to an appeal by Chamisa, who is challenging the decision by the High Court which stripped him of the MDC-T presidency.

In her submission, Khupe said High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore did not misdirect herself when she ruled that the MDC constitution does not provide for the appointment of more than one deputy president as was done by Tsvangirai when he appointed Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri in 2016.

“The High Court was correct to find that the MDC constitution does not provide for the appointment of more than one deputy president … There was no provision for more than one deputy president, hence in 2014, there was only one deputy president, being the third respondent (Thokozani Khupe),” Madhuku said.

He said when Chamisa was appointed acting president during a meeting held in February 2018, it was in violation of the party’s constitution because Khupe was available to act as president during the time Tsvangirai was receiving treatment in South Africa.

Khupe further urged the court to rule in her favour and allow for the holding of the congress, which is supposed to be held in accordance with the party’s constitution.

In his submission, Chamisa, represented by advocate Thabani Mpofu, accused Khupe of acting scandalously by seeking a positive relief in a matter in which she did not participate at the High Court.

Chamisa insisted that the MDC’s constitution provided for the appointment of more than one deputy president and that Justice Mushore’s determination was misdirected, adding that Khupe had since moved on by leading her own party which also held its national congress and, above all, she participated in the July 2018 general elections as MDC-T presidential candidate.

“It’s scandalous that she did not respond to issues raised in the High Court and yet she is now seeking a positive relief from the Supreme Court,” Mpofu said, adding that the judgment of the High Court had been overtaken by events since his client was elected substantive president of the MDC during a congress that was held by the party in May 2019.

Mpofu said Khupe also violated the constitution of the MDC-T by not inviting MDC’s Gokwe Sesame District secretary Elias Mashavira to her congress, him being the one who raised the issue of not having been invited to the national congress that ushered Chamisa into the office of the acting president.

He urged the Supreme Court to remit the matter to the High Court for determination, arguing that the MDC party was barred from the proceedings which led to Mashavira scoring a victory against his party.

Mpofu defended Tsvangirai’s appointment of Chamisa, saying the late founding party leader had the powers to do that considering that he was the leader of the national council, which in itself was “a congress outside congress”.

“The national council has the power to authorise the president to make appointments of deputies regardless of the absence of the enabling provisions…,” he said.

Mashavira’s lawyer Ashell Mutungura also submitted that the High Court did not err when it made a decision that Chamisa was unconstitutionally appointed.

By Everson Mushava

UNITED States (US) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, has dismissed government claims that Western sanctions were behind the country’s economic meltdown, saying the haemorrhage was being fuelled by high-profile corruption, economic mismanagement, policy inconsistency and failure to respect human rights, among other vices.

In an opinion piece exclusively written for NewsDay, Nichols said those vices were holding the country back.His statement comes as government has declared tomorrow a public holiday to campaign for the unconditional lifting of the sanctions.

Government claims sanctions were blocking lines of credit and trade.Sadc countries have also pledged to observe the day in solidarity with Harare to pressure the European Union and US to lift the sanctions which were imposed following gross human rights abuses and electoral fraud during the late former President Robert Mugabe’s rule.

The US government in March this year extended the sanctions by a year, saying they would only be lifted after President Emmerson Mnangagwa has honoured his reform pledge.

“Blaming sanctions is a convenient scapegoat to distract the public from the real reasons behind Zimbabwe’s economic challenges — corruption, economic mismanagement, and failure to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law,” Nichols said.

“What then is holding Zimbabwe back? It’s not sanctions. There are only 141 Zimbabwean people and companies on the US sanctions list. That’s right, just 141, in a country of 16 million. They are on the list for good reason.”

He added: “There is no US trade embargo on Zimbabwe. American companies are interested in investing in Zimbabwe, but are deterred by the massive levels of corruption, economic uncertainty, and weak rule of law. So, investors turn to other promising opportunities in the region and wait for the country to embrace the political and economic reforms that would make it a more attractive destination.”

Nichols said the greatest sanctions on Zimbabwe were the limitations the country was imposing on itself.Nichols said Zimbabwe is ranked 160 out of 175 nations on Transparency International’s corruption list.

The US envoy chronicled a lot of corrupt activities by government fatcats, including the missing US$2,8 million earmarked for the Command Agriculture programme, and how American companies were unceremoniously elbowed out of the Dema Power project after winning the tender in 2016, and replaced by Sakunda Holdings.

