Zambia’s Cabinet on December 4, 2019 approved the production and export of marijuana, effectively lifting a longstanding moratorium on the issuance of licences for this purpose. A Ministerial Technical Committee for the cultivation, processing and export of cannabis for economic and medicinal purposes has since been set up and the issuance of regulations expedited with government pegging marijuana licences at an annual fee of US$250 000.

The decision to peg the marijuana licence at a staggering US$$250 000 by the government has shocked Zambians who fear that they will be excluded from participating in the venture. Zambians have received the news with a mixture of excitement and scepticism. Many have wondered how Zambia suddenly U-turned on its consistent objection to the production of marijuana.

Zambia destroys over 60 tonnes of marijuana each year. Secretly and culturally the consumption of marijuana is accepted in many regions of Zambia and is believed to have religious and spiritual effects by some sections of society. But some Christian leaders have loudly condemned the decision by government arguing that it amounted to a betrayal of the country’s Christian values.

According to a United Nations survey, more than 10 000 tonnes of cannabis are produced in Africa each year, which could be worth billions of dollars in a rapidly expanding global market for legal cannabis. In 2017, Lesotho became the first African country to legalise the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, spawning a new sector in a country where the economy struggles to create employment opportunities.

The market for legal marijuana is set to be worth around US$146 billion (£114 billion) a year by 2025, with medicinal marijuana set to make up more than two-thirds of that, according to consultants Grand View Research.
The African cannabis report shows that the African legal cannabis market could top US$7,1 billion by 2023 if key markets legalise medical and recreational cannabis. Lesotho, Uganda and Zimbabwe have already taken steps in this direction. Malawi and Zambia have just joined the bandwagon.

In June 2019 Green Party President Peter Sinkamba lost a court bid to compel the Zambian government to grant him a licence to cultivate and sell cannabis. Sinkamba had argued in court that legalising marijuana could generate US$36 billion annually for Zambia and that it was frustrating that many countries had seen sense in legalising the use of the crop for medicinal use when Zambia was refusing to see it.

Sinkamba sued Zambia’s Health minister Chitalu Chilufya for refusal to grant him the licence to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, export and import medical marijuana. According to the Court of Appeal, the Dangerous Drugs Act which is the principal Act for Administration of Dangerous Drugs, in section 22 gave discretion to the minister of Health to reject or grant an application to cultivate cannabis. Judge Fulgency Chisanga said the Court of Appeal could impose its position on the Health minister’s discretion. Sinkamba has welcomed the new decision by the government but strongly opposed the exorbitant licence fee.

The licence fee is arguably an open invitation to big-money foreign and local cartels to not only use Zambia as a platform to clean up their dirty money, but also an opportunity for them to make an easy killing at the expense of Zambians.

One commentator observed: “If this happens, we would have laid the perfect breeding ground for an underground cannabis market which will undoubtedly be punctuated by gun violence as participants look to claim a share of what they believe is an opportunity systematically denied them.”

Zambian laws do not allow quoting of goods and services in foreign currencies, but Zambians are surprised that the government is quoting licences in US dollars a clear indication that this is not an opportunity for ordinary Zambians.

A desperate government

There are a number of factors that have motivated the decision by the Zambian government to turn to the marijuana business with the most obvious one being — economic.

Zambia’s economy is ailing and the government desperately needs to plug a huge hole in its national budget which keeps widening. Zambia spends over 91% of its national budget on personnel emoluments and debt servicing leaving less than 9% for spending on social services such as health, education, social protection and delivery of programmes.

The public sector wage bill in Zambia is one of the highest in the world. This, coupled with general low productivity, detracts from the optimal use of scarce resources. Expenditure on personnel emoluments as a share of domestic revenues still remains high at 47,1% in 2018, and already over 50% in 2019 thereby, constraining other developmental expenditures.

The Zambian government also has a huge backlog of domestic debt, owing almost everyone ranging from suppliers to farmers and banks in millions. Will the production and export of marijuana turn around Zambia’s economy? It could and may not. The reason why Zambia may fail to use marijuana to uplift Zambians from poverty is well known, the country has a reputation of failing to manage its resources prudently and derive maximum benefits for the economy and citizens.

