President Mugabe converses with incoming Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mrs Taghrid Senouar after receiving her credentials at State House in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Chief Photographer Believe Nyakudjara)

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
President Mugabe has been invited to attend the historic Fort Hare University centenary celebrations whose alumni include some of the sub-continent’s most famous leaders including him and the late president Nelson Mandela.

Presenting his credentials at State House in Harare yesterday, newly appointed South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Mpakama Mbete said he was also pushing for South African president Jacob Zuma to visit Zimbabwe.

President Zuma is expected to visit Zimbabwe this year in fulfilment of conditions of the Bi-National Commission established between the two countries during President Mugabe’s State visit to the neighbouring country last year.

The Bi-National Commission requires that the presidents meet annually to cement political and economic relations.

Five other ambassadors from Singapore, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Conakry, Palestine and Ethiopia also presented their credentials.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and the permanent secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha attended the ceremony.

“The centenary celebrations are held all year round, but President Mugabe is most likely to attend special celebrations set for next month. We have extended the invitation and he has agreed to attend.

“We will also ensure that President Zuma’s scheduled visit to Zimbabwe takes place and we will also engage South African companies and ask them to promote bi-lateral issues between our two countries,” he said.

The University of Fort Hare is home to hundreds of Zimbabwean students studying under the Presidential Scholarship Scheme.

First to present his credentials was the ambassador of Ethiopia Mr Mustafe Dek Abdisalam who said he would spearhead the acceleration of trade.

“The relationship between our two countries dates back in our struggles for independence. We have excellent relations. My ambition is to strengthen and build on what is already there. To strengthen investment and trade,” he said.

Next was Palestine ambassador Mrs Taghrid Senour who said she was pleased to meet President Mugabe and was looking forward to strengthening relations between the two countries.

“Zimbabwe has always been supportive of Palestinians. We are grateful of the continued support and I am looking forward to strengthening our existing relations,” she said.

Equatorial Guinea ambassador Mr Jose Ela Ebang Mbang said he was going to reinforce the strong relations which exist between his country and Zimbabwe.

“We have strong ties with Zimbabwe, but we did not have an embassy in Zimbabwe. Now that we have one, we will be able to accelerate various bi-lateral arrangements,” he said.

Singapore ambassador Mr Chua Thai Keong who will be based in South Africa hailed strong relations between Zimbabwe and his country pledging to improve on economic relations.

“My immediate challenge is to build on and improve existing relations. Singapore is a unique part of Asia.

“It is a hub and source of investments. Through Singapore, Zimbabwe can reach out to the rest of Asia,” he said.

Guinea-Conakry ambassador Mr Djigui Camara who will be based in Luanda, Angola said he intends to improve existing relations.

“We have good relations politically. The challenge for me would be to build on the relations to include economic ties. There are a lot of issues politically which we can explore for our mutual benefit,” he said.

Cde Kasukuwere

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
ALL suspended Zanu-PF Midlands provincial members revert to their positions prior to the passing of votes of no confidence, while the party has lifted the suspension on party meetings and activities in the province.

The Politburo also appointed Cde Joram Gumbo Zanu-PF acting provincial chairman for the Midlands and gave the province a three-month ultimatum to resolve internal squabbles.

This was revealed by Zanu-PF national commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere while addressing members of the Midlands Provincial Co-ordinating Committee in Gweru yesterday.

Read More:

• Kasukuwere Midlands-bound
• Zanu-PF orders Midlands truce
• Midlands official defies Kasukuwere order
• Zanu-PF suspends Midlands meetings
• Midlands defies Kasukuwere, ousts Hlongwane, Mpofu, Matangaidze

The changes come as Cde Kasukuwere threatened to sue some sections of the privately-owned media that he accused of fabricating stories about his alleged fallout with Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Midlands Province had passed votes of no confidence in secretary for Administration Engineer Tapiwanashe Matangaidze, Cdes Makhosini Hlongwane, who was the commissar, and Anastasia Ndlovu.

Cde Ndlovu is a national youth executive member.

The trio also passed counter votes of no confidence in Cdes Owen Mudha Ncube, Goodwill Shiri, July Moyo, Clarisse Mutambisi, Victor Matemadanda, Cornelius Mpereri, Justice Mayor Wadyajena and a Cde Chigaba.

Cde Kasukuwere said the province should restore the old structures and resume commissariat meetings.

“Pertaining to the challenges that the province has been facing, the Politburo has communicated to us to go and restructure the province back to where it was and Cde Joram Gumbo here will help us for the next three months to deal with issues that are at hand.

“My purpose of visit to the province is to restructure the province to the original structure, meaning that Cde Gumbo will be acting chairman on an interim capacity to superintend the province with the structure that is in place.

“We have been sent to reunite and reconcile people. We have come to the Midlands to build the party not to destroy it,” said Cde Kasukuwere.

“There are a plethora of disciplinary issues that the party needs to deal with and that should be put to finality and ensure that we deal with all grey areas that have been bedevilling people and the party.

“If we have our own personal differences as individuals we should not drag the whole province into that and make it a big issue. Do not use the party to settle your own personal scores and differences.”

He added: “We should not destroy the party by our personal differences. I have no doubt there are issues in the province and there are leaders who have the maturity and capacity to deal with those issues.Cde Gumbo you should visit all the provinces and rebuild the party and put all the differences to finality.”

Cde Kasukuwere said 2018 was not far and the chaos in the party should come to an end.

“Midlands is one of our key provinces and the party needs Midlands Province. Midlands should turn the volume down. We should know that 2018 is not too far and we cannot afford to continue fanning chaos and divisions in the party. Midlands should resolve its issues internally”.

Meanwhile, Cde Gumbo reconciled Cdes Matangaidze, Ncube and Daniel Mckenzie.

Cde Gumbo threatened to resign from his new post if the provincial executive members fail reunite.

“I am giving you seven days to iron out your differences or I will go to the Politburo and let it dissolve the province. All those small groups that you had formed should be destroyed with immediate effect. Let us unite. Maimwa mese doro Matangaidze na Mckenzie kare and I have the photo of you together, shake hands now and hug each other,” he said.

Midlands Correspondent

ZANU-PF National Political Commissar Cde Savior Kasukuwere has threatened to sue some sections of the privately-owned media that have been fabricating stories about his alleged fallout with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Cde Kasukuwere, who reiterated that there is no bad blood between him and VP Mnangagwa, described the so-called rift as a creation of the media and a “misguided misconception” by newspapers that have “made money out of us”.

The privately-owned media has been awash with stories claiming that Cde Kasukuwere leads a faction – G40 – that is campaigning for the ouster of VP Mnangagwa.

In an interview on the sidelines of a Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting at the Convention Center in Gweru yesterday, Cde Kasukuwere said despite media reports, VP Mnangagwa remained his superior. He said he and VP Mnangagwa were working together in harmony contrary to allegations that the two had fallen out with the former orchestrating the jettisoning of the latter.

He said the rumours were a creation of the media and detractors that sort to destabilize the robust revolutionary party, adding that the party has remained intact and was confident of that Zanu-PF will consolidate its supremacy in the 2018 harmonised election.

Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mnangagwa was a senior member of the party and that they both work in the interest of the party in their different capacities.

He said allegations that there were differences between him and Cde Mnangagwa was a mere political gimmick and a marketing strategy by some sections of the private media who sort to enhance and increase their sells.

“The problem with you newspaper people is you want to create issues where there are no issues. Cde Mnangagwa is my Vice President and I’m the political commissar of Zanu-PF. He is a senior colleague. I have said this on many occasions.

“We both work in the interests of the party but you (the media) with your headlines you make the country believe there is mayhem and there is going to be Sodom and Gomorrah. Have you ever seen Cde Mnangagwa fighting me? Not at all.

“You have made money out of us anyway. Cde Mnangagwa is a lawyer by profession and I will ask him to sue you. We are the biggest item that you people use for news and it’s quite unfortunate,” he said.

Cde Kasukuwere said those that were anticipating chaos and mayhem during his Midlands visit have been left with an egg on face and threatened to institute legal proceedings against some sections of the private media who were peddling the falsehoods of the purported fall out between the two senior Zanu-PF officials.