He also cited scandals at the Zimbabwe National Road Authority and Zesa Holdings, where millions of dollars could not be accounted for.

“Corruption is at the heart of why Zimbabweans are suffering through prolonged power outages. It’s not sanctions. It’s a betrayal of the public trust,” Nichols charged.

He declared that Zimbabwe loses more than US$1 billion per year to corruption, which is a huge figure considering that the country’s entire economy is just around US$26 billion.
He said if government was serious about fighting corruption, the country’s laws should be applied evenly and enforced.

If the government managed to do that, then State coffers would be full and the economy humming, he further averred.The US envoy said Mnangagwa’s administration must also resolve several reports of abductions and human rights violations recorded in the past few months.

Meanwhile, NewsDay yesterday gathered that government had extended a begging bowl to the corporate sector and well-wishers to fund its ambitious anti-sanctions march pencilled for tomorrow, and commandeered all students not sitting for public examinations and staff to organise own transport to the venues.

Teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed that government had ordered all pupils not writing public examinations to attend the national and provincial anti-sanctions marches without fail.

Zanu PF structures, meanwhile, have been moving around the country soliciting for financial support to fund the campaign which is expected to gobble at least $4 million.

In an undated letter signed by one T Beto on behalf of Chipinge State Occasions Committee, members of the Chipinge Dairy Farmers Association were asked to provide diesel to transport people to Chipinge for the march, while several provinces, including Harare, have received similar requests.

“Chipinge district has taken a stance to support the solidarity march whose main event will be in Harare, with a similar one being held in Chipinge,” part of the letter on a Local Government ministry letterhead read.

“In view of the above, we have been assigned as the district fundraising committee subcommittee to mobilise diesel for vehicles to ferry members of Chipinge community to the historical event.”

The letter added: “We thus unite to request for your support in providing the committee with diesel to fuel vehicles that will transport people to the event.”

In Harare, Primary and Secondary Education secretary Tumisang Thabela wrote to provincial education director Christopher Kateera on October 15, advising that government had requested the release of about 2 304 students and teachers for mass display performances at the main anti-sanctions march.

“You are requested to ensure availability of the learners and their teachers for this important government event without disrupting examinations that are already under way.”

Teachers’ unions also leaked a WhatsApp message that was also ordering schools to release general hand staff for the anti-sanctions march, with the respective schools expected to foot their transport and food bills.

Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi yesterday said teachers were civil servants and obliged to support government work.

“The anti-sanction is a State event and Public Service has the right to compel teachers (to attend). It is not a partisan event, it is a national event,”Mutodi said.

“It is ignorance or the lack of understanding by those teachers and I doubt their credentials. These are State events and they are required to participate.

“Teachers have been advocating for the higher salaries and government has not been able to pay them because of those sanctions.”

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

THE Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) national breed sale 2019 registered a growth, with total of 205 breeding animals sold, the highest number since 2012, mainly due to the increased number of heifers.

In its latest report, ZHB indicated that the 2019 national breed sales were by all accounts a tremendous success.

A total of 205 breeding animals were sold, including three boer goat bucks, 97 bulls and 105 heifers.

“The average prices were significantly higher than last year, reflecting devaluation of the local currency,” ZHB said.

The top price was for a Ruvale Brahman bull bred by the Pilossof family, which sold for a whopping $172 000, followed by $75 000 for another Brahman bull, again bred by the Pilossofs.

The third highest price of $60 000 was paid for a red Brahman bull bred by a Mr Sibanda, Little Beatrice Brahman Stud.

Bidding for heifers was firm, ZHB noted.

Remarkably, average prices in real terms also remained firm at US$3 226 for bulls and US$1 494 for heifers, using exchange rates of 1,5; 2,2 and 10:1 for 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively despite the prevailing macro-economic conditions and the severe drought.

Bulls from six beef breeds were on offer and Simmental had the highest average price per bull ($35 143) followed by Brahman ($33 952) and Beefmaster ($32 333).

ZHB noted that most of the heifers on offer were Brahman which averaged $14 018 while the four Boran heifers sold for an average of $28 000.

Last year, Zimbabwe’s annual premier breeding livestock auction saw the price for the most expensive beast in the bulls category vault 195% to US$24 000 up from the US$8 400 recorded at 2017’s edition.

ZHB was established through an Act of Parliament in 1980 to maintain the registry for all stud breeders, who produce pure genetic animals, by collecting all requisite information, performance figures and making sure rules and regulations of respective breed societies are respected and adhered to.