BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

Gokwe Town Secretary Melania Mandeya yesterday appeared at the Gokwe Magistrates Court facing four counts of corruption and violation of tender procedures.

Mandeya who is represented by Solomon Kangembeu appeared before magistrate Musaiona Shotgame.

Allegations are that on November 4, 2015, Mandeya gave a tender to sew council curtains to her relative Zvichapera Zunzanyika whom she was staying with without following proper procedures.

The State alleges Mandeya further hired Zunzanyika’s sewing machinery at a rate of US$36 without following proper procurement procedures.

It is alleged Gokwe Town Council subsequently paid Zunzanyika US$590 and a tool allowance of US$36.

It is further alleged that sometime during the same year, Mandeya made an application for residential stand in Gokwe town and her letter was referred to the works and services committee which recommended it before forwarding it to the full council for a resolution.

The State alleges that the full council resolved to award Mandeya stand number 156 kambasha, Gokwe. She was allegedly made to sign a lease agreement to that effect.

On September 28, 2017 Mandeya approached the council housing department and requested to be offered stand number 155 Kambasha, Gokwe which is adjacent to her stand number 156.

She allegedly erected a precast wall without formalising the paper work and the council was prejudiced of US$4000.

The State alleges that sometime in March last year, Mandeya invited tenders for catering and a companies Kiki’s Kitchen, Faith Mashava’s kitchen and Irene’s catering services responded by issuing quotations.

Mandeya allegedly deliberately did not involve the procurement unit and went on to award the tender to Irene’s catering services belonging to her daughter in law Irene Maheva.

She allegedly then forged Kiki’s Kitchen and Mashava Faith kitchen quotations and pegged both their bidding amounts at $9 590 so that they appear to be highest bidders compared to Irene’s Catering service which was pegged at $8040.

Mandeya then caused the payment of $4000 for the services to Irene’s catering and the balance was set off the payment of stand number 187 Kambasha, Gokwe.

It is further alleged that Mandeya invited the services of Nerenchia Power Rite Company to supply and install solar system at Gokwe Town Council without following due processes.

The State alleges despite the fact that Gokwe Town Council had been quoted $325 435 for the power systems consisting of 24 by 330 watts solar panels, Nerenchia allegedly installed 20 by 400 watts solar panels to the council while four by 400 watts solar panels were installed to Mandeya’s private place of residence.

It is alleged the council paid a total of $325 435 towards the installation of the said system and it was likely to pay less had it been the competitive bidding method had been used to procure the said system.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

POPULAR stand-up comedian and motivational speaker Carl Joshua Ncube will on February 1 release his fourth self-published book titled Motivational Lectures by Carl Joshua Ncube, which will be given to the public for free.

The jest master said the book was a compilation of 10 years of lectures and articles on solving problems people encountered as they sought to achieve big dreams.

“The book also speaks to a person struggling through life who needs a refreshing perspective on how to do better. The articles and lectures are curated to fit a narrative to primarily help Zimbabweans navigate a challenging set of circumstances and to not let our externals determine our destiny,” Ncube said.

“I feel God has inspired me to help others with ideas. I have always been a person who looks at a situation and be able to find a way around, over or through it. The book will cover how to manage time, creating multiple revenue streams, living off the grid, knowing your purpose, how to set up a business plan, among a range of other topics that Zimbabweans may find useful.”

Other books that Ncube has self-published are 40 Days that Changed Me (Unedited diary entries written while Carl was homeless in Botswana), Social Media Manual (Tools for the modern marketer) and I’m Dreaming of a braai Christmas (Compilation of Recipes for your next Braai).

Ncube said he would use the first part of his year to do a lot of business consultancy, strategic planning, design and motivational lectures.

The entertainer has continuously broken barriers and excelled in his career. Last year, he performed via Skype to a BBC live audience, recorded a comedy performance on Showmax and staged a one-man show in South Africa.