Furthermore, there are genuine fears that politicians may hijack this enterprise away from the people. This has happened with trade-in Mukulaa famous’ Rosewood which is the subject of a global scandal implicating top Zambian politicians including the first family according to a recent report.

In support of the economic benefit argument for marijuana, a Zambian analyst Anthony Bwalya argues that the cannabis industry has the potential to replace copper as Zambia’s leading foreign export earner.

“It must be noted that the level of technical expertise and intensity of capital associated with the cannabis supply chain, from growing, marketing to selling; is relatively friendly and nowhere near as laborious as the mining industry, perhaps save for a few stringent global regulatory requirements. But what this means is that Zambia and Zambians can own the cannabis industry 100% and internalise 100% of all forex revenues arising from this business. Capturing even a paltry 1% of the global cannabis market could potentially generate a staggering $3,4 billion per annum for the country. But again if we are not careful, this amount of money could very easily end up in the hands and pockets of cartels who I imagine are well poised to pounce on this multi-billion honey pot.”
Critics argue that ordinary Zambians will not benefit anything from this new lucrative opportunity just like many other natural resources have not benefited Zambians, but only produced a clique of wealthy well-connected individuals to those in power.

Zambian business and financial analyst Blessings Kafwanka raised a red flag on the frenzy surrounding Zambia’s decision.

“Those thinking that Zambia will now be earning about $3bn per annum from the export of marijuana alone as projected by Green Party president Peter Sinkamba, please relax. There is so much more that still needs to be done than just legalising the cultivation of the crop. Zambia is endowed with many natural resources that are more valuable than marijuana that we have lamentably failed to take advantage of. We have gold, mukula, copper, cobalt, the best gemstones in the world, etc. None of these resources is bringing in anything close to $3bn.”

However, the Zambia Medical Association has commended the Zambian government for the bold and innovative decision it has taken to allow cultivation, processing and exporting of cannabis for economic and medicinal purposes.

Samson Chisele, the association president said the association had in the past few years advocated for the decriminalisation of cannabis to allow for locally generated clinical research to assess the long-term safety and medical relevance of marijuana.

“In modern medicine, medical marijuana is known to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy (cancer treatment), improve appetite in HIV/AIDS patients, reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms, treat migraines, glaucoma and severe forms of epilepsy”, he said.
However, Chisele said in light of the euphoria exhibited by members of the general public regarding Cabinet’s decision to give approval, in principle, to the Ministerial Technical Committee for the cultivation, processing and exporting of cannabis for economic and medicinal purposes, has clarified that ordinary marijuana differs from medical marijuana.

He explained that the former contains over 400 chemical compounds, some of which have serious psychoactive effects (the ‘high’ feeling), while the latter usually only contains 2 well-refined extracts of the plant, with scientifically proven benefits to treat specific medical conditions.

With more African economies facing financial constraints, and increasing demand for marijuana as a raw material for the manufacture of painkillers, we can expect more countries turning to licensing marijuana production as a revenue stream. The challenge, however, will be how to regulate the sector so that drug dealers do not take advantage of the same.

Bruce Chooma is a Zambian journalist, media trainer, blogger development worker and communication consultant currently working as national co-ordinator at Disability Rights Watch.

National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) board chairman NRZ) board chairman Martin Dinha yesterday said they were in discussions with a Chinese company known as China Mining Logistics Holding Company for a deal to move about two million tonnes of iron ore per year from Zimbabwe to China.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

Addressing journalists soon after meeting the company’s officials in Bulawayo, Dinha said the deal, if sealed, would help capacitate the parastatal.

“The Chinese have a proposal. They are known as China Mining Logistics Holding Company. They have discovered iron ore resources in Zimbabwe. So they want to exploit a minimum of two million tonnes per year,” he said.

“They want us to carry iron ore from Zimbabwe through Beira to China for their iron ore industry and later on they want to establish an iron and steel company in Zimbabwe. So they have come for initial inquiries. We are engaging them for initial inquiries and a framework on how we can assist them and then we benefit.