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Seven people are feared dead after an MB transport bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident with a haulage Truck this morning.

The accident occurred along the Masvingo – Beitbridge highway. Details leading to the accident are still being investigated.

The coach was carrying passengers from South Africa.

Reports say ambulances are still ferrying the injured to the nearest hospitals, whilst efforts are being made to free those still trapped under the truckload.

More details to follow . . .

Samantha Chigogo Herald Correspondent
THE European Union has released 3,9 million euros to complement Government efforts at mobilising food aid for drought relief. Zimbabwe is in dire need of maize grain as poor rains affected the harvest this season.

In a statement yesterday, Save the Children Country Director Mr Brian Hunter said: “The European Union has provided 3,5 million euros humanitarian funds to the organisation Save the Children to mitigate the immediate effects of food insecurity in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“It will go to organising cash transfers for 78 000 of the most vulnerable people across eight districts affected by the El Niño phenomenon.”

Mr Hunter said the funds would benefit those seriously affected by drought including Binga and Bubi districts.

“Save the Children will lead in the implementation of a mobile cash transfer and resilience building project, in partnership with three other non-governmental organisations, — Plan, CARE and World Vision — over a four-month period starting from April to July 2016,” he said.

“The implementing agencies will provide an additional 480 000 euros as matching fund to the project, bringing the total investment to 3,9 million euros. The eight districts to be covered are Binga, Kariba, Bubi, Lupane, Nkayi, Gokwe South, Chiredzi and Mutasa.”

For convenience purposes the regional body will introduce mobile cash transfers to vulnerable people including young parents and the elderly.

“The contribution by the European Union will help to alleviate hunger among the most vulnerable households affected by food shortages, who include child-headed households, and the elderly, through provision of money via the mobile cash transfer platform to enable them to purchase food on the local markets,” he said.

“We are faced with an emergency that requires a fast and appropriate response.

“Zimbabweans have been particularly badly hit by El Niño. The most vulnerable people need our humanitarian assistance to cope with the drought today and recover from it tomorrow,” the statement added.

Matabeleland North, Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South provinces reportedly have the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the country.

Since December, the EU has mobilised 12 million euros to finance emergency actions in Southern African countries affected by drought.

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
Liberation war hero and former Patriot deputy editor Cde Alexander Kanengoni, who died on Tuesday in Harare, was buried at his Nyamanetsa Farm in Centenary yesterday.

Cde Kanengoni (65) was an internationally acclaimed author and a war veteran.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Provincial Administrator Mr Cosmas Chiringa, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Mashonaland Central Cde Martin Dinha said the nation had lost a hero who through his prolific writing skills had educated the nation about Zimbabwe’s history.

He said Cde Kanengoni was endowed with skills that enabled him to impart knowledge and appropriate attitudes to the young generation.

“Being a well-grounded author, the late Cde Kanengoni made a mark through his incisive and thought-provoking contributions to various newspapers and organisations. He was a naturally gifted writer and novelist who commanded a lot of respect in the journalism and literary fraternities,” he said.

“His writings highlighted the broader dynamics of the liberation struggle, as he sought to defend Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and nationalistic ideals. Such a philosophy permeated his editorial leadership at The Patriot, exemplified by his profound analysis of national and international political developments.”

Zimbabwe Heritage chief executive officer Mr Pritchard Zhou said Cde Kanengoni was a fountain of wisdom who had left a legacy to be emulated.

He said Zimbabwe Heritage mandate’s was to inform, educate and this was why they had sought the services of a distinguished person such as Cde Kanengoni.

“Black people despise themselves as they do not have the knowledge of their roots, it is shallow. We were colonised and turned to be slaves by other nations and this is why we decided to have the School of Heritage to focus on research and teach generations to come about who we are and where we came from.”

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ chairman Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa paid tribute to Cde Kanengoni for the hard work he did during the struggle.

“We are today burying a man with intellectual knowledge that contributed in winning the war against the Rhodesians. Cde Kanengoni was a man with political ideology that made different units in war to unite and fight for a good cause. I want to thank everyone who has come to send off this cadre,” he said.

Cde Kandengoni leaves behind five children and five grandchildren.

Born on September 17, 1951, Cde Kanengoni trained as a teacher and taught at several schools before joining the liberation struggle in 1974.

After the country attained independence in 1980, he went to the University of Zimbabwe and majored in English Literature.

In 1983 he joined the then Ministry of Education and Culture as a project officer responsible for the education of ex-combatants and refugees.

In 1988 he joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and worked there until 2002 when he became a farmer and subsequently deputy editor of The Patriot, a weekly newspaper.

As a writer, Cde Kanengoni published “Vicious Circle” (1983), “When the Rainbird Cries” (1988), “Echoing Silences” (1997), a collection of short stories, “Effortless Tears” (1993) and “Writing Still” (2003).

Mr Mushore

Innocent Ruwende and Nyemudzai Kakore
The Local Government Board does not recognise Harare City Council’s appointment of former NMB chief executive Mr James Mushore as its new town clerk because the city violated provisions of the Urban Councils Act.

Council also disregarded circulars from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on the matter.

The city was supposed to consult the board as required by law and, according to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing policy, it is mandatory for the incumbent to have at least four (4) years post qualification local government experience in middle or senior management in an administrative position.

In a letter to Harare Mayor Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni, the Local Government Board said it was shocked by a letter written to the board by Clr Manyenyeni notifying them of the appointment, when councils are required to submit names to the board for approval first.

“We herein register our shock, surprise and dismay at the contents of your aforementioned letter. Your letter simply ‘notifies’ the board of your decision to appoint Mr Mushore as town clerk, and yet it violates the procedure to appoint such a person as provided in the Urban Councils Act Chapter (29:15) and, several Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing circulars and policies.

“Section 132(1)-(2) of the Urban Council’s Act Chapter (29:15) is the law responsible for appointing any town clerk of any municipality. It provides when appointing a town clerk that (1) A municipal council shall appoint a person approved by the Local Government Board to be the town clerk of a municipal,” read part of the letter.

The Local Government Board said the executive committee of the municipal council was supposed to submit names of suitable candidates, hence it was evident from law that Harare City Council erred in appointing Mr Mushore without its approval.

“Section 135 of the same act says, (1) the Local Government Board shall interview every person whose name has been submitted to it by a council… and may (a) approve a person recommended by the council concerned; (b) refuse to approve any person recommended by the council concerned.”

“As a board, we are shocked that your office by-passed statutory obligations in such appointments and deliberately violated the law as no candidates were recommended to our board for the final interviews. If these procedures are not followed, it follows that the appointment of such officials was incorrectly carried out,” said the board.

It said Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing circular of the 30th of October 2011 outlined the requirements for candidates vying for post of town clerk.

The circular, among other things, stated that a candidate should have a relevant degree.

The board said it is mandatory for the incumbent to have at least four years post-qualification local government experience in middle or senior management in an administrative position.

The board further argued that the appointment Mr Mushore violated the law, practice and usage of the ministry circulars and policy therefore is illegal.

It therefore does not recognise Mr Mushore’s appointment.

“If your office insists on violating the law, which is clearly provided for the individuals involved, it shall be held liable and accountable both in their official and personal capacities.”

Mushore has been reporting for work since Monday.

Clr Manyenyeni yesterday confirmed receiving the letter but said he could not do anything without council approval.

“I really cannot do much with this paperwork without council authority. My actions are restricted by the council resolution not to dabble in a matter which is before the courts,” he said.

Asked why Mr Mushore was reporting for duty when the matter is still before the courts he said, “Does the court application say he must not report for duty?”

The generous ones put it at 10 000. The modest ones put it at 2 000. The niggard ones put it at 800. And all claimed to be reading from the same crowd which the MDC-T is alleged to have mustered in the wake of a court ruling favouring the demonstration to go ahead without any interference from the authorities. And as it turned out, the court order was respected, with the demonstration proceeding as we saw and read in the media.

Of course the Police were on hand to deal with any likely mischief. And there was a bit of it, if media reports are a guide. However, the big story appeared to be over numbers that attended. It is always a contested terrain given that politicians love numbers. And where they cannot have them, they will invent them, even relying on innumerates to count for them.