BY ADMIRE JAMU-MLAMBO

Former Denmark-based midfielder Tanaka Chinyahara has found a new home after penning a one-and-half-year deal with Zambian Premier Soccer League side, Red Arrows.
Chinyahara, who has also played for South African football clubs Bidvest Wits and Witbank Spurs, signed the deal on Wednesday which will see him play for the club until 2021.

The midfielder expressed his delight for eventually bouncing back into the game after a long time on the sidelines.

“It’s a great feeling. I signed a one-year six-month contract with Red Arrows. It has an option of extension for another year. Red Arrows is highly-professional and I hope to perform to my best ability. I can’t wait to play for one of the biggest teams in Zambia,” Chinyahara told NewsDay Sport from his Lusaka base yesterday.

Red Arrows, sponsored by the Zambian Airforce, are under the guidance of Chisi Mbewe.

The 24-year-old Chinyahara has been clubless since last year after his former club Witbank Spurs, which was competing in the South African National League, was relegated, leading to the termination of his contract with the club.

The midfielder, like Warriors team captain Knowledge Musona, has never featured in the domestic topflight league as he went straight to South Africa where he turned out for Kaizer Chiefs junior squad before joining Bidvest Wits in 2014.

It was at Bidvest Wits where he was spotted by Hobro IK scouts, while playing in a junior tournament. In 2015, Chinyahara made a big break into the European leagues when he signed for the Danish club.

He, however, struggled for game time at Hobro IK, making only five appearances in 2016 and spent the remainder of 2017 soccer season on loan at Danish second division side Jammerbugt FC.

The diminutive midfielder then tried his luck at Dynamos in 2018 when he trained with them at a time they were under the guidance of Lloyd Mutasa, fuelling speculation that he was eyeing a possible move to the Harare giants.

He was however, not signed amid reports of sticking contractual issues.

After a largely frustrating period of training with the Glamour Boys, Chinyahara decided to return to South Africa where he joined Witbank Spurs which was then coached by former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba.

He becomes the latest local player to join the great trek to the Zambian league in recent times after reigning Soccer Star of the Year Joel Ngodzo, Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Dominic Chungwa, Tafadzwa Rusike, Dennis Dauda, Jimmy Dzingai and Thabani Kamusoko decided to move north.

BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has said couples intending to sell their jointly-owned matrimonial houses are obliged to pay double Capital Gains Tax, with each of the parties taxed separately.

Zimra spokesperson Francis Chimanda confirmed the taxation regime after some couples in Bulawayo had queried the move.

He said married people were taxed separately if both have their names showing on the title deeds.

“If the house was jointly owned and registered as such at the Registrar of Deeds, which is if both names appear on the title deed, these are taxed separately,” Chimanda said.

Chimanda, however, said divorcing couples could choose to elect for deferment of tax.

“If one partner is transferring his or her half share or even full share of a property which used to be their principal private residence (PPR), the transferor partner can choose to elect for deferment of tax in terms of section 16 of the Capital Gains Tax Act,” Chimanda said.

“The transferee partner would be responsible for the payment of Capital Gains Tax if she or he decides to dispose of it at a later date, that is if she or he owned it from the time they owned the property before their divorce.”

Chimanda said for the rest of the properties, if they own more than one property, the transferor partner would pay Capital Gains Tax in the normal way.

He, however, said elderly couples above 55 years were exempted from paying the Capital Gains Tax when selling their property to a third party.

“If they are selling a PPR to a third party and they are above the age 55 years, they are eligible for old age exemption and hence do not pay tax,” Chimanda said.

“If their property is a PPR and they want to sell in order to purchase or construct another PPR, even if they are below the age of 55 years, they can elect the provisions of section 21 to rollover Capital Gains Tax.”

Chimanda also said couples transferring properties between themselves, and elect provisions of section 16, Capital Gains Tax can be deferred on all transactions.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

CALEDONIA Mining Corporation (Caledonia) says adjusted earnings per share for 2019 are expected to be up in the range of US$1,55 to US$1,75 due to the continued strengthening of the gold price, among other factors.

“Caledonia is pleased to announce that earnings for 2019 will be substantially higher than market expectations due to the combined effects of the continued strength of the gold price; higher than expected production for 2019; and lower than expected operating costs,” the company said in a statement yesterday.

