ZIFA have embarked on their ambitious project of constructing a multi-million-dollar hotel as part of its promised revenue-generation projects to ensure self-sustainability of the football federation.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The local soccer controlling body yesterday invited investors for the development of the hotel and conference facility at its Mt Hampden stand located near the new Parliament building.

Zifa president Felton Kamambo in his election manifesto promised that the association would build a hotel to ease accommodations challenges for all national teams as part of their development agenda.

Although his reign, since taking over in December 2018, has been characterised by squabbles emanating from power struggles, which threatened to alienate the game from the corporate world, Kamambo appears to be walking the talk as he pushes to take the game forward.

Dismissed by critics as a wild dreamer, the latest development signals thought leadership, determined to develop the Zimbabwean game.

Acting Zifa vice-president Philemon Machana said because of the strategic location of the Zifa Village, which is only a stone’s throw from the new Parliament building, site of the new city, they saw a good business opportunity and decided to embark on the project.
“We saw a business opportunity because of its strategic location. What informed us to venture into this project was that we were receiving offers from companies which wanted to partner us in the project. So we saw it as a good business opportunity because of the strategic location of the Zifa Village. Once it is completed, the association will generate revenue through dividends,” Machana said.

According to the advertisement, Zifa is seeking serious local or international bidders to be considered for the engineering, procurement and construction of the proposed hotel on an agreed BOT (build and operate transfer) arrangement.

The South African Police Service (Saps) on Tuesday night intercepted a consignment of Zimbabwean-made Pacific Blue cigarettes and banned skin creams worth about R14,5 million being smuggled into their country.

BY REX MPHISA

The contraband was intercepted at the Groblersbrug Border Post between Botswana and South Africa, some 270km south-west of Beitbridge in the Limpopo province.

The Hawks, South Africa’s police crack unit, also arrested two Zimbabwean women found with explosives — emulsion blasting cartridges and case fuses — with an estimated street value of over R1,2 million.

In a Press statement on Wednesday night, Saps Limpopo province spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said: “On Tuesday night, February 11, 2020, Saps intercepted two trucks at about 2150 hours and arrested three suspects. This was after they were found transporting illicit creams and cigarettes worth R14,5 million.

“The two trucks approached the border post from Botswana and as a routine after crossing into South Africa, the drivers were directed towards the searching bay.”

He said 521 boxes containing various skin lightening creams namely Betasol, Diproson, Epiderm, Movate, Lemonvate and Extra Clear valued at R13 518 960 and 30 cartons of Pacific Blue cigarettes valued at R4 473,19 were recovered.

“The suspects, aged between 39 and 47, are expected to appear in Phalala Magistrates Court soon,” Mojapelo said.

It is suspected the cigarettes, which formed a small part of the contraband, were first smuggled into Botswana and were now being taken to South Africa’s lucrative illicit markets.

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials have in the past intercepted millions of dollars worth of cigarettes at the country’s borders with Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa.

The two Zimbabwean women found with R1,2 million worth of explosives were arrested in the north-eastern town of Thohoyandou near the Kruger National Park. They also face a charge of border jumping.

“The Limpopo Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team have arrested two women aged 27 and 41 for unlawful possession of explosives in Thohoyandou on Wednesday February 12, 2020,” said a Saps statement.

“The team received a tip-off about two women from Zimbabwe who were in possession of explosives destined for Gauteng. The two people matching the description of the suspects were spotted in one of the lodges in Thohoyandou and their movements were constantly monitored.

“The suspects were arrested as they were about to board a bus to Gauteng. Explosives, emulsion blasting cartridges and case fuses with the estimated street value of over R1,2 million were seized.”

The suspects were expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrates’ Court yesterday on charges of unlawful possession of explosives and contravention of the Immigration Act.

For the first time in more than two decades, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) will host two English County sides in a development that signals normalisation of relations between England and Zimbabwe cricket.

By sports reporter

England has not toured Zimbabwe since 2004 while Zimbabwe last visited UK in 2003 before the England Cricket Board officially cut ties with ZC in 2008.