When two ten thousands clash

But to my mind the story lay elsewhere. Except we need to release ourselves from this fixation with numbers to grapple with the real news. Let us be charitable to the MDC-T, granting its propagandists’ wishes: 10 000. The same figure is about what the President had with screened war veterans last Thursday. Screened out of 34 000 who would have loved to attend the same meeting. So what is the story?

Why should a poorly scribbled message from a motley crowds ascribed to some political party assume greater resonance than that from the war veterans of the same number? So really, unless one wants to self-serve, there is little to be got from the numbers’ game. Or from an attempt to read apart either of the crowds so closely juxtaposed by time and purpose.

Actualising the new constitution

I think the real news is that the demonstration took place at all. And that has little to do with numbers. It has all to do with the new constitution, temperament of the Bench and disposition of the Executive. The new constitution makes demonstrations an unhindered right of association or assembly. It is the first right which the opposition sought to speedily claim and naturalise. It is also the same right which the war veterans tried and failed to claim the other week.

When you see interest groups each drawn from polar opposites of the political divide, seeking the same right and so soon in between, good watchers of social change will tell you society is about to outgrow its old rights, ripe enough to break the integument, to use a popular Marxist term. I think on this one, both the Bench and the Executive read the situation well, choosing to grant and concede a right respectively, so as to spare us sterile litigation. It’s a big step forward in terms of actualising the new constitution.

For the Police, a huge step forward a developing new policing habits dictated to by the new constitution and the ethos it creates. What is not clear is if at all the responsibilities the come with the exploitation of this right have been fully grasped by those claiming it. The onus of ensuring peace, law and order remains theirs and the future should see the Bench make serious pronouncements against those who fail to ensure those values we all know to counterbalance the freedom of association and assembly.

Dearth of messages

Which takes us to the second observation. Tsvangirai looked shrunken, ashen and wistful. It is not my role as a commentator to speculate on his state of health. What falls neatly within my purview is to try and interpret what make him wistful, even against glowing praises from the likes of Pedzisayi Ruhanya who sought to be happy on his behalf.

Interestingly one reason there was so much focus on numbers is because there was no message from the MDC-T leader to topple numbers copy. Tsvangirai had no message absolutely. Even the placards said it all, with abortive attempts at a sparkle using the name of Itai Dzamara. And of course the $15bn dollars said to have been lost to the country since the start of diamond mining. I am not ignoring the banal Mugabe must go mantra, only recognising its status in dramatising a messaging crisis in the opposition. Such a worn mantra cannot carry opposition politics or the country’s politics an inch forward.

And $66bn lost to sanctions?

Talking about the $15bn, surely it makes poor political inventiveness to rely on introspective observations by your opponent for your programmes? Are you holding Government to account at all? And as it emerges, Mugabe has moved miles and miles ahead in correcting the situation, in the process even serving surprises to his closest of allies.

We are moving to a new diamond mining dispensation, in which case the figure $15bn will cease to matter sooner. And that President could take such a drastic step even against the Chinese clearly indicated the depth of the principle he espouses. That is what makes Afrobarometer repeatedly discover he is a much trusted politician. And to add it all, he proceeds swiftly to clarify government stance on indigenisation and economic empowerment. If one reads the $15bn said to have been lost to illicit diamond trade against over $66bn lost to MDC-T wrought sanctions, how long is it before these guys drop $15bn? The opposition is wading into dead matter.

Headed for a cul de sac

But that is not even the most vexatious issue for the opposition. They have now been granted the right of assembly and combination. What next? More demonstrations? To what end? In politics there is nothing as terrible as being granted without a fight a right which comes with such onerous responsibility, and which soon exhausts your impetus.

I saw what attempted to be a clever reading of the so-called new phenomenon of a graduate vendor who is being read as the change factor in the current equation. This myth of drawing imaginary gains for itself, that has always been the bane of opposition politics and its pundits. The concession done to the opposition is sure to see it hit the high road to cul de sac. And that is what worries Morgan Tsvangirai.

From bicker to brawl

Add to that add the rivalry messages from People First and PDP which urged its people to keep away from such demonstrations. It was less out of fear of conflict and more out of fear of being upstaged by MDC-T. The MDC-T had gone to court alone, a fact which branded all that followed after it.

The other parties could not be seen to buoy MDC-T politics, something of some sweet music to ZANU-PF. It was worse for People First which attempted a baby demonstration against our embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. What was the idea? So far from underlining that the opposition is filling up the space it has just wrung free, we hear a bicker gathering into an open brawl.

Numbers do not matter at all

Lastly, as the MDC-T was busy building fictitious numbers, it’s real support base was depleting. Check the confusion, the stories of passion and embezzlement in the civil society, MDC-T’s equivalent of local government. The whole place smells dirty sex through and through. And monies that have been stolen, leaving Government amused, and backing western governments and organisations angry and frustrated.

A few resignations have followed. As if they matter. No audit will take place. And if ever it did, Mr Government will be very interested. And as with these political NGOs so it is with the ZCTU. And here is the key question for the political donor community: to dismantle the whole civil society and then start afresh. But how to do so less than two years from the next elections, and to do so without risking getting caught by an extra-vigilant Government, that is the issue.

Already part of the money meant for that purpose has been impounded by the authorities. More is sure to follow. Of course there are other donors who are cautioning against dismantling the thing. They want to keep it with its imperfections for the sake of looming elections. When you look at these preceding points, then you realise the debate on numbers is indeed inane, a sideswipe. Meanwhile, let’s see how it pans out.

Icho!

nathaniel.manheru@zimpapers.co.zw

Walter Nyamukondiwa in HURUNGWE
The Hurungwe man who hacked to death three people with an axe before downing poison was buried on Thursday amid high tension. His victims were also buried at their respective rural homes the same day.

Ephraim Hari was buried near his homestead in Bhobho village, Kapiri area under Chief Kazangarare on Thursday afternoon, the same day that his worker, Emson Charedzera, was being buried in Guruve.

His other victims including wife Faresi Mauya and her brother Lawson Mwanza were buried in Mutorashanga yesterday.

Ephraim could not stomach being confronted for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl, the resultant embarrassment and prospects of a lengthy jail term.

He went on the rampage, killing all the people who knew about the rape, hours after discussions to resolve the matter without involving outsiders.

Armed with an axe Ephraim is suspected to have hacked down his wife first after being told she knew about the rape.

He then went for his brother-in-law, before finally striking his worker.

Ephraim then went to his brother, Claudius’ home about 400 metres from his homestead and also struck him with an axe.

His brother was, however, lucky to escape with injuries and is recovering at Karoi District Hospital.

Before his burial, the in-laws who lost two children in one night demanded 13 head of cattle.

The burial proceeded after protracted negotiations in which the Hari family offered to pay six beasts up front.

They promised to pay the remainder over time.

A tense atmosphere with a palpable sense of fear swept through Bhobho village as people struggled to come to terms with the horrific triple murder.

Some villagers set aside their shock to attend Ephraim’s funeral, while others boycotted the funeral altogether.

Out of fear some neighbours have fled their homes to live with relatives in nearby villages.

The burial was fast-tracked amid reports that bodies of people who have committed suicide are not supposed to be kept in the houses overnight.

But his uncle, Member Mapfura, said the decision to fast track the burial was due to the poor state of Ephraim’s body.

“We were told to collect the body at Karoi District Hospital because it was starting to go bad,” he said.

“So it had to be buried the same day that it arrived, because we had to choose between following tradition and having the body decompose.”

The Herald caught up with Claudius’ wife, Irene Veremu, who fought tooth and nail to save her husband from certain death by pulling him inside after he was struck with an axe once.

“Uncle (Ephraim) came and knocked at around midnight pleading for an opportunity to finalise discussions on the alleged rape. My husband initially refused to open the door saying it was late before he opened and was struck with an axe,” she narrated.

She said Ephraim expressed fears that the whole world would know what had happened and he would be imprisoned.

This should not happen, he declared as he pounded the door demanding that she let him in.

