BY BLESSED MHLANGA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday declared war against the police, warning that his party was now itching to fight back and even defy their prohibition orders which he said were unjust, partisan and unreasonable.

This came after police on the 11th hour on Tuesday barred his public address titled Agenda 2020, which was supposed to be delivered in Mbare yesterday.

“Enough is enough. We have exhausted all channels and we can’t continue to be victims of unjust application of the law. Rights are for all. On Tuesday January 21, we will deliver the people’s Agenda 20 to the nation, come what may,” Chamisa said on his social media platform.

The MDC leader is under immense pressure from the party’s restive youth, who feel that his push for dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government and respect for draconian laws will not deliver the opposition any political gains.

The youth and other members of Chamisa’s national standing committee were angry after the MDC postponed yesterday’s event, saying it showed they were giving in to a dictatorship without a fight.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said in the face of provocation by the police, his boss remained a democrat who has displayed respect for human life and the rule of law, which has turned into the rule by law.

“The Zimbabwe government has banned the MDC by putting in place and enforcing unconstitutional regulations and laws that prevent the MDC president from addressing any public meetings,” Sibanda said.

“The president and the party feel that it is improper and it sets a bad precedent and threatens democracy to allow the few to stop us from exercising our constitutional rights. We will look the beast in the eye and demand what is rightfully the people’s rights. The time has come.”

Highly-placed MDC sources told NewsDay that at its meeting at the party headquarters, Richard Morgan Tsvangirai House, the Harare provincial council called on Chamisa to stop retreating in the face of aggression by government.

“They are failing to handle the machete gangs, but they bring their full force on a democratic meeting. The time for running has come to an end,” a senior MDC official said.

In anticipation of an MDC defiance of the ban, police dispatched the anti-riot unit in the central business district early in the morning and along all major roads leading to Mbare.

They used hailers to warn people against taking part in the MDC-organised meeting, which had already been postponed a day before.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the law enforcement agents were just maintaining law and order in terms of the Constitution and would not stop executing their mandate.

“As for the alleged ban on the MDC activity, they should know that in terms of MOPA (Maintenance of Peace and Order Act), they should engage the regulating authority. If they have any queries and if any disagreements arise, the remedies are provided for in terms of the law,” he said.

BY CHARLES LAITON

VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry, has revealed that the retired army general harbours an ambition to take over the presidency.

Marry said the collapse of the couple’s nine-year customary marriage was brought about by Chiwenga’s alleged paranoia, poor health and the influence of “heavy doses of drugs”.

Marry made the remarks in her claim in reconvention in response to Chiwenga’s application for divorce last month.

The matter is still pending in the High Court.

“Defendant (Marry) avers in reconvention that the demise of the customary law union was brought about by plaintiff’s (Chiwenga) acute paranoia brought about by
poor health, his being under heavy doses of drugs including un-prescribed opiates, his surrounding himself with persons who want to take advantage of him and his belief that his ascendency to the position of presidency might be in jeopardy,” Marry said in her claim.

Ironically, in his response to Marry’s urgent application for custody of the pair’s three children, Chiwenga also accused his wife of being a “drug addict”.

But in her response, Marry dismissed the claims, saying she was a better, healthy parent as opposed to the Vice-President.

“Defendant denies that she is a drug addict and pleads that the children were under her exclusive care for long periods of time without any adverse consequences on them and it is denied that the children’s best interests would be served by custody being awarded to a sickly absentee parent who is more in hospital than out,” Marry said.

Turning to the issue of the couple’s assets, Marry claimed that Chiwenga had all his assets registered in his relatives’ names in an effort to avoid sanctions that were imposed on him by the United States government.

“Defendant pleads that all assets acquired during the subsistence of the marriage were acquired with the full knowledge and participation of the plaintiff, whose name could not be used and who, on advice from the bank, procured his relatives to assist in the acquisition of the assets on the basis that plaintiff’s name could not be used as he was on the sanctions list,” Marry said.

“Defendant further pleads that all the monies used to acquire assets were availed by the plaintiff from some of his business partners and that the amnesia he has developed is part of the contrived criminal proceedings against her.”

Marry further dismissed claims that her marriage with Chiwenga was terminated through the production of a divorce token, saying she did not accept the token as it had been paid in foreign currency.

“The defendant further claims in reconvention that the plaintiff has failed to follow proper customary law procedures to end the customary marriage and that, instead, plaintiff sent (Anselem) Sanyatwe to give her a United States dollar bill which she declined to accept on the basis that it is unlawful in Zimbabwe to transact in United States dollars and that it was (up to) the plaintiff to give her gupuro (divorce token) after following all proper customary protocol. Consequently, the customary marriage continues to subsist,” she said.

Marry said she was claiming the equivalent of US$40 000 per month as maintenance from the retired army general for her upkeep and a total of
US$7 500 per month for her three children, which money she said should be paid at the interbank rate.

“Defendant claims in reconvention maintenance for the three minor children, the equivalent of US$2 500 calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until each child attains the age of majority or becomes self-supporting … defendant claims in reconvention personal maintenance in an amount equivalent to US$40 000 per month payable in Zimbabwe dollars calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until her death or remarriage,” she said.

Besides the claim of monthly maintenance, Marry also said her VP husband should be ordered to pay for the family’s holidays, school and medical expenses and casual clothes all running into thousands of United States dollars.

“The plaintiff must pay the entire school account in respect of each child at a Catholic school, including school fees, levies, top-ups, costs of extra lessons, costs of all extra-curricular activities, costs of school and sports uniforms, sports equipment and all other school-related costs,” she said.

“That plaintiff pays for the defendant and her children annual holidays; one fully expensed international holiday per annum at a five-star facility inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$25 000, one fully expensed regional holiday per annum at a five-star facility inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$15 000, one fully expensed local holiday per annum and spending money of not less than US$25 000 per person.”

Besides all the monthly claims, Marry also demanded that her husband compensates her for the injuries she sustained during a bomb explosion at a Zanu PF rally in Bulawayo before the 2018 general elections.

“That the plaintiff pays the defendant’s cost for reconstructive surgery and all other medically associated costs arising from the injuries she suffered from a bomb blast in Bulawayo while she accompanied plaintiff on his party activities and that the plaintiff provides the defendant with an internationally recognised medical aid cover until her death,” she said, urging the court not to entertain Chiwenga’s application on the basis that he approached the court with dirty hands.

“Plaintiff has already purportedly awarded himself custody of the children and is in contempt of the law. The pending action that he has come to court with, with dirty hands, ought not to be heard until he has purged his various contempts,” she said.

guest column:Mutenta N Nyambe

It has been stated that about 80% of the African population rely on traditional medicines and practices as their primary source of healthcare.
Being the custodians of traditional African religion, customs and culture, the role played by traditional healers in the treatment and management of diseases among the African population cannot be ignored.

It is therefore of paramount importance for scientific researchers to find out and be aware of the collective perceptions of traditional health givers towards the diagnosis and treatment of highly prevalent life-threatening diseases such as cervical cancer and to make strong attempts at harmonizing the two knowledge frontiers where possible.

In Southern Africa, traditional healers give the presented ‘cancer’ a diagnostic name based on its physical manifestations. For instance, the common terminologies used to describe cervical cancer among traditional healers in Limpopo, South Africa, are Sesepidi, meaning ‘something that moves’ and Tlhagala, a Sesotho word meaning ‘to be worn out’.

Interestingly, these traditional terms are very similar in meaning to modern patho-physiological descriptions of cervical cancer such as ‘metastasis’ (Sesepidi) and tumour necrosis with foul vaginal discharge (Tlhagala).

Among the traditional healers of Ga-Mothapo in South Africa, cervical cancer is believed to be caused by chain smoking, multiple sexual partners (Ge mosadi a kitima le sekwata sa banna), poor nutrition, early engagement in sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (sekgalaka) and genetic predispositions.

Though conventional science concedes that the ‘precise’ etiological cause of cervical cancer is still unknown, there is a striking resemblance between the perspectives of traditional African practices and conventional science on the risk factors of cervical cancer.

African traditional healers often mention irregular per vaginal bleeding, painful coitus, post-coital bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, lower abdominal pains, abnormal or foul smelling vaginal discharge, cervical lesions, pyrexia, polyuria, painful uterine growth (polyps) and feeling as if the ‘womb is moving’ as signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.

These symptoms are very similar to those described in conventional medicine.

The African traditional treatment of cervical cancer focuses not only on curing the disease but also on promoting spiritual wellness and this is thought to be achieved by ‘extracting’ or ‘pulling’ the Sesepedi out of the uterus.

Traditional treatment regimen for cervical cancer normally incorporate oral administration of herbal decoctions, direct application of a crushed bluestone (mbapani) and Pentanisia prunelloides (stema-mollo) mixture onto the lesions, formulation and intra-vaginal insertion of herbal ‘pessaries’ (lekoni sekgalaka), steam inhalation and incisions.

These traditional methods are similar in delivery to those practiced in modern medicine such as oral administration of chemotherapy (herbal decoctions), surgical removal of tumours (incisions) and radiotherapy (steam treatment).

This shows that African traditional healers have, in their own terms, a concise understanding of cervical cancer pathophysiology, the knowledge to identify signs and symptoms of the disease, practical ethnomedicinal experience to provide care and adequate medicinal plant repositories to at least assist in the discovery of newer and more effective cervical cancer treatments.

Dialogue between traditional health practitioners and scientific researchers must therefore be encouraged to promote the sharing of information.

BY HENRY MHARA

THE Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) is holding its annual general congress on the outskirts of Harare this week, with more than 40 delegates attending.

The three-day event, which kicked off yesterday afternoon, provides an opportunity for the delegates to discuss a number of issues including players welfare.

Of those attending the congress, the majority are players from the men and female premier league teams. Also invited are officials from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Zifa.

“We are holding our annual congress and we have all our delegates present from respective clubs, and this year it’s kind of different in the way we are doing it because we will be discussing issues to do with the welfare of players, football in general and what has been the year like, and the challenges that we are facing as footballers,” FUZ president Desmond Maringwa said.

“We will also look at the future of the union, and the vision as well. We will discuss what we can do for the players from what they encounter on a daily basis.”

FUZ is a union for local footballers whose formation was influenced by the ever-existing footballers’ social and economic vulnerability. The union also provides, facilitates and safeguards proper welfare and working conditions of current and former football players.

The union is a member of the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro), a body that represents more than 65 000 professional footballers around the world.

“We have a lot of cases reported to us on contractual breaches, non-payment of bonuses, salaries and wages by clubs. We are also dealing with the issues of standardisation of contracts. This is at an advanced stage. We have updates on our members on the progress we have made with the PSL and Zifa on that. We will also discuss the new rules that are there in football,” the former Dynamos and Warriors midfielder said.

“We are using the platform to try and create a bond between us and the members. We will have a team-building exercise for us to get to understand each other. Our guests here are mostly captains for their clubs so it’s a better platform for us to impact knowledge on them on how to build a team, how to be a leader and how to behave and deal with clubs and their officials. There will be a lot of discussions around those issues,” Maringwa added.

FUZ has helped a lot of players in disputes with their clubs, notably in the case between Cameroonian Christian Ntouba and Dynamos over outstanding salaries and bonuses.

With the assistance of FIFPro, FUZ also helped Edward Sadomba to successfully fight his dispute against former club Al Hilal which saw the player being paid US$450 000 following termination of his contract.

Apart from helping players, FUZ also holds “players out of contract” training camp every year, an event which offers professional players, who are out of contract, a platform to showcase their talents in front of Premiership coaches, club administrators and scouts.

A host of players have benefited from the initiative.

In addition, the union also rewards excelling players with their monthly player of the year awards which they introduced in the past season. Both male and female footballers benefited, winners walking away with a trophy and R5 000.

FUZ will host the player of the year event at the end of this month, to honour the best player in the local league voted for by fellow players.

“These awards are to be a symbol of achievement, hard work, professional success and a form of motivation for many to reach for even higher levels of success.

“The unique nature of these awards is that they are an opportunity for players themselves to honour one another for the great achievements, thus encouraging fair play, oneness and healthy competition in football,” FUZ said.

editorial comment

THAT the United Kingdom has decided not to invite one of its last colonies, Zimbabwe, for an investment talk show next week is a serious indictment to every effort President Emmerson Mnangagwa may have been making to end the country’s international isolation.

“The summit will strengthen the UK’s partnership with African nations to build a secure and prosperous future for all our citizens. It will mobilise new and substantial investment to create jobs and boost mutual prosperity,” is what the UK is saying about the event which obviously would have been an excellent opportunity for Mnangagwa’s administration to prove outrightly that Zimbabwe is indeed open for business and ready to join the family of nations.

And comments doing the rounds on the glaring snub by Britain are quite telling despite government spin-doctors’ feeble attempts to play down the rebuff. One economist tweeted thus: “On January 20, the UK will host the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London. Zimbabwe was not invited. Is Zimbabwe open for business? No! Without strong property rights and public safety, foreign investment is impossible to come by.”

While such frank observations and counsel should be building blocks on Zimbabwe correcting its crooked idea of what re-engagement entails, government bureaucrats appear the least bothered by this embarrassing snub.

And it is worrying because it merely points to the fact that the country has lived through a lie that the re-engagement process was bearing fruits. The comments emanating from government corridors indicate that the bureaucrats are disinterested in Zimbabwe being readmitted into the community of nations. And this is disconcerting.

What probably informed the UK’s decision not to invite Zimbabwe is the lawlessness that has been allowed to permeate two of the country’s key economic cogs of agriculture and mining.

Just as it did on the farms, government has allowed more than two million gold panners to invade every gold claim they can lay their hands on, giving rise to the emergence of the terror machete gangsters. This, obviously, cannot be allowed to happen in a country that claims to be open for business.

After nationalising all farmland, government appears to have also nationalised the mining sector given that it has been dilly-dallying on releasing its new mining policy. Under such circumstances, no sane investor will, therefore, bring their money into a country where nothing is guaranteed. What guarantees investments in any country are property rights and general safety of both the locals and foreigners.

At the moment none of these are guaranteed in Zimbabwe where marauding machete-wielding thugs invade police stations and hospitals, killing the law enforcers and innocent citizens. The year 2020 has already started on a very bad note for Zimbabwe.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

CALEDONIA Mining Corporation says it expects gold production at its Banket Mine to marginally increase by about 1% to 56 000 ounces this year buoyed by the improved operational performance and the current firm gold prices.

Last year the company produced about 55 182 ounces of gold, 10% ahead of its targeted production of between 53 000 and 56 000 ounces. Approximately 16 876 ounces of gold were produced during the last quarter of 2019, exceeding the previous production record of 16 425 ounces set in the final quarter of 2017.

Production in the quarter was 24% higher than the previous quarter and 13% higher than the corresponding final quarter of 2018.

The company said all production figures were expressed on a 100% basis and were based on mine production data and therefore subject to adjustment following final assay at the refiners.

Caledonia chief executive officer Steve Curtis said he was pleased to see that “we have not lost this momentum as we start 2020 with the mine continuing to perform very well into the new year.”

“With the improved operational performance and the current buoyant gold prices leading to healthy operating margins, we expect Caledonia to continue its track record of strong cash generation,” he said.

“I expect 2020 to be a landmark year for our business: We look forward to commissioning the central shaft later in 2020, which we anticipate will then deliver increased operating cash flows and reduced capital expenditure will follow.”

Caledonia invested about US$44 million into its central shaft at Blanket Mine to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Curtis said an improvement in electricity supply and vigilant focus on grade control and production, have resulted in an excellent production result for the final quarter.

He said the impressive operational turnaround was achieved without any compromises on safety, a commendable achievement given the distractions posed by the challenging conditions experienced by the workers due to the economic environment in Zimbabwe.

In early January 2020, Caledonia announced a 9,1% increase in its quarterly dividend.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

AFRICAN lithium company, Prospect Resources (Prospect) has received subscriptions for 4,84 million new ordinary shares at 20 cents per share to raise US$968 000 before costs for working capital.

The Australia Stock Exchange-listed firm says the new shares will be issued on Monday next week and the proceeds of the placement will be used as working capital in line with its announcement of December last year.

Prospect executive chairman, Hugh Warner said “the March 2020 quarter has a number of key initiatives with a clear focus on advancing the Arcadia Lithium project through: off-take discussions of the premium ultra-low iron petalite product for supply into Europe, Japan and Korea; discussions with Uranium One Group; and project finance discussions with Afreximbank.”

The company said whilst it had previously advised of its intention to offer a rights issue to shareholders, it was determined that a small placement was a more prudent funding mechanism.

“This is because of the rapid rise in Prospect’s share price over the last 30 days (53% rise) and the expected continued revaluation, due to the positive global sentiment for lithium in general and the corporate activities previously announced,” it said.

“It was deemed that fixing a rights issue price now may mean a significantly larger dilution to shareholders who are not able to participate in the rights issue due to financial reasons or their jurisdiction.”

Prospect achieved a critical milestone in its development plan for Arcadia Mine when it entered into a project finance debt facility with Afreximbank in December last year.

The regional bank is expected to arrange and manage the primary syndication of a US$143m project finance debt facility, out of which it is proposing to fund US$75m of the facility.

Prospect said the US$143m facility should be sufficient to fund 90% of the project costs for the Arcadia Mine.

Arcadia lithium project is one of the largest hard-rock lithium resources in the world, with about 808 000 tonnes of the resource located on the outskirts of Harare.
It represents a globally significant hard rock lithium resource.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

SEVERAL Premier Soccer League sides, including Harare giants Dynamos and Caps United are embroiled in an intriguing battle for the signature of former Maritzburg United centre forward Junior Zindoga.

The 21-year-old sensation, who had a stint with Djurgardens in Sweden, was on the books of the Absa Premiership side, having signed a one-year deal which has since run out, prompting potential suitors to scramble for his services.

Besides Dynamos and Caps, Mhondoro-Ngezi-based side Ngezi Platinum Stars are also reported to be threatening to beat the Harare giants to his signature, while army side Black Rhinos have also shown interest in securing the services of the player ahead of the start of the new season.

The player’s manager Gibson Mahachi confirmed that there was heightened interest in the rising star by domestic clubs with Djurgardens – previously home to Nyasha Mushekwi – also reported to be monitoring the player with a view to bringing him back on board.

“I can confirm that there is so much interest in the player from several clubs both locally and abroad. Dynamos and Caps are among local clubs interested in the player. Right now, we are weighing options to see what is best for the player. He is now a free agent following the expiry of his one-year contract with Maritzburg United. The club in Sweden (Djurgardens) is also monitoring him, so we are looking to seal a deal for the player soon,” Mahachi said.

The former St George’s College striker — a product of BNC Academy — just like Belgium-based Warriors captain Knowledge Musona has not played for any club in the local league. He was nurtured by Bhekimpilo Nyoni at his academy before Mahachi gave him the platform when he organised a six-week attachment for him at Djurgardens in Sweden in 2018. He then took him to South African Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns where he trained with them for about two months before signing a contract with Maritzburg United.

Dynamos and Caps have this season gone head-to-head for the signature of the best talent available locally in a bid to bolster their squads and dominate the domestic football scene. Yesterday, Dynamos beat Caps to the signature of Hwange goalkeeper Taimon Mvula.

Some of the players at the centre of the transfer battle include Chapungu pacey forward Ian Nyoni and Triangle’s Trevor Mavhunga, among others.

The Glamour Boys have already sealed deals with former captain Partson Jaure, who was on the books of Manica Diamonds, Nkosi Mhlanga, a midfielder, who has been playing for Yadah and two Prince Edward High School products Tanaka Chidhobha and Lennox Mutsetse.

On the other hand, Caps have reportedly brought on board Harare City forward Tatenda Tumba and Yadah’s Leeroy Mavhunga as they seek to build a squad to make up for the disappointment of failing to land the championship last term.

BY SPORTS REPORTER

Herentals have begun the process of rebuilding a team that will compete for the top honours in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) after escaping relegation on the final day last year.

Herentals had a brilliant debut season in 2018 which saw them finish the league race on sixth place ahead of giants Caps United, Dynamos, Harare City and ZPC Kariba.

But last year was a different script as the Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva-coached side struggled to win matches, drawing half of them which sucked them into the relegation dogfight.

It seemed all but over going into the final match of the season as they travelled to in-form Bulawayo Chiefs needing nothing short of a win to survive.

Striker Blessing Majarira scored the only goal of the match that made sure the team stayed afloat.

“We are focusing on reshaping the team and fight for a better position for 2020. We do not want to fight relegation like we did last season, so we are bringing in fresh blood,” Herentals secretary Fainos Madhumbu said.

Herentals have already lost promising youngster Tino Benza to United Kingdom-based Future Lions Academy while Kelvin Bingala has moved to Lumwana Radiants in the Zambian Premiership.

They are also likely to lose Young Warriors’ Juan Mutudza with Dynamos believed to be the frontrunners to land the striker.

“Tino is joining a European team, Mutudza is leaving and Bingala is now in Zambia. For us, it is an indication that we develop our players well.

“As a result, Clinton Jim is joining from our Division One team which is our developmental side. Another player is coming in from a Division One team in the Central Region,” Madhumbu said. Herentals are understood to be chasing the signature of former Mushowani Stars kingpin Clemence Zimondi.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

REIGNING Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum could be left decimated following the departure of another key player, Never Tigere, for Tanzania where he joined Azam FC.

The midfielder had established himself as a key player at the Zvishavane-based side and was instrumental in the championship race last term with his contribution helping them to win their third straight championship in history.

Although FC Platinum have had a disastrous performance in the Caf Champions League in which they have not registered a single victory, Tigere’s individual effort in the African safari attracted the attention of Tanzanian football giants Azam who have handed him a one-year deal.

Azam confirmed in a statement on their website: “The Azam FC leadership is pleased to inform you that it has completed the registration of Zimbabwe’s international midfielder, Never Tigere, on a one-year contract.

“Tigere’s registration was done after a proposal by the technical team who followed him in several matches he played for FC Platinum in the Champions League this season.”

Tigere will link up with former Highlanders utility player Bruce Kangwa and the pair of Donald Ngoma and Obrey Chirw, who were formerly with FC Platinum.

FC Platinum, who had off-loaded Cameroonian international Albert Eonde, before recalling him in the face of a player exodus, have also severed ties with goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, Mkhokheli Dube, Charles Sibanda, midfielder Devon Chafa while Baroka FC striker Rodwell Chinyengeterea has also left the club following the expiry of his loan deal on December 31.
Tigere did not play in the one-all draw against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League group match played at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

The Zimbabwe champions have, however, responded by raiding the market, acquiring three players — Last Jesi, Stanley Ngala and Soccer Star of the Year first runner-up Ralph Kawondera.
While Jesi and Ngala have already featured against Al Ahly, with the former scoring for the home side, Kawondera is unable to feature for them in the African safari as he had already played for Triangle in the Confederation Cup earlier in the season.