“So their discussion is around whether NRZ has capacity to carry that from Bindura to Beira. It’s a business opportunity for us, but we require to capitalise ourselves in terms of locomotives and wagons.”

Dinha added: “It’s a scary figure for NRZ, why because we want the capacities. They want 70 to 80 000 tonnes per day. This is not a joke. So we are engaging them because it’s an opportunity for us. Once we snatch that business, we are home and dry. Then we can improve the social conditions of our workers, pay them better salaries.”

Dinha said their strategic approach was to go after every mining concern in Zimbabwe and clinch business deals.

NRZ requires about US$1,9 billion to fully recapitalise its operations. It needs to rehabilitate its track, acquire locomotives, wagons and upgrade information communication technology to enable the parastatal to increase freight volumes.

Last year, government cancelled a US$400 million NRZ recapitalisation programme signed two years ago with the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group after the group reportedly “failed” to comply with contractual timelines.

The fight against corruption has been a potpourri in Zimbabwe. The vice has been rampant in government, private sector and even in civic society organisations. There is no day that passes without the media reporting a case of corruption, especially involving top government officials.

However, in October last year, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa scored a first when he announced the setting up of an integrity and accountability panel to investigate and take action against his party’s corrupt officials.

In a statement the MDC said: “President Nelson Chamisa has appointed Advocate Thabani Mpofu to lead the integrity and accountability panel which shall enforce the zero tolerance policy to corruption in all MDC-led councils.”

“In preparing the MDC’s task as a government the president understands that our problems emanate from the lack of integrity and accountability in our public work. The president emphasises that public officials are the human interface between the State and the citizens. He wants local governments, run by his party to be an exemplary interface that is accountable and of high integrity. President Chamisa has zero tolerance for corruption and any lack of efficacy in public officials.”

Addressing a Press conference, Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda, said the committee would meet all stakeholders, including residents and organised local groups.

MDC councillors have been accused of corruption, especially in Bulawayo where some councillors were fingered for attempting to award a Harare company parking tenders without following due process.

But Chamisa’s sincerity in the setting up of such a committee has been questioned. Almost three months after it was set up, the other committee members have not been appointed and the terms of reference have not been made public.
That Sibanda has not been forthcoming when asked about the terms of reference for the integrity committee could be testimony that Zimbabweans could have been sold a dummy. Several attempts to obtain the terms of reference by this writer from Chamisa’s office have drawn blanks.

Is the MDC trying to hoodwink the donor community? The MDC has been accused of abusing donor funds in the past, so this could be interpreted as a ruse to trick the donor community into believing that the opposition party is breaking from the past. Nobody will be fooled, including donors. This came a few months after the party said it was engaging an independent firm to audit its books.

If Chamisa is serious about ridding graft in his rank and file, he should constitute the integrity committee and fish out corrupt party members. The opposition leaders should show the world that they are a true government in waiting by showing a detest to corruption. If Chamisa does not set up this committee to investigate the rot in local authorities under his party’s purview then he will be viewed as an accessory. The setting up of such a committee and giving it teeth would cleanse his party. This is a sure case of breaking from the Zanu PF culture of more talk, less action.

The MDC should repay urban residents’ votes with service excellence and Chamisa should lead the cleansing ceremony. This would shake off the notion that MDC legislators and councillors have presided over the deterioration of the urbanites’ quality of life.

Harare City Council, one of the citadels of the MDC last year made headlines for the wrong reasons following the unearthing of an alleged nepotism scandal which involved not only serving councillors, but even the opposition party’s leaders.

Auditor-General Mildred Chiri’s reports bear testimony to the fact that corruption is rampant in parastatals and other government departments. But there has been much talk and less action on the part of government in as far as fighting corruption is concerned.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been blowing hot and cold in the fight against corruption. He set up an anti-graft unit in the President’s Office, which was meant to complement the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and police in the fight against the vice.