She used furniture to reinforce the door with the support of her 14-year-old son.

“You think you are more powerful than me”, he reportedly asked during the ensuing commotion.

The scene was like a scene from a horror movie as Ephraim bayed for his brother’s blood.

“I kept telling him that I would not open the door as I feared he would attack me also but he said I do not share the same blood with him, so he would not hurt me,” she said.

This, she said, did not give her assurance and she kept the door locked.

He reportedly turned to the barn where cured tobacco was being stored and a kitchen hut both of which he set on fire.

After a while, they sought help from a neighbour after realising that Claudius was fast losing blood and his condition was getting worse.

He was taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Mrs Mauya sought refuge at a neighbour’s home fearing that her uncle Ephraim would return.

Up to now, she said it had not sunk in her mind that Ephraim is dead, and she lives in constant fear that he could return to harm her and her family.

After the heinous act, Ephraim proceeded to his mother Rosnet Chinavaenzwa’s home about 1,5km from his homestead.

His uncle Mr Mapfura said he pleaded with his mother to escort him to his former wife’s home about a kilometre away saying he wanted to talk to them about something.

She refused and he left.

However, his body was found lying on the floor with froth foaming at the mouth.

It was established that he had taken tobacco pesticide.

Enquiries at the former in-laws’ home established that he did not set foot there.

First to be found dead the following morning was his wife Faresi who was found lying in a pool of blood on the veranda.

She had deep cuts on the head and all over her body.

It is suspected that she tried to crawl from the bedroom to go outside for assistance after being struck with the axe.

The brother and worker were found lying in the bedroom with multiple cuts the following day, as people never suspected that they could still be at the home- stead.

“We thought that they could have fled the homestead after witnessing Faresi’s violent killing. So, we went to Mbuya Chinavaenzwa’s home, but when we returned with the police, that is when we found the two bodies in the bedroom,” said Irene Mauya.

Although Ephraim was described by many as a quiet person, Bhobho village and its surroundings are searching for answers as how a person would cause so much death.

Said Mr Frank Murasiranwa: “I could not even go for the funeral because I am yet to understand how such a thing can hap- pen.”

But what triggered such a crime?

According to family members, the late Faresi Mauya was asked to go and stay with her mother-in-law Gogo Chinavaenzwa who was not feeling well, early this month.

It is during that time that Ephraim reportedly raped the girl.

After Gogo Chinavaenzwa’s recovery Faresi went back home, while the girl went to live with her Gogo.

On April 10, Gogo Chinavaenzwa took the girl and two others to the river to bath.

She reportedly asked to examine them with one of them aged 17 refusing saying it was embarrassing for the process to be done in the presence of girls younger than her.

However, the other two underwent the examination and the girl was found to have engaged in sexual intercourse.

“She initially refused to name the perpetrator but later said it was uncle Ephraim,” said Mrs Veremu.

It is believed that the late Faresi Mauya alerted her in mother-in-law Gogo Chinavaenzwa of a possible case of abuse leading her to investigate through the examination.

It is believed that Ephraim killed his wife who is stepmother to the girl because of the information that she had and the possibility of her telling his in-laws from the previous marriage.

As Ephraim’s coffin was being lowered into his grave, Kapiri village breathed a sigh of relief but the scar will remain for a long time to come.

In Mutorashanga, questions and bewilderment engulfed the community.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri

From George Maponga in CHIVI
Construction of Tokwe-Mukosi Dam in Chivi is set to resume early next month after Government secured $35 million required to complete the project. The Italian contractor that had abandoned the project due to non-payment of outstanding money is expected to start work soon.

The company, Salini Impregilio, had demobilised its equipment and removed most of its personnel from the dam site after suspending the contract in December 2014 over payment problems.

Since then, there has been no activity at the dam after the contractor demanded that Government provide payment to cover arrears and complete all the outstanding work.

The dam was about 95 percent complete when work stopped, with raising of the dam wall by four metres, and fortification of the upstream side of the wall, together with touch-ups on the gate house and electrification of the water outlet valves being major outstanding works.

However, Salini Impregilio has since started bringing back construction equipment such as excavators, tippers and front-end loaders together with its personnel to complete the project.

Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri yesterday said Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, raised the money to complete Tokwe-Mukosi Dam with work poised to start at the beginning of next month.

Speaking during a tour to assess the state of affairs at the dam, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was in the company of Salini officials, said Government floated bonds to raise money for Tokwe-Mukosi Dam completion.

‘’We have managed to raise the $35 million that is required to complete this dam and the contractor has assured us of their readiness to start work as soon as possible because our target is to make sure that the rains that will fall this year will be captured after the completion of the dam,’’ she said.

‘’The contractor (Salini Impregilio) is busy bringing in their equipment, which they had removed together with their staff and they have told us that they will resume work at the beginning of next month such that by December this year the project will be completed,’’ she added.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Government and Salini Impregilio were negotiating to strike an agreement on the exchange rate between the greenback and the euro as the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam was priced in euros.

Government wanted Tokwe-Mukosi Dam to be completed as the project had the potential to create over 500 000 direct and indirect jobs.

‘’The contractor has told us that by December this year this project will be ready for handing over to the Government of Zimbabwe, and we are here because we must start planning how our people will benefit from this project upon completion. There are a lot of investments that will come to this area because of this dam, including canning factories because there will be vast tracts of land that will be opened up for irrigation.’’

‘’I will soon be engaging with my Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development counterpart Dr (Joseph) Made so that there are plans on the ground about how irrigation water will be harnessed to benefit our people. The time for planning is now because the money to complete the dam has been secured and the contractor is now happy,’’ she added.

She challenged Salini Impregilio officials to be in constant touch with her office, for speedy resolution of problems they might have, so that there would be no further delays.

She said completion of the dam was delayed after Government diverted part of the funds meant for the project to the evacuation of over 3 000 families whose homes and property were submerged by floods in the Tokwe-Mukosi basin in early 2014.

Salini Impregilio project manager at Tokwe-Mukosi Mr Urbano Luzi said the much-awaited dam would be completed by the end of this year.

He said the dam was 95 percent complete and allayed fears that his company would produce a sub-standard structure.

‘’We are busy mobilising equipment and personnel so that we start work and by December this year we will have completed the dam and then hand it over in January by which time we hope water would have accumulated. Government has told us that the money is now there and we have agreed on everything though we had some small challenges over the issue of exchange rate from American dollars into euros,’’ he said.

“We are a reputable company and we are building a concrete-faced rock-fill dam and some reports that we hear that we will not be able to come up with a durable structure are all false. We are very committed to completing this project and deliver a quality product,’’ added Mr Luzi.

Tokwe-Mukosi’s construction is being wholly funded by the Government of Zimbabwe and at a cost of $255 million, making it arguably the biggest project undertaken by Government since independence in Masvingo.

The dam will become Zimbabwe’s largest inland water body with 1,8 billion cubic metres of water capacity and will also have the potential to irrigate over 25 000 hectares making Masvingo a potential breadbasket for Zimbabwe.

Construction of Tokwe-Mukosi started in 1998.

collided head-on with a haulage truck 45km outside Beitbridge yesterday. — (Picture by Thupeyo Muleya)

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Twelve people were killed, while 45 others were injured when an MB Transport bus collided head-on with a haulage truck 45km outside Beitbridge town yesterday in an accident that has since been declared a national disaster.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere — who visited the accident victims at Beitbridge District Hospital and toured the accident scene alongside his State Security counterpart Kembo Mohadi — said the deceased would receive State-assisted funerals with each family getting $200 cash and transport.

“Subsequent to the road traffic accident involving a haulage truck and a bus belonging to MB Transport, which occurred along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway at the 46km peg in the early hours of April 15 that claimed 12 lives, I have since invoked Section 32 (c) of the Civil Protection Act Chapter 10.06 of 1989 to enable assistance to be rendered to the bereaved.

“Each bereaved family will receive $200 ‘chema’. This assistance is accessible through the District Administrator, Beitbridge District. Further assistance is being provided by Insurance Council of Zimbabwe who have undertaken to meet the hospital bills of the injured and mortuary facilities. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved, and a speedy recovery to the injured.”

