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MPs want ED summoned to explain cash crisis

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MDC-T Warren Park MP, Elias Mudzuri


Shingirai Vambe

HARARE – Some Members of Parliament have demanded that President Emmerson Mnangagwa be called to the House of Assembly to explain why he has failed to fulfil his promise to end the cash shortages in the first 100 days of his assuming office.

The MPs attacked government for its utter failure to solve the crisis, six months after making promises that the problems will end.

Binga North MP, Dubeko Sibanda asked that President Mnangagwa be called to the house to answer questions on the crisis now that the country is approaching general elections.

“He promised a lot of things including the 100 days which came and passed and as Members of Parliament, we request that the President responds to us before we go for elections,” said Sibanda.

He also criticised Mnangagwa of failing to be accountable to parliament just as his predecessor, Robert Mugabe had always done.

This provoked a quick defensive reaction from Zanu PF MPs who claimed Mnangagwa was too busy to come to parliament. Temporary speaker of the house, Rueben Marumahoko also defended Mnangagwa, saying the President could not be forced to come to parliament.

Zanu PF Zvishavane-Ngezi MP, John Holder had asked Finance minister, Patrick Chinamasa what mechanism government had put in place to deal with the problem.

The legislator criticised government for ignoring the black market money changers whom he said had caused people to continue sleeping on the pavements queuing for the scarce resource.

“Zimbabwe, with its 66 minerals that are being exported, is paid for those exports in foreign currency, not in bond notes. Yet we say we don’t have money in our country, why don’t we have cash reserves?” Holder asked.

Chinamasa gave a less than satisfactory response, saying Zimbabwe, just like Kenya, was one of the countries that had done well through RGTSs and other electronic payment methods and was moving towards a cashless economy.

This forced MPs to demand that he prepare a comprehensive written response for presentation to the house.

Chinamasa, however, stood his ground in a manner that some interpreted as a reflection of his usual arrogance.

“It is believed the Reserve bank is delivering bond notes in the streets of Harare in search of US dollars. So the minister should not hide behind his finger; he should prove with facts that RBZ is not involved,” said MDC-T Warren Park MP, Elias Mudzuri.top news

 

We can’t account for bond notes in circulation, RBZ admits

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We can’t account for bond notes in circulation, RBZ admits
RBZ deputy governor, Dr Jesimeni Chipika

Shingirai Vambe
NYANGA – Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) deputy governor, Dr Jesimeni Chipika has said the central bank can no longer account for the bond notes and coins that are in circulation due to massive hoarding of the surrogate currency.
She was speaking at a winter school programme organised by the Zimbabwe Association of Micro Finance Institutions (Zamfa) last week.
“The RBZ can’t account for the bond notes and coins on the market because those doing business are holding onto the money,” said Chipika when the issue of shortage of case was raised.
She also blamed the black market for the crisis, saying the illegal practice was depriving the economy of a lifeline by holding onto cash that must otherwise be circulating in formal banking channels.
“The cash crisis is a symptom of lack of foreign exchange in the country. As long as our foreign currency earnings are not big enough to meet the demand, it surfaces as a crisis since we are in a dollarised economy and our exchange earnings should be in foreign currency,” Chipika said.
She said the central bank would want to create and nurture an environment which improves the ease of doing business to sustain a positive credit culture in Zimbabwe and take the microfinance business to a higher level.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance chairperson, David Chapfika acknowledged the problems that doing business in an economy with no cash present, and encouraged people to continue using digital money.
“Go digital. Even the Minister of Finance has said that is the solution. We are copying from Kenya and we have even surpassed them. We are recognised as number one in trading in a new digital era. Kenya is the number two economy that is running without cash in the market,” said Chapfika.
Zamfi chairperson, Patrick Mangwendeza, however, said it was unfortunate that authorities were pushing for a more cashless society as a solution to the problems without reducing the cost of electronic transactions.
“As RBZ tries to engage with financial players in the country, it still fails to regulate the charges. Banks are recording massive profits through cashless transactions and that is abnormal in an economy that is trying to engage new investors,” said Mangwendeza.top story

Chief Wedza officially installed

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Chief Wedza officially installed