The Zacc board was subsequently fired and a new one led by Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo’s wife, Loice replaced it. A few notables were arraigned before the courts facing criminal abuse of office and corruption charges. Regrettably, it seems the anti-graft dragnet is targeting either small fish or people who are perceived to be anti-establishment.

G40 members among them Walter Mzembi, Ignatius Chombo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Samuel Undenge made a beeline at the courts facing criminal abuse of office and corruption charges. The corruption fight has been turned into a political witch-hunt. This is typically how not to fight corruption.

The chaos that has been bedevilling local authorities, where houses have been built on wetlands and on top of sewage pipes has been blamed on land barons with connections to Zanu PF. The report by a commission set up to investigate the sale of State land revealed that party honchos and apparatchiks were the main culprits who abused State-land for political gain, particularly to buy votes ahead of elections.

Corruption in Zimbabwe manifests itself in various forms ranging from petty, bureaucratic to political. The corruption scourge is exacerbated by massive forms of political patronage, repression and the manipulative governance systems. The Zimbabwean populace is gripped with cynicism, scepticism and erosion of confidence in MDC-run local authorities. So an integrity committee with teeth can reclaim the lost mojo.

A person of integrity is bound by principles and motivates through ethical behaviour. Integrity is the most important trait of leadership in any society because regardless of what other beneficial characteristics exist, people will not follow someone unless they have established trust in them. Integrity and morality are in short supply in the Zimbabwe body polity.

South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has reaped rewards of its integrity committee.

In June last year, David Mabuza was reappointed as South Africa’s deputy president at the eleventh hour, as he had to clear his name from the ANC integrity commission’s watchlist before being sworn in as an MP. A decade-long shroud of controversy almost prevented Mabuza’s continued tenure as the country’s second in command. Mabuza was accused of misappropriation of funds and corruption when he was Mpumalanga premier from 2009.

More steps should be taken to protect the image of the organisation and enhance its standing in society by ensuring, among others, that urgent action is taken to deal with public officials, leaders and members of the MDC who face damaging allegations of improper conduct.

However, it is hoped that Chamisa’s appointing of the integrity committee will not lead to more problems emanating from the principal-agent theory. The theory postulates that the principal (Chamisa) appoints an agent (integrity committee led by Mpofu) and the agent always acts in line with the dictates and mandates of his principal. The principal is thus seen appointing corruption watchdogs to police themselves. Thus the principal-agent relationship becomes the major source of an impasse, where the agent applies the regulations selectively and in situations that the principal deems necessary. This could explain in more ways than one why Zacc, despite changing hands, has remained all bark, with no bite.

Cliff Chiduku is a journalist. He writes in his personal capacity. Feedback: cchiduku@gmail.com

THE 2018 Chibuku Neshamwari traditional dance competition winners, Guruve Marimba Arts Group’s decision to manufacture musical instruments has proved profitable, helping them to sustain their art despite the economic hardships in the country.

BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

The traditional dance group, which has also ventured into Afro-pop music, said although its dream was to grow its music business it had managed to brand itself as both musicians and manufacturers of traditional artistic instruments.

“We are Afro-pop musicians at heart, but we have managed to sustain ourselves as we manufacture music instruments such as marimba, mbira, traditional drums, hosho and props that are used in traditional dance as well as maturi, tsero, tsvimbo (staffs), hari (clay pots), tswanda (reed basket) and traditional dance costumes. We also offer training in schools,” group leader Ginatsia Nyanhete told Newsday Life & Style yesterday.

He added that business was, however, low sometimes as most of the traditional activities are seasonal.

Meanwhile, the ensemble has released a six-track album titled Idoro Chete, which Nyanhete said was meant to teach the youth to be morally upright.

“Our album is meant to enlighten the children of Zimbabwe to be morally upright, not to indulge in the sins of this world and to learn to work for themselves. We put our best effort and we are certain that fans are going to love our project,” he said.

Tracks on the album are Idoro Chete, Madzongonyodze, Mudande, Ndakura, Ndiri Sober and Nzara Ndakarima.