Minister Kasukuwere said Government was seized with the issue of dualisation and upgrading of the Beitbridge-Harare Highway with a view to reducing perennial road carnage.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo yesterday sent condolence messages to the bereaved families.

“I wish to convey sincere condolences to the families, friends and relatives of the 12 people who tragically perished in a bus and a haulage truck accident at the 45km peg along the Beitbridge- Masvingo Highway on the 15th of April 2016.

“Our prayers are with those who sustained injuries and we wish them a speedy recovery,” he said.

Minister Gumbo appealed to drivers, especially those of public service vehicles and road users to exercise caution when travelling during the night and early hours of the morning.

“While the ministry together with traditional chiefs and the traffic safety council have embarked on a programme of tagging cattle with reflective ear-tags, the project will take long to reach the rest of the country. We have also determined that with immediate effect, all new road projects will include a component of fencing.

“I must, however, also appeal to all Zimbabweans not to vandalise such fences as this exposes the travelling public to danger,” he said.

Minister Mohadi who is also Beitbridge East constituency legislator described the accident as horrific and sorrowful.

“We are very sorry to the bereaved families about what has happened. We don’t usually come across such disasters and it’s very sad to witness people’s lives being cut short in such a away.

“The Government, through the Civil Protection Unit and the line minister (Local Government) is working flat out to ensure that the victims are accorded state assisted burials,” he said.

The police officer in charge of crime in Beitbridge District, Assistant Commissioner Bobby Murwira, said during a Civil Protection Unit meeting yesterday that the bus was travelling from Harare with 51 passengers on board.

“Upon reaching the 242 km along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road, the bus hit a donkey and swerved to the side of an on-coming truck resulting in a head-on collision, that killed 10 people on the spot. Two other people died upon admission at Beitbridge District hospital,” he said.

Asst Comm Murwira said 45 others were injured and taken to Beitbridge District Hospital where 13 were transferred to Bulawayo for further treatment.

The District Medical Officer, Mr Lenos Samhere, said 13 others with minor injuries were treated and discharged, while 19 were still at the Beitbridge hospital, and were in a stable condition.

The Member of Parliament for Beitbridge West constituency where the accident occurred, Mrs Metrine Mudau, told villagers to always pen their livestock.

“You will note that most of the accidents around this area are caused by stray animals. It is important that members of the community look after their livestock to avoid such incidents,” she said.

The visibly shaken MB Transport owner, Mr Brian Mungofa, said he was at loss for words, adding that he would provide $300 to each bereaved family.

“My heart is heavy with grief, and I would like to extend my condolences to relatives of those who have departed. As MB Transport we will assist them with $300 and food items,” he said.

Meanwhile, police have released seven names of the 12 victims of the traffic accident, who include a one year, 10 months old baby. Half of them are from Dulibadzimu suburb in Beitbridge.

Those identified are: Mavis Mutizwa (28), Belinda Chapeyama (one year, 10 months baby), Elizabeth Musona (26), Melody Muchaneta Dzongodza (29) all of Beitbridge; Irene Mukuto (30) of Highfield, Harare, Alsum Masvovere (29) of Mbizo, Kwekwe and Ranganayi Garu (23) of Chitungwiza.

In a statement yesterday, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said those who were missing their relatives should proceed to Beitbridge District Hospital and identify the remaining unidentified five bodies.

President Mugabe shares a lighter moment with Anotidaishe Chikukwa upon his arrival for the annual Children’s Independence Party at the City Sports Centre in Harare yesterday. – Picture by Justin Mutenda.

Fidelis Munyoro Senior Reporter
President Mugabe yesterday dissuaded youths from drug abuse saying self-discipline, focus and seriousness with studies were the only path to prosperity.

Addressing thousands of children from the country’s 10 provinces gathered at the City Sports Centre in Harare for the Independence Children’s Party, President Mugabe said it was the desire of all parents to see their children succeed in school and life.

“Sadly, some of the youths today have not lived up to our expectations,” said President Mugabe. “They have instead become victims of hedonism; the perception that pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life. Day in and day out, we read stories about young people dying after taking mind-bending and behaviour-modifying substances. We hear stories of children being involved in the so-called wild parties where drugs are peddled and consumed with ease and abundance.”

President Mugabe urged the education ministry to tighten “this area in collaboration with other agencies”.

Using abusable substances at a tender age can disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behavior control.

Teens who use alcohol and other drugs often have family and social problems, poor academic performance, health-related problems (including mental health), and involvement with the juvenile justice system.

President Mugabe criticised promiscuity among youths saying it had reached alarming proportions.

“As young people, you need to take stock of your conduct. Make your future a conscious project of self-actualisation, through what you are currently doing. Never forget that you might end up being the company you keep. So keep good company therefore,” he said.

He saluted parents for working tirelessly towards the education of their children under difficult conditions.

“This is as it should be because, by its very nature, education is a multi-stakeholder activity. The current reforms in education sector provide huge opportunities for strengthening parental involvement in the accountabilities in the school system.”

He said while Government and parents were playing their part in the provision of education, the learners themselves also had a critical role to play.

President Mugabe acknowledged that this season had been exceedingly difficult one as the heavens had not been kind affecting the agricultural output.

He said this would impact negatively on school enrolments and the capacity of schools to retain learners already enrolled.

President Mugabe affirmed Government’s readiness to start the school feeding scheme next term to mitigate the effects of drought on learners.

“I wish to take this opportunity to urge schools to boost their parents’ engagement to ensure that parents meaningfully participate in the School Feeding Programme,” he said.

President Mugabe thanked all the students and teachers for the efforts they made to ensure the success of the event.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora were among senior Government officials who attended the party.

The children’s party is held on the eve of the country’s Independence celebrations annually.

Bulawayo Bureau 
THE Government has announced civil servants pay dates for the month of April with the police expected to be paid on Wednesday while the rest of the civil servants will receive their salaries on April 29.

Soldiers received their salaries on Friday while pensioners will be paid their allowances on May 9.

The announcement of the pay dates was made through a circular dated April 14 sent by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to Government departments.

The circular stated that members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces received their salaries on Friday last week.

The circular reads: “Reference April 2016 public servants pay dates and pension payments. The above refers – Treasury proposes that pay dates for public servants and pensioners for the month of April 2016 be as follows: Zimbabwe National Army 15 April, Air Force of Zimbabwe 15 April, Zimbabwe Republic Police 20 April, Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services 20 April, Health Sector 22 April, Education Sector 26 April, Rest of Service 29 April, and pensioners 9 May, 2016.”

The pay dates announcement allays fears of delays in salaries payment.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday said the Government’s failure to provide them with pay dates on time was affecting their planning.

“We no longer have pay dates prior to the next month. They provide pay dates when they have mobilised the money. This creates a lot of job uncertainty and makes teachers wonder whether they will ever get salaries that surpass the poverty datum line,” said Ndlovu.

Recently, the Government honoured its pledge to pay bonuses to civil servants with members of the uniformed forces and those in the health sector having already been paid.

Herald Reporters—
ZIMBABWEANS today celebrate 36 years of freedom amid calls for the nation to unite and safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle. President Mugabe is expected to deliver a keynote address at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said today was reflection time. “Independence day is the day when we should reflect on our achievements and to say united we stand and divided we fall.

“We must use the day to fulfil people’s aspirations. We must never allow factionalism, tribalism, corruption to take root. In my view we must thank the leadership, President Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo for bringing together liberation movements under one umbrella. We must guard unity jealously,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

He said there was a lot for Zimbabweans to celebrate.

“We are the most literate country on the continent. We thank the President himself, as an educationist he has led by example. The most important achievement is that we have reclaimed our land which was the basis of the liberation struggle,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

Cde Khaya Moyo said it was everyone’s responsibility to ensure the success of Government economic blueprint, Zim-Asset. He admitted the country, like any other nation, also faced challenges especially in the social services sector like health. “This is of course because of the illegal sanctions which we have spoken loudly that they must be removed. Our education sector is doing well,” he said.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe and State Security Minister Cde Kembo Mohadi also rallied the nation to reflect on the gains of independence.

