Thabiso Nxumalo

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has urged media practitioners to practise professionalism as the country heads towards by-elections set for March 26 this year.
Speaking during a sensitisation workshop for journalists focusing on media and elections held in Masvingo at Chevron hotel on February 15, 2022, MISA Legal and ICT Officer, Nompilo Simanje said the media can make or break a nation, hence the need for professionalism and unbiased reporting.
“As the media, we must understand the power we possess, as we can sway the electorate and democracy of a country in any direction depending on how we report and as such we call on all journalists to be careful in the way they report especially during the elections.
“We must never at any time be biased and at the same time be bold and desist from the brown envelope syndrome which is a major culprit when dealing with politicians,” said Simanje.
She further said that the elections period is marred with the arrest and persecution of journalists and as MISA they are prepared to meet with various stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) among others that the media often clash with in order to pave a smooth co-existence during elections.
“We have in the past, had run-ins between the media and ZRP and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) during the election periods and as a media institution, we would like to see our journalists given space where they can safely and freely practise, that is why it is pivotal to engage these stakeholders as a way of coming up with a solution to this,” she added.
Simanje however urged media practitioners to strictly adhere to the profession’s ethics as well as reminding them of the legal obligations when reporting during elections.
This message comes barely a month after Permanent Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Virginia Mabiza said no journalist has been arrested in Zimbabwe for doing their job during the Third Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the United Nations Human Rights Council on January 26, 2022 in Geneva.

TellZim reporter

The Zimbawe National Teachers Union (ZINATU) has urged its members to remain resolute and unshaken in the wake of suspensions issued by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) Dr Evelyn Ndlovu over their job action citing incapacitation as the main reason.
In a statement under-signed by Secretary General Livison Maunganidze issued on February 14, the union said that their members would only go back to respective work places after government meet a host of demands they are tabling.
“We will engage our friendly lawyers any time when the situation gets out of control. We can also engage human rights lawyers if push comes to shove. So do not get intimidated by a suspension that was brought into force to coerse all incapacitated teachers to their workplaces.
“We can only be in a position to consider going back to work on fulfillment of the following: reversal of suspension by the ministry, non-victimisation of our members, payment of US$ 540 into our accounts with effect from January 1, 2022, upward review of school fees allowances to the level of fees being charged by government boarding schools per term and payment of school fees directly into personal accounts as opposed to paying directly to school accounts,” read part of the statement.
It also added that their membership shall respect the decision by government to suspend them urging all suspended teachers not to go to schools unless they are served with communication nullifying the very suspension.
“In our collective voice, we have agreed henceforth, that we remain incapacitated and SUSPENDED with effect from ‘FORTHWITH’ as contained in our letter of suspension by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
“We shall speak the same language with our colleagues for purposes of unity. We shall also engage our legal counsel in case of unwarranted victimization. If the level of misunderstanding and pandemonium escalates to unprecedented levels, we shall make an urgent appeal to higher offices in particular the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) for intervention,” added the statement.
The salary impasse between government and teacher unions has reached unprecedented levels as the latter boycotted lessons prompting the respective minister to issue suspension letters to such teachers for a period of three months with no salaries.
However, a number of lawyers have said the Minister or the ministry of education has no capacity to suspend teachers arguing that it is the prerogative of the Public Service Commission.

…amid outrageous nationwide power cuts

Rutendo Chirume

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ (ZCTU) affiliated Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union [ZEWU] has threatened of an imminent strike, warning their employer Zimbabwe Electricity Power Authority (ZESA) not to be surprised if they fail to consistently report to work as expected because they are incapacitated due to poor salaries.
The union wrote a letter to ZESA Excutive Chairperson Sydney Gata on February 14 citing that ZESA have taken their patience for a weakness, that is why the state owned company has been refusing to engage its employees to discuss salary increments and therefore ZEWU members feel they are no longer capacitated to report for duty due to unbearable economic conditions.
“Funeral cover has gone up to 200 percent, medical insurance premiums by 300 percent and many services including school fees, rentals and fuel require foreign currency. It is clear that without salary reviews, your employees remain incapacitated to fend for their families and will be left with no choice except to report for duty inconsistently until the matter is resolved,’’ warned ZEWU.
ZEWU also accused ZESA for failing to finalise last year’s bargaining negotiations which created disunity among workers as they feel that their representatives are somehow benefitting and said the gap between continuous price hikes of basic commodities and their current salaries is too parallel which is why they found themselves heavily incapacitated.
“The situation has been exacerbated by the recent and non-stoppable price hikes of basic commodities and failure by the employer using ‘no mandate’ slogan to finalise the 2021 collective bargaining negotiations. Please note that this ‘no mandate’ stance has created disharmony between the unions and their constituencies as members feel union are somehow benefitting from the many fruitless so –called bargaining meetings,’’ reads the letter.
A strike by ZESA employees would come as a huge blow to an already ailing company and likely see faults going unattended or delayed causing further disruption to consumers who are already facing outrageous power cuts across the country.