The only time the two countries have played each other since 2004, in any format, was in the 2007 World T20 finals in South Africa when they were drawn in the same pool.

Yesterday, ZC released a statement confirming the two sides’ tours after the story first appeared in our sister paper The Standard.

With Scotland also set to tour Zimbabwe in the next few months, the developments point towards England finally working on lifting its cricket sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s failure to host England, who are one of the cash cows of international cricket, has exacerbated their financial problems.

Having accepted ZC’s invitation, Derbyshire and Durham will play across three formats in matches against local select opposition in Bulawayo and Harare respectively.

The last county team to officially visit Zimbabwe was Worcestershire in March-April 1997.
Led by former Zimbabwe captain and coach Dave Houghton, who is their head of cricket, Derbyshire will be touring the country for the first time and will face a Zimbabwe Select side in two T20 matches, two 50-over games and two three-day fixtures at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Durham, who toured Zimbabwe in the 1991/92 season, will play two three-day matches versus the Chairman’s XI at Harare Sports Club in the capital.

ZC director of cricket Hamilton Masakadza hailed the county tours as a massive boost for the game in Zimbabwe.

“We are thrilled to be hosting Derbyshire and Durham. The magnitude and importance of their visit cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

“While our players will learn big lessons and gain invaluable experience from playing against such top opposition, we believe this marks the beginning of a new chapter that will hopefully see more English county teams touring Zimbabwe as that will go a long way in preparing our players for the rigours of high-level and international cricket.”

Zimbabwe Select versus Derbyshire
First T20: March 14 Queens Sports Club,
Second T20: March 15 Queens Sports Club
First One-dayer: March 17 2020 Queens Sports Club,
Second One-dayer: March 19 Queens Sports Club
First Three-dayer: March 21-23 Queens Sports Club,
Second Three-dayer: March 25-27 Queens Sports Club
Chairman’s XI versus Durham
First Three-dayer: March 19-21 Harare Sports Club,
Second Three-dayer: March 25-27 Harare Sports Club

CIVIL society activist Dumisani Nkomo has said Zimbabwe needs “new politics” which is independent from the ruling Zanu PF, opposition MDC, Zapu and other political parties if the country is to progress.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU/SHARON SIBINDI

Nkomo, who is also the chief executive officer of faith-based Habbakuk Trust, last week launched a book titled No Holds Barred, a collection of cutting-edge political articles he authored.

In an interview on the sidelines of the book launch, Nkomo stopped short of saying he was ready to join active politics, preferring to say “not now”.

“Everyone, according to the Constitution, has the right to political thought and writing is one way of expressing themselves. So I want to contribute towards the body of politics of the country, towards the body of knowledge in terms of ideas,” he said.

“Again, we need a new politics instead of just partisan Zanu PF, MDC, MRP, Zapu and so forth. It must be a politics of ideas.

“That’s why I am saying let’s engage each other based on ideas, not just propaganda or slogans. If you ask an ordinary person what is the difference between MDC and Zanu PF they cannot tell, but that should be distinguishable through writing.”

When asked whether he was preparing to join active party politics, Nkomo said: “I consider myself an activist and I will see, not now, maybe, one day maybe … The objective of this book is not to build my career into politics, but contribute my ideas to the marketplace of ideas where ideas compete.”

Nkomo’s book covers various issues, but principally analyses citizens’ participation, elections, service delivery, the revival of Bulawayo, devolution and local governance.

YOUTH, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry says the country has hidden gems that must be unearthed, polished and showcased to the world.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

The former swimming gold medalist made the remarks on Twitter as she posted a video of pupils dressed in national flag colours dancing to the popular Mbende-Jerusarema at Murewa Arts Centre.

Mbende-Jerusarema is a popular dance style practiced by the Zezuru people living in the Murewa and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe districts in north-eastern Zimbabwe.

“Art keeps our culture alive, and these children at Murehwa Arts Centre are leading by example. We have hidden gems throughout Zimbabwe that must be unearthed, polished and shown to the world #MbendeJerusarema,” she said.

The Mbende-Jerusarema dance was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, but was originally proclaimed in 2005.

