Editorial Comment

AS far as this country’s statutes are concerned, civil servants’ wages and benefits are not a secret to the extent that they should actually be published in the Government Gazette. It does not matter whose salary and benefits they are, from the President down to the lowest-paid public worker, their earnings should be publicly known.

It then comes as a huge surprise that government, through Treasury, appears to be clandestinely and unevenly awarding its workers. It appears it is favouring a few lucky one while the majority – who include doctors, nurses and teachers, are being left to stretch their meagre earnings beyond the impossible.

Revelations that the country’s magistrates have been awarded hefty salaries and allowances at a time the government is at odds with the bulk of its workforce over the same smacks of serious duplicity. And the chief magistrate’s attempts to conceal the deal and his disappointment that the information had leaked have exposed the government. The whole issue is an indictment on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promise to promote transparency and good governance. Many questions are now emerging. What else is happening behind the scenes along government corridors?

Why is government using divide and rule tactics on its workforce? Why has the government decided to be so brazenly dishonest? Is it now a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing?

What is also quite worrying about this issue is that in his letter to rebuke those who had leaked the secret salary award, the chief magistrate sounds as if what he and his principals have done is above board.

“I refer to my correspondence to all of you on Friday October 4, 2019. In that correspondence, I attached a schedule indicating the new structure of regional magistrates’ salaries and other allowances. I exhorted all of you to counsel colleagues to ensure that the information did not end up being distributed to persons who have nothing to do with it. Contrary to that exhortation and ethical conduct expected, I am advised that the information is awash on social media platforms.

Please, advise all regional magistrates that the Chief Justice and the secretary for Judicial Service Commission are both concerned about this lack of respect for the office of regional magistrate. I pray that this unreasonableness does not return to disadvantage magistrates in future remuneration discussions,” the chief magistrate is reported to have written.

So, what is ethical and just about this whole issue, if we may ask? We would have thought, being the custodians of the rule of law, the judiciary would not be swayed to accept under the table wage and allowance offers. We expect better conduct from our judiciary and we never thought they would stoop this low and accept to be secretly pampered at the expense of fellow civil servants.

BY SILAS NKALA

BINDURA magistrate Langton Ndokera has acquitted a local resident, Saymore Mashorokoto, who was on trial for blaming President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the country’s deteriorating political and economic situation.

Mashorokoto was arrested after publicly calling on Mnangagwa to hand over power to opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.

During trial, the prosecution alleged that the 45-year-old Mashorokoto, who was charged with contravening section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, had acted in a disorderly conduct.

They alleged that Mashokorokoto had used threatening, abusive, or insulting words intending to breach peace.

But Ndokera on Thursday acquitted Mashorokoto, who was represented by Tinomuda Shoko and Blessing Nyamaropa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), after ruling that the evidence presented in court by the State did not warrant a conviction.

Ndokera also stated that before bringing such cases to court, police should seriously consider the impact they pose to the country.

Meanwhile, an MDC Alliance councillor in Bindura has denied charges of disorderly conduct after he allegedly stated that Mnangagwa had run down the economy and caused untold suffering to the citizens.

Brian Kembo denied the charge on Wednesday when he appeared before magistrate Maria Musika.

The prosecution alleged that Kembo (36), who is represented by Idirashe Chikomba of ZLHR, engaged in disorderly conduct when he allegedly stated that several people in Zimbabwe were stressed owing to Mnangagwa’s failure to fix the country’s economic crisis after winning the 2018 presidential election.

The prosecution claimed that Kembo boarded a commuter omnibus on October 24 last year, where during a conversation with another passenger, blamed Mnangagwa for failing to alleviate the current economic crisis, which has seen a spike in the cost of living.

According to a ZLHR report, two witnesses have testified against Kembo, who was remanded out of custody to October 24, when Musika is expected to make a ruling on his application for discharge.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

NEW chairperson of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has called on governments to impose mandatory disclosure of assets laws on MPs and public officials to promote transparency and accountability.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga made the remarks during a Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) policy dialogue for MPs and journalists held in Harare on Thursday, where stakeholders were brainstorming on the implementation of recommendations made by parliamentary portfolio committees and the Auditor-General.

“Section 198 of the Constitution demands that Parliament must come up with a law to ensure public officers make regular disclosure of their assets because people are living beyond their means,” she said.