Caroline Gumbo
ZVISHAVANE – Kennias Mnyamani Moyo (69) was recently installed new Chief Wedza at an event officiated by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Owen Ncube.
The inauguration ceremony was held at Rusvinge Primary school grounds where Moyo did his primary education.
The 69-year-old Moyo, of the Mdonga family, was appointed by President Emmerson Mnanagwa and was selected in accordance with the Wedza-Masukume traditions and customs.
He succeed Phillip Hlati Tumbudzuku of the Zibanayi house who died on October 11, 2014.
The collateral succession custom rotates the chieftaincy among the Musiwedzingo, Zibanayi and Mdonga royal families by order of seniority of family members.
Moyo was born on the April 19, 1949 and did his primary education at Rusvinge Primary school up to standard three.
He then started working as casual labourer at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (then called Rhodesian Railways) and Kadoma Patchway Farms before resorting to full time subsistence farming at his homestead.
Moyo is married to Lucia Mudhonga and they have eight children and nineteen grandchildren.
Oral tradition says the Wedza chieftainship, of the Masukume people, originated from Swaziland.
It is said the Masukume people failed to cross the Zambezi River and decided to settle in the Wedza area in Mashonaland Central before moving to Shawasha in Masvingo.
Thereafter, they were invited by King Lobegula of the Ndebele to settle at Mpopoti in present day Matabeleland South before migrating to Ture YaWedza Mountain which became their stranglehold which they have held to this day.local 

Junior Driving School introduces truck lessons

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Junior Driving School introduces truck lessons

TellZim Reporter
Junior Driving School, the biggest driving school in Masvingo province, has moved a step further by introducing both oral and practical truck driving lessons, with the first group of learners scheduled to start lessons mid next month.
Junior School Driving director, Noah Marima said the introduction of truck driving lessons was a response to the need to bring the service closer home so that clients could get all services at one place.
“We saw if fit to bring this service closer to home because we are growing. There was no driving school offering such lessons in the southern region and most people had to go to Harare for truck lessons. The idea is to give our clients a wholesome package and save them the trouble of running around looking for such a service after getting their licences with us,” said Marima.
Marima said after completing the two-week course, learners are conferred with certificates, adding that lessons were open for anybody who holds a class 1 or 2 driver’s licence.
“We will teach our leaners such skills as splitting gears as well as safe and off-hooking as well as car behaviour. Afterwards, they are conferred with certificates and I can safely say all the necessary procedures have been completed.
“Anyone with a class 1 or 2 driver’s licence can do the course regardless of when you acquired the licence. The service is there to give people who wish to drive large vehicles the real practical experience,” said Marima.
He also said people will be enrolled in groups and a number of people have already registered, with the first group scheduled to start lessons on June 15.
The driving school provides learners who stay out of Masvingo town with accommodation for the entire period of the course.business

Mugabe’s removal good for tourism, says Chiwenga

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VP Chiwenga with Minister Mupfumira after the launch of the tourism master plan and handbook


Moses Ziyambi

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has praised Operation Restore Legacy for improving the tourism sector which he said was now thriving due to improved perception of the country from abroad.

Speaking during the launch of the National Tourism Master Plan at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel last Friday, Chiwenga said the country had recorded a significant rise in foreign tourist arrivals since the military-assisted removal of Robert Mugabe from power.

“In 2017, the country received a total of 2 422 930 tourist arrivals which represent a 12 percent increase from 2 167 686 tourists received in 2016. In the first quarter of 2018, the country has already received increased arrivals with, for example, Victoria Falls registering over 17 000 increase from a baseline of 8 000 in air traffic arrivals at Victoria Falls International Airport from January to April. This represents a 48 percent increase in arrivals compared to the same period last year.

“All this is happening on the backdrop of the peaceful transition of the new dispensation led by His Excellency the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde E.D Mnangagwa, which has totally changed the image and perception of Zimbabwe from a country perceived to be at war with itself to an exceptionally safe and peaceful country,” Chiwenga said.

The event also saw the launch of a handbook on and manual on Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTES), two documents that Chiwenga said will contribute to the vision of making Zimbabwe a middle income economy free of poverty and corruption by year 2030.

“In this regard, I therefore wish to commend partners such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) that joined hands with the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry to resuscitate Community Based Tourism Enterprises amongst them Chesvingo (Karanga) Cultural Village,” he said.

