CHIREDZI – Government is eager to dispose of its equity interest in the loss-making Air Zimbabwe after negotiations for Public/Private Partnership (PPP) with Air Malaysia failed due to outstanding debt totalling US$330 million.
Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Joramu Gumbo, who once made a blunt condemnation of national flag carrier as ailing and running noisy aircraft, said privatisation could be the way out of the troubles.
Speaking to TellZim News after the commissioning of the upgraded Nandi Mkwasine railway line recently, Gumbo said Air Zimbabwe, just like National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), was hamstrung by massive debts that repel prospective partnerships.
“We had agreed as government to find a partner for Air Zimbabwe and I was looking at 12 airlines and the first one I was engaging was Air Malaysia because I wanted their planes but later on, I discovered that we had a $330 million debt which could not attract a partnership,” said Gumbo.
He indicated that focus had since shifted to the Zimbabwe Aviation Leasing Company (ZALC) to take over from where negotiations with Air Malaysia have been left.
“I have now shifted the work that I have done to private people like DIDG who are in the diaspora and I gave that opportunity to a company called Zimbabwe Aviation Leasing Company to take over from where I have left in the negotiations with Air Malaysia,” he said.
DIDG stands for Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group which is understood to be a consortium of Zimbabweans living outside the country. The company is expected to facilitate the acquisition of aeroplanes under a lease agreement.
Before the fall Robert Mugabe last month, Gumbo was widely reported to have been at the centre of an alleged plot to liquidate Air Zimbabwe while creating a new airline owned by the former president and his relatives.local

CHIREDZI – The European Union (EU) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Philippe van Damme has called upon government to craft and implement non-partisan policies in the quest for rural development.
The call was made in a speech read on van Damme’s behalf by Thomas Opera, his representative at the commissioning of the upgraded 34.5 kilometre Nandi Mkwasine railway line by Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joramu Gumbo in Chiredzi.
“In 2006 the EU and Zimbabwe agreed on a national sugar strategy. The industry was facing numerous challenges including decline in yields, deteriorating infrastructure, limited access to inputs just to name a few which all resulted in the overall decline of production.
“In this challenging time, the EU committed a total of US$37 million in support of vulnerable small scale sugar producers with overall objective of improving the channel of livelihoods of sugarcane farming in the Lowveld,” said van Damme.
He further indicated that the EU is still committed to helping the government improve the livelihoods of the Zimbabwean disadvantaged communities.
“Infrastructure alone is insufficient to ensure social, environmental and economically sustainable rural development. Predictable policies in key areas such as indigenisation and access to land should be incredible and non-partisan and based on agro-economic and social criteria which safeguards long done sustainability in managing and conserving natural resources.
“EU and Zimbabwean government are currently working on a comprehensive programme to support communities surrounding the Save Valley Conservancy in developing forward looking solutions to maximise the benefits from agriculture and wildlife,” added van Damme.
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), in partnership with the government and the European Union, refurbished the Nandi-Mkwasine railway line at a cost of more than US$10 million.
According to NRZ, the refurbishment exercise saw the upgrading of the track from 30kg/metre track to a heavier 40kg/metre track and the replacement of steel sleepers with 34 000 concrete sleepers.local

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe (THZ) managing director, Sydney Mutsambiwa has lamented the sharp decline in sugarcane production in Mkwasine Estates saying farmers there must pull up their socks to improve productivity.
Production in the estates declined from 850 – 900 000 to 500 000 tons, a consequence of what many people say was the impulsive seizure of the land from Tongaat Hullet and its parcelling to inexperienced and poorly equipped indigenous farmers.
 “To those who are fond of mathematics, Mkwasine Estates – over the years – produced an average of 850 – 900 000 tons of sugarcane every year. After some time, the yields began to decline to a maximum of 500 000 tons of cane per year meaning there is a 50 percent gap with regards to the installed capacity we once had.
Mutsambiwa encouraged Mkwasine farmers to make full use of the recently upgraded Nandi-Mkwasine railway line to transport their produce.
“Most of us here are aware that our sugarcane from Mkwasine was once transported through railway line but over the past years, it became a thing of the past.
“Meaning to say that the commissioning of Nandi Mkwasine railway line must take us back to our normal capacity we once had. So as Mkwasine farmers, we have a mammoth task ahead of us in teams of improving productivity,” said Mutsambiwa.
He also indicated that the decline in sugarcane production in Mkwasine was costing farmers huge sums of profits.
“At full production capacity of 800 000 tons of sugarcane, we would be expecting an average of 100 000 tons of raw sugar from Mkwasine with an average cost of US$570 per tonne. The total value of sugar from Mkwasine in a normal year at full production capacity should be around US$57 million. So we have to pull up our socks,” said Mutsambiwa.
After Tongaat Hullet pulled out of Mkwasine, infrastructure has crumbled; with a clinic, sports facilities and other amenities falling into shocking disrepair.local

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Everisto Gwekwerere of Denhere village, Ward 15 under Chief Chitanga got the shock of his life after finding his wife stark-naked in another man’s bedroom after setting a trap.
Gwekwerere was dragged to the Mwenezi Civil Court by his long time wife, Sharai Nyanisi who was seeking a protection order.
In her application, Nyanisi told the court that although she was no longer interested in cohabiting with Gwekwerere, he was still pursuing her wherever she went.
On his part, Gwekwerere told the court that his long time wife was ashamed of returning home because he caught her stark-naked with another man.
He told the court that upon his return from South Africa where he works, he was alerted that his wife was in an extra-marital affair with another man.
“We have been married for 17 years and we are blessed with four children. When I returned from work, my wife requested to go to his parents’ place of residence. So I gave her the permission but I was later tipped that she had, instead, gone to Laxson’s place at Mwenezana Estates cottages.
“Since I know the place, I went straight to Laxson’s house and got in uninvited. I found my wife and Laxson naked in the same blankets. I just ordered them to dress so that we could negotiate peacefully but my wife immediately fled soon after dressing,” said Gwekwerere.
He claimed that he pursued Nyanisi simply because he was worried about her safety following the embarrassing incident.
Nyanisi, who did not dispute Gwekwerere’s version of events, said she was no longer interested in Gwekwerere and did not want him to interfere in her personal life.
Magistrate Honest Musiiwa took time to counsel the two and later granted Nyanisi the protection order.
He ordered Gwekwerere not to visit Nyanisi at her new place of residence and to refrain from any form of violence.local

Gibson Hwende

MASVINGO – Walter Mzembi could lose the right to represent Zanu PF in Masvingo South constituency in elections due next year with reports that many traditional leaders have withdrawn their support for him and are routing for fresh blood including philanthropist Wilson Maride.
Traditional leaders have been known to be the bedrock of support for Zanu PF candidates in the rural areas.
Like many other ruling party candidates, Mzembi has been riding on their support but he now finds himself on the back foot after he aligned himself with the vanquished G40 faction at the height of Zanu PF factional battles.
Mzembi has also been accused of being an absentee Member of Parliament who did nothing for his people and was therefore much loved in Harare than his own home area.
Last week, Chief Maregere was the first to come out in the open withdrawing his support for Mzembi while pledging his support for Maride who is known for the work being done by his Maride Foundation.
“The government led by our new President Emmerson Dambudzo Munangagwa should give us youthful leaders like Wilson Maride who are assisting to develop our communities,” said Chief Maregere.
He was speaking at the Youth Build Zimbabwe (YBZ) graduation and infrastructure handover ceremony held at Makove Secondary School where Maride helped to build a classroom block and toilets.
“He partnered with us on the construction of this block by providing cement, food for builders. He also donated sign posts to other schools and helped create many projects including mushandirapamwe for women. We want him to be our MP,” the traditional leaders said.
YBZ is a National Youth Service programme meant to enhance youth visibility and participation in peace building efforts as well as to direct youth energy towards national development.
Other people who spoke to TellZim News on the sidelines of the event said Mzembi had been riding on his closeness to former President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace but did not have political clout of his own in the grassroots.
“Many other traditional leaders have already abandoned him and they will not support him even if he does not get dismissed from the party. He did nothing for the people so his record his is bad,” said one youth.
As Tourism minister, Mzembi was criticised for not marketing local tourist attractions like Great Zimbabwe. When he lost his post as Foreign Affairs minister last month, he had drawn widespread condemnation after he revived his efforts to seize Banquest Farm from its productive owner, Hellen Mitchell.local

MWENEZI – The family of Gladys Shoko, who was allegedly murdered in South Africa by her husband Austin Mukwazukwazu following an argument over alleged extramarital affairs, has demanded that the Mukwazukwazu family must pay 45 beasts before they can allow their daughter’s body to be repatriated for burial, TellZim News has learnt.
Mukwazukwazu, who is originally from Ramubhudha village under Chief Maranda, was residing with his wife in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, when the alleged murder was committed in October.
It is alleged that on the day, Mukwazukwazu found Shoko in possession of some money which she allegedly failed to account for its source. Mukwazukwazu began to accuse Shoko of having an extramarital affair.
He allegedly took a log and struck Shoko all over her head resulting in her falling unconscious. She was later rushed to hospital where she died upon admission.
After committing the offence, Mukwazukwazu fled to Zimbabwe but was arrested last week after a manhunt by Mwenezi police. By the time of going to print, he was due to appear in court.
Although no comment could be obtained from the police, Chief Maranda confirmed the incident saying Mukwazukwazu and the Shoko family had agreed on the repatriation of the body.
“What I am sure is that police managed to arrest Mukwazukwazu. As for the number of cattle that were being charged by Shoko’s family, I am not aware but I can confirm that the families have agreed to repatriate the body following weeks of negotiations. I have been informed that the body is on its way home,” said Chief Maranda.
However, a close source confirmed that Mukwazukwazu’s father, a prominent Mwenezi farmer popularly known as Bope, managed to convince the bereaved family to settle for less.
“The Shoko family were demanding that Bope should pay 45 beasts for the crime. However, Bope negotiated and paid 15 beasts. Besides that, the Bope family raised R18 000 for the corpse to be brought home,” said the source.local

Moses Ziyambi

City of Masvingo Town Clerk Adolf Gusha was last week honoured alongside many other employees for the long time they have spent serving the council.
An award ceremony was held last week at the Civic Centre Hall in honour of employees who were going on retirement as well as those who have served the council with distinction for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
Gusha has worked in local governance since 1983 when he joined Shurugwi Rural District Council after completing his university education the previous year.
From Shurugwi, he joined the local governance ministry before moving to Masvingo city council in 1987 where he started as the deputy housing director. He then rose through the ranks until he was appointed substantive Town Clerk in 2004.
As the council’s most senior manager, he has overseen the development of the town which later gained city status thanks to his and many other people’s efforts.
Gusha worked with many councils including that of the late mayors; Alderman Francis Aphiri, Engineer Alois Chaimiti, Femius Chakabuda and the current mayor Hubert Fidze.
During these times, City of Masvingo won many awards for its efforts to improve service delivery especially with regards to the provision of safe water for domestic use and up until today, the city boasts probably the safest drinking water in all urban areas of the country.
Gusha was there when the council was rendered ‘almost destitute’ in 2013 when council employees sued and managed to get almost all of the municipal service vehicles attached over unpaid wages amounting to US3.5 million.
The council later waged a protracted legal battle which it latter won and managed to recover all the vehicles last month. Meanwhile, council had already replenished its fleet with new vehicles bought through such controversial yet successful schemes like the roads levy.
In October 2016, Gusha scooped the prestigious Best CEO of the Year award (Second Runner-up) at the Megafest Business Awards held in Bulawayo.local