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Get over it, the two percent tax is right: Murwira

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Prof Amon Murwira and Minister Ezra Chadzamira at the event

… says RBZ is empty

Upenyu Chaota

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Amon Murwira has endorsed the controversial two percent tax per every electronically-transacted dollar as recently pronounced by his Finance counterpart Professor Mthuli Ncube, likening the country’s dire economic situation to a canoe that everybody had to paddle.
Speaking at a local business forum held in Masvingo on Monday, Murwira said the country was in a serious crisis, adding it would take a collective approach to resuscitate it back to its glory days.
“Zimbabwe is like a canoe and everyone should paddle so that we stay afloat. We cannot sink because of one person (who does not want to pay the tax) and we each have to play our part.
“The country is a helpless being and if you sleep it also sleeps. The reason why many people cried because of the two percent tax is because they have not been contributing towards nation-building.
“We need all hands on deck and the two percent tax is part of the measures to make this country get back onto its feet. You cannot demand good services when you are not paying,” said Murwira.
Murwira said tax should not be an issue of debate as is being done in the country saying other countries world over were doing it.
“In countries like Germany, failing to pay tax is a serious crime which can get you locked up for a long time. Many people have not been paying their taxes and there is no room for that in the new dispensation,” said Murwira.
He challenged the business community to be export-oriented so that they could bring in the much-needed foreign currency since the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) was literally empty.
“The RBZ is empty and you find people queuing for forex which they did not deposit. Where do you expect the bank to get the forex from if you are not bringing it in?
“We need businesses to be export-oriented and target those outside markets. We do not want the situation where people get into the business of selling money like what we are experiencing across the country,” said Murwira.
The controversial two percent tax has drawn scorn from various sectors of the economy even within the ruling party where Ncube is accused of not consulting.
Main opposition MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has come out guns blazing saying the tax was not only illegal but pure daylight robbery.

Zaka teacher nearly killed in front of pupils for sleeping with married woman

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Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Dzingai Muvhu, an agriculture teacher at Tsiga Secondary School under Chief Nhema, was recently stabbed by the husband of a village woman he was allegedly dating, TellZim News has learnt.
It is alleged that Muvhu was attacked in full view of school children and other teachers in the school yard on October 22 by a villager identified as Shonga Musimhi who is husband to Muvhu’s lover. Musimhi was said to have been accompanied by his uncle Stern Gozho when he accosted Muvhu, accusing him of sleeping with his wife Dilas Matongo.
Sources said it took the courage of the school head and another villager identified as Alex Madzivire to restrain Musimhi from using the knife to further hurt a hapless Muvhu.
After the incident, Musimhi went on to attack his wife with a hoe and she was rushed to an unidentified hospital where she got admitted together with the couple’s four-weeks-old baby who was also badly injured in the attack.
It is said after being attacked, Muvhu fled from the school and sought medical treatment at Ndanga Hospital without reporting the matter to the police as he feared that embarrassment.
The incident was however later reported to the police, the village head and the chief.
Zaka District Schools Inspector Samson Chidzurira confirmed the incident but refused to give detailed information saying he was yet to get to the bottom of the matter.
“I am yet to get a more detailed report of the incident but I can confirm that I was informed that one teacher at Tsiga was stabbed and the incident involve a married village woman,” said Chidzurira
Chief Nhema, Rangarirai Bwawanda confirmed receiving the report and said they were yet to seat and hear the matter at his court.
“I received a report of a teacher at Tsiga School who snatched someone’s wife. We have already summoned him for hearing,” said Nhema.
Musimhi was said to be still on the run by the time of writing, but his uncle Gozho was reportedly caught last Saturday.

Shabani Mine employee in court for bashing wife over paternity

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Darlington Kanyongo

ZVISHAVANE – Moses Runguza, of F19B Kandodo, a security guard at Shabanie Mine recently appeared before resident magistrate Archie Wochiunga facing charges of domestic violence in terms of physical of abuse as defined in Section 4 as read with Section 3 (1)(a) of the Domestic Violence Act Chapter 5:16.
It was the State’s case that on October 19 at around 23:15 hrs, Runguza (57) came from work drunk and started shouting at his wife Mirika Runguza (47) alleging he was not the father to their son Robert.
When the wife asked why he was saying that, he became violent and started hitting her with fists on her cheeks and threatened to kill her using a machete.
The complainant later managed to escape and report the matter to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
When he was asked why he committed the crime, he simply told the court that he was very drunk and some friends of him were whispering that the son was not his.
He was ordered to pay a fine of $40 before November 30, lest he be taken to prison for 15 days.