“Some MPs that came to Parliament from 2000 are divorcing — and the amounts of properties that they would have acquired are very frightening. You find a young MP who joined Parliament soon after college and they had no job, but they now own very expensive properties and vehicles.

“Parliamentary Standing Rules and Orders require disclosure of assets and, as APNAC, we have noted that some MPs have disclosed their assets while others have not. We are saying that disclosure of assets should be done in public and not in the Speaker of the National Assembly’s office to enhance accountability.”

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said APNAC would strengthen parliamentarians’ fight against corruption and even initiate private members’ Bills to ensure anti-corruption laws are tightened. For example, Misihairabwi-Mushonga said there is need for a Whistleblowers’ Act.

Budget and Finance Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson Felix Mhona said while Parliament was working on the clock to expose corruption through its committees, the issue of executing the findings and recommendations was the prerogative of the Executive, while the Judiciary interpreted the laws in order to enforce prosecution.

Mhona said currently, the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill was before Parliament and public hearings would be held on it, adding that people must interrogate it during public hearings.

Member of the Public Accounts Committee and APNAC’s Willas Madzimure said the committee would have a no-nonsense attitude towards corrupt people, adding that its recent reports recommended firing of corrupt government officials.

BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

FORMER Miss Zimbabwe and RnB songstress Vanessa “Queen Vee” Sibanda could make waves as a fashionista as she is now complimenting her music artistry with fashion through the Queen Vee Couture line when off the stage.

Also referred to as Zimbabwe’s queen of bling, Queen Vee is known for living a lifestyle that could easily match some of Hollywood’s famous superstars.

The Mari hit-maker is set to cause a stir with her unusual outfit which she has been hinting on ahead of the launch of the video for her recently released single Vavengi, which also features the bad boy of local dancehall, Souljah Love.

Queen Vee posted on her Facebook page pictures from the video wearing a red shear dress, a hat like those worn in ancient times, Chinese spread wings and covers, complementing long gold nails.

Speaking to NewsDay Weekender Life & Style, Queen Vee, who is also a fashion designer, said she has been making the outfits for her video on her own in a bid to improve her talent in fashion designing.

“This is just Queen Vee stepping up her couture game. I love fashion and the outfit resembles the way I want to be remembered, as a fashion icon. The video has outfits that are out of this world and I am just trying to claim my throne as the queen,” she said.

The songstress added that the need to differentiate herself from other artistes made her to start making her own outfits which was then complimented by her fashion experience.

“The idea of staying different and bold led me to start creating my own stuff, my fashion background however always plays a big role when it comes to fashion. I don’t like normal things, I like to be different and daring when it comes to fashion and I like to set my own exclusive trends,” she said.

Queen Vee said she has been building her own fashion label which is, however, not yet ready for public consumption.

“I have a brand called the Queen Vee Couture that I have been building for some time now. However, it is not ready for the public yet, but for the time being I just want to make more stuff for myself, showcase the brand in my music and when the time is right I will take it to the world,” she said.

Since venturing into ymusic, Queen Vee has been breaking ground, especially with her videos which have been aired on international music channels like Channel O, MTV Base and Trace.

BY FARAI MATIASHE

Zimbabwe Gender Commission chief executive officer Virginia Muwanigwa has called on government to work hand-in-hand with civil society organisations (CSOs) to raise awareness and educate young girls about their constitutional rights.

She said this while speaking at the International Day of the Girl Child commemorations organised by Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) and the Canadian embassy in Harare yesterday.

“To all stakeholders, including the government, churches, civil society groups and the media, I urge you to raise awareness about the Constitution to the girls. They need to know their rights. I have heard there are (moves towards) translating it. You should distribute copies,” she said.

“When young girls know their rights, they will be able to challenge and seek justice when their rights are violated, like the Constitution guarantees the right to education, health and so forth.
When a girl child knows that she is not supposed to be married off early and such happens to her, then she will be able to speak up.”

SYS director Ekenia Chifamba said they had brought in successful women to inspire young girls and to create opportunities for them.

“We have created a platform where these women can actually come through as mentors, as an inspiration to the young girls that whatever they have gone through, they can be successful,” she said.

SYS also launched a pad bank programme to mobilise sanitary ware for the young girls.

By Harriet Chikandiwa

FORMER Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) board vice-chair, Idah Mupamhanga, appeared in court yesterday facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Mupamhanga (62) appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Christopher Maturure, who granted her $100 bail.