JICA resident representative, Shumon Yoshiara and AfDB programmes manager, Naome Chimbetete also spoke at the occasion and praised the cooperation between government and partners for the development of tourism in the country.top news

Japan strengthens commitment to growth of Zim tourism

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Japan strengthens commitment to growth of Zim tourism


Moses Ziyambi
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has made clear its commitment to the growth of tourism in Zimbabwe through its support for a number of projects implemented in partnership with government.
In 2016, JICA trained many people to work at the Chesvingo – Karanga Cultural Village which the agency had just fully refurbished after many years of neglect.
The training – focused on food preparation, basic accounting, tour guiding and marketing – imparted skills needed for the day to day running of the cultural village; a centre for the preservation of traditional cultural practices of the Karanga people.
Elsewhere, JICA is also supporting three similar sites namely Tengenenge Arts and Craft Centre in Mashonaland Central province, Bulawayo Township Tourism and Gairezi Ecotourism in Manicaland province.
The kind of support being given include product development, development of new discovery trails, improvement of facilities and marketing through packaging of tourism products.
The places are now attracting substantial numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists, sustaining many livelihoods as a result.
Last week, JICA was back in Masvingo, this time for the launch of the National Tourism Master Plan, Community Based Tourism Enterprise (CBTE) Manual and Handbook.
The documents, developed by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry with close technical cooperation from JICA, will help to further market such places as the Chesvingo – Karanga Cultural Village.
The launch was graced by many dignitaries including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who was guest of honour, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister; Prisca Mupfumira, permanent secretary in the ministry; Dr Sithokozile Chitepo and officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
“This technical cooperation project was initiated upon the request of the Government of Zimbabwe for bilateral assistance from the Government of Japan to set up, promote and support CBTEs for the benefit of local livelihoods in Zimbabwe as well as produce a Master Plan.
“This Master Plan was to ensure the sustainable development of the CBTEs and enhance the capacities of tourism related organisations on promotion and development of CBTs.
“The project team from JICA worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and was housed at the Ministry offices for two years from June 2015 to June 2017,” said JICA resident representative, Shumon Yoshiara in his speech at the event.
On his part, VP Chiwenga praised JICA for its critical role in the development of the masterplan, manual and handbook; saying the document was vital for the achievement of set objectives.
“I have no doubt that these important documents will go a long way in attracting both local and international investors and tourists. The launch of these policy documents should not just be just a talk show but should signify a paradigm shift in the way we conduct our tourism business in sync with the country’s development mantra, Zimbabwe is Open for Business,” said Chiwenga.business

Bonda community group designs new affordable menstrual pad

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Bonda community group designs new affordable menstrual pad

Shingirai Vambe
MUTARE – Chiedza Community Welfare Trust (CCWT) in Bonda has certified a new sanitary towel with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) which the community based organisation intends to put on the market on May 28, which is the Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The CCWT sanitary towel can be washed and re-used again, add was developed with support from that Southern African Aids Trust (SAT.
Its uptake among locals is yet to be seen, with many people who can afford alternatives said to be hesitant on using it since they are used to the disposables that they consider more hygienic.
People who spoke to iTell News said the towel was welcome in the community since most teenage girls came from poor backgrounds where proper sanitary wear is a privilege.
CCWT director, Gladys Mukaratirwa, who is a former matron at St David’s High School, said the project was in response to the crisis that many poor girls faced during their period.
“Being a rural community, not all women can afford to buy the usual sanitary pads all the time so you find that some of them use rags and tree leaves. Many school children I have seen would tear off bits from their mattresses during their period. That is both unhygienic and a loss to the school that needed to replace those mattresses,” said Mukaratirwa.
The new product has been praised not only for being cost effective, but also as more environmentally-friendly since many water bodies and the veld are now polluted by used diapers and disposable sanitary pads.
SAT country director, Mildred Mushunje said the new sanitary towel, which is packed in four different colours and three sizes, was set to make life easier for rural women and girls.
“It has passed laboratory tests at the Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ). It has since been certified as safe for use,” said Mushunje.local

No to political violence, says Com Gen Matanga

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Clever Taperamoyo

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General, Godwin Matanga recently urged senior police officers to deal decisively with political violence instigators now that the country is approaching a critical general election.