18-year-old boy up for raping niece

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Precila Takabvirakare

MPANDAWANA – An 18-year old boy (name withheld for ethical) of Garariza village under Chief Gutu appeared before Gutu magistrate Victor Mahanadi recently facing charges of raping his 10-year-old niece.
He was charged with the crime of rape as defined in Section 65(1) of The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He was remanded in custody and was due to appear in court again on October 31.
State facts are that on October 06 this year, the boy and his niece were sleeping in the same room with the boy on the bed and the girl and her younger sister on the floor.
It is alleged that the boy sneaked into his niece’s blankets and told her that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her but she refused. The boy went on to remove his short completely, removed the girl’s dress to the waist, removed her pant and had sexual intercourse with her once.
After the illegal act, he threatened to assault the child if she revealed the matter to anyone.
The matter came to light when the child told her parents what had happened and a report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
Millicent Azangwe prosecuted.

Two Zvishavane youngsters in massive gold heist

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Darlington Kanyongo

ZVISHAVANE – Two local young men have been remanded in custody after they almost escaped with 20kg of gold stolen at Sabi Gold Mine.
Benedict Moyo (19), who stays in Makono Village under Chief Mazvihwa and Christopher Bangala (22) who stays in Zvoyi Village also under Chief Mazvihwa, appeared before resident magistrate Archie Wochiunga facing charges of theft as defined in Section 113(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
It was the State’s case that on October 23 soon after midnight, security guards were on patrol around the mine when they noticed the accused coming out of the shaft carrying sacks of gold ore. They then approached the two and arrested them for stealing gold ore from the mine.
Both accused persons were carrying sacks weighing 10kgs of gold ore each and they were remanded in custody to November 08 when they will be asked to plead.
Tinashe Maponde represented the State.

Teen uses old receipts to steal from shop

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Darlington Kanyongo

ZVISHAVANE – Brighton Imbayago (18) recently appeared in the Zvishavane magistrate court facing charges of stealing goods from Pote Central Supermarket.
He was sentenced to 10 days in prison or, alternatively, to pay $30 fine for contravening Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 ‘Shop lifting’.
State facts as presented by Caroline Mafunga were that on October 19, Imbayago come across a receipt which was not cleared by the security. He then took it and went into the shop to pick items which matched what was on the receipt.
Tambudzai Dube of Guardian Security was informed by an unidentified man who had witnessed Brighton picking up the used receipt.
The security officer then started to monitor Imbayago who then passed the tills without paying and proceeded to the exit.
Dube then approached the suspect and arrested him as he tried to leave.
When asked by magistrate Kudzai Zinyemba why he committed the offence, Imbayago said that he was very hungry and wanted to try his luck.
The stolen items were 1kg Sunlight washing powder, 1.75kg bananas, 500g Cerevita cereals, 1.25g Arenel biscuits, a bar of Dettol washing soap and 200ml Lux body wash all valued at $18.74.

Ndali TIC convicted for politically- motivated attack on fellow teacher

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Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Chiredzi resident magistrate Constance Mutandwa last week convicted Ndali Satellite Secondary School Teacher in Charge (TIC), Alice Mukanga for assaulting and politically intimidating fellow teacher Zivanai Dekesa.
The politically-motivated attack costed her $80 in fine or 20 days imprisonment.
Mukanga and Dekesa clashed in July this year after the former had forcibly sought to transfer the later to another school for reasons said to be politically-motivated.
Dekesa had been accused for influencing children and staff to disobey Mukanga.
The State, represented by David Tafangenyasha, argued that in July this year, Mukanga assaulted Dekesa with open hands after the two had a misunderstanding, with Mukanga expressing envy that Dekesa wore expensive suits.
According to State papers, Dekesa decided to walk out of the disciplinary hearing before Mukanga blocked his way and assaulted him with open hands.
The case was reported to Ndali Police Station and was recorded under Case Number 42/06/18 CR and it was first heard in court on August 29, 2018.
In July this year, parents together with children at the school embarked on a strike for about two weeks demanding the reversal of Dekesa’s transfer, who was the sole mathematics teacher.
Dekesa is now teaching at Hlanganani High School, a less prestigious school where he was forcibly transferred.