It is alleged that on June 21, 2016, ZimParks, through its then commercial services director Tarisai Musonza, wrote to Mabalengwe Safaris, represented by Rodgers Madanhure, advising them not to renew their lease agreement for Matetsi Unit 1 — a hunting concession in Victoria falls — which was expiring at the end of that year.

The reason was that they had operated for a stipulated period of 10 years, according to section 37b of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14.

The court heard that Madanhure wrote back to ZimParks seeking an extension of the lease, but he was advised by Musonza that the concession would be auctioned to the public.

It is alleged that Mupamhanga, without a board resolution, unlawfully instructed the ZimParks legal department to prepare a memorandum of agreement of leasing Matetsi Unit 1 hunting concession.

It is alleged that Mupamhanga unlawfully received US$10 000 from Madanhure.

Upon receipt of the money, she allegedly concealed the transaction from the ZimParks board and transferred the money from her bank account into ZimParks account without disclosing to the board the nature of the transaction.

It is alleged that sometime in January 2017, Mupamhanga, without the knowledge of the board, entered into another memorandum of agreement to lease 19 Zambezi Lodges between ZimParks and Adage of Success (PVT) Ltd citing under-utilisation by ZimParks.

The court heard that in the same year, Mupamhanga called for a meeting which was attended by senior ecologist Roselyn Mandisodza and the then acting director-general Godfrey Matipano and told them that she wanted to venture into gold exploration inside protected areas to fund wildlife conservations.

Without the knowledge of the board, Mupamhanga allegedly instructed Mandisodza to look for a quotation for a metal detector and the ecologist obtained a quotation and proforma invoice of $11 000 from Excelight Investment.

The court heard that Mupamhanga instructed Mandisodza to advise the suppliers to split the amount and make two quotations.

Mandisodza was instructed to collect the metal detector for immediate use in detecting gold deposits in the ZimParks area.

It is alleged that Mupamhanga converted the gold detector to her own personal use.

The matter came to light after an audit was carried out and it was discovered that the purchase of the metal detector was not in line with the core business of ZimParks and it was also discovered that the proforma invoice was split into two to avoid going to tender.

THE Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (Lmac) has said the maximum bank lending limit of $50 million for each project is inadequate to finance cropping by major contracting companies for the new season due to escalating costs.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

In its latest update, Lmac said inflationary pressures, predominately driven by exchange rate depreciation, continue to characterise the operating environment and as such, farmers would find it difficult to put more hectarage under crops this season.

“The principal concern for the forthcoming season is the tight liquidity on the market. Farmers estimate that in local currency terms, the nominal amount required to cover a fixed hectarage is 13 times higher than that needed a year ago,” read part of the update.

“This will severely constrain producers as the maximum bank lending limit of $50 million for each project is inadequate to finance cropping by major contracting companies for the new season,” it said.

Lmac said estimated maize stocks were currently at 400 000 tonnes and to date, intake of maize by the Grain Marketing Board amounted to 150 000 tonnes, while monthly draw-down is between 100 000 to 120 000 tonnes.

Framers have already painted a gloomy picture for the upcoming 2019/20 agricultural season due to the high cost of inputs and electricity shortages, among other challenges, raising fears of yet another poor harvest next year.

They said their preparations were being curtailed because of the high cost of inputs.
The council also revealed that the supply of raw materials, both for human consumption and the manufacture of stockfeed was constrained.

“The maize situation is dire and users of maize have reported that the Grain Marketing Board has rationalised the drawdown and authorities have prioritised drought vulnerable communities, then milling companies and lastly, stockfeed manufacturers,” it said.

“The local supply of soya-bean is already exhausted. Reportedly, Zambia and Malawi have excess stocks of soya-beans available for export for around US$500/tonne, landed in Harare. Maize and wheat bran are not available and the price of molasses ex-factory has also increased.”

FARMERS’ unions are lobbying for the crafting of a legal framework that will deter and punish firms that run tobacco marketing floors from delaying payments for produce delivered.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

This came after Goldern Barn, a tobacco contracting firm, is in the eye of a storm after failing to pay farmers who delivered their crop to the company a month ago.

In June, farmers protested in Mvurwi against another contracting firm, Voedsel Contract Tobacco Floor over payment delays.

Farmers’ unions now feel the recurrence of these aberrant activities could jeopardise the reputation of the billion dollar industry and force growers to quit the trade.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director Paul Zakariya said farmers expect prompt payments as soon as they delivered their tobacco.