The dance is characterised by sensual and acrobatic movements by women in unison with men, driven by a single poly-rhythmic drummer accompanied by men playing woodblock clappers and women hand clapping, yelling and blowing whistles.

Unlike other drum-based East African dance styles, Mbende-Jerusarema does not rely on intricate foot stamping or many drummers.

Instead, the music is performed by one master drummer, and no songs or lyrics are involved.

The success story of the groups from the province is attributed to the numerous programmes being conducted to promote the cultural dance.

The Mbende-Jerusarema festival that is held annually in Murewa has contributed much to the birth of a number of serious dance groups from the province.

The decorated swimmer-cum-minister is, however, under fire from the creative industry amid claims that she has failed to live up to expectation of robustly transforming the arts and culture sector.

When she was appointed minister by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2017, there was a lot of anticipation, particularly from the long-neglected arts and culture sector.

Among the expectations under the new dispensation were that the government was going to pay attention to the sector and create an enabling environment to make the sector operate along business lines and become profitable.

FC Platinum have continued their shopping spree with the addition of two Democratic Republic of Congo nationals to their squad.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

The two players – defender Felly Mulumba and striker Ellie Ilunga – were unveiled together with Silas Songani in Zvishavane yesterday.

The Congolese pair joins their compatriot Gyve Nsiala who has already established himself at the club.
Mulumba was the captain of Kenyan top-flight side Bandari FC and has played in the same league for Sofapaka and Posta Rangers.

Pure Platinum play have been on a serious recruitment drive as they look to strengthen the squad after their lack of quality was exposed in the Caf Champions League where they ended with just one point.

So far, they have made a staggering 11 signings and have already shown that they are serious after pinning down the highly-rated Songani, who joined from Danish side Sydvest, as coach Pieter de Jongh aims to make the Zvishavane side a local and regional football powerhouse.

Sources at FC Platinum told NewsDay Sport that more foreign players were expected in Zvishavane as De Jongh attempts to build a squad strong enough to last the distance in the African safari. Their last two group stage appearances were forgettable as they managed a combined three points.

Last time, they managed two goals, which performance has triggered their extravagant spending on the market as they target more domestic glory and an improved show on the continent ahead of the 2020-21 Caf Champions League campaign.

De Jongh has been looking to get better forwards so that they can improve on their chances of creation and conversion.

Newcomers Songani, Kiyana Ilunga, Ralph Kawondera and Stanley Ngala’s arrival is likely to help them in that regard.

The likes of Lameck Nhamo, Rahman Kutsanzira and Gift Mbweti could find themselves edging towards peripheral roles.

Masvingo High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze is today set to deliver his ruling on whether or not MDC vice-chair and Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala will stand trial for treason.

By Tatenda Chitagu

Mawadze, who presided over the matter early this month, reserved ruling on Sikhala’s application for exception to the charge.

Sikhala is being accused of contravening section 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he allegedly uttered the words, “We will overthrow President Mnangagwa before 2023” at a campaign rally ahead of a by-election in Bikita last year.

He is out on $5 000 bail.

While applying for exception to the charge, Sikhala’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said the charges were vague, meaningless and did not establish the essential elements recognised by the law according to section 180 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Mtetwa argued at the start of the trial that Sikhala’s utterances did not constitute a crime and according to the charge sheet, putting the accused on trial would be unfair as nobody knows the allegations raised and according to the section under which Sikhala is being charged, he did not call for the unconstitutional removal of the President and neither did he call for the unlawful removal of government.

The human rights lawyer said Mnangagwa alone was not government.

But prosecutor Tawanda Zvekare opposed the application for exception, saying Sikhala used the word overthrow and had, therefore, called for a coup against Mnangagwa before elections.

If Justice Mawadze shoots down Sikhala’s application, the opposition politician will have to stand trial.

If convicted, the MDC top official faces at least 20 years in jail without the option of a fine.

AFRO-JAZZ musician Brian Nyahuma is set to serenade lovers at a Valentine’s dinner dance tonight to promote health awareness among couples at Splendour Gardens in Harare.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style recently, the artiste said the show, running under the theme, Tora Rudo in a Healthy Faithful Lifestyle will also raise funds for young cancer patients.