The ensemble, which won a trip to China in 2010, said winning the Chibuku Neshamwari competition was a stepping stone in their music career as they managed to attract more fans and get money to support their music.

They encouraged up-and-coming artistes to produce original music rather than to imitate other artistes.

A ZANU PF councillor in Shurugwi’s Tongogara area has been arrested on allegations of stealing 10 bags of food aid meant for starving villagers in his area.

By Brenna Matendere

Tapiwa Ndawana of ward 10 was arrested on Tuesday following a report filed by Shurugwi assistant district co-ordinator Desmond Anele Gumbochuma, who is also chairperson of the district’s drought relief programme.

According to a leaked police memorandum, Ndawana (42) of Ndawana village under Chief Banga, received 919x50kgs bags of maize from Tongogara Grain Marketing Board on January 6.

He allegedly transported the first batch of 330 bags of maize to Donga Council, while the remaining 589 bags were delivered to Banga and Matsika business centres for distribution to needy villagers.

Ndawana then allegedly connived with his co-accused Taurai Dongo (36) of Mhangami Mahachi village, Chief Banga, to steal 37 bags of the maize, claiming there was a shortfall at Matsika Business Centre.

Ndawana allegedly instructed a security guard at the council workshop to hand over the 37 bags of maize to Dongo, who then hired a commuter omnibus, registration number AEG 4293, and took the 37 bags of maize to Gweru, where he sold the grain to Tondereai Muzanenhamo for $4 800.

Police received a tip-off about the scam, leading to the accused’s arrest and recovery of only five bags of maize.
The total value of the stolen grain is $6 722 and $1 055 was recovered. The case was investigated under ZRP Donga Post RRB number 4152573.

Ndawana and Dongo yesterday appeared before Shurugwi magistrate Sthabile Zungula and were remanded in custody to January 15.

There was drama before the court hearing when a traditional healer believed to have been hired by the councillor performed some rituals inside the court premises before he was whisked away by security officials.

THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC has said the opposition party marched in support of the ouster of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017 without knowing it was backing the wrong horse.

BY MOSES MATENGA

The MDC and ordinary Zimbabweans took to the streets in November 2017 in support of Mugabe’s ouster and celebrated the coming in of Emmerson Mnangagwa as President after the military coup in November 2017.

Two years on, MDC chairman for Harare province, Wellington Chikombo, says they made a mistake and have realised that Mnangagwa cannot be a solution to the Zimbabwean crisis.

“Mnangagwa cannot give us a solution today when he was part of the Mugabe administration for 37 years. He is an old person in new clothes, that doesn’t make him young. Look at his behaviour,” Chikombo said while addressing beneficiaries of the party’s social support programme in Zengeza, Chitungwiza.

“When we marched in 2017, we celebrated trouble. We jumped from a frying pan into the fire. We thought we were rescuing the people from Mugabe, but we wasted our energy on Mnangagwa. We wasted our time.”

Chamisa has repeatedly accused Mnangagwa of duping the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai that after Mugabe’s ouster, the country would defer elections and appoint a transitional authority to run government business until the economy had stabilised.

Chikombo said it was a sorry sight to see pensioners suffering in long queues to access cash from banks, saying: “Our pensioners here are struggling. In other countries, being old pays. People are paid for getting old, but here, our old men and women are eating vegetables without cooking oil.”

Midfielder Ralph Kawondera will be unavailable for his new club FC Platinum in the Caf Champions League group stage clash against Al Ahly of Egypt at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

The Soccer Star of the Year first runner-up played for Triangle in the Caf Confederation Cup this season, before crossing the floor to join the Zvishavane side at the start of this month.

Caf rules do not permit a player to feature in the two inter-club competitions in the same season.
FC Platinum assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe, whose side is winless in the African safari, yesterday confirmed the unavailability of their transfer window marque signing.

However, the other new arrivals Stanley Ngala and Last Jesi, who joined from Manica Diamonds and Nomore Chinyerere (formerly Hwange) are all available for the match.

“(Ralph) Kawondera is around and training with the others, but is cup-tied for the Caf Champions League at this stage. Ngala, Jesi and Chinyerere are available for the match,” Sweswe said.