As a result of these factors, the company said adjusted earnings per share (before net realised and unrealised foreign exchange gains) for 2019 are expected to be in the range of US$1,55 to US$1,75 per share compared to US$0,86 to US$1,17 per share recorded in early 2019.

Caledonia chief executive officer Steve Curtis said he was delighted by the excellent performance of Blanket Mine, particularly in the later stages of 2019, which, combined with the strength of the gold price, has resulted in “us comfortably exceeding expectations for the year ended December 31, 2019”.

“This is down to the hard work and dedication of our exceptional team operating at the Blanket Mine not least in how they have successfully addressed challenges in the year such as the variable power supply and grade fluctuations,” he said.

With these challenges addressed, Curtis said an excellent start to 2020 and with the development of the Central Shaft continuing on time and a record quarterly production in the fourth quarter, they look forward to an exciting year ahead.

The company recently increased its shareholding in the Gwanda-based mining concern to 64% after finalising the deal it had with Fremiro Investments Private Limited.

The Alternative Investment Market-quoted miner, recently increased its stake in Blanket Mine from 49% to 64% after the completion the acquisition of an additional 15% shareholding from Fremiro Private Limited.

BY ADMIRE JAMU-MLAMBO

TOP sungura musician and Chivaraidze Express frontman Liversy Matamba has given a breakdown of the songs on his forthcoming 15th album, Ndozvireva, to be released live on local radio on February 5 this year.

The musician — whose last album Vakakurera Vakuru was released in 2017 — said the new six-track offering was made up of the songs Rudo Harumanikidzwe, Marwisa, Mangamusingavazive, Rongekai, Kuitiswa and Vana Gumi, all of which touch on day-to-day life.

“On the Ndozvireva album I actually sing about what I always come across especially our day-to-day life and the surroundings, reprimanding, encouraging and making people cautious in life,” said the Highfield-based Mutamba.

“In some of the instances, I also sing about my daily experiences.”

In the song Rudo Harumanikidzwe, he encourages lovers to go their separate ways amicably if one partner is no longer interested.

“Rudo Harumanikidzwe is about love and I must say it is in the best interest of lovers that love is between two people and if one of them is no longer interested, then the other one should not force matters to hold on to love because many couples are regretting such moves,” he said.

On the title track Rongekai, Matamba said he was urging people not to get carried away if life is moving smoothly, but to utilise the opportunity to plan ahead.

Mutamba urged fellow sungura musicians to modernise the genre and move with time so as to compete with Zimdancehall.

“As sungura artistes we need to move with time by modernising our music and also assist each other so as to fight competition from Zimdancehall,” he said.

Mutamba formed his band in 1999 and its first release was in 2000. The original band comprised Godfrey Mutakatara (late) on lead guitar, Pererwa Kasiyapfumbi (late) on bass, Eriya Bekele (late) on vocals, Joel Muchemwa on rhythm and former Bundu Boys member Kenny Chitsvatsva on drums.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

ONE of the golden discoveries of the urban grooves movement in the early 2000s, Daniel “Decibel” Mazhandu has hailed the online marketing system saying it has helped place local artistes on the global map.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, Decibel cited how the internet had cemented his conviction to return to the music circles.

“When I released One Shot last year as a pilot project to explore the feasibility of an online release or presence that I used to have, the results were surprisingly pleasant. While I did not hear of any significant airplay, the (online) streaming was crazy. This has cemented my persuasion to return because as we speak dollars are going into my account,” he said.

Crowned king of Zimbabwean urban grooves at the peak of his career, Decibel said good musicians did not have to plead for airplay to connect with fans.

“Streaming music online shows how music consumers have changed over the years. Musicians with good music do not have to beg for airplay to reach their fans. It helps spread music faster. This is also quite liberating for musicians especially at a time Zim DJs are demanding payment for publicity. Radio stations are taking money for airplay, the most played artistes are the ones paying the most,” he said.

Meanwhile, Decibel joins the list of artistes set to release love songs to mark Valentine’s Day on February 14.