Dr Mushohwe said the country has enjoyed uninterrupted peace for the past 36 years and it was worth celebrating. “These are 36 years of a united country, of a united people, of a country that enjoys peace,” he said. Cde Mohadi said Independence Day was a time for the nation to reflect and dedicate itself to the ideals of the liberation struggle.

“The time has come to dedicate ourselves to the ideals of the struggle. Let us zero back, reflect and re-dedicate ourselves to the protection and defence of the gains of the liberation struggle,” he said. Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Cde Miriam Chikukwa urged residents to converge at the National Sports Stadium in their numbers to mark this important day.

At least 30 buses will ferry people from different parts of the country to the main event on Monday. People should be at their usual pick-up points at 5.30am. “Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu and other artistes will perform on Independence Day,” she said. Highlanders Football Club and Chicken Inn are expected to clash in the Independence Cup final after they beat Harare giants Dynamos and Zvishavane-based Platinum FC, respectively.

In Manicaland, Provincial Affairs Minister Mandi Chimene said the main celebrations would be held at Sakubva Stadium. “We have invited visitors from Mozambique who will join us. Our celebrations will start today (last night) where we will have a dinner at the Showgrounds. Nhasi hakurarwi,” said Minister Chimene.

In Masvingo Province, the main commemorations will be held in Mucheke Stadium and Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Shuvai Mahofa will be guest of honour. “We are expecting a full house at Mucheke Stadium tomorrow (today) as Masvingo joins the rest of the country in commemorating our hard-won Independence that came at a great price following a protracted war of liberation to remove the colonial regime,’’ said Cde Mahofa.

Preparations for the Uhuru have also gathered momentum in Matabeleland South. Provincial Administrator Mr Mildard Khumalo said major celebrations would be at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda. “We have covered a lot of ground in terms of logistics and we are ready to roll,” said Mr Khumalo.

He said Rural Development, Preservation and Promotion of National Culture and Heritage Minister Abednico Ncube would be guest of speaker. Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for the Midlands Province Cde Jason Machaya said major celebrations would be held at Mkoba Stadium.

“This is a celebration that knows no political party, religion or tribe simply because it brought independence for all. It is a day that made a big difference in everybody’s life. We must all cherish it,” said Minister Machaya.

In Bulawayo, all roads lead to White City Stadium where the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Nomthandazo Moyo will deliver the President’s speech. “The last 15 years have been difficult for us as a nation. We are still struggling but let us celebrate, work hard and be hopeful that we will be on our feet soon. The country should treasure the gains of Independence and support the Government as it works towards reviving the country’s economy.”

In Matabeleland North, the main event will be held at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane. Cde Cain Mathema, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, called for unity among Zimbabweans, saying if the people are not united there would be no development in the country.

“We must be united and work hard to fight poverty in the country. Nobody should view themselves as more important than the other,” said Minister Mathema. Opposition parties issued a joint statement yesterday urging the Government to address the economic challenges facing the country.

The political parties include the MDC-T, MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube, African Democratic Party, Mavambo Kusile Dawn, National Constitutional Assembly, People’s Democratic Party, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, Zapu led by Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, Zimbabweans United for Democracy and the Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment.

“We the democratic opposition political parties on this Independence Day pledge to the people of Zimbabwe our commitment to work together with the people to find collective and common solutions to restore our national economy, secure land rights to our people, restore the dignity of the people,” read the joint statement.

Zimbabwe People First interim president Dr Joice Mujuru criticised the Zanu-PF Government for the current economic environment. She condemned the land reform programme saying bad policies destroyed agriculture.

Updates by Costa Mano and Simiso Mlevu

Social Media: Timothy Maponga

1441: The official proceedings have come to an end here and we conclude our updates. Thank you for joining us.

1253: Mass displays are now on show at the National Sports Stadium.

1241: The Parade Commander seeks and gets approval from President Mugabe to march the parade off. The parade begins to march off

1239: President Mugabe has  finished his address and the National Anthem is now being played.

President Mugabe making his address. All pictures by Innocent Makawa

1237: One of the greatest tributes we can pay to Zimbabwe is shun corruption, shun tribalism and nepotism…..because we are celebrating our anniversary, let’s take this as our people’s day of happiness and joy across the country. may i say to you happy birthday..long live Zimbabwe, long live our independence….I thank you,”

1235: “Government will continue to find ways of improving the welfare of civil servants..Government apologises for the late disbursements of bonuses, salaries and payments to pensioners. Payment for pensioners will be more predictable and on time..our security and defence forces have remained resolute in defending our sovereignty and security,”

1231: President Mugabe says his Government is determined to transforming political independence into the transformation of the economy.

1228: “The AfDB has been of great help to us..the sanction that have been imposed on  us by the US have been having their toll….in an effort to facilitate trade Government has placed efficient systems at the border points….To increase international trade Zimbabwe has been making parallel efforts by consolidating of export markets…fellow Zimbabweans, comrades and friends, in the sphere of foreign policy, Zimbabwe successfully chaired SADC and AU,”

President Mugabe lights the Eternal Flame

1225: ”Government has found a financier and contractor for Chirundu-Beitbridge road at a cost of $2 billion…the power situation has improved this year by increasing output at Hwange and importing from the Southern African power pool….we also have signed a loan with the bank which enables us to Munyati, Harare and Bulawayo power stations. In line with the promotion of renewable energies, Government has promoted a massive solar water heating programme and we have seen a bot if solar that has been installed on the Airport Road,”

1221: “There has been the formation of completely renew companies in the economy during the last few years…some of the revived companies include Olive Industries, Cotton Company of Zimbabwe and many more…new one include Pure Oil, Pro Feeds, Kefalos just to mention a few. The resuscitation, formation of these and such companies has helped us create new job s, create employment, enhancing fiscal space and increasing production,”

Vice President Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia stand next to Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and wife with Chatunga Mugabe standing behind them.

1218: “While our economy has been showing signs of growth and recovery, the country has sadly been hit by El Nino which has unleashed on us the worst drought in recent history..Government has take n steps to ensure food availability for our people…There will be an exercise of debt clearance as we reengage with the international community. in order to sustain the success of the land reform prog the Government is working with financial sector to guarantee the bankability of our 99 year leases,”

1214: President Mugabe says Zimbabwe is now a people fully enjoying the right to self determination and the country should not forget that the independence did not come on a silver platter.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and his wife Laurinda at today’s celebrations

1211: President Mugabe is now on the podium.

1211: He praises the President for his leadership of SADC and AU. Cde Kasukuwere invites the celebrations’ Guest of Honour, President Mugabe, to address the nation.

1205: The Host Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere has been invited to the podium by Information Minister Cde Christopher Mushowhe. He starts off by congratulating the President on the birth of his first grand child. He says Zimbabweans should take heed of the call to stand guard and protect the interests of Zimbabwe.

1202: Father Ribiero prays for the nation and concludes his sermon.

1200: “To the young,  hope there are some amongst you who will be like bees which protect the hive but if these bees don’t protect the hive, it shall be invaded,”

1154: Father Ribeiro of the Roman catholic Church is now giving a sermon. He says the nation was struggled and fought for.

“In that struggle, some did not return and other returned maimed. Some are here, some are not…I see the young here who have no idea how it was fought for but in the future we shall leave this heritage to them….Today’s celebrations must be passed onto our children so that grow up knowing where this country came from..in all this there are some who support it and there are some don’t,”

1147: They have now handed the torch to President Mugabe who proceeds to light up the Eternal Flame.

1146: Athletes who include Stephen Muzhingi, Olivia Chitate, Precious Mukuze, Paul Mhize among others have now entered the stadium carrying the independence torch.

1142: The parade march has ended. Time for the war cry.

1125: The Parade Commander seeks and gets permission from the Commander- in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe, to march past in slow and then in quick time.

1119: President Mugabe is now inspecting the Guard of Honour.

1342: The venue has now been filled to capacity and other keen patriots have been locked outside and have to wait for others to exit.

1111: The celebrations are being held at various venues across the country with the main one being at the National Sports Stadium.

1107: The National Anthem is now being played.

1105: President Mugabe has arrived at the National Sports Stadium and is accompanied by his Chatunga.

1050: Vice Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko are already here along with Service Chiefs and Cabinet ministers.

Some people scale the parameter fence after being turned away as the venue was full

1045: The National Sports Stadium is fast filling up as Zimbabweans from all works of life converge to mark 36 years of independence from colonial rule.

President Mugabe lights the Independence Flame at the country’s 36th Independence Day celebrations before a capacity crowd at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Innocent Makawa)

Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
President Mugabe says Zimbabwe has made strides in its economic recovery efforts which have seen a number of new companies opening shop in the country while Government is reviewing legislation to improve ease of doing business.

The President also revealed that a financier and contractor for the $2 billion Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway dualisation project had been identified.

He made the remarks in his official address at the 36th Independence celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday.

The President attributed the positive developments to the accelerated implementation of Zim-Asset under the evolved 10-Point Plan that he presented during his State of the Nation Address last year.

President Mugabe said the 10-Point Plan included a rapid results framework, revitalisation of agriculture and mining, value addition and beneficiation, financial inclusion and infrastructure development, as well as tourism promotion. He said a strategy to clear the country’s international debt was in place.

“Our re-organisation of the mining sector, which includes the consolidated State-ownership of the diamond mines, and the strategic management of gold mining and gold products, has started showing improved results with gold output now at 20,2 tonnes, rising expectedly to 25,5 tonnes by the year-end,” said President Mugabe.

“With respect to the manufacturing, I am glad to inform you that there has been a very comfortable resuscitation of companies that had closed or were on the brink of closure.

“In addition, there have been the formation of completely new companies within the economy during the past few years.

“The resuscitation, formation and expansion of these and other companies has greatly assisted us in preserving employment, creating new jobs, saving foreign currency and exchange, enhancing fiscal space and in increasing production.”

President Mugabe said a number of infrastructural projects, particularly the upgrading and rehabilitation of roads, power stations and airports, had also been implemented.

“Government has found a financier and contractor for the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Road which will be constructed at an estimated cost of $2 billion,” said the President.

“On the other hand, it is pleasing to note that Air Zimbabwe and the National Railways of Zimbabwe are now steadily on the way to resuscitation.

“The power situation in the country has improved significantly this year. Government has managed to drastically reduce load shedding by increasing output at Hwange Power Station and by importing additional power from regional power utilities in the Southern African Power Pool,” he said.

“In the medium term, we expect to benefit from Kariba Power Station expansion presently at 41 percent completion stage, and Hwange Power Station, for which we have signed a loan with China Exim Bank. We also have active plans to re-power Harare, Munyati and Bulawayo power stations,” said President Mugabe.

He said in line with Government policy to promote renewable energy use, the country had embarked on a massive solar water heating programme. He urged new houses to have solar water heaters instead of electric geysers.

President Mugabe also encouraged existing homes to replace electric geysers with solar water heating systems.

The President bemoaned the effects of the El Nino-induced drought that he said threatened the country’s food self-sufficiency.

To ameliorate the problem, President Mugabe said Government had made effective grain import arrangements.

The President added Government was consulting with financial institutions so that the 99-year farm leases could be used as collateral.

“Let me acknowledge that the African Development Bank has given us much needed financial support.

“Recently, they availed a grant in support of our beef and leather value chain project that will surely drive growth in the Matabeleland North and South provinces by ensuring competitiveness of both local and export markets,” the President said.

“Government is also working to buttress the competitive agenda through the ‘Doing Business Reforms Programme’ which seeks to improve the ‘Doing Business in Zimbabwe’, hence the current review of procedure manuals and some legislation, which have been hindering a speedy registration of enterprises,” said President Mugabe.

He said Government had also adopted a border efficiency management system to promote trade and reduce congestion at the country’s ports of entry.

Gen Chiwenga

Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Defence Forces are aware of machinations by Zimbabwe’s enemies to destablise the country using local elements, but such plots will come to naught.

The country’s security forces said similar plots were fomented during the liberation struggle, but failed.

In an interview with The Herald on the sidelines of the 36th Independence Day celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday, Commander Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga said security forces were on high alert to thwart such machinations.

He described the security forces as the country’s national insurance policy that guaranteed peace and security.

Said Gen Chiwenga: “We are aware of the ascetic warfare they are waging on the country, the country’s political system, the country’s economy and the Defence Forces of the country. There is a real assault on all the establishments of Zimbabwe.”

Service Chiefs (from left) Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda, Air Force of Zimbabwe commander, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Commissioner-General of Police, Augustine Chihuri and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi at the 36th Independence celebrations at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. — (Picture by Innocent Makawa)

He said the country was assured of victory.

“But if we defeated them in 1979 and got our independence in 1980, what makes them feel that they can launch another war against us and defeat us? We are aware of them. We are aware of all the tricks. Even during the liberation struggle, we also had the same problems. We had numerous rebellions that you are aware of,” Gen Chiwenga said.

“The parties were being split left, right and centre. They tried all the tricks. In the case of us, we had the parties being destroyed — Zapu and Zanu — when Frolizi was formed. It did not work. We had the rebellions of the Nhari/Badza. We had the rebellions of Vashandi 1 and Vashandi 2,” he said.

“Every trick which has been used, we have been prepared for it and here we are, prepared even more than what they expected.”

Explaining the role of the army in the security of the nation, Gen Chiwenga said: “It is like yourself – for you to be comfortable you take an insurance policy either for your vehicle or your house or for yourself in the event that you die. We are the national insurance policy for the country. We guarantee the security of Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans must always go daily about their chores, sleep well, eat well because we are there as their security guarantors.

“We are the stockholders of the country. Some are stakeholders. Stakeholders will come and go but stockholders have nowhere to go so we are the stockholders, we came with it (Zimbabwe).”

Gen Chiwenga said all members of the Defence Forces were war veterans.

“Even when we are gone, there are also war veterans of the Mozambican campaign where we spent 10 years trying to bring peace in Mozambique,” he said.

“We have the DRC war veterans who fought in the DRC for four years. Every member of the Defence Forces you see is a war veteran in his own (right). If the Chinese have got their Mao tse Tung, the Russians have their Lenin so we also have our own President Mugabe. His legacy will live forever.”

General Chiwenga said the youths should remain grounded and never be swayed by misguided local and external forces.

“The youths are the future leaders but they must be moulded,” he said.

“They must be educated. They must be given the correct ideology. They must understand what Zimbabwe is all about. My message to the youth is that, learn from the past as the past informs your present situation and the present situation informs the future.

“We would want our youths to be disciplined. We would want them to be proud of Zimbabwe, to protect and cherish the history of Zimbabwe. To take Zimbabwe forward and never to be confused by any external influences, internal misguided influences. They must stick to the correct ideology.

“They must have pride of their own country. They only have one Zimbabwe.”

Gen Chiwenga said there were programmes in the pipeline such as the National Youths Service to inculcate in youths the values of the country’s history.

Gen Chiwenga said the country’s Look East Policy was bearing positive results as a counter measure to Western sanctions.

He said the illegal sanctions were imposed as a warning to other developing countries not to challenge the policies of their colonial masters.

“The Look East Policy pronounced by the President has also helped us because it is not the North or the Western countries that have got what we need. The world is now a village and so the East and the South-South cooperation have helped us, coupled with our self-reliance through the establishment of the defence and security forces,” said Gen Chiwenga.

BREATHING FIRE . . . Cont Mhlanga

Zvamaida Murwira in Lupane
Members of the public have criticised legislators for shunning rural and remote areas when conducting public hearings on issues of national importance.

They complained that lawmakers confined themselves to urban areas.

This emerged during a joint consultative meeting bringing together the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Human Rights and Peace and Security, Senate Thematic committee on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill.

The committees held public hearings in Kwekwe, Gweru, Victoria Falls, Plumtree, Hwange Lupane, Bulawayo, Marondera, Mutare and Chinhoyi, among other cities and towns last week.

During a meeting held in Bulawayo at the weekend, participants rapped legislators for shunning rural communities where the majority of Zimbabweans resided, choosing instead to visit urban areas where there are better facilities and social amenities.

The sentiments were raised after the head of delegation and Harare West MP Ms Jessie Majome (MDC-T) had apologised for a late start and outlined the areas they had visited.

“You are moving around cities and towns and never visiting rural areas like Tsholotsho, Kezi. The majority of people live in rural areas and they bear the brunt of conflict and, it is pertinent that you visit these areas. But the tendency for you legislators is to avoid these places because they are remote and lack social amenities,” said Mr Alfred Ncube of Tsholo- tsho.

Participants said it did not make sense to convene a meeting on peace building and reconciliation in an urban area, leaving out rural communities who constituted the lion’s share of the victims of such vices.

Another participant, Mr Lungiso Bhebhe, rapped organisers of the hearing for conducting the Bulawayo consultative meeting at a five-star hotel instead of going to high-density suburbs where the majority of people lived.

“Those who came here are those that have cars or who were lucky to borrow five rand ($0,50) for transport. Why not convene it in Makokoba, Pumula or Nketa where there are people,” he said.

In Lupane, Amakhosi Theatre Productions founder Mr Cont Mhlanga echoed the same sentiments and complained why Bills were only written in English.

“We need Bills to be written in vernacular languages like Ndebele, Tonga and Nambya,” said Mr Mhlanga, who now lives in his rural home in Lu- pane.

Most people who rose to make contributions criticised the Bill saying it should not be passed in its present form owing to “sweeping” powers that it conferred on the responsible minister.

Others said the NPRC should prioritise political disturbances that occurred during the 1980s in the Matabeleland areas and Midlands if sustainable peace was to be achieved.

The public hearing was supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust.

President Mugabe with his Deputies Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko at the Independence celebrations

Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
Government is committed to improving the welfare of civil servants by matching their salaries to the Poverty Datum Line, the President has said.

President Mugabe said Government was equally committed to improving the welfare of war veterans as he implored Zimbabweans to work for the good of the country.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said this when he addressed thousands of people who thronged the National Sports Stadium in Harare for the 36th Independence Day celebrations yesterday.

“Government will also continue to find ways of improving the welfare of civil servants,” he said.

“It is the desire of Government that salaries progressively match the Poverty Datum Line. Government apologises for the late disbursement of salaries, bonuses and monthly payments to pensioners, but be rest assured that Government is working flat out to improve the situation.

“Now that the workers have begun contributing towards the pension fund, payment of pensioners will be more predictable and on time.”

President Mugabe said as the nation celebrated the country’s independence, it should be borne in mind that it did not come on a silver platter as thousands of lives were lost while several others were maimed and scarred during the liberation struggle.

“As we continue to recognise the importance and crucial role played by the war veterans in the bitter struggle for freedom, Government has now established a full Cabinet ministry to oversee and manage the provision of their welfare, including that of former political detainees and restrictees.

“As you are aware, only 11 days ago I had the pleasure of meeting about 10 000 of them to hear and discuss their concerns and assure them of Government welfare assistance to alleviate their social situation.”

He said Government was also committed to translating political independence into meaningfulness by attending to people’s socio-economic needs.

President Mugabe implored every Zimbabwean to work for the good of the country.

“Progress has also been made in the development of social infrastructure in health, education and housing.

“This also includes the capacitating of our education sector with ICT as well as the implementation of e-Government in order to enhance efficiency and quality of service delivery to the public,” he said.

“Today, as we celebrate our 36th Independence Day Anniversary, let us re-dedicate ourselves to serve Zimbabwe at all times, always striving for peace, respect, tolerance and goodwill towards others and to tirelessly work for the unity and development of our beloved country, Zimbabwe.

“One of the greatest tributes we can pay to Zimbabwe is to shun corruption, regionalism and nepotism. We should always remember that we are one people, united by the bond of Independence,” said President Mugabe.

President Mugabe said Government was also committed to develop rural communities where the majority of the citizens live.

“To this end, Government now has the Ministry of Rural Development, Preservation and Promotion of Natural Heritage. This re-arrangement of Government functions resulted in the creation of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation which will, on its part, concentrate on the development of sporting and recreational activities in the country,” he said.

President Mugabe hailed the security forces for remaining resolute in defence of the country’s sovereignty and peace.

President Mugabe, who was the Sadc and African Union chairperson last year, said the country had successfully chaired the two organs during its tenure.

“This historic feat accorded the country the rare opportunity to serve the people of Southern Africa, and Africa at large, in pushing forward the sub-region’s and the continent’s priorities. Our leadership of these two organisations greatly enhanced Zimbabwe’s image and influence in Africa and beyond.

“The country’s Look East Policy also received a major boost with the State visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, in December 2015,” said President Mugabe.

VP Mnangagwa

Bulawayo Bureau
Government wants Britain to compensate Zimbabwe for the resources it looted before the country’s independence in 1980.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa (pictured above)told senators on Thursday that the colonialists were so determined to siphon resources out of the country that they went to the extent of forming a committee to coordinate the plunder.

The VP said this after Chief Musarurwa asked him on the steps the Government was taking to repatriate skulls of some of the country’s forefathers that are held as trophies in some British museums.

The chief also asked the VP if the country was going to be compensated.

VP Mnangagwa said the Government was still engaging the British on the repatriation process but also more importantly on the issue of compensation for looted re- sources.

“We are still engaging with the Government of the Queen. They admit that they have some of the things but some they do not have. We are not going to sit idle, we will continue searching and seeking that these be repatriated back to Zimbabwe, of which they agreed some of them, they do have,” said VP Mnangagwa.

“You also mentioned about compensation for the skulls, (it) is not the only compensation we want but we want compensation for the settling of the white settlers here in Zimbabwe over and above the skulls or heads.

“We also want compensation for the looting that they did from this nation. I am sure if you read the history books, they will inform you that there was a Loot Committee. The white settlers sat down and came out with a board to discuss looting.”

He urged chiefs to be involved in lobbying to support the Government.

VP Mnagagwa said countries such as Germany had returned some remains but Britain wants to be forced into doing so.

“The British are hard-headed, we actually had to force them out of this nation. So for us to get the remains of our ancestors that they have, we need to engage them and engage a legalistic approach for us to get our heritage back,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said it was taboo for an African’s body and skull to be buried separately which is why the Government was pushing for the repatriation of some of the remains.

Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Thousands of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged the National Sports Stadium in Harare for the main celebrations to mark the country’s 36th Independence anniversary.

President Mugabe addressed the gathering, calling on Zimbabweans to remain united and guard against divisive tendencies like regionalism.

People started gathering at the venue as early as 6am and by the time the official proceedings started, the stadium was full to capacity.

The celebrations were characterised by spectacular mass displays by about 500 school children drawn from various schools.

Members of the Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Republic Police also had a wide variety of displays that left the crowd spellbound.

It was, however, the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services that stole the show with a play taking Zimbabweans down memory lane, reminding them of white brutality and consequent hanging of Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.

The play highlighted the heroic role played by members of the “Crocodile Gang” in the liberation of Zimbabwe.

The Crocodile Gang operated in Manicaland under the leadership of the late national hero, Cde William Ndangana and in Masvingo it included Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Musician, Jah Prayzah, also kept the people entertained with live performances from his latest album Jerusarema.

Cabinet ministers, service chiefs, as well as senior civil servants and diplomats attended the celebrations.

This year’s Independence theme was: “Zimbabwe at 36: Celebrating peace and economic development.”

Independence Day celebrations come in the wake of major strides in the implementation of the country’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.

Several mega projects in the energy sector and infrastructure development are already underway in line with Zim-Asset goals.

Zimbabweans who spoke to The Herald said independence should be cherished by all despite of their political affiliations.

Mr Samuel Mambure of Chitungwiza said the liberation struggle was not fought by supporters of one political party, but by all Zimbabweans.

“On this particular occasion, we should put our political differences aside and celebrate the freedom that every Zimbabwean is enjoying,” he said.

“We should unite and put Zimbabwe ahead of our political differences.”

Ms Melody Matende said: “This is a great day that we should cherish.

“We are Zimbabweans first and supporters of different political parties second.

“As Zimbabweans, we should strive to defend the gains of our independence for the benefit our children.”