FC Platinum will be looking for their first win in the group, having lost to Al-Hilal in Sudan, Etoile Sportive du Sahel and their opponents tomorrow.

The unavailability of Kawondera would further deplete the FC Platinum squad. The team recently parted ways with Mkhokheli Dube, Charles Sibanda, goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, Devon Chafa, Albert Eonde and Rodwell Chinyengetere.
The league champions are now coached by former Highlanders gaffer Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh, who was unveiled last week.

He takes over from Norman Mapeza, who left before the end of the season last year, with Sweswe finishing the term on an interim basis.

However, Sweswe is hopeful.

“We are just lacking that cutting edge. We are creating the chances, but not taking them. We still have the hope. We just have to win all our remaining matches,” Sweswe said.

Al Ahly were expected to train at the match venue yesterday.

Al Ahly coach Rene Weiler has travelled with a 21-member squad which includes midfielder Walid Suleiman, who notched a brace when they beat FC Platinum 2-0 in the reverse fixture on December 28.

However, the Egyptian giants will be without winger Hussein El-Shahat due to an injury.

The 28-year-old winger who joined the Reds last season has played 15 matches in all competitions, scoring eight goals.

Al Ahly will be fighting for their third victory in this match, as they occupy second place with six points in Group B.

“FC Platinum’s loss against Etoile du Sahel at home doesn’t mean they are a weak team, because the Zimbabwean champion were dominating the game. We will play the game as usual to get the three points,” Al Ahly’s assistant coach Sami Komsan said.

Tunisia’s Etoile Sportive du Sahel lead the group with six points, Al-Hilal of Sudan are third with also six points.

FC Platinum lie at the bottom of the group with no points.

Despite losing over 33% of its prime land during the fast-track land reform programme, one of Zimbabwe’s largest conservancies, Save Valley, has offered to donate Big Five animals to smaller parks in Gokwe, Midlands, as well as Mashonaland Central and West provinces.

By Garikai Mafirakureva

The Big Five game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo.

The Big Five term is believed to have been coined by big game hunters, and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot, but is now also widely used by safari tour operators.

The over-populated Save Valley Conservancy has issued a statement on its intended donation in response to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s decision to issue licences to other players in the industry.
The conservancy’s carrying capacity is 1 000 elephants, but the figure has almost trebled, disturbing the ecological balance in the process.

Three conservancies set to benefit from the donation include two privately-owned, that were recently issued with permits this year to allow them to receive relocated animals from Save Valley.

The three are Chizarira National Park in Gokwe, Midlands, Sapi Safari area in Mashonaland West and Mavuradhonha in Mashonaland Central.

The exercise, which is expected to be completed in 2021, will see the relocation of around 600 elephants, an undisclosed number of lions, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos and over 2 000 impalas.

It is expected to gobble around US$3 million as costs for the expertise and transportation during the relocation exercise.

Save Valley chief operations officer Steven Vos said his organisation was in full support of the exercise as it will decongest the conservancy.

He added that he was happy that his conservancy had proved that sustainable conservation helped the country to boost the number of endangered species.

Vos also said sustainable conservation promotes continued growth of game animals, improves infrastructure development, creates employment as well as adding value to the tourism industry by spreading the big five families across the country.

“The proposed relocation is going to take place in 2020 through to 2021 following engagement with various stakeholders, and ecologists to ensure that destination landscapes are ecologically capable of sustaining the new wildlife and that adequate protection and management measures are in place,” he said.

“Save Valley Conservancy is working closely in the initial planning stages of the project with donors, ecologists, capture specialists and stakeholders to ensure the success of the proposed relocation.”

Vos added the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance has been roped in to assist during relocation of the animals.

He also said the Cabela Family Foundation gave a 100% underwriting in the project as a commitment to the conservation of the key species and ecosystem in Africa.

“Save Valley Conservancy is proud to be able to prove that sustainable use of wildlife does indeed create excess animals which can in turn be used to repopulate national parks and other related wildlife areas,” Vos said.