“That is a very unfortunate situation. Farmers expect prompt payments as soon as they deliver their tobacco. This has nothing to do with whether they deliver to a contractor or to the auction sales floors. In this case, farmers are suffering loss of value on many fronts. Due to inflation, the amounts due are now worth far less than they were at the time of tobacco delivery,” Zakariya said.

“What is needed is a legal framework to be developed where obligations are spelt out and consequences for defaults are made clear and enforceable by law. We also encourage farmers to be members of the ZFU Tobacco Producers Association so that our legal teams can provide them with legal services when things get to this.”

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmer Union president Shadreck Makombe said the contractor should be reported to the police and forced to pay because he wa s a cheat.

“He (Tobacco Contract floor owner) should be forced to pay. If not, he must be reported to the police because he is a cheat,” Makombe said.

The Apex Council Board for Youth in Agriculture chairperson John Muchenje pleaded with authorities to ensure that any exchange loss incurred due to payment delays is compensated.

“As the chairperson of the Apex Council Board for Youth in Agriculture, I condemn such actions from companies and organisations that purchases produce from farmers and do not pay on time.

Farming is a business and time value of money is critical. The prices of inputs are increasing as the interbank rate increases, the farmers will be heavily affected by these payments delays.

Farmers should be paid as per agreed times after delivery and if there is any delay it must be compensated with the exchange loss,” Muchenje said.

Slowly but surely, gambling laws are being shaped all round the world in an effort to catch up with the internet age. Authorities in many countries have been slow to regulate the burgeoning iGaming industry, but a push to make it more accessible, safer and accountable is on the way in every country from Australia to Zimbabwe. Each country will have its esoteric issues to deal with, of course, but there are some rules which every player should abide by, regardless of where they are located. Below we look at five golden rules you should be aware before you visit an online casino:

Check the licence before you play

Anyone with access to the internet and a big of knowhow could create a fake online casino site in an effort to snare people for malicious purposes. Look for credentials from an official body like the Lottery and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe or the National Gaming Board of South Africa. In a similar vein, you want to know that the games are created by credible software developers. Check out the selection of top developers at casino.com/za/slots/ to see what we are talking about. Brands like Playtech, NetEnt, Microgaming and IGT are a stamp of quality in online casino games, and they have earned that reputation due to being trustworthy.

Consider Your Options

The very nature of gambling means that you are playing at a slight disadvantage to the house. That’s the same in a land-based casino or an online one. Yet, smart players will always look to narrow that gap and even turn the advantage in their favour. For instance, if you are a roulette fan, choose European roulette over American, as the wheel is set up to push the odds in your favour by a few percentage points. If you play blackjack, check the rules to see where the dealer must stick and twist. These small advantages can make all the difference.

Use Bonuses Wisely

The best online casinos will have generous bonus offers; both for when you sign up and are an existing player. These bonuses will have certain restrictions attached to them, normally a requirement to wager them a number of times before withdrawal. That naturally lends a certain psychology of frivolousness to gaming strategy. In short, you are more likely to risk the bonus money because it does not feel like real money. Yet, being smart – playing games with low stakes, low volatility – can soon mean it becomes real money.

Set Your Boundaries

Part of the regulatory push for online gaming sites is that there are options for players to set gambling controls through the use of deposit limits, time out periods and so on. Having those controls is handy, but you should also set your own limits for playing. That means walking away when you have lost some money or cashing out when you have hit a profit. Setting limitations means you will enjoy the wins more and be able to take a losing session on the chin.

Scour the Sites

Major iGaming companies have huge budgets to run promotions and prize giveaways. Consider all the freebies you receive when you head somewhere like Las Vegas; the online world has a similar purview to offer extra incentives. Search the sites for these promotions; make sure you select the opt-in button when required; and, even check the casino site’s social media pages to see if you can get the latest promo codes for free spins and information on the latest giveaways. Who knows? You could maybe get an extra bonus or something special like an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas with entry to a poker tournament.

Slowly but surely, gambling laws are being shaped all round the world in an effort to catch up with the internet age. Authorities in many countries have been slow to regulate the burgeoning iGaming industry, but a push to make it more accessible, safer and accountable is on the way in every country from Australia to Zimbabwe. Each country will have its esoteric issues to deal with, of course, but there are some rules which every player should abide by, regardless of where they are located. Below we look at five golden rules you should be aware before you visit an online casino: