Mthuli Ncube

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday poured cold water on civil servants’ demand for United States dollar-benchmarked salary adjustments, saying the broke Zanu PF government will, instead, continue giving them cushioning allowances.

Civil servants have threatened to down tools unless government adjusts their salaries to the equivalent of what they used to earn during the US dollar era.

At the moment, the least-paid government employee gets a gross salary of around $1 100.

While presenting the 2020 national budget last November, Ncube reviewed the tax threshold from $700 to $2 000.

Last week, the public service workers shot down a 97% salary increase offered by government and threatened a crippling nationwide strike, with teachers boycotting classes starting today.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of a meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and visiting Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi at State House, Ncube ruled out substantial salary increases for civil servants, saying government had other pressing commitments at the moment, among them drought relief food and energy imports.

He said civil servants will get their January allowances of between $400 (US$16) and $750 (US$32) starting today.

“The government is committed to paying our civil servants a decent salary and you know when you negotiate, there are disagreements. At times that is normal, but we are expecting to reach an agreement with them in a few weeks,” he said.

“We are not going to agree on a once-off agreement, but we will follow last year’s trend, where we were cushioning them whenever there is inflation. We will (have) multiple negotiations as we did when we gave them cushioning allowance in May, salary increment and another cushion in July.

“We do have some urgent issues like climate change, food security and energy and also we are mobilising resources for Command Agriculture. We are also seized with issuing licences to independent energy suppliers to produce energy.”

The Apex Council, the umbrella body for civil servants’ unions, described Ncube’s remarks as misplaced and out of sync with the reality on the ground.

“We only respect pronouncements that arise out of resolutions made in the National Joint Negotiating Council, as they are binding. If at all this is the government’s position, then it really shows how out of touch it is with the dire incapacitation that is set to impact negatively on service delivery and the livelihoods of its workers,” Apex Council spokesperson David Dzatsunga said.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure confirmed that their members were not reporting for duty today.

“Government last paid teachers a full salary in September 2018. We have been earning 7% of the last negotiated income. Attempts to engage the government have been futile since then. An ordinary teacher’s salary cannot fend for food, shelter, transport, education and healthcare,” he said.

ZADHR executive director Calvin Fambirai

BY GARIKAI TUNHIRA

THE Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has elected a new board, which will be chaired by Fortune Nyamande.

ZADHR executive director Calvin Fambirai yesterday said Nyamande, who was previously the spokesperson, was replacing Brighton Chizhande, while Fungisai Mazhandu was retained as the vice-chairperson.

Norman Matara, who was treasurer in the last board, was elected secretary, replacing Evans Masitara.

Mufudzi Mushaninga is coming in as the new treasurer.

Human rights lawyer Jeremiah Bamu is the new legal adviser, replacing Alec Muchadehama.

The other board members are Artmore Chakanyuka, Ratidzo Mugumbate and Tendai Tsuro.

Mugumbate served as an ordinary board member in the previous term along with Antoinette Danha.

Fambirai said the new board would continue fighting for health and human rights of Zimbabweans to ensure they are “promoted, protected and defended”.

“We have no doubt that the esteemed new board of these outstanding individuals will bring new ideas for the growth of the organisation during their tenure,” Fambirai said.

The human rights doctors association has tormented President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government in the past, first when it released a damning report implicating soldiers in the August 1, 2018 post-election fatal shooting of six people in central Harare.

They were also to implicate the government in the brutal crackdown on protesters following anti-fuel price hike protests in mid-January last year.

Addressing a rally a month later in Mwenezi, Mnangagwa said his government would go after all the human rights doctors and lawyers who had assisted in treating injured protesters or represented them in courts.

Janet Manyowa

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

AWARD-WINNING gospel musician, Janet Manyowa is delighted that she has been nominated for the Best Gospel Music Video award at the 2020 edition of the Maranatha Africa Continental Awards scheduled for April 12 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Zadzisa hit-maker was nominated for the trending song, Nyasha Nengoni.

Manyowa yesterday told NewsDay Life & Style that she was over the moon after receiving news of the nomination, which places her alongside the continental giants of African gospel music.

“We are excited about the African recognition. It is encouraging and we thank God who makes all things possible.
This is the second time I have been nominated for these awards and I hope to scoop it this time. These awards are held annually. Last year, they were in Kenya and this year they are in Nigeria,” she said.

The gospel diva said she was expecting to do more of that which made her successful last year and the latest nomination has given her the impetus to fly higher.

“I am optimistic and looking forward to witness what the new year has to offer through God’s grace. The plan is to do more of everything that made 2019 a positive year for us musically. More music, more visuals and more events can be expected from the Janet Manyowa Music team,” she said.

She expressed high hopes of collaborative projects with artistes from beyond the country’s borders.

Although last year was positive, she bemoaned piracy as a thorn in many a musician’s flesh.

“One challenge that may sound like a cliché, but still remains a burden for the modern-day musician, is piracy. I, for one, have come to terms with the fact that piracy cannot be completely eradicated in the near future. We will continue to ensure our music is easily accessible to the fans through a wide distribution network,” she said.

She said she was grateful for the recognition through the various accolades they received last year and also believed that her music was well-received in the previous year and through the numerous testimonies of how God was transforming people’s lives through her music.

Manyowa last year walked away with the Album of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Song Writer and Best Female Artiste from her several other nominations at the Permican Awards.

Tonderai Ndiraya

BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE

Harare football giants Dynamos are set to go a gear up in the off-season player transfer market as they seek to conclude their transfer business this week, ahead of the start of their preseason training next week.

So far, the Harare giants have signed former captain Partson Jaure, who featured for Manica Diamonds last year, Nkosi Mhlanga from Yadah as well as two unheralded young players Tanaka Chidhobha and Lennox Mutsetse.

The club has come under criticism from their hard-to-please fans over the signings they have made so far, with all except Jaure, unknown quantities.

They did the same at the start of the season last year when they went for unknown players, and what followed was a disastrous campaign which saw them eventually finishing on ninth position in the league. The fans do not want a repeat of that.

But this week could as well define Dynamos’ season amid speculation that the club has secured the services of Young Warriors and Herentals midfielder Juan Mutudza.

Other players linked with the Harare giants include Chapungu pacey forward Ian Nyoni, Triangle’s Trevor Mavhunga, Arthur Musiyiwa from Bulawayo Chiefs as well as Black Rhinos Soccer Star of the Year finalist Wellington Taderera.

Warriors and ZPC Kariba defender Ian Nekati is also believed to be under Dynamos’ radar.

“We have not signed any other player save for the four that have been announced. But what I can say is this is the defining week for the club in which we are looking to conclude all our transfer business,” Dynamos chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa told NewsDay Sport.

“We have been engaging the players who are within the club regarding their future and now we are
looking outside for players that the coach has recommended. So this week, we are going a gear up and by the start of pre-season training on January 20, we would have brought everyone that we need at the club,” he said.

Mupfurutsa was not at liberty to reveal the names of the players that the coach has recommended, but he emphasised that the club was keen to sign young players.

“At Dynamos, we believe in nurturing and developing players, so we want to bring young players who have a lot of years in their careers. That way, we can market and benefit from them when they move to bigger leagues. We can only sign an old player if they are incredibly talented like what we did with Partson Jaure. We know he is easily one of the best defender in the league at the moment.”

“Otherwise, we pride ourselves in having uncovered young players like Emmanuel Jalayi, Jarrison Selemani and Tinotenda Muringai who were virtually unknown last year. That is the direction we want to go as a club,” Mupfurutsa said.

The club will be looking to bring in a striker to replace Evans Katema, who is believed to be on his way to Zambia, while Edward Sadomba retired at the end of the season last year.

A number of players are also set to be off-loaded as the club seeks to build a team that will compete for honours this year

Coach Tonderai Ndiraya has something to build on considering the potential shown by most of the young players last season.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) is now able to receive applications for listing of exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) following the approval of the Securities and Exchange rules 2019.

In a statement on Friday, the local bourse said the approval was granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe in terms of section 65(3) of the Securities and Exchange Act (Chapter 24:25).

These are the Securities and Exchange (Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Listings Requirements) (Amendment) rules 2019 and the Securities and Exchange (Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Market Making) rules 2019.

“The listing rules amendment incorporates exchange traded products listings requirements, which means ZSE is now able to receive applications for listing of exchange traded funds and exchange traded notes. The ZSE is also now able to process applications for prospective market makers,” the local bourse said.

ETNs, according to Investopedia, are structured products that are issued as senior debt notes, while ETFs represent a stake in an underlying commodity.

ETNs are more like bonds in that they are unsecured.

ETFs provide investments into a fund that holds the assets it tracks, like stocks, bonds or gold.

One of the benefits of ETFs is that they can offer lower operating costs than traditional open-end funds, flexible trading, greater transparency, and better tax efficiency in taxable accounts.

Since ETNs trade on major exchanges like stocks, investors can buy and sell them and make money from the difference between the purchase and sale prices, minus any fees.

BY SILAS NKALA / Richard Muponde / Precious Chida

Chief Justice Luke Malaba has announced the setting up of special courts to deal with the marauding machete gangs wreaking havoc in most parts of the country, warning that the courts would not have mercy on those who terrorise communities.

Machete gangs have been unleashing a reign of terror, especially in mining areas where they go about killing and maiming people before robbing them of gold and other valuables.

Speaking during the official opening of the 2020 legal year at the Constitutional Court yesterday, Chief Justice Malaba said the institution mandated to protect citizens could not just sit back and watch a few rogue elements terrorise the entire nation for their selfish benefits.

“As we speak, the country is gripped by another spate of violence perpetrated by the so-called machete gangs. May I assure the nation that the courts stand ready to decisively deal with those accused of these offences, in accordance with the law. Special courts to specifically try the cases have been set up in all affected areas across the country,” he said.

“We hear stories of callous murders of ordinary Zimbabweans and law enforcement agents. Citizens’ right of free of movement, freedom to conduct their affairs without fear and freedom of association are being violated with impunity by these gangsters. Courts must demonstrate to the public that they are possessed of real capacity to enforce the law and punish crime,” he said.

According to statistics, machete gangs have killed over 100 people in gold wars.

Last week, 47 machete gang members were arrested, while two of them were shot by the police after they stormed a police base in Gokwe North to rescue their colleagues, who had been nabbed for robbing a mine of gold ore.

Officially opening the 2020 legal year at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza also spoke strongly against the machete gangs.

Justice Gwaunza called on all stakeholders in the administration of justice to make concerted efforts to end the scourge.

Witness Mpofu, a soldier, was on Sunday allegedly caught stealing copper cables in Chegutu

BY Brenna Matendere

A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) member was on Sunday night arrested in Chegutu by National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) security guards after he was caught red-handed stealing copper cables while three other people were nabbed the same day in Gweru on similar charges.

NRZ spokesperson Nyasha Maravanyika confirmed the developments and revealed that there was strong suspicion that powerful politicians were behind syndicates of copper cable thieves since habitual culprits normally mysteriously end up scot-free.

“I can confirm that our security guards in Chegutu and Gweru on Sunday night arrested thieves who were digging up underground copper cables which are used for signal communication for our personnel in trains along the railway lines. In Chegutu, the person arrested was a soldier and he is Corporal Witness Mpofu. As for Gweru, the culprits were ordinary civilians who reside in that city,” he said.

Mpofu, whose force number was recorded as 80127F of Pomona Barracks, resides in Pfupajena suburb in Chegutu.

He was allegedly caught digging up copper cables at the 390km peg between Bedford and Mupfure siding on the NRZ map.

Those arrested in Gweru were identified as Johannes Tsikira of Mkoba 10 Gweru, Owen Phiri (29) and Elfat Ncube (35) both of Mkoba 9. They were found digging up the copper cables at Dabuka NRZ Station.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko yesterday said he was travelling to Bulawayo so was unable to give details of the incident.

Maravanyika said the value of the stolen cables in Chegutu and Gweru would be evaluated in Bulawayo.

“The trend we are seeing is that in most of the cases, the people who are arrested are the same on different occasions, which means they will be repeat offenders,” he said.

“This raises suspicion that powerful politicians and businesspeople must be behind the syndicates which is why they find their way out of custody after we hand them over to the police.”

Meanwhile, police in Chegutu on Sunday morning arrested Obert Mugati (33) and Tendai Sekai Ndimi (33) after their vehicle was found carrying rolls of copper conductors weighing 550kg.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Blessmore Chishaka said two other occupants of the Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus escaped. He said the conductors were stolen from Unki Mine in Shurugwi.

BY Nkululeko Sibanda

TOUCHED by Zimbabwe’s ailing health delivery system, a South African-based Zimbabwean businessman has pledged to rescue the situation by donating pre-fabricated clinics in Bulawayo and other parts of the country.

The businessman, Timothy Mncube told Southern Eye from his South African base that he was ready to donate up to 60 pre-fabricated clinic units to bring Zimbabwe’s health delivery service closer to people.

“I have decided to donate clinic structures to some parts of Zimbabwe, about 60 of them, because I have realised there is need for these centres out there,” Mncube said.

“I have resolved to work with the people because there is need to heed the cries of the people in the countryside, mostly. So those units are coming very soon and I believe they will go a long way in alleviating some of the challenges that people in Zimbabwe have of accessing healthcare.”

Emphasising that his donation was a personal contribution and was not driven by any political office desires, he said the health centres would be accessible to all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation.

According to Mncube, one of the units would be set up in Bulawayo’s Emganwini suburb, where there had been plans to construct a clinic. The plan fell through due to unavailability of resources.

“I would like one of the centres to be installed in Emganwini suburb of Bulawayo. There are people who wanted to construct a clinic there, but there were no funds to do that. I believe this facility will come in handy and close that gap created by the unavailability of the clinic,” he added.

Mncube said there was need for the Health and Child Care ministry to deploy personnel to the clinics he would set up.

He added that he would prefer “nurses from the locality be deployed to the clinics as they are able to converse with the patients in their language, reducing the amount of time spent on an individual patient”.

Mncube recently contributed immensely towards the construction of the Nketa 9 Police Station, which was handed over to the community a few weeks ago.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

ZIMBABWE hotel occupancies during the just-ended festive season were subdued as the harsh economic situation in the country took a huge toll on people’s holiday spending.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) president Clive Chinwada said locals usually dominate festive season bookings, and as such, occupancies in Victoria Falls were down to 70% from above 80% last year.

Only Victoria Falls had a solid foreign footprint during this period, especially after Christmas because of the Victoria Falls Carnival.

Hotel facilities in Vumba, Manicaland, and Kariba in Mashonaland West had their occupancies tumbling by 2%.

“Performance was varied across destinations and most of the resorts were busy as is always the case during the festive season. The Eastern Highlands, specifically Nyanga, averaged 80% from December 22, 2019 to January 2, 2020.
Vumba and Kariba slightly dropped by about 2%,” Chinwada said.

The HAZ president said the festive season is driven by domestic tourism, and under the current economic circumstances, demand was subdued.

He said the declining consumer spending and fuel shortages played a key role in subduing hotel occupancies.

“General decline in the ability to spend (is) because of the economic situation. Fuel shortages (also had an imapct) as most of these destinations are drive-in destinations. Even though the fuel situation improved during the holiday itself, travellers generally plan well ahead and any uncertainty could lead to cancellation of travel plans,” Chinwada said.

Tourism players have, in the past, pleaded with Treasury to review the 15% value-added tax on foreign accommodation, the 2% intermediated transactional tax and duty exemption for car rental owners in order to make the country a cheaper tourist destination.

In order for the sector to achieve its set priorities, the 2020 national budget provided some duty exemptions for tourist sector equipment such as luxury buses, which have assisted the sector by providing an investment window to aid the recovery of the sector.

Tourism is recognised as one of the pillars anchoring Zimbabwe’s economic growth and job creation strategies alongside agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

The sector has continued on a positive trajectory as evidenced by tourist arrivals that grew from 1,8 million in 2013 to 2,5 million in 2018.

It is expected that tourist arrivals will rise marginally in 2019 regardless of the prevailing macro-economic environment.