Addressing senior police officers drawn from all corners of the province during his maiden tour of Masvingo for the first time on Friday15, Com Gen Matanga said perpetrators and instigators of violence must never be allowed to discredit the elections.

 “I urge you to ensure that no dirt is swept under the carpet. To this end, swift and decisive action has to be taken against any offender and all cases must be thoroughly investigated and quickly disposed of,” Comm Gen Matanga.

The police were also encouraged to conduct campaigns conveying messages that promote peace and unity in the communities.

“I urge you to embark on vigorous campaigns designed to propagate messages that promote peace and unity among the people by encouraging dialogue among political opponents and their supporters and encourage tolerance of divergent political views and strongly discouraging all forms of political violence,” said Matanga.

He further urged police officers to deal with all offenders without fear or favour.

“I am quite aware as you all are, that there are some misguided elements out there that have the temerity to wilfully violate laws of the land in the face of the police. That is totally unacceptable,” he added.politics

 

 

 

Mkanganwi chieftainship wrangle rages on

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Mkanganwi chieftainship wrangle rages on

Brilliant Mukaro

BIKITA – The Mkanganwi chieftainship dispute remains unresolved as the family which is supposed to lead cannot agree on who should succeed Alfios Njodzi Chinamho who died in 2017.

Last week, a selection meeting chaired by Albert Serima at Bikita DA offices could not reach a consensus, with one member of the Chiumburu family opposing the installation of Rtd Maj-Gen Gibson Mashingaidze.

The dissenting Chumburu family member wrote a letter to the Provincial Chief’s Council arguing that the former soldier did not qualify, claiming his family had had its turn on the much coveted throne.

The Mkanganwi clan is made up of three main branches namely Funhiro, Mushanduri and Chiumburu families.

The Chiumburu family, which is made up of four sub-families itself, is said to be the most deserving of the throne at the moment but members neither agree on the suitability of Mashingaidze to rule, nor do they agree on any other different candidate.

The Chiumburu sub-families are Pambwei, Ruzhou, Chapwanya and Kufakunesu where Mashingaidze hails from.

Mashingaidze’s opponents are mainly from the Chapwanya family led by Charles Chapwanya who argues that the Kufakunesu family cannot take the throne for the second time when other families have not yet had their turn.

Mashingaidze, however, maintains that it was, rather, the Pamwei family which held the chieftaincy in the past, not the Kufakunesu family.

"I am the legitimate candidate for the chieftainship. All arguments that are being made by some people are enemies of progress who do not know our history and the culture of our people.  Some things are sacrosanct; our flag, our national anthem and the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land, going against it is a confirmation of madness,” Mashingaidze said.

On his part, Serima said due to the controversy surrounding the matter, he could not immediately make a decision but would have to do some research first.

“I am obliged to follow the correct channel of the chief selection process. Everything that I do should be in line with the traditional laws of this land. Due to the controversy surrounding this matter, a decision will only be reached after we carry out research," Serima said.local

 

WCoZ scales up fight against sexual abuse

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WCoZ scales up fight against sexual abuse

Mwale leads proceeding at the event
TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo chapter last week organised a workshop at Charles Austin Theatre where emphasis was put on the need for society to fight abuse in all its forms.
WCoZ Masvingo Chapter coordinator, Belinda Mwale lamented the prevalence of sexual abuse at work places.
“We want to stand up for girls who face abuse at their work places. Girls doing work related learning are particularly vulnerable. We want to encourage girls to reject exploitative sexual advances even though they could be in desperate need for work related learning and marks. Nothing is more valuable than the sanctity and health of their bodies,” said Mwale.
She also talked about the sexual abuse of women by their husbands, saying many victims were not willing to talk, with some of them withdrawing cases that warrant convictions.
“Women should work for themselves so as not to rely on their husbands for everything. Women who are totally dependent on their husbands for livelihoods tend to suffer abuse in silence,” Mwale said.
Other stakeholders who attended the workshop included women with disabilities who called for greater inclusion to foster mainstreaming.
“Women with disabilities suffer double trouble. We are undermined because we are women, and we are again undermined because of our disabilities. We are calling for greater representation in committees of such organisations as WCoZ so that we can champion our own issues. There really can be nothing for us without us,” said one participant.
WCoZ is a non-governmental organisation working as a forum for women to engage in collective activism while discussing issues that affect them.local

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