… As JOC is set to retrieve the car from former Gweru Mayor

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- Residents have called for former Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe to return the pool car he is holding on to after his recall from the post by MDC-Alliance leader Douglas Mwonzora in December last year.
Allegations are that Makombe is holding on to the car as part of his terminal benefits following his recall after he was caught up in the political persecution by being allegiant to now Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa by then MDC-T led by Mwonzora.
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRARDA) Director David Chikore said it was a fact that the acting Town Clerk had not taken enough action over the issue.
“It is a known fact that the acting Town Clerk had not taken any action thus far on the issue. We want to know further details on why Makombe is still using the vehicle.
“The acting Town Clerk is the substantive Chamber Secretary at Town House and is the Chief Legal Advisor and custodian of Council records, by virtue of that position. Before demanding that Makombe returns the vehicle, we should seek to fully understand the full internal arrangements and agreements made between Makombe and Town House during his tenure, especially surrounding the issue of the vehicle,” Chikore added.
He also said residents initially had suggested that the vehicle be disposed to boost council revenue.
“Remember the vehicle was originally meant to be used by Elizabeth Gwatipedza the Town Clerk before she got suspended. We strongly felt that the vehicle whose mistimed purchase was contentious, be kept unused while waiting for the appointment of a substantive Town Clerk.
“We even suggested that the vehicle be sold with the proceeds going into council coffers. This route hit a brick wall, apparently due to a standing government policy guiding the disposal of public assets. It was around then that we woke up to news that the Prado had been transferred to the Mayor’s office as a pool vehicle and along the line, there were news that Mr Makombe wanted to convert the vehicle to personal use so that it becomes one of his exit perks at the end of his tenure,” he added.
Chikore however appealed to the former mayor to return council property.
“Until and unless we have the full details on what transpired in Town House’s corridors of power, we might actually be jumping the gun and unnecessarily whipping up the people’s emotions.
“In the meantime, we appeal to former Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe to do the honourable thing and protect his reputation,” urged Chikore.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) Director Cornelia Selipiwe said as residents they were happy with council resolution which was passed on February 17 during a full council meeting.
“As residents we are happy regarding the resolution passed on yesterday for Makombe to return the car. It remains illegal for one to hold on to council property when he is no longer in office.
“At least in a resolution passed, it was clearly stated that the car can be sold after the term of his office. If he is to get it (the car) it should after his term when council disposes it,” added Selipiwe.
GRRA have since written a letter dated February 15, 2022 addressed to Acting Town Clerk Vakai Chikwekwe regarding the use of the vehicle by former mayor.
“We refer to the above matter and write to inquire on the circumstances justifying the continued abuse of council vehicle a Toyota Prado (Black) by the former Mayor Josiah Makombe.
“We have observed with concern that despite him relinquishing office, he continues to misuse the vehicle as a campaign vehicle ferrying party supporters,” read part of the letter.
Contacted for comment on the matter Chikwekwe said he is officially on leave though he said a council meeting held on February 17 discussed the matter before referring this publication to the public relations office.
“You can ask the public relations department because I am on leave. I did not attend the meeting but the PR department would be in a position to answer. The ordinary council meeting was held and it’s true the issue of returning of the vehicle was discussed and resolved the former should surrender it,” said Chikwekwe before referring the reporter to assistant public relations officer Anna Machacha.
Machacha however could not comment as well on the matter as she suggested the reporter put his questions in writing via electronic mail to the office of the Town Clerk.
Meanwhile in a new development the Joint Operations Command (JOC) has been ordered to retrieve the car from Makombe.
Gweru District Development Coordinator (DDC) Ndeya Nyede confirmed the development.
Nyede said Makombe acted outside council regulations by grabbing the vehicle.
“Failure to return the council vehicle or property is outside the council regulations and it is an offense to remain with council property when you are no longer serving.
“We are therefore going to send a team of JOC comprising of Zimbabwe Republic Police officers and other security agencies to impound the vehicle,” said Nyede.
Efforts to get comment from Makombe were fruitless as his mobile number went unanswered.