Chipinge women urged to formalise businesses

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Formalise businesses Chipinge women urged

Stephen Ephraem

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has urged Chipinge businesswomen to formalise their businesses in order to grow and contribute meaningfully to the economy of Zimbabwe.
This was said by the business development officer for Chipinge, Ivy Katawa Chitambo during a women business training forum held at Gaza Hall in Chipinge town recently.
The business training forum was organised the Zimbabwe Women Merchant Bank (ZWMB) which is supporting women microbusinesses in the country.
“Most businesses fail not because they are not ideal but business persons don’t formalise their ventures. Businesses must have proper records and be registered so that they can be recognised by financial institutions,” Chitambo.
She emphasised the need for businesses to be responsible when they seek credit, saying unreasonable loans were a sure way to getting broke.
“Sometimes we kill our businesses by applying for wrong loans. Before one applies for such, get ideal financial advice from professional people to find it if your business really needs the type of loan you want to apply for. Be advised if your business can sustain the type of a loan you intend to acquire,” Chitambo said.
She advised entrepreneurs to establish links and work with the ministry so that they could receive whatever support that is necessary.
“Our ministry is open for every business regardless how small or big might be. I urge women to come and get appropriate advice on how you can improve their businesses. Above all, come and register your business so that we can help you with business plans and cash flow projections for your projects,” she said.
ZWMB Chipinge district representative, Faith Garwi urged women to work hard and acquire assets for their businesses.
“I encourage women to be disciplined and apply for assets from financiers. It is advantageous to acquire assets for your businesses since assets are long-term as opposed to cash. The bank is open to any reasonable business undertaken by women in Zimbabwe,” Garwi said.

Sugarcane farmers slam government over imports

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Mhere makes a speech at the forum

…says they have enough for three years

Upenyu Chaota

The ammendment of Statutory Instrument (SI) 122 of 2017 to allow individuals and companies with offshore accounts and free funds to import specified basic goods among them sugar has put government on a collision course with the Lowveld sugarcane farmers who say they have enough supply for the next three years.
Speaking during a business forum organised by the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira, Commercial Sugarcane Association of Zimbabwe (CSAZ) chairperson Admore Hwarare challenged the government on the wisdom of allowing imports.
Hwarare said the sugar that was being sold at high prices was not theirs as they supply to retailers with a favourable prices of not more than $2 per kg.
“It is important to consult first before implementing policies. You deliberated in Harare and decided to import sugar without first asking the farmers who have more than enough supply.
“We have enough stock that can supply the country for the next three years and the government decided to have sugar imported. We should not import sugar at all because our farmers have enough.
“We are still selling sugar from last year and we have not touched a single granule from this year,” said Hwarare.
He said the government should protect locally-produced goods especially if they existed in abundance.
Tongaat Hulett acting managing director, Aiden Mhere also weighed in saying there was no order in the value chain and the government had to step in and restore sanity.
“There is no order in the value chain. We need equitable sharing of value. We supply them with sugar at $2 and they sell at absurd prices. We need control,” said Mhere.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Amon Murwira defended the government’s decision saying there was no sugar on the shelves and the government had to act.
“What we observed as the government is that the goods were not on the shelves and we had to act. You cannot hold people to ransom over your business.You say you have enough sugar but why was it not on the shelves,” said Murwira.
Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) vice chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo challenged sugar farmers to go and flood the shops with sugar so that queues could disappear.
“We have enough supply but we see people queuing for sugar. Let us flood the market with sugar so that the queues we see can disappear. This will also see the price dropping,” said Zvobgo.

‘Leonard Zhakata to stage free performance Masvingo’

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Leonard Zhakata

Samuel Njinga

Popular Zora music maestro Leonard Karikoga Zhakata is expected to perform for free at United Family International Church (UFIC) Masvingo`s Spiritual Conference at the Civic Centre.
UFIC Masvingo`s Pastor Joseph Muzhuzha confirmed the development.
“We are going to have our spiritual conference from 01 up to 04 November. I have spoken at length with Bishop Zhakata. He assured me that he will be coming to perform for free during this conference,” said Pastor Muzhuzha.
Zhakata has since given his life to Christ and is now a renowned minister of the word with the Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa-led UFI Church.
Undoubtedly one of Zimbabwe`s music superpowers, the 50-year-old Zhakata made history when he became the youngest Zimbabwean musician to sell more than 100 000 copies for an album at the tender age of 26.
This was after one of his debut albums, Maruva enyika sold more than 120 000 copies.
The humble Mugove hitmaker has participated in many charity programmes to do with such issues as cultural and gender based violence.
As a musician cum Pastor, the Zora king is coming to the Civic Centre to preach the word to the people of Masvingo through music.