Titled Uchi, the song which explores how complicated love can be, was shot by Cosmos Works, produced and mixed by Jusa Robert Solo.

His two singles from last year, One Shot and Kutenda will form part of his album due for release soon.

The singer released Chido, a video that stayed on number one on the charts for more than six weeks at the turn of the millennium. His first album, What Kind of World, in 2004 became the best-selling album under the Country Boy Records stable.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

ZIMBABWE Stock Exchange-listed beverages producer, Delta Corporation has continued to sing the blues with trading volumes of almost all products taking a plunge in the nine months ended December 2019, as a result of consumers’ poor disposable incomes, power and fuel shortages.

Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a decade, with biting shortages of foreign currency, grain, and fuel and rolling power cuts that last up to 18 hours. The shortages have negatively affected the blue chip company’s operations.

“The trading environment is characterised by high inflation and an unstable exchange rate with limited availability of foreign currency in the formal banking channel. Consumer spending is constrained by low disposable incomes as salary and wage adjustments continue to lag behind the increases in prices of gods and services. Our distribution and production operations were impacted by the power outages and constrained fuel supplies,” said Delta company secretary Alex Makamure in a trading update for the nine months ended December 2019.

Lager beer volumes declined 43% for the quarter and 46% for the nine months compared to the same period last year.

At Natbrew Zambia, the volume was 32% down for the quarter compared to last year.

“There are some pricing disparities with other alcohol categories particularly driven by the steep increase in maize prices. The sparkling beverages volume grew by 38% for the quarter and is down 40% for the nine months,” Makamure said.

Furthermore, sorghum beer volume in Zimbabwe declined by 41% for the quarter and 25% for the nine months due to constrained supply of maize and escalation in the cost of imported inputs such as packaging materials. There is renewed focus on the returnable scud pack.

“There is a notable volume recovery response to improved product supply and moderated retail pricing. The recently launched no sugar variants have been welcomed by the consumers,” Makamure said.

African Distillers recorded a volume drop of 10% for the quarter. However the company indicated that the demand for ciders and white spirits remained strong adding there was concern about the illicit trade in some of the product categories.

The beverages volume at Schweppes Holdings declined by 23% for the quarter due to an outage of key imported raw materials for both the Mazoe and minute maid brands.

There was an improved performance on the recently launched Fruitade range of products with the entity having commissioned the megawatt rooftop solar plant to mitigate power outages at the Harare factory during the quarter.

Revenue for the quarter grew by 27% in inflation adjusted terms (646% historical) reflecting the changes in product mix and price increases that are based on replacement cost. The revenue increased 2% for the nine months (346% historical).

Delta conceded that sourcing of imported raw materials and services remained a challenge due to delays in servicing overdue payables.

BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA

CHIREDZI residents have accused top local police officer Simangaliso Dube of double standards after she labelled their meetings “a national security threat” and banned them while allowing council to hold ward meetings.

United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (Uchirra) advocacy officer Bernard Dachi claimed that Dube had on many occasions banned their gatherings citing security threats, while allowing council to organise ward events.

“It is unfortunate that the police has suddenly become biased towards Chiredzi Town Council. Our organisation was formed in 2009 and since then we never had any problems with various Dispols who we worked with for more than 10 years. This is the first time that we are viewed as a security threat,” Dachi said.

“Furthermore our organisation is apolitical so we are left wondering how residents and ratepayers can be a national security threat. We deal with issues that affect residents, not political issues. Council should be answerable to their decisions.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, Dube insisted that public meetings would remain banned until Sunday next week, adding that residents were prohibited from carrying traditional weapons such as machetes and axes until March this year.

“Yes, we have banned all weapons and all the meetings because there is a national security threat,” said Dube.

When quizzed over the alleged selective application of the law, Dube made a volte-face and granted Uchirra permission to start holding their meetings from Monday next week.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was not aware that public meetings had been banned.

“There is no such thing as a national security threat at the moment. The country is currently enjoying peace. I am not aware of any threats or ban of the meetings,” Nyathi said.