Nyahuma, who fronts the African Pride band, said the cancer awareness event, which comes 10 days after the country commemorated World Cancer Day, would educate couples on how to handle the chronic disease better.

“Cancer patients are stigmatised due to lack of knowledge. Some people think that cancer is contagious. They fear to get close to people with cancer, which makes cancer patients live uncomfortably. I decided to hold this show and educate people on issues concerning cancer,” he said.

The jazz crooner, who is also a health advocate and awareness campaigner, said music was considered to be a powerful tool as it played a significant role in disseminating health related information.

“As couples are sharing their love and time together this is the right time to pass my message to them through singing. I grew up with mixed conceptions of the disease as I thought only women could be diagnosed with cancer, only to realise later that even men can be as well. This is when i thought it is right to educate people about cancer,” he said.

Nyahuma has dedicated his career to singing about issues affecting society including child marriages.

“I have songs on child marriages that advocate for girls’ rights to education. In my other tracks there are songs which give people hope when they are faced with various situations,” he said.

Nyahuma was groomed and mentored by renowned jazz artiste and instrumentalist Clive “Mono” Mukundu. Some of the albums under his belt are So They Say (2007), Ndingatii Zvangu (2009), Hausi Wega (2011), Yambirika Listen (2013) and Toyambukira (2016).

LOCAL governance expert, Vincent Chakunda on Wednesday said the Constitutional Amendment Bill currently under public scrutiny was meant to consolidate dictatorship by the Zanu PF government and should never be allowed to be passed into law.

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

Speaking in Gweru at a public finance management workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd), Chakunda said the amendments particularly that of limiting Parliament’s oversight on foreign agreements that impose fiscal obligations on the country would plunge the country into deeper international debt.

“These amendments are meant to consolidate dictatorship by giving too much power to the President,” Chakunda said.

“There are no justifications for these amendments because they further weaken Parliament. And in particular the amendment we are focusing on today (at workshop) to limit Parliament’s power to approve international treaties is bad for good governance as the august House’s oversight role to monitor government expenditure and the country’s debt would be greatly affected.”

Chakunda added: “By agreeing to such an amendment we will be simply mortgaging future generations. Such a move will see the Executive going on borrowing sprees without Parliament approval and further burdening the already over-burdened taxpayer.

“Civil society and other stakeholders should mobilise and reject the amendments because they are against good governance and must never be passed into law.”

Speaking at the same meeting, human rights defender Jasper Maposa said the Executive should never be allowed to enter into unchecked fiscal obligations that affect the citizens.

He said the country was already trapped in debt and could not afford to sink into more financial challenges. The government has an external debt of US$11,5 billion and a domestic debt of around US$8,5 billion.

Gweru lawyer Wellington Davira chipped in: “If Parliament has limited powers on foreign agreements the President would solely decide the economic status of this country and it’s not healthy.”

NOBUNTU and its parent company, 10th District Music, have revealed that two of the group members, Zanele Manhenga and Heather Dube will be taking leave from the group because they are expecting to deliver babies this year.

BY SHARON SIBINDI

In a Press release, 10th District Music/Nobuntu director, Dumisani Ramadu Moyo said the two will not join the team during the September to December tour of the United States and they will be replaced by two other female artistes.

“The two mothers-to-be will not be joining the rest of the team on tour during the September-December season as they will be attending to their parental duties,” Moyo said.

“In the absence of Zanele and Heather, two seasoned performers Patience Maseko and Thandy Dhlana, will fill in their shoes.”

He said Thandy and Patience have been working with the group at instances that required one member to be relieved.

“Both Thandy and Patience have established music and performance careers,” he said.
Moyo said Nobuntu meant “mother of humanity” and hence the group was driven by the core principles of love, unity and family.

“We value the gift of life and consider this special occasion not only as a blessing to the expectant mothers alone, but to Nobuntu Music and 10th District as a whole,” he said.
Moyo said the duo will, however, be part of the Canada and Bermuda trips from February 23 to 29.